Doksuri is forecast to gain more strength in the next 24-48 hours with velocity up to 201km per hour, becoming a superstorm, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF).

At 7am on July 25, the storm was 230km east of Luzon island of the Philippines, with winds close to the storm’s eye at 167-183km per hour.

The storm is set to move northwest at a speed of 10-15km per hour in the next 48-72 hours, and will keep moving in the same direction at a speed of 15km per hour in the next 72-96 hours with its strength gradually weakening.

Due to the impacts of the storm, the northern area of the East Sea is predicted to experience strong winds and rough seas with waves of 5-7m from July 25-26.

Showers and thunderstorms are likely to take place in the central and southern part of the East Sea, including the waters of Truong Sa as well as those from Binh Thuan to Ca Mau, Ca Mau to Kien Giang, and the Gulf of Thailand.

The Central Highlands and the southern region are forecast to experience moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms, with an average rainfall of 40-100mm, even over 150mm in some places. 

In the afternoon and evening of July 25, the areas from Thua Thien-Hue to Binh Thuan are likely to endure showers and thunderstorms, with rainfall of 20-40mm, even up to 70mm in some places.

On July 25, the highest temperature can rise to 34°C - 37°C in the northern region and in the provinces of Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien-Hue in the central region, even more than 37°C in some places.

Players depart for international women volleyball indoor tournament

The Vietnamese indoor volleyball team on July 25 departed for France that is scheduled to host the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Volleyball Women's Challenger Cup from July 27 to 30.      

Coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet said the players who previously won the 2023 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup would make up the team to vie for world championship title.

At the FIVB Challenger Cup, eight qualified teams play in a knockout stage format, with the winners competing in the semi-final round.

This year the tournament will see five new comers - Kenya, Mexico, Sweden, Ukraine, and Vietnam. Vietnam will face hosts France at 10 p.m. on July 27 (Vietnam time).

According to the world rankings, the Vietnamese women's volleyball team now finish 47th in the world, while hosts France are placed at 21st. The upcoming encounter will certainly prove to be a difficult challenge for the team coached by Nguyen Tuan Kiet.

The team that lift the championship will qualify for next year's Volleyball Nations League as a challenger team.

Hanoi records 1,556 dengue fever cases since beginning of year

Data released by Hanoi’s Centre for Disease Control (CDC) indicates that the capital recorded a total of 442 new cases over the past week, bringing the total number of people infected this year to 1,556.

The total caseload stands four times higher than the same period from last year, the centre said.

Cases have been mainly been found in districts of Thach That (109 cases), Hoang Mai (35 cases), Bac Tu Liem (29 cases), Dan Phuong (23 cases), and Thanh Tri (23 cases).

The past week has seen Hanoi record an additional 19 new outbreaks of dengue fever across 11 districts, including Bac Tu Liem (three outbreaks), Cau Giay (two outbreaks), Hoang Mai (two outbreaks), Nam Tu Liem (two outbreaks), Dong Da (two outbreaks), Thanh Oai (two outbreaks), and Dan Phuong (two outbreaks).

Hanoi CDC noted that the number of dengue fever cases in the capital is continuing to increase, with fresh infections being recorded in all districts.

The centre noted that the rise in the number of cases was mostly caused by local people not paying enough attention when it comes to cleaning the environment, thereby allowing mosquitos to thrive.

Hanoi CDC also stressed that people should remain vigilant for disease prevention because there is no vaccine for dengue fever and no specific treatment.

If people do show any symptoms such as fever, coughing, or body aches, then they should go to medical facilities in order to be examined and diagnosed so that if they contract dengue fever, the doctor will be able to monitor and treat them as soon as possible, it said.

Students bag four medals at Int'l Chemistry Olympiad 2023

All four Vietnamese students claimed medals, including three golds and one silver, at the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) 2023, the Ministry of Education and Training said on July 25.

The gold medals went to Dinh Cao Son from Ha Tinh province’s Ha Tinh High School for Gifted Students, Nguyen Kim Giang from Bac Ninh province’s Bac Ninh High School for Gifted Students, and Nguyen Manh Khoi from High School for Gifted Students of the University of Science under the Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

The silver medal was secured by Mai Van Duc from Nghe An province’s Phan Boi Chau High School for Gifted Students.

IChO 2023 took place in Switzerland from July 16-25 with the participation of 348 contestants from 89 countries and territories worldwide. The Vietnamese team ranked third among the participating countries in terms of the number of gold medals.

In previous editions, Vietnam won four gold medals in 2020, three golds and one silver in 2021, and four golds in 2022.

Foreign minister meets Austrian counterpart

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son held a meeting with his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg in Vienna on July 24 (local time), as part of President Vo Van Thuong’s ongoing Austria visit.

Both sides hailed their close and effective coordination in preparation for the visit by the Vietnamese President and his entourage.

They said the signing of the cooperation agreement between the two foreign ministries under the witness of the two heads of state has laid the foundation for their even closer and more effective cooperation, contributing to the increasingly robust development of bilateral relations.

Host and guest agreed to continue working closely together to facilitate the exchange of delegations at all levels, foster cooperation in vocational training, culture and art as well as in new areas such as green transformation and digital transformation.

Schallenberg said that Austria will soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), which will further boost bilateral economic and investment relations.

On the occasion, the two ministers also discussed global and regional issues of shared concern.

State President meets reputable Vietnamese physicist in Vienna

State President Vo Van Thuong on July 24 (local time) visited the family of Dr. Nguyen Duy Ha, a reputable Vietnamese physicist in Europe and the world, as part of his ongoing official visit to Austria.

