Social News 15/12 Conference looks to strengthen support for UXO victims   A victim of bomb and mine. Data shows that there are about 800,000 tonnes of unexploded ordnance (UXO) left from war in Viet Nam. The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and The International Center, a non-governmental organisation, held a conference in Hanoi on December 14 to enhance international cooperation in aiding bomb and mine victims. Data shows that there are about 800,000 tonnes of unexploded ordnance (UXO) left from war in Vietnam, contaminating nearly 20 percent of the country’s area and killing and injuring more than 100,000 people since the American war ended in 1975. In past years, the Vietnamese Government has made efforts to settle UXO consequences as evidenced by the national action programme on settling post-war bomb and landmine impacts for 2010-2025. Assisting UXO victims is among important activities of this programme. However, addressing UXO consequences and supporting victims requires considerable human and material resources. At the conference, participants shared information about support for UXO victims, the settlement of post-war UXO consequences, and plans for future activities. They discussed solutions to assist victims and help them with social reintergration. They also gave opinions on a draft plan on assisting UXO victims’ reintegration which will be combined with a support programme targeting people with disabilities between 2017 and 2020. The plan focuses on medical services for victims, developing functional rehabilitation systems, supporting means of living, and making mechanisms and policies for social services development. Ca Mau ups efforts to improve people health The authorities of the southernmost province of Ca Mau have urged its health sector to improve the quality of healthcare. Suggested measures include developing a modern health system allowing all people to access basic health services. The province will encourage the development of non-state health services, expand healthcare at home and increase health insurance coverage. In 2017, Cau Mau aims to have doctors at all commune-level health centres, reduce the rate of ill-nourished children to 11.8 percent and raise the rate of health insurance coverage to over 80 percent. In 2016, the province made efforts to develop healthcare infrastructure and provided health checks. All grassroots health centres now meet national standards. Forum sees to key changes in Civil Code 2015 The Ministry of Justice organized a forum in Hanoi on December 14 to introduce key changes in the Civil Code 2015 and solutions for the implementation of the Code in a number of areas of interest for Vietnam’s national and international communities in Hanoi. The forum was attended by Deputy Minister of Justice Nguyen Khanh Ngoc, Mission Director of USAID Vietnam Mike Greene and Deputy Country Director of UNDP Vietnam Akiko Fujii. At this forum, the Ministry of Justice officially introduced the Legal Partnership Group, which was established in July 2016, with the mandate to share information about legal policies, strengthen international cooperation in legal areas and advocacy, and coordinate funding opportunities in Vietnam. The ministry intends to organize regular meetings to encourage dialogue on legal and judicial reforms through this forum. This forum is the continued partnership between the Ministry of Justice and UNDP since 2014. The focus on this law forum was on the 2015 Civil Code, ratified by the 13th National Assembly on November 24, 2015, and will take effect on January 1, 2017. The new Civil Code includes a number of significant changes relating to property and personal rights, which have received great acknowledgement from the nation and international communities. Participants reviewed key changes in the Civil Code 2015, the solution for the development and amendment of legal documents to support effective implementation of the Code, and discussed the formal mechanism for international cooperation through the Legal Partnership Group. Arts festival honours diverse ethnic cultures The ‘I believe I can’ arts festival, featuring the unique and diverse cultures of ethnic minorities in Vietnam took place at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, No.77 Hao Nam Street, Hanoi on December 13. Organised for the first time in 2015, the event has now become a festival dedicated to the unique and diverse cultures of ethnic minorities in Vietnam. This year’s event themed “Indigenous knowledge – Spring of life” aims to highlight the practical values of indigenous knowledge, a complete system accumulated and refined after thousands of years. It also is to honour the cultural values, mutual understandings and support between different ethnic groups nationwide. The festival attracted the participation of over 100 members of different groups nationwide, including Khmer, Tay, Gia Rai, Pa Co, Muong, Pa Then and Mong. All dances and songs are rehearsed, curated, and performed by ethnic people themselves, just as they are