Vietnam fisheries surveillance units equipped with weapons

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Vietnam fisheries surveillance units equipped with weapons<br /><p><strong>Vietnam’s fisheries resources surveillance forces have officially been equipped with military weapons and support tools since February 26, the effective date of a joint legal document promulgated by the two ministries involved in this issue.</strong> </p><br /><p>Under Joint Circular 01/2015 dated January 13, 2015 by the Ministries of Public Security and Agriculture and Rural Development on equipment, management, and use of military weapons, support tools, and apparatus of fisheries resources surveillance units, they are to be equipped with four types of support tools as of February 26, 2015.</p><br /><p>The first type includes guns that fire plastic bullets, rubber bullets, tear gas, asphyxiating gas, anesthetics, magnetic field, laser, flares, and bullets used for guns of these types.</p><br /><p>The second consists of sprayers of tear gas, asphyxiating gas, toxic substance, anesthetics or itchy substances.</p><br /><p>The third comprises smoke grenades, tear-gas grenades, and exploding balls.</p><br /><p>And the last one includes electric clubs, rubber clubs, metal clubs, handcuffs, armors, electric gloves, knife-snatching gloves, shields, and anti-bullet helmets.</p><br /><p>Meanwhile, military weapons for the fisheries surveillance force are provided for in Article 9 of Decree 76/2014 dated July 29, 2014 by the central government.</p><br /><p>Accordingly, fisheries resources surveillance officers are equipped with handguns, submachine guns and bullets used for these guns; while fisheries resources surveillance vessels are entitled to use light machine-guns, machine guns, 14.5-mm guns, and bullets used for guns of these types.</p><br /><p>Officers who are assigned to use the above weapons and support tools must comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including the ordinance on management and use of weapons, explosives, and support tools dated June 30, 2011.</p><br /><p>Heads of fisheries resources surveillance units must assign weapons and support tools to qualified officers for use; keepers of warehouses of weapons and support tools must abide by regulations on examination and maintenance of such items; and the delivery and reception of these items must be recorded in registers with signatures of all persons involved, according to the joint circular.</p><br /><p><a href='http://bit.ly/1wrOKud'><img alt="1640939-mgjmhxzy" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="295" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1wrOKud" width="500"/> </a> </p><br /><p><em><strong><a href='#http://bit.ly/1BngAh4'>Like us on Facebook</a> or <a href='#http://bit.ly/1wrOKuh'>follow us on Twitter</a> to get the latest news about Vietnam!</strong> </em> </p><br /><br/><br />Vietnam fisheries surveillance units equipped with weapons Related image(s)<br/><br /><img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1wrOKud" width="200"/><br/></div>

Vietnam fisheries surveillance units equipped with weapons

Vietnam fisheries surveillance units equipped with weapons Vietnam’s fisheries resources surveillance forces have officially been equipped w...

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Motorbikes entering expressway in Vietnam could be confiscated

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Motorbikes entering expressway in Vietnam could be confiscated<br /><p><strong>Those who deliberately drive motorbikes on expressways in Vietnam will have those vehicles confiscated in the future, according to a draft regulation from the National Traffic Safety Committee, with an aim to reduce traffic accidents.</strong> </p><br /><div class='wp-caption aligncenter' style='width: 510px' id='attachment_1640938'><a href='http://bit.ly/1wrOKdR'><img alt=">> 35 die per day over 9-day Tet holiday in Vietnam" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="295" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1wrOKdR" width="500"/> </a><br /><p class='wp-caption-text'>>> 35 die per day over 9-day Tet holiday in Vietnam</p><br /></div><br /><p>The new penalty has been suggested under the Transport Minister’s direction on proposing the Government to apply a heavier sanction on people who drive motorbikes on expressways, the news website <em>VnExpress</em> quoted Khuat Viet Hung, deputy chairman of the committee, as saying on Thursday.</p><br /><p>A heavier penalty that needs to be considered by the Government is “to confiscate infringing motorbikes and put them on auction to earn revenue that will be used to support poor people,” Hung said.</p><br /><p>“The committee is drafting a document on this new sanction to submit it to the Government for consideration,” the official said, adding that the new proposed rule is one of the possible solutions aimed to prevent traffic violations and reduce the number of traffic accidents.</p><br /><p>Under current regulations, for the sake of traffic safety, all motorbikes are banned from travelling on expressways.</p><br /><p>Under Decree 171/2013 by the Government on administrative penalties in the field of road traffic, driver of motorbikes on expressways with prohibition signs are fined only VND200,000-400,000 (US$9.4-18.8)</p><br /><p>In case those violators cause an accident, they will also have their driver’s licenses revoked for two months.</p><br /><p>However, many people intentionally drive motorbikes on many expressway routes nationwide, such as the Phap Van-Cau Gie expressway in Hanoi and the Noi Bai-Lao Cai expressway that link the capital to the northern province of Lao Cai, despite signboards banning motorbikes, according to <em>VnExpress</em>.</p><br /><p>These violators even resist traffic police officers who stop their law-breaking acts, the newswire added.</p><br /><p>During the past nine-day Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, from February 15 to 23, more than 7,000 motorbikes have been impounded in traffic violations nationwide, <em>VnExpress</em> quoted Hung as saying.</p><br /><p>According to the committee’s statistics, about 536 traffic accidents occurred nationwide over these nine days, causing 317 deaths and 509 injuries.</p><br /><p>As such, 35 people died per day on average during the nine days, the committee said, adding that the daily death toll increased by three compared to the same period last year.</p><br /><p>Compared to last year’s Tet vacation, which also lasted for nine days, the number of accidents and injuries people dropped by 6.9 percent and 13.9 percent respectively, but the death toll increased by 35, or 12.4 percent, the committee said.</p><br /><p><em><strong><a href='#http://bit.ly/1BngA0I'>Like us on Facebook</a> or <a href='#http://bit.ly/1wrOMSX'>follow us on Twitter</a> to get the latest news about Vietnam!</strong> </em> </p><br /><br/><br />Motorbikes entering expressway in Vietnam could be confiscated Related image(s)<br/><br /><img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1wrOKdR" width="200"/><br/></div>

Motorbikes entering expressway in Vietnam could be confiscated

Motorbikes entering expressway in Vietnam could be confiscated Those who deliberately drive motorbikes on expressways in Vietnam will have t...

