Social News 1/5 First concrete and non-metal reinforcement houses built in Vietnam   The first ten out of forty projected houses built with the new technology of concrete and non-metal reinforcement will be given to families who have difficulties in accommodation in the two Southern provinces of Ca Mau and Ben Tre in the middle of this May. According to construction professionals, the structure of concrete and non-steel reinforcement made from glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP), polypropylene fiber (PP), or polyethylene fiber (PE) is considered an innovative solution for constructions built on the sea or in harsh environments, gravely affected by wind, corrosion, and saline water. As informed by Mr. Tran Quang Hoai, General Director of the Directorate for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, since 2017, his office has launched a social campaign to support accommodation for poor families who are living in areas with harsh environments or grimly affected by climate change (higher sea level, land slide, saltwater intrusion). The Southern provinces of Ca Mau and Ben Tre are the first two locations to implement this campaign when Ba Ria Vung Tau Urban Sewerage and Development One Member Limited Company (BUSADCO) carried out the task of building houses with the new technology of concrete and non-steel reinforcement. The construction plan is financially supported by Tan Dai Hung Plastic Joint Stock Co. (with the amount of VND2billion, or $87,846). These houses are supposed to be soundproof, heatproof, and waterproof. Mr. Hoang Duc Thao, General Director of BUSADCO, said that in this new structure, the foundation, column, beam, girder, and walls are fabricated with non-steel reinforcement concrete. These have suitable joints or slots, edges so that they can be assembled smoothly and firmly. All the walls are completely waterproof, which are examined by the experimental method of long-term monitoring on water pumping with two covered ends. Thanks to being fabricated in a factory, the construction of the parts is not affected by weather condition, reducing the working time to one third of the conventional construction method. As a result, the building cost is also decreased by 30 percent. The technology of concrete and non-steel reinforcement has been successfully applied by BUSADCO into many projects to build the infrastructure for various areas nationwide. This solution is part of the group construction project ‘Building synchronous infrastructure in urban and rural areas while protecting the environment, preventing natural disasters, and coping with climate change’. The solution has received the Ho Chi Minh Award on Science and Technology. This solution has been implemented in the project of building the embankment and raising the growing bed for mangrove trees in Thai Binh Province, the project of upgrading and building dykes in Can Gio District of Ho Chi Minh City, the project of building technical trenches for cables in Ba Ria Vung Tau Province. “Non-steel reinforcement concrete has the prominent advantage of light weight compared to traditional materials. It can also prevent corrosion and erosion. Therefore, it could be an ideal solution for constructions in areas which are now gravely affected by climate change in Vietnam”, said Mr. Hoang Duc Thao. 40,000 people in Vietnam die from smoking-related diseases every year   The death toll from smoking-related diseases in Vietnam has amounted to 40,000 per year, according to statistics of the World Health Organization (WHO). Relevant agencies in Vietnam have recently implemented a range of measures to reduce the smoking rates by prohibiting people from smoking at public places, workplaces and public buses. However, the rate of tobacco users in the country remains high compared to other nations in the world. Statistics have shown that up to 97% of lung cancer patients smoke. According to the Chief Representative of the WHO in Vietnam, nicotine in tobacco leaves is an addictive substance, which makes the giving up of smoking not easy for people who are addicted to it. The representative also emphasized the need to build social norms on banning people from smoking at public places to reduce the number of smokers. He also underlined the need to disseminate information on a ban on smoking at public places to remind tobacco smokers that it is an illegal action and therefore quit smoking. Exchange programme tightens Vietnam-Myanmar cultural links    A Vietnam-Myanmar cultural exchange programme was held recently at the National Theatre of Yangon, offering local audience many performances reflecting the two countries’ traditional culture. The event was co-organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture of Myanmar, and the Vietnam Artisan and Trademark Association. The programme, featuring performances by nearly 2,000 artists, was to mark 43 years of Vietnam-Myanmar diplomatic ties (May 28) and one year of the comprehensive cooperative partnership (July 2017). It was also an activity to implement the joint statement issued in the official visit to Vietnam from April 19-20 by Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. In his speech, Myanmar Minister of Religious Affairs and Culture Aung Ko said the event followed the successes in bilateral cultural cooperation in 2017. It also demonstrated ASEAN members’ people-to-people connectivity and mutual understanding. Vietnamese Ambassador to Myanmar Luan Thuy Duong emphasised that the programme was part of the two countries’ efforts to promote cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, thus helping to enhance their comprehensive cooperative partnership and realise the cultural cooperation programme for 2017-2020. She also highlighted the meaning of the performances introducing three UNESCO-recognised intangible cultural heritage of Vietnam, namely the practices related to the beliefs in the Mother Goddesses of Three Realms, Vi and Giam folk songs, and Quan ho (love duet singing) of Bac Ninh province. The audience were also impressed with performances imbued with the two countries’ national identities, including fan dance with Vietnamese music by Myanmar artists and a traditional song of Myanmar sung by the two countries’ artists. HCM City celebrates South liberation, reunification day    An art performance programme was held at President Ho Chi Minh Statue Park in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 on April 30 evening to mark the 43rd anniversary of South Liberation and