It is likely that one or two more typhoons could directly affect Vietnam from the East Sea this year as rainfall is well above average in many localities, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Weather Forecasting (NCHMF).

Hoang Phuc Lam, deputy director of the NCHMF, said that October rainfall in the central and south-central regions was about 20-50% higher than average, while Thua Thien-Hue and Da Nang had between 70 and 100% more rainfall. 

The total rainfall from the beginning of this year in the north-east, north central and southern coastal areas has also been higher than usual, by 10-20%. In some places, this rate is 20-40%.

However, rainfall in the remaining areas was 10-20% lower than average.

Statistics show that the total rainfall in November in the central region is about 500-700mm. Rainfall in the central and south central regions is forecast to be higher than average, at about 200-400mm. Quang Nam and Quang Ngai provinces will have approximately 500mm of rain, while rainfall could be under 100mm in the south-central region. 

December is thought to have little rain. Typhoons and tropical depressions could still appear in the East Sea next month. It is forecast that the cold spell in this year’s winter is similar to other years.

Five Vietnamese universities named in Best Global Universities Rankings 2023

Five Vietnamese universities have been listed in the 2023 edition of the Best Global Universities Rankings published by the US News & World Report, which includes 2,165 across 95 countries worldwide. 

Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU) was ranked 970th globally and 258th in Asia in the rankings. Other institutions listed are Ton Duc Thang University (223rd), Duy Tan University (317th), Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (1,116th), and Hanoi University of Science and Technology (1,570th).

Apart from ranking US universities and colleges, the U.S. News & World Report has implemented and published the Best Global Universities Rankings to meet the need of the learners in the US to consider enrolling in universities overseas as well as to provide insights into how US universities compare globally.

Best Global Universities evaluates and ranks universities by analysing scientific databases provided by Clarivate Analytics InCites Corporation.  

Regarding the ranking methodology, Best Global Universities assesses universities by 13 indicators, focusing on research reputation (through surveys) and research quality through data analysis published in Clarivate Analytics InCites database.

In particular, only those institutions that have at least 1,250 papers published in the period of 2016-2020 and have been among the top universities in the results of Clarivate Analytics' global reputation survey will be considered.

Vietnam opposes further embargo on Cuba: diplomat

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, has stressed Vietnam's consistent stance of opposing the economic, trade and financial embargo against Cuba.

At a debate on the necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the US against Cuba (called Item 36) on November 2 as part of the UN General Assembly’s 77th session, Giang emphasised that the embargo violates international law and the basic principles of the UN Charter, and goes against a common desire for equal relations between countries.

From its traumatic experience, Vietnam fights against all forms of embargo and unilateral imposition on a sovereign nation, the diplomat said, calling for the promotion of dialogue and trust building, and urging the US to end the embargo and reverse its current policy towards Cuba.

He also reaffirmed Vietnam's support, friendship, cooperation and solidarity with the Cuban people as well as its commitment to upholding the principles of international law.
 
At the event, the majority of countries called for an end to the embargo imposed on Cuba over the past six decades and shared difficulties facing the Cuban people due to the embargo.

The UN General Assembly has discussed Item 36 since 1992 and approved a resolution on the matter, which was joined and supported by a large number of member states.

Vietnam commits to ASEAN solidarity

Vietnam will coordinate closely with host Cambodia and other ASEAN members and partners at the upcoming 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and related summits to help consolidate the bloc’s solidarity and centrality, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said on November 3.

Addressing the ministry’s regular press briefing, Hang noted that at the invitation of Cambodian Prime Minister and Chair of ASEAN 2022 Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will attend the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and related summits in Phnom Penh from November 10 to 13.

The Vietnamese PM is scheduled to participate in around 20 events with many important meetings where he will join other leaders in discussing major issues such as the ASEAN Community building, the bloc’s external relations and centrality, along with international and regional issues of shared concern.

He will meet with leaders of the grouping's partners to discuss issues related to ASEAN and Vietnam’s relations with the partners.

As an active and responsible member of ASEAN, Vietnam will work closely with host Cambodia, as well as other ASEAN members and other countries, to ensure the meetings are successful and produce substantive outcomes to help consolidate the bloc’s solidarity, unanimity and centrality; enhance mutually beneficial relations between ASEAN and partners; and harmoniously and balancedly resolve issues facing ASEAN to contribute to the ASEAN Community for the sake of peace and stability in Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific at large, the spokeswoman said.

