A total of 60,000 stuffed animals of Sao La, the mascot of the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31), have been produced as gifts for fans and athletes who win medals at the games, according to the organizing board.

The regional games is scheduled to get underway in Hanoi and 11 neighbouring localities from May 12 to May 23.

The sporting event, the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia, will attract more than 10,000 athletes and coaches from 10 ASEAN countries and Timor Leste to compete across 40 sports involving 526 events.

Sao La, a precious and rare primate species in Vietnam, has been selected as the official mascot of the SEA Games 31. The mascot shows the spirit of protecting nature, the spirit of sports, the spirit of the SEA Games, along with the bond between Vietnamese people and international friends.

Sao La stuffed animals and other SEA Games souvenirs will be made available shortly at souvenir stalls at various competition venues and airports in Vietnam.

Singing groups connect to preserve heritage values

In recent times, in Diem village in Bac Ninh province, on the day of the Quan Ho (love duet) Ancestral Festival, local Quan Ho clubs have had the opportunity to meet and connect with similar folk singing clubs from Nghe An province, in a new and creative measure to help preserve Vietnam’s cultural heritage.

On a warm spring day, artisans from the central province of Nghe An travelled hundreds of kilometres to reach the “cradle” of Quan Ho and meet their “Quan Ho brothers and sisters” in Diem village in the northern province of Bac Ninh. The smooth and loving Quan Ho folk songs, interspersed with the lively and joyful lyrics of Vi Giam folk songs from Nghe An, made everyone feel closer to each other.

At the gathering, the two clubs also signed a memorandum of understanding on promoting and preserving both Quan Ho and Vi Giam singing.

This new approach is hoped to make a significant contribution to the preservation and promotion of national cultural values, developing the “soft power” of Vietnamese culture and contributing to improving national synergy./.

Cultural heritage space honours Hanoi’s typical culinary features

One woman has been diligently preserving, promoting, and teaching different generations about “bun oc” - a dish with the typical flavour of Hanoi cuisine - over recent years. Recognising her contribution to preserving the capital’s culinary heritage, the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association decided to admit her as a member and opened the “Bun oc ba Ngoai Culinary Cultural Heritage Space”.

The owner of the culinary heritage space is Nguyen Thi Hien. Formerly a dancer who served Vietnam during wartime and then lived abroad for many years, her love of Vietnamese cuisine and especially Hanoi’s famous cold snail noodle soup inspired her to restore and preserve the dish. Even during her days away from home, Hien made a special impression on foreign friends with the dish. The “grandmother’s snail noodle soup” brand was born when her own children noticed their mother’s passion for the dish.

Over the years, as well as bringing an impressive culinary experience to customers from near and far, Hien also held many cooking classes for children and businesswomen. Her soup has always had a unique taste - rustic yet modern.

The fact that a noodle restaurant has been officially recognised as a “Space of cultural and culinary heritage” is not only about honouring the dish, it is also a celebration of the cultural values in Hanoians’ eating habits and communication style. The space will become a bridge to introduce national traditional culture to visitors.

Culinary art is a type of intangible cultural heritage, so preserving and spreading the value of heritage depends on the person who holds the secret to a dish. With Hien’s enthusiasm, it is expected that this particular culinary heritage will be well received and continue to contribute to the richness of Vietnamese cuisine, creating another highlight on the capital’s tourist map.

Adjustments to elephant conservation plan approved

Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh has approved adjustments to an elephant conservation plan in Vietnam that was previously signed off for 2013-2020.

Under the decision, the scheme will be implemented until the end of 2025. Two urgent elephant conservation projects in the central provinces of Ha Tinh and Quang Nam will be added to the plan.

Relevant agencies are requested to guide, inspect, supervise and assist localities in order to effectively implement the scheme.

The people’s committees of Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Dak Lak, Dong Nai and Quang Nam provinces will continue to implement objectives and tasks assigned by the Prime Minister.

