The Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) will offer nearly 2,700 free-of-charge train and air tickets for disadvantaged workers to return home for Tet (Lunar New Year) celebration.

It will arrange three flights to carry more than 670 labourers working in southern provinces and cities to their hometowns in the North.

The flights will depart from Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City and will land in Vinh Airport in Nghe An, Tho Xuan Airport in Thanh Hoa, Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi and Cat Bi Airport in Hai Phong on February 6-8 next year.

Meanwhile, some 2,000 workers will be given free train tickets to return home in the North on trains running on February 4-7, and return to the South on February 13-17.

The organisation of these activities aims to create favourable conditions for trade union members and workers to reunite with their families on the upcoming Tet festival and go back to work in a smooth and safe manner, according to Phan Van Anh, VGCL Vice Chairman.

He added that the VGCL will make the presentation of free transport tickets to workers an annual activity during the 2023-2028 tenure.

The Lunar New Year (or Tet in Vietnamese) is the biggest and most important festival in Vietnam. The 2024 Lunar New Year’s Day falls on February 10.

Binh Thuan intensifies measures against IUU fishing

The south-central province of Binh Thuan has continued to intensify measures to address shortcomings and outstanding problems in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, in a bid to have the European Commission (EC)’s “yellow card” warning against Vietnam’s seafood exports lifted.

One of the key tasks is to closely manage local shipping vessels and resolutely prevent fishing vessels and fishermen from illegally exploiting seafood in foreign waters.

The provincial People’s Committee requires the heads of party committees, local administrations and agencies to personally direct and take responsibility for the results of combating IUU fishing in their units and localities.

Communication activities have been intensified to enhance vessels' owners and captains' knowledge and awareness of regulations related to IUU fishing.

The provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development was required to direct the Fisheries Sub-department to continue coordinating with coastal localities to review all registered fishing vessels to identify those which have fishing licences expired or have not yet installed monitoring equipment to guide ship owners to carry out necessary procedures, ensure that all fishing vessels are registered, get fishing licences and update data into the national fishery database. 

Other agencies like border guards, coastal guards and fishing ports’ authorities were also asked to strengthen inspections at sea and fishing ports to ensure fishing boats follow regulations when leaving and landing at ports as well as fishing at sea.

The monitoring centre is tasked with closely monitoring all fishing vessels at sea and strictly handle those which violate rules on connection.

After nearly six years implementing anti-IUU measures, the province has made many improvements in enforcing legal regulations associated with the EC’s recommendations to join national efforts in removing the “yellow card” warning on Vietnamese seafood.

As many as 5,940 fishing boats with a length of 6m and above, or 76% of the total fishing vessels in the province, have been registered and updated on the national fisheries database system. All fishing boats measuring at least 15 metres in length completed the installation of the vessel monitoring system (VMS).

Since the beginning of this year, competent agencies have handled 366 cases of violating fishing regulations and imposed fines worth nearly 3.5 billion VND (144,370 USD).

Vietnam-Singapore volunteer project gives Ben Tre primary school facelift

A ceremony took place in the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre’s Giong Trom district on December 15 to mark the completion of a Vietnam-Singapore volunteer project that gave a facelift to the local Phuoc Long 2 primary school.

The project worth 50 million VND (2,059 USD) was funded and implemented by YMCA Vietnam Social Co., Ltd and 20 students from the Singapore Management University (SMU). Between December 4 and 15, the students joined hands to renovate two classrooms at the school’s auxiliary site.

On the occasion, the company and Singaporean group presented the school 40 sets of English books and various learning tools.

Vice President of the provincial chapter of the VietnamYouth Federation Tran Kim Phang said he appreciated YMCA Vietnam’s efforts in connecting with many students from Singapore, who have come to Ben Tre to undertake practical projects benefiting students at various local schools this year.

In May and September, there were 22 volunteer Singaporean students from the Institute of Technical Education and 19 from the National University of Singapore joined two projects to build playgrounds at Ben Tre’s Phuoc Long 2 and Phuoc Ngai elementary schools, whose total cost amounted to 120 million VND.

Medal winners in international Olympiad contests to be honoured

The Ministry of Education and Training will hold a ceremony to honour Vietnamese students who have won medals at the international Olympiad and science and technology contests this year.

This year the Ministry of Education and Training has sent 36 Vietnamese students to the international competitions who brought home eight gold, 12 silver, and 12 bronze medals, along with four certificates of merit.

Furthermore, Vietnamese teams continued to be among the top 10 best performers.

Most notably, the Vietnamese student team also won the third-place prize at the 2023 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Regeneron ISEF 2023) Grand Awards which was held in Dallas, USA, in addition to a Special Award presented by the US Agency for International Development.

According to the organising board, the commendation ceremony is a meaningful event which creates a pervasive power, inspiring students across the country to strive forward in their learning.

New visions for satellite towns of the capital city

As Hà Nội undertakes the adjustment of the Capital's General Planning and Hà Nội Capital Planning, a concerted effort is directed towards elevating satellite urban models to a higher standard, ensuring the scientific basis and practicality of these projects from the approval stage.

