Speaker of the Parliament of Finland Jussi Halla-aho will pay an official visit to Vietnam from March 24-26.

The visit will be made at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, according to an announcement of the Vietnamese NA’s Committee for Foreign Affairs.

Vietnam pledges to continue contributing to UNESCO’s common affairs

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc attended the 219th session of the UNESCO’s Executive Board in Paris on March 18 and 19, during which the Vietnamese representative affirmed that Vietnam always highly evaluates multilateral cooperation and UNESCO’s role, and pledges to continue to make active and positive contributions to the organisation’s common affairs.

Ngoc, who is also Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, held that the world is now at a difficult time with many intertwined challenges such as the climate and environmental crisis, the booming of artificial intelligence (AI), increasing inequality, violence and armed conflicts, affecting all aspects of social life.

In that context, multilateralism and international cooperation based on openness, equality, and mutual benefit, as well as UNESCO's mission to promote peace through dialogue, mutual understanding, and its pioneering role in strengthening global cooperation in education - training, culture, heritage, science - technology, information - communication are becoming important than ever, he stressed.

The Vietnamese representative hailed the efforts of the UNESCO Director-General and Secretariat as well as the organisation's members in promoting interdisciplinary and multi-sector approaches, diversifying resources, and expanding the global partnership network to further strengthen the role and effectiveness of the organisation.

Ngoc proposed UNESCO and its Executive Board continue implementing initiatives, programmes and activities to realise the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 4 on ensuring equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, while strengthening the efficiency of the Global Network of Learning Cities, UNESCO Associated Schools Network and UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

Meanwhile, it is necessary to associate culture and heritage with sustainable development, promote open science and ethics in artificial intelligence, strengthen biodiversity conservation, water security, ocean governance and climate change response, contribute to the UN Summit of the Future (slated for September), and support member countries in implementing the SDGs, he suggested.

On this occasion, Ngoc had working sessions with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Deputy Director-General Xing Qu, President of the UNESCO Executive Board Vera Khoury Lacoeuilhe, President of the UNESCO General Conference Simona-Mirela Miculescu, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa and External Relations Anthony Ohemeng-Boamah, and UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences Lida Brito, as well as heads of delegations from some member countries to promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Ngoc also worked with Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre Lazare Assomo, ICOMOS World Heritage Advisory and Monitoring Unit Director Regina Durighello to discuss the enhancement of cooperation in protecting and promoting the values of world heritages in Vietnam.

At the working sessions, the UNESCO leaders and heads of delegations of countries highly valued the sound cooperation between Vietnam and UNESCO and other member countries, as well as Vietnam’s important and effective contributions to the common affairs of the organisation in its capacity as a member of five key management mechanisms of the organisation.

They underlined that Vietnam is a model for harmony between preservation and promotion of heritages in association with promoting tourism development, economic growth and people’s livelihoods.

Ngoc expressed his hope that the UNESCO leaders and the UNESCO Secretariat provide consultancy and support Vietnam’s new heritage dossiers such as those of the Yen Tu - Con Son - Kiep Bac landscape and relic complex, Oc Eo - Ba The archaeological site, Con Moong cave, and intangible cultural heritages such as Festival of Ba Chua Xu Goddess at Sam Mountain, Dong Ho folk painting art, and Lang Son global geopark.

Vietnam also hopes to receive support in preserving and promoting the value of UNESCO-recognised world heritage sites, including the project to preserve, restore and promote the value of the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi, Ngoc said.

The leaders of UNESCO and ICOMOS vowed to support Vietnam in building and promoting heritage dossiers proposed by the Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO.

Ngoc also took this occasion to invite and convey invitations to the UNESCO leaders to visit Vietnam for the celebrations of 10 years since Trang An Landscape Complex was recognised as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site (April), the Festival for Peace 2024 (July), and the 8th Asia Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium (September)./.

Event in Denmark introduces Vietnam, bilateral relations

The Vietnamese Embassy in Denmark coordinated with the Denmark-Vietnam Friendship Organisation (DAVIFO) to hold an event on March 20 to introduce the Southeast Asian country and Vietnam-Denmark relations to teachers and students of Slotshaven High School in Holbaek.

