Italy’s five-star cruise ship Costa Serena docked at Ha Long International Passenger Port in the northern province of Quang Ninh on October 18, bringing 3,040 tourists from Hong Kong (China) to Ha Long, home to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO-recognised world natural heritage.

This is the second time in 2024 that the ship, famous for its voyages across Asia, has brought tourists to Ha Long on the Hong Kong - Ha Long and Ha Long - Hong Kong routes.

Welcoming the visitors, local travel agencies introduced them to special sightseeing and tourism activities in the province.

The tourists are scheduled to have interesting experiences at the world natural wonder of Ha Long Bay, visit Quang Ninh Museum and tourist attractions, and take a city tour to explore the local culture and cuisine.

According to the provincial Department of Tourism, so far this year, Quang Ninh has welcomed 42 international cruise ships with more than 50,000 tourists.

In the remaining months of the year, it expects 13 more cruise ships to bring more than 15,000 visitors to the locality. The Costa Serena cruise is scheduled to return to Ha Long three more times on the Hong Kong - Ha Long - Hong Kong route.

On October 21, cruise ship Viking Orion is expected to bring over 1,000 European visitors to Ha Long, helping Quang Ninh fulfil its yearly target of 3 million international visitors./.

Deputy PM receives Chinese construction group’s leader

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha had a meeting with General Director of Pacific Construction Group of China Wo Jing in Hanoi on October 18.

The Vietnamese official welcomed leading Chinese corporations and businesses to explore opportunities for investment and business cooperation in Vietnam through major projects that exemplify China's technological advancement and align with Vietnam's demands.

Cooperation projects will contribute to implementing the directives of high-ranking leaders of the two countries in strengthening and developing the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in a more substantive and effective manner, he said.

Ha stressed that the two governments are highly interested in developing strategic transport infrastructure projects connecting Vietnam and China, especially railway connectivity; and promoting the construction of standard-gauge cross-border railway routes such as the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong, Dong Dang – Hanoi, and Mong Cai – Ha Long – Hai Phong routes.

These projects hold great importance for both economies’ development, as well as for connecting Vietnam and China with other countries in the region under the "Belt and Road" initiative, fostering the building of the Vietnam-China Community with a shared future, he stated.

He suggested the Chinese firm select suitable Vietnamese partners to work on designing, constructing, technology transferring, and training workforce serving the implementation of investment projects.

The group's projects must embody modernity, sustainability, and align with trends in green transformation and digital transformation, Ha said, adding that the Chinese company can share its experiences as well as mechanisms and policies for investing and managing public-private partnerships (PPP) investment projects in China.

For her part, Wo said the group has been directly involved in more than 1,000 projects, including investment, construction, and management of infrastructure and industrial zone projects.

It signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hanoi People's Committee regarding investment and infrastructure development over the next five years; and partnered with Vinaconex to sign a cooperation agreement with the Hanoi Department of Transportation to construct Tu Lien bridge, highway sections, and the Hanoi urban railway project (Line 5), she noted

In Vietnam, the Pacific Construction Group not only focuses on investment projects but also places great emphasis on research, technology transfer, and training human resources, Wo said./.

UNDP recommends Can Tho establish river waste collection system

World Cleanup Day 2024 is on Friday September 20, 2024. In response, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam, in coordination with the Can Tho Department of Natural Resources and Environment, on September 18 launched a campaign to collect waste and clean the environment in Cai Rang Floating Market in Ninh Kieu district.

The event aims to raise public awareness and change people’s behaviours in waste disposal and recycling while strengthening cooperation between stakeholders to improve the efficiency of solid waste management in Can Tho.

According to the UNDP’s Sustainable Development Specialist Dzeneta Mulabegovic, every year, Vietnam discharges about 3 million tonnes of solid waste, about 2.5 percent of which leaks into waterways, while a portion of plastic waste floats into rivers and drifts near the coast and offshore.

Studies from 2021 showed that floating waste from rivers contributes the most to plastic pollution in the ocean, she said.

In Can Tho, about 650 tonnes of waste are released to the environment every day, she noted, stressing that despite the high rate of garbage collection at 85 percent, the city still faces difficulties in managing waste leakage on waterways, floating markets, rivers and lakes. This leakage adversely affects the living environment as well as the natural ecosystem.

A comprehensive package of solutions is needed at all levels to tackle this issue, especially those to change behaviours and waste disposal habits as well as effectively collect, sort and treat domestic solid waste, the UNDP representative said.

She added that one of the major solutions that Can Tho should prioritise is to deploy automated systems that efficiently collect waste in waterways and bring it ashore – where it can be processed by the city’s waste management system. This approach helps prevent garbage and plastic waste from floating in rivers before it reaches the sea, reducing ocean plastic pollution, she explained.

Standing Vice Chairman of the Can Tho People’s Committee Duong Tan Hien put forward solutions, including launching community campaigns to clean up the environment, plant trees and restore the environment in urban, residential and surrounding areas, especially on lakes, rivers and canals.

Right after the launch ceremony, delegates and local youngsters collected waste and cleaned up the environment at the Cai Rang Floating Market on the Can Tho River, and visited the Interceptor 003 system, an automatic waste collection vessel operated by the organisaton The Ocean Cleanup (TOC) on the river.

According to the UNDP in Vietnam, in the past three years, the automatic waste collection system has collected more than 200 tonnes of plastic waste on the river./.

Vietnam celebrates 44th World Food Day in Hanoi

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), the United Nations (UN) in Vietnam, and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the UN in Vietnam on October 18 jointly organised the commemoration of Word Food Day 2024 (October 16).

