Vietnam’s major economic balances were maintained in the first eight months of this year despite a slew of difficulties, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told a Government meeting that opened in Hanoi on September 6.

The leader said the macro economy remained stable, inflation was controlled and economic growth spurred. He also highlighted the country’s achievements in improving people’s living standards and strengthening external affairs, among others.

Chinh, however, pointed out the sluggish disbursement of public investments, along with problems in the procurement of drug and medical equipment, and limitations in the planning work and social affairs.

He asked the participants to look into the reasons behind the phenomena, and propose suitable, feasible solutions to complete socio-economic tasks in the time ahead.

The Government’s regular meeting is scheduled to review the country’s socio-economic situation in August and the first eight months of the year, as well as the implementation of the socio-economic recovery and development programme and the national target programmes.

It will also scrutinise socio-economic development and public investment plans for 2022 and 2023.

Prime Minister hosts US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his hope that the US will continue its support for Vietnam in negotiations on the just energy transition partnership while receiving US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry in Hanoi on September 5.

The two sides agreed to deepen the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership in a practical and stable manner on the basis of respecting each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institutions, and work towards a new level of the relationship when possible.

PM Chinh called on the US to further display its strong commitments to supporting ASEAN’s centrality, the ASEAN-US strategic partnership and the Mekong-US relationship.

For his part, Kerry reiterated that the US consistently attaches importance to its comprehensive partnership with Vietnam and backs the Southeast Asian nation’s active and practical role in the region, and in dealing with international issues, including climate change.

The PM lauded US President Joe Biden and Kerry for their efforts in climate change response.

Vietnam is also working hard to promote green growth and cope with climate change to fulfill its commitments made at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), he said.

Vietnam considers the target of net zero emissions and the transition from fossil energy to clean and renewable energy an inevitable development trend of the world and the country as well, the government leader continued.

PM Chinh emphasised that climate change is a global issue that needs global solutions, with people put at the centre, and that equality must be ensured during energy transition.
 
Kerry noted that the US will further its cooperation and support for developing countries, including Vietnam, in climate change response, particularly in clean energy development, sustainable infrastructure and smart water resource management.

PM Chinh called for the US’s assistance in finance and technology, apart from human resource development, institutional improvement and experience sharing.

He also asked for support from developed partners in the transfer of renewable energy technology, helping Vietnam build and develop the production industry of renewable energy equipment and a map evaluating its solar and win power potential accurately.

The PM hoped that the developed partners will consider providing loans with suitable interest rates for Vietnam to help the country promote the renewable energy industry, and that Kerry, as a long-standing friend of Vietnam, will continue to assist the country in enhancing resilience of vulnerable groups in the Mekong Delta.

Vietnam strongly commits contributions to global climate change response efforts: FM

Vietnam strongly commits contributions to global efforts in climate change response, and considers it as a strategic cooperation area between Vietnam and the US, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son told US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry in Hanoi on September 5.

The two sides noted with pleasure positive results of Vietnam-US relations over the past time and discussed measures to enhance the bilateral ties in the time ahead such as promoting phone talks and visits by high-ranking leaders of the two countries, towards the 10th anniversary of the comprehensive partnership in 2023.

They also looked into collaboration in climate change response, both bilaterally and multilaterally.

Son suggested the US continue its cooperation and support for Vietnam in terms of resources, finance, science, technology and personnel training to fulfill the Southeast Asian nation’s commitments made at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).

For his part, Kerry reaffirmed that the US highly valued Vietnam’s strong commitments to climate change response and stands ready to assist the country through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms.

He also expressed his special sentiments and deep memories about the country and people of Vietnam. Kerry also affirmed that he, in any position, will back the Vietnam-US relations, thus bringing practical benefits to the people of both nations.

UNESCO Director General attends new school year ceremony in Hanoi

Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Audrey Azoulay attended the new school year opening ceremony at the Hanoi-based Ngo Si Lien Secondary School on September 5.

Ngo Si Lien is among the schools selected for the "education for sustainable development" project included in the UNESCO Associated Schools Network.

