Thirty years after the blood donation movement was officially launched (January 24, 1994 - January 24, 2024), Vietnam has mobilised and received over 21.3 million units of blood, with the number of volunteer donators hitting 99%, according to the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion.

The number of blood units received increased from 138,000 in 1994 to 1.55 million in 2023, a 11-fold rise.

Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan, who is head of the National Steering Committee for Voluntary Blood Donation, affirmed that the 30-year journey of the humanitarian movement is full of love among the people. Many lives have been saved when receiving the donation.

From June 13-15, the committee is organising a programme to honour outstanding donators nationwide. The programme has been held annually since 2008 on the occasion of the World Blood Donor Day (June 14).

Over the past 16 years, 1,600 delegates from all over the country, from all professions, ethnicities, and ages have been selected to be honoured.

They are expected to become nuclei of the movement, inspiring and spreading the spirit of sharing and love to have more and more voluntary blood donators./.

Proposal to limit students’ working hours to 24 hours per week

Students aged 15 and above will be allowed to work part time for up to 24 hours per week during the school year, an increase from the previously proposed 20 hours.

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs revised the regulations on student working hours in the latest draft amendment of the Employment Law.

The previous draft proposed that students aged 15 and above could work part time for no more than 20 hours per week during the school year and up to 48 hours per week during vacations.

However, after receiving feedback from various ministries and agencies, the drafting committee made adjustments to allow students enrolling in formal education programmes and meeting the legal working age to work part time for up to 24 hours per week during the school year.

The new draft also removes the previous regulation of ‘no more than 48 hours per week during vacations’.

Similarly, changes have been made regarding overtime pay. The earlier draft stated that student wages would be based on agreements between the employee and employer, considering actual working time, workload and job quality.

The latest draft adds that student wages must be agreed upon between the employee and employer, but must not be lower than the hourly minimum wage.

Other related regulations have also been adjusted. Specifically, students working part time must inform their educational institutions of their employment status.

Employers must comply with labour laws when employing students.

Educational institutions are responsible for monitoring and supporting student workers after they have informed the institution of their employment.

Explaining these changes, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs stated that limiting weekly working hours ensures flexibility for students.

Recently, the drafting committee sent an official letter to the Ministry of Justice requesting an appraisal of the amended Employment Law.

On March 15, the committee sought feedback from various ministries, sectors, and localities on the draft amended Employment Law. The draft was also posted on the Government and ministry's electronic portals for public opinion.

To date, hundreds of feedback documents regarding the draft amended law have been received from ministries, sectors, localities, organisations, businesses, and agencies.

After considering and responding to the feedback from ministries, sectors, localities, international organisations, agencies and individuals, the drafting committee will continue to finalise the amended Employment Law. 

Photo contest raises awareness of marine environment protection

A photo contest on actions for the blue ocean was recently launched by the Natural Resources and Environment Magazine in response to the action month for environment 2024.

Through the contest, the organising board wants to call on the community to join hands to reduce the use of the plastic products, particularly single-use ones, encourage the public to use environmentally-friendly products, and help them understand the significance of the marine environment protection.

Vietnamese citizens and foreigners who are living and working in the country, regardless of genders and ages, are eligible to join the contest.

High-resolution photos that highlight practical activities to protect the environment, ecosystem and ocean should be sent to the organising board through website: https://cunghanhdongvidaiduongxanh.com/, email: hanhdongvidaiduongxanh@gmail.com, or to the magazine at Lot E2, Cau Giay new urban area, Yen Hoa ward, Cau Giay district, Hanoi no later than August 5.

Each author is allowed to send up to ten entries./.

PM urges stronger efforts to complete expressway target

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked for greater efforts from ministries, sectors, and localities to realise the goal of completing 3,000 km of expressways nationwide by December 31, 2025.

Presiding over the 12th meeting of the State Steering Committee for National Key Transport Projects in Hanoi on June 14, the Government leader highlighted the goal set by the 13th National Party Congress that looks to build 3,000km of expressways by 2025 and 5,000km by 2030.

