National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines on December 31 announced that it will offer a free flight to bring workers with difficult circumstances in southern provinces to their homes in the North for Lunar New Year (Tet) celebration.

Labour confederations in southern provinces proposed a list of the beneficiaries with priority given to workers who have difficult circumstances and spent Tet festival away from their hometowns many times.

The airline also offers free tickets for those who registered on its fanpage and website.

A flight carrying the workers home will depart from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi on January 9, 2023. Flights bringing them back to Ho Chi Minh City will depart from Hanoi, Van Don, Hai Phong, Thanh Hoa, and Vinh from February 10-15, 2023.

The workers are also supported to travel from Noi Bai International Airport to stations where they catch coaches to go home.

A representative from Vietnam Airlines said that the flights are part of its campaign named “Flights of Love” which promotes the human value for the community and social responsibility that the carrier has been implementing for years.

The flights are organised thanks to the cooperation and support of members of its Frequent Flyer Programme Lotusmiles at a charity auction.

Hanoi enters New Year with fresh optimism

Facing a range of difficulties and challenges last year, Hanoi has realised and even exceeded all 22 of its socio-economic targets, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung told the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) in a recent interview.

According to the official, the capital city grew 8.8%, higher than the nation’s average level of about 8%. It saw better-than-expected outcomes in its Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP), GRDP per capita, growth rate of export turnover, and reduction of poor households.

Dung said 2023 is key to Hanoi’s socio-economic development plan for the 2020-2025 period and takes the work theme of discipline, responsibility, action, innovation, and development.

This year, Hanoi will strive for an increase of 7% and above in GRDP, with its rates of social investment and export growth expected to hit 10.5-11% and 7.5-8%, respectively.

Concerning tasks to be completed to realise such goals, the official stressed improving the business climate and economic restructuring; developing the quality, effectiveness, and competitiveness of local craft villages; and encouraging the application of technological advances, among others.

The city will also work to complete its planning for 2021-2030 with a vision to 2050 for submission to the Prime Minister.

Dung said in the future, the capital will develop two affiliated cities – one to the north of the Red River (Me Linh-Soc Son-Dong Anh) and other to the west of Hanoi (Hoa Lac-Xuan Mai), serving as a premise for further growth.

Hanoi prioritises fostering cultural and social development to be on par with economic growth, while continuing its plan for investment in education, health, and culture, he affirmed.

North-South Expressway project phase 2 to start on January 1

Works on 12 component projects of the North-South Expressway in 2021-2025 will begin on January 1, 2023.

The projects belonging to the North-South Expressway – Phase 2 are in Hà Tĩnh, Quảng Bình, Quảng Trị, Quảng Ngãi, Phú Yên, Bình Định, Khánh Hòa, Hậu Giang and Cà Mau provinces.

The construction was approved in the decision 1671/QĐ-BGTVT signed by the Minister of Transport Nguyễn Văn Thắng.

The 12 projects include 11-XL of the Bãi Vọt – Hàm Nghi section with a length of 35.2km; 11-XL of Hàm Nghi – Vũng Áng section of 30km; XL02 of Vũng Áng – Bùng section (23.54km); XL01 of Bùng – Vạn Ninh (30.29km); XL2 for the Vạn Ninh – Cam Lộ section (32.54km); XL1 of Quảng Ngãi – Hoài Nhơn section (30km); 11-XL of Hoài Nhơn – Quy Nhơn section (23.5 km); 12-XL of Quy Nhơn – Chí Thạnh section (22.1km); XL02 of Chí Thạnh – Vân Phong section (24.05km); XL02 of Vân Phong – Nha Trang section (30,85 km); XL02 of Hậu Giang – Cà Mau section (22.4km); and a package of Cần Thơ – Hậu Giang section (37.65km).

The Construction Investment Management Department (Ministry of Transport) said localities had handed over land for implementing nine out of the 12 bidding packages to meet the required construction progress.

And the three remaining bidding packages of XL2 of the Vạn Ninh – Cam Lộ section in Quảng Trị Province, XL02 of Chí Thạnh – Vân Phong section and 12-XL of Quy Nhơn – Chí Thạnh section in Phú Yên Province are still pending, waiting for land handover by localities.

For the whole project, the localities where the North-South Expressway project – Phase 2 passes through have handed over 472.23km of ground out of the total 721.2km of the whole route, reaching 65 per cent.

The North-South Expressway project in the 2021-25 period is divided into 12 component projects with a total length of 723.7km on the main route, including sections of Hà Tĩnh – Quảng Trị (260.9km), Quảng Ngãi – Nha Trang (352.06km) and Cần Thơ – Cà Mau (110.9km).

The total preliminary investment is more than VNĐ146.9 trillion (US$6.24 billion).

