Hundreds of local farmers are enjoying the fruits of their labor now watermelons have come into season. Over the last three years, a state-owned plantation in the southern province of Binh Phuong has cut down old rubber trees to make room for new ones. While the rubber trees are still young, many local farmers have hired land to grow watermelons. The melons take between 50 and 60 days from planting to harvest, so each family can grow two to three crops each year. After deducting costs, local growers can make up to hundreds of millions of dong each year. Hundred of hectares of watermelons have been planted under rubber trees in Dong Phu District, Binh Duong Province. This year, watermelon gardens have produced a bumper crop, putting smiles on the faces of farmers. Farmers often use motorbikes to transport watermelons from their gardens to the market. They even prepare an extra bottle of gasoline in case their scooters run out of fuel while … [Read more...]
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Diphtheria toll rises in Bình Phước
Viet Nam News HCM CITY - The number of cases of diphtheria increased to 60 as of yesterday in Bình Phước, according to the south-eastern province's Preventive Health Centre. The epidemic has spread to one more commune, Đồng Tiến in Đồng Phú District, after sweeping through Thuận Lợi and Thuận Phú. The epidemic was declared on July 15 after three people died. The head of the national Preventive Health Department, Trần Đắc Phu last weekend led a Ministry of Health study team to the two communes hit earlier and held discussions with provincial authorities. He instructed the deployment of all available preventive methods in the affected areas and the monitoring of family members who have been in contact with patients. Non-epidemic-hit areas should also be surveilled to prevent its spread, he said. The provincial health department should work closely with the HCM City Pasteur Institute to … [Read more...]
14th National Assembly election results announced
A total 496 candidates have been elected to the 14th National Assembly after results of the elections held on May 22 were announced by the National Election Council (NEC) yesterday. A total 496 candidates have been elected to the 14th National Assembly after results of the elections held on May 22 were announced by the National Election Council (NEC) yesterday. There were 870 candidates running for the 500-seat parliament, but results showed four seats remained vacant. Nearly 67.6 million voters, or 99.35 per cent, cast ballots to elect deputies to the 14th National Assembly and People’s Council with the highest turnout recorded in Thua Thien-Hue, Yen Bai and Lai Chau provinces, chief of the NEC office Nguyen Hanh Phuc told the council’s sixth session yesterday. Among those elected, 86 were from ethnic minority groups, 133 were women, and 21 were non-Party members. Of note is the fact that the number of young candidates (below 40 years old) elected are 14.3 per cent … [Read more...]
14th NA election results announced
HÀ NỘI - A total 496 candidates have been elected to the 14th National Assembly after results of the elections held on May 22 were announced by the National Election Council (NEC) yesterday. There were 870 candidates running for the 500-seat parliament, but results showed four seats remained vacant. Nearly 67.6 million voters, or 99.35 per cent, cast ballots to elect deputies to the 14th National Assembly and People's Council with the highest turnout recorded in Thừa Thiên-Huế, Yên Bái and Lai Châu provinces, chief of the NEC office Nguyễn Hạnh Phúc told the council's sixth session yesterday. Among those elected, 86 were from ethnic minority groups, 133 were women, and 21 were non-Party members. Of note is the fact that the number of young candidates (below 40 years old) elected are 14.3 per cent higher than expected and the number of first-time deputies are 317, equal to 63.9 per cent of the total. With regard to … [Read more...]
Blazing weather keeps affecting central, southern Vietnam
Vietnam’s National Center for Hydro-Meteorology Forecasting (NCHMF) has said that extremely hot weather episodes will linger in the country’s central and southern regions for days to come, with the highest temperature to reach 39 degrees Celsius. Hoang Duc Cuong, NCHMF director, gave the forecast on Friday, adding that temperatures in some locales were still at a high level, though they were not as intense as earlier this week. The temperature is predicted to hover around 36-39 degrees Celsius in several days, which is one degree lower than that of Tuesday, 37-40 degrees Celsius on average, Cuong said. The highest temperature this week was recorded in Ba To District of Quang Ngai, a central province, at 41.1 degrees Celsius, followed by Dong Ha, the capital city of the central province of Quang Tri, at 41 degrees Celsius. The climatic phenomenon is expected to last until Sunday, he noted. Le Dinh Quyet, from the Hydro-Meteorological Observatory of the Southern … [Read more...]
