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The northern mountainous province of Ha Giang held a ceremony on the evening of September 16 in order to receive the title of national intangible cultural heritage.
Upon addressing the event, Nguyen Van Son, chairman of the provincial People's Committee, suggested that Hoang Su Phi district’s culture, sports, and tourism sector devise additional programmes to promote the various values of cultural heritage of local ethnic groups.
This should be done in order to encourage the active participation of local people in spreading traditional rituals among the community.
Moving forward, these schemes are expected to significantly contribute to designing attractive cultural tourism products and services, generating greater income, and improving people's lives as well as attracting more tourists to the region.
Hoang Su Phi Terrace Field Heritage Week has returned after nearly three years of being suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a wide range of attractive destinations now on offer.
Furthermore, the tourism programme “Through the heritage regions of Hoang Su Phi district's terraced fields” was also launched during the event.
Italian dancers set to bring contemporary dance show to Vietnam
Italian dance group Artemis Danza are due to perform "Traviata", a unique contemporary dance show inspired by the opera of the great Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi, in several major cities across the country this September.
Originally composed back in 1853, "La Traviata" narrates the sorrowful love story between the courtesan Violetta and the young nobleman Alfredo.
However, their unfortunate relationship was thwarted by the man’s powerful family and a chronic disease suffered by Violetta, with the story inspiring generations around the world and turning Violetta and Alfredo into immortal symbols of love and tragedy.
The Italian dancers will perform shows at Hai Phong Opera House in Hai Phong City on September 19, Vinh Phuc Theatre in Vinh Phuc province on September 20, and Hanoi Youth Theatre on September 22.
Free tickets can be collected in advance at the Hanoi Youth Theatre or at the Embassy of Italy in the capital city from September 16 to September 21.
Artemis Danza will conduct a masterclass for students of the Hanoi Academy of Theatre and Cinema on September 21. These students will then have the opportunity to perform on stage along with Artemis Danza’s professional dancers at the Hanoi Youth Theatre the following day.
Artemis Danza was first established by Italian choreographer Monica Casadei in 1994. So far the Italian dance group has staged more than 3- creations, ranging from contemporary dance shows to choreographies for theatrical performances and operas.
In 2007 Artemis Danza became a member of the World Dance Alliance (WDA) Europe under the aegis of UNESCO.
Work delayed at new HCM City airport passenger terminal
Construction of a third passenger terminal at Tân Sơn Nhất international airport in HCM City has been delayed until next month after a prolonged delay due to issues related to land-use planning.
According to a report by the Ministry of Transport, construction was expected to start in the third quarter, but the ministry was still waiting for 16ha of military land yet to be handed over.
The transport ministry has urged the Ministry of Defence to hand over the land to ensure the new schedule.
The report noted the new terminal will be completed and put into operation in 2024.
In July, the Government approved a plan that requires the defence ministry to hand over some 28 hectares of military land for expansion of the country’s busiest airport.
Of the land, 16ha will be for building the new passenger terminal and another 12ha for a road connecting the terminal and nearby streets in Tân Bình District.
In 2020, the Government approved the project to build the terminal at a cost of nearly VNĐ11 trillion (US$470.5 million), using the budget from State-owned Airports Corporation of Việt Nam. Construction is expected to take 37 months.
The terminal has been proposed as a key and urgent traffic project for the city, so a prolonged delay in the construction could make the project investor incur heavy losses, experts have warned.
At a recent meeting, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính urged the construction of the new terminal to be started in the third quarter and completed by September 2024 amid growing complaints of overcrowding at the airport.
Tân Sơn Nhất international airport was originally designed to serve 25 million passengers per year by 2020, but it has been serving almost 40 million per year since 2017.
The airport currently has two terminals, with the T1 terminal serving domestic flights and T2 handling international flights.
The T1 terminal can serve up to 15 million passengers a year, while the T2 terminal can provide service to 10 million passengers per annum.
Once operational, the new T3 terminal will be able to serve up to 20 million passengers annually.
The new facility will handle domestic flights, help to ease pressure on the T1 Terminal, which is currently overloaded, and improve service quality.
The number of passengers travelling via the airport has surged in recent years, nearly doubling its designed capacity, especially once the COVID-19 pandemic was contained.
The growth in the number of passengers after the pandemic has shown the strong recovery of the economy, especially in the aviation industry and tourism activities.
