Social News 20/10 Criminal proceedings launched on elephant tusk smuggling case   The Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department on October 18 launched criminal proceedings against the recent elephant tusk smuggling case discovered in Cat Lai port. On October 6, the customs office at Sai Gon port coordinated with the municipal customs force and anti-smuggling police inspected two containers of timber imported from Mozambique, which are sent to Dieu Tien trade and service company based in Tan Binh district. More than two tonnes of elephant tusks were found hidden inside. The department said the case’s file will be transferred to the police for further investigation. Vietnam has banned the trading of elephant tusks since 1992. Road directorate proposes Hồ Chí Minh Highway upgradation The Directorate for Roads of Việt Nam has proposed to spend VNĐ35 billion (US$1.6 million) to upgrade the Quảng Bình stretch of the Hồ Chí Minh Highway. The proposal was made to reduce floods and traffic jams on the stretch during the rainy season. The project will be supported by the Government’s Road Maintenance Fund for 2017. According to the directorate, the Quảng Bình stretch of the highway, from km909 to km912 in Thượng Hóa Commune, was opened for use in 2003. The stretch is 7m wide, with both sides surrounded by mountains. A gully, which is some 20m wide and 10m long, lies on the right side of the stretch. Every year, during the rainy season, water overflows from the gully and inundates the stretch, making it dangerous for people and vehicles, in addition to causing traffic jams. To improve the situation, the proposed budget will be spent on lifting the stretch’s foundation, improving the drainage system and widening the gully, the directorate said. The directorate ordered Road Management Department II to conduct regular patrols and direct traffic on the stretch when floods occur. Following the heavy rainfall on October 13-16, Lê Đình Thọ, deputy transport minister, surveyed and evaluated the conditions of several stretches of the Hồ Chí Minh Highway and the National Route 1A where floods often take place. The ministry plans to ask concerned authorities to replace the hard traffic separators with the soft ones so that water can be drained more easily. Trees on HN’s Kim Mã Street bid farewell Workers started moving mahogany trees on Hà Nội’s Kim Mã Street last night to make way for a metro line of the Nhổn-Hà Nội Railway Station. Some 109 mahogany trees, 24 of which are ancient trees shading Thủ Lệ Lake, will either be cut down or relocated to a plant nursery for maintenance in Văn Giang, Hưng Yên Province. After one year, these trees will be brought back and replanted on Hà Nội’s streets. This is the first time Hà Nội People’s Committee has decided to relocate trees instead of cutting them down in a land clearance project. Urban railway No.3 -- the section between Nhổn and Hà Nội Railway Station -- is some 12.5km long. The project’s total cost is expected to be US$1.18 billion. Construction began in September 2010 and is scheduled for completion in November 2018. Trần Nam Mừng, vice director of Beepro Joint Stocks Company which is undertaking the tree relocation, said the work would be done on principle to save as many trees as possible. According to statistics, some 60 per cent of the relocated trees could continue growing well, he said. He said the work was being done at night to avoid impacting traffic. Crane collapses on roof A construction crane collapsed on the roof of a house on the capital’s Thụy Khuê Street last night. No casualties were reported. The crane, tens of metres in length, fell on the roof of house No. 80 on the opposite site of the street. The crane belonged to a construction project of a commercial-apartment-parking lot complex at No. 69 on Thụy Khuê Street in Tây Hồ District. A representative from Hòa Bình Construction & Real Estate Corporation, the contractor of the project, said the incident occurred due to the weak foundation of the ground beneath the crane. The construction workers were lowering the cane in preparation for an upcoming storm when the incident occurred, he said. Part of the house’s balcony and roof were damaged, he added. The project’s investor asked the contractor to suspend construction and propose compensation packages for the affected household. Hanoi kicks off southern road construction Construction has started on the main road in the southern gateway of the city in Hoàng Mai district at a cost of 2,067 billion (92.66 million USD). Tam Trinh Road, linking beltway 2 with beltway 3, is expected to create favourable conditions for travel, especially for the district’s residents. It will help miminise transport pressure on the southern routes of the city, promote social-economic development and create a beautiful and modern landscape in the region. The 3,557m road will be completed within 720 days. The city budget and the district’s land-use fund have invested in the project. Expense for land clearance work is 1,648 billion VND (73.9 million USD) and the contract for construction costs 243.6 billion VND. Participating at the ground-breaking ceremony on October 18 were Hanoi Party Committee Secretary Hoang Trung Hai and leaders of the city and district authorities. At the ceremony, Nguyen The Hung, deputy chairman of the city People’s Committee, said it is one of the key transport projects to achieve the city’s goal of reducing traffic congestion in the 2016-20 period. The total area acquired for the project is some 112,000sq.m from three wards. The district People’s Committee has been exerting maximum efforts to complete land clearance so as to achieve the project deadline, he said. The