President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Phan Anh Son lauded contributions of foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to Vietnam’s development in 2023, at a meeting in Hanoi on December 26.

On behalf of Vietnamese beneficiaries, the official thanked the organisations for their valuable support over the past time, singling out 35 with outstanding contributions to Vietnam in the year.

Son suggested the organisations continue with information sharing in 2024, and work together with competent agencies in administrative reforms.

As the standing body of the Committee for Foreign Non-Governmental Organisation Affairs, VUFO has coordinated with ministries, agencies and localities to facilitate the operations of the foreign NGOs, contributing to socio-economic development of localities in particular in the country in general, he said.

Representatives from the foreign NGOs honoured at the meeting thanked the VUFO for its support, helping them implement projects in Vietnam effectively.

Deputy PM orders greater efforts in IUU fishing fight, especially encroachment in foreign waters

Deputy Prime Minister Trần Lưu Quang has requested ministers, heads of relevant agencies, and chairpersons of the People's Committees of coastal localities to implement strategic and long-term solutions, and realise urgent tasks and priorities to have the European Commission (EC)’s "yellow card" warning against Vietnamese seafood removed as soon as possible.

Concluding the 8th meeting of the National Steering Committee on Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing Prevention and Control, the Deputy PM also asked them to focus on mobilising resources for combating IUU fishing following the direction of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat, the Government, and the Prime Minister, and conclusions of the head of the National Steering Committee on IUU National Steering Committee, as well as related documents.

He underlined the need to resolutely handle organisations and individuals who do not fulfill their responsibilities and tasks, and those that violate legal regulations.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) must fulfill its role in inspecting, guiding, and urging coastal localities to comply with the EC’s provisions and recommendations on preventing IUU fishing. It also has to closely coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in providing and sharing information to ensure the effective implementation of diplomatic activities.

The ministry was demanded to perfect the Việt Nam Fisheries database system (VNFishbase) and promote the application of information technology and software for managing the entry and exit of fishing vessels at ports to closely control their operation, and the installation of electronic traceability systems to monitor the transparency and legality for the origin of aquatic products for export.

The Ministry of Defence was asked to collaborate with the MARD and the People’s Committees of coastal localities and relevant agencies to conduct a peak inspection patrol and deploy appropriate measures until April 30, 2024, to resolutely prevent, minimise, and move towards ending the infringement of fishing vessels in foreign waters.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Security will be responsible for directing local police to allocate forces for investigating, preventing, and handling acts of brokering and connecting fishing vessels and fishermen to illegally exploit seafood in foreign waters.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was required to direct the Vietnamese embassies in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand to actively and promptly collect and provide information about fishing vessels and fishermen arrested and handled by foreign countries.

Chairpersons of the People's Committees of coastal localities will be responsible for reviewing documents, and issuing decisions to completely punish cases of violations.

The Deputy PM requested the establishment of local fisheries inspection forces with sufficient capacity to carry out State management tasks related to seafood exploitation and protection of aquatic resources following regulations of the Law on Fisheries and the Law on Organisation of Government.

Relevant ministries, sectors, and localities were demanded to enhance communications activities to widely popularise legal regulations on preventing IUU fishing, and raise legal compliance awareness of coastal communities.

They will have to complete the assigned tasks on schedule, and report results to the MARD before the 15th of each month for reporting to the Prime Minister and the head of the National Steering Committee on IUU Fishing Prevention and Control.

According to a report from the MARD, despite encouraging results, the fourth inspection session of EC’s inspection team from October 10-18 revealed some drawbacks in Việt Nam's efforts to stop IUU fishing in waters outside Việt Nam's boundaries.

Illegal fishing in international waters continues to occur, law enforcement is yet to be concerted, and gaps remain in enforcement against violations.

The inspection team will conduct its 5th inspection at the end of the second quarter of 2024, the results of which will help decide whether the warning can be removed. 

Vietnam, Cambodia vow to facilitate cross-border trade

Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Huy Tang paid a courtesy call to Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Sokha in Phnom Penh on December 26, during which they stressed to work together to maintain order along the border to create favourable conditions for cross-border trade activities.

