A delegation of the Vietnamese Embassy in Israel on November 6 surveyed field conditions to serve the evacuation of Vietnamese citizens in the host country in case the Israel-Hamas conflict spreads.

Specifically, they considered travel routes, options for renting cars or deploying vehicles, accommodations, and related immigration procedures to help Vietnamese citizens move to border areas with Jordan by road.

Ambassador Ly Duc Trung said that currently, the Vietnamese community in Israel remains safe, because the dangerous areas are mainly on the southern border close to the Gaza Strip and the northern border adjacent to Lebanon.

However, to prepare for bad situations that can happen at any time, it is necessary to have preparation plans early, he said, adding that the embassy will do its best to ensure safety for Vietnamese citizens.

The embassy has recommended Vietnamese citizens and their families to stay away from fighting zones, and need to have a plan to quickly evacuate human and property to a third country or back to Vietnam.

According to a preliminary survey of the embassy, in case of necessity, the Vietnamese community in Israel wishing to leave the fighting zones is about 250 people, including nearly 200 agricultural trainees and labourers.

Quang Binh intensifies measures against IUU fishing

The coastal central province of Quang Binh has been taking many measures to fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Together with the Government, ministries, branches, agencies, and other localities in the effort to have the European Commission's “yellow card” warning against Vietnamese seafood removed, Quang Binh has implemented the directives of the Government, issued guiding documents, and organised inspections on the fight.

In the first nine months of this year, nearly 70 conferences with about 4,700 participants were held in the province. Nearly 5,000 ship owners and captains signed a commitment not to violate fishing regulations. The province also distributed about 14,000 leaflets and materials on the issue.

Doan Ngoc Lam, Standing Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee, said departments, agencies and localities in the province keep paying attention to deploying measures to prevent and combat illegal fishing.

At the same time, units allocate resources to reorganise fisheries exploitation activities in a sustainable and effective direction, improving people's lives.

The locality focuses on promoting offshore fishing associated with strict implementation of regulations against IUU fishing.

The province also requests fishermen to strictly comply with legal regulations in fisheries exploitation.

Leaders of localities, units and agencies are urged to raise their roles and responsibility in the fight. Those who fail to fulfil their assignment will be strictly disciplined and punished while those with good performance will get proper compliments.

Quang Binh province is one of the localities with a strongly developed fishing fleet in Vietnam. More than 3,600 fishing vessels, each with a length of 6 metres or more, have installed vessel monitoring system (VMS) equipment, accounting for 96% of its total.

In 2022, the province’s seafood production reached nearly 93,000 tonnes. It’s expected to increase to nearly 97,700 tonnes this year.

Cultural evening honours charm of Vietnamese culture

Foreign ambassadors and representatives to UNESCO were treated to a feast of the Vietnamese culture while attending the Cultural Evening held by the country’s Permanent Delegation to UNESO in Paris on November 6, on the threshold of the 42nd session of the UNESCO’s General Conference.

Themed “Cultural Heritage as a Vector for Peace, Resilience and Sustainable Development”, the event aimed to popularise and honour the Vietnamese culture, while highlighting Vietnam’s resolve to promote the values of domestic and international cultural heritage.

In his speech, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc laid a stress on Vietnam’s contributions to the world’s treasure of heritage, given that the country is bestowed with eight world cultural and natural heritage items, and 15 intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Cultural heritage provides a source of creative inspiration, and serves as a bridge to bolster mutual understanding among peoples, he said, highlighting protecting cultural heritage in each nation will help strengthen solidarity, reduce violence and conflict, as well as promote peace and sustainable development.

As a UNESCO member, Vietnam reaffirms its commitment to preserving and promoting the values of cultural heritage at both national and international levels, and contributing more to the UNESCO’s efforts by running for a seat in the World Heritage Committee in the 2023-2027 tenure, he added.

For his part, UNESCO Deputy Director-General Xing Qu called the cultural event important as it promotes the essence of the Mondiacult conference in 2022 which affirms culture as a global public good.  

Besides, it helps honour the charm and diversity of Vietnam’s intangible cultural heritage, he added, hailing the sound cooperation between the country and UNESCO over the past 50 years.

The official also spoke highly of Vietnam’s contributions to protecting and promoting the values of heritage items, with its organisation of a ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 2022 and an international conference on promoting UNESCO titles for sustainable development.

An array of traditional Vietnamese arts was featured at the event, including lion dance, folk singing, performance of Vovinam martial arts, and standout cuisines, helping nudge the image of a dynamic Vietnam during its vibrant international integration process closer to international friends.

CPV delegation pays working visit to Venezuela

A delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) led by Phan Dinh Trac, Politburo member, Secretary of the CPV Central Committee, Chairman of its Commission for Internal Affairs, is paying a visit to Venezuela at the invitation of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).

