Hanoi Police netted the largest haul of illegal bear bile in the country, according to a press release from the NGO Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV) on June 3.

On May 27, 2022, the Unit No.2 of the Hanoi police department for environmental crimes in coordination with Dan Phuong district caught red-handed Nguyen Van Thao trying to illegally transport 350 bottles of bear bile to the customers.

Thao, from Phung Thuong commune, Phuc Tho district, Hanoi confessed that the bear bile was all extracted from the seven Asian black bears (Ursus thibetanus), an endangered and protected species in Vietnam, that were being kept in captivity in his own properties.

Hanoi continues to be the largest concentration of bears in captivity in Vietnam with 149 bears being kept in private facilities, accounting for more than half of the number of bears in captivity in the country.

It is estimated that 93 percent of bears in captivity in Hanoi are in Phuc Tho district.

Although the extraction and trading of bile bear are not very publicly conducted, the situation remains in the district and has been reported by many domestic and foreign news agencies for a long time.

Two more African swine fever vaccines to be licensed in Vietnam by year-end

Two more vaccines against African swine fever (ASF), developed by AVAC Vietnam Co., Ltd. and Dabaco Group JSC, are expected to be licensed in Vietnam by the end of this year.

Testing of AVAC ASF LIVE vaccine started in pig farms in March 2022, with the efficacy rate reaching 95 percent. AVAC is finalising legal steps to register for the circulation of the vaccine.

Meanwhile, Dabaco’s DACOVAC-ASF2 vaccine has been tested and evaluated since March 2022. 

An African swine fever outbreak was first detected in Vietnam in February 2019, and then spread to all 63 provinces and cities nationwide, causing more than 6 million pigs to be culled.

The disease cost Vietnam over 30 trillion VND (1.29 billion USD) in losses, and affected the national consumer price index (CPI) in 2020. Currently, it is still reported in many localities nationwide.

Vietnam has recently authorised the commercial circulation of NAVET-ASFVAC vaccine produced by Navetco National Veterinary JSC (Navetco), helping the country to become the first in the world to successfully research and produce a vaccine against African swine fever, and licence its commercial circulation.

The company began developing the vaccine in February 2020 with the help of US experts. Following lab trials, the vaccine has proved to be able to protect at least 80 percent of immunised pigs, which retain immunity for six months.

14th Vietnam Festival opens in Tokyo

The Vietnam Festival 2022, the 14th of its kind, opened at Yoyogi Park in Tokyo on June 4 with Japan’s former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Miyake Shingo in attendance.

The festival has welcomed a large number of visitors, out of expectations, Ambassador Nam told the Vietnam News Agency's resident reporters. This is the second time famous artists from Vietnam have taken to the stage at the festival, which excited both Vietnamese and Japanese audiences, he added.

The event featured music performances by leading artists from both countries, including Vietnamese singer Van Mai Huong, alongside Sunplaza Nakano-kun and Papala Kawai of Japan. Visitors also had a chance to enjoy signature food and tropical fruits from Vietnam.

Visitors were required to wear masks and practice physical distance while attending the festival to prevent COVID-19 spread.

The Vietnam Festival was first held in Japan in 2008. The annual event was initiated by late Japanese senator Matsuda on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties. 

The festival will run through June 5. About 100,000 visitors are expected to join the event./.

Vietnam a flagship of ASEAN: Russian media

Russia’s e-newspaper Infox.ru has run an article written by Grigory Trofimchuk, a Russian expert on foreign policy, defence and security, highlighting Vietnam's leadership role in the region.

According to the article, Vietnam is not only one of the flagships of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) but also really proves its leadership role, becoming a central player in regional issues and the "key" to those matters.

Vietnam's strength lies in its growing prestige and position in the international arena, and its attractive business environment, political stability, and predictable foreign policy, Grigory said in his article.

