|
Ministry works to promote national culture
Hanoi (VNA) - The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST) was due to launch a series of activities abroad this year to further promote Vietnam’s culture to the world.
It will organise a Vietnam Week programme in Laos, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Algeria and Morocco and take part in a tours festival and a Vietnam Month event in Lorient (France).
The MoCST looks to attend the Asian intangible cultural arts festival in China and culture and tourism festivals in Japan and the Republic of Korea.
The ministry said it encourages businesses and donors to join in this tourism promotion programme./.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cao Dai sect holds congress in Ca Mau
Ca Mau (VNA) – The Cao Dai Minh Chon Dao, a sect of Caodaism, on Mar. 21 held its fourth Congress for the 2011-2016 period at Ngoc Sac church, Ho Thi Ky commune, Thoi Binh district, the southern province of Ca Mau .
About 800 delegates, representing the sect’s 49 branches and other Cao Dai organisations attended the event.
The congress elected an 11-member standing committee for the 2011-2016 term, passed the sect’s charter with 12 chapters and 39 articles, and worked out a plan for the new term.
In the 2006-2010 term, the Cao Dai Minh Chon Dao encouraged its followers to help each other in developing family economy, poverty reduction as well as raise funds to build bridges, roads, houses for the poor, give land to build schools and provide health care by traditional medicines. The charitable activities were valued at 25 billion VND (1.25 million USD).
In the next five years, the sect plans to continue promote religious unity, abide by State laws and policies and participate in charitable and social activities.
Cao Dai Minh Chon Dao was founded by master Tran Dao Quang in 1928 in the nation’s southernmost provicne. It was a sect of the Dai Dao Tam Ky Pho Do, considering cultivating virtue as foundation.
Cao Dai Minh Chon Dao has 49 churches in four southern provinces of Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang and Kien Giang./.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well-heeled warned off low-cost housing
Hanoi (VNA) -- Well-off people who pretend to be poor so that they can buy or rent a low-income apartment will have to surrender the dwelling and pay stiff fines if they are caught.
This was one of solutions advanced by the Hanoi People's Committee to control any violations by builders and residents as had happened in the past.
Those who take advantage of their special positions to sell, buy or rent homes also face criminal proceedings.
Those who defy the regulations will be forbidden from being involved in real-estate projects for two years.
These details were revealed at a meeting of 13 investors and officials from the city's districts after the first sales of low-income apartments in Ngo Thi Nham street in Ha Dong district.
Nguyen Quoc Tuan, deputy director of the municipal Construction Department, said people were responsible for any information they declared.
In the past it had been found that, in reality, some people said they lived in one place but had their permanent household registered at another. He said this created problems for authorities trying to clarify the situation.
He said some people had several houses, but registered their addresses at relatives' homes.
Nguyen Van Da, deputy director of Vinaconex, Xuan Mai Concrete and Construction Joint Stock Company which has launched two low-income housing projects of Ngo Thi Nham and Kien Hung areas, said most applications for the apartments were returned due to this type of "mistake."
"Authorities in districts and wards have been afraid of confirming the information as they feared they could become responsible for any mistakes, " Da said, adding .
the People's Committee has asked district authorities to take full responsibility for confirming applications.
He said they should clarify those who really had no homes or those occupying an average area of less than 5sq.m per person – the only people who should qualify for low-income urban houses.
Nguyen Quoc Tuan said the new apartments will only be sold to those who lived in inner districts.
He also said prices will be calculated to ensure benefits to both those building the apartments and buyers.
However, he said investors have already been given land-use exemptions and preferential interest rates. Selling prices, therefore could be set by adding 10 percent to the building cost.
Specialists said the price should be 10 million VND (465 USD) per square metre.
Da said his company will announce the official price for home in the Kien Hung project by the end of next month./.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Almost 13 billion VND for Japanese victims
Hanoi (VNA) - By March 21, the Vietnam Red Cross (VRC) had received 12.7 billion VND in donations from organisations and individuals to support Japanese victims overcome difficulties.
