Hanoi city hosts Italian culture fair

Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Duc Chung (second from right) and Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Cecilia Piccioni at the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the culture fair 

A culture fair entitled “2018 Italian Square” opened at Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi on November 10.

The two-day event was jointly held by the Embassy of Italy in Vietnam and the municipal People’s Committee. 

Italian cuisine and wine were served by the country’s award-winning chefs at the fair. 

It also included performances featuring Vietnamese and Italian artists. Various sport games were also arranged, as visitors could play football with trainers from the Juventus Academy Vietnam.

Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Cecilia Piccioni said the fair offered a chance to bring the two nations closer, while expressing her gratitude to Hanoi’s leaders for their support to bolster cooperation between the city and the Italian Embassy in Vietnam.

Hanoi is currently home to 21 Italian investment projects with total capital of more than 38 million USD. The city earned 142 million USD from exports to Italy while Italy is Hanoi’s 15th largest tourism market.

The event was designed to deepen the friendship between Hanoi and Italia, and part of activities to commemorate the 45th founding anniversary of Vietnam-Italy diplomatic ties (1973-2018).

Green offices to reduce GHG emissions

With nearly 2.8 million office workers, Việt Nam can cut up to 6 per cent of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by altering to green lifestyles and sustainable consumption, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Việt Nam reported on Thursday.

The conclusion follows an initiative entitled “Green Office – Low-carbon sustainable lifestyle in Việt Nam,” piloted at 11 different offices in Hà Nội, Đà Nẵng City and HCM City from May, 2017 to November, 2018 under the ten-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production.

The project is designed for office workers, aiming to reduce GHG emissions through limiting solid waste and the use of electricity, water, paper and stationery.

Guidance on green lifestyles and offices along with GHG emissions accounting tools were also developed based on the GHG Corporate Protocol. This document suggests workers take small steps including reducing food waste, using public transportation, telecommuting and carpooling to help protect the environment.

TUV Nord Việt Nam, a company in Hà Nội participating in the initiative, has reduced 25.8 per cent of their carbon consumption over the past year. The initiative, moreover, helps the company save VNĐ3-4 million (US$123-170) on their electricity bill per month by applying simple solutions such as increasing natural light or using fans along with air conditioners to help circulate air.

“The Green Office Initiative is suitable for offices of all sizes in Việt Nam and proved its efficiency applied at piloted offices. AIT-VN expects to expand the project and build recommendations for Việt Nam’s policies on environmental protection,” said Nguyễn Thị Bích Hoà, the project director.

Commitments of participants are the biggest challenges to the initiative.

“If officers see the benefits of the green office initiative to their companies, it will be better implemented,” she said.

“The results at pilot offices will be an important input for us, policymakers, to adjust policies in the near future to make it more consistent with the country’s green growth strategies,” said Nguyễn Tuấn Anh from the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

First TV series on architecture launched

Sentia primary School in Từ Liêm District by architect Hoàng Thúc Hào will be featured on the first episode of the series. — Photo toquoc.vn

The first ever documentary series on Vietnamese architecture has just been launched.

Titled Sự Cân Bằng Hoàn Hảo (Perfect Balance), the series of twelve 15-minute episodes will feature topics on the theme of ‘balance’ and introduce the country’s architectural styles as well as leading architects.

After each episode, experts will delve further into the issues.

Three architects hosting the series are Nguyễn Tuấn Anh, Nguyễn Hoàng Mạnh and Bùi Bình Minh, who also act as consultants and curators for the show.

“Through each episode, the programme hopes to tell an in-depth story on architecture and the creativity behind the projects,” said Phạm Anh Tuấn, General Director of VICOSTONE, at the launch ceremony in Hà Nội on November 8.

“We hope to promote the ideas of domestic architects in order to boost awareness and understanding of architecture in daily life. We name these ideas ‘The guidelines for creativity in Vietnamese architecture,’” he said.

