During the last days of 2023, even at rush hours, the traffic flow at Phan Van Hon – Tran Van Muoi Intersection in Hoc Mon District is still easy. Not a long time ago, this location used to be a hot spot for traffic congestion.

At this time last year, there were 10 traffic hot spots in HCMC, including the above intersection. However, thanks to effective cooperation between the municipal Transport Department and related functional units to carry out both construction and non-construction solutions, 9 have been successfully eliminated.

In particular, at My Thuy Roundabout in Thu Duc City, the city built My Thuy 3 Bridge to share the traffic load with the current bridge. At Vo Tran Chi – Tran Van Giau Intersection, the time laps for the traffic lights for cars and two-wheeled vehicles are recalculated to better regulate the traffic flow. More traffic signs are installed, and speed reduction markings are painted on roads at the intersections of Thoai Ngoc Hau – Luy Ban Bich (Tan Phu District), Phan Van Hon – Tran Van Muoi (Hoc Mon District).

What should become the focus of traffic regulation solutions now are the infamous congestion locations near

• _Tan Son Nhat International Airport: the section of Truong Chinh Street from Au Co Street to Tan Ky Tan Quy Street, Lang Cha Ca Roundabout, Cong Hoa – Hoang Hoa Tham Intersection;
• Cat Lai Port: An Phu Intersection, My Thuy Intersection, the section of Nguyen Thi Dinh Street from My Thuy Roundabout to Cat Lai Port;
• The heart of HCMC: various streets and intersections in District 1, Cong Truong Dan Chu Roundabout, Nguyen Tat Thanh Street in District 4, the triangle of Su Van Hanh Street – Thanh Thai Street – February 3 Street in District 10.
• The entrances into HCMC: National Highway 50 – Nguyen Van Linh Intersection (Binh Chanh District), Nguyen Huu Tho – Nguyen Van Linh Intersection (District 7), Bon Xa Intersection (Tan Phu District), Dinh Bo Linh – Bach Dang Intersection (Binh Thanh District), Vinh Loc – Nguyen Thi Tu – Quach Dieu Intersection (Binh Chanh District).

Traffic experts commented that effectively controlling traffic safety in HCMC corresponds with restoring street order and security. This matter has received much attention since 2012, and the HCMC People’s Committee has released several plans, measures to maintain traffic safety and order along streets.

One prominent solution is a series of measures to gradually reduce traffic congestion citywide, including restoring order on streets, staggering work hours of adults and learning hours of children, accelerating traffic construction projects, scientifically regulating traffic flows to effectively exploit available traffic facilities, and improving public transport quality.

When flexibly and collaboratively done, these measures support one another to provide safer and smoother traffic in HCMC.

Besides the above construction and non-construction solutions, it is necessary to call upon the help of the whole community, especially functional agencies and the local authorities. They are extremely effective in restoring the order on encroached sidewalks normally for commercial or entertaining purposes.

One particular factor leading to traffic congestion is that urban development is too concentrated in the city downtown, creating an imbalance between the scales of technical and social infrastructure development. In addition to dense construction in the city heart, several buildings that usually attract a large quantity of people are still allowed to be sited near busy intersections.

Obviously, to reduce traffic congestion in HCMC, it is essential to adopt new approaches in city planning and urban development tasks.

Quang Nam authorities undertaking protective measures for suspected ancient shipwreck

Authorities of Hoi An city in the central coastal province of Quang Nam have ordered cordoning off and safeguarding around the clock a water area near Cam An ward where a submerged object, suspected to be an ancient shipwreck, was found recently.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Van Lanh said on December 27 that in addition to such measures to prevent unauthorised salvage operations, work are underway to raise local awareness about legal regulations on the protection of underwater heritage.

The incident unfolded on December 26 in the area where an emergency coastal embankment project was underway to combat erosion at Cua Dai beach. Local residents discovered an object believed to be a long-lost vessel. The impact of tidal surges and ocean waves caused a portion of the ship to protrude above the water surface.

According to Lanh, upon receiving reports of the discovery, specialised personnel from the city’s cultural heritage conservation centre were sent to the scene to conduct an initial check. However, due to high tides over the past two days, the detailed structure of the artifact and the measurements of the wooden elements remain undetermined. Observations have indicated multiple dark brown wooden beams protruding from the sea surface, resembling the shape of a boat with a pointed end.

In accordance with the heritage law, the city-level administration does not have the authority to carry out excavation or archaeological work. Hoi An has reported the findings to and requested the Quang Nam Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism formulate the next steps, Lanh said.

Elderly fishermen in the area have speculated that the discovered wreckage could be an ancient merchant vessel.

Vietnamese, Cambodian provinces review border development efforts

The Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang and the neighbouring Cambodian province of Kep on December 27 reviewed the one-year implementation of an emulation plan on building a Vietnam - Cambodia border of peace, friendship, and cooperation for common development in the 2023 - 2025 period.

The event was held in Rach Gia city of Kien Giang by this province’s Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) and the Kep Committee of the Solidarity Front for Development of the Cambodian Motherland.

The two sides noted that they have coordinated with relevant sectors of their countries to disseminate policies and laws on border affairs, including border demarcation and marker planting, to local residents, discouraged people from illegally crossing the border or fishing in each other’s sea areas, and actively taken part in border security protection activities.

The front committees of Kien Giang and Kep have also enhanced partnerships in the fields of economy, tourism, culture, education, health care, border security, crime fight, along with the search for and repatriation of remains of Vietnam’s volunteer soldiers and experts falling down during wartime in Cambodia.

Besides, the VFF committees of Kien Giang’s districts and cities have worked with local border guard posts to encourage the public to participate in border and border marker management.

The two sides have also coordinated with each other to organise regular and unscheduled meetings to exchange information about border issues, resolve security and order incidents related to the sea border and historical waters in a timely manner, and combat cross-border crimes, thus helping maintain security and order in border areas.

