The art of Vietnamese cuisine has sprung a surprise on hundreds of French people and local press.

 

The art of Vietnamese cuisine has sprung a surprise on hundreds of French people and local press at an event which took place in Argelès-sur-Mer city on October 17-18.

The event was organised by the Foreign Ministry’s Department of Cultural Affairs and UNESCO, with the support of the French city and the School of Tourism and Cooking of Bourquin in Pyrenees-Orientales.

Themed “Journey to Vietnamese World Heritage”, the event featured a wide range of activities, including Vietnamese gastronomy shows, a conference and exhibition on UNESCO-recognised heritage sites across the nation, an introduction to fruit and vegetable carving, the art of drinking tea, and exchanges between Vietnamese and French chefs.

According to Deputy Head of the Department of Cultural Affairs and UNESCO Tran Quoc Khanh, this was part of efforts to popularise the image of a traditional and dynamic Vietnam to French people.

He said he hoped the day will become an annual event in both France and other countries.

Mayor of Argelès-sur-Mer city Antoine Parra said it was the first time the city had cooperated with Vietnam to organise such an event, expressing his wish for the cultural exchange to benefit both sides for long-term collaboration.

He said he welcomed cultural and trade exchange and cooperation between the two nations./.

Vietnam joins meeting of communist, workers’ parties in Turkey

A delegation from the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) attended the 21st International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties (IMWCP), which was held in Izmia, Turkey from October 18-20.

This year’s meeting, co-hosted by the Communist Party of Turkey and the Communist Party of Greece, drew 137 delegates representing 74 parties from 58 countries around the world.

Participants underlined the significance and value of the Communist International (Comintern) to the communist and workers’ forces in the early 20th century, as well as lessons for communists’ current struggles.

They stressed that Marxism-Leninism continues to lead the operation of communist and workers’ parties today, while affirming that international unity is significant to creating collective strength and revolutionary success.

They agreed that communist and workers’ parties should continue fostering solidarity to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the working class.

At the meeting, the delegates discussed recent activities and new tasks for the future.

They also adopted a “common call” voicing the solidarity of communist and workers’ forces in the current context.

Underscoring policies to strengthen friendship and traditional solidarity with international communist and workers’ forces, the CPV representatives showed their willingness to exchange with other delegations on theoretical and practical issues.

On the sidelines of the event, the Vietnamese Party delegation had separate meetings with leaders of the Communist Party of Turkey, the Communist Party of Greece and other political parties to seek measures to promote cooperation and discuss regional and international matters of shared concern.

The foreign parties stressed the need to deal with regional disputes through peaceful measures on the foundation of basic principles of international law, the UN Charter and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982)./.

Riverbus aims to fully tap potential

 

Out on the open water, passengers can escape the traffic and smog on the roads, and take the time to relax. The service has quickly attracted customers, especially during holidays, New Year and weekends.

With more than 80 percent of the passengers being tourists, the service has hit some shortcomings

By mid 2020, all nine routes of the river-bus service will be fully completed and open for service, striving to become a friendly and helpful mode of transport for local commuters./.

Japanese firm holds festival for Vietnamese apprentices

 

Japan’s Ikai Group organised a festival for its Vietnamese apprentices and engineers in Yamanashi prefecture on October 20, gathering over 300 participants.

The festival featured various entertainment activities and Japanese food.

Speaking at the event, chairman and CEO of the group Takeshi Ikai said the event aimed at strengthening the connection between the Vietnamese workers and their Japanese colleagues as well as reflecting the company’s gratitude for their contributions to the business.

Phan Tien Hoang, chief representative of the Vietnamese Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs in Japan, lauded the Ikai Group’s efforts to ensure the material and spiritual lives of its Vietnamese apprentices and engineers.

Highlighting the festival as an opportunity for mutual understanding, he recommended Vietnamese workers respect the firm’s regulations and the host nation’s laws and learn from Japan’s advanced science-technology knowledge.

Tsutomu Takebe, Special Advisor to the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance, said the group provides a top training facility for both Japanese and Vietnamese workers.

He hoped Vietnamese apprentices will adopt Japanese technologies to take home and develop their country.

Established in 1970, the Ikai Group operates in different fields, including mechanics, electricity, electronics, medicine and industrial chemicals, among others. It is now home to 236 apprentices and 16 engineers from the Southeast Asian nation./.

Lotus adds money to pockets of farmers in Kien Giang

Nguyen Khanh was among the first farmers in Vinh Dieu commune, Giang Thanh district, Kien Giang province to switch from rice cultivation to lotus farming. With high-quality lotus seeds selected from An Giang and Dong Thap provinces, he has increased his income, enriched the soil, improved water quality improvement and saved on manpower.

