The annual Vietnam Sea and Islands Week will take place in the southernmost province of Ca Mau in June in response to World Oceans Day (June 8), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment announced.

This year’s event, themed “Our oceans, our future”, will feature various activities, including meetings, beach clean-ups and providing gifts and medicines to soldiers and people on Hon Chuoi island.

The ministry ordered organisations and agencies to hold activities in response to the week while popularising the Party and Government’s sea and island policies, thus raising public awareness of protecting the sea environment.

Popularisation should focus on affirming Vietnam’s sovereignty over Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelagos, international laws on sea and islands as well as bilateral and multilateral agreements between Vietnam and foreign countries and organisations.

Enhancing capacity to respond to climate change and restructuring the sea based economy to attract investment will be given prioritised.

Ministries, branches and localities will organise conferences and forums on sustainable protection of Vietnamese sea and island, ensuring socio-economic development and defence and security.

Coastal and sea areas are expected to contribute 53-55 percent to national gross domestic product (GDP) by 2020 as set by the 4th meeting of the 10th Party Central Committee on the Vietnam Strategy on the Sea.

Exhibition on Vietnam’s reunification day held in Cuba

A photo exhibition to commemorate the 42nd anniversary of the liberation of South Vietnam and national reunification has been held at the General Antonio Maceo Military Academy of Cuba.

The event was organised by the Foreign Relations Department of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Vietnam’s Defence Attache Office in Cuba.

It featured more than 50 black and white photos that captured Vietnam’s history as well as the Doi moi (reform) process.

Addressing the opening ceremony on April 26, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Nguyen Trung Thanh highlighted the significance of the 1975 Victory as well as support from other countries, especially Cuba.

He recalled the historic trip of the revolutionary leader of Cuba Fidel Castro to the central province of Quang Tri in 1973, the first foreign leader to set foot in the liberated in the south of Vietnam, which became a source of encouragement for Vietnamese people to achieve victory.

External ties to be strengthened to develop basic sciences

Vietnam is set to enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation to step up research activities in basic sciences, according to a programme for basic sciences development between 2017 and 2025.

The programme, recently approved by the Prime Minister, focuses on chemistry, life science, earth science, and marine science.

It aims to create a contingent of highly qualified scientists to help align scientific personnel training with international standards. It looks to develop 15-20 groups of young researchers in each field by 2025 so as to speed up the formation of research universities.

The programme targets a higher stature for Vietnam’s sciences in the region and the world, with some fields expected to rank third or fourth in ASEAN by 2025. 

The number of scientific studies published on international prestigious magazines listed in SCOPUS database is hoped to increase by 20-25 percent (10-15 percent in terms of marine science) each year on average.

To carry out the plan, the State will assign specialised science-technology organisations to conduct scientific research to create products that can be used in manufacturing and daily activities.

To improve the basic sciences research capacity at tertiary educational institutions, investment will be poured into key laboratories in each field and research groups. While research tasks will be farmed out to young scientists, high school and universities students who win prizes at national and international competitions will also be honoured.

Vietnam will boost cooperation with the Russian Foundation for Basic Research and countries with developed basic sciences in East Asia, the EU and North America.

In multilateral cooperation, it will foster links in UNESCO’s programmes such as the International Basic Sciences Programme, the Man and the Biosphere Programme, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, the International Hydrological Programme, and the International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme.

NA leader meets with Can Tho voters

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan on April 27 met with voters in some communes in Phong Dien district, the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho and answered their questions in various issues, including environmental protection, food safety, corruption fight, fruit production and traffic accident reduction.

Regarding voters’ queries on corruption prevention and control, the top legislator noted that the NA has amended the Law on Corruption Prevention and Control, while the Party and State have also paid great attention to the work.

Over the past time, several major corruption cases have been brought to light, including the case of Trinh Xuan Thanh and those related to banks.

Competent agencies have been directed to clarify and publicise 12 cases in 2017, she said, affirming the Party and State’s consistent stance of allowing no “safety zone” for corruptors.

