The first Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam (CLV) Parliamentary Summit wrapped up in Vientiane, Laos, on December 6, with the issuance of a joint statement on promoting the parliamentary role in bolstering the comprehensive cooperation among the three countries.

Top legislators of the three countries signed the joint statement, re-affirming their commitment to expanding and deepening the parliamentary cooperation and partnership with a view to maintaining and protecting the close collaboration for common benefits among the three parliaments, thus contributing to promoting collaboration across politics, security, defence, culture and economy for the socio-economic development in the CLV countries.

They pledged to carry out the supervisory role of the parliament in handling shortcomings for the benefits of people in the CLV Development Triangle Area, and the three countries as a whole.

The joint statement also demonstrated the agreement among the three parliaments on cooperation priorities in three pillars of politics-foreign affairs, defence-security, and economy-culture-society.

In his speech, Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue spoke highly of the joint statement, which mentions the issues of the three countries’ interests, while affirming the resolve of parliamentary organisations in accompanying the governments to boost cooperation in all sectors, as well as keep a close watch on the implementation of the signed agreements for the benefits of the three peoples.

Laying stress on the significance of the promotion and consolidation of the cooperative ties and solidarity among Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam amidst the globe’s complicated development, diverse forms of forces’ gatherings, and fierce competition, Hue suggested the three parliaments work closely, and support each other to promote the supervision of the implementation of the signed documents as well as orientations to develop the ties among the three countries.

Hue affirmed that the Vietnamese National Assembly will coordinate with the Cambodian and Lao sides to effectively enhance the role of the parliament in supervision work, and carry out the joint statement, and promote the settlement of the shortcomings so as to complete the set targets.

As Vietnam will host the second summit in 2025, Hue invited his Cambodian and Laos counterparts to engage in activities held within the framework of the summit, making contributions to enhancing the friendship and solidarity among the three countries.

Enhancing cooperation – key to fighting cross-border crimes

Prosecutors-General from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China on December 6 issued a joint declaration under which they agreed to unify both awareness and action to enhance international cooperation in the fight against high-tech and cross-border crimes.  

According to the document, issued at the end of the 13th ASEAN-China Prosecutors-General Conference in Hanoi, procuracy and prosecutor's offices of ASEAN member countries and China will strengthen collaboration in combating cross-border crimes, including high-tech crimes, in the principles of equality, mutual trust, and mutual benefits, and in line with domestic and international laws.

The declaration highlighted the need for the agencies to maximise international cooperation channels, and set up direct communication mechanisms to support each other to collect documents and information quickly, thus effectively and thoroughly resolving criminal cases and others related to high-tech crimes.

It also mentioned enhancing cooperation in training and exchange of experts to enable them to get updates on new types of crimes, and combat methods, and share experience in this regard.

In his closing remarks, Prosecutor General of the Supreme People's Procuracy of Vietnam Le Minh Tri said the delegates agreed that the key to crime combat is enhancing sharing, coordination and cooperation between law enforcement forces of countries in the region and beyond, along with orientations for ASEAN-China cooperation in the time ahead.

The Supreme People's Procuracy of Vietnam stands ready to work together with its counterparts from other ASEAN countries and China to deepen the cooperation, thus contributing to security, safety and sustainable development in the region, he pledged.

50th anniversary of Vietnam – Finland diplomatic ties marked in HCM City

The Finnish Embassy in Vietnam organised a ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam – Finland diplomatic relations and 106th Independence Day of Finland in Ho Chi Minh City on December 6.

Finnish Ambassador Keijo Norvanto highlighted that both nations have enjoy sound ties over the past five decades, with their long-lasting traditional development partnership elevated to the practical bilateral cooperation ties.

Their social and economic strengths have complemented, helping each other become more sustainable, competitive and prosperous, he said, adding Vietnam has been the largest trading partner of Finland in Southeast Asia.

The Finnish Embassy and the Finnish chamber of commerce in Ho Chi Minh City will continue serving as a bridge to boost bilateral trade and cooperation.

As a long-term partner of the Vietnamese southern economic hub, Finland has been present and made contributions to the Week for Ho Chi Minh City Innovation, Startup and Entrepreneurship (WHISE) towards cooperation in the fields of the city’s interests such as smart urban area, sustainability, circular economy, green port, and digital transformation, he stressed.

He also expressed his delight over the restart of cooperation at local levels in 2023, with many delegations from Finland’s cities visiting Ho Chi Minh City and vice versa, saying they have joined hands to discover the specific areas of both sides’ interests, and shared professional experience to serve each other’s benefits.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan, for his part, congratulated Finland for its strong political system and socio-economic achievements after 106 years of establishment.

Spotlighting the robust development in the diplomatic ties, friendship relations and multifaceted cooperation between the two nations, Hoan said that Vietnam has treasured and borne in its mind the support from Finland during the struggle for national independence in the past, and the national construction cause nowadays.

He went on to say that Ho Chi Minh City is a leading localities carrying out cooperative activities with Finland, adding with 22 projects valued at more than 3.5 million USD, the European country now ranks 53rd among 120 countries and territories having investment in the city.

Delegation exchanges have been promoted between the two sides, demonstrating their resolve to promote the bilateral relations, he added.

He expressed his belief that despite global headwinds with non-traditional security challenges such as pandemics and climate change, Vietnam and Finland, with their dogged determination and creativity, will turn challenges into opportunities, and join hands to develop for the befits and prosperity of each nation and the whole world.

Vietnam, Laos sign MOU on archival cooperation

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on archival cooperation for 2024 was signed at a ceremony in Hanoi on December 6 by Director of the State Archives and Records Department, Dang Thanh Tung, and Director of the National Archives Department under the Lao Ministry of Home Affairs Thongchanh Keosenhom.

The document affirms the long-term friendship and commitment to cooperation for development between the two archives agencies.

The two sides will strengthen cooperation in training of archive staff. The Vietnamese department will arrange an internship for a group of 20 archive staff working at Laos’ National Archives Department and Departments of Home Affairs of Lao provinces. The Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam will help train three Lao officials for bachelor's degree and one for master's degree in archives, funded by from the annual aid granted by the Vietnamese Government to the Lao Government.

Tung affirmed that the newly-signed MoU will be a foundation for the two departments to carry out bilateral cooperation activities in the following year so as to create new achievements in collaboration in the field.

Thongchanh Keosenhom said that in 2024, the two departments will continue to propose the Governments of Laos and Vietnam support funding to carry out cooperation activities, especially in personnel training at the local and department levels.

Workshop seeks solutions to solve water challenges in Vietnam

Measures to tackle water resource-related challenges in Vietnam were the centre of discussion at a workshop held in the northern province of Vinh Phuc on December 6.

The event was jointly organised by the Department of Water Resources Management under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and The Australian Water Partnership (AWP). It aims to facilitate the exchange of information, sharing of experience, and capacity building training for young scientists and experts in the water industry in Vietnam. 
 
Laura Beckwith from AWP said Vietnam is one of the most disaster-prone countries in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.

The country is facing a lot of difficulties in ensuring water sources and safe water supply in the country, she said, citing water shortage, uneven water resources distribution, impacts of climate change and water pollution as major challenges.

Beckwith suggested that it is important to strengthen professional skills for water resources managers and young scientists and experts who participate in solving water resource challenges.

Nguyen Duc Vinh, Director of the Centre for Research, Training and Consultancy for Local Development, said that the northern mountainous region is home to over 11.6 million people of more than 30 ethnic groups, with 79.7% of the rural population in the region provided with hygienic water.

