Social News 5/12 Philippine naval ship visits Cam Ranh port   A naval ship of the Philippines, the PF-16 BRP Ramon Alcaraz,  docked at Cam Ranh International Port in the central province of Khanh Hoa on December 5 for a four-day cordial visit. During the stay to December 8, officers and sailors on the ship will call on the Commander of the Naval Zone 4 and leaders of Khanh Hoa province. They will also hold an exchange with their Vietnamese counterpart. NA Chairwoman meets voters in Can Tho National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and the NA deputies of the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on December 4 met with voters in Ninh Kieu and Cai Rang districts to inform them about the outcome of the 14th NA’s second session.  Voters called for more investment in the Mekong Delta, including Can Tho city. The State should have policies to improve the living conditions of people in remote areas, on develop the national rice brand name and address school violence, they said. Acquiring voters’ opinions, the NA Chairwoman said investment will be poured into building key roads in Can Tho to ensure its connection with other regional localities. Regarding voters’ worry about high public debt, Ngan said the NA will increase supervision to keep the public debt under 65 percent of the GDP. She also underlined the Party and the State’s efforts in corruption prevention and control, saying that the NA Standing Committee is assigned to issue legal documents on punishing violating officials even when they retire or move to other position. The NA leader also talked with voters about the lack of jobs for graduates and traffic accidents in the locality. The same day, the top legislator visited the Tan Cang – Cai Cui port in the city. Party delegation attends 20th Congress of Portuguese Communist Party A delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) led by Hoang Binh Quan, Head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for External Relations, attended the 20th Congress of the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) in Almada city, Portugal, from December 2-4. On the sidelines of the congress, the Vietnamese delegation held talks with a PCP delegation headed by Party General Secretary Jeronimo de Sousa.  Hoang Binh Quan took the occasion to praise the PCP’s contributions to the international communist and worker’s movement. The two sides exchanged the situation of their respective parties, countries and the relationship between the two parties and countries.  They also compared notes on regional and international issues, including the East Sea issue, and discussed measures and ways to boost ties between the two parties. The PCP appreciated the presence of the CPV high-level delegation at the congress. It hailed Vietnam’s successful organisation of the meeting of international parties and workers in Hanoi, saying that it is an important landmark in cementing international communist, workers and leftist movement. Jeronimo de Sousa expressed his joy at the CPV’s achievements in socialism construction and affirmed that the PCP is the CPV’s trusted friend. The congress, with the theme “The Portuguese Communist Party with the workers and people, democracy and socialism,” convened 1,200 official delegates and guests representing leftist, progressive political forces, mass, social and professional organisations in Portugal. Sixty-two international delegations representing communist parties and international workers attended the congress. The congress elected a 146-member central executive committee and a 21-member Politburo. Jeronimo de Sousa was re-elected as the PCP General Secretary. North central provinces urged to diversify tourism products North central provinces have been urged to diversify their tourism products besides sea tourism.  Tourism products in the north central region were the focus of a conference held by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) in Thua Thien-Hue province on December 3. Ha Van Sieu, Deputy Director General of the VNAT, said in addition to the long coast, north central provinces are also home to many cultural and historic relic sites, including nine world natural and cultural heritage items recognised by UNESCO. Therefore, the region should create products on ecological tourism, craft village tourism, spiritual tourism and countryside tourism. However, Sieu said, localities in the region need to pay attention to improving quality of products and services.  