Children who can't read or write and being pushed through the education system. When To Thi Quynh Giao’s son was sent back to first grade after having just graduated from fifth grade, she was caught by surprise to find out that her 12-year-old son was not able to read and write. “The sixth-grade teacher asked me to visit the school to explain to me that my son was unable to read or write, so he couldn't move on to sixth grade," Giao said. "They decided to send Vu back to his old elementary school where he could repeat first grade.” She added that she was very happy to see her son moving onto middle school, however, her “happiness didn’t last long”. Vu later took a test, and much to everyone’s surprise, he couldn’t even write his mother’s name despite the fact that he had been given extra help. The family said that they already knew Vu did not meet the grades and had asked the elementary school to hold him back, but the school … [Read more...]
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Where Vietnam’s poor go to borrow
In Dien Bien Province, a group of Thai ethnic minority women run a small bank that fills a huge credit gap in Vietnam’s economy. “I’d like to borrow VND7 million [$314] to buy pigs,” said Diep, a farmer and member of Vietnam’s Thai ethnic minority group in her early forties. “Does anyone have any objections?” asked the chair of a meeting of 32 women sitting cross-legged along the floor of the wooden stilt home, dressed in the group’s traditional attire: a long tight skirt and blouse that, taken together, resembles the Vietnamese ‘ao dai’. The assembly didn’t hesitate to approve the loan application, unanimously. Diep, or 12 as indicated by her name tag, got the money she needed within 10 minutes. Starting August 24, the group gave her six months to repay the sum at 1.5 percent monthly interest. “The current balance is VND1.7 million,” the two treasurers announced, before placing the bank’s total … [Read more...]
Op-Ed: ‘Foul-mouthed’ Filipino president a hit among countrymen in Vietnam
He curses. He makes dirty jokes. He insults world leaders. Most of all, he knows he’s going against all diplomatic protocols on earth. And he does not regret it. “People say the Republic of the Philippines has a president with a foul mouth. Correct, I am that president,” Rodrigo Duterte said in front of more than 500 Filipinos who gathered on the evening of September 28 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Hanoi, and are among the 3,800 Filipinos currently residing in Vietnam. Many of them considered themselves lucky to be able to see the man with their own eyes and hear him with their own ears. For his part, President Duterte seemed he had a lot to share with his citizens abroad. On his first official visit to Vietnam as the president of the Philippines, he made sure he did not miss the chance to explain his domestic and foreign policies to his own people. If one had come expecting to hear how he planned to protect domestic interests in the host country, one would have … [Read more...]
Vietnam’s vocational training meets German standards
The Lilama 2 Vocational College in Long Thanh district, the southern province of Dong Nai has developed two occupational standards meeting the requirements of Germany. Tilo Jaensch, Director of the Vocational Training Department under Germany’s Potsdam Commerce Chamber granted the certificates to the college on September 29. The two standards on construction mechanics and industrial electronics will be applied at the college from October 2016 and in vocational training institutions nationwide in the following years. Director of the college Le Van Hien said the two standards were developed in accordance with German criteria, which are adaptable to the Vietnamese market. It took two years to compile the sets with the participation of German experts and 20 domestic firms, he said. To serve the application of these standards, the college has sent 40 trainers to Germany for capacity enhancement. Besides, German experts will directly joint the teaching. The school has workshops … [Read more...]
School milk program launched nationwide
A school milk program was launched nationwide on September 28, aiming at providing school-children with free milk to improve their health and physique. Themed “School Milk - For Vietnam’s Stature”, a live television program connecting Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and the central province of Nghe An was held by Vietnam Television in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Health and Vietnamese milk giant TH Group. Speaking at the event, Politburo member and President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Nguyen Thien Nhan called for immediate actions to lift Vietnam out of the list of countries with the shortest average heights. He hailed the Vietnam Television and the Ministry of Education and Training for setting up the charity fund “School Milk - For Vietnam’s Stature” which facilitates pre-school and elementary children’s access to milk, and urged Vietnamese at home and abroad to make … [Read more...]