PM Chinh said with the establishment of the committee, the country has completed 674 km of expressways since the beginning of the Government's tenure, raising the total length of highways nationwide to approximately 2,000km.

However, he noted that the work still faces difficulties related to administrative procedures, land clearance and construction materials.

The leader asked participants to focus on reviewing the progress of projects and assessing efforts to resolve difficulties and obstacles, especially regarding land clearance and the supply of construction materials.

He also underlined the need to prevent negative phenomena in implementing the projects, particularly in procurement and bidding activities, while urging ministries, sectors, and localities to continue with efforts to ensure progress and quality of projects; and mobilise engagement of businesses in this work.

According to the committee, there are currently 40 projects nationwide categorised as important national transport projects, spanning road, railway, and aviation fields across 48 provinces and centrally-run cities./.

Vietnam's top female footballer returns from Portuguese club

Vietnam national women's football team captain Huynh Nhu has returned home after completing her second season with Portugal's Lank FC.

The contract between Huynh Nhu and Lank ended after the 2023-2024 season.

Following two playoff games on May 27 and June 9 that helped secure Lank's spot in Portugal's Women's National Championship, the 33-year-old striker bid farewell to Lank FC as her contract expired. This concluded her two-season stint with the club, where she scored nine goals and three assists.

Nhu arrived at Tan Son Nhat Airport in HCM City on June 13 and was welcomed by her family and some Ho Chi Minh City Women's Football Club members.

She wore a hat with best wishes and signatures from her Lank FC teammates. Nhu shared that her teammates had translated their wishes into Vietnamese and wrote them on the hat.

Speaking with the media at the airport, Nhu said that she had missed home and was happy to return.

Nhu refused to share her future plans, saying that she now wanted to take some time to rest, recover, and spend time with her family.

Nhu's playing future is unclear. Sources said that the captain of the Vietnam national women's football team will return to Ho Chi Minh City I WFC, where she won seven national championships.

Northern Thái Nguyên hosts national professional art festival

The National Drama Festival 2024 in the northern province of Thái Nguyên opened with a show by the Việt Nam Youth Theatre.

Artists performed Bến Nước Thời Gian (The Wharfe of Time), directed by Nguyễn Sĩ Tiến, charmed the local audience at Việt Bắc Folk Music and Dance Theatre.

Adapted from Sương Nguyệt Minh's short story, the drama tells a post-war story of love, temptation and agent orange and how consequences brings misfortune to the women.

"The drama makes me emotional but above all I have sympathy for the leading roles," said patron Trần Thị Bích Hồng after the show. "Many times I can not hold back my tears while watching the leading female role. Through this role, I better understand and sympathise with the pain and loss of people in the post-war period."

The national festival has been organised by Việt Nam Theatre Artists' Association and the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Thái Nguyên Province, bringing together nearly 1,000 artists from 19 professional theatres nationwide, who will perform in 23 plays.

"The festival aims to preserve and promote traditional cultural values and honour collectives and individuals with achievements in their profession," said Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Tạ Quang Đông at the opening ceremony.

"It is also an opportunity for artists to exchange, learn from their experiences and improve professionally to enhance their performance."

During the festival, audiences will watch theatre productions by the Hà Nội Drama Theatre, LucTeam Theatre, Lệ Ngọc Theatre and a theatre troupe from the Military University of Culture and Arts, among others.

The best artists including actor, playwright, director, set designer will be honoured at the festival closing ceremony on June 26. The shows will be judged by a council chaired by People's Artist Ngọc Giàu, popular actress Trần Thị Minh Hòa, musician Trọng Đài, theatre director Lê Mạnh Hùng and playwright Chu Thơm. 

Passengers remain reluctant to night flights

Many passengers have shown little interest in night flights despite cheaper prices.