With regard to the Myanmar situation, she emphasised that Myanmar is a neighbouring country in the region and also a member of ASEAN. Vietnam always hopes the situation in Myanmar will be stabilised early to facilitate national construction and development for the sake of the Myanmar people, and to contribute to the building of a united, self-reliant, and strong ASEAN Community.

In that spirit, Vietnam supports and is ready to contribute to ASEAN’s efforts to help Myanmar overcome the current crisis, especially through the effective implementation of the Five-Point Consensus with priority given to ending violence and promoting dialogue and reconciliation among the parties concerned for the sake of the Myanmar people, the solidarity and integrity of ASEAN, and regional peace, stability and cooperation.

ASEAN’s assistance for Myanmar should be carried out step by step, concertedly, balancedly, and transparently. The bloc should also be the core force gathering and coordinating international efforts to support Myanmar, according to the spokesperson.

HCM City leader pledges to facilitate investment of Danish enterprises

Ho Chi Minh City is committed to creating favourable conditions for Danish firms to make long-term investments and run businesses in green economic development, stated Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan while hosting Crown Prince of Denmark Frederik Andre Henrik Christian on November 3.

Hoan asked Danish enterprises to share their experience, invest, and transfer technology to the southern metropolis so it can implement the Government’s net zero commitment.

HCM City is willing to be a gateway to the ASEAN market for Danish products, he said.

In response, the Crown Prince, who is on a visit to Vietnam from October 31-November 3, commended Vietnam’s determination to its net zero goal for 2050.

Noting that the city and its neighbouring localities house more than 80% of the Danish businesses in Vietnam, he said Denmark, with its strength and experience in green and renewable energy development, is ready to cooperate with HCM City in the field of green economy and sustainable growth.

He suggested the two sides exchange experience and team up to develop clean and circular energy serving the city’s green development.

Denmark is ready to welcome delegations from HCM City to visit and study the country’s experience in wind and solar power generation, he said.

On the same day, the Crown Prince toured a number of Danish firms operating in the city.

112 wild animals released into national park in southern province

A total of 112 wild animals saved from captivity on various occasions have been released into Bu Gia Map National Park in the southern province of Binh Phuoc.

The animals belong to 20 species listed in Vietnam’s Red Book, including group IB, the list of endangered species of forest animals that are strictly prohibited from exploitation and use for commercial purposes.

Before the release, relevant forces scoped out the forest and natural conditions at the Bu Gia Map National Park.

Covering an area of over 25,601 ha, the Bu Gia Map National Park is home to 832 species, including 106 mammal species, 248 bird species, 59 reptile species, 28 amphibian species, 342 insect species and 49 fish species.

Vietnam, Australia exchange experience in enhancing women’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations

Women’s participation in peacekeeping operations took centre stage of a conference jointly held by the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations under the Ministry of National Defence and the Defence Attaché Office of the Australian Embassy in Hanoi on November 3.

Colonel Nguyen Nhu Canh, deputy head of the Vietnamese department, told the participants that among the 512 Vietnamese officers sent to United Nations peacekeeping missions, more than 70 are female.

The delegates discussed challenges faced by female officers at UN peacekeeping missions and solutions to help women make better preparations for joining UN peacekeeping operations for the first time, among other issues.

The event demonstrated the pragmatic cooperation between Vietnam and Australia, especially in the context of the two countries preparing for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and the upgrading of the agreement on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding on peacekeeping to a peacekeeping partnership.

Over the past time, Australia supported Vietnam in airlift during the deployment of the level-2 field hospital to the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, as well as in personnel training.

The Australian side has also exchanged experience and expertise with Vietnam in this regard and provided the Southeast Asian nation with equipment to serve the training and deployment.

Brazilian films to be screened in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is set to host a Brazilian film week run by the Embassy of Brazil in Vietnam from November 7 to November 11.

A total of five outstanding Brazilian movies, including “O Roubo da Taça”, “Uma História de Amor e Fúria”, “Trinta”, “Nise - O Coração da Loucura”, and “Colegas” will be screened free of charge at the Institute of Cultural Exchange with France (IDECAF).

Through this event the Embassy of Brazil in Vietnam is keen to introduce a range of unique aspects and characteristics of Brazilian culture to enthusiastic local viewers.

According to details given by the Embassy, all of the movies will be shown in their original language, whilst also featuring Vietnamese subtitles for the viewing pleasure of the general public. 

