Day: November 1, 2021

The Vietnam Railway Project Management Board under the Ministry of Transport has submitted to the ministry a project with total investment of over 2.2 trillion VND (95.88 million USD) to improve railway connections between Vietnam’s Lao Cai Station and China’s North Hekou Station.

The investment of the project is expected to come from the State budget for the middle-term public investment plan for the 2021-2025 period.

According to the board, the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway route plays a significant role in transporting goods between China and northern localities of Vietnam and to Hai Phong seaport.

However, Vietnam has a narrow track gauge railway while China has switched to broad gauge one with only short sections in some border provinces still using narrow gauge tracks. This means Vietnamese trains from Lao Cai Station can only reach North Hekou Station at the farthest in China. As a result, goods will have to be unloaded from Vietnamese trains to be reloaded onto another train to be transported on China’s railway system. Chinese trains cannot run to Vietnam for goods loading, either.

This technical problem has pushed up the transport cost and prevent railway transport from meeting demand for goods transport from Lao Cai border gate to Hai Phong city, which is predicted to reach over 3 million tonnes per year in the time to come.

The upgrade of the system is expected to ease the burden on the road transport system, while helping cut down costs and time for goods transport between the two countries, the board said.

The board proposed that around 3km of rail tracks from the Lao Cai Station will be converted to have double tracks with gauges of 1,435mm and 1,000mm, and an additional 2.85 km of twin rail tracks of both gauges will be built from the northern parts of the Lao Cai Station to the Ho Kieu Bridge.

A railway tunnel spanning 1,700 m, and a warehouse with a capacity of 5 million tonnes a year will also be built, among other infrastructural upgrades.

A representative of the board said that the project has already been allocated 583 billion VND from the State budget for an earlier version. For the increased capital under the latest version, the board has suggested that it would be added to the list of capital allocation under the Government’s sustainable economic recovery programme to 2023, to be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi will offer free travel for all passengers on its first metro line Cat Linh – Ha Dong during the first 15 days after the line is put into operation, according to Director of the city’s Department of Transport Vu Van Vien.

Vien said as soon as it receives the handover of the metro line from the Ministry of Transport, his department will put it into service.

“Hanoi has been fully prepared for the conditional takeover to operate the project in the first phase and the first phase means a year,” he said.

The city has been cooperating with the Ministry of Transport to provide all necessary conditions for the operation of the project for months.

The quality assessment results of the metro line were approved by the State Council for Acceptance of Construction Projects on October 29. It is the final step for the project to begin commercial operation.

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The metro line, which runs from Cat Linh in Ba Dinh district to Ha Dong district, has total investment of approximately 886 million USD. (Photo: VNA)

The line, which runs from Cat Linh in Ba Dinh district to Ha Dong district, has total investment of approximately 886 million USD, funded by Chinese ODA.

It has an elevated line of more than 13 km with 12 stations and 13 trains. Each train, whose designed speed is 80 km per hour, has four carriages capable of carrying over 900 passengers.

The trial run was completed in December 2020, with more than 70,000 km of tests on thousands of trips, enabling the system to operate commercially.

Started in 2011, the project has suffered numerous setbacks and delays.

The Hanoi People’s Committee has announced the price of the tickets for the Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro, with the lowest one being 8,000 VND (0.35 USD) for a trip and 30,000 VND for a day pass.

A monthly pass for a common passenger is priced at 200,000 VND.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

“Vietnam – Khat vong binh yen” (Vietnam – Desire for peace) programme was held on October 31 night to honour the contributions and sacrifice by collectives, individuals, especially those working on the frontline such as medical workers and Trade Union officials, in the country’s COVID-19 fight.

The programme was held with joint efforts of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL), the Ministry of Health, and the Vietnam Television.

Addressing the event, head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation Bui Thi Minh Hoai underscored that the programme provides a chance to affirm the sound leadership and directions of the Party and State and highlight efforts of the whole political system and people of Vietnam in pushing back the pandemic.

Along with honouring the sacrifice, initiatives and creativity as well as the determination of people involving in the fight, the programme also affirmed the role that the Trade Union has played in supporting businesses and the Government at all levels in COVID-19 prevention and control and economic development, said Hoai.

For his part, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said that the COVID-19 outbreak in Ho Chi Minh City had caused severe overload of the city medical system with a workload ten times compared to the normal situation. All forces have been mobilised to extinguish the pandemic, he noted.

The Deputy PM underlined that variants of SARS-CoV-2 are developing in an unpredictable manner, therefore, all people should raise their awareness of the pandemic and strictly implement the Ministry of Health’s 5K message. The Government is working hard to get all people aging from 18 years old fully vaccinated against COVID-91, he said.

