Vietnam can learn a lot from Singapore and other countries to build a smart government and smart cities so as to pave the way for rapid progress in the future, according to Associate Prof., Dr. Vu Minh Khuong at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy under the National University of Singapore.

Khuong said that Singapore is considered a prime example when referring to smart city development experiences worldwide.

A smart city involves not only the application of technology but also relies on six key pillars: a smart government, a strong digital economy, convenient transport systems, digital capabilities of citizens, quality living conditions for residents, and sustainable development with a green environment, he stated.

Khuong also emphasised that Singapore places great importance on these factors in its development strategy.

The expert also mentioned three main models for building smart cities: Singapore’s model, which puts the government role at the centre; Copenhagen’s model, which involves participation of citizens and businesses; and Dubai’s model, which is built on a smart foundation from the outset, based on experts' consultancy.

Regarding the question of balancing economic development and environmental protection, he affirmed that economic growth and environmental preservation are an integrated whole, and Vietnam needs to focus on green development to attract investment./.

UNDP-supported campaign helps collect waste on Can Tho River

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam, in collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of the southern city of Can Tho, on September 18 launched a campaign to collect waste and clean the environment in Cai Rang floating market on the Can Tho River, one of the popular tourist destinations in Ninh Kieu district which is facing a risk of pollution.

The event aims to raise public awareness and change people's behaviour in waste disposal and recycling while strengthening cooperation between stakeholders to improve the efficiency of solid waste management in Can Tho.

According to UNDP's sustainable development specialist Dzeneta Mulabegovic, every year, Vietnam discharges about 3 million tonnes of solid waste, about 2.5% of which leaks into waterways, while a portion of plastic waste floats into rivers and drifts near the coast and offshore.

Studies from 2021 showed that floating waste from rivers contributes the most to plastic pollution in the ocean, she said.

In Can Tho, about 650 tonnes of waste are released to the environment every day, she noted, stressing that despite the high rate of garbage collection at 85%, the city still faces difficulties in managing waste leakage on waterways, floating markets, rivers and lakes, which affects the living environment as well as the natural ecosystem.

Mulabegovic pointed to the need for comprehensive solutions, especially those to change behaviours and waste disposal habits as well as effectively collect, sort and treat domestic solid waste.

She said that one of the major solutions that Can Tho should prioritise is to deploy automated systems that efficiently collect waste in waterways and bring it ashore – where it can be processed by the city’s waste management system. This approach helps prevent waste and plastic from floating in rivers before it reaches the sea, reducing ocean plastic pollution, she explained.

Meanwhile, Standing Vice Chairman of the Can Tho People’s Committee Duong Tan Hien put forward solutions, including launching community campaigns to clean up the environment, plant trees and restore the environment in urban, residential and surrounding areas, especially on lakes, rivers and canals.

Right after the launching ceremony, delegates and local youngster collected waste on the Can Tho River and visit the Interceptor 003 system, an automatic waste collection vessel operated by the The Ocean Cleanup (TOC) organisation on the river.

According to the UNDP in Vietnam, in the past three years, the automatic waste collection system on the Can Tho River has collected more than 200 tonnes of plastic waste on the river./.

Hanoi to deploy offline virtual ticket for public transport commuters

The Hanoi Public Transport Management Centre will offer offline mode for virtual tickets for public transport from September 20 to make it more convenient for city’s commuters, its director Thai Ho Phuong said on September 18.

Passengers will need to update the “The Ve Giao Thong Ha Noi’ (Public Transport Tickets in Hanoi) application in order to use the e-ticket even without an internet connection, he said, adding that the app is easy to use and suitable for all passengers, with secure information protection.

Over the past years, the centre has been carrying out research into the application of digital technology in the public transportation sector, with the goal of gradually digitising operations to make it a convenient means of transport for local residents.

Hanoi currently has a total of 153 bus routes, including 128 subsidised routes, nine non-subsidised ones, 12 connecting the city with neighbouring provinces, and three city tour routes. The public bus transportation network has seen significant improvements in service quality. However, the goal of meeting 30-35% of residents' travel demand remains a major challenge.

The bus system operated by the Hanoi Transportation Corporation (Transerco) transported over 118 million passengers in the first six months this year./.

Governors, mayors of ASEAN capitals meet in Vientiane

The Meeting of Governors and Mayors of ASEAN Capitals (MGMAC) and the ASEAN Mayors Forum (AMF) officially opened in Vientiane, Laos, on September 18.

The event gathered representatives from ASEAN capitals and cities, including ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn. The Vietnamese delegation was led by Tran Sy Thanh, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee.

In his opening remarks, Atsaphangthong Siphandone, Mayor of Vientiane, highlighted that since their inception in 2012, MGMAC and AMF have served as important platforms for local leaders to engage, exchange ideas, and strengthen cooperation among ASEAN capitals and cities. They provide the venues for discussions on solutions to shared challenges and strategies to benefit both individual cities and the region as a whole.

The 2024 MGMAC, under the theme "Strengthening Connectivity and Resilience for Sustainable Development in ASEAN Cities," focused on five key areas: livable and sustainable cities, green tourism, sustainable economic development, environmentally sustainable cities, and climate change resilience.

On this occasion, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone praised the event as a vital opportunity for ASEAN mayors to follow through on commitments from previous meetings. He emphasised the significance of fostering modern, livable, and sustainable urban development.

The meeting is expected to play a crucial role in promoting urban development, facilitating the exchange of best practices, and implementing action plans to enhance connectivity and resilience in ASEAN capitals and cities. /.

