Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the inaugural ceremony of the Nha Trang-Cam Lam and Vinh Hao-Phan Thiet Expressways in the south-central coastal province of Khanh Hoa on June 18.

The expressways are included in the eastern part of the North-South Expressway project for the 2017-2020 period.

The four-lane Nha Trang-Cam Lam Expressway runs more than 49km in Khanh Hoa province, with a total investment capital of over 5.5 trillion VND (233.74 million USD). Its construction began in September 2021.

Meanwhile, the Vinh Hao-Phan Thiet Expressway, whose construction started in September 2020, stretches 101km in the south-central province of Binh Thuan, and is linked to the Cam Lam-Vinh Hao Expressway to the north, and the Dau Giau-Phan Thiet Expressway to the south. The expressway was built at a total cost of 10.85 trillion VND.

Addressing the ceremony, PM Chinh said the two expressways will help spur socio-economic development in Khanh Hoa and Binh Thuan, and maximise the potential and advantages of the south-central coastal region in particular and the country in general.

Stressing the important role of the North-South transport corridor, the leader said the new routes raise the total length of expressways put into operation along the North-South axis to 954km, and in the country to 1,729km.

The PM lauded efforts by the Ministry of Transport, other relevant sides and localities during the construction, and asked them to coordinate in the operation of the two expressways.

Greater efforts are needed to speed up the progress of the remaining sections of the North-South Expressway project, he noted.

The Government leader agreed in principle with the proposal of Khanh Hoa province and Son Hai Group Limited Company regarding investment in some other expressway projects, and assigned the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Transport to coordinate with the People’s Committee of Khanh Hoa in making the plans.

15th NA’s 5th session expected to pass some laws, resolutions in last working week

The National Assembly (NA) will pass several laws and resolutions during the last working week of its fifth sitting from June 19-24.

Accordingly, the legislature is expected to approve the amended Law on Price, the amended Law on Cooperatives, the Law on Civil Defence, the amended Law on Protection of Consumer Rights, the amended Law on Electronic Transactions, the Law amending and supplementing some articles of the Law on Public Security, the revised Law on Bidding, the Law amending and supplementing some articles of the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens, and the Law on amendments to a number of articles of the Law on Foreigners' Entry into, Exit from, Transit through, and Residence in Vietnam.

Resolutions to be adopted include be a resolution approving State budget settlement in 2021, a resolution on investment plan for National Highway 27C section connecting Lam Dong and Binh Thuan provinces, a resolution on the list of and funding for task/projects under the socio-economic recovery and development programme, a resolution on adjustment of the mid-term public investment plan during the period 2021-2025, a revised resolution on collecting votes of confidence on people holding positions elected or approved by the National Assembly or People's Councils, among others.

As planned, during the working week, the NA will discuss bills including the Law on Housing (amended); the Law on Real Estate Business (amended); the Law on forces participating in the protection of security and order at the grassroots levels; the Law on Water Resources (amended); Law on Telecommunications (amended); the Law on Citizenship Identification (amended); the Law on management and protection of defence works and military zones.

In particular, the legislative body will spend the whole day of June 21 debating the draft revised Land Law.

Vietnamese street food festival held in Paris

A Vietnamese street food festival entitled “Ici Vietnam Festival” was held on June 17 at Monge Square in District 5, Paris by the Vietnamese Association in France (UGVF) and the Vietnam Youth Association in France (UJVF).

This is the third year the festival has been organised, offering visitors opportunities to taste popular Vietnamese dishes and fruits. This year, visitors can also enjoy contemporary music, with the excitement of electronic music, pop and rap, performed by French-Vietnamese DJ-beatmakers.

They can also find books, meet with writers, and play Vietnamese folk games. On this occasion, Vinfast, a subsidiary carmaker of Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup, displayed its latest electric vehicles.

According to Jérôme Tham Vo My, a member of the festival’s organising committee, in 2022, the one-day festival attracted nearly 10,000 visitors.

He hopes that with the participation of about 30 businesses, this year's event would attract more visitors than last year.

