Vietnam considers Belgium an important partner in the European Union and it wants to further strengthen cooperative relations with the EU member state, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told his Belgian counterpart Alexander De Croo.

Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on the sidelines of the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, the two PMs noted with satisfaction the positive development of Vietnam – Belgium relations in recent times.

The two sides agreed to increase the exchange of delegations at all levels, promote cooperation between their businesses and localities, and effectively deploy available bilateral cooperation mechanisms. They stressed the need to fully and effectively implement the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to bring about greater benefits for the two sides.

PM Chinh proposed that Belgium soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA); enhance cooperation in the fields of digital transformation, renewable energy, green transformation, and circular economy; and increase cultural exchanges closely linked to tourism.

With regard to the Vietnam – Belgium Strategic Partnership in Agriculture, Chinh asked Belgium to support the development of circular agricultural economic models and smart agriculture.

PM Alexander De Croo for his part affirmed that the EVFTA is an important driving force in promoting economic and trade relations between the two sides. He shared Chinh’s proposals and said Belgium would promote early ratification of the EVIPA.

The two sides agreed to coordinate closely and support each other at multilateral forums and international organizations, contributing to peace, security, cooperation and development in the region and the wider world.

Exchanging views on the East Sea issue, Chinh asked Belgium to support ASEAN’s stance that affirms the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and navigation in the East Sea, and peacefully resolving disputes in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Vietnam and RoK vow to increase political trust

Vietnam and the Republic of Korea will continue to build up political trust through high-level contacts and meetings to further promote the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. 

The agreement was reached during a meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on January 16 (local time) between Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and RoK Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. The two PMs were in Davos for the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum 2024.

Han affirmed that the RoK considers Vietnam a very close friend and the relationship between the two countries is a special one that is increasingly connected.

Chinh for his part proposed that the RoK facilitate market access for major Vietnamese products; encourage Korean businesses to expand investment in Vietnam; build more Research and Development (R&D) centers; and assist the Southeast Asian nation to develop the entertainment, culture and fashion industries.

The two PMs agreed to further foster practical, effective and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries’ businesses and localities, especially in economy, trade and investment.

They said cultural exchanged and people-to-people exchanges serve as a solid foundation for the two countries to make their relations stronger and expand cooperation in many other fields.

The two leaders also concurred that both Vietnam and the RoK would continue to coordinate closely and support each other at regional and international forums.

In the face of escalating tensions in regions worldwide, they vowed to continue to respect the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, including peacefully resolving all disputes.

Pilot decentralisation mechanism for national target programmes discussed at NA

The Government proposed two options to pilot a mechanism to decentralise the management and implementation of national target programmes to district-level administrations at the fifth extraordinary session of the 15th National Assembly on January 16.

In the first option, the Government recommended that the pilot mechanism should not be implemented right in the 2024-2025 period. Instead, policies guiding the implementation of national target programmes in the 2026-2030 period will be issued.
 
The Government said this option ensures caution without affecting State budget plans and estimates for the 2021-2025 period and each year in this period.

In the second option, the pilot mechanism should be applied right in the 2024-2025 period, according to the proposal.

During discussions in groups, many NA deputies chose the second option. One of the supporters of this option, Nguyen Hoang Mai, a representative of Tien Giang province, said that this option will ensure thorough decentralisation to the district-level administrations, enabling them to work proactively and flexibly in governing, managing and implementing the programmes, paving the way for the building of such programmes for the 2026-2030 period.

Hoang Quoc Khanh, a deputy of Lai Chau province suggested that provincial-level administrations should perform the supervising and inspecting role and leave the authority of implementing the programmes to district-level administrations.

However, some deputies underlined the need to clarify the criteria to select districts for piloting the mechanism, prioritising localities with strong performance in implementing national target programmes in the 2021-2025 period.

The Government's proposal presented a draft resolution on special mechanisms to implement national target programmes. The draft has six chapters, stipulating eight special mechanisms to remove difficulties and obstacles facing national target programmes and provide favourable conditions for localities to speed up their implementation as well as the disbursement of capital for these programmes in the future.  

Currently, three national target programmes are underway, which are on new-style rural area development, sustainable poverty reduction, and socioeconomic development in mountainous and ethnic minority areas.

Minister commends Mozambican ambassador's tenure

Minister of Public Security Gen. To Lam has extended congratulations to Mozambican Ambassador to Vietnam Leonardo Rosario Manuel Pene, commending his outstanding performance during his tenure in Vietnam and acknowledging his significant role in advancing ties between the two nations.

During a reception held in Hanoi on January 16 for the outgoing ambassador, Lam highlighted the noteworthy progress in bilateral political and diplomatic relations over the past years, marked by high-level visits; the signing of various cooperation agreements encompassing diplomacy, economy, trade, investment, national defense-security, education-training, and healthcare; along with the establishment of important cooperation mechanisms.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security (MoPS) speaks highly of the ambassador's contributions to consolidating and developing cooperative ties between Vietnam and Mozambique, as well as fostering collaboration between the MoPS and Mozambique's law enforcement agencies in particular, he said.

The host wished that the diplomat would continue serving as a bridge to step up collaboration between the two countries’ law enforcement agencies.

In response, the ambassador assured that, in his new position, he would strive to propose initiatives to enhance all-around cooperation between the two nations.

