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In his keynote address, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang described the Trang An Landscape Complex as a special highlight of the local nature and people, a bridge between the past and the present where cultural, historical sediments and landscapes are formed, and also a place of harmonious convergence in the space of symbiotic culture.
Noting Trang An's prestigious status as the 31st mixed heritage site in the world, the 11th in Asia-Pacific, and the first in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, he commended the complex for becoming one of the world's most exemplary models of balancing economic development and sustainable tourism while protecting the nature, as well as a symbol of Vietnam's responsible commitment to fulfilling the UNESCO Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
The Trang An Landscape Complex encompasses nearly 2,000 hectares and is divided into five areas, including the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, a core area, a cave area, tourism service areas, and the spiritual tourism area of Bai Dinh pagoda.
The complex boasts 47 historical relics nestled within stunning limestone karst mountain ranges. Visitors are captivated by the picturesque landscape – a harmonious blend of mountains, valleys, and a vast system of lakes.
Sitting on a small boat floating in the green lake, visitors will be amazed by the shades of mountain range reflected in the clear water, various kinds of wild flowers and some grazing goats under trees./.
Vietnam attends 20th ASEAN-Russia Senior Officials' Meeting
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet, who is also head of the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) delegation of Vietnam, attended the 20th ASEAN-Russia SOM in St. Petersburg, Russia, on April 26.
Delegates reviewed the current state of cooperation and proposed directions and measures to further develop the ASEAN-Russia relationship in the future. Their discussions also covered pressing global and regional issues.
In his speech, Viet highlighted narrowing the development gap, sub-regional connectivity and development as priorities of ASEAN in its overall effort to build the Community.
He expected that Russia, with its potential and strengths, will pay more attention and contribute more effectively to these regional priority efforts in the future, as well as propose directions and solutions to promoting the bilateral cooperation, including the effective implementation of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) and the Master Plan on ASEAN Community (MPAC) 2025; help less developed countries and regions tackle common challenges such as combating transnational crime, enhancing health capacity; ensuring food, energy, water security; and effectively embracing new growth drivers, especially digital transformation, green and circular economy.
Viet suggested Russia support sub-regional development efforts in ASEAN, including the Mekong sub-region, contributing positively to the inclusive, even and sustainable growth of ASEAN and the region.
The official hoped that relationship among major countries, which are important partners of ASEAN, would be stable and healthy, positively contributing to regional cooperation on the basis of respecting and supporting ASEAN's central role.
He called on Russia to support ASEAN's common stance on the East Sea issue and efforts to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), soon reach an effective and practical Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and head of ASEAN SOM of Russia Andrey Rudenko said in order to mark the 20th anniversary of Russia's accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), Russia will propose holding a number of activities to mark the occasion, reaffirming its commitment to peace, stability and cooperation in the region./.
Hanoi to celebrate 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory with music, art shows
The capital city of Hanoi is preparing to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7) with a series of music and art shows.
On May 4 evening, the Vietnam Contemporary Art Theatre will hold a music show titled "Memories of Dien Bien" under the direction of People's Artist Tran Binh and his team.
This show promises to bring audiences back seven decades through a unique blend of heroism and romance. Featuring patriotic songs that evoke the historical period, the event aims to rekindle national pride among the Vietnamese youth and provide a glimpse into the historical significance of this victory.
Adding another dimension to the celebrations, the Vietnam Circus Federation (VCF) has also announced a series of shows scheduled for May 4, 5, 11 and 12 at No. 67-69 Tran Nhan Tong street.
VCF Director People's Artist Tong Toan Thang said these circus acts go beyond mere entertainment. They provide a platform for artists to express their profound gratitude to those who sacrificed for the country's independence and freedom.
The shows will use captivating circus arts to convey a powerful message about this defining moment in Vietnamese history, he said, adding that veterans who joined the Dien Bien Phu campaign will be invited to share their memories and stories, ensuring that the legacy of the Dien Bien Phu Victory lives on./.
Bình Thuận’s former officials face criminal charges in coastal development project
Criminal proceedings have been launched against 12 former officials of the south-central province of Bình Thuận for violating regulations on the management and use of State-owned assets, causing losses and waste in line with Article 219 of the Criminal Code.
