National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue had meetings with the Chairman of the Bulgaria-Vietnam Friendship Association, several Vietnamese Ambassadors to European countries, and representatives of Vietnamese communities in Europe in Sofia on September 24 (local time) as part of his ongoing visit to Bulgaria.

Talking to Chairman of the Bulgaria-Vietnam Friendship Association Simeon Dimchev, the NA Chairman highlighted the close friendship and all-round cooperation between the two countries over the past 73 years, and underlined that Vietnam always attaches great importance to and hopes to further promote ties with Bulgaria.

Hailing the positive contributions that mass organisations of the two countries, including the Vietnam-Bulgaria and Bulgaria-Vietnam Friendship Associations, have made to the friendship and partnership between the two countries over the past 73 years, the top legislator said that people-to-people exchange is an important diplomatic channel in promoting friendship between the two states and peoples.

He held that the 30,000-strong Vietnamese community in Bulgaria is a bridge for the friendship between the two nations.

Dimchev briefed the Vietnamese NA leader on major activities of the association, including those to introduce the culture, land and people of Vietnam in Bulgaria.

The same day, NA Chairman Hue had a meeting with Vietnamese ambassadors to Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Greece and Turkey.

NA Chairman Hue stressed that Europe is an important partner of Vietnam, expressing his hope that the ambassadors will show strong performance in implementing the Party’s policy regarding multilateral external relations and Vietnamese citizen abroad, and in mobilising resources for national development.

Particularly, the NA leader asked the diplomats to pay special attention to economic diplomacy, pushing for the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to create favourable conditions for investment activities with Vietnam.

Along with strengthening the protection of Vietnamese citizens in the European countries, the diplomat should support them in fostering solidarity and making contributions to the protection and construction of the Fatherland, he said.

Earlier, the Vietnamese top legislator visited Bulgaria’s National Museum of History in the capital city of Sofia. 

Also on September 24, NA Chairman Hue had a meeting with the Vietnamese communities in Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Turkey, Czech Redpublic and Slovakia. 

Noting that the Vietnam-Bulgaria partnership in politics-diplomacy has been fruitful, but bilateral trade and investment cooperation has remained modest, the NA leader said that his visit will focus on beefing up trade and investment ties between the two countries and boosting locality-to-locality cooperation.

He briefed the community on the situation at home andaffirmed the Party and State’s consistent policy of considering the Vietnamese community abroad as an inseparable part and great resources of the Vietnamese nation.

He expressed his delight as Slovakia has become the second country after the Czech Republic to recognise the Vietnamese community as an ethnic minority group.

He said he hopes the Vietnamese community abroad will continue to promote solidarity and mutual support, maintain and develop the mother tongue and cultural identity, and making more contributions to the national development.

The NA leader affirmed that the Party and State are working hard to complete policies and laws regarding overseas Vietnamese in order to better ensure their legitimate rights and interest.

On the occasion, NA Chairman Hue witnessed the launch of an education promotion fund by the Vietnamese community in Bulgaria and cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Fatherland Garden – a venue for exhibition of Vietnamese products.

PM receives leaders of Communist Party of Brazil, friendship association

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception for President of the Communist Party of Brazil Luciana Santos and its leadership in Brasilia on September 24 as part of his official visit to the South American country.

Hailing the Communist Party of Brazil’s achievements and positive role in the country’s politics, PM Chinh affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, Government and people always bear in mind and respect the Brazilian people, the Communist Party of Brazil, left-wing forces, and peace lovers' sentiments and valuable support for and assistance to the Vietnamese people during their past struggle for national liberation as well as the curent cause of national construction and protection.

Amidst complicated and unpredictable developments in the world, Vietnam advocates promoting global solidarity as well as heightening multilateralism, including boosting collaboration with the Communist Party of Brazil, he said, expressing his hope that Luciana Santos, in her roles as the President of the Communist Party of Brazil and Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, will continue to support and promote cooperation with Vietnam.

At the event, PM Chinh also informed the guests of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV)’s policies and guidelines adopted at the 13th National Party Congress, as well as measures to develop Vietnam into a developing country with upper middle-income by 2030, and a developed and high-income nation by 2045.

Vietnam persistently pursues its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, diversification and multilateralisation, and active and proactive international integration in a comprehensive, practical and effective fashion, he affirmed, adding Vietnam is a reliable partner, and an active and responsible member of the international community, and implements a “Four Nos” defence policy.

Luciana Santos, for her part, spoke highly of PM Chinh’s official visit, which is the first by a senior leader of the two countries after 15 years, and takes place at a time when the two nations are looking towards the 35th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations (May 8, 1989 - 2024).

She affirmed that the revolutionary struggle of the CPV and the Vietnamese people, which was flexible and resilient like “Vietnamese bamboos”, inspired the Communist Party of Brazil as well as progressive and peace-loving forces in Brazil and Latin America.

Luciana Santos hailed Vietnam’s comprehensive achievements in socio-economic development, defence, security and international integration under the leadership of the CPV headed by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

PM Chinh and Luciana Santos also discussed measures to enhance the sound friendship and cooperative relations between the two countries across various fields, promote people-to-people exchanges, maintain and elevate collaboration between the two Parties, including their coordination at forums of major political parties such as the Sao Paolo Forum.

Receiving General Secretary of the Brazil – Vietnam Friendship Association Pedro de Olivera and its members on the same day, PM Chinh emphasised the continuous development of Vietnam – Brazil relations over the past 34 years based on the concerted efforts of both nations and their people, in which the Brazil – Vietnam Friendship Association has played an important role.

As there is ample room for both nations to promote collaboration, PM Chinh said he and Brazilian President Lula da Silva will discuss measures to promote cooperation across spheres in their upcoming talks, while asking the friendship association to continue promoting delegation exchanges, people-to-people exchanges and cultural and sport exchanges, and devise more initiatives to bolster the cooperative ties between the two nations.

He also expressed his wish that the association will back Vietnam and Brazil in the negotiations and signing of bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements, an investment protection agreement, and a double taxation avoidance agreement, among others, to bolster economic cooperation, which, he said, helps elevate the bilateral relations to a new height for peace, cooperation friendship, and development in the region and the world.

Pedro de Olivera and members of the Brazil – Vietnam Friendship Association said the association and the Vietnam – Brazil Friendship Association have worked together to make practical contributions to the Vietnam - Brazil ties, and affirmed they will continue efforts to promote the relations into a more practical and effective fashion, including cooperation in the fields of trade-investment, agriculture and food processing.

On the occasion, PM Chinh presented a painting of Vietnamese bamboos, which is a symbol of Vietnam, and its foreign policy as stated by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to Pedro de Olivera. Meanwhile, the latter presented the book “President Ho Chi Minh – life and career of the national liberation leader” to the Vietnamese PM.

 Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with officials and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Brazil. (Photo: VNA)
As part of his official visit, PM Chinh also visited and met with officials and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Brazil.

With the embassy’s great contributions, Brazilian friends have a good understanding of Vietnam as well as the country’s development process and “bamboo” diplomacy, he said, asking the embassy to make greater efforts to enhance Vietnam’s economic, trade and investment ties with the South American country – a power in Latin America.

Both nations hold huge potential for further cooperation, he said, requesting the embassy to work to accelerate the negotiations and signing of bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements, an investment protection agreement, and a double taxation avoidance agreement, among others, to bolster economic cooperation as the deals will create legal frameworks to carry out bilateral collaboration.

The embassy was also ordered to channel focus on people-to-people exchanges and cultural, sport and education exchanges, while coordinating with the Brazilian side at the multilateral forums to support each other, especially supporting ASEAN’s central role in the East Sea issues.

Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Thi Kim Hoa committed to make efforts to develop the bilateral ties, and boost two-way trade revenue to 10 billion USD by 2025, and 15-20 billion USD by 2030.

Vietnamese, Brazilian firms asked to work together to raise trade to 10 billion USD

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on September 24 asked Vietnamese and Brazilian businesses to concretise cooperation mechanisms with specific programmes and projects, with an aim to bring two-way trade turnover to 10 billion USD by 2025, and 15-20 billion USD by 2030 in a more balanced direction.

PM Chinh, who is in an official visit to the South American country, stressed that after nearly 35 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties, the bilateral relations have developed positively in all fields.  

Vietnam and Brazil are currently each other's largest trading partner in Southeast Asia and South America, with their trade turnover reaching a record level of about 6.78 billion USD in 2022, up 6.6% year-on-year, and by threefold in the past decade.