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Almost 150 poets from 40 countries, territories to celebrate Vietnam Poetry Day

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Almost 150 poets from 40 countries, territories to celebrate Vietnam Poetry Day<br /><p><strong>The 13th Vietnam Poetry Day is expected to attract nearly 150 poets from 40 countries and territories around the world when it is commemorated in early March, according to local media.</strong> </p><br /><p>The week-long event will be organized by the Vietnam Writers’ Association from March 1 to 7 in the Vietnamese capital city of Hanoi and the northern provinces of Quang Ninh and Bac Ninh.</p><br /><p>Its activities include the third international conference on Vietnamese literature, the second Asia-Pacific Poetry Festival, and the 13th Vietnam Poetry Day.</p><br /><p>About 550 writers and poets will take part in the event, 150 of whom are poets coming from 40 countries and territories around the world, including the U.K, France, Australia, Brazil, Cuba, and Pakistan.</p><br /><p>There will be 15 typical, carefully selected Vietnamese poets reciting poems in French. The poems will be illustrated by a French painter.</p><br /><p>Around 100 Vietnamese poets have been assigned to welcome typical international poets and writers.</p><br /><p>This year, the event will also feature a special section to promote traditional arts including “hat van,” also known as “chau van” or “hat bong” (traditional northern spiritual singing) and “hat xam” (northern street folk music).</p><br /><p>During seven days, international delegates will visit Ha Long Bay in the northern province of Quang Ninh, the Vietnam Museum of Literature in Hanoi, and the Kinh Bac cultural center square in the northern city of Bac Ninh to listen to “quan ho” (Bac Ninh folk love duets).</p><br /><p><strong><strong><em><a href='#http://bit.ly/1BngwOC'>Like us on Facebook</a> or <a href='#http://bit.ly/1wrOKdM'>follow us on Twitter</a> to get the latest news about Vietnam!</em> </strong> </strong> </p><br /><br/><br />Almost 150 poets from 40 countries, territories to celebrate Vietnam Poetry Day Related image(s)<br/><br /><img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200"/><br/></div>

Almost 150 poets from 40 countries, territories to celebrate Vietnam Poetry Day

Almost 150 poets from 40 countries, territories to celebrate Vietnam Poetry Day The 13th Vietnam Poetry Day is expected to attract nearly 15...

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Cold weather to return to northern Vietnam over weekend

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Cold weather to return to northern Vietnam over weekend<br /><p><strong>A cold front will enter northern Vietnam as of Saturday, ending several days of warmth and bringing cold weather back again, with temperatures likely to drop to 14 Celsius degrees in early March, the National Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Center said on Friday.</strong> </p><br /><p><a href='http://bit.ly/1Ai2ata'><img alt="1640933-07ssi8kz" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="295" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1Ai2ata" width="500"/> </a> </p><br /><p><em><strong><a href='http://bit.ly/1ABs7Zy'>>> Tropical snowfall causes congestion in Sa Pa (photos)</a> </strong> </em> </p><br /><p>The cold snap will first cover northeastern provinces tomorrow evening and then northwestern areas before entering the central region, the center said.</p><br /><p>As of March 1, the cold weather will cover the northern region, and particularly, bitter cold will affect northwestern provinces, it added.</p><br /><p>From early March on, about four other cold fronts will take turns entering northern Vietnam, bringing temperatures of 14 to 20 degrees, the news website VietNamNet quoted Le Thanh Hai, director of the center, as saying.</p><br /><p>In April, two or three cold spells will also enter the same region, while in May the number will be two, Hai forecasted.</p><br /><p>Affected by the ongoing cold snap, many northern provinces will have rain, scattered showers and possible thunderstorm from Saturday night.</p><br /><p>Northern and mid central provinces will experience the same rainy weather as of Sunday, March 1.</p><br /><p>From early in the morning of March 1, the Gulf of Tonkin and the north area of the East Vietnam Sea, including the waters of Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, will experience rough seas and winds of 49 kph and squalls of up to 74 kph.</p><br /><p><strong><strong><em><a href='#http://bit.ly/1Ai2atd'>Like us on Facebook</a> or <a href='#http://bit.ly/1ABs8wL'>follow us on Twitter</a> to get the latest news about Vietnam!</em> </strong> </strong> </p><br /><br/><br />Cold weather to return to northern Vietnam over weekend Related image(s)<br/><br /><img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1Ai2ata" width="200"/><br/></div>

Cold weather to return to northern Vietnam over weekend

Cold weather to return to northern Vietnam over weekend A cold front will enter northern Vietnam as of Saturday, ending several days of warm...

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Ca Mau strives to improve vocational education

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Ca Mau strives to improve vocational education<br /><p>This year, the southernmost province of Ca Mau plans to provide vocational education for 38,000 locals and offer jobs for other 36,000 who received training in the previous years, said the provincial Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.</p><br /><p>The plan focuses on improving training programme, trainers’ capability and teaching facilities.</p><br /><p>Accordingly, priority will be given to training workers in fishery, agriculture and forestry, the province’s key economic sectors. Besides, the locality will invite competent trainers to teach its vocational programmes and invest in modern training equipment.</p><br /><p>The province provides vocational training for over 35,000 people every year; however the outcomes still fell short of expectation as training programmes failed to meet the actual need of employers.</p><br /><p>Le Van Quang, Director of a local seafood export company, said that his company needs additional 3,000 employees each year for shrimp peeling work which only requires 30 days of training. The manual skill is, however, yet offered by any vocational training centres so that the company has to do it itself.-VNA</p><br /><br/><br />Ca Mau strives to improve vocational education Related image(s)<br/><br /><img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200"/><br/></div>

Ca Mau strives to improve vocational education

Ca Mau strives to improve vocational education This year, the southernmost province of Ca Mau plans to provide vocational education for 38,0...

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Reckless motorcyclist cheats death in front of high-speed car in Vietnam

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Reckless motorcyclist cheats death in front of high-speed car in Vietnam<br /><p>A short video has gone viral on the Internet, showing the moment when a reckless motorcyclist narrowly escaped death in front of a moving car on a highway in southern Vietnam.</p><br /><p>The incident happened on the National Highway 1A in Dong Nai Province’s Xuan Loc District at 10:37 a.m. on February 21, the third day of the Lunar New Year.</p><br /><p>In the 25-second video, the young man was showed driving his motorbike near the roadside.</p><br /><p>He suddenly swerved to cross the road, without signaling and apparently without observing other vehicles.</p><br /><p>The car, completely caught off guard, swerved to the left and luckily evaded the motorbike.</p><br /><p>It almost hit another car moving in the opposite direction.</p><br /><p>The car then managed to return to its lane.</p><br /><br/><br />Reckless motorcyclist cheats death in front of high-speed car in Vietnam Related image(s)<br/><br /><img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200"/><br/></div>

Reckless motorcyclist cheats death in front of high-speed car in Vietnam

Reckless motorcyclist cheats death in front of high-speed car in Vietnam A short video has gone viral on the Internet, showing the moment wh...