Vietnam to face Indonesia in qualifiers for AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup

Vietnam have been drawn in Group F alongside Indonesia, India, and Singapore in the first qualifying round of the 2024 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U20 Women’s Asian Cup, according to the draw which took place on November 3.

The first qualifying round is scheduled to get underway from March 4, 2023, to March 12, 2023.

Top eight teams will duly progress through to the second round of qualifiers scheduled to take place between June 3, 2023, and June 11, 2023.

The best four teams, alongside Japan, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea, and hosts Uzbekistan will compete in the final round of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup which is due to be held from March 3, 2024, to March 16, 2024.

The top three of the Asian tournament will earn a place to participate in the 2024 FIFA U20 World Cup.

Quang Liem to compete in Champions Chess Tour 2022

The Champions Chess Tour 2022 is scheduled to run from November 14 to November 20 through an online format, with the event featuring the participation of eight international players, including Le Quang Liem of Vietnam.

World Champion Magnus Carlsen, 17-year-old Indian prodigy Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, three-time US Champion Wesley So, and leading Dutch player Anish Giri will all compete at the same venue in San Francisco, California in the United States.

Polish No. 1 Jan-Krzysztof Duda, Azerbaijan No. 1 Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Vietnamese former World Blitz Champion Quang Liem, and another Indian teen phenomenon, 19-year-old Arjun Erigaisi, will play online at home or at any venue of their choice.

Eight players will in play a round-robin format with players earning US$2,500 for each point they earn. The prize pool for this tournament totals US$210,000.

Thuy Linh into second round of Da Nang international badminton tournament

Nguyen Thuy Linh progressed through to the second round of the DA THANH - FELET Vietnam International Series 2022 in the women’s singles event on November 2 in Da Nang.

Her progression comes after she was easily able to defeat Pham Thanh Hang 2-0 in the first round.

Moving forward, the second round will see Linh face Thai rival Nutnalin Rattanapanuwong.

Elsewhere, her teammate Vu Thi Trang also enjoyed a 2-0 victory over Maldivian player Abdul Razzaq to make it through to the next round.

In the men’s singles event, Nguyen Tien Minh progressed to the second round after trouncing Lee Hong Je of the Republic of Korea 2-0.

The other Vietnamese players competing in the tournament, including Nguyen Tien Tuan and Nguyen Hai Dang, were also named in the next round.

The tournament is being jointly held by Da Nang’s Department of Culture and Sports, the Vietnam Badminton Federation (VBF), the Badminton World Federation (BWF), and the Badminton Asia (BA), with the event scheduled to last through to November 6.

Concert intertwines symphony melodies with folk tunes

For the first time, musicians from Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra will perform works imbued with Vietnamese folk music – chèo (popular opera) and chầu văn (spiritual singing) – at a concert that will take place at the Việt Nam National Academy of Music on November 12.

A Night of Modern and Classical Music will be led by Polish conductor Wojciech Czepie. It will include a performance of musician Đặng Hữu Phúc’s work, Vũ Điệu Chèo Và Lên Đồng (Dance of Chèo and Falling into Trance), which utilises the folk melodies.

According to Phúc, the concert is the first time that chèo drum will be played by a soloist in an 80-person symphony orchestra.

In addition to Phúc’s work, the concert also features a solo performance of piano concerto No 23 by pianist Nguyễn Việt Trung and performance of Beethoven's 7th Symphony Restored Torch by musicians from Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra.

Prior to the Modern and Classical concert was the launch of the book entitled Hợp Xướng Acapella Thính Phòng Và Giao Hưởng (Works for Choir – A Capella Chamber Music and Symphony Orchestra), written by musician Phúc.

Forest fire occurs in Hanoi’s outskirts

Over 350 emergency service people fought a forest fire in Hanoi’s outlying district of Soc Son on Wednesday evening at an acacia and pine forest in Minh Phu Commune.

Right after being informed, local authorities sent 355 fire and rescue policemen to the site. The strong wind and rough terrain affected the work and it was only 9:30 this morning, November 3, that the fire was basically put under control. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Five American War bombs disarmed in Quang Ngai

Authorities in the central province of Quang Ngai yesterday safely disarmed five bombs dating back to the American War.

Major Pham Quoc Vien from Quang Ngai Military Command said that the bombs, which dated back to the American War, were found by local people in the area. Each bomb had a diameter of 20 cm and a length of 160 cm, and weighed 226 kilos. They were defused and relocated to a safe area for a controlled detonation on November 2.

