Social News 9/4 Music and dance performance to honour naval soldiers A music and dance performance encouraging naval soldiers who live far from home to fulfil the mission will be organised on April 9. Entitled Spring – Family – Islands, the concert features singing and dancing by famous artists such as Trọng Tấn, Anh Thơ and Thanh Thúy. Songs to be performed include Gần Lắm Trường Sa (Spratly Is So Close) composed by Hình Phước Long, Tình Ta Biển Bạc Đồng Xanh (Our Love, Silver Sea, Green Fields) by Hoàng Sông Hương and Nơi Đảo Xa (On the Far Island) by Thế Song. It is a gift to encourage the soldiers and their families to complete the task to protect national sovereignty. “The concert also raises people’s awareness of the role and strategic position of our territorial waters,” Phan Đình Tân, speaker of the Ministry of Culture, said. “The songs praise the patriotism, beauty and value of the sea and islands. They ask people to be responsible to protect the sovereignty.” The programme will be broadcast live on Việt Nam Television from the Việt Nam Exhibition Centre for Culture and Arts, 2 Hoa Lư Street, Hà Nội. Hanoi accelerates preparations for general election Illustrative image Preparations are being hastened in Hanoi for the election of deputies to the 14th National Assembly (NA) and all-level People’s Councils for the 2016 – 2021 tenure. The election will be held on May 22, 2016, which is a Sunday in line with the law. Ngo Thi Thanh Hang, a member of the Party Central Committee and Vice Standing Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, inspected the arrangements for the voting on April 7. Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF)’s municipal committee, Vu Hong Khanh, said they had conducted 35 inspections across the city to timely resolve related issues and monitor the settlement of complaints and denunciations. The committee also received the public feedback and proposed the handling of 32 petitions. Le Thi Kim Oanh, Khanh’s deputy, said as communications are pivotal to the election, the municipal VFF committee posted 130 relevant stories on its website and media outlets, while holding routine meetings to receive feedback from localities and seek to tackle bottlenecks. Voters’ opinions have also been collected as the committee found that there were many different viewpoints regarding the nomination of candidates for the NA and People’s Council seats. That would promote people’s direct participation in the building of pure and strong local administrations, she added. Oanh reported that meetings have been organised to impart the law on the election of NA and People’s Council deputies, along with the Party’s related documents, to grassroots officials. Additionally, it gave guidance on the collection of constituents’ comments on and votes of confidence in the candidates. On March 15, the Hanoi VFF Committee received 87 application papers from candidates running for the NA deputy position. The applications are from 40 candidates introduced by agencies and organisations and 47 independent candidates. Hanoi also recorded 205 candidacies for the seat in the municipal People’s Council, including 196 nominated and nine self-nominated candidates. According to the 2013 Constitution, the Vietnam Fatherland Front is responsible for the tasks of creating social consensus; contributing to building a strong Party and administration through social supervision and criticism; and developing relations between the people of Vietnam and other nations around the world. Recycling Day set for Sunday The HCMC Department of Natural Resources and Environment will organize the 9th Recycling Day 2016 themed “Sustainable consumption and production” at the HCMC Labor Cultural Palace at 55B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street in District 1 on Sunday. The annual event will promote green production and green life. It will feature the displays of recycled artworks created by students, green technologies and services, waste collection activities, ways to make helpful products from recycled materials, and games. Participants at the event can drop their used electronic devices in e-waste containers and join interactive recycling activities organized by Vietnam Recycles such as quizzes, a photo corner and a video show, among others. Vietnam Recycles has been successful in calling for many Vietnamese citizens to take part in its recycling program to minimize the impact of e-waste on the environment. The stuff collected at ten points in Hanoi and HCMC are transported to hazardous waste treatment facilities for classification and dismantlement in a safe recycling process. A Government decision requires electrical and electronic manufacturers to take back discarded products from July 2016 and publicize places for consumers to throw their unused electronic waste as a measure to help protect Vietnam’s environment. Civil groups active in realizing SDGs Challenges facing Vietnam and its civil groups in implementing the millennium development goals (MDGs) and sustainable development goals (SDGs) were touched upon at a workshop held in Hanoi on April 8. The event was held by the Vietnam Peace and Development Fund and