President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on November 24 morning hosted an official welcome ceremony for his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who is now on an official visit to Vietnam. 

Following the ceremony, host and guest held talks.

The visit, the first by a head of State between Vietnam and Uganda, is taking place in the context of the two countries looking towards the 50th founding anniversary of their diplomatic ties (1973 - 2023). 

It aims to further promote the bilateral relations, review multi-faceted cooperation, and set out specific measures to raise the efficiency of collaboration between the two countries in the coming time.

The visit is expected to open up more cooperation opportunities between the Southeast Asian and the African nations in the future.

During his stay, the President of the Republic of Uganda will pay a courtesy visit to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, meet Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, have working sessions with representatives of FPT Group and the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and attend the Vietnam – Uganda Business Forum.

Fried chicken causes food poisoning in Nha Trang school

Contaminated fried chicken wings were the main cause of food poisoning that killed one student and hospitalised over 660 teachers and students at a school in Nha Trang City last week.

Initial results from Nha Trang's Pasteur Institute of the samples taken from the foods served to the students and teachers during lunch on November 17 have found some bacteria including Salmonella spp, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli in the chicken wings. The Bacillus cereus bacteria was also found in the fish sauce served that day.

The bacteria is resistant to some antibiotics, such as Gentamicin, Amikacin and Tobramicin, said a representative of the Khanh Hoa Provincial Department of Health.

A report from the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee said that 14 more students were sent to hospitals on November 22, bringing the total number of people hospitalised in this case to 662. At present, over 130 people are still being treated while others have been discharged.

Initial investigations showed that 930 students were given a meal of chicken rice, egg sauce, chicken salad, fried chicken wings, soup and cakes.

Vietnamese minister: ADMM+ reflects desire to maintain peace, security

The strengthening of defence cooperation for harmonised security under the theme of the ninth ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM ) has reflected a common desire to create and maintain stable peace and security in the region and the world, said Defence Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang.

This is an important premise for countries to focus on socio-economic recovery post COVID-19, Giang, who is also Politburo member and Vice Secretary of the Central Military Commission, said in his speech at the ninth ADMM , which opened in the Cambodian province of Siem Reap on November 23.

Amid rapid and uncertain developments of strategic geo-political environment in the world, he said challenges related to maritime security are catching the attention of many countries, including security in the East Sea. Maintaining a peaceful, stable and safe security environment and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea is the common concern and interest of ASEAN countries and their partners.

He stressed that Vietnam consistently settles all disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), complies with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and steps up the completion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

According to him, upholding the role of ASEAN-led mechanisms, including the ADMM , is an important issue. Since its establishment, the ADMM has always brought into full play the ASEAN's central role, promoted dialogues and cooperation among intra-ASEAN countries as well as between them and external partners for regional peace and stability.

As a member of ASEAN, Vietnam is committed to taking responsibility together with member countries to contribute more actively to the common development of the bloc, as well as ADMM and ADMM in particular, Giang stated.

President hosts delegates to WPC's 22nd Assembly

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc November 23 hosted 91 delegates from 45 countries who are in Hanoi for the 22nd Assembly of the World Peace Council (WPC).

President Phuc affirmed the State and people of Vietnam always treasure and remember the support, strong solidarity and valuable assistance of international democratic and progressive organisations, including the WPC and its member organisations, for the struggle for national independence in the past, as well as national building and safeguarding today.

He underlined that Vietnam and the WPC shared special ties. Vietnam was a founding member of the council in 1949, he noted, stressing that the support of the council and peace-loving countries for Vietnam is a vivid manifestation of the strength of great international solidarity, making an important contribution to the victories of the Vietnamese revolution in the past more than 70 years.

He praised the contributions of the WPC and its member organisations in preventing war and building a world of peace and justice, especially activities to support national liberation struggles of people in different countries and nuclear weapon disarmament, and help war victims.

The State leader thanked the council for actively supporting Vietnam at international forums, and assisting victims of Agent Orange/dioxin in Vietnam.

Philippine Senate passes resolution on strengthening parliamentary ties with Vietnam

The Senate of the Philippines on November 23 passed a resolution on further strengthening the Philippines-Vietnam parliamentary relations in the presence of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation.

