The Buon Ma Thuot Street Festival, themed “Buon Ma Thuot - The convergence of the three coffee civilisations of the world” opened on March 10 in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak, as one of the highlights of the ongoing 8th Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival.

The street festival saw the performance of 450 local artisans and farmers, and art troupes from the provinces of Jeollabuk (the Republic of Korea), Mondulkiri (Cambodia) and Champasak (Laos) as well as beauty queens, celebrities, and students, among others.

Spectators had a chance to contemplate unique art repertoires on introducing coffee civilisations; a Gong parade of E De, E De Bih, Xo Dang, Gia Rai, Muong ethnic minority groups, and street dance performances of local and foreign art troupes.

Vo Van Canh, Deputy Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said Dak Lak has the largest coffee farming area of around 210,000 hectares with an annual output of more than 520,000 tonnes. Meanwhile, Buon Ma Thuot is home to some of the finest coffee in Vietnam.

He said the festival aimed to promote the Buon Ma Thuot coffee brand and develop Vietnam’s specialty coffee, towards gradually turning Buon Ma Thuot into a global coffee centre.

This was one of the important activities to raise the value and affirm the position of Vietnamese coffee in the world market, as well as honour coffee growers, processors, and traders, he added.

Vietnam values external resources for development: Foreign Minister

Vietnam attaches importance to effectively pooling and using external resources for sustainable national development, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son told former Prime Minister of the UK and President of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) Tony Blair during a reception in Hanoi on March 10.

Son said during the process, Vietnam wishes to continue receiving support and assistance from international partners in terms of capital, technology, and experience while ensuring a harmonious balance of interests among all parties.

Vietnam aims to attract more investment from potential partners, including corporations and investment funds from the Middle East, promote extensive and substantial global integration activities, and drive the construction of an international financial centre in Ho Chi Minh City in the near future, he said.

The host wished that international partners would support the country's economic diplomacy work in a more effective and practical manner, step up digital diplomacy and provide training for diplomatic staff and local officials in charge of foreign affairs and economic diplomacy. The minister proposed that TBI assist the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam in connecting with reputable research and training institutions in the UK in the coming time.

Blair, for his part, said the UK wishes to further deepen cooperation with Vietnam, its important partner in the region. He wished to make further contributions to Vietnam-UK ties in various areas.

He said Vietnam holds great potential to promote international cooperation in attracting resources for green growth and renewable energy development, building an international financial centre, and attracting investment from the Middle East based on specific plans and cooperation projects.

The guest suggested that Vietnam focus on improving the quality of education and building an advanced university education system as a foundation for sustainable development, as the UK and many other countries did.

In the near future, the TBI will continue with exchanges and cooperation with Vietnamese ministries and agencies in areas of shared interest, he said.

PM applauds USAID’s increased development budget for Vietnam

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh applauded the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for continuing to increase development budget for Vietnam while receiving USAID Administrator Samantha Power in Hanoi on March 10.

PM Chinh affirmed that Vietnam is ready to continue promoting its comprehensive partnership with the US in an effective and practical manner, based on the principle that the US always supports a strong, independent, prosperous Vietnam and respects each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political regime, meeting the benefits of the people of the two countries and contributing to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

He conveyed regards of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Vo Van Thuong, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and himself to the President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Speaker of the Senate of the US.

The PM suggested USAID continue strengthening its support for Vietnam to overcome war consequences, especially in decontaminating Agent Orange/dioxin, bombs and mines; step up cooperation in climate change, healthcare, education, high-quality human resource development, and help Fulbright University Vietnam become a regional training centre; and promote green and digital transformation.

He also proposed USAID prioritise its support to mitigate the impacts of climate change in the Mekong Delta which is hardest hit by climate change in Vietnam.

Power, for her part, thanked the Vietnamese Government, ministries and localities for their close cooperation with USAID to effectively carry out the US-funded projects.

She vowed to continue promoting cooperation with and provide support for Vietnam, especially in areas suggested by the PM.

Regarding response to climate change, the official said it is the top priority of President Joe Biden's administration and also one of the areas that USAID is prioritising cooperation with Vietnam.

Buon Ma Thuot Street Festival excites spectators

The Buon Ma Thuot Street Festival, themed “Buon Ma Thuot - The convergence of the three coffee civilisations of the world” opened on March 10 in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak, as one of the highlights of the ongoing 8th Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival.

