In the second semester of the 2023-2024 school year, the model will continue to be expanded to many schools in the city, while more students can participate in the class - including students in two districts Muong Khuong and Si Ma Cai in the Northern Province of Lao Cai.

The music lesson of class 4/1 in Thanh An Primary School in Can Gio District’s Thanh An Commune opened with the introduction of new classmates and teachers. Fourth grader Le Ngoc Gia Vy, one of the students of class 4/1 said she studies with her friends at Trung Lap Thuong Primary School in Cu Chi outlying district, so she’s both happy and nervous. Every time, a classmate in her class speaks correctly, friends of the other school also clap so she’s very excited.

To create a joyful atmosphere for the classroom, students at Thanh An Primary School were asked by their educators to simulate the swimming movements of dolphins with their hands, and students at Trung Lap Thuong Primary School simulated the sound whispering of sea waves. Although the dolphins, ocean waves and the teacher only saw each other through the projector screen, the two classes interacted very smoothly, and the classroom atmosphere became lively with applause and comments from students from the two schools.

This is one of the classes under the digital classroom model piloted by the Department of Education and Training in coordination with the Ho Chi Minh City Digital Transformation Consulting and Support Center from December 2022.

According to Principal of Thanh An Primary School Le Huu Binh, the school has a staff of music teachers, but teaching lessons in an online and face-to-face format under the presidency of an assistant teacher helps promote student initiative; thereby, improving the effectiveness of innovating teaching methods for teachers in the school.

Principal of Trung Lap Thuong Primary School Nguyen Van Toi informed that the digital classroom model with the participation of good and experienced teachers in online teaching organized by the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City helps to solve the problem of lack of gifted teachers in schools in suburban districts, especially in English and IT subjects.

As the class is organized online, students in many places participate in lessons taking place at the same time, helping schools resolve the problem of teacher shortage plus closing the gap between schools in suburban districts and their peers in the inner city.

Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training Nguyen Bao Quoc acknowledged that the digital classroom model has initially met the requirements of teaching and developing student qualities and abilities according to the General Education Program 2018’s orientation.

Tet gathering held for Vietnamese experts working for UN agencies
 
The Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN) hosted a meeting with Vietnamese experts working for UN agencies in New York on February 8 on the occasion of the Lunar New Year (Tet) - the the biggest festival of Vietnam.

In his speech, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, head of the mission, showed his appreciation for the contributions by Vietnamese experts to the UN’s activities in general, as well as for their companionship and cooperation with the mission in many fronts in recent times.

The diplomat emphasised that in the context of  many difficulties and challenges in the world, Vietnam’s foreign affairs work, including multilateral diplomacy and international integration, continues to be a bright spot, actively contributing to increasing Vietnam's reputation and position in the international arena.

He expressed his hope that Vietnamese experts, no matter what position they hold, will also continue to well perform their role of representing Vietnamese intelligence and identity at the UN, while maintaining close connection and coordination with the mission, especially in effectively implementing UN programmes and projects, realising sustainable development goals, as well as in community and public affairs with the host country.

Vietnamese experts affirmed that they will always accompany and support the mission in completing all assigned tasks.

There are currently about 20 Vietnamese experts working for UN agencies such as the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN Development Program (UNDP), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Secretariat of the UN.

Vietnamese in Laos maintain tradition of going to pagodas during Tet

Going to pagodas on the first lunar days remains a tradition of Vietnamese people both at home and abroad, including those in Laos.

On those days, Phat Tich Pagoda in the Lao capital city of Vientiane have welcomed crowds of visitors who come to pray for peace and good health for themselves and their relatives.

Phan Tien Anh, who has lived in Laos for years, said his family has maintained the practice to educate children about Vietnam’s tradition, and pray for a New Year with good health, happiness and peace.

Nguyen Thi Bich Lien, born and raised in Laos, said her family goes to pagodas on the 30th day of the last lunar month, where they can enjoy the sacred atmosphere of Tet.

For every Vietnamese citizen, the cultural beauty of going to pagodas at the beginning of a lunar year is not only a tradition but also an occasion for families to pass on Tet (Lunar New Year) values to future generations.

