President of the House of Councillors of Japan Otsuji Hidehisa and a high-ranking delegation of Japan arrived in Hanoi on September 4 night, beginning an official visit to Vietnam until September 7.

The visit is being made at the invitation of National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

The Japanese delegation was welcomed at Noi Bai International Airport by Chairman of the NA’s Committee for Foreign Affairs Vu Hai Ha and Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio.

The visit takes place at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties (September 21, 1973-2023) with many significant activities being held.

It is expected to contribute to further consolidating and deepening the extensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan.

Vietnam, Indonesia eye comprehensive strategic partnership

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta on September 4 on the sidelines of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings.

Both leaders spoke highly of the positive development in the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesian since their meeting in Labuan Bajo in May.

They affirmed that the two countries will step up all-level delegation exchanges in the time ahead, setting milestones for the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership in 2023 and looking towards the 70th founding anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations and the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day and Indonesia’s Independence Day in 2025.

The two sides agreed to effectively optimise bilateral cooperation mechanisms and coordinate to well implement signed agreements, including bringing the signed document on maritime cooperation into effect soon, creating momentum to elevate the strategic partnership to a new height, towards a comprehensive strategic partnership in the near future.

PM Chinh suggested the two countries maintain their trade ties in a more balanced way, striving to raise the bilateral trade revenue to 15 billion USD by 2028, and suggested the two governments encourage businesses of the two countries to increase investment, especially in such new areas as digital economy, green economy, energy transition and e-vehicle ecosystem development.

He also called on Indonesia ease the application of trade remedy measures against Vietnamese goods, thus facilitating the access of farm produce and Halal products originating from Vietnam to the Indonesian market.

The two countries should cooperate in new, strategic supply chains and enhance cooperation in the areas in which both sides are interested, he said.

The PM suggested Indonesia recognise Vietnam’s efforts in monitoring the operations of fishing boats, and minimising illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities.

President Widodo welcomed PM Chinh to Indonesia to attend the 43rd ASEAN Summit and related meetings.
He thanked and highly appreciated Vietnam's support for and active assistance to Indonesia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2023.

President Widodo welcomed Vietnamese businesses, including VinFast, to invest in Indonesia and promote cooperation in the development of renewable energy and electric vehicle ecosystem.

The President suggested the two countries strengthen marine cooperation, and sustainable fishery cooperation and soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding on fishery cooperation.

Talking about regional and international issues, PM Chinh affirmed that Vietnam supports and works closely with Indonesia to ensure the success of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2023, contributing to strengthening solidarity, unity, and centrality of ASEAN and maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, and common development in the region.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two leaders reaffirmed their support for maintaining ASEAN's solidarity and agreed principles in the East Sea issue, especially the early finalisation of an effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) between ASEAN and China in line with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

PM Chinh conveyed the invitations of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Vo Van Thuong to President Widodo to visit Vietnam soon. President Widodo accepted the invitations with pleasure.

Vietnam attends ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) in Indonesia on September 4.

In her opening remarks, Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Masurdi highlighted “many difficult circumstances in the region,” saying “the eyes of our peoples are on us to prove ASEAN still matters and can contribute towards peace, stability and prosperity in the region.”

She reviewed efforts in building the ASEAN Community over the past year, with preparations for the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 in ASEAN Concord IV.

“We continue taking a lead in shaping our regional dynamics and ensuring a peaceful and inclusive Indo-Pacific region,” she said.

“We are seeing more countries acceding to the TAC and becoming partners of ASEAN.”

This shows ASEAN’s convening power a wide acceptance of ASEAN’s norms and values, the minister emphasised.

However, ASEAN still has to face some challenges, including the situation in Myanmar, she said, stressing “ASEAN can only steam forward in full power if we can ensure a peaceful and lasting solution in Myanmar.”

As mandated by ASEAN leaders, the ministers will conduct a comprehensive review on the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) implementation and prepare a recommendation for the leaders’ deliberation at the 43rd ASEAN Summit.

Int'l conference spotlights President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology

President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology has served as a “lighthouse” for peace lovers around the world, including those in Latin America, to take firm steps on the path to national independence, foreign politicians and scholars said at a recent conference held in Mexico.

The event was held on the occasion of the visit to the Latin American country by Nguyen Trong Nghia, head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Popularisation and Education.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Senator Geovanna Bañuelos said Latin American peoples learnt a lot from the late leader's ideology and leadership which set direction for Vietnam’s revolution to success, adding his appeal “Nothing is more precious than independence, freedom” has become a manifesto of peace lovers all over the world.

