The draft Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety was discussed at the ongoing session of the 15th National Assembly and a proposal which would allow traffic police to keep a significant portion of any fines that they collect.

However the proposal, which could see that money then put into a collective police fund, sparked a heated exchange among the deputies.

Nguyễn Thị Yến Nhi, vice chairwoman of Bến Tre Province People’s Council, said sanctioning administrative violations in various fields must comply with the Law on Handling of Administrative Violations.

“Why does this field have its own regulations in order to deduct a percentage of fines?” she asked.

She said strengthening facilities, equipment and modernising the traffic police force is necessary, but other sectors such as environment, market management also needed attention, not just road road traffic.

By contrast, deputy Phạm Văn Hòa from Đồng Tháp Province supported the plan to allow the police to keep any deduction, arguing that the traffic police have to work hard. However, there must be specific regulations on how much money they can deduct, not simply referred to as 'partially deducted'.

"Previously, the draft proposed deducting 70 per cent of the fines for traffic violations for the traffic police. Public opinion reacted due to such a high deduction," he said.

When that proposal for a 70 per cent deduction was withdrawn, with fears it might lead to the fines simply being increased, the word 'partially' had been put in instead.

When it faced fierce public debate afterwards, it was said it might lead to the fact that police will stiffen the fines, the 70 per cent proposal had been withdrawn and replaced by “partially”, he said.

Hòa said he strongly agrees with the proposal of establishing a fund to reduce traffic accidents, but that the money should come from sources outside the budget and from money recovered from those who caused death or injury by driving.

Another topic which was raised at the National Assembly was whether to adopt a zero tolerance ban on any drivers with any detectable alcohol level.

Trịnh Xuân An, standing member of the National Assembly National Defence and Security Committee, said the proposal has been welcomed by the majority of the deputies. 

Capital city to become an agriculture hub

Hà Nội has the potential to become a processing hub for high-quality agricultural products, according to policymakers and business leaders.

A development plan for the capital until 2045, with a vision to 2065, highlighted strong agricultural export products, particularly spices. The city's cash crops were said not to require a large cultivating area but a high standard of production and processing, which has been identified as a solid foundation for penetration of foreign markets.

Trần Văn Hiếu, director of an agriculture firm based in Hà Nội, said his company specialised in processing organically-grown spices from plants like ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, anise, garlic, chilli and lemongrass, mainly sourced from northern provinces such as Cao Bằng and Hà Giang.

"We process hundreds of tonnes of dried cinnamon, dried anise, fresh ginger, dried turmeric and fresh bird's eye chilli, most of which are exported to the US, Europe, the Middle East, South Korea and Japan," said Hiếu.

VietGAP products, such as water spinach, could fetch more than three times more than in the domestic market once successfully exported.

Nguyễn Văn Minh, director of an agriculture company with a cultivation area of 15 hectares under VietGAP standards producing mustard greens for South Korea and Taiwan (China) said tight quality control is the key to brand-building in both the domestic and foreign markets.

In addition, continuous efforts to improve product quality and enter additional markets have helped increase farmers' incomes, and residents' living standards as well as contributing to sustainable agricultural economic development.

Nguyễn Xuân Đại, director of the city's agriculture and rural development department, said when agricultural production in the city remains largely small-scale, the total cultivation is quite large with a significant portion of it dedicated to strong export items including cinnamon, anise, spices (garlic, ginger, chilli), green tea, black tea, rice, shiitake mushrooms and wood ear mushrooms.

There were nearly 70 companies located in the city with export markets including all major markets in the EU, the US, the UK, South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. In recent years, they have invested in post-harvest preservation and processing technology to extend product shelf life and ensure product quality when reaching international consumers. In addition, they have been proactive in participating in international fairs, exhibitions, and trade promotion activities helping companies expand their networks and seek new cooperation opportunities.

According to the department, Hà Nội has secured 16 product codes and has four packaging facilities for a combined total capacity to export 30-50 tonnes of product daily. Other products included more than 7,000 hectares of Japonica rice, over 5,000 hectares of various vegetables, 3,200 hectares of pink banana and 50 hectares of organically-grown vegetables.

The department urged the capital city's agriculture sector has the potential to become processing, transporting and exporting to foreign markets and meeting international standards. In the future, the city's agricultural planning will focus on developing urban agriculture linked with eco-tourism, a moderate production model in size but suitable for Hà Nội's land fund.

Businesses have long advised the city to pick several strong products to focus the city's resources on. Hoàng Vĩnh Long, secretary-general of the Vietnam Tea Association said there are 59 companies in the city producing, processing, and exporting green and black tea with an annual output of over 20,000 tonnes, accounting for about 16-18 per cent of the country's tea export volume.

However, many of the city's tea-growing areas still failed to meet export quality standards, stressing the need to improve varieties and apply standardised production processes to improve product safety and quality. 

'Hải Phòng - French Heritage' photo exhibition opens in HCM City

The photo exhibition Hải Phòng - French Heritage, which reflects Hải Phòng City in both the past and present, is open at Lam Sơn Park in HCM City’s District 1 until May 29.

The six-day exhibition is organised by the People's Committee of Hải Phòng City in collaboration with the French-Vietnamese Academy of Architecture and the Department of Culture and Sports of HCM City.

With the theme Architectural Heritage Today, Prosperity for Tomorrow, the Hải Phòng - French Heritage photo exhibition showcases 65 sets of photos, including 570 images, vividly depicting the city in the past and present.

This meaningful event commemorates the 51st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1973-2024) and the 11th anniversary of the Việt Nam-France Strategic Partnership (2013-2024).