Cambodia: NA maintains exemption right for CNRP legislators
Phnom Penh (VNA) – The Standing Committee of the Cambodian National Assembly on September 28 rejected a Ministry of Justice request seeking to remove the exemption right of two legislators who are being investigated. The two parliamentarians are Pin Rattana and Toc Vannchann, members of the opposite Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). According to the Ministry of Justice, the two involved in the love scandal of Kem Sokha, Acting President of CNRP, who faced five months in prison and 800,000 Riel (200 USD) of penalty for avoiding court’s summon. The NA Standing Committee announced its decision in a session hosted by NA President Samdech Heng Samrin. The Standing Committee’s members of the CNRP also attended the session, after a prolonged boycott to oppose the arrest of Kem Sokha. Spokesman of the NA Leng Peng Long affirmed that the NA Standing Committee decided to maintain the exemption right of those parliamentarians, claiming they were not guilty.-VNA … [Read more...]
Binh Duong fosters ties with RoK
The Binh Duong provincial chapter of the Vietnam-Republic of Korea (RoK) Friendship Association convened the first Congress for the 2016-2021 tenure in the southern province on September 28. Vice Deputy Director of the provincial Department of External Affairs Nguyen Thanh Toan was elected as the chapter’s Chairman who will lead a 19-strong executive board. As a member of the Central Committee of the Vietnam-RoK Friendship Association and the provincial Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, the chapter is meant to foster friendship and understanding between Vietnamese and Korean peoples. Binh Duong and the RoK’s Daejeon city established friendly ties in 2005. The RoK is currently the third biggest investor in the province with 583 projects worth over USD 2.3 billion. The Congress set tasks of raising public awareness of the Korean history, culture and development as well as the bilateral friendship, solidarity and cooperation in the new period during its tenure. … [Read more...]
Outgoing Japanese ambassador honoured with insignia
President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) Vu Xuan Hong presented the insignia “For peace and friendship among nations” to outgoing Japanese Ambassador Fukada Hiroshi in Hanoi on September 29. Speaking at the ceremony, the VUFO President highlighted that the reward aims to honor the ambassador’s active contributions to bolstering the friendship and cooperation between the two countries’ people. Hong said during the ambassador’s tenure in Vietnam, the two-way trade has enjoyed a stable growth. Japan has become the biggest Official Development Assistance (ODA) source of Vietnam, and the second largest investor among 105 countries and territories investing in the Southeast Asian nation. Bilateral cooperation in other fields besides economy such as culture, education, science and technology, and tourism has also been enhanced, he added. The VUFO leader expressed his wish that Fukada Hiroshi, in any capacity, will continue contributing to … [Read more...]
Vietnam, Canada boost military medical cooperation
PANO - A delegation of the Canadian defense attaché office (DAO) in Vietnam, led by Deputy Defense Attaché Jean Jobin, on September 28 visited Military Hospital 175 under the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam. During the visit, the guests learnt more about the hospital’s health checkups and treatment of patients, military tasks performance, medical equipment and infrastructure, and preparation for the level-2 field hospital scheduled to be deployed to a UN peacekeeping mission. The hosts and the guests exchanged details of several practical co-operation in military work and personnel training, which were agreed during the visit to the hospital by Canadian Foreign Minister Stéphane Dion early this month. The guests expressed pleasure with their visit to a military hospital of the Vietnam People’s Army in the South and appreciated the good preparation of the level-2 field hospital. They confirmed to exert all efforts to step up military medical … [Read more...]
Vietnamese, Cambodian navies conduct joint patrol
PANO - The Naval Region 5 of the Vietnam People's Navy (VPN) and the Royal Cambodian Navy successfully concluded the 44th annual joint patrol on September 27-28. During the joint patrol, the two sides collaborated in carrying out missions of preventing illegal activities in the joint patrol area, protecting marine environment, exchanging information, and conducting search and rescue missions at sea. The success of the joint patrol deepened traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and mutual understanding between the two navies, contributing to maintaining peaceful environment, political stability and social safety in the contiguous waters between Vietnam and Cambodia. Translated by Huu Duc … [Read more...]
