Social News 28/8 National Highway 6 section cuts Son La-Hanoi travel time National Highway No 6 section linking Mộc Châu District of northern mountainous province of Sơn La and Sơn La City was open to traffic on August 24. The project is part of Vietnam Road Asset Management Project (VRAMP) funded by the World Bank. VRAMP, aiming to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the road asset management and maintenance practices performed by Ministry of Transport on national roads, is worth a total investment of US$301 million, including $251 million funded by the World Bank and $50 million of counterpart capitals.  The total length of maintenance of the National Highway No 6 section Km193+000 to Km303+000 covers 110km with total investment of about VNĐ537 billion ($23.4 million). National Highway No 6 is a key route connecting northwest region with Hà Nội. Cầm Ngọc Minh, Chairman of Sơn La Province’s People’s Committee said that the road upgrade from Mộc Châu to Sơn La City and from Sơn La City to Hà Nội has reduced travel time by almost one hour, facilitated travelling and contributed to local socio-economic development. Fire breaks out at Hà Nội Port    A fire broke out around 8.45am on Monday at a goods storehouse in Hà Nội Port on Bạch Đằng Road in the capital city’s Hai Bà Trưng District. Workers at the store, located in Thanh Lương Ward and owned by VNT6 Design and Consultants Joint Stock Company, called the fire department after they were unable to put out the blaze. Around 20 fire engines were deployed to the site, and firefighters are fighting to prevent the blaze from spreading but the fire is not stopped completedly. Losses incurred are being estimated. In another incident, around 8pm on Sunday, a fire broke out at Paldo Vina Co Ltd, a South Korean company that makes instant noodles, in Phù Ninh District’s Đồng Lạng Industrial Zone, in the northern province of Phú Thọ. It was doused at 11pm. No fatalities were reported. The police are investigating to determine the cause of the fire. Agencies asked to help mountainous localities to respond to natural disasters Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung has assigned the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to work with other ministries and localities concerned to build a master plan on prevention and control of natural disasters for mountainous areas. The move aims to fix problems still existed in the prevention and control of natural disasters, said the Deputy PM at a conference discussing response to the seventh storm and post-storm floods and rains in Hanoi on August 27. The master plan is requested to prevent landslides and flash floods in combination with restructuring residential areas and mainstreaming the efforts to ensure sustainable livelihoods with that to protect and develop protective forests in key areas. It is asked to be submitted to the Prime Minister. The Deputy PM asked localities to keep a close eye on the movements of the seventh storm (internationally known as Pakhar) and its possible threats to minimize its losses. By the noon of August 27, typhoon Pakhar landed the southern part of Guangdong province, China, bringing gales of up to 33 meters per second. It is forecast to weaken into a tropical depression and likely cause torrential trains. He asked localities prone to rains and floods to continue reviewing areas vulnerable to flash floods and landslides and proactively design plans to evacuate residents while the national committee for search and rescue prepares forces and vehicles to support localities.  In the long term, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment needs to work on a map on geographic accidents in general and landslides in particular. The Ministry and Agriculture and Rural Development is asked to coordinate with professional agencies to soon organize a seminar on geographic accidents and build a project to develop a weather monitoring system in areas vulnerable to natural disasters. Natural disasters have so far this year left 116 people dead and missing, destroyed 1,030 houses, and caused economic damage worth over 5.6 trillion VND. Vietnam Airlines delays flights to China due to storm Pakhar The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines decided to adjust the departure time of its flights from Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City to Hong Kong/Guangzhou of China on August 27 to ensure safety for its passengers as storm Pakhar landed China’s Guangdong early on the morning of August 27. Accordingly, the carrier delayed flights VN502/503/506/507 from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Guangzhou, and flights VN592/593/594/595 from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Hong Kong. The new departure time of these flights are postponed from three to four hours.  In addition, several domestic flights are delayed as well. Vietnam Airlines recommended passengers to keep a close watch on China’s weather and the carrier’s information if they have plans to go or leave the country. For more specific information, passengers can access the carrier’s website www.vietnamairlines.com, contact its ticket offices, or call its hotline 19001100. Musical performance fosters Vietnam – Laos ties An art troupe from Vietnam’s Military Zone 9 had a friendly music exchange on August 26 at Laos’ Ministry of Defence in the capital city of Vientiane, celebrating the “Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2017”. Speaking at the event, Lieutenant General Saisamon Salapxeng, head of the Lao Defence Ministry’s Department for Popularisarion and Training, highly valued the musical event, stressing that music exchange is an effective bridge between the two countries.  