Coach Park Hang-seo surprised spectators when he made up to eight substitutes in the initial lineup. Though the visitors took control of the match, they could not break up the hosts’ defense line.

The home team played defensively, they also tried to produce counter-attacks, although their attacks were often repelled quite far from the Vietnamese goal.

In the first 15 minutes of the second half, Park in turn sent in Quang Hai, Van Duc, Hoang Duc and Tien Linh to bring to bear pressure on the home team.

The Vietnamese players performed more coherently than in the first half, but they still failed to penetrate the multi-layered defense line of the home team.

Without scoring a goal, Vietnam accepted sharing points with Singapore in a goalless match though they retained their top place in Group B.

In the last Group B match, Vietnam will take on Myanmar on their home turf, while Singapore will fly to Malaysia to play their hosts on January 3.

A draw can help Vietnam to progress to the semi-finals, but Park said at the press briefing that his players aim to get three points in the next match.

President Putin extends New Year greetings to Vietnam

Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended holiday and 2023 New Year’s greetings to heads of foreign states and governments, including Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

In his message to the Vietnamese leaders dated December 30, Putin noted that, despite adverse changes globally, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Russia and Vietnam has continued to develop positively.

The Russian leader expressed his belief that through joint efforts, both countries will further strengthen bilateral cooperation of mutual benefit in all fields, in order to consolidate peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region.

Vietnam and Russia marked 10 years of their comprehensive strategic partnership in 2022. Despite the complicated situation, the two countries have maintained reciprocal visits and meetings, and promoted bilateral cooperation in many fields.

First IVF clinic in Mekong Delta receives international certificate

The IVF Department at Phuong Chau Medical Group’s Phuong Chau International Hospital based in Can Tho city has become the first medical unit in the Mekong Delta to receive the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee (RTAC)’s certificate of compliance.

The certificate was developed and accredited by the RTAC of the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand which sets common standards on governance, international codes of practice, and pushes improved quality of fertility treatment units.

To be certified, fertility treatment units must meet 12 key criteria and 7 codes of practice involving safety and quality, standardisation of treatment processes, and quality management. They must also offer training courses to improve the professional skills of staff.

Since its opened over 10 years ago, the department has offered advice to over 31,500 couples, with a success rate of about 74%. It has welcomed more than 3,000 babies through IVF.

Rice aid approved for three localities on lunar new year

Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai on December 30 signed a decision to supply rice from the national reserves to the provinces of Ninh Thuan, Soc Trang, and Cao Bang serving the upcoming occasion of 2023 Lunar New Year (Tet) festival.

Accordingly, the south-central province of Ninh Thuan will be provided with over 5,753 tonnes of rice; the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang more than 1,183 tonnes; and the northern province of Cao Bang some 642.64 tonnes.

The Ministries of Finance and of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs have been assigned to oversee related information and data reported. Meanwhile, the People’s Committees of the three localities are in charge of making correct reports and allocating the aid in a timely manner, according to the decision.

Congratulations to new Prime Minister of Laos

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 30 sent a letter of congratulations to Sonexay Siphandone on being approved by the Lao National Assembly as Prime Minister of Laos.

In his letter, PM Chinh expressed his belief that under the sound leadership of the Lao Party, State and Government led by PM Sonexay, the fraternal Lao people will continue reaping important achievements and successfully realise the Resolution adopted by the 11th Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and the 9th five-year socio-economic development plan for the 2021-2025 period, thus successfully building a country of peace, independence, democracy, unity and prosperity.

The Vietnamese PM expressed his wish to join hands with his Lao counterpart to continue ceaselessly fostering and consolidating the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, for practical benefits of their people and for peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

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.

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.

Cancer patient provides compassion and aid for Hanoi patients

For the past 11 years, Lê Huy, 43 years old, and the Tử Tế (Kind) Charity Porridge Team have been providing aid to tens of thousands of cancer patients and those facing difficult circumstances in Hà Nội.

Huy, who serves as the lead of the team established in 2012, explained that the group was named by Venerable Thích Thanh Sơn of the Việt Nam Buddhist Academy "to convey the idea of sharing compassion with those still struggling in life."

