Many flower gardens in the central city of Da Nang have faced difficulties due to the impact of COVID-19 and the recent severe weather. But local flower growers have made every effort to ensure a sufficient supply of blooms for the upcoming lunar new year, or Tet.
 
His 800 flower pots are the main source of income for Pham Ngoc Anh as Tet approaches. But his spending on pesticides and fertiliser this year has been higher than previously due to the unfavourable weather conditions.

Van Duong is one of the city’s largest flower gardens. The quality of its key flowers, such as chrysanthemums, marigolds, and lilies, is lower than last year due to late seeding and unfavourable weather.

In addition to traditional trees for Tet, flower garden owners have also paid attention to unique and special plants, such as peri-peri and ochna integerrima, among others, to give customers a greater choice of ornamental trees./.

Three options proposed for expressway from HCM City to Binh Phuoc

The Hồ Chí Minh Highway's Project Management Board has submitted three options for the HCM City - Thủ Dầu Một - Chơn Thành Expressway project. 

The expressway, which will traverse HCM City and Bình Dương and Bình Phước provinces, is expected to enhance transport connections, transport capacity, and socio-economic development in the southern key economic region.

The project management board, which is acting as the consultancy unit, is speeding up the pre-feasibility study that will be submitted to authorities for approval. 

The new expressway will have a total length of about 55km with six to eight lanes.

Of the three options, the first option would run from Bình Chuẩn in Bình Dương Province’s Thuận An City to Chơn Thành District in Bình Phước Province, with total investment of VNĐ33 billion (US$1.43 million).

The second option worth VNĐ27.5 billion ($1.2 million) would begin at An Phú Intersection in HCM City’s District 2, going along provincial highways No. 743 and 745, and end at Chơn Thành.

In the third option, the expressway would cost VNĐ21.6 billion ($935,000), going along the planned HCM City-Lộc Ninh railway, from Bình Chuẩn to Chơn Thành.

Travel distance now is about 120km on National Highway No.13 from HCM City through Bình Dương Province’s Thủ Dầu Một City to Bình Phước Province. The new expressway would reduce traffic pressure on the National Highway No.13, and shorten the travel time between HCM City and Bình Phước.

Construction is scheduled to begin before 2030. It will be built under a public-private partnership (PPP) investment.

More than 300,000 rural labourers to receive vocational training in Long An

A basket-making establishment provides jobs for dozens of local labourers in Cần Đước District’s Phước Đông Commune in Long An Province.

The Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Long An plans to provide 328,000 labourers in rural areas with vocational training over the next 10 years, according to its People’s Committee.

In 2021-25, the province will provide vocational training for 160,000 labourers, and at least 80 per cent of the 160,000 trainees are expected to have new jobs or continue doing their current jobs but have higher productivity and income.

In 2026 – 30, the province will provide vocational training for 168,000 labourers, and at least 85 per cent of the 168,000 trainees will have new jobs or continue their current jobs but have higher productivity and income.

Speaking at a seminar held in Long An on Monday, Phạm Tấn Hòa, deputy chairman of the People’s Committee, said relevant departments, agencies and localities should pay more attention to creating jobs for trainees after they learn vocational skills.

The province should also provide training in non-agriculture sectors so that workers can have opportunities to work in the industrial, handicraft and services sectors, and switch to new jobs, he said.

Vocational curricula for labourers should also be updated to provide new knowledge in science and technology and should be suited to the current labour market. This will help trained labourers find work at home and abroad, he said. 

In the last 10 years of providing training for labourers in rural areas, nearly 230,000 labourers took vocational courses, 3 per cent over the province’s target set for the period, according to the People’s Committee.

Of the number, more than 60,000 received free training at a total cost of VNĐ55 billion (US$2.38 million) and 87 per cent of them found jobs. 

As many as 859 poor households escaped poverty after they were provided vocational training and jobs in the past 11 years, accounting for 18.7 per cent of the province’s poor households that participated in vocational training.

Trained labourers in rural areas have been able to do their own job, use applied advanced techniques in agricultural production, or work in a plant, production establishment or co-operative.

In Cần Đước District’s Cần Đước Town, local authorities opened many cooking courses for labourers as the town is well known for its cooking services.

Nguyễn Thị Vốn in Cần Đước Town took part in a cooking course in 2018 and opened a vegetarian eatery.

“After participating in the course, I rented a place to open the eatery and my life is better,” she said.

