The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee convened its 23rd session on May 9 under the chair of NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

Hue said that the session, which will take place until May 12, focuses on 13 important contents to be debated at the NA fifth plenary session slated for May 22.

Members of the committee will give opinions on three bills and two draft resolutions, while considering the proposal to build a draft Gender Affirmation Law.

For the draft Land Law (revised), which was debated at the NA’s fourth plenary session and made public for idea collection, Hue asked participants to concentrate on a number of contents, including the land finance and land pricing methods. They are scheduled to spend half of a day on the bill, which is related to about 100 other draft laws.
 
Regarding the draft Law on Credit Institutions (revised), the NA leader said that the bill should be discussed during this session and approved in the next so that it can take effect from January 1 next year. Members of the committee should also consider the necessity of the amendments and supplementation of contents of the bills, he said.

The top legislator asked participants to give ideas on the draft law on the amendments and supplementations to a number of articles of the Law on Entry and Exit of Vietnamese Citizens and Foreigners' Entry in, Exit from, Transit through and Residence in Vietnam, along with a draft resolution on the adjustments and supplementations to Resolution 85/2014/QH13 issued on November 28, 2014 on voting of confidence for holders of positions elected and approved by the NA and People’s Councils, and a draft resolution on the pilot of a number of special mechanisms and policies for Ho Chi Minh City.

For the proposal to build a draft Law on Gender Affirmation, NA Chairman Hue requested participants to consider the design of major policies in the field and evaluate their impacts and make suitable decision.

Regarding the supervision work, the NA Standing Committee will opine on six reports, including those on the supplemented evaluation of the outcomes of the implementation of the socio-economic development tasks and State budget for 2022 and the plan for the first months of 2023.

They will also discuss a number of important issues, including the continuation of the allocation of the middle-term of public investment capital and capital of the socio-economic recovery programme.

During this session, the NA Standing Committee will continue the preparations for the NA’s fifth plenary session during which 20 bills and draft resolutions will be discussed.

The committee will build three draft resolutions to submit to the NA fifth session, including that on the organisation of district and communal-level administrative units in the 2023-2030 period.

PM Pham Minh Chinh meets Cambodian counterpart on sidelines of 42nd ASEAN Summit

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with his Cambodian counterpart Samdech Techo Hun Sen on May 9 on the sidelines of the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia.

Congratulating Cambodia on the successful opening ceremony of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), PM Chinh expressed his belief that the country will also successfully hold the 7th National Assembly election this July to help promote its stature in the region and the world.

PM Hun Sen affirmed that Cambodia always treasures the neighbourliness, friendship, and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam. He also thanked Vietnam for supporting and sending a leader to attend the SEA Games opening ceremony, adding he is happy that a large number of Vietnamese have come to watch the 32nd SEA Games events.

The two PMs voiced their delight at the thriving cooperation between their countries as seen in frequent meetings between leaders and fruitful cooperation mechanisms, especially the high-level conference between the two ruling parties last February, the 20th meeting of the Vietnam - Cambodia Joint Committee, and the 12th cooperation and development conference between the countries’ border provinces.

They agreed to effectively implement the signed agreements and step up the two economies’ connectivity in order to help each other develop an independent and self-reliant economy with extensive, substantive, and effective integration into the world, particularly amid the narrowing global market.

They concurred in providing more favourable conditions for Vietnamese and Cambodian enterprises to boost investment and business partnerships, especially in cross-border trade, economic development in border areas, and education - training.

Both sides also agreed to coordinate closely and effectively to help build a united, independent, self-resilient and prosperous ASEAN Community.

At the meeting, PM Chinh invited his counterpart to re-visit Vietnam in the near future.

Lawmakers review performance of socio-economic development, state budget plans

Full-time lawmakers offered their opinions on the Government’s report and the NA’s Economic and Financial-Budget Committees’ reports on examining the implementation results of socio-economic development and state budget plans for 2022 and the first months of 2023.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the NA’s Economic Committee Vu Hong Thanh suggested the Government persist in achieving macroeconomic stability, controlling inflation, strengthening the adaptive and resilient capacity of the financial and banking system, adopt synchronous measures to tackle difficulties in the financial, monetary, corporate bond and real estate markets.

He also proposed directing monetary policies proactively, flexibly and effectively while combining closely with other fiscal and macroeconomic policies, accelerating the disbursement of public investment capital, promoting exports and diversifying export markets.

Concluding the event, NA Vice Chairman Tran Thanh Man said the NA Standing Committee basically agreed with the Government’s report.

He asked the Government to clarify the causes of existing shortcomings in socio-economic development and the responsibility of relevant agencies and individuals.

Man also urged stepping up the disbursement of capital especially for the three national target programmes, major and important national projects, along with inter-regional connectivity, climate change adaptation and urgent local projects.

According to the NA Vice Chairman, policies should be put in place to ensure a balance between supply and demand, and to stabilise commodity prices. A comprehensive review of laws, regulations, decrees, and circulars should also be carried out to identify and promptly resolve any issues. The role of the State Audit Office of Vietnam in inspecting and supervising the management and use of public finances and assets should be strengthened.

Man asked the Government to take into account the opinions of the NA Standing Committee, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to complete and submit a report to the 15th NA’s fifth session.