in everyday life. During the festival, a series of activities, including an exhibition, traditional games and art performances, were also organised. Earlier, a street performance was held in Hoan Kiem Lake on December 11. The event was organised by the Institute for Studies of Society, Economics and Environment (iSEE). Information and Press Department marks 70 years of establishment The Information and Press Department under the Foreign Ministry held a ceremony in Hanoi on December 13 to celebrate 70 years of its establishment (1946-2016) and receive the Labour Order, first class, from the Party and State. The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, former Deputy PMs and FMs Nguyen Manh Cam and Pham Gia Khiem, and former Deputy PM Vu Khoan. In his remarks, Director of the Information and Press Department and Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh reviewed the 70 years of the agency’s foundation and development, affirming that external information work is closely attached with foreign affairs. Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung noted that over the past seven decades, external information work has contributed significantly to the struggle for national liberation and reunification; the elimination of sanctions; the normalisation of ties with countries, international organisations and the region; and the safeguarding of the nation’s sacred sovereignty. The department has not only successfully performed its information tasks but also worked actively to build and promote Vietnam as an innovative and open country, a vibrant economy, an active and responsible member of the international community, a country of peace and prosperous development as well as an appealing destination to international friends, Dung said. He urged external information workers to be agile and creative; build on experience and the traditions of predecessors; promote the strength of the youth; scientifically and creatively apply advantages brought about by information technology, the Internet, social networks and modern means of media to fulfil their duties and promote the image of the country. At the ceremony, Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Minh, authorised by the President, presented the Labour Oder, first class, to the Department of Information and Press. On the occasion, the department also received congratulatory flowers from President Tran Dai Quang, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and Politburo member and Standing member of the Party Central Committee Secretariat Dinh The Huynh. Literature and Arts Theory and Criticism Council debuts The Central Council for the Theory and Criticism of Literature and the Arts for the 2016-2021 term made its debut in Hanoi on December 12. The event was attended by Vo Van Thuong, Politburo member and head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Communications and Education; Party Central Committee member and Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Communication and Education Nguyen The Ky; VTV General Director Tran Binh Minh; a former Chairman of the Central Council for the Theory and Criticism of Literature and Arts and delegates from various ministries and departments. The council has 31 members who are chairpersons of the central literature and arts associations and researchers and critics working in the field. Party Central Committee member Nguyen The Ky was assigned the council’s chairmanship. The council is designed to provide the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations (VULAA) Presidium with updates on the development of literature and arts and promote Party’s guidelines in the fields. It was also tasked with boosting the production of high-quality literary works, which are expected to truthfully reflect life in Vietnam and the country’s national construction and defence, while contributing to building an advanced Vietnamese culture. The council's action plan for the new 2016-2021 term was announced at the launch. Enough buses to meet Tet demand   Vice Director of Department of Transport in Ho Chi Minh City Mr. Le Hoang Minh in a meeting on  planning for traveling during  New Year and Tet holidays on December 14 asked bus stations to ensure that there would be enough coaches to transport passengers. Inspectors from the municipal Department of Transport, in coordination with local traffic police, will carry out more regular inspections of vehicles and at illegal bus stations in the city, especially parking lots No. 391 and 397 on Dinh Bo Linh Street in Binh Thanh District. The department will also put 9 bus stations into operation at the city's east entrance, Mr. Hoang Minh added. According to the Mien Dong (Eastern) Bus Station in Binh Thanh District, the number of passengers is estimated to rise by three percent on December 22-28 of the lunar calendar compared to last year’s holiday. In addion, travel businesses will be not allowed to raise fares on coaches from Hue to the northern provinces by over 20 percent for departure on January 