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18/11/2023 11:00 (GMT+07:00)

VIETNAM NEWS HEADLINES NOVEMBER 18/2023

Exhibition connects regional specialties with tourism activities

An exhibition to promote and connect typical regional specialties with tourism activities is being held in Ninh Bình City. VNS Photo

Specialties of the northern province of Ninh Bình and other localities like cơm cháy (crispy rice served with pork floss), đòng đòng wine or Golden Camellia tea are on display at the exhibition to promote and connect typical regional specialties with tourism activities in Ninh Bình City.

The event is held within the framework of the exhibition entitled Cultural Heritage Space and Traditional Handicraft Products, one of the events celebrating the second Ninh Binh Festival in 2023.

It succeeds two previous events held in the provinces of Thừa Thiên – Huế and Lâm Đồng, aiming to introduce, promote and connect local specialties, as well as enhance Vietnamese brands among domestic and international tourists.

It is held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with the Centre for Agricultural Trade Promotion, the Central Office for New Rural Development Coordination, and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ninh Bình Province.

The 400sq.m exhibition space showcases products from nearly 40 businesses and cooperatives from provinces and cities nationwide like Hà Nội, Hà Giang, Nam Định, Ninh Bình and Long An.

The design and decoration of the space adopts the use of environmentally-friendly materials and incorporates the symbolic colours of each locality to inspire and create a sense of closeness and friendliness.

Meanwhile, the displayed products are designed and arranged following the requirements for innovation and creativity in the development of OCOP (One Commune One Product).

Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Hoàng Đạo Cương, affirmed that the exhibition is a prominent cultural and tourism activity celebrating Việt Nam’s Cultural Heritage Day (November 23).

“It is also a practical event aimed at introducing, promoting and honouring the cultural values, historical sites and scenic landscapes of Việt Nam to the people of the country and international friends. Additionally, it emphasises the potential for cultural and tourism development among various localities nationwide, creating strong motivation to attract resources for tourism development and enhancing the position and image of Việt Nam and Vietnamese people,” he added.

According to Tống Quang Thìn, the Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ninh Bình Province, Ninh Bình’s unique geographical position makes it a convergence point where the cultural colours of the Red River Delta region intertwine and spread.

Generations of Ninh Bình residents have built valuable cultural heritages that reflect the local identity while embodying the typical cultural characteristics of the Northern Delta region, he noted.

“The exhibition Cultural Heritage Space and Traditional Handicraft Products provides an opportunity to visually explore cultural heritages, scenic landscapes, traditional handicraft products and OCOP products from various localities and regions across the country,” he said.

As part of the event, there are live demonstrations and product tastings. Artisans are invited to demonstrate and showcase the producing typical products. Visitors have the chance to taste foods and beverages like tea, coffee or Vietnamese traditional sausages on the spot.

On Saturday morning, famous Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) will host a livestream session on TikTok to promote and sell OCOP products, especially those of Ninh Bình Province and other participating localities.

The exhibition will run until November 19 at the Ninh Bình Provincial Gymnasium on Đinh Tiên Hoàng Boulevard, Ninh Bình City.

Tea entrepreneur transforms cultivation practices, ensures better livelihoods for locals

Vũ Ngọc Sang, a tea entrepreneur in the Than Uyên tea growing zone, has revolutionised farming practices and built a brand for tea products from the area.

Considered the tea capital of the northern Lai Châu Province, Than Uyên tea fields span more than 3,400ha, some 500ha of which is under the management of Sang’s Than Uyên Tea JSC.

The company also collaborates with local households on more than 700ha.

After his business began the equitisation process in 2014, Sang has taken decisive steps to transform tea production in Than Uyên.

He observed that there was excessive use of fertilisers and chemical pesticides among local tea farmers over a long period of time.

“Season after season, year after year, this farming practice had become the norm, and therefore it was difficult to persuade farmers to change, despite the severe consequences they faced,” said Sang.

This practice led to land degradation and reduced productivity and fertility; several batches of exports were returned as they failed to meet the export market standards.

Despite the vast land of ingredients and prospective partners and investors, Than Uyên tea products were lagging behind compared to other renowned tea regions such as Tân Cương (Thái Nguyên Province) and Suối Giàng (Yên Bái Province).

These are also other obstacles facing local tea growers, and many people have quit tea growing to switch to other professions, Sang said.

When the equitisation process was completed in 2017, Sang decided to prioritise eradicating farming practices with chemical fertilisers in the tea growing areas under his company’s management.

The business also recommended microbial fertilisers to its partner households, as healthy soil is vital to the improvement of tea production.

To “detox” the tea growing land, Than Uyên Tea JSC also collaborated with a fertiliser supplier to customise a variety of organic fertilisers.

Each year, the supplier will send its expert to Than Uyên to collect soil samples and analyse its composition and nutrient content to produce suitable fertilising products.

Chemical pesticides were also gradually phased out and replaced by regulated and herb-based plant protection substances, with guidance from the team of technicians of Sang’s tea company.

To persuade locals to stop using toxic chemical fertilisers and pesticides, Than Uyên Tea committed to households producing tea following organic and VietGAP standards that their produce would be bought at a higher price than that of the market, in addition to providing farming material support and guidance from the company’s technical staff.

As these measures were applied, local tea growers gradually saw the positive effects and followed the stringent requirements from the company.

Today, the entire 500ha-area of Than Uyên Tea JSC meets VietGAP requirements, with some striving for organic standards.

Soil quality is also improving in the 700ha tea growing area where the company partnered with 600 local households in Mường Khoa, Trung Đồng and Thân Thuộc communes, and Tân Uyên District.

