The traditional Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival will take place at Do Son district’s Stadium in the northern city of Hai Phong from August 27 to September 11.

The festival includes two parts – spiritual rites and festivities - with the first part comprising activities such as incense offering and flag raising ceremonies, and procession, among others. Sixteen buffaloes will take part in the competition.

Buffalo fighting is a unique and traditional festival of the local people. The festival is not only associated with Water Goddess worshiping and sacrificing customs, but also illustrates the planning and strategy and training capacity of buffalo owners. It has become an indispensable part in Hai Phong people’s spiritual life.

The traditional festival, which is held annually on the ninth day of the eighth lunar month, not only expresses the martial spirit of the local people but also helps promote the locality’s image and tourism potential.

The Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival was recognised as one of 15 official national festivals in 2000 and a national intangible cultural heritage in 2012.

PM asks for solutions to speed up national key transport projects

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the first meeting of the state steering committee for national key transport projects in Hanoi on August 10, during which he requested ministries, sectors and localities to apply comprehensive measures to speed up the implementation of the projects to expand development space for regions.

PM Chinh noted that the country aims to build at least 5,000 kilometres of expressways by 2030. Over the past 20 years, only 1,100 kilometres of expressways have been constructed, which means the task for the country until 2030 is heavy.

He underlined the need to deal with weaknesses during the implementation of the projects, along with the effective settlement of arising problems.

The government leader asked ministries, sectors and localities to set up their own steering committees for the implementation of national key transport projects, while regularly inspecting, evaluating and organising acceptance for the completed projects.

Currently, there are nine national key transport projects and 31 component projects, including the eastern section of the North - South expressway; Ben Luc - Long Thanh expressway; Khanh Hoa - Buon Ma Thuot expressway; Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway; Chau Doc - Can Tho - Soc Trang expressway; Belt Road No.4 of the Hanoi Capital Region, Belt Road No.3 of Ho Chi Minh City; North - South high-speed railway; urban railway lines in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City; and Long Thanh International Airport.

Of the total, three projects are under the management of the Ministry of Transport, five under the management of localities, and one under other ministries, sectors and enterprises.

Dien Bien hit by magnitude 3.6 earthquake

Muong Nhe district in the northwestern mountainous province of Dien Bien was hit by an earthquake measuring 3.6 on the Richter scale hit on August 10.

The tremor was detected at 3:29 p.m. on August 10, although no damage or casualties were reported following the incident.

Nguyen Xuan Anh, head of the Institute of Geophysics, said the quake had a seismic focus at a depth of 12km, with the Earthquake and Tsunami Warning Centre operating under the institute tracking the quake.

This comes after Laos’ Phongsaly province, which shares a borderline with Dien Bien, was rocked by several earthquakes ranging from magnitude 3.0 to 5.5 in late December. Among them, a 5.5 magnitude which hit on December 24 was felt in many provinces and cities across Vietnam.

Most recently, a 4.5 magnitude earthquake shook Dien Bien Dong district in the northwestern province of Dien Bien on the morning of March 14.

NA’s Q&A session starts with questions on public security matters

The question-and-answer session as part of the 14th session of the 15th National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee started on August 10 with questions on issues under the management of the public security ministry.

Opening the session which was broadcast live on national television and radio, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said that basing on proposals of 58 NA deputy delegations, the NA Standing Committee has chosen two groups of issues for the Q&A session – those under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Public Security, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

In the field of public security, the questions will focus on State management over cybersecurity, the safety of national cybersecurity system in the current period, and measures to prevent and strictly handle high-tech crimes.

The implementation of resolutions of the NA and NA Standing Committee of the National Assembly related to crime prevention and control, especially drug-related crimes, credit shark, and usury will also be included in the agenda of the session, along with the implementation of the issuance of citizen identification cards, the issuance and use of the new version of ordinary passports, and the building of a national database on population.

In the field of culture, sports and tourism, questions will focus on the implementation of policies and laws that aim to make tourism  a spearhead economic sector, tasks and solutions to boost tourism recovery after COVID-19, as well as policies to support businesses and employees in the tourism industry.

