A flagpole was officially inaugurated on April 20 at the memorial site of late President Ho Chi Minh in the northeastern coastal province of Quang Ninh’s Co To island district.

With its construction beginning on March 14, the pole stands 27.9 m and costs nearly 2 billion VND (87,057 USD). It is able to sustain the harsh weather conditions, ensuring a durability of over 70 years.

As a gift from the University of Transport and Communications and the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Guard High Command, the construction has an important meaning in affirming Vietnam's territorial sovereignty and in promoting national pride and patriotism.  

Vietnamese traditional martial arts promoted in Italy

The International Qwankido Federation, a member of the Vietnam Vovinam (traditional martial arts) Federation (VVF), hosted the first ever world championship for teenagers in Padova city in the Veneto region of Italy from April 23 – 24.

According to Pham Xuan Tong, the federation founder, the Vietnamese traditional martial arts have developed strongly in Europe, especially in Italy in recent years.

The event attracted the participation of 500 athletes from the arts clubs in 35 countries worldwide.

Many masters and athletes expressed their desire to study more deeply about Vietnamese history and culture, learn the Vietnamese language and visit the Southeast Asian nation.

Established in 1981 in Milan, Italy, and became a member of the VVF in 1990, the martial art is practiced in dozens of countries around the world.

HCM City to close most COVID-19 hospitals

The number of COVID-19 hospitals in HCM City will be cut further following a significant decrease in new and severe cases of the disease.

Doctor Nguyễn Văn Vĩnh Châu, deputy director of the HCM City Department of Health, said the actual closure plan will be based on the COVID-19 situation after April 30 and May 1. 

Hopefully, there will not be another outbreak after the holiday, since most locals are fully vaccinated, he said.

The current disease prevention and control regimen has changed as per Government Resolution 38 on the COVID-19 pandemic prevention programme.

Now, pandemic prevention follows a risk management approach, shifting from the goal of controlling the number of cases to controlling the number of high-risk, very high-risk hospitalisations and deaths.

Relevant authorities are required to prepare scenarios for various possibilities including a large scale outbreak beyond the capacity of the local health system and the appearance of a new, more dangerous strain of COVID-19.

Thu Thiem 2 Bridge to be opened to traffic Thursday

A newly built bridge linking downtown HCMC and Thu Thiem Peninsula will be opened to traffic on Thursday, April 28, boosting connectivity between the central business district and the new urban area of Thu Thiem.

Thu Thiem 2 Bridge is expected to ease traffic pressure on the Saigon River Tunnel and the Saigon Bridge, the local media reported.

It is vital to connect to the Thu Thiem New Urban Area, contributing to reducing traffic jams in HCMC and boosting the development of Thu Duc City and HCMC as a whole, said Phan Cong Bang, deputy director of the HCMC Department of Transport.

The project has faced multiple obstacles in site clearance and legal changes on build-transfer projects.

According to Dai Quang Minh Real Estate Investment Corporation, the investor of the project, the 1.5-kilometer Thu Thiem 2 Bridge starts at an intersection of Ton Duc Thang and Le Duan streets in District 1 and ends at an intersection with Tran Bach Dang Street in Thu Thiem, Thu Duc City.

To date, the bridge has been completed. Contractors have been putting the final touches so that the bridge can be opened to traffic as planned.

HCMC Party Committee's Inspection Commission has new deputy head

This morning, the Standing Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee held a ceremony to announce the decision to appoint Secretary of the Party Committee of District 6 Le Thi Ho Rin to Vice Chairwoman of the Inspection Commission of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee for the 2020-2025 term under the chair of Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen. 

Attending the ceremony were members of the HCMC Party Executive Committee, including Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Loc, Head of the Organization Commission of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee; Mr. Duong Ngoc Hai, Chairman of the Inspection Commission of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee and Mr. Huynh Khac Diep, Chief of Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Office.

Deputy Head of the Organization Commission of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Le Thi Thanh Thuy announced the decision of the Secretariat to approve the appointment of the Vice Chairwoman of the Inspection Commission of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee for the term of 2020-2025.

The Secretariat also approved the decision to appoint Mr. Huynh Cach Mang, Standing Deputy Head of the Organization Commission of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee to Member of the HCMC Party Committee's Inspection Commission in the term of 2020-2025.

Hanoi targets poverty alleviation by 2025

Hanoi targets to keep the poverty reduction rate at 25-30% per year, which eventually leads to no poor households by late 2025.

The goal was set in the city’s action plan on sustainable poverty reduction in the 2022-2025 period that was recently signed off by the Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Chu Ngoc Anh.

Under the plan, the total budget allocated for the program is estimated at VND1.58 trillion (US$68.7 million).

