Lai Phu Hop, director of the Automobile Registration and Inspection Center 47-06D in the Central Highlands province of Daklak, has been detained for allegedly accepting bribes.

The Daklak police yesterday, February 16, arrested Hop and Mai Huynh Le Thu, deputy director of An Phat Company, along with five staff members for bribe taking.

The investigation shows that they conspired with each other to receive bribes from drivers and automobile owners to turn a blind eye to vehicles’ failures to meet technical and environmental standards to run on the road and grant them an inspection stamp.

The police have yet to announce the amount of money and the number of vehicles certified as eligible for use by bribery.

Over the past two months, police in many provinces and cities nationwide have launched probes into violations of auto inspection and registration regulations, resulting in the shutdown of many auto testing centers.

They inspected nearly 40 centers and filed charges against 300 individuals for bribe brokering, giving and taking, and falsifying documents at auto registration and inspection centers.

Project targeting plastic waste reduction in tourism launched

A project on reducing plastic waste in the Vietnamese tourism sector was launched on February 16 with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam.

Ha Van Sieu, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, said that the project aims to promote the implementation of plastic waste reduction activities in tourism to contribute to protecting the environment and achieving the sustainable development goals of the sector.

Communication work will be stepped up to raise awareness of sectors, businesses, people and tourists; and solutions and initiatives to reduce plastic waste will be piloted in some restaurants, hotels, resorts and tourist attractions in Ninh Binh and Quang Nam provinces, and then will be applied nationwide.

The project also aims to build, pilot and issue a set of criteria for recognition of plastic waste-free tourism firms, issue an action plan on reducing this kind of waste in the tourism industry, and launch an application on plastic waste management, added Sieu.

Nguyen Thi Thu Huyen, a representative from UNDP Vietnam, said that plastic waste pollution is a major global challenge due to its harmful effects on the environment, especially in the marine one.

This project will be carried out in 2023 and 2024, Huyen said.

Vietnam looks to boost tech cooperation with Japan

Vietnam expects Japan to strengthen bilateral cooperation in key industries, with a focus on technology, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang said yesterday, February 15.

Speaking at the Vietnam-Japan Economic Forum 2023, Quang proposed that Vietnam and Japan continue developing bilateral cooperation strategies on digital platforms, holding more discussions and meetings, exchanging experiences and knowledge about digital transformation and building a research and development center in Vietnam.

At the event, held to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Japan, Quang called for Japanese firms to transfer technology to Vietnam, pledging to create more favorable conditions for Japanese tech investors.

Increased partnership will help beef up two-way trade, improve the investment climate, enhance production capacity and raise competitiveness, the local media reported.

Japan is Vietnam’s leading official development assistance donor and fourth largest trade partner.

Over 200 Japanese businesses are involved in Vietnam, making Japan rank second among nations with the highest number of firms active in Vietnam, according to the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

As of December last year, Japanese firms had been present in 57 out of 63 provinces and cities in Vietnam, with nearly 5,000 operational projects worth US$69 billion.

A recent survey by the Japanese agency showed that some 60% of Japanese firms in Vietnam are set to expand their operations in the country.

An Giang province works to establish itself as tourist magnet

An Giang province is planning a number of activities to boost tourism so as to become one of the leading destinations in the Mekong Delta.

The province targets 8 million visitors and 5.5 trillion VND (231.5 million USD) from tourism revenue in 2023.

To that end, the sector is set to focus on improving service quality through developing infrastructure and human resources and creating a safe, civilised, and hospitable tourism environment.

Nguyen Khanh Hiep, Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the sector will continue popularising images of An Giang’s land and people on mass media outlets and social networks. It will also promote tourism connectivity with other localities in the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City.

An Giang will design new tours will to connect local outstanding places of interest, diversify and increase added value of products, and organise more promotion and consumption stimulation events on the occasion of big holidays and anniversaries, he noted.

Besides, to turn tourism into a key economic sector, the province will keep investing in infrastructure to meet visitors’ demand and, especially, hold more training courses to improve the quality of manpower in line with national and international standards, according to the official.

In 2022, An Giang welcomed 7.5 million tourist arrivals, up 127% year on year and equivalent to 163% of last year’s target. It also recorded over 4.7 trillion VND in revenue, surging 119% from a year earlier and 57% higher than the annual target.

Hanoi plans various activities in response to Earth Hour 2023

The capital city of Hanoi will switch off public and advertising lighting systems in some public areas and streets from 8.30pm to 9.30pm on March 25 as part of its response to the global Earth Hour campaign.