Young Vietnamese officers tour Lao armored infantry unit
PANO – The young military officer delegation of Vietnam learnt more about the training and operations of Laos’ Armored Infantry Regiment 11 on September 28 as part of the Vietnam-Laos young officer exchange program. During their visit to Laos’ regiment, young Vietnamese officers were briefed upon the unit's major tasks, organizational structure, training and missions implemented by the unit. Armored Infantry Regiment 11 is a regular specialized unit in charge of the protection of the capital of Vientiane and agencies of the Party and State of Laos, ready to receive any tasks assigned by higher levels. Colonel Bonsong Phimmavong, Political Commissar of Armored Infantry Regiment 11, made a brief introduction of the regiment to the guests, focusing on the unit’s troops strength, training missions, recent achievements, and more. In the warm atmosphere, the two young officer delegations exchanged information concerning their unit-building experience, activities of … [Read more...]
Peace significant to promote human right
Peace plays a crucial role in the protection and promotion of human right, President of the Vietnam Peace Committee (VPC) Uong Chu Luu said at a workshop in Hanoi on September 29. In Vietnam, and human right and citizens’ political, civic, economic, cultural and social rights are recognised, respected, protected and guaranteed in concordance with the Constitution and the law, he stressed. Vice Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee for External Relations Ngo Duc Manh said the Constitution 2013 – inheriting from the previous ones - has featured Vietnam’s thoughts on peace in the fullest manner in the light of international integration. It also institutionalises the country’s foreign policy that “Vietnam wants to be a friend of all countries in the international community striving for peace, independence, and development,” he cited. A new point of Constitution 2013 clarifies that peace and cooperation for mutual development must be based … [Read more...]
Ho Chi Minh City lures USD 2.3 billion in nine months
The southern metropolis Ho Chi Minh City has attracted USD 2.3 billion in foreign direct investment in the nine months of this year. Accordingly, as many as 587 new projects worth more than USD 751 million have been licensed, up 45.3 percent in volume and down 68.2 percent in value year-on-year. Up to 125 projects registered for capital increase with a total value of more than USD 377 million. The city also allowed 1,294 foreign investors to buy shares and contributes capital to businesses, amounting to around USD 1.18 billion. Twenty investors made deposits to the tune of USD 15 million for their projects, in compliance with the recently-amended Investment Law. Real estate sector has absorbed USD 319.2 million, equivalent to 42.5 percent - the largest share of the total FDI capital. It is followed by wholesale and retail and repair of automobiles and motorbikes with USD 228.5 million, accounting for 30.4 percent. The manufacturing and processing sector makes up 10.2 percent with USD … [Read more...]
Nine-month GDP grows 5.93 percent year on year
Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the first nine months of 2016 expanded by 5.93 percent from a year earlier, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO). The country posted continuous quarter-on-quarter GDP rises during the period with 5.48 percent in Q1, 5.78 percent in Q2 and an estimated 6.04 percent in Q3, GSO Director General Nguyen Bich Lam told the media on September 29. However, the nine-month figure is still slower than the 6.53 percent recorded in the same period of 2015. “That growth rate falls short of expectations,” Lam said. The industrial sector’s stable growth rate at about 7 percent is attributable to the strong development of processing and manufacturing sectors. The agro-forestry-fishery sector grew 0.65 percent – the lowest year-on-year rate in the last six years, contributing 0.11 percentage point to the overall GDP. Industry and construction increased by 7.5 percent while the services sector rose by 6.66 percent, … [Read more...]
Nearly 4,000 social houses built in Ho Chi Minh city
PANO – The Ho Chi Minh city's Construction Department held a seminar themed “Social housing, Situation, Prediction and Solutions” on September 28th. According to a report of the Department, since 2006, Ho Chi Minh city has approved 51 social housing projects with more than 48,000 apartments and completed 12 projects with nearly 4,000 apartments. During the 2016-2020 period, the city will pass 31 more social housing projects with 44,000 apartments. In addition, the city also has 70 commercial housing projects, each of which reserves 20 percent of the construction land for social housing. Currently, Ho Chi Minh city needs approximately 476,000 apartments for local households of 20,000 officials and employees, 13,000 households ineligible to receive compensation or unaffordable to buy commercial departments, 300,000 immigrant families as well as 143,000 low-income households. Source: PAN /TTO Translated by Lam Anh … [Read more...]