district authorities has been asked to coordinate with the contractor to ensure quality and criteria on lighting system, trees and landscape are met. Marathon to raise funds for the poor in Hanoi The 2016 Long Bien Marathon is scheduled to take place in Hanoi on October 23 to raise funds for needy people in the capital’s Long Bien district. The non-profit running event is expected to attract 700 people from Hanoi and other cities and provinces such as Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Hue. It also draws 100 international athletes from over 10 countries and territories like the US, the UK, Germany, France, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia and Indonesia. Amateur and professional runners will compete in four main categories: 42.2 km; 21.2 km; 10 km; and 5km. The oldest participant is 68-year-old Harald Sundal, while the youngest is four-year-old Tran Dai An, who will join 70 other children in the 5km race. Miss Vietnam 2006 Mai Phuong Thuy and UK Ambassador to Vietnam Giles Lever will also run in the event. Long-distance running has been gaining popularity in Vietnam over the past three years with a number of marathon and semi-marathon tourneys held across the country to encourage healthy lifestyle in the community. Overseas Vietnamese committee delegation works in Binh Phuoc A delegation of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs led by Vice Chairman Dang The Hung on October 18 had a working session on October 18 with authorities of southern Binh Phuoc province on Vietnamese returning from Cambodia. Until now, up to 1,970 people from Cambodia living in Binh Phuoc have yet been granted Vietnamese civil status. Most the returnees cannot read and write, even some cannot speak Vietnamese. They have no land for production and fish for a living. Due to parents have no personal paper, their children cannot attend school. Over the past time, Binh Phuoc has provided food and other necessities to them. Up to 450 people need housing support and 700 people need vocational training while 180 households need loans. The province also assisted 225 pupils with costs related to education and more than 1,000 people in getting health insurance cards. Hung lauded Binh Phuoc’s efforts in taking care of the life of migrants and recommended the province ensure consistency of policies between localities and boost security. Vice Chairman of the Binh Phuoc People’s Committee Nguyen Tien Dung recommended ministries and sectors to allocate financial resources to help the province implement the government’s decisions on migrants. Youth help foster Vietnam-Cambodia ties A joint programme between the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union’s Central Committee and the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association (VCFA) for the 2016 – 2021 period was signed in Hanoi on October 18. The programme focuses on their cooperation in making proposals related to youth education and exchanges to the two State agencies. In addition, they will co-organise events marking important days of both nations, and jointly hold humanitarian activities and friendship exchanges. Youth unions at border areas are encouraged to support the establishment of local chapters of the VCFA. The youth union central committee also assists the VCFA in connecting Vietnamese and Cambodian students in Vietnam and boosting their understanding of the traditional ties between the two countries. Seminar calls for removal of trade embargo on Cuba A seminar on the trade embargo against Cuba was held by the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association (VCFA) and the Cuban Embassy in Vietnam in Hanoi on October 19. The event saw the participation of representative from the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations, the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and National Defence, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, mass organisations, historians and economic experts. Participants expressed solidarity with the Cuban people and called on the US Congress to remove the economic , trade and financial blockade imposed on Cuba over the last five decades. Cuban Ambassador Herminio Lopez Diaz spoke on the impacts caused by the US’s trade embargo against Cuba, while stressing the need to immediately remove the policy. He said Cuba will submit a draft resolution to the 71 st session of the UN General Assembly this year to request the US lift its embargo policy against Cuba, and call for support from countries worldwide for the resolution. The seminar adopted a statement of the VCFA, which called on the US Congress to end the trade embargo against Cuba, thus removing obstacles to socio-economic development in the Caribbean country the normalisation of the Cuba-US relations. President sets tasks for Military Zone 2 armed forces President Tran Dai Quang has urged the armed forces of Military Zone 2, which acts as the country’s fence in the northwest, to keep a close watch on happenings related to defence and security in the areas to help relevant agencies proactively take proper, prompt countermeasures. Military Zone 2 encompasses the nine northwestern provinces of Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Phu Tho and Vinh Phuc. The President was speaking at a ceremony marking the 70 th anniversary of the armed forces of Military Zone 2 in Viet Tri city, Phu Tho province, on October 19, during which he tasked the forces to constructively build community-based defence and security, turning districts and provinces into strong defensive bases. In the same vein, Military Zone 2 should improve the quality of training and exercises while strengthening the combat