He affirmed the VNAT will coordinate with localities and relevant agencies to assist with promotion activities and attract local and international tourists. The north central region comprises six provinces of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue. According to Nguyen Dung, Vice Chairman of the Thua Thien Hue People’s Committee, besides cultural and sea tourism products, localities in the region need to exploit their rich heritage of culture and traditional crafts to develop spiritual and craft village tourism. Rice aid delivered to Vietnamese in Cambodia Vietnamese Cambodians living in Siem Reap province, Cambodia, have received five tonnes of rice, a present from Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. The rice was delivered to needy Vietnamese families in Siem Reap City, Kampong Khleng fishing village and Mac La Fishing Village on Tonle Sap Lake, by the Vietnamese General Consulate in Battambang province and the Association of Cambodians of Vietnamese Origin in Siem Reap province on December 3 – 4. PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc pledged the rice during his meeting with representatives of Vietnamese residents in Siem Reap on November 23, as part of his recent visit to Cambodia to attend the ninth Cambodia – Laos – Vietnam (CLV) Development Triangle Area. There are about 1,600 Vietnamese Cambodians households with 6,500 people in Siem Reap province. Most of them live on fishing and small business with low income. Vietnam, Egypt radio stations foster broadcasting cooperation General Director of the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) Nguyen The Ky has proposed that the agency and the Egypt National Radio finalise procedures for the signing of a bilateral agreement in broadcasting. The deal will enable the two sides to exchange radio programmes, thus introducing the culture, nation and people of Vietnam and Egypt to each country’s audiences and deepening the mutual understanding of both peoples. During their meeting in Cairo on December 4, the VOV leader and chairwoman of the Egypt National Radio Nadia Mabrouk agreed to send reporters to each other for joint production of radio programmes on their cultures and countries. Ky suggested that the two sides should sign the agreement as soon as possible, while proposing holding a seminar in Hanoi on the occasion to share experience in broadcasting activities and discuss challenges facing the sector in the context of information boom. He introduced the development of the VOV during the past 70 years, highly valuing the cooperation with the Egypt National Radio as having boosted bilateral ties between the two countries in politics, economy, trade, culture and tourism. For her part, Nadia Mabrouk agreed with proposals of her Vietnamese counterpart, adding that the cooperation agreement between the two sides is feasible and practical. She pledged to direct units of the Egypt National Radio to directly contact with those from the VOV to quicken the process of finalising required procedures for the signing of the deal in the coming time. The two sides also agreed that Vietnam and Egypt are sharing untapped potential of affiliation in various fields, especially economy, culture and tourism, adding that the cooperation between the two radio stations will contribute to strengthening bilateral partnership between the two countries. Vietnam joins charity fair in Ukraine  The Vietnamese Embassy in Ukraine has participated in a charity bazaar in Kiev together with over 40 embassies and international organisations based in the capital. The Vietnamese booth showcased traditional agricultural products, medicines and handicrafts. Vietnamese food, tourism and cultural products were also on display.  The embassy donated the proceeds to the Ukrainian Red Cross Society to support poor people and children with disabilities in Ukraine.  The annual event, held by the International Women’s Club of Kiev, aims to raise funds for disadvantaged women, children, elderly and disabled people in Ukraine.  It also serves as an opportunity for international organisations to boost cultural exchanges and strengthen ties with the host country. Programme gathers Vietnamese women at home, abroad   Vietnamese women who get married to foreigners and overseas Vietnamese females living in their homeland engaged in the first-ever exchange programme in Hanoi on December 3.  The programme, held by the Vietnam Women’s Union Central Committee (VWUCC), aims to help the overseas Vietnamese women increase their connectivity.  Addressing the event, VWUCC Vice President Bui Thi Hoa said the association has conducted multiple practical activities to connect women at home and abroad.  In March 2015, it launched a website exclusively designed for overseas Vietnamese women at http://pnvnnuocngoai.vn/ managed by the Vietnamese Women Newspaper, she said.  The website provides information and knowledge for Vietnamese women abroad, especially female labourers and students, and brides. It also serves as a forum where Vietnamese women in more than 100 countries and territories worldwide share their own stories.  Participants at the event proposed initiatives to promote women’s role in their families and society in the context of international integration and globalisation.  