Renowned online magazine Bored Panda recently published an article hailing the charming beauty of Golden Bridge, known as 'Cau Vang' in Vietnamese, in the central coastal city of Da Nang.

The magazine described the bridge as so beautiful that it appears as if it has stepped out of a fantasy movie.

“When people first see Golden Bridge, they are always amazed. There is an otherworldly magnificence to the sky-high walkway, which looks like something that might have been dreamed up for a fantasy film,” says Bored Panda.

According to details given by the media outlet, the bridge was first created to construct a ‘pathway’ to connect the Marseille Station to the Garden of Eden and the Le Jardin D’Amour (The Garden of Love) at Sun World Ba Na Hills.

“Set against the lush greenery of nature, and often shrouded in a misty air, when you look at the bridge from a distance it’s as if two giant hands are pulling a golden thread from the mountainside,” it shared.

Bored Panda stressed that it’s no exaggeration to say that the bridge has put Da Nang on the map for hundreds of millions of tourists across Asia and beyond.

“Some might even go as far as saying it’s one of the world’s most iconic man made wonders,” it concluded.

Along with Bored Panda, another popular online magazine UniLad, also likened the bridge to a real-life setting from the blockbuster movie “The Lord of the Rings”. In 2022, this cinematic charm was translated into reality with global audiences watching the Netflix series “The Sandman” and being thrilled to discover a scene that perfectly captured the intricate details of Golden Bridge.

Sympathy offered to Morocco over earthquake-caused loss

President Vo Van Thuong on September 9 sent his message of sympathies to King Mohamed VI of Morocco over the great loss in human lives caused by a major earthquake in Ighil, Morocco, on September 8.

The same day, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also extended sympathies to his Moroccan counterpart Aziz Akhannouch. National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue offered condolences to President of the House of Councillors Naam Miyara and Speaker of the House of Representatives Rachid Talbi Alami.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son also sent a message of condolences to Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser.

The death toll in the powerful earthquake has surpassed 2,000 so far, according to international media.

Prime Minister receives US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received visiting US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry in Hanoi on September 9, expressing Vietnam’s wish to cooperate with the US in climate change response in a way that suits the Southeast Asian country’s socio-economic conditions.

The host leader shared his guest’s view that the two countries’ comprehensive partnership is increasingly substantive and stable on the basis of respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political regimes.

He spoke highly of US President Joe Biden and Special Envoy Kerry’s efforts to help with global endeavours to improve the awareness of and actions in climate change response.

Highlighting Vietnam’s great potential for developing renewable energy, PM Chinh called for the US’s assistance for the country in this field.

He said climate change is a global issue needing global and people-centred solutions while just energy transition is required. Meanwhile, Vietnam is taking strong measures to promote green growth and climate change response.

Calling for the US’s support for Vietnam in the areas, the Government leader asked the North American country to help encourage organisations to assist Vietnam through concrete programmes and projects such as those on preventing subsidence caused by climate change in the Mekong Delta and boosting energy transition.

For his part, Kerry said the US consistently attaches importance to relations with Vietnam; supports the latter to play a proactive role in the region and respond to international issues, including climate change; and highly values Vietnam’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

The US will continue enhancing cooperation with and assistance for developing countries, including Vietnam, to cope with climate change, especially in the development of clean energy and sustainable infrastructure, and the smart management of water resources and other resources in the ecosystem, he went on.

The Special Envoy affirmed that as a long-standing friend of Vietnam, he will support the continued reinforcement of ties with the country in realising the commitments made at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) as well as coming meetings of the parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

PM demands determination to surf through difficulties

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has demanded ministries, sectors, and localities resolutely not step back in the face of difficulties while chairing the Government’s regular meeting for August in Hanoi on September 9.

At the event, officials shared the view that thanks to the drastic implementation of the resolutions and conclusions issued by the Party Central Committee, Politburo, National Assembly and Government, the macro-economy remained stable, with growth boosted and major balances of the economy guaranteed.

In particular, inflation has stayed under control and continued declining gradually, with an eight-month rate of 3.1% – much lower than the year’s ceiling level of about 4.5%. The State budget revenue topped 1.12 quadrillion VND (46.5 billion USD) during the first eight months, equivalent to 69.4% of this year’s target. Public debts, government debts, and State budget overspending have been controlled well.

