Social News 15/9 Noi Bai unveils free electric bus transport   The Airports Corporation of Vietnam has unveiled it will provide free electric airport bus transport on a trial basis at the Noi Bai International Airport to help passengers move easily between terminals. The free service will serve passengers at terminal T2 with priorities given to those who have difficulties in getting around such as the elderly, children or pregnant women. The service will operate on a trial basis for September 2016 through February 2017. An Airports Corporation of Vietnam representative said the move is part of a continuing effort to improve the quality of passenger services at the airport.  Wallonie-Bruxelles Delegation in VN marks 20th founding anniversary A ceremony was held in Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam, Hanoi, on September 13 night to mark the 20 th founding anniversary of the Wallonie-Bruxelles Delegation to Vietnam. Addressing the ceremony, Minister-President of the French Community of Belgium (Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles) Rudy Demotte noted with joy the outcomes of cooperation between Wallonie-Bruxelles and Vietnam over the years, saying among joint projects, Wallonie-Bruxelles heeds those in healthcare, culture and education. He noted his hope that the two sides would prioritise cooperative projects that could shift from scientific research to sustainable economic development. Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung affirmed that Wallonie-Bruxelles has become Vietnam’s trust-worthy partner through nine cooperation projects that have been rolled out across the country. Beneficiaries of the projects, including officials, businesspeople and students, are constructively contributing to national socio-economic development, he said. The Deputy FM also stressed Wallonie-Bruxelles’s role in bridging the two countries, as well as its significant contributions to protecting and promoting cultural heritage in Vietnam. US Ambassador presents gifts to AO victims on moon festival US Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius on September 13 handed over gifts to children affected by Agent Orange (AO) dioxin at the Vietnam Friendship Village on the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival. He said the festival offers a good opportunity for foreigners to learn about Vietnamese culture, history, people and language. On this occasion, he talked with war veterans under treatment in the village, recalling his visits to the central province of Quang Tri, a fierce battlefield during the war, and noting his hope that there will no victims of war-era bombs and mines in the locality. The US and Vietnamese Governments have reached consensus on dioxin cleanup at Da Nang and Bien Hoa airports, he said, informing that the work has been half-done. The ambassador voiced his support for the Vietnamese Government’s policy of putting the past behind and looking towards the future. The Vietnam Friendship Village, about 11 kilometres west of central Hanoi, provides medical care, physical therapy, education and vocational training to Vietnamese children, young adults and veterans with a range of maladies presumed to be caused by AO. Vietnam shares poverty reduction experience with Laos Deputy head of the Steering Committee for Central Highlands Region Dieu Kre received deputy head of the Lao Central Committee for Rural Development and Poverty Eradication Thongvanh Vilayheuang in Dak Lak province on September 13, during which they shared experience in poverty reduction and rural development.  Highlighting their cooperation potential, the two sides pledged to further foster their partnership in rural building and poverty eradication by regularly exchanging experience and seek effective measures to boost production and improve living conditions for people in both countries.  The Steering Committee for Central Highlands Region will work with the regional localities to propose the Government mobilise ODA for the building of necessary infrastructure facilities in border gates and markets, said Dieu Kre.  Meanwhile, the committee will also direct the localities to enhance cooperation with southern provinces of Laos , he said.  The two committees agreed to propose the two governments build rural development centres and pilot farming and breeding models such as dairy cow breeding and coffee growing, which are of Central Highlands provinces’ strength.  They also vowed to work closely in personnel training and human resources development to serve the socio-economic development as well as security and defence of both sides.  Over the past years, the two committees have jointly held studies and surveys, exchanged experience in poverty reduction, and directed localities to organise activities to enhance their partnerships.  Currently, the Central Highlands provinces and southern localities of Laos, including Attapeur, Salavan and Champasak, boast sound collaboration in various fields from trade and investment to politics, defence and security. Hà Nội children put to work with wood More than 50 kids and their parents joined an event themed “Playday – Learn to be a carpenter” held by non-profit Think Playground and learning centre Live and Learn last weekend in Hải Dương Province. The kids attended a short workshop on carpentry, which introduced the basic tools needed in designing and making wooden items like axes, screws, pincers and hand saws. They also learned how to use them with the help of event organisers. “We want kids to work with a type of material which is highly practical and familiar to them. That’s why we choose wood.” said Chu Kim Đức, architect and co-founder of Playgrounds. “On the other hand, they must be very careful while working with those tools, which they were almost never allowed to use,” said Đức. “In addition, we hope that they will pick up some good traits like patience, self-discipline and attention to detail,” Nearly 30 kids aged under 14, many of whom were girls, participated in a contest to make wooden toys. Following their supervisors’ instructions, the kids learned to use tools to attach two wooden panels; to measure wooden pieces and use a hand saw to adjust the size if needed. “This is the first time my kids learned the work of a carpenter. It’s also my first time,” said Quản Phương Dung from Hoàn Kiếm District, Hà Nội. “Working together is very exciting. It helps to boost the bond between me and my kids,” said Dung. “It’s fun to work as a carpenter,” said Tài Lâm while using a pen to mark off measurements on wooden pieces for his toy.  “I made a little house all by myself today. I also made some new friends,” exclaimed Nguyễn Minh Anh from Đống Đa District. “I may start working on a small chair when I return home,” said Thành Đạt from Ba Đình District. After three hours, the kids were asked to hand in their finished items for the contest. With pride, smiles and satisfaction, they proudly presented cars, trucks, robots, windmills and houses, all made by their own tiny hands. In cities, there is rarely a space for meaningful and healthy outdoor activities for children to enjoy the natural environment. Creating a meaningful playground like this event for kids to observe, study and play with their parents is beneficial for their development, according to Playgrounds. Think Playgrounds and its partners are planning to hold more events to nurture the love of manual work amongst children and to encourage them to create toys for themselves, according to Đức. “This type of event is still rare in Việt Nam. By implementing this initiative, we aim to provide kids with an opportunity to experience working as a carpenter so they may learn to appreciate the value of hard work in life,” he said.  “Some kids had minor accidents but they learn from them and are aware of the risks of working with these tools,” said Đức. Think Playgrounds is a non-profit organisation with a vision to seek simple and effective measures to create free playgrounds for children living in cities. Since its foundation in 2014, the organisation has built 22 playgrounds for children in and out of Hà Nội. Quang Nam to launch “Clean up the World” campaign A “Clean Up the World” campaign will be launched in central Quang Nam province from September 16-18. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment chooses as theme of the campaign in Vietnam “Taking action for a green, sustainable urban environment.” Highlights of the campaign will include a launch ceremony during which participants will collect waste, classes on environmental issues for children, class on environmental law for businesses, and an eco-friendly battery exchange.   The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Australia Embassy co-organized Vietnam’s response to the annual global “Clean Up the World” campaign. Quang Nam has progressed in natural resources and environmental management and protection, climate change adaptation, sustainable development, and in tapping tourism potential. HCMC delays truck ban on roads near airport to Oct The HCMC Department of Transport has postponed a plan to ban trucks on the roads leading to Tan Son Nhat airport including Truong Son from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. from last Friday until October. The delay aims to give transport firms more time to make preparations for the ban and ensure normal operations at the busiest international airport in Vietnam. The department announced the ban on August 25 as the city’s effort to ease chronic traffic gridlock on the roads in the airport area since Pham Van Dong was put into use. However, transport firms have complained that the ban will affect goods transport to and from the airport as well as production of enterprises. An official of the department said the agency is considering prohibiting trucks from Truong Son Street leading to the airport at rush hour only. Particularly, trucks moving from Tan Binh District to Go Vap and Thu Duc districts will be forbidden from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. while trucks carrying goods to and from Tan Son Nhat airport will be licensed to travel round the clock. Test results show seawater in Quang Binh safe Recent test results showed seawater of Nhat Le, Hai Ninh, Da Nhay, Quang Tho and Quang Phu beaches in the north-central province of Quang Binh is safe for swimming, water sports and fish farming.   According to Document 280/TB-QTMT issued last week by Quang Binh’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment, substances like fluoride, arsenic, lead, zinc, iron, cyanide, mercury and manganese in the seawater there meet QCVN 10-MT 2015/BTNMT standards for swimming, water sports and fish farming. Seawater samples were also sent to the province’s center for environmental monitoring for analysis to make sure results are reliable. Late last month, the General Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development told the media that central provinces could farm and catch fish but noted that they must test seawater and make reports so that people do not worry about the quality of seawater.  Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper on Sunday cited a plan of Quang Binh Province to compensate owners of fishing vessels, who were affected by mass fish deaths in the locality in early April, a minimum of VND9.6 million and a maximum of VND30 million per vessel per month.  Meanwhile, fishermen can get financial support of VND5.4-9.1 million per person per month and residents involved in salt production VND38.6 million per hectare. More than 100 tons of dead fish was washed ashore in Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue in April after the Formosa steel complex in Ha Tinh discharged harmful industrial wastewater into the sea. In late June, Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Corp took full responsibility for what is called as the most environmental incident in Vietnam and pledged to compensate US$500 million for economic damage. The State Bank of Vietnam said last week that its branches reported that the severe environmental incident has hit nearly 8,900 clients who borrowed a total of VND2.18 trillion from banks.  As of mid-August, banks had disbursed VND299.29 billion to 3,738 customers in the provinces to help them deal with the aftermath of the pollution. Banks offered preferential loans of a combined VND208.93 billion to support people and businesses to buy 7,302 tons of seafood. Photo exhibition highlights Vietnam-France historic relations A photo exhibition featuring the traditional friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and France was held in Paris on September 12. The bilateral historic relations were founded by late President Ho Chi Minh who devoted his whole life to the national independence and freedom as well as contributed to the global peace, justice, liberation and equality. Vietnamese Ambassador to France Nguyen Ngoc Son recalled the challenging path that Vietnamese people overcame after President Ho Chi Minh red the Declaration of Independence to establish the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on September 2, 1945. The diplomat said Vietnam has confirmed its position in the region and the world over the past 71 years to become a reliable, active and responsible partner of the international community. He added that the country will push ahead with Doi Moi (renewal) policies as set at the Resolution adopted at the 12th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. He described the official visit to Vietnam by French President Francois Hollande from September 6-7 as a significant event to promote the two countries’ relations and usher in a new chapter for the development of bilateral strategic partnership established in 2013. Senator Catherine Deroche, President of the France-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group, told Vietnam News Agency correspondents that she was confident in Vietnam’s vigorous development in the future. She said she has visited Vietnam five times since 2003 and often got surprised at rapid changes, especially in economic development and environmental protection. The recent visit to Vietnam by President Francois Hollande has significantly contributed to realising the strategic partnership between the two countries, she added. Vietnamese, Chinese journalists tighten connections The Vietnam Journalists Association (VJA) and the All-China Journalists Association (ACJA) have agreed to strengthen cooperation in news reporting so that the two sides’ media can accurately report their respective countries’ socio-economic development.  