The 2022 Korea Culture and Tourism Days took place in Hanoi at the weekend as part of activities to celebrate the 30th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK).

The opening ceremony of the event held on the afternoon of December 17 at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square – part of the walking zones around Hoan Kiem Lake saw the participation of RoK Ambassador to Vietnam Oh Young-ju, head of the Korean Tourism Organisation (KTO) Kim Jang-sil and representatives from Hanoi’s agencies.

At the ceremony, KTO announced “Korean Tourism Year 2023-2024”.

A total of 24 booths at the event provided people with information about the Korean culture, tourism, and people. Visitors had a chance to experience food, handicraft products and traditional games of the RoK as well as enjoy performances by Korean and Vietnamese artists.

Vietnam’s tour operators including Vietravel, Hanoitourism, Hanoitourist, Flamingo Redtours and Saigontourist introduced tours to the RoK at the event.

Earlier, on December 16, KTO organised a meeting between tourism partners of Vietnam and the RoK, a Korea Travel Mart, and a 2022 Korea Night. 

Within the framework of the event, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and KTO signed a Memorandum of Understanding on further support for tourism cooperation between the two countries. 

HCM City, Phnom Penh look to strengthen relations

Politburo member and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen on December 17 held talks with Governor of Phnom Penh Khuong Sreng, during which both officials emphasised the importance of continuing to strengthen the good cooperative relationship between the two cities.

At the talks, which was part of Nen's working visit to Cambodia from December 16-18, the two officials agreed that as the two major economic, cultural, educational and scientific centres, it is necessary for the two cities to promote their potential, playing a pivotal role in cooperation at the local level between the two countries in the coming time.

The Governor of Phnom Penh expressed his belief that the talks will contribute to enhancing the fruitful relationship between the two Parties, administration and the people of the two cities.

He also wished that investors from Vietnam in general, and HCM City in particular, will pour investment in Cambodia and the capital of Phnom Penh while committing to support them to speed up investment procedures.

For his part, Nen emphasised the importance of educating younger generations on the Vietnam-Cambodian relationship. The official suggested the two localities enhance their closer coordination to support businesses in accessing market and explore investment opportunities.

Attention should be paid to fostering tourism activities in the context that the COVID-19 pandemic has been controlled as well as increasing support in organising delegation, cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two sides, Nen noted.

Within the framework of the working trip, Nen  on December 17 paid a courtesy visit to Cambodia’s Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs Samdech Sar Kheng. He also visited officials and doctors of Cho Ray Hospital - Phnom Penh, the Embassy of Vietnam, and the Vietnamese community there

Vietnam ready to mobilise all resources for national strategy on biodiversity

Vietnam will further actively be part of efforts for the global biodiversity preservation and is willing to mobilise all resources for effectively implement its national strategy on the matter, affirmed Deputy Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Vo Tuan Nhan.

Addressing a high-level session of the ongoing 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Canada, the Deputy Minister called on member countries to take similar actions towards building a prosperous and healthy planet.

As an active member of the convention, Vietnam recommended quickly establishing mechanisms to support its implementation, including new ones for finance, resource mobilisation, capacity building, technique, scientific cooperation and technology transfer.

It is also necessary to strengthen cooperation among stakeholders to successfully realise the ambitious goals of the global biodiversity framework, creating opportunities for each person, organisation, and country to maximise their roles and responsibilities in realising Vision 2050 on living in harmony with nature.

Vietnam joined the CBD in 1994. In January 2022, the Vietnamese Government approved a national strategy on biodiversity to 2030 with a vision to 2050.

COP 15 takes place from December 7 to 19 in Montreal, with governments from around the world coming together to agree on a new set of goals to guide global action through 2030 to halt and reverse nature loss.

Food street proposed to boost nighttime tourism in HCM City

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade has just proposed to open a food street in Phu Nhuan District to develop nighttime tourism in the area.

In a plan submitted recently to the municipal People's Committee, the department proposed to pilot a food street on Phan Xich Long Street between 2022–2025.

To prepare for the project, the department will cooperate with Phu Nhuan authorities to carry out certain works such as upgrading the street pavement, installing a new lighting system, and launching electric buses. In addition, a tourist wharf may also be built near the food street to connect with boat tours along the Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Canal at night.

Located some 10-minute drive from Ben Thanh Market in District 1, Phan Xich Long Street is now home to nearly 300 food stalls and restaurants.

The People's Committee of Kien Giang province organised a ceremony, on December 16 to receive the Decision of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, on recognising the making of fish sauce on Phu Quoc Island city, as part of the national intangible cultural heritage.

