Social News 30/10 Hundreds of primary students suffer food poison in Hau Giang Province    Hundreds of primary students suffer food poison in the Mekong Delta Province of Hau Giang yesterday. Poisoned students are treated in the local clinic A large number of students in Lai Hieu Primary School in Nga Bay Town experienced food poisong symptoms. Half an hour ago, they took glass of Milo dairy product of Nestle Company gratis. Thirty minutes later, several students had vomited and stomachache, headache and diarrhea. The number of poisoned students rose quickly. Soon, the school managers took poisoned students for emergency treatment in the town's medical clinic. The slight remaining students were kept under primary teachers' observation in class. At the same time, students of Nguyen Hien Primary School in Hiep Thanh Ward also suffered food poison. At noon, the local clinic received nearly 400 cases of poisoning due to drinking milk. Head of the Emergency Department Dr. Le Van Thang said as per the initial probe, they were all poisoned by drinking unsafe dairy product. Just a few critical cases were kept under medical workers' observation. Most students are in stable condition after receiving treatment with drug. Related agencies are carrying out the probe of poison cause. Schools stopped giving students milk after the incident. Eigthty scholars attend int'l seminar on Vietnam's ancient pottery An international seminar themed " Binh Dinh's ancient pottery -The Vijaya royal dynasty and the relation with Thang Long Imperial Citadel in the century of XI-XV was attended by 80 local and international scholars and researchers yesterday. The Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences and People's Committee of the central province of Binh Dinh organized the seminar in Quy Nhon city. The organizer received 40 speeches including 24 from local scholars and researchers and 16 from international counterparts. Seminar participants delivered their speeches on Binh Dinh's Champa pottery for clarification of the value of Champa - the Vijaya royal dynasty and its relation with Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Member of the national cultural heritage cum deputy head of the Southern Institute of Social Sciences Associate Professor Bui Chi Hoang said that from 1990 to 1995, researches arrived at the conclusion that Binh Dinh Province is the center of Champa in the Vijaya royal dynasty. Many ancient pottery of Binh Dinh were also found in Highlands provinces. Additionally, Binh Dinh pottery products were also found in foreign countries; for instance a large number of Binh Dinh and Dai Viet pottery products were found in a sunk boat in the Philippines. Health Ministry urges to prevent winter-spring disease The Ministry of Health yesterday sent its urgent dispatch to municipal and provincial people's committees nationwide, urging measures against winter -spring disease. Leaders of cities and provinces are urged to adopt measures against seasonal diseases especially focus disease prevention in distant and disadvantaged districts, in areas where most ethnic indigenous people live, in regions which outbreaks of disease have been reported and their vaccination rate hass been low for years. Importantly, drastic measures should be adopted to fight against dangerous diseases such as avian influenza A(H7N9), A(H5N1) and respiratory illnesses. For these ailments such as measles, rubella, whooping cough, leaders in cities and provinces must be quick to implement vaccination and re-check the number of people who had been immunized or not. In addition to checking, local authorities must organize vaccination for those who had not been injected vaccine to ensure the immnization rate of 95 percent in a ward. The Ministry also said through supervision, the dengue cases dropped in eight past weeks nationwide. Moreover, no death was reported in the country in these weeks. Some 33,990 dengue patients were discharged from hospitals while over 780 people have still stayed in hospitals. Health sector has still been keeping an eye on the disease as well as implement synchronous measures against the disease. However, people should not neglect preventive measures for dengue because the disease usually spread to November. When it comes to hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD), the Department of Preventive Medicine warned in the seasonal transaction, the number of kids with HFMD is rising; moreover, it can become outbreak without active preventative measures. Since the beginning of the year, over 54,000 cases of HFM had been recorded without no fatality. Yet parents should not be neglected because it is acute virus infection which kids usually get it; accordingly, it may become big outbreaks if personal hygiene is not kept. US-Asia Institute holds conference on APEC 2017 The US-Asia Institute together with the Vietnamese Embassy