Natural disasters in May left 35 people in Vietnam dead and missing and caused total losses of around VND483 billion (USD20.81 million), according to the Central Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control.

Between May 10-15, lots of northern mountainous areas witnessed rainfall of between 223-304mm, including Cai Chien in Quang Ninh, Loc Binh in Lang Son, Thuong Quan in Bac Kan, Dinh Ca in Thai Nguyen and Binh Lieu in Bac Giang.

From May 22-24, torrential rains continued in the northern and northern central regions with the highest rainfall of up to 925mm in Tam Dao District in Vinh Phuc Province. The rains flooded many areas in Bac Ninh, Hanoi and Vinh Phuc.

Between May 29-31, Hanoi and Thai Nguyen suffered from further inundation.

The Central Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control added that so far this year, Vietnam saw 70 torrential rain storms, 107 earthquakes and two strong cold spells.

Tourism and cultural activities to be held at Bac Ha festival

The annual Bac Ha White Plateau Festival will take place in Bac Ha and neighbouring districts in the northern province of Lao Cai from June 4 to 12.

The highlights of the festival include a traditional horse race, a plum flower festival, a night market, and an investment promotion conference, the Nhan dan newspaper reported.

Accordingly, the traditional horse race will kick off at 7:30am on June 5 at the Bac Ha stadium while the plum flower festival will be held from June 4 to 12 at the Bac Ha centre for research and production of fruits and vegetables.

There are also art programmes introducing folklore music and dances of ethnic groups from Bac Ha district and the neighbouring mountainous districts of Xin Man (Ha Giang province), and Si Ma Cai (Lao Cai province).

Five Vietnamese universities listed in THE Asia rankings 2022

Five Vietnamese universities have been named in the Times Higher Education's Asia University Rankings 2022, including three in Ho Chi Minh City and two in Hanoi.

They are Ton Duc Thang University in 73rd place; Duy Tan University (91st); Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU), placed between 301st and 350th; Vietnam National University, HCM City (VNU HCMC), 401st-500th; and Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST), 501st+.

Universities are ranked by performance in five areas: teaching (learning environment) (25 percent); research (volume, income, and reputation) (30 percent); citations (research influence) (30 percent); international outlook (staff, students and research) (7.5 percent); and industry income (knowledge transfer) (7.5 percent).

Among the Vietnamese representatives, VNU achieved the highest score in the area of teaching. Meanwhile, Ton Duc Thang and Duy Tan Universities showed strong performance in citations, and VNU HCMC maintained its strength in industry income.

Football: Vietnam draw Thailand in U23 Asian Cup finals

Vietnam U23 team had a good start in their first match in Group C of the U23 Asian Cup finals on June 2 when Phan Tuan Tai put the ball in Thailand's net just 20 seconds into the first half.  

The goal helped the Vietnamese team play confidently and maintained pressure on the Thai rivals.

The Thai side had to make some changes of players, which worked when Benjamin Davies, one of the substitutes, equalised for Thailand in the 34th minute.

The Thai team continued to play attacking but Vietnam maintained the score until the first half ended.

In the second half, the Thai side dominated the game while some Vietnamese players suffered from injuries.

Although the Vietnamese team was left with no subs since the 64th minute, the players demonstrated their resilience and their efforts had paid off with a goal in the 72nd minute.

Thailand made all-out efforts to seek a goal, and it was not until the 90+2 minute that Suphanat Muenta made a successful header to end the game in a draw, and both teams earned a point.

With this result, Vietnam and Thailand are tied for second in the Group. The Republic of Korea is in the top position after winning 4-1 over Malaysia.

Vietnam will face the Republic of Korea on June 5 while Thailand will play Malaysia.

Company in Hai Duong found hanging map breaching Vietnam’s sea, island sovereignty

A company in the northern province of Hai Duong has been found hanging a world map that breaches Vietnam’s sea, island sovereignty.

Hai Duong police on June 2 discovered that the world map, published in Chinese language, hung at an office of Baifar Hai Duong company, features the nine-dash line on the East Sea invented by China.

The map also depicts islands in the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos of Vietnam in Chinese names such as Xisha or Nansha.

The police made a record of the violation and explained to the company’s owner about Vietnam’s sea and island sovereignty and Vietnam’s law, under which the hanging of maps that feature the nine-dash line is illegal.

The company’s owner voluntarily removed the map, handed it to the police and pledged not to repeat the act./.

Thai-funded scholarships aid pandemic-hit children in HCM City

Scholarships were presented to children orphaned by COVID-19 in Ho Chi Minh City on June 2 on the occasion of the International Children’s Day (June 1) and the birthday of the Queen of Thailand, Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana (June 3).

The Consulate General of Thailand in HCM City and the Thai Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (ThaiCham) presented 140 scholarships worth 700 million VND (nearly 30,200 USD) in total to the targeted students via the city’s support association for poor patients.

Thai Consul General Wiraka Moodhitaporon said the aid, donated by Thai businesses and people in Vietnam, was a practical activity showing the spirit of working for the sake of the community, as well as their wish to contribute to the two countries’ friendship.

Since 2010, through the HCM City association, the Consulate General, businesses, and people of Thailand in Vietnam have provided annual funding worth over 4 billion VND for treatment and surgeries for poor cataract patients and children with birth defects./.

Vietnam Energy Outlook Report 2021 launched

It is urgent to reinforce transmission capacity over the next decade to connect renewable energy supplies in the south with energy demand in the north, said Director of the Danish Energy Agency (DEA)’s Global Cooperation Centre Ulrik Eversbusch at the launch of Vietnam Energy Outlook Report 2021 in Hanoi on June 2.

The report is a joint product of the DEA and the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority under the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade, which provides a scenario-based foundation for policy action by shedding light on the development of the Vietnamese energy system towards 2050. 

This year’s report also examines future pathways with comprehensive findings and recommendations for Vietnam to reach the net-zero emissions target by 2050.

To reach net zero emissions by 2050, energy storage is needed but not until after 2030. Battery storage is cost-efficient but too costly for Vietnam in the short term, Eversbusch said.

Analyses show that actual transmission costs are not too expensive so reinforcement of transmission capacity is needed, he said, noting this solution should be the first choice since technologies for it have fully developed.

Telefilm 2022 returns to HCM City after two-year hiatus

The 10th Vietnam International Exhibition on Film and Television Technology – Telefilm 2022 will be held at Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in HCM City’s District 7 from June 9-11, reported the Sai Gon Giai phong newspaper.

The exhibition attracts nearly local and international enterprises specialised in the fields of media, audiovisual (films, photos), graphics, telecommunications, data processing, computer, advanced technology, materials, composite R&D (research and development) from 15 countries and territories, such as the US, Germany, Russia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, China, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

The event will see the participation of KOCCA, Mainichi Broadcasting System, Inc., Media Quiz International Holdings Ltd, China Huace Film & TC Co., Ltd., Zoland Distribution, GMA Network Inc.

Exhibits include Content Production programmes, TV advertising, TV formats, technology and equipment in the broadcast industry as well as related services and products.

Book on Vietnam in 19th century debuts

The 10-volume reprinted “Dai Nam thuc luc” (Chronicle of Dai Nam – an old name of Vietnam) that provides a panorama of Vietnam’s economy in the 19th century debuted on June 2.

The book, issued by the History Institute under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS), was first published in Vietnamese six decades ago and first reprinted in 2001.

Associate Prof. Dr. Do Bang, Vice President of the Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA), said the book features the construction of the former royal capital of Hue (now in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue) and citadels in localities, as well as the development of the domestic shipbuilding industry.
 
In 1803, King Gia Long (1762-1820) ordered reestablishing the Hoang Sa (Paracel) fishing boat fleet and sent naval forces to establish the country’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa, according to the book.

