Vietnam is confident in realising the goal of eliminating malaria by 2030, said Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Lien Huong.

Addressing a ceremony marking Vietnamese Doctors' Day (February 27) and presenting awards of a competition on the life and scientific career of the late Prof. Dang Van Ngu, held by the National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology (NIMPE) in Hanoi on February 22, Huong said Vietnam has emerged as a beacon in the regional and global fight against malaria.

She commended NIMPE for its pivotal role in reducing malaria cases, deaths and outbreaks. As of the end of 2023, 46 provinces had achieved malaria-free status, a dramatic turnaround from 1991 when over 1 million cases and 4,646 deaths were reported annually. In 2022, only 455 cases and one death were recorded, with no major outbreaks.

Part of this success, Huong noted, stems from the pioneering work of Prof. Ngu, a renowned Vietnamese parasitologist.

Looking ahead, she urged NIMPE leaders and staff to build on their past achievements, uphold solidarity, and fulfill assigned tasks to combat insect-borne and parasitic diseases, ultimately striving for their elimination.

President attends ethnic spring festival in Hanoi’s suburban town

President Vo Van Thuong on February 24 attended the opening of the “spring festival in all regions of the country” at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Hanoi’s Son Tay town.

The annual event, held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, honours the fine traditional cultural values of all 54 ethnic groups in the country. This year's festival attracts the participation of people from 28 ethnic communities in 16 provinces.

Addressing the event, President Thuong said the unique and rich cultural treasure of 54 ethnic groups is the pride, a valuable asset of the nation, and the source of endogenous strength, forging the great unity of the entire nation - a soft power that contributes to raising the country's position and reputation in the international arena.

The Party and State always pay attention to building a great national unity bloc with focus on preserving and promoting cultural values and identities of each ethnic group.

Culture is the spiritual foundation of society and a pillar in sustainable development which is asserting its greater role, Thuong stated, adding that the material and spiritual life of Vietnamese people has continuously been improved. The people's role in creating, practicing, transmitting and enjoying culture is respected while community participation in culture has been increasing.

The State leader requested ministries, sectors and localities to well implement ethnic policies, pay attention to preserving and promoting local cultural values associated with economic development and solving social problems, with priority given to cultural development in ethnic-inhabited and remote areas.

On this occasion, President Thuong presented gifts to ethnic communities participating in the festival.

This year's Spring Festival is held in two days and includes an art programme, folk games, traditional cuisine, and three festivals of Rice Sowing of B'ru Van Kieu people, Nang Hai Festival of the Tay and New Year Dance Festival-Rija Nagar of the Cham ethnic group.

Reception marks 64th birthday of Japanese Emperor

The Japanese Embassy in Vietnam held a reception on February 23 to celebrate the 64th birthday of Japanese Emperor Naruhito.

The event saw the attendance of Politburo member, Permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat and head of the Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission Truong Thi Mai, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, representatives from ministries, sectors and international organisations in Vietnam, and Japanese citizens in Hanoi.

Delivering a message of congratulations at the ceremony, Mai, who is also Chairwoman of the Vietnam – Japan Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group, congratulated the Japanese people on the important achievements that they have attained over the past years, making Japan a leading developed country in the world.

She expressed her delight over the strong and comprehensive development of the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Japan for years, and highlighted the celebration of the 50th founding anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations with various activities, and particularly the upgrade of their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world in 2023.

She said she believes that with efforts and resolve from the two countries, together with the support of the Japanese Emperor and royal family, the Vietnam – Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will further develop in a more practical and effective fashion to meet the interest and development in each country, and for peace and prosperity in the region and the world.

Foreign Minister Son stressed that the Vietnam – Japan relations, which have unceasingly developed, have become a bright spot in the international relations amidst rapid and complicated developments in the region and the world.

Given the trong political trust, cultural similarities and historical connections of the two countries, Son believed that the Vietnam – Japan friendship and cooperative ties have entered a new chapter with boundless potential for development.

Leaders and people of both nations are determined to bolster cooperation in traditional areas of economy, politics, culture, education-training, labour, people-to-people exchange, and expand collaboration in new fields such as emission reduction, semiconductor development, clean energy and digital transformation, he said, adding both nations will also strengthen cooperation at international forums, organisations and mechanisms to which they are members.

Meanwhile, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio said that the Vietnam – Japan relations are in their best shape in history, with the strong bonds not only bringing about political and economic benefits but also basing on their mutual understanding and sympathy.

He said that the bilateral cooperative relations will experience significant progress in 2024, matching the Vietnam – Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The ambassador cited a recent survey from the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) that showed Vietnam is the second favourite destination for Japanese firms, following the US, adding nearly 60% of the surveyed enterprises have intended to expand operation in the Southeast Asian country.