Hoa said, since its inception more than 86 years ago, the 15 million-strong union has continuously revamped its methods of gathering Vietnamese women.  The 12th national congress of Vietnamese women is scheduled to take place in March 2017, focusing on promoting the creativeness of Vietnamese women in national reform and protection, she said.  During the 2017-2022 tenure, the association will continue renewing its operation in order to better meet demands and aspirations of women, contributing to achieving international commitments on women and gender equality Vietnam has joined, including those on sustainable development, gender equality improvement and the empowerment of women and girls, Hoa noted. Deaf footballers to compete at regional championships Vietnam are in Group B of the first ASEAN Deaf Football Championship, which begins on December 5 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Other teams of the group include Myanmar and the hosts. Group A gathers Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia and Laos. Vietnam will meet Malaysia in the opening match today, while Thailand sees off Cambodia at the National Sports Council (NSC) field in Bukit Jalil. The final is scheduled for December 10.  Vietnam second at Chinese international tourney Vietnam was tied 2-2 in their last match at the international futsal tournament in Jiangsu province, China on December 4. With one win, one loss and one draw, the Southeast Asian team ranked second among four participants. World No 8 Ukraine, who beat Vietnam 3-1 last week, was on top with nine points. China came in third place. Vietnamese players will arrive home on December 5 and return to prepare for the National Cup from December 27-30 in HCM City. - VNA Cross border drug ring busted Police in Ho Chi Minh City have smashed a drug ring, arresting five people and confiscating 1.4 kg of heroin, nearly 4kg of methamphetamine, VND100 million in cash and others. HCM City officials said on December 5 that five people are part of a major drug ring operating across the border from neighbouring Cambodia. Nguyen Thach Thao was the first person to have been arrested on November 28 when she was receiving methamphetamine and her accomplices, Lam Tu Tran, Lam Kim Phung, Lam Dao Long and Le Quang Cuong were the next arrestees. Long (or Steven Dao Long) and Phung are Australian Vietnamese. The case is till under further investigation. Two arrested with seven red-faced monkeys in central Vietnam Local authorities plan to release the sole surviving monkey in Nghe An Province's protected forest. Police in Nghe An Province caught two men with seven red-faced monkeys on December 3. Pham Ngoc Thuy, 42, and Nguyen Van Son, 39, said they bought the protected animals in the mountains and expected to sell them in the lowlands. Six of the monkeys were found dead. The authorities plan to return the sole survivor to Pu Mat National Park. The police also seized 14kg of wildlife bones from Thuy and Son during the bust. The Vietnamese government has called for stronger enforcement of its wildlife smuggling laws to help bring the trade to an end. Last month, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh ordered the Ministry of Public Security to launch campaigns to investigate and wipe out smuggling rings. Ecotourism: Beach-cleaning tours on Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island Many travelers on tours to Phu Quoc Island, off the southern Vietnamese coast, have jumped at a surprise offer from tour operators to take part in beach-cleaning activities as itinerary extras. The activities are part of the ‘Phu Quoc Green Tourism’ campaign, jointly run by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper and the administration of Kien Giang Province, which is located in southern Vietnam. Phu Quoc, dubbed ‘pearl island’ for its breathtaking beaches and vast forests, is an offshore district administered by Kien Giang, and is Vietnam’s largest island. Dozens of travelers on tours operated by Ho Chi Minh City-based Viet Media Travel and Phu Quoc-based Dong Doi Tourism on Friday enthusiastically joined in litter-picking activities at Dinh Cau Beach in Phu Quoc after they were given a surprise notice the day before by their tour guides. Among the participants were Vietnamese actress Viet Trinh and Tran Thanh Trung, vice chairman at local movie studio VnFilm, who cut short their diving and fishing itineraries to partake in the activities. “It’s a meaningful thing to do,” Viet Trinh told Tuoi Tre as she live-streamed the event on Facebook to raise awareness among her friends and followers. “I feel that this needs to be shared, and I hope the message will be passed on by my friends and family members on Facebook,” the actress said. As a tourist herself, Trinh said she understood how it felt to stand before a beautiful beach that had been turned ugly by litter. “It’s disappointing to visit a place that is filled with