Tourism culture

Legal corridor considered for Vietnamese film industry

April 16, 2021 by sggpnews.org.vn

The record-breaking movie Old Dad (Bố Già) (Photo courtesy of the film)

According to experts, the film industry in Vietnam can only develop to new heights when supported by State policies that ensure a balance between the needs of filmmakers and concerns of society.

Experts at the conference believe that suitable government policies are essential for the film industry to reach new heights by balancing the market’s demands and filmmakers’ requirements.

The currently applicable Cinematography Law of 2006 was built on the basis that cinema is an art field, which is a dated concept since cinema has long developed into an industry as well, said Chairwoman of the Vietnam Association of Film Promotion and Development (VFDA) Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan.

While the old law only regulates aspects of the industry like screenwriting, issuing, and distributing film products, experts believe it should be amended to take into account the management of this special product that can provide a unique entertainment value while being profitable.

On the subject, it was proposed by a representative from BHD Co., Ltd, one of the first private Vietnamese companies in media and film distribution that the Cinematography Law (amended) should include incentives on taxes and land, investment funds as well as low-interest loans for domestic firms investing in cinemas.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director of the Department of Planning and Finance under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Thi Hong Lien added that the bidding and ordering of film production should be considered as well. There were also proposals to remove the film pre-check process and switch to post-check review.

Policies for the foreign film industry were also discussed, with proposals to create incentives for foreign film crews coming to Vietnam and mechanisms for co-production films aiming to professionalize domestic films and promote the country.

By Mai An – Translated by Tan Nghia

Hanoi Library to organize book festival

April 16, 2021 by hanoitimes.vn

“Sky of Knowledge” book festival is an opportunity to honor the value of books, affirming book’s position in enhancing people’s knowledge, experience, thinking and education.

Taking place from April 15-17 at the Hanoi Library, Hanoi’s book festival features various activities including an artistic book installation, talk shows about book and reading culture; knowledge competitions on Hanoi’s history and culture, the National Assembly of Vietnam through the periods and National Assembly elections; a painting competition themed “Hanoi: city for Peace”; and exploring the newly launched space of “Dream plus library”, among others.

The book festival aims at praising reading movement in the community, especially children. Photo: Minh An.

Especially, an exhibition commemorating the 110th anniversary of Uncle Ho’s departure to find the national salvation way (1911-2021) with 600 valuable documents will also be held.

Speaking at the opening of the book festival, Deputy Director of Hanoi Library Vuong Thi Ly emphasized: “This is an opportunity to honor the value of books, affirm book’s position in the socio-economic development the nation. It is also a chance for people to praise and honour the writers and those who are working in the field of book publishing, collection and archieve.”

This book festival aims at praising reading movement in the community, raising awareness of the people about the great significance and importance of reading culture as an inevitable way for social development since it enhances people’s knowledge, experience, thinking and education.

9.1 million local workers adversely affected by COVID-19 pandemic in Q1

April 16, 2021 by vov.vn

Of the figure, the number of men makes up 51% of the total, while the number of people aged between 25 and 54 accounts for roughly 66% of the figure.

This information was unveiled by the General Statistics Office (GSO) during a press conference held on April 16 in Hanoi aimed at reviewing the local labour and employment situation during the first quarter of the year.

Out of a total of 9.1 million people adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, 540,000 people lost their jobs, whilst 2.8 million people endured temporary work stoppages.

Furthermore, 3.1 million people have seen their working hours cut down, been forced to leave work, or have been laid-off, while 6.5 million workers have had their incomes reduced.

Most notably, the third outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic which occurred over the Lunar New Year period significantly increased the number of underemployed workers in comparison to the previous quarter and the same period from last year.

Throughout the reviewed period, the average monthly income of employees reached VND6.3 million, representing an increase of VND339,000 compared to the previous quarter and a rise of VND106,000 compared to last year’s corresponding period.

The number of unemployed people of working age hit nearly 1.1 million, marking an increase of more than 12,000 people over the same period from last year.

To deal with the situation, the GSO has proposed that a number of solutions be implemented in order to remove difficulties for the labour market. This can be done through the acceptance of vaccine passports, thereby developing the necessary criteria to reopen the international tourism market in order to revive the local tourism industry.

It is anticipated that the development of these sectors will attract a large number of employees as a contribution to fully utilising the existing workforce.