Ngo Minh Duong, owner of Thanh Binh Jeunes supermarket chain, said that the products he brought here were all from Vietnam, such as sugarcane juice, coconut water, lychee, mango, coffee, and tea. 

The company also cooperates with the Graine de riz - Grain de vie Association to raise funds for disadvantaged children and families in Vietnam and Laos.

Ici Vietnam Festival is the idea of a group of young Vietnamese-French people who wish to organise festivals in various fields of film, art, painting and cuisine to promote Vietnamese culture.

Asiatic brush-tailed porcupines released into wild in northern Vietnam

Competent forces in the northern mountainous province of Dien Bien on June 17 released four Asiatic brush-tailed porcupines, also known as Don, into the Muong Nhe Nature Reserve.

Director of the reserve management board Diep Van Chinh said the porcupines were detected and seized during a raid on May 16.

The Asiatic brush-tailed porcupine (Atherurus macrourus) is a species of rodent in the family Hystricidae. It is found in China, Bhutan, India, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Covering more than 46,700 hectares in the five border communes of Sin Thau, Leng Su Sin, Chung Chai, Muong Nhe and Nam Ke, the reserve is home to 450 species of fauna, of which nearly 100 are listed in the Red Book.

Illegal aquaculture cages block fishing boats in Binh Dinh

A series of aquaculture cages have sprung up at the foot of De Gi Bridge in the central province of Binh Dinh, posing safety risks for fishing boats.

The cages cover an area of eight to 16 square metres each scattered near De Gi Bridge in Phu My District, around 70 kilometres from central Quy Nhon, mainly raise oysters, cobia and pomfret. In addition, local residents have also set up floating metal cages to serve aquaculture farming. 

The 400-metre-long De Gi Bridge opened to traffic early this year, connecting My Thanh Commune in Phu My District and Cat Khanh Commune in Phu Cat District.

At the foot of the bridge, there is also a fishing port with a large number of boats coming in and out; therefore, the fish cages has seriously affected waterway traffic and posed safety risks.

Nguyen Trung Hieu, vice chairman of Cat Khanh Commune, said residents in the commune have started adopting cage aquaculture farming since last year. Initially, there were only six families raising aquaculture in cages and then the figure has risen to 20.

Due to difficulties in catching fish and other seafood, many residents have switched to aquaculture farming.

Hieu admitted that fish farming cages in the area have caused pollution on the environment because the food is released directly onto the water, and also blocked traffic of fishing boats.

Nguyen Ngoc Hanh, chairman of My Thanh Commune, said there are 58 families in the commune raising aquaculture in cages.

After working with local authorities, the families pledged to remove their cages.

The area at the foot of De Gi Bridge is not zoned for aquaculture farming.

Tran Van Phuc, director of Binh Dinh’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said provincial authorities would review the case to ensure people’s livelihoods are maintained but still comply with regulations.

Việt Nam draw with India in U17 Asian Cup opener

After a draw in the opening match of the AFC U17 Asian Cup, Việt Nam head coach Hoàng Anh Tuấn, rued his team’s missed opportunities, while his Indian counterpart Bibiano Fernandes was delighted to come from behind and salvage a point.

Both teams wanted to win, as they are considered the two poorer teams in Group D which also consists of powerhouses Japan and Uzbekistan.

Chances for both teams came thick and fast from the start with Indian skipper Korou Singh unlucky to see his long-range effort blocked.

It was the same player thwarted again in the 12th minute, his effort beaten out by the defenders in red.

Việt Nam answered immediately with repeated charges from Đặng Thanh Bình and Lê Đình Long Vũ inside the six-yard box which were blocked by the Indian defence.

The breakthrough came just before the break when 'player-to-watch' Nguyễn Công Phương’s through ball found Vũ who beat Indian defender Ricky Meitei before slotting home to the bottom right corner of the net.

In the additional time of the first half, Lê Huỳnh Triệu almost scored directly from a corner, but his effort hit the woodwork.

India came close to equalising in the 54th minute with Malenmgamba Thokchom receiving a cross from substitute Thanglalsoun Gangte on the left flank but his shot hit the side netting.

