Social News 2/11 Photo contest raises awareness of civilized lifestyle   The picture “Civilization- Politeness” by Tran Thanh Hai An award ceremony of a photo competition on Hanoians daily behaviors was held in Hanoi on October 31 by the Ha Noi Moi (New Hanoi) Newspaper and the municipal Department of Culture and Information. Two first prizes went to Thai Ba Hoat for the photo titled “Rules-Responsibility- Conscientious- Hospitality”, and Tran Thanh Hai for the picture “Civilization- Politeness”. The organization board selected 70 photos and collections for an exhibition which will be opened for the public in walking street. Launched 5 months ago, the contest received nearly 1,000 submissions of more than 90 authors. Artworks showing people's daily bad and good behaviors in the capital, and also aim to raise awareness among people of building good lifestyle.       FPT provides scholarships for doctoral training course Vietnamese telecoms firm FPT Corp will offer three scholarships each worth VND700 million ($30,827) for three persons who pursue doctoral course  FPT , University of Engineering and Technology (UET) and University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) yesterday in Hanoi co-signed an agreement in training IT personnel. As per the agreement, the three sides agreed on training & student exchange program; information exchange for mutual development and carrying out postgraduate course of IT. At first, they will liaise to provide scholarships for doctoral course for AI, IoT. FPT will offer three scholarships each worth VND 700 million for three people who pursue doctoral course meanwhile UET, and UTS will receive admission and provide training. After graduation, the two schools will issue PhD degree to graduates. Under the agreement, postgraduates will be trained by lecturers of the two schools and FPT. They are offered scholarships and received their salary in three years with VND15 million per month for the first year. Salary of next years will increase as per their work quality. Moreover, they are sponsored expenditure for travelling to international seminars around the world and modern equipment for their research work. Especially, they will have 12 month internship in UTS in Australia. Manager of FPT Dr. Bui Quang Ngoc expected through cooperation with foreign universities, Vietnam will have leading IT experts especially in the field of AI, IoT for the country’s the fourth industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0. Meantime, Deputy Director of UET Associate Professor Pham Bao Son said this cooperation is totally new in Vietnam. In the cooperation with foreign counterpart, schools and enterprises work together to train IT personnel. UET and its partner UTS had set up a technology research center in Vietnam attracting many postgraduates. Bluffs Ho Tram Strips wins ‘Best Golf Course in Vietnam 2017’ The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip designed by the legendary Greg Norman has surpassed 29 other rivals to win the ‘Best Golf Course in Vietnam 2017’ award. The results of the voting were unveiled at a ceremony in Hanoi on November 31. The voting was conducted from January 1 to August 31 2017 through the website of Vietnam Golf Magazine. This year’s event received great support with more than 86,000 votes for the ‘Best Golf Course in Vietnam 2017’ award and 18 other titles.  This is the second time the Bluffs Ho Tram Strip has won the prestigious award. The golf course was put into operation in 2013. It is the only golf course in Vietnam which has been ranked 74th in the World Top 100 Golf Course in 2016 and 2017 by GolfDigest. Sam Thomas, Golf Development Manager of Golf Environment Organization (GEO),said that this year, organizers have paid special attention to environmental protection.  He noted that golf courses need to conserve resources and create community values as well as promote the sustainability and image of golf in the long-term. The voting for Best Golf Course in Vietnam was held by Vietnam Golf Magazine in collaboration with the Vietnam Golf Association, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, and the General Department of Physical Training and Sports, who aim to publicize the potential of golf tourism in Vietnam. This year, the jury panel drew the participation of representatives from the International Association of Golf Tour Operators. Brandlaureate Awards to be held in VN for first time      The Brandlaureate Special Edition World Awards 2017 will be held in Việt Nam for the first time, with a gala awards dinner organised in December in HCM City. The brand awards recognises leaders in the business community via its international recognition platform. It will be exclusively reserved for leading brands in Việt Nam that have successfully built their brands. Top brands are well respected and admired in the business community and by consumers in domestic as well as foreign markets. Among the significant awards include the Brandlaureate awards for multinationals, public listed companies, transnational corporations, Government-linked corporations and large corporations. The winners are evaluated and selected by a brand committee based on criteria which includes brand strategy, brand culture, integrated brand communications, brand innovation and brand performance. Each recipient will receive a 24k gold plated trophy and certificate which reflects the pursuit of brand excellence and the journey taken to achieve the company’s leadership status. The Asia Pacific Brands Foundation is the world’s only brands and branding foundation, dedicated to promoting excellent brands and brand culture in the business community around the world. Founded in 2004, it is a non-profit organization.  