“Homeland’s melody” features Vietnam’s cultural space in Berlin

“Homeland’s melody” (Giai dieu que huong) programme, featuring more than 30 stellar performances, was held in Berlin on September 29 to mark the 5th anniversary of the Vietnamese Cultural Space in Germany.

At the event, head of the organising board Le Xuan Dinh thanked the Vietnamese Embassy and Vietnamese expatriates for their strong attachment with the cultural space in the past five years.

He hoped to receive more support from the embassy, organisations and sponsors for better development of the programme.

Meanwhile, Pham Van Mich, a counselor at the Embassy of Vietnam in Germany, congratulated and presented a certificate of merit to the organising board of the cultural space programme.

He lauded activities of the programme as promoting exchanges and solidarity among organisations, making contributions to the relations with Germany.

Participants enjoyed various traditional dishes during the food festival held within the event.

Vietnam’s Cultural Space has been organised to preserve and promote Vietnamese cultural identity in the host nation.

Further promoting Vietnamese cuisine culture

After more than 3 years of lobbying, the Vietnam Cuisine Culture Association has received a license and will be set up next month. Its aim is to develop Vietnam’s cuisine culture into a national asset to attract more tourists.

The Vietnam Cuisine Culture Association plans to gather Vietnamese gastronomy organizations and individuals to preserve and develop Vietnamese gastronomy and promote it to the wider world.

Vietnamese food is natural, nutritious, healthy and not very fat. Vietnam is an agricultural country and one of the world’s leading producers of shrimp, crab, fish, pepper, and coffee. With varied terrain and weather: mountain, coast, and plain areas and temperate and tropical weather, each region in Vietnam has its typical ingredients and dishes. 

Vietnamese people pay great attention to eating. They say it embraces their tradition, and culture. Cuisine expert Nguyen Huynh Dat said “The Association is being established to restore, preserve and promote the value of Vietnamese cuisine.”

The Association plans to introduce Vietnamese gastronomy widely around the world. Mr. Nguyen Quoc Ky, Head of the Lobby Committee for the Vietnam Cuisine Culture Association and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Viettravel Tourism Company says cuisine and tourism are closely linked. 

Promoting cuisine will have a strong impact on the tourism sector. Food and services make up 70% of the tourism sector’s revenue.

Ky said “Promoting cuisine culture will help promote cultural and tourism development. We need to develop a plan to promote Vietnamese food overseas”.

There are 300,000 restaurants nationwide and approximately 20,000 Vietnamese restaurants overseas. 6 groups of Vietnamese people from Russia, Germany, France, Singapore, the US and the Republic of Korea have registered to become Association members.

The Association plans to hold a Vietnamese Tet (Lunar New Year) Festival in December and a Royal Cuisine Exhibition in Hue next January, build up Vietnamese gastronomy standards, and organize training courses for chefs and bartenders.

Heavy rain leaves HCMC streets underwater

An heavy rain starting late afternoon yesterday heavily flooded many streets in HCMC districts including 1, Thu Duc, Binh Thanh, Phu Nhuan, Tan Binh, Tan Phu, 12, 7 and others. 

Rainfall measuring nearly 100mm occurred from 5 p.m. to 6:40 p.m. The rain lasted until 7:20 p.m. with rainfall reducing to 3-5mm. At 7 p.m. the precipitation was 76mm in Nha Be district and 75mm in Tan Binh. Radar images show that heavy rain concentrated in downtown, southern and southwestern areas of the city.

Travel was very difficult in submerged streets namely Pham Van Dong, Dinh Bo Linh, Huynh Tan Phat and many vehicles had breakdown.

The Southern Hydro Meteorological Center said that many convective clouds are strongly developing in the southern region causing heavy rains together with thunderstorms and lightning.

At 7 p.m. a 45 year old man was driving his car from Notre-Dame Cathedral to Nha Rong wharf in Dong Khoi street while a tree suddenly fell upon the car. The accident damaged the car and slightly injured the driver.

Deputy PM, FM Minh inspects preparations for APEC Leaders’ Week

Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh-Chairman of the National Committee for APEC 2017 inspected preparations for APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Da Nang city from September 30-October 1.

Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh leads a delegation to Da Nang city to review preparations for the APEC Economic Leaders' Week scheduled to take place from November 6-11.

Members of the National Committee for APEC 2017, leaders of the President's Office, the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Da Nang city and Quang Nam province, and 190 volunteers joined the review sessions.

According to reports, all preparations at key venues and hotels for the meeting have been basically completed as planned.

