Phu Yen (VNA) – The CCIPY Vietnam Co., Ltd, a member of US-based Coilcraft Group, started construction work on a factory manufacturing electronic components at An Phu Industrial Park in Tuy Hoa city, central coastal Phu Yen province on May 13. It is the first factory of its kind located in Phu Yen. It has a designed capacity of 500 million items per year and mainly produces RF wirewound chips and electromagnets, all for exports. Director General of CCIPY Vietnam Koo Heng Sheong said the 5.7-million-USD factory is part of Coilcraft’s goal to develop production in Asia. The facility, which covers an area of 2.7 hectares, will be put into use in January 2018, offering job opportunities for about 2,000 local workers. -VNA … [Read more...]

Nha Trang faces severe scarcity of hotel rooms Dao Loan HCMC – Travel agencies are finding it difficult to secure enough hotel rooms in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province for domestic tourists in the upcoming summer holiday due to an upsurge of international arrivals. The strong growth of foreign visitor arrivals, especially from China and Russia, the province’s two largest source markets, has led to an imbalance between guest room demand and supply. Three to four-star hotels, the favorite segment for domestic tourists, are almost fully booked in the summer. Many tour operators have had to divide large groups of tourists into smaller groups that will stay at many different hotels, or opt for outlying areas like Doc Let and Cam Ranh. However, these solutions are ineffective, so some travel firms have asked customers to visit other coastal destinations such as Mui Ne in Binh Thuan Province, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province and Phu Yen Province. Tourists do not prefer one to … [Read more...]

Accordingly, the districts of An Lao, Vinh Thanh, Phu My, Hoai An, Hoai Nhon (Binh Dinh Province), and Son Dong (Bac Giang Province) are at risk of forest fires at level 5 (extremely dangerous). Meanwhile, the districts of Luc Nam and Luc Ngan (Bac Giang), districts of Tan Ky, Nghia Dan, and Quy Hop (Nghe An Province), and the whole Phu Yen Province are at level 4 (dangerous) risk of forest fires. The Forest Protection Department requests the above-mentioned local authorities and forest owners to take serious measures to prevent and fight against forest fires in accordance with regulations. * In Quang Ngai, due to prolonged hot weather, many localities in the province are in danger of forest fires. The provincial Forest Protection Department has assigned staff to be ready during the dry season, while putting measures in place across all levels to support forest fire prevention and control work when the fires occur beyond the control of localities. * On May 6, Dak Lak Provincial … [Read more...]

A recent excavation in Nui But Po Nagar Temple revealed what is arguably the biggest pair of Lingam-Yoni objects in Vietnam, according to Dr. Vu Quoc Hien, deputy director of the National Museum of History. A recent excavation in Nui But Po Nagar Temple revealed what is arguably the biggest pair of Lingam-Yoni objects in Vietnam, according to Dr. Vu Quoc Hien, deputy director of the National Museum of History. Lingam is a column-like object, representing the male genitalia of the Hindu deity Shiva while Yoni is the stylized representation of the female genitals, representing the goddess Shakti. The excavated temple is located in Nghia Chanh Ward, Quang Ngai City, which is the capital of the central province of Quang Ngai. The Lingam has a diameter of 40cm and stands at 43cm high while the Yoni measures 168cm x 124.4cm x 25.5cm (length x width x depth). The two objects are thought to date back to the 10th-13th centuries and they deserve to be recognized as national treasures, … [Read more...]

Khanh Hoa Customs Accelerating Reform and Modernisation Khanh Hoa province's economy has developed strongly over the past years. The robust growth of commodity trading, particularly increasing imports and exports, has placed greater efforts and challenges on the Khanh Hoa Customs Department. But, by accompanying and supporting enterprises and endeavouring to reform and modernise its operations, customs bureaus have always excellently accomplished its assigned tasks, thus contributing positively to local development. Khanh Hoa Customs Department, established in 1983, was formerly Nghia Binh-Phu Khanh-Dak Lak-Gia Lai-Kon Tum Customs Sub-department. In the early days of its operation, it seriously lacked facilities, personnel and communication equipment for professional work. Despite the lack of personnel, it was responsible for managing a vast area with four major seaports in Phu Khanh (present-day Khanh Hoa and Phu Yen provinces) and Binh Dinh province, two overland border gates in … [Read more...]

