NA adopts Law on Implementation of Democracy at Grassroots Level

The National Assembly passed the Law on the Implementation of Democracy at Grassroots Level, at its ongoing fourth session in Hanoi on November 10 morning.

Among the five drafts considered for adoption at the sitting, this law is passed for the first time.

The revision of the document had been conducted in a democratic, cautious and quick manner.

PM pledges further support to Cambodia’s ASEAN Community building efforts

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh pledged further support to Cambodia’s efforts in building a strong ASEAN Community, as he joined other ASEAN leaders at a November 10 reception held by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni as part of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and related summits in Phnom Penh.

On the basis of the two countries’ good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, and comprehensive and long-term sustainable cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia, Chinh affirmed that he will work to strengthen the sides’ coordination serving the same purpose.

The King took the occasion to thank Vietnam for her active assistance to Cambodia’s ASEAN chairmanship this year.

Welcoming ASEAN leaders, King Sihamoni stressed his belief that the exchange of goodwill and sincerity between countries will contribute to strengthening the value of dialogue and cooperation, and promoting their mutual trust and understanding.

He stated Cambodia will work closely with other nations to maintain the collaboration momentum of the ASEAN Community and increase ASEAN's centrality for concerted efforts in finding solutions to current problems.

Participating ASEAN leaders voiced their support for Cambodia and said they believe that under the country's chairmanship, ASEAN summits will achieve substantive results, creating a premise and driving force for the bloc’s cooperation in the coming years in the spirit of "One Vision, One Identity, One Community".

Nam into Matsuyama Challenger 80’s quarterfinals for first time

The nation's leading tennis player Ly Hoang Nam enjoyed a wonderful day at the Matsuyama Challenger 80 after defeating Koki Matsuda of Japan in the second round on November 9 to progress to the quarterfinals of the tournament for the very first time.

Going into the tournament, Nam was rated higher than the Japanese player in terms of qualification and experience. The Tay-Ninh born player did not give Koki Matsuda a chance in the game as he won both two sets and gained 6-3 victory.

The result therefore helped Nam to record another historic achievement in his career as after 14 times of participating in a tournament in the Challenger 80’s system, he has finally earned a place in the quarterfinals for the first time.

He will therefore accumulate another 16 ranking points and was awarded US$1,460 for his win. This move in the ATP rankings has therefore helped Nam maintain his position among the top ATP250. At present, Nam is currently working hard to earn a ticket for the qualifying round of the 2023 Australia Open.

The Vietnamese tennis ace will face off against the winner of the match between Benoit Paire of Frace and Yu Hsiou Hsu of Taiwan (China).

Vietnam, Australia hold 16th defence cooperation consultation

The 16th Vietnam-Australia defence cooperation consultation took place in Hanoi on November 9.

The event was co-chaired by Major General Vu Thanh Van, Director of the Department of Foreign Relations at the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence, and David Lewis, acting director of the Australian Department of Defence’s International Policy Division.

The sides highlighted the sustainment and development of the bilateral defence ties suitable to the bilateral strategic partnership over the past time in contribution to peace and stability regionally and internationally. 

The cooperation has reaped positive outcomes in the pandemic fight, delegation exchange, training, and military, they noted, adding that active bilateral consultation and mutual support have also been recorded at multilateral defence forums, particularly the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) Plus.

Affirming that Vietnam appreciates Australia's effective help regarding the UN peacekeeping mission, particularly its support for the transportation of Vietnam's Level 2 field hospital to South Sudan, Van proposed that the two sides continue to prioritise their collaboration in this field.

Vietnam advocates deeper participation in UN peacekeeping operations, so it needs more investment and support from various sources both at home and abroad, Van noted.

He said he hopes Australia will offer further air transport assistance for the field hospital’s upcoming deployments and substitutions if conditions allow.

Vietnam and Australia agreed to propose joint works for the period between now and 2023, with a focus on exchanges, high-level interactions, consultation mechanisms, training, military medicine, UN peacekeeping mission, remedy of war aftermath, and other sectors of their demand and potential.

The sides said they will further support each other at and make practical contributions to the ADMM-Plus.

They also concurred on the organisation of new activities in the exchange of culture-sport activities and of young officers. Vietnam welcomes Australian defence officials and businesses to join the first Vietnam’s international defence exhibition slated for December this year in Hanoi.

Localities strengthened prevention of animal disease in coming months

Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Le Minh Hoan has called on provincial and municipal people's committees to strengthen the prevention of animal diseases in the coming months.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the risk of animal diseases in the last months of 2022 and early 2023 is very high.

