Vietnamnet global

29/07/2024 14:50 (GMT+07:00)

Vietnam News Headlines July 29/2024

Vietnamese Ambassador in France honoured for contributions to cultural popularisation

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Chairman of the Vietnam Olympic Committee Nguyen Van Hung conferred the insignia “For the cause of culture, sports and tourism” on Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang at the Vietnam Cultural Centre in Paris on July 25.

The distinction recognised Thang’s substantial contributions to fostering Vietnam-France multifaceted cooperation and the cause of Vietnam’s culture, sport and tourism development during his over three years in office, Hung said.

Thang said the insignia is not only a personal honour but also a testament to the collective efforts of the embassy staff and other Vietnamese diplomatic missions in promoting Vietnamese culture, sports and tourism to the French and European public.

In a notable moment, Hung presented a decision reappointing Anoa Suzzanne Dussol Perran, a French national, as Vietnam's Tourism Ambassador to France for the 2024-2029 tenure.

He wished that Anoa Perran would continue supporting the ministry in the new term, building on the successes in tourism development between the two countries and between Vietnam and Europe, helping to realise Vietnam’s goal of attracting 18 million visitors this year.

In the afternoon, Hung presented the books “Several theoretical and practical issues on socialism and the path to socialism in Vietnam”, and “Building and developing advanced Vietnamese culture rich in national identity” by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to the centre.

Another book "A Thousand Years of Vietnam's National Civilisation", a concise and comprehensive overview of the nation's cultural heritage and treasures throughout various historical periods, was also handed over to the centre.

Hung hoped that through these books, the centre will introduce Vietnam’s invaluable heritage to international friends, which is also the most vivid expression to remember the beloved Party General Secretary./.

Hai Van Gate to reopen next month after two-year restoration

Hai Van Gate, which lies at the top of the Hai Van Pass between the central province of Thua Thien-Hue and Da Nang city, is scheduled to open for visitors on August 1 following a two-year restoration period.

The site, which literally means “Ocean Cloud Gate” and is dubbed as “The world’s most marvelous wonder”, is popular among both local and foreign visitors to central Vietnam as it boasts profound historical, architectural, and artistic values.

The relic complex was built in 1826 under the rule of the Nguyen dynasty’s Emperor Minh Mang who had ordered the construction of multiple defensive structures along the Hai Van Pass to protect Hue, which was then the imperial capital of Vietnam.

It not only serves as historical evidence of the past, but is also an attraction that is expected to draw a number of domestic and foreign tourists to both Da Nang and Thua Thien – Hue.

The Hai Van Quan Gate has been repaired to reflect the original features from the era of the Nguyen dynasty.

The project of preserving, restoring, and promoting the value of Hai Van Gate relic covers an area of about 6,500 square meters with a total cost of VND42 billion (US$1.8 million).

The site will offer free entry to the public in the first phase, and ticket prices will be later decided by authorities of Thua Thien-Hue province, according to Hoang Viet Trung, director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Center.

AMM-57 leaves marks of connected, resilient ASEAN: Deputy FM

The 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-57) and related meetings have left many marks of a connected and resilient ASEAN, said Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet, who led the Vietnamese delegation to the event in Vientiane, Laos.

Talking to the press after the events, the Vietnamese official said countries highly valued the leading role of Laos as the Chair of ASEAN and support the bloc's key focus and priorities for 2024.

According to Deputy FM Viet, connectivity was clearly reflected in each activity at AMM-57 and related meetings, with countries highlighting solidarity and trust as the prerequisite for ASEAN's success.

For Vietnam, this event marked the sincere and moving sentiments of other countries towards Vietnam during the time of national mourning for Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Viet said, noting that The Message of Condolences on the passing of the Vietnamese Party leader issued by senior leaders of ASEAN countries on July 24 is a profound and meaningful testament to this.

According to Viet, in relations between ASEAN and its partners, connectivity is demonstrated through efforts to expand cooperation in areas of digital economy, green transition, and supply chain resilience, as well as to enhance regional connectivity in infrastructure, institutions, and people. In this direction, many documents and initiatives have been promoted during this occasion, such as the ASEAN-UK Joint Ministerial Statement on Enhancing Connectivity for a Prosperous and Sustainable Future; the ASEAN-India Fund for Digital Future; the Green Initiative, and the ASEAN-EU Sustainable Connectivity Package (SCOPE).

The meetings also clearly demonstrated efforts to promote ASEAN's connectivity on a wider scope. The bloc's principles and norms of conduct continue to be highlighted, affirming ASEAN's role and contributions both regionally and globally, Viet said.

He stated that the ASEAN Future Forum 2024 hosted by Vietnam in April 2024 was highly appreciated by the countries as it contributed to not only efforts to enhance regional connectivity but also to the upcoming United Nations (UN)'s Summit of the Future in September, linking the region's common concerns with global ones.

Regarding resilience, the countries emphasised the strategic significance of enhancing resilience in the current complex and unpredictable context, Deputy FM Viet said.

According to the official, "resilience’ and ‘connectivity’ will be consistently included in cooperation strategies for implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, aiming to proactively respond to challenges, get ready to seize opportunities, and remain steadfast in the face of difficulties.

As for contributions of the Vietnamese delegation at the event, the official stated that the Vietnamese delegation participated in the meetings proactively, positively, and responsibly, contributing to the common work.

He said Vietnam will work to strengthen the community building process, timely complete the 2025 Masterplans towards the 2024 Cooperation Strategies. On this occasion, Vietnam announced that it will organise a regional consultation on reviewing the 2025 Master Plans to draw lessons and improve implementation quality in the future, Viet said, adding that Vietnam's plan to continue implementing the ASEAN Future Forum 2025 initiative in Vietnam received support from participants.

At the meetings, Vietnam worked with ASEAN members and partners to review and draft orientations for their relations. Vietnam has called on ASEAN's partner countries to actively participate and contribute to regional cooperation, promote dialogue and trust, and respect the group's central role.

Viet also said Vietnam had contributed to defining the direction for ASEAN amidst the uncertainties, by proposing an approach for ASEAN based on four factors of strategic vision, steadfast solidarity, central role, and specific actions. Vietnam, along with other countries, reaffirmed ASEAN's principled stance on international and regional issues, underlining the necessity of fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the East Sea and creating a favourable environment for negotiating an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS). Vietnam also called on partner countries to support ASEAN's stance on the East Sea as well as the bloc 's efforts to make the waters a region of peace, stability, cooperation, and sustainable development.

