VIETNAM NEWS HEADLINES APRIL 6 16:34                                    Ho Chi Minh City’s economy showed positive signs of recovery in the first quarter of this year with an estimated 1.88 percent growth of gross domestic product (GRDP) compared to the same period last year, Director of HCM City Department of Planning and Investment Le Thi Huynh Mai said on April 5. President’s order on NA Standing Committee-approved ordinance announced The President’s order on the ordinance on the procedures for the People's Courts to consider and decide to send drug addicts from 12 to under 18 years old to drug detoxification establishments approved by the 15th National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee in March was announced at a press conference on April 6. According to the provisions of Clause 4, Article 33 of the Law on Drug Prevention and Control, district-level People’s Courts have the authority to consider and decide the work. However, the relevant procedures have not been specified. For this reason, the ordinance on this was adopted by the NA Standing Committee at the 9th session on March 24, and took effect from the date of adoption. The ordinance consists of five chapters and 48 articles. It applies to specific cases, and one of the principles is to ensure the best interests for them. Hoa Binh to complete cycling venues for SEA Games 31 by March's end Work on cycling venues in the northern province of Hoa Binh serving the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) has basically been completed, according to the organising board. The province will host competitions in mountain biking on May 14-17 and road cycling on May 19-22, with the participation of about 400 athletes. The province is accelerating decoration relating to SEA Games 31 on its main roads. It has devised a plan to ensure traffic order and safety, strictly handle violations of traffic law, especially on roads related to activities within the framework of the tournament, she said, adding that a COVID-19 prevention and control solution has also been set forth in line with the pandemic situation in the locality. The Games will run in Hanoi and 11 neighbouring localities from May 12 to 23. It will feature 40 sports with 526 events and expects to attract around 10,000 participants. The biennial event was initially slated for late 2021 but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact. Phu Tho ceremony commemorates legendary ancestors A ceremony was held in the northern mid-land province of Phu Tho on April 6 to commemorate the legendary ancestors of Vietnam, Father Lac Long Quan and Mother Au Co. Traditional rituals were carried out at the temples dedicated to Lac Long Quan and Au Co in the Hung Kings Temple relic site to express gratitude to the pair who laid the foundation for the country. Every year, activities worshipping Lac Long Quan and Au Co take place ahead of the commemoration of the Hung Kings, believed to be the very first founders of Vietnam, on the 10th day of the third lunar month (which falls on April 10 this year). Since April 1, Phu Tho has organised a range of cultural and sport activities on this occasion. The worship of the Hung Kings, closely related to the ancestral worship traditions of most Vietnamese families, was recognised as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2012. Vietnam, UK eye stronger education cooperation A workshop to promote education cooperation between Vietnam and the United Kingdom's Cambridge University Press and Assessment (CUPA) was held on April 5 within the framework of the Vietnam Days in the UK 2022. Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long emphasised that education is an important cooperation field between the two countries, and the UK is Vietnam's leading partner in this sphere, especially in higher education. He said there remains a great potential for the two countries to expand education cooperation, especially in teaching and learning English language, skills training, high school and university education, considering the great demand for education in Vietnam. Francesca Woodward, Chief Executive of Cambridge Assessment English at the CUPA briefed the participants on progress of the cooperation between the CUPA and the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training over the last 15 years, including English language training, the teaching of math and science in English, and training programmes to acquire international degrees and certificates for both teachers and students.  