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Traditional house inaugurated to honour healthcare staff

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Traditional house inaugurated to honour healthcare staff<br /><p><a href='http://bit.ly/1BngwxY'><img alt="1640867-avatar" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="200" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1BngwxY" width="300"/> </a> </p><br /><p>Scene at the inauguration ceremony. Source: VNA</p><br /><p>Vietnam’s healthcare sector history has been chronicled and featured in a respected space established within the Hanoi University of Pharmacy, which was inaugurated on February 27, marking the 60th ceremony of the Vietnamese Doctors’ Day (February 27, 1955-2015).</p><br /><p>Speaking at the ceremony, Health Deputy Minister Nguyen Thanh Long stressed the importance for generations of healthcare staffers to learn about the tradition and history of their career.</p><br /><p>In the traditional house, there are intact items related to the late President Ho Chi Minh and the ex and former Health Ministers, as well as a number of historic documents and images recording the sector’s growth through various historical stages.</p><br /><p>The place is set to become a museum of Vietnam medicines and pharmacy, Long said.</p><br /><p>According to Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, Vietnam has been lauded by the international community for its broad health care network providing easy access to medical services, the application of medical advances and its expanded immunisation programme.</p><br /><p>Vietnamese doctors have also successfully mastered advanced technologies in endoscopic surgery, viscera transplantation and stem cell use.</p><br /><p>In the future, the health sector targets the application of advanced technologies in local hospitals. Those technologies are currently being transferred to provincial hospitals to elevate their standard of care.-VNA</p><br /><br/><br />Traditional house inaugurated to honour healthcare staff Related image(s)<br/><br /><img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1BngwxY" width="200"/><br/></div>

Traditional house inaugurated to honour healthcare staff

Traditional house inaugurated to honour healthcare staff Scene at the inauguration ceremony. Source: VNA Vietnam’s healthcare sector histo...

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Senior Vietnamese official demoted 6 months after assaulting colleague with beer mug

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Senior Vietnamese official demoted 6 months after assaulting colleague with beer mug<br /><p><a href='http://bit.ly/1BngwxU'><img alt="1640836-pgd-qmal" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="290" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1BngwxU" width="450"/> </a> </p><br /><p>Bui Quoc Khanh (R) and Pham Thanh Chung meet and apologize to each other on August 20. Photo credit: Phap Luat TPHCM</p><br /><p>Two senior officials in the southern province of Binh Phuoc have been held to harsher punishments after a disciplinary review of their drunken karaoke brawl that sent one of them to hospital last August.</p><br /><p>Bui Quoc Khanh, 41, was demoted by the Communist Party unit in the province from his original position as a deputy director of the Department of External Affairs.</p><br /><p>Pham Thanh Chung, 53, deputy director of the Department of Interior, was given a warning.</p><br /><p>In Vietnam, there are four levels of punishment for misconduct by Party members: reprimand, warning, demotion and expulsion.</p><br /><p>Earlier in November, the Party unit had given Khanh a warning and Chung a reprimand.</p><br /><p>It has not been explained why the punishments are now changed more than six months after the incident.</p><br /><p>According to police, the two men headed to a restaurant in Dong Xoai Town with a group of fellow officials at around 2 p.m. on August 12 after finishing a political training session in the morning.</p><br /><p>The group ate, drank and sang karaoke.</p><br /><p>Khanh reportedly went around inviting other officials to drink with him, but forgot Chung, who, because of that, said something to criticize Khanh.</p><br /><p>Things quickly unraveled.</p><br /><p>According to eyewitness accounts, Khanh threw beer into Chung’s face and repeatedly hit him in the head with his empty glass.</p><br /><p>Chung was rushed out of the karaoke room bleeding profusely from his head and face, while Khanh continued to scream at him.</p><br /><p>He was admitted to hospital and given several stitches.</p><br /><p>During a meeting in August 20, the two officials apologized to each other and said they were under the influence of alcohol at the time.</p><br /><p>The pair was then suspended for a month.</p><br /><br/><br />Senior Vietnamese official demoted 6 months after assaulting colleague with beer mug Related image(s)<br/><br /><img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1BngwxU" width="200"/><br/></div>

Senior Vietnamese official demoted 6 months after assaulting colleague with beer mug

Senior Vietnamese official demoted 6 months after assaulting colleague with beer mug Bui Quoc Khanh (R) and Pham Thanh Chung meet and apol...

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New Year writing begins at Teacher Chu Van An temple

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>New Year writing begins at Teacher Chu Van An temple<br /><p><b>A New Year writing ceremony was held on February 26 morning at the temple of Teacher Chu Van An in Van An ward (Chi Linh provincial town, Hai Duong province).</b> </p><br /><div class='wp-caption aligncenter' style='width: 510px' id='attachment_1640812'><a href='http://bit.ly/1Bngwhv'><img alt="The New Year writing ceremony solemnly takes place with the ritual of delivering a speech to review Eternal Master Chu Van An's services rendered to the country's educational cause" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="320" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1wrOJq5" width="500"/> </a><br /><p class='wp-caption-text'>The New Year writing ceremony solemnly takes place with the ritual of delivering a speech to review Eternal Master Chu Van An's services rendered to the country's educational cause</p><br /></div><br /><p>The New Year writing ceremony solemnly took place with the ritual of delivering a speech to review Eternal Master Chu Van An’s services rendered to the country’s educational cause. Two senior calligraphers wrote four Chinese characters of Tri (Wisdom), Nhan (Humanity), Duc (Virtue), and Tai (Talent). Then, delegates wrote nine words in national language, namely Trung (Loyalty), Hieu (Filialness), Thuan (Dutifulness), Phu (Wealth), Quy (Nobility), Vinh (Glory), Khang (Good Health), Ninh (Peaceful Soul), and Tho (Longevity).</p><br /><p><i><a href='http://bit.ly/1Bngzd1'><img alt="1640811-khai-but-cva" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="329" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1wrOJq8" width="500"/> </a> </i> </p><br /><p>Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Hien and delegates begin New Year writing</p><br /><p>After the ceremony, the characters and words were respectfully offered to the central chamber by a team of male sacrificers in the boisterous sound of drums and gongs. This was a deeply humanitarian act expressing the studious tradition of Vietnamese generations and gratitude to ancestors.</p><br /><p><i><a href='http://bit.ly/1Bngzd3'><img alt="1640811-viet-chu-123" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="335" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1wrOJqb" width="500"/> </a> </i> </p><br /><p><a href='http://bit.ly/1BngwhA'><img alt="1640811-hai-nha-thu-phap-viet-chu" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="322" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1wrOGLc" width="500"/> </a> </p><br /><p>Two senior calligraphers write four Chinese characters of Tri (Wisdom), Nhan (Humanity), Duc (Virtue), and Tai (Talent)</p><br /><p>At the New Year writing ceremony, the Learning Encouragement Societies of Chi Linh provincial town and Thanh Tri district glorified 16 teachers winning national awards and 43 pupils in the two localities achieving high awards and scores in provincial and national contests for good pupils and the university entrance exam in 2014.</p><br /><p>Representatives of Sao Do branch of the Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development and Bac Hai Duong branch of the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam handed over VND100 million and VND50 million to the Learning Encouragement Society of Chi Linh provincial town, respectively.</p><br /><p><b>NGOC HUNG</b> </p><br /><br/><br />New Year writing begins at Teacher Chu Van An temple Related image(s)<br/><br /><img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1wrOJq5" width="200"/><br/></div>