9th Young Writers’ Congress convenes
PANO – The 9th National Congress of Young Writers opened on September 28 in Hanoi, gathering 112 outstanding young writers nationwide. Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Dinh The Huynh sent a floral bouquet to congratulate the writers on the event. The two-day congress was a good opportunity for the Vietnamese Writers’ Association and departments in charge of development of culture, literature and arts to see the picture of young literature and listen to opinions from young writers throughout the country. With all they have learnt from the congress, the association and departments will roll out programs, activities and suitable mechanisms to better support young writers in developing the national literature. As part of the congress, two seminars themed “Young literature-Start and Creativity” and “Young Poetry-Tradition and Reform” were held together with a poem party entitled “Harmony of … [Read more...]
ASEAN journalists join training course on climate change issues
PANO – The Vietnam Journalists' Association (VJA) kicked off a training workshop, titled “Media and climate change” on September 28th in Hanoi, attracting the participation of journalists from the Confederation of ASEAN Journalists (CAJ). In his speech, VJA President and President of the CAJ for the 2015-2017 term Thuan Huu held that climate change has comprehensively and deeply affectedglobal development and security and other issues, such as energy, water, food, society, employment, diplomatics, culture, economy and trade. However, public awareness of climate change remains modest. The three-day workshop will help ASEAN journalists improve their professional skills and updated them with climate change informationas well as contribute to strengthening solidarity and links among journalists and journalist organizations of ASEAN countries, he stressed. The event also aims to recognize the role of press and media in helping people learn more about environmental … [Read more...]
VN, Filipino presidents vow to strengthen ties
Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI - The Presidents of Việt Nam and the Philippines have pledged to further strengthen political and diplomatic co-operation via regular exchange of all-level visits and boosting ties on the Party, Government, State, National Assembly and people-to-people exchange channel. President Trần Đại Quang and President Rodrigo Roa Duterte made the commitment at their talks in Hà Nội today during the Filipino President's official visit from September 28-29. The two countries will also improve the efficiency of bilateral co-operation mechanisms, including the Committee on Bilateral Co-operation at the foreign ministerial level, the Inter-Committee on Sea and Ocean, the Joint Sub-Committee on Trade, the dialogue on defence policy, and the Joint Working Group on Fisheries. Both sides agreed to work closely together to prepare for the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year. President Quang welcomed Filipino investors to Việt Nam's agriculture, food processing and … [Read more...]
ABG5: Vietnam remains in first position
Host Vietnam shined with sweet victories on September 28 at the fifth Asian Beach Games (ABG5), continuing to lead the medal table with 28 gold medals. Vu Thi Men leapt 13.11m to win gold in the women’s triple jump on Day 4 of the Games at Son Thuy beach, Da Nang city. The Vietnamese athlete beat her teammate Tran Hue Hoa, who took silver with a 13.06m jump. In shuttle cock, Dinh Van Duc beat Mainoi Praphan of Thailand 2-0 (21-13,21-16) in the men’s singles final to take home gold, while Nguyen Thi Anh Nguyet won gold in the women’s singles. Vietnam also beat China 2-1 in the women’s Fairway team final of woodball to win gold. Also on the day, Vietnam won gold in the men’s and women’s Regu events of Pencak Silat. In the beach body-building, athletes Pham Kim Nhan, Nguyen Hai Au, Sepha and Mai Xuan Thuc won four gold medals for Vietnam. Vietnam has bagged 28 gold, 23 silver and 28 bronze medals to lead the medal tally of the event. Thailand are in the … [Read more...]
Vietnam Military History Institute receives Laos’ Bravery Order
PANO – The Vietnam Military History Institute held a ceremony to receive the First-Class Bravery Order of the Lao Ministry of National Defense on September 28th in Hanoi, in presence of Major General Nguyen Van Bao, Head of the institute, and Colonel Viengsay Somvichith, Chief of the Lao Department of Military Science and History. In his speech, Colonel Viengsay Somvichith affirmed that the noble order recognized the outstanding achievements and great dedication of the institute in helping the Lao Ministry of National Defense complete its research on the military history and revolutionary history and summerization of historical tasks of the Lao People’s Army. He stressed that the research projects have contributed to fostering special unity and friendship between Vietnam's and Lao’s Parties, States and peoples. On behalf of the Lao Defense Minister, Colonel Viengsay Somvichith presented the First-Class Bravery Order and certificate of merit to the institute. After … [Read more...]