Speaking at the session, Senator Ronald Marapon Dela Rosa, who sponsored Resolution 26, affirmed that the visit by the Vietnamese NA leader is an important milestone in the parliamentary ties between the two countries.

It is the first made by a top Vietnamese legislator in 16 years, he noted, adding that it can be considered an event of significant meaning when the two countries are celebrating the 50th founding anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

President of the Philippine Senate Juan Miguel Zubiri handed over the resolution to NA Chairman Hue.

The resolution affirms that the Philippine Senate highly values the Vietnamese National Assembly's strengthening of relations between with its Philippine counterpart. It aims to establish closer parliamentary ties between the two nations, enhancing bilateral political, economic and cultural cooperation, developing and strengthening their participation and cooperation in key areas, promoting existing bilateral mechanisms, implementing signed agreements and finding new ways to deepen cooperation between the two governments.

The Philippines thanked Vietnam for creating favourable conditions for rice trading with the country, as well as providing masks and medical supplies to the Philippines when COVID-19 pandemic peaked in the country.

Along with Resolution 571 approved by the House of Representatives of the Philippines, the Senate adoption of Resolution 26 affirmed that the Philippines attaches great importance to the strengthening of ties between the two parliaments and the two countries in general.

President calls for increased investment in science, technology

Twenty-nine works by 281 authors and co-authors were honoured at the awarding ceremony of the sixth Ho Chi Minh Awards and the sixth State Awards on Science and Technology on November 23 in Hanoi.

The Ho Chi Minh Awards and the State Awards, launched in 1996, are the most prestigious for outstanding and high-valued projects that have had a great impact on people’s lives as well as significantly contributing to the cause of socio-economic development, defence and security.

In this edition, 12 works got the Ho Chi Minh Awards, and the rest the State Awards.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed that the Party and State always consider science and technology development and application as a top national policy and one of the most important driving forces for socio-economic development and national defence.

However, he noted that Vietnam’s science, technology and innovation capacity remains limited, the legal framework, mechanisms and policies, which are not concerted, do not really create motivation for the development and application of science and technology, and the spending on this field in the public and private sectors is quite low compared to the world average.

If Vietnam does not boldly invest in science, technology and innovation, the country will be stuck in the low productivity, low added value and medium income traps, Phuc stressed, asking both the State and private sectors to be aware of the importance of the work and to prioritise spending to this field in a more appropriate and efficient manner.

He requested the Government to continue perfecting the legal framework, mechanisms and policies to promote science research, technology application, and innovation, especially among enterprises.

Futsal HDBank National Cup 2022 kicks off

The opening ceremony of the Futsal HDBank National Cup 2022 took place at Lãng Bình Thăng Gymnasium, District 11, HCM City on November 21.

In the 2021 season, due to facing many difficulties from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Futsal HDBank Cup 2021 was cancelled, but the 2021 HDBank Futsal National Championship was completed successfully, leaving deep impressions on spectators with dramatic and attractive matches.

The 2022 Futsal HDBank National Cup kicks off from November 21 to 29, 2022 at Lãng Bình Thăng Gymnasium.

The tournament has seven competing teams including, Thái Sơn Nam, Thái Sơn Bắc, Sahako, Cao Bằng, Tân Hiệp Hưng, Saigon FC and Sanvinest Khánh Hoà.

The tournament format is one group of four teams and another group of three teams compete in a round-robin format. The top two teams from each group will compete in the semi-finals.

Semifinals and Finals will be played in a knockout format. Right after the opening ceremony, a match between Sahako and Tân Hiệp Hưng took place, with Sahako winning 6-2.

Vietnam attends international seminar on East Sea in Moscow

A delegation of the Vietnam Lawyers Association (VLA) led by its Vice President and General Secretary Tran Cong Phan attended an international seminar on the East Sea held in Moscow, Russia, on November 22.

Co-organised by the International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL) and the “Way for Peace” International Fund of Russia, the event touched upon disputes in the East Sea and the need to strengthen international cooperation.

In its first part, the seminar provided updates on the latest developments in the East Sea, including legal, diplomatic and on-the-site moves in 2019-2021, policy adjustments regarding the East Sea by countries in and outside in the region, as well as relevant events and changes in the international environment.