The plan on elephant conservation in Vietnam for the 2013-2020 period was adopted by the Prime Minister in 2013 with the aim of conserving and sustainably developing wild and domesticated elephant herds in Vietnam, restoring and protecting genetic resources of rare and endangered animals and plants.

Seventh Vietnam - China Border Defence Friendship Exchange: Inheriting, multiplying friendship

Continuing activities within the framework of the seventh Vietnam - China Border Defence Friendship Exchange, in the afternoon of April 23, Defence Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang hosted a welcome ceremony for a delegation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army led by his Chinese counterpart Sen. Lieut. Gen. Wei Fenghe at Ta Lung International Border Gate, Quang Hoa district of Cao Bang province.

After the ceremony, the two ministers painted Milestone No. 943 and planted a friendship tree at the Ta Lung Friendship Cultural Centre.

Seventh Vietnam - China Border Defence Friendship Exchange: Inheriting, multiplying friendship hinh anh 2
Defence Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang (R) and his Chinese counterpart Sen. Lieut. Gen. Wei Fenghe visit, and present gifts to Ta Lung township’s Primary School (Photo: VNA)
Then, they visited and presented gifts to Ta Lung township’s Primary School.

Talking to the school’s teachers and students, Minister Wei expressed his hope that they will become the successors of the friendship between the two countries so as to develop it strongly and sustainably.

He also stressed that the border defence friendship exchange is one of the activities demonstrating the bilateral friendship and collaboration.

Sharing the view, Giang said that each exchange has its own meaning, colour and way of organisation, but all have the same purpose: towards solidarity and friendship, for a border of peace and mutual development.

According to the Vietnamese minister, the current policy and stance is Vietnam and China twin between villages and hamlets, provinces, and at all levels. He expressed his belief that through these activities, the bilateral friendship will continue to be multiplied and become a beautiful symbol of the spirit of solidarity and friendship between the two nations.

Earlier, in the morning of April 23, the Vietnam People's Army delegation led by General Giang began exchange activities in Longzhou county of China’s Guangxi province, with the welcome ceremony for the delegation chaired by Sen. Lieut. Gen. Wei at Shuikou International Border Gate.

After painting the milestone there, the delegation planted a friendship tree at the border gate. After that, the two delegations held talks at the county’s Convention Centre.

PM proposes measures to boost int’l cooperation at Asia-Pacific Water Summit

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 23 attended and proposed three groups of measures to enhance international cooperation at the fourth Asia-Pacific Water Summit.

The summit is being held in Japan’s Kumamoto city from April 23-24, with the participation of the country’s Emperor and Prime Minister, and the heads of State and Prime Ministers of Asian-Pacific countries, including six other ASEAN nations, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand and the Philippines.

The Vietnamese Government leader proposed three groups of measures to be carried out in the region.

Firstly, it is necessary to intensify regional and international cooperation in an open, transparent, substantive and mutually beneficial manner, he said, adding that the international community should seriously and effectively implement international commitments on water resources, especially the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030, the Paris Agreement and commitments at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.

Secondly, Japan and developed countries should pay attention to, share with and support developing ones in experience, finance, technology, governance, human resources training, basic investigation and planning on the use of water for the effective management, sustainable exploitation and equitable allocation of water resources.

Last but not least, it is important to boost cooperation and support the operation of organisations and cooperation mechanisms on transboundary river basin management such as the Mekong River Commission, and focus on promoting comprehensive solutions including digital transformation, encouraging the participation of businesses and people, promoting public-private cooperation, and strengthening smart water governance.

He took the occasion to thank international partners, including Japan, for their valuable support and wish to receive more effective support and cooperation from other countries, international organisations and business communities. He also affirmed his backing for the Kumamoto Declaration issued by the Government of Japan at this summit.

Kon Tum organises first hot air balloon festival

A hot air balloon festival is being held for the first time in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum from April 23-24 to celebrate the 47th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30).

During the festival, 25 colorful hot air balloons are taking to the air, including three large ones to serve visitors.

Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Xuan Truyen said that through the event, Kon Tum wishes to introduce its typical cultural features to Vietnamese and foreign friends, boost tourism cooperation and development, and attract more visitors in the time to come.

The hot air balloon festival is expected to attract thousands of visitors.

On April 23, the province also held its tourism forum themed “Potential and Prospects for 2022”.

Nam Dinh’s Thien Truong Stadium ready for SEA Games 31

Thien Truong Stadium of Nam Dinh is now ready to host games in Group B of the men’s football at the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31), according to Do Dinh Diem, a representative of the organising board in the northern province.

The group comprises Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia and Laos.  

Nam Dinh province has devised plans for security, traffic, and health care. Alongside athletes, it is projected to welcome about 600 delegates.

SEA Games 31, themed “For a stronger South East Asia”, will run in Hanoi and 11 neighbouring localities from May 12 to 23. It will feature 40 sports with 526 events and is expected to attract around 10,000 participants. The biennial event was initially slated for late 2021 but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact.

Woman dies after breast-lift surgery at HCM City clinic

Police in HCM City are investigating the death of a local woman who died after undergoing cosmetic surgery at a clinic Friday.

The 61-year-old woman, whose name has not been revealed, registered on April 19 for a breast lift procedure at the Kangnam Sai Gon Plastic Surgery Hospital in Tan Binh District.

The woman was given an anaesthetic and went into surgery at 6 am on April 20. Five hours later, she showed signs of shortness of breath.

Doctors from the clinic tried to resuscitate the woman but failed. The patient was rushed to Cho Ray Hospital in emergency condition but she died at 4.20 pm the same day.

According to doctors from Cho Ray Hospital, the patient suffered an allergic reaction to anesthesia.

HCM City Department of Health has asked Kangnam Sai Gon Plastic Surgery Hospital to suspend cosmetic surgery while carrying out an investigation into the case.

Earlier on March 18, a woman also died after undergoing breast-lift surgery at the 1A Hospital in Tan Binh Street.

Timber company suspended for causing pollution in Thanh Hoa

Authorities in Thanh Hoa Province have suspended the Khanh Nam Timber Company for causing serious pollution in two local rivers.

Vice-Chairman of Thanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee, Le Duc Giang, came to check the polluted Quyen and Chang rivers in Nhu Xuan District on April 21 after the issue was reported.

At the site, more than 10 kilometres of the rivers had turned black. Lots of dead fish were seen, emitting a bad smell.

Earlier, the Khanh Nam Timber Company was found discharging untreated wastewater directly into the rivers on April 13.

Local authorities in Nhu Xuan District issued a fine of VND 50 million and suspended the company's operation.

During the visit, the official asked concerned agencies to work with the company to urgently deal with the pollution and compensate local residents for the damage they have caused.

"We always want to create favourable conditions for all firms to operate in the area, but we won't exchange economic development for the environment," he said. "Any firms which damage the environment will be strictly punished."

Two books on Vietnamese folk paintings published

The Van Mieu–Quoc Tu Giam Culture and Science Centre coordinated with the Hanoi Ceramics Museum to hold the launching ceremony of two books "Vietnamese folk paintings" and "Hue folk paintings", in Hanoi, on April 22.

The 350-page book titled "Vietnamese folk paintings" introduces more than 1,000 illustrations, divided into the following main contents: 'Do the' painting in the world and Vietnam; Geography-Religion-Vietnamese beliefs; 'Do the' paintings of the Northern region; 'Do the' folk paintings of the Central region; and 'Do the' paintings of the Southern region. That is the result of many days of researching documents and conducting field surveys throughout the country by researcher and collector Nguyen Thi Thu Hoa.

For Hue folk paintings, through the book "Hue folk paintings", author Nguyen Thi Thu Hoa gives readers a new look at folk paintings in particular and the cultural and spiritual life of the people in the ancient capital land in general. In addition to Sinh Village paintings, Hue also has many other lines of paintings imbued with the cultural identity of the central land.

