PM Pham Minh Chinh on May 4 signed Decision No. 370/QD-TTg approving the Southeast region master plan in the 2021 – 2030 period, with a vision to 2050.

The planning scope of the region includes the entire administrative boundaries of HCMC and five provinces including Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Binh Phuoc, and Tay Ninh.

Under the plan, the Southeast region will be developed into a civilized and modern area with a development industry, high income, and a material and spiritual life that takes a leading position in the country. The area will have the largest driving force of growth in the country, dynamic development, and a high growth rate.

It will also be promoted as a center for science, technology, innovation and creativity, high-tech industry, logistics, and an international financial center with high competitiveness in the region and a prominent position in Southeast Asia and development that is on par with major cities in the Asian region.

By 2050, the Southeast region will become a developed area with high income, strong economic potential, and a modern economic structure. It will be a center for science, technology, innovation and creativity, high-tech industry, logistics, and an international financial center ranking among the group of top financial centers in the region and the world.

The region will have modern and comprehensive infrastructure, a Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) growth rate of 7.5 percent per year in the 2031-2050 period, and a GRDP per capita of US$ 54,000 by 2050.

The plan focuses on developing the dynamic Southern region (the national dynamic region) into the leading economic center of the country and Southeast Asia, building HCMC into a smart and modern city linking urban areas with adequate competitiveness, regional and international integration capacity, and important role in the urban network of the region.

In addition, the project also pays attention to forming and developing economic corridors, especially the North-South economic corridor, the Moc Bai - HCMC - Bien Hoa - Vung Tau economic corridor, and industrial-urban-service belts linked to Ring Roads 3 and 4 of HCMC, connecting seaports, airports, international border gates, major trading hubs, urban areas, economic centers, and providing the basis for restructuring regional development space.

PM chairs meeting on southeastern regional development

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, who is also Chairman of the Coordinating Council for the Southeastern Region, chaired the council’s third conference in the southern province of Tay Ninh on May 5.

The focus of the event was the implementation of the recently approved master planning scheme for the southeastern region for the 2021-2030 period with a vision until 2050.

Speaking at the event, PM Chinh directed improving the effectiveness of regional coordination, development and connectivity, with a focus on the building of mechanisms and policies to achieve these goals.

He asked ministries, agencies, localities and members of the council to promptly build a concrete action plan to carry out the master planning scheme.

The plan should prioritise economic restructuring with priority given to sectors of strengths, hi-tech industries such as semiconductor chips, high value-added services such as e-commerce, regional-scale logistics centres, Can Gio international transshipment port, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Free Trade Zone, and Ho Chi Minh City International Financial Centre, he suggested.

Underscoring the importance of workforce training, fostering innovation and creativity, and streamlining administrative procedures, the PM described them as crucial to improve the business environment.

The Government leader also pledged to consider localities’ proposals and assigned specific tasks to ministries, agencies and localities.

The southeastern region is envisioned to transform into a modern and civilised region with a thriving industrial sector by 2030. It aims to surpass the high-income threshold and become a leader in adopting new growth models, digital transformation, and the development of cultural, social, educational and healthcare sectors.

It aspires to become a premier hub for the digital economy, attracting international financial institutions and major global corporations. It envisions itself as a centre for economic, financial, commercial, cultural, educational, and scientific-technological activities within Vietnam, holding a prominent position in Southeast Asia and evolving alongside major Asian cities.

The region aims for an average annual GRDP growth rate of 8-9% between 2021 and 2030, with per capita GRDP of some 14,500 - 16,000 USD. The service sector is expected to make up 41-42% of the region's GRDP, while industry and construction are hoped to contribute 45-46%, and agriculture, forestry and fisheries about 2-3%. The rate of trained labourers with certified qualifications is targeted at 40-45% while the unemployment rate will stay below 3%./.

Vietnam, France bolster cooperation in sharing war memories

Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien held a meeting with visiting French Secretary of State for Veterans and Memory Patricia Miralles in Hanoi on May 5.

