Sài Gòn Zoo and the botanical gardens welcomes a surge of visitors during the April 30 and May 1 holiday.

Green and sustainable tourism is not just a passing trend - it is reshaping the global tourism landscape, including in Việt Nam.

While initially focused on rural and suburban areas, green tourism is becoming increasingly relevant in urban centres.

Cities facing challenges like population density, environmental stress and economic development pressure are recognising the potential of green tourism to address these issues.

By minimising environmental risks and preserving cultural heritage, green tourism is seen as a key to fostering a sustainable economy while encouraging community innovation.

In urban areas where tourism and services thrive, adopting environmentally friendly practices that balance the use of natural and cultural resources is no longer optional - it is a necessity.

Green tourism extends beyond green spaces or environmentally-themed products.

Experts define it as a holistic approach involving activities and strategies that responsibly use natural and cultural resources while reducing negative environmental and cultural impacts. It promotes nature conservation, cultural preservation and sustainable community development.

For tourism-dependent cities, green tourism presents both a challenge and an opportunity to grow responsibly.

The southeast region of Việt Nam, which boasts the nation’s highest urbanisation rate at over 67 per cent, exemplifies the need for sustainable tourism. Cities here are embracing green tourism as a strategy to balance rapid development with environmental and cultural conservation.

As the economic and cultural heart of the Southeast region, HCM City holds significant potential for sustainable tourism.

According to the city’s Department of Tourism, HCM City is home to nearly 400 natural and cultural tourism resources. These include the city’s iconic riverscapes, serene green spaces amid bustling streets and rich cultural traditions shaped by its diverse population.

Each year, the city attracts over 40 million visitors, reinforcing its reputation as a premier urban destination.

Tourism expert Phan Yến Ly, Director of Cánh Cam Consulting, Media and Event Company, highlighted that HCM City’s modern urban environment is interspersed with eco-friendly attractions and culturally vibrant destinations.

A recent survey found that over 80 per cent of tour operators bringing tourists to Việt Nam focus on eco-friendly services and activities that celebrate local culture.

In a city as dynamic and densely populated as HCM City, these green tourism efforts reduce environmental strain while offering meaningful and immersive experiences for visitors. Tourists can explore eco-friendly destinations and participate in activities that promote sustainability.

Beyond HCM City, Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Province is carving out its niche in sustainable tourism.

The coastal city of Vũng Tàu serves as the southern key economic region’s gateway to the East Sea and a vital hub for regional and international economic exchange.

Vũng Tàu’s pristine beaches, lush urban greenery covering 13.5 per cent of its area and an array of cultural and historical landmarks make it an ideal destination for green tourism.

Hoàng Vũ Thảnh, Chairman of the Vũng Tàu City People’s Committee, emphasised the city’s diverse tourism offerings, from architectural marvels to spiritual sites rooted in coastal culture. These assets provide a solid foundation for the city’s green tourism development.

In HCM City, the principle of “Greening every journey” is being actively implemented.

Green tourism initiatives now encompass not just suburban areas, but inner-city districts as well, preserving cultural heritage while prioritising environmentally friendly practices.

For instance, District 1 is a hub of green tourism, blending historic landmarks with urban green spaces. Sài Gòn Zoo and Botanical Garden, a 17-hectare sanctuary for flora and fauna and Tao Đàn Park, a 10-hectare green retreat, are standout examples. These locations attract locals and tourists alike, offering refreshing escapes in the heart of the city.

Nguyễn Ngọc Trinh, of Chim Cánh Cụt Travel Services, described the rise of eco-focused urban tours. One notable example is the 'Sử-Xanh' (Green-History) tour, where visitors explore historical landmarks while learning about the revitalisation of the Nhiêu Lộc-Thị Nghè Canal. Once heavily polluted, the canal now features clean waters and vibrant greenery, symbolising successful environmental recovery.

In Đồng Nai Province, Biên Hòa City has earned recognition as a hub for both industrial growth and green tourism. With a history spanning over 320 years, the city blends its industrial legacy with rich cultural and natural resources.

The Vice Chairman of the Biên Hòa People’s Committee, Nguyễn Xuân Thanh, pointed to key attractions like the Bửu Long Ecotourism Area, often compared to a miniature Hạ Long Bay and the Sơn Tiên Ecotourism Area.

Additionally, traditional craft villages and historical landmarks reflect the city’s green tourism potential. These attractions highlight Biên Hòa’s ability to integrate cultural heritage and environmental sustainability into its tourism offerings.

Green tourism is not merely about creating eco-friendly products, it demands a sweeping transformation in strategies to meet sustainability goals.

Tourists enjoy a cycling tour in the Bình Châu-Phước Bửu Nature Reserve, Xuyên Mộc District, Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Province.

According to Dr Phạm Lê Thảo from the Việt Nam National Authority of Tourism, developing green and sustainable tourism, especially in urban settings, requires local authorities and businesses to optimise energy use, increase reliance on renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Additionally, diverse and eco-friendly tourism offerings are needed to maximise resource efficiency, protect the environment, address climate change and preserve local culture, while promoting regional specialities and long-term sustainability.

Trinh from Chim Cánh Cụt Travel Services highlighted her company’s commitment to green tourism by working closely with service providers to introduce travellers to eco-friendly accommodations and urban spaces. These initiatives focus on reducing non-biodegradable plastic use and prioritising naturally degradable, environmentally friendly products.

Vice Chairman of HCM City People’s Committee, Nguyễn Văn Dũng, stressed the importance of cultivating a robust green tourism ecosystem. The city is leveraging its tourism products, both urban and suburban, to safeguard natural and cultural resources while enhancing competitiveness.

These measures aim to establish HCM City as a globally appealing destination and a vital urban hub in Việt Nam’s southeast region.

In Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Province, Vũng Tàu City has embraced green tourism by combining its coastal and marine advantages with cultural conservation efforts to offer meaningful eco-friendly experiences.

Chairman Thảnh reaffirmed the city’s dedication to integrating tourism development with natural resource preservation and community welfare. These initiatives are central to positioning Vũng Tàu as a premium international tourism hub.

To uphold its title as an 'ASEAN Clean Tourist City', Vũng Tàu is enhancing urban green spaces while preserving natural attractions, including beaches, forests and waterways, ensuring the city’s long-term sustainability.

Director of Cánh Cam Consulting, Media and Event Company, Ly, emphasised the need for tailored strategies to drive green tourism in urban areas such as HCM City.

She proposed integrating ecological tourism with the city's 'One Commune, One Product' (OCOP) initiative, fostering links between rural and urban tourism and connecting craft villages with commercial activities.

Moreover, the city’s culinary sector can use Việt Nam’s rich gastronomic diversity to promote 'green gastronomy'.

Local authorities are encouraging restaurants to prioritise organic and eco-friendly dishes while educating consumers on their health and environmental benefits.

Similarly, hotels and other accommodation providers are urged to adopt energy-efficient technologies and minimise resource consumption.

Ly also advocated for investments in green transportation, such as electric vehicles and bicycles and the organisation of more cultural and culinary festivals to celebrate and preserve local traditions. These initiatives enhance the image of dynamic, modern cities while promoting diverse, eco-friendly tourism options.