Tang congratulated Cambodia on successfully assuming its role as the rotating ASEAN Chair in 2022, holding the fifth-term commune and ward council elections, and the seventh-term National Assembly elections. He praised Cambodia for hosting two regional sports events, namely the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) and the 12th ASEAN Para Games, which contributed to enhancing Cambodia's standing in the region and the world.

He also congratulated Sar Sokha on being appointed as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Cambodia by the seventh legislature, and wished that the two countries’ governments, ministries and agencies, especially the Cambodian Ministry of Interior and the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security, would work closely together to further deepen bilateral relationship, bringing about effective outcomes.

Sar Sokha, for his part, expressed his delight at the positive developments of bilateral economic, trade and investment ties over the past years.

He wished that both sides would expand collaboration between ministries, agencies and localities, especially those sharing a common border; realise agreements in economy, trade and investment while increasing coordination in national defence-security to maintain security, stability, order, and societal safety in each country, contributing to consolidating and improving the efficiency of practical cooperation between the two sides.

They agreed to maintain the exchange of delegations at all levels, increase meetings via various channels to share information and experience; continue upholding existing cooperation mechanisms while exploring new, effective opportunities and mechanisms for collaboration across various sectors.

Host and guest underlined the importance of ensuring peace, security and stability for both sides. They underscored the mutual commitment to maintaining order along the border to create favourable conditions for cross-border trade activities and socio-economic development.

Tet gifts to be presented to revolution contributors

President Vo Van Thuong on December 26 signed a decision on presenting gifts to revolution contributors on the occasion of 2024 Lunar New Year.

The beneficiaries include those holding the titles of Heroic Vietnamese Mother, Hero of the People’s Armed Forces and Hero of Labour in the resistance wars, war invalids, and other contributors, and families of martyrs.

The gifts will range from 300,000 VND (12.33 USD) to 600,000 VND.

Identification of corruption in public sector related to private sector – a hard task: workshop

Corruption in basic public services like health care and education would seriously impact efforts in ensuring citizens' fundamental rights, heard a workshop, themed “Identification and prevention of corruption in public sector related to private sector – international experiences and recommendations for Vietnam” in Hanoi on December 26.

The workshop was organised by the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Internal Affairs in coordination with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). It formed part of a project to strengthen Vietnam’s implementation of the UN Convention Against Corruption launched by UNDP, with the support of Norad.

In his remarks, deputy head of the Commission for Internal Affairs Nguyen Thanh Hai affirmed the strong determination and efforts by the Party and the State in the fight against corruption and other negative phenomena, which has received public support and praise from the international community, significantly contributing to maintaining political stability and promoting socio-economic development, and international integration.  

However, it is not easy to identify and prevent corruption in the public sector related to the private sector, he said, noting that it requires both reality reviewing and international experience sharing, especially in basic public services like health care and education.

The knowledge and experience shared at the workshop will help the commission and other relevant Vietnamese agencies in policy consultation and making, according to the official.

A report presented at the workshop showed that the Party has issued many guidelines and policies to identify and prevent corruption in health care and education, and that countermeasures carried out by Vietnam are quite compatible with those under the convention.

The report also gave recommendations to Vietnam to identify corrupt acts and raise the efficiency of anti-corruption measures, particularly in health care and education.

PM urges greater efforts in law building, institutional improvement

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a meeting in Hanoi on December 26 to consider seven proposals on drafting laws, ordinances and two bills.

The proposals covered the Law on Participation in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, the Law on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, the Law on Extradition, the Law on Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue; the Law on Judicial Assistance in Civil Affairs, the Law on Urban Development Management, and the Ordinance on management and protection of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. 

The two bills tabled for discussion were the revised Land Law and the revised Law on Credit Institutions. 

Speaking at the event, PM Chinh said this year, the Government, along with ministries and agencies, has made significant efforts and made significant progress in institutional improvement, including holding 10 specialised meetings on law building.

He, however, said much work remains to be done in the context of many arising issues while some existing regulations fail to meet the current requirements. Therefore, the PM required that ministries, sectors and Government members continue to renew their thinking and investment more efforts in law building.

