Vietnamnet global

05/02/2024 13:48 (GMT+07:00)

VIETNAM NEWS HEADLINES FEBRUARY 5/2024

Provinces, cities have many meaningful activities supporting workers to celebrate Tet

The “Spring Trip” brings poor workers from HCM City back to their hometown to celebrate Tết. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Vũ

On the occasion of the Lunar New Year holiday, provinces and cities across the country have held many meaningful activities to support the people to welcome a warm Tết.

The Bến Tre National Assembly Delegation on Saturday coordinated with the provincial Labour Federation to organise a "Tết Reunion” programme in Châu Thành District.

In the programme, the organiser gave 350 gifts to workers at industrial parks in the province. Each gift is worth VNĐ1-1.3 million (US$40-53).

It also awarded certificates of merit to organisations and individuals with outstanding achievements in the contest "One million initiatives determine to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic".

Besides, the province presented nearly 40,000 sets of gifts worth VNĐ32 billion ($1.3 million) and 20 houses to poor people.

The Quảng Nam Province HCM Communist Youth Union coordinated with the armed forces and women’s unions to visit, give gifts, repair and clean houses for families with great contribution to the nation and Vietnamese Heroic Mothers.

The province gave transport tickets to poor workers and students to return to their hometowns.

Young people also repaired and renewed martyrs’ graves at martyrs' cemeteries in the province.

The provincial youth union worked with the Hà Nội-based Bạch Mai Hospital to give medical examinations to Agent Orange victims and families in Quế Sơn District.

Kiên Giang Province’s education sector had a similar programme in Mỹ Đức Junior Secondary School in Mỹ Đức Commune, Hà Tiên City on Saturday.

Nguyễn Thị Xuân, one of the poor teachers receiving gifts at the programme, said that her hometown was in Thanh Hóa Province. She has been teaching literature at Mỹ Đức School since 2008.

Xuân said that most of the school’s students were poor ethnic Khmer people. In addition to teaching basic knowledge, Xuân spends a lot of time guiding life skills, social knowledge, communication and behaviour to her students.

She hopes leaders at all levels would pay more attention to the material and spiritual lives of teachers.

Danh Tuấn, a student of the Mỹ Đức Primary School, said: "My family is very poor. My father works for a fishing boat, and my mother works as a waiter at a restaurant. Due to difficult circumstances, I still haven't bought anything for Tết. Now I’m very happy with gifts from the programme. I will use the money to buy new clothes for my younger brother and I and some confectionery for Tết.”

Head of the Hà Tiên City Education and Training Department Nguyễn Văn Ba said that the city had more than 100 teachers and more than 1,000 students in poor condition.

In recent years, the provincial education and training sector has regularly coordinated with local authorities and unions to care for teachers and students.

The HCM City Labour Confederation on Sunday organised the "Spring Trip" programme to bring hundreds of workers back to their hometowns to celebrate Tết after many years away from home.

Deputy Chairman of the HCM City Labour Confederation Phạm Chí Tâm said that the COVID-19 pandemic caused many workers to lose their jobs, have reduced working hours and face many difficulties.

Many people have to stay in the city to do seasonal jobs to make their living even during Tết.

Therefore, the municipal trade union widely publicised the programme so everyone in need could register.

This was a meaningful activity of the trade union, actively contributing to social security, showing timely concern and encouragement for workers.

It spread the message of solidarity and the spirit "No one is left behind", said Tâm.

Nguyễn Thị Cẩm, from Thừa Thiên-Huế central province, works for a company in District 12, HCM City. Her four-member family has not been able to return home to celebrate Tết for three years due to low income.

The "Spring Trip" programme is a special gift for her family.

Cẩm wishes that the trade union would have more "Spring Trip" to support poor workers and informal workers.

Tết celebrations held for OVs in Japan, Australia, Algeria, Thailand, Laos

Overseas Vietnamese (OVs) in Japan, Australia, Algeria, Thailand and Laos celebrated Tết (Lunar New Year) Festival at gatherings held in their host countries as the national biggest traditional festival is approaching.

The Consulate General of Việt Nam in Japan’s Osaka city held a Tết get-together for the Vietnamese community and foreigners in Kansai region on February 2.