New Year writing begins at Teacher Chu Van An temple

New Year writing begins at Teacher Chu Van An temple A New Year writing ceremony was held on February 26 morning at the temple of Teacher Ch...

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Workers cash in over Tet holiday

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Workers cash in over Tet holiday<br /><p><strong>HA NOI (VNS) — Workers at about a dozen companies in the southern province of Binh Duong did not get a holiday break for Tet.</strong> </p><br /><div class='wp-caption aligncenter' style='width: 460px' id='attachment_1640784'><a href='#http://bit.ly/1wrOGKV'><br/><br /><br/> </a><br /><p><a href='http://bit.ly/1BngyWz'><img alt="1640783-most-workers-in-industrial-zones-in-southern-viet-nam-are-already-back-at-work-after-the-lunar-new-year-but-things-are-slower-in-central-and-northern-areas-photo-baomoi-1640783-images236192-v" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="314" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1BngyWz" width="450"/> </a> </p><br /><p class='wp-caption-text'>Most workers in industrial zones in southern Viet Nam are already back at work after the Lunar New Year, but things are slower in central and northern areas. — Photo baomoi</p><br /></div><br /><p>Tran Van Nam, chairman of the Binh Duong People’s Committee, said that the workers were paid up to four times their normal wages to fill urgent orders for Europe.</p><br /><p>The companies involved also gave their workers higher bonuses, so everyone was happy, he said.</p><br /><p>Most workers in industrial zones in southern Viet Nam are already back at work after the Lunar New Year, but things are slower in central and northern areas.</p><br /><p>About 95 per cent of workers in industrial zones in the southern province of Dong Nai are back at work, said the provincial labour federation.</p><br /><p>At the Phong Thai Group, which produces sports shoes for export, 23,000 out of 26,000 workers have returned.</p><br /><p>The Pousing Viet Nam Company already has about 21,100 out of its 24,000 workers.</p><br /><p>Dinh Sy Phuc, chairman of the trade union of the Tae Wang Vina Company told Lao Dong (Labour) newspaper that with more than 90 per cent of employees back at work, there would be no labour shortages after the Tet holiday.</p><br /><p>The HCM City Export Processing and Industrial Zones Authority said that about 65 per cent of companies in industrial zones reported work almost as usual.</p><br /><p>However, working atmosphere in industrial zones in central and northern areas was not so animated.</p><br /><p>Few workers in the Hoa Khanh Industrial Zone in the central city of Da Nang are reported to have returned to work.</p><br /><p>Nguyen Van Truong, director of the Truong Phat Advertising, Printing and Interior Company in Ha Noi’s Hoang Mai District, said that on Wednseday, only five of the firm’s 20 workers were on the job.</p><br /><p>“Now I have to hurriedly find workers to replace the missing ones, but this is not easy as many companies are looking for workers,” he said.</p><br /><p>Tran Trong Tung, chairman of directors at the A Chau Packaging Design Company in Ha Noi’s Dan Phuong District, shared his experiences in keeping his workers.</p><br /><p>“Before the Tet holiday, I kept a part of their salary and promised to pay the rest and a bonus in addition if they returned to work on time,” he said.</p><br /><p>“To improve worker shortage after the Tet holiday, companies should offer a proper salary and bonus together with a friendly working atmosphere,” said Tung.</p><br /><br/><br />Workers cash in over Tet holiday Related image(s)<br/><br /><img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1BngyWz" width="200"/><br/></div>

Workers cash in over Tet holiday

Workers cash in over Tet holiday HA NOI (VNS) — Workers at about a dozen companies in the southern province of Binh Duong did not get a holi...

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HCM City working to supply safe water

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>HCM City working to supply safe water<br /><p><a href='http://bit.ly/1wrOIT3'><img alt="1640730-avatar" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="219" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1wrOIT3" width="300"/> </a> </p><br /><p>Thu Duc Water Plant (Source: dddn.com.vn)</p><br /><p>The Ho Chi Minh City authorities is making efforts to supply safe water to all city residents this year.</p><br /><p>To realise this target, the municipal People’s Committee has directed the Transport Department to coordinate with the relevant offices to conduct surveys and make lists for households that do not have access to safe water in the city.</p><br /><p>The clean water supply will be monitored publicly in every district monthly.</p><br /><p>According to the plan, the city will provide safe water to more than 7,000 households in District 9 and the districts of Tan Binh and Thu Duc by the end of September.-VNA</p><br /><br/><br />HCM City working to supply safe water Related image(s)<br/><br /><img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1wrOIT3" width="200"/><br/></div>

HCM City working to supply safe water

HCM City working to supply safe water Thu Duc Water Plant (Source: dddn.com.vn) The Ho Chi Minh City authorities is making efforts to supp...