However, this has caused escalating overcrowding at major airports in the country such as Tân Sơn Nhất in HCM City and Nội Bài in Hà Nội.
Australian state prioritises coopetation with Vietnam’s localities
Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Nguyen Tat Thanh paid an official visit to Tasmania state, southern Australia, on September 15-16 to strengthen connection and expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
The visit was made at the invitation of Premier Jeremy Rockliff.
During his reception for the Vietnamese diplomat, Rockliff expressed his delight at outstanding achievements in the Australia-Vietnam strategic partnership, and hoped that the two countries will further tighten this relationship.
He said the Tasmania authority is promoting cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including Vietnam.
The premier revealed that he will lead a delegation, including representatives from some universities and businesses of the state, to pay an official visit to Vietnam in mid-October to promote trade, investment, education and tourism cooperation with Vietnam.
He stressed that the Tasmanian Trade Strategy 2019-2025 will soon be adjusted in the direction of prioritising cooperation with a number of potential countries, including Vietnam.
For his part, Ambassador Thanh noted with pleasure activities to strengthen connection between Tasmania and localities of Vietnam, especially in its strengths such as mining, agro-forestry-aquaculture, response to climate change, renewable energy, tourism, sea and ocean.
He spoke highly of the Australian state’s trade growth target to 15 billion AUD (10.5 billion USD) by 2050, while showing his belief that with its long-term strategies and goals, Tasmania will expand and deepen comprehensive cooperation with Vietnamese localities.
During the trip, the Ambassador had meetings with representatives from the parliament, ministries, sectors, education establishments and businesses of Tasmania, during which they expressed their joy at Vietnam's economic development and the trend of comprehensive and extensive cooperation between Australia and Vietnam.
Party officials discuss disciplinary actions against violating collectives, individuals of Hai Duong
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong chaired a meeting of the Politburo and the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat on September 16 to consider disciplinary measures against some collectives, incumbent and former officials of Hai Duong province for their wrongdoings.
After considering proposals by the Party Central Committee’s Inspection Commission, the Politburo and Secretariat held that the Standing Board of the Hai Duong provincial Party Committee in the 2020 - 2025 tenure violated the democratic centralism principle and working regulations, lacked examination and supervision, and failed to detect wrongdoings and shortcomings by the Party Civil Affairs Board of the provincial People’s Committee, the provincial People’s Committee, and many Party organisations and members during the leadership over and implementation of anti-COVID-19 tasks in a timely manner.
The Party Civil Affairs Board of the Hai Duong People’s Committee in the 2016 - 2021 and 2021 - 2026 tenures infringed the democratic centralism principle, the Party’s regulations, the State’s laws, and working regulations; lacked a sense of responsibility; and showed lax leadership over examination and inspection, which enabled the People’s Committee and some organisations and individuals to commit many wrongdoings and shortcomings in the COVID-19 combat, and also enabled Tu Ky district to violate the Public Investment Law and the Construction Law.
The Politburo and Secretariat pointed out wrongdoings and shortcomings by some incumbent and former officials of Hai Duong, namely Pham Xuan Thang (member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, and Chairman of the provincial People’s Council), Trieu The Hung (Vice Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, Secretary of the Party Civil Affairs Board at and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, and head of the province’s steering committee for COVID-19 prevention and control), Nguyen Duong Thai (former Vice Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, former Secretary of the Party Civil Affairs Board at and former Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee), Luong Van Cau (former member of the provincial Party Committee, former member of the Party Civil Affairs Board at and former Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee), Pham Manh Cuong (member of the provincial Party Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee at and Director of the provincial Health Department), and Nguyen Trong Hung (former member of the provincial Party Committee, former Secretary of the Party Committee at and former Director of the provincial Finance Department).
The wrongdoings and shortcomings by the Standing Board of the Hai Duong Party Committee in the 2020 - 2025 tenure, the Party Civil Affairs Board of the provincial People’s Committee in the 2016 - 2021 tenure, Pham Xuan Thang, Nguyen Duong Thai, and Pham Manh Cuong caused “very serious” consequences and big losses to the State budget, people, and society; enabled the corruption case at the Hai Duong Centre for Disease Control; stirred public concern; and damaged the reputation of the Party organisations, local administration, and themselves.
Meanwhile, the wrongdoings and shortcomings by Luong Van Cau and Nguyen Trong Hung caused “serious” consequences, stirred public concern, and eroded the reputation of the Party organisations and local administration.
