Despite the extremely challenging weather, workers of Hà Nội Housing Development and Investment JSC (HANDICO) remain enthusiastic in their work, aiming to successfully accomplish their tasks. VNA/VNS Photo Minh Nghĩa

Despite the extremely cold weather, with temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius in recent days, workers at Hà Nội's pivotal construction sites and factories are diligently working, determined to accomplish the tasks of their units before the Tết holiday.

At the construction site of the Kim Đồng – Giải Phóng Tunnel, officials and workers from two contractors under Cienco 4 Group and the Investment and Construction Project Joint Stock Company No3 are working hard toward the common goal of completing the entire project by the second quarter of 2025.

The project has now completed nine open sections and one underground section of the tunnel, with sidewalk cutting underway on Kim Đồng Street to timely complete the traffic lanes by early 2024.

Currently, contractors have started working overtime, increasing manpower and continuously operating machinery to meet the assigned schedule.

Despite the prolonged cold spell, Nguyễn Văn Nam, a worker of the project, remains firmly focused on his daily work. Since the first week of the new year, he and many other workers have been working continuously in three shifts from early morning to late night at the construction site.

"The sense of urgency in our work has provided us with motivation to complete the job to the best of our ability. During this time, we are trying to work without delays, so we feel secure about returning home to celebrate the Lunar New Year with family," he shared.

The Kim Đồng – Giải Phóng Tunnel is a focal project in Hà Nội for the period of 2021 – 2025. It aims to address congestion between Belt Road No2, No5 and Giải Phóng Street and ensure smooth traffic through the Giáp Bát train station.

The enthusiastic working atmosphere is also noted on the project to expand Âu Cơ – Nghi Tàm Dyke Road, which stretches 3.7 kilometres from the Thắng Lợi Hotel interchange to the Nhật Tân Bridge interchange, with a total investment of VNĐ815 billion.

Upon completion, this project will alleviate congestion, ensuring smooth traffic connectivity between the inner city and Nội Bài International Airport.

According to the Hà Nội Project Investment Management Board, construction work is being urgently deployed, with workers working in three shifts to ensure the completion of 1 kilometre by the Lunar New Year.

The project is scheduled to be completed and open for traffic by this June.

At the construction site of the office and housing project at Lê Văn Lương Street in Thanh Xuân District, dozens of workers and technical staff are working tirelessly at the high-rise construction site despite extremely harsh weather conditions with cold rain and wind.

Hà Nội Housing Development and Investment JSC (HANDICO)’s General Director Phạm Tiến Đức said the company was determined to meet production and business targets, such as reaching 225,000 square metres of constructed floor area, contributing VNĐ1.1 trillion to the State budget, generating a profit of VNĐ1.2 trillion.

The bustling production atmosphere has also been recorded in workshops and factories as workers are highly focused on their tasks to achieve the highest productivity and quality.

Many workers at Sumi - Hanel Wire System Limited Company in Sài Đồng B Industrial Zone in Long Biên District work overtime to earn extra income. VNA/VNS Photo

At Sumi - Hanel Wire System Limited Company in Sài Đồng B Industrial Zone in Long Biên District, hundreds of workers are concentrated on running machines, assembling and manufacturing electrical and electronic wire networks.

According to Trần Thu Hà, a worker at the company, everyone wants to work overtime to earn extra income, regardless of difficulties or hardships, and strives to fulfil the assigned production plans.

"This Tết, workers like us all hope to receive bonuses from the company to buy essential items for our families, especially those facing difficulties,” Hà said.

From the beginning of the year, workers at TOMECO An Khang Joint Stock Company in Quốc Oai District have actively engaged in their tasks with enthusiasm and a commitment to achieving the highest efficiency.

A representative from the company stated that in 2023, despite facing challenges in production and business, the company always ensured policies and benefits for its workers.

During these days, with the goal of accelerating production, the company was planning reasonable Tết bonuses to encourage officers and workers, helping them contribute more and strengthen their bond with the company, he said. 

Eight teams to vie for national futsal championship title in Feb

Two strongest teams Thái Sơn Nam and Sahako will face each other in the opening match of the National Futsal Championship on February 22.