He added that the “Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2017” helps Lao soldiers and people understand better about the special solidarity with Vietnam as well as their roles and responsibilities for preservation and development of the two countries’ relations. For his part, Head of the Vietnamese Military Zone 9 ensemble Doan Thanh Xuan expressed his happiness to perform in Laos, saying music will connect cultures, thus promoting friendship and solidarity between the two countries.  The event consisted of various performances including singing and dancing, celebrating the traditional friendship and special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos. Communist Parties of Vietnam, Japan hold theory exchange The Communist Parties of Vietnam and Japan held their seventh theory exchange in Tokyo on August 26-27, discussing changes in the regional and world situations as well as challenges and prospects for the two countries. Speaking at the event, Politburo member and Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and Head of its Organisation Commission Pham Minh Chinh said that amid complicated developments in the global situation, the two parties need to have correct assessments and forecasts to carry out appropriate policies and solutions. He stressed the importance of coordinating in studying and sharing viewpoints on the international situation to help the two parties enhance trust, mutual understanding and collaborate more effectively at international forums for a goal of building a world of peace, stability, prosperity and development. The exchanges like this have contributed to perfecting Vietnam’s theories on the roadmap to socialism and to drawing up the country’s policies. Chinh expressed his belief that through this event, the friendship, cooperation and trust between the two parties will be consolidated and intensified, thus contributing to developing the Vietnam-Japan relations. Former President of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP) Fuwa Tetsuzo, who is director of the JCP Social Sciences Institute, said that at present the JCP only conducts the theory exchange systematically with the Communist Party of Vietnam. He stated he believed this exchange will help strengthen the two parties’ operations. Three discussion sessions are scheduled to take place at the two-day exchange. Vietnam-RoK cultural exchange organised in Seoul A Vietnam – Republic of Korea (RoK) cultural exchange festival was held in Seoul on August 27 to celebrate Vietnam’s 72nd National Day (September 2, 1945) and the 25th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (December 22, 1992). Vietnam’s Ambassador to the RoK Nguyen Vu Tu said more cultural and people-to-people exchanges have been held between the two countries, contributing to stepping up the bilateral friendship and mutual understanding.  President of the Vietnamese Women’s Association in the RoK Mai Thi Hong Ngoc said that the event aimed at promoting Vietnam’s culture and people to Koreans and international friends. She expressed her hope that through art performances and Vietnamese cuisine, the festival will help tighten the friendship between the two countries which hold a lot of cultural similarities. Kim Hae-ryon, a representative from the Seoul city council, appreciated the contributions made by the Vietnamese community to her country’s development. She vowed to do her utmost to support the Vietnamese community and nurture the two countries’ relations. Some 150,000 Vietnamese people are living and working in the Republic of Korea. Japanese Communist Party leader welcomes CPV delegation Chairman of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP) Shii Kazuo hosted a reception for Pham Minh Chinh, Politburo member and Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and his entourage in Tokyo on August 27. Chinh congratulated the JCP on its new progress after its 27th congress as well as its success in the Tokyo council election. He briefed his host on Vietnam’s current situation and the seventh theory exchange between the JCP and the CPV, while discussing measures to consolidate relations between the two parties. For his part, Shii Kazuo expressed his delight at the fruitful results of the seventh theory exchange as well as the growing partnership between the two parties over the past years. He thanked the CPV for its support for the JCP, expressing his hope to further strengthen the solidarity, trust and cooperation between the two parties in the future. On August 26-27, the CPV delegation led by Pham Minh Chinh conducted the seventh theory exchange with the JCP led by Fuwa Tetsuzo, former JCP Chairman and head of the JCP’s Social Science Institute. During the exchange, the two sides informed each other of the situation of each party and country, while discussing the world and regional issues. Hoa Binh intensifies cooperation with Laos’s Luang Prabang The northern province of Hoa Binh and the Lao province of Luang Prabang have agreed to strengthen their friendship and cooperation. The consensus was made at the working session on August 26 between Secretary of Hoa Binh’s Party Committee Bui Van Tinh and visiting Secretary of the Party Committee and Governor of Luang Prabang Khamkhanh Chamthavisouk. They also agreed to intensify cooperation in tourism, agriculture, hydropower generation, and build an information exchange mechanism. At the meeting, the two leaders informed each other of their provinces’ 2016-2017 socio-economic development. Within the framework of their working visit, Lao officials visited a historical relic site in Hoa Binh’s Military High Command where a preparatory meeting of the second National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party took place. Hanoi’s Vietnam-France Friendship Association bridges capitals The Vietnam-France Friendship Association’s Hanoi chapter convened its fifth congress on August 27, during which it set to strengthen the introduction of the city’s culture and people to foreign friends. In the 2017-2022 term, the association will expand its external relations and international cooperation as well as cultural exchanges to promote the