Under a plan of action which was issued by the municipal People’s Committee, a range of activities will be organised on that day to raise awareness and responsibility of the community on the efficient use of energy, responding to climate change and environmental protection.

The activities include a dissemination campaign on the Earth Hour campaign in communes and wards through socio-political organisations as well as communication work on using power more efficiently via media outlets.

The event is intended to encourage society to join the campaign by turning off lights and other unnecessary devices in their homes and at their workplaces.

Started in 2007 by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and partners as a symbolic lights-out event in Sydney to raise awareness of climate change, the Earth Hour is now one of the world's largest grassroots movements for the environment. Held every year on the last Saturday of March, the Earth Hour engages supporters in more than 190 countries and territories, all taking action to ensure a brighter future for people and the planet.

Vietnam first joined the Earth Hour campaign in 2009. Last year, the country saved 309,000 kWh of electricity, equivalent to 576.1 million VND (about 24,310 USD).

HCM City, France's Le Havre eye stronger cooperation in seaport, education

Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Phan Van Mai hosted a reception for visiting former French Prime Minister Edouarad Philipe, who is now Mayor of Le Havre city, on February 16.

Mai expressed his belief that Philipe’s visit will open up many cooperation opportunities for businesses of the two countries and the two cities in particular.

Briefing the guest on HCM City’s socio-economic development, the official said the city always attaches importance to international cooperation, especially with Europe, including France.

Navigation, seaport and export-import are among the focuses of the southern metropolis, he said, adding that they play a crucial role in local economic development.

Apart from the existing seaports like Tan Cang and Saigon, HCM City is aiming to build an international entrepot, according to the official.

Mai used the occasion to thank Philipe for inviting HCM City to join the International Association of Cities and Ports, and informed the guest about the locality’s activities towards green, sustainable economic development.

HCM City has mobilised resources for infrastructure development, attracted both domestic and foreign investments, reformed administrative procedures and promoted high-quality personnel training, towards becoming an international centre of finance and trade, he said.

Mai stressed the importance of educational cooperation, and noted that HCM City wishes to cooperate with enterprises in France and Le Havre in culture, health care, personnel training, and biological research.
 
For his part, Philipe said he hopes to intensify cooperation, cultural exchanges, and trade promotion between the cities. He affirmed that many French experts, businesses and investors are keen to cooperate with HCM City, particularly in fields suggested by the city's leaders. 

Philipe suggested HCM City continue with administrative reform to raise the efficiency of investment attraction, facilitate operations of businesses, and contribute to economic development.

Earlier, Philipe and his entourage visited a number of seaports and schools in HCM City.

Vietnamese teams make great efforts in search and rescue operations in Turkey

As of 13:00 on February 16 (local time), the search and rescue team of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) discovered five locations of earthquake victims in Turkey, with two showing survival signs, and informed them to local forces.

Turkish people have expressed their gratitude to the team, led by Maj. Gen. Pham Van Ty, Deputy Chief of the Office of the National Committee for Incident and Disaster Response, Search and Rescue and Deputy Director of the VPA's Department of Search and Rescue, for their search and rescue efforts.  

After three days of working, the mission of the Ministry of National Defence found 11 locations where victims were buried, two of them showed survival signs.

The 76-strong rescue teams of the VPA, along with 35 tonnes of cargo, departed for Turkey on February 12 night to assist the country in recovery efforts following the devastating earthquake.

Meanwhile, over the past five days, apart from performing their tasks at earthquake sites, the team from the Ministry of Public Security, handed over medical equipment and medicines from the ministry to local authorities, according to Deputy Director of the Police Department of Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue Colonel Nguyen Minh Khuong.

They will continue coordinating with search and rescue forces from foreign countries like the US, Uzbekistan and China in the coming days, and plan to visit victims in Adiyaman, home to many Vietnamese.

The 24-member team of the ministry have engaged in search and rescue efforts in the Turkish southeastern city of Adiyaman, which is among the localities bearing the brunt of the earthquake, after they arrived in Istanbul International Airport on February 10.

As of 19:00 on February 16, Turkey recorded a total of 36,187 deaths and 108,061 injuries due to the huge earthquake and its aftershocks.

Report shows businesses' significant strides in digital transformation

A large number of polled Vietnamese enterprises have allocated specific budgets for digital transformation activities and many across sectors have been ready for the process, according to a report released at a ceremony in Hanoi on February 16.