In her remarks, Azoulay said all of the 23 Vietnamese educational institutions joining the network have committed to following UNESCO’s educational development path.

Lauding Ngo Si Lien for its climate change response, she called for joint efforts from teachers, students and their families in this regard.

The over-100-year-old school has 53 classes with over 120 officials and teachers, and some 2,000 students.

Nearly 23 million students across the country started the new school year on September 5. The new academic year opening ceremony was held in-person across the country after two years of disruption due to COVID-19.

Vietnamese short films to be screened in HCM City, Hanoi

A series of Vietnamese short films will be screened at Vietnamese Short Film Week, which will be held in HCM City and Hà Nội from September 7.

The programme will feature ten works of different genres on various topics by talented young filmmakers who have won top prizes at international film festivals and the CJ Short Film Making Project, a prominent national contest in the genre from 2018.

Highlighted works will include Điềm Báo (Fortune-telling) by Hồ Thanh Thảo, Cá Mặt Trăng (Moonfish) by Trần Thị Hà Trang, Con Dại Cái Mang (Mother’s Love) by Đào Thu Uyên, Những Con Voi Bên Vệ Đường (Elephants on the Streets) by Đào Quang Trung, and Hương Kỳ Trong Trăng (Dreaming a Dream) by Lê Can Trường.

The screening will also present five films which won the CJ Short Films Filmmaking Project in 2018 and 2019, such as Một Khu Đất Tốt (Blessed Land) by Phạm Ngọc Lân, Mây Nhưng Không Mưa (Live in the Cloud - Cuckoo Land) by Vũ Minh Nghĩa and Phạm Hoàng Minh Thy, and Gì Cũng Sửa (Fix Anything) by Lê Lâm Viên.

In addition, the event will screen six short films by Korean filmmakers such as Pitch Black by Lee Junsup and The Daughter by Nam Soona.

Pitch Black won Best Korean Short Film award at the 25th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in 2021, while The Daughter was invited to be screened at the 17th Beloit International Film Festival in the US in March.

The screening will be held on September 7-9 at CGV Sư Vạn Hạnh in District 10 in HCM City.

In Hà Nội, the event will take place on September 12-13 at CGV Vincom Nguyễn Chí Thanh in Đống Đa District. Entry is free. 

Specific guidelines for waste separation at source should be issued soon

Managerial agencies should soon issue specific guidelines for localities to effectively apply separation of domestic solid waste at source.

This follows the Government's Decree No. 45/2022/NĐ-CP on sanctioning of administrative violations in the field of environment.

The decree says that households and individuals will receive a fine of between VNĐ500,000 and 1 million (US$22-43) from December 31, 2024, if they fail to separate domestic solid waste at source and do not use packaging to hold the domestic solid waste as regulated.

According to environmental expert Hoàng Dương Tùng of Việt Nam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment, experience of countries that have been successful in separating waste at source is because it must be mandatory.

People have to bring their waste to the garbage room on time, if not, the room’s door will not open.

The city also built mobile apps to assist people classify and correctly put waste into each bin according to regulations.

In advanced countries, they build very clean garbage collection points, install cameras and arrange staff to monitor at the points.

From these experiences, changing habits and raising people's awareness would be decisive factors for the separation of domestic waste at source, Tùng said.

Waste separation not only helps to reduce environmental pollution, reduce pressure on landfill area, but also save energy and resources, towards a green and sustainable life.

However, in addition to the responsibility of people in waste separation at source, the responsibility of units to collect, transport and treat waste is also important.

Deputy Director of Việt Nam Environment Administration Nguyễn Thượng Hiền said the People's Committee at provincial level must take full responsibility for solutions and plans of separating waste at source so that people can practise soon.

Currently, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has drafted guidelines on solid waste separation at source and collected comments from localities.

On that basis, the ministry would issue guidelines so localities could make detailed regulations to fit with each locality.

Statistics of the environmental administration show that the whole country generates more than 60,000 tonnes of domestic waste daily.

The domestic waste in urban areas accounts for 55 per cent while domestic waste in rural areas accounts for 45 per cent.