Many provinces and organisations on March 21 launched campaigns to raise funds for Japanese victims.
Within only one day, the Ministry of Education and Training collected more than 230 million VND; the Vietnam Construction and Import-Export Joint Stock Corporation (Vinaconex), over 55 million VND; the Northern province of Phu Tho, almost 40 million VND.
Individuals and organisations from Quang Nam central province raised over 500 million VND for support to Japanese people.
In other movement on March 21, Vietnamese Ambassador in the Republic of Korea (RoK) Tran Trong Toan visited the Japanese Embassy in Seoul and offered condolences to the Japanese people.
On this occasion, the Ambassador also handed over the donations from the Vietnamese Embassy staff to support Japanese quake victims./.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Vietnamese trainees in Japan work normally
Hanoi (VNA) – All Vietnamese trainees in Japan are working normally in safe places and away from the Fukushima nuclear power plant No. 1.
The Department for Management of Overseas Workers under the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) on Mar. 21 quoted report from the Board for Management of Vietnamese Workers in Japan , saying that the Vietnamese trainees are following the Japanese Government’s guidance to cope with the situation.
After the Mar. 11 quake and tsunami in Japan , the Board for Management of Vietnamese Workers in Japan coordinated with Vietnamese and Japanese relevant agencies and moved Vietnamese trainees working in areas near the nuclear power plant to safe places from Mar. 14.
Seventeen Vietnamese trainees were brought to Tokyo on Mar. 15 by the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan . Nine of them returned to Vietnam as their contracts had expired. Eight others are living at Nissin Kutsu shrine in Tokyo downtown and expect to return to work when the situation is stable. Other trainees were moved to the second establishment of their companies or to safe places.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), up to Mar. 20, the situation of Fukushima nuclear power plant No. 1 saw positive changes and was under control./.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HIV-positive actor joins theatre tour
Hanoi (VNA) — A person living with HIV/AIDS will join the cast of the Youth Theatre's production Con Muon Den Truong (I Want to Go to School) for a college and university tour of the nation's central region between March 23 and April 8 that will include the provinces of Nghe An, Thanh Hoa and Kon Tum.
HIV-positive Tran Hoang, a member of "For a Bright Future" network, will also participate audience in question-and-answer sessions after each performace to help students gain a better understanding of HIV/AIDS.
The performances aim to raise community awareness about discrimination against persons living with HIV/AIDS, and gain sympathy for people who simply wish to lead a normal life, said performance director Bui Nhu Lai.
"We hope many young people will have a chance to see the show with a view to reducing discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS," Lai said.
The Youth Theatre performances will also include a second short play entitled Noi Tiep Nhung Giac Mo (Dreams Succeed). The performances were sponsored by the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and last year toured colleges and universities in Hanoi and HCM City . The current tour has received additional support from the Philippine Educational Theatre Association and Kon Tum province
"Our performances have been warmly received by both faculty and students," Lai said. "The audience enthusiasm put fire into our performances. The audiences cried and then gave hugs and shook hands with the HIV/AIDS patients."
After the performances, the cast will share the stage with the audiences./.
Vietnamese culture highlighted in Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Vietnamese film “Mua Len Trau” (Buffalo Boy) was selected to be screened at the opening ceremony of the “2011 International week and film festival” in Malaysia on March 21, highlighting the country’s culture and humanity.
The week, organised by the Malaysia University , attracted the participation of 10 countries, namely Japan , Germany , Russia , France , Portugal , Myanmar , the Republic of Korea , Italy , Thailand and Vietnam .
Vietnam ’s booth drew the attention of visitors with the diverse and unique objects on display, which included books, fine art articles and handicraft products.
Visitors also had a chance to watch films which introduced Vietnam ’s landscape.