The projects, including 25 bidding packages, are expected to complete in 2025 and become operational in 2026.

Knapper expects more fruitful results in Vietnam - US relations in 2023

In a video clip released on December 31, United States Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper extended 2023 New Year greetings to Vietnamese people, and at the same time looked back the achievements recorded in mutual relations in 2022.

Ambassador Knapper said this year marked the first busy period during his working term in Vietnam. Both countries came together to obtain a range of great achievements, including conducting fruitful meetings and exchanges between leaders of the two countries.

In May, Vietnam became one of 14 founding members of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), with the US expecting the Vietnamese side to make a practical contribution to the efforts of building a strong supply chain, ramping up governance, and enhancing its resilience to climate change.

In October, at the invitation of the Vietnamese Government, the first group of US volunteers of the Peace Corps arrived in Vietnam, fulfilling a long-term goal of partnering with the Vietnamese people, cultivating the understanding of the Vietnamese people in the spirit of innovation, sensitivity, and respect for culture, as well as sharing US culture with open hearts and minds.

This event represented an important milestone in the bilateral relationship, which has been built on the foundation of developing people-to-people ties over the past decades, Ambassador Knapper emphasised.

The diplomat noted the US side continues to fulfill its commitments to solve pending post-war problems through making new dioxin pollution remediation efforts, demining, and improving quality, as well as the accessibility of healthcare services for people with disabilities.

The US will also continue its efforts to provide security assistance to Vietnam, said Ambassador Knapper, adding that this year has seen the US train nearly 2,000 Vietnamese law enforcement and justice experts, and complete the construction of two training facilities.

The US also built new schools and health stations in rural localities, thereby providing local people with more space to study, receive health care, and work as evacuation places in case of emergency.

The US donated five ventilators and medical equipment, and installed liquid oxygen systems in 13 hospitals, to help fight COVID-19 and other diseases.

The US diplomat also acknowledged that education co-operation has yielded positive results over the years. Vietnam currently ranked fifth among international students communities studying in the US.

The two sides are also working closely as part of efforts to combat climate change. In June, the US launched a US$36 million project which seeks to accelerate Vietnamese clean energy transition and promote the implementation of the zero net emissions commitment made by Vietnam at the 26th UN Conference on Climate Change (COP 26).

According to the US Ambassador, both sides are about to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their comprehensive partnership in 2023. The amazing results of cooperation in various fields are testament to the fact that both sides are working strategically together to solve the most pressing issues.

“I am looking forward to new gains that we will achieve together in 2023,” said the US diplomat.

Action plan aims to boost growth of northern central, central coastal region

Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam has signed a decision issuing a Government action plan to implement the Politburo’s resolution on boosting socio-economic development and ensuring defence and security in the north-central coastal region until 2030, with a vision to 2045.

The action plan aims to realise the goal set in the Politburo’s resolution, including boosting the region’s dynamic, fast and sustainable development with strengths in sea-based economy matching the potential and advantages of the region and regional localities, promoting science-technology and innovation growth and digital transformation, maintaining cultural, historical values and maritime ecosystem as well as ensuring social equality and improving locals’ income.

Specifically, in the 2021-30 period, the gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth in the region is expected to reach 7-7.5 per cent each year. In 2030, the figure is hoped to increase 2.3-3 times over that of 2020, with industry-construction accounting about 40.7 per cent and service about 37.5 per cent. Meanwhile, the per capita GRDP is projected to reach about VNĐ156 million (US$6,604 USD).

Alongside, the region is hoped to make up about 20-25 per cent of the country’s total State budget collection, while the urbanisation rate is expected to hit 47-48 per cent. Over 90 per cent of the total communes in the region are expected to become new-style rural areas.

At the same time, the region will strive to raise the human development index to a higher level than the country’s average, with per capita income higher than that of the country by 1.2 times. The rate of trained labourers is expected to reach about 75 per cent, and the percentage of poor households hoped to reduce by 1-1.5 per cent per year. More than 95 per cent of the population are expected to join health insurance.

To this end, the action plan rolls out various solutions, including raising public consensus in implementing the plan, completing relevant institutions and mechanisms, fostering regional connectivity, and promoting the sea-based economy.

Particularly, the plan underlines the need for the region to focus on developing maritime economic sectors in association with ensuring defence and security at sea as well as boosting sea-based tourism and services. 

Tan Son Nhat Airport prepares for peak season on New Year holiday

Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in HCM City has seen a surge in travel volume as people travel for the New Year holidays, which take place between December 31, 2022 and January 2, 2023.

The airport is expected to serve 720 flights and up to 115,000 passengers on the peak day of Saturday (December 31). This is the highest daily passenger number since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in April, 2021.

Of that amount of passengers, international arrivals are expected to increase to more than 37,000 per day.

