Over the 30 years since performing its first kidney transplant from a living donor, Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City has consistently developed expertise in organ transplantation, helping prolong and improve the lives of thousands of people.

It then performed the country’s first successful kidney transplant from a brain dead donor in 2008.

It has done more than 1,060 kidney transplants in the past 30 years, with organs taken from deceased donors accounting for only 5%, Assoc Prof Thai Minh Sam, head of the hospital’s department of urology, said.

Complex procedures such as living paired-kidney exchange transplant and ABO-incompatible living-donor kidney transplant have also been successfully conducted, helping more and more patients with kidney disease to get a transplant, he said.

Kidney transplant recipients have had more than 300 babies subsequently in the past 30 years, he added.

Dr Pham Thanh Viet, head of the hospital’s general planning department, said kidney, liver, heart, bone marrow, and corneal transplants and skin grafts have been done.

The hospital plans to send doctors to developed countries to learn lung and intestine transplant procedures, he said.

More than 1,110 organ transplant surgeries have been conducted so far at the hospital, including nine heart transplants, Dr Du Thi Ngoc Thu, head of the organ transplantation coordination unit, said.

But transplants from living donors accounted for more than 95%, she said.

There is a severe shortage of deceased donors, she said.

In Vietnam, thousands of people need an organ transplant every year while hospitals only get organ donations from around 10 brain-dead people, according to the National Coordination Centre for Organ Transplantation.

In 2018, Cho Ray Hospital, Thong Nhat Hospital and Children’s Hospital No.2 signed an agreement for the allocation of donated kidneys for transplants under a project aimed at increasing potential donors and prevent organ trafficking from living donors.

The project developed the first organ procurement and transplantation network in the city.

The country’s first software waiting list registry and organ donation, management, allocation, and transplant was launched last year as part of the project.

Between 2020 and 2022, it received 19,983 registrations for organ donations after death, thrice the number in the previous three years.

Ensuring transparency and fairness in organ allocation at local and national levels is critical, Thu said.

The network would continue to expand to take in other organ transplant centers in the country, she added.

Doctors at Children’s Hospital No.2 successfully transplanted a kidney in a child with end-stage kidney disease with the donor being a brain-dead adult.

The National Coordination Center for Organ Transplantation and Cho Ray Hospital allocated the kidney from the young brain death donor to the Children’s Hospital No.2 under the system allocation criteria.

The Children’s Hospital No.2 has performed 25 liver, 24 kidney and five stem cell transplants so far, Dr Trinh Huu Tung, its director, said.

It now performs liver and kidney transplant surgeries without assistance from foreign specialists, he added.

Ha Tinh releases wild animals

Vu Quang National Park in the central province of Ha Tinh has cooperated with concerned agencies to release 43 rare wild animals back into the wild.

The animals include two pig-tailed macaques, four rhesus macaques and keeled box turtles and some kinds of turtles with the majority being flower back box turtles which are listed in the Vietnam Red Data Book.

These animals were handed to the national park by the public this year.

After being taken care of at the national park, their health has improved enough to be released into the wild.

In the coming time, Vu Quang National Park will continue receiving wild animals.

Ly Son to become coastal city with airport

The island district of Ly Son in the central province of Quang Ngai will be developed into a coastal city with a 153-hectare airport.

This is part of the revised master plan on the development of the Dung Quat Economic Zone in Quang Ngai 2045 signed by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha.

Under the plan, Dung Quat Economic Zone has a total area of 45,332 hectares. Of this, Ly Son island district accounts for 1,492 hectares.

Tourism will be the priority for Ly Son with the construction of new residential areas and tourist sites. A new airport covering 153 hectares will be built in Ly Son.

Ly Son island district is some 17 nautical miles from the mainland. It consists of the three islands of Dao Lon (Big Islet), Dao Be (Small Islet) and the Mu Cu Islet which has a total population of 22,000.

Every year, Ly Son welcomes around 250,000 visitors.