Thào A Ching, a tea farmer in Tân Uyên District said: “In the past, due to the excessive use of nitrogen fertilisers and plant protection chemicals, Than Uyên tea often had a bitter taste.

“Fresh tea buds were difficult to preserve and easily went rancid in hot, humid weather. They also did not have the characteristic aroma of shan tuyết tea grown in the high mountains.

“By switching to a safer cultivation process, tea plants are now free from pests and diseases, while their composition also changed for a more delicious and aromatic product,” he added.

Each year, Than Uyên Tea company produces more than 2,000 tons of tea products from this area, many of which are exported to China, Taiwan, Japan, the US, Europe or the Middle East, bringing in annual revenue of more than VNĐ100 billion (US$4.1 million).

The company is also building another tea processing factory in the area to ensure production and outputs for local farmers, while making use of automation to boost productivity.

Sang, the company’s board chair and director said: “With favourable natural conditions, tea growing is the key sector and the livelihood of ethnic communities in Tân Uyên.

“Therefore, our aspiration is for people to have a stable income and even prosper from tea.”

In addition to tea production, Than Uyên Tea company also takes bold steps to convert old tea areas into fruit orchards such as jackfruit, sapodilla, pineapple or avocado.

When this model is proven successful, the company will proceed with technology transfer and building processing factories to ensure better lives for the local people, Sang said.

Fishing vessel found carrying 32,000 litres of smuggled diesel

Some 32,000 litres of smuggled diesel has been sized from a wooden fishing vessel 18 nautical miles south-east of the southern province of Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu.

To effectively fight against fuel smuggling in Vietnamese waters, the Coast Guard Intelligence Division No. 2 under the Việt Nam Coast Guard (VCG) Command has worked together with the Department of Customs to conduct patrols at sea.

The division said on Wednesday (November 15) that a working team of the two units on November 12 stopped the wooden vessel ST 01727 TS registered in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Sóc Trăng and found the oil of unknown origin.

The vessel’s captain, Hoàng Văn Lượm, 42, of Kiên Giang Province, and four crew members were on board.

Lượm failed to furnish documents proving the origin of the oil, and none of the crew had the qualifications or certification required to be a sailor.

The working team on November 14 brought the vessel ashore and handed the case over to the Coast Guard Region No 3 Command based in Vũng Tàu City for further investigation.

Previously, officers of the Coast Guard Intelligence Division No 2 discovered a fishing vessel with 90,000 litres of smuggled diesel off the coast of Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Province on October 30.

On September 22, they also seized more than 260,000 litres of smuggled diesel oil from two offshore wooden fishing vessels in the southwest coastal region of Việt Nam.

Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu controls severe pollution hotspots

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment in southern Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Province has reported the successful control of six long-standing environmental pollution hotspots, which had seriously affected the livelihood and daily lives of local residents.

Ao Hải Hà, located in Long Hải Town in Long Điền District, is one example. There were 91 seafood processing and purchasing establishments operating, discharging waste water directly onto the beach. This caused a strong, foul odour in the area, and the waste was left uncollected, directly impacting the environment.

Over the past two years, the local authority has implemented a comprehensive environmental protection project in Long Điền District. Ao Hải Hà is one of the pollution points that the Government has actively addressed.

Nguyễn Thành Vân, Chairman of the People's Committee of Long Hải Town stated that immediately after COVID-19 was under control, the local government relocated these seafood processing establishments.

On a weekly and monthly basis, the local government has assigned a team of sanitation workers to clean up the beach.

The environmental pollution situation in this area has been addressed, with no wastewater from seafood processing activities discharged into the environment, and household waste has been collected.

In the future, Ao Hải Hà area will be developed as a tourism-service zone, he said.

A water reservoir spanning tens of hectares near the sluice No6 in Tân Hải Commune in Phú Mỹ Town was another hotspot for environmental pollution.

Adjacent to the water reservoir were seafood processing plants that operated and discharged wastewater directly into the reservoir. The water in the reservoir was consistently tinted purple, emitting a nasty odour.

During the rainy season, the sluice released water into the Chà Và River area in Long Sơn Commune in Vũng Tàu City, where hundreds of households raised fish in floating cages, causing massive deaths of fish worth hundreds of billions of đồng.

Fish farming households filed lawsuits against 14 wastewater-discharging businesses, and the companies that lost the lawsuits were ordered to compensate a total of VNĐ13 billion ($535,130).

The provincial People's Committee allocated tens of billions of đồng to renovate the water reservoir and relocate some polluting seafood processing plants in Lộc An Commune in Đất Đỏ District.

As a result, the water in this area had gradually recovered from pollution.

However, by March 2021, the pollution re-occurred, prompting thorough intervention from the relevant provincial authorities.

As of now, no businesses are operating in this area, and the water reservoir in front of the sluice has been returned to a clean and healthy state.

Representative of the provincial Centre for Management and Exploitation of Irrigation Works, which is responsible for the sluice No6, said for the past two years, the water reservoir area in Chu Hải Dike has not experienced environmental pollution and fish from floating cages in the Chà Và River have been no longer suffered from mass deaths whenever the sluice discharged water.

According to the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment, six areas in the province, namely Long Điền District, Châu Đức District, Đất Đỏ District, Xuyên Mộc District, Bà Rịa City, and Phú Mỹ Town, have managed to address hot spots of environmental pollution.

Currently, Vũng Tàu City is the only city that has not completed this task.

Localities have identified and compiled a list of 66 environmental pollution spots, including 36 related to business and livestock farming activities and 30 public pollution sources.

Local authorities have regularly conducted inspections and measures to gradually eliminate these spots.

