A Vietnam-Malaysia arts and cultural exchange was held on June 11 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as part of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries' diplomatic ties.

The event drew the participation of more than 120 representatives of the Vietnamese Embassy, businesses and Vietnamese community in Malaysia.

In her remarks, Tran Thi Chang, president of the Malaysia-Malaysia Friendship Association, said that the event offers an opportunity for people of the two countries to learn about some traditional art forms of Vietnam which have been recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as intangible cultural heritages of humanity such as Chau Van (traditional folk art of northern Vietnam which combines singing and dancing), Quan Ho (duet love) singing and Cheo (Vietnamese traditional opera).

According to Chang, art and culture exchanges will contribute to spreading the love of traditional culture among the Vietnamese community in Malaysia, as well as help nurture Malaysian people's love of the traditional arts and culture of Vietnam.

Addressing the event, former Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Azmil Zabidi emphasised that the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Malaysia is a great chance for the two countries to organise cultural exchange activities.

NA Standing Committee convenes meeting

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue chaired a meeting of the NA Standing Committee in Hanoi on June 12.

Speaking at the event, held between the two phases of the NA's fifth session, Chairman Hue said the meeting is scheduled to provide opinions on eight draft laws, including six bills that were debated at the NA's fourth session, and nine draft resolutions.

The bills to be considered at the meeting are the draft Law on Bidding (revised), the draft Law on Price (revised), the draft Law on Cooperatives (revised), the draft Law on Protection of Consumer Rights (revised), the draft Law on Civil Defence, the draft law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on People's Public Security Force, the draft law on amendments and supplements of several articles of the Law on Entry and Exit of Vietnamese Citizens and the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam, and the draft Law on Electronic Transactions (revised).  

The committee will also look into the draft Resolution on the allocation of capital for tasks and projects under the socio-economic recovery and development programme, the allocation, adjustment and supplementation of the mid-term public investment plan using the State budget for the 2021-2025 period and the allocation of the State budget investment plan for 2023 under national target programmes. 

The resolution regarding the investment policy for the road project connecting National Highway 27C and the provincial Road DT.656 in Khanh Hoa province, and a draft resolution on results of the thematic supervision of mobilisation, management and use of resources for COVID-19 prevention and control and the enforcement of policies and laws on grassroots and preventive health care will be also tabled for discussions.

The committee will give opinions on major issues arising in the process of debating, adjusting and finalising the NA’s draft Resolution on piloting several special policies and mechanisms for the development of Ho Chi Minh City, and the draft Resolution on the approval of the State budget balance for 2021.

Lawmakers are also due to debate major issues arising in the process of debating, adjusting and finalising the draft Resolution on casting votes of confidence on persons holding positions elected or approved by the NA or the People’s Councils, the draft resolution of the NA's fifth session, and some other resolutions.

In the morning, the NA Standing Committee discussed the draft revised Law on Price.

Vietnam, South Africa beef up defence cooperation

Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien on June 12 received South African Defence Attaché Colonel Eugene Dudley, who came to say goodbye before ending his working term in Vietnam.

Chien said Dudley’s contributions in his post and as the head of the military attaché delegation of foreign countries in Vietnam have served the promotion of the Vietnam-South Africa defence cooperation and effective implementation of activities by the delegation.

The official noted that with South Africa considered an active partner of Vietnam, the two nations’ defence collaboration has been bolstered in accordance with their 2006 agreement on relations in the field.

Chien proposed the sides soon promote the signing of a memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation, thereby creating a new impetus to strengthen the ties towards the 30th anniversary of the countries’ diplomatic relations (1993 - 2023).

It is also necessary to effectively maintain consultation, dialogue and delegation exchange mechanisms; promote bilateral collaboration in training, defence industry, and military medicine with respect to the potential and needs of each nation, added the deputy minister.

He also suggested the sides fortify cooperation and experience sharing in UN peacekeeping participation and soon seal cooperation documents in the area.

In response, Dudley highlighted progress made in the Vietnam-South Africa defence ties and thanked units under the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence for their support during his tenure.

He expressed his wish that the countries’ relations and their defence cooperation will grow further in the time to come.

Programme to promote tourism brand through films

A programme to develop Vietnamese tourism brand through cinema in 2023 will take place in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa from June 16-18, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
 
Jointly organised by the ministry and Khanh Hoa province, it aims to create a bridge between businesses with those working in the film industry and the locality, thus contributing to promoting the Vietnamese culture and tourism in general, and landscapes and economic potential of Khanh Hoa in particular.

This is also a good opportunity to promote the public-private partnership model, develop tourism through cinema, and attract more domestic and international tourists.

A concert will be broadcast live on VTV1 channel of the Vietnam Television, with the participation of Vietnam’s renowned singers.