According to architect Nguyễn Tuấn Anh, the programme focuses on highly-qualified and experienced architects.

“The buildings included in the show are unique,” he said. “They have not been introduced in any other TV shows.”

The first episode will feature architect Hoàng Thúc Hào and his latest work, the Sentia Primary School in Từ Liêm District, Hà Nội.

The following episode will be on architect Đoàn Thanh Hà, who has won international awards, and his latest creation, S Space in the northern province of Hà Nam. The building was inspired by nature.

Hà has created a space with separate walls that do not lean on one another or intersect. The whole building is like a cave with a solid foundation. The roof is reminiscent of clouds in nearby Kẽm Trống.

“If I am lost in a cave, my first reaction will be looking above for a light source,” Hà explained.

“In normal buildings, the walls help us find directions. I want people to lose their direction and force them to explore the space, to find the direction by the light above.”

The series will be broadcast at 8.30pm every Friday from November 9 on various channels including on the website: http://sucanbanghoanhao.vn, Facebook page Sucanbanghoanhao, Youtube,  Instagram, and public TV channels like Cable Saigontourist’s SCTV, New Family online magazine, Architecture Magazine, and Reatimes real estate magazine. 

Three get death sentence for drug trafficking

The defendants in court. Three people were sentenced to death and one was sentenced to life imprisonment for drug trafficking. — Photo vnexpress.net

Hà Nội People’s Court on Thursday sentenced three people to death and one to life imprisonment on charges of drug trafficking.

The death penalty was handed down to Lưu Văn Hùng, from HCM City, Đào Văn Khoan, 56, and Đào Văn Tùng, 25, both from Hà Nội.

Trần Hiếu Nghĩa, 36, from HCM City was sentenced to life imprisonment.

According to the indictment, Khoan and Đỗ Văn Thuần, 45, a resident of Hưng Yên Province, set up a drug trafficking ring to transport narcotics from Lạng Sơn Province to Hà Nội.

After Thuần bought 15kg of methamphetamine, Khoan instructed Tùng (Khoan’s cousin) to drive to Lạng Sơn Province and receive the goods. Thuần and Tùng were caught while transporting the drugs to Hà Nội for distribution.

As soon as he learned of the arrest, Khoan fled to Hà Nội. He continued purchasing drugs and sending them to HCM City for sale.

On February 20, Khoan was caught while transporting 8kg of methamphetamine, which he bought for VNĐ1.6 billion (US$68,600), to Lưu Văn Hùng, a dealer from HCM City.

As well as the 23kg of methamphetamine mentioned above, Khoan had deals with Hà Thị Thoa, who lives in China. The total amount of methamphetamine Khoan traded was up to 31kg.

Regarding Thuần, he committed suicide while in temporary detention so his conviction was suspended. 

Bạch Đằng bridge safe despite uneven road surface

Bạch Đằng bridge in northern Quảng Ninh Province. 

Technical factors and the quality of the new Bạch Đằng Bridge in northern Quảng Ninh Province meet design and safety standards, said representatives from relevant agencies.

The conclusion was agreed upon by all involved parties, including construction consultants, supervisors, designers, investors and construction workers, at a meeting with provincial authorities on Wednesday.

The meeting was held following media reports about the surface of the bridge undulating that appeared just two months after it was put into operation on September 1.

The 5.4km long cable-stayed bridge, which cost over VNĐ7.3 trillion (US$313 million), has three H-shaped pylons.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Vũ Văn Diện said the conclusion about the bridge’s safety was based on scientific monitoring and observational data.

Representatives from involved parties said all technical issues relating to the bridge including its cables and pillars were regularly examined to ensure they meet design requirements.  

They agreed that the road surface on the bridge was bumpy but said it was still within allowed limits to ensure traffic safety for vehicles crossing the bridge.