Since the beginning of 2022, animal diseases have been controlled, creating favourable conditions for livestock development, ensuring food supply for domestic consumption and boosting the export of animals and animal products.

However, according to local reports, several dangerous animal diseases were rising.

The ministry's Department of Animal Health reported 40 outbreaks of avian influenza A/H5N1, A/H5N6 and A/H5N8 in 21 provinces and cities. More than 93,000 poultry have been culled.

More than 1,150 outbreaks of African swine fever were discovered across 51 provinces and cities, and 53,000 pigs were destroyed.

As many as 240 outbreaks of dermatomyositis among buffaloes and cows have been discovered in 16 provinces. So far, 2,255 buffaloes and cows have been infected, and 442 culled.

There have also been six outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in seven provinces, with 518 infected cattle and 135 outbreaks of animal rabies, causing 52 human deaths related to rabies.

Experts from the ministry have assessed that the above pathogens still circulate at a relatively high rate in many localities; meanwhile, demand for transportation, slaughter and consumption of animals and animal products has increased sharply in late 2022.

Vietnam-Philippines strategic partnership records sound growth: ministers

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo expressed their delight at the progress made in the countries’ strategic partnership at their meeting in Cambodia on November 9 within the framework of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and related summits.

They agreed on a number of measures to deepen relations towards practical outcomes in the near future with a focus on increasing exchanges of delegations, particularly high-ranking ones.

The ministers emphasised the need to resume existing cooperation mechanisms between the two sides, which were interrupted recently due to the COVID-19 epidemic.

They said Vietnam and the Philippines should convene the 10th meeting of their joint committee on bilateral cooperation; make efforts to effectively implement bilateral agreements, including the 2019-2024 action plan for the countries’ strategic partnership; step up bilateral trade-investment and restrict the imposition of trade barriers.

Son said Vietnam is willing to continue supplying rice to the Philippines in its Government’s efforts to ensure food security.

The two sides agreed that maritime cooperation needs to be strengthened.

They also concurred on the need to expand cooperation in fields such as climate change response, green growth, digital transformation, e-commerce, tourism, education and training.

Regarding multilateral cooperation, the ministers said given many complicated and unpredictable changes facing the region and the world, it is necessary to strengthen exchanges and consultations in a bid to beef up ASEAN’s solidarity, strength and centrality.

ASEAN armies promote cohesion for peace

The 10th Conference of ASEAN Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (ASMAM-10) took place in Hanoi on November 9 under the chair of Colonel Nguyen Le Phuong, Deputy Director of the Institute for Defence International Relations under the Vietnamese Ministry of Defence. 

In his opening remarks, Colonel Duong Quy Nam, Director of the Institute for Defence International Relations emphasised the increasing important role of non-commissioned officers in cooperation between the armies of ASEAN countries, saying that the force directly participates in not only combat operations but also activities to respond to natural disasters and epidemics. 

He underlined the important and urgent requirement to further promote cooperation between non-commissioned officers of the regional countries’ armies, for more practical and effective defence - military cooperation within the bloc, and a favourable environment for socio-economic recovery and development in the region. 

Through the event, Vietnam wants to convey its desire to foster cooperation, towards creating a sustainable peaceful environment in the region, and practically contributing to enhancing the role played by ASEAN countries’ armies in responding to common challenges, the officer said.

The event offers a venue for non-commissioned officers and professional servicemen to exchange experience in responding to regional non-traditional security challenges. Participants also proposed specific and appropriate measures to strengthen cooperation and cohesion among the armies of ASEAN member countries.

As an annual event, ASMAM has contributed to promoting defence-military cooperation between army forces in particular and the armed forces of ASEAN countries in general. Vietnam hosted the event of this kind for the first time in 2014. 

In the framework of the event, participants will joint an exchange with officers, lecturers and students of the Military Science Academy, visit a number of cultural and historical relic sites, and attend the closing ceremony of the 30th ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet (AARM-30).

President Phuc hosts South Australia Governor

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception in Hanoi on November 9 for Governor of South Australia state Frances Adamson during which, the Vietnamese State leader congratulated Australia and the state on their development achievements.

During the reception, Phuc thanked the Australian Government for its decision to increase official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam, describing it as a valuable support to help boost socio-economic development in remote areas in the Southeast Asian nation.

The governor showed her delight at the development of the two countries’ relations, affirming that the implementation of the joint statement issued in the official visit to Australia in 2018 by then Prime Minister Phuc has contributed to bilateral cooperation in the fields of economics-trade, defence security, science-technology, and innovation.