The wrongdoings and shortcomings by the Party Civil Affairs Board of the provincial People’s Committee in the 2021 - 2026 tenure were so serious to an extent that requires disciplinary measures, according to the Politburo and Secretariat.
The Politburo decided to issue a warning against the Standing Board of the Hai Duong Party Committee in the 2020 - 2025 tenure, suspend Pham Xuan Thang from Party activities and positions, and propose the Party Central Committee consider a disciplinary measure against him.
The Secretariat decided to issue reprimands against the Party Civil Affairs Board of the Hai Duong People’s Committee in the 2021 - 2026 tenure, Trieu The Hung, and Luong Van Cau; give warnings to the Party Civil Affairs Board of the People’s Committee in the 2016 - 2021 tenure; dismiss Nguyen Trong Hung from the membership of the provincial Party Committee in the 2020 - 2025 tenure; dismiss Nguyen Duong Thai from all Party-related positions; and expel Pham Manh Cuong from the Party.
The Politburo and Secretariat also asked relevant agencies to impose administrative disciplinary measures on the abovementioned collectives and individuals.
President meets with international scientists
During the meeting, the President spoke highly of the theme of the conference, saying that the event’s contents are close to Vietnam’s vision and development strategy.
Opinions from scientists at the conference will be collected for reference during Vietnam’s policymaking and administration work, he stressed.
He highlighted the crucial role played by science - technology and innovation for promoting rapid and sustainable development in Vietnam, noting that these areas are the leading national policy deciders and key motivation for modern and sustainable industrial development with high-growth.
Vietnam always focuses on comprehensive human development and promoting the creativity of its people, while ensuring social security, healthcare, improving living standards and leaving no one behind, he said.
Vietnam has been making efforts to implement the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs - 2030), he said, adding that Vietnam's decisions are geared towards sustainable development, so the application of science and technology or the allocation of resources are not aimed solely at high growth, but at the protection of its people and the environment.
Last year, Vietnam was named among the world's top 40 economies with the largest GDP in the world, and the 16 most successful emerging economies globally. According to the UN's 2021 rankings, Vietnam ranked 49th in the SDG ranking and 115th in the global Human Development Index.
The President said Vietnam hopes to receive support and cooperation from the international community, especially from scientists attending the conference, helping it release the goal of becoming a developed country with a high-income by 2045.
More than 50 domestic and foreign scientists attended the “Science, Ethics and Human Development” conference held in Quy Nhon city, central Binh Dinh province, from September 13-16.
Vietnamese, Chinese provinces hold joint border patrol
Border guards stationed in Vietnam’s northernmost province of Ha Giang and officers from a border checkpoint in China’s Yunnan province held a joint patrol on September 16.
The guards from the Thanh Thuy International Border Gate in Ha Giang and the Tianbao checkpoint in Yunnan’s Malipo county patrolled the border from Marker 261/2 to Marker 260+500.
They also exchanged information about imports - exports, exit - entry, and the COVID-19 situation, and discussed measures to prevent illegal border crossings.
They agreed to further improve law enforcement effectiveness along the border, examine border demarcations to detect any signs of violation, and increase communications to improve border residents’ awareness of and adherence to the law.
The two sides concurred that when the pandemic is brought under control and normal status is resumed, they will continue organising more joint border patrols, frequently share information and experience, and work together to develop economic activities, guarantee political security, social order and safety, and fight cross-border crimes, thereby helping build a Vietnam - China border of peace, friendship, cooperation and development.
Vietnam and China share a border of almost 1,450 km, including 1,065.6 km on land and 383.9 km over water. It traverses seven Vietnamese provinces (Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Lang Son, and Quang Ninh) and China’s Yunnan province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
Vietnamese students get smarter with new Smart Grid Lab
The Industrial University of HCM City (IUH) has launched the first Smart Grid Lab in Vietnam, giving 350 students a year the opportunity to build the skills they need to address the power network challenges of the future.
“Our students are the next generation of engineers who will drive Vietnam’s energy transformation forward. They must understand how the smart grids of the future will function and the role they can play in building resilience and keeping the power on 24/7,” said Professor and Dr Le Van Tan, Vice Rector of IUH.
“Our collaboration with ABB is a chance to build the skills students need to develop their careers. This is particularly important in Vietnam, which faces shortages of highly qualified and skilled workers. Collaborations like this can only help to improve the long-term outcomes for our students.”
