Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with Chairman of the Lao National Assembly Saysomphone Phomvihane on August 10.

The President congratulated Saysomphone on being elected as Chairman of the Lao National Assembly and highly appreciated the results of the first session of the 9th National Assembly, especially the adoption of key leadership positions and development policies for the 2021-2025 period of Laos.

At the meeting, Chairman Saysomphone warmly welcomed President Phuc on his official friendship visit to Laos, saying that the trip would contribute to further tightening the close relationship and special solidarity between the two countries, and expressed joy about the great and comprehensive achievements that the Vietnamese people have obtained in socio-economic development in recent years.

The two leaders were pleased to see that despite impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the cooperation between the two legislatures has still developed well with meetings and communications between senior leaders of the two agencies, share experience, coordinate to monitor agreements, and support each other at regional and international parliamentary forums.

The Vietnamese President said he supported the National Assemblies of the two countries to strengthen coordination and supervision to contribute to the effective implementation of high-level agreements which have been signed and sharing experience, especially building and perfecting institutions, legal systems, and supreme supervision of activities of State agencies.

The two legislatures should continue exchange experience, hold conferences and seminars in flexible forms and closely coordinate and support each other at regional and international parliamentary forums such as the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) and ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) as well as collaborate harmoniously and effectively in international and regional issues for peace, stability, cooperation and development. 

President Phuc took the occasion to convey Vietnamese NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue's invitation to the Lao NA Chairman to pay an official visit to Vietnam.

Meeting with Vice President Pany Yathotu and Vice President Bounthong Chithmany, President Phuc emphasised that the Party, State and people of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give the highest priority to consolidating and strengthening the traditional friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, describing it an invaluable asset and a vital factor for the revolutionary cause of the two nations.

The Vietnamese President suggested the two sides continue to coordinate and effectively implement the signed agreements, promoting cooperation in all fields, facilitating important cooperation projects such as Vung Ang port, Xieng Khouang and Houaphanh hospitals, and Nongkhang airport.

The two nations should pay attention to disease prevention and socio-economic development, promote dissemination and education on the tradition of special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos, especially for young generations./.

Vietnam receives additional 494,400 COVID-19 vaccine doses from COVAX

Vietnam received 494,400 doses of Vaxzevria vaccine (formerly known as AstraZeneca) from the COVAX Facility on August 9, UNICEF Vietnam announced.

This delivery brings the total number of vaccine doses Vietnam has received from COVAX to 9,175,700.

Previously, on August 2, an additional nearly 1.19 million doses of Vaxzevria vaccine arrived in Vietnam through the mechanism.

The latest batch was shipped from Laboratorio Universal Farma, a manufacturing facility in Spain, according to UNICEF.

Vaxzevria COVID-19 vaccine was co-invented by the UK’s University of Oxford and its spin-out company AstraZeneca, and was licensed by the World Health Organization (WHO) for emergency use. This vaccine has been successfully injected in Vietnam since March this year.

To date, Vietnam has administered nearly 10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines. More than 1 million people have received two full shots.

COVAX is a global initiative between the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), UNICEF and WHO, to ensure fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

Over the last months, CEPI, GAVI, WHO and supply partner UNICEF have been supporting Vietnam’s effort to deploy COVID-19 vaccination campaigns nationwide.

Two Facebook accounts fined for spreading fake news
 
Inspectors of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Information and Communications yesterday fined two Facebook accounts because they have posted fake news saying that a doctor pulling out his relative’s ventilator to save a pregnant woman and her child.

Accordingly, the two Facebook accounts named ‘Nguyen Duc Hien’ and ‘Hoang Nguyen Vu’ reported that they shared the news because they truly appreciated the sacrifice that the owner of the account ‘Tran Khoa’ has made. However, since they did not verify the reliability of the news source, they did not recognize it is fake.

The post appearing on the wall of Facebook account ‘Tran Khoa’, who is assumed to be a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology, shows that the doctor decided to pull out the breathing tubes of his parents to give to a pregnant woman with twin in need. He then resisted the pain of losing his beloved and entered the operation room to successfully deliver birth to the twin.

On August 8, HCMC Information and Communications Department announced that the content of the above post is absolutely fictitious information, and there is no such action as pulling out the ventilator of this patient to give to another in any hospital in HCMC. The HCMC Department of Health is now working with functional agencies to track the origin of this fake news.

The two Facebook accounts ‘Nguyen Duc Hien’ and ‘Hoang Nguyen Vu’ received administrative sanctions from HCMC Information and Communications Department for their unintentional news sharing activity in accordance with Point a, Clause 1, Article 101 in Decree No.15/2020/ND-CP about penalties for administrative violations in the fields of post, telecommunications, radio frequency, information technology, and electronic transaction.

Over 203,000 rapid COVID-19 test kits donated by Germany arrive in HCM City

A batch of over 203,000 rapid COVID-19 test kits donated by Germany have safely arrived in Ho Chi Minh City.

This is the second shipment of 1 million quick test kits that administrations of several German states presented to Vietnam to help the country control the spread of COVID-19.

National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines transported the medical supplies from Frankfurt to HCM City free of charge.

These COVID-19 rapid test kits have been approved for use in Germany by the German Institute for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices (BfArM). They will be allocated to HCM City and Binh Duong province, which are the current largest pandemic hotspots of the country.

On June 27, 170,000 rapid test kits were also transported by Vietnam Airlines from Germany to Hanoi.

Vietnam Airlines has transported more than 3,000 experts, officials, doctors and medical students from many parts of the country to participate in the fight against the epidemic in southern localities such as HCM City, Binh Duong, Dong Thap./.

Vietnam strengthens production, import, store of Covid-19 drugs

The Drug Administration of Vietnam under the Ministry of Health (MoH) has just sent an official letter to the Departments of Health of the provinces and cities under the Central, the hospitals under the MoH to strengthen the production, import and store the drugs for Covid-19 prevention and treatment.

The Covid-19 pandemic situation in Vietnam and the world is still complicated and unprecedented causing the risk of interrupting and breaking the global supply chains.

To ensure the demand of both Covid-19 drugs and other medicines in Vietnam, the Drug Administration of Vietnam required the relevant units to actively review the current drugs at stores and the ability of drug supply to find adequate solutions to store the drug, avoiding the drug shortage on treatment, especially for Covid-19 patients.

One family in illegal tiger raising case has policeman relative
 
Chairman of Yen Thanh District People’s Committee (in Nghe An Province) Phan Van Tuyen yesterday informed SGGP News that functional agencies discovered one household in the illegal tiger raising case has a part-time policeman relative.

As stated in relative news, the Environmental Police Division under the Nghe An Province Department of Public Security cooperated with functional agencies to check the houses of Nguyen Van Hien (sited in Nam Vuc Hamlet of Do Thanh Commune in Yen Thanh District) and Nguyen Thi Dinh (in Phu Xuan Hamlet also of Do Thanh Commune). They discovered 17 Indochinese tigers, weighing 200-260 kilos each.

After initial investigation, it is found out that the husband of Nguyen Thi Dinh is a part-time police officer in charge of Phu Xuan Hamlet.

Chairman Tuyen stated that when the formal result of the investigation is announce, this officer and other related individuals will receive severe punishment.

The case is still under investigation. The eight dead tigers have been frozen for further examination to identify the cause of death. The alive ones are cared and nurtured at two ecotourism sites in Dien Chau District of Nghe An Province, having stable health status.

Southern provinces asked to expand virus-free green zones

A key focus in the battle against COVID-19 in southern provinces is to expand green zones, where there are no infections, and shrink red and yellow zones, where cases are reported, said Deputy Defence Minister Vo Minh Luong.

Luong, head of the Government’s special working group on COVID-19 in the southern region, made the statement during a meeting on August 9 in Ho Chi Minh City.

He praised the flexible measures carried out by southern provinces in fighting the virus while also pointing their drawbacks.

The deputy defence minister stated that provinces and cities in the region need to accurately assess their situations and make plans to protect and extend green zones.

He also asked local authorities to equip the hospitals responsible for treating COVID-19 patients with the necessary medical equipment so as to reduce the number of severe cases.

