The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has always devoted its time and money to promoting products made by ethnic minorities and people living in mountainous areas (EM&MP).

That remark was made by Le Viet Nga, Deputy Director General of the ministry’s Domestic Market Department at the workshop "Market Development for Products Made by EM&MP" on September 20.

Nga said the Government had charged the ministry with two tasks that were aimed at bringing EM&MP-made products to big cities and urban areas.

The first involves upgrading their marketplaces to facilitate commercial flows back and forth, and the second centres around the formation of a team that helps boost sales once the products enter the markets.

"Many trade points have also been established, where EM&MP can purchase their essentials and sell their products to big cities," said Nga.

The deputy director also underlined education and communication, which would keep EM&MP aware of the role that brand-building and origin-tracing play in their commercial performance.

Nguyen Trong Nghia, Deputy Director of Lang Son province's Department of Industry and Trade, said Lang Son is home to around 19 popular agricultural products, such as custard apples and star anises.

He said the province had made great efforts to promote the products domestically and abroad. For instance, Lang Son cooperated with Pingxiang City in organising the Annual Vietnam-China International Trade Fair, in which the products gained favour with Chinese customers.

"The province will press ahead with its trade promotion activities to expand the commercial footprint of EM&MP-made products," said Nghia.  

Dao Duc Hieu, Director of the Suoi Giang Ecotourism Cooperative, said although the mountainous commune of Suoi Giang had made a name for itself as a cradle of "ancient tree" tea, many local EM&MP were still living below the bread line.

He said his cooperative had aimed to lift them out of poverty by building a brand name for locally-made tea and making it commercial. His project had got off the ground over the past years.

"Our tea has won the status of 4-star OCOP and is on the way to getting five stars," said Hieu.

He also said the tea had been granted EU Organic EU certificates, which had become its commercial passport to over 26 countries. He called for a national strategy to change the tea industry so that "consumers in the world would rush to Vietnam for tea".

Seminar shares international experiences in building smart cities

An international seminar themed “Smart city for green growth” was jointly held in Ho Chi Minh City on September 21 by the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS), the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences (LASES), the Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC) and the Korea Environment Institute (KEI).

VASS President Dr. Phan Chi Hieu stressed that the building of smart urban areas is expected to bolster innovation and start-up, create jobs for young people, narrow income gap and promote digital economy. Besides, smart urban areas also aims to fully tap green energy sources, applies science to optimise resources while stepping up sustainable production and consumption.  

At COP26, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh pledged to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, he said, adding that the government, ministries, sectors and localities have carried out action programmes on green energy transition, carbon emission reduction and green growth.

LASES President Dr Sonethanou Thammavong shared that Laos has many projects on developing smart cities, digital transition and sustainable green growth to cope with climate change. Smart urban development needs to focus on human, particularly improving the life quality of people, he stressed.

Meanwhile, RAC President Academician Dr Sok Touch said that Cambodia wants to share experiences and learn the best solutions from countries in developing smart cities as well as matters related to human resources in the field.

At the event, experts from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and the Republic of Korea discussed issues related to smart city development in order to cope with climate change through studying national trends, policy mechanisms, economic and social benefits of planning and financing of smart cities. They also deliberated opportunities and challenges in collaboration among the nations.

Successful hosting of CEPPP affirms Vietnam’s responsibility in UN peacekeeping operations: Officer

The hosting of the Competency Evaluation Programme for Prospective United Nations Peacekeepers (CEPPP), an activity under the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts’ Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations (PKO-EWG) Cycle 4, aimed to continue affirming the role and responsibility of Vietnam in preparing for and joining UN peacekeeping missions, according to Sen. Lieut. Gen Phung Si Tan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).

The officer said that the programme was a chance for Vietnam, together with Japan, the co-host of the activity, as well as other ADMM-Plus members to enhance their capacity, coordination and cooperation in the preparations and participation in UN peacekeeping missions.

