Social News 27/6 Vietnam Airlines offers advices to passengers affected by strike The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has issued recommendations for passengers who are affected by an ongoing strike by staff of Taiwan’s largest carrier China Airlines. The strike starting from June 24 has led to the cancellation of fights. Those who bought Vietnam Airlines’ code-share tickets to fly to Taiwan by China Airlines were advised to update the latest news via the mass media and the two carriers’ official websites. China Airlines decided to cancel three flights on June 24, including the VN 2032 from Taiwan to Los Angeles, VN 2030 from Taiwan to San Francisco and VN 2034 from Taiwan to Vancouver. Vietnam Airlines is seeking ways to assist 45 Vietnamese passengers affected by the three above cancelled flights. They were advised to contact ticket agents nationwide or hotlines 04 38320320 in Hanoi, 08 38320320 in Ho Chi Minh City and 0511 3832320 in Da Nang, or Vietnam Airlines representative in Taiwan: +886 33834688/886 922829757. According to Vietnam Airlines, the carrier is working closely with China Airlines to learn more about the strike and devise suitable plans to offer assistance to passengers.- PM witnesses launch of two big projects in HCM City   Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on June 26 attended the groundbreaking ceremonies of two big projects relating to flood control and health in HCM City. The flood-controlling project aims to shelter 6.5 million people in the downtown area of 570 sq.km from tidal flooding, which is becoming serious with rising sea level and sinking land in the city as consequences of climate change and urbanisation. At an investment of nearly 10 trillion VND (442.5 million USD), the project will build six big tide-controlling sluices, which still allow boats and ships going through. It also includes the construction of a 7.8 km dyke along Sai Gon River from Vam Thuat to Song Kinh in the phase 1 and 25 small sluices from Vam Thuat to Muong Chuoi. The project spans across District 1, 4, 7, 8, Nha Be and Binh Chanh districts and around 300 households with 1,500 people will be relocated. Speaking at the ceremony, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc said the project has a great significance to development of the city and stressed that the city needs to develop a good infrastructure, particularly flood control facilities, to realise its long-term development goals. On the same morning, the PM also attended the groundbreaking ceremony on the construction of a new facility in Tan Phu ward, District 9, for the over-loaded Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital. The 5.85 trillion VND (258.6 million USD) facility will have 1,000 beds, helping ease the pressure on the Oncology Hospital, which has to accommodate a large number of patients that exceeds 170 percent of its capacity at times. The PM said with the growing number of people with cancer, approximately 150,000 cases a year, the construction of specialised hospitals like this one will meet rising demand for medical examinations and treatment. Search begins for missing men after boat accident Three people went missing on Saturday while collecting durians on Đại Ninh hydropower reservoir in Đức Trọng District of Central Highlands Province of Lâm Đồng. The boat they were on reportedly capsized. Fire rescue and prevention forces and locals of Central Highlands Province of Lâm Đồng commenced a search and rescue operation with 17 boats yesterday morning. Three men, identified as Nguyễn Văn Tuấn, 27; Nguyễn Văn Đạo, 44, both hailing from Lâm Đồng Province and Nguyễn Sanh Hướng from central Thừa Thiên-Huế Province, reportedly were not wearing life jackets when the accident occurred. Lâm Đồng Province’s People’s Committee said that the local authorities would review waterway vehicles to better ensure traffic safety following the accident. The same day, the bodies of four teenagers in Cao Lộc District of northern Lạng Sơn Province were discovered after they drowned in a local lake. Local authorities provided VNĐ4.5 million (US$200) for each victim’s family. PM urges stronger measures to improve traffic safety The Prime Minister issued Notice No. 1095/CD-TTg to direct relevant ministries, sectors and localities to push forward with measures to ensure traffic safety in the third quarter after several serious accidents in the past two months. Accordingly, the PM assigns the Ministry of Transport to examine accident-prone sites along the National Road 1 and the Ho Chi Minh road and take actions to correct them. He requires relevant agencies to strengthen supervision in road sections with steep slope, sharp bends and landslide-prone spots along the key highways through central and mountainous provinces. On-going transport