ASEAN, Mekong River Commission discuss water security

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Mekong River Commission (MRC) kicked off the second round of talks on water security in Vientiane, Laos, on September 18.

A Vietnamese delegation led by Chief of the Standing Office of the Vietnam Mekong River Commission Nguyen Thi Thu Linh attended the event.

The second ASEAN-MRC Water Security Dialogue was a unique platform that tackled the pressing issues of water scarcity, pollution, and water-related disaster risks in the Mekong from the perspective of a connected and resilient Southeast Asia.

High-ranking officials, experts and partners from the Mekong River region and ASEAN member countries defined opportunities for cooperation, and discussed policies and technologies to deal with water security challenges.

The dialogue was initiated under the cooperation framework signed in 2018 between ASEAN and the MRC.

The first event of its kind was co-organised by the MRC Secretariat and the ASEAN Secretariat in August 2021./.

Thua Thien- Hue must tighten vessel control to fight IUU fishing: Deputy Minister

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien on September 18 ordered the central province of Thua Thien – Hue to tighten control over offshore fishing vessels in an effort to clamp down on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

At a working session with the Standing Board of the provincial Party Committee, Tien, also deputy head of the National Steering Committee on IUU Fishing Prevention, affirmed the significance to eradicating IUU fishing, and asked the province to direct competent localities, departments and sectors to keep close tabs on the situation, and mete out strict punishments to any violations.

A report from the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development showed that the province has 437 fishing vessels with a length of at least 15 metres equipped with vessel monitoring system (VMS), including three broken ones.

From the outset of the year, competent authorities have detected 358 boats losing VMS signals from six hours to under 10 days due to service providers’ satellite incidents, and power disconnections.

The electronic catch documentation and traceability system (eCDT) has been piloted at Thuan An fishing port for hundreds of vessels’ entry and exit, ensuring transparency, and certifying seafood origin.

As many as 674 fishing boats with length from six metres have been registered, got fishing licences, and updated their information on national fisheries database (Vnfishbase). However, the number of “three nos” vessels (no registration, no examination, and no licence), is 385, most of them being small in size. The province has directed ship owners to complete registration procedures before October 30./.

Over 4,000 children benefit from Against Child Exploitation project

More than 4,000 children have gained access to support services for preventing and combating various forms of child labour, as part of the Against Child Exploitation (ACE) project funded by the US Department of Labour.

The information was shared by Doseba Tua Sinay, World Vision Vietnam Chief Representative, in a conference to sum up the implementation of the project in Hanoi on September 18.

Implemented from November 2022 to September 2024 in Dien Bien and Quang Nam provinces and Da Nang city, the project aims to strengthen the capacity of the Vietnamese Government to address the Worst Forms of Child Labour (WFCL), including online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) and violations of acceptable conditions of work.

As a result, 1,152 child welfare workers and volunteers have enhanced their capacity for preventing and reducing child labour. Among them, 124 have completed the training course of source trainers of the project.

Additionally, 62 awareness-raising communication activities have been organised for various groups, including children, parents, businesses, and the community; while an online course on child labour prevention has been developed and two consultation points were set up in Dien Bien and Quang Nam.

In response to the increasing risks to children in the online environment, the ACE project collaborated with the Vietnam Information Security Association (VNISA) to establish the Vietnam Cyber Safety for Children Club in September 2023. This marks the first club in Vietnam connecting technology companies that provide online child protection services and products, NGOs working in this field, and individuals who share the common goal of safeguarding and supporting children in cyberspace. In its first year, the club has achieved a significant milestone by launching a set of criteria for online child protection services and products./.

Dien Bien boosts inspection – inspectorate cooperation with Lao localities

Representatives from the Dien Bien provincial Party Committee's inspection commission held talks with a delegation representing the Party inspection - inspectorate commissions of the Lao northern provinces of Phongsaly, Udomxay and Luang Prabang in Dien Bien Phu city on September 18.

Addressing the event, head of the Dien Bien commission Nguyen Sy Quan highlighted the significance of the Lao delegation’s visit, saying that it contributes to enhancing friendship and cooperation between the localities, thus further boosting the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

The two sides reviewed the results of their cooperation since 2022 and shared information related to their operations, organisation structures, and experiences in inspection, supervision, and disciplinary enforcement.

The sides will continue to strengthen activities of communication and education on the revolutionary tradition, great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, and States, as well as the relations between Dien Bien and the Lao northern provinces./.

Charity programme to provide free surgery for poor with cleft lips

The third “Light up Vietnam’s smile” programme, which provides free surgeries for people with cleft lip and palate, is open for registration until October 30.

It is sponsored by US NGO Alliance For Smiles and the Rotary Club of Saigon.

The surgeries are expected to be performed from November 9 to 19 at the Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital.

The programme will identify 70 patients with lip defects and cleft lips and gums, including children aged just 10 weeks.

Examination, treatment, surgery, and even accommodation will be provided for free.

For registration, people can contact hotline 0234.3969.556 at the hospital’s department of otorhinolaryngology - eye - maxillofacial surgery or register at local women's associations, commune and ward people's committees, or the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at communes and wards or contact Dr Minh at 0988.619.557 or Dr Phuong at 0942.411.114.

They can also register at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeKocDHWmATPoo_kBRuccsfxLQJhyPjOAfPhiA17LMw-2Bitw/viewform and send to [email protected] or contact the Rotary Saigon hotline at 0913100678.