9-13, over 40 per cent for coaches for departures on January 14-16 and over 60 per cent on January 17-27. On routes from Phu Yen province to Quang Nam, Da Nang and central highlands routes, bus fares will not increase over 20 percent for departure on January 9-13, over 40 per cent for coaches for departures on January 14-17, and over 60 percent for bus departures on January 18-27. The Management and Operation Center for Public Transport will allocate around 1,048 buses on 17 routes to meet the high demand of passengers for the coming New Year holiday. Depression zone brings tropical heavy downpours According to the National Hydrology Meteorology Forecast Center, a tropical low pressure was weakened into the low pressure zone after it entered the central territorial waters from Ninh Thuan to Binh Thuan yesterday. The low pressure zone brought heavy downpours and powerful wind of level 6- 8 in the southern territorial waters from Ninh Thuan to Ba Ria- Vung Tau provinces. Besides, the strong operation of the tropical low pressure and turbulence of east wind caused medium- heavy rains in the provinces from Quang Ngai to Binh Thuan with the highest rainfall of 50- 100 mm. Medium- heavy rain is predicted to cover over Ho Chi Minh City, the southwest and southeast provinces today and the highest temperature reaches at 28- 29 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, cold air has affected to the northern mountainous provinces since last night. The turbulence of east wind has caused a drop in temperature in the northern region however medium- heavy rains would continue hitting the central provinces from Quang Binh to Ninh Thuan from December 14- 17. The weather center warned that floodwaters on Ba river (Phu Yen) and river systems in Khanh Hoa province are rising rapidly. The flood level on river systems of Thua Thien- Hue, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Khanh Hoa and Ninh Thuan will continue increasing in the next several days. Flood tide at the Cuu Long (Nine Dragon) and Sai Gon rivers is forecast to record high on Wednesday and Thursday. The highest water level on Sai Gon river at Phu An station will reach 0.1 meters. Hip-Hop dance festival held in Hanoi A Hip-Hop dance festival and “Hanoi – All in One” dance competition are organizing in Hanoi from December 13-15. Hip-hoppers, b-boys and b-girls and dance lovers have an opportunity to enjoy spectacular performances and participate in workshops, competitions and talks with Vietnamese and international well-known hip-hop artists during the 3-day long event. The competition includes a wide range of styles primarily popping, power moves and footwork. Storm Robitzky and Majid Kessab, two German b-boys and choreographers took part in the festival as members of the jury and also conduct a workshop. Niels “Storm” Robitzky is an internationally renowned choreographer and b-boy. From 1991, his crew “Battle Squad” was one of the leading b-boy groups worldwide. In 1992 he and his crew won the "International Balle of the year". In 1996, he opened a dance academy in Berlin and was touring the whole world. He is working within the field of theater, performance and dance. Majid “Magilla” Kessab is a choreographer and dancer. ith his experience in dancing New Style, Hip Hop and House dance he has become a well-known and established part in the German and even worldwide urban dance scene. He has organized many international workshops, won numerous dancing awards and worked as a member of jury committees. In 2014, he won the TV competition “Got to dance” and became hip-hop world champion at the Juste Debout Germany 2014. The festival’s activities took place at 1900 Theater on December 13, Savico Megamall on 14 and will continue taking place at S.I.N.E Studio on December 15. Managers to inspect medical workers’ behavior to patients Deputy Director of the Department of Health in Ho Chi Minh City Dr. Tang Chi Thuong said that from now to January 12, 2017, inspectors from four inspection groups will call on 100 state-run and private hospitals to check patients’ satisfaction to healthcare service and medical workers’ behaviors. Inspectors will focus on how doctors and nurses behave to patients; launching hot line, mail box, commend and reward regulation, punishment regulation aiming to improve examination and treatment quality. Additionally, inspectors will have preliminary treatment quality grade which will be publicized on media on which residents can select good hospitals. Before, inspectors have trained on the new standards to assess hospital as per the guideline issued by the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment under the Ministry of Health. This year, the Ministry has updated and supplemented more details in the assessment. One of new item in the assessment is “red alert system” among wards in a hospital and amongst hospitals. In addition to 83 standards to assess a hospital’s quality, inspectors will carry out surveys on essential services and ambulance competence on which the Department of Health will