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Deputy PM congratulates health sector on Doctors’ Day

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Deputy PM congratulates health sector on Doctors’ Day<br /><p>Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has recognised Doctors’ Day (February 27) by visiting health workers in the northern province of Vinh Phuc.</p><br /><p>He told people at the Herbalist Society in the province’s Tam Dao district on February 26 to be innovative in using herbal remedies passed down generation to generation.</p><br /><p>He stressed that herbalists societies in Tam Dao and the greater Vinh Phuc province, an area featuring an abundance of precious medicinal herbs, are well positioned to make good use of these resources.</p><br /><p>He also made stops at the Thai Hoa Commune clinic and the healthcare centre of Lap Thach district, urging local health staff to keep up their good work in preventive health services, especially vaccinations and educational campaigns about homegrown ways to promote health.</p><br /><p>Dam called upon the Health Ministry and provincial authorities to use investment resources to equip health institutions at local levels with modern equipment and to improve health workers’ skills.</p><br /><p>Ahead of the health sector’s big day, Politburo member Dinh The Huynh visited the Ministry of Public Health, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan visited Military Central Hospital 108, Viet Duc Hospital, Health Ministry and the Military Medical Department in Hanoi to congratulate them on February 25.</p><br /><p>Doctors’ Day was celebrated nationwide with various activities.</p><br /><p>Ninh Thuan province honoured Doctors’ Day by granting the Medal of Memory “For People’s Health” to 17 distinguished health workers.</p><br /><p>The province of Thanh Hoa began the health sector’s 60th anniversary by welcoming the Order of Independence, First Class granted by the State in recognition of the provincial health sector’s recent achievements. Between 2005 and 2014, the province’s health sector increased its staff by 54 percent and its facilities expanded to a total if 38 public and 680 private hospitals.</p><br /><p>Ba Ria – Vung Tau province will mark the day by launching a new hospital – Ba Ria Hospital – with 700 beds and new state-of-the-art technology.</p><br /><p>After five years of construction, the 2 trillion VND (94 million USD) hospital aims to conduct health checks for 1,600 to 1,800 outpatients and treat 500 to 600 inpatients daily./.</p><br /><br/><br />Deputy PM congratulates health sector on Doctors’ Day Related image(s)<br/><br /><img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200"/><br/></div>

Deputy PM congratulates health sector on Doctors’ Day

Deputy PM congratulates health sector on Doctors’ Day Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has recognised Doctors’ Day (February 27) by visiting...

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Photo of Vietnamese war veterans shortlisted for Sony World Award

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p>(VOV) – A photo of Vietnamese war veterans taken by Spanish photographer Sergio Diaz had its name on the shortlist of the Sony World Photography Awards 2015.</p><br /><p>The photo was selected from 173,444 entries from 171 countries, focusing on people and landscape.</p><br /><p>It was among top 10 entries in the People category of the Open Competition in the framework of the Sony World Photography Awards 2015 – the world’s biggest photography competition and its aim is simple: to recognise and reward the best contemporary photography in the world.</p><br /><p><a href='http://bit.ly/1Ai29FJ'><img alt="1641012-sergio-diaz-copy-copy" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="298" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1Ai29FJ" width="450"/> </a> </p><br /><p>The Sony World Photography Awards 2015 has five competitions: Professional – 15 categories, judged on a series of images, aimed at serious photographers; Open – 10 categories, judged on a single image, open to all; Youth – 3 categories, for photographers aged 19 and underStudent Focus – for those studying photography; and Mobile Phone – for images taken with any mobile phone.</p><br /><p>Free to enter, photographers of all abilities are invited to submit either their best single shots or series of work. The images are judged by the World Photography Organisation and a specially selected jury from the World Photographic Academy which is made up on the photographic industry’s most esteemed individuals.</p><br /><br/><br />Photo of Vietnamese war veterans shortlisted for Sony World Award Related image(s)<br/><br /><img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1Ai29FJ" width="200"/><br/></div>

Photo of Vietnamese war veterans shortlisted for Sony World Award

(VOV) – A photo of Vietnamese war veterans taken by Spanish photographer Sergio Diaz had its name on the shortlist of the Sony World Photogr...

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Vietnam to host ASEAN traditional music festival

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p>(VOV) – The ASEAN traditional music festival will be held in central Thanh Hoa City from August 1 – 6 with the participation of 12 art troupes from ASEAN nations and partners.</p><br /><p>One Vietnamese traditional art troupe will join the festival.</p><br /><p>This is a part of the National Tourism Year programme themed ‘connecting world heritage’, which aims to promote Vietnam’s cultural heritage value and celebrate the establishment of the ASEAN Community late this year.</p><br /><p><a href='http://bit.ly/1Ai2c4e'><img alt="1641002-asean" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="259" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1Ai2c4e" width="460"/> </a> </p><br /><p>The festival will provide a good chance for ASEAN artists to exchange experience and perceive quintessence of the ASEAN traditional music.</p><br /><p>Besides official performances, participating art troupes will present their performances at some destinations in Thanh Hoa and join a seminar on ASEAN traditional music.</p><br /><br/><br />Vietnam to host ASEAN traditional music festival Related image(s)<br/><br /><img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1Ai2c4e" width="200"/><br/></div>

Vietnam to host ASEAN traditional music festival

(VOV) – The ASEAN traditional music festival will be held in central Thanh Hoa City from August 1 – 6 with the participation of 12 art troup...

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Second Ao Dai festival to be held in Ho Chi Minh City

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><a href='#http://bit.ly/1avPKZY'> </a> </p><br /><p><a href='#http://bit.ly/1avPKZY'> </a><a href='http://bit.ly/1Ai29p8'><img alt="1641062-bf77b500a118e5673f86b0135237a25d-l" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="224" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1Ai29p8" width="400"/> </a> </p><br /><p>At the first festival in 2014 (VNA)</p><br /><p>NDO – The second Ao Dai Festival will be held at Dam Sen Cultural Park, Ho Chi Minh City on March 7-8 to mark International Women’s Day.</p><br /><p>At the press briefing on February 27 hosted by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, this year’s festival themed ‘Ho Chi Minh City – the City of Ao Dai’ will feature a wide range of activities such as an ao dai (traditional Vietnamese long dress) display, and an ao dai photo contest in addition to a drawing contest and ao dai fashion show.</p><br /><p>According to the organising board, Miss Ao Dai Vietnam Lan Khue will attend the festival to meet and take photos with visitors.</p><br /><p>Visitors wearing an Ao Dai to the event will be offered half-price or free tickets, and all women will receive a 50% discount for International Women’s Day.</p><br /><p>The festival aims to honour the traditional cultural features and charm of Vietnamese ao dai as well as the beauty of Vietnamese women.</p><br /><p>The festival is also a chance to promote the fashion to tourists and for designers to meet with the public.</p><br /><p>The event is also part of a series of activities to mark the 40th anniversary of the liberation of the south and national reunification.</p><br /><br/><br />Second Ao Dai festival to be held in Ho Chi Minh City Related image(s)<br/><br /><img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1Ai29p8" width="200"/><br/></div>

Second Ao Dai festival to be held in Ho Chi Minh City

At the first festival in 2014 (VNA) NDO – The second Ao Dai Festival will be held at Dam Sen Cultural Park, Ho Chi Minh City on March 7...