The smart grid lab at IUH was part of a global partnership between ABB and academic institutions. The company collaborates with more than 100 universities worldwide to develop disruptive technologies and evolve its existing products and services.
At IUH, ABB has been a long-term partner in the technology training programme, supporting students to learn more about IEC standards and how to apply them in power systems, as well as how to build switchboards and develop skills around control circuit breakers.
Potential remains of US serviceman missing in action handed over
The Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP) on September 16 handed over a set of remains possibly belonging to a US serviceman who went missing during the war in Vietnam.
The handover ceremony, held at the US Missing in Action (MIA) Office in Hanoi, was attended by US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper, some members of the US Embassy, and representatives of the MIA Office.
The remains were found during the 148th joint search held in August and September this year.
After an examination in Hanoi, the two countries’ forensic specialists concluded that the remains could be linked to a US serviceman who went missing during the war in Vietnam, and proposed the remains be sent to Haiwaii for further examination.
Joint searches for US servicemen missing in action in Vietnam are a humanitarian activity conducted between the countries’ governments. This was the 159th handover since 1973./.
HCM City among trending destinations in autumn 2022
Ho Chi Minh City has been listed among seven destinations that are trending this autumn by Conde Nast Traveler managine of the US.
Others are London (the UK), Punta Cana (Dominica), New York (the US), Munich (Germany), Albania and Barbados.|
The magazine said as the summer travel crowds fizzle and temperatures mellow out, the autumn emerges as one of the most ideal—and strategic—times of year to book a dream getaway.
Generally warm year-round, the autumn marks the end of the rainy season as temperatures cool, making it a good time to visit HCM City’s landmarks like the Cu Chi Tunnels, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and Ben Thanh Market, it said.
The magazine quoted Christie Hudson, head of US public relations for Expedia travel platform, as saying that HCM City is very affordable for the fall months, so your travel dollars go a long way.
Hudson said that she found five-star hotels in September and October starting at around 50 USD a night.
Asia has also seen a spike in interest this year’s autumn as more countries have opened their borders. Booking platform Priceline has seen four times more searches for flights to the continent the autumn, the magazine said.
According to metasearch site Kayak, Vietnam’s southern hub has seen a 46% increase in search compared to 2019, while Expedia reported a 630% growth in searches from the last autumn, it added.
ASEAN, UNOPS cooperates in fighting marine plastic pollution
ASEAN and the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) have signed an agreement to support ASEAN member states in combating marine plastic pollution through the joint implementation of the World Bank’s 20 million USD grant project: Southeast Asia Regional Program on Combating Marine Plastics (SEA-MaP).
The five-year project aims to reduce plastic consumption, increase recycling, and minimise leakages to prevent land and sea-based marine plastic pollution. Working across Southeast Asia, the project will provide holistic support to develop and harmonise regional policies, as well as create regional platforms for innovation, investments, knowledge, and partnerships.
The project activities will contribute to the implementation of the ASEAN Regional Action Plan on Combating Marine Debris and the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Blue Economy, to realise ASEAN’s commitment towards sustainable, resilient and inclusive use, management, conservation and governance of oceans, marine and coastal resources and ecosystems.
With support from the World Bank and UNOPS, ASEAN will advance cooperation at both regional and country levels to strengthen policies and regulatory frameworks governing the production and use of plastics in Southeast Asia.
Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Ekkaphab Phanthavong welcomed the timely initiative, saying that “the programme will add to ASEAN’s continuing efforts in addressing marine plastic debris and in promoting a transition to a circular economy.”
Samina Kadwani, UNOPS Director for Thailand, Indonesia and the Pacific, said the partnership offers a path towards significant regional solutions, guided by mutual interests in promoting sustainable practices and protecting marine and coastal ecosystems across Southeast Asia.”
SEA-MaP will be implemented by ASEAN Secretariat with support from UNOPS, in close collaboration with ASEAN member states and partners, aligned with the Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris in ASEAN Region (2019) and the ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris (2021).
Deputy PM stresses importance of national population database project
Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam underscored the importance of the project on developing a national population database and electronic authentication and identification (Project 06), which is being piloted in Hanoi, during a meeting with leaders of the municipal People’s Committee on September 16.
Use of information technology in State governance will bring about profound changes in every public administration service and procedure and transform thinking of people in leadership roles, said Dam, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the National Steering Committee on Digital Transformation.
Executives must play a role model in accelerating IT application, he noted.
Given the large scale of the project, it requires great determination of various ministries and governmental agencies to address legal barriers, and change their "localised mindset" to share a database system, he said.
