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Promotion violations found at Quảng Bình Irrigation Division
At the irrigation division in the central province of Quảng Bình, 12 out of 13 members of staff hold managerial positions. — Photo dantri.com.vn
The Agriculture and Rural Department in the central province of Quảng Bình on Wednesday confirmed violations relating to job promotions for two officials at its irrigation division.
Director of the department Phan Văn Khoa said the irrigation division leaders appointed heads of sectors on rural clean water and dyke management without vote of confidence or approval from the agriculture department’s managers.
The agriculture department asked the irrigation division to withdraw the job promotion decisions.
The above moves were made after concerns from the public on the job promotions and personnel structure of the irrigation division.
There are 13 members of staff working at the division but 12 of them have managerial positions including one head of the division, two vice heads of the division, five heads and three vice heads of sectors under the division.
Degraged buildings in Đà Nẵng to be demolished
The People’s Committee of Đà Nẵng City has announced at least 24 old apartment buildings will be demolished in 2018-19.
Trần Quang Triết, director of the Đà Nẵng Housing Management Company, told Tuổi Trẻ (Youth) newspaper on Thursday that most of these buildings were built before 1975. The buildings were seriously degraded, at high risk of collapse and did not meet fire safety requirements, he said.
People living in them have repaired their apartments, but they still weren’t safe, Triết said.
The electricity system had been damaged over time and was often overloaded due to overuse, leading to short circuits and high risk of fire, he added.
According to Triết, most residents living in old buildings located in the centre of the city want to stay where they are and have no desire to relocate to resettlement areas far from the centre.
Residents said that they did not want to move because the current area was very convenient for business and their daily lives.
According to the land law and the city’s policy, the residents who agree to move to resettlement areas will receive an apartment, but most of them have not agreed to move.
After many meetings with residents, the city decided to allocate a land plot for each household in Cẩm Lệ District’s resettlement area.
The households will receive preferential policies in building costs and pay only 60 per cent of land tax, Triết said.
In 2018, the city aims to remove 10 old buildings.
Book honours scientific-technological innovations
President Tran Dai Quang (left) and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Tran Thanh Man cut the ribbon to release the book.
Vietnam Golden Book of Innovation 2018 which gathers outstanding innovative projects and solutions in science-technology made its debut in Hanoi on August 30.
The book was released on the occasion of the 73rd anniversary of National Day (September 2) at a ceremony with the attendance of President Tran Dai Quang.
Apart from the summaries of 73 prize-winning projects in the past year, the book also lists collectives and individuals who won international awards, along with Vietnam’s policies in support of innovation.
Addressing the ceremony, President Tran Dai Quang stressed that scientific-technological development and application is the country’s top priority and one of the key driving forces of socio-economic development and national defence.
He said the honoured projects and solutions are significant to Vietnam’s science-technology as they have been effectively applied in high-tech agriculture, public health care, infrastructure development, renewable energy, climate change adaptation, and national defence and security.
The leader urged the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations to continue with close coordination in selecting outstanding works and solutions for publishing the book.
This is to encourage innovation and scientific-technological application among the public, thus helping Vietnam catch up with advanced countries in the region and the world in the fourth Industrial Revolution and become an industrialised nation, he said.
VEA, Four Paws work to save wildlife animals
Clouded leopard (Pardofelis nebulosa)
The Vietnam Environment Administration (VEA) on August 30 signed a cooperation pact with Four Paws International to protect endangered wild animals.
Under the pact, the two sides will exchange experiences and call for technical assistance in the building of new policies towards improving wildlife preservation management in Vietnam.
Their joint programme aims to boost cooperation and mutual understanding between Vietnam and other countries and organisations in biodiversity protection. It will also work to increase Vietnam’s preservation capacity by applying international experiences to the country’s policymaking and law enforcement.
Ioana Dungler, Director of the Wild Animals Unit at Four Paws International, said the partnership marks a new step for both sides in saving threatened wild animals in Vietnam.
Previously, the VEA’s department of nature and biodiversity preservation had discussed and collaborated with Four Paws regarding wild animal protection. They both wanted to save endangered species by deterring illegal trade, as well as study measures to protect the habitat and recover the populations of key species. They also aimed to improve wildlife knowledge to aid the building of relevant legal regulations.
Four Paws International in Vietnam was established in 2017. Prior to this, the non-governmental organisation had sponsored its Vietnamese partners to build the Ninh Binh Bear Sanctuary. The site now covers 3.6ha and is capable of taking care of up to 44 bears. The facility has rescued eight moon bears from the practice of bile farming.
