Day: December 17, 2022

A widespread strong cold spell is expected to linger in the northern region starting December 17, said the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF).

 

The period will see the common temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, even 3-5 degrees Celsius in mountainous areas, with a possibility of frost and hoarfrost in high mountains.

 

This is a dry cold, so the freezing situation only occurs at night and early in the morning. It is sunny during daytime, so the coldness will improve significantly.

 

The peak of spell is forecast to fall in the early morning of December 18 and 19.

 

The meteorological agency also warned of the influence of cold air on the Gulf of Tonkin, and the waters from Quang Tri to Ninh Thuan, and from Binh Thuan to Ca Mau. The north, central, southern areas of the East Sea will experience strong wind, high waves, and rough sea./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 

While social policies have resulted in significant achievements in the past few years, a more comprehensive approach is required to ensure social security and welfare for people.

 

The statement was made at a national seminar on reviewing the decade-long implementation of social policies in the resolution of the fifth plenum of the 11th Central Committee, from 2012 to 2020 held in Hanoi on December 16.

 

The event was co-presided by deputy chairman of the Central Theoretical Council Pham Van Linh and Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Le Van Thanh.

 

Linh said that Resolution No. 15-NQ/TW focused on addressing issues of two fundamental policy groups, which are for people with meritorious services and for social welfare.

 

Preferential policies for people with meritorious services have seen comprehensive implementation and achieved the goals set out in the resolution.

 

Showing gratitude for veterans has become a movement with regular activities at the central to grassroots levels.

 

Social security policies have also seen positive progress despite limited resources.

 

The mission set out by the Party and the State is to ensure social development in harmony with economic growth, as well as investments in economy and social welfare.

 

Multiple programmes on job creation and poverty reduction have been well-conducted, bringing in good results and international recognition.

 

A recent report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said that Vietnam’s extreme poverty rate fell from 49% in 1992 to 5% in 2021.

 

Meanwhile, according to the new multidimensional poverty line, the country’s current multidimensional poverty rate is at just over 9%.

 

Deputy Minister Thanh added that in recent years, all Party officials of every level have proactively reviewed the quality of resolution implementation process in accordance with requirements, of which reports were compiled and timely submitted to the resolution’s steering committee.

 

The committee hosted research activities, seminars and field studies for the assessment.

 

It also worked with local offices of the United Nations, the International Labour Organisation, the World Bank, the Central Theoretical Council, and Ho Chi Chí Minh National Academy of Politics in multiple conferences that review and identify new issues, while also proposing perspectives, goals and missions for social policies to 2030, with a vision to 2045.

 

Some of the areas needing improvement in these policies include practicality, inclusivity, and coordination to ensure the balance of interests, social relations, risk management and conflict control.

 

These shortcomings need to be addressed to implement the direction of the 13th Party Central Committee, which emphasised “ensuring social welfare, human security, creating a powerful transformation in social development management, social progress and justice, improving people’s quality of life and happiness.”

 

At the event, delegates also discussed the actual situation and provided suggestions for the draft report, which identifies key issues to address by 2030, with a vision to 2045./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 

Experts and government officials have gathered at a forum in Ho Chi Minh City to discuss measures to promote the role of women in the STEM fields.

 

The December 15 forum was held as part of the “Building University-Industry Learning and Development through Innovation and Technology” or BUILD IT project, funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Arizona State University, as well as Lac Hong University.

 

Chairwoman of Lac Hong University Council Do Thi Lan Dai said the STEM fields have made great contributions to the global development. Demand for experts in these fields has increased, especially female experts.

 

A survey showed that women account for 33% of the workforce in STEM fields in Europe and 34% in the US and Canada.

 

She noted that there is a gender gap in the STEM fields, urging measures to encourage more girl students to engage in STEM.

 

She suggested measures to raise awareness of lecturers, students and parents about the important role of women in STEM fields and organise competitions and grant scholarships for girl students.

 

Speaking with the press on the sidelines of the forum, she applauded the BUILD-IT project for organising activities aimed at promoting the participation of women in STEM fields, such as hosting STEM competitions that required each team to be made up of at least 25% girl students.

 

Dr. Lopa Basu, Senior Advisor at USAID Vietnam, said: “It is exciting to be part of the sixth and final forum in BUILD-IT’s Playbook Series. The impact of the first five forums cannot be overestimated, and I am sure this forum will continue in this tradition of impact.

 

“This forum celebrates the eight-year collaboration between USAID, BUILD-IT and their university partners in their value of women in STEM. These forums have brought together experts in academia, industry, and government with the common goal of transforming Vietnamese higher education, aligning it with the needs of industry, to create ready-to-work graduates who can contribute effectively and efficiently to an ever-changing workforce.”

 

Participants in this forum discussed the successes and challenges of enrolling, supporting and graduating women in STEM fields. The audience heard from experts in academia and industry about strategies, including designing for women’s needs, innovating for women’s success, and building equitable teams. Other areas integral to the success of women in STEM – partnering with women and piloting gender-responsive programs – were discussed in panels and celebrated in success stories./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 

More than 90% of Tra fish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) available in the US market comes from Vietnam, said Vietnamese Trade Counsellor in the US Do Ngoc Hung citing statistics from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

 

Also according to the agency, by the end of the third quarter, Vietnam’s frozen fillets of Tra fish exported to the US increased by 19% in volume and 66% in value over the same period last year, accounting for nearly 60% and 43% of the respective total volume and value of fish species imported from Vietnam in the market. This was also the product with the highest growth in import price among seafood products bought by the US in the first three quarters.

 

The US remains the largest market for Vietnamese seafood exports, he told Vietnam News Agency correspondents, adding that as of October, Vietnam’s fishery products shipped to the country had earned 1.9 billion USD, up 15% year-on-year. The figures for Tra fish alone were 491 million USD and 70% during the period.