Selected as a city to run the project on a trial basis, Hanoi must redouble efforts and take concrete steps to translate it into reality, he urged. The city’s departments and units must closely coordinate and establish inter-sectoral taskforces to tackling emerging issues, he added.
Vietnam seeks to respond to population aging
The Institute of World Economics and Politics (IWEP) under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences held an international symposium on population aging's impacts on economic development in Hanoi on September 16.
The event offered a chance for scientists to exchange views on the trends and impacts of population aging on economic development based on international experience and practice in Vietnam, and propose solutions to cope with the current rapid population aging in the country.
IWEP Acting Director Phi Vinh Tuong said that population aging is a big challenge for economic development and welfare issues and Vietnam officially entered the aging population stage.
He cited the General Statistics Office (GSO)'s data as saying that in 2019, Vietnam had about 10.4 million elderly people, accounting for 11% of the population.
According to the United Nations Population Fund's forecast, in 2029, the number of elderly people in Vietnam will reach 17 million people, accounting for 16.5% of the population. The figures will reach 22.2 million people and 20.2% in 2038, and 31 million and 27% in 2069.
The figures showed that the population aging in Vietnam occurs faster than the population growth rate, and is concentrated in rural areas. Vietnam's population aging is resulting in several socio-economic problems that need to be solved such as employment, health care, social welfare, and has affected economic growth and social welfare issues.
Hanoi issues plan to implement Ring Road No. 4 project
Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Tran Sy Thanh has signed a plan to carry out the project to build Ring Road No. 4.
The plan aims to start construction of the road in June 2023, basically complete in 2026 and put it into use in 2027.
To reach the target, at least 70% of the construction site must be handed over the investor by June 2023 and the site clearance work must be finished by December 2023.
Earlier, the Party Committee of Hanoi has called for ground clearance and relocation for the project of Ring Road No. 4 to be sped up.
The investment project to build Ring Road No 4 in the capital city is an important project contributing to the expansion of development space for the capital. It will reduce population density and traffic congestion in the inner city and gradually change the economic structure of the area along the road and the suburbs. It was promulgated in Directive 16-CT/TU signed by Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung.
The road will also strengthen connectivity and create motivation and breakthroughs in the socio-economic development of Hanoi and neighbouring areas.
The Ring Road No. 4 project is 58.2km long, passing through the seven districts of Soc Son, Me Linh, Dan Phuong, Hoai Duc, Ha Dong, Thanh Oai and Thuong Tin.
Vietnam’s efforts to promote children’s rights hailed by UN committee
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) has appreciated the dialogue and measures taken by Vietnam in the protection and promotion of children’s rights.
Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thi Ha led the Vietnamese delegation to engage in a dialogue with CRC members on Vietnam’s implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on September 12-13 in Geneva, Switzerland.
The dialogue was held within the framework of the CRC’s 91st session, and on the basis of Vietnam’s submission of its fifth and sixth periodic country reports and a report answering the committee’s related questions.
In an interview to VNA reporters in Geneva, Ha said that during the 91st session, CRC highly valued Vietnam’s thorough preparations for these reports and welcomed its achievements in the building of laws and policies as well as the measures taken by it related to children’s rights.
After this session, Vietnam will have from four to five years to carry out the committee’s recommendations, she said, adding that her ministry will work with relevant ministries and sectors to analyse the recommendations and build an action programme to submit to the Prime Minister for approval.
Dang Hoa Nam, Director of the Department of Child Protection and Care, said that the CRC appreciated Vietnam's progress in building and amending laws, especially the 2016 Children Law, the government's efforts to combine economic development with social and sustainable development. The CRC also showed interest in newly emerging issues related to children's rights in the context of new changes like climate change or global economic depression.
The official stressed that Vietnam’s active participation in the committee’s dialogue mechanism and its implementation of recommendations are of significance for the implementation of children’s rights in Vietnam, which he said demonstrates that Vietnam is an active and responsible member in the enforcement of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. During the process, Vietnam is able to share with CRC members and other countries its experience and learn form international experience to better perform in the field.
On November 20, 1989, the UN General Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Rights of the Child. Vietnam is one of the first countries in the world to sign and ratify this convention (the country signed the convention on January 26, 1990 and ratified on February 28, 1990).
Source: VNA/SGT/VNS/VOV/Dtinews/SGGP/VGP/Hanoitimes
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