Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked ministries and agencies to soon submit policies to the government for approval to remove obstacles and create favourable conditions for Ho Chi Minh City to develop quickly and sustainably.

PM Chinh, who is head of the steering committee for the implementation of the National Assembly’s Resolution 98/2023/QH15 on piloting some specific mechanisms and policies for the development of HCM City, made the request at the first meeting of the steering committee held on November 26.

HCM City has an important position and role, distinct potential, outstanding opportunities, competitive advantages and a large space for development, he said.

PM Chinh held that after more than four months of implementing the resolution, the mindset, awareness, and approach to the city's development have been innovated and enhanced, thus promoting HCM City's socio-economic development.

The PM requested leaders of some ministries and agencies to be more proactive and boost coordination while implementing the resolution, stressing that problems should be solved in a more comprehensive and drastic manner.

Regarding key tasks and solutions in the future, the Government leader asked HCM City to deploy specific policies, explore potential and advantages as well as exploit its strategic location.

He asked the city to speed up administrative procedure reforms, study and propose policies to encourage investment in the city, creating favourable conditions for domestic and foreign-invested enterprises.

The Ministry of Finance was assigned to quickly complete documents about loan interests with reasonable profits, payment methods and regulations on exempting corporate income tax and personal income tax related to innovation and start-up activities.

He requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to soon complete documents about election, recruitment, management and use of civil servants working in communes, towns and ward officials of the city.

As for rooftop solar power systems, the PM assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade to coordinate with other ministries to realise the instructions of Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha in Notice No 461/TB-VPCP dated November 8 this year which referred to building a decree on mechanisms and policies relating to the development of rooftop solar power in residents' houses, offices, and industrial parks. The plan should be completed and submitted to the Government before the end of next month.

He requested the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to work with concerned agencies to research and supplement the construction planning for Can Gio International Transshipment Port.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) will take charge of developing a project on building a regional and international financial centre in HCM City and submit it to the PM for consideration.

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs will work with HCM City to decide the city's poverty standards.

Regarding the capital budget for large works and projects, PM Chinh requested the city, in coordination with the MPI, to propose key projects.

Ministries and agencies are supposed to support HCM City in arranging capital to implement urban railway projects and promote regional connectivity projects such as expanding HCM City-Trung Luong Expressway and HCM City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway.

He agreed to pilot policies and mechanisms to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship for HCM City.

As Sai Gon River is an invaluable asset bestowed by nature, PM Chinh asked HCM City and relevant agencies and localities to set up a master plan for socio-economic development associated with protecting the landscape and ecological environment along the river.

Vietnam treasures comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China: PM

The Vietnamese Party and State consistently treasure, maintain and develop the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, considering it an objective requirement, a strategic, long-term choice and a top priority in the country’s foreign policy, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has said.

PM Chinh made the statement at a reception in Ho Chi Minh City on November 25 for Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and a delegation of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce who are paying a working visit to Vietnam and attend the 12th Meeting of the Vietnam-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Committee.

The host and guest expressed their delight at the results of bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Since 2004, China has always been the biggest trading partner of Vietnam. Among foreign investors in Vietnam, China currently ranks fourth in terms of capital and first in the number of new projects.

In 2022, Vietnam became the fourth biggest trading partner of China in the world according to national criteria, and the biggest trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In the first 10 months of 2023, two-way trade reached almost 140 billion USD.

Highly evaluating the coordination and cooperation between the two ministries of trade, especially in dealing with difficulties and obstacles in economic ties, PM Chinh proposed the Chinese Ministry of Commerce continue working closely with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, ministries and sectors of Vietnam to deploy practical measures to expand bilateral trade in a more sustainable and balanced way.

The two sides need to restore disrupted supply chains; review signed documents and study the upgrade and signing of new cooperation agreements; promote the establishment of cross-border trade areas; and enhance infrastructure connectivity to boost economic connection, including waterway and seaport connectivity and studying the building of a high-speed railway route between the two nations, he suggested.

The PM also proposed the two sides strengthen linkages and ensure the smooth flow of goods supply chains in the fields of agriculture and industry; and encourage leading Chinese enterprises with high, energy-saving and environmentally-friendly technologies to expand investment in Vietnam.

The government leader also suggested China expand its import of high-quality agricultural products from Vietnam such as aquatic products and milk; assist the building of trademarks for products and fields of Vietnam’s strength in the Chinese market; help Vietnamese goods to penetrate deeper into China’s localities and retail system; create favourable conditions in customs clearance for Vietnamese goods to enter the Chinese market; coordinate with the Vietnamese side to effectively carry out trade promotion activities in each country; and accelerate the establishment of Vietnam’s trade promotion offices in Chinese localities.

In particular, PM Chinh requested the Chinese side to discuss and coordinate with Vietnamese agencies to completely settle pending issues in a number of industrial cooperation projects in the spirit of “harmonising interests and sharing risks”.

Wang agreed with PM Chinh’s proposals and the minister said he would report them to Party and State leaders of China.

The minister pledged to work closely with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, ministries, sectors and localities of Vietnam to effectively implement common perceptions and agreements reached by senior leaders of the two Parties and nations, and deepen bilateral trade and investment ties.