The initial investment to start growing lotus flowers is around half of what it takes to plant rice, while it requires less manpower to take care of the flowers.

In just four months, farmers earn an average profit of 1,300 USD per hectare.

Nha Sap and Cong Ca villages in Vinh Dieu commune have been piloting lotus cultivation since 2018. Over the past year, experts have concluded that lotus flowers are compatible with local conditions. Especially, lotus flowers can even grow in areas contaminated by acid sulfate where rice cannot be grown.

Based on the results of piloting lotus cultivation, Vinh Dieu commune’s authorities have devised a plan to grow lotus flowers to meet market demands. The local government is also working on a preferential policy and technical training courses for lotus growers in the commune./.

HAGL beat HCM City to avoid relegation

 

Hoàng Anh Gia Lai celebrate their win against HCM City in the penultimate round of the V.League 1 over the weekend. — Photo doisongvietnam.vn

 

Hoàng Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) defeated HCM City 2-1 in their penultimate V.League 1 match of the season to officially escape relegation on Saturday.

The game was held at Thống Nhất Stadium in HCM City.

HCM City will finish second in the league, while Hà Nội FC were crowned champions with two matches to spare.

Although the hosts had nothing to play for, they named a strong line-up and were determined to make a game of it.

The away side started the better and were on top in the first half, but they couldn't find a breakthrough.

After the break, the visiting side had the opener in the 61st minute from a penalty after Hữu Tuấn scythed down HAGL's Vũ Văn Thanh in the penalty area. Nguyễn Phong Hồng Duy made no mistake from the spot.

However, just 10 minutes later, Trần Phi Sơn of HCM City was taken down by Duy in the HAGL box, allowing Sơn to level the score for HCM City from the resulting penalty.

Following Sơn’s goal, HCM City ramped up the pressure but couldn’t get behind HAGL’s defence.

In the dying minutes, HAGL won another penalty as national team star Nguyen Van Toan raced through and was fouled. This time Thanh stepped up and scored the decisive goal for HAGL.

With this win, HAGL are officially safe from relegation in 10th out of 14 teams in the league with 32 points, leaving Thanh Hóa and Khánh Hòa to battle it out to stay in the top-flight in the final round of fixtures on Wednesday, as both sides sit on 25 points.

“This is a very important win in the decisive time of HAGL. I am very happy and wish my team will return stronger. The match was very difficult but we have completed our task,” said coach Lee Tae-hoon of HAGL.

“The selection of foreign players of HAGL lacked luck. I am sure that next season our foreign footballers will be better. We will change strongly,” Lee added.

“I only want to say with my team that they don’t forget the difficulties they faced this year. HAGL tried their best, especially players wearing the national jersey. They moved and competed continuously so their physical strength isn’t good. HAGL promise to play well in the next season,” said 58-year-old Lee.

HAGL will next take on Khánh Hòa at home at Pleiku Stadium in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai in the last round on Wednesday.

After the national premier league ends, head coach of Việt Nam team, Park Hang-seo will announce the Vietnamese squad for the World Cup 2022 qualifiers in November.

HAGL are expected to contribute key players such as striker Nguyễn Văn Toàn, midfielders Thanh and Nguyễn Tuấn Anh as well as defender Hồng Duy.

Vietnamese, Korean women contribute to promoting bilateral ties

 

The “ao dai” (Vietnamese traditional long dress) show in the RoK

 

A trade promotion workshop between businesswomen from Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) and an “ao dai” (Vietnamese traditional long dress) show were held in the RoK on October 20.

The events took place within the framework of a working visit by a delegation of the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) led by VWU Vice President Bui Thi Hoa.

It also marked the 89th anniversary of the VWU, Vietnam Women’s Day (October 20) and Vietnam Entrepreneurs’ Day (October 13).

In his opening remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador to the RoK Nguyen Vu Tu said the programme aimed to honour significant contributions of businesspeople, including female Vietnamese entrepreneurs, to Vietnam’s impressive economic growth over the past decade.

The ambassador expressed his hope for connectivity opportunities between Vietnamese and Korean women through social activities, saying Vietnamese businesswomen can learn from their Korean peers’ experience on the basis of mutual benefits.

The workshop brought together more than 200 delegates, including representatives of Korean businesses which are operating in the spheres of tourism and hotel services, farm produce, cosmetics, construction and construction materials.

Vietnamese agricultural products as well as tourism and beauty services were also introduced at the workshop, along with a traditional Korean hanbok fashion show and art performances.