He highlighted his commitment to further expanding the effective collaboration between the law enforcement agencies of Mozambique and the MoPS for the mutual benefit of the two countries’ people.

State leader pays homage to President Ho Chi Minh in Nghe An

President Vo Van Thuong and a working delegation paid homage to President Ho Chi Minh at Chung Son temple, a sacred site dedicated to ancestors of the revered leader, and at the Kim Lien special national heritage site in Nam Dan district, the central province of Nghe An on January 16.

They respectfully offered incense and flowers in memory of President Ho Chi Minh, the great leader of the Vietnamese Party and people, and a national liberation hero.

The Chung Son temple, situated atop Chung mountain in Kim Lien commune, holds deep historical ties with the childhood of the late President. It was inaugurated in 2020 to commemorate his 130th birth anniversary.

Located in Kim Lien and Nam Giang communes, the Kim Lien special national heritage site preserves artifacts and relics closely connected to the family, childhood and two visits the President made to his hometown.

The same day, the delegation extended their tributes by offering flowers and incense at the memorial site of Party General Secretary Le Hong Phong, an eminent disciple of President Ho Chi Minh, in Hung Thong commune, Hung Nguyen district.

HCM City attracts tourists with new tourism products

HCM City will focus on efforts to diversify tourism products and events and improve tourism products and services to attract domestic and foreign tourists, tourism authorities said.

Speaking at a conference reviewing the tourism sector’s activities in 2023 and outlining tasks for 2024 last week, deputy director of the City's Department of Tourism Lê Trương Hiền Hòa said HCM City has maintained its leading position in terms of number of tourists and revenue.

It welcomed nearly five million international tourists and nearly 35 million domestic tourists last year.

Tourism revenue was estimated at more than VNĐ160 trillion (US$6.6 billion).

The city received the “Asia’s Leading Business Travel Destination” award and the “Asia’s Leading Festival and Event Destination” in 2023, he said.

It has launched nearly 50 tourism products over the past year to lure tourists, he said.

It has set a target of receiving six million international tourists and 38 million domestic tourists this year. Tourism revenue is expected to total VNĐ190 trillion ($7.8 billion).

It will boost key tourism products - the Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, and Exhibitions (MICE), golf and sea tourism – and diversify cuisine, entertainment and shopping activities to serve tourists.

Nguyễn Trùng Khánh, director general of the Việt Nam National Administration of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said HCM City would play a vital role in the recovery and growth of the country’s tourism sector.

The city needs to ultilise its tourism potential and develop new and unique products and services, Khánh said.

He urged the city’s tourism sector to promote digital transformation and tourism linkages with localities in the southeastern region, the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta and other regions in the country which will create a breakthrough in tourism development.

Nguyễn Văn Dũng, deputy chairman of the city People’s Committee, asked the tourism sector to coordinate closely with other sectors to make it more attractive to tourists and increase their length of stay and spending.

The city’s Department of Tourism needs to finalise a strategy for tourism development to 2030 in line with the city’s master plan on economy development, he said. 

HCM City to launch high-speed boat service to Côn Đảo

A high-speed boat service between HCM City and Côn Đảo Island is set to start on February 23. Photo: tuoitre.vn

The HCM City Department of Transport plans to launch a high-speed boat service to Côn Đảo Island off Bà Rịa Vũng Tàu Province to meet tourism demand.

It is set to start on February 23.

The boats will depart from Sài Gòn-Hiệp Phước Wharf Terminal in Nhà Bè District, and take five to six hours to reach Côn Đảo 230 kilometres away.

Trần Song Hải, director of Greenlines DP, which will operate the service, said the company is working on the final preparations and would announce the schedule soon.

"We'll also have boats to transport passengers between Bạch Đằng in District 1 and Sài Gon-Hiệp Phước wharves."

Tickets will cost around VNĐ900,000 one-way.

Currently the only way to travel from HCM City to Côn Đảo Island is by air. Only two carriers fly on the route, their aircraft are small, and fares are high.

So, people often go to Vũng Tàu City or Sóc Trăng Province and take a boat to Côn Đảo.

Bà Rịa Vũng Tàu Province has set a goal of developing Côn Đảo into a world-class eco-tourism destination by 2045, heard a seminar held by the provincial People's Committee [provincial administration] in October.

Under the Côn Đảo development project till 2030 with a vision to 2045, the island is expected to become an area that preserves special historical heritage sites, forest and marine ecosystems while fulfilling important missions related to national defence and security.

At the seminar, participants also proposed specific suggestions such as designing eco-tourism products that minimise plastic consumption.

They also suggested creating healing and self-help tourism products, such as meditation and yoga retreats, and the development of volunteer tours, building hotels and resorts that use renewable energy, and education tours for students to learn about marine life, marine ecosystems, and conservation issues.

Côn Đảo is an island located in the southern part of the East Sea, belonging to Bà Rịa Vũng Tàu. It consists of 16 large and small islets, with a total land area of around 75sq.km and a marine area of roughly 140sq.km within Côn Đảo National Park. 

Japanese Kabashima, Vietnamese Tình secure Điện Biên Phủ Marathon titles

Kento Kabashima and Lèo Thị Tình were the fastest runners at the Điện Biên Phủ Marathon 2024 which wrapped up in Điện Biên Province on January 14.

Japan's Kabashima finished first in the men's 42km category in a time of 2hr 41.37min, leaving Đào Bá Thành and Nguyễn Duy Lâm, both of the hosts, far behind. 