The street festival saw the performance of 450 local artisans and farmers, and art troupes from the provinces of Jeollabuk (the Republic of Korea), Mondulkiri (Cambodia) and Champasak (Laos) as well as beauty queens, celebrities, and students, among others.

Spectators had a chance to contemplate unique art repertoires on introducing coffee civilisations; a Gong parade of E De, E De Bih, Xo Dang, Gia Rai, Muong ethnic minority groups, and street dance performances of local and foreign art troupes.

Vo Van Canh, Deputy Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said Dak Lak has the largest coffee farming area of around 210,000 hectares with an annual output of more than 520,000 tonnes. Meanwhile, Buon Ma Thuot is home to some of the finest coffee in Vietnam.

He said the festival aimed to promote the Buon Ma Thuot coffee brand and develop Vietnam’s specialty coffee, towards gradually turning Buon Ma Thuot into a global coffee centre.

This was one of the important activities to raise the value and affirm the position of Vietnamese coffee in the world market, as well as honour coffee growers, processors, and traders, he added.

Civil defence work must be prepared early and from afar before incidents: PM

The civil defence work must be proactively carried out, prepared early, from afar and before any disasters, incidents, natural calamities or epidemics occur, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has said.

Chairing the first meeting of the National Steering Committee for Civil Defence in Hanoi on March 10, PM Chinh, who is also its head, hailed the committee for advising the government and PM to direct ministries, agencies and localities to effectively cope with incidents, diesters and epidemics and conduct search and rescue operations. Vietnam also fulfilled its international obligations by joining in recovery efforts in the wake of disasters around the world, he said.

He asked its members and steering committees at all levels to effectively follow the Party and State’s policies and guidelines, including the Politburo’s Resolution No. 22-NQ/TW and the Government’s action programme on civil defence.

The PM requested enhancing the role and active participation of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, socio-political and mass organisations and people in civil defence, in which civil defense activities must be based on the people and take the people as the roots.

He urged strengthening international cooperation in the principle of ensuring the highest interests of the nation and people; respecting independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity; and complying with international conventions of which Vietnam is a member.

The civil defence strategy must be linked with national, regional, sectoral, and local socio-economic development planning schemes, plans and strategies, he said, adding that civil defence works must emphasise "dual-use" function.

It is necessary to continue fine-tuning the Law on Civil Defence and building relevant legal documents while promoting the public-private partnership in the field in the principle of harmonising interests and sharing risks, the PM said.

At the meeting, the government leader also assigned specific tasks to the Ministries of National Defence; Agriculture and Rural Development; Natural Resources and Environment; Home Affairs; Transport; Construction; Planning and Investment; and Finance as well as authorities of cities and provinces.

2023 Highlights of American Society of Hematology in Asia-Pacific opens in Hanoi

The 2023 Highlights of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in Asia-Pacific workshop opened in Hanoi on March 10.

Held in Vietnam for the first time, the two-day event is co-hosted by the ASH and the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (NIHBT).

Speaking at the event, NIHBT Chairman Dr. Bach Quoc Khanh welcomed and expressed his thanks to over 400 leaders and members of hematology societies from Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong (China), India, Indonesia, Japan, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan (China), Thailand and Pakistan.

During the event, Khanh and NIHBT Director Assoc. Prof Nguyen Ha Thanh will co-chair presentation sessions with two experts from the ASH.

The event aimed to introduce the remarkable results from the 64th annual scientific conference held in the last December, enabling doctors and scientists to update research results and progress in the diagnosis and treatment of blood diseases.

Similar events did and will take place in the North America, including Washington, New York and San Francisco; in Istanbul of Turkey and Sao Paulo of Brazil from January-April.

ASH is the biggest professional society in the world with over 18,000 members from nearly 100 countries, including clinical physicians, scientists, and other healthcare professionals working in the field of hematology.

Minister of Foreign Affairs receives USAID Administrator

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son received visiting Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Samantha Power in Hanoi on March 10.

Highly appreciating the sound coordination between USAID and Vietnamese agencies and sectors, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Son expressed his delight at the strong growth of the Vietnam-US ties.

USAID has actively contributed to Vietnam's socio-economic development through development assistance projects in war aftermath recovery, health care, education, and governance capacity building for localities and businesses, he said.

The minister stated that the implementation of these projects in Vietnam vividly demonstrated the increasing effectiveness and development of the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership on the basis of mutual respect for each other's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institutions for the sake of their people, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

For her part, Power thanked the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the minister himself for supporting USAID’s operations in Vietnam.

