Social News 17/11 Quang Tri: environmental victims receive compensation   Vinh Linh district is the first localities in the central province of Quang Tri to distribute compensation to residents affected by the mass fish deaths earlier this year. On November 16, the first day of compensation, residents in Vinh Moc village, Vinh Thanh commune received the money. During the first phase of compensation, nearly 11.9 billion VND (535,500 USD) will be awarded to 257 people in Vinh Moc village in line with the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 1880. Tran Huu Hung, Chairman of the Vinh Linh People’s Committee, said Vinh Linh is one of the localities in Quang Tri hardest affected by the environmental incident. Following the PM’s Decision, local agencies and localities have assessed and make a list of victims to ensure the compensation take place publicly, transparently and equally, helping locals stabilise their lives and resume their production. In the first phase, the provincial People’s Committee has decided to allocate more than 200 billion VND in compensation for ship owners and labourers affected by the incident. Quang Tri has more than 8,000 households with nearly 45,000 people, over 2,800 boats from 16 coastal communes and towns in four districts – Vinh Linh, Gio Linh, Trieu Phong and Hai Lang – severely affected by the incident. In late June, the Taiwan-invested Hung Nghiep Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Limited Company admitted responsibility for the mass fish deaths in the four provinces of Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue, and pledged 11.5 trillion VND (500 million USD) in compensation. The Ministry of Finance transferred 3 trillion VND (134 million USD) to the localities. Of the amount, Quang Binh got 1.1 trillion VND (49.3 million); Ha Tinh, 1 trillion VND (44.8 million); Quang Tri, 500 billion VND (22.4 million), and Thua Thien-Hue, 400 billion VND (17.9 million). Thai Nguyen hosts exhibition on Hoang Sa, Truong Sa An exhibition affirming Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spartly) archipelagos opened in the northern province of Thai Nguyen. Titled “Vietnam’s Hoang Sa, Truong Sa – Historical and Legal Evidence”, the exhibition introduced nearly 600 publications and 80 photos related to the country’s sea and islands, including the two archipelagos. Maps issued by Vietnam, China and Western countries from the 17th to the 20th century and four atlases published by China proving Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos were also on display. Besides, the event included books and photos featuring islands belonging to the Truong Sa archipelago as well as locals’ lives in the area which are provided by the library of the central province of Khanh Hoa. Documentaries on sea and island sovereignty of Vietnam were also shown at the event, along with a talk show themed “Vietnam’s sea and islands and national sovereignty” held by representatives of the Chief Navy Technical Service. The event aims to raise awareness of importance of Vietnam’s sea and responsibility in protecting the country’s sea and island sovereignty among local officials and people. The exhibition opens until November 23 at Thai Nguyen University.- Hai Phong active in legal knowledge dissemination Vietnamese and international legal regulations on seas and islands have been disseminated to residents in islands and border areas across the northern port city of Hai Phong during 2013-2016. It was reported at a conference held in Hai Phong on November 15 to review a related project, jointly carried out by the Hai Phong People’s Committee and the Border Guard High Command. Colonel Dao Quang Thuc, deputy director of the project, said communicators have creatively made serious contents of legal documents practical and memorable. The documents focus on a number of topics, including the resolution of the fourth Party Central Committee (10 th tenure) on Vietnam’s maritime strategy towards 2020, the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Another content that more closely related to local fishermen was the Prime Minister’s Instruction 689/CT-TTg issued in May 2010 on measures to reduce the number of arrested fishing boats and fishermen at sea. Communications campaigns on law compliance in Hai Phong between 2013 and 2016 have contributed to reducing the number of violations during the period by 364 cases compared to that of the 2009-2012 period. Hoang Thi Hong Luan, Vice Chairwoman of the People’s Committee in Cat Hai district said the population of her area is not stable due to the movement of migrant workers, thus communications activities must be specifically designed for smaller groups of people. According to Luan, to facilitate the information dissemination, Cat Hai has set up musical troupes in various localities and created a TV programme on legal education for every Saturday broadcast. The district concentrated on matters that attract public concern, such as maritime resources protection and land law. Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong People’s Committee Le Khac Nam stressed the need to continuously implement the project, requesting relevant agencies to closely work together and improve their communications human resources. Hai Phong is one of 28 coastal cities and provinces in Vietnam. It consists of 15 districts, 8 of which have sea border areas. Week-long events will celebrate ethnic heritage An event celebrating the diversified culture of ethnic groups will take place from November 18 to 23 at the Việt Nam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in the capital’s Sơn Tây Town. “The Great National Unity – Vietnamese Cultural Heritage Week” will introduce and honour tangible and intangible cultural heritages of dozens of ethnic groups, said Lâm Văn Khang, head of the village management board. “Tourists will have a chance to join the traditional festivals and rituals of the ethnic groups, which have been preserved for many generations, such as wedding ceremony of the Tày and a thanksgiving ceremony of the Gia Rai.” Attending the event will be 120 village leaders and artisans from groups nationwide, including the Tày from Thái Nguyên, Xơ Đăng from Kon Tum, Gia Rai from Gia Lai and Ba Na from Phú Yên. The opening ceremony will be held on Friday with performances featuring the traditions of each ethnic group and honouring national solidarity. It will be broadcast live on VTV1. On the same day, organisers will present awards to the winners of a photo contest featuring the National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism – the common house of 54 ethnic groups. An exhibition of 150 best photos will be held at the village exhibition area during the cultural week. Among the highlights of the event is the demonstration of traditional crafts of the Tày, Thái, Mường, Dao, Khơ Mú, Ba Na, Ê Đê and Khmer groups, such as brocading, musical instrument and tool making, as well as folk games and songs. The programe is part of activities marking the Traditional Day of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front Committee (November 18) and Cultural Heritage Day (November 23). Systems to detect foreign objects on runways proposed The Civil Aviation Authority of Việt Nam (CAAV) has asked the Ministry of Transport for permission to build systems to detect debris on the runways of major airports to avoid accidents. According to the proposal, the systems will be installed at Nội Bài International Airport in Hà Nội and Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in Hồ Chí Minh at a cost of nearly VNĐ1 trillion (US$ 44.7 million). CAAV has reported 19 incidents this year in which airplane tyres were cut, and 20 incidents of birds bumping into airplanes across the country. “Take-off and landing are the most important periods when the airplane’s speed and friction are very high. A catastrophic accident can occur even due to collision with very small objects like screws, iron bars or birds,” said Lại Xuân Thanh, head of CAAV. Currently only human eyes monitor the runways. The process is time consuming since each check requires take-off and landing activities to halt, causing disruptions at busy airports like Nội Bài and Tân Sơn Nhất. According to Thanh, systems to detect foreign objects would increase the accuracy of the check and prevent false warnings and interruptions of the airports’ activities. CAAV proposed three investment options: using the State budget, using capital from the Airports Corporation of Việt Nam which operates the two airports, or a private-public parnership. If the proposal is approved, the systems will be built next year and begin operation in 2018. Six fishermen rescued from sea A fishing boat with a crew of six fishermen was rescued yesterday after its engine broke down the day before, 43 nautical miles from Bạch Long Vĩ Island off Hải Phòng coast. The boat, NĐ 92647 TS, called for help on Tuesday after its engine stopped working at sea. Also, its pump was out of order and seawater flowed into the boat. Chairman of Bạch Long Vĩ Island District People’s Committee Đỗ Đức Hòa said local authorities, including border guards and coast guards, quickly created a rescue plan to reach the endangered boat. After being rescued, all six fishermen were reported in good health. Fishermen net rare sea turtle in Quang Nam A rare sea turtle seems to be living off the coast of the central province of Quang Nam, possibly lured here by warm El Niño waters. Local newspapers report that fishermen saw something in their net and after closer examination realized it was an unfamiliar turtle and called local authorities to notify them of the catch.   Tran Quang Kien, deputy head of the Fisheries Department of Capture said the brown shelled turtle measured 40cm in length and 30cm in width and weighed 5.5 kilos. He confirmed that it is one of the rarest sea turtles in the world and is an endangered species. It hatches and gives birth once every 30 years, he said, noting the chances are that only one in every 1,000 babies will survive to maturity. Once common to the area, this is the first time in the past 10 years it has been found in Quang Nam Province, said Mr Kien, adding that the turtle was released at 10a.m. on November 16 back into the sea. ASEAN pilots compete in Hà Nội The second ASEAN Pilots’ League 2016 (APL), a football tournament for pilots in the region, is currently underway in Hà Nội. The two-day event, which began on November 16, has attracted 12 participants from six local airlines, Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei, as well as Cambodia, Malaysia, host Việt Nam and two invited teams -- Việt Nam’s Ministry of Transport and Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation. The matches are organised at the Hàng Đẫy Stadium and doors are open for supporters. According to Nguyễn Đăng Quang, head of the organising committee, APL is a chance for pilots in the region to relax after work and exchange experiences for better performance. The tournament is an annual event, which kicked off in 2009. Vietnam Airlines has won two gold, two silver and two bronze medals from previous tournaments. Vĩnh Phúc top national canoeing team event Vĩnh Phúc overcame defending champions Hà Nội to top the canoeing event at the ongoing National Rowing and Canoeing Championships in Hải Phòng City. It was a successful tournament for Asian winner Trương Thị Phương, who pocketed