Since May 2018, the province has relocated slaughterhouses and business facilities within Bà Rịa City to the Hoà Long and Long Phước industrial zones, and seafood processing facilities have been moved to the Lộc An and Bình Châu industrial zones.

The province has strengthened control over production facilities with significant waste water through community-based monitoring teams and self-management teams. The province has also required investments in automatic monitoring systems to track and supervise wastewater discharge, as well as strict control of emissions and dust from industrial production facilities through automatic monitoring systems.

Currently, 79 automatic air quality and dust monitoring stations have been invested in and transmit data to the resource and environment monitoring centre.

Đặng Sơn Hải, Deputy Director of the provincial department stated that in the coming time, the department would continue to coordinate with various departments and sectors to promptly propose measures for violators as per regulations.

The department has suggested residents to report unauthorised discharge into the environment to handle violations according to regulations.

Vietnamese, Cambodian Youth Unions maintain close coordination

Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) Central Committee Nguyen Tuong Lam received in Hanoi on November 16 a delegation of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP)’s Youth Wing, who attended the 2023 Vietnam-Cambodia youth friendship meeting, led by its vice president Sean Borath.

Lam, who is the Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Committee on Youth of Vietnam, expressed his belief that young generations of Vietnam and Cambodia will continue to expand cooperation and exchange, contributing to fostering sustainable and long-lasting solidarity and friendship between the people and youth of the two countries.

Agencies and youth organisations of the two countries, including the HCYU Central Committee and CPP Central Commitee’s Youth Wing, as well as the Vietnam Youth Federation and the Union of Youth Federation of Cambodia will continue to promote cooperation to further enhance the relationship, he said.

For his part, Sean Borath, who is also Secretary of State of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, suggested that in the coming time, the youth organisations of the two countries will continue to actively strengthen education for young people on good neighbourly relations and traditional friendship. The two sides should effectively deploy the contents of the cooperation agreement between the HCYU Central Committee and the CPP Central Commitee’s Youth Wing for 2023-2025 period.

The same day, Secretary of HCYU Central Committee Lam also received a delegation of the Union of Youth Federation of Cambodia to the 2023 Vietnam - Cambodia Youth Friendship Meeting, led by its Vice President Dam Dariny, who is also Secretary of State of the Ministry of National Defence.

HCM City’s delegation on working visit to China

Politburo member and Secretary of the Party Committee of Ho Chi Minh City Nguyen Van Nen held talks with Huang Kunming, Politburo member and Secretary of the Guangdong Party Committee on November 16 as part of the Vietnamese official’s ongoing working visit to China.

During the talks, Huang briefed the guest on socio-economic development of Guangdong whose GDP ranks first in China.

Guangdong is not only a locality with the greatest economic achievements but also a largest province in terms of industry, finance, foreign trade, and population, he said, adding that Guangdong’s economy is robust, serving as the cradle for the strong development of high-tech and advanced manufacturing industries.

In its diplomatic policy, China consistently prioritises its relations with Vietnam, Huang stressed expressing his belief that Guangdong and HCM City will continue to further promote economic and trade cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, contributing to the China – Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new era.

For his part, Nen stressed that in the process of building and cultivating the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, the Party Committee, authority and people of HCM City always attach importance to maintaining and developing relationships with Chinese ministries, sectors, and localities, and are willing to collaborate to implement agreements and common perceptions of senior leaders of the two Parties and countries, contributing to the stable, healthy and sustainable development of the Vietnam-China relations as well as bringing practical benefits to the two peoples.

The HCM City delegation pays a field trip to the Shanghai Suhe MixC World project in Shanghai city (Photo: VNA)

He agreed with the proposal to promote cooperation between Guangdong and localities as well as businesses in Vietnam and HCM City in particular, saying that the results achieved in political, economic, cultural, and educational cooperation between Vietnam and HCM City, and Guangdong have importantly contributed to fostering friendship and improving the effectiveness of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.

He hoped that leaders of Guangdong will continue to implement agreements between senior leaders of the two Parties and States. and further foster exchange and cooperation between units of HCM City and the Chinese locality, especially in trade, education – training, culture, sports and tourism, thus promoting mutual understanding between the two countries’ people.

Earlier the same day, Nen had a meeting with Guo Yonghang, Secretary of the Guangzhou Party Committee, during which the host said on the basis of the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, Guangzhou always attaches importance to boosting exchange and cooperation with HCM City.

Guo affirmed that he will actively promote more activities to strengthen connection and support each other in the fields of urban railway and infrastructure, cultural research, and tourism.

Nen said after 27 years since HCM City and Guangzhou city established friendly and cooperative relations, there is ample room for the two localities to further their cooperation, Nen said.

He hoped that in the coming time, cooperation in all fields between the two cities will continue to be expanded, especially in experience sharing in leadership, management, and administration of socio-economic development. thus bringing practical benefits to both sides.

HCM City wants to learn from Guangzhou's experience in planning and developing special zones and high-tech zones, transferring science and technology applications, building digital government and smart cities, and contributing to stepping up the bilateral relations between the two countries.

On the occasion, the Management Board of Urban Railway (MAUR), the China Association of Metros (CAMET), and the Guangzhou Metro Group Co., Ltd jointly established common goals through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly support the implementation of strategic research for developing HCM City's urban railway network, which is scheduled to be completed by 2035.

Previously, on November 15 in Shanghai, the HCM City delegation had a working session with representatives of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of Finance and Shanghai Municipal Financial Regulatory Bureau, during which delegates shared experiences on building a financial center model, mechanisms and policies, legal framework and system of legal regulations related to the construction, management and operation of a financial centre.

