Organs from a brain-dead donor have been successfully transplanted into six patients by the Cho Ray Hospital and the Children’s Hospital No 2 in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Cho Ray Hospital said its human organ transplantation coordinating unit was notified of the donation on August 19.

The donor was a 25-year-old woman suffering from brain death after an occupational accident. Her mother decided to donate her organs, comprising two corneas, two kidneys, heart and liver, as her wish.

NA Standing Committee opens 15th meeting

The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee kicked off its 15th meeting in Hanoi on September 12, with a focus on the parliament and committee’s supervisory activities and preparations for the NA’s fourth session.

NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said the 15th meeting will discuss issues to be submitted to the NA’s fourth session this October, including supervision results of the implementation of policies and legal regulations on thrift practice and wastefulness prevention during the 2016 - 2021 term; reports on the performance of the Supreme People’s Court and Supreme People’s Procuracy; the Government’s reports on corruption prevention and control; the fight against crimes and law violations; and the law enforcement in 2022.

The NA Standing Committee will look into the State Audit Office of Vietnam’s report on the 2022 performance and the 2023 auditing plan. It will also give opinions on the draft agenda of the NA’s fourth session.

Other issues under consideration include the implementation of the NA Standing Committee’s resolutions on the re-organisation of district- and communal-level administrative units during 2019 - 2021; the enforcement of legal regulations on citizen reception, complaint and denunciation settlement between 2016 and 2021; the national target programmes on new-style rural area building and sustainable poverty reduction for 2021 - 2025; and the implementation of the Standing Committee’s resolutions on support for pandemic-hit workers.

The 15th meeting is scheduled to last until September 15.

Hanoi People's Council convenes 9th meeting

A project on decentralisation of State management and issues relating to public investment were mulled over at the 9th meeting of the 16th-tenure Hanoi People’s Council which opened on September 12.

Addressing the event, Nguyen Ngoc Tuan, Chairman of the municipal People’s Council, emphasised the importance of the project on decentralisation of state management, saying it has a great impact on socio-economic development and the efficiency of the city's administrations at all levels.

He said that this content was discussed by the municipal People's Council at its 7th session in July and was finalised to submit for approval at the 9th meeting.

Delegates will also consider and decide on adjustments to the public investment plan for 2022, the medium-term public investment plan for 2021-2025, orientations for the city's 2023 public investment plan for next year as well as approving policies for a number of public investment projects, he said, adding that they will evaluate and point out limitations and at the same time set forth solutions to speed up the progress of projects, especially solving "bottlenecks” in the disbursement of investment capital in the coming time.

As of August 22, the city's disbursement of public investment capital only reached 27.1% of the plan assigned by the municipal People's Council.

The municipal People's Council will also consider the level of support for cadres, civil servants, public employees and contracted workers in the health sector at public facilities, saying that it is important to improve the quality of care for people’s health, Tuan said.

Regarding the resolution on tuition fees for preschool and public education institutions in the capital city in the 2022-2023 school year, he said although the city's economy is gradually recovering after the COVID-19 pandemic was put under control, people’s lives still face many difficulties.

In order to reduce the impact due to the adjustment of tuition fees in line with the Government's roadmap, the city has devised a plan that keeps the tuition fee rate for the 2022-2023 school year unchanged compared with that of the previous year, including the city's 50% subsidy of the tuition fee, he said.

Deputy PM Le Van Thanh heads Central Steering Committee for sustainable forestry development program

Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh has been empowered by the Prime Minister to lead the Central Steering Committee for the implementation of the sustainable forestry development program in 2021-2025 period.

Members of the Committee include Vice Chairman of the Government Office and Deputy Ministers from the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Planning and Investment, Finance, National Defense, Public Security, Industry and Trade, Natural Resources and Environment, Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, among others.

The Committee shall aid and advise the Prime Minister in effectively launching the sustainable forestry development program in 2021-2025 period and the national action program on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through the reduction of deforestation and forest degradation, sustainable management of forest resources, and conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+) by 2030.

According to the sustainable forestry development program approved in August last year, Viet Nam aims for a growth at 5-5.5 percent each year in forestry production in the 2021-2025 period.

By 2025, export value of wood and forestry products is projected to reach US$20 billion, including US$1.5 billion from non-timber products, with higher processing ratio while income from planted production forest is expected to rise about 1.5 times compared to that in 2020.

The program will focus on maintaining the existing forest coverage of 42 percent in a sustainable manner and developing new areas in 2021-2025.

The total budget of the program is estimated at VND78.85 trillion (US$3.42 billion), 17.4 percent of which will be funded by the State budget and 82.6 percent from other sources.