Binh Duong proposes hospitals not sign work contracts with violating doctors

Recently, the health authority in Binh Duong has requested hospitals throughout the country not to sign work contracts with six doctors who violate their commitments in the training process with the local administration.

In its official dispatch to medical establishments countrywide, the Department of Health in the Southern Province of Binh Duong has asked public and private infirmaries not to sign contracts of employment with these doctors whose training costs were covered by the province's budget but they refused to work at public healthcare facilities in Binh Duong.

Previously, many doctors in the Mekong Delta Province of Ca Mau and some other localities who were sponsored to learn for working at local public hospitals refused to work at local hospitals after completing their studies or they just worked for a short time and then resigned.

Clearly, these doctors arbitrarily break their initial commitment with the locality and management unit, causing many public health facilities to lack skilled human resources, significantly affecting the treatment of people's diseases; thus, the locality and the health sector’s preferential policies have been seriously impacted. They have shown their lack of responsibility at work, causing difficulties for medical facilities and this has led to financial losses for localities’ State budgets which cover the training costs of these doctors.

However, there are various reasons why doctors are willing to break the initial commitment to training support and a wave of medical staff quit jobs at public hospitals to apply for a position in a private infirmary. Statistically, nearly 10,000 medical staff in state healthcare establishments have quit their jobs in the past 2 years.

Most worryingly, many public health facilities are in shortage of medicines and medical supplies or equipment and machinery are outdated and downgraded, so good doctors have no opportunity to promote their professional skills.

Along with that, salaries of public medical workers are quite low while they have to struggle with intensive day-to-day workload. Accordingly, to retain medical staff, the State, the Ministry of Health and local authorities should have more specific mechanisms, especially more reasonable remuneration; moreover, they should pour more investment into upgrading and developing infrastructure and medical equipment, ensuring medicine for public health facilities so that doctors and nurses can develop their professional skills to serve patients.

Management agencies and local authorities must also have tightened regulations and commitments to retain good doctors and nurses at public health facilities. There should be tougher sanctions or legal lawsuits for those who break their original commitment.

Exhibition of spring publication covers honors identities of Tet festival

A photo exhibition featuring nearly 200 Lunar New Year publication covers from 1865 – 2000 opened at the Vietnam Press Museum in Hanoi on March 2.

The display presents to visitors special publications covers marking Tet holidays of news agencies, such as Nam Phong, Trung Hoa Nhat Bao, Dan Chung (The public), Su That (The truth), Nhan Dan (The people), Quan Doi Nhan Dan (The People’s Army), Tap Chi Cong San (Communist magazine), Co Giai Phong (Liberation flag), Viet Nam Doc Lap (Vietnam Independence), Tin Tuc (News) and Le Courrier du Vietnam of Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

Speaking at the event, Journalist Le Quoc Minh, Editor-in-chief of the Nhan Dan (People)’s Newspaper, Deputy head of the Central Propaganda and Education Commission cum Chairman of the Vietnam Journalist Association said that spring newspapers present colorful and diversified cultural identities of Tet holidays in old days in regions throughout the country.

The event honored the media work experience of veteran reporters, collections of spring newspapers that were collected for display at the Vietnam Press Museum, and their valuable value in contributing to building Vietnam's modern and professional press industry.

The exhibition will run until March 31.

Over 3,000 go on parade in traditional long dress in HCM City

The Ho Chi Minh City Women’s Union held a gathering at Nguyen Hue pedestrian street, District 1 in the heart of the city, on March 5 on the occasion of the 113th anniversary of International Women’s Day (March 8) and the 1983rd anniversary of Hai Ba Trung (Trung Sisters) Uprising.

At the event, municipal leaders and over 3,000 women and lovers of ao dai (Vietnamese long dress) went on a parade in the traditional costume through boulevards of the city.

The event came within the framework of the ninth Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival 2023.

On the occasion, the union launched an emulation campaign toward celebrating the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the south and national reunification (April 30, 1975-1925).