 

However, Hung said, between July and now, Vietnam’s Tra fish exports to the US have only fluctuated between 32-33 million USD per month, a significant decrease from the peak of 81 million USD in April.

 

He forecast that difficulties facing Vietnamese seafood, including Tra fish, that arose from the second half of 2022 will likely continue to dominate in 2023 due to the risk of a recession in the global economy and a high level of inflation in the US coupled with volatile exchange rates and stiffer competition from competitors offering low-cost and low-priced products.

 

He noted one positive sign is that the USDA plans to purchase 1.44 million pounds of catfish products serving food assistance for participants of the Build Back Better programme. Tra fish, with a much lower price than the common level of catfish, has become an import priority of the department.

 

The fact that many families in the US consumers have changed their consumption habits since the COVID-19 pandemic, including consuming seafood at home and buying these products at lower prices, will be a good opportunity for Vietnam’s Tra fish and other seafood products to approach the table of American families and gain market share in this difficult market next year, the diplomat added./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Indonesian scholar and veteran journalist Mohammah Anthoni has hailed the significance of the upcoming State visit to Jakarta by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc from December 21-23.

 

Talking with Vietnam News Agency correspondents, former senior editor of Indonesia’s Antara news agency Anthoni said the visit is of significance to bilateral relationship, believing that it will make new leaps following the visit, especially in economy-trade.

 

According to him, the special friendship between Indonesia and Vietnam, founded by Presidents Sukarno and Ho Chi Minh, has made great strides in recent years, with regular meetings and visits by senior leaders, as well as the establishment of bilateral strategic partnership in 2013.

 

The two peoples are facing common challenges, including the East Sea issue, and wish for a region of stability. Therefore, he urged the two nations to continue working closely together to promote a region of security and peace for benefits to all people.

 

Given that two-way trade last year surpassed the target of 10 billion USD to over 11 billion USD, the scholar expressed his belief in more economic cooperation opportunities between the two countries as they hold ample potentials and mechanisms to facilitate bonds across the board, thus improving people’s lives.

 

Recalling his memories on visits to Vietnam with impressive natural landscapes, hospitable people and delicious cuisine, he took the occasion to call on the two countries’ young people to visit each other to raise mutual understanding./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 

Cyclo is a three-wheel bicycle taxi that appeared in Vietnam in the early 20th century. A double seat is supported by the two front wheels with the driver sitting behind.

 

The cyclo remains a popular tourist attraction not only in Hanoi capital but also in others such as Hoi An town in Quang Nam province and Hue city in Thua Thien – Hue province. Cyclo touring is the best way to get up close and personal with the vibrant life in Vietnam’s big cities.

 

Cyclo transport was very popular until the early 1990s’ as it could carry two people plus goods. It was relatively cost-effective through Vietnam’s narrow streets and alleyways. As people needed to travel further and faster motorbikes became widespread, more locals stopped using cyclos and instead they became a good choice for tourists.

 

It feels safe in the busy traffic of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and is much better for the environment than motorbikes or taxis. For these reasons, it is now very popular with travellers to explore Vietnam by cyclo./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 

The opening of the Culture Workshop 2022 took place in the northern province of Bac Ninh on December 17, with leaders and former leaders of the Party and State, and about 800 delegates taking part.

 

UNESCO Representative in Vietnam Christian Manhart attended the event.

 

In his opening speech, Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man emphasised that in the past struggle for national liberation and current national development, the Vietnamese Party and State have always attached importance to building and developing Vietnamese culture and people.

 

The Party guidelines, State policies and laws on the development of Vietnamese culture and people have been more and more perfect, manifested in important documents since the Party was established, he said.

 

He asked delegates to review the enforcement of the Party resolutions, State policies and laws in the field, the mobilisation of resources to cultural preservation and development, thus offering suggestions to the effort.

 

Following the one-day event, a report will be submitted to the Politburo, the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat, the National Assembly, Government, ministries, agencies and localities to serve policymaking in the field, he said.

 

At the event, Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council Nguyen Xuan Thang, urged participants to discuss renewing the implementation of relevant plans and projects, as well as shaping policies for comprehensive human development and pooling resources for the effort./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The first handbook on Vietnam’s foreign economic affairs has been published in Russia, providing basic and up-to-date information on the achievements, orientations, external operations, and integration process of the economy.

 

The five-part book was a collaboration of scientists at the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS)’s Institute of China and Contemporary Asia (ICCA) and research fellows and students at the Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU)’s Institute of Asian and African Studies. It was funded by a foundation for promoting Russia-Vietnam cooperation.

 

The first part of the book covers the characteristics and development trends of Vietnam’s economy, and a brief assessment of the country’s socio-economic situation during 2010 – 2020. Part two provides an overview on its leading sectors and fields serving foreign trade. Part three summarises Vietnam’s economic and trade relations with leading partners in the world. The last two parts contain information necessary for the registration and operation of a foreign enterprise in Vietnam, including the administrative and legal environment.

 

Speaking at the book launch ceremony in Moscow on December 16, Maxim Golikov from the Presidential Experts’ Directorate under the Russian Presidential Executive Office said Vietnam is a leading developing country in Southeast Asia and one of Russia’s priorities, but information about the economy for businesses is still lacking.

 

The handbook with an overview and in-depth analysis of the market is very useful for Russian firms, he noted.

 

Vietnamese Trade Counselor in Russia Duong Hoang Minh said he believes that this scientific publication will contribute to promoting trade and investment between the two countries.

 

Kiril Babaev, acting director of the ICCA, added that this is a very useful book for both the scientific and business communities./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency