The People’s Committee of Tri Ton District, An Giang Province has just held a press conference to announce the hot air balloon festival to celebrate National Day (September 2).

The hot air balloon festival will take place at Ta Pa – Soai Chek tourism site in Tri Ton District for three days from September 1 to September 3. 

The festival will gather 17 hot air balloons of all kinds, including grade-1 hot air balloons flying at heights from 20 to 40 meters, three ones flying at a maximum height of 50 meters above the ground which shall take passengers to enjoy sightseeing at Tri Ton District.

The operation hours will start from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m.

At the opening ceremony, around 600 officers, officials, employees, armed forces, ethnic minorities, local people and pupils will gather in the shape of a Vietnam map and perform the flag-salute ceremony with the largest scale so far in Tri Ton District.

The 200-meter-wide national flag will be lifted to a height of 50 meters. The first-grade colorful hot air balloons will massively fly in the sky to celebrate National Day. 

The paragliding wings will fly around the space of the flag-salute ceremony and spray red smoke.

Along with the hot air balloon festival, the People’s Committee of Tri Ton District will also organize lantern night serving for customers to take photos at Ta Pa Lake on the night of September 1, and in the square of Thai Quoc Hung walking street on the night of September 2.

Over 60,000 visitors expected to visit Danang by air during holiday

The central coastal city of Danang is set to welcome 60,300 visitors via 531 flights during the upcoming National Day (September 2) holiday, said the city’s tourism authority yesterday, August 26.

Local carriers recently increased the frequency of flights from HCMC and Hanoi to Danang to meet the rising travel demand for the four-day holiday, reported the local media.

The 531 flights are scheduled to arrive in Danang between August 31 and September 4. Of them, 436 domestic flights will carry some 47,000 passengers, while around 13,300 others will travel on 95 international flights to the central city.

Visitors to tourist attractions in Danang during this holiday are anticipated to inch up some 30% against the 2019 figure.

The central city continues to offer free admission to the Ngu Hanh Son Mountain and museums under the city’s management.

The city will also host a wide selection of festivals to serve locals and tourists. In addition, major tourist areas such as the Sun World Ba Na Hills and Asia Park will launch new tourism products and services this holiday.

Sa Pa Autumn Festival 2022 kicks off

The Sa Pa Town People's Committee opened Sa Pa Autumn Festival 2022 on August 26 under the theme "Sa Pa - Golden season".

This is one of the important events and highlights in the series of activities of Sa Pa Five Seasons Festival 2022.

Sa Pa Autumn Festival 2022 will be held from August 26 to September 11 with many rich and attractive activities spread across tourist attractions in Sa Pa Town, such as: the opening ceremony, an experiential travel programme, a programme to discover and experience the scenic relics of terraced fields and Muong Hoa Valley, Sa Pa International Mountain Marathon - VMM 2022 with the participation of more than 5,000 athletes in 7 distances, and a Full Moon Festival.

Tourism programme “Through Viet Bac Heritage Sites” opens

A tourism programme titled “Through Viet Bac Heritage Sites” officially opened in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang on August 26.

This year's programme is taking place over three days, from August 26 to 28, with a series of activities such as: exhibition space, introduction of typical cultural and tourism products of Ha Giang and a photo exhibition on Viet Bac travel; a tourism product survey programme in six provinces of the Viet Bac region; and seminars on building tourism products linking Viet Bac region and announcing tourism products linking the Viet Bac region.

Tourism in Viet Bac provinces is developing with the goal of building and positioning an image of "friendly, identity, attractive, safe" tourism.

Exhibition "Dialogue between Calligraphy and Graffiti"

An exhibition named "Dialogue between Calligraphy and Graffiti" was organised in Hanoi on August 26.

The exhibition featured 39 works of calligraphy and graffiti. The works are arranged like a story about two people with different personalities and the dialogue which brings them together to empathize and share with each other.

Director of the Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam Culture and Science Centre Le Xuan Kieu said: With the desire to make the Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature) not only a relic for everyone to visit, but also a creative space and a familiar destination for people who love heritage and art culture, the centre has implemented the project "Dialogue between Calligraphy and Graffiti".

Through the exhibition, the organising board wishes to create conditions for the public to access contemporary art created on traditional culture from the perspective of the young generation.

The exhibition will be open from now until September 30.

Vietnam-RoK care centre launched in Hai Phong

A Vietnam-Republic of Korea (RoK) care centre was inaugurated in the northern port city of Hai Phong, as part of a project funded by the Hyundai Mortor Group of the RoK.