Ha, born in 1971, a graduate from the Hanoi University of Science and Technology, is working as a professor at the Vienna University of Technology, a member of Austria’s top research team. He has worked in many prestigious scientific research organisations and establishments inside and outside the country. Many members of his family are experts in the fields of basic science and intensive application in Vietnam and countries with advanced science in the world.

Thuong hailed Ha's achievements in and contributions to scientific research and application and underlined that the Party and State always hope that Vietnamese people in general and intellectuals and scientists abroad will reap more successes in their career and life.

The State leader said he believes that Vietnamese intellectuals like Ha and his family members will help promote the reputation of Vietnamese scientists.

Ha’s suggestions have also helped improve the country’s State management over science and technology, especially in perfecting policies to encourage and back Vietnamese scientists at home and abroad to make more contributions to scientific research and application in Vietnam in a substantial and effective manner, stated Thuong.

He said he hopes with his rich experience, Ha will strengthen their connections and his peers at home to boost research activities and propose ideas to complete related policies.

IAEA impressed by Vietnam’s capabilities, engagement: Acting Director General

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is impressed by Vietnam's capabilities and active engagement regarding its positive contributions within the UN framework and IAEA’s cooperative activities serving atomic energy applications for peaceful purposes, Acting Director General Najat Mokhtar affirmed at her July 24 meeting with State President Vo Van Thuong in Austria.

Thuong, now on an official visit to the European nation, told Mokhtar that he appreciated IAEA’s contributions in ensuring nuclear safety, security, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons; and in promoting nuclear technology development and applications for peaceful purposes and sustainable global development. He also expressed his gratitude to the agency for its provision of medical equipment and transfer of COVID-19 testing technology for Vietnam.

Mokhtar stressed that cooperation with Vietnam serves as a successful and effective model in various areas, including agriculture, health care, renewable energy, and climate change adaptation. She confirmed IAEA will continue to enhance its cooperation with and technology transfer for Vietnam.

Both sides agreed that their team work is progressing well, with IAEA supporting Vietnam in implementing projects within the framework of its technical cooperation programme, such as those on addressing diseases originating from animals (ZODIAC) and ocean plastic waste (NUTEC Plastics).

Thuong affirmed Vietnam will actively participate in and carry out IAEA-initiated technical cooperation projects under the country programme framework for cooperation in the development of atomic energy applications for 2022-2027. He thanked IAEA for supporting the trilateral collaborative project between Vietnam, IAEA, and Laos/Cambodia which promotes the application of atomic energy for peaceful purposes in the two neighbouring countries.

The leader proposed IAEA continue to increase technical cooperation projects for the Asia-Pacific region, enabling Vietnam to participate in specific ones to enhance its human resources training and technology transfer. He also requested further engagement between the sides in international cooperation programmes as well as in experience sharing and technical support for Vietnam to strengthen national capacity, particularly regarding nuclear security and safety.

Mokhtar praised Vietnam's effective role as a member of the IAEA Board of Governors for the 2021-2023 term and wished the Southeast Asian country will continue contributing to the agency’s efforts in tackling common international concerns such as nuclear security and safety, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, nuclear technology development for peace, and non-traditional security challenges.

On the occasion, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang had a working session with Anna Joubin-Bret, Secretary of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). Both parties signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the Vietnamese ministry and UNCITRAL Secretariat in technical support and capacity building.

State President meets President of Federal Council of Austria

Vietnam always values the strengthening of ties with Austria, its important and reliable partner in Europe, State President Vo Van Thuong told President of the Federal Council of Austria Claudia Arpa during a meeting in Vienna on July 24.

The leader thanked the Federal Council for providing support to Vietnam in socio-economic development and global integration, particularly during the difficult period caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In order to reinforce inter-parliamentary cooperation, he suggested that both sides should facilitate the exchange of delegations at all levels to increase political trust, create favourable conditions for bilateral ties, and work closely together at global and regional inter-parliamentary forums.

Vietnam is ready to act as a bridge to step up cooperation between the Austrian Parliament and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, he said.

Arpa, for her part, committed her support to further bolster bilateral ties, especially in climate change response, renewable energy and vocational training.

She spoke highly of Vietnam's active and responsible role at global and regional inter-parliamentary forums, especially National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue’s attendance at the World Conference of Speakers of Parliament hosted by Austria in September 2021.

The host wished that Vietnam would serve as a bridge to boost ties between the Austrian Parliament and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly.

Both sides pledged to continue close coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums and international organisations such as the United Nations, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), the ASEAN-EU framework, as well as the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership Meeting, for the sake of peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

They expressed belief that cooperative ties between the Vietnamese NA and the Austrian Parliament will grow further in the future, thus making positive contributions to traditional friendship and all-around cooperation between Vietnam and Austria.

Accepting the Vietnamese NA’s invitation, Arpa pledged to a send a delegation to the ninth Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians in Vietnam in September.

Vietnam-India defence cooperation actively promoted: Officer

Defence cooperation between Vietnam and India has been actively promoted, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong said while receiving Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Indian Naval Staff, in Hanoi on July 24.

Cuong affirmed that the ties have achieved solid and effective developments across various areas such as training, military cooperation, UN peacekeeping missions, and defence industry.

He said that leaders of Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defence and the VPA General Staff always support and create favourable conditions for both navies to strengthen cooperation across fields.

In response, Kumar expressed his belief that the visit will further deepen the friendship, cooperation, mutual understanding, and trust between the two defence ministries in general and between their naval forces in particular.

He stressed that within the overall bilateral relations, defence ties play an important role, bringing the two nations closer together.

The officer also expressed his hope that in the future, the two defence ministries will continue to enhance their effective collaboration in areas of mutual interest.

Khanh Hoa, Australia’s Northern Territory sign cooperation plan

A delegation from the south-central province of Khanh Hoa led by Vice Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Tan Tuan is on a working trip to Australia from July 23-28.

