Recent heavy rains and flash floods have caused significant damage in northern Vietnam, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

From October 6 to 9, incessant rains and subsequent floods in Yen Bai Province affected over 350 houses, and damaged more than 90 hectares of rice and vegetable crops, and more than 40 hectares under fish farming. Many streets and residential areas in the province were flooded.

In Lao Cai, heavy rains caused flooding in farming areas and landslides in Vo Lao Commune, with around 200 cubic meters of rock and mud falling onto the road. Landslides also disrupted the operation of the Hanoi-Lao Cai railway, particularly in Van Yen District of Yen Bai Province.

On the morning of October 8, the railway was temporarily reopened, but trains passing through this section are required to travel at below five kilometers per hour.

In the south of the country, the Mekong Delta province of Ca Mau was hit by heavy rains and flood tides, with over 400 houses submerged under water. More than 22,000 hectares of rice, 170 hectares of flower plants, and 450 hectares of fish farms were damaged.

Vietnam stun RoK 5-2 in AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers’ final match

The Vietnamese futsal team clinched an outstanding 5-2 victory over the Republic of Korea (RoK) in their final match of Group D on October 11 during the qualifiers of the 2024 AFC Futsal Asian Cup.      

From the opening whistle both teams showed plenty of intent to attack and score the opening goal.

Duong Ngoc Linh eventually opened the scoring in the 14th minute, with Nhan Gia Hung doubling the score two minutes later.

The Korean players pulled one back to make it 2-1 in the opening minutes of the second set.

The Vietnamese players then scored three more goals before the RoK scored a consolation goal, with the final score of 5-2 for both team’s final match of the group stage.

Vietnam finish first in Group D with the RoK in second, with both therefore winning places to compete in the final round of the 2024 AFC Futsal Asian Cup which is scheduled to get underway in Thailand from April 17 to April 28, 2024.

The 2024 AFC Futsal Asian Cup finals will also serve as the qualifying round of the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup.

The Vietnamese team have played in two FIFA Futsal World Cups before, in 2016 and 2020, reaching the knockout-stage in both tournaments.

At the most recent World Cup, they ended their campaign in the round of 16. They are now placed 39th in the global rankings.

Two die in Danang house fire

Two teenagers have died after a fire broke out at their house in the central city of Danang's Thanh Khe District early Wednesday morning.

Police in Thanh Khe District reported that the incident occurred at 1.30 am at a three-storey house on Tran Cao Van Street.

"The fire started on the ground floor and three people, a couple and their nine-year-old son managed to run out the door," the report said. "They tried to put out the fire and called for help. Some neighbours came to help them but failed to control the fire which was spreading fast."

When firefighters arrived, they faced difficulties getting their engines to the fire as the house lay in a small valley. When the fire was controlled at 3 am, two boys aged 14 and 12 were found dead in their bedroom on the second floor.

The house is heavily damaged. Some witnesses said that the boys might have slept and did not notice the fire and they died from smoke inhalation from the fire.

Police are investigating the cause of the fire.

15 million Vietnamese people live with mental disorders

It is estimated that around 15 million Vietnamese people live with ten types of mental health disorders, accounting for 14.9 percent of the population.

Overwhelming majority of people have suffered from anxiety and depressive disorders and the rest are other mental disorders such as bipolar disorder, mental disorders related to usage of alcohol, drug and stimulants.

On the World Mental Health Day (October 10), a conference on mental health system strengthening was kicked off this morning with participation of Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan.

Speaking at the conference, Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan said that every year, the number of deaths from non-communicable diseases account for 74 percent of total deaths worldwide.

Especially, regarding non-communicable diseases, mental disorders are mostly common, tend to increase and the cause of other health problems.

According to the World Health Organization, one in every eight people were living with a mental disorder, comprising anxiety and depressive disorders being the most common.

Especially, the Covid-19 pandemic has caused a global mental health crisis, exacerbating acute and chronic stress and destroying the mental health of millions of people.

In Vietnam alone, around 15 million Vietnamese people live with ten types of mental health disorders, accounting for 14.9 percent of the population.

More than 3 millions of children in the country are in needs of mental health services.

However, mental health works have faced many difficulties and challenges. Currently, almost all the districts have not provided inpatient mental health examination and treatment services.

Most hospital with specialized obstetrical, pediatrics, obstetrics and geriatrics services do not have psychiatric department.

Vietnam has faced a lack of human resources serving mental health care with 605 psychiatrists, reaching 0.62 doctors per 100,000 people, lower than the global average with 1.7 doctors.