About issues related to fake and under-quality commodities, NA Chairwoman Ngan said that NA deputies toughed upon the matter in all socio-economic discussions, while building a supervision programme in the field.

The legislature has also issued a resolution on the matter and assigned the Government to strengthen State management over fake and poor quality commodities, especially in the field of agriculture, she declared.

Answering voters’ questions on measures to support pig breeders suffering lossesdue to falling pork prices, she attributed the situation to poor market forecast for production orientation. 

She revealed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is seeking ways to boost processing, while urging authorised agencies to give more exact market forecasts.

Regarding measures to prevent the use of food additives without clear origin and enhance food safety, the top legislator pledged that in the upcoming third session, the NA will conduct supreme supervision over the issue before releasing a resolution asking ministries and sectors to strengthen supervision and management in the field.-

200 youngsters dispatched to visit Truong Sa archipelago

A ship with nearly 200 outstanding youngsters from across Vietnam onboard was dispatched from Ho Chi Minh City on April 27 to present gifts to residents and soldiers living in Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago and Platform DK1 in the country’s southern continental shelf.

The trip is part of the programme “Youth for homeland’s sea and islands” held by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) Central Committee this year.

Speaking at the dispatch ceremony in HCM City, Secretary of the HCYU Central Committee Nguyen Ngoc Luong said the visit is made in the celebration of the 42th anniversary of the Southern Liberation and National Reunification Day to promote patriotism among youngsters.

It also aims to provide support to local residents in Truong Sa island district and motivate officers of Platform DK1 who are on duty to protect the national sovereignty, he said.

Luong hoped that the youth would propose more ideas to contribute to the country’s sea and island protection and building.

A photo exhibition on the vitality of Truong Sa and a writing competition on the Truong Sa aspiration will also take place as part of the programme.

Playground expected to increase kids’ creativity

Parents in Hanoi may feel delighted when knowing that a fascinating playground for toddles and kids will be held in May.

Coming to the playground, not only kids but also their parents can immerse themselves in a fairyland with animation characters, a cotton-candy factory, dazzling pink trees and giant mushrooms.

The event aims at creating a getaway venue where family can set aside stress and work to have fun, while kids’ creativity is stimulated.

The event will take place on May 28th at Ecopark urban area, Hung Yen province.

Seoul ceremony celebrates 42nd anniversary of national reunification

The Vietnamese community in the Republic of Korea (RoK) and foreign guests gathered at a ceremony held on April 27 by the Vietnamese Embassy in the RoK to celebrate the 42nd anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975-2017).

Lao Ambassador to the RoKKhamsouayKheodalavong and representatives of the host country’s government, ministries and major businesses were also among guests at the event.

Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador Nguyen Vu Tu highlighted the great significance of the Spring 1975 Victory, ending 30 years of the country’s separation.

He stressed that the historical triumph brought Vietnam to a new era of peace and development with the spirit of “closing the past, heading to future,” and “Vietnam is willing to be a friend and trustworthy partner of all countries”.

The diplomat delightedly noted that after 30 years of national reform, Vietnam has gained great achievements. The country has set up diplomatic ties with more than 180 countries around the globe, including the strategic partnership with the RoK.

He took the occasion to thank the 150,000-strong Vietnamese community in the RoK as well as Korean friends for connecting the two peoples and contributing to the sound development of bilateral ties over the past years.

Ambassador Tu also expressed belief that on the foundation of similarities in culture, and history as well as supplementary economic structures,sound sentiments towards each other and joint efforts, Vietnam and the RoK will further bolster their partnership in the future, especially when they are celebrating the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year.

Conference promotes heritage tree preservation

A conference was held by the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE) in Hanoi on April 27 to review public efforts to conserve Vietnam’s heritage trees over the last seven years. 

Addressing the event, Prof. Dr Dang Vu Minh, Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, suggested preserving heritage trees in connection with environmental protection, thus creating livelihoods for the community. 