At the event, Vietnamese Consul General Ngô Trinh Ha laid stress on the 50th founding anniversary of the Việt Nam-Japan diplomatic relations in 2023, with more than 500 activities held, helping to improve mutual understanding and tighten the friendship between the two nations.

Conveying condolences to the victims of the earthquake that struck Japan on January 1, Ha spoke highly of the support from organisations and individuals for quake-hit people, including the Vietnamese community.

He expressed his hope that the Vietnamese community in the region will promote solidarity, enhance exchanges with local people, and become stronger in the coming time.

On the occasion, more than 250 guests were treated to traditional Vietnamese dishes and art performances staged by Vietnamese people in Kansai region.

While in Canberra, Australia, a get-together was organised by the Vietnamese Embassy on February 3.

Sending his online Tết greetings to participants, Ambassador Phạm Hùng Tâm highlighted Việt Nam’s achievements in 2023 amidst gloomy global economic situation, and a milestone in Việt Nam – Australia relations as they celebrated their 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and 5th anniversary of their Strategic Partnership.

The Vietnamese Party and State attach much importance to and want to unceasingly consolidate the great national solidary bloc, with OVs being an inseparable part, he said, adding the embassy and Consulates General in Australia have seen the community-related work as their top priority, and hope to bolster solidarity, sharing and mutual support among Vietnamese people towards the development of the community and the nation as a whole.

Tam wished that the Việt Nam – Australia relationship will develop in a practical manner and the Vietnamese community in the host nation will be stronger in 2024.

Participants at the event had a chance to enjoy Vietnamese Tết favourites and musical performances to welcome a new year of prosperity.

The Tết atmosphere was also in the air of Algeria as hundreds of Vietnamese nationals came to the embassy in Algiers to attend the Homeland Spring event on February 3.

Ambassador Trần Quốc Khánh said that as the inseparable part of the country, the OVs in Algeria have served as a bridge to connect the two nations, calling on Vietnamese nationals to continue promoting solidarity, joining hands to build the community as well as preserving and popularising the images of the Vietnamese people and culture among foreigners.

The OVs expressed their delight and emotion when joining the event, affirming that they always turn the hearts to the homeland.

Traditional dishes, and performances of music, traditional martial arts and lan (kylin) dance were featured at the festival.

A similar event was also arranged for OVs in Khon Kaen city of Thailand by the Vietnamese Consulate General, which drew the participation of leaders from Khon Kaen city, the Consulates General of China and Laos, and many OVs who are living and studying in Thailand’s northeastern region.

Consul General Chu Đức Dũng recalled the Party and State’s consistent policy of seeing the OVs important resources of the nation, and hailed the OVs’ contributions to the national development through cultural and religious exchange activities over the past time.

The Consulate General stands ready to accompany and support the Vietnamese community, helping them promote solidarity and gain more achievements, he added.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese community in Laos organised Tết rituals at Phật Tích pagoda in Vientiane to honour their roots on February 4.

On the occasion, the pagoda and benefactors presented 150 gifts, each worth 500,000 LAK (US$24) to the impoverished and those with difficulties circumstances and disabilities in Vientiane, helping them have a warm Tết.

National blood institute still in need of 10,000 units of blood in reserve for Tết holiday

The National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT) called for more people to donate blood from now until the end of Tết (Lunar New Year), especially people with blood type O and blood type A, to ensure the demand for blood for emergencies and treatment during the holiday.

Dr. Trần Ngọc Quế, director of the NIHBT’s National Blood Centre, said: “When Tết approaches, the demand for blood is always higher because patients need blood transfusions to be healthy enough to return home to celebrate Tết with their families. The NIHBT still needs about 10,000 units of blood to meet the blood demand before and during Tết."

The National Blood Centre needs to receive between 40,000 to 42,000 units of blood and 5,000 units of apheresis platelets monthly. In the first two months of 2024 alone, the institute needs at least 80,000 units of blood to supply more than 180 medical facilities in 31 provinces and cities in the North, including about 40,000 units of blood type O. Although there has been preparation and planning to receive blood in advance, the current results are lower than what is required, according to Dr. Quế.