General Secretary of the Mexican Labour Party Alberto Anaya Gutiérrez highlighted the eternal vitality of the ideology, elaborating that the thoughts remain valuable till today despite radical changes domestically and internationally.

Meanwhile, Nghia laid a stress on President Ho Chi Minh’s special affection for the Latin American peoples, adding the leader had reiterated the close friendship between the Vietnamese and Latin American peoples in the fight for national independence, prosperity and happiness.

Many Latin Americans have shown their respect for President Ho Chi Minh who inspired them in their struggle for national liberation, Nghia said.

International scholars put a wide range of issues on the table, most of which were President Ho Chi Minh’s  life and career, and his tremendous contributions to Vietnam’s revolution as well as international communist and workers’ movements.

National Day greetings come pouring in

Leaders of foreign countries and international organisations showered Vietnamese leaders with greetings on the occasion of the 78th National Day (September 2, 1945 - 2023).

Prominent well-wishers include Hungarian President Novak Katalin and Prime Minister Orban Viktor;King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdullaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdullaziz al Saud; President of Bangladesh Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina; Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko and Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko; President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev; Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad Al Thani; President of the Dominican Republic Luis Abinader Corona; President of the Republic of Estonia Alar Karis; President of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces William Samoei Ruto; among others.

Recipients include Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, State President Vo Van Thuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue.

On this occasion, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son also received greetings from his counterparts of Hungary, Belarus, Dominican Republic, Mongolia, Iran, Israel, Maldives, Peru, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov, among others./.

Localities see surges in number of National Day holidaymakers

Localities across Vietnam saw significant increases in the number of tourists in the recent four-day National Day break.
 
In the period from September 1-4, Ho Chi Minh City served around 960,000 visitors, and pocketed 2.89 trillion VND (120 million USD) from tourism services, up 4.3 % and 5.5% year-on-year, respectively. 

The central city of Da Nang welcomed around 254,000 tourist arrivals, up 6.3% year-on-year, 78,900 of them foreigners. Notably, the number of waterway travellers reached about 11,300, a year-on-year surge of nearly 38%.

With two world cultural heritage sites of Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary, the central province of Quang Nam recorded a year-on-year rise of 46% in the number of tourists in the National Day break to 166,000, including 29,200 foreigners.

Cua Van village among world’s top fairytale destinations

Cua Van fishing village in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay has been honoured by Bright Side as among the 17 most jaw-dropping destinations in the world. Join us to find out more!

Located to the south of Ha Long city, Cua Van fishing village is surrounded by limestone karst mountains. The village is a tranquil haven for holidaymakers hoping to experience the lives of local people and their traditional culture.

The village was earlier named the world’s most charming little town by US online magazine Huffington Post.

Other fairytale destinations on Bright Side’s list included Kaliningrad fishing village (Russia), San Gimignano (Italy), Faroe Islands (Denmark), Bibury (England), Giethoorn (the Netherlands), and Pariangan (Indonesia).

Man goes missing in Dong Nai forest

Police, forest rangers and dozens of local people are expanding their search for a man who has gone missing in Cat Tien National Park for several days.

Director of Cat Tien National Park, Pham Xuan Thinh told Dantri/Dtinews on Monday evening that they were looking for Ka Sor, 65, who has gone missing in the forest since August 30.

Thinh said that Ka Sor was head of Ta Lai Village which lies besides the Cat Tien National Park. Locals usually go to the forest to look for bamboo shoots and mushrooms for their meals.

"Ka Sor was said to have gone to the forest on August 30," Thinh said. "He didn't bring anything with him, and he probably went to look for bamboo shoots. Local people started to look for the man and informed the authorities that he was missing after three days,” Thinh said.

Searchers have found footprints that could have been Ka Sor’s in the forest. A pile of bamboo shoots were also found in the area.

Thinh said that it has been raining over the last few days in the forest. 

Transport to and from Phú Quốc Island resumes after weather delay

Passenger transport to and from Phú Quốc Island has resumed Tuesday morning after a three-day delay due to bad weather, according to a representative of Kiên Giang Provincial Maritime Port Authority.

More than 10,000 tourists were stranded on the island off the coast of southern Kiên Giang Province in the past three days. 

The weather has improved, with forecasts for light rain in the late afternoon and evening. 

Children on Phú Quốc Island also enter the new school year on Tuesday morning. 