On the women's side, experienced Tình met no difficulty to take the top podium after clocking 3:01.56.

Her runners-up were Nguyễn Thị Linh and Nông Thị Chang, who completed their races more than 10 minutes later.

In other classes, Lò Văn Đoàn and Lê Thị Bích were winners of the men's and women's 21km. Tòng Văn Hoàn and Khuất Phương Anh won the 10km events. Lò Bảo Tâm and Chu Thị Hương Giang topped the 5km pools.

The first Điện Biên Phủ Marathon featured more than 1,500 local and international runners taking part in the routes that led them past through the province's famous venues such as Điện Biên Phủ Campaign historical site, Him Lam Eco-tourism site and Mường Thanh green field.

The tournament was one of activities of the Cherry Blossoms - Điện Biên Phủ Festival 2024, a cultural event to strength comprehensive cooperation between Việt Nam and Japan.

The local authority hoped that the marathon would help popularise the image of Điện Biên's people and nature to larger community. It also attracted more investors and tourists to explore the possibility of investment and trade cooperation and tourism industry development. 

Hudson, Lệ wins HCM City’s first marathon of 2024

Robert Hudson and Phạm Thị Hồng Lệ won the 11th HCM City Marathon which was the first large sporting event of the year held in the city on January 14.

Britain Robert finished the men's 42km category in a time of 2hr 33.33min, leaving former national runner Lê Văn Tuấn (2:36.31) and Huỳnh Anh Khôi (2:43.45), both of Việt Nam far behind.

Former SEA Games gold medallist Phạm Thị Hồng Lệ who retired from the national team earlier this month, crossed the women's 42km finish line in first place with a time of 2:57.55.

Nguyễn Thị Thúy Vân (3:03.28) and Ethiopian Birehan Marta Tinsae (3:09.12) were second and third, respectively.

The winners of the 21km categories were Phạm Ngọc Phan (1:12.13) in the men's race and Lê Thị Yến Như (1:24.41) in the women's.

Lý Phi Hải (34.59min) and Lê Thị Kim Phượng (39.48) topped the men's and women's 10km while Nguyễn Chí Kiên (16.11) and Fushia Emily Clayton (20.07) secured men's and women's 5km titles.

A total of VNĐ800 million (US$32,800) was presented to the high-ranking runners, in which the overall winners walked away with VNĐ60 million. 

The marathon attracted more than 11,000 runners taking part in four routes from 5km to 42km and the 900m children's run.

Nguyễn Trung Hinh, general secretary of the HCM City Athletics Federation said the tournament has strongly developed since its first edition in 1992. It grew remarkably from 120 runners to 11,000.

It showed the strong development of marathon and people's awareness of the importance of exercising.

He hoped that the tournament would inspire more people to practise sports and run in the coming seasons.

The marathon, with the support of the municipal People's Committee, was first organised in 2013 by the HCM City Athletics Federation and Pulse Active Company.

Hai Phong seeks to meet Asian city standards by 2030

The northern port city of Hai Phong, the largest of its kind in Northern Vietnam, has unveiled its development planning for 2021-2030 with a vision to 2050, aiming to become a typical city of Asia by 2030.

The planning approved by the Prime Minister has set the goal of building and developing Hai Phong into a major seaport city by 2030, taking the lead in national industrialization and modernization as well as digital transformation.

The city will serve as the driving force for development of the Northern region and the whole country, that will have a modern, smart and sustainable industry, and synchronous and modern transportation infrastructure with convenient domestic and international connections by road, rail, sea, air and inland waterway.

At the same time, it will be a modern, leading marine economic center in Southeast Asia, with a focus on seaport services, logistics and marine tourism. It will be an international center for education, training, research, application and development of science and technology.

In addition, the material and spiritual life of local people will constantly be improved to be on par with typical cities in Asia.

Under the planning, by 2030 Hai Phong will have nine inner districts, two more than the current figure, and a third tier city (Thuy Nguyen). The city aims to achieve an economic growth rate of 13.5% per annum with its GDP per capita hitting approximately US$21,700.

By 2050, Hai Phong will be developed into a major seaport city in the region and the world centred on three development pillars, namely seaport and logistics services; a green, smart, modern industry; and an international marine tourism center.

The city will then boast a population of about 4.5 million, with a high level of development among the leading cities in Asia and the world.

Mekong Delta innovates on strong solidarity for rural development

New rural area construction in the Mekong Delta has gained remarkable results, affirming the correct guidelines and policies of the Party and State on agricultural and countryside development.

Walking on a 1.5-km road that won the first prize in the contest "New model rural roads in Sóc Trăng Province 2022", Trương Văn Khởi, 70, was filled with joy.

Khởi, who lives in Trung Hòa Village, Gia Hòa 1 Commune, Mỹ Xuyên District, said that local people were very excited when the road was widened. Flowers were planted on both sides. Lights were installed to use in the evening, helping to make the village beautiful.

With the new road, children going to school and everyone’s travel is more convenient.

He said that at first, some households wondered whether a new road should be built or not.

As explained by commune officials, everyone understood that paving the way means opening a new direction for people's lives.

Khởi's family voluntarily donated 1,000sq.m of land and VNĐ2 million (US$80) to expand the road.

Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and also Chairman of the Gia Hòa 1 People's Council Võ Văn Đào affirmed that local authorities educated people to understand that with rural construction, the people's material and spiritual lives would be improved.

In Kiên Giang Province, Tân Hiệp District is the first district to meet new rural standards. Creating consensus and calling for people's energy were solutions that the district implemented.

Phạm Văn Tâm, from Tân Hiệp A Commune, Tân Hiệp District, said that in 2022, many roads did not have lights, which caused a number of traffic accidents.

Local authorities asked for cooperation from residents. With the spirit of solidarity and consensus, local people contributed over VNĐ300 million ($12,200) to build a new lighting system and 20 cameras to monitor security and order.

With both hands deftly weaving handbags from bamboo grass, Trần Thị Tươi and Nguyễn Thị Vẹn, said that their hometown had changed a lot.

The two women, from Mỹ Tây A Village, Mỹ Quới Commune, Ngã Năm Town in Sóc Trăng Province, said that many local women had the profession of weaving handicrafts from plants and grass.

Their products were sold to a cooperative for export.

On average, each person earns VNĐ150,000-200,000 ($6-8) per day.

Representative of the MCF Mỹ Quới Cooperative Lê Thị Hồng Lan said that the cooperative specialised in producing handicraft items woven from grass – a local environmentally friendly plant.

Each month, the cooperative exports about 8,000 products of all kinds to the US, Canada and Australia, creating jobs for about 400 local workers.

Thạnh Hưng Commune, Giồng Riềng District in Kiên Giang Province increased people's income by restructuring the agricultural sector, forming production chains with high value and developing one commune one product (OCOP) products.

To date, the commune has three OCOP products including Mạnh Tài rice papers, seedless lemon and Hoa Hải Đường wine.

The average income of people in the commune reaches over VNĐ64.5 million ($2,600) per person per year.

Standing in a fruit-laden lemon grove, Nguyễn Thị Quyến, owner of the 5,200-square metre orchard, said happily that the over 300 trees can be harvested all year round.

At a maximum, she can harvest up to 100kg of fresh lemons in a day.

On average, each year Quyến's family earns over VNĐ180 million ($7,300).

With the commune's care, Quyến twice received loans from the Bank for Social Policies and the Farmers Support Fund to expand her production.

Secretary of Gò Quao District Party Committee of Kiên Giang Province Trần Thanh Việt said that as a remote district, the locality always took care of the people’s material and spiritual lives, creating comprehensive development.

As many as 34 per cent of the district’s residents are Khmer people.

Their traditional cultural values are always preserved and promoted.

Last year, the Khmer Culture, Sports and Tourism Festival was held with diverse activities, promoting the unique culture of ethnic groups.

Chairwoman of the Đại Tâm Commune Fatherland Front in Mỹ Xuyên District, Sóc Trăng Province Lâm Thị Thanh Trúc said that to build new rural areas, the commune chose culture - tourism to implement.

With typical tourism site the Chén Kiểu Pagoda, a Khmer pagoda with unique architecture decorated with elaborate bowls and plates, each year over 200,000 domestic and foreign visitors come to the commune to admire the famous pagoda and learn about traditional Khmer culture.

Three ethnic groups of Kinh, Khmer and Hoa are now living in solidarity in Đại Tâm Commune with many cultural features, creating diversity and richness in local cultural identity.

Notably, Khmer traditional festivals such as Chol-Chnam-Thmay, Sen Dolta and Ok-Om-Bok are always held.

Also in Sóc Trăng Province, the National Intangible Cultural Heritage - traditional pía cake making in Phú Tâm, Thuận Hòa and An Hiệp communes in Châu Thành District is a unique cultural feature.

It connects culture with economic development and building new rural areas.

Chairman of the district Fatherland Front Bùi Mỹ Thuận said that the authorities always created favourable conditions for localities with heritages to promote their values, considering it as their strength.

Currently, pía cake making establishments in the district create regular jobs for about 1,400 workers, increase people's income, and practically promote cultural values towards comprehensive development.

By the end of last year, Kiên Giang Province had 110 out of 116 communes recognised to meet new rural standards, of which 19 communes meet advanced new rural standards, according to the provincial New Rural Coordination Office.

The province strives that by next year, all of 116 communes will meet new rural standards, of which 55 communes will achieve advanced new rural areas.

Standing Deputy Chairman of the provincial Fatherland Front Committee Ngô Phương Vũ said that the Fatherland Front at all levels and concerned organisations would widely educate the people about policies on building new rural areas.

Focusing on innovative solutions to educate locals, Chairwoman of the Tân Hiệp District Fatherland Front Committee in Kiên Giang Province Nguyễn Minh Ngọc said that the district promoted digital transformation in its work.

Different forms of education through Zalo groups and fanpages about typical models, good people, good deeds, information related to socio-economic development, ensuring security and order, and local major events have attracted a large number of officials, Party members and people.

Through digital transformation in education, the district Fatherland Front Committee promptly understand people's thoughts and aspirations, answers their questions about policies and provides timely support to them.

The district uses application on the internet platform associated with QR code scanning to build two education models.

One of them is the information page "Tân Hiệp Solidarity - Book Library 4.0", giving information about the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's laws, socio-economic development activities and new rural construction in the district.

Another model is "Hồ Chí Minh Cultural Space 4.0" giving contents about late President Hồ Chí Minh's ideology, ethics and lifestyle.