Meanwhile, foreign trade has continued bouncing back. Exports increased 7.7% while imports up 5.7% in August from the previous month, with a trade surplus of nearly 3.82 billion USD. The eight-month exports reached 227.7 billion USD, resulting in a surplus of almost 20.2 billion USD.

Officials also highlighted positive results in terms of energy and food security, the labour market, agriculture, industry, trade and services, development investment, the development of enterprises, social security, people’s life quality, defence - security, social order and safety, the fight against corruption and negative phenomena, along with diplomacy and international integration. Besides, many activities were held to celebrate the 78th anniversary of the August Revolution and the National Day (September 2).

However, Government members also pointed out certain problems, shortcomings, and challenges needing to be addressed, including economic growth failing to reach the set target, latent risks posed to macro-economic stability and major economic balances, high inflationary pressure, the tightening of monetary policies in many countries, the slow recovery of industrial production, the number of international arrivals yet returning to pre-pandemic levels, and many enterprises still struggling with difficulties.

PM Chinh affirmed that the August socio-economic situation continued the positive trend with many areas recording better results than July, thus sustaining month-on-month and quarter-on-quarter improvements.

Analysing problems and causes, he emphasised several lessons, including seriously complying with the Party, State, and Government’s leadership and directions; tightening discipline in management and governance; enhancing solidarity and unanimity and improving the coordination among ministries, sectors and localities; and having a good grasp of the situation to make quick, timely and effective policy responses.

He also requested upholding the spirit of self-resilience and exerting stronger efforts amid difficulties, boosting decentralisation, mobilising and optimising every domestic and external resource, stepping up administrative reforms and business climate improvement, and further listening to people and enterprises to take drastic actions to remove problems facing them.

Outlining the focal tasks and measures that must be implemented in September and the remaining months, the PM underlined the need to stay resolute, persistent, and determined to reach the set targets and not to step back in the face of difficulties.

He urged focus on promoting the three growth drivers of investment, export, and consumption.

At the meeting, the Government leader also assigned detailed tasks to each ministry, sector, and locality.

Ca Mau border guards launch measures, seek IUU warning removal

The Mekong Delta province of Ca Mau’s border guards have so far carried out various measures joining the nation’s concerted efforts to fight illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and get the yellow card imposed by the European Commission (EC) on IUU fishing lifted.

Since the beginning of this year, the force has maintained strict management, inspection, and control of fishing vessels entering and leaving the sea ports. They have ensured that 100% of the vessels pass through the border guard control station in accordance with regulations. Patrols and inspections at sea and in waters without border guard control stations have been conducted regularly.

The force is determined to prevent fishing vessels from operating without proper paper and procedures or the installation of tracking devices in line with regulations.

Currently, all ship owners and captains in the province have signed commitments not to violate foreign waters and engage in illegal fishing. All fishing vessels have installed monitoring systems as required by regulations.

Senior Lieutenant Colonel Phung Duc Hung, the commander of the Ca Mau Border Guard Command, stated that the unit is dedicated to combating IUU fishing and considers it an important task. Therefore, comprehensive and cohesive measures have been launched to have the EC ‘yellow card’ soon removed.

Ca Mau has a coastline of 254km, bordering the sea on three sides, with a sea area of approximately 80,000 s.q.km. It shares maritime borders with Thailand and Malaysia. Among the over 4,000 local fishing vessels engaging in seafood exploitation at sea, more than 1,500 operate offshore, not to mention thousands of ships from neighbouring provinces fishing in the province's waters.

Moscow event honours Vietnamese language

The Vietnamese Embassy in Russia, in collaboration with the Vietnamese Association in the country and the Moscow State Linguistics University, on September 7 held a Vietnamese language festival to honour and promote the learning of this language in Russia.

The event was to respond to the Day for Honouring Vietnamese Language in Vietnamese Communities Abroad (September 8).

Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi said that the event aimed at encouraging students to learn the language, and researchers to continue their studies on Vietnam to help the two countries get closer.

Hailing the significance of the event, Svetlana Glazunova, a lecturer of the Vietnamese language at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), stressed that it is an opportunity for lecturers and teachers to meet and exchange experiences in teaching the Vietnamese language, and for Russian students to communicate with Vietnamese peers.

This is also a chance to learn more about the Vietnamese culture and literature - important aspects to study about a country, she added.

Binh Duong on right track in developing smart city: IFC

Binh Duong is on the right track towards its goal of smart and sustainable development when focusing on innovation, shifting to modern industries with high added value, and investing in infrastructure, social housing and education, said a supervision delegation from the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF).  