Deputy PM, FM Minh hailed efforts made by the Committee, relevant agencies, Da Nang city and Quang Nam province.

This is the second time Viet Nam hosts APEC.

He urged the Committee, relevant agencies and localities to ensure absolute security and favorable conditions for APEC economic leaders, delegates, guests, press and media during the event.

He also asked Da Nang city and Quang Nam province to quicken street decorations and accelerate information dissemination to local residents and the global community about the APEC Economic Leaders' Week, scheduled to take place from November 6-11 in the city.

This is the second time Viet Nam hosts APEC./.

Traffic jam regularly occurs in Saigon River tunnel

Traffic jam has regularly occurred in the motorbike lanes of Saigon River tunnel connecting Districts 1 and 2 in HCMC from 7 a.m.-8:30a.m. and 4p.m.-6p.m, according to Sai Gon Giai Phong Newspaper readers. 

The congestion has been caused by increasing vehicles travelling through the tunnel. In the morning, there is a large volume of automobiles cut off motobike lane to turn left into Pho Duc Chinh street in District 1 side. In the afternoon, motorbikes travel slowly when approaching the stop light in District 2.

Travel has been difficult and dangerous in the tunnel because of sloppy road and poor light. Many drivers enter other lanes regardless of one way streets to escape from the traffic jam, causing chaos in front of tunnels.

SGGP readers say it is needed to study more suitable traffic segeration measures to ensure convenient and safe travel through the tunnel.

State leaders send best wishes and gifts to children ahead of Mid-autumn festival

Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh presents gifts to children in Tuyen Quang city

President Tran Dai Quang has sent his warmest wishes to all Vietnamese children at home and abroad as well as foreign children who are living in Vietnam on the occasion of the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival.

In his letter sent to the children on September 30, the State leader applauded the children’s academic performance at school, particularly those living in flood-hit areas.

He informed the children with pleasure that the Child Law has taken effect as of June 1of this year with new and specific regulations on children’s rights and responsibilities of agencies, organisations, educational facilities, families and individuals in exercising children’s rights.

He expressed his hope that the children will continue to follow Uncle Ho’s teachings to become good citizens and contribute to the building of a beautiful, strong and prosperous Vietnam.

He conveyed his wishe that children will enter a new academic year with great achievements and celebrate a joyful Mid-Autumn Festival.

Also on the occasion of the Mid-autumn festival, Tuyen Quang City Festival opened at Nguyen Tat Thanh Square in Tuyen Quang City on the evening of September 30.

A total of 60 large and colourful lanterns were lit up during the opening of the festival, which featured children’s songs and dances.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh conveyed her best wishes for children to have a happy and enjoyable Mid-autumn festival.

She asked the provincial authorities and people to attach further care on children and the poor, particularly those in living remote and mountainous regions.

She also stressed the need to mobilise all available resources to boost the locality’s socio-economic development, consolidate political system, ensure security and defence, and preserve and promote the cultural value of ethnic groups in the province.

At the event, she presented VND 300 million and 100 bicycles to 100 children who have overcame their difficult living condition to gain remarkable academic results at school.

Tuyen Quang lit up with lanterns on city festival kick-off

Locally-made lanterns of different colours and designs decorated the northern mountainous city of Tuyen Quang on September 30 night when the Tuyen Quang City Festival kicked off. 

A lantern parade, along with attractive art performances and fashion shows entertained tens of thousands of visitors to the festival, which was held annually on the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival. 

In her opening remarks, Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh, applauded achievements Tuyen Quang has recorded in child care and education over the past time. 

She also praised the initiative to organise the Tuyen Quang City Festival which captures special cultural identities of Tuyen Quang province, describing this as a cultural and social event, and a tourism product contributing to promoting the land, people and cultural values of the locality to domestic and foreign tourists. 

The Vice President asked the provincial Party Committee, authorities and people to continue disseminating revolutionary traditions, mobilise all resources to serve socio-economic development, and national defence and security, and build a strong political system.  

Tuyen Quang should pay more attention to education among youths and care for the poor, especially those in remote and disadvantaged area, she said. 

On this occasion, the Vice President presented 300 million VND (13,200 USD) and 100 bikes to 100 children in difficult circumstances. 

The festival will last until October 4.

Tuyen Quang has more than 300 places of interest, including the nationally important sites of Tan Trao, Kim Binh, Kim Quan, and Lang Ngoi – Da Ban. 