Vietnam, RoK share experience in policy communication More than 100 scientists, policy makers, researchers, lecturers and press experts from Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) were brought together at a workshop in Hanoi on November 1 to share experience in communicating public policy to promote social consensus in specific arenas such as healthcare and nuclear energy. The panels emphasised on the crucial role of policy communication in creating social consensus and pointed out challenges in the field, especially in the era of information boom. They said the application of modern technologies to build the e-government is a key solution to improving the efficiency of public policy, increasing the accountability of ministries and departments, and ensuring the public right of information access. Director General of the Vietnam Government Portal Vi Quang Dao said the Government and the Prime Minister of Vietnam always pay due attention to communicating public policy with the consistent viewpoint of being open to the press. All activities of the Government and State agencies must be public and transparent in order to build a facilitating and incorruptible Government to serve people and businesses, he added. The RoK’s Ambassador to Vietnam Lee Hyuk said policy communicators are important and active contributors to promoting the two countries’ friendship and cooperation. He noted that the bilateral relations have been thriving since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992. The RoK is the biggest foreign investor in Vietnam with a total capital of over 50 billion USD, while Vietnam is the third largest trade partner of the RoK. Two-way trade in 2016 hit 45.1 billion USD, he added. The international symposium was jointly organised by the Academy of Journalism and Communication, the Vietnam Government Portal, and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). Photo exhibition highlights Vietnam-Russia friendship A photo exhibition highlighting the Vietnam-Russia friendship kicked off in Ho Chi Minh City on November 1. It is part of the activities held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Russian October Revolution (November 7). The exhibition features 100 photos focusing on three themes, namely the October Revolution in 1917, the Vietnam-Russia friendship and the beloved Russia.  Photos of construction projects built in Vietnam with the help of Russia are also on display, including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Vietnam-Soviet Union Cultural Friendship Palace, Tri An and Hoa Binh Hydropower Plants. Visitors also have a chance to contemplate photos of famous destinations in Russia such as Lenin Mausoleum and Red Square. The event is expected to raise public awareness about the October Revolution and the Vietnam-Russia strategic partnership for benefits of their people and for the sake of regional and international peace and development.  The exhibition runs until November 10. Organisation provides aid for flood victims in Hoa Binh The CARE International in Vietnam on October 31 launched activities to support flood-hit residents of the northern mountainous province of Hoa Binh to overcome consequences of severe floods in early October. According to the organisation, it has provided support to 10 communes in Hoa Binh’s three districts of Lac Thuy, Yen Thuy and Mai Chau. As many as 8,675 people in more than 1,730 households received hygiene kits, along with blankets, mosquito nets and water filters. The aid, came from financial support from the Start Fund, an NGO-managed emergency pooled fund that is financed by the Governments of Ireland and the UK, costs over three billion VND (132,142 USD). Continuous downpours from October 10 triggered floods and landslides in Vietnam’s northern and north central regions, causing huge losses in humans and property.  Up to 75 people were killed, 38 injured and 28 others went missing. More than 2,600 households were forced to evacuate. Final round of "Breaking the Limit 2017" competition held The final round of “Breaking the Limit 2017” competition in the third season was organized recently in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City by Deloitte Vietnam in co-operation with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). Launched in August 2017, the competition attracted more than 2,000 students nationwide. 165 students, including 80 in Hanoi and 85 in Ho Chi Minh City, who have passed four rounds of the competition in term of application, writing test, group interview and personal interview, entered  the finals with the contests focusing on the economic field. Accordingly, the final round will include two parts: “Knowledge” and “English Eloquence”. The total prize value of the competition is up to VND 1 billion ($44,000). 2 champions in the two cities will be invited to join the ICAEW Regional Business Challenge organized annually in a Southeast Asia country and visit Deloitte Office in Southeast Asia. Top 6 runner-up will receive awards in cash and scholarship from Deloitte Vietnam and ICAEW to study professional qualifications. Top 10 runner up will receive ICAEW full scholarship on Finance, Accounting and Business Speaking at the event, Ms. Tran Thuy Trang, HR & Learning Director of Deloitte Vietnam, said: "With a strong commitment to develop the quality of human resources and efforts to bring opportunities for students to practice and work in an international environment with globally leading experts, we believe that students will achieve useful experience in Deloitte Vietnam which would be a good foundation to develop their future careers.” Ms. Dang Thi Mai Trang, Chief Representative of ICAEW Vietnam, also shared that, through the competition, Deloitte Vietnam and ICAWE would like to bring more learning and development opportunities to students, so that one day they will grow up and make a positive contribution to the development of Vietnam’s auditing and accounting sector. Organized annually since 2015, the competition aims at providing professional challenge to final year students or newly graduated ones specializing in banking - finance, auditing – accounting, law and taxation in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. “Vietnam Day 2017” held in New Zealand The Vietnamese