The festival is intended to promote cooperation in culture and arts between Vietnam and other countries, the department said.
According to organisers, of the nine units, four are domestic and the others hail from Canada, Belarus, Laos, Cambodia and Egypt.
Within the framework of the event, the domestic and foreign artists will perform in the pedestrian street area around Hoan Liem Lake, Hanoi.
The opening and closing ceremonies will be broadcast live on VTVcap.
Buddhism upholds fine values, joins in national construction: PM
Since its introduction into Vietnam, Buddhism has integrated into the Vietnamese social life and become an important element in the national culture, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said in a reception for a delegation of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) after the success of the 9th National Buddhist Congress on November 29.
He noted the development of Buddhism in Vietnam, which is a major religion in the country with more than 18,500 worship facilities, nearly 55,000 monks and nuns and over 14 million followers.
The Government leader highlighted Buddhism’s great contributions to the struggles for national independence and reunification, as well as in national construction.
He added that the VBS also plays an active role in building the administration from local to central levels, citing as an example that there are four Buddhist dignitaries in the 15th National Assembly and 72 Buddhist dignitaries in all-level People’s Councils in the 2021-2026 tenure.
He praised the VBS for its engagement in social welfare activities, especially during the past fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The PM asked the VBS to continue encouraging monks, nuns and followers to follow the Party’s orientations, the State’s policies and law, and taking the lead in building the great national unity bloc and religious solidarity, while upholding fine values, advocating the good and joining in building a peaceful and prosperous country for the people to live in sufficiency, freedom and happiness.
Work starts on wastewater treatment plant in Tay Ninh
Construction of a wastewater treatment plant partly funded by Italy's official development assistance (ODA) in the southern province of Tay Ninh commenced on November 29.
Covering an area of 63,462 sq.m in Tay Ninh city with a design capacity of 5,000 cu.m per day, the project consists of two main items - a wastewater treatment plant and a wastewater collection pipeline system.
The first phase of the project will cost over 335 billion VND (over 13.5 million USD).
Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Duong Van Thang highlighted the significance of the project for the locality as well as people living in Tay Ninh city in particular.
Once completed, the plant will collect and treat all wastewater from households in wards 1, 2, 3, 4 and a part of Hiep Ninh ward in Tay Ninh city. The plant’s capacity is expected to increase to 10,000 cu.m in the second phase.
Cold spell forecast to hit northern region tonight, steep temperature drop expected
The northern region will see a sharp temperature decline starting November 29 night as a serious cold wave is approaching, according to the National Centre for Hydro-meteorology.
From tonight, the temperature is predicted to plunge to 12 degrees Celsius in Hanoi capital city and the northern delta provinces, a marked contrast from the 31-degree heat seen today. For the northern mountainous areas, the temperature could even drop to below 10 degrees – hovering around just 7 degrees.
The central region will be affected by the cold air a bit later, so it remains sunny until noon on November 30, with the highest temperatures of 29 – 32 degrees Celsius.
From the early morning of November 30, the cold air will begin to spill over to the north central coast, then to a number of places in the south-central coast, causing thunderstorms.
It is forecast that in the early days of December, the temperature of the area from Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien – Hue will not be higher than 20 degrees Celsius during the day.
It is less likely to rain in the southern region and the central highlands from now until the end of November. From the beginning of December, these two areas will experience thunderstorms due to the impact of high-altitude east wind disturbances.
Comprehensive measures needed to support OVs: official
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Quang Hieu suggested increasing comprehensive, long-term measures to support overseas Vietnamese, especially those in extremely disadvantaged areas, while addressing a thematic conference in Hanoi on November 29.
The conference, held by the Party delegation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, looked into OVs affairs in service of the review of the 20-year implementation of the 9-tenure Party Central Committee’s Resolution No. N23-NQ/TW dated March 12, 2003 on promoting the strength of the great national unity bloc, for a strong country, wealthy people, and a fair, democratic, and civilised society.