To fully integrate green tourism into urban planning, experts from Hà Nội's Hòa Bình University advised cities to build on their unique ecological, cultural and historical strengths.

They recommended focusing on distinctive offerings such as coastal and island exploration, forest and heritage tours and eco-tourism. Avoiding redundant or unfocused developments is critical to sustaining the appeal of individual destinations.

Raising public awareness about eco-friendly travel is another vital step. Tourists need to be encouraged to choose green services, whether in accommodations, transport, or dining, which align with the broader objectives of sustainable, environmentally responsible tourism. 

Hà Nội determined to revive its polluted rivers

After a long delay period, with strong political commitment and leadership from municipal leaders, the Yên Xá wastewater treatment system in Hà Nội has now begun trial operation.

Additionally, Hà Nội is determined to complete the project of pumping water from the Hồng (Red) River to the heavily polluted Tô Lịch River by September 2 next year to revive the "dead river" and improve the environment.

The Yên Xá wastewater treatment system aims to raise the standard of the living environment, natural ecosystem and sanitary conditions in the central urban areas of the Tô Lịch, Nhuệ and Lừ river basin by investing in the drainage system to collect and treat domestic wastewater, enhancing the capital’s sustainable development.

The project has been implemented since 2019.

It builds a wastewater treatment system in the basin area of about 4,874ha, including the Yên Xá wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of 270,000 cu.m. per day and a sewer collection system along the two banks of Tô Lịch and Lừ rivers, Hà Đông District and new urban areas, with a total length of about 41.362km, diameter from 400mm-2,400mm.

Since its start, the project has encountered many difficulties.

Thanks to the oversight from the municipal Party Committee, People's Committee and the participation of departments, all obstacles and problems have been resolved.

Up to now, the construction of the Yên Xá Wastewater Treatment Plant has been completed, and it was put into trial operation from the beginning of this month according to the approved environmental license.

Besides, the construction package of the sewer system for the Tô Lịch River was completed by about 98 per cent and all items are expected to be completed within this month.

Regarding the construction package of the sewer system for the Lừ River, because the contractor's capacity did not meet the requirements, the city has resolutely terminated the contract since November last year.

It is completing dossier to submit to the Prime Minister for approval the adjusting capital sources from official development assistance (ODA) to the city budget to ensure progress.

Building work for the sewer system for a part of the Hà Đông District and the new urban area has resumed since February this year and has completed about 22 per cent of the work volume, striving to complete next year.

According to the Investment Projects for Construction of Technical Infrastructure and Agriculture Management Board, to ensure the long-term stability of the plant's operations as well as the general sludge treatment in the city, the unit proposed that the municipal People's Committee consider directing concerned agencies to build a drainage waste dump in Chương Dương Commune, Thường Tín District.

Hà Nội is studying to supplement water from the Red River to West Lake and from West Lake to Tô Lịch River through separate pipelines to clear up Tô Lịch River.

Director of the Hà Nội's Department of Construction Võ Nguyên Phong said that the department was establishing a pre-feasibility project for a sludge recycling project, located in Chương Dương Commune with a scale of about 8-9ha, a processing capacity of 1,500 tonnes, strive to reach 3,000 tonnes per day.

The plant will use the most advanced, environmentally friendly technology, and the treated sludge can be used in other fields such as construction aggregates, cement processing and fertiliser.

As for pumping water from West Lake into Tô Lịch River, the unit is working with the Department of Planning and Investment to research and carefully calculate to ensure technical requirements in the shortest procedural order for early implementation.

After checking the progress of the Yên Xá wastewater treatment system and solutions to clean up the Tô Lịch River, Chairman of the Hà Nội People's Committee Trần Sỹ Thanh on Monday directed units to focus on the construction package of the sewer system for the Lừ River, part of Hà Đông District and new urban areas.

The chairman noted that units must calculate plans to ensure the West Lake ecosystem. Along with that, departments and districts must take drastic action to carry out comprehensive and synchronous environmental treatment of inner-city rivers, improving the environmental quality. 

Drainage infrastructure development behind pace of urbanisation

Flooding in urban areas has been a persistent problem of major cities in Việt Nam for many years. The reason has been blamed on drainage and wastewater treatment, which have run out of capacity and are not able to keep up with the pace of urbanisation.

Việt Nam now has 82 urban wastewater treatment plants located in more than 50 urban areas. They have a total design capacity of about 1.79 million cubic metres per hour, day and night, with an actual operating capacity of about 700,000 cubic metres per day and night.

The drainage system of residential areas in large cities and river basins is mostly over a shared system.

Domestic wastewater and rainwater are discharged directly into sewers, canals and ditches and then into the main rivers of the basins.

Most wastewater from toilets is pre-treated in septic tanks of each household before being discharged into the public drainage system.

When compared to other urban regions worldwide, Việt Nam's pipeline rate per capita is still low.

The rate in Việt Nam is roughly 0.5 metres per person, while the global average is two metres per person.

According to Lê Thu Thủy, deputy head of Drainage Management and Wastewater Treatment Sub-Department, Department of Technical Infrastructure Department of Technical Infrastructure under the Ministry of Construction, Việt Nam’s current drainage system in urban areas was built many years ago. It has decayed and many parts have not yet been fully upgraded. Rainwater and domestic wastewater are mixed together, discharged directly into sewers, canals, ditches, rivers and the sea.

Notably, urban flooding resulting from rain has occurred frequently in large cities since the 2000s and has become increasingly severe in terms of severity and frequency. The flooding period has lasted longer since 2010 and has become more complex and unpredictable.

Dr Nguyễn Việt Anh from Hà Nội University of Civil Engineering said there were currently many challenges in drainage and urban flood prevention in Việt Nam including limited public awareness towards drainage and wastewater treatment.

“They are not ready to adapt to climate change,” he said.

In many urban areas, the connection rate to the drainage system remained low while drainage and wastewater treatment service prices were too low, not covering the operating and maintenance costs, he said.

He pointed out other shortcomings including a downgraded drainage system and soil, groundwater and surface water pollution due to wastewater discharge.

The lack of financial resources to implement drainage and wastewater treatment projects was ongoing while resilience and adaptation remain limited, he said.

Experts hold that it is necessary to build and issue laws regulating drainage, regarding the important role of clean water, drainage in flood prevention, wastewater collection and treatment.

To create a legal corridor for the development of green and sustainable drainage infrastructure, the Government needs to pay more attention to water supply and drainage, wastewater treatment through the establishment of a legal framework, technical standards and national orientations, say the experts.

According to Dr Lưu Đức Hải, director of the Institute for Urban Research and Infrastructure Development, Việt Nam General Association of Construction, Việt Nam needs to have clear, synchronous and unified environmental standards to require all stakeholders to fulfill certain obligations. Green drainage orientations should be included in the development of the Law on Water Supply and Drainage.

It is necessary to develop mechanisms and policies to develop green and smart infrastructure systems and comprehensively review, adjust and supplement standards on urban planning, technical infrastructure works as well as planning related to green infrastructure or design standards for green infrastructure works.

