A countdown music party to welcome the New Year will be held in downtown Ho Chi Minh City on December 31.

The Tiger Remix 2023, with the theme “Uncage New Year with Courage” will highlight leading Korean singer-songwriter and rapper CL, former member of girl group 2NE1.

She made her solo debut in Korea in 2013 with the single The Baddest Female, and in the US in 2016 with the single Lifted.

The show will also include top singers and bands from the Vietnamese music scene, including Ha Anh Tuan, Den, Toc Tien, Hoang Thuy Linh, Rhymastic, OnlyC, Erik, Ha Nhi, Orange, and Tang Duy Tan.

It will feature MCs Quang Bao and Hoang Rapper, and DJ KS as well.

Producer group DTAP, who produce music for Vietnamese pop stars, will be the event’s music director.

The event will also showcase the Motion Capture 3D technology, cutting-edge technology used in Hollywood blockbusters, for the first time in Vietnam.

The show will take place from 4pm until midnight at Nguyen Hue pedestrian street in District 1, and will also be broadcast on HCM City Television’s channel HTV7.

The event is free and is expected to attract thousands of spectators.

National teleconference announces Party building tasks for 2023

The Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission held a national teleconference on December 29 to review its work in 2022 and put forward tasks for 2023.

Speaking at the event, delegates shared practical experiences of Party building in localities, ministries and sectors.

They emphasised the importance of building a contingent of officials engaged in Party building who have political mettle, uphold self-discipline, and are competent enough to fulfill their tasks.

Vo Van Thuong, Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat, stressed that the Party building organisation sector contributed to the overall achievements of the country in 2022.

Regarding 2023, Thuong requested the sector actively give advice to Party committees at all levels to implement Party building contents comprehensively and concertedly; perform the work of building the Party and the political system; and resolutely fight the manifestations of moral degradation, as well as corruption and negative phenomena.

Party committees and organisations at all levels must focus on personnel work, Thuong stressed, adding that this work is not just about choosing people, but also replacing them when they are unable to meet requirements and fulfil their tasks.

The goal is not only to choose good officials and replace incompetent ones, but also to create unity in the whole system, he said.

Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, and head of its Organisation Commission Truong Thi Mai emphasised the importance of continuing to strengthen the relationship and close coordination between central agencies and local authorities to improve the quality of their work, especially on building projects and personnel planning, and at the same time regularly inspect and hasten the implementation of Party guidelines and step up administrative reforms and the application of information technology.

At the event, Thuong presented the Ho Chi Minh Order to To Huy Rua, former Politburo member, former Secretary of the Party Central Committee, former Secretary of the Party Central Committee and former head of its Organisation Commission, for his great contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation.

Vietnamese citizen among Cambodia casino fire victims

At least a Vietnamese citizen was confirmed to be among those killed in a fire breaking out at the 17-storey Grand Diamond City hotel-casino in Poipet, Cambodia, on December 29.

The blaze took place at 23:30 p.m. killing at least 19 people and leaving 73 severely injured, according to Cambodian authorities.

The police said the victims are mainly Cambodians, Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian, and Chinese. However, the identities or number of victims from each country have not yet been disclosed.

CBSnews quoted a volunteer from Thai rescue group Ruamkatanyu Foundation as sayings that the blaze started on the first floor before quickly spreading along carpets, leaping up through the multi-storey building.

Cambodia deployed 300 police officers, 11 fire trucks, and a number of helicopters to the scene.

The cause of the incident currently remains unknown.

According to CNN, Poipet, a transport hub situated between Cambodia’s Siem Reap and the Thai capital Bangkok, is known for its multiple casinos and is home to many Thais who work in the city’s gambling industry.

Almost all forms of gambling are illegal in Thailand, meaning that many Thais choose to cross the border in order to gamble legally.

HCM City centre sleeper bus ban proposed

HCM City Department of Transport has proposed banning sleeper buses from entering the centre of HCM City from January 10 next year.

Under the department’s recommendation sent to the HCM City People’s Committee for consideration, sleeper buses would not be allowed to enter within the boundary of National Highway 1A, Nguyen Van Linh, Vo Chi Cong, Nguyen Thi Dinh, Dong Van Cong, Mai Chi Tho and Hanoi Highway between 6 am and 10 pm.
 