Legal documents and regulations must continue to be reviewed for timely amendment and supplementation, so as to enhance policy responsiveness in the new situation, he said, adding that the quality of officials and public servants engaged in legal affairs should be improved.

Attention should be paid to close cooperation between ministries and agencies, as well as public feedback and the recommendations of experts and scientists in the law building process, the PM noted.

Party chief hosts Chairman of Japanese Communist Party Presidium

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong hosted a reception in Hanoi on December 26 for visiting Chairman of the Presidium of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP) Central Committee Shii Kazuo.

Party chief Trong expressed his belief that Shii’s visit, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, will contribute to strengthening traditional friendship and solidarity between the two countries’ Parties and people.

Congratulating achievements made by the JCP over the past years, he believed and wished that the JCP’s 29th Congress will be a success, opening up a new development path, elevating the JCP’s position and reputation, and enhancing its increasingly important role in Japanese politics.

He was also pleased with the positive developments of ties between the two Parties over the past years through facilitating exchanges, high-level meetings and information sharing. He spoke highly of the annual theoretical exchange between the two Parties, considering it a standout feature in their cooperative relationship and exchanges.

Shii, for his part, believed that under the leadership of the CPV Central Committee, the Vietnamese people will successfully realise the Resolution set forth at the 13th National Party Congress.

He informed the host about the results of his talks with Politburo member, Permanent member of the CPV Central Committee's Secretariat and Chairwoman of the CPV Central Committee's Organisation Commission Truong Thi Mai, saying that both sides reached consensus on orientations to cooperation between the two Parties in the coming time.

Shii said his visit to Vietnam and several Southeast Asian countries aims to discuss peace building in the region and share the JCP's stance on peace and development issues in the region and the world.

Hailing Vietnam's stature and role in the region, and its recent accomplishments in foreign affairs, he believed that Vietnam will continue to make even greater contributions to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

The guest also provided an update on the JCP’s recent developments, as well as preparations for its 29th Congress scheduled for this January.

Earlier, Shii also held a discussion with Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and head of its Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung, during which they delved into orientations and foreign policies of their Parties, as well as global and regional issues of their concern.

Both sides underscored the significance of the relationship between the two Parties in their foreign policies, and concurred that in the current situation, the two Parties need to exert efforts and actively play a role in promoting peace, cooperation and development in the Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia, while contributing to the global efforts for peace, friendship, cooperation and development, including disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation; and advancing international relations based on the respect for international law and the United Nations Charter.

They concluded by agreeing to continue discussions on measures to reinforce ties between the two Parties and coordinate at international forums, and ensure the effective organisation of the 11th theoretical exchange between the two Parties next year.

President bestows Bravery Order upon leader of FAS Angel rescue team

President Vo Van Thuong on December 26 signed a decision to present the Bravery Order to Pham Quoc Viet, head of FAS Angel, a volunteer rescue team in Hanoi, who risked his life to save people and property in a deadly fire in the capital city in September.  

Established in 2019, FAS Angel has joined rescuing efforts in thousands of incidents. Notably, Viet and other members saved 12 people and property in the fire which took place at a mini apartment building on Khuong Ha Street, Thanh Xuan district.

Embassy meets Vietnamese, Chinese press agencies ahead of New Year

The Vietnamese Embassy in China held a meeting with Vietnamese and Chinese press agencies, including the Vietnam News Agency, ahead of 2024 New Year in Beijing on December 26.

Minister of the Vietnamese Embassy Ninh Thanh Cong emphasised the important role of press agencies in consolidating the social foundation for the bilateral relations, and expressed his hope that the press agencies will publish more objective articles about the situation in each country as well as the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and China, contributing to strengthening mutual understanding and respect, expanding substantive, mutually beneficial cooperation, and promoting the stable, healthy development of the relationship.

The diplomat briefed the journalists on Vietnam’s achievements in 2023, with foreign relations being a bright spot, which has proven its pioneer role in maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, and national defence, helping to raise the country’s position and prestige.

Regarding the Vietnam-China ties, Cong said the year 2023 marks the 15th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, noting the relations between the two Parties and countries have been growing comprehensively.