According to the Russian expert, Vietnam's consistent and constructive stance on establishing a peaceful and stable environment in the region, including in the East Sea, is an important factor to help Hanoi adapt to the modern geopolitical situation.

He also highly valued Vietnam's role in the process of finding consensus with China on the East Sea-related issues, especially through the direction of the Communist Parties of the two countries to create specific results.

According to the author, even in sensitive issues such as human rights, Vietnam has also made significant contributions, which are positively evaluated by the United Nations.

USAID-funded project to boost Vietnam’s renewable energy development

The Vietnam Low Emission Energy Programme II (V-LEEP II), which is worth 36 million USD and funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), was kicked off in Hanoi on June 3.  

The programme was co-launched by US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Dang Hoang An, and USAID Vietnam Mission Director Ann Marie Yastishock.

Expected to build on the success of V-LEEP I carried out between 2015 and 2020, V-LEEP II will support the financial mobilisation for 2,000 MW of renewable energy and 1,000 MW of gas-fueled power to reduce 59 million tonnes of CO2.

Vietnam, Laos vow to boost cooperation in drug combat

The Vietnamese and Lao ministries of public security will work harder to raise the efficiency of cooperation in drug combat, heard a meeting in Vietnam’s central province of Thua Thien-Hue on June 3.

The two ministries reviewed the implementation of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in drug fight, signed in the Lao capital city of Vientiane on August 9, 2021.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Public Security Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Duy Ngoc pointed out increasing cross-border drug cases, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.

He suggested the two sides work on orientations and tasks to improve the collaboration in the time ahead.

It was reported that after the six-month implementation of the MoU, competent forces detected 112 cases, with 140 individuals, and 83.6kg of heroin and 109kg of meth seized.

The two sides identified 26 organisations trafficking drugs from Laos to Vietnam, and arrested 16 Vietnamese wanted drug traffickers in the neighbouring country, according to the report.

Under the document, 202 headquarters were built for Lao public security forces in hamlets bordering Vietnam.

France helps Vietnam with administrative modernisation

France will provide technical assistance for Vietnam to streamline administrative procedures, improve its business environment and build the e-government and digital transformation under a cooperation programme between the Vietnamese Government Office and the French Embassy in Vietnam released on June 3.

The programme on cooperation in administrative modernisation in combination with digital transformation in 2022-2023 is within the framework of a memorandum of understanding between the Office and the French Ministry of Economy and Finance, on e-government development and administrative modernisation.

During the second phase, 200 Vietnamese officials and public servants will benefit from the project.

HCM City Opera House to host classical music night

Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO) will hold “A night of classical” at HCM City Opera House on June 11.

The event, which is under the baton of conductor Tran Nhat Minh, aims to present an overview of Russian music over more than 150 years to music lovers.

The concert will begin with "Overture" from the opera “Tsar’s Bride” by composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844 -1908). This is his 10th of 15 works written about the first Russian tsar.

An excerpt from the opera “Prince Igor” by Alexander Borodin (1833-1887), another Russian composer, will also be performed at the event.

The audience will have the opportunity to enjoy “snow storm”, a famous music illustration by composer Georgy Sviridov (1915-1998). The lyrics were used as the introduction for a television news broadcast and were widely loved.

“Festive Overture” by Shostakovich, which was written on the occasion of the October Revolution in 1917, will also be performed at the show.

Soprano Pham Khanh Ngoc of HBSO, who won a second prize at the SLO-ASEAN Vocal Competition 2016 held in Singapore, will take the stage.

The concert will close with a performance of Sergei Prokofiev's No. 1 symphony, entitled "Classic", featuring traditional elements and composed in the 19th century.

Most modern child cardiology centre inaugurated in HCM City

A centre for intensive surgery and interventional cardiology for children equipped with modern facilities and equipment was put into operation at the Children Hospital 1 in Ho Chi Minh City on June 3.

Invested with the city’s budget, the project is hoped to provide better healthcare services for children in the locality and those from other southern localities.

