The bird flu virus was found in three flocks of ducks with 2,240 birds in November in the Central Province of Quang Ngai. The provincial Sub-Department of Livestock Production and Veterinary Medicine has instructed people to implement measures to raise livestock and monitor the epidemic promptly.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Quang Ngai Province today reported that the avian virus killed over 2,200 ducks in three households and farms in November.

Roughly 600 ducks of breeder Tran Van Hai in Mo Duc District’s Duc Hoa Commune died of the dangerous virus. The farm of breeder Nguyen Bay in Duc Pho town raised 640 waterfowls, 300 of them were dead while 340 were killed to curb the spread of the disease. Breeder Nguyen Van Van in Quang Ngai City had to kill 800 chickens while 200 poultry were dead due to the avian virus. Most ducks are 28-100 days old, weighing from 1.2kg to 2.5kg.

Right after test results showed that waterfowl in the province was positive for influenza A/H5N1 virus, Quang Ngai Sub-Department of Livestock and Veterinary Medicine coordinated with local authorities to immediately implement preventative measures to control the epidemic such as disinfection with Benkocid chemical, lime powder as well as killing 1,340 ducks in the herd.

Communication work helps to better policy making, enforcement: PM

Policy communication helps to improve the efficiency of instruction and management by all-level Party Committees and authorities, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said while concluding a national teleconference on November 24.

Once the communication work is well done, it will create greater resources and strength, and raise the efficiency of policy making and enforcement, he continued, noting that the work requires scientific and appropriate methods.

Lauding efforts in policy communication over the past time, the leader said it has contributed to raising public awareness of the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies and laws, and creating social consensus.

He, however, pointed out limitations in policy communication such as a lack of due attention and investment by a number of ministries, agencies and localities, human resources and tools assessing the work.

To perform the work better, there should be mechanisms to encourage people, organisations and businesses to raise their opinions on draft policies, while ensuring citizens’ rights to accessing information about law, the government leader noted.

Chinh also highlighted the role of press agencies in this regard, saying policy communication should be done in parallel with protecting the Party’s ideological foundation and refuting wrongful and hostile views.

Regarding key tasks in the time ahead, the PM asked ministries, agencies and localities to renew their mindset about and methods in communication, step up the application of digital technology and transformation, develop evaluation tools, encourage the participation of political and social organisations, pay more attention to policy communication in remote, border and island areas, and develop personnel for the work.

He assigned the Ministry of Finance to coordinate with other ministries, agencies and localities in financing policy communication, and the Ministry of Information and Communications to join hands with the Ministry of Justice and other sides to review and consolidate relevant legal regulations.

The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) said in a report to the event that problems remain in the apparatus and resources for policy communication work, thus reducing its effectiveness, especially in the context of many new communication forms on cyberspace. This calls for a review of the organisation and implementation of communication work.

Opinions shared the view that policy communication work has been renewed, from “internal communication” to mass communication. Following the 13th National Party Congress, new initiatives and methods have been taken in the entire political system to effectively disseminate Resolution of the Congress and others adopted by the Party Central Committee.

Le Quoc Minh, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan dan (People) newspaper, said specific mechanisms are needed to enable press agencies to coordinate with law and policy compiling agencies.

The compiling agencies should take in opinions from experts, scientists, organisations and people to perfect policies, he said.

Deputy head of the Party Central Committee’s Information and Education Commission Le Hai Binh stressed the need to better manage social networks, and build high-quality communication workers.

Gov't issues Action Plan for Southeast region

The Government is resolved to help the Southeast region achieve an average GDP growth of 8-8.5 percent during the 2021-2030 period.

The Government has issued a Resolution on its Action Plan to implement Resolution 24-NQ/TW by the Political Bureau on the directions for economic-social development and ensuring security and national defense in the Southeast region until 2030, with a vision to 2045.

By 2030, the GRDP per capita in the region is expected to reach VND380 million (or US$14,500).

The service sector will account for around 41.7 percent of the region's GRDP. Industry and construction will make up 45.3 percent while the agro-forestry-fishery sector will account for 2.3 percent.

In the 2021-2030 period, labor productivity will increase to 7 percent while Total Factor Productivity (TFP) will contribute about 56 percent of GRDP.

By 2030, the percentage of trained workers will reach 40-45 percent of the region's workforce while the proportion of unemployment will remain below 3 percent.

The region sets the goal to have 32 beds and 11 doctors per 10,000 people and 95 percent of the region's population will be covered by social health insurance.

