The Miss Supranational Vietnam 2022 pageant kicked off on May 17 in Ho Chi Minh City as the country searches for the most outstanding contestant to compete at the global Miss Supranational 2023 competition in Poland.

The organisers of the contest, Unimedia and Leading Media, said that the preliminary round of the beauty pageant is scheduled to last from now until October, while the semifinals and finals will be held in November and December.

Most notably, the competition will consist of a unique reality TV show and a series of programmes featuring various activities undertaken by the contestants, with these events set to be held across the country.

For this year’s contest, Nguyen Huynh Kim Duyen has been selected to represent the country at the Miss Supranational 2022 pageant, which is scheduled to take place in Poland this July.

Duyen will be accompanied by renowned Vietnamese designer Le Thanh Hoa at the international beauty pageant.

The 27-year-old girl is best known for winning the first runner-up title during Miss Universe Vietnam 2019, before going on to represent Vietnam at the Miss Universe 2021 pageant and finishing among the Top 16.

The Miss Supranational pageant has been held annually in Poland since 2009. In the most recent version of the event, Chanique Rabe was crowned Miss Supranational 2021, marking a historic win as she became the first winner of the beauty pageant from Namibia.

Vietnamese students can come back to New Zealand 

New Zealand is fully reopening to international students and the Government is committed to help reinvigorate and strengthen the sector, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today. 

“Our international education sector has done it tough for the last few years. Bringing forward our reopening to all international students shows this Government’s strong commitment to them, and to the rebuild of high-quality, world-class, New Zealand international education,” Chris Hipkins said. 

“Prior to the pandemic, the sector was worth several billion dollars to our country and education providers. This early reopening will be seen as great news for our universities, our polytechnics and wānanga, as well as for our schools, English language schools, and for private training providers.” 

“There are up to 5,000 places for students to come to New Zealand now, and from July 31, all international students who meet the entry criteria can enrol to study here. It’s time to show the world New Zealand is open for education – and we welcome students back,” Chris Hipkins said. 

“The criteria for international student visas has been adjusted to ensure New Zealand is building on its strong international education brand. We are universally regarded as a place that students want to come to study, we offer world leading education products, a safe and friendly place to study, and have a great reputation for cultural diversity and inclusiveness. 

“But we also want to ensure students are getting the most out of their study here and can move into meaningful work. The changes the Government announced yesterday will help ensure these students are getting value for their money and that those who stay on are helping fill skills gaps and contributing to the economy.” 

Consultation is also being launched today on the refresh of the New Zealand International Education Strategy 2022-2030. 

Documentary features President Ho Chi Minh’s building culture of peace

The Vietnam Film Institute has completed a 29-minute documentary on President Ho Chi Minh to mark his 132nd birthday (May 19, 1890).

The film portrays the late President’s transition from patriotism to Marxism-Leninism and his search for a path to national salvation, and the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the first democratic nation in Southeast Asia.

It also highlights the value of the Declaration of Independence delivered by President Ho Chi Minh at Hanoi’s Ba Dinh Square on September 2, 1945.

The work offers an insight into the late leader’s building of the culture of peace for the nation and the era as well, helping audiences at home and abroad understand more about his life and career.

The documentary was first screened on the national TV on May 17 night, and will be broadcast on the National Assembly TV on May 19 night.

Int’l Museum Day to uphold power of museums in communities

The topic of the International Museum Day 2022 (May 18) is ‘The Power of Museums’, aiming to explore potential of museums in bringinf about positive change in their communities through three aspects.

The first is the power of achieving sustainability. Museums are strategic partners in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. As key players in their local communities, they contribute to a wide variety of goals which include fostering short-circuit and social economy and disseminating scientific information on environmental challenges.

It is followed by the power of innovating on digitalisation and accessibility. Museums have become innovative playing-grounds where new technologies can be developed and applied to everyday life activities. Digital innovation can make museums more accessible and engaging, helping audiences understand complex and nuanced concepts.

