Natural resources

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan addresses the meeting (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan hosted a reception in Hanoi on March 7 for a delegation from the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (the Parliamentary Network) led by its Vice President Soukri Cherif. Showing her delight at the effective cooperation between Vietnam and the WB, the top legislator said that Vietnam needs the support of the international community, including the bank, to fulfill its goals amidst many difficulties and challenges. She affirmed that the NA of Vietnam will closely supervise the management and use of WB assistance, ensuring it is used effectively to bring added value to the local socio-economic development. She also spoke highly of the cooperation and support that the WB has given to NA agencies, which she said helped improve the legislature’s supervision over finance, budget and economy. … [Read more...] about NA leader receives WB-IMF Parliamentary Network delegation

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha (R) and his Czech counterpart Richard Brabec (Photo: VNA) Prague (VNA) – Vietnam and the Czech Republic will enhance environmental collaboration under an action plan for cooperation during 2020-2025 signed between Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha and his Czech counterpart Richard Brabec in Prague on December 13. At the event, the two ministers spoke highly of the unceasingly consolidated traditional friendship between the two nations, describing it as a foundation for the environment ministries and sectors of both sides to boost cooperation in this field. Ha highlighted that the signing of the action plan, implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two ministries in 2012 and the Vietnam-Czech environmental business forum will serve as a base for competent authorities of both sides to concretise cooperative activities in environment, climate change and technology … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Czech Republic step up environmental cooperation

The water ran over Nguyen Thi Anh's hands as her granddaughter poured slowly from a plastic bottle. The 57-year-old woman used the water to rinse the dishes after cleaning them with tap water. In the last few days she has been unable to use tap water for much. Last night she had stayed up until midnight with her children to collect water from a tanker truck dispatched by local authorities. "I was sleeping when the security guy knocked on the door and told us the water tanker was coming. We immediately went downstairs to get some water. I was so tired and could not wake up early this morning." But the good thing was that the family had enough fresh water, she added. Anh is one of hundreds of thousands of Hanoians who are trying to get used to bottled water for drinking and cooking to brushing teeth, since they cannot use water from their taps. Hanoians wait to collect potable water from a tanker on October 15, 2019. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy. A senior government official confirmed … [Read more...] about Hanoians struggle for drinking water after river contaminated with oil

One of the five distributors that get their water from Viwasupco also said that an announcement of the water quality would have to come from authorities later. "We have re-supplied water normally. Whether the water is safe enough or not, Hanoi's Department of Health and scientists will make an announcement," said director Nguyen Huu Toi of the Viwaco Joint Stock Company (Viwaco). The water supply was cut on Tuesday as Viwasupco said it needed to clean its pipes and reservoirs following findings of oil contamination. Water has been resupplied to its over 147,000 customers in the southwestern part of the capital, including the districts of Thanh Xuan, Nam Tu Liem and Cau Giay.  However, the administrations of several apartment complexes in Thanh Xuan and Cau Giay Districts have continued to advise their residents against using the water for drinking and cooking. Another Viwasupco distributor, the Ha Dong Water One-Member Limited Liability Company (Hadowa), has also … [Read more...] about 250,000 Hanoi families get tap water again, safety announcement pending

Tadashi Yamamura, president of the Japan External Trade Organization, asked for postponing the assessment until September 17 in letters he sent to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Hanoi People’s Committee. Since May city authorities have had the Japanese team over to clean a section of the To Lich River using nanotechnology. The results were positive, with the river’s usual stench and sludge at the bottom reducing within just a week. But last Tuesday a floodgate in Hanoi’s West Lake was opened to maintain the lake’s level and to flush the To Lich. Yamamura said this "wiped out" all the microorganisms used by the Japanese to clean the river. "We virtually have to start over, and we need a minimum of over a month to reactivate the microorganisms. Only then can we get an accurate, objective sample [from the To Lich River]." The Japanese technology, nano-bioreactor, does two things: infuse oxygen into … [Read more...] about Japan team cleaning Hanoi river wants more time after floodgate opening ruins efforts