According to the Ministry of Transport, an investment policy for the North-South high-speed railway is expected to be announced in September and launched in 2028.

It will begin with the construction of sections from Hanoi to Vinh (Nghe An province) and from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa province) at a total cost of 112 trillion VND (4.93 billion USD).

When the 1.435-meter gauge routes are complete, the existing one-meter gauge tracks will be used exclusively for cargo transport.

The high-speed railroad will run 1,545 kilometers and have a maximum speed of 320 kilometers per hour.

It will be a key transport project and provinces need to cooperate with the ministry to develop urban areas along the route. Vietnam currently has seven main railway routes running 2,440 kilometers.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh has assigned the Ministry of Transport to work with Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Ba Ria Vung Tau provinces and Ho Chi Minh City on the plan to invest in the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau route and the 38km Thu Thiem-Long Thanh route at a total investment of about 50.2 trillion VND in the public-private partnership (PPP) format.

Meanwhile, a feasibility report for the 174km Ho Chi Minh-Can Tho project has been carried out and is expected to be finished in the fourth quarter of this year, enabling the project to be launched before 2030.

The government plans to build nine new lines by 2030 with a total length of 2,362 kilometers, including the North-South line. By 2050, it hopes to have a total of 25 routes running 6,354 kilometers.

Ministry requests Quang Nam to review road construction in forest

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has asked central Quang Nam province to review the location of a project to build a road to Ngoc Linh ginseng development area in Nam Tra My district, which occupies more than 25 hectares of natural forest.

In the document sent to the provincial People’s Committee, the ministry said the Mang Lung – Dak Lay road project to the Ngoc Linh ginseng development area was not eligible for appraisal.

In March 2020, the provincial People’s Committee asked the ministry to seek the Government’s permission to change the land use purpose of 26.5 hectares of natural forest to build the road in Nam Tra My district.

The road was part of a project on the conservation and development of Ngoc Linh ginseng approved by the Government in 2015.

In reply to the province’s proposal, the ministry said the province’s submitted documents had not been updated according to the size of the project area, which increased by 8.9 hectares.

The project’s environmental impact assessment report, approved by the provincial People’s Committee in 2017, had a land use of 17.6 hectares instead of 26.5 hectares.

Meanwhile, in the appraisal report in 2015 of the provincial Department of Planning and Investment, the land use area was only six hectares.

The ministry said the report in 2020 and the provincial People’s Committee project files were submitted more than 17 months ago. All the reports were no longer suitable for land use planning for the 2021-2030 period.

Unemployment insurance fund to soon complete payments for COVID-19-hit employees

More than 339,000 employees affected by the COVID-19 pandemic have received a total of 963 billion VND (41.12 million USD) from the unemployment insurance fund as of 5:30 pm on August 25.

A supporting package for the group has been launched by the Vietnam Social Security (VSS) under the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee’s Resolution No. 24/2022/UBTVQH15. To date, 90% of the employees registering for the assistance have received payments from the package.

Meanwhile, the VSS chapters in 19 provinces and cities nationwide have completed related payments in their localities.

As of December 31 last year, there were more than 414,000 registered employees having yet to obtain their sums, which amounted to over 1.15 trillion VND.  

Kon Tum province once again hit by multiple quakes

Three more tremors were reported in Kon Plong district of Kon Tum Province on August 27, raising the total number of earthquakes striking the area over the past four days to 16.

The first tremor was a magnitude 2.5 quake which was felt at 3:52 p.m. today and had a depth of 8.1 kilometres.

Several hours later, a second quake occurred at 9:58 a.m., with the third being recorded at 12:39 p.m., with respective magnitudes 3.0 and 2.5.

Although no damage to people or property has been recorded so far, the seismic vibrations caused by the earthquake have significantly impacted the lives of local people in the area.

Data gathered by the Institute of Geophysics indicates that over 200 earthquakes have hit Kon Plong since April last year, which is nearly six times higher than the figure recorded between 1903 and 2020. Indeed, the quakes have not only increased in frequency, but have also became stronger over time.

According to Dr. Le Huy Minh of the Institute of Geophysics, these tremors could be stimulated earthquakes which usually happen when hydropower dams accumulate water and put pressure on faults underneath.

Health ministry asks to be exempt from publicly disclosing prices of COVID-19 vaccines

The Ministry of Health has asked the Government to be exempt from publicly disclosing the prices of COVID-19 vaccines, saying it will help ensure the progress of the mass vaccination campaign and achieve herd immunity.

