At the scene of the car crash. (Photo: zingnews.vn)

Two people have been killed and six injured after a passenger car flipped on National Highway #6 in Hoa Binh province, north-western Vietnam, early November 22. 

The crash happened at around 01.00am and the vehicle suddenly overturned when it was bending over the corner of the road, said local police.

Some 35 passengers were travelling on board the car from Son La to Hanoi.

Witnesses said the driver seemed to lost control, causing the car to crash into roadside railings and flip over.

Two passengers of Son La province were killed at the scene. 10 other passengers were injured. The car was heavily damaged.

Relevant agencies rushed to the scene, regulating traffic flows, giving first-aid to the injured and investigating the cause of the accident.

Futsal HDBank National Cup 2020 kicks off

The opening ceremony of the Futsal HDBank National Cup 2020 got underway in the Central Highland province of Dak Lak on November 22.

This year’s event marks the fourth version of the annual futsal tournament which is jointly organised between the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) and the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF).

Tran Minh Hung, VOV Vice President, said it is hoped that through this year’s competition, VOV can progress with its efforts to develop futsal in provinces throughout the Central Highland whilst simultaneously promoting the nation’s passion for the sport.

In the opening match, Quang Nam defeated Hung Gia Khang Dak Lak in a 2-1 thriller.
The Futsal HDBank National Cup 2020 will involve the participation of eight teams nationwide, including Thai Son Nam, Thai Son Bac, Sahako, Sanatech Khanh Hoa, Kardiachain Saigon FC, Cao Bang, Quang Nam, and hosts Hung Gia Khang Dak Lak.

Following the conclusion of the opening ceremony, home side Hung Gia Khang Dak Lak kicked off the competition against Quang Nam. The first game marked a wonderful start for Quang Nam as they recorded a 2-1 victory over the host team.

The tournament is scheduled to last until November 26.

Tourism stimulus programme launched in Phu Quoc

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism in collaboration with the Kien Giang provincial Department of Tourism launched a tourism stimulus programme in Phu Quoc, known as the Pearl Island in Vietnam, on November 22. 

Phu Quoc island district pins high hopes on the recovery of the tourism industry through the tourism stimulus scheme following a period of stagnation due to COVID-19.
As many as 150 representatives of local airlines, travel agencies, hotels, as well as experts participated in the ceremony.

Addressing delegates, Ha Van Sieu, deputy director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, noted Phu Quoc is the first destination in Vietnam chosen to organize a tourism stimulus programme, with the engagement of travel-focused micro influencers (KOL) and farmtrip travelers.

He expressed his belief that the scheme will give a boost to tourism development in Phu Quoc following a period of stagnation due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The programme would be a model for other localities to follow suit in the coming time, said Sieu.

Le Thi Hai Chau, general secretary of the Phu Quoc Tourism Development and Investment Association, said her association will work closely other agencies to turn Phu Quoc into a place worthy of effective investment, exploration and experience.

Delegates listened to local tour operators introduce the potential for tourism development in Phu Quoc. KOLs took the stage telling about their past fascinating experience following tours of the pearl island.

The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a big blow to the tourism industry in Kien Giang province. During the past 10 months, the locality has received 5.2 million visitors, down by 40.7% year on year. Of the total, foreign arrivals numbered 184,000, down by more than 74%.

PM Phuc: Efforts needed to build sustainable, inclusive, resilient future

 

framework of the G20 Summit on November 22

 

To overcome current challenges, countries need to stay united, build trust, intensify cooperation and share joint responsibility towards sustainable, inclusive development in which no state or body is left behind, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said.

Speaking at the second discussion held online on November 22 within the framework of the G20 summit, the leader also called on the G20 members to cooperate with the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary and the World Trade Organisation, among others, to actively create new development foundations so as to overcome the challenges and narrow the development gap among the countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic which has driven tens of millions of people into poverty, natural disasters, inequality, environmental pollution, poverty, digitalisation gap, and food and water source security remain global challenges that no single country can deal with, PM Phuc pointed out.

He asked G20 members to provide financial and technological support to developing countries for realising sustainable development goals, and affirmed Vietnam’s commitment in implement the Paris Agreement, striving to reduce the total greenhouse gas emissions by 9 percent with domestic resources by 2030 and by 27 percent with international support.

Peace, stability, cooperation for joint development are pre-conditions for sustainable and inclusive development, the leader stressed, pointing out that this is only available when international relations are maintained through the law-based multilateral systems and mutual respect, understanding, cooperation and trust among the countries.

This is an important prerequisite for the G20, the UN and other multilateral bring into full play their role in addressing global issues in the new context, PM Phuc said.

At the meeting, G20 leaders stressed the pandemic has made the efforts for sustainable development become more urgent. They also emphasised the important role of the G20 in pushing up the scheduled implementation of the 2030 Agenda on sustainable development, and further empowering women and youth.

Since 2010, Vietnam has been invited to the G20 summits for five times. PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s participation in and addresses at this one have affirmed Vietnam’s active and responsible contributions as the ASEAN Chair 2020 to the global issue./.

ASEAN countries join hands to combat climate change

Cooperation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will be critical to complement and scale up efforts by each member nations, said a recent article published on the Jakarta Post.

The article, titled “ASEAN’s potential contributions to climate action”, said that the region is vulnerable to threats from climate change, including sea level rise and changes in weather that can impact agriculture and food production.

