Social News 5/11 Bien Hoa city needs $1.6 billion for renewal   Bien Hoa City Bien Hoa city in the southern province of Dong Nai needs over 36 trillion VND (over 1.6 billion USD) to implement urban renovation and renewal projects between 2016 and 2030. Under a resolution issued at a meeting of the municipal People’s Committee on November 2, the city’s authorities will invest in urgent urban development projects between 2017 and 2020 to turn Bien Hoa into a first-grade urban area under Dong Nai province. This would help make it an economic hub of the southern key economic region that also includes Ho Chi Minh City. In the 2017 – 2030 period, with a vision to 2050, Bien Hoa will use its resources toward engineering infrastructure with the aim of becoming an industrial, cultural, commercial and service centre. Although Bien Hoa was recognised as a first-grade urban area, it has not reached a number of criteria, according to participants at the meeting. Bien Hoa authorities were urged to develop policies to attract resources and investors, implement major infrastructure works, and create an urban landscape as required under a grade-I urban area. The major works that would change the face of Bien Hoa include the construction and upgrading of roads running along the Dong Nai and Cai rivers. Meanwhile, construction of other major roads in the city will be speeded up. The municipal authorities have asked the People’s Committee of Dong Nai province for construction of a 5.5-km road running along the Dong Nai River, and the building will start soon after the project is approved by provincial authorities. The city is also preparing for a project to build a 4.5km road along the Cai River.  Its authorities have mapped out a plan for construction of a city administrative office on a 11,200-sq.m area in the city’s Thong Nhat Ward. A total of 300 billion VND (11.2 million USD) will be spent on the nine-story building under the public – private – partnership investment form, according to city authorities. Vietnam-Japan culture festival underway in Can Tho The third Vietnam-Japan Culture and Trade Exchange is taking place in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho from November 3 to 5, drawing the participation of nearly 100 businesses from both Vietnam and Japan. The three-day event, co-organised by the Can Tho chapter of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Consulate General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City, is part of the activities to celebrate 45 years of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties in 2018. The festival offers an ideal platform to promote the beauty of the country and people of Japan to Can Tho citizens and vice versa, as well as to strengthen exchange activities between the two countries’ companies and attract more Japanese investment in the Mekong Delta region as a whole and Can Tho in particular, thus contributing to tightening the fine relationship between Vietnam and Japan. According to Deputy Director of VCCI Can Tho, Nguyen Phuong Lam, this year’s Vietnam-Japan festival promises to be an interesting destination, accommodating a scale of 120 pavilions imbued with cultural and festive features of both Vietnam and Japan, showcasing products of various types in an array of industries, including technology, electric machinery, household electric appliances, fashion, handicraft and fine arts, cosmetics and trade. In addition, the programme also features unique performances by traditional and modern arts troupes coming from the two countries. Visitors will have a chance to enjoy artistic firework displays and moving films of Vietnam and Japan, alongside learning Origami and the art of Japanese tea, dress themselves in a Kimono or Yukata, and disguise themselves as a Samurai or a Ninja. Kazunori Hosoya, Deputy Consul General of Japan in HCM City, expressed his optimism about the outlook of the Vietnam-Japan relationship, stating that the increasing number and efficiency of trade promotion and cultural exchange activities between the two countries are a vivid evidence for his belief. In 2016, Vietnam welcomed over 740,000 Japanese tourist arrivals, while Japan received around 230,000 Vietnamese visitors to the country.  