However, investment cooperation remains very modest, as Brazil currently has six valid projects totalling 3.83 million USD in Vietnam, and the Southeast Asian nation has only one worth 300,000 USD in the South American nation.

The PM said Brazil can become a bridge to help Vietnam access the markets of Latin American countries, as well as the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), and at the same time, Vietnam can help Brazil access the large ASEAN market with more than 650 million people and a larger market of 800 million people under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) of which Vietnam is a member.

He suggested the two sides promote extensive information exchange on their respective investment-related policies and priority areas of cooperation, coordinate in implementing coordination programmes in investment and trade promotion activities to create conditions for businesses from both sides to better understand each other’s investment environment and opportunities.

The two governments need to encourage and promote two-way trade and investment flows on the basis of mutual benefit, increase the exchange of business delegations to survey investment opportunities and business connections to enhance trade - investment relations commensurate with the potential and advantages of the two countries.

Vietnam hopes Brazilian businesses will invest in Vietnam in manufacturing, high technology, infrastructure development, agriculture - forestry - fishery, renewable energy, information technology, pharmaceuticals, biology, construction and services, stated Chinh.

The PM also shared that Vietnam prioritises attracting investment projects of enterprises operating in high technology, innovation, and research and development which commit to promoting the digital economy and actively contributing to the country’s sustainable socio-economic development.

At the meeting, local groups and major businesses showed their interest in cooperating with Vietnam in various fields, especially agriculture, food processing, renewable energy, and aerospace; and expressed their desire to learn more about Vietnam's legal regulations in the above fields, particularly food safety standards and import and export procedures.

Embraer S.A. said it hopes to receive support from the Vietnamese Government to build an aviation equipment maintenance centre and provide aircraft components and maintenance services in Vietnam, while the Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants to establish an office in the Southeast Asian nation to promote trade and industrial cooperation between the two countries.

Affirming that Vietnam fully supports the opening of the Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam, PM Chinh requested Brazilian and Vietnamese businesses to further promote the transfer of science and technology, strengthen connections to develop together.

On the same day, the Vietnamese Government leader visited Sport Club Corinthians Paulista in Sao Paulo during which he expressed his hope that the renowned club will cooperate and support the development of a Vietnamese football club.

Japan appreciates outcomes of CEPPP hosted by Vietnam

Japan and representatives of State members of ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) valued the preparations of Vietnam in hosting the Competency Evaluation Programme for Prospective UN Peacekeepers (CEPPP) as well as outcomes of the programme, according to Matsuzawa Tomoko, Director for Defence Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region at the Japanese Ministry of Defence.

Masuzawa said as co-chair of the event, Japan particularly recognised the efforts of Vietnam's Defence Ministry and the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations.

The CEPPP is an activity under the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts’ Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations (PKO-EWG) Cycle 4, which took place on September 13-21. It drew nearly 300 experts, trainees and observers from ADMM-Plus member countries.

The Japanese official said that Vietnam and Japan, the co-host of the event, worked closely over the past two years to prepare for CEPPP in order to ensure all participating members will benefit from the programme.

She said through daily contact and observing the participation of theoretical and training sessions, she can affirm that the CEPPP has achieved the set goal of promoting cooperation among participating nations.   

Masuzawa emphasised that CEPPP is an important and unprecedented event with the participation of three forces, including military observers, engineers, and medical workers at the tactical level. The programme was a chance for Vietnam, together with Japan, as well as other ADMM-Plus members to enhance their capacity, coordination and cooperation in the preparations and participation in UN peacekeeping missions.

She especially emphasised the contributions of female military officers saying that they have enormously enhanced public’s awareness on gender views while bolstering participation of female officers in implementing the UN peacekeeping missions, which is also a goal of Cycle 4. 

She also expressed her hope that Vietnam and Japan will further cooperate in peacekeeping activities in the time ahead and participating ADMM-Plus State members will optimise experiences and knowledge acquired at CEPPP 2033 to contribute to the world’s peace and security.

Activities highlight Southern performing arts at HCM City Book Street

A series of activities to highlight the performing arts of the south Việt Nam is being held at the HCM City Pedestrian Book Street from September 23 to October 10.

The event is co-organised by the city Department of Information and Communications and the city's Book Street Company to celebrate the 78th anniversary of Southern Uprising [against the French] Day (September 23, 1945 - 2023).

The programme includes a discussion on the theme of "Performing Arts of Southern Region" featuring the history of various performing arts, including hò-lý (folk chanty and singing), cải lương (reformed opera), hát bội (classical drama), and tài tử music during the two resistance wars against the French and the Americans.

A book showcase titled Lịch Sử, Con Người, Vùng Đất Nam Bộ (History, People and Land of the South) features 50 books on the establishment and development of southern Việt Nam by prestigious Vietnamese historians and researchers such as Nguyễn Đình Tư.

The 103-year-old researcher won the history prize named after the revolutionary and philosopher Prof Trần Văn Giàu with his book Gia Định – Sài Gòn – Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh: Dặm Dài Lịch Sử about the three-century history of the city 1698-2020.

Discussions with the authors will be organised as well.

The organisers also host a painting exhibition titled Sắc Màu Thời Gian (Colours of Time) to raise funds for the project of building Nguyễn An Ninh Library, a digital library focusing on the history and development of the South in all fields of politics, administrative activities, economics, society, culture, education, medicine, religion, and sports.

The library is expected to be officially launched on October 10.

In the framework of the event, the organisers have worked with the HCM City University of Social Sciences and Humanities to host a series of discussions about southern history, folk culture, literature, and performing arts for students at the school. 

Famous writer’s teen tale released

A new book for teenagers by best-selling writer Nguyễn Nhật Ánh has been printed by the HCM City-based Trẻ (Youth) Publishing House.

The novel, Mùa Hè Không Tên (Nameless Summer), features boys and girls living in a village in the South.

Childhood, friendship, teen love, hopes and dreams are highlighted. Rural life and family are also included.

The 292-page book includes pictures by Hoàng Tường.

Ánh told his fans at a book-signing ceremony in HCM City on September 19 that he wrote books aimed at children and teenagers because he “wanted to talk, share and understand youngsters, who have the most pure love in the world”.

“I love reading teen books by Nguyễn Nhật Ánh. I think his writing style is a mix of reality and romanticism,” said Pham Quang Đại, a first-year student at the HCM City University of Economics.

Ánh began writing in 1984 and is known for his simple style and accurate depiction of children’s minds. In 2007, Ánh's Cho Xin Một Vé Đi Về Tuổi Thơ was a hit and sold more than 20,000 copies in the first weeks of its release.

The book tells the story of an urban boy named Mùi and his magic journey returning to childhood.

It won the Southeast Asian Writers Award presented by the Thai royal family in 2010. It has been translated into Thai and published by Thailand-based publisher Nanmee Books.

One of his highlighted books, Cô Gái Đến Từ Hôm Qua (The Girl Comes from Yesterday), released in 1995, remains one of the country’s best-selling kids’ books and Moscow University included it in the curriculum for Vietnamese-language students in 2014.

Some of his novels have been adapted into films.

Ánh has released more than 100 books, including short stories, non-fiction books and poems.

More than 80,000 copies of Ánh’s new book Mùa Hè Không Tên have been printed and distributed in bookstores and online shopping websites.

Books for teenagers have become popular in big cities. Leading printers have encouraged talented writers, such as Nguyễn Ngọc Thuần, Đàm Huy Đông, Nguyễn Thị Châu Giang, Nguyễn Thu Thuỷ and Đoàn Phương Huyền, to develop their careers.

Last year, five teen books by famous writers from the early 2000s, including Thuần and Giang, have been reprinted by the Kim Đồng Publishing House.

The publication celebrates the 20th anniversary of Books for Teenagers - a long-term project aimed to support books for young readers by the children's publishing house.

Integrated subjects a major challenge for teachers as new curriculum rolled out

A Natural Sciences class at Nghi Thu Secondary School in the central province of Nghệ An.

As the 2018 general education curriculum is being rolled out at the secondary school level, finding qualified teachers for integrated subjects remains a major bottleneck that schools are struggling to address.

According to the new curriculum, the subjects of Biology, Physics and Chemistry are grouped into one called Natural Sciences, while History and Geography are also combined in another integrated subject.

Although having earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Nghi Phương Secondary School’s teacher Nguyễn Thị Minh will have to be in charge of Natural Sciences and Computer Sciences this year due to a lack of human resources.