The business digital transformation report is an annual publication implemented by the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s Enterprise Development Agency as part of a programme supporting businesses in digital transformation for 2021-2025. Its 2022 edition was compiled based on a survey of 1,000 firms nationwide from a wide range of sectors, including agro-forestry-fishery, processing-manufacturing, retail-wholesale, and education.

As per the report, polled enterprises have demonstrated strides in applying digital technologies in marketing, distribution and multi-channel sales to enhance customer experiences and care. Digital technology is also more commonly applied in a number of operations such as the management of inventory, production lines, and purchasing. Many companies have digitised data and standardised processes to move towards the transformation on a broader and more synchronous scale.

However, the application of digital technology in many businesses, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises, was still local and desultory due to a lack of clear goals, plans and strategies from the beginning, therefore their investment in the process has yet to gain successes as expected.

The direction and strategy, people and organisation, customer experiences, and multi-channel sales are the areas with the best digital transformation readiness, said the report, adding that risk management remains a limitation of most businesses across fields and industries.

Addressing the ceremony, Trinh Thi Huong, Deputy Director of the Enterprise Development Agency, said despite COVID-19-induced difficulties last year, the inevitability of the digital transformation trend was recognised by many enterprises and their increased investment in related applications helped them adapt to and even accelerate during such unprecedented difficult period.

Deputy FM attends World Government Summit, visits UAE

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Quang Hieu attended the World Government Summit (WGS) 2023 and visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he co-chaired the second deputy ministerial level political consultation, from February 13-15.

Speaking at a session of the WGS on promoting breakthrough initiatives in climate change response and education, Hieu affirmed Vietnam’s efforts to achieve the net zero emission target by 2050, saying the country prioritises pushing economic transformation based on science and technology and innovations.

The official stressed that Vietnam has issued a national digital transformation strategy, and called on partners and international investment funds to pour capital into the areas of the country’s priority like green economy and digital economy.

On the sidelines of the summit, Hieu met Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Raşit Meredow, and Foreign Minister of Maldives Abdulla Shahid.

Hieu suggested the countries continue their close coordination at international forums and organisations, and create optimal conditions for Vietnamese businesses and goods in their respective countries.

Leaders of Turkmenistan and Maldives emphasised the importance the countries attach to the relations with Vietnam, spoke highly of Hieu’s proposals and agreed to implement many measures to promote the bilateral ties in the time ahead.

With theme of “Shaping Future Governments”, the summit brought together leaders, global experts and decision makers from around the globe to share and contribute to the development of tools, policies, and models that are essential in shaping future governments.

At the summit, the WTO Director General highlighted Vietnam’s important role in regional and global supply chain restructuring.

During his stay in the UAE, Hieu co-chaired the political consultation with his host counterpart Saeed Mubarak Al-Hajeri, and had meetings with UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani Al Zeyoudi, Governor of Dubai International Financial Centre Essa Kazim, Vice President of UAE Industries of Mubadala Investment Company Jasem Al Neaimi, Executive Director of Elite Argo Dr. Abdulmonem Al Marzooqi, and Director of Al Maya Supermarket Group Kamal Vachani.

At the meetings, both sides expressed their delight at the recent positive developments in bilateral relations.

According to the UAE statistics, the Vietnam – UAE trade turnover in 2022 topped 8.8 billion USD, an increase of over 35% from the previous year, making the UAE the largest trade partner of Vietnam in the Middle East.

They agreed to work closely together to implement political-diplomatic, economic and cultural activities in 2023 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties. The focus is on promoting delegation exchanges, supporting each other at international and regional forums, and accelerating the establishment of the Vietnam-UAE business council. They also discussed negotiating important economic-trade cooperation documents, and improving cooperation efficiency in priority fields such as investment, oil and gas, energy, tourism, logistics, among others.

The two sides also agreed to create favourable conditions for goods, especially Vietnamese agricultural products, make inroads into the UAE and support Vietnam in developing the Halal industry, and organise cultural and art exchange activities.

They also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern.

On this occasion, Hieu, who is also Chairman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, met representatives of the Vietnamese community in the UAE.

Intellectuals, scientists, writers, artists commended on national development

Vo Van Thuong, Politburo member and Permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat, on February 16 praised intellectuals, scientists, writers, and artists for their contributions to the country’s science, technology, health care, education – training, culture, and national defence.

During a Hanoi meeting with 210 delegates representing millions of intellectuals, scientists, writers, and artists nationwide, Thuong pledged favourable conditions for their development.