The Vietnamese delegation took the occasion to hold bilateral meetings with many countries to discuss issues of mutual interest and promote cooperation in various fields, Viet went on.

The AMM-57 and related meeting have further strengthened the foundation of regional cooperation, serving as an important preparation towards the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related meetings, which will take place in October in Vientiane, Laos, he said.

AI set to drive growth in Vietnam's digital economy

Vietnam's digital economy is projected to grow 11-fold by 2030, reaching 220 billion USD, nearly half of the country's current gross domestic product (GDP).

This forecast was shared at the launch of the Build for the AI Future initiative by Marc Woo, Managing Director of Google Vietnam, Google Asia Pacific, who stressed that artificial intelligence (AI) will be a crucial factor in realising this projection.

According to Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Duy Dong, the implementation of the national strategy for AI research, development, and application until 2030 has yielded promising results. Vietnam ranked 55th in the world on the AI Readiness Index in 2022, up seven positions from 2021.

However, there are currently only about 300 AI specialists in the local workforce. This shortage, coupled with limited access to high-quality training programmes, exacerbates the gap between market demand and available human resources. AI startups in Vietnam also face challenges such as limited access to experts and advisors, as well as insufficient infrastructure, platforms, and tools.

To address these challenges, the initiative focuses on the two pillars of talent development and business innovation.

The first pillar includes a digital talent development programme offering 40,000 scholarships across 10 courses, including the newly launched Google AI Essentials. It aims to equip the younger generation in Vietnam, including many faculties, staff, and students from over 80 universities and colleges nationwide, with the latest AI skills.

The second pillar seeks to drive innovation and develop solutions for local startups through Google for Startups Accelerator. It will provide business knowledge for the startup ecosystem, helping promising AI startups develop, commercialise, and expand their products into new markets.

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Duy Dong affirmed that the initiative represents a strong commitment and support from the ministry and Google to advance Vietnam's AI ecosystem. It aims to equip the workforce with essential skills to seize opportunities in the AI era and assist innovative startups based on AI technology./.

Vietnamese’ largest market in Berlin hosts popular cultural festival

A freshly-ended popular culture festival called “Song o Berlin (Living in Berlin)” has taken Dong Xuan - the largest Vietnamese shopping centre in Berlin - by storm, attracting over 10,000 participants and vividly depicting the integration and coexistence of different cultures.

The four-day event, starting on July 25, featured live music performances, activities involving arts, comedy, dance, and Vietnamese cuisine, as well as discussions focusing on the younger Vietnamese generation growing up in Berlin, embodying both cultures. It also ran a Vietnamese film programme showcasing award-winning short movies and special pre-screenings of a new series by the German broadcaster ARD, titled "Made in Germany" and directed by young Vietnamese-German director Ngo Ngoc Duc.

At the event, which marked the shopping centre’s 20th founding anniversary, its general director Nguyen Van Hien recalled its development path from challenging and difficult early days to the present vibrant and distinctive operation amidst a multicultural Berlin. The journey is truly memorable and a source of pride, he said.

Mayor of Lichtenberg Martin Schaefer noted that the district, which houses Dong Xuan and the largest Vietnamese community in the German capital, has evolved along with immigrants who have come to shape the area.

According to Schaefer, out of approximately 310,000 people currently residing in Lichtenberg, nearly 12,500 are of Vietnamese descent. Therefore, the shopping centre and other facilities established by Vietnamese expatriates in Berlin and the neighbouring state of Brandenburg have played a significant role in building social bridges in many years.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Vu Quang Minh said that Dong Xuan is not only the number one commercial and service hub for the Vietnamese community in Europe but also a major contributor to Berlin's tax revenue, providing numerous jobs and serving as a significant cultural venue for various segments of Germany's population, especially the youth./.

Paris Olympics: Vietnamese swimmer, badminton player to compete on Jul 29

Vietnamese swimmer Nguyen Huy Hoang and badminton player Nguyen Thuy Linh will start competing at the Paris 2024 Olympics on July 29.

Specifically, Hoang will compete in the men's 800m freestyle qualification round and Linh will play against Australian player Tiffany Ho in the women’s singles qualification round.

At the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 32) last year, Hoang brought home three golds and one bronze. While at the SEA Games 31, he took five golds and broke two SEA Games' records.

At the 18th Asian Games (ASIAD 18) in 2018, Hoang won a silver medal in the 1,500m freestyle event. The same year, when attending the Youth Olympics in Argentina, he took a gold medal in the 800m freestyle category.

Hoang's road to Paris was paved with both triumph and adversity. At ASIAD 19 last year, he clinched a bronze medal in the men's 800m freestyle event, punching his ticket to the Olympics with a time of 7:51.44.

At the Paris Olympics, Hoang will compete in his two favourite events - the 1,500m freestyle and the 800m freestyle. For his second time at the Olympics, the swimmer from Quang Binh province aims to surpass his own professional index to achieve the best results and seek opportunities to enter the finals.

Meanwhile, Linh - the number one female player of Vietnam - is in Group K with No 11 Beiwen Zhang of the US and No 80 Tiffany Ho of Australia.

The predictions are that Linh, world No 26, and Zhang will have meet almost no resistance winning over Ho. Linh secured a 2-0 win over Ho at the Spain Masters in March.

The direct match between Linh and Zhang will decide the group winner.

Although Linh is 15 below Zhang in the world rankings, the Germany Open first runner-up is at the same level with her.

In their latest meet last year, Linh beat Zhang 2-1 at the Arctic Open's last 16 round in Finland.

This is Linh's second straight Olympics. In Tokyo in 2021, her competition ended at the group round./.

Mekong Delta regional masterplan contributes to ensuring food security

The implementation of the Mekong Delta regional masterplan for 2021 – 2030, with a vision towards 2050, has helped shift the mindset about food security from developing agriculture based primarily on rice to a model of aquaculture - fruit - rice to increase value and improve production efficiency, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Duy Dong has said.

Addressing a recent meeting of the coordinating council for the Mekong Delta region in Ca Mau, the official said over the past two years of implementing the plan, ministries and sectors have proactively coordinated with relevant localities to take solutions appropriate to each period to fully tap new opportunities, aiming to achieve the best results in socio-economic development in general and the development of specific sectors in particular, thus opening up new opportunities and shaping new values throughout the region.

As the standing committee of the coordinating council for the Mekong Delta region, the Ministry of Planning and Investment has chaired and coordinated with relevant ministries and agencies, based on proposals from regional localities, to review mechanisms and policies applied for the region.