The inaugural ceremony was jointly held by the municipal Women’s Association and the Korea Centre for United Nations Human Rights Policy (KOCUN).

According to Vu Thi Kim Lien, President of the Women’s Union of Hai Phong, since 2015, the city has handled about 6,400 cases of marriage registration relating to foreigners, of which more than 3,200 were between Vietnamese and Korean citizens.

Some 304 women returned home from abroad because of broken marriages or other causes, of whom 42 were with their children, she noted.

The association signed an agreement with the Korean centre in 2020, under which the two sides have coordinated to provide consultancy for returning women or those who go to the RoK for marriages, in terms of both psychology and legal issues, the official added.

KOCUN Chairwoman Shin Hye Soo said the centre is the second of its kind in Vietnam, the first in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, noting that such centre has been seen as a symbol of the friendship between the two countries.

First implemented in Ho Chi Minh City in 2007, the project has equipped Vietnamese women with basic knowledge before their marriages in the RoK, and offered support to retuning women.

Apart from Vietnam, the project has come to the Philippines and Thailand.

UN commends Vietnam’s seriousness in fulfilling climate commitments

UN Special Adviser to the Secretary-General and Assistant Secretary-General of the Climate Action Team Selwin Hart has hailed Vietnam’s seriousness and efforts in fulfilling its commitments at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).

At a meeting on August 25 with Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, Hart noted his hope that Vietnam will reap positive results in the negotiations for the establishment of a partnership in energy transition, and that the Southeast Asian nation will continue to make strong commitments at COP27 slated for November.

The UN will further support Vietnam in energy transition, resource mobilisation and technology transfer to achieve the commitments, he pledged.

US chip giant assists Vietnam in training workforce

The US-based electronic design automation (EDA) company Synopsys will assist Vietnam in developing human resources in chip design, as part of a deal signed with the Management Board of Saigon Hi-Tech Park (SHTP) in Ho Chi Minh City on August 26.

Accordingly, Synopsys will help the SHTP Management Board set up a chip design centre via a software sponsorship programme to nurture chip design talents and develop semiconductor industry in Vietnam.

It will also provide a software curricula for universities and a lecturer training programme for the SHTP Management Board.

The SHTP Management Board will invest in IT infrastructure for the establishment of the centre.

Once completed, the centre will welcome lecturers from the University of Technology, the University of Science and the University of Information Technology under the Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City for training and teaching there.

Lao Prosecutor General visits HCM City

Chief Prosecutor of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Procuracy Do Manh Bong hosted a reception for visiting Prosecutor General of the Lao Supreme People’s Procuracy Xayxana Khotphouthone on August 26.

Bong briefed the Lao guest on the situation in HCM City as well as the operations of the local procuracy sector, which has outstandingly fulfilled its assigned tasks, especially in 2020 and 2021 when the COVID-19 was ravaging the city.

Bong said the municipal People’s Procuracy will step up the communication work to raise the awareness of its staff about the significance of the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, as well as their procuracies.

It will also support the procuracy work in Laos, he pledged.

For his part, Xayxana Khotphouthone expressed his delight at developments of procuracy cooperation between the two countries and stressed the importance of cooperation in law enforcement and the fight against trans-national crime.

Can Tho, Italy discuss measures to promote ties

Authorities of the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho and Italian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Enrico Padula held a working session on August 26 to discuss ways to promote bilateral ties, especially in hi-tech agriculture, manufacturing and processing, transport, logistics, finance-banking, and preservation of cultural heritage values.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Van Hong informed the guest about Can Tho’s existing strengths, saying that the city is strong in services and agriculture, including rice, fisheries, fruits and animal husbandry.

The city is making the best use of advantages regulated in the National Assembly’s Resolution No.45/2022/QH15 on piloting special mechanisms and policies for its development, he said.

Hong wished that in his position, the Italian Consul General will step up the signing of cooperation agreements between Can Tho and Italian localities, as well as popularise the city’s investment environment to Italian investors, particularly in hi-tech agriculture, manufacturing and processing, transport, logistics, finance-banking and apparel.

With Italy’s strengths in museum and movie, he hoped that the Italian Consulate General will partner with Can Tho to hold screenings of Italian films, photo exhibitions and concerts while assisting the city in preserving museums and upholding cultural heritage values.

Padula agreed with Can Tho’s proposals and vowed to hold economic and cultural activities linking the two countries’ localities together on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties next year.

Official: Da Nang always welcomes US investors

Da Nang always welcomes US enterprises to invest in the city, especially in hi-tech, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Van Quang has said.