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Famous Italian DJ to perform in Vietnam

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p>(VOV) -World’s well-known Italian DJ Marco Effe will enthral music-lovers at HeartBeat 11 programme which is scheduled to take place at The Observatory stage in Ho Chi Minh City on March 20.</p><br /><p>The event will also attract the participation of a number of famous artists including DJ B.A.X, British music producer and sound designer Nic Ford, German DJ Chris Wolter, and Sweden VJ Erol.</p><br /><p><a href='http://bit.ly/1avPKJw'><img alt="1640951-dj-copy" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="281" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1avPKJw" width="500"/> </a> </p><br /><p>Born and raised in Livorno in 1985, Marco Effe is con­sid­ered to be one of the most promis­ing Ital­ian tal­ents.</p><br /><p>Marco began to com­pose his own music in 2007 and imme­di­ately felt the grow­ing desire to pub­lish his first release.</p><br /><p>In spring 2010, he released his new album “Cécille Italy”. His track is called “Janet” and clearly show­cased his unmis­tak­able House/Tech-House style.</p><br /><p>Marco Effe moved to Berlin in 2011 and a year later he released “Jel­lied Eels” on Cocoon’s Dots & Pearls 2″.</p><br /><p>He is by now with­out a doubt a young and extremely ambi­tious artist, who can already put a check mark behind most of the top rank­ing events and clubs in Europe.</p><br /><br/><br />Famous Italian DJ to perform in Vietnam Related image(s)<br/><br /><img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1avPKJw" width="200"/><br/></div>

Famous Italian DJ to perform in Vietnam

(VOV) -World’s well-known Italian DJ Marco Effe will enthral music-lovers at HeartBeat 11 programme which is scheduled to take place at The ...

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Artist Trang Tran arrested in altercation with Hanoi traffic police

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><a href='http://bit.ly/1DA6ZTr'><img alt="1640917-20150227113350-1" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="750" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1DA6ZTr" width="500"/> </a> </p><br /><p>Model and artist Trang Tran was arrested on Thursday night (February 26) after an altercation with police when her taxi was stopped for a traffic violation.</p><br /><p><em>Model and artist Trang Tran</em> </p><br /><p>Police in Hang Buom Ward of Hoan Kiem District said Trang was abusive and attacked a traffic officer.</p><br /><p>Trang and a friend were allegedly in a taxi going from Ngo Van So Street to her hotel in Dao Duy Tu Street. The taxi was being driven in reverse and was stopped and ticketed by police.</p><br /><p>The artist allegedly argued with police that as there was no other traffic on the road, no offence has been committed.</p><br /><p>Trang allegedly attempted to stop police from detaining the driver. She was taken into custody.</p><br /><p>The case is under continuing investigation.</p><br /><br/><br />Artist Trang Tran arrested in altercation with Hanoi traffic police Related image(s)<br/><br /><img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1DA6ZTr" width="200"/><br/></div>

Artist Trang Tran arrested in altercation with Hanoi traffic police

Model and artist Trang Tran was arrested on Thursday night (February 26) after an altercation with police when her taxi was stopped for a ...

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Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism inspects festival organization in Ninh Binh province

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><br/><br />Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism inspects festival organization in Ninh Binh province Related image(s)<br/><br /><img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1avPKcs" width="200"/><br/><br /><table><br /><tr><br /><td><b>Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh on February 26th led a delegation to inspect the festival organization andmanagement at Hoa Lu ancient capital historical relic and Bai Dinh pagoda in the northern province of Ninh Binh.</b><br /><p>The Minister appreciated efforts by Ninh Binh province on the festival organization and management, creating a civilized and safe environment and leaving a deep impression on domestic and foreign tourists.</p><br /><p>He said the Trang An landscape complex was recognized as a world natural and cultural heritage and this was an important opportunity for provincial tourism to develop to become an attractive tourist site of the nation.</p><br /><div class='wp-caption aligncenter' style='width: 510px' id='attachment_1640898'><a href='http://bit.ly/1avPKcs'><img alt="Minister Hoang Tuan Anh talked to tourists. (Photo source: vov.vn)" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="374" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1avPKcs" width="500"/> </a><br /><p class='wp-caption-text'>Minister Hoang Tuan Anh talked to tourists. (Photo source: vov.vn)</p><br /></div><br /><p>Mr. Tuan Anh said that the province needed to attach much importance to festival organization and management, contributing to preserving traditional culture values, improving spiritual life of local people, promoting tourism and services, bringing the province to become a leading destination of tourists./.</p><br /></td><br /></tr><br /></table><br /></div>

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism inspects festival organization in Ninh Binh province

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism inspects festival organization in Ninh Binh province Related image(s) Minister of Culture, Sports an...

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Heartlessness

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p>Phuong Thao</p><br /><p>People in Nem Thuong celebrate the festival on the sixth day of the first lunar month to commemorate a general who took refuge in the area while fighting invaders a thousand years ago. He killed wild hogs to feed his soldiers, hence the tradition. At the festival, villagers parade two pigs around the village before slicing them into two halves with repeated machete hacks to the cheers from spectators. They then wet banknotes with the fresh blood from the pigs and put them on the altars in their houses to pray for good crops and health. The rite usually attracts thousands of villagers and visitors, including children.</p><br /><p>In late January, Hong Kong-based Animals Asia Foundation (AAF) launched a petition asking the public to reject the festival and Vietnam’s government to end the Nem Thuong Pig Slaughter Festival. The group called the ritual “extremely cruel” and this activity not only affects the human psyche but also economy and society, in particular, the tourism industry and the image of Vietnam. AAF also cited research as indicating that witnesses of cruel treatment toward animals tend to cruelly treat other people in the community. Responding to the petition, Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has called on villagers to tone down the more bloody aspects of the ritual sacrifice and then Bac Ninh Province’s culture officials have suggested that they should transform the festival into a less gory parade.</p><br /><p>Unfortunately, the pleas fell on deaf ears. Locals went ahead with a pig slaughter rite in public as part of their traditional Lunar New Year festival on Tuesday, where thousands of revelers gathered to witness the brutal slaughter of two pigs in the blood-tainted tradition. As reported by local media, Nguyen Dinh Loi from Nem Thuong’s senior-citizens’ association says they refused to change the festival’s name from “Pig Slaughter” to “Pig Parade” as requested and they will not try to hide the slaughter from the public eyes either. Villagers had been angry as their celebration of a heroic tradition and for good crops was condemned as brutal.</p><br /><p>He said the festival has clear history and the villagers are determined to protect it.</p><br /><p>“We all wish to observe the festival with all the original elements, especially the killing of the pigs at the front yard of the main temple. We don’t want to move the killing to the back yard of the temple,” he says.</p><br /><p>Nguyen Tam Thanh, an Animal Welfare Officer from AAF, in an interview with Vnexpress says that in 2013, AAF sent a letter expressing concern about this festival to Hoang Tuan Anh, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Nguyen Van Phong, director of the Department of Culture of Bac Ninh. Then, we continued to send a dispatch to Phong asking for his confirmation that the pig-chopping festival was still being held.</p><br /><p>“Chopping healthy live pigs is a cruel behavior toward animals. It hardens emotions of those witnessing how the animals are treated brutally, especially children, who are vulnerable and have incomplete psychological stability. In addition, the festival causes unnecessary suffering and pain to animals. The continuation of this festival sends out a message that animals are things not to be respected. Should the killing of animals in a barbaric way start a new year?”</p><br /><p>Culture and tradition has changed and evolved over time. The good things and ones that are consistent with modern trends will be maintained. The things that are no longer appropriate should be changed or discarded. Besides, festivals should be associated with local identity and culture of the nation to spread humane behavior to future generations, Thanh explains.</p><br /><p>AAF’s Vietnam Director Tuan Bendixsen says on Vnexpress that he is very disappointed that the festival still took place this year, defying culture authorities’ warnings. The group will keep calling for the community to support its petition and show respect to animal rights.</p><br /><p>“We suggest culture agencies reconsider all animal slaughter festivals in Vietnam and their negative impacts on society. Besides, we will design education programs to improve awareness of animal rights among people, especially residents in the localities organizing the festivals. We should change the mindset that animals are just something for people to have fun with,” he adds.</p><br /><p>Professor Ngo Duc Thinh, former dean of the Vietnam Institute of Cultural Studies, is quoted by Tuoi Tre as saying that the best method is not to use administrative measures to interfere in cultural, religious, and spiritual festivals as every cultural and religious activity in folk festivals of Vietnamese people has its root and reason. Culture researchers also suggest that locals will automatically end those rites no longer appropriate in modern society.</p><br /><br/><br />Heartlessness Related image(s)<br/><br /><img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200"/><br/></div>

