The third round of the Innovation Partnership Grants under the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Aus4Innovation Programme has opened, targeting initiatives under priority targets of the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology to promote post-COVID-19 recovery.

The round, with a budget of 1.5 million AUD (nearly 1.16 million USD), is designed for tested existing partnerships between Australian and Vietnamese institutions that are ready to scale up.

Under the theme ‘Enhancing Digital Transformation’, this round will focus on initiatives that have the potential to enhance digital transformation in the economy and deliver inclusive social impact.

Suggested areas in which applicants could develop their ideas include smart manufacturing, smart agriculture, digital health, smart education, smart cities, finance and banking, e-government, and natural resources and environment.

Those granted with the funding will be required to implement their projects within 12 months./.

Three COVID-19 cases on March 18

Three cases of COVID-19 were reported in the past 12 hours to 6pm March 18 with two in the northern province of Hai Duong, and one imported case in the south central province of Ninh Thuan, according to the Health Ministry.

The two new patients in Hai Duong were F1 of previous cases, while the patient in Ninh Thuan returned from the Philippines.

The national tally increased to 2,570, including 1,601 locally-infected cases.

A total of 2,198 COVID-19 patients have recovered, and the death toll remains at 35.

Among patients still under treatment, 37 have tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 once, 18 twice and 63 thrice.

Meanwhile, 37,878 people who had close contact with COVID-19 patients or arrived from pandemic-affected areas are under quarantine nationwide./.

Two local COVID-19 patients remain in critical condition

Among the 300 active COVID-19 cases that are given treatment in 20 health facilities nationwide, two remain in critical condition, according to the Ministry of Health on March 18.

Both patients are receiving special treatment at the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases in Hanoi and the Da Nang Lung Hospital.

Notably, the Da Nang patient, considered similarly to the British case recorded last year, has tested negative for COVID-19 several times and has subsequently stopped receiving ECMO, a sophisticated therapy which can save patients who are in critical condition.

However, due to being hospitalised for a period of over two months, the patient has shown signs of muscle weakness and blood clots.

Meanwhile, two other COVID-19 cases in Hanoi are in serious condition. Though the two elderly patients have tested negative five times, they suffer from several underlying illnesses, including high blood pressure and diabetes.

One patient, a 65-year-old man, has enjoyed a gradual recovery before stopping use of a ECMO machine on his fourth day of treatment. Despite these positive signs, recent days has seen him show signs of gastrointestinal bleeding.

For the other patient, a 65-year-old woman, her lung functions have failed to improve following 35 days of treatment. Doctors predicted that the patient may get autoimmune disease due to complications linked to her coronavirus infection.

Vietnam has recorded a total of 906 domestic infections in 13 cities and provinces since the latest COVID-19 outbreak hit the country on January 28. Hai Duong, the epicenter of the country’s latest coronavirus outbreak, is the only locality that has reported one or two infections these days.

Heat wave strikes southern Vietnam causing hazardous UV levels

Temperatures in Ho Chi Minh City and neighbouring areas reached between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius on March 18, with UV levels rising the a hazardous figure of 11+, according to meteorologists.

At present several cities and provinces in the south are suffering from strong heat, with Dong Nai, Binh Phuoc, and Binh Duong measuring 37 degrees Celsius during the daytime.

The UV Index levels of between 10 and 11 were recorded in HCM City and its boroughs. The southern region has been  exposed to high UV radiation over the past two weeks, said meteorologists. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that the UV Index is an international standard measurement recording the strength of ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Between zero and three is considered to be low, whilst above 11 is deemed extreme with radiation potentially burning the skin and damaging eyes within 20 to 30 minutes.

Local dermatologists have therefore advised people to avoid direct exposure to sunlight between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., urging those who venture out to wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats.

Environment monitor AirVisual has also reported that the air quality index (AQI) in HCM City reached the average level of 63.

Index for administrative procedure compliance costs in 2020 released

An annual report on the index for administrative procedure compliance costs in 2020 (APCI 2020) was released at a press conference on March 17 chaired by Minister and Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung, who is also Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Advisory Council for Administrative Procedure Reform.

The group of taxation procedures ranked first in the APCI, with its overall improvement rate assessed at the highest level, up 5.6 points compared to 2019.

Companies currently need 3.8 hours and VND11,600 to carry out one taxation procedure on average.

Thai Binh province was the best performer in carrying out taxation administrative procedures, with an average of 0.9 hours.

Second place went to administrative procedures for specialised inspections, which improved 5 points compared to 2019.

It was followed by administrative procedures relating to the environment and business conditions, which were up 0.5 points and 0.2 points, respectively, compared to 2019.

Conversely, the five remaining groups of starting a business, investment, construction, land, and cross-border trade recorded lower scores than in APCI 2019.

Speaking at the press conference, Minister Dung pointed out four reform lessons from APCI 2020, emphasising that the top priority for the Government, ministries, sectors, and localities is promoting the application of information technology and processing administrative procedures via electronic platforms in order to save costs for businesses.

Built on a standard cost model and surveys at businesses in Vietnam’s 63 cities and provinces, since 2018, when it was released for the first time, the APCI annual report has been considered an important tool that objectively reflects the level of administrative reform, improvements to the business environment, and enforcement of policies and laws through analysing costs enterprises must pay to conduct administrative procedures in line with the law.

HCMC Party chief does not run for NA deputy post

Nguyen Van Nen, Politburo member and secretary of the 11th HCMC Party Committee for the 2020-2025 tenure, is not on the list of candidates for the post of deputy to the 15th National Assembly (NA).

He bucked the trend as all 19 Politburo members in the previous tenure were NA deputies, and the former secretaries of the HCMC Party Committee over the past few tenures were also NA deputies, the local media reported.

Meanwhile, Nen’s predecessor, Nguyen Thien Nhan, head of the HCMC Delegation of NA deputies, has been introduced as a candidate for the election of deputies to the 15th NA.

At a meeting of the committee for the election of deputies to the 15th NA and the municipal People’s Council for the 2021-2021 tenure on March 16, the committee handed over the list and dossiers of the city’s candidates to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in HCMC.

Tang Huu Phong, head of the committee’s general administration subcommittee, said as of 5 p.m. on March 14, the committee had received 224 candidates’ dossiers, comprising 52 people running for the NA deputy posts and 172 others standing for the election of members of the HCMC People’s Council.

He added that 33 agencies, organizations and units had introduced 38 candidates for the election of NA deputies.

No new COVID-19 cases recorded on March 18 morning

Vietnam detected no new cases of COVID-19 in the past 12 hours to 6:00 am on March 18, keeping the national count unchanged at 2,567, according to the Ministry of Health.