The conference heard that a total of 2,700 ancient trees in 52 provinces and cities nationwide have been recognised as heritage trees so far. This showed the great significance of the movement. 

Prof. Dr Dang Huy Huynh, Chairman of the Council for Vietnam Heritage Trees, the programme contributes to raising public awareness of protecting heritage trees and calling for public involvement in preserving biodiversity and valuable flora gene sources, and protecting the environment. 

In the coming time, the VACNE will work hard to support localities in prolonging the life of recognised heritage trees and other ancient trees, towards improving livelihoods for the community, he said.

In 2011, the VACNE launched a programme to conserve Vietnam’s Heritage Trees, aiming to select and honour significant trees in a bid to conserve their gene sources, while raising public awareness of protecting the environment. 

It also contributes to promoting the diversification and abundance of Vietnam’s flora as well as developing scientific research in the field. 

To win the honour, the trees must be at least 200 years old in the case of wild trees, and at least 100 years for those planted. Moreover, the trees should be connected with the historical and cultural characteristics of the area where they grow. 

Those which do not meet the criteria, yet have special value to science, history or culture, will also earn recognition.

Campaign launched to support policy beneficiaries

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan on April 27 launched a three-month campaign to encourage people to join a movement to show gratitude to those who rendered service to the nation towards the 70th Vietnam's War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27).

According to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Vietnam has more than 9 million policy beneficiaries, including 1.2 million martyrs, over 127,000 heroic mothers, and over 2 million wounded soldiers.

Minister Dao Ngoc Dung stressed the need for organisations and individuals to participate in supporting war invalids, families of martyrs and Agent Orange/dioxin victims in order to improve their living conditions.

Communications should be intensified to raise public awareness of the work, he stated, suggesting expanding the movement “all people take care of war invalids, martyrs’ families and people who rendered service to the nation” and encouraging policy beneficiaries to take part in socio-economic development activities.

Nguyen Thien Nhan called on each office, organisation and family which does not live in poverty to do specific deeds to care for policy beneficiaries.

Right after the launching ceremony, more than 50 organisations, businesses and individuals donated a total of 3.8 billion VND (167,200 USD) to help policy beneficiaries.

HCM City breaks ground on bus terminal

The Sài Gòn Transportation Mechanical Corporation (SAMCO) has broken ground for construction of the new Eastern Bus Terminal (Bến Xe Miền Đông) in HCM City’s District 9.

The terminal complex, which will include convenience services, will be located in Long Bình Ward in District 9 and in the southern province of Bình Dương’s Dĩ An Town, the SAMCO announced on Wednesday.

The new Eastern Bus Terminal will cover an area of 16 hectares, three times as large compared with the existing Eastern Bus Terminal in HCM City’s Bình Thạnh District.

It will include 12.3 hectares in HCM City’s outlying District 9 and the remaining 3.7ha in Dĩ An Town of Bình Dương Province.

The bus terminal will be connected with metro line No 1, linking Bến Thành Terminal in District 1 with Suối Tiên Terminal in District 9.

It is designed to accommodate more than seven million passengers each year who travel to eastern provinces as well as to localities in the central region and north Việt Nam, the SAMCO said.

It will also provide services to some 21,000 passengers and accommodate 1,200 buses per day.

The figures are expected to increase to 52,000 passengers and 1,800 buses per day on holidays and during the traditional Tết (Lunar New Year) festival.

Construction of the first stage of the project, which includes the main station, parking space and infrastructure facilities, is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.

The new bus terminal will help ensure traffic order of HCM City and wipe out illegal bus services and parking spaces in the city.

Located on an area between HCM City and Bình Dương Province, the new Eastern Bus Terminal is expected to play an important role in the city’s transportation system, according to SAMCO.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Lê Văn Khoa, deputy chairman of HCM City People’s Committee, said the new terminal complex would link urban areas with public transportation networks and include multi-story parking spaces, maintenance areas, fuel stations, cargo depots, and commercial centres.

