The Government Office has issued a document announcing Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang's directions made at his recent teleconference with leaders of 13 Mekong Delta localities, requesting more aggressive actions to combat illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing.

Accordingly, Deputy PM Quang requested that plans and agenda must be carefully prepared before the upcoming working session with the European Commission's fourth inspection team, in order to have the commission’s ‘yellow card’ warning against Vietnamese seafood exports removed by October 2023.

The Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, National Defence and Foreign Affairs and relevant localities are required to strictly follow the Prime Minister's directions on the action plan against IUU fishing.

The Ministry of National Defence was asked to coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in proposing effective solutions to prevent fishing vessels from violating foreign waters.

The Ministry of Public Security should prosecute those involved in bringing Vietnamese fishing boats and fishermen to infringe upon foreign waters.

The Deputy PM also required the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to coordinate with coastal localities to well perform their task of protecting and regenerating aquatic resources, and developing effective occupation change models.

Local authorities should intensify management over their fishing fleets and coordinate with competent agencies to investigate and radically sanction acts of IUU fishing, according to the conclusion.

Regarding the completion of software to combat IUU fishing, Deputy PM Quang assigned the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to work with the People's Committee of Ca Mau province to finish the work in August, and consider replicating the application of the software in other localities.

Vietnamese Party official on working visit to China

A Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) delegation led by Politburo member Nguyen Xuan Thang is on a working visit to China at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

On July 10, Thang, who is also President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) and Chairman of the Central Theory Council, paid a courtesy call to Cai Qi, member of the Politburo Standing Committee, Secretary of the CPC Central Committee’s Secretariat and Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee; and held talks with Li Shulei, Politburo member, Secretary of the CPC Central Committee’s Secretariat and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee.

During talks and meetings, both sides spoke highly of new positive developments in the relations between the two Parties and countries over the past years, especially following the historic China visit by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong right after the 20th National Congress of the CPC.

The two countries’ ministries, agencies, organisations and localities have actively and effectively realised the high-level common perceptions and the Joint Statement on continuing to promote and deepen the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative relationship.

Exchanges and visits at all levels, especially high level, have been maintained regularly while the exchange of theory and experience in Party building and national governance has been enhanced.

The economic and trade relations have maintained a positive growth momentum, and locality-to-locality cooperation has shown encouraging progress.

Cai Qi stressed that ties between the two Parties serve as an important foundation and overall, strategic direction for bilateral relationship.

The Chinese Party and State are ready to work with their Vietnamese counterparts to lift the traditional friendship between the two Parties and countries to a greater height, making bilateral cooperation in various fields increasingly effective and substantive, he said.

On the occasion, Thang conveyed Vietnamese Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong’s greetings and invitation to Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping to visit Vietnam this year.

He affirmed that his visit aims to realise the high-level common perceptions and the Vietnam-China Joint Statement in 2022. It represents a continuation of the high-level exchanges and contacts between the two Parties and countries.

In its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of external relations, Vietnam always values and gives top priority to developing ties with China and stays ready to work together with Chinese Party and State to advance the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership into a new development phase, with greater political trust, more effective and substantive cooperation, more solid social foundation, and better control and settlement of differences based on the high-level common perceptions and in accordance with international law, he said.

They agreed to realise agreements reached between the two Party leaders, strengthen the leadership and direction of the Party in the overall relationship between the two countries, facilitate high-level and regular exchanges and contacts, continue to deepen theoretical and practical exchanges between the two Parties, especially regarding Party building and national governance, expand people-to-people and locality-to-locality exchanges to consolidate the foundation of friendship, and together maintain an environment of peace and stability.

Earlier, the Vietnamese delegation held discussions with experts, scholars and theorists from the CPC, engaging in in-depth exchanges on theoretical innovations and practical achievements of each Party and country. During their stay in Beijing, Thang and his entourage visited staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in China.

On July 11, they are due to hold a working session with leaders of the CPC’s Central Party School and paid a working trip to Guangdong province.

Party official receives Chairman of LDP’s Policy Research Council

Politburo member Truong Thi Mai, Chairwoman of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Parliamentarians Group, received Hagiuda Koichi, member of the Japanese House of Representatives and Chairman of the Policy Research Council of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), in Hanoi on July 10.

Highly appreciating the positive development of the Vietnam-Japan ties, including the relationship between the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and LDP, the host and guest exchanged views on the Vietnam-Japan relations’ future growth and the enhancement of engagements between young Vietnamese and Japanese leaders and parliamentarians as well as of the locality-to-locality and people-to-people exchanges.

Mai, who is also Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and Chairwoman of the CPV Central Committee's Organisation Commission affirmed Vietnam attached importance to its ties with Japan and highly valued Japan’s cooperation with and investment in Vietnam.

She recommended Japan to further strengthen the foundation of the CPV-LDP ties in the Vietnam-Japan relations, increase high-level exchanges and meetings, and promote practical cooperation across fields.

The official also proposed Japan continue to provide new-generation ODA in line with Vietnam's development needs, coordinate with Vietnam at multilateral forums, and support Vietnam in maintaining peace, stability, and cooperation in the East Sea in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

For his part, Hagiuda affirmed that Japan highly values Vietnam’s position in its regional policy and wishes to cooperate with Vietnam in organising activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the two nations’ diplomatic relations and implement contents discussed between General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong and LDP Chairman and Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida at their high-level online talks in February.

Hagiuda expressed his wish to further enhance cooperation between the two Parties, coordinate with Vietnam in human resource training, and effectively implement the Vietnam-Japan University project.

Highly appreciating the contributions of the Vietnamese community in Japan to the host nation’s economic and social development, he said that in the future, Japan will expand its reception of skilled Vietnamese labourers.

On the same day, Hagiuda held talks with Chairman of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung and worked with Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien.