He proposed expanding the pilot programme on applying the sustainable drainage model, sponge cities and replicating nature-based solutions to develop resilient urban areas. 

US returns war keepsakes to Vietnamese veterans, martyrs' relatives

A ceremony to hand over keepsakes of Vietnamese war veterans and fallen soldiers provided by the US was held in Hanoi on December 9.

The event was attended by US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper, US Defence Attaché to Vietnam Colonel TJ Bouchillon, and Professor Anthony Saich, Director of the Ash Centre for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University.

On November 30, the Ash Centre transferred a collection of keepsakes belonging to Vietnamese martyrs and veterans to the Policy Department of the General Department of Politics under the Vietnam People's Army and the Office of the National Steering Committee for the Search, Repatriation, and Identification of Fallen Soldiers’ Remains (National Steering Committee 515). Following this, the department directed relevant agencies, units, and localities to conduct verification, finding out that the items' owners and their relatives are in the provinces of Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, Hung Yen, Hai Duong, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Bac Ninh, and Nghe An.

Speaking at the ceremony, Major General Doan Quang Hoa, Director of the Policy Department and Chief of the Office of National Steering Committee 515, affirmed that the Party and State of Vietnam always pay attention to and implement numerous policies to support those who rendered service to the revolution. Among these, the search and repatriation of martyrs’ remains is one of the top priorities.

He emphasised that international cooperation has played a critical role in addressing war aftermath, particularly in providing information, documents, and memorabilia to serve the search and repatriation of Vietnamese martyrs’ remains. He also highlighted the immense spiritual significance of these keepsakes to the martyrs’ families and relatives.

On this occasion, Hoa expressed his gratitude and called for US authorities' continued support in war aftermath settlement, especially in the efforts to search for and repatriate the remains of Vietnamese martyrs. He noted that such efforts contribute to fostering cooperation and relations between Vietnam and the US as the two countries prepare to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the normalisation of bilateral relations in the spirit of "putting the past behind, looking toward the future."/.

Conference discusses tourism promotion activities in 2025

The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) proposed a tourism promotion plan for localities and businesses to co-operate in order to further attract tourists to Vietnam next year, heard a conference held on December 9 in the central province of Quang Nam.

Ha Van Sieu, deputy director of the VNAT, emphasised that with regard to the international market, the Vietnamese tourism industry will select markets under the following criteria, including visa exemption, convenient flight connections, high growth potential, and quality.

According to the plan for 2025, the Vietnamese tourism industry will host a range oof tourism promotion programmes in a bid to strengthen connectivity with businesses in China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Southeast Asian nations, as well as countries in Europe, Australia, North America, India, and the Middle East.

Most notably, there will be a Vietnam Cultural Tourism Week programme held in Europe, while the Vietnam Exhibition House at EXPO 2025 Osaka in Kansai slated for April to October 2025 is anticipated to become an important occasion to promote both Vietnamese culture and tourism.

Next year, Vietnamese travel firms are anticipated to attend some of the world's leading tourism fairs in 2025, including ITB Berlin, IMEX Frankfurt in Germany, WTM London in the UK, FITUR in Spain, IFTM Top Resa in France, MITT in Russia, MATKA in Finland, ITB China in China, TITF in Taiwan (China), and SITF in the Republic of Korea. 

Vietnam in same group with Malaysia at 2027 Asian Cup qualification

Vietnam will share Group F with Malaysia, Laos, and Nepal, according to the result of a draw conducted by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on December 9 for 24 teams playing in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification stage which is due to run from March, 2025, to March, 2026.

With the Vietnam national team ranked at 116th globally, Malaysia, ranked at 132nd in the world, are considered to be the strongest rivals in the group. Indeed, they previously caused plenty of difficulties for previous Vietnamese sides in recent competitions.

Other representatives from Southeast Asia are also in tricky groups. Thailand will face Turkmenistan, Chinese Taipei, and Sri Lanka in Group D.

Myanmar will meet Afghanistan, Syria, and Pakistan in Group E. Elsewhere, the Philippines will be in the same group as Tajikistan, the Maldives, and Timor Leste.

The 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification consists of 24 teams divided into six groups. The top team in each group will qualify for the Asian Cup’s final round together with the host Saudi Arabia.

Previously, Vietnam progressed through to the Asian Cup’s final round in 2019 and 2023. Their best result is making it through to the tournament’s quarter-final stage back in 2019.

Vietnamese students strengthen connectivity in UK

The Vietnamese Students Association in the UK (SVUK) will strengthen connections, further intensify student activities in the host country, especially volunteer activities, encourage student talents, while promoting the digitalisation of work processes to improve the group’s operational efficiency.

This commitment was made by Cao Quoc Dung, new chairman of the SVUK, at the 10th congress of the SVUK for the 2024 to 2026 term which took place in London on December 7 and December 8.

The congress evaluated the performance of the SVUK in the 2022 to 2024 term, in which the association achieved plenty of encouraging results, maintaining connections, whilst supporting and encouraging the development of the Vietnamese student community in the UK through communication channels and its network of 46 affiliated student associations (Vietsoc) at universities and colleges across the UK.

The congress also set out some of the key directions and tasks for the 2024 to 2026 term, with a focus on maintaining and expanding student-oriented activities, intensifying activities, and raising awareness and skills for students. It also elected the executive committee for the 2024 to 2026 term, consisting of 17 members, headed by Dung as the new chairman of the group.

It set up a five-member advisory board of five members in support of the new executive committee in orienting and operating the association's activities.

In his speech, Vietnamese Ambassador Do Minh Hung to the UK emphasized that the SVUK needs to promote innovation in its activities towards the nation’s rising era, as put forth by Party General Secretary To Lam.

The Ambassador updated the activities aimed at stepping up educational and training co-operation between Vietnam and the UK, affirming that the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK always values ​​and supports student activities.

Joining the event online, Ho Hong Nguyen, permanent chairwoman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Student Association, affirmed that the Party and State always put their full trust in the young generation, considering them to be the core force in shaping the future and destiny of the nation.

She emphasized that in the new term, SVUK needs to promote academic activities and scientific research whilst encouraging students to participate in research and building a network of young intellectuals.

At the congress, Dung pledged to devote himself to building a more cohesive and developed Vietnamese student community, thereby indirectly contributing to the homeland country.

SVUK is the official organisation representing more than 14,000 Vietnamese students living and working in the UK, connecting Vietsocs nationwide.

Since 2014, SVUK has been officially recognized as a member of the Vietnam Student Association. In 2018, SVUK received a certificate of merit from the Minister of Foreign Affairs for its contributions to student affairs.

HCM City targets building 70,000 social housing units by 2030

HCM City has set a target of building 70,000 social housing units by 2030 to meet the rising demand for affordable housing.

Speaking a meeting on Friday, Bùi Xuân Cường, deputy chairman of the city People’s Committee, said the city specifically targets building over 26,000 social housing units next year.

Cường has urged relevant departments and district authorities to undertake comprehensive evaluations to expedite the implementation timelines of social housing projects in the city.

He has proposed project preparations be finalised within a six-month period, with the overall duration from commencement to completion being feasible within one year.