Hieu, who is also Chairman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, proposed improving the efficiency of citizen protection, and stronger coordination between ministries, agencies and localities in managing and educating Vietnamese labourers and students abroad.
Consolidating legal documents and reforming administrative procedures will help to lure more OVs home, he said, adding that resources from OVS should be further tapped.
The official also highlighted quick response in the information work in order to oppose distorted allegations.
Hieu affirmed that the Vietnamese community abroad forms an integral part of the great national unity bloc, and that staying united with OVs is the task and responsibility of the entire political system and all people, with Party organisations playing the key role.
Ngo Trinh Ha, Vice Chairman of the committee, reported that the OVs work has reaped significant outcomes, saying the Vietnamese community abroad has been growing and their legal status, economic conditions, position and reputation in host countries have been improved.
OVs have tightened their bonds with the homeland and actively contributed to national construction and defence, he continued, lauding their role as friendship bridges between Vietnam and countries worldwide.
Reviewing activities for OVs, the report also pointed to shortcomings in the work regarding the supplementation, perfection and implementation of relevant mechanisms, policies and legal regulations, especially those on nationality, investment attraction, and incentives for OVs who are experts and intellectuals, along with issues relating to support to OVs in integrating into host countries, and the management of overseas Vietnamese students and labourers.
The participants proposed further consolidating policies and laws to create conditions for OVs to contribute to the homeland, and optimising resources from the community for national construction, especially their “soft” resources.
Hanoi, Berlin seek ways to bolster cooperation
A Hanoi delegation led by Deputy Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Thi Tuyen has visited Germany, aiming to boost the friendship and cooperation with Berlin.
At a working session with Permanent Secretary at Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises of Berlin, Michael Biel, and representatives of city departments on November 28, Tuyen affirmed that the Vietnam-Germany relationship is developing across spheres.
Germany is Vietnam’s biggest trade partner in the EU, while Vietnam is the largest trade partner of Germany in Southeast Asia, and the sixth biggest in Asia, she said, recalling the official visit to Vietnam by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz earlier this month.
Regarding cooperation between the two capital cities, the official said Berlin enterprises are running 79 projects worth 253.3 million USD in Hanoi, mainly in science-technology, retail, processing and manufacturing, and information and telecommunications.
Meanwhile, Hanoi businesses export different staples to Berlin and Germany as well, including rice and fishery products.
Districts of Hanoi and Berlin have also established cooperation such as Hoang Mai - Marzahn and Hoan Kiem – Lichtenberg in the fields of education-training, trade and especially tourism, according to the official.
The two sides agreed to step up exchanges and bolster collaboration in the areas in which both are interested and have strengths like economy-trade, education-training, health care and tourism.
Can Tho, Hungary enhance cooperation in high-tech agriculture, infrastructure building
Chairman of the People’s Committee of the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho Tran Viet Truong and Hungarian Ambassador Baloghdi Tibor compared notes on measures to promote cooperation in high-tech agriculture and infrastructure construction during their meeting on November 29.
At the meeting in Can Tho, the two sides also sought ways to speed up the building of the Can Tho Oncology Hospital with a total investment capital of nearly 1.72 trillion VND (69.46 million USD), of which 57 million EUR (59.13 million USD) is soured from the Hungarian Government’s official development assistance (ODA).
Truong said the construction was set to last from 2015 to 2022, yet it remains pending due to some reasons, including the COVID-19 impact, prompting the Vietnamese Government to issue a decision, extending the work until the end of 2026.
The official noted his hope that the ambassador will provide necessary support to contribute to ensuring the project progress, while working to bring more Hungarian businesses to invest in Can Tho in such priority areas as agricultural and aquatic processing, manufacturing, high-tech agriculture, IT, infrastructure building and trade.
According to the Can Tho Department of Foreign Affairs, Can Tho has exported 660,000 USD worth of goods to Hungary this year, mainly rice and aquatic products.
Vietnamese Party delegation visits New Zealand
A high-ranking delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) led by Phan Dinh Trac, Politburo member and Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Internal Affairs, held working sessions with representatives of New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, a number of judicial agencies during a visit from November 27-29.