The official said she was pleased to visit and witness the results of USAID projects, including a ceremony to hand over the dioxin-decontaminated area in Bien Hoa airport to the Vietnamese side on March 7.

Power said USAID will continue to focus on solving war legacy issues, including the dioxin decontamination at the Bien Hoa airport, and DNA testing capacity improvement for Vietnamese scientists to search and identify the remains of Vietnamese soldiers.

The agency will help Vietnam improve health and social services serving the better quality of life for people with disabilities; mitigate the effects of climate change; develop sustainably; and develop its human resource and health infrastructure in response to infectious diseases, she noted.

State leader values HCM City’s performance in safeguarding Fatherland

The Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee held a conference on March 10 to review the 10-year implementation of the resolution on safeguarding the Fatherland in the new context, issued at the 8th session of the 11th-tenure Party Central Committee.

The municipal Party Committee reported that over the last 10 years, Party committees, administrations, Vietnam Fatherland Front committees, and socio-political organisations in HCM City seriously carried out the resolution and the Party’s guidelines on national defence.

In particular, the city has included the task of national defence in socio-economic development programmes and plans; guaranteed resources for defence and security protection; fulfilled the duties of sustainably reducing poverty, creating jobs, and ensuring social security; and properly carried out Party building work.

The great national solidarity has been enhanced while external relations and cooperation with international partners, including in defence and security, have been expanded, creating conditions for fast and sustainable development. Both the material and spiritual lives of local residents have continually been improved, heard the conference.

In his remarks, State President Vo Van Thuong attributed HCM City’s achievements in the resolution implementation partly to the strong resolve of local Party committees and administrations, the core role of military and public security units, the active engagement of the Vietnam Fatherland Front committees and socio-political organisations, and support from the public.

Setting tasks for the coming time, he requested the city both heed and apply the Party’s guidelines on Fatherland safeguarding in the new context; continue to firmly maintain political security and social order and safety; proactively prevent and resolutely fight against peace evolution schemes and sabotage plots of hostile forces; and take the initiative to crack down on crimes.

The President asked HCM City to press on with the Party and political system building and rectification, strengthen and bring into play the great national solidarity, develop strong armed forces, and promote the development of culture, society, education and training, health care, and people’s life quality.

He also demanded the southern metropolis fully capitalise on its advantages and geo-political position in foreign relations; improve the effectiveness of development cooperation with other countries, especially those in the Mekong sub-region, ASEAN, and major partners; expand people-to-people exchanges with other countries, particularly in the fields related to defence and security safeguarding; and combine internal resources with external ones to create momentum for fast and sustainable economic development.

2023 National Press Festival to open this month

The 2023 National Press Festival, themed “Solidarity-professionalism-culture-innovation,” will take place at the Hanoi Museum from March 17-19, heard a press conference in Hanoi on March 10.

The opening and closing ceremonies will be broadcast live on national television and radio channels, and many others, according to Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists’ Association (VFA) Nguyen Duc Loi, head of the festival’s organising committee.  

The festival will be co-chaired by the VJA and the Hanoi People’s Committee in coordination with the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education, the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

As the biggest festival in the press circle, the event is expected to bring together 63 journalists’ associations of cities and provinces and 60 central and local press agencies, with 87 booths displaying outstanding publications in 2022 and the first quarter of this year.  
The organisers will present awards for the best Tet (Lunar New Year) magazine cover photo, the best news website design, and the best TV and radio programmes, along with an award for organisations and individuals with outstanding activities at the festival.

There will be a series of sidelines events like seminars, workshops, exhibitions, a singing contest, a football tournament and art performances.

Loi stressed that the festival celebrates great achievements the country has recorded in reforms, highlights contributions and the strong development of Vietnam’s revolutionary press, and promotes press works.

It is also intended to enhance the exchange between journalists and readers, and honour contributions by individuals, organisations and businesses to Vietnam’s revolutionary press, he added.

Public security – key but not the only force for drug prevention, control

Drug prevention and control activities must be put under the leadership and direction of the Party Committees and administration at all levels, especially the grassroots level, with the People’s Public Security force playing the key role but not the only force in the work, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at an online conference on drug prevention and control on March 10.

PM Chinh highlighted the Party and State’s efforts in designing drug prevention and control mechanisms and policies, including the National Assembly’s adoption of the Drug Prevention and Control Law that took effect from January 1, 2022.

