More support has been provided for Vietnamese impacted by the fire at the Marywilska shopping centre in Warsaw, Poland.

The Vietnamese Association in Poland announced that the community supporting department has received more than 900,000 PLN (230,000 USD) from donors and community organisations. Support will be delivered into different phases, covering all affected businesses.

Accordingly, the first round of money distribution for business households affected by the May 12 fire was held on May 18.

Besides, individuals, organisations and associations of the Vietnamese people in Poland also distributed essential items to them.

On the same day, the Embassy of Vietnam in Poland held a mobile consular reception at the support delivery point outside Marywilska 44 shopping mall to enable people to redo their documents./.

Remains of Vietnamese martyrs repatriated from Laos

A ceremony was held on May 19 in the Lao southern province of Saravane to hand over and repatriate the remains of 12 Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who laid down their lives in Saravane and Sekong provinces.

Attending the ceremony were Nguyen Van Trung, Vietnamese Consul General in Pakse city, leaders and representatives of relevant agencies in the aforementioned provinces.

Participants at the event offered incense and flowers in tribute to the martyrs who devoted their lives to the noble international spirit.

The remains are to be laid to rest at the martyrs' cemetery in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue./.

Book on Ho Chi Minh’s ideology on culture published

The Su That (Truth) National Political Publishing House has published the book “Culture must light the way for the nation” on the occasion of the 134th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890-2024).

The work aims to pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh and remember his great contributions to the Vietnamese revolution while affirming that the role of Ho Chi Minh's cultural ideology still has great value, guiding the work of building Vietnamese culture today.

The book features several articles, speeches, and talks by President Ho Chi Minh to guide the building of the culture of an independent and self-reliant Vietnam that can stand shoulder to shoulder with other countries in the world.

It provides specific instructions on various fields of culture, such as arts and culture, journalism, publishing, ethics, lifestyle, new life practice, popularisation and training, how to speak and write as well as educating new cultures and improving cultural knowledge for people, among others.

The book is a valuable document, helping officials, Party members, and people to have a better understanding of the core values of Ho Chi Minh's ideology on culture and national culture building while contributing to arousing patriotism, pride of national traditions, and an aspiration to build a civilised, prosperous and heroic country.

On the occasion, the publishing house has also republished many precious publications on President Ho Chi Minh./.

President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday celebrated abroad

A wide range of activities have been held by Vietnamese embassies in foreign countries to commemorate President Ho Chi Minh on the occasion of his 134th birthday (May 19, 1890).

The Vietnamese Embassy in Algeria on May 18 hosted a flower-offering ceremony in memory of the late leader, with the participation of Lai Xuan Mon, member of the Party Central Committee and standing deputy head of its Information and Education Commission, who is on a working visit to the country.

As part of the visit, Mon had a meeting with the authorities of Raïs Hamidou, a suburb of Algiers, where the Ho Chi Minh Avenue is located.

The local authorities said the avenue demonstrates the sentiments of Algerians to President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnamese people, and pledged to further coordinate with the embassy in organising activities in commemoration of the President.

The same day, the Vietnamese Embassies in France and Belgium and the authorities of Montreuil city on the outskirts of Paris jointly held a similar ceremony at the monument dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh at the Montreau Park.

Following the ceremony, participants visited a space dedicated to the President within the Museum of Living History at the park, where many objects and photos on the late leader are on display.

Also on May 18, a delegation of Vietnamese representative offices in New York and the Vietnamese community in Massachusetts state led by Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Vietnam's Permanent Representative to the UN, visited Omni Parker House in Boston city, where Uncle Ho once worked in the early years of his journey to seek ways for national salvation.

During his stay in New York and Boston, Nguyen Tat Thanh, who later became President Ho Chi Minh, studied the US struggle for independence, and witnessed and supported the movement for equal rights of Americans, taking it as inspiration and lessons for the cause of national liberation and reunification in Vietnam, the ambassador said.

On this occasion, John Murtha, General Manager of Omni Parker House, presented the Vietnamese Permanent Mission to the UN with a book on the history of the hotel, in which President Ho Chi Minh is one of the most mentioned figures.

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (1954 – 2024) and President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday, the Vietnamese Embassy in Sri Lanka organised a Vietnamese culture event in its capital city of Colombo, with more than 200 guests.

Apart from introducing works on the beloved President and General Vo Nguyen Giap, the event featured Vietnamese foods and art performances./.

Over 4,500 athletes join marathon in Binh Thuan

The Stop and Run Marathon BTV Binh Thuan 2024 was held in the central province of Binh Thuan on May 19, drawing over 4,500 athletes at home and abroad.

The event was jointly organised by the provincial Department of Culture and Sports, the Binh Thuan Radio and Television Station, and Stop And Sports Co. Ltd.

The runners competed in various distances, including 5km, 10km, 21km and challenging 42 km.

Truong Van Hieu, Nguyen Van Loi, Trinh Minh Tam and Nguyen Van Chinh finished first in the men’s 5km, 10km, 21km and 42km events respectively while Nguyen Thi Lien, Nguyen Thi Thuy Duong, Nguyen Thi Thanh Tuyen and Nguyen Thi Minh Hien won the women’s 5km, 10km, 21km and 42km races.

