RoK, Quang Nam enhance cultural cooperation

The Republic of Korea (RoK) and Vietnam’s central province of Quang Nam will intensify community and cultural activities, and share experience in preserving and promoting cultural values. 

An agreement to this effect was signed in Quang Nam on December 15, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the RoK (December 22) and ASEAN-RoK Cultural Exchange Year 2017. 

An exhibition showcasing nearly 100 photos, paintings and documents on the RoK, tourist sites in Quang Nam and cooperation activities between Quang Nam and Korean localities is underway in the province.  

Quang Nam is home to UNESCO-recognised My Son Sanctuary and Hoi An ancient town and beautiful landscapes, among other attractions.

The locality hopes to welcome more than 5 million visitors in 2017.

Quang Nam has set up partnerships with the Korea International Cooperation Agency and the International Lotus Village of the RoK. 

It has also attracted more than 30 Korean projects, which have contributed to local socio-economic development.

Thua Thien-Hue: Project strives for better future for needy children, youth

A project to create a brighter future for disadvantaged children and youths in central Thua Thien-Hue province was launched during a workshop in Hue City on December 14.

The project, worth 7.5 billion VND (over 329,000 USD) funded by International Plan Vietnam, aims to provide 226 street children with the chance to pursue education and expand support for 350 underprivileged youths, especially young women.

It will also provide support in capital funding and livelihood for 70 poor households with street children and children with disabilities to boost their income. 

In addition, it will work to improve capacity for three local non-governmental organisations – the Centre for Community for Development and Social Work (CODES), Centre for Community Capacity Development (CYCAD) and REACH, a non-profit provider of vocational training, career advice and job placement services for Vietnamese disadvantaged youths.

International Plan Vietnam aims to integrate child protection, with the focus on child sexual abuse and child labour, in the project’s intervention activities and strengthen links between local authorities and schools.

Representatives from International Plan Vietnam, CODES, CYCAD and REACH signed a memorandum of understanding on the project, which started from November 2017, and will run through to July, 2020.

The workshop reviewed achievements of International Plan Vietnam and CODES in the project, namely “A brighter future for street children in Thua Thien-Hue”, from September 2014 to July 2017, benefiting about 300 street children, 40 disadvantaged youths and 90 poor families in Thua Thien-Hue. The project helped reduced the number of street and working children in the province by one third.

Vietnamese people in Russia celebrate New Year

The Vietnamese Embassy in Russia and the Vietnamese Community in the country on December 14 held a cultural event to celebrate the upcoming New Year.

The event was attended by Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Nguyen Thanh Son and his spouse, along with staff members of the embassy and overseas Vietnamese in the country. It featured musical performances and plays by artists from the Youth Theatre of Vietnam.

Vice head of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Ngoc Dinh said Vietnam-Russia relations have developed but still hold great potential, especially in cultural exchanges.

A similar event is scheduled be held at the Moscow State Pedagogical University on December 16 for Vietnamese students in Russia.

Kon Tum police bust illegal transport of firecrackers

Traffic police in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum on December 15 discovered and captured some 300 kilogrammes of illegally transported firecrackers.

At 6:30 am, the police stopped a suspicious taxi on National Highway 14 in Hoa Binh commune, Kon Tum city, for inspection and found six large bags containing packages of firecrackers weighing about 300 kilogrammes.

The driver, 30 year-old Vu Manh Trinh residing in Pleiku, Gia Lai province, told police that he had been hired to transport the goods from Ngoc Hoi district in Kon Tum province to Pleiku.

The driver, his taxi and all exhibits were handed over to local police.

During December 11-14, authorities at Bo Y International Border Gate seized nearly 498 kilogrammes of firecrackers illegally transported from Laos to Vietnam.

The production, trade and use of firecrackers has been banned in Vietnam since 1994.

Previously, firecrackers were usually set off in the country before and during Tet holiday as a tradition.

Quang Ngai asked to roll out measures to end illegal fishing

Acting Director of the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Ngoc Oai has asked the central province of Quang Ngai to apply strong measures to end local fishermen’s violations in foreign waters.

At a meeting with provincial leaders on December 14, Oai asked Quang Ngai to continue implementing Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s directions on preventing illegal fishing and to popularise the directions among local fishermen.

The locality should join hands with ministries and sectors to bring Vietnam out of the EU’s “yellow card” list, he said.