NA Vice Chairman hosts Lao counterpart in Kien Giang

Vietnam always wishes to deepen the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Laos, Permanent National Assembly Vice Chairman Tran Thanh Man told Lao NA Vice Chairwoman and Chairwoman of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group Sounthone Xayachack during a reception in the southern province of Kien Giang on July 10.

Xayachack is leading a Lao delegation to the 14th meeting of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Caucus in the province's Phu Quoc city.

Man told his guest that the Vietnamese NA Standing Committee’s Deputy Affairs Board is collaborating to hold training courses for the Lao NA deputies while the Office of the Vietnamese NA is conducting Vietnamese language classes for the Lao NA’s Secretariat. The two legislatures also facilitate working visits and exchanges at the committee level, between friendship parliamentarian groups, and work closely together at global and regional inter-parliamentary forums.

The Vietnamese NA is ready to share experience with and help the Lao NA in law building, supervision and deciding on the country’s important issues. It is also willing to assist the Lao NA in holding the first Summit of the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam National Assemblies slated for December, and assuming the role of ASEAN Chair and AIPA Chair in 2024, Man said.

Xayachack, for her part, wished that both sides would speed up and complete several projects partly funded by Vietnam.

About the Lao NA building, she suggested the two sides continue sharing experience in the operation and maintenance of the building to ensure its effective and smooth functioning.

She also hoped that the Vietnamese legislature would work with the Lao side to ensure the success of the Summit this year.

Japan's Miyazaki prefecture delegation pays working visit to Nam Dinh

A delegation of Japan's Miyazaki prefecture led by its Governor Kohno Syunji paid a working trip to the northern province of Nam Dinh on July 10.

At a working session with leaders of the province, Syunji expressed his delight at visiting Nam Dinh on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties this year.

He wished that the partnership between Miyazaki prefecture and Nam Dinh province would achieve even more fruitful results, contributing to the continued economic development of both sides.

The Governor pledged to do his best to step up collaboration with Nam Dinh, especially in clean and high-quality agriculture projects.

Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Pham Dinh Nghi suggested the two localities expand the model of producing and using organic fertilisers in localities and agricultural enterprises. It also aims to promote the consumption of organic fruits and vegetables in tandem with Nam Dinh's One Commune One Product (OCOP) programme, targeting the Japanese market for high-quality agricultural products from the province.

He proposed Miyazaki prefecture and Minami Kyushu University continue supporting the project on building a partnership model with Japan to develop high-quality vocational training in agriculture in Nam Dinh. The specific contents include sending agricultural experts to Nam Dinh to support training activities, and completing necessary procedures to receive graduates for study and work in Miyazaki prefecture and the Minami Kyushu University.

Nghi also urged the Agricultural Cooperative Association (JA) in Miyazaki prefecture to back the establishment of a production and consumption support model in Nam Dinh based on JA’s operational methods.

HCMC launches action plan for implementing national cybersecurity strategy

The HCMC People’s Committee has just issued an action plan for implementing a national cybersecurity strategy in response to cyberspace challenges till 2025 with a vision towards 2030 in the city.
 
Under the plan, the southern metropolis will focus on propagandizing to create a strong transformation, raise awareness and actions on cybersecurity work in State agencies, businesses, and people’s day-to-day activities; building human resources in cybersecurity in the city.

Especially, the city will pay attention to creating digital trust; building an honest, civilized, and healthy network environment; and preventing and combating law violations in cyberspace; strengthening the State management of information safety and network security in agencies, units, and enterprises in HCMC.

Among the seven strategic goals, HCMC set targets of reaching a rate of information systems at levels 3, 4, and 5 which will be classified and protected in accordance with the levels and rate of information systems that were approved and reached a target of 80 percent in 2023. These targets are expected to gain 90 and 100 percent by 2024 and 205 respectively.

Five other goals, including the rates of servers and workstations in state agencies in installing anti-malware software and sharing information with the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC); rate of malware detection of Botnet IP of servers at State agencies; and rate of security assessment of information system of State agencies must annually reach 100 percent.

The city asked agencies and units to carry out missions synchronously, scientifically, and effectively. The Department of Information and Communications is responsible for monitoring, instructing, and inspecting units and businesses related to building plans to perform tasks, examining and urging the implementation of the plans, and making a report of difficulties and challenges to submit to the municipal People’s Committee.

Khánh Hoà promotes night-time economy development

The coastal province of Khánh Hoà has begun a project to develop its night-time economy by 2030 to lure tourists and increase their length of stay and spending.

The project, which is one of the province’s important strategies to boost its tourism and economy, focuses on cultural services, entertainment activities, food and beverage services, shopping, city tours and production activities.

The province plans to upgrade and develop current facilities for night-time economy to serve several activities such as night markets, and music and street art shows.

The night-time activities will be held along Nha Trang Beach in Nha Trang City, Bãi Dài Cam Ranh Beach in Cam Lâm District, and Dốc Lết Beach in Ninh Hòa Town.

Local authorities are in charge of managing food safety and hygiene, service quality, environmental sanitation, security and order and noise pollution at these areas.

Lê Hữu Hoàng, permanent vice chairman of the province’s People’s Committee, said the night-time activities would take place at specific times at tourism sites crowded with tourists.

In addition, Khánh Hoà would build night tours to cultural and historical sites and popular tourism areas, along with boat tours.

The province also planned to call for investment in projects in night-time economy development, including a large-scale night entertainment complex far away from residential areas.

Khánh Hòa is one of the most-visited destinations in Việt Nam, attracting tourists with beaches and many entertainment activities such as the 2023 Nha Trang – Khánh Hoà Sea Festival in June.

The province welcomed more than 2.78 million visitors in the first six months of 2023, earning revenue of VNĐ12.6 trillion (US$532 million).