Trần Văn Lộc, a Phú Quốc resident who was on a business trip to Rạch Giá City had planned to return to the island Monday afternoon to attend his daughter’s first day of school. 

Lộc told Thanh Niên (Youth) newspaper: “My wife and I wanted to take a photo of my daughter at the new school, but could not due to bad weather. 

“This morning when I heard that the ships are resuming, I took the earliest ferry to be on time for the new school year ceremony and hopefully take a photo with her.” 

Experts commends Party leader’s book on military policy, defence strategy

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s book entitled “Some issues on military policies and national defense strategies in building and defending Vietnam in the new period” has received high evaluation from researchers and scholars.

Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. Ha Son Thai from Scientific Socialism Department of the Academy of Politics under the Ministry of Defence said that together with his two previous books on a number of theoretical and practical issues on socialism and the path towards socialism in Vietnam and corruption and negative phenomena combat, this freshly-published book completes the Party leader’s system of viewpoints on the relations between building socialism and protecting the socialist Vietnam, one of the 11 major relations mentioned in the documents of the 11th-13th National Party Congresses.

Particularly, the book was publicised in the context where the world and the regional situation is experiencing complicated and unpredictable developments, and the trend of peace, cooperation and development is facing huge challenges, while Vietnam is preparing to review the 10-year implementation of the resolution released at the eight plenary of the 11th Party Central Committee on the strategy on the protection of the Fatherland in the new period, the expert said.

Thai underlined the significance of the book in solving urgent matters and challenges as well as giving solutions to strategic and long-term issues in the building of socialism and protecting the Fatherland in particular and promoting peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world in general.

The articles, interviews and speeches by Party General Secretary Trong introduced in the book shows his dialectical thinking and strategic vision of the military and national defence, he stated.

According to Thai, the book marks a development in the ideology of the Party chief on military policies and the defence and national protection strategy in the new period. At the same time, it is meaningful to all activities in the building and implementation of the military policy, defence strategy and national protection in the immediate and long-term future, as well as to the construction of a politically strong military in the new period.

The scholar described the book as a “handbook” for the whole Party, people and political system, especially the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence, in building a politically strong military.

It contains multi-faceted value that any military service, army, military academy, or school can study and apply creatively in accordance with their functions and tasks, Thai underlined.

Dialogue, consultation and international laws crucial in international relations: Official

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet on September 4 attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, emphasising the bloc’s role as the epicentre of peace, security, cooperation and prosperity in the region.

The deputy minister also attended the ASEAN Political-Security Community Council (APSC)'s Meeting and the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC)'s Meeting.

Speaking at the meetings, Viet expressed support for Indonesia’s practical initiatives as the current ASEAN Chair, which contributed to the bloc’s long-term vision.

Economic priorities have also contributed to growth in trade, investment, financial stability and economic recovery in the region, he said.

The Vietnamese official also showed appreciation for ASEAN’s efforts in climate change response and sustainable development, including the establishment of the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change and the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control.

He said that Vietnam is ready to work with other countries in effectively promoting economic growth through marine economy, digital and green transformation for the interests of people and businesses.

The deputy minister stressed that it is necessary to promote dialogue and consultation, as well as uphold international laws in addressing differences and disputes in international relations.

The roles of ASEAN agencies also need to be strengthened for better response to challenges in marine security, cyber security, artificial intelligence, transnational crimes, sea pollution and water security, he added.

Viet also reaffirmed ASEAN’s stance and principles on the East Sea, and countries’ responsibilities in building the East Sea into a sea of peace, safety and stability.

ASEAN also needs to closely follow its principle of non-interference and assist Myanmar to seek comprehensive and feasible solutions to the current situation, while also encouraging dialogues, building trust and reducing differences, he said./.

ASEAN Coordinating Council discuss ways to speed up decision-making process

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has said that ASEAN member countries are all aware of many difficult circumstances in the region. But they cannot allow the difficulties to affect their hard work in the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings that take place in Jakarta from September 4-7.

Speaking at the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC)’s 34th Meeting held in Jakarta on September 4 ahead of the summit, Retno said the challenges ASEAN are facing right now are already big enough to keep them struggling at times, but the challenges they are facing in the upcoming years would be even greater.

Whether ASEAN can move forward or not entirely depends of themselves, she said.

According to Retno, at the 43rd ASEAN Summit, ASEAN will adopt many important decisions that would chart the future of ASEAN as a community and an institution.