Nearly 11.8 million people use chip-based ID cards to access healthcare services

Nearly 11.8 million people in Việt Nam have used their chip-based ID cards to access healthcare services, according to Vietnam Social Security (VSS).

Nearly 12,270 medical units, accounting for 96 per cent of the total across the country, have accepted the chip-based ID cards integrated with health insurance cards for their services.

The integration is part of the VSS efforts to implement the Prime Minister’s Decision 06/QĐ-TTG approving the use of population data and electronic identity and authentication for the national digital transformation in the 2022-25 period to make it easier for people to access healthcare services.

According to the VSS, as of February 20, the data of 74.4 million citizens in the National Database on Insurance has been cross-checked and verified with that on the National Database on Population.

The VSS has also provided and shared nearly 96.3 million records with information about social insurance and health insurance with the National Database on Population.

Regarding the integration and online public services provision on the National Public Service Portal, the VSS has integrated and offered a service that allows premiums in household health insurance packages to be deducted when health insurance cards are renewed.

The system has received and processed the renewal of 587 health insurance cards with reduced premiums through the Vietnam Social Security Public Service Portal and the National Public Service Portal.

Its branches in Hà Nội and Hà Nam have been piloting two integrated services, one involving birth registration, registration of permanent residence, and issuance of health insurance cards for children under six years old and the other involving death report, deletion of permanent residence registration and funeral allowance.

The two localities have processed 12,455 dossiers of applications for health insurance cards for children under six years old and 502 others for applications for funeral allowances.

The VSS has received data from the National Public Service Portal to confirm the unemployment insurance participation of 60,115 cases so that they can access unemployment benefits. 

Vietnam, Laos, Thailand strengthen transport connectivity

The 23rd preparatory conference of the nine provinces of Vietnam, Laos and Thailand that share the use of Road 8 and Road 12 was recently held in the central Lao province of Bolykhamsay to review their cooperation.

A representative of Bolykhamsay province reported the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding reached at the previous conference in the central province of Ha Tinh in September 2019.

Accordingly, they recorded results in transport, education, sport, culture, tourism, trade and investment, agriculture and health care.

The most outstanding achievements were made in transport, with ongoing construction of several works linking provinces of the three countries.

Bolykhamsay province is also partnering with Ha Tinh to prepare a proposal to the two Governments to consider a project on building a road between Namphao-Cau Treo international border gate to address traffic congestion at the border gate. The project is expected to use Vietnam's aid funding.

On the Vietnamese side, the central province of Nghe An also created favourable conditions to build an expressway along Vientiane-Pakxan-Thanh Thuy-Hanoi route.

The central province of Quang Binh and the Lao province of Khammouane agreed to allow their pairs of border gates to trade in goods and permit vehicles from the two provinces to transport passengers and goods through Quang Binh province’s border gate.

Quang Binh is expanding four roads to facilitate passenger transport between Laos and Vietnam, and is continuing to propose the Vietnamese government discuss with the Lao and Thai counterparts the addition of Road 8 and Road 12 to the Cross-Border Transport Agreement (CBTA) to facilitate the transportation of passengers and goods across the borders of the Greater Mekong Sub-region.

Policy improvement needed to better treat, honor intellectuals

Standing Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee for Propaganda and Education Commission Lai Xuan Mon suggested focusing on discussing issues related to reviewing the policy of treating and honoring intellectuals at a conference today.

The Central Propaganda and Education Commission, the City Party Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and the National University of Ho Chi Minh City today jointly organized a national scientific conference themed ‘Policies for attracting, training and fostering scientific and technological intellectuals in the new context’.

Lai Xuan Mon, Standing Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Propaganda and Education; Le Quang Huy, Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment; Huynh Thanh Dat, Minister of Science and Technology; Phan Van Mai, Standing Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City; Vu Hai Quan, President of Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City chaired the conference.

