Social News 6/11 Doctors discuss hearts More than 800 local and international cardiologists are exchanging notes about the latest advances, new trends and innovative therapies for cardiovascular diseases at a congress on “New Trends in Management of Cardiovascular Diseases” that opened yesterday in HCM City. More than 20 leaders in cardiovascular medicine from the US, the UK, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia and Việt Nam delivered updates on clinical practices in cardiology, chronic coronary artery disease, heart failure, interventional cardiology, aortic surgery, coronary artery bypass surgery, minimally invasive cardiac surgery and management of acute coronary syndrome during the two-day event. The annual cardiovascular conference provide opportunities for local cardiologists and cardiac surgeons to share knowledge, and learn the latest techniques in the fields of cardiology and cardiovascular diseases as well as expertise along with networking opportunities between a large number of medical professionals, according to Trương Quang Bình, deputy director of the University Medical Centre, the congress’s organiser. According to the World Health Organisation, 17.7 million people die each year from  cardiovascular disease. More than 75 per cent of cardiovascular disease occur in low-income and middle-income countries. In Việt Nam, cardiovascular disease takes the lives of around 200,000 people every year, an estimated 25 per cent of all deaths nationwide. Two poor-quality petrol sellers to be investigated    Nghệ An Province Police Department of Criminal Investigation in Economic Management and Positions (PC 46) on Thursday began its investigation into a case related to making and selling poor-quality A92 petrol. Defendants Trần Văn Tuấn of Kiên Lục Entreprise in Quỳnh Lưu District and Phan Thị Thanh of Thanh Ngũ Entreprise in Diễn Châu District are accused of producing and selling counterfeit goods and cheating customers. On October 10, Nghệ An Province’s functional forces found that the two enterprises were mixing cheap solvent and colouring powder into A92 petrol to sell to customers. With the help of the defendants’ testimonies, the functional forces discovered that since August 2017, more than two million litres of poor-quality A92 had been consumed. Analyses of 12 samples collected from a gas station distributing Kiên Lục Entreprise’s petrol showed that 11 were substandard according to the National Technical Regulations. According to the value-added invoices collected, solvent price is VNĐ10,600 (US$0.5) per litre while A92 petrol price is VNĐ18.000 ($0.7) per litre. Officials seek to stop dumping of 62,000cu.m of mud waste Quảng Ngãi Province People’s Committee, on Friday, urged the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DoNRE) to ask Việt Nam Maritime Safety – North (VMS – North) to stop the dumping of 62,000cu.m of waste mud near Mỹ Khê Beach. According to the People’s Committee, because of environmental consequences, VMS – North has to halt the dumping plan, as they await the official decision of the local authority. Additionally, the DoNRE is directed to collaborate with other agencies to review the proposal submitted by VMS – North on October 27th and report to the People’s Committee by November 10th, at the latest. Earlier, Quảng Ngãi Province Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism objected to the proposal. According to officials, since Mỹ Khê Beach attracts thousands of tourists annually, dumping mud waste near the area could destroy the tourism site, environment and residents’ livelihood. Plans called for dumping 62,000cu.m of mud waste in an area of 4.97 ha in Tịnh Khê Ward from October 2017 to March 2018. Việt Nam-Russia Tropical Centre offers hyperbaric oxygen therapy Việt Nam-Russia Tropical Centre, set up 30 years ago under a long-standing and close friendship between Việt Nam and Russia, has made significant medical achievements, especially in hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The centre’s branch in the southern region has offered hyperbaric oxygen therapy since 1994. Dr Nguyễn Phương Nam, head of the Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment and Research Centre, which is managed by Việt Nam-Russia Tropical Centre, told Vietnam News Agency that the therapy had been used on nearly 200,000 patients with a variety of diseases, including ulcers caused by diabetes. With the therapy, patients breathe pure oxygen at high pressure, Nam said, adding that it was especially suited to children and the elderly. The therapy is also used in conjunction with other treatments for strokes, endarteritis obliterans, sudden deafness, dengue fever, and autism. Because of the effectiveness of treatment, the Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment and Research Centre has trained doctors at other hospitals in the southern