During the second session, delegates looked into solutions to intensify trust building and promote the settlement of disputes in the East Sea on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), along with cooperation mechanisms in and outside the region to facilitate the settlement and prevent tensions from escalating.

Dr. Lai Thai Binh, Deputy Director of the East Sea Institute at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, told the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) that international cooperation plays a very important role in the East Sea issue.

Vietnam always pays attention to persistently addressing disputes, particularly those regarding its territorial sovereignty, safeguarding its territorial sovereignty, preserving an environment of peace and development, and ensuring political stability and social order, he said.

Binh stressed that at the time when big organisations like the UN are paying more heed to the East Sea issue, cooperation, both regionally and multilaterally, is significant to promoting development, stability and cooperation in the East Sea.

Vietnam introduces handicraft products, cuisine at UN Bazaar 2022

The Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and other international organisations in Geneva attended the 2022 International Festival Charity Bazaar held by the United Nations Women's Guild (UNWG) on November 22 at the UN Office headquarters in Geneva.

The Charity Bazaar is held annually to raise funds for children living in difficult circumstances around the world, including those from Vietnam.

Like in previous editions, the Vietnamese mission continued introducing to international friends typical handicraft products and food imbued with the identity of Vietnamese culinary culture.

This year, it also organised an exhibition of 15 paintings of Pham Nam Kim, former director of the Vaud state bank in Switzerland.

These paintings depict the beauty of Vietnamese people as well as renowned landscapes such as Hoan Kiem lake, and Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature) in Hanoi capital city.

Banh ran among world’s best fried foods: CNN

Banh ran (as it is called in the north of Vietnam) or Banh Cam (in the south), is a familiar deep-fried sticky rice dessert that can be found at any market in Vietnam.

Traditionally, banh ran is divided into two categories: “sweet” and “saltine”. The sweet pastry is filled with sweetened mung bean paste and fresh coconut slices.

Meanwhile the filling in the saltine pastry, which is mainly found in the north, consists of minced pork, wood-ear mushrooms, dried vermicelli, carrots, and salt and pepper.

The CNN list also includes tempura from Japan, jalebi from India, and Churos from Spain, among others.

Work on Dau Giay-Lien Khuong expy to begin next year

The Transport Ministry and Lam Dong and Dong Nai provinces are finalizing preparations to start work next year on the Dau Giay-Lien Khuong expressway.

The 200.3-kilometer-long expressway project includes three components, comprising the 60.1-kilometer-long Dau Giay-Tan Phu section costing VND8,365 billion, the 66-kilometer-long Tan Phu-Bao Loc section valued at VND16,220 billion and the 73.9-kilometer-long Bao Loc-Lien Khuong expressway worth VND12,000 billion.

The Transport Ministry is scheduled to begin work on the three sections in June of 2023.

The Dau Giay-Lien Khuong expressway is part of the master plan on the road network for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050, as approved by the prime minister.

The expressway will shorten the driving time from HCMC to Dalat from six to three hours and HCMC-Bao Loc from four to two hours.

Lam Dong, at the same time, will expand its inner-city roads and Prenn Pass to meet the increasing number of visitors to Dalat City.

Ministry proposes widening expressway on VEC’s budget

The Ministry of Transport has proposed that the prime minister allow the Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC) to tap into its own budget to widen a section of the HCMC-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway in southern Vietnam.

In its proposal, the ministry said VEC is the developer and operator of the HCMC–Long Thanh Expressway, which enables it to collect tolls to pay the Asian Development Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Meanwhile, it will be difficult for the ministry to balance the medium-term public investment capital for the expansion project in 2021-2025.

Thus, allowing VEC to expand the expressway with its funds would bring more benefits, the ministry said.

According to the proposal, VEC is tasked with reporting on pre-feasibility studies, the possibility of achieving a balanced budget, and mechanisms associated with the project’s implementation.

VEC will widen the 21.9-kilometer-long section between HCMC and Dong Nai Province’s Long Thanh. The section connects the interchange with Beltway No.2 in HCMC and the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway interchange.

Of this, a section from the interchange with Beltway No.2 with the interchange with Beltway No.3 would be expanded to eight lanes, while the remaining section from the interchange with Beltway No.3 to the interchange with the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway would be widened to 10 lanes.

The expansion is projected to require nearly VND14.8 trillion and to be completed in early 2026.

