The Southern Region Hydro Meteorological Center broadcast an emergency tropical depression bulletin at 8 a.m. on October 14.

Accordingly, due to the influence of cold air combined with a tropical depression, there are winds of level 7 on Ly Son island, with wind gusts of level 9. At 7 a.m. on October 14, the tropical depression's center was at about 14.5 degrees North latitude and 111.8 degrees East longitude, in the middle of the East Sea, about 330km east-southeast of Da Nang - Quang Nam. The strongest wind in the area near the center of the tropical depression is at level 7 (50-61km/h), with gusts at level 9.

According to the Southern Region Hydro Meteorological Center, the impact of the tropical depression has caused the Northwest waters in the middle of the East Sea to have showers, thunderstorms, and strong winds of level 6-7 increasing to level 8, with gusts at level 10, and rough sea; the North East Sea area to have the Northeast wind as strong as level 6-7, with gusts at level 8-9, and rough sea.

In the next 48 to 72 hours, the tropical depression will move slowly to the West and continue to weaken further.

Meanwhile, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, in the South Central and Central Highlands regions, there have been moderate rains, heavy rains, and torrential rains in some places. The precipitation from 1 p.m. on October 13 to 7 a.m. on October 14 exceeded 80mm in some places, such as Tuy Hoa City (Phu Yen) with 110mm, Song Hinh (Phu Yen) with 88mm, and Khanh Binh (Khanh Hoa) with 93.1mm.

From noon on October 14 to noon on October 16, in the areas from Quang Binh to Phu Yen and the North Central Highlands region, there will be heavy rains and thunderstorms, and torrential rains in some places. Especially, the areas from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai will have torrential rains.

Specifically, from noon on October 14 to noon on October 16, in Quang Binh, Kon Tum, and Gia Lai, the total rainfall is from 100-250mm, and over 300mm in some places. From Quang Tri to Quang Ngai, the total rainfall is from 250-450mm, and over 600mm in some places. In Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, and Dak Lak, the total rainfall is from 50-100mm, and over 150mm in some places.

According to the forecast, heavy rains in the areas from Quang Binh to Khanh Hoa and the North Central Highlands are likely to last until the end of October 16. The total cumulative rainfall by the end of October 16 in the areas from Quang Binh to Khanh Hoa and the North Central Highlands is from 200mm to 500mm, and over 600mm in some places. In the areas from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai alone, the cumulative rainfall is from 400mm to 600mm, and over 800mm in some places.

UN Secretary-General believes Vietnam will make active, effective contributions to human rights

Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) Antonio Guterres has congratulated Vietnam on its election to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term, noting his belief that Vietnam will maintain active and effective contributions to the promotion and protection of human rights.

Guterres made the statements during his meeting in New York on October 13 with Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN.

He told the diplomat that he will pay an official visit to Vietnam on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of Vietnam's accession to the UN later this year.

According to him, his visit aims to deliver a strong message of the importance the UN attaches to the Vietnam-UN partnership over the past 45 years, affirming that Vietnam is one of the indispensable members of the UN, and has been making significant contributions to the UN's common work in solving global challenges, for peace and development in the world.

Ambassador Giang emphasised the significance of the Secretary-General's visit, affirming that Vietnam is committed to making active contributions to the UN’s common work, including promoting the Sustainable Development Goals, response to climate change and maintenance of international peace and security.

Two Vietnamese named among world’s top 10,000 scientists

The PLOS Biology journal of the US has published a list of the 100,000 most-cited researchers globally this year, of whom two Vietnamese are among the top 10,000.

Professor, Doctor of Science Nguyen Dinh Duc and Associate Professor, Dr. Le Hoang Son, both from the Vietnam National University, Hanoi made the list.

This is the fourth consecutive year Duc and Son have been named in the list, compiled by a group of researchers led by John P.A. Ioannidis of Stanford University, using citations from Scopus, an international scientific database.