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Representatives from the Party, State and the organising board also presented rewards to Trade Union officials and medical workes who have made great contributions to COVID-19 prevention and control activities so far. (Photo: VNA)

In order to encourage all people to promote solidarity and mutual support to overcome all difficulties and contribute to the victory over COVID-19, completing the “dual targets” given by the Party and State, the VGCL has launched the “Melodies in the frontline” song composing contest and another for video clips on “Unforgettable moments”.

Three second, six third and 12 consolidate prizes, along with five thematic prizes were presented to winners of the “Melodies in the frontline” competition. The prize-wining works were performed during the programme.

Meanwhile, the “Unforgettable moments” contest honoured 16 outstanding individuals and five collectives.

At the programme, representatives from the Party, State and the organising board also presented rewards to Trade Union officials and medical workes who have made great contributions to COVID-19 prevention and control activities so far.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The FV (France-Vietnam) Hospital has officially signed an important agreement with Ho Chi Minh City’s Social Security Agency on expanding the scope of national health insurance-supported medical check-ups and treatment for high-tech treatment services at the hospital.

Accordingly, Ho Chi Minh City’s Social Security Agency will pay for insurance card holders who visit the hospital for health examination and treatment at the hospital’s high-tech wards, such as Interventional Cardiology, Orthopaedics, Oncology and Ophthalmology. This initiative by the FV Hospital aims to reduce the burden of hospital fees on patients and their families, and open up more opportunities for more people to experience the hospital’s international-standard medical care through their national health insurance.

Patients using health insurance cards at the hospital will enjoy the same services like those without health insurance cards. They can also use two types of health insurance, including national, private or international health insurance, at the same time.

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The chemotherapy area at FV’s Oncology Department is equipped with modern, relaxing facilities to help patients feel comfortable during treatment (Photo courtesy of FV Hospital)

Specifically, according to the newly-signed agreement, the Social Security Agency will pay for patients designated to perform treatment services such as: surveying techniques and interventional treatment at Cardiac Intervention Room (Cathlab), including imaging, angioplasty, stenting, and pacemaker implantation; shoulder, knee and hip replacement services at the Trauma and Orthopaedics Department; and some surgeries related to lens and retina at the Ophthalmology Department.

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A double room at FV Hospital (Photo courtesy of FV Hospital)

In 2015, Ho Chi Minh City’s Social Security Agency signed a contract with the FV Hospital, agreeing to pay for cancer patients treated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy at the Oncology Department (Hy Vong Cancer Care Centre), including the cost of treatment techniques and chemotherapy drugs. Thousands of patients have been supported with up to 50 percent of the total treatment cost through this cooperation programme. To date, the highest amount paid for one patient exceeds 1 billion VND (43,600 USD).

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(Photo courtesy of FV Hospital)

Pham Thi Thanh Mai, the hospital’s chief operating officer (COO), said: “FV is a hospital funded by 100 percent foreign investment capital which owns a comprehensive system of modern facilities. FV brings together leading doctors and experts in healthcare from Vietnam and abroad and is committed to working with the Vietnamese Government to realise our shared goals of ensuring the health and well-being of Vietnamese citizens, reducing overcrowding in public hospitals, and helping more people to have every opportunity to access international quality healthcare services.”

“When visiting FV, all patients, regardless of their nationality or economic situation, receive attentive, dedicated care. FV has no “separate flow” for treating patients who have health insurance. We do not make any distinctions between patients,” added Mai.

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Patients using health insurance will be guided and supported by consultants at FV (Photo courtesy of FV Hospital)

Stemming from the fact that many patients face difficulties in conduct insurance procedures and documents and to ensure maximum benefits for patients with health insurance cards, the FV Hospital has installed an insurance consultation and support area at the lobby staffed by specialists in this field. They will advise and help patients to solve any issues related to documents and procedures, so that patients can enjoy their benefits in the shortest time.

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Patients using health insurance will be guided and supported by consultants at FV (Photo courtesy of FV Hospital)

This move helps to realise the wish of the hospital’s Management Board to ensure more people can access subsidised international-standard medical care services in Vietnam when participating in health insurance.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnam needs an estimated 220 trillion VND (9.6 billion USD) to build about 294,600 units of social housing for low-income earners in urban areas and industrial parks in the 2021-2025 period, according to the Ministry of Construction.

Notably, low-income people in urban areas needs about 131,100 units with a total investment of about 138 trillion VND.

According to Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh, there are 266 social housing projects with more than 142,000 units across the country, totalling more than 7.1 million square metres.

Another 278 projects with 274,000 units and a total area of 13.8 million sq.m are under development.

According to the ministry, policies for housing development for workers have yet to be mapped out. They are included in the policies for social houses.

Additionally, some localities have not paid much attention to formulating plans to develop social housing projects, especially for workers.

In the 2016 – 2020, over 2.16 trillion VND out of 9.24 trillion VND were distributed to the Bank for Social Policies for implementing the social housing policy.

Meanwhile, credit institutions including four commercial banks designated by the State Bank of Vietnam have not yet been allocated capital sources to compensate interest rates for social housing loans.

