The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee adopted resolutions on the establishment of a town and a township, during its 14th session in Hanoi on August 11.

Binh Phu township in Cai Lay district, the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang, was formed from Binh Phu commune, with a total area of 19.07 sq.km and a population of more than 18,500.

Meanwhile, Chon Thanh town in the southern province of Binh Phuoc was established from Chon Thanh district, covering 390.34 sq.km and with a population of 121,083.

Interpol wanted fugitive arrested in Vietnam

The Hanoi police in collaboration with relevant agencies have just arrested Han Hyunsik, a citizen of the Republic of Korea on the Interpol’s wanted list, in the capital.

Tipped off by local people, the police on August 9 raided an apartment of a high-rise building in Nam Tu Liem district where Han, 43, was hiding to cover his tracks.

Currently, the police are coordinating with relevant agencies to complete the dossier to hand over the fugitive to the National Police Agency of the Republic of Korea.

Four killed, two injured in Thua Thien-Hue traffic accident 
 
Four people have died and two others were seriously injured after a truck collided with a motorbike on a road in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue on Wednesday evening.

Head of Thua Thien-Hue Traffic Safety Board, Tran Ba Trung told the media on Thursday morning that the accident occurred at 7 pm on August 10 on National Road 49A in the mountainous district of A Luoi.

"The truck, which was transporting timber from A Luoi District to Hue City, was going down a slope when it hit two motorbikes carrying four people in the same direction," Trung reported. "The truck and two motorbikes all fell into a valley following the collision. The truck driver and his assistant were found seriously injured in their cabin but they both died later while being treated at the hospital. Two people on the motorbike died on the spot and two others were injured and are being treated at a local hospital."

Early on Thursday morning, three people also died after their motorbike collided with a passenger bus on National Road 6 in Yen Son District, Son La Province.

HCM City records rising number of new COVID-19 cases, particularly BA.5 variant

A survey of 30 inpatient COVID-19 patients and those who came for testing at the HCM City Hospital for Tropical Diseases showed that up to 24 were infected with sub-variant BA.5, followed by four with sub-variant BA.2 and one patient each with variant BA.1 and BA.4.

According to the report, the number of COVID-19 cases being treated at hospitals in HCM City is escalating gradually.

While 26 cases, including 15 severe ones, received treatment at the hospital on July 12, the number increased to 163 cases and 38 severe cases on August 8.

Results from January 1 to July 15 with 429 samples showed that Omicron's BA.2 variant was still spreading.

However, the sub-variant BA.5 of the Omicron strain has recently driven COVID-19 infections and re-infections.

The city has also recorded three cases of infection with the sub-variant BA.2.12.1 of Omicron in recent weeks.

Tropical depression causes heavy rain in Northern provinces, congestion in Hanoi

This morning, weather forecasters said that the tropical depression weakened from the storm No. 2 (storm Mulan) is entering the Northern Province of Quang Ninh and the Northern City of Hai Phong, bringing heavy rain to Northern provinces and causing traffic congestion in a lot of streets in Hanoi.

Due to the effects of the tropical depression, there were strong winds of level 6 in Bach Long Vi island of Hai Phong City and gusts of level 8 in Co To island in Quang Ninh Province and gusts of level 6 in Phu Lien District in Hai Phong City.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the downpour had been continuous and torrential in the Northeast provinces and Thanh Hoa. For instance, Phu Duc District of Thai Binh Province had a rainfall of 176.6mm, the Co To island of Quang Ninh with 170.3mm, An Thi in Hung Yen Province with 158mm, Ba Sao in Ha Nam Province with 158mm, Huong Son in Hanoi with 55mm, Hai Trieu in Hung Yen Province with 150mm on the night of August 10.

From August 11 to August 12, the Northern region, Thanh Hoa and Nghe An have heavy rain and thunderstorms; some places will experience heavy rain with a common rainfall of 70-150mm or over 200mm. Meteorologists warned that Hanoi will have heavy rain with strong gusts of wind with common rainfall from 50-100mm, some places over 120mm.

Although the storm No. 2 has weakened into a tropical depression, it this morning caused heavy rains in the capital city of Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, and Hai Duong provinces. Worse, many roads in Hanoi were seriously congested.