Regarding green energy, the governor affirmed her state’s willingness to collaborate with Vietnamese localities in carrying out activities regarding environmental protection and climate change adaptation.

She said she hopes for more cooperation activities to be organised next year when both nations celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

President Phuc affirmed that Vietnam always places great importance on enhancing the strategic partnership with Australia, an important development partner of Vietnam in the South Pacific and also a comprehensive strategic partner of ASEAN.

The leader also voiced his hope that the Australian government will create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community living there so that they can make greater contributions to to socio-economic development and people-to-people exchanges between the two nations.

He also thanked Australia for supporting Vietnam's bid to run for election to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term, affirming that Vietnam will continue to make effective and substantive contributions to this mechanism.

Quang Ninh to host Ha Long Bay Heritage Marathon 2022

The seventh annual international marathon will be held on November 13 in the northern province of Quang Ninh to honour Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO-recognised World Heritage site.

The Ha Long Bay Heritage Marathon 2022 is jointly organised by the provincial Department of Culture and Sports, the People's Committee of Ha Long city, and DHA Vietnam.

The purpose of the event is to create a healthy and positive environment where running enthusiasts can challenge themselves, meet, and share their various experiences with each other. 

Furthermore, it will also help to attract domestic and foreign tourists to visit Quang Ninh, thereby contributing to developing the province’s tourism.

Athletes attending the event will compete in a diverse range of categories, including a 42.195-km marathon, a 21.1-km half-marathon, a 10-km run, and a five-km fun run.

National theatre to perform A Mass for Peace

Việt Nam National Opera & Ballet (VNOB) will perform with a large chorus on November 12 and 13 at Hà Nội Opera House. 

The chorus features more than 200 artists from VNOB and international choirs. They will perform The Armed Man - A Mass for Peace for the first time in Việt Nam. It has racked up nearly 3000 performances in the world to date.

The piece paints a picture of the grief and loss of characters in the disaster. The tragic melody is sometimes interspersed with moments of reflection and ends with an intense feeling of longing, according to Phan Mạnh Đức, VNOB's newly-appointed director. 

It was written by Karl Jenkins, a Welsh composer in 1999 to mark the relocation of the British Armoury Museum from London to Leeds. 

Jenkins also intended it to be in memory of those who died in Kosovo conflict. Written before the new millennium, it was meant as a message of hope - that the world of the future would have more peace and fewer wars.

Jenkins started out his career as a composer of music for TV advertisements. His Adiemus series made his name popular in the 1990s. But The Armed Man is the first big-scale work he composes. 

The 13 movements are very diverse from martial pomp to poignant reflection and will be performed by VNOB's soloists Nguyễn Huy Đức, Đào Tố Loan and Ngô Hương Diệp. 

The chorus is made up of singers from Hà Nội International Voices, Hà Nội Concordia International School, Junior-V Choir and Hà Nội Erato Choir. 

The shows will begin at 8pm.Tickets are available at https://nhahatnhacvukichvietnam.com/ve-ban or calling 0977377456; 0366569228. 

Exhibition showcases the beauty of ceramics

Ceramic artworks by lecturers from the University of Arts and Design are being displayed at an exhibition held at the university.

Entitled Sành (Terracotta), the display introduces to the public 80 works by five artists, all of whom have participated in many prestigious exhibitions at home and abroad and won many awards.

They are Phan Thanh Sơn, a lecturer from the Faculty of Traditional Fine Art, who has held four solo exhibitions called Chơi Đất (Playing with Earth), Ngô Bá Hoàng from the Faculty of Interior and Exterior Decoration, Vũ Hữu Nhung from the Faculty of Interior and Exterior Decoration who is the founder of Phù Lãng ceramic brand and Lê Văn Khuy from the Faculty of Fine Arts.

The artists have different majors, styles and personalities, but they all share the same passion for ceramics. Together they have been connected to spread the beauty of the material at the University of Industrial Fine Arts - the only cradle of the country producing ceramic artists.

The exhibited pieces mainly depict the beauty of humans, families, animals or objects, and are presented in different styles and perspectives, evoking different artistic experiences for visitors.

The Sành exhibition will run till November 16 at the university on 360 Đê La Thành Street, Hà Nội. Entrance is free. 

Hau Giang to invest VND1.2t in anti-flooding project

Nga Bay City in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang will receive more than VND1.2 trillion to implement a green urban project that would help control flooding and improve the environment in the area.