On August 9, the northern province of Hung Yen dispatched a delegation of 30 healthcare workers from four local hospitals to support southern provinces in the battle against the coronavirus.

Doctor Hoang Quoc Khai, head of the delegation, vowed that they will work their hardest to serve the people and patients in virus-hit areas.

Over the past few days, many organisations and enterprises have continued to provide medical supplies to Phu Yen Province to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the area.

Sovico and HD Bank donated two ambulances and five ventilators while Europlast Phu Yen donated a dialysis machine and 1,200 N95 medical masks.

In Can Tho, Nam Can Tho University donated COVID-19 testing kits worth VND1 billion to the city authorities to support the city’s effort in fighting the virus.

According to the Ministry of Health, Vietnam recorded another 5,149 cases on the morning of August 10, of which Ho Chi Minh City accounted for 2,490 cases, raising the national tally to 224,894.

As of August 9, Vietnam has administered 9,987,587 vaccine doses, with 8,984,300 people having received the first dose and 1,003,287 being fully vaccinated.

COVID-19 cases in Vietnam near 225,000

Vietnam documented an additional 5,149 new COVID-19 infections, including five imported, from 6:30pm on August 9 to 6am on August 10, raising the national count to 224,894, according to the Ministry of Health.

Of the new cases, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest COVID-19 hotspot, still recorded the biggest number with 2,490 cases, followed by its neighbouring province of Binh Duong (1,325), Dong Nai (354) and Long An (313).

As many as 662 cases were detected in the community.

The number of infections since the fourth wave of outbreaks hit Vietnam on April 27 reached 220,957.

A total of 75,920 patients have been given the all-clear.

To date, Vietnam has administered nearly 9.99 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines. More than 1 million people have received two full shots.

Lao media spotlights Vietnamese President’s visit

The official friendly visit by Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc made headlines in Laos on August 10, with highlights on the visit’s contributions to further fostering the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

Major local newspapers including Pasaxon (People) and PathetLao (the nation of Laos) quoted General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith as saying that President Phuc’s selection of Laos as the first country to visit in his new position showed that the Vietnamese Party and State, and President Phuc himself have attached special importance to preserving, protecting and nurturing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations.

The Lao leader stressed that the visit contributes to strongly bolster the partnership between the two Parties and countries, making it deeper, more effective and practical.

Meanwhile, Vientiane Times and other newspapers highlighted that at the talks following a solemn welcoming ceremony for the Vietnamese leader, Lao Party chief and President Thongloun Sisoulith and President Phuc agreed to further deepen the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two sides.

They concurred to increase visits by senior leaders and speed up the implementation of programmes and agreements reached by the two countries, while agreeing on the need to focus more on defence-security cooperation to deal with challenges and create optimal conditions for development.

The two leaders agreed with proposals from ministries and sectors of both sides to strengthen collaboration in fostering infrastructure and tourism connections and cooperation in energy and safe agriculture, aiming to reinforce the foundation for economic growth in both nations.

They also discussed issues related to the Vientiane-Hanoi expressway, the upgrade of Road No.8, the Vientiane-Vung Ang railway, Vung Ang seaport, Nongkhang airport in Houaphan and electricity trading plans.

Concluding the talks, the leaders witnessed the signing of 14 cooperation documents between the two countries’ ministries, sectors and enterprises in the fields of defence, security, drug prevention and control, search and rescue, electricity trading, and mineral exploration, exploitation and processing, the newspapers reported.

Along with covering activities of President Phuc, his spouse and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, the PathetLao Daily the same day ran an article on the Laos-Vietnam tradition friendship.

The article highlights the Laos-Vietnam relations through history as well as the similarities shared by the two neighbours, while underlining their joint efforts during the struggle against the common enemy as well as in the current national construction, defence and development.

During the official friendly visit to Vietnam by Thongloun Sisoulith in late June, leaders of both sides complemented the great and historical achievements that each country has gained during the renewal process, it noted.

The article underscored a strong belief that under the leadership of the LPRP and the Communist Party of Vietnam, the reform process as well as the national defence and development of both Laos and Vietnam will come to further success./.

HCMC allows staff of supermarkets, convenience stores to venture out after 6 p.m.

The HCMC government on August 9 gave the green light to employees of supermarkets and convenience stores in the city to travel on the streets between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. to prepare and arrange cargo and disinfect their business space.

The municipal Department of Industry and Trade was assigned to coordinate with the relevant agencies to confirm the list of assigned employees and integrate the list to the database of the department to serve the management and tracing work, the local media reported.

The city also asked the directors of supermarkets and convenience stores to issue employment certificates for these employees.

HCMC had asked stores and supermarkets to shut down and banned local residents from going out from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. since July 26 without a legitimate reason, except for some groups of people, such as frontline workers, emergency workers, journalists, sanitation workers, workers who fix electricity, water and other infrastructure problems, essential goods transport vehicle drivers and workers at gas stations at the city's gateways, among others.

On August 3, the city added those providing postal services to the list.

Photo exhibition spotlights life of Vietnamese expats in Czech Republic

A photo exhibition themed “Vietnam Stories” introducing the most realistic and vivid images of the life of the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic by photographer Jindřich Štreit is taking place in western Plzeň city.

The event is organized by the city’s council in collaboration with the Vietnamese Association in Plzeň.

On display are 50 photographs selected from the vast collection of photos taken by the Czech photographer, who is known for his extensive and diverse photographic archives on every aspects of the life in his peaceful and beautiful country.

The exhibition features visual stories about the daily life as well as Vietnamese traditional customs and habits being preserved and promoted by the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic.

In his speech at the opening ceremony on August 6, the 75-year-old photographer said, to take the series of photos, he had attended activities and tried to immerse himself in the Vietnamese community in order to truthfully capture their life.

Eliška Bartáková, Deputy Mayor of Plzeň city, said the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic have been integrating well into the local society.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Duy Nhien, Chairman of the Vietnamese Association in the Czech Republic, affirmed that the exhibition contributes to further promoting the relationship between the two countries.

The photos on display also show valuable contributions and efforts of Vietnamese people in the Czech Republic in integrating with other communities in the country, highlighting the friendship among peoples in the European nation.

The exhibition will last until August 27./.

South Korea donates 7.5 million syringes for HCMC’s Covid-19 vaccination

The South Korean Government has donated 7.5 million syringes to HCMC to support the city’s Covid-19 vaccination program, the Consulate General of South Korea in HCMC announced on August 8.

The syringes arrived at HCMC’s Cat Lai Port on August 8 and will be distributed to districts in the city. The donation is part of the “Comprehensive Urgent Support for Covid-19 Response” program worth US$2.5 million that was signed by the Korea International Cooperation Agency in Vietnam and the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology on June 23.

During a visit to Vietnam in June, South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui Yong said Korea would provide Vietnam with 30 million syringes for Covid-19 vaccination and over 300,000 bins for medical waste.

The South Korean Government has also collaborated with Vietnam to organize an international seminar on Covid-19 vaccination and donated 40 thermometers to international airports in Vietnam in May and medical supplies worth US$20,000 to Bac Giang Province, which was once Vietnam’s biggest Covid-19 hotspot, in July.

Besides, officials of the Consulate General of South Korea in HCMC have donated VND57.5 million to support the city in the fight against Covid-19.

The Overseas Korean Association in HCMC will give VND100 million, 1,000 sets of protective gear and 10,000 face masks to the city, while Korean businesses have donated over VND180 billion to support Vietnam’s Covid-19 fight.

In related news, the Swiss Government will provide medical equipment worth 5 million francs to help Vietnam fight off the pandemic.

During a meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Vo Thi Anh Xuan late last week as part of a two-day visit to Vietnam, Swiss Vice President Ignazio Cassis announced the 5 million francs emergency medical aid for Vietnam, which includes 500,000 Covid-19 rapid test kits, 300,000 antibacterial masks and 30 oxygen ventilators.

"We look forward to supporting Vietnam's sustainable development and making the economy more resilient to crises like the Covid-19 pandemic," Cassis said.

