Employees at the Company for Vaccine and Biological Production No 1 (VABIOTECH) examine proteins in COVID-19 vaccine

 

The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) is speeding up research programmes facilitating the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, especially vaccine research, Deputy Minister Le Xuan Dinh has said.

The ministry will focus on updating information in science and technology as well as technical standards for preventing and fighting COVID-19. It is also to take the initiative in mobilising resources for research and bolstering international cooperation in vaccine production.

In particular, it will push ahead with the implementation of agreements and memoranda of understanding at the highest level, with various partners including Israel, China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, among others, as well as with international research programmes.

It will seek to connect with major forums to gain experience, share effective COVID-19 prevention measures with international friends, and promote Vietnam’s achievements and products in the field.

The ministry has also called for effectiveness in regional and global science and technology networks to provide information on COVID-19 and help tackle the pandemic, raising Vietnam’s prestige and influence in the international arena.

The Directorate of Standards, Metrology, and Quality is to support relevant enterprises in regard to technical standards in preventive measures. It will arrange free training on the management and registration of codes and barcodes to stabilise operations and improve productivity in the post-pandemic period.

MoST last year approved and rolled out 10 urgent tasks to heighten capacity in fighting the pandemic./.

Vietnam reports seven new COVID-19 cases on March 17 afternoon

Vietnam recorded seven new COVID-19 cases, including five imported, in the past 12 hours to 6pm on March 17, according to the Ministry of Health.

The five imported cases were quarantined right upon their arrival, while two others were reported in the northern province of Hai Duong.

The new patients brought the country’s total count to 2,567, including 1,599 domestically-transmitted cases.

According to the Medical Examination and Treatment Department under the Ministry of Health, 40 more patients were given the all-clear, bringing the total recoveries to 2,198. The fatalities remained at 35.

Among the active patients undergoing treatment, 37 tested negative for the virus once, 18 twice and 63 thrice.

As many as 36,923 people who had close contact with confirmed COVID-19 patients or entered Vietnam from pandemic-hit regions are being quarantined across the country, including 496 in hospitals, 17,396 in state-designated establishments and 19,031 at their residences./.

Man to appear in court over Vietnamese lorry deaths

A 23-year-old man from Northern Ireland was due to appear in court in England later today (UK time) charged in connection with the deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants.

Caolan Gormley, 23, of Caledon, County Tyrone, will answer a charge of conspiracy to assist illegal immigration.

He is scheduled to appear at Southend Magistrate’s Court in Essex 11am Wednesday, UK time.

Essex Police made the announcement on Tuesday evening, but due to court proceedings getting underway, no further details were released.

In January, seven men were jailed for a total of more than 92 years in connection with the 39 Vietnamese citizens found dead at the back of a lorry in the United Kingdom in October 2019.

Ronan Hughes, 41 and Gheorghe Nica, 43, were leading figures in the people smuggling operation. They were jailed for 20 and 27 years respectively.

Lorry driver Eamon Harrison, 24, was given 18 years and fellow driver Maurice Robinson, 26, 13 years and four months.

Christopher Kennedy, 24, from County Armagh, was jailed for seven years; Valentin Calota, 38, of Birmingham, for four-and-a-half years; and Alexandru-Ovidiu Hanga, 28, of Hobart Road, Tilbury, Essex, was given a three-year sentence. 

Minister of Health underscores continued safety of AstraZeneca vaccination

Vietnam has so far recorded no blood clot cases after conducting injections of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, while health facilities are set to press ahead with the safe inoculation process.

Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long told a cabinet meeting held on March 17 with localities nationwide that control of the COVID-19 pandemic depends heavily on the development and rollout of vaccines. However, the supply of imported vaccines currently remains limited, with locally-produced COVID-19 vaccines not set to be used until 2022.

In line with this, the Ministry of Health recommends the continued use of simple, economical, and effective anti-pandemic measures that are suitable for the current situation.

Referring to reactions detected following the AstraZeneca vaccination as a matter of public concern, Minister Long stated that a total 20,695 medical and other frontline workers nationwide have been vaccinated against COVID-19 as of March 16.

Of the total, 4,078 cases recorded common reactions after injection. Only five people had a severe reaction of degree two anaphylaxis and one case of degree three anaphylaxis. These cases were handled in a prompt manner, with all recipients now in a stable health condition.

With regard to progress in terms of COVID-19 vaccination campaign, Minister Long said that the Ministry of Health has successfully submitted a dossier to the COVAX Facility Program, with the scheme set to provide free vaccines and vaccination supplies in the form of approximately 30 million doses. This will see COVAX supply the country with the first batch of roughly 4.1 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine by May.

The Ministry of Health is also urgently working alongside COVAX in order to accelerate the supply of vaccines to the country.

With regard to the other supply sources, the Ministry of Health will continue to negotiate with other companies in order to diversify supplies. It is also working alongside Pfizer in the hope of receiving 30 million doses from the manufacturer over the course of this year.

Furthermore, the Ministry is also negotiating on purchasing vaccines from manufacturers in the United States such as Johnson & Johnson and Moderna, alongside the Russian Investment Fund.

Along with imported vaccine sources, homegrown vaccines, including Nanocovax developed by the Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Company , moved onto the second  phase of human clinical trials on February 26, and the Covivac vaccine developed by the Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC)  initially began clinical trials on March 15.

In a report sent to the Government on COVID-19 prevention and control over the past year, Minister Long said that the pandemic will continue with complicated developments and may last for the next one to two years. This is largely due to the pandemic not showing signs of abating in Europe, Asia, or America, although many countries are speeding up their respective vaccination campaigns.

"Vietnam has basically contained the pandemic as it prevented it from spreading widely in the community. However, the risk of fresh outbreaks is always present, especially in big cities with a high population density and local transmission due to illegal entry," said Minister Long.

The latest outbreak in Hai Duong and 12 provinces and cities has been successfully controlled.  Indeed, the Vietnamese government also adopted timely and proper policies aimed at stepping up support for businesses and people to overcome difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The country has also become a bright spot in meeting the dual goal of pandemic prevention and control and socio-economic development, the Health Minister added.

Nearly 20,700 Vietnamese inoculated with COVID-19 vaccine

A total 20,695 medical and other frontline workers nationwide got the COVID-19 shots as of March 16, according to the National Expanded Programme on Immunisation.