And the third one is the power of community building through education. Through its collections and programmes, museums plays the role of a social thread essential in community building. By upholding democratic values and providing life-long learning opportunities to all, they contribute to shaping an informed and engaged civil society.

The Power of Museums will also be the topic of the 26th edition of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) General Conference in Prague this year, which is one of the most significant global events dedicated to museums and experts.

NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue concludes official visit to Laos

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and the NA delegation arrived in Hanoi late May 17, concluding an official visit to Laos at the invitation of Lao NA Chairman Saysomphone Phomvihane from May 15.  
 
In a thank-you letter to the Lao NA Chairman, Hue thanked the Lao legislative leader and other leaders for the warm welcome and the sincere, straightforward and trustful discussions during his visit, which he said contribute to promoting the further development of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in general and the two legislative bodies in particular.

Earlier before leaving Laos, NA Chairman Hue and the high-ranking NA delegation called at the Vietnam Consulate General in Pakse, Champasak province, and met with representatives from the Vietnamese community in four southern Lao provinces (Champasak, Attapeu, Sekong and Salavan).  

The top legislator appreciated the work of the Vietnamese Association in Southern Laos in helping members develop home economy, follow local laws and contribute to local development, thus contributing to the Vietnam-Laos traditional friendship.

Noting the large number of Vietnamese in Laos, at around 100,000, including 15,000 in the four southern Lao provinces, Hue asked the general consulate and associations of Vietnamese to assess the need for and effectiveness of schools for Vietnamese children in the localities, in order to find the most suitable model of such schools for the local community.        
           
He also reminded the consulate general and associations to pay attention to preserving the mother tongue and traditional culture in the Vietnamese community.   

The NA chairman also said the consulate general should pay more attention to helping Vietnamese businesses cope with difficulties in their operation in Laos, and organize activities in response to the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022.

On the occasion, the NA chairman presented school equipment worth 2.5 billion VND (over 108,000 USD) to four friendship schools in the four southern Lao province.

The Truong Hai Group, the Vietnam Bank for Investment and Development and the Viettel Group presented each friendship schools with 100,000 USD, each association of Vietnamese in the four southern Lao provinces with 25,000 USD and the ethnic boarding school of Champasak 50,000 USD.                       

NA Chairman Hue and the NA delegation also offered incense and flower at the monument to Lao and Vietnamese fallen soldiers. 

PM receives OV, US businessmen, scholars

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had meetings with overseas Vietnamese (OV) and US businessmen and scientists in San Francisco on May 17 morning (US time) within the framework of his working trip to the US to attend the ASEAN-US Special Summit.

At a working breakfast with representatives from several OV-owned enterprises in the fields of finance and technology, the PM shared the difficulties and challenges of OVs and OV businessmen in the US caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government leader expressed his respect and gratitude for their contributions to Vietnam’s pandemic prevention and control, both materially and spiritually.

He expressed his hope that OV entrepreneurs will stay healthy, enjoy better business, respect local law, and contribute more to the homeland as well as the Vietnam- US relations.

The Vietnamese Party and State always consider the OV community as an integral part of Vietnam, and have set forth many guidelines, policies and specific measures to create more and more favourable conditions for them to visit the homeland and engage in investment and business, scientific - technological cooperation, and cultural - art activities, the PM said.

He instructed relevant agencies to consider and build virtual working mechanisms to facilitate contact with OVs. 

OV businessmen made recommendations on policies to attract talents, promote the image of Vietnam, and mechanisms and policies of the Party and State to global investors, as well as proposals on specific projects and programmes underway in the country.
 
Receiving Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Operations at Microsoft Asia Pacific Sandy Gupta and other leading officials of Microsoft, PM Chinh congratulated Microsoft on its successes in recent times and its implementation of a digital transformation programme globally, including in Vietnam. He said he hopes Microsoft will effectively implement its programmes in Vietnam and contribute recommendations to help Vietnam effectively implement its digital transformation programme and build a digital government, a digital society, and digital citizens.