The number of domestically-transmitted infections stands at 1,599, including 906 cases since the third outbreak hit the country on January 27, the ministry said.

As many as 36,923 people who had close contact with COVID-19 patients or came from pandemic-hit areas are under medical monitoring nationwide, including 496 in hospitals, 17,396 in other State-designated quarantine establishments, and 19,031 at their residences.

The treatment sub-committee under the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control reported that 2,198 patients have been given the all-clear so far.

Among the active patients, 37 have tested negative for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 once, 18 twice and 63 thrice.

Ten cities and provinces – Hoa Binh, Dien Bien, Ha Giang, Binh Duong, Hung Yen, Bac Giang, Gia Lai, Bac Ninh, Quang Ninh and Ho Chi Minh City – which had recorded COVID-19 cases, have gone through 33 straight days without new domestically-transmitted cases. Hanoi has also passed one month with no locally-transmitted infections.

According to the National Expanded Programme on Immunisation, 3,359 people were vaccinated against the coronavirus safely on March 17.

By the end of the day, a total of 24,054 people, including frontline health workers, and members of community-based anti-COVID-19 groups and the national steering committee, had got vaccine shots.

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)./.

Strong cold spell to hit northern region this weekend

A strong cold spell is forecasted to hit the northern region this weekend.

According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF), the cold spell caused by a tropical depression will arrive on March 20, bringing heavy rains and strong wind.

The temperatures will sharply decrease to 15 degrees in mountainous areas and 17 degrees in low-land areas including Hanoi,"  the centre said.

The tropical depression will then move to the central region and last for about two or three days.

The centre said that the northern region is seeing warmer weather this spring with temperatures of two degrees higher than that of last year.

Vietnamese bride murdered in RoK

A Vietnamese woman was suspectedly murdered by her Korean husband in Gumi city, Gyeongsang province, the Republic of Korea (RoK), on March 6, according to the Vietnamese Embassy in the country.

The embassy reported that N. T. B, born in 1989, arrived in the RoK for the first time on November 20, 2010.

She was married to 52-year-old Lee Jae-dong, who is the suspect of the case, and divorced after two years of marrigage. In January 2021, the victim returned to the RoK and re-married Lee, but the couple often conflicted with each other.

Lee then went to the local police station to report the murder. Local police have asked for an arrest warrent for Lee, and are conducting investigation into the case.

The ash of B was sent to a pagoda in the central region of the RoK and will be sent to Vietnam right after necessary procedures are completed./.

More than 24,000 people vaccinated against COVID-19 in Vietnam

As many as 20,054 people have been vaccinated against the coronavirus in 12 cities and provinces across Vietnam since the national COVID-19 vaccination campaign was launched on March 8, according to the National Expanded Immunization Programme.

More than 3,000 people got their first coronavirus jab on March 17 alone, reported the programme.

Hai Duong, the epicenter of the country’s latest coronavirus outbreak, recorded the highest number of vaccinated people, 12,068. It was followed by Hanoi capital (3,768), Hung Yen (2,492),  Bac Giang (2,281) and Bac Ninh (1,322).

Vaccine recipients are healthcare workers, and members of COVID-19 prevention community groups, and local steering boards on COVID-19 prevention and control.

Vietnam is using the AstraZeneca vaccine for the national immunization programme. Despite several mild side-effects, the Ministry of Health has decided to proceeds with the use of the vaccine.

Vietnam imported more than 117,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine in late February 2021. An additional 5.6 million doses of the same vaccine are expected to arrive in March and April.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives Philippine ambassador

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with Philippine Ambassador Meynardo Los Banos Montealegre in Hanoi on March 17, wishing his guest a successful term in Vietnam.

Congratulating Banos Montealegre on his appointment as the ambassador of the Philippines to Vietnam, PM Phuc said over the past years, relations between the two countries have been flourishing in various fields, especially maritime cooperation.

For his part, the Philippine diplomat congratulated Vietnam on its successful chairmanship of ASEAN and non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council in 2020, especially amid complex developments of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also offered congratulations on the success of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

As the two countries mark the 45th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2021, he hoped that they will co-organise many celebratory activities so as to further intensify bilateral links.

As the countries have enjoyed growing relations, particularly maritime cooperation, he proposed stronger coordination in this regard.

Montealegre also suggested Vietnam share more experience in COVID-19 prevention and control and thanked the country for providing medical supplies to the Philippines.

He expressed his hope that the two countries will enhance cooperation in vaccine testing and development.

At the meeting, PM Phuc affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to the strategic partnership with the Philippines, in which maritime cooperation has a highly crucial role to play.

He called on both sides to further step up bilateral trade and investment.

In terms of rice supply, he noted, Vietnam will ensure stable and long-term provision for the Philippines, particularly when food security becomes even more important amid impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The PM also viewed the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an occasion for the countries to reinforce and elevate their relations, asking the ambassador to coordinate with relevant agencies of Vietnam to organise many practical celebratory activities./.

Youths of Vietnam, Russia enhance cooperation in new context

A virtual conference was held on March 17 to discuss ways to further promoting the friendship between Vietnamese and Russian youths, along with cooperation between the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) of HCM City and the Committee for External Relations of Saint Petersburg.

At the event, Secretary of HCM City’s HCYU Phan Thi Thanh Phuong said she was delighted to discuss with representatives of Saint Petersburg on cooperation programmes in the coming time.

Phuong, who is also President of the Students Association in HCM City, suggested further discussions on education of the Vietnam-Russia traditional friendship and cooperation in youth volunteers’ campaigns and startups, among others.

Participants at the event noted that Vietnam and Russia share similarities in the implementation of activities bolstering patriotism among young people via events on history and youth forums.

As voluntary events are rolled out annually in Saint Petersburg, the Russian side voiced its hope that Vietnamese representatives will join the events online.

In addition, a project to speed up Russia-Vietnam trade has been introduced in a bid to connect young entrepreneurs of the two countries and support startups.

For his part, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for External Relations of Saint Petersburg Vyacheslav Kalganov affirmed that Vietnam is always a priority in the city’s external relation policy.

He proposed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the Russian city’s committees and the HCYU of HCM City./.

Top leader hosts newly-accredited ambassadors

Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong received letters of credentials submitted by the new Ambassadors of Panama, Singapore and Indonesia to Vietnam, at a ceremony in Hanoi on March 17.

Following the ceremony, the Party and State leader hosted a reception for the ambassadors, during which he welcomed the diplomats and extended his wishes of good health to leaders of their respective countries.

Appreciating the good relations between Vietnam and the countries, the Vietnamese top leader expressed his belief that the diplomats will help foster and further develop the ties.