According to the Government's report, the country's economic growth in Q1/2023 was estimated at 3.32%, lower than 5.6% set in the Resolution No. 01/NQ-CP. Slowdown was also recorded in industry-construction, exports-imports and FDI attraction.

SEA Games 32: Vietnam advances to women’s football semifinals despite loss to Philippines

Despite losing 1-2 to the Philippines in the last match of Group A on May 9, the Vietnamese women's football team achieved the goal of not losing by a margin of more than two goals to keep their top position of the group and thus advancing to the semi-finals of the 32nd SEA Games.

The Philippines opened the score early in the match, while Vietnam failed to create many dangerous chances, but still managed to equalise in the 40th minute after a mistake by goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel. From a cross by defender Nguyen Thi My Anh on the left, McDaniel failed to catch the ball and allowed Bich Thuy to score with a rebound shot.

In the 83rd minute, from a free-kick on the left-hand side, midfielder Sara Eggesvik crossed the ball into Vietnam's 5.5m box. Defender Hali Long jumped up to put pressure, forcing Tran Thi Thu to head the ball into her own net, securing a 2-1 victory for the Philippines, to the surprise of goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh.

Vietnam will have two days off before playing in the semifinals on May 12, most likely against the host country Cambodia. In Group B, Thailand and Cambodia have secured their spots in the next round, and they will play against each other on May 9 evening, to determine the group winner.

Vietnam, Sweden boast much room for stronger trade ties

Sweden is an important Northern European market of Vietnam, and there remains much potential for the two countries to continue expanding bilateral trade, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien told Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam Ann Måwe on May 9.

At their meeting in Hanoi, Dien said the export structures of Vietnam and Sweden do not compete with but are complementary to each other, which is favourable conditions for their businesses to enhance partnerships and diversify supply chains, particularly of the commodities matching a country’s strength and the other’s demand such as apparel, footwear, wood products, tropical farm produce, and aquatic products of Vietnam and chemicals, pharmaceuticals, paper products, electronic devices, and machinery of Sweden.

Sweden is a high-income country with strong purchasing power as seen in Vietnam’s exports to the European nation exceeding 1 billion USD annually and keep growing.

He held that global difficulties and challenges require the two countries cooperate more strongly and effectively, especially in trade and investment, to jointly respond and improve each economy’s resilience.

In particular, they should capitalise on the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU - Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), he went on.

For her part, Måwe noted Sweden, which takes the lead in innovation and sustainable development in Northern Europe, always hopes to strengthen ties with Vietnam in the fields of energy and sustainable development.

She introduced Ericsson and Hitachi Energy, two major energy firms of Sweden, as well as the prospect of these companies’ supply of energy transition solutions for Vietnam.

The ambassador also informed her host that Swedfund, a development financier of the Swedish Government, is willing to help Vietnam, the Vietnam Electricity (EVN) group in particular, receive sponsorship for researching and developing smart grids.

Dien said implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) agreement is one of the important solutions for energy transition in Vietnam.

However, information about a funding package worth over 15.5 billion USD from developed countries for Vietnam to shift from coal-fired power generation to clean energy remains unclear. Meanwhile, it needs a detailed roadmap and mechanisms to realise ideals and translate commitments into action to successfully implement the JETP.

Vietnam hopes that developed countries, including the EU and Sweden, will work out concrete funding packages to assist with its energy transition and soon issue a roadmap and necessary mechanisms to disburse and effective use the sponsorship, the minister went on.

As the two countries will mark the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2024, the two officials also expressed their hope that the countries will hold high-level mutual visits and other activities to bolster ties in trade, industry, and energy.

According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, bilateral trade approximated 1.62 billion USD in 2022, up 6.3% year on year. That comprised 1.26 billion USD worth of Vietnam’s exports and 353 million USD worth of imports, respectively, up 5.4% and 9.9%.

In the first quarter of 2023, due to escalating inflation, global recession risks, and lower demand in the EU, the trade turnover fell 16.8% from a year earlier to 331 million USD, including 253 million USD worth of Vietnam’s exports and 78 million USD worth of imports, respectively, down 16.5% and 17.9%.

As of the end of March, Sweden had 103 valid investment projects worth over 680 million USD in Vietnam, ranking 29th among 143 countries and territories investing in the Southeast Asian nation.

Liaison board for Vietnamese community in South Africa debuts

A liaison board for the Vietnamese community in South Africa made its first public appearance at a ceremony held at the Vietnamese Embassy in Pretoria on May 9.

Head of the board Le Hoai Nam said its establishment will help them catch up with the latest developments in the community for better connection and mutual help.

It will also act as a bridge connecting Vietnamese people in organising activities toward their homeland and support the country’s development as well as encouraging them to abide by the host country’s laws, he said, adding that the board will mobilise the Vietnamese community to actively participate in events to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam-South Africa diplomatic ties (December 22, 1993 – 2023).

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Hoang Van Loi expressed his hope that the liaison board will help consolidate friendship and cooperation among the Vietnamese community.

Currently, there are nearly 200 Vietnamese in South Africa.

HCM City wishes to boost ties with Dutch partners

Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan and Managing Director of the Netherlands’ Royal HaskoningDHV Vietnam company Vadim Sheronov discussed orientations to promoting bilateral cooperation during a local meeting on May 9.