Transition from paper to electronic health records still slow

Although electronic health records bring many benefits to both medical facilities as well as patients, the transition from paper to electronic health records is still slow.

Electronic medical records are considered by the Ministry of Health as the core and starting point for digital transformation in the health sector.

At 8 a.m., 47-year-old patient Tran Huy Luan in Thu Duc City’s Linh Tay Ward arrived at Thu Duc City Hospital. He was prescribed biochemical blood tests, an ultrasound of the abdomen, and X-rays of the chest area.

After the test results were available, he returned to the original clinic and waited to receive his medication. It took him only about 80 minutes whereas he spent more than 3 hours before. A significant decrease in waiting time made him feel satisfied.

Being the first hospital in the country to pilot electronic health records since 2015, Thu Duc City Hospital has digitized all paper medical records and integrated into the software over 6,000 paper medical records, helping to store for a long time, convenient for statistical work, reports, scientific research, forecasts.

Dr. Vu Tri Thanh, Deputy Director in charge of Thu Duc City Hospital, said that electronic health records reduced the retrieval time markedly compared to paper medical records, from nearly 31 minutes to nearly 19 minutes. The hospital employee must resolve thousands of medical records each day, the amount of time saved is very significant, not to mention the utilities in storing and retrieving when needed.

Similarly, District 3-located Binh Dan Hospital has constantly promoted digital transformation to satisfy the requirements of more than 2,000 outpatients, nearly 900 inpatients per day from 2022 to now. Nearly all modules in medical records have been completed and operated smoothly, reaching 5/7 according to the Ministry of Health’s Circular 46/2018/TT-BYT on registration records.

According to Binh Dan Hospital’s chief nursing officer Vo Thuan Anh, nurses had to handwrite 5 forms on paper after caring for patients previously, which took a long time, now they have been integrated into 1 electronic form. Parameters such as pulse, temperature, and blood pressure of patients are automatically updated as soon as the nurse enters the data, extremely convenient, accurate and safe.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, the country has about 1,300 medical facilities, including about 135 hospitals of first grade or higher. However, only about 50 health facilities including public and private facilities have officially announced the transition from paper medical records to electronic health records. In Ho Chi Minh City, some units have implemented electronic health records such as Thu Duc City Hospital, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Hung Vuong Hospital, Binh Dan Hospital, and Gia An 115 Hospital.

Up to now, 41/51 hospitals have developed plans to implement e-medical records, and 27/51 hospitals have ensured the implementation of digital health records in 2023 in accordance with the roadmap of the Ministry of Health. According to hospitals, it is necessary to have a large budget to invest in information technology systems and human resources.

However, this funding source is very difficult for self-financing hospitals because the cost of information technology has not been included in the price structure of technical services performed, so many places are still struggling to manage. Dr. Mai Duc Huy, Deputy Director of Saigon General Hospital, informed that the hospital has only implemented insurance at the basic level and will soon upgrade the hospital information system to level 6 to implement advanced health insurance, eliminating paper medical records.

Hospital leaders said that the implementation of electronic medical records should be carried out synchronously between infirmaries because a patient not only goes to one hospital but can be treated at many different hospitals; therefore if patients’ medical histories are not linked, the electronic medical records become a waste.

Recently, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan has asked the health sector to promote digital transformation by conducting non-cash payment of medical service costs, deploying electronic medical records, and not using paper medical records. Moreover, she urged the use of electronic prescriptions, citizen identity cards with chips as well as book online medical examination and treatment. As scheduled, by the end of 2025, all hospitals across the country must apply electronic medical records.

Agencies, localities urged to increase quality, efficiency of external information service

The Steering Committee for External Information Service on October 11 organised a national conference on studying and implementing the Politburo’s Conclusion No. 57-KL/TW dated June 15, 2023, on continuing to improve the quality and efficiency of external information service in the new situation.

Conclusion No.57-KL/TW is an important legal document, affirming the Party's consistent policy on the role and importance of external information work. It has a strategic orientation and a basis for agencies and units to develop and perfect mechanisms, policies, and apparatus for external information service.

In February 2012, the Politburo issued Conclusion No. 16-KL/TW on the external information service development strategy for the period of 2010 - 2020. After ten years of implementing Conclusion No. 16-KL/TW, the external information work achieved many important results, contributing to enhancing Vietnam's position and reputation in the international arena, protecting the Party's ideological foundation, protecting the regime, and serving the cause of national construction and development.