A special feature of the two books of folk paintings by researcher Nguyen Thi Thu Hoa is that there are always detailed descriptions of painting techniques. At the same time, it is the process of carefully interviewing and meticulously researching the artists. This is also the basis for restoring paintings if unfortunately lost.

Cultural values of Hanoi's craft villages honoured

An exhibition space themed "Dao Xa - Preserving Vietnamese sound" opened at Kim Ngan Communal House, 42-44 Hang Bac, Hang Bac Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, on April 22.

Kim Ngan Communal House was turned into a space to introduce a series of traditional musical instruments products from the craft village of Dao Xa (Ung Hoa District, Hanoi).

As a craft village more than 200 years old, since the middle of the 19th century, talented craftsmen of Dao Xa Village have brought their families and relatives to Thang Long Citadel (now Hanoi) to open Hang Dan Street and set up trade guilds in 36 old streets of Hanoi.

Also, during this time, many heritage destinations and cultural exchanges in the old town simultaneously launched a series of unique and attractive cultural activities.

At the Hanoi Old Quarter Culture Exchange Centre, No. 50 Dao Duy Tu Street, Hang Buom Ward, a documentary photo exhibition themed "Vietnamese traditional musicians and music" took place, introducing 60 photos taken in Vietnam in the late 19th century (circa 1870-1899), collected and digitally restored from many domestic and foreign sources.

At the Arts and Culture Centre, at No. 22 Hang Buom, Hang Buom Ward, there are documents and artifacts themed "Memories of 22 Hang Buom" and "Memories of To River", introducing one of the most representative streets of the city which is located along the river, specialising in selling boat-related supplies.

At the Ho Guom Cultural Information Centre at No. 2, Le Thai To, Hang Trong, the organising board also displayed and introduced posters to celebrate the 47th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975-2022), International Labour Day (May 1), and President Ho Chi Minh's 132nd birthday anniversary.

This is a series of paintings created in the period 1970-1995. With their talents, enthusiasm, revolutionary enthusiasm and profound artistic vibes, the painters have made great contributions to mobilising the entire Party, people and army to be determined to successfully realise the noble goal of building Vietnam.

Exhibition activities in Hanoi's Old Quarter will take place from now until the end of May 3.

Royal handwritten version of 'Tale of Kieu' from Nguyen Dynasty displayed

The Hue Monuments Conservation Centre organised an exhibition to introduce the royal family's handwritten version of 'Tale of Kieu' from the Nguyen Dynasty at Dai Cung Mon (the Grate Palace) in Hue Imperial Citadel, on April 22.

The exhibition introduces and describes the characteristics and properties of the royal 'Tale of Kieu' handwritten in the Nguyen Dynasty through 36 panels designed to suit the exhibition space.

The exhibition introduces and describes the characteristics and properties of the royal handwritten Ban Kieu of the Nguyen Dynasty through 36 panels designed to suit the exhibition space.

According to information from researcher Nguyen Khac Bao, the Nguyen Dynasty royal family’s Nom version of 'Tale of Kieu' was once sold at an antique bookstore in Paris (France), then collected by the British Library where it was entered the directory of the library's collection of ancient books from in 1894.

Hue Monuments Conservation Centre designed 36 panels to introduce the Nguyen Dynasty royal family’s handwritten version of 'Tale of Kieu'.

36 new bus routes proposed for HCMC

The HCMC Department of Transport has proposed the municipal government add 36 bus routes, including 32 inner-city routes and four inter-provincial ones in order to develop the public passenger transport system and better meet the commuter demand.

Under the proposal, inner-city bus routes will rise to 133 from the operational 101, while the number of inter-provincial bus routes leading to Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Long An, Tien Giang, Tay Ninh and Ba Ria-Vung Tau will increase to 31.

According to the HCMC Management Center of Public Transport, buses plying on Route No. 152, and those on Route No. 72-1 commenced picking up and dropping off passengers at the domestic terminal of the Tan Son Nhat International Airport from April 18, instead of just the international terminal as earlier.

More urban railways proposed in HCMC

The HCMC Department of Transport has proposed developing more urban railways connecting to seaports and airports to meet the city’s development demand.

