Police operating in Dak Lak province stated on October 29 that they have successfully busted a major wildlife trafficking ring, seizing a large quantity of wild animals of unknown origin in the process.

The discovery was first made by local police forces after they noticed a suspicious car moving on the Ho Chi Minh road heading from Kon Tum to Ho Chi Minh City at 22:00 on October 28.
Upon conducting a search of the vehicle, police discovered an array of dead wildlife, including a moon bear, a deer, and four weasels, all of which were hidden in a styrofoam box.

In addition to these animals, 64 live bamboo rats were also seized following a search of the scene.

The car’s driver, Nguyen Phi Hung, 52, of Thong Nhat ward, Kon Tum city, was unable to show any paperwork to prove the origin of the animals.

After being questioned, Hung confessed to being hired by several people in Kon Tum to transport the wild animals to Ho Chi Minh City where they were to be put on sale.

The discovery marks the third wild animal trafficking ring busted by the police in Dak Lak in just over a week.

Danish Film Week 2019 comes to Hanoi, HCMC

The Danish Film Week 2019 opens at the National Film Centre in Hanoi and Cinestar 135 in Ho Chi Minh City from October 26-31.

Danish Film Week 2019 comes to Hanoi, HCMC

Six movies which represent the Danish high quality film production industry in recent years will be screened, including Land of Mine, Across the Waters, The Hunt, Long Story Short, Key House Mirror and A
Hijacking. The films are expected to give audience a glimpse of the Danish modern society and promote the land, people, culture and tourism of Denmark.

These films are among the best Danish contemporary films and have won several international awards at prestigious film festivals. It is a chance to strengthen mutual knowledge between Vietnam and Denmark.

Earlier, similar events was organized in the central cities of Hue and Da Nang in July.

Two fishermen missing off Spratly Islands

Two fishermen in the southern central province of Binh Dinh have gone missing off the Spratly Islands.

According to local authorities, the victims are Nguyen Diep, 50, and Dao Duy Binh, 37, from Hoai Nhon District.

The incident was reported by a fishing boat owned by Ngo Thi Ri also from Hoai Nhon District at around 11 pm on Saturday. The fishermen called on other nearby fishing boats to join the search for the missing, but they failed.

Binh Dinh’s authorities have asked the National Search and Rescue Committee for the support.

Meanwhile, another fishing boat of Hoai Nhon District is now sheltering some 21 nautical miles from the Spratly Islands following a stalled engine which occurred on October 23.

The boat is seeking for help and is expected to be towed to shore on November 5.

Mekong Caravan tour connects tourism firms to needy communities

The Mekong Caravan tour, scheduled to start from Ho Chi Minh City on November 26, aims at linking tourism agencies to disadvantaged communities across the Mekong Delta, as heard at an event introducing the programme held in the city on October 28.

Accordingly, 50 cars carrying 200 participants will travel through eight Mekong Delta localities – the provinces of Long An, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, and Vinh Long, and Can Tho city.

Trinh Nguyen Hung Dung, General Director of TNK Travel, said the 5-day journey will focus on charity activities suitable to each location.

Truong Duc Hai, head of the organising board of the tour, noted these activities include installing street lights for Khmer ethnic people in Tra Vinh; as well as presenting computers to a boarding school for ethnic minorities in Soc Trang, charity houses to poor households in Bac Lieu, scholarships to students majoring in tourism in Can Tho, and bicycles to pupils in Ben Tre.

La Quoc Khanh, former Vice Director of the HCM City Tourism Department, stressed the participation of more than 200 tourism firms in the city and other localities nationwide reflects a trend of connecting for mutual growth among them./.

Dong Nai River water to reach top alert level

Tri An hydropower pumping station in Dong Nai river

The water in Dong Nai River, the second largest river in the southern region that crosses some Central Highlands and southern localities, is forecast to reach 1.96m, nearly equivalent to Level 3 alert.

According to the Southern Regional Hydrometeorological Centre, in the next two days, the Dong Nai-Sai Gon River will continue to rise.

On October 30, the water level at Bien Hoa censoring station is predicted to remain at 1.9m and get lower slowly later.

Meanwhile, the Tri An Hydropower Company said that it will continue pumping 450cu.m water per second to the lower reaches of the river.

Due to the rising tide, a number of low areas near the Dong Nai River including Long Thanh, Nhon Trach district and Bien Hoa city face high risk of flooding. Local residents are advised to take responding measures to reduce losses from flooding./.

Japan helps Vietnam’s institute build capacity in environmental issues

The Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment of Vietnam signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the Japan Association of Environment Assessment October 28. (Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn)

The Japan Association of Environment Assessment (JEAS) has agreed to help the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE) of Vietnam build capacity in environmental issues.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding signed in Hanoi on October 28, the two sides will cooperate in environmental assessment – including strategic environmental assessment, environmental and social impact analysis and environmental assessment; laws and regulations related to environmental management; and accreditation scheme on environmental assessment and others.