Students’ Association in Victoria University of Wellington recently held the “Vietnam Day 2017” in New Zealand’s capital city of Wellington. This year, the event was organised outdoor for the first time at the Cuba Street in the centre of Wellington, with the theme “V-District: A Step to Vietnam”. It featured performances of Vietnamese students in Wellington and children from Vietnamese language courses. Traditional dishes of Vietnam were also served at the event. The cultural exchange event is held annually in Wellington by the Vietnamese Students’ Association in Wellington (VSAW), with support of the Embassy of Vietnam and the Vietnamese community in Wellington. It aims to promote images of Vietnam’s people, culture and cuisine to local people and international students in New Zealand. Project to develop VNA’s major newspapers serving external relations Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has approved a project to develop some national print and online newspapers in service of external affairs of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) to 2020 with a vision towards 2030. Accordingly, in 2020, the print newspaper Vietnam News and Vietnam Pictorial, as well as VietnamPlus electronic newspaper are poised to become national-level publications providing foreign news service with regional and global impacts and undertake the task of providing foreign news in line with guidelines and policies of the Party and State.  Specifically, the print version of Vietnam News will be improved in both quantity and quality of news, while the online version will be developed to gradually replace the print version and reach readers in 190 countries, 40 more from the current 150 countries. The print version of Vietnam Pictorial will be provided free to 160 countries, with priority giving to readers in areas along the Vietnam-Laos border, China and some Latin American countries. As the project aims to turn VietnamPlus into one of the five e-newspapers nationwide with the highest visits from other countries, the e-newspaper will have a Russian version along with those written in English, French, Spanish, and Chinese. It is set to become an e-paper with the most multimedia forms and a leader in using novel technologies in news production. From 2020 to 2030, Vietnam Pictorial will have French, Khmer and Russian print versions while VietnamPlus will have Japanese, Korean and German versions. Print newspapers will be basically transformed to e-papers. The VNA currently boasts a network of 63 representative offices nationwide and 30 representative offices worldwide. With more than 60 media products by more than 1,000 reporters and editors out of its 2,400-strong staff, the VNA is now the media office having the largest number of products and forms in the country: bulletins, photos, TV programmes, dailies, weeklies, monthlies, magazines, pictorials, books, e-newspapers and information programmes on mobile platforms. Quang Ninh accelerates efforts to develop tourism The tourism sector in the north-eastern border province of Quang Ninh has been growing rapidly, gradually affirming its brand and position in an effort to turn the locality into one of the biggest tourism centers nationwide. Currently, the province has been speeding up the implementation of important projects such as Ha Long – Hai Phong expressway, Bac Luan II bridge, Van Don international airport, Van Don economic zone, Ha Long – Van Don and Van Don – Mong Cai highways, FLC Ha Long golf course and resort, Quang Hanh mineral hot spring resort, among others. Some projects will be put into operation at the end of this year or in early 2018. Apart from strong investment in transport and tourism infrastructure, the province has raised a large amount of external capital.  The overall plan on developing Quang Ninh tourism by 2020 and with a vision toward 2030 has made positive impacts on local tourism activities via attracting a series of new investment projects from strategic partners such as BIM Group, Vingroup, Sun Group, My Way, Tuan Chau and FLC. The active investment in tourism products from such businesses has brought facelift to the local tourism industry. With strong determination to develop tourism, the Executive Board of the provincial Party Committee has promulgated an action plan implementing the Politburo’s Resolution No 08-NQ/TW dated January 16, 2017, on developing tourism into a spearhead economy by 2030. Being favoured by nature with a range of stunning landscapes, clear turquoise sea and spectacular limestone pillars together with numerous tourism investment projects, Quang Ninh boasts huge potential to develop sustainable green tourism. Quang Ninh has a coastline of more than 250 kilometres and over 2,000 islets which account for two-thirds of the total number in Vietnam. The spectacular stretch of coast connects the UNESCO-recognised World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay with majestic natural scenery, Bai Tu Long Bay, Van Don and Co To islands and Tra Co beach with Cat Ba National Park in the northern port city of Hai Phong. Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba island and Do Son beach (Hai Phong city) are prioritised to develop into national tourism sites.  Along with the renowned Ha Long Bay, Quan Lan, Minh Chau, Ngoc Vung, Dai beaches in Van Don island district and Tra Co and Vinh Thuc in Mong Cai city have grown in stature among domestic and international tourists thanks to their breathtaking sea and coral reef. By 2020, Quang Ninh aims to welcome 15-16 million tourists, including seven million foreigners, and rake in 30-40 trillion VND (1.3-1.7 billion USD) in revenue. The tourism sector is expected to contribute 14-15 percent to the gross regional domestic product (GRDP).  In 2016, Quang Ninh greeted 8.3 million tourist arrivals, a year-on-year increase of 7 percent, and earned over 13 trillion VND (571 million USD) in revenue, up 23 percent, according to the Quang Ninh Department of Tourism.  