Reports from the vaccination sites indicate normal post-injection reactions, including fever, redness, swelling, tiredness, headache, muscle pain and nausea.

The ministry of Health on March 17 said that Vietnam logged no COVID-19 cases in the past 12 hours as of 6:00 am on the day.

The country documented 1,597 domestically-transmitted infections, including 904 cases since the latest outbreak hit Hai Duong province and some other northern localities on January 27.

As many as 39,923 people who came in close contact with COVID-19 patients or arrived from pandemic-hit areas are under quarantine nationwide, including 496 at hospitals, 17,396 at other quarantine sites, and 19,031 at home.

The Treatment Sub-committee said that 2,186 patients have been declared clear of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 so far.

Among the patients under treatment, 40 have tested negative for the virus once, 22 twice, and 82 thrice.

In a bid to live safely with the pandemic, people should strictly follow the Ministry of Health’s 5K message: khau trang (facemask), khu khuan (disinfection), khoang cach (distance), khong tu tap (no gathering) and khai bao y te (health declaration)./.

Communist Youth Union's leader holds dialogue with youngsters, children

First Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) Central Committee Nguyen Anh Tuan on March 16 held a dialogue with young people and children across the country and abroad with connections with 70 locations.

At the event, Tuan, who is also President of the Vietnam Youth Federation and Chairman of the National Committee on Youth of Vietnam, briefed participants on policies of the Party and the State related to young peole and children, as well as operations of the HCYU in caring for and educating the youth, while listening to their aspirations and proposals.

Tuan underlined the significance of youngsters’ trust, mettle and aspirations, which have been shown by the success of many outstanding young people in many areas.

Regarding the operation of the HCYU over the years, he said that the union’s movements and programmes have been renovated with higher efficiency.

Particularly, amid impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters, the union at all levels have applied flexible methods in implementing its movements, with focus on optimising digital platforms, IT, mass media and social networks, he noted.

According to Tuan, in the future, in order to improve the effectiveness of the movements, it is necessary to continue enhancing the capacity of the union’s personnel, while renovating operation contents and methods, and promoting the application of digital communications with the centre being the youth.

Meanwhile, it is necessary to design different programmes for different groups of youths and children, thus promoting their self-study spirit and creativity amid challenges and opportunities from the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the country’s broad and deep international integration.

Responding to a question on the union’s support to members and youngsters in accessing capital sources and startup knowledge and skills, Tuan said that in the project to assist the youth in startup in the 2017-2022 period, the union defined five major solutions, including the provision of knowledge and skills to young people in the field.

Currently, there are three major capital sources for youth startups, including those from policy credits, the National Target Programmes on Employment, angle and adventurous funds, investors, commercial banks, and from localities through funds for youth startup support, he said.

So far, 28 localities nationwide have formed trusted capital funds to assist youngsters in launching startups, he noted, stressing that the union will work to improve access to the capital sources and strengthen connectivity among startups.

In order to reinforce trust among youngsters and inspire them in national construction and development, Tuan held that the union should promote youngsters’ role in parallel with helping them enhance their capacity.

He also advised youngsters to be clearly aware of their responsibility and position in their families and society./.

Quang Ngai commemorates victims of Son My massacre

An incense offering ceremony was held on March 16 to commemorate 504 victims of a massacre by US troops 53 years ago in Son My village, Tinh Khe commune of Quang Ngai city, the central province of Quang Ngai.

At the Son My relic site, participants, including alive victims and local residents, mourned for the deceased and prayed for a peaceful world – the foundation for a sustainable future.

Billy Kelly, a US war veteran who used to fight in Vietnam, sent 504 roses to the ceremony as offerings to the 504 civilians killed in the massacre.

On March 16, 1968, US troops raided Son My village and killed 504 innocent civilians within four hours.

The incident went down in history as a pain of Son My residents, as well as the Vietnamese people.

The incense offering ceremony was held by the Quang Ngai Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism./.

National Assembly leader works with election committee of Can Tho

National Assembly Chairwoman and head of the National Election Council Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan had a working session with the Steering Committee for Elections of the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on March 16.

It was reported at the session that Can Tho has set up 93 Election Committees at all levels, including one at municipal level, nine at district level and 83 at communal level.

As of March 14, the city Election Committee had received nomination documents of 15 candidates for the 15th NA election, and 108 candidates for the election of the municipal People’s Council in the 2021-2026 tenure.

The number of candidates, both nominated and self-nominated, for the election of deputies to People’s Councils at district and commune levels totals 4,801.

Speaking at the working session, the NA leader emphasized the importance of the upcoming general election as one of the major political events of the country this year.

She lauded the city’s preparations for the elections which have been implemented smoothly with good progress in line with relevant guidelines.

She asked the city to increase communications on the elections, which are slated for May 23, and reminded the city to have plans to ensure health and safety for voters amid the complicated COVID-19 developments.

The same day, the top legislator and the NA deputy delegation of Can Tho had a meeting with leaders of local agencies.

At the meeting, Nguyen Thanh Xuan, deputy head of the delegation briefed participants on the planned agenda of the 11th session of the 15th NA and voters’ opinions sent to the session. He said that voters lauded the NA’s operation efficiency amid COVID-19 pandemic, while expressing their hope that the NA will continue to renovate itself and enhance its effectiveness in the period of building digital administration, digital economy and digital society.

NA Chairwoman Ngan said that the NA is working hard to continue reforming itself for better efficiency, noting that four NA sessions had been held without using paper.

Responding to a proposal of Nguyen Quang Nghi, Director of the city Department of Finance on special mechanisms and policies for Can Tho in investment and finance as well as decentralization, the NA leader said that Can Tho should learn experience from localities that have applied special mechanisms and policies and submit a proposal to the 15th NA on policies that it deems as necessary.

She expressed delight at the growth of Can Tho over the past five years, especially in 2019 and 2020 when natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic posed adverse impacts on the city and whole country.

Can Tho recorded average growth of 7.53 percent annually, with per capita income reaching 97.2 million VND per year. The city’s economic scale reached 120 trillion VND in 2020, 1.63 times higher than that in 2015.

However, she pointed to the uneven socio-economic development in the city, noting that the city has not been able to optimise its potential and advantages.

She asked the locality to focus on analyzing its advantages and difficulties, while giving forecast on the future situation, so as to fully exploit its strengths, while strengthening connectivity with regional localities, and promoting investment and trade promotion.