Wang also proposed Vietnam continue to create favourable conditions for Chinese investors in Vietnam; enhance multilateral cooperation; and join hands in boosting regional economic linkages, including the upgrade of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement.

PM Chinh took this occasion to ask Wang to convey his regards and invitation to Chinese Premier Li Qiang to visit Vietnam.

Vice President meets representatives of Vietnamese community in Norway

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan met with staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Norway on November 24 evening (local time) as part of her official visit to the European nation.

At the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Norway Dinh Nho Hung told the Vice President that with over 23,000 people, the Vietnamese community in Norway is the largest in Northern Europe, who have contributed to the host country's socio-economic and cultural development while regularly engaging in investment and charity activities in Vietnam, and actively supporting the Embassy in its foreign affairs.

Xuan expected and believed that the overseas Vietnamese (OVs) in Norway would continue the tradition of solidarity, working together to build a strong community and serve as an important bridge to popularise Vietnamese culture and images abroad.

She also asked the Embassy to offer all possible support to OVs and promptly grasp their aspirations to propose solutions and initiatives to authorities in the home country.

Vietnam-Japan Experts’ Society makes debut

The Vietnam-Japan Experts’ Society (VJS) made its debut at a ceremony held on November 25 by the VJS and the Vietnamese Consulate General in Japan’s Fukuoka prefecture.

Founded on August 19, 2023, the non-profit VJS brings together Vietnamese and Japanese experts involved in sci-tech and innovative activities in Vietnam.

Speaking at the ceremony, VJS President Prof. Tran Dang Xuan affirmed that the VJS will contribute as much as possible to the development of science, technology and economy in Vietnam.

Vietnamese Consul General Vu Chi Mai committed all possible support to the VJS, especially in connecting Vietnamese agencies, organisations, businesses and localities with Japanese counterparts.

Meanwhile, member of the Japanese House of Representatives Soramoto Seiki, who is also a holder of doctorate degree in atomic energy, pledged to do his best to contribute to the development of the VJS and Vietnam, thereby promoting the robust relationship between the two countries.

Vietnam-China Friendship Association holds 7th National Congress

The Vietnam-China Friendship Association (VCFA) organised its 7th National Congress for the 2023-2028 term in Hanoi on November 25.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong, President Vo Van Thuong, and Truong Thi Mai, member of the Political Bureau, permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat, and Chairwoman of the Organisation Commission of the CPV’s Central Committee sent baskets of flowers to congratulate the congress.

In her remarks, Mai reaffirmed the importance of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's visit to China in October 2022. The continuation of promoting and deepening the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new era is a very important factor for peace, stability and development in each country, as well as the region and the world, she said, adding that this also meets the aspirations and interests of the two nations' people.

Mai hailed the results of the association’s performance in the past tenure, saying it has made positive contributions to people-to-people diplomacy in particular and Vietnam's foreign affairs in general.

The VCFA has served as an important bridge that contributes to strengthening friendship, enhancing mutual understanding and trust, promoting mutually beneficial cooperation between the people of Vietnam and China, and creating a positive, favourable social foundation for friendly and cooperative relations between the two Parties and two countries.

She suggested the VCFA constantly innovate and improve the quality and efficiency of operations in the new term, adding that attention should be paid to developing a younger generation of members.

For his part, Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo stressed that promoting China-Vietnam relations to new heights cannot be separated from the great support and active participation of the Chinese and Vietnamese people, especially the important role of the two friendship associations.

The Executive Committee of the Vietnam-China Friendship Association for the 7th term comprises 73 members. At the first meeting of the executive committee, Nguyen Hoang Anh, a member of the CPV Central Committee and Chairman of the Commission for State Capital Management at Enterprises, was elected as president of the association for the 7th term.

Record-breaking drug haul in Hai Duong

Police in Hai Duong have arrested and prosecuted a local man for illegally transporting seven kilos of drugs from Europe.

In a report released on November 24, Hai Duong Police said that they have arrested Pham Van Trung, 36, for illegal drug trafficking.

Earlier on October 17, Trung was caught red-handed while driving a car to a location on Dien Bien Phu Street to get a package containing seven kilos of drugs which were then tested as MDMA or Ecstasy.

This was the largest amount of drugs trafficked through the province so far.

Trung told the police that the drugs were sent from Germany.

In June, Hai Duong Police also arrested Nguyen Van Tuan, 36, for transporting nearly two kilos of Ketamine which were sent from the UK.

Both men said that they were hired by some others to transport the drugs.

Police are further investigating the cases.

Cameras to supervise Khanh Hoa reservoir discharges

The southern central province of Khanh Hoa will use cameras to supervise the water discharge of some local reservoirs amid the flood season.

According to Nguyen Duy Quang, director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, three cameras will be installed at each of the eight reservoirs of Hoa Son, Da Den, Da Ban, Am Chua, Suoi Dau, Cam Ranh, Ta Ruc and Suoi Hanh. The cameras will be connected to district boards of natural disaster prevention and control, search and rescue. 

The project will be carried out in December with the budget sourced from the province.