The proposal, which has been sent to the municipal Department of Zoning and Architecture, is aimed at meeting huge commuter demand and boosting HCMC’s connectivity with the neighboring provinces of Dong Nai, Binh Duong and Long An, the local media reported.

The HCMC Department of Transport suggested adding an express rail line which links terminals T1 and T2 and the planned Terminal T3 of the Tan Son Nhat International Airport and an express railway along Ring Road No. 2 and Pham Van Dong Street to shuttle passengers between Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh International Airports.

Also in the Tan Son Nhat International Airport area, a monorail connecting the second, fifth and fourth metro lines was proposed to replace the 3.2-kilometer metro line 4b project which had been planned earlier.

In addition, specialized railways linking container ports in Thu Duc City and along the Saigon River with adjacent provinces have been proposed. The area is now home to Cat Lai, Phu Huu and Truong Tho ports and the Long Binh inland clearance depot but has yet to have a specialized transport system.

Cuc Phuong Jungle Week to be opened at end of April

After a temporary suspension of operation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Muong Ethnic Cultural Festival and the Cuc Phuong Jungle Week will be opened at Cuc Phuong National Park from April 29.

The Northern province of Ninh Binh will launch many arts and cultural activities, sports events, traditional folk games and exhibitions to introduce and promote the traditional cultural products of ethnic minorities and typical local products.

HCMC publishes, introduces city’s administration history book set

The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City yesterday held a ceremony to introduce a book set featuring the history of the administration in Ho Chi Minh City during 1945- 2015 which was published by the National Political Publishing House.

The over 1,000- page book set is one of the voluminous books featuring the history of the city’s government which review comprehensively the process of establishment and development of the operation of the Ho Chi Minh City government through different periods. 

The book set is divided into three parts, including Saigon- Cho Lon- Gia Dinh Revolutionary Government in the resistance war against the French and American, from 1945 to 1975, People's Government of Ho Chi Minh City in the history of national construction and defense during 1975 - 2015, and the Government of Ho Chi Minh City –The events and documents.

Early outbreaks of dengue fever cause deaths

Although the season of dengue fever has only just begun, the number of hospitalizations due to dengue is showing signs of increasing with many dangerous cases and even deaths have been reported. Experts warned that this year's dengue epidemic has come early, people should raise their alert to the disease.

An upsurge in cases of dengue has been observed. The Ho Chi Minh City –based Children's Hospital 2 has just received a 5-year-old child from the Southern Province of Binh Duong who was hospitalized in a state of deep shock, respiratory failure, pulmonary and liver bleeding and requiring mechanical ventilation. Doctors diagnosed the child with severe dengue. After nearly 48 hours of dialysis, the patient died from multi-organ damage, on the background of obesity with the weight of 34kg despite doctors’ efforts to save him.

Elsewhere in the city, Associate Professor Pham Van Quang, Head of the Children's Hospital 1’s Intensive Care Unit, said that the hospital had just recorded a case of an 8-year-old boy whose heart stopped and stopped breathing before being admitted to the hospital. Doctors determined that the baby had severe dengue shock, multi-organ damage; therefore, doctors’ efforts to save him was unrewarded, said Dr. Pham Van Quang.

According to statistics of children's hospitals in the city, during the three recent weeks, the number of hospitalized children with complications from dengue fever has increased 2-3 times. Doctor Nguyen Minh Tien, deputy director of Ho Chi Minh City Children's Hospital, said that from the Lunar New Year until now, on average, the hospital receives about 100-150 children with dengue every day and 10 percent of them have been hospitalized for treatment.

Statistically, severe cases accounts for 20 percent – 30 percent; subsequently, the rate of dialysis is also higher then prior year, accounting for 2 percent-3 percent.

It is forecast that in the coming weeks the weekly number of dengue cases will continue to increase seasonally. Medical workers warned of the great risk of dengue outbreaks in the city without measures to kill mosquitoes and larvae.