This competition formed part of activities held to commemorate the 134th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890- 2024). It also aimed to promote sports movement in the community.

It is one of the few tournaments in Vietnam meeting international standards, so runners' achievements will be considered for their eligible participation in world marathon majors such as New York Marathon and Boston Marathon./.

President Ho Chi Minh Monument inaugurated in Phu Quoc

The President Ho Chi Minh Monument was inaugurated in Phu Quoc city, the southern province of Kien Giang on May 19 to celebrate the 134th birth anniversary of the late leader ( May 19, 1890- 2024).

Speaking at the ceremony, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Do Thanh Binh said that the inauguration is an event of special political, cultural, and historical significance. The work is to honour the great service of President Ho Chi Minh – the hero of national liberation and a great man of culture, as well as to affirm the national sea and island sovereignty.

Covering 7.45 hectares in Duong Dong ward, the monument square features an 18m-tall statue of President Ho Chi Minh, reliefs made of 484 stone panels, a memorial space for the President, and other auxiliary facilities.

The reliefs are placed behind the monument, featuring typical images and landmarks from the 17th parallel to the south and popular places in Kien Giang affirming Vietnam's sovereignty over sea and islands.

Both the State and local budgets funded the project's construction.

After the ceremony, delegates offered incense at President Ho Chi Minh Temple, visited the memorial complex, and planted trees in front of the monument./.

Vietnamese Pho leaves impression at Czech cook show

Pho, a Vietnamese traditional noodle soup, left an impression among diners at ASEAN Cook Show 2024, which was hosted by the ASEAN Committee in Prague (ACP) on May 16.

The event saw the participation of a large number of chefs from famous restaurants and hotels of ASEAN member countries in Prague and guests from diplomatic corps in the Czech Republic.

Vietnamese chefs showed participants how to prepare, process, and enjoy Pho, and its meaning.

Chefs from other ASEAN countries brought typical dishes of Southeast Asia such as Laab Gai (Thailand), Suman (Philippines), Bebek Betutu (Indonesia), Roji Jaja & and Kari Ayam (Malaysia), and Shwe Htamin (Myanmar).

Addressing the event, Ambassador Duong Hoai Nam said Pho is one of the most typical dishes of Vietnam, chosen to represent Vietnam on the world culinary map.

The diplomat applauded the ACP's initiative to promote the quintessence of Southeast Asia's culinary culture to Czech people and international friends.

Along with the history of formation and development of the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic, Vietnamese cuisine is also becoming increasingly popular in the European nation with more and more Vietnamese restaurants opening./.

President Ho Chi Minh's birthday celebrated in Germany

The Vietnamese Embassy in Germany has organised several activities to celebrate the 134th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh ((May 19, 1890 - 2024), a great leader of the Vietnamese people and the working class and an eminent soldier of the workers' movement and the international communist movement.

One of the activities was a visit by the embassy delegation to the family of Le Duc Duong who met the leader twice.

Duong, who now resides in Hoppegarten city, Brandenburg state, recounted the story of his meetings with the leader in 1955 when he was preparing to study in German, and two year later on the occasion of President Ho Chi Minh's state visit to the European nation.

On May 17, an incense offering ceremony was held at the embassy to commemorate the late president.

The same day, members of the embassy's Party organisation attended an online conference held by the Party committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to review the implementation of Conclusion No. 01-KL/TW dated May 18, 2021, of the Politburo on promoting the work of studying and following late President Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality, and style in 2021 - 2024.

Organisations and individuals that made outstanding achievements in the movement were commended and rewarded at the event./.

Vietnamese embassy in Poland proactively supports OVs affected by fire incident

The Vietnamese Embassy in Poland on May 17 started receiving and processing documents for Vietnamese nationals who lost their papers in the fire at the Marywilska 44 shopping centre in Warsaw, with many people getting new documents in as little as one hour after submitting their applications.

Ambassador Ha Hoang Hai, immediately after the incident, the embassy promptly dispatched a delegation to the scene to coordinate with local authorities and the Vietnamese association in Poland to visit and support affected individuals, and took citizen protection measures.

The embassy has also collaborated with local authorities to request an investigation of the cause of the fire and ensure the full legal rights and interests of Vietnamese citizens in the country, he said.

For those who lost their personal documents in the fire, the embassy has promptly provided assistance by swiftly issuing replacements, enabling them to continue their legal residence in the Central European nation, thus restoring business activities, and gradually stabilising their lives.

Liwiusz Laska, a representative of the Polish Ministry of Family, Labour, and Social Policy, highly valued the information sharing and cooperation of the Vietnamese Embassy, saying that relevant Polish agencies and authorities are actively supporting traders affected by the fire incident which occurred on May 12.

The Marywilska 44 shopping centre housed an estimated 400 Vietnamese small traders with nearly 600 stalls. Additionally, hundreds of Vietnamese workers found employment in stalls, nail salons, and restaurants within the complex.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Poland can be reached via the following hotlines: 48 782 257 359 and 48 601 925 288./.

Ninh Binh looks to promote trade cooperation with France's Paris Ile-de-France region

Ninh Binh commits to providing the most favourable conditions for all foreign investors and businesses, including French ones, to explore investment opportunities in the northern locality, Vice Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council Mai Van Tuat has said.