Of the ten social housing projects currently implemeted in the city, six of which have been completed, while four are in progress, resulting in nearly 6,000 housing units by far.

Although these outcomes are commendable, they remain inadequate and present considerable challenges in meeting future targets, he noted.

He noted several challenges to social housing development in the city, such as urban planning issues, procedural complexities, and investment approval delays.

He has also highlighted the lack of proactive funding efforts from investors, extended construction timelines, and unattractive incentive mechanisms that deter participation.

Phan Văn Mãi, chairman of the People’s Committee, said the city has recognised housing development as one of the critical components of its socio-economic advancement.

"The city is committed to addressing the bottlenecks that impede the development of social housing in order to meet the increasing demand and improve living conditions in order to attract and retain high-quality workers within the city," Mãi noted.

The city is actively seeking private investment in seven social housing projects in order to achieve the target by 2030.

Mãi encouraged all sectors to invest in housing development, particularly in social and low-cost housing.

Funding for the city’s housing development initiatives is anticipated to be sourced from private enterprises, credit institutions, household savings, and other avenues.

For social housing development specifically, funding will primarily be derived from private enterprises, preferential credit programmes, and 10 per cent of the city’s budget.

In a related move, the Ministry of Construction has recently proposed a fresh VNĐ100 trillion ($3.9 billion) credit package for social housing, funded by government bonds and managed by the Social Policy Bank.

It offers loans for purchasing, building, renovating, or repairing social housing at interest rates set for poor households by the Government.

The package aims to provide housing support for low-income individuals and social policy beneficiaries, which requires a total investment of VNĐ500 trillion.

Previously, the Government approved a VNĐ120 trillion package for preferential loans from four commercial banks, with rates 1.5 to 2 percentage points lower than standard rates. But only VNĐ1.2 trillion, or over 1 per cent, has been disbursed after a year.

Việt Nam discovers network of illegal crossings between Việt Nam, Cambodia for gambling

Vietnamese police have dismantled a large-scale network involved in organising illegal immigration between Việt Nam and Cambodia for gambling activities.

The southern province An Giang's police confirmed that on Friday they apprehended two Vietnamese nationals, Lê Phước Lương, 34 and Nguyễn Việt Phương, 39, both of An Giang, who were facilitating the illegal entry of several individuals from Cambodia into Việt Nam.

Following the arrests of his associates, another man, Võ Văn Sơn, 52, voluntarily surrendered to authorities and disclosed his involvement in the operation.

The members of this network enabled the movement of a significant number of gamblers across the border over an extended period, which has raised considerable public concern, according to the provincial police.

They have detained the individuals as part of an ongoing investigation into their activities related to the organisation of illegal immigration.

Authorities have encouraged any individuals connected to the operation to come forward to benefit from leniency under the law.

Illegal crossings between Việt Nam and Cambodia remain a concern over many years.

In March, Việt Nam received more than 100 citizens who had been arrested and deported by Cambodian authorities on gambling-related charges. 

Also in March, Cambodian authorities conducted a raid at the Paradis Island casino, resulting in the arrest and deportation of 172 foreigners, including over 100 Vietnamese nationals, according to the Khmer Times.

Việt Nam needs to engage men and boys in changing harmful norms related to violence against women, children

Việt Nam has built an inter-sectoral system to prevent violence against women and girls during the past years, in which social workers play an important role.

Đặng Hoa Nam, Director of the Child Affairs Department under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, stated in an event held on Friday in Hà Nội.

He made the statement at the "Roundtable conference on violence against women and children in Việt Nam" organised by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) with financial support from the Australian Government.

The event was held in response to the national action month on gender equality, prevention and response to gender-based violence.

Speaking at the conference, Nam confirmed that Việt Nam had made great progress in preventing violence against women and children.

The Government has strengthened policies such as the Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control, the Law on Children and implemented national programmes to end violence against women and children.

The country has an effective inter-sectoral coordination system, connecting representatives from ministries and sectors, demonstrating the strong commitment of the Government and authorities to create changes in preventing violence against women and children.

The Government also issued a decree on developing social workers, in which one of the priority is ending violence against women and children.

Pauline Tamesis, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Việt Nam, emphasised that in the next decade, Việt Nam needed to focus on integrating support services across sectors, building trust in the community and strengthening data systems.

She proposed making efforts to support the needs of adolescents, listening to the voices of those who have been abused, engaging men and boys and changing harmful norms.

Director Nam confirmed that addressing violence against women and children required collaboration between social welfare, health, justice, policing and education.

Technology, in particular, can help ensure stable support for violence victims.

“Authorities at all levels need to have a reasonable fund and human resources so that intervention measures and prevention of violence against women and girls are more effective and sustainable,” he said.

“Local authorities’ efforts and international organisations’ support will help Việt Nam take the lead in achieving sustainable development goals, including the goal of eliminating violence against women and children,” said Nam.

Sharing lessons from Australia to combat gender-based violence, Micaela Cronin, Australian Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Commissioner, said that in Australia, person-centred approaches and coordinated services were the key to making a difference.

She added that Việt Nam’s integrated strategies were promising.

During the conference, experts agreed that violence against women and children had common root causes of social norms, gender inequality and weak response and support policies.

Violence can last for generations with long-term consequences for physical and mental health. Girls and boys who are exposed to violence are more likely to experience or commit violence as adults.

To break this vicious cycle, there must be a shift in awareness and resolving violence in the community. 

Quang Ngai supports fishermen to register fishing vessels

Authorities in the central province of Quang Ngai have handled registration procedures for 750 fishing vesels, of which 500 units have been licensed.

Efforts are underway to complete the registration of all remaining vessels by the end of 2024.

The move is part of the locality’s efforts to fight illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing following the European Commission (EC) recommendations, aiming to help lift the “yellow card” warning against Vietnam’s seafood exports and ensure the sustainable development of the fisheries sector.

The province's sub-department of fisheries reported that 74.4% of local vessels now have fishing licenses, including nearly 81% of the ones 15m long and over. Their information have also been updated on the National Fisheries Database.

Besides, local authorities are tightening port control to prevent unregistered vessels and those failing to comply with regulations from fishing, said head of the fisheries sub-department Nguyen Van Muoi.

Quang Ngai has five fishing ports eligible for certifying seafood origin, including Tinh Ky, Tinh Hoa, Ly Son, My A and Sa Huynh, each equipped with a fishery control team. These teams inspect vessels entering and leaving ports, enforce regulations, and address violations.

Border guards stationed at these ports are also conducting regular patrols to manage "three-no's" vessels (no registration, no examination, no fishing licenses), Muoi added.

Major Ngo Anh Hieu of the Sa Ky border guard station said border guards have maintained frequent patrols in the vicinity of the Sa Ky port as well as shelter areas to prevent unqualified vessels from fishing.

He noted unregistered vessels attempting to operate at sea are subject to legal action, while authorities also simultaneously encourage their owners to complete their documentation promptly.

Vietnam has been working hard to carry out the EC’s recommendations about IUU fishing prevention and control, towards the goal of having the EC's yellow card lifted.