The two sides agreed that after the two years of establishing the strategic partnership framework, cooperative relations between the two countries have been growing substantially and effectively across all fields, especially politics, trade, education - training, agriculture, development aid and people-to-people exchanges.
They affirmed that high-level visits between the two countries, including New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s recent trip to Vietnam, and the tour of New Zealand by the CPV delegation, have contributed to strengthening understanding and political trust between the two nations.
The two sides also shared similar views on a number of international and regional issues, including the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region, and highlighting ASEAN's centrality in the regional security architecture.
The New Zealand side acknowledged and spoke highly of positive contributions of the Vietnamese community living, working and studying in the country to its development and to the friendship between the two nations.
At meetings with representatives from judicial agencies of New Zealand, the two sides shared experience on law-making, judicial reform, apparatus and operations of anti-corruption agencies.
The New Zealand side said it is willing to share relevant experience with Vietnam, contributing to promoting cooperation between the two countries in these fields.
Project supports families affected by COVID-19 in HCM City
More than 5,000 aid packages worth 9 billion VND (363,489 USD) were presented to more than 2,000 children and families affected by COVID-19 in Ho Chi Minh City in the first half of this year under a project implemented by the city's Child Welfare Association and Save the Children, heard a conference on November 29.
According to Pham Dinh Nghinh, Vice Chairman of the HCM City Child Welfare Association, the association contributed more than 6.3 billion VND and the remainder came from Save the Children.
Apart from the aid packages, project workers also gave advice and conducted communication work, publishing and delivering documents on child protection in emergency cases, he added.
Nguyen Vu Trong Binh from Save the Children suggested targeted districts and wards continue with support programmes after the project concludes, saying the organisation will call for donors in other programmes and projects in support of disadvantaged children and families in the city.
President commends seventh grader for life-saving brave act
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on November 29 sent a letter to Hoang Manh Chien, a seventh grader at Cam Thinh Junior High School in Cam Pha city, the northern province of Quang Ninh, commending him on his life-saving brave act.
At around 7:30pm on November 26, on his way home from school, Chien saw an elderly man falling down on the railway when a train was coming. He rushed to pull the man out of the railway, saving him from a life-threating accident.
The President praised the boy’s brave and quick act, and presented him with a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh and a pen.
Experience in promoting youth development shared
The first international forum of the National Committee on Youth was held in Hanoi on November 29 to share experience in building and implementing youth development policies.
Addressing the event, Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Committee on Youth of Vietnam Nguyen Tuong Lam underlined that developing the youth is an important matter for every nation.
In Vietnam, young people aging from 16 to 30 account for 22.5% of the country’s population and a strong force contributing to national building and safeguarding, he noted.
Participants gave ideas on fostering coordination in youth development policies, and strengthening cooperation among ASEAN and China.
Pan Meng, a lecturer from China Youth University of Political Studies, shared a number of policies that China has applied to boost youth development, including supporting young talents and encouraging them to participate in important issues.
She said that this year, the Communist Youth League of China has issued a plan to train young talents in the new era.
Nguyen Thi Quyen, Vice Director of the Employment Department under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, said that it is necessary to issue employment policies to suit the country’s resources, focusing on promoting local resources in association with central support and other areas.
At the same time, documents, mechanisms and policies should be more specific with timely deployment to grassroots levels in order to create favourable conditions for localities in the implementation process.
Conference discusses humanities in Vietnam - RoK relations
A conference was held in Hanoi on November 29 to look into the humanities in relations between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK).
Dr Tran Thi Phuong Hoa, Deputy Director of the VASS’s Institute of History, said Vietnam and the RoK have witnessed exchanges of people, culture, and produce throughout history.
Cultural and political similarities in different historical periods have created pre-conditions for comparisons and also served as materials for academic exchanges, she noted.