Right after the working session, the delegation paid a field trip to the Shanghai Suhe MixC World project in Shanghai city, which covers 42,000 square meters of urban green land area; visited the headquarters of Shanghai Shentong Metro Group, and the emergency response and management centre at Hongqiao intersection, which is one of the largest traffic intersections in China and the world.

Government issues action programme for bio-tech development, application

The Government on November 16 issued a resolution on its action programme to implement the Politburo’s Resolution 36, dated January 30, 2023, on bio-tech development and application serving the national sustainable growth in the new context.

Accordingly, a series of tasks have been set out for ministers, heads of government agencies, and People’s Committee chairpersons of centrally run localities.

These include raising a common awareness on the matter among public officials, personnel, workers, and people in general, with the bio-tech development and application considered a priority mission and solution in socio-economic development plans of ministries, sectors, and localities involved.

Related laws, mechanisms, and policies ought to be built and completed, creating a favourable condition for businesses, organisations, and individuals to partake in bio-tech research and for breakthroughs and suitable applications to be made.

It is also necessary to develop and make bio-technology part of life and a key economic-technical sector serving the national protection and construction.

The action programme also covers building a capable workforce, increasing investment in infrastructure, supporting firms’ access to new technologies and intellectual property patents, branding and product commercialisation, and international cooperation, among many other tasks.

Long Thanh airport resettlement project faces funding challenge

The allocation for the Long Thanh International Airport resettlement totaled nearly VND22.86 trillion but as of end-2022, VND2.5 trillion that remained undisbursed was removed from the budget, affecting the resettlement progress.

The allocated funds encompass provisions for land reclamation, compensation and resettlement associated with the Long Thanh airport.

On November 15, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly (NA) discussed adjustments to the project’s feasibility study. The airport, designed to accommodate 100 million passengers and handle five million tons of cargo annually, needs a total investment of more than VND336.6 trillion, with 34% allocated for the first phase.

By the end of 2022, only VND16.7 trillion had been disbursed, leaving over VND2.51 trillion untouched. In an effort to address this issue, the Government proposed on October 26 extending the disbursement period until the end of 2024 to salvage the project’s timeline.

However, under the current rules the unused VND2.51 trillion was canceled. Vu Hong Thanh, chairman of the NA Economic Committee, emphasized the conflict with the Investment Law, which restricts budget execution to 2021 and 2022.

Tran Quoc Phuong, deputy minister of Planning and Investment, suggested potential solutions. One involves utilizing the central budget’s reserve for 2023, while the other considers using the 2024 budget reserve, although legal inconsistencies may arise. Both proposals require NA approval.

Despite discussions in October, the Government has yet to present a detailed plan to address the canceled funds. NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai urged the Government to submit a clear proposal outlining fund allocation, subject to NA scrutiny.

As the future of the Long Thanh airport project hangs in the balance, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue called for prompt action from government officials to formulate a viable plan for securing the necessary funds.

Additional funding approved for HCMC metro line management firm

Authorities have approved an increase in the charter capital of the management company of Metro Line No. 1 in HCMC, addressing the challenges caused by a shortage of capital that the company has faced in recent years.

On November 15, the HCMC People’s Committee approved a revision to Decision 6339, which was issued in 2015 and pertains to the establishment of HCMC Urban Railway No. 1 Company, the entity responsible for managing Metro Line No. 1.

According to the revised decision, the original charter capital of the company is adjusted to VND286 billion.

In addition to the initially registered charter capital of VND14 billion, which was used for purchasing basic office equipment, the Metro Line No. 1 management company has not received funding since 2019. This prolonged lack of capital has hindered the company’s preparations for commercial operation, including employee recruitment.

Previously, Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai authorized the HCMC People’s Committee to review and approve the increase in charter capital for the company. This additional funding is essential to support the company’s workforce, enable technology transfer, and ensure the timely commercial operation of Metro Line No. 1.

During a recent meeting on the city’s socio-economic development, the management board for HCMC Urban Railway No. 1 Company reported that Metro Line No. 1 is 96% complete.

The city will conduct site inspections of various categories of the metro line project and make payments for completed work. Commercial operation of Metro Line No. 1 is scheduled to commence in July next year.

Vietnam attends Hong Kong Food Fiesta for first time

Vietnam is attending the 4th Hong Kong Food Fiesta that opened in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (China) on November 17.

This is the first time Vietnam has participated in the Hong Kong Food Fiesta. Vietnamese traditional dishes such as fried spring rolls, pork sausages, sticky rice and mung bean dumplings, have been welcomed by visitors and traditional friends. Many well-known Vietnamese agricultural products, like coffee, cashew nuts, and bird's nest, are also displayed and available for purchase at the event.

Held by the Hong Kong Food Council, the five-day fiesta is also showcasing delicacies and food brands of Hong Kong and countries in the region, such as Thailand, Japan, the Republic of Korea.

The council also distributed 1,000 shopping vouchers worth 20 HKD (2.9 USD) each to the elderly and disadvantaged people through social welfare organisations.

The event aims to promote the production and popularise local food brands while providing consumers with an opportunity to enjoy local and international dishes at discounted prices, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and actively propelling the local economy.

Phu Quoc triathlon event attracts nearly 2,000 athletes

Multi-sport festival BIM Group IRONMAN 70.3 Phu Quoc was kicked off in the island resort city of Phu Quoc in the southern province of Kien Giang on November 17, drawing nearly 2,000 athletes from 47 countries and territories.