During their stay from November 3-7, the delegation laid flowers at President Ho Chi Minh’s statue and a temple commemorating Venezuelan Hero Simón Bolívar. They had a meeting with Venezuelan President and PSUV President Nicolás Maduro, and held talks with a delegation of the PSUV, during which the two sides signed a cooperation agreement between the two Parties.

The delegation also had working sessions with leaders of a number of ministries, sectors and localities of Venezuela to promote partnership between the two countries in various fields.

At the meetings and talks with Venezuelan leaders, Trac affirmed that the Party and State of Vietnam always treasure the Vietnam-Venezuela friendship, and support the the constitutional government led by President Nicolás Maduro as well as efforts to promote political dialogue on the basis of respect for the Constitution and the aspirations of the Venezuelan people.

Vietnam is ready and hopes to foster and lift up the bilateral ties, optimising each other’s strengths and making contributions to the national development in both countries based on the solidarity and shared viewpoints on international issues as well as common interests, he said.

Maduro and PSUV leaders affirmed the close and firm relations between the two Parties and countries, and showed his admiration for the glorious historical victory of the Vietnamese people during the cause of national liberation and national reunification in the past, as well as the resounding achievements in the economic field today, affirming that Vietnam is forever an example for Venezuela, and Uncle Ho is always the belief that Venezuela looks towards.

He underscored that the two countries are experiencing a new situation and entering a new cooperation period, requiring the two sides to further foster their cooperation in politics, economy, ideology, culture, and technology, this lifting the relationship between the two countries and two ruling parties to the highest level.

Trac and leaders of the Party and State of Venezuela agreed to promote the role of the two ruling parties in removing difficulties, strengthening and expanding practical and comprehensive collaboration, and increasing the exchange of experience and theory. The two sides should organise the fourth meeting of the Vietnam-Venezuela Inter-Governmental Committee and activities to celebrate the 35th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2024.

Leaders of the Party and State of Venezuela affirmed that they will create optimal conditions for the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam) to resume and expand cooperation in the field of oil and gas in Venezuela, and promoting the bilateral partnership in agriculture and fishery. They agreed to broaden bilateral collaboration in the fields of traditional medicine, including the development of the acupuncture model in Venezuela.

On this occasion, Trac and PSUV First Vice President Diosdado Cabello signed an agreement on cooperation between the CPV and PSUV, paving the way for the two sides to further expand and develop their traditional solidarity and ties.

Trac, who is also Standing Vice Chairman of the Central Steering Committee for Prevention and Control of Corruption and Negative Phenomena, and Standing Vice Chairman of the Central Steering Committee for Judicial Reform, had working sessions with the Venezuelan Auditor General, Prosecutor General, Minister of Public Affairs, and Minister of Popular Power for Interior, Justice and Peace to exchange experience in corruption prevention and control and discuss cooperation in the fields of internal affairs and law between the two parties and countries.

Within the framework of the visit, the CPV delegation also visited International University of Communications (LAUICOM) and attended the opening of a photo exhibition on the traditional friendship and comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Venezuela, which was jointly organised by the Vietnam News Agency and the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela.

They also had a meeting with representatives from the group of former guerrillas participated in the Nguyen Van Troi campaign in October 1964 and awarded the National External Information Service Awards 2023 to the group of authors of the radio programme entitled "Vietnam in Venezuela" of Oyeven Radio.

Vietnam- Japan Friendship Golf Tournament held in Yamanashi

The Vietnam – Japan Friendship Golf Tournament 2023 took place in Japan’s Yamanashi prefecture on November 6 with the participation of 120 golfers.

The event was held by the Vietnamese General Consulate to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries’ diplomatic relations.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu said that the tournament provides an opportunity for people of the two countries to meet, exchange, and expand relationships, thereby enhancing mutual understanding and contributing more to the sound friendship relationship between Vietnam and Japan.

It is expected to contribute to strengthening solidarity among the Vietnamese community in Japan while creating opportunities for enterprises of both sides to exchange and seek cooperation in various fields.

Golf is one of the most popular sports in Japan. According to estimates by Alexandru Arba, a researcher specialising in Japan at Statista, in 2022, 10.52 million people in Japan used golf courses, an increase of nearly 13% compared to 10 years ago.

Dak Lak to host Cultural Festival of Ethnic Groups 2023

The Cultural Festival of Ethnic Groups 2023 in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak will take place from November 18-20 in Buon Ma Thuot city, Vice Chairman of the provincial Department of Cultural, Sports and Tourism Lai Duc Dai has said.

Themed “Convergence of colours” with various intriguing activities, the event is expected to be a big fiesta of 49 ethnic groups residing in the province.

According to Dai, the festival aims at preserving and promoting unique traditional cultural values of ethnic groups while strengthening the spirit of national solidarity in the context of integration and development. The event will also offer a chance to introduce, promote and honour cultural values of local ethnic groups to both domestic and international friends.

The festival, the first of its kind, affirms solidarity of local ethnic groups and efforts in preserving culture as well as developing Dak Lak into a civilised and prosperous province, Dai added. 