In related news, the VWU in the RoK held a ceremony in Bucheon city, Gyeonggi province, on October 20 to celebrate its 5th founding anniversary.

Established on October 20, 2014, the chapter aims to protect the rights and interests of Vietnamese women living and studying in the RoK./.

Tuyen Quang’s mountainous district promotes tourism potential

There are currently 6 households participating in the community tourism model in Thuong Lam village, Lam Binh district, Tuyen Quang province. Some homestays have already welcomed hundreds of tourists and visitors. Realizing the potential, Lam Binh district is now working on tourism products imbued with its cultural characteristics.

Lam Binh district is considered the most beautiful and naturally-endowed locality in Tuyen Quang province. With a scenic and peaceful river running through endless mountains, ancient forests with winding paths, visitors can get to the 8000-hectare Tuyen Quang reservoir, Pắc Tạ mountain, Khuổi Nhi waterfall and more exciting, untouched landscapes.

To promote sustainable tourism, Lam Binh is working on preservation work and recreating ancient festivals with indigenous cultural traits. Basic service training for locals is also required.

Lam Binh district covers 78,000 ha, of which 80% is natural forest, and has a population of more than 30,000 people, including 14 ethnic groups. Lam Binh district and TuyenQuang province are determined to focus on developing Lam Binh tourism in a sustainable way to become a friendly destination for domestic and foreign tourists./.

HCM City consular club to organize 26th charity bazaar

 

A booth at last year’s charity bazaar - Photo: Courtesy of Consular Club of Ho Chi Minh City

 

The Consular Club of Ho Chi Minh City, whose members are volunteers from foreign diplomatic missions, will be holding its 26th international charity bazaar at the Adora Convention Center in Tan Binh District on November 9.

Customers will have the opportunity to buy a wide range of interesting international goods and enjoy a program of cultural entertainment including classical dance performances from India, Indonesia and Thailand, a jazz guitarist performance from the UK and accomplished quartet as well as a Thai boxing demonstration.

As in previous years, raffle tickets to enter the popular Raffle Draw will be on sale at VND50,000 each. Among the many prizes are stays at deluxe resorts and hotels in many locations throughout Vietnam, spa packages, lunch or dinner vouchers in luxury restaurants in HCMC, and a Vietnam Airlines ticket among others.

Every prize in the raffle is worth at least US$100. The prize tickets will be drawn by the Consul Generals of the participating countries.

In support of the city’s movement to reduce single-use plastics, the Consular Club encourages all vendors to use environmentally friendly alternatives and shoppers to purchase cloth bags or bring their own with them.

At last year’s event attendees were offered water in glasses as an alternative to individual plastic bottles with the co-operation of the Adora Convention Center. This year the Consular Club hopes to go much further in eliminating single-use plastics at its bazaar.

Last year the Consular Club celebrated 25 years of support of charity projects to enhance the lives of disadvantaged people in southern Vietnam with a particular focus on aid for orphans, the disabled, the elderly and minority groups. All Consular Club members are unpaid and all profits from the bazaar go directly to the projects.

With US$70,000 raised at the 2018 bazaar, the Consular Club was able to offer assistance to 10 projects including an early intervention program for children with autism, education scholarships for children and young adults, free prosthetics for low income amputees, infrastructure to supply and store fresh water and renovation of a women’s shelter.

For further information on the charity bazaar, contact the Consular Club at consularclub@gmail.com or https://www.facebook.com/consularclub.hcmc/.

The event opens to the public at 9:30 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m. Entry tickets are on sale now at a reduced price of VND80,000 at Terraverde Travel on the second floor of Deutsches Haus or Saigon Van International Relocations.

From November 2 onwards tickets will be priced at VND100,000. There is no charge for children under 10 when accompanied by an adult and they can enjoy the play area for children free of charge.

Cao Bo village develops Shan Tuyet tea, a signature product of Ha Giang

 

Shan Tuyet tea

 

Cao Bo village in Vi Xuyen district is one of the biggest growers of Shan Tuyet tea in Ha Giang province.

Shan Tuyet tea produces high profits and stable incomes for the locals, and greatly contributes to poverty reduction in the area.

Cao Bo village has a population of more than 4,000 people, 96% of them are Dao ethnic minority. The area has good soil and a cool climate suitable for growing tea.

Shan Tuyet tea is a rare variety which can thrive at more than 1,000 meters above sea level on the lime karst mountains of Vietnam’s northeastern region. It has large leaves and many buds covered by white hair, giving it the name snow tea.

Shan Tuyet tea has a soft fragrance, brews to a honey-yellow color, and is very good for health. It is considered a specialty of Ha Giang province.