Vietnam, Israel hold 2nd defence policy dialogue

The 2nd Vietnam – Israel Defence Policy Dialogue took place in Hanoi on June 2 under the co-chair by Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien, and Major General (retired) Amir Eshel, Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defence.

During the event, the two sides reviewed the bilateral defence ties in recent times, and discussed orientations and solutions to further promote the dedence cooperation in a practical and effective manner in the coming time.  

They compared notes on regional and international security situation, and issues of common concerns.

Chien showed his joy at Israel's success in the fight against the COVID-19, expressing his belief that the Israeli Government will continue to effectively control the pandemic and resume activities for economic development.

According to the Vietnamese officer, maritime security and safety issues, and sovereignty and territorial disputes have been posing challenges to peace, security, stability, development cooperation in the region and the world.

They agreed to further strengthen the exchange of high-ranking delegations, and cooperation in defence technology, training, and overcoming post-war consequences; and maintain information sharing between the two defence ministries.

Event set to raises awareness of ocean economy, marine biodiversity

A host of activities are scheduled during the Vietnam Sea and Island Week, starting from June 1, to raise awareness and a sense of responsibility among sectors, enterprises and people for the effective management, exploitation and use of natural resources and protection of the marine environment.

There will be a forum on the sustainable development of Việt Nam's sea-based economy by 2030, alongside a series of seminars and workshops.

Vietnam Sea and Island Week 2022 focuses on the theme "sustainable development of sea-based economy in association with preservation of biodiversity and marine ecosystems" this year, aiming to address challenges and limitations in developing the marine economy in Việt Nam.

The week-long event provides an opportunity to promote the Party and State's policies and international laws on marine issues, Việt Nam's legitimate rights and benefits at sea, and the significance of sea, islands, ocean and marine resources, and to enhance the sustainable development of the sea-based economy.

It is also expected to help translate the strategy for the sustainable development the country's sea-based economy by 2030 into reality.

Two endangered animals handed to national park

Two critically endangered animals have been put under the protection of Cúc Phương National Park in the northern province of Ninh Bình after they were found near residential areas, the park announced on Wednesday.

The park has coordinated with Save Việt Nam’s Wildlife to take a Sunda pangolin into care that was discovered by a local in Lê Chân District, the northern city of Hải Phòng.

Currently, in good health, the pangolin is being cared for under the Carnivore and Pangolin Conservation Programme at Cúc Phương National Park.

A pig-tailed macaque has also been handed over to the national park by a woman living in Văn Lâm District, the northern province of Hưng Yên.

She said she found the macaque in her neighbourhood and took it home more than a month ago and decided to give it to the authorities after learning of its endangered status.

Both animals are listed in Việt Nam’s Red Data Book as rare and endangered animals. 

Rare early 20th-century document on professions in Việt Nam gifted to National Archives

A rare collection of 4,000 wooden block paintings, listing all the professions in Việt Nam at the beginning of the 20th century, was presented to the Việt Nam National Archives Centre III on June 1.

Completed by French Oriental culture researcher Henri Oger, the album Technique Du Peuple Annamite (Technique of the Vietnamese People) was been dubbed by the author himself as an "Encyclopedia of tools, utensils and gestures in life and works of Việt Nam’s Northern people".

Together with a book about the life, art, and industry of the northerners, the album is part of his research about local life in the northern and midland regions, as well as Hà Nội, between 1908-1909.  

Both the book and the album were printed in 1910, using traditional Vietnamese methods, with wooden blocks on poonah paper. Only 200 copies of the albums were published.

Currently, there are only four copies of the album kept in different libraries in France and Việt Nam. However, they are in various states of degradation.   

The album given to the National Archives is a gift from the Vietnamese-French ethnologist Vũ Thị Xuân Phương. The former Vietnamese ambassador to France Nguyễn Thiệp, on behalf of the donor, has presented the album to the centre.   

According to the director of the Việt Nam National Archives Centre III, Trần Việt Hoa, the donation by ethnologist Xuân Phương shows her love for her home country and wish to preserve the traditional culture of the Vietnamese people living abroad.