Infirmary in Sinh Ton Island inaugurated to take care of people's health

The Navy Military and the Party Committee, the People Council, and the People’s Committee of the Northern City of Hai Phong held the inauguration of an infirmary in Sinh Ton Island, part of Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago in the South-Central Province of Khanh Hoa.

The infirmary was donated by the Party Committee, government, and people of Hai Phong city to soldiers and people on the Sinh Ton Island. The 360-square-meter infirmary has three floors with 15 beds. Four doctors are responsible for providing healthcare for residents and soldiers in the island.

Leaders of Hai Phong City said that the infirmary is a gift to encourage younger soldiers and people on Sinh Ton Island to successfully complete their tasks and preserve the sacred sea and islands of the Fatherland.

Senior Lieutenant Colonel Le Trong Thong, Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of Sinh Ton Island Commune People's Committee said that the hospital on the island has a very important meaning, contributing to affirming the sovereignty and sovereignty of the country and the sea and islands as well as take care of the health of officers, soldiers and residents on the island. The infirmary is also a place to give first aid to fishermen in distress while working at sea.

Education sector in HCMC proposes new tuition fee from academic year 2022-2023

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training has just sent a document to the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City on a proposal to issue regulations on tuition fees for preschools and public education institutions in the academic year 2022-2023 and the following years.

Accordingly, the Department of Education and Training proposes that the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City consider and approve the policy of developing a draft to submit to the People's Council of Ho Chi Minh City to issue a Resolution regulating tuition fees for public preschool and general education institutions starting from the school year 2022-2023.

Specifically, the Department proposed that educational institutions that haven’t afforded their own recurrent expenditure will collect monthly tuition fee of VND100,000 - VND300,000 a student for urban and rural residential areas.

From the school year 2023-2024 onwards, the tuition fee will be based on the implementation of Clause 3, Article 9 of Decree No. 81/2021/ND-CP.

For public preschools and general education institutions that cover their own recurrent expenditures, the proposed tuition fee collection shall comply with the provisions of Points b and c, Clause 2, Article 9 of Decree No. 81/2021/ND -CP on tuition fees for the academic year 2022-2023.

For primary school only, the tuition fee rate is calculated as a basis for implementing the policy of supporting tuition fee payment for private primary school students in an area where still lack public primary schools and primary school students. Private schools are eligible for the policy of tuition fee exemption and reduction according to regulations.

If the above proposal is approved, it is expected to start implementation from the second quarter of 2022.

HCMC hosts week of Vietnamese revolutionary movies promoting youth’s patriotism

A week of Vietnamese revolutionary movies will be held in HCMC on April 23 – 24 and on May 7 – 8.

The organizing board selected four significant films that are highly regarded by cinematic experts, including Canh Dong Hoang (Wild Field), Bao Gio Cho Den Thang Muoi (When The Tenth Month Comes), Ai Xuoi Van Ly (The Long Journey), and Doi Cat (Sandy Lives).

Film lovers will have a chance to participate in exchanges with Meritorious Artists Dang Luu Viet Bao and Cong Ninh, directors of Le Hoang, Nguyen Quang Dung and Dinh Thai Thuy, actress Hong Anh and others.

Quy Nhon Summer Sea Festival 2022 to open next week

The 2022 Quy Nhon Summer Sea Festival featuring a wide range of cultural and sporting events is scheduled to take place in four months, starting from the end of April, announced the Department of Tourism of the central coastal province of Binh Dinh at a press conference that was held on April 22.

Three highlight events of the festival, including a seminar on Binh Dinh Province’s tourism recovery and development, a signing ceremony of a cooperation program between the province and four airlines. The opening ceremony of the festival themed “Quy Nhon- sea heaven” will be organized on April 29 to kick off the Summer Sea Festival.

The four-month festival will include a series of cultural, tourism and sports activities, such as street festival, kite flying performance, food fair, flower street, a marathon, a cycling tournament, martial art performance and more.

Notably, the final round of Miss World Vietnam beauty contest 2022 will take place in July and August.

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