Minh said that students are not yet used to studying Natural Sciences as an integrated subject, and there are few reference documents for support teachers with lesson design.

Nguyễn Công Sơn, principal of Nghi Phương Secondary School in Nghi Lộc District of Nghệ An, added that the school has witnessed a shortage of teachers for years, which affects lesson arrangement and allocation.

Challenges in designing tests have also been reported as the model of integrated subjects is applied.

In Cửa Lò Town’s Nghi Thu Secondary School, teachers made multiple attempts at test design in the three years of implementing the new curriculum, but still have not found a satisfactory option.

School principal Trần Thị Thúy Thanh said: “In our first try, we designed a test that integrated all three subjects, but found that it difficult in the grading process.

“Meanwhile in the second attempt with tests arranged according to each specific subject, we had trouble determining the final grades for students.”

The school then tried to design tests in multiple-choice format to address these problems.

“However, in this way, teachers could not accurately assess their students’ ability,” said Thanh.

“A teacher could grade all three subjects without understanding the students’ quality of work,” she added.

Grade 8 is also when students start joining training teams for academic competitions at their localities.

Schools are still in the process of coming up with clear guidelines for these students, as studying based on the integrated teaching model means they have to juggle two to three smaller subjects at the same time.

Meanwhile, having these subjects separated would mean straying away from the principle of the reformed curriculum.

In the previous academic year review conference with the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) in August, educators raised their voices on the issue and hoped that the MoET would take into account concerns at the grassroots level and address the situation.

In the meantime, educational institutions in Nghệ An Province have been taking their own actions to alleviate the issues at hand.

For the 2023-2024 school year, the provincial education and training department has allowed schools to proactively assign teachers based on their capacity and flexibly design their lesson plans and schedules.

Department head Thái Văn Thành said that the province continues to open teaching positions according to the registered quota, and organise short training courses on the integrated subject of Natural Sciences, as well as on Computer Sciences, Technology and Foreign Languages.

Nghệ An also plans to work with educational institutions to train teachers for subjects that are witnessing a shortage of human resources and enlarge the talent pool for recruitment.

Localities across the country have been accelerating the assessment of teaching quality according to the 2018 general education curriculum.

Experts seek to raise awareness to reduce antibiotic resistance

Along with an appropriate and effective antibiotic use strategy, raising patient awareness is very important to reduce antibiotic resistance, a scientific conference, themed “Sore throat and cough - a multi-specialty perspective”, discussed in HCM City on Friday.

At the conference, which was organised by the Vietnam Medical Association with the support of Reckitt Vietnam, Dr. Trần Phan Chung Thuỷ, president of Vietnamese Society of Otorhinolaryngology, stressed in an opening speech that antibiotic resistance is a major threat to global health with a high mortality rate.

Thuỷ cited a report from the World Health Organisation (WHO), which estimates that from 2020 to 2023, there were 296,681 deaths in Việt Nam due to antibiotic resistance, while Việt Nam ranks second among countries in the Western Pacific region and 11th in the world on antibiotic consumption.

Sore throat and cough are two common symptoms in ear, nose and throat (ENT) diseases and are also subject to antibiotic abuse because patients could not have access to proper treatment. This has contributed to increasing antibiotic resistance, Thuỷ told the conference.

Statistics from the WHO in Việt Nam show that up to 50 per cent of antibiotics are used inappropriately in hospitals while 88-97 per cent of pharmacies sell antibiotics without a prescription from a doctor.

Specifically in Việt Nam, pharmacists are the first ones who communicate with patients about their health matters. Therefore, pharmacists play a key role in offering guidance and raising awareness in order to help patients comply with treatment and use antibiotics properly, the conference heard.

“Every pharmacist is seen as a soldier in the fight to reduce antibiotic resistance. Proper advice from pharmacists when communicating with patients at their pharmacies will help improve compliance with antibiotic use, leading to effective antibiotic conservations,” Thuỷ said.

Sharing the same point of view, Dr. Bùi Thị Hương Quỳnh, deputy director of the pharmacy department at HCM City’s Thống Nhất Hospital, told the conference that the rate of antibiotic resistance before and after the COVID-19 outbreak was generally high. 

“While many drug-resistant strains hit the street, there are not many new antibiotics being researched and developed. Therefore, antibiotics should only be used with a diagnosis of infection. Moreover, antibiotics should be used correctly, in the right dose, and for the right time,” she said.

Sore throat is a common disease in Việt Nam with more than 10 million cases per year. 

Among adults suffering from a sore throat, nearly half of them have a sore throat three to four times a year. Meanwhile, cough is a common symptom with 30 million cases each year, with viruses being the cause of most cases of sore throat.

To solve the problem, doctors discussed solutions that do not include antibiotics.

Dr. Trần Viết Luân, head of the ENT department at Phạm Ngọc Thạch University of Medicine, said using antibiotics could increase the risk of antibiotic resistance and cause adverse effects such as diarrhea, rashes, allergies, etc.

“Sore throats are mostly caused by viruses, so antibiotic use is ineffective. Using flurbiprofen lozenge is a better choice and will have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. The lozenges dissolve in about five minutes, continuously coating the inflamed mucous membranes in the throat with flurbiprofen while soothing the throat. The retention time of flurbiprofen in the pharyngeal cavity can be up to three hours,” he said.

Meanwhile, for the treatment of phlegm cough, ambroxol lozenges are effective in treating this illness because they have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, local anesthetic effects and have higher bioavailability than the oral form.

A series of “Sore throat and cough - A multi-specialty perspective” conferences are being organised by the Vietnam Medical Association with the support of Reckitt Vietnam to help doctors and pharmacists get useful knowledge.

"Reckitt in collaboration with the Vietnam Medical Association organised the event with the aim of not only providing doctors and pharmacists helpful knowledge but also creating opportunities for discussion and enhancing consulting skills, thereby supporting the health workforce to play a more important role in protecting the public health, contributing to antibiotics conservation as well as raising new, effective solutions in the treatment of sore throat and cough," said Sajjapong Saphakkul, General Director of Reckitt Vietnam.

In order to spread the message of reducing antibiotic resistance, a same conference will be organised in Hà Nội on September 26.

HCM City takes measures to prevent overcharging in new school year

The HCM City Department of Education and Training has announced that all expenses for supporting services for educational activities must follow the regulations issued by the city. 

These amounts are not included in tuition fees and are paid by students and their families. 

The city’s People’s Council in July issued a resolution specifying four groups of fees and the maximum applicable amount, including expenses for extracurricular activities, for activities as part of the city’s educational projects, for boarding services, and for individual student support.

According to the city’s education and training department, this categorisation is for easier implementation and supervision in the new school year, minimising overcharging or improper fee collection among schools and related facilities. 

Based on these regulations, the existing resources and the needs of parents, schools will develop estimates for revenue and expenditure for the academic year. 

The HCM City Department of Education and Training also required that all applicable fees be announced in written documents to students and their families. 

The school’s finance department is responsible for collecting fees and issuing receipts and invoices for each student, with financial management regulations in place. 

All transactions must be non-cash payments and teachers are not involved in the process.

The education and training department will also increase inspection and supervision in facilities within its authority. 

For underprivileged students, the department has also requested schools to carry out reduction and exemption measures for tuition fees and other expenses, in accordance with regulations and guidelines. 

District-level Divisions of Education and Training and Divisions of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs will also work together to review the list of students eligible for financial support, which will be sent to educational facilities in the city. 

They will also provide assistance to students while the financial support is being finalised, said the city’s education and training department. 

Long An Province boosts links with other localities to develop tourism

Long An Province is stepping up connection with other provinces and cities to develop tourism, especially its specific tourism products.

Located as a gateway of the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta and neighbouring HCM City, the province has great potential for developing specific tourism products such as exploring the lives of local people living along rivers, orchards, craft villages, and historical and cultural relics.

The province has vast cajuput forests, orchards, and rice, lotus and vegetable fields.

It has advantages for tourism infrastructure, especially transport, as National Highway No.1 A and the HCM City-Trung Lương expressway run through it.

It has various tourism products such as ecotourism, amusement parks, and sports and historical sites.

It is co-operating with HCM City, the delta’s other provinces and Cần Thơ City to develop tourism and trans-province tours, according to its Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

It is linking with these localities to open inter-provincial boat tours, and tours on Vàm Cỏ Đông and Vàm Cỏ Tây rivers, which are its two major rivers.