Cao Bo has nearly 1,000 hectares of ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees divided into a lowland region of 7 communes and a highland region of 4 communes.

The tea trees are planted between the forest and other crops, not in separate gardens as in other tea areas. A tea hectare is calculated from the number of trees - 1,100 trees to one hectare.

Ly Quoc Hung, Chairman of the Cao Bo People’s Committee, said, “Our advantage is organic tea. Being organic helps local tea growers sell their tea more easily and at higher prices than other areas. Thanks to growing Shan Tuyet tea, many Cao Bo households are prospering and have bought cars and modern appliances. Seen as a spearhead crop for local economic growth, Cao Bo authorities have encouraged villagers to expand their tea production. We have worked with the Cao Bo Organic Tea Company to organize meetings to tell the locals not to use insecticide or inorganic fertilizer.”

Since 2011, Cao Bo tea products have been recognised as organic products by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM).

In 2016, the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE) presented a certificate recognising 220 Shan Tuyet tea trees in Cao Bo village as heritage trees of Vietnam.

Each year, Cao Bo farmers harvest 3 tea crops - 4 if the weather is good. The first harvest is in the second or third lunar month, which often turns out to be the best tea, worth between 25 and 40 USD a kilo.

Hoang Tinh Kiem, a tea grower in Tham Ve commune, recalls: “My family has about 3 hectares of Shan Tuyet tea. After three years of growing tea, our income has significantly increased. We have purchased a car. Each harvest turns out about 400 kilos, averaging 13 USD a kilo. The village and district administrations have established support programs for tea growers. For instance, a farmer can borrow 4,300 USD with no interest to build a workshop or participate in marketing courses. We are being helped to develop brands and barcodes and geographical indications for Shan Tuyet tea. The commodity-oriented poverty reduction program will help us sign a distribution contract once the production process meets the required standards.”

To encourage farmers to conserve their ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees and expand production, four tea production teams have been established in Cao Bo village with 10 to 20 households on each team.

Dang Thi Phuong, Deputy Chairwoman of the Vi Xuyen district People’s Committee, said, “The tea region in Vi Xuyen district has been recognized as meeting VietGap organic standards. Cao Bo organic tea has been exported to China, Belgium, Russia, and Turkey. Our goal is to make Shan Tuyet tea qualified for the standards of the One Commune-One Product (OCOP) program. Experts are regularly sent to help local farmers adhere to VietGap standards to ensure product quality.”

Each year Cao Bo village exports 200 tons of Shan Tuyet tea to European and Asian countries with prices starting at 6 USD per kilogram of black tea and 8 USD per kilogram of green tea.

Cao Bang promotes tourism development

Cao Bang, a border mountain province with many historical relic sites and beautiful landscapes, has defined border trade and tourism the two economic spearheads for its future development.

To fully tap the local potential, the province has outlined a plan to connect border traffic with tourist destinations.

Under the plan, local transportation infrastructure will be upgraded to facilitate tourists to Cao Bang. Life-line routes linking border crossings and key tourist areas will be improved to shorten travel time. Roads running through 8 districts in the province: Thach An, Phuc Hoa, Ha Lang, Trung Khanh, Tra Linh, Ha Quang, Hoa An, and Nguyen Binh, will be upgraded and expanded at a cost of approximately 95 million USD.

Construction paid by public investment will be carried out from now until 2025 paid with priorities given to routes connecting Cao Bang’s most famous tourist destinations - Ban Gioc waterfall, Nguom Ngao cave, Nguom Puc cave, the special national historical relic sites of Pac Bo cave and Tran Hung Dao forest, and Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark.

Nguyen Trung Thao, Deputy Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said “Cao Bang has adopted policies and mechanisms to attract investors focusing focus on land clearance and human resource training. The province has also promoted incentives on taxes, land use, and credit."

"We have already attracted a number of large enterprises like FLC Group, Sungroup, and TNG Holding Vietnam, who have invested more than 1.4 million USD. TH True Milk Group is pouring 185 million USD into a project to develop smart agriculture, raise dairy cows, and process milk using high-tech. We are helping TH True Milk Group in land clearance and other business matters”, said Thao.

The number of tourists visiting Cao Bang has been on the rise since Non Nuoc Cao Bang was recognized by UNESCO as a global geo-park.

Thao said upgrading transportation will help localities in the province realize development targets, strengthen consolidate security and defense, and reduce costs.

“In addition to communications, we have invested in improving transportation infrastructure using the provincial budget. We have proposed a project to build a highway linking Dong Dang in Lang Son province with Tra Linh in Cao Bang, which has been supported by the Government and ministries", Thao added.