Particularly, the world natural heritage site of Ha Long Bay welcomed 6.3 million tourists and grossed 7.7 trillion VND (over 338 million USD) in revenue, representing respective increases of 14 percent and 65 percent from the previous year. About 2.7 million of the visitors were foreigners, a year-on-year growth of 16 percent. HCM City, Japan’s Saitama look to partnership in manpower training Ho Chi Minh City is ready to cooperate with Japan’s Saitama prefecture in manpower training, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan said on October 31. While receiving a business delegation of Saitama prefecture led by its Governor Kiyoshi Ueda, Nhan said Japan is a strategic partner of Vietnam and HCM City, adding that the city supports the establishment of a representative office of Saitama’s administration here in order to enhance bilateral connectivity and bring benefits to both sides. HCM City has paid due attention to personnel training, particularly in hi-tech industries, and it wants to coordinate with Saitama to train manpower in the fields of mechanics, automation and nursing in accordance with demands of Saitama businesses, he noted. The successful cooperation in human resource development with Saitama will not only meet the needs of Japanese companies but also provide HCM City with high-quality manpower for future development. Kiyoshi Ueda said the prefecture has economic potentials and is the location of the headquarters of many major Japanese businesses.  Saitama’s administration and companies want to intensify partnerships with HCM City for the sake of both sides’ enterprises and people, he said. Ueda asked the municipal authorities to create favourable conditions for Saitama to open a representative office to support joint activities between the two sides’ administrations and businesses. The governor also hoped that HCM City will assist Saitama firms to carry out cooperation activities, especially in manpower training, through sending local apprentices to Japan and recruiting Vietnamese students in Japan to Saitama firms. Constitution must be respected for Spain’s unity: spokesperson The recent developments regarding the Catalonia region are internal affairs of Spain, said Spokesperson of Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry Le Thi Thu Hang. These affairs need to be solved on the basis of the country’s Constitution and law for Spain’s unity and stability, she added.  She made the remarks on October 31 in response to reporters’ question about the recent happenings pertaining to the Catalonia region of Spain. Overseas Vietnamese in Cambodia support flood victims  The General Association of Vietnamese Cambodians on October 31 launched a campaign to raise funds for flood-hit residents in northern mountainous and north central provinces of the home country. The launching ceremony was attended by staff members of the Vietnamese Embassy, leaders of the association as well as representatives of Vietnamese businesses, donors and overseas Vietnamese in Cambodia. Chau Van Chi, Chairman of the General Association of Vietnamese Cambodians, called on the participants to donate money to aid affected people, helping them to overcome flood consequences and stabilise their lives. In response to the call, about 4,500 USD was raised at the ceremony to support flood-affected localities. The association will continue receiving donations in the time to come. On October 20, the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia also called for donations to support flood victims, with its staff and members of representative agencies donated at least one-day salary. Continuous downpours from October 10 triggered floods and landslides in Vietnam’s northern and north central regions, causing huge losses in humans and property.  Up to 75 people were killed, 38 injured and 28 others went missing. More than 2,600 households were forced to evacuate. Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh meets outgoing US ambassador Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh received outgoing US Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius in Hanoi on October 31. Earlier, the US diplomat bade farewell to President Tran Dai Quang and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Ted Osius assumed his duties in Vietnam in 2014 and is set to works as Vice President of the Fulbright University Vietnam after leaving office. His tenure witnessed more mutual visits by Vietnamese and US leaders than any other ambassadors, including a historic visit to the US by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in July 2015, a visit to Vietnam by former US President Barack Obama in July 2016, and a tour of the US by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in May 2017.  Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Da Nang city and to pay a visit to Vietnam in early November. Bilateral trade grew from 36 billion USD in 2014, when Osius took office, to more than 50 billion USD at present. Total US investment in Vietnam has surpassed 10 billion USD. Deputy PM to attend ground-breaking ceremony of Lao NA building Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung and a Government delegation are in Laos from October 31-November 1 for the project on Laos’s National Assembly building, a gift from the Vietnamese Party, State and people. At a working session with Lao National Assembly Vice Chairman Somphan Phengkhammy on October 31, Deputy PM Dung said that the project is special since it constitutes a symbol of the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos. The two sides pledged to work closely together to prepare for the ground-breaking ceremony for the project on November 1, as well as the construction of the building, which is designed to have modern architecture featuring the cultural identity of Laos, while ensuring its functional effectiveness. Somphan Phengkhammy, who is also head of Laos’s Steering Committee for the project, expressed his deep gratitude towards the whole-hearted support that Vietnam has given to Laos not only during the past struggle for national independence but also in the current national construction and development. He said that all preparations for the ceremony have been promptly made. He also pledged that the project will be carried out as scheduled. Following the working session, the officials visited the venue of the ground-breaking ceremony and the National Assembly building.