work out a plan to raise the quality and capacity of ambulance in 2017. HCM City reports 119 positive cases for Zika virus 14 pregnant women among 119 people are positive for the Zika virus in the city, reported  the Ho Chi Minh City Preventative Health Center yesterday. By this time, Binh Thanh district still is the district with highest number of 22 infection cases, followed by district 2 with 17 cases, district 12 with 11 infections and Tan Phu district being inclusive 10 cases. District 8 and 11 are two safe localities with the Zika virus. In order to cope with complicated development of the disease, the health center advised residents and pregnant women should actively prevent mosquito bites, destroy mosquitoes and mosquito larva. HCM City Party chief urges remedies for traffic congestion Speaking at his meeting with Tan Binh District on December 12, the HCMC Party Committee chief, Dinh La Thang, urged the district and relevant city agencies to propose solutions to severe traffic congestion in Tan Son Nhat International Airport area. A Tan Binh District report says solving the traffic problem around Tan Son Nhat is tough. The district has been unable to find a suitable location for a car park because all land in the area belongs to State agencies. Nguyen Toan Thang, director of the HCMC Department of Natural Resources and Environment, said his agency together with the Department of Transport had found some lots for car parking. Currently, they are completing necessary procedures. According to the Department of Transport, the city now has as many as 11,000 taxicabs, excluding about 5,000 Uber and Grab cars. In Tan Son Nhat airport area, two investors have proposed building a car park at Gia Dinh Park, said the department. In response to a complaint about the difficulty in finding a site for car parking, Dinh La Thang told Tan Binh District to do a review of land use in the area and take back land that is being improperly used. He requested leaders of the natural resources and transport departments to get directly involved in the search for a parking lot location and hit the ground running as soon as a site is found. “We must do it fast. When land is available and investors are decided, it would take just about four months to get everything done,” Thang said. “If everyone makes a little effort right now, the traffic situation can improve. A laid-back approach will make congestion worse.” There are more traffic jams happening in Tan Son Nhat International Airport area, said the transport department. Some urgent measures have been taken, such as rearranging lanes, adding traffic regulators and upgrading roads, but they can help ease the situation temporarily. The transport department said five priority projects should be carried out, including building overpasses and intersections, and widening some roads, at a total cost of about VND1.8 trillion. These projects are expected to solve the traffic problem in Tan Son Nhat area. Painting auction to raise funds for building flood-resistant houses A music and painting auction to raise funds for Nha Chong Lu, a local charity program to build food-proof houses for needy people, will take place on December 15 at the Gem Center in HCMC’s District 1. The event in HCMC will feature pianist Nguyen Nhat Trung, singers Phuong Vy and Hoang Bach, and showcases paintings by local popular artists like Nguyen Quan, Le Kinh Tai, Ha Tri Hieu, Bui Tien Tuan and Nguyen Quang Vinh. Another program to raise funds for the program was held in Hanoi on December 12, featuring pianist Pho An My, contrabassist Do Hai Nam, singers Le Cat Trong Ly and Minh Quan, and put on show paintings by Ha Tri Hieu, Pham An Hai, Tran Nhat Thang, and Duong Thuy Duong. The two painting auction sessions in Hanoi and HCMC are conducted by RiverOi, an open art forum initiated by Nha Chong Lu to support community activities and promote creativity. Apart from live auction and silent auction of 50 artworks with prices ranging from US$2,000 to US$15,000 at the two events, the organizer also runs two online auction sessions of 80 paintings priced from VND7 million to VND70 million. The paintings are curated by artists Tran Luong, Le Quang Dinh and journalist/art scholar Ly Doi and collector/art scholar Nguyen Duc Thanh. Half of the money from the painting auctions will go directly to a foundation of RiverOi to support activities of Nha Chong Lu and other art promotion and development programs. Nha Chong Lu, established in November 2013, has so far helped build 350 houses for people in the Mekong Delta, the northern and central regions of Vietnam. For further information, visit Facebook page of Nha Chong Lu or website http://nhachonglu.org/ Lack of transparency A controversy has heated up these days as alleged irregularities concerning the recruitment and placement of a young man into senior positions at State agencies in the Mekong Delta have unfolded. Having earned two Master’s degrees, the 26-year-old Vu Minh Hoang reportedly has a good command of five foreign languages. While his