VietNamNet Bridge – Disaster recovery in APEC economies is as important as disaster preparation and response, the co-chair of the APEC Emergency Preparedness Working Group (EPWG), Le Quang Tuan, said yesterday. Delegates from 21 APEC-member economies and non-APEC organisations met at the 12th meeting of the APEC Emergency Preparedness Working Group (EPWG) on Monday (August 21) in HCM City. – VNS Photo During the 12th meeting of the working group, more than 100 delegates from 21 APEC-member economies and non-APEC organisations exchanged information about coping with natural disasters. The meeting was held in HCM City within the framework of the third Senior Officials Meeting (SOM 3). Though Viet Nam has experience in coping with natural disasters, it lacks experience in providing support to affected areas after disasters, according to … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – Ha Noi People’s Court yesterday opened legal proceedings against a criminal case regarding an illegal virtual gold trading floor. The case involves top managers of the Ha Noi-based Khai Thai Consultant Limited Company (KTIC). Hsu Ming Jung at the court hearing. – Photo: VNA/VNS  KTIC General Director Hsu Ming Jung (also called Saga) from Taiwan and his six Vietnamese accomplices will be tried on charges of swindling VND264 billion (US$11.7 million) from more than 700 investors. Hsu Ming Jung, 42; Doan Thi Luyen, 30, managing director of the company; Nguyen Manh Linh, 30, a director of the company; and Trinh Hoang Binh, 42, the company’s chief accountant, will be charged with fraud pursuant to Article 139 of the Penal Code. Two other Vietnamese people, the managing directors of the company’s … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – The biggest and most comprehensive-ever book collection on the history of Viet Nam has just hit bookcases throughout the country. A vast tome: The 15-episode collection Lịich Su Viet Nam is now available at bookstores at the prize of nearly VND5 million (US$222). -- Photo daibieunhandan.vn Titled Lich Su Viet Nam, the 15-episode collection was printed for the first time by the Viet Nam Academy of Social Sciences in 2015 with a limited number of 500 copies. The book was awarded Best Book in 2015 by the IRED Institute of Education and Phan Chau Trinh Foundation. “This very first reprint will help the 10,000-page collection serve a wider audience,” said Vu Duong Thuy Nga, head of the Library Department within the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. “The collection will be sent to public libraries all … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s official visit to Indonesia from August 22-24 will help consolidate friendship and boost co-operation, deepening the two countries’ strategic partnership.  Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s official visit to Indonesia from August 22-24 will help consolidate friendship and boost co-operation, deepening the two countries’ strategic partnership. — VNA/VNS Photo Deputy head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Nguyen Huy Tang said this is a historic visit as it is the first visit made by a Party chief to Indonesia since late President Ho Chi Minh’s visit in 1959, and the first visit made by a top Vietnamese leader since the two nations established a strategic partnership in June 2013.  The trip also … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – Karate is back in the SEA Games this August, following its absence in Singapore two years ago. Nguyen Thi Hong Anh in a training shift in Ha Noi. She is the national hope for karate gold medal at the SEA Games. — Photo zing.vn Viet Nam’s athletes are hoping to secure four gold medals and stay in the top three after a successful 2016 season. Malaysia, the hosts, would be the biggest challenge. They topped the medal tally at the 27th Games in Myanmar winning seven out of 17 titles, while Viet Nam bagged three to stand second. The young martial artists, it is hoped, will make a bang. “Our team are in the process of rejuvenation. However, the athletes have made remarkable improvement, especially the women. It is the reason we believe we will win gold medals in Kuala Lumpur,” Vu Son Ha, head of Karate … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Education and Training decided to temporarily stop online Math and English competitions from the new school year 2017-18 for a more in-depth review, said deputy head of Secondary Education Department Nguyen Xuan Thanh. The Ministry of Education and Training ordered online Math and English competitions to stop. — Photo news.zing.vn “Knowledge competitions such as online Math and English contests have met requirements of applying knowledge acquired from subjects learned at school. However, the competitions which have been organised for many years need a thorough review in terms of format and content to meet requirement of students’ capacity enhancement following educational reform criteria,” Thanh said. It means the schools will no longer use results of these competitions to get priority … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – Dr Hong-Sang Jung, executive director of the APEC Climate Center, speaks to Viet Nam News on the sidelines of the APEC Food Security Week in Can Tho about the significance of utilising climate information to develop sustainable agriculture in APEC economies. Dr Hong-Sang Jung, executive director of the APEC Climate Center, speaks to Viet Nam News on the sidelines of the APEC Food Security Week in Can Tho What are the main focuses of the APEC Climate Center? Please tell us about some of its notable activities since establishment? The APEC Climate Centre’s roles focus on three main areas. One is providing climate prediction information. We collect