To meet the increasing demand in the summer, more airlines in Vietnam have increased night and early morning flights. National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has planned to increase 2,000 flights after 9 pm every day, concentrating on routes linked to Hanoi, HCM City, Danang and Nha Trang.

Budget airline VietJet Air has announced to operate 3,100 more domestic flights, equal to 1.4 million tickets.

Tickets for Vietnam Airlines’ Hanoi-HCM City night flights in July would be 20 percent lower than daytime flights. The price for the Hanoi-Nha Trang route would be 40 percent lower than daytime.

Despite attractive discounts, night flights have still failed to lure passengers. Vietnam Airlines CEO Le Hong Ha said that in the first five months of this year, roughly 10 percent of the carrier’s night flights have been cancelled due to the lack of passengers.

According to Ha, with night flights, passengers may have to incur an extra night of accommodation because hotel check-in policies are not flexible. Transportation options for nighttime travel are inconvenient.

Night flights are more suitable for peak periods such as the Lunar New Year or Tet as people flock to return to their hometown. Ha added, hotels should apply more flexible policies to facilitate night flights.

Ministry of National Defense finding customers buying land in Nha Trang Airport

The Ministry of National Defense is finding customers in the capital city of Hanoi who signed contracts with Phuc Son Group to buy land at a project of Urban Center of Nha Trang Commerce - Services - Finance - Tourism.

The Criminal Investigation Agency of the Air Defense - Air Force under the Ministry of National Defense is finding customers in the capital city of Hanoi who signed contracts with Phuc Son Group to buy land at a project of Urban Center of Nha Trang Commerce - Services - Finance - Tourism, where is in an area of former Nha Trang Airport.

The Criminal Investigation Agency of the Air Defense - Air Force this morning said that the unit is investigating and verifying the case of “Violations of regulations on management of land” in Khanh Hoa Province following the entrustment decision on case investigation of the Criminal Investigation Agency under the Ministry of National Defense.

To serve the investigation, the functional agency required customers in Hanoi who had signed contracts with Phuc Son Group for buying land in the project mentioned above to promptly contact the Criminal Investigation Agency of the Air Defense - Air Force under the Ministry of National Defense to work, provide information serving for the investigation process.

Previously, in mid-May, the Criminal Investigation Agency under the Ministry of National Defense sent an official letter to the People’s Committee of Khanh Hoa Province to direct the relevant departments, units and sectors to review and provide the comprehensive dossiers and documents on handing over national defense land in Nha Trang Airport.

Long Khánh Fruit Festival 2024 kicks off

On the evening of June 12, the People's Committee of Long Khánh City, Đồng Nai Province held the opening ceremony of Fruit Festival 2024 to honour and promote tourism and Long Khánh fruit products to visitors.

The festival is taking place from June 12-16 with more than 40 booths displaying and selling local specialties and OCOP products.

The festival aims to introduce and promote tourism and Long Khánh fruit products to visitors, creating opportunities to connect fruit gardens with visitors and travel agencies.

Thousands of visitors who attended the first day of the festival were delighted to eat rambutan for free.

For the festival, the organiser has prepared more than 2.3 tons of rambutan to serve visitors.

Rambutan was harvested from fruit gardens in Long Khánh to give visitors with a unique and impressive culinary experience.

Vice Chairman of Đồng Nai Provincial People’s Committee Nguyễn Sơn Hùng suggested the city should gradually exploit the potential of local tourism, and improve the quality of traditional craft villages and typical local products.

The Long Khánh Fruit Festival and events promoting local OCOP products have an important meaning in honouring gardeners and enterprises, and promoting high-quality fruits and local OCOP products.

The event is also a venue to gather scientists, enterprises, and farmers to exchange ideas and seek business opportunities to foster agro-ecological tourism development.

Đồng Nai Province has over 76,000ha of fruits, including more than 300 concentrated production areas with many specialty fruits, such as rambutan, durian, and mango. Long Khánh City has long been known as home of delicious and famous fruits of the Southeast region.

