Farmers in the Mekong Delta are under pressure due to climate change. (Photo: SGGP) Speaking at the conference, Mr. Le Thanh Tung, Deputy Director of the Department of Crop Production, said that mega-deltas in Asia, including the Mekong Delta, play an important role in providing food for millions of people in the region. However, the food systems in these deltas are being severely impacted by climate change, including floods, salinity intrusion, water shortages, and increasingly severe climate conditions. It negatively impacts economic growth, food security, and nutrition, besides challenges from urbanization and migration, and creates new poverty traps and hotspots of hunger. Dr. Ole Sander, Representative of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Vietnam, emphasized the role of Asian mega deltas as food baskets for countries in the region. The main goal of the Asian mega-deltas initiative is to build these deltas capable of sustaining socio-ecological integrity, … [Read more...] about Mega-deltas creating food baskets severely impacted by climate change
Mindset change
Vietnam to draft national action plan for circular economy adaptation
The adaptation of circular economic models would help Vietnam realize its commitment to net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) today [June 28] held a conference to kickstart the formulation of a national action plan to promote a circular economy in Vietnam. Minister of MONRE Tran Hong Ha at the event. Photos: UNDP At the event, Minister of MONRE Tran Hong Ha said climate change, environmental pollution, and the degradation of the natural ecosystem are posing threats to the world. He referred to the sixth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC-AR6) which stated that if global warming gradually increases 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial level, some impacts may be lasting or irreversible, such as the loss of some ecosystems. The IPCC also estimated since 2008, around 20 million people annually have been forced to leave their homes behind due to extreme … [Read more...] about Vietnam to draft national action plan for circular economy adaptation
Forum seeks to translate net zero carbon pledge into action
The Vietnam Circular Economy Forum 2022 takes place both in person and via videoconference on June 28. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam Circular Economy Forum 2022 took place on June 28 with a focus on how to translate the commitment on net zero emissions into action. Addressing the hybrid event, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha highlighted Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s message to the forum that calls for solidarity and joint actions to reduce carbon emissions towards net zero like the way humankind has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government leader also emphasised cooperation among the countries, as well as between them and international organisations so as to step up circular economy models, especially by sharing knowledge, boosting joint scientific researches, developing and transferring technology, Ha said. Environmental and climate issues always enjoy the top priority in the agenda of the Vietnamese Party, National … [Read more...] about Forum seeks to translate net zero carbon pledge into action
Australian Foreign Minister enjoys Pho ga in Hanoi
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong enjoys Hanoi's specialty of Pho ga or chicken noodles as she arrived in the city on her first visit to Vietnam. “The Ambassador was delighted to share her favorite Pho ga with Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Foreign Minister, and Chef Sam Tran on the first days in the city. Foreign Minister Wong (black shirt) enjoys P ho ga with Ambassador Robyn Mudie (blue shirt) in Hanoi’s old quarter area. Photo: Australian Embassy in Hanoi. In a Facebook post on June 27, the Embassy of Australia in Hanoi shared that Minister Wong was introduced by Chef Tran to the history and importance of Pho , and especially the Hanoian style of eating Pho . The photo shows the top diplomat in casual wear, enjoying Pho ga with Ambassador Mudie and sharing "views on Australia and Vietnam’s strong people-to-people links.” As a Vietnamese exquisite cuisine, the s imple yet exotic delicacy of Pho has won the heart of many foreign visitors … [Read more...] about Australian Foreign Minister enjoys Pho ga in Hanoi
Vietnam’s e-government procurement system set to launch in August
The e-GP would allow effective and transparent management of the public procurement process. Vietnam’s e-government procurement (e-GP) system is set to start operations on August 1, 2022. The new procurement system is set to operate on August 1. File photo The new procurement system, updated with new changes and designed to operate on multiple browsers, would help serve as a hub of information related to procurement, as well as a platform for the online bidding based on safety, competitiveness, fairness, and cost-efficiency. To ensure the smooth operation of the e-GP, participants in the bidding are requested to switch to the new system from the old one. The e-GP is developed under a project of applying e-commerce in public procurement under the public-private partnership (PPP). The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), IT company FPT, and the Investment and Development of National e-Procurement System Company are responsible for running the new … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s e-government procurement system set to launch in August