The Steering Committee for External Information Service made changes, achieving many important results in both organisation and implementation of political tasks. The coordination between member agencies of the steering committee and between the central steering committee and localities and press agencies has been increasingly strengthened and proved effective.

However, the external information work has been facing difficulties and limitations, especially in the new situations with complicated unpredictable changes in the world and the region. Thus, the external information work is required to keep innovating to catch up with trends of the era of science and technology.

The issuance of Conclusion No.57-KL/TW shows the attention that Party and State leaders have paid to the external information work.

Speaking at the conference,  Nguyen Trong Nghia, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, Chairman of its Commission for Information and Education, and head of the Steering Committee for External Information Service, asked agencies and localities to further enhance their roles and responsibilities in directing and organising the study and implementation of Conclusion No. 57-KL/TW.

He emphasised the need to raise awareness among officials, Party members, and people about the importance of the external  information work and Vietnam's foreign policy and guidelines.

Agencies and localities were asked to develop action programmes and plans to effectively implement the Conclusion. It is also necessary to continue to focus on building and training a force working in the foreign information work, he said.

He emphasised the need to mobilise resources in all three aspects of human resources, material resources, and financial resources, both domestically and internationally, to effectively serve foreign information tasks, contributing to the successful implementation of national development goals until 2030 with a vision to 2045 set at the 13th National Party Congress.

PM lauds entrepreneurs’ role in national development

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that businesses and entrepreneurs play a crucial role in the cause of national construction and development when he chaired a hybrid meeting between permanent cabinet members and outstanding businesspeople in Hanoi on October 11.

Speaking at the meeting, held on the occasion of the Vietnamese Entrepreneurs' Day (October 13), the PM said Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, on behalf of the Politburo, has signed to issue a resolution dated October 10 on developing and promoting the role of Vietnamese entrepreneurs in the new period.

He praised the businesses and entrepreneurs who have worked to advance the positions of Vietnamese products in the international market, thereby enhancing the national economy’s self-reliance.

The leader stressed that Vietnam is home to nearly 900,000 operating businesses, about 14,400 cooperatives and more than 5 million business households. The business circle contributes more than 60% of the national GDP, and about 30% of the total workforce.

Notably, after more than 36 years of reform, the country's GDP stood at about 409 billion USD last year, up 51 times. In the 1986 – 2022 period, Vietnam was among the five countries with the highest economic growth in the world. It has become the 4th biggest economy in ASEAN and the 40th largest in the world. Vietnam is in the top 20 economies in terms of international trade.

The Government and the PM will continue to support the business community, stabilise the macroeconomy, control inflation, promote growth, ensure major economic balances, maintain security and social order, the leader stressed.

At the same time, the Government will further improve the business environment, remove unnecessary business conditions, raise national competitiveness, streamline administrative procedures, and build the digital economy and the digital government, he went on.

The Government leader also pledged to remove bottlenecks in resources mobilisation, production and business, and further facilitate credit access of people and businesses.

He urged ministries, agencies and localities to review obstacles facing businesses, and set out plans to quickly and effectively handle them, noting great efforts are needed to speed up public investment disbursement.

PM Chinh urged stepping up the application of scientific-technological advances, startup ecosystem building, personnel training, national digitalisation, and the formation of domestic and international supply and value chains.

He laid emphasis on policies in support of enterprises, especially in recovery and innovation based on the trends of digital transformation, energy transition, green transition, and inclusive and circular business models.

The PM asked the business community to constantly raise their competitiveness, reform production and business models, expand the markets, and diversify products and supply chains, while showing their social responsibility and playing a more active role in poverty reduction.

At the meeting, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung reported that the total revenue of non-state firms in the first half of this year reached over 11.8 quadrillion VND (482.61 billion USD), an increase of 16.17% from the same period last year. Meanwhile, the revenue from state-owned enterprises was nearly 690 trillion VND, equivalent to 50% of the plan.

Representatives from businesses and associations lauded efforts by the Government and the PM in instructing ministries, agencies and localities to drastically implement policies and solutions in the new situation, helping to untangle knots for enterprises in a timely fashion.

Floods damage hydropower plant in Gia Lai Province

A hydropower plant under construction in Chư Prông District, Central Highlands province of Gia Lai, has been damaged due to floods, causing heavy losses to farm produce and posing severe environmental consequences.

