As many as 17 European films are set to be introduced to local audiences during the 21st European Film Festival in Vietnam (EUFF) which will get underway in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Lam Dong province’s Da Lat resort city between May 19 and June 5.

The festival organised by the EU Delegation to Vietnam will receive the support of the EU Policy and Outreach Partnership (EUPOP), the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) reported.

It plans to showcase a wide selection of carefully-curated and diverse films that have previously won international awards, according to the organisers.

With themes such as “Family” and “Youth”, the films offer Vietnamese viewers the chance to gain a more multifaceted perspective on European life and culture, as well as helping to shine a light on certain struggles people face.

The festival will be held at the Goethe Institutes in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Galaxy Cinema in Da Nang, and Cinestar Cinema in Da Lat.

PM meets Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to the UN

Officials and staff of Vietnamese representative agencies must keep abreast of global issues such as pandemic response, resource exhaustion, population aging and climate change in order to fulfill their tasks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said on May 15 (US time).

He made the request during a working meeting visit with the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN) as part of his trip to the US.

These above-mentioned issues require a global approach, calling for the cooperation of countries and multilateralism, of which the most important mechanism is the UN, the PM said.  

At the same time, the mission should strictly follow the foreign policy of independence, for peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralisation and diversification of external relations.

According to the PM, it is essential to have deep knowledge on the role of the UN and the role of Vietnam in the UN. He asked the delegation to continue to further review the country’s experience during the two tenures serving as a non-permanent member in the UN Security Council.  
           
He also required the mission to pay more attention to strategic research in order to timely make policy recommendations to the Party and State when there are new developments in the world situation. 

The government leader asked the delegation to take care of the Vietnamese community, especially intellectuals and students, to enable them to contribute more to the country and the practical and effective relations between Vietnam and US.

At the meeting, Dang Hoang Giang, head of the Delegation of Vietnam to the UN, briefed the Government leader on the mission's work and highlighted outstanding achievements in the Vietnam - UN relations over the past 45 years since the country joined the world's largest international organisation.

Immigration Department pilots granting passports through e-portal

Vietnamese citizens applying for passports without electronic chips will be able to submit their forms online and receive by post.

Under a pilot scheme from May 15, they can access http://dichvucong.gov.vn or http://dichvucong.bocongan.gov.vn to make online declaration, pay the fee and receive their passports by post or collect them at the immigration offices, according to the Vietnam Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security.

The scheme is applicable to those residing in the country having a valid chip-based identity card or a valid 12-digit citizen ID card, a valid account on the Government Public Service Portal, and the ability to pay online fees.

The move aims to reduce the travel time for people and limit the negative phenomena while strengthening the transparency of public administration.

If successful, the model will be rolled out to provinces and cities nationwide.

PM has meetings with friends of Vietnam in US

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on May 15 (US time) had meetings with American friends who have stood by Vietnam and its people as part of his working visit to the US.

In the meeting with John McAuliff and group of US who have helped support Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange/dioxin, PM Chinh said other than future-looking items of bilateral cooperation, the Vietnamese delegation has also discussed with the US side on the handling of war consequences that still haunt Vietnam to this day.

There are still three million people suffering from the impacts of Agent Orange, not to even mention the risks of continuing diseases and deformities afflicting future generations, the millions of hectares of contaminated lands, he said. As many as 200,000 Vietnamese martyrs have still not been found, while unexploded bombs and mines continue to threaten the safety and livelihoods of many Vietnamese people.

The Vietnamese Government leader expressed gratitude for McAuliff and American friends who have supported Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange and assisted Vietnam in handling war consequences.

For his part, McAuliff thanked PM Pham Minh Chinh in particular and Vietnam in general for the goodwill to put aside the past and look toward the future, and for the cooperation between the two countries in handling war consequences – including the search for US persons missing in action (MIAs) in the war in Vietnam, which has contributed to the healing process.

The PM hoped the American friends to have more robust, effective measures and practical programmes to address the most urgent issues in handling war legacies – including the decontamination of Bien Hoa airbase, livelihood support for the Agent Orange victims, support for genetic analysis to identify martyrs, and especially inspiring younger generations to continue their works – in coordination with the Vietnamese agencies through the help of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The same day, PM Chinh also met a number of close friends with Vietnam, who have made active contributions and always supported Vietnam during the war as well as during present nation-building efforts.