region, including traditional medicine and rehabilitation hospitals in the provinces of Phú Yên, Khánh Hòa, and Bình Thuận, and Đồng Nai General Hospital. The Việt Nam-Russia Tropical Centre is also involved in vegetable cultivation on the Trường Sa Islands. Nguyễn Văn Thành Nam, deputy head of the centre’s environmental analysis division, who is leading the research work, said that when he was on a business trip to the islands in 2005, he saw a shortage of vegetables. He and his colleagues began to conduct research on cultivation techniques in greenhouses, and later installed an automatic drip irrigation system and multi-layer trays in greenhouses. The effort was a success, Nam said. The Việt Nam-Russia Tropical Centre has also conducted many international research projects in defence security. Colonel and Dr Nguyễn Văn Khuê, director of the Việt Nam-Russia Tropical Centre’s branch in the southern region, said the centre has had many achievements thanks to supports and help of Russian experts. Around 100 to 130 Russian experts every year come to the centre to co-operate in research and projects. The Russian government has helped train Vietnamese scientists and staff for many years, according to Khuê. Spam phone numbers blocked in Hà Nội Hà Nội’s Department of Information and Communications has asked telecom companies to stop providing service for 348 phone numbers that keep illegally sending spam messages. The spam messages sent to clients invite them to buy real estate, hire rented rooms and advertise services of lending money at high rates of interest, tutors, concrete cutting and drilling, as well as cesspit cleaning, Internet and delivery. Phone number owners who have any queries about the service are asked to contact cultural division of their district for further information. This is the 79th time Hà Nội’s Department of Information and Communications has ordered the service of spam phone numbers to be stopped In 2016, more than 3,000 spam phone numbers were blocked in the city. Two charged over false seals Police in Hà Nội’s Thanh Trì District have charged two men for counterfeiting seals and documents of organisations and agencies. Nguyễn Văn Thắng, 27, from Nam Từ Liêm District, and Lê Trần Tiến, 26, from Thanh Xuân District, were alleged to be members of a ring of counterfeiters preparing health examination papers in Hà Nội. Initial information showed that in late September, police in the Department of High-Tech Crime Prevention (known as C50), and police in Thanh Trì District caught Hoàng Mạnh Hùng red-handed in Tân Triều Commune transporting about 50 fake health examination papers with seals from the Transport Hospital JSC. Police made a raid on Hùng’s house and found more than 700 fake health examination papers with Transport Hospital seals. The papers had results of medical examinations, but had no name of patients. After quick investigation, police caught Thắng and Tiến. At the police office, Tiến admitted that he and Thắng counterfeited health examination papers and sold them for between VNĐ50,000-200,000 (US$2.2-8.8) since mid August. The two suspects allegedly hired Hùng to find customers and paid him commission. They are said to have admitted using five seals from five doctors and one seal from the Transport Hospital. Đắk Lắk starts to go solar Đắk Lắk Province’s People’s Committee has approved the construction of a solar power plant with a capacity of 50MW in Ea Súp District’s Ia Lap Commune. Long Thành Ia Lốp Co.Ltd has been selected to carry out the project. The plant will be built over 65 hetares situated on 500ha set aside for a solar power complex by Long Thành Đắk Lắk Investment Joint Stock Company. In addition, the provincial committee has approved a proposal to increase capacity of the complex from 50MW to 400MW. The committee asked the Ea Súp District People’s Committee and related departments to create conditions for investors to implement the project.It said investors should contact the provincial Department of Foreign Affairs for guidance if foreign experts were hired.. According to the province’s clean energy development plan, between four and seven solar plants with the total capacity of 800 to 1,000 MW will be built by 2020. By 2030, the province plans to increase the capacity of existing solar power plants and build other plants with the total capacity of 3,500 to 4,000 MW. Đắk Lắk has approved the construction project of solar plants in Ea Súp and Buôn Đôn districts, including Xuân Thiện Solar plant with a capacity of 2,000 MW and total estimated investment capital of US$2.2 billion, the Green Power plant with a capacity of 1,117 MW and investment capital of $1.2 billion, and Long Thành plant with a capacity of 250 MW and total investment of $320 million.  