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8th Vietnam Book Day kicks off in HCM City

by en.qdnd.vn

Addressing the launch, Deputy Minister of Information and Telecommunications Hoang Vinh Bao said this marks a start of a series of events of this year’s Vietnam Book Day, a day to celebrate the reading habit nationwide.

Via the events, the organizers want to inspire a love for books among people around the country, encourage them to read more and make reading their habit, he said, adding that it will help spread the reading habit among the community.

A host of events, including a display of books about HCM City, a launch of books on digital transformation, and talks with renowned writers and poets, are scheduled on the Book Street from April 18 – 22.

Meanwhile, an online book fair is underway at book365.vn, featuring more than 70 domestic publishers and over 20,000 book titles. An online festival on book copyright will also take place from April 19 – 26, attracting around 50 domestic and international publishing houses.

Then Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc issued Decision No.284/QD-TTg on February 24, 2014, designating April 21 as Vietnam Book Day, in order to encourage a reading habit among the public.

Source: VNA

Four Thu Duc City bridges unable to bridge the gap

by e.vnexpress.net

Construction of Thu Thiem 2 Bridge spanning the Saigon River to link District 1 with the then District 2, which has now become a part of Thu Duc City, had started back in 2015. The bridge connects with Thu Thiem New Urban Area in Thu Duc City spans 1.4 kilometers long in total and comprises six lanes.

Construction of the Thu Thiem 2 Bridge spanning the Saigon River to link District 1 with District 2 (now part of Thu Duc City) started in 2015. The 1.4 kilometers long, six lane bridge would connect with the Thu Thiem New Urban Area.

Built with a cost of nearly VND3.1 trillion ($134.9 million), the project was originally scheduled to complete in 2018. As of last year, work on the project was 70 percent complete but construction on certain sections in District 1 continues to face delays since some of the required land belongs to the Ministry of National Defense.

Being built at a cost of nearly VND3.1 trillion ($134.9 million), the project was originally scheduled for completing in 2018. As of last year, work on the project was 70 percent complete but construction on certain sections in District 1 continues to face delays since some of the required land belongs to the Ministry of National Defense.

The cable-stayed bridge, with the main tower rising 113 meters high and leaning towards Thu Thiem and the artistic lighting design, has been expected to work as an architectural highlight on the Saigon River. Once completed, it will help connect the city’s heart of District 1 with Thu Thiem New Urban Area and ease traffic congestion at the intersections of Ton Duc Thang-Nguyen Huu Canh streets and Ton Duc Thang-Le Thanh Ton streets in District 1.Aside from the land clearance roadblock, the project has also faced issues in verifying both project volume and value with investor Dai Quang Minh Real Estate Investment JSC. For now, related agencies and departments are in the process of negotiating with the investor, as required by the Department of Transport earlier last month.

The cable-stayed bridge, with its main tower rising 113 meters and leaning towards Thu Thiem, is supposed to become an architectural highlight on the river with an artistic lighting design. Once complete, it will help connect the downtown HCMC with the Thu Thiem New Urban Area and ease traffic congestion at the intersections of Ton Duc Thang-Nguyen Huu Canh streets and Ton Duc Thang-Le Thanh Ton streets in District 1.

The bridge as seen from the side of Ton Duc Thang Street in District 1. It is expected that on April 15, work would resume on the bridge after the city authorities have worked with Dai Quang Minh and related parties to tackle all issues for the project so that it could be completed in 2023.

The bridge as seen from Ton Duc Thang Street in District 1. Work resumed on Thursday on the bridge after city authorities worked with Dai Quang Minh and others to tackle all issues so that the project can be completed in 2023.

In 2016, work started to build Nam Ly Bridge on Do Xuan Hop Street at the cost of VND857 billion to replace an old one that has been become degraded and way too small for the rising demand. Passing Rach Chiec Canal, the bridge is 450 meters long, 20 meters wide and was initially slated for completion in 2018 but by 2019, only 39 percent had been finished and the project has been put on hold ever since to wait for clear site.

In 2016, work began on the Nam Ly Bridge on Do Xuan Hop Street at the cost of VND857 billion. It was to replace an old one that had degraded and was too small to meet rising traffic demand. The 450m long, 20m wide bridge over the Rach Chiec Canal was to be completed in 2018, but in 2019, just 39 percent of the work had been done. The project has been put on hold since, awaiting site clearance.

Building materials turn rusty on the half-finished bridge.

Building materials rust on the half-finished bridge.

Wild grass grows all over barriers set around the foot of a bridge span that. Locals have even place several signboards to advertise their products and service on those barriers.

Wild plants grow around barriers set at the foot of a bridge span. Locals have begun using them to advertise various products and services.

Areas beneath the bridge have been turned into landfills.Tardiness in compensating affected households has led the problems in clearing site for the rest of the project. It is because the HCMC’s Department of Natural Resources and the city administration have yet to approve the compensation costs. For this issue, the authorities of Thu Duc City have proposed higher authorities to soon approve the compensation, promising that once that approval is made, Thu Duc will offer clean land plots for the project within six months.

