A senior Party official has demanded full awareness, full action, and full determination be made to have the “yellow card” warning over illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing lifted this year.

The request was made by Truong Thi Mai, Politburo member, Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat and Chairwoman of the Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission, at a meeting held on April 22 to disseminate the Secretariat’s Directive 32-CT/TW on enhancing the Party’s leadership over the IUU fishing combat and the fisheries sector’s sustainable development.

The event was connected with the 28 coastal provinces and cities via videoconference.

Mai said that since the European Commission issued the “yellow card” in 2017, Vietnam has become further aware of this issue’s negative impacts on the long-term development of the fisheries sector. Better awareness could be seen among all-level Party committees, the political system, localities, fishermen, and relevant workers who have also made stronger and more active moves.

She emphasised the need for full awareness, full action, and full determination to realise the targets and solutions specified in Directive 32-CT/TW. In particular, the “very high” target is to have the “yellow card” lifted in 2024.

The official cited the directive as identifying this as an important, urgent, and also long-term issue.

Negative impacts of the warning are clear, she pointed out, elaborating that all aquatic exports to the EU have to undergo examination, instead of random check. Expenses companies have to pay have also increased. In the long run, if the “yellow card” is not removed, not only the development of the fisheries sector or the country is affected but livelihoods of millions of fishermen and relevant workers will also be influenced.

Given this, Mai asked relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to show strong resolve to have the “yellow card” lifted this year.

In the long term, she added, it is necessary to restructure the fisheries sectors towards transparency, responsibility, and sustainability; create suitable livelihoods and improve the life quality for fishermen and related workers; and conserve and develop fishery resources, thereby promoting Vietnam’s image, stature, and reputation.

Additionally, Party committees, organisations, agencies, and units should commend the collectives and individuals with good implementation of the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies and laws in a timely manner, conduct frequent examination, enhance consensus among and give support to fishermen and workers, and protect fishermen’s rights and legitimate interests, according to the Party official.

At the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang presented the Government’s action plan for implementing Directive 32-CT/TW./.

Football tournament for students held in France

A football tournament was held in Paris, France, on April 20 and 21, attracting the participation of more than 500 Vietnamese students in France and Belgium.

Organised by the Union of Vietnamese Students in France (UEVF), this year's event gathered 16 teams from the two countries.

Minister Counsellor at the Vietnamese Embassy in France Pham Thi Kim Yen emphasised the significance of sporting events and affirmed that the embassy has always supported the UEVF to organise activities to promote physical training movement while consolidating solidarity among Vietnamese students in the host country.

Particularly, this year celebrates the 25th anniversary of the football tournament’s inception, marking a milestone in the journey of sportsmanship development, cohesion, and solidarity of Vietnamese young people in Europe in general and in France in particular.

AEV Lyon championed this year's tournament and received a cash prize of 1,200 EUR. Several awards such as “top scorer”, “golden gloves”, and “fair play" were also presented.

The UEVF, one of the first associations of Vietnamese students, now has 27 sub-unions with over 15,000 members across France./.

Tân Thành fishing village to host weekend beach festival

Six community-based tourism villages Trường Sơn Mountain from Quảng Bình, Quảng Trị, Thừa Thiên-Huế and Quảng Nam provinces will display hand-made crafts, cuisine and fine arts at Fun Fest 24 on Tân Thành beach in An Bàng on April 13.

Around 100 pavilions will display unique products made by ethnic groups of Vân Kiều, Tà Ôi, Bru Vân Kiều, Cơ Tu living in the mountainous villages.

The main market area is on Nguyễn Phan Vinh street, 5km from Hội An ancient town.

The market, which opens from 7am to 8pm, will be included entertainment, charity activities as well as sport and cultural exchanges between residents, visitors and expats living.

Visitors can enjoy folk games, surfing, paragliding and treasure hunts on the pristine beach.

A fun run event will be held in the morning with 300m section for children and 1,000m for adults. All donations from the run and market will support hearing impaired children at the Hearing&Beyond class in Thanh Hà pottery village.

An art troupe from Dỗi village, a community-based tourism site in Nam Đông district of Thừa Thiên-Huế, will perform with Saigon band, Langurs and HAIS Kids at the festival.

