Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has signed Decision No.1862/QD-TTg on the organising of Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day annually on a national scale on April 21.

Under the decision, the event aims to affirm the role and importance of books in improving knowledge, skills and thinking as well as educating the human personality.

The day is expected to encourage and develop the reading movement among the community, contributing to building a learning society.

In addition, the Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day aims to honour readers, authors, publishers, printers and libraries that make an effort to preserve, collect and promote books as well as organisations and individuals who significantly contribute to the development of a reading culture in the community,

The Ministry of Information and Communications is responsible for hosting and coordinating the event with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in order to guide the relevant agencies and centrally-run provinces and cities annually in an effective and economical manner.

The Vietnam Publishing Association and Vietnam Library Association will direct their member organisations to organise activities in response to the Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day.

Vietnam Television, The Voice of Vietnam, Vietnam News Agency and central and local press agenices are responsible for propagandising the annual event and the general development of a reading culture.

Deputy PM: Planning key for Mekong Delta’s fast and sustainable development

The highest priority is to develop a modern and comprehensive infrastructure system in the Mekong Delta region, said Deputy Prime Minister Lê Văn Thành in a meeting with the Mekong Delta Coordinating Council for the 2021-2025 period on Wednesday. 

The discussion is part of the process to complete the Mekong Delta Planning for the 2021-2030 period with a vision to 2050 - one of the six regional plans of the country. 

One of the biggest obstacles to the region is transport infrastructure, reported the Secretary of Long An Provincial Party Committee Nguyễn Văn Được, and thus investment for inter-provincial transport must be made a priority. 

Sharing the same opinion, Tiền Giang Provincial People’s Committee Secretary Nguyễn Văn Vĩnh agreed that industrial and services clusters must be linked and central hubs must be developed. 

Localities in the Mekong Delta have created multiple initiatives to form connections, however, these initial plans remain small and scattered, said Secretary of Cần Thơ City's Party Committee Lê Quang Mạnh. 

The regional plan thus will develop a framework and a joint coordination centre. A master plan integrating both the industries and 13 Mekong Delta provinces and cities will end the situation where each locality works individually.  

As part of a region heavily affected by climate change and saline intrusion, local leaders proposed to invest in the construction of freshwater reservoirs. The funding should not only come from the State budget but also social sources. 

Localities also proposed to mobilise loans for the Mekong Delta’s development, with 90 per cent ODA (official development assistance) capital coming from the Government. 

Addressing concerns from the local leaders, Minister of Transport Nguyễn Văn Thể said special priority has been given to several transport projects, including highways and national routes, alongside maritime and aviation. “If done well, by 2025 we will have 300km of highways in the region, which shows the Government’s commitment on this matter,” said the minister.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is also developing plans with each province to build major, quality agricultural production areas for domestic consumption and export, alongside other freshwater reservoir projects.

“Transport infrastructure plays an incredibly important role in the region’s development,” Deputy PM Lê Văn Thành concluded the meeting. “If we want to develop the Mekong Delta, the number one priority for localities is the development of transport infrastructure. This will help enhance connections and utilise the strengths of the regions.”

The development space in the region needs to be connected to industrial centres. The focus should be placed on developing marine space and marine economic development, with the infrastructure system of coastal routes, seaports, and the logistics system, as seven out of 13 localities in the region are coastal provinces.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) needs to coordinate closely with ministries, departments, and research experts, said the Deputy PM, while the investment process must be prepared and implemented as fast as possible. 

Affirming that water resources are the core characteristic of the Mekong Delta region, Deputy PM Lê Văn Thành required comprehensive management of these resources based on the evaluation of their impact and capacity, while ensuring sustainable development.

The MPI will speed up the process to complete the reports and documents to submit to the Council in November, with approval expected to be granted in December.

Saigon Industry Corp’s ex-leader Chu Tien Dung arrested

Ministry of Public Security investigators have arrested Chu Tien Dung, former general director of the state-owned Saigon Industry Corporation (CNS), on alleged charges of mismanaging state assets and thus causing losses.

The police searched Dung’s office at the headquarters of the Saigon Industry Corporation on Nguyen Tat Thanh Street in District 4, HCMC, on November 3.

Investigators filed charges against Do Van Nga, chief accountant and chief of the finance – accounting department of CNS, for the same violations.

Earlier, the ministry’s Security Investigation Agency had begun legal proceedings against the case at the corporation in line with Article 219 of the 2015 Penal Code.

According to the initial results of an investigation, the case at the Saigon Industry Corporation evolves around divestment of state assets under the management of the company.

In early 2017, Saigon Industry Corporation sold its entire 51% stake in the Saigon Electronics and Industrial Services Joint Stock Company (Sagel), collecting a total of nearly VND21 billion. However, Sagel was using a number of land plots at prime locations in HCMC at the time, including one at 119 Pho Quang Street, Phu Nhuan District, which was valued at over VND3 trillion.

Similarly, CNS divested from the TIE Joint Stock Company, which was using some land lots at prime sites in the city.

The corporation’s divestments from Sagel and TIE caused losses of an an estimated VND1.7 trillion for the State.

In early 2019, the People’s Committee of HCMC decided to suspend the transaction and transfer of some land lots that were initially Saigon Industry Corporation’s assets.

Inspectors of HCMC then launched an investigation into the divestment of CNS at Sagel and TIE as well as the transfer of state land through capital injection.

Inspectors have provided the Security Investigation Agency of the Ministry of Public Security with documents over the investigation results of the case for a further probe.

International project supports victims of human trafficking and modern slavery

So far, 355 potential human trafficking victims from Việt Nam have been provided with health, education, legal, psychological, and livelihood support, thanks to an international project tackling modern slavery. 

Based on targeted support methods built on an understanding of trauma and individual and community strengths, the project has achieved encouraging results. These include increasing capacity to more than 541 support staff at all levels; promoting policy advocacy in supporting human trafficking victims; and strengthening connections between domestic and international organisations with units that provide support services for Vietnamese migrants and those trafficked overseas.

The information was revealed at a workshop held by the World Vision Việt Nam in collaboration with the Departments of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs of Hải Phòng, Quảng Ninh, Nghệ An, Hà Tĩnh, and Quảng Bình on October 30-31. 

At the event, the participants looked back at the implementation of the project at central and local levels, including challenges, achievements, and lessons learned from multiple perspectives.

Mark Holton, Second Secretary Migration and Immigration Liaison Manager, British Embassy in Việt Nam, said “The project has brought together a wide range of agencies and sectors from central to local, joining hands in awareness-raising, community engagement, sustainable direct assistance, and capacity building for government and civil society partners at the national, provincial and commune level”.