in the US have organised a conference about the APEC Vietnam 2017 in Washington DC. In his introductory speech, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Pham Quang Vinh said that amid opportunities and challenges brought about by changes across the Asia – Pacific, Vietnam chose the theme for this APEC year as “Creating New Dynamism & Fostering a Shared Future”. This means a search for initiatives serving vitality, sustainable growth, and trade-investment expansion in the region, he said, adding Vietnam has worked with APEC member economies and business communities towards the outlook since the beginning of 2017. According to the diplomat, Vietnam has to date organised more than 200 meetings across four key domains – sustainable, creative, and inclusive growth; regional connectivity; capacity building of small- and medium-sized enterprises in digital age; and food security and sustainable farming. These meetings put forth growth orientations for APEC economies and laid the groundwork for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Da Nang city, central Vietnam, next November. Vinh welcomed the upcoming Vietnam visit by US President Donald Trump and his presence at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, with a belief that his visit will stimulate Vietnam – US comprehensive partnership as well as regional cooperation for peace, development and prosperity. Speakers at the conference, David Shear, Former US Ambassador to Vietnam, and Murray Hiebert, Senior Adviser and Deputy Director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, lauded Vietnam’s preparation and organisation of the APEC Year 2017. They stated that the APEC forum and Asia-Pacific are important to the US economically and strategically. The country’s new administration has continued tightening relations with the region by welcoming visits by the prime ministers of Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, and organising visits by its senior officials to the region. The experts expect that Trump’s upcoming trip to Asia will reiterate the US’s commitment to the Asia – Pacific’s peace, security, and prosperity, including the freedom of marine navigation and over flight in the East Sea. On the occasion, the US-Asia Institute presented an insignia to Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh for his contribution to the US – ASEAN relations. The US-Asia Institute was established as a non-governmental organisation in 1979 to serve as an independent voice in the relationship between the White House and Asia. Vietnam photo exhibition impresses visitors in Seoul The Vietnamese Association in the Republic of Korea (RoK) hosted a photo exhibition popularising Vietnam and its people in Seoul on October 29, as part of activities celebrating the 25th anniversary of Vietnam - RoK diplomatic ties. On display were 30 photos depicting traditional culture, outstanding economic achievements over the past 30 years of renovation, and successful hosting of regional and global conferences such as the 18th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting. Malaysian student Siti Fadhliah Binti Basrah said she is impressed by Vietnam’s beauty and wished to visit the country soon. US Director of a consulting company in Seoul Todd Sample said he is keen on Vietnamese culture and cuisine, adding that his firm will boost investment in Vietnam to take advantage of the government’s incentives and open policies. Vietnamese signature products introduced to APEC delegates Fine art stones featuring red-shanked douc langurs, Ngoc Lu bronze drums, Hue Royal Court musical instruments, and other Vietnamese products will be displayed at the Non Nuoc Fine Art Stone Village during APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Da Nang in November. Da Nang artisans are looking forward to the much-awaited APEC events to introduce their unique products. Mr. Pham Tien, a local businessman, said that in addition to fine arts, fengshui, and ornamental stone products, his workshop also sells products depicting Quan Ho folk duet artists, Hue girls in traditional long dress, red-shanked douc langurs, and the Han River bridge. Tien said there will be new products like Ngoc Lu bronze drums and carved cosmetic boxes depicting Cau pagoda in Hoi An. “Our workshop will welcome visitors during APEC Week. Our uniformed staff have been trained with to serve foreign customers. All our prices are marked”, Mr Tien added. Contractors at the the APEC Sculpture Park are installing a lighting system and planting trees at the west of the Dragon Bridge. The park which covers more than 3,000 square meters, contains 21 sculptures from the 21 APEC countries. Sculptor Le Lang Luong of Hanoi Fine Arts University said “My piece is shaped like intertwined trees. I used natural, green stones and arranged them like a tree to express unity. I used both rough and