talent is not yet publicly proven and explanations by the agencies concerned are far from clear, the history of his employment sheds light on the privileges he may have earned owing to relationships and connections. As reported by local media, Vu Minh Hoang was recruited as an intern in August 2014 without having to go through a qualification test at the Southwest Steering Committee, an umbrella body overseeing the socio-economic development of the entire Mekong Delta region. One month later, the organization allowed him to pursue a Ph.D. program at the Tokyo University that is scheduled to last until September 2017. His internship, however, was declared accomplished a year later, in August 2015, although he did not spend a single day at the Southwest Steering Committee. In January this year, Hoang was named deputy director of the Economic Division of the Southwest Steering Committee, only to be transferred a month later to the new post of deputy director of Can Tho City’s Investment Promotion Center. Hoang’s latest appointment amounted to a scandal when officials at the Economy Division of the Southwest Steering Committee, including the director of the division, were stunned to hear that the young man used to be their colleague. Given this controversy, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue, head of the Southwest Steering Committee, has ordered relevant agencies to clarify all issues relating to Hoang’s recruitment and appointment. In explanations to leaders as well as to the media, officials at the Southwest Steering Committee say that all processes have conformed to the law, without irregularities. However, such assertions are easily seen as clumsy and naive. The public is by no means convinced why a young man could be seen as having accomplished his internship without working a single day, and why he could be promoted and transferred from one position to another without any previous work experience. And explanations given by officials are also full of conflicts, one example of which is a letter of explanation signed days ago by Nguyen Quoc Viet, deputy director of the Southwest Steering Committee. This letter was claimed as inaccurate on December 11 by Son Minh Thang, standing deputy director of the committee. Apparently, the country is in dire need of talent to serve the nation’s economic development and integration. Vu Minh Hoang can be a gifted person who is needed for the above-mentioned posts, but hasty moves by State agencies in recruiting and promoting a young man, and leapfrogging all normal processes, are the root cause of public disapproval. It is the lack of transparency. US-Supported Project Sustains Vietnam’s HIV Response More than 280,000 people in Vietnam received HIV testing services, and 15,000 adults and children newly enrolled for antiretroviral treatment (ART) thanks to support from the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) Sustainable Management of the HIV/AIDS Response and Transition to Technical Assistance Project (SMART TA) funded under the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Launched in 2011, the five-year SMART TA project developed and deployed innovative models that addressed gaps in HIV prevention, care, and treatment, and improved the efficiency of these services. In its final year alone, SMART TA provided treatment to more than 23,000 people living with HIV and methadone treatment for nearly 19,000 people who inject drugs, which is more than 20 percent of all HIV and methadone treatment patients in Vietnam. “Vietnam has achieved great results in the country’s HIV response in recent years as the response increasingly relies on local resources such as health insurance and national and provincial funding become the key support sources,” said USAID Vietnam Mission Director Michael Greene at today’s final project review workshop. “I am very pleased that the USAID SMART TA project made such significant contributions.” As Vietnam assumes greater leadership of the HIV program, SMART TA helped integrate HIV services into the curative health system where facilities can be reimbursed through Social Health Insurance (SHI). HIV patients in Dien Bien and Nghe An were the first in the country to receive social health insurance reimbursement for HIV services as a result of the program’s close collaboration with and support provided to local partners. Implemented by FHI 360 in partnership with Vietnam Administration for AIDS Control (VAAC), SMART TA also led or contributed to the development of national policy and curricula for every aspect of the HIV response, from testing and treatment to tuberculosis and methadone treatment, changing how HIV services are delivered in Vietnam. SMART Technical Monitoring Tools are now routinely used to assess and strengthen HIV services. Methadone treatment service models and local mentors, developed under SMART TA, are now the predominant mode for delivering and sustaining high quality and efficient methadone treatment across the country. The project’s work to integrate facility health