On this occasion, the ministry launched the Plan for International Cooperation Promotion in Agriculture and Rural Development to 2030 and a vision to 2050. They signed the Partnership Agreement for Transparent, Responsible and Sustainable Food Systems Transformation in Vietnam (FST-Partnership), and kicked off the UN joint programme on “Incubation of Innovations in Partnerships and Financing for Agrifood Systems Transformation in Vietnam”.

World Food Day 2024 themed “Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future” is an opportunity to widely share global commitments to ensuring access to adequate food for all, through sustainable and equitable food systems transformation.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan said that Vietnam's agriculture plays an important role in ensuring food security, social stability and livelihoods for over 60% of the population living in rural areas. It contributed 12% of the country's gross domestic product in 2023 and created jobs for nearly 40% of the workforce, making an important contribution to poverty reduction.

However, the agriculture sector is facing challenges, he noted.

With the goal of proactively, responsibly participating in globalisation and solving the challenges of global agriculture, while integrating into the world for sustainable development of Vietnamese agriculture and rural areas, the ministry has issued a decision approving the Plan for International Cooperation Promotion in Agriculture and Rural Development an international cooperation plan to 2030 with vision to 2050.

FAO Representative to Vietnam Rémi Nono Womdim said that in Vietnam, the proportion of the population that cannot afford a healthy diet is much lower than in neighbouring countries.

In particular, Vietnam has developed and adopted a national roadmap for food system transformation. The roadmap is expected to ensure equitable access to a sufficient and diverse range of nutritious, safe and affordable foods for all Vietnamese people, he added./.

Thua Thien - Hue, WWF team up to boost biodiversity conservation

The People’s Committee of the central province of Thua Thien - Hue and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Vietnam on October 18 signed a cooperation agreement on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

Under the deal, the two sides will enhance forest management and sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, sustainable energy, climate change response, marine conservation, and plastic waste reduction.

They will also work together to promote a sustainable food system, protect water resources and freshwater ecosystems, and devise nature-based solutions.

In addition, they will research and develop the Tam Giang - Cau Hai lagoon system into a national lagoon park with wetland and a biosphere reserve of national and international importance.

Addressing the signing ceremony, Chairman of the Thua Thien - Hue People’s Committee Nguyen Van Phuong said the cooperation agreement provides an important stepping stone for the two sides to build a cooperation framework for 2025 - 2030. They plan to mobilise more long-term resources supporting the province to implement programmes and projects on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

Over the past years, WWF-Vietnam has carried out various projects to assist Thua Thien - Hue to improve the capacity of sustainably managing natural resources while improving local communities’ awareness and livelihoods. Those moves have helped minimise the risk of forest resources overexploitation and wildlife poaching, identify the biodiversity value of forest, and adopt sustainable conservation practices.

WWF-Vietnam has also helped the province connect with many international organisations to boost forest management and protection, nature conservation, and climate change adaptation./.

Vietnam attends UNESCO Executive Board’s 220th session in France

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Ha Kim Ngoc led a Vietnamese delegation to attend the 220th session of the UNESCO Executive Board on October 14-16 in Paris, which saw the participation of representatives from 58 member countries and over 100 observer countries.

In his speech at the opening ceremony, Ngoc emphasised the importance of multilateral cooperation based on solidarity, sincerity, and trust among nations; as well as the pivotal role of UNESCO and the UN amid epochal changes in the world.

He recommended UNESCO continue initiatives and programmes to promote sustainable development goals (SDGs) in education, enhance the effectiveness of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, and combine culture and heritage for sustainable development. He also suggested UNESCO promote open science and ethics in artificial intelligence (AI), strengthen climate change response, and support UN member countries in realising the SDGs by 2030.

Vietnam always values multilateral cooperation and the role of UNESCO, Ngoc affirmed, adding that the country commits to continue to be a reliable and responsible partner, and contributing more proactively and actively to common efforts.

On the occasion, the Vietnamese official had separate meetings with UNESCO General Director Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Deputy Director-General Xing Qu, Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa and External Relations of UNESCO Firmin Edouard Matoko, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences Lidia Brito, Chairperson of the UNESCO Executive Board Vera Lacoeuilhe, President of the UNESCO General Conference Simona-Mirela Miculescu, and heads of delegations from several countries, to boost bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

The officials of UNESCO and other delegates valued the fruitful cooperation between Vietnam and UNESCO over nearly five decades, as well as acknowledged the Southeast Asian nation’s important and effective contributions to the organisation's common work. They emphasised Vietnam's exemplary role in harmonising the conservation and promotion of heritage values and sustainable development.

Ngoc also met with Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre Lazare Assomo, and Director-General of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Maria-Laure Lavenir, who pledged to continue supporting Vietnam in building and promoting heritage dossiers in the coming time.

The 220th session of the UNESCO Executive Board will run until October 23, with an agenda covering all areas, including education, culture, science, human resources, management, and external relations./.

Legal expert honoured as outstanding Hà Nội citizen

Dương Thị Thanh Mai, 70, a legal expert and former Director of the Institute for Legal Strategy and Science under the Ministry of Justice, has been honoured with the title of 'Outstanding citizen of the capital' for 2024.

The accolade was awarded by the Government and the leadership of Hà Nội as part of the celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of the Capital (October 10, 1954 - October 10, 2024).

As one of ten exemplary individuals selected by the capital administration for the prestigious title, Mai reflected on her long-standing commitment to justice and her tireless contributions to the capital.

Born in 1954 in the mountainous northern province of Tuyên Quang in the Việt Bắc Resistance Zone, she joined the institute in 1995 as Deputy Director before becoming Director from 2005 until December 2008.

From 2009 to 2015, Mai served as a senior expert and advisor to the ministry’s leaders.