They will also co-organise workshops and seminars as well as experience-sharing trips between Vietnam and Japan, exchange scientific information, carry out joint studies and co-publish papers.

ISPONRE deputy director Nguyen Trung Thang said assessment of risks of climate change and potential to reduce greenhouse gas emission should be integrated into laws on environmental impact assessment. The institute is working with the Vietnam Environment Administration (VEA) to revise provisions of environmental impact assessment in the Law on Environmental Protection, he said.

JEAS President Osamu Kajitani said there is a wide range of areas for cooperation between the two sides. The JEAS is an association of businesses with a close link with the Japanese Ministry of the Environment, universities and research institutes.

He hoped that the agreement will help the two sides remove existing barriers and better support businesses./.

Kien Giang spends 356 billion VND on four afforestation projects

The Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang splashes out over 356 billion VND (15.35 million USD) on four afforestation projects.

The Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang splashed out over 356 billion VND (15.35 million USD) on four afforestation projects under the National Target Programme for Climate Change Response and Green Growth for the 2016-2020 period, according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Of the sum, more than 187 billion VND was poured into protecting and developing coastal protective forest in Hon Dat and Kien Luong districts, and Ha Tien city. The project includes planting new forest, taking care of the forest and building forest infrastructure. Some 84 percent of the workload is expected to be completed by 2020.

Another project to coastal protective forest restoration and development is underway in Kien Luong and Hon Dat districts and Ha Tien city with total investment of over 114 billion VND. The project will complete 86 percent of the workload next year.

Meanwhile, more than 35 billion VND came to a project on growing mangrove forest along Binh Son and Binh Giang communes in Hon Dat district. Currently, 50 hectares of mangrove forest has been planted, and around 88.5 percent of the workload will be accomplished by the end of 2020.

The coastal area in Nam Thai commune, An Bien district is being protected under a 20-billion VND mangrove afforestation project. Some 90 percent of the project will be finalised by the end of next year.

The agricultural department said that once completed, the projects will make positive contributions to responding to climate change, prevent coastal erosion, while helping improve livelihoods of local people./.

Technologies crucial to curbing emissions from coal combustion: workshop

 

The Uông Bí power station is a 630-megawatt (MW) coal plant located in the northern province of Quảng Ninh. Many countries in Asia, including Việt Nam, are still dependent on coal to meet energy demand.

The 14th Multi-Pollutant Emissions from Coal Workshop, held in Hà Nội on Monday, gathered international experts, scientists and policy makers, who stressed the significance of advanced technologies to control mercury and multi-pollutant emissions from coal combustion.

At the event, organised by the Clean Coal Centre under the International Energy Agency (IEA) in collaboration with the Hà Nội University of Natural Resources and Environment, they shared scientific research and management experience to outline strategies to branch out technology to reduce pollutants from coal utilities.

According to Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Võ Tuấn Nhân, coal burning for power generation results in emissions of particulates, sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), mercury and heavy metals, among others, which have a critical impact on the environment and human health.

While other regions are promoting the use of 'green' energy, Asia is still dependent on coal to meet energy demand, he said, adding Asia is mining and burning three quarters of the world’s coal.

In recent years, Asian nations have worked to boost the production of renewable energy. However, their efforts are insufficient, especially when coal-generated electricity is playing an important role to ensure energy security in countries like Việt Nam, Thailand and Indonesia.

Đặng Hà Sơn from the Centre for Energy and Green Growth Research said Việt Nam has increased imports of bituminous coal to meet demand for industrial activities and power generation.

The country should apply advanced measures to use energy in an effective way, and it is necessary for State-owned agencies to carry out meticulous studies to lay down standards to curb sulfur and mercury emissions from industrial plants, he said.

Meanwhile, Lesley Sloss, a representative from the Clean Coal Centre, said there are many technologies to reduce pollutants from coal burning, and management of mercury can be done by using clean coal.

Thanh Hoá and Phố Hiến vie for berth in V.League 1

Vietnamese-Australian midfielder Martin Lo of Phố Hiến celebrates his goal during a match against Phù Đổng in the V.League 2 in May. — Photo nguoiduatin.vn

Thanh Hóa and Phố Hiến FC will face off today for a spot in next season's V.League 1 at Vinh Stadium, Nghệ An Province.

Thanh Hóa finished second from bottom of the national premier league, while Phố Hiến came second in the V.League 2 to qualify for the play-off.