Ngan also advised Can Tho to pay greater attention to harmonizing economic and cultural development to enhance the quality of life of its residents./.

Foreign company fined 335 million VND for environmental violations

The authorities in the central province of Thanh Hoa has fined a foreign-funded limited company 335 million VND (14,527 USD) for its violations of environmental protection regulations.

According to a decision on the fine, Lionas Metals Co., Ltd, located in Nghi Son town’s Hai Thuong ward, had illegally buried and dumped 79.7 tonnes of domestic and normal industrial solid waste, while discharging 15cu.m of domestic wastewater into water sources per 24 hours without a permit issued by a competent State agency. It also exploited and used 15-20cu.m of water for production per day and night, also without permission.

The provincial People’s Committee has requested the violator to conduct measures to fix the environmental pollution it caused. The company ought to pay for related environmental assessment, calculation, and sample collection costs.

Lionas Metals was originally Ferocrom Thanh Hoa Co. Ltd, which was put into operation in 2014 but closed down in mid-2015.

In the end of 2018, the Japanese-invested joint stock company Lionas Fund agreed to recover the operation of the Ferocrom Thanh Hoa plant, with the original name changed to Lionas Metals in last December./.

One killed in Nghe An passenger bus crash

One person was killed and 15 others were injured in a bus crash in Nghe An Province early morning of March 16.

The collision occurred at 5 am on the National Highway 1A section in Nghi Long Commune.

A passenger bus was travelling from Hanoi to Vinh City when it suddenly crashed into the tail of a tractor which was broken and parked on the side of the road at the time.

The collision caused minor congestion on National Highway 1A. The police were sent to regulate the traffic. Hospital 115 in Nghe An quickly sent employees to the scene after receiving reports about the accidents. 15 people were injured and one person died on the way to the hospital.

The police are still investigating the case.

Con Dao waits to be connected to national power grid

Con Dao Islands off the coast of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province has an important and special geographical location with much potential to become a tourist paradise. However, the district is still confronted with the shortage of electricity and freshwater. 

According to the Decision No. 870/QD-TTg dated June 17, 2015 of the Prime Minister approving the “Master plan for development of Con Dao National Tourist Resort, Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province to 2030”, the islands was expected to receive more than 180,000 visitors in 2020 and 300,000 tourists by 2030.

Thanks to the convenient transport system, nearly 400,000 travelers came to Con Dao in 2019, presenting an increase of 37 percent compared to 2018; and the number of tourists reached 320,000 in 2020 despite the negative impact of the pandemic.

The growing tourism of Con Dao Islands leads to a higher demand for power.

Most resorts on the islands, such as Six Senses Con Dao, Saigon-Con Dao must have electric generators to produce enough power to meet demand for electricity.

Additionally, Con Dao is also facing a risk of water shortage while it has only one water treatment plant with a capacity of 3,800m3 per day. The water supply is inadequate to meet demand.

Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province plans to build another water plant with a capacity of 3,000m3 a day and three fresh water storage reservoirs, said Vice Secretary of the Party’s Committee and Chairman of the People’s Committee of Con Dao District, Le Van Phong.

Con Dao has become one of the attractive destinations, drawing a large number of local and foreign investors. The district has currently 30 projects worth nearly VND4,000 billion (US$173 million), including 13 projects that have been put into operation, eight others under construction and nine remaining works having completed investment procedures.

In last November, the provincial People’s Committee has proposed the Prime Minister to approve a project of installing underground cables from the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang to Con Dao to supply electricity for the district.

The development of tourism in combination with the preservation of cultural and historical heritages is a big challenge for the province, said Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Pham Viet Thanh.

However, the current supply of electricity on Con Dao Islands has not satisfied the power consumption demand of the people, business and production facilities in the district as well as activities to secure national security. The province hopes to receive the Government’s approval on the plan of building a national power grid in Con Dao soon, including installing underground cables from the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang to the islands, he added.

The 16-island archipelago Con Dao is located around 180 km off Vung Tau City in Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province, about 230 kilometers southeast of HCMC. It is well known for nice wild beaches with white sand, deep blue water and colorful coral reefs. French colonialists and the American turned the islands into a prison to jail Vietnamese revolutionary soldiers in the wartime. The offshore relic has attracted many local and foreign visitors in recent years.

The islands, also known as Con Dao National park was recognized the world Ramsar site as it has satisfied criteria for identifying Wetlands of International Importance. The National Park covering some 14,000 ha of Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province in the South includes a part of the archipelago and the surrounding sea. It is home to 144 species, including rare and endangered animals, such as sea turtles.

One of the must-visit attractions in Con Dao is Hang Duong cemetery which holds 22,000 graves of martyrs. Many visitors and locals come here to offer incense to pay tribute to fallen soldiers and pray for their lives and the country. Therefore, Con Dao's spiritual tourism is one of the key tourist products in the province’s tourism industry.

Environmental impact minimal after ship sinks off Binh Thuan

The risks of an oil spill and fly ash spreading from a sunken cargo ship are small, according to the Vietnam Environment Administration.

Binh Thuan Department of Natural Resources and Environment reported that Bach Dang cargo ship with a tonnage of 2,560 tonnes was carrying 1,500 tonnes of fly ash when it sank half a nautical mile away from Mui Ne on March 14. The fly ash belongs to Vinh Tan Thermal Power Plant and was being carried from Vinh Tan International Port to Vung Tau Province.

Hoang Duong Tung, former deputy head of Vietnam Environment Administration has raised concerns over the possible consequences caused by the accident including an oil spill and fly ash spreading into the sea.

"Of course, the severity will depend on whether the fly ash is stored in a closed space on the ship or not, the location and response plans," he said.

Nguyen Hung Thinh, deputy head of the Vietnam Environment Administration, in his report to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, said that the fly ash was stored in a specialised container and would not have a great impact on the environment. There are about 2,000 litres of diesel oil on the ship and the crew had locked all the valves before leaving the ship.

The locality authorities proposed to pump the oil out of the vessel.

According to Thinh, they have detected some oil on the water. That means the oil in the engine tank might have leaked out when the ship capsized. The amount of oil was small and can be dealt with.

The Southern Environmental Protection Department is monitoring the situation and will hold a meeting on March 16 to co-operate in issuing directives.

