VIETNAM NEWS HEADLINES MAY 13  16:21                                   New Chairman of Committee for Foreign NGOs Affairs named The Government has appointed Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc as new Chairman of the Committee for Foreign Non-governmental Organizations Affairs (COMINGO). Ha, born in 1963, graduated from the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam in 1985. He studied Russian in Kiev University, Ukraine from 1986 to 1987 and earned a master degree of International Relations at Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam in 2010. He has served in the diplomatic service since 1988 in different positions and has much experience in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy. Ha was appointed Deputy Foreign Minister in May 2013 and served as the sixth Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the United States of America between March 2018 and September 17, 2018. The committee is responsible for supporting the Prime Minister on issues related to foreign non-governmental organizations in Viet Nam, coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in drafting and submitting to the competent authority for the promulgation of legal normative documents on the operations of foreign NGOs in the Southeast Asian country. Three people killed in lightning strike Three people and over 200 pigs were killed in lightning strikes in Thai Binh Province during a rain yesterday. The Thuy Thanh Communal People's Committee announced that three people were killed in lightning strikes while travelling during a rainstorm at 4.10pm on May 12. "The three victims including two men and a woman were travelling on their motorbike home from work when the accident occured," the committee said. The Thai Binh Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development also reported that over 200 pigs in a farm in Hung Ha District were killed in the lightning strikes the same afternoon. "229 pigs weighing between 78-120 kilos were killed at a farm of the Hoang Van Nha family in Tay Do District," the report said. "The 600-square-metre farm was heavily burnt and damaged. Thai Binh Province saw heavy rains with lightning strikes which lasted about an hour late Thursday afternoon. Ministry partners with French agency in sustainable urban development   The Ministry of Construction and the French Development Agency (AFD) have signed a cooperation agreement to help Vietnamese cities build climate change resilience. The two sides will step up their traditional partnership in support of sustainable urban development and resilience, especially promoting the implementation of the commitments made at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) through technical assistance projects on climate-resilient urban development, smart city building, and urban development investment. In this agreement, they also identified cooperation priorities for the 2022 - 2023 and 2024 - 2027 periods. The ministry’s agencies will discuss with the AFD practical cooperation orientations that match both sides’ tasks, attention and wishes, he noted. National Assembly Chairman to pay official visit to Laos National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue will lead a high-level delegation of the legislature to make an official visit to Laos from May 15-17, the NA’s Committee for External Relations announced on May 12. The visit is made at the invitation of Chairman of the Lao National Assembly Saysomphone Phomvihane. SEA Games 31: Hanoi's district launches green tourism programme Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem district on May 12 debuted electric bus tours to cater for visitors to the ongoing 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31). Aiming to introduce cultural, historical and architectural values around the district, the tours have three different routes. The first spans 7km and crosses 28 streets of commerce, craft and food, with popular stops including Dong Xuan market, Bach Ma temple and Ba Kieu temple. The second route showcases both the Old Quarter and French features, passing through the streets of Hang Dao, Hang Ngang, Hang Duong, Ngo Gach, Lo Ren, Ly Thuong Kiet, Le Thanh Tong and Trang Tien, among others. The third route covers streets boasting many French architectural features such as Dinh Tien Hoang, Le Thai To, Trang Tien, Tong Dan, Ly Thai To and Le Thanh Tong. The tours cost 35,000 VND (1.52 USD) per person per route, with a 20 percent SEA Games discount applied throughout May. Phenikaa Group launches 2-million USD scholarship fund Phenikaa Group has launched a 1.5 million GBP (nearly 2 million USD) scholarship fund, giving opportunities for students to study in the UK. The “Experiencing UK” scholarship fund aims to improve students’ ability to integrate internationally, contributing to enhancing cultural and educational exchanges between Vietnam and the UK. The fund will finance a two-week summer course in the UK for 1,000 students, worth 1,500 GBP each, covering the