Thokchom, however, came good 10 minutes later as his long range effort sailed past the Vietnamese keeper to settle in the back of the net.

The Indian defenders were kept busy in the minutes that followed as they faced an onslaught of charges from the Golden Star Warriors who were desperate to take their lead back.

Việt Nam’s final attempt came in the 89th minute when midfielder Vi Đình Thượng’s attempt was saved by Indian goalkeeper Sahil.

Coach Fernandes said the two teams were evenly matched and that the game could have gone either way.

His hopes were echoed by Thokchom, who while pleased with his performance, vowed to do better in their upcoming matches.

On the other side, coach Tuấn said nerves got the better of his team, resulting in them having to share the points.

The result - with Japan and Uzbekistan having also settled for a 1-1 stalemate - leaves the group tantalisingly poised.

Việt Nam will meet defending champion Japan on June 20 while India play Uzbekistan.

Film studio, film projects to be developed in Khanh Hoa

The Khanh Hoa provincial People’s Committee on June 17 exchanged Memoranda of Understanding with partners on building a film studio and making films in the south-central coastal province.

The committee and Sun Group signed an MoU on cooperation on film studio construction. It also inked another with VietinBank on investment and funding for suitable film projects to be implemented in the province.

Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Tourism Association and Hoan Khue Film Production Joint Stock Company signed an MoU on investment, production and promotion of the film project “Ngay xua mot chuyen tinh” (Once upon a time - A love story) and another with Vietnamese Images Research and Promotion Joint Stock on investment, production and promotion of the film project “ Cham vao hanh phuc” (Touching Happiness).

The MoU exchange formed part of the conference on tourism brand development via cinema for Khanh Hoa province.

Speaking at the opening of the conference on June 17, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung emphasised that although Vietnam has diverse natural landscapes and cultural identities, it has not yet attracted many foreign film crews.

He said the promotion of destinations through cinematographic works is still modest with few films having been made.

He called on initiatives to combine tourism and cinema more effectively, strongly promoting the images of Vietnam in general and Khanh Hoa province in particular.

Minister Hung suggested Khanh Hoa province soon build, complete and effectively implement mechanisms and policies to attract investment in cinema and tourism.

Many delegates at the conference agreed that Khanh Hoa has a lot of potential to become an attractive destination for domestic and international investors to develop tourism combined with cinema.

Chairman of the Khanh Hoa provincial People's Committee Nguyen Tan Tuan said that the locality always welcomes and commits to creating favourable conditions for domestic and international filmmakers when investing in art activities in the province.

VND5 trillion proposed for thu thiem 4 bridge construction

The HCM City Department of Transport has proposed construction of the VND4.95 trillion (USD210.410 million) Thu Thiem 4 Bridge.

The project will link Thu Duc City and District 7.  The HCM City Department of Transport is conducting the project’s feasibility report. Once approved, the project will be carried out in the 2024-2027 period under a public-private partnership (PPP).

Thu Thiem 4 Bridge is expected to help ease traffic congestion from the south of HCM City. This will create favourable conditions to attract investment and promote the development of the Thu Thiem new urban area and the southern new urban area of HCM City.

HCM City has eight key traffic projects prioritised for construction in the period from 2022 to 2025 when sufficient capital is allocated.

These projects include Thu Thiem 4, Can Gio, Ngoai Khoai and Binh Tien bridges.

Vietnamese athletes attend Special Olympics World Games in Berlin

A Vietnamese sports delegation, including six athletes, is attending the Special Olympics World Games, taking place in Berlin from June 17-25.

The Vietnamese athletes will compete in athletics, swimming, and boccia.

The Special Olympics World Games is the world's largest sporting event for athletes with intellectual disabilities, autism and cerebral palsy.

About 7,000 athletes and unified partners from approximately 190 countries and territories are competing in 26 sports this year. The competitors are supported by more than 3,000 coaches and 20,000 volunteers.

Visiting the Vietnamese athletes before the opening ceremony of the Games on June 17, Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Vu Quang Minh wished the athletes good health and spirit to compete confidently and at their best at the Olympics.