The province expects the development of the night-time economy will help attract 8.8 million visitors, including 4.5 million foreigners by 2025, and 13.8 million tourists with 7 million international tourists by 2030. 

Efforts being made to improve HCMC water tourism: authorities

Proper planning and investments are necessary to tap HCM City’s water tourism potential, local officials and tour operators have said.

The city has a number of advantages such as the centrally located Bạch Đằng Wharf and the Nhiêu Lộc Thị Nghè Canal that passes through the centre, Phan Xuân Anh, general director of Du Ngoạn Việt (Việt Excursions) Ltd, said.

“The city’s rivers are also a way for tourists to travel to Mekong Delta provinces and neighbouring countries like Thailand and Cambodia.”

The director of the HCM City’s Department of Tourism, Nguyễn Thị Ánh Hoa, said improving river tourism would enable tourists to sightsee and understand more about Vietnamese culture, history, and eco-systems.

Anh said this has been precluded by the lack of a proper and synchronised structure, making it hard for water tourism to compete with other modes.

Trần Phương Linh, marketing and information technology director at Bến Thành Tourist Service Corporation, said travel agencies have been struggling to get customers for water tours.

“Besides, polluted rivers are a concern for this form of travel.”

Travel companies said facilities and entertainment activities along rivers are not as good as those in France or China, and strategic planning and renovation are critical to making river tours more attractive.

Nguyễn Trần Hoàng Phương, acting head of the Institute of Social Tourism Research, said river tours require diverse experiences but operators only provide short tours and dining experiences on ships, which were hardly sufficient.

Hoa said at the end of this year a River Festival will be organised by the city's tourism authority to develop waterway tourism.

“We also have been working with travel companies to create overnight river tours and developing water sports activities in Cần Giờ District, and there will be more products available in future.”

Trà Bồng District preserves cultural identity of Cor people

The preservation of their cultural identity is not only essential for their own community but also for the diversity and richness of Vietnamese culture as a whole.

The Cor ethnic people in Trà Bồng District in the central province of Quảng Ngãi has a rich and unique cultural heritage. In recent years, the local authorities have been actively preserving and promoting the Cor culture by organising exchange programmes and activities, with efforts to spread their culture awareness among the young generations.

One of the district's goals is to establish one or two cultural villages, restore Cor traditional houses, festivals, and art troupes, particularly, promote the value of their gong culture that has been recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage.

In late 2022, Trà Thủy Commune organised the first Cor ethnic culture preservation club congress for the 2022-27 period, and master artisan Hồ Ngọc An was elected as the club's chairman.

“On weekends, village elders teach youngsters how to play the gongs. This intergenerational transmission has been occurring for generations, and the Cor people have been doing a good job of preserving their gong culture,” An told baodantoc.vn.

Various activities to preserve and promote the cultural values of ethnic minorities, including the Cor, have also been carried out by the Education Department of Trà Bồng District in recent years. Specifically, they have opened gong playing classes for students of various ethnic groups, established gong culture preservation clubs in schools, and organised cultural activities and events to help students understand and appreciate their cultural heritage.

The Cor is one of the 54 ethnic groups in Việt Nam, with a population of over 32,000 people mainly living in the Central Highlands region. They are known for their unique cultural traditions, such as playing gongs and handloom weaving. The preservation of their cultural identity is not only essential for their own community but also for the diversity and richness of Vietnamese culture as a whole.

Phát sets eyes on international WBC title

Trương Cao Minh Phát is focused on winning Việt Nam the World Boxing Council (WBC) Muay Thai International Title on July 16 in HCM City.

He begins his day with Muay Thai and wraps it up in a cage. The circle of tough exercises and sparring has been repeated for many years, creating a strong, brave and wiry fighter, with an intense dedication.

Trương Cao Minh Phát is focused on winning Việt Nam the World Boxing Council (WBC) Muay Thai International Title on July 16 in HCM City.

Born in 1995 in the Central Highlands province of Lâm Đồng, Phát fell in love with martial arts when he was small.

He first practised taekwondo and Việt Nam traditional martial arts before he recognised Muay Thai as his true passion. 

After three years of practising, Phát earned his first positive results in competition. Later, he joined the Saigon Sports Club whose managers sent him to Thailand, the motherland of Muay, to sharpen his skills and improve his technique over five months.

He said the time in Thailand was a terrible period as he suffered tons of vicious punches, kicks and elbow and knee strikes from his trainers and sparring partners. However, he learnt Muay from the finest and strongly developed.

Phát is now famous locally and regionally in both amateur and professional competitions. Under his belt are six national championship titles, one bronze and one silver from the SEA Games and one bronze from the Asian championship.

Professionally, he won in the 2018 Mekong Fighting Championship and the 2022 Muay Thai Grand Prix: The Home Coming.

He is currently No 15 in the world ranking in the super feather weight class. In Việt Nam he is the biggest giant killer after beating three top fighters.

With his smart tactics and exceptional fitness, Phát knocked out title favourite Nguyễn Doãn Long in the 2016 national championship. He floored Võ Văn Đài at the 2018 national club championship. He also made a big bang in the Muay Thai community by beating the legendary Nhất, a 12-times winner, on points in the 2019 national championship.

After that milestone, Phát was nicknamed 'the overthrower'.

Coach Nguyễn Kế Nhơn praised Phát's personality and strongly believes in a bright future for the man.

As one of the fighters in the world top 15, Phát is qualified for a belt title match in the WBC. He will face Morrocan Hicham Boulahri to vie for the super featherweight title on July 16.

Although Boulahri is two steps lower than Phát in the ranking, it is still a tough challenge for the Vietnamese.

Coach Nhơn has built up a special training schedule for Phát to become a WBC winner. With Muay in his blood, Phát said he had no regrets about deciding to pursue martial arts as a career.