The construction of the centre began in 2019. It comprises 215 beds and 20 operation theatres, including a Hybrid one - the most modern one at present.

Once operational, the centre will also help training surgeons, and transfer techniques on cardiac intervention in children. It will also step up international cooperation with leading cardiologists in the world.

Ecological recovery, biodiversity protection solutions sought

A conference seeking solutions to enhance efficiency of efforts to recover the ecological system and protect the biodiversity in Vietnam was held in both in-person and online format in Hanoi on June 3, as part of activities in response to the World Environment Day (June 5).

Addressing the event, Nguyen Hung Thinh, Vice Director of the Vietnam Environment Administration (VEA) highlighted the Government’s commitments and actions to join hands with other countries in the world to preserve the environment and biodiversity, including Resolution No.05/NQ-CP on the approval of the World Leaders' Commitment to Nature on the occasion of the UN Summit on Biodiversity within the framework of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Meanwhile, Hoang Thi Thanh Nhan, Vice Director of the VEA’s Biodiversity Conservation Agency, in March 2019, said on January 28, 2022, the Government issued Decision No. 149/QD-CP approving the national strategy on biodiversity to 2030 with a vision to 205, aiming to increase the area of protected and restored natural ecosystems and ensure their integrity and connectivity, as well as make sure that biodiversity is preserved and used sustainably in order to contribute to socio-economic development in the direction of a green economy, proactive adaption to climate change.

Nguyen Van Tri Tin, leader of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Vietnam Wildlife Programme, said that the WWF has focused on protecting and resorting a number of species such as Saola, tiger and elephant in Vietnam.

2022 music summer camp to be held in Nha Trang city

The Vietnam National Academy of Music (VNAM) is organising a music summer camp in mid-June to bring academic music closer to the public, especially young people.

Bui Cong Duy, deputy director of VNAM, said the event will gather more than 200 students across the country.

The Vietnam National Academy of Music Youth Orchestra (VNAMYO) under the baton of two young conductors Dong Quang Vinh and Tran Nhat Minh will join the camp along with prominent young soloists in the country.

The highlight of the event will be a gala of VNAMYO, which will take place on June 18 at April 2 Square, Nha Trang City, part of the Nha Trang Beach Tourism Festival organised by municipal Department of Tourism. The Arena Summer Symphony 2022, scheduled to be held on June 19 with the participation of students, artists and lecturers of the academy, will be another attraction. 

All activities held during the camp will be free of charge so that spectators, tourists and students of local universities can participate, exchange experiences and familiarise themselves with music instruments.

Revision of Petroleum Law aims to create smoother legal corridor: Minister

The revision of the Petroleum Law is crucial to creating a smooth legal corridor for investors and increasing the attractiveness of the investment environment in the field of oil and gas, said Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien while delivering a proposal on the draft amended Petroleum Law at the 15th National Assembly’s ongoing third session on June 3.

The minister said that the law, issued in 1993 and revised and supplemented in 2000 and 2008, has created favourable conditions for the development of the oil and gas sector, ensuring national power security and contributing to safeguarding the national sovereignty in the East Sea.

However, the law has yet to meet the requirements of the reality amid many arising issues during the oil and gas activities, he said.

The minister said that the draft revised Petroleum Law comprises 11 chapters and 64 articles, inheriting basic articles of the current one, and ensuring the stability and continuity of signed oil and gas contracts and agreements. It is made to match the current legal system and international conventions that Vietnam has joined and international practices in the oil and gas industry.

Delivering a verification report on the bill, Chairman of the NA Economic Committee Vu Hong Thanh said that the bill is suitable with the 2013 Constitution and matches relevant international conventions in which Vietnam is a member.

Thanh said that many members of the committee pointed to the need for detailing impacts of oil and gas activities in midstream and downstream that are not specified in the Petroleum Law.

At the same time, the bill should specify regulations on the implementation of oil and gas in chain, including exploitation, transportation, and processing, he said.