The week will last until March 25./.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IAEA: Japan will overcome nuclear crisis
Hanoi (VNA)- Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano said he has no doubt that nuclear crisis in Japan will be effectively overcome.
At a special meeting with 35 members of IAEA board of governors in Vienna on March 21, Amano said that the agency is doing everything in its power, along with other countries and international organisations, to help Japan end the crisis and to ensure that the loss would be at the lowest level.
IAEA Director General said that crisis at the Fukushima No 1 nuclear power plant remains serious and unresolved.
He underlined that Japan is in difficult situation but the nation could believe in strong support of international community, both in spirit and materials, to overcome these challenges.
The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organisation’s national data centre under the Vietnamese Institute of Atomic Energy reported that radioactive clouds would reach the northeastern region of the Philippines on March 22, but it is not likely to affect Vietnam./.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food hygiene, chemical checks to be enhanced
Hanoi (VNA) -- To minimise food poisoning, the Vietnam Food Administration (VFA) plans to set up a system to quickly check food for harmful bacteria and too much preservatives and other chemicals.
Under the system, samples of food in danger of being contaminated will be regularly tested at wholesale markets, said VFA Director Nguyen Cong Khan.
For example, food of unknown origin will be checked for chemical preservatives, he said.
Khan said the system will be established by the Ministry of Health and with support of the Korean International Development Agency.
The VFA plans to publish warnings related to food on its web site (vfa.gov.vn) and through the mass media.
VFA statistics show that Vietnam now has nearly nine million food producers and traders, making control difficult.
From 2004 to 2009, more than 1,000 outbreaks of food poisoning were responsible for the deaths of 298 people out of the 26,500 people affected. Last year, 42 people died from 175 food poisoning incidents involving 5,664 people./.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Climate excesses cause difficulties for forecasters
Hanoi (VNA) -- In recent years, the weather in Vietnam has become hotter during summer and colder during winter.
This has led the Hydrometeorological Forecast Centre to warn of unusual weather patterns as the changes were quicker and more complicated than in the past.
An official from the centre has asked relevant agencies to regularly adjust plans to cope with these developments.
The official said the unusual changes had made weather forecasting more difficult.
Deputy director of the centre, Le Thanh Hai, said the appearance of snow in hills in the northern provinces of Lao Cai, Ha Giang and Cao Bang last week, for example, was outside meteorological predictions.
"The cold spell had been forecast," he said, "but we were completely surprised when the temperature dropped to zero degrees Celsius and snow fell."
Snowfalls normally occurred from December to February, he said. This was the first time snow appeared in March.
Hai stressed that rising sea levels and hotter weather in the next 20 to 50 years were not the only predicted effects of climate change.
He said people should also be aware that weather patterns had become more severe.
"The planning of socio-economic development and residential areas should be made in harmony with these climate changes," Hai added.
"People should prepare to cope with any changes of climate," he said.
Hai also warned the public to be aware of the ongoing effects of the La Nina phenomenon which could bring extra rain, whirlwinds and floods./.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Images of General Vo Nguyen Giap on display
HCM City (VNA) – 101 photos featuring legendary General Vo Nguyen Giap are on display at the Thong Nhat Palace in Ho Chi Minh City .
The photos, taken by journalist-photographer Tran Tuan of the Vietnam News Agency, captured moments of General Giap in the daily life.
Addressing the exhibition’s opening ceremony on Mar. 22, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam News Agency Nguyen Duc Loi stressed that Tuan’s works created a huge portrait of the legendary general who is also the “eldest brother” of the Vietnam ’s armed forces. The photos are precious documents for the nation and for future generations, he added.
Tran Tuan said that he was lucky to go with the General during his working trips at home and abroad and the exhibition was aimed at celebrating the General’s 101 birth anniversary.
The exhibition will run until Mar. 26./.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vientiane marks LPRP’s founding anniversary
Vientiane (VNA) – Vientiane authorities held a meeting on March 22 to celebrate the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP)’s 56 th founding anniversary and its ninth National Congress success.
