Vietnam overwhelmed Mozambique 3-1 on September 15, finishing fifth at the Continental Futsal Championship 2022 which is getting underway in Thailand.

Underdogs Mozambique surprisingly opened the score before Vietnamese players came back with three goals to seal a 3-1 victory.

Vietnam played in Groups B alongside Iran and Finland that rank sixth and 18th in the world. In group matches, Vietnam performed rather well though they were beaten 2-4 by Finland and 1-3 by Iran.

In Group A match, Mozambique were outclassed by hosts Thailand and Morocco that rank 20th and eighth in the world.

The international friendly tournament is a big test for coach Diego Raul and his Vietnamese players ahead of the 2022 AFC Futsal Asian Cup due to take place in Kuwait from September 27 to October 8.

In Kuwait, Vietnam will take on Japan, the Republic of Korea and Saudi Arabia in Group D.

Gia Lai province's leaders removed from positions

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on September 15 issued decisions on imposing disciplinary measures against incumbent leaders and a former leader of the People’s Committee of Gia Lai province for their violations and shortcomings in performing their tasks.

Accordingly, the PM decided to dismiss Vo Ngoc Thanh from his position as Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee for the 2021-2026 tenure and remove his same position in the 2016-2021 tenure.

Earlier, on August 16, the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat dismissed Thanh from the position as Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee for the 2015-2020 and 2020-2025 tenures and Secretary of the Party Civil Affairs Committee of the provincial People's Committee for the 2016-2021 and 2021-2026 tenures.

Warnings were imposed as disciplinary measures on Permanent Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee for the 2021-2026 tenure Do Tien Dong, Vice Chairmen of the provincial People’s Committee for the 2021-2026 tenure Ho Phuoc Thanh and Kpă Thuyen, and former Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee for the 2016-2021 tenure Nguyen Duc Hoang.

During its 18th meeting on August 10-11, the Party Central Committee’s Inspection Commission decided to give warnings to Dong, Thuyen, Thanh and Hoang as a disciplinary measure due to their violations related to Dak Doa golf course project in Gia Lai.

Rescue drill helps strengthen defence ties among Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia

The first joint rescue exercise of the militaries of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia took place in Vientiane on September 15.

The drill, held under an agreement reached at a meeting of the three countries’ defence ministers in Hanoi in 2019, saw the presence of General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, Vietnamese Defence Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Gen. Chansamone Chanyalath, and Cambodian Deputy PM and Defence Minister Gen. Tea Banh.

Focusing on water and land rescue, it was participated in by nearly 500 military officers and soldiers of the three countries who exercised search and rescue in response to flooding, landslides, building collapses, and chemical leaks.

It noted through the drill, the three militaries’ rescue forces would become more proactive in coordinating with and assisting one another in disaster response to guarantee peace and security for their people.

Party official hails JBIC's active contributions in Vietnam

Politburo member and Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission Tran Tuan Anh has hailed the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) for its effective operations and active contributions in Vietnam, including providing financial support for projects.

During a reception in Hanoi on September 15 for JBIC Governor Hayashi Nobumitsu, Anh expressed his delight at the great development of the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership, including cooperation in boosting post-pandemic economic recovery, enhancing economic and trade relations, technology transfer, digital transformation, and delivering on commitments to reduce greenhouse emissions to zero by 2050.

He also lauded JBIC for working closely with the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission and relevant agencies to step up the Trilateral Infrastructure Partnership between Japan, the US, Australia and Vietnam, thus enhancing investment in key infrastructure in Vietnam.

On the occasion, Anh suggested Japan and JBIC continue encouraging investors from Japan, the US and Australia to invest in fields where Vietnam has demand such as energy transition, clean energy development and strategic infrastructure, especially transport, climate change response, digital transformation infrastructure, medical capacity improvement, and personnel training.

Nobumitsu highly evaluated the policies, orientations and achievements of Vietnam in socio-economic development as well as its post-pandemic recovery policies.