information systems for HIV and health insurance is considered a best practice and is being replicated within and outside Vietnam. Since 2005, the U.S. government through PEPFAR has supported life-saving ART for almost 57,000 people, and provided care to more than 62,000 adults and children nationwide. In the last year, PEPFAR assistance provided HIV tests to over 375,000 people and methadone replacement therapy to almost 25,000 people. Hanoi to host seminar on 30-year military reform   Scene at a press conference to announce the event A seminar on achievements and experiences over 30 years of military-defence reform is scheduled to take place in Hanoi on December 16, announced the Defence Ministry. According to Major General Nguyen Phuong Dien, Deputy Director of the Department of Popularisation and Training under the General Department of Politics, the seminar aims to highlight the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam as a key factor to the reform. Achievements, shortcomings and learned lesson from the period will also be discussed, he said on December 13. The seminar is expected to gather the participation of senior officials from the Defence Ministry, General Department of Politics, General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, and history experts. Party official extends Christmas greetings to Catholics Politburo member Truong Thi Mai, head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation, attended a Christmas gathering held by the Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics (CSVC) in Hanoi on December 13. Mai wished Catholic dignitaries and followers a merry Christmas, and took the occasion to praise the committee’s efforts to encourage Catholics to follow the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies and laws, participate in social and economic activities, and fight the abuse of religious, democratic and human rights issues to drive a wedge between religions and undermine the great national unity bloc. Noting that the CSVC is an organisation representing the patriotic movement of Vietnamese Catholics, the official expressed her hope that it will better serve as a bridge linking the religion and society and encourage Vietnamese Catholics to continue complying with the pastoral direction “Living out the Gospel in the midst of the Nation to serve the welfare of the people", as written in the public letter issued by the Episcopal Council of the Catholic Church of Vietnam in 1980. She believed that the Catholic Church of Vietnam and Catholic followers will always stand side by side with the nation, actively engage in patriotic emulation movements and humanitarian activities so as to be both a good follower and citizen. Acknowledging the Party and State’s attention, VSVC Vice Chairman and General Secretary Priest Tran Xuan Manh, said the committee will make all-out efforts to fulfill its missions. At the gathering, the CSVC sent Christmas greetings to priests and Catholic followers nationwide. Participants also listened to Christmas letters of the committee and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan. RoK partners help southern provinces with personnel training The People’s Committee of southern Binh Duong province on December 13 signed a cooperation agreement on in high-quality personnel training with Kyungsung University and Sunghyun Vina Joint Stock Company from the Republic of Korea. Under the terms of the five-year deal, the Kyungsung University and Sunghyun Vina will fund 50 percent of full scholarships for Binh Duong’s civil servants, enabling them to pursue master courses in the Korean university. In addition, each of the partners will provide 50 percent of expenses for eligible civil servants to attend six-month Korean classes at the Korean Language Centre. Enrollment fees will be covered by the Kyungsung University. In return, the provincial authorities will create optimal conditions for the Kyungsung University to deploy training cooperation projects and organise seminars on studying in the RoK. The same day, a similar cooperation deal was also inked between the People’s Committee of neighbouring Dong Nai province and two partners, the Kyungsung University and the Pusan Vina Plastic Company. HUBT asked to become typical non-public tertiary institution Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has urged the Hanoi University of Business and Technology (HUBT) to make greater efforts in a bid to become an exemplary model in terms of non-public higher education. While addressing the university’s 20th founding anniversary in Hanoi on December 13, PM Phuc suggested HUBT reform its teaching and learning methods to meet the country’s manpower demands and turn itself into a high-quality, competitive personnel training centre. The PM hoped that the university will build on the current accomplishments to realise its goal of training qualified economists and technicians, recommending it to take vocational training and practice as primary orientations. The Government leader also called on