Rain drenched Hanoi all night until this morning. Many roads in Hanoi have been submerged in floodwater. Heavy rain caused serious traffic jams at the entrance to the inner city.

Football: Vietnam reach final of AFF U16 Youth Championships

Vietnam on August 10 beat Thailand 2-0 at the semifinal of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) U16 Youth Championships 2022, winning a ticket to the final of the tournament in Indonesia on August 12. 

Right in the first minutes, the Vietnamese players put pressure on their Thai rivals, and their efforts paid off in the 30th minute when Cong Phuong opened the scoring.

Trong Tuan scored the second goal with a header in the 83rd minute.

Vietnam are to meet host Indonesia, which defeated Myanmar earlier this week, in the final.

Document on digital transformation in tourism industry published

The Tourism Information Technology Centre (TITC) under the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) has published a set of documents on digital transformation in the tourism industry.

The documents, published for the first time, provide an overview of the current situation, solutions and steps to be taken so that stakeholders can carry out digital transformation for sustainable tourism development, contributing to the harmonisation of the process in the industry. They introduce software and apps for tourists, firms, guides and management agencies.

VNAT’s website has also been upgraded since August 9. With the new version, users can also experience new multimedia apps such as video clips, photo essays and infographics, which are very popular in the context of digital technology development. Notably, the website is integrated and connected to the social network accounts of the VNAT on Facebook, YouTube and Zalo, facilitating readers to interact on social networking platforms.

Danish travel platform names top 8 most beautiful places in Vietnam

Travel booking platform Bookmundi from Denmark has named the eight most beautiful destinations in Vietnam.

According to the travel booking platform, Ninh Binh, the filming location of the Hollywood blockbuster “Kong: Skull Island” in 2016, has been dubbed “Ha Long Bay on Land”.

Cu Lao Cham island, which is a cluster of 8 islets recognised by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve, is the second name by the Denmark travel platform.

In Vietnam’s far north, it said, Sa Pa is popular among people who love mountain climbing and pristine landscapes.

Ha Long Bay regularly appears on lists of outstanding destinations in Vietnam.

Straddling the north of the Truong Son Mountain Range, Phong Nha-Ke Bang is one of the most beautiful national parks in Vietnam. It is home to Son Doong, the world’s largest cave and a UNESCO world heritage site.

Unknown to many foreign visitors, Ba Be National Park boasts spectacular landscapes.

Cat Ba National Park, recognised as a World Biosphere Reserve, is also an ideal destination for nature lovers, it suggested.

Last but not least, with a coastline stretching some 12 km, Mui Ne offers a wonderful space to relax, the travel booking platform from Denmark noted.

Many areas in Gia Lai seriously flooded 
 
Lots of areas in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai have been severely inundated following torrential rains over recent days.The rains have been caused by a low tropical depression in the East Sea which has developed into Storm Mulan.

Many local districts, including Chu Pah, Ia Grai, Chu Prong, Chu Se, Duc Co, Chu Puh and Krong Pa have witnessed rainfall of 70-150mm per hour. Warnings of thunderstorms and whirlwinds have also been issued for the province.

By mid-Tuesday, heavy rains had damaged 142 hectares of crops in Phu Thien District and 71.1 hectares in Ayun Pa Town. As many as 125 houses in Chu Prong District have been flooded by at least 20 cm. The flooding of the Ba River would continue rising, exceeding warning levels by 0.7-1 metres.

New inter-provincial bus route connects HCM City with Long An, Tiền Giang

A new inter-provincial bus route connecting HCM City and the provinces of Long An and Tiền Giang officially opened on Wednesday.

The bus route, No 63-1, was established by the collaboration of three transport departments in the localities involved, and is operated by Phương Trang Transport and Tourism JSC company (Futa Bus Lines).

The route starts from Tân Phú Bus Station in HCM City’s Tân Phú District, runs through Long An Province, and stops at Tiền Giang Bus Station in Tiền Giang Province’s Mỹ Tho City.