Talking about the training in the Korean language and Korean studies in Vietnam, Dr. Le Thi Thu Giang, Dean of the faculty of Oriental studies at the Hanoi-based University of Social Sciences and Humanities, said the presence of the RoK in different areas is relatively popular, and that the work is currently among the most in-demand majors in Vietnam.
She recommended universities proactively seek appropriate development methods, a new mindset, a new approach, and a new orientation for the training in the Korean language and Korean studies so that Vietnam can become a centre of Korea-related training and research in the region.
National seminar spotlights value systems, human standard in new period
A national hybrid seminar on the value systems of the country, culture and family as well as the Vietnamese human standard in the new period opened in Hanoi on November 29, gathering nearly 500 participants from the capital, Thua Thien-Hue province, and Ho Chi Minh City.
The event is reviewing the one-year implementation of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s conclusion made at the National Cultural Conference to implement the 13th National Party Congress' Resolution in November last year.
Chairing the seminar, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of its Commission for Information and Education Nguyen Trong Nghia quoted the Party chief as saying cultural development is a key issue and prominent content in the documents of the congress.
He noted the seminar is to delve deep in the above-said value systems and standard, suggesting participants clarify the impact of domestic and international factors on building the value and standard.
Conference spotlights Politburo resolution on Red River Delta development
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong chaired a national hybrid conference on November 29 to disseminate and launch the implementation of the 13th-tenure Politburo’s Resolution 30-NQ/TW on orientations for socio-economic development and defence - security safeguarding in the Red River Delta to 2030 with a vision to 2045.
The region comprises 11 provinces and centrally-run cities divided into two sub-regions. The northern sub-region covers Hanoi capital, Hai Phong city, and the provinces of Quang Ninh, Vinh Phuc, Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, and Hung Yen; while the southern one consists of Thai Binh, Ha Nam, Nam Dinh, and Ninh Binh provinces.
Given the Delta’s specially important position and role, the Politburo issued a resolution on September 14, 2005 and a conclusion on October 28, 2011 on orientations for socio-economic development and defence - security safeguarding in the Red River Delta by 2010 and for 2011 - 2020.
Many significant achievements have been recorded over the last 17 years since the resolution and conclusion issuance.
In particular, the region’s contribution to the national GDP rose to 29.4% in 2020 from 26.9% in 2010, per capita income was 1.3 times higher than the national average, state budget revenue accounted for 32.7% of the total nationwide, total investment in society increased 19.7-fold from 2005 and made up 35.1% of the total - ranking first in the country, and the urbanisation rate stood at 41% in 2021, statistics show.
However, it is still facing certain shortcomings. Local socio-economic development has yet to match the region’s potential, outstanding advantages, and specially important position and role.
That reality required a new resolution be promulgated to help make strong and breakthrough improvements in the reform, socio-economic development, and defence - security safeguarding in the region in the new development phase.
Addressing the meeting, General Secretary Trong noted the new resolution, No 30-NQ/TW, continues to view the Red River Delta as a strategic region holding special importance in terms of politics, economy, culture, society, environment, defence, security, and diplomacy. It identified that fast and sustainable development is a responsibility of regional localities and the entire political system.
Quang Tri: 70kg sea turtle released back to the wild
A 70kg sea turtle that was accidentally caught in the net of a local fisherman was released back to the sea in the central province of Quang Tri on November 29.
Soldiers from the border guard post in Cua Viet port collaborated with the local authorities to release the sea turtle.
Major Nguyen Van Anh, political commissar of the border post, said in early morning of the same day, the animal was found by Nguyen Van Duc, who was casting a fishing net about five nautical miles off the coast of Gio Linh. The 50-year-old fisherman then alerted the border guards, who helped him free the marine reptile.
The Olive ridley sea turtle, listed among endangered and rare species that need urgent protection, had its health checked and was tagged before being released.
In Vietnam, any act of illegally hunting, killing, raising, confining, possessing, transporting, or trading in sea turtles or their parts and products is a serious violation of the law and may be subject to prosecution with a penalty of up to 15 years in prison.