In a meeting with representatives from the Paris Île-de-France Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI Paris Île-de-France) as part of his working visit to France from May 15-17, Tuat briefed the host on Ninh Binh's potential and advantages for investment attraction, saying that the locality has been consistently and effectively implementing its green and sustainable economic development orientations.

With its strategic location, open policies, competitive incentives, and unique identity, Ninh Binh is said to be a safe and attractive destination for foreign investors, he stressed, noting that with its sustainable development, Ninh Binh prioritises projects of high-quality and value-added products.

The official expressed his hope that Ninh Binh will have an opportunity to expand development cooperation with French companies in areas such as processing and manufacturing industries, high-tech agriculture, ecotourism, and logistics.

He called on CCI Paris Île-de-France to support Ninh Binh in human resources training, environmental protection, preservation and promotion of heritage values, and tourism development, thus helping the locality take new steps in economic cooperation and investment with French investors.

Represenatives from CCI Paris Ile-de-France introduced operating models and services provided by the agency, saying that it plays a crucial role in promoting innovative initiatives.

It works to assist small- and medium-sized enterprises in penetrating new markets, protecting economic interests of businesses, and providing solutions to unleash potential and promote growth, they said.

According to Pierre Mongrué, Deputy Director General in charge of international cooperation at CCI Paris Ile-de-France, there are many potential areas for further cooperation between the two sides in the future.

He expressed his belief that France will serve as a gateway for Ninh Binh to access the EU market with over 400 million people, and the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) will provide a legal basis and create favourable mechanisms to help Vietnamese businesses in general, and those in Ninh Binh in particular, penetrate this market.

During their stay, Ninh Binh's delegation met with representatives of the Vietnamese Embassy in France, visited and laid flowers at the statue of President Ho Chi Minh in Montreau Park, and toured the Ho Chi Minh Space in the Living History Museum in Montreuil city./.

President Ho Chi Minh's birthday marked in Cambodia

An incense offering ceremony was held at the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia on May 17 in celebration of the 134th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890 - 2024), a great leader of the Vietnamese people and the working class and an eminent soldier of the workers' movement and the international communist movement.

In his speech, Ambassador Nguyen Huy Tang highlighted the fruitful development of relations between Vietnam and Cambodia with substantive and effective achievements across fields from political, diplomatic, defence - security, and economic, trade, and investment cooperation.

Party orrganisations of Vietnamese representative agencies have implemented successfully political tasks in all areas, from politics, economics, national defense and security, culture, citizen protection, and those related to people of the Vietnamese origin in Cambodia.

He took the occasion to call on Party members, officials, the business community, and the Vietnamese community in Cambodia to continue studying and following President Ho Chi Minh's thought, morality and lifestyle; and exert efforts to fulfill all tasks of 2024 in all aspects.

He suggested the Vietnamese community in Cambodia uphold the tradition of solidarity and mutual support to overcome all difficulties and obstacles and strictly abide by laws of the host country.

The diplomat also urged them to make more contributions to the homeland, and continue to serve as a solid bridge for the Vietnam-Cambodia relationship./.

Vietnam eyes to boost science, technology cooperation with Brazil

Ambassador of Vietnam to Brazil Bui Van Nghi has emphasised that cooperation in science and technology is one of the priority areas between the two countries, especially in telecommunications, high technology, semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), big data, quantum science, aerospace, and aviation.

During a recent working session with Brazilian Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation Luciana Santos, the Vietnamese diplomat underlined the necessity of establishing a joint commission on science, technology, and innovation between the two countries to promote bilateral cooperation, saying that Vietnam desires to learn from Brazil's experience in bioethanol technology, agricultural product processing industry, mining, climate change adaptation, and space technology in the near future.

He highly valued Brazil's aviation technology, including narrow-body aircraft produced by Embraer, which are suitable for Vietnam's aviation and tourism transportation demand.

Regarding the historic floods that caused significant human, property, and infrastructure losses in Brazil in recent times, the ambassador emphasised that the Government and people of Vietnam always stand in solidarity with Brazil during this difficult time.

For her part, Minister Luciana Santos said Vietnam has become an attractive destination for foreign enterprises and companies specialising in producing chips and semiconductors, therefore, potential for cooperation between the two countries is enormous.

She expressed her impression for Vietnam's achievements in science and technology after her working visit to the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology in November 2023.

Santos affirmed that science, technology, and innovation are among the priorities in Brazil's foreign policy, and her country is making efforts to promote the implementation of agreements signed with Vietnam.

The official revealed that a delegation of Brazilian experts will visit and work with the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam at the end of this month./.

President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday marked in Havana

Representatives of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with Peoples (ICAP) and the Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba have laid flowers at the Ho Chi Minh Park in Havana to mark the 134th birthday of the Vietnamese late leader (May 19, 1890-2024).

The ceremony drew ICAP President Fernando González Llort, Deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court of Vietnam Nguyen Van Tien, and Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Quang Long, as well as representatives of many agencies and organisations of Cuba and the Vietnamese community in the country.