Public urged to remain cautious against COVID amid rises in infections, hospitalisations

The Ministry of Health has called on the public to remain vigilant against COVID-19 amid the appearance of new Omicron sub-variants that have caused a recent rise in severe cases around the country.

“A lack of awareness, insufficient public health measures and low coverage of booster shots could lead to a possible outbreak,” it warned in a statement.

A combination of public health measures, behavioural changes and vaccination is needed to cope with the pandemic, it said.

It exhorted hospitals and medical facilities across the country to be vigilant to prevent a fresh outbreak following the recent surge in the number of cases, including severe cases requiring hospitalisation.

They need to assess their human resources, medical equipment and other supplies to be ready to admit patients for treatment, especially severe and critical cases, it said. 

It is vital to detect cases for isolation and treatment in a timely manner to limit the spread and to improve surveillance to promptly forecast the pandemic situation, especially to closely monitor the appearance of new variants.

Footballers depart for Indonesia for AFC U20 Asian Cup’s qualifiers

Vietnamese footballers departed for Indonesia on September 12 for the qualifiers of the AFC U20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023 hosted by Indonesia.

All U20 Vietnamese footballers had tested negative for COVID-19 prior to departure.

On September 11, they met Deputy Director of the Binh Duong Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and VFF Vice President Cao Van Chong, who wished them health, luck and a successful tournament.

The Vietnamese team will play against their rivals from Hong Kong (China) in their first match on September 14 in the qualifying round, which gathers 44 teams divided into 10 groups. The matches will be hosted by 10 countries.

Vietnam will then face Timor Leste on September 16 and the hosts Indonesia two days later.

According to this year’s competition format, the 10 winners and the best five runners-up from the group stage will advance to the final round to be hosted by Uzbekistan from March 1 – 18, 2023. In case Uzbekistan are among the best five runners-up, the runner-up with the 6th record will secure a slot for the finals.

Short film calls for report on wildlife violations

Education for Nature – Vietnam (ENV) has released a short film calling for the community to report violations of wildlife protection provisions to its free hotline 1800-1522.

The film, the second the ENV has made this year, has been aired on 50 central and local television channels. It illustrates how the organisation handles a violation report received via the hotline.

ENV Vice Director Nguyen Thi Phuong Dung said that the community is the key force in wildlife protection efforts in each locality. By just one call, each people can contribute to preventing violations and protecting the wildlife, she stressed.

According to Dung, since the hotline was put into use in 2005, it has received more than 24,000 reports of wildlife violations, helping authorities to seize tonnes of wild animals and products.

Each day, the ENV gets about 10 reports from the community via the hotline. Last year, thanks to the reports, nearly 1,000 wild animals that were illegally caged and traded were rescued, she added.

President of Cambodian NA pays official visit to Vietnam

President of the Cambodian National Assembly (NA) Samdech Heng Samrin is paying an official visit to Vietnam from September 12 to 14 at the invitation of NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

This is an important political and diplomatic activity between the two legislatures in the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Year 2022 and in celebration of the 55th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations (June 24).

The Cambodian delegation also includes Men Sam An, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the NA - Senate Relations and Inspection, and Chairwoman of the Cambodia - Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group; Chheang Vun, Chairman of the NA’s Commission on Economy, Finance, Banking and Auditing and Vice Chairman of the Cambodia - Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group; Loy Sophat, Chairman of the NA’s Commission on Planning, Investment, Agriculture, Rural Development, Environment, and Water Resources; Suos Yara, Chairman of the NA’s Commission on Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, Propaganda, and Information; and Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam Chay Navuth, among others.

HCMC police deport 14 illegal immigrants

Ho Chi Minh City Police, on September 10, announced that it expelled 14 foreigners who had illegally entered Vietnam and were found and arrested in the city.

This is the third deportation since the beginning of 2022. These subjects declared their purpose in entering Vietnam was to find a job in HCMC or to move to work in Cambodia.

Recently, the situation of foreigners illegally entering Vietnam has occurred a lot. Most of these subjects were brokered and organized by some Vietnamese people to illegally enter Vietnam through the Northern border. Many subjects even walked through the forest in the border area to avoid detection.

After that, these illegal immigrants took coaches to move to HCMC, where some stayed to find work while others waited to be transferred to work in Cambodia. 

At present, HCMC Police continue to investigate and strictly handle subjects who broker and organize to bring foreigners into Vietnam illegally.