He briefed the ambassadors on the outcomes of the 13th National Party Congress – Vietnam’s important political event – and the country’s efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

He stressed that Vietnam will step up the implementation of the congress’s Resolution and hopes to receive valuable support from international friends, including the countries of the ambassadors.

Underling the important role of the ambassadors in strengthening Vietnam’s relations with each country, Trong affirmed that the Vietnamese State is willing to create favourable conditions for them to fulfill their missions./.

Gov't Chief Approves Adjustments To Da Nang Master Plan

The Prime Minister recently signed a decision approving the adjustments to the Da Nang city master plan until 2030, with a vision to 2045.

The adjusted master plan aims to develop Da Nang into one of the major socio-economic hubs in Viet Nam and Southeast Asia at large, regarding entrepreneurship, innovation, tourism, commerce, finance, logistics, high-tech industries, information technology, and supporting industries.

Specifically, the central coastal city will focus investment on implementing a number of key projects, including a financial, commercial, service and entertainment complex; a cultural and entertainment park; VinaCapital Da Nang golf course; a complex of works serving the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival; a thematic park south of Son Tra Peninsula; Ba Na-Suoi Mo Ecotourism Complex; the Lang Van general resort tourist area; and InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort.

In addition, Da Nang will go ahead with some high-tech development projects on a total area of about 1,710 hectares, including Da Nang High-Tech Park and Expanded High-Tech Park; Centralized Information Technology Areas 1 and 2; and Software Parks 1, 2 and 3; alongside the establishment of an innovation cluster south of the city associated with the Da Nang University Urban Area, the Innovation Center and the Da Nang Software Park.

A number of large transport projects will also be implemented in Da Nang under the revised master plan, such as the continued upgrading and expansion of Da Nang International Airport, which is expected to be capable of handling 30 million passengers per year and meet the 4E standards of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Some major streets in the inner-city area will be expanded as well in order to facilitate traffic and reduce overloads.

In addition, Da Nang will construct a river tunnel connecting the Dong Da Street – Tran Phu Street area with the area of Van Don Street – Tran Hung Dao Street, as well as a road bridge linking 29/3 Street (Cam Le district) and Bui Ta Han Street (Ngu Hanh Son district).

Hanoi needs 65.4 trillion VND for metro line No. 5

Hanoi aims to mobilise 65.4 trillion VND (2.82 billion USD) for the metro line No. 5 connecting Van Cao and Hoa Lac, scheduled to be put into operation in 2026, according to the municipal People’s Committee.

The municipal People’s Committee has sent its recommendations regarding the pre-feasibility study report for the project to the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

It also suggested adjusting the structure of capital sources for the metro line, with 15 trillion VND to be sourced from public investment and savings during the 2021-2025 period, 10-12 trillion VND from the equitisation and capital divestment of enterprises, 15 trillion VND from property auction, 10 trillion VND worth of bonds, and the remainder from loans.

The investment mobilisation for the entire route will be carried out in one phase only, instead of two phases as initially scheduled.

The total route will run 38.43km, with a 6.5km underground section and 2km of elevated rails. It will have 21 stations with six underground.

This will help passengers move quickly and conveniently from the suburbs to the city centre and reduce urban traffic density while improving travel conditions./.

Summer will not see harsh conditions, according to meteorological centre

La Nina is set to remain until May before concluding and moving to a neutral state during the final months of the summer, according to predictions made by the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

Due to these neutral conditions, weather patterns won’t appear abnormal. This means that the coming summer, which will run from now until September, is likely to be far milder, less severe, and noticeably shorter.

Storms and tropical depressions occurring in the East Sea are not likely to hit between now and May, while June and July will see them appear in the north of the East Sea before increasing frequency over the following months. That will largely affect regions in the north and north central regions throughout August and September.

Local people have also been warned of the appearance of strong storms which could see strong winds occur at sea during this year’s rainy season.

The average temperature throughout April and May will be between 0.5 degrees Celsius and one degrees Celsius lower than in previous years in the north and north-central localities.

The centre also noted that thunderstorms, cyclones, and hail storms are likely to occur during the transition period between seasons, typically between April and June. Indeed, many regions including Nghe An, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, and the Central Highlands, may face risks of water shortages and droughts in April, with the situation potentially spreading to other central central provinces.

The fiercest saline intrusion could occur in the Mekong Delta region until April before gradually decreasing in May.

Due to these factors, the centre recommends that localities in the delta region remain updated on hydro-meteorological forecasts and take relevant measures aimed at preventing droughts and saline intrusion.

15th National Assembly election: 16 self-nominated candidates in HCM City

The election committee of Ho Chi Minh City has received the dossiers of 52 candidates in the upcoming election of deputies to the 15th National Assembly, among whom 16 are self-nominated.

Meanwhile, there are 172 candidates for the election of deputies to the municipal People’s Council in the 2021-2026 tenure, including 13 self-nominated candidates. Eight self-nominated candidates register to run for seats in both the 15th National Assembly and the municipal People’s Committee in 2021-2026 tenure.

The committee held a meeting on March 16 to hand over the nomination documents of candidates to the municipal Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Committee.

It was reported at the meeting that agencies, organisations and units of the city have organised meetings to collect opinions of voters on candidates at their workplace. They introduced 36 candidates to the NA, and 159 others to the city People’s Council.

Addressing the meeting, Nguyen Thi Le, Chairwoman of the city People’s Council and head of the election committee lauded the efforts of members of the committee and related agencies in preparing for the elections, asking them to continue strengthening communications on the elections and supervising election activities.

As scheduled, on March 18, the VFF Committee of HCM City will organise the second consultation meeting to make preliminary lists of candidates in the elections of deputies to the 15th NA and the 10th city People’s Council. The lists should be submitted to the National Election Committee before March 19./.

Vietnam intensifies airport surveillance to prevent smuggling

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has requested that the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (AVC) along with other relevant agencies step up efforts to enhance surveillance at airports and improve their operations in a bid to prevent smuggling.

The ACV must move to reassess security checks conducted on aviation personnel in restricted areas and terminals at international airports nationwide.

Moving forward, professional training in the control and supervision of aviation security, especially the screening process that is performed on security staff, must be strengthened in an effort to prevent aviation staff from bringing any illegal objects aboard aircrafts.

Furthermore, the ACV has also been asked to raise awareness among management staff at all levels and security staff regarding the legal provisions on acts of implementing and abetting criminals in smuggling operations and commercial fraud.

Moreover, the CAAV also requires airlines to not proceed with the transport of goods without invoices, papers, or goods of unknown origin, as well as not abetting criminals in the act of producing and trading fake goods, poor-quality items, and other law-breaking actions.