Health experts share experiences on cancer control More than 300 local and international health experts shared scientific research and experience on cancer diagnosis and treatment at an international conference on cancer control that began in Hà Nội today. “Cancer is a burden all over the world, especially in low and middle income countries. In Việt Nam, there is an increasing burden of cancer across the country, drawing attention from the whole society,” Deputy Minister of Health Lê Quang Cường said at the event. “However, with the strong leadership of national leaders and international support, Việt Nam has made several achievements in cancer control.” Cường added. “For example, we have seen an increase of 5-10 per cent in cancer patients diagnosed in early stages, along with decreased cancer mortality rate of several cancers such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, oral cancer and colorectal cancer. Community awareness on cancer prevention and early detection and quality of cancer treatmet have also improved.” At the conference, participants focused their discussions on proposing the direction and strategy of cancer control, as well as conducting comprehensive training and sharing opportunities in cancer control. They said the forum was an opportunity for local and international experts to discuss the current situation and consolidate the objectives of cancer control, targeting the direction and strategy in Việt Nam. A cooperation agreement on cancer research and treatment was signed between the Việt Nam National Cancer Institute, the Korean National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, the Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, and the Hà Nội Medical University at the conference. According to GLOBOCAN - a project of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) provides estimates of cancer, at national level, for 184 countries of the world every year, Việt Nam reports more than 126,000 new cancer cases and some 94,000 cancer deaths. Most patients visit hospital for cancer examination and treatment when they are already in an advanced stage, which is very late and costly in terms of treatment. At the national level, the Prime Minister has approved the national strategy on cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and COPD, as well as asthma and other non communicable diseases, during the 2015-25 period, with strong investment in local community and primary healthcare. Việt Nam has set targets of improving adult awareness on cancer consequences and prevention to 70 per cent, reducing adult smoking by 30 per cent and heavy drinking by 10 per cent, improving early cancer detection to 40 per cent and decreasing cancer deaths below the age of 70 by 20 per cent, compared with 2015. Cường, Linh complete semi-finals at Beer Lao badminton tourney Only Phạm Cao Cường and Nguyễn Thuỳ Linh of Việt Nam remained to compete at the Beer Lao International Series badminton tournament in Vientian. Cường is the No 2 seed in the men’s singles. He defeated Faiz Rozain of Malaysia 21-10, 10-21, 21-19 in the quarter-finals after 51 minutes. He will next play No Kantawat Leelavechabutr of Thailand. Leelavechabutr overcame Vietnam’s Nguyễn Hải Đăng 21-14, 18-21, 21-15 yesterday. His teammate, No 3 seed Lê Đức Phát, was surprisingly defeated by No 8 seeded Mek Narongrit of Thailand. On the women’s side, Linh, No 1 seeded, defeated Nuntakam Aimsaard from Thailand in the quarter-finals. Linh will face Manassanan Lerthattasin, another Thai, in the final four rounds. Hue Central Hospital celebrates anniversary of 1,000 IVF babies A gathering was held in the Hue Central Hospital this morning with the participation of parents, children to celebrate 10 year anniversary of implementation of in- vitro fertilisation (IVF) and congratulated 1,000 babies conceived by the technique From July, 2008 till now, the hospital has applied the technique to assisst infertile couples to have babies of their own. The hospital manager said that before 2002, the infertility treatment was conducted at the Maternity Department by examining and simple treatment. At the end of 2007, experts in infertility field in Ho Chi Minh City transfered the IVF technique to the hospital. In July, 2008, the hospital welcomed first six babies conceived by IVF and till now, over 1,000 babies have been born thanks to the technique. Additionally, the hospital has carried out seven surrogate pregnancy and three babies were born healthily. Vietnam fights violence against women and girls The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs held a ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City on November 4 to launch a national action month for gender equality and to tackle abuse against women and girls. Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Hong Lan said gender inequality and gender-based violence is an issue across regions and social classes.  