A ceremony was held in the northern province of Lang Son on May 27 to officially open three routes for freight transport and customs clearance at the international border gate pair of Huu Nghi (Vietnam) – Youyi Guan (China).

The routes include a specialised freight transport route through the area of border markers No.1088/2 – 1089, the Tan Thanh (Vietnam) – Puzhai (China) entrance at the 1090 – 1091 border marker area, and the Coc Nam (Vietnam) – Nongyao (China) entrance at the 1104 – 1105 border marker area.

The new routes are expected to facilitate tourism and trade development, improve customs clearance capacity at the Huu Nghi – Youyi Guan border gate pair, and meet the growing trade needs between the two countries.

Permanent Vice Chairman of the Lang Son provincial People’s Committee Duong Xuan Huyen proposed the two sides continue intensifying coordination so that transport routes at the border gate pair can be given full properties and functions of an international border gate.

Miao Qingwang, Vice-Chairman of the People's Government of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, affirmed that over the past time, friendship and cooperation between the region and Lang Son have been consolidated and developed comprehensively, with the launch of the new routes a typical example.

At the event, both sides’ competent forces carried out immigration procedures for citizens of the two countries at the Tan Thanh - Puzhai entrance./.

Vietnam seeks China's expertise in power sector transformation

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha received Luo Bi Xiong, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the China Power Engineering Consulting Group Co., Ltd (CPECC) in Hanoi on May 27.

Ha commended China's advancements in energy modernisation, particularly its renewable energy development and expertise across all stages, from design, production to operation and management.

He expressed his belief that deeper cooperation between Vietnamese and Chinese companies, especially in the energy sector, would solidify the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two nations.

Vietnam is undergoing energy transition and carrying out the National Power Development Plan (PDP8) for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, he said, adding that this plan necessitates adjustments to legal regulations related to renewable energy development.

Recognising the CPECC's extensive experience in consulting, contracting and investing in power and renewable energy projects globally and within Vietnam, Ha expressed his desire for the Chinese firm's sharing of experience in selecting the most appropriate technologies, refining relevant policies, and developing plans to implement the PDP8 most effectively.

Additionally, he sought solutions to streamline electricity transmission operations across regions, considering the integration of diverse energy sources like hydropower, coal, gas, and renewables.

The Vietnamese Government will foster a positive environment for Vietnamese and Chinese enterprises to collaborate effectively on mutually beneficial agreements, he said.

Taking note of the CPECC’s scientific and economically viable proposals, the host suggested that the CPECC work directly with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Vietnam Electricity (EVN), and the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam) to clarify mechanisms and legal regulations, technical requirements, investment effectiveness and project feasibility.

Luo presented the CPECC's achievements in energy planning, infrastructure development, consulting, and technical expertise across China, the globe, and specifically within Vietnam.

He proposed a range of projects focusing on the development of integrated energy centres, high-voltage power transmission lines, and the production of new green fuels in Vietnam./.

Foreign leaders extend congratulations to newly-elected President, NA Chairman

Leaders of Indonesia, Canada, Kuwait and Sweden have sent their congratulations to To Lam on his election as the State President of Vietnam at the 15th legislature’s seventh sitting.

Congratulating Lam, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said that he believes Vietnam will make many socioeconomic development achievements.

He affirmed that Indonesia wishes to further promote its strategic partnership with Vietnam for the benefits of the two countries' people as well as the development and prosperity of Indonesia and Vietnam.

Governor General of Canada Mary May Simon congratulated President To Lam, affirming Vietnam-Canada friendship will keep developing with increased bilateral trade and investment, close relations between their people as well as close coordination at multilateral forums. She wished President To Lam success in his new position.

Amir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf also sent congratulatory messages to President Lam.

President Droupadi Murmu and Speaker Om Birla of the Lok Sabha of India also cabled letters of congratulations to Lam and Tran Thanh Man on their elections as the State President and Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam respectively.

