Vietnamnet global

15/03/2024 10:06 (GMT+07:00)

VIETNAM NEWS HEADLINES MARCH 15/2024

Upgrade of Vietnam - Australia relations is a natural development step: Spokeswoman

The upgrade of Vietnam - Australia relations to a Comprehensive strategic partnership is a natural development step and in line with the level of relationship between the two countries after more than 50 years of establishment and development, for the common interests and aspirations of the people of the two nations and for peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity in the region and the world, spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said on March 14.

Hang made the statement at the ministry’s regular press conference while answering a reporters’ question about major and prominent cooperation orientations of the newly-established Comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

She said, in the joint statement on the elevation of the relationship issued on the occasion of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s recent official visit to Australia, the two sides outlined six major cooperation directions in the coming time, encompassing both bilateral cooperation, and regional and global issues.

Vietnam and Australia pledged to further develop their relations in all areas and promote the upgraded relationship on the basis of respecting international law as well as sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and political system of each country, she added.

This outcome also embodies the practical implementation of Vietnam's foreign policy outlined in the resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, particularly in further strengthening and deepening relations with partners, especially strategic partners, comprehensive partners, important partners, and traditional friends, towards maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, improving the nation's position and prestige, and contributing to peace, stability, and development in the region and the world, Hang said.

Vietnam consistently pursues the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of international relations, and its "four nos" defence policy; and upholds its role as a responsible member and a reliable partner of the international community, she affirmed.

PM hosts Special Advisor to Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception in Hanoi on March 4 for Takebe Tsutomu, Special Advisor to the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, who is visiting Vietnam in his capacity as Honorary Chairman of the organising board of the ninth Japan-Vietnam Festival in Ho Chi Minh City.

PM Chinh hailed the festival as the first major event during the inaugural year of the Vietnam-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership, which attracted nearly 400,000 visitors on March 9-10.

He thanked Takebe for his wholehearted, inspirational and constructive contributions to fostering the Vietnam-Japan friendly cooperation, especially regarding the construction of the Vietnam-Japan University (VJU).

The PM wished that Takebe would continue to help with concretising the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership through specific projects and programmes across various sectors; stepping up educational cooperation, including upgrading the Japanese Culture and Language Centre at Ha Long University into a centre for Japanese studies, improving the VJU's training quality and opening a semiconductor engineering faculty; and strengthening collaboration with the National Innovation Centre, potentially through the annual organisation of the Japan-Vietnam education festival in October.

He suggested that the special advisor promote local cooperation in investment, trade and tourism alongside cultural and people-to-people exchanges, including the Vietnam Festival in Hokkaido and the Hokkaido Festival in Ha Long this year, which are important components of the new bilateral relationship framework. He also highlighted the importance of enhancing workforce training cooperation and improving working and living conditions for Vietnamese apprentices and workers in Japan.

PM Chinh proposed that Japan consider allocating new-generation Official Development Assistance (ODA) capital to a project on building a rail route from downtown Hanoi to the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park as soon as possible. He explained that such a railway project holds significant importance, including facilitating the development of the VJU, advancing projects within the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) framework and addressing issues related to the Nghi Son oil refinery project.

Takebe, for his part, agreed with the host’s proposals and pledged his continued support for cooperation with Vietnam, especially in areas with promising opportunities as mentioned by the PM.

He also suggested specific measures to bolster bilateral ties, including building an "ecosystem" to support human resources training cooperation, and promoting educational tourism, internship training and labour cooperation.

At present, there are about 520,000 Vietnamese people living, working and studying in Japan, forming the second largest foreign community there and significantly contributing to socio-economic development of both countries.

Vietnamese citizens warned about fraudulent job offers abroad

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs once again recommends that citizens exercise caution when considering job offers abroad that promise "easy work, high salary" without any requirements for qualifications, degrees, signed contracts, or without going through businesses or labour dispatch organisations, said the ministry’s spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang.

She made the statement during the ministry’s regular press conference in Hanoi on March 14 in response to reporters’ queries about the protection of citizens in association with the recent arrests of Vietnamese nationals in Cambodia and Thailand by local authorities for working in fraudulent gambling establishments.

She said according to the Vietnamese Consulate General in Sihanoukville, over 100 Vietnamese citizens illegally working at an online gambling scam facility were arrested and deported by the Cambodian authorities on March 9.

Following the foreign ministry’s directions, the Consulate General coordinated with the Cambodian and domestic authorities to conduct consular procedures and return the citizens through the Prek Chak - Ha Tien international border gate, she added.