VN-Index strengthens by more than 15 points, backed by banking stocks
The benchmark started the morning trading session not so smoothly when the demand still hesitated, while the holders were ready to push sell orders when they saw that stocks reached their expected price levels. The cautiousness of both sides made the VN-Index go down slightly in the ATO session. The market continuously shook in the morning trading session when both the buyers and sellers failed to show their superior on the electric board. The market only improved in the afternoon trading session when buy orders above the reference price unexpectedly poured into the group of banking stocks. The green color from the most important stock group in the market was the driving force, helping change the color of the remaining large-cap stocks in the VN30 basket. At the end of the trading session, the VN-Index gained by 15.28 points, or 1.27 percent, to 1,218.1 points. Of the index, 326 stocks emerged, 53 remained unchanged, and 136 sank. Notably, the list of stocks that climbed today … [Read more...] about VN-Index strengthens by more than 15 points, backed by banking stocks
Citizens warned of serious flu symptoms
Head of the Internal Medicine – Infectious Disease Department of Thong Nhat Hospital Dr. Tran Thi Van Anh is treating flu patients. Not as lucky as H, 45-year-old N.T.T.T from Cu Chi District tried to cure flu symptoms by herself without much success. She suffered from high fever, sore throat, muscle pain, and a terrible headache. After 9 days with no improvement, she had to come to a hospital. Professional diagnosis revealed that she did not use correct medicine while overusing the air conditioner at home, along with a lack of daily exercise. After using the prescribed medicine, she felt much better. Head of the Internal Medicine – Infectious Disease Department of Thong Nhat Hospital Dr. Tran Thi Van Anh shared that many people now buy medicine to cure themselves from flu without any professional consultation. This may lead to using unnecessary drugs that can harm the kidney and liver, or even more severe complications like pneumonia, encephalitis, sepsis, which are … [Read more...] about Citizens warned of serious flu symptoms
Covid vaccination refusal must be confirmed in print: official
"Covid-19 vaccination is a requirement in the pandemic fight. As such, people need to get vaccinated as per existing regulations and at the right doses. The fact that localities are requesting people to sign forms to ‘take responsibility’ is to show their responsibility to the people," Phan Trong Lan, head of the General Department of Preventive Medicine, told press Monday. The statement was made as Covid-19 vaccination was slowing down in several regions, with many people refusing to get booster shots since they've already developed certain degrees of immunity from their previous shots and Covid-19 infections. The Ministry of Health has requested southern Vietnam localities to use up all their distributed vaccine doses before June ends, adding that people must sign forms to "take responsibility" if their decision not to get vaccinated causes an outbreak. The ministry however did not respond to the press regarding whether its decisions were based on any basis or precedents. Lan … [Read more...] about Covid vaccination refusal must be confirmed in print: official
Fresh measures to facilitate construction of North-South highway’s eastern part
The section linking Mai Son and national highway 45 under the North-South highway's eastern part According to the deputy PM, it is a key task set in the eighth National Party Congress Resolution to finalise the construction of 23 component projects by 2025 to smoothen travel in the North-South highway’s eastern part that runs over 2,000 km from Huu Nghi to Ca Mau province. As per schedule, it is a must to complete the construction of a 361.5km highway by late 2022, as well as an additional 652km by March 2024, and 729km extra by 2025. Thanh noted that to facilitate the implementation, the National Assembly and the government have greenlit the application of several specific mechanisms on contractor appointment and mineral exploitation serving the production of common building materials and several works during the project preparation stage, among others. Due to the huge work volume and limited timeline, relevant ministries, agencies, and localities need to embrace … [Read more...] about Fresh measures to facilitate construction of North-South highway’s eastern part
Australia pledges to beef up strategic partnership with Vietnam
Visiting Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong has affirmed that her nation will continue promoting its strategic partnership with Vietnam and always attaches importance to the Southeast Asian country's role in the region. She was speaking at her talks with her Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son in Hanoi on Monday as part of her three-day official visit to Vietnam from June 26 to 28 at Son’s invitation. Wong told her host that Australia highly values Vietnam’s role and position in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the region and the world, and that the new Australian government in which she is a member will continue strengthening the strategic partnership with Vietnam to boost the bilateral ties to a new height. The diplomat also stated that her country highly values cooperation with ASEAN, appreciates its central role, and will continue to promote cooperation with the bloc for the sustainable development of the Mekong sub-region. … [Read more...] about Australia pledges to beef up strategic partnership with Vietnam