The official suggested the continuous revision of regulations on the conditions to join oil and gas bidding activities, as well as rules on the authority of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Industry and Trade over issues related to oil and gas contracts towards the delegation of power to the National Oil and Gas Group.

Hanoi tightens management of old villas

The Hanoi People’s Committee has issued Decision 1845/QD-UBND listing 1,216 old villas built before 1954 in the city with the aim of tightening the management of the valuable architectural heritage.

The decision replaces Decision 7177/QD-UBND dated November 28, 2013.

The 1,216 listed villas are classified into three groups, with 222 in Group 1, 356 in Group 2 and 638 in Group 3, which are subject to the regulations on the management and use of old villas.

Group 1 features villas associated with ranked historical and cultural relics or cultural heritage. Group 2 includes villas with architectural value but not in Group 1, located on main streets such as Phan Dinh Phung, Dien Bien Phu, Hoang Dieu, Tran Phu and Nguyen Thai Hoc. The remaining villas are in Group 3.

Ba Dinh district has the largest number of Group-1 villas with 111 buildings, followed by Hoan Kiem district with 87.

The management of old villas in the city has faced various difficulties posed by disputes in ownership, rights to use and boundary, and violations of construction regulations by residents.  

The issuance of the decision is intended to facilitate the strengthening of management over the old villas.

Vietnam now in 95th position in FIFA latest rankings

A 2-0 victory over Afghanistan on June 1 helped the Vietnamese men’s football team gain 3.46 points to take the 95th place in FIFA rankings with 1,218.84 points.

The team also rejoined the Asia's top 15 group after being dropped out due to two consecutive losses to China and Oman in the third round of 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Meanwhile, Thailand still maintained its 111th position in the rankings following a win over Turkmenistan and a loss to Bahrain.

However, Vietnam’s position is not guaranteed, as Thailand and Kyrgystan, which is in the 96th spot in the world ranking, will take part in the qualifiers for 2023 Asian Cup which will take place in June.

Vietnam already qualified for this tournament. The Vietnamese team will not play any game in the coming time except for AFF Cup 2022 to be held in December.

Vietnam still retains the top spot in Southeast Asia, followed by Thailand and the Philippines.

Measures sought to facilitate offshore wind power development

The Danish Embassy in Vietnam and the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) jointly held a conference in Hanoi on June 2 to discuss measures to promote the development of offshore wind power in Vietnam.

Participants held that Vietnam boasts offshore wind power potential of up to 160GW, while the national Power Development Plan 8 (PDP VIII) also sets a target of developing 7GW of offshore wind power in 2030.

However, he pointed to various barriers that should be removed to promote the development of this kind of energy.

Nguyen Manh Cuong from the Institute of Energy said that there are two options for Vietnam - increasing the transmission of power from the south where the wind power potential is great to the northern region, and developing offshore wind power in the north.

He underlined the significant role of offshore wind power when Vietnam realises its net-zero emission by 2050.

Cuong noted that northern coastal localities have registered the development of 51,000MW of offshore wind power. However, the region aims to develop 4,000MW, which means only most feasible projects will be selected.

According to Cuong, one of the problems in the power connection is a lack of planning for an undersea cable system connecting offshore wind power projects to minimise impacts on ecosystems, marine transportation and fishermen's livelihoods.

He also pointed to the need to ensure the harmony in interests of all parties involving in wind power projects, and making administrative procedures in the field simpler.

Meanwhile, Stuart Livesay, General Director of La Gan wind power project, held that in order to avoid risks, Vietnam should soon design relevant planning and give detailed guidance to businesses in developing offshore wind power.

Pham Nguyen Hung, Vice Director of the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority, said that the Electricity Law, which is being revised, is a breakthrough step by the Government to allow the private sector to involve themselves in investing in power transmission grid.

He said that the MoIT is working to draft documents guiding the implementation of the revised law, adding that currently, some private firms have engaged in investing in power grid, but the inter-region grid must be invested by the State.