Elderly woman suffers from illness
61-year-old woman in Binh Phuoc Province is in need of financial help. Vo Ngoc Em Vo Ngoc Em has suffered from badly bowed legs since her birth. She had eight siblings but they have all died. Her only living sister-in-law lives in another province. "Some died when they were very young, some married but died before they could have children," she said. "I'm not depending on my sister-in-law because her situation is hard too." Em often did odd jobs for the neighbours for small wages, she now often spends time alone in the house. Her neighbours help her with some rice and vegetables. In 2014, Em's legs broke twice and recently, she was burnt by hot water. In early 2015, she had severe stomach ache so the neighbours brought her to HCM City's University Medical Centre. She was diagnosed with various illnesses in including uterine and rectal prolapses. Em living alone in dilapidated house Em will need at least VND40 million (USD1,900) for the treatment. "I can only ask for … [Read more...]
Actively Increasing Attractiveness of Investment Environment
Along with the positive achievements in economic development, the 18 year development journey of Binh Phuoc province has witnessed newfound maturity and breakthroughs in investment attraction. Not chasing after figures or attracting investment at any cost, Binh Phuoc carefully selects proper investment projects. According to Director of Planning and Investment Department of Binh Phuoc Vu Thanh Nam, although many businesses have come to seek investment opportunities in Binh Phuoc, the province has given priority to investment projects which cause less pollution, use high technology, consume less power and hire employees with qualifications found in the province. Can you introduce some outstanding achievements that Binh Phuoc has achieved in attracting investment, particularly FDI, until now? Eighteen years after the re-establishment of the province, thanks to available advantages and potential, investment attraction of Binh Phuoc has achieved certain results. At the time of … [Read more...]
Sudden cold spell in southern Vietnam triggers rise in respiratory problems
A cold front is hitting southern Vietnam, having caused a sharp temperature drop in the past few days and led to a rise in respiratory problems among residents. >> Tropical snowfall causes congestion in Sa Pa (photos) Affected by the cold spell, the temperatures in many southern localities have suddenly plummeted during the last several days, according to the Southern Hydro-Meteorological Station. Residents in Ho Chi Minh City trembled on Thursday as it was 18 degrees Celsius, five degrees lower than a day before, too cold for a tropical city with over 30°C being its ‘standard’ temperature. It was even colder in Phuoc Long and Dong Phu Districts in the southern province of Binh Phuoc, where the lowest temperature was 16-16.5°C. Meanwhile, many other localities saw their temperatures drop to under 20°C, such as Long An Province’s Moc Hoa District (18.6°C), Dong Thap Province’s Cao Lanh City (18.8°C), and Tien Giang … [Read more...]
Vietnam Rubber: Increasing Added Value, Boosting Exports
The Vietnamese rubber industry has a glorious tradition and a long-standing history tied to the cause of fighting for, protecting and building the country. That tradition was created and nurtured by the energy, sweat, life and wisdom of thousands of people across generations. On the 85th founding anniversary of the Vietnam rubber industry (October 28, 1929 - 2014) and the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam Rubber Association (November 2004 - 2014), Vietnam Business Forum interviewed Mr Tran Ngoc Thuan, Chairman of the Vietnam Rubber Association, on this issue. Nguyen Mai reports. Could you please tell us about the remarkable milestones in the 85-year history of the Vietnamese rubber industry? The establishment of the first cell of Indochinese Communist Party at Village 3 of Phu Rieng Rubber Plantation in Thuan Loi commune (present-day Thuan Phu commune, Dong Phu district, Binh Phuoc province) on October 28, 1929 was the premise for the formation of the traditional day of the Vietnamese … [Read more...]
Vietnam seeking money for costly plan to bring separated gayals home
Around 20 wild gayals divided into two herds are 'locked' in the forests of the southern province of Binh Phuoc and unable to return 'home' to neighboring Dong Nai Province because the forest area in between the provinces has been chopped down for the planting of rubber trees. Previously, the forests of the two provinces were contiguous to each other on the land and only separated by the Dong Nai River starting from the Central Highlands and flowing through to sea mouths in Ho Chi Minh City. In the past the wild animals often crossed the river to find new grass plots in different seasons but they are now separated into different herds after being 'blocked' by deforestation. Plan to 'reunite' gayal couples in Dong Nai Forest management authorities from both provinces have admitted that the Ma Da forest in Dong Nai are now more suitable for the wild animals than those in Binh Phuoc. The Ma Da forest is part of Dong Nai Sanctuary. So, a costly plan has been set up to rescue … [Read more...]