Meanwhile, 34 other Vietnamese scientists were honoured in the list of 100,000 most-cited researchers.

The study uses Scopus data from 1960 to September 2022 to compile the list.

Vietnam Design Week slated for November 5-11

The Vietnam Design Week 2022 will take place in Hanoi, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City from November 5-11.

Under the theme “Beyond Expectations”, the week is intended to seek and honour outstanding products and designers in practical fields that serve human’s everyday life – Communication, Living, Decor & Object, Clothing, and Public Art.

It will feature a series of events such as displays, seminars, and shows, aiming to stimulate the development of the cultural and innovative industry in general and designing in particular.

The organizing board has so far selected 31 entries for completion for the final of the Designed by VietNam contest.

Vietnamese, Cambodian localities step up cooperation

Vietnam’s Mekong Delta province of An Giang and Cambodia’s Kandal province have effectively cooperated in fighting cross-border crimes like illegal drug, and weapon and human trafficking, heard a recent meeting.

The localities agreed to enhance cooperation across spheres to spur economic development, improve people’s living standards and build a common borderline of peace, friendship, cooperation and mutual development.

They will coordinate to prevent and handle cases relating to production, business and activities of border residents, especially those on illegal fishing.

An Giang will further implement procedures to upgrade the main Khanh Binh border gate into an international one, and open two auxiliary border gates - Khanh An - Prek Chrey Prek Tonle and Vạt Lài - Prek Sbov - to facilitate migration and trade activities, especially the trade of farm produce by border residents.

The two provinces signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation orientations until the end of 2022.

VPBank Hanoi Marathon records largest number of runners in history

The VPBank Hanoi Marathon 2022 has seen a record number of runners register, with 3,000 signing up for the 42.195 km Full Marathon category.

The international race is scheduled to take place in Hanoi on October 16, drawing the participation of more than 10,000 athletes, including 1,000 international athletes.

Vietnam, RoK promote digital transformation cooperation

 Le Van Tuan, Director of the Authority of Radio Frequency Management under the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) has suggested that businesses from the Republic of Korea share their experiences in the implementation of digital transformation with Vietnamese counterparts.

He made the suggestion at a RoK-Vietnam digital transformation forum which was organised by the MoIC and RoK Ministry of Science and ICT (MIST) on October 12, as part of Vietnam International Digital Week from October 11-14.

Tuan said digital transformation is one of the breakthrough strategic solutions of the Government of Vietnam. One of the key contents of the country's digital transformation is to put people's and businesses' activities on digital platforms and encourage businesses to use digital technologies, especially those relating to artificial intelligence (AI) and digital platform to improve productivity and operational efficiency, he said.

Digital technology and digital transformation will enhance administrative reform, help people access public services more easily and conveniently, and bring the government closer to the people. That is the basic goal of Vietnam's digital transformation, Tuan noted.

Addressing the event, Park Yun-kyu, deputy minister of the RoK's MIST, said on September 28, the Korean Government announced the Korea Digitalisation Strategy which focuses on securing world-leading digital abilities, expanding the digital economy, creating a digitally inclusive society, establishing a digital platform government and innovating digital culture.

Vietnam highlights importance of decolonisation at UN committee’s session

A Vietnamese diplomat emphasised the importance of decolonisation and respect for equal rights and self-determination of peoples in non-self-governing territories while attending a session of the 77th UN General Assembly’s Special Political and Decolonisation Committee (Fourth Committee) on October 13.

In her remarks, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Tra, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, held that it is necessary to boost constructive political dialogue and seek durable peace on the basis of respecting fundamental principles of international law, the UN Charter, and relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly, including Resolution 1514 on the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.

The UN also needs to ensure that activities of administering states do not negatively affect interests of the peoples in non-self-governing territories while assisting them to resolve emerging challenges and promote development in these territories, she added.