The EC issued a “yellow card” warning for Vietnam in this regard in 2017. The "yellow card" is followed by a "green card" if the problem is resolved or a "red card" if it is not. A “red card” may lead to a ban on aquatic exports to the EU./.

National target programmes’ effectiveness promoted in ethnic group areas

Over several years, support policies of the Party and State for ethnic groups and mountainous areas have been effective, helping Lào Cai Province gradually improve the spiritual and material lives of local people.

The policies have helped promote socio-economic development, reduce poverty and ensure social security in the locality.

Lý Khánh Lâm, head of the Bát Xát District's Division of Agriculture, said that more than six hectares of passion fruit trees planted in Phìn Ngan Village, Trịnh Tường Commune, were now producing their first harvests with prices of VNĐ30,000-40,000 (US$1.17-1.57) per kilo.

Trịnh Tường Commune is a particularly poor place in the district, the people’s life and income have long depended mainly on growing rice and corn, so there remained many difficulties.

When the commune benefitted from the National Target Programme 1719, including capital to support production, the division studied which could be the most valuable seedlings to put into cultivation and which would gradually push up farmers' income. Passion fruits were selected for trial planting and farmers were given seeds, fertilisers and trellis wires.

“Now, the passion fruit price is good and as soon as the fruit is harvested, traders will come to farming gardens to buy it, so farmers are very excited," said Lâm.

The initial results were so effective, but in the first few days of calling on people to participate in the project, there were many difficulties.

Secretary of the Phìn Ngan Village Party Committee Lò Láo Tả said that the villagers had long been familiar with corn and rice, so when they had heard about growing passion fruit, they were distrustful at first.

To gain their trust and participation, the village’s Party Committee had to take the lead in planting a hundred trees.

Then, by persistently convincing them they could grow alternative crops, the villagers little by little accepted.

“Currently, 15 households grow passion fruits and many others are registering to plant the fruit on their family's land," said Tả.

Another example is Nậm Cọ Village, Khánh Yên Thượng Commune, Văn Bàn District, which has turned to growing cinnamon trees.

The cinnamon growing area in the village is increasingly expanding, bettering the people’s lives.

Previously, the road to the village was full of obstacles, limiting travel and trade, affecting the locals’ income and life.

When the 1.5km long road to the village was built, with a VNĐ2 billion ($78,600) investment from the National Target Programme 1719, it opened up new opportunities for people.

Chairman of the Khánh Yên Thượng Commune People's Committee Nguyễn Văn Hạnh said: "In the early days of calling for the people to donate land to open the road, we faced lots of problems. Many locations along the road were people's production forests, so they did not agree with the plans. Then we analysed the common benefits, so they understood and worked with the local authorities to build the road".

Previously, water for Thào A Hờ's family in Phìn Chải 1 Village, A Lù Commune, was mainly brought from the mountain ravine.

Therefore, the water source was unstable and there were times with no water, which significantly affected his family's daily life.

Last year, Hờ's family was supported with a stainless steel water tank and auxiliary equipment, helping them feel much more secure because they had clean water for daily use.

Knowing that they have a protected source of water, they have felt reassured.

Lồ A Sính, secretary of the A Lù Commune Party Committee, said that in the past, people mainly used cement tanks, jars, and pots to store water.

The water containers did not have lids and were rarely cleaned, so many types of larvae often appeared, posing a risk of disease.

Hundreds of households have been supported with water tanks under the National Target Programme 1719.

According to the projected plan between 2021-2025, Bát Xát District will provide 1,504 water tanks to households. So far, the district has provided 1,926 tanks, exceeding that number already by 422.

After four years of implementing the National Target Programme on Socio-Economic Development for Ethnic Groups and Mountainous Areas for the 2021-25 period in Lào Cai Province, by last year, 119 households received housing investment and 26 public water supply works were built for 3,560 households.

As many as 163 households were helped to purchase machinery and agricultural tools for production.

The programme also supported 4,883 water tanks and 4,825m of water pipes for 4,883 households in the province.

The programme's effective implementation has helped stabilise the lives of ethnic people in the area, creating a solid foundation for them to develop the local economy, improve their quality of life and reduce the levels of poverty. 

Solemn memorial service held for 12 martyrs in military drill incident

A memorial service was held on Sunday in HCM City for 12 soldiers who lost their lives during a military exercise in the southern province of Đồng Nai five days ago.

The event, held at the southern National Funeral House in Gò Vấp District, was attended by former State Presidents Nguyễn Minh Triết and Trương Tấn Sang, former Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng, Secretary of the HCM City Party Committee Nguyễn Văn Nên, and Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Võ Minh Lương.

Veterans and local people also gathered to pay their last respects to the fallen soldiers.

At the event, the organising board posthumously awarded the martyrs with the State President’s third-class National Defence Order, the Prime Minister’s certificate of national merit, and the Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee’s brave youth badge.

Following the memorial service, they were laid to rest in military cemeteries in Bình Dương, Đồng Nai and Bình Thuận provinces as well as other localities, according to each of the martyr's hometown.

The Military Region 7 organised a defence exercise under harsh weather conditions and in complex terrain from December 1-4, per a statement from the Ministry of National December.

At 20:27 on December 2, at the National Shooting Range in Zone 3, while transporting explosives to a designated location amidst heavy rain and thunderstorms, a team of soldiers from Battalion 17, Division 5, the Military Region 7, stopped for a break. Suddenly, an explosion occurred, resulting in many casualties. Initial findings revealed that lightning struck an electric detonator, causing it to trigger and detonate the explosives. 

2,000 people in Hà Nội run for zero violence against women and girls

Trần Nhân Tông pedestrian street and Thiền Quang Lake buzzed with energy and unity on Sunday as over 2,000 runners of all ages, genders and abilities participated in the third annual 'Run for Zero Violence Against Women and Girls in Việt Nam'.

The event is part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with the theme 'Towards 30 years of the Beijing Declaration and platform for action: Unite to end violence against women'.

It is also in response of Việt Nam’s National Action Month on Gender Equality and Gender-based Violence Prevention and Response themed 'Ensuring social security, empowering and creating opportunities for women and girls to achieve gender equality and eliminate gender-based violence' symbolised a powerful collective commitment to ending violence against women and girls.

Building on the success of the previous two years, this year’s run was organised by the Centre for Studies and Applied Sciences in Gender – Family – Women and Adolescent (CSAGA), with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Việt Nam and the Australian Government.

The race champions a vision for a joyful, violence-free life for women and girls, who are often disproportionately affected by gender-based violence - by using a widely loved and accessible sports activity.

Director of the CSAGA, Nguyễn Vân Anh, said: “Joining this event today, we stand for a peaceful, prosperous Việt Nam, saying no to gender-based violence.

“We may be in the minority, or we may be in the majority, but when we come together for something meaningful, I have strong faith in the potential for positive change. Let us celebrate the beauty of diversity, respect the happiness of individuals, couples and families, for a Việt Nam free of gender-based violence,” she said.

UNFPA Representative in Việt Nam Matt Jackson said, "Today’s incredible turnout is a testament to the strength of this community and the growing recognition that violence against women and girls can never be tolerated.