smooth stones to symbolize the past, present and future of APEC.” By hosting APEC Year 2017, Vietnam hopes to promote its image as a peaceful, stable, and friendly country. Boats run aground in Phú Yên Three fishing boats being towed to shore. One fisherman went missing off the coast of central Phú Yên Province when three fishing boats ran aground on Saturday. The three boats ran aground due to sand clogs at the Đà Diễn sea mouth while they were returning to Đông Tác port in Tuy Hòa City after fishing on Saturday. An anchor string accidentally rolled around the feet of fisherman Đinh Văn Đồng, 26, and he fell into the sea. More than 30 people and two canoes have been mobilised to search for the missing fisherman and try to rescue the three fishing boats. Seventeen other fishermen who were on the boats have safely returned to shore. Đà Diễn seaport has more than 800 operating fishing boats with capacity of more than 90CV. The sea mouth has been filled with sand for many years. The clogs have caused substantial damage to the local economy and livelihoods of fisherman. Seminar reviews projects on developing science and technology in the south-eastern region About 1,090 projects of scientific research and technological development have been implemented in five provinces and cities in the south-eastern region in the period of 2015-17, according to a seminar themed “Promoting regional linkage”late last week. The seminar, jointly organised by the HCM City’s People’s Committee and the Ministry of Science and Technology, heard that each locality used up to between 60-70 per cent of the local budget for research projects that deploy and apply science and technology. Speaking at the seminar, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Phạm Công Tạc, said the south-eastern region has a number of advantages to develop the local service and industry sectors, but it also is facing many problems, especially those related to the inter-provincial connectivity. He said provinces and cities should enhance co-operation with each other regarding scientific research and technological applications to create an industrial value chain and promote local products with unique values, thus improving competitiveness at international markets. In addition, sharing scientific research and technological developments among localities is necessary to avoid wasting investment and time, as in the case of duplicated projects. The localities should establish steering committees to make supporting policies for start-up projects. It was necessary to build an information infrastructure system that could be easily accessed by localities for management and operations, which would create linkages for the region, Tạc said. Party chief hails Military Zone 4 for ensuring social security General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong hailed the High Command of Military Zone 4 for ensuring local political stability and social security and safety during a working session in the central province of Nghe An on October 29. He said the Military Zone 4 lies in a strategic location, covering six provinces in the central region so that the staff must uphold patriotism tradition and build a healthy and transparent unit loyal to the Party, the nation and people. The Party chief called attention to building forces with political firmness and professionalism, adding that the Military Zone 4 must heed mass mobilisation and external relations, contributing to strengthening special solidarity with Laos. Member of the Party Central Committee and Commander of the Military Zone 4 Lieut. Gen Nguyen Tan Cuong said the Military Zone 4’s Party unit and staff have seriously abided by resolutions and directives by the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, the Central Military Commission and Defence Ministry, particularly the resolution of the 12th National Party Congress and another by the eighth plenum of the 11th Party Central Committee on national protection strategy in the new context. In accordance with the resolution of the fourth plenum of the 12th Party Central Committee and the Politburo’s Directive No.05, the Party unit conducted criticism and self-criticism, thereby devising measures to fight political and ideological degradation, “self-evolution” and “self-transformation” phenomena, he said. He added that the staff also actively responded to the campaign “Studying and following morals and lifestyle of Ho Chi Minh”.  