Families resistant to infant blood screening

The practice of screening newborns' blood for congenital diseases is meeting fierce opposition from families, said Ta Quang Huy, director of the Ha Noi Department of Population and Family Planning.

Blood samples taken from the heel can reveal thyroid gland issues, which indicate conditions like mental retardation, jaundice and anaemia. But many families refused to allow the samples to be taken for spiritual reasons and fear that the babies would be hurt, Huy said.

Moreover, while the samples must be taken two or three days after birth, many mothers were discharged from hospitals before this point.

More than 20 per cent of newborns received screenings in 2012 and 31 per cent were screened last year, according to the department.

Nguyen Van Anh, the mother of a five-month-old daughter who lives in Ha Noi's Dong Da District, did not register her baby for a screening because her family did not have any genetic diseases.

"During my pregnancy, I went to the hospital regularly for prenatal check-ups and my daughter looked healthy when she was born, so the screening was not necessary," she said.

Last year the department joined with the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Ha Noi Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynaecology to hold 19 training courses on newborn screening and taking heel blood samples for nearly 900 medical workers. They also held 29 training courses for commune, ward and town population workers.

By 2015, the department aims for 98 per cent of pregnant women in Ha Noi to receive information on prenatal and newborn screening and 90 per cent of newborns to be screened.

The Ha Noi Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynaecology set up the Centre for Prenatal and Newborn Screening in February to conduct such tests.

Imports reduction causes vaccine shortage

As some enterprises could not sell the vaccines they had imported last year, they reduced the amount imported this year, leading to a shortage of vaccines in the immunisation services, according to the Ministry of Health (MOH).

The country has two immunisation programmes, namely the national immunisation programme and the immunisation services.

The MOH supplies 11 free vaccines, such as those against tuberculosis, diphtheria, polio and whooping cough, to the national immunisation programme. The funds for the programme come from the State and the MOH budget. The vaccines were ordered, manufactured and supplied a year ago.

The vaccines being used in the immunisation services were imported based on market demand, the MOH said in an announcement yesterday.

The immunisation services also provided 11 vaccines available in the national immunisation programme and some other ones such as those for chicken-pox, flu and meningoencephalitis.

The vaccines in the immunisation services were imported, often from the US, France, Cuba and South Korea, by different companies based on their forecast of the market demand.

Experts from the MOH said that low awareness of the people in some parts of the country and a few reports about negative reactions being experienced after vaccinations led to a serious fall in the demand for vaccines.

Many enterprises had imported the vaccines last year but could not sell them all. So they reduced the amount of vaccine imports this year.

The MOH has taken several measures to ensure the supply of the chicken-pox vaccine. It permitted companies to import 77,600 doses from South Korea, 19,830 doses from Belgium and 200,000 doses from the US.

It also set up more offices in HCM City to check the imported vaccines before their use.

The MOH plans to improve dissemination of information to raise residents' awareness on receiving vaccination.

Draft plan proposes arming inspectors with pellet guns

The Transport Ministry may equip transport inspectors with rubber-bulleted guns if a draft circular between the ministries of transport and public security goes into effect.

"The move would help transport inspectors deal with aggressive, dangerous violators," said the ministry's chief inspector Nguyen Van Huyen.

The circular implements last year's decision by the Prime Minister, which allows transport inspectors to use "supportive equipment" such as rubber-bulleted guns, tear gas, anaesthetics, signal gun shot and electric rods. However, Huyen made clear that only inspectors who worked directly in detecting, examining and fining violators could use guns. Moreover, they would have to "possess a virtuous character and health" and pass training courses in the use of guns.

The circular also requires gun owners to report their usage every six months or year and notify their managers if they lose their guns within five days.

Two men were caught while they were illegally transporting 90 kilograms of dynamite at a Laos-Viet Nam border section in Huong Hoa District in the central Quang Tri Province.

The border guards at the site said the dynamite was TNT and that the two men had claimed they had bought the cargo from the border area for use in fishing activities in the coastal area.

One of the men was from the neighboring Thua Thien-Hue Province and the other from the adjacent Quang Binh Province.

It is being investigated whether a bigger ring of dynamite smugglers is involved.

HCM City moves to prevent MERS-CoV virus

Preventive methods against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) caused by the Corona virus are being taken by HCM City authorities.

The deputy head of the city's Health Department, Nguyen Huu Hung, told Viet Nam News last week that Viet Nam had not seen any cases yet, but preventive methods were being taken.

The city's International Health Quarantine Centre is using remote temperature measuring machines at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and Sai Gon Port to detect people with abnormally high temperatures.