Street Zumba dances and music from the 1980s will be perforomed along with a fashion show and fire dance in the evening.

Tân Thành fishing village, on An Bàng beach, 5km from Hội An, is as popular spot for handmade crafts and organic food.

The community has been building ‘green’ beach tourism by boosting plastic-free and zero-waste recycling among the community and tourists.

A group of 13 travel businesses and local fishermen decorated a 300m section of coastal Nguyễn Phan Vinh Street, creating a vibrant art space and entertainment area.

The beach community helped local residents link with other farms and craftsmen from Đà Nẵng, Huế and Quảng Nam at the weekend market.

The community was recognised as the One-Commune, One Product (OCOP) – an eco-tour brand – that helps promoting sustainable and ancient culture preservation in the fishing village.

Hội An also opened a battery-powered car route to help visitors travelling from the Old Quarter to Tân Thành beach. 

Central province urges waste treatment construction

The central province aims to commence construction of the Dung Quất integrated waste treatment complex on 71ha in Tịnh Phong district with an investment of VNĐ600 billion (US$24 million).

Director of the provincial department of natural resources and environment, Nguyễn Đức Trung confirmed that the project investor, Quảng Ngãi urban environment company, has been preparing to build the plant with a capacity of 1,000 tonnes, including 500 tonnes industrial waste per day, in the first phase.

The project's second phase would double the treatment capacity to 2,000 tonnes per day, to deal with increasing daily amounts of waste discharged in the province.

Trung said the complex would help collect and process the current 748 tonnes of daily household waste in the province and the central region.

He said it will focus in classification, recycling and incineration in treatment of an estimated 2,400 tonnes each day by 2030.

Đức said the province has been struggling to attract investors in waste treatment.

In 2019, the first solid waste treatment plant, built at cost of VNĐ60 billion (US$2.7 million) by MD Trading and Environmental Technology company, failed to operate as local residents in Phổ Thạnh commune protested the location of the plant.

The plant was planned to treat 50 tonnes of rubbish per day, all rubbish discharged from 15 communes and towns of Đức Phổ Town, by incineration.

Waste sorting at the source is not yet practiced in the province, so serious pollution at dumps is still a threat to beaches, lagoons and residential quarters in the tourism destinations of Sa Huynh and Đức Phổ township.

The province has also called for investment at a household waste treatment project on 17ha in Phổ Nhơn ward of Đức Phổ town in 2024-25.  

An wins VGA Junior Tour’s third leg

Lê Chúc An became the first golfer to win the Vietnam Golf Association Junior Tour which finished on April 21 in Hải Phòng.

The third leg of the tour featured nearly 90 golfers competing in different age groups at the Vinpearl Golf Hải Phòng.

After two days of competition, national No 1 female player An scored a 12 under par 202.

An, the best female player of 2023, was tied with Nguyễn Viết Gia Hân after 36 holes but in the final round she hit eight birdies to lead outright.

It was An's first win in the VGA Junior Tour and the first female winner here.

Hân came second with 11 under par score of 203, which was enough to win the U13 category. 

Nguyễn Tuấn Anh, winner of the second leg, was third overall with an 8 under 206. He dominated the boys' U15 class.

Nguyễn Đức Sơn won the boys' U18 while Thân Bảo Nghi topped the girls' U18. 

Nguyễn Bảo Phát won the boys' U13; Sisovic Shasa championed the boys' U11; Nguyễn Khánh Linh secured girls' U11 title; Nguyễn Thái Sơn topped the U9 while Nguyễn Vũ Phúc Anh led the U8. 

Winning golfers earned points for the world amateur ranking.

The annual tournament helped nurture junior players' professional dreams while sharpening their skills before they step up to compete in the national competitions.

The VGA also hoped to find more golf talents for the national teams. 

HCM City travel firms gear up for summer peak

Ho Chi Minh City-based travel companies have offered a multitude of tours at discounts as they are holding out for robust business during the Liberation Day (April 30) and Day holidays and summer peak.

Communications Director of Viet Media Travel JSC Pham Anh Vu said there is an increase in the number of bookings of tours from the city to such renowned destinations as Vung Tau, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Ninh Thuan, and Can Tho, or from Hanoi to Moc Chau, Sa Pa, and Thanh Hoa.