On July 24, the two sides signed a plan to implement their Memorandum of Understanding, reached in 1998, for the 2023-2028 period.

Speaking at the event, Tuan highlighted the significance of the signing at a time when Vietnam and Australia celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties this year.

The plan is expected to explore and tap the potential and strengths of both localities in all areas of mutual interest, especially in education-training, tourism, agriculture, maritime economy, and labour.

On the sidelines of the signing ceremony, Tuan held a meeting with the President of the Northern Territory Legislative Council of Australia.

Tuan and President of Khanh Hoa's Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee Tran Ngoc Thanh also met Vietnamese business representatives in Darwin city, the Northern Territory.

Top legislator receives former Speaker of RoK National Assembly

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue hosted a reception in Hanoi on July 24 for former Speaker of the Republic of Korea’s National Assembly Byeong-seug.

On the basis of a new cooperation agreement between the two NAs signed in 2021, Hue believed that the two legislatures have enough conditions to establish exemplary relations, making it a model of parliamentary ties in the world.

Having spoke highly of and thanked Park for his important contributions to promoting the Vietnam – RoK comprehensive strategic partnership, Hue hoped that Park, with his prestige and in his capacity as a member of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee of the RoK’s NA, he would continue to support and contribute to cooperative ties between the two legislatures and parliamentarians, thus promoting the Vietnam-RoK relationship in a more practical and effective manner.

Park affirmed that Hue has made very important contributions to the bilateral relationship, especially Memoranda of Understanding signed during the latter’s official visit to the RoK in 2021 which have been deployed by Vietnam’s competent agencies.

Both host and guest held that the Vietnamese and RoK governments need to early deploy the agreement on social insurance signed in December 2021 in order to further beef up labour cooperation.

While stressing the importance of bilateral cooperation in forming strategic supply chains in which the two nations have demand, potential and strength, Hue and Park exchanged open views on the fields that the two sides should step up cooperation, including the building of favourable legal frameworks to increase two-way trade in a more balanced and sustainable manner.

They discussed several issues, including the RoK’s expanded provision of official development assistance (ODA) with increased preferential treatment and loaning conditions suitable to international practices; the RoK’s continued assistance to help Vietnam operate the Vietnam – Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST) in the first phase and soon deploy the second phase; encouraging major enterprises of the RoK to open innovation and R&D centres in Vietnam.

Regarding Vietnam’s new visa policy which will come into force on August 15, Hue said it will create favourable conditions for foreign citizens, including Korean citizens and experts.

On the occasion, Hue reiterated his invitation to the RoK NA to send a delegation to the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians in Vietnam in September.

Park affirmed that he will convey the invitation to the RoK NA, stressing that exchanges and cooperation between young parliamentarians of the two countries are of significance to strengthening and enhancing the sustainable relations between the two legislatures.

The same day, Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai received Park Byeong-seug and RoK parliamentarians, believing that their visit will contribute to tightening exchanges between the two legislatures and deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations.

Khai said since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992, Vietnam and the RoK have achieved remarkable progress in their relationship which has become a model of bilateral cooperation between nations. The RoK continued to take the lead in terms of direct investment in Vietnam with combined capital of 82.2 billion USD, and ranks second in development cooperation, tourism, and labour; and third in trade cooperation with 88 billion USD in 2022.

Notably, there are over 200,000 expatriates from each country living, studying, and working in the other nation, including around 80,000 multicultural Vietnamese-Korean families.

The host suggested Park, in his capacity as a member of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee of the RoK’s National Assembly, step up several key areas of cooperation, including in national defence-security, support for Vietnam in law enforcement at sea, defence industry and sharing a common vision to ensure security, safety, freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea.

He wished that both countries would expand trade on a balanced and sustainable basis. He urged the RoK to help Vietnamese firms join more deeply in their supply chains and extend the supply of official development assistance to Vietnam.

The Deputy PM also proposed the RoK pay attention to building a safe, sustainable, and increasingly growing Korean-Vietnamese community, as well as further enhancing people-to-people exchanges.

Park, for his part, said the RoK Government will strive to maximise preferential treatment for funding programmes to Vietnam, particularly through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) and the Economic Development Promotion Facility (EDPF), and improve the balance of bilateral trade. In 2024, the RoK will increase the quota for foreign workers, thus creating opportunities for Vietnamese workers in the RoK.

The RoK consistently adheres to the view that all activities in the East Sea must strictly comply with international law, he said, adding that the East Asian country also supports safety and freedom of navigation in the East Sea.

He proposed Vietnam simplify the procedures for granting licences to Korean experts and skilled workers to work in the Southeast Asian country, and deals with educational needs of Korean children and multicultural Vietnamese-Korean families.

In reply, Khai asked agencies and educational establishments to work with the People's Committee of Hanoi to find suitable solutions to allocating land plots. He expressed readiness to resolve any arising obstacles to facilitate the process.

The Vietnamese Government will soon amend regulations to create favourable conditions for Korean firms to attract resources and operate more effectively, he promised.

Man arrested in Lam Dong for anti-State propaganda

The Investigation Security Agency under Lam Dong Department of Public Security on July 24 issued decisions to detain and start criminal proceedings against Duong Tuan Ngoc on the charge of “making, storing, disseminating or popularising information and documents against the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam” under Article 117 of the 2015 Criminal Code.

The investigation agency said Ngoc, born in 1985 and residing in Nam Ha commune, Lam Ha district, Lam Dong province, has posted and shared articles and video clips with content defaming the government and insulting President Ho Chi Minh on social media platforms like Facebook and Youtube.