This includes measures to expedite the ASEAN decision-making process in crises and emergency situations and measures to strengthen ASEAN capacity to respond to emerging challenges in the region.

It is very important that the ACC can recommend the best course of action for ASEAN leaders to decide as well as to maintain that ASEAN matters to people and the world, she said.

Vu Lan festival in RoK helps spread Vietnamese cultural features

The Vietnamese Buddhist Culture Centre in the Republic of Korea (RoK) held a grand ceremony to mark the Vu Lan Festival in Incheon city on September 3.

Along with Vietnamese expatriates in RoK, the event was attended by Vietnamese Ambassador to RoK Nguyen Vu Tung; Vice Chairwoman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Tran Thi Minh Nga; Mayor of Incheon city Yoo Jeong Bok,  Korean officials and Buddhist followers in the RoK.

In his speech at the ceremony, Ambassador Nguyen Vu Tung thanked the RoK's officials as well as Korean religious dignitaries and clergymen for their attention and support to Vietnamese people in the fields of economy, culture, and religion.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese community in the RoK have contributed and integrated into the RoK society and considers the East Asian country their second homeland to participate in economic, political and religious activities.

Mayor of Incheon Yoo Jeong Bok said that as an international city of the RoK, Incheon is home to more than 70,000 foreigners, including about 15,000 Vietnamese people, adding that the foreigners are part of the city and have accompanied and developed with local residents.

For her part, Vice Chairwoman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Tran Thi Minh Nga hoped that Vietnamese Buddhist followers in the RoK will continue to stay united and comply with the laws of the host country, contributing to the construction of the RoK and always looking towards the homeland.

Vietnamese community in Germany holds football tournament

Up to 12 amateur teams across Germany joined the 15th football tournament of the Vietnamese community, which was held in Leipzig on September 3.

The event, organised after five years of disruption due to difficulties related to the organisation and the COVID-19 pandemic, was among the activities to celebrate Vietnam’s 78th National Day (September 2, 1945 - 2023).

Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Vu Quang Minh, said football created opportunities for second and third-generation young people of the Vietnamese community to further connect and unite together.

Hoang Van Thanh, Vice Chairman of the Vietnamese Association in Leipzig and head of the event’s organising committee, said that the football tournament contributed to improving health, sportsmanship, and mutual understanding. It also offered an opportunity for Vietnamese young people in Germany to meet and exchange in all areas of life, thereby strengthening solidarity and love for the community, integrating and developing together.

FC Berlin won the title while FC Mien Trung came second, and two teams from Leipzig and Chemnitz shared the third prize.

Vietnamese students’ camp held in Russia

The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union in Russia organised a summer camp for over 300 Vietnamese students on September 2-3 in Kaluga province, providing an opportunity for participants to strengthen solidarity and exchanges.

The event was held again after a four-year disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking at the event, secretary of the youth union in Russia Nguyen Viet Linh said that with the theme "Train of the Times 2023", the camp was expected to help participants have a right view of the development goal, and strive to make themselves adaptive to the trend of the 4th Industrial Revolution.

On behalf of Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi, Minister Counselor Le Quang Anh expressed his hope that Vietnamese students will become more and more mature, contributing to the building of the homeland and enhancing the friendship between Vietnam and Russia.

Do Xuan Hoang, Chairman of the Vietnamese Association in Russia, said the students sharing the same origin should work together to contribute to their homeland.

At the camp, students joined a fashion show, a music performance, and a play which showed their love and pride for the homeland and their youth aspirations in the new era.

Vietnamese cuisine introduced at Embassy Festival in Netherlands

The Vietnamese Embassy in the Netherlands joined the embassies of nearly 60 countries at the Embassy Festival which was held in The Hague on September 2.

This year’s edition, held by event organiser Prooost, the administration of The Hague and the embassies, attracted more than 10,000 visitors.

At the festival, Vietnam displayed its traditional dishes such as Vietnamese baguettes and spring rolls as well as agricultural products, including tea, coffee, green bean cakes, spices, fresh coconut juice and eco-friendly products like straws from natural materials.

In particular, Vietnamese pomelos were introduced to local residents for the first time.

The Vietnamese booth, along with those of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Laos, left strong impressions on participants.

To enhance connections between diplomatic representative agencies in the Netherlands and Belgium, the Diplomat Magazine coordinated with the event organisers to hold a Culture Parade, which was highly evaluated and participated by a large number of diplomatic agencies.

