The ceremony is to evaluate the efforts Vietnam has made in preserving and promoting the value of world cultural heritages in Thua Thien-Hue over recent decades.

It will also provide a forum for policymakers and experts to exchange views on how to promote world cultural heritage values in Vietnam and other countries around the globe.  

Simultaneously, the event will contribute to ensuring the strict implementation of UNESCO commitments in the management, protection, and promotion of cultural heritage values, as well as enhancing ties between Vietnam and UNESCO towards meeting the goal of preserving heritage sites for future generations.

A wide range of activities will take place from June 16 to 18 to mark the special occasion, while a ceremony and an art programme honouring these heritages will be held at 8 p.m. on June 17 at Ngo Mon (Noon Gate) Square.

There will be a number of exhibitions to get underway which feature royal antiquities, paintings, and poetry of King Thieu Tri through traditional Taiwanese calligraphy.

Hanoi conserves Old Quarter’s heritage culture during urbanisation

The People’s Committee of Hanoi's Hoan Kiem downtown district has exerted efforts and taken numerous measures to conserve, embellish, and promote the value of unique cultural, historical, and architectural heritage in Hanoi's Old Quarter, contributing to effectively developing tourism and cultural industry in the capital city.

The Old Quarter, covering an area of 82 hectares including 10 wards of Hoan Kiem district, is a treasure trove of culture, history, and architecture of Hanoi and the country as a whole.

It is known as an ancient urban heritage, associated with the formation and development of Thang Long – Hanoi, with a range of handicraft and trade activities making up guilds featuring the peculiarities of the capital’s residents.

The Old Quarter extends itself over 79 streets and is bounded by Hang Dau street in the north, Phung Hung street in the west, Tran Quang Khai and Tran Nhat Duat streets in the east, and the streets of Hang Bong, Hang Gai, Cau Go and Hang Thung in the south. As many as 121 temples, pagodas, and shrines can be found in the quarter, along with numerous historic houses, including more than 200 of special value.

The development and urbanisation requirements of a modern city pose significant challenges to those values.

Hoan Kiem district’s authorities have paid special attention to restoring and embellishing 22 monuments and 24 ancient houses. The urban technical infrastructure system has been also upgraded.

The implementation of a project to restore festivals in the Old Quarter shows Hoan Kiem district's efforts in conserving intangible cultural heritage. The district has restored 14 festivals, including seven district-level and seven ward-level festivals.

Notably, the role of local residents in protecting cultural heritage has been promoted, while a cooperation mechanism between the community, businesses, and the local authority in managing, conserving, and promoting cultural heritage value has been set up.

Tran Thuy Lan, deputy head of the management board of Hoan Kiem Lake and Old Quarter, said her agency regularly organises cultural and art programmes and other activities at relic sites in the district, focusing on introducing the lifestyle of Hanoians, restoring the jewelry festival, arranging periodical traditional music performances, and introducing traditional craft villages and craft streets in the old quarter.

These programmes all have seen the active engagement of the community, contributing to the work in a sustainable and long-term way, she stressed.

Resources have been focused on renovating structures left from the French colonial time about a century ago such as the Hoan Kiem district police headquarters (No.2 Trang Thi street), Cua Dong ward police headquarters (No. 18 Nguyen Quang Bich streets), June 1st Kindergarten (23 Nguyen Quang Bich street), and Trung Vuong Middle School (26 Hang Bai street). Conservation projects have given a facelift to architectural works in the Old Quarter, thereby introducing and promoting the heritage value of Hanoi to the people.

Currently, Hoan Kiem district is investing in renovating the architecture and landscape of Trang Tien street and giving finishing touches to a project to restore the villa at 49 Tran Hung Dao street.

Chairman of the People’s Committee of Hoan Kiem district Pham Tuan Long said the authorities and people of the city in general and Hoan Kiem district in particular always attach great importance to and are determined to coneserve and promote the cultural, historical, and architectural heritage values of the Old Quarter, considering this as a key task and responsibility of both the authorities and the community.

Conserving, restoring, and promoting the heritage values of the Old Quarter through specific programmes and plans have helped promote the socio-economic development in Hoan Kiem district and Hanoi in general, and attract more visitors to the capital city, Long stressed.

Vietnam seeks stronger educational cooperation with Northern Ireland

Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long has made a working trip to Belfast city in Northern Ireland to foster bilateral  connections and cooperation, especially in education and trade.