In Can Tho alone, four Japanse-financed projects have been completed since 2013, with a total capital of more than 7 billion VND (308,000 USD). Party official appreciates IMF’s assistance for Vietnam Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Economic Affairs Nguyen Van Binh met with a delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) led by Chief of the IMF’s Asia and Pacific Department Alex Mourmouras in Hanoi on November 3. Mourmouras briefed his host about his delegation’s assessment and consultation outcomes along with some recommendations regarding the country’s macro-economic outlook, fiscal and monetary-banking policies, and State-owned enterprises in 2017. The IMF highly valued Vietnam’s macro-economic stabilisation efforts and socio-economic achievements. It believes that the country will maintain stable development and fulfil its set targets, he said. He affirmed that the IMF will always support Vietnam’s development efforts. Chairman Binh appreciated the IMF’s policy consultancy and effective assistance for Vietnam’s economic development over the past years. He said his country will push on with stabilising the macro-economy, economic restructuring and creating favourable conditions for foreign investors. He also hailed the IMF’s fruitful cooperation with relevant agencies and localities of Vietnam, including the State Bank of Vietnam. He asked the IMF to keep close cooperation with and prioritise the Southeast Asian nation in the time ahead, especially in giving policy consultancy, providing technical solutions, training manpower, and increasing financial aid for economic restructuring.- Flights cancelled on Nov 4 as storm Damrey hit south central coast Vietnam’s airlines continued adjusting their flights from/to several central localities on November 4 as storm Damrey landed the south central coast early the day. Specifically, national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines cancelled 14 flights between Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City and Quy Nhon, between Ho Chi Minh City/Da Nang and Buon Ma Thuot, between Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City and Da Lat, and between Hanoi and Chu Lai.  Vietnam Airlines plans to reschedule the flights on November 5. To ensure safety for passengers, low-cost carrier Vietjet Air also called off 22 flights from/to airports in the central region, including Da Nang, Chu Lai, Quy Nhon, Tuy Hoa, Cam Ranh and Da Lat. The two airlines advised passengers to visit their official websites or call the customer service centres for updated information.- HCM City marks Russian October Revolution’s 100th anniversary The Vietnam-Russia relationship has been thriving thanks to joint efforts made by leaders and people of both countries, Hoang Minh Nhan, President of the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City, said at a ceremony in the city on November 3 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Russian October Revolution (November 7). Nhan recalled the historical significance of the Russia October Revolution, one of the events with greatest influence in the 20th century, which brought in a new ideology of the humankind. The event is of special significance to Vietnam, he said, adding that it greatly influenced the country’s development and laid a foundation for the sound traditional friendship between the two countries. He affirmed the association’s commitments to preserving and developing the traditional and fine relations between Vietnam and Russia. Meanwhile, Le Thanh Sang, Director of the Academy of Social Sciences of the Southern Region, said that success of the Russian October Revolution led by Vladimir I. Lenin opened up a new era in the humankind, an era of freedom. The revolution left valuable lessons to the Communist Party of Vietnam on organising revolution, building armed forces and the art of grasping opportunities and position of revolution, he said. Dimitri Igorevich Alexayev, Third Secretary of the Russian General Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, appreciated the efforts of agencies and departments of Ho Chi Minh City as well as the HCM City Union of Friendship Organisations to preserve the traditional friendship and cooperation between Russia and Vietnam. Vietnam has been a trustworthy and long-lasting friend of Russia, he said, adding that the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership has been reinforced in all fields from politics, security-defence to economy, trade, science-technology, culture, education and tourism. He expressed belief that with concerted efforts, the two nations will promote close ties they have nurtured over the past years, opening up new prospects of collaboration for the benefits of the Russian and Vietnamese people and interests of the world. Vietnam joins French gastronomy fair as honorary guest Vietnam joined the annual 87th Dijon International Gastronomy Fair as an honorary guest in the capital city of Cote-d’Or department, the eastern French region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté from November 1-12.  Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mayor of Dijon city Francois Rebsamen hailed Vietnam for its traditional culture, cuisines and spectacular landscapes recognised by the UNESCO as world heritages.  In his speech, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Nguyen Ngoc Son said Vietnam attracted 10 million foreign tourists last year, including 230,000 French visitors. However, he said the figure is small compared to nearly 40 million French tourists each year.  