Steeped in revolutionary history and diverse ethnic culture, Tuyen Quang is celebrated as a place of cultural exchange for ethnic minorities in the North, and is featured in traditional festivals, legends and folksongs.

National cultural festival of Dao ethnic people wraps up

The first National Festival of Dao Ethnic Culture wrapped up in the northern mountainous province of Tuyen Quang on September 30.

The two-day event drew the participation of nearly 1,000 actors and actresses, craftsmen and athletes from localities resided by the Dao ethnic group across the country.

A string of cultural activities were held during the event, including an art festival, a Dao ethnic custom show, ritual ceremonies of the Dao people, sport competitions and folk games.

The festival aims to preserve Dao cultural features during the national industrialisation and modernisation process.

The same day, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the provincial People’s Committee organised a conference on preserving and promoting Dao cultural heritage in the context of global integration and national development. 

As one of Vietnam’s 54 nationalities, the Dao community has an estimated population of nearly 800,000. They mostly reside in northern mountainous provinces like Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai and Yen Bai. Their main economic activities are farming in rocky areas, weaving, and silver craft-making.

The Dao ethnic group’s cultural values are illustrated through housing architecture, costumes, jewelry, food and traditional craft. However, market economy has driven the values to slide into oblivion.

Participants at the conference recommended measures to protect Dao ethnic culture like designing policies to save Dao language and writing, collecting and popularising Dao culture and promoting roles of craftsmen and sorcerers.

Association contributes to Vietnam-Japan friendship

The Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association (VJFA)’s chapter in Hanoi (VJFA Hanoi) convened its ​fifth congress on September 30 to map out operational orientations for 2017-2022. 

Addressing the function, Nguyen Lan Huong, Chairwoman of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organisations, highlighted contributions made by the VJFA Hanoi to promoting the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Japan in the fields of environment, transport and green technology over the past time, saying these helped spur the capital city’s socio-economic development. 

She urged the chapter to further consolidate its partnerships and expand relations with Japanese partners by calling for investment and transferring technologies in environmental protection and urban transport development, especially in major urban areas like Hanoi. 

Over the past tenure, the VJFA Hanoi successfully organised activities marking major holidays of Hanoi, Vietnam as well as the celebration of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Japan. 

Besides, the chapter mobilised different resources for its operation, enhanced its solidarity and friendship with the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam and coordinated with relevant agencies to organise practical activities in a bid to strengthen the solidarity and friendship between Hanoi and Japan’s Tokyo. 

It aims to intensify communications work to promulgate foreign policies, especially people-to-people diplomacy, of the Party, State and Hanoi in particular, while promoting the land and people of Vietnam and Hanoi to Japanese friends, and hold more visits and cultural exchange programmes.

The congress elected a 26-member executive board headed by Vu Van Vien, Director of the municipal Department of Transport for the 2017-2022 term.

Congratulations to China on National Day

Top leaders of Vietnam have sent messages of congratulations to their Chinese counterparts on China’s 68th National Day (October 1).

The messages were cabled by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Tran Dai Quang, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan to Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and Chairman of the Presidium of the National People’s Congress Zhang Dejiang.

In the messages, the Vietnamese leaders congratulated the Chinese people on their achievements over the past 68 years and wished the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) a success.

They expressed their belief that under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the Chinese people will successfully accomplish the target of building a modern, prosperous, democratic, civilized, harmonious and socialist State.

The Vietnamese leaders also affirmed that the Party, State and people of Vietnam attach great importance to the friendship and comprehensive cooperation with China, and willing to join hands with their Chinese counterparts to develop relations between the two Parties and States in a stable and healthy manner, bringing practical benefits to their people and contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world.

On this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also extended congratulatory messages to Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Thai Nguyen hosts Vietnam-Laos friendship singing festival

A singing festival was held in the northern province of Thai Nguyen on September 30 to celebrate the 55th founding anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties and 40 years of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.

The event, the second of its kind, drew the participation of over 300 professional and amateur artists and Lao students in the province, who entertained the audience with 34 performances.

The performances featured cultural identities of ethnic groups and regions of both countries, and praise their time-honoured and special relations.

The organising board presented the first prize to the Culture School 1 under the Ministry of Public Security. Meanwhile, the second prize went to Luong Ngoc Quyen High School, and Thai Nguyen University of Education received the third prize.

Program brings joyful mid-autumn festival to kids in Ben Tre Province

With the hope to make kids from low-income families in the Mekong delta province of Ben Tre, a program was launched yesterday for 500 students in Tan Phu Tay Commune in Mo Cay Bac District. 