infrastructure projects are to ensure a safe environment during their implementation in a bid to prevent accidents among traffic participants in the areas. The Ministry of Transport is also asked to tighten its supervision of the operation of means of transport both on roads, inland waterways and aviation. The Ministry of Public Security is requested to direct its subordinates to crack down on violations of traffic regulations particularly those concerning speeding, alcohol uses, overloaded trucks, expired vehicle registration, as well as corruption. The Ministry of Information and Communication is to instruct the media to update new regulations on traffic safety and transportation, thus raising public awareness of traffic accidents and consequences. The PM also asks central-level cities to work closely with relevant ministries and sectors on increasing inspections and punishment of violations of traffic regulations. Hotlines should be launched to receive feedback from citizens and to timely provide assistance or consultation on traffic management. The National Traffic Safety Committee is directed to form inspection teams to work with accident-prone localities. Vietnam, Mexico strengthen work on acupuncture therapy A delegation from the National Hospital of Acupuncture (NHA) led by Director Nguyen Ba Quang paid a working visit to Mexico from June 18-24 to seek the possibility of expanding cooperation in this traditional medical treatment. Meeting Secretary General of the Labour Party (PT) Alberta Anaya Gutierrez, Quang thanked the PT and the host for assisting NHA staff over the past time, and pledged to bring more doctors to Monterrey city-based Emilio Zapata University for teaching under a bilateral training cooperation programme. Gutierrez, for his part, said PT wants to foster bilateral acupuncture collaboration by adding the treatment into the university’s curricula and conduct studies on combining ozone and acupuncture therapy. He vowed to provide scholarships for NHA staff’s children to study in Mexico as well as ozone therapy equipment to the Vietnam High-tech Acupuncture Centre to treat autism and stroke patients. Vietnam currently operates three acupuncture centres in Mexico’s capital city, Monterrey city and Zacatecas state. Over the past 15 years, the facilities have offered check-ups and treatment to more than half a million Mexican patients. The NHA also held an acupuncture master’s degree course for 20 medical staff in the host country. Binh Dinh should transform into marine-based economic hub: President President Tran Dai Quang suggested the central coastal province of Binh Dinh transform itself into a marine-based economic hub with high-quality services and tourism, taking advantage of its location in the key economic zone of the central region. The leader spoke of his ideas for the province, including developing industry, particularly those of high added value and friendly to the environment, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and handicraft trade to boost exports while promoting investment in chemical industry, renewable energy, electronics, information and biological technology. The province should plant and protect more forests, build aquaculture processing facilities, develop fisheries logistics, and pool capital for agriculture and rural infrastructure, towards helping more than half of its communes meet standards for new-style rural areas, he said. The President also reminded the province to ensure social welfares and rally resources for coping with climate change and building irrigational facilities, particularly in drought-prone areas. The local authorities put forward requests for help to develop Nhon Hoi economic zone and carry out urgent projects on transport, agriculture, connecting power grid to Nhon Chau island commune and building a general hospital. They reported to the State leader that the province’s gross domestic product rose 7.33 percent last year and 7.48 percent in the first half of this year. The poverty rate among households dropped to 13.35 percent at the end of 2015. Tourist arrivals amounted to 1.66 million in January-June, up 30 percent year-on-year. New Ghenh Bridge opens to traffic The new Ghenh Bridge spanning Dong Nai River in the southern province of Dong Nai opened to traffic on June 25, more than three months after the collapse of the old bridge. The new bridge was built to replace the over-100-year-old bridge that collapsed on March 20 after a barge crashed into its pillar. The old Ghenh Bridge was used by both trains and vehicles. Therefore, the accident caused disruption to north-south train services. Construction of the new bridge began on April 1 at an estimated cost of 13 million USD. The new bridge is two metres higher than the old one, thus it can allow ships