Compared to the capital plan for social housing development by 2020, the budget allocated for social housing development is still short of over 7 trillion VND in this period.

The Ministry of Construction has proposed the Prime Minister include a 65 trillion VND credit package in a programme to support post-pandemic socio-economic recovery and have mechanisms for social housing development, especially for workers in industrial and export processing zones.

To realise these goals, the Ministry of Construction suggested People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities coordinate with the ministry in reviewing and giving opinions on beneficiaries and conditions, and making a list of projects eligible for loans in accordance with regulations.

Priority will be given to investors of social housing projects that have been implemented but delayed due to lack of capital.

The ministry also urged the Government to propose the National Assembly add social housing projects, including those to develop homes for workers in industrial parks, to the mid-term public investment plan in the 2021-2025 period.

According to the ministry, the additional credit package aims to ensure “dual goals” of social security and housing for the disadvantaged while promoting economic recovery and development and removing difficulties for businesses in terms of housing development and the real estate market.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Nine additional accommodation facilities in Phan Thiet city of Binh Thuan have met safety requirements for reopening for tourists, raising the number of such facilities in the south central coastal province to 12, according to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

In addition to Centara Mirage Muine, Anantara Muine Resort and Pandanus Resort, which has resumed operations since October 24, other facilities such as The Cliff Resort & Residences, Victoria Hotel & Resort Phan Thiet, Muine Bay Resort, Poshanu Resort, Saigon Muine Resort, The Saiiling Bay Muine Resort, Sonata Resort & Spa, Aurora Resort and Hon Ba La Gi are expected to reopen in this November.

Earlier, the department issued temporary guidance on measures to safely and flexibly adapt to and effectively control COVID-19 in the tourism sector.

Accordingly, accommodation facilities and tourists must fully implement the Ministry of Health’s 5K message and other pandemic prevention and control regulations of the province. Meanwhile, all tourist will have to conduct COVID-19 tests on the first and seventh day of stay.

Along with supervising the implementation of safety measures of the accommodations, the department has supported them in the work by coordinating with the provincial Centre for Disease Control to hold training courses for 90 staff of local accommodations and restaurants in Phan Thiet city.

The Binh Thuan tourism sector has opened for tourists since October 24.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Schools in Hanoi’s suburban districts and townships will reopen for in-person learning on November 8, according to the city’s People’s Committee.

Students in Grades 5, 6, 9, 10 and 12, from the city’s 18 suburban districts and townships, will be the first to return to in-person classes. The remaining grades, and students from the inner city, will continue learning online. Kindergartens will remain closed too.

The decision was made on Monday. These districts and townships are at low and medium pandemic risk.

The Department of Education and Training said schools with students living in different areas of the city must monitor the local regulations of where their students reside, as they may differ from those that apply to the school.

Schools are required to meet the safety requirements issued by the Department of Education and Training and the Department of Health. They must make plans to ensure the distance between students and the number of students in each class.

Teachers who have not received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are not allowed to teach in-person classes.

The local steering committee for COVID-19 prevention and control will suspend in-person learning if there are more infection cases to ensure the safety of students and teachers.

The city authorities also require schools not to serve meals at school, only teach one session a day and combine with online teaching.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The Plan of Action on tertiary education between the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training and Wales authorities in Edinburgh city, Scotland was exchanged on October 31.

The exchange, conducted by Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Van Phuc and Chair of the Higher Education Funding Council of Wales Rod Humphreys, took place within the framework of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s attendance at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow from October 31-November 3.

Accordingly, both sides will enhance cooperation between tertiary education establishments to develop affiliation programmes with degrees and joint research; give priority to the exchange of students, lecturers, researchers and education officials, provide scholarships, and hold training courses and seminars on professional expertise.

The plan also focuses on policy dialogue and sharing of practical experience via diplomatic and sightseeing activities, training and consultation programmes.

The same day, Deputy Minister Phuc and Director of British Council Charlie Walker signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on education cooperation between the Ministry of Education and Training and the British Council.

The MoU focuses on building cooperation and partnerships in tertiary education governance, innovation, transfer of knowledge, improvement of research capacity, exchange of students and lecturers, and scientific training and research.

According to the document, the British Council will seek cooperation opportunities in quality accreditation and development of training courses in Vietnam, contributing to mutual recognition of certificates and exchange of students and lecturers in Vietnam and the UK.

It will also help Vietnam launch the national qualification framework and build criteria for training courses in various fields, improve the capacity of lecturers, and assess the efficiency of high schools, colleges and universities.

Priority will also be given to improving the capacity of English teaching in Vietnam’s education system, sharing experience with policymakers, education managers and lecturers to meet requirements of global integration in line with the national foreign language scheme.

On the occasion, Phuc also held a roundtable session on education collaboration with Walker and Humphreys.

Source: Vietnam News Agency