Hoan hailed Royal HaskoningDHV Vietnam, with its wealth of experience in urban design, environment protection, planning and investment management, for its significant contributions to Vietnam, including its involvement in the building of a master plan of the Mekong Delta region.

He hoped that Royal HaskoningDHV Vietnam will join the bidding for the city’s Integrated Urban Planning project, contributing to raising the city's profile as a metropolis with the best planning in the region.

The host also wished the company and other Dutch partners share their experience and pool resources for projects meeting the city’s needs in water treatment.

Both sides should continue strengthening their connectivity to expedite the implementation of joint projects, contributing to celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, he said.

Sheronov, for his part, said after over 30 years of operations in Vietnam, the company has built a team of highly qualified and experienced Vietnamese experts. It is eager to collaborate with Ho Chi Minh City in planning and other areas of shared interest.

Royal HaskoningDHV Vietnam has conducted many projects in Ho Chi Minh City, including the second phase of the Environmental Sanitation Project, the Flood Resilience Strategy for Thu Duc city, and the technical and financial appraisal for the Metro Line 5.

Saigon Zoo offers reading space for children

WILD READING: The Sài Gòn Zoo and Botanical Garden is working with Trẻ (Youth) Publishing House to offer a reading area called “Reading Space for Children” with quality lighting and interiors systems, bookstores and staff, and also facilities for eating and drinking. Photo courtesy of Sài Gòn Zoo and Botanical Garden

The Sài Gòn Zoo and Botanical Garden and its partner, Trẻ (Youth) Publishing House, are working to offer a reading area, helping to spread the reading habit among children this summer.

The area at the zoo called “Reading Space for Children” will have quality lighting and interior systems, bookstores and staff, and also facilities for eating and drinking.

Trẻ Publishing House will offer Vietnamese and foreign books, comics, and magazines for children, many of which are new copies and feature topics on the natural world, plants and animals.

Best-selling books on rare animals living in Việt Nam by famous writers Hồ Huy Sơn, Trần Gia Bảo, Phương Huyền and painter Đỗ Biên Thuỳ, will be included.

Summer activities, such as painting clubs, games and sports contests, will be also offered.

The Sài Gòn Zoo and Botanical Garden, located in Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm Street in District 1, was established in 1895 and is the country’s largest zoo and botanical garden.

It is home to hundreds of species of mammals, reptiles, birds, and rare orchids and ornamental plants. It has more than 1,500 animals.

It includes the Museum of Vietnamese History of more than 25,000 artefacts featuring the traditional culture of South Việt Nam.

It has worked with international organisations such as the South East Asian Zoos Association (SEAZA) and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The zoo needs about VNĐ6 billion ($259,000) per month to care for and feed its plants and animals.

Nearly five tonnes of meat, vegetables, fruits and leaves should be offered daily. These ingredients, supplied by the zoo’s partners alongside its own farm in Củ Chi District, should be clean, fresh and meet quality and disease checks before processing by specialists.

The zoo attracts more than 20,000 people on weekends. 

Ca Mau fishermen asked to work legally, responsibly

The Border Guard of the southernmost province of Ca Mau is calling on each ship owner and fisherman to conduct legal and responsible operation, ensure the sustainable development and protect mineral resources at sea, in a bid to have the European Commission (EC)’s “yellow card” warning against Vietnamese seafood removed at an early date.

This is a practical action contributing to improving the position and reputation of the country in general and aquatic products in particular in the international market, according to the unit.

To that end, it has coordinated with provincial authorities to strengthen management and supervision over fishing vessels operating at sea to promptly detect and handle those that stay uncontacted and encroach on foreign waters, and closely monitor product traceability.

The province has resolutely handled violations related to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing to put an end to Ca Mau's fishing vessels infringing on foreign waters.

Since the beginning of 2023, the provincial force has organised many dissemination campaigns on the Law on Vietnam Border Defence and the fight against IUU fishing to raise awareness on and responsibilities of officials and coastal residents in the management and protection of sea and island sovereignty and sea-based economic development.

Therefore, Ca Mau fishermen have committed not to operate their ships in foreign waters.

The southernmost province currently has nearly 5,000 fishing vessels, of which all of the over 1,500 that need to be installed with cruise monitoring devices in accordance with regulations have completed the requirement.

National competition seeks talents for traditional art forms

The central province of Thanh Hóa is hosting the National Traditional Art Talent Competition, where 200 up-and-coming traditional artists are now performing.

There will be performances of chèo (popular opera) and tuồng (classical opera) as well as excerpts from popular folk songs performed by the artists from approximately twenty different theatres and traditional art troupes across the country.

Tạ Quang Đông, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, spoke at the opening ceremony, saying that the competition is a chance for performers to show their dedication to the industry, exhibit their talents and ambitions, and continue to stoke the flame of dedication to the arts upon which so many artists have built their careers.

He went on to say that the competition also gives local residents and tourists who come to the province the chance to appreciate the one-of-a-kind creative and artistic heritage of the country.

Đầu Thanh Tùng, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee of Thanh Hóa, expressed his appreciation when the province was selected as the venue for the competition by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

The competition is being co-hosted by the culture ministry's Department of Performing Art, the Việt Nam Stage Artists Association, and the Thanh Hóa People's Committee from May 6 to 17.