On the occasion, the Japanese Embassy presented the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star to former Vietnamese Ambassador Doan Xuan Hung.

Sick fisherman saved at sea off Hoang Sa islands

A ship from the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (Vietnam MRCC) rescued an ill fisherman and brought him ashore for medical care in the central city of Da Nang on February 24.

Le Ngoc Khon, born in 1987 from the central province of Quang Ngai province, suffered shortness of breath, frothing and serious health condition while onboard a fishing boat at sea off the Hoang Sa (Paracels) islands on February 23.

Right after receiving Captain Nguyen Van Vinh call’s for emergency medical assistance, the centre asked him to return to land and contacted the Da Nang 115 Emergency Centre for medical consultancy.

According to doctors’ diagnosis, Khon, with asthma history, experienced Type 3 respiratory failure, and he was in need of emergency first aid.

The Vietnam MRCC dispatched ship SAR 274 with doctors, nurses and medical equipment on board, which reached the fishing vessel with the patient late the same day. Khon was given first aid and then taken onshore for further medical treatment. His life was saved but the patient is still in poor condition. 

Also on February 23, the Vietnam MRCC’s ship SAR 412 joined search and rescue efforts for two missing fishermen onboard a fishing vessel from Quang Ngai province, which collided with a cargo ship in the waters of the central locality.

Phu Quoc island sees spike in foreign tourist arrivals

The resort island of Phu Quoc in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang witnessed a surge in international tourist arrivals during the seven-day lunar New Year holiday, according to the provincial Department of Tourism.

The department noted that during the reviewed period, Phu Quoc welcomed more than 300 flights, including 130 international flights carrying a huge number foreign tourists from the Republic of Korea, Taiwan (China), Thailand, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Poland, China, and the Czech Republic.

Furthermore, the cruise ship Aida Bella also carried nearly 2,000 foreign tourists to visit the island.

The southern island welcomed 222,000 tourists from February 8 to 15, up 27% compared to the same period last year. Of the total, there were 57,000 international visitors, up 4.2 times.

The influx of foreign tourists helped the province earn nearly VND1.3 trillion, equal to US$53.2 million, in tourism services during the period, an increase of 6.6 times compared to the figures recorded last year. The occupancy rate reached 66%.

Kien Giang hopes to serve about 9.2 million visitors this year, including 680,000 foreigners, and earn some VND20 trillion (US$818 million) from tourism services.

Vietnam calls for strengthened women’s role in peacekeeping operations

The need to ensure security and safety for the forces and bases of peacekeeping missions whist enhancing women’s role in peacekeeping operations was underscored at a recent plenum of the UN Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations (C34).
 
Minister Counsellor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen, deputy permanent representative of Vietnam to the UN, stressed the requirement, especially amid risks of increased hostilities and intentional attacks on UN personnel.

He therefore called on the missions to move to enhance their health capacity to protect the physical and mental health of peacekeeping forces.

As the nation’s experience shows, increasing interactions and trust building with local administrations and communities can be considered important in helping to reduce risks whilst creating a safer and more favourable environment for peacekeeping forces in the field, Minister Nguyen continued.
         
The diplomat also recommended that the UN continue enhancing peacekeeping partnerships with regional organizations, including ASEAN.

As one of the four Southeast Asian countries housing UN-designated international training centres for the Triangular Partnership Programme, the nation stands ready to co-operate with international partners as part of efforts to improve the quality of peacekeepers, especially in the stage of pre-deployment, he stated.

Minister Nguyen added that the nation is also keen to receive support and assistance from partners during the preparation for deploying its first peacekeeping police unit in the coming time.

Underlining the importance of promoting women’s role in peacekeeping operations, the diplomat appealed to the UN and the missions to create a safer and more favourable work environment specifically for women’s engagement in peacekeeping forces.

The nation therefore pledges efforts to maintain its female participation rate in peacekeeping forces higher than the UN’s set target of 15% whilst striving to raise the rate to 20% by 2025, he remarked.

In his opening address, Dennis Francis, president of the UN General Assembly, affirmed that peacekeeping is an important tool of the UN to maintain peace and security and protect civilians. He highlighted the contributions and sacrifice made by UN peacekeeping forces over the last 76 years, noting that 4,345 peacekeepers have died.

Amid the increasingly complicated international political and security situations, C34 needs feasible and durable solutions in order to improve the efficiency of peacekeeping missions, Francis added.

Quang Binh to plant 50,000 indigenous trees in local natural reserve

The central province of Quang Binh will plant 50,000 indigenous trees to restore the ecological landscape at Dong Chau-Khe Nuoc Trong Natural Reserve under a project sponsored by Earthworm Foundation, a non-profit organisation which supports global business, farmers and communities to tackle environmental and social challenges around the world.