The programme has offered a chance for Vietnam to further strengthen friendship and partnership with ADMM–Plus member countries, especially the co-host Japan, right on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations, he said.

It has enabled Vietnam and ADMM-Plus member countries to meet, exchange and share experience in participation in UN peacekeeping operations with activities of three major forces of military observers, engineers, and medical wokers at the tactical level.

Meanwhile, it has proved that Vietnam can promote the efficiency of the multilateral cooperation mechanism under the ADMM-Plus framework with ASEAN countries playing the core role, and show that the mechanism brings practical benefits and contributes to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world, thus helping Vietnam and partners better fulfill their UN peacekeeping tasks, said Tan.

The officer said that through the programme, Vietnam has shown international friends the country’s high capacity in conducting UN peacekeeping operations and coordination capacity, as well as Vietnam’s solidarity with partners, especially experts, observers and trainees from 18 ADMM-Plus members states.

The programme has successfully completed, meeting the aspirations of the co-hosts and requirements of the ADMM-Plus member countries, he affirmed.

Tan thanked Japan for sending experienced and professional personnel to coordinate with Vietnam during preparations of the event. Vietnamese officers and soldiers engaging in the programme have also maximised the discipline of the Vietnam People's Army, spreading the beauty of Uncle Ho's soldiers, especially in the implementation of peacekeeping tasks and promoting training results in performing professional activities.

He said that along with showing strong performance in professional activities and completing all activities of the programme, Vietnam has also introduced to the ADMM-Plus members the culture, nation and people of Vietnam in general and the beauty of Vietnamese soldiers in particular, enabling them to strengthen the friendship and cooperation with Vietnam.

Tan highlighted the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence’s great attention to the organisation of the programme in all aspects, ensuring the best services for all participants. Vietnam’s efforts and performance in preparing for and organising the event have been hailed by the co-host Japan and the ADMM-Plus member countries, he added.

Japanese engineers build road to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties with Vietnam

Japanese engineers who were in Vietnam to participate in a competency evaluation programme for prospective United Nations peacekeepers (CEPPP) have built a stretch of road leading to the CEPPP training ground in Hanoi.

The CEPPP under the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts’ Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations Cycle 4 (2021-2023) was the first of its kind to be held in Vietnam. It was co-chaired by Vietnam and Japan.

The stretch of road, leading to the training ground at Battalion 31 of Brigade 28 under the Air Defence - Air Force service, is 219 metres long, which is meant to mark the date of the establishment of the Vietnam - Japan diplomatic ties (September 21) exactly 50 years ago, in 1973.

This initiative was agreed by the co-chairs of the Experts Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations Cycle 4 – Col. Nguyen Nhu Canh, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations under the Ministry of National Defence, and Matsuzawa Tomoko, Director for Defence Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region at the Japanese Ministry of Defence and head of the working group of Japanese experts.

During the road construction process, lecturers from Japan’s engineering force also gave guidance on the operation of heavy engineering equipment and some road building techniques suitable for specific terrains of the areas UN peacekeeping missions are based in.

At the CEPPP 2023, with their strength in peacekeeping engineering, Japanese lecturers chaired the training in this field.

Canh said this year’s programme provided a good environment simulating the real situation at UN peacekeeping missions, thus helping improve the capacity of member countries to deploy forces and take part in UN peacekeeping operations, and also enhance cooperation in peacekeeping operations.

Vietnam and Japan agreed to hold the CEPPP 2023 closing ceremony on September 21 to emphasis their cooperation in this regard during the 50-year diplomatic ties, he went on.

Masuzawa expressed her delight that the two co-chairs have cooperated closely and effectively over the last two years to ensure success for the CEPPP 2023, where military observers, engineers, and medical personnel jointly engaged in training from theory to practice.

The programme proved successful and reached the set targets, which also reflected thorough preparations by both Vietnam and Japan, she added.