readiness of the officers and soldiers, he said. In order to satisfy requirements of the new revolutionary period, the leader underscored the need for the unit to raise the leadership capacity and build pure and strong Party organisations. He asked the officers and soldiers to thoroughly grasp Party and the State guidelines on external affairs and external defence relations, along with building borders of peace, friendship, cooperation and development with neighbouring countries. “Handling territorial disputes requires high resolve, patience, prudence and flexibility in order to safeguard peace and territorial sovereignty and create favourable conditions for socio-economic-cultural development,” he reminded. President Quang noted his belief that the armed forces of Military Zone 2 will carry forward their traditions to make more victories, deserving the trust of the Party, State and people. The armed forces once joined in major campaigns like Winter-Spring in 1947, Le Hong Phong in 1950, Tran Hung Dao and Ly Thuong Kiet in 1951 and Northwest in 1952. Of note, people and army in the Northwestern region overcame a galaxy of difficulties to contribute to the Dien Bien Phu victory in 1954 which ended French colonial rule in the country. During the reform period, the armed forces have paired national defence with economic development and taken an active part in dealing with consequences of natural disasters, as well as search and rescue operations and poverty reduction. Tens of thousands of military experts and volunteers from local ethnic minority groups stood side by side with the Lao army and people in the fight against their common enemies. To honour their contributions to the nation over the past seven decades, President Quang granted the Military Exploit Order, first class, to the officers and soldiers on this occasion. Kien Giang: 13 new ships launched under Decree 67 The Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang has put into operation 13 vessels upgraded and built with preferential loans under Decree 67/2014/ND-CP on fisheries development policies since it was issued over two years ago. The ships comprise 12 fishing boats and one providing fishery logistics services. Director of the province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Van Tam said the provincial People’s Committee has approved eligible applications for credit to repair and build 58 fishing boats. Total investment for the ships amounted to 493.5 billion VND (22.2 million USD), over 347 billion VND (15.6 million USD) of which are to be funded by banks’ loans. Local commercial banks have signed contracts to provide more than 121 billion VND (5.4 million USD) for the building and upgrading of 19 vessels. Nearly 100 billion VND (4.5 million USD) of that sum has been disbursed, according to Tam. He said the implementation of credit contracts for fishing boat building and upgrading under Decree 67 is too slow, noting that trawling, which is popular among local fishermen, is not among fishing practices subject to loan assistance under the decree. In November 2015, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also ordered the suspension of building and upgrading trawling boats. Hence, many fishermen are reluctant to get bank loans although their boat building and upgrade plans have been approved by local authorities. He said his department has suggested the provincial People’s Committee invalidate applications of those who delay signing loan contracts and allocate assistance to other fishermen who have real need for capital. Decree 67, taking effect in August 2014, provides a full, systematic and synchronous set of basic policies to encourage fishermen build high-capacity, iron-covered ships capable of fishing offshore, a practice that could earn fishermen higher incomes, and at the same time contribute to protecting the country’s territorial waters. NA leader visits flood victims in Ha Tinh National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan on October 19 visited and presented gifts to flood victims in Huong Khe and Vu Quang districts – the most vulnerable to flooding in the central province of Ha Tinh. She asked local authorities and relevant agencies to ensure sufficient water supply and environment hygiene, affirming that the Party, State, authorities, agencies and army always stand side by side with the people. Le Quang Dang, a war invalid from Duc Huong commune, Vu Quang district, said thanks to information update on the mass media, Party and authorities have made thorough preparations so that the locality reports no human loss. Ngan informed them that the National Assembly Standing Committee held a fundraising for flood victims in the central region at its recent fourth session. At the 14 th NA’s second session slated for opening on October 20, the legislature will continue raising funds in support of the victims, including those in Ha Tinh. Major General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Military Region 4 Commander, said over the past time, more than 1,000 officers and 1,500 soldiers have been deployed for recovery effort. The Military Region 4 has transported over 4 tonnes of food to local residents. On the occasion, Ngan visited the construction site of Ngan Truoi – Cam Truong irrigation system. The past floods killed six in Ha Tinh, submerged 108 communes and wards with more than 30,100 households, and damaged agriculture, transport and irrigation. 