During the trip from May 9-11, Long visited two leading universities in Northern Ireland - Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast - to discuss cooperation in research, training, student exchange and English teacher training.

At the Ulster University, which has announced nine MA scholarships on Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) for English language teachers from Vietnam, Long was welcomed by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Seawright who expressed his hope that the project will contribute to fostering the effective partnership between Northern Ireland and Vietnam.

Long said that the scholarships, part of the British Council's UK/Vietnam Season, aims to honour the sound relations between the UK and Vietnam, and strengthen the connections between the two countries' people.

British Council Director for Northern Ireland Jonathan Stewart said that the British Council is committed to providing English language teachers with access to world-leading professional development opportunities and reaching their full potential.

At the Queen’s University Belfast, Long attended a roundtable discussion with representatives from the Ulster University, the Queen's University Belfast and the British Council in Belfast. He thanked the leaders of the Queen's University Belfast for many educational cooperation activities with Vietnamese universities in recent years, including the granting of many PhD scholarships to Vietnamese researchers.

Participants agreed to find solutions to strengthen cooperation in priority areas such as higher education, scientific research, and innovation; medical and life sciences; computer science, network security, network technology, creative industries and agriculture, while promoting trade exchanges and business collaboration and fostering partnership at the local level between Vietnam and Northern Ireland.

Long expressed his hope that the Queen's University Belfast and the Belfast administration will design policies to strengthen support for Vietnam, including providing accommodation, tuition fees and scholarships for talented Vietnamese students.

The Queen's University Belfast currently has five professors and lecturers from Vietnam, together with about 10 Vietnamese postgraduates and 60 students in the fields of technology, telecommunications, healthcare, and English language teaching.

Party leader meets with voters in Hanoi ahead of NA's fifth session

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and National Assembly deputies of Hanoi met with voters in the capital city's Ba Dinh, Dong Da and Hai Ba Trung districts on May 13 ahead of the 15th NA's fifth session.

After listening to a report on the response of ministries, sectors and the capital city to their opinions they gave during the last meeting, voters spoke highly of the responses and expressed their belief in the Party and State's orientations and policies.

Particularly, the constituents lauded the progress in the fight against corruption, with the strict settlement of many cases, thus increasing people's confidence in the Party's leadership.

They showed their hope for stronger efforts in the prevention and control of corruption and negative phenomena.

The voters asked for more drastic measures to tackle problems in food safety, along with the completion of regulations on the use of social networks.

The voters also gave ideas on a number of issues of the draft Land Law (revised).

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong acquired all the ideas of the voters and pledged to send them to the NA for discussion.

Regarding the fight against corruption, the Party leader highlighted the Party and State's determination in the work. He said that in order to effectively prevent and combat corruption and negative phenomena, it is necessary to show strong performance in Party building and rectification, preventing the downgrade in political ideology, morality and lifestyle.

He said that the provincial steering committees for corruption and negative phenomena prevention and control should operate efficiently, mobilising the engagement of all people in the work.

The Party chief asked the steering committees for corruption and negative phenomena  prevention and control to take the lead in the effort.

Military Hospital 175 awarded Diamond Status by World Stroke Organisation

The Military Hospital 175 in Ho Chi Minh City has been achieved the level “Diamond Status” at the World Stroke Organisation (WSO) Angels Awards in recognition of improvements in its stroke care quality.

WSO Angels Awards recognise hospitals that have demonstrated clear commitment to quality stroke care and have established cultures and systems to support continuous improvement.

Awards are calculated quarterly at the levels of "Gold Status", "Platinum Status", and "Diamond Status".

The hospital has received the level Diamond Status, the highest level, for two consecutive quarters, Q4 2022 and Q1 2023, said Dr. Hoang Tien Trong Nghia, head of the hospital’s neurology department.

To achieve Diamond Status, the hospital has fulfilled ten criteria, including 75% of patients treated with door-to-recanalization therapy in less than 60 minutes, a 25% recanalization procedure rate out of total stroke incidence in the hospital, 90% of all suspected stroke patients undergoing CT or MRI imaging procedure, 90% of Ischaemic stroke patients discharged with antiplatelets, and stroke patients treated in a dedicated stroke unit or ICU during their hospital stay.

A “Code stroke” (stroke rapid-response) team that is composed of physicians at the neurology, emergency and diagnostic imaging departments helps optimise inter-hospital collaboration and improve patient outcomes, Nghia said at a scientific conference held by the hospital on May 11 in HCM City.