In a document signed by Deputy Minister of Health Trần Văn Thuấn asking for advice from the Government on a number of mechanisms and policies in COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control, the ministry said it has approved the import of eight types of COVID-19 vaccines, namely AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, Comirnaty of Pfizer/BioNTech, Sinopharm, Hayat-Vax, Abdala, Janssen, and Moderna.

The application for vaccine import must include a written request from an agency such as the Ministry of Public Security or the Ministry of National Defence, or written approval of the vaccine from an agency such as the Ministry of Health.

However, the Government’s Decree 54 has not yet provided instructions for the Ministry of Health to issue a document approving the vaccine.

In addition, the COVID-19 vaccines, which have been approved by the World Health Organisation and donated to Việt Nam in urgent situations, do not meet the criteria of drug import licence for humanitarian aid purposes following the Government's regulations.

In fact, in the process of receiving vaccine batches from the donor countries, the number of vaccines was usually very small and the expiry date of the remaining batch of vaccines was very short.

Due to the exemption policy of the producing country during the COVID-19 period and other intergovernmental diplomatic factors, many imported vaccine batches did not have the required documents and additional supplies from the donor countries could not be requested, the ministry said.

Localities warned of continued effects of storm Maon

Localities must be ready to take measures to protect agricultural and aquaculture production zones after heavy rains caused by storm Maon, said the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control yesterday.

The committee also required cities and provinces to be proactive in responding to the effects of the storm, closely following weather forecasts and warnings to promptly inform local authorities and people of the risks.

Localities are required to conduct assessments in residential areas along water bodies and low-lying areas, which could be at risk of flash floods and landslides, and to stay ready to evacuate people if necessary.

Measures must be prepared to prevent water logging in agricultural areas, protecting plants and crops as well as aquaculture ponds.

Construction managers along river banks and vessel owners should also be notified about the weather situation, in order to actively take protection measures for their staff, construction sites, equipment and other assets.

Storm Maon has weakened to a low-pressure system in the North after hitting the northern coast of the country on Thursday evening. The tropical storm caused strong winds of up to 102km per hour in Quảng Ninh Province, Hải Phòng City and their islands.

The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting warned that the weather situation in the North and Thanh Hóa Province continue to be complicated. The low-pressure system is now in the northern region and is forecast to continue moving westward before disappearing in the mountainous area. 

HCM City theatre offers free cải lương show to mark National Day

The HCM City-based Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương Theatre in cooperation with its partner, the city's Party Committee's Department of Publicity and Education, will launch a cải lương (reformed opera) show in the outskirt district of Củ Chi on August 28.

The event aims to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19, 1945) and National Day (September 2, 1945) and the 100th birthday of the late Prime Minister Võ Văn Kiệt (November 23, 1922).

The highlight of the programme will be the cải lương play Thành Phố Buổi Bình Minh (The City at Dawn).

The play Thành Phố Buổi Bình Minh will begin at 8pm at the Củ Chi District’s Cultural Centre.

After the show, the theatre plans to host another ten performances for soldiers and people in the city’s outlying districts.

The play will be later performed at the hometown of PM Võ Văn Kiệt in the Mekong Delta Province of Vĩnh Long on November 23.

HCM City youth embrace green living

Swapping batteries for plants, cleaning waste at markets or refilling cosmetics are just some of the examples of young people engaging in environmental protection in HCM City.

Today many young people use straws made from rice, bamboo, grass or glass instead of plastic straws; reduce plastic bags by bringing tote bags when shopping; or use personal water bottles to buy coffee, milk, and tea to limit the use of plastic cups. The list goes on.

These actions are not only a temporary movement but have become a green lifestyle adopted and maintained by young people for many years.

Immersed in buildings with green lifestyle, Refill Station was born – a chain of stores providing products for personal and family use made from environmentally friendly materials such as bamboo brushes, bamboo straws, wooden combs, loofah bath sponges, cloth masks, rice soap and more.

At Refill Station, there is an exceptional service that allows and encourages buyers to bring old bottles and containers to refill shampoo, shower gel, dishwashers and detergent to reduce plastic waste.

With profound environmental awareness and very specific practical actions, young people in HCM City are building and spreading a green lifestyle throughout the community. 