Attending the meeting were Merle Ratner and some colleagues who are co-founders and coordinators of an organisation that advocates for relief and responsibility for victims of Agent Orange in Vietnam; Jay Johnson, who used to join the first group of US soldiers to resist the draft to be sent to fight in Vietnam and was sentenced to 28 months in prison; Susan Schnall, a former US Navy nurse, who with her husband used a plane to drop leaflets calling on soldiers to resist the order to deploy to Vietnam, as well as some active members of left-wing movements in the US.

American friends expressed their impression with Vietnam’s great achievements after 35 years of doi moi (reforms), announced a number of activities being carried out to continue supporting Vietnam, and had discussed with the Vietnamese leader on the situation in Vietnam, the region and the world.

PM Chinh stated that Vietnam steadfastly pursues the path of national independence and Socialism, striving to become a prosperous, strong, democratic nation with equitable, civilised society.

Vietnam consistently implements the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, for peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralisation and diversification of foreign relations, PM Chinh said, adding that Vietnam seeks to be a good friend, a reliable partner and an active and responsible member of the international community.

Vietnam and the US have put aside past, and have been working together to advance ties across all areas, on the basis of respecting each other’s political institutions, territorial integrity and sovereignty, he noted.

One of the pillars in the bilateral relationship is economy, trade, and investment. In 2021, Vietnam-US trade reached 112 billion USD, accounting for nearly one third of the total US-ASEAN trade at 362 billion USD, and enjoying an annual growth of 17-20 percent.

Each overseas Vietnamese should be country’s most vivid demonstration: PM

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a meeting with some overseas Vietnamese (OV) intellectuals and young people in New York on May 15 as part of his working trip to the US and the UN.

Representatives of the overseas community reported on their living, working, and studying situation as well as activities in New York, noting that the Vietnamese people here have always fulfilled the obligations of citizens, turned their hearts towards the homeland, and are delighted at the country’s development.

Fielding questions about Vietnam’s measures for attracting foreign investment, PM Chinh said Vietnam has an appropriate policy, competitive edges, and a stable legal system that matches its international commitments. It is also stepping up administrative reforms, developing comprehensive infrastructure, forming a business climate suiting Vietnam and global trends, and gearing up high-quality human resources for investors to come to operate in the country.

He underlined the Party and State’s attention to the attraction of intellectuals to the public sector, and that favourable material and spiritual conditions are being created for those working in the public sector.

He called on young people who have capability, will, and enthusiasm to engage in this sector, highlighting the welcome for anyone who wishes to work for the sake of themselves, their families, society, and the homeland.

Regarding the treatment of dual nationals, the PM said not only OVs but also foreigners in Vietnam are all treated as equally as domestic Vietnamese.

The Party and State have issued many guidelines and policies on OVs, consistently affirmed that OVs are an integral part of the community of Vietnamese ethnic groups, and created conditions for consolidating the great national solidarity and helping OVs gain a firm legal status, settle down in their host countries, and actively contribute to the homeland’s development, he went on.

In terms of the popularisation of Vietnam’s images, the PM said Vietnam owns many proud features and despite a low starting point, it has never obtained a fortune, strength, stature, and prestige in the world like it does today after 35 years of reforms.

Therefore, OVs can be completely proud to introduce the country’s images, he said, calling on each OV to be the most vivid demonstration of the homeland.

Da Nang expects to welcome back RoK tourists

The Republic of Korea (RoK) is a key tourism market for the central beach city of Da Nang, accounting for more than half of all international arrivals to the city prior to COVID-19. Da Nang expects this major market to quickly recover over the remaining months of this year.

These are some RoK tour groups arriving in Da Nang post-COVID-19. They are with travel companies and taking part in a business trip to meet Vietnamese partners in the city to develop new tourism products in an attempt to attract more RoK tourists to Vietnam.

In 2019, prior to COVID-19, Da Nang welcomed nearly 1.8 million tourists from the RoK, arriving on more than 200 flights a week. Only Incheon - Da Nang flights have resumed so far, with 6 flights a week.

However, according to travel companies, there are many difficulties in recovering the RoK market due to its government’s vaccine policy for the elderly and children as well as the tourism ecosystem in Da Nang to serve Korean tourists.

Six airlines are scheduled to resume flights to Da Nang by October, connecting it with major cities in the RoK on some 50 flights a week.

