Water resources by country

The drought-stricken Kwan Phayao Lake in Phayao province in northern Thailand in May 2023. (Photo: bangkokpost.com) Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has said drought, floods and other extreme weather exacerbated by climate change could cause damage worth 36 billion THB (1 billion USD) to the Thai economy this year. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), a key member of the JSCCIB, stressed that water scarcity caused by drought is the committee's leading concern because it could have a massive impact on both the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, hampering already sluggish exports. According to the Commerce Ministry's latest data, in the first four months of 2023 Thai exports decreased by 5.2% year-on-year to 92 billion USD, while imports fell by 2.2% to 96.5 billion USD, resulting in a trade deficit of 4.51 billion USD. drought , hoping to work with the … [Read more...] about Thailand forecasts huge losses caused by climate change

An overview of a discussion during the NA's fifth session. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Legislators are scheduled to discuss in groups the draft Land Law (revised) at the National Assembly 's ongoing fifth session in Hanoi on June 9. The bill, which was made public to receive opinions from the people from January 3 to March 15, aims to complete the land-related institutions and policies to match the socialist-oriented market economy institutions, while dealing with the overlapping and differences in policies and legal regulations in the field. It is expected to create a legal corridor for the efficient and sustainable management and use of land resources, ensuring defence-security, protecting the environment, adapting to climate changes and making a new motivation for the country to become a developed country with high income. The bill is also hoped to settle problems in land management and use, ensure harmonised interests of the State, land users and investors, promote the … [Read more...] about Lawmakers to discuss draft revised Land Law

Sweltering temperatures have hit various northern parts of Vietnam, leaving water in the Son La hydropower reservoir, the largest of its kind in the country, reaching critically low levels and thereby putting stress on power generation and supply as well as the livelihoods of local people. Over the past few days, during which the northwestern region saw temperatures nearly reach 40 degrees Celsius, the Son La and Lai Chau hydropower plants, located in the namesake provinces, respectively, were almost inactive. The record-low water levels of a downstream area of the Son La hydropower reservoir, the largest of its kind in Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre Mai Duc Tiep, who is in charge of the Son La hydropower plant’s operations team, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) news that the water levels in the dam hit record low in 13 years, below the dead-pool level of 175 meters. Six turbines at the plant, which had been operational during the previous extreme hot days, have … [Read more...] about Prolonged drought takes heavy toll on Vietnam’s largest hydropower reservoir

A tourist at Tien Cave in Lao Cai Province - Photo 52hz.vn Tien Cave is one of the beautiful landscapes in the country and attracts many tourists to Lao Cai Province. The cave has a wild beauty with many beautiful and studding stalactites. With a white sandy beach and crystal clear water, the scenic cave is an ideal resting place among the mountains on summer days. The path leading to the cave in Coc Ly Commune, Bac Ha District is a small flow of the Chay River, originating from stream branches in the northwest of Hà Giang Province. On a boat trip on the stream leading to Tien Cave - Photo traveloka.com The Chay River coming here seems to be constricted to form a deep river, bringing a gentle look, weaving between the two steep cliffs. The two sides are primeval forests, covering the whole landscape with a cool, fresh climate. To reach this place, we went through Bao Nhai Commune and then took a boat upstream on the Chay River for nearly an hour. During the … [Read more...] about Discovering Tien Cave in Lao Cai

At the ongoing fourth substantive session of the U.N. open-ended working group on conventional ammunition in New York, Minister Counselor Le Thi Minh Thoa, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, also shared the international community’s common concern over the risks and challenges brought about by the illicit trade, transfer, misuse and mismanagement of ammunition. She said the framework should be voluntary and non-binding, take into account the level of development and national law, and place no additional burdens on developing countries. It needs to capitalize on existing mechanisms related to ammunition including the U.N.’s Program of Action on small arms and light weapons and Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, as well as nations’ efforts in the matter, Thoa elaborated. She held that in this process, support for and cooperation with developing countries in capacity building, technology transfer and resource assistance are crucial in … [Read more...] about Conventional ammunition management framework must respect international law, U.N. Charter: official