Head of the delegation Doan Thi Hai Anh said that attending the Games is a good opportunity for Vietnamese athletes to interact and compete with their peers from around the world. It also demonstrates the care of organisations and societies for people with physical and intellectual disabilities.
Participating in competition and social activities helps people with intellectual disabilities gain more recognition, confidence, and ultimately, more engagement in society, she said.

Special Olympics takes place every two years and alternate between Summer and Winter Games, a schedule similar to the Olympics and Paralympics.

HCM City's Ring Road 3 project starts

The construction of Ring Road 3 project started after HCM City handed over more than 81 per cent of the land needed for the section of the project that crosses the city.

According to the report of HCM City's Management Board of Traffic Works Construction and Investment, localities across the city have provided the investor with about 335 hectares out of the total 410 hectares of land for the project in the city.

Director of the board Lương Minh Phúc said that along with ground clearance, the selection of contractors and consultant agencies was also making progress.

The project is expected to open to traffic in late 2025 and fully complete in 2026.

Ring Road 3 running 90 km and costing more than VNĐ75.3 trillion (US$3.2 billion) will cross HCM City as well as Bình Dương, Đồng Nai and Long An provinces.

It will have six lanes designed for speeds of 80-100km per hour for commuting and two lanes for emergency stops.

The first phase will stretch 76 km long with four lanes and each locality are in charge of clearing the site and building the section in their territory.

An overpass will be built to link the ring road with HCMC – Long Thành – Dầu Giây Expressway, which links Đồng Nai and HCM City and connects with Dầu Giây – Phan Thiết Expressway running from Đồng Nai to the beach city of Phan Thiết.

The project will also link with four other expressways including HCM City– Trung Lương that connects HCMC with the Mekong Delta; Bến Lức – Long Thành; HCM City – Mộc Bài, connecting the city with Cambodian border; and HCM City – Chơn Thành linking HCM City and Bình Dương.

Ring Road No. 3 is a strategic traffic axis, creating a premise to remove bottlenecks and opening up new directions for urban, industrial, commercial, and service development.

Last year, the Government approved investment to restart construction on the Ring Road 3 project after prolonged delays. 

JICA to fund project to help Việt Nam establish sustainable water supply system

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Việt Nam Office has signed a Record of Discussion with the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) and other concerned authorities to provide a non-refundable ODA fund of around JPY250 million (roughly VNĐ45 billion) for the Project on “Establishing Sustainable Water Supply System Resilient to the Contamination of Drinking Water Sources”.

The project, under the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS)1 Programme, focuses on research and development of new water treatment technology using advanced nanofiltration membranes.

The developed technology is expected to consume less energy and chemicals, require no pre-treatment, and significantly reduce initial investment and operation as well as management costs. In addition, an online water quality monitoring system will be deployed to improve the reliability of the water treatment system.

It is planned to be implemented over five years, from July 2023 to June 2028, with the Hà Nội University of Civil Engineering and the Hải Phòng Water JSC as main executing agencies in Việt Nam.

The project is expected to address the challenges posed by contaminants discharged by domestic and industrial wastewater, ensure safe and sustainable water supply, implement the National Strategy and Master Plan related to clean water supply and environmental sanitation, and ensure the security of national water resources to meet the Sustainable Development Goals that the Government of Việt Nam has committed to implement.

Population growth, urbanisation and high growth rates in provinces and cities have increased pressure on natural resource exploitation, especially water exploitation.

The increase of water pollution and climate change has created many challenges for ensuring safe water supply, environmental protection, and sustainable development.

Accordingly, the establishment of sustainable water treatment technology and a digital monitoring and management system is important and expected to contribute to building a pilot model for replication in the future.

Japan donates musical equipment to Can Tho city

The Can Tho City Union of Friendship Organizations and the Can Tho College of Culture and Arts co-hosted a ceremony on June 16 to receive musical equipment sponsored by the Japanese Government.