VJA Vice Standing Chairman Ho Quang Loi had talks with Zhu Shouchen, Secretary of Secretariat of the ACJA, during a working visit to China from September 6-12, according to Ha Noi Moi daily.  During the talks, the two sides informed each other about their associations’ activities and shared experience in press development.  They also agreed to increase visits between the VJA and ACJA and encourage local journalists associations in Vietnam and China to enhance collaboration.  During the stay in China, the VJA delegation had working sessions with leaders of the journalists associations of Jiangsu province and Suzhou city, the Guangming Daily, and other press outlets.- Supermarket for safe farm products opens in Hanoi The Vietnam Cooperative Alliance (VCA) on September 13 opened its first supermarket for safe agricultural products, on a trial basis at No 14, Mac Thai Tong street, Hanoi. According to Chairman of VCA’s Board of Directors Pham Minh Tuan, the VCA has worked with nearly 200 cooperatives nationwide to build a trademark for safe Vietnamese agricultural products. Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ho Thi Kim Thoa lauded the model, especially in the context of rampant unhygienic food. She hoped the VCA will further cooperate with the ministry to intensify the programme. Customers can check the origin of products through bar codes on packaging, giving tighter control to localities to ensure product quality. More than 10 million farm households are expected to benefit from the new distribution channel, contributing to the “Vietnamese give priority for Vietnam’s products” campaign. 7 injured, 280 houses damaged as Storm Rai crosses central Vietnam Tropical Storm Rai has left seven injured and damaged 280 houses in central Vietnam, following its landfall early Tuesday morning. The injured all came from the central province of Quang Tri, the National Committee for Search and Rescue said on Tuesday. The storm has also sunk four ships and stranded two others, while 275 houses had their roofs torn off between Quang Binh and Quang Nam, and five dwellings were completely destroyed in the central province of Quang Ngai. Flooding caused by the storm has also submerged 175 residences in Da Nang, Hue City, and Quang Ngai, Farmers were also counting the cost, after 615 hectares of vegetables and rice crop in Quang Tri and Quang Ngai were destroyed, 155 trees were uprooted and 450 meters of road were damaged. On Tuesday evening, the National Committee for Search and Rescue and the Department of Natural Disaster Prevention and Control urged relevant units to enact preventive measures against the Typhoon Meranti, which is expected to enter the East Vietnam Sea to the north-east on Wednesday. Moving west-northwestwards, Miranti is predicted to peak at latitude 23.1 degrees north and longitude 118.3 degree east by 1:00 am on Thursday, with maximum sustained winds predicted to reach between 185 and 200 kph, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. Severe rough seas and winds as high as 17 on the Beaufort scale are expected in the northeastern area of the East Vietnam Sea. Vietnam keeps watchful eye on Zika virus Vietnamese Ministry of Health yesterday popularized Zika virus disease prevention nationwide as the complicated development of the epidemic occurred in many Asian countries. The Ministry announced that mosquito is vector to transmit the Zika-virus disease. Additionally, the disease can be transmitted through sexual intercourses or from mother to children. Zika virus disease is most concerned medical matter internationally because the virus can cause serious birth defects including microcephaly, where babies are born with abnormally small heads and brains. However, the Ministry did not restrict travelling from regions to regions yet those from virus-stricken areas must be kept an eye on their health condition during 14  days; if they have symptoms of disease, they have to go to medical facilities for treatment. Especially, those coming back from virus- stricken nations should use condoms for protection. The Ministry also proposed people killing mosquitoes to curb spreading. Any pregnant woman who suspects that she may have been exposed to Zika -- either through a mosquito bite or sexual contact with an infected person -- should also be tested for the virus. Vietnam’s National Day marked in US, Slovakia The Vietnamese Embassy in the United States held a ceremony on September 12 to celebrate the 71st anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (September 2). The event was attended by US Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel and Representative Madeleine Bordallo, along with government officials, parliamentarians, diplomats, ASEAN ambassadors and businessmen. Addressing the ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Pham Quang Vinh emphasised that September 2, 1945 witnessed a historical milestone: the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Over the past 70 years, Vietnamese people have overcome numerous difficulties, consolidating national independence and building a stronger and more prosperous country, noted the Ambassador. He also underscored the socio-economic achievements of Vietnam as well as orientations, guidelines and policies of the 12th National Party Congress. Ambassador Vinh appreciated the development of Vietnam – US relations over the past years, particularly the establishment of a comprehensive partnership in 2013 and two-way bilateral trade reaching over US$50 billion. The relationship between the country was enhanced by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to the US on July, 2015 and the State visit of US President Barack Obama to Vietnam in May, 2016. At the ceremony, US Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel congratulated Vietnamese people on the anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day and affirmed that Vietnam and the US have attained remarkable achievements in developing co-operative relations. He also expressed his hope that the two sides’ comprehensive partnership would be deepened, contributing to promoting common interests for peace and prosperity in the region. Representative Bordallo expressed her belief that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal would be soon approved, bringing benefits in both trade and security to the Asia-Pacific region. On September 13, the Vietnamese Embassy in Slovakia held a ceremony to mark the 71st anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day, featuring the participation of more than 300 Slovakian officials, diplomatic corps and overseas Vietnamese in the host country. Vietnamese Ambassador to Slovakia highlighted results of the Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s official visit to Vietnam in July. The visit’s success would contribute to fostering the traditional friendship and enhancing the co-operation in all fields between the two countries, added the Ambassador. Co-operative Union of Agricultural Consumption established The Vietnam Co-operative Alliance (VCA) on September 13 announced the establishment of the Co-operative Union of Agricultural Consumption (UCA) and opened a safe farm product store. This is the first store of its kind to be put into