Though Thanh Hoá play at a higher level with experienced players, they are expected to have a tough time, particularly as play-off rules mean their foreign stars are ineligible for selection.

“It will be tough because I can only use local players,” said coach Mai Xuân Hợp, who has run the team for about two months.

Thanh Hoá, who depended much on their foreigners, have suffered 11 winless matches in a row, with nine defeats and two draws.

“The front line is always my worry and players’ heavy mind will be other challenge of the team. I have asked them to free their mind and be ready for the match,” said Hợp, who led Thanh Hoá’s U17 team to take the national championship in July.

Hợp worried about his front line but his defence is also poor.

While the team’s strikers could only muster 10 goals in their last 11 matches, they conceded 31 goals.

On the other side, Phố Hiến are in good form a year on from promotion to the second tier, where they used a 100 per cent Vietnamese squad.

Coach Hứa Hiển Vinh has 26 young players in his squad with an average age of 19.5. Among them, Nguyễn Xuân Nam scored 14 goals to become the V.League 2’s top scorer this season.

The team are also home of players who have been called to the national U22 squad such as strikers Phạm Đức Thông, Lê Ngọc Bảo, and midfielders Huỳnh Tiến Đạt, Nguyễn Trọng Long and Martin Lo.

The match will begin at 4pm and will be live aired on VTV6. If finishes in a draw after 90 minutes, a penalty shoot-out will be held.

Viet Nam to play friendlies ahead of SEA Games 30

The Việt Nam women's football team seen in a training session. Photo bongdaplus.vn

Việt Nam's women's football team have scheduled a number of friendly matches to prepare for the upcoming Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 30.

Their first game will be against a team representing the Australian Embassy on Wednesday. They will then face India twice in Hà Nội on November 3 and 6.

The team beat a US Embassy team 7-2 over the weekend at the Youth Football Training Centre in Hà Nội.

“We've been working on strength in the northern province of Quảng Ninh, and the team is a lot stronger so I feel secure. We will look at the friendlies and decide on a starting line-up for the SEA Games,” said head coach Mai Đức Chung.

Following the warm-up games, the squad will fly to Japan for a 10-day training camp where they will compete in three more matches.

At the SEA Games in the Philippines later this year, Việt Nam have been drawn in Group B along with Thailand and Indonesia. The Philippines, Myanmar and Malaysia make up Group A.

Charity Fun Run to get set in Hưng Yên

The Charity Fun Run is scheduled to take place at the BUV Campus Ecopark in the northern province of Hưng Yên on November 3.

The event will attract the participation of around 8,000 runners, including the UK Ambassador to Việt Nam, Gareth Ward.

The annual event aims to encourage a spirit of fair play in sports, and strengthen bonds between participants, in addition to raising funds for charity projects throughout Việt Nam. The charitable causes that runners sponsor cover many areas, including education, healthcare and disaster relief.

Participants can either walk or run the five-kilometre race, whilst having the chance to enjoy a number of activities such as music performances, flash-mobs, a cuisine market and a picnic in scenic Ecopark.

The Charity Fun Run is an annual event that has been held in both Hà Nội and HCM City over the last 19 years.

Last year, attendees raised VNĐ650 million (US$28,260) to help multiple charities in Việt Nam’s northern regions after 6,000 people took part in the event.

Vĩnh Long to install 114 surveillance cameras

A security camera on a road in Vĩnh Long Province. — Photo vietnamnet.vn

The Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Vĩnh Long will instal 114 traffic surveillance and security cameras by 2023 at a cost of nearly VNĐ200 billion (US$8.7 million).

Of them, 47 will be used to monitor the traffic and 67 to ensure social order and security.

Trần Hoàng Tựu, vice chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said they would be installed at 79 sites and three operation and management centres.

The installation would help improve the effectiveness of crime-fighting, he said.

“Installing traffic surveillance cameras is necessary to help improve traffic control and raise public awareness of traffic rules.”

The province has more than 6,100 security cameras in 73 of its 109 communes, but most of them are old.

Start-up uses sugercane to save shrimp

Trần Phúc Hậu (second right) receive second prize at the National Start-up Competition 2018. — Photo Courtesy of Trần Phúc Hậu

With the unique idea of using fermented bagasse (sugercane pulp) to treat shrimp ponds, Trần Phúc Hậu has become the proud director of a company that produces microbiological bagasse pulp.

His idea won second prize at the National Start-up Competition 2018 held by the National Start-up Programme Steering Committee.

To set up Đại Thành Aquatic Product Trading Co Ltd, which is in Bình Đại District in the southern province of Bến Tre, Hậu faced a number of difficulties.

Hậu, 31, was from a poor family. Witnessing his parents work hard in the fields to raise seven children, Hậu was determined to be a success.