The festival will feature a reenactment of Ede ethnic people’s wedding ceremony; special cultural and art performances of local ethnic groups; a display of outstanding cultural and tourism products; activities to promote tourism programmes and products as well as traditional dishes of local ethnic groups.

In addition, folk games, an elephant-themed photo exhibition, a seminar on “preserving and promoting national intangible cultural heritage”, a display, and a free screening of films on revolutionary and historical topics will also take place during the three-day event.

Vietnam attends WIPO’s Copyright Committee 44th session

Deputy head of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s Department of Copyright Office of Vietnam Pham Thi Kim Oanh is attending the 44th session of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR/44) that opened in Geneva on November 6.

During a three-day session, participants at the SCCR/44 will discuss the draft treaty for the protection of broadcasting organisations, reports on limitations and exceptions for libraries and archives, report on limitations and exceptions for educational and research institutions and for persons with other disabilities.

Other matters for discussion include a proposal for Analysis of Copyright Related to the Digital Environment, a proposal from Senegal and Congo to include the Resale Right (droit de suite) in the Agenda of Future Work by the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights of the World Intellectual Property Organisation, and a proposal on the Part of the Russian Federation With Regard to Strengthening the Protection of Theatre Directors’ Rights at the International Level.

Festival to celebrate Vietnam – Laos special friendship

The Vietnam-Laos special friendship festival 2023 will take place in Hue city in the central province of Thua Thien – Hue from December 11 – 15, as part of the activities to celebrate the 61-year diplomatic relations and 46 years of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation between the two countries.

The information was announced by Deputy Director General of the Authority of Foreign Information Service at the Ministry of Information and Communications Dinh Tien Dung at a press conference on November 6.

To be jointly held by the Ministry of Information and Communications and the provincial People’s Committee, the event aims to promote the image of Vietnam’s innovation and development and spotlight the Vietnam – Laos traditional friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation.

The festival’s organising board will further promote information activities focusing on three pillars: strengthening Vietnam - Laos cooperation in the field of information and communication; boosting investment, trade and tourism promotion activities between the two nations in general and Vietnamese and Lao border localities; and people-to-people exchanges, especially those in border areas.

It will also include a photo exhibition, a trade fair, a science seminar, and an art performance exchange.

These activities will highlight the history and development of the Vietnam – Laos, Laos – Vietnam special friendship, and outstanding achievements in information and communication cooperation between the two countries.

On the occasion, the two sides will discuss prospects and challenges to Vietnam - Laos press and media cooperation, as well as solutions to expand cooperation in this area in the coming time. Digital transformation trends in journalism and communication, as well as the role of information and popularisation in promoting trade and investment ties between the two countries, will be also tabled.

The festival is expected to contribute to further deepening the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Lao ethnic folk dance recognised as ‘National Intangible Cultural Heritage’

Folk dancing performances of Lao ethnic people living in Dien Bien and Dien Bien Dong districts in the northern mountainous province of Dien Bien have been recognised as “National Intangible Cultural Heritage”.

The title was granted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism during a ceremony held in Dien Bien last week.

With ancient origins and created and developed through labour and community communication, the art of Lao folk dance is the creative result of many generations.

According to the provincial Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism, the art is practiced, preserved and promoted in 16 villages in nine communes of the two districts.

Although each dance presents different contents, all of them show the aspiration for a peaceful and happy life, regardless of hardships challenges.

A unique and indispensable cultural activity of Lao people, the folk dance has been staged on significant occasions such as Lunar New Year Festival, Laos Water Festival, wedding, new house celebration, new rice celebration, and other cultural events of the community.

In the past, to preserve the dance, the Culture Department has conducted some solutions, focusing on honouring Lao ethnic artisans. Those who meet the criteria, will be awarded the Meritorious Artisan in the field of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

In addition, the province has paid attention to creating opportunities for the artisans to practice and to teach the dance, promoting the heritage’s values in the community.

Every year, Dien Bien has organised several festivals, which agendas include the dance performances by Lao ethnic artisans. They also were offered chance to attend cultural and art exchange programmes with other provinces nationwide.

Not only that, dance troupes have been founded in every Lao hamlet, contributing to the preservation and promotion the unique values of folk songs and dance of their ethnic group.

At present, seven of nine hamlets in Dien Bien district, and six out of seven in Dien Bien Dong district have their own art troupe.

Photographs and objects about cultural life and about Lao dance are on display at the Dien Bien provincial Museum.

Alongside the preservation of Lao dance, the province is also attentive to conserve the Lao ethnic festivals including Bun Huot Nam – the Water Splashing Festival, and Kin Khau Ho – the new rice celebration. during these festivals, folk dances have been performed by local Lao people.

Deputy PM hails Chinese solar panel maker's investment expansion plan

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang has praised China's leading solar panel maker, Trina Solar Group, for its investment expansion plan in Thai Nguyen province, which will increase the group's total investment in Vietnam to nearly 900 million USD.