The event is part of the Japanese Government's non-refundable aid programme for culture at local level in order to meet the diverse needs of developing countries, with a particular focus on such fields as health, culture, education, and bridge construction and environmental protection.

The total funding of US$88,274, aims to help Can Tho College of Culture and Arts purchase 137 new musical instruments such as acoustic piano, electric piano, organ, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and flutes. The equipment will be used to teach students at high schools and junior high schools.

In particular, these musical equipment will be used in the Vietnam - Japan Cultural Exchange Program in Can Tho to mark the 50th anniversary of both nations' diplomatic ties.

Addressing the event, Nguyen Doi Hien, Vice Chairman of the Can Tho city People's Committee expressed his hope that the Japanese Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City will connect diverse programs as a contribution to ensuring social security and improving the quality of life of people in Can Tho as well as consolidating the friendship between the two nations.

For his part, Shiraishi Hideyuki, Head of Culture and Education Department of Japanese Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City said the Can Tho College of Culture and Arts will utilize the musical instruments to better serve teaching activities, thereby contributing to cultural and people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and Japan.

Sixty Vietnamese students get scholarships from Education New Zealand

Education New Zealand (ENZ) has announced the selection of 60 Vietnamese students to receive the New Zealand Virtual Micro-Internship Scholarship in 2023.

This collaborative initiative between ENZ and the University of Auckland, one of the top 1% of universities worldwide, aims to offer students the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge in an international setting.

In its second year, the New Zealand Virtual Micro-Internship Scholarship program received over 120 applications from students across 32 universities nationwide.

Starting on July 17, the 60 scholarship recipients will engage in a three-week online internship.

During this period, they will work in multinational groups comprising four to six students from India, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Together, they will propose solutions to real-world challenges faced by businesses and organizations in New Zealand.

Each group will be supported by a dedicated advisor and industry experts throughout the program, utilizing a specialized online platform for seamless communication, document exchange, and continuous feedback.

At the conclusion of the internship, the student groups will present reports or project outcomes.

Ben Burrowes, Asia Regional Director of Education New Zealand (ENZ), said, “We anticipate that this program will not only assist Vietnamese students in enhancing their skills and connecting with international friends but also expand their network of relationships with experts and businesses in their respective fields of study, creating opportunities for cross-border career development.”

Public schools in HCMC in need of teacher, staff recruitment for new school year

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training has just announced teacher recruitment to prepare for the school year 2023-2024 for public high schools and continuing education centers.

According to statistics, 124 public educational facilities in the city are under the management of this department.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training has decentralized public servant recruitment to 20 public schools.

After finishing recruitment for the first phase, the department will continue to recruit 308 more public servants, including 255 teachers and 53 staff for affiliated institutions that have not yet been decentralized for recruitment.

The recruitment of public servants is based on the needs of job positions and salary funds of public schools with transparency, publicity, objectivity and meritocracy imposes.

As for high-school teacher recruitment, candidates must have a bachelor's degree or master’s degree with certificates of professional training in pedagogy for high school education.

In the school year of 2023-2024, the recruitment of public servants is organized into two rounds for examination, including forms of answering multiple-choice questions on the computer and participating in teaching within 30 minutes.

Vietnamese researchers honored with French Academy’s awards

Two Vietnamese researchers have received awards from the French Academy of Sciences and the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research.

Tran Quang Hoa, a lecturer at Hue University of Education, and Hoang Thi Giang, a staff member at the Vietnam Institute of Agricultural Genetics, received the award for their successful cooperation in projects with France. They were honored on June 14 by the French Academy of Sciences and the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research.

Hoa's joint project with Professor Marc Chardin, an expert at the French Institute for Scientific Research and a lecturer at the Sorbonne University, involves studies in theoretical mathematics.

Meanwhile, the project by Professor Stéphane Jouannic of the French Institute for Development Research and Hoang Thi Giang focuses on finding genes and genetic traits of high-quality rice varieties that can adapt to climate change.

Speaking to Vietnam New Agency in Paris, Professor Marc Chardin expressed his happiness to receive this award as it allows him to continue working with the young mathematics research group at Hue University, some other universities, and the Hanoi Institute of Mathematics.