National Reunification Day (April 30) and 132 years of International Workers’ Day (May 1). Attending the event were Politburo member and Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan; member of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong, among others. Speaking at the event, Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Thu recalled the struggle for national liberation and reunification 43 years ago. After over 40 years, Ho Chi Minh City becomes a motive force in terms of socio-economic and cultural development with numerous outstanding achievements, she added. Locals and visitors to the event were entertained with impressive performances and famous songs reflecting the fascinating history of the nation and showing the city’s determination to become a prosperous, modern, and civilised city. On the same day, a lot of activities were organised in the city to celebrate the South Liberation and National Reunification Day and International Workers’ Day. Phu Yen fishermen urged to maintain fishing activities   Fishing boats of Vietnam  Fishermen in the central coastal province of Phu Yen has been encouraged to maintain fishing activities in Vietnam’s territorial waters after China promulgated a temporary ban on fishing activities in the East Sea. In a recent document, the provincial People’s Committee said the ban is worthless as it prohibited fishing activities in Vietnam’s territorial waters. It asked the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the provincial Department of Information and Communications, the provincial Border Guard Command, and press agencies to inform local fishermen about China’s fishing ban, while calling on local fishermen to organise fishing activities in groups to easily support each other in case of necessity.  Fishing vessels licensed to go fishing in the shared fishing grounds in the Gulf of Tonkin in 2017-2018 should not operate in the eastern area of the demarcation line in the Gulf from May 1 to August 16, the document said.  The provincial People’s Committee assigned the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to work with the provincial Border Guard Command to strictly manage and control the departure of fishing boats and their offshore fishing trips during the period, thus promptly informing sudden situations arising at sea to the committee. In a recent announcement, the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture said that the fishing ban would last from May 1 to August 16, 2018, covering the East Sea, including the Gulf of Tonkin and Vietnam’s territorial waters. In response to China’s move, the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has said that China’s temporary ban is null.  The Vietnam Fisheries Society (VINAFIS) has also voiced its protest against China’s unilateral decision to ban fishing in the East Sea, saying that it has no validity.  The ban hampers fishing activities of Vietnamese fishermen and violates Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago and territorial waters in the Tonkin Gulf as well as its legitimate rights and interests. It also infringes international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and related international legal documents, and runs counter to the spirit and wording of the Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the East Sea (DOC) signed between ASEAN and China in 2002.  China’s unilateral action is not in line with the development trend of Vietnam-China relations and is not beneficial to peace and stability in the region, the association said.  The VINAFIS urged Vietnamese authorities to take effective measures to stop China’s action and increase patrols in the sea to protect fishermen and facilitate their fishing activities in Vietnam’s territorial waters. Vietnamese in Mozambique mark Reunification Day, Labour Day   At the celebration  The Vietnamese Embassy in conjunction with the Vietnamese community in Mozambique organised a ceremony to celebrate the Reunification Day (April 30) and the Labour Day (May 1) in Maputo on April 29. The event was attended by a crowd of Vietnamese expats and students living and studying in the country, representatives from the mobile operator Movitel, a joint venture between Vietnamese company Viettel and Mozambique's SPI, and other enterprises, together with health, education and agricultural experts.  In his opening remarks, Ambassador Le Huy Hoang highlighted the significance of the Reunification Day, saying that the April 30, 1975 victory was a pride of not only Vietnamese but also other peoples struggling for independence, freedom and unification in the world, including African countries. After more than 40 years, it remains a source of encouragement for Vietnamese people in their current national construction and defence under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, he said. He affirmed that  the creativity, determination to overcome difficulties and hardships and efforts to make the most of opportunities, have helped Vietnam turn challenges into opportunities, thus promoting stable development and deeper international integration.  Vietnam is a reliable partner that makes remarkable contributions to peace and development in the region and the world, he said.  Hoang also praised the industrious labour spirit of staff and employees of Movitel, and Vietnamese enterprises as well as Mozambican labourers, saying that they are contributing to strengthening telecom investment cooperation and the economic-trade bonds between the two countries in general.  Overseas Vietnamese attending the event expressed their joy at the stability and strong development of the homeland over the last 43 years, and wished to make more contributions to the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Mozambique.  On the occasion, the embassy also organised art performance and a programme introducing Vietnamese food to international friends. Dong Thap, Taiwanese locality look to set up links   The programme  to promote culture exchange and trade-tourism cooperation between Dong Thap and the Xin Zhu district of Taiwan (China)  A programme to promote culture exchange and trade-tourism cooperation between the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap and the Xin Zhu district of Taiwan (China) took place in Cao Lanh city on April 29. According to Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Doan Tan Buu, with the area of over 3,200 sq.m and a population of nearly 1.7 million people, Dong Thap boasts the potential for developing agriculture, processing industry and trade-service-tourism.  