Luxurious cruise ship brings around 4,000 foreign tourists to Vietnam

Spectrum of the Seas, one of the world's top 10 most luxurious cruise ships, arrived at Nha Trang port in the southcentral coastal province of Khanh Hoa on September 21, carrying with it approximately 4,000 foreign visitors onboard.

The majority of passengers hail from the United States and Europe.

During their one-day stay, the foreign guests are to be taken to several of Nha Trang City’s most popular tourist attractions, including Ponagar Cham towers, Truong Son craft village, and Dam market.

They also got the chance to experience going on a cyclo tour, enjoying mud bathing, and learning cooking.

The cruise ship left Nha Trang at 6 p.m. on the same day. Earlier in August, Spectrum of the Seas docked at Nha Trang port twice, bringing with it thousands of foreign visitors to the country.

Khanh Hoa province is aiming to welcome approximately four million tourists this year, including 1.5 million international visitors, thereby earning a total of VND21 trillion in revenue in the process.

Spectrum of the Seas belongs to the Quantum-Ultra line of ships and was manufactured by Meyer Werft of Germany, being put into service at the beginning of 2019.

The ship stretches for 347m long, stands at nearly 63m high with 18 floors, boasts a capacity of nearly 169,400 tonnes, and is rated as one of the most modern ships in the world.

Media must go digital for survival

Most local media and printed newspapers in Việt Nam have been drastically transforming to digital for survival in the mass domination by social networks over the past decade, and it requires a comprehensive face-lift in technology, practice and a marketable master plan.

That was the message from Phạm Anh Tuấn, an official from the Ministry of Information and Communications of Việt Nam at the ASEAN Workshop on best practices of digital transformation in media.

He said traditional media has been combating social networks in regaining readers and profitable commercial market share by promoting the use of technology and facial design as well as providing what the readers are looking for.

Tuấn said technological applications play a key role in the media digital transformation process, but all structure of production, skills and knowledge of reporters, technicians and the content of stories must completely change.

“Traditional media was tumbled by social networks as readers found them attractive and easy. Social network platforms could detect the habits of users to offer what they need. It’s the reason social networks almost occupy a major section of income and readers from media,” Tuấn said.

“That’s why media now has to have social network design and performance to lure readers. The fake news contamination in social networks recently sped up a chance for media to refresh it to better connect and gain trust among consumers.”

Tuấn explained that the mainstream media has a crucial role in leading the public by posting truthful and confident sources of news.

Different key media organisations have successfully regained power through technological platform changes and design, he said.

For example, the government online newspaper (Việt Nam Government News) previously received 100,000 hits, but it got 1 million views after a digital platform change, he said.

“It needs a common platform for news coverage and commercial marketing to retain stable readers and income from online advertisement,” Tuấn suggested.

Zul Fakhri Maidy, assistant Chief editor for News and Current Affairs, Radio Television Brunei, shared that the digital economy master plan 2025, launched in 2020,  aims to make it a ‘smart nation’ and achieve the goals of a digital and future-ready society; a vibrant and sustainable economy and a digitally conducive ecosystem.

He said the Ministry of Transport and Information Communications’ Strategic Plan 2025's target was to achieve 75 per cent of household internet subscriptions by 2025.

Facebook was seen as a top social media application used by respondents with 60.6 per cent using it, and 57.6 per cent using Instagram with YouTube occupying 57.2 per cent.

Lưu Đình Phúc, Director General of the Authority of Press under the Ministry of Information and Communications of Việt Nam said the country had more than 800 news agencies and nearly 1 million news articles produced daily.

However, 50 per cent of ads from media revenue reaching nearly US$4 billion were run on cross-border platforms, while government and state agencies could not effectively control the ownership of data, news and stories from domestic media.

He said the government needs to support and promote the digital transformation from news agencies into a large database to generate knowledge.

He also recommended that ASEAN should develop a common index of press digital transformation maturity, and each ASEAN member state should develop its own tool for measuring the maturity of press digital transformation.