Passengers coming from or stopping en route in countries where the MERS-CoV has spread will be tested.

People with suspected symptoms of MERS-CoV could be taken to hospitals, and if infected, would be given medicine.

MERS-CoV's symptoms are similar to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), including fever, cough and shortness of breath.

However, many people infected with the MERS-CoV have shown no symptoms.

According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, MERS-CoV is a viral respiratory illness that was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012.

About 30 per cent of the people who have contracted the MERS-CoV infection have died.

The virus can be spread through close contact; for example, someone who cares for or lives with an infected person.

However, there has been no evidence of sustained spread in community settings.

The World Health Organisation on May 23 reported that 635 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infections had occurred globally. Of that figure, 193 were fatalities.

Activities protecting seas to take place in Hai Phong

The 2014 Week on Vietnam’s Sea and Islands themed “Joining hands to protect the green ocean” will be launched in Do Son town from June 1-8, the Nhan Dan (People) online newspaper reported on May 27.

Activities include the sixth forum on the maritime branding of Vietnam, under the theme “Vietnam's Maritime Brand in International Integration” which will be held on June 6, a ceremony to mark the 2014 World Oceans Day and Vietnam Sea and Island Week on June 7 and the launching of a campaign by youth volunteers on cleaning beaches and cycling along the beaches to communicate about sea and environmental protection.

The activities aim to improve the public’s awareness of protecting the ocean and responding to climate change by such practical acts as cleaning beaches and maritime ecological zones.

They also help change the community’s awareness, habits and lifestyles towards environmental friendliness and improve the awareness of preserving maritime biodiversity, as well as encourage officials, soldiers and people in disadvantaged islands.

The week is organised annually by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental in a response to the World Environment Day (June 5) and the World Oceans Day (June 8).

Bac Lieu Buddhists pray for peace in East Sea

The Bac Lieu provincial chapter of the Vietnam Buddhist Shangha (VBS) on May 27 organised a ceremony to pray for peace in the East Sea and protest China’s illegal placement of its Haiyang Shiyou-981 drilling rig deep inside Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone.

At the ceremony, local Buddhists approved a petition to send to the National Assembly, the Fatherland Front and the VBS Central Committee, calling for unity from Vietnamese people and peace-lovers all over the world in order to force China to withdraw its rig from the waters of Vietnam.

The petition also asked the Chinese government to fulfil its responsibility of maintaining peace, while respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations in the East Sea, including Vietnam.

It also suggested the Vietnamese Government sue China at the international court if China still refuses to remove the rig.

The chapter also called on all Buddhist monks and followers not to participate in illegal demonstrations causing social disorder.

On this occasion, a requiem for soldiers and sailors who died to defend the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago was also held.

At the beginning of May, China illegally dispatched the rig as well as a large fleet of ships and aircraft to Vietnamese waters and positioned the rig at a location 80 miles deep inside Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone. As of May 27, it had been moved to a location 25 nautical miles from Tri Ton Island, which is a part of Vietnam’s Hoang Sa archipelago.

China’s armed vessels aggressively fired high-power water cannons at, and intentionally rammed Vietnamese public-service and civil ships, causing damage to many ships and injuring many people on board.

Friendship bodies condemn China’s illegal East Sea acts

The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the Vietnam Youth Union (VYU) have called on organisations, individuals, political circles and peace-loving people over the world to continue raising their voice to request China to immediately withdraw its oil rig and surrounding ships from Vietnam’s waters.

In a letter released on May 27, VUFO expressed its concern about China’s act of illegally placing the Haiyang Shiyou-981 and a large number of ships and planes in Vietnam’s continental shelf.

It said that China’s unilateral deed seriously violates Vietnam’s sovereign right and jurisdiction over exclusive economic zones and continental shelf and ignores the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) between China and ASEAN member nations.

VUFO also accused China of infringing the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), saying that China’s move threatens peace, stability and security in the region and the world, as well as negatively affects the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

It expressed the deep gratitude to the international community for their support to Vietnam over the issue. It also requested the Chinese side to respect international law and Vietnam’s sovereignty and stop its illegal actions in the East Sea.

On May 26, the VYU also issued a statement to protest China’s act of illegally stationing its oil drilling in Vietnam’s waters.

In the statement, the youth union requested China to remove its rig out of Vietnam’s waters, strictly abide by international law, especially the UNCLOS, and end similar actions in the future.

It called on youth organisations at home and abroad to support Vietnam’s agencies and fishermen to maintain their duties and activities in the sea, contributing to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and legitimate interest in the East Sea.