Ministry warns risks of dengue fever, epidemics during hot weather

Medical workers transfer a patient in hot weather at a hospital in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Thùy Giang

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has asked provinces and cities to strengthen preventive measures against dengue fever and other diseases that can thrive in hot weather.

Common summer diseases include digestive and respiratory diseases such as Rotavirus diarrhoea, hand-foot-mouth disease, dysentery, typhoid, measles, influenza, dengue fever and viral encephalitis.

Those diseases often affect a high number of patients and can become large epidemics.

The General Department of Preventive Medicine asked provinces and cities to conduct preventive measures against dengue fever, especially during this month in response to the 13th ASEAN Dengue Day June 15.

Localities must strengthen education and communication with messages recommended by the MoH.

Local leaders should also ask people to have their children vaccinated on schedule and with enough doses.

Education for epidemic prevention and control can be conducted in many forms such as distributing leaflets, using loudspeakers, or broadcasting on radio, newspapers and television.

The education should focus on personal hygiene, food safety and hygiene.

Medical units strengthen supervision, detect patients early, quarantine to prevent outbreaks in the community.

They should take samples for testing to identify disease sources, strengthen anti-epidemic teams and emergency teams which are ready to investigate, assess and handle outbreaks.

Hospitals must collect and treat patients, minimise the number of deaths and prevent cross-infection.

The General Department of Preventive Medicine also requested localities to train and update knowledge on summer diseases detection and treatment at all levels to improve health workers’ capacity, especially at the grassroots level.

They must find inspection and support teams to solve difficulties and obstacles in disease prevention and control and take timely measures.

Hospitals must ensure enough drugs and equipment for disease prevention and control. 

Chess masters secure more medals from world event

Vietnamese players earned one more silver and three bronze medals at the World Under 8-18 Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships 2023 which wrapped up on June 11 in Batumi, Georgia.

All medals were in the blitz chess event, adding to their three golds, two silvers and one bronzes won in rapid events in previous days.

The only silver went to Tong Thai Hoang An in the girls' U12 event. She took nine points from 11 matches to rank second after Aiaru Altynbek of Kazakhstan who topped with 10.5  points. 

An earlier took gold in rapid chess on June 8.

Dau Khuong Duy bagged his bronze in the boys' U12 class with 8.5 points. It was his second medal after a gold in the rapid event last week.

Other bronzes went to Le Phan Hoang Quan in the boys' U8 and Nguyen Hong Nhung in the girls U18.

Vietnam had 12 masters to checkmate at the tournament. They were among more than 460 competitors from 35 countries and territories.

Dak Lak: 27 people involved in gun attacks arrested

A total of 27 people had been arrested by 18:30 on June 12 for their involvement in the June 11 gun attacks on the headquarters of the People’s Committees of Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur communes, including the communes’ police stations, in Cu Kuin district of the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak.

Spokesman of the Ministry of Public Security Lieut. Gen To An Xo said competent forces have also seized a number of military weapons, including CKC rifles. They are searching for the remaining suspects and investigating the case.

Earlier on June 12, two working delegations separately led by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and Deputy Minister of Public Security Sen. Lieut. Gen. Luong Tam Quang visited victims of the gun attacks and their families.

According to the Dak Lak Department of Public Security, the attacks took place on early June 11 morning, killing and injuring a number of communal police officers, communal cadres, and civilians.

In the afternoon of the same day, Minister of Public Security Gen. To Lam signed a decision to posthumously promote the ranks of the four police officers dying in the attacks and give assistance to the families of the dead officers and the injured ones.

Also on June 12, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang signed a decision on granting certificates in recognition of the merit rendered to the Fatherland by six martyrs of the Ministry of Public Security and Dak Lak province who sacrificed in the attacks. 

The same day, the Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dak Lak province sent a letter calling on local people, soldiers and officials to stay united together and believe in the Party's policies and guidelines, as well as the leadership of the party committees and the management of administrations at all levels. 

The authorities strongly condemned the attacks, killing of people and severe violations of law of these suspects, and at the same time extended their condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers, officials and people.

Deputy PM Tran Luu Quang visits victims of armed attacks in Dak Lak

A working delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang on June 12 visited victims of gun attacks on the headquarters of the People’s Committees of Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur communes, including the communes’ police stations, in Cu Kuin district of the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak one day ago.

Deputy PM Quang asked local authorities to take care of and provide support for them both materially and mentally.

He also visited the two police officers who were injured in the incident and are being treated at the Central Highlands Regional General Hospital. He requested the hospital’s medical staff to pay attention and focus best resources to ensure their recovery.

On the same day, a delegation of the Ministry of Public Security led by Deputy Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Luong Tam Quang also visited the victims and their families.

Meanwhile, Sen. Lieut. Gen. Huynh Chien Thang, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, led a delegation from the Ministry of Defence to inspect the scene of the attacks.

Thang requested the forces, and local authorities to maintain a high level of vigilance, ensure security and order, and guarantee the safety of the people.