Regarding solutions to improve access to clean water in the northern mountainous areas in the coming time, Vinh emphasised the need to renovate the existing system and apply advanced technologies and appropriate solutions to collect and use rainwater.

Participants at the workshop discussed issues relating to storing and distributing water sources effectively to meet water use demand and solutions to tackle drought and saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta. They put forth several solutions including the issuance of policies to encourage the economically use of water and minimise water loss, and tighten the licensing and registration of underground water exploitation.

Public security ministry commits support to Laos during 2024 ASEAN Chairmanship Year

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Public Security Sen. Lieut. Gen Luong Tam Quang paid a courtesy call to Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Security Gen. Vilay Lakhamphong in Vientiane, Laos on December 6, on the occasion of accompanying National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to the first Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam (CLV) Parliamentary Summit.

Quang conveyed the best wishes from Minister of Public Security (MoPS) Gen. To Lam to the minister, leaders and staff of the Lao Ministry of Public Security on the occasion of the National Day of Laos.

Informing the host about the outcomes of talks with his Lao counterpart Sen. Lieut. Gen Kongthong Phongvichit, he pledged to direct agencies of the MoPS to effectively roll out bilateral cooperation.

As Laos will assume the rotating chairmanship of ASEAN next year, Lakhamphong proposed that the MoPS continue actively assisting Laos in ensuring security and safety of political activities and events held in the country.

He also urged the acceleration of projects supporting the Lao Ministry of Public Security, including those involving population and ID card management, and the construction of a drug rehabilitation centre.

The host expressed a hope that both sides will actively instruct their law enforcement agencies to effectively implement the content of the cooperation agreement on security and crime prevention and control.

During the earlier talks between the two deputy ministers, Phongvichit briefed the Vietnamese counterpart about the recent results of the 13th security cooperation conference between the two ministries, focusing on the exchange of information, short-term training courses on security and order, and coordination to monitor the activities of hostile forces against the relationship between the two countries.
 
Regarding support for ensuring security during Laos’ ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2024, he suggested that the MoPS send experts to Laos to provide training on ensuring security of important political events in the country throughout next year.  

In reply, Quang affirmed that his ministry will provide maximum support for Laos to successfully complete the task of ensuring security and safety during the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2024.
         
On the occasion, he suggested that both sides continue concretising the 2024 cooperation plan signed by the two ministers on September 29 in Laos. He highlighted the need to continue building on the success of completed projects and implementing new ones that the MoPS supports the Lao counterpart.

While in Laos, Quang also accompanied Chairman Hue to the Academy of Politics of the Lao People's Public Security and the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos.

Vietnam – a responsible member of UNESCO: General Director

Vietnam has been a responsible member and one of the pioneers in effectively implementing UNESCO’s activities and programmes, UNESCO General Director Audrey Azoulay said while receiving Permanent Representative of Vietnam to UNESCO Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, who came to say her farewells, on December 4.

Congratulating Van on her successful tenure, the UNESCO leader hailed Vietnam’s practical and effective contributions to UNESCO in many important issues. The country holds the positions as vice president of the 42nd session of the UNESCO’s General Conference, vice chair of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee of the 2005 Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expression, and is a member of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2022-2026 term.

She also congratulated Vietnam on the country being elected a member of the World Committee for the 2023-2027 tenure with the highest number of votes the Asia-Pacific region, which, she said, demonstrated the international community’s confidence in the country – an outstanding example for the preservation and promotion of heritage value.

She hoped that Vietnam will continue sharing its experience with other countries.

Ambassador Van spoke highly of Azoulay’s efforts and UNESCO’s roles in maintaining and consolidating peace, sustainable development and prosperity across the globe.

She agreed with the UNESCO leader that the relations between Vietnam and UNESCO are developing in a comprehensive, practical and effective fashion, with the implementation of the cooperation minute for the 2021-2025 period.

She took the occasion to thank UNESCO and Azoulay for their support to Vietnam over the past time, and affirmed that the Southeast Asian country has treasured collaboration with UNESCO in the context that it is accelerating comprehensive renewal and deep global integration, as well as elevate the multilateral diplomacy.

The Vietnamese diplomat said she hopes that UNESCO will continue support for Vietnam, especially in sharing initiatives and experience, making contributions to the sustainable and inclusive socioeconomic development in the country and the realisation of the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

She also wished that Azoulay and the UNESCO Secretariat will assist Vietnam in building dossiers for its new heritage items such as Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem- Con Son, Kiep Bac landscape and relic complex, Oc Eo – Ba The archeological relic site, and the art of Dong Ho folk painting, while helping the country with the preservation and promotion work for the UNESCO-recognised heritage.

She said she welcomes Azoulay and other UNESCO officials to visit Vietnam soon to discuss cooperation orientations and priorities, helping develop the Vietnam-UNESCO ties in a stronger and more effective manner in the coming time.

The UNESCO General Director agreed with Van’s recommendations for bilateral collaboration in the future, affirming UNESCO will continue supporting Vietnam’s efforts to preserve its heritage values, and develop nature reserves, global geoparks.

UNESCO commits assistance for Vietnam in building dossiers for its new heritage as mentioned by Van, she said, expressing her wish to return Vietnam soon to discuss specific cooperation measures to elevate the bilateral cooperation to a new high.

Seminar talks vocational training opportunities in Australia for Vietnamese students

A seminar was held in Hanoi on December 6 to provide Vietnamese teachers and students with information about Australia’s education as well as its experience in vocational training.

The event was jointly held by the Vietnam-Australia Friendship Association in Hanoi and Ha Phuong IED, a provider of education and training consulting services.

Nguyen Ngoc Quang, Vice President of the association, noted that apart from economy, education is always an important cooperation foundation between the two countries.

Jennifer Bahen, Counsellor-designate (Education and Science) to the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, briefed participants on vocational training opportunities in Australia, with about 30 public institutions and thousands of others private.

The embassy will step up the information work to promote studying opportunities in Australia, including vocational training, among Vietnamese parents and students, she said.

The participants also talked about job opportunities for students in Australia, and shared experience in selecting majors.

Efforts made to ensure vaccines for expanded immunisation programme

The Ministry of Health is working hard to ensure vaccine supply for the national expanded programme on immunisation (EPI), heard a regular Government press conference in Hanoi on December 6.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Lien Huong noted that the EPI, launched in 1985, is providing immunisation to more than 10 vaccine preventable diseases.

Over the past time, the ministry has drastically directed agencies and localities, and coordinated with relevant ministries and agencies to step up activities to ensure vaccines for the programme, she added.

For the 10 types of vaccines that can be produced domestically, the ministry has reviewed legal regulations and make purchase orders, she said, adding that a specific price plan is expected to be completed within this month.

The ministry has also assigned the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology to sign contracts with vaccine producers and distribute vaccines to localities, according to the official.

For the 5-in-1 vaccine that must be imported, the ministry has assigned the institute to carry out procurement in the form of open domestic bidding in line with the Bidding Law.

While waiting for the procurement procedures to be completed, it sought vaccine donations from both international and domestic organisations, she said, noting that in late August, with the funding from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and other organisations, 258,000 doses of the vaccine arrived in Vietnam, and have been allocated to localities.

The Australian government will provide Vietnam with 490,600 doses of such vaccine, and they are scheduled to arrive in the Southeast Asian nation this month, the official continued.