HCM City works to bring water to remote urban area

After its formation 19 years ago, HCM City's water supply system has increased in size by 500 per cent, reaching nearly 11,000km.

Nearly 1.6 million water meters have been installed in the city so far.

With a goal of bringing clean water to every household, the Sài Gòn Water Corporation (Sawaco) is making a new effort to bring water to the farthest place in the city – Cần Giờ District.

As a remote district, Cần Giờ District has limited traffic, a large area, low population density and many rivers and canals.

Sawaco and local authorities have been trying to gradually complete the water network and modernise clean water supply technology in recent years.

In April last year, the unit finished taking water to more than 1,600 households in Lý Nhơn Commune.

Last month, the Cần Giờ Water Supply Enterprise installed about 300 water meters in Tam Thôn Hiệp Commune, increasing the number of newly installed meters in the commune to 400.

The work helped increase water pressure for most households, which are using tap water from small water businesses.

The Cần Giờ Water Supply Enterprise said that clean water projects Sawaco has invested into Cần Giờ District have contributed significantly to local socio-economic development and tourism.

Clean tap water improves people's lives, especially during stormy seasons, and ensures social security.

In addition, the projects have helped the city save more than VNĐ50 billion (US$1.9 million) per year by reducing the need for the city to transport clean water by waterway, as it used to do.

Three out of the seven communes in Cần Giờ District -- Tam Thôn Hiệp, An Thới Đông and Lý Nhơn -- now have a clean water system.

The system also serves some parts of the remaining communes.

Sawaco leaders said that the corporation plans to further extend the clean water system in Cần Giờ District next year.

Under the plan, the top priority task is to build additional pipes across the Soài Rạp and Tắc Sông Chà rivers, and build more tanks at pumping stations to expand capacity.

As of last month, Sawaco had provided clean water to 110,430 households in Hóc Môn District in the north of the city.

The corporation is implementing 14 projects for a water supply roadmap in the district over the next year, with a total investment of about VNĐ1.2 billion ($47,200).

To date, Sawaco has carried out four projects that are 70 per cent finished. The corporation expects to complete them by the end of this month.

The remaining projects will be completed by the end of this year.

A spokesperson from the Sài Gòn Groundwater One Member Co. Ltd., which supplies water for Hóc Môn District, said that the company worked with local authorities to install water meters quickly and ensure legitimate needs are met for the people. 

Joint efforts underway to solve plastic waste challenge in HCM City

In order to address the growing issue of pollution, HCM City has been launching various joint dissemination campaigns and activities with businesses to encourage its dwellers to reduce the use of single-use or non-degradable plastic bags, and collect and recycle plastic waste.

Nguyễn Thị Thanh Mỹ, deputy director of the city’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment, said the problem of plastic pollution has become a tough challenge for Việt Nam, and asked for collaboration between the State and businesses to solve it.

The city has introduced a project to promote a circular economy for plastic waste in Cần Giờ District, sponsored by Coca-Cola Fund and operated by GreenHub; and a project to collect used plastic packaging in District 7 in co-operation with Unilever Vietnam, she said.

GreenHub, an NGO supporting green development, reported that after two years of carrying out the above project in Cần Giờ District, positive signs have been seen regarding establishing a recycling value chain in the district that promotes a cleaner and greener environment for local residents.

Accordingly, five scrap yards experienced an increase in their income after receiving project support to improve their facilities. 51 female scrap collectors received occupational safety training and were provided with work tools to enhance their performance. The project raised awareness about plastic waste collection, classification and recycling, and responsible tourism for 2,000 tourists.

It also provided information on plastic waste collection and classification to more than 76,500 individuals.

Unilever Vietnam has always pioneered and committed to environmental protection, working closely with agencies and other organisations to solve environmental-related problems.

Besides the current project in District 7, it has worked with Central Retail Vietnam on waste sorting at source to help form a meaningful habit in the community.