The Ia Glae 2 hydropower plant, being built on the Ia Glae Stream, was hit by a sudden water influx with a high flow rate caused by torrential rain in the region from Sunday night to early Monday morning.

The nearly 100m long, 4m high dam body of the plant was almost washed away.

The hydroelectric project with a design capacity of 12MW and an investment capital of over VNĐ423 billion is under construction on an area of 83.7 hectares.

Floodwaters flattened the dam body and swept away dozens of hectares of crops on both sides of the stream.

Coffee, pepper, cashew, banana, and coconut were the main plants damaged.

The floodwater also partially broke the second-order spillway of the hydropower plant.

Đặng Văn Dậu, a resident of Chư Prông District, said since the hydroelectric power plant started its construction, there has been a larger flow of water every flood season, leading to the collapse of the dam body.

The incident completely washed away nearly 2.5 hectares of his family's crops and long-term industrial trees.

Đào Văn Hà, another resident, said floods from upstream clashed with the Ia Glae 2 hydroelectric plant and created huge pressure, causing the dam to break, sweeping everything away. All the crops that he had cared for many years have gone.

The dam collapse also polluted domestic and irrigation water sources for 19 households and affected dozens of hectares of plants, which are mostly long-term crops with high economic value.

Local people said that although there was no loss of life, this was a serious incident, causing huge damages to their property. However, when the incident occurred, the district People's Committee did not promptly report it to higher authorities, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

Nguyễn Văn Luyến, head of the district’s Section of Agriculture and Rural Development, said local authorities are coordinating with Khải Hoàng Hydropower Joint Stock Company to review a list of affected households.

Before each rainy and stormy season, the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee issues documents directing relevant agencies to inspect, monitor, and ensure the safety of hydroelectric and irrigation projects in the province.

The provincial People's Committee has asked project owners and local authorities to strengthen measures to prevent and respond to possible incidents.

The Ia Glae 2 Hydropower Plant was invested in by Khải Hoàng Hydropower Joint Stock Company, headquartered in Pleiku City, Gia Lai province.

The power plant’s investment was approved by the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee in February 2020.

The project entered the construction phase in the second quarter of 2020 and was expected to be completed and put into use in the fourth quarter of 2021. However, the project has not been completed. 

HCM City wants to step up cooperation with AFD: Official

Ho Chi Minh City wants to strengthen cooperation with the French Development Agency  (AFD) in the coming time, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan said when receiving AFD Director in Vietnam Herve Conan on October 11.

Hoan appreciated AFD’s support for the development of Vietnam in general and the city in particular, especially in projects related to urban development and climate change response.

He said that the city now has a huge demand for development investment and is calling for social resources from the State, enterprises, people, foreign investors, and partners like AFD.

The official also said that during its development and urbanisation process, the city has been facing challenges such as transport, waste, and flooding as well as requirements for development in the new situation, including a shift to a green economy.

The city hopes to receive AFD’s support and cooperation to overcome such challenges, Hoan said.

For his part, Conan said that France made a strong commitment to accompany developed countries in implementing agreements on coping with climate change and reducing greenhouse emissions under the 2007 Bali Treaty. Therefore, in recent years, AFD has been focusing on cooperating with governments to implement projects in these areas.

Conan said that AFD is currently implementing cooperation projects with Vietnamese localities in the field of climate change adaptation such as urban flood prevention, coastal erosion prevention, water management and treatment, and emission reduction.

He expressed his hope that based on the results of cooperation between AFD and Vietnam’s localities as well as between AFD and Ho Chi Minh City Finance and Investment State-owned Company (HFIC), the agency and the city will promote connection and cooperation, especially in implementing projects related to transport, environment and urban development.

Vietnam, Japan foster educational cooperation

Vietnamese Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son on October 11 highly valued Japan’s educational development, and suggested the country share its experience with Vietnam to step up bilateral cooperation in this field.

At his meeting with Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Moriyama Masahito in Tokyo, Son stressed that Vietnam wants to learn from foreign countries’ advanced education, especially Japan’s policy on general education.

The minister expressed his hope that the two sides will foster collaboration in higher education, with more Vietnamese students to study in Japan, especially through scholarship programmes granted by the Japanese Government and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

He suggested Japan further support Vietnam in implementing the present projects and work on plans to boost cooperation between the two countries’ higher education institutions in terms of training, research and the exchange of lectures and students.

Son called on Japan to expand short-term training courses in the country for Vietnamese public servants.