It offers cultural administrators and heads of art departments the chance to critically evaluate the growth of traditional arts during the past few years and the work of various traditional artists with the goal to create appropriate policies that will preserve and encourage Vietnamese traditional art genres. 

HCM City considers roofs for Nguyen Hue Walking Street

Authorities in HCM City are considering installing roofs on the Nguyen Hue Walking Street and Bach Dang Wharf Park in District 1 to provide shade and lighting decorations. 

The decision was mentioned in a conclusion by the municipal chairman Phan Van Mai following a meeting with concerned departments about the planning for the Bach Dang Wharf area.

Opened in 2015, the 670-metre Nguyen Hue Walking Street has become a popular tourist destination in the city centre. The Bach Dang Wharf Park has also attracted lots of visitors after being upgraded in 2021. However, both these places have failed to attract visitors during daytime due to a lack of shade.

To create a pleasant for visitors in these two areas, chairman Mai has asked the Department of Planning and Architecture and District 1 authorities to install roofs here to provide shade during daytime and decorative lights during night. The proposals should be submitted to the municipal people's committee by June this year.

The city leader has also asked District 1 authorities to arrange more parking areas for visitors and build a pedestrian bridge across Ton Duc Thang Street which connects Nguyen Hue Walking Street and Bach Dang Wharf Park to ensure safety for visitors and ease congestion.

Earlier the HCM City Department of Planning and Architecture also proposed to the municipal people's committee to install a roof along the pavement of Le Loi Street in District 1 which would be turned into a walking area. The work, which is estimated to cost between VND20-30 billion, aims to shelter visitors from sunshine and rain while sightseeing, shopping or dining on the street.

AstraZeneca to invest $50 million in forest, landscape restoration in Việt Nam

AstraZeneca has recently announced a new investment of up to US$50 million into Việt Nam as part of the company’s global AZ Forest programme, which by the end of 2022 had planted over 10.5 million trees worldwide.

Over the next five years, 22.5 million trees will be planted across at least 30,500 hectares to restore Việt Nam’s forests and landscapes, allowing biodiversity to flourish, while providing sustainable livelihoods for over 17,000 smallholder farmers.

Reforestation will be designed to maximise co-benefits such as broad-scale biodiversity gains; improved diets and nutrition for local communities; soil and water conservation; climate resilience; and reducing the risks of natural disasters and carbon sequestration.

The investment announced by AstraZeneca will play an important role in realising the Vietnamese Government’s 2050 net zero strategy, which was committed at COP26, said Foreign Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn.

Sơn added that the AZ Forest programme would also contribute to the country’s ongoing plan to plant one billion trees by 2025 as a part of Việt Nam’s Forestry Development Strategy.

The $50 million investment will be used for agroforestry, which includes the production of sustainable timber, fruits and nuts, essential oils, and resins, as well as increasing agricultural productivity through intercropping and developing sustainable market value chains.

It complements AstraZeneca’s ongoing $310 million investment into Việt Nam from 2020 to 2030 to reduce the burden of diseases, strengthen the health system, uplift the domestic biopharmaceutical R&D and manufacturing capabilities, and develop local talent.

AZ Forest is AstraZeneca’s commitment to plant and maintain over 50 million trees by the end of 2025 in partnership with experts and local communities. AZ Forest projects support planetary and human health with significant socio-economic co-benefits, and complement AstraZeneca’s science-based net zero strategy, Ambition Zero Carbon.

Heat sends electricity consumption soaring to record highs in HCMC

Hot weather has sent electricity consumption in HCMC soaring to record highs in recent weeks as the demand for air conditioning and electric fans has skyrocketed.

The city used 94.4 million kWh of power on May 5, the highest daily electricity consumption level ever, according to the HCMC Load Dispatch Center. It was 868,600 kWh higher than the record set on April 25.

HCMC and other parts of Vietnam have been experiencing very high temperatures, which range from 28 to 40 degrees Celsius. In particularly, temperatures in Quan Hoa District in the northern province of Thanh Hoa shot up to 44 degrees Celsius on the afternoon of May 6.

Weather experts predicted the country would have a hotter-than-average summer this year.

The ultraviolet index in HCMC and elsewhere in southern Vietnam has soared to harmful levels in recent days, according to the Southern Regional Hydrometeorological Center.

Vinh Long approves expanding private reserve of rare birds

The Mekong Delta Province of Vinh Long authorities have agreed to expand a private reserve of rare birds.

The People's Committee of Vinh Long Province has just approved the plan to expand the night heron garden of resident Le Van Chia in Tan My Commune in Tra On District. According to the plan, the garden will be expanded from about 1.8 ha to 4-5 ha.

At the same time, the province will build a watchtower to observe and restore services in rural tourism in addition to the construction of a sturdy fence and surveillance cameras to protect the private reserve of rare birds.

The upgrading and expansion of the rare bird reserve aim to develop and preserve nature and biodiversity as well as strictly protect endangered and rare species of wild animals and plants with an orientation towards rural tourism and environmental education for students.

Vinh Long Province recorded 33 species belonging to 20 families in this bird garden.

Dien Bien Province reports a diphtheria death

The Northern province of Dien Bien reported that diphtheria has caused a death.
 
The Center for Disease Control of Dien Bien Province said that a 10-year-old girl in Pu Nhi Commune of Dien Bien Dong District had died from diphtheria.