During a reception in Da Nang on August 26 for US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper, Quang said Da Nang now has one of the top three national hi-tech parks and is looking to receive capital from global investors.

The city is preparing to develop human resources, specifically developing the University of Da Nang and building another quality vocational training centre, he said.

The official expressed his belief that the ambassador will continue introducing more US companies and investors to the city.

For his part, Knapper described Da Nang as an important city in US-Vietnam relations.

Da Nang has created a good investment environment to attracting more US firms, he said, adding that he had visited the Sunshine aerospace aviation component factory invested by the US’s Universal Alloy Corporation. 

Expressing his impression of Da Nang’s role as a cultural hub, he revealed that the US diplomatic mission in Vietnam will jointly hold the annual music and community festival Bridgefest 2022 in Da Nang.

Knapper added that he had also held a working session with the University of Da Nang to seek ways to improve creativity among local students and youths, as well as facilitate exchanges with US educational establishments.

According to the ambassador, Boeing is looking to expand its supply chain and build an aviation component factory in Vietnam, which is in line with the city’s investment promotion strategy.

He pledged to encourage Boeing staff to visit Da Nang to learn about opportunities and hoped that more US firms will successfully do business in the city.

Rights of older persons, population issues key focus in Vietnam

A new partnership between the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Vietnam and the Mitsubishi Research Institute (MRI) was signed on August 25.

The UNFPA and MRI representatives committed to working closely together in joining hands with the Government of Vietnam and the international community to effectively address population ageing and other emerging population issues in the country.

Population ageing is a global phenomenon. Between 2015 and 2050, it is estimated that the number of older persons aged 65 and above worldwide is set to increase from 703 million to about 1.5 billion, accounting for 15.5% of the world's total population.

Vietnam has officially entered the "ageing phase" since 2011 and is projected to become an "aged" society by 2036. Currently, the number of older persons (60 years or over) is 12.6 million, 12.8% of the total population. It is expected to increase to 22 million by 2038, accounting for 20% of the total population. Vietnam is one of the most rapidly ageing countries in the world.

Addressing the signing ceremony, Kenji Yabuta, MRI President, said: "In Japan, the population has been ageing rapidly since the 1980s, and the proportion of the elderly out of the total population is now the highest in the world at over 28%. We are very pleased to sign the MOU with UNFPA in Vietnam and feel that UNFPA is truly acting as a bridge between Japan and Vietnam".

Naomi Kitahara, UNFPA representative in Vietnam, said: "We'll be working closely to promote the rights and dignity of older people by improving health and social care services and creating an enabling environment for the elderly.

"Following the signing event today, the plan is for both UNFPA and MRI to explore the best models for Vietnam in providing for older persons and preparing young generations for a future in which all ages are celebrated, and no one is left behind."

This new partnership will focus on the issues of ageing and other population matters, such as sexual and reproductive health and rights, health care for young people, and gender equality.

Top legislator attends seminar on draft revised Law on Land

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue attended a seminar in Hanoi on August 26 to discuss the draft revised Law on Land in accordance with the 13th Party Central Committee’s Resolution No.18-NQ/TW dated June 16, 2022.

Opinions at the event focused on policies and mechanisms related to finance, land bidding, compensation for resettlement and land reclamation, land use and management, harmonisation of interests among the State, land users and investors, among others.

Revisions to the Law are aimed at improving the efficiency of land use and management, contributing to promoting industrialisation and modernisation, ensuring national defence-security, and protecting the environment.

The draft Law will be submitted to the Government for first consideration at the NA’s fourth meeting in this October. It will be later under second discussion at the fifth meeting in May 2023, and approved by the legislature at the sixth meeting in October 2023.

Following the fourth meeting, the NA Standing Committee and the Government will collect public feedback on the draft amended Law.

Vietnam-RoK care centre launched in Hai Phong

A Vietnam-Republic of Korea (RoK) care centre was inaugurated in the northern port city of Hai Phong, as part of a project funded by the Hyundai Mortor Group of the RoK.

The inaugural ceremony was jointly held by the municipal Women’s Association and the Korea Centre for United Nations Human Rights Policy (KOCUN).

According to Vu Thi Kim Lien, President of the Women’s Union of Hai Phong, since 2015, the city has handled about 6,400 cases of marriage registration relating to foreigners, of which more than 3,200 were between Vietnamese and Korean citizens.

Some 304 women returned home from abroad because of broken marriages or other causes, of whom 42 were with their children, she noted.