HCM City plans to carry out trial run of elevated section of metro line No.1 in late 2021

Ho Chi Minh City plans to conduct a test run of the elevated section of metro line No.1 connecting Ben Thanh and Suoi Tien in late 2021 and commercially operate the whole system in 2022.

During a working session with the Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR), Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong asked the municipal Department of Transport  to effectively tap infrastructure around Ba Son underground station, which is part of the metro line, including park, shopping area and Ba Son museum.

It was also required to deal with difficulties to ensure the project’s progress.

MAUR Director Bui Xuan Cuong said contractors and construction units are stepping up the progress of the project.

He suggested the city’s leaders pool private capital for construction of lake-side roads linking with the Ba Son station to attract more visitors.

The project has so far seen nearly 83 percent of its total workload completed. It has three underground stations, including Ba Son, Saigon Opera House and Ben Thanh./.

Vietnam attends seventh Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Dang Hoang An shared Vietnam’s roadmap to form electricity and energy markets towards efficient and sustainable power development at the seventh Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue (BETD) that took place virtually on March 16.

The official underlined the significance of the expansion of renewable energy to provide power to the national power system, as well as the importance of advanced technology to meet the demand of distribution, operation and management of the system.

Themed “Energiewende – Towards Climate Neutrality,” the two-day events drew politicians, policy makers and experts from 50 countries and territories, including US Climate Envoy John Kerry and Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm who participated in the dialogue for the first time.

Participants discussed strategies to restructure the global energy system aiming to promote the energy transition.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Mass and Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier highlighted the significance of successful implementation of energy transition amid great global support. This may become a motivation for renovation and sustainable growth.

Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that Europe wants to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. And last December, EU leaders agreed to a greenhouse gas emission reduction target of at least 55 percent by 2030. The first ever European Climate Law will hopefully soon come into force. And all of this is part of Europe’s commitment to deliver on the Paris Agreement, she said.

The EU will have to invest around EUR 350 billion more per year in the energy system in the coming decade to make it sustainable, she said.

During the event, officials from Germany, US, Canada, Italy and EU will discuss the possibility of trans-Atlantic cooperation in energy transition policies.

Held annually by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy from 2015, the dialogue aims to promote the development of green energy resources and the efficient use of energy in the world./.

Gold laminating recognised as national heritage

 

Kieu Ky gold laminating craft village in Gia Lam district, Hanoi, has a history of about 300 years.Throughout the years, local people have retained their traditional profession with a craftsmanship process that requires ingenuity and sophistication.The craft has been recognised as one of eight national cultural heritages by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Kieu Ky gold laminating craft thrived before the August Revolution in 1945 when the craft of making precious gold was for most of the imperial religious works to inlay statues of Buddha, thrones, diaphragms, couplets, processions and lacquer paintings.

It was on the brink of oblivion during Vietnam’s two resistance wars against the French and the US, but has been restored and developed since the unification of the country in 1975.

At present, nearly 50 families in Kieu Ky village still practice the traditional craft, many of whom are large-scale production households./.

Quang Trung software park to be model of digital transformation

The Quang Trung software park in Ho Chi Minh City will be developed into a model of digital transformation, according to Director of the Quang Trung Software City Development Co Ltd (QTSC) Lam Nguyen Hai Long.

A delegation of city officials led by Nguyen Van Nen, Politburo member and Secretary of the city’s Party Committee, visited the park on March 16 on the occasion of its 20th founding anniversary.

At a working session with the delegation, the QTSC director said the park is the first and most successful information technology (IT) facility in the country, which was formed to implement the resolution of the city’s Party congress on shifting economic structure.

The Quang Trung software park is now home to 165 firms involved in software, digital content and IT services, including 52 foreign ones, Long said, adding that the QTSC has developed an IT ecology – the largest in Vietnam – in the park on the foundation of connectivity among enterprises, school and research establishments.

According to the director, in the next five years, the QTSC aims to develop a chain of software parks, first of all those at Thu Duc city and Cu Chi district, and admit between 6 – 8 members to the chain.

The company will also set up links with the National University – HCM City, the hi-tech park and the ecological technology centre to develop an innovative urban area to the east of the city.

The QTSC proposed that it can provide the city with services in information safety and security, smart city administration, IT infrastructure maintenance and equipment supply based on its advantages.

It also asked the city authorities to propose to the Ministry of Information and Communication and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to include the chain of Quang Trung software parks in the national brand building programme./.

HCMC determined to speed up work on metro line Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien

Ho Chi Minh City authorities have been determined to speed up work on the first metro line between Ben Thanh Market in District 1 and Suoi Tien Park in Thu Duc City.

Chairman of the city People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong and leaders of the committee yesterday toured to supervise the progress, the space and premises of the much-awaited metro line which has been long delayed due to a shortage of funds and issues related to land acquisition.

Head of the HCMC Management Board of Urban Railway (MAUR) Bui Xuan Cuong said the city Opera House and Ba Son stations under the CP1b bid package of the project have a total length of 190 meters and a width of 26 meters comprising of four floors. Especially, scenery connection will be carried out in the next time in the two stations. For instance, a connected system of parks, trails and natural areas will be done along protection corridors of Sai Gon River, Thi Nghe Canal and roads.

After listening to the report, Chairman Phong highly valued the concerted efforts made by the Management Board of Urban Railway’s design consultants and workers who have completed basic parts of the project's work. He directed related competent agencies and sectors to build scenery and paths to connect the metro with surrounding roads.

When it comes to the operation of the metro, Mr. Phong asked MAUR to identify the expected time when the project work is finished proposing relevant agencies to help MAUR to remove hiccups along the way so that it can be completed as scheduled.

The city Opera House and Ba Son stations completed 99 percent of the work in May and June while installation of equipment in the central station Ben Thanh is planned to finish at the end of December, 2021.

According to MAUR, the first metro line has completed 82.5 percent of the work so far. The Urban Railway Company No.1 in HCMC has selected 59 drivers for a training course from July 20, 2020.

The project comprises four main packages and is funded in part through an official development assistance loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Along the way, it has faced a multitude of problems, including the exchange rate fluctuation between Vietnamese dong and Japanese yen.

Quang Ninh to announce 2020 department, district competitiveness index

A teleconference connected with with 13 cities and districts in the northern province of Quang Ninh will be held on March 19 to announce its 2020 Department and District Competitiveness Index (DDCI).

At a press conference on March 16, a representative of the provincial People's Committee said the teleconference will unveil the DDCI of 34 units, including 13 cities and districts, and 21 departments and agencies.

Nguyen Duc Tiep, deputy head of the provincial Board for Investment Promotion and Support, mentioned new points in the DDCI 2020, including using online surveys of COVID-19 prevention and control in agencies and businesses, and checking the phenomenon of passing work among departments and agencies or to higher authorities.