Households along Hanoi Highway to pay 50-percent road service toll

The People’s Committee of Thu Duc City will apply 50- percent toll discount on road service fee for households living alongside Hanoi Highway, which has been expanded under BOT form.

The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee assigned the People's Committee of Thu Duc City to coordinate with relevant departments and agencies to urgently work with Ho Chi Minh City Infrastructure Investment Joint Stock Company (CII), investor of the  the Hanoi Highway and National Highway No.1 expansion project, to propagandize the toll collection policy in the highway to residents. 

Ho Chi Minh City Department of Public Security will collaborate with Thu Duc City Police to ensure smooth traffic, security and social order during the fee-collection period. 

Deputy Chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee Mr. Le Hoa Binh has assigned the Department of Transport to work with the Department of Finance, the Department of Justice, CII Company and related units to promptly submit to the city People's Committee the plan on road toll charges to pay back the investment capital for the project in March.

2021-2030 national strategy on green growth holds significant role: official

Building and implementing a national strategy on green growth for 2021-2030 is necessary to deal with limitations and shortcomings during the 2012-2020 period, and get updated on the domestic and global situation, an official has said.

According to Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Van Trung, the strategy must mention the national action plan on the implementation of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) report, and notably the 2021-2030 socio-economic development strategy.

He suggested adding more contents regarding science-technology, innovation-creativity, and digital technology and transformation to the new strategy.

The national strategy on green growth was issued in late 2012 and rolled out through an action plan adopted in 2014. It comprised four main topics, 12 groups of activities and 66 tasks.

Trung said the strategy has been carried out comprehensively and served as important momentum to complete economic institutions, reform the growth model, improve competitiveness, protect the environment and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

“Green investment” has made up a significant part of the development investment structure, both privately and publicly, the official said.

Apart from noted achievements reaped during the 2012-2020 period, there remained limitations in the realisation of the strategy like a lack of orientations and feasible roadmaps for targets, tasks and solutions.

Resources for the implementation have remained limited, mostly from the State and official development assistance (ODA), he said, suggesting putting forth regulations and sanctions to facilitate the work.

The official stressed that recovering the economy towards green growth is being pursued by many countries amidst the COVID-19 pandemic./.

Taxi driver detained for bank robbery in Hanoi

A taxi driver has just been detained after stealing money from a bank branch in Hanoi's Phuc Tho District.

A taxi driver is detained after stealing money from a bank branch in Hanoi's Phuc Tho District on March 15.

According to a report from local police, Pham Anh Hao, 43, broke into a branch of the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) in Phuc Tho District at noon on March 15. He carried a gun and a small black pack which he said was a mine.

Hao threatened some staff at the bank, told them to put money into some bags he brought or else he would trigger the mine.

A staff member of the bank gave Hao VND76 million (USD3,435) and then managed to push the alarm bell to call the police.

When the robber rushed out with the money, he was detained by the police and guards.

According to local police, Pham Anh Hao was a taxi driver for the Thang Loi Taxi Company. The gun and the mine he used in the bank robbery were all fake.

Hao told the police that he stole the money to repay a debt of VND40 million (USD1,739) to his company.

Digital library traces Vietnam-France cultural, historical interaction

The France-Vietnam digital library is the fifth of its kind that shares documents of the National Library of France (BnF), including those on Indochina.

Formed under cooperation between the National Library of Vietnam and the BnF, the library brings together more than 2,000 remarkable documents, from collections of the two national libraries and their partners, at https://heritage.bnf.fr/france-vietnam. The website is available in both French and Vietnamese.

The documents include prints, manuscripts, maps, drawings and photographs, testifying the interaction of culture, history and science between the two countries from the 17th to the 20th century.

In addition to documentary resources, some 20 unpublished texts written by specialists and researchers, both French and Vietnamese, highlight and contextualise the documents presented.

Kieu Thuy Nga, Director of the National Library of Vietnam, said all of the documents have been digitalised, with those on Indochina considered valuable.

Such documents on Indochina serve as a foundation for the restoration of traditions, including festivals, according to Prof. Le Hong Ly, Chairman of the Vietnam Folklore Association./.

Tien Giang: over 173.5 mln USD earmarked for new rural construction

The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang has spent over 4 trillion VND (173.5 million USD) implementing the national target programme on building new-style rural areas in 2021 – 2025, aiming to be recognised as a new-style rural province.

In 2021, the locality has invested 514.5 billion VND from the local budget and nearly 245 billion VND sourced from businesses’ capital in the programme.

It expects to have 12 more new-style rural communes, 14 more advanced new-style rural communes, and one more district meeting the criteria set by the programme.

Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Van Vinh, the locality has taken comprehensive and drastical measures with the aim of having all of its communes and districts recognised as new-style rural areas, and 40 percent and 14 percent of the communes meeting advanced and model new-style rural standards, respectively.

It also targets two districts meeting the criteria of an advanced new-style rural area.

The local authorities have implemented measures to improve the material and spiritual lives for rural locals, and build and upgrade modern rural socio-economic infrastructure in connection of urbanization and environmental protection.

Attention has been paid to organising communication activities in order to raise public awareness and responsibility of the importance of new-style rural building in the national industrialisation and modernisation process.

Planning-related work, agricultural restructuring, and sustainable and hi-tech agriculture development have been concentrated, contributing to fulfilling the locality’s development goals.

By early 2021, Tien Giang had 119 communes recognised as new-style rural areas, 10 others meeting the standard of advanced new-style rural commune, accounting for 83.21 percent and 6.29 percent of the total communes in the locality, respectively.

Three urban areas had completed the task of new-style rural construction, while two districts were recognized as new-style rural areas.

Per capita income in Tien Giang in 2020 increased nearly 3 percent compared to 2011, while the rate of poor households decreased to 1.97 percent from 9.63 percent./.

Transport infrastructure development sound solution for Hanoi’s urban planning

Building transport infrastructure is hoped to help Hanoi’s outskirts areas develop and create the potential for modern urban development as there is less and less land available in the inner city.

The 5.1km road connecting Vinh Tuy Bridge to Nga Tu So (So intersection) worth 9.4 trillion VND (408 million USD), of which 4.19 trillion VND (182 million USD) was for site clearance, was started in April 2018 and planned to put into operation this year.

When the route is completed it will not only help improve urban traffic but also facilitate the travel needs of local residents.