Addressing the event, Ambassador Long highlighted the legacy left by President Ho Chi Minh, a national liberation hero, an eminent revolutionary of the national liberation movement and international communist and workers' movements, a world figure of culture, and the beloved leader of Vietnamese people.

Also on May 19, 129 years ago, Cuban hero José Martí fell down during the struggle for national liberation of Cuba, he noted, holding that this was a coincidence of the two leaders. Vietnam and Cuba also share the common spirit of patriotism and ideology values, he stated.

The desire for freedom and independence of each nation and the progressive ideology of each nation's historical leaders formed a solid foundation for Vietnam and Cuba to cultivate a faithful and lasting friendship, the diplomat emphasised.

For his part, Vice President of the Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Association Ruvislei González Sáez affirmed that the ideology of President Ho Chi Minh, one of the most important figures of the 20th century, has remained alive among the 100 million people of Vietnam and revolutionaries in the world.

González Sáez honoured the late leader as a figure with universal stature, a great revolutionary who fought tirelessly for the best cause of Vietnam and humanity, and a very great man who was also very humble.

The Cuban scholar said that his organisation and the ICAP as well as the Havana University hope to study more deeply into the Ho Chi Minh ideology and promote the Vietnamese leader's legacy in the new era.

He expressed his belief that the future generations of the two countries will inherit the eternal values left by the leader, promoting the growth of the two countries in peace and heading to socialism, while fostering the special ties between the two nations.

At the ceremony, local children performed songs, dances and poems honouring President Ho Chi Minh and the special solidarity between the two nations./.

Cuban researcher praises President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology

President Ho Chi Minh is a figure with universal stature, a great revolutionary who fought tirelessly for the best for Vietnamese people and humanity, and a very great but humble man, said Dr. Ruvislei González Sáez, one of the leading researchers on Vietnam in Latin America.

In a recent interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 134th birthday of the late leader (May 19, 1890-2024), Saez, who is also Vice President of the Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Association, affirmed that the great ideology of President Ho Chi Minh, one of the most important figures in the 20th century, has remained alive among the 100 million Vietnamese people and revolutionaries in the world.

According to the Cuban researcher, the late leader’s ideology has gone beyond the borders of Vietnam and had a great influence on all humanity.

He stressed that he is especially impressed with the simple, humble and closeness manner of President Ho Chi Minh.

The Cuban scholar said that his organisation, the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), and the Havana University hope to conduct more intensive studies on the Ho Chi Minh ideology and promote the Vietnamese leader's legacy in the new era.

President Ho Chi Minh was born on May 19, 1890 in Kim Lien commune, Nam Dan district, the central province of Nghe An. He devoted his whole life to the cause of national liberation, while tirelessly striving for peace and progress around the world.

He led the struggle for national independence and established the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, in 1945.

The President passed away in 1969. His body was embalmed and placed in a glass coffin inside a granite mausoleum in the capital city of Hanoi.

British historian praises President Ho Chi Minh’s role in national liberation

It is hard to see national liberation, reunification or path through peace and independence of Vietnam as a nation without the presence of President Ho Chi Minh and the stamp of his personality, British historian John Callow has said in a recent interview with the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 134th birthday the later leader.

"Ho Chi Minh was an incredible figure on so many different levels: man of action, revolutionary, patriot, scholar, poet, politician, theorist and great Marxist, having all of these in his make-up, blended together like veins of gold running through him," stated John Callow.

According to the historian, Ho Chi Minh was a forerunner who he was on the road to where he wanted to be, to the great vision of unification. He laid a very clear road map to bring freedom, and prosperity to his country and people.

At times in his early career, Ho Chi Minh stood absolutely alone, the British scholar said, citing when he was at the founding conference of the Communist Party of France in the streets of Paris taking his message to the League of Nations appeals on behalf of the Vietnamese people who did not yet have a state. He always carried with him the vision of better days ahead and sought to achieve it.

"It was a long, incredibly rich career that saw him constantly learning, adapting, evolving, always carrying the people with him, always having a sense of what was new, of how the West and its industry and its ideas could not submerge Vietnam, but how those positive elements within it could enhance what was already there in Vietnamese culture," he noted.

The historian further said that is one of the secrets of the greatness of Ho Chi Minh, a man who could combine so many facets, a leader in the richest and most democratic sense of that word who could inspire people, who understood world culture and Vietnamese culture and combined the progressive legacies of Confucianism alongside the positive legacies of the West. Ho Chi Minh’s Marxism was not a dogma, was not something that could not be approved upon or applied, but was a guide to action that was creative, that could be individually tailored, and used above all in the service of the people.

For all these facts, Ho Chi Minh was truly remarkable. A world statesman of the highest calibre who understood socialist internationalism to his fingertips, who always saw unity- unity of the Party, of the people, but also of the wider socialist movement, he stated.

Speaking about Ho Chi Minh Thought, Callow said his writings, the four little volumes produced in the English language during the 1960s and the 1970s, are incredibly rich and varied. They deal with day to day topics, living in the moment, the problems of fighting imperialism, the problems of building in the future, items of Vietnamese traditional culture, the roles of religion, of women, and of the family.