studying and accommodation costs in the UK. The scholarship is part of a cooperation deal between the Phenikaa University and the University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE Bristol). According to the deal, UWE Bristol will offer seven bachelor programmes from 2022-2023 in Business Administration; Business and Marketing; Events Management; Accounting and Finance; Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence; Computer Science: Smart Device Development; and Information Technology. Greek President to pay official visit to Vietnam Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou will pay an official visit to Vietnam from May 15-19. The visit will be made at the invitation of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, according the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Hanoi health department checks food services at two SEA Games 31 hotels Director of the Hanoi Department of Health Dr. Tran Thi Nhi Ha on May 11 checked food services at Daewoo and Lotte hotels where SEA Games 31 athletes and officials are staying, and how the hotels handle food safety issues, according to the Organising Committee for SEA Games 31. Hanoi Daewoo Hotel accommodates 189 officials and athletes from eight Southeast Asian countries while the nearby Lotte hosts 78 delegates from seven nations. Inspection results show that kitchen and dining spaces at both hotels are provided with professional equipment and have separate areas for storing ingredients, preliminary processing, cooking and serving food. They keep three-step food inspection records and food samples in accordance with regulations. Kitchen staff have been provided with training on food safety standards and received routine health checkups. Quick tests of some random pieces of dishware and vegetables found that they all meet hygiene standards. The hotels also arrange private dining areas for SEA Games delegations as an additional effort to maintain high food safety and COVID-19 prevention rules.   SEA Games 31: Hanoi Great Souvenirs 2022 opens The Hanoi Great Souvenirs 2022 fair, introducing 10,000 typical handicraft products, opened in the area next to the square at My Dinh National Stadium on May 11. The event was organised by the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, as part of the activities to welcome the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31). The fair has an exhibition area of 1,500 sq.m, introducing a variety of typical and unique craft villages of the city, displaying more than 10,000 typical handicraft products and 100 stalls beautifully decorated, with gift products made by Hanoi artisans. Along with this event, the Hanoi Municipal People's Committee directed departments, agencies, People's Committees of districts and towns to deploy 74 civilised and commercial streets, and also organised a series of tourism events including a gift festival, a tourism festival at the Hoan Kiem District pedestrian space, and Vietnamese Goods Week at the Trinh Cong Son pedestrian area. At the same time, the craft villages of Hanoi City have also fully prepared the conditions for decoration, products and gifts to welcome and best serve domestic and international tourists when coming to the capital. The fair takes place from May 11 to 20. Foreign Ministry details US$500,000 in humanitarian aid to Ukraine Vietnam's US$ 500,000 in humanitarian aid for Ukraine will be transferred through the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the Vietnam Red Cross Society. The country backs humanitarian activities by countries, the United Nations and international partners to assist people affected by the Ukraine conflict, Vice Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Doan Khac Viet said at the ministry’s routine press conference on May 12. In response to the UN appeal, Vietnam decided to donate US$ 500,000, including  US$100,000 to the CERF, US$100,000 to the WHO, another  US$100,000 the UNICEF, and US$200,000 to the Ukrainian Red Cross Society via the Vietnam Red Cross Society to help deliver humanitarian aid and assistance for people impacted by the Ukraine conflict. Australia, Vietnam work on young expert training in water sector The Vietnam Water Supply and Sewerage Association (VWSA) and the Australian Water Association (AWA) have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at training young specialists in the water sector for the 2022 to 2024 period. The move comes following both countries enduring numerous challenges in terms of climate change, clean water supply, water security, water pollution, and wastewater treatment. Most notably, the VWSA and AWA agreed to consider the development of a common brand for upcoming events and encourage technological innovations in the water sector, as well as introducing business opportunities to boost the development of the water industry of both countries in the time ahead.  