Bulgaria under communism

Phung Ba Hung was recently named amongst the recipients of the Fulbright Master’s Program Scholarship so that he can continue to spread his love for reading in Vietnam. Hung’s passion for reading began when he was a child. It was not until after he graduated from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities under the Vietnam National University-Hanoi with a degree in journalism and media studies that he started sharing his passion with others through the launch of Duong Lieu. Duong Lieu is a private library he opened in his living room designed to create a safe space for neighborhood children to lose themselves in the magic of literature. When Hung, 33, launched Duong Lieu in 2013, the few private libraries that existed in his Hanoian neighborhood were primarily run by retired teachers, veterans, and the elderly. While these libraries were appreciated by many, they were not particularly approachable and child-friendly. “My knowledge of journalism and media has really … [Read more...] about This young man is the backbone of Vietnam’s community library network

Hanoi plans to create five to ten industrial clusters this year. Hanoi's authorities broke ground for the construction of the Phu Yen craft village industrial cluster in Phu Xuyen District on March 30. The groundbreaking ceremony of the Phu Yen craft village industrial cluster project. Photo: Hanoimoi Newspaper The Phu Yen artisan village industrial cluster in Gie Ha Village, Phu Yen Commune, covers 10.5ha and was funded by Chi Cuong Construction Investment Consultant Joint Stock Company for VND200.3 billion (US$8.5 million). Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Nguyen Xuan Thanh, Secretary of the Phu Xuyen District Party Committee, stated that the industrial cluster's establishment aims to relocate local production facilities in the fields of leather and footwear, garment, lacquer, services for industrial clusters, and other industries away from residential areas, thereby reducing the environmental pollution. According to Nguyen Manh Quyen, Vice … [Read more...] about Hanoi begins work on Phu Yen craft village industrial cluster

On March 31, the event occurred adjacent to the Hanoi Cooperative Alliance's headquarters in Van Quan Ward, Ha Dong District. More than 100 cooperative groups of cooperative alliances from Hanoi and provinces all over the country participated in a week-long fair promoting the sale of farm produce and handicrafts recognized by the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program to showcase their products and agricultural models linked to eco-tourism. Hanoi's authorities attend the opening ceremony of the event. Photo: Trong Tung/ The Hanoi Times Do Huy Chien, the chairman of the Hanoi Cooperative Alliance, stated that the week-long fair aims to promote farm goods, processed foods, and OCOP items related to rural and agricultural sectors and traditional craft villages from Hanoi and other areas. "The event is also intended to link tourism promotion activities between the city and localities throughout the country, contributing to increasing the brand value of … [Read more...] about Hanoi hosts a week-long exhibition showcasing OCOP farm products

Minister Counselor Le Thi Minh Thoa , Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations speaks at the event (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Minister Counselor Le Thi Minh Thoa, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, has called for a comprehensive and all-society approach to sustainable waste management. Addressing the United Nations General Assembly’s session on zero waste – breakthrough solution to sustainable development goals (SDGs) on March 30, Thoa said sustainable waste management plays a crucial role in achieving the SDGs, especially Goal No.12 on sustainable production and consumption and Goal No.13 on climate change response. Fully aware that zero waste is a solution to climate change, Vietnam passed a national action plan on circular economy, with a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% of the total national income and reuse and recycle, and treat 85% of the plastic waste, as well as reduce plastic waste in the … [Read more...] about Vietnam calls for comprehensive, all-society approach to waste management

The policy was announced by the Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai at a workshop organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade together with Thai Binh People’s Committee on March 30. The workshop discussed ways to promote investment and create regional business linkages, aiming to consolidate the implementation of Politburo Resolution 30-NQ/TW on the Red River Delta development. The Red River Delta comprises 11 cities and provinces, including Hanoi, Haiphong, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, and Ninh Binh, with Hanoi and Haiphong as centrally governed cities. The delta is in a favourable geographic and political position for socioeconomic development, as it lies between the northeastern and northwestern regions, and between the northern mountainous areas and the central region. The delta is also adjacent to the Chinese market, with access to other northeast Asian countries, helping the northern provinces promote trade with the world. Speaking at the workshop, Minister of … [Read more...] about Promoting interregional linkage in the Red River Delta