Apart from instructing relevant units to promptly set out vaccine supply plans for 2024, the ministry is coordinating with ministries and agencies in amending the Government’s Decree No. 104/2016/ND-CP dated July 1, 2016 regulating vaccination activities, allowing the central budget to be earmarked to vaccine purchase in service of the EPI, Huong said.

Vietnam, Germany step up cooperation via Party channel

A delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) led by Le Quoc Minh, member of the CPV Central Committee and deputy head of its Commission for Information and Education, have attended the fourth policy dialogue between the CPV and Germany's left-wing Die Linke Party and visited the European country from December 4-9.

Minh, who is also Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan (The People) Newspaper and Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists’ Association, co-chaired the dialogue, during which the two sides briefed each other on the situation of the two Parties and countries.

They praised the policy dialogue mechanism, which, they said, has contributed to enhancing the relationship between the two countries through the Party channel, and making the bilateral strategic partnership more intensive, stable and substantive.

On this occasion, Minh met with secretary general of the German party Tobias Bank, and held in-depth discussions with leaders of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation and the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES.

At these meetings, he affirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, development, and multilateralisation and diversification of foreign relations, stressing Vietnam attaches importance to its strategic partnership with Germany and regards the country as a top partner in the European Union (EU).

Vietnam also treasures and wishes to strengthen its traditional friendship and cooperation between the two Parties, he added.

The German officials agreed on measures to enhance the friendship and cooperation between the two Parties, as well as their coordination at multilateral political party forums, for peace, the sake of people, justice and social progress.

Within the framework of the visit, Minh and his entourage learned about industrial transformation in Sachsen-Anhalt and met with the vice president of the state parliament, and had a working session with representatives from Lausitz and Central-German Mining Administration Company.

Vietnamese, Lao NA leaders meet T78 Friendship School's former teachers, students

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and his Lao counterpart Saysomphone Phomvihane on December 6 met with nearly 300 teachers and students in different generations of T78 Friendship High School within the framework of the Vietnamese leader's working trip to Laos to attend the first Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam (CLV) Parliamentary Summit.

The school, now known as Vietnam-Laos Friendship High School in Hanoi’s suburban district of Phuc Tho, was established in 1958 following President Ho Chi Minh’s direction to help Laos train its human resources in service of its national liberation and construction.

At the meeting, President of the Lao National Assembly Saysomphone Phomvihane and other Lao delegates shared their memories they had when studying in Vietnam.

Saysomphone said former Lao students who had studied in Vietnam in general and the T78 school in particular, always remember and appreciate the Laos-Vietnam cooperative relations in all fields.

He thanked the Vietnamese NA for always paying attention and attaching importance to strengthening the special relationship between Laos and Vietnam.

Vietnamese NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said that the T78 school has served as a bridge connecting Vietnam and Laos. In the last 65 years, generations of teachers and students of the school have made efforts, overcame difficulties and completed the tasks assigned by the Parties, States and people of the two countries.

He hoped the school will continue to inherit and promote its good traditions, thus deserving to be a reliable address for Lao students to choose when studying in Vietnam, and evidence of the sustainable relationship and effective cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in the field of education and human resource training.

On the same day, Hue visited La Vie International Hospital, which was invested by overseas Vietnamese in Laos. The hospital, licenced by the Lao Ministry of Health to provide medical services for Vietnamese nationals residing, working, and studying in Laos, as well as for Lao residents, opened last month. The 50-bed facility is designed to focus on cardiology and endocrinology.

The hospital signed a cooperation deal with the Association for Liaison with Overseas Vietnamese (ALOV) and the Hanoi Medical University Hospital to provide medical services.

Visiting patients, health workers and staff at the hospital, NA Chairman Hue hailed their efforts and appreciated the hospital’s facilities that are invested by overseas Vietnamese in Laos.

He emphasised that the friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Laos have been nurtured by generations of leaders and people of the two countries, and called on the hospital's health workers and staff to work wholeheartedly, which will help tighten the Vietnam-Laos friendship.

La Vie Hospital's leaders hoped that there will be more policies on joint ventures, partnerships, and cooperation between medical units of overseas Vietnamese in Laos and public hospitals in Vietnam, so that hospitals like La Vie can improve their service quality.

Agreeing with the hospital’s proposal on strengthening its cooperation with hospitals in Vietnam, the top legislator said that domestic hospitals and medical training institutions need to expand cooperation with overseas hospitals.

On this occasion, the NA Chairman gave presents to the staff and health workers at the hospital.

Vietnamese citizens assisted to return home from Myanmar

The Vietnam Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security said on December 6 that it has coordinated with relevant agencies to receive 780 Vietnamese citizens returning home from Myanmar amid complicated developments of the situation in this country.

Accordingly, following directions of Deputy Minister of Public Security Sen. Lieut. Gen. Luong Tam Quang, the department has actively coordinated with the Consular Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar to verify and issue passports serving citizen protection, and organise flights to bring them home.

It has worked with relevant units to verify information to support citizens as quickly as possible and issue passports for 1,068 people. As of December 6, a total of 780 people had been supported to return home on six charter flights.

The department added that it and relevant agencies will organise more charter flights this week to bring home Vietnamese citizens still stranded in Myanmar.

Bac Lieu Province farmers increase incomes by adding blood cockles to shrimp ponds

A shrimp pond in Vĩnh Thịnh Commune in Bạc Liêu Province’s Hoà Bình District where blood cockles are also farmed. The model offers farmers high incomes. – VNA/VNS Photo

Farmers in Bạc Liêu Province are breeding blood cockles in shrimp ponds as it offers high incomes.

The model is popular in most coastal areas in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province, especially Đông Hải District.

The district’s An Phúc, Định Thành, An Trạch A, and Long Điền Tây communes have favourable conditions in terms of water resources and natural food for breeding the blood cockles, and the local produce is large and delicious.

The clams grow well and rapidly in areas that have tides and alluvial soil.

Trịnh Út Nhỏ in An Phúc Commune has been breeding blood cockles and shrimp in his pond for three years using an extensive farming method.

Water in shrimp ponds have large volumes of alluvium and natural foods, enabling the clams to grow fast and be harvested after for six to nine months when they reach a weight of 70-100 per kilogramme, he said.

In the last crop, he bought 100kg of juveniles at a cost of VNĐ20 million (US$830) and earned VNĐ150 million ($6,200) from harvesting them.

Dương Quốc Toàn, chairman of the An Phúc Commune People’s Committee, said blood cockles are easier to breed than shrimp or mud crab because farmers do not have to buy food for them unlike the latter.

They only need to change the water regularly and the production efficiency is high, he said.

“Previously, farmers in the commune focused on breeding shrimp and mud crab and earned VNĐ70-80 million ($2,900-3,300) per hectare per year.

“After breeding blood cockles in their shrimp ponds, it has increased to VNĐ160-170 million ($6,600-7,000).”

Nguyễn Quốc Nam, chairman of the Đông Hải Farmers' Association, said the association and the local Agriculture and Rural Development Bureau have taught farmers how to breed them to improve efficiency.

The clams are now bred on hundreds of hectares, seven or eight times the area three years ago, he said.

The association is running a programme in ĐịnhThành Commune under which 10 local households have been given loans worth a total of VNĐ300 million ($12,400) for farming the clams and they have bred two crops so far.

Each household earns a profit of VNĐ70-80 million ($2,900-3,300) per crop.