But sleeper buses would be permitted to operate on those roads without any restriction on their way to the new Mien Dong (Eastern) Bus Station in Thu Duc City and Mien Tay (Western) Bus Station in Binh Tan District on fixed routes regulated by the Transport Department.

The HCM City Department of Transport previously proposed the ban from December 15, 2022. However, the committee asked the department to seek the opinions of different agencies, including the Department of Justice before resubmitting it.

HCM City is home to five inter-provincial bus stations with 767 routes to 57 cities and provinces nationwide.

The Department of Transport reported that as many as 76 spots in HCM City operate as illegal passenger pick-up and drop-off points.

Central region faces heavy rain

The National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting has reported that the central region is witnessing torrential rain.

The rain, which started Tuesday, has been forecasted to end on Friday. The weather would affect localities from Ha Tinh to Quang Ngai, bringing a rainfall high of around 100mm.
  
The National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting has warned whirlwinds, thunderbolts and hail would occur during the rain. Low-lying areas in the central region in particular would experience flash floods and landslides.

Nha Trang to be expanded

The southern coastal city of Nha Trang will expand by 8.8 square kilometres by 2040 when parts of Dien Khanh District are merged into the city.

The information was stated in a plan proposed by the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee to the Ministry of Construction and authorities in four localities of Dien Khanh District including Dien An, Dien Toan, Suoi Hiep communes and Dien Khanh Town.

Nha Trang City currently has a total area of over 26,600 hectares, with 19 wards, eight communes, and a population of over 330,000 people.

It is estimated that after expanding to include some parts of the Dien Khanh District, the city will be 27,500 hectares in area and have a population of 780,000 people by 2040.

According to the plan, Nha Trang will become an international tourist city and a centre of administration, politics, economy, culture, and science in Khanh Hoa, as well as a hub of economy, science, education and medical facilities of the south-central coast and central highland regions.

Regarding development strategies, Nha Trang will focus on environmental protection, climate change adaptation and the conservation of natural heritage values. Tourism will be the main economic sector of the city.

Ancient masks found in Ba Ria-Vung Tau recognised as national treasures

The southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau has recognised three golden masks dating back around 2,000 years old as national treasures.

The masks were excavated in Giong Lon Commune in Vung Tau City’s Long Son Town. They are the province’s first national treasures.

The masks were found at three tombs in Giong Son in 2003 and 2005 and are all rectangles with the shape of two opening eyes printed on. The masks date back to the first century BC to the second century AD, around the time of the Oc Eo culture.
  
Some other items, including bracelets, were also excavated from the three tombs.

According to Dang Minh Thong, vice chairman of Ba Ria-Vung Tau People’s Committee, the recognition will be a momentum for the province to continue preserving its cultural heritage.

HCMC’s outstanding young citizens of 2022 announced

The HCMC Youth Union on December 16 revealed a list of 12 outstanding young citizens of the city in 2022.

The young person is honored for their outstanding contribution to the city in the fields of studying, teaching, science research, manufacturing, healthcare, armed forces, literature and the arts, social work, and youth union’s activities.

The award ceremony honoring 12 outstanding young citizens of HCMC in 2022 will be held at the municipal Youth’s Cultural House on January 1, 2023.

Drug watchdog decides to recall Fumanbreak for containing banned substance

Vietnam’s drug watchdog decided to recall a medicine because the product contains banned substance Sildenafil.

The Vietnam Food Administration under the Ministry of Health has just issued a warning about Fumanbreak health food products with the lot number 012022 and registration number 2483/2022 manufactured on August 22, 2022, and expiry date on August 21, 2025. The drug is produced at a branch of Dak Tin Pharmaceutical - Cosmetic Company Limited at No. 8 on Street No. 100 in Tan Phu Ward in Ho Chi Minh City’s Thu Duc City for containing the banned substance Sildenafil.

The Phuc Day Trading and Import-Export Company located on the sixth floor in building 17-19, Road 59 in Lang Ha Street in Hanoi’s Ba Dinh District has announced to be responsible for Fumanbreak.