After collecting documents and evidence related to Ngoc’s acts, the investigation agency found that his acts were very dangerous, occurring in a long time, thus, criminal handling is needed to ensure the strictness of the law, the agency said.

Further investigation into the case is underway.

Two new railway routes connecting to seaports to be started by 2030

A freight train in Yên Viên Station, Gia Lâm. — VNA/VNS Photo

Two new railway lines are planned by 2030 for passenger and freight transportation according to the approved Railway Network Planning by the Prime Minister.

Specifically, in accordance with Conclusion No. 49-KL/TW dated February 28, 2023 of the Politburo, the Prime Minister has approved the plan to implement the railway network planning, including continuing the preparation for investment in these two railway lines in the period from now until 2025 to mobilise resources and strive for commencement before 2030.

Among them, the Biên Hòa-Vũng Tàu railway line is currently undergoing preparation for a feasibility report. It is approximately 128km long, with a double-track, and a gauge of 1,435mm, and is designed for passenger and freight transportation.

The total investment is estimated at around US$6.2 billion. As for the Lào Cai-Hà Nội-Hải Phòng railway line, the detailed planning has been basically completed. It is approximately 380km long, with a double-track, and a gauge of 1,435mm, and is intended for passenger and freight transportation. The total investment is estimated at around US$10-11 billion.

The Ministry of Transport emphasises the need for early implementation and investment in these two railway projects, with public investment playing a leading role in infrastructure investment for both cargo and passenger transportation.

"Due to the relatively large scale of investment for the two railway lines, the Prime Minister has issued a list of national projects calling for foreign investment during the 2021-2025 period to mobilise investment resources, including the Biên Hòa-Vũng Tàu and Lào Cai-Hà Nội-Hải Phòng railway lines," stated the leaders of the Ministry of Transport.

The development of a modern and synchronised railway transportation system, playing a leading role in the North-South Economic Corridor and the major East-West transportation corridors, has been evaluated by the Vietnam Railway Association as a transportation mode with superior advantages in capacity and speed for medium and long distances.

It plays an important role in promoting socio-economic development and enhancing connectivity between regions. However, it has been continuously declining in recent times.

After nearly 10 years of implementing the Socialisation Investment Mobilisation Plan for railway infrastructure, by the end of 2022, the Ministry of Transport had only successfully implemented one project (the Viên Yên Railway Logistics Centre through the form of infrastructure leasing). Other projects have attracted investor interest without further progress.

In February, during a working session with Nippon Koei (Japan), Đặng Sỹ Mạnh, CEO of Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR), mentioned two priority investment options for the Ha Nội-Hải Phòng railway line: preparing to invest in a new electrified double-track railway primarily for domestic and international freight transportation; and upgrading and renovating the existing single-track railway for both passenger and freight transportation.

"VNR desires to expedite the implementation of these routes as soon as possible. Therefore, both sides will continue to conduct further surveys on the Hà Nội-Hải Phòng railway line with the goal of optimising the upgrade of the existing railway, improving safety corridors and railway vehicles, and subsequently submitting it to the Ministry of Transport," Mạnh said. 

Nguyen Duc Canh Award presented to 167 outstanding workers, engineers

As many as 167 outstanding workers and engineers in enterprises of all economic sectors were presented with the Nguyen Duc Canh Award on July 24.

This is a prestigious award given every five years by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) to trade union members with major achievements in creative labour.

In the three previous editions, 309 labourers with outstanding performances were honoured.

Congratulating the award winners, Nguyen Xuan Thang, Politburo member, President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) and Chairman of the Central Theory Council, said that in the past nearly 40 years implementing the renewal policy, Vietnam has witnessed strong and positive changes, and gained important achievements, with increasing socio-economic development, stable politics, maintained defence security and social order and safety, and the country’s improved position in the regional and international arenas.

He affirmed that public servants, workers and labourers, and trade unions across the nation have made significant contributions to those achievements.

He asked the VGCL to effectively implement the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress and the Politburo's Resolution 02-NQ/TW on reforming the organisation and operation of trade union organisations, while paying attention to discovering and multiplying exemplary labourers.

Cases of hand-foot-mouth disease rocketing in HCMC

Ho Chi Minh City recorded 2,172 cases of hand-foot-mouth disease last week, 2.1 times more than the number last month with 1,020 cases.

The Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control predicted that the cases would continue to increase sharply in the upcoming weeks. It is expected that hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City would receive 80 percent of severe cases for treatment from other localities.

All of the city's districts recorded numerous number of hand-foot-mouth disease cases during the last week compared to the average level 4 weeks ago, notably in Binh Tan, Tan Phu and Binh Chanh districts.

Previously, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health sent a letter to the Ministry of Health to report the complicated development of hand-foot-mouth disease in the Southern region. Besides, the department also reported that the city’s health sector only has 2,400 vials of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) dedicated for severe patient treatment. Meanwhile, a new batch of IVIG drugs is scheduled to be imported into Vietnam by the end of August with limited quantities.

Amid the ongoing rapid and complicated disease development situation, the city’s health sector is likely to face a shortage of drugs for the treatment of hand-foot-mouth infections from the end of July.

The municipal Department of Health proposed the Ministry of Health assign the largest hospitals in some provinces and cities such as Ca Mau Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, Can Tho City Children’s Hospital and Dong Nai Province Children’s Hospital which meet the requirement of collecting samples and performing treatment for hand-foot-mouth disease to receive severe patients from their neighboring localities. Moreover, the Drug Administration of Vietnam under the Ministry of Health is proposed to soon approve the import orders for IVIG drugs if any.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control, last week, Ho Chi Minh City also recorded 238 cases of dengue fever, up 16.7 percent compared to the average of four weeks ago. Notably, Binh Chanh District and districts 1 and 8 are three localities with a high number of cases.