“Together, we are creating a future where everyone can live free from fear of violence. Our efforts today have moved us one step closer to that goal and we will not stop until it is achieved," said Matt.

Development Counsellor of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Cherie Russell said in her speech welcoming runners: “The energy and determination displayed by everyone today is inspiring and it reaffirms our shared commitment to ensuring that no woman or child has to live in fear of violence."

Over 2,000 participants joined the event, including vulnerable communities and people with disabilities, symbolising the inclusivity of the movement to end violence against women and girls.

Participants had the option of running in the 2.5km 'Love' course or the 5km 'Companion' course, each representing solidarity and respect for women and girls.

Beyond the race itself, the event was also the Festival of Love and Happiness, providing a wonderful opportunity for participants to come together.

Educational and awareness-raising activities were held throughout the day, ensuring participants left with a deeper understanding of gender-based violence, the need for collective action and the availability of support services.

The event also amplified the voices of survivors and advocates, fostering a powerful dialogue on prevention and response to gender-based violence.

Following the triumphs of the 2022 and 2023, this year’s race further cemented its role as a flagship initiative for promoting gender equality and raising awareness about violence against women and girls in Việt Nam.

As the runners crossed the finish line, they carried more than medals – the collective hopes of a nation committed to achieving equality, respect and a future free from violence against women and girls.

Power sector must not let electricity shortage happen as the country aspires for double-digit growth

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Sunday attended a conference reviewing the investment and construction progress of the Circuit-3 500kV power transmission line which was completed in record time

The conference was held in-person at the headquarters of the State utility group Electricity Việt Nam (EVN) in Hà Nội and virtually connected to nine provinces and cities through which the transmission line passes (Hưng Yên, Hải Dương, Thái Bình, Nam Định, Ninh Bình, Thanh Hóa, Nghệ An, Hà Tĩnh and Quảng Bình), as well as all 63 local electricity companies across the country.

The 500kV transmission line spans a total length of 519km from Quảng Trạch District (the central province of Quảng Bình) to Phố Nối District (in the northern province of Hưng Yên), comprising 1,177 towers, with a total investment of over VNĐ22.3 trillion (approx. US$878 million). It was implemented under the leadership of the National Power Transmission Corporation (EVNNPT).

This critical and urgent project plays a vital role in ensuring stable power system operations and enhancing electricity supply for northern Việt Nam in 2024 and beyond, contributing significantly to national energy security. Under decisive direction from the Government and support from relevant authorities and local residents, EVN and EVNNPT completed the project within just over six months – a feat that typically takes three to four years, according to EVN.

Completing such a massive project within a historically short time frame has provided valuable lessons for the power sector and future national projects, particularly in areas such as investment procedures, land and forest use conversion, site clearance, procurement and resource mobilisation.

Speaking at the conference, PM Chính highlighted the remarkable growth of Việt Nam's power sector and its ability to meet the country’s developmental demands without disruptions.

He commended the efforts and contributions of all stakeholders, including local authorities, citizens and supporting organisations.

The Government leader underscored the project’s success as evidence of the power sector’s critical role in ensuring national energy security.

"Nothing is impossible with determination, bold thinking, and effective execution,” he said, noting that the project’s success boosts the sector’s reputation and confidence.

Drawing on lessons from this project, he stressed the importance of collective efforts, innovative thinking, resolving institution bottlenecks, accurate prioritisation and clear delegation in completing major national projects along with frequent inspections and assessment to accelerate the progress.

In the coming years, PM Chính said that to meet Việt Nam's target of double-digit economic growth in the decades ahead, electricity growth will need to outpace GDP growth, as each percentage point of GDP growth requires approximately 1.5 percentage points of electricity growth. Therefore, the power sector must achieve breakthroughs, undertake monumental projects, and implement transformative initiatives to ensure no electricity shortages.

He encouraged the sector to harness all available resources, leverage advanced technologies like AI and IoT or cloud technologies and big data, and uphold integrity to prevent corruption and inefficiency.

Expressing confidence in the sector’s future, PM Chính urged the sector to build on 2024’s achievements and deliver even greater success in 2025, ensuring stable and reliable electricity for economic and social development for the era of nation's rise. 

The VinFuture 2024 Grand Prize honours 5 scientists for transformational contributions to the advancement of deep learning

The VinFuture Foundation honoured four scientific breakthroughs in 2024 at a ceremony in Hà Nội on December 6.

Speaking at the event, Prime Minster Phạm Minh Chính affirmed Việt Nam’s commitment to creating the most favourable conditions for scientists, science, technology and innovation to shine and develop strongly increasingly.

”Việt Nam always pays special attention to science, technology and innovation, considering this an objective requirement, a strategic choice, a top priority and a national policy to promote rapid and sustainable development in the new era - an era of prosperity and prosperity for the nation, as the Party General Secretary Tô Lâm has oriented,” stressed PM Chính.

The Prime Minister also hoped scientists, the business community, and domestic and international partners would continue to cooperate closely and support more effectively so that Việt Nam can continue to have breakthrough developments in improving scientific and technological capacity and innovation.

“With the spirit of "harmonious benefits, shared risks", Việt Nam always welcomes and encourages scientists, business communities and investors to realise ideas, opportunities and investment projects in Việt Nam,” added PM Chính.

The US$3 million Grand Prize of the 2024 VinFuture Prize was awarded to five scientists, including Professor Yoshua Bengio, Professor Geoffrey E. Hinton, Mr. Jen-Hsun Huang, Professor Yann LeCun, and Professor Fei-Feil Li, for their transformational contributions to the advancement of deep learning.

Advances in deep learning have opened a transformative era for technological innovation, enabling machines to learn from vast amounts of data and achieve unprecedented accuracy in tasks such as image recognition, natural language processing, and decision-making.

Professors Geoff E. Hinton, Yann LeCun and Yoshua Bengio have made groundbreaking contributions to neural networks and deep learning algorithms, while Mr. Jen-Hsun Huang pioneered accelerated computing platforms that facilitated the modern era of AI computing.

Professor Fei-Fei Li’s creation of the ImageNet dataset further drove advances in visual recognition systems, making it possible to train models at scale.

Since 2012, deep learning has become a dominant tool in driving rapid advancements across sectors such as healthcare, autonomous systems, and financial services and shaping the future of innovation.

In addition to the VinFuture Grand Prize, three Special Prizes, each valued at $500,000, have been awarded to innovators with outstanding achievements in emerging fields, women innovators and innovators from developing countries.

The 2024 VinFuture Special Prize for Innovators with Outstanding Achievements in Emerging Fields is awarded to Professor Zelig Eshhar, Professor Carl H. June, and Professor Michel Sadelain for the development of CAR T cell therapy for cancer and other diseases.

Professor Zelig Eshhar's groundbreaking work transformed cancer treatment by developing CAR T cell therapy, a "living drug" that has saved many lives and sparked a thriving biopharmaceutical industry. This innovation offers hope for new medical applications and affordable treatments worldwide.

Professors Carl H. June and Michel Sadelain built on this progress, further improving CAR T cell therapy to effectively treat cancer and autoimmune diseases that resist standard therapies. Their pioneering work led to the approval of the first CAR T cell therapy by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2017 for childhood and young adult acute lymphocytic leukaemias and is now considered for clinical care worldwide.