Amid the current complicated drug trafficking situation in the world, especially in the Golden Triangle, Vietnam has actively launched drug raids in major areas, while rolling out effective and synchronous measures against drug trafficking and strengthening international cooperation in the work, he said.

However, the Government leader pointed out that the coordination among the administration at all levels, sectors and agencies in drug prevention and control remains limited, with the wrong thinking of relying entirely on the public security force to do the job.

PM Chinh stressed that drug is a global as well as national problem, so a global approach is needed with close coordination among countries and international organisations, while on the national scale it requires the engagement of the whole political system and people from all walks of life. 

He underlined the need to pay greater attention to anti-drug activities at grassroots level, focusing on groups with high risks.

The PM ordered ministries, sectors and localities to continue to review and perfect the legal system regarding drug prevention and control, and strengthen international collaboration in the work.

He requested the Ministry of Public Security to concentrate on erasing drug hotspots and tightening the management of drug addicts.

The Ministry of National Defence was asked to closely control the border and work with the Ministry of Public Security to fight drug criminals in land and sea border areas.

The Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Industry and Trade and Ministry of Health were told to make proposals on the supplementation and adjustments of legal regulations related to drug prevention and control and the tackling of drug trafficking crimes under the cover of business activities.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs was asked to assess the efficiency of community-based detoxification measures, and the Ministry of Information and Communications was assigned to increase communication activities against drug.

Localities nationwide were also requested to form their own steering committees on drug prevention and control and design their anti-drug plans.

According to the Ministry of Public Security, amid the complicated world situation and the introduction of more new kinds of drugs, the ministry, as the standing agency for drug prevention and control of the National Committee for the Prevention and Control of AIDS, Drug and Prostitution, has coordinated with other ministries, sectors and localities to implement drastic measures against drug criminals, while strengthening anti-drug cooperation with neighbouring countries to prevent the trafficking of drug to Vietnam, thus not letting Vietnam to be an international drug transit point.

Last year, anti-drug forces from the Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of National Defence and Ministry of Finance brought to light 26,967 drug trafficking cases involving 41,308 suspects, seizing 809 kilos of heroin, 6.1 tonnes of meths, 867 kilos of marijuana and over 1 tonne of other drugs. The forces erased 460 hotspots and discovered 1,563 establishments allowing drug use during their business.

Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival: First Vietnam Amazing Brewing Master held

The first Vietnam Amazing Brewing Master was held on March 10 as one of the 18 main activities of the eighth Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak.

The contest attracted the participation of 33 baristas from nine localities across Vietnam. The awarding ceremony is expected to take place on March 13 afternoon.

Trinh Duc Minh, head of the Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Association – the organiser of the contest, said that the contest aims to discover and honour outstanding talents in coffee making, and offers a venue for them to meet and share experience.

It is also an opportunity to introduce, promote and develop Vietnam's specialty coffee industry and its coffee culture, contributing to increasing domestic consumption and the value of the industry, he added.

Within the framework of the eighth Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival, on the same day, the Vietnam Records Organisation awarded the record certificate of "the largest box of instant coffee in Vietnam" to representatives of My Viet International Group.

The box, measuring 120cm x 65cm x 180cm and weighing 320kg, contains 16,000 packs of instant coffee.

After being displayed at the festival, the largest box of instant coffee will be presented to officers and soldiers of Tam Hop Border Guard Station, in Tam Hop commune, Tuong Duong district, the central province of Nghe An.

Themed "Buon Ma Thuot - Destination of the world coffee", this year’s coffee festival is taking place from March 10-14.

More than 1,600 cyber attacks handled in February

The Authority of Information Security Department under the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIT), recorded 1,687 cyber attacks that caused problems to information systems in Vietnam last month.

The number represented a rise of 36.7% compared to January and 33.9% over the same period last year.

The majority were phishing attacks, which are deceptive websites and links set up by attackers to collect people's data.

To ensure cyber information security, the Ministry of Information and Communications continues to strengthen supervision and proactively scan Vietnam’s cyberspace with key tasks this month, including the development of a set of criteria on basic cyber information security requirements for surveillance cameras; a support platform for identifying and implementing level-based information security; and deployment for a network of Vietnamese information security experts abroad.

Along with that, MoIT continues to evaluate, make statistics and promote communications and warnings on mass media for users to know and avoid.

Previously, the National Cyber Security Center reported that the number of cyber attacks that caused problems on information systems in Vietnam was 1,234 in January this year.