The delegation, led by John Jung, co-founder of ICF, made the assessment on September 7 at a working session with leaders of Binh Duong during their trip to the southern province to inspect the realisation of goals and proposed orientation in the coming time.

Jung said that putting people as the centre of development and prioritising serving people and the community in building Binh Duong Smart City is the right direction, adding that the ICF delegation is impressed with investment in constructing social housing in the locality. He hoped that more similar projects will be developed so that workers can live and work stably in the province.

The ICF co-founder suggested that the province should pay more attention to the transport system towards a smart urban model, create space for people's public activities and increase green space to make Binh Duong a place worth living, a place to attract and retain talent.

He also underlined the need to focus on environmental protection and using resources in a sustainable way, including managing water, energy, and waste efficiently. The ultimate goal is to promote community participation in decision-making and smart urban development, ensuring that the interests of all residents are taken into account, Jung continued.

For his part, Mai Hung Dung, vice chairman of the provincial People’s Committee said it’s an honour for the province to participate in IFC, adding that this is also an opportunity for Binh Duong to promote its image to 200 localities of many countries around the world that are IFC members.

The province’s leader said that Binh Duong will send a delegation to take part in the TOP 1 Intelligent Communities (Top 7) evaluation event scheduled to take place in New York in October.

Earlier in August, the ICF named Binh Duong among the top 7 Intelligent Communities (Top 7) for the third time in a row.

The title is expected to strengthen investors and businesses’ confidence in the locality, helping lure more foreign direct investment and high quality human resources, paving the way for its high technology service and industry development in the future.

Binh Duong has implemented the Binh Duong Smart City project since 2016 which always sticks to the concept of economic transformation towards innovation and digitisation.

The ICF is a global network that connects hundreds of cities and regions on the five continents for collaboration on economic development and for the exchange of expertise and information that drives progress. Through this network, it researches how Intelligent Communities use information and communications technology to build inclusive prosperity, solve social problems and enrich their quality of life.

Illiteracy eradication pushed ahead in Vietnam

Vietnam has obtained certain successes in illiteracy eradication, and efforts are still maintained to push ahead with the task.

The International Literacy Day is observed on September 8 every year.

In Vietnam, the literacy rates at Level 1 (completing Phase 1 of the illiteracy eradication programme and engaging in continuing education after acquiring literacy skills) and Level 2 (completing Phase 2 of the illiteracy eradication programme and engaging in continuing education after acquiring the skills) among people aged 15 - 60 currently stand at 98.85% and 97.29%, respectively.

All the 63 provincial-level localities nationwide have reached Level 1 of illiteracy elimination while 48 of them (76.19%) reached Level 2. Four provinces achieved Level 2 in the 2022 - 2023 academic year, namely Phu Yen, Kien Giang, Soc Trang, and Quang Nam.

Meanwhile, more than 1 million people aged 15 - 60 remain illiterate at Level 1 and over 2 million others illiterate at Level 2, mostly ethnic minority people and women.

Some localities still record high illiteracy rates such as Ninh Thuan (10.52%), An Giang (7.3%), Lai Chau (6.11%), Ho Chi Minh City (6.45%), Ha Giang (4.58%), Gia Lai (4.49%), Bac Kan (4.45%), and Binh Phuoc (3.66%).

During the last academic year, more than 32,000 people were enrolled in illiteracy eradication classes, rising over 12,000 from the 2021 - 2022 school year. That helped the country sustain its achievements in this regard, according to provincial-level departments of education and training.

The Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) reported that to sustain the achievements and help more localities meet Level 2 of illiteracy eradication, during the last school year, authorities of many provinces and cities ordered community learning centres and primary schools to encourage those unable to read or write to enroll in illiteracy eradication classes, including Ha Giang (5,897 persons), Lai Chau (5,176), Lao Cai (2,325), Yen Bai (2,088), and Son La (2,303).

 An illiteracy eradication class in Bang Phuc commune of Cho Don district, the northern mountainous province of Bac Kan (Photo: VNA)
Many education departments have managed to involve social forces in the task by cooperating with departments of public security and departments of labour, invalids and social affairs to organise illiteracy eradication classes and provide vocational training for prisoners; working with border guard commands to step up eliminating illiteracy and boost primary education universalisation; and coordinating with education promotion associations and women’s unions to promote the building of a learning society.