Chien highlighted the significance of Miralles's Vietnam visit that shows the spirit of reconciliation, "closing the past, looking towards the brighter future"; and the development cooperation between the two countries and their people.

Since the 3rd Vietnam-France strategic and defence cooperation dialogue in December 2023, the collaboration has been effectively carried out based on the both nations’ 2024 defence cooperation programme in line with relating directions agreed upon by their defence leaders, Chien told his guest.

He suggested both sides focus on increasing cooperation in sharing war memories, including the collection of documents and historical materials to compile education documents, the exchange of war information and remembrances, and the organisation of joint seminars on historical topics.

Agreeing with Chien’s suggestions regarding cooperation in sharing war memories, Miralles thanked the Vietnamese side for its invitation to French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu and her to visit Vietnam.

PM sends letter of commendation to traffic police force

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on May 5 sent a letter to the Ministry of Public Security’s traffic police force, praising their dedication to ensuring traffic safety and order during the five-day April 30 - May 1 holidays, despite grappling with a surge in vehicle traffic and scorching hot weather nationwide.

In the letter, he noted a significant decline in traffic accidents, fatalities and injuries compared to the same period last year, attributing this success to the force's vigilant presence on the roads.

Their innovative patrol strategies, coupled with the adept use of modern technology, earned praise to minimise inconvenience for drivers, PM Chinh wrote.

At the end of the letter, the PM urged the force to build on the past achievements and further contribute to ensuring social safety and order./.

Danang reschedules riverbank pedestrian street opening

The central city of Danang has rescheduled the opening of a pedestrian street by Han River until early June.

Hai Chau District announced a plan to pilot Bach Dang Pedestrian Street by the Han River from the end of April to late 2028. The street is 1.2 kilometres long, linking Tran Thi Ly and Nguyen Van Troi Bridges with APEC Park. It will be open from 3 pm to midnight every day.

The pedestrian street will have five check-in spots, two public toilets, security cameras, free Wifi, green space and the lighting system.

The street will be used to hold art performances and festive activities.

However, work on some facilities has not yet been finished, therefore, the inauguration has been delayed to early June.

Bach Dang Pedestrian Street is expected to become a new place to visit in Danang, helping to boost the city’s nighttime economic development.

Fine artwork on Điện Biên Phủ exhibited

A fine arts exhibition organised by the Department of Fine Arts, Cinema and Exhibition, Ministry of Culutre, Sport and Tourism yesterday showcased some of the best artworks under the Điện Biên Phủ theme at Hà Nội's Art Exhibition and House on Hàng Bài Street.

Seventy artworks including lacquer, oil and acrylic on canvas and bronze statues borrowed from public and private owners to highlight the immense human forces put forward to the Điện Biên Battle. 

In his speech, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism said: "This exhibition is a vital artistic milestone that will allow art lovers to look back at our country's valuable lessons of history when artists crated artworks on revolutionary activities.

"They showed their outstanding creativity in the artworks, and by doing so, transmitted a lesson learned for the youths of today on their love for the country, their responsibilities and national pride."

The artworks have been brought together from collections by the Department of Fine Arts, Cinema and Exhibitions, the Museum of Military History and Việt Nam Fine Arts Society.

Here you shall find names of great artists of Việt Nam's powerful art scenes from Indochina Fine Art college graduates to contemporary artists.

The Hàng Bài Exhibition runs until May 9, 2024. 

Hậu wins and sets record at Amazean Jungle Thailand

Hà Thị Hậu won and set a new record at the Amazean Jungle Thailand by UTMB, an ultra-trail running tournament in Yala Thailand late on May 4 while fellow Vietnamese Lê Thị Hằng came second

Hậu set her target of winning the tournament after she championed the Doi Inthanon Thailand by Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) and finished fourth at the UTMB World Series Finals last year.

Leading the 100K (106km) event from the very beginning Hậu did not encounter any problems throughout her race.

The 35-year-old reached the finish line with in 16hr 12.30min to claim the women's top podium and the second place overall to Disi Liang of China who was the male champion.