Vietnam working to expand eco-industrial parks

The steering committee of the “Eco-industrial park intervention in Vietnam – perspective from global eco-industrial parks programme” project has convened a meeting to review its implementation in 2022 and put forth another implementation plan until May 2024.

The project, funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in cooperation with the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), is intended to support the development of policies for the roll-out of the eco-industrial park model in the country and, at the same time, promote and demonstrate the implementation of eco-industrial park solutions in selected localities.

The MPI reported that the project has contributed to duplicating the eco-industrial park model in Vietnam, matching the many commitments made by the country in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.

MPI Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc stressed that the project and its next phase will help Vietnam mobilise more resources and speed up the building of eco-industrial parks for sustainable development in the time ahead.

She called on SECO and UNIDO to continue with their financial and technical support, share their experience and accompany the MPI and other ministries and localities in the work.

Stakeholders should work closely to consolidate relevant legal regulations and standards, and build dialogue and public-private cooperation mechanisms to remove obstacles and push ahead with the building, the official added.

Werner Gruber, Head of Cooperation at SECO, spoke highly of the project achievements and affirmed that the Swiss government and SECO always wish to support Vietnam in the implementation, and will hold working sessions with the MPI and other relevant ministries and agencies in devising the next phase that satisfies Vietnam’s demand and priorities.

The UNICO side also noted its hope to further assist Vietnam in expanding eco-industrial parks, saying the next phase will focus on building and perfecting policies to address barriers to the construction of the parks.

UNICO will help Vietnam devise new standards for eco-industrial parks, access green financial resources and ensure sustainability in terms of institutions and resources for management agencies, it said.

The project will focus on developing policies and building guidelines on eco-industrial park development and a database on the parks this year.

RoK Culture Day underway in Lao Cai

To prepare for welcoming international visitors, including those from China, authorities and tourism and service businesses of the northern province of Quang Ninh have sketched out detailed plans in order to improve the quality of tourism services.

According to the International Cooperation Department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Chinese Government has decided to add Vietnam to its list of countries which will play host to a pilot programme for reopening to group tours as part of the northern neighbour’s second phase.

General Director of Thang Loi Tourism JSC Nguyen Van Son said that this is a positive sign for travel businesses of both nations.

The firm and its Chinese partners have coordinated to share information on requirements, conditions and policies of the two governments related to visa, COVID-19 prevention and control, exit and entry through land border gates, and permission of direct flights, thus building sightseeing programmes and tour schedules for visitors.

Thang Loi has worked with Chinese partners on developing new products at affordable prices to meet the demand of international tourists from different segments.

Director of the provincial Department of Tourism Pham Ngoc Thuy said the province has actively built plans for welcoming international holiday-makers via land border gates, while meeting with relevant departments and sectors, and travel agencies to prepare plans to welcome visitors.

The locality will create favourable conditions for international tourists to conduct SARS-CoV-2 tests to meet the requirements of China's COVID-19 prevention and control work.

Previously, Vice Chairwoman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Hanh ordered the People’s Committee of Mong Cai city, the Mong Cai International Border Gate’s management board, the provincial Border Guard Command, and relevant departments and sectors to finalise the process of welcoming Chinese tourists, focusing on preparing scenarios and measures to ensure safety for visitors.

To fulfil its target of welcoming 14-15 million tourists and earning 27 trillion VND (over 1.1 billion USD) this year, the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh, home to Ha Long Bay World Natural Heritage, plans to introduce 24 new products in 2023 in five localities.

Thuy said State management agencies in charge of domestic tourism will coordinate with Chinese authorities and the two countries’ tourism associations to improve the quality of local services, contributing to promoting Quang Ninh's tourism image to international holiday-makers.

In the first two months of this year, Quang Ninh welcomed 3.35 million tourists, doubling that in the same period last year, earning over 6.5 trillion VND.

Dak Lak exhibitions promote world, Vietnamese coffee

Two exhibitions promoting coffee were opened on March 9 in Buon Ma Thuot city, the Central Highland province of Dak Lak, known as the coffee capital of Vietnam.

The thematic exhibition "The history of world coffee" and the photo exhibition "Vietnamese coffee - The journey to create world cultural heritage” are among the 18 main activities of the 8th Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival 2023.

|The first one featured three coffee civilisations through the over-12-century history of the world coffee industry, namely Ottoman, Roman and Zen. Meanwhile, the second one displayed outstanding photos selected from a contest which was held from November 23, 2022 to February 21, 2023 to honour the coffee industry and the  culture of enjoying coffee of Vietnamese people.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee H’Yim Kđoh said that the exhibitions are expected to increase public understanding of coffee culture and history.