ActionAid organization in Vietnam. The participants discussed experiences in carrying out MDGs and SDGs, government’s related policies and strategies and promoted global and regional integration. The workshop highlighted a number of challenges including the complicated international situation, global economic downturn and declining funds for development activities. Representatives from the Ministries of Planning and Investment, Foreign Affairs, Natural Resources and Environment, Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs and the UN Development Program gave presentations on the opportunities and challenges for Vietnam in implementing MDGs and SDGs, as well as achieving SDGs in the fields of the environment, labor and social security. Vietnam gov’t asks firm to table deal with Chinese pipe supplier The Vietnamese government has requested that a Hanoi water company suspend a scheduled contract signing with a Beijing-based pipe supplier, responding to an appeal from the administration of the capital city. Viwasupco has come under public fire for selecting a Chinese supplier for the Song Da Water Project - Phase II, a project considered crucial for numerous urban areas in Hanoi. According to the VND588 billion (US$26.25 million) contract, Xinxing Ductile Iron Pipes Co. Ltd. was set to supply ductile iron pipes for the 21-km Song Da pipeline before the Hanoi administration called on the government to ask the project developer to not sign the contract with the Chinese supplier on April 5. vietnam gov’t asks firm to table deal with chinese pipe supplier hinh 0 Engineers fix a rupture of the Song Da water pipeline in Hanoi . The Government Office accepted the request in a dispatch sent to the Hanoi administration and the Ministry of Construction on April 6. Under the government order, Viwasupco is required to review all relevant technical issues of the project. The government also tasked the Hanoi administration and the Ministry of Construction with requiring Viwasupco to ensure the project will “meet all standards to supply clear water to the capital’s residents.” In Vietnam, quality concerns often arise when Chinese firms win contracts for large-scale infrastructure projects. Many Vietnamese have noticed a trend of Chinese contractors bidding low to win contracts and later asking for more money, citing unexpected cost overruns. Chinese-contracted projects in Vietnam also have a reputation for tardy completion, another contribution to cost overruns. These observations, combined with a bid of nearly 12% below asking price, have fueled concerns from members of the public that feel worried that Xinxing is just another shady Chinese contractor. The Song Da Water Project transmits clean water from the Da River Water Plant in the northern province of Hoa Binh to Hanoi. The second phase of the project intends to supply clean water to the Son Tay, Hoa Lac, Xuan Mai, Mieu Mon, and Ha Dong areas in the capital city. Vingroup invests in Vietnam National University’s Talent Fund Vietnam’s leading property developer Vingroup and the Vietnam National University (VNU) have signed a cooperative agreement under which Vingroup will inject VND30 billion into its Student Talent Fund. Accordingly, VNU’s students who have received scholarships will get involved in an internship program for job skills and have an opportunity to work in enterprises under Vingroup. They will receive a Bachelor's degree from Vietnam National University and a certificate for internship in Vingroup. Outstanding graduates will be employed by Vingroup and join its Future Leaders Programme. In addition to this, Vingroup and Vietnam National University have agreed to involve foreign partners in research programs to prepare for the establishment of Vingroup International University.  Earlier, Vingroup signed an agreement with the National Economics University to establish a similar VND30 billion talent fund for the University’s students. Chinese man in connection with US$90mln gambling ring arrested Police in Hanoi has said they had arrested a Chinese man accused of running a huge online gambling ring after three years evading investigators in his country. Zhou Yun Miao, 47, has been transferred to police in the Chinese eastern province of Zhejiang, according to the Hanoi police. Zhou was caught on Hoe Nhai Street in Ba Dinh District earlier this month, after three years in hiding in Vietnam. Chinese police believed he was the financial manager of an illegal gambling ring, which recorded transactions worth nearly US$90 million between 2012 and 2014 They said in September 2013  Zhou and his accomplices fled to Vietnam, where he continued managing this ring. The police in China's Zhejiang province issued warrants for him and three others in October 2014. Art show to honour people with disabilities The 13th charitable art programme “One Heart-One World” was held in Hanoi on April 7 to draw the community’s attention to the care for disadvantaged people. It aims to connect people and organisations towards supporting vulnerable groups on the occasion of the upcoming Vietnam Day for People with Disabilities (April 18). Besides the art performances, the audience also had a chance