Since 1991, the Swiss Government has provided 600 million francs to support Vietnam's socioeconomic development.

Online German-Vietnamese experimental film series fosters LGBTQ understanding 

Goethe Institut in Vietnam introduces an experimental film series themed LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer) called ‘Lung chung’ or ‘In the Middle of Nowhere’ by Vietnamese filmmakers.

This project combines the production of an experimental film by Pham Nguyen Anh Tu and a short film screening organized by Nai Cinema.

The short films will be on screen at 12am on August 13 at the fan page of Goethe Institut in Ho Chi Minh City at https://www.facebook.com/goetheinstitut.hcm. ‘Lung chung’ could also be watched online on the same page but a week longer.

According to filmmaker Anh Tu, the film entitled ‘Bong Xa Bong’ (Soap Bubbles) was made in his attempt to explore and understand how the brain works in terms of constructing stereotypes and processing negative information with the focus on news-generated stereotypes on the LGBTQ community in Vietnam.

“In this film, I play a gay superhero that uses his first-ever queer memory as his superpower to burn down the stereotypes,” he said.

With the ‘Lung chung’ screening program, organizers want to give the spotlight to a diverse selection of short films/videos made by queer Vietnamese artists.

By introducing these personal stories and various approaches to filmmaking, we hope to not only give multiple perspectives into different queer identities but also to facilitate the exploration of artistic expression and stimulate conversations about gender equality here in Vietnam. 

Filmmaker Pham Nguyen Anh Tu is an up-and-coming experimental video artist based in Ho Chi
Minh City. His works focus on themes of queer identity and fantasy, depicting scenes of playful reverie and inner dialogue translated to film.

He approaches video making through a combination of animated collages and chroma key compositing to produce scenes that mimic dreamlike states. 

Tu’s works have been screened at The British Museum, London (as part of Queer Asia Film Festival), Pugnant Film Series in Athens, Greece and Saigon Experimental in Ho Chi Minh City.

Programme promotes cuisine of Vietnam’s central region

The second episode of the ‘Food Culture - Central Region Heritage Road' programme will be held virtually on August 14 to discuss ways to promote the excellent cuisine of Vietnam’s central region.

Following the first episode, which took place on July 16, the event will feature talks by members of the Vietnam Cuisine Culture Association.

The participants will discuss the barriers and difficulties facing culinary entrepreneurs, the cultural value of the central region’s cuisine, the differences in the spices and ingredients between dishes in the central region and those from other regions.

They will also suggest plans to develop gastronomy tourism and culinary culture for localities on the central heritage route.

According to Ly Dinh Quan, General Director of Songhan Incubator, the event’s organiser, promoting innovation and creativity is the solution for the cultural and culinary industry in the Central region amidst the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Modern technology will help food businesses streamline their operations, increasing the efficiency and scale of their business, he added.

Meanwhile, VCCA Vice President and General Secretary Le Tan stressed that strengthening the connectivity between the State, researchers, farmers and businesses will play a crucial role in promoting Vietnam’s cuisine, particularly in the central region.

He also called on cooks and culinary experts to find ways to store, process and modify dishes to suit the taste of diners from around the world.

HCMC resumes trading of essential products at traditional wet markets

The HCMC government has directed the municipal Department of Industry and Trade, Thu Duc City and districts to resume the trading of essential goods at suspended traditional wet markets or nearby vacant sites.

The municipal government issued a document on August 9 enhancing the deployment of solutions to ensure the supply of food and essential products in the city, Tuoi Tre Online newspaper reported.

Accordingly, the Department of Industry and Trade was told to keep a close watch on the developments of the market and cargo production, distribution and circulation to prevent the scarcity of goods.

It was asked to continue market stabilization programs and boost the supply-demand connection.

It was also told to coordinate with districts to arrange sale points at traditional wet markets in line with the demands of districts and local residents, strengthen itinerant and online sale programs and enhance fresh food at convenience stores.

Moreover, the Department of Industry and Trade was told to check and instruct Thu Duc City and districts to operate traditional wet markets and goods supply points while meeting anti-pandemic requirements.

It was also asked to regularly keep a close watch on the operation of essential goods producers and coordinate with the competent agencies to remove the obstacles facing these enterprises.

The governments of Thu Duc City and districts will continue deploying the municipal government’s directives on the operations of traditional wet markets if they meet safety standards.

The use of coupons should be amended to become more effective and match the capacity of goods distributors.

The city also asked distributors, such as Saigon Co.op, Satra, Lotte, Aeon, MM Mega Market, BigC, Emart and Bach Hoa Xanh, to coordinate with the local authorities to assess the local demand and increase the goods inventory and sale capacity.

They should also provide residents with information about the prices of products and packaging and delivery methods so that they can order products online to prevent large gatherings.

Due to the raging pandemic, all three wholesale markets, 201 of 234 traditional wet markets, supermarkets and convenience stores in HCMC have suspended their operations.

In some districts, all traditional wet markets have been closed, putting pressure on modern distribution channels and increasing the pandemic transmission risk.

Therefore, the resumption of essential goods booths at traditional markets is necessary.

Hanoi tightens control of travel permits during social distancing 

Hà Nội's People's Committee has issued an urgent request to strictly control the issuance and use of travel permits during the social distancing period implemented in the capital city.

The pandemic remains complicated partly because social distancing rules have not been strictly implemented or abided by, according to the committee.

In many cases, travel permits have not been issued and used for the right purposes.

In order to control the spread of the infection, people are required to show travel permits along with their identification cards, work schedules and work related documents when they go out.

The city's committee also requests agencies and units to strictly implement Directive 17 and promote the application of information technology so staff can work from home.

The city ​​leader assigned police, People's Committees of districts, towns and wards to tighten inspection and supervision at COVID-19 checkpoints, making sure travel permits are used correctly. Violations will be handled according to regulations.

Binh Duong puts another field hospital into service

The anti-Covid-19 steering committee of Binh Duong Province today, August 9 put the Field Hospital No. 4 into operation as new daily cases are rising in the southern province.

The field hospital with a capacity of 3,000 beds is expected to help raise the capacity of admitting and treating Covid patients in the province.

The capacity of the hospital, which is converted from the warehouse of Hoang Hung Company in Bau Bang District, can be raised to 5,000 beds, if necessary, the local media reported.

The provincial anti-virus steering committee has appointed Dr Huynh Minh Chin, director of the Bau Bang District Healthcare Center, as the director of the field hospital.

Nguyen Van Loi, secretary of the Party Committee in Binh Duong Province, asked the director of Field Hospital No. 4 to promptly admit Covid-19 patients within the next two days.

Earlier on August 3, Binh Duong Province put into service a Covid treatment facility with 5,300 beds which was requisitioned from a warehouse of Becamex IDC. Besides, the province converted an area of Viet Duc University in Ben Cat Town into a Covid treatment hospital with 3,000 beds. The province has over 21 Covid treatment facilities.

As of this morning, August 9, Binh Duong Province had reported 29,364 infections in the current fourth wave of the coronavirus, which began in late April, and over 170 deaths. Over 5,633 patients have made a full recovery from the disease.

Northern region prepares for impact of heavy rain

Torrential rain falling at a rate of between 50mm and 100mm over the course of a 24-hour period is anticipated to cool the country's northern region, starting from the evening of August 9.

Heavy showers are due to last until August 11, with rainfall mainly occurring at night and in the early morning.

According to details given by the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, whirlwinds, lightning, and strong winds could potentially strike during the impending period of heavy rain.

Furthermore, weather forecast authorities have warned of the great risk of floods and landslides hitting northern mountainous localities, including Ha Giang and Lao Cai.

Elsewhere, Hanoi is also predicted to receive a deluge of heavy rain and strong winds starting from August 9. Indeed, rainfall is due to reach between 50mm and 80mm, with some places even recording rainfall of over 100mm throughout the course of a 24-hour period.

HCMC requisitions 500 taxis, passenger cars for Covid patient transport

Some 500 taxis and passenger cars in HCMC have been requisitioned as ambulances to transport Covid-19 patients to hospitals as new cases of community transmission are running high.