Training course held for prevention of gender-based violence A training course is being held for the first time in Vietnam to strengthen capacity on prevention of violence against women based on “Respect Women” framework and foster the development of an effective gender-based violence prevention strategies in the future. It is organised by UN Women, WHO, UNFPA and the UN Gender Theme Group in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs from May 11 – 13. “Respect Women” is a framework guiding policymakers on programmes and policies that can prevent violence against women launched by the WHO, UN Women and 11 other partners in 2019 based on the principles of respect and equality, and lessons learned from evidence-based results on what works in preventing violence from occurring and reoccurring. During the three-day course, more than 50 participants from ministries, sectors, central and local agencies as well as civil society organisations enhance their capacities in preventing gender-based violence in Vietnam in a comprehensive approach, represented by the seven strategies under the RESPECT Framework. CNN lists Vietnamese bread among best 23 sandwiches worldwide Prestigious website CNN Travel has selected Banh Mi, Vietnamese bread, among its list of the 23 best sandwiches from around the globe. In the article CNN revealed that the classic version of the local delicacy is pork-based, featuring chả lụa, Vietnamese-style pork roll, shredded pickled carrots, pickled daikon, cilantro leaves, mayonnaise, and other ingredients. The taste is crunchy, fresh, savory, and utterly delicious for all who sample it, the website wrote. Banh Mi is a popular local cuisine typically sold from food carts on nearly every street corner in Ho Chi Minh City and across the nation, with the dish even being widely loved beyond the country's borders, CNN Travel added. Rounding off the list of the 23 best sandwiches globally are Pambazo of Mexico, Tramezzino of Italy, Shawarma of the Middle East, Smørrebrød of Denmark, Spatlo of South Africa, and Montreal smoked meat sandwich of Canada. Traditional Japanese doll exhibition opens in HCM City A fortnight-long exhibition on traditional Japanese dolls is being organised by the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Việt Nam in HCM City. Titled “NINGYŌ: Art and Beauty of Japanese Dolls”, the exhibition aims to present a comprehensive introduction to Japanese doll culture, organisers said. NINGYŌ means “human shape” in Japanese. It will feature 68 dolls divided into four depictions of Ningyo: one to pray for children’s growth; another as fine art;  yet another as folk art; and section showcasing the spread of Ningyo culture. Katashiro, a paper doll used as a talisman to perform a certain form of self-purification, and Amagatsu, a guardian doll for newborns, considered archetypes of Japanese doll, will be on display. Organisers said the exhibition will celebrate the diversity of Japanese dolls and craftsmanship of Japanese craftspeople. The exhibition in HCM City will be held from May 13-29 at 97A Phó Đức Chính Street in District 1. National opera theatre performs famous arias Artists from Viet Nam National Opera and Ballet (VNOB) will perform music and arias in a concert on Saturday. Entitled Sparkling Night, the concert will feature leading opera singers such as Đào Tố Loan, Vành Khuyên and Huy Đức. The concert consists of two parts: Overture A Midsummer Night’s Dream and World Famous Romances and Aria. Overture A Midsummer Night’s Dream will feature Felix Mendelssohn with excerpts such as Wedding March, Scherzo, Intermezzo and Notturno played by VNOB’s orchestra under the baton of conductor Đồng Quang Vinh. In the second part, the singers and Hà Nội Voices Choir will perform pieces and arias by Vivaldi, Handel, Puccini, Mozart, Bizet, and Rossini. A highlight will be a performance by soprano Tố Loan. She will sing Queen of the Night aria from Magic Flute. The audience will enjoy her solo performance in Fruhlingsstimmen aria from Voices of Spring by Johann Strauss II and in group with Brindisi aria from La Traviata by Verdi. It will begin at 8pm at Hà Nội Opera House on May 14 and 15. Call 0913056462 for ticket information. Exhibition tells the story of book cover design As the saying goes, "You should never judge a book by it's cover, but let's be honest, it's always the cover that catches your eye". More than 700 book cover designs have gone on display at an exhibition in Hà Nội. Organised by Graphics Association 2 under the Việt Nam Fine Arts Association, Vietnamese Book Cover Art 2022 aims to honour the creativity and talent of graphic artists and designers. The designs are the work of 55 artists across the nation, and feature books released by six major publishers - the Education Publishing House, Kim Đồng Publishing House, Women Publishing House, Fine Arts Publishing House, and Nhã Nam and Thái Hà Books. Việt Nam’s publishing market has grown significantly in recent years. In 2021, it is estimated that 4 million copies of 33,000 titles were sold, fetching a revenue of nearly VNĐ3,000 billion (US$131 million). Construction ministry