Youth federation members exchange with Vietnamese peacekeepers

April 16, 2021 by en.qdnd.vn

Attending the event hosted by the chapter were Senior Colonel Mac Duc Trong, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations (VNDPKO), Phan Thi Thanh Huong, Secretary of the Vietnam Youth Union’s Ho Chi Minh City chapter, and Senior Colonel Nguyen Van Tuan, Head of the Department of Politics of Military Hospital 175 under the Ministry of National Defense.

During the exchange, the participants recalled stories highlighting the role of Uncle Ho’s soldiers and the contributions of the military medical force of the Vietnam People’s Army to the UN peacekeeping operations. These contributions help realize the Party and State’s foreign policies, and raise the prestige and position of Vietnam in general and of the Vietnam People’s Army in particular in the international arena.

The Vietnamese peacekeepers also recalled their unforgettable memories and impressions when they performed their tasks as ambassadors of peace in people-to-people diplomacy.

An exhibition showcasing Vietnamese peacekeepers’ activities in South Sudan, a presentation of 200 national flags, 200 bandannas, and 200 “I love my Fatherland” badges from the chapter to the Level 2 Field Hospital (L2FH) Rotation 3 also took place on this occasion as part of the exchange.

The chapter and the L2FH Rotation 3 virtually signed a cooperation agreement under which they will periodically organize exchanges and dialogues, host a virtual exchange program themed “Youth and aspirations to rise”, and build a green space at the L2FH Rotation 3 in South Sudan.

They will also coordinate to implement international voluntary projects in South Sudan related to healthcare, social skills, cultural exchanges, online refresher courses on international youth affairs, and launch a painting contest under the theme “Love for peace”.

The exchange aroused municipal youths’ patriotism and pride of Vietnamese troops and military doctors and featured the role of Vietnamese youth in participating in UN peacekeeping operations.

Translated by Mai Huong

9.1 million Vietnamese workers affected by Covid-19 in Q1

April 16, 2021 by e.vnexpress.net

Among the affected, 540,000 lost their jobs during the period while 3.1 million had their working hours reduced or took unpaid leave, with 6.5 million others reporting reduced incomes, the General Statistics Office (GSO) reported Friday.

The country’s labor force shrunk by 1.1 million against the previous quarter to 51 million, the report stated.

Pham Hoai Nam, head of the GSO’s department of population and labor statistics, blamed the dark picture on the resurgence of Covid-19 before the Lunar New Year, the country’s biggest festival.

Vietnam encountered a new wave of Covid-19 on Jan. 28 in what the government said was caused by the U.K.-originated variant. In February, many areas in Vietnam were placed under lockdown as authorities raced against time to contain the spread of the virus.

The service sector was hit hardest by the crisis with 20.4 percent of workers affected, followed by the processing and manufacturing industries, along with agriculture.

The average monthly income in the first quarter was VND6.3 million ($272.95), down 2.3 percent over the previous year.

According to the GSO, the unemployment rate in the first quarter was 2.42 percent, down 0.21 percentage points against the previous quarter and up 0.08 percentage points year-on-year.

Severe Covid-19 impacts have seen as many as 40,300 companies shut up shop in the first quarter, a year-on-year increase of 16 percent.

GSO hoped the government would soon implement a Covid-19 vaccine passport so aviation, tourism and services could recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

The government closed borders and canceled all international flights in March last year, allowing in only certain categories of people including foreign diplomats and specialists and with stringent conditions.

Vietnam’s GDP grew 4.48 percent in the first quarter.

The government has set a GDP growth target of 6.5 percent for 2021.

Con Dao affirms Vietnam’s sea and islands beauty

April 16, 2021 by en.nhandan.org.vn

Travel+Leisure writes: “With distinct golden sand, soft swells, and shady groves of bamboo and evergreen trees, it’s the kind of place to spend the day gently swinging in a hammock with a beach read, or walking in the surf with a freshly hacked coconut”.

The site added that, due to its location close to the airport, “commercial flights fly thrillingly close,” giving swimmers a chance to watch planes take off and land.

Located around 230 kilometers (143 miles) southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Con Dao is an emerging tourist destination in Vietnam.

Eariler, the New York Times included southern Vietnam’s 16-island archipelago, Con Dao, in its list of “52 places to love in 2021”.

In 2017, CNN praised it as one 12 paradise islands in Asia, while the US magazine Time included Con Dao in its list of 13 places around the world that amaze travelers with their clear blue water.