It is also home to attractive tourism destinations and popular historical relic sites such as the Go Thap Special National Relic Site, the Tram Chim National Park (2000th Ramsar Site of the world), the Gao Giong Ecotourism Site and the Xeo Quyt Relic Site, among others.  Apart from focusing on boosting socio-economic development, and key agricultural commodities, Dong Thap has also paid special attention to building a friendly government and promoting administrative reform, thus making it easier for enterprises to expand investment in the locality.  Dong Thap, for ten consecutive years, has been named in the top five performers in the country's provincial competitiveness index (PCI). It was also one of the most outstanding localities of the provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance Index (PAPI), the Public Administration Reform (PAR) Index, and the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Index.  Talking about the connection between the two localities, Buu said nearly 200 students from Dong Thap are pursuing tertiary education in Xin Zhu, adding that the Taiwanese locality is also a labour export market of Dong Thap.  Qiu Jing Chun, Chairman of Xin Zhu, said being a locality with cultural diversity, Xin Zhu looks forward to promoting cultural exchange with localities in the region, thus building more close and long-term ties in the fields of culture, education and health.  Xin Zhu is on the way to become a high-tech agricultural centre in Taiwan, he said, expressing his hope that through the meeting, the two sides’ authorities will serve as a bridge connecting their enterprises, hence further bolstering economic cooperation.  In the framework of the exchange, from April 29 to May 1, there are 40 booths featuring traditional culture activities of the Taiwanese locality and Dong Thap’s products in the Go Thap Special National Relic Site in Thap Muoi district. Cinema sector to celebrate national holidays Film lovers will have a chance to enjoy selected movies themed on traditional history, revolutionary soldiers, the country’s construction, generations of youth in the war time and renewal period. A scene in the film Giấc Mơ Thổ Cẩm (Brocade Dream) will be released to the public. — Photo courtesy of the Cinema Department The Department of Cinema will release these new films nationwide from April 27 to May 23 to celebrate national holidays including Reunification Day (April 30), May Day (May 1) and the birthday of President Hồ Chí Minh (May 19). The films include Mẹ Ơi Con Đã Về (Mom, I’m Home) about the consequences of the war that people suffer, Giấc Mơ Thổ Cẩm (Dream of Brocade) about the effort of young Mường people to uphold the tradition of weaving brocade, and Thời Trẻ Trung Sôi Nổi (Intense Youth) about young people building the economy when the country was reunified. Programmes about maintaining safety, public order and security for ethnic groups in remote mountainous areas will be also presented to audiences. The films and programmes will be distributed to the cities and provinces’ cinema centres, film distribution companies and cultural departments across the country. Việt Nam Red Cross launches Humanitarian Month   The Việt Nam Red Cross in collaboration with the Hà Nội Red Cross Society launched the Humanitarian Month at a ceremony on Saturday in Hà Nội. The Việt Nam Red Cross (VNRC) in collaboration with the Hà Nội Red Cross Society launched the Humanitarian Month (from May 1 to 31) at a ceremony on April 28 in Hà Nội. The month, with the theme: humanity- from awareness to action, is part of activities to mark the Red Cross and Red Crescent Day (May 8). The month aims to promote humanitarian values, the movement of good deeds, and increase the support for the disadvantaged people in the capital. It also aims to raise awareness and practical actions of cadres, Party members and people from all walks of life towards people in difficult circumstances, vulnerable people in community. Hà Nội is one of the first provinces and cities to pilot the Humanitarian Month in Việt Nam while the month will be launched also in HCM City and other provinces and cities in coming days. At the event, representatives of the U23 national football team donated VNĐ700 million (US$31,100) through the Việt Nam Red Cross to help Agent Orange victims and children with fatal diseases in Việt Nam. The Hà Nội Red Cross Society also donated money to help two poor families building houses, handed over cows to three others and presented bicycles to 20 poor students with outstanding study results in the capital city. The VNRC president Nguyễn Thị Xuân Thu said that VNRC has mobilised VNĐ557 billion ($24.75 million) to support nearly 5.2 million poor families and Agent Orange victims over the past 10 years. “The programme has contributed to help poor families and AO victims overcoming difficulties in their lives as well as created strong effect in the community,” said Thu.   On the occasion, the VNRC launched a charity text message campaign, entitled: joining hands for the country’s sea and islands, to raise funds to support livelihood, production development, free medical checkup and medicine to poor fishermen. People from all walks of life can support the campaign by texting BD to 1407. The campaign will run until June 26, 2018. Each mobile text message will contribute VNĐ20,000 ($0.85) to the fund. Show on Hương River falls short of audience’s expectation   An act of the show, Âm vọng sông Hương in Huế Festival 2018.  “Serendipity of the Hương (Perfume) River”, an art show to highlight the daily life on Hương River in Huế City, regretably failed to entertain audiences at the ongoing biennial cultural event, Huế Festival 2018. “Serendipity of the Hương River”, or Âm vọng sông Hương, aims to tell stories to highlight the importance of this poetic and famous river to Huế’s residents. Setting up a bamboo foundation for the stage with decorative structures on it required months of work. The show was developed as a play, which aimed to offer audiences the familiar scenes of Huế and showcase the music and culture of the former imperial city. It was co-organised by the Voice of Việt Nam and Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. It was directed by a writer from the central province of Quảng Bình. Hương River, the biggest in the locality, starts at the border with Laos and runs along outlying districts and across the city to meet the sea. It beautifies the city’s landscape and is included in many historical references about Huế. The river is part of local pride.  