"The open, logical and creative coordination among different actors is the reason for the project's successful implementation," said Bùi Văn Hưng, Deputy Director of Nghệ An Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

"Although the project implementation was affected by natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, it has actively contributed to the target groups' psychological well-being and change of mindset," said Lê Hồng Tình, Deputy Head of the Division of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs of Nghi Xuân District, Hà Tĩnh Province.

“The confidence, understanding and broadening vision brought by the project is the key to removing confusion and ambiguity, thereby inspiring and motivating potential victims and victims of human trafficking to stay and build a life in their homeland,” added Pham Thi Nhung, Specialist of the Division of Children and Prevention of Social Evils in Hà Tĩnh Province.

In addition, within the framework of the third area of impact, World Vision Việt Nam also joined hands with World Vision UK and ECPAT (UK) to research and develop a database for Vietnamese migrants and/or residents in the UK. It includes valuable information about the rights of migrants in the UK and reputable agencies that can assist them when needed, including the National Hotline 111’s Zalo account.

Nguyễn Thu Hà, the project manager, said: “24 months are not lengthy, but in that time the project and partners have helped members of the target groups promote their strengths and walk confidently in their journey. This reduces the vulnerability and the risk of human trafficking and free migration.”

Being implemented from 2018 to 2021, the project, funded by the UK Home Office, is an interagency partnership initiative working with the Vietnamese Government and local actors to reduce individual and community vulnerabilities to modern slavery, including human trafficking.

Together with consortium partners, Vietnamese Government partners, and local community actors, the project aims to change behaviours and promote alternative livelihood opportunities, while strengthening access to the local justice system and victim services to maximise the impact of collective action in reducing vulnerabilities to modern slavery. 

HCM City sets up COVID-19 treatment facilities at IPs, EPZs

Three healthcare facilities for treatment of people with mild COVID-19 infections are being set up at industrial parks in HCM City, according to the HCM City Export Processing Zone and Industrial Park Authority (HEPZA).

A 100-bed healthcare facility at the Saigon Hi-Tech Park in Thủ Đức City is expected to be put into operation this weekend.

A 250-bed healthcare facility at Linh Trung 2 Export Processing Zone in Thủ Đức City has completed its infrastructure and equipment and will be put into use soon.

The Đông Nam Industrial Park in Củ Chi District plans to set up a healthcare facility with 250-300 beds to quarantine and treat mild cases of COVID-19.

HEPZA will discuss with the city’s People’s Committee the opening of more healthcare facilities for treatment of people with mild COVID-19 infections in industrial parks and export processing zones in an attempt to maintain operation and prevent disruption of supply chains.

About 96 per cent of factories in the city resumed operation after the city lifted lockdown measures, according to HEPZA.

An average of 50 cases of COVID-19 at factories in the IPs and EPZs are being reported daily. Most of the infected workers are fully vaccinated.

The HCM City Department of Health on Tuesday said it issued new guidelines for COVID-19 prevention and control at production facilities, and industrial zones and export processing zones.

The guidelines outline steps needed to be taken to tackle detected COVID cases, which will allow enterprises to avoid disruption of manufacturing and operation. 

Kien Giang proposes to exempt visa requirements for international tourists

Authorities in the southern province of Kien Giang have proposed to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to exempt visa requirements for international travellers who will stay on Phu Quoc Island for 30 days.

Sharing about their plan to welcome back foreign travellers to the island from this month, director of the Kien Giang Provincial Tourism Department, Bui Quoc Thai said that they were still waiting for detailed instructions from the ministry.

"We have suggested 34 facilities including hotels, beauty spots, shopping and entertainment centres to serve international tourists in the first phase," Thai said.

Kien Giang has also announced a plan to start receiving domestic tourists to four destinations including Phu Quoc, Ha Tien, and Rach Gia cities and Kien Hai District from November 1. However, the resurgence of Covid-19 infection cases in Kien Giang and some surrounding localities has badly affected their plan.

The Vietnamese government has just approved the proposal from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to allow five localities including Kien Giang, Khanh Hoa, Quang Nam, Da Nang, and Quang Ninh to welcome back foreign tourists from November 1 after a long suspension due to Covid-19.
Under the ministry's pilot plan which was approved by Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh on November 2, foreign travellers coming to these five places are required to be fully vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with the last dose to be given at least 14 days and not more than 12 months from the time of entry.

The vaccination certificate must be issued by a competent authority in the country where the vaccine is administered. The vaccine must be approved for use by either the World Health Organisation, the US Centres for Disease Control, or the European Medicines Agency of the Ministry of Health.

They also need to test negative for Covid-19, using the RT-PCR method or rapid tests within 72 hours before their arrival.

In addition, they must have medical or travel insurance and participate in package tours offered by the travel agency.

The pilot plan will be divided into three phases with the first starting from November and allowing foreign tourists to book package tours which will take them to some registered places.

Saigon Zoo set to reopen today

The Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden in downtown HCMC is set to reopen from November 5, nearly half a year after it was closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Pham Van Tan, director of the Saigon Zoo Company, said the zoo has met the necessary conditions to resume operations and is adopting the relevant safety measures.

Those who received a dose of a Covid-19 vaccine more than 14 days ago can take their children to the zoo.

The entrance tickets cost VND60,000 per adult and VND40,000 per child, the local media reported.

The zoo was closed from May because of the Covid-19 pandemic. At the end of September, the Saigon Zoo Company sought help because it had no income to run the zoo.

The Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden has some 1,300 animals of 125 species and some 2,500 green trees with over 900 preserved species.

Vietnam, France beef up security, anti-crime cooperation

Minister of Public Security General To Lam held talks with French Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin on November 4 in the framework of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to France.

Minister Darmanin affirmed the importance of General To Lam’s visit, which he said contributes to promoting bilateral collaboration in security and order, especially in fighting transnational crimes such as economic crimes, illegal migration and high-tech crimes.

The minister affirmed France’s commitment to continue making active contribution to the maintenance of peace, stability, security and safety of maritime and aviation in the East Sea, while strengthening collaboration with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in all fields, including enhancing law enforcement capacity at sea of all countries in the East Sea region.

France is willing to intensify cooperation with Vietnam in security and police affairs, particularly training and providing equipment for Vietnam’s firefighters and emergency rescuers.

Minister Lam said Vietnam always considers France one of the top partners in its external policy for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world. Vietnam appreciates France’s role in the EU and its strategy on France and Security in the Indo-Pacific, he said.

Lam noted that the cooperative ties between the two ministries are growing more effective in many aspects, such as sharing professional information and criminal data, training, and fighting transnational crime, especially human trafficking and high tech crime.

The two sides agreed to bolster their partnership via increasing mutual visits, sharing information, and work together to fight illegal migration.

At the end of their talks, the two ministers signed a letter of intent on the French ministry’s help to improve the capacity of firefighting and search and rescue for Vietnam./.