Despite breaking the law by allowing the destruction of 116 hectares of forest in Phu Yen Province, the local authorities have only described their violations as ‘careless’. Phu Yen provincial authorities approved the destruction of nearly 116 hectares of protective forest despite not having bothered having an environmental impact report by the Natural Resources and Environment and prime ministerial approval. The work was done in advance of an ASEAN beauty pageant. "It will take a year or two to complete all procedures while the beauty pageant is going to be held in July. So we created favourable conditions for the investor," Mai Kim Loc, vice director of the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment suggested as an excuse. But Loc said his department wasn't responsible as they received the order from the provincial people's committee. This is not only a severe violation of land management regulations but will also badly affect the environment. … [Read more...]

Localities advocate changes to GDP calculations Bich Van By Bich Van - The Saigon Times Daily DANANG - Leaders of cities and provinces at a conference last week agreed on use of common methods to calculate gross domestic product (GDP) in order to provide exact figures of economic performance in their localities. Speaking at a conference of the Ministry of Investment and Planning in Danang City, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said the calculations of GDP in a number of localities in the country are not accurate, so they need correcting. Dung said many localities reported their annual GDP growth rates of 9% or even 14%, while the national GDP growth was only 5%. “The calculations of GDP in localities are obviously not accurate. In the context of global integration, we need to calculate the GDP in a standard way, even though it will result in lower growth figures,” he said. Vo Thanh Hao, chairman of Ben Tre Province, said GDP cannot be divided among localities and there … [Read more...]

VietinBank lends VND5.4 trillion to tunnel project Hong Phuc and Thanh Thuong By Hong Phuc and Thanh Thuong - The Saigon Times Daily HCMC – Vietnam Bank for Industry and Trade, or VietinBank, will provide a VND5.4-trillion loan for a project to build a tunnel linking Phu Yen Province, Van Phong Economic Zone and Nha Trang City. The Ca Pass Tunnel credit contract was signed in Hanoi on Tuesday between the bank and Ca Pass Investment Joint Stock Company, VietinBank said in a statement. The total cost of the project was originally estimated at over VND10.5 trillion but later revised down to VND6.5 trillion. Ca Pass Tunnel will be developed under build-operate-transfer (BOT) format with a total length of 3.9 kilometers. It is an important traffic project of Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa provinces and the nation as a whole. According to the Ministry of Transport, the project is intended to reduce traffic accidents, save vehicular travel time and ensure good traffic flow in the area even … [Read more...]

The visits also opened up opportunities and prospects for stronger cooperation between Vietnamese businesses and their counterparts from these countries. Many talks and exchanges were held between Mr Dung and the leaders of the five ASEAN countries, who praised Vietnam’s increased role and position in the region, its rapid and sustainable economic development as well as its open external policy. Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah said that all the remaining nine ASEAN member countries have benefited from relations with Vietnam. He praised Vietnam’s achievements in national construction and development and its contributions to regional development. He also expressed his belief that Brunei and Vietnam will be “hand in hand” striving for the common interests of the whole region, prosperity of the two countries and happiness of all families. As a result, Mr Dung’s visit helped define and expand key cooperation areas between Vietnam and each of the five … [Read more...]

The USCIRF made the request after releasing its 2008 annual report on the religious situation in many countries, including Vietnam, on May 2. In its report, the USCIRF said that severe religious restrictions continue in Vietnam and that the Government continues to disregard its citizens’ universal right to religious freedom. It accused Vietnam of preventing the activities of religious groups such as the Cao Dai and Hoa Hao, and of monitoring, interrogating and arresting Khmer Buddhists. It also demanded that Vietnam free the Most Venerable Thich Huyen Quang and Thich Quang Do. During a fact-finding tour of Vietnam from October 21 to November 1, 2007, a USCIRF delegation met with Government officials and saw with their own eyes free religious practices in many places. The vice chairman of the USCIRF said that Vietnam’s frank exchange has cleared up their doubts and that the country has made progress in religious freedom and human rights. USCIRF chairman Michael Lewis … [Read more...]