Young Vietnamese, Cambodian border guard officers meet

The Vietnam Border Guard High Command held a talks between young Vietnamese and Cambodian border guard officers in the southern province of Kien Giang on November 22-23, as part of their first  exchange.

The event was also meant to celebrate the 55th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year 2022.

At the event, participants heard reports on coordination on performing the task of managing and protecting territorial sovereignty, national border security; and building a borderline of peace, friendship, cooperation and development; results and experiences of young officers in a programme to help children attend schools, and awareness about Vietnam-Cambodia. They also shared expertise in areas under their watch and suggested several cooperation contents.

On November 23 morning, they joined a tree planting activity and presented a friendship garden to Linh Huynh border guard station in Kien Giang. In the afternoon, they played in a friendly volleyball match.

Vietnam named leading heritage destination at World Travel Awards

Vietnam surpassed Armenia, Brazil, Egypt, Greece, and Japan to claim the "world’s leading heritage destination" title at this year’s World Travel Awards held recently in Oman.

Vietnam is home to eight world heritage sites recognized by UNESCO: the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, My Son Sanctuary, Hoi An ancient town and the Complex of Hue Monuments in central Vietnam; and Ha Long Bay, Trang An Landscape Complex, Thang Long Imperial Citadel and Ho Dynasty Citadel in the northern region.

These heritage sites and other destinations have repeatedly won acclaims from prestigious travel magazines in recent years.

Hanoi was also crowned as world’s leading city break destination this year.

The Golden Bridge in Da Nang, 150 meters long and 12.8 meters wide, and designed as giant hands made of fiberglass and mesh wire, won top honor as the world's leading iconic tourist bridge.

World Travel Awards, launched in 1993, acknowledge excellence in the travel and tourism industry, and have been described as the "travel industry's equivalent of the Oscars."

Nearly 1,100 delegates to attend ninth National Buddhist Congress

Nearly 1,100 delegates from across the country will attend the ninth National Buddhist Congress, scheduled for November 28-29 in Hanoi, heard a press conference on November 23 to introduce the event.

During the congress, participants will review Buddhist activities over the past five years and sketch out tasks for the VBS in the next five years.

One of the important contents of the congress is adjusting the VBS Charter. Participants will discuss the implementation of 12 targets and programmes, focusing on fostering Buddhist rules in line with the implementation of responsibilities of Buddhist dignitaries and followers.

The congress will seek to enhance solidarity and develop the VBS in the international arena.

Earlier, provincial Buddhist congresses were held in all 63 localities nationwide.

First ASEAN Coast Guard Forum takes place in Indonesia

The first ASEAN Coast Guard Forum is taking place in Bali, Indonesia from November 22-25 as part of efforts by regional countries to maintain maritime security.

Addressing a press briefing on the forum on November 22, head of the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency, Rear Admiral Aan Kurnia, said that the forum, themed "One Vision for Peaceful, Safe, and Secure Sea", aims to seek a shared vision of making the region safe and comfortable, which will solve all issues, he said.

The forum is to be a gathering platform for maritime security agencies in ASEAN, while providing participants a chance to exchange views, information, and experience regarding the implementation of maritime security in their respective countries, he stated.

The forum is expected to conclude with the signing of an ASEAN Coast Guard Declaration, which will establish the Confident Building Nation (CBN) to strengthen trust among maritime law enforcers in ASEAN.

Eight ASEAN countries, except for Myanmar and Cambodia, are attending the ASEAN Coast Guard Forum. Indonesia proposed holding the chairmanship of the ASEAN Coast Guard Forum in 2023 to coincide with its ASEAN chairmanship.

Positive results seen in transition of financial resources for HIV/AIDS fight

On October 15, 2012, the Prime Minister issued a decision approving a plan on ensuring finance for anti-HIV/AIDS activities for the 2013 - 2020 period.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Lien Huong said HIV/AIDS prevention and control is the only medical programme in Vietnam to have a particular decision made by the PM to give guidance on finance guaranteeing mechanism. The plan created an important legal corridor for taking measures to ensure sustainable funding for the HIV/AIDS fight.

The proportion of domestic financial sources has risen to over 51%. In particular, localities’ allocation of their budgets for HIV/AIDS prevention and control has continually increased, from 8% to nearly 17% during 2012 - 2020.

The health insurance fund is a breakthrough step in the anti-HIV/AIDS programme in Vietnam as 95% of the HIV-infected persons have been covered by health insurance, doubling in five years, Huong said, adding that the fund pays an annual average of 400 billion VND (16 million USD), including about 200 billion VND for medical check-ups and treatment and the rest for antiretroviral (ARV) drugs.