It is also linking with the delta’s Đồng Tháp Province to develop a tour to explore the lives of local people in the Đồng Tháp Mười (Plain of Reeds) low-lying region during the delta’s flooding season.

At the beginning of last year, Long An participated in implementing inter-provincial tours such as a six-day tour (HCM City-Long An-Tiền Giang-Vĩnh Long-Cần Thơ-Hậu Giang-Sóc Trăng- Bạc Liêu-Cà Mau) and a four-day tour (HCM City-Long An-Đồng Tháp-An Giang-Kiên Giang).

Nguyễn Văn Hiểm, chairman of the province's Tourism Association, said the association has linked with travel companies in other provinces and cities to develop tourism in Long An.

“The association is making efforts to have the best tourism products to offer tourists more choices,” he said.

Đỗ Thị Kim Dung, director of the department’s Tourism Promotion Centre, said the department is co-operating with the delta’s other provinces, Cần Thơ City and HCM City to implement a comprehensive agreement for tourism development in the region in 2020-25.

The agreement aims to promote the competitive strength of each locality to build specific tourism products and tourism brand names for the region, she said.

“Long An, HCM City and the delta’s other provinces and Cần Thơ City regularly co-operate in sharing tourism information, management experiences and promotion, and this helps orientate the development of tourism and tourism products of each locality,” she said.

This year, Long An is also co-operating with these localities to develop a plan to advertise and promote its tourism, and another plan to implement the programme of co-operating with these localities to develop tourism, she said.

It has also boosted links with Cambodia to develop border tours between Long An and Cambodia’s Svay Rieng Province.

With its roads connecting to HCM City’s Tân Sơn Nhất Airport and Bình Hiệp international border gate with Cambodia, Long An has opportunities to directly receive foreign tourists through these sites.

The province is strengthening activities to advertise and promote tourism, and develop potential and specific tourism products to create its tourism identity and build a tourism image of safety and attractiveness.

Long An is developing specific tourism products, such as tours of rivers, agriculture, craft villages and medicinal plant farming, and these tours have been warmly welcomed by tourists.

Láng Sen Wetland Reserve in Tân Hưng District, Tân Lập Floating Village eco-tourism area and the Đồng Tháp Mười Herbal Medicine Research, Conservation and Development Centre in Mộc Hoá District are the province’s specific tourism destinations.

The province has 125 historical, cultural, architectural, artistic, landscape and archaeological sites recognised as provincial and national heritage sites, and has specialty meals such as sour and sweet soup, baked snake-head fish, and fermented fish hot pot.

It is well-known for having a rich history of the Óc Eo culture, which existed between the first to the seventh century.

Nguyễn Anh Dũng, director of the department, said Long An will expand co-operating with provinces and cities nationwide to develop tourism, and create favourable conditions for firms to invest in tourism.

The province received about 360,000 tourists, including 7,700 foreigners, in the first half of the year, up 54 per cent against the same period last year.

It earned tourism revenue of VNĐ174 billion (US$7.1 million) in the period, up 39 per cent year-on-year.

It targets to receive 3.6 million local tourists and 130,000 foreign tourists in 2025.

Culture Week celebrates 120th anniversary of Sa Pa tourism

A special show staged by ethnic people has opened Culture Week to celebrate the 120th anniversary of Sa Pa tourism in the northern mountainous province of Lào Cai.

Taking place at an open-air venue of the Sa Pa Centre Square in the famous tourist town of Sa Pa, the elaborately-staged show Vũ Điệu Dưới Trăng (The Dance under Moonlight) has been presented by 200 local people from ethnic groups living in the region, including Mông, Dao, Tày, Giáy and Xa Phó.

The 40-minute show comprising music, dance, stage tableau, and lighting effects has vividly and realistically depicted the quintessence of the rich ethnic culture in Sa Pa.

Using the natural yet poetic surroundings as the main background, the show has offered a special art experience for tourists as they can learn more about the unique ethnic culture while enjoying the natural mesmerising atmosphere with mist and magical moonlight.  

According to the show’s producer, Anh Sơn Group, the performance doesn’t use voice recording or any sound amplification equipment.

“All the stage tableau and music combined well together will take the audience to different levels of emotions,” a representative of Anh Sơn Group said.

The show will be presented to the public at the Sa Pa Centre Square until September 23.

On Saturday, at the stadium in Sa Pa Town, a special art performance on the theme “Wonderful Sa Pa” will be held.

To tell the Sa Pa transformation journey – from a small resort for French colonists at the beginning of the 20th century to the current international tourist destination.

Six hundred professional and amateur performers will take part in the performance, which will be divided into three parts – Sa Pa Kỳ Vỹ Linh Thiêng (Spectacular and Sacred Sa Pa), Diệu Kỳ Miền Đất Sương Mây (Magical Land of Mist and Clouds), and Kết Nối Khát Vọng Xanh (Connecting Green Aspiration).

The performance also feature popular singers Trọng Tấn, Sèn Hoàng Mỹ Lam, Ngô Hồng Quang, and Quách Beem.

Also on Saturday evening, a stunning firework performance will be presented.

As Culture Week takes place coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival, a lantern parade accompanied by a traditional lion dance will be held on September 29.

Earlier, all schools and residential zones in the town took part in a lantern competition.

The celebration also includes an international mountain marathon, an exhibition of agricultural products, and a dance sports competition.

After 120 years of development since the French marked the first step on Mt. Fansipan in 1903, today, the resort town of Sa Pa has become a famous tourist destination for tourists all over the world. A tourist magnet, Sa Pa is continually in the top 10 of Việt Nam’s most popular destinations and among the top 28 most attractive destinations in the world.

Since the beginning of this year, Sa Pa has organised numerous festivals and cultural activities to celebrate the glorification, attracting more than 2 million tourists.

VN still have chance at Asian Game despite loss

Vietnamese players can grow strong after their heavy loss against Iran and still advance to the Asian Games' next round despite huge challenges, according to their head coach.

Việt Nam suffered a big defeat to Iran, losing by four goals to nil in their second Group B match on Thursday in Hangzhou, China.

The continent's powerful side scored one early in the first half and added three more after the break in a match that Việt Nam head coach Hoàng Anh Tuấn said his players still made too many basic mistakes.

"I congratulate Iran. They totally dominated the game and deserved to win," said Tuấn at the post-match press conference.

"My players did not do good job. They need to be really focused from the beginning through to the end of the match. I have repeatedly told them about it but they could not do that under high pressure from a strong team. It is our problem. We still have one more match, one more chance. These mistakes must be fixed and we must change."

Iran were much stronger than Việt Nam as they surpassed the Southeast Asian champions in fitness, experience and technique. They stand at No 22 in the FIFA ranking while Việt Nam No 95.

Tuấn added: "This kind of match will be a big lesson to my players. Of course nobody is happy with such a big loss but in term of profession my players will learn a lot and develop stronger in the future. They understand that football is now a subject of science, not a game as we thought about before."

"My players are among the youngest here. Bringing young players to Asian Games was a strategic plan of the Việt Nam Football Federation. It is our long-term vision. Players still need time and competitive events to challenge themselves and develop. They will be core of senior team for tournaments next year and the year after as we keep eyes on the 2026 and 2030 World Cups."

Tuấn knew that the door to the next stage for Việt Nam was closing but his team can still make it through to the knock-out stages.

"We will have an opportunity in the match against Saudi Arabia in three days. We will have to forget this defeat and prepare for that match,” he said.

Việt Nam are at No 3 place in the table below Iran and Saudi Arabia which beat Mongolia with a clean 3-0 score in a latter match on the same day.

In the last group round match on Sunday, Tuấn will not have defender Nguyễn Anh Đức as he has received two bookings and will be suspended for the next game.

Meanwhile, the chances of defender Phan Tuấn Tài and forward Nhâm Mạnh Dũng is not clear as they are both still injured.

Tài suffered a Achilles tendonitis in his first training session after landing in China. Over-23 Dũng has a pink eye and could not play the first two matches.

Việt Nam will ensure a place in the next round if they beat Saudi Arabia and have six points to be one of two top teams. They could still qualify if they draw or lose to the world No 54 seed if Mongolia do not beat Iran. In this case, Việt Nam will be No 3 in the group and might be one of four best third-placed teams to seal the knockout stage ticket. 

Runners to discover Southwest at Bepharco Bến Tre Marathon

Runners will have opportunities to experience the beautiful scenery and culture of the southwestern region during the Bepharco Bến Tre Marathon 2023 in November.