Hoàng Quốc Cường, head of the project’s supervision team, affirmed that the bridge’s structure ensured safety and all technical data met safety standards. Additional asphalt pavement would be added to make the bridge surface smoother, he said.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bạch Đằng Bridge BOT Joint Stock Company – the project’s investor ­­­– said it was normal in bridge construction projects for the bridge surface to show some unevenness.

For most bridges, the problem will be easily fixed by using a thin layer of concrete to cover the uneven parts. But for cable bridges like Bạch Đằng Bridge, it requires two to three months after opening for the cables to settle before the surface is fixed.

All involved parties discovered the unevenness and reported to the local authorities right after the bridge was put into operation and proposed measures to fix it.

“As soon as the bridge’s cables operate stably, the company will work with relevant agencies to fix the unevenness of the bridge surface,” Hòa said.

Nguyến Đức Thuận, head of the project’s design consultancy team, said all parametric variations of the bridge were within safety limits according to data from an observation system which was installed to independently assess the safety of the bridge.

Diện asked the project’s investor and relevant agencies to continue supervising the bridge’s quality and promptly take recovery measures to ensure traffic safety.

Rock blasts damage houses in Thanh Hóa

Nguyễn Hữu Tư, a resident in Nguyệt Ấn Commune in northern province of Thanh Hóa said his house suffered subsidence in the foundations and had 60 cracks. — Photo dantri.com.vn

More than 300 families in Nguyệt Ấn Commune in the northern province of Thanh Hóa have claimed rock blasting during the construction of the northern Chu and southern Mã Rivers Irrigation System project is threatening their lives and damaging their houses.

Hoàng Đình Hào, a resident in Nguyệt Ấn Commune, said his family’s three houses were affected, particularly the one 20m from the canal. The two-storey house has cracks on the walls and the roof and was sinking.

“My family lives in fear every day as the cracks are widening,” he said, adding he sent a letter to the district’s People’s Committee about the incident.

Nguyễn Hữu Tư, another resident, said his two-year-old house suffered subsidence in the foundation and had 60 cracks each 1-9m long.

In addition to creating cracks on walls, the projects also affected underground water in the locality, online dantri newspaper reported.

Most of the wells residents used daily were drained, forcing them to spend money drilling new ones.

Late last year, after inspecting the project, Nguyễn Đức Quyền, vice chairman of Thanh Hóa Province People’s Committee, asked the project’s contractor to assess the damage and compensate affected households. However, compensation has not been paid.

Residents said they weren’t satisfied with the offered compensation, blaming a lack of transparency.

Three of the 349 households had received compensation of more than VNĐ4.7 billion (US$201,600), while many households that suffered serious damage were offered compensation from VNĐ1 million-300 million ($43-12,900)

Locals also said they’d sent complaint letters to authorised agencies often, asking the compensation be reviewed.

Nguyễn Hữu Đức, vice chairman of Nguyệt Ấn Commune’s People’s Committee confirmed to the newspaper that 349 households were affected by the construction of the irrigation project.

Local authorities have sent the list of households to the district authority and asked the contractor to solve the problem soon.

The northern Chu and southern Mã Rivers Irrigation System is set to be more than 370 km long with total investment of over VNĐ 4.3 trillion ($184.5 million) from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. It was started in 2011 and is basically completed.

The project aims to divert water from Cửa Đạt and Dốc Cáy lake (Thường Xuân District) to more than 31,000 hectares of agricultural land and supplying water for many localities in Thanh Hóa Province including Thọ Xuân, Yên Định , Thiệu Hóa, Ngọc Lạc and Thường Xuân. 

Ninh Bình farms go high-tech

Local farmers in the northern province of Ninh Bình’s Ninh Bình City have earned a better living by applying hi-tech farming practices.

Vũ Văn Bảng, of Ninh Phúc Commune’s Đoài Thượng Village in the province, has changed his life by applying technology in growing flowers over the last couple of years.

Bảng said he used to plant a lot of vegetables to earn a living, but the income was not enough to cover his family’s expenses.

He decided to try another method, planting flowers instead of vegetables.