On May 2, China stationed the Haiyang Shiyou-981 oil rig at 15 degrees 29 minutes 58 seconds north latitude and 111 degrees 12 minutes 06 seconds east longitude. The location is 80 nautical miles deep inside Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone.

It has also deployed a large number of ships of various kinds to the area, including military, coast guard and marine surveillance and patrol ships.

Chinese ships have repeatedly rammed and fired water cannons into Vietnamese coast guard and fisheries surveillance ships which are carrying out their law enforcement missions in the country’s waters, leaving many Vietnamese ships damaged and fisheries surveillance officers injured.

Vietnam has exercised utmost restraint, showed every gesture of goodwill and exhausted all dialogue channels to communicate with the Chinese authorities of different levels for expressing protest and demanding China to immediately withdraw its drilling rig and armed and military vessels from the Vietnamese waters.

Nevertheless, up to now, China has failed to respond to Vietnam’s legitimate demand. On the contrary, it has been slandering and blaming Vietnam while continuing to escalate the use of force and acts of violation in an increasingly dangerous and serious manner.

President meets young role models in SOEs

President Truong Tan Sang on May 27 once again praised young people for their contributions to the national development, saying that the youth at any time forms the backbone of the country.

At a Hanoi meeting with 60 outstanding youths from State-owned enterprises (SOEs), President Sang expressed his hope that they will continue to help develop the country’s economy.

He urged the youngsters to pay attention to Party and Youth Union building work as well as continue following late President Ho Chi Minh’s example.

During the meeting, delegates proposed measures to help promote the role of the State sector in the socialist-oriented market economy as well as to support young fishermen.

Over the past years, youngsters in State corporations and groups have carried out various initiatives and studies that have been effectively applied to production and business.

They have also donated VND88 billion (US$4.1 million) to social welfare activities.

Sustainable rail system in HCM City shaping up

The British Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City and the Korea Railroad Research Institute (KRRI) on May 27 held a seminar discussing the expansion of the urban rail transit system in HCM city.

The seminar focused on the impact of the new rapid urban rail infrastructure on potential corridors of economic development along the routes and matters related to financing the construction.

With a total investment of US$1.85 billion, foreign donors have contributed nearly EUR860 million to implement the first phase of the metro line. HCM City is calling for the remaining funds to be sourced from the UK and RoK Government along with other ancillary sources.

The management board of HCM city’s Urban Railway also introduced the planning of the city’s urban railway system, with a focus on building metro line No 5, in the second phase of construction.

According to representatives from the British Consulate-General in HCM City and the KRRI, the business community can benefit tremendously by supporting and engaging in the project to complete HCM City’s metro line No 5.

Friendship medals and orders conferred to Russian teachers

State Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan on May 27 presented two collectives and 15 teachers from Moscow State University of Geodesy and Cartography (MIIGAiK) with friendship medals and orders.

Speaking at the event, Ha Minh Hoa, Director of Vietnam Institute of Geodesy and Cartography Director Ha Minh Hoa under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment highlighted the valuable support of teachers from MIIGAiK in training human resources and developing geodesy and cartography in Vietnam.

Hoa expressed hope that the university will continue to help Vietnam train staff and strengthen the efficiency of cooperation with Vietnam’s research institutes.

Representatives from collectives and individuals expressed their great honour to receive the noble awards in recognition of their contribution to the cause of training and education and developing geodesy and cartography in Vietnam.

Excessive pesticides detected in Chinese produce

The National Agro-Forestry–Fisheries Quality Assurance Department (NAFIQAD) on May 27 issued a warning that 17 batches of fruit and vegetables from China have tested positive for excessive pesticides.

The NAFIQAD sent a letter to China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine (AQSIQ), informing that the plant protection drugs have exceeded the limits allowed by Vietnamese regulations on food safety and hygiene.

To ensure food safety for Vietnamese consumers, NAFIQAD demanded AQSIQ take immediate remedial action to prevent any such future occurrences, determine the cause and timely respond to the NAFIQAD with the results of the investigation.

The fruits and vegetables include lemons, grapes, persimmon, apples, mandarine and orange, carrots and turnip from Chinese companies namely Shenzhen Asia Global logistics, Shanghai Company, Yunnan Tongtai Import and Export Trading, Tongshai Songwei Huge Wave Imports and Exports, Pingxiang Yunshan Trade, Guangxi Pingxiang Tianhui Trade, Guangxi Pingxiang Hexing Trading and Kehou Shunjing Trade respectively.

Civil organisations work more on climate change response

Socio-political organisations have been called on to take greater part in raising public awareness of climate change and rising sea levels.