The governor affirmed that in his position, he and JBIC will continue partnering with Vietnam in developing socio-economic infrastructure, thus contributing to the enhancement of bilateral ties between Japan and Vietnam.

National Assembly Standing Committee concludes 15th meeting

The 15th meeting of the 15th National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee has completed its agenda in a serious and responsible manner, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said while delivering a speech to wrap up the event.

The top legislator said participating deputies had basically reached an agreement on issues to be submitted to the NA’s fourth session this October.

The agreed contents involve a draft report on 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; and the Government’s reports on corruption prevention and control, the fight against crime and legal violations, and law enforcement in 2022.

The NA Standing Committee also looked into the State Audit Office of Vietnam’s report on the 2022 performance and the 2023 auditing plan.

During the four-day course of the meeting, two draft resolutions were looked at and considered for approval. They referred to the implementation of the NA Standing Committee’s resolutions on the re-organisation of district and communal level administrative units during 2019 - 2021; and the enforcement of legal regulations on public reception, complaint and denunciation settlements between 2016 and 2021.

Da Nang treats tourists to virtual vacation experience

The Da Nang Tourism Promotion Centre on September 15 hosted an event to introduce the updated version of the application ‘A Virtual Vacation in Da Nang’.

Available at https://vr360.danangfantasticity.com/#nguhanhson_fly_1, the upgraded version integrates VR360 technology and the metaverse. It offers real-life accuracy and makes it easy for users around the world to access information and enjoy a comprehensive experience.

The application now treats holidaymakers to more attractions such as the Ba Na tourist area, local museums, Mikazuki resort, Nui Than Tai hot springs, and the city at night. In addition, it provides more 360-degree videos of Da Nang’s tourism activities such as paragliding in the Son Tra Peninsula and the Dragon Bridge fire and water show.

In its first phase that lasted a year, the application attracted more than 18,000 visits.

Kon Tum hit by further mild quakes

Two consecutive earthquakes have hit Kon Plong district in the Central Highland province of Kon Tum during the past 24 hours, according to the latest information provided by the Earthquake Information and Tsunami Warning Centre of the Institute of Geophysics.

The first earthquake measuring 2.5 on the Richter scale occurred at 11:24 p.m. on September 14 at a depth of around 8.1 kilometres.

Further tremors were felt when a magnitude 3.8 earthquake took place at 10:40 a.m. on September 15, with its epicentre being 8.1 kilometres underground.

Fortunately the earthquakes did not pose any disaster risk, the centre said, adding that it would continue to observe related developments.

Since the beginning of the year Kon Plong has experienced dozens of quakes with magnitudes ranging from 2.4 to 4.7 on the Richter scale, all of which were weak and moderate, causing no danger.

Vietnamese designer unveils Mediterranean-inspired collection in Israel

Vietnamese fashion designer Dang Phuong Minh has unveiled an exclusive haute couture collection during a fashion show in Tel Aviv, Israel.

The show held at the invitation of the Vietnamese Embassy in Israel was among the numerous activities of the Vietnamese Days in Israel.

Taking place on Monday at the Suzanne Dellal Centre for Dance and Theatre, the show presented the creations from the My Lullaby Resort 2022 collection of the designer. All creations were constructed by hand from start to finish and made from high-quality silk.

Exclusively created for the show in Tel Aviv, the collection was constructed by hand from start to finish, sewn with extreme attention to detail and finished by the most experienced and capable sewers, using time-consuming and hand-executed techniques.

The designer explained the vibrant and energetic colours of the collection symbolise a liberal spirit, embodying the friendly relationship between Việt Nam and Israel.

For the designer, the show in Tel Aviv is an opportunity for her to present artistic fashion creations to Israeli and international friends.