The city is expected to carry out a host of poverty reduction solutions, especially in localities with high poverty rates, while creating incentives for poor households to soon escape poverty.

By the end of 2021, Hanoi’s poverty rate stood at 0.04% with two-thirds of the localities having no more poor households.

Australian university publishes book on Vietnamese learning
 
Charles Stuart University in Australia has published a book titled “VietSpeech Multilingual Children” to encourage Vietnamese parents living in the country to teach their children the Vietnamese language at home.

“VietSpeech Multilingual Children” is a research project funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Grant and conducted by scholars from the university.

The research project focuses on the pronunciation and language of Vietnamese children in Australia.

The book, freely available online, covers topics such as the benefits of preserving their native language, ways to help children adapt to the Vietnamese language, and communication skills.

VietSpeech is aimed at supporting Vietnamese-Australian children and families to maintain their home language, enhance speech skills in Vietnamese and English and help English-speaking professionals support multilingual children’s speech.

A database of Vietnamese-Australian children’s speech acquisition and a Vietnamese-English speech program will be developed as part of the research.

Vietnamese is one of the five most spoken languages in Australia (along with Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Italian) and is spoken by 1.2% of the Australian population, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

There are over 300,000 Vietnamese people living in this country, accounting for 1.26% of the population.

SEA Games 31: Vietnamese badminton players compete at Asia Championships 2022

Four top badminton players of Vietnam, including Nguyen Tien Minh and Nguyen Thuy Linh, are competing at the Badminton Asia Championships 2022 from April 26 – May 1 in the Philippines, according to the SEA Games 31's Organising Committee. 

This is a good preparation for the athletes before their competition at the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) in Vietnam, which is slated for May 12 to 23.

Minh will meet Khosit Phetpradab of Thailand in the first round of the men's singles, while Linh will compete with Japan’s 8th seed Sayaka Takahashi in the first round of women's singles.

Meanwhile, Dinh Thi Phuong Hong and Pham Thi Khanh will compete in the women's doubles event.

The athletes had trained in Bac Giang province - the host of badminton matches of SEA Games 31.

Vietnam moves to meet climate change commitments at COP26

Vietnam has drafted a National Strategy on Climate Change for the period leading up to 2050 that reflects the qualitative change in its climate change response, said Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh.

Minister Thanh was speaking at a consultation workshop held on April 26 which was co-hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the UN Development Program (UNDP), and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ)

Experts said Vietnam’s strong commitments and responsible contributions made at COP26 have been highly appreciated by the wider international community and have opened up many opportunities for co-operation in low-emission growth and climate change adaptation.

They pointed out that in the current international and domestic context, the National Strategy should be updated to include new international trends, as well as putting forth priority issues closely linked to the implementation of the Paris Agreement and Vietnamese commitments at COP26.

Addressing the consultation workshop, Caitlin Wiesen, UNDP resident representative in Vietnam, expressed her hope that the long-term climate change strategy would provide a solid foundation for future plans and policies to be formulated to address climate change.

She also underlined the necessity of building consistent climate change legislation and accelerating adaptation measures in order to enhance resilience for wider society, especially for people and communities that have been directly impacted by climate change.

Weert Börner from the German Embassy in Hanoi emphasised that the draft strategy has contributed an important part to national debates on net zero carbon emissions commitments. These debates he said are required to be continued once the strategy is approved by the Prime Minister this year.

He affirmed that the German Government is ready to provide further support to Vietnam in the transition process to achieve net zero carbon emissions in an equitable and sustainable manner in the future.

Vietnamese Association debuts in Morocco

Nearly 100 Vietnamese nationals living in Morocco attended a congress in Rabat capital on April 24 to establish the Vietnamese Association in the country.

The delegates endorsed the Association’s Charter and development orientations, and elected its Executive Committee consisting of 11 members chaired by Korchane Juliette.

It is noteworthy that the Congress attracted a large number of second- and third-generation expatriates, as well as Vietnamese students and workers in Morocco. Nearly 40% of the members of the Executive Committee are young.

Currently, between 300 – 400 Vietnamese expatriates are living, studying and working in Morocco.

COP26 Ambassador hails Vietnam’s climate change commitments

Ken O'Flaherty, regional ambassador of the UK Government at COP26 to Asia-Pacific and South Asia, has hailed strong Vietnamese commitments to tackle climate change made at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26).

During his recent trip to Vietnam, O’Flaherty worked with leaders of relevant ministries and agencies, applauding Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s strong commitments at COP26 on emissions reduction measures in a bid to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

He went on to emphasise the UK's willingness to support the country in fulfilling these commitments, especially those regarding the nation's energy transition.

While in Hanoi, the diplomat took part in the Second COP26 Energy Transition Council National Dialogue with Vietnam co-hosted by the Party Central Committee's Economic Commission and the British Embassy. Attendees discussed a range of issues that require solutions to climate change from government agencies, development partners, and the private sector.