A report of the Quang Ngai People’s Committee showed that as of November 2017, the province had 5,580 fishing vessels with total capacity of more than 1,600 CV, over 1,300 of which often operated offshore. The vessels employ a total of about 38,000 labourers.

As of December this year, 29 local fishing vessels had been interrupted by Chinese vessels while operating in waters around Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, three of which were sunken. 

However, some illegal fishing cases have also been reported. Nguyen Quang Trung, Vice Chairman of the Binh Son district People’s Committee, said the problem mostly arises due to fishermen’s lack of awareness.

Le Thanh Tan, Vice Chairman of the Duc Pho district People’s Committee pointed to shortcomings in communication work, as well as weak punishments.

A Quang Ngai city representative suggested urging fishermen to sign commitments not to violate fishing regulations, while designing policies to encourage them to operate in Hoang Sa waters and banning violated vessels from fishing.

Taiwan man faces life sentence in Vietnam for gold investment fraud

A businessman from Taiwan is facing life imprisonment for conning hundreds of people out of almost US$12 million through an illegal gold trading floor he ran in Vietnam.

Hsu Ming Jung, a.k.a. Saga, 42, stood trial before a Hanoi court on December 13 for the fraudulent appropriation of assets connected with the Khai Thai investment consulting firm, of which he was the founder and general director.

According to his indictment, Hsu hired several Vietnamese nationals in 2011 to work as directors of Khai Thai and serve as a cover for the company’s real business of mobilizing gold and cash from the public in the form of entrusted investments.

The company was also found to be running illegal gold and foreign currency trading under the guise of an investment consulting firm.

Gold investment accounts are not recognized in Vietnam and, contradictory to advertisements, Khai Thai did not have a single business connection with any trading floor anywhere in the world.

Despite the fact, the company led investors into believing that it was a major gold investment account company in China with profitable businesses based in Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

In reality, the firm operated by taking one investor’s money to pay for another, according to the indictment.

Employing this fraudulent tactic, Hsu and his accessories were able to con 724 people out of nearly VND270 billion (US$11.89 million) between 2012 and 2014.

Hsu was found to be the mastermind behind the organization while his six Vietnamese accomplices acted as legal representatives and paper pushers for Khai Thai.

The People’s Procuracy of Hanoi at December 13’s hearing proposed that the Taiwanese man be sentenced to life imprisonment while his Vietnamese partners receive between three and 20 years behind bars, considering the fact that the defendants’ actions were of especially dangerous nature and that a large sum of money was involved.

Giant dogs to take over Saigon flower street in celebration of Lunar New Year

Saigon's annual flower extravaganza will be accompanied by colorful canines this Lunar Festival to celebrate the Year of the Dog.

The festival, running along 720 meters (2,400 feet) of Nguyen Hue walking street, will be open on February 13 and feature flower displays and giant statues of dogs inspired by the Phu Quoc Ridgeback, a rare breed native to the namesake southern island.

A family of dogs with puppies will be there to welcome visitors at the entrance, while dogs riding a train along the street will be a first for most guests.

giant dogs to take over saigon flower street in celebration of lunar new year hinh 1
A colorful statue made from tiny flowers and leaves will stand 3.6 meters tall around halfway down Nguyen Hue, while three huge wooden dogs will be standing guard at the end.

Cartoon versions of typical festival items such as sticky rice cakes, watermelons and candied fruits will also be on display.

The Year of the Dog will start on February 16 and the labor ministry has proposed a one-week national break between February 14-20 to mark the country’s biggest festival, known as Tet in Vietnamese. The prime minister needs to sign off on the proposal to make it official.

Saigon’s flower street first opened 15 years ago and has become a major attraction, drawing thousands of people every day during the celebrations.

Nguyen Xuan Thang assigned to take charge of PCC’s Theoretical Council

Nguyen Xuan Thang, Secretary of the Party Central Committee (PCC), Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Vice Chairman of the PCC’s Theoretical Council, has been assigned by the Politburo to be in charge of the PCC’s Theoretical Council, as the council’s current chairman, Dinh The Huynh, is on leave for disease treatment.

Addressing a ceremony to announce the Politburo’s decision in Hanoi on December 14, Pham Minh Chinh, Politburo member, Secretary of the PCC and Head of the PCC’s Organisation Commission, emphasised that Thang’s assignment aims to ensure the direct, comprehensive, regular and constant leadership of the Politburo, the PCC’s Secretariat and the PCC, toward the Party’s theoretical work.