Accordingly, localities in the region are permitted to flexibly convert areas of low-efficiency rice cultivation land to grow other crops and fruits. Rice growers will receive special incentives to stabilise the country's major food production areas, and develop a sustainable agriculture sector in harmony with nature.

Deputy Minister Dong instructed the Ministry of Planning and Investment to propose policies tailored for the region regarding clean water supply for local residents, support for areas with clean water shortage, and mechanism conducive for research and investment in large-scale reservoirs.

He also underlined the need for special mechanisms and policies to lure and train high-quality human resources; and attract investment to address issues such as riverbank and coastal erosion, mitigate the impacts of climate change, protect and develop forests, and ensure the welfare of people in coastal areas.

Under the drastic direction of the Government and the Prime Minister, ministries and localities in the region have issued action plans and coordinated closely to implement proposed tasks and solutions decisively, he said.

As a result, regional socio-economic development has gradually stabilised in a more sustainable direction. The Mekong Delta region has established itself as a leading centre for the production and export of rice, aquaculture products, and fruits in the country, contributing to ensuring the national food security.

Last year, the region's economic growth hit 6.37%, the second highest rate among the six regions nationwide, nearly 1.3 times higher than the national average. The per capita DRDP increased 10.1% compared to 2022, reaching 72.32 million VND (2,851 USD).

The regional economic structure continues to shift positively, with a decreasing proportion of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries; an increasing trend in industry and construction; and a slight increase in the service sector. In 2023, the ratios of the three sectors were 30.05%, 27.62%, and 37.07%, respectively./.

Severe collision in southern province claims two lives

A train collided with a pickup truck on Sunday night in the southern province of Đồng Nai, resulting in two fatalities and three injuries.

The collision occurred at 8.40 pm at the intersection of Phạm Văn Thuận Street and a railway crossing in Thống Nhất Ward, Biên Hòa City.

Initial reports suggest that the truck was attempting to cross the railroad tracks when being struck by an oncoming train. The impact was so severe that the truck was hurled into a nearby garbage truck.

A waste collector and a 13-year-old boy were pronounced dead at the scene. Three other individuals sustained injuries and were rushed to the hospital.

Eyewitnesses reported that the railway crossing barriers were lowered and the train’s horn was blaring as the pickup truck recklessly entered the tracks.

Despite these warnings, the driver proceeded and collided with the high-speed train.

More details about the incident will be release as they become available.

PM offers incense in tribute to fallen heroes on War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh offered incense in tribute to President Ho Chi Minh and fallen heroes, and presented gifts to policy beneficiary families in the northern province of Thai Nguyen on July 27, on the occasion of War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day.

The incense-offering ceremony took place at the National Relic Site 27/7 in Ban Co village, Hung Son town, Dai Tu district, where 300 officials, soldiers and people from all walks of life gathered on July 27, 1947 to hear President Ho Chi Minh's letter recognising the birth of the War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day. The site now stands as a memorial to martyrs nationwide.

Presenting gifts to veterans and martyrs’ families in Dai Tu district, PM Chinh said over the past 77 years, the Vietnamese Party and State have always provided special care and preferential treatment for war invalids, martyrs' families and revolution contributors, considering it an important and regular political task.

He hailed them as war heroes who also excelled in education, labour and production. Their contributions to national construction and defence, he said, made them exemplary models for the youth to admire, learn from and follow.

The leader also urged localities, agencies, and organisations to launch more practical activities to honour those who devoted their lives to the cause of national liberation and reunification.

In the afternoon, the PM visited the National Relic Site of Company 915, Battalion 91 Bac Thai in Thai Nguyen city. There, he offered incense to 60 volunteer youth martyrs who fell down on the night of December 24, 1972 while on duty.

PM Chinh also visited a space displaying the “Flame of Company 915”, highlighting its role in the national liberation struggle and its enduring legacy as a heroic epic for current and future generations./.

Vietnamese fallen soldiers commemorated in Phnom Penh

The Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia and the Cambodian Ministry of National Defence jointly organised a ceremony at the Vietnam-Cambodia friendship monument in Phnom Penh on July 26, observing a minute of silence and offering flowers and incense to commemorate fallen heroes.

Speaking at the event held as part of activities on the occasion of the 77th anniversary of Vietnam's War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27, 1947 – 2024), Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Huy Tang affirmed that the assistance provided by the Vietnamese military and people to the Cambodian military and people in the struggle to overthrow the genocidal Pol Pot regime on January 7, 1979, was an event of immense significance for both nations.

He acknowledged the sacrifices made by Vietnamese volunteer soldiers as well as Cambodian soldiers and people for the independence of Cambodia. The Vietnam-Cambodia friendship monument in the capital, along with other memorials across Cambodia, stands as a testament to the shared sacrifices.

The diplomat said that the annual commemoration on July 27 not only honours Vietnamese martyrs but also pays tribute to Cambodian soldiers who laid down their lives for their country's independence.

Tang said he believed that based on the deep and enduring bond between the two countries, they will continue to stand side by side and develop together for the sake of their people.

Leading a delegation of senior officers from the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, General Yun Min, Secretary of State at the Ministry of National Defence, expressed his honour to participate in the event, which he said reminded him and his comrades of related memories, Vietnam's significant assistance, and the two nations’ long-standing relationship and mutual support.

He also took this occasion to express his heartfelt condolences to the Vietnamese military and people on the passing of their outstanding leader, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong.

On July 27, a reburial ceremony for the remains of 97 Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who perished during wartime in Cambodia took place at the Tam Nong Martyrs' Cemetery in Tam Nong district in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap.

The remains were unearthed by Team K91 of the provincial military command during the 2023-2024 dry season in Cambodia's Prey Veng and Pursat provinces, where Vietnamese troops had once been stationed, fought and sacrificed. Since 2001, the search team has recovered the remains of over 2,160 soldiers and experts, of which more than 90 were identified and over 1,920 were found in Cambodia.

Also in celebration of the 77th anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day, the Party Committee and trade union of the Vietnam News Agency's Office in the southern region, together with the Dong A clinic, An Binh Hospital, and the Farmers' Association of Ben Tre province, organised a free health check-up programme in the Mekong Delta province’s Bao Thanh coastal commune, benefiting 350 impoverished and near-impoverished families./.