Transport minister urges faster land clearance for Long Thanh airport

Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang has requested the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) to step up land clearance for the Long Thanh International Airport project as the job is slower than expected.

In a field trip to the Long Thanh airport construction site in the southern province of Dong Nai yesterday, November 22, the minister, who took office a month ago, said the slower-than-planned site clearance had affected airport construction work.

The authority of Long Thanh District, where the airport is located, promised to complete the handover of cleared land to the project developer in late November or early December.

Do Tat Binh, deputy general director of ACV, told the minister that his company had received 1,770 hectares of cleared land out of 1,810 hectares needed for airport construction and 644 hectares of backup land out of the total 722 hectares, reported the transport news website at baogiaothong.vn.

Around 100 households have not relocated from the project site due to their disagreement with compensation rates and some others are waiting for resettlement.

Vu The Phiet, general director of ACV, said his company would begin work on major components of the airport project in the first quarter of next year, including terminal, runway, taxiway and apron.

ACV will need two roads leading to the passenger terminal construction site, he said, adding that if these two roads are not built, there would be no way to reach the site.

Minister Thang was quoted by the news site as saying that this project is of great national importance as it would help drive economic growth and ensure national security and defense. Despite the country’s tight budget, the National Assembly and the Government have prioritized allocating huge funds for the project, he stressed.

The first phase of the Long Thanh airport project, from 2020 to 2025, would cost an estimated VND109 trillion (US$4.35 billion at the current exchange rate) and consist of a runway, a passenger terminal and other supporting facilities. This phase is designed to handle 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo.

HCMC to strictly handle loan shark rings

Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Phan Van Mai confirmed that the city leaders have directed the functional forces to drastically inspect and strictly handle cases related to black credit, online fraud and debtors who are called, texted, cursed at and threatened.

The statement was released at a meeting between State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and National Assembly deputies in Go Vap District following the 15th National Assembly’s recently-concluded fourth session yesterday afternoon. 

Chairman of the Office of the State President Le Khanh Hai, Standing Deputy Secretary of the HCMC Party Committee and Chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee Phan Van Mai, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front in HCMC Tran Thi Kim Yen attended the meeting.

Speaking with the voters, Chairman Mai recorded voters' opinions about policies for non-specialized forces which are being performed in accordance with the current regulations. During the passing time, HCMC has had preferential policies to increase the income for these forces.

Chairman Mai shared that the Executive Board of the Party Committee has just given opinions on the rearrangement of organizations under wards and communes. Accordingly, there will be one level, including quarter and hamlet equaling to ward.

It is expected that the whole city will have 5,242 hamlets and quarters after rearrangement and the number of people working for this level would not exceed 26,000. The number is 50,000 people before the rearrangement.

Hanoi to host fair displaying regional specialties

Hanoi will host from November 23 at Vincom Mega Mall in Thanh Xuan District a fair showcasing regional specialties and those with the city's "One Commune, One Product" (OCOP) label.

On display are OCOP products rated with three stars or higher, including cakes, sweets, milk, tea, wine, and fruits of Hanoi’s enterprises and cooperatives.

Visitors to the fair can purchase international products from some European countries and experience foreign culture and tourism services, tea, and cuisine from three regions of Vietnam.

Participating manufacturers can partner with distributors, wholesale companies, e-commerce platforms, and some importers from South Korea, Japan, and Thailand during the fair.

The fair will also feature tourism promotion activities, including the showdown of craft village artisans' skills, Northwest tea tastings, and a specialty fruit festival.

Art space spotlights lotus in Vietnamese culture

An art space entitled ‘Lotus in the cultural life of Vietnamese people’ has opened at the Vietnam Exhibition Centre for Culture and Arts (VECCA) in Hanoi as a highlight of the Cultural and Tourism Week on Green Heritage.

Nearly 100 calligraphy works and paintings featuring lotuses are on display at the event, as well as handicraft products such as pottery, silk and conical hats with the image of the lotus as decoration.

According to Nguyen Thi Thanh Tam, Director of the Vietnamese Cultural Heritage Conservation Fund, and President of the Vietnam Ao Dai Club, this is the first calligraphic event held with a focus on the lotus, attracting the enthusiastic participation from veteran calligraphers and young fine art students from across the country.