to engage with outstanding disadvantaged people who have made every effort to overcome their difficulties and integrate into the community. Vision-impaired Nguyen Thi Phong, 30, from southern Vinh Long province, told the audience that she pursued a zither music course at the Ho Chi Minh City cinematography and stage theatre. She won a gold medal at the “Don ca tai tu” festival in Ho Chi Minh City and Prize B at the national “Don ca tai tu” festival. Do Van Hai, from northern Bac Giang province, earns over VND500 million (US$22,500) per year from his agricultural production, despite limb disabilities. The annual programme was jointly organised by the Association in Support of Vietnamese Handicapped and Orphans and the Ministry of Labour, Social Invalids and Social Affairs. Last year, a donation worth VND16 billion (US$1.2 million) was raised through the 12th version of the programme in Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam is making utmost efforts to ensure the rights of people with disabilities, who account for 7.8% of the country’s population. The group is coping with challenges in exercising their right to work, including access to employment opportunities and discrimination at workplaces. Ministry steps up fighting acts against law enforcement officers Deputy Minister of Public Security Le Quy Vuong has asked for drastically addressing criminal acts against the law enforcement force as part of efforts to safeguard the seriousness of law and maintain social order and security. At a conference held on April 7, he also asked security forces at all rungs to make recommendations on necessary legal revisions relating to the prevention and combat of crimes, especially criminal acts against law enforcement officers. The revisions will be submitted to the National Assembly to help refine the related legal system, he said. In addition, training on profession, law, career ethics and social conducts for law enforcement officers should be held regularly to enhance the force’s capacity in dealing with criminals. Inspections over the performance of on-duty law enforcement officers should be intensified to prevent their misconducts. According to the ministry’s General Department of Police, 4,060 cases with 8,962 people committing violence against on-duty law enforcement officers were recorded from November 2011 to November 2015. These cases caused nine deaths, left 2,643 others injured, and sparked economic losses of over US$72.85 billion (US$3.3 million) to state agencies, organisations, and local people. 2016 ASEM Youth Week wraps up in Hanoi The 2016 Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Youth Week in conjunction with the Model ASEM, themed “Stronger actions to address the zero hunger challenge”, wrapped up in Hanoi on April 7. Participants to the two events joined volunteer activities with local youths in Hoanh Bo mountainous district, northern Quang Ninh province. They also visited and presented gifts to underprivileged ethnic minority students here. The delegates visited a model of effective start-up agribusiness by a young local in De E village, Le Loi commune, Hoanh Bo district. On the occasion, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee granted “Vu A Dinh” scholarships, worth VND500,000 each, to impoverished students with excellent academic results. During the Model ASEM, a 3-day simulation of the actual ASEM, the delegates discussed three ASEM pillars, namely economic, political and socio-cultural issues, and released a related joint statement. It was the first time Vietnam has hosted the ASEM Youth Week and the Model ASEM which brought together more than 100 youths and students from nearly 30 ASEM state members. The ASEM Youth Week is an initiative co-sponsored by Vietnam, Brunei, Ireland and Laos, which was endorsed at the 10 th ASEM Summit in October 2014 in Milan, Italy. The events aims at enhancing the youth’s understanding of Asia-Europe partnership and the ASEM process, raising awareness among the youth of potential cooperation on poverty eradication, and providing them a platform to take actions in the fight against hunger. Chinese pair caught using fake ATM cards to steal US$10,000 in Vietnam Vietnamese police have detained two Chinese for using fake cards to withdraw cash from ATMs. The Danang police department said on April 7 that Hao Yan Jun and Ping San Shi were arrested for stealing VND225 million (US$10,000) using the counterfeit plastic after a Vietcombank branch in the city detected abnormal transactions at its ATM booth at 62 Ho Xuan Huong Street, Ngu Hanh Son District at 2:30 pm on April 4. Receiving the report, local police carried out investigation and apprehended the two Chinese who committed the scam. After a body search, police officers found and confiscated a laptop, ATM card readers, and ATM card models, thought to be used by the duo to fake the cards. The two detainees told police that they used bogus cards at least 16 times to steal the money. They also admitted that they had utilized counterfeit international cards 28 times to withdraw over VND400 million (US$17,936) in cash, according to a local newswire. The apprehended said they committed the scam