The proportion of the fund to total spending on HIV/AIDS has increased to 9% from 4%, accounting for 25% of domestic resources for the HIV combat.

Through the national programme on HIV/AIDS prevention and control and the anti-HIV/AIDS project under the national health care and population target programme, allocations from the central budget for provinces and cities in this regard have made up nearly 10%. The share of other private sources has also reached 8%, according to the official.

Binh Thuan plans wide range of activities in Visit Vietnam Year 2023

The Visit Vietnam Year 2023 will be hosted by the south central province of Binh Thuan with a wide range of activities under the theme of “Binh Thuan – Green convergence”.

The Visit Vietnam Year 2023 will have 204 events and activities, including 13 at the national level hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and other ministries and centrally-run agencies.

Binh Thuan will host 31 cultural, sport and tourism activities and events on the inter-provincial, national and international scales, while the rest will be organised in 41 provinces and cities throughout the year.

The opening ceremony of the programme will take place in March 2023, while the closing ceremony is slated for December 2023.

Miss Tourism World contestants promote Son La tourism

Contestants of Miss Tourism World 2022 on November 23 came to Bac Au village in the northern province of Son La’s Van Ho district, as part of their experience tour of Vietnam's heritage regions arranged by the organising board.

With their trip lasting until November 26, the 71 beauties from around the world will also visit the districts of Van Ho, Moc Chau, Quynh Nhai and Son La city to engage in cultural activities of the communities.

They are set participate in photo-shooting and filming sessions serving the promotion of such destinations as Bach Long glass bridge, a pine forest in Ang village, Dai Yem waterfall, and a tea hill.

The contestants will join 1,000 locals to perform Xoe Thai, the unique folk dance of the Thai ethnic minority group.

Emmanuella Awedana Apuri from Ghana said she enjoys Son La’s traditional dance and culture. Local people are friendly, foods are delicious, and the scenery is beautiful, she said, expressing her wish to share these interesting experiences with her family and friends when arriving home.

The final night of Miss Tourism World 2022, themed “Bringing the World to Vietnam”, will be held in the northern province of Vinh Phuc on December 3.

Grand ceremony marks 100th birthday of late PM Vo Van Kiet

A grand ceremony commemorating the 100th birth anniversary of Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet (1922-2008) took place on November 23 in the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long – the late leader’s native place.

The event was co-organised by the Party Central Committee, the National Assembly, the State President, the Government, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, and the provincial authorities.

Delivering a speech at the ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh recalled the life and career of the late PM, who was born on November 23, 1922, in Vung Liem district. Joining revolutionary activities at the age of 16, he moved on to hold many important positions in both the Party and Government.

He noted that at the 6th National Party Congress, Kiet's ideas and proposals regarding promoting agricultural production and goods production were included into the congress' document, contributing to formulating the Party's Doi Moi (renewal) policy, opening up a period of strong and stable development of the country. 

During the time serving as Chairman of the Council of Ministers (now Prime Minister), he was the "general engineer" of many important projects of the country such as: Tri An, Thac Mo, Yaly hydroelectric power plants, 500 KV North - South super high voltage transmission line, Ho Chi Minh road,and Dung Quat oil refinery. 

In the field of foreign relations, PM Kiet directly engaged in promoting the process of normalisation of relations with China in 1991 and with the US in 1995, the accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1995. He also instructed the building of economic connections with regional countries and international organisations so as to tap into domestic and foreign resources, thus gradually taking the country out of crisis and breaking the blockade, to enter an era of integration and development. 

The Government leader also highlighted the proud accomplishments of the country over the more than 35 years carrying out the Doi Moi cause. 

As of 2022, the national economy scale has almost reached 400 billion USD, average per capita income topped 4,000 USD and foreign trade 750 billion USD, putting Vietnam into the top 20 economies in terms of international trade.

Vietnam has established diplomatic relations with 190 countries and has been an active and responsible member of many international organisations. The country has signed 15 free trade agreements with over 60 countries and territories. 

PM Chinh affirmed that Kiet’s life and career are the embodiment of a loyal revolutionary and an excellent leader who dedicated his life to the country and the people.

With his democratic working style and determination to do and take responsibility, he had made an important contribution to the mobilisation of people from all walks of life to implement the Doi Moi policy, the Government leader noted. 

Paying respect to the late leader, Chinh called on Party members and people, particularly youth, to follow his example, promote the great national unity, and strive to build a strong and prosperous nation of wealthy and happy people.