Since the beginning of 2020, the HCMC Police Department has deported a total of 33 illegal immigrants. Although they know it is illegal, these subjects still seek ways to enter Vietnam in the hope of finding light work with a high salary.

Vietnam most favourite Southeast Asian destination among Cambodians

Vietnam has become the most favourite destination in Southeast Asia among Cambodian travellers since the beginning of 2022, Cambodian-based electronic news outlet Thmeythmey reported on September 10.

Cambodian tourist arrivals to Vietnam in the first eight months of 2022 tripled figure in the same period of 2019 recorded before the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the news site said.

More than 80,000 Cambodians travelled to Vietnam from January-August, the highest among ASEAN nations. Singapore came second for welcoming 68,000 Cambodia visitors, followed by Thailand (61,000) and Malaysia (53,000).

Cambodians mostly visited Vietnam for tourism, medical services, family visit and trade along the shared border areas.

VEC called on to ensure expressways are maintained

The Ministry of Transport has requested the Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC) take urgent measures to fix defects on the Nội Bài-Lào Cai Expressway.

Reports from the ministry show that cracks and subsidence affect sections crossing through the provinces of Yên Bái and Lào Cai.

VEC was also asked to fix blurred or unclear road signs and painted lines which pose an accident risk.

The ministry demanded that VEC, the expressway investor, strengthen regular maintenance and promptly detect damage to repair damaged points urgently.

On an expressway in the central region connecting Đà Nẵng City and Quảng Ngãi Province, the long-damaged road surface on this route also need repairs.

The ministry has repeatedly requested VEC to repair it, but it has not been fixed yet.

Red Cross launches mobile first aid team in HCM City

The Việt Nam Red Cross Society’s HCM City Chapter on Friday launched a mobile first aid team at a ceremony to celebrate World First Aid Day, September 10.

The team with more than 50 members with knowledge of first aid would be the first respondents in case of accidents and other crises, Trần Văn Tuấn, deputy chairman of the city chapter, said.

The HCM City Centre for First Aid Training takes in more than 10,000 Red Cross Society members and volunteers every year.

Vietnamese first zombie film attracts cinemagoers despite criticism

Việt Nam's first-ever zombie film, Cù Lao Xác Sống (Lost in the Mekong Delta) has taken over VNĐ11.5 billion (US$488,000) in the ten days since hitting the big screen.

According to Box Office Vietnam, a local box office data analysis site, the horror film by director Nguyễn Thành Nam was the second-most watched film during the four-day National Day holiday, behind Paws of Fury, which earned VNĐ15,6 billion ($661,000).

Lost in the Mekong Delta has numerous screening slots at major local cinema chains like CGV and Galaxy. Its revenue is ranked above many other international blockbusters, like Love Destiny the Movie (VNĐ4.6 billion) or Where the Crawdads Sing (VNĐ1.3 billion).

Its takings have also surpassed Vô Diện Sát Nhân (Faceless Killer), another Vietnamese horror film that premiered one week earlier and has taken VNĐ4.5 billion.

Lost in the Mekong Delta, rated 18+, is set on an island downstream of the Mekong River. The residents desperately try to flee from an epidemic that turns victims into bloodthirsty and aggressive zombies.

HCM City museum showcases its collection of ancient jade artifacts

The Museum of Vietnamese History in HCM City is introducing its unique and precious collection of jade artefacts dating back from the 18th to 20th century to the public for the first time to celebrate its 43rd anniversary.

The exhibition entitled “Dáng Ngọc” (The Beauty of Ancient Jade) displays more than 200 artefacts reflecting the cultures of Việt Nam, Thailand, Japan, Laos, and China.

All of them are selected from the collection of French pharmacist Victor Thomas Holbé (1857-1927) and the Dương Hà collection possessed by Dr Dương Quỳnh Hoa.

The exhibition showcases jewellery and items used for worship rites and decorations.

The showcase includes ceremonial items such as a tripod cauldron and jade gui (a round-mouthed food vessel with or without cover and ears) engraved with dragons and patterns reflecting Hongshan culture to the Qing dynasty of China.

Decorative items such as statues of fairies, ruyi sticks, vases, bowls, and pen holders are on display as well.

Meanwhile, the jewellery includes rings, jade pendants and belt hooks.

In 2021, the museum hosted its first virtual exhibition to introduce a part of Holbé’s collection at its website http://www.baotanglichsutphcm.com.vn/ and YouTube channel.

The “Dáng Ngọc” exhibition will be run until November 30. The museum is located at 2 Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm Street in District 1. 

Vietnam should use more PPP in wastewater treatment

The promotion of public-private partnership (PPP) in wastewater treatment of Vietnam is a promising measure to address the limit of national budget and effectively mobilize rich resources in the private sector.