Every regional country has recognised the risks, accepted the Paris Agreement, and pledged to reduce emissions and energy consumption, or increase the use of clean energy, among other goals, it said. But the path to implementation is not easy, especially as attention and resources have been diverted to managing the pandemic.

That’s why intra-bloc cooperation is important but “is fledgling at present”, the article went on. In 2019, ASEAN countries released a joint statement regarding sustainable forest management, reducing energy intensity, sustainable land transport and fuel economy, as well as climate disaster risk mitigation.

The article stressed that the pandemic has underscored the need to build resilience against future risks, especially climate resilience.

A truly multilateral effort is needed for meaningful progress, it concluded, adding that for ASEAN, the first step is to come together as a community focused on climate action, take stock, and re-energise efforts toward its collective goals./.

Domestic runners triumph at Vietnam Mountain Marathon 2020

The Vietnam Mountain Marathon 2020 takes place in Sa Pa township (Photo: baolaocai.vn)

Tran Duy Quang and Nguyen Thi Duong triumphed in the 100km race of the Vietnam Mountain Marathon 2020 which concluded in Sa Pa township in northern Lao Cai province.

The 100km male battle saw an extremely competitive race between Vietnamese and French runners going head to head in Vietnam’s most challenging race.

The winner was Quang of Vietnam, who broke the new 100km course record with a time of 13:01.11.

Quang beat two strong competitors from France including Romain Berion and Gaetan Morizur who crossed the finish line second together in a total time of 13:04.54, just three minutes behind Quang.

The female 100km saw Duong also of Vietnam take first place in a time of 17:20.35. She beat Nathalie Cochet of France who was VMM 100km champion in 2016. Cochet was ahead of Duong until checkpoint four but then Duong powered ahead to finish 16 minutes before Cochet. Duong also set a personal record on the VMM 100km course in 2020 with three hours faster than in 2017.

Also in the women’s ultra field, Nguyen Thuy Dung of Vietnam came first in the 70km with a time of 11:03.28. She beat Constance Louasse of France in second place and Vu Lan Huong of Vietnam in third place.

In the men’s 70km, Singapore-based Vietnamese runner Trung Nguyen took first place while his running friend Vu Tien Viet Dung and Lorenzo Revelant from Italy came second and third.

The race, organised by Topas Travel and supported by Topas Ecolodge, attracted more than 2,200 runners competing from 10km to 100km.

Usually held in September, the race was held for the first time in autumn following a postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic./.

Indonesia calls on G20 economies to assist developing countries

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has called on the G20 economies to help developing and underdeveloped nations recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn.

Accompanied by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Widodo made the remarks when attending the first day of the G20 Summit via video conference from the Presidential Palace in Bogor, West Java, on November 21 evening.

The President reminded the UN Secretary-General's statement on the need for strong solidarity for developing countries, Widodo was quoted by the foreign minister as saying.

He said without the assistance of the G20 countries, developing and underdeveloped countries will not easily recover from the pandemic and economic downturn, according to Marsudi.

The President said that the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has requested financial support of 2.5 trillion USD so that developing countries are able to get out of the economic downturn, Marsudi said.

Widodo also conveyed the importance of debt restructuring assistance for low-income countries, especially from large debt-giving countries, in support of the world economic recovery, while it is important to continue providing extraordinary support for fiscal, monetary and financial sector policies, the minister said.

On the occasion, the President also called for the important funding for health recovery, saying that the vaccine is one of the ammunitions against COVID-19.

Widodo said the world was currently watching and waiting for the meeting of the leaders of the G20 economies who are expected to bring the world out of the health crisis and economic downturn due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The G20 Summit 2020 took place in a virtual format on November 21-22 in Riyadh under the presidency of Saudi Arabia, with the theme "Realizing Opportunities of the 21st Century for All"./.

Forum gathers over 200 young Vietnamese intellectuals

The third forum of young Vietnamese intellectuals across the globe, themed Vietnam in 2045, took place on November 21 with the participation of 206 people under 35 in Vietnam and overseas.

First Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) Central Committee Nguyen Anh Tuan said the event continues working toward the goal of consolidating a network of young Vietnamese intellectuals and creating an environment for them to discuss their potential contribution to the national development and integration, helping the Party and State realise the socio-economic development goals set for 2045 which marks the 100th founding anniversary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

At the forum, participants’ discussion revolved around a range of topics, including the improvement of living standards, the promotion of cultural value, and the application of science and technology in national development, among others.

In a bid to make human capacity development part of economic growth, Tran Ngo Duc Tho, 35, a research fellow in urban planning and development at the US’s Texas A&M University, suggested the Vietnamese Government improve growth engines, encourage people from all walks of life to engage in growth effort, and redistribute growth achievements among people and regions in the nation.

Pham Hoang Cam Huong from the Hue College of Economics highlighted self-learning spirit of youths to help turn themselves into part of a high-quality workforce serving the national industrialisation, modernisation and integration.

All participants’ recommendations and feedback were collected for submission to related competent agencies./.

Muong Khuong mandarin week opens in Hanoi

Foodies in Hanoi have a chance to enjoy the local cuisine of the northwestern region when visiting the Week of Muong Khuong mandarins and other Lao Cai province’s agricultural products which opened at Big C Thang Long supermarket on November 21.

Apart from Muong Khuong mandarins, the trademark recognised by the National Office of Intellectual Property, Lao Cai’s co-operatives and businesses are displaying local specialities such as Seng Cu rice, Muong Khuong chilli sauce, tea, honey, Thanh Sơn vermicelli, Muc grapefruit, turmeric starch, dried buffalo meat, wine, medical herbs, and more.