In Tân Trụ District, where dragon fruit is one of the key agricultural products, local authorities organised courses on growing dragon fruit under Vietnamese good agricultural practices (VietGAP) standards for farmers.

Sustainable agriculture projects raises farmers’ profits and production

More than 800,000 farmers in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta provinces have benefited from the Vietnam Sustainable Agriculture Transformation (VnSAT) project, which has helped increase their annual income and production.

Under the project, the high-tech rice farming area increased from 84.766ha in 2018 to 150,000ha by July this year, four years after implementing the project, according to deputy minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Lê Quốc Doanh.

The rate of high-quality rice cultivation has increased to 75-80 per cent, even 90 per cent in some localities thanks to applying advanced technology, he said.

Profits of farmers, who take part in the project, has increased by nearly 10 per cent compared to farmers who have not joined the project.

More than 800,000 farmers received training on the new rice cultivation technique ‘three reductions, three gains’ (3R3G) and have learned about the ‘one must, five reductions’ (1M5R) method.

3R3G refers to reductions in seed, chemicals, and water; and gains in productivity, quality, and economic efficiency. 1M5R means using registered seeds and reductions in seed, chemical fertiliser, pesticide, water use, and post-harvest loss.

VnSAT began in 2017 in seven provinces: An Giang, Đồng Tháp, Hậu Giang, Kiên Giang, Long An, Sóc Trăng and Tiền Giang, as well as Cần Thơ City.

The project aims to support a large-scale program of improving agronomic practices and management, supporting private sector investments in upgrading rice processing technology and facilities for high value and quality rice, and improving public service delivery.

With total capital of US$301 million provided by the World Bank, the Vietnamese Government and the private sector, the project aims to use advanced technology in rice production on 200,000ha for 140,000 households, raising profits by 30 per cent per ha.

Speaking at the workshop on Tuesday to review consultancy activities of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) for VnSAT project, deputy minister Doanh said the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) highly appreciated IRRI's contribution.

IRRI's support for capacity building, technical assistance, sustainable farming practices, climate change mitigation and rice value chain enhancing has helped increase productivity and profitability for farmer associations.

He said these contributions have been receiving many positive responses from the World Bank, project management boards and farmers, adding that they expect IRRI to continue replicating these results in the future.

In the face of opportunities and challenges from Free Trade Agreements, Việt Nam needs to continue to increase rice's added value and build a brand for Vietnamese rice.

The ministry wants to continue cooperating with IRRI on rice variety research, capacity building, policy advice and exchange of scientific and technical advances, contributing to the development of the rice production industry and food security in Việt Nam, said Doanh.

IRRI continues to be an important partner of the Government of Việt Nam in building a dynamic agricultural economy with the participation of farmers, as well as in solving current problem such as responding to climate change and improving the reputation and quality of Việt Nam's rice exports, the deputy minister said.

Over VND9.1 billion to support HCM City farmers during Tet

At the event (Photo: sggp.org.vn)

More than 9.1 billion VND (395,000 USD) was raised at an annual music show that was televised in Ho Chi Minh City on December 16.

Initiated by the municipal Farmers’ Association and the Ho Chi Minh City Television since 2008, the event aimed to call on businesses and philanthropists to support poor farmers during the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival.

Chairwoman of the municipal Farmers’ Association Nguyen Thanh Xuan said over the past 13 years, the event has received warm response from units and philanthropists to help farmers stabilise their lives and escape poverty.

This year’s event looks to offer social welfare to 3,000 poor and near-poor farmers with 200 production tools, 2,000 New Year gifts, 1,520 scholarships, 200 saving books and five houses, costing an estimated 11.75 billion VND, she said.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan also highlighted the significance of local businesses and philanthropists’ donations at a time when the entire society is struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic.

He wished that they would continue partnering with the municipal Farmers’ Association to support them in economic development and sustainable poverty reduction./.

ASEAN, Japan enhance smart cities cooperation

ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi on December 16 spoke highly of the Japanese Government’s persistent support in enhancing smart cities cooperation with ASEAN.

Addressing the second high-level meeting of the ASEAN-Japan Smart Cities Network, held online, the Secretary-General also applauded the leadership and commitments of the Vietnamese Government, in its capacity as Chair of the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) in 2020, to promoting efforts in smart city development.

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the vulnerability of urban areas and impacted urban development models, he said. It has also, however, proven the benefits brought about by the smart city model.

