Social News 24/9 Police seized five tonnes of rotten chilli sauce The central city's environment police department has seized five tonnes of rotten chilli sauce from a household in Lien Chieu District, which had a stale smell. The police said the owner, Doan Thi Hong, who was given a business licence in 2012, bought the chilli sauce from Quang Ngai Province to pack and sell it in Da Nang market. The product, which was packed in a bag and a plastic pot, was being processed on the floor in unhygienic conditions. Hong said she made the chilli sauce by grinding chillies with sugar, water and additives. The police temporarily banned production of the sauce and confiscated the product. Last year, the city's market watch discovered 7,300 bottles of fake alcohol in a shop in Dien Bien Phu Street during an inspection. Health clinic fined for violating regulations Health inspectors in Ha Noi yesterday fined a private health clinic nearly US$3,000 and suspended the medical practice of two Chinese doctors for violating regulations on medical examination and treatment. Nguyen Duong Trung, deputy chief of the municipal health department, said the two Chinese doctors did not have name tags and titles. At the clinic located in Thanh Tri District's Tu Hiep Commune, the inspectors found that the prices of all medical services were not listed, some medical equipment was not on the health ministry's control list, and they were not being kept in hygienic conditions. Seven drugs and many medical tools, for which there was no clear proof of origin, were found at the clinic. Most had Chinese labels, without Vietnamese subtitles. A brown liquid pack, in particular, had expired in January. Trung said the medical equipment was not safe for patients. Based on the violations that were discovered, the clinic was fined VND67.4 million ($2,965), while the medical practice of the two doctors was suspended for six months. Two die in truck-coach accident Two people were killed and seven were injured when a 16-seater coach wedding carrying attendants was hit by a truck this morning in the northern mountainous Yen Bai Province. The accident occurred when the coach was travelling on a stretch of the Noi Bai – Lao Cai Expressway. Both vehicles were travelling in opposite directions. The coach was transporting the relatives of a groom to take his bride from Lao Cai Province to Nam Dinh Province. The 3.5-tonne truck was carrying fruit from Ha Noi to Lao Cai. The truck is destroyed after the accident. All the victims were passengers of the coach. The coach driver and a passenger died on the way to hospital. The injured are being treated in the provincial General Hospital. After the accident, both of the truck and the coach were damaged. Deputy Director of the Noi Bai – Lao Cai Expressway's Operation Centre said initial investigation indicated the truck driver allegedly lost control of his vehicle and crashed into the coach. Local police are investigating the case. Deadline for repairs of Noi Bai-Lao Cai Highway   The Ministry of Transport has asked the Viet Nam Expressway Corporation (VEC) to complete repairs of Noi Bai-Lao Cai Highway that have either sunk or have cracks by October 30. The ministry also agreed on a plan to use polymer modified asphalt or add anti-settlement additive in repairing the sinking of the road surface. According to the ministry's document, VEC would be asked to stop collecting toll on this route until the repairs are completed. The ministry also required the investor and contractors to instruct and strictly supervise the work to ensure the quality of construction and safety to traffic. The project is undergoing maintenance, therefore the cost of repair is to be borne by the contractor. The route was opened in September last year. However, in many places the road began to sink when in use and the VEC has also frequently repaired it to ensure traffic safety. Six former hospital officials found guilty of embezzlement The People's Court of the southern Kien Giang Province yesterday found six former employees of the Vinh Thuan District General Hospital guilty of embezzlement, abusing their position and irresponsible behaviour. They were also found guilty of causing losses of nearly VND4.5 billion (US$204,500) to the state budget. Nguyen Van Dung, 50, former chief of the finance and accounts department, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for abusing his power and authority to appropriate state assets, violating state regulations on economic management and causing serious consequences. Tran Hen, 34, a former accountant of the hospital, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for misappropriating state assets. To Thi Ky Tran, 35, a former accountant, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for similar crimes. Former cashiers Nguyen Thi Hoang Thom, 50, and Le Thi Hanh, 30, were sentenced to three years in prison each for similar crimes. Nguyen Thi Dung Huong, 33, former deputy chief of the department, was sentenced to one year in prison for her irresponsible behaviour that had serious consequences for the hospital. According to the indictment, Dung abused his power and authority to instruct accountants and cashiers to steal money amounting to VND2.2 billion ($100,000), while collecting hospital fees. Former accountants Hen and Tran also abused their positions to steal nearly VND2.5 billion ($113,600), while collecting hospital fees. Former cashiers Thom and Hanh were not good at their jobs and did not follow the regulations on financial management, leading to losses. Huong showed lack of responsibility in management. He discovered that the accountants had stolen the money, but did not alert the hospital authorities to stop it. The court also asked Dung and Hen return more than VND4 billion to the hospital, and Tran to return VND460 million. VN, Japan exchange information on gastrointestinal diseases Health