Vietnam, Timor Leste eye stronger trade, investment cooperation

Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien held talks with Minister of Tourism, Trade and Industry of Timor Leste Jose Lucas Da Silva on September 14, as part of the Vietnamese delegation’s activities at the 54th ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting (AEM 54) and related meetings in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

The two sides spotlighted the fruitful development of the bilateral relationship, and briefed each other on the economic and trade development of each country. They said that the bilateral trade still remains modest, reaching only 33.6 million USD in 2021.

The Timor Leste side spoke highly of Vietnam’s trade potential and opportunities to strengthen cooperation with the country, showing the desire to further expand it with Vietnam in the fields of transportation, import - export, and seaports. It expressed its hope that Vietnam will support and share information and experience in developing the national one-stop-shop mechanism, and in trade and investment promotion. 

Minister Dien affirmed that Vietnam is ready to cooperate and support Timor Leste in the fields that Vietnam needs and Timor Leste has advantages such as minerals, forest and aquatic industries.
The Vietnamese official called for Timor Leste's support to connect Timor Leste’s businesses with Vietnamese suppliers.

Cooperation with Vietnam will help both countries integrate deeper in regional and global value chains, he affirmed. 

He called on the two sides to perfect the legal framework and economic and trade cooperation mechanisms, strengthen information sharing and exchange of business delegations. 

The minister suggested Timor Leste to facilitate Vietnam’s research activities in oil and gas exploration and production; and cooperate in exploiting and processing forest and mineral resources, mining metal ores and non-ferrous metals, and in producing goods for export to countries with preferential mechanisms for Timor Leste. 

Dien also said he hopes the Timor Leste side will soon ratify the trade agreement signed between the two countries.

Missuopinions picks VN contestant among Top 16 for Miss Universe 2022

Missuopinions, the world's leading site on beauty pageants, has picked Vietnamese representative Nguyen Thi Ngoc Chau for the third time among the leading 16 beauties participating in the Miss Universe 2022 pageant.

Ngoc Chau, who was crowned Miss Universe Vietnam 2022 with a height of 1.74 metres and measurements of 81-63-93, was chosen 11th in the overall list.

Elsewhere, María Fernanda Aristizábal of Colombia was selected as the favourite to be crowned winner of the beauty contest, while Ashley Cariño of Puerto Rico was picked for the first runner-up title.

Rounding off the Top 16 list are beauties from Peru, the Philippines, Venezuela, South Africa, Thailand, Panama, India, Curacao, Brazil, Portugal, Australia, Mexico, and Indonesia.

The 72nd global beauty contest is scheduled to take place in the first quarter of 2023.

The Vietnamese contestant has acquired plenty of experience in beauty pageants. She was the winner of Miss Supranational Vietnam 2018, Vietnam's Next Top Model 2016, and crowned Miss Universe Vietnam 2022.

She represented Vietnam to the Miss Supranational 2019 beauty contest and won the Miss Supranational Asia title.

Long An honours cultural, historical heritage at tourism festival

The southern province of Long An will open its first Culture and Tourism Week in the city of Tân An tomorrow to honour its cultural and historical heritage and promote its tourism potential.

The five-day festival will open with a music gala at Tân An Park featuring songs praising the country, President Hồ Chí Minh and Long An, as well as tài tử music, a traditional music genre of the South.

There will be a fireworks performance at Long An Stadium after the opening ceremony.

The province will host exchange performances of tài tử music and other kinds of traditional music between local artists and those from other southern provinces at the Culture and Art Centre in Tân An.

A photo exhibition featuring the province’s development and socio-economic and cultural achievements will be set up at the centre.

Moreover, the province will launch a trade fair introducing its OCOP (one commune one product) products, craft villages and cuisine at Tân An Park.

It will hold forums on tourism promotion, and introduce new tours to discover cultural and historical sites such as an ancient house having 100 wooden poles in Cần Đước District, and Tôn Thạnh Pagoda built in 1808 in Cần Giuộc District.

During the festival, the province will offer free tickets for all visitors at the Happy Land Tourist Area in Bến Lức District, where tourists can have fun with a series of southern folk games.