operation by the VCA with an aim to distribute and popularise safe agricultural products from co-operatives in the country. Addressing the opening ceremony, Chairman of Board of Directors of the UCA Pham Anh Tuan said that the Union was established in accordance with the Law on Co-operatives. It is expected to promote the construction of sustainable link models, from production through processing to consumption, while applying high-tech methods to increase production. The establishment of the UCA also aims to connect producers of safe agricultural products nationwide in addition to building a national brand for Vietnamese agricultural products both at home and abroad, he added. Meanwhile, the safe farm store brings together over 1,000 agricultural products from prestigious co-operatives in Da Lat - Lam Dong, Moc Chau - Son La, Ha Tinh, and Nghia Loc. It is expected that around 20 similar stores will open in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City by the end of this year. Revised criteria for building new rural areas critical to its success: Deputy PM Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue has said that the set of criteria for new rural areas, which is under review for update, is critical to the programme’s success over the next five years. He said revisions and additions to the criteria must be based on the Party’s resolution on agriculture, farmers and rural areas, under which a better quality of life, a clean environment, improved infrastructure and conservation of local identity are the main goals. Deputy PM Hue emphasised that the new set of criteria must be tailored to the specific conditions of each region, closely aligned with building civilised cities and incorporate projects from other national development programmes to avoid wasteful dissipation of resources. According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam, after more than five years of implementation, the current set of criteria has proved to be unsuitable with local conditions in a number of aspects and needs revising. Deputy Minister Nam said the number of general criteria would remain the same but would be modified to incorporate projects from other national development programmes and be compatible with the UN sustainable development goals. The revision work has also been ordered by the National Assembly in which new rural construction should be combined with rural economic restructuring and practical urbanisation. Internet in Vietnam to slow down during cable maintenance Local users are likely to experience slow connection speeds through September 19 as the unreliable, rupture-prone AAG gets serviced. Yes, it’s happening again. The internet in Vietnam will lag for five days, from 2:00 a.m. on September 15 to 5:00 a.m. on September 19, when the Asia America Gateway (AAG) cable system has its scheduled maintenance. Most likely it will take users in Vietnam longer to access websites or online services hosted outside the country during the period, local media reported, citing Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT). The service provider, one of the biggest in the country, said it will temporarily address the problem by shifting to other land-based networks to ensure connection quality in the next few days. The  AAG, a major submarine cable that connects Vietnam with the world, ruptured yet again on August 2. This year alone, it had already experienced problems in March and June, heavily affecting outbound internet traffic. Vietnam has four submarine cable systems. The AAG went online in November 2009 stretching over 20,000 kilometers with a design capacity of 2 terabit/second. Southeast Asia is connected to the US across the Pacific Ocean, via Guam and Hawaii. The notorious line ruptured three times last year. In 2014 it went down twice. Local telecom companies have been investing in new alternative systems to ease their reliance on the AAG. The new networks are expected to be completed soon, according to media reports. Nearly 49 million people, more than half of Vietnam's population of 90 million, were online as of June 30, according to statistics compiled by Internet World Stats. PM urges urgent response to dam break incident in Quang Nam The Prime Minister has instructed the central province of Quang Nam and relevant agencies to focus all resources on dealing with the dam break incident at Song Bung 2 hydroelectric plant in Nam Giang district.  The dam at the plant, which is under construction, broke on the afternoon of September 13 due to prolonged torrential rain. Two workers working at the site were swept away by the strong flow of water and are still missing.  In his dispatch sent on September 14, the PM asked the provincial People’s Committee, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Electricity of Vietnam, and the National Committee for Search and Rescue to intensify coordination in the search for the missing while taking immediate measures to ensure safety for downstream areas.  The PM also demanded them to pinpoint the cause of the incident and the responsibilities of individuals and units involved.  Quang Nam authorities and relevant agencies should assess the damages caused by the incident and provide support to those affected while addressing any consequences of the incident to help local residents resume normal life.  At noon of September 14, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Cao Quoc Cuong arrived at the scene to direct the settlement of the incident.  According to initial statistics, six downstream communes of La ee, La Dee, Cho Chun, Cha Val, Zuol and Dak Toi were flooded, with three local houses and machineries working at the construction site swept away.  Eleven local residents who were planting trees or looking after cattle in downstream areas could not be contacted after the incident.  However, authorised forces were able to contact most of them as of September 14 noon.  As for the two missing workers, divers from Da Nang city have been hired to search for them.  The construction of Song Bung 2 Hydroelectricity plant was started in late 2012. As the fourth largest hydroelectric plant in Quang Nam, it has a total capacity of 100 MW. It is expected to start power generation later this year. Fishermen saved by Chinese rescuers to return to Da Nang Four Vietnamese fishermen saved at sea by Chinese rescuers two months ago are scheduled to arrive in the central city of Da Nang on September 14 night, according to the Vietnamese Consulate General in China’s Guangzhou.  The fishermen, Ho Thao, Ho Hoang, Ho Huu Loi and Ho Thanh Danh, were onboard the QNg 94764 TS fishing vessel from the central province of Quang Ngai when the vessel had an accident in waters beyond the mouth of the Tonkin Gulf on July 20.  They were rescued by Chinese salvage tug NH203 and then taken to the People’s Hospital in Sanya city in China’s Hainan province for treatment. During their stay in the hospital, the Vietnamese Consulate General in Guangzhou made regular visits to the fishermen.  Representatives from the office have sent thanks to the hospital as well as authorised agencies of China for their timely search and rescue activities as well as the medical services they gave to the Vietnamese fishermen.