From a grassroots-level perspective, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Gia Hòa 1 Commune Party Committee in Mỹ Xuyên District, Sóc Trăng Province Võ Văn Đào said that building new rural areas was a long journey with no stopping stations.

“No one else but the people are both the implementers and beneficiaries of the new rural areas,” he said.

Therefore, the right policies and guidelines so that the people can understand, have high consensus and join efforts, are an important foundation for building new rural areas and continuing to achieve higher results in Gia Hòa 1 Commune. 

PM directs measures to improve citizens' lives during Tết holiday

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has issued a directive outlining measures to enhance the quality of life and ensure social security for citizens and labourers during the upcoming seven-day Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday, lasting from February 8 to 14.

The directive stresses the PM’s requirements for a joyful, healthy, safe, and economical celebration of the holiday, the longest and most important of its kind in Việt Nam.

Accordingly, chairpersons of the centrally-run provincial and municipal People's Committees have been tasked with directing the coordination between labour agencies and local labour unions, instructing relevant units and enterprises to proactively overcome difficulties and to provide better care for employees.

These include efforts for timely payment of salaries and bonuses in accordance with regulations and full compliance with social, health, and unemployment insurance policies.

The directive also highlights the timely disbursement of social welfare allowances for February to beneficiaries before February 3.

There is a focus on reviewing and understanding the living conditions of policy beneficiaries, revolutionary contributors, and individuals facing difficulties, with the aim of providing appropriate and timely support.

Enhanced inspections and monitoring, meanwhile, have been called for to prevent accidents and domestic violence, especially those involving children and women.

The document said it is necessary to pay attention to supporting workers experiencing a significant income reduction or job loss due to natural disasters, epidemics, or the contraction of businesses.

Proactive measures are recommended to maintain the labour supply chain and promptly meet manpower needs by firms before and after Tết.

Additionally, there is an emphasis on the implementation of safety measures, labour hygiene, and fire prevention to ensure a safe working environment.

Other tasks have also been set for the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs, the Việt Nam Social Security and the Việt Nam General Confederation of Labour, the Ministry of Information and Communications, and the Government’s Office.

HCM City Student Assistance Centre to help disadvantaged students, workers enjoy Tết

The HCM City Student Assistance Centre is stepping up efforts to support disadvantaged students and workers as Tết (Lunar New Year) approaches.

The Tết holidays are from February 8 to 14.

The centre, affiliated to the Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union is calling on businesses to offer 4,000 part-time jobs to students from January 1 to February 15.

The jobs include that of cashiers, warehouse, gift-wrapping and supermarket staff, labourers, waiters and waitresses, kitchen assistants, vehicle keepers, security guards, delivery workers and housekeepers.

They will enable students to earn an average of VNĐ25,000 - 50,000 (US$1.02-2.03) per hour and VNĐ140,000-400,000 ($5.7-16.3) per day.

The centre is also collaborating with businesses such as Acecook and Lifebuoy to offer free transport for students and workers in unorganised sectors to their hometowns before Tết.

Since it first started offering free transportation in 2002 some 60,400 students and disadvantaged workers have benefited.

This year it plans to gift 2,000 bus tickets and 150 train tickets to students in difficult circumstances and people such as street vendors and lottery ticket sellers.

It will organize concerts and other  performances to entertain disadvantaged students who stay back in the city during Tết.

The event will take place at the HCM City Youth Cultural House on January 31, and the centre will give gifts to around 2,000 students worth VNĐ1.5 billion ($60,990).

For more information and support, students and workers can visit www.sac.vn or www.facebook.com/hotrohssv. 

Rare Quang Nam monkey troop handed over to Gia Lai national park

A troop of eight rare monkeys which were cared for by an elderly woman in the central province of Quang Ngai has been handed over to Kon Ka Kinh National Park in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai.

According to Ho Trong Phuong, Director of the Quang Ngai Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the monkey relocation to the national park has been completed.

The monkeys were cared of by Nguyen Thi Chat, aged 79, in Hon Tra Island, Son Tra Village, Binh Dong Commune in Quang Ngai Province's Binh Son District.

Chat was visiting Hon Tra Island to catch snails one day when she saw the monkeys. She then gave them some fruits. Initially, the animals ran away when being fed by Chat. However, later, they became familiar with her. She came to the island daily to feed them.

The monkeys were said to come from a nearby forest which was destroyed for construction projects. 

The forest management of Quang Ngai said that the monkeys, which has the scientific name of Macaca Mulatta, are listed among rare and endangered species.

US announces 2024 Fulbright Specialist Programme for STEM

The US Mission to Vietnam introduces the 2024 Fulbright Specialist Programme for STEM fields which invites Vietnamese institutions to apply for the opportunity to host Fulbright specialists for periods ranging from two to six weeks.

These experts will help institutions prepare curriculum, develop faculty, conduct institutional planning, and train on topics critical to the development of a high-tech workforce to advance the two countries' shared interest in Vietnam’s potential as a major player in the semiconductor industry.

Eligible disciplines for this programme will include Engineering Education, Math Education, Physics Education, and Computer Science and Information Technology.

Vietnamese institutions of higher education (colleges, universities, acadeies), government institutions (ministries or agencies, courts, parliamentary or congressional bodies), and non-governmental organisations and think tanks are encouraged to apply.