According to spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Security Lieut. Gen. To An Xo, 26 suspects had been arrested for involvement in the attacks and a number of weapons seized as of 11:30 am on June 12.

On early June 11 morning, a group of armed persons attacked the headquarters of the Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur communal People’s Committees, killing and injuring some communal police officers, communal cadres, and civilians, according to the Dak Lak provincial Department of Public Security.

Local authorities have quickly taken drastic measures to suppress the attack, stabilise the situation, support the bereaved families and the injured, and call on local residents to stay calm and follow authorities’ instructions to ensure safety.

On June 11 afternoon, Minister of Public Security Gen. To Lam signed a decision to posthumously promote the ranks of the four police officers dying in the attacks and give assistance to the families of the dead officers and the injured ones.

Man finds success with model of agriculture combined with tourism

Raising fish in tandem with tourism has proven to be a successful endeavour for Lý Văn Bon, as his fish rafts have now become a renowned destination in Cần Thơ City.

Residing in the scenic Cồn Sơn Island, in Bình Thủy District, the septuagenarian Bon has earned recognition as one of the exemplary individuals honoured at this year's national conference for commendable achievements.

Leveraging the bountiful agricultural resources of the region, which encompass thriving vegetable gardens and abundant river-dwelling fish, the farmers residing on Cồn Sơn Island have successfully tapped into tourism, introducing a myriad of captivating products, such as a frog circus and mesmerising flying fish. Bon stands out as one of the most distinguished farmers in this regard.

He has ingeniously chosen to not only sell fish but also organise captivating tours for visitors, offering them the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the distinctive fish species found in the area.

Undoubtedly, his innovative model has effectively captivated the attention of both local and international tourists, thus transforming his fish rafts into a magnet for visitors.

Visitors flock to Bon's fish rafts without hesitation, eager to witness the spectacle of fish gracefully swimming amidst the waters, while also indulging in captivating anecdotes shared by local farmers who possess a deep understanding of the unique characteristics, appearances, and customs of the indigenous fish species.

Initially, Bon's fish rafts primarily accommodated a few select fish varieties, including the thác lác (bronze featherback), diêu hồng (red tilapia), and lóc (snakehead fish). Over time, his collection expanded steadily, encompassing an increasingly diverse array of freshwater fish, all strategically aimed at attracting a larger influx of visitors.

Currently, his fish rafts span an extensive area, measuring approximately 10,000 cubic units of water.

Bon also focuses on designing fish rafts with flower pots, coconut leaves and boats made from plastic bottles to create excitement for visitors.

Bon realised that it brought economic development because, thanks to tourism, he could sell fish, and thanks to fish, he had visitors.

In the past, his family only raised fish. However, the work was unstable. He decided to invest in a processing workshop for grilled fish and sell it to tourists. On average, each year, he sells about 300 tonnes of grilled fish.

Instead of having to find customers by themselves, now, thanks to tourism, customers come to buy agricultural products. As a result, farmers do not have to pay additional transportation costs, or pay for intermediates.

Not only using manual labour, Bon applies technology to reduce human effort, such as using machines to check water sources, managing fish rafts with cameras, and selling grilled fish with barcodes to make it easier to check its origin.

Step by step, he improves work efficiency and gains customers' trust.

In the past, many farmers in Cồn Sơn Island were afraid that visitors would kill fish, trees, and that tourists taking photos would affect farming.

In fact, the more visitors come, the better income the farmers have.

The clear evidence is that Bon’s fish rafts welcome about 300 visitors daily. On weekends and Tết (Lunar New Year) holidays, the number of visitors doubled or tripled.

Except for the COVID-19 pandemic period, each year, the model brought Bon a profit of about VNĐ9-10 billion (US$386,200-429,100).

Not only did he enrich his family, but he also created regular jobs for about 40 workers.

Bon said that he would not expand his fish rafts because he wanted to give opportunity to others to open more services and enrich tourism products here.

VN to improve emergency services for patients in marine and island areas

Việt Nam has set a goal of improving the quality of health services for military forces and people living in marine and island areas.

The measures include strengthened human resources, improved emergency and transport services for patients as well as better search and rescue coordination, according to a document recently signed by Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà.

The Decision No. 658/QĐ-TTg dated June 8, 2023, approved Việt Nam’s marine and island health development programme until 2030.

Its overall aim is to improve and strengthen the quality and capacity to provide medical services to ensure the health of military officers and the people in sea and island areas, contributing to the successful implementation of the strategic goals of sustainable development of Việt Nam’s marine economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045.

Specifically, by 2025, the country aims to have 40 per cent of hospitals and medical centres in island districts able to deploy surgical techniques equivalent to grade 2 hospitals. This will increase to 70 per cent by 2030.