HCM City Labour Federation supports workers during Tet
Ho Chi Minh City’s Labour Federation will earmark nearly 140 billion VND (5.66 million USD) to present gifts, organise various celebrations and care for union members and workers during the upcoming Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.
The federation will organise at least 10 programmes to ensure their union members and workers enjoy a happy Tet holiday, the country’s largest traditional festival that falls in late January next year.
The programme entitled “Tet sum vay - Xuan tri an” (Tet reunion - Spring gratitude) will present gifts worth 1 million VND each to 10,000 migrant families who cannot manage to return home during the Tet holiday due to difficult financial conditions.
Another programme entitled “Gia dinh cong nhan vui Tet cung Thanh pho” (Workers’ families enjoy Tet in the city) will offer tickets for 5,000 families to be entertained and have food at Dam Sen Cultural Park during Tet.
Around 500 families will receive train tickets to return home for Tet holiday under the programme “Chuyen tau mua xuan” (Spring train).
Thousands of bus and air tickets will be delivered to disadvantaged union members and workers.
The federation will present gifts worth 700,000 VND each to 3,000 union members in difficult financial conditions.
Nearly 170 children whose fathers or mothers died of COVID-19 and 120 disadvantaged children with good school performances will also receive Tet gifts.
Vietnam's overseas representative agencies to step up economic diplomacy
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a hybrid conference with overseas representative agencies of Vietnam on November 28 with a view to promoting economic diplomacy.
The conference, the first of its kind and to be held monthly, was chaired by Minister Bui Thanh Son and saw the presence of more than 90 ambassadors and heads of overseas representative agencies.
Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, head of the steering committee for economic diplomacy, said economic diplomacy has had its focus opportunely shifted from vaccine diplomacy serving the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic to socio-economic recovery and development, which has effectively contributed to national achievements in the first 10 months of 2022.
However, as the global economic situation is predicted to continue facing difficulties, causing pressure on developing and highly open economies like Vietnam, the Government has high expectations for more contributions by economic diplomacy to macro-economic stability and sustainable growth, he noted.
Son said economic diplomacy has become a focal and consistent task of overseas representative agencies of Vietnam.
NA Vice Chairman pays working visit to Egypt
A delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) led by its Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai paid a working visit to Egypt from November 25-29.
During the visit, Hai held talks with First Deputy Speaker of the Egyptian House of Representatives Ahmed Saad El-Din Mohamed Abd El-Rehim who said that the two sides have supported each other at international forums in line with common stances in various issues such as human rights and disarmament.
He appreciated Vietnam’s backing for Arab problems, as well as the country’s viewpoints at multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
The Egyptian leader also expressed his wish that Vietnam will continue to support Egypt at international forums and in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and suggested the two parliaments promote cooperation and exchange of delegations at all levels, and share legislative experience in order to contribute to promoting the bilateral collaboration in the fields of economy, trade, education, tourism, culture and heritage conservation.
The NA Vice Chairman also worked with Deputy Speaker of the Senate Bahaa El-Din Abu Shoqa, during which they affirmed to continue strengthening cooperation between the two legislative bodies; creating favourable conditions for businesses and investors; working together to address global issues such as food security, water security and climate change response; and cooperating and sharing experience in digital transformation and e-parliament building.
Hai also worked with leaders of the Egyptian General Authority for Investment and Free Zones and the Suez Canal Special Economic Zone, and visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt.
Traffic accidents down 5.93% in November
There were 1,111 traffic accidents nationwide from October 15 to November 14, killing 579 people and injuring 833 others, said chief of the Office of the National Traffic Safety Committee Tran Huu Minh.
Compared to the same month last year, the number of accidents went down 5.93% while the number of fatalities and injured dropped by 2.66% and 0.83%, respectively.
As many as 1,102 road accidents claimed 570 lives and injured 831 others, representing a decrease of 5.97%, increase of 1.79% and drop of 0.84% year-on-year, respectively.
On railway, six accidents were reported, causing seven deaths and no wounded.
Neither death nor injured was recorded on maritime routes, which remained the same as compared to the same period last year.