As the number of new cases has been escalating, all ambulances of public and private medical centers have been used but have not kept up with the demand.

On July 27, the city mobilized taxis of the Mai Linh Group to support the 115 Emergency Center. These vehicles were equipped with oxygen cylinders, ventilators, test kits and medical workers.

A representative of the Mai Linh Group said 80 out of its 200 taxis are being used to transport Covid-19 patients. The drivers of these taxis stay at hospitals and medical centers and get vaccinated against Covid-19.

Early this month, more than 200 passenger cars of the Phuong Trang Group were also converted into ambulances to transport Covid and other patients. These vehicles had their seats removed to accommodate medical equipment.

Drivers are equipped with protective gear and medical knowledge. Earlier, the firm mobilized 250 cars to transport medical workers to areas on lockdown, quarantine centers and field hospitals to take samples for Covid testing.

In addition, 40 vehicles with 10-45 seats each of the Saigon Passenger Transport JSC have been mobilized to support the local healthcare sector. In May last year, the company used 30 of its vehicles to transport people to centralized quarantine facilities and those completing their quarantine. Currently, these vehicles are being used to transport Covid patients.

Doctor Nguyen Duy Long, director of the 115 Emergency Center, said the enhancement of vehicles transporting Covid patients had helped ease pressure on the healthcare sector.

The city has established five field 115 satellite emergency stations in districts 12, Binh Tan, Binh Chanh and 11 and Thu Duc City. Each station has 20 ambulances and 280 medical workers.

Vehicles of the Phuong Trang and Mai Linh groups have been allocated to these stations.

National team vow to do their best at World Cup Asian qualifiers’ final round

All members of the national men’s football team show a clear determination to gain the best result at the final round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers.

They are joining a training programme held under the bubble travel model in preparation for the tournament.

The members will travel from their accommodation to the training ground and vice versa, and only have contact with support staff approved by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF).

Midfielder Luong Xuan Truong said that all members are excited when Vietnam for the first time ever got the chance to play in the third and final round of the World Cup qualification. They have gained valuable lessons in recent tourneys and are eager to play upcoming matches, he said.

Vietnam will play in Group B along with Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, China and Oman.

The players will spare no efforts to achieve the best result possible, Truong added.

Midfielder Nguyen Tuan Anh of Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC, one of the team’s playmakers, returned to join practice with his teammates on August 8 after recovering from an injury.

Vietnam will play an away match against Saudi Arabia on September 2 and host Australia at the My Dinh National Stadium five days later.

Earlier, while visiting members of the team, officials of the VFF spoke highly of the players’ determination and COVID-19 prevention and control efforts ahead of the final round of the qualifiers./.

Nearly 37 billion VND in music royalties collected in Q2

The Vietnam Centre for Protection of Music Copyright (VCPMC) has reported that it received nearly 37 billion VND (1.6 million USD) in royalties in the second quarter of this year.

Since early 2019, the VCPMC has adopted new technology towards online operations. Therefore, when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in Vietnam, it was able to quickly adopt measures to mitigate loss while maintaining higher year-on-year growth.

As the only representative and member of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC), the VCPMC has signed bilateral deals with 76 collective management organisations and publishers, which are applied in 116 countries and territories worldwide./.

Leading Hong Kong university to provide 15 scholarship to Vietnamese student annually

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), one of the top 10 universities in Asia, has announced that it will offer 15 full scholarships to outstanding Vietnamese high school students each year.

The CUHK ranks 39th in the world according to the QS World University Ranking, and cooperates with more than 330 research institutes and centres. It is hosting more than 4,000 international students from 50 different countries.

At a working session with Pham Binh Dam, Vietnamese Consul General in Hong Kong (China) on August 6, Prof. Suk-Ying Wong, Associate Vice-President and Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at CUHK, said that Vietnam is one of the prioritised countries in the university’s student admission policy, expressing her hope that the Vietnamese Consulate General will help connect the university and Vietnamese students.

For his part, Dam held that Hong Kong is among top choices of Vietnamese high school students. He suggested the CUHK set up direct partnership with about six high schools in northern and central regions of Vietnam initially.

He pledged that the Vietnamese Consul General will help connect the university and a professional agency of the Ministry of Education and Training to support the university during the admission process.

Besides, the Consulate General will seek sponsorships for different sources to help CUHK form more scholarship funds, thus giving more flexible support to students in tuition fees, enabling more Vietnamese students to afford studying in the university, he said.

Both sides also agreed to foster research cooperation by connecting collabbetween the university and Vietnamese facilities in hospitality, tourism and public health sectors./.

Can Tho prepares to receive severely-ill Covid patients in Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta’s largest intensive care center, which is located in Can Tho City, is expected to be put into operation in the next few days and will be able to receive severely- and critically-ill Covid-19 patients transferred from other localities in the delta, said a local health official.

Due to the spike in new cases in the delta, the Ministry of Health had earlier decided to set up an intensive care center at the Can Tho Central General Hospital for treating severely- and critically-ill coronavirus patients in the region. This is among the 12 national intensive care centers established by the ministry across Vietnam.

Pham Thanh Phong, deputy director of the Can Tho Central General Hospital, told Thanh Nien newspaper on August 8 that the intensive care center has 200 beds. The installation of the center is being implemented round the clock to be put into service by the middle of this week.

With a donation worth over VDN50 billion from Techcombank, all the equipment needed for the center was gathered in the city. This includes 40 high-functioning ventilators, 30 high-flow nasal cannula machines and 106 patient monitoring machines.

The human resources as well as all medical equipment to serve the center’s operations are ready, Phong added.

Up to now, this Mekong Delta city has reported more than 2,100 coronavirus cases just one month since the first domestic infection was found at the Tan An wholesale market in the city’s Ninh Kieu District.

Although the city had locked down affected areas and implemented the stay-at-home mandate, the number of new cases is on the rise.

Currently, 12 hospitals in the city have admitted Covid-19 patients, including local fixed hospitals and eight field hospitals.

At the Can Tho Central General Hospital, it is treating 14 severely-ill coronavirus patients transferred from the Dong Thap, Tien Giang provinces and other areas in Can Tho. Of them, nine have to rely on ventilators, three are under blood purification treatment and one requires ECMO support.

Mekong Delta authorities seek to boost farm produce sales amid transport restrictions

Authorities in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta are taking measures to boost the sales of agricultural products as travel restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 affect them.

Farmers in the delta’s 12 provinces and Cần Thơ City, the country’s largest producer of rice, fruit and seafood, are finding it hard to sell agricultural products outside their locality.

Besides being consumed within the delta, a large proportion of the products are normally sold to HCM City and other localities, and exported.

Most farmers sell them through traders.

Nguyễn Minh Lâm, deputy chairman of the Long An Province People’s Committee, said some key local items like rice, vegetables, dragon fruit, lemon, and seafood were being harvested now, but farmers had difficulty travelling to their fields, tending crops, harvesting, and selling amid the implementation of the Government’s Directive 16.

In Châu Thành District, farmers were selling dragon fruit at a low price of VNĐ 2,000 – 6,000 a kilogramme because many traders stopped buying because of the difficulties they had in travelling through COVID checkpoints.

The province People’s Committee had instructed relevant departments and agencies to create favourable conditions for farmers.

In Cần Giuộc District, the province’s largest vegetable growing area, the Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development is helping co-operatives buy and transport vegetables through checkpoints.

It is also acting as a link between local co-operatives and co-operatives and convenience stores in HCM City to help them sell vegetables.

In Hậu Giang Province, as of July 28 farmers had more than 2,700 tonnes of vegetables, fruits, seafood, and livestock for which they could not find buyers since few traders were buying, according to its agriculture department.

Trương Cảnh Tuyên, permanent deputy chairman of the province People’s Committee, said local authorities had been ordered to set up groups for harvesting and buying agricultural products.

They needed to establish wholesale marts for buying agricultural products, he said.

The province Department of Industry and Trade had been instructed to update information about agricultural output on online selling platforms to promote their sales, he said.  

