Social News 20/11 Vietnam celebrates World Children’s Day   Children from H’Mong ethnic group in the northern province of Hòa Bình. Vietnamese children have joined millions of kids around the world to raise their voice to save children’s lives, fight for their rights and help them fulfill their potential. The initiative is part of efforts to celebrate World Children’s Day, which falls on November 20. Last Saturday, some 80 children in HCM City met Vice Chairwoman of the city People’s Committee Nguyễn Thị Thu and other leaders of different city departments. They talked about issues children in the city are facing, recommendations to address these issues, their view about a city that they would want to live in and what they themselves can do to contribute to build such a city. The kids urged the city’s leaders and agencies to create favourable conditions and opportunities for them to learn more about national and the city’s history. They also introduced the recently-established City Children’s Council and highlighted how this council could help realise their rights of participation. On Monday, November 20, the children will meet Vice Chairwomen of the National Assembly Tong Thị Phóng to learn about the National Assembly’s role in ensuring the realisation of children’s rights. They will also share with the vice chairwoman the outcomes of the National Children’s Forum and request due attention of the National Assembly to address these issues. On the same day, Minister of Labour, Invalid and Social Affairs Đào Ngọc Dung will help children learn about the work the ministry, which is responsible for childcare and protection, has undertaken to realise children’s rights. The children will share their concerns with the minister, especially those related to violence against children, and request the ministry to put greater efforts in addressing these concerns. The children will also “take over” UNICEF’s Việt Nam social media for a week 9 (November 17-23) to reflect the voices of children from different regions of the country. “It’s a fun day with a serious point -- a day of action for children, and by children. When children meet with political leaders, it gives them an opportunity to shine a light on the most pressing challenges faced by their generation. It’s relevant to Việt Nam, given the recently-effective Law on Children, which provides greater alignment with the Convention on the Rights of Child, including children’s rights to participation,” Youssouf Abdel-Jelil, representative of UNICEF in Việt Nam, said. November 20 also marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989 and the mobilisation of the first World Children’s Day. Children from around the world will "take over" key roles in media, politics, business, sport and entertainment to help make children’s issues part of the public agenda. At schools worldwide, children will also take over classrooms and assemblies to raise their voices and organise fundraising activities in solidarity with the world’s most disadvantaged and vulnerable children.  Bac Kan teems with mining potential: Prime Minister Rich mineral deposits and timber plantation potential of the northern mountainous province of Bac Kan were highlighted to prospective investors by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on November 19.  Addressing an investment promotion conference in the province, the PM said with large deposits of lead, zinc and iron, Bac Kan has a lot of potential for mining and constructional material production.  Bac Kan has 38,000ha of large timber plantations of high economic values, he said, requesting all ministries and sectors to actively contribute and support the province’s economic development efforts.  He also urged local authorities to raise the provincial competitiveness index, which is currently near the bottom of the list of 63 cities and provinces in the country.  With its determination to boost economic development, the province has achieved initial successes, PM Phuc said.  He described Ba Be Lake area in Bac Kan as an attractive tourism destination with many spectacular caves.  However, the leader said, the province needs to improve its investment environment to attract companies with strong financial potential and high determination to boost local production and investment.  He also wanted the province to restructure its demography, reduce population density in certain areas and develop new education models.  At the conference, the provincial authorities called for investments in a number of fields, enumerating 33 key projects, mainly in infrastructure, agriculture, forestry and tourism.  Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Ly Thai Hai said local authorities are committed to providing the “highest-level support” to investors, in keeping with the Government’s investment incentives.  It would also allocate land for agricultural and forestry projects, including those on medicinal plant cultivation, and issue policies easing credit access and supporting brand promotion, he said.  Hai said he expected the Government to support the province in infrastructure development, especially the building and upgrading of important roads linking the province with other localities in the region.  Currently, the province is seeking investments in building a new National Highway 3 stretch linking Cho Moi (Moi market) with Bac Kan city and a 40km road from Quan Binh commune in Bach Thong district to Ba Be Lake, he said.  Hai called on the PM to ask relevant ministries and sectors to study investors’ proposals for the construction project on National Highway 3 under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) investment model.  He also sought approval for raising capital for the road running to Ba Be Lake. PM Phuc gave a nod to the construction of the Cho Moi-Bac Kan high-speed road. He also assigned the Ministry of Transport to submit a plan for this project, which would be implemented in 2018.  The PM also assigned relevant ministries to consider options for the Quan Binh-Ba Be road.  Ba Be Lake is one of the 20 largest freshwater lakes in the world, but it does not have easy transport access, he noted, asking the ministries to actively seek financial resources for the road.  Speaking at the conference, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong said his ministry would help people in Bac Kan and its neighbouring provinces of Cao Bang and Lang Son use advanced technologies to cultivate fruits under VietGap standards. Khmer ethnic culture festival closes The seventh Culture, Sports and Tourism Festival of Khmer ethnic people in the 12 southern localities wrapped up in the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu on November 19. Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Vuong Phuong Nam said the three-day event has left deep impression on visitors, accomplishing its purpose of promoting the traditional culture of Khmer ethnic people and contribute to building the great national unity. Themed "Preserve and Promote the Khmer Ethnic Culture to Meet Demand for Sustainable Development of the Country", the festival featured a wide range of activities, including folk games, art and musical performances, costume shows, cuisine and sports competitions. More than 600 artists were brought together at the festival. Particularly, nearly 300 artists from art troupes in Ca Mau, Soc Trang, Tra Vinh, Hau Giang and Bac Lieu provinces staged special performances at Khmer pagodas. The eighth Khmer festival is scheduled to be held in Ca Mau province in 2020.      