All Vietnamese crew members seized in Iran well treated: deputy spokesperson

All of the 26 crew members of a Vietnamese ship that was seized by Iran in the Gulf of Oman are treated well, according to deputy spokesperson of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang.

Speaking at a regular press conference of the foreign ministry, held virtually on November 4, Hang cited the captain of the MV Southys as saying on October 27 that the crew members are in normal health.

After learning about the incident, the ministry contacted the Iranian Embassy in Hanoi, she said, adding that the Vietnamese Embassy in Iran also held working sessions with Iran’s competent agencies to verify the information, address the issue quickly and ensure safety of and humane treatment towards the Vietnamese citizens.

The foreign ministry has also contacted the Ministry of Transport to seek relatives of the crew members, and ask the employee and the vessel’s owner to ensure the rights and interests of the Vietnamese employees.

Hang affirmed that the foreign ministry and the Vietnamese Embassy in Iran will keep a close watch on the situation and hold regular working sessions with competent agencies of Iran to quickly address the incident in line with legal regulations, while taking necessary measures to safeguard the rights and interests of the Vietnamese nationals./.

Forum helps boost cooperation for Mekong Delta’s sustainable development

 

The annual Forum on Cooperation and Sustainable Development in the Mekong Delta (Mekong Delta Forum) was held in both in-person and online forms on November 4, under the theme “Promoting local initiatives - Strengthening multilateral cooperation”.

The forum was jointly held by the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA), the European Union Delegation to Vietnam and the Green Innovation Development Centre (GreenID) in Hanoi, and connected to Ho Chi Minh City and 13 Mekong Delta localities.

Speakers at the forum are leading domestic and foreign scientists and experts working in the fields related to sustainable development of the region.

The forum included three sessions, with the first focusing on planning orientations, the second introducing selected energy initiatives and proposals on climate change adaptation, and the final being a roundtable seeking measures to intensify multilateral cooperation and calling for initiative for the 2022 forum.

Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti, head of the European Union Delegation to Vietnam, said that the Mekong Delta region is facing enormous challenges such as land subsidence, coastal erosion, sea level rise, saline intrusion, loss of mangroves, and problems related to water, riverbed sand and groundwater quality management. The region’s economy and people's livelihoods have also been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. This requires a strong collective action by all stakeholders for more sustainable recovery, he added.

Professor, Dr. Marco Abbiati, Scientific Attaché, Counsellor of the Italian Embassy in Vietnam, said that policies, including those on regional planning and economic promotion models, need to be suitable and close to the reality.

The proposed solutions must be comprehensive and friendly to the nature, with long-term sustainability and long-term resources of localities taken into account, he stated./.

JAXA: Made-in-Vietnam satellite to be launched on November 7

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced that Vietnam's NanoDragon satellite will be put on the launch pad for the third time on November 7.

According to an official announcement of the JAXA on November 4, its Epsilon-5 rocket, which will carry Vietnam’s NanoDragon satellite and eight other made-in-Japan satellites, will be launched into the outer space from the Uchinoura Space Centre in Kagoshima prefecture at between 9:48-9:59 am (local time).

Previously, the JAXA had to stop launching Epsilon-5 twice. On October 1, about a minute before launching the rocket, JAXA stopped the process to check the machinery system. In another attempt to launch the rocket on October 7, the agency had to cancel its plan because of unfavorable weather.

The NanoDragon, a nano-layer cubesat satellite which weighs 3.8 kilograms, was developed by the Vietnam National Space Centre (VNSC) under the under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. The development of NanoDragon satellite is part of VNSC's "made in Vietnam" small satellite development roadmap.

Earlier, it was delivered to Japan on August 11 and tested at the Uchinoura Space Centre from August 16-17 before being officially transferred to the JAXA for launching under the second "Innovative satellite technology demonstration" programme./.

Bắc Giang makes efforts to contain new outbreak

The authorities in the northern Bắc Giang Province have made strong efforts to contain the new clusters reported in late October.

According to the provincial steering committee of COVID-19 prevention and control, since October 26, Bắc Giang reported 114 positive cases. On Wednesday alone, there were 32 new infections.

Sixteen cases were linked to the cluster in Yên Thế District. Others were connected to local industrial zones, Ninh Hiệp Market in Hà Nội and factory workers returning from Quế Võ, Bắc Ninh.

Bắc Giang Province is being classified as being at low risk but there are two districts at the medium risk. Bố Hạ Town, Yên Thế District and Thượng Lan, Quang Châu and Vân Trung communes in Việt Yên Disstrict are classified as being at a high risk.

Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Lê Ánh Dương asked local production and manufacturing facilities to create QR codes and asked people entering those facilities to check-in.

Dương Văn Thái, secretary of the provincial Party Committee, head of the provincial steering committee of COVID-19 prevention and control, urged for the mobilising of all available sources with the utmost aim to protect public health and minimise the fatality rate and the number of serious cases.

The 5k protocols, vaccines, technology, and public awareness are the key to effective pandemic containment, he said while urging testing for workers and residential communities must be carried out regularly.

He highlighted Bắc Giang’s efforts to contain the outbreak in seven to 10 days. 

Conference discusses extended producer responsibility serving circular economy

A virtual conference took place in Hanoi on November 4, spotlighting the theme of promoting the implementation of extended producer responsibility (EPR) to support circular economy development in Vietnam.

The event was co-organised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Centre for Supporting Green Development (GreenHub), the Vietnam Zero Waste Alliance (VZWA) and an advisory group on environmental law and policy e-policy (e-Policy).

The seminar aimed to discuss and clarify some issues with different views related to the EPR mechanism in a draft decree guiding the implementation of a number of articles of the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection, which has been submitted to the Government for approval by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Participants touched upon a series of topics, including a mandatory recycling rate; the EPR office and council; the management and use of the environmental protection fund; and the role of non-state environmental and social organisations in the EPR mechanism.

Nguyen Thi, secretary of the EPR working group under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said the current waste collection and recycling are mainly done by urban environmental companies of provinces, some recycling firms and a number of facilities from the private sector.

Therefore, stakeholders involved should promote the construction of infrastructure for such collection and recycling according to the planning to meet requirements for the operation of the EPR system, he added.

He also highlighted the need to create conditions for the development of modern and concentrated recycling facilities.

The ministry plans to delay the process of recycling some products and packaging to January 1, 2024 at the earliest, and some others to January 1, 2025, saying the roadmap for conducting recycling responsibility as stated in the a draft decree is suitable. /.

Italian media highlights Vietnam’s important role in ASEAN

 

Italy’s Marx21 website on November 2 ran an article by Giulio Chinappi, saying Vietnam plays a central role at the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits.
 
In his article, Chinappi cited a speech by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the event, in which the Vietnamese Government leader proposed two key tasks for ASEAN in the time ahead.