The food watchdog has issued a decision to recall the Fumanbreak drug, warning consumers not to buy or use products with the above information. According to the administration, if anyone detected these products circulating on the market, they were recommended to notify relevant authorities for handling in accordance with the law.

Sildenafil is an active ingredient indicated for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension, but this is also a substance with many dangerous side effects to health, so it is prohibited for use in nutritional supplements.

Calligraphy street to be held in HCMC’s floating flower market

HCMC’s unique floating flower market will open on January 6-21 (on the 5th -30th days of the last lunar month) on the Tau Hu-Ben Nghe canal along the street of Ben Binh Dong in District 8.

According to District 8’s Cultural Center, this year’s flower market will include a series of activities, such as spaces of ornamental trees and flowers, fruits and other agricultural products of gardens and businesses coming from provinces and cities across the country, an exhibition of flower and fruit arrangements, making Banh Tet (the cylindrical-shaped rice cake), a food fair selling traditional dishes on Tet holiday.

In addition, the organization board will also host performances of Don Ca Tai Tu Nam Bo (southern amateur music) on boats along the canal.

One of the highlight activities is a calligraphy street with the aim of introducing an indispensable Vietnamese New Year tradition. The calligraphers wear traditional costumes and write and sell nice words written in calligraphy to customers. Buying calligraphic works is believed to bring purchasers good luck and prosperity. Calligraphic works are written in Vietnamese, Chinese, English, and other languages with a special kind of ink.

There will also be 666 stalls selling ornamental trees and flowers, and fruits of businesses from localities nationwide.

HCMC actively coping with cyberattacks

The HCMC Information and Communications Department has cooperated with information security units to hold a drill on cyber securityto actively try to deal with an increasing number of cyberattacks during the city’s digital transformation process.

In 2022, computer viruses have created a property damage of VND21.2 trillion (US$883 million) to Vietnamese people. Some serious incidents are the loss of VND2.1 billion ($88,800) of a bank customer in HCMC when upgrading the mobile phone SIM card or the loss of VND5.5 billion ($232,500) of a victim in Hanoi after following instructions of an impersonator of the police in a phone call.

General Director of Bkav Cyber Security Co. in charge of AntiMalware Nguyen Tien Dat stated that cyber criminals have become more sophisticated in their tricks. Statistics from this company reveal that three out of four phone users in Vietnam have experienced fraudulent calls related to finance matters.

Personal mobile devices of employees have lately been given a right to access their business’s local network. Taking advantage of this, cyber criminals are trying to spread malware onto these smart equipment pieces to steal money or valuable data.

Since the impacts of such online attacks are too grave, state management agencies and people in the field of cyber security must frequently update feasible solutions to stop those harmful actions.

Deputy Director of the HCMC Department of Information and Communications Vo Thi Trung Trinh shared that HCMC is focusing all resources to carry out the project to transform the city into a smart one as well as the digital transformation process. Therefore, cyber security is at the top priority, including activities to raise the awareness of state agencies and the local authorities, political-social organizations, businesses about this matter.

In such a context, a drill on cyber security is essential as an effort of HCMC to proactively respond to an increasing number of cyberattacks recently. The drill has practices in the aspects of preventing account takeover and email spreading with harmful content (state management, data encryption); preventing phishing attacks to take control of victims’ computers to further attack related servers; stopping attacks taking advantage of vulnerability in a company’s website while eliminating these detected weaknesses; stopping systematic attacks to the unit’s firewall.

Vietnam enhances prevention and fight against biodiversity crimes

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed a decision dated December 27, 2022, approving a project to boost prevention and fight against biodiversity crimes by 2030, with a vision towards 2050.

The project's objective is the successful application of the National Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, increasing awareness and responsibilities of public bodies, organizations, and legal persons regarding biodiversity and contributing to the conservation of ecosystems, fauna, flora, and genetic resources.

The competent authorities will deal with biodiversity-related crimes in line with international agreements and conventions to which Vietnam is a signatory.

The country is among the signatories to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the 1989 Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, and the UN Convention on Combat Desertification.