The reduction resulted in total earnings of US$327 million compared with the same period last year. Vietnamese tuna products were exported to 100 countries and territories, including the US, Japan, Israel and Canada, as well as the EU and the ASEAN region. From the first day to August 15, the tuna export value to the EU and Japan, two key export markets of local tuna products, fell by 23 % to $65.4 million and by 23.8 % to $12.8 million, respectively, against the same period last year. Meanwhile, the nation gained year-on-year growth of 13.8 % in tuna export value to reach $120 million for exports to the US and 8.8 % to reach $21.6 million for exports to the ASEAN region. According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), tuna exports by this year-end have not shown signs of recovery, while the global demand for tuna has dropped and the supply of tuna has increased. Therefore, this year could be the third consecutive year of reductions in tuna exports, the … [Read more...]

Notes of exchange for the second phase of project-PACSA 2 were signed in Hanoi on July 6 by Japanese Ambassador Sakaba Mitsuo and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat. The project aims to eliminate coastal erosion from tides and typhoons for the protection of adjacent cultivation and residential areas. Afforestation has been one of the Japanese government’s non-refundable aid priorities for the Vietnamese forestry sector since 1992, Minister Cao Duc Phat said at the signing ceremony. Through its International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan has assisted the Central Highland province of Kon Tum in sustainable forest management and provided afforestation equipment to the northwest region. The first phase of PACSA, valued at US$11 million, was implemented in Quang Nam and Phu Yen provinces during the 2001-2005 period. As a result, 3,100 ha of forests on sandy areas along the coast have proved effective in staving off the loss of land area, as well as … [Read more...]

In the central province of Kontum, several districts remain isolated. On the early morning of September 30, the provincial authorities erected temporary bridges in areas where the water has receded to stabilize people’s lives. The Ho Chi Minh Highway section in Dak Glay district was 1m under water, while the districts of Kon Plong and Kon Ray are still blocked off by landslides. On the evening of September 29, strong winds tore down 22 houses in Song Cau town, Phu Yen province and heavy seas sank 12 fishing boats that were berthed. The provincial flood control committee is monitoring essential areas in case of surging tides. In the central province of Quang Tri, some river banks were broken, causing flooding on a large area. More than 300 houses have been destroyed or have had their roofs blown off. Hundreds of hectares of rubber trees have also been torn down. In Quang Ngai province, where the Dung Quat oil refinery is located, the local authorities advised local inhabitants … [Read more...]

Due to the impact of a tropical low pressure front approaching from the East Sea over the weekend, heavy downpours occurred in the central provinces with flood water rising up to second alert level in some rivers in Quang Ngai, Phu Yen and Thua Thien-Hue. Thousands of households in these provinces have been inundated. Meanwhile, local authorities from Quang Tri to Khanh Hoa said that more than 2,800 vessels with 19,000 fishermen received timely warnings about the tropical depression and have been guided to safe shelter. Thua Thien Hue province plans to evacuate around 21,000 households from danger areas, especially those hardest hit by storm No 9. *** Heavy rains have blocked off many streets in Quang Ngai city, making it difficult to bring patients to the provincial polyclinic. Currently, flood waters in the province’s rivers have exceeded second alert level and are predicted to continue to rise. The provincial people’s committee has mobilised all available forces to get … [Read more...]

The pregnant victims include a 25 year-old woman from central Phu Yen province, who was in her fourth month of pregnancy. The other, aged 24, from the Central Highland province of Gia Lai, was entering her seventh month of pregnancy. The two other victims are a 2 year-old girl, who was reportedly born with congenial heart disease and a 48 year-old woman, who was suffering from a blood disease. The new fatalities were in the high-risk groups that the Ministry of Health has asked the Government’s permission to inoculate against the potentially deadly flu. As of 17:00 the same day, Vietnam confirmed 10,376 A/H1N1 infections scattered across 59 provinces and cities. However, 9,952 of those have recovered and been discharged from hospital. Now that Vietnam has a formula to vaccinate against H1N1 flu for various ages-except patients with chronic diseases-the Health Ministry is building a H1N1 flu vaccination plan. The Ministry affirmed that there is no shortage of medicine to treat … [Read more...]