At the national level, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has collaborated with Nestlé Vietnam to launch a project to neutralise plastic waste by 2025 that focuses on raising public awareness and promoting responsible plastic waste management practices.

The Ministry has also collaborated with Unilever Vietnam and other partners on the scheme ‘Public-Private Partnership Programme for Building a Circular Economy in Plastic Waste Management’.

The scheme welcomes the participation of 27 businesses specialising in waste gathering and recycling along with educational institutes sharing the same vision and mission on plastic waste management.

These groups have actively contributed to implementing the national action plan for ocean plastic waste management by 2030.

Environmental experts say businesses always play a critical role in reducing plastic waste and facilitating activities for environmental protection.

They not only observe environmental laws but also actively implement various innovative measures to optimise input material used to help decrease emissions.

Confirming its willingness to cooperate with the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry in adopting feasible solutions for reducing plastic waste, Nestlé Vietnam has already switched from plastic to paper straws for its drink cartons.

Only just 2021 and 2022, the company was able to cut down its plastic usage by approximately 2,400 tonnes.

More than 90 per cent of its product packaging is designed for recycling.

Similarly, Coca-Cola Vietnam has officially announced its ambitious sustainable packaging goals to collect and recycle the equivalent of every bottle/can sold globally, and use at least 50 per cent of recycled materials in packaging by 2030.

The Environmental Protection Law identifies the business community as a vital factor in environmental protection.

Effectively implementing environmental protection measures not only turns these enterprises into socially responsible businesses (SRBs) but also enhances their competitiveness, facilitates international market entry, and ensures sustainable development.

The Ministry highly appreciates the collaboration of businesses, particularly in the private sector, in partnering with the government to share the responsibility of addressing waste issues specifically and environmental protection in general.

Assoc Prof Dr Nguyễn Hồng Quân, head of the Institute of Circular Economy Research and Development under Việt Nam National University-HCM City, said the participation of businesses and international organisations in plastic waste management, and environment matters in general, brings several practical benefits.

Thanks to their financial and technological advantages, along with their high level of responsibility, plastic waste gathering and treatment will be achievable goals.

However, the Government should introduce policies and mechanisms to incentivise plastic waste recycling, develop markets for recycled products, and provide tax breaks and preferential loans.

Statistics from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment show that the country generates over 1.8 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with HCM City alone producing around 80 tonnes per year.

The amount of non-biodegradable plastic bags is increasing non-stop each year, leading to such a heavy burden to the environment that people consider it ‘white pollution’.

This pollution will negatively affect human beings’ physical health.

Under the city’s plan to strengthen the management of plastic waste reduction and recycling and reuse for the 2022-25 period, the city People’s Committee chairman Phan Văn Mãi is directing relevant state units to intensify propaganda activities about the harmful effects of single-use plastic products and non-biodegradable plastic packaging on marine ecosystems, the environment, and human health.

He asked them to control and limit plastic waste from the source; organise the classification, collection, reuse, recycling, and treatment of plastic waste; promote international co-operation, scientific research and application, and technology transfer; and encourage organisations and individuals with the qualifications to carry out plastic waste collection, reuse, and recycling activities in the city.

He also asked the city’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment to provide preferential loans in accordance with regulations from the city's environmental protection fund for individuals, organisations, and businesses that collect, transport, recycle, and treat plastic waste; and produce environmentally friendly products awarded the Vietnam Green Label by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in the city. 

The first ever Southern Youth Kickboxing Championship promises to be a closely-fought competition.

Athletes from 22 provinces and cities, including 12 Mekong Delta provinces, will be competing at the Southern Youth Kickboxing Championship, scheduled to take place on June 16 at the National Sports Training Centre in HCM City.

This is the first time for this tournament, which has been organised to further encourage the development of the kickboxing movement, particularly in the southern provinces and cities.

The South already has a thriving kickboxing community, with every locality developing the sport, but it still has potential to grow.

Teams have been training hard, so the tournament promises fierce matches from highly dedicated fighters, showing their physical strength, stature and love for martial arts in Việt Nam.