Firstly, ASEAN needs a holistic, synchronous and flexible approach to COVID-19 control with the involvement of the entire community, with people and businesses being the centre and subject, and with the goal of addressing difficulties caused by the pandemic.

Secondly, the Vietnamese Government leader stressed the necessity for ASEAN to position itself in the world’s reshaping socio-economic relationship, and consolidate its role as the nucleus of dialogue, cooperation and multilateral and multi-layered economic integration processes in the region.

The article said PM Chinh affirmed that all ASEAN members wish to build a regional environment of peace, security, stability and cooperation to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, and serve economic restoration and development.

The 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits were held from October 26-28./.

COVID-19: New cases on November 4 top 6,580

Vietnam recorded 6,580 cases of COVID-19 in 49 localities during 24 hours from 4pm November 3 to 4pm November 4, including 4 imported cases, according to the Ministry of Health.

Ho Chi Minh City recorded the highest number of infections with 981, followed by neighbouring province of Binh Duong with 948 and Dong Nai with 939.

The national tally now stands at 946,043.

According to the Ministry of Health’s report, 3,093 patients nationwide are in serious conditions, with 297 requiring invasive ventilation and 20 on life support (ECMO).

On the day, the country saw 59 deaths from the disease. The death toll now hits 22,342.

A further 1,731 patients were given the all-clear, taking the total number of recoveries to 835,406.

By November 3, the country had injected over 84.88 million doses of vaccines to date, with more than 26.07 million people now fully inoculated./.

Direct flights to promote multifaceted Vietnam – US cooperation: deputy spokesperson

Deputy Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Pham Thu Hang said the operation of direct flights from Vietnam to the US bears great significance to promoting the multifaceted cooperation between the two nations, especially in economy, trade, tourism, education, and people-to-people exchange.

She made the comment at the ministry’s regular press conference held virtually on November 4 with regard to reports that the Vietnam Airlines is to conduct the first regular commercial flight to the US, slated for late November, after 20 years of preparation.

"This preparation has been made during a long time and with close cooperation between Vietnamese and US authorities,” she said.

The diplomat informed that recently, the Vietnam Airlines has received approval from US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for its aviation transport safety plan, paving the way for the airline to be licensed to carry out regular flights between the two countries.

According to her, Vietnamese competent agencies are coordinating to complete final procedures for the carrier to realise its flight plan. They will continue assisting other airlines that wish to and are capable of operating direct flights to the US./.

Party Central Committee’s Inspection Commission holds 8th session

The Party Central Committee’s Inspection Commission held its eighth session from November 2-4, during which the commission examined outcomes of inspections of violations by the Party delegation at the Health Ministry in 2016-2021 tenure.

In a communique released on November 4, the commission said the Party delegation at the Health Ministry had violated the Party’s operational principles and working regulations of Party delegations, showed a lack of responsibility and relaxed its leadership, resulting in the Health Ministry, the Drug Administration, many medical establishments and individuals violating the Party’s rules and State laws.

Those violations have caused serious consequences along with losses and waste of the State’s money and assets, and damage to the health insurance fund, thus affecting the prestige of Party organisations and the health sector, the commission said.

The commission decided to issue a warning to the standing board of the Party Committee of the Health Ministry in 2015-2020 term, and a reprimand to Nguyen Truong Son, member of the Party delegation at the Health Ministry and Deputy Health Minister.

The commission proposed that the Politburo and the Secretariat consider disciplinary measures against the Party delegation at the Health Ministry in 2016-2021 tenure and the following officials: former Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien who is former secretary of the Party delegation and Party Committee of the Health Ministry, and Deputy Health Minister Truong Quoc Cuong, member of the Party delegation at the Health Ministry.

The commission also asked the Secretariat to consider disciplinary measures against the Party delegation at the People’s Committee of Ha Nam Province in 2016-2021 term, and Nguyen Xuan Dong who is former Vice Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, former Secretary of the Party delegation and former Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee of Ha Nam./.

Vietnam, China share experience in law making

The National Assembly’s Committee for Legal Affairs and the Constitution and Law Committee of the Chinese National People’s Congress (NPC) exchanged experience in law building during their online talks on November 4.

The Vietnamese side briefed Chinese officials on the process of law making in Vietnam and the role of the Committee for Legal Affairs and other NA agencies in this regard.

They also shared experience in building laws on environmental protection and agriculture.

The Chinese side talked about lessons they learnt in making laws on civil and criminal affairs, and in the COVID-19 prevention and control.

The participants held that the meeting offers a good opportunity for the two sides to enhance their mutual understanding and learn from each other’s experience, thus contributing to consolidating cooperation, and boosting political trust between the two committees as well as the two Parties, States and peoples.

The two sides agreed to maintain information exchange and collaboration through suitable formats in line with the cooperation agreement reached by the Vietnamese NA and the NPC in 2015, and the spirit of the online talks between NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Li Zhanshu on June 17 this year.

On this occasion, head of the NA Committee for Legal Affairs Hoang Thanh Tung thanked the Chinese Party, State and people for their donations of COVID-19 vaccines and medical supplies to Vietnam, and asked China to continue to assist and share its experience in pandemic response in the time ahead./.

Vietnamese, Cambodian Party officials hold online talks

Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Vo Van Thuong on November 4 held talks via videoconference with Vice President of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and President of the Senate of Cambodia Say Chhum.

Thuong expressed his belief that under the sound rule of King Norodom Sihamoni and the CPP leadership, the Cambodian Government led by Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, the parliament and people will reap further achievements in their cause of national defence, construction and development.

Congratulating Vietnam on the significant and comprehensive achievements over the past time, Say Chhum said he believes that Vietnamese people will continue to obtain more success in the future.

The two sides informed each other on the situations of their respective parties and countries and shared experience in Party building work.

Thuong spoke about the Vietnamese party's major orientations in furthering the Doi Moi (renewal) cause and laid emphasis on the unity of the Party Central Committee on intensifying Party building and rectification.

The two sides stressed that the Vietnamese and Cambodian Parties and States always value and give top priority to the two countries’ ties, considering it a strategic task in their policies for external relations.

They expressed their determination to preserve, protect, and strengthen the good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, and sustainable and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia.

They agreed to continue to work closely in effectively implementing joint statements and cooperation agreements; organising mutual visits and online talks between their Party and State leaders; and boosting information exchange regarding Party building and socio-economic development.

They also reached consensus on closely cooperating at multilateral forums, promoting educational campaigns to raise public awareness about the traditional Vietnam – Cambodia ties, and co-organising activities marking the 55th anniversary of the nations’ diplomatic relations next year.

Both officials pledged to enhance defence-security cooperation, build a Vietnam – Cambodia borderline of peace, friendship, stability, cooperation and development, and enhance the effectiveness of collaboration in economy, trade, investment, tourism, culture, education, and science-technology.