HUBT to continuously improve the qualifications of its lecturers and management staff while focusing on developing facilities and providing students will soft and start-up skills. PM Phuc took this occasion to present a Labour Order, first class, to the university. “Winter in Hue” programme to highlight traditional arts An art performance themed “Winter in Hue” is due to take place at the Hanoi Opera House from December 14-15 as part of art activities to promote preservation of traditional art genres launched by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Musician Nguyen Viet Duc, Director of the Hue Music Academy and general director of the programme, said the event, which will saw the participation of artists throughout the country, is expected to bring different emotions to Hanoi audiences. Traditional folk melody like “Ho mai nhi”, “Ho mai sap”, “Quynh tuong” and “Ly con sao” will be featured at the event by artists from the Hue Royal Traditional Arts Theatre. Additional, romantic sings about love and the Hue ancient capital composed by famous musicians such Nguyen Van Thuong, Tran Hoan, Minh Ky, Duong Thieu Tuoc, and Trinh Cong Son,  will be also performed at the programme. The event will bring together well-known singers including Bao Yen, Van Khanh, Quang Linh, Dang Duong, Lo Thuy among other, who are famous for songs about Hue. Doctors once again warn of sharp rise in new cancer cases in Vietnam The number of new cancer diagnoses in Vietnam is forecast to hit 200,000 in 2020, nearly doubling from 126,000 cases in 2010, with health experts warning that the rise will add to the burden already weighing upon the healthcare system. Speaking at a workshop in Hanoi on December 12, experts said the most common cancers among Vietnamese men are lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach, esophageal and liver cancer. Among women, the five most diagnosed cancers are breast, colorectal, lung, cervix and ovarian cancer. It is estimated that between 2010 and 2020, esophageal cancer will see an alarming surge as the number of cases is expected to almost triple to 10,920. Experts also estimated that the number of new lung cancer cases will increase by 1.56 times over the period to 23,000 cases while colorectal cancer cases will rise by 1.75 times. In 2010, as many as 12,500 cases of female breast cancer were diagnosed, with 64.7% of the cases below age 50. The number is forecast to increase by 1.8 times to 22,612 cases in 2020. An estimated 2,185 Vietnamese women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2010 and the number is projected to double in 2020. Vietnam, like many other developing countries, is dealing with the double burden of infectious and non-infectious diseases, said associate professor Luong Ngoc Khue, a senior health official. Khue said among non-communicable diseases, cancers have emerged as an alarming problem. Doctors said most cancers can be cured with early diagnosis and proper treatment. According to the World Health Organization (WTO), more than a third of cancer deaths could be prevented by avoiding the five leading behavioral and dietary risks, including high body mass index, low fruit and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity, tobacco use, and alcohol use. Under a new plan, people living in Hanoi aged 35 and older who have health insurance are eligible for free screenings for digestive cancers at the city's new high-tech center for digestive surgery. Songwriting contest on Vietnam-Laos relations launched A songwriting contest has been opened to all Vietnamese citizens to look for songs praising the time-honoured friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos. The competition is one of a number of activities to mark the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Laos and the 40th anniversary of the Vietnam-Laos Amity and Cooperation Treaty. It is designed to further cement the friendship between the two Parties, Governments and peoples that has been keenly nurtured for more than seven decades, as well as helping to strengthen cultural and economic cooperation between the two countries. The songs will affirm the eternity of the Vietnam-Laos special friendship and solidarity. Suggested themes include the Vietnam-Laos relationship established by Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Kaysone Phomvihane and nurtured by subsequent generations of leaders, and the two countries’ shared vision for peace and prosperity. The winner will receive a cash prize of VND30 million (US$1,320) and each of the two runners-up will be awarded VND15 million (US$660). There are also three third prizes and four consolation prizes. The entries are to be submitted to the Agency for the Performing Arts at 32 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hanoi from March 1-30, 2017. Hanoi, HCM City rank low in 'livable' index Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have been ranked 119th and 122nd respectively out of 140 cities in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2016 