Deputy Minister of Information and Communication, Nguyễn Thanh Lâm, said the consumption habits of media users and the content creation and dissemination process have undergone a rapid and unprecedented transformation.

“A new generation of digital-era consumers has set the pace for adaptation, and everything is on the line: market shares, advertising, business models, intellectual property, storytelling methods, but, most importantly, our ability to inform, educate, empower citizens, and preserve and pass on our legacy to future generations,” Lâm said.

“Media outlets must do their important mission by providing accurate facts and meaningful analysis, protection of the public from contaminated fake news and disinformation.”

Myanmar developed a digital economy roadmap in 2019, an e-Government Master Plan (2016-20), and a Framework for Economic and Social Reform (2012-15).

Myanmar’s digital transformation focused on administration, education, health and social sectors, and amendments were made to the draft of Myanmar e-Governance Master Plan 2030.

Print media, electronic media and online media businesses in Myanmar serve as sources of information, education and entertainment for the people, said Myat Kyaye Hmore from Myanmar's Ministry of Information.

According to the public relations department of Thailand, the country’s government has been supporting digital transformation with a 20-year-Thailand digital landscape from 2017 with four phases.

It also ensures everyone can reap the benefits of digital technology after five years before promoting full digital transformation and driving the country with digital technology and innovation.

Thailand targets becoming a global digital leader in digital technology and innovation in the coming decades.

In Việt Nam, a mainstream national television station (VTV); online VNExpress and K-Plus were seen as top leading media in digital transformation.

Launched in 2015 with the goal of ‘watching VTV anytime, anywhere, on any device', the VTVGo platform was born from years of investment in the digital infrastructure of content production, Phạm Mạnh Chiến from VTV said.

VTVGo has been installed on over 42 million devices, with more than 8 million regular users, generating 240 million views per month.

Nguyễn Đăng Lộc from VnExpress, a Vietnamese online newspaper, run by FPT Group, said it was the first newspaper in Việt Nam that was not produced in paper format.

It is one of the most popular websites in the country according to Alexa Internet.

In 2020, its website had 10 billion views and received more than 5 million comments, with an average session duration of five minutes and 44 seconds.

Lộc said it launched an analytics system to detect the habits of users for making decisions on offering readers further related news or not.

He said the newspaper will be using AI to support readers’ and advertisement demands.

K+ is a pay TV service based on satellite TV and OTT systems, for all members of the family with exclusive content, diversified channel group, nationwide coverage, HD quality and many convenient services such as the free myK+ application to watch on computers and phones with unique VOD movies and sports stores.

Ministers of information and communications from ASEAN will gather in the opening ceremony of the 16th Conference of ASEAN Ministers Responsive for Information and Related Meetings (AMRI) on September 22. 

Archeological excavation starts on Hà Nội's Sơn Tây ancient citadel

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Culture Ministry) has given the nod to the Hà Nội Museum in coordination with the Institute of Archaeology to conduct the first phase of exploration and excavation on the capital city's Sơn Tây Ancient Citadel.

The ancient historical relic, located in the centre of Sơn Tây Town, about 40km from Hà Nội, was built in 1822 during the reign of Emperor Minh Mạng (1791-1841) under the Nguyễn dynasty.

Though it was among 20 citadels built in the Nguyễn dynasty, the Sơn Tây citadel was the only one built entirely of laterite, a good material for defensive building that is available locally.

According to the Hà Nội Museum, the exploration and excavation will take place from September 15 to October 30 on a total area of 120sq.m, specifically focusing on three sites: the Bố Chánh Phủ (Administration Commissioner Palace), Án Sát Phủ (Surveillance Commissioner Palace) and the Cổng Đông (East Gate).

Each site will have a total exploration area of 20sq.m divided into four holes of 5sq.m each.

The work will also be carried out on the site of the Tổng Đốc Phủ (Governor's Palace) with an area of 60sq.m divided into three holes of 20sq.m each.