Receiving the founder and Chairman of the group Gao Jifan in Hanoi on November 5, Quang said renewable energy development is a trend in the world and Vietnam as well, towards the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

He noted that Vietnam is promulgating specific policies to promote the development of renewable energy, including solar energy.

He asked the Chinese group to create conditions for Vietnamese businesses to participate in the global supply chain in general and the group's supply chain in particular while focusing on lowering costs, improving efficiency of solar energy storage devices, and adopting solutions to treat environmental pollution for expired storage devices.

On this occasion, the Deputy PM commended the northern province of Thai Nguyen for accompanying and supporting foreign investors, particularly Trina Solar Group, in their project implementation.

For his part, Gao Jifan praised Vietnam's potential, policies, and outcomes of renewable energy development, especially in the context of the growing demand for green, eco-friendly products.

Established in 1997, Trina Solar Group operates mainly in the field of research, development, production and sales of solar modules, solar power stations and system products, as well as operation and maintenance services. It ranks among the Top 100 leading companies in the world's solar energy industry.

In 2016, Trina Solar established Trina Solar Vietnam Energy Development Company Limited, whose headquarters is located in Yen Binh Industrial Park, Thai Nguyen province, with a total investment of more than 500 million USD.

Charitable activities help connect Vietnamese, Czech people

Charitable activities are among the bright spots of the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic, with the charity organisation Vietnamese-Czech House making substantive contributions to helping needy people in both countries.

On November 5, the organisation held a ceremony to mark its 10th founding anniversary and held its third congress to elect a new executive board to continue promoting its activities.

At present, the organisation has a 32-strong executive board and more than 350 members. They have visited and presented gifts centres caring for orphans, the elderly and children with disabilities in the Czech Republic, and participated in a lot of charitable activities in the homeland.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Thai Xuan Dung said that the organisation’s activities have been highly valued by authorities and people in the host country and Vietnam.

On this occasion, he presented certificates of merit to outstanding members of the organisation in recognition of their contribution to the community.

Deputy PM raises cooperation recommendations for global eco-civilisation building

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on November 5 proposed three cooperation recommendations in his key remarks delivered at a forum on driving green investment and trade to jointly build global eco-civilisation, held as part of the ongoing 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, China.

Ha was one of the three keynote speakers at the event, which gathered over 200 representatives from governments and international organisations, businesses, and experts.  

He affirmed that this is a historic moment for the world to quickly innovate and transition from a brown economy to a green one.

The first recommendation is to focus on strengthening international cooperation and solidarity to build an ecosystem for green investment and trade, as in dealing with global challenges, global efforts and a commitment to multilateralism are necessary.

Secondly, the process of greening investments and commercial activities must ensure fairness, countries need to act together and pursue common goals while considering their differences in development levels, economic scales, and the adaptive capacity. And

Thirdly, science and technology serve as key to climate change response and green transition, so developed countries should lead in innovation and sci-tech development to produce green products toward environmentally friendly and low-emission infrastructure, transport, and production, while international organisations should contribute to ensuring the fair allocation of resources and the green technology transfer from developed to developing countries.

The Deputy PM held that if developed and developing countries cooperate, efficiently utilise and harness natural resources for energy transition, they can turn the impossible into the possible and work towards the ultimate goal of sustainable development and a global ecological civilisation.

Ha affirmed that Vietnam is ready to join other nations, both developed and developing, in establishing a cooperation framework between them serving green transition.

After the forum, he toured the exhibition spaces of nearly 40 Vietnamese firms at the CIIE, which attracts more than 150 countries, territories and international organisations as well as 3,400 firms worldwide.

Also on November 5, the official received CEO of AstraZeneca Pascal Soriot and Founder of the Jiangsu Runergy New Energy Technology Co. Ltd Tao Longzhong.

Ha said the Vietnamese government is always ready to facilitate AstraZeneca's successful implementation of projects in Vietnam in the fields of health, pharmaceuticals, healthcare ecosystem, and sustainable development, while Soriot expressed the business’s desire to consult and support the nation in establishing a carbon credit market.

Talking to Tao, the Deputy PM proposed that the technology group and Vietnam collaborate on researching and developing feasible technological solutions related to solar panels, smart power transmission grids, green hydrogen and green ammonia, and energy storage batteries.

New solutions reduce GHG emissions from shrimp ponds: Research

New farming solutions have helped reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by nearly 17% in extensive shrimp farms and nearly 11% in intensive farms, according to a research on monitoring GHG emissions from shrimp farming ponds.

The research is part of the "Energy transition and climate change mitigation in Mekong Delta" project co-funded by ActionAid Vietnam and Bread for the World (BfdW) from 2021 to 2023.