experts and doctors shared information on advanced diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases at the third Viet Nam-Japan scientific conference organised today. At the event by Bach Mai Hospital and Nagoya University, Japanese doctors showed the latest techniques in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, especially skills in endoscopy and intervention treatment. The conference was also an opportunity for Vietnamese and Japanese doctors to exchange the latest knowledge and to improve clinical skills and human resource training. A gastrointestinal endoscopy centre had opened at Bach Mai General Hospital in July 2014, as part of a co-operation project between the hospital and Nagoya University. The centre's establishment helped to improve diagnosis and treatment quality at the hospital, especially in the early diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancers. Sweden funds solid waste management effort in An Giang The Swedish International Centre for Local Democracy (ICLD) will provide 142,877 USD in official development assistance (ODA) to a project on solid waste management in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang. The project will be implemented in An Giang’s Long Xuyen city from now to 2017. Aiming to establish a local management system in 2017, the project consists of four major components, including devising an action blueprint and carrying out environmental assessment. Meanwhile, Sweden’s Vaxjo city will support An Giang in launching a campaign to raise public awareness about the issue. The Mekong Delta province has boosted investment and sought international partnership in environmental protection, including developing bio-energy projects, such as power generation from biomass and waste treatment. Vietjet supported World Rhino Day 2015 Accompanied by Vietjet, TRAFFIC and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) collaborated on a special program for World Rhino Day called “Cut your finger nails for the world’s rhinos” which drew great support from Vietnam’s leaders, dignitaries from the embassies of France, South Africa and The Netherlands as well as the heads of NGOs specializing in conservation issues in Vietnam. Apart from highlighting recent achievements in Vietnam, participants vowed to work together on an even more effective master plan to be put into action in coming years. On this special occasion, honored guests and executives from Vietjet also donated clippings from their own fingernails to partly replicate a mature rhino’s horn. This horn will be added to a complete rhino model funded by Vietjet. Subsequently, this unique model will be used in campaigns to raise public awareness of why people should not consume rhino horns.      “Through the collaboration with leaders from many areas in Vietnam, especially Vietjet – the first aviation company in Vietnam accompany the event, we see a progress in the efforts to reduce the consumption of rhino horns.  If the leaders and organizations such as Vietjet was "cut nail for Rhinos", the next World Rhino Day we will be grateful to many more achievements”, said Ms. Madelon Willemsen – Head of TRAFFIC’s Vietnam office. “Alongside business developments to offer our passengers high-quality goods and services, community activities are one of our priorities and Vietjet has become one of Vietnam’s leading enterprises for significantly contributing to the community via meaningful programs,” said Mr. Vu Pham Nguyen Tung – Projects & Business Development Director. “Accompanying the World Rhino Day this year, we would like to support efforts to raise public awareness so rhino horns are not used for “medicinal”, or any other, purposes. In my opinion, the key to having good health, success and happiness is having an optimistic attitude towards your life and your continuous efforts to overcome life’s challenges, not from consuming rhino horns. We must say no to using and purchasing rhino horns.” As a partner not only for this event but also for many others, Vietjet wants to convey a unified message: “Vietjet is against the trade and consumption of wild and/ or protected animal species, especially rhino trade.” Former World Vision national director receives Friendship Medal The Vietnamese President’s Friendship Medal has been presented to Edward Danielraj Selvanayagam, the former National Director of World Vision Vietnam (WVV), in recognition of his devotion to local poverty elimination efforts. The Friendship Medal is awarded to foreign individuals or organisations that make significant contributions to establishing, strengthening or developing amity between Vietnam and other nations. At the presentation ceremony in Hanoi on September 23, Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations Vu Xuan Hong appreciated Selvanayagam’s whole-hearted assistance to children from impoverished families and low-income people nationwide. He has spent more than 20 years in Vietnam and contributed greatly to low-earner support through his position as WVV National Director through a number of comprehensive development programmes relating to area development, community-based disaster risk management, childcare and protection, human trafficking prevention and micro-finance, Hong noted. Selvanayagam expressed his honour to receive the award, hoping the country’s partnership with the World Vision International (WVI), other international humanitarian organisations and donors would grow towards providing more aid for less-privileged children and communities. The WVI is now carrying out 40 area development programmes and 16 projects in 15 provinces and cities across Vietnam. Combined aid supporting the country through the organisation has reached around 300 million USD over the last 25 years.