Winners of ASEAN Plus Youth Volunteer Award 2022 named

Winners of the ASEAN Plus Youth Volunteer Award 2022 were announced at a ceremony in the central province of Quang Binh on August 26 evening.

They are 10 individuals and 11 organisations from 10 ASEAN member countries and China and Japan, honoured for their outstanding contributions to volunteer activities.

The awarding ceremony was part of the ASEAN Plus Youth Volunteer Forum and ASEAN Plus Youth Volunteer Award, jointly organised by the National Committee for Youth of Vietnam (NCYV) and the Central Committee of Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU).

New South Wales, Victoria home to largest communities of Vietnamese speakers in Australia

Most of the 320,758 Vietnamese speakers in Australia resided in Victoria and New South Wales (NSW) states, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)’s 2021 Census.

Accordingly, Victoria and NSW are respectively home to 118,801 and 117,907 Vietnamese speakers, each accounting for 37% of the total. They were followed by Queensland, where about 10% of the Vietnamese speakers are living.

In terms of 10 districts with highest numbers of Vietnamese-speaking people, there are nine located in Victoria and NSW, and only one in Queensland.

Without changes over the past decade, the Victorian suburb of St Albans topped the list. The number of the Vietnamese expats here gradually increased over time, from 7,831 people in 2011 to 11,102 people in 2021, accounting for 29.2% of the district’s population.

The next places belong to the districts of Cabramatta and Bankstown of NSW with 9,144 and 7,087 Vietnamese speakers, respectively, and Springvale of Victoria with 5,593 from the group.

Queensland’s Inala district, meanwhile, housed 4,691 Vietnamese speakers.

Vietnam contributes to promoting NPT’s role in global security

The 10th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) concluded in New York, the US, on August 26 night (local time), after nearly four weeks of working, during which Vietnam contributed to promoting the NPT’s role in global security.

The Vietnamese delegation, led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc, emphasised Vietnam's consistent stance on supporting radical nuclear weapon disarmament to prevent nuclear weapon proliferation, and upholding the right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, while highlighting the need for the international community to make every effort to solve common nuclear challenges.

The delegation also shared opinions on issues of great international concern, including upholding the role of the NPT, and stressed the humanitarian consequences of the use of nuclear weapons. As the vice president of the conference, Vietnam and other countries actively promoted and managed its working agenda.

The Vietnamese delegation also worked closely with ASEAN countries and non-aligned countries to promote the priorities of these countries.

The conference’s discussions focused on all three elements of the treaty – non-proliferation, disarmament, and peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Although member states could not reach consensus on a final document, they all stressed the importance of the NPT to the global non-proliferation and disarmament mechanism and the need to intensify efforts to strengthen this mechanism in the coming time.

Project helps strengthen Mekong Delta’s resilience against climate change

The "Vietnam Nature-based Solutions for Adaptation in Agriculture through Private Sector Transformation” (VN-ADAPT) is expected to greatly contribute to supporting the resilience of the Mekong Delta region against the severe impacts of climate change.

The project has been jointly launched by the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV), the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

The Mekong Delta region has long been the largest agricultural production hub of Vietnam, which helps Vietnam ensure national food security and exports.

The region contributes 31.37% to the country’s agricultural GDP, and accounts for 50% of total rice production, 65% of aquaculture production, 70% of fruit output, 95% of the country’s rice exports and 60% of the country’s fish exports.

Two Lam Dong CDC officials detained in Viet A test kit case

The police of Lam Dong Province have arrested two officials of the provincial Center for Disease Control (CDC) for their alleged irregularities in the procurement of Covid test kits from Viet A Technology Corporation.

Pham Xuan Dat and Nguyen Thi Hoa, both at the medical testing laboratory department of the center, were put under police custody today, August 26, for alleged asset misappropriation, the local media reported.

Apart from inflating the prices of Covid test kits, they also declared group testing samples as single ones and then sold the surplus test kits for private gains.

The two misappropriated some VND600 million in the Viet A test kit case from June to November last year.

The results of a probe into the Viet A test kit case released by Lam Dong investigators in June this year showed Viet A Corporation won 16 bidding packages of test kits and medical equipment worth over VND41.6 billion.

Among them, the Lam Dong CDC bought seven packages worth VND16.6 billion, while the Lam Dong General Hospital procured two packages worth VND4.1 billion, but paid some VND2.6 billion.