Thái Sơn Nam are the reigning champions of the tournament and the National Cup. Sahako were first runners-up of the national championship and National Cup 2022 winners. The two teams have been neck-and-neck for all domestic titles since 2017. They are also home to most of national team players.

The competition features eight teams which will compete in the first-round matches on February 22-23 after a draw conducted on January 24 in Hà Nội.

Three other games will see Khánh Hòa vs Thái Sơn Bắc, Tân Hiệp Hưng vs Hà Nội FC, and Luxury Hạ Long vs Sài Gòn Titans.

Among them, Luxury Hạ Long are the new face at the highest level national event. Previously, they took part in the National Cup in 2023 and finished in the bottom position.

Teams will compete in the two-leg round robin format. The first leg will be from February 22 to March 7 and after a short break for the national team, it will continue from June 1-18. The second one is from June 25 to July 31.

All participants can sign one foreign and one overseas Vietnamese player.

"This is the second season that the home-and-away format is applied at the National Futsal Championship. The Việt Nam Football Federation (VFF) believes that the change in the organising activities and teams' good preparation will make a successful tournament," Nguyễn Minh Châu, VFF deputy general secretary, said.

"We also hope to witness competitive matches with outstanding performance of players as well as strong support from fans. It will help us to find talented players for the national team for the important targets in 2024," he said.

The winners will walk away with the golden trophy and VNĐ500 million (US$20,300). The second and third finishers will pocket VNĐ200 million and VNĐ100 million, respectively.

The organisers will present VNĐ40 million to the best fair-play team, along with VNĐ10 million awards for outstanding individuals such as MVP, best goalkeeper and top scorer. 

Fencers to seek Olympic ticket at the Asian zonal championship

Vietnamese fencers will seek their 2024 Olympic tickets at the Asian Qualifying Championship in April in the UAE.

Fencing did make a big bang with four athletes qualified for the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016, but the team failed to take part in the next games in Tokyo in 2021.

Due to injuries and financial shortage, Vietnamese fencers did not have the chance to compete in 2023 to collect points for their Olympic campaign.

This Asian zonal event will be the last opportunity for them to reach Paris this summer.

Athletes who have already qualified for the Olympics will not take part in this event, and only the winner of the zonal championship will qualify for the Games.

The national team players have practised intensively since the first day of the year in both Hà Nội and HCM City.

A team of the six best fencers will leave for the Dubai event and compete on April 27-28.

Among them veteran Vũ Thành An in men's sabre and Nguyễn Tiến Nhật in men's epee are expected to make the mission.

Nhật was the first Vietnamese fencer to earn an Olympic place in history, in 2012. He has been one of the best fencers in the region with many titles from the SEA Games and ASEAN championships.

The 33-year-old Nhật is currently No 136 in the world and No 32 in his category. He took one gold and one bronze at the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia last May.

An, meanwhile, made his name internationally by winning two bronzes in Asian championships. He finished in the top 15 at the Rio Olympics, the best result of Việt Nam in this competition.

At the Cambodia event, the 32-year-old won one gold and one silver, making him a big dominator at the regional biennial sporting event with eight titles in both individuals and team categories in five SEA Games editions in a row.

He is currently No 117 in the world and No 37 in Asia.

According to the coaching board, many strong athletes from South Korea, Japan and China would not come to Dubai as they have already qualified. This reduces the pressure on the Vietnamese competitors.

An will be the best hope of Việt Nam, and he is also determined to have his second time in the Olympics.

"It is really a difficult competition as only the winner can take the Olympic place," An told Việt Nam News.

"In Dubai, I will have to play six five-point and four 15-point matches to take gold. If I can perform my best, I am confident of winning," he said. 

Annual Phú Mỹ Hưng Spring Flower Festival to open in HCM City

The annual Phú Mỹ Hưng Spring Flower Festival this year will take place from February 3-13 at the Crescent Lake area in Phú Mỹ Hưng New City Centre in District 7 of HCM City.

 the 24th day of the Lunar December to the 4th day of the Lunar New Year (or

Themed "Gathering in Spring", the flower festival features Vietnamese culture during the traditional Lunar New Year, beginning on February this year.