These are posing a visible threat to Vietnam’s efforts to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development, as about 50 percent of the country’s population lives along a coastline of more than 3,200 kilometres.

Climate change that sparks various extreme weather patterns is wreaking great havoc globally, and Vietnam is one of the 30 countries in the world most vulnerable to the impacts of this global issue.

At a seminar on the crisis in Hanoi on May 27, Nguyen Ngoc Ly, Director of the Community and Environment Research Centre, said there are challenges facing the implementation of State policies on climate change adaptation at various levels.

Civil organisations’ participation in making sure the effective enforcement of environment-related laws and regulations is seen as an important element in ensuring the interests of the poor and vulnerable will be considered in policies on climate change.

Many civil organisations have actively been involving in response programmes, such as those identifying energy-efficient technologies for home appliances and industrial production and others helping farmers develop weather-resilient plant and livestock varieties and farming methods.

A symposium in Hanoi on May 16 heard that Vietnam is acutely aware of environmental issues, and has thus enforced a lot of policies, including the national target programme on building breakwaters in the southern and central parts of the country.

The country’s Mekong Delta region, which groups 12 provinces and one centrally-run city, is particularly prone to environmental changes.

In early May, it was reported that saltwater has intruded into nearly 20,000 hectares of rice fields in the southernmost province of Ca Mau as a result of the seawater level rising.

National committee on education reform to be set up

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has signed a decision allowing the establishment of a national committee on education and training reform.

He will be the President of the committee, while the Vice President positions will be taken over by head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Popularisation and Education Dinh The Huynh and Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam.

The committee will help convey the Prime Minister’s instructions to ministries, sectors and localities on how to better put forth policies relating to education and training reform.

It will inspect the implementation of important strategies, programmes and projects that help change the quality and effectiveness of education and vocational training.

Binh Duong event raises awareness of sea sovereignty

A programme was held in the southern province of Binh Duong on May 27 to raise awareness of the country’s sovereignty over its sea and islands for employees working in businesses in the locality.

The event was organised by the Binh Duong Water Supply and Drainage and Environment company in conjunction with the provincial chapter of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) and the Trade Union. Over 200 youths who work in the province volunteered throughout the day.

Speaking at the event, Huynh Van Nhi, Chairman of Binh Duong’s VFF, praised the efforts of businesses in the province in overcoming difficulties to stabilise production activities following the recent disturbances caused by anti-China protests.

He said enterprises operating in the province and across the country need to join hands in assisting fishermen to maintain their activities in fishing grounds in the country’s waters.

Promoting ecological environment protection

Participants at an international seminar have stressed the need to protect the ecological environment for sustainable economic growth.

The seminar was held in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on May 27 by the south-western region’s steering board and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Delegates discussed measures to establish an overall zoning plan on implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity and increasing the capacity of ecological systems against climate change.

The plan is expected to benefit many countries, including Colombia, Tanzania, Zambia, and Vietnam thanks to funding worth over 3 million Euro, sourced from Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMU) from January 2014 to April 2018.

In Vietnam, the project will help the Mekong Delta region deal with flooding and preserve ecological systems in coastal areas.

Swiss woman supports Vietnamese AO victims

On May 27, the Vietnam Association for the Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA) received a US$10,000 donation from Maggie Brooks – a Swiss citizen – in support of local victims.

VAVA Vice Chairman Nguyen The Luc expressed thanks for the valuable assistance from Maggie Brooks, who helped Vietnamese lawyers hold a meeting with the International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL) in 2011, to pursue justice for Vietnamese Agent Orange (AO) victims.

Since November 2013, Maggie Brooks has also raised funds to build houses for AO victims, he added.

The Swiss woman spoke of how her husband was affected by a stroke and was confined to a wheelchair for 12 years. Maggie said she understands the physical and spiritual pain that Vietnamese AO victims are suffering.

She said she hopes that her small donation can help ease the difficulties of local victims who are still facing lingering pain and suffering ahead.

ASEAN works to protect rare flora, fauna

Increasing both regional and international cooperation in preserving biodiversity and countering illegal cross-border trade in endangered flora and fauna has been defined as a key mission of the ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN), a workshop heard in Hanoi on May 27.

The maintenance of the network’s operational efficiency is primarily the responsibility of all 10 members of the grouping, said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam.

However, as most of the nations in the bloc face shortages of human resources, finance and techniques, cooperation and assistance from other regional and global organisations in the field are of necessity, Tam added.

Sharing this view, Secretary General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) management agency John E.Scalon said the widespread participations of global partners who have the same goals to struggle against wildlife crimes will help the network summon all resources to develop sustainably.