-VNA Activities mark 100th anniversary of Russian October Revolution The Hanoi People’s Committee will host a State-level meeting celebrating the 100th anniversary of Russia’s October Revolution (November 17) on November 5 with the participation of over 3,500 people. Besides, cultural and art exchanges will be taking place across the city. A wide range of activities will be organised in Ho Chi Minh City to mark the event. A photo exhibition will take place on Nguyen Hue Street from November 1-10, featuring the Vietnam – Russia friendship as part of the programme titled “Russian days in HCM City”. A number of art performances will be held on November 4-5 to celebrate the event. The HCM City Union of Friendship Organisations and the Vietnam – Russia Friendship Association will jointly host a meeting on the occasion while the municipal Department of Information and Communication will hold an exhibition on Russian books. Thailand’s Bangkok Post highlights Vietnam’s role as APEC 2017 host Thailand’s Bangkok Post on October 31 highlighted Vietnam’s role as host of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting scheduled for the central city of Da Nang on November 10-11.  The article said the summit has great significance in terms of economic and strategic matters, given the rapidly changing world, adding that Vietnam has four key objectives at the event.  First of all, amid the rise of populism and protectionism, the host must seize the moment with APEC leaders to make their cooperative process more effective and efficient.  Secondly, the efforts to reduce trade barriers and increase investment liberalisation must continue as APEC is entering its fourth decade of development.  Thirdly, to sustain economic growth, Vietnam must use this opportunity to further promote bilateral trade to expand its exports and attract foreign investment.  Finally, Da Nang is considered Vietnam's most well-known port facility and will be the showcase for future connectivity that links Southeast Asia to the rest of the world. During the US President Donald Trump's visit to Da Nang, Vietnam can showcase the diplomatic finesse which has brought it international recognition.  According to the article, Vietnam will also use the APEC platform to push Washington to display a clearer position on trade and investment liberalisation.  As host of the APEC 2017, Vietnam will seek further commitment on the sidelines of the event from 11 member countries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership that the trade deal should continue even without the US participation. In conclusion, it said the success of APEC would further enhance Vietnam's leading role at the ASEAN Summit. Already, the country is also preparing for its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020 to ensure that the group will work in tangible ways to strengthen ASEAN centrality and external relations, as well as community-building by closing the gap between its old and new members. Rehabilitation project for disabled people ends More than 13,100 people with disabilities, including victims of Agent Orange (AO), received guidance on rehabilitation at home, and about 1,900 made progress, seeing improvements to their health and better integration with the community over the past four years. These were some of the results of a project on rehabilitation in the community for victims of American chemical substances during the war in Việt Nam. The closing ceremony of the project was held in Hà Nội on Monday by the Ministry of Health (MoH) in co-ordination with the Hà Nội University of Public Health. Under the project, a network of more than 1,100 collaborators on rehabilitation was set up in 13 districts of six provinces including Lào Cai, Thái Bình, Quảng Nam, Quảng Ngãi, Đồng Nai and Bến Tre. Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyễn Viết Tiến said that the model of early discovery and early rehabilitation for children under six with disabilities should be maintained and expanded. Deputy Minister Tiến asked the health sector and concerned organisations to continue helping AO victims and people with disabilities access health examination and treatment services, as well as functional rehabilitation. The capacity of providing health treatment at medical stations and rehabilitation centres should be improved, he said. More training for medical workers in the field should also be given, he added. The project’s results, Tiến said, expressed the Party’s, the State’s and the MoH’s care for AO victims and people with disabilities. Since then, it had shown great humanity and political meaning, said Tiến. Over the course of 10 years from 1961 to 1971, American troops and their allies spread about 80 million litres of chemical poisons on Việt Nam, of which about 46 million litres contained about 366kg of dioxin – a poisonous substance that has a serious impact on humans. Every year, about 1 in 1,000 children are born with disabilities related to dioxin poisoning in Việt Nam, according to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs. At present, about 4.8 million Vietnamese people are contaminated with AO substances. Hundreds of thousands of them have died, and many live in poverty due to the disabilities associated with the AO poison. By 2016, about 236,000 people across the country and their children who suffer from malformation related to AO poisoning enjoy preferential policies of the State and the Party. Gò Vấp flyover in HCM City completed The second bridge of the Y-shaped flyover in HCM City’s Gò Vấp District connecting Phạm Ngũ Lão and Nguyễn Oanh streets opened to traffic yesterday. It