Even after retiring, she continues to be invited by numerous agencies and organisations as a consulting expert, actively contributing to the justice sector.

Notably, Mai has led 25 scientific projects and studies at the ministerial level, directly enhancing the legal framework and implementation mechanisms in various sectors under the ministry.

She spearheaded the State-level project titled 'Social institutions in social development and management in Việt Nam', and served as the secretary for two significant State projects aimed at judicial reform.

In the realm of policy and legislation, she has conducted research and directly participated in drafting essential resolutions related to law and justice, including Resolution No 48-NQ/TƯ on the strategy for building and perfecting Việt Nam's legal system by 2020, and Resolution No 49-NQ/TƯ on judicial reform.

Mai was also a member of drafting committees for several laws initiated by the ministry, including the Law on State Compensation Liability, the Law on Adoption and the Law on Legal Aid, among others.

For Hà Nội specifically, she was a member of the drafting committee for the 2012 Capital Law and led the expert team consulting on the 2024 revision of this law.

She was instrumental in developing policies related to the capital's growth and sustainability, including contributing to impact assessment reports for the revised capital law.

For her remarkable contributions, Mai received numerous accolades, including a second-class Labour Medal from the President and commendations from the Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice, as well as recognition from the Việt Nam Women's Union as an exemplary Vietnamese woman.

Expressing her emotions upon receiving the 'Outstanding citizen of the capital' title for 2024, Mai said her parents were originally from Hà Nội, but the two participated in the resistance in the Việt Bắc Resistance Zone.

After her birth in 1954, the family returned to Hà Nội, where they have remained ever since.

“For me, Hà Nội is more than just a city, it is my home,” she said.

She holds a profound love for the capital, dedicating herself to work and research related to its development.

In recent years, she has been involved in numerous scientific projects and research initiatives in collaboration with the city’s Department of Science and Technology.

One of her primary concerns is enhancing the quality of life for citizens, promoting gender equality, preserving traditional crafts and safeguarding cultural identity, she said.

Mai emphasised that her research always encompassed Hà Nội's unique challenges and contributions, reflecting its socio-economic characteristics.

Throughout her career, Mai recognised that a well-functioning legal system was crucial for societal progress.

However, she believes that the foundation for a sustainable and harmonious society lies in culture, ethics and community values, complemented by the rule of law.

As the lead expert for the revised capital law, Mai explained that the law aims to address the specific needs of the capital.

The revised law introduced ground-breaking mechanisms to empower Hà Nội as a leading force in the Hồng (Red) River Delta and the nation as a whole.

Mai hopes the revised law will effectively address issues related to public welfare, food safety and hygiene, environmental protection, housing, public transport, urban renewal and the development of sustainable infrastructure, ultimately transforming Hà Nội into a modern and civilised metropolis.

Moreover, the revised law incorporates unique mechanisms for education, healthcare and public health capabilities, ensuring that every citizen in Hà Nội can access optimal healthcare services.

In terms of technological development, the revised law grants Hà Nội administrative autonomy in managing high-tech industries, designating Hòa Lạc High-Tech Park as a national technology hub.

“For the first time, Hà Nội will implement a model for controlled testing of new technologies and business models to foster innovation and technological advancement,” she said.

With the new policies in the revised law, Mai anticipates that its implementation will lay a legal foundation for Hà Nội’s advancement, solidifying its status as the nation’s political and administrative centre, as well as a significant hub for culture, science, education and international exchange.

As she approaches her 70th birthday, Mai’s enduring love for Hà Nội continues to inspire her to engage in research and contributions for the city's betterment.

She remains committed to any work related to Hà Nội’s growth, fully dedicating herself to its development as a testament to her profound affection for the capital. 

HCM City dance festival attracts young artists

Around 30 dance troupes from HCM City and neighbouring provinces will compete in the biennial HCM City Dance Festival which will open at the Military Theatre in Tân Bình District today.

The festival, organised by the HCM City Dancers’ Association, aims to create a platform for dancers and choreographers to share their experiences and improve their skills.

The event features three state-owned troupes, including the Bông Sen Traditional Art Troupe, the 7th Military Zone Art Troupe and the city’s Dance School.

It will also include participants from more than 20 private groups and individuals, such as young choreographers Sùng A Lùng and Hà Thanh Hậu, who have won many top prizes at national and international festivals.

Lê Nguyên Hiều, chairman of the association, said, “This year’s festival will see the dominance of private groups and freelance artists. Most of them are very young, highly adaptive and have good technique.”

Hiều hoped that through the festival, young artists could learn to express emotions and messages, particularly the Vietnamese spirit, through their works to win local audiences’ hearts and approach international viewers.

The festival will introduce 36 productions in different genres, including traditional folk dance, contemporary dance, ballet, freestyle dance and hip-hop.

The works depict various topics such as the Vietnamese revolutionary tradition and patriotism, cultural and humanitarian values, and environmental protection.

The winners will receive a cash prize of VNĐ40 million (US$1,600) for best performance, and VNĐ30 million for individual performances.

The awards ceremony will be held on October 21. 

The Vietnam Jungle Marathon (VJM) returns for its seventh edition, welcoming around 1,500 runners from almost 40 nations to the stunning trails of Pu Luong Nature Reserve in Thanh Hoa province on October 19, featuring picturesque 10km to 70km routes.

Renowned for its pristine landscapes, the VJM showcases limestone mountains, cascading waterfalls and charming traditional villages adorned with water wheels. Trail runners will traverse the Doi Troi mountain peak, journey through Hieu village and reach Kho Muong village, culminating in the ethnic Thai community of Hang village. Here, the organiser, Topas, has collaborated with locals to create an international race village, offering homestays for hundreds of the 1,500 international runners expected to attend.