Last year, when the programme first began, 40 people received surgeries for cleft lips and palates, all children from Mekong Delta provinces.

The full medical costs and part of their accommodation and travel expenses were taken care.

The second programme was held at the Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in April this year when 120 children and adults benefited.

Founded in 2004, AFS provides free treatment for people with cleft lips and palates worldwide.

The Rotary Club of Saigon, established in 2021, focuses on education, healthcare for mothers and children and other social programmes./.

Vietnam attends major travel fair in France

Vietnam is taking part in the IFTM Top Resa International & French Travel Market 2024 (Top Resa 2024), a major event for all those in the travel and tourism industry which opened on September 17 in Paris, France.

Located in a prominent area for Asia-Pacific countries, the Vietnamese pavilion is decorated in a traditional style with art performances by domestic artists, making a strong impression and attracting a large number of French visitors and international tourists.

The pavilion is a joint effort of the Vietnam Cultural and Tourism Association in Europe (VCNT), Vietnam Airlines, the Vietnam Cultural Centre in France, and 10 Vietnamese businesses operating in the French market.

Returning after the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vietnamese pavilion provides comprehensive information about the development of the country's tourism industry, destinations and a wide range of unique and diverse products, highlighting the country's attractive investment environment with great potential in tourism.

Speaking at the opening, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang expressed confidence that the return of Vietnamese businesses to Top Resa 2024 will garner significant interest from partners. During the three-day event, tourism companies are expected to establish new relationships with French and regional partners, contributing to attracting more international tourists in the near future, he noted.

Nguyen Tien Hoang, head of Vietnam Airlines' branch in France, said that the fair is an important opportunity for the participating companies to seek new partners, especially those in tourism, to jointly develop and create travel programmes that bring more customers, particularly European customers, to Vietnam in the future.

Michel Jean-Richard, director of Parfum du Monde, a French company specialising in group travel with Vietnam among its regular destinations, said that before the COVID-19 pandemic, it sent around 30-50 groups to Vietnam each year. He affirmed that despite the post-pandemic challenges, he believes Parfum du Monde is on the right track and is confident that many regions in Vietnam still have the potential to attract tourists.

Top Resa, one of the largest professional tourism and travel fairs in the world, is held annually in Paris in the second half of September. According to the organising board, this year’s edition has attracted the participation from over 1,600 brands from various countries and territories around the world. It is not only a venue for professional meetings, exchanges, information updates, and business agreements between global travel and tourism operators, but also features workshops and discussions on three topics, namely environment, digitalisation, and inclusion in the travel and tourism industry./.

Power restored to nearly 99% of typhoon-affected clients

Power has been restored to over 6.03 million of Vietnam Electricity (EVN)’s 6.1 million customers affected by Typhoon Yagi and subsequent flooding, equating to nearly 99%.

According to the group’s fresh announcement, 1,640 out of the 1,678 medium-voltage power lines that experienced outages due to the storm had been resumed by the afternoon of September 17.

Overall power restoration efforts in the affected areas are nearly complete. In the northern province of Quang Ninh, directly hit by the storm on September 7, electricity has been re-supplied for over 85% of the customers.

EVN units in northern Vietnam are continuing to mobilise personnel, vehicles, and equipment to repair the damage caused by the storm and ensure full power restoration to the remainders as soon as possible.

The Central Power Corporation (EVNCPC) and the Hanoi Power Corporation (EVNHanoi) have respectively deployed 273 and 200 workers to Quang Ninh to assist in restoring the power grid.

Due to heavy rainfall following the typhoon, a large volume of water flowed into hydropower reservoirs in the north, prompting the controlled release of water as directed by the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control. Water levels in these reservoirs are declining gradually.

Consequently, from 10am on September 17, the hydropower plants of Tuyen Quang, Lai Chau, Ban Chat, Huoi Quang, Son La, and Hoa Binh have closed all spillway gates as instructed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, EVN said.

The group noted that the 500kV power grid has fully recovered, with all 14 incidents resolved. The recently inaugurated Circuit-3 500kV line from Quang Trach (central Quang Binh province) to Pho Noi (northern Hung Yen rovince), which officially went into operation on August 29, suffered no significant damage.

The 220kV power grid has had all 10 transformer station incidents and 38 out of 40 power line incidents fixed. Meanwhile, the 110kV grid has seen 101 out of 104 transformer station failures and 186 out of 190 line outages addressed.

Earlier, Yagi-induced strong winds, heavy rainfall, and flooding across 17 northern provinces caused widespread power outages. In addition to grid damage, severe flooding in certain areas forced the temporary shutdown of operations to ensure electrical safety./.

UNICEF provides water storage tanks to Cao Bang

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on September 17 handed over 456 plastic water storage tanks to seven impoverished districts in the northeastern mountainous province of Cao Bang, one of those bearing the full brunt of Typhoon Yagi.

As part of a project funded by the Japanese government to enhance disaster resilience and climate change adaptation for children, they are among the 850 tanks worth approximately 1.8 billion VND (72,977 USD) allocated to Cao Bang and the neighbouring province of Lang Son. The donation targets areas severely impacted by natural disasters and poor communities with a high ethnic minority population, with beneficiaries including households with limited access to clean water, those with small children, female-headed ones, and those of ethnic minorities, as well as schools and health centres.

Nguyen Van Tien, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Vietnam Disaster and Dike Management Authority, highlighted the severe damage caused by Typhoon Yagi to northern mountainous provinces. In response, the department and the ministry collaborated with UNICEF to aid affected communities in overcoming these challenges.

