Mua vi nam o dau dep

An area in Cai Lậy District, Mekong Delta province of Tiền Giang is disinfected and put under lockdown on Sunday after suspected cases of COVID-19 were detected. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI —  A total of 297 new COVID-19 cases were detected on Sunday, mostly patients already in quarantined areas.

Of those, 95 were in HCM City which included 53 medical staff at HCM City’s Tropical Disease Hospital.

Sunday’s other cases were detected in Bắc Giang, 129, 54 in Bắc Ninh, nine in Hà Tĩnh, two in Lạng Sơn, one in Hà Nội, one in Bình Dương Province and one in Phú Thọ Province.

There were also 171 people declared cured from coronavirus nationwide.

No new cases have been reported in the past 14 days in twenty-one provinces, namely Yên Bái, Quảng Ngãi, Đồng Nai, Nghệ An, Quảng Ninh, Quảng Nam, Quảng Trị, Thừa Thiên-Huế, Nam Định, Hòa Bình, Tuyên Quang, Sơn La, Ninh Bình, Thanh Hóa, Thái Nguyên, Hưng Yên, Hải Phòng, Tây Ninh, Gia Lai, Bạc Liêu, and Điện Biên.

Việt Nam’s total number of cases now stands at 10,538. — VNS

HCM CITY – Information about Việt Nam’s intangible cultural heritage will be preserved as part of a larger archive of heritage for the Asia-Pacific region.

The director of the Việt Nam National Institute of Culture and Arts Studies (VICAS), Bùi Hoài Sơn, said the institute had been participating in a project to build ichlinks, a platform with information about the intangible cultural heritage of the Asia-Pacific region.

This project is expected to connect and share content with member countries at the website https://www.ichlinks.com.

“ichlinks stores more than 1,000 data, content and information on the intangible cultural heritage of member countries in the Asia-Pacific region via images, videos, and audio and text formats. The site will offer advanced search tools and information management features,” Sơn said.

He said that ichlinks was established by the Korean Cultural Heritage Department and the International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region (ICHCAP) and supported by UNESCO.

The first group of participating partner countries includes Malaysia, Mongolia, Việt Nam (represented by VICAS), Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

According to the deputy director of the Cultural Heritage Data Centre (under VICAS), Vũ Diệu Trung, information about Vietnamese heritage has been “integrated” into ichlinks.

“ICHCAP has helped us make 10 anthropological films about intangible heritage, and all are online. Seven films about cultural heritage have been registered by UNESCO. ichlinks has collected data from the Cutural Heritage Association and other bases,” she said.

Joining ichlinks, Việt Nam has the opportunity to promote its image and heritage to the world.

“ICHCAP itself is a Tier 2 unit of UNESCO, funded by UNESCO to help member countries build a common digital platform on intangible cultural heritage and promote it. When participating in it, they have the right to promote images of Việt Nam’s intangible cultural heritage abroad. This is the best benefit,” she said.

Another benefit is the opportunity to digitise the system of national heritage information. From 1997 to 2020, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism  built a target programme to preserve the culture of Vietnamese ethnic groups. The ministry will allocate one to two cultural heritage conservation programmes to each province.

VICAS is the main recipient of archival video tapes for the target programme, and has worked with the programme for over 20 years.

“The institute has an archive of nearly 1,000 similar cultural heritage items. With the new project, ichlinks will boost the digitisation process. They have provided equipment to VICAS to digitise the tape system,” Trung said.

In addition to reconstructing old documents or documents of recognised heritage sites, ichlinks helps “rescue” items of cultural heritage that have not been preserved or properly preserved.

“After Mrs. Hà Thị Cầu, the last artist of Xẩm art, passed away, it seemed like the art had been lost, but Xẩm singing clubs are now active in Hải Phòng. ichlinks can help us conduct new research and support the community to redevelop this legacy,” Trung added. – VNS

Nguyễn Thượng Hiền

Nearly two years after the launch of anti-plastic waste movement, many supermarkets have committed to banning single-use plastic bags and many organisations have also launched initiatives to encourage people to reduce the use of plastic.

In a recent interview with Vietnamplus online newspaper, Nguyễn Thượng Hiền, Deputy head of the General Department of Environment talked about the use of plastic in the country and measures needed to curb plastic waste.

What have we achieved through the anti-plastic waste movement over the last two years?

Specific and practical activities from the Government and relevant ministries, agencies, localities and local people across the country have brought about encouraging results. It’s not just about awareness, localities and people have taken actions to reduce single-use plastic and pay more attention to recycling and reuse.

In terms of policy, there are laws and regulations approved, aiming to reduce the amount of plastic waste, encourage people to recycle and process plastic as well as combat ocean plastic.

Our national action plan set the target to reduce marine plastic litter by 75 per cent, collect 100 per cent of abandoned, lost or discarded fishing material, and put an end to disposal of fishing waste into the sea. We also aim to have 100 per cent of coastal tourism areas, tourist attractions, tourist accommodations and other seaside tourism services not using single-use plastics and non-biodegradable plastic bags. We also strive for 100 per cent of marine protected areas free of plastic litter.