"This will be a breakthrough for Cao Bang tourism. To attract investors, we need to re-plan potential areas, invest in infrastructure such as accommodations for tourists, create signature products, and continue to implement a cooperation agreement to conserve and exploit tourism resources like Ban Gioc waterfall on the border between Vietnam and China,” Thao explained.

The recognition of Non Nuoc Cao Bang as a global geo-park last April raised the province’s tourism potential. Cao Bang has received UNESCO’s advice on conserving the province’s natural landscapes and geological heritage.

Sam Viet An, Director of the provincial Culture, Sports, and Tourism Department, said the provincial administration has asked localities within the geo-park to raise ethnic people’s awareness of developing the economy and tourism, attracting investment, and protecting their cultural heritage.

He said “We have 3 main tour routes in the geo-park - to the East, North and West. We have trained the locals on community-based tourism services. Successful models include the homestay model in Khuoi Ky ancient stone village, Kolia eco-tourism, and tours of revolutionary historical sites like Tran Hung Dao Forest, the Pac Po relic site, and rock caves. Good restaurants and famous craft villages have been chosen as partners of the geo-park. Cao Bang has beautiful mountain roads for adventure motorbike tourism.”

Cao Bang has promoted its tourism via newspapers, magazines, websites, and social networks, and has coordinated with the global geo-park network to participate in international tourism fairs, conferences, seminars, and exhibitions to introduce its specialties and image to the world.

Japanese help treat pollution at Vietnam's largest lobster hub

Phu Yen Province People's Committee worked with Japanese Daiei Factory Company on October 18

 

 

Phu Yen Province People's Committee worked with Japanese Daiei Factory Company on Friday to find solutions for the environmental pollution at Xuan Dai Bay which is the country's largest lobster raising area.

According to statistics from the committee, Xuan Dai Bay in Song Cau Town is home to nearly 30,000 lobster farming cages which are producing between 500- 600 tonnes per year, accounting for nearly 80% of the province's total production. Lobster farming is bringing revenue of between VND700 - 800 billion (USD30-35 million) a year for the town.

In some recent years, the number of cages have increased which is leading to water pollution and mass lobster deaths, causing great losses for local farmers, especially in 2017, the committee reported.

The local Department of Natural Resources and Environment had sought support from the Japan International Co-operation Agency in dealing with water pollution in Xuan Day Bay, and Daiei Factory Company was chosen to carry out the project.

At the Friday meeting with Phu Yen authorities, a representative from Daiei Factory introduced a water treatment technology which helps increase the amount of dissolved oxygen in water. This will better reduce waste mud and foul smells.

The company said that they will officially launch the project at the beginning of 2020.

Vice chairman of Phu Yen Provincial People's Committee, Nguyen Chi Hien said that this would be a pilot project and if successful, they would expand the project to lobster farms throughout the province.

Deputy PM urges to speed up Hanoi’s metro projects

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung has instructed Hanoi to hasten its metro projects, particularly the Cat Linh-Ha Dong project to ensure that it would be operated this year.

According to Dung, the project has been much delayed, causing public concern. At present, the project is 99% completed, and awaits safety certification.

The Ministry of Transport needs to co-operate with the Hanoi People’s Committee and China Railway Sixth Group Company, the contractor, to assess project safety. After that, the State Authority for Construction Quality Inspection will conduct the final assessment on this.

Once the safety regulations are ensured, the project will be put into service before the year-end, Dung added.

The deputy PM asked the Ministry of Finance for Official Development Assistance capital allocation for Nhon-Hanoi Station metro project which is scheduled to become operational in 2021.

Regarding the underground metro station construction near Hoan Kiem Lake, Dung ordered the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Justice to contribute their opinions to Hanoi authorities to submit a report to the government for consideration.

Meanwhile, Dung will chair a meeting on the adjustment of another metro project linking Yen Vien and Ngoc Hoi areas.

Hanoi has planned to build eight metro routes with a total length of more than 400 kilometres and a combined capital of over USD40 billion

Work needed to improve quality of legal documents

Measures must be taken to improve the quality of Viet Nam’s legal documents, said policy researchers and businesses at a conference on Thursday in Ha Noi.

Participants urged policymakers to improve feasibility, logic and consistency to avoid half-baked regulations that unnecessarily complicated business operations or even contradicted existing laws.

A major sticking point in the process of policy-making had been a lack of transparency and feedback from parties that were affected by those policies, said legal experts. As a result, many legal documents were produced without a comprehensive evaluation of the potential socio-economic impacts they could have.