Traffic accidents expected to reduce at least 5% in each locality: Minister

The numbers of traffic accidents, fatalities and injuries in the first seven months of 2023 declined from the same period last year, reported the National Traffic Safety Committee.

Chief of the committee’s office Tran Huu Minh said that 5,928 traffic accidents were recorded during the period (from December 15, 2022 to July 14, 2023), killing 3,428 and injuring 4,117 others.

The respective figures fell 659 (10%), 411 (10.71%), and 143 (3.36%) year on year.

Among the accidents, 5,858 happened on roads with 3,379 deaths and 4,104 injured people, down 9.88%, 9.87% and 3.25% from a year earlier, respectively.

There were 52 railway accidents with 38 deaths and 13 injured people (down 14.75%, 15.56%, and 13.33%), 13 inland waterway accidents with nine deaths and no injured people (down 38.1%, 72.73%, and 100%), and five maritime accidents with two deaths and none sustaining injuries (the numbers of accidents and injured people were unchanged while deaths decreased 83.33%).

Meanwhile, one aviation accident and 53 incidents threatening flight safety occurred during the seven months, dropping 13% year on year in total.

However, traffic accidents increased during the period from June 15 - July 14, when there were 958 accidents with 563 deaths and 646 injured people, respectively rising 12.05%, 14.9%, and 12.35%, statistics showed.

Speaking at an online conference on July 11 reviewing traffic safety in the first half of this year, Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang lauded efforts by localities in ensuring traffic safety given increasing travel and transportation demand.

He asked agencies and localities to seek more feasible solutions in this regard, with a focus on transport infrastructure, vehicles and commuters, striving to achieve the yearly target of reducing traffic accidents in all the three criteria of cases, fatalities and injuries by at least 5% in each locally as compared with 2022.

Private theatre makes debut with drama show

The private Thiên Đăng Drama Troupe will make its debut with a drama show in HCM City in late September.

The show, entitled Giáng Hương (Women in the Theatre), is directed by the theatre’s founder and Meritorious Artist Thành Lộc.

It is based on Sân Khâu Về Khuya (The Dark in the Theatre), a famous cải lương (reformed opera) play in the 1960s written by late celebrated artist Năm Châu, who was a guru of the South’s traditional theatre.

It portrays a theatre actress who devotes and sacrifices her life to her art.

The new version will include new concepts and techniques in drama to meet the tastes of young audiences today.

Director Lộc invited famous actresses Lê Khánh and Vân Trang to play lead characters.

Veteran actors Hữu Châu and Tuấn Khải are also featured.

To launch the first show for his newly established drama troupe, Lộc wrote on his facebook page: “Good artists devote their lives to theatre. Their art is like a flame and they will keep the flame burning bright and pass it on to audiences.”

Lộc has played a key role in the development of the city’s theatre, as he has produced, directed and performed in many plays since he began his career 50 years ago.

He has worked hard to produce and introduce musicals targeting children. His shows always go with images, sounds and music that provide young audiences with wonderful insights about their history, traditional culture and theatre.

Lộc was one of the two founders of IDECAF Drama Troupe, one of HCM City’s leading private theatres opened in 1997.

He was a general art director of the theatre’s long-term programme called Ngày Xửa Ngày Xưa (Once Upon a Time), which began in 2000.

The programme has offered more than 34 plays with more than 900 free performances for thousands of young children and teenagers, including disadvantaged ones who live at shelters around the city.

Thiên Đăng Drama Troupe opened in July after many months of working that Lộc and his partners spent.

The theatre has 300 seats and promises to offer experimental shows in drama and musicals. Traditional Vietnamese theatre genres of cải lương and tuồng (drama classical) are also included.

The first show of Giáng Hương is scheduled for 8pm on September 20 at 62 Trần Quang Khải Street, Distrct 1.

Tickets are available at the box office and on the theatre’s facebook page.

Exhibition to highlight the spirit of "Uncle Hồ's soldiers" and the nation's revolutionary struggle

The Timeline exhibition is being held at the Việt Nam Military History Museum to celebrate the 78th anniversary of Việt Nam's National Independence Day (September 2).

The exhibition showcases a collection of 60 artworks from both military and non-military artists, focusing on the theme “Armed Forces – Revolutionary War.”

Featuring a mix of sculptures, graphics and paintings, the exhibition aims to highlight the interwoven narratives of the armed forces and the revolutionary struggle that has significantly shaped modern Việt Nam.