In their letters, the Indian leaders emphasised that the Vietnam - India comprehensive strategic partnership has been developed based on time-tested friendship, trust and deep mutual understanding. Noting the two countries’ relations are developing fruitfully in many areas, the Indian leaders said they wish to promote cooperation and deepen bilateral relations.

Vietnam aims for broader social insurance coverage with law amendments

Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung addressed the 15th National Assembly's 7th session in Hanoi on May 27, clarifying key issues raised by lawmakers regarding proposed amendments to the Law on Social Insurance.

Highlighting the goal of achieving a social insurance coverage of 60% by 2030, he stressed the importance of expanding coverage to achieve this objective, ultimately aiming for a universal and multi-tiered social insurance system.

The minister additionally proposed introducing incentives to discourage one-time withdrawal of social insurance benefits, among others.

NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Khac Dinh reported that 55 opinions were raised by deputies, including two opposing views on a specific point.

The NA Secretary General will gather all these opinions and discussions for submission to relevant agencies before presenting back to deputies for further consideration. Finally, the NA Standing Committee will decide on the draft law's approval during a later stage of the session, he said./.

PM, WB leaders discuss deepening partnership for sustainable development

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception in Hanoi on May 27 for visiting Vice President of the World Bank (WB) Manuela V. Ferro and WB Country Director for Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia Mariam J. Sherman, along with their associates.

PM Chinh expressed his appreciation for the WB’s contributions to Vietnam's socio-economic development since 1993, with total funding of up to 24 billion USD, especially in poverty reduction.

Highlighting Vietnam's commitment to a deeper partnership, he requested the WB’s continued support for programmes and policies promoting sustainable growth, green, digital, circular, sharing and knowledge-based economies.

Ferro, for her part, noted that the WB has shown trust by establishing its regional office for Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in Hanoi. She affirmed that the lender is eager and ready to work closely with Vietnam to ensure that the regional office operates efficiently, benefiting all the three countries.

She underlined ongoing collaboration with Vietnamese ministries and agencies to review existing projects and develop a new phase of the Vietnam-WB Country Partnership Framework.

Expressing readiness to welcome the WB President to Vietnam, the Vietnamese leader hailed the proposed 11 billion USD in WB lending for Vietnam over the next five years, focusing on large-scale infrastructure, energy and agriculture.

He encouraged the WB to consider flexible capital management models and adjust its approach to provide preferential loans for critical infrastructure projects. These projects, he emphasised, should have a broad impact, connect regions, create development space and effectively address climate change concerns. Specifically, he mentioned the North-South high-speed railway, the Ho Chi Minh City-Can Tho railway, the Hanoi metro line, and the development of 1 million ha of quality rice in the Mekong Delta.

According to him, Vietnam has made changes in governance, investment structure, procedure reform, and a people-centric approach. This will ensure a harmonious balance of interests among the people, the State, and businesses.

The host hoped that the WB would continue assisting Vietnam in accessing the global carbon credit market, creating new avenues to finance Vietnam's climate commitments and goals.

The WB Vice President pledged the WB's continued partnership with Vietnam to achieve its development goals for 2030 and 2050 through concrete actions and projects. The WB, she assured, would collaborate with Vietnam to discuss and adopt solutions to expedite and enhance the efficiency of their joint work, as expected by the PM./.

Five Lao nationals arrested for transporting drugs into Vietnam

Border guards operating in the central province of Quang Tri announced on May 27 that they have arrested a total of five Lao nationals for transporting 100 cakes of heroin into Vietnam.

The suspects were duly identified as Phit Samay Colarat, 24, residing at Kaysone Phomvihane in Savannakhet province; Nuta My Say, 29; Thip Lat Da But Sa Lat, 23; Bun Suleovan, 47; and Leo Van, 30; all of whom had been residing in the Laotian capital city of Vientiane.