They also agreed to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Cambodia and the Cambodian community in Vietnam.

The officials stated in any circumstances, the two sides will do their best to preserve, protect, and nurture the ever-growing Vietnam-Cambodia relationship./.

HCM City Book Street to open e-commerce website

The HCM City Book Street Company is planning to launch an e-commerce website to meet reader demand.

The company’s director Lê Hoàng told local media that the book street on Nguyễn Văn Bình Street in District 1 reopened on October 9 but many people from outside HCM City have been unable to visit because of COVID-19 restrictions.

The e-commerce website will help readers buy books easily, he said, adding that the company is seeking a partner to develop the website soon.

After only 10 days of re-opening, the book street welcomed nearly 4,000 visitors and earned revenue of more than VNĐ500 million (US$22,000).

The book street company has worked with its partners to organise events to promote a reading culture and has asked people to be safe and optimistic during the "new normal".

The company, along with the southern representative agency of the Việt Nam Publishers’ Association and the Saigon Entrepreneur Weekly, will launch a contest called “Sách Tôi Tâm Đắc” (My Favourite Book) until November 19.

The event aims to identify 10 must-read books on entrepreneurship, which will be announced on December 7.

The company will also hold an event called “Entrepreneur and Book Week 2021” on December 1-7.

It will include a photo exhibition “Tôi và Sách” (Books and I), a showcase of books about entrepreneurs, a conference on promoting reading culture in businesses, book introductions, and talk shows with authors.

"Through the event, we want to encourage entrepreneurs to write and introduce helpful books, as well as promote reading culture among entrepreneurs and labourers,” Hoàng said.

The book street opened in January 2016, with 20 stalls offering new and best-selling publications from the country’s leading publishing houses and book distributors.

It has organised dozens of book exhibitions and more than 100 cultural and book-signing events, attracting leading domestic and foreign publishers, distributors and agencies.

In the first six months of 2021, the book street earned turnover of VNĐ15.5 billion (US$681,300), an increase of 4 per cent compared to the same period in 2020.

More than 352,800 books on different topics were sold during the period, up 19 per cent over the same period last year. 

HCM City congratulates Cambodia on 68th Independence Day

Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs Tran Phuoc Anh, on behalf of the city's leaders, on November 4 came to the Consulate General of Cambodia in the city to present flowers and extend congratulations on the occasion of the country’s 68th Independence Day (November 9).

He rejoiced at the flourishing relations across many fields between Vietnam and Cambodia at large, and HCM City and Cambodian localities in particular.

Despite the complicated developments of COVID-19 in the recent past, Vietnam and Cambodia effectively rolled out cooperation activities such as exchanges of high-ranking delegations, experience sharing, and support each other in COVID-19 prevention and control, the official stated.

Anh affirmed that HCM City stands ready to work with the Consulate General of Cambodia to enhance cooperation with Cambodian localities, including a cooperation programme with Phnom Penh capital in the exchange of high-ranking delegations, economic collaboration and people-to-people diplomacy.

Of note, the city is willing to join hands with the Cambodian side in holding events marking the 55th founding anniversary of the Vietnam-Cambodia diplomatic ties next year, he added.

Cambodian Consul General in HCM City Sok Dareth highlighted the special relations between Vietnam and Cambodia and effective assistance of the Party, Government and voluntary soldiers of Vietnam to help the people and country of Cambodia escape from the genocidal regime.

He underlined that progress and achievements of Cambodia are inseparable with the two countries’ cooperation and mutual support.

The traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the countries should be consolidated to benefit people of Vietnam and Cambodia, he said.

At present, education for the young generation needs due attention so that they fully understand the meaning and importance of the countries’ special relations.

Dareth pledged that the Consulate General of Cambodia is set to exert efforts to strengthen the country’s friendship with Vietnam and HCM City, hoping that the city will step up the implementation of cooperation programmes, particularly those marking the anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2022.

On the same day, a delegation of the Vietnam Fatherland Front in HCM City led by its President To Thi Bich Chau visited the Cambodian Consulate General to extend congratulations on the country’s Independence Day./.

Webinar reviews Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s 40-year development

A webinar reviewing the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)’s development and integration over the last 40 years was jointly held by the Standing Board of the VBS’s Executive Council, the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City, and the Vietnam Buddhist Research Institute on November 4.

Most Venerable Thich Tri Quang, First Deputy Patriarch of the Patronage Council of the VBS, and Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, Chairman the VBS's Executive Council, co-chaired the event.

In his opening speech, Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon highlighted the significance of the event, saying that it is a Buddhist activity towards integrating the values of knowledge, history, religion, culture, sociology and psychology in order to clarify the role and comprehensive contributions of Vietnamese Buddhism to socio-cultural development as well as the cause of national construction and defence.

Vu Chien Thang, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, affirmed that Buddhism is the religion with the largest number of dignitaries and followers in Vietnam.

With more than 250 reports, the webinar spotlighted the development, role and great contributions of the VBS to the nation's socio-cultural development and the cause of defending the country’s independence, freedom and territorial sovereignty.

Participants also emphasised the people-to-people diplomacy role played by the VBS, as well as its efforts to contribute to realising the country's sustainable development goals and the UN's millennium goals in the era of globalisation and international integration./.

Nationwide teleconference on 2022 NA supervision programmes held

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue chaired a nationwide teleconference on November 4 to discuss the 2022 supervision programmes of the legislature and its Standing Committee.

The event aims to seek consensus on the implementation of the programmes, thus improving the efficiency of the legislature’s supervisory activities.

In his opening speech, Chairman Hue said next year, the NA and its Standing Committee will embark on four thematic supervision programmes, including two on thrift practice and wastefulness prevention, and planning work by the NA, and two others on reception of citizens and settlement of complaints and denunciations, and arrangement of district- and communal-level administrative units by the NA Standing Committee.

In order to make supervision effective and efficient, the top legislator asked for synchronous implementation from the central to local level, as well as cross-inspection to find out weaknesses and shortcomings, for the ultimate goal of national development.

Participants at the event later looked into ways to ensure effective, flexible and practical implementation of the programmes amid the COVID-19 pandemic./.  

Lang Son province celebrates 190th founding anniversary

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended a ceremony marking the 190th founding anniversary of the northern border province of Lang Son on November 4.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue also sent flowers to congratulate the province on this occasion.

In his remarks, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Nguyen Quoc Doan said throughout history, people of different ethnic groups in Lang Son have always upheld patriotism and revolutionary tradition, shown steadfastness and undauntedness in the fights against foreign invaders, and stayed industrious, dynamic, and creative in working, thus substantially contributing to the development and safeguarding of the province and the country as a whole.