He expressed hope that Vietnam will welcome more French visitors after its presence in the event.  The Vietnamese stall offers “cheo” (traditional operetta) performances, brocade weaving and silk products, embroidery, wooden handicrafts, lacquer paintings, sculptured statues, pearl jewelries, among others. A Vietnamese restaurant also introduces specialties from different parts of Vietnam to visitors.  Visitors could learn about general information about Vietnam’s tourism, destinations and tourism projects in need of capital, or even book Vietnamese tours.  As one of the six major international fairs in France, the Dijon International Gastronomy Fair has been held annually since 1921 with nearly 200,000 guests and 600 exhibitors from 80 countries taking part. Each country is chosen as an honorary guest per year. Vietnamese rural market goes vibrant in Australia Shopping and enjoying Vietnamese traditional cuisine and culture were what Vietnamese expatriates and international friends did when joining a Vietnamese rural market session held within the Vietnamese Cultural Festival 2017 in Canberra, Australia, on November 2. The annual event organised by the ACT Vietnamese Youth & Student Association (ACT-VYSA) drew the participation of some 700 Vietnamese students, Vietnamese community and international friends. This year, it was emblazoned with green bamboo lines, traditional dancing, performance of musical instruments, and folk games. Visitors were particularly impressed by the bamboo booths introducing succulent taste of Vietnamese dishes. ACT-VYSA President Luc Anh Tuan said that the festival aims to create a playground for Vietnamese students to exchange and promote the special cultural identities of Vietnam to people in the host country and to international friends in Canberra. He expressed his hope that the event will help to build Vietnam’s image as a friendly and hospitable nation with brilliant culture. Money collected from selling goods at the festival will be presented to charitable funds in the homeland like “Vi Hoang Sa-Truong Sa than yeu” (For beloved Hoang Sa and Truong Sa), “Trai Tim cho em” (Operation Healthy Heart) and “Com co thit” (Meal with Meat).- Japanese film to recall Can Tho bridge accident Japanese filmmakers will produce a movie about a love story between a Vietnamese girl and a Japanese engineer, both worked for the Can Tho bridge construction project, heard a press briefing on November 4. This is part of activities within the framework of the third Vietnam-Japan Cultural Festival co-hosted by Japan’s BrainWorks Group and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Can Tho Branch from November 3-5. According to Noboru Kondo, BrainWorks Chairman, the film, titled “O phia ben kia cau Can Tho” (On the other side of Can Tho bridge) tells a beautiful love story of a Vietnamese girl and a Japanese engineer, both worked for the construction project. Construction of Can Tho bridge, which was built with Japanese official development assistance (ODA), started in September 25, 2004 and completed on April 24, 2010. The accident occurred on the morning of September 26, 2007, when a 90-meter section tumbled to the ground, killing 55 and injuring 79, Kondo said. The film project, worth at least 400,000 USD will be shot in Vietnam’s Can Tho and Hanoi, and Japan’s Tokushima and Kobe prefectures, starting in October 2018, according to Producer Fukunaga Kuniaki. Vietnam attends meeting of communist and workers’ parties A delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) attended the 19th International Meeting of Communist and Workers’ Parties (IMCWP-19) in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on November 2-3, with the theme focused on the Russian October Revolution. The event also saw the participation of over 250 delegates representing 103 parties from 80 countries in the world. Participants highlighted the significance of the October Revolution, which opened up a path towards socialism and affirmed huge socio-economic achievements of the Soviet Union as well as its role in defeating fascism, and national liberation movements, and struggles for peace, democracy, progress and social equality in the world in the 20th century. The delegates looked into objective and subjective reasons resulting in the collapse of the Soviet Union, and lessons drawn for communist and workers movements around the world. They also spoke highly of the achievements socialist nations, including Vietnam, have made, proving the vitality and preeminence of socialism in the 21st century. The meeting called for solidarity and coordination among communist and workers’ parties in the struggle for peace and fight against wars and interference of imperialism, while protecting independence, national sovereignty. It also underlined the importance of the settlement of disputes by peaceful