- Belgian organisation helps Quang Nam improve pre-school education The central province of Quang Nam and the Flemish Association for Development Cooperation and Technical Assistance (VVOB) of Belgium have agreed to cooperate in improving local pre-school education. The consensus was reached during a meeting between representatives of the provincial People’s Committee and the association in Tam Ky city on September 23. The VVOB will assist Quang Nam province in advancing the capacity of managers and principals of kindergartens in the locality. Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Chin spoke highly of the VVOB’s support and pledged to facilitate the cooperation programme between the two sides. Since 2014, the VVOB has provided Quang Nam province with assistance worth more than 3.1 billion VND (137,900 USD) to carry out kindergarten-primary education and carrier guidance programmes. The two programmes have been practically and sustainably efficient, increasing the education quality in targeted localities, including Phu Ninh, Nui Thanh, Tien Phuoc, Que Son, Hiep Duc and Nam Giang districts and Dien Ban town. Quang Nam province has met all the criteria of the Ministry of Education and Training in popularising education for children under five years old. The VVOB has been working in Vietnam since 1992. The initial approach of sending substitutes was soon replaced with projects in education and agricultural extension. In 2008, an education programme and an agricultural extension programme were initiated and complemented with a programme in career guidance in 2011. Tra Vinh: ActionAid supports development for impoverished people A development support programme for impoverished people in the Mekong Delta city of Tra Vinh was launched by the municipal People’s Committee and ActionAid Vietnam (AAV) in the locality on September 23. It was the third locality in Tra Vinh province to benefit from the AAV’s support programme. Head Representative of the AAV Hoang Phuong Thao said the programme will be implemented at a total cost of 2 to 4 billion VND (91,000 USD- 182,000 USD) annually in Long Duc commune, ward 8 and ward 9 of the city. It aims to eradicate poverty and improve the livelihoods of ethnic women and children with top priorities including sustainable agriculture development, building a solid community to aid the impoverished and vulnerable, as well as responding to natural calamities and climate change, she stated. The programme will be carried out over three years with the possibility of extension up to 10 years, depending on its capacity and efficiency. In 2002, AAV sponsored a similar programme for the province’s Cau Ngang district, helping improve residential livelihoods and contributing to socio-economic development. ActionAid, an international organisation, has worked with over 15 million people in 45 countries towards a world free from poverty and injustice. Youth make up large portion of unemployed labour Young people make up a large proportion of unemployed labourers, according to figures released by the Department of Employment under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA). At a conference assessing the effectiveness of policies on vocational training and job creation held in Hanoi on September 23, the department said 62.6 percent of the unemployed are youth. The country has 13.52 million employed young labourers, or 25.2 percent of its work force, but more than 50 percent of them do not have labour contracts. The unemployment rate among youth aged from 15 to 24 is 6.2 percent, tripling the country’s average. Youth make up 35 percent of the country’s work force and up to 95 percent of the 1.2-1.5 million people joining the job market every year. From 2011-2014, Vietnam provided jobs for around 1.5-1.6 million labourers each year. In the first seven months of this year, more than 903,000 labourers were employed, 60 percent of whom were young people. The National Fund for Jobs has generated employment opportunities for about 100,000 labourers each year, half of them are youth and mostly in rural areas. Over the past five years, the country has sent 9,500 workers from impoverished districts to Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Korea and Japan. Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster communications links The central province of Quang Binh and the Lao province province of Khammouane have agreed to enhance their cooperation and share experience in the information and communications sector. A Memorandum of Understanding to this effect was signed after the talks between representatives of Quang Binh’s Information and Communications and the Department of Posts and Telecommunications of Khammouane in Dong Hoi city, Quang Binh province, on September 22. Under the MoU, the two sides agreed to closely work in disseminating the special solidarity between the two Parties, States and people, particularly between the two information and communications sectors. The two sides will also conduct regular exchanges of information, experience on professional work, and establish a working unit in charge of effectively implementing the MoU. During the talks, the two sides briefed each other on their outstanding achievements in recent years. General Director of the Khammouane Department of Posts and Telecommunications Tayaporn Singthon said he hopes to learn experience in management and operation of the Quang Binh Information and Communications Department. Tuyen Quang preserves “Then” singing Over recent years, the northern mountainous province of Tuyen Quang has undertaken a number of measures with joint efforts from levels and sectors to protect and uphold the value of the local traditional art of Then singing. The province will host the 5th National Festival of “Then” singing of the Tay, Nung and Thai ethnic minority groups from September 24-26 to promote the traditional art to people nationwide. In order to ensure the continuity of the traditional art, the local cultural sector has compiled a list of artisans, conducted