On behalf of Party and State leaders, President Phuc presented the first-class Independence Order to the Party organisation, administration, and people of Lang Son for their particularly excellent achievements, which have helped with the socialism building and national safeguarding.

The State leader noted despite numerous difficulties of a mountainous and border locality, Lang Son has kept bringing into play the revolutionary tradition, upholding solidarity, mobilising resources, and tapping into potential and advantages so as to become increasingly developed in terms of economy, society, culture, defence, security, and external relations.

He asked the province to strongly combine socio-economic development with consolidating defence - security, maintaining political stability and social order and safety, and firmly protecting national sovereignty and border security, thereby helping to build a borderline of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.

Lang Son needs to foster the traditional ties and cross-border trade with the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and other localities of China so as to create a peaceful, stable, and favourable environment for socio-economic development, he added.

Earlier the same day, President Phuc had visited and presented gifts to some families of revolution contributors in Lang Son./.

Vietnam Energy Efficiency Building Week 2021 kicks off

The Vietnam Energy Efficiency Building Week VEEBW 2021 (VEEBW 2021) hosted by the Vietnam Energy Efficiency Network (EEN-Vietnam) opened in Hanoi on November 3.

The programme was initiated by EEN-Vietnam with special support from the Goethe-Institut and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES).

A series of webinars in the framework of the event are co-hosted by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), International Energy Agency (IEA), the Commercial and Industrial Rooftop Solar (CIRTS) of GIZ represented by the GROHE brand.

In her opening remarks, Tran Thi Thu Phuong, Founder of EEN-Vietnam said, the highlight of VEEBW 2021 is the three webinars, which bring together organisations and experts specialising in the fields of planning, investment, design, consulting, materials and renewable energy from Vietnam and developed countries.

The three-day event aims to create a premise for orientation and strategy development for the Vietnamese construction market by updating typical models of initiatives and experiences from cities, construction projects, global leading emission balancing projects, thus identifying challenges and opportunities for Vietnam's construction market, she said.

The latest updates on innovation, new solutions, and advanced models will contribute to opening up opportunities for business communities and individuals to seek, creative advanced and feasible methods and technical solutions for the Vietnamese market, Phuong added.

According to Julia Behrens, Director of the Climate & Energy Asia Project, in response to the challenge of climate change, energy balance buildings become one of the comprehensive solutions to both reduce emissions of greenhouse gas emissions in the field of construction and ensure comfort and improve the quality of living environment.

Thanks to multi-stakeholder collaborative efforts in applying renewable energy, advanced material technologies and smart products, energy-balance buildings have begun to appear in big cities around the world.

According to a report by the IEA, cities account for 66 percent of global energy demand and are responsible for 75 percent of CO2 emissions each year. Therefore, energy balance buildings will be an important agent to solve challenges of economic development and environmental protection.

Behrens underlined the need for Vietnam to learn experience and enhance cooperation with developing countries and pioneer businesses in developing energy-balancing works./.

Summit seeks ways to transform Vietnam into developed country by 2045

The Association of Vietnamese Scientists and Experts (AVSE Global) is organising the “One Global Vietnam” Summit on November 4-5 in Paris to connect experts, intellectuals, business people and policymakers to exchange and subsequently recommend action plans to transform Vietnam into a developed country by 2045.

According to AVSE Global, climate change, the fourth industrial revolution, and the COVID-19 pandemic are causing vast changes to Vietnam and the world, which are both challenges and opportunities for Vietnam to adapt to and find innovative directions for sustainable development.

The summit is expected to host 100 leading Vietnamese and international experts and intellectuals in selected strategic fields, representing large corporations, businesses, governmental organisations and non-governmental organisations.

It includes four sessions discussing the new normal, innovative development orientations, and how to connect and build an innovative environment in Vietnam.

AVSE Global is a Paris-headquartered organisation with a global reach, pioneering in strategic advisory, top executive education programmes and science and policy forums. It brings innovative solutions for the sustainable development of Vietnam by connecting collective intellectual strengths of talented Vietnamese experts and intellectuals worldwide with strong aspirations to contribute to the country’s progress./.

Vietnam shows concern about volatile situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Ambassador Pham Hai Anh, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, has expressed his concern about the volatile situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including interethnic and intercommunal tensions, as well as a lack of dialogue, trust and reconciliation.

At a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) debate on current challenges facing Bosnia and Herzegovina in promoting political solutions and implementing the Dayton Peace Agreement held on November 3, the ambassador said that relevant sides need to respect benefits and aspirations of people for political stability and socio-economic development of Bosnia and Herzegovina in particular and the region at large.

He called on parties involved to work together to overcome their differences, build trusts, promote peace and reconciliation and dialogue for people’s sake, while underlining the need to respect independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with support from the UNSC, the international community and organisations.

Prior to the debate, the UNSC agreed to adopt Resolution 2604 regarding the establishment of a multinational stabilisation force, or EUFOR-Althea, whose operation is extended for another 12 months in the Balkan country.

EUFOR-Althea is mandated to help implement the military aspects of the Peace Agreement, which was initialed in Dayton, Ohio, in the US, and signed in Paris in 1995./

Vietnamese PM's visit to France to lift bilateral ties to new height: AAFV General Secretary

The official France visit by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh from November 3-5 will contribute to lifting the relations between the two countries to a new height, stated the France-Vietnam Friendship Association (AAFV)’s General Secretary Jean-Pierre Archambault.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, Archambault held that the ambition of elevating the ties between France and Vietnam has a good foundation.

He highlighted dialogue between France and Vietnam as part of the necessary dialogue between different civilisations, saying both sides work together to discuss and help each other for development.

He said Vietnam has given France many experiences in absorbing and minimising negative impacts from other civilisations. However, he said, the strategic partnership between the two countries has yet to match their potential.

The AAFV General Secretary underlined that over the years, the association has supported Tran To Nga, a Vietnamese French woman and an AO victim, during her lawsuit against chemical companies supplying Agent Orange/dioxin to the US army during the war in Vietnam.

He stressed that the international community highly values the initial effectiveness of Vietnam’s COVID-19 prevention and control policies.

He once again highlighted the friendship between the two nations which has been built since the previous century, and France’s solidarity with a nation that had experienced greatest challenges and difficulties to play an important role and leave its imprint in the world history.

The solidarity and friendship between the two countries have been on a more equal footing as Vietnam has recorded remarkable progress, he stated./.

French Senator highly values closer ties with Vietnam

Senator Catherine Deroche, Chairwoman of the France-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group in the Senate of France, has highly valued increasingly closer ties between the two nations.

In an interview recently granted to Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of PM Pham Minh Chinh’s ongoing France visit, Deroche affirmed that France attaches special importance to bilateral strategic partnership with Vietnam since 2013, with support given to their joint projects.