Heartlessness

Phuong Thao People in Nem Thuong celebrate the festival on the sixth day of the first lunar month to commemorate a general who took refuge i...

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Hanoi welcomes over 340,000 tourists during Tet

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><i>The Hanoitimes</i> – Director of Hanoi’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism To Van Dong said the city received 270,000 domestic tourists and 70,083 foreign tourists during the nine-day lunar New Year festival (February 15-23), a 8 percent increase from the same period last year.</p><br /><p>During the festival, numerous events were held to introduce the traditional culture of Hanoi and Vietnam at large, including fireworks performance, exhibitions and fairs.</p><br /><p>Travel agencies also provided visitors various options to attractive destinations in the city.</p><br /><div class='wp-caption aligncenter' style='width: 510px' id='attachment_1640791'><a href='http://bit.ly/1Ai2acH'><img alt="Tourists visited Hanoi city" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="302" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1Ai2acH" width="500"/> </a><br /><p class='wp-caption-text'>Tourists visited Hanoi city</p><br /></div><br /><p>According to the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, tourism revenues reached 947 billion VND in the period.</p><br /><p>Together with promotion activities, the city has developed a wide range of products and services to attract more visitors.</p><br /><p>Attention has also been paid to conserving relic sites like Ngoc Son temple on Hoan Kiem lake, Hoa Lo prison and the Temple of Literature, and protecting the environment and ensuring safety for tourists.</p><br /><p>In 2014, Hanoi welcomed 3 million tourists, a 16 percent increase from 2013.</p><br /><p>Thu Minh</p><br /><br/><br />Hanoi welcomes over 340,000 tourists during Tet Related image(s)<br/><br /><img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1Ai2acH" width="200"/><br/></div>

Hanoi welcomes over 340,000 tourists during Tet

The Hanoitimes – Director of Hanoi’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism To Van Dong said the city received 270,000 domestic tourists...

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Nam seeded ninth for ITF Chang tennis championship

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><em>VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam’s No 1 tennis player Ly Hoang Nam is seeded ninth for the Chang Thailand ITF Junior Grade 1, to be held in Bangkok from March 2 to 7.</em> </p><br /><div class='wp-caption aligncenter' style='width: 510px' id='attachment_1640729'><a href='http://bit.ly/1DA6ZCO'><img alt="Ly Hoang Nam is seeded ninth at the Chang Thailand ITF Junior Grade 1, to be held in Bangkok from March 2 to 7. — File photo" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="295" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1BnguGr" width="500"/> </a><br /><p class='wp-caption-text'>Ly Hoang Nam is seeded ninth at the Chang Thailand ITF Junior Grade 1, to be held in Bangkok from March 2 to 7. — File photo</p><br /></div><br /><p>Nam, who ranks 70th in the world junior rankings, will face several young talents in this event such as world number 12 Santillan Arika of Australia and world number 28 Chang Yeong Oh of South Korea. However, the Vietnamese player has set a target of advancing to the event’s semi-final round.</p><br /><p>After this tournament, he will join his teammates to compete in the 2015 Davis Cup’s Asia/Oceania Zone Group 3, to be held in Malaysia from March 25 to 28.</p><br /><p><em>VNS</em> </p><br /><br/><br />Nam seeded ninth for ITF Chang tennis championship Related image(s)<br/><br /><img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1BnguGr" width="200"/><br/></div>

Nam seeded ninth for ITF Chang tennis championship

VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam’s No 1 tennis player Ly Hoang Nam is seeded ninth for the Chang Thailand ITF Junior Grade 1, to be held in Bang...

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“We are disappointed in the pig-chopping ritual”: Asia Animals Foundation