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Nguyễn Thị Bích Dung, director of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Hải Phòng City, said that the Hải Phòng - French Heritage photo exhibition in HCM City aims to provide more information and materials for domestic and international friends to better understand Hải Phòng's planning through various periods; its public spaces; and the conservation efforts of valuable architectural works in Hải Phòng, including French structures in the city's central area.

The authorities seek optimal solutions for the sustainable preservation and development of the city.

Founded in 1888, the port city of Hải Phòng has experienced over a century of development with numerous historical ups and downs, reflecting multiple buildings that bear the early imprints of French architecture.

Hải Phòng has evolved into a historic port city and become one of Việt Nam’s three first-class municipalities after Sài Gòn and Hà Nội.

A very important highlight that defines the city's appearance is the central urban area, which gathers many significant architectural works of great value in terms of architecture, culture, and art, showcasing the rich and diverse blend of cultures.

Over 300 villas and more than 100 public works in the city's centre remain almost intact, preserving and enhancing their usage value. 

French Ambassador encourages Vietnamese rowers, canoeists ahead of Olympics

French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet has visited Vietnamese rowers and canoeists who are training in the northern port city of Hai Phong, including those who will compete at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games, according to the Sports Authority of Vietnam under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The ambassador was welcomed by 200 athletes and the entire coaching staff in both rowing and canoeing.

Ambassador Brochet said that the purpose of his visit was to share and bring the Paris Olympics closer to the Vietnamese athletes, as well as to motivate the players participating in this event.

He congratulated the two athletes who have secured places at the Olympics and affirmed the support of the French Embassy for all Vietnamese sport representatives heading to France.

General Secretary of the Vietnam Canoeing, Rowing and Sailing Federation Nguyen Hai Duong said that 2024 is the first year marking the participation of both rowing and canoeing in the largest multi-sport event on the planet.

Pham Thi Hue (rowing) and Nguyen Thi Huong (canoeing) competed excellently to pass the qualifying round, winning the prestigious tickets to the 2024 Paris Olympics. Currently, both athletes are training at the Thuy Nguyen Sailing Centre.

Ambassador Brochet said he hopes that in the future, the two countries can organise exchange competitions and cooperate to further develop these sports in Vietnam./.

Vietnam cultural, art association in Czech Republic holds 4th congress

The Vietnamese Cultural and Art Association in the Czech Republic held its fourth congress on May 25, during which it resolved to improve the quality of its art performance programmes during the 2024-2028 period, helping popularise the image of the home country to the international community.

Accordingly, the association will strive to maintain programmes to preserve and promote the values of the Vietnamese intangible cultural heritage recognised by UNESCO, engage in the organisation of the Mrs Ao dai (traditional long dress) contest in Europe, build the solidarity bloc within the Vietnamese people in the region, and nudge the community’s image closer to foreign friends through the Mrs Ao dai’s charity fund.

Furthermore, it will give due attention to training presenters to speak English and promoting the arrangement of classes in singing in Vietnamese.

Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador Duong Hoai Nam hailed the association’s efforts over the past 15 years in organising various activities that not only contribute to improving the spiritual lives of the Vietnamese expats but also help the Vietnamese culture reach out to the world.

Since its establishment in 2008, the association has unceasingly developed with various clubs as well as dancing and singing teams. It has also put focus on activities to support the homeland by hosting or co-hosting various large-scale events in the Czech Republic and Europe as a whole such as programmes to raise funds for Vietnam's sea and island protection and helping the central region./.

Vietnamese culinary delights shine at Seoul Friendship Festival

Vietnam’s food booth has made a strong impression at the 2024 Seoul Friendship Festival, which takes place from May 24-26 and gathers representatives and residents from over 70 countries living, working, and studying in the Republic of Korea (RoK).

Vietnam is presenting its popular dishes such as Pho Bo (beef noodle soup) and Nem Ran (fried spring rolls), prepared by staff from Vietnamese representative offices in the East Asian nation.

The Seoul authorities said that the festival is a global event celebrating diverse cultures from around the world, with this year’s theme spotlighting the capital city and the world through culture. The 2024 edition also sees the highest number of participating countries since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The annual event has been held since 1996./.

Nha Trang city moves toward sustainable marine tourism

Nha Trang, the capital city of the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa, is leveraging its strengths in marine and island tourism toward sustainable development.

The tourism industry in Khanh Hoa, particularly in Nha Trang, is on a rapid recovery trajectory following the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, the province served over 7 million tourists, with the beach city accounting for approximately 70% of the total figure.

The rapid growth of Nha Trang’s tourism can be attributed to the unique value of Nha Trang Bay, one of the most beautiful bays in the world, featuring 19 large and small islands that create a magnificent and picturesque landscape. The area also preserves many unique cultural heritage values closely related to the marine and island environment.

On March 31, the Prime Minister approved a project on adjustments to the master planning scheme for Nha Trang to 2040. The goal is to enhance its brand as a premier national and international beach resort city. This will be achieved by improving the quality of urban and tourism spaces, attracting top-tier international tourism investors, diversifying tourism products, sustainably exploiting existing tourism resources of coastal, island, and ecological spaces, and elevating the city’s international reputation.

Nguyen Tan Tuan, Deputy Secretary of the Khanh Hoa provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People's Committee, said Nha Trang needs to prepare and implement appropriate mechanisms and policies that ensure scientific validity and maintain practical value and conservation.

The province has also built a brand with the biennial Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Sea Festival, boasting a 20-year history with 10 events held since 2003. Recently, it initiated the Nha Trang Sea Tourism Festival, along with numerous annual cultural and tourism events. They have so far helped the city draw large numbers of domestic and foreign tourists to explore the local culture and festivities./.