But more than half the audience who had gathered for the two-hour show left their seats 45 minutes after the show began. The failure of the show was attributed to a weak storyline, vague linkage between the acts, unfocused stage and unconvincing tableaux showcasing the river-related daily life in Huế. A large part of the audience found it hard to understand the storyline for many of the acts.. The stage was set on a river, with symbolic structures of a pagoda, bamboo ranges, a resting station, bamboo bridges, rural roads and a riverbank. But it was a large stage and the acts coincided with one another, confusing the audience. In several acts, the actors dressed up in both old style and modern costumes, and the audience was unable to comprehend if they were trying to portray the past of Huế or the city’s present time. The music comprised the archaic ca Huế singing, local lullabies, songs by the late native composer, Trịnh Công Sơn, and a little bit of Western rock, but instead of being melodious to the ears, it ended up being too loud. Street parade bustles thru silent Huế   The art troupe presenting Belgium on the parade. - Photo courtesy of Huế Festival Centre  Streets in the silent city of Huế were bustling with performances by art troupes in a street parade on Saturday afternoon. The troupes are participating in the ongoing biennial Huế Festival 2018, and their parade is part of the celebration. Art troupes from countries and territories, including Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Mongolia, Belgium, Poland and Slovakia, brought their native colours to the streets. Vietnamese art troupes from communities from the northwest mountains and in the provinces of the Central Highlands, as well as local residents from Thừa Thiên- Huế, participated in the parade. Audiences enjoyed their performances, which demonstrated their circus skills, along with dance and music, and displayed their costumes. According to the event’s organisers, the parade offered a chance for Huế Festival’s art troupes to get closer to audiences, as well as to foster exchanges between troupes from different countries. Nguyễn Dung, head of the organisers, said the street parade was one of the key events held during the Huế Festival. It is to be repeated at 4pm every afternoon until May 1, he said. The parade will rotate its route on the main street in the city to entertain residents living in different neighborhoods in the city. The street parade is not new to local residents, as it was also held during other versions of Huế Festival, including the last one in 2016. Some local residents, however, have not displayed much eagerness in watching the parade. A handful of residents consider it a nuisance, as they have to change their familiar routes to avoid traffic jams. Others, especially those addicted to taking photos, videos and live streaming with their smartphones, took this chance to further their hobby. Huế Festival 2018 opened on Friday evening and will perform its farewell ceremony on May 2. This year is the 10th version of the biennial event, with many shows having similar formats with those from past years. Cải lương seeks ways to attract young audiences   Ngân Mãi Chuông Vàng (Ringing Bell) is one of the most popular cải lương shows broadcast on HCM City Television. - Photo courtesy of the producer  As many as 100 cultural experts, producers and directors are taking part in a seminar in HCM City today to seek ways to attract young audiences to cải lương (reformed opera). The seminar was organised by the Voice of Việt Nam, the Việt Nam Theatre Artists Association and their partners as part of the country’s programme to mark the 100th anniversary of cải lương. Nguyễn Thị Trúc Bạch, of the Southern Institute of Social Sciences, said: “Today, young people have more interest in pop music, foreign music and action movies than in cải lương.” A survey on cải lương conducted by the institute in HCM City in 2014 showed that nearly 74 per cent of people liked listening to pop music, but only 6.1 per cent liked cải lương. More than 50 per cent enjoyed action movies, but only 4.3 per cent chose cải lương. “Cải lương should be shown in schools to stimulate student’s interest in the art,” Bạch said. She suggested holding talk shows and performing excerpts from famous cải lương plays in schools to provide basic knowledge about the art to students. Scriptwriter Vương Huyền Cơ said: “In today’s society, the internet is the best way to approach young people. So cải lương theatres, radio and television stations, and artists should produce and upload cải lương videos on YouTube to attract young audiences.” Last November, People’s Artist Bạch Tuyết, a cải lương guru, made waves with the video Em Gái Mưa (Rainy Girl), a cải lương version of a 2017 hit single of the same title by young pop star Hương Tràm. Her video received more than 400,000 views on YouTube.  Cải lương actress Linh Huyền attracted 2,000 viewers on YouTube with her video featuring a performance of the cải lương play Bà Chúa Thơ Nôm (Queen of Nôm Poetry) with English subtitles. Speaking at the seminar, Huyền said that she created her own YouTube channel called Linh Huyen Vietnamese opera to introduce cải lương to both Vietnamese and foreigners. She said it was the best way to capture new audiences. Seminar participants, especially producers, emphasised the need for co-operation between TV stations and cải lương theatres to bring good plays and performances to TV. HCM City Television Station said that its key cải lương shows, including Vầng Trăng Cổ Nhạc (Traditional Music), Chuông Vàng Vọng Cổ (Golden Bell) and Ngân Mãi Chuông Vàng (Ringing Bell), are broadcast every week. The shows have been warmly welcomed from people in southern provinces, and have inspired many young artists. However, some seminar participants complained that many cải lương plays on TV had poor quality scripts. “I have approached many scripts and many of them are poor quality. Unfortunately, poor quality scripts are still broadcast on TV,” Cơ said She said that television stations should broadcast only one play a month, but it must be an excellent one. “A quality script is one of the most important elements in capturing audiences for TV dramas,” she said. Meritorious Artist Trần Minh Ngọc agreed with Cơ, saying that cải lương plays are still focusing on historical events and characters. “Cải lương plays need new topics, highlighting contemporary social issues.” Ngọc added: “The Government should issue a long-term project on developing staff for cải lương, including scriptwriters, directors and performers.” “Big cities like HCM City and Cần Thơ should also have new and modern cải lương theatres to attract more audiences,” said the 82-year-old director. Võ Văn Thưởng, head of the Party Central Committee’s Publicity and Education Commission, said at the seminar that cải lương was facing many challenges, including a decrease in the number of performances, theatres and audiences. “The Government, provincial authorities and cải lương artists need to work together to develop and promote the art,” Thưởng said. Following the seminar today will be a premiere of Thầy Ba Đợi (Master Ba Đợi), a play portraying the career of famous musician Nguyễn Quang Đại, a guru of cải lương who helped develop tài tử music, a genre of traditional music, and cải lương in the South.  