Social News 23/6 UN vows to help Vietnam prevent violence against children   Illustrative image UN organisations will assist Vietnam in improving its national system for child protection and changing social attitudes towards violence against children, following the One UN Strategic Plan for 2017-2021. Marta Santos Pais, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Violence against Children (SRSG-VAC), made the pledge at a press conference on June 22 at the end of her four-day visit to Vietnam. The adoption of the amended Law on Child Protection, Care and Education alongside the creation of a strong network of social workers across the country and proper funding are essential for the building of a legal barrier to prevent violence against children, she said. She also talked on issues concerning the mental and physical child abuse on online platforms. The UN special representative reaffirmed that preventing and responding to violence against children has been a top priority in the UN agenda, adding that the UN will provide Vietnam with information and experience regarding child protection and child care from countries in the region and the UN itself. During the visit from June 19-22, Pais delivered an opening remark at the fourth ASEAN Children’s Forum in Hanoi and met with senior government officials, parliamentarians, civil society and other stakeholders to discuss issues on violence against children in the country. She also visited UNICEF-assisted programme on child protection in central Da Nang city and participated in a policy dialogue with the city’s authorities and relevant stakeholders on local policies and programmes to strengthen the child protection and social welfare system.- Tourism firm may be shut down after Chinese client burns money Danang authorities have said that they want to shut down a local tourism firm after one of its clients from China burned Vietnamese money at a bar in the city last week. Tran Chi Cuong, vice director of Danang Tourism Department, told the media that the Landscape Trading and Tourism Company on Tran Phu Street will be punished. Cuong said his agency will advise the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism to revoke Landscape’s license. The case happened on June 14 at TV Club when a group of Chinese tourists argued with the staff. The Chinese man who has been accused of burning Vietnamese money in Danang on June 14, 2016. A bar's spokesperson said the group wanted to pay in yuan, claiming that they had spent all Vietnamese money. After being allowed to pay in yuan, a Chinese man suddenly took out a VND200,000 bill, lit it and threw it at a waitress before quickly leaving in a taxi. Investigation found the group was traveling in Danang with Landscape. The company obtained a license to organize tours for foreign tourists last December. The group of 25 Chinese tourists visited the central city from June 12-16 and they did not have a tour guide for most of the time. The tourism department has filed the company’s violations, including lack of contracts with the tourists and changing the itineraries. Cuong said his agency will issue fines of VND30 million (US$1,350) in total against the violations this week. He said there may also be a ban on the Chinese tourist. In Vietnam, destroying money can be fined up to VND15 million (US$672). Top legislator urges Bac Kan to spur tourism development National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan has suggested the northern mountainous province of Bac Kan pay more heed to tourism development as the locality boasts substantial potential in this field. During her tour of the province on June 22 to inspect the locality’s socio-economic development, the top legislator said Bac Kan should draw up policies to attract outside investments in tourism infrastructure. She urged the locality to carefully select priorities in industrial development in tandem with the protection of ecology, water resources and forests, in the context of limited land and human resources. Besides, more attention should be paid to ensuring social welfare, especially vocational training and job generation for minority ethnics, the chief legislator noted. The NA Chairwoman hailed Bac Kan for its performance in State budget collection and poverty reduction despite the fact that it is the only mountainous province nationwide with a population of below 500,000. She proposed the locality expand its production scale for local high-quality and competitive products. Ngan also noted the difficulties for Bac Kan in fulfilling the target of having four communes recognised as new-style rural areas in 2016 and 22 communes for 2016-2020, adding that the NA and the Government will study policies designed specifically for mountainous provinces in extremely difficult circumstances during the implementation of the new-style rural area building programme. The same day, NA Chairwoman Ngan visited Cho Moi district – an example of new-style rural area building in Bac Kan province, and visited