She noted the action month calls for concerted efforts from public agencies, organisations and the community, particularly male citizens, to implement the national goals on gender equality and protection of girls and women from violence. Responding to the launch, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem stated the southern city will enhance its gender policies, particularly on the improvement of living standards for female residents. Elisa Fernandez, head of office at the UN Women Vietnam, said violence against women and girls is a prolonged human rights problem despite economic and social progress. She pointed to a survey that showed 87 percent women encountering sexual abuse in public spaces do not speak out or seek help due to a lack of support services. The UN representative also urged the removal of gender stereotypes. Earlier, a photo exhibition on women took place at the local Nguyen Hue pedestrian street in District 1, featuring a flashmob, a household chore contest for men, and a painting competition on a safe city for women and girls.  Book on Vietnam-US relation, AO issue launched The book: “From Enemies to Partners: Vietnam, the US and Agent Orange” was launched during a roundtable discussion with the two authors – Le Ke Son and Charles R. Bailey in Washington DC, the US last week. The event was held by the US Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on November 1 with Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Pham Quang Vinh, and Senior Adviser and Deputy Director of CSIS’s Southeast Asia Programme in attendance. Le Ke Son used to serve as vice director general of the Vietnam Environmental Administration at the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources while Charles R. Bailey is the former US Ford Foundation representative in Vietnam who headed the foundation’s Hanoi office from 1997 to 2007. During the discussion, the two authors said the book is a result of their long-term study on a time when the two countries were going from enemies to partners and overcoming differences to resolve the impacts of Agent Orange/ Dioxin on human health and the environment. The US’s efforts in helping Vietnam cope with the war’s aftermaths contributed to fostering bilateral ties and demonstrated a sense of humanity and morality, according to the authors. In this book, two leading experts on Agent Orange and its aftermath also considered solutions to addressing the consequences of its use. They urged more comprehensive long-term efforts between the two countries, including an Agent Orange cleanup at Bien Hoa Airport and additional support to affected people in Vietnam. Speaking at the event, Ambassador Vinh lauded the book and the US assistance over the past 19 years in supporting victims and a dioxin cleanup project at Da Nang Airport. The dioxin cleanup project at Da Nang Airport is a symbol for the two nations’ cooperation in humanitarian issues and addressing war aftermaths, Vinh said. He also asked the US Government to soon launch the cleanup project at Bien Hoa Airport. Thousands of Hanoians hit the streets for PhotoMarathon From septuagenarians to teenagers, more than 4,000 photography enthusiasts flocked to the final leg of the three-part 2017 Canon PhotoMarathon held in the capital on Sunday. “At 70, I still attend this competition as a good way to keep fit, health and of course, to fulfil my passion,” said Trinh Than Phi. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Dao Thi Van, whose is passionate about candid photography, said he was making his debut and doing it for the experience. “Win or lose doesn’t matter,” he said. They contestants hit the streets of the capital city on Sunday morning. They will record images under three themes and submit them by 5pm in the evening. This year has shattered all records for the 12-year-old contest with over 1,200 and 7,000 ‘racers’ in Đà Nẵng and HCM City, respectively, representing a 50 per cent increase over last year. Leading Vietnamese and Viet Nam-based photographers Hải Đông, Hải Thanh and Justin Mott, who have spent this year’s PhotoMarathons in the judging booth, will join the contestants on the streets of Hà Nội.  Later, they will evaluate the submissions based on four criteria: creativity, composition, colour and adherence to the theme. Winners will be announced within the day. Hiroshi Yokota, CEO of Canon Marketing Vietnam said: “The PhotoMarathon strikes just the right chord between photography, flexibility and creativity.  The contest has gone on to flourish not just in Viet Nam but all around the region.  "As we celebrate our 15th anniversary in the country and our 80 years of development, the PhotoMarathon is one of the most powerful ways that we share our message of cultural development, positive living, and passion for photography with photo-lovers here and abroad.” Canon PhotoMarathon 2017 features several new categories including the admittance of images from drones, and a separate section for online entries for those unable to attend the event in person.   