Woodward said that the CUPA is developing the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) training curricula in Vietnamese language, with textbooks expected to be completed in 2023 and the first IGCSE exam could be held in 2026. She said the CUPA, with its expertise in teaching, assessment and research, can assist Vietnam in raising the education quality and standard. Vietnam attends UNESCO Executive Board’s 214th session Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Quang Hieu attended the plenary meeting of the UNESCO Executive Board's  214th session on April 4-5 in Paris, France. Speaking at the event, Hieu stressed that Vietnam always attaches great importance to multilateral cooperation in general and the role of UNESCO in particular, and commits to contribute more actively to the organisation's activities as a member of its Executive Board for the 2021-2025 term. He suggested that UNESCO, during this session, take specific steps in the fields of education, culture, science, and information and communication to implement the medium-term Vision and Strategy for the 2022-2029 period and the programme and budget for 2022-2025; promote several new issues such as open science, ethics in artificial intelligence, and the future of education; and contribute to the organisation of the United Nations Transforming Education Summit in September 2022 in New York and the upcoming preparatory meeting in Paris. The UNESCO Executive Board’s session will last until April 13, discussing more than 50 topics on the organisation's activities. It is expected to approve a list of new and expanded global geoparks, including Vietnam’s Non Nuoc Cao Bang. Vietnam re-affirms support for disarmament, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Tra, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), re-affirmed Vietnam's consistent stance on supporting all efforts toward nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation at the annual meeting of the UN Disarmament Commission (UNDC) opened in New York on April 5. The Vietnamese diplomat further said that Vietnam had fulfilled its notification obligation under Article 2 of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) after the treaty officially came into force. She also affirmed the right of the countries to research, develop and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Regarding the use of the outer space, the ambassador welcomed the adoption of a resolution by the UN General Assembly to establish an open-ended working group on outer space security, thereby providing recommendations on the norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours of countries in the use of the outer space. SEA Games 31: Vietnam in Group A of men’s football Vietnam are pooled in Group A of the men’s football at the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) together with Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Timor Leste, as the result of a draw held in April 6. Group B comprises of Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia and Laos. The seed groups were based on teams’ performance at the two most recent SEA Games in 2017 and 2019. Vietnam and Thailand were in the top seed group. Teams are to play each other in a round-robin format in the group stage and the top two of groups A and B will qualify for the semi-finals. Fixtures will be held at Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho and Thien Truong Stadium in Nam Dinh from May 6. Meanwhile, Vietnam are in Group A in women’s football along with the Philippines, Indonesia and Cambodia. Vietnam hopes for technology transfer in coal mining, processing from Australia Vietnam hopes to establish long-term stable trade and investment ties with Australia and receive technology in sustainable coal mining and processing from Australia, said Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien. The minister made the suggestion during an online working session on April 5 with Tania Constable, Chief Executive Officer at Minerals Council of Australia, and leading coal and mineral exporters of Australia. Regarding coal, Minister Dien said Vietnam wants to import from 18-25 million tonnes of coal for electricity and fertilizer production in 2022. He asked Australian coal exporters, especially members of the Minerals Council of Australia to increase supply for Vietnam right in April. According to Dien, Vietnam’s coal import needs account for less than 5 percent of Australia’s total coal export. Therefore, he believed that Australian exporters are capable of supplying coal of suitable quality for Vietnam’s electricity generation. The minister also asked the Minerals Council of Australia, the Australian Embassy in Vietnam and ministries of Australia to continue coordinating with his ministry to more effectively support efforts to connect and building long-term partnership of leading enterprises in coal and minerals of the two countries. Measures sought to promote innovation, human resources development in Mekong Delta The US Agency for International Development (USAID) held a conference on innovation and human resources development in the Mekong Delta in Can Tho on April 5 with the participation of leaders of 13 regional localities. During the event, USAID and the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) launched the Mekong Innovation Initiative to help Vietnam advance the digital economy and Fourth Industrial Revolution through developing a more robust, digitally-ready workforce and mobilise resources to support innovation in the Mekong Region. The Mekong Innovation Initiative will help address a growing demand for digital skills across Vietnam’s economy by training 500 individuals in