Vietnamese Embassy commemorates fallen combatants in Laos

An incense-offering ceremony commemorating fallen Vietnamese and Lao combatants took place at the Laos-Vietnam Combat Alliance Relic Site in Keun village, Thoulakhom district, Vientiane province, on July 27 to mark the 77th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day.

Organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos, in conjunction with the Central Committee of the Lao Veterans’ Federation and local authorities, the event paid tribute to brave Vietnamese and Lao soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of both nations.

Khamphan Sitthidampha, Secretary and Governor of Vientiane province, lauded the deep-rooted solidarity between Vietnam and Laos, particularly during the war years. He expressed sincere gratitude to the Vietnamese Party, Government, army and people for their unwavering support to the Lao revolution over the past years.

He also sent sincere thanks to the families and relatives of martyrs for their contributions to the noble international mission, fighting alongside the Lao army and people throughout its struggle for national independence until the ultimate victory.

Later, representatives of the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos, the Vietnamese community, and the Vietnam Business Association presented gifts to the management team of the relic site.

Located about 70 km from the capital Vientiane, the relic site serves as a memorial to 28 Vietnamese and Lao martyrs who perished in a joint assault on the French colonial stronghold of Phone He in January 1946. This victory marked a pivotal moment in the Laos-Vietnam alliance’s fight for liberation in both countries.

To further honour the fallen combatants, delegations from both countries also offered incense at the Monument to Vietnamese heroes and martyrs in Phaxang village, Kasy district, Vientiane province./.

Cuban media feature wide coverage of Vietnamese Party leader

The Cuban media have provided extensive coverage of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong, highlighting his enormous contributions to Vietnam as well as the two countries’ relations.

On its July 25 issue, the Juventud Rebelde daily reserved an entire page for demonstrating the Cuban Party, State, and people’s sentiments towards General Secretary Trong. The front page also featured a report on leaders of Cuba, including First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, coming to pay their last respects to the CPV chief at the Vietnamese Embassy in Havana on July 24.

The newspaper also mentioned General Secretary Trong’s visits to Cuba, especially the trip to Santiago de Cuba in March 2018 to commemorate leader of the Cuban revolution Fidel Castro Ruz.

It cited Speaker of the National Assembly of People’s Power and President of the Council of State of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez, who visited Vietnam to attend the state funeral, as talking to Vietnamese leaders that Cuba feels this loss as its own.

On July 22, when Cuba declared national mourning for General Secretary Trong, Granma – the official organ of the PCC, and many other dailies in the Caribbean nation turned the traditional colours of their publications into black in commemoration of the Vietnamese Party chief.

Granma reserved a whole page of its July 22 issue to cover the CPV leader’s statements about the important role of the youth. It cited many parts of his speech at the celebration of the 90th founding anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (March 26, 1931 - 2021).

The Cuba media underscored General Secretary Trong’s influence on the two countries’ special ties. They noted he used to visit Cuba for five times during which he met and had working sessions with the country’s top leaders, and that each visit further strengthened Vietnam’s relations with Party and State leaders as well as people of Cuba.

The media outlets described Trong as a close friend of many leaders of Cuba such as Fidel Castro, Raul Castro, and many current ones.

They also reported that General Secretary Trong used to be granted the Order of Jose Marti, the noblest of Cuba, in 2012 in recognition of this exceptional contributions to the solidarity and friendship between the two Parties, States, and peoples. He was also granted the Doctor Honoris Causa (Honorary Doctor) title on political science by the University of Havana in 2018./.

Overseas Vietnamese, int'l friends pay respects to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong

Overseas Vietnamese, those from Vietnamese associations and organisations, international agencies and foreigners and locals in many countries came to Vietnam's diplomatic missions abroad to pay respects for General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong on July 25 and 26.

On July 26, Russian officials and politicians paid tribute to General Secretary Trong at the Vietnamese Embassy in Moscow.

First Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma Ivan Melnikov told Vietnamese Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi that General Secretary Trong greatly contributed to establishing the two countries’ strategic comprehensive partnership. He ecalled his meetings with Trong and asked Khoi to convey his condolences to Trong’s family and comrades.

Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council of Russia (Upper House of the Russian parliament) Konstantin Kosachev, leader of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF) Gennady Zyuganov, Deputy Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federation Council Andrey Klimov expressed their condolences over the death of General Seretary Trong in the condolence book opened at the Vietnamese embassy.

On July 25-26, the embassy received nearly 200 delegations.

More than 70 delegations came to the Vietnamese Embassy in France to pay tribute to and write in the condolence book for General Secretary Trong during the two days.

On July 26, a representative from the French Communist Party (PCF) wrote in the condolence book that the PCF and its national secretary Fabien Roussel extend their deep and sincere symphathies to Vietnamese people and the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) over the passing of General Secretary Trong, and praise Trong's contributions to strengthening Vietnam's international relations by promoting 'bamboo diplomacy', within the framework of respecting international law. His theoretical contributions to the communists' and workers' movements today are of great importance for the thinking and action in the world at present.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese Embassy in Angola recieved on July 25 and 26 two delegations of Angola leaders, 29 diplomatic delegations and 19 delegations of Vietnamese organisations and individuals who came to pay tribute to General Secretary Trong.

Politburo member and Vice President of the ruling People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) Luisa Damiao wrote in the condolence book, expressing her respect to Nguyen Phu Trong - a politician with extraordinary human qualities.

Cuban Ambassador to Angola Oscar Leon Gonzalez affirmed General Secretary Trong is a big friend of Cuban people.

Representatives from the Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and people of Romania and diplomatic missions in the European coutnry paied their respects for the Vietnamese Party leader at the Vietnamese Embassy in Romania in the past two days.

Pham Duy Hung, President of the Vietnamese association in Romania, wrote in the condolence book that the Vietnamese community in Romania mourn General Secretary Trong - a loyal, pure, courageous, intelligent communist, a great person who always care about and share the difficulties of the people at home and abroad, and considere overseas Vietnamese an inseparable part of the Vietnamese nation.

On July 26 morning, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister M.U.M Ali Sabry came the Vietnamese Embassy in Colombo to bid farewell to General Secretary Trong.

FM Sabry told Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Trinh Thi Tam that the Sri Lankan Government and people sincerely share the great grief and loss with the Government and people of Vietnam.

Sri Lanka will forever remember Trong as a close friend and a leader who promoted peace and harmony across Asia and the world through his bamboo diplomacy school, he wrote in a condolence book.