Hung also pointed to need for renovating the investment procedure and management of offshore wind power projects to facilitate their implementation.

Vietnamese doctors provide free health check-ups, medicines for needy people in Laos

A delegation of Ho Chi Minh City's Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs on June 4 provided free health check-ups and medicines for impoverished overseas Vietnamese and Lao people in Vientiane.

The programme was implemented with the coordination of the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos and and the Executive Committee of the Vietnamese Association in Vientiane.

This annual event was part of activities to respond to the Vietnam - Laos and Laos - Vietnam Year of Friendship and Solidarity 2022, and celebrate the 60th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties, and the 45th year of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation between the two countries.

Miss Grand International President set for Vietnam arrival

President Nawat and Vice President Teresa of Miss Grand International will arrive in Vietnam along with the top 10 beauties of Miss Grand Thailand 2022 to attend a press conference on June 7 to mark the launch of Miss Grand Vietnam 2022.

According to Pham Kim Dung, general director of Sen Vang Entertainment Co. Ltd., as organisers of the contest, both Nawat and Teresa will also attend the beauty pageant’s grand final in order to help determine the winner.

The ultimate winner of Miss Grand Vietnam will have chance to compete at Miss Grand International 2022, which is scheduled to get underway on October 25 in Bali, Indonesia.

Miss Grand Vietnam will follow an exciting, entertaining itinerary, whilst simultaneously promoting the cultural and human values that Miss Grand International represents.

Cultural Heritage Week promotes Bac Kan's culture and tourism

Ba Be Tourism - Cultural Heritage Week 2022 got underway on June 3 at Ba Be Lake in the northern mountainous province of Bac Kan.

The tourism week covers a wide range of activities, including a tourism promotion conference, an ethnic food festival, and the “One Commune, One Product (OCOP)” agricultural product exhibition.

The highlight of the event will be the announcement ceremony of the decision to recognize the “cap sac” (maturity ritual) of the Dao Tien ethnic people who reside in Don Phong commune of Bach Thong district, as well as the Bat dancing (Mua Bat) of the Tay ethnic people as national intangible cultural heritages.

Running until June 5, the event will feature traditional musical performances, a traditional costume show, folk and sports games, as well as both photo and painting exhibitions.

Mekong Delta sees spike in hand, foot and mouth disease

The number of children being infected with hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Mekong Delta provinces, especially Can Tho, has recorded a sharp increase over the last month.

The Can Tho City Children’s Hospital noted that since late April and early May, it has been enduring a spike in terms of patients suffering from the disease, not only from the city, but also from nearby provinces such as Soc Trang and Vinh Long, Hau Giang, and Tra Vinh.

May alone witnessed the number increase by up to seven times from April, according to the hospital. Indeed, its infection department admitted 100 patients every day throughout the month.

According to Dr Huynh Hung Dung, head of the infection department, HFMD typically affects young children, with the majority of patients being under the age of five, with most children being admitted to the hospital either in stage two or three.

According to the Ministry of Health, the control system for communicable diseases has so far confirmed 5,545 HFMD cases since the beginning of the year, including one death in Binh Thuan province.

5-million-euro sustainable landscape project set for Central Highlands

A project to strengthen integrated sustainable landscape management through a deforestation-free jurisdiction in the Central Highlands Lâm Đồng and Đắk Nông provinces was launched on Friday.

Natural forests in Việt Nam, like most in other countries, are facing a paradox. They are recognised as an invaluable source of goods and services, sustaining the livelihoods of millions of people and supporting vital ecological services such as climate regulation and biodiversity. 

These populations directly dependent on natural forests and playing a major role in forest protection are frequently also the poorest and have fewer economic opportunities than populations living in urban areas.  

