VietNamNet Bridge – The biggest and most comprehensive-ever book collection on the history of Viet Nam has just hit bookcases throughout the country. A vast tome: The 15-episode collection Lịich Su Viet Nam is now available at bookstores at the prize of nearly VND5 million (US$222). -- Photo daibieunhandan.vn Titled Lich Su Viet Nam, the 15-episode collection was printed for the first time by the Viet Nam Academy of Social Sciences in 2015 with a limited number of 500 copies. The book was awarded Best Book in 2015 by the IRED Institute of Education and Phan Chau Trinh Foundation. “This very first reprint will help the 10,000-page collection serve a wider audience,” said Vu Duong Thuy Nga, head of the Library Department within the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. “The collection will be sent to public libraries all … [Read more...]

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said there could have been abuses in his government's war on drugs and ordered the police to take custody of officers who were involved in the killing of a high school student last week. In a hastily called news conference at the presidential palace, Duterte said he would not condone abuses and the police officers would have to face the consequences of their actions if that is the recommendation of a formal investigation. "There is a possibility that in some of police incidents there could be abuses. I admit that," Duterte said. Duterte unleashed a crackdown the day he took office on June 30 last year after a convincing win in an election in which he campaigned heavily on a promise to use deadly force to wipe out crime and drugs. The firebrand leader, however, stepped back from defending the police as public anger mounts over the killing of Kian Loyd Delos Santos. Civil society groups and left-wing activists marched in the … [Read more...]

People are testing the limits of the Earth and its resources, and to achieve a good life for everyone on the planet, they will have to share things like food, water and energy in a more equal and sustainable way, scientists said on Monday. Nearly 1,000 researchers have gathered in Stockholm this week to work out ways to halt deforestation, protect coral reefs, avoid the collapse of fish stocks, make food healthier, and build cities that can cope with climate change. The Resilience 2017 conference aims to chart a path through today's turbulent times, by bolstering "resilience" - which means becoming more adept at living with pressures like a financial crisis or a flood, and using that ability to transform societies and economies for the better. "If we are serious about our human wellbeing - from local communities to the global world economy - we need to now reconnect our entire world to the planet," said Johan Rockström, director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre … [Read more...]

NDO - Documentary heritages of the Nguyen Dynasty will be introduced to people in Hanoi through an exhibition called 'Accessing world's documentary heritages in Vietnam through Nguyen Dynasty's documentary heritages'. The documentary heritages including printing woodblocks, imperial rescripts and imperial literature on Hue imperial architecture will be showcased at the Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam (the Temple of Literature) beginning on August 26. More than 70 archives and photos on printing woodblocks, imperial rescripts and imperial literature on Hue imperial architecture in addition to 16 reproductions of woodblocks will provide information about the official names of the country, imperial examinations of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945), the national spirit through poems on Hue imperial architecture, among others The exhibition will be jointly organised by the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre, the Centre for Scientific and Cultural activities of Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam, the … [Read more...]

India's Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled a controversial Muslim instant divorce law unconstitutional, a landmark victory for Muslim women who had long argued that it violated their right to equality. The law allows Muslim men to divorce their wives simply by uttering the word "talaq" three times. Muslim women say they have been left destitute by husbands divorcing them through "triple talaq", including by Skype and WhatsApp. Under the ruling, the government will need to frame new divorce legislation, which would replace the abolished practice of triple talaq. "Finally, I feel free today," Shayara Bano, who was divorced through triple talaq and was among the women who brought the case, told Reuters after the ruling. "I have the order that will liberate many Muslim women." The ruling was delivered by a panel of five male judges from different faiths - Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism and Zoroastrianism. Three of the five ruled that the practice was … [Read more...]

Hà Nội police plan to increase inspections to uncover human trafficking rings, focusing on inter-provincial and transnational criminals. Hà Nội police plan to increase inspections to uncover human trafficking rings, focusing on inter-provincial and transnational criminals. - Photo infonet.vn This is among measures to be taken by Hà Nội police as part of a plan on human trafficking prevention during 2017-20. Police will also accelerate investigation and prosecution of human trafficking cases, aiming to increase the number of cases being prosecuted by at least two per cent each year. Police will work with ministries and agencies to fight human trafficking, with a focus on human trafficking in all forms, including foreigners or overseas Vietnamese pretending to be businessmen or … [Read more...]

SolarBK, a leading renewable energy solutions provider in Vietnam, has just inked a co-operation contract with Empire Group on lighting up the latter’s entertainment mega-complex with its energy-efficient solar-powered electrical system, with the total capacity touching 1.5 megawatts peak. SolarBK and Empire Group signed a contract to light up Cocobay Danang through solar power Once completed, the iconic entertainment complex called Cocobay Danang will become the first mixed development featuring Vietnam’s largest solar-powered electrical system. The project will be handled by SolarESCO, a SolarBK member unit. In the first phase, within 80 days the QB4 terraced house building, a component of Cocobay Danang complex, will be kitted out with a 50.55 kilowatt peak (kWp) solar-powered … [Read more...]