According to her, the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand also reported that 18 Vietnamese citizens have been apprehended in Thailand for running gambling scams, directly or indirectly promoting or inviting others to gamble through electronic means without proper authorisation.

She said the embassy will continue closely monitoring the situation and request the relevant authorities to ensure the legal rights and interests of Vietnamese citizens.

In light of these recurring incidents, she urged Vietnamese citizens to thoroughly study the job descriptions, employers, work locations, and the person who referred them, as well as insurance coverage and benefits, to make the right decision before going abroad to work.

Vietnam remains high human development country: UNDP Resident Representative

Vietnam has remained a high human development country through the difficult years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and human development continues to be a focus of the country’s development strategy, UNDP Resident Representative Ramla Khalidi said, as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced its new report on late March 13.

The 2023/24 Human Development Report (HDR), titled “Breaking the Gridlock: Reimagining cooperation in a polarized world”, shows that Vietnam's Human Development Index (HDI) value for 2022 is 0.726, positioning it at 107 out of the 193 countries and territories.

Between 1990 and 2022, the nation's HDI value changed from 0.492 to 0.726, an improvement of nearly 50%. In the 1990s when UNDP introduced the HDI, Vietnam was at the relatively lower end of the ranking, but now it is in the middle of the ranking, having made consistent progress over the past 30 years.

Vietnam ranks 91 out of the 166 countries in the Gender Inequality Index, which considers inequality across three dimensions of reproductive health, empowerment and the labour market. “Vietnam has done well in some respects, for example access to education and labour force participation, however a persistent gender division of labour reserves more stable, highly paid jobs for men, and women still account for a small share of leadership roles in Government, the National Assembly and in the private sector,” she said.

According to the report, uneven development progress is leaving the poorest behind, exacerbating inequality, and stoking political polarisation on a global scale. The result is a dangerous gridlock that must be urgently tackled through collective action.

Vietnam, Canada promote cooperation in climate change response, renewable energy

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha received Canadian Ambassador for Climate Change Catherine Stewart and Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Shawn Perry Steil in Hanoi on March 14.

Discussing the implementation of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) to which Canada is also a member, Ha said that Vietnam has issued the National Power Development Plan in the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050 (PDP VIII) to develop renewable energy to achieve the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Therefore, Vietnam needs support in considering scientific arguments, techniques, technologies, and human resources to solve problems when developing renewable energy.

According to the Deputy PM, although the financial needs to implement JETP were announced, countries need to clarify the cooperation mechanism between government and the private sector, between businesses and international financial institutions. Vietnam hopes that investors will propose ideas, build specific projects, consider legal issues, and then make them national mechanisms and policies.

Ha praised Canada's viewpoints and policies on climate change response and green transition, especially its "Global Carbon Pricing Challenge” initiative, which is important in promoting the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions globally. Vietnam hopes Canada will share experience, methods, and carbon pricing tools to support Vietnam in building a carbon market, Ha said.

For her part, Catherine Stewart agreed with the Vietnamese Deputy PM on the issues relating to the JETP implementation.

She said Canada considers cooperation with Vietnam in implementing the JETP as a model to continue fostering cooperation in environment and climate change.

Regarding Vietnam's renewable energy development plan, she hopes to contribute solutions to this field in Vietnam, especially regarding opportunities for the private sector.

She also expressed her impression of Vietnam's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and hoped that Vietnam will cooperate and support reaching an agreement on reducing marine waste, particularly plastic waste.

Cultural activities planned for Hung Kings’ anniversary 2024

A ceremony marking the anniversary of Hung Kings - the legendary founders of the nation - and the Culture and Tourism Week of Ancestral Land will be held from April 9-18 in the northern province of Phu Tho with various activities.

Traditional rituals will be conducted at the temples dedicated to Lac Long Quan and Au Co in the Hung Kings Temple relic site to express gratitude to the ones who laid the foundation of the country, and incense and flower offering to Hung Kings in various localities.

A highlight of the 10-day ceremony is the opening of the Hung Kings Temple Festival and the Week of UNESCO-listed intangible cultural heritages to be held at Hung Vuong square in Viet Tri city on April 4 (the first day of the third lunar month)

Other activities include exhibitions on Vietnam’s tourism, culture, heritages and sustainable development; a “Viet Tri Live music” street music programme; the northwestern region's tourism fair 2024; the Hung Vuong Cup volleyball tournament; an one commune-one product (OCOP) trade exhibition; a cuisine festival; xoan singing; and firework displays.