In addition, a project to widen Vinh Tuy Bridge will directly connect the routes from the inner city to the areas along the Red River's banks, meeting the increasing transport demand between central Hanoi and new urban residential areas in the north and northeast of the city.

Completing the bridge and ring road brings the opportunity to increase the value of real estate tremendously, facilitate people’s travel needs and attract millions of people to move from the central city to suburban areas, according to architect Tran Huy Anh.

The project of connecting Ring Road No 3, Thanh Tri Bridge and Thang Long Bridge with a total length of 26km has helped solve a series of serious conflicts between the ring road and six boulevards to the city, significantly improved urban traffic congestion and increased the value of hundreds and thousands of real estate projects along the route, Anh said.

According to the city's master plan, by 2030, Hanoi is set to have eight urban rail routes with a total length of 318km linking the central city with satellite and suburban cities.

The municipal authority plans to borrow about 40 billion USD to build the rail routes.

Initially, the city has focused on operating 20km of elevated railway and speeding up the construction progress of 4km of track and four underground stations of the Nhon Urban Railway.

Building urban railway lines is essential, but progress has been slow.

In 2018 in the guiding document for urban transport development, the World Bank recommended developing cities and countries with limited financial resources need to be alert to choose the optimal solution to avoid pitfalls which are costly and dependent on creditors.

Therefore, the selection of optimal urban transport system planning should be based on an analysis of capacity and social impact.

In addition, it is necessary to analyse the accessibility of infrastructure, especially for students, workers and public servants.

Taking into account the lowest affordability for all people, especially low-income persons, is also essential.

The private sector's support is needed to develop the urban railway system.

Finally, the quality of the urban transport infrastructure and the user services, including comfort, safety, security, and reliability, must be ensured.

This year, more than 20km of elevated lines are scheduled to be put into operation, including 12km of the Cat Linh – Ha Dong line and 8.5km of the Nhon - University of Transport line.

When operating, the urban railway lines are expected to reduce traffic congestion, urban pollution and improve the quality of life for people in the western area of Hanoi./.

Irrigation project to help ease drought in Ninh Thuan

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the People’s Committee of the south-central province of Ninh Thuan organised a ceremony on March 15 blocking the flow and accumulating water for the Tan My irrigation system in Phuoc Hoa commune, Bac Ai district.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong asked relevant units to perform the task as best as possible from this year in order to fight drought.

The project will also become a tourist site, he suggested, asking Ninh Thuan to adopt innovations to optimise the project to serve socio-economic development in the locality and the region at large.

He said the project will be an effective, multi-dimensional irrigation management model in the face of climate change.

With a total cost of more than 5.9 trillion VND (256.22 million USD), the Tan My irrigation system consists of five dams on Song Cai Lake and is designed to provide water directly to 7,480 ha of arable land and provide water to another system that covers an additional 12,800 ha.

It will also supply water to several lakes and create a reservoir for power generation.

Ninh Thuan is often hit by natural disasters, especially drought, which have seriously affected local residents as well as production and business in the province over recent years./.

IT museum inaugurated in Quang Trung Software Park

The Quang Trung Software Park in Ho Chi Minh City has inaugurated a museum displaying and introducing IT products and solutions created in the park over the past two decades.

Covering 220 square metres and built at a cost of 5 billion VND (217,000 USD), the museum features photos and other objects related to the 20-year development of the software park.

It will also be a place to introduce and demonstrate new technological solutions developed by firms based in the software park.

Those on display include a monitoring and operation system of the park, solutions for digital transformation and solutions and applications in education, healthcare and life, among others.

The museum also has a special section for visitors to experience new technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality and augmented reality, robotics, 3D printing and big data./.

Spring atmosphere makes Hanoi vibrant

A spring atmosphere always pervades the streets of Hanoi during the early months of the year. Flowers are in bloom and old leaves are replaced by new ones.
 
The drizzling rain is the perfect backdrop to vivid purple mountain ebonies, pure white sua flowers, bright red silk-cotton blossoms, and many other flowers, creating a beautiful scene around Hanoi.

Seeing is not enough, though. City dwellers should also take a deep breath and inhale the scent of pomelo blossoms.

Let’s stop contemplating flowers for a minute, and take a look at leaves. As new baby leaves appear, old yellow ones flutter in the foggy weather and evoke a sense of nostalgia among many Hanoians.

Spring is considered the most beautiful season of the year. The pace of life seems slower at this time. People want to take in the atmosphere for as long as possible./.

HCMC approves project to improve high-schoolers’ computer skills

Deputy Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Duong Anh Duc has just approved the project to improve high-schoolers’ computer skills for the 2021-2030 period.

Under the project, high school students must grasp computer skills - abilities and knowledge which allow them to use computers and related technology. From 2021 to 2022, 90 percent of students in national-level high schools must master computer skills and 30 percent of them get international certificates of computer technology.

Additionally, 40 percent of students in normal high schools acquire computer skills and 20 percent of them get international certificates of computer technology.

With regard to teaching staffs, 80 percent teachers are able to provide knowledge of computer technology and most of schools in the city have laboratory rooms.

According to the project, most of students of national-level high schools learn computer technology and half of them get international certificates while 50 percent of students in normal high schools learn the important technology and 30 of them obtain international certificates for the 2023-2025 period.

From 2025 to 2030, most of students of national-level high schools learn computer technology and 80 percent of them get international certificates while 80 percent of students in normal high schools learn the important technology and half of them obtain international certificates.

The city's state budget and social contributions will cover the project implementation.

Beforehand, the Department of Education and Training in HCMC announced the computer technology will be officially included in the new education program and primary students will learn it; therefore, investment in laboratory rooms in schools for teaching the subject is necessary for the upcoming time.

Especially, from 2014 until now, schools have piloted teaching computer technology following Internet and Computing Core Certification Spark, one of the most popular certifications used in elementary and middle school computer classes and MOS which had been recognized by the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Ministry of Education and Training.

The IC3 Spark exam is a digital literacy certification designed to familiarize young students with technology related to the Internet, computers, and digital citizenship.

Primary schools in the southern metropolis are using teaching and learning materials including Practicing computer technology with IC3 Spark, Fahasa-published IC3 Spark.

Apart from that, junior high schools have been using material Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC3) in addition to other normal textbooks. Students at senior high schools must learn two periods of computer technology as per the direction of the Ministry of Education and Training. Some schools even have curriculums of computer technology according to Microsoft Office Specialist’s material.