The government also directed authorities to enhance communication work on plastic waste prevention and control in 2021-2025 as well as strengthen the management, recycle, reuse, processing and reduction of plastic waste.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) has also set an example in this movement and called for its staff to take actions and encourage their families and relatives to join the movement.

It also cooperated with the Ministry of Education and Training to strengthen environmental protection work in 2019-2025, aiming to raise awareness of teachers and students and disseminate information about environmental protection laws.

The Ministry of Health has also issued a directive in 2019 to direct hospitals and health establishments, pharmaceutical companies and stores to limit the use of single-use plastic bags.

Big changes related to this issue have also been seen in most localities.

What are the highlights of the achievements?

In big cities and provinces, many supermarkets have committed to banning single-use plastic bags including Co.op mart Việt Nam, Big C Đà Nẵng, and Big C Hà Nội. Many are using leaves to wrap goods.

Some airlines also committed to paying attention to the use of environment-friendly products on their flights. Many organisations and individuals across the country have called for people to exchange plastic for plants while some food and drink establishments replaced plastic straws with ones made from paper.

With the support of the MONRE, an alliance of businesses against plastic waste has been set up including major manufacturing and retail distribution companies such as TH Group, Coca-Cola, La Vie, Nestle, Nutifood. An agreement on building a circular economy has been signed between the ministry and companies including SCG and Unilever.

Along with the high determination of ministries, agencies and localities, as well as international organisations and educators, the movement has had great impacts on the community and the whole society.

With the results achieved, Việt Nam will be successful in reducing plastic waste and contribute to the sustainable socio-economic development and the establishment of a circular economy.

What should be done to realise the goal of banning single-use plastic by 2025?

Management of plastic waste is a problem that requires drastic, continuous and systematic efforts of authorities at different levels, the community and local people.

To improve the management of waste, the MONRE is reviewing and proposing to the Government several measures.

First, it is important to have guidance documents in the implementation of the Law on Environment 2020 to reduce the impacts of waste, especially plastic waste, on the environment.

It is also necessary to encourage businesses and people to invest, manufacture and use environmentally friendly materials, enhance recycle and reuse of waste as well as build a circular economy.

There should also have regulations requesting relevant organisations and individuals to recycle.

The ministries, agencies and localities need to push scientific research, strengthen the application and transfer of technology, among many others. — VNS

Football

Midfielder Nguyễn Hoàng Đức of Việt Nam takes the ball away from Malaysian midfielder Liridon Krasniqi Syamer Kutty Abba during their 2022 World Cup qualifier on Friday. Photo zing.vn

HÀ NỘI — The absence of key players might be unfortunate for the national team but it gave an opportunity to Nguyễn Hoàng Đức who shone brilliantly in the Việt Nam’s World Cup match again Malaysia.

The 23-year-old grabbed his chance with both hands when he was called to manage the central area in the absence of Nguyễn Quang Hải who was suspended for Friday’s match.

The midfielder not only did a good job but also gave Park Hang-seo a ‘comfortable headache’ in picking his line-up for the next game when all his best players are available.

“After the win over Indonesia and Hải could not play next game, I thought Park would choose Đức,” said former national coach Hoàng Văn Phúc.

“His performance in the Malaysia match explained the reason. He showed his remarkable and all-round development. He is good at keeping ball in one-on-one situations and can well manage the ball against physical and bigger rivals.

“His solo run broke through four Malaysian players before sending Trọng Hoàng a perfect ball in the 65th minute. It was regrettable that Hoàng could not convert it into a goal, otherwise, we could have secured the game at that point.

“Park will welcome all of his best players back in action next game. Đức will give his coach lots to think about when choosing his team for the Group G ‘final’.”

Pundit Ngô Quang Tùng agreed, saying that Đức has speed and technique which gives him confidence and bravery to attack on the break.

“From the Asian U23 championship qualification to the 30th SEA Games and now, Đức showed his special abilities. He has progressed year after year and will become a key player for the national team,” said Tùng.

“His solo run that left four Malaysian players behind was an important moment that not only helped teammates build confident but also created high pressure on the opposite side.”

It was Đức’s second match with the national team but he did not show any signs of nervousness in the middle of the pitch.

In the whole 90 minutes, he connected defence and attack, read the game well and made some crucial tackles.

Not only did he create opportunities for the forwards, but Đức himself threatened the Malaysian goal with a number of long-range efforts.

Although he was not voted the match’s most valuable player of Việt Nam, Đức received the highest points of 8.8/10 points among both sides’ players from Sofa Score, a website that provides football statistics and live scores.

Sofa Score recorded Đức’s as making four tackles, the highest number in the game. He had the most accurate passes among players, eight successful dribbles and two shots on target . He also won 16 in 18 times in one-on-one situations and two aerial duels.

In his first match on June 7, Đức was on the field in 30 minutes and InStat Spor noted he made up 100 per cent accurate passes.