Maharajan Muthu, Head of UNICEF Vietnam’s Child Survival and Development Programme, stressed the ongoing cooperation between UNICEF and the ministry has contributed significantly to Vietnam’s development work, sustainable new-style rural building, and natural disaster prevention and control. He noted past efforts, including providing water tanks to drought-affected areas in the Mekong Delta in 2019-2020, and supplying water filtration systems to three provinces of Ca Mau, Soc Trang, and Bac Lieu in 2023 to address drought and saltwater intrusion. This year, UNICEF will continue to provide support by procuring additional water tanks for disaster-prone regions.

As of September 16, Cao Bang reported 55 fatalities, two missing persons, and widespread landslides and disrupted transport due to the impact of Typhoon Yagi. UNICEF’s timely assistance is expected to help residents store water for daily use in case of future disasters./.

Children in Truong Sa island district enjoy mid-Autumn festival

Activities to celebrate the 2024 mid-Autumn festival, held annually on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, have been organised for children in Truong Sa town, Song Tu Tay and Sinh Ton communes, and on Da Tay island in Truong Sa island district, the central province of Khanh Hoa.

Despite being far from the mainland, the festival on the island remains lively and full of engaging activities, starting with a lion dance. Afterwards, the children listened to a letter of greetings from the State President and enjoyed art performances by local officers, soldiers, and teachers and their students from primary schools.

On this occasion, leaders and commanders of the islands, and local authorities presented 56 gift packages to local children.

In Cam Ranh city, Brigade 146 of Navy Region 4 also organised a similar festival and granted gifts to 500 children of the officers and staff working in the city and Cam Lam district./.

Film project celebrates 70th Hanoi Liberation Day anniversary

The Hanoi Radio and Television Station is going to broadcast a television series “Mat Lenh Hoa Sua” (Milk Flower Secret Order) celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Liberation Day of the capital city (October 10).

The 40-episode series tells the story of police officers from the Drug Crime Investigation Division of Hanoi who protect the peace of the capital day and night.

The series script is adapted from writer Major General Nguyen Hong Thai's two short stories. Directed by Nguyen Tat Kien, it not only offers a full portrait of the police force, but also brings to the audience colourful pieces about the lives of ordinary Hanoians.

“Milk Flower Secret Order” is a part from film project “For the Love of Hanoi” made by the Hanoi Radio and Television Station on the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Hanoi Liberation Day.

The “For the Love of Hanoi” project highlights stories about people who are attached to every breath of the capital's life as they travel on a path of personal development. It also includes “Hanoi in Your Eyes”.

Both of the series express the deep and intense love for the glorious land of Thang Long - Hanoi.

General Director of the Hanoi Radio and Television Station Nguyen Kim Khiem noted the station has carried out the project with the desire to create a good and entertaining television productions.

"Hanoi is a source of inspiration for all kinds of art forms – music, cinema, poetry among others. The station is one of the cultural institutions of Hanoi, so there is no reason not to become a part of the development of Hanoi’s culture," Khiem said.

Directed by Dao Thanh Hung, “Hanoi in Your Eyes” revolves around five young girls with different circumstances and professions. It tells beautiful stories from the young women who study and work, and make their contribution to the capital.

Each person has a different path, but a slight of twist of fate means they accidentally entwine with each other, creating relationships, from which many unexpected and complicated situations arise, both delicately humorous, romantic and profound. Through that, a truly fresh and colourful picture of Hanoi is revealed.

The project has the participation of established artists such as Lan Huong and Nguyet Hang alongside some promising new talent./.

Major transport projects drive socio-economic development: PM

In the wake of Typhoon Yagi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has highlighted the urgent need to boost public investment, particularly in major transport projects, as a key driver of socio-economic development.

Speaking at the 14th meeting of the State Steering Committee for national key transport projects in Hanoi on September 17, PM Chinh pointed to the experiences in building the Quang Trach-Pho Noi 500kV circuit-3 power transmission line, implementing several key national projects and responding to Typhoon Yagi, urging ministries, sectors and localities to apply those lessons in carrying out major transport projects.

He instructed local authorities to coordinate with investors to build site clearance plans and proactively tackled problems in the work so as to accelerate site clearance pace, particularly for highway projects scheduled to complete in 2025.

Localities were also urged to seek construction materials sources in order to ensure sufficient and timely supplies for projects under their management.

Hanoi, Hoa Binh, and Son La provinces were instructed to expedite the third component of the Ring Road No. 4 project in Hanoi and the Hoa Binh - Moc Chau expressway. Ho Chi Minh City was urged to strictly monitor the progress of the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro line to ensure it meets the set timeline. Additionally, the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang was tasked with reviewing its budget and reporting to relevant authorities to address financial hurdles related to the Tuyen Quang - Ha Giang expressway project.

Other specific tasks were also assigned to relevant ministries, the Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises and localities to ensure smooth implementation.

Currently, 40 national key transport projects are underway nationwide, comprising 92 components that span road, rail, and air transport in 48 provinces and centrally-run cities./.

PM urges speeding up construction of key transport projects

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked for the acceleration of national key transport projects by removing bottlenecks and speeding up investment procedures and site clearance work while chairing the 14th meeting of the State steering committee for national key transport projects in Hanoi on September 17.