Training course enhances capacity of plant protection officers in central region

Plant protection officers in the central region are learning to diagnosis and manage citrus insects and mite pests during a training course in Nghe An province from October 11 to 20.

The training is part of the EU funded project ARISE Vietnam which helps enhance compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary standards to improve the safety of Vietnam’s agro-food products and facilitate exports to the EU.

Participants of the training comprise officers from plant protection centres of the central provinces of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue.

At the event, provincial plant protection officers will be equipped with knowledge to identify the major citrus insects and mite pests. In addition, participants will have a chance to join a field trip to local citrus orchids and receive on-site guidance.

War-time bomb detected, destroyed in Son La

The sapper force under the military command of the northern province of Son La on October 13 removed a war-time bomb found in a residential area and safely destroyed it.

Villagers in Chieng Xom hamlet, Chieng Cang commune of Song Ma district, discovered the bomb while they were digging the foundation to build a house on October 11, and quickly alerted authorities.

The sapper force said the 1.26m long bomb, weighing about 340kg, dated back to the US war.

Vietnam U17 coach confident in team’s prospects in next year’s Asian Cup

Coach Nguyen Quoc Tuan is confident Vietnam U17 will be prepared and ready to compete at the AFC U17 Asian Cup Finals.

Vietnam beat Thailand 3-0 in a Group F match of the 2023 AFC U17 Asian Cup qualification on October 9, to ensure top spot in the group and qualification for the finals.

Tuan’s team was dominant from the first half and early goals from Nguyen Cong Phuong, Le Dinh Long Vu and Phan Thanh Duc Thien not only sent the crowd at the Viet Tri Stadium into a frenzy but assured Vietnam’s qualification in next year’s final tournament.

Having won three matches to achieve qualification, Vietnam U17 were awarded a bonus of 500 million VND by the Vietnam Football Federation.

Vietnam promotes digital literacy

The Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC), in coordination with several UN agencies and international organisations in Vietnam, held a conference on digital literacy on October 13.

The event entitled Digital Literacy: Digital Skills for the Communities was one activity in the framework of the Vietnam International Digital Week in Hanoi.

Lesley Miller, Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Vietnam, said UNICEF appreciates the Vision to 2030 and targets set in Vietnam’s national digital transformation programme.

She stressed that in the current era, digital literacy has become a basic skill that all people should have. Digital literacy not only means the ability to use computer, but also allows individuals to actively join in information processing, the creation of content and the sharing of knowledge via social media.

The core of digital literacy is supporting the development of a citizen with knowledge and connectivity who is able to adapt to fast changing needs of society, including the labour market, she said.

A survey showed that as of early 2022, nearly 27% of the Vietnamese population still had difficulties with digital connectivity. Many children, especially girls, do not have basic digital skills. Nearly 90% of teachers in remote and far-flung areas said they have never used a modern device in teaching. All those are big hurdles to the universalization of digital skills.   

Vietnam is implementing a project on universalizing digital skills and development human resources for national digital transformation to 2025 with a vision to 2030. In April this year, the MIC launched an e-learning platform at onetouch.mic.gov.vn.

Vice President delivers speech, holds bilateral meetings at CICA

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan delivered a speech at the plenary session of the sixth Summit of Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan on October 13, and engaged in bilateral meetings with some heads of delegations on the sidelines of the event.

In her speech, Vice President Xuan suggested that CICA should uphold the spirit of cooperation, action and responsibility to create a peaceful and stable environment for development in line with the UN Charter and international law, especially the principles of respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity of countries, and settlement of disputes by peaceful means without the use of or threat to use force.

In a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Xuan affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to its comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia.

She wished both countries would maintain and enhance effective cooperation, continue working closely to tackle difficulties in bilateral economic, trade and investment ties.

Putin stressed that Russia always considers Vietnam a top important partner in its foreign policy and agreed to deepen ties between the two nations in a practical and effective manner.