LPRP General Secretary Choummaly Xayasone was present at the event, which brought together representatives of Vientiane citizens of all walks of life.
Addressing the ceremony, Vientiane Mayor Sombath Yialiher reviewed the formation and development of the LPRP, whose precursor was the Indochina Communist Party founded by Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh.
He highlighted the Lao people’s victories as well as immense successes gained during their wars against imperialists and colonialists and national construction cause under the LPRP’s leadership over the past 56 years.
The Mayor welcomed the success of the LPRP’s ninth congress, calling all the Lao people to put the congress resolution into action to make the country strong and wealthy with united, democratic, just and civilised society so as to escape from underdevelopment by 2020 and firmly advance towards socialism./.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asia-Pacific nations discuss water resources security
Hanoi (VNA) – Experts from the Asia-Pacific region are gathering in Vietnam to discuss ways to ensure security for water resources – a pressing global issue that now affects many regions.
The discussion forms part of the first session of the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP) Study Group on Water Resources Security, which began in Hanoi on March 22.
Experts were due to assess the factual utilisation and management of water resources in the region and examine security impacts of the work in various spheres in concerned countries.
At the two-day session, they are scheduled to listen to legal specialists’ opinions on international legal foundations and the building of international mechanisms on the utilisation and management of water resources.
They are expected to put forward concrete proposals to promote regional countries’ cooperation to ensure water resources security, which requires joint, proactive solutions from both developed and developing countries around the world.
In Southeast Asia – which houses the world’s largest rice granaries, the majority of the population depends largely on water resources taken from rivers and lakes, many of which have been seriously damaged by nature as well as human activity.
The damage has not only threatened water resources security but also created complex security concerns for nations that are directly concerned and challenged the future of sustainable development in Southeast Asia.
The next sessions of the study group – which was set up by CSCAP under Vietnam’s initiative – are expected to take place in Cambodia, Thailand and Japan in 2011 and 2012.
At the meetings, study groups will discuss concrete measures to promote regional cooperation and compile the group’s Memorandum of Understanding to be presented to official diplomatic channels for approval./.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vietnam, Indonesia boost beneficial relations
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam and Indonesia have affirmed their determination to further promote mutually beneficial cooperative relations, particularly in investment and trade.
The affirmation was made at talks between Vietnamese National Assembly Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Kien and visiting Indonesian House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Pramono Anung Wibowo in Hanoi on March 22.
NA Vice Chairman Kien affirmed Vietnam attaches importance and wants to further all-around cooperative relations with Indonesia , an important partner in the region.
He proposed that both sides promptly complete negotiations and sign the Vietnam-Indonesia Action Programme for the 2011-2014 period, then look towards the two countries’ future comprehensive friendly cooperation.
The Vietnamese NA Vice Chairman said that bilateral trade and investment have recently increased, with two-way trade reaching 3.3 billion USD in 2010 and Indonesia ranking fifth among ASEAN nations investing in Vietnam .
The signing of cooperative agreements between the two legislatures has created important legal foundations for enhancing the relationship between the two NAs, their agencies and peoples, he said.
Kien highlighted the activities of the Vietnam-Indonesia Cooperation Joint Committee and proposed both sides closely coordinate to promptly organise the following meeting to carry out measures to develop the relationship.
He said he hoped both sides will continue implementing cooperative agreements on defence, security and fisheries cooperation, and the settlement of fishermen’s issues in the spirit of traditional friendship and humanity.
Vice Chairman Kien thanked Indonesia for its active support to Vietnam as ASEAN and AIPA Chair in 2010.
He spoke highly of Indonesia ’s achievements in national construction and development, its implementation of active policies, its early recovery from the global financial crisis and ability to overcome the aftermath of natural disasters, and wished Indonesia success with its ASEAN Chair leadership role in 2011.