The model dovetails with the province’s zoning plans for diversifying agricultural products in every farming area, according to its Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

But breeding blood cockles is difficult in the province because juveniles have to be mostly brought from other provinces and so their quality is uneven and prices are high, and their survival rate is low.

To mitigate these difficulties, the department will organise activities to train local producers in the juvenile production models used in other provinces, and encourage and create favourable conditions for individuals and organisations there to transfer their breeding techniques to local producers.

The department will develop linkages through cooperative groups and cooperatives to help farmers improve their incomes.

Provinces and cities urged to strengthen measures against hand-foot-mouth disease

The HCM City health sector has recommended provinces and cities strengthen measures against hand-foot-mouth disease to ensure patients receive early treatment.

According to a report from the HCM City Health Department, nearly 65 per cent of cases treated in the HCM City hospitals come from other provinces.

According to statistics from the HCM City Pasteur Institute, 20 provinces and cities in the southern region have so far this year recorded 124,345 cases, or 2.6 times the figure last year.

In HCM City alone, there have been 44,467 cases of hand-foot-mouth disease, or 35.7 per cent of the total.

A report from the Pasteur Institute in HCM City showed that the development of the disease in the southern region has been inconsistent this year.

In previous years, the disease would gradually decrease after reaching its peak. However, the number of cases this year reached its peak and then decreased slowly, before increasing again.

The disease would later continue to decrease slowly, but the number of cases remained higher than the same period in 2022.

Despite the decrease in the number of cases, the percentage of patients admitted to hospitals from other provinces and cities remains at almost 70 per cent.

Serious cases transferred from other provinces and cities account for nearly 85 per cent.

In response to the situation, the HCM City Health Department has developed a specific plan to ensure the treatment of the disease following various scenarios.

The city health sector will classify paediatric patients for outpatient and inpatient treatment, and specifically assign medical facilities to treat the patients to avoid overloading and minimise the number of deaths.

The department said it will continue to implement disease prevention and control measures, including strengthening surveillance of the disease in districts and schools, and handling outbreaks according to regulations.

It has requested healthcare facilities in the city to fully prepare medical equipment, drugs, and supplies to treat patients in the city and from other provinces and cities.

It will organise training sessions to enhance treatment capacity at all healthcare facilities, from clinics to district-level and provincial hospitals with pediatric departments in the city.

Hand-foot-mouth is an infectious disease of the gastrointestinal tract, which can progress rapidly and threaten life.

Families with children under five years old, strictly implement disease prevention measures such as frequent hand washing with soap under running water for children and caregivers and regularly cleaning surfaces and tools children come into contact with every day.

When detecting signs of illness, the children should be taken to the nearest medical facility.

Parents have to closely monitor children to detect early signs of serious illness such as high fever, constant crying, rapid pulse and weakness in limbs, the department recommended. 

HCMC University Medicines Centre to manage transplantation by UMC Care mobile application

Novartis Vietnam has partnered with the HCM City University Medicines Centre (UMC) to launch a Comprehensive Transplantation Management programme which is facilitated through UMC Care – an existing mobile application developed by UMC since 2021 with a user base of approximately 80,000.

Under the partnership with Novartis, UMC Care app has two functions: Position as a platform for the hospital and its transplant patients to manage their diseases proactively and effectively; facilitate increased interaction with patients before and after transplantation and manage organ donation and provide resources for UMC to build a transplantation patient education program for prospects.

This programme will utilise the digital platform of the UMC Care app to post patient educational materials, articles, videos for healthcare professionals (HCP).

Phạm Văn Tấn, Deputy Director of HCM City University Medicines Centre, said: “We believe this collaboration would allow patients and their caregivers nationwide to access credible information sources. Particularly, the application will enable transplantation patients at UMC to interact and connect with their doctors anytime, anywhere.”

As per the data from the Ministry of Health, Việt Nam had conducted approximately 7,500 organ transplants by the end of March 2023. The number of organ transplants in Việt Nam has seen a significant rise, increasing from 283 cases in 2014 to 1,004 cases in 2022.

The success rate of organ transplants in Việt Nam is on par with other countries in the region. The immediate post-transplant success rate is over 95 per cent, and the survival rate after five years is between 85-90 per cent. Among these, kidney transplants account for 90 per cent, while the remaining 10 per cent includes heart, liver, lung and pancreas transplants.

Despite significant progress in organ transplantation over the past 30 years, Việt Nam still faces many challenges. These include a lack of organ sources, limited transplantation coordination, low treatment adherence, and improper post-transplant treatment leading to transplant rejection and risk of death. Patients also face knowledge gaps about post-transplant care, unstable immunosuppression supply, and a lack of effective interaction platforms.

“As a global leader in the pharmaceutical industry, Novartis takes pride in being a trusted partner of the Vietnamese healthcare system," said Karina Ng, Country President, Novartis Vietnam. 

"We hope that the sponsorship for UMC Care would help bridge the gaps that transplantation patients are facing.”

Since 2018, UMC has started implementing organ transplantation. Currently, UMC is managing about 100 kidney transplant patients and 50 liver transplant patients. UMC's plans include positioning transplantation as the hospital's top priority in the next three to five years. They aim to develop a Transplantation Excellence Centre at UMC the biggest in South Việt Nam, including heart, kidney and liver transplants.

Điện Biên-Northwest Culture and Tourism Week begins in HCM City

The Điện Biên-Northwest Culture and Tourism Week kicked off in HCM City on Monday night, offering a range of activities to promote the tourism potential of Điện Biên Province and the Northwest region.

The event is aimed at promoting National Tourism Year 2024, which will be hosted by the northwestern province of Điện Biên.

A variety of exciting activities are taking place at Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street until December 6, such as art performances, street parades, a photo exhibition, and a seminar on tourism promotion.

It also includes a series of trade fairs displaying “One Commune-One Product” (OCOP) products, specialty products, and tourism products of the northwest region.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dương Anh Đức, deputy chairman of the city People’s Committee, said the northwest region has rich tourism resources with a unique cultural identity, magnificent nature, and heroic history.

The breathtaking landscape and unique cultural identity of the mountainous northwest region cannot be found elsewhere, making it an alluring destination for domestic and international tourists, Đức said.

The region is home to many ethnic groups such as Mông, Thái, Mường, Dao, Khơ Mú, Lào, Lự, and Hà Nhì with different customs and traditions that are key tourism resources of the region, he said.

HCM City and the northwest region, comprising the provinces of Điện Biên, Hà Giang, Hòa Bình, Lai Châu, Lào Cai, Sơn La, Yên Bái, and Phú Thọ, signed an agreement in 2020 to develop inter-regional travel products and strengthen cooperation in marketing and promotion activities, human resources training, and investment in tourism, he said.

The event is part of this agreement of tourism linkages, offering an opportunity for localities to jointly exploit their full tourism potential, he added.

Vừ A Bằng, deputy chairman of Điện Biên Province’s People’s Committee, said Điện Biên-Northwest Culture and Tourism Week was part of activities to mark the 70th anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory and enhance cooperation in culture and tourism between HCM City and the region.

Li-Ning supports VAF for better success

The Việt Nam Athletics Federation (VAF) has received strong support from Li-Ning Company to reach higher results in the future.

The VAF and Hải Long International Company Limited, Li-Ning representative in Việt Nam, signed a three-year sponsorship on December 5 in Hà Nội.

According to their deal, the two sides expand their cooperative relationship. Accordingly, Li-Ning continues to be the official uniform sponsor for the VAF in the period of 2023-25.