The charity group’s members have distributed porridge free of charge to poor patients at K cancer, Bạch Mai, and Saint Paul hospitals in Hà Nội.

In 2022, every Wednesday morning, 300 meals are provided for poor patients at K3-Tân Triều Hospital, and every Sunday, four large pots of hot porridge are distributed free of charge at Saint Paul Hospital and Bạch Mai Hospital, equivalent to 600-800 bowls.

The group always received the support of the sponsors and appreciation from the patients.

The charity group was granted the certificate of “Humanity address” by the HCM City-based UNESCO Centre for Science, Humanities and Community for its contributions to the community in 2013.

Since then, Huy and the team members have maintained activities to affirm that reliable title.

From four members in 2012, the charity group now has more than 50 permanent members who directly participate in activities: buying vegetables and foodstuff, cooking, and distributing meals of porridge and rice for hospital patients.

For many years, the group's activities have been publicised on social networks, with more than 2,000 followers, and regularly received both mental and physical support from kind-hearted people.

The group's gathering area was at Quan Nhân Temple of Nhân Chính Ward, Thanh Xuân District.

The group received help from members and young people to maintain a kitchen for poor patients.

Regardless of rain or shine, the charity team always was on time at the hospitals to bring quality meals to the patients.

When Huy was a director of a joint-stock company, he went through periods of shock and despair when he discovered that he had cancer of the blood. Witnessing those in more difficult circumstances than himself, Huy overcame the disease.

Huy understands that for cancer patients, the most important thing to help them prolong life is optimism.

Tử Tế porridge group was born from that meaning. At first, many people laughed and thought that he would not be able to maintain it for long. However, until now, after 11 years, the group’s members were still working hard, not only helping patients in Hà Nội but coming to remote areas to assist the poor and ethnic minority students.

PAN Group teams up for wetland conservation by restoring 17ha of the melaleuca forest

A workshop to introduce a project on special-use forest plantation in the Láng Sen Wetland Reserve was held by The PAN Group and C.P. Vietnam and IUCN on December 22 in Long An Province.

The project is within the framework of a two-year cooperation agreement between the three parties, implemented from December 2022 to December 2024. The purpose is to increase the coverage of the Melaleuca forest, create habitats for water birds, improve the living environment of aquatic species, and support the plan of the People's Committee of Long An Province to plant special-use and border protection forests in the province during the 2021-25 period.

Láng Sen Wetland Reserve consists of a core zone (1,971 ha) located in the wetlands of the Plain of Reeds and belongs to Vĩnh Lợi, Vĩnh Đại and Vĩnh Châu communes of Tân Hưng District, Long An Province. Láng Sen is recognised as the 7th out of 9 Ramsar sites in Việt Nam under the Ramsar Convention.

It is one of the few remaining natural inland wetlands in the Mekong Delta with different types of geomorphology, creating an extremely diverse and rich wetland ecosystem. With more than 5,000ha of Melaleuca forests, islets, swamps, rivers, and grasslands, Láng Sen is home to 150 species of seasonally inundated vegetation, 148 water-birds species, including the globally threatened sarus crane listed in the World's Red Book and many other rare species.

However, the survey conducted in 2021 shows that the area of special-use forest has decreased by 139.21 hectares compared to 2014, posing an urgent need for the protection and restoration of this natural morphology.

The project aims to plant 340,000 water melaleuca trees on 17 hectares to regenerate part of the dead Melaleuca tree area, stabilize the land, restore habitats, and provide protection against storms and extreme winds. For long-term benefits, the projects will significantly contribute to floodplain habitat restoration for wild animals and plants, biodiversity promotion in the reserve and human habitat protection against natural disasters.

The project called "Special-use forest plantation in the Láng Sen Wetland Reserve" is a key component of The PAN Group's project named "Life from forestry" implemented in 2020, whose goal is to plant 1 million trees within ten years, of which 378,330 trees on about 1300 hectares have been grown. The PAN Group and member companies fund the project in its ecosystem.

Seven pangolins found on coach

Traffic police in the northern central province of Thanh Hoa discovered seven pangolins on a coach on Tuesday.

The vehicle was stopped on National Highway 1A while travelling from HCM City to the northern province of Thai Nguyen. 