New for this year, the route team has introduced an improved final section, bringing runners into the village across a purpose-built bridge, ideal for a final beautiful photo before the finish.

Some other small adjustments have been made, for example a new section in the Hieu village area, allowing runners to bypass recent concrete developments, guiding them deeper into the jungle and providing breathtaking views of the majestic mountains.

Race Director, David Lloyd said: “My first research trip here was back in 2016. I can remember being amazed by this area and surprised so few visited, or even knew about Pù Luông back then. After more than 30 trips here, both for VJM work and for many family holidays, I am still blown away by the nature every time. A lot of our past runners feel the same way, making VJM the favourite Topas race of many.

“We look forward to sharing the beauty of Pu Lupng with runners from Vietnam and around the world. For the opportunity to do so, we are indebted to Thanh Hoa province and the two districts of Quan Hoa and Ba Thuoc. We thank all those from across the area who worked with us to create this race”./.

About 315,000 households in need of housing support: Ministry

About 315,000 poor and near-poor households across the countries are facing housing problems and in need of support, according to the Ministry of Construction (MoC).

The ministry has been assigned to submit a document specifying the subjects, support levels and procedures, and authority to approve support expenditures for doing away with temporary and dilapidated houses, and conduct inspection and supervision over the work.

According to MoC Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Sinh, in the 2021-2025 period, there have been two national target programmes with contents on providing housing support to poor and near-poor households – one on boosting socio-economic development in ethnic minority-inhabited and mountainous areas and the other on sustainable poverty reduction.

However, the programmes have not covered all areas of the country and all the subjects.

Thanks to various policies on housing support to the needy, so far, more than 1 million houses have been built for about 4 million policy beneficiaries and poor households. However, many of the policies have expired, Sinh said.

Stressing that housing support is an urgent need for many people, the official said the ministry has submitted to the Prime Minister a decision on supporting poor and near-poor households to repair and build houses with an aim to ensure the feasibility of the scheme following the motto of the State providing support, community assisting, and beneficiary households conducting construction work.

Particularly, the scheme will focus on ensuring that the newly-built houses for the needy are sturdy and resilient to natural disasters, contributing to enhancing life quality and speeding up sustainable poverty reduction./.

Day for the Poor: Vietnam’s revolution in sustainable poverty reduction

Vietnam has made significant achievements over the past nearly 40 years of Doi Moi (Reform), with hunger eradication and poverty reduction being a key and consistent policy of the Party and State.

As the first and only country in Asia to implement a comprehensive, inclusive, and sustainable multidimensional poverty reduction programme, Vietnam’s efforts have been internationally hailed as a “revolution” in poverty alleviation, driving changes across the country, even in its most remote rural regions.

The Party and Government have consistently underscored that comprehensive poverty reduction and improving living standards are urgent priorities and a key and strategic task to ensure the country’s rapid and sustainable development.

Acknowledging that quality of life extends beyond income alone, the Government in 2015 introduced a multidimensional poverty index (MPI) for the 2016-2020 period, marking a significant shift from income-based poverty measurement to a more holistic approach.

Under this new standard, poverty is defined with higher criteria, based on indicators measuring deficiencies in access to basic social services such as health care, education, housing, clean water and sanitation, and information. This approach has positioned Vietnam as a leader in the Asia-Pacific in adopting multidimensional poverty measurement to address the issue across all aspects.

The use of the national poverty standard is not only crucial for developing relevant policies and programmes and monitoring efforts in Vietnam but also helps the country track its progress toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Poverty reduction has been established as one of the three national target programmes, along with others on new-style rural area building and socio-economic development in mountainous and ethnic minority-inhabited areas. For the 2021-2025 period, the country aims to reduce the multidimensional poverty rate by 1-1.5% annually, with the poverty rate among ethnic minorities to drop by over 3% per year.

Additionally, specific poverty reduction policies, prioritising vulnerable groups and disadvantaged and ethnic minority-inhabited areas, have been put in place, providing targeted support to address the needs of these populations.

To implement these programmes, the Government has issued an action plan and established the Central Steering Committee for the National Target Programme on Sustainable Poverty Reduction. It has also introduced a legal framework to guide efforts in sustainable poverty reduction, which includes criteria for identifying poor and near-poor households, and impoverished districts, communes, and hamlets.

Localities and all-level Vietnam Fatherland Front Committees, and other organations have also joined such efforts.

Vietnam is one of the first 30 countries in the world and the first in Asia to adopt the MPI in an effort to ensure a minimum living standard and address gaps in the access to basic social services, aiming for comprehensive and inclusive support for the poor and those living in impoverished areas. It is also expected to help improve the quality of both their material and spiritual life.

Each year, the country allocates substantial resources to the work, with the funding mainly from the central budget, different economic sectors, and contributions from the "For the Poor" fund managed by all-level VFF Committees.

As a result, Vietnam’s per capita income has risen to about 4,650 USD from only 185 USD in 1993. Last year, its multidimensional poverty rate decreased by 1.1% to 2.93%. Additionally, 10 extremely disadvantaged coastal and island communes successfully got rid of poverty.

Rural economic and social infrastructure has seen remarkable improvements which give a facelift to the areas and contribute to promoting production and raising living standards there.

Once among the poorest countries in the world, Vietnam has over the past few decades transformed into one of the fastest-growing economies. From 1989 to 2023, its per capita GDP recorded a 40-fold increase. In two decades, more than 40 million people have been lifted out of poverty. Vietnam achieved the United Nations Millennium Development Goal on poverty reduction ahead of schedule, winning recognition from the international community as a global success story in poverty alleviation.

According to the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index report released announced on July 15, 2023, by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, Vietnam is one of the 25 countries that have halved their MPI within 15 years.