2023 will be the eighth year in a row that Li-Ning has provided professional training and competition apparel, equipment for athletes, coaches and related members of the VAF.

The company hopes to help athletes create new miracles in local and international tournaments, as well as develop the potential of the country's athletics.

"The VAF recognises the contribution of the Li-Ning to the success of Vietnamese athletics in recent years," said Nguyễn Mạnh Hùng, VAF general secretary.

"The competition uniforms are made with advanced, modern, well-fitting materials. The clothes represent the national colours and spirit, and push athletes' confidence and motivation during competition, aiming for the best achievements.

"We believe that the tight cooperation between the two sides will further support athletes in achieving high performance, and at the same time help Vietnamese athletics make new strides in the coming time," he said.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, International Hải Long Company Director Đinh Thị Mỹ Nhung said: “For many consecutive years, athletics has brought home many medals at the SEA Games and international tournaments around the world. This shows the huge potential of athletics and the team would develop more strongly if they receive proper and comprehensive investment and support.

"Li-Ning has joined hands in supporting Việt Nam's sport delegation in general and athletics team in particular through many tournaments such as the Olympics, Asian Games and SEA Games.

"With our improvement of technology in apparel, Li-Ning is committed to supporting athletes to reach further success and bring Vietnamese athletics to achievements beyond expectations."

Li-Ning has been a partner of the VAF since 2016. Over nearly a decade with the support of the company, Vietnamese athletes secured 67 golds in four SEA Games, two places at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, two golds at the 2018 Asian Games and one gold at the recent Asian championship. 

Antique artifacts of Central Highlands provinces on display in Gia Lai

An outdoor exhibition entitled “Tay Nguyen – Gia Lai Paradise” displaying antique artifacts of local ethnic people opened in Pleiku city in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai on December 5.

On display are thousands of antique artifacts of collector Dang Minh Tam, including musical instruments, hunting and weaving tools, ceremonial objects, jewelry items and other items in the life of ethnic groups in the five Central Highlands provinces.

Highlights of the exhibition  are a white elephant bone chair dating back 700 years and a collection of elephant hunting tools dating back more than 100 years of the M'Nong ethnic group.

The exhibition, which runs until the end of December 2024, is an activity to implement the project on preserving and promoting the heritage value of the Central Highlands gong cultural space in Gia Lai province as well as the traditional values of the Central Highlands people in general and Gia Lai in particular.

Thailand’s National Day marked in HCM City

The Thai Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City held a ceremony on December 5 to celebrate the 96th National Day of Thailand (December 5, 1927 -2023), which is also the birth anniversary of late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Thailand's Father's Day.

Speaking at the ceremony, Thai Consul General Wiraka Moodhitaporn said that 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of Thailand – Vietnam Strategic Partnership. The two countries have a close-kit relationship, particularly in trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges. The two countries are currently each other's sixth largest trading partner in the world, the second largest in ASEAN and they have set a bilateral trade turnover target of 25 billion USD within the next two years.

The diplomat affirmed that Thailand pledges to intensify stronger partnerships and strengthen economic ties with all partners, especially in the ASEAN and the Greater Mekong Sub-regions and Vietnam is one of Thailand’s important partners in the region.

She also affirmed that the Thai Consulate General and Thai government agencies in HCM City are always committed to promoting effective partnerships between the two countries in all areas.

Meanwhile, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan said that HCM City has always treasured the relationship with Thailand and hoped to contribute to the strong and intensive development of the enhanced strategic partnership between Vietnam and Thailand by bolstering trade, investment, cultural, technology and people-to-people exchanges, among others.

He congratulated Thailand on its significant achievements over the past nearly 100 years and stressed that Vietnam and Thailand were the first two countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) upgraded their relationship to the Strategic Partnership in 2013 and are the only two countries in the region to lift their relations to the Enhanced Strategic Partnership, demonstrating a high level of political commitment as well as close connection in economic benefits between the two countries.

The official said the southern largest economic hub always encourages and welcomes Thai businesses to come and seek development opportunities in the coming time. The city has also hosted several cultural, educational exchanges and volunteer activities between the two countries.

Hoan also expressed his belief that the ties between HCM City and Thailand will continue to prosper sustainably for the friendship and mutual benefits of the two nations' people, thus contributing to the stability and prosperity of the ASEAN region.

Efforts made to uphold, promote Cham people’s pottery making

The south central provinces of Binh Thuan and Ninh Thuan, home to the art of pottery making of Cham ethnic people, have been taking steps to preserve and bring into play the value of this UNESCO-recognised intangible cultural heritage at the same time with developing community-based tourism.

On November 29, 2022, the art of pottery making of Cham people was inscribed on the list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding by UNESCO.

Cham pottery products are mainly household utensils, religious objects, and fine art works, including jars, pots, trays, and vases. They are made by women and viewed as an expression of individual creativity based on the knowledge transmitted within the community.

Instead of using a turntable, the women move backwards around the piece of clay to shape it. The pottery is not glazed but baked outdoors with firewood and straw for seven to eight hours, at a temperature of about 800 degrees Celsius. Raw materials (clay, sand, water, firewood and straw) are collected locally, and the knowledge and skills are passed on to younger generations within families through hands-on practice.

Bui The Nhan, Director of the Binh Thuan Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the province has been implementing a project on preserving and developing the heritage practice in Binh Duc hamlet of Phan Hiep commune, Bac Binh district, where the pottery making is a long-standing craft. Many detailed targets were set in this project, including raising the rates of households engaging in pottery making and artisans practicing the craft to more than 15% and over 16% by 2030 from 11% and nearly 12% in 2021, respectively.

All-level authorities, sectors, villagers, and businesses are making joint efforts to expand the market for pottery products. Authorities have also been repairing and upgrading infrastructure to protect the environment there, while selecting a site in Binh Duc to build a hall for exhibiting products, the production process, as well as other traditional arts of Cham people, aiming to both preserve the Cham culture and develop tourism, he noted.

Early last month, the Museum of Binh Thuan province coordinated with the People’s Committee of Phan Hiep commune opened a class to teach traditional pottery skills of Cham people to over 30 young residents in Binh Duc.

In the neighbouring province of Ninh Thuan, the pottery village of Bau Truc is now home to two cooperatives and 11 establishments producing and selling pottery products, along with about 300 households involved in the craft.

Ninh Phuoc district, where Bau Truc is located, is investing efforts in a project on preserving and developing this pottery village. In particular, it is mobilising resources for infrastructure improvement, providing craft training for the young, and combining craft preservation with tourism development.

Local authorities are also assisting production and trading establishments and cooperatives in Bau Truc to apply information technology to advertise and sell products online to buyers nationwide and even abroad in order to help villagers maintain the craft and earn their living from it.

Since the art of pottery making earned UNESCO’s recognition, communications about heritage preservation and promotion have also been enhanced, thus encouraging many young people to learn the craft.

Identifying this art as a precious resource for tourism development, various measures have also been carried out in Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan to enhance the provinces’ tourism attractiveness.

Under its tourism development plan for 2021 - 2025, with a vision to 2030, approved by the provincial People’s Committee, Ninh Thuan will focus on four typical products, namely marine leisure tourism, hi-tech agro-tourism, ecotourism at the Nui Chua Biosphere Reserve, and cultural tourism, especially the one linked with the Cham cultural heritage.