Basketball tournament returns promising fierce battles

The Northern Region Basketball Open is back in action after four years of absence this weekend at the Hà Nội's Cầu Giấy Gymnasium.

The tournament was first organised in 2014 and ran until 2018. It was then cancelled due to a number of different reasons.

This year it will feature 16 teams representing of cities and provinces from the northwith the opening ceremony on July 8 night. 

There were several matches held prior to the opening.

Bắc Giang won 84-47 over Hà Giang while Quảng Ninh lost 49-59 to Hoà Bình on July 7.

Earlier, Hải Phòng trounced Thái Nguyên 67-35; Hà Nội defeated Ninh Bình 100-75; Nghệ An defeated Hải Dương 83-55 and Thái Bình beat Lào Cai 40-35.

Through the event, organisers and the Hà Nội's Department of Culture and Sports will review the development of clubs and athletes in the north. Talented players will be introduced to the cities' and provincial squads and professional clubs. 

Teams are divided into four groups competing in the round robin format. The two best teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals.

Among them, Hà Nội is the top title favourite as it is home to former Vietnam Basketball Association players such as Local MVP Phú Hoàng, Thành Nam, Hưng James and Việt Anh. Meanwhile, other players were former national team members including Sỹ Dũng and Đức Huy.

Nghệ An is another team with potential thanks to Đình Tài and Ngọc Bảo  who, despite their youth, proved their abilities in different competitions. Rising star Từ Dương Huy, who is playing in this year VBA, is also a key of the team.

The final is scheduled on July 15 and the winner will walk away with VNĐ20 million. The second and third place teams will earn VNĐ10 million and VNĐ5 million, respectively.

Awards of VNĐ3 million and gifts will be given to MVP of the tournament. All matches will be broadcast live on VTVcab platforms and their fanpage. 

Best athletes to tee off at the national golf championship

The Tiền Phong Newspaper National Golf Championship will be held on August 8-11 in Hải Phòng City with a total of VNĐ1.2 billion delivered to the top-ranking athletes.

It is the second time that the newspaper has cooperated with the sports authority of Việt Nam and the Vietnam Golf Association holding the largest national competition for both professional and amateur players.

As many as 160 golfers, including 120 men and 40 women, will tee off in four rounds of 18 holes each at Vinpearl Golf Hải Phòng.

Organisers rule that the maximum handicap is six for amateur male golfers and 10 for females to ensure the quality of the 72-hole event.

The men will vie for a bonus of VNĐ1 billion while it is VNĐ200 million for women.

The top athletes will be picked for the national team in international events.

At the Hải Phòng tournament, all national teams who are to compete at the upcoming 19th Asian Games in China play free of charge while U18 talents will pay only 50 per cent of the fee.

A conference about Hải Phòng, a destination of golf tourism, will be organised during this time. Participants and visitors will have a chance to discuss golf tourism potential in Hải Phòng, as well as in Việt Nam in general.

Organisers will present scholarships for local poor students with good talent.

First organised in 2005, the national championship is the oldest golf event in the country, setting a foundation for the VGA's competition system.

For many years, it was the pioneering event, pushing the development of national golf.

Over the past 17 years, the tournament has expanded its scale, allowing foreigners to compete in 2008 and opening a category for women in 2012.

Last year marked a turning point of the championship when VGA decided to list it as an event of the VGA Tour, making it the only professional competition for the local golfers.

According to organisers, the switch helped them to find the best Vietnamese athletes, nurture their talents and prepare them for international tournaments.

Nguyễn Anh Minh and Đoàn Xuân Khuê Minh were the men's and women's champions, respectively, last year. They played key roles in Việt Nam's successful results at the recent 32nd SEA Games, winning one gold and one silver.

Young taekwondo fighters to compete at national championship

The 2023 National Taekwondo Age Groups Championship will see more than 1,000 athletes and coaches competing in Hà Nội from July 7-14.

This year sets a new record for the number of participants, hailing from 45 cities and provinces, at the annual tournament sponsored by CJ Group.

Competitors will be split into four age groups for male and female fighters. There are 17 events for the U12s; 31 events for 12-14-year-old group; 32 for 15-17-year-old ones and 30 for those from 18-20 years old.

"This tournament will give us a chance to discover new taekwondo talents who will be the core of the future national team. I have been involved in the event for many years and believe that it is a great stage for the youngsters to show their abilities," said Lê Thị Hoàng Yến, deputy director of the Sports Authority of Việt Nam (SAV).

The organisers said that outstanding athletes from this year's tournament will be added to the national youth team and take part in the 12th Asian Junior Taekwondo Championships in Beirut, Lebanon, in early September.

Among the notable athletes are Nguyễn Thị Mai and Nguyễn Thị Loan, 2022 Asian Youth Championship silver medallists and bronze medallist Trần Trịnh Trọng; alongside Nguyễn Thị Thùy Linh and Nguyễn Hữu Phát, 2023 Southeast Asian Youth Championship gold and silver holders.

CJ has been a long-term partner of SAV and the Việt Nam Taekwondo Federation. The South Korean firm has been involved in a number of activities and pays salaries for South Korean taekwondo experts working for the national team; covers Vietnamese players' and coaches' expenses when they were training in South Korea, provides training equipment and delivers bonuses to those who earn good results from international competitions.

With their help, Vietnam pocketed remarkable achievements at the Tokyo Olympics by Truong Thi Thanh Tuyen and at the 31st SEA Games in 2022.

Institute of Environment, Sea and Islands Science to be established

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has signed a decision to establish the Institute of Environment, Sea and Islands Science under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

The institute is tasked with conducting basic researching, developing, and applying technologies related to the environment, sea, and islands to serve the state management in the fields.

It is also to provide scientific and technological services on the environment, sea, and islands in accordance with the provisions of laws.

The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment will be responsible for specifying the functions, tasks, authorities, and organisational structure of the institute.