This year, the ASCN completed and adopted a monitoring and evaluation framework aimed at promoting the sharing of methods and experience between ASCN member cities.

Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh, who co-chaired the meeting, pointed out the adverse impact of urbanisation, such as infrastructure overload, environmental pollution, and increased greenhouse gas emissions.

Given these difficulties, plus the unexpected developments of climate change, the application of science-technology in general and IT in particular in urban management and development is a trend and an inevitable need of countries, especially ASEAN nations, he said.

Delegates at the meeting looked at the development of smart urban areas in each country, and discussed action plans to complete targets set for smart city construction and development.

They also proposed specific mechanisms and actions to maintain connectivity and cooperation between ASEAN and Japan in this regard.

The first high-level meeting of the ASEAN-Japan Smart Cities Network was held in Yokohama last year./.

Thousands of children to benefit from European Union aid

World Vision presents water tanks for residents in central province of Quang Tri’s Hai Lang district. (Photo courtesy of World Vision)

Save the Children and World Vision have worked together to support 12,889 of the most vulnerable households and about 4,800 school children in areas affected by severe floods in Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien – Hue provinces.

The aid will address the damage caused by floods, lack of clean and safe water and hygiene, and the disruption of education for children.

The support, worth up to 800,000 euros of integrated interventions, is funded by The European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) within the framework of its Vietnam Central Emergency Flooding Response project.

The joint action between Save the Children and World Vision is implemented from November 2020 to February 2021 through an integrated package of interventions, including education kits, household kits and WASH kits at home and school.

It aimed to provide immediate assistance to those in the most urgent need, in support of the local government response and in line with the Government request for relief assistance.

The assistance includes improving access to safe, clean water and hygiene through the provision of water containers and treatment chemicals as well as supporting affected children to continue education at home and school through the provision of learning kits and school supplies; and facilitating continuity of daily life through the provision of household kits for affected families.

The action will promote reviews of existing disaster risk reduction plans integrated into early action/early warning to be better prepared for future disasters, and child and vulnerable adult safeguarding will be mainstreamed in all relevant and appropriate sectoral activities.

“This series of disasters has deepened the COVID-19 pandemic’s existing impact on the vulnerable," said World Vision Vietnam’s National Director Tran Thu Huyen.

"We are committed to acting fast and working closely with the Vietnam Disaster Management Group, UN agencies, INGOs – including Save the Children, and other concerning stakeholders to relieve the direst needs of affected children and people,” she said.

Dragana Strinic, Country Director of Save the Children in Vietnam, said: “As children are among the most affected groups in terms of educational disruption and unsafe environments to live in, Save the Children has prioritised our interventions towards the most deprived children to ensure a safe learning environment in which physical safety and psycho-social well-being of the deprived children are secured and supported.”

Quang Ngai hospitals receive medical packages from RoK

Doosan Heavy Industries Vietnam (Doosan Vina), together with Chung-Ang University (CAU) Hospital and the non-profit Community Chest of Korea, presented two medical packages worth 1.8 billion VND (77,360 USD) to hospitals in the central province of Quang Ngai on December 16.

The Quang Ngai General Hospital received an ESCO grade 3 Class III Biological Safety Cabinet imported from Indonesia and ten sets of camera-assisted endotracheal intubation equipment, which are worth 1.22 billion VND (52,960 USD) in total.

The Quang Ngai Hospital for Children and Women, meanwhile, received a blood and fluid warmer, three sets of pulse oximeters, and ten sets of LED phototherapy devices for treating jaundice, costing a total of 510 million VND.

Earlier, Doosan Vina and CAU donated 58 devices worth some 27,370 USD to the former and an ultrasound machine to the latter.

The two donors are also sponsoring on-the-job training and in the Republic of Korea for medical staff at the two facilities, from 2017 to 2025./.

Maritime cooperation important for COVID-19 response, post-pandemic recovery: Forum

Maritime cooperation is an essential part of the COVID-19 response and post-pandemic recovery, the 8th Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF), held in both the in-person and online formats on December 15, heard.

The forum drew the participation of representatives from ASEAN member states, the bloc’s eight partner countries, foreign embassies in Hanoi, and experts and scholars on maritime issues.

Delegates stressed the importance of the maritime space in security, stability, development, and prosperity in each nation, and the need to intensify maritime cooperation.