Furthermore, the 2024 Fulbright Specialist Programme for STEM will foster innovation and educational collaboration, bridging the gap between Vietnamese and American institutions and offering a platform for mutual growth, prosperity and technological advancement.

The application deadline is set for Friday, March 15, 2024.

Hanoi-Dien Bien flights to be launched in March

Vietjet will open a direct route between Hanoi and Dien Bien, shortening travel time for people and tourists between the two localities. 

Passengers can arrive in Dien Bien with only over 30 minutes flying, instead of spending around 12 hours on a road trip.

The new route will be launching from March 1 with a frequency of three return flights per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The flights depart from Hanoi at 09:30 and arrive in Dien Bien at 10:25 (GMT+7). The return flights depart from Dien Bien at 11:00 and land in Hanoi at 11:50 (GMT+7).

Together with the HCM City-Dien Bien route, Vietjet’s Hanoi-Dien Bien route is expected to bring more tourists from all regions to Dien Bien - a place famous for its natural landscapes and historic sites.

West Lake upgrade plan proposed

Tay Ho District authorities in Hanoi have proposed a plan to upgrade and improve the water quality of the West Lake.

The VND4.20 trillion (USD172.83 million) plan includes around VND2 trillion for dredging; VND1.60 trillion for wharves, and VND600 billion for the construction of a fountain and the surrounding technical infrastructure. 

The district will arrange VND1.20 trillion for the project, while the remainder will be sourced from the city’s budget.

Tay Ho District has carried out four dredging projects costing VND128 billion since 2011. Roughly 440,000 cubic metres of mud have been dredged. However, the package to dredge the lake section running next to Thanh Nien Street was suspended to review its effectiveness following massive fish deaths.

According to a consultant, around 1.2 million cubic metres of mud need to be dredged.

HCM City water park hands over three bears to rescue centre

A water park operator in HCM City has voluntarily handed over three black bears to the Vietnam Bear Rescue Centre in Bach Ma National Park in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue Province. 

The bears arrived at their new home on Monday after a trip of over 1,000 kilometres from the suburban HCM City district of Cu Chi, where they had been kept in a semi-wild environment at the Cu Chi Water Park for many years.

According to Animals Asia, the bears, which are approximately 20 years old, are in poor health and have faced significant hair loss, as difficult business conditions and a reduced operational scale have seen underinvestment in the facilities for a long period.

The park's operator Dang Vinh Co. Ltd. voluntarily transferred the animals to the Animals Asia Organisation as they changed their business operations.

Animals Asia have so far rescued and are taking care of 269 bears in Vietnam.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reports that around 200 bears are currently kept in captivity across the country.

Marksmen bag silvers at Asian championship in Indonesia

Vietnamese marksmen grabbed silvers from the ongoing Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2024 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Vietnamese athletes and their head coach pose for photos after their silver in the men's 25m standard pistol team event at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship on January 14 in Jakarta.

Trio Ha Minh Thanh, Phan Xuan Chuyen and Vu Tien Nam took part in the men's 25m standard pistol team event on January 14.

Thanh managed 566 points, Chuyen took 562 points and Nam earned 551 points. They did not enter top three in the individual competition but their total of 1,679 points placed them at second position in the team category.

World powerful India secured gold with 1,690 points and Indonesia took bronze on 1,666 points.

It was the second silver of the trio over the weekend. Their first one was in the men's 25m rapid fire pistol team event on January 13.

They shot 1,722 points, 14 points less than South Korea which took gold. Athletes of the hosts won bronze with 1,718 points.

Head coach Park Chung Gun said Vietnamese shooters did good job and he was happy with the result. However, he still wanted to see better achievement in the future and believed that his athletes would try harder and never give up in all competitions.

After seven days of competitions, Việt Nam bagged one gold, two silvers and one Olympic place. They stood at fifth position in the medal tally.

India was on top with 14 golds, 10 silvers and eight bronzes. China was second, winning seven golds, five silver and four bronzes. South Korea placed third with five golds, three silvers and six bronzes.

Joni Suprianto, President of the Indonesian Shooting Association said the championship had the largest number of participating athletes ever with 397 athletes from 29 countries and territories.

The organisers carefully prepared to ensure the tournament at its best, and all teams were given good conditions for highest results.

Suprianto who was also head of the organising committee added that the championship was held under the principles of sport which aimed to push the progress and achievement of all teams. The exchange of information and lesson would be valuable experience for participants.

The events will be continue until January 18 with medals up for grab in the 25m centre fire pistol and 10m running target air rifle.

Classic concert raising money for unfortunate children to be held in HCMC

A classic concert raising money to support unfortunate children of ethnic minorities will be held at the HCMC Conservatory of Music on January 21.

The “Forest Harmony” event entitled “Gift Trees to Forests” co-organized by the Saigon Classical Music Group and Joy Foundation is part of the “Million Seeds” project.

The concert will present to music lovers compositions, including Fajar dan Senja by Ken Steven, “Spring” for Flute and Piano by Herman Beeftink; Frühlingsstimmen”, Op. 410 by Johann Strauss II; Drei Romanzen Op. 94 No. 1: Nicht schnell by Robert Schumann; Songs Without Words Op. 62 No. 6: Frühlingslied by Felix Mendelssohn; Fruhlingsglaube” D. 686 Op. 20, No. 2 by Franz Schubert; Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 by Ludwig van Beethoven.