Nguyễn Nam Tiến, deputy director of Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport, said the airport has prepared plans to meet the upcoming high demand.

All units have been asked to pay attention to monitor the flight schedule, frequency and density of flight operations in each time frame and arrange personnel to ensure airport services.

Airlines and ground service units have been required to increase personnel to guide and support passengers in a bid to prevent flight delays.

Aviation security will pay special attention to the security area in lobby B in the early morning of December 31, 2022 to avoid congestion.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said it will enhance aviation security control to Level 1 for the upcoming holidays.

Under Level 1 aviation security control, people will not be allowed to enter the restricted area to pick up and see off passengers, and inspections of personal documents and personal interviews when doing aviation security procedures will be strengthened. Passengers will be required to remove their shoes and coats, and put them through the X-ray machine.

Airport security will randomly check 15 per cent of passengers who pass through the magnetic gate without triggering the alarm and 15 per cent of hand baggage and checked baggage which have been X-rayed without questionable images.

Aviation security surveillance cameras will strengthen monitoring at different areas of the airport and daily reports will be sent to the Civil Aviation Administration of Việt Nam.

According to Tiến, Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport will likely receive the highest number of passengers in four years during the peak of the Tết (Lunar New Year Festival).

Some 820 flights with 130,000 passengers are expected to depart from and arrive at the airport per day.

The number of passengers is forecasted to be the most crowded during two days – nearly 123,000 on January 20, 2023 and more than 144,000 people on January 29, 2023 when people return to their hometowns before Tết and head back to HCM City after Tết holiday.

As expected, the airport will welcome more than 3.8 million passengers with nearly 27,000 flights during the holiday, an increase of nearly 10 per cent compared to the same period in 2019.  

Central province preserving Pho Khanh pottery craft

Located 49 kilometres south of Quang Ngai city, Pho Khanh commune in Duc Pho town has been renowned for its pottery for hundreds of years. Despite various ups and downs, the craft village has developed its reputation far and wide thanks to the preservation efforts of local people.

The skilled hands of its artisans have secured a place for Pho Khanh pottery products in the hearts of customers. The sharp focus and meticulousness of the artisans are prerequisites for creating fine rustic pottery products.

There was a time when the pottery of Pho Khanh commune seemed on the verge of disappearing. Customers had begun to prefer luxurious and modern pottery products rather than rustic items, which had a critical impact on prices and the market. Some artisans decided to find other jobs to earn a living.

When Pho Khanh pottery was flourishing, the village had 300 pottery-making households, but the figure has now fallen to just 10. Though Pho Khanh was recognised as a traditional pottery craft village, its products have no brand name.

Local authorities are urged to find stable markets for the pottery and introduce appropriate policies to develop human resources and support preservation efforts. It is also necessary for Pho Khanh to diversify its product offerings while retaining the unique features of its pottery.

Charging vehicles travelling into the inner-city areas should be considered

Hà Nội could consider charging vehicles travelling into the inner-city areas as part of the efforts to curb the traffic jams, which costs the city an average of US$1 billion per year and has caused air pollution five times worse, according to transport experts.

Doãn Minh Tâm, former head of the Institute of Transport Science and Technology told Dân Trí online newspaper: "We need to review ongoing solutions for traffic jams: what are the results, why are they not up to speed, and who is responsible for delivering the solutions?"

He suggested three parts of the solution which included inquiring expert consultation for Hà Nội's traffic planning to 2030 with a view towards 2050, a plan to charge vehicles travelling into the inner-city areas (based on the city's resolution on this matter that has been approved), and a proposal for motorcycle-restricted areas.

According to Tâm, Decision No.519/QĐ-TTg in 2016 which outlined the plan for Hà Nội transportation to 2030 with a view towards 2050 signed by the Government needed to be amended for motorbikes.

He said a new plan that concerns only cars, buses and high-speed trains would not solve the core problems of traffic jams.

According to a study in November, Hà Nội currently houses eight million vehicles, with motorbikes outnumbering cars by seven to one, and that's not counting the vehicles travelling from other localities.

And if each Hanoian spent VNĐ10 million ($422) on a motorbike, the total costs of motorbikes are VNĐ70 trillion (nearly $3 billion).

Tâm proposed a separate lane system to ensure traffic safety, and avoid collisions with cars and buses on the streets.

He also said mixed traffic should be restricted.

According to Tâm, traffic jams are worse in urban areas, mostly on eight specific routes.

Ninety per cent of vehicles are travelling in these eight routes, creating jams in traffic nodes that costs Hà Nội $1.2 billion in damages annually.

According to Tâm, the proposal to restrict motorbikes from the Ring Road No.3 to central Hà Nội needed further research from experts.

Furthermore, banning motorbikes is not the way, and like European countries, a separate lane for two-wheelers is the preferred solution.