It has 54 bus trips per day, operating between 5am and 6pm daily. It takes about 150 minutes for the whole 85km-long route. Bus ticket prices are from VNĐ12,000-70,000 (US$0.5-3) per trip, depending on the distance of travelling. Subsidised tickets for students are only VNĐ7,000 ($0.3) per trip on intra-provincial travel.

Hanoi, Vientiane promote cooperation in investment, trade, tourism

Vietnamese and Lao authorities and businesses exchanged information about investment policies in Hanoi and Vientiane, and sought cooperation opportunities at an investment, trade and tourism conference on August 10.

In the first half of this year, Hanoi exported 74.8 million USD worth of goods to Laos, making up 0.9% of the city’s total export value, while importing 98.3 million USD worth of goods from the neighbouring country, or 0.48% of Hanoi’s accumulative import revenue.

Noting the all-round cooperation between Hanoi and Vientiane, the official said the two capital cities have supported each other in COVID-19 prevention and control in both cash and kind.

According to the Hanoi Department of Planning and Investment, Hanoi has funded a number of projects in Lao localities, including the Vientiane-Hanoi friendship vocational training school worth 14.8 billion VND (632,748 USD).

Within the framework of the conference, there was an exhibition displaying photos on famous destinations in the two countries and the cooperation between the two countries and cities, along with products from craft villages in Hanoi and Vientiane.

Three memoranda of understanding between Vientiane and Hanoi enterprises were exchanged on the occasion.

Summer peak puts pressure on tourism services

After two years of stagnation due to COVID-19, this year’s summer season has given a much-needed boost to Vietnam’s tourism sector, putting the target of catering to 100 million domestic travellers within reach. Tourists are returning to famous hotspots with a vengeance, however, exerting major pressure on tourism infrastructure.

Holiday-makers have flocked to Sam Son Beach in the central province of Thanh Hoa. Accommodation and restaurants in the area are packed with domestic tourists and overloaded on weekends.

Smart tourism management has been enhanced during the summer peak. Some 150 cameras have been installed around Sam Son city, helping local authorities address comments and complaints from tourists in a timely manner.

Renowned holiday destinations such as Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc Island have also recorded a surge in tourist numbers. This is great news for the industry, but ill-prepared service providers will face the wrath of holiday-makers. And there should be solutions for the problem.

Vietnam catered to over 70 million tourists in the first seven months of this year - the highest number since the pandemic ended. Observers have said, however, that domestic tourism faces an unsustainable recovery due to the lack of holiday breaks during the year.

UNESCO programme calls for youth initiatives for plastic-free oceans

UNESCO and The Coca Cola Foundation launched a project themed “Youth Initiative Ideas for an Ocean without Plastic 2022” at a ceremony in Hanoi on August 10 in response to World Youth Day (August 12).

The project is being implemented within the framework of the “Youth and Innovation for Ocean” project launched in 2020. Lasting from August this year to July 2023, it aims to support and empower young people as key change makers for the sustainable future of the seas.

It encourages young people to develop creative ideas, solutions with high practical application, and apply science and technology focusing on the fields of collection, classification, reduction, treatment, recycling, and reuse of plastic waste, especially single-use plastics.

Winning ideas and solutions are expected to be piloted in the Cat Ba Archipelago World Biosphere Reserve in Hai Phong from June 2023 with a possibility to be replicated throughout the northern port city.

Groups of Vietnamese youngsters aged 18-35 are eligible to participate in the project.

Party General Secretary receives Lao official

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong hosted a reception in Hanoi on August 10 for Anouphap Tounalom, Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, and Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People’s Council of Vientiane.

The Party leader congratulated Laos on its comprehensive achievements, with active contributions made by the capital Vientiane.

Vietnam always treasures and gives top priority to the special relationship between the two countries, he said, affirming Vietnam’s strong and comprehensive support for reform in the neighbouring country.

He highlighted effective cooperation between the two capital cities, including the exchange of experience in Party building and collaboration in economy, trade, investment, infrastructure building, personnel training and COVID-19 prevention and control.

The Party chief urged Vientiane to step up close coordination and cooperation with Hanoi and other localities of Vietnam.

He asked Anouphap Tounalom to convey his wishes and regards to Party General Secretary and State President Thongloun Sisoulith and other senior leaders of Laos.