Themed “Kien Giang provincial armed forces together with the party organization, authorities, and people of Hon Dat district build new-style rural area,” the program will take place from June 2023 to January 2024. As planned, the program will facilitate the construction of 115 houses for needy households and seven rural bridges; present gifts to policy beneficiaries, poor and near-poor families; provide health examination, medicines, and consultation for locals. The organizing panel will present scholarships to needy students with good academic results; build electricity systems in rural areas; carry out environment projects; and hold artistic and sporting events and competitions. Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Chairman of the Kien Giang provincial People’s Committee and head of the steering committee Nguyen Luu Trung evaluated that this mass mobilization model bears profound socio-political and humane significance, embodying the tradition of "When drinking water, remember its … [Read more...] about Kien Giang kick-starts military-civilian program in 2024

A Korean student joins an exchange with Vietnamese school students in a Korean business-funded Corporate Society Responsibility programme in central Viet Nam. — Photo courtesy of Doosan Vina Although accounting for a 10 per cent share of total South Korean investment capital in Viet Nam, the Korean business community has been positively promoting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes to contribute to socio-economic development in central Viet Nam over the past decades. The Consul General of South Korea in Da Nang, Kang Boo Sung, spoke at the CSR Forum among South Korean businesses operating in the central region, emphasising the satisfaction among 250 enterprises working in the region over the past years. More new Korean investors are turning their attention to this destination. "South Korea is seen as the largest investor in Viet Nam with an accumulated US$81 billion since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1992, and an amount of $4.88 billion in newly … [Read more...] about South Korean investors share social support in central Viet Nam

International travel website Traveldudes has run an article suggesting top scuba diving destinations in Vietnam. Scuba diving is a great experience in Vietnam. (Photo courtesy of Traveltriangle) Scuba diving is a great experience in Vietnam as the country boasts a long coastline that stretches for thousands of kilometers, offering a diverse range of dive sites. Besides Vietnam’s waters are home to an incredible variety of marine species. Notably, the diving community here is warm, friendly and passionate, the travel website wrote. According to Traveldudes, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Con Dao are the best scuba diving spots in the country. Nha Trang is known for its colourful coral reefs, providing a backdrop for encounters with clownfish, angelfish, and butterfly fish. Mun Island and Hon Mun Marine Protected Area are some of the best dive sites in Nha Trang. Phu Quoc is an island paradise off the southwestern coast of Vietnam that beckons scuba diving … [Read more...] about Traveldudes suggests best places for scuba diving in Vietnam

Vietnamese people in Slovakia celebrate Lunar New Year festival. (Photo: VNA) Prague (VNA) – The Slovak Government on June 7 officially recognised the Vietnamese community as the country’s 14th ethnic minority group and approved regulations for the community. Following the Government’s resolution, the Vietnamese community will have representatives at the Committee on Ethnic Minorities and Ethnic Groups under the Council of the Government of the Slovak Republic for Human Rights, Ethnic Minorities, and Gender Equality. The community will be supported with financial resources from the Fund for Cultural Support of Ethnic Minorities and have the right to voice opinions about the fund. The Vietnamese Association in Slovakia sees the Slovak Government’s recognition as an opportunity to bring more benefits to the Vietnamese community. It is estimated that about 7,000 Vietnamese-origin people are living and studying in Slovakia. The last time the country with a population of … [Read more...] about Vietnamese community recognised as ethnic minority group in Slovakia

Speaking at a press conference on June 7, head of Bakamla, Vice Admiral Aan Kurnia said that the forum aims to establish cooperation to maintain security and stability in ASEAN. He noted that it also encourages information sharing, coordination, and joint training among its member countries. The forum also aims to build trust among coast guards in Southeast Asia. Running in Jakarta from June 6-9, the forum is being attended by representatives from seven ASEAN member countries, namely Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia, and Indonesia, which is chairing the forum for the first time. Kurnia noted that ASEAN member countries face similar challenges in maintaining maritime security, including illegal fishing, violation of territorial boundaries, and the smuggling of goods. He stressed that each country must respect each other's sovereignty, territorial boundaries, and laws, but that international cooperation is still essential to protect the waters of … [Read more...] about ASEAN Coast Guard Forum discusses maritime protection