Viet Nam News HỘI AN — Hội An plans to curb noise from motorbike and car horns and to encourage modes of transport without engines to create a peaceful environment for tourists visiting the city. Director of Hội An City’s Culture and Sports Centre, Võ Phùng told the Việt Nam News that the plan aims to restore tranquility of the UNESCO-recognised world heritage site. Phùng said the city will raise awareness of gentle manners, hospitality and environment protection to make the city a safe and ‘clean’ destination. “We have called for less ‘horning’ and reduced speed among motorbike, car and bus drivers in Hội An. Local residents are encouraged not to use plastic bags or single-use straws and cups, not to litter or encroach on public sidewalks for shopping,” Phùng said. “The city will build a code of conduct for tourists at destinations, pagodas, the old quarter, heritage … [Read more...] about Ancient city eyes on safe and ‘green’ traffic
Western eye hospital
‘Back with eyes open’: Malala visits Pakistan district where she was shot
Malala Yousafzai visited the Swat valley Saturday for her first trip back to the once militant-infested Pakistani region where she was shot in the head by the Taliban more than five years ago. "I left Swat with my eyes closed and now I am back with my eyes open," she told AFP, referring to how she was airlifted out in a coma after the attack in 2012. "I am extremely delighted. My dream has come true. Peace has returned to Swat because of the invaluable sacrifices rendered by my brothers and sisters," she said at a school outside Mingora, the district's main town, where she was escorted by the Pakistani military. The brief trip by the 20-year-old Nobel laureate is a highly symbolic moment for Pakistan, which regularly touts Swat as a success story in its long battle with extremism as it defends itself against accusations by the US and others that its northwest remains a safe haven for militancy. The visit - on which she was accompanied by her father, mother, and two brothers - was kept … [Read more...] about ‘Back with eyes open’: Malala visits Pakistan district where she was shot
Kids to receive free eye surgery
Kids to receive free eye surgery (12-12-2006) Doctors conduct free eye surgery at the Central Eye Hospital. — VNA/VNS Photo Huu Oai HCM CITY — Several-hundred poor children with eye diseases will be provided with funds for eye surgery this Christmas thanks to a donation from Western Union. The See The Bright Future Project, initially launched seven years ago by HCM City's Sponsoring Association of Poor Patients (SAPP), has received US$50,000 from Western Union Viet Nam to provide eye surgery and treatment funds for visually impaired children in remote areas. SAPP has helped more than 232,000 blind people over the last eight years, including 30,000 children, most of whom live in isolated provinces. See the Bright Future benefits children in HCM City's rural districts as well as those in remote provinces. Bringing light Two years ago, Nguyen Thi Mai gave birth to a baby with serious eye problems in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang. Mai said that her baby did … [Read more...] about Kids to receive free eye surgery
Thousands of Vietnamese children to receive eye care
PANO - About 10,000 primary and secondary students will receive vision screenings with those in need receiving quality eyeglasses under an extended, US-supported activity launched on September 10 in Quoc Oai, Hanoi. Funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) through a grant provided to Advancing and Partners Communities/JSI and implemented by Helen Keller International (HKI)-Vietnam, the project will run through June 2014. "We are pleased to extend our support for school children to Hanoi," said USAID Mission Director Joakim Parker. "It is our hope that through screening, children will receive the assistance they need to see, succeed in the classroom, and contribute even more to the development of Vietnam as they mature." In addition to improving the vision of school children with screening for vision difficulties for 10,000 students in 16 primary and secondary schools, project staff will also train provincial, district and commune health personnel in vision … [Read more...] about Thousands of Vietnamese children to receive eye care
Thailand eyes free individual travelers from Vietnam
Thailand eyes free individual travelers from Vietnam By Mong Binh - The Saigon Times Daily HCMC - The HCMC office of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is developing plans to attract free individual travelers and tourist groups from Vietnam. Pichai Raktasinha, the office's director, told the Daily on Wednesday that while customers who purchased group packages were important, the office wanted to tap the growing free individual travelers (FIT) market. He added that many Vietnamese people regularly traveled to Thailand and other nations. Now though, it is time for them to plan their own tours, he said. "I believe Thailand is one of their choices, especially for repeat travelers." Pichai added that more flights between Vietnam and Thailand had made it easier for them to travel between the two nations. He said the number of young Vietnamese people who had flown with Thai AirAsia to Phuket since the low-cost carrier launched its daily service between HCMC and the tourist destination last … [Read more...] about Thailand eyes free individual travelers from Vietnam