Bac Giang envisions futuristic digital society

From now until 2025, the northern province of Bac Giang will pay more attention to developing a digital society and improving the efficiency of digital transformation, said Director of the provincial Department of Information and Communications Tran Minh Chieu.

The official said the locality will work to ensure a safe and reliable digital environment for the community by devising digital safety mechanisms and policies, and providing information about digital environment safety for the public.

Besides, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are expected to help businesspeople and residents stay updated on digital technology and transformation, with free Wifi services will be available at 100 sites at tourist destinations, hospitals and bus stations.

Specifically, in 2024 and 2025, Bac Giang will launch digital services, covering administrative procedures, healthcare, education, transport, real estate and employment, and other fields, targeting public satisfaction.

Notably, residents can participate in and supervise the building and enforcement of policies and laws, and decision making of state agencies, and receive support in digital transformation through an artificial intelligence (AI) centre.

Efforts will be made to ensure the entire coverage of the fiber optic cable system to the communal level, accelerate the installation of Internet and electronic devices throughout the province, and facilitate cashless payments by residents and enterprises.

Through smart phones, Bac Giang aims to promote the popularisation of policies and laws, raise public awareness of gender issues and human rights, and matters regarding child and consanguineous marriage among ethnic minorities, and provide career consultations for them.

Community digital technology groups have been set up in all of the 209 communes, wards and towns, and all of the 2,128 villages and residential areas in the province, with more than 17,000 members.

The groups have helped local residents access online administrative services, and other digital services in health care and education, and other spheres, and activate their electronic identification accounts.

The standing board of the municipal youth union has coordinated with the city centre for culture, information and sports in releasing a digital map of historical and cultural relic sites in Bac Giang city.

The provincial youth union is also in charge of running the digital tourism website: dulichso.bacgiang.gov.vn.

Chieu said last year, Bac Giang continued paying attention to developing human resources for digital transformation, with the organisation of 66 training and refresher courses on digital transformation for civil servants and public employees of state agencies.

In particular, those courses equipped members of women’s unions at the grassroots level with digital skills, improved the awareness of digital transformation among culture workers, and gave guidance on the use of digital certificates and signatures for the staff of the education - training and health sectors.

The personnel of the single-window divisions of communes and towns were given with instructions in the use of online public services and the digitisation of papers. Socio-political organisations at the communal level were trained in using document management software and administering via the internet, Chieu elaborated.

Earlier, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Mai Son said from now to 2025, the province will press on with developing human resources to serve digital transformation.

The provincial Department of Information and Communications will enhance efforts to carry on training human resources for digital transformation in Bac Giang towards 2030.

Training courses on digital transformation, including information safety and leadership skills, will be held for leaders of state agencies from the provincial to communal levels. Advanced refresher courses on new technologies, digital transformation, information system building, and information safety will also be organised for information technology personnel of state agencies./.

Vietnam calls for cooperation in protection, use of transboundary water resources

Vietnam, Slovenia, Switzerland, several other United Nations (UN) member states and international organisations on May 23 jointly organised an event on preventing attacks on water resources in armed conflicts and enhancing civilian protection.

Held within the UN Protection of Civilians Week, the event saw many representatives lauding the importance of Resolution 2573, which is on protecting objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, to the protection of water systems and infrastructure. The document was initiated by Vietnam during its non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for 2020 - 2021.

In his remarks, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, outlined several proposals by the Southeast Asian nation for better protecting water resources in armed conflicts.

He said addressing the root causes of conflicts is the best way to protect civilians and water resources, with the Security Council playing a crucial role. Resolution 2573 is one of the significant initiatives in this regard and its implementation needs to be strengthened.

All parties involved in armed conflicts must adhere to international law and international humanitarian law and be held accountable for attacks on water resources and water infrastructure, he noted.

The diplomat went on to stress a need to prioritise stronger cooperation in protecting and sustainably using transboundary water resources to ensure effective and equitable management of the shared resources, maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for sustainable development, and preventing conflicts. The UN and regional mechanisms have a vital role to play in promoting dialogue and joint work among countries for common development and prosperity./.

Bình Phước Province expands timber forests

Bình Phước Province will expand the cultivation of timber forests to improve their value and growers’ incomes.

Under its plan to develop the forests in 2024 - 2030, the southeastern province aims to proactively provide timber to produce wooden products to serve domestic and export markets.

It aims to improve forest growers’ incomes, protect the environment, adapt to climate change, and mitigate the impacts of natural disasters.

To achieve the target, relevant agencies and localities with forests will take measures such as afforestation, forestry extension activities, and support policies.

They plan to develop linkages between various stakeholders for growing forests and inspect various areas to identify locations for growing large timber forests using intensive growing methods.

They will choose trees that grow fast and are indigenous to the areas, have high yields and quality and meet the market requirements.

They will instruct forest growers to adopt intensive growing techniques.

The province encourages the development of companies that are able to develop closed value chains for forest production and support farmers to plant forests meeting market requirements.

It will invest in infrastructure, especially roads in forests.

The province considered the green lung of the southeastern region, has more than 171,708 ha of zoned forestry lands, including 16,534ha that has yet to be afforested.

They comprise 31,179ha zoned as special-use forests, 43,548ha as protective forests and the rest as productive forests.

The province harvested 37,150 cubic meters of timber and 10,200 stores of firewood last year.

The target production by the wooden industry is VNĐ12.8 trillion (US$502 million) next year.

Bình Phước has performed the task of protecting forests well and has the potential for forest-related ecotourism.

The number of violations of forest protection regulations in 2017- 22 fell to 703 from 3,047 in 2011-16, according to the province’s Forest Protection Sub-department.

In the former period it also planted 1,144ha of new forests to achieve a forest cover of 22.6 per cent, up 1 per cent from 2016.