Thuong quoted late President Ho Chi Minh as saying that the intellectuals, scientists, writers, and artists are the nation's precious resources.

He underlined the key role played by the contingent of scientists, intellectuals, writers, and artists for the nation’s destiny and future, calling on them to constantly promote their talents and intelligence. He also suggested they strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and pay attention to training and mentoring next generations to shoulder future responsibilities.

He appreciated and acknowledged practical recommendations and suggestions by participants at the event, affirming that thanks to unremitting efforts of the entire Party, people and army, including the contingent of intellectuals, scientists, writers, and artists, the country continues to reap important achievements.

Nguyen Trong Nghia, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of its Information and Education Commission, said the meeting highlighted the significance of the contributors, saying that it shows the Party and State's attention to the fields of science and technology, education and training, and culture and art.

Participants shared experience and prominent achievements, while proposing recommendations for the country’s development in the future.

They showed the hope that the Party and State will continue to complete mechanisms and policies in order to create favourable conditions for the contingent of scientists, intellectuals, writers, and artists to grow stronger, enabling them to make more contributions, thus meeting the development requirements of the country in the new period.

Thuong affirmed that the Party and State always create the best conditions for the contingent of scientists, intellectuals, writers, and artists at home and abroad to promote their intellectual research and creation ability, and discoveries.

He expressed his belief that the intellectuals, scientists, writers, and artists will firmly overcome all difficulties and challenges to gain new achievements, making significant contributions to the nation's prosperous development.

HCM City museum showcases artefacts from Nguyễn Dynasty

The Museum of Vietnamese History in HCM City is showcasing a collection of antiques dating back to the 19th and 20th centuries.

The exhibition entitled “Thanh Ngoạn” (Spring Wandering) presents more than 180 artifacts reflecting Việt Nam’s history and culture, mostly from the Nguyễn Dynasty (1802-1945).

All of them are selected from collections possessed by four young collectors Thân Việt Hùng, Nguyễn Đông Nhựt, Huỳnh Chí Thanh, and Nguyễn Thị Tuyết.

Tuyết from Hải Dương Province said: “I’ve fallen in love with the country’s history and artefacts since I was a child. I visted Hải Dương Museum several times and that nurtured my desire of possessing antiques from our ancestors. It motivates me to learn and collect antiques, especially ones belonging to the royalty, to create my own precious collection.”

The exhibition highlights “pháp lam” items such as tea sets, vases, and food traysdecorated with patterns of flowers and “tố nữ” (Fair Maidens).

“Pháp lam” is a technique of enameling ceramics on a metal base (gold, silver, copper) introduced to Việt Nam in the early 19th century. At its finest, the products of “pháp lam” are considered a combination of the ceramic industry with jewellery. Those products used to be produced only for Nguyễn royalty.

Various administrative and royal documents, and an ancient horizontal lacquered board under the Nguyễn Dynasty are on display as well.

The showcase also features costumes, jewellery, and boxes and trunks of different sizes and materials.

According to Hoàng Anh Tuấn, the museum’s director, the “Thanh Ngoạn” exhibition offers an opportunity for the community to learn about the country’s history and culture through unique artefacts collected by young people. It also tells interesting stories on the journey of preserving and promoting the national cultural heritage for young people today.

The exhibition will open until March 31. The museum is located at 2 Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm Street in District 1. 

Inaugural Lazada Run to start in HCM City with 10,000 participants expected

The inaugural Lazada Run event will take place in HCM on April 23 and is expected to draw about 10,000 runners.

After the HCM City event, the run will also take place in Indonesia on June 11, Thailand on June 25, the Philippines on July 2, Malaysia on July 16 and Singapore on July 23.

There will be 5km, 10km and 21km races in every country and other exciting and immersive activities for participants of all ages.

Another much-awaited category is the 1.5 km family-run, where parents and children between 5 and 12 years old can run together.

Athletes can compete for valuable cash prizes and tickets to the Lazada Run final round in Singapore. The best two female and two male runners in the 21km run will receive tickets to the Lion Island of Singapore to compete with the best regional runners.

The upcoming event demonstrates Lazada's commitment to improving people's health and celebrates what customers in each country have added to life.

Runners can participate in experiential activities from their favourite brands from Lazada while enjoying exclusive offers from start to finish.

For example, runners can register on the Lazada app for a chance at Cart Dash events during race days. As part of the event, lucky runners can win their basket of items. 