The culture ministry has asked that during archaeological works, authorities and agencies which have been licensed to conduct the excavation should pay attention to protecting the relic's stratigraphy and are responsible for publicising to locals about the importance of cultural heritage protection.

For artefacts collected during archaeological exploration and excavation, it stated that the Management Board of Đường Lâm Ancient Village and Sơn Tây Ancient Citadel is responsible for preserving artefacts from being damaged or lost. 

According to the book Thành Cổ Sơn Tây (Sơn Tây Ancient Citadel) by the Sơn Tây authorities, Sơn Tây used to be one of the four major townships defending Thăng Long (former name of Hà Nội), located to the west of the royal capital city.

Also known as Đoài Land and considered a sacred land with extraordinary people, Sơn Tây boasts a rich history and culture.

The locality, part of the lands protecting the ancient citadel as well as present-day Hà Nội, has always held strategic and military importance.

The site contains many vestiges reflecting the Vietnamese people's indomitable spirit, loyalty, and resilience in battles against foreign invaders.

Through many challenges, the citadel has preserved its vestiges, showcasing the construction techniques of defensive military works in Việt Nam's North.

With its longstanding and unique historical and cultural values, it has become a destination for students to visit and learn about patriotic traditions and heritage preservation.

The old citadel today impresses visitors with its tranquillity.

The conservation of the citadel has received significant investment from the state and support from the local people

The Sơn Tây Ancient Citadel has been recognised as a National Historical and Cultural Heritage site since 1994. 

EU-VN documentary films to shine in theatres

Seven European countries will show their documentaries at the 13th European-Vietnamese Documentary Film Festival taking place in Hà Nội and HCM City from September 22 to 28.

The countries include the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, Spain, Italy, Finland, Belgium, and the host country of Việt Nam.

"This is an annual cultural event leaving a good impression over the years," said Nguyễn Quang Tuấn, chairman of the National Documentary and Scientific Film Studio.

"The festival is a unique cultural exchange activity and the highlight of the journey of cooperation with Việt Nam in the field of cinematography. Each film attending this year’s festival has its own message, but in general, the audience who love cinema will have the opportunity to explore more about the country, people and different cultures."

The festival will be held at the national studio in Hà Nội and HCM City's Dcine Bến Thành at the same time.

At each show, the festival goers will enjoy a documentary from Việt Nam and then a European one. Among them are independent documentary films by Vietnamese filmmakers.

Vietnamese Bí Ẩn Từ Lòng Đất (Secrets from The Underground) and Italian Vesuvio or How They Learn to Live Between the Volcanoes will open the festival on September 22.

The festival will be highlighted by the award-winning films including Belgian Sous le nom de Tania (By the Name of Tania); German Die Unbeugsamen (Femocracy) and three Vietnamese films: White Pollution, Storm Eye, and Children of the Mist.

Directed by Bénédicte Liénard and Mary Jimenez, By the Name of Tania tells the story of a young woman who ends up in the clutches of forced prostitution when her initially hopeful attempt to escape the confines of her village goes awry.

It won numerous best film awards at Festival de Cine de Trujillo 2020, the Latin American Studies Association 2020, Semana del Cine 2019, and secured both the Special Jury Prize and Award for Best Photography at FIFF Namur 2019, as well as the Jury Award at FIDADOC 2019.

It will be screened on September 25 with French and Vietnamese subtitles at 7.50pm.

Femocracy narrates the story of women in the Bonn Republic who, like true pioneers, had to literally fight for their participation in democratic decision-making processes against success-driven men.

The documentary won the Gilde Film Award for Best Documentary in 2021 and was nominated as a German candidate for the Academy Award 2022 in the category of Best International Film. It will be shown on September 26 at 7.30pm with English and Vietnamese subtitles.

Children of The Mist was crafted by Hà Lệ Diễm in 2021. It delves into the life of a 12-year-old girl living in a village shrouded in the mist of the northwest Vietnamese mountains. She is part of the Mông ethnic group, where women often marry very young, adhering to the controversial tradition of “bride-kidnapping”.