The girl was taken to the emergency room at Dien Bien Provincial General Hospital in a state of high fever. Doctors’ efforts to save her were unrewarded as the child succumbed to the disease later.

Her test results conducted by the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology showed that she was positive for diphtheria.

Immediately after receiving the test results of the girl, the provincial Department of Health set up a working group to implement epidemic prevention measures.

Healthcare workers took samples of 78 close contacts including five family members, 18 classmates, 38 students in the boarding area and 17 medical staff at Dien Bien Provincial General Hospital and sent the samples to the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology for testing.

The health authorities are monitoring 347 students and 28 teachers at Pu Nhi Ethnic Minority Semi-boarding High School - Pu Nhi Primary School where the girl was studying closely.

HCMC Police detect massive milk smuggling

The Police Investigation Agency under the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Public Security arrested Director of Busan Company Branch Tran Quoc Khanh and his accomplice Tran Ngoc Dang for the act of smuggling.
 
The police forces seize the consignment imported from the United States to Vietnam for consumption.
Previously, at the night of April 12, the reconnaissance team of the Municipal Department of Public Security detected a container in Vo Chi Cong Street, Phu Huu Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City showing suspicious signs.

Through the inspection process, the police forces detected 4,171 boxes of milk under the brand names Ensure, Glucerna and Horizon exceeding 521 boxes over the customs declaration inside the container.

At working time, Khanh could not show the invoices and relevant documents for the consignment. Relevant individuals declared that the consignment was imported from the United States to Vietnam for consumption via Busan Company under the direction of Khanh and the subject knew clearly that the Ensure milk was not allowed to sell in Vietnam or Mexico.

In order to perform the import procedures, it is obligated to have a certificate of registration of product announcement granted by the Sub-Department of Food Safety and Hygiene.

Therefore, Khanh asked a staff of the Sub-Department of Food Safety and Hygiene of Nam Dinh Province to perform a fake certificate of registration of product announcement for the three milk products under brand names of Ensure, Glucerna and Horizon with a total amount of VND10 million (US$427).

On February 1, Khanh bought the whole consignment of Thuy from the United States with a total amount of US$50,000 while the retail price in Vietnam was more than VND4.6 billion (US$196,213). Thuy sent an agreement to Khanh via E-mail.

After that, Khanh used the fake certificate to illegally import 3,411 boxes of milk under brand-name Abbott Ensure Original Nutrition Shake Vanilla from the US to Vietnam with a total amount of over VND3.6 billion (US$154,000).

In addition, Khanh directed Dang to adjust the information on consignment along with its unit price on customs declaration to reduce tax payment which was lower than the actual boxes of 521 ones of all kinds, equaling more than VND574 million (US$24,500).

The HCMC Police prosecuted the case and the accused.

Southern watercolors displayed in Hanoi’s relic site

 More than 105 watercolors by 19 artists from Ho Chi Minh City are on display for the first time at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, according to Dr. Le Xuan Kieu - Director of the Center for Cultural and Scientific Activities, Temple of Literature.

The exhibition is an effort to connect southern painters with Hanoi people. Through it, citizens of the capital can see images of southern people and landscapes, he said, adding that it is also a combination of the ancient heritage of Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam with contemporary creative activities, as the relics will be turned into a creative space of the capital.

Painter Nguyen Trung Tin, Vice President of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association in charge of the southern region, said there are very few artists from the southern part of Vietnam to open an exhibition in Hanoi.

"As a 'glimpse of culture', the exhibition aims to show the capital's art lovers the beautiful scenery, wonderful people and modern life of the southern part of the country. Besides, the organizers also want to introduce a kind of 'forgotten' painting material: watercolor," he noted. 

The artists' watercolors depict daily activities, culture, heritage and natural scenery, and show their love for the homeland.

Among them are The Water Descends, Late Day by artist Ho Hung; Saigon in Sunshine, Saigon at Night by artist Doan Quoc; Kon Tum Wooden Church, Emerald Color at the Foot of the Pier by artist Hong Quan; The Wharf of Nghe Canal, Afternoon in Nhon Trach, Thanh Da Canal by artist Do Hieu.

Through the exhibition, new and more vivid views of the southern region are brought to the Hanoi public by 19 artists with many different painting techniques and perspectives.

The young artist Doan Quoc, born in 1996, has been working with watercolors for a long time. The artist brings to the exhibition three large paintings on the theme of Ho Chi Minh City.

Painter Ho Hung also said that there will be many activities in the coming period to introduce watercolor paintings to the public in the capital.

The exhibition will last until May 24.

Futsal players prepare for Asian Cup qualification

The national futsal team started training on May 8 in HCM City to prepare for the 2024 AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualification.

Coach Diego Raul Giustozzi has assembled 19 players, including four keepers, seven alas (midfielders), three fixos (defenders) and five pivos (forwards) 

Among them, keeper Nguyễn Hữu Phúc and ala Trần Nhật Trung joined the team for the first time.

The team will have three weeks of practice in the city before Giustozzi shortens his list to 16.

They then travel to Paraguay for an intensive training course. There they will have three friendly matches against the host on June 4, 6 and 8. They will move to Argentina and have three matches with their national team on June 10, 12 and 14.

Paraguay is world No. 9 while Argentina No. 4 and won the world championship in 2016.