city’s image. The association will also act to boost economic, cultural, sport and tourism connections between Vietnam and France as well as the two capital cities. At the same time, the association will organise humanitarian events to help the needy. At the congress, the association elected a 30-member Executive Committee for the 2017-2022 tenure headed by Nguyen Lan Trung, Vice Standing President of the Vietnam-France Friendship and Cooperation Association’s Central Committee. Addressing the event, Trung said that despite difficulties, the Vietnam-France Friendship Association in Hanoi effectively implemented its plan, contributing to the people-to-people relations of the city. Along with joining people-to-people diplomatic activities, the association also engaged in friendship events to introduce Hanoi to international friends in general and in France in particular, while helping French friends to study the culture, architecture and socio-economy of the capital city. The association was formed on August 2, 1996. It has 18 chapters with thousands of members. Toyota Vietnam recalls over 20,000 cars for airbag issue Toyota Vietnam will start recalling 20,015 cars, including Vios and Yaris models, across the country from August 28 to replace airbags produced by the Japanese firm Takata, said the car manufacturer. The Japanese automobile maker will recall 18,138 of its Vios models assembled in Vietnam from January 5, 2009 to December 29, 2012 and 1,877 Yaris units imported into the country from September 1, 2009 to August 31, 2012. According to the manufacturer, the propellant used in Takata air bag inflators may deteriorate if it is exposed to temperature variations in humid climates over a long period of time, causing the inflators to explode and spray shrapnel into passengers. Toyota Vietnam said it will check and replace the airbags free of charge at all of its branches across the country.  Previously, on July 20, 2015, Toyota Vietnam announced a recall of 3,958 of its Corolla and Vios models over an airbag fault.  Joint Vietnam-Japan circus performance to entertain Vietnam audience Vietnamese audiences will be dazzled with a special circus programme jointly held by the Vietnam Circus Federation (VCF) and the Happy Dream Circus Japan from September 1. The programme, organised to mark 45th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties (1973-2018) and celebrate Vietnam’s National Day (September 2), will be in Hanoi until December 1 and then travel to several other cities and provinces from December 2 to April 1, 2018.  At a press meeting on August 25, VCF Director Ta Duy Anh said that the programme will enhance mutual cultural understanding between Vietnam and Japan.  Top Vietnamese circus artists will perform in the programme along with 13 performers of Happy Dream Circus Japan, he said.  Hanoi: new dengue fever cases drop The number of new dengue fever cases in Hanoi has dropped in the recent two weeks but is still high, heard a meeting of the Steering Committee on Epidemics Prevention and Control in Hanoi on August 25. A report from the Department of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health showed that Hanoi tops the list of 10 localities with highest dengue fever cases nationwide. The municipal Department of Health reported 19,962 dengue fever cases with seven deaths from January 1 to August 22. The virus was found in all 30 districts and wards, mostly in inner city.  Hanoi has conducted large-scale spraying of anti-mosquito chemicals, while promptly tackling small and newly-detected outbreaks. Head of the Department of Preventive Medicine Tran Dac Phu said that in the coming time, the health sector will focus on killing mosquitoes in outskirt localities and adjacent provinces. Since early this year, as many as 100,417 dengue fever cases have been reported nationwide, a rise of 47.9 percent year on year, with 26 deaths, 9 more than the same period last year. The southern region accounted for 52.7 percent of dengue patients, northern region had 29.1 percent, and the central region 14.9 percent. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are the two leading localities with highest cases and deaths. Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long asked Hanoi and other localities to roll out stronger measures to suppress dengue virus on the threshold of the new academic year. He also called for cooperation from ministries, sectors and the community in the work. Children raise voice against violence, abuse As many as 200 children aged between 9 and 15 from 48 cities and provinces nationwide voiced their concern about violence and sexual abuse against children at a dialogue held in Hanoi on August 26. The dialogue was part of the fifth National Children’s Forum jointly held by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), the National Assembly’s Committee for Culture, Education, Youth and Children, the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and relevant ministries and foreign organisations. The children also expressed their opinions about how to reduce child labour and prevent cyber violence and abuse against children.  Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Hong Lan affirmed that the children’s opinions will be taken into account during the building of legal documents, planning and projects related to children. Regarding child participation rights, an official from the MoLISA said that parents need to enhance their own knowledge about children’s rights and understand their wish. Children should be given opportunities to contribute their opinions about relevant documents and policies through forums and public media. Communication works for children must be renovated to suit children’s psychology and the relations between teachers and students at school should be improved, the official added. Meanwhile, Chief of Social Policy and Governance at UNICEF Vietnam Yoshimi Nishino said that individuals and social organisations should join hands to prevent violence against children, which leaves negative psychological and physical impacts on them. A good legal framework will create foundation to enforce children’s rights, she said, adding that outdated traditions or practices affecting children must be abolished. ASEAN Golden Festival opens in Hanoi The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ASEAN Women Community’s Circle in Hanoi (AWCH) jointly held the ASEAN Golden Festival in Hanoi on August 26 to mark the 50th founding anniversary of the ASEAN. Attending the event were Tran Nguyet Thu, the spouse of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Nguyen Nguyet Nga, , representatives of Foreign Ministry and Hanoi, and ambassadors from ASEAN countries and other countries in Hanoi. Addressing the event, AWCH Honorary President Nguyen Nguyet Nga, who is the spouse of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, said that from a divided region with conflicts and poverty, ASEAN has become an area of peace, unity and prosperity, a community of self-reliance, dynamism and solidarity, a family with shared vision and a common identity. She highlighted that ASEAN is now playing a central role in the region with a rising position in the Asia-Pacific region and the world. On behalf of ASEAN countries’ embassies in Hanoi, Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Noel Servigon said that the festival is an important event that helps improve public awareness on the diverse cultures of ASEAN members through the introduction of their music, dances, games and foods. At the event, participants enjoyed an art performance featuring ASEAN countries’ cultural identities, and joining traditional games and foods. A photo exhibition at the festival also impressed visitors with photos showing the nation and people of ASEAN. Milk gifted to schools in flood-hit provinces The Ministry of Education and Training and Dutch-owned dairy company FrieslandCampina in Vietnam have donated 30 tonnes of milk to schools in northern provinces, which were badly affected by floods that began at the end of July. The schools are in the districts of Mu Cang Chai in Yen Bai Province, Muong La in Son La and Tan Son in Phu Tho. At the handover ceremony, Colonel Hoang Van Tong, deputy head of the ministry’s department of national defence, encouraged staff and students at the schools to try and overcome their difficulties caused by the floods. Kindergarten and primary school students in disadvantaged areas in the provinces of Son La, Dien Bien and Ha Giang also received 12 tonnes of milk earlier. The Ministry of Education and Training  conferred a Certificate of Merit on FrieslandCampina Vietnam for providing nutrition to children, especially in disadvantaged border areas. HCM City prepares for world cultural festival with Gyeongju Ho Chi Minh City is committed to creating best possible conditions for the organisation of the HCM City–Gyeongju World Cultural Festival 2017, said Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem. Liem made the remark at a meeting with Joo Joong Chul, Deputy Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do province in the southern economic hub on August 25. Gyeongju is a city in the Republic of Korea’s Gyeongsangbuk-do. Liem said HCM City always listens to feedback and opinions from the RoK’s side during their joint preparation for the festival.  Joo Joong Chul thanked the city authorities and relevant agencies for their assistance and cooperation goodwill, and asked for further support to ensure the success of the festival. Reporting on preparation progress, he requested HCM City leaders to help extend the use duration of land used for materials storage serving construction of facilities for the festival, particularly in key areas like the 23/9 Park and Nguyen Hue Street.  He also asked for more intensive promotion of the festival on the local media and across streets. Taking into account his guest’s recommendations, Liem tasked relevant agencies with working with the RoK side to promptly tackle these issues and ensure preparation process to run on schedule. The HCM City- Gyeongju World Cultural Festival 2017 is set to kick off in mid-November and last for 25 days. Featuring a host of cultural-art events, sport and youth exchanges as well as trade cooperation activities, it will take place across popular public gathering sites such as the Nguyen Hue pedestrian street, 23/9 Park, and Ben Thanh theatre. Painting contest promotes Vietnam-Denmark friendship All Vietnamese primary pupils can paint their dreams and send their works to a painting contest launched by the Embassy of Denmark in Vietnam in Hanoi on August 25. The initiative is part of the annual cultural exchange themed “Denmark in our eyes” which aims to promote the Vietnam – Denmark diplomatic ties. Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Ambassador to Vietnam Christian Brix Moller said over the past ten years, Denmark has supported student-centred art teaching at primary schools in Vietnam.  How the new teaching method inspires creativity among children will be seen through the contest, he said. According to Cultural Counsellor of the embassy Ane Kirsten Andersen, the event presents an opportunity for primary students to develop their creativity and imagination while contributing to enhancing the friendship and cultural understanding between the two countries’ people, especially young generations. Candidates can send their entries to the Vietnam – Denmark Friendship Association at 105 A Quan Thanh street, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi from August 25 to October 6. The award ceremony will be held in November. A special prize winner will receive a Canon camera and a lego kit. Vietnam seeks trade links with Algerian locality Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Pham Quoc Tru recently visited Tlemcen province from August 22-24 to promote economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and the province. During a working session with Benyaiche Ali, Governor of Tlemcen, the Vietnamese diplomat highlighted the relations between Vietnam and other nations, particularly Algeria, and expressed his hope to bolster the multilateral cooperation between the two sides, including at local level. Tru pointed to the good potential for partnership between Tlemcen, which is a leading cultural, tourism hub of Algeria, and Vietnamese localities. He asked the province to coordinate with him to promote links with Vietnam’s localities. Benyaiche Ali valued the traditional friendship between the two nations, and expressed his hope to develop the relationship between the locality with Vietnam, particularly the possibility to develop twinning relations with a province or city of Vietnam. During the stay, Tru also had a working session with the provincial Chamber of Commerce and Industry and local firms. The two sides briefed each other their own potential and market, and exchanged measures to promote cooperation and connection between businesses of Tlemcen and Vietnam. The Chamber called on Vietnamese firms to invest in producing consumer goods, textiles, footwear, mechanical manufacturing, electronics, agriculture and construction in Tlemcen. He also proposed establishing links between his organization and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, adding that a delegation of local firms may attend the Vietnam Trade Fairs (Vietnam Expo) in November. Project to end violence against women, girls launched in Da Nang The women’s union of Da Nang and UN Women jointly launched a Asia-Pacific regional project on enhancing measures to end violence against women and girls in the central city on August 25. The Vietnam component of the project, which aims to mobilise the community’s engagement in preventing violence against women and girls, will be implemented from 2017 to 2020 with financial support from the Australian Government. The project is to create changes directly benefiting women and girls, enhance knowledge to end violence, and share evidence and practice across the Asia-Pacific region. It also targets changing prejudices and increasing accountability of regional and national organisations to implement policies to end violence against women and girls. According to Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee Ho Ky Minh, in Vietnam, six out of ten women are victims of domestic violence. She cited the UN’s estimates as saying that domestic violence in Vietnam caused economic losses equivalent to 3.2 percent of the country’s GDP. The municipal authorities and people will actively engage in fighting violence against women and girls, thus building Da Nang into a safe and friendly city, he stressed. Winners of contest on ASEAN’s 50-year history announced Winners of a contest on ASEAN’s 50-year development toward the ASEAN Vision 2025 were honoured during a ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City on August 25. More than one month since it was launched, the contest drew the participation of nearly 80,300 people from 41 cities and provinces across Vietnam as well as some ASEAN countries. Nguyen Van Quy from District 6 of Ho Chi Minh City won the first prize. The organising boardalso awarded three second, four third and 22 consolidation prizes, and 10 certificates for outstanding collectives. The contest focused on studying the culture, history, tradition and people of ASEAN countries, as well as the diplomatic relations between Vietnam and other ASEAN member nations. Tran Tan Ngoi, Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in Ho Chi Minh City said that the contest attracted people of all strata in Vietnam and many citizens of ASEAN countries living in Vietnam, helping them better understand the significance of building the ASEAN Community with a vision towards 2025, as well as raise their responsibility as citizens of ASEAN. On the occasion, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in Ho Chi Minh City and the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Associations presented awards to winners of a friendship table tennis tournament marking the 50th anniversary of ASEAN that drew 57 players from ASEAN countries. HCM City union grants gifts to poor women, children in Cambodia The Women’s Union of Ho Chi Minh City on August 26 presented 140 gifts to poor Vietnamese and Cambodian women and children in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The move aimed to strengthen solidarity between the city and Phnom Penh and between the two countries. Hoang Hoa, head of the Executive Board of the Vietnamese Women’s Association in Cambodia, thanked the Ho Chi Minh City union, adding that the presents will help ease the burdens on Vietnamese and Cambodian families. In recent years, Ho Chi Minh City has held many voluntary activities in Cambodia, including providing free medicine and health check-ups, assisting in building schools, and granting scholarships. Binh Thuan province moves to end illegal fishing in foreign waters The south central province of Binh Thuan has taken actions to stop local fishermen fishing in foreign seas, a problem which has cropped up often recently. The provincial People’s Committee issued a document on August 25 on measures to prevent the violations by local fishing boats and fishermen. The document requested relevant agencies and local administrations closely manage boats and fishermen, reprimand violators in front of local communities, and force boat owners and captains to agree not to infringe on foreign waters. Local People’s Committees were directed to monitor and prevent violations while disciplining communal officials whose irresponsibility results in local fishermen infringing on foreign seas. Binh Thuan also ordered the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to revoke fishing licenses and captain and chief mechanic certificates from those linked with violations. It will also not license fishing or approve new registrations for boat owners who previously infringed on foreign waters and were arrested by other countries. The provincial People’s Committee said since late 2015, violations of foreign waters to fish and purchase seafood and the detention and punishment of fishing boats and fishermen by regional countries have become complicated.  