Before the ceremony, PM Chinh attended the inauguration of Cai Cam bridge in Vinh Long city, whose construction began on October 30, 2020 as part of the 3.6km Vo Van Kiet road worth nearly 1.5 trillion VND (60.37 million USD).

The operation of the road and the bridge is expected to connect the provincial administrative center with the city’s urban area and local districts’ administrative centers.

Vietnam, Brazil hold deputy ministerial-level political consultation

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc and his Brazilian counterpart Eduardo Paes Saboia co-chaired the eighth deputy ministerial-level political consultation via a videoconference on November 23.

Both sides shared the situation of each country, especially in the context that they are adopting measures to recover the economy and ensure social welfare following the pandemic.

Reviewing bilateral cooperation in the past, they also discussed measures to deepen bilateral comprehensive partnership in the near future.

They spoke highly of the strong development of bilateral economic ties, with Brazil being the biggest trade partner of Vietnam in the Latin America and two-way trade hitting a record 6.36 billion USD.

Vietnam-Brazil economic and trade ties still have ample room to grow further as Vietnam and member states of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), including Brazil, are discussing the possibility of negotiating the Vietnam-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement, they said.

The two sides highlighted the potential of cooperation in agriculture and renewable energy, and pledged to contribute to global food security, energy security and climate change response. They vowed to work closely together to maintain the momentum of bilateral relations by facilitating high-level visits and meetings, upholding the Joint Committee and Political Consultation mechanism, and expanding dialogues and connection between ministries, agencies and businesses, thus gradually completing a legal framework to step up trade and investment collaboration, especially in farm produce.

The two foreign ministries agreed to jointly accelerate negotiations towards signing cooperation agreements in national defence, education, facilitation of investment and technical cooperation.

Railway through Hai Van Pass needs $53.3 million for upgrade

Vietnam Railway Corporation (VNR) has requested that the Ministry of Transport urgently invest VNĐ1.33 trillion (US$53.5 million) to upgrade the railway in the Hải Vân Pass area due to the impact of typhoon Sonca in October.

According to VNR, the railway infrastructure on the Hải Vân Pass area has deteriorated due to lack of investment and frequent annual rains, causing landslides and a high risk to train operation safety.

Earlier this month, a team of the Ministry of Transport, Việt Nam Railway Administration and VNR inspected the scene and assessed the current status of the railway infrastructure and damages in the Hải Vân Pass area.

The inspection results showed that on the railway section through the pass, there were about 20 points of landslides that damaged railway infrastructure and continued to pose a potential risk of unsafe operation if not repaired soon.

In order to ensure train safety and improve operational efficiency, VNR suggested the Ministry of Transport ask the Prime Minister to consider allocating about VNĐ1.33 trillion ($53.5 million) from the State Budget for repair works.

The repair works would include reinforcement of talus roofs of sections with potential risk of landslides (20 positions), and upgrading railways and stations of a total length of 16.31km, 15 bridges with total length of 358m, and three tunnels of 1.6km.

30-year-old elephant in Lam Dong rescued

A 30-year-old male elephant in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong has been rescued and handed over to the Dak Lak Elephant Preservation, Animals Rescue and Forest Protection Management Centre.

According to centre director Tran Xuan Phuoc, the elephant named Rok was taken care of by a man in Duc Trong District for two years. However, he faced difficulties in caring for the elephant he wanted to transfer the animal to the authorities.

The man was given a subsidy of VND500 million (USD20,161) for caring for the elephant over the past period, with the money funded by the Animals Asia Foundation.

10 million young people benefited from project on improving English competence for Vietnamese youth

A total of 10 million young people have benefited from the project, on improving English competence for Vietnamese youth during the 2018-2022 period.

According to the Secretary of the HYU Central Committee Nguyen Tuong Lam, since its launch in 2018, the project has included a string of practical and effective activities to hone English skills for youth, adolescents and children.

Prominent among the activities are an English Olympiad for students and youth union officers, and a training programme for English-teaching volunteers.

In addition, to review the outcomes of the project, the gala also featured a speaking contest themed ‘English - The key to international integration in the era of the fourth Industrial Revolution’, the screening of reportage on the English Olympiad for youth union officers, and a stage play reproducing an English class for students in a mountainous region.

Tay Ninh to build 11 bridges across Saigon and Vam Co Dong rivers

The southern province of Tay Ninh plans to build 11 new bridges over the Vam Co Dong and Saigon rivers to improve regional transportation connectivity.

With the proposed bridge construction, the government of Tay Ninh Province aims to enhance the traffic infrastructure and foster links with other localities in the region, according to the local transportation planning for 2030, with a vision to 2050.