It was the first time that a Vietnamese athlete has won at this tournament which is one of the toughest in the UTMB series. In this distance, only 79 athletes could reach the finish line.

"I made it," Hậu said after crossing the finish line.

"Thank you for strongly encouraging and supporting me during this race."

Although her time was not as good as her target, it was still a new tournament record beating 17:29.32 set by Anita Rai of Nepal last year.

In second place, Hằng was not a medal favourite but did good job to catch up with and pass other runners in the second half of the race, finishing in a time of 22:41.37.

Seng Lip Ku of Malaysia was third on 22:42.01.

"It was hot and rained before the start, the road was slippery leading to athletes' falling consecutively. It was the first time I was in the top three of an international trailing competition," said Hằng.

Đỗ Trọng Nhân came third in the men's discipline and fourth overall. He ran in 18:44.08, ranking below Liang and Yutaro Yokouchi of Japan.

The Betong win was considered a strong push for Hậu as she announced her plan to win the 2024 UTMB World Series Finals in September in France.

In the world ranking, Hậu is currently No 4 with 745 points. She is below rivals from Spain, the US and Japan.

The Amazean Jungle Thailand featured more than 3,500 athletes who took part in five categories.

Other winners were Gediminas Grinius of Lithuania and Man Yee Cheung of Hong Kong won the overall and women's 148km. Chinese Tao Luo and Belgian Vanja Cnops topped the 56km distance, respectively. Tiago Vieira of Portugal and Yupa Saelee of the hosts took the 26km titles. Hiroyuki Kawachi of Japan and Phapada Ninvisut of Thailand were winners of the 17km. 

Oanh wins women's 3,000m steeplechase at Hong Kong event

Nguyễn Thị Oanh won Việt Nam a gold at the Hong Kong Athletics Championship on May 5.

Oanh finished first in the women's 3,000m steeplechase event, leaving all other runners far behind.

She won in a time of 10min 15.84sec, a gap of nearly three minutes to the nearest rival Chan Wing Tung of the hosts. Tang Yuen Shuen, another runner from Hong Kong, was third.

Oanh will compete in the 5,000m event later.

Earlier, Bùi Thị Loan won a bronze in the women's long jump with a 6.01m result.

The Vietnamese team ttook part in the championships with six athletes on May 4-5. 

Ho Chi Minh City hosts second river festival in 2024

The 2024 HCM City River Festival is set to take place from May 31 to June 9 at the Nha Rong Area in Khanh Hoi - Saigon Port, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism.

Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, said the event will last from May 31 to June 9 as part of efforts to introduce the southern city’s beautiful landscapes, cultural identities, and tourism.

A wide range of cultural, entertainment, art, culinary, and sporting activities will take place during the event, along with other consumer demand stimulus programmes taking place in the city.

The highlight of the function will be an art scheme opening with the theme of  "Legendary Train" during the opening ceremony, with the occasion aiming to showcase the nation's historic resounding victories through contemporary dance performances and entertainment technological demonstration on the Saigon River.

Furthermore, a number of water sporting activities will be held during the event, including the Ho Chi Minh City Open River Swimming Championship, the Ho Chi Minh City Open Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) Championship in 2024, sailboat shows, jet skis, and paragliding.

Moreover, there will be a space set up to recreate floating markets in the western region and a river parade to promote the southern city's festivals and river tourism activities.

Prompt preparation made to ensure early implementation of Land Law 2024: official

Ministries, sectors, and localities have been building documents providing detailed guidance for the implementation of the Land Law so that the law can take effect on July 1, 2024, instead of January 1, 2025 as previously planned, said Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Minh Ngan.

Speaking at the Government’s monthly meeting in Hanoi on May 4, Ngan said that as soon as the law was passed by the National Assembly, the Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) and related ministries, sectors, and localities to urgently compile guiding documents to ensure that the law is coherent with relevant laws and will soon be enforced effectively.

According to the deputy minister, Ngan said that the MoNRE was assigned to draft six decrees and four circulars guiding the implementation of the law. The ministry has completed the task and the draft documents are being assessed by the Ministry of Justice before being submitted to the Prime Minister by May 10.