Le Thi Ve, President of the Kien Giang VFF Committee, said her province, one of the 10 Vietnamese localities bordering Cambodia, boasts close-knit neighborliness and long-standing friendship with the Cambodian side. People of both Kien Giang and Kep are determined to nurture their friendship.

She expressed her hope that the two front committees will continue implementing the signed agreements and promoting communications in the community so as to build a border of peace, friendship, and cooperation for common development.

Rare sea turtle rescued in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province

The forest protection department at Con Dao National Park on December 27 rescued and released back to the sea a rare green turtle (Chelonia mydas), which was stranded on a beach in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

The animal was found by two foreign tourists while they were wandering at Lo Voi Cape beach in Con Dao district on the same day. The tourists immediately informed the Con Dao National Park Forest Protection Department about the finding.

Upon receiving the information, the department quickly sent forest rangers to the site to rescue the stranded green turtle and return it into the natural environment.

Nguyen Thai Hau, deputy head of the department, said the turtle swam close to the shore while searching for food, then the tide receded so quickly that it became stranded.

Beaches in Con Dao see the largest number of sea turtles come to nest and lay eggs in Vietnam, accounting for about 80%.

In 2023, Con Dao National Park successfully rescued and relocated 2,262 turtle nests with 212,644 eggs. It also helped hatch and released more than 166,000 baby turtles into the sea. Meanwhile, tracking devices were attached on nearly 400 mother turtles coming to lay eggs on Con Dao beaches.

Requiem commemorates traffic accident victims

The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) and the National Traffic Safety Committee (NTSC) are set to jointly hold a requiem for peace of the souls of traffic accident victims on December 29 at Long Hung Pagoda in Dong Anh district of Hanoi.      

At the ceremony, hundreds of Buddhist monks, nuns, and the relatives of victims will observe a minute of silence in memory of the victims, pray for the peace, and raise public understanding and observance of traffic laws in order to mitigate the the serious consequences of traffic accidents.

Paintings by late artist exhibited

As many as 75 paintings by late artist Nguyễn Ngọc Thọ (1925 – 2016) are on display at the Việt Nam Contemporary Art Theatre in downtown Hà Nội.

This is part of a private collection by Đào Danh Hưng and Trần Cường.

Nguyễn Ngọc Thọ is a famed name of the third generation of Vietnamese modern art, after the “Indochina” and “Revolution” periods.

He is one among the first 76 students of noted painter Tô Ngọc Vân (between 1955 and 1957), the first course of the Việt Nam Fine Arts College after 1954 when peace returned to Hà Nội.

He created paintings of various materials like lacquer, oil on canvas, colour powder, watercolour paint, and wooden carving, a popular material in 1960-1970.

His works have typical Asian features, with significant marks of culture and history praising the beauty of people and nation.

Thọ then worked as a lecturer at the Hà Nội Industrial Fine Arts College (now the Hà Nội Industrial Fine Arts University). He has been highly appreciated for his talent, characteristics, and energy.

He had won various prizes at art exhibitions in and outside the country. He won a Second Level Revolution Medal (in 1986); a Prize in the 35th anniversary of Việt Nam Fine Arts Association; the First Level Labour Medal (1992) and For the Sake of Vietnamese Fine Arts Medal (1997) and For the Sake of Vietnamese Literature and Arts Cause (1999).

The works displayed this time are among nearly 200 paintings stored by collectors Đào Danh Hưng and Trần Cường.

Typical works in the collection of Đào Danh Hưng - Trần Cường include lacquer paintings Young Girl and Old Street, Hanoian Young Girl, Tiger, A Herd of Horses; oil on canvas paintings: On the Field; Space Abstract; Tornado Abstract; Thăng Long; colour powder on paper paintings: Hải Phòng Cast Iron Factory, A Female Engineer, An Irrigation Site; watercolour on paper painting: Bạch Đằng Ship Building Factory, A Buffalo, A Farm; coal pencil on paper painting: A Miner, A Break Time, Hope.

Collector Đào Danh Hưng (born in 1955) was born into a family with a tradition of collecting artworks.

Hưng himself concentrated on the work since the 1990s and has gathered many artworks by painters of the Indochina period including a painting collection by famed collector Bùi Đình Thản, who was known as Đức Minh (1920 - 1983).

Hưng’s son-in-law, Trần Cường, has been working as an art collector as well.

In 2012 - 2013, a neighbour of painter Ngọc Thọ introduced Cường and his father-in-law to Thọ and they often visited Thọ’s house and watched him work.

Thọ then sold paintings to Cường’s family to have some money to cover his hospital fees.

“We discussed such an exhibition when painter Thọ was really weak,” said Cường. “Though he was professionally trained in the art, the painter had not sent his paintings to any gallery and rarely shared them with the public. This exhibition is like a commitment between my family and the painter.”

Cường said after the exhibition, his family intended to print a book on the collection and host another exhibition on the painter’s 100th birthday anniversary.

The exhibition will run till January 2 at No 16 Lê Thái Tổ Street. 

Deputy PM orders measures to promote overseas Vietnamese resources in national development

A conference seeking ways to promote resources of overseas Vietnamese (OVs) and connect localities and businesses was held in the northern port city of Hải Phòng on Wednesday.

The event attracted the participation of Deputy Prime Minister Trần Lưu Quang, Secretary of the Hải Phòng municipal Party Committee Lê Tiến Châu, representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Việt Nam and Laos, National Assembly agencies, the Việt Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee, and 29 provinces and cities. It also saw leaders of enterprises and business associations and over 100 OVs from 22 countries and territories.