In 2015, Four Paws International designed and built a semi-wild enclosure for former bile bears at the Soc Son wildlife rescue centre in Hanoi.
Da Nang, Japan foster cooperation in information technology
A conference to promote cooperation in the field of information technology between Da Nang city and Japan was organised in the central city on August 30.
The event was co-held by the municipal People’s Committee, the Vietnam Software and IT Services Association (VINASA), and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam (JCCI). It was part of activities to attract more investment into the city this year, especially in the IT sector.
At the conference, participants exchanged information on demands and capacity in IT training and adoption. High on the agenda was smart city-building in Da Nang, incentives and support for information and communications technology (ICT) investment in the city, and the activities of the Da Nang Software Association, among others.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Dang Viet Dung said the city has taken various measures this year to improve its investment climate.
The local authorities have made efforts to act on feedback from ICT businesses through a number of dialogues and seminars and address any barriers, which in turn has contributed to the growth of Da Nang’s IT sector and socio-economic development, he added.
As of June 2018, there were 160 Japanese firms operating in the city, including 65 IT companies, such as NeoLab, Nippon Seiki, Mabuchi Motor, and Asian Tech.
Japan is also viewed as the most important market for Da Nang’s software exports.
Thai Nguyen promotes homestay programme for Lao students
More than 400 Lao students have taken part in a homestay programme in the northern province of Thai Nguyen, found to be successful in helping to nurture the Vietnam-Laos friendship.
The provincial Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association and Thai Nguyen University held a meeting on August 30 to review the homestay programme for Lao students over the 2017-2018 school year.
Vice Chairman of the association Nguyen Nang Dac, who is also head of the programme’s steering board, said that there are about 2,000 Lao students at 13 universities and colleges in Thai Nguyen at present.
The province piloted homestay services for Lao students at the Thai Nguyen University of Education and the Thai Nguyen College of Economics and Finance during the 2016-2017 academic year. The progamme was then opened to more schools in the province the following year.
Seven of the 13 Thai Nguyen schools are currently participating in this homestay programme, under which Lao students live with Vietnamese families either for the duration of their course, during holidays, or even just joining local families on trips.
Dac said living with Vietnamese families, Lao students have had a chance to take part in local daily activities and learn about the traditional culture of Vietnamese people.
Deputy Director of Thai Nguyen University Dang Van Minh said the homestay programme is very useful as it has helped enhance the sound relationship between the two countries. Notably, it has helped Lao students improve their Vietnamese language skills – a useful tool for them to gain greater insight in their classes and better understand local culture.
The steering board will continue working with universities and colleges to popularise the programme among families, schools, and Lao students in Thai Nguyen. It will also organise more cultural exchanges to strengthen relations between Lao and Vietnamese people, he added.
Large cache of firearms found at Viet Tan member’s home
Le Quoc Binh, a man from Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh accused of being a member of Viet Tan.
A large cache of firearms and ammunitions have been found at the home of Le Quoc Binh, a man accused of being a member of Viet Tan, an overseas terrorist group.
Forces of the police and procuracy of Binh Dinh province found two military guns, seven air guns, more than 500 bullets, many telescopic sights, a handcuff and some military uniforms along with gun parts during a search of Binh’s home at 46 Nguyen Tat Thanh Avenue, Quy Nhon, the central province’s capital, on August 30.
They also seized many documents on anti-State activities and two border passes bearing the name Le Quoc Binh.
The home search came after Binh, 44, was taken into custody on August 28.
The Ministry of Public Security said Binh crossed into Vietnam from Cambodia bringing along the weapons allegedly with the aim of carrying out anti-State activities.
He has admitted his offense to the police.
Project helps Quang Binh residents assess local healthcare quality
The central province of Quang Binh launched a project on August 30 allowing people to evaluate the quality of their local medical services via a scorecard tool called M-score.
The project will be carried out at the northern Quang Binh region general hospital and others in Dong Hoi city and Le Thuy district. It is being implemented by the provincial People’s Council, Oxfam, and the Real-Time Analytics Co. Ltd.
It aims to provide people and businesses with a tool to assess the quality of services at local hospitals, thus helping healthcare facilities and agencies realise and remedy their shortcomings and improve patient satisfaction.
Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Health Phan Thanh Hai said the project also looks to increase transparency and accountability in medical establishments as well as create healthcare quality assessment measures for local authorities and administrative agencies.
