Berlin: The 'Suite Kieu' (To khuc Kieu) by Vietnamese music professor and guitarist Dang Ngoc Long was one of the six works played by Zafraan Ensemble - a German group based in Berlin that is well-known for its classical concerts with a distinct crossover flair at the House of World Cultures in Berlin on March 1. The other five works are composed by artists from Algeria, Angola, Cuba, Ghana and Chile. "Suite Kieu" features 'The Tale of Kieu' - a literary legacy left by great poet Nguyen Du. With Vietnamese materials based on European harmony, Long composed the 'Suite Kieu' in 2016. He wrote it for Zafraan Ensemble at the request of this band, playing with guitar and flute, clarinet, violin, and piano. Zafraan Ensemble's performance formed part of the cultural and artistic activities to reminisce the past between Germany and countries within the framework of the exhibition "ECHOS DER BRUDERLÄNDER", a multidisciplinary project on international relations heritage. Professor Dang Ngoc Long is known as the per son who brought Vietnamese music, from Nghe Tinh folk songs to Quan Ho folk songs, to Europe. As the art director of the International Guitar Competition and Festival Berlin, Long has turned Vietnamese folk songs into arrangements in this major music competition. To promote Vietnamese music, he composed seven suites to enhance the value of the German translation of the Tale of Kieu./. Source: Vietnam News Agency
Art exchange fosters friendship between Vietnamese, Chinese localities
Lang Son: The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism in the northern border province of Lang Son has recently organised an art exchange programme with the participation of local artists and those from Pingxiang county in China's Guangxi. The March 1 event demonstrated the cooperation and friendship between Lang Son and China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and offered an opportunity for the localities to promote their images and cultural traits. In his opening remarks, director of the department Nguyen Dang An highlighted the traditional friendship between Lang Son and cities and districts of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The two sides have co-organised various culture, sport and tourism activities, contributing to strengthening their solidarity and friendship, the official said. Lang Son and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region share a borderline of more than 231km, with 12 pairs of villages setting up twinning relations./. Source: Vietnam News Agency
Vietnamese culture promoted in Australia
Canberra: The Vietnamese Consulate General in Perth in coordination with the Australian Vietnamese Family Association (AVFA) and artists and artisans from Ho Chi Minh City organised an event in Palmerston city on March 2 to promote Vietnamese culture in the Tet (Lunar New Year) festival. The large-scale event saw the participation of many Australian officials, as well as Vietnamese people and foreign friends in Northern Australia. It featured the art of tea drinking, calligraphy, 'ao dai' (traditional long dress) shows, art performances, Vietnamese handicrafts, and folk games. Consul General Nguyen Thanh Ha briefed the participants on Vietnam's outstanding achievements in 2023, and the Vietnam-Australia relations, and lauded contributions by the Vietnamese community to local socio-economic development, and the bilateral ties. The diplomat expressed her hope that Northern Australia's authorities will further facilitate such cultural activities, and boost trade, investment and tourism links between the two sides./. Source: Vietnam News Agency
South African restaurant introduces Vietnamese cuisine
Pretoria: Obento - a restaurant in Johannesburg, South Africa on March 2 held an event named 'Taste of Vietnam' to introduce popular Vietnamese food to local diners. According to the restaurant owner Ling Chiu, the one-day event attracted so many dinners that all tables from noon to 9pm were fully booked weeks ago. She said that the idea of organising such an event came right after her two-week trip to Vietnam in December 2023. She said she wanted to arouse the memory of customers who had traveled Vietnam and tasted the street food delights it has to offer, as well as to bring Vietnamese cuisine to those seeking something different from the norms in South Africa. Dinners at the restaurant at this time had a chance to enjoy famous Vietnamese dishes, such as pho, banh mi, bun cha, or spring rolls. Especially for those who had traveled to Vietnam, it was an opportunity to remember and re-experience Vietnamese food that is not easy to find in South Africa. Many local people said that Vietnamese food is very d elicious because of freshness and a balance of flavour elements: sour, bitter, salty, sweet and fatty./. Source: Vietnam News Agency
World Wildlife Day: For the planet’s ‘health’
Hanoi: The United Nations World Wildlife Day (WWD) is observed on March 3 every year to celebrate wild animals and plants and highlight their contributions to human lives and health. This year, the WWD is themed 'Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation'. According to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MoNRE), Vietnam is ranked 16th among the Earth's most biodiverse countries and is one of the ten richest centres of biodiversity in the world with many different types of ecosystems and genetic sources. With a wide range of latitudes, Vietnam's climate varies from humid tropical conditions in the southern lowlands to temperate conditions in the northern highlands. Consequently, the country enjoys a diversity of natural environments and a high level of biodiversity in its forests, waterways, and marine areas, according to a report by the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF). The country has a wealth of fauna varieties: 276 species of mammals, 828 species of birds, 180 species of reptiles, 80 species of amphibians, 472 species of freshwater fish, and many thousands of invertebrate species have been identified. It is home to an estimated 12,000 species of plants. About 33% of the flora of northern Vietnam are endemic and, nationally, the percentage of endemism could be