At 16.00 on November 1, the storm was centred at 13.7 degrees north latitude and 114.1 degrees east longitude, about 510km east of the central coast from Quang Ngai to Phu Yen provinces. It was moving west and south-west with winds gusting between 75-105km/h. In the next 24 hours, Mirinae will move in the same direction at a speed of 20-25km/h and directly affect coastal provinces from Binh Dinh to Ninh Thuan. Tropical storm-force winds will stretch out to 200km from the centre. Mirinae is expected to make landfall and bring heavy rains on November 3 before weakening into a tropical depression. The storm, together with a cold snap from the north, will also cause heavy rains in provinces from Thua Thien-Hue to Binh Thuan. At an urgent meeting on October 31, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai asked south-central provinces to call in fishing vessels at sea, protect dams, reinforce public works and people’s houses, and evacuate people from flood-prone areas before 24.00 on … [Read more...]

Nguyen van Le, deputy head of the district committee for flood and storm control, said that there was no big loss to property as islanders had reinforced their homes and public works before the storm made landfall. However, more than 40 hectares of newly transplanted garlic were completely destroyed by the strong winds. Quang Ngai province evacuated 450,000 residents from low-lying areas to safe zones. It also asked all primary and secondary schools in flood-prone districts to close until the storm moves further inland and weakens into a tropical depression. Experts fear that the torrential rains that began on November 1 could trigger widespread flooding in the region. Mirinae, which produced sustained winds of 100km/h, tore off thousands of roofs, snapped power lines and brought down trees in Phu Yen province. It also lashed the coastal districts of Tuy An, Song Cau, Dong Hoa and Tuy Hoa city with heavy rains. Torrential rains plus rising flood tiles submerged many parts of the … [Read more...]

The Prime Minister has decided to spend VND225 on disaster relief and send 10,000 tonnes of rice to help the provinces of Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan and Gia Lai. The aid will give storm victims adequate food and money to purchase necessary items to restore production, repair and rebuild infrastructure including schools, medical clinics, irrigation systems and roads, and prevent the outbreak of diseases. The PM has asked the leaders of these provinces to use their provincial budgets and mobilise other capital resources to overcome the aftermath of the natural disaster. The storm left 98 dead, 66 injured, 20 missing. Phu Yen province took the heaviest toll with 69 dead, 16 injured and 20 missing. … [Read more...]

A total of 19 people have been confirmed dead in Phu Yen province, whilst 16 are injured and 3 still missing. In Khanh Hoa 4 people are dead, 7 injured and 3 still missing. In Gia Lai 4 people area dead and 1 person has also died in Ninh Thuan. In Phu Yen province, as many as 341 houses have collapsed while 5,428 others have been badly damaged, along with the sinking of 145 boats. In Binh Dinh province, 127 houses have been destroyed and nearly 2,500 others damaged. In Dak Lak province, over 350 houses, office buildings and schools, thousands of rubber and pine plantations and many hectares of coffee have been damaged. Landslides have disrupted traffic on National Highway 24 connecting Quang Ngai to Kon Tum. … [Read more...]

The provincial committee for flood and storm control said six deaths were confirmed in Song Cau town and five in Tuy An district. A total of 140 houses collapsed, 1,899 others were damaged, more than 625 hectares of rice and subsidiary crops were destroyed and 16 boats sank. Flooding also disrupted traffic on National Highway No1A running across Chi Thanh town and An Dan commune in Tuy An district and Xuan Loc commune in Song Cau district. Landslides brought north-south trains to a halt, leaving thousands of passengers stranded in Khanh Hoa and Binh Dinh provinces. Heavy downpours and rising flood waters hampered rescue work in low-lying areas. Many communes in Tuy An and Dong Xuan districts and Song Cau town were submerged and cut off. In Tuy An district alone, at least 3,000 houses were two to three metres under water. Eight motorised boats were called in to rescue the victims, but could not reach the isolated houses. Dao Tan Loc, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, … [Read more...]