Some 20 percent of Quang Ngai remains contaminated with over 17,500 tonnes of bombs, mines and unexploded ordnance.

According to the Standing Office of the Vietnam National Steering Committee on the Settlement of Post-war Unexploded Ordnance and Toxic Chemicals, the country spent VND12.60 trillion (USD510 million) on bomb and mine detection and clearance during the 2010-2020 period.

HCMC warns of 32 landslide areas along rivers, channels

The city has released a list of places with high landslide risks in several districts, of which eight are extremely dangerous, the local media reported.

As of October this year, 32 landslide-prone sites in HCMC were classified as dangerous or extremely dangerous.

Thu Duc City tops the list with eight sites, Nha Be and Can Gio districts have seven each, Binh Thanh and Binh Chanh districts have four each, and Hoc Mon and Cu Chi districts have one each.

The municipal government assigned competent authorities to take necessary measures to safeguard residents and properties, evacuate them to safety and dispatch forces to address issues that could arise.

The city asked investors and relevant agencies to speed up work on the embankment projects to ensure the safety of nearby residential areas.

HCMC also intends to get tough against sand overexploitation along the city’s major rivers, particularly Saigon, Dong Nai, Long Tau and Soai Rap, which may pose serious risks to river banks.

Health watchdog urges to quarantine monkeypox suspected case in Dak Lak

Health watchdog urged the health sector in the Central Highlands Province of Dak Lak to quarantine the monkeypox suspected case to curb the spread to local medical workers while waiting for test results.

After receiving the report of the health sector in Dak Lak Province about the suspected case of monkeypox in Dak Lak Province’s Cu M'gar District, the Department of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health yesterday requested the Department of Health of Dak Lak Province to urgently take samples for testing of suspected monkeypox cases and send them to the institutes of Hygiene and Epidemiology and the Ho Chi Minh City-based Pasteur Institute for diagnostic testing.

Moreover, the local healthcare sector must conduct isolation and treatment of suspected cases. Above all, cross-infection and infection with medical staff must be taken into account during taking care of the patient.

In addition, the local health sector must keep an eye on those who had close contact with the suspected monkeypox case during travel abroad and in Vietnam. health monitoring and timely handling of the outbreak should be conducted to prevent the epidemic from spreading to the community.

The patient said that on October 19, the patient took a plane from Vietnam to South Africa to travel. During the trip, he went to many places and interacted and shook hands with many people. He returned to Vietnam on a flight to Hanoi-based Noi Bai Airport on October 26.

From October 26 to November 1, the patient had close contact with everyone in his family and the people around him. On November 1, the patient showed signs of pain in the joints and appeared many red pimples on the abdomen and back, the patient made a medical declaration and self-isolated at home.

For prevention of the monkeypox epidemic, the Ministry of Health recommended that people take proactive measures to protect themselves and people around such as covering their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, preferably with a cloth, handkerchief, disposable tissue or sleeve to reduce the spread of respiratory secretions.

Green Heritage week to be held in Hanoi on Nov 21-25

The Green Heritage Cultural and Tourism Week will take place at the Vietnam Exhibition Centre for Culture and Arts in Hanoi from November 21-25 as one of the activities celebrating Vietnam’s Culture Heritage Day, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Themed “Meeting of humans and nature”, the event aims to promote and honour natural heritage sites of Vietnam, especially those recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the ministry said.

It creates a chance for Vietnamese people, especially the youth, to show their responsibility, patriotism and pride for natural heritage sites, thereby, raising public awareness of the need to preserve biodiversity and prevent the impacts of climate change.

The event also offers an opportunity for localities to exchange their experiences in preserving and upholding the values of natural heritage.

A range of cultural activities will be held during the week, including a photo exhibition entitled “Vietnam’s Natural Heritage”. It will introduce the natural beauty, biodiversity value, cultural beauty, scenic spots and daily activities of people living in  World Natural Heritage Areas and the National Park Biosphere Reserve.

An exhibition themed "Cultural heritage, tourism and traditional craft villages of Vietnam" will be also organised, showcasing products of 10 outstanding craft villages including Bat Trang and Chu Dau pottery, Quat Dong embroidery, Dong Ho folk paintings,  Van Phuc silk, and Hoi An lanterns.

A cultural exchange programme for students will be arranged at the event.

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