Quick grow

Midfielder Nguyễn Hoàng Đức trains for the World Cup qualifiers in Dubai. Photo of VFF

Đức began his football life in 2011 when he was 13 at Viettel FC training centre as scouts kept eyes on him for two years after watching him at the U11 championship when his hometown of Hải Dương won the title.

The youngster was said to be a player with a lot of potential but he struggled because of his small size and was almost rejected by the training centre.

But things changed when Viettel had not enough players to take part in the national championship in 2014 and he was added to the team. His outstanding performance changed coaches’ minds who decided to keep him for further training.

With support from coach Nguyễn Minh Tiến and his own determination, Đức gradually gained recognition. He helped Viettel finish second at the national U19 tournament in 2016 and became their MVP.

He earned a place in the first team a year later and joined the national U20 squad taking part in the U20 World Cup.

2018 saw the young midfielder score nine goals and three assists, pushing Viettel to the V.League 1.

His magic left foot, which was key to help him maintain a place in the starting line-up, also helped him impress national head coach Park.

The South Korean then picked him for the U22s who won the national first gold medal at the 30th SEA Games in 2019, the Asian U23 Football Championship in 2020 and the ongoing 2022 World Cup qualification.

Viettel skipper Bùi Tiến Dũng said: “Đức has made huge steps in career. He owns great qualities which will definitely be better in the future.

“Not just me, but also many others believe that he will one day be a major player for the national team soon and of course at Viettel.”

Pundit Tùng said 2021 would be a successful year for Đức, adding: “If he could keep on the right track, he would be the most complete midfielder of Việt Nam.”

Meanwhile Đức said playing for the national team is an honour and a chance for him to improve.

“I have learned a lot from senior players and coaches here. I still need more effort to ensure my place in the team and be a regular face in the squad in the future,” he said. VNS

Health screening carried out for volunteers in the third phase of human trials of the homegrown Nano Covax COVID-19 vaccine at the Vietnam Military Medical University. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — There were 194 new COVID-19 cases detected in Việt Nam from Saturday evening to noon on Sunday, bringing the total number of positive patients to 10,435.

Four of the cases announced at noon on Sunday were imported and the rest local transmissions.

As many as 3,827 patients have been given the all-clear so far, while the death toll rose to 59.

A 76- year-old man living in Thuận Thành District, Bắc Ninh Province, was reported to have died of COVID-related complications. The patient died early morning on Sunday at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases. He is the 59th person to die with COVID-19 in Việt Nam.

On May 8, the man was transferred to Thuận Thành District’s health centre suffering from pneumonia. He was moved into isolation at Gia Bình field hospital.

On May 21, he was transferred to Bắc Ninh Provincial General Hospital and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on May 23. The patient was transferred to the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases on June 3 with a diagnosis of septic shock, multi-organ failure, severe ARDS pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2, polyarthritis, and gastrointestinal bleeding due to duodenal ulcer.

Twenty provinces affected by the pandemic have now gone 14 days without any new infections. — VNS

Nhan said that in early January 2021, the northern mountain region, including Lao Cai Province, home to popular resort town Sa Pa, was hit by a cold snap resulting from a strong cold front. Responding to the news, he traveled to Lao Cai where he shot this photo of a lonely house inundated with white snow on Nhiu Co San Mountain of Y Ty Commune.

A small house stands alone on a tea hill in Moc Chau Town of northern Son La Province. At an altitude of 1,050 meters above sea level, Moc Chau with a temperate climate is suitable for growing tea.

This detached house is located amid the ripe golden rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai, Yen Bai Province, around seven hours’ drive to the northwest of Hanoi. The town sits at 1,000 meters above sea level at the foot of Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range, with its rice terraces stretching across 2,200 hectares of mountainside.

Nhan was fascinated by the image of a farmer sitting on a craft with his bundle of rice, floating on the jade waters of Quay Son River in Cao Bang Province on the border with China.

A ‘lonely’ house floats on a flooded mound, part of a resort near Dong Mo Lake on the outskirts of Son Tay in Hanoi. The lake at the foot of Ba Vi Mountain is about 40 kilometers from the capital, famous for its charming scenery.

A lone fisherman rows a coracle at dawn in the waters of Thang Binh District, central Quang Nam Province. This seaside fish market grows bustling at dawn when fishing boats flock ashore after a long night at sea. Traders typically resell fish and shrimp at various local markets.

A woman forages near a bridge across the Lai Giang River in Hoai Nhon District of central Binh Dinh Province.

‘A lonely boat’ waits at a wharf, taken at Phu Ngan River in Tuy An District of central Phu Yen Province.

Nhan sits next to a “lonely tree” in the middle of the night, looking at the starry sky near Da Dia Reef, a popular tourist attraction in central Phu Yen Province, his hometown.

A woman in the middle of a green field against a darkening sky, taken in the remote district of Krong Bong in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak.

A lonely boatman on Tuyen Lam Lake in an early morning, surrounded by a forest of hollong trees during the leave changing season.

A street vendor crosses the hill leaving footprints in the sand in Mui Ne, a popular coastal town in south central Binh Thuan Province.

Photos by Cao Ky Nhan