An additional discount of up to 40% will be offered to customer groups, he said, adding tours to coastal localities such as Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Vung Tau will be sold at tempting discounts for the upcoming holidays.

The company also prioritises in-city tours on the occasion, including those for sunset watching on the Sai Gon river, community-based activities in Can Gio district, and on double deckers.

Meanwhile, Saigontourist is ramping up activities to popularise Vietnam’s tourist destinations in foreign markets. Most recently, it attended the SEATRADE Cruise Global in Miami, the US.

With its offerings, the company has provided its international tourists with various experience in stopovers such as Ba Ria – Vung Tau, HCM City, Nha Trang, Hue, Da Nang, and Ha Long.

To support local firms, the municipal Department of Tourism has announced the second HCM City River Festival which will take place from May 31 to June 9 with a view to promote the development of local standout tourism offerings.

Director of the department Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa said the event, themed “The Legendary Voyage”, is amed at building the river into a cultural symbol of the southern metropolis, and promoting waterway tourism.

It will be organised at the Sai Gon-Khanh Hoi port, Bach Dang Wharf Park, Nhieu Loc – Thi Nghe Canal, and various tourist sites across the city, she added./.

French orchestra Versailles enthralls audiences with Hanoi concert

The internationally renowned Orchestra of the Royal Opera of Versailles thrilled approximately 1,000 Hanoians with their spectacular Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons performance at Ho Guom Theatre on April 21 evening.

This marked the opening concert of the international art programme series "Musical Seasons" of 2024 to 2025, with the aim of bringing music closer to the public in the capital through famous international artists.

The highlight of the concert is the unique performance style of conductor Stefan Plewniak, who led the orchestra as they weaved a natural picture of the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Spectators were also hugely impressed by the amazing contra tenor voice of French solist Théo Imart. 

Artists from the Orchestra will continue to perform the Four Season Concert at the theatre on April 22.

The Musical Season programme will also bring to the stage "The Mozart Concert" performed by the Les Musiciens du Louvre orchestra in August and "The Seasons" ballet by artists from the Malandain Ballet Biarritz and the Royal Opera of Versailles in September.

These events will continue in November with "The Vienna Concert" performed by the Vienna Chamber Orchestra and will then be rounded off with the performance of French composer Georges Bizet’s iconic opera "Carmen" by the Royal Opera of Versailles orchestra in March, 2025.

Vietnam Airlines adds large aircraft to Hanoi-Singapore route

National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has announced that it will make use of Boeing 787 wide-body aircrafts on the Hanoi-Singapore route this June and July.

With the large aircraft put in use on the route, the airline hopes to provide both flexible schedules and the best possible comfort for passengers, especially during the peak tourism season in the summer.

Throughout June and July, Vietnam Airlines will operate seven flights per week on the Hanoi-Singapore route with the aim of increasing the number of passengers on each flight by more than 50% compared to narrow-body aircraft.

With the optimal two-aisle design, Boeing 787s are capable of accommodating up to 300 passengers with more spacious seating space. Business class seats are able to lean back 180 degrees to help customers fully relax.

Outstanding facilities, such as extra-large luggage compartments, larger windows, and built-in USB charging ports in the seats, as well as modern personal entertainment system featuring movies and games, will serve to create maximum convenience for passengers.

Vietnam Airlines will offer attractive round-trip rates from VND6,161,000, including taxes and related fees, to passengers flying the Hanoi-Singapore route. The incentive policy is applicable to passengers buying tickets on Tuesdays from now to May 28 and flying from now to December 31, 2024.

Government’s action programme cracks down on illegal fishing

A raft of measures to deal with illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is included in the Government’s freshly issued action programme as the country is striving to clamp down on illegal fishing, or else it will be hit by the European Commission (EC)’s warning card.

Among the short-term measures carried out until May 2024 are improving public awareness of IUU fishing prevention through effective communications and training, and harmoniously and drastically implementing the fisheries law to manage fishing fleet. Besides, it is a must to comply with both Vietnamese and international laws on seafood traceability, while investigating, identifying and handling all acts related to illegal fishing.