Francis-André Wollman, Vice President in charge of International Cooperation of the French Academy of Sciences, said the research project on rice genes and genetic characteristics by Professors Stéphane Jouannic and Hoang Thi Giang was highly appreciated not only for the remarkable cooperation and efficiency between these two organizations in the field of research and training but also for the practical issue related to the study of rice genetic resources in Vietnam.

In addition to the scientific importance, the topic has practical value as it will serve as a basis for discovering rice varieties that can withstand heat, drought, and flooding while effectively developing Vietnam's rice resources. The project aims to find rice varieties that can cope with future challenges, such as climate change, affecting rice cultivation and yields.

Non-profit exhibition by Hanoi artist features beauty of love

Visual artist Tran Quang Dai has unveiled his latest interactive installation art inspired by the Co Loa Citadel, a historical monument in Hanoi dating back to the third century BC.

The artwork features handmade heart-shaped cushions arranged in a labyrinth, symbolizing the softness and vulnerability of the heart and the confusion and uncertainty of love.

It is on display in the exhibition "Love Is All", which is on view now through June 20 at the Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon, HCM City, free admission.

"Love Is All" is a series of exclusive activities with artists from different walks of life. It is a declaration of the artist's next creative journey, exploring the complexity and beauty of the most essential emotion - love.

Apart from the pillow maze, the exhibition features paintings that explore different aspects of love.

All artwork will be donated to the Operation Smile Vietnam Fund to support Vietnamese children.

Previously, Quang Dai's non-profit art therapy exhibition "How Are You These Days?" had 13 shows in Vietnam and Thailand. He is also the first Vietnamese artist to have a solo exhibition at MOCA Bangkok (Bangkok Museum of Contemporary Art) and was featured on Nowness Asia (a global platform to showcase and share interesting projects related to Asian culture/art). 

UNFPA supports Vietnam for better ASEAN disaster resilience

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has affirmed its support in collaboration with the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority (VDDMA) to strengthen Vietnam’s resilience to natural disasters and climate change.

The commitment is aimed to enhance the well-being of the affected population in humanitarian crises amid efforts to promote disaster management capacity among ASEAN member states.

The joint efforts by UNDFPA and VDDMA were highlighted at the 42nd meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) in Danang, Vietnam earlier this week to discuss solutions to move "From Response to Anticipatory Action and Resilience: ASEAN's Journey Towards Global Leadership in Disaster Management".

The theme emphasizes an orientation switch from passive response to proactive prevention.

The event gathered delegates from ASEAN member states, the ASEAN Secretariat, the bloc’s development partners: China, South Korea, and Japan, and a number of international organizations.

The meeting discussed the implementation progress of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) Work Program for 2021-2025, youth’s ideas for a resilient region, a communications framework for disaster risks facing the bloc, financial regulation, among others.

The Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority has collaborated with many countries and international organizations to implement projects and programs on disaster and dyke management. VDDMA has partnered with UNFPA to establish and co-chair the Gender-Based Violence in the Emergencies Sub-Sector of the Humanitarian Country Team framework.

UNFPA, as a leading UN agency for sexual and reproductive health, is on the ground before, during and after crises to ensure that sexual and reproductive health and rights and responses to gender-based violence are integrated into emergency responses.

During the period from 2020 to 2022 alone, UNFPA’s humanitarian support to Vietnam reached USD1.4 million, focusing on providing sexual and reproductive health services, and on preventing and responding to gender-based violence against women and girls.

Particularly, UNFPA distributed vital medical equipment and supplies to district and commune health facilities in 11 flood-affected provinces, replacing those that were damaged or lost due to the floods.

UNFPA also established nearly 400 mobile health service delivery teams to reach out to nearly 76,000 vulnerable people with the majority being women. It also provided 21,000 Dignity Kits and text messages via mobile phones on GBV for nearly 9 million people in the flood-affected provinces in central Vietnam.