The Ministry of Public Security announced on April 26 that they were involved in the Phan Thiết coastal tourism urban area project in Phú Thủy Ward, Phan Thiết City, Bình Thuận Province which is invested by Rạng Đông JSC.
Among them, five were detained, including former Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Lê Tiến Phương, former Director of the provincial Construction Department and former Secretary of the Bắc Bình District Party Committee Xà Dương Thắng, former Chairman of the Phan Thiết municipal People’s Committee Đỗ Ngọc Điệp, former Deputy Director of the Southern Information and Valuation JSC - Bình Thuận branch Hồ Như Hải and former head of the general administration office of the provincial Land Management Department Lê Anh Huy.
Six others are serving prison sentences for similar offences at Tân Việt Phát 2 commercial, service and residential area project in Bình Thuận Province.
Child suffering from post-vaccination shock off ventilator
A two-month-old child suffering from severe complications after receiving vaccines in Bình Dương Province is now in a stable condition.
Identified as L.A.N., the baby girl has been fully weaned off the mechanical ventilator and has been regaining consciousness.
She had been given 0.5ml of Infanrix hexa and 2ml of Rotavin at TNT Bến Cát Vaccination Centre in Bến Cát City of Bình Dương Province on Wednesday.
About 15 minutes after vaccination, the child showed signs of agitation and cyanosis in both legs.
She was then administered 1mg/1ml of adrenalin and transferred to the emergency department of Mỹ Phước General Hospital in the city, where she was intubated and received IV therapy.
Due to her worsening conditions, the child was then transferred to Bình Dương Provincial General Hospital for treatment on Wednesday afternoon.
After receiving a report on the case, Bình Dương health department has established an investigation team to look into the child’s health conditions, the vaccine origins, vaccination practices and the infrastructure and human resources of the facility.
Speaking to Sức khỏe & Đời sống (Health & Life), deputy director of Bình Dương health department Dr Huỳnh Minh Chín said that the province counted 178 facilities eligible for vaccination, of which 60 were private.
The department would conduct inspections into on-demand vaccination service providers across the locality in compliance with the regulations of the Ministry of Health, he said.
“If we detect any facility does not meet the requirements and resources to administer vaccines, or violating any health ministry’s vaccination regulation, we will take strict measures according to the rules and suspend its operation if necessary.”
New Year of Asian countries celebrated in Hanoi
A cultural program was held in Hanoi Friday night [April 26] to celebrate the Lunar New Year of several countries in Asia namely Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
The program included traditional rituals, customs, and performances held at Thang Loi Hotel in the famous West Lake by the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations (HAUFO) to help people in those countries and friends celebrate the festival which is collectively known as the Water Festival.
The program titled “Friendly Exchange to Celebrate Traditional New Year in Some Asian Countries” was organized in partnership with the Embassy of Laos – the ASEAN Chairmanship 2024 and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Presidency 2024, the embassies of Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, Deputy Head of the Central Commission for External Relations Nguyen Minh Tam, Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Van Phong, Deputy Head of HAUFO Nguyen Ngoc Hung, and more than 250 representatives from embassies, international organizations, Hanoi agencies, and locals.
Speaking at the event, HAUFO’s Head Nguyen Ngoc Ky said sincere sharing and friendship will strengthen mutual understanding and tighten the bonds of solidarity between people in Vietnam and Asian countries, especially through the events held by HAUFO.
“International attendees will be able to experience New Year in the manner that is customary for them thanks to the ceremonies and performances infused with the traditional cultures of each participating nation,” Ky said.
Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Khamphao Ernthavanh thanked HAUFO for organizing the event as it offers people in Hanoi and from other countries an opportunity to understand the traditional new year in some countries which is celebrated in mid-April.
Public screening of documentaries to mark anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory
The National Documentary and Scientific Film Studio (DSF) will host a documentary film screening programme between May 3-5 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954 - 2024).
At the headquarters on 465 Hoang Hoa Tham street, Hanoi’s Ba Dinh district, six films will be screened for the public free of charge, including "Dien Bien Phu" (1964), "Hoi uc Dien Bien (Memories of Dien Bien)” (1994), "Chuyen nhung nguoi linh gia (Stories of old soldiers)" (2017), and "Chia lua cung Dien Bien (Sharing fire with Dien Bien)" (2024).