Speaking at the conference, Deputy PM Quang said that amid complex developments of the world political and economic situations, thanks to the sound and prompt leadership of the Party and the drastic engagement of ministries, sectors and localities, and the solidarity and efforts of the entire nation, Việt Nam has reaped great achievements.

The important results have also been contributed by the OV community, he stressed.

Appreciating the initiative to organise the conference by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the People’s Committee of Hải Phòng City, the Deputy PM affirmed that its theme of connecting OVs with businesses and localities as well as discussion contents related to green investment, human resources development and supply chains conform with the Government’s current priorities.

He asked relevant agencies to listen to and acquire ideas and recommendations of OVs so as to promote their resources to better serve the national building and development.

According to statistics until the end of 2022, overseas Vietnamese from 35 countries and territories have invested in 385 FDI projects in 42 out of 63 provinces and cities in Việt Nam. The total registered capital for these projects reaches US$1.72 billion, contributing to promoting socio-economic development, creating employment opportunities for local people, and increasing tax revenue for the State budget.

The remittance amount sent to the country from 1993 (the first year remittances were recorded) to 2022 has reached over $190 billion, nearly equal to the disbursed FDI capital during the same period, according to Deputy PM Quang.

Lê Thị Thu Hằng, deputy foreign minister and chairwoman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, said that the OV community has truly become a valuable and potential resource, and the Party and State always treasure and appreciate its contributions, and pay attention to supporting and creating favourable conditions for them to stabilise their lives and contribute to the homeland.

Over 10-12 per cent of the six million overseas Vietnamese hold a degree higher than bachelor's degree, or about 600,000 people, making them an important source of high-quality human resources.

About 130,000-150,000 Vietnamese workers are going abroad for works on a yearly basis, contributing huge financial resources, and also contributing to the local workforce when they return.

Overseas Vietnamese entrepreneurs are also enjoying increasing economic power and influence not only to the local community but also to the local authorities, Hằng noted. 

HCMC hosts Vietnam – Korea culture exchange program

The Vietnam-Korea Friendship Association (VKFA) in Ho Chi Minh City organized a cultural exchange program to tighten the friendly relationship between the two countries. The program took place at Saigon Opera House at the night of December 27.

Phan Nguyen Nhu Khue, Member of the Standing Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, Head of the Propaganda and Education Board of the HCMC Party Committee and President of VKFA in Ho Chi Minh City; Lee Hye Kyung, First Vice Chairman of Peaceful Unification Advisory Committee in Ho Chi Minh City attended the event.

The program is a meaningful and practical activity to celebrate the 31st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Korea (December 22, 1992- 2023), one year of the elevation of Vietnam- Republic of Korea (RoK) relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership (December 22, 2022- 2023, the success of the third Congress of the Vietnam - Korea Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City for the term 2023-2028.

On the occasion, the Korean Overseas Association in Ho Chi Minh City granted VND100 million (US$4,127) to the Vietnam-Korea Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City to contribute to the social activities of the association.

Speaking at the program, Deputy Chairman of the VKFA in Ho Chi Minh City Ho Xuan Lam said that during the process of 31 years of cooperation and development, the friendship relation between the two Governments and the people of the two countries have been strengthened, reinforced and widened in various fields.

The Korean community in HCMC has been contributing in various fields comprising economy, trade, investment to charity and social activities to the development of the relationship between Vietnam and Korea and between Ho Chi Minh City and Korean localities.

Apart from the above-mentioned fields, the cultural field has a huge cooperation potential for both sides.

Regional tourism brand between HCMC, Mekong Delta established

The People’s Committees of HCMC and Ben Tre Province yesterday co-held a tourism investment promotion event between the two localities, intending to expand the event to the whole Mekong Delta in the following years.
 Tourists in a tour to the National Park in Ca Mau Province of the Mekong Delta

In the event, Vice Chairwoman of the People’s Committee of Ben Tre Province Nguyen Thi Be Muoi informed that her province is going to invest in key tourism areas while accelerating the task propagandizing unique tourism features in Ben Tre Province. It will gradually develop its own tourism sector as well as the connection program for regional tourism in a more comprehensive way.

In response, Vice Chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee Nguyen Van Dung affirmed that the city is ready to cooperate with all related localities in updating information, connection tasks, and investment attraction activities, with the ultimate aim of socio-economic growth for each concerned area and the whole region.

He hoped that all provinces in the Mekong Delta tighten their links to HCMC so that they can invite the most potential investors to join in promising tourism projects to be carried out in the region.

Thanks to this active and close collaboration between HCMC and 14 provinces in the Mekong Delta in the tourism aspect, it is expected that the regional tourism brand of these localities will become a strong one in the country, able to compete against other tourism destinations in neighboring regions.

In the event, many cooperation agreements between the People’s Committee of Ben Tre Province and businesses, investors from HCMC were successfully signed for tourism development.

Foreign tourist guides found working illegally in Dalat

The Lam Dong Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism have asked travel firms to tighten management on tourist guides at local sites.

The move came after reports about the appearance of many foreign tour guides working without permits at some tourist sites in Dalat City.A South Korean tour guide was reported to have told a group of visitors about some stories about the king’s family at King Bao Dai’s Palace in Dalat. He said that the father of King Bao Dai had 100 sons, 50 of them followed their mother to live on a mountain while 50 others followed their father to live in the sea.

Speaking about the problem, the deputy director of Lam Dong Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc admitted that some travel firms are still using foreign tourist guides who do not have work permits in the area.

“We have issued permissions for some foreign tour guides but no such cards have been given to any South Koreans," the official said. "Those who work illegally may face fines of up to VND 80 million."

The official said that they have asked tourism companies to tighten management on the operation of tour guides to curb the problems.

HCM City, US software company collaborate to develop semiconductor workforce

Ho Chi Minh City’s Saigon Hi-Tech Park (SHTP) on December 28 signed a cooperation pact with the US-based engineering simulation software provider Ansys, Inc. to develop human resources for the country’s semiconductor industry.