The play, directed by young director Triệu Trung Kiên, features 50 artists of the Việt Nam Cải Lương Theatre from Hà Nội and Trần Hữu Trang Theatre from HCM City. It will be staged at Bến Thành Theatre in HCM City tonight and on May 1, and in Long An Province on April 29. Việt Nam to start Asian futsal campaign   Việt Nam to play Chinese Taipei in their first match at the Asian Women’s Futsal Championship. -- Photo tinthethao.com.vn  The Việt Nam team left yesterday for Thailand for the Asian Women’s Futsal Championship to be held in Bangkok next month. "We have some new faces on the team, and the Asian event will mark their international debut. No doubt they will be nervous. However, after a careful preparation period and friendly matches in China, we are improving. We know who we are and will aim for the best result," said coach Trương Quốc Tuấn. Tuấn was confident in his players’ abilities. "We trust them. They are doing well with the strategies of the coaching board. There are still several issues that need improvement, and we will deal with them in these last few days," he said. Today, Việt Nam will have its last friendly match against the hosts ahead of the championship. "It will be an important match for us. We consider it an official match to familiarise my players with the real atmosphere in the championship’s stadium ground," Tuấn said. A total of 15 teams will participate in the tournament. They have been divided into four groups,  with the group winners and the best runners-up advancing to the quarter-finals. Việt Nam, in its second shot at the tournament, are in Group B with Malaysia, Chinese Taipei and Bangladesh. In their first match on May 2, they will play Chinese Taipei. In the first edition, they finished in the groups stage in 2015. Iran are the defending champions after defeating Japan 1-0 in the 2015 final. Kids to represent Vietnam at Football for Friendship programme in Russia    Nguyen Trong Tuan and Pham Nguyen Quoc Trung, 12 year old football enthusiasts from Vietnam, have been selected as country’s representatives at the global FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP (F4F) social programme. The F4F programme, supported by Gazprom and FIFA aims at developing youth football and a healthy lifestyle as well as promoting tolerance, open-mindedness and respect of different cultures and nationalities between children from across the globe. Vietnam joins the programme for the second time and will participate alongside 210 other countries and regions. Nguyen Trong Tuan will join Young footballers from around the world in Moscow in June 2018. The children will be a part of the 32 International Teams of Friendship and play against each other in the Gazprom FOOTBALL FOR FRIENDSHIP International Championship. The friendly tournament aims to bring together children from around the world and celebrate the unifying spirit of football. Pham Nguyen Quoc Trung will act as the young journalist and report on all the local and global activities of the F4F programme as part of the International Children's Press Center. He will also spread awareness on the Nine Values (friendship, equality, fairness, health, peace, devotion, victory, traditions and honour) of the F4F programme. Nguyen Trong Tuan and Pham Nguyen Quoc Trung will also participate in the Sixth Football for Friendship International Children's Forum in Russia, which will allow youngsters to meet their peers from other countries, share their experiences, and discuss with famous footballers and journalists on how to promote key values of the F4F Programme around the world The sixth season of the F4F programme will conclude with a visit by the participating children to the opening ceremony and the first match of the FIFA World Cup 2018. Speaking on the selection of the young ambassadors by the Vietnam Football Federation, General Secretary, Le Hoai Anh said,  “The selection of the young ambassadors from Vietnam is an extension of our support to this unique global initiative. The programme is a wonderful opportunity for the ambassadors to build ties of friendship among children from around the world and foster peace and harmony through the beautiful game of football. We wish our young ambassadors all the best for the programme and look forward to their contribution in promoting the key values of the programme, in Russia, as well as in Vietnam.” Various activities to celebrate Liberation Day A range of activities have been held across the country to mark the 43rd anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2018). The People’s Committee of the northern mountainous province of Yen Bai organised a ceremony on April 26 to present the “Vietnamese Heroic Mother” title to three women whose husbands and children laid down their lives in the fight for national liberation and gave medals to 98 revolutionary veterans. On the same day, leaders of the Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee, and Fatherland Front of the southern province of Ca Mau offered flowers and incense in memory of the heroic martyrs in cemeteries 10, Hon Khoai, and Ca Mau. The Thua Thien - Hue provincial Party Committee organised a conference on April 26 to announce the publication of a book entitled “Vietnamese Heroic Mothers in Thua Thien Hue province, Volume IV”. The 640-page book portrays 594 Vietnamese heroic mothers in the province and their contributions to the revolutionary cause, along with images of gratitude-showing work in Thua Thien - Hue and the achievements in local socio-economic development. The War Remnants’ Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, in