Many of its forests have huge potential for ecotourism due to their beautiful landscapes and heritage sites.

They include the Bù Gia Mập National Park, Bà Rá Mountain Historic and Culture Heritage Zone, Trảng Cỏ Bù Lạc Tourism Zone, and Đắk Mai Protective Forest.

Đắk Mai spreads over 6,700ha in Bù Gia Mập District bordering Cambodia, and is a buffer zone for the Bù Gia Mập National Park.

It is a vast untouched forest area with precious trees such as rosewood and redwood and herbal plants that are strictly protected.

Nguyễn Tiên Phong, director of its management board, said the forest has many advantages for developing ecotourism since it offers activities such as walking under the forest canopy, visiting the border and border markers, and travelling by river to watch ancient forests and rare bird species.

Its Đắk Mai waterfall is a beautiful sight. It is 50 metres wide and 10 meters high and visitors can walk to its top during the dry season.

The province has not given priority for developing forest tourism in past years, and forest tenders offer tourism services on their own and face difficulties such as a lack of professional human resources. 

Vietnamese athletes will hunt medals at Taiwan Athletics Open

The national women's 4x400m teams and SEA Games champions will compete at the Taiwan Athletics Open next weekend.

The two-day tournament will be held at the Taipei Municipal Stadium, Taipei City, on June 1-2.

Athletes will compete in 21 events for both men's and women's and mixed gender.

Việt Nam will send a delegation of 18 competitors to Taiwan (China).

Among them the women's 4x400m team will seek their Olympic spot. The Asian relay champions will have one week to practice to run faster than 3min 27.29sec to enter world top 16 to qualify for the Paris Games.

The team's best time is 3:30.81 that brought them gold at the Asian Relay Championship last week.

Two SEA Games champions Nguyễn Trung Cường will compete in the men's 3,000m steeplechase and Huỳnh Thị Mỹ Tiên will take part in the women's 100m hurdles.

Young talented Trần Thị Nhi Yến who won silvers from the Asian U20 Championship will run in the women's 100m and 200m events.

Nhi is expected to take a wildcard to take part in the Paris Olympics in case Việt Nam cannot win an official place. 

Competition empowers Vietnamese students to create innovations for sustainability

The finale of “The Next Innovator Contest 2024”, organised by DKSH Vietnam, HCM City Television CafeTek and the authorities of District 11, has recognised 20 excellent innovative ideas that address environmental issues and health concerns proposed by young talented students from the age of nine to 14.

This competition, a part of DKSH Vietnam’s “Tomorrow Space” project, is designed to encourage the Việt Nam's Alpha generation to create innovations for a sustainable future through scientific and technological means.

DKSH’s Business Unit Performance Materials and Business Unit Technology have provided expertise and resources which enabled students to gain hands-on experience with advanced laboratory equipment and high-quality materials to create environmentally friendly and health-beneficial products.

The contest started in March and initially attracted nearly 500 students and teachers at the preliminary round.

The top 20 teams had a chance to not only enjoy quality consultation with experts from DKSH, science lecturers and practitioners, but also exclusive visits to international and local manufacturers that exemplify doing business with a sustainability mindset.

The teams are also the first 100 members of the “Tomorrow Club”, where their love for science will continue to be fostered and become the inspiration for others to learn.

Hoàng Thị Tố Nga, General Manager, Business Unit Performance Materials, DKSH Vietnam, said: “We believe that educating about sustainability from an early age is crucial for shaping the mindset of future generations. DKSH is grateful for the collaboration with our local partners to provide young Vietnamese students with valuable insights and hands-on experience, which step by step helps them develop a mindset and lifestyle that prioritize sustainable consumption, production, and innovation for the benefit of both humanity and the environment.”

Nguyễn Thị Tôn Cẩm Trâm, General Manager, Business Unit Technology, DKSH Vietnam, said: “This collaboration in organizing the competition demonstrates our sustainability commitment to support the development of the communities we serve. The unique nature of our business gives us unrivalled access to ground-breaking scientific knowledge and advanced technology to inspire young minds. With this impactful collaboration, we can create a bigger impact and foster the next generation of purposeful scientists.”

Close coordination between government, trade unions contributes to national development: PM

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Sunday asked for more efforts to further improve the quality and effectiveness of coordination between the Government and the Việt Nam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) for a strong and modern working class.

Addressing a conference evaluating the results of implementing the statute on the working relationship between the government and the VGCL, PM Chính requested the organisation to listen to and grasp the thoughts and aspirations of the working class and promptly reflect them to the Party, government, and businesses to promptly find solutions.

It is also essential to continue the focus on protecting the legitimate rights and interests of labourers in accordance with the Constitution, laws and the Party's guidelines and policies, and at the same time, strengthen inspections to promptly detect and recommend strict handling of any violations, he stressed.

Accordingly, the Government leader required the promotion of researching, developing and perfecting labour-related laws, mechanisms and policies, and the dissemination of the Party's guidelines and resolutions, and the State's policies and laws to union members and workers.

He also emphasised the effective organisation and implementation of emulation movements; the building and development of a modern and strong working class to meet the country's development requirements in the new era, including improving labour productivity; and enhancing the role of trade unions, which is an important bridge between the Party and the state with the working class and Vietnamese workers.

Trade unions at all levels need to strictly manage public financing and assets, including the effective exploitation of trade unions’ accommodation and resort facilities, under the leadership of the Party, and the management of the Constitution and laws, the PM said.

He also noted that the increasingly close-knit, quality and effective coordination between the government and the VGCL has contributed positively to the overall success of the country.