The annual event will be held on November 4-5 spreading a message “Run for Health and Environment” in Bến Tre Province by the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Bến Tre Pharmaceutical Company (Bepharco) and Nexus Sport Events.

In its second edition, the organisers expect to see about 6,000 runners, a remarkable increase compared to last year's 4,000 who were from more than 20 countries and territories.

There are four categories of 5km, 10km, 21km and 42km on designed routes that, according to organisers, will help participants experience and enjoy a lively and youthful Bến Tre and bigger bonuses available.

A purse of more than VNĐ300 million (US$12,400) will be delivered to the high ranking finishers with the men's and women's champions of marathon category taking the highest award of VNĐ20 million ($824).

Organisers will also present bonuses to winners of age categories, best club and most impressive cosplay.

Runners cross the finish line in last year's tournament. This year event will provide bonus to fastest individual runners and clubs.
In addition to the races, many interesting activities will be held at the Expo area in two days.

Apart from encouraging people to practise sports for better life, organisers want to introduce the cultural aspects and stunning landscape of the province, promoting the local green tourism industry while upgrading and preserving local unique values.

This year, title sponsor Bepharco, the national Top 5 brands, is to celebrate its 60th anniversary by carrying out useful activities for the community. With the mission of "Community health care", Bepharco has paid special attention to programmes and activities that improve the quality of life of Bến Tre people in particular and the whole country in general. 

Nha Trang-Lien Khuong expressway construction proposed

Authorities of the southern central province of Khanh Hoa have received the proposal on building an highway linking Nha Trang City and Lien Khuong District in the Central Highland province of Lam Dong.

The Son Hai Group proposed road would be 103 kilometres long, linking the Nha Trang-Cam Lam Expressway and Giau Giay-Lien Khuong Highway.

Around 48 kilometres of the route will run through Khanh Hoa.

The VND36 trillion (USD1.53 billion) project would affect 116 households.

The project will be carried out in the 2025-2028 period.

Once put into operation, Nha Trang-Lien Khuong Expressway will help ease pressure for National Highway 27C which is often at risk of landslides.

Chairman of the People's Committee of Khanh Hoa Province, Nguyen Tan Tuan, has urged the establishment of a board to oversee the project implementation. The board will then work with authorities of Lam Dong Province on issues of concern.

Photo exhibition showcases Vietnamese heritage to the delight of Hanoians

The week-long exhibition of the winning photos of the Journey of Heritage began on September 22 at the Hanoi Exhibition House, 93 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem District.

The Heritage Special Award goes to photographer Ngo Quang Phuc for the photo collection "The Ndam Padhi Bani Festival in Ninh Thuan". The first prize was awarded to photographer Bang Cao for his photo collection "The Lifetime Treasure: Wild Beeswax".

Five joint prizes were awarded to the works entitled "Whales Seeking Journey in the East African Sea" by Nguyen Ngoc Thien; "Seaweed Harvesting in Quang Ngai" by Alex Cao; "Pottery Trade of Binh Thuan" by Nguyen Quoc Huy; "Khu Gia Gia Festival of Ha Nhi Minority" by Nguyen Vu Hau; "Wharf in Life of Central Highlands Peoples" by Duong Manh Khiem.

The aforementioned works are selected from hundreds of photos at the 9th Journey of Heritage organized by Heritage Magazine, launched in April, highlighting the importance of preserving cultural heritage and natural values.

"Journey of Heritage" is an annual professional photography contest for Vietnamese and international photographers organized by Heritage, the in-flight magazine of Vietnam Airlines, since 2013. Now in its 9th year, the event aims to promote Vietnam's culture, beautiful landscapes, and friendly people.

K-pop show rocks Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc square

K-Pop lovers from all over the country had a chance to treat their ears to their favorite melodies at the "K-Pop I Love 2023" singing contest in downtown Hanoi.

The final show of the "K-pop Songs I Love" singing contest, held by the Korea Creative Content Agency Vietnam Office (KOCCA Vietnam), rocked Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square in the heart of Hanoi on September 23.

Hong Jeong Yong, Chief Representative of KOCCA Vietnam, head of the organizing committee, said that KOCCA Vietnam hopes that the program will be a space to show the passion for K-pop especially for Vietnamese young people.

"Through the program, I believe that K-pop in particular and Korean culture, in general, will always be favored by Vietnamese people and Vietnamese-Korean cultural exchanges will be increasingly promoted," he said.

There are hundreds of thousands of people in Vietnam who love K-pop (South Korean popular music). The melodies of famous Korean music groups such as BTS, Blackpink, NCT, Twice, 2NE1 can be heard in many places on the streets of Vietnam. Therefore, KOCCA Vietnam wants to create a K-pop music party for every young Vietnamese who shares the same love of K-pop to enjoy and spread the love of K-pop.

This is the second time the “K-pop Songs I Love” contest has been held in Vietnam in four major cities, including Danang, Binh Duong, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi. Nearly 300 Vietnamese young people nationwide have registered to participate in the program since August 2023. In the autumn atmosphere of Hanoi, the 24 best-qualified contestants from the above cities shone together at this K-pop party.

Singer Van Mai Huong, singer Kay Tran, K-pop dance groups 0107 Crew and The A-code, and K-pop singer Huynh Thi My Loan also participated in the show.

The Korea Creative Content Agency is directly under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of South Korea. KOCCA Vietnam's mission is to introduce Korean creative content to the Vietnamese people and promote exchanges between the creative content industries of the two countries.

KOICA training course for Vietnamese journalists ends

A journalistic training course hosted by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in Seoul concluded late this week (September 22).

The course is the second phase training course for 20 Vietnamese journalists to better implement Government policies.

After two weeks, Vietnamese officials at the Academy of Journalism & Communication, officials of the Central Propaganda and Education Committee, the Ministry of Information and Communications, and several local news publishers successfully graduated and obtained certificates from KOICA.

Nguyen Duc Toan, Vice Rector of the Academy of Journalism & Communication, said he is grateful for the support of the South Korean Government, KOICA and other organizations.

He also thanked the lecturers, including Professor Im Jong Seob, Professor Kim Byeong Hee, and Professor Yeji Kwon, for their devotion, energy and passion throughout the course.

The Academy of Journalism and Communication hopes that KOICA will provide further efficient support for the activities designed for the program's second phase.

The course was divided into six major topics, including big data journalism and big data government, the presence and future of the Korean smart media industry, national brand management through public media, and the development of personal promotion.

Learners also had to develop their action plans to implement Government policies. The activity accounted for a high proportion of the course duration.

Under Professor Ul-Sung Yi's guidance, Vietnamese trainees could develop an action plan for manpower development for the Academy of Journalism and Communication, improvement of manpower quality for Vietnam’s policy communication sector, and improvement of performance for Vietnamese press agencies.

As part of the course, Vietnamese journalists and officials visited the South Korean Journalism Foundation, which partnered with Vietnam’s Academy of Journalism and Communication in 2017-2019.

The Vietnamese delegates also had a field trip at several venues, such as the South Korean Advertisement Museum, the YTN Broadcasting Television, and the South Korean National Culture Museum, where they experienced Korea’s media production process and understood the people and culture of Korea.

Photos on circular economy show new perspectives

The photographs are a reflection of new perspectives on the circular economy in terms of natural resource use, pollution reduction and environmental protection.

The contest is organized to seek photos that reflect the circular economy model; increasing efficiency in the use of natural resources, raw materials, and energy-saving materials; extending the life of materials, equipment, products, goods, and other components; limiting waste generation and minimizing adverse environmental impacts and the use of harmful chemicals; waste recycling; energy recovery; avoiding single-use products; green shopping.

It is organized by the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists, Environment Magazine (VEM) and the non-profit organization C ASEAN Vietnam.

Summing up the contest, Pham Dinh Tuyen, deputy editor-in-chief of Environment Magazine and head of the contest organizing committee, said that after nearly two months of the contest (from July 15 to August 4), the organizing committee received 919 works from 148 photographers from 37 provinces and cities nationwide. Among them, Ho Chi Minh City has the largest number of participating authors (17).

Despite the short duration of the contest and its broad theme, which is related to all aspects of life, a large number of entries were submitted. This is a proof of the interest and passion of many professional and amateur photographers to see a developed circular economy model in Vietnam.