Priority should be given to ensuring navigation security, safety, and freedom, preventing incidents, building trust and a favourable environment to resolve disputes, boosting maritime economic development and environmental protection, handling plastic waste, and fighting illegal fishing.

They also highlighted the necessity of promoting links between strategies and initiatives on maritime cooperation and ensuring harmony with the region’s strategies and plans, given that each country builds and implements its own.

The partner countries expressed their support for the targets and orientations contained in the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP), which defines maritime cooperation and security as a key pillar.

Participants also exchanged views on emerging challenges, including illegal and excessive fishing, maritime environmental pollution and degradation, plastic waste, crime at sea, climate change, and food security.

They emphasised the important role of international law and the Convention on the Law of the Sea, adding that countries, big or small, are all equal and have a responsibility to abide by international law.

Many delegates voiced concern over the complex developments in the East Sea and stressed the importance of dialogue, building trust, and avoiding militarisation or other activities that may worsen the situation.

It is also important to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) fully and effectively and to work towards the early signing of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), they said.

ASEAN and China have affirmed they will resume COC tasks in 2021, after they were suspended due to COVID-19.

As chair of the forum, head of the ASEAN Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vu Ho affirmed that the EAMF has opened up opportunities for ASEAN countries and their partners to discuss issues of mutual concern and shared priority.

EAMF-8 is the last of a series of activities on maritime cooperation to be chaired by Vietnam in 2020. As ASEAN Chair in 2021, Brunei will chair the 11th ASEAN Maritime Forum and 9th EAMF next year./.

Greater effort needed to improve healthcare for the elderly: Experts

Nearly 12 percent of Vietnam’s population of 98.7 million are elderly, with 60 percent living in poor health conditions, according to Nguyen Hong Quan, Chairman of the Vietnam Association for Community Health Education (VACHE).

An elderly person in Vietnam has from three to six diseases and more effort is needed to care for them, Quan told a forum in Hanoi on December 16 about care of the elderly’s health in the community.

The proportion of the elderly in Vietnam’s population is forecast to reach 17.9 percent in 2025 and 23.5 percent by the middle of the century, he added.

On October 13, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc issued Decision No 1579/QD-TTg approving a programme to provide healthcare services to the elderly to 2030, laying the foundation for stronger activities to care for their health.

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee for Social Affairs Bui Sy Loi told the forum that average life expectancy in Vietnam is relatively high at 74.4 but living conditions can be quite difficult, depending on their offspring.

They bear the burden of illness and chronic disease as well as the risk of becoming disabled, requiring high treatment costs. Meanwhile, the quality of healthcare in general and elder health in particular are yet to meet the needs of a rapidly-aging population, he said.

He underlined that the building of a friendly environment for the elderly as well as the implementation of long-term healthcare programmes in the community have yet to be given adequate attention, and the ratio of elderly covered by health insurance remains modest.

Loi said that in order to reach targets in elderly healthcare programmes to 2030, it is necessary to enhance the Party and Government’s leadership and direction in the field, along with more communications to call for the engagement of families and the community as a whole in caring for the elderly.

Meanwhile, relevant agencies need to develop the initial healthcare system and improve the quality of efforts preventing the spread of non-communicable diseases and providing healthcare services for the elderly, gradually building a long-term care programme for them, he said.

Vice President of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly, Nguyen Hoa Binh, proposed the building of a network of nursing facilities for the elderly based on expanding nursing for in-need people, along with the piloting of a public-private partnership model on providing nursing services to the elderly./.

US provides more development funding for Cambodia

The governments of Cambodia and the US have officially inked an exchange of notes on the addition of 66.2-million-USD in development grant of the US for Cambodia.

The signing ceremony, which took place on December 15, was presided over by Cambodian Senior Minister in Charge of Special Missions and Vice-Chairman of the Council for Development of Cambodia (CDC) Chin Bun Sean, and Veena Reddy, Mission Director at the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in Cambodia.

According to the CDC’s press release, 43.3 million USD out of the total amount will be spent on supporting public health and education activities, while the remainder is for projects related to agriculture and the environment.

From 1992 to 2019, the US government provided approximately 1.5 billion USD in assistance, equivalent to 6.1 percent of the total ODA disbursement by all development partners, to the Southeast Asian country, focusing on priority sectors such as health, education, environmental protection, agriculture, and governance./.

Close to 180 Vietnamese citizens repatriated from Brunei

A Vietjet Air flight brought home nearly 180 Vietnamese citizens from Brunei on December 16 thanks to concerted efforts from the Vietnamese Embassy and local authorities.