According to details of the arrests, on May 23 law enforcement authorities stopped a suspicious car with a Laotian number plate when it was travelling on National Highway 15 of La Lay village in A Ngo commune of Dakrong district in Quang Tri province.

Upon performing a search of the vehicle, police discovered a total of 100 cakes of heroin and other exhibits.

The Laotian suspects all admitted that they had been hired to transport the drugs from Laos into the country through La Lay International Border Gate in exchange for a fee of US$6,000.

The case is currently under further investigation.

Lượng to compete at ONE Championship

Trần Ngọc Lượng will be the next Vietnamese martial artist to compete at the ONE Championship, the world largest mixed martial arts.

Lượng has recently signed a contract with the ONE Championship and he is expected to make his debut in June, while his rival's name has not yet been released.

Lượng is a familiar name in the national MMA community. After his controversial win over Robson Oliveira in the largest MMA series LION Championship 5, Lượng has proved his power with three impressive wins in subsequent events.

His remarkable achievement played key role pushing him to the ONE Championship, a dream competition of many fighters.

Lượng is currently training with HCM City's Saigon Sports Club, Shadow Entertainment which has hosted many pro martial art competitions including Muay Thai Rampage: Road To ONE.

Lượng will be the fifth Vietnamese to fight at the ONE Championship.

Trần Quang Lộc was the first one taking a win at the ONE Warriors Series and Nguyễn Trần Duy Nhất recorded a KO win in his ONE Championship in Việt Nam in 2019.

Lương Thành Phúc also took part in the ONE in 2022, but he did not win.

Trần Quốc Tuấn floored Japanese Yuya Yonishi at the ONE Friday Fights 57 in March, in Thailand. 

ASEAN Dengue Day 2024 launched in HCMC

A launching ceremony for a campaign in response to ASEAN Dengue Day 2024 was held in HCMC on May 26.

From the beginning of the year to the present, HCMC recorded 3,251 cases of dengue fever. The increase in dengue cases has been seen in Binh Chanh, Tan Phu, and Binh Tan districts.

The southern metropolis is one of the localities with the highest number of reported dengue fever cases in the country. The city's Department of Health has implemented many activities to control and prevent the disease, such as eliminating mosquito breeding sites.

According to Dr. Nguyen Van Vinh Chau, Deputy Director of the HCMC Health Department, starting this year, around 8,047 community-based health collaborators will join hands with the healthcare sector to carry out the communication campaign to raise awareness about dengue prevention in the city.

ASEAN Dengue Day is an event held every 15 June to increase public awareness of dengue, mobilize resources for its prevention and control, and demonstrate the region’s commitment to tackling the disease.

The event was agreed upon during the 10th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting in 2010. The first ASEAN Dengue Day was held in 2011 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Peacekeeping operations department granted Fatherland Protection Order

The Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations (VDPO) under the Ministry of National Defence held a ceremony in Hanoi on May 27 to mark the 10th anniversary of its traditional day (May 27, 2014 - 2024) and receive the third-class Fatherland Protection Order.

The event saw the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang; Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien, who is also head of the inter-sectoral working group and head of the ministry’s steering committee for participation in UN peacekeeping operations; ambassadors of the countries cooperating with Vietnam in this regard; and representatives of international organisations.

The VDPO and Engineering Unit Rotation 1 were honoured with the third-class Fatherland Protection Order. Meanwhile, Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 4 and Col. Mac Duc Trong, head of Engineering Unit Rotation 1, were granted certificates of merit from the PM.

These are the Party, State, and Government’s recognition of their remarkable contributions to UN peacekeeping operations.

Reviewing the development of the VDPO, whose predecessor was the Vietnam Peacekeeping Centre, Director Col. Pham Manh Thang said that over the last 10 years, the country has sent over 800 officers and professional soldiers to UN peacekeeping operations, including five detachments of the Level-2 field hospital to the UN Mission in South Sudan, two others of the engineering unit to the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei, and 114 officers deployed as individuals.