and presented gifts to families rendering great services to the nation in the district and Bac Kan city. Bình Định kicks off summer fest The Summer Tourism Festival 2016 kicked off yesterday in the central square of Quy Nhơn City in the central province of Bình Định. Themed Quy Nhơn Bình Định – Return to the Memorable Coast, the biannual event aims to promote traditional values and tourism attractions of the province, in particular, and Việt Nam in general. The June 22 to September 2 festival includes a green tourism week starting on June 22, a two-day beauty pageant ending on June 29, the same day inauguration of the big-ticket entertainment and eco-tourism resort complex FLC Quy Nhơn, and international scientific conferences in July. Performances of Bình Định’s traditional martial arts on August 2-4 and competitions every Saturday night until September are also part of the tourism festival, which will end with fireworks displays on National Day,  September 2. The number of visitors to the province reached 2,6 million in 2015, an increase of 25 per cent compared to the previous year. The Summer Tourism Festival 2016 is expected to attract more tourists to the province in  coming years. Hanoi airport warns of laser light concern The safety of aircraft landing and taking off from Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport is "seriously threatened" by lasers being directed at them, the Vietnamese aviation security authorities have warned. An airplane lands at Noi Bai Airport of Hanoi. The National Civil Aviation Security Committee said it has asked anti-terrorism authorities and police of Hanoi and the neighboring province of Vinh Phuc to carry out measures to prevent such threats. The committee this month has received reports of green lasers being shone at four planes, including three airlines, as they approached Noi Bai. The laser beams could potentially flash blind pilots during the critical landing and take-off phase of flight operations, it said. Hanging Up the Moon in intimate show An intimate live-show from the dreamy folk/rock/pop quintet Hanging Up the Moon, a mainstay of the great Singaporean music underground, will take place at Hanoi Rock City (HRC) on Sunday. It can be said that the ‘downcast tunes’ of Hanging Up the Moon, especially those from their latest album Immaterial, have soundtracked various unforgettable moments – surreal and beautiful, and never meant to be – from the present writer’s recent past lives. Thus, it’s expected that the audience may also find solace, and perhaps a tiny glimmer of light, in these nocturnal songs. The show at HRC will start at 7pm. Hanoi Rock City is at 27/52 Tô Ngọc Vân Street, Tây Hồ District. Tickets in advance cost VNĐ70,000 and are available via Lá Studio, P-210 (2nd Floor), #5, Alley 50 Đào Duy Từ Street, Tel: 01233300888. Ticket at door cost VNĐ100,000. Contemporary dance workshop in Hà Nội Kinergie Studio will host a workshop titled “Connect and Create with Contemporary Dance” in Hà Nội next Wednesday, June 29. In the workshop, via its simple exercises and techniques, contemporary dance is applied as a tool for connection and expression, enabling participants to explore their body movements, internal feelings and mind, identifying barriers to thought and action; in order to openly express themselves, communicate and connect with others in a fun, natural and creative atmosphere. The workshop will be conducted by facilitator Đỗ Hoàng Thi Ngọc, a former principal dancer of the Việt Nam National Opera and Ballet (VNOB) for many years. He also studied and worked in contemporary dance in France from 1999 to 2005. He is among a few Vietnamese dancers who collaborated with the renowned French choreographer and Ballet Alantique Company. Besides working as artistic director at Kinergie Studio – a space for teaching and performing ballet and contemporary dance in Hà Nội, he also teaches ballet and contemporary dance at the Military College of Culture and Arts. The workshop, taking place from 8pm to 10pm, will be conducted in both Vietnamese and English languages. Registration: contact Thu Hiền at 0912081950 or email kinergie.studio@gmail.com. Fee: VNĐ200,000. Kinergie Studio is on the 7th floor, 101A Nguyễn Khuyến Street. Red book access still lacking Despite the efforts of city authorities to remove hindrances in accessing land-use rights and house-ownership certificates - known as red books - the certificates still remain out of reach for many residents. The situation remains a problem in several apartment buidlings and in areas where residents have lived for decades. Some 89 households of the apartment building of the Hà Nội Technical and Professional Skills Training School in Trung Hòa Ward, Cầu Giấy District - where officials and teachers of the school reside - have yet to obtain red books: after 30-40 years of living there. The land was assigned to them by the school in the 1970s-1980s. According to the law, they are qualified for home ownership certificates. Representatives of the