The General Planning of Hà Nội Capital City until 2030, with a vision to 2050, was initially sanctioned by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 1259/QĐ-TTg on July 26, 2011 (Plan 1259). This decision outlined the central urban structure and identified five satellite metropolitan areas and towns.

Despite over 12 years since approval, the progress in implementing planned satellite towns has been sluggish.

The capital city authorities have then opted to streamline the number of satellite urban areas from five to two as part of the project, amending the Capital's general planning until 2045, with a vision extending to 2065.

Nguyễn Trọng Kỳ Anh, the Director of Hà Nội’s Department of Planning and Architecture, acknowledged the shortcomings in the development of the satellite urban area model in recent years, prompting a comprehensive review and redefinition of the model and its corresponding roadmap.

He said in response to changing circumstances, Hà Nội Capital City has decided to proceed with only two satellite urban areas: Sơn Tây and Phú Xuyên.

Vice Chairman of the Hà Nội People's Committee, Dương Đức Tuấn, said that the Phú Xuyên satellite urban area had been identified as a key potential development zone due to its strategic alignment with the construction plan for Hà Nội's southern airport, the high-speed railway, and the Red River waterway transport system.

The city envisions transforming Phú Xuyên into an industrial urban area, a pivotal transportation hub, and a goods transhipment centre.

Conversely, the Sơn Tây satellite urban area is oriented towards maximising traditional cultural values. The goal is to create distinctive tourism products, accentuating architectural and historical elements. This includes the restoration of ancient villages and the old town, culminating in the establishment of an intangible exhibition centre and a venue for showcasing traditional cultural heritage.

To translate the new planning into practical action, vice president of the Việt Nam Planning and Urban Development Association, architect Đào Ngọc Nghiêm, highlights the significance of Resolution No. 15/NQ-TW, outlining directions and tasks for Hà Nội Capital's development until 2030, with a vision extending to 2045.

The resolution emphasises the need to "focus on forming several new growth pillars, gradually creating urban clusters and satellite cities."

To effectively execute this directive, there is a requirement for a unified understanding and a well-defined roadmap, Nghiêm said.

For Hà Nội, this model aligns with current and future development practices of the capital. By adopting this approach, the city can establish additional growth poles in industry, education, commercial services, culture, physical education, and sports. He said this strategy aims to alleviate pressure on the central urban area, particularly concerning environmental and infrastructural concerns.

While interconnected with the centre, Satellite towns serve independent functions, harmonising with natural elements and preserving traditional culture. They contribute to the creation of green and ecological spaces. Looking ahead, these satellite cities are envisioned as areas conducive to startups, fostering innovation, and adapting to the dynamics of both a youthful and ageing population.

Former Deputy Minister of Construction Lê Quang Hưng acknowledges Hà Nội's urban development orientation, supporting the central urban structure, satellite urban areas, and the "City within a city" concept.

He emphasises the need to address limitations observed during the 12 years of implementing Plan 1259. He said the model of satellite cities, or "cities within a city", requires synchronised investment to form a complete urban structure, fulfilling all the residents' living and working needs.

This demands substantial investment resources, balanced planning, and a reasonable timeframe for implementation in accordance with legal standards for new development models, Hưng said.

To ensure the practicality and feasibility of the new planning, Vice Chairman of the Hà Nội People's Committee, Dương Đức Tuấn, emphasised the need for comprehensive synchronisation. Alongside the preparation of a project to adjust the General Planning of Hà Nội Capital City until 2045, with a vision to 2065, aligned with the Hà Nội Capital City Planning for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, the city has formulated an urban development programme covering the entire city.

This programme encompasses crucial aspects such as zoning, progress, roadmap, implementation resources, key areas, development priorities, preservation and enhancement zones, and investment and management solutions for urban-rural areas.

Following approval of the project to adjust the Capital General Planning and Hà Nội Capital Planning by the Prime Minister, this comprehensive programme will be submitted to the City Party Committee for consideration and approval.​ 

Hà Nội aims to elevate service satisfaction amid impressive administrative reforms

While Hà Nội's administrative reform index stands at an impressive third out of 63 provinces and cities nationwide for managing administrative documents and procedures, reflecting commendable accuracy and timeliness, city leaders are not satisfied and are determined to achieve even better results.

The Hà Nội People's Committee held a scientific conference earlier this week, addressing the issue under the theme "Improving and Enhancing the Satisfaction of People and Organisations with the Services of Agencies and Units in Hà Nội City."

Speaking at the conference, Trần Đình Cảnh, head of Hà Nội's Department of Home Affairs, highlighted the centrality of administrative reform in recent years for Hà Nội. The city has undertaken a holistic approach, encompassing institutional reform, streamlining administrative procedures, restructuring organisations, reforming civil services, and advancing public finance. Additionally, there is a notable focus on the development of e-government and digital government.

Since 2019, continuous surveys and evaluations of satisfaction among residents and organisations regarding administrative services have been regularly conducted across Hà Nội's 30 districts and 22 departments and branches. These initiatives empower state administrative agencies to grasp the needs and expectations of the people, facilitating targeted solutions to enhance service quality and overall satisfaction.

Speaking at the conference, Hà Minh Hải, Vice Chairman of the Hà Nội People's Committee, emphatically stated that enhancing satisfaction with the services provided by Hà Nội's administrative agencies is a central goal and leadership requirement for the city.