The film was distinguished in the Best Directing category at the 2021 International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam. It was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 95th Academy Awards and listed among the 20 Best Documentaries of 2022 by Paste Magazine.

This documentary will be screened exclusively in Hà Nội at 2pm on September 24 with English subtitles.

The festival is a joint venture between the National Documentary and Scientific Film Studio and the European National Institutes for Culture in Việt Nam. 

Hải Phòng beat Indonesian Liga 1 champions in first AFC Cup match

A total domination from the get-go granted Chu Đình Nghiêm's Hải Phòng FC side their first victory in Group H of the 2023/24 AFC Cup against Indonesian champions PSM Makassar.

An own goal by Erwin Gutawa gave the hosts of Lạch Tray Stadium an early lead, before Lương Hoàng Nam and Joseph Mpande sealed the game with two late goals.

Former Việt Nam U23 heroes Lương Xuân Trường and Nguyễn Trọng Đại were crucial in Hải Phòng's win, helping them amass over three-quarters of possession time.

With the home advantage in one of Việt Nam's crowded and noisiest stadium, it's no wonder why Nghiêm's team took the initiative.

The advantage got bigger for Hải Phòng in the eigth minute, as Gutawa tapped in his own net after a vicious cross from the right wing.

Hải Phòng could have had more goals right in the first half, had it not been for Reza Pratama's brilliant display in goal.

After the interval, Hải Phòng still played confidently, but took until the 73rd minute to score their second, as substitute Nguyễn Tuấn Anh crossed inwards for Lương Hoàng Nam to tap in the empty net.

Four minutes before the end of regulation, PSM Makassar conceded a penalty after Hoàng Nam was brought down inside the box. On the spot, Joseph Mpande calmly executed the kick to made it 3-0 to Hải Phòng.

With this result, Hải Phòng leads group H on goal difference, as second place Sabah FC (Malaysia) only won 3-1 against Singapore's Hougang United. 

Illegally-built homestay facilities face demolition from An Giang mountain

Authorities in Tinh Bien Town in the southern province of An Giang have just proposed to the provincial people’s committee to demolish 10 homestay facilities which have been illegally built on forest land on Cam Mountain.

Authorities in An Giang have proposed to the provincial people’s committee to demolish 10 homestay facilities which have been illegally built on forest land on Cam Mountain.

The proposal was made after recent landslides on Cam Mountain, posing safety risks for the homestay facilities which were illegally built on steep slopes with temporary structures lacking load-bearing capacity.

According to Chairman of An Hao Commune People's Committee in Tinh Bien Town Town, Trinh Van De, more than 10 such facilities have been built on the mountain. The neighbourhoods near Thuy Liem Lake and the Maitreye Buddha Statue boasts at least seven homestays that are currently in operation and several households that appear to be making preparations to build more facilities.

While homestay owners said that they were helping to boost the local tourism industry, other residents have expressed worries that rampant, unchecked construction could negatively impact the local way of life.

"We've issued fines and warnings to the investors of those facilities, but they just paid the fines and continued operating," Tinh Bien authorities said. "We've reported the situation to the provincial people’s committee and have been asked to manage these projects since late 2022. However, the homestay owners have refused our request to stop operating and remove their facilities. So we're considering forced demolition of these projects."

As the highest mountain in the Mekong Delta, Cam Mountain is a popular tourist destination, home to beautiful natural landscapes and Buddhist pagodas and temples. 

Hanoi considers creating new urban district

The proposal to turn rural Gia Lam District into an urban area will be submitted to Hanoi authorities for consideration.

Under the proposal by Gia Lam District authorities, the urban district will cover a total area of 116.64 square kilometres and has a population 300,000 people. It will have 16 wards compared with a current 20 communes and two towns.  

Located to the east of the city, Gia Lam is home to many major roads connecting economic hubs such as National Highway 1A linked to Bac Ninh, new National Highway 3 linked to Thai Nguyen and National Highway 5B to Hung Yen and Haiphong.