Regarding long-term measures, the Government resolves to complete policies and regulations on the fisheries, especially those to thrust on modernisation of the sector, improve fishermen’s livelihoods and direct management of the fishery workers in accordance with both domestic and international labour regulations.

Furthermore, it will encourage public-private cooperation to develop technical fishery infrastructure, improve the capacity and responsibility of the fisheries surveillance force and competent agencies, and push ahead with state-of-the-art technology application and digital transformation in aquaculture to set up a sustainable production chain and a comprehensive ecosystem towards the circular economy and green economy, deep integration into the global supply chain and response to climate change.

Other highlights of the programme include enhanced international cooperation in the domain, negotiations on delimitation of the exclusive economic zones and continental shelves between Vietnam and foreign countries and settlement of sea disputes, and implementation of the international commitments and treaties on protection of the ocean resources and marine ecosystem.

Right after receiving the EC’s yellow card in 2017, Vietnam promptly enacted the Fisheries Law and established fishing vessel data covering registration and the issuance of fishing licences from central to local levels.

Relevant ministries, agencies, and coastal provinces and cities of the country have ramped up IUU fishing prevention tasks and solutions in line with directives of the permanent members of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat, the Prime Minister, and the National Steering Committee on IUU Fishing Prevention./.

Acting President attends National Humanitarian Month launching ceremony

Acting President Vo Thi Anh Xuan attended a ceremony in the northern mountainous province of Dien Bien on April 22 to launch the National Humanitarian Month 2024.

The National Humanitarian Month, jointly organised by the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRC) Central Committee and the provincial People’s Committee, will run from May 1-31, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954 – 2024), and the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Hanoi (October 10, 1954 - 2024).

At the ceremony, Xuan affirmed that over the past six years, the VRC has been the core organizer of the Humanitarian Month across the country, contributing to raising public awareness, and promoting and spreading the spirit of "mutual love" among people from all walks of life. As a result, more than 3.4 trillion VND (133.5 million USD) has been mobilised, and used to help over 5.5 million poor and disadvantaged people throughout the country.

She expressed her hope that agencies, organisations and donors inside and outside the country will continue supporting and accompanying the VRC to provide assistance for more people in need.

VRC Chairwoman Bui Thi Hoa said that in this year’s National Humanitarian Month, the VRC aims to support 100,000 individuals and collectives in difficult circumstances.

At the event, the Acting President presented 300 scholarships to ethnic minority students with good academic performance in Dien Bien province. The VRC at all levels also received donations and donation pledges worth 485 billion VND.

On this occasion, vouchers worth 500,000 VND each were granted to 500 policy beneficiaries and poor people in the province.

The highlight of the National Humanitarian Month 2024 was the “Trieu Buoc Chan Nhan Ai” (Millions of Steps of Kindness) campaign, which took place from February 25 to April 21 with the participation of nearly 100,000 people through the V-Race application. The campaign collected 14.1 billion VND which will be used to aid the poor in Thai Nguyen, Son La and Dien Bien provinces./.

Algerian Ambassador receives friendship insignia

Algerian Ambassador to Vietnam Abdelhamid Boubazine was honoured with the “For peace and friendship among nations” insignia on April 22 for his contributions to cooperation and friendship between the two peoples.

Addressing a Hanoi ceremony, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Phan Anh Son said the relationship between the two countries has flourished during Boubazine’s two-year term, notably the effective implementation of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, as well as significant progress in trade and investment ties.

Son spoke highly of the diplomat’s contributions to strengthening solidarity and people-to-people exchange between the two countries, and his close coordination with the VUFO, the Vietnam-Algeria Friendship Association and other agencies in organising activities to enhance mutual understanding, and contribute to fostering the bilateral relations in economy, culture and education, among other fields.

Regarding cooperation between localities, Son highlighted the ambassador's role in the establishment of the twining relationship between Vietnam's Dien Bien province and Algeria's Batna province, marking a new development in the people-to-people diplomacy between the provinces in particular, and the connection between the two countries in general.

For his part, Boubazine pledged that in any future position, he will continue to contribute to the friendship and cooperation between the two countries./.