Party, State, Government, National Assembly and Fatherland Front leaders of the two countries have maintained their regular meetings and contacts, he said, recalling the successful visit to Vietnam by Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping earlier this month, which, he said, has contributed to deepening and advancing the bilateral ties.

According to Cong, economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries remains stable. China continues to be Vietnam's largest trading partner and second biggest export market. The neighbouring country is expected to be Vietnam's fourth largest foreign direct investor this year. Meanwhile, Vietnam is China's largest trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its fourth largest trading partner in the world.

New progress has also been made in cultural exchange, education and tourism cooperation, and collaboration between localities, he said, stressing achievements in building a common land border line of peace, friendship and cooperation, and joint efforts in controlling disagreements at sea in line with international law.

Cong also expressed his hope that in 2024, the departments, ministries, agencies and localities of the two countries will continue to effectively implement high-level common perceptions, bringing the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new period of more substantial and effective development.

Workshop discusses safeguarding of precious intangible cultural heritages

Experts, managers and artisans looked into intangible cultural heritage preservation in Vietnam over the past 20 years at a workshop in Hanoi on December 26.

The event was jointly held by the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association and the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003 Convention). Vietnam was one of the first 30 countries to join this important international convention on September 5, 2005.

Participants said Vietnam was one of the first countries that included matters regarding intangible cultural heritage in their cultural heritage laws, which, they said, has significantly contributed to cultural heritage preservation achievements over the past 20 years, and balancing conservation and promotion activities.

Nong Quoc Thanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said Vietnam was the first country to ask the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage to remove a heritage element from List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, referring to the case of Xoan singing, a folk music genre in Vietnam.

Highlighting joint efforts in cultural heritage protection in Vietnam, the official affirmed that as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee for the 2022 – 2026 term, Vietnam will continue to share its experience, make greater efforts, and promote its responsibility in safeguarding the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

The participants also raised proposals to improve the efficiency of intangible cultural heritage safeguarding in Vietnam, including adjustments and supplements to the Cultural Heritage Law.

Vietnam possesses a total of 15 intangible cultural heritage elements recognised by UNESCO.
 
Just a few examples of these include the Nha Nhac - Vietnamese Court Music, Space of Gong Culture, Quan Ho Bac Ninh Folk Songs, Ca Tru Singing, and the Giong Festival of Phu Dong and Soc temples.

Expanded immunisation programme to include more vaccines

Additional vaccines will be added in the national expanded programme on immunisation (EPI) by 2030 to offer free vaccination to children, according to Duong Thi Hong, deputy head of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology.

The government has issued a resolution on the roadmap to further diversity vaccines in the EPI by 2030. A vaccine against Rotavirus will be named in the programme next year, while vaccines against pneumococcal disease, cervical cancer and seasonal flu will be included in the programme from 2025, 2026 and 2030, respectively, Hong added.   Parents currently must take their children to vaccination services, incurring significant costs.

The vaccine against Rotavirus will be deployed in the 33 localities first. Training for healthcare workers to administer the vaccine to children will be conducted in the first quarter of 2024. By 2025, all children under one nationwide are expected to be given the vaccine.

Hong noted that 20 percent of the rotavirus vaccine used in the expanded immunisation programme will be supported by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation, while the rest will be procured from domestically produced vaccines.

Each dose of vaccine against Rotavirus costs around VND700,000 (USD28). Vaccines against pneumococcal disease and cervical cancer are also quite expensive.

At present, it costs a Vietnamese child around VND20 million to be provided with all necessary vaccines.

Early arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport advised

Passengers have been advised to arrive at HCM City's Tan Son Nhat International Airport earlier than usual during the coming New Year or Tet Lunar New Year holidays to avoid congestion.

On New Year’s until January 2, the airport is expected to serve between 680-740 flights or 110,000-120,000 passengers per day. While during the peak time around Tet, from January 26 to February 24, the airport will serve between 860-900 flights per day operated by 53 airlines, equal to 135,000-140,000 passengers, according to the airport management board.

Roads to the airport may face congestion during Tet. So the airport management board has advised passengers to come to the airport two hours before domestic flight departures and three hours before international flights.