The two departments should link up with processing companies that had refrigerated warehouses for temporary storage, he added.

Hậu Giang is expected to produce more than 262,000 tonnes of agricultural products this month but can consume only 21,000 tonnes, according to its agriculture department.

Trần Chí Hùng, director of the department, said it would both ensure enough supply for locals, especially those living in locked-down areas, and boost sales to other localities including HCM City.

In Đồng Tháp, the province agriculture department is helping co-operatives and co-operative groups tie up with companies, supermarkets and shops nation-wide to sell their produce.

The province is expected to produce 550,000 tonnes of rice, 30,000 tonnes of mango, 21,000 tonnes of lemon, and 11,000 tonnes of longan among various agricultural produce during the rest of this year.

Other major items such as sweet potato, tra catfish, guava, and mandarin also need linkages between farmers and outlets.

In Vĩnh Long Province, various agricultural products including sweet potato, grapefruit, lemon, and rambutan are sold at below production costs but still cannot find buyers, according to its agriculture department.

Some 103 tonnes of grapefruit, 460 tonnes of longan and 248 tonnes of rambutan are unsold.

Nguyễn Trung Kiên, deputy director of the province Industry and Trade Department, said since transporting to other localities remained difficult traders only buy small quantities or not at all.

The department was working with its counterparts in other cities and provinces, especially HCM City and Cần Thơ, to sell agricultural products.

It had tied up with post offices to transport them.

Nguyễn Văn Liêm, deputy director of the agriculture department, said: “The department has set up a hotline to receive information about problems in transporting agricultural products and solve them.”

It was also providing information to companies and establishments so that they could contact the province’s farmers and co-operatives to buy agricultural produce, he added. 

Volunteers work around the clock to get oxygen cylinders to where they are most needed

Nguyễn Minh Quân quickly packs up his personal belongings and hands over his work to the next shift at 10pm. It's been a long day. 

Quân, a 20-year-old student, is one of five volunteers who were sent to HCM City's Tropical Diseases Hospital by the city's Youth Union to support the Pharmacy Department.

Every day, Quân and his colleagues transport oxygen cylinders to COVID-19 patients and collect the used tanks.

After an 8-hour shift, his arms and shoulder muscles are tired from carrying the heavy cylinders.

"I'll work at the hospital from 1pm to 10pm,"he says. "The work is hard and there is the potential risk of infection from an F0, but I'm very happy because I have the opportunity to give back to the community," Quân told zing.vn.

Previously, he had worked as a volunteer supporting pandemic prevention works in the city at pandemic checkpoints, quarantine zones and vaccination sites.

Quân wants to support the frontline force more even though it has become much riskier.

"I have good health. I have already received a COVID-19 vaccine so I immediately signed up for the oxygen transport group at the hospital. My family are very worried for me, but they all support my work for the community", he said.

Trần Nam Anh, the group's co-ordinator, told zing.vn his team was established when the hospital requested support.

"In order to support the oxygen transportation force at the hospital, we selected five young people who meet the health criteria and have a sense of responsibility," he said.

Anh said that these volunteers had to participate in an urgent training session and worked with the hospital's staff.

Volunteers are on duty for eight to 12 hours a day. There are 6-7 people in each shift, including volunteers and hospital staff. They have to transport 120-140 oxygen cylinders a day, which weigh 50-60kg each. 

Working at lockdown posts in many COVID-19 hot spots in the city, Mạc Tư Khoa, 28, from Bình Tân District, decided to move to the city's Tropical Diseases Hospital to support the frontline forces.

Khoa realised that the new mission requires more responsibility and also brings more risks due to close contact with COVID-19 patients.

"At the first training session, the medical staff clearly explained the dangers we faced, as well as detailed instructions on how to transport oxygen tanks. Although knowing that this task is more difficult I'm ready to work," said Khoa. 

He tries to complete his personal schedule in the morning and arrives at the hospital at 10pm to prepare for the night shift.

In recent days, due to the increase in the number of F0, the demand for oxygen has also increased significantly. 

They are busy all day and night. 

During each shift, the coordination team will update the time when the oxygen truck arrives and when it is leaving to help the oxygen transport group arrange their work. 

The work is hard so people working the night shift often take advantage of short breaks to sleep. Without beds, blankets or pillows, they sleep on chairs or cardboard boxes.

For Khoa, close contact with the patients is not as scary as hearing the ambulance sirens sound at midnight.

"Watching the ambulances go in and out of the hospital constantly and listening to the long siren sound makes me sad. It means more people have to be hospitalised. I want to contribute more to the society and hope a normal life again returns to everyone," Khoa said. 

Drawing contest about Hà Nội launched

Young artists will have an opportunity to show off their talent and creativity through a drawing contest about Hà Nội.

The Hà Nội Là... contest, which is open for entries until September 9, aims to promote the title Hà Nội -- Creative City awarded by UNESCO in 2019.

It is organised by the UN cultural agency UNESCO, the UN Human Settlement Program (UN-Habitat), and the Việt Nam Institute of Culture and Arts Studies (VICAS) with the companionship of the Vietnam Local Artist Group (VLAG).

The contest is part of the Hanoi Rethink project initiated by UNESCO, UN-Habitat, and the UN Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), with the support of SOVICO Group, to realise the city's commitments when joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. 

According to UNESCO, the COVID-19 pandemic may limit the movement of people, but it cannot stop the flow of creativity. The drawing contest about Hà Nội welcomes unique ideas from different visual art forms such as painting, drawing and design. Entrants can freely express a Hà Hội behind their artistic lens and emotions.

Eligible works must be submitted with the registration form; the original file of the entry must have a resolution of 300dpi, with a minimum size of 40cm x 40cm.

The winner will be awarded a cash prize of VNĐ10 million (US$438). There will be four co-winners for second place, one voting prize and 24 prizes for outstanding works.

Jury board includes Tú Na, Xuân Lam, Kawako Giang Nguyễn, Noh-a and X.Lan – painters who are popular among the Vietnamese artist community.

More information about the contest can be found on Hanoi Creative City website.

Recognised as a UNESCO Creative City of Design in 2019, Hà Nội has committed to place culture and creativity at the core of its sustainable development, with a wider vision to become a leading creative hub of Southeast Asia.

In order to support the commitment of the city, UNESCO is leading the project Mobilising Cultural Dynamics and Youth Participation towards Hà Nội Creative Capital with the slogan “Hanoi Rethink” together with other two implementing partners UNIDO and UN Habitat.

This project will support the city to implement its new strategic vision of a Creative City of Design, harnessing its cultural assets and youth participation as key agents for innovation, creativity, and social change.

One of the key outcomes of the project is to empower young Vietnamese creative talent to influence and contribute to the new development agenda of Hà Nội as the Creative Capital with innovative ideas and actions. 

Vietnam Local Artist Group (VLAG) was established in early 2019 by young founders of TiredCity, a company that specialises in manufacturing and retailing printed products by young Vietnamese artists.

VLAG has gathered nearly 50,000 members and become a playground for Vietnamese art communities to exchange, meet, learn and share experiences.

Since its establishment, many drawing competitions and art activities have been frequently held by the group yearly. 

 

VIFW chairwoman named Italian cuisine ambassador in VN

The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Việt Nam (ICHAM) has appointed Lê Thị Quỳnh Trang, chairwoman of Việt Nam International Fashion Week (VIFW) and president of the Council of ASEAN Fashion Designers, as Brand Ambassador for the project True Italian Taste 2021.

The project is promoted and financed by the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. It is being implemented by Assocamerestero (the Association of Italian Chambers of Commerce abroad), in collaboration with the Italian Chambers of Commerce abroad, to enhance and safeguard authentic Italian agri-food products.

Michele D’Ercole, ICHAM’s chairman, said an Ambassador of Italian Cuisine in Việt Nam must be someone who truly understands the sophistication of Italian cuisine. After collaborating with Trang through many activities hosted by the Consulate General of Italy, he recognised Trang had met all the conditions.

“Trang is not only a successful businesswoman but also a very sophisticated and stylish person. We completely believe in our choice, and hope that with her influence, she will help us promote the True Italian Taste 2021 project in the near future,” he said.