23rd Vietnam Medi Pharm Expo slated for early December The 23rd Vietnam Medi Pharm Expo will be held from December 1-3 in Hanoi to introduce latest achievements and technology in the health and pharmaceutical sectors of both domestic and foreign firms. About 150 enterprises, which come from 18 countries and territories, will show their products at 250 booths. Twenty five companies from the Republic of Korea will participate in the event, along with those from Canada, the US, the UK, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Russia, Japan, India, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, among others. Conferences, free-of-charge medical checkups, blood donation and gift presentations will take place during the expo. NA Committee for External Affairs convenes first plenary session On October 19, the 14th National Assembly (NA) Committee for External Affairs approved the working regulations of the Committee during its first plenary session in Hanoi. The regulations state that the Committee operates in accordance with the principles of central democracy, collectively, and by majority decision. The Committee’s operations abide by the law and ensure information, transparency, democracy, and the leadership of Party, National Assembly, NA Standing Committee, and the National Assembly Chairwoman. In the morning session, the Committee for External Affairs deliberated over government reports on foreign affairs in 2016, on the implementation of state budget collection and spending in 2016, and on the Foreign Ministry’s budget estimates for 2017. Vietnam Women’s Day celebrations underway Six collectives and 10 outstanding women have been awarded prizes at a ceremony on October 19 marking the 86th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Women’s Union and Vietnam Women’s Day (October 20). The awardees include former Head of the Party Central Committee’s Mass Mobilization Commission Ha Thi Khiet, and former Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hong Van, a lecturer from the Vietnam National University, Hanoi said, “I’ve done some research which is practical and contributes to tertiary and post-graduate training. As a female scientist, I have to balance taking care of my family with doing research." President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Nguyen Thien Nhan said Vietnam Women Prizes are presented to women who excel in all fields. Their efforts contribute to national development and promoting gender equality and women’s advancement. Nine female students who have won prizes at regional or international competitions and university entrance exams were also honored on this occasion. The same day, the Hanoi Chapter of the Vietnam Women's Union honored 8 prominent female activists who have made excellent contributions to the development of the capital city and the advancement of Hanoi women. Vietnam’s gay-themed movie to premiere online Vietnamese movie entitled “Duong ve 2 – Loi nao cho yeu thuong” (a way back – which way for love) which was unveiled to local media on Monday is expected to go online for public viewing. The movie, which is a sequel from the first installation with the same name about the life of HIV/AIDS affected people in Vietnam, is scripted by Luong Duyen, Pham Hoai Nam and Nguyen Phong and directed by Luong Duyen and Ngoc Tuong. The film sponsored by the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) aims to deliver a message of generosity and sympathy from the community toward gay people and HIV/AIDS affected people. The movie is based on the real life of a doctor who had been infected with HIV/AIDS and passed away a week before the launch of the movie. It tells the story about the doctor who helps cure HIV/AIDS patients. He has a happy family with a wife and a daughter. Unfortunately, the couple separates when his wife discovers him as a gay. Since then, he lives with a gay partner who transmits the deadly disease to him. The doctor then tries his best to live and help equip information and provide treatment for young people to avoid HIV/AISD. Local veteran photographer Pham Hoai Nam plays the leading role of a doctor. Although this is his first time to be in a movie, Nam shows his natural talent of acting. The film also features Meritorious Artist Kim Xuan, Luong Duyen, Hoang Van Anh, Thanh Tuan and young artists from Hoang Thai Thanh Drama Theater. All the directors and actors join the movie for free and their ambition is to raise people’s awareness on HIV/AIDS and to eliminate discrimination towards HIV/AIDS patients. The movie is produced by Blue Production owned by actress Hong Anh on YouTube channel and other online film channels with English subtitle. New bridge to connect districts 6 and 8 in HCMC About VND3.5 trillion will be invested to build a bridge linking districts 6 and 8 of HCMC and spanning Tau Hu and Doi canals. The city government has approved the selection of four investors for the Binh Tien bridge and road project, according to a source from the Department of Transport. The project is divided into two sections. The first section is a bridge over Tau Hu and Doi canals connecting Pham Van Chi Street, District 6 and Ta Quang Buu Street, District 8, which will be built by 319 Corporation, and East Mekong Commerce, Services, Manufacture & Construction Co Ltd. The section costs an estimated VND2.6 trillion, of which site clearance and compensation account for VND925 billion. The city government has allowed the two investors to use land in District 8 with a total value equivalent to 40% of the build-transfer (BT) project’s cost. The remaining 60% will be paid by the city budget. The second section is a 1.9-kilometer road from Ta Quang Buu Street, District 8 to Nguyen Van Linh Parkway, Binh Chanh District. Licogi 16 Company and Binh Chanh Construction Investment Shareholding Company are responsible for this section which costs around VND904 billion, with VND200 billion of it for site clearance and