However, everything is hard before it is easy.

His income was largely unchanged after planting daisies, roses and gladiolus flowers in his garden.

Bảng spent many nights to thinking about the problem. He even came to localities that were very successful in growing flowers to learn from the farmers’ experiences.

Then he discovered that the method he used to plant his flowers was outdated.

“It needed to be changed to catch up with current trends,” he said.

When he returned to his hometown in 2016, Bảng decided to apply a hi-tech farming model.

He built solid grid, bought weed control fabric and starting running an automatic irrigation system on his 1.800sq.m garden.

Bảng earned VNĐ480 million ($20,700) in 2016 and VNĐ570 million ($24,600) in 2017.

He plans to triple the area of his garden in the time to come.

Bảng is not the only success story.

Phạm Văn Hưng of the commune’s Ninh Sơn Ward tripled his income within one year after building an automatic irrigation system in his turmeric field.

He brought in VNĐ270 million ($11,600) last year from cultivating herbs and old and antique roses.

Hưng also used the automatic irrigation system in his garden. The system helped him save water and cut down on labourers, who had been tasked with watering the flowers every day.

The commune’s Ninh Phúc Garden Co-operative has also built an automatic irrigation system.

Data from the co-operative showed that using the irrigation system had led to a 60 per cent reduction in its total water usage.

The improvement of residents’ income is also thanks to the local authorities’s encouragement.

The city administration issued a policy to encourage individuals and organisations to apply science and technology in production.

First, local growers would receive a water fee discount and exemption. In Việt Nam, irrigation systems in fields were built by local authorities with funds from the State budget. Farmers had to pay a fee to use the irrigation system each year.

Second, local growers were given free training courses to update their skills and knowledge of hi-tech farming models.

Furthermore, last year the city built four hi-tech farming models for vegetables and flowers, covering a total area of over 2,500sq.m, so that local growers could learn how to apply the models in their own gardens.

This support has made the city a bright spot in the province’s cultivation sector. 

VWS gifts waste treatment trucks to HCM City, Long An, Kiên Giang

VWS presents six waste treatment trucks to HCM City, Long An and Kiên Giang on Thursday. 

Việt Nam Waste Solutions (VWS) on Thursday gifted two eco-friendly garbage trucks each to HCM City and Long An and Kiên Giang provinces.

The trucks, the first special-use units of their kind in Việt Nam and with advantages over other vehicles currently in use, were designed on the company’s orders.

Each can carry 10 tonnes of garbage and is equipped with a waste compression compartment. They also have a sewage leachate container to prevent effluents from running onto the street.

They have an automatic atomizer to deodorise unpleasant smells and give off a fragrant smell whenever they stop, thus not causing discomfort to people in other vehicles.

The eco-friendly trucks are powered by compressed natural gas that helps reduce harmful emissions, and have a system of cameras that allow their drivers to monitor their surroundings.

Each of the special-use truck costs some US$500,000 (equivalent to VNĐ12 billion), according to VWS.

David Dương, president of California Waste Solutions and CEO of Việt Nam Waste Solutions’ Đa Phước integrated waste-treatment facility in HCM City’s Bình Chánh District, said his company imported just six trucks for trialling due to the high price.

It hopes to import a larger number in the years to come, especially when the demand for the vehicle increases, bringing down the price.

Or else it could tie up with local partners to set up a plant and obtain the technology from the US to manufacture the vehicles in the country so that the price would be more reasonable, he said.

The US consul in HCM City, Mary Tarnowka, in her congratulatory remarks at the event, said Việt Nam Waste Solutions’ investment not only provides an important municipal service but also incorporates tens of millions of dollars in US equipment exports and US technologies for treating contaminated liquids, recycling waste and converting waste to energy.

She quoted US ambassador to Việt Nam, Danie Kritenbrink, as saying “the US is invested in Việt Nam’s success.”

Since the U.S.-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement took effect in 2001, their trade had grown by over 3,000 per cent, she said.