NA Chairwoman attends great national unity festival in Nghe An National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan joined residents in Sen 3 hamlet, Kim Lien commune, Nam Dan district, central Nghe An province, at the great national unity festival on November 19.  The festival is the annual event held nationwide to mark the founding anniversary of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) (November 18, 1930).  Kim Lien commune, the hometown of late President Ho Chi Minh, has been considered as a revolutionary cradle and a cultural and spiritual tourism destination. Poverty rate in Sen 3 hamlet, which is home to 126 households, stands at 3.28 percent, and locals’ material and spiritual life have been improved significantly.  Speaking at the event, the top legislator urged local officials and people to strengthen solidarity in building new-style rural and civilized urban areas, while joining movements and patriotic campaigns launched by the VFF.  She expressed her hope for more outstanding socio-economic development models in the locality and greater efforts in ensuring local security and safety as well as social welfare.  On this occasion, NA Chairwoman Ngan presented officials and people of Sen 3 hamlet with a photo of “Uncle Ho and Uncle Ton” and items of sports equipment. Ten saving books, each worth 10 million VND (440 USD), were also handed over to ten needy families and a number of gifts were given to policy beneficiary families, prominent teachers and poor students in the hamlet.  Earlier, the chief legislator paid floral tribute and offered incense to late President Ho Chi Minh at the Kim Lien relict site in Nam Dan district.  The same day, NA Chairwoman Ngan visited Phan Boi Chau Gifted High School. Association helps promote Vietnam-France relationship Gerard Daviot, who was re-elected President of the France-Vietnam Friendship Association (FVFA) at its 16th congress, stressed the need for the association to play a more active role in diversifying the Vietnam-France friendship in the time ahead. At the congress held in Paris’s suburban Montreuil city on November 18, Daviot said the diverse ties will cover economy, politics and culture, helping address challenges to the two countries in many sectors, including education-training, health care, water resources protection and climate change response. He highlighted Vietnam’s position in Southeast Asia and the success of the Asia-Pacific Economic Leaders’ Meeting that recently took place in Vietnam’s central Da Nang city.  Vietnam is facing a range of major challenges, including those relating to climate change like sea level rise in the Mekong Delta, salt water intrusion and unusual floods, he said, describing the patterns as big threats to national economic development.  Such issues were discussed at the conference on non-concentrated cooperation between Vietnamese and French localities in September 2017 and mentioned in many programmes and initiatives launched by the association, he noted.  Daviot said the FVFA has also implemented an array of initiatives to promote Vietnam in general and its culture, achievements and position in the world in particular, along with revealing challenges and difficulties facing the country.  The association has raised voice to help Vietnam protect its sovereignty and sovereign right in the East Sea and support the campaign to gain justice for Vietnamese Agent Orange/dioxin victims, he said. People to benefit from basic healthcare package 7In order to reduce pressure placed on central hospitals, the basic medical services package at commune-level medical facilities will be implemented from December 2017. The package, including prevention, consultation and treatment services for all citizens, is fully covered by Vietnam Social Security (VSS).    According to the agency’s data, only 19 percent of health insurance card holders register commune-level medical facilities as their initial places for examination and treatment, while only three percent of the social insurance fund pays for medical services at those centres.   The shortage of services and skilled medical staff is the main reason for this phenomenon. Therefore, the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Vietnam Social Security collaborated to develop this basic medical services package as a solution.   Thereby, people can access 76 basic services and 241 types of medicines at commune-level medical facilities.   Through the package, diabetic patients, instead of going to hospitals, can receive medicines at local medical centres. Doan Van Bon, a diabetic patient in northern Hai Duong province, is interested in this initiative. “Since the district hospital is seven kilometres away from my house, I miss appointments sometimes. Therefore, it is more convenient for me that near-by medical centre start distributing necessary medicines,” he said. Schools also stand to benefit from the policy. As kindergartens and primary schools are commonly located next to medical facilities, students can access better medical services. According to Le Van Kham, head of the Social Insurance Department under MoH, that the basic medical services package also helps people save money and motivates local medical facilities to enhance their capabilities. With all expenses paid by the State budget and local budget, the initiative aims to satisfy 70 percent of people’s healthcare demands at local medical facilities. At present, the related agencies are planning to r People to benefit from basic healthcare package Binh Duong: The Urgent Run 2017 draws over 500 students More than 500 students joined the Urgent Run 2017 in response to World Toilet Day in the southern province of Binh Duong on November 19. The event was jointly hosted by the Kim Hoang Hiep Trading, Service and Environment Company, and the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. It aims to help raise the awareness of the importance of toilets in daily life, the environment, thus building civilised community and society. The occasion is expected to help improve the quality of public toilets globally. Le Van Hiep, head of the World Toilet in Vietnam, said of the World Toilet in Vietnam, who is also Director of the Company said, his company is Vietnam’s only official member of the World Toilet Organisation. The annual Urgent Run was first organised in 2015. The initiative was introduced to 154 other members of the World Toilet Organisation, according to Hiep.- PM asks Bac Kan to consider poverty reduction a political task Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked the northern mountainous province of Bac Kan to launch a widespread poverty reduction campaign and consider this a political task.  At a working session with the Standing Board of the provincial Party Committee in Bac Kan on November 19, the PM pointed out that the province’s multi-dimensional poverty rate stands at 26 percent, which still remains high as compared with the national average.  