Nearly 3,800 stroke patients have been treated at the hospital since 2020.

Dr. Nguyen Huy Thang, head of the cerebrovascular disease department at the 115 People’s Hospital and Chairman of the HCM City Stroke Association, said some hospitals have used the automated imaging software RAPID (Rapid Processing of Perfusion and Diffusion) to speed up diagnosis and improve stroke care for patients.

The AI technique helps extend the treatment window for acute stroke patients from six hours after stroke onset to 24 hours, Thang said.

Webinar spotlights President Ho Chi Minh’s thought in foreign policy

The Canada-Vietnam Friendship Society (CVFS) on May 12 hosted a webinar themed "Ho Chi Minh and foreign policy" on the occasion of the late leader's 133rd birthday (May 19, 1890 - 2023), bringing together dozens of Canadian and Vietnamese experts and scholars who are interested in Vietnam's foreign policy in the Ho Chi Minh era.

In his speech at the event, Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, Deputy Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV), who is also former Minister Counsellor of the Vietnamese Embassy in Ottawa, highlighted President Ho Chi Minh's foreign policy with three important points.

The policy focused on how to deal with relations with big countries, enlist outside support and use all available tools in foreign policy, he said.

Talking to the Vietnam News Agency’s correspondents in Ottawa, Philip Fernandez, member of the CVFS said President Ho Chi Minh's foreign policy was based on the principle of non-interference in internal affairs of other states, and recognition of independence, sovereignty and self-determination of nations and peoples.

The flexible and adaptable foreign policy was based on principles for world peace and social progress, he added.

According to Fernandez, Vietnam today is following the right line and policies that President Ho Chi Minh left for the nation. He noted that Vietnam is also playing an important role in contributing to protecting independence and sovereignty of all countries in the United Nations as well as in ASEAN.

Dr. Joe Pateman, from the Faculty of Politics and International Relations at the University of Nottingham, said that since declaring its independence, Vietnam has continued to creatively apply Ho Chi Minh's thought to practice and has achieved outstanding achievements in both socialist construction and foreign affairs.

The Communist Party of Vietnam has built a modern and strong socialist mechanism, bringing prosperity and happiness to Vietnamese people, he stressed, noting that the application of Ho Chi Minh’s thought in its foreign policy has helped Vietnam become a country with full sovereignty and close relations with the world community.

Vietnam's domestic and international achievements are rooted in the immortal legacy of President Ho Chi Minh, he went on.

Dang Trung Phuoc, President of the Canada Vietnam Society, said not only Vietnam but many other nations in the world, especially those in Africa, also have expressed their gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh because by following him, they gained their independence.

The webinar was part of activities to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of Vietnam-Canada diplomatic ties (1973-2023). The two nations have enjoyed a strong friendship and effective cooperation for many years. They marked five years of their comprehensive partnership in 2022.

NA Standing Committee wraps up 23rd session

The 23rd meeting of the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee concluded on May 13 after 4.5 days of sitting.

Addressing the closing ceremony, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said that the session completed its planned agenda, and discussed all the contents to be submitted to the fifth plenary session of the NA slated to open on May 22.

However, the dossiers of some contents need to be finalised and verified to be sent to deputies soon, he said, adding relevant agencies will review and summarise contents under their management.

Regarding preparations for the NA's fifth plenary session, NA General Secretary and Chairman of the NA Office Bui Van Cuong said that the session will increase discussion time on the draft Land Law (revised) from 20 minutes to 25 minutes.

The session will be divided into two phases with one week gap, with the first one concluding on June 10. The session is scheduled to take place in 22 days.

Deputies will decide whether to add three additional bills - a draft law on forces participating in the protection of security and order at grassroots level, a draft law on road traffic order and safety, and a draft road law - to their agenda or not. If they do, the session's duration will increase by two days and a half to 24.5 days, said Cuong.

Before wrapping up the 23rd session, members of the NA Standing Committee gave their opinions on the adjustments of the charter capital of the Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank), which will be added to the law and ordinance building programme in 2023.

NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai asked the drafting agency to complete a draft resolution on the work, enabling the NA Economic Committee to verify it and submit to the NA in the upcoming session.

Also on May 13, the NA Standing Committee also debated a draft resolution on the reduction of added value tax (VAT).

Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc said that the cut, which was applied in 2022, aims to encourage consumption and support socio-economic recovery and development.