partners with French agency in sustainable urban development The Ministry of Construction and the French Development Agency (AFD) have signed a cooperation agreement to help Vietnamese cities build climate change resilience. The two sides will step up their traditional partnership in support of sustainable urban development and resilience, especially promoting the implementation of the commitments made at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) through technical assistance projects on climate-resilient urban development, smart city building, and urban development investment. In this agreement, they also identified cooperation priorities for the 2022-23 and 2024-27 periods. Workshop discusses innovative solutions to achieve inclusive, equitable quality education Educationists from around Southeast Asia are discussing best practices and innovative solutions to achieve inclusive and equitable education at workshop that began in HCM City yesterday (May 12). Currently the Ministry of Education and Training is developing ‘Education Development Indicators’ as a monitoring tool for implementation of the Education Development Strategy for 2021-2030, ensuring general compatibility with SDG4, he said. In future it would also focus on upgrading school facilities at all levels to ensure a safe and friendly learning environment, and ensure access for people with disabilities, he said. Taking part in the workshop, both online are school leaders, educational experts from universities, schools and educational organisations in HCM City and other provinces in Việt Nam and from more than eight countries in Southeast Asia who are joining on Zoom or Youtube. The two-day event, titled ‘Enhancing Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education in Southeast Asia through Innovative Educational Leadership and Management,’ is being held by SEAMEO RETRAC and the SEAMEO Secretariat.  Dengue fever, hand-foot-mouth cases on the rise Paediatrics hospitals in HCM City have reported a spike in hand, foot and mouth disease cases in recent days. Dr Nguyễn Minh Tiến, deputy director of the HCM City Paediatrics Hospital, said 50-70 patients come to his hospital every day with the infection, and 10 per are admitted for treatment. Most have mild symptoms and are treated at home, he said. Dr Dư Tuấn Quy, head of the Paediatrics Hospital No. 1’s infectious and nervous diseases department, said more than 30 children come for treatment every day. Nearly 30 of them are currently being treated, including one severe case, he said. The number of cases has been on the rise since the beginning of this month, he said. As of the end of April a total of 5,247 dengue cases have been recorded in the city, including 126 severe cases and four deaths. Trial begins for former deputy health minister The People’s Court of Hà Nội has begun the first instance trial of former Deputy Health Minister Trương Quốc Cường and 13 other defendants accused of trading counterfeit cancer medicine labeled as Health 2000 Canada. The trial panel consists of five people: two judges and three people's jurors. Judge Đào Bá Sơn, who is Deputy Chief Justice of Hà Nội’s People's Court presided over the trial. Three prosecutors of the Supreme People's Procuracy and two prosecutors of Hà Nội’s People's Procuracy are assigned to exercise the right to prosecute and trial supervision in court. Among the 14 defendants, former Deputy Minister of Health Trương Quốc Cường and two other defendants, Nguyễn Việt Hùng, former deputy director of the Health Ministry’s Drug Administration (DAV), and Lê Đình Thanh, former official of HCM City Customs Department, are charged with lack of responsibility, causing serious consequences. Two defendants, Phạm Hồng Châu, former head of the DAV’s Drug Registration Department, and Nguyễn Thị Thu Thủy, former deputy head of the DAV’s Drug Price Management Department, are accused of abusing positions and powers while on duty. Meanwhile, nine defendants, including six executives and employees of VN Pharma Company, two from H&C International Maritime Trading Co.Ltd and a former general director of the Saigon Pharmaceutical Company, are charged with trading counterfeit medicine. They are Nguyễn Minh Hùng, chairman of the Board of Directors and General Director of VN Pharma Company, Nguyễn Trí Nhật, Deputy General Director of VN Pharma, Ngô Anh Quốc, Deputy General Director of VN Pharma, Phan Cẩm Loan, Head of Import-Export Department of VN Pharma Company, Lê Thị Vũ Phương, Chief Accountant of VN Pharma, Nguyễn Thị Quyết, an employee of Import-Export Department of VN Pharma Company, Võ Mạnh Cường, Director of H&C International Maritime Trading Co. Ltd, Phạm Quỳnh Trang, an employee of H&C International Maritime Trading Co. Ltd, and Phạm Anh Kiệt, General Director of the Saigon Pharmaceutical Company. The court has summoned six organisations and individuals, including representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Drug Administration of Vietnam, the General Department of Customs, HCM City’s Customs Department, VN Pharma Company, H&C International Maritime Trading Co.Ltd. About 30 witnesses were present at the trial. There are more than 30 lawyers participating in defence for the defendants. Trương Quốc Cường alone has six lawyers. The trial is expected to last a week.  