Meeting Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan, Xuan said Vietnam consistently considers the consolidation and development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China a top priority in its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of ties.

Vietnam always wishes to constantly promote the relationship between the two Parties and countries with higher political trust, more practical cooperation and solid foundation for friendship, she said.

Wang, for his part, consented to continue with the exchange of delegations at all levels in the near future.

Talking with Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif, Xuan expressed hope for practical cooperation activities toward the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Pakistan diplomatic ties and the 30th anniversary of Vietnam-Qatar diplomatic ties next year.

Leaders of Qatar and Pakistan said they wish to visit Vietnam soon, adding that there is a huge room to further expand bilateral links, especially in economy, trade and investment.

Vietnamese, Chinese border officers hold online talks

 A delegation from 11 border stations in the northern province of Lang Son held an online talk with a delegation of border guards from Chongzou city in China on October 13.

The two sides assessed their cooperation in the recent past, noting that they had worked together to implement signed joint agreements, manage border areas, and fight COVID-19 at border gates.

They had timely advised localities to switch to new goods delivery methods to prevent the pandemic from spreading in border areas, along with enhanced coordination in fighting crime.  

The two sides have exchanged 71 letters, made 171 calls via hotline, held 15 face-to-face meetings at border gates; detected and handled eight cases involving 17 Chinese citizens illegally entering and exiting Vietnam. The Vietnamese side had received back 304 Vietnamese citizens who illegally entered China.

The two sides will continue exchange of information to build a border of peace, friendship, stability and development.

UN spreads message of putting end to violence against women, children in Vietnam

The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) Office in Vietnam hosted a training workshop for key opinion leaders (KOLs) in Hanoi on October 12 to eliminate violence against women and children.

The event gathered more than 40 KOLs, including artists, singers, writers, athletes and MCs.

Speaking at the event, UN Women Representative Elisa Fernandez Saenz said that everyone has a role to play in the journey to end violence against women and children, in which the participation of influencers is very important because they have great power over the community, especially young people.

She called for participation in turning the inspirations spread at the workshop into concrete actions to end all forms of violence against children and women.

Vietnam calls on joint efforts of ASEAN to maintain learning activities

Vietnam has called on all ASEAN countries to work together to build and implement proper and effective education policies, thus restoring and maintaining the continuity of learning activities, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam stated at the opening of the 12th ASEAN Education Ministers’ Meeting in Hanoi on October 13.

Over the past two years, COVID-19 has affected at least 180 million children and adolescents in ASEAN countries, while 35 million students were unable to attend schools due to closures.

In the 18 months leading to May 2022, schools had to close 136 days on average, negatively impacting the physical and mental development of students in the region, he noted, stressing that the consequence of the pandemic may become more serious if countries do not act immediately.

He said he hopes the region will be ready to respond to future challenges that may seriously harm and interrupt studies by building a more flexible and self-reliant education system.

Deputy PM Dam said that the 680 million-strong ASEAN region, with the fifth largest economy in the world, has defined education as a top priority and one of the three goals stated in the ASEAN Charter.

In Vietnam, considering education is the top national policy, the country spends at least 20% of its budget on education each year, he added.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son said that with the motto of “education should be based on principle of cooperation, collaboration and solidarity”, Vietnam has chosen the theme "Joint efforts to reimagine learning and building resilience of education systems in ASEAN and beyond in the new context" for its working tenure as the Chair of the ASEAN education cooperation.

In the position as chair in 2022-2023, Vietnam has identified a number of priorities, focusing on taking care of and protecting learners’ mental health, enhancing education on environmental protection and climate change, ensuring access to equitable and quality education for learners, especially disadvantaged groups, promoting comprehensive digital transformation and ensuring cyber safety for learners, and promoting innovation in higher education to meet development requirements.

Over the past year, these priorities have been realised, he said, pledging that Vietnam will exert every effort to implement the priorities and major orientations of ASEAN education.