It admitted several shortcomings in violation prevention such as lax punishment and sloppy work from local administrations. On May 28, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc issued an official dispatch urging actions to prevent illegal Vietnamese fishing, especially in the central provinces of Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh and Binh Thuan, and the southern provinces of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Kien Giang, Ca Mau, Ben Tre and Tien Giang. Comprehensive approach needed to reduce cases of cervical cancer Vaccine coverage against the human papilloma virus (HPV) should be expanded to help reduce new incidences of cervical cancer, experts said at an APEC meeting. At the APEC Policy Dialogue on HPV and Cervical Cancer, which ended yesterday in HCM City, participants discussed the rolling out of HPV vaccination programmes and future plans and goals for reducing HPV and cervical cancer in APEC economies. Global studies estimating the potential impact of HPV vaccinations and the cost of delays were also presented. “Cervical cancer is highly preventable with an HPV vaccine and generally curable if diagnosed and treated early,” Việt Nam’s Deputy Minister of Health Nguyễn Viết Tiến said at the meeting. Despite this, 528,000 new incidences of cervical cancer occurred in 2012 around the world and more than 266,000 people died needlessly from the disease, Tiến said. Nearly 90 per cent of the fatalities were living in low- and middle- income countries and territories, he said, adding that only one in 10 girls in those countries have access to HPV vaccines, compared to nine in 10 girls in high-income countries. For primary prevention, a pilot programme supported by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) provided HPV vaccines to 6,000 teenagers from 2008 to 2010 in Việt Nam. However, “the current coverage of HPV vaccination in Việt Nam still is low because of the high costs of HPV vaccines,” Tiến told Việt Nam News on the sidelines of the APEC Policy Dialogue. “More strategies are needed to raise vaccination coverage in Việt Nam,” he said, adding a specific agency in charge of buying vaccines would help reduce the cost. Dr Trần Văn Thuấn, director of the National Institute for Cancer Control in Hà Nội, said that many countries in the world were using the HPV vaccines in their national programmes on immunisation, which has helped reduce the incidences of cervical cancer. Each year, 5,600 women die from cervical cancer in Việt Nam, Thuấn said. “In Việt Nam, cervical cancer ranks the fourth of the most common cancers and the sixth leading cause of cancer fatalities among women,” Tiến said. Professor You-Lin Qiao of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences said that the price of the vaccines were very expensive. In China, vaccines can cost around $100 for one dose, he said. Assoc Professor Marion Saville, executive director at Victorian Cytology Service Ltd, said that in Australia, the government has funded HPV vaccines for teenage girls since 2007 and for teenage boys since 2013. “We’re very lucky that parents can send their kids for vaccinations at no costs through school-based delivery of vaccination,” she said. School-based delivery is good for maximizing uptake but also maximizing equity so that children and teenagers who come from poorer parts of Australia are as likely to be vaccinated as children from the wealthier parts, Saville said. The vaccination is convenient and affordable in Australia, she said, adding: “With that we have very high three-dose completion rate. It is highly cost-effective to prevent cancer through vaccinations.” Vaccination coverage is a good investment. Combined with government efforts and GAVI, getting vaccines to girls between the age of 9 and 12 would help reduce the number of cervix cancer cases in the region, according to Saville. Dr Lokky Wai, representative of the World Health Organisation Western Pacific Region, said: “To increase the rate of vaccine coverage, we need to overcome a number of challenges, besides the high cost of procuring the vaccines.” Proper communication or education about cervical cancer and its causes, safety and effectiveness of HPV vaccines and dispelling rumors or myths about vaccines are challenges that need to be tackled, Wai said. “We also need strong commitments from the highest level of governments to support, promote and mobilize communities to recognize the danger of HPV infections and accept and use the vaccines,” he said. The two vaccines currently available protect against some of the most common types of HPV (16 and 18) which are known to cause at least 70 per cent of cervical cancers.  The vaccines may also offer cross-protection against other less common HPV types which cause cervical cancer.  Both vaccines are safe and very effective in preventing infection with HPV16 and 18.  