The event was organised ahead a school delegation's fact-finding trip to Vietnam next month.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Denmark Luong Thanh Nghi said this was an extremely meaningful activity which helped promote mutual understanding and attachment between the people of the two countries, especially younger generations.

He briefed participants on Vietnam’s socio-economic development, achievements in relations between the two countries after more than 50 years of establishing diplomatic ties as well as the functions and tasks of the Vietnam Embassy in Denmark in deepening and promoting the bilateral ties.

According to the diplomat, young Danish people should take advantage of the strengths of the youth to explore about Vietnam because each region of the country has its own beauty and leaves deep impressions on visitors.

Meanwhile, DAVIFO President Trine Glue Doan talked about the association’s activities to enhance exchanges and mutual understanding between the people and young generations of the two countries, and shared her personal experiences and love for Vietnam and its people.

Vietnam is a favourite destination for international businesses and tourists due to the hospitality and friendliness of the Vietnamese people and a diverse culture, she noted.

Visitors to the event had the opportunity to get an insight into the culture of Vietnam through a photo exhibition and short films that depict the country and enjoy its traditional dishes./.

Former national midfielder Phạm Thành Lương joins Hà Nội Police coaching staff

Hà Nội Police football team have welcomed Phạm Thành Lương as the new assistant to coach Kiatisak Senamuang.

Lương, a former national midfielder, will join the coaching staff in time for the start of the second leg of the V.League 1 2023-2024 season.

During his playing career, Lương achieved numerous titles with Hà Nội FC and was part of the Vietnamese team that won the 2008 AFF Cup championship. He also received the Vietnamese Golden Ball award four times.

Prior to joining Hà Nội Police as an assistant coach, Lương led Hòa Bình Club in the first division event.

Under coach Kiatisak, Hà Nội Police have shown signs of decline. After an initial run of four unbeaten matches, the team suffered defeats in their last two matches against Thể Công Viettel in the national premier league and the National Cup.

Currently, Hà Nội Police have accumulated 22 points from 13 matches, placing them seven points behind the league leaders, Nam Định. 

Hanoi raises nearly 40 bln VND for seas & islands fund

The committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front of Hanoi on March 20 called on people and organisations in the city to contribute to the “For Vietnam’s seas and islands Fund” in 2024.

Responding to the call, 52 units across the city have registered to donate over 40 billion VND (1.7 million USD).

Head of the committee Nguyen Lan Huong said that authorities, people, and organisations in Hanoi always take practical actions to support soldiers and people in coastal areas and on islands as well as contribute to protecting sovereignty of the sacred sea and islands of Vietnam.

Since 2016, the capital city has mobilised more than 349 billion VND for the fund and supported the construction of eight multi-purpose cultural houses on islands in Truong Sa island district, Khanh Hoa province.

The fundraising runs from March 20 to June 20.

Mekong Delta tightens forest fire prevention measures

Authorities and forest owners in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta have stepped up measures to prevent forest fires as the region is in its peak dry season.

The delta’s 12 provinces and Cần Thơ have tightened the monitoring of forests and implemented advocacy activities to enhance the public’s awareness of the risk of forest fires and mobilised people to protect forests.

Lê Hữu Toàn, director of the Kiên Giang Province Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said it is the peak dry season and the department, in cooperation with relevant agencies and localities, regularly informs about the risk of forest fires to households living near forests.

Forest owners have increased monitoring efforts and worked at inspection stations around the clock, he said.

Kiên Giang has mobilised various forces such as the police, army and local people, to participate in preventing and fighting forest fires.

It has instructed 931 households living near forests to sign commitments to prevent and fight forest fires during this dry season and has set up 205 groups with more than 1,868 people to protect and fight forest fires.

Kiên Giang, which has one of largest forest areas in the delta, has more than 41,000ha of forest facing the threat of fire, accounting for nearly 50 per cent of its total forest areas, according to its Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The department, relevant agencies and forests owners have made fire breaks in forests, upgraded 48 dams and six sluices to store more water, arranged water containers with a holding capacity of 2-12 cubic metre each and set up pumping stations in fire-prone forests.

Kiên Giang has had seven forest fires in the Phú Quốc National Park so far this year, damaging 14ha of brush and cajuput trees.

The delta’s provinces have pumped more water into forests, prepared fire fighting tools and vehicles, built dams and fire watching towers, and installed boards warning people against lighting fires in forests.