cost more than VNĐ 57 billion (US$2.51 million) and almost five months to build, two months fewer than scheduled. The two-lane bridge is 280 metres long and six metres wide, and allows vehicles to travel one-way to Nguyễn Oanh. The steel flyover, which cost a total of VNĐ406 billion ($17.88 million), has another bridge connecting Nguyễn Oanh and Nguyễn Kiệm Streets that opened to traffic last January. It is helping ease congestion at the Gò Vấp intersection and major roads leading to Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport. One dead, one missing after fishing vessel sinks A squid fishing vessel sank yesterday when attempting to shelter from bad weather near Song Tử Tây Island of the Trường Sa (Spratly) archipelago. One fisherman died and one remains missing. Phạm Văn Châu, vice chairman of Tam Giang Commune’s People’s Committee of Núi Thành District in Quảng Nam Province, said there were 36 aboard the vessel when the accident happened.  Lương Tấn Sỹ, the owner of the vessel, is currently missing. Another crew member was pronounced dead when brought to land. The border guard force of Song Tử Tây Island was able to rescue the other 34 people. Hai Duong: Competition educates students on Health Insurance Students from 15 universities and colleges in northern Hai Duong province on October 31 participated in a competition, entitled “We are health insurance educators”, aiming to encourage students to join the insurance policy scheme between 2016 and 2020. The competition was organised by the province’s Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCM CYU) to provide students with knowledge on the country’s policies and regulations on Health Insurance and improve their capability to educate others on the scheme.  As many as 20 students from difficult backgrounds were also presented with health insurance cards as part of the event. Some 15 teams of five students each from Hai Duong were challenged in three sections of the qualifying round, namely “We are educators”, “Knowledge of health insurance”, and “For the future health” before four of them were selected to compete in the finale. The contest’s challenges focused on the HCM CYU’s role in health insurance education among the youth and how it can effectively organise related activities. The contestants were also encouraged to propose initiatives to get more people join the health insurance scheme. The Health Insurance is designed to help people avoid financial catastrophes caused by unexpected and expensive medical events. However, many students have yet to purchase the insurance mostly due to lack of awareness of its significance while universities and colleges have paid little attention to educating the students on the issue. According to the Vietnam Social Security (VSS), in this school year, the percentage of students joining medical insurance has reached 92.5 percent, equivalent to 15.9 million students nationwide, as compared to 90.5 percent and 15.6 million students last school year. A new regulation recently introduced allows each student who joins the health insurance scheme to receive a code that could be used for recording insurance history and processing payment claims throughout their lives.   Under the regulation, the monthly fee for medical insurance for students is 4.5 percent of the State basic salary level, or 58,500 VND (2.5 USD), increasing from 3 percent last year. Each student would pay 70 percent of the fee; the rest would be paid by the State. The cardholders, excluding poor students, can receive benefits of up to 80 percent of their medical treatment fees. Summer-autumn crop yields 11.5 million tonnes of rice Vietnam’s rice output during the summer-autumn crop was estimated at 11.5 million tonnes, an increase of 127,500 tonnes, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The total rice farming land for this crop was 2.1 million hectares, with 1.93 million hectares in the southern region. The Mekong Delta region, the country’s granary, alone had 1.65 million hectares, representing 98.6% of the same period last year. By mid-October, 661,500 hectares in the Mekong Delta had been sowed for the autumn-winter crop. Numerous localities pumped water into fields to enrich farming land and reduce diseases for the next crop. The northern region had by mid-October harvested the winter rice crop on 870,800 hectares, accounting for 76.7% of the total farming land, including the Red Delta harvesting on 418,400 hectares, or 77.1% of its cultivation land. Heavy rain to return to southern Vietnam A tropical depression is forecast to pass by Vietnam's southernmost point on November 1, bringing heavy rain to the region, according to the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting (NCHMF). Another tropical depression east of the Philippines is also forecast to enter the East Sea, known internationally as the South China Sea, in the next few days. As of 4 p.m. on October 31, the first tropical depression was about 300 kilometers (190 miles) east-southeast of Con Dao Island, with wind speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour. The depression is heading west-northwest at 15-20 kilometers per hour and is expected to enter the waters around the southernmost province of Ca Mau in the afternoon of November 1. Heavy rain, tornadoes and strong winds are forecast to batter Vietnam's southern coast from Binh Thuan Province to Ca Mau Province, as well as Phu Quy and Con Dao islands. Southern and south central provinces could also expect rains of up to 200 millimeters from October 31 until the end of November 2. Meanwhile the second tropical depression is heading west at about 20 kilometers per hour. As of November 1 afternoon, it would be about 100 kilometers east of Palawan Island with wind speeds of up to 75 kilometers per hour. The depression is forecast to pass through central Philippines and enter the East Sea on November 2, and might strengthen into the 12th storm of the year. Vietnam has been suffering from destructive stormy weather once again this year. Floods in northern Vietnam killed at least 26 people and washed away hundreds of homes in August before Typhoon Doksuri, the strongest to hit the country in years, killed at least eight people in the central region last month. The most recent deadly floods earlier this month have killed at least 83 people and washed away hundreds of homes. According to the NCHMF, Vietnam is bracing for a particularly stormy typhoon season this year, with up to 15 typhoons and tropical depressions expected to develop over the East Sea. 