apartment building have talked with relevant agencies many times. But authorities say the Hà Nội Technical and Professional Skills Training School has been slow to provide the required documents and detailed maps of the land, making it impossible to issue the red books. More urgently, about 2,000 people of 500 households in residential area number 4 (Thanh Nhàn Ward, Hai Bà Trưng District) face high risk of their houses collapsing. They cannot repair or rebuild their dilapidated houses without red books. Local authorities’ lack of concern about locals’ petitions for red books is troubling. The residential area is part of the suspended Tuổi Trẻ Thủ Đô (Capital City’s Youth) park project. Which means these buildings will soon be removed to clear land for the new expanded park. Thanh Nhàn Ward People’s Committee has asked authorised agencies to solve the problem. But residents have been waiting for clearance for a long time and still suffer the challenges of living in dilapidated houses. Hai Bà Trưng District is home to a large number of households without red books, because of suspended construction projects. According to Hà Nội’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment, there were about 140,000 areas without red books as of April this year, due to violations by investors or lack of legal procedures. Early this month, the Hà Nội’s People’s Committee set up a working team to help residents apply for certificates of land use rights and ownership of housing and associated assets on developed land. The Committee made a commitment to issue the certificates within 14 days. Many hope this initiative will help local residents get their certificates soon. Hà Nội Mới Run launched Hà Nội Mới (New Hà Nội) Newspaper has launched their traditional Run for Peace, a major sporting event to celebrate the 62nd anniversary of the capital’s liberation. More than 4,000 people, including city officials, workers, students and residents, attended the opening ceremony at the Quần Ngựa Sport Palace on June 21 to kick off the 43rd event. After the launch, a qualifying run will be organised in all 30 districts and towns of the city. The winners will compete in the final, which is scheduled for October 9 around Hoàn Kiếm Lake. Athletes from other cities and provinces as well as foreigners are encouraged to participate in the annual tournament as well. VNA, PRD sign MoU on news exchange cooperation Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and the Public Relations Department (PRD) of Thailand renewed their MoU on cooperation in information and news exchange at the end of the 13 th Joint Technical Committee Meeting in Hanoi on June 22. The meeting was co-chaired by VNA Deputy Director General Ngo Ha Thai and Advisor to PRD Director General Chinapatara Puttachart. Thai hailed the significance of the meeting this year when Vietnam and Thailand are members of the ASEAN Community. He said bilateral ties between the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) – and the Public Relations Department (PRD) of Thailand have been unceasingly expanding, citing as an example a successful joint project of the two sides, when their reporters worked together to report on the two countries’ efforts to cope with El Nino, an issue faced by both Vietnam and Thailand. Chinapatara Puttachart, for her part, said the bilateral media cooperation since 2003 has raised mutual understanding between the two peoples. She expressed hoped that both sides will continue developing joint projects on information and communication, with a focus on issues of shared concern when joining the ASEAN Community. During the meeting, VNA and PRD examined their past activities from 2015-2016, including the exchange of reporters, English-language written and television news, Vietnamese training language, and information sharing via the Internet. They discussed the possibility of cooperation in the future, including the application of technological advances in producing and broadcasting news. In order to celebrate the 40 th anniversary of Vietnam-Thailand diplomatic ties, VNA will make a film featuring bilateral relationship with the support of PRD. The 14 th meeting of this kind is slated for Thailand next year.- Vietnam, RoK share trade union experiences Experiences in trade union activities to protect workers’ rights were discussed during a talk between the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) in Hanoi on June 22. At the event, VGCL President Bui Van Cuong hailed the sound cooperation between the two trade unions, as seen through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with such significant contents as labour safety, wage raising and insurance. He said that the VGCL has closely worked with the International Labour Organisation to carry out a line-up of cooperation programmes, including a national programme on sustainable employment and projects on labour relations and tripartite action to protect migrant workers. The Vietnamese trade union has focused on improving