Attention should be paid to forestation, husbandry and medicinal plant cultivation in order to spur growth and raise locals’ living standards, he said.  The leader noted that the first task is to review the province’s socio-economic targets in 2017, striving to complete major objectives, especially growth and budget collection targets. The long-term task is to select outstanding products for mass production.  PM Phuc gave a nod to the locality to open the Cho Moi (Moi market) – Bac Kan expressway and assigned the Ministry of Transport to submit the project to the leader for approval.  He requested Bac Kan and relevant ministries to work on measures to fully tap tourism potential of Ba Be lake. The same day, the PM joined local residents of Tan Thanh hamlet, Bac Kan city’s Nong Thuong commune, in the great national unity festival, an annual event held nationwide to mark the founding anniversary of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (November 18, 1930). He took note of attainments of the Party Committee and authorities of Bac Kan province, Bac Kan city and Tan Thanh commune, while hoping for locals’ more efforts for their locality’s development. He highlighted the important role of the Vietnam Fatherland Front at all levels in gathering people in implementing the Party and State’s policies, the new rural-style area building programme, and caring needy people. Bac Kan is home to seven ethnic groups of Tay, Nung, Kinh, Dao, Mong, Hoa and San Chay, with ethnic minorities accounting for more than 80 percent of its population.  The province’s state budget collection in the first ten months of this year was estimated at 560 billion VND (24.64 million USD), fulfilling 94 percent of the set target.  Its gross regional domestic product (GRDP) per capita in 2017 was around 26 million VND, up 1.2 million VND against 2016. Training centre powered by Siemens technologies debuts The Digital Process Industries Training Centre has made presence in Vietnam to meet increasing education requirements for digital technologies, especially in the context of 4.0 Industry Revolution. The centre was launched in Hanoi on November 16. Its establishment is the result of the cooperation between Polyco Group, East Asia University of Technology and Siemens in a joint effort to equip present and future Vietnamese engineers with knowledge, skills and latest technologies for the digital manufacturing age. The centre, which is located at Polyco Group’s headquarters in Hanoi, has been equipped with Siemens automation and digitalisation technologies. It will enable students and engineers to learn and practice directly through actual demonstration, which include products from field level to management level applied in industrial production in general and in the food and beverage industry in particular. In addition, learners can visualise the five steps in the digitalisation value chain for process industries, namely product design, process and plant design, engineering and commissioning, operation, and services. Pham Thai Lai, President and CEO of Siemens Vietnam, said he believes the centre will remarkably enhance human capacity, not only for Polyco group but also for the whole food and beverage industry in Vietnam to face challenges in the present and the future. Show features traditional Vietnamese, Korean costumes in HCM City Hundreds of traditional costumes of Vietnam and the Republic of Korea were displayed on the walking street of Nguyen Hue in HCM City on November 18. The event was part of activities of the ongoing Ho Chi Minh City – Gyeongju World Cultural Festival 2017 in the city. Locals and tourists had a chance to contemplate the traditional, yet modern Vietnamese Ao Dai (long dress) by Vietnamese designers, namely Sy Hoang, Thuan Viet, Dinh Van Tho; and Korean Hanbok dress by Lee Young-hee. Addressing at the event, Director of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Huynh Thanh Nhan, said the exchange helps designers of the two nations have an insight of the history and culture of each nations, thus consolidating the friendship between the two countries. The Gyeonju World Cultural Festival, opened on November 11 is jointly hosted by HCM City and Korean Gyeongsangbuk-Do province for the first time, with numerous activities.  The event is expected to help foster cultural exchanges between the two nations, thus deepening the strategic cooperation between Vietnam and the RoK, as well as the collaboration between HCM City and RoK’s localities. JICA workshop on construction projects The Ministry of Construction and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has organised a training workshop on management of construction projects in Vietnam. The workshop was co-organised on November 17 as part of a JICA-funded project, launched in April 2015, for improving capacity in cost estimation, contract management, and quality and safety in construction investment projects in Vietnam. The workshop focused on quality management, safety and environmental management, and cost estimation. The event, which was attended by state agencies, project management units, contractors and consultants, discussed the project’s outputs and focal points related to Vietnam’s laws and regulations on construction. The project, implemented by the Ministry of Construction and JICA, aims to improve the capacity of staff in the ministry and related organisations to ensure that all construction projects in Vietnam are managed in accordance with international standards and regulations of public construction projects. Similar workshops will also be held in Da Nang, Can Tho and HCM City.  Vietnam has maintained sustainable economic growth in recent years and implemented a large number of major infrastructure development projects. However, due to inadequate project management and quality and safety management of construction works, many construction accidents have been recorded. In addition, construction contracts that have been poorly managed have led to numerous disputes, obstructing the smooth implementation of construction projects. KOCHAM donates 206,000 USD for charity Some 4.64 billion VND (206,000 USD) was collected by the Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KOCHAM) in Ho Chi Minh City at the 14th KOCHAM Charity Night on November 17. Some 130 enterprises of the Republic of Korea (RoK) contributed 4 billion VND in cash and 600 million VND worth of gifts for charity. The money was donated for the HCM City Children’s Disability Association; the Orphanage, Disabled Children Care Centre in Dong Nai province; the Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin Social Protection in Ba Ria – Vung Tau province; the Orphanage and Poor Patients Protection Association in Binh Duong province; the Social Protection Centre in Long An province; the HCM City Eyes Hospital; the Patient Support Fund; the Thien Phuoc Disability Facility in district 4, the Korean Elder Citizen Association in Vietnam; and the Korean Support Fund. KOCHAM HCMC has been in operation since 2003 with 700 enterprises, which represents 2,500 RoK companies operating in the southern and central regions of Vietnam. KOCHAM HCMC has organised the annual KOCHAM Charity Night since 2004. This year, Vietnam and the RoK celebrate their 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Trade volume between the two countries exceeded 50 billion USD by October 2017. 