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has informed that the volume of household sewage in urban areas in Vietnam now is at 3,650m3 a day, yet only 12-14 percent of that amount is collected and treated properly. Among 846 urban areas nationwide, only 38 possess special facilities for sewage processing, accounting for 4.4 percent. The proportions of treated wastewater in Hanoi, HCMC, and Da Nang City are 22 percent, 21.2 percent, and 33 percent, respectively. 53 out of 69 sewage treatment facilities in Vietnam use the Official Development Assistance (ODA) capital and 2 follow the PPP model.

Obviously, most wastewater treatment plants in the country now operate under the ODA capital and cannot answer the public’s demands. Meanwhile, the application of PPP still encounters obstacles since the private sector is not enthusiastic about this task.

This results from low profit but high maintenance cost of these plants, plus a lack of commitment or support to create a favorable, open, and safe investment environment for investors. Adding to that is a complicated PPP contract that requires long-term budget commitment, which might not be guaranteed when there is a change in local leadership tenure or policy.

The national green growth for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, by the Government states that by 2030, the percentage of collected and treated sewage in level-2 urban areas must reach over 50 percent, while the proportion of lower-level urban areas should be 20 percent.

Medical facilities lack treatment medicine for severe dengue patients

The Ministry of Health yesterday issued that since the beginning of 2022, the country has recorded over 190,000 cases of dengue fever, an increase of four times compared to the same period last year. Of these, 72 people were killed by the disease. 

Particularly, many hospitals in the Southern provinces received dengue fever patients in severe situations who performed self-treatment with multi-organ failure, pleural effusion and apnea which would threaten their lives. Therefore, the doctors had to actively perform treatment for them and some patients have to be put on ECMO.

According to the Department of Medical Service Administration, in the first nine months of the year, 32 medical facilities have sent official letters to the Ministry of Health to propose the demand for 13,708 infusion bags.

In addition, 25 units have a demand of 17,537 dextran 70 infusion bags serving for dengue fever shocking treatment. However, dextran 40 and dextran 70 infusion bags have not been registered for circulation in Vietnam and the importation has trapped difficulties as there are only some facilities in Thailand providing the two kinds of infusion bags.

In order to take care of severe dengue fever, the Department of Medical Service Administration sent an urgent official letter to medicine import facilities to promptly contact, find the supply and report to the Department to identify the demand, sign contracts and perform the procedure of importation. 

Cambodian man detained for smuggling gold into Vietnam

A Cambodian man has been arrested for smuggling 1.775 kilograms of gold across the border into the southern province of An Giang.

Chau Rit May, 38, was stopped by the police on September 5 as he was driving his car from Cambodia into Vietnam crossing the Tinh Bien International Border Gate.

Searching his vehicle, relevant forces found a total of 1.775 kilograms of gold and KHR400,000, equivalent to approximately US$97.6.

The accused confessed he had been hired and paid KHR400,000 by another Cambodian national for transporting the gold to a jewellery shop in Tinh Bien town. The case is now under investigation.

Two military airports proposed for civilian usage

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has recommended the Ministry of Transport look into the possibility of using Thanh Son and Bien Hoa military airports for civil service.

The proposal was made to supplement the overall plan for the development of the national aviation and airport system in the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, the local media reported.

In April the Government established a working group to consider using Bien Hoa Airport in the southern province of Dong Nai and Thanh Son Airport in the south-central coastal province of Ninh Thuan for both military and civilian purposes.

There are currently no civilian airports in Ninh Thuan or Dong Nai. The two airports, which were built before 1975, have only served military functions.

Hanoi’s public transport striving to meet 30-35% of travel demand by 2025

The capital city of Hanoi aims to develop a public transport system that can meet 30-35% of local residents’ travel demand by 2025.

Under an action plan recently issued by the municipal People’s Committee on strengthening traffic safety and preventing congestion for the 2022-2025 period, the number of traffic accidents in the locality will be reduced by 5-10% so that by 2030, the number of injuries and fatalities caused by road accidents will be dropped by a half. It also sets a target of handling seven to ten traffic points that often get congested every year.

To realise those goals, the city administration will mobilise all resources and concertedly carry out measures along with the application of scientific and technological advances in ensuring traffic safety and order and preventing gridlock towards building a comfortable, effective and environmental-friendly traffic system.

It will focus investment on key traffic routes and urban railways in line with approved planning.

The capital city will rearrange parking lots in both inner-city and outlying districts, build a transport system that facilitates access for people with disabilities and the elderly, as well as study a pilot programme on a bicycle-only lane.