According to Callow, there is nothing that his Thought does not touch, and within all of this, it is a creative conversation with his readership, with the people. It provides a spur to action, but also a very firm moral compass, rooted in the people, in the land, in the alliance with the small peasantry themselves. And all of these were the preconditions for victory, for transformation, for statehood, for breaking the shackles of empire and domination, and for removing the racism that had been vested upon the Vietnamese people, under French, and then under American colonisation.

The British scholar pointed out on all kinds of levels, President Ho Chi Minh’s message is freeing people, freeing their minds, freeing the chains of poverty, of absolute poverty, of subjugation, of allowing the nation to enjoy its full riches, to escape a poverty not only that is absolute in terms of having a good standard of living, but also a mental poverty being shackled into a colonial deferential mindset.

In his opinion, President Ho Chi Minh’s Thought is truly remarkable, because it folds just like the finely tempered steel of a metal blade, with so many different sources and ideas. Ho Chi Minh, whose father was a Confucian scholar, has seen Vietnamese traditional culture. But also he had been to Europe, and in that experience of really being in the centre of the European Enlightenment thought, the world of Spinoza as well as Marx or Lenin, never once did he abandon his own host culture.

He never lost sight of his people or their great cultural gains. So everything he learned, everything he brought back, the version of Marxism that he forged through the struggle of the Independence War, was a creative process where he was able to take the very best from Western thought and philosophy and economics and marry it to Vietnamese traditional culture.

"This has made Ho Chi Minh Thought so durable. It was a process to seeing the world, a guide to action, and a series of principles. He pointed out that has what has enabled the Party and people of Vietnam to go forward in a creative manner, to surmount the terrible difficulties they've had since the late 1980s, to survive in a world that so often is hostile to them, to creatively apply the principles of Doi Moi (Renewal)," he said.

The historian said today Vietnam is changing, being on the global scene and operating in global markets. The country has recovered itself splendidly and its young vibrant population deserve the good things in life. He believed President Ho Chi Minh’s creative dynamic could lead seamlessly to the achievements of national liberation through the terrible fights that inspired generations of Vietnamese to follow in his flame, to follow in his path, to make those sacrifices for a better world.

John Callow is a historian, author and trade unionist. He has written widely on Early Modern witchcraft, politics and popular culture. His books include Witchcraft & Magic in Sixteenth- and Seventeenth-Century Europe (co-authored with Professor Geoffrey Scarre); James II: King in Exile; Embracing the Darkness: A Cultural History of Witchcraft, and The Last Witches of England: A Tragedy of Sorcery and Superstition.

Cuba, Vietnam boost cooperation in justice

A delegation from the Supreme People’s Court led by its Deputy Chief Justice Nguyen Van Tien made an official visit to Cuba from May 13- to May 18 to foster bilateral ties and attend the 11th International Meeting of Justice and Law.

At a working session with Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court of Cuba Rubén Remigio Ferro, Tien  highlighted the developments in judicial cooperation between the two countries and informed the host about main reforms in the Vietnamese court system in recent times, including fine-tuning institutions, reforming judicial administrative procedures, building electronic courts and applying information technology in court activities.

In its long-term judicial reform strategy, Vietnam aims for a people-centred justice, improve judge capacity, and build electronic courts and strengthen international experience exchange, Tien said.

He also emphasized the need for the two countries to continue to cultivate and develop the close-knit relationship between their court systems in the time ahead.

For his part, the Cuban chief justice shared the orientation for the modernization of the Cuban court system, and noted the similar points in the process of revamping the judicial system in the two countries.

Showing his interest in Vietnam’s experience in judicial reconciliation, Ferro suggested launching knowledge exchanges or thematic workshops on the issue to better tap the similarities between the two countries.

On the occasion, the Vietnamese official handed over some laptops as a gift from the Vietnam Supreme People’s Court to the Cuban counterpart.

The 11th International Meeting of Justice and Law, which ran from May 15-17 in Havana, drew the participation of some 400 delegates from Cuba and other countries.

Discussions primarily focused on issues related to population aging, the legality and impartiality of judges in the administration of justice; the interpretation of the Law, family, civil and administrative matters; and the response to domestic and gender violence.

During their stay in Cuba, the Vietnamese delegation attended a flower offering ceremony in commemoration of the 134th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh at a park named after Ho Chi Minh in Havana and visit the Fidel Castro Centre.

Personnel affairs under scrutiny at NA’s seventh session

Personnel work will be among the key issues to be raised for discussion at the seventh session of the 15th National Assembly (NA) that will open on May 20 in Hanoi.

Upon addressing a press briefing in Hanoi on May 19, Secretary General Chairman of the NA Office Bui Van Cuong said that the positions of President and the NA Chairperson will be elected at the session.

Answering reporters' query about selected areas for questioning at the 7th session, Cuong said that law makers will spend two and a half days on the Q&A session with cabinet members and top leaders of ministries and sectors.

At this session, NA deputies will vote to select 4 areas for questioning out of the five ones, including environmental resources, auditing, industry-trade, culture-sports- tourism, and education and training, he added.

Legislators will consider and adopt 10 draft laws, and three draft resolutions on piloting some specific mechanisms and policies for development in the central province of Nghe An, on piloting a new model of urban administration and specific mechanisms and policies for the central city of Da Nang, and on the 2025 law and ordinance building programme, and adjustments to the 2024 programme.