The program was jointly held by the Department of Information and Communications in Ho Chi Minh City, Sai Gon Giai Phong newspaper, the Department of Tourism and contributions of the city's General Library and some medical workers.

In the morning, the organizers provided free medical examination and drug distribution to 200 kids in the historic monument while in the afternoon, 500 poor kids in the commune took part in the Mid-autumn festival in Tan Phu Tay Primary School.

Each was given cakes , lantern, dairy products, confectioneries and books. Five needy students who have gained good achievement in studying received special gifts from the organizer.

Additionally, children watched musical performance, magic trick shows, and partook in games.

HCMC & Phu Yen cooperate to develop tourism

The Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association and Phu Yen Tourism Association jointly held yesterday the ceremony to review the program to promote local tourism sector 2017.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tam, Chairman of Phu Yen Tourism Association said through the program, the province achieved many successes as tourists traveling to Phu Yen increased sharply up to 30 percent in 2016 and higher than that in the first 9 months of 2017.

Phu Yen with many beautiful landscapes and local cuisines attracted many local and international tourists. The province has made big achievements since Vietnamese movie which filmed in the central coast province of Phu Yen, “Toi thay hoa vang tren co xanh” (I see yellow flowers on the green grass) has been screened and awarded in the country and abroad, added Tam.

Mr. Tam affirmed in the upcoming times, tourists would be provided tours with the stability of prices and high-quality services.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Khanh, the HCMC Tourism Association shared at the ceremony that Phu Yen tourism sector should continue connecting tourist sites between Phu Yen and neighboring provinces and the province should invest infrastructure development to welcome more and more tourists in next time.

She added that the program targets to connect the localities in the country, hoping that the localities would continue luring more and more domestic visitors.

Mr. Le Quoc Trung, deputy chairman of Sai Gon Railway Company said since the beginning of the year to date, Sai Gon Railway has sold over 40,000 train tickets, a threefold increase over the previous years.

German Unity Day celebrated in HCM City

A meeting was held in Ho Chi Minh City on September 30 by the municipal chapters of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations and the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Association (VDFG) to mark the 27th Day of German Unity (October 3).

President of the VDFG’s HCM City chapter Nguyen Huu Thien stated that the city is one of the localities with the most cooperation activities with Germany, particularly in the fields of culture, education, trade and investment, thus helping tighten relations between the two nations.

While appreciating the coordination and support from the German Consulate General and the German Business Association in implementing key cooperation projects in the city, Thien affirmed that his association will continue organising people-to-people diplomacy activities with German partners in order to further develop the bilateral ties.

Wilhelm Meyer, Attaché for Cultural and Economic Affairs at the German Consulate General in HCM City, said that the time-honoured friendship between Germany and Vietnam has experienced strong development, reflected through cooperation projects in culture, education, trade and investment.

The increasing number of German investors in Vietnam and the upcoming inauguration of the German House in HCM City manifest the attention Germany has paid to Vietnam as its important partner in the region, he added.

Germany is currently Vietnam’s important partner in the European Union in numerous fields such as politics, economy, trade, investment, science-technology, education-training and culture.

Two-way trade exceeded 8 billion USD in 2016, of which nearly 6 billion USD came from Vietnam’s exports, accounting for nearly 20 percent of Vietnam’s total export turnover to the EU.

By the end of April, Germany had ranked fifth in the EU and 20th in 116 nations and territories investing in Vietnam with 285 valid projects worth around 1.4 billion USD.

NA leader presents gifts to children in Tuyen Quang

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan on September 30 presented gifts to primary and secondary students in Son Duong district of the northern mountainous province of Tuyen Quang ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

While handing over the gifts to students at Ton Duc Thang and Tuan Lo Primary Schools, Trung Yen and Tuan Lo Secondary Schools, the NA leader wished the children a fancy festival and a good academic year.

On the same day, Chairwoman Ngan visited and planted a tree at the National Assembly’s Standing Committee Relic Site in Trung Yen commune of Son Duong district where preserves many valuable documentaries on the Vietnam’s National Assembly since the first election.

She also offered incense and flowers in tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at a temple worshiping the late leader in Nguyen Tat Thanh Square in Tuyen Quang city.

The chairwoman expressed her hope that the Party Organisation and people of Tuyen Quang will continue uphold the revolutionary tradition to reap greater development achievements, while preserving and promoting the values of its historical relic sites to educate patriotism for younger generations.

PM promises better social welfare for the elderly

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has agreed on a proposal to improve social welfare for the elderly, especially cultural institutions to serve their spiritual life.