Jointly held by Kien Giang’s Department of Culture and Sports, Sunrise Events Vietnam, and BIM Group, the triathlon race includes a 1.9 km swim in the sea, a 90 km bike ride on a flat track, and a 21.1 run.

Taking place for the second time in Vietnam, the event proves the development of the triathlon race in Vietnam and the potential of Phu Quoc as a leading sports destination in the region.

Mark Allen - an American triathlete and six-time Ironman triathlon world champion also attends the event.

According to the event’s organising committee, winners of the BIM Group IRONMAN 70.3 Phu Quoc triathlon event 2023 will have a chance to take part in the VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in 2024.

Peruvian Communist Party's delegation visits HCM City

Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Ho Hai hosted a reception on November 17 for visiting Secretary of the Peruvian Communist Party (PCP) Central Committee in charge of foreign affairs Hidebrando Cuhuanca Segovia.

Hai expressed his wish that cooperation between the two communist parties and countries, and between localities of Peru and Ho Chi Minh City will be enhanced.

He said despite geographical distance, Vietnam and Peru still hold huge potential to develop cooperation in tourism and culture preservation for mutual development.

The Party Organisation, administration and people of Ho Chi Minh City expect to work with the PCP and Peruvian people to maintain the strong bond and solidarity between the two parties and the people of the two nations, especially in educating the young generations about the sentiment and traditional solidarity between the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the PCP.

Segovia, for his part, said the PCP always admires Vietnam for its past struggle for national liberation and reunification and its current cause of national construction and development.

The PCP always persists with preserving the traditional friendship with the CPV, the Vietnamese people, as well as the Party Organisation, administration and people of Ho Chi Minh City to contribute to the enhancement of cooperative ties between Peru and Vietnam, he said.

The official also expected to welcome leaders of Ho Chi Minh City to visit Peru next year when the two countries will celebrate the 30th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties.

8th “Young Francophone Reporters” contest winners announced

Winners of the 8th “Young Francophone Reporters” competition were announced at an award ceremony in Hanoi on November 17.

The annual contest was launched by Le Courrier du Vietnam (CVN), a French language newspaper of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), under the auspices of the Asia-Pacific Regional Office (RBAP) of the International Organisation of the Francophonie (OIF); the Francophone University Agency (AUF); the embassies of France, Morocco, Romania, Switzerland and Canada; the Wallonie-Bruxelles Delegation to Vietnam; France Institute in Vietnam, and University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH).

After a month since its launch, this year’s competition received 118 works from 174 contestants. The 20 best entries were published at lecourrier.vn for readers to vote.

There were one first, one second, one third, and two consolation prizes and other awards based on readers’ votes, the contestants’ impressions, and talent, among others.

The first prize was given to Nguyen Duc Minh Hoang, a contestant from the central province of Thua Thien-Hue for his work about a female incense maker who founded a fund to support poor disadvantaged patients.

Speaking at the event, VNA Deputy General Director Doan Thi Tuyet Nhung said that the contest helps inspire and spread the love for the French language among young people.

It is also one of the effective external information services that affirm the role of the CVN in particular and the VNA in general, Nhung said.

Edgar Doerig, Regional Representative of the OIF for Asia-Pacific (REPAP), said that the theme of this year's contest: "Francophone and sharing culture" is closely related to the theme of the International Day of La Francophonie celebrations in 2023 - “321 million French speakers, billions of cultural content”, which highlights the cultural diversity within the Francophone community, with 88 member countries on all the five continents.

He said Vietnam, with its rich culture, rich cuisine, thousand-year-old language and traditions, makes an important contribution to the outstanding diversity of the Francophone space, which has been shown in the contest’s entries.

Dialogue on achievements, prospects of Vietnam-Singapore ties held

The Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA), in collaboration with the Embassy of Singapore in Vietnam and Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, held a dialogue on achievements and prospects of 50-year Vietnam-Singapore relations in Hanoi on November 17.

In his opening speech, HCMA President Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang said the event holds significance as it takes place at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.

He said since the establishment of bilateral strategic partnership, Vietnam and Singapore have seen their ties deepen across all five pillars, including mutual political trust, economic cooperation, national defence-security collaboration, coordination in other areas and cooperation at international and multilateral forums.

Singaporean Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean expressed his belief that with the solid foundation built and nurtured over the past half a century, along with the high determination of leaders, people, and business communities of both countries, the Vietnam-Singapore ties will develop strongly and effectively across the Party, National Assembly, Government, and people-to-people exchange channels.

Delegates discussed the achievements of the Vietnam-Singapore relationship over the past five decades and the prospects in the future. They also talked about the leadership training programme in Singapore.

Earlier, Thang hosted a reception for Minister Teo Chee Hean. They witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between the HCMA and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, which will lay a foundation for the leadership training programme during 2023-2025.

Party delegation pays working visits to India, Sri Lanka

A delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), led by member of the CPV Central Committee and Secretary of the Party Committee of Vinh Long province Bui Van Nghiem, paid working visits to India and Sri Lanka from November 11-18.

During their stay in India, the delegation offered flowers at the President Ho Chi Minh Monument, met with General Secretary of the Communist Party of India Doraisamy Raja, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Sitaram Yechury, All India Congress Committee General Secretary K.C Venugopal, and Minister of State for External Affairs Rajkumar Ranjan Singh.

The two sides discussed cooperation between the two Parties and two countries and discussed practical and specific measures to further promote multifaceted cooperation between localities of the two countries in the fields of investment, agriculture, and tourism.

During the visit, Nghiem also met with the Chairman of Mumbai city, the General Secretary of the Indian Society for Cultural Cooperation and Friendship (ISCUF), attended a Vietnam-India business matching event, and visited the Vietnamese Embassy in India.