At the seminar, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai affirmed that Ho Chi Minh City leaders are clearly aware of the decisive role of intellectuals in the city’s development. He expressed his appreciation for the active contribution of intellectuals who have helped Ho Chi Minh City maintain its leading role and develop day by day.

According to Chairman Phan Van Mai, Ho Chi Minh City has not exploited the potential of intellectuals despite having all favorable conditions such as connectivity, a system of institutions, economic and financial conditions, and a market where researches can be immediately applied. What hinders is the policy and mechanisms to gather, connect and promote intellectuals.

The Chairman added that in the past time, Ho Chi Minh City has had many policies to attract intellectuals to work at agencies, but the policies focused on wages, accommodation and travel conditions. After a time, the southern largest city only attracted about 20 experts. The policies of Ho Chi Minh City have not been able to approach and motivate experts and intellectuals.

Associate Professor Vu Hai Quan, Director of Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City, acknowledged that in the past 15 years, intellectuals have been making important contributions to the country’s socio-economic development, ensuring national security and defense.

However, in the field of science and technology, the number of researchers per ten thousand people is still low compared to other countries in the region. According to statistics from the Ministry of Science and Technology, the number of research personnel per 10,000 population in Vietnam ranged at 15.6. In particular, the number of researchers with doctoral degrees is still very low, with a total of nearly 30,000 people.

Moreover, science and technology training has not been closely linked to the socio-economic development strategy. In particular, the number of admissions is uneven across industry groups, with a downward trend, especially among postgraduates. Statistics from the Ministry of Education and Training show that the number of Ph.D. students in these majors has continuously decreased in the last 3 years.

Accordingly, there were 1379 Ph.D. students in 2019 but it was only 1,010 Ph.D. students in 2021. The number of student enrolments in the information technology majors has continuously increased, from 46,173 students in 2019 to 56,260 students in 2022 whereas student enrolment in the natural sciences and life sciences is just 50 percent of the admission quota.

In particular, there was no student enrolment into several majors such as oceanography and geology. The total enrollment of these major groups is less than 30 percent of the total number of students. Meanwhile, the ratio of state budget spending on higher education is very low, reaching only 0.25 percent - 0.27 percent of GDP, while this rate in other countries in the region is 0.6 percent.

Southern region to experience severe scorching days in March

The National Center for Hydrology Meteorology Forecasting said that the southeastern region would be likely to suffer from prolonged scorching days in March.

It is forecast that the average temperature in the North, North Central and mid-Central regions will be 0.5-1 degree Celsius higher than the average of many previous years.

The temperature in other areas will be 0.5 degree Celsius higher than the average of the previous years.

Thus, the Southern region will be likely to enter the dry and heat season quite early compared to many years.

People are recommended to proactively protect their health under the impact of a severe scorching climate.

Fingerprints capture obligated in procedures of granting chip-based passports

As of the beginning of March, the Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security started to issue chip-based passports for Vietnamese citizens from 14 years old.

According to the Sai Gon Giai Phong (SGGP) Newspaper’s reporter, the number of Vietnamese citizens performing procedures of granting chip-based passports was less than those implementing procedures of ordinary passports without the chip.

People applying for both chip-based passports and passports without chips will be guided step by step to fulfill the procedures rapidly thanks to the support of immigration officials.

They are obligated to scan fingerprints to complete the procedures.

The procedure process for granting chip-based passport is smooth thanks to support of immigration officials.

At the Immigration Management Division of the Department of Public Security of Hanoi, the unit set up two tables for welcoming passport appliers and capturing fingerprints and arranged five to six officials supporting people during the procedures of granting chip-based passports.

Colonel Nguyen Ba Tuan, Deputy Director of the Immigration Department said that the Ministry of Public Security has well prepared both infrastructure and human resources in 63 cities and provinces nationwide to receive the documents, and perform procedures of issuing chip-based passports for citizens.

Besides, in March, the Immigration Department will collaborate with the Ministry of Public Security Portal to proceed with the procedures of granting chip-based passports online.