PM Phuc gave the nod on September 29 while meeting leaders of  the Central Committee of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly and 30 outstanding old people in Hanoi on the occasion of International Day for Old Persons (October 1) and the Action Month for the Vietnamese Elderly.

The Government will continue studying social welfare policies and mechanisms to bring into full play valuable experience of the elderly, he said, stressing that strict punishments will be imposed on bad behaviours against old people as regulated in the Law on the Elderly.

PM Phuc affirmed that during the resistance wars or peacetime, the elderly have always made great contributions and been a backbone of each family. 

President of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly Pham Thi Hai Chuyen revealed that the association now has over 100,000 chapters across the nation with 8.6 million members. Of the total, 1.24 million are joining Party, Front and study encouragement affairs or working as heads of resident areas, hamlets and villages, while over 5.7 million still earn their living.

Chuyen noted that one-third of the elderly has yet to benefit from social protection allowances or others, so they need more attention from the State and society.

Vietnam is one of the five countries with the fastest aging rates in the world. The nation is home to 10.1 million old people, or 11 percent of the population. The figure is forecast to rise to 20 percent by 2038, equivalent to 20 million people.

Therefore, the association proposed the Government carry out policies or institutions suitable for the population aging.

FWD employees "share happiness" with elderly

As part of its first anniversary celebrations, FWD Vietnam Life Insurance Company Ltd gave gifts to inmates at the Thanh Loc Paralyzed Elder Nursing Centre in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 12 and the Centre for Social Protection No 4 in Ba Vi, Hanoi and its staff spent time with them and did voluntary work.

As part of the company’s “Happiness shared, Happiness fulfilled” initiative, its employees and agents spent an afternoon distributing the gifts, cutting seniors’ hair and cleaning their sleeping quarters. 

They also hosted a ‘birthday’ party to celebrate the seniors’ longevity and express appreciation for their lives.

Anantharaman Sridharan, FWD’s general director, said: "I’m moved to see our employees, agents and the social community come together so passionately to support this meaningful activity. 

“FWD wants to inspire people to share happiness with others.”

The campaign was shared on various social networks and quickly received supportive responses from the community with more than 34,000 wishes sent to the elderly.

FWD Group has a presence in Hong Kong and Macau, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam and Japan, offering life, medical and general insurance and employee benefits in many of the markets. 

Established in 2013, FWD is the insurance business of Pacific Century Group.

Phu Tho to reduce rate of poor households to 5 percent in 2020

The northern midland province of Phu Tho is striving to reduce the percentage of poor households to 5 percent by 2020, as part of its efforts to achieve sustainable poverty reduction and improve living conditions of local people.

According to the provincial Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the province now has about 41,000 poor families and over 31,000 near-poor households, accounting for 10.51 percent and 8 percent of the total number, respectively.

Of these households, 33 percent are from ethnic minority groups and 23 percent have at least one welfare beneficiary.

Phu Tho plans to invest more than 1 trillion VND (44 million USD), including 925 billion VND sourced from the state budget and 76 billion VND from the provincial funds, to carry out poverty reduction projects.

The money will be spent on developing local infrastructure, supporting production, diversifying rural livelihoods, and scaling up successful models of poverty reduction in disadvantaged communes.

To effectively implement the national target programme on sustainable poverty alleviation, the department has worked with State agencies and district administrations to update the status of the poor and underprivileged areas in order to better support them, said Director of the Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Bui Duc Nhan. 

It has worked to raise people’s awareness of poverty reduction and encourage them to be more independent and overcome difficulties, Nhan said, adding that it has also called on local organisations, businesses and individuals to join the efforts.

Hoi An named world's top 5 budget-friendly destination

With that, Vietnam's ancient port city has beaten the likes of Phuket, Bali and Penang to top Southeast Asia's most affordable places.

Post Office’s Holiday Money, a database of travel costs, has just revealed 30 cheapest cities for British travelers.

To little surprise, Hoi An has been named among the most affordable.

Rankings are based on the minimum required budget for 10 holiday items U.K. tourists are likely to purchase, including a cup of coffee, a pint of beer, a bottle of water, sun cream, insect repellent, and a three-course dinner for two with a bottle of wine.

At total cost of $102.86, this year the UNESCO-listed town in central Vietnam has jumped six spots from the previous year to fifth place worldwide and became the most affordable destination in Southeast Asia, according to Post Office’s Holiday Money.