It represents the wish for togetherness and reunion when the New Year comes.

In the Vietnamese concepts, the Lunar New Year is a time for family gatherings and warmth. Around the tray of five fruits, green sticky rice cakes and red parallel sentences, families come together to recall past stories, and share joy and aspirations for a prosperous and peaceful new year.

At the festival, the flower arrangement depicts the image of many fairies and legends.

Sacred symbols of Vietnamese culture that have lasted for thousands of years are also honoured at the Spring Flower Festival this year.

In addition to the flower street, which implements the theme of "Gathering in Spring", the festival this year will also include a flower market, opening from February 2-9.

The market will have about 145 stalls selling flowers and ornamental plants from gardens in HCM City and neigbouring provinces such as Bến Tre and Đồng Tháp.

This market serves residents of Phú Mỹ Hưng urban area and people in the southern neighbourhoods of the city.

Aiming to spread beautiful moments and images of visitors to the festival over the years, the organising committee has launched the "Moments of Phú Mỹ Hưng Spring Flower Festival" photo contest.

The contest takes place on the Phú Mỹ Hưng Today’s fanpage from February 3 to February 16.

Contestants are encouraged to showcase their participation in various festivals and photos capturing the highlights of the year on their personal profiles in public mode, with the hashtag #khoanhkhachoihoaxuanPMH, and then submit the link to their entries by commenting on the contest post on the fanpage.

The organising committee will select beautiful and suitable photos based on the criteria of the contest to award prizes.

The total value of prizes for the "Moments of Phú Mỹ Hưng Spring Flower Festival" photo contest is up to VNĐ25 million (US$1,000).

All data of pre-school facilities in HCM City go online

HCM City has completed and publicly integrated the list of all preschool education facilities in the city on axis data.

The city’s Department of Education and Training on Thursday organised a workshop to evaluate digital transformation in preschool education management.

The department reported that the list of 100 per cent of preschool education facilities is available online at https://pgdmamnon.hcm.edu.vn/CongKhaiCoSoGiaoDuc.

Up to now, 313,523 out of a total of 322,513 preschool children's records, accounting for 97.2 per cent, have been updated with identification codes on the education sector's management system.

All preschool education facilities have accurately updated profile information of new students and compiled data of senior students on the sector’s database.

Lương Thị Hồng Điệp, head of the department’s Preschool Education Division, said the move aims to support people to conveniently choose suitable preschools and classes for their children, and also stricter management of preschool education.

The system has so far recorded 125,612 views to search the list of preschool education facilities.

“This shows that the data is truly necessary for parents,” she said.

Newly licensed preschool education facilities, and preschool establishments dissolved or suspended will be updated on the system by districts and Thủ Đức City.

“The information is updated regularly, helping parents to seek preschools and classes precisely and easily,” she added.

Lê Thụy Mỵ Châu, deputy director of the department, said the city's preschool education continues to promote digital transformation with many solutions.

Accordingly, it will complete the general management database system of the entire preschool level, moving towards comprehensive digitalisation.

The department has urged preschool education facilities to complete the integration of nutritional declarations and calculations for the nutritional values of food on the shared database by the end of the 2023-24 academic year.

It has developed a standard for connecting data reporting and statistics on declaring calculations for the nutritional values from preschool education facilities, integrating it into preschool education management on the shared data system.

Up to now, some 2,525 facilities have completed the work, accounting for 79.5 per cent. 

Female players called up to U20 squad for Asian tournament

Akira Ijiri, head coach of the Vietnamese women’s football U20 team, has officially announced the 28-player squad for the final round of the 2024 AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup, which will take place in Uzbekistan from March 3 to 16.

The squad comprises outstanding players, including Lê Thị Bảo Trâm, Hồ Thị Thanh Thảo and Trần Nhật Lan from Việt Nam Coal and Mineral FC; Nguyễn Phương Thảo and Lê Thị Thu from Hà Nam Sports Training Centre; and Trương Thị Hoài Trinh and Lê Thị Thơm from Hà Nội Sports Training Centre.

Key players such as Ngọc Minh Chuyên and Vũ Thị Hoa, who won the Golden Ball awards in 2023, have also made it to the squad.