To cope with natural disasters and tropical low pressure, the Military Zone 4’s High Command deployed tens of thousands of officers and soldiers for search and rescue and helped local residents stabilise their lives. It also offered free health check-ups and medicines and worked closely with Lao localities and units to safeguard the shared borderline, he added. In the morning the same day, the leader offered incense and paid floral tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at Kim Lien relic site, visited King Mai Hac De temple in Nam Dan district and Emperor Quang Trung temple atop Dung Quyet mountain. PM urges all possible support to workers in Dong Nai Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc urged all possible support to be provided to help workers to improve their productivity and income during a two-hour dialogue in the Republic of Korea-invested Taekwang Vina company in Bien Hoa 2 industrial park, the southern province of Dong Nai on October 28. He agreed with workers’ proposals to increase cultural and entertainment activities such as film screening, sightseeing tours and exchanges, adding that localities were also asked to pay attention to housing to workers and ensure their safety by preventing stealing at work. The PM said the government will issue policies to encourage firms to hire the disabled and spread production emulation campaigns. On the occasion, he granted scholarships to five workers who are taking courses in vocational training colleges and laptops to a family with two generations of workers and a married couple living with disabilities. Workers at Taekwang Vina company also presented a pair of shoes made by themselves to the PM. Following the dialogue, the PM had dinner with workers at the dining room in the company. The Taekwang Vina company also took the occasion to present 200,000 USD to the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour in support of workers. Earlier, the PM visited Thai Quang preschool, a general clinic in the company, a lodging area for workers and a supermarket invested by the company. Dong Nai is now home to 35 industrial zones with more than 700,000 workers. More than one year since the first dialogue with the PM on May 1, 2016, workers’ average salary has risen by 7 percent. Industrial zones have lured additional 93 projects this year while over 98 percent of enterprises paid medical and social insurance for workers. President inspects preparations for APEC 2017 events President Tran Dai Quang inspected reception and security for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting at Da Nang International Airport, in the central city of Da Nang on October 28. The Da Nang international airport completed the expansion of airport dock to the north, construction of runway E7 and VIP guest room. The State leader lauded the public security, army and relevant forces for the effort, and asked the Public Security-Health Care Sub-Committee and agencies concerned to complete plans for the event with back-up measures for contingency cases. The Foreign Ministry and units concerned must make the most thorough preparations to the detail, especially in hotels to ensure the best services to guests, he said. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting is scheduled for November 6-11 in Da Nang city.- Consular Club of HCMC to launch charity bazaar in Nov The Consular Club of HCMC, whose members are from the various diplomatic missions in Ho Chi Minh City, will organize its 24th annual International Charity Bazaar on November 18, 2017 at the White Palace Convention Centre, 194 Hoang Van Thu Street, Ward 9, Phu Nhuan District. At the 24th International Consular Club Charity Bazaar, visitors will have chance to enjoy the festive spirit, food, and merchandise from all over the world, all while contributing to a good cause.  The club said proceeds from the Bazaar will be used to help the less fortunate people of Ho Chi Minh City and the surrounding area.  Projects supported by the Consular Club through funds generated from the annual International Charity Bazaar range from scholarships to medical care, providing fresh water, building bridges, schools and more. All Consular Club members volunteer their time to work towards improving the quality of life of the disadvantaged people in Vietnam. The event will begin at 9:30 am and run until 2:00pm.  Entry tickets cost 100,000 VND for adults. People can also purchase tickets for the bazaar's popular raffle drawing. Raffle tickets are available for 50,000 VND each, and prizes include round-trip airline tickets, free stays at deluxe resorts and hotels in many famous locations throughout Vietnam, spa packages, lunch or dinner vouchers in luxury restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City and much more.  