The capital city has issued comprehensive directives, ensuring understanding at all levels and branches, as well as among each cadre, civil servant, and public employee. These directives emphasise administrative discipline and are coupled with efforts to improve the service quality of state administrative agencies throughout the city.

The objective is to enhance the satisfaction of people and organisations with government services at all levels. The city's administrative system is progressively advancing towards more professionalism, modernisation, integration, and service excellence, with a vision to establish a "Digital government" and a "Smart city."

Despite these strides, there are still areas where people's satisfaction and concerns need more focused and decisive attention from all levels and sectors within the city, Hải said. Practical solutions and implementation roadmaps are essential, particularly in critical areas that significantly impact social life and security.

In addressing forthcoming responsibilities, Vice Chairman Hải stressed the imperative of active engagement from the entire political system and the public in the governance activities across all government levels. The primary focus will involve scrutinising and integrating crucial policy content into the revised draft of Capital Law.

Moreover, there will be an emphasis on advancing digital infrastructure, information technology infrastructure, and information systems to streamline administrative procedures, facilitate feedback, and enhance recommendation channels, ultimately elevating people's satisfaction.

"To enhance people's satisfaction, the city must advance the construction of a digital government and prioritise the human factor," he said.

He also highlighted the importance of Hà Nội's civil servants clearly understanding their mission, ensuring the implementation of three fundamental principles: respecting the law, actively listening, and maintaining a positive attitude towards seeking advice and serving.

Simultaneously, Đỗ Thanh Huyền, a public policy analyst at UNDP Việt Nam, emphasised that Hà Nội's 2022 PAPI (Provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance) index reached 43.9 points, positioning it within the "high" scoring group. However, specific indices, including "Public administrative procedures," "Electronic governance," "Public service provision," and "Environmental management," are categorised into the "medium" and "low" groups.

Based on the outcomes above, Huyền suggested that Hà Nội should pinpoint weak areas and notable declines during the 2021-2022 period.

This identification will enable the city to prioritise specific areas and implement impactful solutions to improve and enhance people's satisfaction significantly. In addition to earnestly implementing anti-corruption measures within the public sector, Hà Nội City, along with its agencies and units, should establish effective communication channels between the government and the public. She said these channels should not only disseminate information but also offer detailed explanations regarding existing issues. 

Hà Nội gains positive economic growth and recovery

The economy of Hà Nội has maintained positive growth and recovery this year, despite the many difficulties and challenges in the political and economic situation in the world and the country.

According to the Hà Nội Department of Statistics, the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) in November was estimated to increase by 0.3 per cent over the previous month and by 4.6 per cent over the same period in 2022.

Overall, in 11 months this year, the IIP rose by 2.9 per cent over the same period in 2022, of which the processing and manufacturing industry increased by 2.4 per cent and electricity production and distribution by 7 per cent.

Several processing and manufacturing industries saw a significant increase in the IIP compared to the same period last year, with beverage production rising by 17.7 per cent, repair and maintenance of machinery and equipment 16.9 per cent, production of drugs, pharmaceutical chemicals and medicinal materials 11.3 per cent, cigarette production 9.5 per cent, wood processing and products 7 per cent, food processing and production 6.9 per cent, and furniture production 6.4 per cent.

Meanwhile, some industries decreased in IIP, including manufacturing machinery and equipment, apparel production, leather and related products, metal, electrical equipment, and electronic and computer production.

Domestic production increased, but export turnover decreased.

In November, the export turnover was estimated to reach US$1.46 billion, increasing by 4 per cent against previous months but dropping by 4,3% compared to last year.

For 11 months this year, merchandise export turnover is about US$15.2 billion, down 2 per cent from the same period last year.

The city has attracted $49.7 million and $2.65 billion of foreign direct investment in November and 11 months, respectively.

The Hà Nội Department of Industry and Trade said that due to the decline in global trade, essential export industrial products suffered a lack of orders.

In addition to the export market, the purchasing power of the domestic demand has also decreased, affecting enterprises' production capacity. At the same time, input costs have increased, so industrial production activities from the beginning of 2023 until now have faced many difficulties and challenges.

Nguyễn Văn Thuận, an official of the Hà Nội Industrial and Export Processing Zone Management Board, said that from the beginning of the year, as the global supply chain continues to weaken, the decrease in demand for consumer goods has directly affected several businesses in industrial zones.

“As the number of orders dropped or there were no orders, production and business activities decreased by about 30 to 50 per cent compared to last year,” Thuận said.

“The decline in manufacturing activity has caused many businesses to cut working hours or jobs,” he said.

To support businesses, the city has started construction on 19 out of 43 industrial zones that were approved by the Government in the 2018 - 2020 period.

The zones will help attract further domestic and foreign enterprises to invest in production and business development.

The city also organises activities to connect businesses participating in domestic and international production, business and supply chains.

Besides, the city has provided information about Free Trade Agreements (FTA) and Chinese border gates for businesses to understand and prepare for import and export activities.