Vietnam always meets legitimate aspirations of religious organisations: official

The Vietnamese Party, State and Government always pay attention to legitimate aspirations of religious organisations, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang told Franklin Graham, President and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA).

During a reception for Graham in Hanoi on March 2, the Vietnamese official affirmed Vietnam attaches great importance to all resources, including those contributed by religious organisations, to the country’s development.

He also briefed his guest on the situation of cultural, religious and foreign affairs in the country.  

The Law on Belief and Religion, which took effect from January 2018, affirms the State's consistent guidelines in and policies of ensuring the operation of religious organisations and believers, including the Evangelical Church of Vietnam, he said.

As many as 43 religious organisations have been recognised by the State, and nearly 3,000 religious and worship facilities built and upgraded, including over 100 evangelical churches, he added.

Thang expressed his hope that Graham and the BGEA, with its great prestige, will continue to arrange charitable activities, including rural clean water programmes and help to disadvantaged children in Vietnam, thus contributing to the country’s development.

For his part, Graham, who is also President of international relief organisation Samaritan’ Purse, said Vietnam is one of the most important countries in Asia.

He expressed his pleasure at Vietnam’s development, as well as the diverse developments of religious activities in the country, affirming that he will share interesting experience in Vietnam to the US political circle and people after returning home.

Thua Thien-Hue: cleft palate children offered free surgery

A free-of-charge cleft palate operation programme, with the participation of doctors from Germany, is taking place in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue from March 1 to 10, supporting children in need from across the nation.

Coordinated by the Interplast Germany’s volunteer surgery team and the Hue Central Hospital, the programme targets those with difficult circumstances and disabilities who cannot afford the surgery.

According to Nguyen Hong Loi, Director of the hospital’s Odonto-Stomatology Centre, participating doctors are conducting check-ups for the patients.

Up to 70 children are expected to receive operations on this occasion, Loi said.

Professor Johannes Hidding, a member of the Interplast team, said he always feels happy whenever he remembers the smiles of children after surgery.

Another member, Professor Peter Schachner, said this is the 5th time he has come to Thua Thien - Hue and cooperated with the Odonto-Stomatology Centre. He enjoys working here because of the local medical team’s professionalism and enthusiasm.

Notably, as part of the programme, the Interplast delegation will transfer to their peers at the Hue Central Hospital advanced techniques in cleft lip and palate surgery and anesthesiology.

Mekong Delta farmers get high yields, prices for winter-spring rice

Farmers in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta have begun harvesting the winter-spring rice crop, and are getting high yields and prices.

The delta, the country’s rice granary, had planted 1.5 million hectares.

In Đồng Tháp Province’s Tháp Mười District, among the earliest in the delta to harvest, farmers began the work before Tết (Lunar New Year), which fell on January 22.

Nguyễn Văn Tình harvested his 10ha of OM 468 rice, a high-quality and high-yield variety, before Tết and got a yield of 7.5 tonnes per hectare.

He has a contract with a company, which bought his rice for VNĐ7,800 a kilogramme, VNĐ1,000 higher than the market price.

He earned VNĐ250 million (US$11,000) from the sale, he said.

In the past he planted normal varieties and sold them to traders, and the yield and income were not high, he added.

In Sóc Trăng Province, farmers said they earned VNĐ30 million ($1,300) per hectare.

The province planted more than 171,000ha, and the harvest is expected to be completed next month, according to its Plant Cultivation and Protection Sub-department.

In its Châu Thành District, farmers have harvested more than 50 per cent of the 16,253ha of rice they planted, and yields have been 4.9-5.2 tonnes per hectare.

Trần Kim Nguyên, Deputy Director of the District Agriculture Services Centre, said it has been a good crop for farmers since there were few diseases, the yields are good and prices are high.

The winter-spring crop is the year’s major one in the delta, where farmers grow up to three a year.

In Kiên Giang, the country’s largest rice-producing province, farmers have planted 280,750ha, according to its Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

They use advanced techniques to reduce costs, it added.