A large area of forests in the delta are mangrove forests.

In Hậu Giang Province, hot weather and drought is common and daytime temperatures range between 34-36 degree Celsius, according to the province’s Steering Committee for Forest Protection and Development Plan.

The water levels in mangrove forests have declined rapidly and are drying up, and vegetation and growth in some forests have died because of water shortage, it said.

The steering committee has decided to increase the forest fire warning from level 1 to level 3 (high level) since March 15.

Hậu Giang has more than 1,656ha of its 3,770ha of forests facing the threat of fire.

Sóc Trăng Province has 10,130ha of forests and some are facing the fifth fire risk level, the highest warning, according to its Sub-Department of Forest Protection.

Phan Thị Trúc Giang, head of the sub-department, said with current hot weather, the risk of forest fires is very high and reaches the fifth level.

To prevent forest fires, the sub-department implemented fire prevention plans for forest owners at the beginning of the dry season, she said.

It has taken urgent measures to prevent forest fires at the highest level, she said. 

Notaries should retire at 70: experts

The HCM City delegation of National Assembly deputies offered numerous proposals and opinions on a draft of the amended Law on Notarisation to improve the quality of notarisation activities, such as more regulations on the age of notaries.

During the conference on March 19 in HCM City, the deputies evaluated that the draft Law on Notarisation (amended) is a solution to deal with certain limitations and difficulties encountered during the implementation of the 2014 Law on Notarisation over the past eight years.

However, there are still issues.

Regarding foreign documents that can be recognised and used in Việt Nam, National Assembly deputy Nguyễn Thị Lệ, deputy secretary of HCM City Party Committee, chairwoman of HCM City People's Council, said that regulations regarding notarisation of documents for consular legalisation have not been effectively implemented in practice, she said.

Lệ proposed that the draft law should detail the conditions and types of documents that need to undergo translation when notarised.

The current draft Law on Notarisation (amended) sets the retirement age for notaries at 70.

It also allows notaries over 70 who are working at the time this law takes effect to continue working for a maximum of two years.

This does not ensure that notarisation activities are carried out accurately and professionally, she said.

According to the deputies, notarisation activities demand a high level of transaction authenticity, which presents challenging conditions regarding the health and mental acuity of elderly notaries public.

International regulations typically impose strict regulations on the age of notaries public, hence the necessity for setting limits on the age of notaries.

Lệ proposed that notaries public over 70 must obtain a health certificate from healthcare organisations to assess their mental capabilities for practicing notarisation for a maximum of two years from the effective date of this law.

Meanwhile, a representative from the HCM City Department of Justice said the 2019 Labour Code set the retirement age for workers under normal working conditions at 62 for male by 2028 and 60 for female by 2035.

Therefore, the Department of Justice recommends the age for the first time appointment of notary publics should not exceed 65, and the age for practising notarisation should not exceed 70.

Regarding e-notary, some deputies proposed that relevant authorities should look into drafting regulations for implementing e-notary services locally, allowing notarisation offices to choose to provide e-notary services, and citizens to choose between traditional notarisation and e-notary services.

Notarisation offices providing e-notary services will need to meet specified conditions and register with the Department of Justice where they operate.

Regarding e-notary service procedures, some deputies said that Việt Nam's technological platform and connectivity among related databases had many limitations.

Moreover, Việt Nam has yet to implement e-notary services, and cannot assess their effectiveness, advantages and limitations.

Therefore, the deputies suggested focusing on developing and promoting traditional notarisation services before implementing regulations on e-notary services.

Golfer lineup for Vietnam-Singapore friendly tournament announced

A list of 14 Vietnamese golfers participating in the Vietnam - Singapore Alliance Cup 2024 has been announced.

According to the Vietnam Golf Association, the tournament is set to run at the Legend Danang Golf Resort in the central coastal city of Da Nang from March 27 to 29.

The official lineup includes Captain Ngo Dinh Diem, and two vice-captains, Bach Cuong Khang and Tran Le Duy Nhat. Other players are Nguyen Anh Minh, Nguyen Huu Quyet, Do Hong Giang, Pham Minh Duc, Doan Van Dinh, Doan Van Nam, Dinh Song Hai, Dao Van Hoan, Tran Van Hoang, Ha Ngoc Hoang Loc, and Nguyen Tuan Kiet.