He passed the entrance exam to the HCM City University of Economics in 2006 where he nurtured a dream for a start-up in the agricultural industry.

He started with a shop selling shrimp feed in 2012, but at that time shrimps in the area were being hit by an epidemic and died en masses. Local farmers could not pay Hậu for the feed had bought, leaving him with a debt of more than VNĐ200 million (US$8,700).

“I wasn't discouraged, and I searched for information online and found a farmer named Võ Hồng Ngoãn in Bạc Liêu Province who was using bagasse pulp to prevent diseases hitting shrimp farms,” he said.

Hậu contacted Ngoãn to learn from his experience and started researching the product.

“I discovered that bagasse provides a good environment for useful microorganisms to grow and repress microorganisms that are harmful to shrimp,” Hậu told Việt Nam News.

Bagasse pulp also helps shrimp gain resistance and restores mineral in the ponds.

However, Hậu was broke and had to scrape around to raise VNĐ10 million ($430).

Hậu started collecting bagasse from around his village, despite ridicule from locals. Luckily, he was supported by his family.

He conducted dozens of tests, but couldn't get the bagasse to ferment.

He tried adjusting his method by using different kinds of microbiology, and eventually he succeeded.

But then came the next problem. His product was new and strange, and people were reluctant to buy it.

Hậu decided to use the product in his own pond first.

The bagasse pulp is mixed with medicinal herbs and can be used as feed to reduce diseases and replace antibiotics in the ponds.

“When harvest season came, I had a good crop, and my expenses were 30 per cent less than other farmers,” he said.

Now he sells more than 30 tonnes from north to south such as Trà Vinh, Sóc Trăng, Kiên Giang, Bạc Liêu, Ninh Thuận and Nam Định.

Mai Văn Hưng, a farmer in Bình Thới Commune, Bình Đại District, told Đồng Khởi e-newspaper that Hậu’s bagasse pulp has proved to be very effective in his shrimp pond.

The pulp helped improve the water and allowed water plants to grow.

What Hưng likes the product the most is that it is cheaper than other feeding but brings better results.

Phan Văn Mãi, chairman of the Bến Tre Start-up Consultancy Committee, also told Đồng Khởi e-newspaper that Hậu’s model was one of a few in the province that had been highly appreciated in the market.

The committee would create good conditions for Hậu and other people with start-up ideas to promote their creations. This would help them earn more money and enrich the province and the country, he said.

On average, each month Hậu earns VNĐ40 million (US$1,700) in profit from microbiological bagasse pulp.

“The more I do, the more confident I feel with my product,” he said.

Hậu said he planned to research more biological methods including medicinal herbs to protect shrimp from diseases towards sustainable models adapted to climate change.

At present, Hậu’s company is connected with more than 50 households in the area with shrimp ponds covering 20ha. Their target is to improve the quality so the shrimp can be exported.

“When people begin start-up ideas, the most important thing is defining clearly their targets. The target is not only immediate profits, but also unique, effective and sustainable products,” Hậu told Việt Nam News.

They also needed to live up with those targets and should not be satisfied with what they'd got, he said.

HCM City assistance to start-ups paying off

Many start-ups have brought their technologies and products into the market in 2017-19 thanks to financial and technical assistance for R&D provided by the HCM City Department of Science and Technology’s SpeedUp innovation and start-up programme.

Nguyễn Hồng Bắc and a partner started a business three years ago to turn vegetables into instant powder from which beverages can be made. The vegetables include fish mint, perilla frutescens and pennywort.

They were among the start-ups to benefit from the SpeedUp.

The programme has helped them develop more new products using technology such as pennywort powder mixed with rock sugar, Bắc said.

“If there was no assistance from the programme, our new products will not be in the market in this year. These products will help add value to Vietnamese vegetables and address the problem of how to process vegetables after harvesting.”

Vegetables harvested in the morning rot by afternoon if not sold, he said.

His start-up was chosen for assistance under the programme through a centre for incubating high-technology agricultural businesses.

Nguyễn Hải An, the centre’s director, said instant pennywort powder is very popular among overseas Vietnamese and foreigners.

Bắc added that these products are sold in markets like South Korea, India and the US.

An said through the centre, many other high-tech agriculture start-ups have received assistance under the programme in 2017-19.

Many of them have been doing well.

A company that uses innovative technologies to produce and can dried fresh noodles, for instance, reported a turnover of VNĐ800 million (US$34,560) in 2017, VNĐ1.3 billion ($56,200) last year and VNĐ1.8 billion in just the first nine months of this year.

Another, which makes machines for drying wormwood, a medical herb, and incense made from it, earned a profit of VNĐ150 million last year and VNĐ250 million in the first nine months of this year.