According to a DSF representative, these films were made by the studio's artists against the backdrop of the most intense years in the anti-French colonial war and the subsequent process of national building and development up to the present day.
After seven decades of construction and development, Dien Bien Phu has emerged as a beacon in the northwestern region, serving as an economic, cultural, and tourist hub. The lives of local people have significantly improved, enjoying prosperity and happiness in peace.
The programme aims to bridge the audience with the nation's history, so that the young generations are always grateful for, pay tribute to, and take pride in the country’s historic achievements and current position./.
Heart screening, flu vaccination programme benefits needy people in central region
A programme on screening for congenital heart diseases and administering flu vaccines for disadvantaged people was launched on April 26, targeting the central province of Quang Binh and the Central Highlands provinces of Dak Lak, and Lam Dong.
The programme aims for the early detection and timely treatment of poor children with congenital heart diseases, while also contributing to preventing dangerous diseases and ensuring the well-being of children and people in disadvantaged areas.
In Quang Binh, it is being implemented throughout the province. Screenings for more than 3,500 children in Quang Ninh district’s communes of Truong Son, Truong Xuan, Xuan Ninh, and Gia Ninh took place between April 23 and 26, identifying 22 with congenital heart diseases. Meanwhile, 300 doses of flu vaccine were given to children and the elderly in the district’s Truong Xuan commune.
As part of the programme, the VinaCapital Foundation and Sanofi Vietnam will organise heart screenings for children and administer 500 doses of flu vaccine to people with difficult circumstances in Dak Lak and Lam Dong.
Between 2007 and now, the programme has provided free heart screenings for more than 370,000 children in 49 provinces and cities nationwide./.
Early summer heat grips three regions, temperatures rise above 40°C
All three regions of Vietnam are braving hot weather in early summer this year, with daytime temperatures rising above 40°C, especially in northern and central localities, reported the National Centre for Hydro – meteorological Forecasting.
The hot low pressure area in the west is increasing the intensity, causing the heat to spread across the northern and central regions, said meteorologists.
On April 27, the first day of the five-day holiday period, most weather stations in northern Son La and Hoa Binh provinces, and central Thanh Hoa and Phu Yen provinces, recorded high temperatures of 38-40°C at around 13:00.
Several localities even saw noon temperatures rise above the 40°C mark, such as Dong Ha in central Quang Tri province – 42.1°C, Yen Chau in northern Son la province – 41.5°C, and Hue city in central Thua Thien-Hue province – 41.4°C.
Meanwhile, Hanoi capital and some southern localities documented daytime temperatures ranging between 37-39°C, or 2-3°C more than a day ago.
Meteorologists said outdoor temperatures may vary by 2-4°C, or even higher, depending on surface conditions such as concrete and asphalt.
As searing heat reaches its peak between 11:00 and 16:00, meteorologists recommended that people take protective measures to avoid direct impacts from the sun when they venture out. Prolonged exposure to high heat can also cause dehydration and heat stroke.
In addition, prolonged heat accompanied by low humidity also causes the risk of explosions and fires in residential areas due to increased demand for electricity, as well as the risk of forest fires.
The hot weather is forecast to last till April 30 before a weak cold spell hits northern localities to cause temperatures to drop by several degrees.
Da Nang Int’l Lifeguard Competition attracts local, foreign teams
As many as 50 Vietnamese and foreign lifeguards on April 27 took part in the International Lifeguard Competition which was held at a beach in front of the East Sea Park in central Da Nang city.
15 local and foreign teams compete at the International Lifeguard Competition in Da Nang
They came from 15 teams, including those from Australia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan (China) and hosts Vietnam.
Each team was made up of three to four members and competed in multiple categories, such as relay swimming (3x300m); rescue relay swimming (3x300m); rescue board relay; and ironman (non-stop triathlon including 200m run, 300m freestyle swim, 300m paddleboard, 200m run).
The event, which was organised by the Management Board of Son Tra Peninsula and Tourism Beaches, created a good opportunity for local rescue workers to exchange and share their experiences in search and rescue operations with foreign colleagues, thereby gradually improving their professional skills at beaches.