Associate Prof. Dr. Le Anh Tuan, a senior lecturer from Can Tho University who represents the research team, said that GHG emissions recorded in shrimp farms in Dong Hai district of Bac Lieu province showed that emissions released from intensive shrimp farming model are 15 times higher than that from extensive shrimp farming model.

Findings from the research revealed that while farming density, pond dredging and shrimp breeding are the main factors that determine the amount of GHG emitted from extensive shrimp farming ponds, in the intensive shrimp farming model, electricity and shrimp feed are the two major sources of emissions, in which electricity consumption makes up 82% and feed 17% of the total GHG emission, Dr. Tuan said at a conference on November 3.

He said that basing on this result, the research team came up with a number of GHG reduction solutions, including reducing electricity consumption, replacing electricity from fossil energy with renewable energy, treating shrimp waste with biogas composting, optimising shrimp feed intake, changing feeding methods, changing shrimp stocking density, and improving the water treatment system to avoid shrimp diseases.

After nine months of application of the solutions, the GHG emissions released from extensive shrimp farming model dropped 16.9%, while that from intensive shrimp farming model was cut by 10.8%.

Nguyen Trung Hieu, Vice Director of the Bac Lieu Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that Bac Lieu, one of the largest shrimp production hubs of the country, has focused on expanding the intensive shrimp farms to reduce negative impacts on the environment.

He held that the determination of major emission sources and provision of solutions to reduce GHG emissions from shrimp ponds are of great help, which needs to be popularised in the coming time.

Associate Prof. Nguyen Hieu Trung, Vice Principal of Can Tho University, said that the research of GHG emissions from aquaculture ponds and the application of GHG emission reduction measures in aquaculture will helping raise public understanding about the importance of reducing emissions and ensuring the sustainability of the aquaculture industry in the Mekong Delta region, contributing to realising Vietnam's commitments to implement the United Nations' sustainable development goals.

At the conference, representatives of state management agencies, research agencies, businesses and shrimp farmers discussed solutions to replicate the shrimp farming model to reduce GHG emissions in the Mekong Delta region. They emphasised the need to strengthen the issuance of guiding documents and organise training to improve awareness and techniques for shrimp farmers, along with favourable policies in the field.

Vietnam promotes lion-dragon dance to the world

The Vietnam Lion-Dragon Dance Federation, in collaboration with the Vovinam-VietVoDao World Federation in France, has organised a performance, featuring spectacular lion-dragon dances and traditional martial arts in Paris.

The Novement 4 event aimed at introducing the Vietnamese folk dance to the international community. This was the first actvitiy abroad held by the Vietnam Lion-Dragon Dance Federation established on April 15, contributing to promoting the development of the folk dance art as well as the image of Vietnam to international friends.

Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, head of the Vietnamese Permanent Delegation to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), beat the drum to open the event.

Lion and dragon dances, along with performances of Vietnamese martial arts sects in France, such as Vovinam-Viet-Vo-Dao, Son Long Quyen Thuat, Minh Long, wowed audience at the event.

Chairman of the Vietnam Lion and Dragon Federation, Master Pham Quang Long highlighted the history of the Vietnamese lion and dragon dance, while expressing his hope that the art will become a strong sport of Vietnam and be included in the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games). He expected to soon establish the World Lion and Dragon Dance Federation so as to promote Vietnamese culture to the international community.

Chairman of the World Council of Vovinam-VietVoDao Masters Tran Nguyen Dao said that Vovinam has been developed in Europe for nearly five decades. This is a favourable condition for the expansion of the lion-dragon dance to the world, he added.

According to Dao, it is necessary to develop the lion-dragon dance on the basis of martial arts associations, then gradually expand it to other groups. It is meant that the lion-dragon dance can be expanded throughout Europe as well as the world via Vovinam-VietVoDao.

Festival honours Khmer traditional culture

The Ok Om Bok festival to worship the Moon will be held in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang on November 25-27, aiming at honouring the traditional cultural traits of local Khmer ethnics.

The event is also to promote local tourism promotion, mobilise resources for tourism infrastructure development, and raise public awareness of tourism development.

An array of fascinating activities will be arranged within the framework of the festival, including ghe ngo (Khmer long boat) race, Moon worshipping ritual, performance of Loi Protip (water lantern), OCOP fair, street food festival, and art exhibition.

Besides, a ceremony to announce the Guiness Vietnam Record for the largest painting made from ST rice in the country will be organised.
 
Ok Om Bok is one of the three main festivals along with Sene Dolta and Chol Chnam Thmay that Khmer people celebrate every year. It takes place under the full moon in the 10th lunar month annually, when it changes from the rainy season to the dry season, the growing season to the harvest season. 

The Khmer believe the Moon is a god who controls the weather and crops throughout the year. On this occasion, Khmer people provide offerings of farm products to thank the God’s blessing for favourable weather and their bountiful harvest.

HCM City strengthens relations with Japan’s Osaka prefecture

Vice Chairman of the People’s Council of Ho Chi Minh City Nguyen Van Dung on November 6 received a delegation of the Friendship Parliamentarians’ Association of Japan’s Osaka prefecture led by its Chairman Wada Kenji.