The association signed an agreement with the Korean centre in 2020, under which the two sides have coordinated to provide consultancy for returning women or those who go to the RoK for marriages, in terms of both psychology and legal issues, the official added.

KOCUN Chairwoman Shin Hye Soo said the centre is the second of its kind in Vietnam, the first in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, noting that such centre has been seen as a symbol of the friendship between the two countries.

First implemented in Ho Chi Minh City in 2007, the project has equipped Vietnamese women with basic knowledge before their marriages in the RoK, and offered support to retuning women.

Water conservation programme for three river basins launched

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in cooperation with WWF-Vietnam, HEINEKEN Vietnam and local partners, has launched a partnership programme for water conservation in the basins of the Hong (Red), Dong Nai and Tien River.

WWF-Vietnam said the programme would strengthen water resources management in these critical areas.

The partnership programme for ‘Water conservation in Xuan Son National Park of the northern Phu Tho province; Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve in the southern Dong Nai province and Dong Thap Muoi (Plain of Reeds) Ecological Reserve in Tien Giang province’ will be conducted over four years, with funding of 30 billion VND (1.3 million USD) from HEINEKEN Vietnam.

According to the plan, the ecosystems in these river basins will be restored, and forests replanted to maintain and improve their ability to regulate and supply water to local communities and support agricultural activities downstream.

The programme is part of HEINEKEN Vietnam’s efforts to protect watersheds and an essential step toward the company's goal of 100% water balance by 2025 – whereby the company seeks to return the amount to the environment of water that goes into its beers.

It also aims to restore the integrity of the ecosystem and the biodiversity in the basin of these rivers, which is high on WWF-Vietnam’s agenda.

Ring smuggling people into Vietnam busted in Lao Cai

Police in the northern border province of Lao Cai recently busted a ring that smuggled people into Vietnam.

In early July, the Security Unit under Lao Cai city’s Police Department detected a ring using social network applications to induce Vietnamese people living in border areas to organise illegal entry for Chinese people to Vietnam via Lao Cai province to go to a third country.

On August 20, the police arrested Tran Van Hop and Le Quy Ngoc, residing in Bao Thang district; and Wangjiang, Xiaojun, and Tang Caiyong, residing in China’s Sichuan province.

They then arrested Vu Trong Hung, Giang Su Din and Hoang Van Manh, said to be “important links” in this ring.

Vietnam shares experience in balancing health, economic targets at APEC meeting

Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen shared Vietnam’s experience in realising the twin target of curbing the COVID-19 pandemic and sustaining economic growth, at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting held in Bangkok on August 25 - 26.

The 12th APEC High-Level Meeting on Health and the Economy (HLM12) took place amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which broke out in early 2020 and has yet to be over and has caused substantial impacts on people’s health and economies in the region and the world.

It focused on three main issues – “Open to Partnership”, “Connect with the World”, and “Balance Health and the Economy”.

At a roundtable discussion about global health security, Deputy Minister Tuyen highlighted Vietnam’s experience in COVID-19 prevention and control.

At the discussion, participants also shared their economies’ integrated policies on COVID-19 response. They also scrutinised the draft HLM12 Chair statement, which will be reported to the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting this November.

High time for Vietnam to end wasteful use of energy: Experts

The energy intensity of Vietnam is currently at a much higher level than the world average, and it is high time for the country to end the wasteful use of energy, according to experts.

According to Hoang Viet Dung, a member from the Steering Committee for Energy Efficiency, said that along with economic growth, the demand for energy of Vietnam is rising at a pace much higher than in other countries in the region and the world.

Since 2015, from an energy exporter, Vietnam has become a net energy importer. The amount of energy import is forecast to continue to increase in the coming years, Dung said at a conference on energy saving in industry in Hanoi on August 26.

Meanwhile, Ma Khai Hien, Director of the Energy Conservation Research and Development Centre (ENERTEAM) said that wastefulness has been seen in the use of energy in Vietnam.

He stressed the need for big energy-consuming industries such as cement and steel producers to apply energy-saving solutions to cut production costs and reduce pressure on power supply for the system.

Hien cited a survey by the Ministry of Industry and Trade which said technically energy saving potential in industries can reach 20-30%.

Dung held that in order to turn potential into reality, there is much for Vietnam to do from now to 2030.

The National Energy Efficiency Programme for the 2019-2030 period (VNEEP3) has specified nine solutions to promote the efficient use of energy in all sectors and areas of the economy, he noted.

For financial solution, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has launched international cooperation projects, including those with the World Bank.

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