with bigger deadweights to pass through. Before its operation, the Ghenh Bridge was tested to make sure that it meets required technical standards. Doi Sy Hung, Vice Director of the Vietnam Railways Corporation, said remaining parts of the project will be completed within this month. Hanoi celebrates 2nd International Yoga Day Over 800 Yoga students from Hanoi participated in a two-hour demonstration under the instruction of Indian masters at the Quan Ngua Stadium in Hanoi on June 26 to mark the International Day of Yoga (June 21). The event was jointly organised by the Embassy of India in Vietnam, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hanoi People’s Committee and the Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam. Addressing the occasion, Pratibha Mehta, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam said this is the second time Vietnam has joined in celebrating the International Day of Yoga, which she said will contribute to improving public health and community solidarity. Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Parvanthaneni Harish highlighted the benefits of practicing Yoga, saying that besides improving health, Yoga helps build a peaceful world and strengthen the relations between Vietnam and India. In 2016, the Embassy will work with relevant bodies in Vietnam to conduct classes on Yoga and Indian tradition dances, the Indian Ambassador said. Similar activities will be organised from June 26 to July 2 in six cities across the nation, namely Hanoi, HCM City, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Nha Trang and Vinh, with the expected participation of around 10,000 Yoga fans. Vietnam was one of the first countries to co-sponsor the United Nations General Assembly Resolution creating International Yoga Day. So far, 177 out of 193 UN member states have co-sponsored the resolution, creating a new record for the highest number of co-sponsoring countries for a UN resolution to date. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi first called for the adoption of June 21 as International Yoga Day while addressing the UN General Assembly on September 27, 2014. The resolution accomplishing this soon followed. Last year, 8,000 people participated in the first International Yoga Day in Vietnam. Programme helps curb mother-to-baby HIV transmission Numerous measures have been taken to prevent mother-to-baby transmission of HIV (MTCT) during the month-long campaign in June. The health sector and relevant ministries and sectors have promoted publicity campaigns on the benefit of the early application of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy to HIV infected pregnant women to reduce the MTCT rate. A list of 226 facilities providing MTCT prevention services across localities has been published. Various other communication activities have also been conducted at all levels to raise public awareness and knowledge of benefits of early access to the services. Additionally, free HIV testing and consultation services have been offered to pregnant women on their first check-up among all medical facilities and at all levels. Connection between HIV testing facilities and HIV/AIDS treatment facilities has been strengthened to take good care of pregnant women with HIV while ensuring the availability of ARV drug to prevent and reduce the MTCT rate. Last year, more than 1 million pregnant women were screened for HIV, resulting in the detection of nearly 1,000 HIV carriers among them. However, only 60 percent of HIV-infected expectant mothers were detected during pregnancy, while 40 percent were detected during delivery. Launched in 2004, the progamme aimed to reduce the rate of mother-to-child HIV transmission to below five percent by 2015 by ensuring access to a number of preventative services launched at medical facilities across the nation. From 2011 to 2015, the programme helped prevent 15,000 infants of HIV-infected mothers from catching the virus. Vietjet increases frequencies to meet rising summer demand Low-budget carrier Vietjet will offer 5,700 more flights to meet the increasing travel demand during the summer months, with over 1 million additional economic air tickets. The airline will increase flight frequencies for a number of routes including HCM City to Hanoi, which will have 26 daily return flights in total, HCM City to Da Nang with 15 daily return flights, HCM City to Phu Quoc with eight daily return flights, HCM City to Hai Phong and Hanoi to Cam Ranh with sevent daily return flights each. Meanwhile, the international routes from HCM City to Chinese Taipei will have two return trips per day. The HCM City-Bangkok route will also have three return flights a day and HCM City - Singapore (two return flights). Additionally, a number of new international and domestic air routes have