Vietnam works to cement ties with Peru

Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil Bui Van Nghi, who also covers Peru, Bolivia, Guyana and Suriname presented his credentials to Peruvian President Dina Boluarte on February 8.

Expressing his honour to be the Vietnamese Ambassador to Peru, Nghi affirmed he will do his utmost to continue developing the bilateral ties between the two countries.

He expressed his wish that the two countries will bolster delegate exchanges at many levels and hold activities to mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations (November 14, 1994 – 2024), contributing to effectively promoting bilateral ties.

On February 7, the diplomat met with representatives of Bitel – one of the largest telecom operators in Peru, which is also a subsidiary of Vietnam's military-run telecom giant Viettel.

After 10 years of operating in Peru, Bitel has accounted for 19% of the market share in the South American country. In 2023, Bitel earned a revenue of nearly 408 million USD, with 5 million subscribers in 2023.

Besides providing telecommunications services, Bitel has also diversified products such as providing e-wallet services (Bipay), free OTT TV (TV360), electronic lottery (Tusami), and customer retention, especially in remote areas where travel is difficult.

Bitel is committed to providing free internet services to more than 4,000 schools in Peru and universalising telecommunications services. With this investment project, Bitel has created jobs for more than 3,000 Peruvians.

Pham Duc Anh, General Director of Bitel, affirmed that Bitel will continue to grow in Peru with plans to expand in several areas, including infrastructure, production, and business to ensure compliance with commitments with the Peruvian government, helping to cement the two countries’ relations.

Tet celebrated abroad

Vietnamese living abroad are celebrating the Lunar New Year (Tet) celebration - the most important traditional festival of Vietnamese people.

Dang Huy Quyet, owner of a restaurant selling “Pho” (noodle soup) - one of the traditional dishes of Vietnam – in Tokyo, and his employees prepared 70 Tet gifts, including “Chung” cake and “Gio” (steamed pork paste) to give to Vietnamese students living in his neighbourhood.

Quyet said that having lived in Tokyo for 15 years, he understands the difficulties that Vietnamese expatriates usually face and their homesickness during traditional celebrations like Tet. He said he hopes to bring a feeling of Tet to them.

Meanwhile, an event to honour the beauty of the Vietnamese language was held in Vientiane, Laos, on February 7.

Vietnamese musical and poetry works were introduced at the event, helping the Vietnamese community in Laos and Thailand, as well as and Lao people who can speak Vietnamese feel the beauty of the Vietnamese language, use it, and preserve it further.

Within the framework of the programme, participants enjoyed songs and poems about President Ho Chi Minh, the country and people of Vietnam, and the Laos-Vietnam friendship.

Vietnamese students at the Pushkin State Russian Language Institute in Moscow have held an event to celebrate the Vietnamese Tet festival.

During the event, they told international participants about Tet in Vietnam with typical rituals, food, games, and wishes.

The event aimed to promote the image of Vietnam and its culture in Russia.

Vietnam calls peace, stability prerequisite for solutions to global challenges

A Vietnamese diplomat stressed that peace and stability are the prerequisite for seeking solutions to global challenges while attending a plenary session held by the UN General Assembly on February 7 to discuss UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ priorities for 2024.

In his remarks at the event, Secretary-General Guterres voiced his concern over the worsening violence, instability, geopolitical division, and conflicts threatening international peace and security.

The top priority of the UN is to promote peace and prevent wars and conflicts, he said, emphasising that to cope with such global challenges as poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, humanitarian crises, and terrorism, countries need to make joint efforts and comprehensively reform multilateral systems, from the UN Security Council to international economic - financial institutions.

Addressing the session, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, shared the Secretary-General’s concern about the instability and multidimensional crises facing the international community.

To seek solutions to those global challenges, he stressed peace and stability form the prerequisite, and that member states need to comply with international law and the UN Charter, refrain from the use of force, and resolve disputes by peaceful means.

Regarding the Summit of the Future – a priority of the UN for 2024, Giang said this will be a chance for enhancing international cooperation, making reforms, and implementing the international community’s common commitment to peace, prosperity, and sustainable development for future generations.

Vietnam will actively contribute to this process with a people-centred approach, he added.