By 2025, it is expected that 70 per cent of disease control centres of provinces and cities, as well as medical centres of districts, towns, cities under provinces, and military preventive medical facilities in coastal provinces will receive investment and be upgraded. This will increase to 100 per cent by 2030.

By 2025, the country aims for 70 per cent of offshore fishing vessels to be equipped with medicine cabinets and medical equipment in accordance with regulations, 80 per cent of ships fully complying with international regulations on ensuring marine health, 80 per cent of people in seas and islands to be trained in health protection, first aid and transporting victim skills to sea and island emergency facilities.

To achieve the above goals, the programme has proposed seven solutions, including strengthening leadership and direction, consolidating and strengthening preventive medicine capacity, and consolidating and strengthening the medical examination and treatment capacity.

It also includes improving the capacity of first aid and patient transport, developing human resources for health care, formulating specific norms and standards for marine and island health as well as strengthening communication and health education for people in sea and island areas.

In particular, in order to improve the capacity of emergency and transport, the country will invest in equipment and human resources.

It will also develop plans and regulations to coordinate 115 emergency transport centres in Hải Phòng, Đà Nẵng, Khánh Hòa, Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu with regional maritime search and rescue coordination centre and Navy, Coast Guard, and Border Guard forces in emergency and transport of patients.

The first-aid medical equipment will be equipped, and rescue at sea will be performed for surface ships of the Navy, Coast Guard, Border Guard and search and rescue ships.

The country will also renovate and upgrade a number of existing vehicles of ministries, branches and localities to be able to give first aid and transport for patients.

The solution will also include training mobile medical teams at the provincial level in coastal provinces and cities, maritime militia and self-defence forces, semi-specialised forces, and mobilised forces in relevant ministries and branches to be ready to participate in emergency treatment and transport of patients.

Top singers to feature in concert about late musician Tùng

Famous songs by the late composer and songwriter Thanh Tùng, a talented artist in Vietnamese contemporary music, will be featured in a concert in Thủ Đức City in HCM City this month.

The event, The Legend Concert, features pop stars Mỹ Linh, Thanh Lam and Bằng Kiều. Young male singer Lân Nhã is also included.

The singers will perform Tùng’s love songs which were hits in the 1980s-90s.

Highlighted works include Ngôi Sao Cô Đơn (The Lonely Star), Lời Tỏ Tình Của Mùa Xuân (Spring’s Love Declaration) and Chuyện Tình Của Biển (Love Story of the Sea).

“Our singers will introduce new versions of Tùng’s hits to meet the taste of young audiences,” said the concert’s art director Cao Trung Hiếu.

Born in 1948 in the central coastal province of Khánh Hòa, Tùng moved to Hà Nội and worked for Radio the Voice of Việt Nam.

He then moved to HCM City where he contributed to the establishment of the HCM City Television’s orchestra, and also worked as conductor and art manager for the leading State-owned Bông Sen (Lotus) Art Troupe.

Tùng composed more than 200 songs about life and women. Many of his hits such as Lối Cũ Ta Về (Back to the Old Path) and Một Mình (Alone) express the artist’s love for his wife.

He died in 2016 after eight years of illness.

The Legend Concert will open at 8pm on June 24 at the Global City Gallery in 196 Nguyễn Thị Định Street, An Phú Commune, Thủ Đức City. Tickets are available at Ticketbox. 

Exhibition by 11-year-old artist reflects his unique take on soul

Hoàng Nhật Quang has launched his first solo art exhibition at 11 years of age.

Những Linh Hồn Ẩn Giấu (Hidden Souls), which opened at Huyen Art Gallery in HCM City on Jun 8, features 25 works that manifest his idea that all living beings have a soul.

His best material comes from famous artists, his father's works and images of people from the ancient past.

A part of the exhibition’s profit will be used for charity.

The ethnic Tày artist from the northern province of Lạng Sơn started painting two years ago, and won the 2023 Dế Mèn Desire Awards that honour creative children in Việt Nam. 

The exhibition, organized by the Vietnam News Agency's Thể Thao & Văn Hóa (Sports & Culture) daily newspaper, Huyen Art Gallery and Quang’s family, will go on until June 18. 

Caddies to vie for golf championship next month

The Vietnam Caddies Championship 2023 will be organised in all three regions of Việt Nam.

The northern tournament will be held on July 3 at the Tràng An Golf Course in Ninh Bình Province. The southern competitors will take place on July 10 at the West Lakes Golf Course in Long An and the central regional athletes will tee off at the FLC Quy Nhơn Golf Links in Bình Định on August 8.

It will be the fifth national tournament for the caddies and club operation staff who are a key part in most of golfers' success.

Along with doing a good job, many caddies are qualified to play golf and have the potential to become pro golfers and coaches.

The tournament originated from Vietnam Golf&Leisure magazine's idea of ​​creating a special playground for caddies to push their love and connection with their career profession. It is also to promote the national golf movement, thereby discovering talents to develop local professional golf and compete for the national team.