This is the first time the Week of Muong Khuong mandarin and agricultural products of Lao Cai has been introduced in Hanoi.

“The event is an opportunity to introduce agricultural products in Lao Cai province in general and Muong Khuong mandarins in particular to Hanoians. It also offers an opportunity to establish sustainable links between manufacturers and distributors, facilitating local enterprises to connect and develop markets, expand production along the value chain,” said Nguyen Truong Giang, deputy head of the province’s Department of Industry and Trade.

At the event, the Big C Trade Centre and several Lao Cai agencies signed a memorandum of understanding on product sales.

The event will run through November 25.

This is part of a series of programmes organised by Big C in co-ordination with ministries and localities to support the promotion activities to introduce and build brands for agricultural products, specialities across regions and localities of Vietnam.

Techfest Mekong 2020 opened in Ben Tre

The start-up festival Techfest Mekong 2020 opened in the Ben Tre city of the Mekong Delta province of the same name on November 21, with over 120 exhibitors taking part.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Van Tung said the event provides a platform to promote start-ups and innovation among the localities in the region and the country. He expressed his hope that regional innovation activities will further develop in the future.

Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Tran Ngoc Tam said the event will create favourable conditions for start-ups to popularise products, pool resources for investment, and honour individuals and organisations in start-up and innovation activities.

It is also expected to form a start-up ecological system and connect businesses, experts, investors and start-up funds together.

On display are products made by students in Ho Chi Minh city and the region, the provincial Women’s Union and Farmers’ Association.

The festival also drew 60 start-ups, nearly 30 domestic and foreign investors, and economic groups.

As part of the event, a seminar introducing start-up incubation programmes in industry-agriculture, and a youth start-up forum were also held./.

Halong Bay International Heritage Marathon kicks off

The annual Halong Bay International Heritage Marathon, the sixth of its kind in Ha Long, was held in the northern province of Quang Ninh on November 22.

Over 2,500 athletes competed in 5km, 10km, 21km and 42km races.

The winner in the longest race for men was Ha Van Nhat while that for women was Pham Nguyen To Phuong.

Le Trung Duc and Doan Thu Hang won in the 21km race for men and women, respectively.

In the 10km race, male athlete Nguyen Van Lai and female athlete Le Thi Lan came first while in the 5km race, Nguyen Tung Luu and Tran Thi Thu Hang finished first. 

The Halong Bay Heritage Marathon running tracks have been measured and certified by experts of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS).

It has been voted as one of the world's 150 most beautiful running tracks by the prestigious Runner's World UK magazine.

The competition also offered a chance to popularise Quang Ninh, its tourism and people to tourists at home and abroad./.

290 citizens repatriated from Czech Republic

A Bamboo Airways plane brought home 290 Vietnamese citizens from the Czech Republic on November 21 and 22.

The passengers included children under 18, the elderly, the illnesses, students who completed their studies, workers with expired contracts, and others in extremely disadvantaged circumstances.

The Vietnamese Embassy in the host country sent staff to the airport to assist the Vietnamese citizens with boarding procedures.

In-flight safety and preventive measures against the COVID-19 pandemic were rigorously enforced to protect the passengers’ health and prevent the spread of the disease.

Upon arrival at the Can Tho international airport in the Mekong Delta city of the same name, all passengers and crew members received medical check-ups and were sent to quarantine in line with regulations.

The repatriation of Vietnamese citizens in disadvantaged circumstances abroad will continue to be conducted in line with their wishes, the developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, and quarantine capacity in Vietnam./.

Vietnamese students remain sixth largest community in US colleges

Vietnam remains the sixth leading country of origin for all international higher education students in the United States, according to a recent report by the Institute of International Education’s (IIE).

IIE's annual Open Doors Report released on November 16 showed that there were 23,777 Vietnamese students studying at US institutions of higher education in the academic year (AY) 2019-2020.

Of the 23,777 Vietnamese students enrolled in higher education in the United States, 69.8 percent were undergraduates, 15.3 percent were graduate-level students, 11.4 percent enrolled in Optional Practical Training (OPT), and the remaining 3.5 percent were pursuing non-degree courses.

The report also said that Vietnamese students contribute USD827 million to the US economy annually.

The US Mission to Vietnam is celebrating the International Education Week (IEW ) 2020 by holding virtual information sessions in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to promote studying in the United States and provide information about US student visas and US government-sponsored scholarship opportunities.

Released during the 25th Anniversary of US-Vietnam diplomatic relations, the Open Doors data is demonstrable proof that education is a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship. With a total of approximately 26,000 Vietnamese students pursuing studies at all levels in the United States, the US Mission to Vietnam will continue to promote opportunities for Vietnamese students to study in the United States through its Education USA services, American Centres in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and American Hangouts in Can Tho and An Giang.

The report also showed that international students continue to represent 5.5 percent of US higher education students with 1,075,496 students in the AY 2019-2020.

International students continue to demonstrate a strong interest in science, technology, engineering and maths fields. More than half (52 percent) of all international students pursued these subjects. Despite a 4.4 percent decline, engineering remains the most popular major for international students with one in every five pursuing studies in this field. The fields of math, computer science, and physical science continued to increase by 0.9 percent and 1.2 percent, respectively.

The top 10 states for international higher education students continue to be California, New York, Texas, Massachusetts, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana.