Former vice director of HCMC DPI detained

Tran Thi Binh Minh, former deputy director of HCMC Department of Planning and Investment, has been arrested on alleged charges of wrongdoing involving the case of AIC and Biotechnology Center of Ho Chi Minh City.

This follows an extensive investigation launched by the police into violations related to equipment procurement bidding packages, causing serious consequences, which were detected at Advanced International Joint Stock Company (AIC), Biotechnology Center of Ho Chi Minh City and relevant organizations.

Minh was detained by the Ministry of Public Security yesterday, July 8, being charged with abusing her powers while on duty.

According to the indictment, Minh took advantage of her position and authority to approve and adjust estimates of 12 laboratories against the law, causing losses for the State assets.

Earlier, relating to the case, the Ministry of Public Security pressed charges against nine individuals including Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhan, former chairwoman of AIC, Tran Manh Ha, deputy general director of AIC and Duong Hoa Xo, former director of Biotechnology Center of Ho Chi Minh City on committing procurement fraud, resulting in serious consequences.

The whereabouts of Nhan and Ha remain unknown and are wanted due to their involvements in two criminal cases at Dong Nai General Hospital in Dong Nai Province and Quang Ninh Province Department of Health.

Investment capital of My An – Cao Lanh expressway surges by over US$61 mln

The Ministry of Transport yesterday said that the total investment capital for the My An – Cao Lanh expressway increased by VND1,439 billion (US$61.2 million) over the approved plan due to objective factors.

According to the Ministry of Transport, the Prime Minister approved the investment policy for the project on December 27 of 2021 with a total investment of more than VND4,770 billion (US$202 million) using official development assistance (ODA) loans.

However, the project is located in a complicated geological region with soft soil triggering site clearance cost increase to around VND353 billion (US$15 million).

Besides, construction costs were also up by VND788 billion (US$33 million) along with an increase of some VND80 billion (US$3.4 million) for the costs of project management, consultancy and other related costs.

As the costs exceeded the investment plan, the Ministry of Transport had directed the investor to complete adjustment documents and submit them to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval.

The My An – Cao Lanh road project has a total length of nearly 27 kilometers in Dong Thap Province. Its starting point connects with route N2 in My An Town, Thap Muoi District and its ending point is at the An Binh Intersection at the starting point of Cao Lanh Bridge.

The project’s first phase has four lanes with a maximum speed of 100 kilometers per hour. The road will have six lanes after it is finished.

Lam Dong Province urgently launching resettlement projects

Lam Dong Province is planning to finish construction projects to resettle evacuated residents from natural disaster areas and freely migrants in 2024 and 2025. 

Accordingly, the resettlement project for freely migrants in the villages of Dan Ha, Thong Nhat, Phuong Lam, and Tan Lap (in Dan Phuong Commune of Lam Ha District) has a total investment of over VND78 billion (US$3.3 million). When finished, the new residential facilities will accommodate 429 households.

The housing project for evacuated people from flash flood areas in the four villages of Lien Ha Commune (Lam Ha District) has just been approved to build as quickly as possible. With an investment of VND11 billion ($465,000), the construction can serve 17 households.

The resettlement project for freely migrants in Sub-zone No.179 of Lieng Sronh Commune (in Dam Rong District) can provide accommodation for 192 households who are ethnic people coming from Northwest provinces. It has received only VND16 billion ($677,000) out of the allocated VND159 billion ($6.7 million). The project still encounters various challenges, especially traffic-related issues, due to its remote location.

Lam Dong Province People’s Committee has recently proposed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development ask the Government to consider allocating nearly VND30 billion ($1.27 million) for more investment in critical traffic facilities in the province to serve merchandise transport and individual traveling needs of local people here.

First Vietnam Festival in France’s Larmor-Plage surprise for visitors, locals

The first Vietnam Festival held in France’s Larmor-Plage was a big surprise for visitors and locals.

Many residents in this coastal city spent two weekends engrossed in watching the traditional wedding parade, the Mid-Autumn Festival, Vietnamese traditional Tet and they were surprised to receive lucky money envelopes in Vietnamese currency.

About 200kg of ao dai - traditional costume of Vietnamese people which is well-known around the world, 200kg of decorations shipped from Vietnam, and tons of homemade materials in France were prepared for the festival within the framework of the big project Toucher Arts and Vietnam Month at Larmor-Plage organized by Larmor-Plage City Hall in association with 3 associations Art Space, Vietnam Bretagne Sud and APPEL Lorient from June 30 to July 2, 2023.

Approximately 1,000 locals and visitors in the festival were not only amazed at the variety and youthful appeal of the festival's activities but also enjoyed something special things such as a parade of more than 100 international and Vietnamese students in France, the French in Vietnamese traditional costume ao dai to re-produce special images of Tet holidays of Vietnam such as Kitchen God - one of the cultural features of Tet holiday that has been preserved for many generations of the Vietnamese people.

In addition, there were activities of giving red envelopes, unicorn performance by girls, more than 10 stalls introducing Vietnamese street food, workshop on decorating bamboo mats, Dong Ho paintings on do paper - Vietnamese traditional hand-made paper from the inner bark of the do tree and traditionally produced in many villages in Vietnam, drawing calligraphy.

More than 50 amateur artists participated in a concert called Toucher Arts - Les Traditions et Légendes du Vietnam - Touching on the traditions and legends of Vietnamese music.

According to him, Vietnamese-French teenagers have prepared everything with the assistance of their parents. Vietnamese-French teenagers are the designers of the activities. They also directly introduced Vietnamese culture in schools from primary to high school in Larmor-Plage and Nante. These children presented and taught about Vietnamese culture so attractively that some French students came home to convince them and then dragged their parents to Larmor-Plage to attend the festival.