litter,” Trinh said to explain her motive for joining the activity. “Just imagine how much more beautiful our travel destinations would be if we were more sensible and put our garbage away.” Sharing the same experience, Trung said the beach-cleaning activities had become a memorable part of his trip to the island despite it being spontaneous. “If you want your children to have beautiful beaches to visit in the future, join us now and spread the message that our future and that of our children’s start with how we treat today’s environment,” Trung underlined. Trinh and Trung were joined by young volunteers from local Green Phu Quoc Club, which had been organizing similar monthly beach-cleaning drives. After about 30 minutes, 200 meters of coastline at Dinh Cau Beach on the island were cleared of any sight of litter. According to Nguyen Van Sau, deputy director of the Kien Giang Department of Tourism, Friday was the first time the ‘Phu Quoc Green Tourism’ campaign had called for participation from tour-goers in environmental protection efforts. “This is a good start, as it proves that there are still many sensible tourists,” Sau said, adding that he had not expected the response from tourists to be so positive. Sau called for other future visitors of the island to lend a helping hand to the local authority and people to conserve the island’s environment. Last year, Phu Quoc received more than one million visitors, compared to 328,800 in 2010. In 2016, tourist numbers are expected to top 1.4 million. The 'Phu Quoc Green Tourism' campaign was kicked off in August and will run until the end of this year. The campaign is intended to support a master plan by local authorities to turn Phu Quoc into “an international-level hub of ecotourism,” said Mai Van Huynh, deputy chairman of Kien Giang. Woman sentenced to 13 years in jail for fraud   The Tây Ninh People’s Court yesterday sentenced Nguyễn Ánh Ngọc, a 40-year-old woman, to 13 years in jail for defrauding property owners and appropriating properties. According to the indictment, Nguyễn Ánh Ngọc of Thanh Phước Commune in Gò Dầu District befriend Phan Thị Hiền, 60, a resident of Gò Dầu District. Ngọc told Hiền she had helped a number of people get work abroad, asking for VNĐ170 million (US$7,500) to arrange a work contract for Hiền’s son in South Korea. Ngọc also received VNĐ50 million from Hiền to help her obtain her land use right certificate. In May last year, Ngọc received VNĐ190 million ($8,400) from Lý Văn Thành, 60, from Long Thành District. Thành asked Ngọc to find a lawyer to defend his younger sister who had been arrested for alleged involvement in human trafficking. In July last year, Ngọc received VNĐ110 million ($4,800) from Nguyễn Thanh Thủy, 62, from Tây Ninh City, to arrange a Taiwan work document for a relative. One dies, one injured in motorcycle-truck accident One person died and another was injured in an accident on Sunday morning in An Phú Ward, Thuận An Town of the southern province of Bình Dương. Witnesses said that Võ Văn Biển, 42, drove his motorbike with a passenger on board and rammed into the back of  a container truck. The passenger died at the scene and Biển sustained serious injuries to his legs. The cause of the accident is under investigation. In the past two weeks, the area saw two fatal accidents involving container trucks. Quảng Bình border guards remove 350kg bomb Quảng Bình Province border guards said yesterday they had safely moved a bomb weighing 350kg from a construction site in the Cha Lo International Border Gate with Laos. The bomb was discovered by a worker on Saturday afternoon. The bomb is 1.2m in length and has diameter of 30-35cm. It was lying about 10m underground. Upon receiving the information, the border guards asked workers to stop work to ensure safety. They are re-checking all of the area in case other bombs were left behind. Dau Tieng irrigation reservoir to release water from December 4 Dau Tieng - Phuoc Hoa Water Resource Exploitation Company will start a seven day flood release into Saigon River due to its water level is higher than the designed capacity. The work was launched at 7am from December 4 and being continued till December 10 with 150 meters cubic per seconds rate, aiming to ensure absolute safety of the reservoir and flooding for the downstream river. According to the Ho Chi Minh City Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue, the seven day water release at Dau Tieng irrigation reservoir will not affect Ho Chi Minh City during flood tide. However, the authorities at several low areas of Cu Chi, Hoc Mon, Go Vap, Binh Thanh and Thu Duc district and district 12 need to prepare timely measures for dealing with the bad conditions. New technologies to treat cardiovascular diseases displayed in angioplasty summit The National Angioplasty Summit for Vietnam interventional cardiologists held by Hoang Duc – a distributor of Boston