Gia Lam also has a network of industrial complexes such as Phu Thi and Ninh Hiep and many traditional handicraft villages like Bat Trang and Kieu Ky.

More urban areas have been built in Gia Lam, including Vimhome Ocean Park and Dang Xa 1 and 2.

Hanoi is also accelerating procedures to raise the status of Dong Anh from a rural district to an urban equivalent by the end of this year.

Eight expressway projects planned for Central Highlands

The Ministry of Transport has been tasked with fleshing out a plan to construct eight expressways with a combined length of 830 kilometers in the Central Highlands by 2030, said Minister Nguyen Van Thang.

The prime minister has asked the ministry to build four expressways in the region prior to 2025, totaling 295 kilometers, he added.

The ministry has already set timelines to complete several key expressway projects as outlined in the plan, with a total cost of VND151,900 billion. These expressways include Khanh Hoa-Buon Ma Thuot, Gia Nghia-Chon Thanh, Tan Phu-Bao Loc, Bao Loc-Lien Khuong, Quy Nhon-Pleiku, and a road connecting Kon Tum and Quang Nam provinces.

His statement was made during a conference held on September 20 in Dalat City by the Central Highlands Region Coordination Council. The event was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang.

According to Tran Van Hiep, chairman of the Lam Dong People’s Committee, construction of the Tan Phu-Bao Loc expressway project will begin this year. Additionally, work on the Bao Loc-Lien Khuong section is expected to begin next year.

The Central Highlands region has seen significant economic growth, with its gross regional domestic product (GRDP) per capita in 2022 being 11 times higher than it was in 2002, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment. Between 2002 and 2020, the region posted an average annual GRDP growth rate of almost 8%.

However, the Central Highlands provinces—Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Daklak, Dak Nong and Lam Dong—still faces difficulties in terms of socioeconomic development, especially insufficient infrastructure that has impeded the attraction of foreign direct investment.

Established in mid-July, the coordination council aims to cope with the Central Highlands region’s challenges by bringing together key stakeholders and promoting coordination among relevant agencies.

Japanese chef’s gastronomic exchange in Hau Giang set for next week

The Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang will organize a gastronomic exchange next Monday, September 25, with the participation of Kazuhiro Matsuishi, a renowned master chef in Japan, and other chefs and culinary practitioners.

The exchange is slated to begin at 4 p.m. on September 25, in Lotus Pond Cultural Area in Vi Thanh City. It is jointly organized by Hau Giang Province and the Innovation Services Center (ISC).

Kazuhiro Matsuishi, master chef of the Sokichi restaurant in Fukuoka Prefecture, managing director of Japan-based company Yoshimasa, will introduce his skills in preparing dishes made from spotted bronze featherbacks and eels, as well as the Japanese art of enjoying these dishes.

At the exchange, Kazuhiro Matsuishi will also introduce a new refrigeration technique for fresh fish different from instant freezing or vacuum freezing techniques widely used now. This new technique, invented by himself in 2010, does not harm the tissue structure of the fish meat when refrigerated.

“Proper processing techniques help maintain the freshness of fish and optimize the quality of ingredients, which is also important for ensuring hygiene and safety, and prevention of food poisoning,” he said.

Kazuhiro Matsuishi has 34 years of working and business experiences in the field of restaurant and gastronomy. He has filed for a patent for his technique of fresh fish refrigeration and hopes to disseminate this new technique to other countries.

He plans to run a program to train Vietnamese people on fish processing, helping cooks gain knowledge and techniques in processing fish to prepare high-quality dishes that meet hygiene and safety standards.

HCMC to develop software to manage permits for road, sidewalk use

More information about collecting fee for the temporary use of roads and sidewalks was given in yesterday press conference of the HCMC People’s Committee.