Two suspects indicted for murder and dispose of a woman's body in suitcase

Võ Thành Long, 20, is accused of murdering a girl and stealing her belongings, while his friend Vũ Thành Huy helped him dispose of the body in a suitcase.

On May 24, Long was temporarily detained by the Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu Police on charges of murder and robbery; Huy, 25, was indicted for concealing a crime and consuming property acquired through crime.

Long met the 21-year-old girl from Bình Khánh commune, Cần Giờ district, Hồ Chí Minh City, via Facebook. On May 18, Long invited Huy from Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu to pick her up and take her to Vũng Tàu City.

According to investigators, at midnight on May 19, Long, Huy, and the girl rented two rooms at a hotel in Ward 2, Vũng Tàu City. Long then stayed with the girl.

After having sex, Long strangled the girl to death and took her ring, necklace, earrings, and her iPhone 12 Pro Max phone. He then told Huy about the incident.

At 10:30 am on May 19, Long bought a suitcase and, with Huy, placed the girl's body inside and carried it on an electric bicycle. Long then took the suitcase and disposed it in an abandoned landfill at Núi Nhỏ, Vũng Tàu. The two then sold the victim's belongings to spend the money, and Long kept the girl's phone.

Twelve hours after receiving the request to assist in locating the missing girl from the Cần Giờ District Police, the Criminal Police Department of Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu Police apprehended Long while he was hiding in Bình Tân District, Hồ Chí Minh City. Huy was also arrested shortly after.

Residents living near the female victim's home described her as beautiful, as the youngest of three children in a working-class family, with two older brothers. She worked as a nail technician in central Hồ Chí Minh City, commuting daily.

From May 19, residents heard that the victim's family was searching for her as she did not return home. She had asked for permission to go out until 9 PM, but later, no one could contact her. After failing to find their daughter, the family reported her missing to the police. 

Ninh Thuận to save hundreds of hectares of drought-affected crops

Hundreds of hectares of crops in Ninh Thuận Province are at risk of drying out, as reservoirs do not have enough water to irrigate the area following a prolonged drought.

The crops are sugarcane, wheat, corn and some fruit trees, such as durian and grapes, in Ninh Hải and Ninh Sơn districts.

In Vĩnh Hải Commune, Ninh Hải District, about 190ha of grape vines lack irrigation.

Ông Kinh Lake has run dry, and local people have to dig ponds and drill wells to store water. But some of the wells are contaminated with salinity, so even the plants that are watered cannot grow and gradually wither.

Similarly, in Lâm Sơn Commune, Ninh Sơn District, more than 200ha of fruit trees are withering due to water shortages.

All of the crops in this area use natural water from the Gia Chiêu stream and other small waterways. But due to the prolonged hot weather, the streams have dried up.

In Quảng Sơn Commune, more than 300ha of sugarcane are drying out. Local people are very anxious and worried, because the heat there is still intense.

More importantly, many types of crops and fruit trees are now in the growth, flowering and fruit-bearing stages. Water shortages will directly affect the trees’ survival rate, productivity and product quality.

Leaders of the Lâm Sơn Commune People's Committee said that the committee would request financial support from authorities at all levels for the people in affected areas.

The support would help local farmers dig ponds and install water pipes to temporarily irrigate crops while awaiting the rainy season.

For less affected areas, the committee suggested the farmers store water and irrigate crops in moderation.

Deputy Chairman of the Ninh Sơn District People's Committee Nguyễn Đức Hòa said that to ease difficulties for the people, the district has proposed the provincial People's Committee consider investing in irrigation pipelines.

The district suggested locating a water pump downstream of the Sông Pha Hydroelectric Plant to bring water to the Gia Chiêu stream and then using the water to irrigate fruit trees.

Trịnh Minh Hoàng, Deputy Chairman of the Ninh Thuận Provincial People's Committee, said that, given the prolonged drought and its negative impacts on people's productivity and daily lives, provincial authorities have issued a plan to respond to the problem.

The committee assigned urgent tasks to each department and locality as part of the plan to conserve water for daily use, livestock and high-value perennial crops.

Over the past few days, the committee has examined local people's production and living situations and directed solutions for the areas most affected by the drought.

For grape growing areas, especially in Vĩnh Hải Commune, province leaders asked the locality to support and work closely with agricultural agencies and local farmers, because grapes are a specialty in the province.

The province asked the Management Board of Agricultural and Rural Development, Investment and Construction Projects to supply water from the Tân Mỹ irrigation station in Bác Ái District to Ông Kinh Lake to ease the province's severe drought zone.

Officials in Ninh Thuận Province continuously monitor the latest information and developments on the drought to issue timely and effective guidance.

The province is encouraging people to actively respond to the drought by storing fresh water and using water in moderation.

According to the Ninh Thuận Province Irrigation Works Exploitation Co. Ltd., the total amount of water in the company's 23 reservoirs is only 138 to 417 million cubic metres.

Of these, two reservoirs have already dried up and six lakes have water levels lower than the dead pool level, at which water cannot flow downstream.

Experts forecast that the drought will continue to greatly impact people's lives and production in the days to come. 

Mekong Delta breeds aquatic creatures in forests to mitigate climate change effects

Breeding shrimp and other aquatic species in mangrove forests in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta both offers a steady income to households protecting forests and improves conservation.

The delta, which comprises 12 provinces and Cần Thơ City, has more than 73,000ha of mangrove forests, or 51 per cent of the country’s total.

Coastal provinces such as Cà Mau, Bạc Liêu, Sóc Tăng, Kiên Giang, and Bến Tre have large forest areas where shrimp is farmed.

In Kiên Giang, mangrove forests play an important role in protecting sea dykes and preventing erosion, and the allocation of these forests to local households to protect and breed aquatic species in them has helped thousands escape poverty.