Scientific – on December 3 in Ho Chi Minh City was discussed key interventional cardiology trends and the application of minimally invasive technologies to treat cardiovascular diseases. Over 200 physicians and health officials attended the summit to listen to a wide range of discussion topics which included demographic trends in cardiac diseases in Vietnam, the evolution of interventional cardiology and the latest medical treatments and stents available, such as bio-absorbable polymer stents. Professor Vo Thanh Nhan, Chairman of HCMC Angioplasty Association said that such summits are important in providing access to physicians in Vietnam to learn more about innovative medical solutions  from all over the world; they can be trained on these technologies especially for niche, complex procedure. Accordingly, patients will benefit from these treatments that can improve their health with less trauma and lower risk of complications.  The US Consul general in HCMC Mary Tarnowka, the former US Ambassador to Vietnam Michael Michalak, Head of Medical Equipment and Construction Nguyen Minh Tuan, Chairman of Vietnam Cardiology Association Professor Nguyen Lan Viet attended the summit. First case of Zika in pregnant woman in Dong Nai Province The director of the Department of Health in the southern province of Dong Nai Huynh Minh Hoan said that the first case of Zika virus is a pregnant woman in Bien Hoa City. The woman was 29 week pregnant and taken to a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City last week with symptoms including rash, fever, and fatigue. Medical workers soon took her blood samples for test conducted by Pasteur Institute. Test result showed that the pregnant woman is positive for the virus. Following, the Department of Health in Dong Nai implemented anti-mosquito task in the woman’s neighborhood. As scheduled, the Department will have urgent meeting on December 5 with the disease steering board committee to fight against the epidemic. Northern Province welcomes three “test-tube babies” Hospital A Thai Nguyen in the northern province of Thai Nguyen welcomed first three “test- tube” babies conceived as the result of In vitro fertilization (IVF) or "test tube babies" yesterday. Medical workers performed the deliveries of the three kids with support of the National Reproduction Assistance Center. Dr. Ha Hai Bang, deputy director of the hospitals said that the three babies are first test-tube babies given birth in the hospital. Directly performing the C-section, also known as cesarean delivery, Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Viet Tien who is also head of the National Reproduction Assistance Center congratulated the hospital’s success in IVF technique and parents. After the case, the hospital’s reproductive assistance center becomes the first one in 12 mountainous northern provinces. By statistics, since the beginning of the year, the hospital has accepted 220 documents for IVF, 50 of unfertilized couples conceived and under periodical medical check-up. HCMC Respiratory Asso. strives to tackle COPD The Respiration Association and GlaxoSmithKline Company in Ho Chi Minh City promised to accompany with patients in fighting against Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) when they launched a program in response to the World COPD Day.  The day is set up each year in November to highlight and raises awareness about the symptoms, risk factors and treatment for COPD. CODP is a preventative disease. Its typical symptoms is block in respiratory shortness of breath, especially during physical activities; wheezing; Chest tightness; Having to clear your throat first thing in the morning, due to excess mucus in your lungs. The main cause of COPD is tobacco smoking or people exposed to fumes from burning fuel. On the World COPD Day, the association and GlaxoSmithKline in HCMC shared different aspects of the disease to the patients. The association experts said though the disease is untreatable yet preventative and early detection will help reducing serious development, risk of death and economic burden for long treatment. Vietnamese music introduced to OVs in France A concert was held at Espace Neuilly theatre in Paris, France to introduce the newly-released compilation of Vietnamese music entitled ‘To Quoc Yeu Thuong’ (Vietnam, Our Beloved Fatherland). The CD includes 11 songs following two themes: the first one introduces classical works honouring the beauty of Vietnam by veteran Vietnamese composers while the second theme highlights Vietnam’s sea and islands as well as the Vietnamese people’s efforts to safeguard maritime sovereignty and territorial integrity. Previously, the songs were performed by the Que Huong (Homeland) Vocal Ensemble throughout Paris and other cities in France since its establishment in April 2009 under the lead of Nguyen Ngan Ha as a common home to Vietnamese people in France, who share