Accordingly, Ansys will provide educational software tools and related training programmes to local universities with sci-tech strengths through the firm’s innovation space.

Nguyen Anh Thi, head of the park’s management board, stated that the collaborative programme will offer students an opportunity to access the latest engineering simulation technology and methodologies and enable them to accumulate practical experience, ensuring success in the high-tech field. It will also help improve the operational capabilities of the SHTP’s Electronics and Semiconductor Centre (ESC).

According to Rafiq Somani, Ansys Area Vice President of India and South Asia Pacific, the conglomerate aims to assist the SHTP in achieving its goals of developing simulation skills and design capabilities for high-tech industries.

At the signing ceremony, Vice Chairman of the HCM City People's Committee Vo Van Hoan expressed his hope that in the future, Ansys will team up with the southern economic hub in attracting semiconductor investors. The city has prepared resources and favourable policies to welcome technology enterprises and corporations coming for cooperation and development, he affirmed.

Vietnamese corporation presents apartment building to Lao province

The Ministry of National Defence’s COECCO Corporation on December 27 handed over an apartment building for officials and public servants of Xaysomboun – a newly-established and disadvantageous province of Laos.

The 30-billion-VND (1.23 million USD) building has three floors and 40 apartments.

Member of the provincial Party Committee and Chief of Office of Xaysomboun Somboun Soliththideth said that as the province was newly established, many officials have been mobilised from other places across the country. Therefore, the province could not meet all the needs for housing, and some officials and public servants have to rent motels.

The housing is a great encouragement for them to feel secure to work and fulfil all assigned tasks.

Thanks to the corporation’s contributions to the province’s economic and infrastructure development over the past time, COECCO has been granted with Laos’s third-class Order of Development.

Transport infrastructure development considered as key task in 2024: PM

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 28 asked the transport sector to pay more attention to infrastructure development, considering this as a key, priority task in 2024.

Addressing an online conference held by the Ministry of Transport in Hanoi, which was connected with sites in 62 other provinces and centrally-run cities, the government leader hailed the sector’s efforts in fulfilling its tasks and targets in 2023, contributing to the country's socio-economic development.

He also pointed out limitations the sector needs to handle in the time ahead relating to transport management, traffic accident prevention and control, the implementation of the intelligent transport systems, and the mobilisation of social capital for infrastructure development.

The PM, therefore, suggested solutions for the sector to complete its tasks next year, saying it should optimise innovation and scientific-technological advances in the implementation of key projects to ensure their progress and quality, and prevent corruption and other negative phenomena.

Suitable mechanisms and policies would help to maximise potential, opportunities and advantages of each area, he said, stressing the need to step up the building and consolidation of institutions, and push ahead with decentralisation.

Administrative procedures should be further streamlined to reduce input costs for people and businesses, and the communications work needs to be stepped up to create social consensus, PM Chinh continued.

The PM reminded the sector to prioritise resources for Long Thanh international airport project and monitor its progress to ensure its quality and avert wastefulness.

He also mentioned the construction of expressways in the form of public-private partnership (PPP) in the three socio-economic areas of Dong Dang-Tra Linh, Gia Nghia-Chon Thanh, and Nam Dinh-Thai Binh.

For projects in localities, the ministry should closely coordinate with local authorities to speed up the implementation, the leader said, noting that bidding must be conducted in an open, transparent way.

Upgraded Vietnamese-funded hospital inaugurated in Laos

A ceremony was held on December 27 in Xaysomboun province, Laos, to inaugurate and hand over the upgraded Xaysomboun hospital – a gift from the Government of Vietnam to Laos.

The upgrade started in February 2021 with a total investment of over VND158 billion (US$6.5 million). The 80-bed hospital now has high-quality advanced equipment and its medical examination and treatment capacity are improved.

Speaking at the ceremony, Viengsavanh Vilayphone, Standing Vice Chairman of the Laos-Vietnam Cooperation Committee, appreciated Vietnam’s support to Laos which demonstrates the solid foundation of the great friendship, special solidarity and cooperation between the two countries. It also shows the strong commitment of the Vietnamese Government to supporting the Lao Government in socio-economic development, ensuring social security for the Lao people.

Major General Nguyen Ngoc Ha, Deputy Commander of the Military Region 4 and Head of the Project Management Board on the Vietnamese side, emphasised the investment in the project vividly demonstrates the great friendship and special solidarity between the two Parties and Governments in general and the deep affection between the armed forces of Military Region 4 and Xaysomboun province in particular.

Suksavath Vongphumleck, Deputy Governor of Xaysomboun province, expressed his sincere and deep gratitude to the Party and Government of Vietnam for supporting the province.

He affirmed that Vietnam’s support in building and upgrading the hospital greatly contributes to the local socio-economic development and helps local people access high-quality medical services conveniently.

Countdown & Fireworks to welcome new year in Hanoi

Hanoi will host a countdown with a series of fireworks shows to welcome the New Year 2024.

The countdown "Welcome New Year 2024" will be held at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square and Dinh Tien Hoang Street from 7 pm on December 31, 2023 to 1 am on January 1, 2024.

Music and dance performances by famous artists are expected to exemplify Hanoi's cultural identities and integration efforts, helping to promote the brand of Hanoi - the city of peace at the moment of transition from the old year to the new.

August Revolution Square will host the Heineken Countdown Party 2024 on December 31, 2023 at 7:30 pm. The program, with the participation of top artists, will feature music ranging from lively melodies to delicate concertos.

The Ecopark Countdown 2024 event will be held on December 31, 2023 at 8:30 pm at Swan Lake Park - the largest park in the Ecopark urban area, 14 km from Hanoi's Old Quarter, with free admission.