The DDCI 2020 comprises eight component indicators, including transparency and information access; activeness and efficiency of departments, agencies and local authorities; time cost; unofficial cost; fair competition; corporate support activities; legal institutions; role of heads of departments, agencies and local authorities. Land access and stability in land use were also taken into consideration when making assessments of the localities.

Tiep said the DDCI is one of the drastic and creative measures that Quang Ninh took the lead in piloting in 2015. A year later, it was made official to improve the business environment and serve as a channel to listen to businesses’ feedback on the management quality of administrations at the grassroots level.

The result of the index was based on opinions from about 6,500 units, including enterprises, cooperatives, and business households, thereby offering suggestions regarding policies, mechanisms and handling of administrative procedures./.

Support delivered to Vietnamese-Cambodians under quarantine in Cambodia

A working delegation of the Vietnamese Embassy and the Khmer-Vietnam Association in Cambodia handed over donations to Cambodians of Vietnamese origin living in lockdown areas in Kandal and Prey Veng provinces on March 14 and 15, where over 150 COVID-19 cases have been found, including 10 Vietnamese-Cambodians.

They delivered over 14 tonnes of rice, 530 boxes of instant noodles, and 50 boxes of canned fish to support 230 households in Prek Tamlop commune in Kandal and 100 households in Prek Sai Kho commune in Prey Veng.

The delegation also presented medical supplies to local authorities at a working session with officials and forces involved in pandemic control work at Prek Tamlop commune, including 5,000 masks, 50 bottles of hand sanitiser, and 100 protective suits.

The authorities pledged to continue working closely with the Khmer-Vietnam Association’s local branch to offer timely support to the community of Vietnamese-Cambodians. 

Many philanthropists, businesses, and Vietnamese representative agencies in Cambodia have also donated food and medical supplies in recent times to disadvantaged Cambodians of Vietnamese origin in lockdown areas in the country./.

Digital transformation a core factor in growth

Digital transformation is regarded as a core factor in Vietnam’s comprehensive growth, given the country is now embarking on the 2021-2030 socio-economic development strategy.

Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung pointed out four main matters regarding digital transformation: digital infrastructure, digital platforms, national cyber space, and “Make in Vietnam” production technologies.

Digital transformation will contribute to building a digital society and restructuring the national economy in tandem with growth model renovation, he added.

Vu Dang Vinh, General Director of Vietnam Report, said digital transformation will help enterprises save operational costs, raise their operational efficiency, improve their competitiveness, seek and attract customers, expand distribution channels, and automate production processes.

Digital transformation is not only about technological application but also operational reform, with new technologies, new ways, and new organisational models to gain breakthroughs and spark creativity.
Vinh suggested businesses select suitable technologies for long-term, widespread application.

Enterprises are likely to record losses if they fail to adopt changes, he added, so should consider digital transformation a key strategy and joint task./.

Night of French operas to be held in Ho Chi Minh City

The Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO) will organise a concert named French operas’ night at 20:00 on March 28 at the city’s Opera House.

This will offer a chance for audience to listen to famous opera excerpts of renowned authors.

The excerpts include Je dis que rien ne m’épouvante and Parle-moi de ma mère! in the Carmen opera by Georges Bizet, The swan in The carnival of the animals opera by Camille Saint-Saëns, and Depuis le jour in the Louise opera by Gustave Charpentier.

The concert will be arranged and conducted by conductor Tran Nhat Minh, and performed by Meritorious Artists Nguyen Tan Anh and Tran Hong Vy and artists Nguyen Thu Huong, Pham Trang, Pham Duyen Huyen and Pham Khanh Ngoc./.

Traffic police penalize more than 7,000 cases of alcohol, drug abuse violations

While yesterday conducting a nationwide intensive campaign to handle drug and alcohol concentration violations, traffic police forces penalized more than 7,000 drivers for blood alcohol content violations including two drug abuse motorcyclists.

In the first day of the campaign, traffic police forces detected around 600 alcohol concentration violations, seized 59 cars and 139 motorbikes, revoked more than 600 driver's licenses.

As for Ho Chi Minh City, police forces have strengthened inspections at goods transport routes, bus stations, streets where vehicle accidents often occur, places near coach stations, warehouses, bars, restaurants, etc, with the focus on drivers of motorbikes, cars, business vehicles, trucks, container trucks.

During working time, the police use cameras to record all violations especially those with resisting on-duty officers.

Vietnamese drug kingpin jailed in UK

A Vietnamese drug dealer who smuggled migrants into the United Kingdom to work in cannabis farms has been jailed for 11 years.

Tuấn Anh Đỗ, was living in the Cheetham Hill district of Manchester in the north of England. He was arrested after an undercover police operation.

Jailing him at Manchester Crown Court this week, Judge Elizabeth Nicholls told the 55-year-old: “These actions are barbaric and inhumane.

“Those who participate have no regard for those who they transport, who are simply objects to be used for financial gain.”

The court heard that Đỗ was earning around US$1.3 million a year from his illegal enterprises.

The investigation carried out by the National Crime Agency uncovered a number of cannabis farms in properties throughout the north west of England.

Đỗ was identified as the kingpin of the illegal organisation.

It was also determined he was working with other criminal gangs to smuggle migrants from France into the UK to work in the cannabis farms.

NCA surveillance teams witnessed a number of meetings between Đỗ and other gang members where they discussed bringing migrants from mainland Europe, with Đỗ claiming to have contacts with criminal networks involved in people smuggling overseas.

At one point Đỗ spoke directly to a NCA undercover officer regarding a proposal so smuggle migrants to the UK.

He was arrested at a restaurant he ran with his wife in Blackburn in June 2017.

A search of the premises found behind the bar in the restaurant was a piece of paper with a proposed pick-up location for migrants in Belgium. A substantial amount of cannabis was discovered in his car, along with paperwork for another address in Accrington, which was discovered to be a cannabis farm.

He was convicted of conspiring to facilitate illegal immigration following a trial at in November 2018. He was found guilty of two counts of conspiring to produce class B drugs following a second trial in April 2019.

This week he was sentenced for his crimes.

NCA Operations Manager Jon Sayers said: “Put simply, people smugglers put lives at risk.

“They see migrants as a commodity to be profited from, and have no care for the safety of those they move. We have seen the tragic consequences.

“In the case of Tuấn Anh Đỗ, not only was he involved in setting up these dangerous journeys, he was also looking to criminally exploit the migrants when they got here, putting them to work in illegal cannabis farms.

“We are working with law enforcement partners in the UK and overseas to stop criminal enterprises like this, and we are determined to do all we can to disrupt and dismantle them.”