India, Singapore, Thailand kick off trilateral maritime drill

India, Singapore, and Thailand are conducting a trilateral naval exercise, called SITMEX-20, in the Andaman Sea on November 22 and 23, aiming to strengthen cooperation in combat and share experience.

India’s PTI News quoted Indian senior officers as saying that the Indian Navy deployed indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare corvette INS Kamorta and missile corvette INS Karmuk for the second edition of SITMEX.

The Singaporean Navy sent the Formidable-class frigate Intrepid and Endurance-class landing ship tank Endeavour, while the Royal Thai Navy sent the Chao Phraya-class frigate Kraburi to the drill.

The exercise is being conducted as a ‘non-contact, at sea only’ drill in view of the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first event of this kind, hosted by the Indian Navy, was conducted off Port Blair in September 2019./.

“Organic Town – GIS Market” opens in HCM City

A weekend market featuring organic products and Vietnamese High-Quality Products-Global Integration Standard (GIS) certified products opened in HCM City on November 21, with the participation of many businesses and producers from different parts in the country.

Organised by the Vietnamese High Quality Product Business Association, GIS project, BSAS Company and Vinamit JSC, the “Organic Town – GIS Market” will be held every Saturday and Sunday to provide one more reliable place for consumers in the city to buy green, clean, safe and premium products.

Vu Kim Hanh, chairwoman of the Vietnamese High Quality Product Business Association, said there is an increase in demand for organic products or products meeting international standards among consumers, especially those in urban areas.

Building on the success of the “Green-Nice Market” over the last four years, with more than 200 weekend markets organised, the association in collaboration with partners is organising the weekend market for organic and GIS products.

“We try to create trustworthy spaces for consumers in shopping quality and standard certified products. It is also a way to positively support producers,” she said.

Nguyen Lam Vien, chairman of the board of directors and General Director of Vinamit JSC, said that in recent years, Vietnamese farms have been trying to transform their production to produce more organic products, better meeting consumer needs.

The “Organic Town – GIS Market” will be a venue for businesses and producers to gather and exchange information and introduce their best products to customers, contributing to motivate farmers, cooperatives, and small farm owners to follow a new type of farming in the future.

Mekong Delta takes measures to support households hit by natural disasters

High tides broke embankments in Bến Tre Province’s Chợ Lách District in the middle of this month, inundating seedling growing areas.

 

Provinces in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta are taking measures to help households affected by heavy rains, strong winds, high tides and natural disasters this year.

Drought and saline intrusion have also caused damage to thousands of hectares of rice, vegetables and other crops in the delta, while heavy rains and winds have flattened thousands of houses and blown off roofs.

Võ Kim Thuần, head of the Long An Province’s Rural Development and Irrigation Sub-department, said natural disasters had caused property damage of VNĐ65 billion (US$2,800) in the province this year.

Lightning killed one person, and strong winds and whirlwinds flattened 17 houses and blew off the roofs of 212 houses in Long An. Saltwater intrusion and drought damaged nearly 2,800ha of rice.       

Long An has had 30 erosion cases with a total length of 1,000 metres along rivers and canals this year, affecting 30 households.

The province has stepped up measures to protect dykes and irrigation works from natural disasters in order to secure the safety of property and lives of households.

It has also tightened inspections and penalties for violators of regulations protecting irrigation works, rivers and canals.  

In Cà Mau Province, heavy rains inundated 20,980ha of rice and 267ha of vegetables and other crops, and flattened 18 houses and blew off the roof of 57 houses recently, according to the province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Its western sea dyke has five new eroded sections with a total of more than 5.8 kilometres.

Trần Văn Thời District was Cà Mau’s hardest hit district from rain inundation as it has 1,400ha of completely damaged rice and 8,500ha of rice damaged up to 80 per cent.

The district has more than 3,400ha of ripe summer – autumn rice which has not been harvested.

Lê Quân, chairman of the Cà Mau Province People’s Committee, has asked local authorities to survey damage to agricultural production and houses to help households recover their production and property.

The province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in co-operation with relevant departments and agencies will monitor weather and hydro-meteorology forecasting and establish plans to cope with natural disasters in each locality, he said.

Irrigation works, canals, dykes and embankments will be regularly checked and upgraded to cope with drought and saltwater intrusion.

Localities are expected to soon complete the harvest of the summer – autumn rice and finish sowing rice seeds for the current crop of a rice – shrimp farming model.

Kiên Giang Province, which is the country’s largest rice producer, will provide VNĐ540 million ($23,100) to help households repair houses damaged by natural disasters.  

It has used VNĐ800 million ($34,200) from various sources to provide clean water for household use in An Minh District’s Đông Hòa Commune.

The Kiên Giang People’s Committee has assigned the province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to drill bored wells to supply clean water for production and household daily use in Đông Hòa.

The delta’s provinces are also taking measures to protect crops and dykes from the damages of high tides.  

In Bến Tre, high tides broke a 10m-dyke section in Chợ Lách District’s Thiền Liềng Commune, inundating more than 20ha producing seedlings of jackfruits and durian on Monday.  

The Chợ Lách District Bureau Agriculture and Rural Development is compiling data on the damage caused by high tides on November 13 – 17 to have support measures for households.

In Sóc Trăng, high tides broke 50 embankments in Cù Lao Dung District on November 13 – 16, inundating 42 houses and 153ha of sugarcane, vegetables and fruits.