Việt Nam’s Central Highlands region has been facing a significant loss of its natural forests due to converting to plantation forests. From 2005 to 2020, the natural forest area in the Highlands was reduced from 2.83 million to 2.18 million hectares, while the planting area for coffee increased from 449,400 to 577,119 hectares, rubber from 86,892 to 259,200 hectares, and timber from 144,420 to 368,734 hectares.  

In addition, the degradation of agricultural lands due to chemical pollution and soil erosion has become extremely serious and has led the Highlands to account for 22 per cent of Việt Nam’s natural emissions in land use. Each year, approximately 6.8 million of CO2 is released from coffee farms in the Central Highlands from fertilisers, residues, and fuel.

The project will be implemented over four years (2022–2026) in Lâm Đồng and Đắk Nông provinces. The project’s targets by 2026 are to protect 25,000 hectares of natural forest; reduce harmful CO2 emissions by three million tonnes; enable 35 per cent of the project area’s marginalised populations in both provinces to benefit from improved livelihoods, especially women and ethnic minorities; and increase the total value of commodities in the project area by 25 per cent.

Its results will be replicated and integrated into Việt Nam’s development strategies and policies. 

The project’s total budget is five million euros, funded by the EU through UNDP Việt Nam. 

Swimmer Hoàng, teammates to compete in world championships

Vietnamese swimmer Nguyễn Huy Hoàng has qualified for the FINA World Championship, which will be held in Hungary from June 18-July 3.

Hoàng qualified with an A standard result based on his SEA Games performance, meaning he qualifies directly for the competition.

His eight teammates, who all reached B standard, will also travel with him to the event.

The Budapest tournament will gather competitions for swimming, diving, water polo, artistic swimming and open water swimming.

Hoàng qualified with A standard in the men's 400m and 1500m freestyle at the 31st SEA Games.

The Youth Olympic champion finished first in the 400m freestyle with a Games' record time of 3:48.06, 0.9sec, higher than the minimum standard requirement of 3:48.15. He earlier won the 1,500m on 15:00.75, almost 4sec better than the regulated standard of 15:04.64. 

The 25-year-old also earned B standards in the 200m freestyle, 800m freestyle and 200m butterfly events.

He is one of only two Southeast Asian athletes meeting the A standard. The other is Teong Tzen Wei of Singapore, who qualified in the men's 50m butterfly and 50m freestyle.

The Vietnamese team will depart for the world event on June 15.

After the world competition, Hoàng and three teammates Trần Hưng Nguyên, Phạm Thanh Bảo and Nguyễn Quang Thuấn will stay in Hungary for a training camp until September 11.

Vietnam National Cinema Centre screening free cartoons for summer

Children in Hà Nội can watch cartoons that are being screened for free at the Vietnam National Cinema Centre, starting from this summer until the end of the year.

The screening of Vietnamese cartoons, jointly organised by the Vietnam National Cinema Centre and the Vietnam Cartoon Company, features 50 works by the Vietnam Animation Film Studio.

They include newly released films, award-winning films and those that have garnered a large number of views on YouTube channel like Kỳ Nghỉ Hè Ý Nghĩa (Meaningful Summer Vacation), Thám Tử Đầu Bạc (Grey-Haired Detective) and Hiệp Sĩ Nghé Vàng (Golden Calf Knight).

Notably, a series of four historical cartoons, Cậu Bé Cờ Lau (The Boy and Reed Grass), Nữ Tướng Mê Linh (The Heroines), Đại Hành Hoàng Đế (Emperor Đại Hành) and Người Thầy Của Muôn Đời (The Teacher Of Eternity), are also included in the programme. The films vividly portray Vietnamese historical figures in-depth and take the viewers on a journey back in time and touch their emotions.

The screening is divided into two phases – at 9:30am every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from now on until June 30, and every Sunday morning from July until the end of the year.

The screening programme is not specialised to any age group, so audiences of all ages could pick up free tickets at the National Cinema Centre, located at No. 87 Láng Hạ Street, Đống Đa District. Tickets are not available online. 

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