As the Singapore team also consists of experienced golfers with impressive records, the cup promises to deliver captivating rounds of competition. Through friendly matches, it not only provides a platform for the athletes to perform and hone their skills but also enhances the solidarity, friendship, and cooperation between the golf communities of Vietnam and Singapore.

The prize value amounts to 500 million VND (20,800 USD)./.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park receives 11 rare animals

The Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Management Board in the central province of Quang Binh has announced that it has recently received 11 rare wild animals transferred by the Hanoi Wild Animal Rescue Centre for further rescue and release back into the natural environment.

Accordingly, the Hanoi Wild Animal Rescue Centre handed over two hornbills (Buceros bicornis), three pig-tailed macaques, one golden monkey, four civets, and one large Indian civet to the Centre for Rescue, Conservation and Creature Development of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.

The wild animals are all on the list of endangered, precious, and rare animal species stipulated in the Government's Decree No. 84/2021/ND-CP on the management of endangered forest plants and animals and implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The Centre for Rescue, Conservation and Creature Development has prepared adequate conditions in terms of infrastructure and specialised personnel to continue caring for, nurturing, and rehabilitating the wild behaviors of these animals before releasing them back into the natural environment.

Previously, the Centre for Rescue, Conservation and Creature Development also received two hornbills./. 

South Sudan wants to promote multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam: President

Vietnamese Ambassador to Egypt and South Sudan Nguyen Huy Dung on March 20 presented the Vietnamese President's credentials to President of South Sudan Salvar Kiir Mayardit.

At a reception for the diplomat after the presentation ceremony, President Kiir Mayardit expressed his joy to receive the credentials from the first Vietnamese ambassador to the youngest nation in Africa.

He hoped the ambassador will complete his duties excellently during his term of office in South Sudan, making contributions to strengthening and developing the cooperative relations between the two countries.

President Kiir Mayardit expressed his admiration for Vietnam's socio-economic achievements, affirming his wish to promote the bilateral multifaceted cooperation.

For his part, Dung affirmed his determination to promote the friendship and cooperative relations between the two countries in the coming time both bilaterally and multilaterally.

On March 19, the ambassador presented a copy of the credentials to South Sudan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation James Pitia Morgan.

South Sudan was founded in 2011 after a referendum on separating the southern region of Sudan into an independent country. Currently, South Sudan has a population of about 12 million people, with more than 200 different tribes. It has abundant natural oil, gas and wood resources.

Vietnam and South Sudan established official diplomatic relations on February 21, 2019. Since 2014, Vietnam has sent over 800 military and police officers and soldiers to join in the United Nations peacekeeping missions in South Sudan./.

Nordic Day 2024: adapting VN labour market, lessons learned from Nordic Region

Learning from successful models like the ones used in the Nordic Region, is important for Việt Nam to leverage its potential to create a dynamic and inclusive labour market.

That was the message from President of Fulbright University Việt Nam, Professor Scott Fritzen speaking at the Nordic Day 2024 event on Wednesday in HCM City.

The theme of this year's event is "Adapting Việt Nam's Labour Market - Lessons Learned from the Nordic Region and Implications for Việt Nam."

The Nordic Embassies in Việt Nam (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden), in collaboration with the Fulbright University co-organised the conference.

This year marks the sixth edition in conjunction with the Nordic Day on March 23.

Fritzen said they were honoured to co-host the event and contribute to the discussions on Việt Nam's evolving labour market.

"We believe that this event will provide valuable insights and inspire actionable strategies to shape Việt Nam's future workforce," he said.

Ambassador of Norway Hilde Solbakken said dialogue between government, employers and workers has been central to the development of the welfare state in the Nordic countries, and in enabling our economies and labour markets to adapt to a continuously changing world. 

"I hope that sharing the Nordic experiences can contribute to Việt Nam's journey towards a highly skilled, innovative, and equitable labour market," she added.

Việt Nam now aims to become a higher-income country with net-zero emissions by 2050. To achieve this goal, the country is shifting its labour market towards high-skill, high-tech industries and technology. This transformation necessitates a focus on innovation, digitalisation, vocational training, education, skill development, and investments in research and development.