The questions will also cover issues related to policies to encourage the engagement of the society in the development of sector; the management, conservation, renovation and promotion of the value of national historical relics; solutions to prevent the degradation of social and behavioral morality; and the building of cultural lifestyles, said the NA leader.

Concluding the session, the NA Standing Committee will issue a resolution on the session, which will be the foundation for the implementation and supervision over related activities.

Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia convene sixth court conference

The sixth court conference of Lao, Vietnamese, Cambodian border provinces opened in Vientiane on August 10.

In his opening speech, Lao Deputy Prime Minister Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune said the event not only enabled participants to share lessons in fighting trans-national crimes and judicial assistance but also helped Laos carry out two national agendas on dealing with economic-financial difficulties and drug issues. 

Chief Justice of the Vietnam Supreme People’s Court Nguyen Hoa Binh urged judicial agencies of the three countries to further strengthen cooperation as the fight against crimes and the settlement of civil disputes across the border remain complicated.

He expressed his belief that via the event, participating courts will seek effective ways to further boost their collaboration in 2022 and the following years.

During the two-day events, delegates are due to look into the implementation of the joint statement of the fifth conference in 2018 and solutions to combat trans-national crimes and offer mutual judicial assistance, thus reaching consensus on the coordination plan in the coming time.

Big bomb successfully removed in Quang Ninh

A bomb weighing nearly 230kg was successfully removed to a safe place in the northern province of Quang Ninh on August 9.

With a diameter of nearly 0.35m and a length of about 1.5m, the bomb was found at around 7:30 am in Yen Thanh ward, Uong Bi city on the same day when a bomb and mine clearance team of Lung Lo Construction Corporation was working on the construction site of a riverside road stretching from Ha Long – Hai Phong expressway to Dong Trieu township.

Upon hearing the news, the provincial Military Command sent its engineering team to coordinate with other units to remove the bomb.

Foreign military attachés visit naval brigade in Quang Ninh

A delegation of foreign military attachés visited Brigade 147 of Naval Region 1, based in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh, on August 9, the Quan doi Nhan dan (People's Army) daily reported.

At a reception for the delegation, Brigadier Col. Duong Huy Thong presented a brief introduction of Brigade 147, which is one of the important forces of the Vietnam People’s Navy.

Brigade 147 is tasked with training and fighting to safeguard the maritime sovereignty in the northeastern region, and also assisting local residents in natural disaster response, search, and rescue.

Thong expressed his hope that the military attachés will further help to strengthen the friendship and substantive cooperation between the Vietnam People's Army, including the navy, with their counterparts of other nations.

On behalf of the delegation, Air Force Attaché of Thailand Col. Prapard Iamolee said the visit helped enhance the friendship and mutual understanding between the armed forces of Vietnam and other countries.

The attachés also said they hope to have more chances to visit army units of Vietnam in the time ahead.

Phuong Anh among favourites ahead of Miss International 2022

Pham Ngoc Phuong Anh, the Vietnamese representative at the upcoming Miss International 2022 pageant, is expected to be named among its Top 5 leaderboard, according to predictions made by popular beauty website Sash Factor of the Philippines.

Phuong Anh, 22, stands at 1.77 metres tall with measurements of 87-61-93. The Ho Chi Minh City native first rose to prominence by winning the first runner-up title at Miss Vietnam 2020, thereby meeting the criteria to participate in the 2022 Miss International pageant.

First launched back in 1960, Miss International makes up one of the Big Four international beauty competitions, alongside Miss World, Miss Universe, and Miss Earth. The current version of the contest was originally scheduled to take place in Japan in 2021, but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over 1.88 million USD raised for national sea and island fund

An art performance programme jointly held by the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and Ho Chi Minh City Television (HTV) on August 9 raised over 44 billion VND (over 1.88 million USD) from 171 organisations and individuals for the "For the national sea and islands – For the Fatherland frontline" fund.

Addressing the programme, Chairwoman of the VFF Committee of HCM City Tran Kim Yen affirmed that protecting the country’s independence and sovereignty over the sea and islands is the responsibility of the entire Party, people, army, political system, and each Vietnamese citizen.

She called for contributions and donations from individuals, agencies, units, businesses, and schools in HCM City, and Vietnamese expats to the fund, in a bid to further support soldiers and people living, working, studying in border, sea and island areas.