Tam has spent nearly 20 years collecting artworks, including paintings, photographs and sculptures featuring lotuses, and is known for her dedication to preserving and promoting Vietnamese culture.

The art space will open until November 25 at VECCA, 2 Hoa Lu Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi.

Ministry proposes beneficial salary policy for teachers

The Ministry of Education and Training proposed that the Government urgently develop a new salary policy to meet the requirements of industrialization, modernization and international integration.

Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son said that Vietnam is building a new ECE program emphasizing that ECE is the first level of education in the national education system and early childhood development lays the foundations for learning and comprehensive human development. ECE aims for a child’s comprehensive physical and emotional development to form a child’s personality; hence, this is a particularly important level of education.

As a result, the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam pays special attention and investment to this level of education.

At present, the public ECE schools are invested in by the government and tuition fees are subsidized by the State whereas non-public ECE schools have not received regular financial support from the state budget.

Private preschools are established for profit purposes by businesspersons with relatively high tuition fees; thereby, they are only suitable for families with good or high incomes.

Daycare centers run by families at home with poor facilities and untrained caregivers but low tuition fees and flexible class hours have attracted meager-income parents.

Over 4,000 bus, air tickets for Tet to be presented to poor workers, students

HCMC’s authorities plan to offer more than 4,000 bus and plane tickets to low-income workers and disadvantaged students to return to their hometowns for the Tet holiday.

The program called “Bring Tet home" will present 556 return air tickets, including 360 tickets on domestic flights and 196 others on international routes, 3,600 round-trip bus tickets and Tet gifts to over 4,000 poor workers and students, especially teachers of kindergartens and primary schools, healthcare workers who have not planned to return their hometown for many consecutive years.

The event was launched at the HCMC Youth’s Cultural House on November 22 by the Central Youth Union and Suntory Pepsico Vietnam Beverage Company.

People aged 18-40 who are living in the northern and central localities, studying and working in HCMC, Dong Nai and Binh Duong provinces can create a registration form at the website mangtetvenha.doanthanhnien.vn from November 22-December 25, or contact with the Youth Unions of HCMC, Dong Nai and Binh Duong provinces, and the phone number 1900.999.960 for more information.

The first buses will be operated from the beginning of January, 2023 while the peak time of the program will fall from January 18, 2023.

In addition, the organization board has continued to coordinate with the mobile payment application, ZaloPay to call on individuals, collectives and businesses to support the “Bring Tet home” fund to offer additional bus tickets for needy workers and students.

Two years after launching, the program has presented 1,592 return air tickets, 4,953 round-trip bus tickets and 290 return train tickets to disadvantaged workers and students.

Defence Minister participates in ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Retreat

Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang attended the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) Retreat on November 22 in Siem Reap, Cambodia, during which he stressed the need for the bloc to persist in its principles and  to uphold its central role in the mechanisms it leads.

Gen. Giang said that in cooperation with partners, ASEAN has maintained consensus and solidarity, and ensured that ASEAN-led mechanisms are effective and not pulled into agendas and goals of other countries outside the region.

The bloc needs a harmonised approach in expanding its relations with partners, he stated.

The Vietnamese officer stressed that maintaining and ensuring peace, security and stability in the region, including the East Sea, is of common concern and interests of countries.

ASEAN needs to stay firm and consistent on its principled stance on the East Sea issue, promote the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), strive to develop an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), and handle issues in the spirit of peace, friendship, cooperation and development, and in compliance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), he added.

At the event, the delegation heads exchanged views on maritime security challenges, including those relating to the East Sea. They emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the sea for the regional and world security.

Before the retreat, General Phan Van Giang had a bilateral meeting with General Chansamone Chanyalath, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Laos.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged opinions on the regional and international situations, reviewed the results of bilateral cooperation, and discussed orientations for the coming time.

Giang invited the Lao minister to pay an official visit to Vietnam and attend the International Defence Expo to be held in the country next month.

Two army officers sent to EU Training Mission in Central Africa

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on November 23 signed a decision to send two army officers to the European Union Training Mission in Central Africa.

Accordingly, Lieut. Col Vu Thi Lien and Capt. Le Nhu Tien from the Ministry of National Defence’s Department of Peacekeeping Operations were assigned to serve as training advisors at the mission for one year.

The decision takes effect on the day of signing.

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