“There are great reasons for Việt Nam to put its trust in American businesses. US companies offer some of the best, most-cutting edge technologies and are responsible and reliable investors… And partnering with US investors supports growth that is sustainable and responsible.” 

BASF helps children learn chemistry through fun experiments

Schoolchildren conduct fun experiments to understand how vitamin C helps improve human health. Photo courtesy of BASF Vietnam

Nearly 600 schoolchildren in HCM City participated yesterday in the BASF Kids’ Lab, an interactive educational programme for kids aged six to 12 to discover the world of chemistry through simple and safe hands-on experiments.

They conducted two fun experiments to understand how vitamin C helps improve human health under the guidance of employees of BASF, a German chemical company.

They measured and compared the vitamin C content and other nutrients in a number of fruits and vegetables. 

The experiment allowed them to get an understanding of the benefits of having colourful vegetables and fruits in their diet. 

They also made use of everyday materials like red cabbage, lemon and baking soda, and applied simple science theories to turn a piece of white paper into a vivid, decorated butterfly.

Participants included children from Nhật Tảo and Trương Công Định primary schools in District 6, Bình Hưng and Cầu Xáng primary schools in Bình Chánh District and An Lạc 3 and Bình Trị 2 primary schools in Bình Tân District. 

Children from the Lucky House Social Welfare Centre in Bình Tân District were also invited.

Begun in Germany in 1997 to nurture kids’ interest in chemistry, the programme has since been taken to more than 30 countries, including China, the UK, the US, Australia, Singapore, India, and Japan.

BASF has also launched the Virtual Lab, an online platform that offers children a variety of interactive chemistry experiments in Vietnamese and enables children to experience the joy of chemistry any time, anywhere with ease and fun.  

Teaching experts urge use of technology to maximise potential

Gordon Lewis from the Oxford University Press speaks at the conference. 

Experts and speakers from Oxford University Press, Cambridge University, MacMillan Education and National Geographic Learning outlined new ways of teaching English using technology during a conference held on Friday in Hà Nội.

The Việt Nam–USA Society hosts the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) conference annually. This year, the theme focused on Teaching with Technology: Creativity and Innovation.

It gathered 1,000 participants interested in learning and teaching English in Việt Nam.

This awakens teachers to the changes in English language teaching and learning so that they will be able to successfully cope with this fast-changing globalised world, where local learners grow up surrounded by global developing technology, internet access, and a myriad of digital devices infiltrating into all aspects of their daily life, according to Steven Happel from the Việt Nam–USA Society.

The experts discussed smartphone use in the classroom, maximising the potential of technology in language teaching, creative use of internet materials and trends in teenage classrooms.

Technology has always been a part of education, said Gordon Lewis from the Oxford University Press.

“Look at concrete examples of how technologies can enhance our strength and help us manage an ever growing stream of data and turn this into the knowledge we need to make critical decisions in the learning process,” he said.

The experts encouraged learners and teachers to use social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Youtube to enhance reaction and develop personal skills. 

Sanest Khánh Hòa: The power of young blood training

Sanest Khánh Hòa were crowned champion in national volleyball cup 2017. — Photo volleyball.vn

The success of Sanest Khánh Hòa men’s volleyball team in recent tournaments is a proof of the power of training the young team.

Beside the expertise, the team’s solidarity and bonds between coaches and players has brought victory for Sanest Khánh Hòa.  

After changing the formation and captain while at the same time building new strategy, it took the South Central Coast team only a short time to qualify in the National Volleyball Cup 2018 tournament.

Needless to say, fans have never felt so proud as the team entered the final four of the tournament.

Only a year ago, many youngsters had to play for other teams as mercenaries, while the rest had little chance to prove themselves despite their talents.

Many players like Nguyễn Văn Phong, Lê Quang Đoàn, Dương Văn Tiên played well in the final round of PV – Cà Mau 2018 Cup, which ended on November 4. 