No space for Vietnam’s gayals to survive in ‘fight’ against humans
Gayals, which are considered more aggressive than every wild forest animal but tigers, have become the victims of human beings in the 'fight' for living space in Vietnam over the last two decades. But this is not an equal fight as the gayals have had to change their natural habits from searching for grass during the day to grazing at night to avoid hunters. With a rapid sustained rate of deforestation over the past 20 years in the southeast and south-central regions in Vietnam, which are the natural habitat of the gayal, the animals have no choice but to sneak onto farms to graze the crops at night. When they are discovered, they run back to the forest. The formerly wild forests in these regions have become 'striped' with rubber farms, which block the gayal's natural living space. Nguyen Van Cao, head of the forest management unit of Dong Phu District in the southern province of Binh Phuoc, admitted that, "The gayal is now afraid of human beings, just as human beings fear … [Read more...]
Cocoa shortage provides opportunity for farmers
BINH PHUOC (VNS) — The global supply of cocoa will not keep up with demand for the next five to 10 years, which could result in a bright future for Viet Nam's cocoa industry, delegates told a forum held in Binh Phuoc Province on Thursday. "Demand for chocolate is surging worldwide, particularly in Asia," said Nguyen Vinh Thanh, cocoa sourcing manager for Cargill Viet Nam. Besides traditional markets like the US and Europe, the demand for cocoa from China, India and Indonesia has increased recently, he said. However, production cannot keep up with demand since many major producing countries, including Ivory Coast, Ghana and Indonesia, have aging trees that are producing fewer beans. The market imbalance has driven up prices, Thanh said, adding that the prices could rise much higher than current levels. Nguyen Van Thiet, UTZ Certified representative in Viet Nam, said in the past five years, cocoa prices, like many other farm produce, had fluctuated but … [Read more...]
Cashew needs new answers
by Xuan Huong BINH PHUOC (VNS)— The cashew industry has achieved impressive growth in recent years, with increasing exports, but a fall in the area under cultivation and other problems threaten its continued development. To develop in a sustainable manner the industry requires appropriate development strategies, according to the Department of Crop Production. Speaking at a forum on sustainable cashew development in Binh Phuoc Province last Thursday, Nguyen Nhu Hien, deputy head of the department, said Viet Nam had been one of the world's largest cashew exporters since 2006. Exports were worth US$1.65 billion last year, the fourth largest agricultural export after rice, coffee, and rubber, he said. But the industry now faced challenges, he said. "Area under cashew shrank by 129,900ha in the last seven years to 310,000ha last year," he said, adding that "output dropped by 27,400 tonnes in the period." Domestic production only met 30 per cent of … [Read more...]
Children sick due to hot spell in southern Vietnam
As a heatwave is raging in Vietnam's southern region with temperatures up to 39 degrees Celsius, many children have fallen ill and been hospitalized for treatment, according to a Ho Chi Minh City hospital. >> Temp in South may soar up to 43°C The number of children admitted to Children's Hospital No. 1 in HCMC's District 10 for treatment has begun to increase as the heatwave covers the region, said Dr. Pham Van Hoang, deputy head of the hospital's Examination Department. The hospital has examined about 7,000 children per day over the past few days, compared to the usual 6,000 kids per day, he said. Respiratory diseases, diarrhea, and hand-foot-mouth disease in children have increased the most during the past several days, Dr. Hoang said. If the hot weather continues, the number of sick children will increase sharply in coming days, he warned.Tuoi Tre reporters saw the examination areas at the hospital crowded with children and their parents on Monday, many of whom had to … [Read more...]
Vietnamese businesses suffer from state inspections
VietNamNet Bridge - While businesses have to brace themselves up to overcome difficulties in the prolonged economic crisis, they are "harassed" by inspectors coming from various state agencies. Binh Phuoc Livestock JSC, one of the businesses that suffer from being inspected so many times. Inspection activities of state management bodies over enterprises are regarded as one of the criteria for assessing the quality of economic management to promote enterprise development. However, in many cases, inspection is unnecessary and considered "harassment". Inspectors try to find faults The Australian-invested Sunshine Food Vietnam Co. is considering filing an appeal to the Ministry of Finance against the sanction imposed by the HCM City Tax Department's inspectors. According to this company, in November 2012, tax inspectors inspected this company and decided to collect arrears of over VND500 million ($25,000) (corporate income tax in 2007 and 2008 and VAT in 2007 … [Read more...]