Phan Thị Quý Trúc, a specialist in technology and markets at the Department of Science and Technology, said 50 start-ups have received assistance under the programme, including 36 in fields like finance, business, tourism, education and others, and nine in agriculture.

As of last month, 21 of the 50 have become enterprises, she said.

One was bought by an investor while six others attracted investment based on their potential, she said.

In all, they attract investments of $538,000, she added.

But Phạm Ngọc Huy, director of Vietnam Silicon Valley, a start-up accelerator, said the programme has some shortcomings which need to be fixed.

The department is focusing too much on technologies and not enough on commercial elements such as business models and markets, he said.

Start-ups’ success also require good technologies for management and strategising, and while many young people have created start-ups, their technologies are limited, he said.

Moreover, it takes too long for the programme to disburse funds, and this affects start-ups, he said.

He suggested that the programme should invest directly in projects accelerators for investment.

Employers should hire new workers based on their potential: report

58 percent of employers have hired employees based on their potential, and 94 percent of them said their potential-based hires had become a valuable part of their teams. (Photo courtesy of the organiser)

The report was based on a survey of 3,500 professionals including 1,200 hiring managers from six Southeast Asian companies in the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam.

The survey found that 58 percent of employers had hired based on potential, and 94 percent of them said their potential-based hires had become a valuable part of their teams.

Adrien Bizouard, country manager of Robert Walters Vietnam, said: “High potential candidates are typically someone whose job descriptions and CVs sometimes don't match. But the person can do the job and can be successful in the job.”

“Hiring based on potential is highlighting an opportunity for employers and employees to learn from each other,” he said, adding that hiring would help employers save time and money.

More than 89 percent of companies in Vietnam take more than a month to find a candidate who is a close fit for the job description and salary. But 40 percent of those hires do not work out, and most employees take a month to a year to leave the role due to mismatch in culture, attitude and ethics.

The survey found that 55 percent of candidates with potential said they valued learning and growth opportunities more than salaries.

Linh Pham, manager of Legal & HR services at Robert Walters Vietnam, said: “High potential employees typically demonstrate more grit, loyalty and enthusiasm for having been given the opportunity.”

“The challenge of the unknown and the excitement of acquiring new skills keep them motivated and engaged and help retain them for longer,” she added.

While relevant experience is perceived to be a top priority, the ability to deliver satisfactory work, display a good work attitude and adapt to company culture are increasingly being valued in the workplace, according to the report./.

International symposium discusses leadership studies, public policy

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The Academy of Politics Region II and the Association of Vietnamese Scientists and Experts (AVSE) opened a symposium on leadership studies and public policy in Ho Chi Minh City on October 28.

The two-day event has attracted the participation of experts and scientists from Vietnam and abroad.

Their discussion is to revolve around a series of topics, including creative finance for investment in urban infrastructure; public leadership; human capital; sustainable development; public – private partnership; and technology in public policy planning.

In his opening speech, Associate Professor. Dr Nguyen Viet Thao, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, said following success in three decades of national reform, Vietnam is now facing various growth challenges in the modern era.

He added the challenges set out new tasks for the country such as overcoming the middle income trap, pursuing sustainable growth, protecting national sovereignty, and integrating into the global economy, among others.

Thao said such context requires leaders and managers to have new ways of thinking, visions, and working methods./.

Technologies crucial to curb emissions from coal combustion: int’l workshop

Vinh Tan 2 thermal power plant in Binh Thuan province

The 14th Multi-Pollutant Emissions from Coal Workshop, held in Hanoi on October 28, pulled together international experts, scientists and policy makers who laid stress on the significance of advanced technologies to control mercury and multi-pollutant emissions from coal combustion.

At the event, organised by the Clean Coal Centre under the International Energy Agency (IEA) in collaboration with the Hanoi University of Natural Resources and Environment, they shared results of scientific research and management experience so as to outline strategies to branch out state-of-the-art technologies to curb and reduce pollutants from coal utilities.

According to Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Vo Tuan Nhan, coal burning for power generation results in emissions of particulates, Sulfur dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen oxides (NOx), mercury and heavy metals, among others, which have critical impact on the environment and human health.

While other regions are promoting the use of “green” energy, Asia is still dependent on coal burning to meet energy demand, he said, adding Asia is mining and burning three-quarters of the world’s coal.

In recent years, Asian nations have worked to boost production of renewable energy. However, their efforts are insufficient, especially when coal-generated electricity is playing an important role to ensure energy security in Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia.

Dang Ha Son from the Centre for Energy and Green Growth Research said Vietnam has increased import of bituminous coal to meet demand for industrial activities and power generation.

The country should apply advanced measures to use energy in an effective way, and it is necessary for the state-owned agencies to carry out meticulous study to lay down standards to curb sulfur and mercury emissions from industrial plants, he suggested.