“The quality of legal documents has a significant impact in strengthening businesses’ ability to compete, along with consumer experience,” said Dau Anh Tuan, head of the legal department under the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the conference’s organiser.

“Policymakers must aim to remove legal barriers on market integration, to ensure trade liberalisation and to fight the influence of interest groups,” Tuan said.

“Compiling documents which impact the entire society and business sector must not be fast-tracked, and must gather feedback from all affected parties.”

Mark Grillin, head of the Vietnam Business Forum’s tax and customs working group, said policymakers’ first priority in drafting a legal document was to identify its objectives. Contingencies and alternatives should be carefully studied to maximise effectiveness.

They must work together with affected parties to ensure a good understanding of how legal document would impact their activities. Close co-operation between policymakers and affected parties would help to produce policies that did not favour certain groups at the expense of everyone else.

The list of affected parties must also be expanded to include other stakeholders in supply chains and supporting industries, not just primary players.

The transparency of tax-related legal documents was a matter of utmost importance, said Nguyen Tien Vy, vice-president of the Vietnam Beer and Beverage Association.

Vy quoted a study conducted by the Central Institute of Economic Management that showed a change in the country’s tax law would affect not just the beverage industry but also its 21 supporting industries and millions of consumers.

Below-par legal documents were also a hurdle to overcome as the country pushes for further integration into the global economy with numerous international trade agreements.

Quảng Trị needs $43m to prevent erosion

 

Erosion hit many areas in central Quảng Trị Province

 

The central province of Quảng Trị needs around VNĐ990 billion (US$42.8 million) by 2030 to handle erosion, according to the province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Of which, the province needs some VNĐ273 billion ($11.8 million) in 2019-20 for emergency tasks to fix specifically dangerous areas.

The proposal was made because erosion remained commonplace in the province, threatening residents’ safety.

The funds will be prioritised to build embankments, set up warning maps about areas at high risk of erosion and relocate residents in erosion-prone areas.

The province has recorded over 125 km-long coastal areas being eroded as of mid-October.

The local authorities said the erosion has hit many areas of the province and the erosion developed unpredictably at a rapid rate.

Serious erosion was recorded at the coastal area of Vinh Mộc Village, Vĩnh Thạch Commune, Vĩnh Linh District with a length of 2,000m, affecting the lives of 250 local households.

The Vịnh Mốc Tunnel, a national historical site, was also damaged by the erosion. Erosion has hit the Vịnh Mốc coastline since 2006 due to saltwater encroachment. It requires an estimated VNĐ125 billion to deal with the erosion in this area alone, according to the local authorities.

Around 3,000m of coastlines through Thái Lai, Tân Mạch, Thử Luật and Tân Hòa villages in Vĩnh Linh District are also being seriously eroded.

Storms, prolonged heavy rains and regular floods are blamed for the increasing erosion.

Off-grid solar power launched on Thổ Chu Islands

The HCM City’s Youth Union, in co-operation with the HCM City-based SolarBK company, has launched an off-grid solar power project on the Thổ Chu Islands, off the coast of Kiên Giang Province.

The HCM City Youth Union, in co-operation with the HCM City-based SolarBK company, has launched an off-grid solar power project to supply power for a radar station on the Thổ Chu Islands, off the coast of Mekong Delta's Kiên Giang Province.

The company’s brand director, Nguyễn Thùy Ngân told Việt Nam News that the 2.8Kwp (kilowatt peak) renewable power system, which officially started operations on Tuesday, will supply 11.2KWh (kilowatt per hour) for lighting and cold storage for fresh food.

Ngân said the station previously had to rely on a diesel generator running just four hours each day, while food had to be stored at the homes of residents.

She said the roof-top solar power system was part of the annual ‘Green Summer’ campaign by HCM City’s Youth Union to support the sea and islands of Việt Nam.

It’s also the first ‘green’ power project to be built on the island – where the national grid has not yet reached.

The islands, 110km off the coast of Phú Quốc Island District of Kiên Giang Province, are connected by a shipping route every five days.

There are eight islets with a total population of nearly 2,000 people.

SolarBK said it already operates solar power systems on the Trường Sa (Spratly) Islands, Sơn Chà Islet off central Thừa Thiên-Huế Province and An Bình Islet of central Quảng Ngãi Province, and a system for the centre of children with disabilities in Quảng Ngãi.

The wind-solar renewable energy system on the Trường Sa Islands of Việt Nam also won the Global International Renewable Energy Award in 2012, while the renewable energy-powered desalination system project on Song Tử Tây Island won the award in 2016.