International events such as the Industry Fair, Industrial, Machinery, Equipment and Automation Products Fair, and Energy and Environment Fair (ENTECH 2023) were organised for businesses to connect with investors and customers to expand markets and enhance transfer technology.

Since earlier this year, the department, in co-ordination with relevant sectors and departments has implemented tasks and solutions to promote industrial development focusing on key industries in the city.

So far, the city has a total 196 key industrial products by 132 businesses in the industries of mechanical and manufacturing, power electronics, information technology, textiles, footwear, agricultural and food processing, chemical, rubber, plastic, pharmaceutical, construction materials and handicrafts.

To enhance industrial production growth of the last month this year, the municipal People’s Committee has asked the department to guide relevant sectors and agencies to synchronously carry out measures and solutions as well as closely watch developments in the world economy, and grasp market information to support associations and businesses to exploit and promote traditional and potential markets.

The department further helps businesses to seek foreign partners, orders and markets via international workshops, fairs and exhibitions, as well as strengthen the campaign “Vietnamese people prioritise using Vietnamese products” and trade promotion of e-commerce platform, especially trans-border ones.

Departments and agencies have been asked to simplify administrative procedures to create favourable conditions for businesses to access preferential credit sources, and offer measures to solve issues relating to VAT refund, tax, and fee and land rent reduction and exemption to promote production and trade.

Trần Thị Phương Lan, acting director of the Hà Nội Department of Industry and Trade, said that the city will continue to support businesses in reforming and improving production capacity to increase the localisation rate of products.

Businesses need to proactively grasp and propose policies and invest in advanced technology and techniques to meet the requirements for deep participation in the global production chain, said Lan. 

Deputy PM extends Christmas greetings in Binh Thuan, Dong Nai provinces

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang visited and congratulated the Phan Thiet Diocese in the south-central province of Binh Thuan on December 16, on the occasion of the Christmas season this year.

The Deputy PM extended congratulations to Bishop Do Manh Hung, who is also Secretary General of the Vietnam Episcopal Council, wishing him and local Catholic dignitaries and followers a peaceful, joyful, and blessed Christmas season and a happy New Year.

Bishop Hung pledged that in the coming time, the Catholic community of the Phan Thiet Diocese will continue following the State’s policies, guidelines and laws, actively joining patriotic emulation movements, thereby contributing to the country's  development.

On the same day, Deputy PM Tran Luu Quang also conveyed Christmas greetings to Bishop of the Xuan Loc Diocese Do Van Ngan and its Catholic community in Long Khanh city in the southern province of Dong Nai.

The Xuan Loc Diocese was established in 1965, separating from the Archdiocese of Sai Gon. It is now home to the largest number of followers among the 27 dioceses of the Catholic Church in Vietnam, with about 1.1 million followers, nearly 700 priests, and almost 2,500 monks and nuns.

Soc Trang province aims to develop agriculture sustainably

Soc Trang province has set a goal for its agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector to account for 40 % of its gross regional domestic product (GRDP) next year, according to its Party Committee.

The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province also aims for the production value of its farmland to be 240 million VND (9,800 USD) per hectare next year.

To reach the targets of next year, the province will continue to restructure agricultural production in 2021-2025 and develop value chains and concentrated farming areas, use advanced farming techniques and high quality farming standards, develop production codes for farming areas and expand markets for agricultural products.

The province has about 280,300ha of farmland, accounting for 84% of its total area, which ranks fifth among the delta’s 12 provinces and Can Tho city.

It has favourable conditions for developing diversified agricultural products and sustainable agricultural production.

It has effectively implemented projects and plans which restructure agricultural production to suit each locality and will gradually switch from small-scale animal breeding to large-scale farms.

Relevant departments and agencies have tightened management of the quality of materials for agricultural production and diseases, focusing on improving the quality of seeds and seedlings for cultivation to improve quality and yield.

The province has taken measures to prevent and control saltwater intrusion and drought this year to secure irrigation water for agricultural production, and has treated erosion along rivers, canals and coasts to protect agricultural production and the safety of local people, according to its Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Local authorities have encouraged farmers to restructure their crop cultivation to improve income and proactively take measures to prevent diseases in animals, poultry and aquatic species.

The province gives priority to developing the cultivation of rice, brackish water shrimp, fruit, red onion, fresh water fish, and cattle for milk and meat.

It now has 475,862 animals, up 18% against the same period last year.

It grew 330,381ha of rice with an annual output of more than 2 million tonnes this year, with high quality and specialty rice varieties accounting for 93% of the output.

It also grew 47,000ha of vegetables and other short-term crops this year. It now has 28,910ha of fruit, up 1.6% against the same period last year. Of the fruit area, more than 13,000ha are planted under organic farming methods.

Huynh Ngoc Nha, director of the department, said sales of rice, vegetables and fruits were favourable this year and their selling prices were also higher than last year.

The prices of rice are 6,000-8,000 VND a kilogramme, up 900-2,400 VND against last year and farmers earn a profit of 20.5-23 million VND (840-950 USD) per hectare, according to the director.

The prices of vegetables increased 2,000-7,000 VND a kilogramme this year compared to last year and the prices of fruits increased 2,000-38,000 VND a kilogramme.