Five other men, none of whom are Vietnamese nationals, were also jailed in connection with Đỗ’s criminal empire. 

HCMC to construct Institute of Advanced Technology and Innovation
 
The Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) Department of Science and Technology yesterday held a conference to introduce new tasks and targets for 2021, focusing on promoting the innovative startup ecosystem and opening an institute for cutting edge technology and innovation.

In the conference, Director of the HCMC Department of Science and Technology Nguyen Viet Dung reported that scientific-technological activities in the city have gradually become the core for socio-economic growth and the knowledge economy establishment. Scientific research has greatly contributed to the industrialization and modernization process of HCMC.

In 2020, 184 scientific research missions, with an expense of over VND287 billion (approx. US$12.4 million), were launched. Of them, 98 were completed and successfully applied into real life.

In 2021, there are 4 major targets to fulfill, consisting of: promoting the growth of an innovative startup ecosystem in HCMC, having a Total Factor Productivity (TFP) contribution of more than 42 percent to the city’s GRDP, investing over 0.7 percent of GRDP on average in science-technology, and spending 2 percent of the total city’s budget on science-technology.

Also, there are 8 key points to focus on this year:

·         Reconstructing scientific research programs

·         Encouraging technological development and innovation citywide

·         Establishing the HCMC Institute of Advanced Technology and Innovation

·         Supporting small- and medium-scale businesses to improve product quality and manufacturing performance

·         Promoting innovative activities and the scientific-technological market

·         Boosting innovation and science-technology application in organizations

·         Propagandizing the trend of innovative startup

·         Performing administrative reform and digital transformation process.

Chairman of HCMC People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong insisted on the importance of the introduction of the HCMC Institute of Advanced Technology and Innovation after careful preparation for both human resources and suitable mechanisms.

This institute is going to be built in Saigon Hi-tech Park. Its aim is to commercialize research results, and form strong links between educational institutes, innovation centers and businesses.

Regarding the first two key points, the Chairman requested that people in charge prioritize sustainable development when carrying out those tasks. This means to categorize businesses according to their field and size so that suitable innovation boosting programs can be applied for the optimal results and the highest-quality products.

Chairman Phong also directed the HCMC Department of Science and Technology to cooperate with the HCMC Department of Health for the building of a regional-scale healthcare center in the city.

Another task assigned to the HCMC Department of Science and Technology is to help Thu Duc City both to form state units related to scientific-technological activities and to create the Eastern highly-interactive innovative urban area.

HCMC suggests support on tuition fees for private primary schoolers

The Department of Education and Training in Ho Chi Minh City has just proposed to have supporting policy on tuition fee for primary children in private schools to promote equality between public and non-public schools and between students.

Under the proposal, children in non-public and self-financing primary schools will be beneficiaries of the supporting policy. Deputy Director of the Department Le Hoai Nam said that the proposal is based on the Law of Education 2019 whose article No.99 on tuition fee and expenditure of educational service stipulates that children in public primary school are exempted from paying tuition fee and children in districts without many public schools will receive support on tuition fee.

Therefore, the Department will continue asking for opinions from related competent agencies for further consultation for the municipal People’s Committee.

According to the representative of the Department of Education and Training, the sector at first suggested that the support for private primary students is equal to the budget rate for public schools.

At present, a primary student in public schools receive a support of more than 5 million annually taken from the city’s budget rate.

Deputy Director Nam said that the supporting policy for private schools aims to mobilize all of the social resources to develop education and training; hence, the policy will create good conditions for private schools to purchase more facilities and improve teaching staffs’ salaries so that the implementation of the educational program will be carried out better.

In addition, if approved, the policy can help to decrease the financial pressure on families whose children are pursuing education in non-public schools as well as reduce the pressure of class sizes at state schools. Simultaneously, it can help to encourage investors to continue pouring money in private schools and building more private educational institutions.

In the year of 2020 – 2021, HCMC has more than 25,000 private primary students and some districts including district 12, Tan Phu, Go Vap have seen the population growth resulting in high classroom size pressure.

Swedish Green Residence – Powering forward a more sustainable Vietnam

In commemoration of the international Solar Appreciation Day and in an effort to promote energy efficiency and sustainability, a solar panel system is formally inaugurated today at the Swedish Residence in Tay Ho, Hanoi. 

Global access to modern and renewable energy and clean fuel is fundamental to meeting several of the challenges currently facing the world, including poverty, food security, climate change, clean water, health, and inclusive economic growth.

“Energy is central to social and economic well-being. Solar energy does not produce any environmental or noise pollution and is one of the cleanest sources of energy. Switching to solar allows you to reduce your use of fossil fuels and increase your energy security. We hope that the event will inspire others to also install solar panels,” said Ann Måwe, Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam at the event.

The photovoltaic rooftop power panel with energy storage at the Swedish Green Residence (10 Dang Thai Mai) is the first of its type in the area. With the total capacity of 18.5kW, it is a hybrid solar power system which generates power in the same way as a common grid-tied solar power system. In addition, it uses special hybrid inverters and batteries to save energy for later use. This ability to store energy enables the system to also operate as a backup power supply during blackout, similar to a UPS system.

“In just 58 days of operation, this hybrid solar power system has produced 1.74MWh. That is equivalent of five trees planted, 600,000 kilogrammes of coal saving, and about 1.73 tonnes of CO2 emissions in a relatively short period of time during winter. We expect that the system is able to produce more power in the summer where sunlight is abundant in the northern part of Vietnam,” said Viet Anh, technical officer of Orient, the service provider for solar installation and maintenance.

Sweden has ranked the first in terms of energy transformation for three consecutive years (2018-2020) by the World Economic Forum (WEF). This means Sweden is a forerunner for transition to a secure, sustainable, affordable, and inclusive future energy system.

Right up till the early 1970s, Sweden depended heavily on oil for energy supply. 75 per cent of energy generated came from oil. After the infamous 1973 oil crisis, Sweden has invested extensively in the search for alternative energy sources. Fast forward to today, Sweden is one of the most forward-thinking countries in the world. It recycles up to 99 per cent of household waste and has one of the lowest per-capita carbon emission among developed nations.

“Our Swedish experience has shown that the fossil-free development pathway is both possible and better. More than half of the energy used in Sweden already comes from renewable energy sources. Sweden has set out to meet 100 per cent of its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2040. Lowering carbon emissions is key, and Sweden has managed to combine falling emission levels with a growing economy,” continued Ambassador Måwe while stressing that the future lies in low-carbon economies.