13th Vietnamese Students’ Day in RoK held More than 1,000 Vietnamese students across the Republic of Korea (RoK) came together for the 13th Vietnamese Student Day on November 19 at Seoul University. Speaking at the event, Deputy Foreign Minister Vu Hong Nam, head of the National Committee for Overseas Vietnamese, applauded programmes initiated by the Vietnam Students Association in Korea (VSAK) to contribute to the homeland, such as fund-raising activities to assist disaster-hit victims. He expressed his hope that events like the Vietnamese Student Day will be held regularly to help promote Vietnam’s culture to international friends. Vietnamese Ambassador to the RoK Nguyen Vu Tu lauded the efforts of Vietnamese students in the RoK, believing that they will continue contributing to Vietnam’s nation building and safeguarding and act as a bridge helping develop Vietnam-RoK relations. The Vietnamese Student Day is held annually by the VSAK, aiming to promote Vietnam’s culture and to tighten bilateral ties. Art performances praising the beauty of Vietnam’s land and people took place during the event, together with different folk games. Currently, there are about 15,000 Vietnamese students in the RoK. Policeman helps fishermen move from boats to homes Since 2012, Lieutenant Colonel Ngô Minh Tuệ of Hải Phòng City Police has assisted the families of 22 fishermen in moving from small boats—vulnerable to overturning amid waves caused by cargo ships—to homes in a new village in Máy Chai Commune. The Cấm River is the main estuary in the city, located in Ngô Quyền District. Here, hundreds of vessels operate day and night. People from other regions of the country gather here in tiny boats, fishing for living. But these maritime homes are not safe: the constant cargo ship traffic creates unpredictable waves that can flip boats with little warning. Back in 2006, Ngô Minh Tuệ came up with the idea of establishing a village for fishermen so that they could move into more secure homes. At first, they weren’t interested. Worried about being under the control of local authorities, none of them wanted to move to the riverside. The lack of electricity and clean water also made them reluctant. To alleviate their concerns, Tuệ developed a detailed resettlement plan over the past five years. He attracted the support of Máy Chai Commune’s residents and won approval from local authorities. He also asked his colleagues, governmental agencies and other organisations to donate food and rice. Additionally, Tuệ helped them build houses and roads connecting the newly formed village to surrounding areas. However, as the fishermen’s families were persuaded of the benefits of moving, there were more challenges to come. To create educational opportunities for their children, he has helped them obtain school subsidies, changing people’s attitudes towards education. At present, all of the fishermen’s children go to school. Now that they have moved from boats to more stable accommodations, people are rebuilding their lives. Some even gave up on the fishing profession, pursuing other careers for more sustainable income. “My children and I have never dreamed of such a stable life,” said Trần Thị Nghiêm, 74, a resident of Máy Chai Commune. Nghiêm had spent most of her life in tiny boats with five to six other people. Tuệ’s assistance allowed them to escape poverty and hunger. “Thanks to Tuệ and other policemen, our fishermen are now having better livelihoods. We are grateful to have him,” she added. Speaking to the Quân đội Nhân dân (People’s Army) Newspaper, Nguyễn Thị Với, head of Máy Chai Commune’s Residency Area no.1, said she was grateful for the initiative of Tuệ and his colleagues. “Their efforts have transformed the area. With Tuệ as the pioneer, policemen and local authorities have provided support for fishermen to stabilize their lives,” she said. Although the village has been established, must overcome further challenges. “Only four households have obtained temporary residence registrations. The others, due to their lack of identification documents, have been not eligible for it,” he said. Procuring daily essentials for the village is another concern. “There is still no grid electricity so they must buy it from local enterprises. Environmental sanitation is not guaranteed. Those issues require local authorities’ cooperation to handle since we cannot do it alone,” added Tuệ. Responding to Tuệ, Phạm Thị Thu Hà, deputy head of Máy Chai Commune People’s Committee, said that they took his concerns seriously. “Improving people’s livelihoods and living conditions are also our priorities. We are finding solutions to gradually address those existing problems for people to enjoy a better life,” she said. HCM City leaders hear teachers’ concerns Leaders of the HCM City Party Committee and People’s Committee on Friday had a meeting with educators in the city on the 35th anniversary of Việt Nam Teachers’ Day (November 20). During the meeting, more than 300 teachers and educational officials, who represent more than 10,000 educators in the city, shared their concerns with the city’s leaders. Huỳnh Công Minh, former director of the city’s Education and Training Department, raised a question to the city’s leaders: “Can teachers live on their salary?” He said the salary for teachers in Việt Nam was too low, only VNĐ3 million (US$136) for a new graduate. Most of participants agreed with Minh, and pointed out that low salary did not encourage teachers to wholeheartedly dedicate to their career. “A new payment mechanism for teachers will help the city’s education sector develop sustainably,” said Minh. Delegates also expressed their thoughts on appyling advanced curricula in the school. Hà Hữu Thạch, head of the Lê Quý Đôn High school in District 3, said “We suggest the city’s leaders and the Education and Training Department allow us to import internationally well-known advanced curricula to teach in the school along with the current curricula. This act may prevent the brain drain.” He gave an example that his school lost about 90 excellent students each year to studying abroad, even though advanced curricula and outdoor activities for students were used in the school. Thạch hoped the schools with advanced curricula would apply self-control financial mechanisms soon in order to attract more skilled teachers and to send teachers to study abroad. In addition, the students’ moral in today society is also a huge challenge to the city’s educators. Minh said “We are focusing on moral education in the high school, while kindergarten and primary are the best levels for teaching morals.” He added that the city needed to care more about collaboration between society and the schools. On behalf of the city’s leaders, Tất Thành Cang, deputy secretary of the HCM City Party Committee, said that the city’s education sector was facing challenges, such as an unattractive salary mechanism and out-of-date curriculum and textbooks. Cang said “The city has collected all delegates’ opinions, which will be used for the project on educational development.” He also expressed the city’s gratitude to educators in the cause of nation