workers’ meals and rise minimum wage to increase their livelihood this year, he added. For his part, FKTU Vice President Cho Kido, who led the Republic of Korean delegation, hailed VGCL’s achievements in the past years. Some 250,000 Vietnamese workers, who are being trained at the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs’s Overseas Labour Centre, will gain valuable experience after working in the RoK, he highlighted. More women awarded “Heroic Mother” title Authorities of the south central province of Ninh Thuan posthumously bestowed the title of “Heroic Vietnamese Mother” on 45 women during a ceremony on June 22. With the recognition, the province currently has a total of 440 heroic Vietnamese mothers. Among them, only 16 are still alive. Speaking at the event, President of the provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee Phan Huu Duc called on local authorities at all levels to continue taking care of heroic Vietnamese mothers and families of martyrs, invalids and those who rendered services for the nation. Across the country, more than 59,000 women have been awarded with the title. Minister: enhanced technology application needed for rural development Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat has urged scientists to make more contributions to promoting scientific and technological application in building new - style rural areas. The minister made the request at a conference in Hanoi on June 22, which aimed to review the implementation of the Science and Technology Programme serving the building of new - style rural areas in 2011-2015, and discussed orientations for the programme in the next five years. He stressed that projects under the programme ought to follow the demands of localities, enterprises and the people, and further support the realisation of new - style rural building targets. Policies, measures and sustainable and effective methods should be devised, especially for remote and disadvantaged areas, towards accelerating the restructuring of agricultural production and pushing rural economic development. Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Quoc Khanh underlined the need to accelerate the programme, focusing on promoting technological transfer, training technicians who guide farmers, and applying technologies in economic development. These will contribute to creating high-quality and competitive goods, he said. According to head of the programme Nguyen Tuan Anh, the programme has proven effective, helping raise farmers’ awareness of the importance of science and technology application in agricultural production and improve their living conditions as well. It promotes links among scientists, the State, farmers, enterprises and cooperatives in applying science and technology to achieve new - style rural development goals, he added. In the time ahead, the programme sets to have 70 percent of its projects being approved, and all of them will be applied in practice. Technological application models with investment from enterprises will be formed, including at least 60 percent of the models in the form of value chains from production to consumption, thus contributing to promoting socio-economic development in new-style rural areas. Up to 105 technologies and 85 science and technology application models in agricultural production and 50 enterprise-farmer models have been established so far, benefiting about 5,000 farmer households from nearly 100 communes across the country. Rice area to be expanded to make up for drought-induced losses The Mekong Delta’s rice area in the autumn-winter crop this year needs to be expanded to make up for losses in the recent crops triggered by drought and saltwater intrusion, agriculture officials said. Both rice area and output of the last winter-spring and summer-autumn crops declined. Hence, the rice area in the autumn-winter crop should be increased to compensate for the output, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Quoc Doanh said at a meeting in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang on June 22. He promised financial support for the regional provinces to cultivate the autumn-winter crop. He also told local officials to pay special attention to reinforcing dykes and not be subjective though the Mekong Delta hasn’t recorded floods for many years. Rice seeds should be sown in late July and early August, while high-quality varieties and safe pesticides are necessary for rice to meet export standards, he added. Doanh requested the localities to comply with the cultivation schedule so that the following winter-spring crop will not be affected. Duong Quang Xo from the Institute of Water Resources Planning asked the Mekong Delta provinces to store water to prepare for the winter-spring crop between 2016 and 2017. Nguyen Van Hoa, Deputy Director of the agriculture ministry’s Crop Production Department, said the prolonged drought and saltwater intrusion in the south of Vietnam have heavily influenced the summer-autumn crop. Over 