Danh Trung, an ethnic Khmer in Hòn Đất District’s Thổ Sơn Commune, said his family used to be a poor before local authorities allocated three hectares of mangrove forests in 2013.

For the first three years, his family only caught what shrimp and fish there were and earned VNĐ30-50 million (US$1,200 - 2,000) a year.

After learning some farming, he began to buy shrimp and crab to breed in the forest in 2016.

His family now harvests more than one tonne of shrimp, crab and fish a year and earns VNĐ100 million ($4,000), he said.

“My family has escaped poverty and can pay fees for two children to go to school.”

Most forest-protection households in the province used to survive on catching fish and other aquatic species in the wild before they were allotted forests.

By then, their catches had also dwindled and life had become difficult.

Lê Văn Giàu, head of the Hòn Đất Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development, said in three communes in the district, Thổ Sơn, Lình Huỳnh and Bình Sơn, the breeding of black-tiger shrimp, white-legged shrimp, mud crab, and blood cockle in mangrove forests has developed rapidly.

Aquatic species farmed in mangrove forests are bred to biosafety standards without industrial foods and chemicals, and so taste better than those bred using industrial or semi-industrial methods, he said.

The district would co-operate with relevant government agencies and companies to expand the breeding of aquatic species to Vietnamese good agricultural practices standards to improve their value and farmers’ incomes, he said.

It has about 6,500ha of mangrove forests.

In Trà Vinh Province, thousands of households in coastal areas are carrying on aquatic species - forestry farming in 8,000ha of mangrove forests and earn an average of VNĐ150 million ($6,000) per hectare a year.

Its lucrative nature has made more farmers participate in growing new mangrove forests, helping increase the province’s forest cover.

Trần Trường Giang, director of the Trà Vinh Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the province encourages farmers in coastal areas to expand farming of aquatic species in forests to cope with climate change.

It has zoned more than 23,980ha in coastal areas to develop the model.

It financially assists farmers by subsidising seedling costs by 50 per cent.

Authorities in the delta have allocated more mangrove forests to households to protect and exploit their resources.

These households can use up to 30 per cent area of the forest land to breed shrimp and other aquatic species.

Kiên Giang has allocated forests to more than 1,900 households since 2011, according to its Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Lê Hữu Toàn, its director, said the management of forests has been effective and illegal logging has reduced.

“To develop the models, the province focuses on getting farmers to participate in co-operative groups and co-operatives which have linkages [with companies] to secure outlets.”

The province implements programmes and projects that help farmers access advanced techniques for breeding aquatic species in combination with offering tourism services, he said.

The department instructs its agencies to inspect the environment, water resources and the breeding creatures to ensure productivity, he said.

In Cà Mau Province, there are 40,500ha of shrimp - forest farming, the country’s largest area, according to its Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Most of these forests are situated in Năm Căn and Ngọc Hiển districts.

To develop the model, at the beginning of this year the province introduced it in Năm Căn District’s Lâm Hải Commune, where 700 households have been allotted 2,500ha of mangrove. 

Minister wants northern midlands and mountainous region to grow up to 8 per cent a year between now and 2030.

A master plan for the northern midlands and mountainous region has ambitious growth targets of an eight per cent growth rate, every year, between now and 2030.

The plan represents a significant step forward, embodying new mindsets and visions and demonstrating a proactive approach to development.

That message was delivered by Nguyễn Chí Dũng, Minister of Planning and Investment, at the region's coordination council conference on Friday.

He said the plan centres around addressing major inter-regional and inter-provincial issues and mobilising resources for rapid sustainable development, aiming to raise the area's Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) to between 7.5 and 8.0 per cent, GRDP per capita to between US$15,000 and $18,000 and the Human Development Index to more than 0.75.

The plan also covers topics including the preservation of cultural identities of local ethnic groups, human resource quality enhancement and talent retention and the promotion of culture-based tourism and agriculture.

Several measures have been put forward in the plan including building 'ecological corridors', strips of vegetation that link forests and ecological sites, improving forest quality and introducing new types of forest-linked services such as carbon sequestration.

It also underlines the significance of inter-regional infrastructure projects in improving NMMR's connectivity with other regions and countries, especially with Laos and China.

The high-speed rail projects connecting Lạng Sơn-Hà Nội and Lào Cai-Hà Nội-Hải Phòng-Quảng Ninh will be accelerated in that regard.

Under the plan, five 'economic corridors' and an 'economic cluster ' will also be established to strengthen the economic ties between provinces, namely Lào Cai-Yên Bái-Phú Thọ-Hà Nội, Lạng Sơn-Bắc Giang-Hà Nội, Điện Biên-Sơn La-Hòa Bình-Hà Nội, Hà Giang-Tuyên Quang-Phú Thọ-Hà Nội, Cao Bằng-Bắc Kạn-Thái Nguyên-Hà Nội and Bắc-Giang-Thái Nguyên-Phú Thọ.

The Minister called for close cooperation between local governments and the establishment of a robust mechanism to implement the plan.

Deputy Prime Minister Trần Lưu Quang, Chairman of the NMMR Coordination Council, acknowledged the challenges faced by the region, but applauded efforts of local governments in leveraging their strengths for development.

He also highlighted innovative approaches adopted by some local authorities, emphasising the need for wider adoption of such practices.

He noted that regional coordination initiatives, despite having been in place for some time, had not worked out as well as expected, due to NMMR's resource constraints, infrastructure deficiencies and weak links.

On those grounds, he urged the local authorities to focus on implementing the council-approved projects to accelerate the region's growth, especially those related to infrastructure development, climate change response and digital transformation.

The area is home to a diverse population of ethnic groups with unique cultural identities and a wealth of historical and cultural sites.