NA Chairman visits Lao - Viet Bank in Vientiane

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue visited the Lao - Viet Bank (LVB), the commercial representative of the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) in Laos, in Vientiane on May 15.

LVB was established on June 22, 1999 and had charter capital of 791.3 billion LAK (100 million USD at the date of capital contribution).

Present in nine of the 18 provinces and cities in Laos, it is Vietnam’s leading commercial bank and also one of the three largest financial institutions in the country, with total assets currently approximating 1.1 billion USD - ranking third in the local banking system.

Speaking highly of the bank’s development over the last 23 years, Chairman Hue, who is paying an official visit to Laos, said BIDV should help promote investment and give advice to Vietnamese firms planning to invest and do business in Laos.

As bilateral trade stands at only 1.3 billion USD at present, much lower than the target of 2 billion USD, enterprises should make use of the Lao market, which is in close proximity to Vietnam. Aside from credit services, BIDV and its LVB need to develop non-credit ones so as to help achieve that target, he went on.

Vietnam, Cambodia hold first border defence exchange

Vietnam and Cambodia held the first border defence exchange in the border areas of Loc Ninh district of the former’s Binh Phuoc province and Snuol district of the latter’s Kratie province on May 15.

Co-chairing the event, Vietnamese Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Samdech Pichay Sena Tea Banh saluted Border Marker No. 69, planted friendship trees, witnessed a joint patrol, cut the ribbon to open a military - civilian medical centre in Loc Ninh, and visited two primary schools in the districts.

At the following talks, Giang said this was the first border defence friendship exchange between the two countries at the ministerial level. It became even more meaningful as 2022 is the two countries’ Friendship Year and marks the 55th founding anniversary of their diplomatic ties (June 24) and the 45th anniversary of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s path to topple the Pol Pot genocidal regime (June 20).

The two sides affirmed that braving difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the complex international and regional situation, the Vietnam - Cambodia relations, including defence ties, have still been thriving.

Phu Quoc Island among 25 'incredible' islands: Australian magazine

Traveller magazine has included Phu Quoc off the southern coast of Vietnam in its list of 25 "incredible" islands Australians should visit at least once in a lifetime.

The Australian publication called it "Lovers' Island" which has everything for a honeymoon from luxury resorts, seafood restaurants and chic cocktail bars to shimmering reefs and pristine islets.

Between October and March is the best time to visit, it said.

It advised tourists to visit Long Beach and Khem Beach with their white sand and emerald waters, saying it is an ideal place from where to watch the sun set.

Sao Beach in An Thoi Town, famous for coral diving, is also worth exploring, it said.

Seventh Argentine Week in Hanoi "Celebrating our friendship"

The Embassy of Argentina to Vietnam is organising the 7th edition of the Argentine Week in Hanoi under the slogan "Celebrating our friendship" from May 23-28, aiming to continue bringing Argentina closer to Vietnam and its peoples through political dialogue, trade and culture.

The event, held in the framework of the excellent relations between Argentina and Vietnam, the bilateral Comprehensive Partnership in force since 2010 and on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations that will occur in 2023, will consist of three main activities.

The Week will kick off with the celebration of "Argentine Beef and Wine Day" on May 23 at the restaurant "Los Fuegos - Argentinian Steak en Grill" (located in the heart of the Tay Ho district) of the renowned Argentine Chef Emilio Fusé.

The Argentine Beef and Wine day is an Argentine gastronomy promotion event organized by the Argentine Embassy in Vietnam in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City since 2014. On this occasion, the participants will have the opportunity to taste a selection of the highest quality Argentine cheese, seafood, beef, wine and dulce de leche. The Beef and Wine Day will count with the participation of entrepreneurs, executives of hotels, the gastronomy industry, retail, importers and distributors, among others, as well as selected personalities from Hanoi and from the expat community.

Summer reading for kids: famous author’s short stories reprinted

Four short stories by late author Trần Hoài Dương has been reprinted to offer more reading options for children this summer.

The books are Những Đóa Hồng Bạch Dâng Tặng Andersen (White Roses for Andersen); Chuyện Vui Về Chú Ếch Cốm (Funny Tales of the Green Frog); Bé Rơm (Straw Doll); and Tiếng Mùa Xuân (Call of the Spring).

All four books are magical, meaningful adventures into the world of animals, plants and kids.

The latest editions have been illustrated by four young artists Hà Trang, Linh Vương, Trần Thùy My and Miny Nguyễn, adding freshness to the captivating stories.