Some education departments have also properly carried out communications about illiteracy eradication in the public, especially ethnic minority areas.

As a result, achievements have been maintained sustainably and seen more progress, the MoET noted.

For the 2023 - 2024 school year, one of the focal tasks the MoET has assigned to continuing education agencies is to push ahead the elimination of illiteracy.

To improve people’s educational level to help with poverty reduction, the MoET said, it is necessary to boost assistance and provide favourable conditions for vulnerable groups, those out of the working age, homemakers, and the disabled to practice lifelong learning. Examples of older persons who are in their 60s, 70s or even 80s should be popularised to encourage lifelong learning in society.

The MoET has launched a movement for the 2023 - 2030 period that calls for the entire country’s joint efforts in building a learning society and promoting lifelong learning. The programme aims to help increase the whole political system’s participation in raising public awareness of lifelong learning and a learning society, thus contributing to the development of human resources amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution and international integration.

Quang Binh works to save Saola from brink of extinction

Authorities of the central province of Quang Binh are embarking on activities to save Saola, one of the rarest and most threatened mammals on the planet, from the brink of extinction.

The activities are part of a project on sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation in Quang Binh.

The Saola, scientifically known as Pseudoryx nghetinhensis, inhabits the Truong Son mountain range in Vietnam and Laos.

Found by scientists in 1992, Saola is critically endangered and is listed in the Red List of Threatened Species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Red Data Book of Vietnam.

The project will provide urgent and direct support to identify and mitigate threats to the species within priority areas in the Central Truong Son region while raising public awareness to increase the ability to detect the presence of Saola within its habitat range.

The Saola population has been very small since its discovery. The species is distributed thinly, scatteredly, and Saola mainly inhabits the upstream rocky areas at an altitude of over 200 to 600 meters. It is also impossible to determine how many individuals are left. Conservation of the typically shy, deer-like species is extremely difficult.

Vietnamese language, culture promoted in overseas Vietnamese community

The State Committee on Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (SCOVA) on September 8 held a meeting to review activities marking the “Day for Honouring Vietnamese Language” in 2023.

In August 2022, the Prime Minister approved a project on a Vietnamese language day, in which September 8 was chosen to be the day to honour the Vietnamese language in the overseas Vietnamese community. 

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairwoman of SCOVA Le Thi Thu Hang said that as the project implementation starts this year, the Foreign Ministry has been mobilising resources and coordinating with agencies to implement practical activities to promote the learning and teaching of Vietnamese in the overseas Vietnamese community.  

Annual activities continued to be conducted such as the 9th training course for 60 Vietnamese language teachers from 16 countries and territories, and a summer camp for 120 overseas Vietnamese youths from 26 countries and territories. 

The SCOVA also coordinated with relevant agencies to hold various forums and workshops on renewing the teaching and learning of Vietnamese abroad. 

Hang said that SCOVA and Vietnamese agencies in foreign countries and territories have worked to push for the addition of the Vietnamese language to the curriculum in educational institutions in countries with large Vietnamese communities. 

TV programmes and websites have been launched to facilitate the Vietnamese language learning of overseas Vietnamese such as “Chao Tieng Viet” (Hello Vietnamese) and “Dau an Tieng Viet” (Vietnamese language's impressions”).

Overseas Vietnamese communities worldwide have warmly responded to the project through such activities as the establishment of libraries of Vietnamese books in Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, and Japan, contests to seek ambassadors of the Vietnamese language, artistic performances, and workshops on the Vietnamese language.

Deputy Minister Hang affirmed that such activities have helped spread the Vietnamese language and culture, which is the foundation to promote national unity, and demonstrated the care and responsibility of the Party, State, and people to overseas Vietnamese.

She informed that the Prime Minister has approved a plan on activities to mark the “Day for Honouring Vietnamese Language” in 2024. 

Participants in the meeting discussed difficulties in the work so far and suggested solutions to implement the plan effectively.

There are nearly 6 million overseas Vietnamese living in over 130 countries and territories across the world.

Hanoi improves healthcare, stature for ethnic minorities in 13 mountainous communes

 The Hanoi People's Committee has isued a plan for the implementation of the project to improve healthcare, health, and stature of ethnic minorities and prevent child malnutrition prevention.

The project is part of the National Target Programme on socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, phase I, from 2023 to 2025.