three of the team’s eight golds and one silver. Hà Nội were second with four gold, nine silver and four bronze medals. Bạc Liêu came third, winning four gold, one silver and three bronze medals. After canoeing, the rowing events will take place until this Saturday. Austria eyes cooperation with Hanoi Austria is interested in Hanoi’s plan to develop emergency relief services, Austrian Ambassador to Vietnam Thomas Loidl told Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung on November 16. The ambassador suggested fields for cooperation between Austria and Hanoi. Frequetis AG – one of Austria’s leading firms specialising in providing public safety solutions, wants to join the plan, he said, adding that the comapny is effectively operating in Vietnam. The firm cooperated with the Fire Prevention and Fighting Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security to implement the first phase of the project “Fire Brigades Dispatch Centre” (FDC- Vietnam), he noted. It continues working with the department to carry out the project’s second phase. Chairman Chung expressed his interest in the Ambassador’s proposals, affirming that Hanoi is willing to create favourable conditions for Austrian investors to do business in Hanoi. Austrian companies will be provided with necessary information, which will facilitate their investment and business in Hanoi, and Vietnam in general, he stressed. Hanoi British School hosts first int’l festival On Saturday, the British International School Hanoi (BIS Hanoi) will host its first International Festival to celebrate the school’s various nationalities and cultures. The event will also raise money to support school community and charity projects. The event aims to educate students about cultures from all over the world through traditional games, costumes, food and other activities. It also aims to teach them the importance of social responsibility via community service projects. The event is expected to attract more than 2,000 people. It will feature plenty of entertainment: bouncy castles, henna painting, ice cream, candy floss stalls, music shows and handicraft workshops. International food from different countries and communities will be introduced, and several businesses and local charities will participate. School Principal Anthony Rowlands said, “The International Festival is the biggest community event of the year at BIS Hanoi, and it allows our students, parents and guests to learn more about the culture of different countries around the world. It is also an opportunity for family and friends to come together and have a fun day out.” The free entrance event will begin at 9.30am and continue until 2pm, at Hoa Lan Road, Vinhomes Riverside, Long Bien District. Korean star Moon So-ri ‘curious’ about Vietnamese cinema Korean actress Moon So-ri afforded Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper an interview upon her arrival in the central city of Danang for a cinema event that kicked off on November 7. The Busan-born actress is best known for her role in the 2002 South Korean film Oasis, in which she played a woman with severe cerebral palsy who became involved in a difficult romance with an intellectually challenged man. Her performance in Oasis earned Moon So-ri a Marcello Mastroianni Award for Emerging Actress at the Venice International Film Festival the same year. She was recently a member of the jury for the Orizzonti awards at the festival’s 73rd edition in September. The Korean star arrived in central Vietnam on November 14 to attend the cinema event 'Autumn Meeting' held in both Da Nang City and neighboring Hoi An. First held in 2013, Autumn Meeting is an annual cinema event co-founded by a group of young Vietnamese filmmakers looking to organize a meeting where new generations of talent can learn from their predecessors. In November 14 ’s interview with Tuoi Tre, not long after arriving in Da Nang, Moon opened up about her personal experience with the Vietnamese film industry and how she had learnt about the cinema event which she had arrived for. Moon said that a brief chat in September with Vietnamese director Phan Dang Di, one of the co-founders of Autumn Meeting, who had attended one of her lectures at Konkuk University in Seoul, had intrigued her so much that she had jumped at his invitation to attend the event as a guest lecturer. Moon even suggested bringing along two of her students. According to the 42-year-old star, the film industries of South Korea, Japan and China are the most developed in Asia, but at the same time are struggling to find room for new, original stories as they become more commercialized and formulaic. Moon said that while attending international film festivals, many film curators had praised Vietnamese entries as being full of energy and distinctive in their own style, some even predicting that Vietnam could become an ‘X-factor’ in Asian cinema. This appreciation for Vietnamese movies had made Moon ‘curious’ about the country’s film industry and driven her to attend this year’s Autumn Meeting in Da Nang. Her first experience with a Vietnamese-language movie was the 1995 film Cyclo by director Tran Anh Hung, which won the Golden Lion at the 52nd Venice International Film Festival. Moon has also seen Phan Dang Di’s films Bi, Don’t Be Afraid! and Big Father, Small Father and Other Stories prior to her arrival in Vietnam. During the event, the star was a guest lecturer for an acting class alongside Lyndia Park, a seasoned acting coach, also from the Republic of Korea. Hoi An to provide environment-friendly public vehicles The ancient city of Hội An will launch three routes of public battery-powered cars to serve tourists, starting in January, Vice Chairman of