For his part, Moriyama affirmed that Vietnam is one of Japan’s strategic partners in Asia-Pacific, saying the two countries have maintained collaboration in general education and student exchanges.

Regarding the exchange of undergraduate and postgraduate students, the minister agreed with his Vietnamese counterpart’s suggestions, stressing that relevant agencies of both sides need to make greater efforts in this regard.

Moriyama noted with pleasure to witness, together with Son, the exchange of a memorandum of understanding between the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training and Japan’s Mizuno Group on cooperation in physical education at primary schools in Vietnam.

On October 10, Son and his entourage visited the Tokyo Gakugei University and met with the university’s representatives.

He is scheduled to hold a meeting with the Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on October 13.

Cambodian PM pledges to continue promoting ties with Vietnam

The Government, ministries and sectors of Cambodia will continue to coordinate and cooperate with Vietnam to further strengthen comprehensive relations between the two countries, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet affirmed while receiving Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Huy Tang in Phnom Penh on October 11.

The Cambodian PM hailed development achievements of Vietnam, and highlighted the significance of the relations and mutual support between the two countries as well as among Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam in the cause of national construction and defence in each nation.

He expressed delight at the development of the friendly neighbourliness, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability between the two countries thanks to regular high-level visits and the promotion of bilateral cooperation mechanisms.

PM Hun Manet showed his delight at the positive growth of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, suggesting that the two sides continue to promote the achievements, strengthen their partnership and expand collaboration in all fields, along with effectively implementing reached agreements to practically contribute to improving the efficiency of bilateral collaboration.

Tang congratulated Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet on his election by the Cambodian National Assembly as the Prime Minister of Cambodia, and expressed his impression at the great achievements in national development and external relations that the Cambodian people have gained under the leadership of the Cambodian Royal Government, including the success in COVID-19 prevention and control.

The diplomat highly valued and congratulated Cambodia on completing its role as the ASEAN Chair 2022 and the Chair of the 43rd ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-43), successfully organising the communal-level People’s Council election in the fifth tenure as well as the 7th National Assembly election, and hosting the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 32) and the 12th ASEAN Para Games, which has made important contributions to enhancing Cambodia's prestige and position in the world arena.

The two sides also discussed a number of issues related to the relationship between the two countries.

They agreed on the need to continue maintaining the exchange of delegations at all levels and through all channels to share experience and information, promoting bilateral cooperation mechanisms and the Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia tripartite collaboration mechanisms.

They also consented to strengthen the comprehensive cooperation, especially in trade, tourism, defence, security, considering the expansion of cooperation in promising areas, and seeking new cooperation opportunities and mechanisms to bring practical benefits to both sides.

Seven endangered animals released into Bu Gia Map National Park

Seven animals of critically endangered species have been released back into nature in Bu Gia Map National Park, the southern province of Binh Phuoc.

They comprise three Sunda pangolins (Manis Javanica), one northern pig-tailed macaque (Macaca leonina), one pygmy slow loris (Nycticebus Pygmaeus), one reticulated python (Python reticulatus), and one clouded monitor (Varanus nebulosus).

All the species are listed in the Vietnam Red Data Book of endangered species.

The animals were reintroduced to the wild by the forest protection division of Bu Gia Map district and Phuoc Long town, and the Bu Gia Map National Park’s centre for creature rescue, conservation and development.

Earlier, they had been handed over by local residents and then received care from the centre in a semi-wild setting.

The conservation centre said it will keep coordinating with forest protection units to monitor the animals in 15 days. The individuals unable to adapt to the natural environment will be brought back to the centre for further care to recover their natural instincts, and released back to nature later.

So far, the forest protection force of Binh Phuoc and the Bu Gia Map National Park have reintroduced a number of threatened animals, most of which were handed over by locals.

ASEAN enhances cooperation with Japan, China in natural disaster management

The 6th bilateral meetings between the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) and Japan and China were held in Ha Long city, the northern province of Quang Ninh, on October 11.

The 6th Meeting of the ACDM Plus Japan was co-chaired by Pham Duc Luan, ACDM Chairman and General Director of the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority, and Murakami Takeo, Director for International Cooperation at the Disaster Management Bureau of the Cabinet Office of Japan.

Speaking highly of Japan’s support for ACDM activities as well as the promotion of collaboration between public and private entities of ASEAN and Japan in natural disaster management, Luan stressed that the annual meeting of the ACDM Plus Japan is a valuable opportunity for both sides to evaluate the ACDM Plus Japan work plan, while reaffirming cooperation commitment between ASEAN and Japan in natural disaster management.