They will also give opinion on 11 draft laws, alongside issues regarding socio-economic development, the State budget, supervision and others.

Vietnamese cultural, art products displayed at Hong Kong art expo

The Consulate General of Vietnam in Hong Kong (China) has brought many cultural and artistic products to an international art exhibition which is being held at Hong Kong’s exhibition centre AsiaWorld-Expo from May 16-19.

During this period, the exhibition centre also hosts the 6th Hong Kong International Art and Collectibles Expo.

Covering an area of 28,400 sq.m, the exhibition has brought together more than 600 exhibitors from countries and territories across the world, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Iran, Russia, Nepal, Zimbabwe, and many cities of mainland China.

Many works of calligraphy, watercolor paintings, oil paintings, modern art, photography, jewelry, collectibles and antiques, ceramics, sculpture, and embroidery are displayed at the expo.

The exhibition aims to strengthen the connection and cohesion between countries from the perspective of art and culture to promote international cooperation and create a completely new atmosphere for the culture and art industry. Each country showcases its unique works of art and culture.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong International Art and Collectibles Expo provides a platform for artists worldwide to display their works of art. This is also an opportunity for curators and collectors to exchange, evaluate, invest, and collect works.

Many concurrent events will be held, such as seminars, performances, and competitions.

The exhibition organisers expect that it will attract over 20,000 visitors from countries and regions./.

HCM City prepares for rainy season

HCM City has finished many flood-control projects to fight flooding in the coming rainy season.

After the city suffered months of heat waves, some heavy rains hit the densely-populated southern metropolis. However, heavy rain also caused flooding on many roads in the city.

According to the city's Department of Construction, the city has had 18 flooded roads (13 roads flooded due to rain and five roads flooded due to high tide).

The specific list of 13 main roads flooded by rain includes Phan Anh, Lê Đức Thọ, Quang Trung, Nguyễn Văn Khối (Cây Trâm), Hồ Học Lãm, National Highway No.1, Đặng Thị Rành, Dương Văn Cam, Kha Vạn Cân, Bạch Đằng, Thảo Điền, Quốc Hương and Nguyễn Văn Hưởng.

Meanwhile, the list of flooded roads due to high tide includes Huỳnh Tấn Phát, Trần Xuân Soạn, Lê Văn Lương, Đào Sư Tích and Highway 50.

In fact, many places not on this list were flooded. On the afternoon of May 8, after only about 15 minutes of rain, some areas in Thủ Đức City were flooded, including Lê Văn Việt, Tô Ngọc Vân and Võ Văn Ngân streets, and Hà Nội Highway.

Mai Hữu Quyết, vice chairman of Thủ Đức City People's Committee, commented that Võ Văn Ngân street is a heavily flooded area of Thủ Đức City in recent years.

In the near future, Thủ Đức City will have many renovation projects to solve the overall problem of flooding in the locality.

Besides Võ Văn Ngân Street, the city will strive to start and complete seven projects to upgrade anti-flood embankments, 36 drainage projects, and expand 60 alleys.

To prepare for the rainy season, the city’s Department of Construction said it has planned to put into operation a series of flood-control projects.

The department plans to operate 380 tidal check valves, and five mobile pumping stations with a capacity from 1,000 cubic metres (cu.m) of water per hour to 2,000cu.m of water per hour.

Along with 380 tidal check valves and five mobile pumping stations, ten other pumping stations and large tide control gates in Bình Triệu, Bình Lợi, Lăng Canal, Nhảy - Ruột Ngựa Canal, Nhiêu Lộc - Thị Nghè, Bà Tiếng Canal, Phú Lâm, Thanh Đa, Mễ Cốc 1 and Mễ Cốc 2 will be operated synchronously to mitigate flooding from high tide.

In addition, the department and relevant units have implemented projects to build and renovate drainage systems to solve flooding on 18 main roads such as Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh, Tân Quý, Ba Vân, Trương Công Định, Bàu Cát, Lê Đức Thọ, Quang Trung, Nguyễn Văn Khối, Đặng Thị Rành and Bạch Đằng streets in Bình Thạnh District; Thảo Điền, Quốc Hương, Nguyễn Văn Hưởng, Dương Văn Cam and Kha Vạn Cân streets and the National Highway 1A section in Thủ Đức City; and Phan Anh and Hồ Học Lãm streets in districts 6, 8 and Bình Tân.

Lý Thanh Long, chief of staff of the city Department of Construction, said that the city is preparing to do three projects to prevent flooding and improve drainage pipes in Gò Vấp District.

These projects include improving the drainage system of Nguyễn Van Khối - Lê Văn Thọ Street, Quang Trung Street (from Phạm Văn Chiêu to Chợ Cầu bridge) and Lê Đức Thọ Street (from Phạm Văn Chiêu to Cụt bridge).

In addition, the department has directed the city Technical Infrastructure Management Centre to repair degraded sewers, and dredge sewer beds and canals, Long said.

The city is also preparing to invest in four projects including the Hy Vọng Canal renovation project, the Văn Thánh Canal dredging and improvement project, and Bà Lớn Canal drainage project.