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. Photo exhibition, seminar on President Ho Chi Minh held in Bulgaria A photo exhibition and seminar on late President Ho Chi Minh took place in Sofia, Bulgaria, on October 30, attracting 200 officials and guests from both nations. The event marked six decades since the Vietnamese leader had held a State-visit to the East European country and 67 years since the two nations established diplomatic relations. The exhibition featured photos sent from Vietnam and archived by different Bulgarian agencies. Also on display were photos on Vietnamese national protection and construction progress as well as ancient maps on Vietnamese sea and islands. The seminar consists of two sessions on the late President and on Vietnam – Bulgaria ties. In her opening speech at the seminar, Bulgarian Vice President Iliana Iotova said her mother, who was there during the time President Ho Chi Minh had visited Bulgaria, and her generation held respect and admiration for the man over his humility and how he spent most of his time here meeting locals and visiting schools and farms. Vietnamese Ambassador to Bulgaria Nguyen Thi Hong Oanh stressed Bulgaria was among the first 10 countries supporting the late President’s message sent to the world in 1950 that Vietnam would set up diplomatic ties with any nations which respected equality right and Vietnam’s territorial sovereignty. The seminar saw Vietnamese and Bulgarian experts discussing bilateral cooperation in trade, commerce, and culture as well as people-to-people exchange via social organisations. Transport Ministry required to give priority to tackling airport traffic jam Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung required the Ministry of Transport to give priority to reducing traffic jam for areas in and outside Tan Son Nhat International Airport at a working session with newly appointed Minister Nguyen Van The yesterday.  At the meeting, Mr. Dung spelled out a slew of missions for the ministry in the coming phase. Tackling traffic jam for Tan Son Nhat airport is one of the priority missions in aviation field. Specifically, the minister should prompt relevant sides to complete the airport expansion projects fastest, least costly and most efficiently. Tan Son Nhat Airport should be put in the overall airport network of the southern region and the country. In addition, the ministry should positively conduct preparation works to start building Long Thanh Airport as per schedule. In road sector, deputy PM Dung asked the ministry to take the initiative in putting forward solutions and mechanisms to disburse investment capital efficiently for under construction projects and study suitable policies to attract social investment capital. In short term, the ministry should invest in some important stretches of North South Expressway and major routes to connect regions. In waterway field, the deputy PM suggested the ministry to have solutions to improve management and operation of the system of large seaports such as Cai Mep-Thi Vai, Dung Quat and Lach Huyen. Minister Nguyen Van The affirmed that he would focus on the missions to solve traffic jam for Tan Son Nhat airport and prepare for construction of Long Thanh airport and apply solutions to reduce traffic jam and accidents. Minister Nguyen Van The stressed that he is willing to receive direct opinions about difficulties and problems in the transport industry to gather collective strengths and fulfill assigned missions. Government yet to allocate capital for HCMC’s 36 anti-flooding projects The Government has not allocated funds for 36 anti-flooding projects in HCMC yet, explaining that the city’s proposal to receive VND9,963 billion neither meet norms of national important projects nor suit the NA’s resolution on mid-term investment plan. Therefore, the Government will continue requiring the People’s Committee of HCMC to urgently complete investment procedures for the projects. In January this year, the Government assigned the committee to complete the pre-feasibility study report for anti-flooding projects, ask for city People’s Council opinions and submit to the Government in the first quarter this year. The Government would assess the pre-feasibility study as per regulations at the Public Investment Law and report to the 14th NA to approve at the third session. In Document no. 4707 issued on July 29 about the list of anti-flooding projects in HCMC, the city People’s Committee proposed the Prime Minister to permit it to establish anti-flooding sub-projects without pre-feasibility study reports. Therefore, the city People’s Committee proposal for the Government's allocation of VND9,963 billion (US$439 million) does not meet national important project norms and not suit regulations at the NA’s resolution 26 on mid term investment plan in the phase of 2016-2020. According to the plan, the NA has decided the total amount of VND2,000 trillion. so far, the Government has allocated VND1,600 trillion accounting for 89.2 percent of the plan. The remaining amount tops VND194 trillion accounting for 10.7 percent. HCMC’s anti-flooding projects are among those which the Government has not allocated funds yet. HCMC to crack down on trade frauds, protect consumer rights Chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong yesterday affirmed that the city will crack down on illegal acts especially those directly affected consumers’ rights. He was speaking at a conference on socioeconomic