To create a breakthrough in tourism promotion, and contribute to the rapid and sustainable development of Hanoi's tourism industry, the Department of Tourism of the capital city has launched a gift design contest and a tourism photo competition.

The two contests aim to select photos and products that meet the artistic criteria, show a typical, rich and diverse culture, tourism resources, tourist attractions, historical sites, festivals, traditional craft villages, and the culinary culture of Hanoi for dissemination and promotion of the capital city's tourism to both domestic and international tourists.

Entries should show the difference and diversity in materials and colours, and be friendly to the environment, safe to human health, and not deformed or changed by the climate and weather. The organising board prioritizes products that use available materials, are local traditional crafts and convenient for mass production, and have high applicability and reasonable prices.

All professional and amateur photographers, artisans, painters, designers, organisations, enterprises and individuals can participate in the contest held from June 1 to July 31.

All individuals and organisations can find out detailed information about the contests' rules on the website of the Department of Tourism (http://sodulich.hanoi.gov.vn) and on the mass media. Entries can be sent to the Hanoi Department of Tourism’s headquarter at 11B Cat Linh street, Dong Da district.

PM stresses significance of preventing COVID-19 re-emerge

Although the COVID-19 has been put under good control inside the country, it is necessary to focus on preventing the pandemic from re-emerging as no persons, localities or countries are safe when others are struggling against COVID-19, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on July 5 stated.
 
Chairing an online meeting of National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control with the 63 localities nationwide, the leader underlined COVID-19 has still developed complicatedly in the world with the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sub-lineage BA.5 in many countries, and that it is crucial to control the pandemic to create favourable conditions for socio-economic development, national protection and the improvement of people’s living conditions.

He stressed the need to give top priority to the ensuring of people’s lives and health, and to consider the pandemic prevention and control as the common task of the whole political system.

The Government leader highlighted the need to maintain three key pillars in COVID-19 fight – testing, quarantine and treatment, with the new pandemic control formula that sees the combination of mask wearing, disinfection, vaccine, treatment, technology, people’s awareness and other measures.

He asked ministries, sectors and localities to design scenarios to respond to all possible circumstances, including the re-emerge of the pandemic, while speeding up vaccination activities.

It is necessary to prevent and control the pandemic right from border gates, and continue to enhance the capacity of the health system, especially preventive medicine, he said. The PM asked the Ministry of Health to concentrate on implementing the socio-economic recovery and development in the medical sector.

PM Chinh also stressed the need to promptly complete and issue a Government resolution to remove difficulties in the procurement of medicine and medical equipment.

He requested the Ministry of Health and relevant ministries and sectors to simplify administrative procedures in medicine bidding and licensing, ensuring transparency during the process.

COVID-19 infections with BA.5 sub-variant may increase: committee

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the 15th meeting of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control on July 5 amid the appearance of the BA.5 sub-variant of Omicron.

Opening the teleconference with the 63 localities nationwide, PM Chinh, who is also head of the committee, pointed out that the pandemic remains unpredictable around the world with the emergence of the BA.5 sub-variant of Omicron in many countries.

At the meeting, participants said BA.5 has been reported in Vietnam, and this sub-variant is 12% more transmissible than the dominant BA.2 in the country at present. Therefore, BA.5 infections in the community may increase in the time ahead, leading to a rise in the number of new cases.

Given this, the anti-pandemic response system from the central to local levels needs to press on with disease prevention and control measures, the administration of booster shots to vulnerable groups, as well as communications to raise public awareness, the committee noted.

Vietnam crush Philippines in Southeast Asian U19 event

Vietnam crushed the Philippines 4-1 in the 2022 Southeast Asian U19 Football Championship held in Indonesia on July 4 afternoon.

From the off, Vietnam were on the front foot. After missing two good chances in the opening exchanges, striker Nguyen Quoc Viet found the net with his third early effort to open the scoring.

After the break, Dinh Bac's pinpoint free-kick was met by Viet, who headed home to double the lead.

In the 51st minute, the Philippines had the opportunity to narrow the gap when Sandro Reyes was clean through but his shot went over the crossbar. However, two minutes later, Sandro Reyes did manage to claw one back for the Philippines.