Speaking at the meeting, Dung said that based on the fine Vietnam-Japan relations, the city has conducted effective cooperation activities with Japanese localities.

Collaboration between the metropolis and Osaka prefecture is one of the most vibrant and effective cooperative relationships in the city's local-level international cooperation.

He proposed the association intensify its collaboration with Ho Chi Minh City in the fields of infrastructure, innovation, green economy, green energy, and biotechnology.

Dung also showed his hope that Japanese parliamentarians will continue to encourage Japanese businesses to come to his city to seek cooperation opportunities and promote cultural exchange activities, and proposed the Japanese government choose the city as a venue for cultural and people-to-people exchange programmes.

Wada Kenji said that his working visit to Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City, on the occasion of the two countries celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations aims to seek and promote cooperation opportunities between Osaka and Vietnam, especially in tourism, and share information about the World Expo 2025 Osaka with authorities and the business community of Ho Chi Minh City.

He committed to providing information about the Vietnamese city’s potential, strengths and development orientation to the Japanese Government and business community, and affirmed the desire to strengthen cooperation with the Vietnamese largest economic hub in areas of mutual interest such as tourism and education to contribute to consolidating the developing Japan-Vietnam relations.

Vietnam, Poland strengthen cooperation in science

The Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, in collaboration with Poland’s University of Warsaw, organised a conference on scientific cooperation between Vietnam and Poland in Hanoi on November 6.

Speaking at the event, Dr Trinh Hai Son, Director of the Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources said that during the two-day conference, 250 participants will join discussions about geology and mineral resources; natural hazards and environmental protection; and archaeology and geoarchaeology. A field trip will be held from November 8-9.

He said this is an important opportunity for the participants to share and discuss advanced research and new technologies in the field of geosciences and other majors such as archaeology, society, and history in Vietnam and Poland.

They are expected to propose solutions for effective application of geosciences in practice, he said.

Prof Anna Wysocka from the Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences, said that the event is held for the first time in Vietnam to strengthen scientific cooperation between Vietnamese research institutes, universities and Polish counterparts.

Through the event, the two sides can exchange experiences, information and ideas in geosciences, minerals, environmental protection and training.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Quy Kien said that since Vietnam and Poland established diplomatic ties on April 2, 1950, the two countries have been cooperating in various areas, including science-technology and education.

According to him, Poland has trained about 4,000 Vietnamese with university and postgraduate degrees including 100 in the geology and minerals sector.

The minister noted that Vietnam and Poland have great potential for cooperation in science and technology which remains untapped. The ministry has assigned the Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources to develop cooperative programmes between the two countries in the fields of geology and minerals, while making preparations toward building a Vietnam-Poland tropical study centre in Vietnam.

Conference gathers ideas on draft national action plan on women, peace, security

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UN Women jointly held a national consultative conference on a draft national action plan (NAP) on women, peace and security (WPS) in Hanoi on November 6.

Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet underlined that the introduction of the UN Security Resolution 1325 in 2000 marked the birth of the WPS agenda with two major objectives of better ensuring the rights of women and girls, and promoting women's participation in all stages of conflict settlement and peace building process.

According to Viet, so far, the agenda has become an important framework and a foundation for the mobilisation of resources and organisation of actions, supporting women amid conflicts and crises, helping them better protect their rights and more effectively promote their role in society.

Deputy FM Viet underscored that in Vietnam, women have made great contributions to the cause of national construction and defence. Currently, many officials, entrepreneurs and UN peacekeepers of Vietnam are women, he added.

Prioritising the promotion of women’s role in maintaining peace and international security have been affirmed right from Vietnam’s first participation in the UN Security Council in the 2008-2009 tenure, he said.

Vietnam left an important imprint by pushing for the UN Security Council's adoption of Resolution 1889 (2009) on the role of women and girls in post-conflict context, which is considered one of the four fundamental resolutions of the council’s WPS agenda.

Vietnam has been one of the countries with a high rate of women joining UN peacekeeping operations at 16%, much higher than the UN’s average rate of 4%, noted Viet.

He recalled that in 2020 in Hanoi, Vietnam successfully hosted an international conference commemorating the 20th anniversary of the UN Security Council’s Resolution 1325, during which the Hanoi Commitment to Action was adopted with the co-sponsorship of 75 countries, calling for the building of NAPs on WPS.

However, the official said that there are many challenges in the path of realising the goal of gender equality in general and the WPS agenda in particular, as Vietnamese women have still faced many war consequences and Vietnamese women and girls’ contributions to families and community have yet to be fully recognised.

Therefore, the country’s building of the NAP on WPS has significant meanings in the current context, reaffirming the country’s strong commitments in the international community’s joint efforts to promote this agenda, said Viet.