The jury selected one first prize, two second prizes, two third prizes, and four consolation prizes. In particular, the first prize went to author Phan Thanh Cuong (Bac Lieu) with the work Clean Energy Source.

According to Nguyen Trung Thang, Deputy Director of the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment), head of the jury, most of the entries are of good quality, closely follow the theme of circular economy and show new perspectives and creativity. The photos will be added to an image data system for later use in communication work on circular economy.

"Through the lens of photographers, the submitted photos convey clear messages, offer new and unique perspectives, and demonstrate the importance of circular economy in conserving natural resources, reducing pollution, curbing environmental degradation, and responding to climate change," said Nguyen Trung Thang.

Nguyen Hai Son, Representative of C ASEAN in Vietnam, said that the 2023 Circular Economy Photo Contest demonstrates C ASEAN's efforts in sustainable development and human development.

On this occasion, C ASEAN also unveiled the "From Trash to Treasure" art project. The winners of the two contests will receive cash prizes and a trip to Bangkok to attend the Sustainability Expo (SX 2023) in Bangkok, Thailand with the theme "Good Balance - Better World". The event is expected to attract 320,000 visitors, 100 companies and 150 international speakers.

SX 2023 aims to promote sustainable development and raise awareness of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). The ultimate goal is to inspire and promote sustainable development of the investor ecosystem, creating favorable conditions for international cooperation in many fields.

Exhibition marks 130th founding anniversary of Da Lat City

An exhibition featuring the history and development of Da Lat City of the central highland province of Lam Dong and marking the 130th founding anniversary of the flower city (1893-2023) opened at Lam Vien Square on September 23.

The event includes photos, paintings, installation artworks, and artifacts showcasing achievements in the economic, cultural and social sectors, and the urban development of Da Lat City.

There was a display of Da Lat’s typical products, OCOP (One commune one product) products, outstanding rural industrial products, plant-breeding technology, and production models.

The exhibition is expected to provide information on the history and development of Da Lat City to local people and visitors, and promote the potential and strengths of the resort town to attract investment, said Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Dang Quang Tu.

The event also celebrates the 160th birth anniversary of Alexandre Yersin, a French scientist who is credited for discovering Da Lat. It will run until December 31.

The People’s Committee of Da Lat City in the Central Highland province of Lam Dong plans to organize a series of activities marking the 130th founding anniversary of the flower city (1893-2023).

The event includes nine major programs that have been held this year, especially in December, consisting of an international music festival 2023; a seminar on 130 years of founding and development of Da Lat City; a songwriting camp featuring works of Da Lat City; an exhibition on socioeconomic achievements of Da Lat over the past 130 years; a seminar on green tourism and sustainable development; a conference reviewing the 20-year implementation of the “Green brands” program in the city; Da Lat’s Teen and Youth Festival; Vietnam-South Korea cultural exchange event; a special art program celebrating the 130th founding anniversary of Da Lat and ceremony honoring130 typical models of the city.

There will be also a week of Lam Dong Tourism 2023 and the Hot-air balloon and paragliding festival; the second festival honoring typical cultural families of ethnic minorities of Lam Dong Province and launching ceremony of activities responding the National Programs of Action on domestic violence prevention and control; an online contest of the establishment and development of Da Lat; a photo exhibition on Da Lat in the past and major industries of the city and Lam Dong Province; a kylin and dragon dance festival.

School facilities-lowest satisfaction rating among public education services

School facilities received the lowest satisfaction rating among public education services in 2023.

The Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City has just announced the results of a survey of people's satisfaction with public education services in 2023. In general, the indicators all increased compared to 2022 but there are still differences between grades.

Previously, to conduct the survey, the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City divided Thu Duc City and 21 districts into 3 groups highly developed, developed and medium.

In each group, this department selected a district to conduct the survey, including District 3 in the high development group, Tan Phu District in the development group and Cu Chi outlying district in the medium group.

In each district, the organizing unit randomly selected 3-4 preschools, 3-4 elementary schools, 3-4 middle schools and 2 high schools to conduct the survey. Then, in each unit, students and parents are selected by random method.

According to the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City, some 7,004 survey questionnaires were distributed to students and parents in the classrooms and parent-teacher meetings at the end of the second semester of the 2022-2023 school year.

Respondents will give their opinions over criteria including assessment of the level of access to education, facilities and teaching equipment, educational environment, educational activities; the development and fulfillment of students' civic duties.

Based on the survey results, the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City determined that the overall satisfaction scores of parents and students with public education services according to the criteria in 2023 are higher than in 2022.

However, within each educational level, the indexes are highest at the preschool level and gradually decrease from elementary, and junior high school to senior high school. This result shows that society's requirements and demands for the education sector are getting higher at senior high schools.

The survey results also revealed a number of shortcomings that need to be overcome in educational institutions; worse, school facilities had the lowest satisfaction rate.

Based on analyzing the results of measuring people's satisfaction with public education services, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training Nguyen Van Hieu said that the city's education sector will determine specific goals for the new school year including solutions to improve the quality of public education services.

10-year-old boy dies of bee attack in Northern Vietnam

A 10-year-old boy died after he was attacked by bumblebees with 100 bee stings while he was on the way to his school in Northern Vietnam.

The National Children's Hospital in Hanoi yesterday said that the hospital recently received emergency treatment and treated many little children stung by bees in very critical condition.

Among them, a 10-year-old patient in the Northern Province of Hai Duong died due to multiple organ failure. His family relatives said that the boy was stung with more than 100 stings by wasps on the way to his school. He was rushed to a medical facility where he received intravenous fluids and pain relievers and anti-allergy medications.

At this time, the child experienced difficulty of breathing, so he was transferred to the National Children's Hospital for further treatment of respiratory failure, acute pulmonary edema, circulatory failure and a rapidly progressing blood clotting disorder.

However, despite doctors’ considerable efforts to save him, the child died from multi-organ failure, and severe blood clotting disorders after 2-day treatment.

According to Head of the Department of Intensive Medicine Associate Professor Ta Anh Tuan, bee stings are common accidents in children, especially children living in rural areas. Some types of bees such as honey bees are non-toxic but bumblebees, ground bees and hornet bees can cause death with only 10 stings.

Ha Tinh celebrates great poet Nguyen Du's 203rd death anniversary

The northern central province of Ha Tinh organized a ceremony to commemorate the 203rd death anniversary of great poet Nguyen Du at the special national relic site for him in Nghi Xuan District’s Tien Dien Town on September 24.

Nguyen Du, also known as To Nhu and Thanh Hien, was born in 1765 to a noble family in Thang Long ( Hanoi ).

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) chose the great Vietnamese poet Nguyen Du among other world-famous personalities at its 37th General Assembly in Paris in 2013. He was also recognized by the World Peace Council as one of the world’s cultural celebrities in 1965.

Poet Nguyen Du has been recognized by UNESCO for his Truyen Kieu (Tale of Kieu), a masterpiece of Vietnamese classic epic poetry.

HCMC, Liverpool City share experience in developing green healthcare

Director of the HCMC Department of Health, Associate Professor, Ph.D., Dr. Tang Chi Thuong received a delegation of officials of the Healthcare UK at the Department of Business and Trade on September 23.

The two sides had a working session on discussing health cooperation between HCMC and Liverpool City to strengthen sharing experiences in developing and improving medical ability between the two departments.

Ms. Nicola Rachel Parry, head of the Healthcare UK at the Department of Business and Trade wished to cooperate and share experience with HCMC’s healthcare sector in the areas that are strengths of the UK medical system, such as innovative leadership, healthcare management and service provision, development of sustainable medical and pharmaceutical industry, health research studies, clinical trials of drugs and vaccines, development of green healthcare, environmental protection to achieve “Net zero” by 2050, development and application technology in medical area; and exchange and share experiences in establishing new hospitals in the city.

Associate Professor, Ph.D., Dr. Tang Chi Thuong expressed his thanks to the Healthcare UK at the Department of Business and Trade for the effective support in recent times, especially the cooperation with the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) in identifying agents causing disease in the city.

The HCMC Health Department hoped the UK’s Department of Business and Trade and Liverpool would share experience and support the training for high-quality medical human resources for the southern metropolis, implement a trial for international standard training courses for doctors through cooperation programs with universities in HCMC, establishing Vietnamese - British medical faculties at universities in the city, building "green hospitals", developing a network of family doctors in primary health care, supporting disease prevention and protection, continuing to support and implement innovative and creative programs for the HCMC’s healthcare sector in the coming time.