Health ministry proposes to halt COVID-19 testing requirements for arrivals The Vietnamese Ministry of Health has proposed to temporarily suspend COVID-19 test requirements for passengers entering Việt Nam by air. Director of the ministry's Preventive Medicine Department Phan Trọng Lân said that the ministry's official mouthpiece, that the ministry has asked for feedback from ministries and agencies and they have basically agreed with the proposal. It was made following the Resolution 128 of the Government about safe and flexible adaptation and effective control of COVID-19 as well as in line with the situation of the pandemic, vaccination results, and the country's ability to cope with the pandemic. Around 50 per cent of countries and territories in the world have stopped the testing requirements for arrivals.  Under the current regulations, passengers entering Việt Nam are required to show proof of negative test results for SARS-CoV-2 (by RT-PCR/RT-LAMP method) within 72 hours before departure. Earlier, the Ministry of Health asked localities to stop requiring arrivals via all border gates to make health declarations from April 27 and to do COVID-19 testing after entering the country. The ministry also ordered municipal/provincial people’s committees on the temporary suspension of domestic heath declaration requirements from April 30.  HCM City seeks to develop eco-friendly transportation The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) co-hosted a consultation workshop on May 12 to develop eco-friendly transportation using electric vehicles in the city. Experts pointed to the fact that Ho Chi Minh City is one of the world’s big cities that produces a high amount of greenhouse gas emissions mostly discharged by vehicles. Vietnam has committed to gradually reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 0% by 2050, and developing electric transport modes such as electric cars and electric motorcycles will significantly contribute to meeting the goal. A recent survey conducted in 13 districts of Ho Chi Minh City shows about 44% of transport enterprises want to switch to electric vehicles and 13.2% of residents wish to use electric motorbikes. Based on the results, consultants proposed a scenario for developing electric transportation in Ho Chi Minh City in three phases. Accordingly, electric motorcycles, personal cars, electric buses, and electric taxis would make up 20%, 20%, 50% and 10% of their corresponding vehicle categories in the first phase from 2022 – 2030. The corresponding ratios would gradually increase to 50%, 60%, 100% and 20% in the second phase from 2030-2040, and to 90-100% in the last phase till 2050. The consulting group also proposed that the State perfect mechanisms and policies, encourage businesses and people to use eco-friendly transport, and develop transport and power grid infrastructure. The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport will continue to coordinate with research agencies to develop a mechanism and overall plan for the project, said An. Vingroup launched its eco-friendly Vinbus service in Ho Chi Minh City more than two months ago, and the service has since won local residents’ trust. The economic group plans to operate four more routes in the city in the coming time. HCMC restarts work on major road upgrade project The upgrade of Luong Dinh Cua Street in HCMC’s Thu Duc City resumed yesterday, May 11, after cleared land had been handed over to the project. The 2.5-km road starts from Mai Chi Tho Avenue to the Tran Nao intersection. The project is aimed at widening the road from 7-8 meters to 30 meters with six lanes. Work on the project began in 2015 and was scheduled to be completed after two years, but slow site clearance affected the progress of the project. By the end of 2020, the project was only 60% complete and remained suspended until this year. Even seven years after the project got off the ground, compensation issues involving nearly 100 affected households have yet to be resolved. Recently, Thu Duc City, HCMC ramped up the compensation work and handed over extra cleared land to resume the project. Compensation issues remain unsolved for 64 households living along a 500-meter section from Nguyen Hoang to Mai Chi Tho streets. The Thu Duc authority will address the issues and hand over the entire cleared land in this section by the end of June, so that the project’s construction in this area can be completed by 2022-end. As for a two-kilometer section from Tran Nao intersection to Nguyen Hoang Street, with over 30 affected households, Thu Duc plans to hand over the cleared land by March next year to complete work on this section after nine months. Source: VNA/SGT/VNS/VOV/Dtinews/SGGP/VGP/Hanoitimes