It also plays a crucial role in national water and environmental security and serves as the 'fence' of the northern gateway into Việt Nam.

HCM City to build 4,500 classrooms

The HCM City People’s Committee has released a plan to build 4,500 classrooms in response to a shortage of educational facilities.

The work will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 2025).

The project targets to have 300 classrooms per ten thousand students to ensure sufficient classroom space.

The city currently has a total of 50,650 classrooms, serving over 1.7 million students and pre-schoolers.

Accordingly, by 2025, the city budget will allocate total proposed capital of more than VNĐ32 trillion (US$1.3 billion) to build 5,560 new classrooms.

Among them, the city has already carried out 117 projects with a total investment of more than VNĐ16.8 trillion ($659 million) after their investment policies were approved.

The medium-term capital allocation in the 2021-2025 period is more than VNĐ12 trillion ($471 million).

Some 78 projects have not been greenlit yet but displayed high feasibility for progress acceleration, with total investment of more than VNĐ6.4 trillion ($251.3 million) and an expected capital need of VNĐ5.5 trillion ($214 million).

About 82 projects have land-related advantages to speed up their progress, with a total investment of nearly VNĐ9 trillion ($351.5 million) and a medium-term capital allocation of VNĐ1.1 trillion ($41.5 million) in the 2021-25 period.

The city plans to call for investment in 110 projects to build 2,638 classrooms with a total of VNĐ24.8 trillion ($974 million) under the public-private partnership form.

Currently, nearly all education projects are in the Build-Operate-Transfer form.

However, the city faces challenges such as land-use planning for PPP projects and a delay in acquiring land, which could increase costs and construction delays for schools and educational facilities.

Another risk is a potential interest rate increase and changes in laws or regulations that could adversely impact the project.

The city needs to address land allocation issues, including relocating and recovering abandoned land, as well as increasing incentives for investing in educational facilities, experts said.

The Government’s policies will encourage PPP investment in education and help to develop a healthy and competitive environment for teaching and learning.

However, education usually requires long-term investment with low profit margins, so businesses may need to offset their operating costs in the first few years to maintain quality, experts said. 

Ninh Thuận Province’s efforts to save crops as dry weather persists

Ninh Thuận Province’s Ninh Hải and Ninh Sơn districts lack the water required to irrigate hundreds of hectares of crops.

In Ninh Hải, 190ha of grapes in Vĩnh Hải Commune are facing a shortage because the Ông Kinh reservoir has dried up.

Farmers have had to dig ponds and borewells to irrigate crops, but some of the latter are affected by saltwater intrusion.

In Ninh Sơn, farmers are worried that 300ha of sugarcane in Quảng Sơn Commune could wither away because of the hot weather and lack of water.

More than 200ha of fruit orchards in the district’s Lâm Sơn Commune are affected since Gia Chiêu and other small springs from where irrigation water is obtained have dried up.

Some have ponds to store water but most depend on the springs and rainwater.

Nguyễn Đức Hoà, deputy chairman of the Ninh Sơn People’s Committee, said the district has petitioned the province to allocate funds for laying water pipes.

The south-central province is the country’s driest and normally suffers a water shortage in the dry season, which lasts from December to August.

Trịnh Minh Hoàng, deputy chairman of the province People’s Committee, said local authorities are tasked with urgently implementing measures to secure water for agriculture, household use, animals, and high-value perennial trees.

People’s Committee leaders have toured the province to inspect the water situation and instructed localities to work with the province Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and other relevant agencies to secure water for grape growing areas, especially in Vĩnh Hải Commune. The fruit is one of the province’s specifically identified products.

Relevant provincial and local agencies regularly gather information about the lack of water and its impacts to enable them to take prevention measures.

They have strengthened advocacy to enhance awareness so that the public will proactively participate in activities to cope such as storing water and using it efficiently.

According to the Ninh Thuận Irrigation Management Company Limited, the total storage in its 23 reservoirs is 1.39 million cubic metres as against their capacity of 418 million cubic metres.

Two have dried up completely and six have water below the dead storage level.

Four awarded for bravery during deadly Cầu Giấy fire

Four brave citizens who helped rescue victims trapped in the fatal fire that killed 14 people in the early hours of Friday morning have been awarded by the Cầu Giấy District People's Committee for their heroic actions.

After discovering the fire at a house on Trung Kính Street, Phạm Quốc Luật, an aluminium and glass worker who also drives a Grab motorbike taxi at night, immediately found a ladder, hammer and other tools to try to save people — despite the danger.

Local residents Nguyễn Kim Long, Đồng Văn Tuấn and Hoàng Văn Tuấn also came quickly to assist Luật.

Together they broke a second-floor wall, where some people were trapped.

On Saturday, Party Secretary of Trung Hòa Ward Trần Ánh Dương said that the four citizens' quick action demonstrated ingenuity and dauntless bravery.

Cầu Giấy District leaders have proposed that the men receive certificates of merit as well.

Meanwhile Hà Nội Police have announced a further investigation into the tragic fire, as identification of the 14 victims killed is ongoing.

The fire took place just after midnight last Friday in a house on a small alley in Trung Hòa Ward. It was extinguished after about one hour.

Rescue forces saved seven people, but 14 others were found dead.

The municipal Police Department has directed the Police Investigation Agency to clarify and strictly handle violations based on applicable laws.

The Cầu Giấy District Police will coordinate with relevant departments and agencies to visit, encourage and support the victims' families to help them quickly overcome the fire’s consequences.

The house where the fire occurred is a family house with rooms for rent and a total area of about 150sq.m.

Seven of the property owner's family members lived there, and many other people are also registered as tenants in the house.

The host family had participated in training on fire prevention, fighting and rescue organised by local authorities.