The festival will close on September 21. It is expected to attract around 250,000 visitors. 

Northern, central regions to see long rainy spell

The northern and central regions of Vietnam have been forecasted to experience a wet spell over the coming days.

According to the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting, between the evening of September 15 and September 17, northern mountainous and midland areas would have rain with strong wind and rainfall of between 50-150mm. Some areas would witness rainfall of over 200 mm.

Flash floods, landslides and thunderstorms would also occur during the rain, particularly in mountainous localities.

The northern region would continue facing rain between September 19-21. Meanwhile, the rainy weather would ravage the northern central region on September 20-23.

The rain with strong wind would happen in localities from Danang to Binh Thuan, the Central Highlands region and the southern region some days to come.

HCM City sees bus passenger decline

Bus passenger numbers in HCM City have continued to fall despite the Covid-19 pandemic being brought under control.

According to the HCM City Department of Transport, since 2014, the city has witnessed an annual decrease in bus passengers. Bus passenger numbers fell 6.65 percent on-year in the 2014-2018 

In 2019, buses in HCM City served 255 million passengers, down 12.1 percent on-year. The figure was 148 million passengers in 2020.

Due to the Covid-19 outbreak in 2021, the city’s bus service attracted only 53 million passengers. However, despite the Covid-19 pandemic being contained, the city has continued to see a bus passenger decline in the first half of this year.

En mass Thai Binh oysters deaths following oil spill

Hundreds of hectares of oysters in the northern coastal province of Thai Binh have died after an oil tanker sank near a local port, causing an oil slick.

On September 8, while waiting to dock at Diem Dien Port, the Ha An 1 faced heavy rain and strong winds, causing it to lose power. It was towed nearer to the port to await docking when flood tides were higher. But, some hours later, it sank due to rough seas, leading to the oil spill. 
 
The ship was successfully salvaged on the evening of September 11.

However, following the oil spill, hundreds of hectares of oyster farms in Thai Do Commune, Thai Thuy District, have died.

According to a representative from Thai Do Commune’s authorities, after the oil spill, a task force checked the local oyster breeding area which covers a total of 500 hectares, detecting the presence of oil in the area.

Samples of oysters were taken for testing after the case was reported to the provincial Department of Agricultural and Rural Development.

Vietnam forecast to suffer at least two more storms from now until March 2023

The National Center for Hydrology Meteorology Forecasting this afternoon updated natural disaster and weather forecasts across the country from this month to March of 2023. 

From now to March 2023, around five to seven storms and tropical depressions are expected to hit the East Sea. Of these, there will be two or four storms hitting Vietnam’s mainland. 

In the last months of the year, the Central region need to be vigilant about storms along with downpours. In January 2023, tropical cyclones will form in the southern part of the East Sea. 

Project of pedestrian zone on Truong Sa Street unapproved

The HCMC Department of Transport has just issued a document on the disagreement of banning vehicles from a section on Truong Sa Street, passing through the Rach Mieu Sports Complex, in order to serve for a pedestrian zone project, including the night food street on Phan Xich Long Street in Phu Nhuan District.

The decision said Truong Sa is one of the key streets in HCMC running through districts 1,3, Binh Thanh, Phu Nhuan, and Tan Binh. The road contributes to ensuring traffic safety and order, and reducing traffic congestion in the city.

The Transport Department of the city has suggested that the People’s Committee of Phu Nhuan District should only carry out the project of building food areas on inner-district streets, excluding trans-districts roads.

I-Star 2022 welcomes 40 excellent projects into final round

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology has just announced 40 most outstanding projects of the HCMC Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award 2022 (I-Star 2022) that can enter the final round.

After five months launching, I-Star 2022 has attracted the participation of 370 papers. The 40 excellent projects come from four categories of innovative startups; creative and innovative solutions; media stories; and individuals, organizations supporting startup activities.