It will be implemented in 13 communes of four ethnic minority-inhabited and mountainous districts in the capital city. They are seven communes in Ba Vi district, three in Thach That district, two in Quoc Oai district, and one in My Duc district.

The project is to improve the health of ethnic minorities in terms of physical and mental health, stature, and life expectancy; strengthen grassroots healthcare for ethnic minorities, particularly children and mothers; continue to control and towards eliminate epidemics in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, contributing to the realisation of socio-economic development goals in ethnic minority and mountainous areas.

The project will have activities to support the training for medical workers in disadvantaged districts and ethnic minority-inhabited and mountainous areas. It is targeted that by 2025, 85% of elderly people will receive regular health checks at least once a year.

Over 95% of pregnant women will receive antenatal care at least four times during their pregnancy, over 99.9% of women will give birth at a medical facility or with the help of a health worker, while the maternal mortality rate is expected to be maintained below 10 cases/100,000  births.

The under-one child mortality rate will be below 4%, the wasting malnutrition rate among children under 5 years old will be reduced to less than 3%, while the stunting malnutrition rate among children under 5 years old will be reduced to less than 11.5%, and the rate of underweight malnutrition among children under 5 years old to 6.8%.

Hanoi eyes stronger cooperation with Gyeonggi of RoK

 Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung has suggested the Vietnamese capital city and Gyeonggi province of the Republic of Korea (RoK) sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the time ahead.

At a reception for visiting ambassador of Gyeonggi Kang Kum-sil on September 7, Dung briefed the host on Hanoi’s development, saying it posted one of the highest growth rates in the country and attracted 2.34 billion USD in foreign investment in the first eight months of this year, a 2.89-fold rise year-on-year.

Speaking on the city's development planning, the official highlighted the great potential of the Hoa Lac High-Tech Park, and spoke highly of Gyeonggi authorities’ proposals on cooperation expansion, especially in developing the park.

For her part, Kang hailed Hanoi for its development achievements, noting that as a border locality, Gyeonggi is interested in cooperation with Hanoi – the city for peace – in peace-related matters. She added that the province has many educational establishments, which is a favourable premise for collaboration in culture and education with the Vietnamese capital city.

Dung affirmed that Hanoi welcomes and creates optimal conditions for foreign investors to operate in the city, and used the occasion to invite the Governor of Gyeonggi to visit the city at an appropriate time.

Hà Nội to improve physical well-being and stature of residents in mountainous communes

At least 85 per cent of elderly people undergo periodic health check-ups at least once a year in communes of ethnic groups and mountainous areas.

This is one of the targets set forth in the project aimed at caring for people's health and improving the physical condition and stature of ethnic groups. The project has been initiated by the Hà Nội People’s Committee and is part of the National Target Programme for Socio-Economic Development in ethnic groups and mountainous areas, phase one, scheduled for the period of 2023-25 in the capital city.

The project will be implemented in 13 communes across four districts, including seven in Ba Vì District, three in Thạch Thất District, two in Quốc Oai District, and one in Mỹ Đức District.

Its primary objective is to enhance the health of ethnic groups in terms of physical and mental well-being, stature, and life expectancy.

The project aims to strengthen grassroots healthcare, ensuring that ethnic people have access to quality and modern services, as well as adequate nutrition for mothers and children. Furthermore, it seeks to control and gradually eliminate epidemics in ethnic groups and mountainous areas, thereby contributing to the socio-economic development of these regions.

The project will support training for doctors and nurses in the fields of engineering and medicine in poor and disadvantaged districts.

Additionally, under the project, 95 per cent of pregnant women will receive antenatal care at least four times during their pregnancy, and over 99.9 per cent of women will give birth at a health facility or with the support of a medical worker.

The project aims to maintain the maternal mortality rate below 10 cases per 100,000 live births and keep the under-one-year-old child mortality rate below four per cent.

Other objectives of the project include reducing the rate of stunting malnutrition in children under five years old to less than three per cent and reducing the rate of underweight malnutrition in those children to 6.8 per cent.

The Hà Nội People's Committee has assigned the municipal Department of Health (DoH) as the standing agency responsible for advising the committee on directing the plan's implementation.

The people's committees of Ba Vì, Thạch Thất, Quốc Oai, and Mỹ Đức districts are responsible for creating plans to execute the project in their respective areas until 2025 and annually thereafter.

These four districts must actively coordinate with the DoH in formulating specific tasks to ensure the achievement of the set targets." 