the city’s People’s Committee Nguyễn Văn Sơn confirmed to Việt Nam News. Sơn said it’s the first stage of a pilot project to boost environment-friendly public transport in the tourism hub of central Việt Nam. He said the city will use 50 six and eight-seat cars to shuttle between the Tân An public car park to the old town and favourite beaches of An Bàng and Cửa Đại. Sơn said the project will also help reduce car pollution in the UNESCO-recognised world heritage city. He said the city would consider using solar power panels on the battery-powered cars in the second stage of the project. Since 2002, Hội An has earmarked several streets for pedestrian and non-engine vehicles to reduce noise and ensure people’s safety in the old quarter, where most foreign tourists use bicycles. The city also plans to provide 100,000 bicycles for residents’ use in order to become the first eco-city in Việt Nam. Earlier this year, the UNESCO-recognised world heritage city of Hội An, and Naha City, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture, agreed to commence the third phase of the Eco-city Achievement Support Project. Last year, Hội An began the first trial of a public van route connecting major destinations, with funding from the Japan Fund for Global Environment. HCM City’s administration goes digital Official documents on paper will be replaced by digital documents in HCM City from next year as part of a public administration review. At a meeting with city leaders yesterday, Trần Vĩnh Tuyến, vice chairman of the city’s People’s Committee requested that from January 1 next year, administrative agencies will no longer send official documents in paper form. For now, he requested that apart from the paper version sent via post, administrative agencies send a digital version of every official document. The move aims to reduce time spent responding to citizens’ complaints instead of keeping them waiting for up to eight days. According to Tuyến, by abandoning hard copies, the committee’s office is estimated to save more than VNĐ1 billion (US$44,710) a year. Taking advantage of digital technology not only saves printing costs and preserves human resources but also reduces traffic jams as fewer post office staff must deliver documents, he said. He appointed the city’s Department of Information and Communications to plan a proposal to legalise and apply digital signatures in the public administrative process. The proposal should be presented next month so that digital signatures can be used in documents that are sent from district level to the city level at the beginning of next year, he said. The city is building an integrated, open source data centre amongst authorities, government agencies, enterprises and citizens. It is expected that by 2020, all public administrative services of the city will be provided via an interconnected online system. Suspension bridge collapses, injuring one Four passersby, who fell into the river following the collapse of a suspension bridge on Đồng Nai River in the southern province of Đồng Nai yesterday afternoon, were rescued. A person was injured and was sent to a medical establishment for treatment while three others’ health was slightly affected. A Tân Phú District People’s Committee official said last night local authorities had not received any information about who was still missing. Tà Lài Bridge, 164m in length, and 4m in width, is the only way for 1,300 ethnic minority residents in Tà Lài Commune to travel to Tân Phú District’s centre and neighbouring communes. Local authorities’ initial investigation reported that the reason for the collapse was a cable of the bridge’s cable system slipping. At the site, witness said they saw some cables had slipped from abutment. Relevant offices and local authorities are jointly investigating the accident. Soon after the mishap, Tân Phú District authorities arranged a ferry near the area to transport locals. The bridge was built in 2001 at a cost of VNĐ3.5 billion from Đồng Nai Province’s budget. It officially opened to traffic in 2005, serving walkers and motorbike and bicycle riders. A Tân Phú District official said the local People’s Committee had upgraded the bridge twice since it opened to traffic. However, according to director Trịnh Tuấn Liêm, director of the provincial Transport Department, the department sent documents to local authorities advising them to conduct regular inspection on this weak bridge to avoid an accident. Ceremony honoring teachers held in HCMC A ceremony honoring teachers was held in Ho Chi Minh City on November 16 on the occasion of the 34th anniversary of Vietnam Teacher's Day (November 20). Attending in the event were Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City Nguyen Thanh Phong, Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh city Party Committee Vo Thi Dung, Head of the Department of Propaganda and Training of the HCMC Party Committee Than Thi Thu and Deputy chairwoman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen thi Thu. Le Hong Son, director of the Department of Education and Training, reviewed the tradition of the sector and outstanding achievements as well as contribution of generations of teachers to the education and training sector, adding that the city’s government will continue to implement breakthrough solutions, strategic plans and projects to boost the sector including building advanced modern schools. On this occasion, Chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong praised and congratulated nearly 100,000 teachers and teaching staffs of schools in the city. He asked the Department of Education and Training to focus on completing the project on the development of the city’s education and training