The ministry was also assigned to give advice to the Government in the building of a draft resolution allowing the law to take effect from July 1, 2024. The draft will be submitted to the National Assembly to get approval.

Moreover, the ministry has coordinated with other ministries, agencies, and localities to popularise the law, Ngan said.

The revised Land Law was passed at the 15th National Assembly’s fifth extraordinary session in January 2024. It has new points compared to the 2013 version such as separating the issue of land valuation from the support policy related to land; regulations on land withdrawal to serve the construction of socioeconomic infrastructure, and production and business activities; granting land use right certificates for land which has no documents without violating related laws.

The law is also expected to exert impacts on the business activities of overseas Vietnamese as it allows people of Vietnamese origin living in foreign countries to buy houses in Vietnam. There is no distinction between individuals at home and Vietnamese residing abroad in the right to land access./.

Candles lit to commemorate fallen soldiers in Dien Bien Phu battle

The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) in the northern province of Dien Bien on May 4 evening offered incense and lit candles at Martyrs’ Cemetery A1 in Dien Bien Phu city in memory of fallen soldiers on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954-2025).

At the ceremony, local youths and representatives from the HCYU Central Committee and the administrations of Dien Bien and the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang laid a wreath at the monument and offered incense at all tombs in the cemetery.

The activity showed the profound gratitude of Vietnamese people in general and Dien Bien youths in particular for the soldiers who laid down their lives for national independence and freedom.

Martyrs’ Cemetery A1, built in 1958, is the resting place of 664 martyrs, but only four of them were identified - To Vinh Dien, Be Van Dan, Phan Dinh Giot, and Tran Can.

The battle in Dien Bien Phu occurred between March and May 1954 under the command of General Vo Nguyen Giap. The victory led to the signing of the 1954 Geneva Accords in which France agreed to withdraw its forces from its colonies in Indochina.

The Dien Bien Phu Victory on May 7, 1954, is considered a glorious “golden milestone” in the Vietnamese nation’s history of fighting foreign aggressors for national independence. It marked the complete collapse of old colonialism all over the world, paving the way for the movement of rising up to struggle for national liberation in colonial countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America./.

Promoting the unique value of 'quan họ' singing

A festival dedicated to quan họ (love duet) folk singing has been organsied recently at the special national heritage site of Bổ Đà Pagoda in Tiên Sơn Commune in the northern province of Bắc Giang.

Hosted by the People's Committee of Việt Yên Town, the event attracted over 1,000 artists from 52 quan họ (love duet singing) clubs to participate.

Each participating club presented four or five performances, including solo, duets, group singing, male-female duet, and with or without musical accompaniment. Performances presenting tunes with ancient lyrics and traditional musical instruments have been encouraged at the event.

With attentive preparation, the performances staged at the festival have immersed the audience in an enchanting atmosphere, with male and female singers wearing tứ thân (four-panel) traditional dresses and ba tầm palm-leaf hats. The audience had the opportunity to truly appreciate the fascinating and heart-touching melodies of quan họ folk songs.

Deputy Chairman of the People's Committee of Việt Yên Town, Thân Văn Thuần, stated that Việt Yên is honoured to have two UNESCO-recognised intangible cultural heritage – quan họ and ca trù (ceremonial singing). They also have three festivals that have been recognised as National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Quan họ performers offer visitors pieces of trầu that consist of betel leaf and areca nut. In old Vietnamese customs, trầu is a must-have offer at any reception.

Realising the significance and importance of traditional festivals and quan họ folk singing in the people’s cultural and spiritual life, in recent years, Party and government authorities at all levels and various sectors have shown special attention to the preservation of traditional festivals and the art of performing quan họ singing.

Up to now, Việt Yên has 18 quan họ villages recognised by the UNESCO as on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, with three People's Artists and 19 Meritorious Artists.