Vaccinations against HPV, however, are not enough, Wai said, adding that to reduce cervical cancer a comprehensive approach is needed. Provision of regular screening services, proper education about sexual practices, and reduction in smoking prevalence are all issues that need to be resolved to substantially reduce cervical cancer incidences, he said. Health deputy minister Tiến said that Việt Nam had been applying strategies toward eradicating HPV infection and significantly reducing incidences of cervical cancer. Media campaigns to improve awareness of the prevention and early diagnosis of cervical cancer has been carried out throughout the country, Tiến said. Cervical cancer screening and treatment has been part of the National Strategy on Reproductive Health Care since 2001 and the National Cancer Control Programme since 2008. “A population-based cervical cancer screening programme was implemented in specific regions of the country, using cytology or visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) methods,” Tiến said. Clinical guidelines for cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment were approved by Việt Nam’s Ministry of Health in 2011, and have been updated frequently. “However, like many APEC developing economies, Việt Nam faces financing issues, including the high costs of HPV vaccination, limited access to health services in rural remote areas, lack of cytology laboratories and high quality cytologists, among others,” Tiến added. Việt Nam will take advantage of new innovations to provide people primary levels of care and essential health services that are accessible, safe, effective and affordable, he said. Nha Trang fishermen struggling Near-shore fishery resources are declining and in danger of being in Vĩnh Trường Commune, Nha Trang City where 70 per cent of the population earn a living via the sea, forcing many fishermen to look for other lines of work. Near-shore fishing wasn’t very profitable while off-shore fishing needed high-capacity vessels but few locals could access loans to build ships, said an old fisherman.    Fisherman Trần Văn Bảy, 60, said previously, his family made about 20-25 near-shore trips per month. “Previous trips, starting from in the evening and returning the following morning, were usually full of fish, at a maximum of 2,000 to 3,000 kg and minimum of 500-700 kg per trip,” he said. “Now, near-shore sea- resources are increasingly scarce so every month, my family has about 10 sea-going trips. In June and July, we didn’t earn any money from the trips.” Most of the catch was cheap fish, so fater paying costs for the crew, petrol and maintenance, the vessel owner earned nothing. Failed voyages in early August for Vĩnh Trường Ward’s fishermen caused many residents to fall into debt, forcing several ship owners to sell their vessels. Many quit fishing and moved to other jobs such as trading goods, xe ôm (motorbike taxi driver) driving or they went south looking for work in large companies.       "I have never seen fishing here so bad. Going to the sea and returning home empty-handed is common,” Bảy said. “Four sons usually go with me on sea-going trips, but my ship’s crew have all quit fishing. Now, they are looking for new jobs,” he said. Two months ago, the Trường Sơn Street’s fishermen group had about 42 boats, but now only seven operate. Nguyễn Tấn Hùng, a ship owner in Trường Sơn St. said he had to sell his ship and become a xe ôm. “Following sea-going trips, all ship owners must borrow loans to build ships but they can’t pay interest,” Hùng said.    “Driving for a month I can earn from VNĐ3 to 4 million. I am very upset to have quit fishing, but I have to carry on.”  Nguyễn Thái Học, Vice Chairman of People’s Committee of Vĩnh Trường Ward, said in the first six months of this year, seafood output in the area was estimated at 2,700 tonnes, down 10 per cent against the same period last year. Currently, there are 430 vessels of all kinds in the locality, with 332 fishing vessels and 98 seafood purchasing and service vessels. Because of unsustainable fishing methods, a changed sea environment and polluted water, the coastal fishery resources are declining. At present, near-shore fishing that still using traditional measures was facing with difficulties due to seafood depletion. He said “Previously, every early morning, Vĩnh Trường fishing port was crowded with fishing vessels and traders, and now the port is closed. The decreasing fishery production has seriously affected local residents.” Among 3,800 households in Vĩnh Trường Ward, there are 163 poor households, with 960 in danger of becoming poor. “If this problem isn’t solved, the number of poor households is likely to increase," he said. Vĩnh Trương Ward People’s Committee assigned the association of farmers to help local fishermen change from near-shore fishing to off-shore fishing with loans. However, most local fishermen can’t borrow loans to build offshore fishing vessels due to a lack of assets for mortgage. “Fishermen need further support from the Khánh Hòa Province People’s Committee to establish technology training courses and prioritise borrowing loans, “ Học said.  HCM City to build bridge to Kim Cương Island Construction of a bridge to Kim Cương (Diamond) Island in HCM City’s District 2 is slated to begin in early September. The four-lane bridge, 837 metres long and 27 metres wide, will go from Thạnh Mỹ Lợi residential area to the island over the Sài Gòn River. Expected to cost VNĐ494 billion (US$21.7 million), it will be scheduled for completion before April 30 next year. The bridge will provide an alternative route from Mai Chí Thọ Street to Ring Road No. 2 and Phú Mỹ Bridge, helping reduce congestion on Đồng Vàm Cống Street and around Cát Lái Port. More efforts needed to preserve biodiversity on Ly Son Island Destructive human activities have put coral reefs, sea grass beds and many other marine species off Ly Son Island at risk in recent years, with local authorities urged to make more efforts to preserve the unique ecosystem. Ly Son Marine Reserve in central Quang Ngai province, covering Ly Son Island and its surrounding areas, has a water surface of more than 7,100 hectares, including the 620-hectare no-take zone, an area of more than 2,000 hectares for ecology restoration and another for development stretching across 4,470 hectares. The sea protected area is known for high biodiversity and an ecosystem that houses many rare marine species like black coral, maxima clams and abalone. But these creatures are in danger of extinction due to the activities of local people. Fishermen have used explosives to kill many fish, seriously harming coral reefs. Meanwhile, hundreds of locals harvest natural brown seaweed, which offers shelter for many sea creatures, every May and June. They can harvest an average of 3-5 tonnes of brown seaweed daily, making it difficult to recover. In addition, more than 150,000 sq.m of sand from beaches is exploited each year to cultivate garlic, causing coastal erosion and depleting sea grass beds. To solve the problems, the provincial People’s Committee adopted a project to use advanced technology to restore coral reefs near Ly Son Island in 2015. Experts have been sent to survey the coral reefs and raise local awareness of the importance of animal and environmental protection. Local authorities and residents have also been provided with training on how to recover coral reefs.  