The Asian championship qualification is scheduled on October 2-13. 

The date of the draw and the venue of the qualifying stage will be announced later.

Committee for Judicial Affairs discusses law on human trafficking

Committee for Judicial Affairs of the National Assembly (NA) convened an expounding session on enforcing the human trafficking law to discuss its implementation and future strategy.

During the opening of the session on Monday, the committee's chairwoman, Lê Thị Nga, stated that the prevention and control of human trafficking had accomplished promising outcomes in ensuring social order and security.

Lately, human trafficking crimes had demonstrated an upward trend, becoming more intricate as criminal techniques were progressively sophisticated. As well as women and children, men, infants, and fetuses had also been identified as victims.

Additionally, in certain localities, adherence to the human trafficking law was inadequate. The detection of human trafficking crimes and community reintegration assistance for trafficked victims remained limited.

The committee’s survey in some localities this year showed that the problems were because several provisions in the Law on Human Trafficking Prevention and Control were no longer relevant to other documents.

"This situation requires an accurate assessment of the law on human trafficking prevention and control implementation nationwide, the current state of crime in this field, and clarifying responsibilities of concerned agencies, thereby having solutions," said Nga.

Deputy chairwoman of the committee, Mai Thị Phương Hoa, said that in 2018-22, the country detected 440 human trafficking cases with 876 violators and 1,240 victims.

The Ministry of Public Security prosecuted 386 cases, with 808 accused. Authorities rescued 352 victims.

However, the number of human trafficking crimes detected, investigated and handled were still small compared to the actual situation.

International cooperation in human trafficking prevention and control needed to be undertaken by all levels and sectors, said Hoa.

Bilateral agreements on human trafficking prevention and combat between Việt Nam and other countries were well conducted.

To enhance the effectiveness of human trafficking prevention and control, delegates at the session proposed to the Ministry of Public Security to coordinate with concerned ministries to urgently complete the amended Law on Human Trafficking Prevention and Control and submit it to the NA.

They proposed the Government promote education on the issue. The education should focus on people with high risks of being trafficked.

Anti-trafficking content should be inserted into socio-economic development programmes.

Concerned organisations must strengthen the management and inspection of service establishments with potential risks of human trafficking.

Localities must strengthen management on borders, sea and border gates to attack human trafficking crimes and further strengthen responsibility in rescuing victims.

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Justice should tighten management and inspection on sending people to work abroad, allowing child adoption or marriages with foreigners, and supporting victims more effectively, especially community re-integration.

People's councils should focus on integrating human trafficking prevention and control into local socio-economic development resolutions.

European Literature Days open in Hanoi

The 2023 European Literature Days will take place in Hanoi from May 11-21, with various attractive activities, announced by the French Institute in Hanoi.

The opening ceremony for the event will be held on May 13 in front of the Ly Thai To Monument on Dinh Tien Hoang Street, featuring the participation of representatives from embassies and cultural institutes of 13 European countries, the Nhan dan newspaper cited the source as saying.

Within the framework of the 2023 European Literature Days, a wide variety of cultural and literary activities by publishing units and cultural companies in Vietnam will be held, including book introductions, reading, literary discussions and book fairs.

In addition, two composition contests about European characters and a competition on European literature have attracted many candidates who are passionate about literature and painting.

This year, the event showcases diverse works from the UK, Poland, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, France, Finland, Czech Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Italy. The works will be displayed and introduced at seminars, book introductions and exhibitions.

Readers will also have the chance to exchange with authors, translators, editors and publishers, as well as attend seminars or other interactive activities.

The European Express Train Event, which is held by students from the Book and Action Club of Hanoi Law University, will help readers discover European cultures through the pages of books.

The activities during the event will take place at the December 19 Book Street, Casa Italia, Goethe Institute in Hanoi, French Institute in Hanoi and Kim Dong Publishing House.

Vietnam highlights promotion of ASEAN’s solidarity, unity, strategic autonomy

To affirm itself as an epicentrum of growth amid the rapid movements in the regional and global strategic environment, ASEAN needs to strongly promote its solidarity, unity, strategic autonomy, and centrality, affirming the mission of maintaining peace, stability and development in the region, stated Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.

Son made the statement in his remarks at various meetings in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, on May 9 – namely the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the 33rd ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) Meeting, and the 26th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting.

In the face of increasing non-traditional security challenges, the Vietnamese minister proposed stronger and more effective cooperation in the areas of marine collaboration, response to environmental pollution, marine debris, transnational crime, and epidemics, among others. He also expressed his support for Indonesia's initiative of publishing an ASEAN annual document on maritime cooperation.

Appreciating Indonesia's efforts towards realising a people-centered ASEAN Community, Son emphasised a need to strengthen sub-regional cooperation, in which ASEAN should play the central role to sub-regional development with the bloc’s common cooperation programmes, and promote infrastructure, institutional and human connectivity to create growth engines for the sub-regions, effectively supporting the goal of narrowing the development gap.

Discussing the international and regional situations, the official reaffirmed ASEAN's principled stance on the East Sea and highlighted the sense of responsibility of each country in building the East Sea into a region of peace, safety and stability. He called on countries to maintain dialogue, strengthen trust, and peacefully resolve disputes based on international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.