Legend has it that Lac Long Quan (real name Sung Lam, son of Kinh Duong Vuong and Than Long Nu) married Au Co (the fairy daughter of De Lai). Au Co then gave birth to a pouch filled with 100 eggs, which later hatched into a hundred sons. However, soon thereafter, the couple separated. Lac Long Quan went to the coast with 50 of the children, while Au Co went to the highlands with the rest.

Their eldest son was made king, who named the country Van Lang and set up the capital in Phong Chau (modern-day Viet Tri city in Phu Tho province), beginning the 18 generations of the Hung Kings.

The kings chose Nghia Linh mountain, the highest in the region, to perform rituals devoted to rice and sun deities to pray for healthy crops.

To honour their great contributions, a complex of temples dedicated to them was built on the mountain, and the 10th day of the third lunar month, which falls on April 29 this year, serves as the national commemorative anniversary for the kings.

The worship of the Hung Kings, closely related to the ancestral worship traditions of most Vietnamese families, was recognised as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2012.

64 Gac Ma martyrs commemorated in Khanh Hoa

A ceremony took place at the Gac Ma memorial site in Cam Lam district, the central province of Khanh Hoa, on March 14 to commemorate the 64 officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Navy who fell down defending Gac Ma (Johnson South) Reef in Vietnam’s Truong Sa, and mark the 36th anniversary of their battle (March 14, 1988 – 2024).

At the event, the provincial administration and labour federation, representatives from military units stationed in Naval Zone 4, veterans, and families of the martyrs paid tribute to and laid wreaths in memory of the group.

Colonel Pham Van Tho, Political Commissar of 146th Brigade – the navy unit in charge of Truong Sa island district, affirmed this is a special occasion for instilling pride and the tradition of defending maritime sovereignty passed down by previous generations to officers and soldiers serving in the unit.

He said the young generation always remembers and highly values the contributions by the martyrs, and is determined to safeguard the country’s sovereignty over its sea and islands.

Veteran Le Van Thoa, who participated in the Gac Ma battle, expressed his hope that current and future generations will continue to uphold the noble tradition of the nation and be ready to defend the sovereignty of their homeland.

On March 14, 1988, 64 naval soldiers of Vietnam fell down while defending the national flag planted on Gac Ma and affirming the country’s sea and island sovereignty. Their brave deaths were honoured with a monument named “Nhung nguoi nam lai phia chan troi” (Those who laid down their lives on the horizon) at the memorial site.

Between 2017 and now, more than 600,000 people have visited the site.

NA Standing Committee convenes 31st session

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue chaired the opening ceremony of the NA Standing Committee’s 31st session in Hanoi on March 14.

In his opening remarks, Hue said that during the three-and-a-half-day session, the NA Standing Committee will discuss seven draft laws before submitting them to the legislature’s seventh plenary session for consideration and approval.

They include the draft Capital Law (amended), the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Asset Auctions, the draft Law on Social Insurance (amended), the draft Law on Road Traffic, the draft Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety, the draft Law on Defence and Security Industries and Industry Mobilisation, and the draft Law on Organisation of People's Courts (revised).

The top legislator requested deputies to give their opinions on each field and other related fields, and actively contribute ideas to ensure the best quality of these draft laws, especially those with difficult contents and different opinions.

The NA Standing Committee will also review the legislature's ombudsman work report in February 2024, and organise question-and-answer activities.

Regarding decisions on important issues, it will consider and make decisions on the establishment of An Dien and An Tay wards in Ben Cat township, and Ben Cat city in the southern province of Binh Duong; and the establishment and arrangement of wards in Go Cong township, and the establishment of Go Cong city in the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang.

Personnel work is also scheduled to be tabled during this meeting.

Right after the opening session, NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Khac Dinh chaired a discussion on the explanation, acquisition and revision of the draft Capital Law (amended).

Vietnamese victims in Red Sea attack heading back home

The three Vietnamese sailors surviving a missile attack on True Confidence, a Barbados-flagged cargo ship, by Houthi forces off the coast of Yemen on March 6 are set to arrive in Hanoi on March 14.

The sailors, departing Djibouti airport on March 13, are Pham Van Thanh, born in 1985 from the northern port city of Hai Phong; Nguyen Van Tao, born in 1988 from the northern province of Hai Duong; and Phung Van An, born in 1991 from the northern province of Nam Dinh.

Meanwhile, the remains of Dang Duy Kien, who was killed the attack, will be repatriated as soon as possible, pending the completion of necessary procedures, the Vietnamese Embassy in Cairo said.