the Mekong Region in digital transformation and e-commerce skills, unlocking new employment opportunities. This programme builds on Vietnam’s own investments in reforming its workforce and supports Vietnam in advancing its Fourth Industrial Revolution Strategy. RMIT expected to expand training in HCM City Ho Chi Minh City expects that Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) will expand training in eight professions in line with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) standards,  including mechanics, automation, artificial intelligence, urban management and information technology, Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan said on April 5. He made the statement at a meeting with Professor Alec Cameron, President of RMIT University, who is on a working visit to the city. President of RMIT University Cameron affirmed that the university has a plan for expansion and increase investment in Vietnam, especially in Ho Chi Minh City, for long-term development. In addition to teaching and providing high-quality human resources for Vietnam, including human resources for smart city building, innovation and digital transformation, RMIT University will offer training in areas that meet the demand of government and businesses, including professions that HCM City is carrying out in accordance with ASEAN standards, he said.  Cameron also said the university will work with the city to adjust training programmes to satisfy the short, medium and long-term development needs of the city and its businesses. Vietnam beat Timor Leste to top AFF Futsal Championship group Vietnam cruised to 7-1 win over Timor Leste and climbed to the top of Group B in the 2022 AFF Futsal Championship on April 5. The Vietnamese team opened their account in the first minute thanks to Thuan Phat, but Timor Leste equalised in the 18th minute with an excellent counterattack. However, Vietnam walked in at halftime two goals up thanks to Thai Hoa and Thinh Phat. Vietnam will face Australia on April 6. The AFF Futsal  Championship is being hosted at the Huamark Indoor Stadium in Bangkok from April 3-11. It features nine teams divided into two groups. Group A consists of hosts Thailand, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Cambodia. Group B comprises Vietnam, Myanmar, Australia, and Timor Leste. The teams are competing in a round-robin format that will see the top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals. Hoi An welcomes first foreign tourists in 2022 The popular tourist town of Hoi An in the central province of Quang Nam welcomed 126 foreign tourists on April 5 following the hiatus caused by COVID-19. The tourists, from the US, visited famous destinations in the ancient town then took a boat trip to Thanh Ha pottery village. On April 7, Hoi An expects another group of 50 foreign visitors. Local authorities are hoping more foreign arrivals will revive the tourism industry, and promote the image of Hoi An as a safe, friendly destination. Since the last foreign tourists visited last November, Hoi An has focused on preparing for its reopening. Former reporter jailed for abusing right to democracy, freedom The People’s Court of Ho Chi Minh City sentenced former reporter Nguyen Hoai Nam to three years and six months in prison on April 5 for “abusing the rights to democracy and freedom to infringe upon the interests of the State, and the lawful rights and interests of organisations and/or individuals" under Article 331 of the Criminal Code. According to the indictment, Nam, while working at “Phap luat Thanh Pho Ho Chi Minh” (Ho Chi Minh City Law) Newspaper in 2018, wrote a series of articles regarding wrongdoings at the Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration. In October 2018, Nam provided documents and data related to the case to the Investigation Police Agency under the Ministry of Public Security, which helped the police prosecute several officials. However, Nam did not agree with the conclusions reached in the case and continued to post articles on his Facebook account accusing the investigators of letting the criminals off the hook. Although relevant agencies responded to his complaints in line with regulations, Nam refused to stop. Through investigations, the police concluded that the articles contained fabricated content, insulting the reputation of organisations and individuals, and violating the Law on Cybersecurity and Decree 72/2013. The jury concluded that Nam's activities had negatively impacted social order. Back-to-school fills up loopholes in online learning Teachers expect that the back-to-school would help to fill up knowledge loopholes of their students after months-long online learning. Students from the first to sixth graders in all districts across Hanoi have resumed in-person classes from April 6, and with only two months left in the 2021-2022 academic year, schools are working hard to ensure the curricula of the year.  For many first graders in Hanoi, it was the first time for them to go to school in this school year, so they were excited and eager to get to know their schools. Teachers will spend time to help them get used to school life and class rules.  