"Security and innovation are key to the success of the Nordic Region,” said ambassador of Finland Keijo Norvanto.

The social security net in the Nordic countries fosters innovation by providing individuals with the confidence to take risks and think creatively. This allows them to explore new ideas without the fear of losing everything they have built in life, he said.

He added that the Nordics also pay great attention to work-life balance. Employee-friendly working time, flexibility at work, strong support for families including parental leaves and affordable day care, are just some of the social innovations that we are taking to ensure a healthy balance between work and personal lives.

Việt Nam has committed to ratify, during the 2021-30 period, all of the International Labour Organisation's core conventions on labour standards, including Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association.

Strengthening workplace dialogue and improving working conditions are essential aspects of this commitment. Additionally, Việt Nam faces the challenge of an aging population, which will eventually test its social welfare system.

Ambassador of Sweden Ann Måwe highlighted the importance of developing robust plans including social insurance systems to face challenges such as an aging population, which eventually will also be a pressing reality for Việt Nam.

The "Nordic model" offers valuable lessons on how to improve and adapt the labour market to meet the demands of the global and greener economy.

The Nordic countries are renowned for their public provision of social services funded by taxes, investments in education, childcare, elderly health care, and other services associated with human capital.

They also prioritise strong labour-force protections through independent unions and a robust social safety net.

Notably, the Nordic countries rank among the world's richest nations in terms of per capita GDP and excel in global innovation.

This year's International Day of Forests themes "Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a better world"

This year, The International Day of Forests (March 21) has the theme "Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World."

The message emphasises how innovation can help humanity restore, protect, manage and sustainably use forests.

Trần Quang Bảo, head of the Forestry Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that the message was considered a "return" for humanity to recognise the immense potential of forests.

Materials sourced from forests have been used by people worldwide throughout human evolution. However, we had only scratched the surface of the "treasure trove", he said.

According to Bảo, the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has developed frameworks and methods over decades to assess the potential and value of forest ecosystems accurately.

Specifically, direct values included the worth of raw materials and physical products extracted from forests and directly used in production, consumption and trade, such as timber, firewood, non-wood forest products and genetic materials.

Indirect values were the economic value of environmental services and ecological functions provided by forests, such as water conservation and regulation, flood mitigation, erosion control, carbon absorption and storage, climate regulation and biodiversity conservation.

Optional values were the unknown values of genetic resources, wild forest species and forest ecosystem functions when they were applied in pharmaceuticals and agriculture in the future.

Legacy values represented direct or indirect values that future generations could utilise.

Intrinsic values accompany species' existence within forests and forest ecosystems regardless of direct use, such as cultural significance, historical value, aesthetics, heritage, and inheritance.

Today, technological advancements enable humanity to extract natural values more efficiently and cleverly, providing sustainable alternatives to materials like plastics, construction materials, textiles, medicines and others.

This aligned with the Vietnamese forestry sector's perspective and direction in the future, which is towards innovation in mindset, awareness, and action to maximise and exploit forests' multi-value.

The concepts had been concretised under the Project on developing the multiple values of forest ecosystems until 2030, a vision until 2050, approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 208/QĐ-TTg on February 29, 2024.

This year's International Day of Forests message also underscored the need to restore, develop, protect, manage, and sustainably use forests based on the achievements of scientific and technological advancements and innovative solutions, such as satellite technology, unmanned aerial vehicles, biotechnology, crop varieties or materials technology.

Bảo said: "Through innovative approaches and actions, together, we build a better world, a more ecological environment, a more prosperous economy, and an improved quality of life."

The United Nations General Assembly approved the International Day of Forests (March 21) on November 28, 2012, and first launched in 2013. Since then, the event has been celebrated annually with different themes. 

Vaccine interruption, severe weather lead to surge in seasonable diseases

Department of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health asked  health departments of provinces and cities nationwide on prevention and control enhancement of whooping cough and other infectious diseases that  vaccines can prevent.

The Ministry of Health informed that the whole country has recorded about 70 cases of whooping cough (pertussis) from the beginning of the year to now via the national infectious disease surveillance system, mostly cases in some Northern provinces and cities.

Besides, many cases of measles, measles-suspected typhus and smallpox were also detected in many places.