The majority of the passengers onboard were workers of the Vietnamese-based LILAMA Corporation whose visas and labour contracts had expired, and others with extremely difficult circumstances.

The embassy sent staff to the airport to assist the citizens in completing boarding procedures. All crew members and passengers complied with in-flight COVID-19 preventive measures. They were given medical checkups and put under quarantine upon arrival at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport.

More flights will be arranged to fly home Vietnamese citizens in the future, depending on citizens’ request, the COVID-19 pandemic situation, and the nation’s quarantine capacity./.

ASEAN, Japan enhance smart cities cooperation

ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi on December 16 spoke highly of the Japanese Government’s persistent support in enhancing smart cities cooperation with ASEAN.

Addressing the second high-level meeting of the ASEAN-Japan Smart Cities Network, held online, the Secretary-General also applauded the leadership and commitments of the Vietnamese Government, in its capacity as Chair of the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) in 2020, to promoting efforts in smart city development.

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the vulnerability of urban areas and impacted urban development models, he said. It has also, however, proven the benefits brought about by the smart city model.

This year, the ASCN completed and adopted a monitoring and evaluation framework aimed at promoting the sharing of methods and experience between ASCN member cities.

Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh, who co-chaired the meeting, pointed out the adverse impact of urbanisation, such as infrastructure overload, environmental pollution, and increased greenhouse gas emissions.

Given these difficulties, plus the unexpected developments of climate change, the application of science-technology in general and IT in particular in urban management and development is a trend and an inevitable need of countries, especially ASEAN nations, he said.

Delegates at the meeting looked at the development of smart urban areas in each country, and discussed action plans to complete targets set for smart city construction and development.

They also proposed specific mechanisms and actions to maintain connectivity and cooperation between ASEAN and Japan in this regard.

The first high-level meeting of the ASEAN-Japan Smart Cities Network was held in Yokohama last year./.

Hà Nội’s anti-tuberculosis efforts prove effective

A doctor examines a TB patient.

Hà Nội’s tuberculosis (TB) prevention programme was effectively implemented in all communes and wards in 2020, benefiting the population of the capital city.

In the first nine months, 16,046 local people suspected of suffering from TB were examined, with 1,156 testing positive.

The programme helped detect and treat 2,821 TB cases of all types.

The management and treatment of TB patients has seen satisfactory results, with 1,233 people cured out of 1,289 TB AFB (acid fast bacilli) (+) cases, or 95.6 per cent.

There were 184 out of 201 TB AFB (+) patients with bacteriological evidence who recovered from the disease, or 91.6 per cent.

Hà Nội has realised the goals set in the National Strategy for TB Prevention and Control by 2020 with a vision towards 2030, with 80 per cent of new cases of AFB (+) being detected and 92 per cent of detected patients recovering from the disease.

The positive results are attributed to Hà Nội’s extensive anti-TB network in all districts, communes, wards and towns, and the application of modern techniques to quickly and effectively treat diagnosed cases.

Attention has also been paid to promoting communication to raise public awareness about the dangers of TB.

TB remains the leading cause of death in the world, resulting in nearly 2 million fatalities every year, with drug-resistant TB threatening global health. In Việt Nam, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that there are nearly 130,000 new cases of TB diagnosed each year, resulting in some 16,000 deaths in the country in 2015.

Việt Nam is 16th among 30 countries with the highest number of TB patients in the world, and is 13th among 30 countries facing the burden of multi drug-resistant TB.

The country is leading, however, in TB prevention efforts. The rate of successful treatment of multi drug-resistant TB is over 70 per cent; much higher than the global average of 54 per cent.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Tuesday launched the Local Health System Sustainability (LHSS) project in Việt Nam.

The project aims to strengthen the Vietnamese Government’s capacity to sustainably manage HIV and TB programmes towards achieving the country’s commitment to end HIV and TB by 2030.

Through the project, USAID will continue to work with the Vietnamese Government, focusing on four main objectives - strengthening public financial management systems for the health sector and finding greater efficiencies in social health insurance; increasing and improving the efficiency of domestic financing of HIV prevention and treatment services; strengthening the capacity of  Việt Nam’s supply chain management system; and integrating TB services into social health insurance.

Speaking at the launching event, USAID Vietnam Mission Director Ann Marie Yastishock congratulated the Vietnamese Government and the Ministry of Health on the successful transition of HIV response from donor to domestic funding, with Social Health Insurance (SHI) as the primary financing mechanism.