Looking ahead to 2050, Vietnam aims to effectively restore and preserve key natural ecosystems, endangered species, and precious and rare genetic resources.

Painting exhibition on oriental culture opens in Hanoi

An exhibition entitled “The Ancient Imprint of the Civilization,” features 19 paintings by eight Hanoian artists, was opened at the Temple of Literature on December 25.

According to the organizers, the exhibition conveys the passion for the national cultural heritage in general and the Temple of Literature in particular of young artists, who are always dedicated to preserving and promoting the values of Vietnamese heritages.

The experiential artworks are presented in various painting techniques and materials, including ink and smoke on paper, woodcarving, screen printing, and bronze casting, among others.

The exhibition's highlights are the works called “Ancient Book 1” and “Ancient Book 2” by painter Vu Xuan Dong on bronze and lacquer, depicting the beautiful landscapes of the Temple of Literature as well as the daily life of Hanoians of yesteryear.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Duc Hung drew his paintings with ink and smoke on traditional do paper, creating impressive aesthetic effects and evoking funky imagination among viewers.

The painting called “Shadow of Water” by Pham Hung Anh shows a gorgeous image of Khue Van Cac or the Literature Pavilion inside the Temple of Literature.

Meanwhile, sculptor Nguyen Truong Giang’s iron artwork, “Lonely Walker”, depicts a strong but equally soft and lively human image.

Using acrylic and gold printed on canvas, author Nguyen Tuan Dung creates the image of the Literature pavilion and the Temple of Literature gate, helping viewers to explore the hidden beauty of the heritage.

The exhibition will run until February 5, 2023.

Gov't fixes deadline to end illegal fishing in foreign waters

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered ministries, agencies and localities to coordinate in preventing and putting an end to illegal fishing in foreign waters before March 21, 2023.

Five years after the European Commission (EC) issued "yellow card" against seafood exports, Viet Nam has made great efforts in implementing the EC's recommendations to combat IUU fishing but many shortcomings still remain.

The Government chief made it clear that the eliminating IUU fishing will not only help remove the EC's yellow card but also ensure the sustainable development of the fisheries sector and demonstrate Viet Nam's responsibility for implementing international commitments in protection of marine environment and ecosystem.

Pham tasked the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development – the standing agency of the National Steering Committee for IUU Prevention and Control to promptly design a 180-day action plan on IUU combat and submit to the Government for approval.

Pham requested the ministry to send teams to inspect IUU prevention and control to coastal provinces and cities, and timely provide guidelines for these localities to overcome shortcomings.

The provincial/municipal People's Committees of coastal localities must ensure that export of seafood products does not violate regulations on IUU prevention and control.

Appeal court reduces sentence of former Bình Dương chairman

Former chairman of Bình Dương Province People's Committee Trần Thanh Liêm has had his seven-year sentence for “violating regulations on management and use of state assets, causing loss and waste” reduced to six.

The High-Level People’s Court in Hà Nội decided at the appeal hearing on Wednesday to consider the appeals of four defendants of the case of violations of land management in southern Bình Dương Province, causing losses worth hundreds of billions of đồng to the State budget.

The judges explained their decision was based on the fact that Liêm’s family paid VNĐ1 billion (US$42,319) to remedy the consequences.

During the investigation, he also confessed and repented.

In August, the Hà Nội People’s Court sentenced the former chairman of Bình Dương Province to a sentence of seven years in prison.

Trần Nguyên Vũ, former General Director of Bình Dương Corporation, also had his sentence reduced by two years to 21 years.

Vũ was sentenced to a total of 23 years in prison by the first instance court for "violating regulations on management and use of state property, causing loss and waste" and "embezzlement of property".

The court did not accept the appeals of other defendants and decided to uphold the original judgment.

Lý Thanh Châu, deputy general director of February 3 Corporation, received four years and six months in prison while Đỗ Thị Thanh Thúy, the corporation’s former chief accountant, was given 30 months in jail.

The court required the corporation to pay back more than VNĐ761 billion ($32.2 million) to the State budget and collect additional land rental fees as prescribed.

New film to promote the image of Vietnam to international audiences

A new film by director Mai Long that honours the traditional values, sacred family bonds and promotes the beautiful landscapes of Vietnam will be released in the summer of 2023.