a passion for music and hold Vietnam in their hearts. The CD was recorded on July 8 and 9 at the Conservatory of Rouen, accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra of the Rouen Conservatory conducted by Claude Brendel, who has a deep passion for Vietnam. According to Nguyen Ngan Ha, the recording of the CD marked the wonderful achievements the Homeland Vocal Ensemble has made over the past seven years, adding that the work of art was an outcome of the joint effort among Vietnamese people and French friends. Ha also revealed that the CD is not for sale but will be presented to everyone as a way to promote the land and people of Vietnam to music lovers. A photo exhibition on Vietnam’s sea and islands also opened at the Espace Neuilly theatre on the occasion, attracting many visitors both Vietnamese and French. Coach station to be moved to make room for commercial center Mien Tay Coach Station in HCMC’s Binh Tan District will be relocated to make room for a commercial center. The city government has assigned Saigon Transportation Mechanical Corporation (Samco) to build a new interprovincial bus station on 20 hectares in Binh Chanh District as part of the Mien Tay station relocation plan. Samco will be able to develop the current Mien Tay station into a commercial center which would include a supermarket. Saigon Co.op, the operator of Co.opmart stores, would be a priority partner of Samco to locate a Co.opmart supermarket in the forthcoming commercial center. Passengers at the new bus station could have convenient access to the planned Metro Line No.3a, Monorail No.2, and bus rapid transit line. Samco is expected to complete a detailed plan for the new bus station next year, and proceed with site clearance and compensation in 2018. The project is estimated to cost nearly VND1 trillion, including land clearance. The new Mien Tay coach station would be put into operation from 2021. Vietnam joins charity fair in Indonesia Vietnamese products like coffee, green bean cakes and handicrafts were sold at a charity fair in Jakarta, Indonesia, from November 30-December 1. The annual event, held by the Women’s International Club (WIC) in Jakarta, accommodates nearly 60 booths from embassies in Indonesia. More than 200 local businesses introduced their garments-textiles, handicrafts and food at the event.  In her opening remarks, Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s wife Hj. Iriana Joko  Widodo said that the fair offers an opportunity for women from participating countries to explore different cultural identities.  She also lauded the significance of the event as part of the proceeds will go to a charity fund run by the WIC to support poor and disabled children, and other disadvantaged people.  The WIC was formed 66 years ago with Indonesia, India, the UK and the US as the first members. It brings together all countries with embassies in Indonesia.- Festival promotes friendship between city residents, expats The annual Ho Chi Minh City - Development and Integration Festival to promote friendship between city residents and expatriates kicked off on December 1 at the April 30 Park in District 1.  The three-day festival, organised by the municipal People’s Committee, introduces Vietnam’s history and culture, particularly HCM City’s development and achievements, to expatriates.  It is also an opportunity for foreign residents to learn more about the culture cuisine and the arts of Vietnam and other countries.  The event includes booths from consulates, business associations and friendship organisations from countries, including Hungary, Germany, China, Thailand and India, offering information on business, culture, tourism, and education.  An exhibition called “HCM City’s Activities in International Relations – Integration and Development” showcases images of the city’s development and achievements in all fields of the economy, education and society as well as diplomatic activities.  Visitors can learn about handicrafts and traditional costumes from Vietnam and other countries, and enjoy folk music, food, games and water puppetry shows.  Many booth features souvenirs from local residents and foreign communities, a traditional game zone, and food courts manned by hotels and restaurants in the city.  A culinary competition called Vietnamese Delicacies for both Vietnamese and foreign participants is one of the festival’s highlights. Seminar on Asian women’s civil rights opens in Hanoi The fourth international scientific seminar, themed “Gender and civil rights of Asian women”, opened in Hanoi on December 1, with domestic and foreign agencies taking part.  Speaking at the event, Chairwoman of the Asian Association of Women’s Studies (AAWS) Grace Javier Alfonso called for providing all possible support for women to contribute to society and removing backward custom burdens on women towards achieving gender equality.  