The district is repairing the eroded embankments.

Nguyễn Văn Đắc, head of the Cù Lao Dung Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the district has ordered local authorities in communes to use machines to upgrade dykes, embankments and other public works. 

Cù Lao Dung earlier this year upgraded its dykes and embankments to control high tides, but the islet district was inundated more heavily than in previous years because of higher tides and other factors, according to local households.

Quang Nam asked to reconsider road project in forest

Ngoc Linh ginseng area.

 

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has asked the central province of Quang Nam to reconsider a proposed road which would cut through a local forest.

Under the proposal sent to the MARD, Quang Nam wants to build a road to the Ngoc Linh ginseng area in Nam Tra My District.   

The province expected that after considering the recommendation, the ministry would submit it to the prime minister for a decision.

However, according to the ministry, Quang Nam did not clearly clarify the specific location of the forest area in Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve to be used for the road project. So the ministry did not have enough foundations to define whether it is possible to change the use purpose of the forest area or not.

The ministry added that the project needed to be assessed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, not provincial authorities, for its environmental impact.

Quang Nam has experienced many landslides over the past years, particularly when the province is located in the area of fault lines. Therefore, it is essential for the province to carefully reconsider opening a road in the forest.

Quang Nam recently faced consecutive landslides following storms, including a fatal incident in Tra Lang Commune, which left many people dead and missing.

Construction on Cần Thơ- Bạc Liêu expressway to start next year

Construction on The Cần Thơ- Bạc Liêu expressway, which is included in Cần Thơ- Cà Mau expressway project, will start next year.

Diệp Bảo Tuấn, deputy general director of Cửu Long Investment, Development and Project Management of Infrastructure (Cửu Long CIPM), said the project is expected to be completed in 2025.

The expressway will pass through Vĩnh Long, Hậu Giang, Sóc Trăng, Bạc Liêu provinces and Cần Thơ City.

The Cần Thơ-Bạc Liêu section will be funded by the State budget as part of the 2021-2025 medium-term public investment plan, while the Bạc Liêu-Cà Mau section will be built under a public-private-partnership.

According to Cửu Long CIPM, the project is expected to create connections through 13 provinces in the Mekong Delta region, complete the regional traffic network, and connect economic centres, new urban areas and traffic hubs.

The expressway is designed and built with high technical standards and modern technology. It will improve efficiency and save transportation time.

The Cần Thơ-Cà Mau Expressway is among several roads being planned or constructed in the Mekong Delta region. The 51-kilometer Lộ Tẻ – Rạch Sói Expressway connecting Cần Thơ City with Kiên Giang Province opened to traffic in September, while the Trung Lương – Mỹ Thuận Expressway in Tiền Giang Province will open before Lunar New Year in February. 

Thousands of rural workers find jobs after completing vocational training

Cities and provinces in the south have achieved positive results in increasing the rate of trained workers in rural areas and creating jobs for them, after nearly 10 years of implementing the government's vocational training project for rural workers.

Nguyễn Đại Tánh, deputy director of Long An Province’s Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, said that local vocational training facilities provide vocational training in key occupations such as industrial electricity, mechanical equipment installation, mechatronics, welding, and air-conditioning engineers.

"All are needed to serve the province's socio-economic development and cope with rapid changes from the 4.0 revolution,” he said.

Over the last 10 years, the province has developed handicraft products that are favoured in domestic and foreign markets such as carpets and cushions made from dried water hyacinth, hand embroidery, woven plastic baskets, and compostable bags.

They have helped create stable jobs and steady incomes for many rural workers, contributed to new-style rural areas, and reduced poverty, Tánh said.

He said vocational training in the agricultural, forestry and fisheries sectors will be given more attention in the near future. 

New training cources will be opened in tourism, beauty services, restaurants and hotels, high-tech agriculture, digital and information technology, automation and engineering, and control and automation.

Võ Văn Hiền, head of vocational training and the education sub-department under Kiên Giang Province’s Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, said that vocational training for rural labourers is designed to match the socio-economic characteristics of each region.

For example, the province’s Long Xuyên Quadrangle region is offering vocational training in aquaculture production and seafood processing, fishing boat repair, and offshore fishing.

Vocational training in the western part of the Hậu River meets recruitment demand in industrial zones, while the U Minh Thượng sub-region provides training skills for fishing ports, fishery logistics, and advanced techniques for rice cultivation combined with aquaculture production.

The province gives priority to training occupations for labourers in raw material areas, the people who implement the programme, cooperative members, and those who want to work abroad.

It expects to train 27,000 rural workers and raise the rate of trained workers to 67 per cent in the next five years. Of the number, at least 80 per cent of them are expected to find a job after training.

Meanwhile, about 16,400 people in rural areas in Bình Dương Province received vocational training in the last 10 years, according to the provincial Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.

Of the number, 7,900 people took part in vocational training for agricultural jobs.

Võ Đông Duy, head of the department’s vocational education and training division, said that about 70 vocational traning classes opened with a total of 1,700 students in the first nine months of the year.

The province focuses on training courses in the shaping and caring of ornamental plants and flowers, growing pomelos according to VietGAP standards, cultivating mushrooms and mangosteen, and producing "safe" vegetables.

“These products are high-value goods in the domestic market and have high export potential,” Duy said.

Huỳnh Thị Mỹ Hà, deputy director of Vĩnh Long Province’s Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, said the province gives priority to training for jobs in high demand such as civil construction, welding and mechanics, metal cutting, industrial sewing, tourism, restaurants and hotels, and health care and child care services.