The harvest is expected to peak in a month.

The Tân Hiệp Agriculture Co-operative in Kiên Giang’s Châu Thành District sowed 500ha of rice and has harvested 200ha so far. The rest will be harvested by the end of this month.

Lê Minh Hải, director of the co-operative, said the crop on the remaining 300ha is growing well and farmers expect paddy prices to continue to increase.

Traders now pay VNĐ500 - 1,000 a kilogramme higher for paddy than for the summer-autumn crop a few months ago.

Many rice processing plants and companies have reopened operations after Tết, and the resultant higher demand is pushing up prices.

The country’s rice exports are expected to increase significantly this year because of the huge demand for large rice importers, according to the Việt Nam Food Association.

Nearly 2,000 runners register for Quang Binh Discovery Marathon 2023

Quang Binh Discovery Marathon 2023 is scheduled to be held at Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park on March 11 – 12, attracting nearly 2,000 domestic and foreign amateur athletes.

According to the organising board, the race will be organised at the 900 sq.km Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, which UNESCO labeled as a global heritage site in 2003. The park is home to over 300 caves and grottoes that date back 400 million years.

Racers will be competing various distances, including 42.19km, 21.09km, 10km, and 6km.

The event will mark the start of the central province’s tourism season this year and aims to promote tourism potential and advantages, as well as the various biodiversity and beautiful landscapes of Quang Binh, especially Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.

Home to Phong Nha-Ke Bang and the world’s largest cave of Son Doong, Quang Binh boasts rich tourism resources for the country and Southeast Asia in general.

The province also features the longest coastline in Vietnam and is full of beautiful beaches with special seafood dishes. It was chosen as one of the filming destinations of Hollywood blockbuster “Kong: Skull Island”.

Hà Nội Fine Arts College exhibits new painting materials at Spring show

Featuring a stunning collection of paintings crafted with natural colors and traditional materials, the Fine Arts College Spring Exhibition showcases the exceptional talent of 37 esteemed teachers from the renowned Việt Nam University of Fine Arts.

The "Spring 2023" exhibition is a melting pot of artistic expression, fostering a collaborative environment where artists can learn from one another and exchange ideas.

The main themes of this year's exhibition are Peach Blossoms and cats for the Year of the Cat, a season of renewal and fresh beginnings. In addition to conventional materials, some artwork uses unique materials such as Dó (poonah) paper and natural painting colours like coffee and beetroot.

Trần Hoàng Sơn, Vice Head of the Faculty of Fine Arts, who created Mây Trắng (White Clouds) and Chiều Đỏ (Red Afternoon), said that poonah paper is significantly more durable than other types of paper.

Colours drawn on this type of paper can be preserved for extended periods. However, since poonah paper is fragile, not anyone can draw on it. Only an experienced artist could make use of this traditional paper.

Buddhism mainly inspires Sơn's work with random subjects that might seem odd at first glance. He said that his artwork has no concrete meaning. He draws what he feels like and lets the audience interpret it as they will.

His paintings have been exhibited in the US, Germany, Sweden, England, Hong Kong (China), and the Việt Nam National Museum of Fine Arts.

Another artist featured in the exhibition, Chu Anh Phương, who has 30 years of teaching experience at the Việt Nam Fine Art University, said: "All artists have their distinct styles. Some follow abstract, vague styles. Some, like me, prefer drawing normal, day-to-day activities and nature."

Phương's painting entitled "Cấy Xuân" (Spring Seedling) was inspired by a visit to his countryside in Bắc Giang. He stumbled upon a stunning sight of the little lilac flowers of the chinaberry trees in full bloom. The picturesque scene fully captured his heart and reminded him of a poem by Nguyễn Bính.