means in line with international law. Tran Dac Loi, Vice Chairman of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, who led the Vietnamese delegation, participated actively in the event. He highlighted the significance of the Russian October Revolution to Vietnam’s cause for national independence and socialism, and introduced the country’s achievements over the past 30 years of reform (Doi Moi). Russian October Revolution’s 100th anniversary marked in Hanoi A grand ceremony was held in Hanoi on November 5 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Russian October Revolution (November 7). The event saw the attendance of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong, former CPV General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, President Tran Dai Quang, former President Truong Tan Sang, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and former NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung, among others.  In his speech delivered at the ceremony, CPV General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong stressed the significance of the revolution, which, he said, has opened up a new period in the humankind’s history. All victories of the Vietnamese revolution have been linked with impacts of the Russian October Revolution as well as the wholehearted support and assistance of the people of the former Soviet Union, he said.  Vietnam’s great achievements over the past 30 years of reform were the results of the creative application of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought, the Party leader stressed, describing such attainments as evidence of the vitality of socialism in Vietnam.  He called for more efforts to build a strong and pure Party, along with improving the growth quality, protecting national independence, sovereignty, unification and territorial integrity, expanding foreign relations, and taking care of people’s material and spiritual lives. The Party chief expressed his firm belief that with the spirit of the Russian October Revolution and Vietnam’s August Revolution, the people’s confidence in the CPV and joint endeavours, Vietnam will become a strong country with wealthy people, democracy, equality and civilisation.   Also on November 5, a high-ranking delegation of the CPV Central Committee, National Assembly, President, Government, Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and Hanoi laid wreaths in tribute to V.I. Lenin at his statute in the capital city. Vietnamese writers take part in French contest Tran Minh Quang from northern mountainous Dien Bien province has won first prize in the journalism writing contest Young Francophones Reporters –Vietnam 2017, which was held for the second time by Le Courrier du Vietnam (CVN), a weekly French language newspaper under the Vietnam News Agency. Quang won for his reportage on Nev Tickners, an Australian man, and his love for the mountainous city of Dien Bien Phu and Vietnam. Fascinated at the Dien Bien Phu victory in 1954 against French colonialists, he was struck with Dien Bien province, where he decided to move, soon growing attached to the people. “The contest was very interesting as it has encouraged me a lot to learn French, and to improve my language,” Quang said at the awards ceremony on November 4. Second prize went to Dao Thi Nga with an entry about the role of Vietnamese mothers in war and society, and third prize was presented to Le Thi Bao Nhung for a story about young people preserving culture. The competition, themed “The power of words” aims to encourage French-speakers in Vietnam aged from 18 to 35 years old to write articles about Vietnam in French, while showing the vitality of French through their writing. It provides an opportunity for Vietnamese and foreign participants to express their points of view about the country, while highlighting the richness of French. Over the six months of the contest, the organisation board received more than 50 entries. “The competition has fulfilled its initial goals, which are to promote the image of the only French-language newspaper in Vietnam, to create a playground of creativity for young Francophones in Vietnam, to offer chances for contestants to familiarise themselves with journalism as well as to introduce Vietnam’s culture and people to the community of 80 Francophonie countries”, said Nguyen Thu He, Editor-in-chief of CVN. The jury was composed of journalists, French language teachers, writers, representatives of OIF and of different Francophone embassies. Photos feature beauty of Vietnam’s regions The Hanoi Cultural Centre opened an exhibition yesterday featuring photos from members of Thang Long Photography Club, ranging in age from 25 to 81-years-old. Themed Huong Sac Tram Mien (Beauty of Different Regions), 150 photos captured portraits of people, daily life, festivals and landscape of different regions in Vietnam and