Hundreds of scientists to attend VinFuture Sci-Tech Week 2022

VinFuture Foundation has announced the agenda of the second VinFuture Sci-Tech Week 2022, which will take place between December 17–21, 2022 in Hanoi, with the highlight being the VinFuture Award Ceremony and a series of inspirational and academic activities for the scientific community, startup business leaders and the public.

The event will see the attendance of hundreds of scientists, policymakers and experts across the world, to participate in the VinFuture Award Ceremony Week 2022.

Themed “Reviving and Reshaping”, the VinFuture Award seeks and honours outstanding scientific and technological works, that have had positive impacts during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to promote sustainable development of the lives of millions of people around the planet.

Nearly 1,000 scientific and technological research projects from 71 countries on six continents have been nominated (compared to 599 nominations in 2021). Of which, 584 projects are nominated by 2% of the world’s most cited scientists. These are inventions in the fields of health, food, environment and sustainable energy, along with many other applied technologies in all aspects of life.

The four best scientific works will be honoured at the VinFuture Award Ceremony, scheduled to take place at the Hanoi Opera House on the evening of December 20.

Other activities within the framework of VinFuture Sci-Tech Week 2022 will include “Conversation with the VinFuture Prize Council and Pre-screening Committee”; “Innovate Today, Create Tomorrow” Inspirational Talk Series, “Science for Life Symposium”, and “Talk Future: A dialogue with the 2022 VinFuture Prize Laureates”.

Vietnamese cuisine introduced in Israel

The Ca Phe Hanoi Restaurant in Tel Aviv, Israel held a function on December 12 to introduce its new menu including Vietnamese dishes to the restaurant goers.

The event was hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Israel to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the restaurant.

Ca Phe Hanoi Restaurant is French owned, and it didn’t offer many authentic Vietnamese dishes. Given the situation, the Vietnamese Embassy in Israel has supported procedures to bring Vietnamese chefs to the restaurant so that Vietnamese cuisine culture will be introduced to the wider Israeli people.

Over the past few days, Vu Thi Ha, a Vietnamese chef who has 30 years of working experience and is now working at the Sofitel Metropole Hanoi, has shared recipes and instructed chefs from Ca Phe Hanoi Restaurant, on cooking four Vietnamese dishes, including pomelo salad, sauté diced beef, chicken rice, and braised eggplant with mushroom.

The ingredients and recipes of the four dishes have been adjusted according to Jewish dietary laws and regulations.

Vu Thi Ha has toured many countries around the world including Australia, Spain, Canada, Qatar, Thailand, and the Republic of Korea to advertise Vietnamese cuisine.

She shared with joy that Vietnamese dishes win much favour from people around the world, adding that many visitors to Vietnam have expressed their impressions of Vietnamese food.

Multiple Danang officials disciplined

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has reprimanded Chairman Le Trung Chinh and Permanent Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh of the People’s Committee of Danang City for their shortcomings while on duty.

PM Chinh has also taken disciplinary actions against many other former and incumbent officials of this central coastal city.

Among them, the municipal government’s former chairman Huynh Duc Tho and former vice chairman Tran Van Mien were reprimanded, while Ngo Thi Kim Yen, vice chairwoman of the city, received a warning.

The disciplinary measures against these individuals took effect from October 26 this year, news site vnexpress.vn reported.

In October, the Party Central Committee’s Inspection Commission reprimanded Le Trung Chinh, Huynh Duc Tho, Ho Ky Minh, Tran Van Mien and Nguyen Van Phung, director of the municipal Department of Finance.

Meanwhile, Ngo Thi Kim Yen, a former director of the municipal Department of Health, received a warning. Ton That Thanh, director of the Danang Center for Disease Control, was stripped of all his Party posts.

The Inspection Commission said that the Party civil affairs board of the Danang People’s Committee had infringed working regulations, showed dereliction of duty and slack leadership, resulting in the municipal People’s Committee and some organizations and individuals violating the Party’s regulations and the State’s laws in purchasing, managing and using biological products, chemicals and medical supplies to serve the Covid fight.

Their violations and shortcomings posed a threat of causing substantial losses to the State budget and provoking public concern, thereby affecting the prestige of the municipal Party Committee and government, the Inspection Commission said.

Binh Thuan Province vice chair arrested over alleged land violations

Irregularities in the allocation of three land lots have led to a vice chairman of Binh Thuan Province and six others being detained.

Ministry of Public Security (MPS) investigators yesterday, December 13, prosecutors from the Supreme People’s Procuracy and local law enforcement jointly searched the homes and offices of the province’s Vice Chairman Nguyen Van Phong and six other people.