Directors and audience hold talks after the screening (Photo: VNA) Paris (VNA) – Documentary films produced by young Vietnamese directors are being screened in a special programme entitled “L’aventure Varan Vietnam” (Adventure of Varan Vietnam ) under the umbrella of the Cinéma du Réel 2023 (International documentary film festival) which is underway in Paris from March 24- April 2. Director Ha Le Diem’s “Nhung dua tre trong suong” (Children of the Mist), Tran Phuong Thao’s “Uoc mo lam cong nhan” (Pomelo), “Chuyen di cuoi cung cua chi Phung” (The last journey of madame Phung) by Nguyen Thi Tham are three among 20 works introduced at the event. The works were created in training programmes conducted by Varan Vietnam Productions since 2004. Speaking at a screening, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang highlighted the significant meaning of the event in welcoming the 50th anniversary of Vietnam- France diplomatic relations and the tenth anniversary of the … [Read more...] about Vietnamese documentary films screened in France

A meeting session of UN General Assembly. (Photo: VNA) New York (VNA) – A global problem, climate change requires a global approach based on multilateral cooperation and institutions, particularly the respect for international law and the UN Charter, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), has said. Vietnam’s engagement in UN resolution that urges the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to outline nations' legal obligations related to curbing climate change disasters and their impacts on vulnerable communities proves the country’s point of view, the ambassador said in a recent interview to the Vietnam News Agency right after the resolution was adopted on March 29. The resolution, co-sponsored by 132 countries, calls on the ICJ to lay out nations' obligations for protecting Earth's climate, and the legal consequences they face if they don't. The court's opinion would be non-binding. Giang described the adoption of … [Read more...] about Vietnam emphasises global multilateral approaches to solving climate change issues

A member of the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute helps in the clean up of oil sludge on the coast of the town of Pola, Oriental Mindoro. (Photo:Greenpeace Philippines) Hanoi (VNA) – The massive oil leak from a tanker that sank off the Philippines' Oriental Mindoro province a month ago has affected at least 63 tourism sites and 1,000 workers in the field, the country's Department of Tourism (DOT) reported. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said that affected tourism spots include those for community-based tourism. She directed the regional tourism offices to craft a recovery action plan to guide the affected tourism stakeholders, adding that the government will provide affected tourism workers with social protection. She said the department will equip the affected frontline workers with “capacity building and skills training programs to prepare and provide them with alternative sources of livelihood” after the oil spill. The MT Princess Empress … [Read more...] about Philippines supports workers affected by oil spill

NEW YORK/LONDON -- Global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity shrank to its lowest level in more than a decade in the first quarter of 2023, as rising interest rates, high inflation and fears of a recession soured the appetite of companies for dealmaking. M&A volumes during the first quarter slumped 48% to $575.1 billion as of March 30, compared to $1.1 trillion during the same period last year, according to data from Dealogic. A banking crisis that started in the United States this month with Silicon Valley Bank and spread to Europe with the Swiss government-orchestrated sale of Credit Suisse Group AG (CSGN.S) to UBS Group AG (UBSG.S) roiled markets and stopped many deals in their tracks, investment bankers and lawyers said. "The first quarter had extraordinary levels of volatility and uncertainty - more than expected going into the year. And that has the impact of postponing some announcements," said Anu Aiyengar, global head of M&A at JPMorgan Chase & … [Read more...] about Global dealmaking sinks to lowest level in over a decade

VFF President Tran Quoc Tuan (left) presents a national team jersey to Herbalife General Director Vu Van Thang after their sponsorship signing ceremony on March 29 in Ha Noi. — Photo courtesy of the the company The Viet Nam Football Federation (VFF) announced on March 29 that Herbalife has been selected as the official sponsor of the national teams. As part of the agreement, Herbalife will provide substantial support to both the men's and women's squads as they compete in major tournaments such as the Asian Cup, SEA Games 32, Asian Games and World Cup in 2023. Herbalife has been a partner of the VFF since 2021. In addition to financial backing, the company will also supply nutritional supplements to help players enhance their physical strength and endurance in training and competitions. Herbalife experts will also conduct courses and talks on sports nutrition to share helpful information with coaches and athletes. "With the continued companionship of Herbalife along with … [Read more...] about VFF welcomes Herbalife as main sponsor for national football squads