The pangolins were packed in styrofoam boxes. Two of which belong to the rare yellow pangolin species.

According to the driver, an identified man hired him to transport the boxes from Quang Tri to Ha Nam with a fee of VND300,000 (USD12).

The traffic police immediately contacted Save Vietnam's Wildlife.

Tran Van Truong from Save Vietnam's Wildlife’s rescue force said that the animals were quite weak with skin injuries which may have been the result of being hunted. They were under intensive care.

According to Truong, the illegal transportation of wild animals often increases in Vietnam, particularly involving rare species, as the Lunar New Year or Tet nears. His organisation have rescued 19 illegally-traded pangolins over the past two weeks.

Danang holds Tet market for workers

A market for the Tet Lunar New Year is being held in the central city of Danang’s Hai Chau District.

The event is part of a programme called Workers’ Day-Welcome Tet 2023 which began on Wednesday evening and is slated to end on December 30.

There will be 60 stalls at the market to offer hundreds of essential products to workers at preferential prices.

Eighteen businesses at local industrial parks will also use the event to promote 5,000 job vacancies. In addition, 20,000 workers in Hai Chau will be provided with medical check-ups. Around 4,800 gifts worth VND2.5 billion will be distributed to disadvantaged people.

Up to 18,850 vouchers for free goods will be provided to workers. Authorities in Hai Chau District will offer free bus tickets for poor workers to return to their hometown on Tet.

HCM City to pilot 14 more bus routes at Tan Son Nhat Airport

HCM City Transport Department has just announced the pilot operation of 14 bus routes connecting Tan Son Nhat Airport to local urban and tourist centres.

According to the plan, 14 bus routes will link Tan Son Nhat Airport to Thu Duc City and the districts 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 10, 11, Binh Tan, Hoc Mon, Binh Chanh, Tan Phu, Tan Binh, Phu Nhuan, and Binh Thanh.

These 19-seat bus capacity routes will be operated by Hai Van Transportation Company from February 1, 2023.

At present, only the 109, 152 and 72-1 operate at Tan Son Nhat Airport.

The 109 runs from the airport to Saigon Bus Station in District 1. It also passes Ben Thanh Bus Station, making it very convenient for tourists who are staying in the area around Ben Thanh Market or the HCM City backpacker district.

The 152 connects the airport with Trung Son Residential Area in Binh Chanh District. Meanwhile, route 72-1 links the airport with Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.

Phuong Trang Joint Stock Company which is operating the 109 bus route proposed adding 17 more routes at the airport to solve the congestion problem.

VNA adds over 90,000 seats for upcoming Tet holiday

Vietnam Airlines (VNA) has announced its third increase in flight frequency, offering an additional 500 flights, equivalent to over 90,000 seats, to satisfy the soaring travel demand during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet.

The national flag carrier will operate these flights on domestic routes linking HCMC with Hanoi, Vinh, Thanh Hoa, Dong Hoi, Chu Lai and the Thanh Hoa-Dalat route between January 6 and February 2, 2023 (from the 15th of the 12th lunar month to the 15th of the first lunar month).

VNA is also set to add 200 flights, equal to 36,000 seats on the HCMC-Thanh Hoa route from January 15 to February 5, if it gets the nod from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam.

The carrier made two increases in flight frequency in August and December this year to serve the peak travel season of Tet, offering millions of seats on both international and domestic routes.

VNA passengers are encouraged to use online check-in services to save time and avoid long queues and mass gatherings at airports.

HCMC hands over 34 hectares of land to Beltway No. 3 project

The government of Thu Duc City in HCMC today, December 29, handed over 34 hectares of cleared land to the My Thuan Project Management Board to develop the Tan Van-Nhon Trach section, called component 1A, part of the Beltway No. 3 project.

The Tan Van-Nhon Trach section requires nearly VND7 trillion in investment and a total of 35.7 hectares of land in Thu Duc City, the local media reported.

The remaining 1.7 hectares of land in the city for the project will be handed over in the first quarter of 2023.

Land clearance and compensation processes are moving sooner than expected, said Thu Duc City Chairman Hoang Tung.

Tran Van Thi, director of the My Thuan Project Management Board, said that the land handover was 95.7% complete, contributing to executing the project on schedule as assigned by the prime minister.