The tournament will also look to discover young talented fighters who could win a place on the national teams, ready for international events.

"Currently, the event's organising committee has mobilised all funding to hold the tournament from businesses and sponsors who love this sport across the country," Nguyễn Hồ Sĩ, vice president of the Việt Nam Kickboxing Federation said.

The event, co-organised by the Việt Nam Kickboxing Federation and HCM City National Sports Training Centre, will last until June 22.

Kickboxing was introduced to Việt Nam in 2009, when it was included in the official competition system of the indoor Asian Games. Since then, it has grown rapidly in popularity and now the kickboxing movement is thriving, with clubs in nearly 40 provinces and cities.

Many localities have focused on investing in a training path to build professional kickboxing athletes with Hà Nội, Bình Định and HCM City, leading the way. 

AFC conducts draws, Việt Nam learn U17, U20 rivals

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) conducted the draw for two youth tournaments on June 13 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

A total of 45 teams were divided into 10 groups, five of four and five of five.

The qualification games will be played between September 21-29.

Việt Nam, as hosts of Group A, will entertain Syria, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Guam.

Group B will see defending champions Uzbekistan, Bahrain, Chinese Taipei (host), Cambodia and Nepal.

South Korea, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait (host) and Northern Mariana Islands make up Group C. 

Saudi Arabia will host Group D with Australia, Palestine, Afghanistan and Macau their challengers while Group E will feature Tajikistan (hosts), Oman, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and North Korea. 

Indonesia (host), Yemen, Timor-Leste and Maldives make up Group F while Group G will see Islamic Republic of Iran, Mongolia, India and Laos (host) hoping to make the finals. 

Hosts Thailand will welcome Group H opponents Iraq, Philippines and Brunei Darussalam. Japan, Kyrgyz Republic (host), Myanmar and Turkmenistan are four teams in Group I. Jordan, Qatar (host), Singapore and Hong Kong, China are the teams drawn in Group J.

The top team of each group and five best second-placed will advance to the finals scheduled on February 6-23, 2025, in China.

The Asian championship is a qualification of the U20 World Cup 2025 in Chile.

Coach Hứa Hiền Vinh and players set a target of taking part for a second time at the World Cup after their first historic qualification in 2016.

In the other activity, the U17 competitions will feature 43 teams competing in 10 groups - seven of four each and three of five.

Matches will be organised between October 19 and 27.

The 10 group winners and five best second-placed teams will advance to the Finals, with Saudi Arabia scheduled to host the tournament from April 3-20, 2025.

Nine strongest teams will represent Asia at the U17 World Cup 2025.

Individual houses combined with rentals to receive stricter management

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha yesterday chaired a meeting to gather opinions for the draft Decree detailing a number of articles in the amended Housing Law.

In this legal document, the Construction Ministry has separated the content of multi-storey, multi-apartment houses into a specific chapter, aiming to strictly manage individual, multi-storey, multi-apartment houses for sale, lease and accommodation for many people.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha then noted that housing development programs and plans must accurately assess the national housing situation as well as the specific supply - demand for each segment in order to regulate the market and ensure housing for the people.

"Individual houses combined with rental and accommodation for many people must apply safety standards like apartment buildings," said the Deputy Prime Minister.

He asked that the Construction Ministry continue simplifying the condominium classification process to encourage the participation of businesses according to the criteria for green condominiums (energy-saving, green spaces, environmentally friendly materials, water and air quality...) that are smart, convenient, safe, not just focusing on functionality.

There must be appropriate forms of honor and support for rated condominiums as well.

Bien Hoa City Book Festival 2024 to be held in December

The People’s Committee of Bien Hoa City of Dong Nai Province had a working session with HCMC’s publishing houses in HCMC on June 13 to organize Bien Hoa City Book Festival 2024.