This year, the Government proposed to continue to apply 2% VAT cut on goods and services subject to a 10% VAT, and a 20% cut in the percentage of goods for VAT calculation for business establishments (including business households and individuals) when issuing invoices for all goods and services subject to the VAT, which is suitable to the current economic circumstance, he said.

The policy, which is expected to benefit both people and businesses, will help promote production and create more jobs, thus contributing to stabilising the micro-economy and speeding up economic recovery in 2023, the minister underlined.

Delivering a verification report on the draft resolution, Vice Chairwoman of the NA Finance-Budget Committee Nguyen Van Chi said that the majority members of the committee agreed on the necessity of the resolution, which is hoped to support businesses and people after COVID-19 pandemic.

She asked the Government to complete a report on impacts of the policy.

NA Chairman Hue suggested the resolution has the same scale as Resolution No. 43/2022/QH15 on fiscal and monetary policies to support socio-economic recovery and development.

Concluding the discussion, NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai said that the NA Standing Committee agreed to include the draft resolution in the law and ordinance building programme for 2023, assigning NA agencies to finalise procedures for the work.

Athletes win more gold medals for Vietnam at SEA Games 32

Vietnamese aerobic athletes got a hat trick of golds while cyclist Nguyen Thi That won a gold medal in the morning session of May 13 at the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia.

Phan The Gia Hien outclassed all other competitors in the men's aerobic individual. His performance was awarded 19.450 points to take the top podium at the National Olympic Complex: Marquee.

Chanokpon Jiumsukjai of Thailand took silver with 18.433 points while Has Sokhon of Cambodia earned bronze with 18.100.

Hien’s teammate Tran Ha Vi also had an outstanding performance in the women's aerobic individual to take the second gold of the day.

She earned 18.366 points, leaving behind Thai Chawisa Intakul (17.716 points) and Charmaine Estaras Dolar of the Philippines (17.300 points).

The team completed their title hat trick minutes later.

Hoang Gia Thanh Bao, Le Hoang Phong and Nguyen Che Thanh won the trio event with 19.267 points.

Thailand and Cambodia were second and third, respectively.

Vietnam expects to earn 30-40 additional gold medals in the remaining days of the Games, he said.

European Literature Days 2023 kick off in Hanoi

The European Literature Days 2023 officially kicked off in Hanoi on May 13, with various attractive activities.

The opening ceremony in front of Ly Thai To Monument on Dinh Tien Hoang street saw the participation of representatives from embassies and cultural institutes of 13 European countries.

Thierry Vergon, Director of the French Institute in Hanoi and President of the EU National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) in Vietnam, said that with the variety of works from 13 European countries, readers would discover works, authors, and characters they love.

He said the works would be displayed and introduced at seminars, book introductions, and exhibitions that will satiate those with a love of literature. In addition, readers have the opportunity to engage with authors, translators, editors, and publishers and to attend seminars and other interactive events.

Within the framework of the 2023 European Literature Days which will last until May 21, a wide variety of cultural and literary activities by publishing units and cultural companies in Vietnam will be held, including book introductions, 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, the Czech Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Italy.

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 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 attaches importance to relations with Japan: diplomat

Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu presented a copy of President Vo Van Thuong’s credentials to Japanese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeo Mori on May 12.

Hieu affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to developing its relations with Japan, one of its leading important partners, and promised to try hist best to promote the bilateral extensive strategic partnership.

The two sides agreed to push ahead with the effective implementation of bilateral cooperation plans in the time ahead, covering the exchange of delegations, especially those at the high level, and step up collaboration in various fields, from politics and diplomacy to national defence and security, trade, investment, labour, education, culture, healthcare, science-technology, tourism, cooperation between localities and people-to-people exchange.

The ambassador noted his hope to closely cooperate with Japan’s competent agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to further support the Vietnamese community in the country.

For his part, Mori expressed his belief that Hieu will outstandingly fulfill his tasks, contributing to the Vietnam-Japan relations.

NA Standing Committee: HCM City expected to see breakthroughs in potential utilisation

The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee scrutinised a draft resolution on piloting some typical mechanisms and policies for development in Ho Chi Minh City, as part of its 23rd session in Hanoi on May 12.

The committee stressed the need to pay more attention to breakthrough policies in order to create changes in optimising the southern economic hub’s potential.

