The ivory, which was mixed in together with a batch of cow horn, was imported from Nigeria to Lach Huyen Port in Hai Phong. Nguyen Huu Dung, a customs official in Hai Phong, said when screening the cow horn, customs officers had detected abnormal signs. As a result, they used specialized tools to check the shipment more carefully and found the hidden ivory. Major General Vu Trung Kien, deputy commander of Vietnam’s Coast Guard, said signs of a ring trading and smuggling ivory from Nigeria to Vietnam had emerged since mid-October last year and the Coast Guard tightened inspections since then. The Coast Guard and police are investigating the ring further. Vietnam outlawed the ivory trade in 1992, but the country remains a top market for the product, which is prized for decorative and medicinal purposes, according to conservation groups. Vietnam is among the top 10 countries and territories in terms of wildlife trafficking, according to a December 2017 study by wildlife trade … [Read more...] about Coast Guard seizes 500kg of ivory smuggled into Vietnam from Nigeria
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Poetry in commotion: Young artists capture Hanoi’s spirit in electronic music
The vibrance of Hanoi culture is inspiring young musicians – locals and expats alike – to take on electronic music as a new medium to search for the ‘soul’ of the city. Ever since he set foot in Hanoi during a short exchange program six years ago, Robin Marty, a French student majoring in marine science, has been captivated by the robust life brimming in every corner of the Vietnamese capital city. “You always see bunches of young girls and boys driving around on their cheap electric bikes gagging and shouting. Most people smile first, then talk," Marty wrote in a release note for his 2021 EP Tra Da (Iced Tea). “And it is not uncommon to see people randomly singing in the street, in a shop, on their balcony. “I feel like that’s something we have forgotten back home [in France]." Limebócx members perform at a music event at Hanoi Rock City in December 2022. Photo : Hanoi Rock City Yet, in the meantime, the allure of modernism is gradually taking over the … [Read more...] about Poetry in commotion: Young artists capture Hanoi’s spirit in electronic music
Kien Giang implements 180-day IUU fishing combat drive
Raising fishermen's awareness on IUU fishing (Photo: VNA) Kien Giang (VNA) – The southern coastal province of Kien Giang province is focusing on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in 180 days, from December 2022 to May 2023, to contribute to the country’s efforts to have the European Commission (EC)’s on Vietnamese seafood removed. Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Le Quoc Anh said that Kien Giang has concertedly and effectively implemented legal regulations on fisheries; paid attention to addressing shortcomings and limitations as recommended by the EC, and managing the sustainable exploitation and development of the fishery sector for the benefits of its people, thus contributing to enhancing the position, image and international responsibility of Vietnam in the implementation of international commitments and treaties in protecting the marine environment and ecosystems, and ensuring national defence and security, sovereignty … [Read more...] about Kien Giang implements 180-day IUU fishing combat drive
Long An province reduces poverty with efficient credit programme
Nguyen Thi Kim Hong in Long An province’s Tan An city feeds her cattle. She received a soft loan from the government to set up her business, and has managed to escape poverty. (Photo: VNA) Long An (VNS/VNA) - The Mekong Delta province of Long An has taken effective measures to eradicate poverty. It had only 6,234 poor households, or 1.3% of the total number, as of the middle of last year, according to its Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs. A programme that provides soft loans to poor and near-poor people to do some business has been one of the major reasons for the significant and sustainable reduction in poverty. Le Van Chinh in Kien Tuong town’s Thanh Hung commune used to be poor, and received loans on two occasions under the programme and has escaped poverty. He first got 20 million VND (850 USD) to breed chickens in 2016, and repaid the loan in 2019. He then wanted to switch to growing hydroponic vegetables in combination with breeding … [Read more...] about Long An province reduces poverty with efficient credit programme