In April 2022, the World Bank, in its report "From the Last Mile to the Next Mile: Vietnam Poverty and Equity Assessment 2022", noted that the amount of progress that Vietnam has achieved in less than half a century since the war ended in 1975 has been nearly without parallel./.

HCM City eye AFC Women’s Champions League’s semi-finals

Ho Chi Minh City want a place in the semi-finals of the AFC Women's Champions League, being the Southeast Asian club with best results so far.

Playing internationally for the first time, the Vietnamese champions were in Group C and secured two wins and one loss, putting them in second place and so advancing to the quarter-finals.

The results were, according to coach Nguyen Hong Pham, due to the players’ determination and solidarity, along with the key role of three American players and national top scorer Huynh Nhu.

HCM City defeated Taichung Blue Whale of Chinese Taipei and Odisha of India with same score 3-1, before losing 0-2 to title favourites Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies of Japan.

HCM City not only advanced to the next round but are also the only club of the ASEAN region going into the knock-out stage of this continental competition. This result makes them one of four seeded teams who will enjoy the advantage of a home game in their next match in March, 2025.

A draw will be held on January 16 in Kuala Lumpur to know who their quarter-final opponents will be.

Incheon Red Angels (the Republic of Korea), Melbourne City (Australia), Urawa Red Diamonds and HCM City are the teams in the round.

They will play Abu Dhabi Country Club (UAE), Taichung Blue Whale, Wuhan Jiangda (China) or Bam Khatoon (Iran).

Apart from Taichung Blue Whale, who lost to HCM City in the group round, the remaining three are strong opponents.

Wuhan Jiangda are currently Chinese Women’s Super League champions. Abu Dhabi Country Club is a founding member of a local women's association football league and have achieved several consecutive league titles.

Bam Khatoon are the most titled of the Iranian women's league, having won ten championships.

Meanwhile, HCM City face huge challenges as contracts with Nhu and three Americans expired after the group stage.

Talani Barnet, Tatiana Mason and Meghan Root returned home while Nhu, one of top five scorers of the tournament, is said to be in negotiations for a contract with a foreign club.

"HCM City are home to senior, but getting old, members and young players who lack international experience. The gap of expertise between them is clear to see, although they are still the strongest club in Vietnam," said former midfielder Tran Nguyen Bao Chau.

"It is definitely a big problem for HCM City playing without Nhu and the foreigners who were important pieces of the team, showing their big influence in the group stage performance."

Coach Pham said: "We want to sign other contracts with the Americans and especially Nhu. At the same time, we will recruit more foreign players for the quarter-finals. There are five months to the next match, so we still have time to build a good plan."

Deputy Director of the HCM City Culture and Sports Department Nguyen Nam Nhan said the club would enjoy a large investment in both domestic and Asian competitions, with the department calling for more sponsorship.

In addition to local support, HCM City will also pocket a 220,000 USD bonus from the AFC for their participation in the tournament.

If Pham and his players make it through to the semi-finals they will receive 120,000 USD./.

Skills gap widens as students shun vocational schools

Vocational colleges in Việt Nam face a growing challenge in attracting students, as more high school graduates are prioritising a university education.

Lê Lâm, President of Đại Việt Sài Gòn College, believes that high school graduates tend to view vocational training as a last resort, placing it at the bottom of their lists of choices after exhausting all university options.

The lack of interest has left vocational colleges struggling to fill seats. Some have turned to middle school graduates to boost enrolment but have yielded little result.

"Several vocational institutions have tried to cast a wider net, even including middle school graduates, but the situation remains bleak," said Lâm.

He illustrates the severity of the issue with a simple calculation: Out of approximately one million high school graduates annually, about one-fifth do not enrol in university.

Assuming all of them were to go to vocational colleges, with more than 2,000 such institutions, each would receive fewer than a hundred students a year, barely enough to maintain operations.

Đồng Văn Ngọc, Principal of The Hà Nội College for Electro-Mechanics, believes that the overwhelming preference for academic degrees will lead to a shortage of skilled workers in the long term.

He emphasises the need for a more focused approach to investing in vocational training, suggesting that the government should prioritise key areas rather than spreading resources too thin.

Additionally, he advocates for a more flexible regulatory framework that grants vocational institutions greater autonomy in operations and personnel while ensuring accountability through supervision.

Lê Huy Nam, Director of the Education Department under the Party Central Committee's Commission for Information and Education, underlines a significant gap in the labour market, with 38 million individuals lacking formal vocational training.

He attributes the gap to several factors, including outdated policies, inadequate governance and weak collaboration between vocational institutions and enterprises.

If left unaddressed, he believes the issue could severely undermine the development of a high-quality workforce in Việt Nam, hindering the country's progress toward its industrialisation targets.

Nguyễn Khánh Cường, Rector of the LILAMA2 International Technology College, underlines the high costs of vocational training, which can reach billions of VNĐ per student over a three-year programme, making it unsustainable without government support.

He suggests Việt Nam adopt a model similar to Germany, where enterprises contribute to a fund for vocational training. He also shares that his college has partnered with enterprises in cost-sharing and programme design.

"If the government involves enterprises in vocational training, this model will thrive and produce highly skilled graduates," he said.

Their voices have been heard, with Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Lê Tấn Dũng stating that plans are underway to review and invest in vocational education. The focus will be on key sectors, alongside strengthening career guidance and job placement.

"The Ministry will provide expert advice to the government on improving the vocational training landscape and developing a highly skilled workforce," said Dũng. 

Infrastructure projects being built in Ninh Thuận after two nuclear power plants are halted

A number of infrastructure projects are being built in the south-central province of Ninh Thuận, after the construction of two nuclear power plants was shelved.