HCM City issues fine on Miss Vietnam Peace 2022 organiser

The organiser of the Miss Vietnam Peace 2022 pageant has just been fined VND55 million for holding the competition without license.

The fine was issued to Minh Khang Vietnam Trading and Service Co., Ltd by the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee.

According to the committee, Minh Khang Vietnam Trading and Service Co., Ltd had organised the preliminary rounds of the Miss Vietnam Peace 2022 at a building in District 3 from July 31 to August 2 without having permission from local authorities.

The competition is now still going on with its final round in the central city of Danang.

Minh Khang announced at its recent press conference that the finale of the Miss Peace Vietnam 2022 was scheduled to take place in Danang City on September 11.

The organiser said that the beauty contest aimed to honour the charms of Vietnamese women and search for true beauties to affirm the position of Vietnamese beauty on the global map.

HCMC Eye Hospital’s former director prosecuted for bidding irregularities

The former director of the HCMC Eye Hospital, Nguyen Minh Khai, has been prosecuted on alleged charges of bidding irregularities, which caused a loss of VND14.2 billion.

The Supreme People’s Procuracy has completed the indictments against Khai and seven other defendants, transferring all the relevant documents to the HCMC People’s Court for trial.

All eight defendants have been prosecuted for breaching Clause 3, Article 222 of the 2015 Criminal Code, with a penalty of 10-20 years in prison.

As for civil liability, the Supreme People’s Procuracy proposed ordering them to compensate over VND14.2 billion for the consequences of their violations.

Some of the defendants and their family members voluntarily submitted VND6.12 billion.

Those eight defendants comprise the hospital’s former director Nguyen Minh Khai, three former deputy directors Vo Thi Chinh Nga, Phi Duy Tien and Nguyen Chi Dung, and four former heads and deputy heads of other departments at the hospital.

According to the indictments, Khai and the seven defendants violated regulations on bidding to reject the intraocular lenses provided by Codupha in 2018. Reportedly, their intraocular lenses met technical standards and had the lowest bidding prices.

Instead, they let two other companies win the bid, Tam Hop Trading Company Limited and Hao Tin Company Limited.

Swiss fund sponsors conservation of Lam Dong’s endemic oak species

Franklinia, a Swiss private foundation, has agreed to fund a conservation project for two endangered species of endemic oak in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong.

The project is conducted by a team of lecturers and scientists from Da Lat University, National University of Forestry, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, and Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park.

To be implemented between 2022 and 2025, it focuses on investigating and re-evaluating the conservation status of Bidoup and Bao Lam oak species. The team will study the trees’ biological and ecological characteristics to come up with measures to conserve them, increase their numbers, and monitor the growth in the wild.

Outcomes of the project are expected to provide a scientific and practical basis for the preservation of the two and as other endangered oak species across the country.

Established in 2005, the foundation provides grants to support nature conservation projects. Its objective is to preserve threatened tree species throughout the world and improve their conservation status.

This year, 26 projects, which preserve a total of 363 species in 38 countries worldwide, have been selected to receive financial assistance from the foundation.

Measures taken to prevent the stockpiling of tickets to Con Dao

The Ministry of Transport will enforce the inspection and penalisation of airline booking agencies in an effort to stop ticket stockpiling and shortages.

Citizens have struggled buying tickets because of high prices, especially during the Lunar New Year holiday and other national holidays.

In response, the Ministry of Transport has plans to address issues surrounding the ticket shortages.

According to the ministry, the transport infrastructure on Con Dao Island is still very limited. Without a night light system, Con Dao Airport currently can only operate between 6am and 6pm, handling small aircrafts such as the ATR72 and Embraer190.

Only three airlines currently conduct flights to and from Côn Đảo District, with a limited number of seats on each.

This makes it difficult to meet travel demands from the mainland to Côn Đảo, especially during holidays. Meanwhile, the number of passengers, specifically tourists, travelling to and from Côn Đảo has also risen.

With the increase in demand, airline and cruise ship ticket agents across the country have been stockpiling tickets, hoping to profit off resales to tours and tour groups. This has prevented local residents from buying tickets, while unsold tickets from agents mean that planes have not been operating at full capacity.

These factors have contributed greatly to the strain on ticket availability for passengers in general, not to mention civilians and civil servants living in Côn Đảo District.

The Vietnam Air Services Company (VASCO) is required by government regulations to sell air tickets at preferential prices to local citizens and civil servants working in Côn Đảo and has been carrying out these policies.

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