On these days, the Northern region has experienced cold windy and rainy weather along with high humidity creating favorable environment conditions for viruses and increasing the risk of epidemic infectious diseases, especially respiratory diseases.

In addition, the vaccine supply's interruption in the Expanded Program on Immunization in recent times is a risk factor for disease spike.

Amid the outbreak risk of the above-mentioned diseases, the Ministry of Health required localities to strengthen surveillance, testing and early detection for whooping cough infections, other infectious diseases and strictly handle newly arising outbreaks.

Apart from close coordination with the Institutes of Hygiene and Epidemiology and Pasteur Institute to analyze the disease situation, assess risks of disease severity, make proposals and deploy appropriate and timely anti-epidemic measures, hospitals must proactively receive, treat and resuscitate patients, control infections and prevent cross-infection in medical examination and treatment facilities.

It is necessary to promote regular vaccination for subjects under the Expanded Program on Immunization.

Health Departments of provinces and cities nationwide need to promote communication about disease risks and measures of prevention and mitigation for whooping cough and other infectious diseases that vaccines can prevent; recommend people regularly washing hands with soap and water; promptly detect the suspected cases with symptom of illness and so on.

High-quality one million hectare rice project - key project in Asia

The World Bank highly appreciates one million hectares of the low-carbon and high-quality rice field project of Vietnam and considers the project a key project in the Asian region.

The information was revealed at the conference on a proposal for a project to support technical infrastructure for low-carbon rice in the Mekong Delta to prepare for the government’s initiative of one million hectares of low-carbon and high-quality rice fields yesterday.

At the conference, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam said that the World Bank has agreed to buy carbon credits. Therefore, localities and functional units need to quickly complete the framework for the project's implementation so that the World Bank will soon approve the project.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam requested that localities in the region quickly make a decision to establish a project management board to implement the project of 1 million hectares of high quality rice from the VnSAT management board.

The 5 localities chosen to implement the pilot model in the 1 million hectares of high-quality rice project are typical in 5 lands with different characteristics. Along with that, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will soon issue a production process to implement 180,000 hectares of rice in the VnSAT project (Sustainable Agricultural Transformation Project in Vietnam).

After harvesting rice, a technical unit will specifically evaluate the emission reduction outcomes to pave the way for the expansion of the production area. At the conference, delegates were introduced to the idea of proposing a project to support technical infrastructure for low-carbon rice in the Mekong Delta.

About VND9,000 billion (US$375 million) is the total investment capital for the implementation of the project in the period 2026-2031 as per an initial estimate. In particular, the project will support the low-carbon rice value chain from the initial production stage to processing and marketing with the goal of reaching an area of 500,000 hectares of rice under the project in 12 provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta.

Hanoi promotes model of school gates for traffic safety

The "School Gate for Traffic Safety", a model intending to raise awareness and understanding of traffic safety regulations among students, teachers, and school staff throughout Hanoi, was launched at Hoang Dieu Primary School, Ba Dinh District on March 20.

Vice Chairman of Ba Dinh District People's Committee Nguyen Trung Dung told The Hanoi Times that the model aims to promote safe participation in traffic to reduce student-related accidents and create a safer, more pleasant traffic environment around schools. "It also seeks to deter traffic violations and instill a sense of responsibility for traffic safety in students from a young age".

Under the program, a Self-management Team was set up to organize traffic safety education activities for students, teachers, staff, and residents near the school.  They will also be responsible for maintaining traffic order and safety around the school gate, particularly during peak hours and periods of heavy traffic.

The launching ceremony included the signing of a commitment to implement the "School Gate for Traffic Safety" model at Hoang Dieu Primary School, in which leaders from Ba Dinh District and the Traffic Police Department presented helmets to students. Traffic officers also provided educational talks on the Road Traffic Law, traffic regulations, and measures to ensure safety around the school gate.

"The "School Gate for Traffic Safety" model holds promise for significantly improving traffic safety around Hanoi schools. By promoting safe behaviors and fostering a sense of responsibility among students, the program can create a safer and more sustainable transportation environment for the entire community," said Dung.

Flexible unemployment insurance payment rates proposed

The regulation of a fixed unemployment insurance payment rate to both laborers and their recruiters has proved to cause trouble, especially during unwanted contexts, and hence in need of adjustment.