It was also a golden opportunity for Da Nang to promote beach tourism brand with the theme of “Safe, Civilized, Attractive”.
Int’l Hot-air Balloon Festival enthralls thousands of tourists
Thousands of tourists across the country flocked to Nguyen Tat Thanh Square in the northern mountainous province of Tuyen Quang on April 27 to attend the third International Hot-air Balloon Festival.
The visitors had the chance to admire scores of colourful balloons flown by pilots from Australia, China, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Thailand, the UK, and Vietnam.
They also had the chance to fly the balloons, see Tuyen Quang’s scenic spots from above, and talk to foreign pilots.
During the five-day festival, local residents and tourists watch hot air balloon light show nights and enjoy exciting music parties performed by famous bands and artists.
Other activities held within the framework of the festival include tours of local historical landmarks and craft villages, along with conferences on investment, trade, and tourism promotion in the province’s ethnic minority-inhabited and mountainous areas.
A football tournament will be held among women of ethnic groups in Tuyen Quang and the national badminton club championship 2024.
The third International Hot-air Balloon Festival is part of the Tuyen Quang Tourism Year 2024 that aims to popularise its tourism potential and lure more international and domestic visitors and investors to the province.
This year Tuyen Quang is striving to welcome more than 2.7 million tourists and earn VND3.6 trillion, nearly US$144 million, in revenue.
Metro Line No.1 put into trial operation to mark National Reunification Day
Foreign representative agencies in Ho Chi Minh City and Dien Bien veteran soldiers joined the trial automatic operation of Metro Line No.1 (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien) this morning.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Bui Xuan Cuong expressed his happiness in welcoming foreign representative agencies, representative offices of international, economic, cultural, and trade organizations and foreign business associations in Ho Chi Minh City for their first experience of the metro line. Their attendance was a chance for the city leaders to listen to opinions and comments to improve passenger services.
The Management Authority for Urban Railways of Ho Chi Minh City this morning welcomed delegations of foreign representative agencies in Ho Chi Minh City and Dien Bien veterans to join the automatic operation of Metro Line No.1 (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien).
The event was more meaningful on the occasion of the 49th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975-2024) and the 138th anniversary of International Workers' Day (May 1,1886-2024).
Attending the event, Japanese Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City Ono Masuo highly appreciated Ho Chi Minh City's prioritization on development of the urban railway system.
At the same time, Mr. Ono Masuo expressed his expectation that this metro line will be the foundation for urban development planning, solve traffic congestion and bring more convenience for residents.
Consul General of Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City Kho Ngee Seng Roy shared that the journey on the metro line was so smooth and fast. He believed that the whole metro line will change the comprehensive urban aspect of the city after it is officially put into exploitation.
The trial operation and safety assessment of the Metro Line No.1 has been proceeded from 2023 up to now under strict standards of Japan and Europe to ensure the highest level of safety when the Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien Metro Line is officially put into operation.
It is expected that 17 trains will operate on the metro line during the first phase of exploitation, comprising 14 officially-operated and three back-up ones. Each train has a total length of 61.5 meters, comprising three connected wagons with a capacity of 930 passengers.
Miss Tourism Việt Nam 2024 contest kicks off
The winners of Miss Tourism Việt Nam 2024 should meet the same criteria as those at other beauty contests. Besides beauty, the winners should love travelling and be active in introducing Vietnamese culture, history, landscapes, and people to international friends.
That was the announcement made by Nguyễn Chiến, Head of the Advisory Board for the contest at a press conference held in Hà Nội on April 27.
The contest kicks off on April 27 and lasts till July 20, with nearly 300 women having registered.
The semi-final round will take place in Sa Pa town, Lào Cai Province, between June 25 and July 10 while the final stage will be organised in Cẩm Phả City, Quảng Ninh Province between July 10 and 20.
The top winner will walk away with a cash prize of VNĐ300 million (US$11,800) and other valuable presents. The first runner-up will get VNĐ200 million and the second runner-up, VNĐ100 million.
The organisers will award titles like Miss Sea, Miss Talent, Miss Inspiration, Miss Humanity, Miss Fashion, Beauty with the Best Evening Dress, Beauty with the Best Face, and Most Favourite Beauty.