The number of Vietnamese peacekeepers excellently fulfilling duties is much higher than the UN’s average, he noted.

Thang also took this occasion to thank leaders of the Party, the State, the Central Military Commission, the Defence Ministry, the inter-sectoral working group, the Defence Ministry’s steering committee for participation in UN peacekeeping operations, agencies and units across the army, along with international partners and organisations for assisting the VDPO in fulfilling the tasks assigned by the Party, State and people and successfully carrying out UN peacekeeping duties.

Deputy Minister Chien said the participation in UN peacekeeping operations has left good impression of Vietnam, including the country’s military and public security forces, on the international community. It has also helped protect the Fatherland early and from afar by peaceful means and promote the country’s stature and prestige in the international arena.

He expressed his belief that the VDPO staff will stay united, proactive, and creative while making relentless efforts to surmount every difficulty and excellently fulfill all the assigned tasks./.

'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. 

Hanoi pilots intelligent traffic system

Hanoi will pilot an intelligent transportation system (ITS) in the city between June and December 2024.

Under the project, the Military Industry and Telecommunications Group (Viettel Group) will set up an intelligent traffic operation center at Hanoi Public Transport Management and Operations, and install intelligent equipment at two intersections on Pham Van Bach Street in Cau Giay District.

The ITS will monitor the traffic system, provide traffic information, handle violations of traffic order and safety, and manage public transport, incidents, infrastructure, parking, and payment for public transport electronic tickets.

At the Smart Traffic Operation Center, ITS provides real-time information and flexible traffic control solutions to ensure traffic order and safety, reduce travel time and costs, and minimize traffic accidents.

At the two intersections on Pham Van Bach Street, cameras will be installed to measure traffic density along the route and integrate traffic data with mapping applications. The cameras will be used to detect traffic violations and assist Hanoi Police in handling violations.

The Hanoi Department of Transport is in charge of the pilot project and will report the results to the city's People's Committee.

According to Nguyen Phi Thuong, Director of the city's Department of Transportation, developing a smart and sustainable traffic system is a trend in all urban areas around the world.

"A smart transportation system is also an important step in building a smart city. Hanoi has prioritized the development of ITS as a prerequisite for a sustainable transportation network," Thuong told The Hanoi Times.

Previously, the Hanoi Department of Transportation also piloted a vehicle overheight warning system on the Thai Ha-Chua Boc overpass starting December 1, 2022. The signs help detect, classify, and identify oversized trucks and vehicles, and display their license plate number on the electronic board as a warning.

The groundwork for applying science and technology to traffic management and operations in Hanoi was laid in 2014 when the Hanoi People's Committee tasked the city's Department of Transportation with renovating and upgrading the traffic light control center and peripherals.

According to the department, Hanoi currently has about 2,300 intersections, of which 540 are equipped with traffic lights. Of these, 474 are monitored by the control center at 54 Tran Hung Dao Street. In addition, the city has 579 CCTVs at 149 intersections to monitor traffic, punish violators, and detect non-compliant vehicles.

Intelligent transport applications in Hanoi include a bus search application, surveillance cameras to ensure bus safety and order, software to manage road traffic infrastructure systems, and electronic passes on some bus routes.

RoK, Vietnam co-operate to promote cultural and tourism exchanges

The Korea Tourism Organization joined with Vingroup, the country's largest private conglomerate, to recently sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting cultural and tourism exchanges between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK).

The MoU is expected to lay the foundation for the two sides to co-ordinate efforts in organising large-scale events imbued with Korean culture at Vinhomes’ various urban areas, as well as promoting their products and services to the wider Korean community.

Under the terms of the MoU, both sides will work together in order to intensify and organise cultural and tourism events in Vinhomes' urban areas nationwide to spread Korean culture in Vietnam.