He also paid a visit to the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho where he met with representatives of Can Tho University, environmentalists, and researchers to learn more about the opportunities and challenges of the Mekong Delta region in responding to climate change. He also took a boat trip on the Hau river to learn first-hand effects of climate change on the environment, the community, and the economy in the region.

While staying in Ho Chi Minh City, O’Flaherty worked alongside local authorities, noting green growth and sustainable development requires the co-ordination of the state, the private sector, and businesses which have specific strategies.

An Giang to host Vietnam-Japan art exchange

A special art programme exchange will be held at Phuc An Asuka urban area in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang from April 29 to May 1 in an effort to introduce the quintessential nature of both local and Japanese cuisine and folklore.

Visitors will have the opportunity to experience a range of traditional dishes from more than 30 Japanese food stalls, including delicacies such as sushi, mochi, and wagashi.

They will also participate in Japanese folk games, visit cosplay pavilions, and enjoy the range of specialties on offer in the western region.

Most notably, several spectacular and unique performances featuring an array of light and sound on a modern stage are expected to help visitors immerse themselves in the bustling atmosphere.

The art programme is anticipated to attract the participation of several famous artists, promising to provide visitors with an interesting experience.

The exchange will run from 15:00 p.m. to 22:00 p.m. every day from April 29 to May 1.

Khau Vai love market festival back after COVID-19

To be held from April 25 to 27 in Khau Vai commune, Meo Vac district, in Ha Giang province, the festival seeks to promote tourism along with the traditional cultural values of ethnic groups in the province, thus helping local post-pandemic recovery efforts.

The three-day festival will feature a beauty pageant, an incense offering ceremony at the Ông and Bà Temples, and a ceremony praying for peace.

The traditional culture and arts of local ethnic groups will be highlighted during the festival, through panpipe performances from the H’mong people, folklore songs from the Nung and Giay groups, and folk dances from the Lo Lo and Giay ethnic communities.

The festival is hoped to offer an interesting experience to visitors to the Dong Van Karst Plateau - Vietnam’s first UNESCO Global Geopark.

Minister urge progress of COVID-19 vaccination

The Minister of Health has urged localities and organisations to speed up the administration of the third dose of COVID-19 vaccines to all adults. 

Speaking at a national online conference held by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and Ministry of Public Security, Minister Nguyễn Thanh Long emphasised that so far Việt Nam had given more than 212 million vaccine doses.

But he said the administration of booster shots has been slow, and action must be taken to hasten the process.

Provinces and cities must speed up vaccinations following directions from Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính.

Earlier, the MoH sent several documents to urge localities to get enough vaccine doses, to ensure high vaccine coverage. 

Sa Pa Summer Festival 2022 kicked off

The event started with Fansipan Rose Festival with the theme “Fansipan - Rose land in the cloud.”

Held for the first time in the country’s largest rose valley on an area of 50,000sq.m, the rose festival gathers 10,000 climbing roses, 1.5 hectares of ancient Sa Pa roses and nearly 100 varieties from many countries.

Many activities will take place on the occasion of National Unification Day (April 30) and May Day, including Sa Pa love market, brocade and gift fairs and street art performances.

The festival, which takes place from now until the end of July, aims to introduce special tourism programmes, unique cultural and sports events associated with the strength of natural resources and cultural identity of Sa Pa.

Opportunity to experience colourful highland market during upcoming holidays

The management board of Vietnam National Villages for Ethnic Culture and Tourism has announced a series of cultural activities to celebrate the 47th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30, 1975 -2022) and International Workers' Day (May 1).

Accordingly, many activities will take place at the Vietnam National Villages for Ethnic Culture and Tourism from April 29 to May 3, introducing the colourful cultural space of ethnic groups in the Northwestern and Northeastern regions.

The highlight of event is "the highland market - Son La rendezvous" with stalls displaying handicraft products, typical cuisine, and traditional art performances of ethnic minorities in Son La Province.

Within the framework of activities, there will also be events re-enacting the dance festival of the Dao ethnic group and the rain praying festival of the Thai ethnic group as well as activities of praying for peace and blessings at the spiritual spaces of Khmer pagodas and Cham towers.

President commends citizens for life-saving actions

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has sent letters to a man and a student, praising them for their life-saving actions.

The letters were sent to Nguyen Huu Hien, President of the War Veterans Association in Thanh Hoa commune, Thanh Chuong district, the central province of Nghe An, and Nguyen Van Duong, an eighth grader of Minh Lac Secondary School in Cam Xuyen district, the central province of Ha Tinh. They risked their lives to save others from drowning and provided them with first aid.

Lauding their bravery, President Phuc said they have set bright examples of courage, and deserve to receive praise from the community.