The projects of Ninh Thuận 1 Nuclear Power Plant, covering an area of ​​440ha, and Ninh Thuận 2 Nuclear Power Plant, with an area of ​​380 ha and a total capacity of 4,000 MW, were approved by the National Assembly in 2009.

However, in November 2016, the National Assembly decided to halt the projects.

In July 2023, the People's Committee of Ninh Thuận Province announced the cancellation of land acquisition for compensation and site clearance related to the projects.

In Vĩnh Hải Commune, where the Ninh Thuận 2 Nuclear Power Plant was planned to be constructed, four new infrastructure works are being built with a budget of VNĐ175 billion sourced from the State.

They include new breakwater and flood protection structures for Thái An Village, three roads connecting production areas, an upgrade of the old provincial road 702, Bầu Tró Pond, and a water supply system from Hố Quạt Stream.

Ninh Thuận Province People's Committee has allocated nearly VNĐ55 billion from local budget sources in the 2021-25 medium-term public investment plan to implement eight other projects, including new schools, repairing community houses, building drainage systems, roads and irrigation works.

Director of the Ninh Hải District Construction Investment Project Management Board (representing the investor) Nguyễn Đức Định, said that when completed, Bầu Tró Pond will provide about 400,000cu.m of water to Thái An - a key grape growing area.

Other projects such as breakwaters and flood barriers will help prevent landslides, while upgraded roads will make transportation easier and ensure safety for local people during the rainy season, he said.

The project management board and the construction unit are determined to speed up progress to complete these four component projects by the end of 2024.

In Phước Dinh Commune, where the Ninh Thuận 1 Nuclear Power Plant was to have been built, six projects are under construction.

Using State and local budgets of nearly VNĐ200 billion they include the upgrade and expansion of Road No 701, covering over 3.7km, construction of three new routes connecting Road No 701 with a coastal road, construction of a drainage system, flood and wave protection embankments and a local kindergarten.

During a recent on-site inspection, Chairman of the Ninh Thuận Province People's Committee Trần Quốc Nam said these were important projects that the National Assembly and the Government had ruled would be a priority, freeing up investment resources to improve the lives of people in the area.

After completion, the projects will help ensure smooth traffic, facilitate responses to natural disasters, tackle the impacts of climate change, and strengthen national defence and security, he said.

Two more accused of organising illegal residency case

Quảng Nam Province's public security department’s investigation unit has decided to prosecute two more people involving in an illegal temporary residency case following an expanded investigation.

The investigation police unit said Lee The Kim Ngân, 30 and Lương Quốc Anh, 38, in HCM City, were found to be part of a group helping six foreign tourists stay illegally in Việt Nam after their visas were going to expire.

The two new accused had helped the six foreigners – who were travelling in Việt Nam and were staying in Hội An and HCM City – in return for VNĐ11 million (US$438).

The police say they are keeping Nguyễn Ngọc Hàn Mi, 29, the mastermind of the case, in custody in July for further investigation.

Mi, who lives in HCM City, was identified as a key player who masterminded the residency scam for business and work permissions.

He bought a company in Việt Nam in order to submit fake procedures to relevant agencies in order to get investment certificates and work permission papers for the six foreigners.

The six foreigners were then able to get certificates to stay in Việt Nam.

Mi earned VNĐ38 million from the fake procedures.

While Anh remains in custody, Ngân was banned from leaving her house in HCM City.

Investigations are still ongoing. 

Over 600 Visa, MasterCard cardholders scammed

A 35-year-old woman and her accomplices have been accused of impersonating bank employees to defraud 614 Visa and MasterCard cardholders, resulting in the embezzlement of over VNĐ1.8 billion (US$72,000).

The HCM City Police on Tuesday (October 16) arrested Đào Thị Kiều Oanh and 14 other individuals for "using electronic means to commit theft." 

This operation is part of a broader investigation into a criminal network led by Oanh and another woman, Lê Thị Kim Hoa, 31, along other individuals.

From October to December 2022, the group deceived cardholders into withdrawing more than VNĐ7.2 billion, and thus misappropriating over VNĐ1.8 billion from them. 

They claimed to offer a policy allowing customers to convert 75 per cent of their credit limit into cash at low interest rates. 

After gaining card information, they conducted fraudulent transactions through electronic payment gateways, transferring money into accounts they controlled, according to the police.

The police raided three offices on December 28, 2022, detaining Oanh, Hoa, and over 80 others, seizing various equipment including computers, phones, and vehicles. 

The investigation is ongoing. 

Farmers compost rice straw for fertiliser and mushroom cultivation in An Giang

A project which aims to improve farmers' lives in An Giang Province by developing models to utilise and process agricultural by-products from rice straws to make valuable products has gained positive results.

The project is carried out by Ho Chi Minh City University for Natural Resources and Environment and the Long An Province Department of Natural Resources and Environment with the support of the Vietnam Association for the Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE). It has also been accomplished through a collaborative effort with the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP) under the auspices of aid from the UK government.

Chau Thanh is a purely agricultural district of An Giang Province, where rice is the main crop, with a total area of more than 79,457ha. Only 36.7 per cent of the rice straw in the district’s growing area (29,167.65ha) is collected.

According to the project’s organisers, they decided to implement the project as they believed that farmers can only change their practice of burning straw in the field when there are models of using straw to create income.

Looking at rice by-product utilisation models in place in the whole province, the project organisers set up three pilot projects for rice straw utilisation: growing mushrooms in rice straw, applying the model of composting straw with urea to feed cows, and composting straw as fertiliser.

The project has effectively raised awareness about the environmental damage and economic inefficiency of burning rice straws. Through media campaigns, technical guides, and social media outreach, it has romoted sustainable alternatives like using rice by-products for products like straw mushrooms and compost.