- Central localities urged to overcome storm consequences Localities in the central region have been asked to overcome the consequences of storm Rai, the fourth hitting Vietnam so far this year. The Central Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control urged the localities to take prompt actions to ensure the safety of people and facilities in the lowlands of the Song Bung 2 hydropower plant on the upper reaches of Vu Gia River in Nam Giang district, Quang Nam province as an incident in the gate of a penstock at the plant killed two workers and swept away three houses. The Prime Minister also asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the EVN and Quang Nam province to hastily overcome the incident and find its reasons.  The central localities were requested to calculate damage caused by storm Rai and mobilise forces to help the people stabilise their lives.  According to a report from the Steering Committee, the year's fourth storm caused serious damage to Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Da Nang and Quang Ngai.  It injured 34 people, damaged 690 houses. Heavy rains brought by the storm flooded 8,422 hectares of rice and 2,063 hectares of other crops. The Steering Committee also asked the provinces to prepare active measures to deal with the effects of super typhoon Meranti, which hit China’s Taiwan on September 14 and is forecast to land in Guangdong province on September 15 morning. The local authorities should coordinate with armed forces to inform owners of ships operating in the northern part of the East Sea about the developments of the storm for timely response.  Provinces from Nghe An to Quang Binh must actively implement measures to deal with rain and flood to be caused by the typhoon while inspecting the safety of lakes and dams, especially those under construction on rivers and streams in areas where heavy rains are expected. Children celebrate mid-autumn fest State and local officials have granted gifts to children, especially, poor, underprivileged and ill children across the country on the occasion of this year’s Mid-autumn festival, annually held on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar (September 15 this year). President Trần Đại Quang yesterday sent a letter to children nationwide to wish them a warm mid-autumn festival. In the letter, Quang said he hoped all Vietnamese children would become able citizens to make Việt Nam shoulder-to-shoulder with other countries in the future. On Tuesday, vice President Đặng Thị Ngọc Thịnh gave gifts to 95 child cancer patients in the Hà Nội-based K Hospital. She also joined children in folk games and watched music performances with them. On the same day, Minister of Health Nguyễn Thị Kim Tiến and the “For a bright tomorrow” fund presented gifts to 70 child patients at the Central Pediatrics Hospital. In northern mountainous Lào Cai Province, local administration undertook a range of activities including granting gifts and holding a “Warm mid-autumn festival” night for local ethnic-minority children. Lý A Chảo, a Dao ethnic-minority boy said, “Every year when the day is coming, I expect a lot, I expect to celebrate mid-autumn festival with my friends.”  Vương Mạnh Phú, Secretary of the Communist Youth Union of Bát Xát District, said more than 2,000 children were awarded gifts. In Sa Pa Town, local children enjoyed the mid-autumn festival on Tuesday night by eating moon cakes and carrying star-shaped lanterns around the town. In northern Ninh Bình Province, children at the provincial Social Protection Centre received gifts to celebrate the mid-autumn festival from local officials yesterday. The coastal central Phú Yên Province’s Labour, Invalid and Social Affairs Department worked with the local Maternity and Pediatrics Hospital to organise the programme “Mid-autumn festival for you” for 100 children in the hospital. More than 1,000 gifts were also sent to poor children in the province. In southern Cà Mau Province, 800 gifts were given to children with disabilities and homeless children. In Việt Nam, on the full moon night, children join traditional celebrations, including eating moon cake, carrying carp-shaped lanterns, and watching lion dances in streets. Best traffic safety slogans awarded in Hanoi A slogan penned by a ninth grader from the northern province of Bac Kan has been selected to appear on posters to raise awareness of traffic safety among students nationwide in 2016. A ceremony was held in Hanoi to present awards to authors of the best slogans selected in the “Doraemon with traffic safety in Vietnam” contest. The winner is Luan Anh Tuyet, a student at Ngan Son ethnic boarding school, with the slogan “Niem vui theo em den truong la su an toan tren tung buoc di” (The joy on my way to school is safety in every step). Tuyet received a prize worth 2.2 million VND (200 USD), a round-trip air ticket from Vietnam to Tokyo, and a TV set. Launched by the Traffic Police Department in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Training and Japan’s Mainichi Newspaper Group in May this year, the programme received 24,257 slogans, which show public wish of ensuring traffic safety for children. Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Hiroshi Fukada said Vietnam should strive to create a safe and orderly traffic environment for people in the next three to five years. Senior Lieutenant Colonel Do Thanh Binh, Deputy head of the Traffic Police Department, pledged to take measures to ensure traffic safety for investors, including those from Japan . Japan launched a traffic safety programme featuring Doraemon 30 years ago, when about 15,000 Japanese people were killed by traffic accidents every year. Japan is now one of the countries with the safest traffic network in the world, while its people have very good road sense. The number of traffic-linked deaths has shrunk to around 4,000 a year. VAVA President urges new methods to mobilize support for dioxin victim President of the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange (VAVA) Nguyen Van Rinh has urged the association’s chapters at all levels to seek new ways to mobilise more support for AO victims.  During a working session with authorities of the southern province of Vinh Long on September 14, Rinh urged the province to enhance the Party's leadership over the settlement of the consequences of toxic chemicals used by the US during the war in Vietnam, in line with the Party Central Committee Secretariat’s instruction.  The province should promote communication work to enhance public awareness of the AO disaster in Vietnam and the Party and State’s policies on dealing with its consequences, thus creating public movements to support the local AO victims, Rinh said.  Meanwhile, local representatives suggested the Government, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs provide instruction on how to provide support to help those exposed to AO/dioxin without certified documents.  A comprehensive data of AO victims should be established to facilitate caring and support for the targeted group, they said.  Vinh Long is home to 6,560 victims to Agent Orange/dioxin, including over 3,200 children.  Nearly 1,400 war veteran and their children are alive AO victims, but only 1,264 of them benefit from social welfare.  