In the near future, the People’s Committee of HCMC is going to introduce a plan to implement the resolution of the HCMC People’s Council. The HCMC Transport Department is going to collaborate with the People’s Committees of all districts and Thu Duc City to review and announce a list of roads eligible for the temporary use of its sidewalks and parts of its surface for specific functions, activities.

As to service provision and commercial activities, paid parking lots, the localities must check which roads in their assigned locations are eligible for this temporary use, along with a suitable scope for each activity. The list of these roads must be announced publicly so that implementation measures can be devised depending on the reality and special features of each location.

The HCMC Transport Department is going to build a software piece as a management tool and publicize this permit issuance for the temporary use of sidewalks and part of roads citywide so that the community can monitor and give feedback to functional agencies when needed.

Citizens and organizations can access this software to check information about the exact part of a road and sidewalk permitted for temporary use, the use plan, and the corresponding fees. They can report problems related to this use to management units issuing the permit or collecting fees. The tool is expected to increase transparency in urban management of HCMC.

In the meeting, the HCMC Education and Training Department answered the inquiry about its newly released notice on teachers not unexpectedly checking old lessons at the beginning of a class. Accordingly, this checking is not at all forbidden, but the act of checking unexpectedly is not allowed. Instead, teachers must fulfill this task by clearly reminding students in advance to make them feel at ease.

Khanh Hoa universities seek stronger partnership with Australian peers

A seminar was held on September 21 to share experience in training cooperation between nearly 20 Australian universities and their peers in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa, and introduce the collaboration model between universities and businesses to meet human resources development demand of Vietnam’s south central coastal localities.

Pham Quoc Hung, Vice Rector of Nha Trang University said that the university has set up partnerships with many Australian partners such as Southern Cross University, James Cook University, Sunshine Coast and Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). He expressed his hope to further promote cooperation with Australia.

Australian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Rebecca Ball said that the seminar is a chance for parties to strengthen connections and realise education cooperation potential.

Participants listened to a report on human resources development in the central coastal region, and discussed training cooperation models among businesses and university as well as training linkage opportunities with Australia.

Phan Thanh Nhut from Nha Trang University said that the south central coastal region, which is strong in fisheries with a fleet of about 12,000 fishing vessels, is in need of a large number of labourers in seafood production and processing.

He also underlined the region’s demand for human resources in tourism, noting that last year, the south central coastal and Central Highlands regions welcomed more than 30 million visitors, earning over 61 trillion VND (2.5 billion USD), and creating jobs for more than 100,000 labourers.

Vuong Vinh Hiep from Long Sinh Co., Ltd said that universities should explore the demands of the market and businesses before building their training programmes. He advised businesses to give information of their real personnel needs and provide scholarships to students. He also stressed the need for State management agencies to complete institutions and policies encouraging cooperation among universities and businesses.

The event was held within the framework of the Vietnam-Australia programme for education and cuisine promotion implemented by the Australian Consulate General in Can Tho, HCM City and Khanh Hoa on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

It is also the first in a series of activities that the Australian Consulate General planned to organise in Khanh Hoa.

Exhibition on Hoang Sa, Truong Sa underway in Cao Bang

An exhibition on historical and legal evidence proving Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) opened in the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang on September 22.

On display are 80 maps and documents affirming Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa issued by the Vietnamese feudal states from the 17th century to the 20th century. Photos featuring the signing ceremony of three documents on Vietnam-China land border, documents on Vietnam-China land border landmark, among others.

Besides, the exhibition also introduces nearly 400 photos featuring the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) community, photos on ethnic groups and religions of Vietnam.

Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Information and Communications Vu Van Chung said the event plays an important role in improving public awareness of Vietnam’s sovereignty over Truong Sa and Hoang Sa, and providing historical and legal evidence showing the land border markers between Vietnam and China.

The exhibition also helps inspire patriotism, solidarity and responsibility to safeguard the country’s sovereignty over seas and islands among people from all walks of life, particularly young generation, as well as calling for people to join hands to develop ASEAN, a community for peace, stability and prosperity.

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