NDO - Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh asked once more for inspection of the marine environment in the four central provinces affected by the Formosa incident last year, at a working session of the steering committee in charge of overcoming the incident’s aftermath in Hanoi on August 21. He requested immediate restoration of the marine environment in any area that has not been regenerated or being regenerated. By August 18, four central provinces of Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue have basically completed compensation for affected people worth nearly VND6 trillion (US$264 million). About 5% of the compensation and has yet to be paid due to the absence of the beneficiaries. Deputy PM Truong Hoa Binh, who is head of the steering committee in charge of overcoming the incident’s aftermath, asked local authorities to give due attention to the affected people and fishermen while guiding them to effectively use the financial support from the … [Read more...]

Delegates share experience in developing food value chain at the APEC seminar on Food Value Chain to Foster the Rural-Urban development in asia Pacific Region. - VNS Photo Strengthening the food value chain is one of the most important ways to foster rural-urban development in APEC economies, experts said at a seminar held in Can Tho on August 20 as part of APEC Food Security Week. Masakazu Ikefuchi, deputy director general for international affairs at Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), said: “The development of food supply chains will help increase farmer’s income and promote rural development by adding value to farmers’ products, reducing food loss and waste, and strengthening the competitiveness of agriculture. “These approaches will increase the amount of food production and supply,” he added. Tran Kim Long, director general of Viet Nam’s … [Read more...]

Increasing the regional minimum wage has raised concerns over a potential trade-off with social allowances that would block the new wages from increasing employees' real income.  Hugaco  expressed concerns that the minimum wage increase might actually decrease employees' real income Cutting allowances to increase wages At the final meeting organised on August 7 to discuss regional minimum wages increases in 2018, relevant authorities reached a compromise of 6.5 per cent to submit to the prime minister for approval. If approved, the increase will come into effect on January 1, 2018, however, questions were still raised whether employees will actually benefit from the increased regional minimum wage. According to Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs cum chairman of the National Salary … [Read more...]

NDO – Vietnam and Mexico have reached a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on geographical indications (GIs) protection, aimed at strengthening their cooperation and mutual understanding of the geographical indicative system and assisting the protection of each party's GIs in order to improve their quality and effectiveness. The signing of the MoU was held between the National Office of Intellectual Property (NOIP) and the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI), in Hanoi on August 21. According to the Head of NOIP Dinh Huu Phi, Vietnam has protected 56 GIs, including 50 domestic and six GIs of foreign countries. To date, Vietnam has 54 trademarks protected in Mexico; during 2016-2017 alone, the number of Vietnamese trademarks applying for Mexican protection increased by 25%. In Vietnam, between 2010 and 2017, there have been 83 trademark applications, five industrial designs and eight patents by Mexico protected in … [Read more...]

Le Dinh Quang from the Vietnam Labor Federation confirmed the tendency of dismissing workers over 35, though there are no official statistics. Most of the dismissed are workers at enterprises which use high number of workers. The jobs don’t require high technical skills and enterprises can quickly train new workers. Firms cite their health and lack of ability to adapt well to new technologies. The average age of Vietnamese workers in enterprises is 31.2. The figures are lower in some industries, such as electronics (26.9), textile & garment (29.5), processing & manufacturing (30.9).  The average length of employment is 6.7 years, according to a report of the Institute of Workers and Trade Union. A labor expert said that the massive layoff of workers aged over 35 is the inevitable consequence of the policy of attracting investment in … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – Officials of the APEC Health Working Group gathered in Ho Chi Minh City on August 21, aiming to address a range of issues in order to build a healthy Asia-Pacific region. In his opening remarks, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Health Le Quang Cuong highlighted health as a critical component of the economic and trade development and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Investment in health is the key to inclusive and sustainable economic growth, he said, adding that better health leads to greater wealth, which will be an essential driver for long-term economic development growth. Cuong reviewed Vietnam’s hosting of the first Health Working Group Meeting in Nha Trang city, Khanh Hoa province, from February 23-24, with the theme of “Health system strengthening, towards sustainable development” and focusing on five priorities. The priorities include; ensuring progress on universal health coverage in APEC economies towards a healthy … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and a high-ranking delegation paid an official visit to Thailand from August 17-19 at the invitation of Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha. During the visit, the two sides issued a joint statement. Following is the full text of the joint statement: 1. His Excellency Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and his wife paid an official visit to Thailand from August 17-19, 2017 at the invitation of His Excellency General (Ret.) Prayut Chan-ocha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand. 2. Prime Minister Phuc’s delegation included His Excellency Mai Tien Dung, Minister – Chairman of the Government Office; His Excellency Mr. Tran Tuan Anh, Minister of Industry and Trade; His Excellency Mr. Chu Ngoc Anh, Minister of Science and Technology; His Excellency Mr. … [Read more...]