Phu Quoc Police crack down on gambling, illegal drug possession

The police are having a crackdown on criminal activities in Phu Quoc City, said Colonel Diep Van The, Deputy Director of the Kien Giang Provincial Police Department.

Accordingly, since the night of July 22, Task Force 108 of the Kien Giang Provincial Police Department has coordinated with professional units of the Ministry of Public Security to organize a campaign carrying out a crackdown on criminals in ​​​​Phu Quoc City.

On their first night, the patrol force discovered that Dai Viet Security - Bodyguard Company (headquartered in Ben Tram Hamlet, Cua Duong Commune) was operating illegally. This company also equipped staff with police helmets and equipment without authorization.

Besides, upon checking a car carrying 4 people, the police found that 2 out of 4 people were positive for drugs (there were also two plastic bags containing white crystals - suspected of being methamphetamine). Driver Le Quoc Khanh (34 years old, living in Hanoi), who had a previous conviction for robbery, confessed that the plastic bag contained methamphetamine.

According to the representative of Phu Quoc City People's Committee, although the craze for Phu Quoc property has diminished, security in the area remains unstable, as criminals still cling to the place to operate loan sharks, protection rackets on restaurants or karaoke bars, and land dispute settlement.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Deputy Minister of Public Security (directly engaged in directing Phu Quoc City’s crime crackdown), suggested the functional forces carefully identify criminals to take appropriate and effective measures for criminal prevention and suppression. The local police must continue to promote the effectiveness of prevention work, and base the local and criminal management on fundamental professional procedure, ensuring that 100 percent of the subjects under surveillance have management records.

HCMC proposes to terminate service to 1,710 mobile subscribers

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Information and Communications has inspected telecommunications businesses' compliance with the law on the management, registration and storage of mobile subscribers’ personal information.

During the inspection, the inspectors from the municipal Department of Information and Communications detected violations at ten telecommunications service providers, imposed an administrative fine of VND610 million (nearly US$26,000) and required them to terminate service to 1,710 mobile subscribers.

Additionally, the inspectors detected violations in using software to forge information; applying technology to change resident's identity cards and citizen identification numbers on photos; selling and circulating registered SIM cards and activating services; registering subscriber information outside service provider points; using the identification papers of individuals without their acceptance to sign contracts and so on.

Social housing investment procedures requested to be shortened

The Department of Planning and Investment is assigned to review and issue detailed processes and streamline administrative procedures in social housing investment.

Mr. Bui Xuan Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, has tasked the Department of Planning and Investment to review and issue detailed processes, streamline administrative procedures in investment, and approve investment policies for housing projects and social housing and worker accommodation construction projects.

Regarding the project aimed at constructing one million units of social housing for low-income individuals and industrial zone workers in the 2021-2030 period, Mr. Bui Xuan Cuong, Vice Chairman of the HCMC People's Committee, on July 21, assigned the Department of Planning and Investment to review and issue detailed processes, streamline administrative procedures in investment, and approve investment policies for housing projects and social housing and worker accommodation construction projects.

Furthermore, the department will collaborate with relevant authorities and the Ho Chi Minh City Finance and Investment State-Owned Company (HFIC) to propose the inclusion of additional social housing and worker accommodation projects in the city's investment stimulus program to implement Resolution No. 98 of the National Assembly, which aims to pilot specific mechanisms and policies for the development of HCMC.

The Department of Construction mandates that investors of commercial housing projects and urban areas must invest in the construction of social housing on 20 percent of the land allocated for these projects in accordance with the approved schedule.

If an investor fails to meet this obligation, the department will advise the HCMC People's Committee to reclaim the 20 percent land fund and assign it to another eligible investor.

Binh Dinh takes drastic measures to fight IUU fishing

The Party Committee and People’s Committee of the south-central coastal province of Binh Dinh have been taking drastic measures to fight illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing since 2018.

Besides directions and inspections, the provincial People’s Committee has made prevention of fishing vessels’ violation of foreign waters a criterion to assess the performance of local authorities. Heads of authorities at the commune and district levels have to take responsibility if violations are detected.

The province also established an inter-sectoral inspection group to address the violations.

Regarding the installation of vessel monitoring system (VMS), Binh Dinh offered financial support for fishing vessels' owners in purchasing and installing the equipment.

Up to now, the province has provided more than 30 billion VND to a total of 2,966 fishing vessels for the installation. As many as 3,258 out of 3,292 fishing vessels with a length of 15m or more in the province have installed VMS.

Binh Dinh currently has three fishing ports - Quy Nhon, De Gi, and Tam Quan – with sufficient systems to verify the origin of fishery products.

From the beginning of 2023, the province has certified the origin for more than 2,513 tonnes of fish of all kinds, an increase of 74% over the same period in 2022.

Nguyen Tuan Thanh, Vice Chairman of Binh Dinh provincial People's Committee, said that the provincial committee has strongly directed departments, branches, and local authorities in promoting communication on IUU fishing, violations, and punishments.

However, he admitted that violations were still reported.

He said in the coming time, the provincial People's Committee will consider developing a policy to support fishermen who are at high risk of violating foreign waters to change jobs. Mechanisms and policies will also be devised to subsidize satellite connection fees for fishing vehicles to maintain the operation of VMS.

The province will soon complete the registration, issuance of fishing licenses, installation of VMS, and update fishing vessel data into the national fisheries database, Thanh said.

Binh Dinh province now has 5,667 fishing vessels with a length of 6 metres or more, and over 40,900 workers engaged in fishing activities. Its annual fishery production in recent years has surpassed 250,000 tonnes. In the first six months of 2023, the production reached more than 135,900 tonnes, over 3% higher than that of the same period last year.