Trang said: “I am very honoured and proud to be trusted and invited to become Ambassador of Italian Cuisine in Việt Nam by the Italian Ambassador.”

“For me, Italy is not only the dawn of civilization and culture, but also a nation having countless finest aspects from fashion to architecture, especially cuisine. I have visited this beautiful country several times, and I really like Italian authentic dishes.”

“I hope my love and knowledge of Italian cuisine will help me promote Italian cuisine among Vietnamese people in the future,” said Trang, who was awarded the Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy in April.

True Italian Taste is part of The Extraordinary Italian Taste programme, which promotes conscious consumption of 100 per cent-made-in-Italy agri-food products by spreading knowledge of origin, nutritional aspects and PDO (protected designation of origin) and PGI (protected geographical indication) certifications.

To date, the project has involved 36 Italian Chambers of Commerce abroad in 22 countries in the Americas, Europe,  Asia, and Australia.

Trang, a graduate of Hà Nội’s University of Finance and Accountancy, received a master's degree in finance at Swinburne University in Australia.

In 2005, she founded the Multimedia Joint Stock Company, which has organised reality shows in fashion and modelling.

Trang was founder and chairwoman of VIFW in 2014. The leading fashion event in the country has attracted numerous local and international designers and brands.

She was named in the Top 50 Most Influential Women list selected by Forbes Vietnam in 2017.

Trang is President of CAFD, the first fashion association established by the ASEAN Secretariat in September last year.

“Free audio books for quarantine days” program launched

Alpha Book Publisher and the Fonos audiobook app have joined hands to launch the “Free audio books for quarantine days” program to bring spiritual food to Vietnamese readers amid the pandemic.

Reading lovers will have free accesses to the site https://fonos.online/sach-noi-mien-phi/ to enjoy 10 best-selling books in various fields of health, psychology, business and more.
The event will run from now until August 20.

Fonos is an application that provides copyrighted audio book formats of best-selling books from Vietnamese and international authors, from self-development books, start-ups, economics to parenting books, novels.

Vietnamese, Lao provinces seek to deepen cooperative ties

Chairman of the People's Committee of the Vietnamese northern province of Bac Giang Le Anh Duong had a meeting with Khamlieng Outthakaison, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Governor of Xaysomboun province of Laos in Vientiane on August 9.

Duong is a member of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s entourage on his ongoing official friendly visit to Laos.

Earlier the same day, Duong and Khamlieng signed a cooperation agreement between Bac Giang and Xaysomboun provinces for 2021 – 2025 under the witness of President Phuc and General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith.

At the meeting, the Vietnamese and Lao officials expressed their delight at the strong growth of the Vietnam-Laos great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, including increasing collaboration between their localities, which have been deepened toward effectiveness and practical outcomes.

They underscored that their provinces boast favourable geographical locations and tremendous potential for cooperation, especially in farming and animal husbandry.

The two sides also exchanged experience in COVID-19 prevention and control. Bac Giang province was once a pandemic hotspot of Vietnam that has successfully controlled the pandemic.

Both officials believed that the freshly signed cooperation pact will deepen and expand the ties between the two provinces in the future./.

Vietnamese, Lao armies stand side by side in any circumstances: Minister

The Vietnamese and Lao armies will stand side by side to overcome all challenges and difficulties, in any circumstances, to firmly protect revolutionary achievements of the two countries, the Vietnamese Defence Minister has affirmed.

Defence Minister General Phan Van Giang made the affirmation during his meeting with Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Chansamone Chanyalath in Vientiane on August 9.

Giang also stressed the great importance Vietnam attaches to the relations with the neighbouring country.

For his part, Chansamone Chanyalath said the meeting offers a chance for the two sides to seek measures to strengthen the bilateral defence ties amid the complex developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to consolidating and further deepening the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the Lao and Vietnamese Parties, States, armies and people.

The ministers said since their meeting in Vietnam last June, agencies of the two ministries have actively and drastically implemented cooperation contents, notably in the Party and political work, training, expert affairs, and border management and protection.

Given the pandemic spread, they agreed to take suitable cooperation forms and step up mutual support in the pandemic fight, especially in border management and protection and the prevention of illegal exit and entry.

Earlier, the ministers signed a letter of intent on cooperation in rescue operations between the two defence ministries, and minutes under which the Vietnamese side will present a school of culture to the Lao army.

Later the same day, they cut the ribbon to inaugurate a school of political theory as gift from the Vietnamese Defence Ministry to its counterpart./.

Deputy PM stresses Vietnam-Laos cooperation areas

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh has suggested Vietnam and Laos boost cooperation in institution-policy, infrastructure and human resources in the time ahead.

During his talks with Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and Investment Sonexay Siphandone in Vientiane on August 9, Thanh said many Vietnamese firms want to invest in the neighbouring country, and called on Laos to further streamline its procedures and offer more incentives to investors.

Vietnam and Laos have ample room for trade and investment cooperation, he said, suggesting the establishment of a special working group that is in charge of drawing up specific cooperation programmes, and removing roadblocks for joint projects.

Sonexay Siphandone said the two sides should step up border trade and collaboration in electricity and mining, intensify infrastructure connectivity, and upgrade border gates to facilitate trade and transportation of goods.

Vietnamese fruits are favoured in Laos, he said, noting the two countries’ ministries and agencies would work on mechanisms and policies on goods production and exchange, and increase online exchanges amid COVID-19.

The Deputy PMs agreed to designate 2022 as the Year of Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Friendship and Solidarity to mark the 60th founding anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties and 45 years of the signing of the Vietnam-Lao Treaty of Amity and Cooperation./.

Vietnamese, Lao Fronts boost collaboration

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Do Van Chien met with his Lao counterpart Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune in Vientiane on August 9.

At the meeting, both sides expressed their joy at the positive developments of the relationship between Vietnam and Laos, especially the political relations, which have been further consolidated after the two countries successfully held their National Party Congresses and elected new leaderships.

Chien and Sinlavong affirmed that the relationship between the VFF and the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) has developed fruitfully over the past time, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Cambodian, Lao and Vietnamese Front organisations on the cooperation programme for the 2020-2023 period.

Chien said that the two sides will hold an online conference in mid-September to exchange experience in Front work and discuss specific cooperation contents for the coming years.

The VFF Central Committee will propose a grand programme to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Laos and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in 2022 under the direction of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, he added.

According to the Vietnamese official, in the coming time, the VFF and LFNC Central Committees will continue to promote their cooperation in order to jointly foster and develop the friendship between the two countries./.

President's spouse receives representatives of Lao-Vietnamese bilingual language school

Tran Nguyet Thu, spouse of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, had a friendly meeting with administrators of Nguyen Du Lao – Vietnamese bilingual language school in Vientiane on August 9 as part of their ongoing official friendly visit to the neighbouring country.

Founded in 2007 in Vientiane’s Chanthabouly district on a land plot granted to the Vietnamese Government by the Lao Government, the school is managed by the Association of Vietnamese in Vientiane under the direction of the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos and the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports.

According to the administrators, in the 2020-2021 academic year, the school has more than 1,000 students at kindergarten, primary and secondary levels.

All facilities and human resources serving the academic year, especially the strict implementation of COVID-19 prevention and control measures, are in place, they said.

Congratulating the school’s successes in education and disease prevention, Thu expressed her hope that the facility will strive for higher achievements in teaching and learning, and ensuring the safety of teachers and students amid the pandemic.

She believed that with strong efforts made by Lao and Vietnamese competent agencies and localities, the Vietnam-Laos comprehensive cooperation, including ties in education, will reap new achievements.

On the occasion, she presented the school with a collection of Vietnamese textbooks and 10,000 USD./.

Vietnam presents noble orders to Lao public security units, officers

Sixteen units and 41 officers of the Lao Ministry of Public Security were honoured with noble orders of the Vietnamese State on August 9.

Minister of Public Security General To Lam, on behalf of Vietnamese Party and State leaders, presented the orders, including 18 first-, second- and third-class Independence Orders and 39 first-, second- and third-class Labour Orders, to the Lao units and officers when he has been accompanying President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on his official friendly visit to the neighbouring country.