From December 15, 2021 to November 14, 2022, the country posted 10,323 traffic accidents that left 5,800 dead and 6,973 injured, marking respective decreases of 35%, 16.8% and 42.6% year-on-year.
President commends young Vietnamese literature talent
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception for Nguyen Binh, a young literature talent who has been honoured with the 2021 National Award for Young Writers for his English translation of Truyen Kieu (The Tale of Kieu).
Binh, 21, who is now studying in the US, started to write when he was eight.
With his language capacity and love for literature, history and culture of Vietnam, Binh translated Truyen Kieu, a famous work of poet Nguyen Du, into English to introduce to the world the cultural beauty and the humanity ideology of the nation.
Currently, Binh is planning some literature projects, including an epic about Vietnam, thereby bringing the image of Vietnam and its people, including historical figures of Vietnam, to the world.
Prime Minister welcomes newly-appointed Danish Ambassador
Vietnam always treasures its friendship and cooperation with Denmark, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told the new-appointed Danish Ambassador to Vietnam, Nicolai Prytz, during a reception for the diplomat in Hanoi on November 28.
He hailed the outcomes of the recent Vietnam visit by Crown Prince of Denmark Frederik with the signing of many cooperation deals in promising fields such as green growth, renewable energy and effective use of energy, and applauded the Danish Parliament's ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement.
Expressing his delight at the growth of two-way trade which soared by 27% annually to 554 million USD in the first nine months of this year, PM Chinh said Danish investment in Vietnam has leaped with Lego's carbon-neutral toy factory worth more than 1 billion USD in Binh Duong province, opening up a green investment trend in the future.
The PM suggested both sides facilitate all-level visits, work closely together at regional and global forums, especially within the framework of the United Nations, ASEAN – EU, and create conditions for enterprises to expand operations in green growth, environmental protection, renewable energy, hi-tech agriculture. He also welcomed the continued strengthening of cooperation in education - training, people-to-people exchanges, sci-tech and innovation.
Prytz, for his part, stressed that bilateral economic-trade-investment ties will be a priority and focus of his tenure.
He pledged to do his best to further develop the Vietnam - Denmark comprehensive partnership in fields where Denmark has strength and Vietnam has demand, especially renewable energy, green growth, marine economy, and will coordinate with Vietnam to expand cooperation opportunities in potential fields such as education - training, culture - tourism, and science- technology.
NA Standing Committee’s 17th meeting closes
The National Assembly Standing Committee’s 17th meeting completed all set agenda after one day of sitting on November 28 under the chair of NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Chairman Hue said the committee reviewed the NA’s fourth meeting and offered initial opinions on the fifth meeting.
Full-time lawmakers also agreed with the Government’s proposal to hold the second extraordinary meeting in early 2023 to consider and decide on several urgent issues, including the approval of the National Master Plan and the revised draft Law on Medical Examination and Treatment, discussions on clause 3 of Resolution 30/2021/QH15 of the NA on special solutions to COVID-19 prevention and control as well as the Government’s health-related proposals.
They are also scheduled to consider piloting several special mechanisms and policies for Ho Chi Minh City, and other financial-budget issues.
The NA Secretary General, Chairman of the NA Office and members of the NA Standing Committee were asked to work closely with the Government agencies to thoroughly prepare for the extraordinary meeting, adding that whether it is held or not depends on preparations.
At the meeting, legislators reached high consensus on the signing of an agreement between the Vietnamese and US Governments to build, upgrade and maintain their buildings of diplomatic and consular offices. The NA Committee for External Relations was assigned to complete documents and procedures in the regard.
They also looked into the allocation of development investment capital from the State budget for three national target programmes for 2021-2025 and the addition of foreign capital for the national target programme on new-style rural development.
The committee agreed on the policy of adjusting the refinancing plan of localities this year and the Prime Minister's proposal on the appointment and dismissal of Vietnamese ambassadors abroad.
Source: VNA/SGT/VNS/VOV/Dtinews/SGGP/VGP/Hanoitimes