Winners will be announced on the Canon Vietnam fanpage on November 15. More information can be found at: www.canon.com.vn/PhotoMarathon. Along with their fellow-winners from Đà Nẵng and HCM City, pictures taken by contetants in Hà Nội victor will present Việt Nam at Canon PhotoMarathon Asia Championship in Japan along with 16 regional champions. Winners can win awards of up to US$5,000 and have their work throughout Asia.  All registration fees will be transferred to a charity programme called “For Future Generations” that aims to build schools for poor students and make photography a ‘bridge’, and a meaningful ‘instrument’ to support the community. Green works – new trend in sustainable development in Vietnam Green works are construction projects that offer energy and materials efficiency, minimal environmental impact, and maximal user friendliness. They have become a global trend in sustainable development to which climate change is a looming challenge. The first green works in Vietnam were built in 2007 and were enthusiastically welcomed by the government, and the general public. In the following decade, 60 construction projects in Vietnam have been certified internationally as green works. Architect Hoang Thuc Hao, a lecturer at the National University of Civil Engineering, says green works have been considered the right development direction because they conserve energy, preserve natural landscapes, and promote a healthy environment. “Vietnam has traditional architecture works that save energy. For example, the 5-chamber houses in the rural area of the Red River Delta are constructed with organic materials in a north-south orientation, link gardens, ponds, and pigsties, and have front eaves made of timber, rocks, or soil. These are environmentally friendly materials. These houses are warm in winter and cool in summer. Our ancestors’ experience in architecture should be respected in modern architecture by combining advanced technology with native Vietnamese culture,” said Hao. In the past decade, Vietnam’s annual construction and urbanization rate grew 12% and 3.4% respectively. Energy consumption has increased 14% per year, growing faster than GDP. Vietnam uses 36% of all its consumed energy for construction works, 33% of which is electricity consumption. This produces 25% of all greenhouse emissions and one third of all carbon dioxide output, the main contributor to global climate change. It is predicted that Vietnam will suffer severe ecological damage if it doesn’t take appropriate steps now to boost green works and conserve its natural resources. Phan Thi My Linh, Deputy Minister of Civil Engineering, said the development of green works is part of the implementation of the National Green Growth Strategy.  She said: “We have defined green works as green architecture adapted to climate change. This means choosing the right scale and increasing the use of wind energy, solar energy, and environment-friendly materials.” Green works development has been combined with sustainable development of urban and rural environments. Architect Nguyen Thanh Le, Director of the 5.i.v.E Architecture and Construction Consultancy Company, said “Green buildings must be environmentally friendly, so architects must pay attention to environmental issues from the original concept through the construction process. Because Vietnam has hot, humid weather, houses must be designed with modern technology, non-baked bricks, and double glazing. Ventilation must use convection to make the house cool and dehumidified. The house should be designed to take advantage of its own shadow to avoid direct sunlight, especially in summer.” Vietnam can have more green buildings if the State, the public, architects, and builders all participate. The National Strategy on Climate Change and the National Strategy on Green Growth are the keys to promoting green works.  Professor Hao says the development of green buildings will bring great benefits to the national economy, society, and the environment. But Vietnam needs more qualified architects, he added. “Architects, especially young architects, should lead the development of green buildings and convince investors to put money into these programs. When the idea spreads throughout the community, people will see the benefits of green buildings. If only one or two architects are involved, it will be hard for them to have an impact. But if 100 to 200 architects join the movement, there will be a major breakthrough,” Hao noted. Although the development of green works in Vietnam is relatively new, it has achieved positive results. The Vietnam Real Estate Association has set up a Green Building Program Coordination Committee comprised of architects, builders, and experts to provide a foundation for the development of green buildings in Vietnam. Woman killed by car crash while sitting inside restaurant in Vietnam A car caused multiple crashes before plunging itself into a restaurant in Hue in central Vietnam near midnight on November 3, killing a woman inside. The 24-year-old driver, named Duong Duc Huy, hit a motorbike at around 11:15 p.m., throwing the latter around 20 meters away. The collision somehow caused it to lose control and slam into many motorbikes parked on the sidewalk before sliding into the restaurant. A car is badly damaged after crashing multiple motorbikes and eventually into a restaurant in Hue on November 4. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Vuong Many diners managed to run but a 22-year-old woman was hit and killed on the spot. The car was badly damaged. The driver reportedly fled the scene. Police are investigating. Road crashes are a leading cause of deaths in Vietnam, killing an average of one person every hour. Some of them happened in the most bizarre ways. Vietnam decides to stop controlling citizens with permanent residence book The government has decided to scrap the archaic residence books in favor of an online database whereby each citizen will be registered with a personal identification code. The resolution issued earlier this week says that Vietnam will stop managing its citizen registration through the residency book, which attaches a person to a permanent address. The book, ho khau in Vietnamese, has been in effect since the 1960s as an instrument of public security, economic planning, and control of migration, similarly to China's hukou. In the post-war period, the book was used as a means to ration food and allocate jobs under the then planned economy. But following economic reforms since the late 1980s, Vietnam has adoped a socialist oriented market economy and ho khau has been kept to limit migration to booming cities, to no avail. A report issued last year by the World Bank says 36% of the population in Ho Chi Minh City and 18% in Hanoi lack ho khau. “This study shows that the ho khau system has created inequality of opportunity for Vietnamese citizens,” Achim Fock, the World Bank’s Acting Country Director for Vietnam, said in 2016. The book has come to signify Vietnam's excessive red tape. It is required in most administrative procedures including filing a birth certificate, going to school, getting married, and it decides how easy it is for one to find a job, buy a house or a vehicle. A person who is registered outside Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City will not be able to buy a motorbike or a house under their own name in these cities, for example. In most cities and provinces in Vietnam, people can only become a public worker where they are registered as permanent resident. And once a person moves, he or she will have to go through many doors to remove their name from one residency book and add it to another. It is not yet clear how the new personal code would work and whether it will create any breakthroughs in paperwork. But from now on, people will at least have one less document to worry about. Female farmer’s innovative farming method helps sustainable poverty reduction Nguyen Thi Hue, head of a lemon growing cooperative in Can Tho city, was among 10 individuals who received a 2017 Vietnam Women Award for their outstanding contribution to social development. The two-year-old cooperative led by Hue has promoted fresh agricultural products, and helped farmers expand markets, and escape poverty. Nguyen Thi Hue was born in 1956 in Hau Giang province. After she got married and moved to Can Tho City in 1978, Hue grew oranges and jackfruits on a 3,000 square meter farm using chemical fertilizer and preservatives, but it was not very profitable due to soil degradation.   In 2010, Hue switched to growing seedless lemons. In two years, her family has escaped poverty.  Ms. Dang Thi Thu of Truong Long commune, said, “Hue was the first to grow seedless lemons and was very successful. She shared the idea with other local women, and now the lemon cooperative is booming”. With the support of the Women’s Union, Hue and other local women expanded their lemon trees to five hectares. After finding an outlet at supermarkets, in 2015 the group became a cooperative of 24 members, cultivating 12 hectares for both domestic consumption and export: “We guarantee safe, high-quality and fresh produce. Our lemons are exported at a stable price”. Hue did a lot of research and applied technology to produce organic lemons. Le Van Anh, Deputy Chief administrator of Truong Long commune, said many local farmers have followed Hue’s method, and are moving toward a collective economic model.  Mr Anh said “The successful lemon cooperative has changed local farmers’ mindset and created momentum for the establishment of a star apple cooperative in 2015. As a new-style rural commune, we encourage new cooperative models”.  