According to the Government’s proposal presented at the meeting, the draft resolution comprises 12 articles on piloting some typical mechanisms and policies in HCM City in terms of investment management; finance and state budget; urban and environmental resources management; the sectors that are prioritised in strategic investment attraction; scientific and technological management, and innovation; and apparatus organisation in HCM City and its Thu Duc city.

At the meeting, the committee members expressed their support for contents of the draft resolution and an assessment report.

Some suggested clarifying types of construction investment contracts, and making reports on impacts of the establishment of new non-business units, with attention to decentralisation and operational mechanisms.

In his remarks, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue noted that the pilot should be put under control and management, and asked concerned agencies continue their work to perfect the draft resolution and other relevant documents.

Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee Phan Van Mai held that once the draft resolution is approved, the city will need to prepare much to serve its implementation.

Mai noted his hope that the document will sail through the legislature during its upcoming fifth session.

PM calls for IMO’s further support in maritime development

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) continue its support to Vietnam in maritime development, particularly in management science and personnel training, at a reception for IMO Secretary General Kitack Lim in Hanoi on May 12.

The PM spoke highly of the IMO Secretary General’s first visit to Vietnam, and thanked the United Nations (UN), notably the IMO – the UN specialised agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships, for their valuable contributions and support to Vietnam.

The Vietnamese Government hopes that the IMO will continue to be a pioneering international organisation in promoting maritime cooperation between Vietnam and other member countries, Chinh noted.

With a coastline of over 3,000km and many deep-water ports, Vietnam has great potential to promote the maritime industry, he said, attributing the sector’s strong development over the past years to the IMO’s support.

Chinh called on the organisation and the Secretary General to maintain their assistance to Vietnam in raising its maritime capacity and turning such potential into advantages, thus practically contributing to national socio-economic development, and promoting peace, stability, cooperation and development in the world.

He also called for their assistance in building and perfecting the maritime legal system, and joining and implementing relevant international treaties in order to ensure navigation safety, security and freedom and protect the maritime environment.

In reply, Lim expressed his admiration for and congratulated Vietnam on its development achievements in various spheres.

He also commended the country’s vision, resolve, efforts and solutions in achieving the target of net zero emissions by 2050, and suggested Vietnam further share its experience, cooperate with other member countries, and work together with the IMO in realising commitments to emission reduction and sustainable maritime development.

PM Chinh also briefed his guest on Vietnam’s advantages in renewable energy development, saying the country boasts huge potential for wind and solar energy, biomass electricity and hydrogen, among others.

He suggested the IMO roll out policies in support of developing countries, including Vietnam, in devising maritime development strategies and planning schemes, building and consolidating institutions, applying technologies, and personnel training.

Lim agreed with the PM’s proposals, pledging that the IMO will work to materialise them, especially in personnel training.

VUFO president welcomes Cuban Women's Union counterpart

Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), hosted a reception in Hanoi on May 12 for Teresa María Amarelle Boúe, Secretary General of the Cuban Women's Union (CUW).

Ambassador Nga said 2023 holds significance for the two countries as it marks the 60th  founding anniversary of the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam (September 25) and the 50th anniversary of Cuban President Fidel Castro’s visit to the liberated zone in Quang Tri (September 14-15).

She said the visit by Teresa María Amarelle Boúe contributes to further tightening traditional friendship between Vietnam and Cuba, their people and women in particular.

The host spoke highly of the contributions of Cuban women led by the CUW to the global movement for gender equality and women's empowerment, as well as to peace and development goals in the world.

According to Nga, the VUFO and the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association always work closely with the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), the Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Association, and the Cuban Embassy in Hanoi to organise many peace and solidarity activities with Cuba, support Cuba's fight against embargo, provide aid for the country and celebrate its important events.

Teresa María Amarelle Boué, for her part, said with their tradition of resilience and creativity, the Cuban people, particularly Cuban women, exert efforts to overcome current challenges. The Cuban women have made significant contributions to the Party and State organisations, authorities and social fields, especially in health care and scientific research, particularly in the fight against COVID-19.

She thanked Vietnam for its sincere and practical support for the Cuban people, affirming that it is a continuation of the trustworthy, supportive, and cooperative relationship between the two countries throughout history.

At the reception, both sides agreed to seek more effective cooperation orientations, with a focus on young generations, making positive contributions to bilateral ties in various fields.

Wetlands conservation in Vietnam critical to biodiversity and eco-balance

A ceremony was held in Cao Lanh city in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap on May 12 to launch a campaign on the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands in Vietnam.