The Department of Education and Training said that teaching and learning the computer skills are considerably based on parents’ consensus and students’ interest. In the academic year 2018 - 2019, roughly 410,579 of 434 primary schools in the city were taught the technology and most of high schoolers were taught the subject. However, the program has not satisfied students’ demand.

Despite difficulties along the way, after four years of the program implementation, 4,524 primary students have got IC3 Spark certificates, 280 junior high schoolers scooped IC3 certificates and 10,277 senior high schoolers achieved MOS certificates. Moreover, many students won prizes in the national and international examinations; subsequently, they were admitted in universities without sitting for examination and later received scholarships from famous schools in the world for further studying abroad. 

Teacher goes the extra mile to help those less fortunate

A teacher in the central province of Quảng Nam has worked tirelessly to help local people in the landslide-hit region stabilise their lives.

Nguyễn Trần Vỹ, a teacher of Kim Đồng Primary School in Trà Mai Commune, Nam Trà My District, established the club 'Love connection' to aid those less fortunate.

Vỹ, who is in his 30s, and other kind-hearted individuals have helped provide school equipment for local students, as well as seedlings and animals for people impacted by natural disasters.

He stayed with people during the rainy and stormy days for more than a month, so he understands the difficulties local people faced and wanted to help those who had seen their houses damaged by floods and landslides.

"Seeing the difficulties that residents in the landslide areas have to face, I am very sad. I call for help from friends and individuals, with the desire to have more money to help people repair their houses and buy animals so they can overcome the difficult time," Vỹ told Kinh tế & Đô thị (Economy and Urban Affairs) newspaper. 

During the floods and storms last year, Vỹ and his colleagues went to villages in Trà Leng and Trà Vân that were isolated by floodwater to help people.

He connected relief groups with local people and authorities so that necessities were given to needy families.

Vỹ's club members also helped people repair houses, schools and roads damaged by landslides.

Phạm Thị Mỹ Hạnh, Deputy Secretary of the Nam Trà My District’s Youth Union District, said all members supported the Vỹ's club with the desire to share difficulties with local people.

Charity groups nationwide have transferred funds to Vỹ to carry out many charity programmes.

Fifty-four schools and their branches were newly built and repaired, with more than 100 classrooms and 60 teacher rooms equipped with televisions and solar power, while 20 houses were built for poor people thanks to support from Vỹ’s club.

The 'Raise the Dream Wings' scholarship fund set up three years ago, sponsored by the club, has granted more than 200 scholarships annually, helping many mountainous areas’ students go to university, with some even finding opportunities to study abroad.

During the Tết (Lunar New Year) holidays, people in Trà Mai Commune were cheerful in their new houses built by the club.

"Before Tết, myself and other members in the Love Connection club raised VNĐ60 million to offer gifts to families and children,” Vỹ said.

He spent VNĐ25 million as New Year's lucky money gifts for 3,400 students at 11 primary schools in Nam Trà My District.

With the rest of the money, he bought seedlings and animals to give to poor households in the district. On February 23, Vỹ's club awarded 15,000 seedlings and 300 pigs to more than 1,000 households that were severely impacted by storms and landslides in Trà Cang and Trà Don communes.

Hồ Ngọc Long, 60 years old, residing in Trà Cang Commune, recently received the chickens from the club. He happily said: “My family lived on a cornfield along the mountainside with a flock of 20 chickens, but landslides buried everything."

“Thanks to Vỹ and his friends for presenting these animals. I will try to take care of the animals to show my appreciation for the golden hearts of donors,” he told the newspaper. 

Irigation system in Mekong Delta in a rush to ensure proposed schedule

Nearly 400 workers, engineers and project management staff of the Cai Lon-Cai Be irrigation system are in a hurry to complete the work’s first phase in the southern Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang. 

Because saltwater intrusion has increased rapidly in this year, workers and technicians enjoyed a late Tet break starting on the 28th day of the last month and returned to work on the 7th day of the first lunar month.

The project aims to control salinity and resolve conflicts between aquaculture production from coastal areas and agricultural production areas in Kien Giang, Hau Giang and Bac Lieu provinces in the Cai Lon-Cai Be river basin; and contribute to the growth and stability in the fishery in Kien Giang coastal areas.

It also helps the region actively cope with climate change and sea-level rise; prevent natural disaster; create freashwater resources for coastal areas to solve the fresh water scarcity in dry season; reduce flood and overcome affecting aluminium toxicity in soil.

The first phase of the project at a cost of VND3, 309 billion (US$143 million) focuses on controlling water resources and creating condition for stable production on the area of 384,120 hectares, including agriculture and fisheries area of 346,241 hectares.

Vocational training sector in HCMC achieves fruitful result

The Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs in Ho Chi Minh City has implemented various solutions to help improve vocational training for the past time. Different approaches have produced interestingly fruitful results.

In a talk with Sai Gon Giai Phong reporters, Director of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Le Minh Tan informed that some 393 vocational training institutions are located in the southern metropolis including 57 three-year colleges, 64 intermediate schools and 272 other continuous education facilities.
Despite a decline in the number of schools, enrolment in these schools maintained stable compared to the same period last year as 450,000 students registered to study in these schools.

Last year, 142,000 employees from these schools took part in labor market. The proportion of trained employees was 14.83 percent in four major industries; 82,49 percent in nine service businesses and 2.6 percent in eight other sectors, as he said.

According to Mr. Tan, good result of the education sector in HCMC was attributable to great investment in facilities purchasing machines and equipment for training as well as connecting with enterprises to ensure employability for graduate students.

In the end of 2020, several vocational training schools have been assessed its quality. The sector strives that 13 out of 14 public special schools will complete its quality assessment.

Departments, agencies and people’s committees in all levels in HCMC have implemented the government’s policies and decrees and the direction of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs upon restructuring of management system in a bid to improve vocational training quality.

Specifically, they have issued guideline to transfer the management power in this field from the Department of Education and Training, the Department of Industry and Trade, the Department of Culture and Sports, the Department of Construction, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Information and Communications and local administrations to the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, Mr. Tan said. 

However, he pointed out that there have still been inadequacies in management between departments, sectors and local administrations. Specifically, the Department of Education and Training is still managing five vocational training colleges and three intermediate schools while the Department of Industry and Trade is monitoring one school, the Department of Culture and Sports is overseeing one college and the Department of Construction is administrating one college.