Soc Trang, which is one of the delta’s leading provinces in implementing high-tech shrimp farming, has bred more than 50,100ha of brackish water shrimp so far this year, meeting 9% of its target.

Farmers in the province have harvested more than 37,700ha of brackish water shrimp with a total output of 206,000 tonnes.

The province exported 695 million USD of seafood, mostly shrimp, in the first nine months of the year.

President meets with outstanding individuals of Can Tho city

President Vo Van Thuong on December 15 received outstanding individuals of the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, who have shown strong performance in implementing their tasks and made great contributions to the growth of the city.

The individuals, who are from all walks of life, have emerged from patriotic emulation movements in the city in all fields, including socio-economic development, COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control, new-style rural area and civilised urban area building, socio-culture, education, science-technology, healthcare, and social welfare.

They included professors, doctors, physicians, lecturers, educational managers, teachers, scientists, entrepreneurs, religious dignitaries, writers, artists, officers, soldiers, workers and farmers, and students with outstanding academic achievements.

At the meeting, held on the occasion of the 20th founding anniversary of Can Tho city, President Thuong hailed the city’s performance in all fields, attributing the results to efforts of the local Party Organisation, administration and residents.

The President hoped Can Tho will not only be a leading locality in the Mekong Delta and the country but also an attractive destination in the region and the world.

The State leader underlined the need for the country to work harder to achieve the goal of becoming a developed country with modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030 and a developed country with high income by 2045.

He reminded Can Tho to put the people in the centre of its development, focusing on dealing with difficulties facing local residents.

Meanwhile, it is necessary to further promote patriotic emulation movements, thus discovering more outstanding individuals and encourage them to make greater contributions to the development of the city.

Vice President awards Labour Orders to Olympiad winners

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan has awarded Labour Orders to students who won prizes at International Olympiads and international science-technology competitions in 2023.

At a ceremony in Hanoi on December 15, the Vice President presented the Labour Orders to 16 students with outstanding achievements in International Olympiads in the 2022-2023 academic year, and the Prime Minister’s certificates of merit to nine others who showed excellent performance at the International Olympiads and sci-tech research examinations in 2023.

Speaking at the ceremony, Xuan said the country's education and training work has witnessed innovations and development, attributing these to the efforts of the entire political system and people, with the Ministry of Education and Training playing a key role.

At present, Vietnam has about 6.2 million skilled workers with bachelor degrees or higher. There are six educational establishments ranked among the world's top-quality universities. Vietnam also ranked 48th out of 132 countries in the Global Innovation Index 2022.

Vietnam sent seven delegations with 36 students to regional and international Olympiads this year. All of them won medals, including 8 golds, 12 silvers, 12 bronzes and four certificates of merit, making Vietnam among the top 10 countries with the highest results. Many Vietnamese students achieved the highest scores.

The International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) for high school students, named "Regeneron ISEF", took place in Dallas, the US, in mid-May and attracted contestants from 61 countries and territories. The Vietnamese delegation had seven projects, one of them won an official award and another received a special award from the US Agency for International Development, with a prize value of 2,000 USD.

Top Chinese leader’s Vietnam visit elevates ties to new height: Official

The recent Vietnam visit by the high-level Chinese delegation has shown the high regards that the Party, State and people of China, especially General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping, hold for their Vietnamese counterparts.

The remark was made by Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and Chairman of the CPV Central Committee's Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung in an interview recently granted to the press.

Trung said the State visit to Vietnam by Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi, his spouse Prof. Peng Liyuan and a high-ranking Chinese Party and State delegation from December 12-13 was a particularly important diplomatic activity of both Parties and countries, coinciding with the 15th anniversary of Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

According to him, it was the final overseas visit made by General Secretary Xi in 2023 - the first year of the implementation of the Communist Party of China (CPC)’s Resolution,  including foreign policy outlined at the CPC’s 20th National Congress. It was also his visit to Vietnam without any multilateral foreign activity. Prior to the visit, Xi had an article published in Vietnam's Nhan Dan (People) newspaper.

Trung said Vietnam had given the highest level of respect and special etiquettes to the Chinese delegation, expressing profound friendship and utmost reverence for the Chinese Party, State and people, as well as for General Secretary and President Xi, in response to what China had extended to CPV Central Committee General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation during their visit in October 2022.

During the visit, both sides reached a consensus on a rich agenda, including high-level and strategic-level exchanges between leaders of the two Parties and countries.

He noted that the visit has significantly strengthened mutual understanding and trust through the highest-level exchange of information on the situation of each Party and country, their socialism building path, international situation and the foreign policy of each Party and country.

Vietnam affirmed that it always considers relationship with China a top priority in its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of external ties, he said, adding that China was also consistent with its policy of friendship with Vietnam, seeing Vietnam a priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy.