Khanh Hoa is home to 32 reservoirs, consisting of three hydropower reservoirs and 29 irrigation reservoirs. However, none of them have been equipped with cameras to monitor water discharges.

In mid-November, torrential rains and the water discharge of reservoirs resulted in the severe inundation of the suburbs of Nha Trang City.

Rapid urbanisation has worsened the water drainage in the city.

The central region of Vietnam has been forecasted to face another heavy rainy spell in the days to come.

Bac Ninh industrial cluster suspended for environmental concerns

An industrial cluster in the northern province of Bac Ninh’s Yen Phong District has been suspended for causing pollution.

The industrial cluster covers a site of 26.54 hectares in Man Xa handicraft village in Van Mon Commune and is invested by Hanaka Group Joint Stock Company. Around 90 percent of the cluster’s infrastructure has been completed. 

According to the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment’s environmental monitoring, aluminum recycling activities are the major cause of the severe pollution in Van Mon.

The analysed parameters, including noise, particulate matter, SO2 and NO2, exceed the permissible standards by 1.2 to 2.8 times.

The untreated wastewater from the industrial cluster is discharged into the environment directly. Meanwhile, around 35 tonnes of solid waste from the industrial cluster are illegally dumped into the environment, mostly coal ash and aluminum dross.

According to Pham Duc Dinh, deputy head of Yen Phong District’s Environmental Natural Resources and Environment Board, the district has set up a taskforce to specialise in supervising the industrial cluster’s operations. Early next month, the agency will announce businesses which fail to ensure environmental protection regulations.

Police warn of tricks to defraud job applicants

The Cybersecurity and Hi-tech Crime Prevention Division (PA05) in Ho Chi Minh City warned of tricks of pretending to be domestic and foreign businesses and corporations recruiting jobs to defraud applicants.

According to PA05, fraudsters design fake internet domain names or fake social networking sites with the same logos, images, tax codes, and addresses of domestic and foreign corporations and businesses to lure job seekers into their traps. Fraudsters also used calls and distributed spam messages to mobile subscribers about stories that they made up intended to defraud victims.

When people contacted them looking for a job, these swindlers impersonated staff of companies' personnel divisions to ask job seekers to comply with their request to get a job. Then, they used fake images, cut and edited them into recruitment contracts, and employment commitments and promised attractive income. Victims mistakenly think they are applying for a job or negotiating a job with a real business and a real job.

In addition, hustlers also illegally collect digital data and personal data of people by asking victims to provide information and personal data including résumé, ID card, bank account, and phone number which deceivers can use the above information to borrow money through the app and lure the victim to authenticate the loan.

Moreover, according to PA05, tricky persons will lure job applicants to transfer money and pay a deposit to get a job at a business or corporation. Additionally, scammers will tell job seekers to work online at home, through tasks such as giving likes, shares, virtual orders, virtual reviews, watching movies, and listening to music to receive money. After many victims have been scammed, they still mistakenly thought that they were being scammed by the impersonated company or business.

Police officials recommended that a job seeker should contact companies and businesses directly on official channels, and go directly to the company for confirmation to ensure safety. Companies and businesses that are impersonated need to promptly publish warnings about counterfeit behavior and report to the police the above fraud and counterfeit behavior to fight and handle it according to regulations.

Launch of first Circuit Design Competition paves way for IoT platform in HCMC

The first Circuit Design Competition was launched to promote the development of Integrated circuit design, or IC design, in Vietnam, which will pave the way for the Internet of Things technology platform and the building of a sustainable smart city.

This morning, the Ho Chi Minh City-located Saigon Hi-Tech Park officially launched the first Circuit Design for Smart Cities Competition in 2023 which will last from November 2023 to June 2024. The Saigon Hi-Tech Park Management Board will chair the competition while the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Communist Union, the HCMC Department of Information and Communications, the city Department of Science and Technology, and the National University will be responsible for organizing the competition.

The competition information was disseminated to students at universities, colleges, and institutes nationwide who are passionate about IC design. The organizing committee also encourages creative ideas, projects, and research topics that are highly applicable to practice; thereby, contributing to the mission of making the Saigon High-Tech Park become the world's IC design center.

Deputy Head of the Management Board of Ho Chi Minh City Hi-Tech Park Le Quoc Cuong said that the city has established a microchip and semiconductor electronics center - the first center in the country - in cooperation with large enterprises to provide training of human resources to meet the country's needs.

The microchip industry is the nucleus of the electronics industry; for the country’s development, the workforce is necessary to master microchip technology and semiconductor technology. Le Quoc Cuong feels proud that Ho Chi Minh City is the first place to design and produce microchips in the country.

Through the contest, Ho Chi Minh City hopes to find semiconductor circuit design products and solutions to serve fields amid the context that the city is promoting smart urban construction. At the same time, this is also an opportunity to build high-quality resources to develop the semiconductor chip industry in Vietnam.

Disabled young people to be supported for digital transformation startups

The Vietnam Youth Federation in collaboration with the National Committee for Vietnamese Persons with Disabilities will help disabled young people start a business with digital transformation.

The Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Federation in collaboration with the National Committee for Vietnamese Persons with Disabilities today organized a seminar ‘Current situation and solutions to support young people with disabilities to start a business with digital transformation’ in Hanoi.