information about temperature and rainfall, etc. This information is mainly used by meteorological agencies in developing economies to produce their own climate … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – Around 20 Vietnamese students will study filmmaking and make a short film during an eight-day workshop, which began on August 21’s morning in HCM City. Vietnamese film director Le Thanh Son (centre) works with his actors. — Photo thegioidienanh  The Viet Nam Film Planning Development Co-Workshop, as it is called, has been jointly organised by the South Korean Academy of Film Arts, Korean Film Council and Viet Nam Department of Cinema. Established Korean and Vietnamese producers and directors will conduct sessions at the workshop. Korean blockbuster Train to Busan’s producer Dong Ha-lee and thriller Killer Toon’s director Kim Young-gyun will talk to participants about how to make a movie and share their Korean film industry experience. Vietnamese directors Phan Gia Nhat Linh and Le Thanh Son will … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City People’s Court on Monday opened a court trial related to the smuggling of cancer medicines and falsification of documents at HCM City-based VN Pharma Joint Stocks Company in 2013 and 2014. HCM City-based VN Pharma are allegedly involved in the smuggling of 9,300 batches of H-Capita, worth VND5.6 billion (US$251,000) in 2013 and 2014. — Photo dantri.com.vn Nguyen Minh Hung, the company’s former chairman and general director; two vice directors Nguyen Tri Nhat and Ngo Anh Quoc; former general director of Sai Gon Pharmacy Ltd (Sapharco) Pham Anh Kiet; director of H&C International Marine Trade Ltd Company Vo Manh Cuong; and four other officials of VN Pharma are allegedly involved in the smuggling of 9,300 batches of H-Capita, worth VND5.6 billion (US$251,000) from Canada to Viet Nam in 2013 and 2014. … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – The central city officially put into operation its first open-top double-decker bus tour, connecting the airport and 25 stops in the city, on Saturday. A fleet of 12 double-decker buses offer tourists and commuters a chance to explore Da Nang. — Photo: Cong Thanh/VNS The tour is the first of its kind in Viet Nam, serving both tourists and commuters. The city tour on the 54-seat bus, which is being operated in co-operation with Empire Group, runs from 7am till 10pm on two routes from Da Nang International Airport to CocoBay – Da Nang’s largest entertainment and hospitality complex – and Son Tra Peninsula. The Coco bus tour ticket will be priced at VND250,000 (US$11) for a 24-hour jump-on jmup-off use. According to Empire Group, the bus tour will be offered free for tourists and commuters throughout … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – Nha Trang Observatory, the first of its kind in Viet Nam, will open its doors to visitors in September. Viet Nam’s first observatory, located in Nha Trang City in the central province of Khanh Hoa, will open its doors to visitors in September. — Photo dantri.com.vn The construction of the observatory, which is situated by Hon Chong, a natural rocky landscape by the beach in Nha Trang City, began in 2014. The observatory has cost around VND60 billion (US$2.6 million) and has a 0.5-metre optical telescope, a 60-seat cosmic projection room and a 200sq.m exhibition room. The general director of Vietnam National Space Centre Pham Anh Tuan said the main function of Nha Trang Observatory is to conduct basic research on optical astrophysics; popularise cosmic science among the public; provide support for training, teaching … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – Taekwondo artist Nguyen Thi Le Kim won a gold medal in the women’s individual poomsae (performance) event at Summer Universiade, the world student Games, underway in Chinese Taipei, on Sunday. Taekwondo artist Nguyen Thi Le Kim poses with her gold medal and the Summer Universiade mascot on Sunday. — Photo facebook Nguyen Thanh Huy Kim’s outstanding performance won her 8.100 points for the first pattern and 7.465 for the second one with music. Lin Kan-yu of the hosts came second, while American Adalis Munoz and Iranian Fatemeh Hesam shared the third place. Kim, 24, is a student of Ton Duc Thang University in HCM City. A member of the national team for years now, she has grabbed many international medals, including a silver at the world championship, and golds at the world military taekwondo tournament and … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam has been striving to reduce the number of HIV infections and prevent outbreaks in high-risk communities despite a decline in international funding, health officials say. Viet Nam has been striving to reduce the number of HIV infections and prevent outbreaks in high-risk communities despite a decline in international funding. — Photo antt.vn According to the Viet Nam Administration of HIV/AIDS Control, the country began offering Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to people at high risk of contracting HIV, especially gays, in June 2017. Those who are at high risk of contracting the virus can take an antiretroviral (ARV) drug which contains tenofovir every day. When they are exposed to HIV through sex or recreational drug injections, the oral HIV PrEP can work to keep them from becoming infected. When taken … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – ILO Viet Nam Country Director, Chang-Hee Lee, explains the impact minimum wage can have on the country’s economy. ILO Viet Nam Country Director, Chang-Hee Lee What is the view of the ILO on minimum wage increase of 6.5 per cent for 2018? It was a joint decision of the Government, employers and trade unions through the National Wage Council, which we, the