Vietnamese architecture a highlight at international level: construction minister

Vietnamese architecture is becoming a highlight in the international scene, said construction minister Nguyễn Thanh Nghị as he attended the first national architecture expo in Phú Quốc City on Friday. 

Happening in Phú Quốc City of Kiên Giang Province from September 8-10, the Architecture Expo 2023 takes on the theme of “Architecture - Creating a sustainable space for the community”. 

In his opening remarks, Minister Nghị said that Vietnamese architecture had developed through the course of history and seen remarkable achievements. 

The State and the Party have attached importance and issued multiple guidelines and policies for the growth of the sector in order to retain its identity while also taking into account innovation and international integration. 

The National Assembly also passed the Law on Architecture in 2019. 

Việt Nam has a network of 889 urban centres with numerous improved infrastructures, which include diverse and complex constructions that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, according to Nghị.

These structures, built with advanced technology and materials, are creating modern-style urban areas with quality living and working environments. 

The architecture in many rural areas also meets the requirements of being “bright - green - clean - beautiful.”

The goal for the future is to develop green, sustainable and environment-friendly architecture in response to climate change; as well as to build smart cities for better living standards. 

Vietnamese architects have also made significant achievements with multiple national and international awards for their work, the most recent being two accolades from the International Union of Architects (UIA). 

Construction minister Nghị added that Việt Nam’s architecture sector would continue facing major challenges in the new development era of the country, which focuses on sustainable development and global integration. 

Therefore, the preservation, heritage and promotion of traditional architectural values alongside innovation must be conducted with careful and specific research, he said. 

This would be done through selective learning, science-technology application, utilising new materials, environment protection and efficient use of energy and resources, Nghị added.

Kiên Giang Provincial Party Secretary Đỗ Thanh Bình also gave high regard and expected great results from the architecture expo. 

He believed that the event would be an opportunity for exchanging experiences and solutions in urban planning and management. 

The occasion would also help set the direction for urban and rural architecture development, especially in ecotourism and leisure activities at Phú Quốc Island. 

The Architecture Expo 2023 includes one plenary session and discussion; two seminars, an architecture exhibition, and a field visit to notable projects in green architecture with efficient use of energy and environment-friendly materials in Kiên Giang Province. 

Co-hosted by the Ministry of Construction, the Việt Nam Association of Architects and Kiên Giang Provincial People’s Committee, the expo is part of a series of events celebrating the 65th anniversary of Việt Nam’s construction industry.

HCM City to permit sand exploitation for Cần Giờ sea reclamation project

HCM City plans to exploit 10 sand mines with total reserve of 27 million cu.m in Cần Giờ Sea for levelling demand of the Cần Giờ sea reclamation tourism urban area project.

The municipal People’s Committee has just submitted a proposal to the Party Committee to permit Cần Giờ Urban Tourism Joint Stock Company to exploit sand in the Cần Giờ Sea.

The Cần Giờ sea reclamation tourism urban area project with five sub-divisions invested of VNĐ76 trillion (over US$3.2 billion) has been approved by the Prime Minister to adjust the area from 600ha to 2,870ha located in Long Hoà Commune and Cần Thạnh Township in HCM City’s Cần Giờ District.

This is a large-scale and key project of HCM City.

According to the report of environmental impact evaluation, the project's backfilling sand volume approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is nearly 138 million cu.m.

As expected, this levelling sand source will be taken from mines that have been surveyed and explored in the Cần Giờ Sea, from excavated soil from the artificial lakes, from neighbouring sea areas and from other places.

Previously, from 2006 to 2019, the People's Committee issued licenses to explore and exploit minerals for 10 saline sand mines for the Cần Giờ Urban Tourism Joint Stock Company in Cần Giờ waters with a total reserve of more than 27 million m3, of which two mines of Long Hoà 1 and 2 have been granted exploitation licenses while the remaining eight mines have just been granted exploration permits.

The sand exploited in the 10 mines will meet about 20 per cent of demand of backfilling sand of the project.

The city also evaluates that using sea sand (saline sand) from sand mines in the Cần Giờ Sea will create favourable conditions for project implementation.

However, the company needs to conduct an environmental impact assessment and some other procedures before exploiting the sand mines.

After sand mining is approved, the city's Department of Natural Resources and Environment will be assigned to guide the company in carrying out procedures for environmental impact assessment, hydraulic and hydrological assessment of the exploitation of sand mining, and procedures for applying for a mineral exploitation license according to regulations.