Under this project, people can assess the quality of healthcare provided via machines placed at hospitals or arrange to be interviewed over the phone. The survey questions cover the waiting times for registration, examination, and treatment procedures; the attitude and specialised capability of medical staff; hospital infrastructure; and extra comments of public feedback.
Hai noted that the project will last until 2019, and if proved useful in improving the quality of local medical services, Quang Binh will expand the project to other healthcare establishments.
In January 2016, Quang Binh and Oxfam launched a similar project in the public administration sector in the districts of Minh Hoa, Tuyen Hoa, Quang Trach, Bo Trach, Quang Ninh, and Le Thuy, as well as Ba Don town, and Dong Hoi city.
Bac Ninh urban general planning scheme to be adjusted
The Prime Minister has recently approved the adjustment to the Bac Ninh urban general planning scheme until 2035, with a vision to 2050.
The Government leader assigned the Bac Ninh provincial People’s Committee to work with relevant agencies to make and submit for approval the adjustment tasks and blueprints of the Bac Ninh urban general planning scheme. On that basis, the Ministry of Construction will conduct the appraisal of the adjustment tasks and blueprints in line with the regulations on construction general planning.
Earlier, the PM approved the blueprints of the Bac Ninh urban general plan until 2030, with a vision to 2050. The objective of the blueprints is to build and develop the Bac Ninh metropolis into a first-class metropolis in the 20s of the 21th century, creating a premise for the construction of Bac Ninh province into a centrally run city by 2030.
By 2050, the Bac Ninh metropolis will be developed into one of the important economic centers of the northern key economic zone and the Ha Noi capital region, with a focus on high-quality commercial services, training-scientific research, cultural tourism, health-resort, and logistics.
Hanoi to build smart parking lot in Hoang Mai district
Smart parking is one of smart city solutions to limited parking space in Hanoi.
The Hanoi People’s Committee is going to select investors to implement a smart parking project in Den Lu urban area, Hoang Van Thu ward, Hoang Mai district.
Under the plan, the parking lot will be built on an area of 1,155.3m2 and have a system of automatic high-rise parking. It will be able to handle 116 vehicles at the same time. The project is estimated to cost about VND25 billion (US$1.08 million) from non-state budget.
According to the Department of Planning and Investment of Hanoi, this will be a modern high-tech parking lot connecting with Hanoi’s Iparking system, contributing to the complete construction of urban technical infrastructure to develop Hanoi’s static land fund. It will address the increasing demand for residents’ parking, tighten traffic management, minimize traffic jams and strengthen urban order in the city.
The Department of Planning and Investment of Hanoi suggests investors to send their proposals for the construction of the parking lot from August 14 to September 12. After this deadline, the Department of Planning and Investment of Hanoi will stop receiving the registration dossiers, including those sent by post.
New fellowship launched to honor Senator John McCain
The fellowship has been initiated by the US Mission in Vietnam.
In honor of Senator McCain’s contributions and those of his former U.S. Senate colleague and long-time collaborator on U.S.-Vietnam issues, John Kerry, the US Mission in Vietnam will launch the McCain/Kerry Fellowship, the US embassy in Hanoi has said in a statement.
Each year a young Vietnamese leader committed to public service will travel on a U.S. study tour, deepening ties between the two peoples and furthering the positive legacy of Senator McCain.
“The US Embassy and Consulate General in Vietnam mourn the passing of Senator John McCain. For decades, he championed the U.S.-Vietnam relationship, bravely forging a path for our two nations to transform from enemies to partners”, written in the latest announcement of the US Mission in Vietnam over the death of Senator John McCain. “He will be sorely missed”, the statement said.
The U.S. Embassy will open a condolence book from August 27-29, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at Rose Garden Tower, 170 Ngoc Khanh. All who wish to share a message with the McCain Family are welcome, according to the embassy.
Senator John Sidney McCain III, who began laying the groundwork for normalization of relations between the US and Vietnam, died at 4:28 pm on August 25, 2018 at his home in Arizona.
He was known as a great booster for the normalization of the US-Vietnam relations as well as the thriving of the two nations’ ties during the past time.
Vietnamese spices introduced in Italy
Vietnamese spices and farm produce have been displayed for the first time in Italy’s central city of Rieti, a popular hub for chilli growing, during the international chilli trade fair Rieti Cuore Piccante that opened on August 29.
The annual event, that runs until September 2, is also a chance for Vietnam to introduce Vietnamese cuisine and other attractions to Italian friends.