The new bus terminal is expected to reduce traffic congestion and the number of accidents in the city through 2020.

It will also replace the existing Eastern Bus Station which is in an inner city district and is no longer suitable for the city’s urban development plan.

The terminal complex will also help facilitate transportation between HCM City and neighbouring provinces, said Khoa.

He also asked authorities to create favourable conditions so that SAMCO could complete construction for the first stage and open the new terminal later this year.

Tăng Thu Lý, deputy director general of SAMCO, said that total capital for the project amounted to VNĐ773 billion (US$34.5 million). 

Thái wins another stage, Phounsavath takes top spot

Phan Hoàng Thái secured the HCM City Television Cycling Tournament’s red jersey for the King of Mountain yesterday.

Thái of Domesco Đồng Tháp was the first to reach the peak of Prenn Hill and was second at the Ngoạn Mục Hill, the two challenges in the 17th stage, which covered 120km from Phan Rang-Tháp Chàm City of Ninh Thuận Province to Đà Lạt City, Lâm Đồng Province. 

It was enough for Thái to win the red jersey for the overall tournament with 30 points.

The winner of the stage was Nguyễn Tấn Hoài of Domesco Đồng Tháp, who won his second stage in a row.

Lê Ngọc Sơn of Hạt Ngọc Trời An Giang and và Lois Desriac of Bikelife Đồng Nai were second and third, respectively.

Alex Ariya Phounsavath of VUS-HCM City replaced Nguyễn Văn Dương of Bikelife Đồng Nai as the leader of the tournament after 17 stages.

The Laotian cyclist finished fourth yesterday and jumped to the top place with a total time of 40:41.02min.

He is followed by Sơn and Nguyễn Nhật Nam of Domesco Đồng Tháp.

Domesco Đồng Tháp led the team ranking. VUS-HCM City and Hạt Ngọc Trời An Giang were close behind.

The 55-km long 18th stage will see cyclists tour 10 laps around Đà Lạt’s Hồ Xuân Hương Lake today. 

4.25 Club advance to semi-final of volleyball tourney

North Korean 4.25 Club won 25-15, 25-19, 22-25, 25-20 against Thailand’s Bangkok Glass for the last semi-final ticket in the International Women’s Volleyball Tournament being held in Tây Ninh Province.

The Korean side met with a little difficulty in the third set before winning the match, maintaining hopes of defending their top position at the Việt Nam’s annual event.

In a later Group B match, China’s Fujian beat former champions Vietinbank 2-1 in a game where both teams had no chance of advancing to the next stage.

In the semi-finals tomorrow, Yunnan Club of China will play 4.25 while Bangkok Glass will meet VTV Bình Điền Long An.

The final is on Sunday with a total bonus of VNĐ1 billion (US$45,000) to be given to the teams, in which the champions will receive $15,000.

Hanoi, Japanese Saijo city beef up cooperation

Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung received a delegation from Japan’s Saijo city, led by Mayor Tamai Toshihisa, in Hanoi on April 27.

At the meeting, the sides informed each other on their respective socio-economic affairs.

Mayor Tamai Toshihisa said his city is home to a large number of small- and medium-sized enterprises and holds strength in the production of machinery and electronic components. 

He noted that to boost partnerships with local firms, particularly those in Hanoi, a Saijo working group was established in Vietnam in April 2015. 

He expected his current visit will pave the way for future cooperation between his city and Vietnam in general and with Hanoi in particular.

For his part, Chairman Chung stated Japanese investment is always on top in the local sectors of industry, agriculture and tourism, adding that the capital city plans to call for more investment in high-tech farming and biotechnologies.   

Chung said Hanoi wants to step up engagements with Saijo and affirmed to create favourable conditions for Saijo investors in the city.

Lotte Foundation presents 76 scholarships to Vietnamese students

The Lotte Foundation has presented grants and scholarships valued at US$15,600 to 78 outstanding university students in Hanoi for the 2016-2017 academic year.