As the clock ticked, Vietnam made the game safe, with midfielder Nguyen Van Khang scoring from the spot after he was fouled inside the penalty area.

In the 77th minute, Antoine Ortega fouled striker Truong in the Philippines’s penalty area giving the referee no choice but to point at the spot for a second time. Truong stepped up and cooly slotted home, Panenka-style to take the score to 4-1.

Vietnam will next face Brunei on July 6, Myanmar on July 8 and then Thailand on July 10.

The regional event have attracted the participation of 11 teams who were divided into two groups, competing in a round-robin format. The first and second teams in each group win the right to the semi-finals. The tournament will finish on July 15.

Hanoi to build road tunnel in Hoan Kiem district

The Hanoi People's Committee has approved the feasibility study report of an investment project to build a road tunnel for both pedestrians and vehicles in Hoan Kiem district to improve traffic flow and ensure safety for pedestrians.

The Hoan Kiem People’s Committee is assigned to be the investor of the project, with a total capital of over 100 billion VND (4.28 million USD) sourced from the district’s budget. The construction is expected to last from 2022 to 2024.

The tunnel, set to be 3.2m high and 15.7m long, will connect Tran Nguyen Han and Chuong Duong Do streets. Its two doors are designed to automatically open and close for flood drainage in the storm and rainy season.

Friendship insignia bestowed upon Danish Ambassador

Danish Ambassador to Vietnam Kim Højlund Christensen on July 4 was awarded the insignia “For peace and friendship among nations” for his contributions to promoting traditional friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Denmark.

Speaking at the ceremony, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga said that during his term in Vietnam, the ambassador has contributed to the effective implementation of a transition programme to a low-carbon economy in Vietnam from 2017- 2022, and played an important role in promoting major Danish businesses to invest in Vietnam in 2022.

The diplomat has made every effort to promote multifaceted relations between the two countries on the basis of mutual trust and respect for each other's interest.

She added that the ambassador has supported and participated in foreign activities organised by the VUFO, and actively coordinated with the Vietnam - Denmark Friendship Association to hold cooperation and people-to-people exchange activities in order to strengthen mutual understanding and friendly relations.

Ambassador Christensen, for his part, promised that no matter what position he holds, he will continue to make contributions to further strengthen the traditional friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Denmark.

Thanh Hoa airport expansion proposed

Authorities in the northern central province of Thanh Hoa are seeking the Ministry of Transport’s approval for a project to expand Tho Xuan Airport.

Under the proposal, the VND2.12 trillion (USD86.21 million) project will be carried out in the 2022-2025 period. It includes the construction of Terminal 2 which is designed to have an annual capacity of five million passengers.

The province expects that the ministry will recommend suitable investment forms for the project to seek investors.

Tho Xuan Airport has been used for civil aviation activities since February 2013. Its Terminal 1 is serving domestic flights with a yearly capacity of 1.2 million passengers.

Heat wave enveloping northern, central Vietnam

The central region from Thanh Hoa to Phu Yen is sweltering under a hot weather for several days, with temperatures exceeding 38 degrees Celsius in some places, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF).

The extreme weather will cause temperatures to stay above 35 degrees Celsius from 10 to 17 hours per day and humidity to drop to 45 – 65%. The heat wave is forecast to last through July 8.

The north’s Red River Delta, including Hanoi, is also enveloped by a hot spell, with temperatures hovering around 35 – 36 degrees Celsius and humidity ranging from 55 – 70%. There will be places where the heat will rise above 36 degrees Celsius.

The NCHMF said the north should expect to see rain and thunderstorms, which are likely to be accompanied by tornadoes, lightning, hail and strong gusty winds, from July 5 – 9.

Vietnam’s cultural heritage space to run in Hoi An

An exhibition of Vietnam’s cultural heritage space will open in Hoi An city, the central province of Quang Nam, from July 8 to 13.