Last year, the city’s fund mobilised over 17 billion VND, which have been spent on a series of activities, including helping officers, soldiers and people in border and island areas, especially building a cultural house on Thuyen Chai B island.

Minh to take record of most appearances at badminton world championship

Nguyen Tien Minh will set the record for the most appearances at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Championship later this month.

The top ranked national player will take part in the event for the 13th time since his debut in 2005, one more than the current record held by Chinese legend Lin Dan.

Malaysian prodigy Lee Chong Wei took part in 11 championships.

Minh is one of 54 male athletes at the tournament which will be held in Japan from August 22-28.

The world No 72 seed will come back to Tokyo's Metropolitan Gymnasium one year after he competed at the Summer Olympics, where he failed to advance to the knockout round.

The 39-year-old from Ho Chi Minh City will be the oldest player at the tournament.

Other older athletes include Niluka Karunaratne of Sri Lanka and Pablo Abian of Spain, both 37.

Minh's highest world ranking was No 5 in 2010 and his best world championship result was a bronze medal in 2013.

Last year, he was ousted in the first round in Spain. The four-time Olympian won a bronze medal at the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi in May.

Vietnam among top Asian holiday destinations

Brian Johnston, a travel writer for Traveller magazine, has named Vietnam among a list of the Top 8 best places in Asia to go to on holiday.

According to Johnston, the nation abandoned all health requirements placed on international travel on May 15, with the exception that you must have a minimum of US$10,000 travel insurance covering COVID-19.

When travelling to the country, the Australian writer suggests that visitors stay at the new Fusion Original Saigon Centre in Ho Chi Minh City.

Elsewhere, during a visit to Phu Quoc Island he also notes that VinWonders is a perfect location for families as it has six zones, a water park, and more than 100 entertainment activities.

Most notably, Quy Nhon is the first destination mentioned by Johnston in the list of top spots in Vietnam.

Ninh Binh, which boasts terrific limestone outcrops and World Heritage grottoes situated amid lush rice paddies, and Da Lat, which is also an excellent spot for adventure sports such as trekking, mountain biking, and rafting, were also named in the list. This is along with Dien Bien Phu which is developing eco-tourism and offering indigenous village homestays amid stunning forested landscapes and Hmong culture.

According to the Traveller writer, the best time to visit the country is between March and April. He noted that the December to March period still good for sightseeing, but temperatures are not as warm on local beaches.

Football: U19 Vietnam beat Thailand, face Malaysia in final round at Int'l U19 Tournament

Vietnam beat Thailand 1-0 in its third match of the 2022 International U19 Tournament in the southern province of Binh Duong on August 9. 

Though already winning a ticket to the final round, the Vietnamese team still played with high determination. Dinh Bac earned the first score in the 14th minute, which enabled the team to control the match.
 
In final minutes, Thailand created several dangerous situations but was unable to score, then accepted the 0-1 failure. The result ousted Thailand from the tournament.

With three consecutive wins, Vietnam will play Malaysia next in the final round at 6:30 pm on August 11 night.

Ministry of Public Security seeks stronger cooperation with UN agencies

Minister of Public Security To Lam has asked the new UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, Pauline Tamesis, to further promote cooperation between his ministry and UN agencies in transnational crime combat and peacekeeping.

At a reception for the UN Resident Coordinator in Hanoi on August 9, Lam noted that the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security has always coordinates closely with UN agencies in crime prevention and control, gender equality promotion and security, even amid the COVID-19 spread.

The minister briefed the UN official on coordination between the ministry and UN Women in improving the leadership capacity for women and fighting violence against women, as well as the establishment of its relations with the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism in aviation security.

He said the ministry will officially send officers to UN peacekeeping activities this year, and will work to ensure the sex ratio among the officers as recommended by the UN, viewing the international mission as a regular, long-term task of the Vietnamese police force.
 
Lam suggested Tamesis to continue facilitating cooperation between UN agencies and the ministry, as well as the UN’s support to Vietnam in transnational crime combat in specific areas such as drug crime, corruption, human trafficking, money laundering and terrorism.