Furthermore, players from Thái Nguyên T&T, HCM City and Sơn La Clubs are also featured.

Captain Trâm expressed her excitement, saying: "I am very happy to be part of the list of 28 players preparing for the Asian Cup. My first goal is to secure a spot in the final list of 23 players participating in the tournament in Uzbekistan. In 2023, the Vietnamese senior women's team competed in the FIFA Women's World Cup. Despite being underdogs, they always fought with great spirit for the Vietnamese national flag. We will strive to learn from them and follow in their footsteps."

Despite the cold weather in Hà Nội, the team continue to actively practise and diligently follow the coaching staff's training plans, with two sessions per day, aiming to be fully prepared for the Asian event.

"Certain coaches have different football philosophies. There are differences at the club level, and when joining the national team, there are further differences. However, when we joined the U20 national team, we received tremendous support, and our football philosophy became more modern. The unexpected weather change did affect us to some extent since it was quite cold, but that wasn't a problem. We still made an effort to integrate and adapt as quickly as possible," Trâm said.

In the 2024 AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup, Việt Nam finds themselves in Group B and will face defending champions Japan, second runners-up North Korea, and 2006 champions China.

In Group A, hosts Uzbekistan will compete against South Korea, Australia and Chinese Taipei.

The top four teams of the tournament will qualify for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Colombia as the AFC representatives. 

Daejeon Hana Citizen win Hana Play Cup 2024

Daejeon Hana Citizen FC won the friendly Hana Play Cup 2024, beating Thể Công-Viettel 2-1 in the final on January 27 in Hà Nội.

Joaquim Ribeiro Leandro of the South Korean side made a double in the second after Nguyễn Công Phương opened the score for the host side whose star Nguyễn Hoàng Đức wasted a penalty.

Daejeon Hana Citizen beat Indonesian Bali United 1-0 while Thể Công-Viettel won a penalty shootout over Hà Nội FC to see each other in the final.

In the cold weather, both sides produced threatening opportunities in the first half but none of them could find the back of the net.

Returning home from the Asian Cup, midfielder Khuất Văn Khang made a smart run before sending a ball to Phương in the box. The teenager fired into the far corner of goalkeeper Lee Joonseo at the 69th minute.

Leandro levelled the score with an easy tap-in in the box at the 71st minute.

Minutes later, Thể Công-Viettel had an opportunity to go ahead after they were awarded a spot kick. However, Đức's finish went out.

At the 77th minute, Leandro took a ball and made a perfect shot over keeper Phạm Văn Phong to make 2-1.

In the third-place playoff, 10-man Bali United tied Hà Nội 1-1 after 90 minutes. 

Made Andhika of Bali United opened the score at the 11th minute. His teammate Eber Bessa was sent off after he hit Brandon Wilson of Hà Nội eight minutes to the interval.

Hà Nội gradually took charge of the game and levelled the score when Denilson headed home in early second half.

After the official time, both sides entered the spot kicks. The capital city representative again lost 4-5 in the penalties and saw the Indonesians taking the bronze. 

Health sector should simplify formalities to win patients’ satisfaction

The administrative procedures in public hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City recently are cumbersome; plus, the hospital staff's attitude is not friendly, and the waiting time for each step is very long.

A man who used to live and work abroad for a long time have found that the medical service facilities in Ho Chi Minh City in particular and Vietnam in general are always good, even better than the average level in the world with many state-of-the-art machinery and equipment. Medical workers quickly examine a patient in comparison in developed countries. But while the city's health sector is always making efforts to expand, improve facilities, improve the quality of medical examination and treatment, and put patients at the center, people's satisfaction is decreasing.

According to statistics from the Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City, the most unsatisfactory stages include medical examination registration procedures, health insurance examination procedures, restrooms to serve patients, and information and instructions for patients. Patients, seats waiting for examination, waiting for tests.

In addition, it must be admitted that currently, medical examination and treatment prices at public medical facilities are not reasonable, even too low. The same price for medical examination and treatment at different levels makes patients prefer to visit large hospitals, leading to patient overload. Therefore, the health sector should divide the medical examination and treatment level. The higher the hospital level, the higher the treatment fee and patients have to pay more when going to large hospitals.