At the conference, participants shared information and solutions about digital entrepreneurship, and the skills needed when starting a business. In particular, young people with disabilities talked about the difficulties they were encountering in starting a business, applying for a job, as well as studying.

One of the 35 young people with disabilities praised at this year's program ‘Shining Vietnamese examples’ is Duong Dinh Bao, Director of B-ONE Advertising Services and Trading Production Company from the Central Highlands Province of Dak Lak.

Duong Dinh Bao confided his feelings after he had an accident in 2015; since then he has been facing difficulties in applying for a job. He realized the difficulties that people with disabilities are encountering to integrate into the community. In 2016, he founded a graphic design company to create jobs for people in the same fate.

Currently, his company's TikTok channel has tens of thousands of followers. Duong Dinh Bao really wants to connect and replicate the model to other provinces and cities, to create jobs for people with disabilities, as well as those who love graphics.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Van, Chairwoman of the Founding Council of the Hanoi-based nonprofit Will to Live Center - which provides free computer and life skills training courses, to people with disabilities, in order to help them find employment and integrate fully into society - shared that out of up to 6.2 million Vietnamese people with disabilities, a large proportion of them are still unemployed, some of them work in the informal sector and in precarious work with low income.

Those concerns have motivated her and the team of the Will to Live Center to always strive to help, accompany, and support people with disabilities and vulnerable people to fully integrate into the community. She wants to help people with disabilities be confident when going out, have access to education and then go to work, earn their own income, not having to depend on support from the State or family or charity support.

Mr. Trinh Cong Thanh, Chairman of the Vietnam Disabled Youth Club, said that there are currently many young people with disabilities who have been doing business successfully on digital platforms in areas such as advertising, printing, and vocational training for disabled youth, or selling local specialties in e-commerce platforms.

According to Mr. Thanh, in the Vietnamese disability community, many people have made efforts like famous disability speaker Nick Vuijic. The bright examples’ talks about their experiences are very useful knowledge and motivation for young people with disabilities in particular and young people in general on their career path.

HCMC’s education sector to call for investment in school construction projects

The education sector in Ho Chi Minh City said that it will call for investment in building 86 school projects in the form of public-private partnerships.

The Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City has just sent a report to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee on the implementation of the Government’s Resolution No. 35NQ-CP on strengthening the mobilization of social resources for investment in the development of education and training from 2019 to 2025.

According to the city’s Department of Education and Training’s report, the budget for education is considered a priority to increase each year, currently accounting for 28 percent of the city's regular spending budget and 20 percent of capital construction investment from the city’s state budget.

As of the 2022-2023 school year, out of 2,716 education and training establishments in the southern largest city, 1,467 are public facilities and 1,249 are non-public facilities and 35 foreign-invested schools including 19 multi-grade high schools, 2 elementary schools and 14 preschools.

Leaders of the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City said that foreign-invested high schools play an important role in creating a good learning environment for children of foreigners and Vietnamese people abroad a long time arriving in Vietnam for working, contributing to the promotion of foreign investment in Vietnam and the development of the city.

According to statistics, 173 enterprises have poured investment into non-public education and training facilities in 2023.

In addition, for the development of preschool education in areas with export processing zones and industrial parks, the whole city has 4 non-public preschools and 24 preschools located adjacent and outside on the premises of export processing zones and industrial parks that have been built and put into operation to keep children of workers working in export processing zones, industrial parks and children of local households.

These facilities basically meet the childcare needs of workers in industrial parks and export processing zones.

Evaluating the work of mobilizing financial resources of domestic and foreign organizations and individuals to invest in education and training, the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City said that the city is calling for investment in education and efforts to implement of localities, the education system from preschool to high school, continuing education, vocational education and non-public universities is currently achieving certain results which helps to increase the rate of children and students and universalization of education, meeting people's learning needs as well as reducing the burden on the state budget.

HCMC calls on investment in school construction projects

However, the awareness of many officials and people is still low resulting in the slow speed of social contributions which are not commensurate with the potential and overall resources for development education and training.

Currently, the learning needs of city residents are very huge requiring many diverse types, but the activities of community learning centers are still limited.

Along with that, policies are not synchronized, specific instructions are lacking and slow, and the operating mechanism of public schools does not allow for the full promotion of the positive and creative abilities of facilities and teachers.

In particular, the school's autonomy mechanism in finance, tuition, and recruitment has not created great motivation for development. Although the number of non-public establishments is increasing rapidly, their scale is still small in general and their development of facilities is uneven. Investment procedures are still complicated and inadequate, causing difficulties in the process of investment mobilization, project introduction and specific negotiations.

In the near future, Ho Chi Minh City planned to call on businesses’ investment in building 86 school projects in the form of public-private partnerships. Each project has an investment capital of over VND100 billion (US$ 4,118,982).

To remove difficulties and obstacles in mechanisms and policies to implement socialization in education and training, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee recommends that the Government consider removing and resolving land use-related issues for educational purposes.

Proactive prevention at the outset crucial to fight film copyright infringement

Filmmakers feel helpless against rampant copyright infringements. Legal corridors and anti-infringement technology are essential, but raising awareness for protecting legal rights is perhaps of utmost crucial.
Who to call for help?