A highlight at the event is putting forward projects devised by researchers from the Republic of Korea (RoK) and the 10 ASEAN member states via the Korea - ASEAN Cooperation Project (KACP) on Education and Exchange Programme for Young Scholars in Women’s Studies, which will be one of the priorities to narrow development gap between men and women towards building the ASEAN Community of justice. The three-day seminar, co-hosted by the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations and the Thang Long University, will focus its discussions on Asian women’s civil rights, immigration, reproductive health, abortion, women trafficking, gender-based violence, activities for women’s rights, among others. Cooperative agreement signed for Bao Son Prize Awards The Ministry of Education and Training and Bao Son Group have signed a cooperative agreement on Bao Son Prizes awarding to excellent scientific - technological works which have high academic value, creativeness and practical application. At the signing ceremony on December 1, MoET Deputy Minister, Bui Van Ga underscored the importance of cooperation among universities and enterprises, which is the key to improve training quality. Bao Son prize is granted to outstanding Vietnamese individuals, who are authors of scientific studies in the fields of educational and training reform, poverty reduction, sustainable economic development, medicine and pharmacy, community healthcare and literature. These works have been practically applied and made positive contribution to the development of Vietnam’s socio-economic, culture and people. This year, the prize value increases to US$50,000 each. The winning studies should be publicized in an international scientific magazine or a publication of a prestigious publisher.  Senior officials punished as Vietnam probes political rise of runaway bigwig Party inspectors have been probing those who promoted Trinh Xuan Thanh even after massive losses at a state firm. Several high-ranking Vietnamese officials have been punished for their previous involvement with Trinh Xuan Thanh, a former official who is currently in hiding overseas. Thanh, currently wanted on an international warrant, is believed to have flown to Europe amid an investigation into losses of nearly $150 million at a state-owned company that he once ran. In a recent statement, the Central Inspection Committee, the Communist Party’s top watchdog, singled out Tran Cong Chanh, the chief of Hau Giang's Communist Party Unit, for alleged violations that led to Thanh's appointment as vice chairman of the southern province. Chanh was deputy party chief and mayor of Hau Giang when Thanh moved from the Ministry of Industry and Trade in May last year. Thanh was not nominated for re-election for the 2016-2020 tenure in June. The committee said that two other retired senior officials should receive official warnings for personnel violations between 2011 and 2016. They are Huynh Minh Chac, Party chief of Hau Giang from 2010-2015; and Tran Luu Hai, former deputy chairman of the Central Organizing Committee. Chac and Hai had violated party rules which enabled Thanh to serve as vice mayor of Hau Giang last year, the statement said. Three vice ministers of home affairs were also named by the Central Inspection Committee on Thursday. Tran Thi Ha, Tran Anh Tuan and Nguyen Duy Thang were all implicated in the case of Thanh’s promotion. Thanh is accused of mismanagement and causing losses of around VND3.2 trillion ($147 million) at PVC, a unit of the state-owned oil giant PetroVietnam he controlled between 2011 and 2013. Four other executives from the company have been arrested. Thanh sought overseas sick leave in mid-August and has not returned since, police said. He was expelled from the Communist Party on September 8, a move that would pave the way for him to face criminal charges. The now-infamous official first caught media attention in June for driving a $230,000 Lexus with a government license plate in a country where the average annual income is around $2,100. The scandal caused uproar over the use of public money, prompting Communist Party Chief Nguyen Phu Trong to order a probe into his political career and how he had been promoted. Government inspectors found that Thanh and his team, starting in 2009, had launched a number of ventures with different companies, but few had proven successful. Most of their business projects ended up being delayed or closed down. After his stint at PVC, Thanh continued to climb the ladder with an apparently successful political track record, holding various government positions before taking his last post as vice mayor of the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang. Mekong Delta to receive nearly US$400 million to combat climate change The delta, where nearly half of the country’s rice is grown, is at threat from saltwater intrusion. The World Bank (WB) has pledged US$310 million to help nine provinces in the Mekong Delta to combat adverse weather conditions that have led to saltwater intrusion, coastal erosion and flooding. “Recent extreme weather in the Mekong River Delta, including drought and salinity intrusion, are negatively affecting the lives of the farmers – most of them are poor,” said Achim Fock, acting country director for the World Bank in Vietnam. The project will work on a reciprocal basis with the Vietnamese government committing $72.5 million while sourcing $2.4 million from the private sector.  