Widespread floods have killed more than 800 people and displaced over a million in India, Nepal and Bangladesh, with aid workers warning of severe food shortages and water-borne diseases as rains continue to lash the affected areas. Seasonal monsoon rains, a lifeline for farmers across South Asia, typically cause loss of life and property every year between July and September, but officials say this year's flooding is the worst in several years. At least 115 people have died and more than 5.7 million are affected in Bangladesh as floods submerged more than a third of the low-lying and densely populated country. "The water level has gradually dropped. The flood situation will improve if it does not rain upstream any further," Sazzad Hossain, executive engineer of Bangladesh's Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, told Reuters. Reaz Ahmed, the director general of Bangladesh's Disaster Management Department, said there are rising concerns about food shortages and the … [Read more...]

NDO - Hanoi will organise a series of activities to celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day with the aim of fostering patriotism amongst the people. On the National Day (September 2), various arts and sports performances will take place at the August Revolution Square, Ly Thai To Flower Garden, My Dinh National Stadium, Hanoi's outskirts town of Son Tay, and Hanoi's outskirts district of Dong Anh. Arts performances will also be held for the public at industrial zones in Soc Son and Noi Bai on September 2. In addition, a Hanoi open bicycle race will take place around the Hoan Kiem Lake on August 27 morning to celebrate the August Revolution and National Day. A bicycle race for the VTV Cup will also take place around the Hoan Kiem Lake on the National Day. In addition the national concert named “Dieu Con Mai” (Things Everlasting) will once again be brought to the stage at the Hanoi Opera House on September 2. The concert … [Read more...]

President Trần Đại Quang has called on the nation to be aware of the threat of cyber crimes and the importance of ensuring network safety and security as the country embarks on the Fourth Industrial Revolution. President Trần Đại Quang has called on the nation to be aware of the threat of cyber crimes and the importance of ensuring network safety and security as the country embarks on the Fourth Industrial Revolution. - VNA/VNS Photo Nhan Sáng In a message released yesterday on the occasion of the 72nd anniversary of the Vietnamese Police Day, which falls on August 19, Quang stressed that cyber space has become an integral part of people’s life and plays a very important role in building an information-based society and knowledge-based economy. “In addition to the tremendous … [Read more...]

A Vietnamese scientist has invented and successfully tested a firefighting liquid that can douse fire in one-tenth of a second, which will be a great help in controlling widespread blazes. Testing new firefighting liquid. - Photo courtesy of Dr Doãn Hà Thắng The liquid will make it much easier and faster to stamp out a large fire compared to traditional methods of firefighting that use materials such as water, carbon dioxide and foam. Dr Doãn Hà Thắng, one of the first Vietnamese scientists being trained in plasma physics in Japan, has invented the material based on global research on extinguishing fire using space technology. Thắng is chief of Việt Nam Space Committee’s Office and the “founding father” of Việt Nam’s first English-teaching … [Read more...]

The Committee on Trade and Investment held a workshop on Strengthening Transparency and Participation in the Process of Negotiation of Trade Agreements in HCM City on Sunday. – VNS Photo Hoang Nam There is a lack of information about policy in trade negotiations in some countries and territories, and experience shows that many would like to have a voice in the process, an APEC workshop heard. The Committee on Trade and Investment held a workshop on strengthening transparency and participation in the process of negotiation of trade agreements in HCM City on Sunday within the framework of the third Senior Officials Meeting (SOM 3) and related meetings. Speaking at the workshop, moderator Filipe Lopeandia, head of the TPP Department and OECD Department at the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: “This worshop directly focuses on a general debate on how different economies are conducting their trade negotiations … [Read more...]

At the event (Photo: VNA)     HCM City (VNA) – How to achieve more transparent and participatory trade negotiations is the main focus of a workshop in Ho Chi Minh City on August 20. The workshop on Strengthening Transparency and Participation in the Process of Negotiation of Trade Agreements of the Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI) was held within the framework of the third APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting.   [APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting begins in HCM City] Delegates from APEC member economies debated trade under public scrutiny and proposed measures to overcome challenges to more transparent and participatory negotiations of trade agreements. They noted that there is a lack of policies in some countries to ensure the engagement of the civil society, private sector and other stakeholders who want … [Read more...]