training classes and compiled and published books of Then lyrics to be introduced at schools, according to Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Vu Phan. Local artisans have been encouraged to collect and write down lyrics of ancient ritual Then songs, while performances of ancient Then singing have also been promoted in community-based festivals across the province including the ethnic Tay “Long Tong” (field work) festival, Phan said. As many as 50 Then singing clubs have been established in the province with nearly 1,500 people practising the traditional art. Folk cultural artisan Ha Thuan from Tan Hop village, Tan An commune, Chiem Hoa district, who has devoted himself to collecting, composing and promoting Then singing and “Dan Tinh” – a handmade gourd lute, highlighted the value of the traditional art in reflecting and featuring the joy and sorrow in ancestors’ daily life. There are two types of Then singing: “Then ky yen” (praying for good things) and “Then le hoi” (Then festival). The first is performed at rituals while the latter is to bring cheer and drive away sorrow and hardship in life and is normally used in rituals to pray for good seasons, enter a new home or “cap sac” (coming-of-age). The style of singing is traditionally accompanied by “Dan Tinh” – the soul of the music. Then singing was recognised as part of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2012. Tuyen Quang has worked with the Vietnam National Academy of Music and other northern provinces of Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Thai Nguyen, Lao Cao, Lai Chau and Bac Giang – where the music is also practised – to compile a dossier towards seeking UNESCO recognition as World Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Russia, Vietnam foster health care cooperation The Moscow government invited Vietnam to join a project constructing a hi-tech healthcare complex in Moscow, Russia during a workshop on September 22 promoting cooperation in industry, trade and tourism between Moscow and Hanoi. Minister of the Moscow Government and Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations Sergey Cheremin highlighted the increasing trend of healthcare tourism. The Moscow government has decided to establish a hi-tech healthcare complex, the first local facility hiring foreign doctors, in a bid to provide advanced healthcare services and secure the world’s leading position in the healthcare sector, he said. The project will be implemented in the hi-tech Skolkovo Zone, which is similar to Silicon Valley in the US. Few ethnic women join civic activities Experts at a women's empowerment forum, held yesterday in Ha Noi, agreed that although more women are taking part in social and civic activities, few ethnic minorities or disabled women join the activities. The "Give her an opportunity" forum, attended by leaders and workers from more than 20 social organisations, focused on how to get these marginalised voices included in the conversation. Several shared the lessons learned from running programmes to improve women's lives and positions in rural and remote mountainous areas. Don Tuan Phuong, director of the Viet Nam Centre for Sustainable Development Studies, a social organisation in Ha Noi, said that many ethnic minorities and disabled women lacked access to health and education services. He reported that many are banned from joining economic development activities, therefore they depend on husbands and have no voice in their family. "Connecting social organisations, giving them useful information and creating opportunities for them to talk to policymakers and agencies will help them," he said, "and help gender equality in the country." The Viet Nam Women Improving Lives and Leadership project, funded by the US Department of State and implemented by the Kenan Viet Nam organisation and local partners, organised the event. The project, working in Ha Noi and Hoa Binh Province, advocates on behalf of Vietnamese women by developing the capacities of civil and social organisations that focus on health, education, disability and economic development. A member of the project and participant at yesterday's forum, Phan Kim Thoa, deputy head of the Committee for Publicity and Education of the Hoa Binh Farmers' Association, said she hoped more forums would be organised. She said they give a chance for women to exchange ideas about the issues that affect them and get the attention of policymakers and Government leaders. Macau-HCMC air service launched A HCMC-Macau air link was launched on September 22 through a partnership between tourism companies of Vietnam and Macau to spur tourism development. Two Vietnamese firms, Viking Travel Company and Indochina Travel Service (ITS), partnered with Macau’s Sun Star Travel Agency to arrange chartered flights on the route for travelers between Macau and HCMC. Tran Xuan Hung, director of Viking Travel Company, said the passengers on the maiden flight from HCMC on September 22 morning were mainly representatives of Vietnamese travel firms interested in sounding out prospects in the Macau market. The return flight taking off in Macau carried 55 tourists. Hung told the Daily that it was expected that there would be more passengers on the chartered flights arranged by the companies in the future. Chartered flights on the HCMC-Macau run take place on Tuesdays and Saturdays from now until October 9. The flight schedules afterwards will be announced soon. Return airfares and tariffs for double rooms for customers in a three-day trip to Macau cost around US$399 for two people. Many local tourism companies complain that it is difficult for Vietnamese nationals to get a Macau visa. This will be a challenge for the firms involved  in operating flights on the route. But Hung said Vietnamese tourists will be assisted with visa application. 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