Temp in South may soar up to 43°C
As a heatwave is covering southern Vietnam, the highest temperatures in the region is forecast to rise up to 43 degrees Celsius in coming days, while the weather in the northern region remains cold, the Southern Hydro-meteorological Station said on Friday. On March 11 and 12, the temperature in Dong Phu District, Binh Phuoc Province increased to 38 degrees, while it was lower, at 37 degrees, in Tay Ninh Province and Long Khanh Town in Dong Nai Province. In Ho Chi Minh City, the highest daily temperature during the two days was also about 37 degrees. At 10 am this morning, March 15, the city saw a hot at 31 degreees and the temperature will dorecase to increase to 37 degrees at 2 pm the same day. The ongoing heatwave, the first in this year's dry season in the southern region, is now slowing down a bit because of the impact of a cold front that is moving south from north. However, the region will face the scorching weather again in two days, with the highest temperatures to amount to … [Read more...]
Twenty injured when bus rolls over
BINH PHUOC (VNS)— Twenty passengers were hospitalised on Monday afternoon after a bus overturned in southern Binh Phuoc Province's Dong Phu District. Eight victims were still being treated yesterday, police said. The 29-seat bus, driven by Do Van Hung, 33, of central Quang Nam Province, was heading to HCM City from the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong. Witnesses said the bus was being driven at high speed just before the accident, causing concern among the passengers, police reported. The bus had overturned after the driver allegedly braked sharply, police report. The case is still under investigation. — VNS … [Read more...]
Tien Giang declares H5N1 bird flu epidemic
The southern Tien Giang Province People's Committee on Wednesday declared an epidemic of the H5N1 avian flu in two communes, where the disease spread widely with most of the 557 affected ducks having died. The declaration was issued by deputy chairwoman of the Committee, Tran Thi Kim Mai, who asked the local Veterinary Sub-Department and other concerned agencies to take measures to control and drive back the epidemic in accordance with the Ordinance on Veterinary. All concerned agencies are required to tighten control over poultry-related activities and absolutely ban transporting of poultry into or out of epidemic areas, the authorities said. According to a report of the Sub-Department of Veterinary, the epidemic broke out from October 31 to November 4 at four households that raise a total of over 900 ducks in Tan Phu and Tan Thoi communes in Tan Phu Dong District. All the above ducks have been destroyed in conformity with current regulations. In related news, a herd of ducks … [Read more...]
Ensuring sustainable development for cashew industry
(VEN) - The cashew market has become increasingly active towards the end of the year. In the first nine months of this year, the cashew industry exported 212,000 tonnes of cashew nuts and reached export turnover of about US$1.35 billion.Cashew processingVietnam Cashew Association (Vinacas) Chairman Nguyen Duc Thanh said that export turnover of the cashew industry in 2013 is expected to reach US$1.8 billion. Resolving material source shortage Vinacas set out targets for total export turnover in the 2013-2015 period of over US$4 billion and the proportion of cashew nuts with high added value content of 5-7 percent. Nguyen Duc Thanh said that businesses in the cashew industry have paid special attention material sources. In fact, export cashew volume in the third quarter of this year reached over 20,000 tonnes. However, due to the lack of material sources, export volume has declined in the remaining months of this year. Nguyen Duc Thanh also predicted that cashew exports in 2013 would … [Read more...]
BUSINESS IN BRIEF 24/10
US$9 billion oil refinery project under construction Construction of Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Complex started in Nghi Son Economic Zone in Thanh Hoa province on October 23. At the ground-breaking ceremony, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said the Nghi Son complex is of great significance to ensuring national energy security in the implementation of the socio-economic development strategy. Built on 400 hectares at an estimated cost of US$9 billion, it has a design capacity of 10 million tonnes per year (200,000 barrels per day). Once completed, the project together with the Dung Quat Oil Refinery will meet two-thirds of total requirements for oil refinery products in the national industrialisation and modernisation process. The modern oil refinery complex also includes a 2,400MW thermal power, a cement plant to produce 9.3 million tonnes per year, and a transport system to link deep-water ports. It plays an important role in promoting investment in Nghi Son EZ and surrounding … [Read more...]