After receiving the cleared land, the investor will start work on approach roads to the HCMC-Long Thanh-Dau Giay expressway and work with contractors and consulting units to ensure the quality and progress of the project to open the road to traffic in late 2025, Thi said.

The land handover for component 1A reached a record pace, HCMC Vice Chairman Bui Xuan Cuong said, explaining that when work on the project began in September, the handover met a mere 30%, but now over 95% of the land was handed over.

The 8.2-kilometer-long Tan Van-Nhon Trach road will have six lanes and allow a maximum speed of 80 kilometers per hour. The route will play a key role in connecting HCMC with Dong Nai and other neighboring provinces.

Ring Road No. 3 will connect HCMC, Binh Duong, Dong Nai and Long An, with a total length of over 76 kilometers, of which 47 kilometers will sprawl through HCMC’s Thu Duc City and three outlying districts of Cu Chi, Hoc Mon and Binh Chanh.

HCMC to open 14 bus links with Tan Son Nhat airport

HCMC will open 14 bus routes at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport to transport passengers to residential areas, tourist sites and coach stations in the city.

The local media reported that these bus links will start on a pilot basis on February 1 next year.

The Hai Van International Transportation Joint Venture Company will offer these bus services to the airport.

Among them, four bus links will connect the airport with the New Mien Dong Coach Station in Thu Duc City, while two others will travel to the Mien Tay Coach Station in Binh Tan District.

The rest will transport passengers from the airport to the Duc Khai apartment building in District 7, the Thao Dien urban area in Thu Duc City, the Phu Dinh resettlement area in District 8, the Phu Long bridge in District 12, Hoc Mon Market and the Duong Hong-Mizuki residential area in the city’s outlying district of Binh Chanh.

The 19-seat buses will pick up and drop off passengers along these routes at the available bus stops.

Earlier in October, the Management Center of Public Transport proposed opening two bus routes at the airport to ease traffic jams. The airport currently has three bus links to the bus station in District 1, Binh Chanh and Vung Tau.

Vietnam affirms role as reliable partner of international community

This year has been an exciting time for Vietnam’s external affairs. It marked the 45th anniversary of Vietnam’s membership of the United Nations (UN), the 60th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties, and the 55th anniversary of Vietnam-Cambodia relations. Vietnam has taken on important positions at international and regional forums. This year witnessed numerous visits by Vietnamese leaders to other countries and foreign leaders to Vietnam.

"The United Nations is proud to be a partner of Vietnam," said UN Secretary-General António Guterres during his visit to Vietnam on October 21 marking the 45th anniversary of Vietnam's UN membership, adding that Vietnam is one of the most dynamic and active members of the UN. President of the UN General Assembly Abdulla Shahid emphasised that Vietnam is a model of the UN, which makes significant contributions to consolidating multilateralism and participation in UN affairs.

The trust of the international community in Vietnam has been reflected by the votes cast for important positions at the largest multilateral forum. On June 13, Vietnam was elected as one of the Vice Presidents of the UN General Assembly's 77th session, representing the Asia-Pacific region. On October 11, it was elected to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the second time for the 2023-2025 tenure. According to Indonesian journalist Veeramalla Anjaiah, who is also a senior researcher from the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS), this is a recognition of Vietnam's commitment to respecting and protecting human rights. UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pauline Tamesis said Vietnam's election to the council presents both a great responsibility and an important opportunity to redouble efforts in protecting and promoting economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights in line with international human rights standards.

At the regional level, Vietnam continues to promote its role as an important member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Uch Leang, Deputy Director of the Department of Asian, African and Middle-Eastern Studies under the International Relations Institute of Cambodia (IRIC), said Vietnam has always been an active and responsible member of ASEAN and coordinated with Cambodia to contribute to the success of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and related summits.

After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam's bilateral diplomatic activities have resumed with a series of high-level visits. Vietnamese leaders have made many foreign trips, contributing to promoting bilateral relations and effectively bringing into play the foreign policy of multilateralisation and diversification and the advocation of being friends with all countries.