At the event, Ecopark residents and visitors will be treated to a show of sound and light performances using the most advanced technology, and the LED and laser lighting system will be arranged around the stage.

Hanoi's art troupes will also stage their performances throughout the city. Specifically, the Hanoi Drama Theater will host a play in Ba Vi District on the evening of December 28. The Hanoi Cheo Theater will perform in Nam Tu Liem district on the evening of December 29 and in Thach That district on the evening of December 30. Thang Long Music and Dance Theater will hold a show in Tay Ho District on the evening of December 29. The Hanoi Cai Luong (Reformed) Theater is expected to perform in Phu Xuyen district on the evening of December 28 and in My Duc district on the evening of December 30.

The performance programs will be elaborately choreographed by art units with unique music, dance, and drama to cheer people up on New Year's Eve.

Fireworks displays at 31 venues for Lunar New Year

A series of fireworks shows will take place at 31 venues in 30 districts of the city on Lunar New Year Eve, which falls on February 9, according to the city's People's Committee.

The central district of Hoan Kiem, home to the iconic Hoan Kiem Lake, will host two fireworks displays, while the remaining 29 districts will each host one.

The 31 venues include nine aerial fireworks shows and 22 ground shows. The fireworks will last 15 minutes, from midnight to 0:15 am.

Specifically, two aerial fireworks displays will light up the sky over Hoan Kiem Lake, the traditional site of Hanoi's largest fireworks show. The fireworks will be launched at two locations on Hoan Kiem Lake, in front of the Hanoi Post Office and the headquarters of the Ha Noi Moi (New Hanoi) newspaper.

The other locations for the ground fireworks will be decided by local authorities and will be lakes, parks or stadiums.

This will be the second consecutive year since the Covid-19 outbreak. Hanoi authorities will organize fireworks displays in the city's 30 districts to welcome the Lunar New Year, just as before the pandemic.

In 2021, Hanoi canceled fireworks and countdown events during the Lunar New Year celebration due to the complicated evolution of the novel coronavirus.

Lunar New Year is the longest holiday in Vietnam and an important occasion for family reunions. The 2024 Lunar New Year holiday will begin on February 8 and last until February 14, according to the Vietnamese government's decision.

500,000 farming households supported to display products on e-commerce platform

Chairman of the Vietnam Farmers' Union Luong Quoc Doan affirmed at least 500,000 farming households are supported to display their products on the e-commerce platforms.

The eighth National Congress of the Vietnam Farmers' Union yesterday held a closing session and introduced the Central Executive Committee of the Vietnam Farmers' Union for the term 2023-2028 at the Hanoi-based National Convention Center.

The Congress conducted the first conference, elected 18 members of the Standing Committee, and the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Central Executive Committee of the Vietnam Farmers' Union. This year, Mr. Luong Quoc Doan was re-elected Chairman of the Central Executive Committee of the Vietnam Farmers' Union and his four vice presidents including Pham Tien Nam, Dinh Khac Dinh, Bui Thi Thom and Nguyen Xuan Dinh were also re-elected.

Chairing the press conference right after the congress, Mr. Luong Quoc Doan said that the 2023-2028 term sets the following goals such as supporting at least 500,000 farming households to display their agricultural products on e-commerce platforms.

Moreover, over 97 percent of the union's members buy health insurance and the union will encourage its 300,000 members or more to participate in voluntary social insurance.

The Congress has proposed seven main tasks and solutions for the 2023-2028 term focusing on three breakthrough tasks including the approach to gather and unite farmers, the development of collective economics in the agriculture sector and improving qualifications and skills for farmers and association officials at all levels.

Binh Dinh seeks to boost tourism cooperation with southern Lao provinces

A meeting was held in Binh Dinh on December 28 to discuss how to promote tourism development link between the south-central province, and Atapu, Sekong, Champasak and Salavan province, southern Laos.

According to Vice Chairman of the Binh Dinh provincial People's Committee Lam Hai Giang, delegates were provided with information about destinations, tourism products and services and tourism resources, helping them understand more about the history, culture, nature and people of Binh Dinh, thus expanding cooperation between Binh Dinh and southern provinces of Laos to develop appropriate tourism products in the future.

Binh Dinh will continue to focus on effectively implement cooperation programmes among sides, and work closely with the Lao localities to contribute to further strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, Giang said.

Jointly organised by the Department of Tourism of Binh Dinh and tourism management agencies of the southern Lao provinces, the event aims to concretise a cooperation agreement for the  2021 - 2025 period signed on March 30, 2023  between the Binh Dinh provincial People's Committee and the authorities of the Lao localities.

Previously, a delegation of the Lao localities including representatives from tourism associations and travel agencies, and owners of hotels and tourist sites, made a trip to famous tourist destinations in Binh Dinh, which serves developing tours and tourism products in the future.

PM affirms digital transformation progress in 2023

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed the tangible results of digital transformation in 2023 that have a positive impact on overall socio-economic development at the seventh meeting of the National Committee for Digital Transformation on December 28. 

PM Chinh, who is also chairman of the committee, highlighted key achievements last year, including the effective implementation of the National Digital Data Year and the National Population Database, improved online public services and digital infrastructure, with nearly 80% of the Vietnamese population now using the Internet. Furthermore, greater attention has been paid to cybersecurity and information safety.

He also pointed out outstanding problems and weak points in the field, and requested greater efforts in 2024. 

The PM asked the committee along with steering committees for digital transformation of ministries, agencies and localities to urgently issue digital transformation plans for 2024, which should focus on developing the digital economy across four pillars, namely information technology industry, digitalisation of economic sectors, digital management and digital data.

He laid emphasis on improving the effectiveness of online public services, particularly the 53 essential services, developing the national digital infrastructure, including the building of the National Data Centre; upgrading the national axis so as to early commercialise 5G services in 2024, eliminating mobile signal dead zones nationwide, and striving for all villages and hamlets to be provided with fiber-optic cable connectivity.