To do that, health insurance premiums must be increased according to income. For example, in developed countries, medical examination and treatment will be free for students, while workers will be charged according to their salary. Thus, it is expected that health insurance examinations will not be overloaded, medical staff can work without great pressure and patients will enjoy better services.

Lots of people hospitalized due to bitter cold weather

Recently, many hospitals have received numerous patients suffering from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, stroke and carbon monoxide poisoning from charcoal for heat.

In particular, the Lang Son Provincial General Hospital and Loc Binh District Health Center in Lang Son Province reported that the health conditions of three patients who got carbon monoxide poisoning after burning charcoal in a closed room for heat have stabilized.

Information from the Bac Kan Provincial General Hospital showed that from January 22 to January 25, the hospital received more than 100 patients.

Over half of these cases are respiratory and cardiovascular diseases along with a rapid increase in stroke cases, mostly for elderly people with underlying health conditions.

In recent two days, the Ky Anh Town General Hospital in Ha Tinh Province received six cases who get carbon monoxide poisoning while using charcoal in their rooms for heat.

After receiving intensive treatment, the health conditions of the patients have gradually stabilized.

Currently, the entire Northern region has been suffering from extreme cold weather with temperatures falling to below 10 degrees Celsius.

Tens of thousands of students have had to take a break from school to avoid the cold.

A thick layer of heavy ice and hoar frost has occurred on the tops of Mau Son (Lang Son Province), Phia Oac (Cao Bang Province) and other places like Phieng Phang (Ba Be, Bac Kan), Xin Cai (Meo Vac, Ha Giang), Thuong Ha (Bao Lac, Cao Bang), Lung Cu (Dong Van, Ha Giang) and Nhiu Co San (Bat Xat, Lao Cai) with temperatures of below zero degree Celsius.

On the peak of Mau Son Mountain, the temperature dropped down to minus 2.6 degrees Celsius.

Amid the bitter cold days, thousands of tourists have been flocking to the peak of Mau Son Mountain to watch ice and take photos. 
According to a report from the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control on January 25, the persistent frost and extreme cold spell has killed at least 38 livestock in Cao Bang, Dien Bien and Bac Kan provinces.

Vietnam strengthens measures against doping

Vietnam has been adopting a range of necessary measures to combat doping, including education, prevention, detection, and deterrence.

Doping referring to the use of banned substances in competitive sports is a painful problem in sports. Some Vietnamese athletes have used doping, which is also a warning bell for experts. Therefore, training and propaganda to prevent doping must be strengthened, especially when the 2024 Paris Olympics (France) and the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games are approaching.

In 2024, to promote anti-doping activities in sports, the Vietnam National Anti-Doping Center under the Department of Sports and Physical Training, will organize 4 classes on anti-doping media education at 4 national sports training centers in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Can Tho. This center also organized a class for collaborators on anti-doping communication education in Hanoi and also conducted direct anti-doping communication at 15 sports tournaments organized by federations. Athletes are encouraged to participate in courses and tests to obtain certificates on the ADEL system.

According to the plan, the center will organize sampling for doping testing during competition (75 urine samples) at the 2024 National Championships. In addition, it will organize sampling for 15 athletes who register for doping testing annually including urine and ABP blood samples. To improve their professional work, many officials will be sent to study and exchange cooperation programs with the Korean and Chinese Anti-Doping Organizations.

In 2024, Vietnamese sports will increase updates on the latest changes in anti-doping activities in the world through participating in the annual conferences of the World Anti-Doping Organization in Switzerland, the Ministerial Conference on Anti-Doping in Asia and Oceania and the annual Asian regional professional conference in Korea.

Hanoi organizes festival of peach blossoms, kumquats for first time

Hanoi has organized a festival of peach blossoms, kumquats and regional OCOP products on the occasion of the traditional Tet holiday (the Lunar New Year).

At the creative space of Tay Ho District, the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with the People's Committee of Tay Ho District has just held the festival of peach blossoms, kumquats and OCOP products from regions for the celebration of the Lunar New Year. The festival will last until February 1.