She said amid the COVID-19 pandemic and within the framework of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, there are challenges that force both countries to strengthen bonds in various areas. She suggested that they should build on their long-standing ties to materialise realise new projects.

According to her, they could enhance coordination in the fields of climate change response, sustainable urban development, water resource management, land use planning, protection and enhancement of values of cultural and natural heritages, social protection, health care and culture.

In her view, the Vietnamese PM’s France visit will mark the resumption of high-level visits between the two nations after hiatus caused by the pandemic.

About the fight against COVID-19, she lauded Vietnam for fighting the first pandemic outbreaks and proposed reinforcing bilateral medical ties.

10th European Day of Languages to be held virtually

The tenth European Day of Languages will be held virtually on Gather platform on November 6, attracting Poland, Italy, Spain, Romania, France, Germany, the UK and Belgium (Wallonie-Bruxelles) along with seven languages, reported the European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC).

During the event, European language lovers will have a chance to explore the differences between the languages and cultures in Europe through short language classes in English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Romanian and Spanish.

Participants are also able to learn how to communicate in simple sentences./. 

Phu Quoc ready to serve international tourists

 

Phu Quoc island in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang now stands ready to welcome tourists with the resumption of business and entertainment activities.
 
So far, 17 accommodation facilities as well as seven entertainment centres have joined “COVID-19 Vaccine Passport” programme.

In the first phase from November to March 2022, the island aims to serve about 5,000 visitors each month.

International tourists can enter Phu Quoc via charter flights and visit destinations that they registered before arriving.

They have to show their COVID-19 vaccination certificate with the second shot injected within 14 days but not more than 12 months until the entry date.

Phu Quoc is among five localities that implement the pilot scheme to welcome international tourists. The remaining destinations are Khanh Hoa, Quang Nam, Da Nang and Quang Ninh./.

Season 3 of “Whose Chance?” reality show on jobs airs on VTV3

Following the success of first two seasons, season 3 of the reality TV show on employment “Whose Chance?” (Cơ Hội Cho Ai?) is back with attractive interviews and job offers.

The show, with an absence of audiences due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will be aired on Việt Nam Television’s channel 3 (VTV3) at noon every Saturday from November 6.

Hosted by MC Thành Trung, it will feature real interviews and negotiations between candidates and C-suite level leaders from leading businesses and corporations in commercial, retail, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), technology, telecommunications, and media.

The entertainment show connects employers and job seekers and offers opportunities for young talented people to get good jobs.

This year candidates will appear on both online and offline channels to meet and present themselves to six leaders from top businesses for major positions with competitive salaries and benefits at their companies.

In the first two seasons, 37 candidates got jobs with attractive salaries and benefits. The highest monthly offer was VNĐ68 million (US$3,000). 

PM asks ambassadors to promote Vietnam’s image abroad

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked Vietnamese ambassadors to European nations to further popularize Vietnam as a safe destination for travel and investment cooperation, during a meeting in Paris on November 4.

He briefed the diplomats on Vietnam’s current situation, saying the COVID-19 outbreak is being brought under control and the government has adopted a strategy of safe and flexible adaptation to and effective control of COVID-19.

He requested that the Ambassadors work harder to lure back foreign tourists to Vietnam and make effective use of the European Union - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to facilitate Vietnamese goods’ penetration into Europe.

PM Chinh also asked the Ambassadors to work closely with relevant agencies of their host countries to garner support for the European Commission’s early removal of its ‘yellow card’ warning for Vietnamese seafood.

Besides the diplomatic mission, the Ambassadors should promote people’s diplomacy and pay more attention to Vietnamese overseas affairs, including citizen protection, said the PM.

PM Pham Minh Chinh is Paris for an official visit to France from November 3-5 at the invitation of his French counterpart Jean Castex.

Hà Nội promotes organic farming, cuts use of pesticides

More safe agricultural production areas, known as 'green zones' or 'pesticide-free zones' have appeared in Hà Nội’s suburban areas thanks to efforts made by the city’s agriculture sector in changing farming methods, protecting the ecosystem and creating safe products.

Phương Đình Commune in Đan Phượng District is a good example of a green zone with a ban on burning straw.

Nguyễn Văn Thành, Chairman of the Commune Farmers' Association, said that local farmers were taught to use organic products to compost waste and rice straw with microbial products to enrich soil and produce safe products.

In banning the burning of straw, the local authority held a conference with members of co-operatives. They signed a commitment to refrain from burning straw after harvesting.

“Farmers are given probiotics to make organic fertiliser from straw in the field. As a result, after harvesting rice, people would not burn straw. Straw burning causes environmental pollution,” he said.

“On-site straw treatment not only helps reduce costs relating to buying chemical fertilisers but also improves the soil’s fertility, minimises impacts of smoke and dust in the air, and most noticeably, ensures the health of farmers," Thanh said.

Đan Phượng District Farmers' Union also regularly trained and instructed farmers on organic breeding models.

The association implemented a pilot project in Hồng Hà commune and then expanded it to other communes in the district.

Farmers were asked to move livestock farms far from residential areas to avoid possible environmental pollution. Currently, two livestock co-operatives in Trung Châu and Phương Dinh communes moved their breeding areas out of residential areas.

The district has also seen the rise of high-tech organic agricultural models including for orchids in Đan Hòa Commune, grapes, Cuối Quý organic vegetables and Minh Nghĩa mushrooms.

Local farmers and authorities are co-ordinating with other agencies to develop brands for Trung Châu Biosafety Pork Products, Đan Phượng flowers, Phương Đình meat and Đan Phượng mushroom.

Traditional products also include Long Trường Tửu Wine, Song Phượng peanut candy and Thái Cam’s nem Phùng (fermented pork).

Early last year, Phúc Lâm Hi-tech Agriculture Cooperative in Thanh Mỹ Commune of Sơn Tây Town converted five hectares of maize and cassava to organic Bồ Chính ginseng. 

Uông Tuyết Nhung, director of the co-operative, said that in the organic production process, the co-operative used fertilisers and pesticides made from natural ingredients.

Although the cost of organic farming was high, organic products were very safe for consumers, she said.

The co-operative collects about 200-300kg of fresh ginseng flowers daily to make ginseng flower tea.

In addition, ginseng branches and leaves are pruned to make cosmetics for skin care.

A one-year-old Bồ Chính ginseng plant can produce tubers. It is estimated if all ginseng flowers, leaves, branches and tubers are collected, a hectare of ginseng can generate income of more than VNĐ1 billion per year.

Similarly, in Phú Xuyên district, farmers have stopped using pesticides. According to head of the district’s Plant Protection Station Lương Văn Hoan, the district has 27 communes and towns with 6,800ha of rice and more than 300ha of vegetables. In recent years, farmers have reduced the use of pesticides.