More than being an event, the championship is built to be an opportunity for caddie communities to share their experiences and dreams. In addition to competitions, there will have music and performance and mini games.

More than 500 people will take part in the fifth championship which offers three categories for men and one for women. They will compete for overall individual and team titles.

There are technical prizes up for grab such as Longest Drive, Nearest to the Pin and Hole in One.

Last year, Nguyễn Văn Thương of Long Thành Golf Course won the southern region crown while Nguyễn Tá Thuân of Long Biên Golf Course lifted the northern region trophy.

Famous Italian opera excerpts to be performed at Hanoi Opera House

The Vietnam National Opera and Ballet will perform the Opera Gala programme Paradiso Dell’opera at Hanoi Opera House on June 21 and 22.

In this gala, La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi and La Boheme by Giacomo Puccini are the two famous opera excerpts performed by the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet. Other classic Italian opera excerpts will also be included, with a total of 19 opera performances.

La Traviata is a love story between a young man from a powerful family in Provence (Alfredo Germont) and a rich prostitute (Violetta Valéry). Alfredo's father (Giorgio Germont) interfered in this love affair to protect his family's reputation, leading to misunderstanding, conflict and tragedy.

The audience will step into the dream of a couple's happiness through Aria: Ah fors'e lui che l'anima with the wonderful soprano voice of artists Dao To Loan, and Duet: Parigi o cara talks about the reunion of Alfredo and Violetta by guest artist Kim Yeo Won and Truong Linh.

La Boheme portrays young bohemians living in the Latin Quarter of Paris in the 1840s. In the gala, Aria: Si, Mi Chiamano Mimi will be presented by Bui Trang, and Duet: O soave Fanciula will be performed by Tran Trang and Thanh Binh.

Paradiso Dell’opera will feature soloists To Loan, Tran Trang, Bui Trang, Lan Nhung, Huy Duc, Thanh Binh, Anh Vu, Truong Linh, and Kieu Tham.

Soprano artist Kim Yeo Won from the Republic of Korea has also been invited to perform.

The artists will be accompanied by live music under conductor Dong Quang Vinh with the participation of the Hanoi Voices Choir.

This Opera Gala programme will show the endless possibilities of innovation and vibrancy of this form when there is a unique combination of different works.

Opera was born by the Italian aristocracy's need for entertainment in Florence, Italy during the late 16th century. With the presence of singers, choirs, orchestras, and other different art forms like ballet and acting, opera combines music and theatre.

Opera exposes social realities and represents the tears of the working class, the emergence of suppressed fates, and the burning desire for liberation. Additionally, opera displays the most genuine and intense love between couples, friendships, maternal affection, and love for the motherland and country.

French singer The Rodeo to tour across Vietnam

French musician and singer Dorothée Hannequin, aka The Rodeo, will have a concert tour to five cities of Vietnam beginning with a show in Ho Chi Minh City on June 16.

The Rodeo will perform songs from her latest album Arlequine released in February 2022.

The album consists of nine French pop songs about women with multiple facets and feelings such as love, jealousy, independence, and mischievousness.

The artist will sing and play guitar along with keyboard player Mathieu Geghre, bassist Jérôme Laperruque, and drummer Gaëtan Allard.

The Rodeo’s concert tour will continue with shows in Da Lat on June 18, Hanoi on June 21, Da Nang on June 22, and Hue on June 23.

Hannequin, whose mother is Vietnamese and father is French, discovered music at the age of 15.

Her music style combines pop and rock and is inspired by Europop between the 1960s and 1970s, while the lyrics surprise fans with her unique feelings.

She has also travelled around the world to seek inspiration for her songs.

She has released three albums, including Music Maelström and La Musica del Diavolo (The Music of the Diavolo) in English, and Thérianthropie Paradis (Therianthropy Paradise) in French.

Her famous songs include Ivre d’amour (Drunk with Love), Thérianthropie Paradis, Que Ma Mémoire Vive (That My Living Memory), and Cryogénie (Cryogenics).

She has toured in the US, Canada and Brazil, and across France and other European countries.

Hannequin is also known as an actress, a costume designer and a film producer. She has taken part in films such as When the Storm Is Over, and Dom Juan and Sganarelle.

In 2023, she became one of the winners of the Villa Saigon Artists’ Residence. She has been in Vietnam for six weeks to meet and work with local artists to explore new forms of expression, and the crossroads between traditional music and baroque and complex French pop.

Picture books lure kids into reading

Hundreds of new picture books on a variety of topics by Vietnamese and international authors have been introduced to increase children’s interest in reading.

Young author Huỳnh Trọng Khang has just released his latest children’s book titled Khu Rừng Trong Chai (Forest in the Bottle) at the third HCM City Book Fair for Children held earlier this month.