There are more than 50 quan họ clubs founded by the People's Committees of communes and wards, and 120 quan họ practicing villages. Among them, Thổ Hà Village still maintains the call-and-response singing that is famous throughout the Kinh Bắc northern region. The villages of Nội Ninh and Hữu Nghi continue to preserve the ancient style of quan họ singing, while Trung Đồng Village still reserves ancient yet rare versions of quan họ songs that are not found elsewhere.

Implementing the Project on Cultural Preservation and Cultural Value Promotion, from 2009 to the present, the People's Committee of Việt Yên has directed and coordinated the organisation of dozens of quan họ singing classes, drawing thousands of participants. The authority also has organised 23 quan họ singing festivals at Bổ Đà Pagoda, attracting thousands of male and female performers to participate. Additionally, thousands of CDs, flyers, and publications have been printed to support the teaching and spreading of quan họ.

Socialisation efforts in the preservation and promotion of quan họ folk singing have received active participation from individuals, organisations, and enterprises.

Deputy Chairman Thuần has suggested that in the near future, Party and Government authorities at all levels should continue to support quan họ clubs and artisans in the preservation and promotion of traditional festivals, as well as ca trù and quan họ singing.

They need also to pay attention to the restoration of historical and cultural relics, as well as the building and repairing of cultural houses, creating conditions for them to be places for cultural and artistic exchanges, and for ca trù and quan họ singing practice. Regular organisation of competitions, and performances during festivals and national holidays should also be encouraged. 

Five major airports set to put ETC into service

Electronic toll collection (ETC) service will be launched at five major airports in the country from May 5, announced the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV).

The five international airports are Noi Bai in Hanoi City, Cat Bi in Haiphong City, Phu Bai in Thua Thien-Hue Province, Danang in Danang City, and Tan Son Nhat in HCMC.

The installation of technical equipment to facilitate non-stop toll collection and automatic cashless payment is in its final stages.

ACV initiated the pilot implementation of ETC at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat airports since February 2024.

Data provided by ACV indicated that from February 6 to March 19, a total of 203,606 vehicles utilized the ETC lanes at Noi Bai while 132,926 vehicles passed through the ETC lanes at Tan Son Nhat.

In addition to ETC, ACV has collaborated with electronic payment entities to introduce automatic toll collection at these five major airports. For vehicles without ETC tags, drivers only need to scan the QR code at the toll booth, and the system will deduct the toll fee automatically.

The project to equip the airports with cashless payment and ETC systems has a total investment of nearly VND215 billion, financed by ACV, with the objective of alleviating vehicle traffic congestion at the airports.

Hanoi's largest incinerator to process one million tons of waste this year

The Soc Son waste-to-energy plant at the Nam Son Waste Treatment Complex in Hanoi, the largest of its kind in Vietnam and currently the second largest in the world, aims to convert one million tons of waste into a fuel source this year.

According to Nguyen Trong Dong, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, the plant is in line with the city government's plan to develop renewable energy by 2024.

"Hanoi has set a target to generate 67 MW from the No. 3 incinerator at the Soc Son waste-to-energy plant and to launch the Seraphin waste-to-energy plant (the second in Son Tay Town). This will bring the city's total energy from waste treatment to about 129.3 MW," Dong said.

With a capacity to incinerate 4,000-5,000 tons of dry waste per day and a power generation capacity of 90MW, the Soc Son waste-to-energy plant has substantially contributed to the city's solid waste treatment and management,  reducing environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Do Tien Dung, Deputy General Director of Thien Y Environmental Energy Joint Stock Company, told Vietnam News Agency (VNA) that the operation of the plant has partially met the requirements for "proper" waste treatment in Hanoi.

"Before 2022, the city's centralized domestic waste treatment areas had to bury about 7,000 tonnes per day. This method not only runs the risk of causing environmental pollution but also wastes resources that could be converted into energy," Dung said.

He added that the Soc Son waste-to-energy plant, which started generating electricity for the national grid in July 2022, has helped to treat more than 70% of Hanoi's waste and relieve pressure on the two solid waste treatment complexes at Nam Son (Soc Son District) and Xuan Son (Son Tay Town).