Southeast Asia is endowed with rich biodiversity, however more than 40 percent of which is being threatened due to illegal exploitation and trade. This has seriously undermined the ecological system and economic growth alike and menaced the security in the region and the world.

The establishment of the ASEAN-WEN in 2005 demonstrates the strong commitments of the bloc’s members to protecting rare flora and fauna in each country and the region as a whole.

Founded in 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

World youth federation representatives visit Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh Youth Union Central Committee First Secretary Nguyen Dac Vinh received a delegation from the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY) in Hanoi on May 27.

Vinh briefed the delegation on China’s illegal installment of its Haiyang Shiyou-981 drilling rig inside Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

Vinh hoped that the WFDY will call on countries, international communities, young people and democratic and progressive organisations around the world to strongly protest China’s action, which violates Vietnam’s sovereignty.

WFDY General Secretary  Jesus Rafael Mora Gonzalez, in turn, expressed admiration for Vietnam’s national construction and defence and confirmed that his organization’s willingness to support Vietnamese people.

Protests over China’s illegal acts continue to percolate

Overseas Vietnamese (OVs) around the globe continue to organise peaceful demonstrations, as tempers simmer in opposition to China’s provocative acts in the East Sea.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Belgium held a meeting with the Brussels diplomatic corps on May 26, soliciting their support against China’s aggression and illegal placement of its drilling oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 at Vietnam’s Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf.

Present at the meeting were ambassadors and embassy staff from Japan, Lebanon, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Monaco, Norway, Brazil, Uruguay, Morocco, Malawi, and Vatican.

Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Sanh Chau stated that China’s move seriously violates Vietnam’s sovereignty , the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).

He urged countries to raise their voices in strong condemnation of China’s illegal acts that threaten peace, security and safety and freedom of navigation in the region

Participating ambassadors echoed Chau’s view, rebuking China’s violent actions.

The same day, the Vietnam delegation to the EU sent a protocol and press release to EU organisations, including the European Commission, the European Committee, the European Parliament, the European External Action Service (EEAS), EU member delegations, research institutes and international press agencies in Brussels, in protest against China’s violation of Vietnamese sovereignty.

*** The Dongwon Institute of Science and Technology in coordination with the Association of People loving Vietnam in the Republic of Korea (RoK) (VESAMO) on May 25 held a Korean language contest for Vietnamese students and Vietnamese language contest for Korean students themed “Your future, your dream”.

VESAMO President Park Kwang Joo condemned China’s illegal oil rig placement which he said is violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty.

Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Manh Dong expressed his hope that the contest will help promote mutual understanding between the two countries’ students, contributing to tightening strategic cooperation between Vietnam and the RoK.

*** More than 1,000 Vietnamese and Japanese people joined a march against China in Osaka on May 25.

Japan daily Sankei and Asaki covered the march, saying that the red of t-shirts with national Vietnamese flags flooded the streets.

On the same day, in Okayama City, nearly 200km from Osaka, more than 300 youth, students and Vietnamese people also demonstrated against China’s violation.

They sent messages of Vietnam loving peace and asking China to end violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty.

Four demonstrations in opposition to China have been so far held in Japan.

*** Following marches in Paris, Strasbourg and Montpellier, more demonstrations and activities to denounce China’s provocation have been held across France.

Marches peacefully staged in Lyon and Grenoble received enthusiastic support from French and international friends.

The Vietnamese Students Association and Vietnamese People Association in Lyon also held a seminar “Towards the East Sea” to exchange basic knowledge on national sovereignty and correct information about China’s illegal placement of Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Vietnam’s waters.

*** Vietnamese people from Nghe Tinh province in Ukraine’s Kiev capital raised VND40 million to support Vietnamese coast guards who are protecting the country’s islands and sea.

Since the fund-raising campaign was launched not long ago, it has received warm response from Vietnamese people in Kiev.

OVs in RoK support East Sea protection programme

At a recent march of the Vietnamese community in Busan, organizers have raised 3.8 million won to support Vietnamese soldiers on duty protecting sovereignty of the Spratly (Truong Sa) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands.

The money will be given to the East Sea protection programme launched by Lao Dong (Labour) newspaper’s Golden Heart Fund.

On behalf of Vietnamese nationals living in the Republic of Korea (RoK), Nguyen Tuong Vi from the organizing board said this is one of activities to express admiration for soldiers and officers’ courage, tenacity and determination to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Over the past time, along with the people nationwide and oversea Vietnamese abroad, the Vietnamese community in the Republic of Korea has launched an array of activities towards the country’s sea and islands.