Alongside the album, the former Vietnamese ambassador also gave the Archives Centre several audio documents on the 1973 Paris Peace Accords provided by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mining activities in Nghe An causing pollution

Mining activities in the central province of Nghệ An have contributed significantly to the province's socio-economic development, however, unreasonable exploitation coupled with a lack of relevant agencies' strict inspection has been causing serious pollution consequences on the Nậm Tôn River flowing through Quỳ Hợp District.

With a length of tens of kilometres, the Nậm Tôn River used to be a source of life for thousands of people around the region. But now, the heavily polluted water source has turned red and cloudy, causing people's lives to be turned upside down the Tin tức (News) e-newspaper reported.

Liquid mud was deposited on the banks to form a layer several centimetres thick. After merging with the Nậm Huống River, this red water source has also extended down to the Nậm Choọng spring River before flowing to the Dinh River.

Further upstream the water is more turbid, containing more mud. Mud has accumulated in the river over the years; in some places, it is more than one meter thick and almost no fish can live there. 

Although the water source has been polluted for a long time, locals have not been given any information about pollution indicators by the authorities.

The Nghệ An provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment set up a water source monitoring point to monitor environmental changes but so far, the locality has not received pollution monitoring results.

The Quỳ Hợp District authorities have repeatedly affirmed that the pollution of the Nậm Tôn River was caused by mining activities. However, the inspection and detection work faced many difficulties, due to inadequate capacity and means.

The People's Committee of Quỳ Hợp District has issued a notice requesting all organisations and individuals to suspend the exploitation of underground water sources in the whole area of Na Hiêng, Công, Na Noong and Poong village, and Châu Hồng Commune from May 11.

Through inspection, Quỳ Hợp District People's Committee found out two units did not comply with the approved environmental impact assessment report and they were administratively fined hundreds of millions of đồng.

Project to provide recovery support for vulnerable women launched

An estimated 8,000 women in HCM City and Tiền Giang Province at risk of violence and abuse and survivors will benefit from a year-long programme that will provide recovery support.

The US$1.46-million project was launched by the Australian embassy and UN Women in Việt Nam in the city on Thursday.

It seeks to enhance the resilience of women as they recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and boost the capacity of local service providers to respond to women at risk of violence in an emergency setting.

Poor, near-poor and unemployed women will benefit from cash transfers and technical assistance for recovering their livelihoods.

The project will equip beneficiaries with knowledge and life skills to cope with gender-based violence and information on how to seek services and support.

Three family members die in Bac Giang traffic accident

The people in a family died in a traffic accident that occurred in the northern province of Bac Giang late Thursday evening.

According to Bac Giang Provincial Police Department, the accident occurred at 11.30 pm on June 2 when a car collided with a motorbike carrying three people at the junction of Hung Vuong and Hoang Van Thu streets in Bac Giang City.

The collision left the motorbike driver Nguyen Manh, 48, his wife and daughter dead on the spot. Both the car and the motorbike were heavily damaged.

Bac Giang Police are further investigating the cause of the accident.

HCM City plans to set up four more cities

HCM City has planned to turn four outlying districts into cities in the future.

This morning, June 2, the municipal people’s committee held a meeting on developing the city’s districts into cities in the 2021-2023 period.

The event saw the participation of the committee’s Vice Chairman Vo Van Hoan and Director of the Department of Internal Affairs Huynh Thanh Nhan.

At the event, most of the delegates agreed on turning five of the four suburban districts of Can Gio, Cu Chi, Binh Chanh and Hoc Mon into cities. This will help create more favourable conditions for these four localities to attract more investment for infrastructure development.

The city will also plan to turn the rural district into a new urban district.

Earlier, HCM City also merged the eastern districts of 2, 9, and Thu Duc into one administrative unit called Thu Duc City.