Chinh expressed his belief that in his new position, Nguyen Xuan Thang would continue to foster his capabilities, knowledge, experience and firm political stance, thus exceptionally completing the tasks assigned by the Politburo.

Voicing his great honour at the Politburo’s trust, Thang pledged to join other members of the PCC’s Theoretical Council to build on the over 20 year tradition of the council, whilst continuously developing and renovating his mindset in order to meet the requirements of the theoretical work of the Party and the country in the new situation.

Steering Committee 389 launches campaign to prevent smuggling and trade frauds

The National Steering Committee for Combating Smuggling, Commercial Fraud and Counterfeit Goods (National Steering Committee No. 389) has launched a peak-season anti-smuggling, commercial fraud and counterfeit good campaign ahead of the upcoming Lunar New Year 2018.

Accordingly, the Steering Committee urged relevant authorities at all levels to strengthen the direction of concerned functional forces towards stepping up the fight against smuggling and counterfeit goods, especially in the hot spots of smuggling, trade frauds and counterfeits. Agencies and functional units shall intensify patrol, inspection and control to ensure timely detection and prevention of acts of smuggling, trade frauds and counterfeit goods at various levels and their fields of management.

Specifically, the police, market management force and specialised inspectors were asked to strictly control the domestic market to detect and handle violations, while intensifying specialised inspections and examinations of business conditions, taxation, bills, origins, labels and quality standards.

Customs forces and border guards should focus on detecting and handling violations at border-gates and border areas, in addition to taking measures to scrutinise and closely control goods and luggage of passengers on entry or exit via air routes and land and sea border gates.

Vietnam’s coast guard should assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with other anti-smuggling forces, while strengthening measures to fight smuggling for petroleum and minerals in the sea by focusing efforts on the northeastern and southwestern seas.

The Steering Committee also asked for promoting information campaigns in newspapers, radio and mass media at both central and local levels to facilitate effectiveness of anti-smuggling, commercial fraud and counterfeit goods.

National Drama Theatre established as cradle of talented Vietnamese artists

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Vuong Duy Bien has stressed that over its 65-year history, the Vietnam National Drama Theatre has established itself as a cradle of many generations of talented Vietnamese artists.

The official made the remark at a ceremony held in Hanoi on December 14 to celebrate the theatre’s 65th founding anniversary (1952-2017).

Congratulating the theatre’s artists on their anniversary, Deputy Minister Bien described the National Drama Theatre as a “big elder brother” and the “leading bird” of Vietnamese theatre and the performing arts.

He praised the contributions made by many generations of the theatre’s officers and actors to the development of Vietnam’s revolutionary arts, successfully producing hundreds of plays at domestic and international stages and winning enthusiastic applause from audiences at both home and abroad.

Actors at the theatre were also appreciated for their effort in meeting the entertainment demand of the Vietnamese people, bringing joy to people and soldiers in remote areas, border areas, sea and island regions.

At the ceremony, Deputy Minister Vuong Duy Bien awarded the Labour Order first class to the theatre in recognition of its contributions to the country’s development of the arts and culture.

Formerly known as the Central Arts Group, Vietnam National Drama Theatre has trained 15 generations of stage artists, 25 of whom have been honoured as People’s Artists and 58 others recognised as Meritorious Artists.

Over the past 65 years, the theatre has mounted nearly 400 plays, including classic masterpieces such as Romeo & Juliet, Midsumer night’s Dream, King Lear, and Medea.

The Theatre has also fostered exchanges and cooperation with foreign partners, as well as taking part in many international drama theatre festivals all over the world.

On the occasion of its 65th anniversary, a programme is being held at the Vietnam National Drama Theatre, 1 Trang Tien street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi to introduce to the audiences a variety of outstanding plays of the theatre, which were produced over the past two years.

U.S. oncology software launched in Vietnam

Software technology IBM Watson for Oncology developed by U.S. company IBM has just been introduced in Vietnam. The technology, based on expert training by Memorial Sloan Kettering physicians, is expected to provide clinicians with evidence-based treatment options.

The software allows physicians to enter the patient’s diagnostic information into the IBM cognitive computing system. It assesses the medical conditions of the patient by referencing tens of millions of medical records in order to provide the best clinical protocol.