The check-in counters will close 40 minutes before the scheduled departure time for domestic flights and 50 minutes for international flights. The boarding gates will close 15 minutes before departure time.

Individuals aged 14 and above have to carefully check their personal documents, ensuring they are still valid for use.

People can also use eID accounts at Level 2 to use the VNeID app for security checks for domestic flights instead of using conventional documents such as national identification cards.

ASEAN countries cooperate to promote regional festival tourism

The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on December 26 organised a workshop on ASEAN festival tourism.

At the workshop, experts and policymakers from ASEAN countries exchanged information and experiences to develop festival tourism and connect destinations in the region.

It was reported at the event that in 2022, ASEAN countries received 43 million international visitors, accounting for only 30% of the post-pandemic level in 2019.

Thus, ASEAN has been strengthening cooperation in tourism for post-pandemic sustainable development and recovery.

In the past two years, ASEAN issued new policies such as the ASEAN Tourism Marketing Strategy for the 2021-2025 period, the Post-COVID-19 Recovery Plan for ASEAN Tourism, and the ASEAN Framework on Sustainable Tourism Development in the Post-COVID-19 Era.

Building tourism products to improve ASEAN destination competitiveness is an important content to promote post-pandemic recovery. Particularly, a project on developing ASEAN festival tourism was launched to help diversify tourism products in the region and promote intra-bloc destination connectivity.

As a coordinator of the project, the VNAT proposed solutions to effectively develop festival tourism for ASEAN, including Vietnam.

According to a report by the VNAT, ASEAN is considered a land of festivals that take place year round, throughout the region and with their own distinctive nuances.

Festival tourism provides opportunities for tourists to explore local culture, and traditional cuisine and especially experience unique entertainment activities. Today, many festivals in Southeast Asia have become famous all around the world, attracting many tourists, including Cambodia’s New Year festival, the Thai Songkran water festival, and lantern festival or boat racing festival in Laos, the Bali art festival in Indonesia, and the Mid-Autumn festival in Vietnam.

At the workshop, participants agreed that it is necessary to promote ASEAN to become a festival destination which is capable of connecting destinations in the region, diversifying tours, and creating a unique attraction.

They also discussed international experiences and new trends for festival tourism. Recommendations were suggested for relevant parties to effectively manage and exploit festival tourism, ensuring tourism development in line with preserving and promoting cultural and heritage values.

Additional 3,000 train tickets on sale for Tet holidays

The Sai Gon Railway Transport Joint Stock Company (Saratrans) has initially added 3,000 tickets for the Lunar New Year (Tet) holidays – the biggest festival in a year of Vietnamese people.

These tickets are being on sale from December 26 on all channels of the railway sector.

They are for passengers travelling from Sai Gon station (Ho Chi Minh City), Di An (Binh Duong) and Bien Hoa (Dong Nai) in the south to stations from Quang Ngai province in the central region to Hanoi capital city and vice versa, from January 31 to February 19, 2024 (the 21st day of the last lunar month to the 10th day of the first lunar month).

Previously, the railway sector planned to provide over 200,000 seats on 390 trains for the Tet holidays.

Saratrans general director Thai Van Truyen said that after more than two months on sale from October 20, over 130,000 tickets have been sold.

Party leader requests building strong Vietnam Farmers’ Union

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on December 26 demanded building an increasingly strong Vietnam Farmers’ Union (VFU) that is the true representative of farmers’ rights and legitimate interests.

He made the request while addressing the VFU’s 8th National Congress, for the 2023 - 2028 tenure, that opened in Hanoi on the day’s morning.

The event was attended by 995 official delegates representing over 10 million VFU members and farmers nationwide. It also saw the presence of State President Vo Van Thuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, along with many incumbent and former officials.

On behalf of Party and State leaders, General Secretary Trong lauded efforts by the peasant class and VFU chapters at all levels across the country. He also appreciated the goodwill assistance and effective cooperation from farmers’ organisations and international friends around the world for the VFU and the country’s agricultural and rural development.

He emphasised that the Party and State highly value farmers’ significant contributions to the national construction and reform, the building of new-style rural areas, and the development of agriculture and rural economy into a pillar supporting the national economy.