There will be also Cinema Paradiso by Ennio Morricone and Arr. Pongpat Pongradit; 17 Polish Songs, Op. 74 No. 2, Wiosna by Frederic Chopin, Les 4 Point Cardinaux Op. 139 (Nord, Sud, Est, Quest) by Francis Kleynjans; Andante Con Moto in E Minor, K 72 by Ferruccio Busoni; Ariettes oubliées: 5. Green (Aquarelle) by Claude Debussy; Le violette by Alessandro Scarlatti; Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46: I. Morgenstemning, No. 2, Op. 55, IV. Solveigs, No. 1, Op. 46: IV: I Dovregubbens hall by Edvarg Grieg,

The musical works will be performed by artists, such as Pham Thi Thu Thao, Le Pham My Dung, Nguyen Cong Danh, Nguyen Thuy Yen, and Saigon Chor.

The JOY Foundation has mainly implemented projects on the provision of clean water, afforestation, and reforestation. Of these, the “Bringing to Villages” project was launched last September but received a lot of responses. Starting on September 5, the project themed “Bringing to Villages” aimed to collect 1,000 – 2,000 books for children in remote villages.

The Saigon Classical Music Group was established in 2005 in HCMC with the main aim of providing unique aesthetic pleasure to the public through accessible, qualified classical music concerts, through a diversifying performance repertoire delivered in unique, well-organized events. The group strives to connect the classical music community, support new musical talents as well as raise public awareness and appreciation of classical music in daily life.

The “Million Seeds” project was an initiative started by two students in grades 7 and 11 of the Dinh Thien Ly High School in HCMC to revive empty balconies. During phase 1, the project aims to distribute one million seeds to individuals and households within six months. The trees will be planted each phase, thereby igniting a passion for tree planting in everyone, especially children who will have an opportunity to experience planting and caring for trees. This project is expected to not only create beautiful urban areas but also bring a green living environment and connect people.

Digitized hospital referrals expected to reduce nuisances to patients

Hospitals nationwide are going to send and receive health insurance referrals online from April 1, 2024 to ensure transparency and reduce inconvenience for patients.

Ngo Van Vu from Kien Giang Province recalled that once he had requested a hospital transfer for his child, who had been receiving treatment for glomerulonephritis at a provincial hospital. After many times getting refused for the ground that the current hospital was able to perform similar treatments, he decided to call for a hospital discharge and brought the child to a better hospital in HCMC regardless of the fact that his child would not enjoy the same health insurance rate anymore.

The case of 52-year-old Bui Thi Hanh from Ca Mau Province is quite different. After undergoing a breast cancer surgeon in HCMC Oncology Hospital 2 years ago, she was asked to return for regular health checkups and indicated radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Each time, she had to visit her initial registered hospital of health insurance to request a hospital referral, which took her too much time and effort just to receive full health insurance rights.

Many people annoyedly shared that to be eligible for full health insurance benefits, they have to carry out medical examinations, ultrasounds or X-rays, tests, which are normally not accepted when coming to higher-level hospitals later. Others need to exploit connections to obtain this essential health insurance referral.

Therefore, it has been voiced that such a referral should be eliminated to reduce unnecessary nuisance during treatments. In response, Director Tran Thi Trang of the Health Insurance Department (under the Ministry of Health) shared that omitting such a paper right now is not feasible because then patients will flock to central-level hospitals for their disease treatment, which means overloading work there, not to mention an imbalance in the Health Insurance Fund.

More importantly, as central-level hospitals have to care for serious cases, perform their training and research duties, it is impossible for them also pay attention to mild cases or primary medical care.

The Health Ministry has lately decided to amend and supplement regulations on the output data format to serve management and assessment purposes during the payment of treatment costs and the settlement of related processes. Accordingly, as of April 1, 2024, social insurance agencies and hospitals in the country are going to pilot sending and receiving electronic health insurance referrals and appointment letters. The official implementation will be from July 1, 2024.

This year, the Health Ministry is going to work with the Public Security Ministry and Vietnam Social Security to integrate the above letters into VNeID and VssID apps, for the sake of successful digital transformation and the complete elimination of hard copy versions. When carrying out health-insurance-related procedures, patients only need to display the electronic version on their VNeID or VssID app (with built-in QR codes).

This integration is expected to greatly reduce processing time, offer more convenience for patients and hospitals, support the assessment tasks of social insurance agencies during medical transfers while being able to minimize fraud and forgery.

Deputy Director of HCMC Oncology Hospital Diep Bao Tuan said that a hospital referral is of extreme importance as it has critical medical information and treatment methods previously done on a patient, which saves much valuable time and money. This becomes un inevitable trend in the digital transformation process in Vietnam right now. In addition, the process to approve a referral can help to avoid unnecessary flocking to high-level hospitals, unwanted professional gaps between different hospital levels.

Director Tran Van Khanh of Le Van Thinh Hospital in HCMC added that for a smooth launch of an electronic hospital referral, there must be strong links among medical institutes, long-term strategies and policies to improve the quality of disease treatment in low-level hospitals to minimize unnecessary transfers and ease the mind of local patients.

According to the Ministry of Health, to limit negative issues that arise in applying for a health insurance referral, it is going to review relevant regulations and sanctions to punish any hospitals for administrative violations. It will simultaneously develop more transparent and detailed criteria for hospital transfer.