Some areas beneath the unfinished bridge resemble landfills.

Six kilometers from Nam Ly, Tang Long Bridge on La Xuan Oai Street has been built since 2017 to span 680 meters across the Trau Trau Canal to replace an old, downgraded one nearby.

Six kilometers from Nam Ly, the Tang Long Bridge on La Xuan Oai Street is another one that has been languishing after work began in 2017. The 680 meters long bridge over the Trau Trau Canal is meant to replace an old, downgraded one nearby.

Costing VND450 billion, it is set to be completed in 2019 but by far, just more than 30 percent is done and the rest is being stuck at the step of clearing site.The issue of this project is related to adjustment in the geological border for the project that was made by the authorities of District 9 before the district was merged with districts 2 and Thu Duc to become Thu Duc City earlier this year. Now, the project’s management board said if Thu Duc City continues the job that District 9 has started and hands over the clear site soon, the bridge could be completed in 12 months.

The VND450 billion bridge was to be completed in 2019, but so far, only around 30 percent of the work has been done, site clearance proving to be the stumbling block, yet again.

Long Dai Bridge across the Tac River, a tributary of the Dong Nai River, was built in March 2017 at the cost of VND353 billion and for completion in two years. By now, its progress has reached just more than 50 percent as all the construction work has stopped since December, 2018.

Work on the Long Dai Bridge across the Tac River, a tributary of the Dong Nai River, began in March 2017. Built at a cost of VND353 billion, it was to be completed in two years. But two years after the original deadline, the bridge is far from completion with around 50 percent of the work remaining unfinished. Construction work on the bridge stopped in December, 2018.

The lateness in site clearance has been blamed for disagreement in compensation level. Thu Duc City came to life on Dec. 9 after the National Assembly greenlighted its establishment as a city within a city in HCMC. The new city was formed by merging three eastern districts - 2, 9 and Thu Duc. Spreading across 211 square kilometers, it houses more than a million people and is expected to contribute 30 percent of the city’s economic growth and 7 percent for the nations per year. Thu Duc is also expected to function as an innovative urban area encompassing the hi-tech park in District 9, the university precinct in Thu Duc District, and the new urban area and financial center on Thu Thiem Peninsula in District 2, helping fulfill HCMC’s plans to become a smart city.

The delay in site clearance has been blamed on disagreements over the compensation.

Vicostone eyes 20 per cent revenue growth in 2021

by bizhub.vn

Vicostone’s Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting 2021 took place in Ha Noi late last week. — Photo courtesy of the company

Vicostone Joint Stock Company, member of Phenikaa Group, is targeting 20.1 per cent and 15.1 per cent in net revenue and pre-tax profit respectively to nearly VND6.8 trillion (US$292 million) and VND1.9 trillion ($83 million) in 2021.

These figures were announced at the company’s Annual General Shareholders’ Meeting 2021 held in the capital late last week. The shareholders attending the meeting hold more than 143 million shares, representing 89.64 per cent of the total voting shares.

The company will focus on enhancing research and development activities to create new products, improving market competitiveness based on the advantage in science and technology while expanding production and better control expenses.

Top priority will also be given to connecting other members in the Phenikaa Ecosystem for added values and benefit and broadening the culture and values as well as balancing the interests among all stakeholders.

Vicostone earned VND5.66 trillion worth of total net revenue and VND1.67 trillion worth of pre-tax profit tax in 2020.

Last year, it sought further penetration in new markets in addition to existing ones such as North America, Europe and Asia. The exploration of new markets helped strengthen the presence of Vicostone in more than 50 markets across the world.

In 2020, Vicostone became the third largest engineered countertop supplier to the global market, according to the US research firm Freedonia, and that was a strong confirmation and recognition of VICOSTONE® in both domestic and international markets.

Thanks to the postive business performance, Vicostone planned to distribute a 40 per cent dividend for 2020, including cash and bonus shares, to fulfill its commitment to the shareholders. — VNS

Downpour, thunderstorm forecast across country, heatwaves continue

by sggpnews.org.vn

According to the National Center for Hydrology Meteorology Forecasting, both the Northern and North- Central regions including the capital city of Hanoi will be likely to experience tropical downpours later today with the average rainfalls of 80-150 mm and possible thunderstorm, lightning, whirlwinds.

From tonight, the northeastern region and Thanh Hoa Province will enjoy a cooler climate than previous days.

Meanwhile, medium-heavy rains and thunderstorms are predicted for many parts of the Southern region at nighttime as heatwaves are expected to continue.

The same weather condition is forecast to hit the Southern coastal provinces and cities from Da Nang to Binh Thuan from April 20-23.

Downpour, thunderstorm forecast across country, heatwaves continue ảnh 1
Amidst the dangerous weather warnings, the Standing Office of the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control yesterday requested the Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control in the Northern and North- Central provinces to promptly plan against downpours with risk of flashflood.