Việt Nam now has 90 per cent of HIV patients enrolled in SHI. All treatment facilities can now be reimbursed for HIV services. Most importantly, SHI funds are now used to procure anti-retroviral drugs, the most expensive component of an HIV response.

LHSS Vietnam is a four-year project (2020 – 2024) with a planned budget of $13.9 million, funded by the US government through PEPFAR and USAID.

It is a part of USAID’s global initiative in integrated health systems strengthening to help low- and middle-income countries transition to sustainable, self-financed health systems as a means to support access to universal health coverage. 

Photo book on northern border defence war debuts

One of the most outstanding photos taken by Thuong during the defence war, featuring a female militia holding a child whose mother was gravely injured (Photo courtesy of the photographer)

A photo book on Vietnam’s war to defend its northern border in 1979 by photographer Tran Manh Thuong has recently been introduced to the public.

The award-winning work features 125 documentary photos in black and white on the defence war in the northern province of Cao Bang in February 1979, demonstrating the solidarity, indomitability and victory of the Vietnamese army and people.

Thuong joined a photography training course in Germany and was honoured with various awards for his works.

On February 17, 1979, China launched a large-scale attack on Vietnam’s territory along the northern borderline between the two countries from Phong Tho (Lai Chau province) to Mong Cai (Quang Ninh province).   

Thuong was the sole photojournalist present in Cao Bang on the day.

Exercising their legitimate right to defence, Vietnam’s army and people fought back with great fortitude.

Suffering heavy losses without achieving the initial goal of the attack while being condemned by the world’s opinions, China withdrew all its military forces on March 18, 1979./.

Virtual conference discusses preparations for Int’l Army Games

Military training departments of Vietnam and Russia convened a virtual conference on December 16 to discuss preparations for the organisation of the International Army Games in 2021.

The event was jointly presided over by Maj. Gen Tran Van Ba, Deputy Director of the Department of Politico-Military Training under the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and Sen. Lieut. Col. Khodko Yuri Mikhailovich from the Operational Training Directorate at the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia.

At the conference, the two sides discussed preparations for the next year’s Games and events that Vietnam plans to take part in and observe.

The Vietnamese side also proposed hosting some events of the International Army Games 2021 and requested its Russian counterpart to promptly issue regulations of the competition so that teams of the VPA will soon engage in training and obtain good results, contributing to the success of the upcoming Games./.

12 wild animals rescued from Lao Cai restaurant

The animals include eight masked palm civets which are listed as among endangered rare species.

Authorities of the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai have rescued 12 wild animals from a local restaurant.

The animals weighing a total 14.5 kilos include eight masked palm civets which are listed as among endangered rare species. They were found and rescued at a restaurant in Bac Cuong Ward in Lao Cai City.   

The animals were then handed over to the Hoang Lien Centre for Animal Rescue and Conservation.

So far this year, the centre has received 46 animals belonging to 14 kinds of endangered rare species.

After being taken care of for a certain period of time and given a health check, the animals will be released into the wild.

Malaysia extends support to flood victims in central Vietnam

The Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Sharifah Norhana Syed Mustaffa on December 17 handed over donations from the Malaysian Government and businesses to help victims of the recent serious flooding in Vietnam’s central region.

The donations included 25,000 USD from the Malaysian Government, goods worth 22,000 USD from the association of Malaysian businesses in Vietnam and 5,000 USD from Gamuda Land group.

Successive storms and floods hit Vietnam’s central region since late September, resulting in more than 230 people listed as dead and missing, and estimated economic losses of about 17 trillion VND, according to a Government report to the National Assembly on November 2. /.

Migrants need more support, protection amid COVID-19: official

Park Mi-hyung, Chief of Mission at IOM Vietnam

An official from the Ministry of Health’s General Office for Population - Family Planning has emphasised the need to join hands in further supporting and protecting migrants, especially in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Speaking at a meeting in response to the International Migrants Day jointly held by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Vietnam and the Ministry of Health’s General Office for Population - Family Planning (GOPFP) in Hanoi on December 17, Director of the General Office's planning and finance department Dang Van Nghi said the Vietnam Population Strategy till 2030 has directed to pay more attention and investment to vulnerable groups, including migrants.

A number of programmes and projects have been implemented to support migrants, he noted.