He requested the effective development of digital platforms, applications, and services, particularly artificial intelligence platforms, virtual assistants, the VNeID digital citizen application, digital payment applications, electronic invoices and contracts, and personal digital signatures.

The Government leader also assigned tasks to ministries, sectors and localities in digital transformation next year. 

Reports delivered at the meeting highlighted that the World Intellectual Property Organisation ranked Vietnam 46th in the 2023 Global Innovation Index, up two places compared to 2022. The national digital transformation index rose by 48% after three years from a value of 0.48 in 2020 to 0.71 in 2022, and is forecast to reach 0.75 in 2023.

The digital economy is growing at an average 20% a year, three times the GDP growth rate, and its share in the national economy is estimated at 16.5% this year.  

Vietnam was among the top 10 countries in terms of the number of new mobile application downloads for two consecutive years 2022 and 2023. The user base on digital platforms in the country experienced a 46% growth compared to 2022.

By the end of this year, ministries and agencies reduced and simplified nearly 2,500 business regulations, streamlining 528 out of 1,086 administrative procedures related to citizens.

The Ministry of Information and Communications proposed that digital transformation in 2024 should go in the direction of universalising digital infrastructure, creating digital applications to serve the development of the digital economy as a new driver for economic growth and productivity enhancement.

HCM City's friendship association works to strengthen Vietnam - Cuba relations

The Vietnam – Cuba Friendship Association's chapter in Ho Chi Minh City (VCFA HCMC) will continue to promote people-to-people diplomacy activities to increase understanding between the people of Vietnam and Cuba as well as between HCM City and Cuban localities in particular, contributing to further intensifying the special relations between the two countries.

This orientation was approved at the 3rd congress of the association for the 2023-2028 tenure held in HCM City on December 28.

Accordingly, the VCFA HCMC will focus on promoting communication activities, including setting up a Youtube channel, to introduce the country and people of Cuba to people from all walks of life, especially young people, and the importance of the Vietnam-Cuba relations in the new situation.

Activities to strengthening economic cooperation between HCM City and Cuban localities and partners will be also organised.

The association will continue to coordinate effectively with the Cuban Consulate General in HCM City in implementing people-to-people diplomacy activities.

In her speech at the congress, Cuban Consul General in HCM City Ariandne Feo Labrada said the VCFA HCMC is a core force in developing the special solidarity between Cuba and Vietnam, adding that the association has supported and organised many activities to strengthen and develop the relations between the two countries’ people.

She thanked the VCFA HCMC for its supports for the Cuban Consulate General, reaffirming her commitment to join efforts of the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) and the VCFA HCMC to increase activities to further strengthen the special traditional friendship between the two countries and their people.

Bank guard posthumously awarded Bravery Order

President Vo Van Thuong on December 28 signed a decision to posthumously award the Bravery Order to Tran Minh Thanh, former guard at the Ngu Hanh Son transaction office of the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam – Song Han Branch in the central city of Da Nang, for his courageous action in the fight against crime.

Thanh, born in 1973, was stabbed while trying to stop robbers from fleeing in a robbery at the bank transaction office in November 22.

Top legislator envisions continued success for NA Office in 2024

Activities of the National Assembly Office are becoming increasingly professional and effective, said NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue during a conference in Hanoi to review its 2023 work and outline tasks for next year.

Chairman Hue hailed activities of the legislature and concerted efforts and dedication of the agencies under the NA Office this year, noting that their endeavors have become increasingly "uniform, widespread and comprehensive”.

Highlighting several notable achievements, he said the workload in 2023 increased significantly, possibly the most extensive since the beginning of the term, including successfully holding two regular and three extraordinary sessions, 16 meetings of the NA Standing Committee, among others.

He noted improvements in law-making and supreme oversight, with quicker and more practical decision-making on crucial national issues. This, he stressed, underscores the NA's role and policies in promptly translating the Party Central Committee’s directives into practical actions by the Government, ministries, agencies and local authorities.

He asked for the need to further excel in the tasks of Party and political system building, strengthen efforts in safeguarding internal political stability and effective financial and public asset management.

In conclusion, he believed that the office will have a more successful year in 2024 than the previous year.

More specific policies needed to push up science, technology development: Deputy PM

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang on December 28 asked the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) to perfect institutions and legal policies, creating corridors for the development of science and technology.

The Deputy PM made the request while addressing a conference reviewing the ministry’s performance in 2023 and launch tasks for 2024.

The MoST needs to have specific policies to develop this field on contents such as valuation of assets formed after implementing scientific research results, policies for scientists, and self-reliance and financial mechanisms, he said.

It is necessary for the ministry to further promote research and application of scientific and technological advances in the direction of encouraging scientists with the allocation of sufficient capital for scientific research, he said.

The Deputy PM underlined the need for good collaboration between relevant ministries and agencies and strengthening connections to learn from international experiences, thereby arousing the spirit of solidarity to overcome difficulties and challenges.

He lauded the ministry’s performance in 2023, saying that in the context of common difficulties in the region and the world, Vietnam has still steadfastly overcome the hardships and achieved encouraging results. Quang attributed the achievements to the significant contributions from the science and technology industry, scientists, and those working in the sector.

According to a report presented at the conference, Vietnam's Global Innovation Index (GII) has continuously improved over the past 13 years, showing its effectiveness in converting input resources into innovative results.

Vietnam ranks 46th among 132 economies featured in the Global Innovation Index 2023 rankings, up two positions from last year. The country ranks second among 36 economies in the lower middle-income group, and is one of the seven middle-income countries with the most progress in innovation in the past decade.

The MOST has developed a Provincial Innovation Index (PII) and officially deployed it nationwide from 2023. This is a tool to measure the innovation capacity and results of each locality across the country, contributing to improving the national innovation index.

