Peoples army cinema

Yesterday, the Military Service Council of Thu Duc City and 21 other districts in Ho Chi Minh City held ceremonies to see off local young men to the army and public security force.

The new recruits from Thu Duc City are ready to fulfil their duty to the nation.

In 2021, 4,628 citizens from Ho Chi Minh City perform their service in military and public security forces, including two female citizens. Among them, 2.05% are official Party members, while 41.95% possess college and university qualifications.

On the same day, localities in Military Region 2, including Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Son La, Lai Chau and Dien Bien, also hosted ceremonies to see young people off for military service. The enlisted were sent to 10 units belonging to the Military Region 2, the High Command of the Border Guard and units under the Ministry of Public Security. Among them, over 82% are between the ages of 18 and 21, nearly 50% are from H’Mong ethnic groups, and more than 15% belong to the Dao and Tay ethnic groups. Over 1,000 sent written requests to volunteer to perform their military service.

Young men from Lao Cai City join the army.

Young army conscripts in Son La City say goodbye to family members before leaving for service.

In the northern province of Thai Binh, thousands of young men also started to perform services in military or public security forces. Previously, the Provincial People’s Committee, Thai Binh Provincial Military Council and other relevant units visited and presented gifts to newcomers in difficult circumstances. Each newly-recruit is given gifts worth at least from VND3-4.5 million.

Young Thai Binh men during a ceremony to set off for military service on March 3.

Among young people in Dong Nai Province enlisting this year, 2,803 have joined military units and 305 citizens will perform their duty in the People’s Public Security units. The handover and reception ceremonies across 11 districts and cities in the southern province yesterday took place in about 20 minutes, ensuring the prevention and control of COVID-19. Previously, local authorities visited and presented gifts worth VND1.2-3.5 million to each of the new recruits.

Young females in Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai, present a bandana and attach flowers to a young man before he leaves for military service.

Vehicles carrying newly-conscripted soldiers are sprayed with chemicals according to anti-COVID-19 treatment. All of them have been tested for COVID-19.

On the occasion of her working visit to the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang on March 3, Politburo member cum Head of the Party Central Committee’s for Mass Mobilisation Truong Thi Mai encouraged and presented gifts to local young men joining military service this year.

Youngsters from Phan Thiet City excited to enlist in the army.

Young An Giang men enlist in the army.

Lam Dong Provincial Party Secretary Tran Duc District encourages the recruits before leaving to serve the army.

Young men join the navy in Le Chan District, Hai Phong City.

Colonel Le Van Long, Commander of the Military Command of Quang Ninh Province, presents flowers to congratulate young men from Ha Long City on their enlistment.

Deputy Secretary of the Binh Duong Provincial Party Committee cum Chairman of Provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Hoang Thao presents flowers to young army conscripts before they leave for service.

Colonel Dam Thuc Thuc, Commander of the Military Command of Kien Giang Province presents a gift to a young army conscript in Chau Thanh District.

>> Youth Month 2021 vibrantly responded nationwide

>> Activities held nationwide for Youth Month 2021

On March 2, the Army Youth Department under the Vietnam People’s Army’s General Department of Politics launched a voluntary blood donation movement for the entire army in the presence of Sen. Lieut. Gen. Tran Quang Phuong, who is a member of the Party Central Committee and Vice Chairman of the General Department of Politics.

The ceremony saw the participation of more than 700 officers, youth union members and young soldiers from forces in the whole army, expecting to receive about 550 blood units, thus contributing to meet the need for blood in emergency and treatment at hospitals.

* On the same day, in Loc Hau District (Thanh Hoa Province), the Youth Union of the Central Business Bloc, in coordination with the Thanh Hoa Provincial Youth Union and the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank), kicked off Youth Month 2021 with activities for the community, such as commencing the construction of two “Red Scarf” houses worth a total of VND100 million as presents for needy students; presenting 20 gifts worth VND1 million each to policy beneficiary families; and handing over equipment to support the establishment of the “Youths protect the environment” and “Youths prevent drowning” clubs in Hau Loc District.

After the launch ceremony, all grassroots youth unions of Hau Loc District simultaneously implemented environmental clean-up and installed signs in the area prone to drowning accidents.

With the support of Vietcombank, the Thanh Hoa Provincial Youth Union commences the construction of two “Red Scarf” houses worth a total of VND100 million as presents for needy students

* On Tuesday, youth unions in Hanoi deployed many volunteer teams to support local schools welcoming back students after a break period in service of COVID-19 prevention and control. Thousands of volunteers separated traffic flows, measured students’ body temperature, sprayed disinfectants in classrooms, and distributed medical face masks to students.

Youth volunteers also guided parents and junior how to properly disinfect, while reminding them to avoid mass gathering through the mobile loudspeaker system.

* The Dak Lak Provincial Youth Union has launched activities in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union through the online form. A variety of activities are being held across the province in response to the Youth Month 2021, including presenting computers to exemplary youths with disabilities and savings books worth VND30 million each to young people’s economic development models.