“We only provide vocational training that meets labour market needs and ensures an income for rural workers after training,” she said.

The province will also offer vocational training to provide essential skills for those who want to work abroad under contracts.

Job creation

Vocational training associated with job creation for rural workers has gained success in many localities. 

Lê Phát Hậu, owner of a woven plastic basket facility in Long An Province’s Cần Đước District, said his facility produces an average of 25,000 plastic baskets of all kinds each month.

It creates jobs for more than 500 rural workers, each earning VNĐ80,000-100,000 (US$3.5-4.3) per day.

Hậu has collaborated with local vocational training facilities to teach weaving of plastic baskets to 100 rural workers each year since 2010. He also offers jobs for trained workers at his own facility or introduces them to work at other facilities.

His products are sold in the domestic market and foreign markets such as Laos and Cambodia.

Võ Văn Hiền of Kiên Giang Province’s Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs said that many vocational trainng models have helped local farmers improve their skills, as well as increase crop quality and yields, labor productivity, and incomes.

“Through training cources, the farmers have learned about economic integration, food safety and hygiene standards, and entrepreneurship," he said.

Breeding marine fish in more than 800 floating cages has offered high profits for farmers in Kiên Hải and Kiên Lương districts. The average revenue of each cage is about VNĐ23-25 million ($950-108) per crop.

In addition, the models for farming tiger shrimp and growing pepper, high-quality rice, mushrooms and sprouts in Kiên Lương District provide locals a steady income of VNĐ3-5 million ($130-215) per month.

Workers in Hải Phòng City learn about reproductive and mental health, nutrition

As many as 3,698 workers at 14 companies in Hải Phòng City this year have improved their knowledge about reproductive and mental health, and nutrition for women, under the project “Vì mẹ và bé - Vì tầm vóc Việt” (For Mother and Baby - For Vietnamese Stature).

The project was carried out by the For Vietnamese Stature Foundation in co-operation with the Hải Phòng City Labour Federation and Women’s Union.   

It was part of the programme Health Care for Child-Bearing Aged Women which is one of three large programmes of the For Vietnamese Stature Foundation.     

The project "Vì mẹ và bé - Vì tầm vóc Việt" was carried out for four years with a total of 13,358 beneficiaries.

Trần Thị Như Trang, director of the For Vietnamese Stature Foundation, said: “Workers were able to answer 95 per cent of questions relating to health care after hearing counselling from experts. Before the project, the rate was only about 50 per cent.”

The knowledge helped change workers’ behaviours about taking care of their health and their children as well as relatives, Trang said.

In the project, workers and their relatives received counselling relating to reproductive health care, including contraceptive methods through a mobile phone application called New Choice.  

As of this month, nearly 10,000 people have downloaded the application. 

Ba Ria-Vung Tau launches “Say No to Plastic” media campaign

The southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau organised a photo exhibition at Bai Truoc Park in Vung Tau City on November 20 to launch a media campaign themed “Ba Ria-Vung Tau says no to plastic waste”.

The exhibition showcased nearly 200 paintings, photos and posters, especially paradigms introducing initiatives, products and services in the field of environmental protection and plastic waste reduction, towards ensuring safety and security of local water reservoirs.

The works on display honestly reflected the negative effects of plastic waste on human life, the oceans and marine life.

Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment Phan Van Manh said that through the exhibition, Ba Ria-Vung Tau launched a media campaign aimed at raising awareness on environmental protection, especially in local reservoirs across the province.

The exhibition also honoured the joint efforts of volunteer groups, social organisations and businesses in activities responding to the movement of protecting water sources and the environment in Ba Ria-Vung Tau in recent years.

Within the framework of the exhibition, the organising committee also screened short films on the topics of marine waste, plastic waste, environmental pollution and water source protection, as well as organising various activities such as drawing paintings on environmental protection and exchanging waste for green trees.

Pooling data for joint ASEAN growth

An online database portal will accelerate the process of implementing sustainability targets of ASEAN countries, as well as contribute to improving their performance, according to the bloc’s leaders.

The General Statistics Office (GSO) in collaboration with the Statistics Division (ASEANStats) under the Economic Community Department of the ASEAN Secretariat has unveiled a baseline report and online portal to track ASEAN member states’ progress towards the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

GSO director general Nguyen Thi Huong emphasised that while being chair of ASEAN for 2020, Vietnam proposed an initiative on establishing the statistical information system for the sustainable development of ASEAN and received consensus and active participation to implement the initiative for member states.

“The initiative aims to help establish a sustainable, uniform, and consistent statistical information system; ensure to adequately provide information on monitoring and evaluation of ASEAN sustainable development; promote partnerships; and improve capacity to collect and compile SDG indicators as well as strengthen the role of ASEANStats,” said Huong.

Member states’ data in relation to global SDG data has been conducted since last May. The online database covers 134 indicators – of this, a static table highlights the data for 2016 and the latest year available, and users can create their own tables from the database.

Hsiu Chin Tang, chair of the ASEAN Working Group on SDG Indicators, said that the 2020 baseline report covers 67 indicators and establishes baseline information of SDGs being tracked and measured in ASEAN for 2016-2018, as well as aids future monitoring of progress in achieving the 2030 Agenda and to support relevant policymaking at both national and regional levels.