Noteworthy is Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's official visit to China at the end of October. He was the first foreign leader welcomed by China following the Communist Party of China’s 20th National Congress. Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo described the visit as a demonstration of the special importance of the relations between the two Parties and countries and sending out a clear message that the two sides will strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and persist the path to socialism.

The year 2022 also marked a special milestone in the relationship between Vietnam and its two neighbours, Laos and Cambodia. A range of delegation exchanges at all levels, along with economic and cultural activities, and mutual support at international and regional forums demonstrated that Vietnam and the two neighbouring countries are fostering their good traditions that have been built up over the past time.

US Peace Corps volunteers take oaths in Hanoi

The first US volunteers of the Peace Corps in Vietnam took oaths during a ceremony in Hanoi on December 30.

New director of the programme Carol Spahn hosted the event.

Dressed in Vietnam’s traditional long dress, volunteers promised to serve and partner with the Vietnamese people, cultivate the understanding of the Vietnamese people in the spirit of innovation, sensitivity and respect for culture, as well as share US culture with open hearts and minds.

A volunteer said in Vietnamese that they will continue learning the local language and culture. They included English teachers and students.

Speaking at the event, Spahn said the US welcomes Vietnam to its global network as the 143rd country partner of the Peace Corps programme. She asked the US volunteers and teachers to work closely together to inspire future generations.

Deputy head of the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training’s Department of International Cooperation Nguyen Tien Dung said Vietnam has a population of over 100 million people, with about 17.5 million students.

Vietnam’s education sector gives priority to teaching and learning foreign languages, including English, so the programme holds significance to education in Vietnam, he said.

VFF offers condolences over passing of Brazilian football legend Pelé

President of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) Tran Quoc Tuan has sent a letter of condolences to the Brazilian Football Confederation over the passing of Pelé, the legendary Brazilian footballer, who died of cancer at the age of 82 on December 30.

In his letter, Tuan expressed his sadness that the football legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé, one of the greatest ever players, had passed away.

His death was an infinite loss for the Brazilian people as well as the football world, he wrote.

On behalf of the VFF, Tuan sent his deepest condolences to the confederation, Pelé's family, and the Brazilian people.

Pelé is still the only player in history to win three World Cups. He was a global icon who inspired and brought the love of football to people all over the world.

PM hosts historical witnesses from People’s Public Security force

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 30 had a meeting with historical witnesses from the People’s Public Security force, who directly engaged in the struggle against sabotage war and espionage activities during the resistance war against the US.

Colonel, Hero of the People's Armed Forces of Vietnam Nguyen Tri Phuong, who is former Director of the provincial Public Security Department of Quang Binh province, and Major General Trinh Xuan Thu, former Director of the Public Security Department of Thanh Hoa province, recalled memories during the struggle against sabotage war and espionage activities during the resistance war against the US.

Addressing the meeting, PM Chinh highlighted the strong performance of the People’s Public Security force over the past 77 years, winning trust from the Party, State and people.

He underlined the contributions and sacrifice by public security officers and soldiers to the success of the struggle, contributing to the victory of the revolution for the national liberation and reunification under the leadership of the Party.

The PM noted that in more than 10 years from 1961 to 1972, Vietnam, with the core role played by the People’s Public Security force, detected and arrested hundreds of spy and commando teams.

With the bravery, wisdom and ingenuity and a strong spirit of overcoming difficulties, the People's Public Security force won this arduous battlefield, contributing to the bankruptcy of the enemy's espionage war, he said.

Inheriting and promoting this glorious tradition, the People’s Public Security force has continued to make important contributions to the national construction and defence, fulfilling all assigned tasks, monitoring the situation to avoid being inactive in any circumstances, and actively engaging in preventing and combating corruption, wastefulness and negative phenomena, he said.

The Party and State highly appreciate, recognise and are proud of the great achievements of the People’s Public Security force through periods, he affirmed.

Reburial ceremony held for remains of Vietnamese martyrs repatriated from Laos

Authorities of the northern province of Dien Bien on December 30 re-buried the remains of four Vietnamese martyrs who died in Laos during wartime.

The remains were found by the search team of Vietnam's Military Region 2 in the Lao province of Luang Prabang in their first searching mission during the 2022 - 2023 dry season. Those four fallen soldiers have not been identified. 