Tây Ninh issues document on wastewater treatment systems at industrial parks

 

Phước Đông Industrial Park in Tây Ninh Province. The provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment asks investors of industrial parks and economic zones to strictly implement regulations on waste water treatment. — Photo baotayninh.vn

 

The southern province of Tây Ninh’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment has asked investors of industrial parks and economic zones to strictly implement regulations on waste water treatment.

On a document issued on Thursday, the department noted that it will coordinate with relevant agencies to regularly inspect and supervise the implementation on management and operations of wastewater treatment systems at industrial parks and economic zones.

If the inter-sector inspectors find any violations, they would strictly handle them according to the provisions of the law.

Investors of industrial parks and economic zones must check rubbish collection systems, rain and wastewater drainage systems, and wastewater treatment centres. They also must upgrade any degraded systems.

Wastewater discharged from enterprises located in the industrial parks must be treated. Owners of industrial parks must use up-to-date wastewater treatment technology, ensuring the treatment of wastewater before it is discharged into the surrounding area.

The owners of the industrial parks and economic zones must record fully the operations of wastewater treatment systems, including wastewater flow, power consumption, type and amount of used chemicals, and the amount of waste mud.

In addition, the investors must separate the rainwater collection and drainage system and the wastewater collection, treatment and drainage system built inside the industrial parks.

The Government’s Decree No 40/2019/ND-CP on the amendments and supplements to the Law on Environmental Protection from 2014 in terms of climate change-related issues noted that enterprises in industrial zones are not allowed to discharge wastewater into rainwater drainage systems.

They must take responsibility for the issue.

In case of violations, industrial parks’ owners must take wastewater samples for testing at labs and apply preventive methods and report to the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment, for further investigation and handling.

Investors must have response plans for incidents related to wastewater treatment.

The department also requires investors to check environment-related measuring equipment and environmental monitoring systems.

It will also instruct industrial parks’ investors on how to transfer data automatically to the department.

Tây Ninh Province is home to six industrial parks and two economic zones, attracting nearly 500 domestic and foreign investment projects.

Students need support for start-up innovation

 

Customers choose plates made from bamboo from a start-up business during the 2019 Techfest event held in Hà Nội last week.

 

Lack of capital and appropriate training were hindering the developing of start-up innovations among students at vocational training facilities, heard a workshop held in Hà Nội yesterday.

Addressing the workshop, entitled: “Building and developing innovative start-up models in vocational education institutions", Phạm Xuân Khánh, rector of the Hà Nội High Technology College, said although contests to seek initiatives on techno-entrepreneurship were held annually, they still failed to meet expectations.

He blamed a lack of capital and business experience as well as advice from experts for the issue.

In his opinion, start-up activities at vocational training facilities should be improved by enhancing autonomy and setting up a strong link with businesses.

Nguyễn Gia Ngọc from Construction Technical College No 1 agreed.

“Vocational training facilities should change their teaching methods and focus on appropriate subjects and skill-sets,” he said.

“Training for start-ups must embrace creativity and embed a desire to implement ideas and take risks.”

Nguyễn Quốc Huy, rector of Bac Ninh College of Electronics and Construction, said despite the fact a start-up club had been set up, the college still faced difficulties due to a lack of guidance.

He proposed setting up a curriculum for start-up development.

While agreeing with the need to strengthen innovation among students, he said, students should be conducting their own research rather than learning by rote.

Raising capital and managing money played an important role in this area, so a special financial mechanism relating to start-ups should be offered to colleges, Huy said.

Đỗ Năng Khánh, Deputy Director-General of the Directorate of Vocational Education and Training, said the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs had put forward a plan for start-up support for students until 2025.

Under the plan, information relating to start-up projects and connections with enterprises and investors would be strengthened.

The plan would focus on creating favourable condition for start-ups as well as training in this field at vocational training facilities

The workshop was part of 2019 Techfest in Hà Nội and aimed to boost the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Việt Nam.

The festival attracted the participation of thousands of students, investors, corporations and start-up support organisations.

Training sessions on presentations and how to attract investment for start-up businesses were organised during the festival.

An exhibition also took place to showcase new products created by successful start-ups.

According to Trần Văn Tùng, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, the event served as a forum for experts in technology and start-up innovations to share experiences and initiatives.

“The festival creates a platform connecting the start-up ecosystem in the region and reaches out to the start-up community across the country,” he said.

National start-up festival Techfest Vietnam is scheduled to be held in Hạ Long City, Quảng Ninh Province from November 22-24.