building, and developing HCM City. Thắng wins third stage of cycling tournament Nguyễn Thắng won the third stage of the Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa Cycling Tournament yesterday. The cyclist of the Ngọc Dung Nhi - Hóc Môn crew finished the 124km stage from Đắk Nông Province to Buôn Ma Thuột City, ĐắkLắk Province, within a time of 3hr 28.06min. It was a special victory as he triumphed in his hometown. Thắng was followed by Nguyễn Minh Việt of BTV Đại Nam Bình Dương and Đỗ Tuấn Anh of Calystos Đồng Tháp. After three stages, Trần Thanh Điền of VUS HCM City took the yellow jersey for being the leading athlete, with a time of 9:19.45. Trần Lê Tuấn Anh of Military Zone 7 and Nguyễn Nhật Nam of Domesco Đồng Tháp were second and third, respectively. Today, the athletes will race from Buôn Ma Thuột to Nha Trang on 98km. Bắc Kạn tourism week aims to boost northern mountain province cooperation The Ba Bể - Bắc Kạn Tourism Week 2017 kicked off on Saturday at Ba Bể Lake in the northern province of Bắc Kạn, opening a series of cultural events that aim to strengthen tourism cooperation between the six participating provinces of Bắc Kạn, Cao Bằng, Lạng Sơn, Thái Nguyên, Tuyên Quang and Hà Giang. The week’s events introduce and promote the historical and cultural relics, the landscape, people, food and culture of the northern mountainous provinces. Speaking at the launching ceremony held on Saturday, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Đặng Thị Bích Liên said, “The northern provinces of Việt Nam have several historical and cultural relics along with the spectacular landscape and unique cultural identity. They are attracting an increasing number of both domestic and international tourists. However, the result has not yet reached its full potential. “The Ba Bể-Bắc Kạn Tourism Week this year is important for the northern mountainous provinces in strengthening cooperation in tourism, promoting and attracting investment for tourism and the preservation of historical and cultural relics. The plan is to develop tourism into a spearhead of the local economy,” Liên added. More than a thousand artists from the participant provinces joined the performances at the opening event. Acts included singing, dancing and đàn tính (the traditional gourd lute of the Tày ethnic people) performances. The event, which lasts till Tuesday, features traditional musical performances, a traditional costume show, food fair, folk and sports games, flower garlands and a photo exhibition featuring the landscape and people of the northern mountainous provinces. Festival-goers can also join a boat tour around the scenic Ba Bể Lake. Ba Bể National Park is a highlight of Bắc Kạn’s tourist destinations. About 70 kilometres from Bắc Kạn centre, Ba Bể covers more than 23,000 ha and is home to more than 1,000 species of flora and fauna, a series of caves and a gigantic fresh water lake, which was recognised as the country’s third Ramsar Site, an indication of its international significance, by UNESCO in 2011. Ba Bể Lake is located 145 metres above sea level and is said to have formed more than 200 million years ago. Hà Nội win, lead V.League at penultimate round Hà Nội maintained their hopes of defending their V.League title after beating Quảng Nam 1-0 at their home in Hàng Đẫy Stadium yesterday. The match was considered an “early final” of the tournament because if Quảng Nam won they would take the trophy, with one round to spare. On the other hand, if Hà Nội won, they would replace Quảng Nam as the leading team in the ranking table. National midfielder, Nguyễn Văn Quyết, pushed Hà Nội back to the top position after 12 rounds, with his close-range finish at the 73th minute. Hà Nội have 45 points, the same as Quảng Nam but they take the lead due to their head-to-head results. Quyết’s 70th goal for the club therefore means Quảng Nam might just enjoy their first national premier league title this weekend. In another match, FLC Thanh Hoá joined the race to take the title after their 2-0 win over Sanna Khánh Hoà. Thanh Hoá also have 45 points and are placed third. In the last round matches, Hả Nội will travel to Hạ Long to play Quảng Ninh Coal who are currently at third place with 42 points. Quảng Nam are said to have an easy rival in HCM City in the last round. They also have the advantage of playing at home. Thanh Hoá will face former champions, Sông Lam Nghệ An, who have not lost in their three latest matches. In another game yesterday, Quảng Ninh beat HCM City 4-2 in a match that saw former national head coach Toshiya Miura sitting on the stands. The Japanese returned to Việt Nam after two years, upon an invitation by HCM City FC boss, Lê Công Vinh. There was no confirmation yet but Miura is said to be on his way to becoming head coach of the team that is under coach assistant Lư Đình Tuấn, after French coach, Alain Fiard, was fired last week. The deal will be completed early next month and Miura is expected to compete in the V.League for two years. Sông Lam Nghệ An struggled to have a 2-1 win over Cần Thơ yesterday. Despite playing without their best players, Sông Lam Nghệ An put up a great performance with three chances to open the score in the first 15 minutes. But it was the hosts who opened the score from a penalty at the 41st minute by Nsi. The winner pushed Cần Thơ up. They played tit for tat with the visitors in the second half. The situation made coach Nguyễn Đức Thắng of Sông Lam Nghệ An change his tactic. Several changes were made and players were asked to open more attacks. Midfielder, Ngọc Hải, levelled the result at the 71st minute, with a straight shot and Trần Phi Sơn netted the second shot for the visiting side four minutes before the end. At Lạch Tray Stadium, hosts Hải Phòng, whose coach Trương Việt Hoàng is to resign, lost 1-2 to Hoàng Anh Gia Lai. SHB Đà Nẵng shared the same fate, losing 2-3 to Sài Gòn FC. Coach Lê Huỳnh Đức of Đà Nẵng also leaves after the end of the season. And Former champions Becamex Bình Dương found a 4-0 win over relegated Long An. Cantho Catfish win first leg of VBA final Cantho Catfish defeated Thang Long Warriors 83-78 in the first game of the Việt Nam Basketball Association League’s final yesterday in Hà Nội. The two sides made a balanced first quarter as they rotated to score points, ending with 20-19 for the visiting Catfish. The Warriors, with great backing from home supporters, came back in the second quarter when their trio Justin Young, Jaywuan Hill and Tô Quang Trung did a good job, bombing the Catfish’s basket with many points. They won 41-37. The hosts continued their performance in the third quarter, but the Catfish did better. They came from behind to lead 63-59 with brothers Tâm Đinh and Sang Đinh taking the stage. The Catfish maintained their lead and ended the match at 83-78, ignoring how hard the Warriors tried to level the score. The second game will be on November 26, as the Catfish will host the Warriors on their home ground at Cần Thơ Gymnasium. Vietnamese in Australia look towards to homeland’s sea, islands Overseas Vietnamese (OVs) in Australia recently raised 18,000 AUD for the Vu A Dinh Scholarship Fund and the “For beloved Hoang Sa-Truong Sa” (Vi Hoang Sa-Truong Sa than yeu) Club. The fundraising took place in a meeting in Canberra