On October 14, Minister Son will chair the sixth ASEAN+3 Education Minister Meeting and the sixth ASEAN-EAS Education Summit, which will gather officials from ASEAN countries, the Republic of Korea, Japan, China, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Russia and India.

Quang Ninh province welcomes first cruise ship this year

French-flagged cruise ship Le Lape'rouse with over 100 foreign holidaymakers aboard docked at Ha Long International Cruise Port in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh on October 13.

This is the first of its kind to visit the port after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During their stay in Ha Long city, the visitors will tour the city, world famous Ha Long Bay and Quang Ninh Museum, and enjoy entertainment services.

Hanoi: Ten outstanding women honoured

Ten women with outstanding contributions to Hanoi were honoured at an October 13 festival held by the capital branch of the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU).

They included Lieutenant Colonel Dinh Thi Huyen Dieu from the Hanoi Police’s drug crime investigation department; Nguyen Thi Hong, Director of Thien Phuc Herb Joint Stock Company; Nguyen Thi Thuy, a teacher at the Tri Trung kindergarten in Phu Xuyen district; diving athlete Pham Thi Kim Thuong; and Hoang Hai Yen, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital’s center for prenatal and neonatal screening and diagnosis.

AFC hail U17 Vietnam performance in Asian Cup qualification

The Vietnam U17 national football team have been hailed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in its latest article featuring some key facts and statistics following an intense qualifying campaign.

The junior national side were named as one of the four teams who showed exceptional defensive resilience during the qualifiers.

The AFC noted that Vietnam in Group F, along with Japan in Group A, Yemen in Group E, and Tajikistan in Group H, all qualified for the tournament without conceding a single goal. 

Vietnam retained their top position in Group F following their winning streak against Taipei (China), Nepal, and Thailand.

The qualifiers for the youth tournament involved 44 teams divided into 10 groups. The teams competed in a round-robin format in each group in order to determine the top 10 teams and the best five runners-up to the final round.

The final round is scheduled to run from May 3 - 20, 2023, with the destination yet to be confirmed after Bahrain withdrew as hosts in June.

Man sentenced to death for murdering three-year-old girl

Hà Nội People's Court on Wednesday sentenced a man to death for the horrific abuse and murder of a three-year-old girl.

Nguyễn Trung Huyên, 30, was prosecuted for murder and intentionally inflicting injury on Đ.N.A, the daughter of his girlfriend.

The trial panel concluded that Huyên tortured the child five times and hammered nails into the little girl's skull. The victim's death was caused by various injuries.

Huyên was accused of torturing the child by making her drink tea laced with pesticide, putting industrial glue inside her nostrils, forcing her to swallow screws and beating her so badly that she broke her arm.

Huyên repeatedly tried to kill the child because he was annoyed with her behaviour and he wanted her out of his life so he wouldn’t have to care for her anymore.

The abuse began in September 2021 when Huyên moved into the home of his partner.

While she was at work, Huyên began the abuse, first stealing industrial strength glue and inserting it into her nostrils.

A few days later, the child was having trouble breathing and was admitted to Thạch Thất General Hospital where a doctor removed foreign objects from her nose.

In October 2021, the child was back in hospital, this time after vomiting at home. Huyên gave the child a bottle of lemon tea as a treat, but he had mixed pesticide into the drink.

She was released from hospital but the following month complained of pains in her mouth and after an x-ray it was discovered she had a screw in her digestive system.

Huyên then forced the child to swallow two screws.

In December, the toddler was again back in hospital, this time with a broken arm, which Huyên caused while beating her.

The following month the child felt dizzy and had difficulties standing, so was taken to Thạch Thất General Hospital's Emergency Department where she eventually went into a coma.

X-ray and CT scan results revealed the baby had nine nails piercing in her skull so deep, they had reached tissue of her brain.

She eventually died on March 12.