The reason is that in recent days, harsh and cold weather has occurred in many regions in the North, causing many blood donation sites to not achieve the expected results. Meanwhile, the NIHBT still has to continue to provide 1,000 units of blood each week to Cần Thơ City and the Mekong Delta provinces. Some other central provinces, such as Thanh Hóa, Nghệ An and Hà Tĩnh, also failed to receive blood as planned and asked for support from the National Blood Centre.

The NIHBT is striving to organise more blood donation events before Tết which falls on February 8. At the same time, the institute also transferred medical facilities to receive blood in the provinces of Đắk Lắk, Đắk Nông and the southwest region, and then transfer the collected blood to Hà Nội to perform screening tests, prepare and supply blood products back to the southwest region. It is expected that from January 30 to February 5, the institute will receive more than 2,200 blood units in Cần Thơ City and Hậu Giang, An Giang and Đồng Tháp provinces.

The shortage of blood is also due to a decrease in the number of blood donors in recent days at the HCM City Blood Transfusion and Hematology Hospital in HCM City which is providing blood products to more than 150 hospitals in the city and southwestern provinces.

President offers incense to late leaders, visits former leaders on Tet occasion

President Vo Van Thuong has offered incense in commemoration of some late Party and State leaders, and visited several former leaders on the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) Festival.

President Thuong offered incense to commemorate comrade Truong Chinh, who undertook many important positions of the Party and State during his more than 60 years of revolutionary activities from 1925-1988; and late President General Tran Dai Quang.

He also visited former Presidents Tran Duc Luong and Nguyen Xuan Phuc, during which he wished the former leaders and their families good health, happiness, and longevity.

President Thuong expressed his hope that they will contribute more brainpower and experiences to the country’s development.

PM encourages forces on duty during Tet in Can Tho city

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited and presented gifts to encourage the forces who are on duty during the Lunar New Year (Tet) Festival in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho.

Visiting and delivering his Tet wishes to workers of the Can Tho Urban Joint Stock Company, PM Chinh highly appreciated the spirit of solidarity, hard work, efforts and achievements of more than 450 officials and workers of the company in recent times.

He requested the Party Committee and authorities of Can Tho city and the company to seek ways to improve the material and spiritual lives of its employees, especially families with difficult circumstances, and policy beneficiaries.

The company is working to ensure environmental sanitation in eight out of nine district-level administrative units of the city.

The Government leader also visited and presented Tet gifts to 50 workers who are constructing a 5.16-km Can Tho river embankment.

Stressing the importance of the project, he said that the Mekong Delta in general and Can Tho city in particular are among the places in the world most affected by climate change.

He asked them to speed up construction to complete the project on schedule and ensure quality and environmental protection.

The PM also paid a pre-Tet visit to the city’s police and military forces, during which he asked their officers and soldiers to always closely follow and firmly grasp the situation, and not be passive or surprised in any circumstance; and be the core in protecting the Fatherland's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

NA Chairman signs to attest revised laws

Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Vuong Dinh Hue has recently signed to attest the revised Land Law and the revised Law on Credit Institutions.

The amended laws were officially passed on January 18, as part of the 15th NA’s 5th extraordinary session.

The revised Land Law saw 432 out of the 477 NA deputies present at the session voting in favour, or 87.63% of the total number of legislators.

Consisting of 16 chapters and 260 articles, this law specifies the land ownership regime, rights, and responsibilities of the state representing the collective ownership of the people over land. It also addresses unified land management, land use and management regimes, as well as the rights and obligations of citizens and land users regarding land within the country’s territory.

The amended law, except for some of its specific provisions, will come into force on January 1, 2025.

Meanwhile, the amended Law on Credit Institutions sailed through the legislature with 450 yes votes, or 91.28% of the total NA deputies.

The law, comprising 15 chapters and 210 articles, will be effective from July 1 this year.

It outlines provisions regarding credit institutions’ establishment, organisation, operations, early intervention, special control, restructuring, dissolution, and bankruptcy. It also addresses the establishment, organisation, operations, early intervention, dissolution, and termination of activities of branches of foreign banks.

Additionally, the law covers the establishment and operations of representative offices in Vietnam of foreign credit institutions and other foreign organisations engaged in banking activities. It further regulates the handling of bad debts and collateral assets of bad debts held by credit institutions, branches of foreign banks, and organisations fully owned by the State with the functions of buying, selling, and handling debts.