The diplomat held that Vietnam, ASEAN and China commit to complying with the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), working towards the early adoption of an effective and legally-binding Code of Conduct (COC) in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS 1982.

He supported and highly appreciated efforts by the ASEAN Chair’s Special Envoy on Myanmar in promoting the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus to support Myanmar. Son underscored a need for constructive and substantive dialogue between relevant parties in the region to build trust and ensure that all solutions are Myanmar-led.

At the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, participants discussed the progress in building the ASEAN Community as well as new developments in the region. They agreed to strengthen the bloc’s values, principles and standards of conduct, thereby ensuring its independence, self-reliance, proactive and flexible adaptation to changes, and centrality in the regional architecture.

Meanwhile, the 26th APSC Council Meeting focused on progress recorded in the implementation of the APSC Blueprint. Accordingly, ASEAN's principles and standards of conduct have been respected; its substantive cooperation promoted across defense, energy-food-maritime security, and response to emerging challenges; and the bloc’s principled stance on the East Sea further consolidated.

At the 33rd ACC Meeting, participating officials assessed the overall progress of the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the drafting of the post-2025 vision. They also discussed and completed the roadmap for Timor Leste to become an ASEAN member state.

Vietnam, Palestine step up crime prevention cooperation

Politburo member and Minister of Public Security To Lam held talks with Palestinian Minister of the Interior Ziad Hab Al-Reeh in Hanoi on May 9 following an official welcoming ceremony held for the latter.

At the function, the two sides agreed to strengthen the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially those at the high level, to study needs and possibilities for cooperation in the security-social order area.

They said they will work together to enhance information exchange and promote professional coordination, and handle transnational crimes and crimes related to Vietnamese and Palestinian citizens. The discussions also centered on preventing organizations and individuals from taking advantage of the territory of one side to operate against the other.

They said it is necessary to cooperate to protect their senior leaders during visits to the other country and ensure the security and safety of headquarters of their representative missions and of their citizens working, studying in, or visiting the other country. 

Collaboration in training to improve professional capacity and foreign languages (Arabic, Vietnamese) will also be promoted, the officials noted.

Concluding their talks, the Vietnamese and Palestinian ministers signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between their ministries on crime prevention and control.

Vietnamese gymnast strikes gold in five consecutive SEA Games

With a gold medal in the men’s single bar event on May 9, Dinh Phuong Thanh went down in the history of Vietnamese gymnastics winning gold in five consecutive editions of the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games).

At the ongoing 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia, Thanh earned 13,500 points for his single-bar performance and secured the top spot.

He was followed by Abiyurafi of Indonesia (13,000 points) and Luqman Zulfa of Malaysia (12,500 points).

Earlier, Thanh had obtained 11 SEA Games gold medals, including four in Singapore in 2015, two in Malaysia in 2017, two in the Philippines in 2019, and three in Hanoi last year.

However, Thanh failed to defend his championship in the parallel bars event on May 9, earning only 14,400 points, much lower than his result (15,133 points) at the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi.

In the men’s vault event, Trinh Hai Khang landed a bronze medal with 14,050 points, following Juancho Miguel Eserio of the Philippines (14,525 points) and Tikumporn Surintornta of Thailand (14,150 points).

The same day, Vovinam athletes of Vietnam, namely Le Duc Duy, Mai Dinh Chien, Nguyen Hoang Tan, and Le Phi Bao, recorded 273 points to win a gold in the men’s multi-weapon training event. Cambodia with 265 points obtained a silver while Laos and Myanmar, both 263 points, had a bronze medal each.

With 272 points, the Vovinam team of Vietnam also pocketed a gold medal in the women’s multi-weapon training event earlier on May 9. Lam Thi Loi and Nguyen Thi Tuyet brought home a silver medal in the women’s pair sword training event.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Thanh Trung gained a bronze in the 57kg category of Kun Khmer, a traditional combat sport of Cambodia, after losing to a rival of the host country.

Volleyball striker Tu Thanh Thuan smashes points record at SEA Games 32

The Vietnamese men's volleyball team struck bronze, but hitter Tu Thanh Thuan has earned the admiration of the entire Southeast Asia region with his record-breaking performance.

According to statistics, the 1.92m tall Thuan was the highest scorer in the knockout round, with a total of 66 points after the Vietnamese team lost 0-3 to Indonesia and beat Thailand 3-0.

Coming second was Cambodia's opposite hitter Mom Koun with 57 points. Thailand's "giant" Kissada Nilsawai (2.08m) of the men's volleyball team scored 51 points, but this was not surprising as his position was a middle blocker. Another player from Thailand in the top five was the hitter Promchan Anut with 46 points. Indonesia only had one player on this list, namely opposite hitter Rivan Nurmulki, with 44 points.

On May 9, the Vietnamese men's tennis team advanced to the final of the men's doubles event in the team competition by defeating Indonesia in the semifinals.

Pham Minh Tuan/Nguyen Van Phuong defeated David Suranto/Nathan Barki with scores of 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. With this result in the doubles match, the Vietnamese team beat Indonesia 2-1 to advance to the final.

At this year's SEA Games, the Vietnamese tennis team is counting on their top player, Ly Hoang Nam, to successfully defend his gold medal in the men's singles event. In the latest Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) rankings, Nam ranks 264th in the world and is also the highest-ranked professional player in Southeast Asia.