2,000-year-old bronze drums on display at Hanoi Museum

A thematic exhibition entitled Echoes has opened at the Hanoi Museum, featuring nearly 100 artefacts, images and documents of Vietnam from the dynasty of the Hung Kings, which belonged to the Dong Son culture some 2,000 years ago.

The event was held to mark the Day of the Hung Kings - the legendary founders of the nation - and the 100th anniversary of the study of Dong Son culture in Vietnam. The event showcased artefacts recognized as national treasures, including Co Loa bronze drums.

The exhibition aimed to pay tribute to the ancestors of the Vietnamese people and the scientists who discovered Dong Son, the most brilliant culture in the nation's history, 100 years ago. In particular, bronze casting techniques were found to have reached perfection during this period, with bronze drums fully embodying the scientific knowledge of the time as well as the talent and soul of the Vietnamese people.

The exhibition presents a collection of unique bronze drums kept at the Hanoi Museum, which has deciphered the bronze drum casting technique and the ancestral custom of worshipping the bronze drum god - the Dong Co God in Hanoi - thousands of years ago.

According to Nguyen Tien Da, Director of the Hanoi Museum, the Dong Son culture dates from the 7th century BC to the 1st-2nd century AD.

Hundreds of relics have been discovered and studied, providing vivid evidence of a long-term and continuous development from pre-Dong Son cultures (Phung Nguyen-Dong Dau-Go Mun) to the pinnacle of the Dong Son culture and the Dai Viet civilization.

In particular, bronze casting techniques reached a level of perfection during this period, of which bronze drums were the most typical evidence, fully converging the scientific knowledge of the era as well as the talent and soul of the Vietnamese people. 

HCM City launches mini bus app on Zalo

The HCM City Management Centre of Public Transport has launched Go! Bus TPHCM – a mini app on popular messaging platform Zalo, to provide information about public passenger transport.

Its deputy director Lê Hoàn said the outstanding feature of the application is that people could monitor bus locations and schedules in real time from almost any location.

Passengers can also buy tickets online for river buses without downloading additional apps.

Data about metro line No. 1 will be integrated into the app when it begins operation.

Passengers can find “Go! Bus TPHCM” in the search bar or search in Explorer and click on the app displayed on the screen.

Many apps and technology are being used to improve traffic management in the city.

In 2019, the city opened the first phase of a smart traffic monitoring and operation centre with modern technology for traffic management.

The BusMap app, which has information on public bus routes and bus arrival times, has more than two million users.

In 2013, a group of young and talented innovators led by CEO Lê Yên Thanh founded the technology start-up BusMap.

The app helps people increase the efficiency of bus travel, optimise their travel routes and save money and time, thus encouraging the use of public transport and helping reduce traffic congestion and pollution.

In 2020, BusMap beat other popular apps to win the first prize for “Smart Cities, Smart Living” at the International Telecommunication Union’s ITU Award 2020 for outstanding technological initiatives that contribute to a better world.

The city has also begun the trial use of e-tickets on public buses, and installed automatic payment systems on more than 450 buses so far.

Parking fees on many streets are collected automatically through MyParking or ViettelPay apps on drivers' smart devices.

Film week to celebrate 70th anniversary of Điện Biên Phủ victory

A film week commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ victory will take place from April 24 to 30 in Điện Biên Phủ City, including a film screening programme and film crew meetup.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has assigned the Cinema Department to organise the event in coordination with Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Điện Biên Province, Điện Biên Provincial Cinema and Cultural Centre, as well as other film companies and cinemas.

An opening ceremony for the week will take place on April 24 at Điện Biên Phủ Cinema with screenings of two films: Đồng Hành Cùng Lịch Sử (Alongside with history) and Đào, Phở và Piano (Peach Blossom, Phở and Piano).

Besides these two films, other movies screened during the film week include the documentary film Ký Ức Những Người Truyền Lửa (Memories of those who spread the fire) produced by People's Army Cinema in 2019 and Tiểu Đội Hoa Hồng (Rose Squad) produced by People's Army Cinema in 2023.

In addition, there will be an exhibition of documentary photos of Vietnamese Revolutionary Cinema participating in the Điện Biên Phủ campaign.

Within the framework of this film week, the Cinema Department also organise a meetup between film crews and officers and soldiers of Regiment 82, Division 355, Military Region 2 on April 25 and with teachers, and students of Lê Quý Đôn High School for the Gifted Students on April 26.