The remaining seven packages worth VND13.1 billion were bought by Lam Dong II Hospital, but the hospital has paid only VND6.3 billion.

National men’s football team remains in FIFA’s Top 100

The national men’s football team of Vietnam maintains its 97th position in FIFA’s August rankings, according to the Vietnam Football Federation.

With this position, Vietnam ranks 17th in Asia and leads Southeast Asia.

For other Southeast Asian countries, Thailand ranks at the 111th place, followed by the Philippines (134th), Malaysia (148th), and Indonesia (155th).

A number of friendly matches within the FIFA framework will take place in September, in which Vietnam will play two. They are expected to create changes in the September rankings scheduled to be announced on October 6.

VFF Committee of HCM City enhances coordination in Overseas Vietnamese affairs

The Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Committee of Ho Chi Minh City will enhance coordination with the municipal Committee for Overseas Vietnamese (OV) Affairs in carrying out tasks related to OVs under their joint working programme for 2020-2024 period.

The two sides affirmed their commitment at a conference on August 26 reviewing the two-year implementation of the programme.

Vice Chairman of the VFF Committee of Ho Chi Minh City Ngo Thanh Son reiterated the need to raise the awareness of agencies, organisations and the public about the importance of OV mobilisation work.

In the next three years, the two sides will jointly promote activities to attract resources of the OV community, especially young people, for national development, while assisting with the settlement of problems during the enforcement of OV-related State policies and law.  

The sides also agreed to diversify activities to support OVs in preserving the mother tongue and traditional culture.

Besides, they will continue to work together to organise delegations to visit, present gifts and provide free health checks and medical treatment to OV communities in Laos and Cambodia.

Workshop calls for actions against plastic waste in Ha Long Bay

A workshop was held in Ha Long city, northern Quang Ninh province, on August 26 with the aim of promoting public awareness of marine plastic waste and actions against single-use plastic products in Ha Long Bay, a world natural heritage site.

An estimate in 2020 by the Ending Plastic Pollution Innovation Challenge (EPPIC) project showed that among over the 28,280 tonnes of plastic waste released in the Ha Long Bay area each year, about 5,272 could be discharged to the sea, and 34 tonnes of waste came from tourism activities every day.

At the workshop, participants shared views on marine environmental protection, the role of each organisation in boosting sustainable tourism, and activities carried out in localities to ease impacts of tourism vessels and single-use plastic products on the environment.

On this occasion, the UNDP debuted “Trash Hunt” (http://sanrac.undp.org.vn), a mobile app to report and monitor all indiscriminate dumping sites in Vietnam so that local authorities, related parties, and residents can make timely response.

Energy efficiency awards launched for industry, construction projects

An award programme was launched in Hanoi on August 26, seeking to honour energy efficient industrial enterprises, construction works, and products.

According to Nguyen Dinh Hiep, Chairman of the Vietnam Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency Association (VECEA), the awards are part of communications activities serving the national programme on effective and efficient use of energy for 2019 – 2030. The programme target a goal of saving 8-10% of total power used nationwide.

Contestants can submit their documents from August 26 to October 31. The award technical council will evaluate and select works, products and enterprises that fulfill related criteria, with the announcement of award winners and award presentation ceremony slated for December.

The organiser said the award for energy efficiency in industry was first held in 2017, attracting the participation of nearly 100 businesses with 460 power-saving solutions.

The award for energy efficiency in construction took place for the first time last year, recording 44 participants and 220 solutions. It presented the award for 22 new and upgrade projects.

Disadvantaged communities in Quang Tri, Hoa Binh get support

Plan International Vietnam, in collaboration with Care International Vietnam and the Research Centre for Initiatives in Community Development, held a workshop on August 26 to launch the “Reaching the Furthest Behind in Quang Tri and Hoa Binh Provinces” programme.

Funded by the Irish Embassy in Vietnam with a total capital of over 11 billion VND (470,000 USD), it is being implemented from June 2022 to August 2023, aiming to improve the quality of the life of ethnic minority people living in extremely difficult circumstances in Ta Long and Ta Rut communes of Dakrong district, and Huong Loc, Lia and Ba Tang communes of Huong Hoa district of the central province of Quang Tri, and Yen Hoa, Trung Thanh and Cao Don communes in Da Bac district of the northern province of Hoa Binh.