The same day, the Vietnamese women's volleyball team also kicked off their bid to win gold at the SEA Games 32 with an impressive 3-0 victory (25-12, 25-8, 25-7) over Singapore.

X-band radar operated to forecast rains in Hanoi

The Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Technology Application under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration (VNMHA) on May 9 received and put into operation an X-band radar from a Japanese company serving early warning of heavy rains in Hanoi and surrounding areas.

The radar is installed at the Hoai Duc Agricultural Meteorological Station by Japan’s Weathernews Inc.

Speaking at the event, VNMHA’s Deputy General Director Hoang Duc Cuong said both sides will build a specific plan to operate the radar, as well as seek resources to maintain its long-term operation.

Kusabiraki Chihito, CEO of Weathernews Inc. said the company uses big data and other advanced technologies in forecasting and analysis, which contributes to improving the accuracy of weather forecasting.

The company proposed a cooperation plan with the VNMHA on developing highly accurate three-hour advance forecasting for severe weather conditions. This would actively support disaster prevention and mitigation efforts, reduce risks and improve productivity for various socio-economic sectors.

On the occasion, Cuong presented the insignia “For the Cause of Natural Resources and Environment” for Kusabiraki.

President welcomes Honorary President of UNICEF Belgium

President Vo Van Thuong hosted a reception in Hanoi on May 9 for Queen Mathilde of Belgium, who is on a visit to Vietnam in her capacity as Honorary President of UNICEF Belgium.

President Thuong welcomed the Queen’s visit on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the fifth anniversary of strategic partnership in agriculture between Vietnam and Belgium.

He conveyed his invitation of King Philippe and the Queen to visit Vietnam soon to discuss measures to deepen bilateral cooperation in various areas.

Queen Mathilde shared her excitement about her upcoming trip to northern Lao Cai province to witness the outstanding results of childcare facilities there and Vietnam’s achievements in sustainable development. She also hopes to learn about difficulties that Vietnam is facing in child health care and protection, especially issues related to education, nutrition, and mental health.

The Vietnamese President said for many years, the Vietnamese Party, State, and people have always paid attention to child care, education and protection, with the view of dedicating the best things to children. Along with that, Vietnam has been fine-tuning its legal system and launching policies related to children such as poverty reduction, new rural development, education, health care and social care. Child care work has been carried out synchronously from the central to local levels. 

He took the occasion to thank Belgium, UNICEF Belgium and Queen Mathilde for their continuous support and cooperation with Vietnam in child protection and care, donating significant resources to help Vietnam improve the effectiveness of the effort.

According to him, Vietnam still faces challenges, such as the growing development gap among regions, and differences in health and nutrition among areas, especially in remote and disadvantaged regions.

The host believed that while visiting projects funded by UNICEF Belgium in Vietnamese localities, Mathilde will have the opportunity to better understand Vietnam’s efforts, achievements and difficulties in the field.

Speaking highly of the guest’s suggestions, he wished that UNICEF Belgium would continue helping Vietnam fine-tune policies and laws related to children, allocate resources to support Vietnam, especially in education and health care so that Vietnam could better care for and educate children in the future.

Leaders of Vietnam, Indonesia laud strides in bilateral relations

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo shortly after arriving in Labuan Bajo of the archipelago nation on May 9 afternoon to attend the 42nd ASEAN Summit.

Recalling his visit to Indonesia in 2021, also his first overseas trip as the PM of Vietnam, PM Chinh affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to and wishes to further promote the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Both host and guest applauded strong strides in the bilateral relations in all spheres, agreeing to further bring into play the traditional close-knit friendship so as to create momentum for the strategic partnership to reach a new height.

The bilateral relations are not only strategic to the two countries but also contribute to regional peace, stability, and development, they said.

The two leaders agreed that Vietnam and Indonesia will increase delegation exchanges and meetings at all levels, especially amid the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership this year; capitalise on bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the Committee for Bilateral Cooperation and the Joint Committee for Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation; actively carry out the signed agreements, including the action plan for implementing the Vietnam - Indonesia strategic partnership for 2019 -2023; and build an action plan for 2024 - 2028 early to provide a basis for promoting more intensive and extensive cooperation.

PM Chinh suggested both sides maintain the current trade growth to raise the revenue to 15 billion USD or higher by 2028 and in a more balanced manner. He also proposed Indonesia create optimal conditions for Vietnamese goods to access its market and enhance maritime cooperation, including the setting up of a hotline to support fishing activities and sharing information about law enforcement at sea.

Voicing support for his guest’s cooperation proposals, President Widodo stated Indonesia always treasures and hopes to further strengthen the strategic partnership with Vietnam.

The two leaders also agreed to bolster ties in new areas such as energy transition, digital transformation, and infrastructure development.

Talking about some regional and international issues of shared concern, PM Chinh said Vietnam will continue cooperating with and supporting Indonesia to successfully hold the 2023 ASEAN Chairmanship, thus helping intensify the bloc’s solidarity, unity, resilience, and centrality.

With regard to the East Sea issue, they reaffirmed their support for maintaining ASEAN’s solidarity, centrality, and common stance on the issue; fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC); and promoting negotiations to soon achieve an efficient and effective Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea that matches international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

On this occasion, PM Chinh invited President Widodo to re-visit Vietnam in the near future.

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