abroad. The club was founded in 2000 by Nguyen Dinh Vinh, director of the Hanoi Cultural Centre. It gathers nearly 90 photographers who have different jobs such as painters, teachers, journalists and doctors. The exhibition will run until November 7 at the Exhibition House, 45 Trang Tien Street, Hanoi. Doctors discuss therapies for cardiovascular diseases More than 800 local and international cardiologists exchanged notes about the latest advances, new trends and innovative therapies for cardiovascular diseases at a congress on “New Trends in Management of Cardiovascular Diseases” in Ho Chi Minh City. More than 20 leaders in cardiovascular medicine from the US, the UK, Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam delivered updates on clinical practices in cardiology, chronic coronary artery disease, heart failure, interventional cardiology, aortic surgery, coronary artery bypass surgery, minimally invasive cardiac surgery and management of acute coronary syndrome during the two-day event, which concluded on November 4. The annual cardiovascular conference provide opportunities for local cardiologists and cardiac surgeons to share knowledge, and learn the latest techniques in the fields of cardiology and cardiovascular diseases as well as expertise along with networking opportunities between a large number of medical professionals, according to Truong Quang Binh, deputy director of the University Medical Centre, the congress’s organiser. According to the World Health Organisation, 17.7 million people die each year from  cardiovascular disease. More than 75 percent of cardiovascular disease occur in low-income and middle-income countries. In Vietnam, cardiovascular disease takes the lives of around 200,000 people every year, an estimated 25 percent of all deaths nationwide. APEC: Asian-Pacific youth to discuss contributions to post-2020 vision The APEC Voices of the Future (VOF) forum will take place in the central city of Da Nang and Quang Nam province from November 6-10 within the framework of the APEC 2017 Economic Leaders’ Week. The event will bring together about 160 youth and students from 21 APEC member economies. During the plenary session on November 6, the participants will make presentations on how to create new dynamism, fostering a shared future among young Asian-Pacific people.  They will also work in groups, focusing on four topics: the contributions of the youth to APEC Vision beyond 2020 and the future; economic, financial and social integration, human resources development in the digital age and policies to support start-up, renovation and small and medium-sized enterprises.   As part of their working agenda, the delegates will visit several places in Quang Nam province, including attractive tourist destinations such as Tam Thanh mural village, UNESCO-recognised Hoi An ancient town and Thanh Ha pottery village in Hoi An. About 130 delegates are expected to participate in the APEC CEO Summit 2017 at Ariyana convention centre, Da Nang city on November 9-10.  On the evening of November 10, Quang Nam province will host the closing programme, including an art performance and exchanges between local students and their peers from APEC member economies. Founded in 2007, the APEC Voices of the Future is a venue for exchanges among young students (18-25 years old) from the 21 member economies. It is held concurrently with the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, aiming to help youth know more about APEC, expand their horizons and stimulate their enthusiasm for taking on the role as future leaders, as well as promote in-depth cultural exchanges among the member economies. Vietnam Fatherland Front offers aid to storm victims The Standing Board of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee on November 5 decided to allocate 3 billion VND (132,000 USD) to south central and Central Highlands provinces which were just hit by storm Damrey. Khanh Hoa province will receive 1 billion VND (44,000 USD) while Phu Yen, Binh Dinh, Dak Lak and Quang Ngai provinces receive 500 million VND (22,000 USD) each. The funds will be used to provide relief aid for families of the deceased, missing and injured and those whose houses collapsed or were swept away. Storm Damrey has wreaked havoc in the south central and Central Highlands provinces of Vietnam, killing 27 people and leaving 22 others missing by 8:00am on November 5, according to the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control. The storm pulled down 626 houses, unroofed and damaged 39,704 houses in the region, mostly in Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen, and Dak Lak province. As many as 4,425 hectares of rice were inundated and 25,212 hectares of crops were ruined. Up to 228 fishing vessels have been sunk while nearly 1,500 fishing farms were damaged in Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, and Khanh Hoa. VNN