1.6 million ha of rice were grown in the Mekong Delta this crop, generating nearly 9.2 million tonnes of unhusked rice, down some 5,300 tonnes from the same crop of 2015, he added. In the autumn-winter crop, the delta is expected to cultivate 867,300 ha of rice and yield over 4.8 million tonnes of unhusked rice, rising by 24,100 ha and 220,300 tonnes, respectively, from the previous crop, according to the Crop Production Department. Fourth ASEAN Children Forum closes in Hanoi The fourth ASEAN Children Forum concluded in Hanoi on June 22 with a dialogue between children from ASEAN member countries and high-ranking regional officials in charge of social welfare and development. At the dialogue, the participating children raised recommendations on the four main topics of child trafficking, violence against children, child protection amidst internet development and children with climate change. Dang Hoa Nam, Director of the Department of Child Protection and Care under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), affirmed that the Party, State and Government, agencies and localities of Vietnam always pay special attention to child care, protection and education. The 13 th National Assembly passed the Child Law in April this year with new regulations on children’s rights and obligations. Addressing the closing ceremony, MoLISA Deputy Minister Doan Mau Diep said discussions and recommendations raised at the forum prove that children’s voice has received greater attention in the region. Children are a factor for social changes, he said, calling on relevant agencies to team up with each other to actualise these recommendations to bring regional children a brighter future. Within the framework of the event, a cultural exchange was held later the same day. The forum was attended by 35 children from eight ASEAN member countries. Vietnamese representatives hail from Hanoi, the northern province of Bac Kan , the central provinces of Quang Binh and Quang Nam and the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap. HCM City targets 8 percent GRDP growth Ho Chi Minh City is striving to record a gross regional domestic production (GRDP) growth of 8 percent in 2016. The ambition was revealed at the sixth meeting of the municipal Party Committee, which is taking place on June 22-23. To realise the target, the city has focused on implementing the Government’s Resolutions on improving the business environment, increasing national competitiveness in 2016-2017 with a vision towards 2020, and supporting businesses until 2020. Authorities will also step up the equitisation of State-owned enterprises and enact measures to improve the Provincial Governance and Public Administration Index (PAPI) and the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI). They also plan to take measures to remove difficulties for businesses and facilitate production, business and investment, especially bettering administrative procedures in taxation and customs; supporting enterprises with capital, business premises, and technological renovation; and encouraging startup spirit among youngsters. Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem reported that the GRDP was estimated at over 476.9 trillion VND (21.4 billion USD) in January-June, a year-on-year increase of 7.47 percent. The total retail sales and services revenue hit more than 347.5 trillion VND (15.6 billion USD), up 11.3 percent against the same period last year, he said. He added that the city welcomed over 2.43 million international tourist arrivals in the first half of 2016, a rise of 12.2 percent. The industrial production index rose by 6.9 percent, with the processing and manufacturing industry continuing its high growth, he noted. The budget collection reached over 143.9 trillion VND (6.47 billion USD), representing an annual increase of 8.08 percent, he said, adding that the social investment capital topped 125.1 trillion VND (5.62 billion USD), up 9.1 percent. Entry open to 5th national press award on HIV/AIDS The 5th national press award on HIV/AIDS is inviting entries from across the country until the deadline on September 30. This year’s award has been launched by the Vietnam Administration of HIV/AIDS Control under the Ministry of Health and the Vietnam Journalists’ Association (VJA) to promote effective models and works for HIV/AIDS prevention and raise public awareness on the issue. Both Vietnamese nationals and foreigners living in Vietnam are eligible to participate in the competition. Entries are preferable to reflect different aspects of HIV/AIDS prevention works in Vietnam, including the consultation and treatment provided to drug users and people at high risk, effective models for HIV/AIDS prevention at border and remote areas as well as for people from ethnic minority groups and those working in industrial parks, and health insurance for those living with HIV/AIDS. They can be a single article or broadcast or a series of related articles or broadcasts as a unit published nationwide