as high as 50%. These groups show a high degree of local distinctiveness, with many endemic species of great scientific and economic significance. Of the 34 globally threatened birds identified as occurring in Vietnam, 10 are restricted-range endemic forest species. Sixty fish species and four primate species are also endemic to Vietnam. However, the diversity in Vietnam is in danger because of unsustainable and poorly managed exploitation, an increase in population and rapid urbanisation. The reasons that lead to biodiversity decline are rapid population growth, pollution, deforestation, the over-exploitation of marine resources and widely applied new species without careful examination. Tha t has led to 28% of mammals, 10% of birds, 21% of reptiles and amphibians facing risk of extinction. The results of the largest systematic camera trap survey ever conducted in Vietnam between 2019 and 2023 with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), showed that populations of several key wildlife species have either disappeared or are in such low numbers as to be unviable as a result of widespread indiscriminate snaring. During the survey carried out by USAID's Biodiversity Conservation Activity, 1,176 camera trap stations were set up in 21 protected areas (PAs) across eight provinces, capturing more than 120,000 independent wildlife detections in millions of images during 2019-2023. Notable was the absence of large carnivores and herbivores, such as tigers, clouded leopards, Asiatic wild dogs, and the elusive saola - one of the few large mammals to be discovered in the world in the last 50 years. Asian elephants were detected in just two sites, and wild cattle species such as gaur only detected in one out of 21 sites surveyed. The most prevalent species recorded were those most resilient to hunting pressure, such as macaques, ferret badgers and wild pigs. Although the survey revealed that wildlife has severely declined in all 21 PAs, there are still relatively high levels of species richness and endemism, with nine Annamite-endemic and 21 non-endemic but highly threatened species recorded. Rare species, such as the large-antlered muntjac and sun bear were also detected, providing some of the few records of these species in Vietnam in the past 20 years. Nick Cox, Chief of Party, USAID Biodiversity Conservation, implemented by WWF, stated: 'For the first time we have the data to confirm Vi?t Nam's wildlife populations are in dire straits. At the same time there are signs that investments by the Vietnamese Government, and by local and international NGOs, have had a positive impact. Now is the time to start a national conservation breeding programme to rewild the country's p rotected areas, while protection efforts are sustained and increased, especially to reduce snaring.' According to MoNRE, Vietnam has proactively participated and implemented many commitments related to wildlife protection. Recently, the ministry has proposed the Prime Minister on promulgating a programme to conserve endangered, precious and rare wild animals prioritised for protection until 2030, with a vision to 2050. Accordingly, Vietnam aims to ensure that no more species prioritised for conservation become extinct. All of the species prioritised for protection will be managed and monitored in nature reserves, high biodiversity areas and biodiversity conservation facilities. The ministry proposed to investigate and assess the current status of populations and habitats of species prioritised for protection nationwide. It also asked for periodically updating information and data and publishing the list of species prioritised for safeguarding. In particular, priority should be given to restoring habitats o f species that are threatened with extinction and migratory species prioritised for protection including elephants, saola, Truong Son muntjac, Truong Son striped rabbit, central Vietnam turtle, and box turtle. Meanwhile, USAID has sponsored a project to protect endangered wildlife species in Vietnam with a funding of 10.5 million USD for over 5 years starting from 2021. It supports enhancing leadership in combating illegal wildlife trade by improving and harmonising the legal system related to wildlife protection, strengthening law enforcement and prosecution over wildlife crimes, and reducing illegal demand and consumption of wildlife./. Source: Vietnam News Agency
Phu Yen urged to fully tap cultural factors for tourism development
Phu Yen: Phu Yen province holds potential to become one of the major tourist hubs of Vietnam and the south central region and it needs to further tap cultural factors for tourism development, said National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on March 2. At a working session with the Standing Board of the provincial Party Committee, Hue praised the province for its socio-economic achievements, especially a gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth of 9.16% last year, ranking 10th nationwide and third among 14 localities in the central region. In 2023, the total investment capital realised in the province reached over 24 trillion VND (973.4 million USD), an increase of 25.8% over the same period. The province paid much attention to infrastructure development, cultural promotion, ensuring social security and social welfare, employment, and labour market development. Hue said the province needs to identify industrial production as one of its main and key driving forces and call on strategic investors. It shou ld focus on high-tech agriculture and well manage seafood exploitation. As 2024 is the year for the province and the whole country to strive to achieve the set targets, the NA Chairman asked Phu Yen to give priority to infrastructure development, particularly in the field of transportation. He asked the province to take drastic measures to speed up land clearance and remove difficulties and obstacles for key projects, especially the Eastern North-South Expressway component project passing through the province; improve investment and business environment, leadership, management and administration capacity of party committees and authorities at all levels; and promote administrative reforms. On the occasion, the top legislator mobilised 10 billion VND to build a school and 5 billion VND to build 100 charity houses in the province. Earlier the same day, Hue and the delegation inspected the anti-erosion embankment along Xom Ro beach in Phu Dong ward, Tuy Hoa city. The construction of the 1 km-long embankment at a cost of 150 billion VND is expected to be completed in August 2024./. Source: Vietnam News Agency