The orders have showed the acknowledgement and appreciation of the Vietnamese Party, State and people of achievements the Lao public security forces have recorded over the past six decades, Lam said.

Such achievements have actively and effectively contributed to consolidating and fostering cooperation between the two ministries in safeguarding national security, and ensuring social order and safety in each country, he added.

The Vietnamese public security forces always stand side by side, and fruitfully cooperate with their Lao counterparts in any circumstances to complete tasks entrusted the Parties, States and people of the two nations.

On behalf of the awardees, Lao Minister of Public Security Senior Lieutenant General Vilay Lakhamphong attributed achievements of the Lao public security forces to the wholehearted support and assistance of the Vietnamese side.

He suggested the Lao and Vietnamese public security forces raise vigilance against plots of hostile forces that aim to undermine the solidarity between the two countries, while strengthening coordination to perform their tasks./.

Drawing contest about Hanoi launched

 

Young artists will have an opportunity to show their talents and creativity through a drawing contest about Hanoi.

The contest will last from August 6 to September 9, aiming to promote the title "Hanoi - Creative City" awarded by UNESCO in 2019.

The contest is part of the Hanoi Rethink project to realise the city's commitments when joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

 According to UNESCO, the COVID-19 pandemic may limit the movement of people, but it cannot stop the flow of creativity.

The drawing contest about Hanoi welcomes unique ideas from different visual arts forms such as painting, drawing and design.  Entrants can freely express a Hanoi behind their artistic lens and emotions.

The winner will be awarded a cash prize of 10 million VND (equivalent to 438 USD). There will be four co-winners for second place, one voting prize and 24 prizes for outstanding works./.

ASEAN collects COVID-19 aid worth over 1.2 billion USD from dialogue partners

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has obtained over 1.2 billion USD worth of combined assistance from 11 dialogue partners, including the most recent one – the UK, according to data collected by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ ASEAN Department.

Citing the data, news website Thai PBS World reported that almost all the countries have contributed special funds for ASEAN to prepare and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The article wrote the European Union (EU) was the most generous. Through its Team Europe, the bloc provided 941 million USD (800 million EUR) with an additional 5 million USD coming from Germany and 2 million USD from Italy. Both nations are also development partners of ASEAN.

In addition, the US gave a total of 158 million USD to ASEAN members to fight the pandemic. Last week when US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks virtually with ASEAN foreign ministers, the US contributed another 500,000 USD to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund.

China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and India each contributed 1 million USD to the fund. The figures for Australia, New Zealand, and Canada were 1 million AUD (735,576 USD), 1 million NZD (701,000 USD), and 3.5 million CAT (2.8 million USD), respectively.

Among the ASEAN plus three partners, Japan came out on top with the allocation of 50 million USD to fund the establishment of the ASEAN Center for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases.

China has also provided 5 million USD to strengthen the capacity of ASEAN member nations in response to the pandemic.

As a new dialogue partner, the UK made a strong impression on ASEAN with the contribution of 69.4 million USD (50 million GBP), including 10.4 million USD (7.5 million GBP) for the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund./.

Thai Binh takes care of Agent Orange/dioxin victims

Thai Binh province – one of the localities with a large number of Agent Orange/dioxin victims in northern Vietnam – held a ceremony on August 9 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the dioxin disaster in Vietnam and respond to the Day for AO/dioxin victims (August 10).

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairwoman of the provincial People’s Committee Tran Thi Bich Hang praised AO victims who have overcome difficulties.

She asked relevant localities and agencies continue to fully implement the Party and State policies for local dioxin victims, and step up public awareness campaigns to mobilise more social resources to help them reduce difficulties.

Head of the provincial Association for AO/dioxin Victims Nguyen Duc Hanh said that Thai Binh is home to nearly 20,000 AO victims, one of the largest numbers in the northern region.

He noted that Thai Binh is the first locality in the country to establish a provincial-level association for dioxin victims in 2004 and also the first to build a detoxification centre for them.

Over the past 17 years, the province has mobilised nearly 100 billion VND (4.3 million USD) to the fund for AO victims, thus helping build nearly 400 charitable houses and presenting 300,000 gifts to local victims.

On this occasion, 27 individuals with outstanding contributions to the care of AO victims received a certificate of merits of the Vietnam Association for Victims of AO/dioxin (VAVA).

At the event, 10 units and collectives also contributed nearly 900 million VND to the provincial fund for AO victims./.

Impact of catastrophic Agent Orange disaster still lingers

Sixty years have passed since the US army dropped tens of millions of extremely toxic chemicals on various areas across the south of Vietnam, but their devastating impact still lingers, destroying the environment and claiming the lives of many generations of Agent Orange (AO) victims.

About 4.8 million Vietnamese people have been exposed to AO, and more than 3 million others who are their second, third, and even fourth generations have still suffered from pains and losses even when the war ended nearly 50 years ago.

In 1961, then US President J. Kennedy authorised chemical warfare, aside from the “hot war”, in Vietnam.

To conceal their plan from the public, the US Department of Defence used the code name “Operation Ranch Hand” and spread a false belief among US troops and people that the chemicals used were just normal herbicides and defoliants aimed to uncover the enemy’s hiding places and minimise casualties for the US army and its alliance’s troops, and that they were not hazardous to animals and did not have considerable impact on human health.

However, it is a fact that the chemical warfare waged by the US in Vietnam was the largest and longest one causing the most destructive consequences in human history.

From 1961 to 1971, the US army conducted 19,905 missions, spraying about 80 million litres of toxic chemicals - 61 percent of which, containing 366kg of dioxin, was AO - on 3.06 million ha of land in southern Vietnam, equivalent to nearly 25 percent of the south’s total area. Up to 86 percent of the affected area was sprayed more than twice, and 11 percent more than 10 times.

This lead to severe environmental pollution as seen in the undermined water storage and flood mitigation functions of forests, the biodiversity loss, the extinction of some rare fauna and flora species, and the mushrooming of rodents and weeds.

Nowadays, the toxic chemicals dropped by the US military are still present in some southern areas and have become sources of pollution.

At the second international workshop on the toxic chemicals used by the US in the Vietnam war and their impact on the nature and human held in Hanoi in 1993, many Vietnamese and foreign scientists affirmed that those toxic chemicals destroyed the nature and human health and caused many acute diseases and genetic mutations passed from mothers or fathers.

In July 2009, a report by the US Institute of Medicine proved the links between the exposure to AO/dioxin and five diseases, namely soft tissue sarcoma, benign lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, cancer, and chloracne.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Health also confirmed 17 diseases, disorders, deformities, and malformations connected with AO/dioxin.

An estimated 3 million Vietnamese people have had their health affected due to the exposure to toxic chemicals/dioxin. Among them, at least 150,000 children suffer from inborn defects and at least 1 million people suffer from serious impacts of AO, according to the Vietnam Association for AO Victims and the Vietnam Red Cross Society.

Not only Vietnamese but a large number of soldiers of the US, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and New Zealand who used to fight in Vietnam and their descendants have also got many diseases caused by the AO exposure and after-effects.

Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, Commander of the US naval forces in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970, said at least 2,100 US soldiers were exposed to AO.

Meanwhile, the Republic of Korea’s association of war veterans exposed to AO estimated that about 100,000 of the 300,000 Korean soldiers fighting in Vietnam are victims of AO, more than 20,000 of them have died.

Scientists believed that the impact of AO may last for hundreds of years and affect tens of millions of people, and the number of generations suffering from after-effects will not be limited to four, making the AO disaster the worst chemical one in human history./.

Literary and artistic creation contest on the fight against COVID-19 launched

The Vietnam Stage Artists Association has just launched an award for literary and artistic works on the topic of Covid-19 epidemic prevention and control.

This is a practical activity to raise the awareness and responsibility of community in strictly implementing regulations and guidelines on the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic; honouring the great contributions and sacrifices of frontline forces in the fight against COVID-19; while at the same time showing the high sense of responsibility of stage artists in the propaganda for the prevention of the epidemic, contributing to creating trust, solidarity and mutual love among the entire people, as well as determination to repel the epidemic.