The technology assists oncologists in offering treatment options based on medical records. As a result, their diagnosis and treatment will be faster.

The World Health Organization has placed Vietnam at 78th among 172 countries with high cancer fatalities, with a cancer death rate of 110 for every 100,000 people. The number of cancer patients in the country has been on the rise with the figure forecast to reach 190,000 cases in 2020 compared to just 68,000 in 2000.

Five9 Vietnam, a local private telecoms and software company, has launched the technology on a trial basis at the Phu Tho General Hospital in the northern province of Phu Tho.

After the trial scheme, IBM and Five9 will introduce the software on a large scale. They intend to help doctors and patients across the country to have access to the technology.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, a cancer treatment and research institution founded in 1884 in New York City, is working with IBM to train Watson Oncology to interpret cancer patients’ clinical information and identify individualized, evidence-based treatment options that leverage their specialists’ decades of experience and research.

The software has been available at 80 hospitals and other healthcare facilities in 11 countries.

Nguyen Trong Huan, chairman of Five9 Vietnam, said IBM Watson for Oncology ensures consistency in treatment regimens for patients whether they go to either local or central hospitals. Besides, it helps doctors look for professional information regularly updated, enabling them to keep well informed of the latest treatment methods, and thus improving the quality of cancer treatment.

Tran Quy Tuong, director of the Information Technology Department under the Health Ministry, said the application of artificial intelligence in the healthcare sector has become an indispensable trend. IBM Watson for Oncology is expected to support doctors in coming up with treatment regimens for cancer patients in a more accurate and effective manner.

Ngo Huu Ha, deputy director of Phu Tho General Hospital, said the technology will help doctors save a great deal of time while looking up information so that they can spend more time improving patient care.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Viet Tien said IBM Watson for Oncology is a new advance in the application of information technology in healthcare activities for cancer patients in Vietnam.

Friendship between Phan Boi Chau, Asaba Sakitaro highlighted

The special partnership between patriot Phan Boi Chau of Vietnam and doctor Asaba Sakitaro from Japan is a vivid manifestation of the friendship and cooperative ties between the two countries, heard an international seminar held in the central province of Nghe An on December 15.

The event was held by the provincial People’s Committee, Vietnam National University-Hanoi and the Japan Foundation. 

Professor Nguyen Xuan Thang, Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, highlighted that the event was significant as it was part of the activities to celebrate 150th birthday of patriot Phan Boi Chau and doctor Asaba Sakitaro.

Discussions at the seminar affirmed historical and cultural values in Chau’s thoughts and the relations between Chau and Sakitaro, Thang said, adding that the relations helped develop Vietnam-Japan friendship.

He stressed that Vietnam and Japan relations are in the finest phase since the two established diplomatic ties in 1973.

Scientists, researchers and scholars at the seminar presented important reports on Phan Boi Chau, the initiator of Dong Du (Travelling to the East for study) movement, his contributions to cultural exchanges between Vietnam and Japan and his friendship with doctor Asaba Sakitaro which formed a basis for Vietnam-Japan relations.

In response to the Dong Du movement, hundreds of Vietnamese students went to study in Japan in hope that they could help reform the country in return. When the movement faced difficulties in 1908, Chau received whole-hearted support from doctor Asaba Sakitaro and people in Fukuroi. 

After leaving Japan, Chau continued his activities in several countries in the world. In 1918, he returned to Japan and learnt that his friend passed away nine years ago. Chau and people in Fukuroi raised funds for a memorial stele of the late doctor near his tomb.

Although the Dong Du movement failed and those students had to go home, what Asaba and Fukuroi residents had done for Chau and his followers remains forever in the Vietnamese people’s hearts.

Christmas greetings extended to Catholics

Standing Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh wished Catholic dignitaries and followers a merry Christmas while visiting the Archdiocese of Hanoi on December 15. 

He informed Archbishop of the Hanoi Archdiocese Cardinal Nguyen Van Nhon about achievements Vietnam has recorded in socio-economic development and national defence over the past time, especially the fight against corruption. 

Binh applauded contributions made by religious people in general and Catholic followers in particular to such achievements. 

The Deputy PM also highlighted contributions of the Hanoi Archdiocese to implementing guidelines and policies of the Party, as well as policies and laws of the State. 

He expressed his hope that under the leadership of Cardinal Nhon, the Hanoi Archdiocese will do more to build and protect the great national unity bloc. 