SOEs asked to play more active role in implementation of strategic breakthroughs
Hanoi: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on March 3 called on state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to engage more intensively in the implementation of strategic breakthroughs regarding institutional perfection, personnel training and infrastructure development. At a meeting with outstanding SOEs nationwide, the Government leader shared difficulties facing businesses in general and SOEs in particular last year. He also lauded the sound, timely leadership and instruction by the Party Central Committee, efforts by the entire political system, the involvement of people and businesses, including significant contributions by SOEs, as well as cooperation and support from international friends to Vietnam in socio-economic development, making the country an economic bright spot globally. Chinh asked the participants to propose solutions to challenges, and stressed the need to renew the existing growth drivers of investment, consumption and export, while promoting new ones such as digital transformation, green transition, ci rcular economy, and knowledge-based economy. The assets and resources of state enterprises should be brought into full play, and these firms should truly play a key role in the national economy, the leader continued. The government always accompanies businesses, whether private or state-owned, to overcome difficulties and challenges together and spur development, he pledged. The PM also commended SOEs for their efforts in utilising cutting-edge technologies, and improving production and business efficiency, with many large firms at the forefront of new technologies. Pointing to limitations and weaknesses of SOEs in administration, production and business, and competitiveness, Chinh requested them to make changes by their own mindset and expertise, as well as lessons learned from the world. He also emphasised the need for them to conduct restructuring in administration, finance, production, business, and supply chains, respect competition and market rules under state management, and raise their competitiv eness and resistance to shocks, both internal and external. The leader urged accelerating the implementation of major, key national projects in important, strategic fields, saying SOEs must play the pioneering role in innovation and digital transformation. Ministries, agencies and localities were also asked to boost administrative reform, better the business environment, and work to untangle knots for businesses, and facilitate their operations. The Ministry of Planning and Investment reported that as of the end of 2023, Vietnam counted 676 state-owned enterprises, operating in various sectors. At the beginning of 2023, their total assets were valued at 3.82 quadrillion VND (154.93 billion USD), including nearly 1.7 quadrillion VND of State capital. Last year, their combined revenue stood at 1.65 quadrillion VND, and the total amount of taxes and other payables to the budget reached 166.21 trillion VND, the ministry said. On this occasion, the PM launched an emulation movement to implement tasks set for this year./. Source: Vietnam News Agency
Phu Yen aims to become central coastal region’s blue economy hub
Phu Yen: Phu Yen province plans to develop itself into a blue economy hub in the central coastal region with digital economy, industry-green energy, high-quality tourism and services, high-tech agriculture and maritime transport and logistics as pillars, under the provincial master plan until 2030 with a vision to 2050. According to the plan, approved by the Prime Minister in December last year, Phu Yen will become a developing locality towards modernisation and sustainability by 2030 and successfully realise the targets of digital transformation and business and investment climate improvement to become an attractive destination for major domestic enterprises and foreign investors. Addressing the announcement ceremony on March 3, which saw the presence of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha said the master plan will open up opportunities and create more impetus for the province to further develop in the future. He said the province must learn from the experience of other localities in the region and look for creative ways to realise its goals. With huge potential for renewable energy, including wind and solar power, new forms of hydrogen energy and green ammonia, the province must have breakthrough solutions to attract investment in the fields of metallurgy, refining, petrochemicals and shipping, he noted. The Deputy PM agreed with the orientation of making tourism a key economic sector and a driving force for socio-economic development, saying this is a great advantage of the province but creative ways are needed. The province needs to link support services such as transport, accommodation, shopping and healthcare to create added value to tourism, and at the same time, tap the potential of cultural and natural heritage to develop green tourism, he said. Regarding digital transformation in tourism, he suggested electronic payment for travel ticket, accommodation booking, cuisine and other services, and promoting natural and cultural beauties online. As a coastal lo cality directly affected by climate change and sea level rise, it is essential for Phu Yen to integrate adaptation scenarios into plans as well as focusing on multi-purpose infrastructure systems, the Deputy PM said. Also at the ceremony, the provincial leaders granted investment policy decisions/investment certificates to 14 investors with a total registered capital of nearly 10.5 trillion VND (426 million USD) and five memoranda on studying projects worth 128.8 trillion VND./. Source: Vietnam News Agency