The first-ever festival has more than 100 booths displaying and introducing OCOP products, and regional specialties that are indispensable in the flavor of Tet, along with famous peach blossoms and kumquats of Tay Ho district.

In addition, a special section for recreating the Vietnamese Tet space and traditional Tet folk games from traditional craft villages such as experiencing sausage making profession of Tan Uoc commune, Bat Trang pottery, the art of Kim Hoang painting, shaping to he in Xuan La village, wrapping banh chung (Vietnamese traditional stick rice cake) in Tranh Khuc village, making hats in Chuong village, sewing Trach Xa ao dai. Products of Son Dong worship craft village are also displayed at the festival.

Hanoi Spring in the works of prominent artists

Hanoi Spring, an exhibition at the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts, Hanoi, features 36 unique artworks by famous artists selected from the museum's modern art collection and Hang Trong folk painting collection.

Nguyen Anh Minh, Director of the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts, emphasized that spring in Hanoi is a unique feature and a source of inspiration for artists. Many literary and artistic works about spring have been imprinted on people's minds.

"As for visual arts, the atmosphere, scenery, and harmony of Hanoi's spring have always been a source of inspiration for many generations of artists. This source never stops, just like the four seasons that sequence in a year, just like life that is always moving, developing and breeding," he said.

On display are unique paintings and prints about spring and the beauty of the capital's tradition, such as Going to Tet Market, Five Kinds of Fruits, or Flower Market by painters Nguyen Tien Chung, Pham Van Don, and Tran Luu Hau.

Some artworks depicted the moment of New Year's Eve, such as works by Le Quoc Loc, Nguyen Tu Nghiem, and Pham Viet Hai.

The spring atmosphere, beautiful spring landscapes, and pagoda ceremonies are reflected in the works of famous painters Bui Xuan Phai, Nguyen Nghia Duyen, and Nguyen Trong Kiem.

A special feature of this exhibition is the application of digital graphic display, projection, and mapping.

According to Pham Trung Hung, Director of CMYK Vietnam Co., Ltd, the exhibition of original works combined with graphic techniques and 3D mapping projection will bring a new experience to the public. The exhibition continues to utilize the superiority of digital technology in displaying fine artworks, providing solutions to promote the value of artworks. In particular, precious works and national treasures will be displayed more frequently and made widely accessible to the art-loving public at home and abroad.

"This unique combination promises to create strong emotions for the public. Because visitors can immerse themselves in the painting or role-play as the main character in the work," Hung said.

The exhibition runs until February 25 at the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts, 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hanoi.

Lunar New Year celebrations for overseas Vietnamese held abroad

Some 1,300 overseas Vietnamese in Germany gathered at an event to celebrate the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival held by the Vietnamese Embassy on January 28.

The event also saw the participation of representatives from other embassies in the host country such as Laos, Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand, the US, China and Japan as well as from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Parliamentary Group in the German Parliament, the Ministry of Economy, the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, the German-Vietnamese Association, the mayors of Lichtenberg and Marzahn – Hellersdorf, among others.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Vu Quang Minh affirmed that 2023 was a very special year, as the strategic partnership of the two countries has reaped fruits in all fields of economy, trade, politics, defence-security, education, labour and development cooperation.

The diplomat emphasised the relations between the two sides have been expanded and deepened continuously, particularly after the historic visit to Vietnam of German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz in November 2022 and another in early 2024 by German President Frank Walter-Steinmeier.

Germany is the second homeland of more than 200,000 Vietnamese people. The community is an important factor in fostering the traditional friendship between the people and governments of the two countries.

Mayors of Lichtenberg and Marzahn-Hellersdorf districts appreciated the role of the Vietnamese community in Germany in general and in the districts in particular, affirming that the community has significantly contributed to the districts' socio-economic development.

On the same day, the Vietnamese Embassy in Switzerland held a pre-Tet programme in Bern, with the participation of hundreds of overseas Vietnamese and international friends in the country.

 The Vietnamese Embassy in Switzerland holds a pre-Tet programme in Bern on Jan 28 (Photo: VNA)
In his remarks, Ambassador Phung The Long stressed the overseas Vietnamese community is an inseparable part of the great national unity bloc, and is always of concern to the Vietnamese Party, State and people.