conditions during the first ten months of 2017 hosted by the committee, requiring the Department of Industry and Trade to report Khaisilk case. Director of the department Pham Thanh Kien said that Khaisilk Group now has three stores in HCMC. They all have been shut down for inspection. Implementing the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s requirement, HCMC’s authorized agencies have been inspecting trading activities of the group in the city. The agencies will crack down on violations and report to the city People’s Committee in the upcoming time, said Mr. Kien. A store of Khaisilk Group in Hanoi was found selling Chinese scarfs under Vietnamese labels. The public has raised objection against the mislabeling, believing that the group has cheated customers by importing Chinese products to sell at high prices with the brand of ‘made in Vietnam’. Company fined for boasting nutritional supplements The Vietnam Food Administration (VFA) under the Ministry of Health yesterday slapped a fine of VND85 million ($3,742) on a company of herb development for violating the current advertising regulation.   Head of VFA Nguyen Thanh Phong said that the herb development company had released its product Hamomax on the website http://hamomax.vn without the authority’s censor. Seriously, the firm put up the advertisement on the website by using a quote from a doctor or another health professional which influenced consumers based on unrealistic use of its health product and use image of famous infirmaries and medical workers without asking permission. Along with the fine, the health authority asked the firm to remove the advertisement and put the record straight as per the present law. Before, the firm released also an information on its website that Professor Do Quoc Hung of Bach Mai hospital in Hanoi has found out the way to reduce blood fat without side-effect. Additionally, the firm used image of the professor and his quote for the nutritional supplement Hamomax. Professor Hung was upset about the false information because the firm has used his personal share as advertisement for its health product. Meantime, the health authority also issued an administrative fine of VND50 million on An Minh Southern Company in 105 Tran Thien Chanh Street in ward 12 in Ho Chi Minh City’s district 10 and Asia International Pharmaceutical in 91 Nguyen Xien Street in Hanoi’s Thanh Xuan District for violating nutritional supplement. Each company was fined VND50 million. Both companies were putting up advertisement of its health products Smarto, AC-samin; Sinus plus; HepaB Extra; Beauty Skin on the website: http://smarto.vn; http://duocquocteachau.com which caused misunderstanding that supplements can be used as drugs. They were asked to remove false advertisements and correct it. Canon PhotoMarathon finds winners The panel of judges of Canon PhotoMarathon 2017 in HCMC on Sunday named winners for their outstanding works that well depicted the topics of “Saigon Smile,” “In the Middle” and “Condominium” in the city. Pham Ngo Dinh Luan scooped the special prize of the annual photography contest for his photograph featuring a person who thurified and prayed at a pagoda. The prize comprised of a Canon EOS 6D Mark II camera body, a Canon PIXMA Pro 100 printer and a ticket to take part in Canon PhotoMarathon Asia Championship 2018 in Japan. Luan said when he had accepted the “In the middle” topic, he thought about something in balance, quiet and sacred. He took a picture of his intention after more than two hours waiting at the pagoda.   Luan described the prize as a big motivation for him to keep his photography career. Luan had participated in Canon PhotoMarathon for four years and worked as a professional photographer for nearly four years. The first prizes of the “Saigon Smile” topic went to Trinh Phuong Thao, of the “In the middle” to Truong Thi Kieu Tien and the “Condominium” to Nguyen Thanh Tuyen. Each of them got a Canon EOS 77D camera and EF-S18-55mm IS STM lens and a PIXMA TS8070 printer. Organizers of the Canon PhotoMarathon also handed a Canon EOS 800D camera and EF-S18-55mm IS STM lens and a PIXMA G2000 printer to each of the winners of the second prizes of the three-mentioned topics, and a Canon EOS M6 camera and EF-15-45mm IS STM lens and a PIXMA MG3670 printer each to winners of the third prizes.   About 7,000 contestants joined the Canon PhotoMarathon 2017 in HCMC, which was held on the final day of the Canon Expo 2017, a four-day exhibition which showcased Canon’s new technologies, products and services. Hiroshi Yokota, CEO of Canon Marketing Vietnam, said the number of contestants in HCMC this year nearly doubled that at Canon the PhotoMarathon in 2016. The contest had been organized in Vietnam for 12 years as an annual major event for young photography lovers. Over 300 join Bitexco Financial Tower skyrun More than 300 local and expatriate runners on Sunday participated in the “HCMC Skyrun” vertical race at the Bitexco Financial Tower, the tallest building in downtown HCMC. Inspired by the world’s skyscraper racing circuit, the first Bitexco Vertical Run took place in 2011 and attracted a lot of attention and applause from the media and sport enthusiasts in the country. This year, the second edition of the competition in the city also marked the seventh anniversary of the Bitexco Financial Tower. The competition challenged runners to climb a total of 1,000 steps to reach the finishing line on the Saigon Skydeck on the 49th floor at a height of 178 meters, where the city’s skyline and the Saigon River can be seen. Since its official launch in 2010, the iconic Bitexco Financial Tower with 68 levels has emerged as a place of choice for major events in the city, and a new symbol of a fast growing HCMC. Brian Cannon, deputy director of Bitexco Financial Tower, said in a statement that the vertical race competition is expected to promote the sport spirit among local residents and those from abroad as well as develop a new sporting activity in Vietnam. VNN