PM Chinh, also head of the committee, highlighted that 40 transport projects are being carried out across 48 cities and provinces, saying since the clock is ticking for the nation to complete 3,000 kilometres of expressways by 2025 as set at the 13th National Party Congress, the whole political system, socio-political organisations, people, and contractors must join hands to carry out the projects in the spirit of "working together, winning together, benefiting together, and developing together”.

He went on to underscore that Typhoon Yagi and its aftermath has caused devastating damage to the northern region, and cost the nation roughly 40 trillion VND (1.6 billion USD), adding together with recovery measures, accelerating the disbursement of public investment, including in transport projects, will contribute to bolstering the economic growth.

At the 13th meeting of the steering committee on August 8, the PM assigned 42 tasks to ministries, sectors and localities, which focus on handling difficulties and bottlenecks, intensifying land clearance work, and providing building materials for key projects in the southern region.

Competent sides have so far completed 11 tasks in line with schedule, and are carrying out 29 others, while two have not met the deadline.

The Ministry of Construction has issued documents guiding localities in calculating construction material costs, and removed difficulties in expenditure management for key projects.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has submitted to the National Assembly Standing Committee adjustments to the resolution on changing land use purpose for the construction site of the eastern section of the North-South Expressway for the 2021-2025 period.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Planning and Investment submitted to the Government the draft law on adjusting and supplementing several articles of a number of laws to remove bottlenecks in investment and construction, and a proposal on adjusting the public investment plan in 2024.

The Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises has presented to the Government an investment plan for expanding the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh highway, and directed the Vietnam Electricity to guide its units in tackling difficulties regarding the relocation of high-voltage power lines.

In the meantime, the Ministry of Transport submitted to the Politburo a proposal investment policy for a North – South high-speed railway.

Localities across the nation also ramped up efforts to make pre-feasibility study reports on several projects, including the Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 4 and the Ninh Binh – Hai Phong and Hoa Binh – Moc Chau highways, and complete dossiers on the adjustments of investment policies for many others like the Dong Dang – Tra Linh and Bien Hoa – Vung Tau highways, and Nam Thang Long urban area – Tran Hung Dao urban railway.

Notable progress has been made in site clearance of many projects, but Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Khanh Hoa and Lang Son provinces have not met requirements./.

Vietnamese in Germany donate to support typhoon victims

Vietnamese people living in Germany have donated a total of over 150,000 EUR (167,100 USD) in support for those in the homeland affected by Typhoon Yagi and its subsequent floods and landslides.

The fundraising campaign was launched and carried out by the union of Vietnamese people associations in Germany on September 15-16.

Nguyen Van Hien, president of the union, said that the money collected is a substantial amount, beyond the expectations and calculation of the union, reflecting the heartfelt sentiments of the overseas Vietnamese community towards their homeland in general and specifically towards the people in the northern region.

As of 5 pm on September 16, Typhoon Yagi, which made landfall on September 7, and its subsequent floods and landslides had left 329 people dead or missing in Vietnam, including 291 fatalities, and 1,922 others injured./.

Hanoi, Vientiane promote cooperation relations

A delegation of Hanoi led by Tran Sy Thanh, member of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, has separate meetings with leaders of Vientiane capital, Laos.

The Hanoi delegation was in Laos from September 17-19 for the Meeting of Governors and Mayors of ASEAN Capitals (MGMAC) and the ASEAN Mayors Forum (AMF) 2024 and a working visit to Vientiane.

Receiving the Hanoi delegation, Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, and Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People’s Council of Vientiane Anouphap Tounalom affirmed that the delegation's visit would contribute to fostering the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two capitals in particular and the two countries in general.

He added that the visit is of great significance as the Vientiane Party Committee is focusing on implementing the Resolution of the 11th National Party Congress and the Resolution of the 17th Party Congress of the capital city.

He briefed the guests of outstanding results of the city’s Party organisation-related activities, political, socio-economic development and the implementation of a national programme addressing economic and financial issues to promote industrial production and handicrafts, generate revenue and boost domestic production as well as improve the quality of goods.

He hoped for the two sides' closer, substantive cooperation, towards a comprehensive cooperative relationship, and a model in locality-to-locality cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.

Thanh highlighted the Hanoi-Vientiane relationship's unceasing development, saying the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Party Committees and administrations of Hanoi and Vientiane for the 2022-2025 period has been implemented effectively with their nine specialised agencies engaging in cooperation and exchanges.

The Hanoi leader said that Vietnam in general, and Hanoi in particular, always wish to promote cooperation with the Party, the State of Laos and the capital Vientiane in all fields.

Hanoi will continue to pay attention and give priority to strengthening cooperation with Vientiane, contributing to the two capitals' development.

The Hanoi delegation also had a meeting with its Vientiane counterpart and Mayor of Vientiane Atsaphangthong Siphandone, during which they informed each other about the socio-economic development of the two capital cities, and exchanged experience in building and developing Hanoi and Vientiane./.

Kien Giang presses ahead with search for Vietnamese volunteer soldiers' remains in Cambodia

A delegation from the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang has been set to sign pacts with the four Cambodian provinces of Koh Kong, PreahSihanouk, Kampot, and Kep on cooperation in the search for and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died in Cambodian during wartime.

With the signing ceremonies taking place between September 15 and 19, the sides' upcoming joint activities, resulting from an agreement signed between the two governments on August 28, 2000, on the search, collection and repatriation of the remains, will implement the mission in the 2024-2025 dry season.