Existing problems result in possible closures of vocational education facilities

Though the government has made efforts to improve the vocational education system, there are still existing problems including overlapped management, lack of funding, and poor enrollment; as a result, educational institutions are at risk of closure.

Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung frankly pointed out the problem in the vocational education sector at the recent National Assembly session and affirmed that he will drastically restructure the system to promote efficiency.

About 400 vocational education establishments are located in the Southeast region with an average annual vocational training scale of over 250,000 people.

Currently, 376 vocational education establishments are set up in Ho Chi Minh City accounting for 12.51 percent of the country's vocational education establishments. Annually, more than 195,000 students graduate from vocational education facilities averagely and participate in the labor force.

However, vocational training schools are facing the work of land allocation and land lease for vocational education establishments which has not been implemented effectively, some facilities are degraded.

After nearly 35 years of formation and development, Hung Vuong Technical and Technology College is currently one of the top vocational training units in Ho Chi Minh City and the Southern region. Nearly 1,000 students graduate from the school every year and dozens of the school students won high prizes in vocational skills competitions at city, national and international levels.

However, Vice Principal Nguyen Ngoc Hanh moaned due to degraded facilities and lack of adequate investment, and students' learning conditions are not as good as expected. According to him, in 2016, the school's B-C-D area renovation and new construction project was approved by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council with a total investment of over VND100 billion ( over US$4 million), but due to bottlenecks, the construction project was delayed.

In the North, especially in Hanoi, there are also dozens of vocational education establishments with facilities that were built 30-50 years ago; thus, they are old and in poor repair. However, they have not been granted a license for construction.

​Typically, the Hanoi People's Committee approved the construction project for Hanoi Industrial Vocational College on an area of 9 hectares, with a cost of about VND894 billion since 2018, but until now the project is still on paper.

In the Central region, in the past 5 years, many colleges and intermediate schools in Da Nang City, Quang Nam province are increasingly facing the risk of closing because no students enroll in schools and teachers are highly likely to face possible unemployment.

Deputy Head of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education Ta Van Ha said that in addition to the need to speed up the arrangement and re-planning of the vocational education network, inadequacies in the social contribution in this field are emerging. Many provinces and cities have not yet developed planning and plans for the network of vocational education institutions for the period after 2020; Planning and land use plans have not yet been developed for investment in construction and development of facilities built on financial social mobilization.

On the other hand, some localities are negligent in management in leasing land for investment projects without completing site clearance or allocating and leasing land to vocational training establishments without planning the land fund for social contribution-based activities, not in accordance with the planning of the local vocational training establishment network.

Accordingly, Mr. Ta Van Ha proposed that the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs needs to continue to focus on improving contents such as improving capacity and effective quality of state management of vocational education; promote the implementation of proposed programs, projects and plans; and arrange the network openly and flexibly.

At the same time, relevant agencies should build and improve mechanisms to encourage organizations and individuals to actively participate in vocational education as well as strengthen international cooperation for forecasting and shifting the labor structure and training structure of vocational education.

Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Duong Anh Duc said that Ho Chi Minh City promotes the training of highly qualified human resources.

By 2025, Ho Chi Minh City will merge at least 50 percent of intermediate schools into colleges, merging ineffective colleges into effective schools. By 2030, at least 80 percent of intermediate schools will be merged into colleges. Furthermore, the city will encourage and give incentives in social contribution of implementing vocational education policies with the aim to increase the rate of trained workers by the end of 2025 to 87 percent of the total number of working workers and by 2030 to 89 percent.

US helps improve stroke care in Vietnam

The United States Mission to Vietnam, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), has announced training and technical support for Bach Mai Hospital Stroke Center to improve stroke care in Vietnam and the Mekong sub-region, the US Embassy said in a press release on January 16.

The announcement affirms the US support for strengthening health cooperation and assisting Vietnam’s critical medical facilities under the recently established US-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.   

A memorandum of understanding to this effect was signed in Hanoi on January 16 between Assoc. Prof. Dao Xuan Co, director of Bach Mai Hospital, and Mazedul Haque, country manager of Federation Handicap International, the implementing partner of the USAID.

Under the signed document, in the next two years, Federation Handicap International will work with Bach Mai Hospital to build a specialized workforce through supporting postgraduate training specializing in stroke and cerebrovascular disease for doctors. It will help strengthen the delivery of multidisciplinary services for patients with specific attention to ensure a continuum of care throughout the care pathway; foster coordination, sharing of good practices and technical support through national and international networks; and build research capacities of the Stroke Center and the Rehabilitation Center of Bach Mai Hospital.

“We are pleased to continue the partnership with Bach Mai Hospital through its Stroke and Rehabilitation Center,” said USAID Mission Director Aler Grubbs. “We look forward to helping Vietnam expand the application of international best practices in saving lives and reducing disabilities among stroke victims.”

Vietnam is among the countries with the highest incidence rate of stroke, with about 200,000 stroke persons recorded every year. Stroke is the second most common cause of death in the country. Among survivors, this condition leaves a high rate of disability behind.

The United States Mission to Vietnam, through the USAID, and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has been a partner with Bach Mai Hospital for over 30 years. Last year, USAID Administrator Samantha Power visited Bach Mai Hospital and in 2022 the US provided a new liquid oxygen system, the largest of 13 such systems provided by the US to health care facilities across Vietnam, to support the care of patients with severe cases of COVID-19 and beyond.

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