While emphasising the important role of migrants, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, Park Mi-hyung, Chief of Mission at IOM Vietnam, said migrants are an essential labour force in each country.

A report by the IOM shows that the number of global migrants has ballooned from 150 million to 272 million over the last 20 years.

According to the 2019 Population and Housing Census, internal migration in Vietnam in the past 5 years accounted for more than 7 percent of the population. Meanwhile, a report by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2016 showed that over 10 million Vietnamese people migrated to other countries. In 2019, Vietnam sent 152,530 labourers to work abroad.

As the COVID-19 pandemic still remains complicated, overseas migrants are more vulnerable to effects of the pandemic than non-migrants. They not only face the risk of losing their jobs and income but also being stigmatized. More importantly, they also encounter the risk of COVID-19 infection. Culture - language barriers and socio-economic situation may limit them from accessing health care services quickly, accurately and safely.

The International Migrants Day takes place on December 18 every year to recognise efforts and contributions of migrants around the world, and promote respect and protection of their basic rights.

In 2020, the International Migrants Day has the theme "Reimagining Migration"./.

Thailand inaugurates 1st unmanned monorail system

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on December 16 opened the country's first unmanned monorail system in the Thai capital.

The Gold Line monorail system links three stations, namely Krung Thonburi station, Charoen Nakhon station and Khlong San station, on the Thonburi side of Bangkok.

Commuters, who are currently provided free rides until Jan. 15, will pay a flat rate of 15 THB (about 0.50 USD) throughout the 1.72-km-long route of the Bombardier Innovia APM 300 system.

The Gold Line monorail system is expected to accommodate some 42,000 passengers daily.

The prime minister also inaugurated Khu Khot station, the terminal of the BTS Green Line extension on Bangkok's northern outskirts.

Passengers currently enjoy free rides on the BTS Green Line extension between Phaholyothin station and Khu Khot station until Jan. 1.

The Green Line extension is expected to serve some 252,000 passengers per day./.

Survey reveals top climate impacts in Southeast Asia

Floods, loss of biodiversity and sea level rise are the top climate impacts in the Southeast Asian region, a new climate survey on Southeast Asians’ attitudes and perceptions conducted by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute revealed on December 17.

The survey shows that floods are a great concern of almost all countries in the region, except Cambodia and Singapore, while Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam are worrying about the loss of biodiversity more than other countries.

Meanwhile, about 20 percent of questioned people in Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos, which do not border the sea, showed concerns about the sea level rise. A higher proportion of respondents in such coastal countries as Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam said this matter is serious.

Southeast Asian citizens also voiced concerns over drought, heat waves, and landslides triggered by long-lasting heavy downpours.

Only 31.3 percent of the respondents agreed that ASEAN has effectively responded to climate change.

Commenting on the results, Choi Shing Kwok, Director of the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute said: “This survey brings to light regional perceptions about climate change that policy makers need to know and act upon.The results show that while intellectual debates may still be raging elsewhere, Southeast Asians do recognise the human cause of the problem and link real local threats to the ongoing climate phenomena. Survey respondents also held a balanced and pragmatic approach to the problem that holds all stakeholders, including themselves as individuals, responsible for tackling the problem. This provides a sound basis for stronger and swifter climate action that is needed in the region.”

The ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute conducted its first Southeast Asia Climate Outlook Survey from August 3 to September 18. Designed to provide insights on climate change perspectives among Southeast Asian citizens, the online survey covered topics such as climate change impacts, mitigation, adaptation, the transition to low-carbon economies and partnership on climate action. It drew a total of 502 respondents from all ten ASEAN member states, and its findings serve as a barometer of general views and attitudes of Southeast Asian citizens towards climate change issues./.

EU bank to invest 97 million USD in water supply, irrigation networks in Cambodia

The European Investment Bank (EIB), the bank of the European Union (EU), will invest 80 million EUR (about 97 million USD) in the Irrigated Agriculture Improvement Project (IAIP) to extend water supply and irrigation networks in several provinces across Cambodia.

The IAIP will improve the efficiency of irrigation systems, increasing the resilience of Cambodian agriculture to climate change. In the long term, the project will contribute to better water resources management, increased efficiency of agricultural production and, in turn, the reduction of rural poverty in Cambodia.

The project is expected to enable Cambodia to establish a National Water Resources Data Management Centre, crucial in the long term for the country’s ability to mitigate the effects of climate change on water supply and agriculture.