On this occasion, the ambassador highly valued Guterres’ leadership role in promoting international assistance for the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate finance, including the adoption of such initiatives as the SDG Stimulus and the Just Energy Transition Partnership.

Vietnam will join other UN member states in supporting and making efforts to carry out the abovementioned initiatives of the Secretary-General for the sake of common goals, he stated.

Exhibition showcases Vietnam's imperial examinations during the monarchical era

As many as 300 documents and artifacts are on display in the exhibition Source of Studiouness at the Back Hall of Thai Hoc House, Special National Relic of Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature).

The exhibition opened on February 5 to help the public better understand the history of the establishment and development of the Temple of Literature and the Vietnamese academic system during the monarchical times.

In addition, the exhibition paid tribute to the most prominent promoters of Vietnamese education through documents and artifacts related to King Ly Thanh Tong, King Ly Nhan Tong, King Le Thanh Tong, teacher Chu Van An, Nguyen Phi Y Lan and famous scholars Le Van Thinh, Than Nhan Trung, Luong The Vinh.

Le Xuan Kieu, director of the Centre for Cultural and Scientific Activities at Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam, said the exhibition was organized by the Centre's staff with professional help from Vietnamese scholars and experts from France.

"Together, we tell the story of three kings, a queen, a great teacher and valedictorians, all virtuous and intelligent people who share the same vision of school and education - a factor that allows us to move towards a more peaceful, prosperous and just society," said Kieu.

During the Le dynasty, especially under the reign of King Le Thanh Tong, the Dai Viet educational culture developed brilliantly. For the first time in history, examinations were strictly organized and those who passed the imperial examinations had their names engraved on stone steles".

Hong affirmed that this exhibition means gratitude and honors the contributions of predecessors and famous people who laid the foundation for the development of national education and created a class of intellectuals in Vietnam during the monarchy.

Exhibition shows Hanoians' tradition of preparing for Tet

Hanoi Museum has opened an exhibition on Old Tet in Hanoi to remind people of the traditional celebration of the Lunar New Year.

The exhibition space is divided into different parts, including banh chung (square sticky rice cakes); erecting cay neu (Tet tree to ward off evil); the custom of displaying calligraphic works and Tet paintings; showing bonsai during Tet; fireworks and Tet market (past and present).

Duong Thi Kim Oanh, 64, told her story of preparing for the Lunar New Year at the exhibition. When she married the eldest son of a family in the Old Quarter, her mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law taught her how to behave.

"I was taught that the tray of offerings for the ancestors at the Lunar New Year is very important. No one can taste any of the food on it before their ancestors. So when cooking, you are not allowed to taste it, but only judge the seasoning yourself. The most important dishes to offer are banh chung, boiled chicken, spring rolls, bamboo shoot soup, canh bong (dried pork skin soup cooked with vegetables)," she said.

Professor Bui Xuan Dinh said the traditional Tet lasts three days, but people have been carefully preparing for these days since the 12th month of the lunar calendar.

The journey to prepare for Tet involves a lot of work that must be meticulous and thoughtful and requires the participation of family members.

"The Lunar New Year celebration focuses on eating and drinking, so the elders call it 'an Tet or enjoying Tet'. The festival is a time to show wealth and prosperity. Some dishes are only available at Tet, such as banh chung, pickled onions, and thit dong (braised frozen pork). The pot of boiled banh chung is almost the highlight of Tet, it's something people wait for, it's the reason people are busy, and it's a chance for people to get together," Dinh said.

According to cultural researcher Tran Doan Lam, Tet is a process of innovation that follows Eastern philosophy. It is a time of transition from one season to another, from the old year to the new. At this time, people tend to review what they have done in the past year and express their wishes for the new year.

"These wishes are the driving force for people to live and work. Vietnamese people have a tradition of visiting friends and relatives and wishing each other good luck so that life will always develop in a positive direction," Lam said.

The exhibition will run until the Lunar New Year at the Hanoi Museum, Pham Hung Street, Hanoi.

HCMC strives to complete 50 digital schools

At yesterday’s conference, Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City Nguyen Bao Quoc announced that the education sector is striving to complete 50 digital schools.