UNFPA Representative for Vietnam Naomi Kitahara stressed the significance of UNFPA humanitarian work. To contribute to Vietnam’s resilient and long-term development, UNFPA’s support aims to achieve Zero preventable maternal death, Zero unmet need for family planning, and Zero gender-based violence (GBV) and other harmful practices against women and girls,” she said.

She affirmed that UNFPA will continue to use innovative approaches to ensure rights-based, gender-sensitive, and people-centered approaches in humanitarian preparedness and response. 

Pham Duc Luan, the Director General of the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority valued UNFPA’s significant humanitarian support to the Vietnamese people who were affected by natural disasters such as floods, typhoons, and landslides.

He confirmed that further cooperation would mitigate the negative impacts of natural disasters and climate change and enhance ASEAN’s resilience.

It is critical that all partners work together towards a future where no one is left behind, and every person, regardless of their circumstances, can live a life of dignity, opportunity, and hope.

Vietnam-Japan culture, trade exchange held in Can Tho

A culture-trade exchange programme was held in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on June 17 to mark the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Japan.

Within the framework of the event, there were a photo exhibition, an Ao dai (Vietnamese traditional long dress) show, art performances, and a trade and investment promotion workshop, among other activities.

Notably, 70 booths were set up by Vietnamese and Japanese firms introducing their special products and services.

Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Tran Viet Truong said the activities aim to increase cooperation opportunities between enterprises of the two countries, and contribute to deepening the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership.

Can Tho has established cooperation with Japan’s Hyogo prefecture, Okayama city and Nasushiobara city, he said, adding that the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association in Can Tho has also been formed.

Local authorities have opened Japan Desk offices in Can Tho, Tokyo and Osaka to help Japanese investors remove difficulties while investing in Can Tho, and zoned off 30 hectares of land for the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Industrial Park exclusively for Japanese investors.

Japan’s Deputy Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Ogawa Megumi said representatives from Japanese government agencies, localities, and businesses have actively participated in activities within the programme.

The same day, Truong received a delegation from Nasushiobara city of Japan’s Tochigi prefecture headed by Mayor Watanabe Michitaro, during which the two sides discussed cooperation in agriculture and tourism, especially tourism workforce.

The Japanese side suggested the two cities cooperate in workforce in the fields of catering services and tourism as restaurants and hotels in Nasushiobara are now not able to operate at full capacity due a labour shortage.

Director of the Can Tho Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Tran Thi Xuan Mai said the city sends some 300-350 labourers abroad, including Japan.

Japan is now home to about 274 labourers from the Mekong Delta city, she added.

Australia, Italy wow spectators at fireworks fest in Da Nang

Australia and Italy showed off their fireworks during Chasing Your Dreams – the topic of the third night – at the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival with breathtaking performances along the Han River on June 17.

The Australian performance was built on dance music and unique light effects to win the hearts of spectators and the jury.

The team also described the ups and downs of the country through fireworks performances on the basis of music Mad World and Survivor, featuring the forest fire in 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Italy demonstrated the antique space and modern light with inspiration from a masterpiece Ambiente spaziale a luce nerea (Spatial Environment in Black Light) by Lucio Fontana, an Argentinean-Italian painter, sculptor and theorist (1899-1968).
 
The Italian team played a classic concert night with effects of fireworks in the skies, creating a night music party with fireworks on the rhythm of ‘Symphony No 5’, and ‘Fate Symphony’, in C Minor, Op.67 by Ludwig van Beethoven.

Different Italian fireworks teams previously had taken top prizes at the annual fireworks festival in Da Nang city, including Italy’s Martarello in 2017-18, and Parente Fireworks in 2011-12.

The UK and Poland will play on the fourth night on June 24.

Da Nang is the only locality in Vietnam to host a fireworks festival, making it a magnet for the best fireworks producers from around the world each year since 2008. It has been building a "Fireworks Festival City" reputation to promote it as a top destination in central Vietnam and Asia.

The festival has helped the city win recognition as Asia’s Leading Festival & Event Destination in 2016 and 2022 by the World Travel Awards.