In Hoi An, for just $3.54, travelers can have a taste of beer or they can pay $2.52 for a cup of coffee.

Affordable romantic dinner for two also makes Hoi An as a budget-friendly city where tourists can enjoy a date night for less than $70.

Leading the pack, to many people’s surprise, is the notoriously expensive Tokyo, where total cost for 10 mentioned items is $65.55.

Cape Town (South Africa), Mombasa (Kenya), Colombo (Sri Lanka) round out the top five cheapest travel destinations.

Other famous destinations in Southeast Asia including Penang (Malaysia), Phu Ket (Thailand) and Bali (Indonesia) all witnessed a rise in the costs.

Hoi An has repeatedly been featured in best-value destination lists. The city has been named the cheapest travel destination by budget tourism site Price of Travel, with daily expenses for a backpacker estimated at $22.29.

Deputy PM visits storm-affected residents in Ha Tinh

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue visited local residents in Ky Anh and Cam Xuyen districts in the central province of Ha Tinh on September 30, who were seriously affected by the storm Doksuri in mid-September.

The Deputy PM visited teachers and pupils at the Ky Thinh 2 Primary School in Ky Thinh commune and a kindergarten in Ky Lam commune, Ky Anh town which had collapsed due to the storm and are currently being repaired.

On behalf of donors, Deputy PM Hue granted financial aid worth nearly VND1.2 billion (US$52,800) to local residents affected by the storm and encouraged them to make efforts to overcome the aftermath of the storm.

He asked the authorities of Ha Tinh to quickly review the damages caused by the storm, particularly in disadvantaged areas to put forth measures to help the locals stabilise their lives as quickly as possible.

The Deputy PM believed that with previous experiences coping with natural disasters together with solidarity among the people, Ha Tinh will soon overcome difficulties to recover production and the daily life of the locals.

Deputy PM Hue also visited and presented gifts to 68 orphans and disabled children at the Ha Tinh orphanage ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival and expressed hope that the children would enjoy a warm festival.

He emphasised that the Party and Government have always given much attention to disadvantaged people, demonstrating that ‘The good leaves protect the worn out leaves’ tradition of the nation.

Popularising Vietnamese publications to world readers

The introduction of Vietnamese books to world readers has proven itself as an effective way to promote the land and people as well as the country’s literature and arts. However, the work has seen modest progresses over the past years despite efforts made by Vietnamese publishing houses, translators and writers.

In early 2017, the Department of Publishing, Printing and Issuing under the Ministry of Information and Communications reported that Vietnamese books have been mostly exported to Europe (UK and France) and Asian countries such as China, Japan and the Republic of Korea while the African and American markets have not yet been reached in regards to Vietnamese publications.

The department also noted a huge difference between exports and imports of the publishing sector in 2016 when the country exported 400,000 copies of books, 6.8 million newspapers and magazines, while it imported more than 41 million copies of books, 8.6 million newspapers and magazines at the same time. This trade deficit leads to consequence that in spite of Vietnam’s efforts to step up its international integration process, Vietnamese books have still been absent in the reading list of the world readers.

For many years, how to popularise Vietnamese books to the world market has been not only the concern of those working it the publication sector, but also the hope of Vietnamese writers and translators.

In 2002, Vietnam Writers’ Association hosted the first conference to promote Vietnamese literature abroad. The participation of 25 translators from 22 countries at the event showed encouraging sign of international friends’ interest in and willingness to popularise Vietnamese literature. The second conference was held eight years later, attracting 108 international participants from 34 countries across the globe. The third event, took place in 2015, and was attended by more than 150 international delegates from 43 countries and territory worldwide.

Thanks to the conferences, a number of Vietnamese publications have been translated and published abroad, including the ‘Nhat Ky Trong Tu’ (Prison Diary) by President Ho Chi Minh, which has been published in Canada, Czech Republic, and the Republic of Korea; and works by acclaimed Vietnamese poets Nguyen Du, Ho Xuan Huong, and Nguyen Trai have been introduced to readers in France, the US, Poland and Sweden.

In the same effort, Vietnamese publishing agencies have also taken measure to reach foreign markets with Tre (Youth) Publishing House having gained remarkable achievements.

In 2011, the publishing house released the English version of Vietnamese children’s book ‘ Vua Nham Mat Vua Mo Cua So’ (Open the window, eyes closed) by Nguyen Ngoc Thuan and introduced this book to the world market through websites, book fairs, and souvenir shops for foreign visitors to Vietnam. The work was then translated into Swedish and published in the European country.