A conference to discuss the protection of copyrights in the film industry development process held within the framework of the 23rd Vietnam Film Festival revisits an issue that is neither new nor old. From the circumstance of director Luong Dinh Dung, Vo Thanh Hoa to the thoughts of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Lenh Hung Tu, Chairman of the Vietnam Cinematography Association, remains highly topical.

Mr. Do Lenh Hung Tu presented a sad reality, where many groups of students propose TV series script outlines, are accepted, receive advance payments, and are required to complete the script within 3 months. However, due to the short time, when they request an extension, they are denied, asked to terminate the contract and sign a commitment not to sue. But shortly afterward, they discover that their script has been turned into a film, with only changes to the setting and characters. He emphasized that in the creative field of cinema, copyright infringement occurs every day, every hour. People working in this industry don't know whom to seek for help.

Representatives from the Phan Law Vietnam also pointed out that in reality, very few authors or rights holders proactively carry out registration procedures at the competent authority to establish their rights. Moreover, some rights holders do not register at the time of creation until they discover their work has been violated. At that point, registering the copyright is almost worthless as evidence. Additionally, there are cases of confusion regarding the value of the copyright registration certificate as proof of the author's rights, leading to conflicts and confusion not only in automatically generated copyright but also in proving the rights holder.

Vietnam currently has the Intellectual Property Law, the Cinematography Law, the criminal law, and many other documents under the law. From 2004 to June 2023, Vietnam has participated in 8 international conventions, treaties, and agreements on copyright and related rights.

Mrs. Sylvie Forbin, Deputy Director General for the Copyright and Creative Industries Sector under the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), hopes that in the future, Vietnam will join the WIPO Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances so that authors, performers, and other related parties can be protected not only in Vietnam but also globally. However, the issue of copyright infringement must be addressed at its root to be effective.

Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Cinema Promotion Association, admitted that Vietnamese cinema originated as revolutionary cinema, protected and subsidized by the state, resulting in almost no awareness and tradition of copyright protection. It is only when there is a film market and film industry that attention is drawn to this issue.

Therefore, in her proposal, Mrs. Ngo Phuong Lan emphasized that filmmakers themselves must thoroughly understand relevant legal documents to avoid losses. They shall not wait until their works are violated and suffer losses to speak up. Instead, they should seek consulting organizations, conduct research, and have representatives to protect their copyright rights from the beginning. According to Mrs. Ngo Phuong Lan, raising this awareness requires synchronized efforts from all levels of management and society, as it affects the national film industry as a whole. She cited that many major film studios worldwide hesitate to establish representative offices or invest in Vietnam due to copyright issues.

A solution proposed by both Ms. Ngo Phuong Lan and Phan Law Vietnam is to have pilot cases with a deterrent effect. Phan Law Vietnam believes that the rights holders initiating legal action against the infringing party is not only a measure to handle and prevent the actions of the infringer but also a warning message to other potential violators that they are ready to enforce their rights to end any violation. In addition, another fundamental objective when filing a lawsuit is to request the court to require the infringing party to fairly compensate for the infringement. Therefore, addressing obstacles and difficulties in filing lawsuits in court also needs solutions so that rights holders can effectively exercise their rights.

Directors Luong Dinh Dung and Vo Thanh Hoa said that directors or filmmakers often focus only on film production and not everyone is well-versed in the law. This leads to a situation where, after the film is released and copyright is violated, they frantically seek help, and take every measure to protect their work, and often the effectiveness of copyright protection is not high at that point.

HCMC Police seize over 3 tons of illegal, banned firecrackers of all kinds

The Police of Ho Chi Minh City razed an inter-provincial firecrackers trading ring and seized over three tons of illegal and banned firecrackers of all kinds.

Accordingly, the Police Investigation Agency of Cu Chi District Police, Ho Chi Minh City has just prosecuted the case and the accused Ha Xuan Chau, born in 1986 and Tran Kim Giau, born in 1970 living in Hoc Mon District, for the criminal act of transporting prohibited goods.

Previously, via its professionals together with the all-people movement to protect national security, the Cu Chi District Police detected that the accused Chau collaborated with Giau to transport and trade firecrackers.

Notably, the defendants implemented the transportation and trading of firecrackers from the area of the Cambodian border in Vinh Hung District, Long An Province to Cu Chi District, HCMC.

Both the defendants distributed firecrackers following the direction of a Cambodian to the contact points in Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces and cities via services of transport businesses.

Around 1:40 p.m. on November 18, the police forces checked and detected the act of transporting prohibited goods of the defendants.

Through checking some sites, the functional forces seized more than three tons of firecrackers and relevant documents.

Currently, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Public Security is promptly performing the investigation to strictly handle the relevant defendants under the law.

From September up to now, the Municipal Department of Public Security has arrested and prosecuted 15 defendants and seized nearly ten tons of firecrackers of all kinds which were set to consume in the upcoming Tet holiday of 2024.

I-Star 2023 award winners announced

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee-organized annual award was announced yesterday by the City Department of Science and Technology.