The applicable Employment Law stipulates the payment rate of 1 percent for unemployment insurance to both employees and their employers. However, reality has shown that this fixed rate has created much trouble for these two groups, particularly when natural disasters, epidemics, economic recession, or financial crises happen.

Therefore, in the latest report to the Government as to amendments in the Employment Law to be consistent with the Labor Code 2019 and the Social Insurance Law, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs proposes flexible unemployment insurance payment rates.

In particular, it is recommended that laborers contribute 1 percent of their monthly salary at most while employers pay no more than 1 percent of their monthly salary fund for those registering for this insurance. The State sponsors the same amount as that of employers.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs also suggests more subjects eligible to join this unemployment insurance program. The new group includes those with a labor contract of 1 month and above (instead of 3 months currently) as these people are at a high risk of losing job and in need of participating in the mandatory social insurance program.

The proposal of flexible unemployment insurance payment rates depending on specific economic context, according to experts on salary and labor, is necessary to aid businesses because the Unemployment Insurance Fund is quite surplus (over VND60.6 trillion – US$2.44 billion at the end of 2021).

Hanoi to host Youth Month activities 
  
The youth of Hanoi has carried out around 1,400 projects to demonstrate the spirit of commitment, volunteering for difficult and new tasks, and the building of an urban civilization.

Various activities and initiatives will be organized across Hanoi to celebrate Vietnam Youth Month, an annual celebration held in March to commemorate the 93rd anniversary of the founding of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union [March 26, 1931-2024].

According to Chu Hong Minh, secretary of the Hanoi Youth Union, the aim is to encourage young people to engage in constructive activities, develop leadership skills and contribute to developing their communities and the nation as a whole," he said.

The month-long event is dedicated to promoting and empowering the country's youth, seen as Vietnam's future, Minh stressed, adding that volunteer activities among union members, youth and children in Hanoi have recently become regular.

"With the theme "Capital Youth Volunteer for Community Life", it is expected that Youth Month 2024 will involve at least 10,000 union members and youth in volunteer activities for community life and social security," Minh said.

He cited that Hanoi youth has carried out about 1,400 projects to demonstrate the spirit of dedication, volunteering for difficult and new tasks, and building urban civilization.

"The capital's youth will build and maintain more than 400 civilized street projects with the criteria of 'Bright - Green - Clean - Beautiful - Civilized - Safe'; decorate and beautify more than 150 relics, nearly 1,000 electric cabinets; renovate and build hundreds of new friendly toilets and children's playgrounds in schools and residential areas," Minh said.

According to Nguyen Duc Tien, Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Youth Union and Chairman of the Vietnam Youth Union, the capital's youth have been more creative with new models in addition to effective activities in recent times.

"Remarkably, the capital's youth have actively undertaken thousands of projects and volunteer work. Models of murals, flowering electric poles, youth flower gardens... are still being replicated. These activities help communicate to people to dispose of garbage in the right places and classify waste," Tien said.

On March 17, the Hanoi Youth Union joined to build new rural areas and Green Sunday in the Gia Lam District. This is an activity in response to the first national Green Sunday in 2024 to celebrate the 93rd anniversary of the founding of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union.

On this occasion, the Hanoi Youth Union actively carried out volunteer activities such as planting, caring and protecting trees, classifying waste at source, launching a campaign to limit plastic waste, distributing plastic and recycling bags, and organizing a "trash for gifts" program, among others.

Green Sunday has helped to raise awareness of environmental protection among youth union members, young people, and all city residents. It is also an opportunity to bring young people together to keep the capital bright, green, clean and beautiful.

In particular, the creativity of young people in Hanoi in using information technology to digitize street information has won the support of Party committees, authorities and local people. They have digitized information on 10 streets named after famous people. Just below the street name sign is an additional panel with information and a QR code. The information is presented in bilingual Vietnamese-English, which is convenient for people and tourists to look up.

Ministry directs to take measures against measles

The Ministry of Health yesterday issued its direction of taking measures against measles which is spreading in the world.

The Ministry yesterday sent an urgent dispatch to people's committees in provinces and cities requesting strengthened measles prevention as this disease is developing abnormally.