in print or on TV, radio or digital platforms from January 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016. Each single article must be no more than 2,500 words in length while a broadcast should be less than 60 minutes. Poems, paintings, dramas and other fictitious works are not accepted. The award will present four first prizes, eight second prizes, twelve third prizes and three for groups of writers. The entries can be sent to the Vietnam Journalists’ Association at Floor 7, Lot E2, Duong Dinh Nghe St., Cau Giay Dist., Hanoi or the Vietnam Administration of HIV/AIDS Control at 135/3 Nui Truc St., Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi. Deputy Prime Minister receives Coca Cola executive vice president Coca-Cola hopes to become a model firm in Vietnam on observing regulations on environmental protection and tax and contributing to community, the company’s Executive Vice President Irial Finan told Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung on June 22. At their meeting, the Deputy PM affirmed the Vietnamese government would continue perfecting its institutions, policies and promoting a transparent and fair business environment for individuals and enterprises, both local and foreign. At the same time, Dung said the Vietnamese government firmly requires enterprises to obey Vietnamese laws and hopes they will make contributions to local communities. He also expressed his joy at Coca-Cola’s business development in Vietnam as well as its contributions via social work. Hanoi calls for private funding to renovate run-down living quarters The People’s Committee of Hanoi is seeking over VND316 trillion (US$14.11 billion) in capital from private investors to fund its renovation of ten run-down collective living quarters in the city. The financial mobilization was announced earlier this month by the chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee, Nguyen Duc Chung, at a conference to discuss opportunities for investment cooperation and development prospects in the capital. The committee has since published a list of construction components in the hope of mobilizing over VND316 trillion to simultaneously renovate ten collective living quarters in Hanoi, including Quynh Mai in Hai Ba Trung District, Tan Mai in Hoang Mai District, Ngoc Khanh, Thanh Cong, and Giang Vo in Ba Dinh District, Khuong Thuong, Vinh Ho, Trung Tu, and Kim Lien in Dong Da District, and Nghia Tan in Cau Giay District. Most of these buildings are more than 50 years old, with some built as early as the 1950s. Speaking with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, Nguyen Chi Dung, deputy director at the Department of Construction, said the department was drafting a detailed plan for the project in accordance with the listed sites. “Investors will evaluate their own capability and apply to be the contractors of specific items accordingly,” Dung said. “The city will then select the most suitable contractors from the applicants.” According to current regulations on high-rises in the historical quarters of Hanoi, new buildings in the renovation project will not exceed 24 stories. Former MU footballers play friendly in HCM City Two former stars from the world-acclaimed Manchester United club arrive in Ho Chi Minh City on June 24 to play a friendly match with local artists, singers, and 20 young players. The match, sponsored by Clear Men, is scheduled for 5:00 pm on June 26 at the Stadium of Military Zone No 7. The players are playing for total prize money of US$4,500 (VND100 million) and a chance to play for the Hoang Anh Gia Lai Football Club. On June 25, the MU footballers are scheduled to meet with fans from 7:00-9:00 pm at the Emart supermarket. Dak Nong spends over 2.5 million USD to eradicate illiteracy The Central Highlands province of Dak Nong has decided to earmark more than 57 billion VND (2.56 million USD) for boosting locals’ access to education. The budget will help its illiterate population, mostly residing in border and remote areas, learn to read and write. The province expects to totally eradicate illiteracy, particularly among ethnic communities, by 2020. The fund also aims at increasing the number of people receiving primary and secondary education and providing educational access for at least 60 percent of residents who have disabilities. Key measures set to realise these goals include oragnising special classes, training teachers and improving educational facilities. Dak Nong forms part of the Central Highlands, together with Dak Lak, Lam Dong, Gia Lai, and Kon Tum provinces. Central Highlands localities are urged to maintain their cultural traditions to make the region attractive to both domestic and foreign tourists. Entry open to 5th national press award on HIV/AIDS The 5th national press award on HIV/AIDS is inviting entries from across the country until the deadline on September 30. This year’s award has been launched by the Vietnam Administration of HIV/AIDS Control under the Ministry of Health and the Vietnam