HCMC to build more pedestrian bridges The HCMC Department of Transport will construct more footbridges near schools and hospitals to guarantee safety for pedestrians. The department’s Urban Traffic Management Authority No.1 broke ground for a pedestrian bridge on Nguyen Van Cu Street in front of Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted in District 5 on November 2. The bridge, 23 meters long and four meters wide, costs around VND3.8 billion (over US$167,300) and is scheduled for completion in late December. The pedestrian overpass will help students from Le Hong Phong High School and the nearby HCMC University of Science cross the street safely. The traffic management authority has been also seeking a contractor to build a pedestrian bridge on Hoang Minh Giam Street in front of Gia Dinh Park in Go Vap District. The VND11.6 billion (US$510,600) footbridge will be 37 meters long and 4.4 meters wide. In addition to these two bridges, Urban Traffic Management Authority No.3 has invited tenders for construction of a footbridge on Quang Trung Street Go Vap District. The cost of the bridge, 23 meters long and four meters wide, is VND3.3 billion (over US$145,200). When in place, it will allow students of Thong Tay Hoi High School to cross the street safely. The city has six operational footbridges including one on Cong Quynh Street in front of Tu Du Maternity Hospital in District 1. 2,500 packs of smuggled cigarettes seized A car transporting 2,500 packs of smuggled cigarettes was seized on Sunday by the traffic police in the central province of Thanh Hóa. On National Way 1A, the traffic police stopped a car with number 74C-48.02 for violating traffic rules and discovered that the car was transporting 2,500 555 Blend No Gold cigarette packs, currently of unknown origin. The car was driven by Nguyễn Ngọc Hùng, born in 1970 and residing in Đông Hà Township of central Quảng Trị Province. Hùng told the police he was transporting the cigarettes from Hà Nội to sell in Quảng Trị Province. Deeming the incident required investigation since it appeared to be a criminal offence, the traffic police transferred all seized goods and the vehicle to the investigation police agency of Thanh Hóa City. Quảng Ninh mulls tunnel for Cửa Lập Strait The northeastern province of Quảng Ninh is considering building a tunnel across Cửa Lập Strait to reduce traffic pressure on Bãi Cháy Bridge. The province’s Party Committee Secretary and head of the province’s People’s Council Nguyễn Văn Đọc told Lao động (Labour) newspaper that the tunnel was part of the province’s newly-updated transport plan until 2030. He said that the tunnel was expected to help ensure smooth travel between Bãi Cháy and Hòn Gai wards – two parts of Hạ Long City. So far, the two parts are connected by Bãi Cháy Bridge which is experiencing overcrowding and traffic congestion, especially during rush hours, Đọc said. If a traffic accident occurred on the bridge, traffic would be blocked. Moreover, during stormy season, the bridge could not be used in strong winds of level six (40-50km per hour) or more. The bridge was built in 2006 and stands about 60 metres above the water level. Vũ Văn Khánh, director of the province’s Department of Transport, said that the tunnel would not be very far from the Bãi Cháy Bridge. “As the tunnel has been added to the province’s transport plan, there is no more detailed information about it at this time,” Khánh said.    Transport experts and local residents expect that the tunnel would ensure smooth traffic and provide a new tourist destination for visitors to Hạ Long. The Bãi Cháy Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge on Highway 18, connecting Hồng Gai with Bãi Cháy over the Cửa Lục Straits, separating Cửa Lục Bay with Hạ Long Bay. Bãi Cháy Bridge was the first central-line cable-stayed bridge in Việt Nam. At the time of its inauguration, it set a record as the longest central-line span for a cable-stayed bridge. — VNS Festival commemorates ancestors in Bình Thuận More than 200,000 locals and visitors are taking part in the Thầy Thím Temple Culture and Tourism Festival in La Gi Town in coastal Bình Thuận Province, which closes on November 4. The event, which began on November 2, featured rituals worshipping ancestors, including the couple Thầy (Master) and Thím (Lady). According to legend, Thầy and Thím use their magic powers to help and cure poor people, and to build boats for fishermen. The legend was illustrated by a miniature statue at the venue. The festival also included a lion dance, folk music performances, and traditional games. The Thầy Thím Temple was built in 1879. Each year, local people organise a festival on September 14-16 of the lunar calendar to show their respect to the couple. This year’s festival celebrates the 20th anniversary of the temple, which is slated to be recognised as a National Artistic and Architectural Relic. VNN