More trains to be added on Hanoi – Lao Cai rail route

The Hanoi Railway Transport JSC (Haraco) has said that it will run extra passenger trains on the Hanoi – Lao Cai route, starting from September, to meet the rising travel demand to the resort town of Sa Pa.

There are currently only passenger trains running at weekends. From September 5, services from Hanoi to Lao Cai will be available on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. Trains will depart from Hanoi Railway Station at 10pm and arrive at Lao Cai Railway Station at 5:55am.

From Lao Cai to Hanoi, services will be available on Wednesdays and Sundays, starting from September 7. Trains will leave Lao Cai at 9:30pm and drop off passengers at Hanoi Station at 5:25am.

Fares range from 330,000 to 350,000 VND (14.11 – 14.96 USD) per person per trip.

Vietnam water puppetry introduced in RoK

Four Vietnamese artists will head to the Republic of Korea (RoK) for water puppetry shows in four cities to mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the RoK.

The group will stage a total of 20 shows, with each lasting for 50 minutes across the cities of Seoul, Gyungju, Yungduk, and Chuncheon from August 10 to September 6, reported Radio The Voice of Vietnam (VOV).

They will use the platform to introduce classic water puppetry plays to Korean audiences, such as fishing, buffalo fighting, dragon, and phoenix dances.

They will also spend time holding exchanges alongside local audiences to discuss the traditional Vietnamese art form.

Yen Bai deploys 21 World Bank-funded projects

The northern mountainous province of Yen Bai has received and implemented 21 programmes and projects funded by the World Bank (WB) with total investment of 4.67 trillion VND (199.65 million USD) since 2000, according to a local official.

Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Tran Huy Tuan told WB Country Director for Vietnam Carolyn Turk on August 9 that 18 out of the 21 projects have been put into use, while three are underway.

These projects have significantly contributed to local development in essential sectors like poverty reduction, construction, healthcare, rural transport and urban infrastructure, he stressed.

Turk was in Yen Bai province to discuss the implementation of the dynamic cities integrated development project, which includes Yen Bai city, with total investment amounting to 63.27 million USD, of which 39.46 million USD has been sourced from WB loans.

Vietnamese artists showcase works in Thailand

Three Vietnamese artists are showcasing their paintings at the 15th Art Exhibition of International Visual Artists Association of Thailand in Bangkok.

The exhibition is organised by the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, in collaboration with the International Visual Artists Association of Thailand, to promote understanding of contemporary art and culture among people.

The event will feature around 200 paintings in various mediums and in many styles by 185 artists from different countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, Canada and China.

Vietnamese artists Viet Thi Kim Quyen, Ly Khac Nhu and Ly Chanh Van exhibit a painting each.

The exhibition will be held at the Ratchadamnoen Contemporary Art Centre until August 30.

Netherlands helps Mekong Delta agriculture sector to adapt to climate change

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Can Tho city held a working session with a delegation from the Dutch Embassy on August 9, during which the two sides exchanged views on the Mekong Delta’s sustainable agricultural transformation.

Dr. Dang Kim Son, an expert in agricultural policy who led the Dutch delegation, noted that the Netherlands wishes to cooperate with the Mekong Delta and Can Tho city in agricultural transformation, focusing on specific agricultural products and experts.

Pham Truong Yen, Deputy Director of the department, pointed out the challenges facing the Mekong Delta, including climate change, rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion, along with small-scale production and a low-quality workforce.

The region needs support from the Netherlands in terms of mindset and vision, he said, adding that the Mekong Delta also hopes to learn from the country’s experience in water management, high-tech agriculture, and production variety.

Automatic rain gauge station installed in Truong Sa district

An automatic rain gauge station (VRain) has been installed in Truong Sa island district.

VRain is a new-generation automatic rain gauge system with data collection and processing completely developed by the Water Resources Development and Consulting Company (Watec). It won the Vietnam Fund for Scientific and Technological Creations (VIFOTEC) Awards in 2019.

Data from this new system will help the hydro-meteorological sector and forecasters have more information, current and past data for analysis, weather forecasting and disaster warning

At present, the Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration is monitoring 861 automatic rain gauge stations, and striving to raise the figure to 1,000 by the end of this year.

Source: VNA/SGT/VNS/VOV/Dtinews/SGGP/VGP/Hanoitimes