Speaking at the memorial ceremony, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Vu A Bang said that the solidarity and bonds between the two peoples of Vietnam and Laos have lasted for decades, especially in the revolutionary struggle against their common enemy.

The great dedication and sacrifice of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos have become a shining symbol of revolutionary heroism and the aspiration for independence, freedom, and happiness.

According to the Military Region 2, the search team found 10 sets of remains in northern Laos during the trip. The six other sets of remains have been identified, and have been returned to their families for burial according to the local customs and their families’ wishes.

Vietnamese women's participation in UN peacekeeping operations impressive: former UNDP Resident Representative

Vietnam has recorded an impressive percentage of women in UN peacekeeping operations, said Caitlin Wiesen, former Resident Representative of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam.

Since the Women, Peace and Security Agenda – an expanded framework towards women’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations – was officially approved in 2000, Vietnam has ensured women’s engagement in peace processes, she added.

Together with the UN, the Vietnamese Government organised a conference on women, peace and security in 2000. The same year, the National Assembly adopted Resolution No. 130/2020/QH14 on Vietnam’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations, covering the gender issue.

The UNDP has supported Vietnam in various activities, helping the country improve the capacity of its peacekeeping forces. Notably, the UNDP and the Ministry of National Defence co-organised an international conference on women’s role and COVID-19 prevention and control in peacekeeping operations in 2020.

The two sides also jointly held another international conference on women and UN peacekeeping operations in November 2022, on the occasion of the visit to Vietnam by UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix.

The event looked into how to create a firm foundation to enhance women’s engagement and improve their leadership capacity in peacekeeping activities. It has been seen as a step towards the establishment of a peacekeeping centre of the regional level in Vietnam.

The 2028 target for women serving in military contingents is 15%, and 25% for military observers and staff officers, which Wiesen said is feasible for Vietnam once the country carries forwards its achievements.

Community-based protection promotes forest conservation

Community-based forest protection has helped improve the management and conservation of large areas of natural forest as it promotes the role and responsibility of local people on 7,833ha in Quang Nam and Thua Thien Hue provinces.

An initial assessment from the report ‘Strengthening Civil Society to accelerate conservation efforts in Central Annamites, which was funded by the Swedish International Development Co-operation (SIDA) and jointly implemented by WWF-Vietnam and NGO GreenViet, unveiled that 545ha degraded forest area in Thua Thien Hue had been restored during the first phase of the project in 2018-23.

The project, worth 1.73 million SEK (Swedish Krona) or 1.67 million, also helped improve the income of communities in Dong Giang district, while expanding the forest for the grey-shanked douc langurs (Pygathrix cinerea) – a critically endangered primate species – in Tam My Tay commune in Quang Nam province.

He added the project also offered a livelihood for 1,480 households living near primary forest by boosting forest farms and sustainable forest product exploitation.

A 3-ha pilot farm of black saffron (Curcuma zedoaria) and a 50-ha rattan farm was developed by the Co Tu ethnic group in the villages of But Tua, Bh Lo Ben, A Roch and A Lieng in A Tinh and Song Kon communes in Quang Nam province.

HCM City to restore 31 monuments, relics through 2025

Ho Chi Minh City has plans to restore 31 monuments and relics across districts and Thu Duc city, including Tan Quy Dong communal house and Hung Loi ceramic kiln.

At a recent meeting, it was agreed by experts that many historical, cultural and artistic relics and monuments in HCM City have been seriously degraded, without capital allocated for repair and restoration.

Recently, the HCM City Department of Culture and Sports made a report on investment policies for eight urgent projects to submit to competent authorities. The total investment is estimated at 440 billion VND (18 million USD).

According to the city People's Committee, investors are coordinating with relevant agencies to prepare for the restoration of Giong Ca Vo, Chi Hoa communal house, History Museum, Giac Vien Pagoda, Xuan Hiep communal house and Binh Dong communal house.

Meanwhile, 12 projects are having their documents prepared for appraisal, including Tan Tuc communal house, Phu Lac communal house, Vinh Truong communal house, Cho Quan Hospital prison, Continental Hotel, Giac Lam Pagoda and Linh Tay communal house, among others.