The average amount of pesticides used in the district in 2020 was only 0.26kg/ha/year.

Nguyễn Thị Thu Hằng, director of Hà Nội’s Agricultural, Forestry and Fisheries Quality Control Sub-Department, said that there were more and more safe production areas – agricultural 'green zones' – appearing on the outskirts of the city.

The city has established more than 200 concentrated rice production areas (from 50ha to 300ha/region) with a total area of ​​more than 40,000ha and 5,044ha of safe vegetables, and more than 50ha of organic vegetables.

Nearly 50 high-quality flower growing areas were formed.

Hà Nội now has 164 agricultural production models applying high technology, bringing high economic efficiency to farmers and creating favorable conditions to trace the origin of agricultural products and foods sold on the market, she said.

Director of Hà Nội’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Chu Phú Mỹ said organic and green agricultural products met high requirements on food hygiene and safety, contributing to solving the problem of food safety.

“Organic production contributes to sustainable environmental protection as no chemicals are used. Thanks to organic production, farmers have better health and higher income if implementing proper methods and technologies,” he said. 

Hà Nội's biggest landfill resumes operations

Nam Sơn waste treatment complex resumed operations on Wednesday night after temporarily closing for two days due to technical problems.

Hà Nội Construction Department told local media that since Wednesday evening, the landfill started receiving 1,000 tonnes of garbage. Between today and Saturday, 3,500 tonnes of garbage will be delivered to the landfill. It will resume normal operations on Sunday.

Due to heavy downpours last week, wastewater overloaded reservoirs causing leaks and fears over environmental pollution. The landfill had to temporarily stop receiving garbage on Tuesday to fix the problem.

The temporary closing of the capital's largest landfill led to uncollected garbage piling up, causing unpleasant odours and traffic congestion on many streets in Hà Nội. 

Hà Nội Construction Department has ordered URENCO, the operator of the landfill to quickly solve the incident by reinforcing the embankment of the reservoirs, pumping and transferring garbage water to other places to reduce pressure on the reservoirs.

The department also asked for a redistribution of garbage in the capital to other waste treatment facilities during the time Nam Sơn fixed the problem.

The Nam Sơn waste treatment complex, spanning over 157 ha, was built in 1999 in Sóc Sơn District on the outskirts of Hà Nội. The complex receives around 5,000 of the 6,500 tons of waste the city generates each day. Approximately 1,500 tons are treated at other waste treatment facilities of the city. 

Expert eases concerns about HCM City’s Covid-19 infection

An expert has claimed that HCM City’s daily recording of hundreds of new Covid-19 cases despite widespread Covid-19 vaccination coverage is normal.

Associate. Prof. Do Van Dung, deputy headmaster of the HCM City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, said that many countries with high Covid-19 vaccination rates are facing the same problem as HCM City. For instance, over the past month since easing social distancing measures, France has faced a recurrence of Covid-19 with roughly 7,000 cases daily. This means the rate of 73 new Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people per week, is equal to that of HCM City at present.

Meanwhile, many countries like Singapore and the UK have a higher Covid-19 infection rate than that of HCM City.

Dung added that currently, HCM City is focusing on boosting Covid-19 vaccination rather than testing and tracing activities. “Currently, it is best to live with the pandemic, while widening the vaccination coverage,” Dung noted.

The number of new Covid-19 cases every day is still under control. But it has been stressed that it is important for the city to intensify vaccinations and people should continue to pay attention to Covid-19 protocols.

High vaccination coverage will help considerably reduce risks.

Dung said that around two percent of fully-vaccinated people can experience worsened conditions when being infected by Covid-19 but the death rate among those is just 0.5%.

More than 600 artists to gather at National Drama Festival

More than 600 artists, actors and actresses will show off their talents at the 2021 National Drama Festival, which is set to be held in the northern portal city of Hai Phong from November 5-16.

The participants come from 14 art units, including Vietnam National Drama Theatre, Hanoi Drama Theatre, the Army Drama Theatre, the Youth Theatre, Le Ngoc Drama Stage, the Experimental Theatre Club under the Vietnam Stage Artists' Association, People's Public Security Theatre, Hanoi Stage Association, Phu Tho Art Troupe, Hai Phong Drama Troupe, Hai Duong Provincial Cultural and Art Centre, Lam Son Music, Song and Dance Theatre, Quang Ninh Art Troupe, and a club from the Hai Phong Stage’s Association.

The festival will introduce 20 plays covering a range of topics, especially those in response to the campaign to study and follow the President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, morality and lifestyle as well as the Party Central Committee’s resolutions on Party building and the development of Vietnamese culture and people.

The participating plays will be livestreamed on Vietnamese performing arts channels on YouTube. The opening and closing ceremonies for the festival will be broadcast live on Hai Phong Radio and Television.

Due to high risks of COVID-19 outbreak, the organising board asked the art units to strictly comply with the regulations related to pandemic prevention and control.

The art troupes from the southern provinces and cities will be arranged to participate in the festival at an appropriate time.

Tien Phong Golf Championship 2021 to kick off

The Tien Phong Golf Championship 2021 - Swing for Young Talents of Vietnam will kick off in Hanoi on November 20, aiming to raise funds for the activities of the "Vietnam Young Talent Fund".

The fifth season of the Tien Phong Golf Championship will bring together more than 200 golfers to compete on the Kings and Mountainview courses of the BRG Kings Island Golf Resort (Dong Mo, Son Tay, Hanoi. The tournament has attracted many top young golfers in Vietnam to compete, such as: Nguyen Bao Long, Nguyen Nhat Long, Doan Uy, Thanh Minh, Truc An, Quang Tri, Dang Minh, and many beautiful people such as Miss Ngoc Han, Do My Linh, Jennifer Pham, and previous runner-up Huyen My.

The golfers participating in the tournament will be divided into five groups: group A (HDCP from 0 to15), group B (HDCP from 16 to 28), group C (HDCP from 29 to 36), a group for guests and a women's group (HDCP 0 from 36), competing in an 18-hole match-play round.

This year, the organising board is offering great prizes, especially HIO prizes including seven Toyota cars worth VND8.6 billion and more than VND50 billion in cash and many attractive prizes, such as Majesty, TaylorMade golf club sets.

A new feature of the 2021 tournament is that from the sponsorship of benefactors, the organising board will implement a programme to support the valedictorian step", in order to honour the new valedictorians, students, people with difficult circumstances, who have made great efforts to achieve high rankings in universities and academies across the country.

At the Gala Awards held after the end of competition day, the organising board will give 10 scholarships, worth VND10 million each, along with gifts from the sponsors for the excellent valedictorians of the universities and academies in the Northern region.

Source: VNA/VNS/VOV/VIR/SGT/SGGP/Nhan Dan