He said the NAP is expected to supplement and complete the policy framework on gender equality and women empowerment. Particularly, it will be the first comprehensive framework for this aspect in the field of peace and security, with specific goals and solutions to further promote actions for women, peace and security, especially in the face of emerging challenges and non-traditional security challenges.

For her part, Caroline Nyamayemombe, acting Interim UN Women Representative in Vietnam highly valued Vietnam’s efforts in building the NAP on WPS.

This is an action to deliver on the Vietnamese Government’s commitment in implementing the Hanoi Commitment to Action, she stated, adding that Vietnam's NAP on WPS help realise one of the commitments included in the Hanoi Commitment to Action, which is to recognise the important role of Vietnamese women in creating peace and sustainable development.

Participants at the event, which will run until November 7, gave their ideas on major tasks, goals and solutions set out in the draft NAP, as well as shared their expectations for the implementation of the NAP after it is approved.

Seminar reviews maternal, child care in ethnic minority areas

The Ministry of Health held a seminar in Hanoi on November 6 to review the improvement of public healthcare, physical well-being of ethnic minority people and the prevention of child malnutrition, under Project No. 7 of the National Target Programme on Socio-economic Development in Ethnic Minority and Mountainous Areas.

The event drew the presence of representatives from 21 northern cities and provinces to review the effort during the 2022-2023 period and outline plans for 2024.

Accordingly, provincial-level officials from all 63 cities and provinces attended training courses on nutrition care for babies in their 1,000 first days. The training courses on the model of 1,000 days of nutrition care for provincial-level officials of 39 cities and provinces was also rolled out in Ha Giang and Thua Thien-Hue while a pilot model was carried out in Lao Cai and Dak Lak provinces.

Training was also provided for 566 district-level, 2,870 commune-level officials involved in maternal and child healthcare, and 8,456 village health workers. Over 79,000 pregnant women received iron supplements, and 1,469 malnourished children aged 6-23 months received a package of multiple micronutrient supplementation.

According to the ministry’s Maternal and Child Health Department, the programme targets that by 2025, 90% of pregnant women will receive regular antenatal care and give birth at medical facilities or with the assistance of medical workers. The prevalence of underweight children aged below 5 will be reduced to less than 15%. It also expects to decrease the maternal mortality ratio in mountainous areas to 50 cases per 100,000 live births, and lower the infant mortality rate in mountainous areas to 17%.

The department said next year, priority will be given to allocating funds to disadvantaged mountainous provinces to carry out activities in support of impoverished families. It will also urge and direct units and localities to accelerate the progress of tasks and ensure that they meet schedule and quality requirements.

Vietnamese students in Italy strengthen connectivity and engagement

The 2nd congress of the Vietnamese Students' Association in Italy (ASVI) for the 2023 - 2025 term was held in Rome on November 4, with the online and offline participation of 37 delegates representing nearly 1,000 Vietnamese students and graduate students that are living, studying and working in the European country.

Addressing the event, Nguyen Luu Tra My, member of the Secretariat and Chief of the Office of the Vietnamese Students' Association (VSA) Central Committee underlined the need for ASVI to promote widespread implementation of the student movement in the country, strengthen the gathering and engagement of Vietnamese students in all regions of Italy, and actively participate in the preparation for the 11th National Congress of the VSA for the 2023 - 2028 tenure.

Participants focused on reviewing and evaluating the ASVI's activities during the 2021-2023 term.

Accordingly, during the last tenure, the ASVI has organised many important, large-scale activities and events in many fields such as sports, culture, and education for students living and studying in Italy and those having a passion for Italian culture.

The association has also organised and joined volunteer activities, attracting crowds of students.

In the 2023 - 2025 term,  the ASVI’s executive board will continue to promote the management of students, communications, learning, and scientific research, culture and sports activities, towards enhancing connectivity in the Vietnamese student community in the country.

Contestants to compete at Chinese language Eloquence event

Out of a pool of 300, the top 35 selected contenders are poised to participate in the second National Chinese Language Eloquence Contest, taking place in the central city of Da Nang from November 9-11.

This marks the second occasion Da Nang has hosted a contest of national stature.

Nguyen Ngoc Binh, head of the organising committee, emphasised the significance of the event during a press briefing. He highlighted that the contest is part of a series of events leading up to the 74th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations and the 16th year of their strategic comprehensive partnership in the forthcoming year.

According to Binh, this year's contest is themed 'The role of Vietnamese young people in international integration'. It has seen improved preparation by the contestants representing 25 provinces and cities along with 43 universities across the nation, all honed over a period of two months.

“The qualification round had selected 35 candidates representing 17 localities and 26 universities for the final round. The top-ten list will be given one first prize, two runner-up and four third-place awards, while 28 encouragement prizes are set for finalists,” he said.

He said the organising committee will reserve three other auxiliary awards for the best video clip, the best pronunciation and the best answers in the preliminary round.