However, the Party leader also pointed out that the VFU’s activities and farmers’ movement have yet to keep up with the fast development of a digital society and the extensive international integration.

Amid the trend of ecological agriculture, he said farmers need to change their mindset and action to become a true stakeholder and the centre of the development of agriculture and rural economy and the building of new-style countryside.

As farmers are decreasing and aging while redundant workers in urban areas and industrial parks are moving to rural areas to seek agricultural livelihoods, VFU chapters at all levels need to reform their working methodology so as to be capable of fulfilling tasks and assisting farmers in the next five years and beyond to build a strong peasant class joining common efforts to establish Vietnam as a country with modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030 and as a developed and high-income nation by 2045, he continued.

General Secretary Trong asked all-level VFU chapters to push ahead with reforming their working methodology, quality, and effectiveness; properly bring into play its central role in farmers’ movement; and act as a bridge linking farmers with the Party and State.

He also demanded the VFU serve as an active factor of the great national solidarity bloc and the “workers - farmers - intellectuals” alliance, actively integrate into the world, and promote the effectiveness of international cooperation and people-to-people diplomacy.

In addition, the leader ordered all-level Party committees, administrations, Vietnam Fatherland Front committees, and socio-political organisations to create more favourable conditions for VFU chapters at all levels to operate. He also told them to properly carry out the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies and laws on agriculture, farmers, and rural areas.

General Secretary Trong expressed his belief that after the congress, the VFU’s activities and farmers’ movement will record stronger progress to help successfully implement the resolutions of the 13th National Party Congress and the 13th-tenure Party Central Committee, build on revolutionary achievements, and develop a prosperous, happy, strong, democratic, equal, and civilised nation with rich people.

Workshop seeks to identify corruption in public sector related to private sector

Corruption in basic public services like health care and education would seriously impact efforts in ensuring citizens' fundamental rights, heard a workshop, themed “Identification and prevention of corruption in public sector related to private sector – international experiences and recommendations for Vietnam” in Hanoi on December 26.

The workshop was organised by the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Internal Affairs in coordination with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). It formed part of a project to strengthen Vietnam’s implementation of the UN Convention Against Corruption launched by UNDP, with the support of Norad.

In his remarks, deputy head of the Commission for Internal Affairs Nguyen Thanh Hai affirmed the strong determination and efforts by the Party and the State in the fight against corruption and other negative phenomena, which has received public support and praise from the international community, significantly contributing to maintaining political stability and promoting socio-economic development, and international integration.  

However, it is not easy to identify and prevent corruption in the public sector related to the private sector, he said, noting that it requires both reality reviewing and international experience sharing, especially in basic public services like health care and education.

The knowledge and experience shared at the workshop will help the commission and other relevant Vietnamese agencies in policy consultation and making, according to the official.

A report presented at the workshop showed that the Party has issued many guidelines and policies to identify and prevent corruption in health care and education, and that countermeasures carried out by Vietnam are quite compatible with those under the convention.

The report also gave recommendations to Vietnam to identify corrupt acts and raise the efficiency of anti-corruption measures, particularly in health care and education.

Australian fund helps Ba Ria – Vung Tau improve quality of refraction service

The Fred Hollows Vietnam (FHFVN, Australia) has provided a VND3.6-billion (nearly US$150,000) aid package for the Eye Hospital of the southern province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau to improve the quality of refraction services in the locality.

This non-refundable project, to be implemented in the next five years, aims to enhance community access to two standard eyeglasses service facilities, and the access of eyeglasses and prescription eyewear service facilities to refraction training courses, thus improving the quality of refraction and prescription eyeglasses services in the locality.

The provincial People’s Committee has ordered the hospital to take full responsibility for managing, implementing, and completing the project on schedule and in line with the commitment to the sponsor.

The hospital will coordinate with Fred Hollows Vietnam and related agencies to implement the project following the provisions in a decree of the Government on the management and use of non-refundable aid not in the form of official development assistance of foreign agencies, organisations, and individuals for Vietnam.

29 footballers called up to pre-U23 Asian Cup training camp

Head coach Philippe Troussier has named 29 players for a training camp which will run from December 28 to January 4, 2024, ahead of the 2024 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U23 Asian Cup in Qatar, with the team targeting a place at the Paris Olympics.