According to Vietnamese Trade Counsellor in Italy Nguyen Duc Thanh, Italy is a big chilli importer, with a much greater demand compared to other countries in the region. Despite being chilli producers themselves, Italy still has to imported 70 percent of the chilli it consumes domestically.
Apart from chilli, Italy consumes other spices. The country imports peppercorn from Vietnam with revenue of about 10 million USD per year. Italy also imports Vietnamese coffee with 300 million USD per year in revenue, and many other agricultural products, Thanh said, advising domestic exporters to pay due attention to the market.
The Rieti Cuore Piccante has about 100 booths introducing more than 800 kinds of chilli around the world, along with 80 events throughout of the fair. Along with chilli, it also features various kinds of spices.
Visitors also have chance to taste foods featuring chilli as an ingredient, while enjoying local music and the historical relic sites of Rieti.
Rieti Cuore Piccante has become a key cultural event for locals in Rieti.
In 2017, the fair attracted some 160,000 visitors. This year, the Vietnamese Embassy is joining the fair as a sponsor. It is also the first time Vietnam has joined the event.
Quang Ngai street art: more than just house decorations
A street art programme, entitled “I love the ocean/Born to be wild”, in the An Binh islet commune in the central province of Quang Ngai aims to raise public awareness of environmental protection and marine life conservation.
The event, which took place from August 22-31, was organised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Ly Son Marine Protected Area, and An Binh commune People’s Committee under the “Support for community-based marine turtle nesting beach conservation and by-catch reduction in Vietnam” project. It was financed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Twelve volunteer artists from provinces and cities across the nation turned the moss-covered walls of houses into colourful murals depicting marine life.
Besides encouraging environmental and endangered animal, including marine turtles, protection, the presence of the mural village hopes to improve local livelihoods and reduce the pressure of near-shore fishing and other means of unsustainable exploitation.
The event was previously held in An Binh commune in June with 12 murals sending the message of environmental protection.
Currently, there are nearly 5,000 people subscribing to the fanpage “IUCN Vietnam Sea Turtle Volunteer”, 1,000 of whom have joined activities to protect sea turtles, with the figure is expected to increase in the time ahead.
Last year, artists from the Republic of Korea and 12 volunteers started the colourful murals in Trung Thanh fishing village of Tam Thanh commune in Quang Nam province. Last month, artists from Singapore Technology and Design University, Vietnam’s Fine Arts Association, colleges in Hanoi, and local painters also began a coracle and bamboo boat painting for an exhibition in the village.
Coastal province eyes ways to boost tourism, protect environment
The southern province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau held a workshop on August 29 to seek ways to develop tourism in tandem with environmental protection as part of the sea festival now underway in the province.
At the event, participants delivered presentations on how tourism impacts the marine environment and proposed solutions to develop plastic-free tourism, apply new technology in marine environment management and enhance Vietnam’s marine environmental protection to foster sustainable sea-based tourism.
The Ba Ria – Vung Tau Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the local Tourism Association briefed attendees on the strengths of the province’s marine tourism and steps it has taken to build its tourism brand.
Ba Ria – Vung Tau has worked to make the province a regional hub for tourism and entertainment, said Pham Ngoc Hai, President of the Ba Ria – Vung Tau Tourism Association. It has heavily invested to develop five key tourism clusters, including Vung Tau City, Long Hai – Phuoc Hai, Dinh Mountain, Binh Chau – Ho Coc and Con Dao Island, he noted
Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies Tran Anh Tuan suggested that the province should sustainably develop the tourism industry by promoting cultural values, tourist attractions and historic relics, and protecting the environment.
The province must also diversify tourism products and strengthen supply chain and services, while local schools and enterprises need to provide tourism workers with necessary skills, particularly in foreign languages, information technology and international regulations.
The Ba Ria-Vung Tau Sea Festival opened in the southern province on August 28 as part of activities marking the country’s 73rd National Day (September 2).
Themed “Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Aspiration, Love and Sea”, the festival aims to bolster investment, trade, tourism and economic development of the province and connect it with other coastal localities.
The festival has attracted more than 400 businesses and cultural organisations from 26 provinces and cities to participate in economic, cultural and sports activities during the seven-day event.
It includes a trade fair, a kite performance, a beer festival and a series of seminars and workshops on trade and tourism promotion as well as environmental protection.
An outdoor electronic dance music concert titled “Sea Run” will also take place, featuring pop star Son Tung M-TP alongside a parade of classic Vespa scooters. Exhibitions will be organised to showcase calligraphy works, orchid flowers and sand statues.
Some 500,000 visitors are expected to flock to the festival, which ends on September 3.
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