Also on July 26, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the People's Liberation Front (JVP) & National People's Power (NPP) in Sri Lanka, representatives of foreign representative agencies in Sri Lanka and the Buddhist community in Sri Lanka paid their respects for General Secretary Trong.

During Vietnam's two-day national mourning on July 25-26, the Vietnamese Embassy in Tanzania hosted 23 delegations to bid last farewell to the General Secretary, including diplomatic missions and embassies of countries in Tanzania such as China, Russia, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Sudan, Iran, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and representatives from Viettel Tanzania (Halotel), Viettel Burundi (Lumitel) and the Vietnamese community in Tanzania.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese Embassy in South Africa on July 26 received delegations, including those led by Deputy President of South Africa Paul Mashatile, First Deputy Secretary-General of the African National Congress Nomvula Mokonyane.

Ambassadors and representatives of China, Japan, Zimbabwe, Algeria, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Ivory Coast, and Norway in South Africa also paid tribute to General Secretary Trong at the embassy./.

Severe collision in southern province claims two lives

A train collided with a pickup truck on Sunday night in the southern province of Đồng Nai, resulting in two fatalities and three injuries.

The collision occurred at 8.40 pm at the intersection of Phạm Văn Thuận Street and a railway crossing in Thống Nhất Ward, Biên Hòa City.

A waste collector and a 13-year-old boy were pronounced dead at the scene. Three other individuals sustained injuries and were rushed to the hospital.

Eyewitnesses reported that the railway crossing barriers were lowered and the train’s horn was blaring as the pickup truck recklessly entered the tracks.

Despite these warnings, the driver proceeded and collided with the high-speed train.

More details about the incident will be release as they become available.

Storm destroys 8 houses in Cà Mau, damages 13

A storm that hit U Minh District in Cà Mau Province on Friday destroyed eight houses and damaged the roofs of 13 others, causing estimated losses of over VNĐ1.2 billion (US$47,400).

The district People’s Committee quickly deployed officials to the affected Khánh Tiến and Khánh Hòa communes to visit locals and provide financial assistance to those affected by the disaster.

The Border Guard Station of Khánh Tiến also sent personnel to work with local authorities to help clean up and rebuild houses.

Earlier, on July 25, in the coastal district of Đầm Dơi, there were six cases of riverbank erosion. There were no casualties, but it caused great damage to locals’ houses and seafood farms.

Erosion frequently occurs in the district during peak rain and storm seasons.

In the remaining months of this year, 10-12 storms and tropical depressions are forecast to occur over the East Sea, and half of them could hit the mainland.

Cà Mau is focusing on construction works that will help protect lives and properties from natural disasters and search and rescue, and plans to use information technology for this purpose.

It also protects key buildings, monitors natural disasters closely, and raises people’s awareness of how to stay safe.

Since the start of this year Cà Mau has suffered property damage worth around VNĐ35.7 billion due to natural disasters.

This includes houses, roads, electricity poles, rice farms, and others.

Central province calls for funds to rebuild unsafe houses

The central province has called for contribution from community and businesses in rebuilding more than 10,000 poorly structured and unsafe houses across the province in 2024-25.

The provincial Party’s Secretary, Lương Nguyễn Minh Triết began a fund raising campaign among donors to build houses in mountainous rural areas for families who have made a great contribution the country, as well as underprivileged households.

He said donors could contribute from VNĐ50,000 (US$2) to VNĐ100,000 ($4) to the Fund.

The province had agreed to reserve a fund of VNĐ407 billion ($16.3 million) for repairing and rebuilding 15,735 downgraded houses in 2023-25.

Nam Giang district alone had raised a donation of 1.7 billion ($68,000) from a hundred businesses and local residents for the Fund in dealing with unsafe houses in 2023-25.

The district had supported VNĐ9.3 billion ($372,000) to build and repair 243 houses, of which 226 were newly-constructed houses for poor families in 2019-22.

The Foundation of Development and Supporting Sustainable Living Community, or Sống Foundation, had helped complete two villages in the province Quảng Nam with funding from community, partners and businesses.

The province said it has offered lots of incentives to support people with downgraded houses or living in low-lying or vulnerable to landslides and flooding areas and will priorities helping ethnic groups, people with disabilities, the elderly and low-income households.

In the past Quảng Nam province, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Việt Nam Disaster Management Authority (VNDMA), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Republic of Korea, in partnership with the Việt Nam Red Cross Society, had co-operated in the Damrey Storm-damaged houses recovery and rehabilitation project.

The project helped build 80 resilient houses which had suffered damage from typhoons.

HCM City's boarding houses must meet new requirements for safety

The HCM City Department of Construction expects that boarding houses for rent in the City must meet requirements to continue operating, such as ensuring a minimum floor area of five square metres per person, being located in at least a four-metre wide alley, being no more than 100 metres from the main road, and having an emergency exit.

According to the Department of Construction, regulating the minimum floor area helps limit the number of people in boarding houses and the number of boarding houses in each area. This will ensure that the number of people gathering is not too large, reducing the risk of fires and accidents.

Having an alley at least four metres wide and no more than 100 metres from the main road will help people evacuate and facilitate rescue in cases of fire, natural disaster or emergency.

The city plans to apply those criteria in areas with a large concentration of boarding houses before applying them throughout the city.

According to the Department's statistics, the entire city has about 60,500 boarding houses. Independently built boarding houses account for 34,800 rooms, with a total maximum number of tenants of more than 943,000 people. Private housing divided into rooms for rent, accounting for 25,670 rooms, have a maximum number of tenants of more than 486,000 people.

About 12,800 boarding houses (accounting for 21 per cent) do not meet safety requirements to continue operating.

Of these, about 4,600 boarding houses do not meet the criteria for minimum average floor area and 8,200 boarding houses do not meet the criteria for fire prevention and fighting.

According to the department, these boarding houses must make the conversion to meet standards if they want to continue operating.

In addition, the department's surveys also show that the demand for rental accommodation of immigrant workers with an area from 15 square metres to 25 square metres accounts for more than 80 per cent with a rental price of VNĐ3-5 million (US$120-200) per month.

These surveys also show that the safety of people living in boarding houses is not guaranteed in terms of fire prevention, firefighting, environmental sanitation and domestic water safety.

The department also proposed that the City have a policy to support landlords to borrow at preferential interest rates to meet the safety level of regulations. If the landlords have boarding houses that do not meet the conditions, the city will offer support loans.