It is expected to build climate resilience and ensure sustainable livelihoods for 1.2 million people living in nine Mekong Delta provinces. Vietnam’s annual rice exports of $4 billion account for more than one fifth of the global total. The Mekong Delta alone contributes half of Vietnam’s rice output, 70% of its aquaculture products and one-third of Vietnam’s gross domestic product. However, the region has also been identified as one of the deltas most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change as well as upstream development. The Ministry of Planning and Investment forecasts that about 45 percent of the Mekong Delta will be affected by saltwater intrusion by 2030 if hydropower dams and reservoirs continue to stop water from flowing downstream. Northern Vietnam to be hit by multiple cold snaps Cold spells are set to hit northern provinces over the next ten days while central Vietnam braces for flooding and landslides. The north of the country will experience 4-5 cold spells over the course of December, according to the National Hydrometeorological Forecasting Center. Over the next ten days, cold spells will hit northern provinces with temperatures ranging from 13 to 23 degrees Celsius. Temperatures in Hanoi will stand slightly higher at 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. Dry weather will also hit northern parts where humidity will average from 40-60 percent. In central Vietnam, cold spells are forecast with heavy downpours that may cause flooding and landslides. Average temperatures are expected to fall to 17-24 degrees Celsius. In contrast, southern provinces will experience higher temperatures ranging from 22-32 degrees Celsius.  The region is forecast to have moderate and heavy downpours in the first half of December. Pham Dinh Van, head of the Meteorological Station for the northern region, said that this winter will be warmer than last year, and the chance of snow in mountainous regions is unlikely. Đà Nẵng plans public underground car park    Downtown Đà Nẵng will host the city’s first public underground car park in 2018. City authorities said the parking garage, a BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) project to be carried out over two years (2016-2018), will be built on a 4,000sq.m site at a cost of VNĐ195 billion (US$8.7 million). It will have 309 parking spaces for cars and over 3,000 for motorbikes at the junction of Ông Ích Khiêm-Đống Đa and Trần Cao Vân streets. The city will also upgrade these streets to facilitate day and night entry for cars. The project, which includes three underground floors and a ground floor, will also have a green park, a rest area and several entertainment options for pedestrians. In 2015, the city opened its first underground car park at the Administrative Centre on Trần Phú Street. The parking garage, which can accommodate 179 cars and 1,500 motorbikes, cost VNĐ150 billion ($6.7 million) to build. Almost all big hotels in the city have their own underground parking garages, according to the city’s Construction Department. A report prepared by the city’s traffic police says Đà Nẵng, which has a population of 900,000, has 69,000 cars, 800,000 motorbikes and over 5,000 battery-powered bikes, excluding cars and personal vehicles from localities that pass in and out everyday. Đà Nẵng is also piloting an odd and even day car parking plan on some streets in the city to ease congestion. It also plans several underground projects in the coming years, including two road tunnels at busy roundabouts, and a tunnel under the Hàn River.  Last year, the city put into operation a three-level rail and road flyover at the Huế Junction. In 2013, the World Bank agreed to provide $202 million for a $272 million sustainable development project to help build a Bus Rapid Transit network, new roads and revamp the existing drainage system. Sculpture exhibition opens in HCMC The 2016 Ho Chi Minh City Sculpture exhibition is taking place at Van Thanh Tourism Area in Binh Thanh district, HCMC, launched by the HCMC Fine Arts Association. On display are 64 works of 50 sculptors with many various materials such as bronze, stone, wooden and metal sculptures, terracotta, lacquer, pottery... The exhibition held every five years aims to introduce sculpture works in the period 2012 to 2016. The event lasts till December 30. VNA/VNS/VOV/SGT/SGGP/TT/TN/Dantri/VNE