Schools are requested to ensure safety against COVID-19 in line with the guidance given by the Department of Education and Training and the Department of Health, while making preparations and plans to respond to the situation where COVID-19 infections are detected in schools.  The Steering Committees for COVID-19 Prevention and Control of the districts are authorised to consider the suspension of direct learning to ensure utmost safety for students in case infections are found in classes and schools. Military Medical University’s Party unit disciplined The Party Central Committee’s Secretariat on April 5 decided to issue a warning as a disciplinary measure against the Standing Board of the Party Committee of the Vietnam Military Medical University in the 2015 - 2020 and 2020 - 2025 tenures for their wrongdoings related to the development of a COVID-19 test kit and the procurement of medical supplies and other test kits. In addition, Lieut. Gen. Do Quyet, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of the university, and Maj. Gen. Hoang Van Luong, member of the board and Deputy Director of the university, were removed from all Party positions in the 2015-2020 and 2020-2025 terms. After considering the proposal on the discipline by the Party Central Committee’s Inspection Commission, the Secretariat agreed that the Standing Board of the university’s Party Committee in those tenures had violated the principle of democratic centralism and working regulations, loosened leadership, and lacked sense of responsibility as well as examination and supervision, thus letting many Party cadres and members, including key leaders of the university, violate the Party’s rules, the State’s laws, along with regulations of the Ministry of National Defence during the proposal and implementation of a national-level scientific and technological task of developing a COVID-19 test kit and during the procurement of medical supplies and test kits. Meanwhile, Quyet and Luong have to take the responsibility for the Standing Board’s wrongdoings, with the former bearing the main one. Coach Park Hang-seo calls up 27 players to prepare for SEA Games 31 Head coach Park Hang-seo on April 5 announced a list of 27 players for Vietnam’s U23 team to prepare for the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31). This will be the final training course of the team for the two major tournaments, including SEA Games 31 in May and the 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup slated for a month later. Players receiving the call-ups include goalkeepers Nguyen Van Toan, Quan Van Chuan and Trinh Xuan Hoang; defenders Le Van Xuan and Bui Hoang Viet Anh; midfielders Dung Quang Nho and Huynh Cong Den, and forwards Tran Van Dat and Le Xuan Quyet. Following the men’s football rules at the SEA Games, the participating teams can register up to three players over 23 years old. Coach Park will reveal the names of these players in the coming time. The Vietnamese players will gather for training in Hanoi from April 7 and play two friendly matches before the start of the SEA Games 31. Vietnam more attractive to Korean tourists: Ambassador Vietnam boasts great advantage to attract tourists and it has become one of the most favourite countries for visitors from the Republic of Korea (RoK), according to Vietnamese Tourism Ambassador to the RoK Lee Chang-kun. As for what Vietnam should do to resume post-COVID-19 activities to attracting Korean tourists, Lee said the Government and relevant agencies of Vietnam need to pay attention to improving procedures related to tourism in order to bring convenience, reasonable spending and safety to visitors, Lee stressed. With diverse natural conditions, Vietnam has the advantage to develop diverse types of tourism, meeting different groups of visitors, he said. Safety will be the top criterion for Korean tourists, followed by convenience and reasonable cost, he noted. In 2019, Vietnam served 4.3 million visitors from the RoK, up 23.1 percent year-on-year, and a ccounting for 23.8 percent of the total number of travelers to Vietnam. Vietnam pledges greater contributions to UNESCO The nation always places great importance on its comprehensive co-operation with, as well as the global role of, UNESCO and pledges to make more positive contributions to UNESCO as a member of the Executive Council during the 2022-2025 term. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Quang Hieu made the statement at the plenary meeting of the UNESCO Executive Board's 214th session which was held between April 4 and April 5 in Paris, France. As part of his address at the event as the head of the Vietnamese delegation, Deputy Minister Hieu emphasised that the meeting took place at an important time. The impact of global problems such as the COVID-19 pandemic and armed conflicts not only impacts economic development, increases inequality, and erases human development achievements, but also directly threatens the lives of people, peace, security, and development around the world. Source: VNA/SGT/VNS/VOV/Dtinews/SGGP/VGP