between Vietnamese expats, representatives from Vietnamese agencies in Australia and a delegation led by former Vice President Truong My Hoa, who is head of the fund and club. At the event, Hoa briefed the OVs about challenges faced by ethnic minority groups, fishermen and soldiers in coastal areas. She also highlighted the fund’s activities, which support the education of ethnic minority students and develop human resources in poor and remote areas, and the club, which aims to help children of soldiers and residents in coastal areas and islands. The meeting urged the OVs to join national efforts to protect the sea and island sovereignty and to support the needy in their homeland. Before the meeting in Canberra, Hoa met with the Vietnamese Consulate General in Sydney and Perth, and with Vietnamese expatriates and students in Brisbane and Adelaide. She also presented certificates of merit for organisations and individuals for their excellent contributions to the Vu A Dinh Scholarship Fund and the “For beloved Hoang Sa-Truong Sa” Club. US organisation helps Quang Tri boost pepper production Authorities of the central province of Quang Tri met with representatives of US organisation Roots of Peace, pledging optimal conditions for it to help develop local agriculture, especially pepper production, according to Tai nguyen & Moi truong (Natural Resources & Environment) newspaper. Roots of Peace has assisted more than 2,100 households in Vinh Linh, Cam Lo, Gio Linh and Huong Hoa districts to take part in 63 pepper cultivation clubs. It has worked with the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and Peace Tree organisation to clear unexploded ordnances from more than 45ha of land for more than 520 households to cultivate pepper. The organisation has also worked with the Korea International Cooperation Agency to mobilise 50,000 USD to help some 200 households in Cam Lo district farm pepper. At the meeting on November 16, founder and CEO of Roots of Peace Heidi Kuhn appreciated Quang Tri authorities and people’s support to her organisation. She said she wants to make the province’s Tieu Cua (Cua pepper) known across the world as it is the best pepper she has ever tasted. This could also be a symbol of peace as the pepper is produced in a formerly war-torn province, Kuhn added. Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chinh lauded Roots of Peace’s activities in Quang Tri over the last years, helping the province reduce poverty and develop. The organisation has helped Quang Tri’s pepper be exported to the US and other countries, an encouraging sign for local agricultural brands. The Quang Tri People’s Committee pledges to create the best possible conditions for Roots of Peace to partner with local companies to develop agricultural activities and clear unexploded ordnances, he noted. Vietnam-RoK Film Festival held in Ho Chi Minh City The Vietnam-Republic of Korea (RoK) Film Festival is taking place in Ho Chi Minh City from November 17-22, with twelve outstanding films of the two countries screened free. The films, ranging from emotional and psychological to action, history and mystery, are expected to help Vietnamese audiences learn more about the RoK, as well as bringing the RoK and international friends an interesting experience of the history, land and people of Vietnam. All eight of the Korean films being introduced at the festival have recently been screened in the RoK, including ‘Minh thich nhau di’ (Like for Likes), ‘Tham tu Hong Gil Dong’ (Phantom Detective), and ‘Okja’. Meanwhile, Vietnamese films being screened at the festival are ‘Co can nha nam nghe nang mua’ (Like an old house), ‘Hotboy noi loan 2’ (Lost in Paradise 2), ‘Sieu trom’ (Bitcoin Heist), and ‘Co Ba Sai Gon’ (The Tailor). During the festival, a workshop on film production via smartphones will be held. The festival is part of the ongoing 2017 Ho Chi Minh City – Gyeongju World Cultural Festival, held from November 11 to December 3 to celebrate the 25th founding anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries (December 22). Dong Thap strengthens training cooperation with Cambodian province The Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap has enhanced cooperation with Prey Veng province of Cambodia in health and education. According to Vice Chairman of the Dong Thap People’s Committee Doan Tan Buu, Dong Thap College of Health has provided training for 363 students from Cambodia. The province also holds classes for Cambodian students at its primary schools in border regions. Dong Thap has also recently raised 100 million VND (4,400 USD) to support the Khmer – Vietnam friendship primary school and granted financial assistance to more than 100 students of the school. The provincial health sector also held frequent medical checkups in Prey Veng and Pursat provinces of Cambodia, providing free medicines and treatment for more than 12,000 people. Commemoration held for traffic accident victims A ceremony to commemorate nearly 7,000 people who died in traffic accidents was held in Gia Lai Province on November 19. According to the National Traffic Safety Committee, there were over 14,300 traffic accidents in the first 10 months, killing 6,800 people and injuring 13,300. The main causes are because of traffic violations including driving in the wrong lane, speeding or drunk driving. Some elder people and children were killed in their sleep after a bus crashed into their houses. One of the most serious accidents was on May 7. A truck collided with a passenger bus on Ho Chi Minh Highway while going through Chu Se District, Gia Lai Province. 13 people were killed and 32 were injured. This is also a reason why the ceremony was held in Gia Lai. More than 500 people attended the ceremony and lit candles for the victims. The National Traffic Safety Committee also gave gifts to 10 families of the victims in Gia Lai Province. It is also hoped that the ceremony would help raise public's awareness and prevent more tragic accidents. The ceremony marked the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020. Chung Ang University Hospital donates medical equipment to Quang Ngai Chung Ang University Hospital in Seoul, led by general director Dr Kim Song Deok has donated US$18,000-worth of medical equipment to the central province of Quang Ngai's healthcare sector. Through Chung Ang University Hospital’s and Doosan's Q-Health programme, which began in 2009, free medical exams and medicine have been provided for 25,000 local residents of Quang Ngai and Quang Nam provinces. The programme has also provided surgical treatment for cleft palate, cataracts, and heart diseases for 82 patients, 19 of whom were children sent to the Republic of Korea for advanced treatment. Yoen In Jung, CEO of Doosan Vina, said during the medical equipment donation ceremony, "Health, education, and housing are the three essential elements that Doosan Vina thinks are needed to develop a sustainable community.  