In line with this, the Korea Tourism Organization will provide support in introducing Vingroup’s brands and products such as Vinhomes, VinFast, Vinpearl, and Vincom to the Korean community in Vietnam, as well as people in the RoK.

Moreover, Vingroup will co-operate alongside the Korea Tourism Organization to develop the tourism market segment for those who are rewarded to visit the RoK.

The highlight of the partnership will therefore be the Korea Travel Festa Festival and the Summer K-Day Event which will take place on May 25 and May 26 at K-Town and VinWonders Wave Park in the Vinhomes Ocean Park 2 urban area.

Lee Hak Ju, deputy director general of the Korea Tourism Organization, said since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations in 1992, the two countries have achieved numerous co-operative achievements in multiple fields, such as politics, tourism, economics, and people-to-people exchange. Notably,  the number of tourists travelling between the two countries exceeded four million visitors last year.

The signing of the MoU is therefore expected to help both sides to further promote tourism co-operation and cultural exchanges between two countries in the near future, he added.

For his part, Nguyen Viet Quang, vice chairman of the Board of Directors and General Director of Vingroup, stated that with the active support from the Korea Tourism Organization, Vingroup will simultaneously deploy a series of cultural events and offer outstanding services aimed at Korean customers and residents moving forward.

"We will further improve tourism and cultural products and services at destinations to better serve the community," Quang emphasised.

Over 1,600 households face water cuts due to supplier's debts

More than 1,600 households in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai have faced water cuts after a local water company faced power cuts due to debts.

The Chu Se District People's Committee met with representatives from Chu Se Water Supply Company and Chu Prong Power Station after people protested at the water company's headquarters to complain about cuts to the water supply.

The director of the Chu Se Water Supply Company, Le Vinh Thinh, said the company has stopped supplying water since May 24 after its power was cut due to debts.

"We're facing financial problems," Thinh said. "Some clients failed to pay us, so we don't have the money to pay the electricity bills."

According to the meeting, Chu Se Water Company failed to pay over VND300 million (USD12,240) to the Chu Prong Power Station, which decided to cut its electricity supply. This has affected over 1,600 households in the area.

No solutions have been found to the repeated cuts since 2023.

Northern region to experience prolonged rainy spell

Vietnam's northern region will face heavy rains and strong winds until the end of next week.

The National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting said the rains from this evening, May 27, would occur from the late afternoon and evening for the rest of the week.
 
Meanwhile, the hot weather has continued spreading in the central region. Localities from Thanh Hoa to Phu Yen on May 27-28 would see temperatures of more than 38 degrees centigrade.

The National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting reported more frequent and stronger storms this year and the potential reoccurrence of historic levels of flooding similar to 2020.

Quang Tri puts finishing touches to Festival for Peace

The central province of Quang Tri is expediting its efforts to host the upcoming 2024 Festival for Peace, a national-scale event conceived and prepared since 2019, to send out the message of peace and remember the war martyrs, victims, and losses.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Hoang Nam, who also is head of the first-ever festival’s organising board, said that this is the largest to be held in Quang Tri so far.

He noted that the series of events coincides with the peak tourist season in July, thus anticipating a significant influx of visitors.

To date, most of the essential preparations have been completed.

Le Minh Tuan, Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, said Quang Tri houses over 3,000 hotel rooms with around 5,000 beds. Work is underway to get local accommodation facilities and tourist attractions ready for this festival.

The event's highlight is an opening ceremony, featuring a special music show, at the Hien Luong - Ben Hai national special historical relic site. Other activities include a cycling event on June 29 and 30, a cultural and culinary festival from July 12 to 14, as well as music and art exchanges on July 13, 19, 20, and 26.

The 17th Parallel along the Ben Hai river in Quang Tri was the temporary boundary between North and South Vietnam after the Geneva Accords were signed in July 1954. Given this, Quang Tri was also the target of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of bombs during wartime. Hien Luong Bridge spanning this river was a symbol of the aspiration for national reunification and also a demonstration of the spirit of connecting the values of the past, present, and future in this historical land./.