The contest is open to all women of Vietnamese nationality, aged between 18 and 25, who are single and have no children yet. They should stand at least 1.62m in height with good-looking appearances.
Northern mountainous sites attract Hanoi tourists amid expensive airfares
Many people in Hanoi have decided to holiday in some northern mountainous areas to save costs as domestic airfares are sharply increasing.
Van Anh, from Ha Dong District said she contacted seven lodgings in northern mountainous areas to book a room for her holiday but failed.
According to a representative from a travel firm in Hanoi, tourist sites near Hanoi and those in northern mountainous localities such as Sapa in Lao Cai, Hoa Binh, Yen Bai, Ha Giang and Cao Bang are attracting people due to higher airfares to the central and southern regions.
The travel agent expects to serve between 6,000-8,000 tourists going to northern mountainous localities during the holiday with an average price of VND3-8 million per person.
Despite high demand, the company has ceased selling new tours since April 20.
Serena Resort Kim Boi, for example, has been fully booked since early April.
Le Minh Duc, general director of Viettrekking, said the firm is organising eight mountain climbing tours. The most popular tours have been to Pu Ta Leng in Lai Chau and Nhin Co San in Lao Cai.
A mountain climbing tour typically includes 7-10 people, but the groups would increase to 20 this holiday.
This year, the Reunification Day and May Day holidays last five days, starting on April 27.
New cave with with stunning stalactites found in Quang Binh
A cave with a system of stunning stalactites has been found in the central province of Quang Binh’s Quang Ninh District.
According to Hoang Trong Duc, chairman of Truong Son Commune, the cave is two kilometres long, eight metres high and nine metres wide. The cave is home to four branches with 100 metros of dry sections, while the remainder is flooded.
Duc added that the locality will set up a working team to assess its tourism development potential.
In mid-2023, a 1.5-kilometre cave was also found in Diu Do Village in Truong Son Commune.
Nghe An sea salt makers quit due to low incomes
Many sea salt makers in the central province of Nghe An have left their traditional job due to the hard work and low incomes.
People in Dien Chau and Quynh Luu districts in Nghe An have produced salt from seawater for generations. However, the number of people following the job has recently sharply decreased.
Dang Thi Thao, 58, complained that sea salt prices have remained low despite the hard work, while there are now many better-paid jobs. In addition, water pollution has recently become a problem affecting their production.
"I've been producing salt on an area of 250 square metres," Thao said. "My work starts at 5 am when I come to take water. I then visit the site at 11 am for other processing and return at 4 pm for harvesting. On a sunny day, I can collect over 100 kilos of salt and earn over VND200,000 (USD8). But if it rains, I earn nothing.
Thao said that as the work is hard and unstable, her children and other young people in her district have decided not to follow it, leaving hundreds of hectares of salt production area abandoned.
Another local, Nguyen Van Tinh, 60, said her family has produced sea salt for four generations. However, they've abandoned their last production area, and all his children have taken other jobs.
"The seawater in my area has become polluted, affecting our product output and quality," Tinh said. I hope the local authorities can support us in using our land for other purposes."
Dien Chau District Department of Agriculture and Rural Development head Le The Hieu said that half of the 120 hectares local people use to produce salt following traditional seawater drying methods have been abandoned.
"Despite government support to enhance production methods to improve capacity and quality, many workers have left the job due to low incomes," he said. We're planning to transform some of the abandoned land areas for other purposes, like fish farming, while encouraging people to continue salt production."
The official also shared about a project to develop the sea salt production area into a tourist site where visitors can learn about local traditional salt making.
Twenty-two caves discovered in Quang Binh
The Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park management board said on April 14 that British and Vietnamese cave explorers discovered 22 new caves in the north-central province of Quang Binh.
The caves are mainly located within Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Minh Hoa and Tuyen Hoa districts. Their lengths range from 30 to 572 meters.
The top four longest caves comprise Va (516 meters), 12/2 Dry (404 meters), Vuc Hung (430 meters), and Ong Dau (572 meters).
Each newly discovered cave exhibits a unique trait, representing the extraordinary geological, topographical, and hydrological features of different areas within the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, according to the Tuoi Tre news site.
Source: VNA/SGT/VNS/VOV/Dtinews/SGGP/VGP/Hanoitimes
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