High upfront costs remain a barrier for cooperatives to the circular economy

Despite being instrumental in fostering sustainable practices in agriculture, the circular economy model (CEM) remains uncommon among cooperatives due to high upfront costs.

Cooperatives have long been aware of the financial benefits that a green approach could offer to them. A cooperative named 19/5 in Sơn La Province has saved nearly VNĐ500 million (US$21,100) in annual costs by recycling its agricultural waste. 

The cooperative has toyed with the idea of embracing CEM to move one step further in its cost-saving strategy but has not taken the plunge owing to high initial outlays. CEM requires new waste-treatment facilities that are far beyond its means.

Đinh Thị Hằng, Chairwoman of the Hà Anh Cooperative, said an average waste-treatment facility required for a farm of 10,000 pigs normally entails an initial outlay of about VNĐ500 million, an amount that not many cooperatives could afford.

Some cooperatives have attempted to take favourable loans to finance their CEM efforts but got little results. The limited availability of such loans makes bank-financed CEM a challenge for these producers.

Ironically, a tremendous amount of agricultural waste gets 'wasted' every year owing to financial setbacks.

Of the 157 million tonnes of waste in the agriculture sector, merely 50 per cent of that in the forestry sub-sector gets recycled. The figures are higher in crop farming and livestock, being 52 per cent and 75 per cent respectively.

The chairwoman called for more preferential loans granted to cooperatives to help them go green without hindrances.

Hoàng Thị Hậu, Chairwomen of the Thanh Xuân Clean Organic Cooperative, said upfront costs are just one of the many obstacles in the way of cooperatives trying to embrace CEM. Another obstacle involves technological adaptability.

She said CEM remains elusive for her cooperative because it consists largely of older farmers who are resistant to change. She called for guidelines to help these technophobes understand the role of technology in CEM and budge their stance.

Some cooperative chairmen said the absence of a common norm applicable to the conversion of agricultural waste into animal feed had put them in a tight spot. Without a norm, they had to play by their own rules, resulting in substandard feed that is inadequate for export.

They called for the establishment of waste-reclaiming norms to get their feed up to global standards and cut their operational costs.

Vietnam emerges as new Asian tourism hotspot

Travel Off Path, a US website specializing in tourism, recently published an article highlighting the nation for its array of breathtakingly beautiful scenery, a huge coastline that stretches for an incredible 3,260km, and several energetic cities.      

The newswire outlines that when people think of traveling to Southeast Asia, Thailand is one of the first destinations that comes to mind. But for those who want to avoid the crowds of Thailand, then Vietnam represents an emerging force for tourism in the region that is ripe for exploration.

According to information provided by a Google Destination Insights report, the period between March and June saw Vietnam rise to become the seventh most searched destination in the world and the only country in Southeast Asia to make the top 20 list.

The website also pointed out three reasons that make Vietnam to become attractive to foreign tourists. 

From August 15, visiting will be easier than ever for citizens of many countries. The Vietnamese Government has extended visa-free access to the country from 15 days to 45 days for passport holders from Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and the UK.

The duration of e-visas to enter the nation has also been extended from 30 days to three months.

An 80 additional countries, including the United States, are currently eligible to enter the country using an e-visa. From August 15, an e-visa will also allow for multiple entries into the nation, rather than the current system of each e-visa only being eligible for a single entry.

This will allow guests to come and go as they please, traveling to and from the country as part of a wider Asian tour.

For those who are required to apply for a visa to enter Vietnam, then the visa application is easy, straightforward, and affordable.

Because Vietnam is an emerging tourist destination and doesn’t yet have the same huge footfall that many other Southeast Asian countries enjoy, much of its natural beauty spots remains incredibly well preserved.

The huge range of natural beauty spots nationwide is also outstanding. To the north of the country visitors can explore a rugged mountainous region, whilst in central and southern Vietnam they will find incredibly beautiful beaches.

The countryside is lush and green, whilst the Vietnamese Government has managed to preserve their cultural heritage sites beautifully.

The cities are attracting tourists too. From the captivating old-world charm of Hanoi to the less explored Ha Long, Vietnam is fast becoming Asia’s new tourist hotspot thanks to all of these attractions and so much more.

For travelers on a tight budget, money should be a consideration when exploring the popularity of Vietnam. Southeast Asia is an affordable destination in general, with both Thailand and Vietnam being cheap spots for those on a budget.

But Vietnam is widely considered to be one of the best budget options in the region. Accommodation, food, and transportation are all cheaper in the nation compared to those in Thailand, especially in rural parts of the country.

The Vietnamese Government is focusing on encouraging more tourists to visit and growing their tourism numbers this year.

The original target was to attract eight million visitors in the rest of year, but there are predictions that the figure will grow to 10 million by the end of the year.

Furthermore, social media trends have a huge influence on travel choices, with Vietnam being strongly promoted across social media networks such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

The number of hostels in the country’s largest cities is growing, and according to a spokesman from Fuse Hostels and Travel, “We’re seeing in the last three months a substantial uptick in the number of international guests staying in hostels.”

The Vietnamese Government is keen to turn the country into Asia’s new tourism hotspot. So far this policy has been a success and their plan is working. Therefore, now is the perfect time to explore this incredible and beautiful country.

Localities make efforts at site clearance for expressway project

After the construction of the Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang expressway project in the first phase was started, local administrations have made concerted efforts to clear the site for investors.

Despite many difficulties such as soft ground and difficult material transportation in rivers, the governments in An Giang, Can Tho, Hau Giang and Soc Trang and the contractor are determined to make every effort for the expressway to be built on schedule.

The working atmosphere in the Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang expressway project in the Mekong Delta Province of Hau Giang’s Chau Thanh A District is bustling with dozens of trucks and excavators.