Huge potential for Vietnam- Laos tourism cooperation

Tourism co-operation between Vietnam and Laos has seen constant development over recent years and is expected to enjoy many prospects ahead in the near future, according to Lao Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism Suansavanh Viyaketh.

Last year witnessed more than 837,000 Vietnamese tourists travel to Laos, an increase of 133% compared to 2022, while the number of Lao tourists to Vietnam  reached over 120,000, up 155% on-year.

Moreover, according to information given by the Tourism Development of Laotian Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, over 263,000 Vietnamese people visited the neighbouring nation in the first quarter of this year, making Vietnam the second biggest source of foreign visitors to Laos during the reviewed period.

Meanwhile, Laos was among the country’s top 15 tourism markets, with the number of Lao travelers to Vietnam standing at 33,000.

Minister Viyaketh noted that tours between the two countries helped their people gain greater insights into history and traditional culture, thereby further fostering the special friendship.

Most Vietnamese tourists were keen to visit the capital of Vientiane and Vangvieng town, while those from Lao were highly  interested in travelling to Vietnam's famous historical and cultural sites, as well as various scenic spots, including beautiful beaches, she added.

Currently, it is quite convenient to travel between the two, including through land borders or direct flights, with flights taking only 80 minutes.

Minister Viyaketh also stressed that in order to promote tourism, the two countries have also held several tourism and cultural promotion programmes such as a culture and tourism week showcasing the nation’s northwestern region and Ho Chi Minh City in the Lao province of Luang Prabang, as well as the Hanoi-Vientiane Conference on Tourism and Trade Promotion in 2024.

She underlined the need for both countries to pay closer attention to tourism collaboration through intensifying delegation exchange at all levels, thereby offering optimal conditions for immigration activities, encouraging businesses to boost tourism development, and jointly popularizing tourist destinations.

Vietnamese cuisine promoted at Brunei New Year festival

A large number of Brunei and international friends visited the booth set up by the Vietnamese Embassy in Brunei Darussalam at Brunei's Hari Raya New Year festival.

The event was held recently at the International Convention Center in Brunei Darussalam featuring the participation of Princess Hajah Masna, sister of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who was the guest of honor at the event.

The New Year celebration is organized annually by the Brunei Ministry of Foreign Affairs to mark the traditional Hari Raya New Year, whilst it is also an opportunity for representative agencies of countries in Brunei to promote their images and culinary cultures to international friends in the host country.

This year's function was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs II of Brunei Dato Erywan and more than 1,000 Brunei and international guests, with more than 20 representative agencies in Brunei showcasing rich and unique culinary and cultural products.

At Brunei's Hari Raya New Year festival, many friends enjoyed savouring famous dishes that were introduced to heads of state, especially Bun Cha, a Vietnamese dish of grilled pork and noodles which was enjoyed by former US President Barack Obama during his visit to Vietnam back in 2016.

A highlight at the event was the Hari Raya congratulatory video made by representative agencies in Brunei and Brunei Embassies around the world. The Vietnam Embassy's video congratulating the Hari Raya New Year festival featured children of overseas Vietnamese in Brunei, as well as officials and employees of various representative agencies.

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 third annual event takes place between May 31 and June 6.

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.

SHB Đà Nẵng win early V-League 2 championship

The central city football team SHB Đà Nẵng has been awarded a cash-prize of VNĐ3 billion (US$120,000) from the chairman of the directors of Sài Gòn-Hà Nội (SHB) Bank, Đỗ Quang Hiển after winning the second-flight football championship Gold Star V.League 2, with three games in hand.

The team beat Đồng Tháp 3-1 win on May 24, taking them to 42 points after 13 wins, three draws and one loss and putting them nine points clear of their nearest rival PVF-Public Security (PVF-CAND).