The Ministry of Health stated that the World Health Organization (WHO) has recently issued a warning about the increasing number of measles cases and the risk of measles outbreaks in many areas around the world. According to WHO data, the number of measles cases in the European region in 2023 was more than 300,000 cases, an increase of more than 30 times compared to 2022.

In the Western Pacific region, the number of people infected with measles from 2022 to 2023 has increased by 255 percent.

Meanwhile, 42 measles cases have been recorded in 13 provinces and cities in Vietnam from the beginning of 2024 until now. Moreover, the impact of interruption in the supply of vaccines in the Expanded Program on Immunization has lately affected the vaccination rate for children nationwide. Many children have not got vaccines as scheduled or have not received enough measles vaccines, which is a risk factor for disease outbreaks including measles.

To minimize the risk of measles outbreaks, the Ministry of Health recommends that localities strengthen their medical monitoring for early detection of measles cases in the community and in medical facilities. Simultaneously, the health sector in localities should implement measures to thoroughly handle the outbreak and infected cases.

At the same time, the health sector in localities should continue to implement regular vaccination for children under the Expanded Program on Immunization with a focus on the administration of the measles vaccine for 9-month-old children and the measles-rubella vaccine for 18-month-old children. Healthcare workers should administer vaccines to those who have not been vaccinated against measles.

Foreign tourists flock to Vietnam

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, the number of foreign tourist groups arriving in Vietnam since the beginning of the year has remarkably increased compared to the same period last year.

Particularly in HCMC, in the first period of 2024, there were nearly 1.4 million visits paid to the city, increasing by 32 percent compared to the same period last year. HCMC’s total revenues of tourism in the first three months is estimated to reach over VND44.7 trillion (US$1.8 billion).

In the afternoon, groups of international visitors leisurely stroll along route of Nguyen Hue walking street, Bach Dang Wharf park, Bui Vien walking street (District 1), An Dong market (District 5), Binh Tay market (District 6). Inside the Saigon Opera House, the A O show is always packed with audiences. This is a popular circus show staged with very authentic Vietnamese props made from bamboo, depicting the story of life, society, and the beauty of the people in the South.

According to Ms. Doan Thi Thanh Tra, Saigontourist’s Director of Marketing and Communications, in the first three months, the company has served approximately 68,000 foreign visitors, with sea travelers accounting for nearly 70 percent. In addition to the tourist groups flocking in during peak season (from October to April), the company still welcomes scattered groups of tourists coming to enjoy and experience our country's scenic spots.

Mr. Thai Doan Hong, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Trade Union Travel Company in Ho Chi Minh City confirmed that since late October until now, the unit has regularly served tourist groups from Europe to visit Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta. Sharing the same joy, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tan, the General Director of Saco Travel Company announced that they have increased the number of new vehicles and recruited more staff to support tourists in time, enhancing its service quality.

According to Mr. Tran The Dung, the General Director of Vietluxtour, the current demand from tourists is higher for services, relaxation, quality accommodation, and culinary experiences. European tourists tend to choose cross-Vietnam tours, experiencing the culture and cuisine of the three regions over 2-3 weeks. In addition, historical sites are also favored by tourists. That’s why historical and cultural tourism products such as HCMC City tour and Biet dong Saigon tour are usually chose by tourists to include in their itinerary.

In the Biet dong Saigon tour, tourists will have a chance to explore historical relics that are secret bases right in the heart of the city of the Saigon Special Forces soldiers, along with their heroic stories in the wartime.

According to several tourism enterprises, European visitors are very fond of handicraft items such as bamboo baskets, non la (conical hats), and small wooden animals made from coconut wood. Therefore, many regions in Vietnam are promoting the production of OCOP products to boost their local economy and on-site export.

HCMC targets to welcome 6 million international tourists and 38 million domestic visitors, and reach total revenue of VND190 trillion (US$7.6 billion), said Mr. Le Truong Hien Hoa, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism.

Vietnam is currently granting visa exemptions to citizens of 25 countries, including unilateral visa exemptions for 13 countries including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Russia, Japan, Korea, Denmark, Switzerland, Norway, Finland and Belarus.

From August 2023, Vietnam issues electronic visa to citizens of various countries and extending the duration from 30 days to 90 days, with unlimited entries. The country also increases the temporary residence period from 15 to 45 days for citizens of countries who are unilaterally exempted from visa requirements.

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