to pay a debt owed to Danang Holidays Co. Ltd., a local travel agency. Further investigation is ongoing, said local police. Cambodian smugglers arrested on border Border guards at the Vĩnh Hội Đông Border Gate in southern An Giang Province have arrested four people for allegedly smuggling in goods and money over the Cambodian border. The four, all Cambodians aged between 24 and 36, have been handed over to the police, the Border Guard said. The suspects were spotted on the morning of March 27 in a small boat travelling at high speed from Cần Na Canal in Cambodia’s Tà Keo Province into Việt Nam and apprehended by the Border Guard. A search of the boat found 49.81 taels of gold, VNĐ986.85 million and 809,000 riel in cash and four mobile phones totally worth nearly VNĐ3 billion (nearly US$130,000). Workshop highlights media’s role in sustainable production The mass media has a crucial role in raising public awareness of sustainable production and consumption, heard a workshop in northern Vinh Phuc province on April 7. The event was jointly held by the Vietnam Environment Administration (VEA), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNDP), and the EU-sponsored Switch Asia Programme. At the workshop, media representatives were updated on sustainable manufacturing activities and consumption in Vietnam as well as international experience regarding the role of mass media in the field. VEA Deputy General Director Mai Thanh Dung said Vietnam has promulgated a number of relevant documents, but limitations remain in enforcement, mainly due to social lack of awareness of this issue. He pointed to the high consumption of materials and energy in manufacturing activities along with unreasonable exploitation and usage of natural resources, resulting in highly polluted ecological environment. Le Hoang Lan from the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment suggested a number of measures to promote cleaner production, including support policies such as green public procurement and ecological labeling. Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology under the Ministry of Industry and Trade Nguyen Huy Hoan said the tasks in the immediate future will be improving the legal framework in the field while promoting economic restructuring towards sustainability, changing consumers’ behaviours, reducing waste and increasing recycling. Participants agreed it is necessary to open training courses for reporters specialising in environment and science technology as well as launch press contests and diversify communication campaigns to raise public awareness of environmental protection. Heat wave hits southern region Because of the influence of hot low pressure from the westwards accompanied with a cold front from the north and north central region to the southern region, the temperature in the areas of Ho Chi Minh City and the southern provinces of Vietnam will increase sharply causing long- lasting heat waves in next days, reported the National Hydrology Meteorology Forecast Center on April 7. As by April 10, the highest temperature in Ho Chi Minh City and southeastern provinces will reach at 37 degrees Celsius, even some places up to over 37 degrees Celsius. The heat wave has expanded deeply to the south western region with its temperature of 35- 36 degrees Celsius. Two men arrested for transporting heroin Authorities in the southern province of Tây Ninh arrested two men on Wednesday for illegally entering the country and transporting heroin from Cambodia to Việt Nam. Bùi Nguyễn Duy Thanh, 31, and Nguyễn Thành Trung, 26, confessed that they had gone to Cambodia to play cards on Wednesday morning, where they received four cakes of heroin from a man named Sỹ at TTP One Hotel to smuggle to HCM City to deliver to an unknown woman. The men were to be paid US$4,000 for smuggling the heroin. However, they were apprehended in Tây Ninh Province’s Bến Cầu District. The police are continuing their investigation. British tourists complain to Hanoi authorities about hotel scam Three British tourists have complained to Hanoi tourism authorities that they were cheated by a man who took them from the gate of a hotel they had booked into to another one by lying to them. Bradley Spillman, Jonathan Bearman and Matthew Taylor, all 21, told officials at the Hanoi Tourism Department Thursday that they had booked rooms at Hanoi Old Town Hotel, 95 Hang Chieu. On Wednesday they arrived at the hotel from airport by taxi when a man who introduced himself as the “manager” of the hotel jumped into the vehicle. He said the hotel’s water system was broken and he would take them to another branch of the hotel at 9 Nguyen Truong To Street, Ba Dinh District. They booked into the new hotel, called Hai Nam, when they received an email from the Hanoi Old Town Hotel asking why they did not turned up. Meanwhile, the man sold some tours to them, and after learning he had scammed them, they wanted the money back. But he only made a partial refund. They told department officials they wanted their money back and the man and the hotel to be punished. On Thursday Vu Cong Huy, deputy chief inspector of the department, said they were investigating the case together with Ba Dinh District authorities. Do Dinh Hong, Director of Hanoi's Tourism Department, said the authorities will "seriously address any violation" to "maintain the good image of Vietnam's tourism." National conference honours outstanding people with disabilities A national conference was held in Hanoi on April 8 to honour outstanding people with disabilities and orphans in recognition of their remarkable contributions to the community. Held once every three years, this year’s event, the fifth of its kind, drew 388 disabled people, orphans and sponsors from 63 cities and provinces. Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said Vietnam is one of the countries with a high rate of people with disabilities, and Agent Orange (AO)/Dioxin victims. Over the past few years, the Party, State and Government have put forth a number of policies to take care of vulnerable groups, including disabled people and orphans. Vietnam has been recognised by the UN as an example in supporting people from disadvantaged backgrounds, he said. The Government will continue to support the Vietnam Association in Support of People with Disabilities and Orphans, and other organisations that support disadvantaged citizens. He asked all sectors, departments and social communities to continue support to those who need it. According to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, around 20 percent of Vietnam’s 90-million population needs social assistance. Of these, 7.2 million are people with disabilities and 1.5 million are underprivileged children. In 2015, the country had 2.64 million people receiving monthly social allowances, 37,000 of whom were orphans. Conference to boost private sector The business community, Government bodies and sectors will seek out ways to boost the private sector at a conference late this month in Ho Chi Minh City. President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commercial and Industry (VCCI) Vu Tien Loc said the Government aims to make drastic moves to promote private firms. The event is also expected to create a national action plan on developing the private sector, thus facilitating the operation of between 1.5 and 2 million firms by 2020. Participants will also discuss incentives and preferential policies to help private firms grow in 2016. According to the VCCI, with 1.5-2 million firms, the SME force could create stable jobs for between 30 and 40 million labourers. SMEs account for 35 percent of overall business investment. They contribute nearly 50 percent of the nation’s annual growth. The Ministry of Planning and Investment is compiling the Law on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The law is scheduled to be scrutinised by the next National Assembly. Fire guts appliance store A fire broke out yesterday afternoon at an appliance store in this central province’s Mỗ Đức District, causing VNĐ10 billion (US$440,000) in damages. A mechanic was sawing steel to repair the Quang Lợi Appliance Supermarket in Đức Nhuận Commune when a spark set flammable materials nearby on fire. The fire spread quickly to four other buildings in the area. Hundreds of firefighters and many fire engines were dispatched to the scene, and the blaze was under control two and a half hours later. No loss of human life was reported, but hundreds of appliances in the store were destroyed. The case is still under investigation. German rampages through Long Bien District The police at Bo De Ward, Long Bien District, have detained a young German man for questioning after he robbed a motorbike and vandalised people's properties on Bo De Street. At around 3am on April 7, many people were awakened by a young man accosting two people on a motorbike. He then proceeded to steal the bike. After racing off on the bike he ditched it in a lake and turned his attention to attacking a shut internet cafe. He then turned his attention to a Honda Civic with its engine left as the owner had left the vehicle to open their gate. The man stole the vehicle and drove down towards Nguyen Van Cu Street. He crashed with a taxi before reaching the street. He was later apprehended by local people and taken to a police station. Award honouring Vietnam’s top destinations launched The Vietnam Tourism Association (VTA) has launched an award honouring the best tourist attractions of the country. The award is divided into five categories for the best resorts, entertainment complexes, traditional craft villages, museums and beaches with three winners to be announced in each category. The VTA has published a list of 10 nominations for each category with detailed criteria included at the online tourist website www.tripi.vn for voters to cast their votes from April 7 to 11. The nominations will also been reviewed by journalists who are members of the VTA-run Travel Journalists Club. Top-rated destinations will be finalised by VTA’s council on April 12. The winners of the award will then be announced at the opening ceremony of the Vietnam International Travel Quang Ninh preps for tourism week The northern province of Quang Ninh, which is well known for the World Heritage-listed Halong Bay, is preparing to launch a Halong Tourism Week late this