According to the Kien Giang task force in charge of the work, their coordination to implement the agreement has so far unearthed remains of 2,132 individuals from the group across the four Cambodian localities. The number of those found in Kampot accounted for the lion’s share of the total, at 1,691.

Vice Chairman of the Kien Giang People’s Committee Nguyen Luu Trung expressed appreciation of the Cambodian side’s assistance for the province's K92 search team and wished for further support in the time to come.

Representatives of the four Cambodian localities’ task forces said they want to continue joining the Vietnamese side in related research, search, and information provision activities that help fulfill their shared missions. They took the occasion to thank the Vietnamese Party, State, armed forces, and people for their contributions to Cambodia in overthrowing the Pol Pot genocidal regime, liberating its people, and rebuilding the country.

At these ceremonies, the Vietnamese delegation handed over financial support to the Cambodian task forces, which will be used for the sides’ coordination in the 2024-2025 dry season./.

RoK's SK Group to donate US$300,000 to help overcome storm and flood consequences

The Republic of Korea (RoK)’s SK Group announced on September 18 that it will donate US$300,000 to help northern provinces and cities in the nation to overcome the consequences of typhoon Yagi and flooding.      

The announcement said that the donation will be transferred to the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) this month and will then be used in order to purchase items for relief work in areas affected by the typhoon  and flooding.

Many provinces and cities throughout the north of the nation are suffering from the great damage caused by landslides and floods as a result of typhoon Yagi, the strongest storm to hit the country over the past 30 years.

According to Ji Dong-seop, a representative of the SK Supex Council - the top decision-making body of SK Group, no words can comfort the Vietnamese people who lost their families and homes due to the typhoon. Hopefully, SK Group will be able to contribute a small part to helping Vietnamese people to quickly overcome the consequences of this disaster and return to normal life soon.

SK Group has made many investments in Vietnam over the past 30 years, such as signing a strategic co-operation agreement with VinGroup and engaging in various business fields such as real estate, shopping malls, and electric vehicles.

Furthermore, SK Group also co-operates with the Vietnamese corporation Masan Group in the distribution and food sectors, while participating in charity activities of free smile operations for Vietnamese children every year since 1996 and supporting surgeries for about 4,300 children in many provinces and cities nationwide.

Facebook account hackers arrested

Police based in the central city of Da Nang and in Trieu Phong district of the central province of Quang Tri have arrested two people for illegally appropriating property on social media.

The suspects were identified as Cao Van Hieu, 28, and Mai Thanh Quoc, 26, both of whom were residing in Trieu Phong district.

According to initial information given by authorities, the pair set up fake websites before sending links to the Facebook accounts of Vietnamese people living abroad.

When the account owners logged into the websites, their passwords were stolen, and their Facebook accounts were subsequently taken control of by the hackers.

Police forces revealed that since the beginning of this year, the gang has successfully defrauded about VND10 billion from victims by hacking into approximately 1,000 Facebook accounts.

The suspects used gaming accounts in order to launder the stolen money in an attempt to stop the money being traced.

The police are now in the process of contacting victims of the case for further investigation.

Vietnamese finswimmers qualify for 2025 World Games

Eight local finswimmers have successfully qualified for the 2025 World Games which is scheduled to take place from August 7 to 17 next year in Chengdu in China.

According to the World Underwater Federation, the Vietnamese diving team had eight official slots at the World Games 2025 thanks to their best performances recorded at the Finswimming World Cup 2024 held in Thailand in early September.

Most notably, Nguyen Trung Kien who took home a gold with a time of 35.93 seconds, will compete in the men's 100m surface event.

He was followed by Nguyen Thanh Loc with a time of 36.37 and Do Dinh Toan with a time of 36.74, both of whom will vie for medals in the men's 100m surface event at World Games.

Elsewhere, Luu Nguyen Duc Tam secured two slots at the global games in the men's 200m and 400m surface event. Nguyen Huy Anh, who bagged a silver medal in Thailand, will compete in the men’s 200m surface event.

In the 4x100m relay event, Vietnam will send both a men’s and women’s team with each consisting of four members to 2025 World Games.

This comes after the Vietnamese diving team finished among the top rankings at the 18th CMAS Finswimming World Cup 2024 Round 4 in Phuket in Thailand with a total of 26 gold medals, 27 silvers, and 16 bronzes, which concluded on September 9.

The World Games are an international multi-sport event comprising of sports and sporting disciplines that are not contested in the Olympic Games. They are usually held every four years, one year after the Summer Olympic Games and last for 11 days.

The World Games are governed by the International World Games Association, under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee.

So far, a total of six Vietnamese athletes in pétanque, wushu, and women's beach handball have qualified for next year's event.

Int'l community commits to supporting Việt Nam in typhoon Yagi's aftermath, $13 million donated

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development received emergency aid on Wednesday for those affected by Typhoon Yagi, with contributions from various international organisations and governments.

During the ceremony, Deputy Minister Nguyễn Hoàng Hiệp acknowledged the widespread impact and significant devastation caused by the typhoon. Despite a proactive response from the government and relevant ministries, extensive damage from the storm has resulted in severe consequences, with initial loss estimates ranging from $2 billion to $2.5 billion.

“The economic losses are considerable, but this is just the beginning, as it does not account for the long-term impacts that money cannot compensate, including the grief experienced by the children and families who lost loved ones,” the Deputy Minister said.

“In the past few days, Việt Nam has received emergency supplies from numerous organisations and countries. The swift and precise response from embassies, foreign governments and international organisations is crucial for Việt Nam. We are currently assessing the needs of the affected areas to ensure that aid is effectively coordinated,” he added.