While in Sri Lanka, the Party delegation offered flowers at the Monument of President Ho Chi Minh, paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, and had meetings with State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya, former President and Chairman of the Freedom Party Maithripala Sirisena.

They also met and worked with the leaders of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka and several other political parties in the country.

Through meetings and working sessions, the Sri Lankan side expressed its appreciation for the visit and the positive development of the traditional friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Sri Lanka in all fields.

They hoped the two countries will continue to cooperate closely, promoting the potential and advantages of each side, and agreed to strengthen effective cooperation between localities of the two countries.

For his part, the Vietnamese official affirmed that Vietnam always values the position of India and Sri Lanka in Vietnam's foreign policy.

The relations between Vietnam and the two countries are expected to grow stronger on all channels of the Party, Government, National Assembly, and people-to-people exchange, he said.

Prime Minister commits incentives to excellent teachers

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with outstanding teachers in Hanoi on November 17 on the occasion of the Vietnamese Teachers’ Day (November 20).

Speaking at the event, PM Chinh hailed education sector for its outstanding achievements, saying that the national education system has been gradually perfected, approaching international standards. The quality of education at all levels continues to be strengthened and maintained. Education has met the basic public needs. Progress has been made in equity in education access, especially for ethnic minorities, rural workers, policy beneficiaries, and those in difficult circumstances.

He said Vietnam's tertiary establishments and high schools have continued achieving high scores in international reputable rankings. The Vietnamese students have garnered many high achievements in Olympiads. According to the 2021 Education Rankings by Country, Vietnam was placed 59th globally, up five places compared to the previous year.

Vocational training is increasingly developing in terms of scale, quantity and quality. Many students attained high achievements in global and regional vocational skill competitions. The Vietnamese labourers are gradually taking on many positions that were previously held by foreign experts, he added.

The PM attributed such achievements to the dedication and contribution of the teaching staff - who always uphold a sense of responsibility and passion for their profession, saying that they tirelessly engage in self-improvement, do their best to impart knowledge, nurture skills, promote critical thinking, and instill ethical values for the future generations of the country.

In line with the resolutions adopted by the 13th National Party Congress and the Party Central Committee, he highlighted the need to continue with drastic, concerted and effective tasks to achieve fundamental, comprehensive education and training reform. This is aimed at enhancing the quality of education at all levels, with a focus on fostering ethics and creativity of students.

He asked the Ministry of Education and Training, other ministries, agencies and localities to effectively pool and use resources to improve physical facilities, especially school kitchens, while preventing violence at school and developing school culture.

The leader underscored the need to enhance the quality of the teaching staff and education officials. This involves a concentrated effort to review and fine-tune mechanisms and policies for recruitment, use and remuneration. The State must ensure teachers receive salaries commensurate with their efforts, particularly for preschool teachers, those working in remote and disadvantaged areas, and in hazardous environment.

It is imperative to promptly address the shortage of teachers in the motto “where there are students, there are teachers”, but in a sound and effective manner, he said.

On the occasion, the PM called on entities and people at home and abroad to join hands with the education sector in the noble mission of nurturing the next generation, toward promoting lifelong learning in the society.

He assigned the Government Office, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, and relevant agencies to collect suggestions at the meeting to deal with difficulties and offer all possible support to teaching and learning. All efforts are directed towards the mission of training the workforce for the country.

Vietnam pledges to accompany UNESCO for sustainable cultural development

Vietnam considers culture a driving force of socio-economic development, placing culture on par with economy and politics, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung said on November 16 when meeting with UNESCO General Director Audrey Azoulay in Paris.

Speaking at the meeting, the Vietnamese minister said that in its action programmes, Vietnam always designs a progressive cultural policy framework that meets citizens' rights to enjoy and participate in cultural life.

He informed the UNESCO leader that the Government of Vietnam assigned the ministry to soon complete and submit to the National Assembly for promulgation the National Target Programme on Vietnamese cultural development in the next 10 years with focuses on revitalising and developing culture as well as hunger eradication and poverty reduction programmes to realise millennium goals.

Hung called on UNESCO and its General Director to support Vietnam in developing a draft law on cultural heritage – a move to complete the legal framework for cultural heritage in the country.

Based on the results of the UNESCO pilot project on cultural index serving the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for sustainable development at the national level and in Thua Thien-Hue province, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has developed the National Cultural Index, which helps comprehensively assess the contribution of culture to the sustainable development of the country. The ministry thanked UNESCO for supporting it in developing and implement the National Cultural Index.

Hung also affirmed that as an active and responsible member of UNESCO, Vietnam is a candidate for the position of member of the World Heritage Committee for the 2023-2027 term. It is also a member of the Intergovernmental Committee on the Conventions on the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage 2003 and 2005.

Vietnam wishes to spread the message calling on all countries in the world, especially UNESCO member states, to join hands to keep preserving and promoting the value of world heritage sites, he said.

The country is actively supporting Laos in preparing a dossier seeking UNESCO recognition of Hin Namno National Park as a World Natural Heritage Site, he said, calling on UNESCO to support the two countries’ effort.

Audrey Azoulay hoped that Vietnam will be the leading country in supporting culture to become a separate development goal in the UN Agenda after 2030.

Vietnam has 35 titles recognised by UNESCO, including eight world cultural and natural heritages, 15 intangible cultural heritages, three world documentary heritages, six documentary heritages in the Asia-Pacific region, and three creative cities.

Vietnam fosters relations with Belgian legislature, EP

Permanent Vice Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man held meetings and talks with leaders of the Parliament of Belgium and the European Parliament (EP) in Brussels on November 16.