Only 13 per cent of the waste is incinerated, 16 per cent is processed and about 71 per cent is buried.

In previous years, several large urban areas in Hà Nội, HCM City, Thừa Thiên Huế and Lào Cai already piloted to separate domestic waste at source but failed.

“Coffee tour in the city” calls for giving books to disadvantaged children

The “Coffee tour in the city”, a community program offering a chance to enjoy Vietnamese coffee in the heritage space has recently attracted many local residents and visitors to HCMC.

The “Coffee tour in the city” has been launched for over one month with the support of the HCMC Department of Culture and Sports, the People’s Committee of District 1 and the Saigon Central Post Office. 

It has attracted thousands of people who came to enjoy free coffee, listen to music and ways to brew coffee. Perhaps for the first time, local people and visitors enjoy coffee drinking in a heritage space with a performance of classic guitar and violin, said Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tham, a representative of the program.

In addition, the “Coffee tour in the City” program also launched the “One Book - One Coffee” project collecting books to donate to children in remote areas in the country at the end of this year.

People can hand over a book to receive a cup of coffee at free of charge. The “Give book get free coffee" program is expected to collect books and send them to disadvantaged children as well as spread the reading culture in poor areas.

Localities attract three million visitors during National Day holiday

Localities across Vietnam welcomed roughly three million domestic and foreign holidaymakers during the National Day holiday from September 1 to September 4.

Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and the north-central province of Thanh Hoa were the three leading localities that served most visitors.

Ho Chi Minh topped the list with 920,000 tourists, including 32,484 foreign visitors. Its tourism revenue throughout the period is estimated to stand at over VND2.7 trillion, equivalent to over US$115 million.

Meanwhile, historical-cultural sites and entertainments centres of Hanoi attracted 422,700 tourist arrivals, including 22,700 foreigners. The capital’s tourism revenue was estimated at VND1.3 trillion, equal to US$55.3 million.

Major tourist attractions with most visitors in Hanoi include Thu Le Zoo, Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam (also known as the Temple of Literature), Hoang Thanh Thang Long (also known as the Imperial Citadel), and Hoa Lo Prison relic site.

Elsewhere, other famous local tourist destinations also recorded a sharp increase in visitor numbers, including Khanh Hoa in the central region with 356,000 tourists, Sa Pa resort in the north 93,244 visitors, Lam Dong in the Central Highlands region with 85,000 travelers, and Quang Ninh  the north with 52,000 arrivals.

Localities nationwide lack access to safe, clean running water

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, many localities still face difficulties in access to clean and safe water sources.

Particularly, although the Northern mountainous province of Son La has water reserves of about 19 billion cubic meters a year, some areas of Moc Chau District have still seriously lacked water and faced difficulties in reservoir construction and water transfer.

Similarly, residents in the western mountainous areas of Nghe An Province, Ha Tinh, Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan provinces are also in water shortages for their production activities and daily life due to low rainfall, high evaporation of water and low capacity of water storage. 

Meanwhile, the drought and saltwater encroachment caused a lack of access to fresh water in the Mekong Delta provinces of Tra Vinh, Vinh Long and Ben Tre.

Sub-variant BA.5 predominating among infection cases daily: Ministry

According to the Ministry of Health, the country has recorded cases of infection with sub-variants BA.4, BA.5, and BA.2.74 of Omicron in the community; particularly the sub-variant BA.5 is gradually predominating among infection cases daily.

On the afternoon of September 4, the Ministry of Health said that during the day, the country had 6,390 more people recovered from Covid-19, bringing the number of recoveries to more than 10.2 million. Worse, amongst Covid-19 infection cases, 89 are severe patients requiring oxygen and mechanical ventilation.

Along with that, the Ministry of Health recorded that one in the Northern Province of Thanh Hoa succumbed to the coronavirus and 1,390 new cases of Covid-19. Medical workers across the country have administered more than 257.3 million vaccine shots.

In order to limit the number of Covid-19 patients who become seriously ill and die, the Ministry of Health required hospitals to increase consultations at hospitals, consult with their peers in large infirmaries to seek professional advice and minimize the transfer of patients to big medical facilities.