According to him, the two Parties and countries issued a joint statement on further deepening and elevating the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, and build a Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

Discussions between the leaders of the two Parties and countries had comprehensive, sincere, constructive, and straight contents. Specifically, Party General Secretary Trong stressed that the better control and settlement of differences are essential for the Vietnam-China relations in both short and long terms. The bilateral cooperation in the East Sea has seen positive progress. With the complex situation in the East Sea negatively affecting their relations, the two sides need to respect each other's legitimate interests, well implement high-level perceptions, avoid complicating the situation, not use force or threaten to use force, and resolve disputes through peaceful means, implement the Declaration on the Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the East Sea, promote an effective, practical and legally binding Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea which aligns with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Thirdly, the high-level perceptions, the Joint Statement, and 36 documents signed during the visit have created a comprehensive framework to enhance the Vietnam-China relations and promote effective bilateral cooperation in the time to come. The signed documents consist of three on cooperation between committees of the two Parties, five in the fields of foreign affairs, defence, security, justice, and 28 on economic, cultural, scientific, environmental cooperation between the two sides’ ministries, sectors, and localities.

Fourthly, the highly successful outcomes of this extremely important diplomatic activity, along with the important achievements in many other diplomatic activities have affirmed that Vietnam’s potential, position, and international prestige are now at their best.

This diplomatic activity served as a milestone in elevating the bilateral relations, creating crucial foundations for the two Parties, countries, and their people to promote the development of the Vietnam-China relations in line with the spirit of President Ho Chi Minh regarding their traditional friendship of being both comrades and brothers, helping to consolidate a peaceful environment, strengthening the external complexion, creating new favourable conditions for Vietnam’s development, and enhancing Vietnam's international position and contributions to the international community’s common affairs.

Deputy PM extends Christmas greetings in Binh Thuan, Dong Nai provinces

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang visited and congratulated the Phan Thiet Diocese in the south-central province of Binh Thuan on December 16, on the occasion of the Christmas season this year.

The Deputy PM extended congratulations to Bishop Do Manh Hung, who is also Secretary General of the Vietnam Episcopal Council, wishing him and local Catholic dignitaries and followers a peaceful, joyful, and blessed Christmas season and a happy New Year.

Bishop Hung pledged that in the coming time, the Catholic community of the Phan Thiet Diocese will continue following the State’s policies, guidelines and laws, actively joining patriotic emulation movements, thereby contributing to the country's  development.

On the same day, Deputy PM Tran Luu Quang also conveyed Christmas greetings to Bishop of the Xuan Loc Diocese Do Van Ngan and its Catholic community in Long Khanh city in the southern province of Dong Nai.

The Xuan Loc Diocese was established in 1965, separating from the Archdiocese of Sai Gon. It is now home to the largest number of followers among the 27 dioceses of the Catholic Church in Vietnam, with about 1.1 million followers, nearly 700 priests, and almost 2,500 monks and nuns.

Police burst drug-trafficking ring from Laos

The police of Vinh city in central Nghe An province said on December 16 they have just smashed a drug trafficking ring from Laos to Vietnam, arresting two suspects.

According to the police, the two suspects, Thao A Cang, 42, and Thao A Thong, 32, were caught red handed transporting 10 kilograms of different kinds of drugs from Son La to Nghe An and southern provinces for distribution and consumption.

Both suspects live in Son La, a northern mountainous province of Vietnam that borders two Lao provinces of Huaphanh and Luang Prabang.

At the scene, the police seized seven kg of meth, two kg of ketamine, two heroin cakes, and 12,000 synthetic drugs.

The mastermind behind the group was identified as Cang, who had cooperated with Thong to contact with a Lao national to purchase the drugs and transport them into Vietnam.

A further investigation is currently underway.

Kiên Giang Province to expand organic rice cultivation

The Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Kiên Giang is expanding organic rice farming and developing linkages between various stakeholders in the value chain.

The country’s largest rice producing province is targeting 6,500ha in An Minh, An Biên and Vĩnh Thuận districts and an annual output of 31,900 tonnes by 2025.

By 2030 it plans to expand the organic rice area to 25,000ha in the three districts and also U Minh Thượng, Gò Quao and Hòn Đất, and output to 129,185 tonnes.

Lê Hữu Toàn, deputy director of the province Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said organic rice cultivation would increase added value, enable sustainability, help implement the country’s target programmes, and promote the province’s potential.

The province is set to pioneer the development of organic rice, seamlessly blending environmental preservation and bio-diversity enhancement, according to the official.

The strategy involves a substantial increase in the adoption of organic farming methods, incorporating elements such as organic pesticides and fertilisers.

Extensive efforts will be made to disseminate organic rice farming techniques among growers, equipping them with the skills to efficiently manage cultivation and rice processing.

Stringent inspections of certified organic rice-growing models will continue, ensuring compliance with the highest standards.

Small-scale enterprises, co-operatives, and household units demonstrating the capability to produce organic rice will be carefully selected and connected with relevant stakeholders to participate in various models.

Infrastructure investments in designated organic rice areas will prioritise advanced farming techniques, focusing on key components like irrigation systems, pumping stations, power infrastructure, roads, warehouses, rice dryers, and processing facilities.

A meticulous approach to managing the quality of materials used in organic rice cultivation and the usage of organic brand names will secure quality.

The province will actively promote collaborative ties among farmers, companies, scientists, and local authorities to foster the production of organic rice.

Kiên Giang has joined a Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development project aimed at cultivating one million hectares of high-quality, low-emissions rice aligning with green growth goals in the Mekong Delta until 2030.

