Plastic bags captured near the RCA entertainment district on Kamphaeng Phet 7 Road, Thailand (Photo: bangkokpost.com) Bangkok (VNA) – The Thai government has sought help from 230,000 environmental volunteers in its campaign to help reduce the scourge of plastic waste in the country, local media reported. "These volunteers will act as a good model and alert people to the crisis," the Bangkok Post quoted permanent secretary for natural resources and environment Jatuporn Burutphat as saying. At a two-day meeting of the volunteer's network, which ended on December 4, Jatuporn said The volunteers will run the campaign in parallel with 75 stores which plan to ban plastic bags across their 24,500 retail distribution channels from January 1 next year. He admitted the authority has limited manpower to carry on this uphill task. Apart of volunteers' disseminating environmental messages, the ministry will also use online communication channels such as Line, Facebook and Youtube to get … [Read more...] about Thai government works to reduce plastic waste
Vietnam government
Vietnam named ‘World’s Leading Heritage Destination 2019’
Vietnam has been honored as the “World’s Leading Heritage Destination 2019” at the 26th World Travel Awards (WTA) held recently in Oman, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT). The recognition of Vietnam as the world’s leading heritage destination reaffirms the country’s efforts to preserve cultural heritages and boost its status on THE global tourism map, the WTA said. Vietnam is home to eight world heritage sites recognized by UNESCO: Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, My Son Sanctuary, Hoi An ancient town, the Complex of Hue Monuments, Ha Long Bay, Trang An Landscape Complex, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, and the Ho Dynasty Citadel. The heritage sites and other destinations have repeatedly won acclaim from prestigious travel magazines in recent years. Launched in 1993, the WTA have become a quality measure of the tourism industry and are considered the “Oscars of Tourism” by The Wall Street Journal. It … [Read more...] about Vietnam named ‘World’s Leading Heritage Destination 2019’
Ninth ASEAN Maritime Forum opens in Da Nang
Participants in the 9th ASEAN Maritime Forum pose for a photo (Photo: VNA) Da Nang (VNA) - The 9th ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF-9) opened in the central city of Da Nang on December 5, seeing the participation of more than 50 delegates from the 10 ASEAN countries and the ASEAN Secretariat. In his remarks at the opening ceremony, Vu Ho, Director of the ASEAN Department under the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, affirmed that maritime security cooperation is always a high priority in ASEAN cooperation and in the partnership between ASEAN and its partners. He said currently, more than 10 ASEAN agencies are engaging in marine cooperation activities. The contents of cooperation range from ensuring maritime security and safety, conducting search and rescue and anti-piracy activities, and combating illegal fishing to promoting environmental protection and dealing with plastic waste. Given the current complicated situation at sea, the AMF this time needs to review cooperation … [Read more...] about Ninth ASEAN Maritime Forum opens in Da Nang
PM meets Vietnamese Cambodians in Cambodia
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc meets overseas Vietnamese (Source: VNA) Siem Reap (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met Cambodians of Vietnamese descent living in the Cambodian province of Siem Reap on April 5 during his trip to attend the third Mekong River Commission Summit. The PM expressed his best wishes to them on the occasion of the traditional New Year of Cambodia and lauded them for linking the two countries together. He updated them on the development of ties between the two countries, saying that during working sessions, Vietnam asked the Cambodian government to offer all possible support to Vietnamese Cambodians, especially in legal procedures, education and life improvement. He also required the General Association of Vietnamese Cambodians, Vietnamese representative agencies and businesses in Cambodia to stand side by side with their fellow Vietnamese in the country. The leader also urged them to respect and abide by Cambodian law, … [Read more...] about PM meets Vietnamese Cambodians in Cambodia
Dioxin remediation project kicked off at Bien Hoa Airbase
Deputy PM Truong Hoa Binh speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA) Dong Nai (VNA) – Work on the US-funded Dioxin Remediation at Bien Hoa Airbase Project in the southern province of Dong Nai began on December 5. The ceremony, held by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Vietnam Defence-Air Force Service and the National Action Centre for Toxic Chemicals and Environmental Treatment (NACCET), was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh, US Deputy Chief of Mission in Vietnam Caryn R. McClelland, and representatives from competent ministries and sectors. An area of 37 hectares of the airbase’s western portion was handed over to the USAID to begin ground operations for the dioxin clean-up project. The objective is to first eliminate the risk of further dioxin migration off base, working with Dong Nai authorities to clean areas off base, and then to treat and contain contaminated soils. Earlier, the US government committed 300 million USD to restoring … [Read more...] about Dioxin remediation project kicked off at Bien Hoa Airbase