He said that he hopes visitors to Dak Lak, in addition to enjoying delicious coffee, can also explore the coffee culture as well as local nature and people, he said.

Many other events are also taking place during the coffee festival, including the Lao water-splashing festival, the wedding ritual of the Ede ethnic group, the masquerade festival of K'Ho ethnic people, playing gongs with local people, and making coffee in Zen, Roman, or Ottoman styles.

The two exhibitions last until May 9.

Localities fighting IUU fishing with strong determination

The southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau will set up three inter-sectoral checkpoints at sea to supervise the operation of fishing vessels in an effort to fight illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Under a decision recently issued by the provincial People’s Committee, the checkpoints, to be located at Sao Mai, Loc An and Binh Chau estuaries, will be allowed to stop all fishing boats traversing the estuaries for paper and equipment examinations.

The committee has also assigned the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to coordinate with competent forces to put forth specific plans on the operation of the checkpoints.

On March 6, it adopted another decision on the issuance of an action plan on the IUU combat, under which the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development was asked to coordinate with other departments and agencies to complete the review of all fishing boats by May 2023.

The registration of fishing boats, fishing licence granting and the installation of vessel monitoring systems (VMS) should have been done by that time, according to the document.

The decision also requested the update of the national fisheries database, as well as inspections and supervisions over fishing boats at border stations and seaports, and those operating at sea.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said up to 2,631 fishing boats with a length of over 15m, or 95% of the total number, have been equipped with the VMS.

The central province of Quang Ngai has also launched a 180-day campaign against wrongdoings in the fishery sector, especially IUU fishing.

Border guards in the locality have established working groups to monitor the observation of fishing regulations at 10 stations.

Tran Vang, captain of fishing boat QNg 98729 TS in Pho Thanh ward, Duc Pho city, said he was fined 25 million VND (1,055 USD) and stripped of his captain license for four months due to the failure in maintaining the VMS.

Lieutenant Colonel Lam Van Vien, head of Sa Ky border station in Quang Ngai city, said forces have been working both on canoes and at checkpoints, and resolute actions have been taken against wrongdoings. 

Quang Ngai is home to 38,000 fishermen and 4,544 fishing boats, of which 3,206 measuring 15m and above in length are operating offshore.

The province has completed the update of the national fisheries database and 77% of the fishing licensing work. More than 98% of the fishing boats have been equipped with the VMS.

Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Ho Trong Phuong said in preparation for the 4th working session with the European Commission (EC)’s inspection team, his department will enhance coordination with other departments and agencies in the IUU combat.

HCM City aims to improve efficiency of Overseas Vietnamese affairs

The Ho Chi Minh City Committee for Overseas Vietnamese (OV) Affairs will continue to renovate itself to further enhance its operational efficiency, thus optimising OV’s contributions to the construction and development of the city in the new period, heard a conference held in the city on March 9 to launch the committee’s tasks in 2023.

This year, the committee will reform its communications activities in promoting the image of Vietnam and HCM City to the world, thus calling for the engagement of foreign investors and OVs in the development and construction of the city and the country.

Along with strengthening the popularisation of the Party and State’s directions and policies as well as the domestic political and socio-economic situation to the Vietnamese community abroad, the committee will provide information on the policies in investment attraction and technology transfer in all spearhead economic sectors.

At the same time, it will coordinate with relevant agencies to conduct annual events for OVs, including Xuan Que huong (Homeland Spring) programme, visits to Truong Sa (Spratly), and summer camps for OV youths.

The committee will strive to enhance performance in connecting OVs and their fellows at home, while calling for their ideas for the growth of the city and country, and giving them favourable conditions to comment on draft policies and laws related to OV affairs.

Speaking at the conference, Vice Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan asked the committee to pay greater attention to the popularisation of the Party and State’s policies and laws, especially those related to OV affairs.

He underlined the need to strengthen the application of information technology to timely update and effectively exploit data on OVs and HCM City citizens living and working abroad.

According to Nguyen Duc Hien, Vice Chairman of the committee, last year, despite COVID-19 impacts, the committee managed to complete all tasks, creating positive changes in OV affairs in all aspects.

Various conferences, seminars and forums were held to strengthen connectivity between OV community and their fellows at home and removing difficulties facing the Vietnamese community abroad, thus attracting the participation and great contributions to the socio-economic recovery and development of the city, he said.

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