Norwegian Ambassador honoured with environmental award

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha presented the "For the Cause of Natural Resources and Environment" insignia to Ambassador of Norway Grete Lochen in Hanoi on August 10 in recognition of her contributions to Vietnam’s natural resources and environment sector.

The Norwegian Embassy in Vietnam has been a regular partner of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) and the ambassador has always supported Vietnam in the fields of natural resources, environment and climate change, especially in attracting Norwegian investment in Vietnam, Ha said.

Notably, with the support of the ambassador, MoNRE successfully organised an international conference on sustainable ocean economy and climate change adaptation last May, he added.

The minister thanked Lochen and the embassy for their assistance and cooperation, and expressed his belief that cooperation between Vietnam and Norway in environment, climate change adaptation and renewable energy will grow further, helping Vietnam fulfill its commitments at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).

Coach Chung to lead national women's team until end of 2023

The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and coach Mai Duc Chung have agreed to extend their contract for another year.

VFF General Secretary Le Hoai Anh announced the news in a football briefing on August 8 in Hanoi.

Chung's current deal with the national women's football team will expire on December 31.

Under the new one, he will take charge of the team until December 31, 2023.

His main duty is to lead Vietnam at the 2023 Women's World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand next August.

Chung revealed his retirement plan after leading the team to World Cup in February. He also repeated his stance before the recent AFF Cup.

However, the VFF found no one more suitable than Chung to take charge of the team and successfully persuaded him to extend his contract to 2023.

President commends Quang Nam’s fire-fighters

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has commended the fire-fighting section of the police of central Quang Nam province for their efforts to successfully rescue a group of teachers and students trapped on the bank of a stream in Que Son district.

At 3:58 pm on August 6, after receiving the information that a group of 23 students and teachers got stranded in the bank of Tien Stream in Que Hiep commune, Que Son district, a15-member fire-fighting and rescue team rush to the site.

By 17:30 on the same day, the force had taken students and teachers to safety.

E-book “Vietnam in the Ho Chi Minh Era - A Television History” debuts

A 90-volume e-book titled “Vietnam in the Ho Chi Minh Era - A Television History” was released by the Nhan Dan Newspaper, the Party Central Committee (PCC)'s Commission for Information and Education, and the Su That (Truth) National Political Publishing House at a ceremony in Hanoi on August 10.

The book series is compiled on the basis of a documentary film of the same name which was aired in 2021. It was developed by the Vietnam National Documentary Film Studio in coordination with the PCC's Commission for Information and Education, and the Su That National Political Publishing House.

The e-book features more than 1,000 video clips on historical events via images and sound, allowing audiences to easily access on various electronic devices with different technical infrastructure.

The book is available at http://bienniensuvietnam.vn.

PATH improves infection control and investigation for medical establishments

The Hue Central Hospital in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue on August 10 launched its Expanded Infection Control and Investigation Unit (EICI) sponsored by PATH, a non-profit organisation from the United States targeting the improvement of public health.

The EICI has been set up through a project aimed at establishing and operating an expanded infection control and investigation unit at the Hue Central Hospital, which has a total budget of nearly VND3.4 billion, equal to US$145,300, and is being implemented from May of this year to May, 2024.

Moving forward, the unit's activities are expected to contribute to improving the overall capacity of the hospital and other medical facilities in the region for early detection and the swift response and control of outbreaks of nosocomial infections, including antibiotic resistance and other emerging infectious diseases.

Individuals should be aware of personal information protection: Minister

Minister of Public Security Gen. To Lam on August 10 stressed the need for each individual to protect personal information, especially on the cyberspace, when responding to deputies’ queries regarding the disclosure and sale of personal information on social networks at a Q&A session during the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee’s 14th meeting.

Lam said that the problem of personal information disclosure in the world and Vietnam is alarming, while the legal corridor on this issue has not been completed, and people's awareness of personal information protection remains low.

Therefore, the Ministry of Public Security has implemented a number of solutions, firstly building and perfecting the legal corridor on personal data protection.

He said that the ministry is submitting to the Government for approval a decree on personal data protection, and plans to study and consult the Government to submit to the NA for the promulgation of a law on personal data protection.