According to the report, the prevalence of stunting and wasting in young children varied across member states with an average of 27 per cent of children under five years of age experiencing stunting, and 8.6 per cent children experiencing wasting in ASEAN in 2016.

Maternal mortality, neonatal mortality, and under-five mortality rates were relatively high in Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia while quite low in Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.

In ASEAN, access to primary and secondary education for children is equitable. The region reached near gender parity in gross enrolment ratio in primary and secondary education in 2018, with minimal or no inequality in the majority of member states. Proportionately, more females than males enrolled in tertiary education.

The report also emphasised the high unemployment rates in some countries. The region recorded an average unemployment rate of 3.7 per cent among persons aged over 15 with similar rates for males (4 per cent) and females (3.7 per cent) in 2018.

“The SDG indicators report plays an important role in making policies for sustainable development, green growth of member countries, and being an important tool to ensure transparency of statistical indicators,” said Tang of the Working Group.

He added that countries have established institutional mechanisms to coordinate plans, activities, and responses for the production of SDG indicators to implement and monitor the 2030 agenda. Of this, national statistical offices and national statistical systems play a key role in reporting on national progress and serving as custodian agencies, supported by various institutional mechanisms and measures.

“However, there are significant challenges in sustaining monitoring systems given the vast data requirements of SDGs. There is a need for increased statistical capacities, including financing and human resources, in order to enhance engagement of multi-stakeholders for robust national monitoring systems,” he added.

The ASEAN Community’s vision to 2025 has complemented the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development with efforts to improve the living standards of people in the ASEAN Community. This is reflected in the Blueprint 2025 of the ASEAN Economic Community and Socio-Cultural Community, which is committed to achieving sustainable socioeconomic development.

To ensure monitoring and evaluation of the targets over the next decade, Huong from GSO proposed to maintain and promote the initiative of the indicators’ working group; regular updates from member countries on SDG indicators; and enlist the active support of international organisations, development partners, non-governmental organisations, and the business community and society SDG monitoring and evaluation.

Work begins on three components of North-South expressway project

On November 19, the Ministry of Transport began work on three components worth over VND4 trillion of the Mai Son-National Highway 45 subproject of the Eastern North-South Expressway project.

According to the ministry, the 10-XL package will be executed by Xuan Truong Construction Company and Son Hai Group with a bid price of over VND1.6 trillion.

The 12-XL package will be developed by Deo Ca Group, Hai Thach Construction JSC and Hoang Long Construction Corporation with a bid price of over VND1.3 trillion.

Meanwhile, the 13-XL package will be carried out by Truong Son Construction Corporation, Phuong Thanh Transport Construction and Investment JSC and Truong Thinh Group with a winning price of over VND1.3 trillion.

The Mai Son-National Highway 45 section will be 63.37 kilometers long and pass through Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa provinces. It was designed to have six lanes, with four lanes to be developed in the first phase.

The subproject requires an estimated VND12.1 trillion, including nearly VND7.7 trillion for construction and equipment.

Once in place, the section will shorten the travel time between Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa, open up opportunities to invest in the northern and central regions and reduce traffic congestion and accidents on National Highway 1A.

In addition, it will meet the passenger and cargo transport demand between the northern key economic zone and the central region and speed up the establishment and development of industrial parks and tourist sites along the road.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Deputy Minister of Transport Le Dinh Tho hailed the efforts of the Ninh Binh and Thanh Hoa authorities to clear the site for the subproject. The investors of the three components meet the Government’s requirements, the deputy minister said, expecting that they would ensure the progress of the components, safety during execution and also protect the environment.

Binh Dinh-based Phu Cat airport proposed to become international one

A view of Phu Cat Airport in Binh Dinh Province. The Binh Dinh government has proposed turning Phu Cat Airport into Phu Cat International Airport

The Binh Dinh government has written to the Ministry of Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam proposing turning Phu Cat Airport into Phu Cat International Airport.

The aprons, domestic terminal, signal systems and relevant services and infrastructure of Phu Cat Airport have been upgraded and repaired by the Airports Corporation of Vietnam, according to Binh Dinh Province's government.

As such, the airport has been working effectively, while the upgrading of its old terminal has been completed to serve international passengers.

Phu Cat Airport basically meets all requirements to serve domestic and international passengers, said the provincial government.

On January 4, the airport welcomed the first international flight from South Korea operated by Bamboo Airways, VietnamPlus news site reported.

As a central province, Binh Dinh Province has been growing fast, with the speed of the development of infrastructure and economy listed among the country’s leading group.

Besides, the province is in the process of completing a series of roads such as National Highway 19 connecting Quy Nhon Port with National Highway 1 and a road linking Phu Cat Airport and Nhon Hoi Economic Zone.

Also, Binh Dinh Province is investing in a project to build coastal roads in line with the national plan for coastal road systems.

If Phu Cat Airport is upgraded into Phu Cat International Airport, more foreign investors and tourists will enter the province, contributing to the economic growth of Binh Dinh Province.

Jail terms upheld for Son La officials involved in high school exam scandal

The Hanoi People’s Court on Friday decided to uphold jail terms given to four defendants involved in the high school exam cheating scandal in the northern mountainous province of Son La.

The four former provincial education officials filed appeals against their convictions from May this year, claiming that they did not give and receive bribes to adjust candidates’ scores.

After two days of the trial hearing, the appeals were denied because the four defendants “could not prove evidence showing their innocence,” according to the court.