The Innovation and Startup Award 2023 (I-Star 2023)-giving ceremony was organized by the Department of Science and Technology and other departments. The event takes place within the framework of Techfest Week – Whise 2023.

The I-Star 2023 Award was launched in March 2023. Over 5 months, the Organizing Committee received 225 entries. Solutions focus on digital transformation in the fields of education, services, state management, health care, and agriculture. Among them are many creative solutions in state management, education and services, keeping up with social development trends and needs.

Through the selection rounds, 39 entries made it to the next round and were divided into 4 groups of categories including innovative startups; innovative solutions; media works; organizations, and individuals supporting start-up activities.

Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology Nguyen Viet Dung said that the I-Star award has been launched six times and it still attracts the interest of organizations and communities. He hoped that the I-Star 2024 would attract more colorful and attractive creative ideas and solutions, to create new breakthroughs for the city's development, contributing to the promotion of the country's resources and Vietnam's innovative startup ecosystem for international integration.

The organizing committee has selected the 12 best entries of 4 groups to honor and award the I-Star 2023 awards. 
Specifically, in group one of the innovative solutions, awards were given to AquaFlex - a PVA water soluble, biodegradable, compostable based biopolymer and digitalized-based solutions to trace and verify the origin of products.

In group two of startups and innovative businesses, the award was given to Information technology application in food safety management and origin of imported goods at Binh Thoi market.

In group three of media works about innovation and entrepreneurship, the award was given to a series of discussions including Ho Chi Minh City's gradual creation of a smart city; Young people's diligent invention of fabric from bamboo and banana fibers and preservation of precious genes; Highly practical solution in teaching and learning chemistry.

In group four of start-up and innovation individuals and organizations have made positive contributions to the community, the awards went to ZONE STARTUPS Vietnam Company of the International University and the Center for Technology Business Incubation, Polytechnic University under the National University of Ho Chi Minh City.

Hanoi, British cities exchange experience in branding Creative City

Hanoi is the first Vietnamese municipality to issue a resolution on the development of the cultural industry, putting the spotlight on the promotion of the creative city.

Four years after being designated a Creative City, Hanoi is actively implementing initiatives through a series of activities and events, said Do Dinh Hong, Director of Hanoi's Department of Culture and Sports.

Hong was speaking at the international seminar "Hanoi Creative City - Brand Building and Resource Development", organized this week as part of the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2023 from November 17 to 26. He said that the capital city is the first municipality in the country to issue a resolution on the development of cultural industries.

Hong said the amended draft of the Capital Law also includes provisions for the development of cultural industries and creative cities. These issues are also mentioned in the General Plan for the Development of the Capital City of Hanoi until 2030, with a vision for 2050.

"Hanoi is gradually positioning the Creative City brand to realize the vision: to turn the capital into a creative center of Southeast Asia in the design field," he said.

Specialists from the UK shared their experience building a Creative City brand with culture as the cornerstone of development. Through the effective use of brand positioning methods, the small cities in which they live now greatly appeal to locals and tourists, spreading their images around the globe.

Chris McCreery, Cultural Development Manager at Belfast City Council, said that the city has set out three new strategies that put creativity and people at the heart of development, including culture, tourism and music. The music strategy builds on Belfast's UNESCO Creative City of Music brand to promote the local music industry and celebrate the city's musical history and talent. 

The genres of music that the board focuses on promoting range from classical, pop, rock, and jazz, from international music to traditional and indigenous genres. In addition, the City of Belfast has run various development programs that celebrate culture and creativity so that more people know about the image of the Creative City of Music.

Also discussing the issue of Creative City branding, Poppy Jarratt, Project Coordinator at UNESCO City of Design Dundee, said that Dundee organizes the Dundee Month of Design every year in May, with design activities that attract a large participation from the design communities and locals. In addition, the 'Dundee - UNESCO Creative City of Design' brand has been placed in its new home, the V&A Dundee - Scotland's Design Museum. This reaffirms the city's ambition to position and celebrate design as a tool for community development, the economy and the city's image.

In addition to exploring issues of brand identity and positioning, the seminar also proposed methods for developing creative communities in urban areas. This is also part of the message the event hopes to convey in its goals, which include an effective link between creativity and the development of action plans to identify the values and uniqueness of its brand.

Architect Doan Ky Thanh argued that creativity is present in all aspects of life, but creative industries are limited to only 13 professions, which should be given the opportunity to work together and create great added value. That's why the city needs to create an ecosystem for creative practice.

Therefore, it is very important to build large enough complexes such as hubs of all sizes to facilitate the operation of the creative ecosystem. If there is a specialized space for them, artists and creators will have more conditions to cooperate and cultivate creativity.

Meanwhile, John Peto from Derry-Londonderry UK City of Culture pointed to the need to nurture the creativity of society and harness that creativity for development. It is important to invest in creative skills and to help people communicate about these skills so that they can unleash their creativity and turn ideas into reality. Local governments and administrations have a crucial role to play in this regard.

Representatives of British Creative Cities and Hanoi creatives also raised the issue of creating spaces for creative activities, as there is a lack of such spaces in British cities and Hanoi. In the immediate future, creatives can use old, unused shops and renovate them for work. In the long term, large enough spaces need to be created, possibly in former industrial factories or new buildings.