Journalists’ Association (VJA) to promote effective models and works for HIV/AIDS prevention and raise public awareness on the issue. Both Vietnamese nationals and foreigners living in Vietnam are eligible to participate in the competition. Entries are preferable to reflect different aspects of HIV/AIDS prevention works in Vietnam, including the consultation and treatment provided to drug users and people at high risk, effective models for HIV/AIDS prevention at border and remote areas as well as for people from ethnic minority groups and those working in industrial parks, and health insurance for those living with HIV/AIDS. They can be a single article or broadcast or a series of related articles or broadcasts as a unit published nationwide in print or on TV, radio or digital platforms from January 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016. Each single article must be no more than 2,500 words in length while a broadcast should be less than 60 minutes. Poems, paintings, dramas and other fictitious works are not accepted. The award will present four first prizes, eight second prizes, twelve third prizes and three for groups of writers. The entries can be sent to the Vietnam Journalists’ Association at Floor 7, Lot E2, Duong Dinh Nghe St., Cau Giay Dist., Hanoi or the Vietnam Administration of HIV/AIDS Control at 135/3 Nui Truc St., Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi. An Giang marks 77th founding anniversary of Hoa Hao Buddhism A ceremony to celebrate the 77th founding anniversary of Hoa Hao Buddhism (1939-2016) was held in Phu My town, Phu Tan district, the Mekong Delta province of An Giang on June 22. Speaking at the event, Tran Thi Thanh Huong, President of the provincial Fatherland Front Committee, highlighted that in the past more than seven decades, the Central Executive Committee of the Hoa Hao Buddhist Sangha, dignitaries and followers have made significant achievements in protecting the country and consolidating the great national unity bloc. Hoa Hao Buddhists have also actively engaged in patriotic emulation movements and charitable activities like providing free meals at hospitals and centres for orphans and the elderly, medical check-ups and medicines, as well as building roads and upgrading traffic infrastructure. These activities have contributed to raising local livelihoods and strengthening national solidarity, she said. In the coming time, the central executive committee and Hoa Hao Buddhist followers will continue to enhance the national unity and contribute to the country’s innovation. Hoa Hoa Buddhism currently has 395 executive committees in 18 cities and provinces. Last year, its followers donated more than 373 billion VND (16.7 million USD) to social charitable activities, helping local authorities improve rural infrastructure and well perform social welfare policies. Thua Thien – Hue supports human trafficking victims’ reintegration The central province of Thua Thien – Hue is enacting a number of measures to prevent human trafficking and support the victims to reintegrate into the community. The victims are mainly young men and women living in the mountainous ethnic minority areas, reported relevant agencies. Some 50 youngsters aged 14-23 in mountainous A Luoi district were trafficked from 2005 to June 2016, they said. The most serious case involved 32 people who were swindled to come to central Quang Nam province for illegal logging and gold mining. The victims were forced to work over 15 hours per day without healthcare, rest and payment. Nguyen Thi Thanh Nham, an official from the A Luoi district Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, said most of the victims kept themselves distant from the community after rescued. Many were unemployed or had unstable and low-paid jobs. Given the fact, local authorities have promptly lent a helping hand, supporting the victims to develop home-based production activities, as well as establishing “self-reliance” groups to facilitate their reintegration. Thua Thien – Hue province is home to nearly 40,000 ethnic minority people, mainly inhabiting in the poor mountainous districts of Nam Dong and A Luoi. Tens of thousands of locals have to work far from home, including nearly 8,000 working in Laos, Thailand and China. They are prone to human trafficking for labour exploitation or other profit-making purposes. According to the provincial sub-department of social vice prevention, Thua Thien – Hue has actively coordinated with relevant agencies to provide technical assistance in farming and animal husbandry and offer jobs for the victims. A number of training courses were opened to help officials in anti-human trafficking increase their professional capacity. The province has also issued a plan to receive and support the victims between 2016 and 2020 and is seeking enhanced domestic and international collaboration in the field. Vietnam observes UN convention on rights of the disabled The Prime Minister has recently approved a plan on