According to the Cinema Department, the film week aims to widely promote the historical, cultural and revolutionary traditions of our nation.

It also highlights the great historical significance of the Điện Biên Phủ campaign and the resistance war against the French for national independence.

The organising committee aims to educate about historical customs, cultivate and promote patriotism, revolutionary heroism, and the spirit of unity and pride in the country through the cinematographic works screened during this film week. 

Việt Nam to be focused against Uzbekistan in Asian U23s

Việt Nam will bring its highest determination into play in the last group match against Uzbekistan at the AFC U23 Asian Cup on April 23 in Doha, Qatar.

As both teams have already qualified for the quarter-finals after two wins each, the result of the game will only decide the first-placed team of Group D.

However, coach Hoàng Anh Tuấn of Việt Nam did not want his players to rest.

Tuấn said it was still an important match for Việt Nam. Players must be focused and play as well as possible, because it was a chance for them to learn, sharpen their skills and improve for the future.

His players clearly absorbed his opinion.

"Currently, most of us are in good condition. Some injured players are in progress so that they could get back to matches," said striker Nguyễn Văn Trường.

"To have good results at this competition requires the whole team's effort. None could do it individually. I myself also have to deliver my best in all games.

"We will have to concentrate, having no single second of distraction. We will play with highest determination and never give up."

His midfielder teammate Võ Hoàng Minh Khoa agreed and said a good score against Uzbekistan would help Việt Nam have a little advantage in the quarter-finals.

In the upcoming match, coach Tuấn will not have his good defender Hồ Văn Cường who has received two bookings and will be sidelined. His talented striker Nguyễn Đình Bắc, who suffered an injury just minutes into the first match, has nearly recovered but his chance to play is not confirmed yet.

Uzbekistan on April 20 defeated Kuwait 5-0 and are temporarily on top of the group.

After the win coach Timur Kapadze said Việt Nam were a strong team, when asked about his next match.

"Việt Nam also have six points. Playing against a strong team means we must have our best preparation. We look for a win against Việt Nam first, not thinking about quarter-final opponent.

"Uzbekistan are ready for the game and my players also show their determination. I see it from them. No matter what opponent we face, our goal is still a victory," he said.

Uzbekistan will be strengthened with two players, Abdukodir Khusanov and Abbosbek Fayzullaev, who are playing in Europe. They joined the team on April 22's training session.

Defender Khusanov is competing for Lens in the Ligue 1. He played 13 matches for the club, nine in the local league and two each at the Champions League and Europa League.

Fayzullaev is of CSKA Moskva. The attacking midfielder who also plays as a winger has scored four goals and 11 assists in 26 matches for his club.

Việt Nam played Uzbekistan in the 2018 edition's final. Uzbekistan won 2-1 in the last minute to take the trophy, while Việt Nam's silver was the team's best result in history.

Dust from quarries affecting Nha Trang–Cam Lâm Highway

The exploitation of stone quarries on both sides of the Nha Trang - Cam Lâm Highway spreads dust in the wind onto the highway, obscuring drivers’ vision while traveling, creating a high risk of accidents to people and vehicles participating in traffic.

In response to this situation, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Khánh Hoà Province has sent an official dispatch to Hoá An 1 Co., Ltd., Phước Thành Co., Ltd., Tiến Lộc Construction Materials Co., Ltd., and Thành Đạt Construction Materials Manufacturing Co., Ltd., on promoting environmental protection work in mineral exploitation activities at Dốc Sạn quarry.

Previously, Nha Trang-Cam Lâm Expressway Investment Company Limited, the unit to implement the construction investment component project of the Nha Trang - Cam Lâm section, sent a document to Cam Ranh city’s People's Committee, Department of Natural Resources and Environment and relevant agencies on solutions to handle the situation of dust from the quarry mining process drifting across the highway (from Km48 to Km51), limiting visibility causing a safety risk for drivers, and damaging the operating equipment of Dốc Sạn tunnel in the Nha Trang - Cam Lâm expressway project.

The Nha Trang - Cam Lam expressway, part of the North-South Expressway project in the period 2017-2020, has four lanes and operating speed of 90km per hour and was put into operation in May last year.