Speaking at the conference to summarize the first semester and deploy the tasks of the second semester of the 2023-2024 school year of secondary education organized by the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City, Deputy Director Nguyen Bao Quoc required schools to accelerate the progress of building digital school models.

Accordingly, the education and training sector in Ho Chi Minh City sets a goal of having at least 50 typical digital schools by 2025. This is a school model that deploys applications and curriculum designed in a digital environment. Information of school managers, teachers, and students who take part in the model will be kept prudential in the digital environment.

According to statistics from the Department of Secondary Education under the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City, Thu Duc City and 21 districts have not guaranteed all educational establishments to build digital schools.

Therefore, in the second semester of the 2023-2024 school year, the sector must promote digital transformation much more so that it can have 35 percent of interactive digital learning materials implemented in all subjects by the beginning of 2025, meeting the goal of the 2018 General Education Program.

International students eager for Vietnam's traditional Lunar New Year festival

International students are eager for the celebration of Vietnam's traditional Lunar New Year festival.

In the context of international integration in higher education, more and more students from other countries are coming to study at universities in Ho Chi Minh City and many other schools across the country. In the days when the Tet holiday is approaching, many universities have planned to organize programs and activities to celebrate Tet for international students to experience and feel the flavors and culture of Vietnam's traditional Tet holiday.

Student Amanda Ross, a UK international student studying at Ton Duc Thang University, said that he came to Vietnam in the spring of 2023 through a cultural exchange program. He revealed that he likes most Vietnamese food from pho to rice and other dishes all with their own attractive flavors. He was more eager to celebrate the Vietnamese traditional Tet which was very interesting as he experienced activities such as going to the Tet market and learning to make banh chung ( Vietnamese traditional sticky rice cake) and banh tet ( cylindric glutinous rice cake ). he said that being international students, participating in traditional Tet activities is a special experience, making him feel the warmth and hospitality of Vietnamese people.

Meanwhile, student Connor Shaun Moore, an Australian student at Ton Duc Thang University, has a very unique feeling about traditional Vietnamese costumes during Tet. The most unforgettable experience for him was wearing ao dai, a traditional costume that Vietnamese people often wear during Tet as well as on special holidays, and also at the closing ceremony of the school's academic program. Through that, he loves Vietnamese people, Vietnamese culture, and Vietnamese spirit even more.

Four-year Japanese student Konaka Yuichiro of the Department of Vietnamese Studies faculty of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities under the National University of Ho Chi Minh City, the traditional Vietnamese New Year is the most special day of the year.

She added that this is an opportunity for family members to reunite and give each other the best wishes for the new year. Japan has no longer a traditional New Year, because the Japanese also welcome the New Year like Western people but it is also the most special day of the year.

What impresses her most about Vietnamese Tet is that there are many traditional dishes such as banh chung and banh tet. Another very impressive feature is the way Vietnamese people display five-fruit trays during Tet with many meanings for a prosperous new year, good business and fortune, said Konaka Yuichiro.

According to Korean four-year student Lee Ah Nam at the Department of Vietnamese Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the most outstanding feature of Tet holidays in Vietnam or Korea is the lucky money-giving tradition. The difference is that in Vietnam, children receive lucky money in lucky money envelopes, while in Korea children receive it in a bag called a lucky bag.

In addition, in Korea, children and grandchildren must bow to their grandparents to receive lucky money, but in Vietnam, they only need to clasp hands and politely wish their grandparents and adults a happy new year to receive lucky money. What impresses him most is that on Vietnamese traditional Tet, the whole family gathers together to make banh tet, banh chung and have many traditional games during Tet, said Lee Ah Nam.

Even though he stayed in Vietnam for four Tet holidays, Laotian student Xaiyasongthor Tulee, a five-year student majoring in Medicine at Nguyen Tat Thanh University still has a special feeling about Vietnam's traditional Tet holiday. The school organized activities such as decorating five-fruit trays, wrapping banh chung, banh tet, and sharing a year-end meal to help international students experience Tet to the fullest.

Xaiyasongthor Tulee revealed that a friend of his invited him to the friend’s hometown in An Giang for a Tet celebration. He and his friend’s family members celebrate New Year's Eve, have a New Year's Eve meal, receive lucky money, go to the temple, and give each other best wishes. Therefore, he really likes the Vietnamese traditional Tet holiday, with many unique traditional cultural features similar to Tet in his own country.