It is the third part of the Cham Vao Hanh Phuc (Touching Happiness) film project, following the success of the first and second instalments in 2021 and 2022.

According to director Long, if part one and part two of the film were produced in the form of web drama, the latter of which was widely screened in many cinemas across the country, the third part will be produced methodically and professionally for the cinema version.

The 120-minute film pursues the theme of psycho-emotional humour. It features simple stories that show the struggles between the heart and mind, happiness and suffering, fame and loss, as well as dreams and reality to affirm the values of happiness, friendship, love and solidarity.

In addition to the actors who impressed viewers in previous seasons such as Tien Quang, Doi Anh Quan, Ho Phong, Quach Thu Phuong and Tu Oanh, the third part of Touching Happiness is expected to have the appearance of many new actors such as Nguyen Duy Cuong, Madison Brown (Australia) and some other Korean actors whose names have not been revealed.

New programme promotes religions’ role in environmental protection

Good cultural and moral values and resources of religious organisations will be promoted in environmental protection and climate change response under a programme reached in Ho Chi Minh City on December 29.

Representatives from the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in HCM City, the municipal Department of Natural Resources and Environment, and 33 religious organisations in the city signed the coordination programme for 2022-2026.

Accordingly, the sides will work together to implement campaigns and movements on environmental protection and climate change response launched by the city, thus raising the awareness among religious organisations and followers about the matters and encouraging them to utilise clean, renewable energy and use energy-saving measures.

They will coordinate to multiply effective models and good examples set by religious establishments, as well as to monitor and collect public feedback on relevant policies and legal regulations.

The programme aims to encourage religious followers to join patriotic emulation movements to contribute to building HCM City into a green, environmentally friendly city.

Following the signing, representatives from religious organisations participated in a training course on environmental protection and climate change response.

Binh Duong TV International Cycling Tournament returns next month

The Binh Duong Television International Cycling Tournament 2023 will take place from January 5-11, the organiser announced on December 29.

The tournament brings together eight teams including two from the Republic of Korea and the Philippines.

With a total route of 991 km, the riders will compete in six stages passing through Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Dak Nong, Dak Lak, Tuy Hoa, Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong and Dong Nai, and finish in Thu Dau Mot city of Binh Duong province on January 11.

To win this tournament’s Yellow and Red jerseys, the athletes have to conquer three passes - Ca, Giang Ly, and Khanh Le, which are renowned for their windings. There will be the Green jersey for the winner of the Points Classification, and the White jersey for the most outstanding young athlete. This tournament’s prizes have a total value of more than 400 million VND (16,900 USD).

Historical objects tell story of special relations between Vietnam and Laos

More than 100 objects, documents and photos were put on display in Vientiane on December 29, featuring the relationship between Vietnam and its neighbour Laos.

The exhibition was jointly held by the Vietnamese Cultural Centre in Laos, the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos and the Office of Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee to celebrate the Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022. 

The event aims to raise awareness among the two countries' people, especially youths, about the faithful, pure relations between the two Parties and countries, and motivating them to preserve the ties, organisers said.

4.0-magnitude earthquake shakes Hoa Binh

A 4.0-magnitude earthquake struck Da Bac district in the northwestern province of Hoa Binh on December 29, but no damage or casualties were reported, according to the Earthquake Information and Tsunami Warning Centre under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology’s Institute of Geophysics.

It was the second earthquake to hit the district in December. The first, with a magnitude of 3.9, struck the locality on December 14, and also fortunately did not cause any damage.

Director of the Institute of Geophysics Nguyen Xuan Anh said the centre continues to monitor seismic activities in the area to keep residents informed.

According to Anh, residents should respond to earthquake and tsunami warnings and move to safe areas.

Public satisfaction reflects efficiency of administrative reform: PM

Public and corporate satisfaction should be used to measure the efficiency of administrative reforms, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said at a year-end conference held by the Ministry of Home Affairs in Hanoi on December 29.

Reforming administrative procedures is among the key tasks for 2023 with people and businesses at the centre, the leader said.