Since the incident occurred, it has kept a close watch on the situation, directly communicated with and given encouragement to the sailors. It also dispatched consular personnel to Djibouti to visit and support the sailors, while coordinating with relevant authorities there and the parties concerned to complete procedures for the repatriation of the deceased’s remains.

Authorities investigate two cases of illegal deforestation in Mang Yang

On March 14, the Gia Lai Forest Protection Department announced that law enforcement agencies are actively coordinating to investigate two cases of illegal deforestation in Kon Chiêng Commune, Mang Yang District.

Based on the report from the Gia Lai Provincial Forest Protection Department, forest rangers and local authorities in Kon Chiêng Commune discovered two cases of illegal forest exploitation during inspection patrols on March 5th. These occurrences took place in sub-areas 580 and 585, falling within the administrative boundaries of Kon Chiêng Commune, Mang Yang District. The total deforested area amounted to 3,600 square meters.

The first area, encompassing 1,500 square metres, was designated as a production forest with broad-leaved trees in a deteriorating condition. This forest fell under the jurisdiction of Ktu Village in Kon Chiêng Commune. Upon inspection of the entire area, which had been subjected to burning and clearance, investigators discovered 20 logs ranging from 18 to 22 centimetres in diameter, evidently felled with a chainsaw. During the investigation, the Kon Chiêng Commune police identified a suspect, a 30-year-old man named Jim, residing in Kon Dơng Town, Mang Yang District.

The second site, located in sub-area 585, comprised a deforested area of 2,100 square metres within a production forest featuring broad-leaved trees undergoing restoration. This area was also under the management of Ktu Village in Kon Chiêng Commune, within the administrative boundaries of Mang Yang District.

Similar to the first location, the entire area had been subjected to burning and clearance, leaving behind five tree trunks with diameters ranging from eight to 15 centimetres, indicating chainsaw cutting. The Kon Chiêng Commune police have identified a suspect and are actively pursuing the investigation.

The Provincial Forest Protection Department has instructed the Mang Yang District Forest Protection Team, the mobile Forest Protection Team, and Fire Prevention and Control Unit No. 1 to collaborate promptly with the People's Committee of Kon Chiêng Commune, along with relevant agencies and units. Their task is to continue the investigation at the scene, identify offenders, and gather evidence to enforce penalties rigorously for illegal deforestation in Kon Chiêng Commune, in accordance with the law. Furthermore, they are urged to enhance management measures, forest protection efforts, and public awareness campaigns to deter involvement in deforestation activities.

Vietnam, Croatia promote cooperation

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang and State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia Frano Matusic on March 12 co-chaired a political consultation between the two foreign ministries, aiming to review bilateral cooperation and seek ways to promote relations in the coming time, as well as exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Hang affirmed that Vietnam always wants to strengthen traditional friendship with countries in the Balkans, of which Croatia is a priority, and congratulated Croatia on becoming an official member of the Eurozone and the Schengen Area, which contributes to enhancing its position and role in the European Union (EU) as well as in the international arena.

For his part, Frano Matusic expressed his impression of Vietnam's achievements in socio-economic development and international integration and affirmed a desire to enhance cooperation with the Southeast Asia nation in traditional fields such as trade and investment while expanding to new fields such as logistics, digital economy, new energy, education-training and labour.

He held that Croatia is willing to cooperate and share experience with Vietnam on sustainable tourism development.

Croatia has demand for skilled labour in the fields of construction and tourism, the diplomat said, emphasising the potential for cooperation in the field of logistics, bringing Vietnamese goods through Croatia's Rijeka port to Central and Eastern Europe and EU countries.

Deputy Minister Hang suggested Croatia create favourable conditions for Vietnam's agricultural products such as coffee, tropical fruits, textile products, and footwear to enter its market.

Regarding cooperation orientations in the coming time, the two sides agreed to increase the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially high-level ones, thereby strengthening political trust and creating momentum to promote collaboration in all fields. They also consented to consider establishing new cooperation mechanisms to further effectively exploit the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), as well as enhance cooperation in other fields such as security, defence, science-technology and education.

Hang took the occasion to thank Croatia for being one of the first EU member countries to ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and call on the Croatian side to persuade the remaining 10 EU countries to soon ratify the EVIPA and support the European Commission (EC) to soon remove the "yellow card" warning imposed on Vietnam's seafood.