Vietnamese female scientist works relentlessly for sake of community

The Steering Committee of the European-funded Pandemic Information to Support Rapid Response (PAIR ) project saw the participation of Dr. Nguyen Thu Hien, a Vietnamese senior clinical scientist currently working at Danish University Hospital.

This is a large project with 20 partners comprising 14 universities, research institutes, organizations and 6 companies from 10 countries in Europe and the US, with a total budget of EUR 7 million for 5 years of implementation from 2024 to 2028.

The PAIR project kick-off meeting took place at the end of January at the Danish Polytechnic University (DTU). This time, the hospital where Dr. Nguyen Thu Hien is in charge will participate in tool development and clinical validation of the tool. Dr. Nguyen Thu Hien said that this is an extremely wonderful experience to meet partners in person after more than a year of only virtual meetings for the project preparation and writing process.

She revealed that she is ready for the 5-year journey with project participants. Interestingly, her husband Dr. Le Quy Vang, also joined the Steering Committee of the PAIR project as the head of two related work packages using big data and machine learning for tool development.

Dr. Nguyen Thu Hien's normal day in Aalborg City (Denmark) often revolves around completing patient records, carrying out research and teaching at the university.

After marriage, she started a career abroad but however busy she is, Thu Hien still actively participates in community activities, especially participating in the Covid-19 Taskforce towards Vietnam (Covid-19 Rapid Response Team of AVSE Global Association of Vietnamese Scientists and Experts), because she always thinks about devotion to Vietnam, her homeland.

In November 2023, Hien took on the role of host (coordinator) in the seminar ‘Experience finding a post-doctoral job in Denmark’ organized by the Association of Vietnamese Experts and Intellectuals in Denmark (AVIDE). Participants who are Vietnamese graduate students were provided with a lot of practical experience in the process of applying for jobs in the academic field as well as at companies in Denmark after defending their doctoral thesis.

Thu Hien is currently Vice President of AVIDE. Through these activities, she also hopes that her two children will keep their Vietnamese roots deeply. Recently, she received a certificate of merit from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam for her devotion to the well-being of the community.

Those who have a chance to chat with Thu Hien will hear stories about specialized scientific data analysis in addition to the ability to subtly observe life as well as the thick and sensitive emotions radiating from her. Certainly, Hien's love of literature came before Hien's later commitment to science. She won first prize in the writing contest for teenagers in the Northern Province of Nam Dinh in 1998 with a series of short stories, Stars in the Sky, and first prize in the writing contest for students at the University of Natural Sciences, Hanoi National University in 2000 with short story Ca phe dang (Bitter Coffee).

Recently, Thu Hien revealed that she started to write a children's book to go along with her children.

Japan seeks to attract high-spending Vietnamese tourists

Japan seeks to attract high-spending Vietnamese tourists as the Japan National Tourism Organization’s statistics show that the number of Vietnamese tourists coming to have fun and visit the land of the rising sun is increasing.

Yesterday afternoon, the Japan Reconstruction Agency coordinated with the Japan Tourism Promotion Agency and several related units to introduce unique tourist attractions of Fukushima province called "Genki! Fukushima 2024”.

Minister for Reconstruction cum Minister in charge of Comprehensive Policy Coordination for Revival from the Nuclear Accident at Fukushima Tsuchiya Shinako said that the attraction of tourism and cuisine in Japanese provinces and cities in general, and Fukushima province in particular, is very great. Before the Covid-19 epidemic, statistically about 13,000 Vietnamese people went to Fukushima province to visit and experience the destinations.

Fukushima Prefecture located in the south of the Tohoku region, about 200km from Tokyo is the third largest prefecture in Japan, after Hokkaido and Iwate with typical cultures of Japan.

After the disaster, Fukushima has gradually recovered, becoming a completely new tourist destination, attracting many tourists in 2024.

This place is considered a land of convergence of Japanese cultures such as hot springs, citadel architecture, and cherry blossoms with a variety of fresh sea products including oysters, scallops, and fresh fruits.