The annual I-Star Award honoring organizations and individuals that obtain achievement in innovation and startup activities has been organized by the HCMC Department of Science and Technology since 2018. After four years, among over 1,000 participants, 43 have been awarded.

MoH: Vaccines to be fully supplied 2-3 weeks at latest

Related to the fact that Ho Chi Minh City and some localities are lacking measles and DPT vaccines for children under the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) under the Ministry of Health (MoH), on the evening of September 14, announced specific information on this issue.

According to the NIHE, the EPI has been implemented in Vietnam since 1981 to provide free immunization services for children under one year of age, protecting them from some common and highly fatal infectious diseases. Up to now, 11 vaccines to prevent tuberculosis, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, hepatitis B, measles, Japanese encephalitis, cholera, typhoid, and Hib pneumonia/meningitis have been included in the program, making an important contribution to disease prevention and protection of children's health.

Every year, based on the needs of units and localities, the MoH assigns the NIHE to place orders and sign contracts with domestic vaccine manufacturers to supply some vaccines, such as DPT, tetanus, BCG, Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis B, measles, measles-rubella, and bOBV, for expanded immunization. The vaccines are managed and coordinated according to a strict process to ensure quality when delivered to regional Pasteur/Hygiene and Epidemiology institutes and then provided to localities and units to implement vaccination. The supply of vaccines is carried out according to the provisions of the law on price and procurement.

In 2022, the MoH has decided to assign the budget estimate and approve the vaccine order plan to the NIHE. According to the report of the NIHE and some localities, there is a shortage of some vaccines, including DPT and measles, due to incomplete ordering and contracting procedures.

The MoH has been drastically directing and urging the NIHE and vaccine manufacturers to urgently complete order procedures to have vaccines for vaccination. Specifically, vaccine manufacturers urgently develop a vaccine price plan in 2022 for the MoH to appraise and send to the MoF for consideration and approval as a basis for payment and settlement according to regulations.

HCMC adopts solutions to overcome teacher shortage

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, the city has added 3,244 new teachers for the 2022-2023 school year to solve the shortage of 5,939 teachers.

Junior high schools lack 2,467 teachers while the city needs 1,006 preschool teachers and 2,169 teachers in primary schools and 297 teachers in senior high schools. The city education and training sector has completed the first phase of teacher recruitment, the second phase is expected to take place in October 2022.

Because of the severe shortage of teachers who teach technology, informatics, music, and art, schools will share teachers active in other schools or sign short-term contracts with teachers of these above-mentioned subjects.

For the shortage of English and informatics teachers at the primary school level, the education sector has mobilized teachers to teach inter-schools at the same grade level or mobilized teachers to teach English and informatics at lower secondary levels to teach at primary schools. The mobilization will only be done after teachers have been trained in teaching methods, programs, and textbooks for English and primary school computer science. Teachers’ benefits ought to be protected.

In case, educational institutions encounter difficulties in recruiting teachers, schools shall develop a plan to implement the subject flexibly and blended learning - a combination of a face-to-face medium of instruction with online learning.

Illustrations in Czech’s children books on display in Hanoi

An art exhibition "The Magical World of Czech Children's Book Illustrators" showcasing 95 artworks is underway in Hanoi, jointly held by Kim Dong Publishing House and Czech Embassy.

The artworks by Czech illustrators featured at this exhibition are representatives of Czech children's book illustrations in the past century. Many works have won the most prestigious awards at international children's book fairs and exhibitions. They have been recognized worldwide for their boundless imagination, creativity, and ability to arouse positive emotions in children.

The Embassy of the Czech Republic hopes that through the exhibition, it will share the longstanding tradition of making picture books with Vietnamese people, especially with the youth.

The exhibition is the first event of the Czech Embassy in Vietnam after 3 years without holding any cultural event due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Apart from the artworks on display, visitors also have a chance to join activities like reading, painting, and art creation with support from doctor Nguyen Thuy Anh and her Reading Books with Our Children  Club.