Vietnam prioritises green transition for sustainable development: workshop

Representatives from international organisations, businesses and financial funds in Switzerland raised recommendations for Vietnam regarding green transition towards sustainable development, at a recent workshop held by the Vietnamese mission in Geneva.

Speaking at the hybrid event, Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), WTO and other international organisations in Geneva, affirmed that shifting to the green economy and the circular economy is Vietnam’s priority.

Vietnam has coordinated with international organisations like the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the World Bank (WB), the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), and the World Economic Forum (WEF) in attracting green commercial projects adaptive to climate change, she said.

The participants compared notes on opportunities and challenges for developing countries, including Vietnam, in green transition and impacts of environment policies and measures on trade.

Representatives from the UNDP and the WB pledged to support Vietnam and other developing nations in raising their capacity and connecting with companies in order to consolidate their green economy strategies and push ahead with the just energy transition.

Vietnamese doctors offer free medical check-ups, medicines for people in Cambodia

Medical workers from the Ho Chi Minh City Charity Association, donors, and authorities in Koh Khsach Tonlea commune, Sa'Ang district, Cambodia’s Kandal province on June 17 gave free medical check-ups and medicines for about 800 local people.

Vietnamese and Cambodian volunteers joined in interpreting and logistic work to support the doctors.

Le Thanh Hop, a member of the Ho Chi Minh City Charity Association, said that the association launched its health care programme eight years ago and this is the third time its medical team has traveled to Cambodia.

From the beginning of this year, the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia, social charity organisations, agencies, and units in Vietnam have sent medical groups and volunteer doctors to visit and provide free medical check-ups for people of Vietnamese origin in Cambodia and those from other ethnic groups as well as Cambodian nationals.

As the cost of medical services is quite high compared to the average income in the country, such charity activities are practical and useful, showing solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Two passengers killed, nine other injured in bus collision

At least two people have died and nine others seriously injured after two passenger buses collided in the southern province of Phu Yen on Saturday night. 

Two passenger buses collide in the southern province of Phu Yen on June 17.

According to a report from Phu Hoa District Police Department, the accident occurred on National Road 1 at 10.30pm when the two buses collided with each other in the opposite direction.

The strong collision left a 35-year-old male passenger dead on the spot. Ten other passengers were badly injured and were taken to the Phu Yen Provincial General Hospital for treatment.

The hospital's director, Tran Anh Dung, said on June 18 that they received 10 injured people from the traffic accident on Saturday night, including four with serious conditions. One of them, a 44-year-old woman, had died from traumatic brain injuries early Sunday morning.

Police are further investigating the cause of the accident.

Japan expands more fields to recruit Vietnamese skilled workers

Japan plans to expand nine more fields receiving long-term Vietnamese workers with specified skills under a program that allows them to reside indefinitely.

The Japanese government is considering to open additional fields such as agriculture, machinery manufacturing, ship industry, building cleaning, food service, restaurants and hotels for workers under the Class II visa programme, said Pham Viet Huong, deputy director of the Department of Overseas Labour Management under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

The decision was part of Japan’s efforts to address its serious labour shortages, Huong added.

Pham Viet Huong, deputy director of the Department of Overseas Labour Management under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

There are currently two categories for Japan's specified skills visa policy.

Workers holding a Class I visa are allowed to live in Japan for up to five years but cannot bring families with them while the Class II visa allows holders to live in the country indefinitely by renewing the status, as well as bringing family members with them.

However, workers under the Class II visa are now limited to two fields including construction and shipbuilding, Huong added.

As the new programme comes into effect, it would help Vietnamese to work longer in Japan. Workers under the Class II visa programme will be entitled to higher income and social welfare regimes.

"With this new change, workers will have more opportunities to choose their profession. Once they have become special-skilled workers, they will receive the same salary and treatment as Japanese,” Huong added.

However, Vietnamese workers need to wait until this year’s autumn season as the new programme is passed by the Japanese government, he added.

The Japanese government is also considering improving working conditions and income levels of Vietnamese workers and interns.

Currently, Vietnamese interns are subject to tax and insurance deductions like Japanese workers, but only receive the basic monthly salary without bonuses and allowances.

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