Da Nang named among 18 great destinations for group trips

Lindsay Cohn, a travel writer of Travel+Leisure magazine, has selected the central city of Da Nang as part of 18 locations which are well suited for a fabulous group trip.

According to Cohn, Da Nang represents a culinary powerhouse that boasts an array of palate-pleasing delicacies.

Besides a range of mouth-watering food, she recommends that visitors enjoy the gorgeous sandy beaches which sit alongside the central city, as well as visit local cultural sites such as the Marble Mountains and Ba Na Hills.

She also suggests that travelers choose InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort if they are looking for a high-end group stay.

HCM City aims to build stronger ties with Belarus

Phan Van Mai, chairman of the People Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and vice secretary of the municipal Party Committee, hosted a reception on August 9 for Ruslan Varankov, the new consul general of Belarus in Ho Chi Minh City.

During the meeting, Mai expressed his confidence that the opening of the Belarusian Consulate General in the southern city will contribute to boosting ties between the two countries and their localities, affirming that the municipal authority will create favourable conditions for the mission's operation.

He put forward the suggestion that both nations work to strengthen co-operation in terms of trade, investment, culture, education, and tourism, which he said will serve as a foundation for further developing mutual relations, as well as between Ho Chi Minh City and Belarusian localities.

Regarding the Belarusian Prime Minister's visit to Vietnam which is slated to take place later this year, Mai said the southern metropolis will be honoured to welcome the Belarusian leader.

Regarding the co-operative relationship between Ho Chi Minh City and the Belarusian capital of Minsk, the official proposed that the two sides select specific items to carry out within the framework of the co-operation programme between the two localities in the 2020 to 2025 period.

Vietnamese cultural week underway in Cambodia

A Vietnamese cultural week was kicked off in Cambodia at a ceremony held in the capital Phnom Penh on August 10.

As part of the activities marking the 55th anniversary of Vietnam – Cambodia diplomatic relations, the event runs in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap until 14.

Earlier, an exhibition on Vietnam’s culture and education was held, showcasing 50 photos of the country’s landscape and lifestyle and introducing Vietnamese universities and Vietnam’s educational policy for foreign students.

VN to play friendly tournament in September

The Việt Nam national football team will participate in an international friendly tournament held by the local football governing agency (VFF) in September.

Singapore and India will be the two invited teams.

The event is one of Việt Nam's activities in preparation for the 2022 AFF Cup.

Teams will play in a round-robin format at the HCM City's Thống Nhất Stadium. Việt Nam will play Singapore on September 21 and India six days later. Singapore and India will face on September 24

Players will gather for training on September 17.

VN hope for good result at Davis Cup

Việt Nam are in an easy pool at the 2022 Davis Cup's Asia/Oceania Group III after a draw held on August 9 in Tây Ninh Province.

The hosts are ranked world 69 in the world and will play Syria (No 80), Jordan (No 93) and Malaysia (No 95) in Pool A.

Pool B gathers Pacific Oceania (No 74), Saudi Arabia (No 86), Iran (No 87) and the UAE (No 96).

Their matches will be held from August 10-13 at the Hải Đăng Tennis Club in Tây Ninh Province, Việt Nam. 

The three best nations will be promoted to the World Group II Play-offs, while the two worst will be relegated to Asia/Oceania Group IV.

Exhibition spotlights Hanoi-Vientiane relationship

An exhibition highlighting the solidarity and cooperation between the capital cities of Vietnam and Laos took place in Hanoi on August 10 as part of activities to celebrate the Vietnam - Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022.

On display are typical products and specialties from craft villages of Hanoi and Vientiane, along with images of famous destinations of the two countries, and those symbolising the fruitful cooperation and relationship between the two countries.

Festival held for children of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia

A festival for children from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia began on August 10 in Ho Chi Minh City, hosted by the Central Committee of Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCMYU).

The five-day event draws the participation of 185 children and 34 officials from the three countries. 

This is the fifth time the festival has been held. The event is organised every two years since 2010. Last year, it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the event, delegates will visit historical relics and museums as well as attend activities at destinations in HCM City.

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