Earlier, ASEAN member countries convened a meeting to coordinate their stances. Ambassador Vu Ho, Acting Head of ASEAN SOM Vietnam, led a Vietnamese delegation to the meetings. Myanmar, the coordinator of ASEAN - China ties, and China co-chaired the 20th SOM-DOC which took place after nearly two years of hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the meeting, delegates reaffirmed the value and importance of DOC in the region. They highly appreciated the positive results in the DOC implementation over the past time. They highlighted the effective implementation of specific cooperation activities in marine environment protection, marine scientific research, humane and fair treatment of fishermen, search and rescue operations at sea. They also noted activities in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the signing of the DOC in 2022. The delegates showed their concerns about the complex developments in the East Sea (South China Sea) which erode trust, increase tensions, and affect … [Read more...] about ASEAN, Chinese senior officials meet on DOC implementation
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Natural outdoor adventure abounds at Tien Cave
The journey to Tien Cave in Coc Ly Commune, Bac Ha District, follows a miniature path resembling the flow of the Chay River. The river originates at tributaries in the western Ha Giang Province and then meanders through Lao Cai and Yen Bai before merging with the Lo River in Phu Tho. According to the Lao Cai Tourism Information and Promotion Center, Tien Cave is a natural cave that has not been developed for tourism yet. While it has been a passing sight on Bao Nhai - Coc Ly Market tours, its popularity among domestic tourists has grown steadily since early 2023. Tien Cave offers a captivating scene reminiscent of Ha Giang's renowned Tu San Pass, which stands as one of Southeast Asia's most magnificent canyons. At Tien, visitors can camp in the cave and engage in various water activities on the river. The landscape at Tien Cave in Lao Cai Province. Photos by Dung Nguyen Local tour guide Dung Nguyen explains that reaching Tien Cave requires a journey to Bao Nhai … [Read more...] about Natural outdoor adventure abounds at Tien Cave
Top-to-bottom changes needed to save Mekong Delta from erosion
The 78-year-old farmer’s "used-to" means around 10 years ago. "The river was healthy and gentle, now it’s like a starving person who keeps eating into the bank." Erosion has occurred regularly along both the Hau and the Tien rivers, two tributaries of the Mekong, and many smaller river branches in the Mekong Delta. A report by the World Wide Fund for Nature in Vietnam and the Department of Natural Disasters Prevention at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said that by the end of 2021, the Mekong Delta had 621 major erosion areas that stretched for a total of around 610 km. Around 500 ha of land in the delta is lost to erosion every year, the report estimated. Erosion in the delta is not new, it’s just getting more serious. While climate change can be blamed as a natural cause, there are many man-made causes, from the construction of hydropower dams upstream along the Mekong, to the destruction of mangrove forests and sand mining. Nearly 40 million tons of … [Read more...] about Top-to-bottom changes needed to save Mekong Delta from erosion
N.A. delegation attends Nevsky International Ecological Congress in St. Petersburg
At a meeting on May 25 with Yatskin, who is also head of the Russian Federation Council’s group for cooperation with the N.A. of Vietnam, Dinh affirmed that Vietnam always treasures the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia, and remembers the priceless support that the former Soviet Union and now Russia has given to Vietnam. Dinh, who is also Chairman of the Vietnam - Russia Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group, pointed to a number of problems in the economic-trade partnership between the two countries, and asked Russia to support the upgrade and adjust the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) to benefit bilateral relations. He also suggested that Russia create favourable conditions for the strengthening of labor cooperation in areas of each other’s strengths and demands, and simplify the visa-granting procedures for Vietnamese citizens. The Vietnamese official expressed his hope that the parliament and … [Read more...] about N.A. delegation attends Nevsky International Ecological Congress in St. Petersburg
International solidarity in Bambari
For Major Nguyen Van Hien, who is a member of the Bambari Operation Team, and his colleagues, it is the sincere support and sharing of international friends that have motivated them to overcome all difficulties and hardships to complete missions entrusted by the Party, State, and military. Recalling his first days in Bambari, a town in Ouaka of the Central African Republic, Major Hien said that although he had been well-prepared before being deployed to the area, he was still shocked at the harsh weather conditions which is filled with red soil and gravels. Dozens of families live in small cottages. On the way to the central area of Ouaka, he did not see any sign of medical, education, electricity, and water systems. Everything was far beyond the imagination of the Vietnamese blue beret soldier. Difficulties piled up when food and necessities transported by air from Vietnam could not reach the Central African Republic due to the complicated security situation. Meanwhile, local food … [Read more...] about International solidarity in Bambari
7 Quy Nhon summer travel experiences to enjoy from dawn till dusk
Dawn on Queen (Hoang Hau) Beach, located on Ghenh Rang Hill, two kilometers from downtown Quy Nhon. According to the locals, Queen Nam Phuong, consort of Bao Dai, Vietnam’s last king, chose the spot for a private holiday with her husband in 1927, thus giving the beach its name. A unique, distinct feature of the beach is the presence of hundreds of round stones like giant bird’s eggs. The poet’s grave lies on Thi Nhan Hill in Ghenh Ranh Tourism Area, a few minutes’ walk from Hoang Hau Beach. The beach is not far from the tomb of Han Mac Tu, a talented Vietnamese poet who tragically died young. Tu’s poems emerged during the 1920s-30s as the heartbroken voice of a young soul. He contracted leprosy, then an incurable disease, in 1937 and spent the rest of his life at Quy Hoa Leprosy Village, established in 1929 by a French priest named Paul Maheu. He died two years later, just 28 years old. Photo by Ngoc … [Read more...] about 7 Quy Nhon summer travel experiences to enjoy from dawn till dusk