The southern weather center has forecast that the central region, HCMC and neighboring provinces may face flooding from October 25 to 27.

The center warned of flooding in riverside areas in the central provinces from Quang Binh to Quang Nam, with water levels ranging from 3-5 meters upstream to 1-3 meters in downstream areas.

Meanwhile, water levels in downstream areas along Saigon and Dong Nai rivers are expected to swell to level 2, the news site Congthuong.vn reported, citing data from the center. 

At the Phu An and Nha Be stations, flood tides may rise to 1.65 meters or even reach flood warning level 3, while floods at Thu Dau Mot station may surpass the flood warning level 3, at 1.75 meters.

Coastal provinces of the southeastern region, including HCMC, may see deluges in low-lying and riverside areas and areas without embankments. 

Rainfall of 100-200 mm is expected to spread across the central provinces from Thanh Hoa to Quang Ngai, with heavy rains at 300 mm in some places, the news site Nhandan.vn reported, citing data from the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

Cambodian Senate President wraps up Vietnam visit

President of the Cambodian Senate Samdech Say Chhum concluded his three-day official visit to Vietnam on October 26.

The visit, made at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, holds an important significance in the Vietnam-Cambodia, Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Year 2022 when the two countries are celebrating the 55th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties.

During his stay, Say Chhum paid tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum, held talks with NA Chairman Hue, paid courtesy visits to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

He also had meetings with Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung and President of the Vietnam Women’s Union Ha Thi Nga, and received President of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association Nguyen Thi Thanh, among others.

Labour confederation to spend 500 billion VND to help labourers celebrate Tet

Labour federations across the country will spend about 500 billion VND (over 20.1 million USD) on organising activities and presenting gifts to labourers on the occasion of the upcoming lunar New Year (Tet), according to the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL). 

Under a plan set by the VGCL, 1 million labourers in difficult circumstances, including those who lost their jobs or were affected by natural disasters, will receive financial support worth at least 500,000 VND (20.1 USD). 

Tet markets offering essential Tet goods at discount prices will be organised by the VGCL from the 15th – 25th day of Lunar December nationwide, especially in mountainous and remote areas. 

Senator pledges more contributions to Vietnam-US relations

Senator Patrick Leahy, President Pro Tempore of the US Senate, has pledged to further contribute to the Vietnam-US relationship even when he retires.

The senator and his spouse called at the Vietnamese Embassy on October 25. Talking to the embassy's staff, Leahy said he will continue working to maintain and promote cooperation between the US and Vietnam in the settlement of war consequences, for the interests of each nation as well as for common interests and for a better world.  

He suggested enhancing exchanges between young generations of the two countries, saying that is the best way to help Vietnamese and Americans intensify their mutual understanding and contribute to strengthening the bilateral friendship.

Leahy and his spouse expressed their special feelings towards Vietnam, saying they are always happy to visit the Southeast Asian nation, and love the friendly, open Vietnamese who are always keen to learn.

VN – Korea fest to open in HCM City at weekend

The Vietnam-South Korea Cultural Festival will be held on October 28-30 in HCM City, offering a wide series of cultural activities introduced by artists from the both countries.

The festival’s featured programme will be a performance of traditional Korean gugak music from the Jeong Ga Ak Hoe group.

The festival will feature Vietnamese and traditional music performed by the music groups Daoom and Lux.

Vietnamese singers Suni Hạ Linh, BigDaddy and Emily will also provide performances at the event.

The festival will also present “K-Pop Random Dance Play” performed by dance crews such as MAD-X, The Shadow, BEAmE Dance Team, G.O.D Dance Cover, The Honor Cards and D149 CREW, and there will be dance performances by OneWay Crew and Fusion MC from Korea.

A showcase of Korean martial art Taekwondo will be presented at the event.

In addition, the festival will include 200 stalls showcasing Vietnamese and Korean cuisine and products.

The festival will open to the public for free at the September 23 Park in District 1. 

“Golden Season Festival” to take place in Quang Ninh Province

A festival to honour the ethnic traditional cultures and natural beauty of the border district of Bình Liêu in northern Quảng Ninh Province will be celebrated from October 29 to November 20.