A model for coral recovery piloted across 2 hectares of the marine reserve has developed well, giving hope of bringing back endangered species and increasing local seafood yields. The province urged Ly Son Island to intensify management of the sea protected area by requesting tour operators strictly comply with the reserve’s regulations and keeping close watch on the density and development of rare sea species. The island was also urged to get local people involved in protecting natural resources and to guide them to fish sustainably. Vietnam Innovation Golden Book 2017 announced Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended a ceremony in Hanoi on August 28 to launch the Vietnam Innovation Golden Book 2017. The book was published by the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA). It is a collection of 72 outstanding science-technology projects and solutions selected from 141 works recommended by ministries, localities and VUSTA member organisations. President of the VFF Central Committee Tran Thanh Man said the book includes valuable initiatives to support the community, dealing with healthcare improvement, environmental protection, and socio-economic development in disadvantaged border, sea and island areas. Also at the ceremony, the VFF leader launched an emulation movement to promote innovation, enhance productivity, product quality for international integration among society, especially intellectuals, entrepreneurs, and workers at home and abroad. Addressing the event, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State always encourage reforms and innovations, particularly in scientific and technological development. The Government has made due investment in science and technology and creates the best possible conditions for scientists to uphold their talents and creativity, he said. The PM suggested publishing the annual Vietnam Innovation Golden Book on the occasion of the National Day (September 2, 1945) to bring science-technology solutions into life. Vietnam seizes Apple gadgets smuggled from US, gold from Thailand Customs officers in Ho Chi Minh City Friday (August 25) said they had just seized the largest postal package of iPhones and iPads smuggled from the US. The shipment included 144 smartphones and tablets, most of them new and of the latest versions. It was labeled as non-commercial package and declared to contain computer mouses and keyboards, the officers said, as cited by local media. The recepient has been identified as a resident in District 1 in the city downtown. Also on August 25, more than 20 kilograms of what was suspected as gold from a Bangkok flight was seized at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi. Customs officers at the international airport said five Vietnamese passengers were hiding the jewelries around their torso and legs. The city police also helped with the bust at nearly 8 pm.. The passengers are being held for investigation. Vietnamese laws ban outbound and inbound travelers from carrying gold bars, while foreigners bringing in gold bars have to deposit them with customs and can only take them back at departure. In March, a Vietnamese court sentenced a former Cambodian border security officer to six years in jail after convicting him of smuggling 18 kilograms of gold bars into Vietnam. A former Vietnamese flight attendant and an aircraft technician were charged that same month for smuggling gold from Vietnam to the Republic of Korea. Vietnam has high vehicular crash death rate, despite progress In the first eight months of 2017 more than 5,400 people died on the country’s roads and highways, roughly 23 fatalities a day, according to the National Committee for Traffic Safety. Though the numbers were slightly better than prior years, they are not good by any measure. Vietnam also performed badly in other measures. There were some 13,000 traffic accidents for the eight-month period that severely injured an additional 10,500 others. The Committee called traffic deaths and injuries a serious public health issue, noting that it is important to compare the country not to its past but to its fullest potential. Vietnamese people deserved better and safer transport. Data from a report issued by the Committee showed motorbikes accounted for 65% of all vehicular accidents while passenger busses accounted for 30%. Most accidents and injuries resulted from lack of driving skills and adequate training, excessive speeds, driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to wear helmets, the Committee report concluded. Sapa mid-autumn festival opens Sept. 2 The Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism has announced that a week-long mid-autumn festival will open September 2 in Sapa. During the event, a wide variety of activities are planned, said the Ministry, including art, handicraft and photo exhibitions; food and drink events; concerts; dance and theatre performances; and sporting competitions, among others. Capping off the sporting competitions is a mountain marathon and cycling tournament. Featured events also include a lantern parade, Mong ethnic dances and art performances. VNN