Mr. Mai Van Tan, Director of Hau Giang Department of Transport, said that the provincial authorities are presently trying to speed up site clearance in the remaining area for the ground handover to the construction unit. The contractor has been carrying out the construction on empty ground.

Colonel Vu Phuc Hau, Deputy Commander of the 12th Army Corps, Deputy General Director of Truong Son Construction Corporation, said that the Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang expressway project is hoped to promote socio-economic development and security and defense in the Mekong Delta.

He added because it is a large project, both the investor and the contractor felt their huge responsibility but the project is carried out in the river area where the ground is quite soft. Subsequently, the investor and the contract found it difficult in treating soft ground in addition to scarce resources and materials; plus, river transportation is dependent on the tide. When the tide recedes, large ships cannot get to the construction site.

After the groundbreaking ceremony, authorities in Hau Giang Province are focusing on site clearance because the remaining 16 percent of the households affected by the project have not removed for the handover of the site to the construction company. Related agencies and localities are making concerted efforts to encourage these households to hand over the site.

The site clearance also involves technical infrastructure companies in fields of water, electricity and telecommunications, so they have to speed up the removal to ensure the project's progress. Besides, some households have not been resettled in time. Hau Giang authorities are speeding up the progress of resettlement areas for local residents to stablize their lives in better than before places.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Hoa, Vice Chairman of Hau Giang Province People's Committee, in addition to site clearance, the locality is also completing procedures for building resettlement areas so that local inhabitants can move in. However, the local administrators moaned of the scarcity of sand and leveling materials, which may lead to delay in the implementation progress.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hoa proposed that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the People's Committees of An Giang, Dong Thap and Vinh Long provinces should pay attention to the provision of sand and leveling materials for the project.

The Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment announced they are testing the use of sea sand for the construction of highways. If the test result is positive, it will help speed up the implementation of projects across the province as well as the Mekong Delta.

Mr. Nguyen Phu Tan, Director of the Department of Transport of An Giang Province, said that following the direction of the Government, ministries and An Giang Provincial People's Committee, the transport sector has been completing procedures to provide about 1.1 cubic meters of sand for the Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang highway project.

He revealed that thanks to the increase in the mining capacity at sand mines in the area, the sector could supply sand for projects. Immediately after the groundbreaking ceremony of the project, An Giang Province continuously urged the contractor to urgently speed up the progress.

The transportation sector has continued to coordinate with relevant agencies and localities to complete site clearance compensation for the remaining 30 percent of land in need of acquisition for the project, said Mr. Nguyen Phu Tan.

According to Colonel Vu Phuc Hau, Deputy Commander of the 12th Army Corps, Deputy General Director of Truong Son Construction Corporation, upon the capacity and experience of a military enterprise in the field of civil construction, especially the experience from the implementation of the Eastern expressway projects in the period of 2017-2020 and 2021-2025, they will first develop appropriate plans and construction methods. With the workload and with the terms in the contract, the corporation will organize enough human resources to serve the project.

Later, the company will mobilize modern suitable machinery and equipment for project implementation and have a plan of financial resources to meet the investor's requirements, said Colonel Vu Phuc Hau.

Over 3.700 entries sent to writing contest on protecting Party’s ideological foundation

Over 3,700 entries in the categories of magazine, newspaper, and radio/television/video clip had been sent to the 2023 writing contest on protecting the Party’s ideological foundation as of June 30, said member of the Standing Board and head of the Information and Education Commission under the Party Committee of the Central Agencies’ Bloc Nguyen Minh Chung.

The contest was organised by the Party Committee of the Central Agencies’ Bloc in collaboration with Nhan dan (People) newspaper, Vietnam News Agency, Vietnam Television, Radio the Voice of Vietnam and Communist Review.

During a meeting in Hanoi July 24, Chung said many Party organisations responded to the contest creatively and effectively, attracting a large number of officials, Party members, civil servants, employees and workers.

The award presentation ceremony is scheduled for mid-September on the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and the National Day (September 2).

The awards will be presented in all categories, each of them will have one first, two second, three third and 10 consolation prizes.

The collective prizes will be awarded to 15 Party organisations under the Party Committee of the Central Agencies’ Bloc.

It is the third year the contest has been launched nationwide. Last year, it drew as many as 1,108 entries from Party organisations at home and abroad.

Vietnam’s external policy introduced to law students in The Hague

The Vietnamese Embassy in the Netherlands has held an exchange with international students from The Hague Academy of International Law, introducing them to Vietnam's foreign policy and activities of its diplomatic representative agencies abroad.

Nearly 20 students of various nationalities – France, Senegal, Italy, Japan, and Vietnam, among others – participated in the event. Most of them, including two from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, were in the final year of their Master's or Ph.D. law programmes, with some already working in courts or foreign ministries.

Ambassador Pham Viet Anh had an open discussion with the students about Vietnam’s key foreign policy principles and fundamental diplomatic pillars, as well as the basic functions and main activities of the country's diplomatic representation abroad.

The students showed their interest in and raised many questions about the international situation, Southeast Asia region, Vietnam's perspectives, and its approach to current global issues. Their queries were clearly answered, reflecting Vietnam's consistent position of respecting international law, supporting peace, cooperation, and reconciliation, and choosing what is right and just, not taking sides.

They also expressed their appreciation of the nation’s foreign policy of independence, proactiveness, openness and active international integration that contributes to building a world of peace, justice, and prosperity based on international law.

Dong Nai, Laos’s Champasak exchange experience in people's council activities

The authorities of the southern province of Dong Nai on July 24 hosted a visiting working delegation from the People's Council of Laos's Champasak province.

Welcoming the delegation, Chairman of the Dong Nai People's Council Thai Bao considered their working trip a vivid demonstration of the strong solidarity, friendship, and close ties between Vietnam and Laos in general and between Dong Nai and Champasak in particular.