Microsoft executives said that this century is Asia's century and Vietnam is a big contributor.

As Vietnam has a young population and is a dynamic country ready to accept new technologies, Microsoft wishes to build digital skills for everyone, both in the public and private sectors; and develop data science in Vietnam. Currently, Microsoft is coordinating with the country's Ministry of Information and Communications to implement these programmes, and wants to cooperate with Vietnam in digital transformation, network security and helping the country achieve the goal of reducing gas emissions to zero by 2050, thus helping it build a green economy, digital economy, sustainable development, they said.

The same day, the Vietnamese Government leader also met Prof. Dr. Ruth O’Hara, chair of the 2021-2022 Faculty Senate of the Academic Council of Stanford University and Senior Associate Dean for Research in the Stanford University School of Medicine, and several professors of the university.
 
He proposed the Stanford University help Vietnam build the Big Data, together with cooperation in AI training. He also sought the university's assistance in carrying out agreements reached during his trip, particularly in building institutions, sharing pandemic control experience, training human resources training, and researching and producing medical equipment and medicines. 

The US professors appreciated Vietnam's work to fight COVID-19, and stated that Stanford University and Vietnam have a lot of potential for cooperation. They suggested some specific projects such as a program to protect Vietnamese brains, prevention of liver cancer caused by viruses, and a training programme for AI engineers.

Vietnam commits to cooperating with UN to fight terrorism

Vietnam commits to cooperating with the UN and countries in the fight against terrorism, Minister of Public Security To Lam affirmed during a working session with  Vladimir Voronkov, UN Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism in New York on May 16 (US time).

Minister Lam appreciated the UN’s support of the prevention and control of terrorism and extremist violence in Southeast Asia in general and Vietnam in particular. He underlined the urgency of cooperation in promoting multilateralism globally and in strengthening and enhancing the effectiveness of regional and international cooperative mechanisms, including those of the UN.  

The two sides shared the view that the threat from terrorism continues to grow globally, with international terrorist groups constantly seeking new operational methods, increasing the use of the cyberspace and information technology and linking with transnational criminals. Terrorism continues to be a serious threat to international security and peace.

Lam expressed the concern that COVID-19 long-term economic impacts would lead to a rise in terrorist attacks, and online extremist propaganda and terrorist recruitment. The UN plays an important role in coordinating and connecting international efforts, solidarity and vigilance among UN member states, to create a synergy strength to counter the threat and expansion of terrorism, he said.    

Affirming that Vietnam supports efforts of the international community in seeking effective solutions to fight and eliminate terrorism, the minister said the country needs assistance in counter-terrorism and air security through the building of a Countering Terrorist Travel programme  (CTTP)  and Threat Assessment Models (TAM Programme). 

He took the occasion to inform the UN side that Vietnamese public security officers enrolled in UN peacekeeping operations have completed training and necessary procedures and are ready for duty.
 
The UN Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism thanked the Vietnamese Public Security Ministry for its active and responsible cooperation in implementing the UN’s programmes and initiatives to fight transnational crimes, including terrorism and extremist violence.

He expressed a wish that the ministry will continue to participate in carrying out the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, and assign experienced officers to work in UN offices including the Office of Counter-Terrorism./.

Deputy defence ministers of Vietnam, Japan meet in Phnom Penh

Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien met with his Japanese counterpart Tsuchimichi Akihiro in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on May 17 on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Senior Officials’ Meeting (ADSOM).

The officials expressed their delight at their countries’ growing extensive strategic partnership in all aspects, including defence.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s impacts, bilateral defence ties have still been maintained and promoted, particularly in delegation exchange, military medical, personnel training, UN peacekeeping, and mutual support at multilateral forums, they noted.