Some outstanding specialties that guests cannot miss include Kitakata ramen, and Kozuyu soup.

The event ‘Genki! Fukushima 2024’ took place from February 2 to 4 at HCMC-based Aeon Mall Tan Phu Celadon, promoting cultural values, outstanding values of resources, and citadel architecture to attract Vietnamese tourists to visit.

People who come to shop and have fun at Aeon Mall Tan Phu Celadon will enjoy some typical products of Fukushima and neighboring provinces such as Sanriku Joban seafood, Fukushima specialty peach juice, handing out lettuce miso soup products, experiencing Okiagari Koboshi (tumbling doll coloring workshop).

In addition, guests can also buy Vietravel's five-day-four-night tours to the land of cherry blossoms at preferential prices such as Explore Japan with Takamatsu cherry blossoms - Kobe - Osaka - Tokyo - Mount Fuji – Fukushima’ from March 17 at VND 29.99 million ( US$1,288) a person.

Maximum speed of some expressways increased to 90km per hour during Tet holiday

The Management Board of the Eastern North-South Expressway project yesterday informed that the speed limit has been increased to 90 kilometers per hour from 80 kilometers per hour on some expressways.
 
The higher speed is to meet the high travel demand of people during the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday.

Of which, the speed limit on Mai Son- National Highway No.45 expressway route has been increased to 90 kilometers per hour.

In addition, the Dong Giao intersection connecting the Mai Son- National Highway No.45 expressway and the East-West avenue project in the Northern province of Ninh Binh is eligible to be put into exploitation on February 15 (the sixth day of the first lunar month of 2024).

Similarly, the National Highway No.45 - Nghi Son and Nghi Son - Dien Chau expressway projects have also completed the installation and adjustment of speed signs so vehicles can travel on the route at a speed of up to 90 kilometers per hour.

Previously, the Ministry of Transport approved speed limit increase to 90 kilometers per hour from 80 kilometers per hour for eight four-lane expressways with divergent investment and median strip (two lanes for each way).

The eight expressways included Mai Son- National Highway No.45, National Highway No.45- Nghi Son, Nghi Son- Dien Chau, Dien Chau- Bai Vot, Nha Trang- Cam Lam, Ca, Lam- Vinh Hao, Vinh Hao- Phan Thiet and Lao Cai- Kim Thanh.

The Ministry of Transport also required relevant units to complete the adjustment of the speed limit to 90 kilometers per hour before the Lunar New Year to serve the travel needs of people. The deadline for requirements shall be extended to the first quarter of 2024.

Can Tho – Ca Mau Expressway in serious need of construction material

The Transport Ministry has just proposed that the Prime Minister direct related localities to speed up material exploitation procedure for the Can Tho – Ca Mau Expressway project by March 15. 

The Transport Ministry reported that the investor of the above project has actively worked with the People’s Committees of relevant localities for necessary procedures to exploit beach sand mines. However, the latter is rather hesitant and still waiting for instructions from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for specific mechanisms to exploit beach sand as well as regulations on administrative boundaries at sea.

The result is that until the end of January 2024, the progress of sand mining to serve the Can Tho – Ca Mau Expressway construction project is extremely slow. Although the total capacity of the assigned sand mines is about 6.6 million cubic meters, due to limited exploitation, the daily supply is merely 16,000 cubic meters.

At the beginning of February 2024, another 10 mines are available; yet with the current permitted exploitation capacity, each day there is only an addition of 34,000 cubic meters per day for the above project, whereas the demand is 90,000 cubic meter a day to keep up with the construction schedule.

Therefore, to ensure the progress is maintained and the project can be finished in 2025, the Transport Ministry has proposed that the Prime Minister send a dispatch to direct the People’s Committees of the three provinces of An Giang, Dong Thap, and Vinh Long to urgently open the sand mines with completed exploitation procedure.

 
Simultaneously, the Prime Minister is suggested to ask related localities to check currently exploited mines with the priority to extended ones and investigate new mines in their area in order to increase the total exploitation capacity to serve the project. Particularly, the time to complete necessary procedures should be reduced so that those mines can be in use by March 15.

In addition, the People’s Committees of the provinces of Tien Giang, Soc Trang, Tra Vinh, and Ben Tre are requested to support the project investor and contractors to access river and beach sand mines in their areas.