About 200,000 farmers across five Cambodian provinces and 51,000 hectares of agricultural land are expected to benefit from the project.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth said Cambodia welcomes the EIB investments in the IAIP as an important step towards improving living conditions and agricultural production in the country./.

Thailand: All new year events must follow "new normal"

The Thai Ministry of Public Health has clarified that all events can be held, but with well managed protection measures in place.

Doctor Opas Karnkawinpong, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, assured that all new year events can still be held, but the organizers must first ask for a permission and apply stringent measures in order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading.

All event attendees must register via the ThaiChana app and be screened before getting into the event. Hand sanitizers must be placed all over the area.

Meanwhile, Doctor Suwanchai Wattnayingcharoenchai, director of the Department of Health, discussed appropriate measures for stores, restaurants, educational institute and other crowded places during New Year holidays with operators and experts.

The measures include wearing a face mask at all times, screening at entrances, practicing social distancing, and frequent cleaning of commonly touched areas.

Phu Yen seeks cooperation with India in education, health care

The south-central province of Phu Yen wants to cooperate with Indian investors to improve the quality of local education and health care as well as restore the ancient Nhan towers, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Tran Huu The said on December 17.

At a seminar held by local authorities and the Indian Consulate General in HCM City, The told the Indian side of the province’s socio-economic development, saying it is a fertile land for foreign investors.

It is currently home to 17 foreign projects, seven of which were invested by Indian enterprises with 192 million USD in total.

He spoke highly of Indian investors, particularly the KCB Technology and Invest Company Limited, which has an effective business and social welfare strategy.

The chairman hoped that the Consulate General could act as a bridge to connect investment between the two sides.

Indian Consul General Madan Mohan Sethi said India sees Vietnam as an important partner and wants to study investment opportunities in the country in general and Phu Yen in particular.

Since India has a renowned undergraduate education sector and well-developed technology, the country stands ready to welcome Phu Yen officials for short- and long-term training, he said, adding that he will work to introduce the province’s culture and tourism potential to Indian people.

Given COVID-19, both sides should organise online conferences to popularise tourist destinations and outline specific training and investment programmes, he suggested.

Vietnamese students infected with COVID-19 in RoK receive good care: spokeswoman

Twenty one Vietnamese students who were infected with COVID-19 in the Republic of Korea are under good care and are in stable health condition, according to Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang.

At the ministry’s regular press conference on December 17, the spokeswoman said the ministry received the information about the students from the Vietnamese Embassy in the RoK. Accordingly, from December 14 to 16, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) announced that 21 Vietnamese students living in the dormitory of Ajou Motor College in Boryeong, South Chungcheong province, had been confirmed to be positive for SARS-CoV-2.

Hang noted that the Vietnamese Embassy in the RoK has contacted relevant RoK agencies for more information on the cluster of infections and asked them to take suitable quarantine and treatment measures to ensure the health and safety for the students.

According to the spokeswoman, the embassy is maintaining regular contact with the students while staying ready to take citizen protection measures when necessary.

ASEAN countries paying more attention to environmental cooperation

ASEAN member countries have been paying ever greater attention to environmental cooperation, a meeting held by the Vietnam Environment Administration (VEA) at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on December 17 heard.

The meeting reviewed the operation of the ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment (ASOEN) as well as the implementation of Vietnam’s related initiatives during its ASEAN Chairmanship 2020.

Nguyen Van Tai, head of the VEA, said ASEAN countries joined hands this year in containing the COVID-19 pandemic while addressing priority environmental issues in the region such as climate change, the marine environment, chemicals and waste, and water resources management, among others.

Nguyen Thanh Nga from ASOEN Vietnam said the country successfully organised the 31st meeting of ASOEN in the form of a teleconference in November.

Vietnam has demonstrated its efforts and resolve to complete its assigned tasks, contributing significantly to regional integration in natural resources and environment, she said.

ASOEN Vietnam has actively contributed to the grouping’s environmental cooperation documents, Nga went on, adding that it has completed the building of a website that aims to popularise ASOEN’s activities as well as its cooperation with partners.

It will play a more active role in regional cooperation next year, particularly in climate change, environmental education, environmentally-sustainable cities, chemicals and waste, climate change, nature and biodiversity conservation, and water resources management, she said.

It will also launch the fifth ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable City Award 2021.

Source: VNA/VNN/VNS/SGGP/VOV/NDO/Dtinews/SGT/VIR