On this occasion, Binh visited the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (North) (ECVN) where he called on Christians to carry forward the tradition of patriotism and contribute more to national construction and defence. 

Pastor Nguyen Huu Mac, head of the ECVN, briefed the Deputy PM on operation outcomes of the Church in 2017, particularly its 35th General Assembly in October. 

He pledged to continue coordinating with local authorities to better care for cultural and spiritual life of Protestants. 

Visiting the Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics the same day, Binh urged the committee to encourage Catholic people to join hands in production, poverty reduction and national development. 

Acting President and General Secretary of the committee priest Tran Xuan Manh promised that Catholic followers will lead a good life, both secularly and religiously, and strictly follow guidelines and polices of the Party and State, especially the Law on Belief and Religion.

Da Nang sees significant growth in foreign visitors in 2017

The central coastal city of Da Nang saw a significant growth in international tourist arrivals in 2017, according to the city’s Department of Tourism.

The number of international travellers to the city rose by 36.8 percent from 2016 to 2.3 million this year.

In 2017, about 6.6 million visitors came to Da Nang, up 19 percent over the previous year and 4.8 percent higher than its yearly target. The figure included 4.3 million domestic tourists, up 11.3 percent year-on-year.

The central city earned over 19.4 trillion VND (853.96 million USD) in revenue, an increase of 20.6 percent from 2016.

Statistics also show that the city witnessed an impressive increase in the number of visitors by air which stood at over 1.58 million, up 74.4 percent while by-car visitors via Thailand and Laos was estimated at 14,120.

Decree issue about to end self-proclaimed organic food situation

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is working to issue standards on organic food this month or next January to create a legal basis for authorized agencies to control organic farming disorder as most producers have called their products organic themselves.

At a press conference yesterday afternoon, the ministry said that the country now has 70,000 hectares of organic farming area with the attendance of about 60 groups, businesses and production establishments.

They have labelled their products organic without certifications except some large groups such as TH and Vinamilk who have been certified by international organizations.

Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam said that the ministry has completed a draft decree on organic agricultural production, sent to the Ministry of Justice for assessment before submitting to the Prime Minister to consider and issue this month or next January as per plan.

Right after that the ministry will build a project on organic agricultural production in Vietnam.

Mr. Nam affirmed that the decree and the project issue is a chance for Vietnamese businesses to participate in producing organic food to meet domestic and export demand. Standards will provide consumers a basic to recognize what are really organic food.

The decree will specify regulations on certification, labelling, inspection and supervision organizations to organic food and farming.

On December 16, the first international forum on organic agriculture in Vietnam will take place, expected to lure the attendance by the PM and 400 delegates including experts from many countries, representatives of associations and embassies in Vietnam.

At the event, international experts will share experiences in organic agricultural production to Vietnamese firms.

Changes in buying voluntary social insurance start from January 1, 2018

From January 1, 2018, policies of social insurance will have several changes with new rules. In what extent will these policies make impact on laborers and enterprises? Sai Gon Giai Phong newspaper has had an exchange with Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Le Quan on the issue.

At present, the country has 221,000 voluntary social insurance card holders. The government targets to have more voluntary social insurance participants. Potential groups of the government’s target include 23 million people working in agriculture field and nearly 14 million laborers in the informal sector.

The governmental decree says employers will spend monthly payment in countryside districts ( of around VND700,000) or of the basic salary ( of VNd1.3 million) as a basis for social insurance contribution.
To achieve the goal, from January 1, 2018, voluntary social insurance will receive support from the government as per percentage of month payment of poor households in rural districts.

Local governments will take its own state budget to support people in buying social insurance and the central state budget will help disadvantaged cities and provinces. Moreover, surplus of social insurance fund and other collections will be used to help low-income people buy insurance voluntarily.

However, Mr. Quan said he has no expectation that there will be more people joining the voluntary social insurance program despite the government’s support because there are just around 78.7 million health insurance buyers with the coverage rate of 84.2 percent of the population meanwhile the number of voluntary social insurance buyers is 221,000 accounting for 4 percent of workforce.

The government give full support on buying health insurance yet the result is not as expected meanwhile the government just gives half support to social insurance participants and there exists several barriers such as buyers’ psychology. People do not like a long term of 20 years when participating in insurance, especially residents in countryside districts, freelancers and poor people.