Hà Nội aims towards eco-urban agriculture

Hà Nội boasts a unique agriculture, in the heart of the city, which requires significant efforts to sustainably develop the sector following modern, clean and organic practices.

The city’s agricultural growth must also be linked with the circular economy and the processing industry and ensure sustainable connection to the global value chains.

According to Nguyễn Mạnh Quyền, vice chairman of Hà Nội People’s Committee, with the capital city’s current conditions, the focus lies in the produce and farming models, rather than the production process.

These must be suitable to the ecological conditions, environmental protection measures, as well as the capital city’s economic scale.

Therefore, Hà Nội agriculture must leverage its intellectual power in production, he said.

While the scale might not be extensive, the sector must employ advanced technology for high quality and product value.

In addition, local farming should utilise Hà Nội’s ecological and cultural strengths to develop a unique agriculture.

As the capital city and an economic and cultural centre of the country, Hà Nội must also act as a focal point of the market economy, a transhipment hub and an intermediate point between municipal and provincial economies nationwide, said Quyền.

Director of Hà Nội Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyễn Xuân Đại added that Hà Nội aspires to transform the suburban zones of the city with a new approach, which emphasises the traditional cultural foundation and improved living standards in these areas.

The city’s concept of ‘urban areas within villages, villages within urban areas’ is also expected to contribute to the formation of agricultural and suburban tourism destinations.

Hà Nội also needs to focus on planning farming zones based on economic and ecological functions, to develop modern urban agriculture, based on its people’s cultural values, the Red River Delta agricultural civilisation and in alignment with international integration and global connections, said Đại.

Accordingly, the capital city must develop specific mechanisms in the planning and management of its agricultural zones, as well as a growth direction that fits each of its development zones.

Specifically, in the historical inner-city, Hà Nội should develop urban agriculture following the model of a circular economy with high technology, elite and smart farming practices, creating green spaces and ecological landscapes.

Meanwhile, in the larger urban area, the growth direction should follow the model of ‘city within city’, while the outer zones within future city districts should be scaled up to urban areas where agricultural models align with eco-tourism, offering tourist experiences and leisure activities.

Satellite urban zones and adjacent areas should be designated for agricultural production and preserving and promoting the values of ancient villages, craft villages, as well as educational and experiential tourism.

Key agricultural production areas include the districts of Ba Vì, Phúc Thọ, Ứng Hòa, Mỹ Đức, Quốc Oai and Thạch Thất, which will focus on large-scale commodity agricultural production, agricultural with industrial combination, high-tech agriculture and science-technology applications, linked with the development of agricultural supply chains in the Red River Delta.

Aiming to be a transhipment and connection hub, Hà Nội has been making great progress in forming links that allow for safe, high-quality farm produce supply for people.

The capital city continues to maintain and grow its 159 safe agricultural production and consumption chains, of which 53 are for animal products and 106 are for vegetables. These chains have successfully engaged multiple businesses, cooperatives and farmers.

Hà Nội’s agricultural sector also coordinates with 43 cities and provinces nationwide to proactively manage and support the development of 926 safe food supply chains for the capital city.

Director of BigGreen Co Ltd Nguyễn Tiến Hưng added that his company has established various stores in Hà Nội to introduce farm produce from other cities and provinces.

With the shrinking farming land in Hà Nội, agricultural businesses in the city need to develop more links with other cities and provinces for a steady supply for the people.

Currently, products under the OCOP (One Commune - One Product) Programme account for 60-65 per cent of BigGreen’s offering.

The company also has 85 OCOP product sale points in 25 towns and districts, where store managers will prioritise marketing Hà Nội’s OCOP products.

Meanwhile, thanks to crop restructuring and focusing on high-quality seedlings, Hà Nội has developed multiple high-tech and cost-effective models.

The city now boasts 285 high-tech agricultural production models, including 185 in plant cultivation, 45 in livestock farming, 54 in aquaculture and one combining plant cultivation and livestock farming.

Several models have invested in advanced technology and equipment, which has brought positive economic results in alignment with the city’s circumstances.

Alongside crop restructuring, Hà Nội has also been working on multiple green agricultural models linked with eco-tourism.

To date, 58.9 per cent of the capital city’s land is rural and agricultural areas connected with green production zones.

Hà Nội’s major plans in execution have identified a focus on investing and developing ecological agriculture and maximising resources from urban agriculture.

Dr Trần Đức Viên, chairman of the Academy Council at the Vietnam National University of Agriculture, believes that Hà Nội’s agricultural sector is on the right track.

The local agriculture should leverage the city’s human resources, intellectual power and its position as an economic centre, he said.

The agricultural economy is not simply about production but also the efficiency of production models, Viên said, adding that Hà Nội must be the supply source of high-quality raw materials and inputs as well as intellectual power to other cities and provinces.

Hà Nội needs to develop appropriate land resources alongside a favourable infrastructure for the ecological environment and the planned satellite cities, all while forming spaces for the city’s buffer zones where the local agricultural sector leverages its strengths, he said.

Hà Nội hosts nostalgic painting exhibition of Hải Phòng native

A collection of paintings by Hải Phòng native artist Mai Duy Minh are on a dislay in Hà Nội.

The exhibition Land and People of Tam Bạc tells the intimate story of all the emotions from the artist's creative journey over the past 25 years.

The working-class areas depicted are still calm, as if Hải Phòng was standing still outside the flow of investment and renewal. And the portraits of the workers' neighborhoods, the portraits of Tam Bạc Port - the iconic images of Hải Phòng - remain purely poetic and dreamy with a realistic vision of Hải Phòng all found in the paintings by Minh.

After nearly twenty years of going back going back and forth with his beloved city, the emotions of the artist and the works about Hải Phòng, Tam Bạc have changed a lot.

Facing many changes, the artist is full of emotions, with so much nostalgia, sometimes difficult to love and easy to feel sorrow.

The paintings at the exhibition come from the artist's own collection, along with some sketches and drawings introduced to art lovers for the first time.

Minh was born and raised in the northern province of Hải Phòng and graduated from Việt Nam University of Fine Arts in 1999.

Minh previously had two solo exhibitions Space Complex in 2002 at the Atena Gallery and Dust of Life in 2006 at Goethe-Institute. He has also taken part in several group exhibitions. In 2010, Minh received an award from the Vietnam Fine Arts Association.

Land and People of Tam Bạc exhibition runs until August 18 at Hanoi Studio Gallery - No 23-25 Mạc Đĩnh Chi Street, Ba Đình District.