Besides, the localities need to closely update weather-related forecast to timely respond to weather danger in mainland and at sea, minimize people and property damage caused by thunderstorms, lightning, downpours, flash flood and landslide, especially regularly provide natural disaster-related information to guide  boat owners and captains to proactively take their vessels to safer places.

By Van Phuc- Translated by Huyen Huong

Empowered couple lives off the grid for 38 years

by e.vnexpress.net

Ru Cha is a primeval mangrove forest in the Tam Giang – Cau Hai Lagoon in Thua Thien – Hue Province.

Nguyen Ngoc Dap, 77, and his wife Tran Thi Hong, 75, have been living in a 20- square-meter house as the only human residents of the mangrove forest for nearly four decades.

“38 years ago, my wife and I left the Thuan Hoa B village to live here and sent our kids to live with relatives. At that time, Ru Cha was really rich with fish and other seafood ,” Dap said.

Hong shows a photo of her and her husband in their Ru Cha house.

An early challenge for the isolated life they had chosen was the lack of freshwater. Dap ha d to go to the village to get freshwater every day.

E arly morning, Dap sets off in his small boat to catch fish and shrimp.

The couple then take the catch to the Thuan Hoa B village to sell or trade for food. The village is just one km away from the mangrove.

The couple places a lot of buckets and barrels around their home to collect rainwater. They have also bought a tank to store freshwater in. To save freshwater, Hong uses brackish water for rinsing fresh food and washing clothes. She rinses them later with freshwater.

Nguyen Dai Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Thua Thien Hue Province, said Dap and his wife have been living in Ru Cha for a long time before it was designated a special-use forest. The ir living there doesn’t affect the natural environment of this area , he said. In fact, un der their watch, the Ru Cha mangrove forest has been well protected for decades and not overexploited like other areas.

The couple has rice with braised fish for lunch.

They have lived quite a simple life for nearly four decades. They follow a simple routine that ends with dinner, tea and conversation about how the day went.

In addition to fishing, the couple also breeds chickens and ducks. It is Dap ’s habit to watch his wife feeding the poultry every day.

After dinner, the couple usually sits at the ir front door to talk and look at the birds that fly to and from the forest.

“ T his month, many storks are visiting . It’s really interesting to watch hundreds of storks flying here after feeding,” Hong said.

These days, their house has become brighter thanks to a solar flashlight. The couple feels that in the coming years, many types of bird s will settle down in the area as the Ru Cha forest is expanded .

Quang Nam seeks approval stamp for ‘vaccine passport’ arrivals

by e.vnexpress.net

Le Tri Thanh, Quang Nam chairman, said Sunday that the central province has sent a draft plan to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on welcoming international tourists.

If approved, Quang Nam will become the first province in the country to accept visitors with the so-called Covid-19 vaccine passports.

The plan will have visitors entering Vietnam on tours organized by international travel agencies. Each visitor should have a vaccine passport (documented proof of vaccination) and a certificate from medical agencies showing negative Covid-19 test results.

“We plan to welcome South Korean visitors in the first phase. We will learn from the experience, and in the second phase, we can open to more markets,” Thanh said.

The group of tourists will go on a charter flight to the Chu Lai Airport and be taken straight to resorts in Duy Xuyen District or Nui Thanh District for 5-10 days, not to quarantine facilities.

Chu Lai is slated to become an international airport and be eligible to add necessary equipment to receive charter flights.

Nguyen Thanh Hong, Director of the Quang Nam Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the two resorts were isolated and quite far from residential areas. The staff at these two resorts will be Covid-19 vaccinated and would follow and apply all pandemic prevention measures, he/she said.

Nguyen Van, deputy director of the provincial health department, said the plan to welcome international visitors has been carefully prepared.

“Throughout the transportation process, the visitors will be required to stay in the car with no stops on the way. The pandemic prevention measures at the accommodations will be applied just like a quarantine center.”

On April 15, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung had said that the ministry plans to reopen international tourism under a roadmap in which the pilot phase from July 2021 to September 2021 will focus on beach tourism and golf tourism in Quang Nam for visitors from the South Korean market.

The ministry’s studies have found that the south of Hoi An area and Chu Lai Airport in Quang Nam Province meet the requirements of safety, transport infrastructure and tourism services as an area for the pilot phase.

The ministry has said that in order to forward the proposal to the prime minister, the Quang Nam administration must review facilities, equipment, human resources and safety requirements; and prepare an official document confirming the province’s readiness to coordinate with the ministry in implementing the plan.

Due to the closure of the borders as a pandemic safety measure, the number of international visitors to Vietnam was just 3.7 million in 2020, down 80 over 2019.

Vietnam stopped all international commercial flights in March 2020. International visitors coming into the country since are mainly experts, high-tech workers, investors and foreigners working on projects in Vietnam.

“We are researching and preparing step by step the pilot selection of a number of markets to apply vaccine passports, welcoming visitors while ensuring safety amid the pandemic,” Hung said.

He also said that his ministry wants the government to apply the vaccine passport policy soon, because it would be key to opening the door for international visitors.