The court also concluded that there is not enough evidence to prosecute the child's mother who appeared to have no knowledge of the abuse. Huyên was required to pay more than VNĐ400 million in compensation for the victim's family. 

Vietnamese Marksmen aim for world championship medals

Việt Nam has five athletes competing at the International Shooting Sport Federation World Championships from October 12-25 in Cairo, Egypt.

Phạm Quang Huy and Phan Xuân Chuyên will take part in the men's 10m air pistol event. Hà Minh Thành and Chuyên will compete in the men's 25m rapid pistol and 25m standard pistol.

On the women's side, Phí Thanh Thảo will participate in the 10m air rifle, 50m rifle three positions and 50m rifle. Trịnh Thu Vinh will shoot in the 10m and 25m air pistols.

All the competitors, under new head coach Park Chung-gun, are the best of Việt Nam. Among them, Thành, Huy and Thảo are SEA Games champions while Chuyên and Vinh are SEA Games silver medalists. They are expected to finish high in Cairo and win berths at the Paris Games in 2024.

Two die after car plunges into Dalat lake

Two tourists have died after their car plunged into the Xuan Huong Lake in the central highlands city of Dalat on Thursday evening.

Reports from Lam Dong Provincial Police Department showed that the accident occurred at 6.15 pm on October 13 when the seven-seated car was running from the Dalat night market to Lam Vien Square. It suddenly plunged into the lake when reaching a roundabout in Tran Quoc Toan Street.

One person who sat in a front seat and the driver were stuck in the car and died while two others in the back seats managed to get out before it sank.

Rescue forces recovered the car at 8 pm. The two dead men were identified as Pham Hong Hai, 50, and Thai Chi Nhan, 30, who were tourists from An Giang Province.

Vietnam International Digital Week highlights global partnerships

The Vietnam International Digital Week is taking place in Hanoi from October 11-14, highlighting global partnerships for the digital future.

The event attracts the participation of more than 350 representatives from ministries, agencies, associations, organisations, and digital firms from ASEAN member countries and their dialogue partners, among others.

The week offers a chance for relevant sides to enhance connectivity, exchange information, and explore cooperation opportunities.

Addressing the event in his opening remarks, Vietnamese Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung said the event – which is the first of its kind in Vietnam – is expected to be held annually for ASEAN countries.

During the week, participants discussed digital transformation, institution, infrastructure, technology, platform, application, workforce, safety, and cooperation. "Digital cooperation among ASEAN countries will contribute to forming a digital ASEAN," Hung said.

Representatives from policymaking agencies of the countries also shared experience in digital development at a plenary session.

The Vietnam International Digital Week features a series of activities, including the ASEAN conference on 5G, other conferences on digital transformation in industry and smart production, and a forum themed “Why Vietnam 2022” that will look into digital economy in Vietnam.

Vietnam enhances defence ties with China, Australia

Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien hosted separate receptions in Hanoi on October 13 for Chinese Defence Attaché to Vietnam Pan Tao and Premier of Australia’s Tasmania state Jeremy Rockliff.

Receiving the Chinese officer, Chien affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to its comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China, considering it a premise to boost bilateral defence ties.

In the coming time, the two sides agreed to continue intensifying cooperation in the exchange of delegations at all levels, defence policy dialogue, training, coordination in border management, and maintenance of security and safety of navigation and aviation, thus contributing to building a borderline of peace, stability and development.

Welcoming the visiting Premier of Tasmania, Chien said that the defence cooperation between Vietnam and Australia has seen positive results in delegation exchanges, dialogue, consultation, training, UN peacekeeping operations, military medicine, and settlement of war consequences.

He expressed his hope that Tasmania’s leaders and defence industry companies will participate in the Vietnam International Defence Expo 2022 slate for December.

Rockliff, for his part, affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner of Australia.

The Premier said he hoped the bilateral defence cooperation will be strengthened, particularly in navigation security, search and rescue, military medicine, and response to non-traditional security challenges.

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