sector from now until 2030. The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City offered certificates of merit and medals to 151 units, 8 groups and 151 individuals who have outstanding contribution to the city’s education and training sector. HCMC to check fire safety at karaoke bars The government of HCMC, concerned about fires following the deadly blaze at a Hanoi karaoke bar that killed 13 people, has said it will inspect fire safety at entertainment and service venues, especially those attracting large crowds. The forthcoming inspections will target karaoke bars, music studios, massage and sauna parlors, restaurants, theaters, cinemas, markets, supermarkets, and shopping malls around the city. According to a fire safety scrutiny plan issued by the city last week, inspectors will work with those responsible for fire safety at these places and check the compliance with fire safety regulations and standards. Statistics of the HCMC Prevention and Fighting Police Department last year showed more than 5,300 of 20,000 facilities were at high risk of fire. Most of them were in residential areas and selling flammable items like chemicals, cooking gas, and illegal explosives. Ministry admits wrongdoing in personnel decisions Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh, speaking at a meeting with a working team picked by the Prime Minister on November 14, admitted that the ministry had committed wrongdoing in the appointment of some senior officials. The meeting was held to review the execution of the ministry’s 2016 operation plan that was submitted to the Prime Minister. The adjustment of manpower planning at the ministry has attracted much public attention since news about State losses involving Trinh Xuan Thanh, Vu Quang Hai and Vu Dinh Duy broke. Vu Quang Hai is still deputy general director of Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corporation (Sabeco) while Thanh and Duy fled overseas. Thanh is facing an international arrest warrant issued by the Ministry of Public Security over charges of causing VND3.3 trillion losses at PetroVietnam Construction Company (PVC). Mai Tien Dung, Minister and Chairman of the Government Office, told the meeting that there are problems in staff appointments at the ministry. The working team also reviewed the projects that have caused losses of trillions of dong. Anh said he would explain this issue to National Assembly (NA) deputies at a session today. Anh noted these projects had been implemented for years, so the review should be done with caution. Regarding equitization of and divestments from dairy and beer enterprises, Anh said Sabeco and Hanoi Alcohol Beer and Beverage Company (Habeco) would list shares on the HCMC bourse next month. However, difficulties have emerged in the process of negotiations with potential strategic investors at Habeco. Anh said the ministry is considering choosing appropriate investors to sell Habeco shares at the highest price and retain its brand post equitization. The working team asked the trade ministry to deal with environmental issues relating to Duyen Hai and Vinh Tan thermal power plants and the Hoa Sen Ca Na steel complex project. Vietnamese teacher in danger after suffering 100 wasp stings A teacher now risks losing her life after suffering 100 wasp stings on the way to attending an event on Phuc Quoc Island, off southern Vietnam. Pham Tu T., a 43-year-old literature teacher at Phu Quoc High School, is being treated at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, Le Thanh Van, principal of the school, said on November 15. In a deep coma, she is suffering a critical condition after being stung 100 times by wasps when she was going to a national solidarity festival in Phu Quoc, administered by Kien Giang Province. Van said that T. was approaching a road in Suoi Da Hamlet, Duong To Commune, at 7:30 am on November 13 when she was attacked by a swarm of wasps. The teacher was immediately admitted to Phu Quoc District Hospital and transferred to Cho Ray at 2:00 pm the same day. Her family said that T. suffers liver, kidney and heart failure, with her life in danger. She cannot breathe herself at this time so doctors have put her on a ventilator. Her colleagues have raised money to help her, with one of her students setting up a Facebook page to facilitate the fundraising. Community management employed in new rural building A conference was held in the northern province of Vinh Phuc on November 15 to review a Swiss-funded project on community management in the national target programme on building new - style rural areas. The project, implemented from February to November, was valued at 200,000 USD, with 180,000 USD sourced from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). It aimed to compile community-based national guidelines on building new-style rural areas for 2016-2020, improve personnel capacity, and design mechanisms to distribute rural-building funds. After being piloted in four villages in Lam Ha and Don Duong districts in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, the project showed that by using local resources, each rural community could reduce construction costs by up to 40 percent. Speaking at the conference, Steven Geiger, SDC Chief Representative in Vietnam, noted the feasibility of the project, saying it was conducted at the right time. Geiger said the project developed a comprehensive approach to community management suitable to Vietnam, mobilising communal resources and sustaining local culture. The SDC lauded the outcomes of the project and expected it to contribute to fighting poverty in Vietnam, he said. Nguyen Minh Tien, director of the project, said it raised public awareness of community management, boosted residents’ role in building new-style rural areas and strengthened links between authorities and locals.