Especially, severe cases and suspected cases being treated in hospitals need to undergo PCR tests to curb the spread of the disease.

HCM City begins building 1,500 social housing units

Construction of nearly 1,500 apartments for low-income people at two social housing projects has started in HCM City.

The projects will help meet the rising demand for affordable housing in the city, especially from migrant workers, according to the local Department of Construction.

One of them, Dragon E-Home, will have 764 apartments measuring 25-85sq.m on a land plot of nearly 19,00sq.m in Thủ Đức city’s Phú Hữu Ward.

Developed by Dragon Village Real Estate Joint Stock Company, its construction began on August 3.

The 6,995sq.m MR1 project in Bình Thuận Ward in District 7 will have 712 units. It is being developed by the Xuân Mai Sài Gòn Construction Investment Joint Stock Company. 

The city will also soon begin renovation and reconstruction of two old apartment complexes in District 1 and Tân Bình District.

They are at 350 Hoàng Văn Thụ in Tân Bình District (with 374 units) and 23 Lý Tự Trọng in District 1 (160 units).

The city has identified housing as one of the most important factors in socio-economic development.

Its People’s Council has passed a resolution for housing development in 2021-30 and expects to build 35,000 houses in 2021-25 and nearly 58,000 by 2030.

All sectors are encouraged to invest in housing development, especially social and low-cost housing.

Funding for social housing will mainly come from private enterprises, preferential bank loans and the city's coffers.

The city plans to allocate VNĐ3.8 trillion (US$160 million) for social housing in 2021-25 and VNĐ8.6 trillion ($366.8 million) for the next five years.

The People's Council is set to establish a working team to monitor the development of social housing in the city in 2016-25. 

District 1 to restrict parking, stopping on several streets

The HCMC Department of Transport has announced that parking and stopping on several roads in District 1 would be restricted from September 11 to reduce traffic congestion and ensure safety.

The department has issued a plan to adjust parking and stopping regulations around Thu Thiem 2 Bridge and the streets of Nguyen Huu Canh, Nguyen Binh Khiem, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Duan.

On Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, parking and stopping are prohibited on the section from Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street to Nguyen Huu Canh Street, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Nguyen Thi Minh Khai-Le Duan section will ban parking from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., while parking will not be allowed on the Le Duan-Nguyen Huu Canh section from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

For Dinh Tien Hoang Street, parking is prohibited on the Nguyen Thi Minh Khai-Alley 8 Dinh Tien Hoang section.

Additionally, no parking and stopping are allowed on the Alley 8 Dinh Tien Hoang-Dien Bien Phu section at the same time frame as Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, the Nguyen Thi Minh Khai-Le Duan section.

For Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, parking is prohibited in the Nguyen Binh Khiem-Hoang Sa section, while stopping is not allowed 100 meters from Nguyen Binh Khiem Street heading to Hoang Sa Street.

Moreover, it is forbidden to stop and park passenger cars and trucks along this section from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The District 1 People’s Committee is responsible for directing parents to pick up and drop off their children and regulating traffic in the areas in front of schools on Nguyen Binh Khiem Street.

Torrential rains cause flooding, landside in Nghe An Province

The mountainous district of Ky Son in Nghe An Province is overcoming the consequences of downpour-triggered flooding.

Previously, at night of September 4, prolonged downpours caused flooding and landslides at points in Ky Son District, notably Muong Xen Town and communes of Huu Kiem, Chieu Luu, Bao Nam and so on.  

According to initial record, many vegetable areas in Chieu Luu Commune were submerged in water.

Landslides were recorded in some sections on National Highway 7A through Huu Kiem Commune resulting in isolation of nearly 200 houses in Dinh Son 1 and Dinh Son 2 villages. Local authorities must urgently evacuate 50 households to safer places.

Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident but at least four houses were damaged.

Quang Ninh spends nearly 1 trillion VND to upgrade schools, support students

The northern province of Quang Ninh has spent more than 508 billion VND (21.56 million USD) on repairing and upgrading the infrastructure system serving teaching and learning activities, along with 458 billion VND of tuition support to local students.