been launched to facilitate travel in the peak season. Currently, the airline boasts a fleet of 40 aircraft, including A320s and A321s, and operates nearly 300 flights each day. It has already opened nearly 53 routes in Vietnam and to international destinations such as Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, China, Chinese Taiwan, Myanmar and Malaysia. It has carried approximately 25 million passengers to date. PM extends rice support for fishermen Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has decided to extend the rice support for fishermen affected by mass fish deaths in four central provinces. It is part of his decision 113/QĐ-TTg issued last Saturday to replace the previous one on May 9, 2016. Accordingly, family members of fishing vessel owners and workers working on vessels and fishing logistics households, salt-making households in Hà Tĩnh, Quảng Bình, Quảng Trị, Thừa Thiên-Huế are each eligible for 15kg of rice per month over a maximum of six months instead of the current one and a half months. Fishery business owners and fishing logistics vessels are able to enjoy interest-free loans within six months to stockpile seafood from May 5 to July 5. The previous decision set the date only up to June 5. The Government leader also asked relevant sectors and local authorities to take an active role in dealing with difficulties when the decision is implemented. The mass fish death started in Kỳ Anh township, Hà Tĩnh province on April 6, then spread to Quảng Bình, Quảng Trị and Thừa Thiên-Huế provinces, washing more than 100 tonnes of dead fish ashore, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Bodies of two missing fishermen found The bodies of two missing fishermen from a boat explosion offshore from the southwestern province of Kiên Giang were found yesterday, a representative of Zone 4’s Marine Police High Command said. A third man is still unaccounted for. Identities of the two fishermen have yet to be determined. The explosion occurred at about 5pm last Friday, when the boat with seven crew members was about 10 nautical miles from Hòn Thơm Island. The explosion was blamed on the boat’s overheated engine, according to the survivors. The force of the blast threw the three fishermen into the sea, according to local authorities. Four other fishermen on board were seriously burned and rushed to nearby Phú Quốc Island by the Coast Guard and later to Phú Quốc General Hospital. Doctors said they are now in a stable condition. Marine police, the owner of the boat, Nguyễn Thanh Nhã from Cà Mau Province and fishermen are continuing to search for the remaining missing fisherman. However, the rescue efforts have been hindered by unstable weather. HCM City celebrates National Family Day The Family Festival Day 2016 held last weekend by HCM City’s Women’s Association to celebrate National Family Day (June 28) attracted thousands of young people. Around 100 young married couples visited 23/9 Park in District 1 to participate in seminars on relationships between children and parents, family and society, and youth’s problems in modern families. The participants and their children took part in sports, music and cooking competitions during the event. A music and song programme, called Em Vui Chơi-Em Sáng Tạo (I Enjoy Playing-I Enjoy Creations), opened on Sunday night featuring dozens of famous artists such as Vietnamese-American singer Quang Lê and cải lương (reformed opera) performer Bạch Tuyết. The programme attracted hundreds of children and their parents to sing and dance, and play traditional games together. "We hope to encourage family unity through our event. Like other organisations in the city, we have organised many activities to call upon people to pay more attention to children and their families during the month of Family Day ,” said Nguyễn Thị Thu Mai, a member of the event’s organising board. "Creating happy families, fostering comfortable and egalitarian lives, and nurturing good parents and children are our goal," she said. Working closely with the Population, Family and Children Committee, the city’s Women Cultural House will organise a meeting on Tuesday to introduce and praise 150 model families, especially young parents and their children, who have faced challenges to ensure their happiness. The model mothers and fathers, who are popular young artists, will be invited to share their experiences and valuable lessons about love and career. Celebrations began last weekend by local organisers and offices, featuring sports, music, cooking competitions and seminars on topics popular with young married couples, including problems confronting modern family life. With the theme of this year’s National Family Day "Happy Meal in Every Family", family authorities hope to encourage and remind people, whether parents or children, to spend time to strengthen their relationships.    "Modern lifestyles in the market economy are threatening traditional family values," said Mai, adding that even though the growing number of young couples seemed confident and dynamic at work, they were not taking enough time to care for their family members and children. Family Day, which has been held for 15 years by the Population, Family and Children Committee, is one of the country’s most important events to promote the family. "We give our parents money and gifts but we don’t understand that our parents need us to be around more than anything else," said Nguyễn Văn Hậu, 28, who takes care of all nine members of his family, including his grandparents. He will visit a family festival launched by the authorities of Bình Thạnh District on Tuesday night. Hậu said he and his wife would join a forum on love and responsibilities of family members by experts and educators at the event.   “I think the authorities should encourage young couples to take courses on love, marriage, family, and sexual and reproductive health care,” he said. Doctors remove 6kg fatty tumor from quinquagenarian woman An elderly Vietnamese woman has recovered from a surgery to remove a giant tumor from her stomach. As seeing her abdomen abnormally big, T.T.T.H., 56, living in the coastal city of Danang, asked for diagnostic sonography and discovered a tumor the size of a 7-month-old fetus. Due to its rapid increase in size, the tumor made her struggle to eat and release body waste. H. said that she then left for Hue Central Hospital, located in nearby Thua Thien-Hue Province, for medical examinations and diagnostic imaging on June 14. Doctors found a lipoma occupying the patient’s entire abdomen, pushing the right kidney and colon leftwards, thus they decided to perform a tumorectomy on June 24. “The operation was a success,” Doctor Pham Anh Vu from the Department of Pediatric and Abdominal Emergency Surgery of the Hue Central Hospital, said, adding that the tumor was benign. The 35cm long, 25cm wide, 7cm high tumor weighed over 6kg, according to the surgeons, who said its huge size as well as its location, covered by the peritoneum, posed a great difficulty for the removal. Currently, H.’s health status is stable and she is about to be discharged, the hospital said. 4 face charges for embezzling $16 million at state-owned shipping firm The Ministry of Public Security on June 24 proposed criminal charges against three former officials of a company affiliated to shipping giant Vinashin, and another man for misappropriating nearly US$16 million from 2006-08. The trio -- Tran Van Liem, former CEO of Vinashin Ocean Shipping Co. Ltd. (Vinashinlines), Giang Kim Dat, former sales manager and Tran Van Khuong, former chief accountant -- face embezzlement charges, according to the ministry. Dat’s father, Giang Van Hien, 66, faces charges of money laundering. According to the inspectors, the money Dat pocketed was from 16 transactions related to either buying or leasing old vessels They found that during the time that Dat was working, starting in May 2006, consulting his company's CEO to buy and lease ships, he had colluded with foreign partners to rig prices to illegally earn profits. The money was transferred to multiple bank accounts in his father’s name, who later used the money to buy many houses and cars. At least 40 luxury apartments and villas and five cars were found in the names of Dat's relatives. Dat also allegedly owns two apartments in Singapore, including one costing US$3.6 million Also according to the inspectors, Vinashinlines' former CEO Liem was paid VND3.2 billion (nearly US$145,000) and former chief accountant Khuong got US$120,000 in the scam. Investigators also proposed that Dat has to return nearly VND249 billion (US$11.23 million). Dat was arrested on July 7, 2015 after he fled an arrest warrant in 2012. Involving the case, a Haiphong appeals court in 2012 upheld sentences against eight Vinashin ex-officials for losses of over VND910 billion (US$41 million) incurred under their administration. Pham Thanh Binh, former board chairman of Vinashin, has his 20-year-sentence unchanged. Seven others received jail terms of between 10 and 19 years, all for "deliberately acting against state regulations on economic management." The court also ordered them to pay a total of VND1.06 trillion (US$50 million) in compensation, of which Binh was held responsible for VND500 billion (US$23.62 million). According to the indictment, the defendants' violations were evidenced in five projects, including the purchase of the high-speed seagoing vessel Hoa Sen (Lotus) Ship for US$87.8 million. The used, Italian-made ship only operated 39 north-south trips, causing losses of VND470 billion (US$22.5 million). Vinashin, which