Hitter Nguyễn Đình Nhu once struggled to find a club, but under the training of head coach Thái Quang Lai, is starting to develop. 

The most regrettable for the team in this tournament was the lack of left-handed Nguyễn Quốc Đoàn due to injury. 

“I have had only received training from coach Lai recently but I found it so motivating and helpful,” said hitter Nhu.

“Beside the expertise in the team, I feel I have found a place where I belong, finding myself in a real brotherhood to help when I have troubles in life. The coach and training board always care for me and other members. Therefore, I promise to devote all of myself to the team,” said hitter Nhu.

Khánh Hòa really had many changes in personal technique, style and attack speed. The power of setters has been improved, with more tactics, and faster moves.

After being crowned champions, the team only took a day off and be back to work, as their next big target is national sports festival 2018, launched from November 26 to December 9 in the capital.

Hanoi Forum puts forth valuable lessons for Vietnam

Participants at the forum 

The Hanoi Forum 2018, hosted by the Vietnam National University, Hanoi, closed on November 10 after two days of working with one plenum, two discussion sessions and two policy dialogues related to sustainable development and adaptation to climate change.

Themed “Towards Sustainable Development-Climate Change Response for Sustainability and Security”, the two-day forum aimed to contribute to global efforts in implementing sustainable development goals through sci-tech research and academic exchange.

At the closing session, representatives of the sub-committees reported the outcomes of discussions of experts and scientists about five groups of issues, including evidence of climate change and security; human influence in climate change; response to climate change; policy and governance in climate change response and sustainable growth; and science, technology, and education on climate change response and sustainable growth.

Experts suggested the Vietnamese government take prioritized solutions to improve the country’s capacity in coping with climate change and call for the whole society’s due attention to environmental protection while boosting economic development.

The enhancement of public awareness and building of capacity in climate change adaptation should be conducted regularly, they said.

Delegates held that the discussion outcomes of international experts would be valuable lessons for Vietnam in dealing with challenges caused by climate change.

Reports presented at the forum also provided foundations for Vietnam to prepare a report for the 24th Conference of the Parties (COP24) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to be held in Poland in December.

Policy recommendations on climate change adaptation toward sustainable development in cities and natural disaster prevention and control in the Red River and Mekong Deltas will help Vietnam realize the Party’s resolutions on natural resource and environment management, climate change response, calamity mitigation and sustainable development.

British festival opens in Hanoi

Ambassador of the UK to Vietnam Gareth Ward addresses the opening ceremony of InspireMe Festival (Source: Dangcongsan.vn)

The InspireMe Festival, organised by the British Embassy in Vietnam with cooperation from the Hanoi People’s Committee opened in the capital city on November 9 to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Vietnam-UK diplomatic ties (1973-2018).

Addressing the event, Ambassador of the UK to Vietnam Gareth Ward said that the festival showcased the creativity and dynamism of the UK, bringing inspiration from the country’s assorted fields.

It is an opportunity for Vietnamese people to enjoy the festive atmosphere of the UK in the heart of Hanoi, he stated.

The opening ceremony featured a fashion show with a combination of Vietnam’s traditional “ao dai” (long dress) and well-known UK brands.

The three-day festival focuses on the three themes of “Innovation”, “Gender Equality”, and “Say No to Single-Use Plastic Products”, with a variety of activities.

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee Ngo Van Quy highly appreciated that the festival dedicated a space on wildlife conservation and protection, as well as the fight against illegal wildlife trade in Vietnam.

There are also typical products on display by more than 3,000 British enterprises that are operating in Vietnam in the fields of education, culture, sports, science-technology, fashion, music and linguistics.

Visitors at the festival have the opportunity to watch the finale of a music contest, an outdoor screening, a photo exhibition featuring the UK’s landscape and culture and a Premier League livestream.

Seminars on Holographic 3D technology, computing technology by 2025, vocational guidance, health, and gender equality in the workplace are also scheduled on the occasion.