Publishing house launches program to cultivate reading culture

Launching the Weekend Reading Corner event, a publishing house hopes to cultivate and maintain children's reading habits as well as promote the development of reading culture in the community.

Kim Dong Publishing House launched the Weekend Reading Corner event for children every Saturday morning at its headquarters at 55 Quang Trung Street in Hanoi’s Hai Ba Trung District. This is a gift for children on the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Following the success of the Summer Reading Corner event series, the Weekend Reading Corner event series is expected to be an interesting and useful playground for children. Editor-in-Chief of Kim Dong Publishing House Vu Thi Quynh Lien said that while launching the event, Kim Dong Publishing House managers hope that its headquarters will be a familiar place where children can enjoy reading their favorite books of their choice every weekend.

She revealed that at the event, young readers will not only read books but also participate in interactive activities, do scientific experiments, explore knowledge and learn new skills with experts, writers, poets, painters, and editors. Hopefully, all activities will contribute to the cultivation of children's love of reading and learning new knowledge every day.

In the first issue of the Weekend Reading Corner program, young readers and educational researcher Nguyen Quoc Vuong read the book Princess Anio. The book tells about the life of Princess Ngoc Hoa, the adopted daughter of Lord Sai Nguyen Phuc Nguyen in Dang Trong, and her special relationship with merchant Araki Sotaro from Japan in the seventeenth century.

The comic book Princess Anio is one of the projects implemented to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan (1973-2023). Through interactive games, children will learn many interesting things about the culture, country and people of Vietnam and Japan.

China’s Anhui Province promotes tourism in HCMC

A conference on promoting and advertising the culture and tourism of Anhui, a mountainous locality of China, was held in HCMC on September 22.

Speaking at the event, Vice Secretary General of the People's Government of Anhui Province Li Bi Fang said that China and Vietnam are currently in a friendly relationship. The conference aims to promote two-way tourism in the two countries.

Anhui Province is home to many landscapes that attract a large number of visitors, such as Huangshan Mountain, Changjiang (Yangtze) River, Huai River, Xin'an River.

The province enjoys convenient transportation with Hefei Xinqiao International Airport which has direct flights to major cities around the world. Anhui is also China's largest home appliance production base.

The province welcomes and is ready to support visitors to Anhui to experience the beauty of the province in particular and China in general, Mr.Li Bi Fang said.

Deputy Director of the HCMC Tourism Department Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu said that China is one of the tourism markets in Vietnam. According to statistics, HCMC received about 200,000 Chinese travelers in the first eight months of this year.

HCMC’s tourism contributed 10-12 percent of the city’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP), half of the total number of international visitors, and 40 percent of the total tourism revenue of the country.

She hoped that the tourism industry of Vietnam and China, HCMC, and Anhui Province would be increasingly developed, continuously promoted destinations of the two countries.

New road leading to Sapa opened to traffic

A new road that connects the Noi Bai-Lao Cai Expressway and Sapa Town in Lao Cai Province was opened to traffic yesterday, thus facilitating travel to this upland touristy location.

Director of the provincial Department of Transport and Construction Nguyen Quoc Huy said after one month of trial operation, the entire road has been officially put into operation. Vehicles traversing the road are now not subject to time and weight limits.

Following the completion of other components of the road, investors will commence toll collection at the Mong Sen Bridge, the tallest viaduct in Vietnam, linking Sapa and Noi Bai-Lao Cai Expressway.

Thanks to the new road, the distance between Lao Cai City and Sapa will be reduced by 2.5 kilometers, in comparison to using the existing highway 4D, which is narrow and easily congested during heavy traffic.

The total cost of the road is VND1,382 billion, with VND803 billion of it funded by investors and the remainder by the State budget.

Saline intrusion in Southwestern region may come early

Saline intrusion in the Southwestern region during this year’s dry season has been forecasted to arrive earlier than annual.

The information was given by Le Hong Phong, deputy head of Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration at a seminar on saline intrusion and flooding held in Ben Tre Province last Friday.

Saline intrusion in the Southwestern region mainly depends on the Mekong River.

The El Nino phenomenon has been forecasted to continue until next May, influencing the climate in the region.

The rainy season in the Southwestern localities would end before mid-November with the rainfall being lower than in previous years.

The salinity level in local rivers during this year's dry season is significantly higher than the multi-year average and higher than the same period last year.

The highest salinity levels on the Tien and Hau rivers in mid-March next year would be higher than the multi-year average. On the Vam Co River, salinity is expected to rise in mid-April.

Bui Van Tham, deputy director of Ben Tre Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the locality would be affected by saline intrusion in the next two months. This often lasts 3-6 months every year.

The Southwestern region also saw early saline intrusion during the dry season of the 2019-2020 period. As a result, 5,000 hectares of rice; 27,000 hectares of fruit trees and 2,000 hectares of aquaculture were damaged, causing a total loss of VND1.6 trillion.

Hùng wins VMM’s 100km category

Vietnamese runner Nguyễn Tiến Hùng won the men’s 100km category of the Việt Nam Mountain Marathon (VMM) in Sa Pa Town, Lào Cai Province over the weekend.

Hùng completed the race in an impressive time of 12:54.04. The second place went to Sange Sherpa from Nepal, who finished with a time of 13:04.31. In third place was Nguyễn Sĩ Hiếu, also of Việt Nam, with a time of 14:29.46.

In the women's category, the winner was Man Yee Cheung from China’s Hong Kong with a time of 16:48.26. Man was followed by Vietnamese runners Lê Thị Hằng with a time of 17:09.35, and Lương Thị Lợi with a time of 18:04.08.

The 100km distance started on Friday at 9pm in Sapa Town. Runners raced through the night, starting with the ascent of Hàm Rồng Mountain.

The course then took runners deep into the hills, passing Sử Pán, Lao Chải and Cát Cát, before they reached the summit of the race's highest point, Cow Mountain, at almost 2,300m above sea level. From there, they faced a series of challenging climbs and descents all the way to the finish line at Topas Ecolodge.

In the men’s 70km category, the winner was Arnie Macaneras from the Philippines with a time of 08:40.48. The second place was Michal Lesniak from Poland with a time of 10:11.48, just 13 minutes before the third winner, Nguyễn Đức Tuấn Anh of Việt Nam.

In the women’s category, the title belonged to Akane Nemoto from Japan with a time of 13:17.42. Second place was Lê Xuân Sương of Việt Nam after finishing with a time of 13:28.15.

John Ray Onifa from the Philippines won the men's 50km category with a time of 05:06.27. Second and third place went to Kristian Joergensen from Denmark with a time of 05:09.38 and Godwin Mirar from the Philippines with a time of 05:17.38.

The top three female 50km runners were Vanja Cnops from Belgium with a time of 6:41.14, Vietnamese Trần Hồ Nguyên Thảo with a time of 8:57.43, and Giang Thị Linh also of Việt Nam with a time of 9:00.21.

Meanwhile, the male winner of the 21km was Finn Lydon from England after finishing in a time of 2:13.22, followed by Vinson Ramos from the Philippines with a time of 2:21.06, and Filip Janczak from Poland with a time of 2:27.06.

On the women’s side, Lydon’s girlfriend, Ellen Crombie from England, took the first place with a time of 2:31.47. The second place went to Concetta Arcella from Australia with a time of 2:47.12, while Vietnamese Nguyễn Trà Giang won the third place with a time of 2:59.17.

The 10km route started at Sa Pa Town with the participation of nearly 900 runners. The male went to John Ray Onifa, from the Philippines with just 58 minutes 27 seconds. In the female category, Vietnamese Bùi Thị Duyên won with a time of 1:09.48.

The commitment of organiser, Topas Travel, to charitable work continued at this year’s VMM 2023, with the total now raised through the Topas Vietnam Trail Series reaching over VNĐ10billion (US$420,000).

Alongside local projects along the race route, charities that benefit from the race include Operation Smile, Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, and Newborns Vietnam.

The VMM began in 2013 as the first ultra race in the country. It offers runners the chance to run 10km, 21km, 50km, 70km and 100km in the mountains surrounding Sa Pa Town.

This year's event attracted more than 4,000 runners from 51 nations and also marked the 10th anniversary of the event. 

PM encourages aviation cooperation with Embraer S.A.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on September 23 made a field trip to Embraer S.A., a Brazilian multinational aerospace corporation, in Sao Jose dos Campos city, Sao Paulo state, Brazil, as part of his ongoing official visit to Brazil.