-VNA Vietnam, RoK join hands to search for soldiers’ remains The Republic of Korea (RoK) is willing to share all information about soldiers who were killed or went missing in action during the war in Vietnam. Commander of the RoK’s Ministry of National Defense’s Agency for Killed in Action Recovery and Identification Lee Hak-ki made the promise at a meeting in Hanoi on November 15 with Colonel Tran Quoc Dung, Head of the Department of Policy under the General Political Department of the Vietnam People’s Army. The two officers exchanged information and experience in deploying forces and applying scientific advances and information technology to search for and repatriate remains of fallen soldiers of both countries. Lee Hak-ki said the RoK has advantages in information technology and is ready to share information with Vietnam. Colonel Tran Quoc Dung said that Vietnam hopes the RoK’s Ministry of National Defense and Korean soldiers who fought in Vietnam will continue seeking objects that provide useful information for the search to Vietnamese agencies. COPD common as VN has high rate of smokers Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is common in countries such as Việt Nam with a high rate of smokers and will have an upward trend in the country if smoking is not eliminated, according to health experts. Dr Trần Văn Ngọc, chairman of the HCM City Respiratory Society, said that COPD, a progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe, is a global health burden, affecting 4.77 per cent of the world’s population. Ngọc spoke at a press conference on an action programme to reply to the World COPD (Nov 18) held yesterday by the HCM City Respiratory Society in co-operation with GlaxoSmithKline Pte. Ltd. Globally, COPD last year was the fourth cause of fatalities and is estimated to become the third in 2030, Ngọc said. Việt Nam has nearly 4 million patients with COPD, and in 2014, the country was in the top 10 countries with the highest cigarette consumption, according to Ngọc. The country is carrying out a national strategy for prevention and control of tobacco harmful effects until 2020, which will help reduce consumption. “In the country, patients with COPD are diagnosed at severe stages when they have symptoms of wheezing and shortness of breath,” Ngọc said, adding that this is why the number of patients with COPD in treatment is low. Indoor smoke from biomass is the main cause of COPD in the country, he said. Dr Nguyễn Như Vinh, of the University Medical Centre’s Respiratory Diseases Ward, said this cause was not included in the prevention programme for COPD. Vinh added that he and his colleagues conducted a fresh air study in 2010 in the city’s Bình Chánh District and Tây Ninh Province, which showed that the level of particle matter with a diametre less than 2.5 mcm, including dust, dirt, and smoke, in the air was 15,900 mcg per cubic metre. The World Health Organisation’s standard is 35 mcg per cubic metre. Moreover, environmental pollution is one of the causes of COPD, he said. He cited a study conducted by the National Lung Hospital, saying that the prevalence of patients with COPD caused by biomass smoke and environmental pollution in the country last year was 8.1 per cent. Ngọc said that each doctor examined 200 patients every day, leading to insufficient counselling for patients, including ones with COPD. “Sufficient counselling is very important for patients so they use the right medicine,” he said, adding that nearly 57 per cent of patients with COPD do not follow the treatment regimen. Vinh said that patients with COPD were given medicine only, while counselling on nutrition and exercise were ignored. 2016 “HCMC- Integration and Development” festival to open in December The 2016 “Ho Chi Minh City-Development and Integration” festival will be held at the April 30 in District 1 from December 1-3. The event aims to introduce and promote Vietnamese cultural characteristics to international visitors. It is also expected to create a playing field for foreigners who are working and living in the city, and give local and international people in different cultures a chance to learn from each other. The festival will include a range of cultural activities, such as traditional art performance; and exhibitions on the land and Vietnamese people, Ho Chi Minh City’s achievements in various fields, ASEAN member countries’ traditional cultures and more. Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam culture week to open A Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam Culture Week will take place at the Museum of the Cultures of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups in Thai Nguyen city from December 6-11. The event will feature the participation of 25 artisans, teachers and students of Teknologi Mara University from Malaysia and two Batik artisans from Indonesia. Meanwhile the Vietnamese delegation, according to the Ministry of Culture Sports and Tourism, includes 30 artisans comprised of representatives from the six ethnic groups of the Mong, Dao, Thai, Cham, Tay and Pa Then. During the festival, a series of exhibitions will display Vietnamese Ao Dai, traditional costumes of Malaysia and Indonesia, an Indonesian Batik painting performance, Vietnamese embroidery performance, and Malaysian culinary competition. The event promises to offer an opportunity to promote traditional products and the unique cuisines of Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam to international festival. Hanoi hosts Vietnam - Japan guitar exchange performance A free-of-charge Vietnam – Japan guitar exchange performance will be held on November 18 at the Vietnam National Academy of Music in celebration of Vietnamese Teachers’ Day (November 20). The event includes performances from Japanese guitar master, Tomonori Arai, who has won various awards at international guitar competitions. The event will also feature solo and group performances by Vietnamese guitarists from the Vietnam National Academy of Music.