The 11 planned bridges are expected to alleviate geographic constraints caused by the region’s river and channel systems, supporting Tay Ninh’s growing transportation demand.

Phan Thiet-Dau Giay expy required to be completed by Q1 2023

Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang has requested the Thang Long Project Management Unit to complete the Phan Thiet-Dau Giay expressway before April 30 next year.

In his visit to the construction site yesterday, November 22, the minister determined that the investor’s report on 77% completion of the project did not reflect the reality, as a significant amount of work still needs to be done.

The construction delays result from not only unfavorable weather conditions and rising construction material prices, but also the lower-than-expected performance of the investor and contractors, Minister Thang said.

The minister urged all of the contractors to make further efforts to fully complete work on the VND12.5-trillion project. Any units failing to meet the deadline should step aside.

The Phan Thiet-Dau Giay expressway, which is 99 kilometers long and 32 meters wide, connects the provinces of Dong Nai and Binh Thuan.

Work on the project started in September 2020 and is expected to be completed at the end of this year. But the Ministry of Transport sought approval to extend the deadline to April 30, 2023, due to the slower-than-planned construction process.

Bac Lieu hosts Don Ca Tai Tu Nam Bo Festival 2022

The opening ceremony of the 2022 Bac Lieu Don Ca Tai Tu Nam Bo (Southern amateur music) Festival opened at the Memorial House of the art of Don Ca Tai Tu Nam Bo (Southern amateur music) and late composer Cao Van Lau in Bac Lieu City in the Mekong Delta province of the same name on November 23.

The 3-day event which is part of the 2022 Bac Lieu Culture-Tourism Festival and Da Co Hoai Lang Festival attracts 10 art troupes of Don Ca Tai Tu Nam Bo with 150 artists from provinces and cities in the region.

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.

The southern traditional music style has been honored because it is a legacy passed through generations to recreate cultural exchanges between ethnic groups, according to experts in UNESCO.

Born 100 years ago, it has been a long-standing cultural tradition in the Mekong Delta since the end of the 19th century. Don Ca Tai Tu Nam Bo meets the criteria because it is passed down through generations in southern provinces, re-creates via cultural exchanges, presents a concord and respect among ethnic groups.

Musician Cao Van Lau is known as the ancestor of Cai Luong (southern traditional opera) and stage and well-known for an immortal Cai Luong piece, "Da Co Hoai Lang" (Night Drumbeats Cause Longing for Absent Husband). The legendary composition was written in 1919 and tells the story of a wife who waits for her husband to return from the battlefield. The song never fails to leave a deep impression on millions of devotees. Bac Lieu is the birthplace of the song.

Charity movement collects VND41 billion to help poor people enjoy happy Tet

The Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRCS) in coordination with the HCMC Television Station (HTV) on November 23 launched the "Humanitarian Strength" program for 2022 and the movement called “Tet of Mercy 2023” calling on individuals and organizations to support disadvantaged people on the upcoming Tet holidays.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the VRCS, Bui Thi Hoa said that the annual "Humanitarian Strength" program aims to honor collectives and individuals for their outstanding contributions to humanitarian work, spreading acts of kindness in the community, and mobilizing resources to support the poor and help them enjoy a happy Tet.

The “Tet of Mercy 2023” movement is expected to offer one million Tet gifts with a total value of VND600 billion (US$24 million) to needy people.

Supporters can donate to the fund by sending a text message to the National Humanitarian Portal 1400 and the “thiennguyen” app with the account number 2022.

At the launching ceremony in the city, the organization board collected more than VND41 billion which can help 81,200 disadvantaged households enjoy a warm Tet.

Authorities to accelerate fight against smuggling, trade frauds at int’l airports

Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh has recently approved a plan to strengthen the fight against smuggling, counterfeits and trade frauds at international airports in the next three years.

Under the plan, authorities will inspect, supervise and coordinate forces to timely discover cases of smuggling, counterfeits and trade frauds at international airports. It also targets to perfect mechanisms and policies in favor of import-export activities and raise people’s sense of responsibility to abide by the law. IT application will be boosted with modern equipment installment.

Particularly, the plan looks to put an end to smuggling lines, trade frauds, and illegal transportation of goods through international airports, especially drugs, weapons, explosives, rare and endangered wildlife, alcohol, cigarettes, cigars, telephones, gold, foreign currencies, modern medicines, supplements, cosmetics and other goods with high value.

The plan will be implemented from December 1, 2022 until December 1, 2025.

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