Motorbike restrictions in Guangzhou, China in 2006, saw good results in the first four to five years. However, this was due to Guangzhou's preparation beforehand: they already have four underground metro lines, and 300 bus routes across the city with 8,000 buses in operation.

But traffic jams returned in 2017 after a lot of people purchased cars after forgoing their motorbikes and ignoring public transportation. The Guangzhou government tried to restrict cars by regulations such as placing a limit on car sales, or a weekly restriction on travelling by car. These methods, however, were not effective.

Neighbouring ASEAN nations like Indonesia and Thailand had better results in controlling motorbikes, by separating motorbikes from cars using a single lane.

Tâm also proposed expanding the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system, where buses are travelling at high speed in their separate lane. However, Tâm noted that motorbikes are still travelling on the BRT lane, creating bus problems.

Three-level road classification and planning is suggested by Tâm. The system is simple: a street can only be intersected by another on the same or under the level of it. For example, Trần Duy Hưng, a main urban street cannot be intersected by many small alleyways. Vehicles can only enter the alleys, and not exit them onto main roads. To travel from small alleys to main streets, people must travel to smaller, regional roads and then to the main streets.

Tâm's eight common routes of traffic jamsOne: Phạm Văn Đồng - Phạm Hùng - Khuất Duy Tiến, Nghiêm Xuân Yêm, Hoàng Liệt - Pháp Vân.Two: Láng - Bưởi - Võ Chí CôngThree: Hồ Tùng Mậu - Xuân Thủy - Cầu Giấy - Kim Mã - Nguyễn Thái Học - Cửa Nam.Four: Âu Cơ - Nghi Tàm - Yên Phụ - Trần Nhật Duật - Trần Quang Khải - Trần Khánh Dư.Five: Thăng Long - Trần Duy Hưng - Nguyễn Chí Thanh - Văn Cao.Six: Lê Văn Lương - Láng Hạ - Giảng Võ.Seven: Nguyễn Trãi - Ngã Tư Sở - Tây Sơn - Nguyễn Lương Bằng - Tôn Đức Thắng.Eight: Lê Duẩn - Giải Phóng - Giáp Bát - Ngọc Hồi - National Route 1

Professional agricultural association contributes to development

The Việt Nam Agricultural Economics and Rural Development Association has contributed valuable ideas to develop the country’s agricultural sector, said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyễn Quốc Trị.

The association has organised several international workshops and seminars, collecting opinions on laws of forestry, cultivation, and fisheries as well as mobilising financial resources for the sector’s development, the deputy minister said in the society’s second congress held on Thursday in Hà Nội.

'With a membership of 85 per cent of doctors and associate professors, the association will continue to contribute more to the sector, actively participate in providing consultancy on mechanisms and policies for sustainable agriculture and rural development," said Trị.

Speaking at the congress, Prof. Dr. Phạm Văn Đình, president of the Việt Nam Agricultural Economics and Rural Development Association for the term of 2017-2022, said that during the past six years, despite facing difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of the world economy and politics, the association had still actively worked to contribute to raising awareness about agriculture and rural development.

In the first term, the association focused on building the organisation and staff, Đình said.

“In the second term of 2022-2027, the association enters a new development phase which focuses on elevating activities in terms of both scale and quality to further contribute to the country’s agricultural and rural development,” said Đình.

At the second congress, Hà Công Tuấn, former deputy minister the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, was elected as the association’s president.

The Việt Nam Agricultural Economics and Rural Development Association, a socio-professional organisation, was established in 2016.

The main activities are organising scientific research activities, technology transfer, policy consulting, and human resource training.

The members are co-operatives, businesses and experts from universities, institutes and State-owned enterprises. 

Da Lat Heritage celebrates the mountainous city

Đà Lạt Heritage is an art book by a group of authors including Nguyễn Vũ Ngọc Châu as an editor and photographers Lý Hoàng Long and Bình Nguyễn. 

The artbook sparkles with the sweat from their hard work and is imbued with the love of the authors for nature and the land of Đà Lạt. 

The book radiates happiness and positivity, and has received respect from readers.

According Châu, after over 300 days of brainstorming ideas and searching for documents related to Đà Lạt, the art book Đà Lạt Heritage was born.

The book is like a text with pictures about Đà Lạt and its people, viewed from many different angles, spaces and times. 

The art book also applies modern printing technology in book printing. Readers can use smartphones to scan QR codes to experience the images contained in the book thanks to virtual reality technology.

At the book launch, the authors shared their love for this mountainous land, as well as the wish that through this book, people will continue to preserve cultural and natural values. 

This is an images-and-text book that is delicate enough to tap into emotions and entice readers to discover the living treasure of a city with its special imprints of culture and history. 

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