Nguyen Van Phong was charged with dereliction that caused serious consequences.

The case, which involves the province’s former chairman and two former vice chairmen, is related to the allocation in 2017 of the three land lots to Tan Viet Phat 2 commercial, service and residential project in Phu Hai Ward, Phan Thiet City. The problem was the price of these lots was based on the 2013 level.

Since charges were filed against the case in February 2022, 12 people have been prosecuted, with 11 of them placed in police custody, including former Chairman of the province Nguyen Ngoc Hai and former Permanent Vice Chairman Luong Van Hai.

They were accused of violations of regulations on the management and use of State assets, which led to losses.

According to local news reports, in October 2013 the People’s Committee of Binh Thuan Province approved the auction of three land lots totaling over 92,000 square meters under the land use plan along 706B Road in Phan Thiet, with the reserve price of over VND111 billion, or VND1.2 million per square meter. 706B Road was split into two streets called Vo Nguyen Giap and Nguyen Thong.

Between 2013 and December 2015, the province’s asset auction service center made six land auction announcements but no one expressed interest. Therefore, the provincial government decided in February 2017 to allocate the three lots of land to Tan Viet Phat Company and the price was the same as the reserve price decided in October 2013.

In March 2017 the provincial government decided to take back more than 92,000 square meters of the three lots managed by the land development center and allocate it to Tan Viet Phat.

HCMC Inspectorate passes land use violations to police for investigation

The HCMC Inspectorate has applied administrative penalties for 21 organizations and individuals and passed the files of seven cases to the police for further investigation. This follows the inspection of land use purpose conversion of state-owned enterprises and enterprises equitized between 2011 and 2021.

At the Government Inspectorate’s request, the HCMC Inspectorate inspected state-owned and equitized enterprises under the management of the HCMC People’s Committee.

Between 2011 and 2021, enterprises converted 70 land lots with a total area of 1.4 million square meters into land used for trading and building apartments. No land use purpose conversion project was recorded during 2019-2021.

Some 28 land lots with an area of six million square meters were inspected and eight inspection conclusions were issued, recovering VND6.5 billion and transferring an amount of VND21 billion to an escrow account of the Investigation Security Agency under the Ministry of Public Security.

Meanwhile, administrative penalties were applied for 21 organizations and individuals, and files of seven criminal cases were handed over to the police department to handle.

The inspection conclusion revealed that public land use purpose conversion violations occurred when enterprises or project owners had transferred or contributed capital by assets attached to the land, then transferred the rights of the leased land or project development to their partners so that they could have full capacity over the project.

State-owned enterprises’ capital contribution to a joint venture or to establish a new joint venture for implementing a new realty project was originally to transfer the whole or part of the project without opening a bidding procedure or auctioning assets.

A state-owned enterprise even used the business cooperation contract to update the revised information on the land use right certificate without the approval of the competent authority.

According to the inspection conclusion, lack of business advantage evaluation before contributing capital and failure to use leased land in line with the approved purpose are the other violations found at the state-owned enterprises.

Measures needed to promote women's role in STEM

Experts and government officials gathered at a forum in HCM City on December 15 to discuss measures to promote the role of women in the STEM fields.

The forum was held as part of the “Building University-Industry Learning and Development through Innovation and Technology” or BUILD IT project, funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Arizona State University, as well as Lạc Hồng University.

Chairwoman of Lạc Hồng University Council Đỗ Thị Lan Đài said the STEM fields have made great contributions to the global development. Demand for experts in these fields has increased, especially female experts.

A survey showed that women account for 33 per cent of the workforce in STEM fields in Europe and 34 per cent in the US and Canada.

She noted that there is a gender gap in the STEM fields, urging measures to encourage more girl students to engage in STEM.

She suggested measures to raise awareness of lecturers, students and parents about the important role of women in STEM fields and organise competitions and grant scholarships for girl students.

Speaking with the press on the sidelines of the forum, she applauded the BUILD-IT project for organising activities aimed at promoting the participation of women in STEM fields, such as hosting STEM competitions that required each team to be made up of at least 25 per cent girl students.

Efficiency of Hanoi's second metro line reaches 99.65 per cent

After five consecutive days of test runs, the Nhổn-Hà Nội Station metro line showed a feasibility rate of up to 99.65 per cent, according to the Hanoi Metropolitan Railway Management Board.

The trial runs, starting on December 5, was conducted in two phases, with the first lasting from five days to six weeks in order to evaluate the line's RAM efficiency.

If the efficiency recorded during the first five consecutive days failed to reach 98 per cent, the trial run will be extended until the goal is achieved, to the maximum of six weeks.