Book series portraying young Vietnamese heroes released

The Kim Đồng Publishing House, the country’s leading publisher for children’s books, has released a book series entitled Những Anh Hùng Trẻ Tuổi (Young Heroes) about young Vietnamese heroes.

The series consists of 17 picture books featuring the life and revolutionary career of young heroes such as Kim Đồng, Võ Thị Sáu and Vừ A Dính, who sacrificed their lives to fight for the country’s peace, reunification, and independence during the two resistance wars against the French and Americans.

In addition, the publication includes two books featuring the Hồ Chí Minh Young Pioneer Organisation (HYPO), which was founded by the Communist Party of Việt Nam in Cao Bằng Province in 1941.

The book, titled Chuyện Kể Về Người Tổng Phụ Trách Đội Đầu Tiên (Stories of the First Young Pioneer Instructor), portrays Đức Thanh, HPYO's first instructor, who devoted his life to the development of the organisation.

Another book, Chuyện Kể Về Năm Đội Viên Đầu Tiên (Stories of Five First Young Pioneers), tells stories of the lives and achievements of the organisation’s members in the early days.

All the books are compiled by veterans, and renowned authors and historians such as Tô Hoài and Hoài Lộc, former deputy director and editor-in-chief of the Kim Đồng Publishing House.

According to the publisher, the book series not only shows gratitude to the country’s heroes who sacrificed for the country’s independence, but also reminds the young generation of patriotism.

HCM City Television supports 'đàn ca tài tử' clubs

Hồ Chí Minh City Television has organised a special cultural programme to support đàn ca tài tử -- music of talented amateurs, who sing and play the 100-year-old traditional chamber music genre originated in southern Việt Nam.

The programme aims to promote the music and both professional and amateur artists from đàn ca tài tử clubs in the city.

It includes forums and talks by cultural researchers, singers and musicians who share their knowledge on đàn ca tài tử and vọng cổ (nostalgic tunes) music, the latter being a traditional art form used in cải lương (reformed opera).

Live performances and TV shows will also featured.

Members from đàn ca tài tử clubs of Bình Thạnh District and the districts of 6, 8 and 12 will participate in the events.

The artists will perform solo and in groups. They will sing and use Vietnamese traditional musical instruments such as đàn bầu (monochord zither), đàn kìm (two-stringed guitar), đàn cò (vertical violin with two strings) and đàn tranh (zither).

“We hope to bring đàn ca tài tử closer to young people to boost their love for the country through traditional arts,” said Meritorious Artist Hoàng Tấn of Tài Tử Club of District 3.

HCM City has 384 đàn ca tài tử clubs attracting more than 1,220 members, many of whom are professional artists from art schools and theatres in the city.

These clubs offer training courses on folk singing and đàn ca tài tử music for several thousand children and students, so that the youth can learn and understand more about the art.

Đàn ca tài tử is often performed at festivals and on special occasions like weddings and death anniversaries in the Mekong Delta provinces of Cần Thơ, Vĩnh Long, Bạc Liêu and Cà Mau.

Dạ Cổ Hoài Lang (Night Drumbeats for an Absent Husband) is a popular tài tử song written in 1919 by well-known composer Cao Văn Lầu, a native of Bạc Liêu.

The song tells of the love, anguish and pride of a young woman watching her husband fight for the country.

Đàn ca tài tử was recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2013.

In recent years, the city has launched many contests, festivals and live shows of đàn ca tài tử targeting tourists. Visitors can meet with artists, and learn how to play and sing after every show.

Documentary film highlights late scriptwriter Hạnh

The career of late scriptwriter Lê Duy Hạnh, one of the South’s leading contemporary theatre artists, will be featured in a documentary film released by the HCM City Theatre Association.

The work, entitled Vinh Danh Tác Giả Lê Duy Hạnh (Scriptwriter Lê Duy Hạnh Devoted to Southern Theatre), is being released at the one-year anniversary of the artist’s death.

It will feature Southern theatre through Hạnh’s career in the 1980s-90s.

It will highlight famous plays of drama and cải lương (reformed opera) written and directed by Hạnh.

Stories and events about Hạnh and southern artists and their art will also be included.

“Our film, Vinh Danh Tác Giả Lê Duy Hạnh, is like a book that recalls the process by which theatre artists, including Hạnh, in the past developed the industry,” said the film’s producer Thanh Hiệp.

Hiệp’s film will be released in September.

Theatre critic and scriptwriter Hạnh was born in Bình Định Province. He joined revolutionary movements when he was young.

In 1976, he began his career as a scriptwriter for cải lương theatres in HCM City.

He wrote and produced several drama and cải lương plays featuring Vietnamese history.

Many of his works are still fresh today and have helped young people to improve their knowledge and love for Vietnamese history and culture.

He worked with cải lương gurus, such as late artists Thanh Nga and Thanh Tòng, and celebrated artists Bạch Tuyết and Kim Cương, to combine cải lương of the South and tuồng (classical drama) of the central region.

Hạnh’s creation brought Southern theatre to a higher height with new concepts and performance skills.

His highlighted plays, including Vua Thánh Triều Lê (The Kings of Lê Dynasty), Lý Chiêu Hoàng (Empress regnant Lý Chiêu Hoàng), Tâm Sự Ngọc Hân (Princess Lê Ngọc Hân) and Mặt Trời Đêm Thế Kỷ (Sun after the Long Night), won top prizes as the best play at national theatre festivals and contests in the 1980s and 90s.

Lý Chiêu Hoàng is an example. The play has been staged many times by leading drama and cải lương troupes in the South.

The work portrays the empress regnant Lý Chiêu Hoàng, the last and only sovereign of the Lý dynasty. The themes of patriotism and bravery as well as love and betrayal are also featured.

Hoàng ruled the kingdom of Đại Việt (ancient name of Việt Nam) as queen regnant from 1224-25. Later, she was forced to deliver the throne to her husband, Trần Cảnh, later King Trần Thái Tông, the first king of the Trần dynasty, who ruled Đại Việt for 33 years (1226-58).

Hạnh also worked as a lecturer for the HCM City Theatre & Cinematography University and HCM City Culture University. He was former chairman of the HCM City Theatre Association.

Vietnamese language honoured in Czech Republic

A first-ever ceremony to honour the Vietnamese language in Europe and the donation of Vietnamese book collections took place in Prague and Brno, the two Czech cities with the largest Vietnamese populations, as part of a working visit to the Czech Republic by a foreign ministry delegation led by Deputy Minister Lê Thị Thu Hằng on July 24 and 25.