The project mobilized the participation of 25 Vietnamese students aged 12-20 years old from France, the USA, the UK, Australia, Germany and Vietnam. Volunteers joined hands to create an exhibition of children's paintings from nearly 20 countries around the world in response to international solidarity and sustainable relations on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and Vietnam. The festival has collected 500 ao dai for the 2LIFE Ao Dai program to bring a second life to used ao dai by giving to French friends as a gift rich in cultural value and also very humane.

Through the festival, the 25 students who volunteered to participate in the Toucher Arts project as well as the Vietnam Festival at Larmor-Plage understood their potential to the fullest and discovered their own abilities. Each child has 6 months of soft skills training before entering three weeks of focusing on rubbing and training in France - therefore, their feelings are also deepened. At the time of parting, many children burst into tears.

Nguyen Minh Khoi from Vietnam wrote a guestbook that Toucher Arts gave him unforgettable emotions and many memorable memories. He recalled the first difficult practice was to prepare for the presentation in front of students and teachers of the school. Though he was very shy and scared, he, at last, overcame it and called for many ao dai donations to the project.

Musician Hoang Thu Trang said that the program has been organized in schools in France to teach, introduce Vietnamese culture is still maintained by Toucher Arts. The above-mentioned large-scale Vietnamese cultural festival creating happy Vietnamese days in France will be held at the beginning of summer every year if possible.

Quang Ngai to build construction plan for Ly Son Airport

Chairman of the People’s Committee of the central coastal province of Quang Ngai delegated the provincial Transport Department to coordinate with relevant units to discuss the construction plan of Ly Son Airport.

Under the direction of the province’s Chairman Dang Van Minh, the locality’s departments and units will implement the Prime Minister’s decision on approving the master plan for the development of the national airport system in the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050.

Accordingly, the province will carefully assess and consider the demand, conditions, and possibilities of construction of the airport and relevant impacts, the mobilization of social capital to invest in an airport in the form of a public-private partnership (PPP); and submit the report to the Ministry of Transport and the Prime Minister for a decision on addition of planning and construction investment implementation when all conditions are all established.

The Department of Transport of Quang Ngai Province will cooperate with relevant units and agencies to carry out state management of the air traffic in accordance with the law and land fund; check, adjust, and build the planning of relevant projects to ensure consistency and synchronization with the master plan on development of the airport system.

Exhibition of artworks inspired by Hang Trong paintings kicks off

The exhibition "Dialogue with Hang Trong Folk Painting" opened this week at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, featuring 29 Hang Trong paintings by artisan Le Dinh Nghien and 38 artworks on silk, lacquer, poonah paper, and oil paint by young artists inspired by this school of folk painting.

The event is organized by the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities of the Temple of Literature in cooperation with collectors, artisans, and a group of young artists under the project "From Tradition to Tradition".

Hang Trong folk painting is one of the unique painting schools, imbued with the aesthetic and cultural values of ancient Hanoi people. The unique artworks of this painting school, depicting the daily life of Vietnamese people, have impressed the world public.

With the diversity of genres, and the sophistication of design techniques, Hang Trong folk paintings have contributed to the enrichment of traditional cultural life, creating a distinctive character and an integral part of Vietnamese folk paintings.

Faced with the danger of folk paintings falling into oblivion in modern life, many activities have been carried out to restore and preserve Hang Trong folk paintings.

This exhibition is held with the desire to promote the beauty of this unique school of painting to a large number of people who love traditional art, especially the young generation and international tourists. It is also an opportunity to introduce art products that have resulted from the process of discovering the artistic values of the heritage of Hang Trong paintings.

The exhibition runs until July 31 at the Temple of Literature.

Vietnam strengthens cross-border hazardous waste management cooperation

As a responsible and active member of ASEAN, Vietnam hopes to work with the international community and strengthen cooperation to prevent illegal cross-border transportation of chemicals and hazardous wastes following all international frameworks under multilateral environmental agreements.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Vo Tuan Nhan made the statement at the eighth meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Chemicals and Waste (AWGCW-8) in Hanoi this week.

Nhan said the conference was held in the context that environmental pollution caused by chemicals and waste is becoming one of the serious threats to human health and the planet. "In particular, the ASEAN region is one of the hot spots of plastic pollution," he stressed.

He stressed that Vietnam would work closely with other ASEAN member countries, non-ASEAN countries, and international partners to mobilize resources for capacity building, technology transfer, and experience sharing on hazardous chemicals and waste management to contribute to building a greener ASEAN.

For his part, Achmad Gunawan Widjacsono, Director of the Solid Waste and Hazardous Materials Management Division of Indonesia's Ministry of Environment and Forestry, said chemicals and waste, including plastic waste, have become one of the most pressing global environmental issues. "Southeast Asia is no exception," he stressed.

According to the World Bank, plastic accounts for 80% of all marine litter in the oceans. In six out of ten ASEAN member countries alone, more than 31 million tons of plastic waste is generated every year, Widjacsono said.

He noted that rapid economic development, urbanization and population growth lead to increased plastic consumption and production, resulting in growing plastic waste generation while recycling rates are low. There is also an increase in imports of plastic waste.

Improper post-use management of this waste has a significant negative impact on the environment and human health. Land-based plastic waste also ends up in the oceans, causing pollution and destroying coastal and marine ecosystems. This situation is further aggravated by the illegal cross-border movement of plastic waste contaminated with hazardous waste. This conference aims to promote ASEAN cooperation in addressing these challenges as soon as possible in the coming period, said Widjacsono.

Co-hosted by Vietnam's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) and the ASEAN Secretariat, the event is an opportunity for ASEAN members to review their cooperation on chemicals and waste management in recent years and to set directions and principles for regional cooperation in the coming period.

Established in late 2015, the AWGCW holds its annual meeting on a rotating basis among the ASEAN member states.