The 60-page book, published by Phương Nam Books, has attractive and colourful drawings by young painter Nguyễn Nhân, but contains a serious message on environmental protection.

Khu Rừng Trong Chai tells the story of a boy named An An who is given a seed by a candy vendor. He plants it in a bottle. The seed later grows into a forest. As time goes by, the forest is gradually disappearing, and being replaced by skyscrapers and pollution. However, by the end, the forest is still there.

Born in 1994 in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang, Khang is known for short stories about life and youth such as Mộ Phần Tuổi Trẻ (Tomb of Youth) and Bể Trăng Côi (Lonely Moon).

In 2020, Khang collaborated with author Chung Bảo Ngân and illustrator Trần Quốc Anh to release the bilingual book Bơ Không Phải Để Ăn (Bơ Is not for Eating) in Vietnamese and English.

The book, published by the Việt Nam Women Publishing House, consists of three short stories about the adventures of an avocado named Bơ to discover the world.

The picture poem book titled Ba Tớ Là Runner (My Dad is a Runner) by author Bùi Phương Tâm is published by the Kim Đồng Publishing House with two editions in Vietnamese and English.

The book brings child readers the story of a father who tries to balance between his passion and his family, and motivate children to pursue their own dreams and passions and make the right choices in life.

The 48-page book is illustrated by Jeet ZDũng, co-author and illustrator of two popular children’s bilingual graphic novels Chang Hoang Dã – Gấu (Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear) and Chang Hoang Dã – Voi (Saving H’non: Chang and the Elephant).

Tâm began writing for children as a mother. Her first picture book, This is Tết!, has been translated into many languages and has become a favorite book for Vietnamese children in many countries. She is pursuing studies in early childhood education at Portland State University in the US.

The Trẻ (Youth) Publishing House has released a box set of Vietnamese editions of 20 titles from the famous series The Knowledge, Horrible Science, Horrible Geography and Horrible Histories

These books are written and illustrated by Kjartan Poskitt, Hans Magnus Enzensberger, Anita Ganeri, Terry Deary, Martin Oliver, and Nick Arnold.

The works consist of funny stories and illustrations that help children to increase their interest in and knowledge of science, history, and geography.

According to the publisher, the box set is suitable for children aged 10 and above, and even adults who want to learn more knowledge.

The publishing house also presents a set of 16 colour comic books titled Lịch Sử Việt Nam (The History of Việt Nam).

Each book tells the story of the life and career of Vietnamese heroes such as the Trưng Sisters and Trần Hưng Đạo, as well as the country’s important events.

All books are available at bookstores across the country.

Nghe An wild elephant forages in village

A wild elephant is been seen foraging for food at a house in the central province of Nghe An's Quy Hop District on June 11.

Speaking with Dantri/Dtinews on Sunday afternoon, the chairman of Nam Son District People's Committee, Luong Van Biet, said that the elephant came to a local house early that morning.

"Security cameras at the house showed that the elephant went through the garden, pulling down many trees and eating a banana tree," the official said. "The animal then came to the kitchen and broke some wooden planks."

According to local authorities, the female elephant has lived in a nearby forest for over 10 years. It would sometimes come to residential areas to seek food. Local people have been advised to look out for it but not cause the animal any harm when trying to chase it back to the forest.

Statistics from Nghe An Provincial forest rangers said that 14-16 wild elephants live in local forests in some districts including Con Cuong, Anh Son, Tuong Duong, Quy Hop and Quy Chau.

The wild elephants are coming to residential areas more often due to food shortages as natural forests have felled and been replaced by plantations.

MoF rejects MoH’s proposal regarding EPI vaccine procurement

The MoF has expressed its disagreement with the MoH's request to be authorized to summarize needs and place orders with domestic vaccine manufacturers for EPI vaccination.

Regarding the shortage of vaccines in many localities participating in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), the Ministry of Finance (MoF) has recently sent a document to the Government Office, offering recommendations for the procurement of vaccines for the EPI, ARV drugs, tuberculosis medications, and vitamin A.

According to the MoF, the budget for procuring vaccines in the EPI has changed over the years. In the period from 2016 to 2022, this funding was covered by the central budget. However, from 2023, the central budget will no longer allocate funds for this purpose, and it will become the responsibility of local budgets to ensure the necessary funding.

The MoF has sent three official dispatches requesting the Ministry of Health (MoH) to prepare the budget estimate for 2023 and provide instructions for its implementation at the local level. If there is a need to allocate funds from the central budget to purchase specific drugs and vaccines for children under 5 years old, the MoH will submit the proposal to the relevant authority for review and decision-making to establish the basis for the allocation from the central budget.

Additionally, the MoF clarified the suggestions from localities regarding the obstacles faced in vaccine procurement. Accordingly, 16 provinces and cities have reported difficulties and obstacles in purchasing vaccines for EPI. They have requested the MoH to take the lead in centralized bidding, placing orders, or negotiating prices.