Deputy Minister Hiệp highlighted that Việt Nam’s top priority is economic recovery. Many families that had previously made efforts to escape poverty are now back in impoverished conditions due to the storm. Consequently, Việt Nam is seeking sustained support in the future, including assistance with livelihoods and disaster preparedness.

Pauline Tamesis, the UN Resident Coordinator in Việt Nam, reported that the UN has organised assessment teams to evaluate the damage from Typhoon Yagi across eight sectors, including water, sanitation, health, education, food assistance and shelter. She pledged to continue strengthening capacity and mobilising resources to help Việt Nam through this challenging period.

"We are committed that the UN, as leaders of the sector, is ready to produce a joint response plan that will allow us to mobilise the support of the donors and, in particular, ensure coordination of our efforts so that we fully support the most vulnerable populations,” she said.

Ambassador Iain Frew of the UK noted that recovery after a disaster takes time, and the UK government hopes to assist Việt Nam during the recovery and reconstruction phases.

During the ceremony, US Ambassador Marc Knapper emphasised that the US will stand with Việt Nam during this difficult time and respond as effectively as possible to support affected citizens.

“We commend the hard work of Việt Nam's government officials, security officers and military personnel for their efforts to address the needs of those who have suffered,” he remarked.

Indian Ambassador Sandeep Arya expressed satisfaction that emergency aid from the Indian government and people has been promptly delivered to those impacted by the floods, noting that the Indian business community and residents in Việt Nam are also extending support individually in coordination with local authorities.

In closing the ceremony, Deputy Minister Nguyễn Hoàng Hiệp extended heartfelt gratitude for the support from various countries and international organisations in helping Việt Nam recover from the impacts of Typhoon Yagi, expressing a desire for continued assistance during the reconstruction phase.

To date, preliminary estimates show that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other stakeholders, has mobilised over $13 million in commitments and received 200 tonnes of relief supplies from the governments of Australia, Switzerland, India, Japan (JICA), the ASEAN AHA Centre and various UN agencies (UNDP, UNICEF), as well as Samaritan’s Purse. The ministry has efficiently coordinated the distribution of aid to affected areas, including to Yên Bái, Lào Cai, Cao Bằng, Tuyên Quang and Lạng Sơn.

On the same day, according to information from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Irish Embassy announced a grant of €250,000 (approximately VNĐ6.8 billion) to respond to the severe impacts of the typhoon. This funding, provided through UNICEF, aims to supply clean water and sanitation materials to ensure the health of children and vulnerable households affected by the disaster. 

MARD urges help for crop recovery

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has called on businesses and associations to join efforts in providing support and resources for the swift recovery of crop production, following Typhoon Yagi and the subsequent flooding and landslides.

Speaking at the ministry’s workshop on supporting crop production recovery after the disasters in the northern region, Deputy Minister Hoàng Trung emphasised the urgent need for rice seeds, estimating a requirement of around 15,000 tonnes.

The national reserve holds only about 4,100 tonnes. The demand for vegetable seeds is over 100 tonnes, while only 150 kg remain in storage. For corn, over 1,000 tonnes are needed, but the reserve holds just 257 tonnes.

The ministry estimated that the recent storm and floods have caused approximately VNĐ4 trillion in damage to crops.

As of Wednesday morning, 312,000 hectares of cultivated land were flooded or flattened, with an estimated 100,000 hectares completely lost. Additionally, 3,763 aquaculture cages were damaged, or washed away and 22,514 livestock and over three million poultry died.

More than 200,000 hectares of rice fields were submerged, 50,612 hectares of vegetables were flooded and 38,104 hectares of fruit trees were damaged.

Local organisations are still collecting data for a more precise assessment.

The ministry swiftly convened meetings to direct recovery efforts across livestock, aquaculture, crop production and forestry sectors, providing technical guidance to salvage as much of the affected areas as possible. Emergency drainage measures have also been implemented.

Speaking at the meeting on Wednesday, Deputy Director of the ministry’s Department of Crop Production Nguyễn Thị Thu Hương noted that in addition to seed support, farmers urgently need assistance with agricultural input materials.

Regarding post-storm recovery, Hương advised that for rice production, fields should be cleaned and water drained to prepare for early winter planting. For vegetable crops, local authorities should promptly inspect and drain the water, clean fields and prepare the soil and seeds for replanting.

Priority should be given to leafy greens, short-cycle vegetables and water-tolerant crops to supply the market during the harvest transition.

In response to the demand for seedlings, the Department of Crop Production has sent requests to associations, businesses and universities to prepare agricultural seeds for production in northern localities. The department also urged seed producers not to raise prices during this period to help ease the difficulties faced by farmers in the disaster-stricken regions.

As of 11am on Wednesday, 18 businesses and associations had contributed seeds, fertilisers, agricultural materials and cash, totalling VNĐ15.2 billion ($616,190).

Ireland provides €250,000 in aid for Việt Nam to address typhoon aftermath

The Embassy of Ireland in Việt Nam on September 18 has announced funding of €250,000 to support UNICEF in providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene support to vulnerable children and families affected by the typhoon Yagi in northern region of Việt Nam.

Following a rapid needs assessment, conducted by the Government of Việt Nam in collaboration with resident UN agencies, and data collected through sector coordination mechanisms, UNICEF has identified critical gaps in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services as top priorities for the initial emergency response.