Addressing the awards ceremony, BaekWoon General Jae- Director of Lotte Vietnam Coralis extended his warmest congratulations to the students who have excelled in their academic years and hoped the educational awards will encourage them to pursue their dream.

The Lotte Foundation scholarship fund was established by the chair of the Lotte Group, Shin KyukHo in 1983.

Established in Vietnam in 2008, the Lotte Scholarship Foundation grants scholarships twice a year to high-achieving students. Those scholarship beneficiaries will have the opportunity to work at Lotte Group in Vietnam after graduation.

Youth’s art festival to run in October

The fourth National Youth Fine Art Festival, which is slated for October, will open for submissions from June 19 to 23, as heard at a ceremony in Hanoi on April 28.

Organizers from the Department of Fine Arts, Photography and Exhibition under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said they welcome creative works on contemporary life, stressing that the works must not violate patent.

Each of local artists, aged between 18 and 35 years old, can submit a maximum of two entries, which are in the form of photos or CDs and have been made between 2014 and June 2017.   

The entries must not be displayed previously at any other national exhibitions oprganised by the department.

Selected submissions will be exhibited at the October festival and compete for 3 first, 6 second and 9 third prizes.

More information on the event can be found at www.ape.gov.vn .

Two new bus routes open in Hanoi

The Hanoi Transport Corporation has opened two new bus routes to boost public transport in the city’s suburban areas.
Routes No.93 and No.94 offer convenience services to passengers, such as free wi-fi and a discrete space for the disabled.
Route 93 travels along Nam Thang Long - Pham Van Dong - Thang Long Bridge - Vo Van Kiet - Quang Minh Industrial Zone - National Highway No.2 - Bac Son (Soc Son district), while Route 94 travels along Giap Bat - Giai Phong - Kim Dong - Truong Dinh - Giai Phong - National Highway 1A - Thuong Tin town - National Highway No.21B - Kim Bai town (Thanh Oai district).
The new routes run every 20-25 minutes, with about 80 trips a day. The first trip on Route 93 is at 5am and the last at 8.33 pm, with tickets costing VND9,000 (40 cents) regardless of distance, while Route 94 runs from 5.05am to 9.20pm, at VND8,000 (35 cents).
Hanoi plans to open 14 more bus routes this year with 200 new modern buses and is conducting research on a City Tour to promote tourism in the capital. 

Programme highlights northern mountainous cultures in Hanoi

An art, cultural and exchange programme highlighting ethnic cultures of the northern mountainous provinces will be held at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Dong Mo tourism area of Son Tay town in Hanoi from April 29 to May 2. 

The programme is a part of activities to mark the upcoming anniversaries of Liberation Day (April 30) and May Day (May 1).

Under the theme ‘Tay Bac Colours’, the event will feature a variety of activities aiming to preserve and promote the northern mountainous provinces’ traditional cultures and introduce its socio-economic and tourism potential.

A highlight of the programme will be a mountain market promoting the ethnic groups in Moc Chau plateau in Son La province’s unique cultures and featuring local handicrafts, food and everyday items. The market is also a place to rendezvous for singing, dancing, making friends and enjoying community activities.

Traditional costumes, items used in daily life, tools, handicrafts, musical instruments, and ritual and festival artifacts will be on display as well as booths from each province showcasing their unique products, socio-economic achievements and tourism potential.

Various arts performances, festivals and folk games will also take place showcasing the region's music, dances and cultural activities, with the participation of amateur and professional art troupes from the region.

HCMC faces shortage of funds for Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro line

Ho Chi Minh City now is owing the contractor of the first metro line Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien VND1,339 billion (US$59 million) because the central Government has yet to arrange funds for the project, reported HCMC Urban Railway Management Board yesterday.
At a socio-economic review meeting chaired by chairman of the city People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong, head of the board Le Nguyen Minh Quang said that the city had urged the contractor to speed up the project’s progress and the contractor accepted the requirement but required on schedule payment in return.