The two deputy ministers agreed that Vietnam and Japan will continue enhancing concrete and substantive cooperation with a focus on increasing all-level mutual visits, addressing war aftermath through projects using the Japanese Government’s official development assistance and non-refundable aid, improving maritime law enforcement capacity, consulting with and supporting each other at multilateral forums, and working closely together to fulfil their role as co-chairs of the ADMM-Plus experts’ working group on peacekeeping operations for 2021 - 2023.

Fact-finding tour aims to boost cooperation among Women's Union with EU Delegation

Representatives of the European Union (EU) and partners in Vietnam made a fact-finding tour of central Thanh Hoa province on May 17 to learn more about the work of the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) and local women’s needs.

They visited two preeminent women-run livelihood models in Hoang Hoa district and an exhibition of 30 outstanding products made by women-owned cooperatives.

At a working session with VWU officials later the same day, Bulgarian Ambassador Marinela Petkova highly valued Vietnam’s efforts to to promote gender equality and bring into play women’s strengths, noting that she was much inspired by the visit to Thanh Hoa.

She held that the VWU’s enhancement of connectivity with international organisations and partners will help create conditions for Vietnamese women to develop, improve their leadership skills, and boost economic development.

The ambassador added in the time ahead, she will join hands with the VWU to prevent domestic violence, promote gender equality, and carry out cooperation with VWU units at all levels. Petkova also voiced her belief that the Vietnamese Government will further empower women so they can contribute more to national development.

Jesus Lavina, deputy head of the development cooperation division at the EU Delegation, said the fact-finding trip helped him gain a better understanding of women’s roles and contributions to poverty reduction and environmental protection, which are also common targets of the partnership between Vietnam and the EU.

The EU delegation pledged to coordinate with the country to carry out the three priorities in their cooperation framework, namely climate change adaptation, digital economy, and green transition.

Greek President visits Ha Long Bay

President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and a high-ranking delegation from Greece visited Ha Long Bay in the northern province of Quang Ninh on May 17 as part of their official visit to Vietnam.

Welcoming the Greek delegation, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Bui Van Khang gave them a brief introduction of the geological, geomorphological, historical and cultural values of the bay - a world natural heritage site.

The Greek leader thanked local officials for their warm welcome as well as local people for their hospitality, expressing her delight at the trip to Ha Long Bay.

Khang wished the delegation a successful visit to Vietnam which will last until May 19.

Health Ministry calls for faster COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 5-under 12

The Ministry of Health on May 17 asked localities nationwide to complete the COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 5 to under-12 and the administration of the third shot for people over 18 by the second quarter of 2022.

In an official dispatch, the ministry said as of May 16, some 217 million of vaccine doses had been administered in the country, including more than 2.5 million for children of the 5 - under 12 age group.

Most of the people of age 12 and above have received the basic vaccine shots.

However, the rate of people of age 18 and above receiving the third jab has yet to meet the set target, it added.

Vietnam attends ADSOM, ADSOM+ in Cambodia

Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien is leading a Vietnamese delegation to the ASEAN Defence Senior Officials’ Meeting (ADSOM) and the ASEAN Defence Senior Officials’ Meeting Plus (ADSOM+) which is taking place in Phnom Penh on May 17-18.

The two meetings, officially opened on May 17 morning, are being chaired by General Nem Sowat, Director General of General Department of Policy & Foreign Affairs under the Cambodian Ministry of National Defence.

Delegates are expected to hear the outcomes of the ADSOM Working Group, the 16th annual meeting of the Network of ASEAN Defence and Security Institutions; discuss the bloc’s current cooperation situation; and consider new initiatives of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting to enhance collaboration substantively.

Earlier on May 16, Chien had bilateral meetings with the heads of the Cambodian and Singaporean delegations.

Ha Tinh reburies Vietnamese martyrs repatriated from Laos

The central province of Ha Tinh on May 17 held a memorial and burial ceremony for 11 remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died in Laos during international missions.