To foster adoption, the project organisers have developed practical training programmes for farmers, equipping them with the skills to implement these models and boost their income, like the case in Vinh Thanh commune.

The project has replicated the application of models to make use of waste from rice in the province by coordinating with communes to select 12 households to participate in the models. Under the programme, the households have been provided initial technical guidance and regular monitoring and support throughout the model implementation process. The programme has aided fees for four households (VND2 million for a household).

Finally, the project has deployed 12 models in the district, including four indoor mushroom-growing models in Vinh Nhuan and Can Dang communes; four composting models; and four models of composting straw with urea for animal feed in Vinh Thanh, Tan Phu, Binh Hoa, and Hoa Binh Thanh communes.

The models have been welcomed by farmers because, in addition to environmental benefits, they also bring specific economic efficiency to households. Interviews with 11 farmer households implementing composting from straw showed that the model scale is from 8-20sq.m (using 25-80 rolls of straw). After deducting the initial investment costs and each crop, participants will have an additional income of VND3.1-5 million.

Interviews with seven households growing mushrooms indoors showed that with a scale of 20-300sq.m (using 40-500 rolls of straw), after deducting the initial investment costs and actual costs of each crop, they will have an additional income of VND3-12 million. Meanwhile, composting with urea to make animal feed will save labour days compared to cutting grass to feed cattle. Besides, the straw rolling service by machine also brings a profit of about VND7 million for the straw rolling machine, reaching 4ha per day and 200 rolls per ha. The field owner will be paid VNĐ500,000 per ha.

The project’s results show that using straw in beneficial models has contributed to reducing air pollution, limiting the greenhouse effect, returning nutrients to the soil, limiting soil loss, and minimising rice-growing land contamination.

The models are suitable for local development conditions as they create more jobs for rural workers, take advantage of idle labour, and create conditions for gender balance. This is a favourable premise for replicating the models throughout An Giang province, where up to 70 per cent of the natural area is used for rice cultivation.

Vietnamese teenager honoured as one of the Women of the Future 50 Rising Stars

Vietnamese teenager and activist Bella Vũ Huyền Diệu has been named in the list of Women of the Future 50 Rising Stars in ESG, a initiative that recognises and celebrates emerging female leaders who are making significant contributions to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) sectors.

Fifty outstanding women on the list will be featured in the UK’s Financial Times, join a global community supporting women and share their stories and projects with people around the world.

Along with 49 women under 35 from countries and territories such as the USA, UK, Netherlands, Indonesia, India, Iraq, Thailand, Germany, Lebanon, Kazakhstan, Singapore and Switzerland, Bella is the only representative from Việt Nam on the list.

The 16-year-old said this honour serves as motivation for her to continue contributing to social and environmental activities.

Bella also sees this as an opportunity to showcase Việt Nam, particularly the image of young Vietnamese people and, especially, Vietnamese female students to the international community.

At 16 years old, Bella has already created a reputation as an advocate for social and environmental issues. She founded the Bella Love Foundation in 2020 to instigate positive environmental changes and extend support to those facing adversity, particularly women, children and the vulnerable.

Her family established the Huyen Dieu – Bella Love Entertainment Company to provide sustainable financial support for the philanthropic endeavours of the Bella Love Foundation.

Bella won Miss Eco Teen International in 2021 and was IIMSAM (Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina Against Malnutrition) Youth Goodwill Ambassador in 2022 and Image Ambassador for Eco Teen Vietnam in 2023. She has been widely recognised for her contributions to community service and her dedication to creating a better world.

“As the Youth goodwill ambassador of IIMSam, I believe ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is incredibly important because it helps us take care of our planet and people,” she said.

“Through my work with the Bella Love Foundation, I've seen firsthand how environmental issues like pollution and climate change affect our communities, especially the most vulnerable ones. By focusing on ESG, we can create a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable world. It encourages businesses and organisations to be responsible not just for making money, but also for how their actions impact the environment and society.

“In my opinion, ESG is about building a future where everyone can thrive, and it aligns perfectly with the mission of my foundation. We aim to make a positive difference, and by promoting ESG principles, we can ensure that our efforts are part of a larger movement towards lasting change.”

With the desire to give back to the community through practical actions, Bella will initiate the 'Warm Winter Clothes' programme together with the launch of her album Bella Vũ 16 and the music video Make A Plan in HCM City on October 18.

The attendees are expected to bring along used warm clothing from guests instead of flower bouquets or congratulatory gifts to the events. The clothing will then be classified, packaged and sent as gifts to the people in northern province of Hà Giang to help them stay warm during the cold winter. 

Bạc Liêu to strengthen tourism linkage

The Mekong Delta province of Bạc Liêu is focusing on strengthening connections and promoting tourism highlights to visitors.

Total tourism revenue in Bạc Liêu has, so far this year, reached VNĐ3.4 trillion (US$137.6 million), an increase of 9.1 per cent compared to the same period last year.

The number of tourists was around 4.1 million, up 14.2 per cent year-on-year.

This is an important foundation for Bạc Liêu to strive for 4.9 million visitors and revenue of VNĐ4.1 trillion in 2024.

According to Lý Vỹ Triều Dương, deputy director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Bạc Liêu, to attract tourists, the province has developed and promoted various unique tourism products to enhance its brand image and competitiveness.

These include cultural tourism products that utilise local cultural values, such as the Southern Vietnamese traditional music genre Đờn ca tài tử.

Bạc Liêu is actively participating in the tourism cooperation and development programme of the Western Mekong Delta tourism cluster and the tourism linkage programme between HCM City and the provinces and cities of the delta.