International Labour Organization (ILO), fully respect. I am sure that it was not an easy process of reaching the consensus on minimum wage increase, as each party came from different perspectives and interests. There can be different views on the 6.5 per cent increase. Workers and trade unions would say it is not sufficient to ensure minimum living standards. Meanwhile, employers, particularly those in export industries, would say their competitiveness will be … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – Archer Chu Duc Anh secured a gold medal in the men's recurve (one-stringed bow) for Vietnam at the ongoing 29th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. Archer Chu Duc Anh (Photo: thethao.tuoitre.vn) Anh defeated Khairul Anuar Mohamad from the host country of Malaysia 6 – 2 on August 20. Bui Truong Giang, head of Vietnam’s archery division, called Anh’s gold medal a very special one.   Earlier, archers Nguyen Tien Cuong and Chau Kieu Oanh grabbed a bronze medal at the mixed team compound. Chau Kieu Oanh won a silver medal in the women’s individual compound event, the first medal for Vietnam at the largest regional sport event. The trio Chau Kieu Oanh, Le Ngoc Huyen and Nguyen Thi Nhat Le pocketed another silver for Vietnam in the women’s team compound category. Ten archery categories are featured … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – Working groups and sub-committees of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) will continue discussions on issues of their charge in Ho Chi Minh City on August 21 as part of the third APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM 3). A workshop in the third APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (Photo: VNA) There will be meetings of the Health Working Group, the Emergency Preparedness Group, the Investment Experts’ Group and the Market Access Group.  Besides, officials from APEC member countries will talk matters regarding the automotive and chemical sectors, customs procedures, standards and conformance, life sciences innovation, anti-corruption, electronic commerce, and illegal logging.  The SOM 3 and related meetings brought together around 2,600 delegates from 21 APEC member economies. Slated to last … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s visit to Thailand was fruitful, with the two PMs discussing frankly cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks, stated Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Dinh Quy. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) welcomed by his Thai counterpart Prayuth Chan-o-cha (Photo: VNA) During the visit from August 17-19, PM Phuc and his Thai counterpart Prayuth Chan-o-cha sought collaboration measures to build the ASEAN Community and maintain the association’s central role on the occasion of ASEAN’s 50th founding anniversary, as well as ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation within sub-regional programmes and projects. The two sides discussed long-lasting issues such as how to minimise conflicts at sea, illegal fishing and smuggling on each other’s waters, and illegal Vietnamese … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – Dozens of quan ho (love duets) artistes in Bac Ninh Province – cradle of the traditional art form – are coming together every Saturday night to entertain audiences in a very special performance. Boat music: Quan Ho performances on the Nguyen Phi Y Lan Lake in Bac Ninh City every Saturday aim to promote the art form within and outside the northern province.  Instead of performing in the yard of a communal house yard, which is the typical venue, the singers perform on boats on the Nguyen Phi Y Lan Lake in Bac Ninh City. The boat performances are among activities aiming to preserve values of the traditional art form that was recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2009.   Tran Quang Nam, director of the province’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Department, said quan ho has … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam won two gold medals in the wushu event at the ongoing Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Malaysia today. Duong Thuy Vi in her final Jianshu performance today. -- VNA/VNS Photos Quoc Khanh Duong Thuy Vi scored 9.67 points to win the gold medal in the women’s Jianshu category being held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, edging Malaysia’s Eyin Phoon, who had to settle for the silver after scoring 9.63 points. Singapore’s Hui Xin Fing came third with a score of 9.60 to take the bronze. Hoang Thi Phuong Giang brought home another gold medal in the women’s gunshu with 9.64 points. Loh Ying Ting of the hosts came second with 0.01 point less than Giang. This morning, Viet Nam earned one more bronze medal in the mixed doubles of the table tennis event, thanks to duo Dinh Quang Linh and Mai Hoang My … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam crushed Myanmar 3-1 in the second match of the women’s football event at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Malaysia yesterday. Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy celebrates scoring a goal in the match between Viet Nam and Myanmar in the SEA Games yesterday. — Photo: VNA/VNS The win will help the team have a go at the event title. Earlier, the team also beat the Philippines 3-0. Viet Nam’s head coach Mai Duc Chung said the key to victory was the calm display by the team. “We played calmly. When our rivals levelled the score at 1-1, we were still very composed,” Chung said. “The match was tense, but the two sides played fairly,” Chung added. “Viet Nam [today] had good tactics. We studied Myanmar and knew that they often play with all their strength in the first half, so I had made … [Read more...]