The championship winner will now be back into the premier football championship, V-League, 2024-25, just one year after relegation.

Reward for their success included VNĐ2 billion ($80,000) cash-prize from the Việt Nam Football Federation (VFF) for winning the championship.

The VFF expects to hand the team the V-League 2 Cup to the team on their home turf Hoà Xuân Stadium on June 23.

Team coach, Trương Việt Hoàng, said the team has shown a great performance, winning 15 games since start of the V-League 2, scoring 35 goals and only conceding seven after 17 matches.

Chairman of SHB team, Lê Quang Hiểu said the team now has its sights on being in the top three of the V-League, in 2024-25. Not only is the team looking at some changes in players, but he said they have been promoting digital transformation in management and improving the infrastructure of stadium and training facilities.

He added that SHB Đà Nẵng plans to set up its own football academy, in co-operation with European partners and an English-style training system for Under-11, U-13 and U-15 teams, as well as the senior team.

Đà Nẵng will keep using the 20,000-seat Hòa Xuân stadium as its home turf and a training centre in 2024-25.

SHB Đà Nẵng won the V.League championship in 1992, 2009 and 2012, but was relegated in 2023. It has been sponsored by SHB Bank since 2007.

Truc Lam Zen Monastery in France marks Lord Buddha’s birthday

The Truc Lam Zen Monastery in France held a ceremony on May 26 to mark Lord Buddha’s birthday (Vesak Day).

Bhikkhu Thich Tam Huy, head of the Truc Lam Zen Monastery, highlighted the meaning and importance of Buddha's birthday; and called on everyone to follow the Dharma, do good deeds, and attain enlightenment for themselves and others.

Buddhist dignitaries and followers prayed for peace in the world, and good health and happiness for everyone. They then participated in a Buddha statue bathing ritual. The Truc Lam Zen Monastery was built in 1976 and completed in 1990 in the Paris suburban town of Villebon-sur-Yvette. It is a gathering place of Vietnamese Buddhist in France.

Earlier, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang offered incense at Khuong Viet pagoda, in Orsay city, nearly 4 km from the Truc Lam Zen Monastery./.

HCMC unveils labor - employment strategy for 2023-2025, with vision to 2030

The HCMC People’s Committee issued its labor-employment strategy for the 2023-2025 period, with a vision to 2030 in response to the city’s slowing labor productivity growth.

The strategy is born with the aim to increase labor performance in the city compared to the national average and to answer the need to restructure key economic sectors in strategic 

This timely move, considered a sustainable and fundamental solution, is expected to have a multifaceted impact on the city's labor market, as well as the regional and national labor markets.

The strategy's "revolutionary" nature stems from the recognition that the labor market must adapt to the profound global shifts that are currently underway. As the core values and survival conditions of the economy revolve around the twin pillars of "green" and "digital," the labor market cannot remain immune to these transformations.

Vietnam's establishment of a "comprehensive strategic partnership" with major powers, particularly in the areas of microelectronics, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence, highlights the need to prioritize the training of high-quality technology manpower. Moreover, in a world where geographical boundaries are becoming increasingly blurred, the strategy emphasizes the importance of interconnectedness, diversity, and multimodality in trade, production, and distribution.

To align with the priority of developing high-tech and digital industries and becoming a leading regional service center, the city’s strategy calls for the establishment of concentrated hi-tech industrial parks and investments in strategic fields such as robotics, biotechnology, and specialized medical services. This dual approach aims to create a high-quality, skilled labor market alongside the planning and development of smart cities, satellite cities, and green cities.

HCMC focuses on forming 16 business models in nine main technology groups of Mobile internet, Cloud computing, Big data, Artificial intelligence, Fintech, IoT, Advanced robotics, Additive manufacturing, and Semiconductor technology.