Deputy Speaker Pramono, who is on a six-day official visit to Vietnam from March 20, affirmed a wish and determination to further promote exchange and cooperation between the two countries.
Pramono highlighted Vietnam ’s rice export potential and added that Indonesia has many big investors and wants Vietnam to continue supporting and facilitating Indonesia business investment and business activities.
He also said Indonesia would prioritise the settlement of fishermen’s issues based on the spirit of friendship and wanted to enhance fisheries cooperation with Vietnam , as Indonesia is home to large territorial waters and Vietnamese fishermen are good at fisheries.
At the talks, Pramono highlighted Vietnam ’s experiences in overcoming impacts of the global economic degradation and financial crisis, along with maintaining a strong growth rate and ensuring social security.
He laid stress on the need to enhance bilateral ties to overcome challenges, especially the current high fuel prices.
The Indonesian MP congratulated the 11 th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam on its success and offered his best wishes for the elections of the upcoming NA and for People's Council at all levels for the 2011-16 term./.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Radiation 1,600 times normal near Fukushima
Tokyo (VNA) - Radiation 1,600 times higher than normal levels has been detected in an area about 20 km from the Fukushima nuclear power plant No.1, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) officials have said.
Data collected by an IAEA team show that radiation levels of 161 microsieverts per hour have been detected in the town of Namie , Fukushima prefecture, Kyodo News cited IAEA officials as saying.
The government has set an exclusion zone covering areas within a 20-km radius of the plant and has urged people within 20 to 30 km to stay indoors.
The Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) said on March 22 it was considering construction of gas-fuelled power plants to ensure stable electricity supply for the coming summer.
After the March 11 disaster, TEPCO urged the reopening of closed thermal power plants to provide an additional 5 million kW of electricity in March. However, Japan will still face a shortfall of about 8 million kW of electricity during the summer, even if all thermal power plants are brought into operation.
On the same day, TEPCO said it had resumed electricity supply for reactors 1, 2, 3 and 4 at Fukushima nuclear plant No.1.
TEPCO also began studying the ongoing nuclear crisis' impact on the sea, after abnormally high levels of radioactive materials were detected in seawater near the crisis-hit nuclear power plant on March 21.
According to Tokyo Electric, radioactive iodine-131 was detected on March 21 in the seawater samples at levels 126.7 times higher than the legal concentration limit. Levels of cesium-134 were 24.8 times higher and those of cesium-137 16.5 times higher while a trace amount of cobalt-58 was detected in a sample of seawater taken near the plant.
The TEPCO executive board said the company will coordinate with relevant agencies to assess seawater radiation levels.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said at a press conference that it was too early to evaluate the impact of the contaminated seawater on fishery products, but the government will start analysing it soon, Kyodo News reported.
In a related development, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) on March 22 injected an additional 2 trillion JPY (about 24.7 billion USD) into the monetary market in order to assist financial institutions to overcome the aftermath of the disaster. This was BOJ’s sixth injection since the disaster, taking total capital to 40 trillion JPY.
According to police statistics, the quake-tsunami toll had by March 22 climbed to 9,070 dead and 12,645 missing./.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Union opens for people with disabilities
Hanoi (VNA) – The Union for Disabled People’s Associations will make its debut on March 26 in Hanoi to help people with disabilities further integrate into the community and become engaged in mainstream activities.
Addressing the press briefing on March 22, provisional Deputy President Nguyen Ngoc Lam said the union will also create favourable conditions for communities and disabled people to help each other in daily life.
Together with making contributions, building and boosting the implementation of the State’s regulations on disabilities and the international convention on the rights of people with disabilities, the union will also represent Vietnamese disabled people in international organisations and will attend international cooperation conferences regarding disabled people.
According to the National Coordinating Council for Disabilities under the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs, Vietnam is home to 6.7 million disabled people, accounting for 7.8 percent of the population.
In recent years, both Party and State have issued many policies and implemented support programmes for disabled people, many of whom have tried their best to live independently.