As for Vietnam, the country is at a crossroad. Its energy consumption is fast increasing. Critical decisions need to be made urgently concerning the country's dependency on coal for power generation. Renewable energy is increasingly cost-competitive and has great potential to meet the enormous demand for energy of the country. Despite relatively new initiatives, in 2019 and early 2020, the country witnessed large investments in solar and wind energy with more than 4.5GW of solar power installed. The challenges lie in how Vietnam can push forward to increase its share of renewables and continue investments to upgrade its power grids to enable the sustainable inputs of renewables.

Vietnam has been successful in limiting the spread of COVID-19 in society. As such, Vietnam has the potential to overcome the economic consequences of the pandemic through “building forward” better and in a more sustainable way. Vietnam can be a leader in the region to demonstrate clean, inclusive, and resilient recovery, building on the principles of the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG7 on Affordable and Clean Energy is a key goal) – and not only because it benefits people and climate, it is also good business.

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.

Leaders of MAUR in 2018-2019 criticized

The HCMC government has strongly criticized the leaders of the Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) of HCMC in the 2018-2019 tenure for their tardiness in signing an agreement with Implementation Consultant (IC), the consulting firm of the city’s second metro line project.

The tardiness has affected the progress and quality of the project and HCMC’s standing among investors, the local media reported.

The municipal government assigned MAUR to continue to keep a close watch on the project and take responsibility in case inspectors and auditors detect violations in the signing of the consultancy contract with IC and other metro line projects.

In 2012, MAUR signed the contract worth nearly 44 million euros (US$47.7 million) with IC for the city’s metro line project. The contract would be conducted in two phases.

In the first phase, valued at some 13 million euros, IC would design and support tenders for the main packages. In the second phase, worth more than 31 million euros, it would supervise the construction of the metro line.

In October 2018, IC stopped work on the project. MAUR had earlier signed 12 appendices with IC, with six of them leading to a cost hike of more than 8.9 million euros.

MAUR and IC have conducted negotiations on the contents of the 13th appendix but they have yet to sign it as IC required payments for what it had completed from the contract and previous appendices.

According to the HCMC government, after reviewing the contract and appendices and Vietnam’s prevailing regulations on contract management, IC has yet to fulfill its duties, so payments cannot be made.

MAUR will work with sponsors to come up with alternative solutions in case IC refuses to sign the 13th appendix.

The second metro line project includes many packages, of which the CP1 package to build the office building and auxiliary facilities at the Tham Luong Depot has been completed.

MAUR is completing procedures to invite tenders for the CP3 package to build tunnels and underground stations, the CP4 package to construct a viaduct and an elevated station and the CP5 package to develop the electrical and mechanical system.

Work on the project is expected to start next year and the metro line will be put into operation at the end of 2026.

Construction of Trung Luong-My Thuan Expressway expected to complete this year

After missing the appointment on the occasion of the Lunar New Year, many people in Mekong Delta provinces expected that they would be able to travel on the Trung Luong - My Thuan Expressway on the occasion of Liberation Day and Labor Day. However, according to the project investor, until the end of this year, the above expectation is likely to come true.

For the project to be completed in October this year as directed by the Prime Minister, during these days, on the construction site of the Trung Luong - My Thuan Expressway, there are about 1,500 workers and engineers, and nearly 1,000 vehicles are busy with continuous construction in three shifts.

Along the route, most of the bid packages have already finished the construction of the roadbed, many sections have been and are being covered with hot asphalt concrete C19. All the bridges on the route are basically completed. At the intersection of An Thai Trung in Cai Be District of Tien Giang Province, the main road of the first session of the new expressway has been completed. Adjacent to this intersection, there is a main road branch of Trung Luong - My Thuan Expressway and a byway on the right so that vehicles can go to Cai Be District in Tien Giang Province.

Sharing about the project progress at the construction site, Mr. Nguyen Tan Dong, General Director of Trung Luong - My Thuan BOT Joint Stock Company, who directly directs and regularly supervises at the construction site, said that after construction was temporarily suspended for vehicle circulation on the occasion of Lunar New Year, from the fourth day of the first month in the lunar calendar, all workers have returned to work normally. The company is striving to complete the project around September or October this year as directed by the Prime Minister. Contractors have been implementing 31 bid packages of construction and installation on the whole route, with the main road having basically been shaped. Up to this point, the project has been constructed more than 77 percent of the volume, and the main road with a length of more than 51 kilometers has been opened to traffic.

People of the Mekong Delta have been longing for information on the construction progress of the Trung Luong - My Thuan Expressway, especially the residents of Tien Giang Province. Because the NH1 route running through Tien Giang Province is currently heavily overloaded. Many sections, especially the sections across the bridges, which were built many decades ago with only two lanes, are always congested on weekends or holidays. Many people living near the project area often go to the construction site to monitor the contractors, hoping it to open to traffic soon. Mr. Cao Van Binh, 74, in Chau Thanh District, said that if this road is put into use on the occasion of Liberation Day and Labor Day, people would be very happy. They had been longing for this road.

A section of the Trung Luong - My Thuan Expressway is under construction. (Photo: SGGP)
Mr. Ho Minh Hoang, Chairman of Deo Ca Group, cum Chairman of the Board of Directors of Trung Luong - My Thuan BOT Joint Stock Company, said that the project was merely under trial instead of opening to traffic to put into use. According to the contract, the project will be put into use by the end of 2021. Therefore, the project is unlikely to be used for vehicle traffic on the upcoming Liberation Day and Labor Day. He explained further that if vehicles are allowed to traffic on the highway, the construction must be stopped, thus affecting the overall progress of the whole project. On the other hand, because the project was carried out urgently, many soft soil areas have not been fully treated, so if it is not really necessary, traffic will not be allowed to ensure safety.

Currently, the investor has been working with the Ministry of Transport, the State Council for Pre-Acceptance Test of Construction Works, and the State Audit to solve some shortcomings of the project. Especially, they are checking and identifying the potential risks of the roadbed due to the impacts of climate change and complicated geological conditions in the area. The specialized agencies will appraise and give out the solutions for the investor to handle these issues before accepting the completion of the project.

The investor also petitioned the Ministry of Transport and the People's Committee of Tien Giang Province to soon resolve the lingering problems related to the toll collection of the Ho Chi Minh City - Trung Luong Expressway, and at the same time use the existing toll stations on the HCMC – Trung Luong Expressway (Dem Market Station) to organize synchronous and interconnected toll collection management on the entire HCMC - My Thuan - Can Tho Expressway.

The early operation of the Trung Luong - My Thuan Expressway has a significant meaning to the socio-economic development of the Mekong Delta. Therefore, many people hope that the project will not delay its completion again. All reasons for missing the appointment are unacceptable.