In the current winter-spring rice season, the province plans to cultivate 60,000 hectares under this initiative, with the participation of over 100 co-operatives.

These co-operatives meet three key criteria: simultaneous sowing of certified seeds, adopting the "one must - five reductions" method and strengthening partnerships with companies to secure outlets.

The "one must - five reductions" method prioritises certified seeds while minimising the use of seedlings, nitrogenous fertilisers, plant-protection chemicals, and irrigation and post-harvest losses.

The province aims to cultivate 279,000 hectares of winter-spring rice, with high-quality varieties to constitute over 95 per cent of total yield.

A cautionary note advises farmers to complete sowing before year-end to avoid water shortages.

Significant focus is directed towards the development of large-scale rice fields, creating favourable conditions for partnerships between companies and farmers.

More than 1,300 large-scale rice fields pooling a total area of 167,225 hectares have been established, more than double last year's count.

There are also 300 rice-growing areas totalling over 6,000ha with production codes for export to markets including the EU and Japan.

The province has embraced information technology for disease monitoring and equipped farmers with advanced agricultural techniques.

Collaborating with localities, its irrigation sub-departments have implemented co-ordinated measures to combat drought and saltwater intrusion, safeguarding water meant for agriculture, including the 2023-24 winter-spring crop.

Infrastructure enhancements encompass construction of and upgrades to saltwater prevention dams, irrigation sluices and electric pumping stations, canal dredging, and repairs, ensuring effective operation, particularly the Cái Lớn-Cái Bé irrigation sluice system, the delta's largest.

In the previous autumn-winter season farmers in the province enjoyed bumper harvests and high selling prices, and made profits of VNĐ20-25 million ($800-1,000) per hectare.

Across Giồng Riềng, Gò Quao, Châu Thành, Tân Hiệp, Hòn Đất, and Giang Thành districts, over 90,000 hectares produced an average yield of 5.7 tonnes per hectare.

Danh Phương in Giồng Riềng District’s Bàn Thạch Commune said in 2022 autumn-winter he did not grow any rice, but this year he grew two hectares of Đài Thơm 8 rice because of favourable weather forecasts and high prices.

“At the start of the season, traders paid an advance for rice at a rate of VNĐ8,500 per kilogramme, nearly double the price of the 2022 autumn-winter crop.

“Recognising the profit potential, I signed a sales contract with a trader early.” 

Đồng Tháp exceeds target for switching to other crops on unproductive rice fields

Farmers in Đồng Tháp Province have switched to other crops and aquaculture on 11,511ha of what used to be unproductive rice paddies this year, 82 per cent higher than the target.

According to its People’s Committee, the area is already the highest in a calendar year for the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province.

Of the 11,511ha, shrimp or fish are farmed on 54ha along with rice, while on the rest, short-term crops and perennial trees, including corn, sesame, sweet potato, taro, lotus, vegetables, mango, orange, jackfruit, durian, and lime are grown.

Local authorities have created favourable conditions for farmers to switch to short-term crops and perennial trees in high-lying areas and zoned areas to increase production efficiency.

According to Huỳnh Tấn Đạt, deputy director of the province Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, vegetables and other crops yield two to three times higher profits than rice.

The province is expanding efficient farming models for growing vegetables and other crops, which offer farmers profits of VNĐ50-70 million (US$2,000-2,900) per hectare per crop of two to three months.

Rice farmers who switched to perennial trees, including fruit trees, would begin to have harvests after three or four years, he said.

Phạm Văn Niềm, deputy director of the Mỹ Long Agriculture and Services Cooperative in Cao Lãnh District, said after switching from rice to seedless lime, farmers would start harvesting after 15-18 months.

Seedless lime has an average yield of five to seven tonnes per 1,000sq.m per crop with a tonne fetching a profit of VNĐ7 million ($290).

Rice farmers who switched to speciality fruits earn very high incomes.

Lê Thanh Điền in Châu Thành District’s Phú Hựu Commune switched to durian on his 1.1ha land, and now harvests around 16 tonnes a year to earn more than VNĐ1 billion ($41,300).

The province has encouraged farmers to make the switch based on the zoning for their locality, demand and local water and weather conditions.

It has created concentrated growing areas for each crop and developed linkages between various stakeholders to ensure the harvests can be sold.

The province People’s Committee targets 10,011ha of paddies next year, of which 3,000ha will be used for growing fruits.

It aims to create more fruit growing areas and increase the cultivation of speciality fruits.

It aims to make fruits a key crop with the setting up of concentrated growing areas and adopting advanced farming techniques.

It plans for developing fruits in 2023-25 targets growing them on 46,413ha with an annual output of 463,000 tonnes by the time it ends.

Of that 30 per cent of areas will be planted to Vietnamese good agricultural practices or equivalent standards by 2025 and 20-30 per cent will see the use of advanced irrigation methods. 

A Mường ethnic teacher brings nutritious meals for children in border mountainous area

Over the past five years, a Mường ethnic teacher in Thanh Hoá Province has worked hard to connect with sponsors to bring meals with meat to children in the border mountainous district of Mường Lát.

She is Phạm Thanh Huyền, a teacher in Ngọc Lặc District.