Tet gatherings held for OVs in European, American countries

Get-togethers have been held recently in France, Russia, Canada, and Italy for overseas Vietnamese to welcome the Lunar New Year of the Dragon.

On February 3, the General Union of Vietnamese People in France (UGVF) held the largest-scale Tet (Lunar New Year) gathering at Pavillon Baltard centre, attracting the participation of over 2,000 overseas Vietnamese (OVs).

The UGVF organised booths with many culinary specialties and handicrafts, imbued with Vietnamese cultural traditions.

Participants were also entertained with art performances and folk games of Vietnam.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese Association and the Vietnamese Business Association in Russia jointly held the “Xuan Que huong” (Homeland Spring) programme.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi recalled outstanding achievements of the nation as well as Vietnam-Russia relations in the past year, which were partly contributed by the Vietnamese community in Russia.

Khoi reiterated the Party and State's consistent policy that the Vietnamese community abroad, including OVs in Russia, is an inseparable part and a resource of the Vietnamese ethnic community.

On the same day, the Vietnamese Embassy in Ottawa also organised a Tet gathering for Vietnamese people living, working, and studying in Canada.

On February 2 evening, a similar event was also organised in Milan city by the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy.

Over 1,400 tonnes of rice allocated to five provinces ahead of Tet

Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai has recently signed decisions regarding the allocation of more than 1,444 tonnes of rice from the national reserve to five provinces for the upcoming Tet (Lunar New Year) Festival and the between-crop period.

Specifically, he assigned the Ministry of Finance to distribute without collecting money 332.37 tonnes of rice to the central province of Quang Ngai, 85.44 tonnes to the Mekong Delta province of An Giang, over 19.9 tonnes to the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang, and 351.81 tonnes to the southern province of Tay Ninh as aid to local people on the occasion of Tet.

Meanwhile, the northern province of Lang Son will get 236.4 tonnes of rice, An Giang 416.38 tonnes, and Kien Giang 2.28 tonnes for the between-crop period.

The People’s Committees of the five provinces are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of reporting data as well as providing timely support to eligible recipients in accordance with regulations.

Overseas Vietnamese in India, Czech Republic indulge in Lunar New Year activities

The Vietnamese Embassies in Indian and the Czech Republic have freshly organised Lunar New Year celebrations for the Vietnamese communities there so that they could enjoy the biggest traditional event of their home country from faraway places.

The event in New Delhi on February 4 featured peach and apricot blossoms, lanterns, and traditional feasts like banh chung (square glutinous rice cakes) and fried spring rolls. Additionally, embassy staff and the community staged a series of cultural performances imbued with the Vietnamese cultural and spiritual essence.

In his remarks, Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Hai affirmed that the Vietnamese in India are an integral part of the Vietnamese community, wishing them a prosperous year ahead with greater links to the homeland and contributions to the development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Earlier, on February 3, the Vietnamese Embassy in the Czech Republic, in collaboration with the Overseas Vietnamese Association in the country, held the Lunar New Year celebration, featuring performances by artists from Ho Chi Minh City's art troupe.

Nguyen Dieu Linh, Charge d'Affaires of the embassy, stated that the bilateral relationship saw remarkable development last year with both sides enhancing exchanges at high levels.

She also spoke highly of the important role of the Vietnamese community as a bridge to promote the traditional friendship between the countries.

Vietnam, China agree to well implement high-level common perceptions

Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu and Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Nong Rong have shared their view on measures to materialise high-level common perceptions between the two countries.

During their talks in Ho Chi Minh City on February 4, the officials focused on how to concretise the joint statement on continuing to deepen and elevate the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, and to build a Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

They noted with pleasure the positive development pace of the bilateral relationship, and its milestones over the past time, especially the visit to China by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in October 2022, and the state visit to Vietnam by Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping in December 2023.

The officials agreed to step up high-level exchanges, contacts and visits, effectively implement cooperation mechanisms between the two Parties, and well organise the 16th meeting of the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation.

The two sides will also enhance collaboration in national defence, security, external affairs, culture, education and tourism, and people-to-people exchange, while expanding cooperation in economy and trade, and transport connectivity, for the sake of their peoples and businesses.

They will work together to better manage the common border line, and satisfactorily address border issues lingering or emerging, in line with their reached documents and agreements.