The two sides agreed to coordinate to successfully organise cultural and art exchange activities in each country in 2024 on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties and closely coordinate at multilateral forums such as the United Nations and within the ASEAN - EU framework.

Discussing international and regional issues of mutual concern, they underscored the need to resolve conflicts by peaceful means on the basis of international law and respect for the UN Charter.

Regarding the situation in the East Sea, both sides emphasised the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, respecting international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and support the negotiation process of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) between ASEAN and China.

Association's role in forging Vietnam-Laos friendship highly valued

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung hailed the General Association of Vietnamese People in the neighbouring country for its performance over the past time, while addressing a ceremony marking its 15th anniversary in Vientiane on March 14.

The association has contributed to raising the Vietnamese community’s position in Laos, maintaining solidarity among the overseas Vietnamese (OVs), and strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, he said.

The diplomat asked the association to reform its operation and continue to serve as a firm pillar for the about 100,000-strong Vietnamese community, and affirmed that the embassy stands ready to support its community activities.

Association President Pham Van Hung briefed the participants on its formation and development, as well as its operation orientations in the coming years.

Accordingly, the association, which covers 16 out of the 18 Lao cities and provinces, will regularly provide updates on common policies and cooperation programmes and plans between the two countries for the OVs, expand its operation to the remaining Lao localities – Vientiane and Xaysomboun, and launch more patriotic emulation movements.

It will also propose Lao authorities to recognise the Vietnamese community as an ethnic minority group in the country as soon as possible, Hung said.

National football squads receive sponsorship boost ahead of big competitions

Việt Nam Football Federation (VFF) has recognised Acecook Việt Nam as a Top Star Partner, the highest level of sponsorship, at a ceremony held in Hà Nội on March 14.

Sharing a common target of lifting Vietnamese football to a new height, Acecook Việt Nam promised to support the national football governing body and national squads in the period of 2024-27.

Accordingly, the leading manufacturer of foodstuffs in Việt Nam will support the national men's and women's senior teams and the U22/U23/Olympic squads to reach their training and competition goals.

As a Top Star Partner, Acecook's logo will be placed on the chest of the training jerseys of all teams.

"Acecook Việt Nam's commitment strongly encourages social community trust and responsibility to elevate Vietnamese football, pushing the national football teams to earn more achievements and reach new heights," VFF General Secretary Dương Nghiệp Khôi said.

In its six years sponsoring Việt Nam football, Acecook has not only supported the national teams but also youth football as they joined hands at events such as the U13 Việt Nam-Japan tournament, the 2023 National U15 Football Championship and the Việt Nam Student and Youth Football Tournament in 2023 and 2024.

"Our company's core values are associated with the three ideas of Happy Customers, Happy Employees and Happy Society. About the third one, Happy Society, we want to bring the best things to Việt Nam and its people," said Kaneda Hiroki, Acecook Việt Nam General Secretary. "It is our honour to support the Vietnamese national football. Elevating Việt Nam football is the dream of the entire nation and also Acecook Việt Nam."

Also on March 14, VFF and Acecook Việt Nam organised a football camp for more than 100 children from four SOS Villages in Hà Nội, Hải Phòng, Thái Bình and Việt Trì who had a chance to practise and play football with national team players.

The activity was expected to spread and enhance the spirit of sports in the community towards a healthy and happy Vietnamese society.

The national senior team will have two 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Indonesia on March 21 and 26.

Meanwhile, the U23 team will prepare for its friendly against Tajikistan next week and the Asian Cup in April.

Many new books introduced at HCM City book fair

The 2024 Xuyên Việt (Across Việt Nam) Book Fair is taking place at HCM City Book Street (Nguyễn Văn Bình Street, District 1), providing many new books at special discount prices.

The book fair, themed “Spreading knowledge - Sharing dreams”, is organised by six reputable publishing houses: Youth Publishing House, Nhã Nam, Đinh Tị, Thái Hà Books, Saigon Books, and Minh Long Books.

With over 16,000 titles in various genres, the book fair meets the diverse needs of readers, offering books on psychology, business, marketing, children's literature, comics, history, culture, and science.

It runs everyday from 8am to 9.30pm till March 17.

Throughout the book fair, there will also be a programme to donate books to build a library at Ba Tầng Ethnic Primary and Secondary School in Hướng Hoá District, Quảng Trị Province.

After years of using classrooms as libraries with limited space, the school is investing in a new library, which is expected to be completed by mid-April.

As part of the fair, visitors can donate books suitable for primary and secondary students to the school to help students and teachers have access to a wider range of books.

When the library is put into service, it will help foster reading habits and culture among the students.