A total of 160 photos on display will introduce UNESCO-recognised heritages, national special relic sites and intangible heritages in Vietnam such as the Dien Bien Phu battlefield in Dien Bien, Hung Temple in Phu Tho, water puppetry, and Binh Dinh martial arts.

Green tourist destinations and a trend of environmentally friendly tourism will also be featured.

In another part of the exhibition, visitors will be treated to images of and items from traditional craft villages across the country. Every day during the course of the event, an exchange programme spotlighting folk art and culture is scheduled.

As an activity to welcome the Visit Vietnam Year 2022 hosted by Quang Nam under the theme of green tourism, the exhibition will go online from July 12 at http://trienlamvhnt.vn.

Vietnam receives medical equipment, supplies from Oman

The Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRCS) Central Committee  on July 4 received medical equipment and supplies donated by the Omani government and people.

Omani Ambassador to Vietnam Saleh Mohamed Ahmed Al-Suqri  and CEO of the Oman Charitable Organisation (OCO) Mohammed Hamoud Said Al-Zahli handed over two ambulances, two ventilators, 20,000 N95 masks, 8,000 SPO2 meters, 8,000 protective suits, 8,000 electronic personal thermometers, and 2,000 gloves to representatives of the VRCS at a ceremony at the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hanoi.

SABECO renews deal to sponsor national football teams for three years

Vietnam's largest brewer Sai Gon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage JSC (SABECO) has agreed a deal to become the leading and exclusive partner for Vietnam’s national football teams from July 2022 to July 2025.

The agreement, which was signed between SABECO, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and the VTVcab Sport Development Joint Stock Company (VTVCab Sport), was announced by SABECO on July 4 in Hanoi.

SABECO previously sponsored the Vietnamese sports delegation at the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) in May.

Cultural, art activities mark Vietnam-Cambodia diplomatic ties

A range of cultural and art activities will be held to mark the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Cambodia and their friendship year in 2022.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong has signed Decision No. 1520/QD-BVHTTDL approving a project on the organisation of the activities.

Accordingly, a Vietnamese Culture Week will take place from August 9-14 in the Cambodian cities of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap featuring the culture, land, people, tourism and education of Vietnam.

Art programmes, both traditional and temporary, during the week will be staged by Vietnamese artists.

The two sides will also sign a cooperation plan in culture and arts for 2023-2027.

Meanwhile, a Cambodian Culture Week will be held in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City and southern Tra Vinh province from September 27 to October 2.

HCM City hopes for stronger ties with Germany’s Frankfurt city

Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Phan Van Mai met a visiting delegation of the German city of Frankfurt led by Mayor Peter Feldmann on July 4.

During their working trip, the Frankfurt delegation will attend the opening ceremony of the city’s representative office in HCM City and an international automotive industry exhibition. They will also visit some German enterprises operating in the southern economic hub of Vietnam.

Vietnam sends congratulations to US on 246th Independence Day

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh have sent congratulations to US President Joe Biden on the 246th Independence Day of the country (July 4, 1776 - 2022).

Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue also extended greetings to President of the Senate Kamala Harris and Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.

On this occasion, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son sent a congratulatory message to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

China wishes to enhance political trust with Vietnam, says Wang Yi

China wishes to join Vietnam in enhancing political trust, deepening win-win cooperation, and satisfactorily handling disagreements, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son in Myanmar on July 4.

At a meeting on the sidelines of the seventh Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Wang, who is also a State Councilor, affirmed China attaches great importance to consolidating and developing the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with Vietnam.

China is willing to coordinate and promote high-level exchanges and contact with Vietnam in the coming time through many flexible forms, he said.

He reiterated China’s consistent policy of opening the market to import high-quality goods from countries in the region, especially from ASEAN countries, including Vietnam. He appreciated the role Vietnam plays in the global supply chain, and said China desires to coordinate with Vietnam in economic, trade and investment cooperation to ensure the stability of the global supply chain.

Meanwhile, Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that the Party and State of Vietnam consistently attach great importance to developing friendship and cooperation relations with China.

He suggested that China continue to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese goods, especially agricultural and aquatic products, to be exported to China, and to transit China to third countries.