An array of issues was on the table at the meeting, including the ASEAN – Japan work plan on natural disaster management during 2021-2025, enhanced capacity to consolidate natural disaster database and manage information, and support for the ASEAN – Emergency Response and Assessment Team (ASEAN – ERAT) project. The Memoranda of Intent between the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) was also discussed, as was the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre, and the AHA Centre and Japan International Cooperation Agency.

They also worked on content in preparation for the third ASEAN – Japan Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management, which is scheduled for October 12.

Meanwhile, the 6th Meeting of the ACDM Plus China was co-chaired by Luan and Yin Mingyu, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Rescue under China’s Ministry of Emergency Management.

At the event, Luan said he recognised contributions of competent sides in carrying out the ASEAN – China work plan in 2023, describing it as a backbone for the ASEAN – China partnership in natural disaster mitigation.

He suggested both sides exert more effort to promote the work plan.

The ACDM Plus China mechanism, which was set up in 2020, has oriented and bolstered the bilateral cooperation in natural disaster management, making contributions to building a region resilient to global threats such as climate change in a more comprehensive and effective fashion.

Participants at the meeting discussed important issues in the ASEAN – China cooperation, comprising an update on the implementation of the ASEAN – China work plan on natural disaster management, a draft Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of the ASEAN – China Centre for Emergency Management Cooperation, and an agreement on ASEAN – China natural disaster management project.

Vietnam pledges to contribute more to UNESCO

Vietnam will work harder to contribute to the common affairs of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) more practically and effectively, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu affirmed at the 217th Session of the UNESCO Executive Board which took place in Paris on October 9-10.

In his remarks at the opening ceremony, Vu stressed the importance of multilateral cooperation amidst an evolving world, and called on countries to enhance international cooperation, dialogue, trust and solidarity to seek common solutions to the current challenges.

He praised efforts by the UNESCO Director General and Secretariat in developing and implementing programmes and activities such as recommendations on ethics of AI and the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development – MONDIACULT, among others, saying they have helped member countries implement sustainable development goals by 2030.

Vu lauded UNESCO's humanitarian aid programmes in areas under its jurisdiction for countries affected by crises or conflicts such as Afghanistan, Haiti, and Ukraine.
 
Vietnam will further coordinate in the implementation of the memorandum of understanding on cooperation with UNESCO for the 2021-2025 period, he affirmed.

On this occasion, Vu had meetings with UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay, Deputy Director General Xing Qu, Chairperson of the Executive Board Tamara Rastovac Siamashvi and leaders of the organisation's departments, and delegation heads of several countries to promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

The UNESCO leaders and delegation heads spoke highly of good cooperation between Vietnam and UNESCO and other member countries, as well as Vietnam’s role and contributions to key mechanisms of the organisation.

Congratulating Vietnam on having the first inter-provincial UNESCO-listed world heritage site Ha Long - Cat Ba, the UNESCO leaders and Secretariat pledged to further support the country’s new heritage dossiers, and help it in preserving and promoting values of recognised world heritages.

They hoped that Vietnam will win a seat at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for the 2023-2027 tenure.

New plan to promote conservation, restoration of Hue monuments complex

The People’s Committee of the central province of Thua Thien - Hue held a workshop on October 11 to discuss the drafting of a plan on the preservation and restoration of the Complex of Hue Monuments by 2030, with a vision to 2050.

Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Van Phuong said that since the complex was recognised by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site – the first tangible cultural heritage of Vietnam to earn this title, two planning projects on the complex conservation and value promotion were implemented, for 1996 - 2010 and 2010 - 2020.

Hundreds of relics, including major ones with typical historical and artistic values, have been restored. Tangible cultural heritage elements have been researched and conserved in a methodological manner and had their values brought into play.

The ancient heritage of Hue has been gradually brought to life in contemporary times, the official noted.

In particular, he continued, the Government has issued many specific mechanisms and policies to provide an important legal basis for the province to conserve and promote the values of both tangible and intangible cultural heritages, and expand cooperation with international partners in this regard.
 
A new plan will create an important prerequisite for the conservation and promotion of the complex’s values at present and in the future, Phuong added.

At the workshop, many participants said that Hue, the capital of Vietnam during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802 - 1945), is a rare heritage city that remains rather intact in the country.

The new plan needs to build on achievements of the previous ones. Besides, the conservation also requires joint efforts by the local community so that people can benefit from relics and be proud of the world heritage that they live nearby.