Int’l conference discusses measures to preserve national values in new context

The Institute of Philosophy under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) held an international conference named “National Values in the New Context” in Hanoi on July 9.

According to Assoc. Prof., Dr. Nguyen Tai Dong, Director of the Institute, the document of the 13th National Party Congress stresses the requirement to focus on researching, defining and implementing the building of the national value system.

In his speech at the national cultural conference on implementing the resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong mentioned the national value system which consists of nine elements: peace, unity, independence, wealthy people, strong country, democracy, justice, civilisation, and happiness.

National values both ensure individuals’ freedom and protect human rights, aiming to eliminate inequality, and express the will of the whole nation, and the aspiration and mission of the entire people, not just a choice or privilege for few people.

They are formed from the development practice of each country, and each chooses different values and gives different priorities to those values in different periods, with specific historical conditions.

Regarding solutions to promote the nation’s traditional values in building a prosperous and happy country and in meeting requirements of the new situation, Mai Dieu Linh from the institute said that along with preserving the fine traditional values of the Vietnamese nation, it is necessary to introduce those values to international friends, and selectively absorb the world’s cultural quintessence.

She stressed the need to promote the role of the State, and better coordination between relevant authorities, organisations and individuals, especially the young generation, in order to continue preserving, developing and promoting Vietnamese traditional values to the world.

Hanoi promotes investment ties with north-central provinces

The Hanoi Promotion Centre on Investment, Trade and Tourism is hosting an exhibition in Quang Binh province to promote potential and investment opportunities between the capital city and localities in the north-central region.

The exhibition, with the theme "Link to Grow", runs until July 10.  

It also aims to help businesses introduce their products, connect and seek business cooperation opportunities, contribute to raising awareness and effectively implement the "Vietnamese people use Vietnamese products" campaign.

Besides, the exhibition introduces achievements, potentials, investment environment and tourist destinations in Hanoi with a view to seek cooperation between Hanoi and other localities.

Typical handicraft products from traditional craft villages in Hà Nội are on show to seek future cooperation with different provinces and cities.

Nguyen Thi Mai Anh, deputy director of the Hanoi Promotion Centre on Investment, Trade and Tourism, said that the city is particularly interested in calling for investment and looking for opportunities for its craft and tourism products to reach other localities across the country.

In the first six months this year, tourists to the capital city increased 2.5 times compared with the same period last year, she said.

The Hanoi People's Committee is instructing continued reforms to further enhance product and service quality to attract more and more tourists from all over the country to the capital city.

The capital city is also pushing ahead with simplification of procedures to call for domestic and international investors and ease enterprises’ difficulties to have more effective cooperation with partners.

HCM City theatres offer summer performances for children

Leading art troupes are offering summer performances for children and teenagers in HCM City as part of their efforts to lure youngsters back to Vietnamese theatre.

State-owned and private troupes include the HCM City Drama Theatre, HCM City Hát Bội Theatre, Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương Theatre, Phương Nam Art Troupe and Bông Sen Dance and Music Theatre.

They will offer 72 shows in different fields of musical, drama, cải lương (reformed opera) and hát bội (classical drama) - the two traditional genres of Vietnamese theatre in the south and central regions which began a hundred years ago.

Water puppet and circus performances are also included.

Groups of young performers will travel to offer outdoor shows for children living in rural districts.

Phương Nam Art Troupe offers Vietnamese music, dance, pantomime and circus performances - delivering enough images, colours, action and tricks to keep young audiences and their parents entertained.

The theatre is looking for ways to attract ticket buyers who may have grown weary of acrobats, trapeze artists, contortionists and clowns.

“We have worked to stage new concepts, and hope to impress and develop the next generation of audience members - younger fans, raised on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook,” said theatre director Công Nguyễn of Phương Nam Art Troupe.

Nguyễn Thảo Nhi, 10, who lives in Phú Nhuận District, said that she loved to have her parents take her to the theatre. "I watched Vietnamese musicals on television and YouTube during my school time this year. So I'm really looking forward to being able to go to the theatre," she said.

Shows by Phương Nam Art Troupe are staged at the Gia Định Park in Hoàng Minh Giám Street, Gò Vấp District.

Young talents from the Sân Khấu Tài Năng (Talent Stage) Club offer Vương Quốc Thú Nhồi Bông (Kingdom of Teddy Bears), a musical on childhood and friendship. Bravery and patriotism are also included.

The club is managed by Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương Theatre. Its kid artists include Thảo Trâm, Thảo Trúc and Vương Tiến. Their debut attracted 300 children.

“We add modern styles to cải lương and tuồng to meet the taste of children and young audiences. Vietnamese dances and folk music are featured,” said theatre director-producer Hoàng Song Việt, a founder of Sân Khấu Tài Năng Club.

Việt’s plays are staged at Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương Theatre, 136D Trần Hưng Đạo Street in District 1.

A series of comedy and drama plays aimed at children six to 13 years old are offered by artists of HCM City Drama Theatre.

These productions are performed by 20 actors, including young talents from art schools such as the HCM City Theatre & Cinematography and the HCM City University of Culture.

Their art uses elements from a book series of Vietnamese fairy tales, Kho Tàng Truyện Cổ Tích Việt Nam (The Treasure of Vietnamese Fairy Tales), which was collected and rewritten by Nguyễn Đổng Chi, one of the country’s most popular cultural researchers.

“We hope young audiences can see the beautiful minds and brave characters of Vietnamese people after watching our shows,” said Meritorious Actress Mỹ Uyên, director of the theatre.

New shows by HCM City Drama Theatre are scheduled to be staged on the weekends in July and August at 5B Võ Văn Tần Street, District 3. 

Japan always Vietnam's top important, long-term strategic partner: PM

Vietnam consistently considers Japan its top important and long-term strategic partner, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told member of the Japanese House of Representatives and Chairman of the Policy Research Council of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Hagiuda Koichi during a reception in Hanoi on July 10.