- Most Venerable Thich Chon Thien commemorated in Hanoi A ceremony was held at Hanoi-based Quan Su Pagoda on November 17 in memory of Most Venerable Thich Chon Thien, Deputy Supreme Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddist Sangha (VBS). President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan joined representatives from ministries and agencies, and religious dignitaries at the event. Most Venerable Thich Chon Thien passed away on November 8 in Hue city, the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, at the age of 74. He was a deputy of the newly-elected 14th National Assembly and the 11th, 12th and 13 th legislatures. He was also Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Peace Committee and a member of the VFF Presidium. Born in Hue on December 1, 1942, Most Venerable Thich Chon Thien, whose real name is Nguyen Hoi, was ordained as a Buddhist monk aged 18 and later obtained a PhD in Buddhism in India. During his lifetime, he was awarded the Order of Independence, second-class, the Order for the Cause of the National Unity and merit certificates from the Prime Minister and the VBS for his dedication to the development of the country and Buddhism in Vietnam. Also on November 16, a mourning ceremony for the Most Venerable was held in Tuong Van pagoda, Hue city, where he spent his last days. Border guard force to work for friendship with Cambodia The Border Guard High Command has signed a cooperation programme with the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association (VCFA) on promoting friendship with Cambodia, Nhan dan (People’s) daily reported. Under the programme, the two sides will join hands to promote people-to-people exchanges in border areas, and increase ties between border residential areas and border guard stations. They will also step up communication work among the public, with expatriates as the centre, to strengthen solidarity between residents living along the Vietnam-Cambodia border. The signing ceremony in Hanoi on November 16 was attended by Commander of the Border Guards Command Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien and VCFA President Vu Mao. Muong minority group holds second Gong Festival The second Gong Festival of the Muong ethnic minority group opened in the northern mountainous province of Hoa Binh on November 16. The event is part of activities to celebrate the 130th founding anniversary of the province and its 25 years of re-establishment. The festival is witnessing performances by 300 artisans from 11 districts and cities in the province as well as Hoa Binh Tourism Company and its neighbouring province of Thanh Hoa. The event, which runs through November 18, also features a traditional costume show and a street Muong gong parade with 1,600 gong local artisans. Gong is a traditional musical instrument of the Muong ethnic minority people. It is often played during big festivals and holidays to pray for happiness and prosperity. It is also a means of communication with the spiritual world. Gong of the Muong group in Hoa Binh was recognised as the National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on January 19, 2016. Slum dwellers to be relocated nearby The HCMC government plans to relocate 20,000 households from the slums along the canals to nearby places to not disrupt their lives. As part of an urban rehabilitation and development program in the 2016-2020 period, the city will resettle around 304 households along canals like Tham Luong-Ben Cat-Rach Nuoc Len, on Nguyen Kieu Isle and at Ho Khanh Hoi Park by 2020. Meanwhile, site clearance and resettlement will affect about 7,031 households along Doi-Te Canal in districts 4, 7 and 8. Around 13,350 households residing along the heavily polluted canals such as Hang Bang, Van Thanh, Bui Huu Nghia, Xuyen Tam and Bau Trau will be moved elsewhere. In addition, the city will rebuild deteriorating condo buildings, and upgrade others. Quang Ngai promotes off-shore fishing The Fisherman Support Fund of central Quang Ngai province aims to mobilise 10 billion VND (450,000 USD) per year, including one billion VND from the provincial budget, to support local fishermen. The target was set at the fund’s second congress for the 2016-2021 term on November 16. To realise the target, the fund will mobilise support from enterprises, particularly traditional sponsors, while seeking new and long-term sponsors. In the new term, the fund targets providing aid of over 18 billion VND (810,000 USD) to offshore fishing vessels affected by natural disasters or accidents, and earmarked nearly 38 billion VND (1.71 million USD) to help fishermen build new vessels. From 2011-2016, the Fund spent 15 billion VND (675,000 USD) to build steel fishing vessels, assisted hundreds of fishermen detained overseas and built houses for families of Agent Orange/Dioxin victims. Addressing the event, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Dang Van Minh praised the contribution the fund has made over the past five years. The fund should promote communication work to raise the awareness of the significance of the fund among the community, while allocating the fund effectively, he said. The Quang Ngai Fishermen Support Fund was established in June 2011. It has raised over 88.6 billion VND (nearly 4 million USD) to date. Vietnamese