Speaking at a meeting with the Vietnamese community in Prague, the Deputy FM, who is also Chairwoman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (COVA), said that the visit aims to not only honour the Vietnamese language but also to express gratitude to organisations, individuals, teachers, parents, and students who have been diligently preserving this invaluable cultural heritage.

She reaffirmed the commitment to support the Vietnamese communities worldwide in their efforts to promote their mother tongue.

Vietnamese Ambassador Dương Hoài Nam expressed confidence that diverse activities under an initiative on organising Vietnamese Language Day within overseas Vietnamese communities will significantly enhance its education abroad.

The inniative was established by the Vietnamese Prime Minister on August 3, 2022, with September 8 designated as the Vietnamese Language Day for the overseas Vietnamese communities.

At the event, the delegation, and the Vietnamese Embassy and Vietnamese associations in the Czech Republic, inaugurated a Vietnamese-language book collection. The books, published by the Vietnam Education Publishing House, cater to a range of ages and learning needs within the community.

On this occasion, Hằng presented five insignias and gifts to outstanding groups and individuals, including teachers and students, who have excelled in promoting and teaching the Vietnamese language in the European nation.

The delegation continued their work in Brno, the Czech Republic's second-largest city, engaging with local leaders and the Vietnamese community on the preservation and development of the Vietnamese language.

In addition to fostering the two nations’ cooperation, the Deputy FM encouraged city officials to introduce Vietnamese language classes in secondary schools, thereby enriching local cultural diversity and supporting the integration of the Vietnamese community.

In the meeting with the Vietnamese community in Brno, the delegation also organised a ceremony to present insignias and Vietnamese books.

Hà Nội's archery team aim for further goals

The Hà Nội archery team recently won the 2024 National Youth Archery Championship. This achievement provides a basis for managers to evaluate their players, make long-term investments and look ahead to new goals, as well as contribute athletes to the national team.

Hà Nội's team led the medal tally in early July with 21 golds, 11 silvers and seven bronzes. Notably, the capital team won three out of the four gold medals awarded for all-round events. This is an impressive accomplishment considering the highly competitive nature of the tournament, which featured 160 young, skilled archers from 17 provinces and cities nationwide.

The achievements of the young athletes (aged 18-19) have improved significantly. Players like Triệu Huyền Điệp, Hoàng Phương Thảo, and Trần Thị Trà My have the potential to follow in the footsteps of their seniors on the national team, according to Cáp Mạnh Tân, the head of Hà Nội's Archery Department and coach of the Hà Nội archery team.

Therefore, Hà Nội must invest actively in these young athletes to prepare them for upcoming international tournaments, such as the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in 2025 and the 20th Asian Games in 2026.

Lại Phúc Lộc, deputy director of Hà Nội Sports Training and Competition Centre, explained that archery is a unique sport where athletes compete for a single set of medals, not divided into weight categories or age groups like in martial arts. This makes winning a medal in archery particularly challenging. However, Hà Nội is fortunate to have athletes born in 2000 who are still actively competing, allowing the younger generation born in 2005 to learn and gain experience.

Sports expert Nguyễn Hồng Minh noted that archery is a priority for investment and is a sport which the country expects to win medals in at major events. Hà Nội possess talented athletes with the potential to conquer national and international peaks, so it needs to focus on key areas to meet its goals.

Tân acknowledged that Hà Nội's archery has always received attention and investment from the authorities, with a large squad of 67 athletes. This has contributed to the team's relatively stable performance in national tournaments.

However, relying solely on the mainstay athletes is not a sustainable approach, as they will eventually reach the end of their competitive careers. To prepare for upcoming international events, the department needs to create opportunities for young athletes to train and compete internationally to gain experience.

Đinh Văn Luyến, the director of Hà Nội Sports Training and Competition Centre, said that to ensure the sustainable development of Hà Nội's archery and help the team be ever more successful, the centre will provide the necessary conditions for training in terms of equipment, nutrition and hiring in experts. Additionally, they will support young athletes to train in countries with a strong archery legacy such as South Korea and Turkey, to hone their skills and improve their performance.

Furthermore, the centre will consult with the Hà Nội Department of Culture and Sports in order to offer employment opportunities to retired athletes who have already achieved success in international tournaments in order to motivate the younger athletes and contribute to their continued achievements in continental and world events.

Work begins on HCM City's first waste-to-energy plant

Construction of Tâm Sinh Nghĩa waste-to-energy plant, the first of its kind in HCM City, has begun in the outlying district of Củ Chi.

The private investor, HCM City-based BCG Energy under Bamboo Capital Group, broke ground for the first phase of Tâm Sinh Nghĩa waste-to-energy plant late last week.

With a total investment of VNĐ6.4 trillion (US$251.5 million), the first phase of the plant has a waste incineration capacity of 2,000-2,600 tonnes and a power generation of 60MW per day.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of next year.

It is owned by Bamboo Capital Group and BCG Energy after they acquired Tâm Sinh Nghĩa Investment Development JSC, the previous project owner.

According to the investor, the plant applies advanced technology to generate heat from the trash burning process into electrical energy for production and domestic use.

The remaining ash from waste burning can also be produced as building material, it said.

Additionally, the wastewater generated during the plant's operation will be collected, treated in a closed system, and reused for cooling the internal machinery.

Emissions and ash produced during the burning process will also be treated and will not cause odor or air pollution.

In later phases, the plant will gradually increase its waste incineration capacity to 6,000 and 8,600 tonnes per day, corresponding to power generation levels of 130MW and 200MW.

The city approved the Tâm Sinh Nghĩa project, along with another waste-to-energy project by Vietstar Company, several years ago.

However, due to procedural delays, only the Tâm Sinh Nghĩa plant got permission for construction.

For the Vietstar project, the company is still completing related documents for fire safety design and technical design approval to obtain a construction permit.

There are two other approved projects in the city dealing with waste using artificial lightning energy and solid waste recycling, with a total capital of more than VNĐ13 trillion ($510.8 million), which are being considered for revocation due to slow implementation.

The city now generates about 9,800 tonnes of domestic waste daily, with the number reaching 11,000 tonnes during holidays.

Most of the waste is treated by being buried at landfills, posing a risk of pollution to residential areas.

According to the city’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the city aims to treat at least 80 per cent of domestic waste through waste-to-energy technology by 2025, and increase to 100 per cent by 2030.