Born and raised in a countryside area, from a young age she understood the difficulties, disadvantages and deprivations of a child growing up in the mountainous areas.

During the journey of connecting sponsors with needy people, Huyền has established a relationship with the students in Mường Lát District and launched the project "Together raising children of Mường Lát”, helping students have nutritious meals at school.

Talking about the initial idea of the project, Huyền said: “The idea started from a sad event in 2018, when Mường Lát District suffered a historic flood that caused severe damage to people's lives and property.”

“At that time, people's lives seemed to fall into a deadlock because the flood swept away everything they had,” Huyền told tienphong.vn.

“Many volunteer groups and social organisations came to ease the difficulties of the local people,” she said.

"In the middle of the cold winter, the image of children walking barefoot, wearing only a thin piece of clothing standing in the ruins after the flood, haunted me many years later,” the teacher said.

Engaging in volunteer work for many years at that time, Huyền was a founding member of the Ngọc Lặc Volunteer Blood Donation Club with 20 members, and she realised that she had to do something to help people, especially children of the poor mountainous district of Mường Lát.

When learning that ethnic students brought to school a lunch meal of rice balls wrapped in plastic bags without any meat, the Mường ethnic teacher raised the idea of ​​bringing the students meals with meat.

"Eating enough nutrients and getting enough sleep will help children study better and later build a better future," she said.

Huyền and other members of the Ngọc Lặc Volunteer Blood Donation Club found ways to connect with sponsors and call on people to help with necessities and school supplies for children in Mường Lát District.

“Our first destinations are two ethnic hamlets of Cánh Cộng and Cá Giáng, in a particularly difficult area of ​​Trung Lý Commune,” Huyền recalled.

By September 2022, the project "Together Raising Children in Mường Lát" drew the participation of the Youth Union of HCM City’s banking sector and the Mường Lát Youth Union.

Currently, the project is operated with the purpose of finding people to "raise" poor children.

Accordingly, each child is accepted to “be raised” by benefactors or “adoptive parents” who grant each child a monthly allowance of VNĐ150,000 (US$6.2) until completing their study.

“Adoptive parents” provide from the smallest items such as spoons, bowls, food trays to kitchens and water wells.

The project was initially implemented at Tam Chung primary school and kindergarten totalling 70 students.

Huyền said that at the beginning of implementation, she found that all schools in Mường Lát District at that time did not organise meals for children, so there were basically no cooking facilities.

“The schools lacked the most basic cooking utensils, so we had to mobilise donations from the smallest items such as spoons, bowls, pots and trays, to larger things such as wells, cookers, and kitchens for schools," she said.

From the first three schools, the project was expanded to 10 schools with 498 students involved in 2022-2023 school-year.

In the 2023–2024 school year, the project continues its work in 15 schools with 831 boarding students.

The project "Together Raising Children in Mường Lát" has now been operating for nearly five years with total donations raised reaching nearly VNĐ20 billion ($821,000).

"The greatest joy of the sponsors and members of the club is to see the children go to school every day, eating delicious, nutritious and healthy meals, and having warm clothes when the weather gets cold,” said Huyền.

“We always hope that the children, especially poor ethnic children, will have better conditions to go to school to nurture their dream that one day they will take off and change their lives,” the teacher said.

“As for ourselves, we always remind ourselves to try harder in our role as ‘connectors’ so that more children in the poor areas of Mường Lát have the opportunity to go to school,” she said.

Through its five years of implementation, the project has brought better conditions at school to children in the border areas of Mường Lát.

The children's diet is guaranteed to be healthy. The dropout rate is reduced and parents also feel more secure when sending their children to school.

Currently, the Ngọc Lặc Volunteer Blood Donation Club has attracted more than 100 members and launched several meaningful social work activities.

Winner of Masked Singer releases new MV

Vocal teacher and singer Ngọc Mai, winner of The Masked Singer Vietnam 2022, has released her latest MV (music video) featuring contemporary folk music.

The work features Theo Em Về Nhà (Returning Home), a song that uses Vietnamese folk melodies by young composer Công Tuyền.

It is part of the singer’s new album featuring Vietnamese songs about flowers and women. The album is expected to be released next year.

Mai worked with her producer, GUNG Production, to record and film the MV with a new style.

Vietnamese dances are used to highlight the song’s theme.

“My MV showcases a love story of tears and smiles with quality music. I hope to infuse my love for Vietnamese folk music to young fans,” said 36-year-old Mai, who began her career in 2002 in Huế City when she was at university.

The MV Theo Em Về Nhà was released on December 10, and has attracted nearly 300,000 views on YouTube.

Mai was the winner of The Masked Singer Vietnam 2022, a Vietnamese reality singing competition television series released last year on Hồ Chí Minh Television. The show has continuously entered the top trending shows on digital platforms thanks to its unique and creative ideas and the participation of talented vocalists.

Mai works for the HCM City Music Conservatory and is head of Bông Sen Arts Theatre’s Singing Troupe.

She has received several music prizes presented by TV and radio stations, and prestigious organisations, including two top prizes of Silver Medal at the National Music and Song Festival in 2009 and 2015 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

She has performed in several concerts in countries such as Canada, Japan, Korea, France, and the US. 

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