Ministry to evaluate pre-feasibility study report on HCMC-Can Tho railway

Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang has just signed Decision No. 115/QD - BGTVT on establishing an internal appraisal council for the pre-feasibility study report on the construction of a railway route from HCMC to the Mekong Delta hub of Can Tho.

The council has 16 members who are leaders of agencies and units under the Ministry of Transport and Vietnam Railways Corporation. The Chairman of the Council is Mr. Nguyen Danh Huy, Deputy Minister of Transport.

Under the decision, the internal appraisal council is responsible for reviewing and evaluating the contents of the pre-feasibility study report on the HCMC - Can Tho railway construction investment project in accordance with laws, and submitting the report to the Minister of Transport before presenting to the Prime Minister for approval.

The Ministry of Transport has assigned the Management Authority for Urban Railways to coordinate with the internal appraisal council and provide relevant documents during the appraisal process.

The high-speed train connecting the two cities will run 175.2 kilometers through HCMC and provinces of Binh Duong, Long An, Tien Giang, Vinh Long, and Can Tho City with 19 stations and 10 maintenance stations. The project’s investment is expected to be about US$8.57 billion.

WB evaluates Vietnam’s railway projects before financing

A representative of the World Bank said the bank will evaluate Vietnam’s railway projects before financing.
 
At a meeting with the Ministry of Transport yesterday afternoon, Operations Manager for the World Bank in Vietnam Kathy Whimp said that the WB working group conducted a survey and evaluation of four railway projects that Vietnam is preparing to invest in to seek financial support.

Some four railway projects that the WB is paying attention to include the eastern belt railway project in Hanoi, the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau railway project, the Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho railway project, and the railway traffic safety project.

At the meeting, the WB representative asked the Ministry of Transport to clarify the possibility of affecting the preparation progress of railway projects when the railway network planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, is being under consideration while regional and detailed plans are being studied and developed.

The WB also asked the Ministry of Transport to make clear a number of technical issues such as the design to ensure accessibility to non-motorized traffic participants for railway traffic safety projects, the investment form of the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau railway project, and the investment plan for the Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho railway project in each phase.

Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Danh Huy said that four projects that the Ministry of Transport proposed to the World Bank’s ODA funding have been planned. The planning adjustment does not affect project progress plans. Currently, the Vietnam Railway Project Management Board is planning the progress and specific implementation time of each project. The Ministry of Transport will ask related units to carefully study the WB's proposals and recommendations for each project.

It is expected that in mid-March, the President of the World Bank and the President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) will visit Hanoi to consider plans to support the development of Vietnam's railway industry.

VND4.2 trillion for Tet care from trade union fund

The VGCL informed that, based on a rapid report from 74 out of 82 localities and units with trade union activities, nearly 7.5 million union members and workers had received support from trade unions during the Tet holiday. The overall budget for these activities surpasses VND4.24 trillion, with social contributions amounting to almost VND1.8 trillion (42.44 percent).

In terms of visitation and support activities, the VGCL revealed that during the Tet holiday of 2024, nearly 7.2 million union members and workers were visited, gifted, and supported by trade unions at various levels. The total allocated budget for these initiatives was nearly VND4.01 trillion, with over 89 percent dedicated to gift and cash support and the remaining portion utilized for providing warm union houses and other forms of assistance.

This Tet, trade unions at different levels have effectively coordinated a total of 14,664 "Tet Reunion - Spring Sharing" programs, engaging over 3 million participants. Among them, more than 1.8 million workers have been presented with gifts, with a total budget nearing VND1.02 trillion.

The "Tet Reunion - Spring Sharing" program has been primarily hosted at grassroots trade unions, making up over 88 percent of the events. It features a variety of activities, which has infused a joyful and warm ambiance for the workers, particularly those from remote areas or facing challenges such as unemployment or reduced working hours.

"In numerous locations, there are efforts to grant scholarships to the children of workers, offer support with school supplies, extend Tet wishes to families of workers with parents over 70 years old, visit and convey Tet greetings to Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, individuals who have contributed to the revolution and single mothers," detailed the VGLC.

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