Immediately after receiving information about the fire, leaders of the Government, National Assembly, municipal Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee and Fatherland Front came to the scene to direct firefighting, rescue and recovery work.

The victims' families on Friday received support of VNĐ50 million (US$1,900) for each fatality and VNĐ30 million ($1,170) for each injured person.

Chairman of the Hà Nội People's Committee Trần Sỹ Thanh issued instructions on strengthening fire prevention, fighting and rescue for boarding houses in the city.

He assigned district People's Committees to review and check all boarding houses in the area. The work must be completed before the middle of next month.

Two inspection teams established to probe fatal labour accidents in Bình Phước

The Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs of the southern Bình Phước Province has established two inspection teams to look into two separate fatal accidents that occured in Chơn Thành Town over the past week.

On May 25, a female worker at Leoch Super Power Co Ltd was repairing a steam pipe inside a drying chamber when the doors, where she was standing, suddenly started operating. The incident caused her fatal injuries.

Earlier, on the afternoon of May 23, a male worker at a plywood production company in the same town was caught in a mixer’s rotating shaft when pouring flour into the machine. He succumbed to his injuries on Sunday.

A provincial-level investigation team comprising representatives from the local trade union and health department, headed by the chief inspector of Bình Phước Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, visited the accident sites to work with the local police and procuracy agencies.

Further investigations are being carried out. 

Lam Dong tourism week expected to welcome 400,000 visitors

The Central Highlands province of Lam Dong’s tourism Golden Week 2024 is expected to attract around 400,000 people.

The festival themed Lam Dong-The Destination of Flowers and Music will have 35 exciting cultural, culinary, artistic, musical, and sporting activities.

As many as 56 units have registered to participate in the festival, including 27 lodging establishments and 18 tourist attractions. They will offer a 10-50 percent discount for their activities at the festival.

Lam Dong will organise the Da Lat Music Night Run around Ho Xuan Huong Lake on June 1 as part of the week’s activities.

The province will host seminars and forums on tourism promotion to introduce new tourism products and link local tourism agencies with foreign partners.

Some traditional cultural rituals Lam Dong’s ethnic minorities such as rain praying and new rice crop celebration will be held at Lam Dong Museum.

This year will mark the first time that Lam Dong Museum will exhibit 36 artefacts from the Nguyen Dynasty. The museum will open for free visits from 7:30 am to 9 pm daily during the festival.

Tourism businesses in Lam Dong have been asked to ensure the service quality and safety for tourists. Local authorities will tighten control to detect violations.

Vietnam Seas and Islands Festival suspended

The southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau has agreed to suspend the Vietnam Seas and Islands Festival 2024 just a day after its opening due to issues related to the organisation.

The festival, the first of its kind in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, was launched on May 23 and scheduled to end on May 26. It is organised by the Vietnam People's Armed Forces Hero Phan Trong Binh Fund.

The organiser successfully organised the Yoga and traditional long dress (Ao dai) performance and a food festival. However, the fund admitted failing to carry out the remaining activities, including the Sea Journey of Aspirations performance, due to the sponsors and service providers failing to comply with their agreed work.

The provincial authorities approved the festival's suspension.

The Vietnam Seas and Islands Festival 2024, a significant event aimed at honouring and preserving coastal cultural heritage values, was pivotal in promoting Ba Ria-Vung Tau's tourism and economic development.

This year's festival was expected to establish a model for annual sea and island festivals nationwide by coastal localities.

Plastic waste collection campaign launched at Ly Son Island

The Management Board of Ly Son Marine Reserve in the central province of Quang Ngai has launched a campaign to collect waste from Ly Son Island's coastal waters.

This is one activity to respond to World Environment Day (June 5).

The diving team of the Ly Son Marine Reserve has collected hundreds of kilos of waste at three coral reef sites within the reserve

The majority of the collected waste is non-biodegradable plastic caused by the daily activities of residents and tourists.

The Ly Son Marine Reserve covers over 7,000 hectares, divided into three zones.

Since 2021, the reserve’s management board has organised coral reef monitoring and recorded waste data annually.

The waters of Ly Son boast high biodiversity, with more than 700 species of marine animals and plants.

RoK festival goes vibrant in Vietnam

A kaleidoscope of fascinating activities were held at the Korea Travel Festa 2024 by the Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) at K-Town, Ocean City in the capital city of Hanoi on May 25-26 to popularise the East Asian country’s tourism among Vietnamese tourists.

The event, which featured over 40 booths of Vietnamese and Korean firms, brought interesting experience to visitors such as Hanbok dress-up, traditional Tuho game and picture colouring. Besides, substantial discounts were offered for Korea tours at the event, including K-drama, cycling, cruise and Carnival tours.

The multi-media booth was the highlight of the event, giving visitors an opportunity to indulge themselves in a colourful Korean space through the use of presentation technologies. Meanwhile, the K-drama booth took them to the scenes of renowned Korean films, and the K-pop booth was a world of Kpop music and dance.

Furthermore, the festival went even more vibrant with stellar performances staged by famous V-pop and K-pop artists.

On May 24, the Korea Tourism Night 2024 was held as part of the festival, aiming at introducing Korean tourism offerings, and promoting linkages between Vietnamese and Korean travel firms to develop new products.

Last year, the Republic of Korea (RoK) welcomed 420,000 tourist arrivals from Vietnam while 3.6 million Koreans spent their holidays in Vietnam. Currently, the RoK is the top source of international visitors of Vietnam, and the latter is the fifth largest of the Korean side.

During January – April, over 167,000 Vietnamese visitors made their trips to the RoK, up 32.6% from the same time last year, marking the highest figure in Southeast Asia./.

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