The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) last week again warned that the ocean is faced with increasing threats and multiple risks posed by climate change, natural disasters, environmental pollution, over-exploitation of natural resources, and unsustainable economic activities. “Global warming and marine litter are threatening marine resources, including widespread bleaching of coral reefs. Globally, an estimated 8-20 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean every year. In Vietnam, around 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste leaks from the country into the ocean every day. It is estimated that there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050,” said Caitlin Wiesen, resident representative in Vietnam of the UNDP. The global ocean economy contributes an estimated $3 trillion per year, or about 5 per cent of the world’s GDP and comprises industries ranging from oil and gas, shipping and ports to renewable energy, fisheries, marine ecosystems and tourism. The value of the … [Read more...] about Blue economy model gathering pace
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Vietnam tops SEA Games 31 medal tally with 125 golds
Swimmer Pham Thanh Bao (centre) stands on the podium (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam had claimed 125 gold, 76 silver and 74 bronze medals as of May 18 evening, the sixth official competition day of the ongoing SEA Games 31 , retaining the top position in the medal table. The host country is getting closer to its set target of 140 golds. Thailand ranked second with 53 golds, followed by the Philippines with 37. On the day, the Vietnamese athletics team won three more gold medals in the women’s javelin throw, women’s 10,000m and women’s 4x400m, raising the number in the sport to 19 and surpassing the target of 15-17. Runner Nguyen Thi Oanh obtained triple golds in the women’s 1,000m; 5,000m and 3,000m steeplechase, in which she broke her own record set in the previous SEA Games. Swimmers continued to excite home fans as Ben Tre-born Pham Thanh Bao won the eighth gold for Vietnam in the men’s 50m breaststroke, beating strong rivals from Indonesia and Singapore. … [Read more...] about Vietnam tops SEA Games 31 medal tally with 125 golds
Marathoner wins historic gold for Vietnam at SEA Games 31
During the event began in early May 19 morning near Hanoi-based My Dinh National Stadium, Thanh faced fierce competition from defending champion Agus Prayogo of Indonesia and Tony Ah-Thit Payne of Thailand. He reached the finish line first after 2:25:08, faster than the second-placed Prayogo by 30 seconds. In addition, he set a new personal record as his previous one was 2:26:56. The 27-year-old runner from the southern province of Binh Phuoc quenched Vietnam’s thirst for medals in the men’s marathon for more than six decades. Previously, Pham Thi Binh clinched a gold medal in the women’s marathon for Vietnam at SEA Games 28 in 2013. Speaking to reporters after the competition, Thanh said he was proud but hardly believed that he could win. In the last kilometres, he told himself to do his utmost until the end with cheering from local supporters. Also on May 19 morning, Vietnam bagged two more golds in the men’s and women’s 20km walk by Vo Xuan Vinh and Nguyen Thi Thanh … [Read more...] about Marathoner wins historic gold for Vietnam at SEA Games 31
Regional fans impressed with Vietnamese, Timor Leste runners’ celebration at SEA Games 31
Timor Leste runner Felisberto De Deus (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Sport fans across Southeast Asia have been impressed with images of two runners of the host Vietnam celebrating victory with their Timor Leste rival Felisberto De Deus at SEA Games 31 . De Deus bagged two silvers in the men’s 5,000m and 10,000m events at the ongoing Games. ASEAN Football page recently published photos of the event, stating that after the men’s 10,000m competition, he held hands and ran together to celebrate with two Vietnamese runners Nguyen Van Lai and Le Van Thao, who won the gold and bronze medals, respectively. In the comment section, Facebook user Gilmaro Sfx wrote: “Love Vietnam! Much love from Timor-Leste.” Another user said: “He looks very happy. Maybe this will be a memorable memory for him. Congrats.” For some people, this is the best moment of SEA Games 31 and reflects true sportsmanship. Many are in awe that during his celebration, the 23-year-old waved a small … [Read more...] about Regional fans impressed with Vietnamese, Timor Leste runners’ celebration at SEA Games 31
SEA Games 31: ticket sold out, no room near stadium before men’s football final
Three fans from Thanh Hoa are finding a room near the stadium (Photo: SGGP) On the way, two groups of fans with nearly 10 people were caught asking locals about renting hotels and accommodation. However, they hardly found a hotel room near the stadium where the match will take place, so they then drove the car to continue searching. Mr. Quan – a fan from Thanh Hoa Province who has just arrived in Viet Tri City after 5 hours of driving - said that he took his family members to Phu Tho to watch U23 Vietnam play the semi-finals. Because it is still early, he wanted to rent a hotel or motel room to rest. He moaned no more rooms near the stadium as he wanted a room near the yard to walk to the stadium. He planned when the match finished, he and his family members went back to the hotel for sleeping and in the next day, they will visit some places before returning to Thanh Hoa. Mr. Quan bought a few glasses of sugarcane juice to fuel up before continuing to search for a hotel to … [Read more...] about SEA Games 31: ticket sold out, no room near stadium before men’s football final
Vietnam, U.S. enhance cooperation in searching and collecting martyrs’ remains
The event was attended by former Deputy Chief of the General Department of Political Affairs (GDP) Lieutenant General Le Van Han, Chairman of the association Lieutenant General Hoang Khanh Hung, leaders of the association, representative of the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam, Harvard University, the American Institute of Peace. During the event, the association provided U.S. delegates with information about the search and collection of martyrs’ remains. Accordingly, the association has collected and publicized information of 115,000 martyrs on mass media; helped more than 20,000 martyrs’ families search for the remains of their relatives with more than 200 remains founded; provided free consultation for more than 1,000 DNA assessment cases; and coordinated with localities to move nearly 1,000 remains of martyrs in cemeteries back to their hometowns. Meanwhile, the organization has also helped build 795 gratitude houses and presented nearly 2,400 saving books and 600 scholarships to … [Read more...] about Vietnam, U.S. enhance cooperation in searching and collecting martyrs’ remains