The 2024 VinFuture Special Prize for Innovators from Developing Countries has honoured Bangladeshi Dr. Firdausi Qadri for the innovative improvement of oral cholera vaccination in developing countries.

Dr. Firdausi Qadri has played a key role in improving vaccination against cholera, a severe diarrheal disease due to the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, that occurs after ingestion of contaminated food or water and remains a major public health concern, particularly in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water.

Dr. Firdausi Qadri at the International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh has performed large-scale clinical studies with a Vietnamese live vaccine strain which allowed her to conclude on the benefit, power and safety of a single oral dose of an affordable vaccine and consequently on the possibility to perform large-scale vaccination campaigns in her own country and in other poor countries, to prevent outbreaks. Controlling cholera outbreaks at the source enhances global public health security, preventing the spread of the disease across borders.

The 2024 VinFuture Special Prize for Women Innovators has honoured Prof. Kristi S. Anseth for advancement in the design of polymeric biomaterials and methods for biomedical applications.

Professor Kristi Anseth is a pioneer, who has developed biomaterial cell culture systems, to decipher extracellular matrix (ECM) signals that regulate tissue development, maintenance and regeneration. She designed a synthetic ECM that captures the unique cell and dynamic tissue microenvironment in three-dimensional space that can be modulated on demand, providing a means to study 4D-biology. She studies how cells exchange information with the ECM and applies this knowledge to engineer biomaterials for tissue regeneration and disease states, as well as screening drugs.

She is renowned for blending modern molecular and cellular biology with engineering and mathematics to produce the next generation of biomaterials that are tissue substitutes able to restore, maintain, or improve tissue function.

“The 2024 VinFuture Prize Laureates have all made advances that have changed the world, and have brought unexpected and powerful new tools. The Grand Prize recognises the unprecedented advances in Artificial intelligence. It celebrates three elements that together have propelled this success: fundamental advances in deep learning, data sets and the silicon GPU hardware. This year’s three Special Prizes celebrate advances in three very different areas of healthcare. These illustrate the breadth of science and technology that can bring practical and powerful solutions. The vision that the Founders set – to celebrate the potential for discovery and innovation to bring real benefits to societies across the whole globe – is very clearly delivered in the set of this year’s prize winners,” said professor Sir Richard Friend, FRS, VinFuture Prize Council Chair.

The four winning works were rigorously curated from a pool of nearly 1,500 impressive nominations spanning more than 80 countries and territories worldwide. These groundbreaking achievements have the potential to significantly impact humanity’s present and future, particularly in critical fields like computer science, public health and global health, material science, and generative medicine. Not only do these innovations offer solutions to universal challenges, but they also play a pivotal role in shaping the future of humanity.

Christmas and New Year crackdown on driving offences nationwide

Traffic police nationwide will conduct mass traffic inspections from December 15 till February 14, 2025 as part of a plan to ensure traffic safety and order during the New Year holidays (Jan 1, 2025) and traditional Lunar new year festivals.

According to the Traffic Police Department, under the Ministry of Public Security, inspections will be made on roads, railways, and waterways.

Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be subject to random testing and if they fail, officers will notify the drivers' work place if they are working in the armed forces, or as civil servants, or public employees.

Inspections will also be strengthened on speeding, driving in the wrong lane, and illegal parking.

Police will clamp down on commercial transport businesses with outdated vehicles, those without journey monitoring devices or others with non-functional devices.

Police will also impose strict penalties on students who violate traffic laws and adults who give motorbikes to underage students to drive.

On waterways, the police will look for instances of overloading and check passenger transportation and spots that offer tourism activities, festivals, entertainment, recreation and overnight accommodation on inland waterways.

Police and local authorities are determined to suspend operations of stations and vehicles that do not ensure safe conditions, especially those that do not comply with regulations on safety equipment for people and vehicles travelling on waterways.

Violations that cause unsafe railway traffic, especially at level crossings and self-opened paths, will also face inspections. 

Grassroots health network upgraded for better primary services

Thousands of grassroots medical facilities have been upgraded to ensure access to primary healthcare services.

In total, more than 460 commune-level health stations and 14 district-level health centres have been built under the World Bank-backed project "Investing and Innovating for Grassroots Health Service Delivery", while 1,703 health stations were provided with standard medical equipment to match local demands.

Meanwhile, 97 per cent of healthcare staff at commune-level stations have had training to improve their professional capacity.

Speaking at the project’s closing workshop on Friday, Minister of Health Đào Hồng Lan said that this project is proof of international cooperation efforts to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of the grassroots healthcare network.

The health network is considered a priority to help Việt Nam realise its goal of universal healthcare cover and sustainable health development goals, within the current limited resources.

The project was carried out across 13 economically disadvantaged provinces across the country: Hà Giang, Bắc Kạn, Sơn La, Yên Bái, Hòa Bình, Quảng Bình, Quảng Trị, Quảng Ngãi, Trà Vinh, Ninh Thuận, Hậu Giang, Bạc Liêu, and Long An.

The project is significant to the healthcare sector and particularly the grassroots healthcare network of these localities. It also boasted a high disbursement rate of 90 per cent with only a small amount of remaining loan funds, mainly due to changes in exchange rates.

Dr Phan Lê Thu Hằng, director of the Central Project Management Unit, said that this project is very different from other health projects funded by the ODA (official development assistance). Instead of allocating funds using mechanisms of the state budget, the participating provinces adopted a re-loan mechanism.

These localities take on the role of the investor of the sub-projects in their areas, carrying out all the major investment activities.

The project had faced obstacles during the preparation and implementation process, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, despite being interrupted for nearly two years, the project met its deadline and brought positive results to grassroots healthcare services, notably the implementation of quality checklists, educational healthcare campaigns and health screening advocacy.

The World Bank considered Investing and Innovating for Grassroots Health Service Delivery Project to be the best-performing among its health projects in Việt Nam, despite the challenging context in which it was carried out.

Hà Nội inaugurates its main data centre

The Hà Nội People's Committee on Friday held an inauguration ceremony for the city’s main data centre at Hoà Lạc Hi-Tech Park.

This marks a significant milestone in Hà Nội’s efforts to complete its core information technology infrastructure, supporting digital transformation and the development of a digital government.

Speaking at the event, Nguyễn Việt Hùng, Director of the municipal Department of Information and Communications, highlighted the project's groundbreaking shift from self-operated IT infrastructure to a service-based IT model. This approach has proven to be effective, cost-efficient, and is being prioritised by the government.

The centre is built on state-of-the-art private cloud technology, featuring a multi-layered security system that offers enhanced performance, safety and flexibility for users.

Following the required investment procedures, a consortium comprising VNPT Group, Sun Viet Telecommunication Informatics Technology Development JSC (SVTECH), and Vinaphone Telecommunications Services Corporation was selected and signed the contract on July 10, 2024.

The infrastructure is located at VNPT’s data centre in the Hoà Lạc Hi-Tech Park, one of Việt Nam's largest and most advanced data centres. Its six-layer security system ensures international-standard protection for customer data, offering the highest level of safety.