In the field of high technology, the MOST has coordinated with other ministries and agencies to resolve important issues relating to accessing semiconductor chip manufacturing technology. The proportion of export value of high-tech products reached nearly 50% of the total value of exported goods. The ministry has also effectively deployed scientific and technological tasks on developing key technologies of the fourth Industry Revolution that Vietnam has advantages such as artificial intelligence, big data analysis, Internet of things, 3D printing and virtual reality technology.

The national creative startup ecosystem has grown in both scale and forms of operation. It is considered one of the most dynamic ecosystems in Asia and ranked 58th in the world. The capital city of Hanoi was among the top 200 global creative startup cities for the first time.

Investment in Vietnamese startups and innovation has maintained a good level of development compared to other countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with 56 projects and total investment capital of nearly 500 million USD in the first six months of 2023.

Association fulfills role as representative of AO victims’ rights, interests: official

The Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange (VAVA) has surmounted many difficulties to fulfill its tasks over the last five years, deserving its status as the representative of the rights and legitimate interests of AO victims, said VAVA Chairman Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Van Rinh.

The fifth VAVA Congress for the 2023 - 2028 tenure is taking place in Hanoi on December 28 - 29.

Reviewing the association’s performance during 2018 - 2023, Rinh said VAVA chapters nationwide have properly submitted advice about relevant affairs to the Party, State, and all-level administrations, joined hands in addressing post-war consequences of toxic chemicals, and helped perfect the documents on support policies for AO/dioxin victims and on the settlement of toxic chemical consequences.

Communications in various forms have been boosted. The association’s emulation movement named “For the AO victims of Vietnam” has been implemented on a large scale and connected with a similar campaign launched by the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, thus yielding fruitful results.

VAVA chapters have also taken creative measures to mobilise resources for the care and support for victims, he said, noting that from the start of the fourth tenure to November 2023, they raised more than 2.27 trillion VND (93.4 million USD) in both cash and kind.

Thanks to social donations, they have spent over 2.16 trillion VND on supporting AO victims, built 3,973 houses for the target group, presented 24,550 scholarships worth over 19.58 billion VND in total to children of the victims, given free check-ups and medicine to 644,000 people, and helped thousands of victims to develop livelihoods and seek jobs, he continued.

In addition, the struggle for justice for AO/dioxin victims has been promoted with new forms and measures adopted in conformity with the Party and State’s viewpoint, guideline, and foreign policy, thereby helping improve the US Congress and Government’s awareness of the issue and their sense of responsibility to the cooperation with Vietnam in the environmental remediation of dioxin contamination at Da Nang airport in Da Nang city and Bien Hoa airbase in Dong Nai province. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has also carried out a project to assist the disabled, including AO/dioxin victims, in the provinces hit hard by toxic chemicals, along with some other projects benefiting the victims.

Rinh called this one of the big successes of VAVA over the last five years.

To support Tran To Nga, a Vietnamese French victim of AO, in her lawsuit against the US firms manufacturing the toxic chemical used by the US army during the war in Vietnam, VAVA has worked closely with French lawyers and raised resources to help her. It has also issued a statement of support for the lawsuit and sent an open letter to domestic and international organisations and individuals to call for their objection to the court’s first-instance judgment and assist Nga to sue the US firms at the appeal court in Paris, according to the chairman.

He noted that the fifth VAVA Congress, held ahead of the association’s 20th founding anniversary (January 10, 2004 - 2024), is an important event marking the development of VAVA from central to grassroots levels. It is a chance to disseminate the Party and State’s viewpoint, guideline, and policies on the settlement of toxic chemical consequences to raise public awareness of the issue, and call for domestic and foreign support for AO victims as well as the struggle for their justice.

Besides, the congress is also an occasion to honour collectives and individuals with excellent performance in the field, along with outstanding victims who have surmounted difficulties to integrate into the society, Rinh added.

From 1961 to 1971, the US army sprayed more than 80 million litres of herbicides, 44 million litres of which was AO containing nearly 370 kilogrammes of dioxin, over southern Vietnam.

As a result, around 4.8 million Vietnamese were exposed to the toxic chemical. Many of them have died while millions of their descendants are living with deformities and diseases as a direct result of the chemical’s effects, according to VAVA.

Tra Linh-Longbang border gates on Vietnam-China border upgraded to int’l level

The authorities of the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang and China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region jointly organised a ceremony on December 28 to announce the upgrade of the pair of Tra Linh (Vietnam)-Longbang (China) border gates into international ones.
 
Cao Bang and Baise city of China are currently connected through three pairs of border gates, which are Soc Giang-Pingmeng, Tra Linh-Longbang (which includes the Na Doong-Na Ray crossing) and Po Peo-Yuewei, along with the Dinh Phong-Xinxing border crossing. However, the Tra Linh-Longbang border gates are located on the most convenient route connecting the Southwest region of China to ASEAN countries.  

After the upgrade, the Tra Linh-Longbang international border gate will help expand the flows of people, vehicles and goods from third countries, contributing to promoting economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and China and in the region and further deepening the friendship between the two countries.  

Addressing the ceremony, Chairman of the Cao Bang People’s Committee Hoang Xuan Anh emphasised that the official upgrade of the pair of border gates is an important premise for the two sides to make development plans, attract investment, and upgrade infrastructure, as well as design appropriate policies and mechanisms to facilitate import and export activities, thus promoting cooperation, comprehensive development and people-to-people exchanges between the Vietnamese locality and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. 

This is an important milestone in the development of cooperation between Cao Bang and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and between Vietnam and China in general, he added.