The facility has ensured compliance with environmental regulations, helped minimize the risk of environmental incidents due to Hanoi's household waste backlog, and conserved land resources by reducing the need to bury waste, treating more than 1.2 million tons of solid household waste and 245,000 cubic meters of leachate.

The Soc Son waste-to-energy project was approved by Hanoi authorities in late 2017, with a total investment of nearly US$30 million. It is expected to help manage Hanoi's waste management, which has long been a very frustrating issue for residents living near the Nam Son Waste Treatment Complex.  

According to the municipal Department of Construction, Hanoi will have 17 waste treatment zones under the city's master plan for 2030 with a vision for 2050. However, many waste treatment projects have been delayed due to obstacles related to land clearance.

Do Duc Thanh, Head of Hanoi's Environmental Protection Department, suggested installing automatic monitoring stations to send environmental parameters to city authorities.

“Even though it is now running and plugged into the national grid, the plant’s managers expect the next phase to come on stream soon, as the current capacity limits the amount of waste that can be incinerated,” Thanh said.

He added that Hanoi will continue to build waste treatment plants in Chuong My, Phu Xuyen, Thanh Tri, Gia Lam, and other districts. The municipal government is also considering using clean and green energy sources in education, agriculture, and urban transport.

Bas-relief artwork on the Dien Bien Phu Victory inaugurated

A bas-relief artwork on the Dien Bien Phu Victory was launched at the Dien Bien Phu Victory Museum in the northwestern province of Dien Bien during a ceremony on May 4, as part of the activities to celebrate the triumph 70 years ago.

The artwork by Nguyen Duc Luan, measuring 2.7 m x 3.7 m, features the image of people from ethnic groups in the Northwest holding flags and flowers to joyfully welcome Uncle Ho's soldiers.

The event aims to pay tribute to the sacrifices and losses by previous generations for the glorious victory, which resounded throughout the five continents and was world-shaking.

The same day, an event to introduce the photo book titled “Dien Bien Phu: the past and the present" and exhibit 100 photos selected from the book opened at the Book Street in Ho Chi Minh City.

The 300-page book consists of more than 300 documentary photos captured by photographers from Ho Chi Minh City and the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists (VAPA), and journalists from the Dien Bien Phu newspaper, along with file photos provided by the Dien Bien Phu Victory Museum.

Doan Hoai Trung, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Photography Association, said the book portrays the history of Dien Bien and its changes by now, helping people in HCM City gain a deeper understanding of the Dien Bien Phu victory and the locality’s culture and tourism.

The event will run until May 8.

On the occasion, the municipal Department of Information and Communications and the management board of the Book Street will also exhibit 30 documents from May 6-15./.

National golf associations to compete for first time in Hải Phòng

The National Golf Associations Championship will be held on May 18-19 at the Vinpearl Golf Hải Phòng.

In its first edition, as many as 200 athletes from 12 male teams and six female teams from Hà Nội, Hải Phòng, Quảng Ninh, Bắc Giang, Thái Nguyên, Nghệ An, Hà Tĩnh, Quảng Nam, Quảng Ngãi, HCM City, Bà Rịa Vũng Tàu and Bình Dương which are the best ones selected from regional qualifications will compete for the victory trophies.

The women will compete in one Fourballs and one Singles Match in Group A with handicap points under 11.9 and Group B with handicap points over 12.

Two teams with higher points will advance to the final. They will compete in two Singles Matches to find out the champions.

A view of the Vinpearl Golf Hải Phòng which will host the National Golf Associations Championship on May 18-19.

On the men's side, teams will compete in one Fourballs and one Foursomes matches in three groups with handicaps ranging from under 7.9 to over 16 points.

Two strongest teams of each group will qualify for the final round.

According to the organisers, the tournament is to spread the spirit of solidarity and strong will in the Vietnamese golf community. The tournament is an opportunity for golf associations across the country to connect, exchange and learn from each other, working together to contribute to push the level of Việt Nam golf industry.

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