From 2010 – 2015, the province mobilised 19.2 billion VND (864,000 USD) to support local AO victims. The amount covered building and repairing 150 houses, over 26,400 packages of gifts and health check-ups for over 20,000 people.  The province also has two social welfare facilities, accommodating disadvantaged children, including the disabled and AO victims.  From 1961-1971, US troops sprayed more than 80 million litres of herbicides - 44 million litres of which were AO, containing nearly 370 kilograms of dioxin - over southern Vietnam. As a result, around 4.8 million Vietnamese were exposed to the toxic chemical. Many of the victims have died, while millions of their descendants are living with deformities and diseases as a direct result of the chemical’s effects. Vietnamese, French localities beef up cooperation Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has called on France to help Vietnamese localities make the best use of their advantages and build specific cooperation programmes. To develop such cooperation programmes, it requires the involvement of all-level authorities, organisations and especially businesses, he said, noting that Vietnam always welcomes and facilitates the operation of French businesses in the country. Speaking at the tenth conference on cooperation between Vietnamese and French localities which opened in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on September 14, the Deputy PM affirmed that France is Vietnam’s most important strategic partner. Collaboration between the two countries’ localities has been deepened, bringing pragmatic outcomes to both sides, he said. Martine Pinville, French Minister of State for Commerce, Small-Scale Industry, Consumer Affairs and Social and Solidarity Economy, highlighted potential for cooperation between the two countries and their localities. The bilateral cooperation covers all regions and realms like culture, health care, training, rural and urban development, hygiene, and French language, she said, up to 240 joint projects are underway with the participation of 19 French localities and 17 Vietnamese provinces. Themed “Looking towards effective and sustainable economic partners,” the conference is held by the Cités Unies France in conjunction with the Can Tho People’s Committee. Apart from seminars on cooperation in economy, tourism, education, health care, climate change, agriculture, fisheries, urban development and culture, the conference also featured an international fair. Nguyen Du school in Vientiane launches new school year The Nguyen Du Lao-Vietnamese bilingual language school in Vientiane, Laos, launched its new school year on September 14, welcoming 1,897 students at all levels.  The school, run by the Association of Vietnamese in Vientiane, currently has 92 teachers, including 15 Vietnamese.  Speaking at the ceremony, Vietnamese Chargé d’affaires in Laos Hoang Xuan Hai said that he hopes the school will have a successful year, promoting its 50-year tradition closely attached to the Vietnamese community in Laos.  He suggested that the school should continue improving the quality of its staff and renovating its teaching methods. He also asked the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training and Vientiane’s Department of Education and Training to pay more attention to the school and support its improvements.  On the occasion, he handed over gifts from Tran Nguyet Thu, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s spouse, including two computer sets, 40 packs of books and school equipment and 50 packages of milk. Local health sectors urged to review services The Ministry of Health yesterday requested the health sector in Nghệ An and Hậu Giang provinces to strengthen inspection of the healthcare facilities for mothers and children. The request came after two cases involving the deaths of mothers and their newborns were reported in recent days. The ministry asked the units to strictly implement the national guidance on services of reproductive healthcare to reduce maternal and newborn mortality. On Monday, a 32-year-old woman living in the central province of Nghệ An’s Nghi Xuân District died after giving birth at a healthcare centre of Phúc Thọ Commune. Also on the same day, another woman and her newborn twins died in the morning after transferring from the General Hospital No. 10 of Hậu Giang’s Province’s Châu Thành District to the Cần Thơ Obstetrics Hospital. Following the two incidents, the ministry asked the health sectors of the two provinces to instruct local healthcare centres to provide accurate information. Relevant units were required to urgently hold meetings to review all the processes of taking care and treatment for these cases. The health sectors of the two provinces are required to report the inspection result to the ministry before September 16. Conference discusses ways to control non-infectious diseases The Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation on September 12 held a conference to discuss the relation between non-communicable diseases (NCD) and sustainable development of Vietnam, which drew 150 Vietnamese and foreign delegates.  According to Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long, Vietnam is facing a growing burden of fatalities from NCDs, primarily cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, which accounted for 73 percent of the total deaths.  Meanwhile, NCDs are also the reason behind 40 percent of deaths among under-70-year-old people, he added, attributing the fact to the unhealthy lifestyle of the majority of Vietnamese people.  The latest survey on NCD risk factors by the Health Ministry’s Preventive Medicine Department on nearly 3,800 people aged between 18 and 69 years in Vietnam in 2015 revealed that 43.8 percent of the country’s adult population consume alcohol.  More than 77 percent of adult males and 11 percent of women said that they had consumed at least six units of alcohol in the previous 30 days. More than 44 percent of men and 1.2 percent of women said that they had engaged in heavy episodic drinking.  The survey found that the general smoking rate among Vietnamese aged 15 years and above was 22.5 percent. The percentage of males who currently smoke tobacco was very high at 45.3 percent, while female smoking was at 1.1 percent.  Overweight and obesity rate was 15.6 percent in Vietnam. Vietnamese on average consumed 9.4 grams of salt daily, nearly double the WHO recommendation level of below 5 grams of salt daily, the survey said.  It added that nearly one third, or 28.1 percent, of Vietnamese people did not participate in physical exercise. As a result, nearly 19 percent of Vietnamese people had high blood pressure problems. The rate was higher in males at 23.1 percent and 14.9 percent in females.  Long pointed to inadequate investment in the control of NCD in Vietnam, proposing that the country should strengthen cooperation among ministries and sectors, while increasing preventive services and forming health promotion fund to provide sustainable resources for NCD control and prevention.  