The city has proposed relevant ministries and agencies to solve capital issue for the project for many times but they have taken no action.
The Ministry of Finance asked the State Treasury to stop disbursement for the project last September because payment amount had exceeded official development assistance (ODA) funds of the year.
Before Tet holidays, HCMC advanced about VND900 billion ($39.59 million) for the contractor to pay workers’ wage.
This year, the project needs over VND5.4 trillion ($238 million) however the central budget has agreed to spend only VND2.1 trillion, which is only sufficient to pay the old debt and the city’s advance.
The city’s target should suggest the Government not to apply disbursement under capital application in terms, but apply installment payment mechanism in line with the project’s progress.
While sponsors said they could advance a sum of money for the project, the city has been stuck in a vicious circle and unable to make payment on schedule, said Mr. Quang.
In a document sent to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the city People’s committee proposed VND7 trillion ($308 million) for the first metro line and the second phase of the water environment improvement project. Still, the ministry has scheduled to spend half of the amount.

Private vehicle limit a must in HCMC: Department director

“Private vehicle limit will be a must in HCMC in the upcoming time because traffic system development has been unable to catch up with the growth rate of private vehicles,” said director of the Department of Transport Bui Xuan Cuong.
As of mid-April this year, HCMC has had about eight million vehicles including 640,000 automobiles and the remaining number is motorbikes, he figured out at a meeting on Thursday.
The city sees new registration of 168 automobiles and 816 motorbikes a day on average.
Mr. Cuong said that with such fast development speed, private vehicle limit would definitely be applied. The agency planned to submit to the city People’s Committee specific measures and a roadmap to materialize the plan in October.
The Transport Department and relevant agencies are working together to survey and build a project on private vehicle restriction and traffic jam reduction. The project will be implemented in accordance with regulations and in right process. The agencies will consult experts and scientists’ opinions and organize public opinion poll.
According to plan, HCMC needs to reduce 70 percent of exhaust fume by 2020. Therefore, the project will not only help ease traffic jam but also environmental pollution.

Young scientific researchers to have chance to receive $4,398

Winners of Vuon Uom Sang Tao program 2017(Innovation Incubator Program of Science and Technology Young) are able to receive VND100- 150 million ($4,398) to carry out their project within 12 months.
The program launched by the Department of Science and Technology and the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Communist union is open to all Vietnam citizens currently living, study, and working in Ho Chi Minh, under the age of 35.
Candidates have not achieved the doctorate.

Entries should be sent to Science-Technology development center at 1 Pham Ngoc Thach, in district 1 before May 15, 2017. The organizer encourages researches on social matters for managing and developing teenagers in addition to basic researches and applied researches connecting to the city’s programs.

Southern traffic development faces capital shortage: deputy minister

The amount of capital allocated from the state budget to the Ministry of Transport for traffic development by 2020 meets only 31 percent of total demand, deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Nhat told Sai Gon Giai Phong Newspaper.

According to Mr. Nhat, the ministry has built a medium public investment plan in the phase of 2016-2020 with the total capital of VND952 trillion (US$42 billion). 

The Mekong Delta alone needs VND206,772 billion including VND102,243 billion social investment and VND104,529 billion from the state budget, government bonds and official development assistance (ODA) sources.

Still, social investment mobilization now meets with difficulties because the medium and long term credit market has been tightened while tax and fee policies have not been improved.

According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s instructions, state budget will mainly be spent on paying basic construction debts, reclaiming advanced capital and reciprocal capital of ODA projects and focusing on building some stretches of North-South Expressway and other important urgent projects.

Therefore, it will be difficult for the ministry to arrange state budget capital for new project. 

However, the southern region’s traffic will be improved in the upcoming time with large projects having called for investment and implemented such as Trung Luong-My Thuan-Can Tho and some BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) ones. 

The Prime Minister has approved expansion of Lo Te-Rach Soi route from two to four lanes.

The country have so far built 746 kilometers of 12 expressways and implemented nine others with the total length of 525 kilometers.