global ranking of living conditions. “Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh rank very poorly in terms of infrastructure,” said Miguel Chanco, ASEAN lead analyst at the EIU in an exclusive interview with VnExpress International on December 13. “In our survey data, they have very inadequate road networks and transport systems, which have dragged the course of the cities down quite considerably.” The EIU 2016 special report on livability assesses healthcare, education, stability, culture and environment and infrastructure to find the best and worst cities in the world. Melbourne, Australia tops the list for the sixth year in a row, while the war-torn Syrian city of Damascus is the lowest-ranked city. Rankings for top and bottom cities were first announced earlier this year. According to Chanco, Vietnam can boost its rankings by addressing traffic congestion, which has resulted from increased vehicle ownership and the lack of capacity to accommodate development. “Singapore is a good model for Vietnam to emulate,” said Chanco. “They are very developed in public transport system which reduces certain needs for private vehicle ownership, which I think will suit Vietnam’s long-term needs very well. “ However, the EIU analyst believes the country's two biggest cities still hold many economic opportunities, as the country’s economic growth prospects are much better than many others in ASEAN. In another worldwide survey by the EIU on the cost of living aimed at expats and business travelers, Hanoi ranked the 62nd most expensive city, while Ho Chi Minh was placed 81st. In July, local media reported that Ho Chi Minh City needs US$45 billion to develop its infrastructure to sustain the growth of its population and economic activities over the next 15 years, but is struggling to find that money. Truong Sa exhibition ready to open in Hanoi The Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has unveiled it will present a photo exhibition on the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands on Dec. 31, 2016-Jan. 3, 2107 at the Exhibition House on 45 Trang Tien Street, Hanoi. At the exhibition, 100 photographs by photojournalists from across the country will go on display. These maps, publications and other documents written by Vietnamese and foreign historians and researchers provide historical and legal evidence that prove Vietnam’s sovereignty over the two archipelagos. They document that Vietnam has exercised sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa islands since the 17th century in an uninterrupted and peaceful manner. Through the exhibition, the Department hopes visitors will develop a better appreciation and understanding of the historical truth of Vietnam’s sovereignty over the islands. Cooking class invites Vietnamese to experience authentic Korean cuisine The Korean Cultural Centre in Vietnam (KCC) hosted a cooking class on December 13 to introduce Korean cuisine and culinary culture. Under the instruction of culinary expert Hong Shine, participants learnt how to make three typical Korean dishes, including Gujeolpan (platter of nine delicacies), Jeyuk-bossam (pork belly slices with kimchi), and Kimchijeon (kimchi pancake). The programme, jointly held by the KCC, the Korean Embassy in Vietnam and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), aimed to provide participants with an experience of authentic Korean cuisine and cooking methods. According to KCC Director Lee Dae Joong, the culinary culture of a country can tell a lot about its nature, history and environment. The KCC will make more efforts to introduce Vietnamese visitors to Korean cuisine along with its striking flavours and fragrances, he said. Culinary expert Hong Shine has developed her own recipes for many Korean dishes. She has starred in many cuisine programmes in the Republic of Korea, and has authored a cookbook on family recipes. Chef Alain Dutournier brings French flair to Hanoi The La Table Du Chef Restaurant on December 16-17 will present a dynamic French culinary experience featuring a menu by two-star Michelin Chef Alain Dutournier. The – Special days with Alain –project will offer Hanoian food enthusiasts the unique opportunity to partake in enjoyable French menu selections and chat with the famous chef, who is also an owner of the establishment. In addition, on the morning of December 16, Alain Dutournier will offer a special cooking class at the Press Club building featuring French-style dishes. The French chef, who was awarded the Knight of Order of Academic Palms, was born in the Landes region in south-western France, into a family where his grandmother and mother dedicated most of their time to cooking. He opened his first bistro Au Trou Gascon when he was 24 years old. Today the bistro is a Michelin 1-Star Restaurant in the 12th District of Paris. His Le Carré des Feuillants is a Michelin 2-Star Restaurant. He also runs the casual chic papas Pinxo restaurant and Mangetout, featuring French food with Aquitaine's flavour. VNA/VNS/VOV/SGT/SGGP/TT/TN/Dantri/VNE