He also suggested that the two sides maintain close coordination in COVID-19 prevention and control, soon resume commercial flights between the two countries, and speed up the connection of road and rail transport infrastructure in the border to facilitate people’s travel.

With regard to the East Sea issue, Son said the two sides should continue to well implement agreements and high-level common perceptions, and respect each other’s legitimate interests in accordance with international law including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

He also proposed the two sides fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and strive to soon achieve a substantive, effective Code of Conduct in the waters in accordance with international law, so as to jointly maintain peace, stability and freedom of navigation in the East Sea.

The two FMs also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Health ministry names dozens of localities with low coverage of COVID vaccine booster shots

A recent report by the Ministry of Health shows that dozens of localities in Viet Nam still have low coverage of third and fourth COVID-19 vaccine doses.

According to the ministry, more than 45.43 million COVID vaccine doses have been administered as third doses for adults aged 18 in Việt Nam, meaning that about 67 per cent of people of this age group received the third dose.

Localities with high third-dose coverage include Thanh Hóa (93.8 per cent), Bắc Giang (95.3 per cent) and Bến Tre (91.8 per cent).

However, there remain localities with low coverage, including Hải Phòng (43.1 per cent), Khánh Hòa (42.0 per cent), Đồng Nai (43.6 per cent), Cà Mau (39.0 per cent) and Hậu Giang (35.1 per cent).

For the fourth COVID vaccine dose, the country has so far administered about 4.62 million doses,  about 6.9 per cent of adults.

Localities with low fourth-dose coverage include Phú Thọ (1.2 per cent), Hải Dương (1.6 per cent), Bắc Kạn (0.4 per cent), Nghệ An (1.5 per cent), Quảng Nam (2.3 per cent) and Đồng Tháp (2.3 per cent).

Meanwhile, three provinces have high coverage of the fourth dose: Bắc Giang (24.7 per cent), Quảng Ninh (20.9 per cent) and Hậu Giang (15.6 per cent).

The third COVID vaccine short for people aged 12 to 17 have hit over 922,200 doses or 10.5 per cent of the age group. However, 25 localities across the country reported low administration of the third dose for people aged 12 to 17, including Hà Nội, Nam Định, Hà Nam, Bắc Giang and Phú Thọ.

The three provinces with the highest third dose vaccine coverage for people from 12 to 17 are Thanh Hóa (46,1 per cent), Tây Ninh (47 per cent) and Bến Tre (43,7 per cent). 

Can Tho seeks to become regional transport hub

Can Tho City has said it needs to improve connectivity with other cities and provinces in the Mekong Delta and with HCM City, and step up efforts to combat climate change to become a regional and international transport hub by 2030.

According to a new socio-economic master plan for until 2030 it has released, it aims to become a modern, civilised city on a par with other advanced cities in Southeast Asia by 2045.

The centrally run city aims to become the region’s hub for inter-regional and international transportation thanks to its strategic location at the gateway of the Mekong River with both seaports and airports.

Over the next 10 years Cần Thơ will continue to develop expressways to HCM City, provinces in the region and the border with Cambodia.

Its airport, the only international airport in the region, will get new domestic and international routes. 

Its income per capita is expected to top VNĐ140 million (US$6,170) by 2025 and VNĐ200 million ($8,820) by 2030. 

It also needs to pay immediate attention to climate change adaptation and water security.

Vietnam arrive in Manila to defend their AFF Cup title

Việt Nam's women's football team have arrived in Manila ahead of the AFF Women's Football Cup, and coach Mai Đức Chung is looking forward to the start of proceedings after a training camp in France to prepare.

Chung and his team, who are defending champions, arrived in Manila on Sunday night after playing a friendly against the French national side.

Việt Nam were the last side to arrive in the Philippines, beginning their training at the hotel yesterday morning.

However, Chung's side does have a few injury worries.

The 71-year-old coach said Việt Nam's 7-0 loss to France in their friendly match at the Stade de la Source, Orléans, last Saturday, was a good test for his players ahead of the regional tournament.

Việt Nam are in Group B with Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Timor Leste.

The defending champions are expected to finish top without too many difficulties.