The four books are reprinted by the Kim Đồng Publishing House, which specialises in children’s books, to celebrate the 65th anniversary of its establishment.

Young artists to perform new, experimental play at national traditional theatre festival

Young artists from the HCM City Tuồng Theatre will perform a new experimental play set in the third century BC at the National Tuồng and Traditional Theatre Festival that will start tomorrow.

The play, performed by members of the HCM City Tuồng Theatre troupe, will feature tuồng or hát bội (classical drama), a unique Vietnamese art that developed from a folk art into a royal art in the 17th century. 

The new experimental play, titled Chiếc Áo Thiên Nga (Swan Coast), is written by Lê Duy Hạnh and Hữu Danh. 

It deals with patriotism, honesty, love and betrayal based on depictions in Vietnamese folk stories. 

The 2022 National Tuồng and Traditional Theatre Festival in being held in the central province of Nghệ An. It is organised by the Performing Arts Department under Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. 

The 12-day event will be a chance for actors, particularly young talents, to perform and share skills and experiences, and expand their repertoire, organisers said.

It will feature more than 250 artists from State-owned and private theatres and troupes in Hà Nội, HCM City and provinces of Đà Nẵng, Quảng Nam, Huế, Khánh Hòa, Bình Định, Thanh Hóa and Hà Tĩnh. 

Vĩnh Phúc making most of SEA Games to boost tourism

The northern province of Vĩnh Phúc, which will host competitions for Muay Thai and Golf at the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31), has organised a number of exciting activities to promote the province's culture and tourism.

The provincial Tourism Promotion and Information Centre has worked with local businesses to promote travel services, tours, ‘One Commune, One Products’ (OCOP) programme, and local specialities at competition venues, making it easier for sports fans and tourists to get information, travel advice, and guidance.

In addition, the centre also collaborated with local travel agencies to build intra-provincial trips and send guides to take tourists to three of Vĩnh Phúc's most popular tourist attractions: Tây Thiên landscape complex, Tam Đảo tourism area, and the eco-tourism area of Đại Lải Lake.

Billboards advertising Vĩnh Phúc tourism are displayed at the competition grounds and hotels where athletes participating in the SEA Games 31 are staying.

Visitors to the event can see promotional videos and learn about Vĩnh Phúc's top tourist attractions on a big screen at Hồ Chí Minh Square in Vĩnh Yên City.

Viet Nam music lovers welcome vinyl record turnaround

Việt Nam has not been an exception to the recent comeback of vinyl records, a late-1880s invention known for its rich, high-quality sound.

Many music producers and artists in the country have released vinyl records to preserve and promote this sophisticated channel among a new generation of music enthusiasts.

Nguyễn Ngọc Thiện, director of the Audio Space Production-Release Company, said the vinyl market was more profitable now than five to seven years ago.

This is reflected in a series of vinyl products released recently. The increase in vinyl record sales marks a turning point for the music channel loved for many years by collectors in particular and music lovers in general.

Honoured artist Tố Nga sprange a surprise recently by releasing her album "Moon" on vinyl. Singer Đồng Lan also released a vinyl record called "Do you remember" with songs by composer Trịnh Công Sơn.

Another vinyl album, “Loving one person” by singer Quang Dũng, also has songs by Sơn. The album has received positive feedback from critics and fans.

This is the third time that Quang Dũng is releasing a vinyl album, spending around three years on completing each.

Coastal province launches beauty contest to promote tourism

The first Miss Sea Tourism Việt Nam 2022 pageant, held in Nha Trang City, has attracted the participation of more than 400 young aspirants.

The contest is part of Khánh Hòa Province's efforts to boost tourism recovery this year.

From the aspirants aged 18 to 27 and at least 1.60m tall, 20 candidates will be shortlisted for the semifinal round to be held on Champa Island in Nha Trang from July 7 to 9.

The contestants will compete in the categories of traditional costumes, swimsuits, question-and-answer sessions and evening wear.

They will also take part in two additional competitions highlighting their work in promoting tourist activities in Khánh Hòa.

Ten finalists will vie for the crown in the final round held July 11-28.

Southern region to face heavy downpours

The southern region will face heavy rains in the next three days which may cause flooding in cities, along rivers or in lowland areas, according to the Southern Region Hydro-meteorological Station.

A report from the centre predicted that widespread downpours will occur across the southern region from May 16-18 due to a combination of cold air and a low-pressure system.