Kaya Qin, general director of Lazada Việt Nam, said: “We hope that this run will add to the spirit of training to be healthy and beautiful, as well as bring interesting experience for the community of countries in Southeast Asia.” 

Urban development must adapt, help combat climate change: experts

It is necessary to increase tree coverage to reduce the effect of heat-induced problems and increase the absorption of greenhouse gas emissions in urban areas in order to contribute to realising the target of net-zero emissions by 2050, according to Nguyễn Tuấn Quang from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE).

Reports showed that Việt Nam has more than 860 urban areas, and the urbanisation rate increased to nearly 40 per cent in 2021.

Urban areas are an important driving force for socio-economic development, speeding up economic restructuring towards industrialisation and modernisation.

However, the rapid development of urban areas leads to overpopulation, an increase of economic development activities, high traffic density and energy consumption, and is consequently a huge source of greenhouse gas emissions which is the cause of climate change.

Cities account for two-thirds of total energy consumption and 70 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, so they play a vital role in efforts to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment, experts said.

Quang, deputy head of MoNRE’s Department of Climate Change, said coastal cities are often affected by storms, high tides, extreme rain, floods and rising sea-levels.

Cities near high mountains face risks of landslides and flash floods after heavy rains.

For urban areas combined with industrial parks and economic zones, the impact of climate change and natural disasters can disrupt the circulation of goods and materials, affecting the overall economy.

Sharing the same view, Ngô Minh Hùng and Lê Thị Kim Oanh from Văn Lang University said the strong urbanisation process in developing countries has led to worsening environmental pollution, adding that the impact of climate change make urban governance more difficult.

Scarcity of water supply, heat, urban flooding and wastewater-related issues have been affecting lives and socio-economic conditions in urban areas.

The solution of a carbon-neutral urban model is a new trend to promote sustainable environmental development in the country, they said.

It is necessary to prioritise the implementation of a number of governance policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in urban areas, such as promoting the use of public transport and limiting the use of private vehicles, using land resources economically and efficiently, developing ecological parks, and creating more urban green spaces and landscapes.

Dương Thị Thúy Nga from the University of Science under Việt Nam National University-HCM City said tall buildings that block wind, a large population, a high number of vehicles and carbon emissions are also contributing to the increase of the urban heat island effect in HCM City and other large cities in Việt Nam.

They are causing heat waves with some of the highest recorded temperatures ever in the country, affecting public health.

Mai Quốc Bửu from Văn Lang University said green projects and buildings in urban areas not only have green trees on the roof, but also use eco-friendly construction materials.

Quang said that sectors and localities should promote the efficient use of energy, apply renewable energy solutions in production, traffic and urban lighting as well as recycling waste and wastewater in line with the circular model, and produce energy from waste, while ensuring urban development associated with environmental protection and climate change adaptation.

Upgrading traffic works in areas vulnerable to climate change, constructing buildings and urban areas in accordance with green standards and close to nature, and applying energy efficiency standards in buildings are also needed, he added.

HCMC’s food streets attract visitors

From the middle of 2022 until now, the recovery of activities of food streets in HCMC has attracted many domestic and foreign visitors.

Main food streets, such as Bui Vien, Nguyen Thuong Hien, and Nguyen Hue walking street are completely packed with walking tourists every night.

Vietnamese dishes, including banh mi (Vietnamese bread), com tam (broken rice), bun, and pho (noodles) are some of the most attractive and delicious street food dishes of gastronomers.

Mr. Shaamir Wrights, a French visitor, said that both he and his wife are very interested in Vietnamese food street dishes. It is really a very enjoyable experience.

According to the HCMC Department of Industry and Trade, the city is focusing on the development of food streets to draw tourists and boost visitors’ expenditures when they visit the southern economic hub.

At the end of 2022, HCMC put food streets into operation, such as Nguyen Thuong Hien in District 3 and Phan Xich Long in Phu Nhuan District. These food streets are expected to create a space for entertainment, sightseeing, and shopping for local residents and tourists, contributing to strengthening tourism activities, especially the night-time economy.

Vietnamese women’s football team nominated for 2023 Devotion Awards

The Vietnamese national women’s football team were nominated at the 2023 Devotion Awards, making them the first female football team to receive the honour.

The Devotion Awards 2023 recognises the best in music and sports and were originally launched by the Vietnam News Agency daily The Thao va Van Hoa (Sports and Culture).

This year's awards features three categories for sports, including best athlete, best young athlete, and sports achievement of the year.