The project to dredge, build infrastructure, and improve the environment on the bank of Đôi Canal in District 8 is expected to start and be completed in the period 2026-2030. 

Summer vacation safety concerns for Hà Nội students

With summer vacation just around the corner, many parents in Hà Nội are already worrying about how to keep their children safe and engaged during the long break.

Some parents are concerned about their children spending too much time indoors glued to electronic devices, while others worry about the risk of drowning or other accidents.

Nguyễn Bích Hạnh, whose youngest child attends kindergarten in Cầu Giấy District, said she has to send him to her parent's house for childcare during the summer vacation as she and her husband are too busy working.

“We have to send our little one to stay with his grandparents for peace of mind," said Hạnh. "Leaving her home alone is not an option because we cannot ensure proper supervision to prevent accidents."

Phạm Thu Hiên from Ba Đình District is at a loss for what to do with her son during the summer break. She is worried that he would spend all his time watching TV and glued to his smartphone if she left him at home.

"Social media exposes kids to so much inappropriate content that it's hard to monitor," said Hiên.

But she is also not at ease sending him to the countryside because there are many ponds and lakes. Her only option now seems to be enrolling him in swimming and martial arts classes.

To alleviate parents' concerns about their children's summer activities, the Hà Nội's Department of Education has issued a plan to organise the activities for students.

The plan requires schools to collaborate with local HCM Youth Union and Young Pioneers' Councils to ensure students are properly supervised and engaged in safe community activities during the summer break.

The department also requested schools to allow students to access school facilities such as libraries and gyms during the off-school period for studying and recreation.

Regarding academic studies, schools in Hà Nội are strictly prohibited from organising extra classes or supplemental instruction during the summer break. Summer academic review is solely reserved for students with subpar academic performance.

Water safety remains a pressing concern as drowning incidents tragically claim young lives each summer.

Many schools have installed "smart swimming pools" to offer swimming lessons and water safety training. Local authorities also organise courses on drowning prevention, survival skills, and emergency response in this regard.

Nguyễn Hồng Thúy, Principal of Tâm Tiến Junior School in Chương Mỹ District, highlighted the importance of parent-school cooperation in caring for students.

She said even though students are not in school during the summer break, the school remains actively involved, instructing teachers to keep an eye on their students and collaborating with their parents during the year-end summary meeting to discuss summer vacation-related matters.

Parents are particularly encouraged to keep a close watch their children and minimise potential risks that could lead to accidents or injuries during the summer.

HCM City strives to complete HCM City - Mộc Bài Expressway by 2027

The Prime Minister expects to approve the investment policy of the HCM City - Mộc Bài expressway project this week, allowing the city to start the project before April 30, 2025, and complete it by the end of 2027.

Phan Văn Mãi, chairman of the municipal People’s Committee said the new expressway was expected to reduce traffic pressure on National Highway No. 22 and contribute to the economic and social development of the city, Tây Ninh Province, and neighboring countries as well as shorten the travel time of passenger and freight transport between the southeastern region and Cambodia via Mộc Bài International Border Gate.

After the Prime Minister approves the investment policy, HCM City would urgently carry out tasks such as site clearance, investor selection, and other preparatory work to ensure the project could start construction before April 30 next year.

The construction project of the HCM City – Mộc Bài expressway in the form of PPP has a total length of around 50 kilometers in the first phase.

The expressway will start from Ring Road 3, Củ Chi District, span over the Vàm Cỏ River and link up to Mộc Bài International Border Gate in Tây Ninh Province’s Bến Cầu District.

Short film project attracts young filmmakers

Young filmmakers are encouraged to join the CJ Short Film Making Project 2024, a national contest that targets young Vietnamese film talents by the CJ Cultural Foundation and CGV Việt Nam.

The event’s theme is “Thời Khắc Vàng- Toả Sáng Đam Mê” (The Golden Time - Shine for the Best), and it aims to help young filmmakers learn and develop their careers.

It will give financial support worth VNĐ1.5 billion (US$58,935) for the best five film projects.

Candidates should send their entries to the contest by May 31 at http://duanphimngancj.cgv.vn.

Famous directors and producers, such as Trịnh Đình Lê Minh, Trần Thị Bích Ngọc and Hàm Trần, are invited to become mentors during the filmmaking process.

Independent director Phan Đăng Di of Hà Nội is also included.

The mentors will train and share information, skills and experience in film, including casting, shooting, and pre- and post-production.

They will help to ensure that the productions from the event meet qualifications for international film festivals.

“Through the CJ Short Film Making Project 2024, we hope young filmmakers, amateur and professional, will have a chance to complete their dream and introduce their art to the world,” said Ko Jae Soo, director of CJ CGV Việt Nam.

The CJ Short Film Making Project began in 2018 and aims to bring works by young Vietnamese filmmakers to international film festivals.

The contest’s entries have featured different genres, and various topics and stories covering love, life and humanity.

Its best films have been selected to screen and compete at over 50 international film festivals around the world.

One of the contest’s highlighted winners is Phạm Ngọc Lân, who graduated from the Hà Nội University of Architecture but later followed his passion to make independent films.

Lân won the Best Film at the International Competition for Fiction & Documentaries at the 16th VIS Vienna Shorts Festival in Austria in 2019, one year after winning at the CJ Short Film Making Project.