The second phase of the trial run was conducted on December 13 and 14 right after the RAM efficiency evaluation was completed, with several scenarios simulated, such as blackouts and fires.

The 12-kilometre Nhổn-Hà Nội Station metro line, the second of its kind in the capital city, starts from Nhổn in Nam Từ Liêm District and ends at the Hà Nội Station in Đống Đa District, and includes eight elevated and four underground stations.

Once fully operational, eight trains will be officially in service, with one used to ease overloading at peak hours.

Each train is designed to carry between 944 and 1,124 passengers. The trains are manufactured by France's Alstom company.

The project's investment of about VNĐ30.1 trillion (US$1.29 billion) comes from official development assistance of the French Development Agency and loans from the French Government.

The elevated section is slated for commercial operation by the end of this year, while the remaining part which is underground will be put into use next year. 

Cyclo touring attracts foreign tourists

Cyclo is a three-wheel bicycle taxi that appeared in Vietnam in the early 20th century. A double seat is supported by the two front wheels with the driver sitting behind.

The cyclo remains a popular tourist attraction not only in Hanoi capital but also in others such as Hoi An town in Quang Nam province and Hue city in Thua Thien – Hue province. Cyclo touring is the best way to get up close and personal with the vibrant life in Vietnam's big cities.

Cyclo transport was very popular until the early 1990s’ as it could carry two people plus goods. It was relatively cost-effective through Vietnam’s narrow streets and alleyways. As people needed to travel further and faster motorbikes became widespread, more locals stopped using cyclos and instead they became a good choice for tourists.

It feels safe in the busy traffic of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and is much better for the environment than motorbikes or taxis. For these reasons, it is now very popular with travellers to explore Vietnam by cyclo.

Culture Workshop 2022 opens in Bac Ninh

The opening of the Culture Workshop 2022 took place in the northern province of Bac Ninh on December 17, with leaders and former leaders of the Party and State, and about 800 delegates taking part.

UNESCO Representative in Vietnam Christian Manhart attended the event.

In his opening speech, Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man emphasised that in the past struggle for national liberation and current national development, the Vietnamese Party and State have always attached importance to building and developing Vietnamese culture and people.

The Party guidelines, State policies and laws on the development of Vietnamese culture and people have been more and more perfect, manifested in important documents since the Party was established, he said.

He asked delegates to review the enforcement of the Party resolutions, State policies and laws in the field, the mobilisation of resources to cultural preservation and development, thus offering suggestions to the effort.

Following the one-day event, a report will be submitted to the Politburo, the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat, the National Assembly, Government, ministries, agencies and localities to serve policymaking in the field, he said.

At the event, Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council Nguyen Xuan Thang, urged participants to discuss renewing the implementation of relevant plans and projects, as well as shaping policies for comprehensive human development and pooling resources for the effort.

Reference book on Vietnam’s economy published in Russia

The first handbook on Vietnam's foreign economic affairs has been published in Russia, providing basic and up-to-date information on the achievements, orientations, external operations, and integration process of the economy.

The five-part book was a collaboration of scientists at the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS)’s Institute of China and Contemporary Asia (ICCA) and research fellows and students at the Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU)’s Institute of Asian and African Studies. It was funded by a foundation for promoting Russia-Vietnam cooperation.

The first part of the book covers the characteristics and development trends of Vietnam's economy, and a brief assessment of the country’s socio-economic situation during 2010 - 2020. Part two provides an overview on its leading sectors and fields serving foreign trade. Part three summarises Vietnam's economic and trade relations with leading partners in the world. The last two parts contain information necessary for the registration and operation of a foreign enterprise in Vietnam, including the administrative and legal environment.

Speaking at the book launch ceremony in Moscow on December 16, Maxim Golikov from the Presidential Experts’ Directorate under the Russian Presidential Executive Office said Vietnam is a leading developing country in Southeast Asia and one of Russia's priorities, but information about the economy for businesses is still lacking.

The handbook with an overview and in-depth analysis of the market is very useful for Russian firms, he noted.

Vietnam urges G77 countries to overcome challenges for SDGs

Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Nguyen Minh Hang has called on G77 countries to join hands to overcome current difficulties and challenges, propel post-pandemic socio-economic recovery and sustainable development in the spirit of upholding multilateralism, solidarity and international cooperation.

Addressing the Special Ministerial Meeting of the Group of 77 and China held in New York on December 15-16, Hang, who is also head of the Vietnamese delegation, highlighted the driving role of trade and investment in promoting economic growth, sustainable and inclusive development, and fulfilling the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Accordingly, it is necessary to accelerate World Trade Organisation (WTO) reform, speed up market opening, and mitigate unnecessary trade barriers, she said.