The city has investment plans for 11 projects, including the national archaeological relics of the Hung Loi pottery kilns, Nam Tien communal house, Tan Quy Dong communal house, Vinh Hoi communal house, Tan Hoa Tay communal houses, Hoa Thanh communal house, Tan Hoi communal house, Xa Tan temple and Xuan Hoa communal house.

Defence Minister greets officer of Cambodian Veterans Association

Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang hosted a reception for Vice-president and Secretary-general of the Cambodian Veterans Association (CVA) Gen. Kim Kun in Hanoi on December 29.

During the meeting, Giang said the Cambodian delegation's visit contributes to increasing the significance of the Vietnam – Cambodia, Cambodia – Vietnam Friendship Year, and demonstrates the good relationship between the two countries' associations.

He affirmed Vietnam always attaches importance and gives top priority to strengthening and developing the good-neighborly relations, traditional friendship, comprehensive and sustainable cooperation with Cambodia.

Giang highly valued recent cooperation results between the Vietnam War Veterans' Association (VWVA) Central Committee and the CVA through maintaining regular exchange activities and meetings, saying that those have contributed to further tightening the friendship and cooperation between the two countries and their armies.

Sick Chinese sailor brought ashore for treatment in Khanh Hoa

The Vietnam Maritime Research and Rescue Coordination Centre (Vietnam MRCC) said on December 29 that it had rescued a 33-year-old Chinese sailor of a foreign cargo ship, who fell seriously ill while the ship was about 21 nautical miles off Nha Trang city in the south central province of Khanh Hoa.

The Chinese-flagged ship, which was en route from Singapore to Japan, sent out a call for help.

Right after receiving the information, the centre guided the ship's staff in providing first aid for the victim while urgently dispatching vessel SAR 273 with doctors onboard to the ship. The victim was brought ashore at around 7pm December 29. He is now in stable condition.

Scientific journal issues special edition on “Sri Lanka - Vietnam Buddhist and Historical Relations”

The Vietnam Journal for Indian and Asian Studies under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) and the Sri Lanka Embassy in Vietnam on December 29 launched a special edition of the journal themed “Sri Lanka - Vietnam Buddhist and Historical Relations” and organised a talk about the issue.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Institute of Indian and Southwest Asian Studies Pham Cao Cuong said that Vietnam and Sri Lanka are play an increasingly important role in international relations in South Asia, South East Asia, and multilateral forums including the United Nations.

In the context of limited information about Sri Lanka in Vietnam, one of the useful ways to promote mutual understanding between the two countries is cooperation in publication, he said, adding that the special edition on Sri Lanka is intended to develop effective and practical bilateral relations between Vietnam and Sri Lanka.

The journal first published a special edition on Sri Lanka in 2021, providing information about the country and people.

Dr Thich Nu Nhu Nguyet, a Buddhist nun and Director of the Buddhist Women's Research Center under the Vietnam Institute of Buddhist Studies, said that Buddhist and historical relations between Vietnam and Sri Lanka are a very interesting topic as it is a prominent aspect of the relationship between the two countries.

Although there are many Buddhist sects in Vietnam, Vietnamese Buddhism is also influenced by Theravada Buddhism from Sri Lanka. It can be said that Theravada Buddhism is the connection between Vietnam and Sri Lanka throughout history, creating a very unique feature in the relationship between the two countries.

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.

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.

Counsellor of the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos Phan Minh Chien expressed his hope that the event will create momentum for the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos to grow intensively and effectively, pragmatically contributing to the prosperous development in each nation, as well as regional peace and stability. 

On the occasion, families of Vietnamese experts who fought in Laos during the war shared their memories about the experts and stories related to the objects on display. They presented the objects to the Kaysone Phomvihane Museum for preservation and display.

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.

According to a report presented at the conference, in 2022, the sector coordinated to submit tens of important documents and projects to competent agencies for issuance, including two draft laws and six resolutions of the National Assembly Standing Committee, along with 10 decrees and decisions of the Government and the PM.

It proposed adjusting the monthly base wage for civil servants from 1.49 million VND (63.08 USD) to 1.8 million VND.

Later the same day, PM Chinh attended the launch of a national database on civil servants.

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.

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.

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