Nguyen Van Hoa, Director of the Ninh Thuan Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, noted the Bau Truc pottery village is an outstanding destination in this province. A community-based tourism board was established in the village and groups set up to develop specific tourism products such as a group for cuisine, a group of artisans, a group for traditional music and a group for the Cham culture.

Binh Thuan, the host of Visit Vietnam Year 2023, has paid special attention to bringing into play the values of cultural heritage elements so as to concurrently preserve heritage and diversify tourism products.

Chairman of the Binh Thuan Tourism Association Nguyen Van Khoa pointed out that exploring and experiencing craft villages are becoming attractive tourism activities, helping both promote cultural values and generate socio-economic benefits. Tours of craft villages of local ethnic groups, including Cham people, have left good impression on travellers.

Measures sought to provide comprehensive support for Vietnamese guest workers

A dialogue on overseas Vietnamese affairs and sending labourers abroad to work was jointly held by the Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs and the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City on December 5.

The event, in both in-person and online forms, offered a venue for experts and representatives from diplomatic agencies, State management bodies, businesses, and Vietnamese communities abroad to share experiences towards building a widespread and sustainable support network and mechanisms that provide better support and protection for Vietnamese people living and working abroad.

Head of the municipal Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs Vu Thi Huynh Mai stressed that sending labourers abroad to work has contributed to creating jobs, increasing income, speeding up poverty reduction and socio-economic development of the locality, and promoting the image and value of the country and its culture to the international community.

However, the coordination between Vietnamese diplomatic agencies abroad and domestic state management agencies responsible for the labour export work, as well as companies involved in sending workers abroad, has not proven effective, she said, adding that some organisations and businesses involved in the work fail to meet requirements.

To overcome limitations and bring more opportunities to workers and experts when participating in the foreign labour market, it is necessary to establish an effective and sustainable communication and cooperation channel between diplomatic agencies, state management agencies, organisations and businesses in managing and protecting the rights of Vietnamese labourers and experts working abroad, Mai said.

The city’s relevant agencies should learn from international experience towards improving the quality of programmes and projects to send labourers abroad, and activities related to OVs, she went on.

According to Vice Director of the municipal Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Huynh Le Nhu Trang, employers in the traditional labour markets such as Japan, Taiwan (China), and the Republic of Korea highly value Vietnamese guest workers for their diligence and quick adaptability.

According to Dinh Vinh Cuong, Chairman of Group 365, attention should be paid to training and improving foreign language proficiency, professional skills, working style and cultural awareness for labourers; enhancing management and supervision, and support, and ensuring rights and safety for labourers when they work abroad.

HCM City needs to expand and diversify the labour export market, targeting high-income markets with demand for high-quality workers, Cuong said.

Participants suggested policies for managing experts and trainees, and ensuring rights and social security for Vietnamese labourers working abroad. They also proposed solutions to improve processes for recruiting and training labourers; increase judicial support and consultation for workers; and strengthen international cooperation in this field.

Ben Tre to be expanded by 50,000 hectares to sea

The southernmost coastal province of Ben Tre will reclaim land from the sea by between 9-18 kilometres in different locations, according to the province's plan by 2030 with a vision to 2050.

The plan, which was announced by chairman of Ben Tre Provincial People's Committee Tran Ngoc Tam at a Tuesday meeting, said that the province will expand its land area to the east, reclaiming 50,000 hectares from the sea for the construction of urban and industrial areas and ports.

"These new land areas will also be used for logistics and tourism services," the official said. "We're completing the plan and will propose to the government for approval".

According to the plan, Ben Tre will be divided into three sub-regions with two in the north and south of the Ham Luong River focusing on services, industrial and hi-tech developments. Meanwhile, the coastal region will be for developing tourism and the ocean economy.

There will be areas expanded by between 9-18 kilometres to the sea, which will be used for wind power projects and aquaculture.

"We're trying to become a locality with a good economy by 2030 with stable socio-economic development, modern urban areas, and rich culture," Tam noted. "Now we're focusing on developing the ocean economy, industrial processing, energy and hi-tech agriculture."

Bac Ninh to host Asia U14 tennis champs

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) Asia 14 and under Development Championships 2023 - Regional Qualifying event of South- South East and East Asia- will be held from January 6 to January 19, 2024, at the Tennis Hanaka Paris Ocean Park in the northern province of Bac Ninh.

According to the schedule, the tournament will involve the participation of 70 athletes and coaches from 14 countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Japan, Laos, Macau (China), the Maldives, Mongolia, Singapore, Timor Leste, Sri Lanka, and host nation Vietnam.

The four best teams will earn tickets to compete in the final round of the competition, which is expected to take place in India from April 8 to April 17.

The competition will provide Vietnamese players with an opportunity to hone their professional skills whilst learning from the experience of competing against strong foreign rivals in preparation for regional and international events.

Thanh Hieu wins Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam friendship bicycle race

Young Vietnamese athlete Le Thanh Hieu finished first in a 35.2-km distance race at the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam friendship bicycle race (CLV Criterium Race 2023) held on December 6 in Vientiane, Laos.
According to the results, Hieu recorded an impressive victory as he successfully surpassed his Cambodian rival with a sprint at the end to win with a time of 53 minutes and five seconds.

Elsewhere, local cyclist Dang Van Phap finished third in the competition.

The bicycle race saw the participation of 45 athletes and took place on the sidelines of activities aimed at welcoming the first parliamentary summit of Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. The purpose of the event is to promote the regional sports movement, people-to-people exchanges, and the close friendship that exists among the three countries.

First Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam friendship bicycle race opens in Laos ​

The first Cambodia–Laos–Vietnam friendship bicycle tournament opened in Vientiane on December 6.

Organised by the National Assembly of Laos, the event was part of the sidelines activities to welcome the first Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam (CLV) Parliamentary Summit taking place in Laos from December 4-7.

The sporting event gathered 45 cyclists from the three countries to compete in a 35.2-km distance race in Vientiane.

According to the organising board, the race will serve to promote the regional sports movement, enhance people-to-people exchanges, and strengthen the close friendship among the three countries while contributing to the success of the summit and spreading the message of peace, friendship, solidarity, and cooperation for prosperity and sustainable development.

In the individual category, Vietnamese cyclists secured gold and bronze medals while silver medal went to a Cambodia cyclist.

Meanwhile, in the team category, the Cambodian team took the first place, followed by those of Laos and Vietnam, respectively.

Football tourney to connect Vietnamese community in Japan

FAVIJA CHAMPIONS CUP 2023 football tournament will be held on December 10 in the Japanese city of Saitama, with the event gathering together the Vietnamese expat community in Japan.

The occasion is jointly organised by the football association of Vietnamese people in Japan (FAVIJA) and is being sponsored by the Embassy of Vietnam in Japan.

It will feature a total of 32 teams selected from seven football tournaments across Japan held from February to late November.

The winner will receive a ball with the signature of Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong.

The football tourney is to take place as part of culture-sports exchange activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan which were first established in 1973.

Workshop seeks solutions to solve water challenges in Việt Nam

Measures to tackle water resource-related challenges in Việt Nam were the centre of discussion at a workshop held in the northern province of Vĩnh Phúc on Wednesday.

The event was jointly organised by the Department of Water Resources Management under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and The Australian Water Partnership (AWP). It aims to facilitate the exchange of information, sharing of experience, and capacity building training for young scientists and experts in the water industry in Việt Nam.

Laura Beckwith from AWP said Việt Nam is one of the most disaster-prone countries in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.