He proposed the two localities to further promote exchange and cooperation activities in a synchronous and modern direction, meeting the trade and travel demand of the two countries' people, thereby contributing to deepening the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Yang Jinghua, deputy head of the Standing Committee of the Guangxi Zhuang Automonous Regional People’s Congress affirmed that the two sides will continue to implement the motto "friendly neighbourliness, comprehensive cooperation, long-term stability, looking toward the future” in accordance with the spirit of "good neighbours, good friends, good comrades, good partners”.

Yang expressed her hope that the two sides will optimise the local border gates and border crossings to further strengthen investment and trade cooperation, and expand exchanges and cooperation in agriculture, culture, and tourism, thus contributing to lifting relations between the two countries to a new height.

Former Saigon Co.op leader charged with abuse of power

On December 28, the People's Court of HCM City commenced the trial of defendant Diệp Dũng (former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Cooperative Alliance of Trade Unions in Ho Chi Minh City - Saigon Co.op) on charges of "abuse of power in the execution of duty."

Four co-defendants, Nguyễn Thành Nhân (former CEO of Saigon Co.op), Hồ Mỹ Hòa (former CFO of Saigon Co.op), Võ Thành Trung (CEO of the New Urban Company), and Tôn Thất Hào (Director of Đại Á Company), are also being tried for the same offence.

The remaining four defendants, Trần Trung Liệt (former Chief Accountant of Saigon Co.op), Hàng Thanh Dân (former Head of the Saigon Co.op Control Committee), Phạm Thị Minh Ngọc (former Deputy Head of the Saigon Co.op Control Committee), and Nguyễn Thị Thùy Trang (member of the Saigon Co.op Control Committee), faced charges of "negligence causing serious consequences."

During the morning session, the procuracy presented an indictment. In 2016, Saigon Co.op proposed the acquisition of the Big C Vietnam chain, a project approved by the HCM City People's Committee. To implement this, on March 4, 2016, Diệp Dũng issued a memorandum calling for capital mobilisation for the project. On March 10, 2016, Saigon Co.op received VNĐ3 trillion (US$123 million) from individuals and companies as capital for the Big C acquisition. However, the auction in late May 2016 was unsuccessful.

Around July 2016, defendant Diệp Dũng directed defendant Hồ Mỹ Hòa to withdraw VNĐ1 trillion ($41 million) from the capital mobilisation account for investment cooperation. On August 19, 2016, without the approval of the Board of Directors, Diệp Dũng unilaterally signed an agreement with Đại Á Company for VNĐ300 billion ($13 million) and another with the New Urban Company for VNĐ700 billion ($28 million), both with an annual fixed profit of seven per cent.

According to the agreements, Saigon Co.op would receive an annual fixed profit of seven per cent on the cooperation amount, with a contract term of three months, and a one-time payment (principal + interest) at the end of the cooperation period. Subsequently, Diệp Dũng, representing the two companies, continued to sign four contract addenda to extend the contract term and maintain the fixed profit of seven per cent per year.

In March 2018, Diệp Dũng signed a supplementary agreement, with the two companies to adjust the seven per cent per year profit rate to 0 per cent per year from August 19, 2016, citing unprofitability in the investment cooperation.

The actions of Diệp Dũng and his accomplices resulted in Saigon Co.op not receiving the interest amount. This adjustment of fixed profit led to damages exceeding VNĐ115.6 billion ($4.7 million), identified in the indictment as the loss in this case.

The trial is scheduled to last two days.

Earlier, at the end of 2022, the People's Court in HCM City sentenced Diệp Dũng to two years in prison for "misappropriation of State secrets." During the investigative process into irregularities at Saigon Co.op, Diệp Dũng admitted to being informed about the inspection and verification process.

Subsequently, the police identified Nguyễn Hoài Bắc, a former HCMC Police officer, as the source of leaked investigative information for his partner Lê Thị Phương Hồng, who relayed the information back to Dũng. Bắc was later sentenced to five years in prison, and Hồng received a six-year prison sentence for "intentionally disclosing State secrets." 

Việt Nam to enhance connectivity and resilience of ASEAN

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has sailed through 2023 with many achievements, despite the complex and unpredictable impact of the regional and international scenes.

That remark was made by Đỗ Hùng Việt, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the inter-ministerial meeting on Việt Nam's engagement in ASEAN on December 27.   

He said ASEAN had proved itself to be highly adaptive and able to leverage new trends in the world in 2023. Initiatives, such as the ASEAN Strategy on Carbon Neutrality and the ASEAN Blue Economy Framework, would be the catalyst for the association leaping forward in the future.       

A notable ASEAN achievement in the year was the finalisation of the ASEAN Community Vision to 2045, whose objectives are to build a dynamic, innovative, resilient, and people-centric community. Another achievement was the elevation of its diplomatic relations with Japan to a comprehensive strategic partnership and with Canada to a strategic partnership.

In its role as a member, Việt Nam made significant contributions to the achievements.

The country has played a part in the implementation of ASEAN Plans of Action and chaired many ASEAN meetings and conferences, including the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information Conference and the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Education.

Some of the country's ideas, such as the Corporate Sustainability Index, have been agreed on and become a programme for the association. 

At the meeting, Vũ Hồ, Director of Department of ASEAN Affairs, kept participants up to speed with Conclusion No.59 issued by the Politburo, which charts the way for Việt Nam to 2030 as a member of ASEAN.

He also underlined the need for a revision to Regulation No.142, which regulates the cooperation between Vietnamese agencies involved in ASEAN affairs, to adapt to a new situation.

As the main theme for ASEAN in 2024 will be "ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience", Việt Nam will actively support Laos in its chairmanship and spare no efforts to strengthen the unity and coherence within the association.

At the end of his speech, Việt called on ministries and agencies to cooperate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in charting a scheme for Việt Nam's engagement in ASEAN in 2024, of which the organisation of the ASEAN Future Forum and the implementation of Conclusion No.59 will be a part. 

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