Phuc expressed his belief that Hien and generations of war veterans will carry forward virtues of Uncle Ho's soldiers, set role models, educate young generations about the traditions of patriotism and revolution, and make more contributions to national construction and defence.

Level-2 Field Hospital No. 4 transferred to Peacekeeping Operations Department

Level-2 Field Hospital No. 4 has been transferred from the Vietnam Military Medical University to the Vietnam Department for Peacekeeping Operations.

The department will work closely with the university and relevant agencies to ensure that the hospital completes its tasks.

Officers, medical workers and staff have undergone training in expertise, military, politics, and foreign languages in accordance with standards of the United Nations and the World Health Organisation.

The field hospital was launched in November 2021 with 63 official members. 

It is set to depart for the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) on April 27, along with Military Engineering Unit No.1, to perform duties at the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). 

Vietnam’s first Level-2 Field Hospital departed for UNMISS in October 2018, the second left for the mission in November 2019, and the third in early 2021.

Night tour of Thang Long Imperial Citadel returns

The night tour to discover the Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi will return during the coming National Reunification Day and May Day holidays after a year-long hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic’s impacts.

According to organizers, the return will be marked with a special musical program on April 29 evening.

The tour, named “Decoding the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long”, will be reactivated as part of efforts to recover Hanoi’s tourism. In the time ahead, tourism companies plan to add new services and experiences so as to make this tour more attractive.

Joining the tour, travelers have a chance to visit Đoan Môn (Main Gate), the entrance to the king’s residence for 1.5-hour, and learn about the site’s history, architecture, and functions./.

Thousands of pilgrims attend Ponagar Temple Festival

The Ponagar Temple Festival was held recently in Nha Trang city in central Khanh Hoa province, to pay tribute to Goddess Thien Y A Na - Holy Mother of the Cham ethnic minority community in the central region who, according to Cham legend, taught local people how to cultivate crops and make handicrafts.

Thousands of Cham people from Khanh Hoa and nearby Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, and Gia Lai provinces flocked to the traditional Ponagar Temple Festival to make offerings to Goddess Thien Y A Na and to pray for peace and good weather for the harvest.

A wide range of activities were held, including a ceremony to replace the Goddess’s dress and bathe her statue in herbal water, as well as an incense offering ceremony, among others. In addition, the festival also featured an array of cultural events, such as tuồng (classical opera) performances, Cham dancing, and exhibitions of weaving and pottery-making.

Ponagar Temple, built more than 1,200 years ago, is an architectural work typical of the Cham aesthetic. It was recognised as a national historical relic site in 1979 and as a national intangible heritage in 2012.

HCM City helicopter tours fully booked

In an attempt to offer a new experience to visitors in Ho Chi Minh City, the “Contemplate Ho Chi Minh City from above” tour by helicopter has been introduced, and is already fully booked for the upcoming holidays.

The tours fly at heights ranging from 200 to 300 metres, depending on the terrain, and passengers undergo a medical check prior to the flight. On the 40-minute journey, the helicopter departs from the helipad at Military Medical Hospital 175 or Tan Son Nhat International Airport, and takes tourists over destinations such as Phu My Bridge, Thu Thiem Bridge, Landmark 81 tower, and the Binh Quoi Tourist Area.

The travel company uses AW-189 helicopters, with a maximum of 16 passengers. 

The new tours are expected to become an essential part of any visit to the southern city, which hopes to welcome 25 million domestic and 3.5 million foreign tourists this year.

Sketches featuring Southern Resistance War on show

An exhibition themed "Sketches of the Southern Resistance War" opened at the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum on April 26.

The exhibition has been jointly organised by the museum and Ho Chi Minh City’s Fine Arts Museum on the occasion of the 47th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30).

It introduces to the public 70 sketches collected by the city’s museum. They were drawn in the southern battlefield in the 1954-1975 period, using watercolours, iron pens and pencils.

Through their drawings, artists and soldiers recorded "battlefield diaries" about the people, life, land and the tough resistance war facing the Vietnamese army and people in the south.

The exhibition will remain open to visitors until the end of May 8.

Vietnam makes strides in poverty reduction: World Bank

Vietnam has made remarkable progress in poverty reduction in the 2010 – 2020 period, with the rate of poverty declining to only 5 percent from 16.8 percent, according to the World Bank (WB).  

The WB said over 10 million people were supported to escape from poverty in the period.

The sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic at the end of the decade has stalled progress on wage increase and improvement in job quality, and delayed the poverty reduction progress and effort.

The WB will release a report on poverty and equality in Vietnam in 2022 at a ceremony on April 28. The event aims to discuss poverty and inequality trends over the past decade, negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and grinding poverty reduction challenges facing the Southeast Asian nation.

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