Following its success, the publishing house continues releasing the bilingual version of books by Vietnamese most favourite authors, historical books, and Vietnamese folk fairy tales, targeting Vietnamese people living abroad as well as foreign readers in a bid to attract their interest in Vietnam.

As another successful example, in 2012, Chibooks – a new face in Vietnam’s publishing sector at that time, signed contracts with nearly 20 contemporary Vietnamese writers, who have authored nearly 100 literary works, to become their official representative of eight to ten years and to introduce their works abroad. The publishing house has also translated brief introductions of the books, writers’ biography, and articles reviewing the publications while closely coordinating with their partners in the host countries at meetings between Vietnamese writers and foreign readers, and book signing events. Chibooks’ professionalism and long-term vision is necessary in working with foreign partners in regards to working on copyright.

Another channel contributing to the popularisation of Vietnamese books to the world is the silent effort of Vietnamese and foreign writers, translators, and cultural researchers. They have served as “cultural ambassadors” who have introduced outstanding Vietnamese literary works abroad by utilising their personal contacts and influence.

The Vietnamese Literature Bookcase was launched in France in 2012 as an initiative of Dr. Doan Cam Thi, a Vietnamese – French researcher, lecturer and translator. Under the programme, more than 70 works by Vietnamese writers, such as Nguyen Binh Phuong, Vu Dinh Giang and Phan Hon Nhien, have been translated into French and published in France amongst the Francophone community.

Other notable ‘matchmakers’ of Vietnam literature and the world readers are translators Zhu Yangxiu and Tian Xiaohua from China, Ahn Kyung Hwan from the Republic of Korea, and Montira Rato from Thailand. Tian Xiaohua has exerted her effort to convince a prestigious Chinese publishing house to publish a short story collection, which groups stories by 21 Vietnamese contemporary authors. The collection has gained positive appreciation from Chinese readers. Tian Xiaohua has also planed to translate and introduce more Vietnamese literary works to people in her country.

Although the popularisation of Vietnamese publications abroad has gained encouraging results, a number of shortcomings and difficulties have also emerged. The lack of a strong team of translators, the absence of a functional agency in charge of advertising Vietnamese literature, along with the low budget for promotional campaigns have been listed as the main reasons.

Reality has also showen that many opportunities have been unexploited since Vietnamese publications have not yet met strict requirements from many international publishing houses, who agree to buy the copyright of a book if only it has recorded tens of thousands of copies. Meanwhile, Vietnamese publications are often sold at around 1,500 to 2,000 copies a year at the domestic market.

By popularising Vietnamese populations to world readers, we have simultaneously advertised Vietnamese culture to international friends. However, how to effectively introduce Vietnamese literature to the world requires efforts not only from publishing houses or individuals, but also from functional agencies and the entire publishing sector in general.

Deputy Prime Minister meets voters in Ha Tinh

Deputy Prime Minister VuongDinh Hue met with voters from districts of Huong Son and NghiXuan, central Ha Tinh province on September 30 and October 1 to collect feedback and proposals for the upcoming fourth meeting of the 14th National Assembly.

In the meeting, local voters spoke highly of the efforts by the NA and NA deputies of Ha Tinh concerning the making of laws and the handling of complaints from citizens. They also appreciated the government’s movements to build a transparent, facilitative and innovative administration for the benefit of people and business, and voiced support for its solutions to preventing corruption and improving the business climate.

Deputy PM Hue, for his part, affirmed that the voters’ desires are goals for the government and the NA. He provided the voters with updates on the country’s socio-economic development and answered their questions.

PhanTien Hung, a voter from Huong Son district, suggested that the government should have special policies for non-tariff areas as he was concerned that once the Free Trade Agreements Vietnam has signed come into force, duty elimination would affect the growth of the zones. In reply, the deputy PM said ministries will review all coastal and border gate economic zones and find new ways to create further development there.

Meanwhile, other voters proposed to the government to design more incentives to support farm products and prevent bumper crops leading to lower prices. In response, Hue promised to discuss the issue with the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Governor of the State Bank.

The government is formulating a resolution on agricultural insurance and agricultural investment attraction to boost the sector, he revealed.

Gathering celebrates diplomatic ties with Spain

A gathering was held by the Embassy of Vietnam in Madrid, Spain to mark the 72th anniversary of the Vietnamese National Day (September 2, 1945) and the 40th year of diplomatic ties with Spain (May 23, 1977).