Trà Vinh farmers breed more goats that meet bio-safety standards

 

Thạch Phong, one of the farmers participating in the model, said that his 2,000 sq.m of land affected by saltwater intrusion in the dry season was not effective for growing crops, so the AMD Trà Vinh programme gave him VNĐ29 million (US$8,600) to breed goats.

 

The Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Trà Vinh has encouraged farmers to breed more goats that meet biosafety standards and use bio-products to treat goat waste.

In 2016, the province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Project for Adaptation to Climate Change in the Mekong Delta in Trà Vinh Province (AMD Trà Vinh) launched the goat breeding model in Duyên Hải District’s Long Vĩnh Commune. It was begun as a response to climate change and the lack of land for large farming plots.

Thạch Phong, one of the farmers participating in the model, said that his 2,000 sq.m of land affected by saltwater intrusion in the dry season was not effective for growing crops, so the AMD Trà Vinh programme gave him VNĐ29 million (US$8,600) to breed goats.

With the funds and his own money of VNĐ9 million ($390), he bought five female goats and one male goat. After one year, they produced 10 baby goats. They weighed up to 20 kilogrammes each after six to seven months and sold for VNĐ2 – 3 million ($86 - 130).

With the income from breeding goats, his family was able to escape poverty in 2017. In the past two years, he has earned about VNĐ60 million ($2,590) from breeding goats. He now has 22 goats.

Nguyễn Văn Phùng, deputy director of the province’s Agriculture Extension Centre, said the coastal commune of Long Vĩnh had been affected by climate change. Besides breeding aquatic species, farmers in the commune had been breeding goats in recent years, he said.

However, this had been done on a small scale with traditional farming methods, resulting in low efficiency and disease outbreaks.

The AMD Trà Vinh model was launched to ensure the sustainable production of goats in the commune.

Under the model, farmers have learned how to choose female and male goats best suited for reproductive purposes and how to make sheds for them.

They also have learned about the best kinds of food for goats, how to grow different types of grass for feed, how to make silage from green forages and how to prevent and control common diseases.

Participating farmers receive 30 per cent of the cost of input materials like supplementary food and mineralised salt licks, medicine and bio-products for treating goat waste.

The survival rate of goats bred under the model is 98 per cent, and the bad odours caused by goat waste have been reduced by 90- 95 per cent compared to traditional breeding methods.

Up to 25 farmers in and outside the commune have participated in the model.

To have outlets for goat farmers, the province has encouraged companies to invest in zoned areas for goat breeding in Châu Thành, Trà Cú, Cầu Ngang and Duyên Hải districts and Duyên Hải Town.

Each zoned area can breed 500 goats and costs about VNĐ30 billion ($1.29 million).

The province has offered preferential policies such as land rental, labour recruitment and business establishment procedures for investors in the zoned areas.

Medical laboratories urged to strive for accreditation for wider acceptance of results

 

The medical laboratory at Chợ Rẫy Hospital in HCM City.

 

Hospitals need to help with quality assessment of medical laboratories to facilitate their accreditation, a requirement for mutual recognition of results by hospitals, health officials have said.

It is not uncommon for hospitals to refuse to recognise test results from outside, resulting in increased medical costs, time and effort as well as patient overload, Nguyễn Minh Tuấn, director of the Ministry of Health’s Department of Medical Equipment and Construction, said.

Hospitals around the country conduct 475 million medical tests, including 250 million bio-chemical tests, every year, 200 million blood tests and 25 million micro-biological tests, he said.

The total number is expected to increase by 10 per cent annually, he told a conference in HCM City last Friday.

In 2017, the ministry issued the national laboratory quality management criteria based on ISO 15189 standards, which specify quality and competence requirements in medical laboratories.

A list of 65 tests which can be used for mutual recognition among hospitals was also issued by the ministry to reduce patients’ expenses and ease hospitals’ overload.

In August last year, 38 central hospitals began to accept medical test results from each other.

Under the approved roadmap, the test results will be fully accepted within the same city and province by 2020 and across the country by 2025.

Vũ Quang Huy, director of the Quality Control Centre for Medical Laboratories at the HCM City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, said external quality assessment plays an important role in laboratory accreditation and recognition for competent laboratories.

His centre has so far provided external quality assurance programmes for 41 medical tests out of 65 approved for mutual recognition among hospitals.

Nguyễn Minh Sơn of the Đà Nẵng Department of Health said a wide gap in the quality and competence of medical laboratories is the biggest obstacle for mutual recognition of test results, with the quality of those at central and city-level hospitals better than those at lower levels.

Health facilities need to invest more in laboratory equipment and personnel training to meet recognised quality and competence standards, he said.

The high costs of quality management and health insurance are also major challenges to meeting laboratory quality management criteria, he added.