He asked the sector to continue contributing to building a streamlined, efficient and effective administrative apparatus, in tandem with personnel restructuring and training.

To fulfill these tasks, the sector needs to build and perfect relevant institutions and policies and improve the quality of their work, while revamping its personnel management.

Chinh also highlighted the significance of improving the domestic business environment, raising national competitiveness, and enhancing digital transformation towards a digital government, digital economy and digital society.

He urged the sector to raise the efficiency of state management over religions and beliefs, encouraging religious dignitaries and followers to participate in socio-economic development, national defence and security, and promote religious values.

Free flight brings Vietnamese citizens home from Japan for Tet holiday

Nearly 200 Vietnamese citizens arrived home from Japan on a free flight operated by the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines on December 29 ahead of the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.

The flight was part of a programme that is offering 456 free return air tickets, of which 196 are for international flights, along with 3,600 bus tickets, and Tet gifts to students and workers living in difficult circumstances.

This is the first time such a flight has been launched to bring home Vietnamese students and labourers home from Japan who have missed family gatherings during Tet, the biggest festival in Vietnam, for years, a representative from the organisers said at the welcome ceremony at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi.

A representative from Vietnam Airlines stressed that the carrier is proud to join hands in bringing happiness to labourers during Tet, and stands ready to operate similar flights in the years to come.

The flight also celebrated the success of the 12th National Congress of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) for 2022-2027, ahead of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties next year.

Snowy Sa Pa attracts crowds

Snowfall appearing on the top of Mount Fansipan, a rare phenomenon in a tropical country like Vietnam, attracted a large number of both domestic and international tourists to the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai on December 29.

The snow started falling at about 3am, and stronger flurries were recorded at about 9am when many tourists were on Mount Fansipan.

According to the hydro-meteorological station in Lao Cai province, due to the influence of a severe cold snap on December 29, the province is forecast to experience heavy downpours and thunderstorms.

Located 350km northwest of Hanoi, Sa Pa is 1,600m above sea level, with an average temperature of 15-18 degree Celsius. The town is among the few locations in Vietnam where snow and ice sometimes appear in winter. The Travel, a well-known travel site in Canada, recently listed Sa Pa among the 10 most attractive snow-covered destinations in Asia.

More remains of Vietnamese martyrs repatriated from Laos

A ceremony was held in the northern Lao province of Oudomxay on December 29 to repatriate ten sets of remains of Vietnamese soldiers and experts who laid down their lives in the neighbouring country.

Deputy Political Commissar of the Military Region 2 and head of the military region's Steering Committee 515 Major General Tran Ngoc Tuan, officials of Oudomxay province, representatives from the Vietnamese People Association in Oudomxay province and Vietnam's 705 International Cooperation Co. Ltd attended the ceremony.

This was the first repatriation of martyrs' remains found in six northern Lao provinces during the 2022 - 2023 dry season.

The remains were found by a search team from the Military Region 2. 

Of the ten sets of remains, six were identified with names and hometowns. They will be handed over to the local authorities for funeral rituals following local customs and the wishes of their families on December 30.

The other four will be buried on December 30 at Tong Khao cemetery in Dien Bien Phu city, the northern province of Dien Bien.

Hoi An launches unique cultural activities to welcome in the New Year

Hoi An Ancient Town in the central province of Quang Nam has kicked off a number of unique art and cultural activities aimed at welcoming in 2023, including a programme entitled "Artistic and creative path".

The event has attracted the participation of dozens of artisans from traditional craft villages in Hoi An, with artists creating traditional craft products such as pottery, wood carving, and silk paintings.

The highlight of the occasion will be a creative camp to showcase a range of artistic products from recycled materials, such as wood, clay, bamboo paintings, and fabrics. Artworks participating in the creative camp will be put on display until the end of February 6, 2023.

A wide range of activities will be held within the event, including a photo exhibition detailing Hoi An’s heritages, a food space in Hoi An, street music performances, folk games, an exhibition of wood carvings, and calligraphy arts.

Nguyen Van Lanh, vice chairman of Hoi An City People's Committee, pointed out that through the event the central town is keen to introduce fresh and unique tourism products to both local people and foreign tourists.