coordination with the Museum of the Chemical Arms, and the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), recently organised an exhibition entitled “Reviving the Dead Land”. More than 190 artefacts, documents, and images present visitors with the chance to better understand the consequences of landmines and toxic chemicals used by the US imperialists during the war. The exhibition is scheduled to run until August 20. Vietnam Red Cross Society launches Humanitarian Month   A blood donation event held as part of the launching of the Humanitarian Month 2018 in Hanoi (Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn)  The Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRCS) and its Hanoi chapter on April 28 launched the Humanitarian Month 2018, which was designed to last throughout May. VRCS President Nguyen Thi Xuan Thu said under the direction of the Party Central Committee, this is the first year the VRCS has piloted a humanitarian month in a number of cities and localities before making it a nationwide activity.  Thu noted the launch of the month is aimed at promoting good deeds among the public and enhancing authorities’ sense of responsibility towards humanitarian activities, which will contribute to easing poverty and building a solidarity community. Hanoi was selected to be the first locality to launch the one-month campaign, followed by Ho Chi Minh City and others. At the launching ceremony, the Hanoi Red Cross Society presented 180 million VND (7,947 USD) of funding for the building of two houses and purchase of three breeding cows for poor households. The money will also be used to help a needy child receive health treatment and buy 20 bicycles for disadvantaged students. The two organisations also received donations worth 4.3 billion VND (189,845 USD) from businesses, individuals, and other VRCS chapters. The launching ceremony featured several activities, including a blood donation event, which was expected to receive 400 blood units; a photo exhibition, a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake to promote the month, and a charity fair. The same day, the Hanoi Red Cross Society inaugurated a charity stall at 19/52 To Ngoc Van street, Tay Ho district, to offer needy people free clothes, medicines, and other necessities. Final sections of Bach Dang bridge joined   The final segments of the Bach Dang bridge connecting the northern port city of Hai Phong and the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh are joined on April 28.  The final segments of the Bach Dang bridge connecting the northern port city of Hai Phong and the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh were joined at a ceremony held in Quang Ninh province on April 28. The ceremony was attended by Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, head of the Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission Pham Minh Chinh and leaders of the two localities. At the event, Chinh highlighted that the bridge is a vivid illustration of the success of the Party and State’s policy on promoting public-private partnership to develop infrastructure.  Upon completion, the very first made-in-Vietnam bridge, together with the Hai Phong-Ha Long-Van Don highway, will help connect three economic hubs in the north: Hanoi, Hai Phong and Quang Ninh, he added. Those transportation facilities will significantly enhance the competitive edge of the northern region, particularly Hai Phong city and Hai Duong province, while helping “awake” the potential of Cat Ba district (Hai Phong city) and Quang Yen and Van Don districts (Quang Ninh province), he noted. The 5.4 km long bridge, spanning over Bach Dang River, was built at a total cost of 7.3 trillion VND (312.2 million USD) in the form of Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT). The cable-stayed bridge is 28m wide with four lanes for traffic. The bridge will help shorten the distance from Hanoi to Quang Ninh from 175 kilometres to 125 kilometres as well as cut travelling time between the two localities by half. The same day, after attending the joining ceremony of Bach Dang bridge, NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan toured the Bach Dang-Ha Long-Van Don highway and the Van Don International Airport project. Vietnam News Agency leader active in China   General Director of Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Nguyen Duc Loi (centre) in his trip to China  General Director of Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Nguyen Duc Loi met head of the Communist Party of China Central Committee’s Propaganda Department Huang Kunming in Beijing, China on April 26 morning, as part of his working trip from April 24-28.  Huang said traditional friendship between the two Parties and States has been growing in diverse areas, including press and media cooperation.  He expressed his belief that the visit will further deepen collaboration between Xinhua News Agency and the VNA, thereby promoting China – Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.  The VNA General Director expressed his delight at visiting China at the invitation of Xinhua News Agency on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the signing of cooperation agreement between the two news agencies.  He informed the host about the outcomes of his talks with leader of Xinhua News Agency and wished that press agencies of both counties would increase exchanges to share experience in new media development.  During talks with President of Xinhua News Agency Cai Mingzhao earlier on April 25,Nguyen Duc Loi briefed the host on the VNA’s achievements over the past years, adding that as mouthpieces of the governments, both sides play an active role in stepping up the bilateral friendship.  He asked both sides to enhance the exchange of young reporters and editors and continue with training courses for VNA staff.  Cai, for his part, introduced Xinhua News Agency’s achievements since both sides signed the professional cooperation agreement for 2017-2020 in Hanoi in May 2017. He added that Xinhua is focusing on multimedia development.  The host proposed facilitating visits by high-ranking leaders of the two agencies, extending collaboration and sharing television news and press photos.  In the morning the same day, the VNA delegation paid a working trip to the headquarters of the People’s Daily.  