Nearly 30,000 local residents in these communes, mainly belonging to Pa Co, Van Kieu, Mong, Tay, Muong and Dao ethnic groups, are expected to be the beneficiaries of the programme which looks to increase the capacity of responding to natural disasters of children, enhance community-based disaster risk management, and improve women’s economic capacity.

Exhibition on Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos public security cooperation underway

About 300 photos and over 500 documents, items and publications are on display at a Hanoi exhibition showcasing milestones in the friendship and cooperation among public security forces of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

Launched on August 26, the event aims to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Vietnam-Laos diplomatic relations (September 5, 1962 – 2022), the 45th year of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty for Amity and Cooperation, and the 55th anniversary of the Vietnam-Cambodia diplomatic ties (June 24, 1967 – 2022).

The exhibition is divided into three sections, with the first demonstrating the three Parties, States and Governments’ attention and appreciation for the forces. The second and the third focus on the Vietnamese force’s collaboration with those from Laos and Cambodia, reflected through high-level delegation exchanges and the support for each other in crime fighting.

The event is taking place at Museum of People’s Public Security in downtown Hanoi until September 11.

Embassy supports Vietnamese fire victim in Thailand

Representatives of the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand on August 25 visited a Vietnamese victim who was seriously injured in a nightclub fire in Thailand's eastern Chon Buri province.

According to the embassy, the 25-year-old female victim is still undergoing treatment at Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital in Chon Buri province. 

Hoang Minh Hai, the first secretary in charge of citizen protection at the embassy, said as soon as the agency received information that there was a Vietnamese victim in the fire, it coordinated with local authorities to follow her health condition.

The embassy also swiftly contacted and provided necessary information about legal procedures to her relatives in order to ensure all her rights in the country.  

The victims' health condition has been better but still needs intensive treatment.

On August 5, a severe fire broke out at a nightclub in Phlutaluang district, Chon Buri province, killing 20 and injuring 30 others, mainly visitors.

Airlines asked to increase flights, minimise delay during National Day holiday

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) has asked domestic airlines to increase flights during the four-day National Day holiday (September 1-4) to better meet passengers’ travelling demand.

In its dispatch to aviation agencies, the ministry requested the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) to direct domestic airlines to organise more flights at night and minimise the delay and cancellation of flights during the period.

The authority was asked to guide airports to coordinate with local Departments of Transport and authorities to regulate the traffic around airports to avoid congestion, especially around Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meanwhile, local Departments of Transports were requested to strengthen public transport to serve passengers travelling from/to airports, especially at night. At the same time, it is necessary to increase the connections between aviation transport and other forms of transformation to better meet people’s travel demand.

The ministry also asked localities to ensure traffic order and safety, while requesting authorities to strengthen the inspection of transport prices.

Programme to show traditional Mid-Autumn Festival of Hanoi

The traditional Mid-Autumn Festival of Hanoi will be reenacted through a wide range of activities to be held at the pedestrian zone around the Son Tay ancient fortress from September 8 to 10.

The street management board will organise many activities on the days, which coincides with the 13th - 15th days of the eighth lunar month, to help preserve and bring into play cultural values of the Mid-Autumn Festival, a big tradition of Vietnamese people.

The programme’s highlight is a gala on September 10 evening featuring traditional unicorn and dragon dances, and the presentation of gifts to 30 local disadvantaged children.

Besides, a similar dance festival will take place on September 8 evening with the participation of teams from districts across Hanoi. Other activities include a lantern competition on September 9 evening and a fruit tray arranging contest on September 10.

The programme is set to help make the Son Tay ancient fortresss an attractive cultural space and tourist site for residents in Son Tay town and neighbouring areas.

Dengue fever cases surge in Hanoi following period of downpours

The number of cases of dengue fever being recorded in the capital has increased sharply in recent days due to spells of heavy rains, leading to several people being hospitalised in a serious condition, according to information given by the Hanoi Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Hanoi recorded a cumulative 778 dengue fever cases as of August 13, representing an increase of more than two-fold rise against the same period from last year, with the most infectious dengue virus strains being D1 and D2.

The CDC representative attributed this sharp rise to the recent rainy weather conditions which has led to mosquitoes spreading the disease.

The CDC's surveillance report for the first two weeks of August highlights that the mosquito larvae indices in some areas has exceeded the threshold. Mosquito larvae index is the main pathogens causing the spread of dengue fever,

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