The official expressed his belief that the nations’ special bond, friendly neighbourliness, and deep-rooted traditional relationship will be further strengthened.

For his part, Keolattana Shihavong, member of the Champasak Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Council, hoped that cooperation between the people's councils of the two localities as well as the Vietnam-Laos relationship will continue to thrive in the future.

On the occasion, the two sides exchanged experience and discussed legal regulations involving their councils’ works, especially supervision activities and the role of the elected agencies.

They signed a memorandum of understanding as a foundation for the two people's councils to implement cooperative engagements, contributing to strengthening the special friendship and solidarity between Dong Nai and Champasak in the time to come.

NA Chairman hails contributions of outgoing French Ambassador to Vietnam

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue commended outgoing French Ambassador to Vietnam Nicolas Warnery for his contributions to bilateral cooperation activities while receiving the diplomat in Hanoi on July 24.

Chairman Hue thanked France and the European community for offering timely support to Vietnam in the fight against COVID-19, especially in vaccine supply.

Vietnam wants to continue consolidating and strengthening the bilateral strategic partnership through all channels, including the Party, State, parliament, and people-to-people exchanges, he said.

He expected that France would continue further fostering economic, trade, investment and tourism cooperation with Vietnam. Both sides should continue working closely together to expedite the construction, completion, and early operation of the Nhon-Hanoi Station metro line; as well as step up the renovation of Long Bien bridge into a pedestrian bridge in Hanoi, he added.

As the approval of the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and the removal of the "yellow card" warning against Vietnam's aquatic products are urgent matters, the NA Chairman suggested the European Union (EU), the European Parliament, and the parliaments of member countries promptly work towards resolving these two issues, contributing to reinforcing cooperation between Vietnam and the EU as a whole, and between Vietnam and France in particular.

On the occasion, Chairman Hue reiterated his invitation to the French Senate and National Assembly to send a delegation to the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians in Vietnam in September.

Warnery, for his part, said as planned, a number of activities will be held in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue in December to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties. Between now and the year’s end, various activities related to economic and research cooperation will also be scheduled.

He expressed his delight at recent joint work to realise the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), adding that the France-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group in the French Senate will visit Vietnam in the near future in order to nurture collaboration between the two countries’ parliamentary friendship groups and learn about Vietnam and its people.

Family festival in Hanoi improve awareness of children drowning prevention

A wide range of activities to enhance awareness of children drowning prevention were organised at Thong Nhat Park in the capital city of Hanoi on July 22 and 23.

The activities included games such as face painting, flashmob performances themed on water safety, interactive games like "Knowledge cards", word-chasing, swimming buoy decorations, and more.

Parents also practised lifesaving skills with their children through the activity "Rescuing people".

Through activities and games, participants developed practical understanding of the child drowning situation in Vietnam, the importance of equipping children with water safety skills, as well as the role of families, parents and custodians in drowning prevention.

The event also aimed to respond the World Drowning Prevention Day (July 25), which was hosted by the Department of Child Affairs in collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropies, the World Health Organisation and the Campaign For Tobacco-Free Kids of the United States.

The World Drowning Prevention Day takes place at the peak of summer in Vietnam.

Every year, drowning takes the lives of nearly 2,000 children in Vietnam. Although the number of children dying from drowning has decreased in recent years, it is still one of the top 10 causes of death for children under 16 years old.

Children aged six to 15 are in the highest risk group for drowning when playing in rivers, lakes, ponds or beaches. In many cases, children get into accidents while trying to save their friends from drowning. The number of boys drowning is higher than that of girls. Children under the age of five are more likely to drown near or close to their homes, in lakes, rivers, streams, and canals, including puddles at construction sites.

“The theme of this year's World Drowning Prevention Day is 'Anyone Can Drown, No-One Should’,” said Dr Angela Pratt, Chief Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Vietnam.

“Worldwide, more than 236,000 people die from drowning each year. The WHO recommends that the Vietnamese government focus on teaching school-age children basic swimming skills, water safety skills and safe water-saving skills.

These are cost-effective measures that have been proven effective in significantly reducing the risk of drowning and protecting children's lives. This is extremely important for children from the age of six to grow up safe and healthy.

Safe swimming skills not only follow them for life but also become a healthy way to improve physical fitness.”

Dr Pratt also emphasised the important role of all stakeholders in joining hands to prevent child drowning prevention. She highly appreciated Vietnam for the strong commitment from the National Assembly, the Government, ministries, localities, the community, and parents.

Over 3.700 entries sent to writing contest on protecting Party’s ideological foundation

Over 3,700 entries in the categories of magazine, newspaper, and radio/television/video clip had been sent to the 2023 writing contest on protecting the Party’s ideological foundation as of June 30, said member of the Standing Board and head of the Information and Education Commission under the Party Committee of the Central Agencies’ Bloc Nguyen Minh Chung.

The contest was organised by the Party Committee of the Central Agencies’ Bloc in collaboration with Nhan dan (People) newspaper, Vietnam News Agency, Vietnam Television, Radio the Voice of Vietnam and Communist Review.

During a meeting in Hanoi July 24, Chung said many Party organisations responded to the contest creatively and effectively, attracting a large number of officials, Party members, civil servants, employees and workers.

The award presentation ceremony is scheduled for mid-September on the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and the National Day (September 2).

The awards will be presented in all categories, each of them will have one first, two second, three third and 10 consolation prizes.

The collective prizes will be awarded to 15 Party organisations under the Party Committee of the Central Agencies’ Bloc.

It is the third year the contest has been launched nationwide. Last year, it drew as many as 1,108 entries from Party organisations at home and abroad.

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