Speaking at the event, UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pratiba Mehta said that while Vietnam has gained great achievements in fulfilling Millennium Development Goals, especially in lengthening people’s longevity,  the country is facing challenges in NCD, which requires the country to make inter-sectoral efforts as well as measures to control and supervise the diseases. Japan surveys Danang-Hoi An monorail project Chairman of the municipal Danang People’s Committee Huynh DucTho has praised Japanese partners for conducting a survey on the Danang-Hoi An monorail project. At a September 14 reception for former Director General of UNESCO Koichiro Matsura.  Tho thanked the Japanese officialfor his major contributions to developing Japan-Vietnam relations as well as accelerating the implementation of projects to upgrade Tien Sa port and deal with environmental pollution. He hoped for continued support fromKoichiroMatsura in sharing experience in the fields of economics, education, and cultural heritage. Relevant agencies have been asked to work together with the Central Japan Railway Company on a monorail construction plan to facilitate the execution of the project, Tho told his guest. Matsura in turn, pledged his best efforts to call for more Japanese investment into infrastructure development and science and technology projects to help the city spur sustainable development. Vietnamese man builds homemade helicopter A local auto engineer in southern Vietnam has successfully put together a homemade helicopter capable of covering short distances at low altitude. Nguyen Bui Hien, 62, is a mechanical engineer who lives and runs a small automobile garage in Binh Duong Province. He recently made local headlines after footage of his prototype helicopter’s successful test flight surfaced online. Hien is no novice however, having built his first helicopter back in 2012, the culmination of three years of intensive study of a helicopter’s schematics and operating systems. His first build weighed 250 kilograms, is 2.95 meters long, 1.2 meters wide, and 2.4 meters high with 106 horsepower engine capable of producing 6,500 rotations per minute. According to Hien’s calculations, the VND200 million (US$9,110) helicopter would have operated safely at an altitude of 200 meters at 150 to 200 kilometers per hour, though he never conducted a successful test of its flight capabilities. The passionate engineer confirmed to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on September 13 that a new model he had been working on had recently been field-tested. Hien said the successful test flight, which was recorded by his team, had been conducted on an empty field without public or media presence for safety reasons. The helicopter, which he has named ‘Dream’, was able to hover two meters from the ground and covered a distance of about 100 meters, according to results of the test flight. “I flew at a low altitude to minimize all potential risks,” Hien said, explaining why he had not pushed his prototype helicopter to its’ limit. The engineer attributed the successful flight to his use of an alloy in the helicopters’ rotor blades, with its engine imported from the US. Hien said that since 2014 he had spent hundreds of millions of Vietnamese dong on building his dream helicopter, and the engine alone had cost him US$5,000. “I hope that in the near future the model will be further improved to enhance its performance,” Hien said, “Given positive results, these homemade helicopters can be used in agriculture as low-cost crop dusters.” The engineer intends to patent his helicopter design and apply for a permit to test his vehicle at a larger scale. HCM Institute – bridge of Vietnam-Russia relationship Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation Truong Thi Mai on September 14 visited the Ho Chi Minh Institute of Saint Petersburg University as part of her visit to Russia. Founded in 2010, the institute is a joint project between Saint Petersburg University and the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (NPA), said Director of the institute Prof. Vladimir Kolotov. Over the past six years, the two sides have worked together to organise various workshops on President Ho Chi Minh’s thoughts, the outcomes of which were collated into a book published in Russian and Vietnamese. The institute has conducted studies on Vietnam’s politics, economy, history and culture, and trained students, while seeking ways to expand cooperation between Vietnam and Russia, he said. The institute is teaming up with the NPA and other partners in Vietnam to organise the first-ever exhibition on Vietnamese culture at the Hermitage Museum, one of the largest museums worldwide, on May 19, 2019, according to Prof. Kolotov. Mai described the institute as a bridge for the friendship between Vietnam and Russia. She promised to exert all-out efforts to support the exhibition. The same day, Mai met with representatives of the Vietnamese community in St. Petersburg. Mai and her entourage then left Russia for the Czech Republic. President receives out-going Moroccan Ambassador President Tran Dai Quang has acknowledged contributions made by Moroccan Ambassador El Houcine Fardani to promoting friendship and all-around cooperation between Vietnam and Morocco over the last ten years. At a reception in Hanoi on September 14 for the ambassador, who is ending his tenure in Vietnam, President Quang also appreciated the diplomat’s role as the head of the diplomatic corps in Hanoi. The President thanked Moroccan King Mohammed VI for his invitation to attend the 22nd Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 22) in Morocco in November this year. He praised Morocco as one of the leading countries in Africa in committing to dealing with climate change, especially in clean energy development, and affirmed Vietnam’s determination to realise sustainable development goals relating to environmental protection and climate change adaptation. President Quang thanked Morocco for supporting Vietnam’s candidacy for a non - permanent seat on the UN Security Council, and for seats on the UN Socio-economic Council and the UNESCO’s Executive Council. At the same time, he asked the African country to support Vietnam’s candidacy for the post of UNESCO General Director for 2017-2021, a seat on the International Law Commission and re-election to the Executive Council of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in 2017-2020. He called for closer coordination between the two countries at regional and global forums, and in the South-South Cooperation Mechanism and Non-Aligned Movement. For his part, Ambassador El Houcine Fardani expressed his joy at Vietnam’s socio-economic development achievements, saying that Vietnam has become a model for developing countries. He affirmed that he will continue making more contributions to the Morocco-Vietnam relationship. Mid-autumn Festival celebrated nationwide Vietnamese are celebrating the Mid-autumn Full Moon Festival (T?t Trung Thu) across the country, with lanterns and cultural activities in every street and home today and tomorrow. The festival features traditional mid-autumn products, folk toymaking, flower arranging and moon cake-making. During the celebration parents prepare different special foods, such as cupcakes, candies and fruit, including grapefruit, red persimmon, longan, banana, and mango, decorated with symbols of dogs, cats and mice. Children wear masks, beat drums, perform fantastic lion dances, sing folk songs in yards and on the streets, and hold lantern processions when the moon is