The country is facing a lot of difficulties in ensuring water sources and safe water supply in the country, she said, citing water shortage, uneven water resources distribution, impacts of climate change and water pollution as major challenges.

Beckwith suggested that it is important to strengthen professional skills for water resources managers and young scientists and experts who participate in solving water resource challenges.

Nguyễn Đức Vinh, Director of the Centre for Research, Training and Consultancy for Local Development, said that the northern mountainous region is home to over 11.6 million people of more than 30 ethnic groups, with 79.7 per cent of the rural population in the region provided with hygienic water.

Regarding solutions to improve access to clean water in the northern mountainous areas in the coming time, Vinh emphasised the need to renovate the existing system and apply advanced technologies and appropriate solutions to collect and use rainwater.

Participants at the workshop discussed issues relating to storing and distributing water sources effectively to meet water use demand and solutions to tackle drought and saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta. They put forth several solutions including the issuance of policies to encourage the economically use of water and minimise water loss, and tighten the licensing and registration of underground water exploitation. 

Futsal HCM City Open offers high prizes to participants

The International Futsal HCM City Open will be held between December 23 and 29 with the champions walking away with US$5,000.

The tournament, known as the LS Cup, has been held since 2006.

The annual event is considered a wrapping-up competition of the year where teams can review their activities and prepare for the new season, meanwhile players could sharpen their skills against international competition.

In its 15th edition, the top five teams from the domestic league will compete against two clubs from Thailand and one from Malaysia at the Lãnh Binh Thăng Gymnasium.

After a recent draw, defending champions Thái Sơn Nam, also the national winners, will play Blackpearl Utd (Thailand), Selangor Mac (Malaysia) and Khánh Hòa in Group B.

Group A gathers Sahako FC, Cao Bằng, Thái Sơn Bắc and Thammasat Statilion (Thailand).

Although teams can register up to 20 players, only 14 players can be used during matches with maximum two foreign players can compete at the same time.

Among the locals club taking part, only Thái Sơn Nam have registered a foreigner, Brazilian Goncalves Da Silva Lucas Gabriel who scored in the team's 5-0 win over Cao Bằng in the 2023 Futsal Cup final last month. It was also a debut match of the 20-year-old with the team.

Thammasat Statilion planned to bring Thiago Gouvea and Fabricio De Ramos to HCM City. Gouvea won three big titles when he was playing in Brazil before coming to Thailand while Carneiro is in top two scorers and leader in the list of assists at the Thai league.

Blackpearl Utd, Thai bronze medallists, have their Brazilian Lucas Boeira who already won the Copa America.

Selangor Mac side would take their duo Matheus Silva (Brazil) and Ali Ebrahimi (Iran) after they won third place at their domestic tournament this year.

In addition to the big bonus for the winners, two runners-up also pocket $3,000 and $1,000, respectively.

The team with fair-play style will take $500 while prizes for best individual players also available. 

Điện Biên Phủ prepares for marathon in January

The Điện Biên Phủ Marathon 2024 - Back to Blooming Fortress is a marathon event scheduled to take place on January 14 in Điện Biên Phủ City, Điện Biên Province.

With an estimated 1,500 runners participating, the race will offer categories of 5km, 10km, 21km and 42km.

Participants will have the opportunity to run routes through scenic and historically significant areas in and around Điện Biên Phủ City.

The event holds significance as it aims to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory (May 7, 1954 - May 7, 2024) and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Việt Nam and Japan (September 21, 1973 - September 21, 2023).

If you're interested in participating in the event, you can register at the following website: https://vietrunning.vn/.

Album by 'đàn nhị' artist presents contemporary version of traditional music

Sixteen years after her debut album in 2007, Vietnamese two-string fiddle artist Dương Thùy Anh has released her newest album to celebrate her 40-year journey in music.

Entitled Lặng (Contemplation), the album has been produced and completed after a long period of nurturing.

“After the release of my debut album, for years, I kept thinking about what I should continue to do. And the pandemic isolation seemed to give me the chance to ‘see clearly’ what I should do and pursue in the future. I was lost in thought and was strongly motivated with the idea of doing something fresh and different,” Thùy Anh said.

Consisting of six tunes, the album is a harmonious blend of the unique “whining” tone colour of the two-string fiddle and the New Age style, resulting a contemporary version of traditional music.

Famous composer and music producer Võ Thiện Thanh is the one who has added “wonderful ingredients for those tunes” as he took care the music arrangement and orchestration for the album, according to artist Thùy Anh.

Through tunes such as Băng Qua Cánh Rừng (Crossing Through the Forest), Tia Nắng Đầu Tiên (First Rays of Sunlight), Ngôi Nhà Trên Thảo Nguyên (The House on Meadow) and Vũ Điệu Bầy Đom Đóm (The Dance of Fireflies), music fans will be led through a conceptual forest where they can discover the intense yet eternal life of the greenwood, and immerse themselves in its beauty.

“To spread widely our traditional music, we must find ways to get closer to the audience, especially the young ones. That’s why, for this album, I’ve used modern music genres such as pop, rock and electronic, as the background for traditional music to shine on,” Thanh said.

He said that among the tunes, The Dance of Fireflies is the most challenging because the song features Western tones that do not really fit the intervals of the Vietnamese two-string fiddle.

“But, finally, we did it. I was very surprised that Thùy Anh can play very high notes on the fiddle that make the sound amazing, unique and haunting,” he said.

The HCM City-based music producer also said that he and the artist share the same vibe, as “the more we work together, the more compatible we get.”

“We have been interacted very well with each other to create the album. It can be said that together, we have been getting into a new world of music,” Thanh said.

Alongside the release of the album Contemplation now available on Spotify, Thùy Anh also has unveiled the music video Băng Qua Cánh Rừng by director Hải Lê. Music fans can enjoy the MV that can be found on her Youtube official channel ‘Dương Thùy Anh - Đàn nhị’.

Born in 1977 in Hà Nội, Thùy Anh made her acquaintance with the đàn nhị when she was a toddler, as her father is also an artist playing the two-string fiddle.

A graduate of the Hà Nội College of Art, majoring in the two-string fiddle, Thùy Anh currently is a lecturer at the Traditional Music Instrument Department.

In 2017 she won the Gold Medal at the National Festival of Traditional Musical Instrument Performance. Two year later, in 2019, she was granted the title Meritorious Artist by the State. 

Photo exhibition features Southern culture, arts

A special photo exhibition featuring Southern culture and arts is attracting visitors in HCM City.  

The event, Văn Học Nghệ Thuật Thành Phố Hồ Chí Minh - 60 Năm Phát Triển (60 years of HCM City literature and arts), feature HCM City’s developments in theatre, fine arts, and literature. 

It features more than 500 photos of different traditional genres of Southern theatre, such as cải lương (reformed opera) of the South, tuồng (classical drama) of the central region, and đờn ca tài tử (Southern folk music). 

Đờn ca tài tử is a part of the region’s traditional music that began 100 years ago. The art is considered the prototype for vọng cổ (nostalgic tunes) and cải lương of the South.  

The music is associated with farmers who sing while working in the fields or relaxing at the end of a hard day. 

It was recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2013. 

Photos of works by famous writers, sculptors and painters are also included. 

Highlighted photos feature talented performers of the HCM City Hát Bội Theatre and Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương Theatre who have worked to preserve and keep the South’s traditional theatre alive.