The return of goalkeeper Nguyen Van Viet, defenders Tran Quang Thinh and Luong Duy Cuong, and striker Bui Vi Hao is expected to breathe new life into the gathering.

Furthermore, there are also promising players such as defenders Nguyen Duc Anh and Vu Tien Long; midfielders Nguyen Duc Phu, Le Quoc Nhat Nam, and Vo Hoang Minh Khoa; along with striker Nguyen Quoc Viet.

Footballers who put in good performances during the upcoming training camp will have the chance to be called up to the senior team as they prepare for the Asian Cup in early 2024.

Vietnam have been placed in Group D with Uzbekistan, Kuwait, and Malaysia at the 2024 AFC U23 Asian Cup in Qatar. The tournament will be part of the qualification process for the Paris Olympics and is slated to take place from April 15 to May 3, 2024.

In Qatar, a total of 16 teams will compete in round robin format in the group stage. The two strongest ones will subsequently advance to the quarter-final stage.

The top three finishers will then qualify for the Paris Olympics, while the fourth-placed team will participate in a playoff against an opponent from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for a chance to compete at the games.

This will be the fifth time that Vietnam will compete in the Asian Cup, with their best result being a second place finish in the 2018 edition.

Dak Nong police arrest five suspects for selling women to China

The Criminal Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security has cooperated with police of the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong to apprehend a total of five suspects for human trafficking.

The suspects include Vay Tuyet Mai, 40, residing in Ho Chi Minh City; Nguyen Thi Nho, 38, residing in Dak Nong province; Tran Quang Phat, 44, residing in Ho Chi Minh City; Tran Sieu Khiem, 64, residing in Ho Chi Minh City; and Huynh Hong Chi, 40, residing in the southernmost province of Ca Mau.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the mastermind of the ring was Tuyet Mai, who is of Chinese origin and is the wife of a Chinese man.

The ring members first became acquainted with the victims in order to gain their trust. After that, the suspects talked them into going to China and marrying local men, as well as promising to pay them between VND80 million and VND120 million (US$4,899).

The traffickers then held a meeting between the Chinese buyers and the victims via the Internet or in person.

Once the victims arrived in China, they were held against their will or forced to become illegal wives of local men.

If the victim did not agree then they would be required to pay compensation for the entire amount of money that the Chinese buyers had paid to the traffickers.

Once at the police station, the suspects admitted that they had been attempting to transport seven local women through the Vietnam-China border.

A further investigation into the case is now ongoing.

Vietnamese workers to benefit from Japan skill exams
 
Vietnamese workers will no longer need to go to other countries for skill tests before working in Japan following a recent meeting between the two governments. 

Vietnamese workers can receive support from the Japanese government including free language and job skill training as well as travel costs after passing the skill tests.

The Japanese Embassy in Vietnam announced on Monday that they planned to organise skill exams for Vietnamese workers in the nursing, caregiving, and agriculture sectors in March 2024.Meanwhile, a test for those working in automobile maintenance will be held from May next year.

The move came following talks between Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio in Tokyo on December 16, as part of his trip to mark the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation and bilateral activities.

At the talks, PM Kishida said Vietnam's workforce was indispensable for Japan's socio-economic development. Both sides expressed their satisfaction with the coming organisation of a specific skills exam for apprentices in Vietnam.

Speaking with the Tien Phong Newspaper, Director General of the Department of Overseas Labour, Tong Hai Nam, said that the exams were expected to help Vietnamese workers by cutting application costs and avoiding scams by illegal labour export firms and organisations.

According to a labour export company, there will be several skill tests organised by the Japanese government and after passing a skill test, workers can apply for several related jobs. They can also receive support from the Japanese government including free language and job skill training as well as travel costs. Moreover, workers will enjoy the same salaries and job-related policies as their Japanese colleagues and can apply for permanent residence in the country.

More than 146,000 Vietnamese guest workers went abroad over the past 11 months, and Japan was the leading market receiving Vietnamese workers, with more than 74,000, according to statistics released by the Department of Overseas Labour.

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