Ireland's €250,000 contribution will directly support these efforts, ensuring that families receive immediate assistance in the form of clean water and access to sanitation facilities. This will include water tanks, water filters, soap, hand sanitisers and water purification tablets.

Ambassador of Ireland to Việt Nam Deirdre Ní Fhallúin, said that "Ireland is committed to supporting Việt Nam during this time of great need. Our contribution of €250,000 reflects our solidarity with the people of Việt Nam and our commitment to addressing the most urgent needs of those affected."

"By working with UNICEF, we are ensuring that our support reaches the most vulnerable—particularly children—by providing access to clean water and sanitation, which are crucial for preventing disease and safeguarding health. We offer our heartfelt condolences to those who have lost family members, and our thoughts are with those who have lost their homes and livelihoods."

UNICEF Representative in Việt Nam Silvia Danailov, acknowledged the Embassy of Ireland’s contribution, stating that "When emergencies hit, children are the most affected and they are our first priority. Through the support of the Embassy of Ireland, we will be able to provide clean water and sanitation to the most affected families to help them cope with the effects of the flooding. We are grateful for the strong support from the Embassy of Ireland, which is aligned to the priorities identified by the Government of Việt Nam."

"The recent floods have severely disrupted access to safe water and sanitation, which are essential for the health and well-being of children and families. Thanks to Ireland’s support, UNICEF can now accelerate its response, ensuring that affected communities receive the clean water, hygiene supplies, and sanitation services they desperately need," she added.

This contribution is part of Ireland’s longstanding commitment to humanitarian aid and disaster response, further strengthening the partnership between Ireland and Việt Nam.

Love for sea and islands contest opens for secondary school students

Coast Guard Region No. 3 Command on Monday (September 16) launched its “I love national sea and islands” contest for secondary school students in HCM City, and Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu and Bình Thuận provinces.

The contest is expected to attract the participation of 28,929 students from 33 secondary schools in Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu Province's Bà Rịa city, Bình Thuận Province's Tuy Phong District, and HCM City’s Nhà Bè District.

The contest aims to spread basic knowledge about the country’s sea and islands, the Việt Nam People’s Army, the Việt Nam Coast Guard, regulations of Vietnamese law and international treaties related to the sea and islands, and the history of the nation’s and local people’s traditions of building and defending the country.

It will be implemented from September 16 to 28, and is divided into two rounds.

The first round will be an online competition from September 16 to 20.

In the second round, 100 outstanding students will be selected to compete in person on September 24, 26 and 28.

Speaking at the contest launching ceremony, Colonel Lê Văn Tú, Political Commissar of the Coast Guard Region 3 Command, said the contest is designed to have a powerful social impact and provide a healthy, useful, effective and practical playground for students.

“The students will be equipped with practical knowledge to foster love for the country's sea and islands and then spread this love to their relatives and families, contributing to the cause of building and defending the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam,” he said.

He asked the schools’ board of directors and teachers to clearly announce the contest's rules and create favourable conditions for students to participate in the contest.

He also asked the contest’s organising committee to regularly monitor the contest to ensure it is conducted accurately, objectively, and fairly.

Since the beginning of 2024, the Coast Guard Region No. 3 Command has organised four contests at 38 secondary schools in southern provinces and cities with the participation of 35,000 students, and awarded 210 scholarships and 65 bicycles to students in difficult circumstances.

Over 400kg of illegal explosives and fireworks seized in Quảng Trị

Police in the central province Quảng Trị has announced the successful seizure of over 400kg of illegally transported explosives and fireworks, following a coordinated operation with relevant agencies.

The interception occurred at 2pm on Monday, when police identified a suspicious vehicle travelling along National Highway No 9 from Lao Bảo Township to Đông Hà City.

The car, with licence plate 92C-027.31, was stopped for inspection.

Upon searching the car, authorities discovered 31 sacks containing 130kg of a solid substance believed to be explosives, 246 boxes of fireworks, and 1,000 firework pellets.

The total weight of the seized items exceeded 430kg.

The two people in the car, driver Đỗ Ngọc Mạnh, 43, and Nguyễn Thị Hương, 35, both residents of Hòa Nam Hamlet, Vĩnh Long Commune, Vĩnh Linh District, were detained on charge of illegal purchase and transportation of explosive materials.

At the police station, they admitted to purchasing the explosives and fireworks in Hướng Hóa District to sell for profit.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the case. 

Samaritan's Purse aid delivered to northern provinces hard-hit by typhoon, floods

Nguyễn Văn Tiến, Deputy Director of the Department of Việt Nam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority, today handed over the emergency aid provided by US-based Samaritan's Purse to help Việt Nam recover from the impacts of typhoon Yagi and subsequent flooding, to the hard-hit mountainous province of Cao Bằng.

Nguyễn Hồng Vân, Vice Chairwoman of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front Committee of Cao Bằng Province, received the aid.

To date, 57 people have been killed and two remain missing in Cao Bằng, making it the locality with the second highest death toll, mostly from landslides and floods.

Previously, on Monday afternoon, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development received the emergency international aid from Samaritan’s Purse at Nội Bài International Airport in Hà Nội.

The aid consists of new, unused items worth approximately US$116,000, including 3,000 flashlights, 3,000 cooking sets, 3,000 household water filters, 3,000 clean water containers, and 6,000 Song Long 22-litre plastic buckets.

They are to be delivered to the three provinces worst affected by the typhoon, Lào Cai, Cao Bằng, and Yên Bái, within two days.

VNA/VNS/VOV/VNN