Some typical works in the exhibition include "Chiều Đỏ" (Red Afternoon), "Mây Trắng" (White Clouds) by Trần Hoàng Sơn, "Bên Bụi Cỏ" (Next to a Bunch of Grass) by Nguyễn Nghĩa Phương, and "Lộc Xuân" (Spring Buds) by Mai Xuân Oanh. In addition, the art gallery also features some bronze and ceramic sculptures, such as "Gió Mát" (Cool Breeze) by Nguyễn Nghĩa Phương.

The exhibition will be held until March 9 at the Art Space venue located at 42 Yết Kiêu Street, Hoàn Kiếm District, Hà Nội. 

Việt Nam U23s to feature at friendly Doha Cup 2023

The Vietnamese U23 team is set to showcase their style under new coach Philippe Troussier at the Doha Cup 2023 friendly tournament, which will be held in Qatar from March 22-28.

The tournament will feature eight Asian sides; South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iraq, Thailand, Việt Nam and the hosts, Qatar.

For the Vietnamese team, the tournament will be a crucial warm-up for the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia in May. With the squad gearing up for these high-profile events, their performance in Doha will be closely watched by football enthusiasts and experts alike.

Newly-appointed coach Troussier is looking forward to taking charge at his first tournament.

"I hope my players are not worried about making mistakes at Doha Cup. When the team makes mistakes, they will know what they need to correct, which helps them gain more experience and they won't make the same mistakes again,” said French coach Troussier.

“There will be a belief that the Vietnamese team must win, but what I'm looking forward to seeing is ways to win,” Troussier added.

Troussier named many outstanding players for the U23 squad, including several players he led during his time with the U19 team. He has also given opportunities to players performing well in the V.League 1 and the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U20 Asian Cup finals in Uzbekistan.

The draw for the event will be held in early March, with each team competing in three matches, similar to the U23 Dubai Cup 2022.

At the Dubai Cup 2022, Việt Nam finished ninth among a total of 10 participating teams after recording a goalless draw against Iraq and losing to Croatia and Uzbekistan with a score of 1-0. 

Việt Nam offers initiatives to promote cooperation to reduce emissions in Asia

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Trần Hồng Hà has presented several important initiatives of Việt Nam during the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo, Japan on Saturday.

Hailing the Japanese Government's initiative to organise the meeting right after the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27), Deputy PM Hà said that this was an important and suitable forum to promote intergovernmental cooperation in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, thus contributing to sustainable development in the region.

The path to achieving the targets set by the Paris Climate Agreement would be very tough, and would require intelligence, cooperation and high solidarity, he stated, stressing the need to strengthen cooperation between government and government, between governments and enterprises, and use public investment to lead private finance in the context of private finance being an important resource for emission reduction efforts.

The Vietnamese representative proposed countries put forward a very methodical and realistic emissions reduction roadmap, but not at all costs, as socio-economic issues should be taken into account.

On this occasion, Hà also emphasised Việt Nam’s commitments to and efforts in responding to climate change and cutting greenhouse gas emissions, including measures to increase the proportion of renewable energies, especially in its Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) with G7 countries and partners.

He proposed participating countries establish specific institutions such as a carbon credit market of the region, and a research and technology transfer centre, because technology is a key to reducing emissions while ensuring energy security and ensuring the state, people and businesses have access to clean energy at affordable prices.

He also suggested setting up a scientific research support fund and a high-quality human resource training centre, while stressing the need to rely on digital transformation to enhance exchanges and dialogues on policies and techniques to increase the efficiency of the implementation of emissions reduction measures and ensure the implementation of socio-economic targets.

At the meeting, delegates approved a joint statement about the “Asia Zero Emission Community” which sets forth cooperation orientations in the coming time to achieve inclusive, just, sustainable and affordable energy transition in Asia.

Within the framework of the AZEC Conference, Deputy PM Hà attended a working lunch with the heads of the delegations attending the conference.

He also directly discussed measures to promote cooperation in energy transition with the Japanese Minister of Environment Hiroshi Ono and Australian Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Jenny McAllister.

HCMC chairman urges boosting medical supplies

Phan Van Mai, chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee, has urged the relevant agencies to address the rising concerns about a lack of drugs and medical equipment.