Under the plan, the 2024 Bien Hoa City Book Festival is scheduled to be held at Bien Hung Park at No.12 on Hoang Minh Chau Street in Hoa Binh Ward on December 27, 2024 – January 1, 2025.

The event aims to promote the land, people, achievements in the fields of history, policy, science and technology, economy, society and development potential of Vietnam in general and Bien Hoa City in particular.

Around 200,000 copies of books of various titles, office supplies and accessories will be displayed on an area of 1,000 square meters during the festival.

Italian textile exhibition opens in HCM City

The “FABRICA. Italian Textile and Innovation” Exhibition celebrating the history and evolution of Italian textile manufacturing has opened at the HCM City Museum.

The event is hosted by the Consulate General of Italy in HCM City, in collaboration with Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam.

It marks the significant milestone of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Consulate General, and is part of the 2024 Aquafina Việt Nam International Fashion Week in the city from June 13-16.

Addressing the opening of the exhibition on June 13, Italian Consul General Enrico Padula said, “the Fabrica exhibition speaks of Italian textiles, but also of a history and a vision of the future. This exhibition, promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and conceived by Corrado Anselmi and CMS Cultura, is an experience that, through the use of different modules, gives visitors the opportunity to directly experience the history, technique and Italian vision of the textile industry.”

The exhibition showcases a series of panels set up by a network of over 20 companies in the sector, highlighting the richness and variety of Italian production, from fashion fabrics, materials in interior design, and sportswear fibres to sustainable fibres.

The showcase features the history and development of Italian textiles, wool production, the art of silk, yarn processing, and fabric production from the Middle Ages to the 18th century.

The event introduces fabrics used in garments and interior design, and natural fibres made of organic cotton, generated nylon yarn from pre-and-post consumer waste, and textile waste.

The exhibition also highlights ‘technical’ fabrics which are characterized as high-performing and address specific needs.

The development of Italian textile machinery from the 15th century to the present are featured as well.

Padula said, “Việt Nam also has a rich history, especially in silk and cotton processing, and a constantly expanding market. Its recent role as a hub also gives rise to an interest in deepening some common practices from a social, technical and sustainability perspective.”

“By sharing our history and experience today, we are confident that we can be an inspiration to a country that now plays an important role in the industry on a global level and shares the same challenges,” he added.

The “FABRICA. Italian Textile and Innovation” Exhibition was conceived by the agency CMS Cultura, with the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Italian Fashion Industry Business Federation (Sistema Moda Italia), the Italian Association of Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT), and the Italian Organisation of Crafts and Small-Medium Enterprises (Confartigianato Imprese).

It was first organised in Singapore in April, and then came to Hà Nội in May. It will later tour internationally.

The exhibition is open from 8am to 4:30pm until June 20. The museum is at 65 Lý Tự Trọng Street in District 1. 

Thanh Hóa plans to promote tours connecting with Laos province

The north-central province of Thanh Hóa plans to develop and exploit tours that connect it with the Houaphanh province of Laos.

According to Thanh Hóa's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, it will focus on developing tourism products that feature local culture, history, the local community’s values and nature.

The department will coordinate with units to organise a field trip for business and media representatives to survey and develop tours connecting Thanh Hóa and Houaphanh provinces.

Previously, in 2019, Thanh Hoa province announced Quan Son-Vieng Xay tour that promotes popular destinations in the two provinces. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism connection was disrupted.

Sharing the borderline with Thanh Hóa province, Houaphanh province has 157 tourist areas, including 64 landscapes, 64 historical tourism areas and 29 cultural tourism areas. Among them, the province's important tourism highlight is Vieng Xay District with nearly 500 spectacular caves.

The caves were chosen as a revolutionary base during the wartime for Laos leaders between 1964 and 1972. The natural caves run deep into the mountains, creating tunnels leading to ‘meeting rooms’ and ‘dining rooms’, where Laos President Khamtay Siphandone and other revolutionary leaders once lived and worked.

The caves were turned into a tourist destination for both domestic and foreign visitors in Laos.