President of the People’s Daily Li Baoshan and VNA General Director Loi affirmed that high-ranking visits by the two countries’ leaders in 2017 consolidated the friendship between the two Parties and States, thereby boosting ties between their mainstream press agencies, and between People’s Daily and the VNA and Nhan dan (People) newspaper in particular.  They highlighted orientations for the future press development as well as comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries’ Parties, States and people.  Visiting Binhai new area of China’s Tianjin city on April 27, the VNA delegation learned about its economic development model.  In the afternoon the same day, Politburo member and Secretary of the Tianjin municipal Party Committee Li Hongzhong hosted a reception for the Vietnamese guests.  Li said Tianjin and Vietnamese localities have conducted regular exchanges, and Tianjin firms will arrive in Vietnam to share experience and seek investment opportunities.  Nguyen Duc Loi, in reply, said with economic, scientific and financial potential, Tianjin city will thrive in the near future and further cooperate with Vietnamese localities.  Vietnamese Ambassador to China Dang Minh Khoi also joined the delegation’s activities. NA chief launches “One Commune One Product” fair in Quang Ninh    National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan attended and cut the ribbon to open the One Commune One Product (OCOP) fair in the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh on April 27. The annual event is held twice a year as an effective channel to promote local trade, connect producers with distributors, and set development orientations for goods production in line with market demand. This year, the fair has for the first time been considered a regional event and included in the national trade promotion programme by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. With the largest scale to date, it gathers 460 stalls, of which 32 are operated by foreign companies from Thailand, the Republic of Korea, Iran, Japan, and Cambodia. It features farm produce, handicrafts, and specialties of domestic and regional participants. Visitors are also treated to a beer festival, a festival of traditional cakes from across Vietnam, an exhibition of products by Vietnamese traditional craft villages. The OCOP programme was initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2008. Quang Ninh is the first locality nationwide to implement the project from 2013. Film screening celebrates major national celebrations    A film screening is being held across the nation from April 27 to May 23 to mark the country’s major celebrations such as the Reunification Day (April 30), the Labour Day (May 1), the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7) and the birthday of President Ho Chi Minh (May 19). The films to be screened feature the national history, revolutionary soldiers, and young people in both wartime and peacetime. Among them are the movies “Me oi con da ve” (Mom, I came back home) and “Giac mo tho cam” (Dream of Brocade), and the documentary films “Mot dat me cho tat ca” (A motherland for all), “Dang dung Viet Nam” (Vietnamese posture) and “Thoi tre trung soi noi” (Intense youth)  “Me oi con da ve” tells the story of former military health worker named Nga and her son. The two suffer from serious losses and pains from war and live in difficulty. They share misfortunes and it’s the motherhood that brings a better life to them.  “Giac mo tho cam” describes the efforts of a Muong young girl and her friends to restore the traditional brocade weaving, helping local residents develop the economy. Meanwhile, the three documentaries reflect the aspiration for a peaceful, united and developed country of Vietnam and the contributions of ex-volunteer youths to national construction. The film screening is organised by the Vietnam Cinematography Department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in collaboration with film distribution companies and departments of culture, sports and tourisms of cities and provinces nationwide. Workshop talks gender equality in voluntary national review on SDGs   Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, President of the Vietnam Women’s Union  (right) và Elisa Fernandez, head of UN Women's office in Vietnam at the workshop.   The Vietnam Women’s Union Central Committee and the UN Women held a consultation workshop in Hanoi on April 27 to look into the voluntary national review on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from gender equality perspective. Addressing the event, President of the Vietnam Women’s Union Nguyen Thi Thu Ha said it is necessary to review gender equality issues in the implementation of the SDGs. With the attention of all-level authorities, sectors and localities, gender quality in Vietnam has gradually been integrated in activities in all aspects of the political, economic, cultural and social life, with multiple outstanding achievements recognised by the world community. The outcomes of gender equality ensuring efforts have considerably contributed to the implementation of the SDGs, she added.  Elisa Fernandez, UN Women Head of Office in Vietnam, said Vietnam is an exception when its Government decided to not only focus on mandatory goals but also assess the country’s progress in the other goals, including Goal 5 on gender equality. This has created a chance for the country to announce the progress of ensuring gender equality and how gender-related issues have been solved in other goals. She asked relevant sides to make use of this chance to create coordination and develop a network that also includes the private sector to promote gender equality and women empowerment. At the workshop, more than 100 experts from Government agencies, Women’s Union committees at different levels, international and social organisations and research institutes contributed opinions from the gender equality perspective to the voluntary national review on the SDGs of Vietnam.  They said the voluntary national review is an opportunity for Vietnam to look into the accomplishments as well as shortcomings and challenges on the way to achieve the SDGs. The review will be submitted to the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York, the US this July. New shows of cải lương staged to celebrate April 30    The HCM City Drama Theatre, one of the region’s leading troupes, has a new show, Loạn Chiến Phụng Hoàng Cung (Game of Thrones), to entertain locals during the Reunification Day-Labour Day holidays. Cải lương and drama troupes in HCM City will perform new shows to mark the long Reunification Day-Labour Day weekend. Photo courtesy of Lê Hoàng Stage The play, as usual, focuses on historical events. Talented director Lê Trung Thảo has cast young actors Thái Vinh and Bình Tinh in leading roles.  