month, chinhphu.vn reports. During the 10-day event, authorities of Halong and major tourism centers in the province will hold about a wide variety of fun activities to woo tourists. Mong Cai City will arrange food and walking streets, and island tours. Co To Island is planning a summer culture-tourism festival. Halong will host Miss Vietnam Ocean beauty contest, an art exhibition and outdoor artworks, summer music festival, carnival, Tran Quoc Nghien temple festival, shopping week, and beach disco music festival. Sport activities will include Women’s Tuan Chau International Beach Volleyball 2016, Quang Ninh TV’s Badminton Cup, and Quang Ninh Tennis Tournament. A highlight of the week will be a Halong carnival on April 29. Khanh Hoa urges travel firms to help prevent Zika spreading The Khanh Hoa Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism is calling for local travel companies to lend a helping hand to preventing the spread of the Zika virus after a 64-year-old woman in Nha Trang City was found to contract the virus on April 5. The department requested travel firms to actively keep themselves informed of Zika infections in and outside Vietnam, take preventive measures as instructed by the Ministry of Health and immediately inform relevant agencies of their guests found to develop Zika-linked symptoms including a fever, a headache, rashes and red eyes. The department has launched a hotline 0989671115 for reporting on Zika infection suspects. Speaking at a meeting with the government of Khanh Hoa Province on April 5, Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said there could be more Zika infections in the central province in the coming time as it is a popular destination for domestic and foreign tourists. The Khanh Hoa Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has not issued a travel advisory in the province, the department’s deputy director Phan Thi Thanh Truc told the Daily on the phone. Truc said that at the meeting on April 5, the Ministry of Health said the Zika virus is not transmitted through breath or touch, so the department has not released a travel advisory. However, women in their first three months of pregnancy need to be on high alert. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism told provinces and cities on April 5 to keep a close watch on Zika infections and actively provide visitors and companies with updated information about preventive measures. The ministry on April 5 confirmed the first two Vietnamese had contracted the Zika virus. They are an old woman in Phuoc Hoa Ward in Nha Trang City and a 33-year-old pregnant woman in Thanh My Loi Ward in HCMC’s District 2. Health conditions of the women are stable, Deputy Minister of Health Long said. Vietnam joins Laos, China in fight against wildlife trafficking Officials from border provinces of Vietnam , Laos and China have recently concluded a transnational working visit to learn about the wildlife trafficking situation in the region, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)’s office in Vietnam . The nine-day visit was aimed at updating the wildlife trafficking situation along the Indo-Burma hotspot, including parts of Cambodia , Laos , Myanmar , Thailand , Vietnam and southern China . The delegation also conducted a survey on the cross-border wildlife trade in several medicine markets in Guangzhou city, China as well as in border gates between Vietnam, Laos and China. Statistics from the Ministry of Public Security estimated that about 4,000-4,500 tonnes of wildlife products are illegally trafficked into Vietnam each year. HCM City congratulates Lao, Cambodia on traditional New Year Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City’s Party Committee Tat Thanh Cang wished staff at the Consulate General of Laos and Lao people living in the city a happy Bunpimay (New Year) festival on April 7. Cang extended the greetings at his visit to the Consulate General on the same day, during which he said the ties between Vietnam and Laos as well as Ho Chi Minh City and Lao localities have been growing steadily over the years with positive outcomes. The municipal official spoke highly of the traditional relations, stressing that the city would do its best to further develop the solidarity and friendship between the two countries’ people. For his part, Lao Consul General Somxay Sanam-Oune thanked the vice chairman on his greetings and the city’s support to Lao people in recent years. The consul general hoped that Ho Chi Minh City and Lao localities would continue their cooperation in multiple fields and in more practical ways, contributing to the socio-economic development of the two sides. On the same day, Director of the Ho Chi Minh External Relations Department Nguyen Vu Tu visited the Consulate General of Cambodia in the city, to congratulate Cambodian people on the traditional Khmer Chol Chnam Thmay (New Year) festival. He wished Cambodian people a new year of success, luck and health and that relations between Ho Chi Minh City and Cambodia would grow ever stronger. Vietnamese official greets Lao guest Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of the Party Central Committee’s Mass Mobilisation