Accordingly, professional and amateur theatrical units and individuals, as well as Vietnamese citizens or foreigners living, working and studying in Vietnam can submit works.

Works nominated for the award must be new works composed from January 1, 2020 until now, which have been staged, recorded, and released online on digital platforms, including plays, skits, and short plays, songs belonging to theatrical art forms: traditional Tuong (Vietnamese classical opera); Cheo (Vietnamese traditional opera); Cai luong (Vietnamese reformed opera); drama; traditional music; puppetry play; and circus.

The works should show profound content and high aesthetic and artistic value, honouring the great contributions and sacrifices of frontline forces in the fight against COVID-19, must contribute to spread noble values to the public, raising public awareness of epidemic prevention and control and creating trust, solidarity and mutual love amongst the entire people, most importantly a strong determination to win and repel the epidemic.

Units and individuals can submit their works by sending the link of the work to the email of the organising board: tapchisankhau.vn@gmail.com, or inbox the fanpage of the Vietnam Stage Artists Association.

The works can be sent to the organising board from now to August 30.

After receiving the work, the organising board will set up an Appraisal Council consisting of reputable experts, who will score by secret ballot.

In addition to the prizes of the Appraisal Council, there is also the Audience Choice Award ,which will be calculated by the shares, likes and comments gained by each work posted on the Fanpage of the Vietnam Stage Artists Association.

The awards ceremony is expected to take place on the occasion of the anniversary of Vietnam Stage Day in 2021.

Great efforts made to settle AO disaster in Vietnam

Great efforts have been made by the Vietnamese Government as well as organisations and individuals at home and abroad to support victims of Agent Orange/dioxin (AO) with a hope to ease the incomparable pain that they are suffering.

In October 1980, the Government set up the Special Committee in charge of investigating the consequences of poisonous chemicals sprayed by the US army during the war (Committee 10-80), aiming to collect full and detailed data on hazardous impacts of the toxic chemicals on human and the environment in affected areas. The committee confirmed various long-time arduous consequences of the lethal poison on the people and environment of Vietnam.

From 1961 to 1971, the US military sprayed about 80 million liters of toxic chemicals, 61 percent of which were Agent Orange, containing 366 kg of dioxin, on nearly a quarter of South Vietnam. About 86 percent of the area was sprayed more than two times and 11 percent of the area more than 10 times.

As a result, around 4.8 million Vietnamese were exposed to the toxic chemical. Many of the victims have died, while millions of their descendants are living with deformities and diseases as a direct result of the chemical’s effects.

In January 2004, the Vietnam Association of Victims of AO/dioxin (VAVA) was officially formed, manifesting the Party and State’s great attention to fixing consequences of toxic chemicals and supporting the victims.

Alongside, many support policies have been issued for revolution contributors as well as AO victims. Meanwhile, Vietnam has exerted efforts to call for engagement from other countries, international organisations and non-government organisations in assisting AO victims with the spirit of “not leaving anyone behind”.

In October 1961, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (Socialist Republic of Vietnam now) sent a diplomatic note to 103 countries across the world to denounce the US’s crime of conducting chemical war in the south of Vietnam. Many scientists, lawyers, historians and reporters from many countries, including the US, raised their voice against the brutal chemical war launched by the US and its allies in the south of Vietnam.

Right after its inception, the VAVA and a number of Vietnamese Agent Orange/Dioxin victims filed a lawsuit to the US Federal District Court in Brooklyn, New York against 37 US chemical companies that had produced and supplied chemicals to the US military for its use in the war in Vietnam, demanding for justice.

Although the lawsuit was refused by the court, it gave better understanding among people around the world about the AO disaster in Vietnam and its harms to the environment and health of humans in general and those in Vietnam in particular. The struggle lit up an international movement supporting AO victims not only in Vietnam but also in countries engaging in the US war in Vietnam.

Great efforts made to settle AO disaster in Vietnam hinh anh 2
Tran To Nga (R) takes a photo with her supporters before a hearing for her lawsuit in France (Photo: VNA)
Following the lawsuit, in 2015, Tran To Nga, a Vietnamese French and an AO victim, lodged a lawsuit against 26 US firms that had manufactured the toxic AO defoliant used by US forces during the war in Vietnam.

Nga once worked at the Thong Tan Xa Giai Phong (Liberation News Agency) and exposed to AO/dioxin. Due to the toxic chemical, Nga has suffered many serious diseases, while her three children are also in the same situation. The first died of heart defects and the second suffers from a blood disease. A grandchild of Nga also suffers from AO-related illnesses.

The Crown Court of Evry then rejected the lawsuit due to lack of authority to handle a case related to actions of the US Government during the war. However, Nga affirmed that she will continue to pursue the lawsuit.

The struggle for AO victims’ justice has wakened up the humankind on the harms of dioxin, which has received support by international community.

With the support of a number of governments and international organisations, the Vietnamese Government and Ministry of National Defence have conducted a number of investigations and studies as well as made efforts to deal with AO consequences, contributing to boosting socio-economic development, reinforcing defence-security and creating a stable environment for the national industrialisation and modernisation.

As of June 2021, cooperation projects jointly conducted by the Vietnamese Government, foreign governments and international organisations had detoxified about 90,000 cu.m of dioxin-polluted land, while zoning and safely managing about 50,000 cu.m of less-contaminated sediments in Da Nang airport, thus handing over more than 32 hectares of safe areas to the central city.

More than 7,500 cu.m of dioxin-polluted land in Phu Cat airport of Binh Dinh and 150,000 cu.m in Bien Hoa airport in Dong Nai have also been treated.

Over the years, the US Government has stepped up cooperation with Vietnam in researching the impacts of dioxin, while actively engaging in activities to fix its consequences.

As of May 2020, the US Congress had approved 328 million USD for the US Government to work with its Vietnamese counterpart in settling consequences of dioxin used by the US army during the war in the Southeast Asian nation. By April 2020, more than 80 million USD had been approved by the US for projects to support people with disabilities in Vietnam, including AO victims.

According to the VAVA Central Committee, the two countries will continue to strengthen collaboration in settling AO consequences in Vietnam.

Sen. Lieut. Gen Nguyen Chi Vinh, former Deputy Minister of National Defence, said that among many officials and people from many countries, including American veterans who ever fought in Vietnam as well as senior officials and politicians that he met, none has refused the dioxin disaster in Vietnam caused by the US. They all shared the hope to ease the AO pain in the country, he said, stressing that this is a great motivation for it to gain successful international cooperation in fixing war aftermath./.

Vietnamese, Algerian parties bolster relationship

Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Nguyen Thanh Vinh visited and had a working session on August 9 with Secretary General of Algeria’s National Liberation Front (FLN) Abou El Fadl Baadji, who affirmed his priority is given to enhancing the relationship between FLN and the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Ambassador Vinh reiterated the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Algeria in general and the two parties in particular, and congratulated the FLN on the positive results in the legislative elections on June 12. He expressed his belief that Algeria will continue to develop, prosper and promote its role in the region and the world.

He informed the host of the outcomes of the 13th National Congress of the CPV and exchanged views to promote cooperation between the two parties in the coming time.

Secretary General Baadji spoke highly of the time-honoured friendship between Algeria and Vietnam.

He expressed his delight at the success of the 13th National Congress of the Vietnamese party and affirmed that he kept a close watch on the congress’s working agenda.

Baadji affirmed that in the current difficult and challenging context, the FLN will try to maintain its key role to carry out the task of building a new and prosperous Algeria. This is also a premise for the party to continue to promote its relations with other parties, including the CPV, he added.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese diplomat also showed his wish to continue receiving the participation and response of the FLN in activities of Vietnam in general and his embassy in particular in the coming time.

The FLN Secretary General expressed his willingness to coordinate with the embassy to carry out activities to strengthen the traditional friendship between the two parties and the two countries./.

Source: VNA/VNS/VOV/VIR/SGT/SGGP/Nhan Dan/Hanoitimes