The exhibition will run until September 18 at Kim Dong Publishing House, 55 Quang Trung Street, Hanoi.

Gov't appraises national master plan for 2021-2030

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Wednesday chaired a meeting of a council to appraise the national master plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision towards 2050.

Pham thanked experts, scientists and members of the council for taking their time, efforts and wisdom to contribute to the draft master plan.  He emphasized the need to clarify more clearly how this plan is different from previous strategies to evaluate its intended impact.

The master plan must feature innovative thinking and a strategic vision, and adhere to the guidelines and policies of the Party and State to ensure feasibility and efficiency.

The plan needs to follow relevant laws and tasks approved by the Prime Minister in order to fully unlock the country's potential, opportunities and competitive advantages, while taking advantage of internal and external resources as well as solving challenges and weaknesses in the economy, especially those related to human resources, infrastructure, regional connectivity and the rich-poor gap.

Agriculture must remain an important pillar of the economy, he said, stressing the importance of promoting industrial and service development.

The PM proposed updating methods to mobilize resources, especially human resources, for implementing the master plan.

Pham tasked relevant agencies to study and collect opinions, and continue to complete relevant documents and prescribed procedures to consult the Politburo before submitting to the National Assembly for approval.

Vietnam attends opening of UN Human Rights Council’s 51st session

Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), the World Trade Organisation and other international organisations in Geneva, attended the opening ceremony of the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland on September 12 (local time).

Mai congratulated Volker Türk for his appointment as High Commissioner for Human Rights, and affirmed Vietnam’s support for and cooperation with the High Commissioner and his Office.

She shared the office’s concerns over three major global challenges which have huge impacts on the enjoyment of human rights, namely climate change, environmental pollution, and biodiversity degradation. She called on the international community to act more urgently to respond to these challenges.

The Vietnamese representative emphasised that the UN Human Rights Council and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights should respect the diverse historical and socio-cultural conditions of countries, promote constructive dialogue and cooperation to protect and promote human rights in accordance with fundamental human rights principles, including universality, objectivity, impartiality and non-selectivity.

She called on countries to intensify coordination at multilateral forums, enhance political commitments to implementing international human rights standards, and uphold the role of international conventions and mechanisms, while asserting the council’s central role in enhancing international solidarity for peace, stability, justice and comprehensive and effective protection and promotion of human rights.

The council’s 51st session will last until October 7.

Vietnamese culture introduced at Embassy Festival in Netherlands

Vietnamese culture and delicacies were introduced to international friends at the Embassy Festival held recently in the Netherlands.

Nearly 50 foreign embassies displayed traditional products and dishes of their countries at the festival which is held annually by event organizer Prooost and the administration of The Hague.

The Vietnamese embassy displayed agricultural products from food and beverages such as coffee and fresh coconut water, green bean cakes, lotus products, spices to eco-friendly products like straws from grass and bamboo.

In particular, Vietnamese coffee imported and distributed in the market attracted the attention of visitors.

Thai famtrip delegation surveys tourist attractions in Thua Thien Hue

A famtrip group consisting of over 25 travel agencies and press agencies from Thailand arrived in the central province of Thua Thien Hue which they conducted a survey of regional tourist attractions from September 12 to September 13.

The delegation visited Thien Mu pagoda and Dong Ba market, as well as spending time to sample local cuisine and experiencing tourism services. This includes taking a boat tour to listen to local Hue songs on the Huong (Perfume) river and exploring Hue by night.

The delegation also visited relic sites belonging to the Hue Monuments Complex such as the Hue Imperial Citadel, Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, and Duyet Thi Duong Theater.

This activity was jointly organised by the provincial Tourism Promotion Information Center, Quang Nam Tourism Promotion Center, Da Nang City, and a number of businesses aimed at marking the resumption of the Bangkok - Da Nang air route.

The survey is part of the joint programme which seeks to introduce the image of tourist destinations in central Vietnam, and Thua Thien Hue, to international partners following a two-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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