However, the MoF has expressed its disagreement with the MoH's request to be authorized to summarize needs and place orders with domestic vaccine manufacturers for EPI vaccination. According to the MoF, this request is deemed inappropriate. Consequently, the MoF has sought assistance from the Government Office to gather the Ministry of Justice's opinions on the matter of authorization.

In regards to the proposal for the MoF to assess and approve pricing as the foundation for localities to enter into procurement contracts, the MoF has clarified that its authority is limited to setting maximum prices based on appraisals and proposals from the MoH, specifically in cases involving the central budget. The MoF does not possess the power to appraise and approve specific prices for procurement, nor does it have the authority to establish maximum prices for products or services procured through the local budget.

Meanwhile, the MoH recently provided information to the press regarding measures to address the vaccine shortage in the EPI. Regarding domestically produced vaccines, the MoH stated that the manufacturing units, being either state-owned enterprises or non-business units under the MoH, are ineligible to participate in bidding processes. Therefore, the MoH proposed that, for domestically produced vaccines, localities should submit their demand to the MoH, authorize the MoH to place orders, and simultaneously seek the Government's approval to procure through the ordering method.

Furthermore, in order to meet the current urgent vaccine demand, the MoH recommended that the Government issue a resolution allowing the implementation of vaccine procurement mechanisms for EPI using local budget funds.

Regarding the ten types of domestically-produced vaccines used in the EPI, the MoH recommends entrusting the MoH with the responsibility of consolidating the demand from localities, placing orders, and compiling options from vaccine manufacturers. Provinces and cities authorize the MoH to place orders with domestic vaccine manufacturers. The MoF will assess and approve the pricing as the foundation for localities to sign procurement contracts and make direct payments to the suppliers.

Con Dao District requests to save electricity during high tourism season

Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province’s Con Dao District authority ordered saving electricity during the high tourism season.
 
In its dispatch, the People's Committee of Con Dao District has requested owners of hotels and accommodations in the district to save electricity during the peak season for tourism.

Currently, during the high season for tourism, the island district welcomes a lot of tourists so the demand for electricity is increasing, but the country’s electricity industry is facing difficulties because ongoing drought and water scarcity present unique challenges for the energy sector. The government has required accommodation establishments, restaurants and apartments must cut 50 percent of nighttime lighting capacity as required by the local electricity industry.

Offices and households should save electricity by turning off lights, air conditioners and other devices when they don’t use them. The district also called on production facilities to limit the operation of large power-consuming machines during high tourism season while encouraging installation units to integrate rooftop solar power and solar hot water systems.

Binh Duong announces solutions for smart city development

Solutions for developing smart cities and industrial parks in the southern province of Binh Duong were announced at a ceremony jointly organised by the provincial People’s Committee, Becamex IDC, and Japanese telecommunications company Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) on June 9.

At the event, Vietnam Technology and Telecommunication JSC (VNTT) – a subsidiary of Becamex IDC - signed a strategic collaboration agreement with NTT Data of NTT Group to deploy solutions for developing smart city and industrial parks in Binh Duong.

The collaboration aims to support businesses in Binh Duong to master comprehensive and sustainable smart city technologies and solutions, thus upgrading and modernising the infrastructure of urban areas, industrial parks, and factories in the locality.

VNTT and Becamex IDC also inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on  transforming Becamex IDC's industrial parks into smart ones, towards developing a sustainable and green industrial ecosystem.

Under the MoU, Becamex IDC’s industrial park system will be applied with solutions of smart wastewater treatment, smart security camera, smart lighting, and many other utilities, which will be controlled and monitored at the Becamex Smart Operation Centre in Binh Duong New City.

According to Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Mai Hung Dung, Binh Duong’s project for smart city development has recorded significant successes.

The locality is striving to make breakthroughs in the project, aiming to turn Binh Duong into a hub for innovation and creativity, creating an impetus to boost development and meet the needs of residents and businesses, he said.

Vietnamese cuisine introduced at Festival of Embassies Food and Culture 2023

Vietnam's traditional dishes and culinary products captured great attention from visitors at the Festival of Embassies Food and Culture 2023, which was recently held in Prague in the Czech Republic.

The annual cultural event aims to strengthen cultural exchange  and help local people to gain greater insights into people and various nations from around the world.

At the function, visitors had the opportunity to enjoy traditional dishes and impressive cultural performances put on by various countries from around the world.

Most notably, the Vietnamese Embassy in the Czech Republic co-ordinated efforts with TAMDA FOODS company in a bid to introduce traditional Vietnamese dishes such as fried spring rolls, southern Vietnamese beef noodles, and bun cha (vermicelli with grilled pork and fresh herbs).

Many Czech customers also expressed their keen interest in other aspects of traditional Vietnamese culture, especially local conical hats.