This is the second consecutive year that the province has provided tuition support to local students, benefiting nearly 225,400 at all levels.

In order to ensure safety for students ahead of the new academic year, Quang Ninh sped up COVID-19 vaccination for local residents, especially children.

To date, 97.06% of the children from five to under 12 years old have received at least one vaccine shots, while 71.16% have received two.

In the 2022-2023 school year, Quang Ninh has 340,000 students studying in 645 schools from pre-school to high-school levels. Over 88% of  the local schools have met the national standards.

Vietnamese cuisine spotlights at Bagnara ethnic culture festival

Banh Xeo, a crispy Vietnamese pancake filled with pork, shrimp and bean sprouts, won the second prize at the culinary competition, part of Bagnara ethnic culture festival, which is held in Italy's Emilia-Romagna region from September 1-4. 

This year's edition featured stalls from 25 countries, attracting more than 15,000 visitors.

The people who prepared traditional Vietnamese dishes at the event were members of the Vietnam-Italy Cultural Bridge Association, who volunteered for this work.

Vietnamese culture and cuisine have become familiar to Italians and foreigners living in the Emilie Romangne region through four festivals. Previously, Vietnam won the first prize in the culinary competitions in 2016, 2018 and 2021, with nem ran (fried spring rolls), nem lui (grilled pork paste), nem chay (vegetarian spring rolls), respectively.

Djibouti President commends Vietnam’s economic achievements

President of the Republic of Djibouti Ismaïl Omar Guelleh has spoken highly of Vietnam’s impressive economic achievements over the past years, and expressed his hope for stronger cooperation with the Southeast Asian nation in trade, seaport services and fishery.

At a reception on September 5 for Vietnamese Ambassador to Egypt and Djibouti Nguyen Huy Dung, who came to present credentials of President Nguyen Xuan  Phuc, President Guelleh noted his hope that Dung will contribute to consolidating and developing the relations between the two countries.

For his part, the ambassador conveyed greetings of high-ranking Vietnamese leaders to the President and thanked Djibouti for its support to Vietnam at multilateral forums.

Vietnam wishes to establish multi-faceted cooperation with Djibouti, he said, pledging to make every effort to contribute to the bilateral friendship and cooperation between the two countries in a practical and effective manner.

Earlier, Dung presented a copy of the credentials to Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Djibouti Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, during which the ambassador affirmed that Djibouti, with its strategic location, will be a bridge for Vietnam to promote its trade and investment ties with African nations.

Youssouf suggested the two countries continue its coordination and mutual support at international organisations, especially the United Nations and the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).

The two countries should step up their multifaceted cooperation, especially in economy, and encourage their businesses to study the markets as well as business and investment opportunities, firstly in high-tech agriculture, agricultural product export and aquaculture.

The minister also suggested the two sides soon negotiate and sign necessary agreements, firstly the one on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders, organise political consultations and exchange visits.

CAAV announces RoK’s removal of COVID-19 test requirements

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has asked airports and airlines to announce the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s latest waiver of a requirement to present a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test result for entry into the East Asian nation.

The new regulation for inbound travelers went into effect on September 3.

However, all travellers are still subject to an on-arrival PCR test within one day of arrival and required to upload the results on the Q-code website or notify local medical centres.

Earlier, all passengers entering the RoK had to present certificates showing they were negative for COVID-19 (in English or Korean) valid within 48 hours for PCR testing and within 24 hours for rapid testing from the date of departure.

Vietnamese dishes showcased at int’l gastronomy village in Paris

Vietnam joined more than 40 other countries at the International Gastronomy Village 2022 in Paris from September 1-4 after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Southeast Asian nation introduced dishes such as nem (spring rolls), fried noodles, bread and sugarcane juice, along with its traditional martial arts and folk music.

This is the first time Vietnam has attended the festival, the sixth of its kind, which took place at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, attracting some 30,000 visitors.

One of the biggest gourmet events in Paris, the International Gastronomy Village features popular cuisines and cultures from over 50 countries and French regions.

It included tasting sessions, food catering corners, craft products, cooking lessons, concerts and shows.

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