On the other hand, while people buying compulsory insurance of retirement, death gratuity, illness, pregnancy or employment accidents are eligible for short-term and long-term benefit, voluntary social insurance buyers just enjoy long-term benefit. Indeed, laborers take heed to short-term benefit.

Accordingly, in the future, there will be changes in voluntary social insurance to attract more participants.

When it comes to the retirement age for female and male, Mr. Quan said, the average retirement age is about three years lower than the age stipulated by the Vietnam Social Insurance law, a situation seemingly encouraged by current policies that allow a full pension for male and female retirees who have bought social insurance for 30 and 25 years, respectively.

Hence, the policy means that male workers will enjoy a full monthly pension equivalent to 75 percent of their monthly salary while each year they must pay more for insurance while female laborers, they have to pay more five years if they want to enjoy a full monthly pension equivalent to 75 percent.

There is big gap between male and female; therefore, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs is waiting for the government’s decision on the issue.

There will be a change starting on January 1, 2018 of insurance for foreign laborers. Before, foreign laborers are not eligible for buying social insurance while working in Vietnam but from 2018, they will be allowed to buy insurance to guarantee their benefit.

However, the government will work out policy how to harmonize between laborers’ and enterprises’ benefit to ensure good business environment.

Exhibition celebrates “Hanoi – Dien Bien Phu in the air” victory

An exhibition marking the 45th anniversary of the “Hanoi – Dien Bien Phu in the air” victory (December, 1972-2017) opened in Hanoi on December 14.

The event introduces to viewers more than 1,000 photos and documents highlighting the great historical value of the “Hanoi – Dien Bien Phu in the air” victory.

The event is co-organized by the Military Library of the General Department of Politics and the Vietnamese Air Defense-Air Force Service.

On the same day, another display themed “Homeland’s Sea and Islands” is organized by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and the Russian-Vietnamese Oil and Gas Joint Venture (Vietsovpetro) in the capital.

The exhibition displays 150 photos from the archives of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and the Vietsovpetro depict the beauty of sea and islands of the country, local people’s daily activities on islands, the “Le khao le the linh Hoang Sa” (Feast and Commemoration Festival for Hoang Sa Soldiers) ceremony and more.

Organic agricultural production forum to draw 400 delegates

As many as 400 delegates from many countries around the world will attend an international forum on organic agriculture that will take place in Hanoi from December 15-16, revealed Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam.

Nam said that the event, themed “organic agricultural production – international integration trend”, is expected to draw representatives from 27 international organisations and 27 agriculture associations, ambassadors from countries running organic agriculture, and over 300 Vietnamese experts.

The forum offers a chance for participants to share experience in organic agricultural production and seek partnership.

Nam said that Vietnam has increasing demand for organic agricultural production. Currently, the country has about 70,000 hectares of organic farms with the engagement of many large firms, international organisations and enterprises.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has completed a draft decree on organic agricultural production and submitted it to the Ministry of Justice for verification before sending it to the Government.

The document is expected to be issued in early 2018. After that, the ministry will immediately design a project on developing organic agricultural production and products in Vietnam, Nam said.

The Deputy Minister held that this is a great chance for Vietnamese firms to join in organic agriculture development, providing organic products for both domestic and foreign markets.

A set of standards for organic products will also be made, along with specific criteria of certification and labelling, he said, adding that the certification of organic products will be conducted by international organisations.

CLV Development Triangle Area Committee to meet in Binh Phuoc

The joint coordination committee of the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam (CLV) Development Triangle Area will hold its 11th meeting in Vietnam’s southern province of Binh Phuoc from December 15-19. 

Binh Phuoc People’s Committee said at a press briefing on December 13 that the meeting’s agenda consists of the 10th meeting of the economic subcommittee, the 10th meeting of the security and foreign affairs subcommittee, the ninth meeting of the locality subcommittee, and the meeting of the three countries’ working groups.

Sidelines events also include a trade fair, the seventh regional youth forum and the 11th forum on trade promotion, investment and tourism.  

The series of the event will review and evaluate implementation of the joint declaration of the 10th meeting, with focus on measures to enhance cooperation and sharing of information in economics, culture, education, environment, tourism and trade among localities, as well as to foster peace, security, stability for sustainable development in the region.

The CLV Development Triangle Area consists of 13 provinces, including four in the east of Cambodia, four in the south of Laos, and five in Vietnam.