McCreery acknowledged that the lack of space for creative industries is a problem in his own city. Although it has plenty of vacant space, using it requires planning. Some short-term projects can be done in empty storefronts, but in the long term it is important to plan spaces and create permanent studios that can mobilize a larger number of creatives.

Emphasizing the role and great value of the creative economy, Donna McGowan, Director of British Council Vietnam, said that the creative economy is an important choice of the new century, which connects society and solves many current challenges. The success of the creative economy is one of the bright spots of the UK.

Therefore, the British Council is always running programs to support creative industries with new and futuristic thinking. She also affirmed that the organization is cooperating with Hanoi City to help honor the Creative City and develop the cultural industry. She also expressed her hope that in the coming period, the two parties will achieve their goals and missions so that Hanoi can realize its aspiration to be a Creative City of Design at a new level.

The seminar was hosted by the Hanoi Municipal Department of Culture and Sports in cooperation with the British Council Vietnam to gather expert opinions on how to harness all creative resources in the capital. It provided an update on Hanoi's development progress as a Creative City of Design, as well as an analysis of urban development models using cultural identity and national heritage from the United Kingdom.

Hanoi forecasts GRDP growth of 6.11% in 2023

The city expects a strong economic rebound in 2024, with an estimated GRDP growth of 6.5-7%. Hanoi is expected to achieve an economic growth of 6.11% in 2023, a positive performance considering the challenges faced by both global and domestic economies.

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Hai Minh Hai revealed the figures at a city meeting on November 23.

Hai added that in 2023, the city’s socio-economic performance is expected to meet the overarching objectives successfully, achieving 18 out of the 23 planned targets, with three surpassing expectations. Other key economic indicators include a 9% increase in social investment and nearly US$2.9 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), marking a 62% year-on-year rise.

Total retail sales of goods and consumer services are projected to rise by over 10%, and domestic and international tourist figures are expected to exceed the set targets. The year also witnessed the establishment of almost 26,500 new businesses, reflecting a 6% increase against 2022.

In addition, Hanoi’s state budget revenues are on track to exceed projections. The expected total revenue is over VND400 trillion ($16.5 billion), reaching 113.5% of the estimate, a 20% increase compared to 2022.

The expected total expenditure is over VND102 trillion ($4.2 billion), reaching 97.2% of the original estimate. Export turnover is estimated at $17.3 billion, a 1.0% increase, while import turnover is projected at $44.2 billion, up by 8.0%.

Hai noted that accelerated progress has been made in urban planning and management, with the approval of several significant plans. Noteworthy projects include the draft capital planning and the adjustment to Hanoi’s overall construction planning, currently seeking feedback for completion.

Substantial investments are being made in infrastructure construction and urban development, with completed projects such as the extension of Huynh Thuc Khang Street, Vinh Tuy Bridge phase 2, and Chua Boc - Pham Ngoc Thach intersection flyover, as well as the start of construction of Ring Road No.4.

Hai added that Hanoi is actively engaged in the development of commercial, social, and resettlement housing and is expediting projects for the renovation and reconstruction of old apartment buildings. Regulations pertaining to the renovation and reconstruction of apartment buildings are being finalized, and there is a focus on advancing clean water supply projects.

In the socio-cultural domains, development is evident with investment plans in education, healthcare, and monument renovation set to complete 1,005 projects by the end of 2023. Cultural activities, sports, and festivals are experiencing a robust recovery, he added.

Vietnam's green hydrogen export potential reaches 23 million tons: Experts

Vietnam's green hydrogen export potential from solar and wind power can reach 23 million tons per year, experts predicted at a consultation workshop on "PtX global perspectives and Vietnam GH2 insights" under the PtX outreach project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology.

With about 85,000 km2 of land available for renewable energy development, Vietnam can install 3,400 GW of solar power and 840 GW of onshore wind power. The largest global markets for hydrogen imports include South Korea, Japan, Germany, the UK, France and Italy.

Speaking about Vietnam's National Hydrogen Strategy at the November 22 event in Hanoi, Tran Thanh Tung, Deputy Director General of the Department of Oil, Gas and Coal under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that hydrogen is considered a priority energy source to replace fossil fuels and is expected to be a significant part of the country's energy mix in the future.

Vietnam's orientation is to focus on offshore wind power in combination with other renewable energy sources (solar power, onshore wind power) to produce new energy (hydrogen, green ammonia) for domestic demand and export, he added.

The workshop also shared findings on the potential for ammonia use in Vietnam's power sector and the technical requirements for power-to-x (PtX) and green hydrogen development in the country.

The development of PtX and green hydrogen must be based on the industry's sustainability criteria framework (in four areas of environment, economy, society and governance), while meeting the national sustainable development goals, they stressed.

It's recommended that for the sustainable development of the national industry, Vietnam needs to establish standards and certifications for the PtX industry and make efforts to pilot and operate a carbon market.

In addition, it is necessary to prepare local professionals, attract talents from abroad, develop infrastructure, learn international technology, and provide financial support for domestic PtX projects.