On the occasion, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee coordinated with relevant units to present a dynamic playground worth VND70 million to adolescents and juniors in Dak Plao Commune (Dak Glong District). The Youth Union of Dak Nong Provincial Police and relevant units presented mobile swimming pools to students at Dak Plao primary and secondary schools. The Youth Union of Dak Nong’s Agencies and Businesses Bloc planted 1,000 trees in coordination with Dak Mil District’s Youth Union.

Director Nguyễn Phương Điền on set for the “Lưới Trời” TV drama series. Photo courtesy of nld.com.vn

HCM CITY  Though cinemas have been temporarily closed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, many television crews have begun producing new content.

Safety at filming studios has been prioritised to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and crews are more flexible about their schedules.

Local TV drama crews have become more experienced working in such a difficult time.

Film director Nguyễn Phương Điền said his crew has gone to Gò Dầu in Tây Ninh Province to film the next scenes of Lưới Trời after the Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday.

Lưới Trời consists of 40 episodes, 20 of which were completed by last December.

“Due to the pandemic, we have yet to film footage in crowded residential areas, but have given priority to scenes along the river wharf, village roads or outdoor areas without any people,” he said.

“We have constantly worked with authorities and informed them of our filming schedules while following epidemic prevention regulations. In addition to masks and sanitisers for the whole crew, we have set up barriers outside filming locations to avoid curious crowds,” he added.

The crew plans to stay in Tây Ninh for about 18 days before going to Dầu Giây in Đồng Nai Province and Tấn Châu in Đồng Tháp Province. Since most of the important scenes were filmed before Tết , it is easier for them to film now.

All are serious about protecting their own safety for a smoother filming process, Điền said.

Meanwhile, Vũ Thị Bích Liên, managing director of Mega GS Entertainment and Communication Complex, said that filmimg of director Hoàng Tuấn Cường’s movie, called Thương Con Cá Rô Đồng ”, resumed right after Tết .

Thương Con Cá Rô Đồng is mostly being filmed outdoors without crowds, she said, adding that another movie would be produced in mid-March.

Actress Văn Phượng is currently trying to finish the filming of Phía Cuối Con Đường while preparing for another 50-episode TV drama project in late March.

“I feel under pressure working during the pandemic because I cannot wear a mask while filming with my colleagues. But my crew has been very supportive and has encouraged constant disinfection at the studio. Strangers are not allowed as well,” she said.

Hope for the best

It has been more expensive producing a TV drama during the pandemic compared to other times, experts said. Actor Văn Phượng said that complex scenes with the participation of many people had to be postponed, which added to the cost of production.

“I hope the epidemic will be over soon, the pace of life will return to normal, and locals will feel more secure when it comes to work,” she added.

Writer Thanh Hương said since only a certain number of people could be allocated on set, the organiser must be very efficient.

“I believe the TV drama industry in HCM City will thrive in 2021. Many projects are about to start shooting, unlike the situation where TV dramas have mostly been produced in the North. I am currently completing the script for Nơi Bình Yên Sóng Gió , a TV drama with 100 episodes. The first part, consisting of 40 to 45 episodes, will be filmed in days to come,” she added.

Director Huỳnh Tuấn Anh is also certain about the positive growth of TV dramas and web dramas this year, considering that the pandemic might have caused many investors to hesitate about producing movies.

The number of dramas with large investments and quality casts is gradually increasing, which is  expected to create a new look for the local drama market. – VNS

As from 6pm of March 4, festivals, religious activities and sports events can be held, and entertainment sites, beauty care facilities, cinemas, public Internet shops can be opened.

The city has also allowed the re-opening of dental clinics, travel agencies, gym facilities and parks, along with the gathering of less than 20 people.

Local students will be back to school from March 8.

Meanwhile, the city will continue maintaining pandemic monitoring groups in communes bordering Hai Duong and voluntary teams in the remaining localities. Checkpoints at gateways to the city also continue to operate, keeping close supervision of people going to and from areas with outbreaks.

As of 5pm of March 4, the city reported no new COVID-19 cases.

Two flights, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar and Vietnam Airlines, brought the Vietnamese citizens from Myanmar to central Da Nang City.

A Thursday press release by the foreign ministry said repatriated citizens include those below 18 years of age, the elderly, those with underlying conditions and others in dire circumstances.

Covid-19 prevention measures, including medical declarations, body temperature checks and wearing protective equipment were deployed throughout the flight to prevent coronavirus infection.

After landing in Da Nang, citizens were quarantined at centralized quarantine zones run by the military in Da Nang and central Quang Nam Province, the Da Nang Center for Disease Control (CDC) said.

Myanmar is experiencing a period of political instability after its army seized power and detained government leader Aung San Suu Kyi and much of her party leadership last month. Protests have broke out nationwide and at least 50 people have been killed.