OVs’ demonstrations took place in all three regions of the RoK to protest China's illegal placement of its oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-982 inside Vietnam’s territorial waters.

Hoban Foundation aids OVs in RoK

The Hoban Family Charitable Foundation on May 27 ceremoniously granted US$30,000 to help Vietnamese better assimilate into their communities and live healthier and more fulfilling lives in the Republic of Korea (RoK).

Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Huu Chi thanked the foundation for funding the one-year programme, running from June 2014 to May 2015.

The funds will be used to organize activities for Vietnamese-Korean families and hold language training courses for Vietnamese brides and their children to help them integrate better into their resident country, he said.

Chi emphasized that Hoban Foundation’s aid will contribute to strengthening the traditional friendship, fostering cooperation between Vietnam and the RoK.

On the occasion, the Foundation also presented scholarships to outstanding Vietnamese students who achieved excellent academic results.

Chairman of the Overseas Vietnamese Association Tran Hai Linh expressed his appreciation for Hoban Foundation’s assistance, saying it brings a great source of encouragement for Vietnamese expatriates.

Hoa community against China’s illegal acts in East Sea

The Hoa (ethnic Chinese) community in Ho Chi Minh City has expressed very strong disapproval of China’s illegal act of placing the Haiyang Shiyou-981 oil rig in Vietnam’s waters.

Head of the municipal Department for Ethnic Groups Ngo Van Trien was speaking during a working session between the municipal Party Committee and the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Popularisation and Education on May 27.

Hoa Intellectuals, traders, enterprises and students in the city have expressed hope that China will swiftly withdraw its rig from Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf as well as restrain itself to avoid causing conflicts between the two countries, Trien said.

According to Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Hua Ngoc Thuan, citizens have vehemently opposed China as the country illegally stationed its drilling rig in Vietnam’s waters, saying that the move seriously violates Vietnam’s sovereignty and negatively affects the countries’ friendship.

They have also shown their support for the Party and State’s consistent stance in the issue.

On May 2, China stationed the Haiyang Shiyou-981 oil rig at 15 degrees 29 minutes 58 seconds north latitude and 111 degrees 12 minutes 06 seconds east longitude. The location is 80 nautical miles deep inside Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and 119 nautical miles to Vietnam’s Ly Son Island. It is 17 nautical miles from Tri Ton Island in Vietnam’s Hoang Sa archipelago.

On May 27, China moved the rig to 15 degrees 33 minutes 38 seconds north latitude and 111 degrees 34 minutes 62 seconds east longitude. The location is 25 nautical miles from Tri Ton Island, still completely within Vietnam’s continental shelf.

Chinese ships surrounding the rig have repeatedly rammed and fired water cannons into Vietnamese coast guard and fisheries surveillance ships which are carrying out their law enforcement missions in Vietnam’s waters, leaving many Vietnamese boats damaged and officers injured.

Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Le Hai Binh on May 27 demanded China stop its aggressive actions against Vietnamese fishermen, as surrounding Chinese vessels have been chasing them and threatening them with violence completely within Vietnam’s sea area.

The recent inhuman actions endangered lives and damaged the property and legitimate interests of Vietnamese fishermen, Binh said, asking the Chinese side to respect international law, punish those responsible in earnest, pay adequate compensation and prevent a repeat of the behaviour.

Russian teachers honoured with friendship orders

Two units and 15 individuals from the Moscow State University of Geodesy and Cartography have been presented Vietnam’s friendship orders and medals for their great contributions to training Vietnamese human resources and developing the all-round cooperation between the two countries.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Pham Xuan Son on May 27 presented the rewards to the Russian teachers at a ceremony to celebrate the 235th anniversary of the university in Moscow on May 27.

Speaking at the event, Director of the Vietnam Institute of Geodesy and Cartography Ha Minh Hoa expressed his hope that the Russian university, with its rich experience, will continue its assistance and coordination with Vietnam in the field.

Russian lectures expressed their honour to receive the awards and promised to contribute more to the development of Vietnam ’s geological and cartographic research sector.

The 235-year-old university has trained around 2,000 Vietnamese experts and engineers over the past seven decades.

Binh Duong event raises awareness of sea sovereignty

A programme was held in the southern province of Binh Duong on May 27 to raise awareness of the country’s sovereignty over its sea and islands for employees working in businesses in the locality.

The event was organised by the Binh Duong Water Supply and Drainage and Environment company in conjunction with the provincial chapter of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) and the Trade Union. Over 200 youths who work in the province volunteered throughout the day.