Commission Truong Thi Mai hosted a reception for the visiting President of the Lao Women's Union Inlavanh Keobounphanh in Hanoi on April 7. Inlavanh Keobounphanh thanked Vietnam for its wholehearted assistance to Lao people, and Lao women in particular. She informed the host about the recent cooperation between the two countries’ women’s unions, affirming that the Lao Women's Union always works closely with its Vietnamese counterpart on friendship exchange activities, contributing to strengthening the Laos-Vietnam special relationship. Mai spoke highly of the effective cooperation between the two unions, saying that the two sides should further step up their links through enhancing the sharing of experience, personnel training, and coordination in regional and international forums. The host expressed her belief that the Lao Party, State and people will successfully implement the 10th Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Congress’s Resolution. She also took the occasion to congratulate the Party and State leaders and people of Laos on their upcoming traditional New Year festival Bun Pi May. Scientific forum for int’l students opens in HCM City A scientific forum for international students kicked off in Ho Chi Minh City on April 7, drawing 100 students from Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, China, Japan and Vietnam. Together with official delegates, around 1,000 local students will join exchange activities during the forum. The forum is divided into a plenary session and thematic discussions on innovation and scientific research, voluntary activities, start-up and employment, climate change and environmental protection, with leading experts at home and abroad taking part. Experience in scientific research, start-up and voluntary activities is expected to be shared by both participating experts and students. They will also exchange measures on how to protect the environment and to raise public awareness of climate change. As part of the event, participants are scheduled to visit the city’s landmarks, scientific-technology centres and some relic sites. Chairman of the Vietnamese Students’ Association – Ho Chi Minh City branch, Lam Dinh Thang, said that the event provides a venue for both domestic and regional students to share knowledge, especially in scientific research, thus helping step up Vietnamese students’ integration process. The forum will last until April 10. Detained Vietnamese fishermen return home from Indonesia The Vietnamese Embassy in Indonesia on April 7 completed procedures to repatriate 18 Vietnamese fishermen who were arrested by the local authorities. These fishermen are from the central coastal provinces of Binh Thuan, Quang Ngai, Khanh Hoa and Ha Tinh, and the southern coastal province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau. They were working aboard the BV 0411, BV 0397 and BTH 99451 fishing vessels. They were detained in February while fishing in Indonesia’s Natuna Sea. Meeting with the fishermen in the Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Ambassador Hoang Anh Tuan reminded them to strictly abide by the laws of both Vietnam and Indonesia, and not to fish in Indosnesian waters again. In recent times, the Vietnamese Embassy in Indonesia has made efforts to protect Vietnamese fishermen. The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also worked closely with Indonesia’s relevant agencies to ensure the arrest of Vietnamese fishing ships and the judgement of those involved are in line with the host country’s legal regulations, and the settlement of relevant issues is on the basis of the Vietnam-Indonesia friendship. According to the embassy, n early 80 Vietnamese fishermen detained by Indonesia have been brought home so far this year. However, over 100 others are still being detained in the country. HCM City supports stronger cooperation with Lao Youth Union HCM City officials expressed their willingness to support closer cooperation between young people in the city with their Lao peers at a meeting on April 7. During his meeting with Sonethanou Thammavong, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Union (LPRYU), Tat Thanh Cang, Vice Chairman of the HCM City Partys Committee, said the LPRYU delegation’s visit will open up many cooperation opportunities for the young people of the two countries and particularly between HCM City and Lao localities. HCM City has been helping Lao in training young officials and in developing agriculture. The city’s Youth Union has organised many volunteer activities in Laos in recent years. Cang suggested that upcoming activities should be more diverse, effective and practical. Besides cooperation programmes on social work and healthcare, it is necessary to boost cooperation among entrepreneurs and hold tourism trips to promote cross-cultural and historic values to young people. According to Sonethanou Thammavong, the cooperation between young people in HCM City and Lao youths has achieved many positive results, especially in volunteer activities and exchange of experience, which lays the foundations for the strong bonds between young people of the two countries. VNA/VNS/VOV/SGT/SGGP/TT/TN/Dantri