Politburo’s Resolution No.13-NQ/TW to be implemented

On May 26, Politburo member cum Permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Vo Van Thuong, on behalf of the Politburo, signed and promulgated the plan to implement Politburo's Resolution No.13-NQ/TW, dated April 2, 2022, on orientations for socio-economic development and defence - security safeguarding in the Mekong Delta until 2030, with a vision to 2045.

The plan underscores the purposes and requirements as well as need to raise responsibility, political determination, self-awareness, exemplary spirit of all levels of party committees, party organisations, agencies, officials, and party members on the role, position and orientation guidelines of the Politburo for the Mekong Delta region.

The plan also plays as a basis for cadres, branches, central agencies, provincial and municipal party committees of localities in the Mekong Delta to build action plans for each ministry, branch and local agency according to their functions and tasks, in order to implement the plans in a drastic, synchronous, and effective manner, thus contributing to the successful implementation of the objectives and tasks set out in Resolution No.13-NQ/TW.

The Mekong Delta comprises Can Tho City and the provinces of An Giang, Dong Thap, Long An, Tien Giang, Vinh Long, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Hau Giang, Bac Liêu, Ca Mau and Kien Giang. It is one of the largest and most fertile deltas in Southeast Asia and the world.

Vietnam returns to top 15 men’s football teams in Asia

The 2-0 victory over Afghanistan on June 1 helped Vietnam leap up one place to stand at the 15th position in Asia in the latest men’s world ranking.

Before the friendly match with Afghanistan, Vietnam sat at 96th in the world with 1,215.38 points, 3.1 points less than Kyrgyzstan.

With its convincing win over Afghanistan, the Vietnamese men’s football team gained more than 3.5 points to take the 95th FIFA and 15th in Asia positions from Kyrgyzstan.

However, the current position of Vietnam could change, when teams ranked close behind will play the third qualifying round of the 2023 Asian Cup, including Kyrgyzstan. These matches will take place from June 8-14 and then FIFA will announce the official rankings for June.

Meanwhile, coach Park Hang-seo’s side will not play any more matches in the coming time.

Vietnam still retains the top spot in Southeast Asia, 16 places above second-position Thailand. The Philippines rank third in the region and claimed the 133rd position in the world.

Vietnam holds high potential to reach net zero emissions in 2050

The Vietnam Energy Outlook Report 2021 (EOR21) delivers a clear message that there is a great potential for green transition in Vietnam, which by 2050 can become a net zero-carbon economy as set out by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh during COP26.

The report, developed in close cooperation between the Danish Energy Agency, Vietnam’s Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority and the Embassy of Denmark, was launched on June 2. It shows how Vietnam can reach its target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2050.

The report provides mid- to long-term perspectives on possible development paths for Vietnam’s energy system towards 2050, guides policy makers and inspires deliberations on a green transition. Particularly, the EOR21 examines a scenario for Vietnam to reach the net zero emissions by 2050 and an in-depth study on the green transport sector with higher share of electrification and a modal shift towards collective means of transport which resulted in a significant reduction of CO2 emissions and air pollution.

According to the report, the net zero emissions target can be reached in 2050 at an extra cost of only 10% compared to the baseline scenario if done right. Early actions are required to make emissions peak no later than in 2035 to avoid paying excessive costs.

In addition, renewable electricity should be the main substitute for fossil fuels. Vietnam should stop planning new coal-fired power plants and refurbish existing plants to become more flexible to better integrate renewables.

Furthermore, it is recommended to limit the expansion of gas and LNG-fired power plants.

HCMC police still issue emergency passports

Deputy Head of the Immigration Department (PA08) Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Duc Nghiem confirmed, that Ho Chi Minh City Police still issue emergency passports.

Regarding the information that the police had temporarily suspended the issuance of old standard passports until July 1, 2022, in a talk with Sai Gon Giai Phong's reporter, Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Duc Nghiem affirmed that the Ho Chi Minh City Police still issue passports for urgent cases.