Cần Giờ is about 50km from the centre of HCM City and the only district bordering the sea with 23km of coastline.

The locality has a total area of​​ more than 71,300ha, of which over 70 per cent are mangrove forests and rivers and canals. 

Symphonic Anime brings exceptional music experiences to Hà Nội, HCM City

"Symphonic Anime", one of the most renowned concerts by the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra, is bringing fans of anime (a style of Japanese film and television animation) in Hà Nội and HCM City an unforgettable music experience. 

Starting on Wednesday under the name Symphonic Anime 2023 Vietnam Arc at the Hanoi Opera House, the show brought to life several original soundtracks, background music, and songs from famous Japanese anime films through the performances of the orchestra and choir.

The second show in Hà Nội was performed yesterday, and the concert will continue on Saturday at Hòa Bình Theatre in District 10, HCM City.

The concert has attracted 1,084 audience members in Hà Nội, and around 2,000 in HCM City.

It features exclusive arrangements from its most recent show, "Symphonic Anime 2023", with music pieces from popular anime series like Spirited Away, My Hero Academia, One Punch Man, Demon Slayer, Inuyasha, Attack on Titan, Spy x Family, and many more.

Thanapol Setabrahamana, assistant director of music for the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra, leads over 100 members of the orchestra and choir.

His passion for anime films has been the driving force behind composing, conducting, and arranging the pieces performed during the event, he said.

Accompanying them in all three shows are award-winning Thai musical theatre artist Nan Sathida and composer Kaoru Wada, and gracing the stage in HCM City will be three famous composers - Yasuharu Takanashi, Yuki Hayashi and Taku Iwasaki.

Attendees are able to create unique music memories by immersing themselves in different music genres such as classical, jazz, and Japanese traditional music.

The event is organised by 54Entertainment (a Thai record label and entertainment agency) in collaboration with the Saigon Philharmonic Orchestra, Quickcom Events (a cutting-edge Vietnamese event management platform), and Preeco Studio (a Vietnamese broadcasting and media production company).

Speaking at a press conference for the concert in August, music director of the Saigon Philharmonic Orchestra Nguyễn Bảo Anh said that great development in the quality of Vietnamese orchestras and event organising in line with international standards have made Việt Nam an ideal place for having authentic musical experiences.

The popularity of anime in Việt Nam was also a crucial point in connecting audiences with classical music in a more modern and entertaining way, he added.

Boy Phiboon, representative of 54Entertainment, said the event would attract many young Vietnamese people since they account for a large portion of anime fans. 

“Similarities in culture and music between the two countries and the strong support from young Vietnamese audiences are also the reasons why we chose to perform here,” Phiboon said.

The event will also connect Vietnamese audiences with Thai and Japanese composers and artists.

Held in Thailand in March at Madohil University, the concert created a buzz among anime and music enthusiasts, attracting over 4,000 spectators over two nights. 

The total performance lasts around 2 and a half hours, including intermission.

Environmentally-friendly agriculture the way forward for Hà Nội

Hà Nội’s farmers have applied advanced science and technology and switched their crops towards organic production with an aim to supplying safe food to domestic and international customers.

According to the city’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, green agriculture synchronises production processes, saves input materials, and uses technology and natural resources in a reasonable and effective way.

Nguyễn Thị Hải, a farmer in Đan Phượng District, catches crabs and loaches in rice fields as a way to increase her income.

Her family has experience applying modern rice cultivation methods combined with sparse planting, high quality seeds and proper water regulation.

After using a combine harvester to collect rice, farmers leave the straw in the fields as fertiliser for the next crop. This method helps reduce the amount of chemical fertiliser by up to 70 per cent and eliminate pesticide usage.

Hải said after more than 10 years of circular farming, her family and many other households in the district have created a sustainable ecosystem.

Rice by-products are turned into fertiliser for the next crop. Most shrimp, crabs, loaches and fish can reproduce naturally in rice fields, she said.

This method not only takes advantage of natural food sources in rice fields but also minimises environmental pollution and diseases on plants, she said.

In Đông Anh District, one of the most famous areas for growing clean vegetables in the capital city, farmers are now able to control the quality of safe vegetables in concentrated production areas.

This was achieved thanks to a vegetable production area covering 1,180 hectares, of which more than 500 hectares are set aside for concentrated, large-scale safe production.