Vu, who is also Secretary General of the Steering Committee for Vietnam – China Bilateral Cooperation, suggested the two sides foster their transport connectivity, especially roads and railways connecting Vietnam’s northern provinces and China’s southern and southwestern regions.

He called on China to expand its import of Vietnamese agro-aquatic products and facilitate the establishment of Vietnamese trade promotion offices in Haikou, Chengdu, and Nanjing.

The two sides should work to soon negotiate and sign a framework agreement on rice trade, he said, suggesting China support Vietnamese businesses that have received the national brand title to build distribution channels and develop brands in the neighbouring market.

Vu also suggested the two sides expand collaboration in investment and direct relevant agencies and enterprises to remove prolonged obstacles to a number of industrial projects, speed up the implementation of those in Vietnam using China’s non-refundable aid, and form a working group to promote tourism cooperation.

The two countries should strengthen water resources cooperation, effectively and sustainably using Mekong River water resources, for the legitimate interests of all parties, especially downstream countries, he continued.

Sharing Vu’s views, Nong Rong, who is also Secretary General of the Steering Committee for China-Vietnam Bilateral Cooperation, affirmed that China is ready to expand the import of high-quality agricultural products from Vietnam, and accelerate the licensing process for the official import of Vietnamese fresh coconut, citrus fruits, and avocado.

He proposed the two sides push ahead with the building of the smart border gate model to improve customs clearance efficiency and ease goods congestion at border gates, expand cooperation in green development, digital economy, and new energy development, further their coordination and cooperation at regional and international multilateral forums.

The officials exchanged views on maritime issues candidly and sincerely, emphasising the importance of maintaining peace and stability at sea amidst the complex development of the international and regional situation.

The two sides consented to effectively implement high-level common perceptions and the Vietnam-China agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues, carry forward negotiation mechanisms, and make efforts to control and better resolve differences at sea based on the sequential and gradual principle, easy first and hard later.

They will work together with ASEAN countries to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), striving to soon achieve an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).

Vu proposed the two sides respect each other's sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction established in line with international law and the 1982 UNCLOS, prevent complex incidents affecting the bilateral relationship, and properly handle issues regarding fishing vessels and fishermen, contributing to peace and stability in the region.

Free train rides offered for workers going home for Tet

Many disadvantaged workers and families in Ho Chi Minh City have been offered free train rides home this Lunar New Year (Tet holiday), a gesture of support with the hope that everyone can be reunited with their families on the occasion of the most important traditional festival of Vietnamese.

A such train under the “Trains of Spring” programme held by the Ho Chi Minh City Federation of Labour in collaboration with the Federation of Labour of Export Processing Zones and Industrial Parks of HCM City, left Sai Gon station on February 4, carrying 162 families of workers and their spouses and children to their hometowns in the central and northern regions.

The programme, which has been carried out for the past few years, is a practical and meaningful action towards the migrant workers who cannot afford to go home for the holiday.

According to Pham Chi Tam, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Federation of Labor, the federation has offered more than 26,000 free bus, train and air tickets worth 16 billion VND (657 million USD) to help workers and their families return their hometown this Tet. Of which, the Federation of Labour of Export Processing Zones and Industrial Parks sponsored 17 trains to take over 560 families back to their hometown from February 4-7.

Ngo Thi Tuyen Giang, working for Art Tango Vietnam in Tan Binh Export Processing Zone, was deeply moved and overjoyed with the support. Her husband passed away and she has been unable to return to her hometown for Tet reunion for 10 years.

She also expressed her belief that workers on charity trains will early return to the city after Tet holiday and do their utmost to contribute to the success of their companies and the city’s socio-economic development.

Nguyen Thi Nguyen Thao from Phu Yen province expressed her gratitude, saying “Receiving the “Trains for Spring” ticket was my family’s joy and happiness”.

She shared that the charity programme holds significant meaning, especially for workers living away from their hometowns. She hoped the programme will be promoted to help more workers have the opportunity to return to their hometowns to celebrate Tet with their families.

On the occasion, representatives from the city’s Federation of Labour presented gifts to workers.

National blood institute still in need of 10,000 units of blood in reserve for Tết holiday

Provinces, cities have many meaningful activities supporting workers to celebrate Tết