Tran Xuan Yen, former deputy director of Son La Province Department of Education and Training, was sentenced to nine years in prison for abusing position and power. He was banned from performing official duties for five years and fined VND50 million (US$2,180).

Lo Van Huynh, former head of examination and quality management section of the Son La Education and Training Department, was given a jail term of 21 years for receiving bribes and abusing position and power.

Nguyen Minh Khoa, former deputy head of the Internal Political and Security Division of the provincial police, was sentenced to eight years in prison for giving bribes while Nguyen Thanh Nhan, former deputy head of examination and quality management section, was given a 30-month jail term and fined VND20 million ($870).

The defendants were found to have increased the exam scores of 44 students in the national high school examination held in June 2018.

Son La reported the country’s lowest average score of 4.21. However, the province’s number of students scoring nine or above out of 10 in mathematics and physics exceeded those in other localities.

Yen, as the province’s deputy head of steering committee for the national high school examination, received information on 13 candidates to alter their scores.

Yen composed a list of candidates and their desired scores then handed it to other officials to make adjustments.

Huynh received VND300 million ($13,000) to change the test scores of one candidate. Although Huynh denied having received VND1 billion ($43.5 million) from Nguyen Minh Khoa to increase the scores of two other candidates, the procuracy said they found evidence for the accusation.

Grass- root medical centers still not live up to local patients' expectations

Many medical grass -root centers don’t meet patients’ demands for modern medical facilities and equipment yet; plus, treatment quality has not lived up to local people’s expectations, some representatives of medical units said.

They made statements at a conference on preliminary medical examination and treatment at medical clinics organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health yesterday.

According to Associate Professor-Dr. Tang Chi Thuong, Deputy Director of the HCMC Department of Health, 24 district health centers including 20 medical centers with polyclinics are located in the city. Presently, grass-roots medical centers are consisting of 319 health stations in districts and wards, including 27 family medical practices.

The Department’s statistics has shown that from 2015 to 2020, just a few of dwellers have gone to grass-roots healthcare clinics while the networks of district and ward medical clinics are located in the whole city.

Specifically, just around 1.2 to 2.7 million patients go to health centers in districts or wards yearly, accounting for 4-7.55 percent of the total number of those in the city. Conversely, family medical practice have been drawing more patients.

Some representatives of medical units explained that medical grass- root centers don’t meet patients’ demands for modern medical facilities and equipment yet; plus, treatment quality has not lived up to local people’s expectations.

Additionally, because many grass-root medical centers have not signed medical examination and treatment contracts with the health insurance agency, local people prefer to go to hospitals for medical treatments to grass root health centers.

At the meeting, leaders at medical centers in district and wards shared that the shortage of good physicians and policies to hold them is the main reason why people don’t prefer medical grass-root centers to infirmaries. Furthermore, grass-root centers are short of medicine.

In the upcoming time, to attract local patients to district-level medical centers for treatment, the HCMC Department of Health planned to provide good physicians to district -level medical stations as well as petition the Vietnam Social Insurance Agency to add more drugs in small medical stations’ list.

Central Relief Committee allocates additional $1.9 mln to flood-hit provinces

The Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (the Central Relief Committee) has decided to allocate an extra of VND45 billion (over US$1.9 million) in the second phase's financial aid to support flood-hit residents in the Central and Central Highlands provinces.  

Up to now, floods following recent storms have completely destroyed 1,340 houses, damaged around 199,500 houses and inundated 337,500 ones. 

The financial aid will be sent to near-poor and poor households, policy beneficiary families with difficult circumstances damaged by recent floods and storms in Ha Tinh, Thua Thien - Hue, Binh Dinh, Nghe An, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Quang Ngai, Quang Nam, Kon Tum and Gia Lai provinces, especially those two worst affected provinces of Quang Ngai and Quang Nam will receive VND12 billion (over US$518,000). 

Earlier, VND22 billion (US$949,000) was allocated to the Central, Central Highlands provinces in the first phase.

Ede ethnic’s ritual ceremony to be performed in Hanoi

The ritual is taking place under the exhibition which will last until November 23.

The Water God worshiping ceremony of the Ede people, part of the exhibition entitled "Travel Through Vietnamese Heritage Regions 2020," is being held at the Vietnam Culture and Arts Exhibition Center, Hanoi. 

The ritual ceremony is usually organized by Ede ethnic minority in Ninh Tay commune, Khanh Hoa province in January, aiming at giving thanks to the Water God for bringing luck, good weather, bumper crops and good health to the villagers. 

The ceremony will be performed by the Ede ethnic people from Buon Dung village so as to introduce this cultural heritage more vividly.

Although it is only presented in the theatrical form and summarized in approximately 60 minutes, the Water God worship ceremony of the Ede ethnic group in Hanoi encompasses the full basic rituals, from the preparation of the ceremony, the worship part, to the festival with typical dances.

Normally, the ceremony is performed by the village head or shaman. The prepared worship dishes include pork, chicken, and most importantly, a pot of diluted bird's blood. On that day, the wharf was decorated with a welcoming gate made of leaves, long-leaved grass, hanging decorations, and a pillar. After the worship procession at the wharf, the villagers will store some water in jars of dried gourds, put them in baskets, and take them home as gifts from the God of Water. Meanwhile, a group of people follow the shaman to visit all the houses in the village to spray poultry blood while singing songs out loud to pray good luck and fortune to the villagers.

After this ritual part, the villagers will join together at the community house to have a party with lot of rice wine and food in the joyful melody of gongs and festive vibes.