Meanwhile, Lesley Sloss, a representative from the Clean Coal Centre, said there are many technologies to reduce pollutants from coal burning, and management of mercury can be done by using clean coal./.

EVN shows strong performance in supplying power to islands

The Vietnam Electricity (EVN) has conducted a series of project to connect island districts and communes with the national power grid with total investment of over 7.5 trillion VND (322.5 million USD).

According to the EVN, the coverage of middle and low-voltage power line in island districts has increased up to 400 percent, meeting the demand of local residents who enjoy electricity with the same price as those in the mainland.

The firm revealed that since 1992, it has directly supplied electricity to 11 out of 12 island districts, and 81 out of 85 communes, serving 151,154 customers.

Since August 1, 2017, it has managed, performed maintenance and repair, and operated the power networks in Truong Sa archipelago and the DK1 Platform.

Recently, the EVN has received a certificate of merit from the Vietnam People’s Navy for outstanding performance in popularising policies on seas and islands./.

Southeast Asia chess championship 2019 opens in Bac Giang

At the event

The Southeast Asia Chess Championships 2019 opened in the northern province of Bac Giang on October 28.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Tran Minh Ha, who is also head of the organising board, said the tournament, underway from October 25 to November 3, attracts players from Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia and the Philippines.

They will compete in individual events for men and women, including rapid, blitz and standard chess.

Famous Vietnamese players such as Vo Thi Kim Phung, Hoang Thi Bao Tram, Nguyen Thi Thanh An, Nguyen Thi Mai Hung also joined the event./.

Vietnam attends 11th int’l charity bazaar in Beijing

Vietnamese stall at the event

The Vietnamese embassy in China joined over 150 diplomatic representative agencies and international organisations at the 11th International Charity Bazaar in Beijing on October 27.

Its stall was honoured as the best style one at the event, drawing visitors with traditional Vietnamese food.

The event aimed to raise fund for the building and repair of sports grounds in schools in Jinping and Malipo districts, the southwestern province of Yunnan.

Speaking at the event, Qian Wei, spouse of Chinese State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, said editions of the bazaar have offered support to the poor and the disabled in Yunnan, Guangxi, Guizhou, Henan and Gansu provinces over the past decade.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, as much as over 7.1 million renminbi (nearly 1 million USD) was raised at the event. All proceeds will be used for charity activities./.

 

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Seminar discusses ways to improve tertiary education quality

Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Universities and Colleges Tran Hong Quan addresses the seminar in Nha Trang city, the central province of Khanh Hoa, on October 25

A seminar was held in Nha Trang city, the central province of Khanh Hoa, on October 25 to look into shortcomings at tertiary education establishments and ways to address them amid the urgent demand for better quality in higher education.

The event, organised by the Vietnam Association of Universities and Colleges and the Ministry of Education and Training, was attended by nearly 250 delegates who are managers, researchers, experts and lecturers at institutes, universities and colleges from nationwide.

Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Universities and Colleges Tran Hong Quan said in the education and training reform policy, quality accreditation is considered an important factor to standardise and improve the quality and capacity of Vietnam’s tertiary education system. This is also an educational issue attracting great attention in the Fourth Industrial Revolution era.

Participants in the seminar focused on several pressing issues, including the assurance and accreditation of quality at educational establishments; the quality of existing tertiary curricula; the revisions and supplements to the Law on Higher Education that are relevant to tertiary education quality assurance and accreditation; the policies, mechanisms and system for ensuring tertiary education quality; and accreditation process.

Representatives from Times Higher Education presented this British rating agency’s latest world university rankings and analysed the position of Vietnamese universities in this list. They also pointed out impact of their presence in the list and how Vietnamese universities can enter the rankings.

There are five education quality accreditation centres in the country at present. So far, 123 universities and five colleges have met domestic accreditation standards, and seven have satisfied foreign standards. Meanwhile, among the 5,000 training programmes, only 139 have been recognised by foreign accreditation agencies and 19 have received domestic recognition.

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Job generation for rural labourers a priority for Vinh Phuc

The northern province of Vinh Phuc has paid great attention to job creation for rural labourers through policies to support vocation training and attract investment.

According to reports of relevant agencies in the province, Vinh Phuc created more than 18,700 jobs in the first nine months of this year, achieving 78 percent of the yearly plan. The province sent 1,459 workers abroad to work under contracts in Japan, Taiwan and the Republic of Korea.

Last year, the figures were 25,000 and more than 2,000, respectively.

The results were attributable to the strong development of production and service in the province.