The “Golden Season Festival” will include a variety of activities for participants to get immersed in local cultures and explore the beauty of the terraced fields during the ripening rice season such us a running race on October 29, cơm mới (new rice) worshiping ceremony on November 4, a pageant for most beautiful girl in traditional costume, a paragliding programme and an ethnic women’s football tournament on November 5.

Bình Liêu has become a new destination for tourists in recent years thanks to its primitive beauty.

Although the locality is endowed with a charming beauty all year-round, the district particularly strikes visitors when fall transitions to winter. From the glossy yellow hues of staircase rice fields to the magnificent mountain landscape and natural waterfalls, the area visually amazes at every turn.

More than 90 per cent of locals in the mountainous district are ethnic minorities such as Tày, Sán Chỉ and Dao. The area is also home to special cultural festivities such as the Soọng Cô and Sán Cố folk song singing festivals and Lục Nà festival.

Young karate athletes to vie for world titles

A dozen top karate athletes of Vietnam will compete in the WKF U21, Junior and Cadet World Championship in Konya, Turkey.

Among them, fighter Hoang Thi My Tam is a key athlete. She will compete in the U21 category. Last year, Tam won three golds at the Asian championships including two in the U21 U55kg category and one in the senior class. At the recent 31st SEA Games in Hanoi on May, Tam secured a bronze medal.

Along with the battles, the International Karate Federation also organises executive committee meetings at which coach Vu Son Ha, who is President of the Asian Karate Federation, represents Vietnam.

As one of the most important competitions of the year, the championship lures almost 1,900 athletes from 105 countries and territories. They will vie for medals available for different age groups and in both kumite (combat) and kata (performance) from October 26-30.

Embassy in RoK closely following case of losing contact with 100 Vietnamese in RoK: spokesperson

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang on October 25 said the Vietnamese Embassy in the Republic of Korea (RoK) has worked with RoK agencies to find out more information about a case of about 100 Vietnamese citizens who could not be contacted after their entry into the country as tourists.  

According to the official, initial information showed that those people could not be contacted after they entered the RoK for tourism purpose through the Yangyang International Airport in Gangwon province, therefore relevant airlines and travel companies have to suspend their transport of tourists to the province’s Yangyang island until the end of October 31.

Hang said following the foreign ministry’s direction, the embassy will continue closely monitoring the case to update information, support the search for the citizens, and launch necessary citizen protection measures.

The ministry’s Consular Department, meanwhile, has been tasked to work with competent agencies and tourism companies in Vietnam to verify the citizens’ information, and take measures to reduce and prevent Vietnamese from taking advantage of traveling to seek illegal residence in the RoK.

MoH eyes stronger private-sector engagement in nation's HIV/AIDS fight

The Vietnam Administration for HIV/AIDS Control (VAAC) of the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) through its supported project, PATH STEPS, has outlined a road map for Viet Nam’s first-ever HIV private-sector engagement plan.

VAAC presented its new plan for HIV private-sector engagement and investment for 2021-25 and discussed working mechanisms for implementing the plan and advancing strong public-private coordination over the next four years.

This plan is the country’s first comprehensive guidance to direct the engagement of private-sector entities in the HIV programme in support of the Vietnamese Government’s Strategy for Ending AIDS by 2030.

It provides key metrics and a pathway toward facilitating and measuring this engagement and investment.

Randolph Augustin, director of the Office of Health at USAID Việt Nam, said USAID is committed to working closely with government counterparts to leverage the private sector’s expertise, resources, and investment to address development challenges and achieve greater impact and scale.

USAID/PATH STEPS, a five-year project funded by the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS ReliefFund (PEPFAR), aims to catalyze greater HIV- and primary health care–related market growth.

It will work hand-in-hand with the Ministry of Health to put the private-sector engagement plan into action at national and subnational levels.

Hanoi plans to vaccinate second shot of IPV for under 1-year-old children
 
The Hanoi Department of Health has issued a plan on the administration of the second dose of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) to children under 1 year old in the expanded immunization program.

Vaccination is expected to take place starting in November 2022 or immediately after the vaccine arrives.

Hanoi has set a target that 90% of children from 9 to 12 months receiving the first dose of IPV will be injected with the second dose in the expanded vaccination program. The vaccination is held at all health stations in the city's communes, wards, and districts.