The participation of the Vietnamese Embassy during this year's event has served to contribute to elevating the culture and image of the nation to both the Czech community and international friends.

Vietnam-Thailand enhanced strategic partnership develops strongly: FM

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son hosted a reception in Hanoi on June 12 for Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand Sarun Charoensuwan, who is in Vietnam for a visit and co-chairing the 9th Vietnam-Thailand political consultation.

Son spoke highly of the strong and intensive development of the enhanced strategic partnership between Vietnam and Thailand, especially in politics, diplomacy, trade and investment.

Highlighting the efficiency of the political consultation mechanism, the minister suggested upholding its role in reviewing and proposing orientations for the implementation of agreements reached by the two countries’ high-ranking leaders in general and their foreign ministries in particular.

Son said the ministries should step up all-level delegation exchanges, particularly in 2023 to celebrate the 10th founding anniversary of the Vietnam-Thailand strategic partnership.

At the same time, they should carry forward their role as a bridge to push ahead with the materialisation of the action plan implementing the enhanced strategic partnership in the 2022-2027 period, especially the “Three Connections” initiative that covers supply chain; economies, businesses and localities; and sustainable growth strategies of the two countries, he said.

The minister also suggested the two sides enhance cooperation in such new areas as digital economy, green economy and energy transition, while supporting each other at multilateral forums, particularly the United Nations (UN), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Mekong sub-region cooperation.

For his part, Sarun expressed his wish to welcome Son on a visit to Thailand, and committed to coordinating with the Vietnamese side to effectively implement cooperation contents in all important spheres, including national defence and security, trade, investment, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

The official noted that Vietnam is an important partner of Thailand in the region, and agreed on the need for the two sides to continue their close coordination in maintaining ASEAN’s solidarity and centrality, and to strengthen their cooperation at regional and international mechanisms.

He said apart from big groups and investment projects that are operating fruitfully in Vietnam, more and more Thai enterprises have shown their interest in the market.

HCM City, Havana seek stronger cooperation

Politburo member and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen on June 12 received member of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) Central Committee and First Secretary of the Havana Party Committee Luis Antonio Torres Iríbar, who is on a Vietnam visit.

Nen stressed that the visit by the Havana delegation will contribute to boosting the traditional friendship and special solidarity between Vietnam and Cuba in general, and the two cities in particular.

Reviewing the comprehensive development of the Vietnam-Cuba relationship over the past more than six decades, he said that despite the far geographical distance and its own difficulties, the Caribbean nation has always stood side by side with Vietnam.

The official also highly valued economic policies adopted by the Cuban Party and Government, and shared difficulties facing the country.

With its potential and advantages, HCM City stands ready to play a key role in promoting economic cooperation between the two countries, and coordinate, share experience and expand investment collaboration with Cuba in such areas as health care, high-quality personnel training, high-tech agriculture, and people-to-people exchange, Nen said.

Torres Iríbar, for his part, highlighted the special solidarity and friendship between the two countries, saying Cuba and Havana in particular always remember the material and spiritual support of Vietnam.

Cuba prioritises cooperation with Vietnam, and facilitates the operations of Vietnamese businesses in the country, he said.

The guest added that Havana hopes for stronger cooperation with Vietnam’s southern largest economic hub, and calls on businesses and investors from HCM City to invest in the Cuban capital city.

Havana is also willing to partner with HCM City in forging cooperation in the areas where both sides have potential and strengths like high-tech agriculture, health care and tourism, he said.

High hopes pinned on Vietnamese athletics at upcoming Asia tournament

The 25th Asian Athletics Championship is slated to kick off in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 12, with Vietnamese athletes undergoing vigorous training in the hope of achieving their best performance results at the regional stage.

The five-day tournament is expected to see the participation of almost all of the strongest competitors who aim to prepare for the Asian Games (ASIAD) in September in China and secure their berths at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Vietnam will send a 16-strong team to the championship. Among the Vietnamese athletes are SEA Games champions Nguyen Thi Huyen, Nguyen Thi Hang, Nguyen Thi Oanh and Luong Duc Phuoc.

After the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia, Huyen took a gold in the women's 400m hurdles at the Taiwan Open last week. Hang won in the women's 400m while Phuoc was a champion in the men's 1,500m at the same event. Oanh, who made history with four golds at Sea Games 32, withdrew from the Taiwan Open at the last minute, as her coaches wanted her to remain in Vietnam to train.

The 25th championship in Bangkok is significant as it gives the athletes a chance to compete with and study their opponents, hence making predictions on their chances at ASIAD, said Nguyen Manh Hung, General Secretary of the Vietnam Athletics Federation.

Vietnam might see no opportunity to shine in the women’s 400m and 400m hurdles events, but its 4x400 metres relay team is in good shape with sound achievements, assessed the training board of the Vietnamese track-and-field squad.

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