The Strategy also mentions e-commerce and the needs to reskill the city workforce in the new context. Particularly, with the strong emergence of ‘commerce on social platforms’, it is urgent to update labor and business laws and regulations, as well as provide comprehensive training programs in technical skills, soft skills, and legal knowledge for both businesses and workers.

HCMC now possesses certain advantages, being a leader by ranking among the top five localities in the country for the Provincial Green Index (PGI). The Strategy highlights the urgent need for green skills associated with green jobs. Green jobs tend to require more skills and a higher level of scientific and technological expertise than traditional ones.

Via the content about green jobs, HCMC is going to expand its inter-regional links and increase the competitiveness of its economy. This depends on another strength of the city – the surplus and young workforce, with laborers from 15 years old up accounting for 50 percent of the city population. More than 87 percent of the current workforce have been trained, mostly at university level, not to mention the manpower from other countries.

To ensure sustainable employment in the context of the transition to a green economy, a circular economy, a digital economy, and a sharing economy, the city must diversify its methods of attracting investment in industries and sectors that encourage investment or new industries and models. This includes the ongoing implementation of policies to attract experts and talents to the semiconductor industry.

The strategy advocates for public-private partnership in investment, with a focus on mobilizing foreign direct investment to both generate capital flows and leverage expertise in labor training and retraining, organizational management, and market development. Particularly important is the effective linkage between universities, academies, businesses, and workers.

With those aims in mind, HCMC’s labor-employment strategy in the 2023-2025 period, with a vision to 2030, is a solution for labor productivity growth, unemployment rate decrease, living standard improvement, as well as a method to maintain the health of businesses sited here within the city's vibrant economic and social landscape.

Workforce to be prepared for Long Thanh airport’s operation

Human resources for the operation of Long Thanh International Airport in the southern province of Dong Nai will be well prepared under a strategic cooperation agreement signed on May 27 by the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), the Sai Gon Ground Services (SAGS), and Lilama 2 International Technology College (Lilama 2).

Under the document, the sides will work together in on-site training in aviation, processing and producing materials and spare parts, and building training and maintenance facilities as well as workplace for staff and experts at the airport in the time ahead.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Son Hung asked the ACV and SAGS to provide specific information on the workforce demand when the airport is put into operation.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam estimated that the first phase of building and operating the airport will need some 14,000 workers at all levels in such areas as construction, transport, and aviation.

The airport, with a total capacity of 100 million passengers and 5 million tonnes of cargo a year, has a total investment of 336.63 trillion VND (13.71 billion USD). It will be able to handle 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tonnes of goods a year after its first phase is completed in 2026./.

HCM City reports highest number of dengue fever cases

Recent years has seen Ho Chi Minh City as one of the localities recording the highest number of dengue fever cases nationwide, according to Dr. Nguyen Van Vinh Chau, deputy director of the municipal Department of Health.

Dr. Chau made the statement recently at the launching ceremony of ASEAN Dengue Prevention Day.  

He revealed that since the beginning of the year until now, the city recorded 3,251 cases of dengue fever, with no fatalities being reported.

These cases have appeared in a total of 22 districts, including localities with a high number of cases such as Binh Chanh, Tan Phu, and Binh Tan.

Dr. Chau pointed out that primary risk of spreading dengue fever is through the midge mosquito, a type of mosquito that lives near humans.

People are therefore advised to proactively kill larvae and mosquitoes found at their homes and workplaces, wear long-sleeved clothes, and sleep under a mosquito net to prevent the disease.

According to the Department of Preventive Medicine, there are two types of mosquitoes that tend to cause dengue fever, including Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Female midges bite humans during the day, with the strongest bites occurring in the early morning and in the evening.

This type of mosquito transmits dengue fever by biting a person infected with the dengue virus, before then transmitting the disease to a healthy person through the bite.

In Vietnam, the disease is widespread both in urban and rural areas. Although it occurs year-round, it often breaks out into large epidemics during the rainy season, especially from July to October.

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