At a meeting with President of the Belgian Senate Stephanie D'Hose and President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives Eliane Tillieux, Man thanked the Belgian Chamber of Representatives for adopting a resolution to call for support to Agent Orange/dioxin (AO) victims in Vietnam in October, and handed over the thank-you letter from NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to the Belgian leaders.

He affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to the development of cooperative ties with Belgium - an important member of the European Union (EU) - and wants to beef up comprehensive cooperation with Belgium in all fields.

Vietnam believed that the country and Belgium will make contributions to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC)'s common affairs towards enhancing its efficiency, transparency, objectiveness and balance in the spirit of dialogue, cooperation, equality and mutual respect, Man said.

The Vietnamese leader proposed Belgium complete the process of ratifying the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) soon, thus motivating bilateral investment ties and creating favourable conditions for Belgian investors to operate in Vietnam.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese NA will coordinate closely with the Belgian Parliament in implementing the Letter of Intent on parliamentary cooperation reached during President of the Belgian Senate Stephanie D'Hose’s recent visit to Vietnam and hoped that the two legislatures would soon sign an agreement on parliamentary cooperation.

For her part, D'Hose lauded Vietnam’s impressive growth and its role in international organisations, including the UN Human Rights Council.

Agreeing with D'Hose, Tillieux affirmed that the parliaments of Vietnam and Belgium have shared sound relations, and the friendship parliamentarians’ groups of the two countries have conducted active activities to promote their role in fostering the ties between the two legislatures and the two countries.

She said that the Belgian Government has paid great attention to developing economic partnership with Vietnam and wishes to further promote bilateral investment cooperation.

Belgium's Wallonia region has chosen Vietnam as the only Asian country to establish its delegation and carried out many activities to support Vietnam over the past 25 years.

At his talks with First Vice President of the Belgian Senate Andries Gryfloy, Man hailed the parliaments of Flanders and Wallonia regions’ approval of the EVIPA, and suggested Belgium conclude the ratification of the agreement soon to promote the bilateral investment partnership.

Man proposed Belgium call on the European Commission (EC) to remove its “yellow card” warning against Vietnamese seafood exports, taking into consideration the country's determination and efforts to fully implement the EC's recommendations on developing the sustainable fishery sector.

Man welcomed the two countries' cooperation in strengthening the strategic partnership in agriculture, expressing his hope that Belgium will support Vietnam to develop models of circular agricultural economy and smart agriculture and implement the National Strategy on Green Growth for the 2021-2030 period.

The two sides should consider establishing a trilateral cooperation mechanism between Vietnam, Belgium and an African partner with financial and logistical support from Belgium, to jointly respond to supply chain disruptions, contributing to ensuring global food security.

Noting that about 13,000 Vietnamese people are living, working and studying in Belgium, Man asked Belgium to continue creating favourable conditions for the community to settle down and successfully integrate into the host society.

For his part, Gryfloy suggested the Vietnamese side consider visa exemptions for Belgian investors and open direct flights from Brussels to Vietnam to facilitate the investment and export cooperation between the two nations.

At a working session with Vice President of the European Parliament Heidi Hautala, Man expressed his delight at the positive growth of Vietnam-EU relations as well as the cooperation between the Vietnamese NA and the EP.

He called for the EP’s support for the increased cooperation between Vietnam and the EU in the fields of green transformation, digital transformation, and response to climate change as well as the EC's removal of its "yellow card" warning against seafood imports from Vietnam.

Man also asked the EP to encourage the EU and its member countries to continue to have a strong voice and support for the stance of Vietnam and ASEAN on the peaceful settlement of disputes in the East Sea on the basis of respect for international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Man took this occasion to invite the EP Vice President to visit Vietnam soon.

Hautala said that the EU will soon pass a bill on corporate social responsibility assessment to promote responsible businesses. Hautala, who is in charge of issues related to the Voluntary Partnership Agreement on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (VPA/FLEGT) and forestry cooperation with Vietnam, showed attention to the implementation of the agreement and Vietnam's deforestation prevention efforts.

She hailed Vietnam’s drastic policies to fight deforestation and its commitments at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26).

On the IUU issue, the EP leader applauded Vietnam's efforts and hoped that the EC will soon remove its yellow card against the country's seafood. Regarding the EVIPA, she said that 17 out of 27 EU member countries have ratified the deal.

Meeting André Flahaut, member of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives and the group of parliamentarians sponsoring the resolution supporting Vietnamese AO victims, Man thanked them as well as organisations and individuals of Belgium and international friends for supporting AO victims in Vietnam.

On the occasion, Flahaut handed over four wheelchairs to the Vietnamese NA delegation to present to AO victims in Vietnam.

Gia Lai City Trail makes debut with 3,800 runners

Athletes are eager to run at the inaugurated Gia Lai City Trail on November 19 in the Central Highlands of Gia Lai.

The organisers, the provincial People's Committee and VietRace365, announced that about 3,800 runners from 40 localities were ready to discover the special routes of the first large-scale running event in Gia Lai.

Athletes will experience road and trail running combined in all four categories of 42km, 21km, 10km and 5km.

While road running is familiar with many , the trail running is designed on outdoor trails in mountainous terrain and includes significant ascents and descents.

A particularly attractive feature of the 2023 Gia Lai City Trail is that it is organised in the most beautiful season of the year. The courses are beautiful, but challenging. Athletes will pass through historical landmarks and typical hills and mountains of the mountain town of Pleiku such as Bửu Minh ancient pagoda, Chư Đang Ya volcano, a road lined with hundred-year-old pine trees a road of wild sunflowers.