Accordingly, native species will be selected to replace hybrid acacia (a combination between Acacia mangium and Acacia auriculiformisforest) to increase biodiversity value in the reserve. Project activities include planting additional native trees, and monitor and reporting the survival rate and growth of planted forests after one year and three years. The project will be completed by the end of March.

Dong Chau-Khe Nuoc Trong Natural Reserve’s Management Board said that in recent years, thanks to afforestation and forest protection, the biodiversity value of the reserve has been properly preserved and increased. It has received support and investment from organisations around the world in this regard.

In the past four years, over 200,000 valuable native trees such as lim (Erythrophleum fordii) and doi (Michelia tonkinensis A. Chev) have been planted with funding from the local budget.

Covering over 14,000 ha, Dong Chau-Khe Nuoc Trong Natural Reserve is home to many rare animal and plant species at risk of extinction that need to be preserved, such as Sao la (scientifically known as Pseudoryx nghetinhensis) and Cha va chan nau (Pygathrix nemaeus).

There are also rare wood species including Lim xanh (Erythrophleum fordii Oliver) and Gu lau (Sindora tonkinensi) in the area.

Dong Chau-Khe Nuoc Trong was also recognised by the BirdLife International as one of 62 important bird areas and in the lowland endemic bird areas of Vietnam.

HCM City charts digital transformation course with 9 key tasks

Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Information and Communications Vo Minh Thanh has provided details concerning orientations to the city's digital transformation this year, with a roadmap comprising nine key tasks.

During a meeting on February 22, Thanh said successful digital transformation will serve as a fundamental solution to effectively achieve the goals set forth in the resolution of the 11th Congress of municipal Party Organisation.  

The key tasks include perfecting information technology infrastructure, launching an integrated information system for administrative procedures, encouraging citizens and businesses to use a mobile app for centralised communication with local authorities, operating a shared digital platform, digitising sector-specific data, training members of the community digital technology team, among others.

In particular, the city prioritises the effective operation of the Quang Trung Software Park in District 12, alongside efforts to explore the establishment of additional concentrated information technology zones. This initiative aims to facilitate regional connectivity and foster the development of IT industry.

Hanoi’s sticky rice cooking craft recognised as national heritage

The People’s Committee of Hanoi’s Tay Ho district has organised a sticky rice festival and a ceremony to announce the craft of cooking sticky rice in Phu Thuong village as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Phu Thuong, formally known as Ga village, is famous for its flavoursome, delicious steamed sticky rice. The craft of cooking sticky rice in the village does not have a clear origin but thanks to the water of the Hong River and its fertile silt, the village is endowed with vast fields of premium quality sticky rice - the main ingredient for its culinary specialty.

To make a delicious sticky rice dish, Phu Thuong villagers put in a great deal of effort and dedication.

Currently, there are three master artisans and around 600 households engaged in the craft in Phu Thuong. The villagers have established their brand, introduced their sticky rice in various markets, festivals and events throughout the country.

The Phu Thuong Sticky Rice Festival annually takes place for three days on the 8th, 9th, and 10th days of the first lunar month, which falls on February 17, 18 and 19 this year.

During the festival, local residents hold the New Rice Ceremony, offering their homemade sticky rice dishes to the village's patron saint as a gesture of gratitude and seeking blessings for a bountiful harvest. Families also prepare che ba cot (a traditional sweet rice cake) to offer on the ancestral altar at home, expressing gratitude to their ancestors and wishing for good health and prosperity.

A sticky-rice-cooking contest and display are held afterwards, showcasing various kinds of sticky rice for visitors from all over the country to enjoy.

According to Bu Thi Lan Phuong, deputy chairwoman of the People's Committee of Tay Ho, the district has created favourable conditions to support the development of Phu Thuong village in recent years with the aim to preserve the traditional craft and improve local livelihood.

The village was officially recognised by the municipal People's Committee as the traditional sticky rice village on December 30, 2016. Phu Thuong sticky rice was selected as one of the 12 speciality dishes served at the Media Centre during the US-DPRK Summit in Hanoi in 2019.

The district has also focused on upgrading the infrastructure of the village.

“In the near future, Phu Thuong sticky rice will not only be a famous culinary delight enjoyed throughout the country, but the village will also become an attractive destination for visitors from both within and outside the country. This will contribute to improving the material and spiritual lives of the local residents," Phuong said.

“Additionally, it will actively promote the image of Tay Ho district, its captivating tourist destinations, traditional festivals, intangible cultural heritage, and culinary cultural products."

Southern localities take urgent action to fight IUU fishing