First of all, Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Duc Nghiem confirmed that the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department does not suspend the issuance of passports. The Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security still issues ordinary passports for people already having air tickets, for those attending international seminars and conferences, studying abroad, or visiting their children who are studying abroad. Emergency passports will be issued to those needing to get medical treatment.

Some old passports will still be issued for the above-mentioned emergent cases. When people in Ho Chi Minh City need to issue a passport, they should go to the Immigration Department and present relevant papers and documents for settlement. People definitely do not listen to others.

Police jump into probe of school violence in international school

The Ho Chi Minh City police have taken measures to handle unorthodox and conflicting information about the beating incident between its students which has caused parents' concerns in American Academy International School (ISHCMC-AA) on social networks without any conclusions from relevant authorities.

In addition, police officers are assigned the responsibility to support schools, individuals and teachers when they are threatened or psychologically terrorized while there is no official conclusion from responsible agencies.

At the regular press conference to inform about the socio-economic situation and the prevention of the Covid-19 epidemic in Ho Chi Minh City held by the city People’s Committee, when it comes to the violent incident between students of the American Academy International School (ISHCMC-AA), Chief of Office of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training Ho Tan Minh said that the city People's Committee has directed police to probe and handle unorthodox information; simultaneously, police will promptly protect schools and individuals that have been threatened.

At about 3pm on May 26, the teacher in charge of the school informed the principal that there was a scuffle between students. Teachers took the children to the medical room for examination. While the school administration was interviewing the children to find out information, this was interrupted, when some parents demanded contact with students who were not their children, said Mr. Minh.

The school has extracted footage from security camera and listened to several students’ statements who told that the tension started from the students teasing each other before providing information to parents about the incident. However, some parents refused to cooperate with the school upon dealing with the incident.

The school contacted the parents of involved students on May 31, Mr. Ho Tan Minh said that the Department has requested the school to report the results no later than June 3. From the Department's point of view, the school must assume responsibility for the incident, so the school must handle it thoroughly.

The municipal People's Committee has sent an official document No. 1781 on May 31 to the Ministry of Education and Training. According to the document, the municipal People's Committee has directed the Department of Education and Training to continue guiding the schools to solve the case urgently while paying attention to students’ interests by stabilizing their psychology and their parents' as well as teaching and learning activities.

The People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has also directed police force to take measures to handle unorthodox and conflicting information on social networks when the matter has not been concluded by relevant authorities, promptly protect schools, individuals and pedagogical staff when threatened or mentally terrorized.

Previously, in its report to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, Ho Chi Minh City International School said it has drawn a lesson from handling misunderstandings for parents and creating debates on social networks. On the other hand, the school also recognized the responsibility of not monitoring and closely monitoring students both in terms of learning and age psychology.

At the same time, the school will work closely with parents to find a satisfactory solution to help students relieve stress.

Endangered animals to be protected in Quang Ngai, Dong Nai provinces

The People’s Committee of central province of Quang Ngai has assigned the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to work with relevant agencies and localities for measures and a plan on preserving rare monkeys on Hon Tra Island in Binh Son district’s Binh Dong Commune.

To protect the 10 Rhesus monkeys (Macara Mulatta), rated as endangered and sighted living on the island, the department has asked relevant authorities and locals to prevent and refrain from acts that might harm the animals.

Ho Trong Phuong, director of the department, said in the long term, it is necessary to set up a project to conserve monkeys in combination with the development of the Hon Tra island eco-tourism site. Domestic and international wildlife conservation organisations should join hands in the work for local monkeys, he said.

Phan Van Dong, chairman of the Binh Dong commune People’s Committee, suggested planting more trees to ensure a natural environment for the animals.

In the southern province of Dong Nai, a community of 159-192  black shanked douc langurs (Pygathrix nigripes) has also been found living on Chua Chan Mountain in Xuan Loc district.

They belong to a group of endangered species that needs priority protection under Vietnamese regulations.

Over the past two years, the community had an addition of 35 individuals.

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