Two wild elephants reappear near Nghe An residential area

Two elephants have reappeared near a residential area in the central province of Nghe An.

Le Xuan Dinh, head of Quy Chau District, the forest management board, said that the mother elephant, aged around 80, and its child, aged around 30, were seen in a forest at Dom Village on Sunday afternoon. The local forest management force co-operated with residents to drive them away.

The two elephants have damaged crops in Quy Chau District several times this year.

The two are the only remaining elephants left in Quy Chau. The male elephant was killed by local residents around 30 years ago.

Nghe An is home to 16 wild elephants which live in the districts of Anh Son, Tuong Duong, Con Cuong, Quy Hop and Quy Chau.

Phu Quoc strives to definitely treat waste issues by end of 2022

The People’s Committee of Kien Giang Province said that the agency is calling for bidding to handle around 3,000 tons of waste at the Dong Cay Sao landfill in Cua Duong Commune and accelerating the progress of definitive handling the number of garbage at the temporary landfill in An Thoi Ward.

According to the Public Works Management Board of Phu Quoc City, the city has 163 workers, 13 garbage compactors, 100 handcarts, two composite boats, 215 trash cans and other equipment. The waste collection method is mainly by hand trolley on main roads and alleys in some areas of Duong Dong and An Thoi wards.

Besides, the unit also performs street cleaning and uses composite boats to regularly pick up trash on the Duong Dong River, Cau Temple area and so on.

In the rural areas, most of the residents collect waste by themselves and burn or take rubbish to public places such as rivers, canals or vacant land areas. Phu Quoc City has a waste treatment plant in Bai Bon with an output of 200 tons per day with trial progress of 50 percent of the capacity.

As for the two landfills in An Thoi Ward and Cay Sao Commune (Dong Cay Sao landfill) in Cua Duong Commune, there is a bidder being responsible for the treatment process in An Thoi landfill and the locality is under looking for the bidder to definitively handle the Dong Cay Sao landfill.

Winners of ASEAN-US Science Prize for Women 2022 announced

Dr. Sok Ching Cheong from Malaysia and Dr. Supiya Charoensiriwath from Thailand were named as winners of the 2022 Underwriters Laboratories-ASEAN-US Science Prize for Women.

The announcement was made by the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation (COSTI) in partnership with the US Government through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and UL Research Institutes. The awards, themed Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Health and Safety, assessed 64 candidates.

The senior scientist winner, Dr. Sok Ching Cheong, Head of the Digital Health Research Unit of Cancer Research Malaysia, is awarded 12,500 USD in recognition of her research that addresses the prevalence of oral cancer using AI technology, such as early detection mobile applications, to improve health outcomes.

Dr. Supiya Charoensiriwath, a principal researcher at the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center, is the mid-career scientist winner. She received a 12,500 USD award in recognition of her extensive work in developing mobile applications on national digital platforms to promote nutritional health in children.

Earning honorable mentions, Dr. Siriwan Suebnukarn from Thailand and Dr. Maxine Tan from Malaysia each received 5,000 USD.

President Ho Chi Minh’s saying in Hangeul calligraphy

The Vietnam Cultural Heritage Association and the Korean Cultural Resource Institute co-hosted a press conference on October 25 to introduce the national writing contest and display of President Ho Chi Minh’s saying in Hangeul calligraphy.

The event is one of the activities held to celebrate the 30th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (1992-2022).

The writing contest will take place on the morning of October 27 at Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature), with the participation of 100 contestants who are keen on calligraphy and students studying the Korean language from Vietnamese universities.

The organisers will choose 15 excellent works to be awarded and engraved on wood by Korean artists to display at the “President Ho Chi Minh’s saying in Korean calligraphy” exhibition from November 28-30 at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum.

Vietnamese culture impresses Australian students

Students from the University of Adelaide of Australia have shared their deep impression of Vietnamese culture after joining a two-week study tour in Vietnam through the New Colombo Plan Scholarship Programme.

According to Dr. Tran Nam Nghiep – Vice Director of Strategic Partnerships for South East Asia in the Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences (ECMS) at the University of Adelaide, with the support of the Australian government, the faculty sent a group of 33 students to Vietnam for the field trip from mid-September to early October 2022.