The project will be executed in the 2023-2026 period, tapping over VND780 billion of loans provided by the French Development Agency and nearly VND390 billion from the province’s reciprocal capital, Nguyen Van Hoa, chairman of the provincial government, said yesterday, November 8, news site VnExpress reported.

As part of the project, a drainage system, 20 kilometers long with 22 floodgates and over three kilometers of canal embankments, will be built to reduce flooding. Besides, a 13-kilometer-long wastewater collection system, four pumping stations and a water treatment plant with a daily capacity of 3,800 cubic meters will be developed to enhance the environment.

Police receive over 13.8 mln documents of electronic personal identification

The Police Department for Administrative Management of Social Order under the Ministry of Public Security has just informed about the result of receiving and approving documents and papers of electronic identification and authentication.

By November 7, the total number of documents and papers, including documents granting citizen identity cards, documents for citizens being granted identity cards and online registration which have been transmitted to the Central reached over 13.8 million.

Besides, the total number of documents granting personal identification along with citizen identity cards and citizens being issued identity cards reached over 13.2 million.

In addition, the total number of documents being synchronized from identity card system to personal identification system and electronic verification gained over 8.2 million. The number of documents performing online registration via VNeID apps at level 1 and level 2 was 600,000 and 13.2 million, respectively.

According to the Police Department for Administrative Management of Social Order, the number of approved documents and papers on electronic identification and authentication system gained more than 12.5 million, reaching 90 percent over the total number of received ones. Of which, the documents at level 1 reached more than 400,000; those at level 2 gained over 12.1 million. 

Among the received documents, 66,000 did not meet the requirements. At the current time, over 1.4 million accounts of personal identification were successfully activated.

According to the Police Department for Administrative Management of Social Order, by registering online personal identification via VneiD with level 1 and level 2 at the police agency at the ward level, citizens will use it as a physical citizen identity card and other documents, papers; promptly share personal information with agencies, units and perform a financial transaction with only an account and an app. The national population data center has collaborated with experts to trial the systems of personal identification and electronic authentication.

Flood tides threaten HCMC’s low-lying areas

The low-lying areas in HCMC are predicted to suffer flooding as flood tides on rivers and canals rise slowly to high levels from November 7 to 10, according to the local authority.

Water levels at stations downstream of the Saigon River and Dong Nai River will swell slowly in the next two days, the center for hydro-meteorological forecasting warned.

As high tides peak between November 9 and 11, the Phu An and Nha Be stations on the Saigon River may record water levels of 1.6-1.65 meters, exceeding warning level 3 by 0.05 meters.

Water levels at the Bien Hoa station on the Dong Nai River will reach 1.85-1.9 meters, exceeding warning level 1 by 0.05-0.1 meters.

A tidal peak may cause waterlogging and flooding in low-lying areas and the inner city along the rivers.

The local authorities are working with other relevant agencies to inspect the dykes, channels, and sluices, as well as promptly improve drainage systems and embankments to prevent flooding.

Recently, many low-lying areas and inner-city districts in HCMC have been flooded during high tides for reasons such as rising sea levels, increases in rainfall and rapid urbanization.

Vietnam hopes to boost ties with French law enforcement bodies

Minister of Public Security Gen. To Lam received French Ambassador to Vietnam Nicolas Warnery in Hanoi on November 9, during which the host highlighted the strong cooperation between  the Vietnamese ministry and French law enforcement bodies.

Minister Lam said Vietnam - France relations have been flourishing with political trust enhanced and efforts to intensify the strategic partnership, especially when the two countries are about to mark the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2023, and that France is a leading European partner of Vietnam.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and law enforcement agencies in France have been strengthening ties in security and crime fighting, he affirmed, adding that they have maintained and promoted high-level mutual visits and exchanges of specialists to discuss and implement cooperation.

To further intensify bilateral cooperation, Lam asked the ambassador to continue helping boost delegation and specialist exchanges, as well as the sharing of experience and information about national security safeguarding, and crime and terrorism prevention.

The minister appreciated France’s cyber-security cooperation initiative, especially its assistance for e-Government building and artificial intelligence application to social and residential management.

He called for the continuation of scholarships for public security officers of Vietnam, funding for personnel training, and support for Vietnamese police to improve their firefighting and rescue capabilities.

For his part, Ambassador Warnery pledged efforts to step up ties between France’s law enforcement bodies and the Vietnamese ministry, thereby helping reinforce the countries’ strategic partnership.

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