Through the eyes of these artists, the audience can gain a better understanding of the lives and the spirit of "Uncle Hồ's soldiers", their combat experiences, and their unbreakable bond with the nation.

The exhibition contributes to honouring the silent creative contributions of artist-soldiers during the 30-year national liberation journey (1945-1975) and ongoing efforts towards developing and safeguarding the nation. This is also an opportunity to promote the artworks centred around the theme “Armed Forces – Revolutionary War” to a wider audience.

At the heart of the exhibition are three works by renowned Vietnamese artists and sculptors.

Lê Quốc Lộc’s 1985 lacquer painting “Từ Pác Bó” (From Pác Bó Cave) portrays the iconic figure of President Hồ at the place that birthed the revolution. Đỗ Xuân Doãn’s lacquer painting “Những bà mẹ Việt Nam” (Vietnamese mothers) honours the unwavering strength of Vietnamese mothers throughout history. Sculptor Minh Đỉnh’s 1984 bronze statute “Bác Hồ đi chiến dịch” (President Hồ going on a campaign), meanwhile, is considered one of the artworks that best captures the president’s essence.

The exhibition also includes other 43 paintings and nine sculptures using diverse materials as well as eight graphic works.

Together, they provide vivid visual insights into the struggles for national liberation and the enduring connection between the military and the people.

Notable pieces include Phạm Thanh Tâm’s 1955 water-colour “Biểu diễn văn nghệ trong hầm pháo” (Art performing in an artillery bunker), Tạ Quang Bảo’s composite statue “Đồng đội” (Teammates), and Đỗ Như Điềm’s 2009 woodcut “Cuộc biểu tình của nhân dân Tiền Hải” (The demonstration of Tiền Hải people).

The exhibition is open to the public until the end of September at 28A Điện Biên Phủ Street, Ba Đình District, Hà Nội.

AFC 28 back in the cage at The Grand Hồ Tràm Strip

Thrilling bouts between top competitors are promised at the Angel's Fighting Championship (AFC) 28, a famed mixed martial arts event, on September 16 in Vũng Tàu City.

There are seven fights with the main card featuring Việt Nam-lover Robson De Oliveira Soares of Brazil and South Korean Kim Jin Min in the fly weight (56kg) category at the Grand Hồ Tràm Strip.

Soares is well known nationwide after featuring in prestigious MMA tournaments such as the AFC and LION Championship.

Most recently, the Brazilian jujitsu champion knocked out experienced Phan Huy Hoàng of Việt Nam in the first round in the LION Championship with a rear choke.

Earlier, he technically knocked out Rene Catalan Jr in the main card of the AFC 25 on June 10.

Despite being a foreigner, Soares won local support after many years living and fighting here. No matter the result, he always wears the Việt Nam national flag over his shoulders at the end of fights.

The black-belt martial artist is a master of grappling skills. He has three wins and one loss in his career.

His opponent Kim is more experienced with 11 pro bouts. He recorded five wins and six losses but his has made four wins in a row prior to the Hồ Tràm Strip event.

In the bantam (61,2kg) weight, Vietnamese potential Mùi Trọng Vinh (11 wins, three losses) will fight talented Jia Yangin of China (four wins, four losses).

Lưu Đức Mạnh (nine wins, two losses) will face South Korean Park Seong Hyun (two wins, one draw and one loss).

Both Vinh and Mạnh are from No 1 Muay Club. They are managed and trained by seven-time world champion Nguyễn Trần Duy Nhất, also a MMA fighter who is current champion of the LION Championship in the men's 60kg.

Vinh was confident with the powerful combined use of fists, elbows, knees and shins of muay thai and posted on his Facebook page that he was ready for the fight whoever his rival was.

Also in this category, Pablo Eduardo from Brazil is expected to lengthen his winning streak to five when facing Japanese Hiromu Ueni who has a record of 10 wins and 10 defeats.

Other matches will see Brazilian Felipe Negochadle vs South Korean Byeon Jae Woong in the bantam weight; Russian Kim Igor vs South Korean Kim Siwon in the feather weight (57kg); and Song Yeong Jae vs Oh Su Hwan in an all-South Korean 57kg bout

The AFC 28 is jointly organised by Cocky Buffalo, a leading company in Việt Nam in managing and training fighters and organising tournaments, and AFC, a South Korean mixed martial arts promotion. All matches will be broadcast live and executively on VTVcab channels, apps and platforms. 