Speaking at the event, Huynh Van Nhi, Chairman of Binh Duong’s VFF, praised the efforts of businesses in the province in overcoming difficulties to stabilise production activities following the recent disturbances caused by anti-China protests.

He said enterprises operating in the province and across the country need to join hands in assisting fishermen to maintain their activities in fishing grounds in the country’s waters.-

Da Nang Buddhists hope for peace in the East Sea

Buddhist monks, nuns and followers in the central city of Da Nang on May 28 prayed for peace in the East Sea following China’s illegal act of positioning its Haiyang Shiyou-981 drilling rig in Vietnam’s waters.

Acting head of Da Nang’s Vietnam Buddhist Shangha Executive Board Thich Thien Nguyen declared that China’s deed seriously violates international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, to which China is a signatory.

It also infringes Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, threatening security, peace, stability and maritime safety in the East Sea, he said, adding that using force to pursue undeserved benefit is blameworthy.

The monk asked China to immediately end provocative acts that can escalate tensions in the East Sea and withdraw the rig from Vietnam’s waters.

At the beginning of May, China illegally dispatched the rig as well as a large fleet of armed ships and aircraft to Vietnam’s waters and positioned them 80 miles deep inside Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone.

On May 27, China moved the rig to 15 degrees 33 minutes 38 seconds north latitude and 111 degrees 34 minutes 62 seconds east longitude. The new location is 25 nautical miles from Tri Ton Island in Vietnam’s Hoang Sa archipelago, still completely within Vietnam’s continental shelf.

Chinese ships around the rig have repeatedly rammed and fired water cannons into Vietnamese coast guard and fisheries surveillance boats which are carrying out their law enforcement missions in Vietnam’s waters, leaving many Vietnamese vessels damaged and officers injured.-

Live television broadcast to highlight national sea sovereignty

A programme entitled “The homeland looked at from the sea” will be broadcasted live on June 8 to popularise the country’s sovereignty over its sea and islands.

The event will link Hanoi, the East Sea Park in the central city of Da Nang, and Ly Son island district in the central province of Quang Ngai.

Through stories and videos demonstrating Vietnam’s legitimate sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos and the national pride of the Vietnamese people, it will convey the message that each person will serve as a landmark of the country’s sovereignty.

The event will contribute to raising public awareness of the role, strategic position and great potential of Vietnam’s sea and islands. It will also help improve the awareness and responsibilities of each person in exploiting and protecting resources from the sea, thus promoting economic development and safeguarding the national sea and island sovereignty.-

Buddha’s birthday celebrated in UK

The Vietnam Buddhist Association in the UK has held a ceremony to mark Buddha’s 2558th birthday.

At the May 25 ceremony, Superior Buddhist monk Thich Minh Hien, deputy head of the Culture Department under the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), called on Buddhist monks, nuns and followers at home and abroad, including those in the UK, to make more contributions to the homeland.

Nguyen Van Phong, First Secretary and Community Counsellor at the Vietnam Embassy in the UK expressed his hope that a vast number of activities for the development of Buddhism and the Vietnamese community in the UK will be held in the near future, focusing on implementing a project on building Vietnam’s first pagoda in London.

On the occasion, Thich Le Nguyen, head of the association, launched a campaign to raise fund for the construction of the pagoda.

Once finished, the pagoda will host Vietnamese language and Buddhism classes for Vietnamese young generations in London, Nguyen added.-

Fishermen in Quang Nam, Quang Ngai provinces encouraged to stand firm

Fishermen in central provinces of Quang Ngai and Quang Nam who have suffered from losses and damages by natural disasters and attacks by Chinese vessels, have received gifts and aid from organisations, encouraging them to continue their career in traditional fishing areas.

Vietnam Electricity Corporation (EVN) has granted VND500 million (US$23,500) to the programme ‘Joining hands to protect sovereignty over sea and islands’ to help disadvantaged fishermen continue fishing and support several fishermen who have been attacked by Chinese vessels.

Eighty fishing families in An Vinh and An Hai communes in Ly Son Islands district, Quang Ngai province were presented with VND5 million each and two fishermen, Nguyen Loc and Huynh Tan Duoc, who suffered from property damages after being attacked by Chinese fishing vessels received VND50 million each to continue their career in the traditional fishing areas around Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos.

The EVN Labour Union also visited and presented gifts worth VND30 million in total to disadvantaged fishermen families in Ly Son Islands district.

On May 27, the Quang Ngai Fishermen Support Fund and Dan Tri newspaper presented five fishermen whose fishing boats have recently attacked and severely damaged by Chinese vessels with VND15 million each. Fishermen Nguyen Tan Hai and Nguyen Huyen Le Anh, who were injured during the attacks, received VND5 million each.