Local cultural heritage elements should become a resource for the cultural and service industries and an impetus for the province's socio-economic development, participants noted.

After collecting opinions from experts and local residents, the administration of Thua Thien - Hue will finalise the draft plan and submit it to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for verification and to the Prime Minister for approval in January 2024.

Hue city is home to five world heritage elements, namely the Complex of Hue Monuments, Nha Nhac (Vietnamese court music), the woodblocks of the Nguyen Dynasty, the imperial archives of the Nguyen Dynasty, and the royal literature on Hue royal architecture.

Vietnam, Japan step up defence cooperation

Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and Deputy Defence Minister, held talks with General Yoshida Yoshihide, Chief of Staff of the Japan Self-Defence Forces Joint Staff in Japan on October 11.

At the talks, both sides agreed that their defence cooperation has deepened and become more collaborative over the past time.

Japan and Vietnam signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Defence Cooperation and Exchanges in October 2011, and the Joint Vision Statement on Defence Cooperation towards the next decade in April 2018, which serve as the foundation for bilateral cooperation in the field. The two countries have promoted delegation exchange, effectively maintained consultation and dialogue mechanisms, worked together in defence industry and settlement of post-war consequences, and supported each other at multilateral forums in the region, particularly the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM ).

Particularly, both sides joined hands to organise the Competency Evaluation Programme for Prospective United Nations Peacekeepers (CEPPP) in Vietnam last September, fulfilling the role of co-chairs of the 14th meeting of the Experts’ Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations Cycle 4 for the 2021-2023 period within the framework of the ADMM .

Cuong and his Japanese host reached consensus on several measures to promote the bilateral defence ties, with a focus on delegation exchange, maintenance of existing consultation mechanisms, human resources training, implementation of a programme to improve capacity in the fields of diving medicine and clearance of naval mines, UN peacekeeping activities, recovery of post-war consequences, and bolstered coordination at multilateral mechanisms.

HCM City, Canadian province of Ontario push forward ties

Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan and Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade of the province of Ontario in Canada Vic Fedeli discussed ways to push forward bilateral ties in the near future during a reception in the city on October 11.

Hoan hailed the Canadian delegation’s visit which takes place at a time when Vietnam and Canada are witnessing positive developments in their ties, especially in trade and investment.

He said Ontario could cooperate with Ho Chi Minh City in wood production and processing, pharmaceuticals and vaccine production.

Ho Chi Minh City wishes to acquire experience or direct investment from Ontario firms in the fields of information technology, artificial intelligence and digital transformation, he said.

Fedeli, for his part, said the visit demonstrates the Ontario administration's interest in Ho Chi Minh City and highlights the positive developments of ties between the two countries.

He said the community of Vietnamese Canadians, just over 150,000 in Ontario and over 275,000 in Canada, serve as a friendship bridge and a driving force to step up bilateral cooperation.

Sharing local strengths and potential, he said Ontario is keen on partnering with Ho Chi Minh City in vaccine research and production, water treatment, green energy development and trade.

Ontario is ready to deepen the government-to-government, business-to-business and people-to-people relationship between the two localities, he said.

Vietnamese culture, arts preserved, promoted in Germany

A visiting delegation of the Central Council for the Theory and Criticism of Literature and the Arts held a meeting with cultural and artistic associations of the Vietnamese community in Germany on October 10 in Berlin to seek measures to preserve and promote Vietnamese culture and arts in Germany.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Vu Quang Minh said that cultural and arts activities of the Vietnamese community in Germany are robust, rich and diverse, including music, dance, poetry, literature and other forms of arts. He also expressed his hope that Vietnamese culture and arts will be preserved and promoted in the European country through generations.

Chairman of the Central Council for the Theory and Criticism of Literature and the Arts Nguyen The Ky said the delegation's visit to Germany aims to discuss with organisations and agencies of the German side as well as associations of the Vietnamese community cooperation in literature and arts and activities in the field of overseas Vietnamese, serving the review and perfection of the Vietnamese Party, Government’s orientations, policies and laws on literature and arts in 2025 on the occasion of the 50th National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975-2025).  

Representatives of Vietnamese literature and arts clubs, organisations in Germany and other European countries expressed their wish to preserve and promote Vietnamese traditional art forms in foreign countries, helping foreign friends to have a better understanding about the cultural identities of the S-shaped country.