Vietnamese lifters aim for medals, Olympic spots at world championship

Seven athletes from Việt Nam are in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, for the 2023 IWF World Weightlifting Championships.

The team features three women, Quàng Thị Tâm, Phạm Đình Thi and Phạm Thị Hồng Thanh, and four men, Nguyễn Trần Anh Tuấn, Lại Gia Thành, Ngô Sơn Đỉnh and Trịnh Văn Vinh. They arrived in Riyadh on September 1.

The tournament runs from September 4-17 and is one of two mandatory qualifying events for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Athletes must appear in Riyadh if they are to be in line to earn one of the 10 quota spots in each of the 10 Olympic weight classes via the IWF Olympic Qualification Ranking.

There are a total of 20 weight classes, 10 per gender, being contested in Riyadh. Separate medals are awarded for the snatch, clean and jerk, and total weight.

Việt Nam's best hopes are on Thành and Đỉnh who did well in the men's 55kg category last year.

Thành topped the podium of the snatch event with a lift of 118kg meanwhile Sơn took a bronze in the snatch, lifting 117kg and a silver in the total with 260kg.

Thành is the 2022 Asian and 2023 Southeast Asian Games champion and Sơn won three silvers from the 2023 Asian championship. He just finished on top of the Mekong Delta Sports Games last week.

Another medal candidate is Thanh in the women's 71kg pool.

According to the coaching board, Thanh earned remarkable progress in her recent training and is tipped to have good results in this event.

Last year, Thanh also took part in the world championship's 64kg category which saw her unforgettable memory when she failed in all three attempts in the snatch event after a good lift of 123kg in the clean and jerk.

It eliminated from the total weight ranking.

Former world champion Vinh will be back in this competition in the men's 61kg for the first time after his four-year ban because of doping.

It is his second international tournament since the ban ended earlier this year.

Vinh won a gold in the snatch event in the 2017 championship with a lift of 136kg which was equal to a result of Chinese He Yueji who won silver last year and 1kg less than gold medalist Li Fabin, also from China.

After the world championship, lifters will take part in the 2024 IWF World Cup from April 2-11 in Phuket, Thailand.

In other news, a list of six athletes who will compete in the Chinese 19th Asian Games later this month has been released.

In addition to Vinh, Anh (men's 61kg), Tâm (women's 59kg), Thi (women's 49kg), other names are SEA Games champion Trần Minh Trí (men's 67kg) and former SEA Games bronze medal holder Hoàng Thị Duyên (women's 59kg).

They set a target of one bronze from the Hangzhou Games.

Lộc, Hoa win first Sơn Kim Thủ Đức City Run

Lê Hữu Lộc and Hoàng Thị Ngọc Hoa won the Sơn Kim Thủ Đức City Run on September 3 at the Metropole Thủ Thiêm Urban Area, Thủ Đức City, HCM City.

The run was the first annual tournament of the new city, which saw around 4,000 athletes competing in the 5km, 10km and half marathon along with two distances of 3km and 1.5km for the children.

Lộc came first in the men's half marathon category in a time of 1hr 14.16min. He was followed by Lê Văn Tuấn (1:14.22) and Lê Tấn Hi (1:17:31).

Hoa crossed the finish line of the women's half marathon after 1:22.18. Two runners-up were Lê Thị Kha Ly (1:27.14) and Lê Thị Bích (1:27.58).

In the 21km Open classes, famous amateur runner Đặng Anh Quyết took the men's title by running 1:19.17 and Nguyễn Thị Phương Trinh won the women's gold clocking 1:31.42.

Earlier, Trương Trí Tâm (34.07min) and Khuất Phương Anh (39.58) championed in the men's and women's 10km pools, respectively.

Nguyễn Chí Kiên (16.04) and Nguyễn Thị Thùy Dương (20.29) were winners of the men's and women's 5km events.

According to the organisers, despite being the first time the event was held, the Sơn Kim Thủ Đức City Run's routes were measured and received official certificates from the Marathon Association and the World Athletics Federation.

The run was one of the activities to celebrate the National Day on September 2 and was expected to make Thủ Đức a destination for running lovers while encouraging local people to take part in sporting activities.

In addition to racing, athletes and supporters took part in sideline activities such as cheerleading dances, a water drum performance, a hot air balloon show and cosplay race. 

Australian golfer lifts the Chu Đậu trophy at BRG tourney

Australian golfer Aaron Wilkin won the BRG Open Golf Championship-Đà Nẵng 2023, the first tournament of the Asian Development Tour held in Việt Nam.