As science, technology and innovation play a key role in sustainable, inclusive and people-centred development, she urged intensifying cooperation in science, technological transfer and provision of preferential financing for development in tandem with renewing financial mobilisation methods through public-private partnership and building mixed financial models.

According to Hang, Vietnam, as a founding member of G77, has actively joined its activities, contributing to ensuring common interests of developing countries, promoting South-South cooperation while guaranteeing Vietnam's development priorities and interests in accordance with its policy of raising the level of multilateral diplomacy.

Activities mark “Dien Bien Phu in the air” victory in downtown Hanoi

An exhibition marking five decades since the “Dien Bien Phu in the air” victory, which led to the end of the foreign aggression war in Vietnam, opened at the Ho Guom Information and Culture Centre on Ly Thai To street in Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem district on December 16.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Chairman of the Hoan Kiem People’s Committee Pham Tuan Long said items and documents on display recall heroic memories of the army and people in the capital and the victory that created a historical turning point for Hanoi and the country.

In the 12 days and nights of fierce fights in Hanoi in late December 1972 against the US air force, the Vietnamese army and people defeated US airstrikes in the North, shooting down 81 aircraft of all kinds, including 34 B-52 strategic bombers, forcing the US to sign the Paris Agreement on ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam in January 1973.

This triumph is also called the “Dien Bien Phu in the air” victory, which took the name from the victory of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign in 1954 that put an end to the French colonial rule over Indochina.

The exhibition also marked the beginning of a series of events in commemoration of the victory taking place until December 25 in the Old Quarter, and the Hoan Kiem pedestrian zone and neighbouring areas. On scheduled are a film screening session on the 12 days and nights at the centre; an exhibition of 50 black and white photos along the pedestrian space; and a concert named ‘Giai dieu hoa binh’ (peaceful melodies).

President extends Christmas greetings to Hanoi Archdiocese

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited and congratulated the Hanoi Archdiocese on December 17 on the occasion of the upcoming Christmas season and New Year.

President Phuc conveyed regards of the Vietnamese Party and State leaders to Joseph Vu Van Thien, Archbishop of the Hanoi Archdiocese and Deputy Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Vietnam together with priests and Catholic followers, wishing them a warm and happy Christmas season.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State consistently respect and ensure citizens' right to freedom of belief and religion, meet legitimate rights and interests of religions, create conditions for religious followers to practice religions, contributing to consolidating the great national unity bloc for development.

Archbishop Joseph Vu Van Thien, for his part, expressed his delight at the country’s socio-economic achievements which he said, were partly contributed by the Vietnamese Catholic community and Hanoi Archdiocese in particular.

He wished for further State support to the Hanoi Archdiocese’s activities in the near future.

Visiting the Vietnam Committee for Catholic Solidarity (VCCS), President Phuc asked the committee to continue encouraging Catholic followers to follow the Party guidelines and State laws, further spread patriotic emulation movements and uphold its role as a bridge between the Party, authorities and dignitaries and followers.

VCCS President, Priest Giuse Tran Xuan Manh wished to receive further support from authorities to help with national development.

The same day, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Do Van Chien paid a pre-Christmas visit to Vinh Diocese in Nghi Loc district, the central province of Nghe An.

Indonesian scholar hails Vietnamese President’s upcoming visit

Indonesian scholar and veteran journalist Mohammah Anthoni has hailed the significance of the upcoming State visit to Jakarta by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc from December 21-23.

Talking with Vietnam News Agency correspondents, former senior editor of Indonesia's Antara news agency Anthoni said the visit is of significance to bilateral relationship, believing that it will make new leaps following the visit, especially in economy-trade.

According to him, the special friendship between Indonesia and Vietnam, founded by Presidents Sukarno and Ho Chi Minh, has made great strides in recent years, with regular meetings and visits by senior leaders, as well as the establishment of bilateral strategic partnership in 2013.

The two peoples are facing common challenges, including the East Sea issue, and wish for a region of stability. Therefore, he urged the two nations to continue working closely together to promote a region of security and peace for benefits to all people.

Given that two-way trade last year surpassed the target of 10 billion USD to over 11 billion USD, the scholar expressed his belief in more economic cooperation opportunities between the two countries as they hold ample potentials and mechanisms to facilitate bonds across the board, thus improving people’s lives.

Recalling his memories on visits to Vietnam with impressive natural landscapes, hospitable people and delicious cuisine, he took the occasion to call on the two countries’ young people to visit each other to raise mutual understanding.

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