"Trail running is more difficult when runners have to go through many different terrains such as steep hills, streams, gravel and mud which requirestrong physique, ,endurance and good technique from particpants," said local runner Nguyễn Nhật Quang.

"On the contrary, it brings a sense of excitement when we enjoy beautiful scenery and explore a new and still wild land. This type of running has been and will continue to grow very strongly, promising to create a trend for running throughout the country."

Quang has trailed in different tournaments in Yên Bái, Lâm Đồng and Cao Bằng and found that each race was not only to improve his fitness but also to have chance of traveling around.

He hoped that runners and tourists would know more about his hometown through this running event.

Phạm Thị Minh Hiếu will test her trail running skill for the first time this weekend.

“I am very proud that Gia Lai hosts such a big race. I am happy to run through beautiful natural scenery. I believe that the athletes will also have a good impression with this tournament. I am training hard to try to achieve the best personal result," Hiếu said.

The trail also features elite runners who are training at the provincial sport centre such as Nguyễn Thành Đạt and Hà Quang Thắng who are national youth athletics team.

"This is a good opportunity for the professional athletes to sharpen their skills because the trail running also support them like daily practise," said Ngô Gia Hùng, deputy director of the provincial sport centre.

"In the upcoming event, they will have chance to run against former SEA Games winner and national reigning champion Hoàng Nguyên Thanh in the 42km class."

Ceremony to be held in remembrance of victims of traffic accidents

A national remembrance event for victims of traffic accidents will take place in Hoa Binh province on November 19 as part of activities to mark the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

The annual event aims to raise public awareness about traffic accidents, enhance understanding of traffic safety rules, and call for assistance to traffic accident victims and their families, according to the National Committee for Traffic Safety.

This marks the 12th year that such a ceremony has been held in Vietnam. In the light of hundreds of candles, participants will observe a one-minute silence in honour of those who have died of traffic accidents.

The event is scheduled to get underway at 8 p.m. on November 19 and will be live broadcast on Vietnam Television.

The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is held every year on the third Sunday of November, which falls on November 19 this year.

Statistics show traffic accidents kill 1.3 million people and injure 50 million every year worldwide, with these incidents being the leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 27.

In Vietnam, between January and October a total of 9,826 traffic accidents occurred nationwide, claiming 5,496 lives and injuring 6,973 others, up 2.65%, 12.54%, and 5.11%, respectively year on year.

October alone saw 1,491 traffic accidents occur, leaving 731 dead and 1,171 injured.

Dien Bien, Laos’ Luang Phrabang foster border management collaboration

A delegation from the Vietnam border guard force of the northern province of Dien Bien led by Colonel Phan Van Hoa, Commander of the provincial Border Guard High Command, held talks with a visiting Lao delegation from Luang Phrabang province led by Major General Tuxong Patchay, Director of the provincial Public Security Department on November 16.

On the foundation of their signed memorandum of understanding, the two sides agreed to continue to foster their coordination and implement regulations stated in the legal documents regarding land border and border gates that were signed by Vietnam and Laos.

They will work closely together in ensuing security, social order and safety in border areas, while managing and controlling the crossing of people, vehicles and goods through border gates, while creating favourable conditions for the travelling activities of people and goods between the two countries. They will coordinate in detecting and arresting criminals in the border, they pledged.

The two sides agreed to focus on coordination in raising awareness among people in border areas about hostile forces' plots and operation methods of taking advantage of ethnic and religious issues so that they can enhance vigilance and avoid being enticed or involved in criminal activities.

They concurred to strengthen exchange and twinning activities among local units, and advise local authorities to establish twinning relations among villages and communes along the shared border.

The two sides noted that the political security, social order and safety in the northwestern mountainous region of Vietnam and the northern region of Laos in general, and Dien Bien and Luang Phrabang provinces in particular have been ensured. However, there are still many risks in the region due to complicated activities of many kinds of crimes, especially the illegal transporting and trafficking of drug, weapons and explosives, as well as illegal migration and entry-exit activities, affecting security and order in the border areas.

Since the beginning of this year, the two sides have handed over to each other 25 citizens committing violations of border and residence regulations, while regularly exchanging information.

They have processed entry-exit procedures for 7,00 people and 646 vehicles.

They have supported each other in ensuring security for major events in each country, while joining hands in supporting needy Lao students and providing health care for Lao people.

President meets with Brunei’s Sultan in San Francisco

President Vo Van Thuong met with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei in San Francisco on November 16 (local time) on the sidelines of the ongoing APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in the US city.

The two sides shared delight at the growth of the relations between Vietnam and Brunei since the establishment of diplomatic relations 30 years ago and a comprehensive partnership in 2019.

President Thuong held that there is plenty of room for the two countries to further deepen their partnership. He proposed that the two sides work closely together to implement the Action Programme to realise the bilateral comprehensive partnership in the 2023-2027 period with four prioritised areas – oil and gas, chemicals, Halal product manufacturing and tourism and people-to-people exchange.

The Vietnamese leader took the occasion to invite Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time.

For his part, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah recalled his good memories during his visit to Vietnam in 2019 and underlined that Brunei attaches great importance on all-round cooperation with Vietnam.

He agreed with the Vietnamese leader’s proposals to further enhance the bilateral ties in the time to come.

Both sides affirmed that they will continue to coordinate closely at regional and international forums such as the UN and APEC, while maintaining solidarity and promoting the centrality of ASEAN, contributing to building the ASEAN Community of strong development, solidarity and self-reliance.

The two leaders also discussed a number of international and regional issues, including the East Sea matter.