Via the fund, readers of Dan Tri newspaper in Da Nang city donated VND20 million to support Le Thi Mai in Binh Chau commune, Binh Son district, Quang Ngai province, whose husband and two sons have been missing since an October 2013 typhoon near Truong Sa archipelago.

Meanwhile, in Quang Nam province, people in Dai Loc district donated over VND300 million and Party Committees in businesses raised VND350 million to support and encourage fishermen to continue their traditional career.

On this occasion, Quang Nam provincial Labour Confederation and the Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank) presented 160 gifts to fishermen in Duy Hai and Duy Nghia communes, Duy Xuyen district and 500 gifts, worth VND500,000 each, to those in Binh Minh and Binh Duong commune, Thang Binh district.

Vietnam vows to boost fight against wild species smuggling

Vietnam is willing to carry out urgent measures at the national, regional and international levels to fight cross-border smuggling of endangered plants and animals.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam made the comment at a May 27 ceremony marking 20 years since Vietnam joined the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The trafficking of wild species has become a common problem of all nations over the world, Tam said, adding that Vietnam will strictly enforce international commitments to which it is a member.

CITES Secretary General John E. Scanlon expressed his hope that with its experience, Vietnam will continue doing its utmost to fight this kind of crime.

Over the past two decades, Vietnam has received support from international organisations and CITES country members. It has bettered its legal system relating to this issue and carried out activities to raise public awareness.

Illegal trading of wild species is estimated to bring smugglers 10-15 billion USD each year. It causes negative impact on natural resources and increases the risk of spreading infectious diseases.

CITES now counts 180 country members. Vietnam became its 121 st member on April 20, 1994.

Civil organisations urged to work more on climate change response

Socio-political organisations have been called on to take greater part in raising public awareness of climate change and rising sea levels.

These are posing a visible threat to Vietnam’s efforts to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development, as about 50 percent of the country’s population lives along a coastline of more than 3,200 kilometres.

Climate change that sparks various extreme weather patterns is wreaking great havoc globally, and Vietnam is one of the 30 countries in the world most vulnerable to the impacts of this global issue.

At a seminar on the crisis in Hanoi on May 27, Nguyen Ngoc Ly, Director of the Community and Environment Research Centre, said there are challenges facing the implementation of State policies on climate change adaptation at various levels.

Civil organisations’ participation in making sure the effective enforcement of environment-related laws and regulations is seen as an important element in ensuring the interests of the poor and vulnerable will be considered in policies on climate change.

Many civil organisations have actively been involving in response programmes, such as those identifying energy-efficient technologies for home appliances and industrial production and others helping farmers develop weather-resilient plant and livestock varieties and farming methods.

A symposium in Hanoi on May 16 heard that Vietnam is acutely aware of environmental issues, and has thus enforced a lot of policies, including the national target programme on building breakwaters in the southern and central parts of the country.

The country’s Mekong Delta region, which groups 12 provinces and one centrally-run city, is particularly prone to environmental changes.

In early May, it was reported that saltwater has intruded into nearly 20,000 hectares of rice fields in the southernmost province of Ca Mau as a result of the seawater level rising.-

Soil erosion getting serious in Ca Mau province

Erosion has been seen along 80 percent of the 254km coastline of the southernmost province of Ca Mau, with more than half seriously affected, according to the provincial People’s Committee.

Meanwhile, almost all rivers and canals in the locality have also witnessed the same situation, with severe damage reported over 25km.

From May 18-20, about 220 metres of river bank in Dam Doi and Nam Can districts was worn away, causing tens of houses to subside. Losses were estimated at more than 2 billion VND (95,200 USD).

To protect locals’ lives and properties, Ca Mau authorities have planted protective forests, built over 17km of jetties worth 511 billion VND (24.3 million USD), and resettled people who reside near river mouths and breakwaters.

However, the committee noted that Ca Mau has not gained enough money to construct anti-erosion facilities at all vulnerable areas. The situation may get more severe as the rainy season is approaching, it added.

Youth Union volunteers to help patients at hospitals

Two hundred members of the Communist Youth Union and its affiliated units at health and transport departments and hospitals are taking part in a two-year program to

assist patients at hospitals.

They are helping patients and their families with paperwork and medical workers under the program that began May 27.

This year they will help at the Tumor Hospital, Nhan Dan Gia Dinh Hospital, and People’s 115 Hospital and the Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion in HCMC.

They will also donate bus tickets to patients from outside the city.

VNN/VNA/VNS/ND/SGGP/VOV