The mission of Doosan Vina's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme is to "help build a healthy community," and to do so, Doosan Vina is committed to providing healthcare, education, and housing, these are the core principles of the company’s CSR activities as well as our business philosophy that are keys to a sustainable society." Addressing the event, Chairman of Quang Ngai People's Committee Tran Ngoc Cang noted the contributions and continued support of Doosan Vina and Chung Ang University Hospital have transformed the Vietnamese healthcare sector. They have also provided intensive training for medical staff, internship training in the Republic of Korea at Chung-Ang University Hospital, and a host of other initiatives to deliver quality care for the people of Quang Ngai. Storm Kirogi weakens to tropical depression before landfall in Vietnam Storm Kirogi has weakened to a tropical depression on the morning of November 19, when it was still 200 kilometers (124 miles) off Vietnam's south-central coast. At 4 a.m., the tropical depression was in the waters of Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan and Khanh Hoa provinces, with wind speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour. People in these provinces have resumed their daily life after a sleepless night expecting the storm. The tropical depression will head west at 20 kilometers per hour. By 4 p.m. on November 19 it will be over Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan and Lam Dong provinces with maximum wind speeds of 50 kph.  It is expected to later form a low-pressure area in southern Cambodia. Flooding across the coast from northern province Ha Tinh to southern province Binh Thuan could still occur due to heavy rains, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said. Kirogi is the 14th storm of the year. Typhoon Damrey, which made landfall in the central region two weeks ago, killed more than 100 people and damaged or destroyed over 100,000 houses. Deadly floods last month also killed more than 80 people and washed away hundreds of homes. Last year, tropical storms and flooding killed 264 people in Vietnam and caused damage worth VND40 trillion (US$1.75 billion), nearly five times more than in 2015. Reconstructed 11th century Tuong Long Pagoda unveiled in Hai Phong A reconstruction of the Tuong Long Pagoda, which was built in 1058 under the reign of Emperor Thanh Tong of the Ly Dynasty, was unveiled in the northern city of Hai Phong on November 19. Chairman Hoang Xuan Minh of Do Son district, where the structure is located, said that the reconstruction work began in June 2008 and included a nine-storey pagoda placed on a square base with four stairs. Inside the pagoda is an Amitabha Buddha statue sitting on a stone lotus base, while the area next to the pagoda is a stele house and an excavation site for storing many wooden and stone artefacts bearing the typical patterns of the Ly Dynasty. The remains of the original structure were already recognised as national heritage. According to historical records, Emperor Thanh Tong ordered the construction of a pagoda when visiting the Do Son area and named it Tuong Long, meaning Auspicious Dragon after having a vision of a golden dragon in his dream. The original pagoda was 45 metres tall and built on top of hill roughly 100 metres above sea level, making it one of the highest towers at the time of its completion. In the past, Tuong Long was also used as a watch tower as part of an information transmission system in order to send warnings to the capital city if any suspicious foreign activities were detected offshore. Since its construction nearly one thousand years ago, the pagoda underwent many renovations under the Tran and Le Dynasties but was demolished in the early 1800s to obtain bricks for the construction of the Citadel of Hai Duong. Vietnam joins Diplomatic Charity Bazaar in Thailand The Vietnam Embassy in Thailand joined 41 other diplomatic representative offices, international organisations and enterprises at the 64th Diplomatic Community Bazaar 2017, which took place at the Central World Shopping Centre in Bangkok (Thailand), on November 17-19. The well-decorated Vietnamese pavilion attracted great attention from numerous visitors with a variety of products such as Ao Dai (Vietnam’s traditional costume), non la (conical hat) and many of the country’s typical souvenirs on sale, as well as Vietnamese cuisine. This was the second time Vietnam has participated in the international charity event in Bangkok. The opening ceremony on November 17 was attended by the Princess Soamsawali of Thailand, Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Nguyen Hai Bang, representatives of countries and international organisations in Thailand. The event featured 160 booths, which showcased hundreds of traditional items from many countries, such as food, fine arts and garments. A part of the revenue generated by the fair will be contributed to projects supporting disadvantaged children and women. The fair, considered as a good opportunity to promote handicrafts and fine arts products, as well as the cuisine of each country, to those from other nations, attracted thousands of visitors. Credit package with favorable interest rates for storm victims Nam A Bank launched a credit package of VND500 billion with favorable interest rates to help locals in the central and the highlands Vietnam.  The package will be from now till December 31, 2017. As per the bank’s promise, interest rate for the package is 6 percent for the first year. Those who wish to rebuild houses, fishing boats, agricultural production, buying households items are eligible for the package. People run for traffic victims Though Hanoi was shivering with cold, many locals still took part in a run in Hoan Kiem Lake for traffic safety yesterday in response to the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims Khuat Viet Hung, vice chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee , also ran in the event. Participants had to run a distance of 6,827 meter; generally most people finished the run. The National Traffic Safety Committee said that in ten first months, nearly 7,000 people had been killed in traffic accidents and approximately 12,000 others suffered lifetime injuries. Averagely, one day has more than 20 people are killed in accidents and nearly 40 others are injured. The causes of accident are mostly violations such as wrong lanes, driving on the opposite direction , over-speeding, alcohol drivers… The committee and People’s Committee in the Highlands province of Gia Lai yesterday observed a few minutes of mourning for the traffic victims. This ceremony was live broadcast on VTV1 chanel from *PM to 9PM. There days ago on November 17, Mr. Hung visited injured victims of traffic accident in Hanoi-based Viet Duc ( Vietnam – German ) hospital who are in difficulties. Activities to remember traffic accident victims and visiting to victims, relatives are taking place in many localities nationwide. SAR 412 rescues 8 crew members at Quy Nhon sea The Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center Zone 2 in the central city of Da Nang rescued and brought ashore crew members of the Ocean Bright ship during the storm Kirogi hit on the night of November 18. The ship with 8 crew members on board, including 4 Indian people has lost its ways when trying to avoid the storm at Quy Nhon sea. Shortly after receiving information, the center deployed ship SAR 412 to rescue crew members and tow the vessel to Border Guard Flotilla 48 in Quy Nhon city