The ceremony was co-organised by the Centre for Natural Resources and Environmental Communication under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Vietnam, and Dong Thap province’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Speaking at the event, Cao Minh Tuan, deputy director of the centre, said the event was one of the activities to mark International Day of Biodiversity (May 22) which has the theme “From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity” this year.

In Vietnam, wetlands play an important role in socio-economic development, environmental protection, and climate change response.

 Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve in Gia Vien district in the northern province of Ninh Binh. (Photo: kinhtemoitruong.vn)
With an area of about 12 million ha, wetlands in Vietnam make an important contribution to ecological balance, habitats of thousands of species of creatures, and providing livelihoods for millions of people.

The diversity of wetland types in Vietnam has contributed to the diversity of species, which is significant to the country and the world. Wetlands have also contributed to providing food and aquatic products for domestic demand and export.

Tuan said that the conservation and sustainable development of wetlands in Vietnam have always been defined as one of the sustainable development goals. The Government has issued many decrees and decisions to promote the value of wetlands and overcome difficulties and inadequacies in wetland conservation and exploitation.

After the ceremony, a conference was held to provide information that is expected to help raise public awareness of the conservation and sustainable use of Vietnam's wetlands.

Agencies and local authorities also organised the signing of community commitments in conserving Tram Chim National Park in Tam Nong district of Dong Thap province. A photo exhibition was opened the same day, displaying winning works in a photo contest on the conservation and sustainable use of Vietnam's wetlands in 2022.

Workshop features President Ho Chi Minh’s revolutionary activities in Russia

The Hanoi chapter of the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association on May 12 held a workshop on President Ho Chi Minh's revolutionary activities in Russia and at K9 relic site in Hanoi's outlying district of Ba Vi.

The event was part of the celebrations of the 133rd birth anniversary of the late leader (May 19) and the 100th anniversary of his first coming to Russia (June 30).

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the chapter and Secretary of Long Bien district’s Party Committee Duong Hoai Nam said during the years of searching for a path for national salvation and leading the Vietnamese people's struggle for national liberation and construction, Nguyen Ai Quoc, later known as President Ho Chi Minh, set foot on nearly 60 countries around the world. Among them, the Soviet Union, the homeland of the October Revolution, was the place where he spent the longest time. The Soviet Union held a significant position and influence in his revolutionary life.

Five years after the success of Vietnam's revolution in 1945, the Soviet Union became one of the first countries in the world to recognise and officially establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam on January 30, 1950. Since then, relationship between Vietnam and the former Soviet Union, now the Russian Federation, has always been warm, reliable, overcoming challenges and fluctuations in each country and the world, Nam said.

At the event, delegates listened to speeches and analyses about the late Vietnamese leader’s great contributions, activities during his first visit to the Soviet Union and the following years, and the process of preserving his body at the K9 relic site.

Col. Nguyen Ngoc Huan, Vice Commander of the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum High Command, presented an overview of K9 relic site, the preservation of Uncle Ho's body during the war, and the significant contributions of the State, Government and medical experts from the former Soviet Union and present-day Russia to the development of the site.

Binh Thuan authorities to inspect enterprises exporting aquatic products to EU

Authorities of the south-central coastal province of Binh Thuan will inspect enterprises exporting aquatic products to the European market to prepare for the European Commission (EC)’s fourth round of inspection of the local fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in late May.

Accordingly, inspections will be conducted from May 15-18 at local businesses that purchase raw materials, process and export aquatic products to the European market. The work will focus on the compliance with regulations on anti-IUU fishing and reviewing the documentation for confirming and certifying the origin of harvested seafood to ensure traceability throughout the supply chain.

The inspections are expected to promptly detect, rectify, and punish organisations, seafood processing and export establishments, and individuals who intentionally violate regulations related to IUU and attempt to legitimise documentation for exporting seafood batches to the European market.

Relevant forces of Binh Thuan have coordinated with local administrations to deploy many solutions to combat IUU fishing; and promoted communication activities to popularise guiding documents of the central and local authorities and raise local fishermen's awareness of law observance.

Since early 2023, over 16,000 fishermen in Binh Thuan have been provided with information related to legal regulations on preventing IUU fishing. Owners of over 3,800 fishing vessels with a length of 12 metres and above have signed commitments not to engage in IUU fishing.  

