Vietna

Phan Thanh Gian, director of the department confirmed the news and said the authorities have hosted a training session for over 350 local artists in performing the art between November 11 and 30. Artists perform Hue folk singing on a tourist boat on Huong River in Hue City. — Photo webdulichmientrung.com After the session, the department will examine the practice of singing Hue folk songs on tourism boats in the city to turn the art into a local tourism product, he said. In 2015, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism listed Hue folk singing as a national intangible cultural heritage. The art includes singing, instruments of traditional melodies ranging from royal performance to daily life. There are 60 folk melodies for singing and instruments in northern and southern styles. Hue folk songs have strict structures, which have developed into professional classic styles in lyrics, melodies and performances. Various traditional instruments accompany the singer including … [Read more...] about Hue to seek UNESCO recognition for folk singing

BRUSSELS — The European Union authorised the marketing of a vaccine against Ebola on Monday, permitting the first wider commercial use of a protection that has helped stem an outbreak in DR Congo. The European Commission announced that, after a trial by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), it would allow US pharmaceutical giant Merck to bring the drug to market in the bloc as "Ervebo". Previously, the UN's World Health Organization had welcomed the advice of the EMA in favour of Ervebo as a "major milestone" -- and more vaccines from other manufacturers are to be tested soon. "Finding a vaccine as soon as possible against this terrible virus has been a priority for the international community ever since Ebola hit West Africa five years ago," said EU health commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis "Today's decision is therefore a major step forward in saving lives in Africa and beyond." Since the start of the latest outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has claimed some … [Read more...] about Europe gives go ahead to market Ebola vaccine

The State Audit of Vietnam (SAV) has uncovered several violations in the execution of build-transfer (BT) and build-operate-transfer (BOT) projects as well as at local banks. A section of Phap Van-Cau Gie Expressway, which has spurred controversy. SAV has uncovered multiple violations at BT and BOT projects and banks - According to a report on auditing results last year that SAV Auditor General Ho Duc Phoc delivered to the National Assembly (NA) on May 20, the results of audits at eight BOT projects showed that violations in the appointment of contractors and investors and adjustments of investments were found at most of the projects. Some BOT projects used capital from Government bond sales despite being unqualified for such access based on the NA’s Resolution 55/2013. SAV also proposed reducing the toll collection period for seven of the eight BOT traffic infrastructure projects by a combined 16.2 years. Meanwhile, the handover of land to investors in seven BT projects … [Read more...] about VN State Audit pinpoints violations at BT, BOT projects, banks

Vietnam has the potential to become a leader in tax reform, said Johan Langerock, tax policy expert of Oxfam at the Vietnam Fiscal Policy and Development Forum 2019, which opened in Hanoi on November 13. Johan Langerock, tax policy expert of Oxfam Upon addressing the forum themed “Towards a Fair Tax System, Langerock noted that the country’s economic growth reached a 10-year high of 7.1 per cent last year, with this strong economic momentum expected to continue for the remainder of the year. The nation has been transformed from one of the world’s poorest countries that suffered from frequent food shortages, to a lower middle-income economy that is currently a leading exporter of rice, seafood, coffee, and other commodities. The official poverty rate has fallen from 58 per cent in the early 1990s to less than 10 per cent today. Despite this success, the country’s extraordinary economic track record has not been accompanied by a similar pathway in … [Read more...] about Vietnam can be a leader in tax reform: Oxfam

  Vietnam Airlines said it will add 190,000 seats while Jetstar Pacific will offer nearly 40,000 extra seats to meet the increasing demand during peak season of Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday. — Photo Vietnam Airlines HÀ NỘI  Vietnam Airlines and budget carrier Jetstar Pacific will supply nearly 230,000 extra seats from January 9 to February 8, 2020 to serve increasing travel demands during peak season of Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday. Vietnam Airlines said it will add 190,000 seats, equivalent to nearly 1,000 flights on all domestic routes, while Jetstar Pacific will offer nearly 40,000 extra seats, or more than 220 flights. Together with Tết ticket sales kicked off in September, the number of additional seats for Tết holiday offered by the Vietnam Airlines Group, including Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific and Vasco, has totalled nearly 2.23 million , or around 12,000 flights. Most of the flights are on routes connecting … [Read more...] about Vietnam Airlines and Jetstar Pacific add 230,000 seats for Tết holiday