David Jacob, an international consultant IET/GFA, said that the development orientation of green hydrogen should prioritize low-hanging fruit to minimize risks. He recommended investing in industries with no alternative to green hydrogen or those already using hydrogen, such as fertilizer production or refinery desulphurization.

International experts also provided recommendations on medium and long-term strategies for the oil and gas industry, including detailed LCOX analyses at selected sites; establishment of RE & GH2 development zones, space transportation corridors; establishment of areas focused on renewable energy and green hydrogen development and space transportation corridors; a detailed study on marine bunker fuels; study on PtX competitiveness (for domestic demand and export market); analysis of the PtX value chain; and others.

GIZ, in cooperation with the international PtX Hub in Berlin, is implementing the PtX Outreach project to shape the framework conditions for PtX production, securing financing, building global networks and partnerships, and tapping country and market potential for a sustainable PtX and green hydrogen industry, he added.

Well-prepared Vietnam ready for U23 Asian Cup

Philippe Troussier said Vietnam were confident to overcome challenges at the 2024 AFC U23 Asian Cup in Qatar and his side targeted a Paris Olympics' place from this tournament.

"I think Kuwait and Malaysia will be direct rivals of Vietnam for the second place at the knockout stage. But as I said, no match will be easy because they have the same dream as us, which is to go as far as possible and have a place at Paris 2024," said Troussier. 

The French tactician currently manages both the national senior team and the U23 squad. He has his advantages in watching his players' practice and progress, and building plans for each side. 

In preparation for the upcoming tournament, Troussier picked a number of young players to train and compete with the national team at the World Cup qualification matches. 

Among them, defenders Phan Tuan Tai and Vo Minh Trong, midfielder Nguyen Thai Son and striker Nguyen Dinh Bac received complimentary words from their coaches.

“I have worked with these U23 players for almost nine months. We have experienced many matches in different tournaments of different levels, including the tough and high-pressure World Cup qualifiers.

"With such good preparation and foundation, I believe these players and the entire team will be confident to play at the upcoming Cup.

"We will continue to improve to be maximally ready against the continent's top opponents. Of course, in the remaining time, I will coordinate closely with the Vietnam Football Federation to build up the best plan for the tournament.”

In Qatar, teams will compete in round robin format in the group stage. The two strongest ones will advance to the quarter-finals.

The top three finishers will qualify for the Paris Games, while the fourth-placed team will participate in a playoff against an opponent from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for a chance to compete at the Olympics.

Master Plan of Da Nang city announced

The central city of Da Nang will play a key role as a driving force for the urban growth of the central coastal and Central Highlands region, as a centre of start-up and innovation and a unique international coastal and port urban area.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha made this remark at a ceremony held in the city on November 25 to announce the Master Plan of Da Nang in the period of 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050.

He said the city had an impressive growth course in the past decades, and the Master Plan expects to create a breakthrough in its development of a centre of innovation, trade, finance, logistics, hi-tech industries, supportive industries, information technology (IT) and regional sea and port-based economic power.

“The plan would create opportunities and new space for the city’s socio-economic growth on the basis of sea and air ports, hi-tech, innovation, logistics, international finance hub and eco-tourism,” Ha said.

“The city should speed up administration reform and e-Government in building a ‘smart’ urban area with ‘green’ growth, circular economy and digital economy,” he said.

The Deputy PM urged Da Nang issue ‘green’ standards for luring renewable energy and hi-tech investment, building economic links with neighbouring provinces and cities in the region.

“Da Nang will be focusing on human resources education and technology applications for semiconductor manufacture and processing industries in building a liveable city and a destination worthy of investment and sustainable development in the region,” he urged.

The city should continue monitoring biodiversity protection and the ecological system in dealing with climate change and high sea level, he added.

Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Trung Chinh said the Master Plan would help the city seek new development targets of key tourism, IT, environmentally-friendly waste treatment and renewable energy.

The city started the building of a new Lien Chieu Port as the national integrated port, and an international entrance and international-standard logistics centre for Vietnam, ASEAN and the Asia Pacific region.

At the ceremony, the Da Nang People’s Committee granted investment licences to seven investment projects worth over 9.3 trillion (372 million USD).

Vietnam-UK ties shine at friendship dance festival

The Vietnam-UK Friendship Association in Hanoi held a friendship dance festival on November 25 to mark the 50th anniversary of the countries’ diplomatic relations.

Featuring performances by students from secondary schools, high schools, and universities affiliated with the association, the event aimed to foster the sides’ mutual cultural and artistic understanding and strengthen the relationship between their people.

In his opening speech, Chairman of the association Vu Dang Dinh acknowledged that with the collaboration of the British Embassy in activities promoting peace, solidarity, and education between the two nations, the association has successfully organised cultural exchange events and introduced traditional Vietnamese culture to UK friends.

Marcus Winsley, Deputy Ambassador of the UK to Vietnam, affirmed over the past five decades, the Vietnam-UK ties have been continuously fortified and nurtured to thrive.

On September 11, 1973, the UK was one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam, which was still in the struggle for national independence and reunification.

Throughout their shared history, especially since both countries decided to elevate their relations to a strategic partnership in 2010, robust developments have been made.

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