To maintain safe agricultural production, the district has strengthened communication campaigns to raise public awareness on the harmful effects of using pesticides.

A survey by authorities showed farmers in the district have mostly switched to organic fertilisers, microorganisms and herbs in agricultural cultivation.

Vũ Thị Hương, director of the Hà Nội Agricultural Extension Centre under the city’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said green agriculture has recently boomed with various models such as the garden - pond - barn farming system, intercropping and mixed cropping.

Waste from livestock is utilised for farming, and crop by-products are used as animal feed and aquaculture, she said.

Circular farming models such as rice - fish and rice – duck ensure nutrition and adapt to climate change. In the context of rising production costs, these multi-crop models are increasingly dominant, helping local people stay in farming, she said.

The city’s green agricultural models are booming in the districts of Sóc Sơn, Đông Anh, Phú Xuyên, Thạch Thất, Ứng Hòa and Đan Phượng.

Green agricultural products that ensure strict hygiene and safety requirements not only meet the demand of domestic consumers, but are also exported, bringing high economic value to farmers.

Hà Nội has created 164 high-tech agricultural production models. The value of high-tech agricultural products currently accounts for about 35 per cent of the city's total agricultural production value.

Smart technology and equipment have been applied in environmental management and control.

Hoàng Văn Thám, director of Chúc Sơn Clean Fruit and Vegetable Cooperative, said his cooperative is the first unit in Chương Mỹ District to coordinate with scientists to install the iMetos 3.3 A-G  - a smart weather monitoring station system.

With a coverage radius of 15km, the monitoring station accurately forecasts temperature, wind speed and rainfall, serving as a basis for farmers to develop plans to care for and protect vegetables and fruits.

Chúc Sơn Clean Fruit and Vegetable Cooperative has supplied two to three tonnes of clean vegetables and fruits to supermarkets nationwide each day in recent years.

The vegetables and fruits are also purchased by Japanese companies and distributed to the Japanese community in Việt Nam.

Nguyễn Mạnh Phương, deputy director of the Hà Nội Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said developing green agriculture is an inevitable trend of modern agriculture. Hà Nội has converted tens of thousands of hectares of low economic efficiency rice land to new agricultural production models.

These models not only create clean food sources but also provide 15 – 20 per cent higher economic efficiency than traditional agricultural production methods, while also curbing environmental pollution, he said.

Hà Nội has over 5,000 hectares of safe vegetables, more than 50 hectares of organic vegetables and many high-tech agricultural production models. In fact, local farmers are now more concerned about using biological pesticides and herbs, he said.

To expand green agricultural production areas, the city's agricultural sector has coordinated with localities to advise farmers not to use chemical pesticides and drugs not on the permitted list, he said.

Local authorities have also created favourable conditions to attract businesses to invest in green agriculture and build more high-tech agricultural models, he said.

Phương said in the long run, Hà Nội’s farmers need to change their perception, switch from habitual practices to methods recommended by experts, scientists and State management agencies.

To facilitate green, environmentally-friendly agriculture, Hà Nội needs to invest in infrastructure, product branding and codes for planting areas. By 2025, organic farming areas are set to make up 1.5 – 2 per cent of total farming land. The city has also set green production as a spearhead of the agricultural sector, Phương said. 

Golf tournament raises funds for charity projects

As many as 144 golfers began a tournament called I Love Vietnam at Royal Long An Golf and Villas in the southern province of Long An on September 9 to raise funds for charity projects in Vietnam.

As many as 144 golfers begin competitions at I Love Vietnam golf tournament to raise funds for charities. (Photo: nld.com.vn)
The professional and amateur golfers are divided into three different groups according to official handicap, and are scheduled to compete in an 18-hole handicap direct stroke format.

The golfers will have the chance to win prizes worth VND4.6 billion in total. The organizing board will present the tournament’s Cup worth VND100 million and many prizes to excellent golfers, along with technical awards, including Best Gross; Best Net; First and Second Group Winners; Longest Drive for men and women; Nearest to the Pin; and Nearest to the Line.

On this occasion, Volvo auto maker will present a VolvoXC60 to H3 hole-in-one winner and a Volvo S90 to H15 hole-in-one winner.

The tournament is annually organized by Nguoi Lao Dong (Labourer) newspaper and Nam A Commercial Joint Stock Bank. The proceeds will be donated to the National Flag programme and the Scholarship programme for poor and ethnic students.

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