His 19-minute black and white film, Một Khu Đất Tốt (Blessed Land) tells the story of a mother and son looking for a father’s tomb at a cemetery.

The work also won Special Mention Award from the jury at the International Shorts Competition at the 20th Las Palmas de Gran Canaria International Film Festival in the Canary Islands in 2019.

His previous film, Cu Li Never Cries, received the Hubert Bals Fund for Script Development at the 2017 International Film Festival Rotterdam, and was chosen for the L’Atelier Cinefondation at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival. 

Vietnam to compete in AVC Challenge Cup this May

Vietnam will participate in the 2024 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup which is scheduled to run from May 22 to May 29 in the Philippines.

The national women’s volleyball team will be made up of 14 members led by coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet who will fly to the Philippines on May 20 to prepare for the regional tournament.

Vietnam are in Group B alongside Kazakhstan, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, and Singapore. They will face Kazakhstan in their opening match on May 22.

The AVC Women's Challenge Cup is an international competition in Asia and Oceania for unranked senior women's national teams of the members of the Asian Volleyball Confederation, the sport's continent governing body.

The tournament was founded back in 2018 annd is held every two years. The first edition was due to take place in Hong Kong (China), but due to unforeseen reasons, it was not held. The second edition two years later was also cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The winner of the Cup will receive a place at the FIVB Women's Challenger Cup.

High-quality science, technology human resources key to sustainable growth

To achieve sustainable development and help the economy take off, high-quality human resources and advancements in science and technology should be seen as key components, according to insiders.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Duc - Chairman of the University Council of University of Engineering and Technology, Vietnam National University-Hanoi, said in many industries, especially in manufacturing where the highest concentration of FDI projects are located, the rate of employed and trained workers is limited.

Dr. Tran Van Khai, a standing member of the Committee for Science, Technology and Environment of the National Assembly, said the development of high-quality human resources has recorded good results in recent times.

Vietnam has established policies to attract and retain talent, experts, and highly skilled workers through attractive salary, bonus, and welfare policies, he said, noting that attention has been paid to training and developing high-quality human resources.

The number of entrepreneurs and skilled workers is increasing, importantly contributing to the country's development, he added.

However, the structure of vocational training has not closely aligned with the labour market's demand, especially in emerging economic sectors. At the same time, there is a shortage of labourers in spearhead economic sectors and those serving the digital economy.

Khai stressed that it is urgent to build breakthrough policies to address existing shortcomings and limitations that are hindering the development of high-quality human resources and labour productivity.

For the semiconductor industry, the latest report from the Ministry of Planning and Investment indicates that Vietnam needs to train 50,000 - 100,000 high-quality workers for the sector from 2025 to 2030.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, to train tens of thousands of high-quality workers in the industry, priority must be given to training and attracting high-quality teachers and lecturers with deep expertise.

Emphasising the crucial role of human resources and promoting scientific research activities in implementing the goal of strengthening national competitiveness and innovation capacity, Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat said ministries will continue to improve policies and encourage a favourable environment for scientists at universities to maximise their research capacity.

Universities should also prioritise substantial investments in improving the quality of undergraduate and postgraduate education, as well as developing high-quality scientific and technological human resources, he said.

The minister also suggested the National Foundation for Science and Technology research and direct sponsorship programmes to strongly promote outstanding research groups and develop high-level scientific and technological research human resources, especially young talent./.

Vietnam, AFD strengthen cooperation, promote energy transition

Vietnam wants to deepen the traditional reliable relations and strategic partnership with France, particularly the French Development Agency (AFD), said Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha while receiving AFD Deputy Director General Marie-Hélène Loison in Hanoi.

During the reception, Ha appreciated the results of AFD's activities in Vietnam as well as changes in its organisational apparatus for wider and more effective access to new development fields.

Ha said that besides institutionalising mechanisms and policies on green transition and just energy transition, Vietnam needs advice on techniques, institutional improvement, technology selection, governance models, and financial resources in the fields of energy, transportation, agriculture, and urban areas.

Such advice will help Vietnam to determine actual needs, and plans for effective use of domestic resources, loans, and sponsorship sources, Ha said.

He noted that AFD's studies on green transition, climate change response, and energy transition will provide "solution packages" for investment, science and technology, and technical infrastructure development in Vietnam.

Regarding green transition and just energy transition, the Deputy Prime Minister said that the Government of Vietnam is discussing with partners to soon pilot several offshore wind power projects, adding the country also promotes the participation of the private sector in renewable electricity production.

"AFD's research results can also support French businesses to find investment and business cooperation projects in Vietnam," Ha said.

For her part, Marie-Hélène Loison affirmed that AFD and its partners are always ready to provide technical advice and support for Vietnam to improve the legal framework, find financial sources to implement important socio-economic development programmes and projects in Vietnam, especially in the fields of energy transition, climate change response, and green transition.

Since 2019, AFD has coordinated with the Vietnamese side to implement a project to research the socio-economic impacts of climate change in Vietnam and the climate change adaptation strategy. The two sides have launched Phase 2 of the project with priority given to assessing the socio-economic impacts of the energy transition process in Vietnam./.

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