An inevitable trend Green building, or sustainable development in construction, has become an inevitable trend in the context of global climate change. Green buildings usually have long life cycles and attain the efficient consumption of resources to ensure the comfort and convenience of the users, while minimising any harmful impacts on the environment by using green building materials. “Accordingly, green or sustainable building materials are characterised by having one of the following traits: non-toxicity, high recycled content, efficiency, energy saving, a long life-cycle or eco-consciousness to reduce pollution in the soil, air, and water, while contributing to the efficient use of energy in construction works,” said Dr. Thai Duy Sam, vice chairman of the Vietnam Association of Building Materials. As said by the World Green Building Council and Green Building Certification Institute, buildings worldwide account for 17 per cent of fresh water usage, 25 per cent of wood … [Read more...] about Green construction materials gaining ground
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Vietnam’s residence book reforms won’t happen for another two years: police
News that Vietnam is planning to replace its outdated residence books with an online database has gained widespread kudos, but police have warned residents not to get too excited just yet. The online system will not be ready until 2020, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Public Security said at a media conference Tuesday in what appears to be a move to ease premature expectations. To replace the books, Vietnam is expected to introduce a personal identification code which will be linked to data accessible to all government agencies. Current residency data is limited to the police and that’s why people need to present their residence books for most administrative procedures. Officers also said that the government does not plan on loosening citizen registration controls, and will be simply digitalizing the procedure. The switch was announced in a government resolution issued last week, which said Vietnam will stop managing its citizens through residence books that attach a person … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s residence book reforms won’t happen for another two years: police
Taiwanese firm builds low-cost preschool for workers’ children in southern Vietnam
A low-cost preschool in the southern province of Dong Nai has become a trusted place for factory workers to send their children since the 2013-2014 academic year for its environmentally-friendly design and high-quality education. Last December, Nhung Bong Hoa Nho (Little Flowers) Kindergarten, established in the provincial capital of Bien Hoa by Taiwanese-invested Pouchen Vietnam Company, received a green building certificate from the Vietnam Green Building Council. The council, which is a program begun by California-based non-profit Green Cities Fund, Inc., aims to raise awareness and build capacity for the development of green buildings in Vietnam. Nhung Bong Hoa Nho applies green solutions like recycling material and water and using solar-electric systems to heat water in order to help the school save energy, as well as to educate kids on energy saving from an early age. The clover-shaped school cost more than VND60 billion (US$2.8 million) and features vines in the classroom … [Read more...] about Taiwanese firm builds low-cost preschool for workers’ children in southern Vietnam
Many poets but few good poems: critics
Teenagers release balloons printed with poems at last year’s Vietnamese Poetry Day at the Literature Temple in Hanoi (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Many critics and poets attending a workshop on contemporary poetry in Hanoi on February 27 agreed: the country is home to many poets, but few good poems. “Never before there have been so many poets and poetry fans,” said poet Vu Quan Phuong. There are dozens of thousands of poetry writers throughout the country. “There are about four thousand poetry collections published each year,” he said. “Poetry has become an elegant spiritual creative endeavour, which should be respected and encouraged. Composing poems has become a passion of the whole community, but few poetry reciting galas have been organised.” Big-name publishers are no longer interested in printing poetry collections. That’s why poets themselves pay their own money to publish their work and struggle to sell their books. Poet … [Read more...] about Many poets but few good poems: critics
Tourists go grapes for Ninh Thuan gardens
Thai An Village in Vinh Hai Commune of Ninh Hai District is home to 540 households growing grapes on 182 hectares. Locals began experimenting with the fingernail grape from Japan two years ago hoping for a higher yield. A farmer sprays his crop. At the start of 2017, fingernail grapes were planted across 5,000 square meters. Today, they occupy 70,000 square meters (7 hectares). There are two main harvests per year, the first during the winter-spring transition and the latter at the end of summer into fall. The fruit itself can be harvested year-round. However, for quality purposes, planters adhere to strict procedures to avoid the October to November rainy season. This new variety of grapes has three colors - green, red and yellow. "The grape requires consistent maintenance, frequent pruning and removal of smaller berries for an even and uniform cluster," said farmer Nguyen Thi Kim Lien. Fingernail grapes have a sweet, succulent … [Read more...] about Tourists go grapes for Ninh Thuan gardens