The coordination between various competent forces in and outside the province to manage fishing vessels and combat IUU fishing is closely linked to the implementation of the Fisheries Law.

Local fishing vessels were strictly inspected at ports, sea, and via vessel monitoring systems (VMS), thus early detecting and promptly preventing cases of potential violations of IUU fishing, and fishing vessels' infringement into foreign waters.

As of April 21, Binh Thuan has completed the installation of VMS on 99% of its fishing ships with a length of 15 metres and above.

Nearly 400 Dak Lak children with motor impairment receive free screening

The Fund for Vietnamese Children in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak and Switzerland’s Children Action jointly organised free screening for movement deformities for nearly 400 children aged under 16 at Krong Pak district Health Centre and Thien Hanh General Hospital on May 11-12.

The programme saw the participation of doctors from the Orthopaedic Department of the Children’s Hospital under France’s Toulouse University Hospital, and Spain’s La Fe Valencia orthopedic hospital.

After the examination, children who are prescribed surgery and treatment will be treated and receive physical therapy free of charge.

Lam Dinh Nhien, Director of the fund, said that besides these 400 children, since 2006, the fund has cooperated with orthopedic and rehabilitation hospitals to organise surgery to cure motor impairment for 712 children in the locality with a budget of more than 3.5 billion VND (149,200 USD).

In the coming time, it will promote communications to people in remote and border areas so that they can gain access to the programme.

SEA Games 32: Vietnam to play Myanmar in women’s football final

Vietnamese girls stunned Cambodian hosts 4-0 on May 12 evening and are scheduled to take on their tough Myanmar opponents in the final match at the ongoing 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games).

Cambodian hosts looked confident in their first semi-final encounter against Vietnamese girls.  

But they quickly no longer maintained their confidence after Van Su opened the score for Vietnam in the 19th minute.

Coach Mai Duc Chung’s players flexed their muscle, scoring two more goals in the first half, before clinching another goal in the second half.

In another semi-final match at the same time, Myanmar excellently came back to defeat Thailand 4-2 despite their first 2-0 loss.

Vietnam will encounter Myanmar in the final match on May 14.

Vietnam trounced Myanmar 3-1 in a group match, and they are hopeful of defending the gold medal they bagged at SEA Games 31.

German jazz band to rock Hanoi's pedestrian street this weekend

The musical performance is Germany's contribution to the EU's cultural event in Hanoi, which aims to offer an unforgettable exploration of the diversity of European cultures.

 The music event is organized by the Delegation of the European Union (EU) and EU member countries in Hanoi as part of the "European Village 2023" project.

A jazz night titled "Illusion" will be performed by German artist Kira Linn and her music called Linntett on May 14 at 6pm at Ly Thai To Monument, Hoan Kiem Lake Pedestrian Street.

Inspired by international contemporary artists such as Billie Eilish, Hiatus Kaiyote and Bon Iver, the "Illusion" features a wide range of music, from jazz to pop, indie to electro, neo-soul and R&B, or somewhere between authentic jazz gesture, neo-soul romanticism and late-irreverent Nintendo pop, all played by three saxophonists accompanied by Rhodes, electric bass and drums.
This is the first time Kira Linn's brand has toured in Asia, at the invitation of the Goethe-Institut Southeast Asia.

In addition, the band will also have a collaboration concert with Hanoi Brass Community on May 15 at 7 pm at the Goethe Institute Auditorium in Hanoi.

According to the Goethe-Institut Hanoi, this combination aims to offer the audience a unique experience of the music of two different German and Vietnamese arts.

Kira Linn was born in 1993 and has played baritone saxophone since 2008. During her school days, she gained a lot of great band experience through concerts, competitions, and tours.

After graduating, Kira studied jazz saxophone and pedagogy at the University of Music Nuremberg with Klaus Graf, Steffen Schorn, and Stefan Karl Schmid. From 2018 until 2020, she studied the master’s program at the Jazzcampus in Basel under the guidance of Guillermo Klein, Domenic Landolf, and Mark Turner.

As a member of the “Hessian State Youth Jazz Orchestra”, Kira could play concerts in South Africa and New York City.

She also played with the “Sunday Night Orchestra” from Nuremberg and the “Swiss Jazz Orchestra”, subbed at the “Frankfurt Radio Bigband” and the “Zurich Jazz Orchestra” and worked as a band leader.

The artist founded her own band called Linntett in 2016 and has regularly toured worldwide since then.

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