At present, the province is housing 344 foreign-invested projects with combined capital of 4.65 billion USD, which employ a total of 87,000 local workers. Just five years ago, only 90 FDI enterprises operated in Vinh Phuc, employing 37,790 labourers.

Besides industrial parks, Vinh Phuc also has 25 craft villages, providing stable jobs and incomes for around 45,000 local labourers.

The province has adopted several measures to facilitate the development of craft villages, such as providing support in the form of vocational training, or preferential loans to production households to buy machinery and equipment.

The provincial administration is assisting investors in accelerating the construction of infrastructure in industrial parks, industrial clusters and craft villages, while pushing ahead with administrative reform to improve the business and investment environment, and enhance the province’s competitive capacity.

Vinh Phuc is also intensifying investment promotion work, giving priority to attracting investment in hi-tech and environmentally-friendly projects./.

Kien Giang to molibise 17 trillion VND for new-style rural area building

The Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang plans to mobilise 17 trillion VND (731 million USD) for the new-style rural area building programme in the 2021-2025 period.

According to Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Mai Anh Nhin, besides the districts of Tan Hiep, Vinh Thuan, Giong Rieng, Go Quao and Kien Luong, the province will strive to have four other districts to be recognised as new-style rural areas, thus completing the programme.

By 2025, the Kien Giang targets to have at least 100 communes finishing all criteria of the programme, along with 30 communes becoming advanced new-style rural areas, he said.

To this end, the province has directed localities to review the programme in the 2016-2020 period and build a post-2020 plan, while transforming the production structure and building large-scale production models in line with the formation of production chains, said Nhin.

He said that in the new period, Kien Giang will focus on boosting production and improving incomes for local residents in a sustainable manner, dealing with climate change and opimising the province’s potential.

The One Commune-One Product (OCOP) programme will continue be developed, he said, adding that agricultural development will be associated with tourism expansion.

Meanwhile, resources for the programme will be mobilised from different resources, including the community.

According to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in the 2011-2020 period, the province raised about 29.18 trillion VND (1.25 billion USD) for the programme. So far, 64 out of its 117 communes, or 54.7 percent, have been recognised as new-style rural areas, while Tan Hiep district also got the status.

Per capita income of rural people in the province reached 46.2 million per year, up 1.57 times over that in 2015, while the ratio of poor households reduced to over 4.1 percent in 2018, with average drop of about 1.5 percent per year./.

Exhibition features life and landscape in Southwest region

Visitors admiring paintings on display at the exhibition.

An exhibition featuring watercolour paintings on the life and landscape in Vietnam’s southwest region opened in Ho Chi Minh city on October 28.

This is the first solo exhibition of Quan, a member of the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Association. Despite being a veteran painter, it is the first time Quan has tried his hand with the watercolour material.

A total of 68 paintings on display vividly depict the natural beauty and daily life along rivers across the southwest region.

Painter Huynh Van Muoi, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Association hailed that the paintings succeeded in conveying the gentle life, openness and hospitality of local people, which can be found while travelling across the Tien and Hau rivers.

The exhibition will run until October 6 at the headquarter of the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Association, 218A Pasteur street, Ward 6, District 3.

Medical expert denies rumor about viral causes of human myocarditis

Following the rumor about a strange virus causing myocarditis going viral on social networks, Director of Hanoi Preventive Healthcare Center Dr. Nguyen Nhat Cam denied the rumor on October 27.

According to him, of all infectious diseases, the so-called ‘viral myocarditis’ doesn’t exist. Moreover, no records of myocarditis caused by virus are found in clinical literature.

Agreeing with Dr. Cam, Director of National Heart Institute of Hanoi-based Bach Mai Hospital Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Manh Hung said that the rumor had no serious foundation.

He added that the Institute finds no abnormal epidemiology of cardiovascular disease, as well as no sign of regular mutation as being rumored. Hence, the public should not be worried about this.

‘There has been no scientific researches or publications mentioning virus as a cause of myocarditis so far. Furthermore, myocarditis is an individual pathology, which means it can neither spread nor develop into epidemic. People need not worry.’ Mr. Hung advised.

Dutch experts propose anti-flooding solution for HCMC

Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City's Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan (R) and Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Elsbeth Akkerman in the yesterday meeting (Photo: SGGP)

Dutch experts proposed to build anti-flooding system in districts 2 and 9, which are prone to flooding, at a meeting between Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City's Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan and Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Elsbeth Akkerman yesterday.

In the reception, Dutch experts proposed several measures against flooding in the city in the context of increasing annual rainfall, rising seawater and land subsidence. They proposed public-private partnerships (PPPs) forms varying in the extent of involvement of and participation of private party in anti-flooding maintenance.