At the ceremony, Le Ngoc Chau, vice chairman of the Ha Tinh Provincial People’s Committee, expressed his deep gratitude to Vietnamese heroes, martyrs, volunteers and experts who laid down their lives in Laos for the cause of national liberation.

During the past wars of resistance, tens of thousands of Vietnamese youths and experts volunteered to stand side by side with the army and people of Laos in the fight against foreign invaders, and many of them sacrificed their lives there.

Since 1999, Ha Tinh, with support of the Party, State and people of Laos, has gathered 789 remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos. Among them, 11 martyrs’ remains were excavated in the 2021-2022 dry season.

Foreign athletes, coaches join tours to discover Hai Duong

Over 70 domestic and international table tennis athletes, coaches, and referees recently went on tours around several prominent scenic spots in the northern province of Hai Duong that is hosting table tennis competitions at the ongoing 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31).

They offered incense at Kiep Bac Temple, Con Son Pagoda, and Nguyen Trai Temple, as well as spending time to discover Dao Co (Stork Island), which is home to 16,000 storks.

The special visitors also had the chance to learn more about the process of making Chu Dau pottery, sample Kiep Bac lotus tea, and taste Thanh Ha lychees.

Athlete Japeth Adasa Onganiza from the Philippines said that trip was a great experience for him, particularly as the scenery is very beautiful and local people are extremely friendly.

Painting exhibition propagates President Hồ’s ideals, encourages emulation

An ongoing painting exhibition seeks to inspire love for one’s country and cherish the freedom that President Hồ Chí Minh fought for.  

The exhibition is part of cultural activities organised in HCM City to celebrate the late president’s 132 birth anniversary (May 19).

Held on the premises of the HCM City Fine Arts Association, the exhibition, Sống và Làm Việc Theo Tư Tưởng, Phong Cách và Đạo Đức Hồ Chí Minh (Live and Work According to President Hồ Chí Minh’s Ideology, Morality and Lifestyle), displays 43 paintings on different materials by veteran artists. 

The paintings capture President Hồ’s great leadership and remarkable ideas for achieving the country’s freedom and independence.

Among the artists featured are Nguyễn Đăng Khoát, Lê Thị Kim Hạnh and Lê Xuân Hiếu. 

The May 11-20 exhibition opens at 9am to 6pm every day at 218A Pasteur Street, District 3.

400 pine trees in Da Lat cut down

Local authorities in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong are investigating the cutting down of around 400 pine trees in Da Lat City.

According to the initial results of the investigation, more than one hectare of a forest in Ward 8 has been ruined. The pine trees, which have a diameter of 20-60 centimetres and are 5-10 metres high each, have been logged at different times with many being newly cut down.

The forest is located in a remote and treacherous area, which is among difficulties for the forest management board to detect.

Some traces of poachers such as water bottles have been left on the site.

The investigation into the case is being carried out. Under local authorities’ instructions, the reforestation in the destroyed area needs to be completed before June 10.

Additional illegal sand mining case detected in Can Gio sea

The border guard forces of Ho Chi Minh City detected a barge HP 4786 with over 800 cubic meters of illegally mined sand and 14 pumping machines at midnight of May 17 while they were performing a patrol in Can Gio, Ho Chi Minh City. 

In the inspection process, 50-year-old barge owner and captain Nguyen Cong Tuyen was required to stop the sand pump and submit documents related to sand exploitation permit; however, the man failed to submit any relevant documents related to the operation. 

The border guard forces made a record for handling the barge operator and took the barge anchor at naval squadron No.2 in Can Thanh Town, Can Gio District for verification, investigation and handling according to the regulation.

Earlier, the border guard forces had arrested three barges along with 2,500 cubic meters of mined sand without legal documents in Can Gio sea in the early morning of May 16.

HCMC petitions for specific mechanisms and policies to develop sustainably

The People's Committee in Ho Chi Minh City petitioned the National Assembly to consider promulgating a Resolution to replace Resolution 54 so that the southern metropolis can continue to implement specific mechanisms and policies for rapid and sustainable development.