Nghep said the tour aimed to strengthen strategic partnership between the University of Adelaide and Vietnamese universities, and open new opportunities for cooperation among parties.

During their stay, Australian students visited the Australian Embassy in Hanoi, the Australian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, seven partner universities and three companies operating in to water and environment in Vietnam. Most of them said that they were interested in the tour, and impressed by the Vietnamese culture and language.

Dr. Nghiep said the Australian university planned to send one more group of students to Vietnam in 2023, with the aim of contributing to further strengthening understanding and strategic partnership between the two countries. 

Initiated by the Australian government, the New Colombo Plan Programme gives Australian students learning at domestic universities opportunities to study, practice, exchange and research in 40 countries in Indo-Pacific, including Vietnam.

Phu Yen learns from international experience in post-war UXO clearance

The situation of UXO contamination in Vietnam and the progress of UXO removal since the end of war were on the agenda of a seminar held in the central province of Phu Yen on October 25.

The event drew the participation of experts from the Mine Advisory Group (MAG) of the UK, Jangan University in the Republic of Korea, the Vietnam Mine Action Centre of the central province of Quang Tri and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA).

Foreign experts discussed issues of interest in international cooperation on addressing UXO consequences, the collection of data on UXO removal, and legal corridor and capacity building in working out UXO removal programmes with support from foreign partners.

According to the Vietnam National Mine Action Centre, all 63 provinces and centrally-run cities in Vietnam are contaminated with UXO, with 5.6 million hectares of land in total (17.71% of the country’s acreage) affected. It is estimated that between 600,000 – 800,000 tonnes of UXO are still hidden underground, and 110,000 people have so far become victims of UXO.

After a national action programme to tackle the impact of post-war bombs and mines in 2010-2025 (Programme 504) was issued in 2010, Vietnam has mobilized over VND2.1 trillion (US$84.5 million at current exchange rate) for the work. International cooperation projects have been conducted to survey UXO contaminated on 18,000 ha of land and remove UXO on 9,000 ha in the three central provinces of Quang Binh, Binh Dinh and Thua Thien-Hue.

ASEAN, China steps up establishment of centre for emergency management cooperation

The second ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management (AMMDM Plus China) has reiterated the commitment to pursue the establishment of the ASEAN-China Centre for Emergency Management Cooperation (ACCEMC) in Guangxi, China.

Participants in the event, held in the Thai capital of Bangkok on October 20, agreed to commence negotiations on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish the ACCEMC.

At the first AMMDM Plus China, held virtually on October 14 last year, the two sides adopted the ASEAN-China Work Plan on Disaster Management, outlining the shared priorities to contribute to the implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response Work Programme 2021-2025, including in disaster risk reduction, prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

The establishment of the ACCEMC would serve as a key deliverable in the ASEAN-China Work Plan on Disaster Management, especially in contributing to the areas of capacity building and facilitating exchanges in knowledge and experience. The centre is expected to be synergised and complement the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre), which is the primary ASEAN regional coordinating agency on disaster management and emergency response.

The second AMMDM Plus China was co-chaired by Thai Vice Minister of Interior Nadhapit Snidvongs on behalf of the AMMDM Chair in 2022, and Chinese Vice Minister of Emergency Management Zhou Xuewen.

Vietnamese, Lao public security ministries tighten cooperation

Vietnamese Minister of Public Security General To Lam has suggested his ministry and its Lao counterpart step up information exchange, and coordinate in preventing impacts of non-traditional security threats on their cooperation.

Co-chairing a conference reviewing the implementation of the 2022 cooperation plan and outlining another for 2023 between the two Ministries of Public Security, Lam said the two sides should accelerate the implementation of international treaties and agreements to which both are members.

The conference, co-chaired by Lam and Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Security General Vilay Lakhamphong, took place following a welcome ceremony for the Lao official.

The two ministries need to instruct public security forces at units and localities to implement agreements reached by the Vietnamese and Lao governments regarding border areas in order to ensure security and order and build a common borderline of peace, friendship, cooperation and development, he added.

Lam also suggested the two sides closely cooperate in preventing “peaceful evolution” and consider building a scheme on organising anti-terrorism exercises.

At the conference, the two ministers signed a cooperation plan between the two ministries in 2023.