The centre is managed by a team of highly experienced IT engineers and experts, most of whom hold advanced certifications in data centre operations. It features stable connectivity, high reliability, robust security and around-the-clock monitoring, with the capability to expand as needed.

The centre integrates cutting-edge technologies, offering practical benefits to residents and businesses, while serving as a foundation for Hà Nội’s future development.

During the ceremony, Vice Chairman of the city’s People’s Committee Hà Minh Hải emphasised the critical role of the main data centre as core infrastructure for secure and efficient data storage, connection and processing. It consolidates and analyses data from various sectors, including the economy, society, transportation, healthcare and education.

With advanced cloud computing technology, multi-layered security and flexible scalability, the centre ensures data safety and efficiency. It also integrates modern technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data and the Internet of Things to deliver significant, practical benefits.

For the Government, it provides a unified and secure data infrastructure, enabling scientific, accurate and fast data-driven decision-making. By integrating data from various management systems, the Government can implement end-to-end online public services with transparency and oversight, while facilitating seamless data exchange across departments for improved efficiency.

For residents, the centre enables access to convenient, technology-driven public services that are faster and more user-friendly.

For businesses, it supports innovation and enhances competitiveness through improved access to digital tools and data integration.

In addition, the effective application of data allows residents to access practical services such as electronic health records, digital identification through the VNeID application, along with real-time information on traffic and urban environmental conditions.

“The centre’s multi-layered security system ensures the protection of personal data, reducing the risk of information leaks or misuse,” Hải said.

He further highlighted that the centre provides a cutting-edge technological infrastructure, enabling businesses to leverage data for the development of new products and services, thereby enhancing their competitiveness.

With its rich data resources and secure infrastructure, the centre serves as a foundation for start-ups to test and implement technological ideas, fostering Hà Nội’s start-up ecosystem.

Moreover, the centre facilitates data sharing and connection between businesses and regulatory authorities, as well as with other partners, thereby expanding opportunities for large-scale business collaboration and partnerships.

Photo contest Happy Việt Nam 2024 awards to take place today

The awards ceremony for the 'Happy Việt Nam 2024 Photo and Video Contest' will be held at the Hà Nội Opera House on December 11.

Organised by the Ministry of Information and Communications in partnership with the Việt Nam Association of Photographic Artists, the event will showcase the finest entries and honour the prize winners.

The ceremony starts at 8pm and will be broadcast live on VTV4, livestreamed on VTV Digital and shared on the Vietnam Image Promotion Platform (https://vietnam.vn).

The competition highlights stories of joy, resilience and love for the country through stunning photography and captivating videos.

Open to participants from all over the world, this year’s competition attracted an impressive 10,327 entries from 6,863 contributors. Among them were 581 international artists and 265 overseas Vietnamese, with many returning participants from the 2023 contest.

After months of careful evaluation, the judges selected 210 standout works, 60 videos and 150 photos, to be featured in the exhibition. Of these, 34 will receive prestigious awards, including gold, silver, and bronze medals and consolation prizes, with the prize pool reaching more than VNĐ400 million (US$15,756).

After the ceremony, the award-winning works will be exhibited in Việt Nam and abroad to promote the country’s rich culture, vibrant people and the collective aspiration for a thriving, happy future. 

Experts share innovations in treating cardiovascular disease and stroke

Domestic and international scientists and medical experts discussed new solutions in treating cardiovascular disease and stroke - the two leading causes of death in the world - at a symposium on December 5.

The forum, entitled 'Innovations in Transforming Cardiovascular Health and Stroke Outcomes', is the last event of the series of Science for Life symposia within the framework of the 2024 VinFuture Sci-Tech Week in Hà Nội.

Experts said that cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally. In 2021, cardiovascular diseases claimed 20.5 million lives, accounting for nearly one-third of all deaths. Of these, 85 per cent were due to heart attacks and strokes, while more than 80 per cent of deaths from cardiovascular diseases occur in low and middle-income countries.

Professor Valery Feigin, from the Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand, said that more than 70 per cent of strokes are related to blood pressure. In the last 10 years, the incidence and prevalence of stroke have increased again while expensive treatment costs create an economic burden, especially in lower-income countries.

“Việt Nam is the country with the highest stroke rate globally, which is four times higher than New Zealand. On average globally, one in four people has a stroke. This ratio in Việt Nam is three-one. Of which 53 per cent of people with stroke are under the age of 70.”

Associate Prof. Mai Duy Tôn, Director of the Stroke Centre at Bạch Mai General Hospital in Hà Nội, said that Việt Nam reports more than 2,000 new stroke cases each year, while the number of deaths within 90 days is about 10 per cent.

“Strokes in Việt Nam not only tend to increase the mortality rate but are increasingly occurring in younger people,” stressed the professor.

Prof. Alta Schutte, of the University of New South Wales, Australia and a member of the VinFuture Preliminary Council, said that controlling blood pressure is the root factor in preventing stroke. Statistics show that more than 70 per cent of strokes are related to high blood pressure.

However, Schutte said: " Only about 23 per cent of women and 18 per cent of men in the world have their blood pressure effectively controlled. Among them, low- and middle-income countries, including Việt Nam, face this alarming rate.”

She also said that delays in treatment or non-compliance with treatment regimens are major challenges. The main causes are a lack of patient awareness, inaccurate blood pressure measurement procedures and the implementation of complex treatment regimens. These challenges require innovative solutions, from improving blood pressure measuring equipment to developing more convenient treatments.

Prof. Schutte said that prevention of cardiovascular disease depends on controlling key risk factors, including smoking, an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, alcohol abuse and air pollution. It is important to detect cardiovascular disease as early as possible so that treatment can begin with counselling and medication.

Progressive intervention solutions such as using combination pills, medical care, using potassium-rich salt are creating positive changes in cardiovascular health care and stroke treatment. Digital transformation in the health sector also helps expand the capacity for care, prevention and early diagnosis, especially in areas with limited resources, she said.

Professor Schutte also added that advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence are and will play an important role in stroke prevention and treatment solutions. This can also become a solution for everyone, including people with low and medium incomes, to access information, raise awareness and receive comprehensive health care.

Associate Prof. Nguyễn Ngọc Quang, Deputy Director of the National Heart Institute, Bạch Mai Hospital, said that factors such as air pollution, high smoking rates and unhealthy diet are the main causes of the high stroke rates in Việt Nam.

Quang said that the burden of cardiovascular disease is a global problem and needs to be addressed comprehensively. He also proposed a comprehensive treatment model that combines many specialities, from medical care at the hospital to psychological support and rehabilitation at home.

“Artificial intelligence (AI) application solutions in diagnosis and treatment are opening up many new opportunities to improve treatment quality in Việt Nam. Many new treatment methods, applying new technology as well as new drugs for blood pressure, have helped increase patient life expectancy by at least six years,” said Prof. Quang.

Prof. Tôn also shared plans to reduce stroke rates in Việt Nam in the next five years, including raising public awareness, improving treatment regimens and enhancing coordination between medical specialisms. 

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