The book fair was first organised in April, 2021 in HCM City. After that, it has been held around Việt Nam in cities such as Huế, Đà Nẵng and Phú Yên.

Youprayong leads first round of Lexus Challenge 2024

Thai golfers took the top three positions when the Lexus Challenge 2024's first round was halted because of poor light condition at The Bluffs Grand Hồ Tràm Golf Course in Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Province.

Runchanapong Youprayong was the best player. He made a double bogey on hole No 4 but came back with five birdies and one eagle, shooting 5-under 67 to place first

He was followed by Itthipat Buranatanyarat who shot 4-under 68 and Sangchai Kaewcharoen with 3-under 69.

The best local athlete was Trương Chí Quân, who had a score of 2-over 74.

The Lexus Challenge 2024 tournament, a joint event of the Việt Nam Golf Association Tour and the Asian Development Tour, takes place from March 13-15.

As many as 140 domestic and international professional and amateur athletes will vie for a total of US$85,000.

The tournament will be broadcast live on the official channels of VGA Tour, vHandicap, GolfNewsTV and other platforms and apps such as ClipTV, THVLi, VTV Go, MyTV, Onlala and FPT Play.

Ken Kudo, Associate Director of Partnerships at ADT, said the Lexus Challenge was the opening event for ADT's 2024 season. He believed that ADT was the ideal platform for good Vietnamese professional and amateur golfers to pursue their dream of playing professional golf in an international arena.

The competition was a bridge for professional athletes of the VGA Tour to get closer to the Asian Tour.

"Việt Nam is home to many golf talents, and with more and more co-sponsored events between the VGA Tour and ADT, we can definitely turn these talents into names known in the world," Kudo said.

Henrique shines to help Thể Công-Viettel advance in National Cup

Pedro Henrique scored the only goal of the match to help Thể Công-Viettel beat Hà Nội Police in the second round of the National Cup on March 13 in Hà Nội.

Brazilian Henrique only recently joined the team and has had just a few days working with his teammates. But that didn't stop him shining in his debut in the Việt Nam's domestic league.

Taking the ball from midfielder Khuất Văn Khang, Henrique left the Police's defenders Hồ Tấn Tài and Huỳnh Tấn Sinh behind to set up a one-on-one with national keeper Nguyễn Filip. Showing no mercy, Henrique rounded Filip easily and found the back of the net in the 63rd minute.

Four minutes later young striker Trần Danh Trung converted a smart pass from Golden Ball winner Nguyễn Hoàng Đức to beat Filip for the second time. Unfortunately, he was off-side.

The Police were forced to open more attacks to find an equaliser. However all of their attempts did not work, breaking their trophy target this season.

Playing away ground, Nam Định needed to score only one goal to take a win over Bình Định.

Hendrio Araujo Dasilva's winner near the end of the first half was enough to push Nam Định to the quarter-finals, nurturing their dream of title double as the team are currently leader the national premier league.

At Long An Stadium, Becamex Bình Dương met no problems to beat Long An 3-1.

Bùi Vĩ Hào and Nguyễn Tiến Linh pushed the visiting side ahead scoring in the 45th and 80th minutes.

Trần Văn Anh Vũ pulled one back in the 82nd minutes.

However, Nguyễn Hải Huy found the back of the net in the last seconds of the game.

In the last match which was the big surprise of this round, lower-division side SHB Đà Nẵng sent V.League 1 representative Sông Lam Nghệ An out of the Cup after a 1-0 win.

Đà Nẵng managed to convert their only chance into goal by Nguyễn Minh Quang in the 65th minute.

Meanwhile Sông Lam Nghệ An wasted many chances in the match.

The quarter-finals will be confirmed later after players finish their national team duties for the 2026 World Cup qualification and the Asian U23 Cup.

Kuzmina pedals pass strong rivals to win Bình Dương Int’l eighth stage

Marina Kuzmina's outstanding performance on March 13 helped her win the eighth stage of the Bình Dương International Women's Cycling Tournament.

The flat route of 116km from Phan Thiết City to La Gi Town of Bình Thuận Province provided perfect conditions for cyclists to up their speed.

Although the lead rotated in the early stages, it was Kuzmina who eventually took control, creating a two minute gap ahead of the racing pack.

The member of the Kazakhstan national team crossed the finish line first after 2.48.55.

She was followed by Lâm Thị Kim Ngân of Lộc Trời Group and Krog Maritony of the Philippine national team.

Maneephan Jutatip of Thailand kept the blue jersey after she earned 10 important points from this stage.