Vietnam, Singapore beef up defence cooperation

The 10th meeting of the Vietnam - Singapore joint working group on defence cooperation was held virtually on October 25.

The event was co-chaired by Major General Vu Thanh Van, Director of the Department of Foreign Relations at the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence and Colonel Phua Jia Kai, Director of the Defence Policy Office at the Singaporean Ministry of Defence.

The two sides affirmed that the joint working group mechanism has so far demonstrated its important role in making recommendations to leaders of the two ministries, and building practical cooperation activities between the two ministries and armies.

They affirmed that Vietnamese and Singaporean leaders defined defence cooperation as one of the important and prioritised areas that need to be promoted. The defence partnership has been jointly carried out and achieved positive outcomes in naval cooperation; search and rescue; exchange of young officers; education and training; and mutual consultation and support at multilateral defence mechanisms and forums.

The two sides agreed to advise defence leaders of the two nations to further direct bilateral cooperation in the areas of delegation exchange; promote the role of existing cooperation mechanisms; prioritise personnel training collaboration; strengthen cooperation between armed services; and consult and support each other at multilateral mechanisms and forums.

VINIF to fund over $3.6 million for sci-tech, culture projects

Vingroup Innovation Foundation (VINIF) announced that it would provide nearly VNĐ90 billion (US$3.6 million) to 19 science and technology projects and five culture and history projects with practical value, potentially contributing to the country's long-term development. 

The total 24 science, technology, and cultural history projects receiving research grants from VINIF have high practical value and are carefully selected by a panel of Vietnamese and international experts.

Specifically, 19 science and technology projects were selected by the council from 150 applications in 15 fields such as biomedical, medical and pharmaceutical, physics, materials, environment, and information technology.

All funded projects adhere to the VINIF's five criteria, which include the topic's level of necessity, the author's research capacity, the implementing unit's physical facilities, creativity, scientific significance, socioeconomic impacts, the target's persuasiveness, and the scientific-technological value of products and services.

VINIF takes part in sponsoring five initiatives and nine events in the realm of culture and history, covering topics like ethnology and cultural heritage, cultural beliefs, music, history, and fine arts.

Dong Luc Group to sponsor VN national football

Dong Luc Group announced it will sponsor Vietnamese football for VNĐ90 billion (US$3.6 million) over four years.

The sponsorship package, which runs from 2022 to 2025, includes FIFA-standard balls for training and competing for all football and futsal championships, uniforms for players and referees and cash.

According to Lê Hoài Anh, VFF general secretary, there are about 1,800 national competitions every year, and Dong Luc's sponsorship will strongly support organising these matches.

First-instance trial of $130 million petrol smuggling case begins

The trial of 74 people accused of running a US$130 million petrol smuggling ring has gotten underway at the People's Court of southern Đồng Nai Province. It is expected to last between 45 and 60 days and will hear testimonies from 43 witnesses. 

Due to the large number of participants in the proceedings, the trial is taking place at the Đồng Nai Province’s Conference Centre.

According to the indictment, Đào Ngọc Viễn, 54, residing in HCM City’s Tân Bình District, Phan Thanh Hữu, 65, in Bình Thạnh District, and Phùng Danh Thoại, former head of the Petroleum Office’s Logistics Department of the Coast Guard Command has a long-standing relationship.

In May, 2019, it is alleged that Viễn and Hữu asked Thoại to use his influence to help smuggle about 200 million litres of gasoline, worth VNĐ53.4 billion (US$130 million), from Singapore to Việt Nam for consumption.

Hữu was in charge of managing the money, finding customers and giving bribes to forces. Viễn was responsible for carrying petroleum from Singapore to Việt Nam by vessels, and mobilising another vessel to transport petroleum to Nguyễn Hữu Tứ, 56, in Cần Thơ Province and Trần Thị Thanh Vân, 54, in Bình Dương Province.

Tứ and Vân would later distribute the petroleum to petrol stations in many localities.

From March 2020 to February 2021, it is alleged that Viễn profited illegally making more than VNĐ46.7 billion ($1.87 million), Hữu over VNĐ156.2 billion ($6.2 million), Thoại over VNĐ22 billion ($885,222), Tứ nearly VNĐ83 billion ($3.3 million), and Vân VNĐ18 billion ($724,270).

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