On the afternoon of May 17, the Ho Chi Minh City National Assembly Delegation supervised the implementation of Resolution 54/2017 of the National Assembly on piloting specific mechanisms and policies for the city’s development and social economy in the first four months of the year and the benefits and solutions in the last months of 2022.

The city's economy continued to rebound and recover strongly. In the first four months, the total state budget revenue reached more than VND186,000 billion, reaching more than 43 percent of the estimate.

Regarding the implementation of the Resolution 54, the municipal People's Committee has implemented 21 specific contents and projects. Of which, the city has issued a decision on investment policy in five group-A projects using the city budget with a total investment of VND12,900 billion.

The specific mechanism in land management empowers the city to decide the use purpose change of rice land from 10 hectares or more, helping the city save time. From 2018 to now, the People's Council of Ho Chi Minh City has approved 32 projects with a total area of more than 1,800 hectares, whereas three years ago, it submitted 76 projects to the Prime Minister, but only 21 projects were approved to change the use purpose.

Additionally, the city also collected more than VND132 billion in environmental protection fees to industrial wastewater.

High school students invent robotic arm aimed to work in hazardous environment

Through AI’s image recognition and processing, high school students Nguyen Khoa Hung and Vo Ta Thanh Minh of Phu Bai High School, Huong Thuy Town, Thua Thien - Hue Province successfully built an automated robotic arm meant to perform various tasks in environments that are too dangerous for human workers.

The duo won second place at the national science competition for high school students in March 2022.

Nguyen Khoa Hung said they had tried to be innovative by combining old and modern technologies to create a whole robot arm that can be controlled remotely. This helps users avoid being worn down by too much equipment, enabling free movements for both the user and the arm itself.

The robotic arm works based on image recognition and wireless connection. It can be controlled remotely and operated in hazardous chemical labs, used in Covid-19 patient care, sewer cleanouts, and can assist the elderly to carry heavy objects.

Foreign man huge fan of late President

In a small house near the centre of Saint-Truiden, about 80km from Brussels to the East, hang a photo of President Ho Chi Minh, along with those of other great leaders in the world.

Ahmet Yazar, a man of the Turkish origin who has lived in Belgium for more than 30 years, called President Ho Chi Minh “Uncle Ho” like generations of Vietnamese have been doing.

On his bookshelf, Yazar displays other photos of President Ho Chi Minh, including one featuring the President working and a group photo of the beloved President and international children.

Yazar said he respects the President as a true revolutionary, who led Vietnamese people to independence and had broad knowledge, stressing that Ho Chi Minh was the leader of not only Vietnamese people but all with “hearts for freedom”.
 
The man said President Ho Chi Minh, as a poet, a writer and a philosopher, has given inspirations in his life.

Expressing his love for Vietnamese people for their solidarity and hardworking spirit, Yazar said he plans to travel to Vietnam with his daughters and pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Hanoi.

Philip Fernandez, from the Canada-Vietnam Friendship Association (CVFS), highlighted at an online workshop on May 17 that President Ho Chi Minh was honoured in Vietnam and the world for his contributions to Vietnamese people and humankind.

He described Vietnam’s increasing position in the international arena as a legacy of the President.

The workshop was jointly held by the CVFS and the association on the occasion of the late leader’s birthday, during which books on the President were released.

HCM City prepares to give 4th COVID vaccine shot

HCM City has announced plans to give a second COVID-19 booster shot (fourth dose) to vulnerable people.

They will be given to immunocompromised people, those aged over 50 and people who are at risk of exposure to the virus like frontline healthcare workers.

The inoculation will begin as soon as the vaccines are received from the Ministry of Health.

Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines will be used, and the recommendation is that the fourth dose should be the same as the third.

Source: VNA/SGT/VNS/VOV/Dtinews/SGGP/VGP/Hanoitimes