Dương said that the sector will continue to innovate its methods and content, strengthening the promotion of Bạc Liêu tourism through media channels.

Tourism promotion will be enhanced in Hà Nội, HCM City, other key domestic tourism markets, and in countries like the United States, Japan and South Korea.

The province is particularly focused on strategic, targeted partnerships, especially fostering three-way connections between tourism service providers, management agencies, and tourist sites to better understand the tourism market and meet visitors' needs.

Bạc Liêu currently has 11 notable tourist attractions, including popular sites like the Hồ Nam Ecotourism Area, Hùng Vương Square in Ward 1, the Bạc Liêu Playboy's Mansion and the Sài Gòn Bạc Liêu Hotel in Ward 3, among others.

In addition to exploiting the values of cultural and religious tourism, Bạc Liêu leverages its natural conditions, particularly coastal forest resources, to develop green and eco-tourism.

Many recreational sites under the forest canopy are being developed through eco-tourism and resort models, providing visitors with fascinating experiences.

Some of the most visited eco-tourism sites include Shrimp House Garden, Healthy Shrimp Farm, Hoà Bình 1 Wind Power Plant, and Lập Điền Bird Garden, which have been initially successful in offering experiential eco-tourism. 

IRCtire Mountain Bike Championship to open in Hoà Bình in November

Nearly 350 athletes will join the National Mountain Bike Championship – IRCtire Cup 2024, taking place on November 9-10 in the northern province of Hoà Bình.

The IRCtire Cup 2024, organised by the Vietnam Cycling and Motor Sports Federation and sponsored by IRCtire, not only promotes mountain biking as a sport for enthusiasts but also fosters a platform for connection, interaction, and camaraderie within this passionate community.

The IRCtire Cup has attracted significant interest, with athletes registering individually and numerous clubs signing up. Some clubs have registered nearly 30 athletes, while others are continuously adding members to their competing teams.

Since registration opened, the number of participating athletes has neared the maximum capacity of 350.

Notably, despite being the first-ever amateur tournament organised, the IRCtire Cup has garnered considerable scale and meticulous preparation, captivating the attention of numerous athletes.

Set against a challenging hilltop terrain, the racecourse features a diverse mix of winding paths, daring jumps, steep climbs, and sharp turns, presenting significant challenges and difficulties for participating athletes.

Starting from Hoà Bình Square, the course begins with flat terrain allowing athletes to accelerate from the outset. This is followed by a challenging uphill climb, testing physical strength, endurance, and agility as they conquer the rugged, winding path. In the final stretch, riders will face a tough off-road section with narrow trails and rocky terrain - the ultimate test for those seeking to surge ahead.

The experience of climbing, sprinting, and conquering this meticulously prepared and challenging racetrack will undoubtedly become a memorable experience for nearly 350 athletes.

The IRCtire Cup racecourse is divided into two distances for five athlete categories. The young men's group, ages 30 and under, and the middle-aged men's group, ages 31-45, will compete over 30.83km. The senior men's group, ages 46 and over, the young women's group, ages 40 and under, and the senior women's group, ages 41 and over will compete over 21.93km.

The race will take place from November 9-10, 2024, with total prize value of up to VNĐ200 million (US$8,000), including cash and valuable gifts from the sponsor, IRCtire, and the organising committee. To encourage the athletes' sportsmanship, the organising committee will also offer a special gift of IRCtire tires to the first 100 registered participants.

For this competition, the organising committee has stated that it will work closely with referees and athletes to ensure safety, fairness, and sportsmanship, creating the most positive competition environment to foster the development of mountain biking.

The registration period is expected to last until October 30, 2024. Athletes wishing to participate can register directly on the official website of the Vietnam Cycling and Motor Sports Federation or submit a registration list directly (for clubs) to the Federation's headquarters at 36 Trần Phú Street in Bà Đình District of Hà Nội City. 

TCP Vietnam and Youth Federation co-operate to open sports yard in Đà Nẵng

TCP Vietnam Company in collaboration with the Vietnam Youth Federation Central Committee (CVYF) and the National Volunteer Centre (VVC) jointly held the launch ceremony for the "Community Sport Yard - Energising Vietnamese Youth" project in the central city of Đà Nẵng.

As part of the project, the organisers also introduced and officially opened the second community sports yard in the city. The yard has been designed to meet the community's exercise needs and has undergone improvements, including upgraded grounds and the installation of sports equipment, creating a valuable environment for local youth to enhance both their physical and mental well-being. 

The community sports yard in Đà Nẵng City has been repaired, renovated, and upgraded to cover a total area of approximately 1,000sq.m, including a basketball court, a volleyball court, a pickleball court and various modern equipment and facilities. 

The renovations and improvements include resurfacing the yard, enhancing green spaces and adding outdoor fitness equipment such as portable basketball hoops badminton nets and posts, and multifunctional sports equipment.

Additionally, cabinets and recycling bins have also been added to encourage residents to collect and sort waste at the source, contributing to environmental protection and minimising the waste of reusable materials. 

To date, two sports yards under the project have been inaugurated, including the Thanh Hoá yard and the Đà Nẵng yard. Three more yards are expected to be completed in October in Cần Thơ, Bắc Giang and HCM City. Additionally, four more projects in Đồng Nai, Bắc Ninh, Bình Dương and Nghệ An provinces are expected to be inaugurated in 2024. 

The implementation plan describes a programme that focuses on renovating and upgrading yards to transform them into sports structures that align with practical conditions and needs. Over a period of three years from 2024 to 2026, a total of 20 projects are expected to be completed. These projects aim to provide high-quality community sports yards, especially for youth in underserved areas where training facilities are lacking.

VNA/VOV/VNS/VNN