safely. Mass flight cancellations as Typhoon Kirogi approaches The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines (VNA) has just announced that it will stop exploiting flights from/to Cam Ranh Airport in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa from now until about 2 p.m on November 19 because of the influence of the 14th storm which hit the south-central provinces with international name Kirogi yesterday. Due to the bad weather, the carrier has also changed flight schedule to domestic flights from/to central highlands cities, Da Lat and Buon Me Thuot; and canceled flights No.VN1651 and VN1650 between Hanoi and Tuy Hoa on November 19. these flights are expected to be taken off on November 20. The budget airline Jetstar PacificJetstar Pacific adjusted its schedule of flights from airports, including Nha Trang, Da Lat, Buon Me Thuot, Tuy Hoa and Quy Nhon. Meanwhile the low-cost carrier Vietjet Air is canceling flights on November 19, including VJ782 (Cam Ranh-Hanoi); VJ603, VJ605, VJ607 (Cam Ranh-HCM City); VJ741, VJ492 (Vinh-Buon Me Thuot-Hanoi); VJ362, VJ402 (HCM City-Da Lat-Hanoi); VJ713, VJ712 (Vinh-Da Lat-Vinh); VJ124, VJ775 (HCM City-Hanoi-Cam Ranh). Carriers notify passengers to access its websites, or contact the ticket offices of the airlines throughout the country for further information about flight delay or cancellation. Senior people eligible for free buses The Department of Labor, Invalid and Social Affairs in Ho Chi Minh City yesterday sent a document to its sub-divisions in 24 districts, asking them to increase information of free bus for elderly people. The sub-divisions will spread the information to local people’s committees, social unions and elderly unions about free buses for elderly people who are 70 up. As per the city People's Council decision No.05/2017 which says that senior people aged 70 up will get free buses since August 1, 2017. Illegal construction works under expressway bridge removed The Directorate for Roads of Việt Nam asked relevant agencies to remove works illegally constructed under a bridge on the Hà Nội-Hải Phòng Expressway. Since last August, Minh Long Construction and Industrial Limited Company, which is responsible for managing and maintaining bridges on the expressway, has been reporting to Hải Phòng City’s Transport Department about illegal works that have been built under Đa Độ Bridge in the city’s Kiến Thụy District. The Minh Long company was unable to meet investors of the illegal works, which include houses, restaurants and garages. Local authorities, including Kiến Thụy District People’s Committee, said they were not authorised to deal with the violations because the expressway is under the management of investor Việt Nam Infrastructure Development and Finance Investment Joint Stock Company (VIDIFI). Soon after receiving reports about the violations last Friday, the Directorate for Roads of Việt Nam asked VIDIFI to address the violations quickly. The removal of the illegal works must be reported to the directorate this week, it said. Launched in 2008 under the build-operate-transfer agreement, the Hà Nội-Hải Phòng Expressway has total length of 105.5km, with six lanes and an intended speed of 120km per hour. The expressway has 54 bridges in total. Kon Tum, Attapeu provinces enhance youth cooperation The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) Committee of the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Union (LPRYU) Committee of Attapeu province held an exchange on November 20. At the event in Kon Tum, the two committees signed a document on a coordination programme between 2017 and 2020 so as to intensify the friendship and solidarity between youths of Kon Tum and Attapeu in particular, and of Vietnam and Laos in general. Accordingly, they will further share experience in youth union works and youth and children’s movements, thus enhancing unity and mutual understanding.  The provincial committees will continue directing the youth union committees of Kon Tum’s Ngoc Hoi and Dak Glei districts and Attapeu’s Phouvong and Sanxay districts to step up exchanges and communication activities to raise local youngsters’ awareness of keeping and building a borderline of peace, friendship, cooperation and development. The two sides also agreed to organise voluntary activities, vocational training and training in youth union works in Attapeu. In particular, they are going to provide free check-ups and medicine for residents in Attapeu in 2018, along with training in tailoring and youth union works for young people in the Lao province in 2020. Vice Secretary of the Attapeu LPRYU Committee Ongkham Khunsamay highlighted the strong development of the two provinces’ youth union works, asking both sides to increase mutual visits and exchanges and further coordinate in educating local young people about the countries’ traditional friendship and solidarity. Secretary of the Kon Tum HCYU Committee Xieng Thanh Phuc said in 2015 and 2016, the two provincial committees organised exchanges and meetings involving over 100 officials and youth union members.  The Kon Tum side held two informatics classes for 30 LPRYU members of Attapeu, educated local youths on the shared borderline and border markers, supported disadvantaged Lao students, and gave free medical examinations and medicine to over 850 people in Laos, he added. Mekong Delta provinces ensure schedule of climate change projects The Mekong Delta provinces of Tra Vinh and Ben Tre have worked to ensure the implementation of a project on climate change adaption. Country Director of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Vietnam Thomas Rath expressed his pleasure at the positive outcomes of the project at a meeting with local authorities in Tra Vinh on November 17. He said the the two provinces should speed up the project by focusing on improving community-based adaptation capacity in the long run and increasing quality of agricultural and aquaculture practices. Tra Vinh and Ben Tre should enhance experience exchanges to expand effective models while strengthening coordination with specialised institutions such as the provincial Department of Science and Technology, Department of Industry and Trade, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the private economic sector, to implement livelihood models. Cornels Hubrencht Blok, a delegate from the IFAD, said that during the implementation of the project, the two provinces have integrated climate change adaptation and natural disaster risk management into socio-economic development plans. However, the solutions are just applied in the short run, he said, advising the pair to build future scenarios. Vice Chairman of the Ben Tre People’s Committee Nguyen Huu Lap and his counterpart from Tra Vinh Kim Ngoc Thai, pledged to create the best conditions and arrange capital to support the project. Sponsored by the IFAD, the project is being carried out from 2014 to 2020 in 30 communes of eight districts in Ben Tre and 30 communes of seven districts in Tra Vinh. The project worth more than 1 trillion VND (44 million USD) aims to support sustainable livelihoods for the rural poor and to strengthen the adaptive capacity of target communities and institutions to better contend with climate change. VNN