The five nominees up for the best athlete award are swimmer Nguyen Huy Hoang, muay fighter Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat, female footballer Huynh Nhu, track-and-field athlete Nguyen Thi Oanh, and wushu athlete Duong Thuy Vi.

Elsewhere, footballer Khuat Van Khang, swimmer Tran Hung Nguyen, and shooter Phi Thanh Thao will compete for the best young athlete title.

Fans can vote for the winner in two categories: best athlete and best young athlete, via the Bvote system, starting on February 16.

The final category is sports achievement of the year and aims to recognise breakthroughs made by both individuals and teams, particularly those demonstrating the development of Vietnamese sports.

Nominees consist of the Vietnamese national women’s football team for progressing to the finals of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time, Vietnam hosting the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31), and Hanoi FC winning the V. League 1 and Super Cup 2022.

Moving forward, the awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in March.

Australian newspaper dubs Phu Quoc Mediterranean town in Vietnam

Australian travel newspaper The Sydney Morning Herald has described Phu Quoc Island in the southern province of Kien Giang as a “Mediterranean town” in Vietnam.

According to the media outlet, everything visitors typically associate with Italy can be on Phu Quoc Island, such as epic fountains, vast mosaics, delicious pasta, and pots of red geraniums.

“This 30-hectare part-folly, part private investment, part tourist attraction includes villas, big and small hotels, apartments and shophouses along a path leading to the new Kiss Bridge and will delight and confuse,” says The Sydney Morning Herald.

“Eventually this project, by the giant Vietnamese Sun Group, will be full of apartment dwellers, businesses and holiday-makers but the day we visit painters, builders and gardeners are making final touches to Truman Show-esque streets where there is not a leaf out of place and hardly a person to be seen,” it added.

The newspaper also suggested that holiday goers pay a visit to Hon Thom by heading to An Thoi Station where they can then take a ride on the Phu Quoc cable car. 

“The ride itself is quite fast at 30 kilometres an hour, so brace yourself as you dip and glide over beaches and fishing villages for eight kilometres (it's the longest cable car of its type in the world), eventually landing on Hon Thom - dubbed Pineapple Island, a much-loved Vietnamese nature and water park,” it shared.

Phu Quoc Prison is also a location suggested by The Sydney Morning Herald as must-visit destination when enjoying a trip to the island.

The prison is a historic site that had been used to confine Vietnamese revolutionary soldiers. During their incarceration they were subjected to barbaric forms of tortures; such as nailing of the hands, feet, and even their head; along with stabbing burned copper wires into the skin; drilling teeth; and even burning or burying people alive.

“Rows of dummys in stifling cells illustrate cruel and bizarre methods of torture carried out on inmates while crudely dug tunnels highlight the heroism and desperation of those incarcerated,” it noted.

Furthermore, the newspaper also hailed fish sauce in Phu Quoc, an item that is greatly sought after by lovers of both Vietnamese and Thai cuisine from across the world.

“Phu Quoc traditional fish sauce is made from anchovies that feed off particular types of local seaweed and plankton,” it described.

Visitors are also recommended to sample fruits of the sea and coconut ice-cream for desert at the Night Market in Duong Dong, Phu Quoc's biggest town.

The Sydney Morning Herald also introduced visitors to Phu Quoc National Park in the island's north-east which includes more than 27,000 hectares of forest and 20,000 hectares of surrounding ocean area.

“It has white-sand beaches, mountains, jungle treks, waterfalls, the rare slow loris, monkeys and other wildlife for those in search of some nature nurturing,” the newspaper concluded.

Elephant found dead in Nghe An forest

An elephant has been found dead in the central province of Nghe An's Quy Chau District.

Head of Quy Chau District Forest Ranger Department, Le Xuan Dinh told Dantri/Dtinews on Thursday afternoon that a local resident found the skeleton of an elephant in a forest some five kilometres from Chau Phong Commune the same morning.

"The elephant might have died a month ago," Dinh said. "It was the 70-year-old mother elephant which used to accompany her calf to seek food on farms in the area. They were last seen at a local farm in December last year. We're investigating the cause of her death."

The official said that the two elephants used to belong to a large elephant herd but they'd gradually died from hunting. The two last male elephants in the herd were killed for ivory by hunters some 30 years ago so the herd could not develop.

Nghe An is currently home to around 14-16 wild elephants living in five different herds, according to the provincial forest rangers. Of these, the biggest herd of some eight-nine elephants are living in the Pu Mat National Park.

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