The Trung Luong - My Thuan Expressway project has a total investment of more than VND14 trillion, expected to be completed in 2013. However, due to the poor capacity of investors, the project had been delayed. After changing investors and project management agencies many times, from the Ministry of Transport to the People's Committee of Tien Giang Province, the adjusted capital of the project is more than VND12 trillion.

Currently, the project has disbursed nearly VND7.25 trillion. Of which, equity and investor's capital is more than VND3.05 trillion, credit loans are nearly VND2.32 billion, and State budget capital is more than VND1.77 trillion.

Eight More National Intangible Heritages Named

Eight more cultural icons have been added to the list of national intangible cultural heritage, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. 

These include Cau Bong Festival in Binh Phuoc Province; Rice Festival of the H'mong people in Mu Cang Chai District, Yen Bai Province; worship painting craft of the Red Dao people in Sa Pa, Lao Cai Province; Kieu Ky  village gold lamination; Thi Cam rice cooking contest in Nam Tu Liem District, Ha Noi; the Khmu people’s dance in Dien Bien Province; shoe making craft of the Vietnamese of Chinese origin in Dien Bien; and the Nung people’s Sli  singing in Na Ri District, Bac Kan  Province.

These recognized intangible cultural heritages are divided into the five categories of traditional handicrafts, traditional festivals, folklore art, social practices and beliefs, and folklore knowledge.

The ministry assigned the authorities at all levels where these intangible cultural heritages are located to be responsible for the management of the heritages within the scope of their duties and in accordance with the law and regulations on cultural heritages.

Trial of land-use violation case involving HCM City former leader suspended

The People’s Court of Ho Chi Minh City on March 17 suspended the first-instance trial for the case of law violation involving the land lot at 57 Cao Thang street being exchanged for the land lot at 185 Hai Ba Trung street in the city after two days of hearing.

As the hearing started with the announcement of defendant Duong Thi Bach Diep’s statement, Diep kept on screaming at the court, causing disorder. The jury had to postpone the court for one hour. However, after the break, Diep continued to cause chaos.

Diep’s lawyers asked for the trial to be suspended due to the defendant’s poor health conditions.

After listening to doctors’ opinions, the jury decided to suspend the court for five days and asked authorities to send Diep to the hospital for health check-up.

Diep, Director of the Diep Bach Duong Real Estate Co., is among the key defendants in the trial, and is charged with “fraud, appropriation of assets”.

Nine other defendants in the case are charged with “lack of responsibility, causing serious consequences,” including former Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Tai; former Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Finance Tran Nam Trang; former Director of the HCM City Light Music Centre Vy Nhat Tao; former Director of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Thanh Rum; former Deputy Director of the department Le Ton Thanh; former deputy heads of the municipal People’s Committee Office Huynh Kim Phat and Le Van Thanh; former Director of the municipal Department of Natural Resources and Environment Dao Anh Kiet; and former Deputy Director of the department Nguyen Thanh Nhan.

According to the indictment, the 185 Hai Ba Trung land lot, owned by the State, was the headquarters of the Light Music Centre under the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. In 2007, the centre’s then director Vy Nhat Tao contacted Diep to cooperate in upgrading the headquarters.

Diep then proposed exchanging her land lot at 57 Cao Thang street for the 185 Hai Ba Trung land lot, as she owned the land lot at 179 Hai Ba Trung street and wanted to build a five-star hotel complex there.

The property swap was approved by Nguyen Thanh Tai. During the process, Diep used the land use right certificate for 57 Cao Thang as collateral to borrow money from Agribank - HCM City branch.

After being granted a land right use certificate for the property at 185 Hai Ba Trung, however, Diep did not use it to replace the collateral at Agribank to hand over the property at 57 Cao Thang to the Light Music Centre as committed. Instead, Diep used the 185 Hai Ba Trung land lot as collateral for a loan at Southern Bank (now Sacombank) and so far was not able to repay the debt.

The indictment stated that Tai permitted the property swap while he was not responsible for handling and reorganising State assets.

On March 5, 2010, Tai signed a document sent to relevant units approving the exchange of the two land lots, without any request to check and clarify the legal status of the 57 Cao Thang land lot, causing losses of State assets.

The other defendants showed a lack of responsibility in carrying out their duty, thus facilitating Diep’s fraud and appropriation of assets.

The court will be resumed on March 22./.

Statue of Pushkin unveiled in Hanoi

A 2.1-metre-tall bronze statue of famous Russian poet Alexandre Sergeievich Pushkin has been unveiled at Hoa Binh Park in Hanoi’s Bac Tu Liem district by the municipal People’s Committee and the Embassy of Russia in Vietnam.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony on March 17, Secretary of the Security Council of Russia, Patrushev Nikolai Platonovich, referred to Pushkin as a symbol of Russia, saying the country is proud to have a statue of him placed in the capital of Vietnam, its close and trusted friend.

The statue manifests the determination of Vietnam and Russia to further deepen the coordination and cooperation between the two sides, he said.

Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Konstantin Vasilievich Vnukov, for his part, said the statue is a present from the Russian Writers’ Association to the government and people of Hanoi, following an initiative by the Embassy of Russia since 2016. The unveiling ceremony demonstrates the strong friendship between the two countries, he said.

Accepting the 1.5-tonne statue on behalf of the government and people of Hanoi, Standing Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Hong Son thanked the Russian side for the meaningful gift, which he described as a beautiful work of art that will strengthen the friendship.

Alexandre Pushkin (1799-1837) was a Russian poet, playwright, and novelist who is viewed by many as the founder of modern Russian literature. He is among the most popular Russian writers in Vietnam.

Statues of Pushkin have been erected in more than 40 countries worldwide, including Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, the US, Egypt, Mexico, and China.

University Esports Championship 2021 opens

The Vietnam Recreational and Electronic Sport Association (VIRESA) has launched University Esports Championship (UEC) 2021 with the aim of seeking Vietnamese competitors to represent the country in future international events.

Moving forward, students from various universities and colleges nationwide aged between 18 and 30 can register to compete in the tournament between March 15 and March 29.

Entrants must have Vietnamese nationality and they must also be members of the VIRESA.

According to the schedule, the final round will be held across three regions, with the central and southern region’s finals taking place in Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City at the same time between April 3 and April 4, whilst the northern region’s finals are due to be held in Hanoi from April 10 to April 11.

The grand final is scheduled to get underway in Hanoi between April 17 and April 18 and will feature the participation of 24 teams from across the country. A total of 16 teams will compete in PUBG Mobile games, with eight teams participating in League of Legends games.

The tournament is anticipated to uncover the best local talents who will partake in the Vietnamese E-sport Championship (VEC) 2021, while also preparing participants for the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games which will be held in the country later this year.

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