The route passes through three districts of Diên Khánh, Cam Lâm and Cam Ranh city in Khánh Hoà Province.

Currently, the project has been put into operation to ensure safety, quality and efficiency.

However, the section from km48 to km51 in Cam Phước Đông of Cam Ranh city, from early April this year was impacted by dust from material exploitation at quarries on both sides of the highway. These are Hoá An, Phước Thành and Tiến Lộc quarries at the north entrance of Dốc Sạn tunnel and Thành Đạt at the south entrance of the tunnel.

Dust from the quarry blown over the highway not only pollutes the environment but also obscures visibility for drivers, raising the risk of accidents.

In addition, dirt from the quarry spread into the tunnel and obscured tunnel operating equipment such as cameras, lighting, ventilation fans, fire protection and communication systems, affecting the system's operation, leading to damage and potentially disrupting or delaying rescue work in the event of a traffic accident.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment requested the quarries’ owners to implement environmental protection measures in accordance with the requirements in the environmental impact assessment report approved by the Provincial People's Committee.

Businesses must pay attention to implementing measures to minimise dust during the process of mining, processing and transporting minerals so as not to affect the operation of the highway.

The department will coordinate with the People's committees of Cam Ranh city, Cam Phước Đông and Cam Thịnh Đông communes to monitor compliance with legal regulations on environmental protection and will strictly handle violations.

Major entertainment park to open in Thanh Hoa

A major entertainment park will open soon in Sam Son City in the northern central province of Thanh Hoa.

Covering over 33.50 hectares, the Nam Song Ma Park Complex includes a water park and an entertainment park which will be among the biggest in the northern region. The first stage of the park complex will cost over VND1.50 trillion. It is nearing completion and is expected to be put into operation by late May this year.

Chairman of the Sam Son City People's Committee, Le Van Tu, said that the complex lies on Nam Song Ma Avenue which is convenient for visitors by road or waterway.

"The park features modern games and entertainment facilities seen for the first time in Southeast Asia," he said. "We hope the park and other new projects including the seaside square and surrounding scenery will help attract more visitors to Sam Son this summer. We expect to welcome nearly 10 million visitors this year."

Long An residents plagued by smouldering landfills

People in the southern province of Long An are being hit by the severe pollution caused by two dumping grounds in the area.

The two open-air landfills in Thach Hoa Commune are under the management of Tam Sinh Thiet Company.

People suffer from the bad odour from the landfills every day and wastewater from the site seeps into local canals.

The waste is burnt, creating smoke which has worsened environment pollution.

Residents have reported the problem many times, but the situation has not improved.

The two landfills still lack bottom liners to prevent seepage. Despite being burnt, some parts of the landfills are not covered with tarps, causing the odour to spread to surrounding areas.

Tam Sinh Nghia Company has been urged to take measures to extinguish the fires and complete coverage of the outdoor landfill area to restrict the spread of bad odours.

The firm has been told to solve wastewater seepage into nearby canals.

The Tam Sinh Nghia Company’s dumps have treatment capacity of between 300-320 tonnes of waste every day.

Thanh Hoa residents object to landfill

Residents in the northern central province of Thanh Hoa have opposed the construction of a landfill.

On April 17, people in Cam Thuy District’s Cam Binh Commune started establishing tents in Village 5 Binh Hoa where the landfill project was under construction.

The project covers around 5,000 square metres and would cost VND2.8 billion (USD110,236).

Residents said the dumping ground was near homes so it could cause pollution. It is also located near a local cemetery. The authorities held a community meeting but did not achieve a consensus among locals. Despite this, they still kicked off the project on April 17.

By Sunday, dozens of households had gathered in opposition.

Duong Van Van, deputy secretary of Cam Binh Commune, said the project was aligned with the local planning. This area is situated in a forest and is some 220 metres from residential areas, and claimed it would not affect many households.

Cam Thuy Commune Vice Chairman Nguyen Tien Luc said the district had received Cam Binh’s report.

The district instructed a temporary halt to the project to persuade locals that it was a good idea.

Source: VNA/SGT/VNS/VOV/Dtinews/SGGP/VGP/Hanoitimes