Of these, the southern region has built HCMC-Trung Luong and HCMC-Long Thanh-Dau Giay with the total length of 91 kilometers. Two others routes are under construction namely Ben Luc-Long Thanh and Trung Luong-My Thuan over 108.8 kilometers.

In addition, ring road no.3 HMC-My Thuan-Can Tho, HCMC-Moc Bai, Bien Hoa-Phu My, Dau Giay-Lien Khuong with the total length of 331 kilometers are calling for investors. 

Once being completed, these projects will increase the expressway length in the southern region to 530 kilometers.

According the Ministry of Transport, the southern region has developed vertical and horizontal roads suiting plans as well as strategies and contributing in boosting socioeconomic development. 

However, investment cost for project in the southern region has been huge because of the low starting point of the traffic infrastructure system in the region compared to the country and weak terrain with intangible rivers and canals. That has caused some roads have not been completed as per planned scales because of capital shortage.

For instance, National Highway 1A from HCMC to Can Tho city has been built with four lanes but seven bridges in the route comprise only two lanes, creating bottlenecks causing traffic jam during holiday time.

The Ministry of Transport has completed Cai Lay bypass to ease pressure for the highway. The Government has permitted use of Government bond funds remaining from expansion projects of National Highway 1A and Ho Chi Minh Highway in the Central Highlands to broaden the seven bridges, which work is expected to start in 2017-2018.

For the last past, the Party and the Government has given resource priorities to develop the traffic infrastructure in the southern region with many major works opening to traffic and changing the region’s face. They include Can Tho, Ham Luong, Rach Mieu, Co Chien, Nam Can, Dam Cung and My Loi bridges.

FameLab Vietnam 2017 winner named

Pham Ha My, a student at the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) in Vietnam, has won FameLab Vietnam 2017, a communications contest for young talent nationwide to break down science, technology and engineering concepts into three minute presentations.

With her presentation on how to use Wolbachia bacteria to fight dengue, My defeated 12 other contestants who are young scientists, lecturers, doctors and students nationwide in the final round on Tuesday night in Hanoi.

She will represent Vietnam to compete with other rivals from 30 countries and territories in the International FameLab Competition 2017 to be held at the Cheltenham Science Festival in the UK.

Organized by the British Council in Vietnam, the Vietnam National University in Hanoi and Euraxess, FameLab required the participants to make a three-minute presentation on any interested topic in science, engineering, mathematics and medicine.

The judges of the contest consisted of Professor Mai Trong Nhuan, journalist Ta Bich Loan, and Associate Professor Le Anh Vinh.

Launched in 2005 in the UK, FameLab has quickly become a successful training program for identifying, training and mentoring scientists and engineers to share their enthusiasm for their subjects. The Cheltenham Science Festival has cooperated with the British Council to host the contest in over 30 countries.

HCMC offers online waterway services

The Department of Transport of HCMC has announced to offer online services at level 3 for 22 kinds of administrative procedures in the inland waterway field, allowing citizens to fill and submit forms online.

There will be 15 procedures processed by the HCMC Department of Transport and seven procedures handled by the city’s Inland Waterway Port Authority. Some procedures that used to require people and enterprises to go back and forth, including first-time registration procedures, procedures for re-registering vehicles and procedures for re-issuance of certificates, now only require people to submit documents via the Internet.

Citizens and enterprises can register online anytime and anywhere on their private computers or cellphones with Internet connection at the websites www.dichvucong.hochiminhcity.gov.vn or www.sgtvt.hochiminh.gov.vn., then select the necessary administrative procedures and follow the instructions.

The application of public waterway services at level 3 will help the city’s agencies simplify administrative procedures and reduce negations. Meanwhile, citizens and enterprises can save time and money.

In November 2016, the Inland Waterway Port Authority offered online procedures at levels 3 and 4, accepting online payments and allowing sending and receiving results online or through post offices.

VNA/VNS/VOV/SGT/SGGP/TT/TN/Dantri/VNE