HCM City has achieved good results in cultural growth in the two years after launching the project called “Hồ Chí Minh Cultural Space”. 

The project is part of the strategy of the city’s cultural industry between 2020 and 2025 approved by the municipal People’s Committee. 

It focuses on building public spaces such as pedestrian streets and amusement parks. Cultural activities in photography, fine arts, traditional theatre and music are also highlighted. 

Under the project, more than 2,900 Cultural Space activities have been launched at cultural centres, religious sites, and residential areas around the city.

Local organisations and associations have offered many contests and festivals featuring traditional theatre, music, fine arts and literature. 

Singing and sports contests aimed at children and teenagers have been organised.

The exhibition, Văn Học Nghệ Thuật Thành Phố Hồ Chí Minh - 60 Năm Phát Triển, will run through December 17, at 81 Trần Quốc Thảo Street, District 3. 

Việt Nam National Transfer Accounts report declared

The Việt Nam National Transfer Accounts (NTA) report was declared in Hà Nội on Wednesday by the General Statistics Office of Việt Nam (GSO) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

The NTA report was completed under a development cooperation project between the GSO and the UNFPA with the technical support of Professor Sang-Hyop Lee from the University of Hawaii, an international expert and project leader on NTA in Asia.

Speaking at the workshop, Nguyễn Thị Hương, General Director of the GSO, said: "The NTA is a comprehensive and systematic method used to describe the economy in detail through the economic life cycle and the reallocation of economic resources between generations.”

“This approach helps countries improve their understanding of the generational economy and how generations influence economic growth,” she said.

Research on NTA has been conducted and published in more than 70 countries worldwide.

“This method not only proves its superiority in analysing economic indicators through the population but also allows answering many important macro policy questions in which population is the centre,” said Hương.

Matt Jackson, UNFPA Representative in Việt Nam, said that by 2050, the proportion of persons aged 60 and above in the Asia-Pacific region is projected to increase from about 14 per cent last year to nearly 26 per cent.

The proportion of children under 14 will move in the opposite direction, decreasing from 23 per cent to 17 per cent.

“This shift from a young to an aged society has multifaceted consequences at national, regional and global levels,” he said.

The population pyramid 2019 in Việt Nam shows that the country is currently in the demographic window of opportunity. It has the advantage of tapping the demographic dividend. This is projected to end by 2039.

Việt Nam is one of the most rapidly ageing countries in the region and worldwide. The country's transition from population ageing to ageing population will be much shorter than many other countries.

Experience from other countries shows that population policies are often underrated in terms of their importance, resulting in numerous demographic consequences that can negatively impact the socio-economic development of nations. Prioritising investment in these areas not only benefits societies and communities, but also avoids the additional costs of addressing related challenges later on.

“Therefore, additional investment in research for National Transfer Accounts to generate evidence on the economics of population ageing is needed. It helps develop policies and interventions that prepare for an ageing population,” he said.

Việt Nam’s NTA report indicates that the country has moved from the first demographic dividend, mainly based on a working population that is double that of the non-working population, to a second demographic dividend which focuses on increasing labour productivity, investing in human resources, in particular, supporting women in the labour force and developing policies to increase participation in the labour force.

“To achieve this, Việt Nam needs to allocate resources to invest in health systems and education,” said Matt. 
The GSO announced several essential findings from the NTA research results at the conference.

They show that populations of different ages will have other characteristics and income and consumption levels. Children and the elderly often spend more than they earn, with children likely spending more on education, while the elderly may be spending more on health care.

People in adulthood often work and generate more income than they spend, but the structure of income and spending between adult ages is also very different.

Based on the research results, the GSO recommends several important policy suggestions. It affirms that, although from the perspective of the NTA, Việt Nam is still in the golden population structure period with an abundant young labour force, it is forecast that this period will last at least ten more years.

Therefore, policies to take advantage of the period, especially ones to create decent jobs for workers, remain valid and need to continue to be implemented to ensure sustainable growth. 

79 works and applications selected to Vietnam Golden Book of Creativity 2023

This morning, the Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front in coordination with the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations and the Ministry of Science and Technology held a ceremony in Hanoi to announce the Vietnam Golden Book of Innovation in 2023.

This annual activity has been taking place since 2016 to honor and praise collectives and individuals with creative works and solutions that make practical and effective contributions to science and technology activities in response to the movement of enhanced solidarity in improving productivity, quality, efficiency, and international integration.

Vice President cum General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Nguyen Thi Thu Ha said that in response to the emulation movement of enhanced solidarity in improving productivity, quality, efficiency, and international integration launched by the Presidium of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, a large number of individuals and organizations have sent their initiatives and application of science and technology.

 
This year, the Vietnam Golden Book of Creativity announced 79 winning innovative science and technology projects, applications and initiatives selected from 162 projects nominated by ministries, departments, agencies, member organizations, provinces and cities. These are typical scientific and technological innovative projects, applications and solutions in the country that are valued to support the community and improve residents' lives, contributing to the country’s socio-economic development, environment protection, and taking care of people's health and social life.

Speaking at the announcement ceremony, on behalf of the leaders of the Party, State, and Vietnam Fatherland Front, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Do Van Chien praised the efforts of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations has completed the selection and edition of the Vietnam Golden Book of Creativity 2023 transparently and objectively. The above-mentioned bodies have selected 79 typical scientific works throughout the country.

This year’s honored works in many fields such as new energy, automation, new materials, information technology, electronics, telecommunications, medicine, education and training, and agriculture for the socio-economic development and national defense and security that the Party, the government and the public are paying attention to.

 
Emphasizing that the Party and State always take heed of investment in the development of science and technology and innovation, Mr. Do Van Chien said that the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations has coordinated with ministries, departments, agencies, member organizations of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and localities to organize selection and award many awards in science and technology field including the Vietnam Science and Technology Innovation Award, the National Technical Creativity Contest, the National Creativity Contest for teenagers and children for many recent years.

Recently launched awards in science and technology have attracted the participation of scientists and people from all walks of life. Thousands of awarded scientific works have been applied to bring practical results to promote the process of industrialization, modernization of the country and international integration.

Some typical projects honored in the Vietnam Creative Golden Morning 2023 such as studies, and designs including 5 treatment models of clean water supply and direct drinking water in schools in regions with scarce clean water in Ha Giang province by author Cao Hong Ky; the management system of patients and patients’ relatives with face ID to increase Covid-19 prevention effectiveness by author Doan Thanh Vu and partner Tran Trung Nguyen.

Vietnam records one more monkeypox case in Mekong Delta province

Vietnam records one more monkeypox case in the Mekong Delta Province of Tien Giang - the first case in the province.

This morning, the Tien Giang Center for Disease Control (CDC) said it had just recorded a positive case of monkeypox virus.

According to the provincial Center for Disease Control’s records, the monkeypox patient is from Cam Son Commune in Tien Giang Province’s Cai Lay District. Initially, the patient began to have symptoms of the disease including skin lesions blisters scattered on the face, chest, arms, buttocks, and chills on November 20.

The patient visited the Ho Chi Minh City-based Hospital of Tropical Disease on November 24 and had samples taken for testing. Test results showed that the patient was positive for the monkeypox virus.

Medical workers in the province have guided the patient to self-isolate at home to avoid spreading the disease to others. The province’s health sector has traced those who have contacted closely with the patients for monitoring their health conditions.

Prior, a man in the Mekong Delta Province of Long An also got the disease and died later.

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