Mai said the media coverage of a shortage of medical supplies at hospitals and health facilities in Hanoi and HCMC have sparked anxiety in society.

He asked the city’s Department of Health to take measures so as to reassure locals about sufficient supplies in the healthcare sector.

According to the department, the bidding procedure for procurement of drugs and medical equipment has remained tough.

In particular, around 10% of the items are specialized equipment, which few companies can supply. Hospitals and health facilities have been struggling to secure three offered prices in the bidding process as required by the current regulations.

Recently, the Ministry of Health recommended revising the Law on Pharmacy to establish a special mechanism to eliminate bottlenecks.

Over three-fourths of available Covid vaccine doses in HCMC expire

HCMC now has over 339,370 Covid-19 vaccine doses in stock, but only 81,800 of them are yet to expire, data from the city’s Department of Health showed.

The figures were revealed on March 3, as National Assembly deputies looked into the city’s management of Covid-19 vaccines and vaccinations.

Explaining the reasons for the large volume of vaccines that expired, an official of the Health Department said the city had launched vaccination campaigns after receiving the vaccines.

However, sometimes the Ministry of Health allocated more vaccines than needed, and they had to be used shortly after thawing, leading to a huge number of vaccines expiring, he added.

The city received nearly 22.5 million Covid-19 vaccine doses between March 8, 2021, and February 26, this year. It administered over 22.1 million doses during the period.

Former Haiphong police chief admitted taking money in tax evasion case

Do Huu Ca, former police chief of Haiphong City, has confessed to taking VND35 billion from a person who asked him for help in an ongoing investigation, according to the Ministry of Public Security.

Do Huu Ca kept the sum intact and submitted it in full to investigators, Lieutenant General To An Xo, spokesman of the ministry, said at a Government press conference this afternoon, March 3.

Major General Do Huu Ca was found to be involved in asset misappropriation fraud. He took VND35 billion from Truong Xuan Duoc to help him escape the tax evasion probe.

Therefore, investigators detained Ca on the above-mentioned charges and three Haiphong City residents – Duoc, Duoc’s wife Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh and Truong Van Nam for illegally dealing in invoices and tax documents.

The local police are continuing their investigation to identify others involved in the case.

Ca served as deputy director of the Haiphong Police Department and head of the department’s Investigative Agency from May 2003 to June 2010. After that, he was promoted to Party secretary and director of the Haiphong Police Department between July 2010 and June 2013.

Nine detained on bribery charges at Hanoi auto testing center

The police of Soc Son District, Hanoi City have detained nine employees of the 29-12D vehicle inspection and registration center for allegedly accepting bribes, said the Hanoi Police Department yesterday, March 2.

The arrests were made after the police looked into reports filed by local residents that this auto testing center, located in the district’s Mai Dinh Commune, allegedly took bribes from car owners to turn a blind eye to their vehicles’ failure to meet safety standards when offering auto testing services.

These nine comprise Nguyen Van Son, director in charge of the center’s general operations; Le Trung Tam, technical director in charge of auto testing activities; Do Thai Hoc, technical deputy director for auto testing activities and six technicians — Nguyen Van Nam, Nguyen Van Thang, Duong Ngoc Duc, Nguyen Bao Ngoc, Dao Duc Dai and Tran Dinh Tai.

According to the investigation results, this auto testing center is operated by the 123 Technical Development and Investment Services JSC and was put into operation in January 2018.

During its operations, Le Van Thuy, board chairman of the company, appointed Nguyen Van Son as the center’s director for general operations and Le Trung Tam as technical director for auto testing services.

Thuy said as he was frequently absent from the center, Son and Tam were assigned to take charge of the center’s operations.

Based on seized documents and evidence, the police discovered these nine allegedly took bribes from car owners to overlook their vehicles’ failure to meet standards and certify the vehicles as eligible to travel on the road.

The nine also admitted to their illegal practices, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

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