Acting Consul General of the Chinese Consulate-General Yang Shunfeng said the contest is a stage for young Vietnamese to express their Chinese language studies and skills, boosting the exchange among young people from the two countries.

“We have witnessed the increasing activities and exchange events among localities from China and central Vietnam through the COVID-19 difficulties. Young people from Da Nang and Hue joined visits and exchanges with Guangxi and Dalian,” Yang Shunfeng said at the press conference.

“The Chinese Consulate-General, in co-operation with Thua Thien-Hue province, hosted the Chinese language singing festival, and the Vietnamese-Chinese Exchange event at Da Nang’s Foreign Language University,” he said.

Yang Shunfeng said vocalist Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen from Da Nang city’s Trung Vuong Theatre was invited to perform at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

The acting Consul General scholarships had been presented to post-graduated Vietnamese students and the event’s competitors would earn opportunities for getting scholarships.

Competitors from the National Chinese language Eloquence Contest will join the community activities, including visits to the centres of Agent Orange (AO) victims, underprivileged children and disabled persons as well as landscapes during the three-day event, Binh said.

Direct air routes have been planned connecting Da Nang with Hunan, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Chengdu.

Vietnam joins Defence & Security 2023 show in Thailand

A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army Sen. Lieut. Gen Phung Si Tan attended the Defence & Security 2023 show that opened in Thailand on November 6, with over 500 leading defence manufacturers from 45 countries globally taking part.

The Vietnamese stall, run by military-run telecom provider Viettel, covers nearly 100sq.m and displays 60 product categories in the form of models and videos, including communications, electronic warfare, simulation models, optoelectronics, radar, command and control, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and 5G private network.

On the first day of the event, it welcomed more than 50 foreign delegations, including defence officials from the Philippines, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, India, and others.

Themed “Power of Partnership”, the event is one of the top 15 military exhibitions globally and is the largest in Southeast Asia. Under the auspices of the Thai Ministry of Defence, the show is held biennially over the past two decades as a premier regional security and defence event in Southeast Asia.

Running from November 6-9, the exhibition features a wide range of military products catering to combat solutions for land, sea, and air forces.

Defence and security equipment on display include weapon systems, firearms, missiles, tanks, UAVs, transport and naval vessels, satellite and communications technologies, electronic defence technology, artillery control systems, launchers and other crucial military systems, both hardware and software. It also showcases cybersecurity, disaster relief and prevention products and services.

National action programme on women, peace and security under discussion

Women and girls are the key and driving force behind the resilience of each family and community, deputy foreign minister Đỗ Hùng Việt said in a consultation workshop hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UN Women on Monday.

The event aims to discuss the draft National Action Programme on Women, Peace and Security. 

Noting that women’s efforts and contributions have often been carried out in silence, minister Việt said the programme is expected to improve policies for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The action plan will also include specific goals and solutions for the cause, especially in the face of emerging and non-traditional security challenges. 

The development of this national action programme at this point in time also has a special significance, reaffirming Việt Nam’s commitment to the joint efforts of the international community to this agenda which was introduced in Resolution 1325 (2000) by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

The resolution addresses the impact of war on women, and the importance of women’s full and equal participation in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and post-conflict reconstruction.

Foreign minister Việt said that the agenda has become an important framework to gather resources, take action and offer support to women in conflicts and crises, thereby better protecting the rights of women and promoting their role in society. 

He added that throughout the course of Vietnamese history, women have made significant contributions to national liberation, construction and traditions.

Today, they also take on the role of officials, entrepreneurs and UN peacekeepers.  

Việt Nam has a high rate of women officers participating in UN peacekeeping operations at 16 per cent, while the UN average is 4 per cent. 

When Việt Nam first joined the UNSC in 2008-2009, the country led the adoption of a resolution on women, peace and security (SCR 1889) which is considered one of the four key resolutions of the UNSC Agenda on Women, Peace and Security. 

In 2020, Việt Nam hosted a global conference commemorating the 20th anniversary of UNSC Resolution 1325 in Hà Nội. 

The event resulted in the Hà Nội Commitment to Action which is endorsed by 75 UN member states.

Alongside the achievements, foreign minister Việt noted that multiple challenges remain on the path to the goals of gender equality and the women, peace and security agenda. 

Vietnamese people, particularly women, are still facing adversity in their daily lives as well as severe consequences from the wars. 

Speaking at the workshop, acting Interim UN Women Representative in Việt Nam Caroline Nyamayemombe gave high regard to the development of Việt Nam’s action programme on women, peace and security. 

“The national action programme on women, peace and security realises a clause in the Hà Nội Commitment to Action, which is to recognise the important role of Vietnamese women in establishing peace and sustainable development. 

“Whether as peacemakers, peacekeepers, peacebuilders or responders to crisis and commitments to gender equality or women’s and girls’ empowerment, their exercise of human rights is indispensable to the efforts of maintaining global peace,” said Nyamayemombe.

The workshop will continue until Tuesday. 

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