During their trip, the council is scheduled to meet with leaders of the Berlin international film festival (Berlinale), Goethe Institute, the Germany-Vietnam Association and other organisations.

Planning for north-central, central coastal regions puts forth new, breakthrough proposals

The planning for the north-central and central coastal region for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, has introduced new and innovative insights and proposals based on the region's advantages and strengths, said Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung at a conference held in Da Nang on October 11.

The plan’s vision to 2050 aligns with the Politburo’s Resolution No.26-NQ/TW on the region's socio-economic development and defence-security until 2030, aiming to foster rapid, sustainable, and economically robust development, particularly in the field of maritime economy, according to the minister.

In this regard, localities involved need to invest in essential infrastructure, notably in transportation and logistics, energy, information, digital transformation, education, training, healthcare, disaster prevention, and climate change adaptation.

The minister also highlighted the expansion of coastal economic spaces with clear priorities, and the restructuring of agro-fisheries-forestry and aquaculture in association with processing.

He laid stress on building urban systems – especially those in coastal areas – with links to the development of economic and industrial zones, contributing to raising the areas’ density of economic activities and enhancing urban areas' international competitiveness and integration.

Particular emphasis should be placed on resource management, environmental protection, and proactive climate change response through comprehensive cross-sectoral and inter-regional management, Dung also said.

The north-central and central coastal region is of special strategic importance to the country in terms of politics, economics, culture, society, national defence, security, and diplomacy. The region's growth averaged 7.3% annually between 2005 and 2020, higher than the national average of 6.36%. Their economic scale reached 1,157 trillion VND in 2020, 3.3 times higher than the figure for 2010. The region's economic structure has so far shifted toward greater shares of services and industry.

Lao party official hosts Vietnamese youth union delegation

Standing member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee’s Secretariat Bounthong Chithmany hosted a reception in Vientiane on October 11 for a delegation from the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCM CYU) Central Committee led by its First Secretary Bui Quang Huy.

Huy briefed the host on the outcomes of the talks between him and the First Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union (LPRYU) Central Committee, as well as the Vietnam-Laos friendly meeting in 2023, and the scientific conference on the role of Vietnamese and Lao youth in economic development in the two countries held earlier in Vientiane.

He affirmed that the youth of Vietnam and Laos have always been clearly aware of their responsibility in protecting, maintaining and promoting the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Huy said that in the time to come, the HCM CYU and the LPRYU will jointly hold a number of activities to further deepen the special ties between the two countries in general and the two organisations in particular.

For his part, Bounthong Chithmany hailed the fruitful collaboration and mutual support between the two youth organisations over the years, which, he said, has contributed to reinforcing and deepening the special relations between the two countries.

The Lao official held that amid complicated and unpredictable world and regional situation, the two youth organisations should strengthen communications and education among youngsters of the two countries on the special brotherhood between Laos and Vietnam, thus enhancing their sense of responsibility in further promoting the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive partnership between the two countries.

The two sides should study agreements reached by senior leaders of the two countries and work together to implement them, while sharing with each other experience and good models in youth affairs as well as economic development, thus making practical contribution to the development in each country, he said.

Within the framework of their visit, the HCMYU also laid flowers at the statue of President Kaysone Phomvihane, visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos and toured a number of economic facilities led by young entrepreneurs of Laos.

HCM City, Finland’s Tampere city boost ties

Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan hosted a reception on October 11 for visiting Deputy Mayor of Tampere city of Finland Ilkka Sasi, saying that the city is aiming to build a smart city and a regional innovation and creativity hub, with a focus on digital economy and green growth.

Speaking highly of Finland’s education potential and strengths, Hoan hailed the positive results of education cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and the European country through various joint projects among schools. He expressed his belief that these cooperation models could be spread in the future.

In information technology (IT), he briefed the guest on the Quang Trung Software Park and the Saigon Hi-Tech Park, which are attracting hundreds of leading technology companies globally. He stressed that along with favourable policies for foreign investors, these conditions provide a great opportunity for Finnish firms to invest in IT, chip production and artificial intelligence (AI).

Sasi said his visit aims to expand education and vocational training cooperation programmes, seek opportunities to step up investment in AI and smart urban development.

Introducing Tampere, the third largest city of the Netherlands with a population of 400,000 people, Sasi said Tampere is also focusing on developing IT. He believed that cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Tampere in this field will benefit both sides in their development efforts.

On the back of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), the two countries as well as Tampere and Ho Chi Minh City are well-positioned to further nurture their trade and investment ties.

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