The event, chaired by Ambassador Ngo Tien Dung, was attended by officials from the Spanish government and the High Commissioner for MarcaEspana, a long-term project aimed at strengthening Spain’s image among Spanish citizens and those abroad, diplomats in Madrid and Vietnamese students and expats living in Spain.

Guests at the gathering were served with Vietnam’s traditional dishes and enjoyed an exhibition of photos and documentaries about the country’s beautiful landscapes and people.

In his opening remarks, Dung looked back at milestones in Vietnam’s history since late President Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the country’s independence from France on September 2, 1945.

The country has seen a robust economic growth since the launch of the “DoiMoi” (Renewal) process in 1968. Its Gross Domestic Products have expanded at an average rate of 7.5 percent annually from 1986 to 2006 and grew at around 6 percent in the last decade, he said.

Vietnam has firmly pursued a foreign policy of peace and multifaceted international relations over the past 72 years and the country’s achievements during the national building have been enormously supported by international communities, including Spain, he added.

The ambassador also gave his guests an overview of the Vietnam-Spain relations as the bilateral cooperation between the two are developing in all fields. The two-way trade reached about US$3 billion in 2016 after growing to an annual rate of 15 percent in 16 years, he noted.

The two nations agreed to establish an inter-governmental committee on economic, trade and investment cooperation and signed the fifth financial programme during the visit of the Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh to Spain from May 23-25.

Vietnam-RoK Friendship Week begins in Ho Chi Minh City

The Vietnam-Republic of Korea (RoK) Friendship Week began in Ho Chi Minh City on October 1 to mark the RoK’s National Foundation Day (October 3) and the 25th anniversary of Vietnam-RoK diplomatic ties (1992-2017).

The event, which encompasses cultural programmes, artistic performances and cuisine displays, was co-organised by the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations, the RoK Consulate General in the City, and the municipal Youth Cultural House.

Vu Van Hoa, President of the municipal Vietnam-RoK Friendship Association, said that Vietnam and the RoK have made strong progress in their ties over the past 25 years, as demonstrated by the establishment of the strategic partnership and their remarkable partnership in trade, investment, culture and education.

Hoa thanked the RoK Consulate General, the RoK Businesspeople Association and the RoK community in the City for their valuable contributions to the bilateral friendship, and wished that more people-to-people exchanges would be held in order to promote mutual understanding and solidarity and bolster the bilateral ties.

Consul General Park Noh Wan emphasised that the Vietnam-RoK relations over the past 25 years have been fostered by generations of leaders and people and have thrived significantly in economics and culture.

He suggested organizing more exchange activities similar to the Vietnam-RoK Friendship Week as these will make entrepreneurs and people of the two countries closer.

On the occasion, the RoK Businesspeople Association in the City presented 46 scholarships to hard-hit university students with outstanding academic records and 20 bicycles to pupils that have disadvantaged backgrounds.

Outstanding civil servants honoured

The ‘Outstanding young civil servants’ award 2017 was presented to 45 young civil servants from across the country on September 30 in recognition of their outstanding achievements.

The event, the fourth of its kind in 2017, was jointly held by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour and the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee in the presence of Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Uong Chu Luu.

The 45 award winners were selected from 208 candidates from 57 provinces and Youth Union branches across the country that have developed new ideas and undertaken initiatives in their work, particularly participating in administrative reforms and building ethics conduct for civil servants.

Prominent among award winners are Nguyen Trong Sinh from the Customs Department of Ho Chi Minh City, Tran Thi Yen Thanh from the Department of Internal Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City and Hoang Minh Hai from the People’s Court of Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh City, among others.

As many as 192 outstanding young civil servants throughout the country have been presented with the awards in 2017.

NA Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu praised the accomplishments achieved by the 45 young officials, noting that they will set a good example for other young civil servants nationwide to follow.

Hoang Sa, Truong Sa exhibition comes to ethnic minority people

The exhibition, entitled “Vietnam’s Hoang Sa and Truong Sa: Historical and legal evidence”, has given local ethnic minority people in Bac Quang district, northern mountainous province of Ha Giang, a better understanding of Vietnam’s waters sovereignty.

The three-day event began on September 29 and showcased maps and historical archives featuring the country’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes as well as its waters and continental shelf in the East Sea.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Tran Duc Quy said he hopes that the exhibition will increase public awareness, especially among the youth, of patriotism, solidarity and responsibility to protect the country’s sea and island sovereignty.

After being held in Bac Quang, the exhibition will come to other remote and border districts of Ha Giang, stated Nguyen Van Tue, Director of the provincial Department of Information and Telecommunication.