Agreeing with PM Chinh’s proposals, the Japanese guest affirmed that Japan expects to lift extensive strategic partnership with Vietnam to a greater height.

Japan will help the Vietnamese firms join the global supply chain, facilitate Japanese investment in Vietnam, fulfill their ODA commitments to the Southeast Asian nation, and provide assistance in human resources training, including expanding the acceptance of Vietnamese interns. Japan will also assist Vietnam in digital transformation, green transition, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, he added.

Wishing for Vietnam’s greater role in the Japan-ASEAN relationship, he suggested Vietnam actively join the upcoming ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit.

On regional and global issues of shared concern, both sides expressed support for Vietnam's and ASEAN's stances on the East Sea issue, the maintenance of navigation and overflight freedom and safety, the peaceful settlement of disputes in line with international law, full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) toward an effective and practical Code of Conduct (COC) in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

During a working session with Hagiuda Koichi the same day, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said he hopes that the Japanese official will engage in discussions with relevant Japanese management agencies to boost trade and business exchanges between the two countries.

In the field of industry, Dien suggested active bilateral cooperation through the Vietnam-Japan technology innovation partnership initiative to enhance Vietnam's production, technology and industrial development capacity, thereby enabling Vietnamese enterprises to join the global supply chain more extensively.

In energy, he proposed that Japan offer technical support to Vietnam to promote the economical and effective use of energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions for small and medium-sized enterprises. He also recommended early discussions to reach a "Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in energy transition", creating mechanisms for Japan to back Vietnam in the energy transition process, towards the country's carbon neutrality goal by 2050.

Hagiuda Koichi also proposed several contents in which Japan wishes to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in the future.

They include diversifying supply chains, maintaining high and comprehensive standards of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) for countries interested in joining the agreement; promoting supply chains of important mineral resources to reinforce economic security, collaborating on energy transition, particularly regarding liquefied natural gas (LNG); developing high-quality human resources in various industries, and continuing to promote people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

In reply, Dien affirmed that the Vietnamese Government and the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) are always ready to create favourable conditions for the operations of Japanese enterprises in Vietnam.

The MoIT will continue working closely with the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry on various aspects, including the preparation for the sixth meeting of the Vietnam-Japan Joint Committee on Cooperation in Trade, Industry and Energy, slated for late 2023.

He also urged further support from Japan in human resources training, expert exchanges and technology transfer in industry and energy fields, as well as joint work to develop energy policies, innovation and technology, thus bringing benefits to both countries.

Prime Minister receives governor of Japan's Kagoshima prefecture

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received visiting Governor of Japan’s Kagoshima prefecture Shiota Koichi in Hanoi on July 10.

PM Chinh said the extensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan is developing fruitfully and comprehensively, with their political trust increasingly strengthened.

Japan has remained a leading important economic partner, the biggest ODA provider, the third biggest investor and tourism partner and the fourth trading partner of Vietnam, he said.

The profound locality-to-locality cooperation between the two sides reflects the specific and effective implementation of agreements reached by their leaders and contributes significantly to the bilateral ties, PM Chinh affirmed.

He said cooperation between Vietnam and Kagoshima prefecture has been promoted, particularly in manufacturing, agriculture, seafood processing, tourism, and receiving Vietnamese students and apprentices.

Speaking highly of Kagoshima’s supportive policies and favourable conditions created for the community of over 5,000 Vietnamese expatriates, the PM expressed his belief that there are ample complementary strengths and potential for collaboration between Kagoshima – Japan’s leading locality in agro-fishery production – and many localities of Vietnam.

He proposed the governor encourage local businesses to invest more in Vietnam, particularly in areas where the prefecture has strengths such as automobiles, semiconductor electronics, agriculture, agricultural product processing, and supporting industries. He suggested Kagoshima expand cooperation to such areas as culture, tourism, cuisine, and form cooperative ties with more provinces and cities of Vietnam.

PM Chinh also hoped the Kagoshima authorities will continue to facilitate the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in the prefecture to boost mutual understanding and trust.

Agreeing with the PM's proposals, Shiota stated that the prefecture wants to further cooperate with Vietnam in the fields of manufacturing, agriculture, seafood processing, tourism, exchange of students and apprentices. He also expressed his wish to establish a direct flight route from Kagoshima to Vietnam.

During his working visit to Vietnam, the governor is scheduled to visit the northern province of Hai Duong, sign a memorandum of understanding with the Vietnam National University of Agriculture, and hold meetings with some major Japanese businesses operating in Vietnam such as Aeon Mall and Akuruhi.

Vietnamese in Japan hold sports festival

The Vietnam Association in Kitakyushu city, Fukuoka prefecture of Japan, held a sports festival, the second of its kind, at Onga Sports Centre in Kitakyushu on July 9.

The festival attracted about 1,000 athletes and spectators from Vietnam, Japan, Myanmar, Indonesia and China. The contestants competed in six sports, namely men's football, table tennis, tennis, badminton, 1,000m relay race and tug of war.

The event is one of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan. It also provided an opportunity for sport fans to exercise and exchange, thus consolidating the Vietnamese community in Japan in general and in Kyushu in particular.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Consul Vu Van Truong of the Consulate General of Vietnam in Fukuoka said the festival is a chance to popularise the image of Vietnam and the solidarity, peace and sport loving spirit of Vietnamese people to Japanese and international friends.

Along with sport competitions, art performances were also held and stalls set up to introduce Vietnamese food. A programme selling eco-friendly bags was organised on the occasion to raise funds for impoverished Vietnamese children.

In the coming time, the association will organise more community-oriented activities for the Vietnamese community such as the VAK-2023 Study Promotion Fund for Vietnamese students and the Mid-Autumn Festival for children in Kyushu region.

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