the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as part of efforts to fulfil the country’s obligations as a convention member. Following the plan, ministries and sectors will focus on popularising policies on support for people with disabilities and their rights and responsibilities to the community, while amending and issuing legal documents to help those people in health care, education and vocational training. More efforts will be made to help persons with disabilities gain access to high-quality medical services, and implement measures to early detect disabilities in unborn babies and under-6 children. Meanwhile, people with disabilities will be supported to participate in vocational training programmes that are suitable for them. According to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Vietnam has around 7.2 million people with disabilities. The country is doing its best to implement laws and policies to support people with disabilities in healthcare, inclusive and equitable education, employment, accessibility to public services, legal services, cultural and sport activities. Legal advices for Vietnamese guest workers in Singapore Vietnamese workers in Singapore are mainly employed in service jobs. They are granted visa S Pass to work for two years. According to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA)’ Overseas Labour Management Department (OLMD), Singapore is the most demanding labour market in Southeast Asia. Guest workers to the country have to meet higher requirements than those in other regional countries. Three types of work passes would be granted to foreign workers in Singapore: a Work Permit for skilled/semi-skilled/unskilled workers in the fields of construction, manufacturing, maritime, process and services, an S Pass for mid-level skilled workers and an Employment Pass, a Personalised Employment Pass (PEP), or an EntrePass for professionals, depending on the nature of their work. Currently, Vietnamese workers can work in Singapore with an S Pass or an E Pass. The Singapore government does not grant a Work Permit for Vietnamese workers. To get an S Pass or an E Pass, the Vietnamese worker should be guaranteed by a Singaporean employer to fulfill all necessary procedures. It is noted that only businesses which are licenced to send workers abroad by MoLISA are allowed to recruit workers to work in foreign countries. Vietnam doctor attends international cancer congress Bui Chi Bao, a lecturer at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City, is participating in an international congress on cancer in the Australian State of Queensland from June 19-23. Bao is the only Vietnamese representative to engage in the event for the first time. He delivered two reports on the classification of neuroblastoma cancer among children and the role of epigenetic factors in cancer development and proper treatment. The biennial congress, the 16th of its kind, was held by the International Advances in Neuroblastoma Research Association. As many as 400 delegates, including doctors and scientists, from 28 countries got involved in the event to share new studies on cancer therapies for children, contributing to the global cancer prevention strategy. The first event took place in the US State of Philadelphia in 1975. Neuroblastoma is a common type of cancer in infants. Children diagnosed with the disease are usually younger than five years old, and most new cases occur in babies younger than 1 year old. National awards honour excellent press works A ceremony for the National Press Awards for 2015 was held in Hanoi on June 21, marking the biggest ever volume of submissions to compete for the decade-old award. The award attracted 1,660 press works from 169 media agencies, reporters and writers, and saluted the most outstanding ones that demonstrated the quality and success of national journalism. This time, there were eight A prizes (the highest award), 25 B prizes, 40 C prizes and 14 consolation prizes in four journalism fields, namely print and online newspapers, radio and television. They were credited with successfully reflecting economic, social, security and defence affairs, especially the nation’s marine sovereignty protection. They also focused on fighting corruption and sabotage schemes and highlighted role models in social and economic activities. Speaking at the ceremony, which also celebrated the 91st Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day (June 21), President Tran Dai Quang highlighted the success of the press throughout 2015, but said there is still much work to do at a time when the country is facing big challenges due to territorial disputes, religious issues and terror threats all over the world. “The press has a heavy burden and mission,” said the President. “You are expected to make changes in content, improve technological infrastructure, secure information systems and create works that attract citizens and integrate with the world at the same time,” he added. VNA/VNS/VOV/SGT/SGGP/TT/TN/Dantri/VNE