businesses pledge to support rhino horn-anti campaign In the scope of a campaign to call for the end of rhino horn consumption launched by nonprofit organization WildAid in collaboration with African Wildlife Foundation, CHANGE Center, 100 leaders of leading enterprises in Vietnam yesterday signed a pledge not to use rhino horn. As per the pledge, in addition to promise not to consume rhino horn, business leaders pledged not to use products made from wild animals as well as contribute to the protection campaign for wildlife in the country. Among leaders are Nguyen Thi Mai Thanh, chairwoman and general manager of Refrigeration Electrical Engineering Corporation (REE); Dinh Thi Hoa, chairman of the board of governors; Tran Hung Huy, Chairman of ACB Bank; David Do, director of VIG’s managing director; Bui Quang Ngoc, director of FPT Corporation; Tran Trong Kien, chairman of Thien Minh Corporation; Hoang Khai, chairman of Khai Silk Corporation. According to WildAid, Vietnam and China are two major markets for rhino horn consumption; most of rhino horn are illegally imported from African countries. With the pledge, leaders expressed their “saying” no to consumption as well as support the fight against illegal use of rhino horn which leads to the killing of 5,750 rhino in African nations alone since 2008. Ho Chi Minh City facing highest tide High tide yesterday submerged the inner districts of Ho Chi Minh City, causing difficult travelling for all vehicles. Functional forces and people quickly reinforced dyke systems along Sai Gon River. The highest water level was recorded at 1. 65 meters in Phu An station of Sai Gon River, at 1.69 meters in Nha Be district. The water level in Sai Gon River  yesterday began rapidly rising and submerging several low areas such as Xo Viet Nghe Tinh, D1 and D5 Street of Binh Thanh district, Huynh Tan Phat Street of district 7 and Nha Be district. The tide caused serious flooding in 0.5 meter water and 1 kilometer traffic jam. Many motobikes broke down engine and got stuck on main streets during rush hour. Thu Duc district’s functional forces and people quickly reinforced dyke systems along Sai Gon River to avoid the bad situation. Earlier, the high tide destroyed a stretch of the dyke and 50,000 apricot roots of 10 households prepared for the Lunar New Year. A large number of fish in breeding farms went into the river due to high tide. Art programme honours tissue donation to save lives An art and exchange programme was held in Hanoi on November 16 to underline the profound humanitarian implications of tissue and organ donation in saving lives, a noble gesture and a symbol of human kindness. Held by the National Coordination Centre for Organ Transplants at the Ministry of Health and Vietnam Television (VTV), the annual programme has been broadcast live on VTV channels since 2014 under the theme Khi su song duoc se chia (“When Life Is Shared”). It is also a call to the community to sign up to donate tissue and an expression of gratitude from the health sector to donors who volunteer to donate part of their bodies while they are still alive to help bring more hope to patients in need. Speaking at the opening, Deputy Minister of Health Le Quang Cuong said that organ transplants are important achievements for the health sector in treating people with serious diseases. Many cases of organ failure could be fixed with donations, as transplants are the last effective treatment for patients with organ failure, Cuong affirmed. To date, Vietnam has seventeen health facilities qualified to perform tissue and human body part transplants with modern equipment and professionalism reaching international standards. Since the first successful kidney transplant at Military Medical Hospital No. 103 in 1992, as of June 15, 2016, Vietnam has carried out 1,281 kidney transplants, 54 liver transplants, sixteen heart transplants, eight marrow transplants, one combined kidney and pancreas transplant and one heart and lung transplant. According to statistics, the need for organ and tissue transplants in Vietnam is fairly large. The country has tens of thousands of people with chronic renal failure in need of kidney transplants. Regarding liver transplants, in some major hospitals in Hanoi alone, there are over 1,500 patients in need of such transplants. Currently, there are also more than 300,000 people with corneal diseases in need of transplants, in addition to thousands of people awaiting heart and lung transplants. However, the scale of supply is still small, mainly due to inadequate awareness about tissue donation. In particular, propaganda about tissue and organ donation after brain death is still limited. Moreover, the lack of information on counselling and tissue donation registration systems and on a national poses challenges for the health sector. With the motto “Communication work must take the lead for the mobilisation of tissue donation,” the Coordination Centre has organised meaningful propaganda campaigns to encourage community participation in this activity. In addition to the abovementioned TV series, the Chung tay vi su song (“Joining Hands for Life”) programme in 2015 mobilised more than 1,400 people to register to donate their organs after death. Most recently, the programme’s 2016 version, held in Ho Chi Minh City, recorded over 600 registered donors, bringing the total number of registered organ donors after death and brain death up to 6,000. Communications activities among social communities and religious institutions on social media have also promoted tissue donation, thereby changing people’s perceptions, attitudes and behaviours in favour of active participation in tissue donation. VNA/VNS/VOV/SGT/SGGP/TT/TN/Dantri/VNE