"Rainfall is forecasted to be between 50-130 mm," the report said. "Hail, lightning, and whirlwinds may also occur during this time."

The southern region has seen heavy downpours since late April as the rainy season has arrived. Several localities including Ho Chi Minh City have constantly faced flooding in hours-long downpours over the last few weeks.

Local tourist dies after falling overboard in Halong Bay

A 43-year-old tourist from the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho died late Saturday, May 14, after he fell overboard in the Halong Bay in the northern province of Quang Ninh, authorities confirmed.

The victim was identified as Nguyen Ngoc Phat, a resident in Ninh Kieu District of Can Tho, reported Tuoi Tre newspaper.

He fell from a tourist vessel when it was about to dock at the Halong international cruise port. The tourist vessel, named Long Giang, has a designed capacity of 48 passengers.

Earlier, at 17:00 on May 14, the ship was carrying 15 tourists of a Halong Bay sightseeing tour from Sung Sot Cave to the port. When the ship was nearing the port, through the surveillance camera system, captain Tran Duy Cuong, aged 39, discovered a tourist, who was standing at the ship prow area, had fallen overboard.

Immediately, people onboard threw lifesaving jackets to save the tourist. However, as the tide was out at the time, the tourist failed to take any jacket and went mising then.

Rescue operations were conducted for the missing. By 21:00 the same day, his body was found and was taken to a local hospital for further investigation.

Authorities also suspended the operation of the Long Giang vessel to serve the investigation.

Four expensive cars taken away as Halong City’s former chairman detained

The police have sealed and taken away four expensive cars from the private residence of the former chairman of Halong City, Pham Hong Ha, who has been detained on alleged charges of graft.

Ha, who also served as head of the Halong Bay Management Board of Halong City, Quang Ninh Province, has been accused of abusing his position as chairman of the Halong City People’s Committee for personal gains.

On Saturday the police searched his home in the city for evidence and then sealed and took away four vehicles: Lexus LX570, Lexus ES300h, Mercedes-Benz E300 and VinFast Lux SA2.0, which cost a total of around VND20 billion (US$865,000).

Ha is allegedly involved in a fraud and graft case at the river waterway management company RIMACO No 3, and the Halong Bay Management Board.

An investigation found that RIMACO No 3 signed multiple deals from 2017 to 2021 to manage and maintain river waterways in Quang Ninh Province. The company also won a contract with the Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration to regulate waterway traffic for the Chanh River bridge, as well as deals with other agencies.

RIMACO No 3 executives were found to have forged documents to artificially inflate the workload, thus expropriating money from the State. They also conspired with several officials of the Halong Bay Management Board to get a favor in the signing of contracts to manage and maintain waterways and regulate boat traffic in Halong Bay.

Health insurance payment for services using borrowed machines show inconsistency

The Health Ministry (MoH) yesterday delivered an official response on the incident of many hospital encountering difficulties in adopting payment regulations for technical services related to borrowed or ordered medical machines from auction winners for supplies, chemicals for insurance patients.

MoH informed that the demands on medical equipment of healthcare institutes in Vietnam lately have gone up significantly, while the investment from state budget, the Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan, the financial support, and the fund for operational development of each unit are all limited. Therefore, healthcare institutes have borrowed medical machines and devices from auction winners for medical supplies and chemicals to answer these needs.

On April 12, 2018, the Health Ministry sent formal Dispatch No.2009/BYT-KHTC to Vietnam Social Security (VSS) regarding health insurance payment for technical services related to these borrowed machines. On October 2, 2018, the two units agreed on payment details for this form in Announcement No.1039/TB-BYT-BHXH.

It clearly states that VSS continues to use health insurance to pay for technical services of patients using borrowed medical machines from auction winners for medical supplies, chemicals in accordance with the Auction Law and the signed contract. When the contract expires, contract partners must follow Decree No.151/2017/ND-CP by the Government detailing a number of articles in the Law on Public Property Management and Use.

Since there has been no official dispatch to cancel Announcement No.1039/TB-BYT-BHXH, MoH sees that the payment from health insurance for the use of technical services with borrowed medical machines still observes Dispatch No.6807/BYT-BH, issued on November 9, 2018 by MoH, with no relation to the cancelation of Dispatch No.2009/BYT-KHTC.

MoH is working with VSS for consistency in detailed instruction for regulation adoption. The two units will report to the Government of any case out of their power.