rising. Saigon Classical Music Group in concert The Saigon Classical Music Group will perform at the “Recollection” concert at the HCM City Southern Women’s Museum on September 17. The concert will open with compositions by Bach, Haydn, Brahms, César and Ketèbey. The event will continue with works by Vietnamese composers Nguy?n Thành Nh?t and Hoàng Cuong, along with composers Scriabin, Chopin, Brahms and Saint-Saens. The performance will feature young musicians, including pianists La Qu? Anh, Thiên Cát Vu and Ð?ng Trí Dung, and violinist Ðan Cát Vu. The concert will begin at 7pm at 202 Võ Th? Sáu Street in District 3. Free tickets are available at www.ticketbox.vn. Rugby tournament begins this weekend The second international rugby tournament, Saigon Rugby 10’s, will take place on September 17 at the RMIT sportsgrounds in District 7. The event includes 16 teams from Cambodia, Hong Kong, Australia, Malaysia, China, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar and Vi?t Nam, among others. There will be a kids’ rugby clinic hosted by resident rugby team Saigon Geckos, a food and beverage corner, and a play zone. The event will begin at 9am. The venue is at 702 Nguy?n Van Linh Street in District 7. Exhibit showcases Red Cross activities The HCM City unit of the Vi?t Nam Red Cross Society is showcasing the charity activities of its members and volunteers at a photo exhibition. It has 120 photos themed “For everybody, everywhere” showing how charity works besides a wide range of the Red Cross’s activities in the last five years. The HCM City unit of the charity leads the country in terms of donations as well as first aid and emergency response, Lê Quang Ninh, its chairman told the opening ceremony. It has taken its activities to schools and hospitals around the city, he said. The exhibition, on Nguy?n Hu? Street, will run until September 20. 30,000 expected at Haûi Döông Festival The 2016 Côn Son-Ki?p B?c Autumn Festival, held in H?i Duong Province, is expected to attract an estimate of nearly 30,000 visitors this year, according to the event’s organisers.  The festival, held from September 10-20, commemorates the contributions of General Tr?n Hung Ð?o, amongst the most revered figures in Vietnamese history for his role in the country’s victories over three major 13th century Mongolian invasions. The festival also honours Nguy?n Trãi, a poet and Confucian scholar who was recognised an Outstanding Man of Culture by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) in 1980. The festival features activities such as a lantern-release ceremony to pray for the country’s peace and prosperity and a military boat parade on L?c Ð?u River that re-enacts the Tr?n Dynasty army during the second struggle against Mongolian invaders. The celebration was recognised as national intangible cultural heritage in 2012. French author discusses VN crafts Sylvie Fanchette, a French author, will discuss her books featuring Vietnamese handicrafts on Friday at the Bookworm shop. She is the author of Hà N?i, a Metropolis in the Making and Discovering Craft Villages in Vi?t Nam - Ten itineraries around Hà N?i (with Nicholas Steadman). She will allow readers to join an investigation into the past development and future growth of Hà N?i, from villages to a globalised mega-city that continues to envelope rural communities. The books, both published by Th? Gi?i (World) Publishers, have been popular among people who want to explore local craft environments. The Bookworm is a well-known book cafe in Hà N?i, located at 44 Châu Long Street.  Queer Forever 2016 gives LGBT films a voice Queer Forever 2016, an intimate series of film screenings and discussions projecting voices from the LGBTIQ community, will take place in the capital city September 16-17.  This year’s programme is composed of short fiction films, documentaries, film sketches, and experimental abstractions from Vi?t Nam, Thailand, Myanmar, Singapore, Taiwan, Philippines, China and Japan.   The filmmakers, including Lei Lei Aye from Myanmar (Soulmates), Hyoe Yamamoto from Japan (When I Become Silent) and Kassey Huang from Taiwan (The Window of Desire) will present their works and converse with visitors. “I hope that the festival will be another occasion for us to gather, to watch and fall in love with film together, to discuss with filmmakers and among ourselves the images, sounds, and stories brimming with queer love,” said Nguy?n Qu?c Thành, member of the organising board. The films include Finding Phong, a feature-length documentary directed by Tr?n Phuong Th?o and Swann Dubus, which follows Phong, a young transgender woman during her struggle to fulfill her dream to have a sex reassignment surgery. Excerpts from Phong’s video diary blend with Th?o and Dubus’s documentation of her encounters with her family, friends, colleagues and doctors – each must come to terms with her determination to reinvent herself. The film won the prestigious Nanook-Jean Rouch Grand Prix last year in France. The screenings and discussions will take place at Nhà Sàn Collective, Hà N?i Creative City Building, 1 Luong Yên Street and the Goethe Institute, 54-56 Nguy?n Thái H?c Street. Belgian beer fest at American Club Beluxcham Vietnam is holding its third edition of the Belgian Beer Festival in Hà N?i, aiming to bring one of the best parts of Belgian culture to the Vietnamese and foreigners living in Vi?t Nam. Belgian Beer is a tradition and part of Belgian culture and each beer has its own particular glass that enchances the aroma and taste of each beer. More than 60 types of Belgian beers, blond, dark, amber, bitter or sweet, can be tasted. Belgian Beers will be also served with Belgian food - waffles, fries, stew and sausages. A musical show will take place during the evening with the performance of DJ Bruno and the BBB (Belgian Beer Band, a mix of Belgians, Europeans and Vietnamese musicians/singers). The beer festival will be held from 6pm on September 30 at the American Club, 21 Hai Bà Trung Street,  Hà N?i. Entrance fee VNÐ400,000, presale price: VNÐ300,000.  Cheap book festival in HCM City A book festival offering a special promotional program will be held at Ho Chi Minh City Exhibition House in Dsitrict 1 from September 16-25.  Ho Chi Minh City Book Distribution Corporation (Fahasa) will display over 3,000 stationeries and thousands of titles with more than 300,000 copies. Books will be highly discounted during the event. Accordingly, readers will have a chance to enjoy items up 50 percent off original prices and cheap prices from VND2,000, VND3,000, VND5,000, VND10,000 and VND15,000. The “Month of Phuong Nam book” will be organized at Phuong Nam Cultural Corporation’s bookstores nationwide from September 15- October 15. About 1,000 titles will be offered at a discount of 10-50 percent during the month. Special prices, VND2,000, VND3,000, VND5,000, VND10,000 and VND15,000 will be applied for some books. The event also includes many exchanges and book signing between authors and readers in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho and Phan Thiet. The first exchange will be held in Nguyen Van Binh Book Street in HCM City on September 17. The debut book “My dear Hanoi” by photographer Huu Bao will take place at Laca café in Hanoi on September 23. VNA/VNS/VOV/SGT/SGGP/TT/TN/Dantri/VNE