Every prize in the raffle is valued at more than $100 USD. For further information on the Charity Bazaar (including limited advanced ticket sales and raffle tickets), contact the Consular Club at consularclub@gmail.com or the Consulate General of the State of Kuwait at 24 Phung Khac Khoan Street, DaKao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, telephone: (+84-28) 3827 0555. Run for the Heart 2017 launched Gamuda Land Vietnam and Heart Beat Vietnam Fund announced the launch of the “Run for the Heart 2017” charity race a few days ago in Ho Chi Minh City, which will raise funds for children with congenital heart disease on November 12 at Celadon City in Tan Phu district. The run is expected to attract more than 15,000 people and raise funds to save disadvantaged children awaiting heart surgeries. Last year’s run attracted nearly 20,000 participants and raised $256,000, all of which went to pay for surgeries. This will be the fifth year the Malaysian-backed property developer has cooperated with the not-for-profit Heart Beat Vietnam to organize the run. In its first four holdings it attracted 48,000 people and raised nearly $470,000, helping 438 young hearts. “Social responsibility is an integral part of Gamuda Land’s business activities,” said Mr. Wyeren Yap Vooi Soon, General Director of Gamuda Land Ho Chi Minh City. “Community and environmental protection activities are our focus. ‘Run for the Heart’ is one of the important projects we want to develop in the long run to improve quality of life and create sustainable values for the community, because we believe that children are the future and are in need of care and protection.” The event has also received active support and donations from An Cuong, CBM, Hoa Binh, Phuoc Thanh, Fecon South, Asian International School, Tupperware, LeNom, Tham&Wong, Nippont, and VinaCapital. “We are excited about ‘Run for the Heart 2017’ at Celadon City,” said Mr. Rad Kivette, Director of Development and Government Relations at VinaCapital. “This year, with the help of the whole community, we hope that more poor children will be cured and unfortunate stories of being not treated in time will be minimized.” It’s estimated that more than 12,000 children in Vietnam are born with congenital heart disease each year, but up to 6,000 must wait and some even die before they are diagnosed. In order to save lives, doctors recommend surgery or early treatment, but the average cost of $2,500 to $8,500 is no small sum for families with economic difficulties. With this year’s goal of treating more than 120 children with congenital heart disease, “Run for the Heart 2017” seeks to mobilize 15,000 participants, including thousands of students at universities and the community in Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring provinces. Major flyover construction commences in capital city The Hà Nội People’s Committee on Friday commenced the construction of a major flyover in the inner city’s Tây Hồ District, the Dân Trí online newspaper reported. The VNĐ311 billion (US$13.7 million) flyover will go across the An Dương-Thanh Niên intersection, and is 271m in length and 10m in width. It is one of the eight major traffic construction projects of the city, aimed at easing traffic congestion in Ba Đình and Tây Hồ districts of the inner city. It will connect Ba Đình District – the city’s political hub – and Nội Bài International Airport through Nhật Tân Bridge, as well as the city’s inner and outer areas through An Dương Gate on Yên Phụ Street. Construction of the flyover is expected to be completed in seven months. The project also includes modifications to the structure of a section of the dyke on the right bank of the Red River, according to the Hà Nội Traffic Project Management Board. Motorbikes and cars with less than 16 seats will use the Nghi Tàm Street and the Yên Phụ Dyke while the An Dương-Thanh Niên flyover is being constructed. Coaches with more than 16 seats and trucks weighing more than one tonne will be prohibited from the two routes, except those that are required for construction. From November 5, all coaches and taxis will be prohibited from travelling on both directions of the An Dương-Thanh Niên intersection. Construction starts for Ring Road No.3.5 Hanoi People's Committee held a ceremony on October 28 to start work on constructing Ring Road No.3.5’s Thang Long Highway to Highway 32 section. The ceremony was attended by Politburo member and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Hoang Trung Hai and Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Duc Chung, along with many leaders of the city. As an important infrastructure project, the project is scheduled to connect three main roads: National Highway 32, West Lake - Ba Vi, Thang Long Highway and in order to reduce traffic congestion at Ring Road 3. The 5.6-kilometre project has a total investment of approximately VND1 trillion. It is being constructed to withstand an 80 kilometre per hour speed limit. The first phase of the project has completed site clearance, ready for construction, expected to put into use by early 2019. Addressing the ceremony, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee, Nguyen The Hung, urged departments and contractors to mobilise all human, financial and material resources to ensure the quality and progress of the project as well as labour safety and to address any environmental issues. VNN