8th HCMC Ao Dai Festival 2022 ends

The final round of the “Charming Ao Dai” beauty contest that was organized at the Le Van Tam Park in HCMC’s District on May 15 wrapped up the 8th HCMC Ao Dai Festival 2022.

Attending the closing ceremony was former Vice President Truong My Hoa, Vice Chairman of the HCMC People’s Council Nguyen Van Dung, Chairwoman of the HCMC Women Union Nguyen Tran Phuong Tran.

Opened on March 6, the festival offered a wide range of cultural activities, including a parade featuring more than 2,000 women wearing Vietnamese traditional Ao Dai, Ao Dai fashion show, a display of Ao Dai and tourist attractions, Miss Ao Dai in-person and online beauty contests, Ao Dai design competitions, performances of folk music of Quan Ho duet singing, Don Ca Tai Tu (southern amateur music) recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritages of Humanity and more.

The Ao Dai Festival which has been launched for nearly 10 years has become the city’s annual event and also a cultural tourism product typically attracting a large number of visitors. The festival not only draws tourists to the city but also highlights the Ao Dai’s beauty, and contributes to the preservation and promotion of national traditional values.

HCMC finding methods to effectively exploit Saigon River resources

Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen yesterday inspected Saigon River with the municipal authorities (Chairman of HCMC People’s Committee Phan Van Mai, Director of HCMC Transport Department Tran Quang Lam, Director of HCMC Construction Department Tran Hoang Quan) and architecture, economy experts, researchers in order to devise feasible solutions for potential development of this river.

Secretary Nguyen Van Nen shared that he has skimmed through suggestions and proposals of specialists and citizens as to how to develop Saigon River to the fullest. He does appreciate many innovative, practical ideas, especially those by researchers who have spent much time collecting valuable materials regarding the river.

The City Party Chief then instructed related state agencies to systemize these useful documents for the city leaders to study. It is expected that the most suitable directions, policies will be devised soon to more effectively exploit possible resources of Saigon River, contributing to the sustainable growth of HCMC.

Before this, architecture experts and researchers had shared with the municipal authorities interesting historical, cultural stories related to Saigon River.

HCMC proposes new tuition fee from academic year 2022-2023

The HCMC Department of Education and Training announced a draft plan on tuition fees that are expected to be applied for public kindergarten and high school levels from the academic year 2022-2023 in the city.

The HCMC Department of Education and Training announces a draft plan on new tuition fees that are expected to be applied from the academic year 2022-2023 in the city.

Under the plan, the new monthly education costs will increase from VND60,000 to VND300,000 a student of Thu Duc City and districts across the city; and from VND30,000 to VND100,000 a student in rural residential areas of Binh Chanh, Hoc Mon, Cu Chi, Nha Be and Can Gio.

Primary schools are free of charge. The above fee is the basis to support pupils of private primary schools or private students who are eligible for the policy of tuition fee exemption.

HCMC has currently spent 20 percent of the State budget on education and training. However, this amount only ensures the basic costs for the teaching staff, but infrastructure investment, and professional activities. The new tuition fees are expected to ensure a fair in the education sector, contribution of families and students, and adjustment of the State budget allocation.

According to the draft plan from the 2023-2024 academic year, the People’s Committee of HCMC will base on consumer price index and economic growth rate to submit to the HCMC People Council tuition fees every year.  It will be on the basic that tuition fees this year will not exceed 7.5 percent of the levels in the previous year and the ceiling price according to regulations.

HCMC planning on preserving, promoting value of Don Ca Tai Tu Nam Bo

In order to implement the direction of the HCMC People’s Committee, the municipal Department of Culture and Sports has coordinated with relevant departments to complete the draft plan for preserving and promoting the value of the UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage, Don Ca Tai Tu Nam Bo (southern amateur music) in HCMC from now until 2025.

The plan includes main activities, such as releasing a study book on the establishment and development of Don Ca Tai Tu in HCMC, collecting tangible and intangible cultural heritages related to this kind of art, issuing financial and investment policies to use and manage these heritages, training new generations in this traditional performance art at schools and clubs, organizing seminars on preserving and promoting the value of the Don Ca Tai Tu Nam Bo (southern amateur music) in the city.

UNESCO recognized Don Ca Tai Tu Nam Bo as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The southern amateur traditional music was recognized for the prize at the 8th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Baku, Azerbaijan in December 2013.

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