Formed in 1969 in Sao Jose dos Campos, Embraer S.A. designs, manufactures, and sells commercial, military, executive, and agricultural aircraft, as well as providing leasing and aviation support services. It is the third largest producer of civil aircraft after Boeing and Airbus, and the leading provider of regional jets worldwide.

Embraer S.A. has delivered five aircraft E190s to budget airline Bamboo Airways of Vietnam.

Receiving Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the corporation’s president and CEO Francisco Gomes Neto highly appreciated the potential of the Vietnamese market, which is suitable for the corporation’s available aircraft lines.

He expressed his hope that Embraer S.A. would continue to receive support from the Vietnamese Government in seeking cooperation opportunities and expanding its market share in Vietnam. He affirmed that the corporation is ready to deploy aircraft maintenance and repair services in Vietnam, as well as providing technology solutions in the aviation industry.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh for his part briefed his host on the rapid development of the aviation market in Vietnam in recent times, with several airlines licensed to operate frequently to meet the increasing demand for trade exchanges, tourism services and people to people exchanges.

He highly valued Embraer S.A.’s development strategy, and proposed that the corporation expand cooperation and investment to develop its business ecosystem in Vietnam.

Besides increasing cooperation with Vietnamese airlines and providing aircraft maintenance and repair services, the corporation should engage in human resources training for the aviation industry, support Vietnam with technology solutions to help improve aerial management capacity, increase automation, support forecasting and prevent risks in flight management activities, suggested the PM.

NA chairman receives Bulgaria-Vietnam Friendship Association leader

Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Vuong Dinh Hue received Simeon Dimchev, head of the Bulgaria-Vietnam Friendship Association in Sofia on September 24.

Hue said Vietnam highly values Bulgaria’s role in East Europe and it attaches importance to developing relations with the Eastern European nation.

He acknowledged positive contributions that people’s organizations of the two countries, including the Vietnam-Bulgaria Friendship Association and the Bulgaria-Vietnam Friendship Association, have made to strengthening friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries over the past 73 years.

He noted people-to-people exchange activities serve as an important diplomatic channel, helping to promote friendly cooperation between the two countries.

The top legislator said the legislative bodies of Vietnam and Bulgaria have established the Parliamentary Friendship Groups, which along with the Vietnam-Bulgaria Friendship Association and the Bulgaria-Vietnam Friendship Association, will help foster friendship between people, and serve as a bridge to bolster Vietnam – Bulgaria relations.

He briefed Dimchev on major activities during his working visit and said cultural and education-training constitute an important pillar in bilateral relations. He reminded that approximately 30,000 Vietnamese nationals once worked and studied in Bulgaria that create an invaluable asset to enhance friendship between the two peoples.

The legislator proposed that the Bulgaria-Vietnam Friendship Association continue playing its important role in promoting educational cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue arrived in Sofia on September 23, beginning an official visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of his Bulgarian counterpart Rosen Zhelyazkov.

During his stay, Hue will hold talks and have meetings with senior Bulgarian leaders to discuss measures to foster cooperation between Vietnam and Bulgaria.

NA leader’s visit set to strengthen traditional, multifaceted ties with Bulgaria

The official visit to Bulgaria, starting on September 23, by Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Vuong Dinh Hue is set to further intensify the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, including their parliamentary ties.

This is the first visit to Bulgaria by a chairperson of the Vietnamese NA in 15 years, since the trip by then NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong in 2008.

The two countries boast long-standing friendship and cooperation. Bulgaria was one of the first countries in the world to recognise and set up diplomatic ties with Vietnam, on February 8, 1950. The official visit to the European country by then President Ho Chi Minh in August 1957 laid the foundation and marked an important milestone in the history of bilateral relations.

Over the last more than 70 years, the countries’ Governments and people have unceasingly nurtured their traditional ties in various fields, from politics, diplomacy to culture, science, education, and security-defence.

Leaders of Vietnam and Bulgaria have maintained frequent dialogues and taken concrete steps to enhance bilateral cooperation.

Trade between the two countries have been growing steadily but yet to live up to potential.

During the first eight months of 2023, their trade turnover reached 147.3 million USD, rising 12.5% year on year. It included 96.5 million USD in exports from Vietnam and 50.8 million USD in imports, respectively up 9.6% and 18.2%, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai said the two countries hold many favourable conditions to foster economic links, including trade and investment. While Vietnam mainly exports its traditional consumer products to Bulgaria, there remain a number of other consumer goods they are strong at and demand in the two markets is substantial.

Meanwhile, comprehensive cooperation between the two peoples have been bolstered as seen in the fields of education, tourism, culture, business, and labour.

More than 30,000 Vietnamese people who used to work and study in Bulgaria in the 1970s and 1980s became leading scientists, experts, and engineers of Vietnam, and they are still making important contributions to the national development and defence nowadays.

Vietnam’s membership of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Bulgaria’s membership of the European Union (EU) have generated more added value for bilateral cooperation. The dynamic expansion of Vietnam - EU ties under the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) has also enriched the potential for business-to-business and people-to-people exchanges based on common political priorities between the two countries.

Don Tuan Phong, Vice Chairman of the NA’s Committee for External Relations, noted that an important part of Chairman Hue’s visit to Bulgaria is to promote this country and the EU’s effective implementation of the EVFTA, and persuade the Bulgarian parliament to ratify the EVIPA.

The NA Chairman will also have talks and meetings with Bulgarian leaders to discuss measures for developing cooperation in multiple areas on par with the countries’ potential and aspirations, he added.

China-ASEAN civil aviation center launched

The China-ASEAN Civil Aviation Cooperation and Exchange Center was officially launched at a recent forum on industry cooperation in Nanning city, China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, according to the Xinhua news agency.

Pan Yixin, executive vice chairman of the China Air Transport Association (CATA), said the center aims to strengthen the connectivity of the air route network linking China and ASEAN and promote the coordinated development of aviation-oriented cultural tourism.

It will also build platforms for China-ASEAN civil aviation cooperation, hold aviation technology and equipment exhibitions, and develop demonstration areas for civil aviation capacity building, Pan added.

The center was jointly initiated by 15 organisations, including the CATA, China Southern Airlines, and Singapore Changi Airport.

Since China and ASEAN formally established dialogue relations, the annual passenger traffic volume of China-ASEAN civil aviation has jumped from 295,000 to 26.58 million, a roughly 90-fold increase.

Da Nang leader hosts Japanese Crown Prince, Crown Princess

The Vietnam visit by Japanese Crown Prince Fumihito Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko on the 50th anniversary of the two nations’ diplomatic relations is an opportunity for Da Nang to promote the bilateral ties and its cooperation with Japanese localities, affirmed Secretary of municipal Party Committee Nguyen Van Quang while hosting the royal couple in the central city on September 24.

Quang informed his guests on the central economic hub’s establishment of relations with many localities in Japan and hoped such relationships will grow further in the time to come.

Crown Prince Akishino said this is his first time to Da Nang and highlighted the city’s friendship with Japanese cities, such as Sakai and Nagasaki.

Noting that the Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties are at a good stage of development, he hoped the relationship will be deepened in the near future.

Events spotlight Nguyen Dynasty wood blocks, heritage conservation in digital age

The National Archives Centre IV in the Central Highland province of Lam Dong has organised an exhibition on printing wood blocks under the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945) and a cultural event on heritage conservation in the digital age, gathering the participation of nearly 200 delegates.

A total of 33,971 woodblocks engraved with Chinese characters are kept at the centre. The wood blocks were used to print books in Vietnam during the 19th and early 20th centuries, with their rich and diverse content reflecting many aspects of Vietnamese society under the dynasty. In 2009, UNESCO recognised the woodblocks as Vietnam's first World Documentary Heritage.

At the two events, participants experienced the use of hologram technology to understand the story of the woodblocks through sand art, 3D mapping technology to see the process of compiling and engraving woodblocks, and virtual reality technology and QR code scanning to access exhibition information.

They also engaged in a discussion about digital transformation in harnessing the value of archival documents with managers and experts in the fields of archives and technology.

 In 2009, UNESCO recognised the Nguyen Dynasty woodblocks as Vietnams first World Documentary Heritage. (Photo: VNA)
In his remarks, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Duy Thang praised the approach of leveraging the value of archival documents by combining tradition with modernity. He noted that the use of digital technology to recreate the woodblock’s formation history, engraving processes and carved information allows the public to access their almost original forms.

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