On January 27, the Vietnamese Embassy in Slovakia also organised a “Homeland Spring” programme in Bratislava to bring the warm Tet atmosphere to the Vietnamese community in the European country.

On August 25, 2023, the Vietnamese community was recognised as the 14th ethnic minority group of the host country. The recognition is a testament to their active role in Slovakia's development, thus making more effective contributions to the Vietnam-Slovakia friendship.

People-centred approach creates intrinsic strength for nation’s development: scholar

The Vietnamese Party and Government have put the people in the centre of development policies, helping garner intrinsic strength for the national construction and development, according to a scholar in the US.

Nguyen Chung, Director of the Vietnamese Language Programme under the Columbia University’s Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, told the Vietnam News Agency that the people-centred policies have an important role to play in deepening the country’s integration into the world.

As a dynamic, active and responsible member of the international community, Vietnam has not only protected the interests of its people but also taken actions for the benefits of the whole world, including safeguarding the rights of developing countries with difficulties, she said.

Vietnam has made contributions to the multilateral forums, which has been recognised and respected by international community, Chung highlighted.

Chung said culture is a torch which has lighted the way for people to go and to branch out the nation over the past years.

Industriousness and solidarity are among the standout cultural characteristics of the Vietnamese people, which are significant for them to better engage in
and make contributions to the foreign communities, she highlighted.

Chung also spoke highly of the country’s policy to put aside the past and open a new chapter in the relations with the US and many other countries, saying Vietnam’s tolerance and willingness to walk into a brighter future has contributed greatly to its integration process.

Uruguay party leader hails CPV’s role in Vietnam’s achievements

The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) plays the key role in leading the nation of Vietnam to many victories in the cause of national defence and construction, stated Secretary General of the Communist Party of Uruguay Juan Castillo in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on January 29.

Castillo expressed his admiration for the heroic fighting spirit of the Vietnamese people, as well as their tireless efforts in building the country.

He clarified that the CPV’s responsibility in promoting the sustainable development of the over-100-million-strong nation is extremely high.

President Ho Chi Minh, who is the CPV founder, and generations of Vietnamese leaders have been leading Vietnam to socialism and progress in the “Doi Moi” (Renewal) cause.

The Communist Party of Uruguay leader said he hopes to further strengthen cooperation between the two Parties so as to learn experience of Vietnam in national construction and development for the benefit of the people.

He spoke highly of the two country’s exchange of delegations, especially the Uruguay visit by Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue in April 2023.

Together with the administration of Montevideo, the Communist Party of Uruguay has worked to speed up the building of a space for the Vietnamese culture, with an image of President Ho Chi Minh  to be erected in the capital city to commemorate the late leader who once visit ports in Uruguay and Argentina, he said.

Castillo took the occasion to extend his greetings to the CPV on its 94th founding anniversary.

PM urges drastic actions to ensure traffic safety during Tet

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called for drastic actions to ensure traffic order and safety during the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday and spring festivals, as heavy traffic is forecast.

In a dispatch sent to relevant ministries, agencies, and localities on January 29, the leader highlighted the communications work to promote the observance of traffic rules.

Specifically, the Minister of Transport was asked to instruct the Department for Roads of Vietnam to closely control vehicles through the monitoring system, and promptly handle violations.

The Ministry of Transport will direct its units, departments and companies to ensure the quality and safety of passenger and cargo transportation services, with more attention to be paid to Tan Son Nhat and Noi Bai International Airports.

Transport departments and contractors need to ensure the safety of infrastructure projects, the PM said, urging the smooth operation of the non-stop toll collection system.

The upgrade and maintenance of major traffic routes must be completed one week ahead of Tet, and plans devised to regulate traffic on major routes to the centres of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as railway stations, airports, wharves, and festival sites.

The Ministry of Information and Communications was requested to instruct press agencies to increase information about traffic order and safety during Tet and spring festivals.

The leader also asked the health sector to mobilise human resources, equipment, and drugs in case of traffic accidents.

Ministries, agencies, and localities will present reports on traffic order and safety during the seven-day holiday, starting February 8, to the National Traffic Safety Committee that will submit them to the PM.

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