compensation. The investors will recoup their investment capital by having the right to use land along the Binh Tien Bridge and some other areas. The central Government allowed the city to select investors for the Binh Tien bridge and road project in 2010. However, the project has not got off the ground since the city has had difficulty arranging a budget for the project and find land as a payment for the investors. The four-lane Binh Tien bridge and approach roads will have a total length of about 3.2 kilometers and a width of 30 to 40 meters. Maximum number plate fee to rise to VND20 million The auto registration and number plate issuing fee would soar to a maximum of VND20 million (US$897) while the upper limit for motorcycles would be VND4 million, according to a draft Ministry of Finance circular. The draft sets different fees for three different regions of the country. Region one consists of Hanoi and HCMC while cities, except for Hanoi and HCMC, and townships are in region two and the rest are in region three. The draft allows the people’s committees in Hanoi and HCMC to decide fees based on their situations. The highest fee might reach VND20 million per vehicle in Hanoi and VND11 million per vehicle in HCMC. If individuals and organizations wanting to adjust registration and number plate certificates or get new ones as their motorbikes and cars, which are not used for passenger transport, shift from one region to another, they must pay the fees applicable to the new region. If the draft is approved, the circular would take effect from January 1 next year, replacing the ministry’s circulars 127/2013/TT-BTC dated September 6, 2013 and 53/2015/TT-BTC dated April 21, 2015. The draft circular is now available on the ministry’s website for comment. Vietnamese Women Awards honour 16 collectives, individuals A ceremony was held in Hanoi on October 18 to celebrate the 86th anniversary of the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) and present the 2016 Vietnamese Women Awards to six collectives and 10 individuals. The event was attended by Politburo member and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee (VFFCC) Nguyen Thien Nhan and Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh. This is one of the largest annual national awards to honour the contributions, talents and creativity of Vietnamese women to the cause of national construction and defence. Addressing the ceremony, VFFCC President Nguyen Thien Nhan highlighted the noble qualities of Vietnamese women as well as their important role and position in society. He also appreciated the practical activities of the VWU, being worthy of an organisation protecting the rights and legitimate interests for women from all strata. The emulation movements and campaigns launched by the union have inspired women to promote the spirit of self-reliance, creativity and potentials, whilst contributing to enhancing the strength of great national unity bloc for the country’s development, added the VFFCC President. He emphasised the diversity of professions among honourees showed that Vietnamese women are involved in all aspects of social life. Their initiatives and achievements in researching and working have brought about numerous benefits to the community and country as well as contributed to promoting gender quality and the advancement of women, said the VFF leader. On the occasion, the VWU also presented certificates of merit and gifts to nine female students who won awards at regional and international Olympiads as well as gained the highest marks in the National High School Exam in 2016. Ho Ho Hydropower Plant discharge worsened Ha Tinh floods Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Hoang Quoc Vuong has confirmed that managers at Ho Ho Hydropower Plant exacerbated serious flooding in Ha Tinh Province after failing to follow regulations on water discharge. Local people have complained that water discharged from the plant during heavy rains on October 14 exacerbated the flooding that has submerged thousands of houses in the area. Chairman of Ha Tinh Province Dang Quoc Khanh also confirmed the following day that water released from hydropower dams had caused water levels to rise uncontrollably. Chairman of Huong Khe District Le Ngoc Huan said they hadn't received any notification about the discharge plan. Director of Ho Ho Hydropower Plant Vu Manh Hung said that between October 13 and the morning of October 15, his company had informed authorities of Huong Khe District of the water discharge due to the dam's high water level. Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Hoang Quoc Vuong said, "It's clear that the discharge process wasn't carried out properly and caused floodwaters to quickly rise." He went on to say authorities need to work more closely and have better plans to deal with floods. The safety inspection before the flood season had failed to meet requirements. For example, the route leads to the dam needed to be better maintained in case of emergency. The locations of electric generators were not appropriate. He also said the plant managers failed to follow regulations on reservoir operations as they must report to the authorities affected by water discharges. Despite numerous directives and training, the co-operation between the plant and local authorities was not good enough. Vuong suggested equipping more warning system to the communes and asked the General Directorate of Energy to research and revise the regulations on reservoir operations to ensure downstream safety and benefits from hydropower plants. The prime minister has ordered compensation to be paid to the people affected by the discharge. VNA/VNS/VOV/SGT/SGGP/TT/TN/Dantri/VNE