Of measures, experts proposed to build a US$1.3 billion anti-flooding system in district 2 and 9 in addition to sewerage, embankment, drainage and water reservoir. Along the anti-flooding system, the city will build golf courses, parking lots, and entertainment areas to generate additional revenues for the city.

Ambassador to Vietnam Elsbeth Akkerman said that the city has the potential for a smart city because it has airport, deep water port, high-tech area.

She also suggested the city should cooperate with Holland partners in building smart cities for sustainable economic development.

Ambassador Elsbeth Akkerman believed that with its long experience, Dutch experts can hell HCMC to overcome challenges to become a good city to live in the context that HCMC is facing flooding and overpopulation.

Specifically, Ambassador Elsbeth Akkerman proposed to promote close cooperation between HCMC and Dutch especially in water management.

Listening to Dutch experts’ proposal, HCMC Director of the Department of Construction Le Hoa Binh and Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Toan Thang totally supported the anti-flooding measures for districts 2 and 9 adding that it helps to battle flood, reserve rainwater and generate income for the city.

Party Chief Nhan thanked the Dutch Ambassador and her commitment to help the city emphasizing that Vietnam generally and HCMC particularly place much value on the relationship with the Netherlands. He affirmed city authorities usually seeks advice and learn experience from the Netherlands in water management and climate change adaptation.

He directed competent agencies to organize a further conference to listen to detailed plan of Dutch experts.

26 nations discuss steps to reduce urban air pollution in forum on environment

Dust kicked up by vehicles traveling on roads is major culprit of air pollution (Photo: SGGP)

 

The 12th intergovernmental regional environmentally sustainable transport (EST) forum in ASIA in Hanoi on October 28 discussed steps to reduce urban air pollution in the region.

335 representatives from 26 nations took part in the forum themed “Achieving smart and resilient city through low carbon and intelligent transport system' was hosted by the Ministry of Transport in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Construction, the Hanoi People’s Committee, Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, and the UN center for regional development.

In the forum, participants paid much attention to air pollution matter which was orientated towards to using clean products and clean energy for vehicles as air pollution is mostly affected by emissions from diesel vehicles. Importantly, they talked about traffic infrastructure development for bikers and hikers in urban areas.

Speaking at the event, Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung suggested participants to discuss solutions for promotion of smart city construction, smart traffic system, how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants in cities.

Deputy PM Dung supposed that what the forum participants discuss were important in building smart cities and sustainable growth.

As per a plan, participants will sign supplemented Kyoto protocol on climate change to promote sustainable traffic.

The forum will last to October 30.

Dinh Ngoc He faces new charge

Former senior lieutenant colonel Dinh Ngoc He, alias Bald Ut, stands in court – PHOTO: TNO

 

Former senior lieutenant colonel Dinh Ngoc He, alias Bald Ut, who is serving a total of 12 years in prison for abusing his power and using fake documents to defraud agencies and organizations, has been charged with violating accounting regulations in connection with an expressway project.

Ministry of Public Security investigators said on Sunday that they had charged the 48-year-old Bald Ut and eight other people allegedly involved in bidding and toll collection on the HCMC-Trung Luong Expressway project in southern Vietnam.

Three former senior executives of the expressway investor, Cuu Long Corporation for Investment Development and Project Management of Infrastructure, under the Ministry of Transport, were detained for breaking regulations on the management and use of State assets, which led to losses and wastefulness.

They are former general director Duong Tuan Minh, former deputy general director Duong Thi Tram Anh and former head of the investment and bidding management department Nguyen Thu Trang.

The State-owned group is alleged to have conspired with the privately run Yen Khanh Group to falsify data on toll collections at the expressway.

Bald Ut, former chairman and general director of Thai Son Development and Investment JSC, under the Ministry of National Defense, together with CEO of Yen Khanh Group Pham Van Diet and the group’s general director, Vu Thi Hoan, were also charged with accounting irregularities, resulting in serious consequences.

The trio had already been detained for their involvement in another ongoing case. The 34-year-old Hoan is the niece of Bald Ut.

Also, three employees of the group, Ta Duc Minh, Pham Tan Hoang and Dinh Thi Chung, were taken into police custody on the same charge.

In 2012, under a proposal from Cuu Long Corporation, the Government agreed to open bidding for a third party to collect tolls on the road to recover the VND9.88 trillion the Government had spent on the construction of the expressway.

Yen Khanh Group won part of the deal worth VND2 trillion and was allowed to collect tolls from 2014 until the end of 2018.

Under the contract, Yen Khanh should have paid for the deal in three installments before October 2014. However, the company made 15 payments, with the last being paid in March 2017, to settle the amount.

Earlier this year, five individuals were detained for using fraudulent software to evade taxes and manipulate funds collected from the expressway. They were senior officials from a branch of Yen Khanh in the southern province of Long An.