Wilkin won scoring 206 in total, 10-under-par, in three rounds at the Nicklaus Đà Nẵng course.

The Australian took the cash-prize of US$17,500 and the unique Chu Đậu ceramic champions trophy fused with the 600-year cultural heritage of Việt Nam.

“I reserve my thanks to the city’s people’s committee, the tournament organisers, caddies, fans and the tournament’s sponsor – BRG Group – for supports and well organisation at the championship,” he said at the prize award ceremony on September 2.

“It’s my first time in a tournament in Việt Nam and Đà Nẵng and I was challenged with tough fairways at the tournament. The course was quite good, but it’s hot during play.”

Aaron had not a good start in the first round as he scored 73, but he then earned his momentum with a 68 in the second round. In the final round, the Australian golfer shot 65 and won the trophy.

Vietnamese Nguyễn Anh Minh won best Amateur after finishing 9th ranking (four-under-par), while Nguyễn Nhất Long was the best Vietnamese professional.

The BRG Open Golf Championship-Đà Nẵng 2023 was a key focus of series events during the Đà Nẵng Golf-Tourism Festival from August 24 to September 2.

Newly appointed vice chairman of the city’s people’s committee, Trần Chí Cường said the golf tournament, which featured144 top Asian golfers including 23 Vietnamese, would ignite the potential of Đà Nẵng’s tourism and golf industry in the future.

The successful tournament also marked as a celebration of the National Day of Việt Nam. 

VN take six golds, finish second at World Beach Jujitsu Championships

VN won six gold medals from the World Beach Jujitsu Championship which closes on September 3 in Pattaya, Thailand.

The women's champions are Nguyễn Khánh Linh in the 48kg No-Gi (competing without uniform) event; Nguyễn Minh Vượng in the 57kg No-Gi; and Lê Thương in the 63kg No Gi.

The men's winners are Đào Hồng Sơn in the 56kg No-Gi and Cấn Văn Thắng in the 63kg No-Gi.

Trần Hồng Ân successfully championed in the U18 girls 52kg No-Gi event

In addition, Việt Nam also secured two silvers and one bronze in other categories.

Nearly 100 athletes from different countries and territories took part in the three-day tournament, starting from September 1.

Thailand topped the medal tally with 12 golds, 13 silvers and 28 bronzes.

Việt Nam secured the second place with six golds, two silvers and one bronze, followed by the Philippines with four golds, six silvers and two bronzes. 

ASEAN Concord IV to be introduced at 43rd summit

Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) reached an agreement on September 4th on a new regional cooperation platform called ASEAN Concord IV during the ongoing summit in Jakarta.

The initiative for ASEAN Concord IV has been put forward by the current chair, Indonesia, and is expected to "serve as the foundation for ASEAN Community's Vision 2045" while strengthening the regional bloc's ability to address future challenges, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said when chairing the ASEAN Coordinating Council meeting.

ASEAN is already facing significant challenges today, and they will become even more substantial in the future, she said, adding member countries should have the courage to take bold steps to ensure the bloc remains relevant in changing conditions and that differences among members should not hinder ASEAN's progress.

Indonesia has been the venue for several landmark regional agreements. Notably, during the 1976 Summit in Bali, the regional bloc, which consisted of five members at the time, agreed on the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. This treaty ensured that disputes among members must be resolved through peaceful means and affirmed their commitment to opposing military aggression. It is known as Bali Concord I.

Bali Concord II, adopted in the 2003 summit, laid the foundation for the establishment of ASEAN economic, security, and social communities, as regional economic cooperation became increasingly integrated.

Eight years later, Bali Concord III was adopted to enable the bloc's active participation and contribution to global interactions.

Rare turtle found dead on Ba Ria-Vung Tau beach

A green sea turtle was found dead on a beach in Vung Tau City in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau on September 4.

The female turtle's body was found by environmental workers who then informed local authorities. It was over 1.10 metres long, weighed 80 kilos and was in the state of decomposition, suggesting it may have died many days ago.

There was a large crack along the turtle's shell and it was suspected that it was hit by a propeller and died from the injuries.

The dead turtle has been transferred to the Vung Tau City Environmental Company for burial.

The green sea turtle, scientifically known as Chelonia Mydas, is an endangered species.

Last month, another green sea turtle weighing around 85-90 kilos and 91 centimetres long was also found dead on a beach on Con Dao Island in Ba Ria-Vung Tau and investigations showed that it was killed for its eggs and organs.

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