The play debuted two weeks ago and was well received by a 500 strong audience at the Lê Hoàng Stage in Bình Thạnh District. “Our play highlights patriotism and loyalty,” Thảo said. “It features a very old story but staged in a new style to suit the tastes of young people.” Lê Hoàng Stage, a newly-opened private troupe in the city, has Meritorious Artist Tú Sương and others like Võ Minh Lâm and Thúy My acting in three plays.  Song Hùng Kỳ Hiệp (Tales of Heroes) Thất Tiên Nữ  (Love and Hate) and Ngai Vàng Và Tội Ác (Throne and Evil) are based on national heroes’ sacrifices for the country.   The works promise a new kind of performance with sound and light effects to lure young fans back from cinema. According to Thảo, free outdoor shows in cultural houses are planned for rural audiences. “We hope to perform in the rural districts of Cần Giờ, Bình Chánh, Nhà Bè, Củ Chi, and Hóc Môn.”   District 1’s Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương Theatre will offer a variety of shows at only VNĐ50,000 (US$2.1) to 100,000 (US$4.5) targeted at students.   Talented artistes like Lê Tứ and Mỹ Hằng will perform in extracts from popular operas like Huyền Thoại Người Mẹ (The Legend of Mother) and Mộng Hoa Vương  (The Power), both on love and women.   "We face many challenges in providing a stable income to our performers and staging quality plays," Nguyễn Văn Hồng, the theatre’s deputy director, said. “However, we always offer free performances during national holidays and festivals to entertain rural people. The plays will be staged every night this weekend and on April 30 and May 1. Da Nang expects to greet 350,000 tourists on holiday   The Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) 2018, which is scheduled to kick off on April 29, carrying the theme “The Legends of Bridges” Nearly 350,000 tourists are expected to visit the central city of Da Nang on April 30 (the Southern Liberation and National Reunification Day) and May 1 (the International Labour Day), showing a year-on-year rise of 10.2 percent. According to the municipal Department of Tourism, the figure will include some 108,930 foreign tourists, mainly from Northeast Asia such as the Republic of Korea, China and Japan, and over 234,000 domestic ones, representing a yearly increase of 28.8 percent and 3.2 percent, respectively. The number of holidaymakers is projected to surge because the holiday coincides with the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) 2018, which is scheduled to kick off on April 29, carrying the theme “The Legends of Bridges”. Seven international teams, including three coming for the first time, and the host will compete in the event. In addition to France, the US, Italy and Portugal, the event will see debutants Surex Firma Rodzinna from Poland, Vulcan Display Fireworks from Hong Kong (China), and GFF from Sweden. A string of activities will be hosted on the sidelines of the firework competition, including a food festival, a flash mob dance performance for students, and a street carnival show. Da Nang is a popular tourist destination of in the central part of Vietnam. The online marketplace and hospitality service Airbnb announced a list of the world’s top 10 destinations for the 2018, in which Da Nang ranked fifth in booking surges of up to 255 percent. The city, which hosted the APEC Economic Leaders Week last November, attracted nearly 2.3 million international tourists in 2017, up 37 percent compared to the preceding year. Music show marks 25th anniversary of Vietnam-Israel diplomatic ties   Israeli singer Achinoam Nini (Source: AJMF) The Israeli Embassy in Vietnam held a music show by famous Israeli singer Achinoam Nini (Noa) in Hanoi on April 28 evening in celebration of the 70th anniversary of National Day of Israel and the 25th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.  Speaking at the event, Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Nadav Eshcar said bilateral ties have thrived over the past years, especially over the past decade. The countries have closely worked in the application of advanced technologies in agriculture, health care, education, innovation and start-ups.  Vietnamese Minister of Science and Technology and Chairman of the Vietnam – Israel Inter-Governmental Committee Chu Ngoc Anh lauded Israel for scoring successes in the national construction and development over the past seven decades and wished that Israeli people would make greater achievements in the national development and contribute to peace and development in the region and the world.  Anh described Israel as one of Vietnam’s important partners in the Middle East over the past 25 years.  He reaffirmed the Vietnamese government and people’s desire to further strengthen ties with Israel.  Participants also enjoyed guitar performances by Israeli artist Gil Dor. Asian traditional New Year celebrated in Hanoi   At the friendship exchange to mark traditional New Year of India, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand (Photo: dangcongsan.vn)  Some 200 people attended a friendship exchange held in Hanoi on April 27 to mark the traditional New Year of India, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. The event was jointly organised by the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organisations (HAUFO) and the embassies of the five countries in Vietnam. Delivering new year greetings to the international friends, HAUFO Chairwoman Nguyen Lan Huong said that Vietnamese people always treasure the support from the international community for Vietnam’s cause of national liberation, construction and global integration. She expressed her hope that the regular friendship activities held by the HAUFO will help enhance mutual understanding and tighten solidarity between the Vietnamese people and peoples of foreign countries. Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam Prak Nguon Hong thanked the HAUFO for organising such a meaningful activity, which he said helps bolster ties among regional countries. He expressed the belief that cooperation and solidarity among the nations will be consolidated and reinforced in the future. Participants joined in traditional New Year customs of the Asian countries, such as the Buddha bathing ceremony, threads tying around the wrists and the Festival of Colour (the Holi), and enjoyed stellar art performance. VNN