Therefore, planning and investment in these special schools are facing difficulties because there have been discrepancies between departments and the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs resulting in a complex and time-consuming paperwork of investment policies.

He revealed the sector set goal of training 371,000 students and 5,800 laborers from rural districts this year. To achieve the set goal, the sector must improve its quality as well as spread good points of vocational training and link with enterprises in training and to increase participation, employability, probability of employment for graduates from vocational education institutions.

Construction on underground section of Nhổn-Hà Nội Station railway to start in May

The construction of a 4km underground section of the Hà Nội urban railway line No.3 (Nhổn-Hà Nội Station) will commence after May 1, starting with work on four underground stations from Station 9 on Kim Mã to Station 12 at Hà Nội Station.

According to Lê Trung Hiếu, Vice Director of the Metropolitan Railway Management Board (MRB), tunnel boring machines (TBM) have been assembled and tested for digging work. The first TBM is to be handed over to the investor soon.

Hiếu said 20-45 technicians from the Republic of Korea, Italy and Fecon – a contractor of the project – will operate the machine.

With scheduled progress of 10m per day, in optimal conditions, the digging work for the 4km section will be complete in about 400 days, said Hiếu, adding that all safety standards will be ensured.

Hiếu said the second TBM is expected to be put into operation in June.

An 8.5km section of the urban railway line No.3 from Nhổn to Kim Mã (University of Transport) is scheduled to become operational late this year, while the 4km underground section is slated to be put into operation in late 2022. An additional 8km underground section is expected to be constructed from Hà Nội Station to Hà Nội’s southern district of Hoàng Mai.

The urban railway line No.3 has an investment of about VNĐ30.1 trillion (US$1.29 billion) from the official development assistance of the French Development Agency and loans from the French government.

The urban railway line No.3, connecting Nhổn and Hà Nội Station, will span 12.5km, running through six districts: Nam Từ Liêm, Bắc Từ Liêm, Cầu Giấy, Ba Đình, Đống Đa and Hoàn Kiếm. It will consist of 12 stations including eight elevated and four underground.

UN Women helps upgrade services assisting violence victims in Vietnam

UN Women in Vietnam held a ceremony on March 15 to hand over essential equipment and facilities to upgrade the hotlines and facilities of related social services of the two Peace House Shelters in Hanoi.

Earlier on March 12, essential equipment and facilities were also presented to the Peace House Shelter in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho.

This assistance is under the joint project of Supporting Interventions to Eliminate Violence against Women and Children in Vietnam under COVID-19 Emergency Context, financially sponsored by the Australian Government with technical support of UN Women, UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and UN International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

The pandemic has not only affected socio-economic aspects but also increased violence against women and children.

According to a report of UN Women, violence against women and children across the globe has risen by 30-300 percent since the pandemic broke out.

In Vietnam, the number of calls and texts to the hotlines of and the number of victims visiting the Peace House Shelters in 2020 increased sevenfold year-on-year.

Elisa Fernandez Saenz, Country Representative of UN Women Vietnam, said that the assistance aims to supplement to the Vietnamese Government’s efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure essential services supporting violence victims are not disrupted and are improved.

Along with equipment and facilities, UN Women also helps increase the capacity of staff who man the hotlines or work at the Peace House Shelters so as to better respond to increasing violence amidst the pandemic, she added.

The hotlines and Peace House Shelters have so far provided consultations for 9,043 people, and rescued and sheltered 1,361 women and 560 children.

Business picks up for tours in post-COVID period

Travel companies in Ho Chi Minh City have welcomed an increase in visitor numbers following a long period of suspension due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with family tours recording a significant increase, according to industry insiders.

The statistics released by travel firms indicate that many travelers are booking tours for March and April to popular destinations such as Phu Quoc, Con Dao, and Da Nang.

Nguyen Nguyet Van Khanh, deputy director of the Marketing Department of tour operator Vietravel, said customers initially started to book tours through the company immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic was brought under control domestically following the Lunar New Year festival. 

Between February 22 & 28 the number of visitors per day witnessed a three-fold increase in comparison to the previous week, said Khanh. 

At present, the number of people registering for tours has been increasing every day, with 70% of travelers booking package tours and 30% of guests choosing car, airplane, and hotel services.

Nguyen Minh Man, head of the Communications and Marketing Department under the TST Tourist, said the travel firm has typically designed tours suitable for large numbers of tourists between March and April to the destinations such as Phan Thiet, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Hue, Ho Coc, and Da Lat.
More than 800 people have so far registered to choose these tours, said Man. 

Meanwhile, Doan Thi Thanh Tra, director of the Marketing and  Communication Department of Saigontourist, a leading tour operator in Vietnam, noted that visitors started to purchase tours to Da Nang, Phu Quoc, and western provinces about two weeks ago. Tra said prices remain affordable as hotels and restaurants are offering huge discounts for holiday-makers. 

According to Vietravel official Nguyen Nguyet Van Khanh, this year’s trend is small group tourism, and the travel enterprise has also designed tours for individuals, along with groups of family and friends, in order to ensure the highest level of safety during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Ngoc Thao joins opening activity of Miss Grand International

As the nation’s representative at Miss Grand International, Ngoc Thao has participated in the first activity of the pageant after completing a 14-day isolation period in order to prevent the potential spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) fight.

Vietnamese representative Ngoc Thao takes part in a photoshoot with 63 other contestants globally.
The Vietnamese beauty took part in a photoshoot with 63 other contestants globally, with each contestant given five minutes to snap the best photo possible.

After these profile photos are published, audiences will then vote for their favourite contestant.

The local girl selected an outfit by designer Linh San in the first competition, with the colourful outfit sending a message of support for the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.

Her performance during the photoshoot received plenty of praise during the event.

This year’s competition marks the eighth version of the Miss Grand International pageant, with the grand final of the beauty contest scheduled to be held in the Thai capital of Bangkok on March 27.

The current winner of the Miss Grand International pageant is Valentina Figuera of Venezuela.

Ngoc Thao, 21, stands at a height of 1.74 metres tall and measures 81-61-95. The native of Ho Chi Minh City claimed the title of second runner-up during the Miss Vietnam 2020 pageant, thereby earning the chance to represent the country at the Miss Grand International pageant this year.

Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in HCMC donates over US$43,000 to buy Covid-19 vaccine

The Executive Council of Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Ho Chi Minh City yesterday gave VND1 billion (US$ 43,144) to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in HCMC for the Covid-19 Prevention and Fight Fund to buy vaccine for residents in the city.

On behalf of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in HCMC, Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang presented the funds to the HCMC Fatherland Front Committee at Vietnam Quoc Tu pagoda in District 10.

The sum is taken from the fund “ Millions of hearts – For one heart – Vaccine for Covid-19 patients” contributed by thousands of The Buddha's followers, monks and benefactors in pagodas in the city.

Speaking at the money-giving ceremony, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in HCMC To Thi Bich Chau highly appreciated the activities and contributions of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha which has always joined hands with the city authorities in social security programs especially in the fight against Covid-19.

HCMC Police handle, seize hundreds of outdated motor vehicles

Traffic police teams under the HCMC Road and Railway Traffic Police Department (PC08) issued fines on owners of hundreds of outdated motor vehicles in the launching day of a campaign to inspect and handle outdated motor vehicles in the city on March 15. 

The Binh Trieu traffic police team seized nearly 10 old motorbikes and many motor vehicles that do not meet technical standards and affect traffic at the intersection of National Highway 1A and National Highway 13 in Thu Duc City’s Hiep Binh Phuoc Ward.

Most penalty notices were given to overloaded, outdated and homemade vehicles, vehicles that do not meet technical standards, old motorbikes without vehicle registration and registration number plate.

A 46 year old driver of an outdated motorbike from Binh Duong Province left his vehicle when he was caught by traffic police because the fine is equivalent to the value of the vehicle. The man said that he just spent hundreds of thousand dong to buy the old motorbike to transport goods.

On the same day, traffic police teams in An Lac, Tan Son Nhat, Ben Thanh, An Suong and Tan Tuc areas inspected and handled many outdated vehicles violating the traffic rules related to structures, lighting, noise, engine exhaust emissions. Traffic police officers have also conducted unexpected checks of whether drivers have sufficient documents such as a vehicle registration certificate, driver's licence, and other necessary paperworks.

The campaign on reducing the number of outdated vehicles in HCMC will run until June 16.

On February 25, the Department of Transport of HCMC announced that three and four-wheel non-motorized vehicles will not be allowed to travel on central streets in HCMC. From 2020-2025, the municipal authorities have been limiting these vehicles on inner-city streets and adjust travelling time from 5 am to 10 pm. These old vehicles will be officially banned from traveling through the city center by 2025. 

Giant whale found dead in central Vietnam

A dead whale weighing approximately four tonnes has been discovered washed up on a beach in the central province of Quang Nam.

The body of the dead whale has been left stranded ashore in Binh Nam commune and was found by local people at around 17:00 on March 15, said Nguyen Dang Nhat, a local official.

The whale, which is roughly 8 metres in length and more than four tonnes in weight, is currently in the decomposition process, said Nhat.   

This is the largest dead whale to ever be found in Quang Nam, and the animal is now set to be buried under traditional rituals.

It is customary for residents of coastal areas in Vietnam to believe that whales help fishermen who are at sea, therefore they often rescue the animal when they run aground or bury dead them in solemn ceremonies.

All along the Vietnamese coast, whales are revered as bringers of good fortune for those at sea. Temples and festivals worshipping the creatures are commonly found in communities close to the sea.

Vietnam, Cuba seek measures to enhance bilateral ties

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh held phone talks with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla on March 16 to discuss measures and orientations to further special friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

During the talks, Minh affirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with and supporting Cuba.

Minister Bruno, in turn, said that Cuba attaches importance to and hopes to deepen its special friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam. He appreciated Vietnam’s efforts to both respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and maintain economic growth.

Both sides spoke highly of the outcomes of sixth Political Consultation at the deputy foreign ministerial level held via video conference on March 2.

They asserted the determination to carry out high-level commitments to tightening bilateral solidarity, special friendship and all-round collaboration, and effectively implement the bilateral agenda in 2021, including sharing experience and consultations on issues of mutual concern, coordinating closely and supporting each other at international organisations and multilateral forums./.

National Assembly’s legal committee convenes 34th session

The National Assembly (NA)’s Committee on Legal Affairs virtually convened its 34th plenary session in Hanoi on March 16 under the chair of its Chairman Hoang Thanh Tung.

In the morning, the committee assessed a report on the Government’s performance during the 2016 – 2021 tenure. It also examined the Government’s proposals and projects on establishment of some administrative units and administrative boundary adjustment of several provinces and cities.

According to the report, during the past term, the issue of applying for adjustments to the law and ordinance building programme has yet to be addressed. Meanwhile, many projects included in the programme were not prepared in time, hence being postponed or withdrawn. The organisation of law enforcement and promulgation of documents on detailed regulations remained slow.

Participating lawmakers recommended the Government continue to pay attention to and direct the serious implementation of the NA’s resolutions and its agencies’ recommendations on consolidating the state administrative apparatus organisation.

At the same time, they asked for a detailed report on the outcomes of restructuring and improving human resources quality in association with downsizing the payroll. The Government was also recommended to evaluate the effectiveness of personnel training programmes and outcomes of overhauling the organisation and management system of public non-business units.

The plenary session is also set to discuss a Government proposal concerning the regulation on the number of full-time members of the Hanoi People’s Council in the 2021 – 2026 tenure./.

South region continues experiencing dry, hot weather

The south will continue experiencing hot weather with the highest temperatures forecast to reach up to 36 degrees Celsius over the next four days.

The National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting said, the south-east region will have 9-10 hours of sunshine on March 16 (today) and March 17 (tomorrow).

The centre also said the dry season, with the humidity under 60 per cent, was forecast to last until the end of April, causing difficulties for local aquatic breeders.

Experts said that the constant hot and dry weather would cause the temperature of shrimp pond's water to increase. Additionally, the evaporation of water would lead to an increase of salinity.

This would see shrimps become susceptible to diseases, including broken antennas and tail rot, resulting in slow growth or death if not detected in time.

Experts recommend people should pay more attention to treat the shrimps promptly with drugs, especially, pouring beneficial microorganisms into the water every two days.

It was also necessary to check the water’s salinity regularly to take appropriate measures to save the shrimps. 

Source: VNA/VNS/VOV/VIR/SGT/Nhan Dan/Hanoitimes