Natalia Frolova, foreign rider of Biwase Bình Dương was among the second group crossing the line. It helped her maintain on top of the overall ranking.

Gulnaz Khatuntnseva of ION Gold Biwase and Yurina Kinoshita of Gerbera team were second and third, respectively.

Biwase Bình Dương returned to the top position in the team's ranking.

Lộc Trời Group were close behind while Thailand were at third with a 17-minute gap with the leader.

The ninth stage will be on 115km from La Gi to Bà Rịa Vũng Tàu Province.

Vietnam to play Thailand at Asian women’s U20 volleyball championship

Vietnam will compete in Group C at the 22nd Asian women’s U20 volleyball championship alongside Thailand and Iran following the Asian Volleyball Confederation’s draw on March 12.

Group A consists of China, Kazakhstan, and Australia; while Group B features Japan, Indonesia, and Hong Kong (China).

Group D brings together the Republic of Korea, Taipei (China), and New Zealand.

All the 12 teams will compete in Jiangmen, China, from July 1 to 8.

In 2016, the Vietnamese team secured the fourth-place position in the Asian tournament.

The Asian Women's U20 Volleyball Championship has been held every two years since 1980. The top two teams qualify for the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Volleyball Women’s U21 World Championship. Japan are the defending champions and this is their seventh title taken in the 2022 tournament.

Rare eagle rescued in Bac Giang

A rare and endangered eastern imperial eagle (Aquila Heliaca) has been found in a garden in the northern province of Bac Giang and rescued by a local.

The juvenile eagle landed at the garden in Mai Trung Commune in Hiep Hoa District and was unable to fly.

The eagle has been handed over to Cuc Phuong National Park

Resident Nguyen Van Que, took the animal home and placed it in a cage. He then contacted the Wildlife Rescue, Conservation and Development Centre of Cuc Phuong National Park.

On Tuesday, the eagle was handed over to the centre.

The eastern imperial eagle is an extremely rare and endangered animal listed in the Red Data Book of Vietnam and the IUCN Red List.

Nha Trang chicken rice restaurant suspended after mass poisoning

A famous chicken rice restaurant in Nha Trang City in the southern central province of Khanh Hoa has been suspended after up to 60 guests were poisoned.
The incident occurred at Tram Anh Chicken Rice Restaurant on Ba Trieu Street on March 11.

According to Bui Xuan Minh, director of Khanh Hoa’s Department of Health, by Tuesday evening, 40 people were still being monitored in hospitals in Nha Trang, while another 20 had been discharged. People were hospitalised due to abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, and fatigue.

Food samples were collected for testing, Minh said, adding local hospitals are focusing on the treatment of the patients. Following the incident, Nha Trang authorities requested the restaurant to close during the investigation.

Tram Anh is famous for the dish and attracts hundreds of customers, including many tourists. A restaurant representative apologised for the poisoning incident and visited the patients in the hospital.

Plan to protect biodiversity of Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve unveiled

The People's Committee of central Nghe An province has unveiled a comprehensive plan to manage and protect the environment of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve until 2027, with a vision to 2030.

The plan aims to address environmental degradation of the natural heritage site, conserve biodiversity; support research, monitoring, training and community education on conservation practices and sustainable development, contributing to socio-economic development and climate change adaptation.

Nghe An set a goal of developing ecological economic models through socio-economic development activities, efficient exploitation and sustainable management of forest natural resources and unique cultural values of the community. It will leverage multi-functional values of forest ecosystem, payment for forest environmental services, carbon credit trading, ecotourism development, landscape preservation closely linked with biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation, towards improving people’s income in the western Nghe An region.

The Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve was officially recognised by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve on September 18, 2007, with a total area of 1,299,795ha, the largest in Southeast Asia. It serves as a green corridor connecting three core zones, including Pu Mat National Park, Pu Huong Nature Reserve and Pu Hoat Nature Reserve.

This area boasts a high level of biodiversity with a rich variety of species, ecosystems and gene sources of plants. It has recorded 3,627 plant species belonging to 1,184 genera, 205 families, and 39 orders, along with 480 genera and 942 vertebrate species and over 1,000 insect species. It is home to many endangered and rare plant species, including 134 species listed in the 2007 Vietnam Red Data Book, 20 species listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened and Endangered Species 2021, and a wealth of valuable medicinal plants.

5,000 runners to attend "Run for the Heart" charity event

Run For The Heart 2024, the 10th annual charity run of its kind, is scheduled to take place on March 23 at Yen So Park in Hanoi, according to details given by the organising board.