had piled up debts of US$4.5 billion by 2010, was restructured into the Shipbuilding Industry Corporation in 2013. Dat's company was transferred to shipping giant Vinalines along with a few other subsidiaries, but in May 2014 the government approved the company's filing for bankruptcy. Vietnam to fine waterway passengers wearing no life jackets Starting from July, passengers aboard ferries and boats in Vietnam who fail to put on life jackets will be fined between VND100,000 (US$4.5) and VND200,000 (US$9). According to the Vietnamese government’s new regulation on waterway traffic, ferry and boat passengers will be subject to the financial penalties if they are not wearing life jackets or other types of personal floating devices. It has been quite common for waterway passengers in Vietnam to neglect the importance of putting on a life jacket during their journey, posing potential dangers which could cost them their lives. Young passengers put on life jackets at the Phu Cuong ferry wharf in Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City. A recent serious waterway traffic accident happened in the central city of Danang in early June, when three people, including two young children, died after a cruise ship overturned. The vessel was carrying the number of passengers double its capacity and all those aboard were not wearing any life jackets. According to the observation of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters in the past few days, the significance of such flotation equipment has been underestimated by ferry passengers along the bank of the An Phu Dong River, which lies between District 12 and Go Vap District in Ho Chi Minh City. Life jackets were only handed to the first few passengers, most of whom hung them on their motorcycles or used them to block sunlight. Similar situations can also be noticed at the Phu Dinh Wharf in District 8 as ferry operators do not provide their travelers with safety equipment. While many passengers fail to understand the necessity of life jackets, most ferry operators also pay little to no attention to the safety of travelers. As per regulations, boats and ferries are not allowed to depart until all passengers are outfitted with safety gear, said Hoang Van Hung, head of the Vietnam Inland Waterway Administration South Branch. Operators who go against the rule will be fined from VND200,000 (US$9) to VND4 million (US$180),Hung stated. Ships and ferries without sufficient floatation devices shall also be liable for between VND200,000 and VND3 million (US$135) in fines, he added. Chinese passenger suspected of in-flight theft held in Vietnam A Chinese national has been arrested in Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat Airport after allegedly being caught rifling through the luggage of fellow fliers. Zhang Guang Jin, 47,  boarded Vietnam Airlines' flight VN595 from Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City on June 23. Zhang was spotted by another passenger, Sarina Xuan Than Phan, when he was allegedly going through her luggage in the overhead bin during the flight. When she questioned his act, Zhang pretended that it was a mistake and turned to the luggage of yet another fellow flier, Chen Chii Hwang. After the plane landed in Tan Son Nhat, Phan informed Hwang about Zheng's suspicious act. Hwang checked her luggage and said she had lost US$620 (VND13.8 million). The incident was reported to the flight crew and Zheng was held by the airport authorities, who searched his property by did not find the money. They suspected Zheng may have passed the stolen money to an accomplice who boarded the same flight. Tan Son Nhat Airport police station is now handling the case. According to Vietnam Airlines, theft of passengers by Chinese perpetrators on its flights is becoming more frequent. 'Smiles of Vietnam' documentary screened in France A documentary about Vietnam was aired on a French national network last week, promoting Hoi An and the Mekong Delta as well as local people’s smiles. “Les sourires du Vietnam” (Smiles of Vietnam), aired on France 5 on June 25, is now available on YouTube, though with no English subtitle. The documentary takes viewers on a journey from Hue, the country’s former citadel, all the way down south. It is made with support from the Vietnam embassy and the Vietnam Cultural Center in France, featuring various aspects of the country from life on the rivers in the Mekong Delta to the hustling city atmosphere, the country’s religious culture and its magnificent tourism charms. Vietnam’s tourism authorities said this documentary with high artistic value would help promote Vietnamese tourism successfully, urging Vietnamese agencies abroad to make good use of it. Vietnam attracted around 112,300 French visitors during the first five months this year, a 13% increase from a year ago, thanks to a visa policy that allows the tourists to stay in Vietnam for 15 days without a visa. Protecting the young generation from drug threat As drug trafficking and use in Vietnam is getting increasingly complicated, the Vietnamese government has taken measures to protect the young generation. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs reported that by the end of 2015, there were more than 200,000 drug addicts in Vietnam, mostly young people. The Drug Crime Investigation Department of the Ministry of Public Security says the cases of producing and trafficking amphetamines increase 10-15% year on year. Major Bui Ngoc Long of the People’s Police Academy at the Ministry of Public Security said stronger measures have been taken. He emphassied “Relevant agencies, including drug crime investors, have aggressively dealt with drug crimes, such as the trafficking of amphetamines. Every year, we conduct arrests and raids to curb drug trafficking into Vietnam". Responding to World Drug Day June 26, Vietnam is holding a month of action against drugs themed “Protect the young generation from drug threats". At the launching ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh, Head of the government’s Steering Committee for Crime Prevention and Combat, stressed the urgent task of protecting the community, society, and the youth from the spreading dangers of amphetamines. He said “This year, the government chose the theme “Protect the young generation from drug threats” to remind us of the responsibilities of State agencies and society in helping the younger generations to live a healthy life and say no to drugs”. Besides actions by relevant agencies, parents, schools and society are making coordinated efforts to prevent youngsters from falling into drug-related vices. The youngsters also are educated to protect themselves from the dangers of drugs. Quang Ninh: woman caught with 4 kg of heroin Border guards in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh said on June 25 that they have arrested a woman transporting four kilogrammes of crystal meth from China to Vietnam. Bui Thi Ha, born in 1973 in Luc Ngan district, the northern province of Bac Giang, was caught carrying the drug in a handbag in Hai Hoa ward, Mong Cai city on June 23. Ha confessed that she was hired to transport the drug for 20,000 RMB (US$3,000) by a woman named Huong. The case is under further investigation. HCMC approves Mien Tay coach station in Binh Chanh The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has approved a detailed plan to build Mien Tay (Western) coach station over 20 hectares in An Phu Tay commune, Binh Chanh district to replace the existing station in District 6. The new station’s capacity will reach 50,000 passengers with 2,500 coaches departing for provinces in the Mekong Delta a day. The project will comprise hotels, commerce and service site, office buildings and shopping malls. The station will synchronously connect with Metro line no.3a, monorail and busway system. The people’s committee has assigned Saigon Transportation Mechanical Corporation to be investor of projects to build new Mien Dong (Eastern) and Mien Tay coach stations. Building of the stations is part of the city’s transport development plan by 2020 with vision till 2025. Mien Dong coach station is now located in Dinh Bo Linh street, Binh Thanh district, where has regularly been jammed with a huge volume of buses and coaches moving in and out from the station everyday. Experts have said that the city should tackle operation of illegal coaches and stations to ensure the efficiency of the two new stations. World’s largest cabin cable car system inaugurated in Quang Ninh The world’s largest cabin cable car system and the highest Sun Wheel were inaugurated at Bai Chay tourist site, Ha Long city, the northern province of Quang Ninh on June 25. At the inaugural ceremony, representatives from Guinness World Records presented certificates recognising the cable car system as the world’s longest largest cabin cable car system and the Sun Wheel as the world's highest ferris wheel. The Nu Hoang (Queen) cable car system and the Sun Wheel are parts of the Ocean Park project of Ha Long city, which cover an area of nearly 200 hectares with a total investment of around VND6,000 billion. Visitors will have a chance to enjoy sightseeing of Ha Long Bay, Ha Long city, Bai Chay bridge and Cuu Luc river from different angles. At the inauguration, Chairman of the Quang Ninh provincial People's Committee said the cable car system and the Sun Wheel will help boost socio-economic development for Quang Ninh province as well as help will turn Ha Long into a more attractive tourist destination for both domestic and foreign visitors. VNA/VNS/VOV/SGT/SGGP/TT/TN/Dantri/VNE