In Group A, Australia will be on the hunt for their second title. Their U20 side won here in 2008. Four years ago they finished second after a 3-2 loss to Thailand in the final.

They will play Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore in their group.

With the participation of Australia, there will have three 2023 World Cup competitors, along with Việt Nam and the Philippines, vying for the regional trophy.

Over 265 cyber attacks per week on Vietnamese systems
     
The total number of cyber-attacks causing problems on information systems in Viet Nam was 6,641 in the first six months.

On average, there are more than 256 attacks on domestic systems every week.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said that out of 6,641 cyber attacks, there were 1,696 incidents of phishing attacks, 859 defacement incidents and 4,086 malware attacks.

Statistics of the Authority of Information Security (AIS) showed that the total number of cyberattacks causing problems on systems in Viet Nam in the first half of the year decreased by 2.54 per cent compared to the last six months of last year and rose by 127.82 per cent compared to the first six months of last year.

On average, information systems in Viet Nam suffered 1,107 incidents of cyber attacks every month in the first six months of the year, a year-on-year growth of 36.5 per cent.

The increase in cyber attack incidents in the first half of the year was mainly due to the sharp growth in phishing attacks, which appeared more on scam websites and apps on social networks, said AIS.

Vietnamese basketball players to compete in FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2022

After clinching two historic silver medals at the recent 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, Vietnam’s 3x3 basketball teams will be competing in the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2022 in Singapore from July 6 to 10.

This is the first time the continental tournament has been held since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, following the latest event in Hunan, China, three years ago.

The 2022 competition will see 53 teams from 30 countries battling it out to win the trophy, marking a new record in the number of participants, from the previous record set in 2019 with 40 teams from 23 countries.

In the men’s draw, Vietnam will be represented by Chris Dierker, Tran Dang Khoa, Nguyen Huynh Phu Vinh and Vo Kim Ban. There are two changes from Vietnam’s SEA Games squad, with Tran Dang Khoa and Nguyen Huynh Phu Vinh taking the place of Dinh Thanh Tam and Justin Young, respectively.

In the women’s draw, Vietnam features a totally different squad from their SEA Games deployment, with Bui Kim Nhan, Nguyen Thi Cam Tien, Nguyen Ngoc Bich and Vo Thi Ngoc Hau set to compete.

The FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2022 will kick off with the matches of the qualifying draw, whereby the 27 men’s teams and 20 women’s teams will battle it out to determine the top 12 teams in each category for the main draw.

Project of combination on theater and tourism unsuccessful

Art brings people together. It encourages community gatherings and serves as a center of activity. Art attracts visitors from far-off destinations and increases tourism. Therefore, a few years ago, when tourism was at its peak, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism initiated a project of ‘Theater – tourism’ to bring the stage to develop together with tourism. However, the project is unsuccessful

According to the Ministry’s plan, a 30-minute program and an hour-long program would be performed by actors and actresses at theaters such as Vietnamese Cheo, Vietnamese Tuong, Vietnamese Dance and Music. The Ministry expected that a combination of musical performance and a cultural tourism product with Vietnamese identity will attract more holiday-makers to the country.

Moreover, artists can earn extra income and the tourism industry also has more experience products for visitors. After the initial enthusiasm, everything was confused because the performance was not as good as an expectation; hence, travel agencies were not interested in it and the project has been also gradually unsuccessful.

After two years of the Covid-19 epidemic, when theaters reopened and the tourism sector revived with more travelers, artists returned to look for opportunities from tourists. However, leaders of the art sector admitted that the sector is short of good dramas for tourists.

Korea has done this well. Not many tourists to Korea have refused to attend the show Nanta Cooking or The Queen's Banquet, Jump Show because they can both relax and have the opportunity to learn and discover more about the host country’s culture.

Interestingly, all shows have simple content even without dialogue, the stage layout is not very sophisticated and modern, but artists try their best to perform vibrantly and funnily.

The performance show Memories of Hoi An in the Central Province of Quang Nam, for example, was changed many times and later became one of the most popular art destinations favored by tourists when coming to the province.

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