The event is due to attract the participation of about 5,000 runners and aims to raise funds for children suffering from congenital heart defects.

The race offers options for families and children with a three km Fun Run and a 10 km Pro Run for competitive athletes.

The highlight of the event this year will be interesting music performances which will be set up at each stop.

During the last nine runs, the charity programme has raised over VND40 billion, thereby providing life-saving surgeries for 1,549 children.

Run For The Heart 2024 is expected to raise more than VND5.5 billion.

HCM City to relocate 100 families for bridge-road construction

Hồ Chí Minh City authorities are gearing up to reclaim land from 100 households and 25 organisations for the construction of the Nguyễn Khoái Bridge-Road, linking Districts 7, 4, and 1, with a compensation budget exceeding VNĐ1 trillion.

Approved by the Hồ Chí Minh City People's Committee, the Nguyễn Khoái Bridge-Road project is part of the city's 2024 land reclamation initiatives aimed at economic and social advancement. Approximately 1.7 hectares of land in District 4 will be reclaimed this year, contributing to the overall 11.3-hectare project scope. Notably, no land clearance is required in Districts 1 and 7.

Following project approval, local authorities, led by the Department of Transport, will facilitate compensation, support, resettlement, and technical infrastructure relocation processes. Construction of select bridge and road sections in District 1 is anticipated to commence in the fourth quarter of this year. By 2025, compensation efforts will conclude, enabling the full handover of land for construction. The project is slated for completion within two years.

Spanning the Tẻ Canal and Bến Nghé Canal, the Nguyễn Khoái Bridge-Road project aims to connect the city's southern region with the central area, backed by a total investment of VNĐ3.7 trillion. Adjustments to the project's investment plan were made by the Hồ Chí Minh City People's Council in December 2023 to accommodate changes in implementation scale.

With a nearly 5 km total length, the project includes a bridge section spanning about 2.5 km, with widths ranging from 6.5 to 25.5 meters, and a road section exceeding 2.3 km, with widths between 26.5 and 61.5 meters. Commencing from D1 Street, the main bridge section traverses the Tẻ Canal via the Nguyễn Khoái Street bridge, continuing over the Bến Nghé Canal and connecting to Võ Văn Kiệt Street in District 1.

In addition to the primary route, the project encompasses branch connections with lower streets.

Draft Law on Geology and Minerals under review, stressing resource management

Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà emphasised the management of mineral mining, trade and processing as he chaired a review meeting of the draft Law on Geology and Minerals on Wednesday.

The draft law designates the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) as the state agency in charge of geological and mineral planning and assessment.

The MoNRE will also coordinate with the Ministry of Construction (MoC) and Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) to develop and approve plans and surveys related to geology and minerals, as well as the standard regulations, procedures and appraisal of evaluation agencies in the field.

The ministries will also work on a regulation that specifies fees for mineral mining permission, taking into account the pricing on the global markets.

Deputy PM Hà also reviewed the bidding activities for minerals of special significance and high economic value as recognised by the government, in addition to the National Mineral Reserve Assessment Council’s authority and responsibilities towards state-funded mineral survey results and reports to increase mineral reserves.

According to the MoNRE, the draft will make into law the Party and the State directions on natural resource management, environmental protection and strategy for geology and the mineral mining industry to 2030, with a vision towards 2045.

The document will also establish a comprehensive legal framework for the protection of unexploited geological resources and minerals, strengthening labour safety in mineral mining, and balancing the interests of the organisations and individuals in the industry with that of the state and the local communities.

More authority is also expected to be given to the local government regarding mineral-related activities.

The provisions in the draft will comply with the constitution and existing laws and must ensure clarity, feasibility and stakeholders’ responsibilities to promote investments and the state management capacity for this industry.

Notable content of the draft law includes regulations on basic geological surveys; exceptions where mineral mining is allowed without mineral planning; exploiting mineral water, hot springs and underwater minerals; mineral mine closure; mineral survey approval; and managing the sand and gravel volume in the bed of rivers and lakes and in coastal areas.

As part of the drafting process, the MoNRE has reviewed and created compliance reports in comparison with 44 existing laws and codes, particularly the Civil Code and the laws on investment, state budget, forestry, land, environmental protection and cultural heritage.

Discussions at the meeting also touched on the adjustments of the draft law compared to the current law on mineral, river and coastal sand mining, as well as class IV minerals, which include clays, hill and rocky soils for ground levelling and mining waste.