Thua Thien Hue aims to welcome 3.5 million visitors next year

The central province of Thua Thien Hue is striving to welcome approximately 2.5 million visitors in 2023, earning tourism revenue of VND4.5 trillion in the process, according to details given by the provincial Department of Tourism.

In the final four months of the year, the local tourism industry saw impressive results in terms of the return of international tourists.

December alone witnessed the locality attract roughly 196,000 visitors, including more than 63,000 foreign arrivals, duly raking in VND437 billion.

Thailand led the way in terms of tourist arrivals, followed by France, the United States, Malaysia, the UK, Germany, the Republic of Korea, Australia, Spain, and Canada.

With a target of receiving between three million and 3.5 million visitors next year, the local tourism industry has deployed a number of solutions aimed at attracting tourists including the development of typical tourism products in association with cultural heritage aspects, as well as medical and spiritual tourism.

Nguyen Van Phuc, director of the provincial Department of Tourism, said the province has also implemented tourism stimulus schemes which aim to connect major travel agencies that launch new tours to Thua Thien Hue.

Phuc added that the locality will continue to promote its strengths in both heritage and medical tourism, as well as co-operating alongside other travel firms to develop a number of tourism products in association with natural landscapes, especially lagoons and spiritual destinations.

4.0-magnitude earthquake shakes Hoa Binh

A 4.0-magnitude earthquake struck Da Bac district in the northwestern province of Hoa Binh on December 29, but no damage or casualties were reported, according to the Earthquake Information and Tsunami Warning Centre under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology’s Institute of Geophysics.

It was the second earthquake to hit the district in December. The first, with a magnitude of 3.9, struck the locality on December 14, and also fortunately did not cause any damage.

Director of the Institute of Geophysics Nguyen Xuan Anh said the centre continues to monitor seismic activities in the area to keep residents informed.

According to Anh, residents should respond to earthquake and tsunami warnings and move to safe areas.

Former coast guard officers in major petrol smuggling case learn appeal fate

The Appellate Court under the Central Military Court has rejected appeals of two former major generals of the Coast Guard Lê Văn Minh and Lê Xuân Thanh in the case of smuggling 200 million litres of petrol.

Seven other defendants also appealed their sentences. 

Defendant Nguyễn Thế Anh (former colonel, and former deputy director of the Border Guard's Drug and Crime Prevention and Control Department) appealed against his conviction of taking bribes, but the court rejected his bid.

The judges did, however, reduce his life sentence to 20 years for receiving bribes and an additional two years for 'organising the illegal emigration of other people'.

The court also rejected the appeal of defendant Nguyễn Văn An, Thế Anh’s cousin, and upheld the original sentence of 15 years in prison for ‘taking bribery.’

The appeals of defendants Lê Văn Minh (former Major General, Commander of Coast Guard Region 4 Command), Nguyễn Văn Hùng (former Colonel, former Head of Trường Long Hoà Port Border Guard Station, Border Guard of Trà Vinh Province), Lê Xuân Thanh (former Major General, Commander of Coast Guard Region Command 3), Phạm Văn Tên (former Colonel, Commander of the Border Guard Command of Trà Vinh Province), and Nguyễn Thanh Lâm (former Lieutenant Colonel, former Captain of Squadron 2, Sóc Trăng Province Border Guard Command) were also rejected.

Their original sentences of 15 years, 16 years, 12 years, 10 years, and 11 years imprisonment respectively, as per the first-instance judgement for taking bribery, were upheld.

They will also not be allowed to take up positions in any State organisation for five years after completing their prison sentences.

The court accepted part of the appeal of defendants Phạm Hồ Hải, Former Chief Representative of Cần Thơ Port Authority in Duyên Hải Town, Trà Vinh Province, and Lê Văn Phương, former deputy head of Trà Vinh traffic police department. Defendant Hải got a more lenient four years in prison, and defendant Phương’s sentence was reduced to three years.

The judges also announced the confiscation of more than VNĐ9.3 billion (US$393,700) into the state budget that the defendant Nguyễn Thế Anh pledged to repay. It was noted that the defendant and his family have voluntarily paid VNĐ5.6 billion of the amount so far. 

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