To date, 30 cities and provinces nationwide have set up associations for people with disabilities./.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buddhist dignitary receives Myanmar’s title
HCM City (VNA) – Most Venerable Danh Nhuong, Deputy Patriarch of the Sangha Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has received the “Doctor of Buddhism” title from Myanmar .
The Myanmar Government, the Foreign Ministry, the Religious Affairs Ministry and the Sangha Council presented Nhuong with the title in recognition of his contributions to education and promotion of Vietnamese Buddhism and world Buddhism, as well as boosting friendship between Vietnam and Myanmar .
Most Venerable Danh Nhuong, 83, contributed to uniting nine Buddhism seets into the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha. He is also the Director of the Khmer Theravada Buddhism Academy , member of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and Deputy of the 11 th and 12 th National Assembly.
On Mar. 22, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and the Khmer Theravada Buddhism Academy held a ceremony to congratulate Most Venerable Danh Nhuong.
Addressing the ceremony, Most Venerable Thich Giac Toan, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha affirmed that the Myanmar title was not only the pride of Most Venerable Danh Nhuong, but also the pride of Khmer Theravada Buddhism and Vietnam Buddhism.
The title also helped raise the position of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha as well as the spirit of solidarity and harmonisation of Vietnam Buddhism, which was recognised by the Buddhist community./.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vietnam marks World Water Day
Ninh Thuan (VNA) - A national meeting to mark World Water Day 2011 was held in Phan Rang city in the central province of Ninh Thuan on March 22, raising people’s awareness of water resources and water saving.
Addressing the meeting, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Thai Lai stressed the importance of water, saying Vietnam was not a rich country in terms of water and faces future water shortages.
Vietnam is home to about 755 urban areas with a population of nearly 26 million, accounting for 30 percent of the country’s population. Water supply for cities nationwide, including water for production, business and services, is estimated at about 8 million cu.m. a day.
After the meeting, the ministry and the Ninh Thuan provincial People’s Committee organised a march to call on all walks of life to respond to World Water Day 2011.
World Water Day 2011 focuses international attention on the impact of rapid urban population growth, industrialisation and uncertainties caused by climate change, conflicts and natural disasters on urban water systems.
Through the event, governments, organisations, communities and individuals are encouraged to actively engage in addressing the difficulties of urban water management./.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Online dialogue boosts student solidarity
Hanoi (VNA) – “Overseas Vietnamese students in the Year of Students 2011” was the theme of an online dialogue aimed at connecting Vietnamese students worldwide.
The exchange, held on March 22, was jointly organised by Vietnamese Students’ Association (VSA) and Sinh vien Vietnam (Vietnamese Students) newspaper, with officers in charge of youth affairs and education as guests.
During the exchange, which lasted for more than three hours, students raised numerous questions regarding youth union work and activities in the Year of Students.
Especially, students who desire to work in their home country after graduation received satisfactory explanations from Vietnamese officers when raising concerns over the country’s policies and procedures for returnees.
Vietnam ’s solutions to support students in Japan , who have had to suspend their studies due to the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, were also a topic of the exchange. /.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vietnam promotes food in Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – A cuisine culture exchange among ASEAN countries was held in the Malaysian capital city of Kuala Lumpur on March 22.
The event, themed “ Vietnam and ASEAN food” offered a chance for women from ASEAN member countries’ representative offices in Malaysia to discuss and share experiences in social activities and family life.
At the event, Director of Vietnam Cuisine Studies Institute Nguyen Nha briefed participants on Vietnam ’s culinary history as well as similarities between Vietnam and ASEAN food.
Participants also had the chance to enjoy traditional Vietnamese dishes, including beef noodle and spring rolls made by famous cooks.
Minister Counsellor of the Vietnam Embassy in Malaysia, Le Thi Hoang Cuc said the ASEAN cuisine culture exchange will help bolster mutual understanding and solidarity among regional countries./.
|