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><em>VietNamNet Bridge – Dr. Tuan Bendixsen, chief representative of Animals Asia in Vietnam, said he would launch a stronger call for removal of the rituals “causing pain to animals”.</em> </p><br /><p><em><a href='http://bit.ly/1Ai27gV'><img alt="1640647-20150227093520-1" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="333" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1Ai27gV" width="500"/> </a> </em> </p><br /><p>“Our proposal to remove the pig-chopping ritual from the court of the communal house of Nem Thuong Village has received sympathy and support of the majority community, but the organizing board of the Nem Thuong village festival still performed the ritual. We are very disappointed,” said Dr. Tuan Bendixsen.</p><br /><p>Tuan said that killing pigs in such a brutal way not only causes pain to the animal but also hurts the feelings of the witnesses and adversely affects the image of Vietnam.</p><br /><p>Although Nem Thuong people still performed the ritual on February 24 at Nem Thuong Village in Bac Ninh province, some of Animals Asia opinions had been taken seriously by the locals, he said.</p><br /><p>For example, participants did not try to jostle with one another to wipe banknotes on the pig’s blood as they had in previous years.</p><br /><p>Tuan repeated the view that the traditional festival of Nem Thuong Village would be more beautiful, more civilized and more complete if the pig-chopping rite was removed or replaced by other humane rites.</p><br /><p>“We will call the authorities to consider and evaluate the animal killing rituals and its impact on society. In addition, we will develop programs to raise awareness of the community, especially in the home of these festivals, in order to change the views of people in considering animals as a tool to entertain people,” Tuan said.</p><br /><p>In 2013, Animals Asia sent a letter to the Ministry of Culture and the Department of Culture of Bac Ninh Province to express concern about and opposition against the pig-chopping rite at the festival of Nem Thuong Village.</p><br /><p>Since 2013, the local authorities have urged local people to change perceptions and the pig chopping rite. Local people changed the organization of the custom by holding the rite in a restricted area, where only several people are allowed to enter. However, according to Animals Asia, many people, including children, still witnessed the pig-killing scene.</p><br /><p>In an open letter released on January 27, AAF launched a campaign to seek signatures to call for authorities in Bac Ninh and the Ministry of Information and Communications to issue regulations to put an end to the traditional pig-chopping festival in Nem Thuong village of Tien Du district.</p><br /><p>Each year, on the sixth day of the lunar new year, Nem Thuong villagers organize a festival to honor their local guardian deity, Doan Thuong. The celebrations include traditional festival features such as a march and live music. One part of the ceremony is the pig-chopping rite.</p><br /><p>A live pig is shuttled around the village before being placed on the ground on its back. Assistants hold ropes attached to the pig’s legs, spreading the animal’s appendages apart to expose its belly. A man wielding a large blade then chops the pig in half, and the villagers rush to smear the blood on bank notes, hoping for good luck in the new year.</p><br /><p>Animals Asia said this is considered a cruel festival, which has been condemned by individuals and organizations inside Vietnam and abroad. This activity not only affects the human psyche, but also the economy and society, and in particular, the tourism industry and the image of Vietnam.</p><br /><p>Animals Asia Foundation’s proposal received mixed reviews. Most readers said that this ritual should be removed. The spokesman of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Pham Dinh Tan also said the Ministry did not support festivals with brutal and backward rituals, and asked locals to not be “conservatives to maintain the pig-chopping ritual”.</p><br /><p>Meanwhile, most of the villagers and cultural experts said this sacrificial rite is not offensive and the local community’s wish to maintain this rite should be respected in order to preserve the identity of the village.</p><br /><p><em>VNE</em> </p><br /><br/><br />“We are disappointed in the pig-chopping ritual”: Asia Animals Foundation Related image(s)<br/><br /><img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1Ai27gV" width="200"/><br/></div>

“We are disappointed in the pig-chopping ritual”: Asia Animals Foundation

VietNamNet Bridge – Dr. Tuan Bendixsen, chief representative of Animals Asia in Vietnam, said he would launch a stronger call for removal of...

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Over 48,000 foreign tourists visit Hue during Tet

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><br/><br />Over 48,000 foreign tourists visit Hue during Tet Related image(s)<br/><br /><img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1Ai26JX" width="200"/><br/><br /><table><br /><tr><br /><td><i><br/><br /><br/> </i><br /><div class='wp-caption aligncenter' style='width: 510px' id='attachment_1640646'><i><a href='http://bit.ly/1Ai26JR'><img alt="Foreign tourists visiting Hue imperial relic. (Photo: CPV)" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="280" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1Ai26JX" width="500"/> </a> </i><br /><p class='wp-caption-text'><i>Foreign tourists visiting Hue imperial relic. (Photo: CPV)</i> </p><br /></div><br /><p><i>(CPV) –</i> <b>The central coastal province of Thua Thien-Hue greeted more than 820,000 tourist arrivalsduring the ten-day lunar New Year (Tet) holiday (February 15th-24th) of which 48,000 were foreign arrivals, accounting for 58% of the total arrivals to the province, a year-on-year rise of 30%, reported the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.</b> </p><br /><p>Specifically, from the first to the third day of the holiday, destinations throughout the Hue imperial relic complex received about 30,000 tourist arrivals, including 10,000 foreign arrivals.</p><br /><p>The province earned a tourism turnover of more than VND55 billion during Tet 2015 while social revenue from tourism reached more than VND160 billion.</p><br /><p>During the holiday, numerous events were organised to introduce the traditional culture of the province and to attract visitors such as a firework displays, art programs to welcome New Year at Hue Opera Art House, Hue Imperial Traditional Art House and Children and Teenagers Activity Centre.</p><br /><p>Travel agencies in Hue also hosted a series of attractive spring tours in combination with festivals while hotels and travel companies offered promotions and added many new services to serve tourists./.</p><br /></td><br /></tr><br /></table><br /></div>

Over 48,000 foreign tourists visit Hue during Tet

Over 48,000 foreign tourists visit Hue during Tet Related image(s) Foreign tourists visiting Hue imperial relic. (Photo: CPV) (CPV) – T...

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Ha Noi sees 8 percent rise in tourist numbers during Tet

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><a href='http://bit.ly/1DA6YyM'><img alt="1640607-kdlhanoi" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="225" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1DA6YyM" width="300"/> </a> </p><br /><p>Ha Noi welcomed 270,000 domestic tourists and 70,083 foreign tourists during the nine-day lunar New Year holiday (February 15-23), up 8 percent from the same period last year.</p><br /><p>Tourists to Mot Cot (One Pillar) Pagoda in Ha Noi</p><br /><p>According to the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, tourism revenues reached nearly 950 billion VND (44.65 million USD) in the period.</p><br /><p>During the festival, numerous events were organized to introduce the traditional culture of the city and Viet Nam at large, including fireworks performance, exhibitions and fairs. Travel agencies also offered tourists a number of options to attractive destinations in the city.</p><br /><p>The department said that the image of the capital city has been increasingly improved in the eyes of visitors. Together with promotion activities, the city has developed a wide range of products and services to attract more visitors.</p><br /><p>It is working to turn the Ba Vi-Suoi Hai site into a national tourist centre and develop community-based tourism in seven mountainous villages in Hanoi’s outlying district of Ba Vi.</p><br /><p>Attention has also been paid to conserving relic sites like Ngoc Son temple on Hoan Kiem lake, Hoa Lo prison and the Temple of Literature, and protecting the environment and ensuring safety for tourists.</p><br /><p>The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has intensified cooperation with the Departments of Transport, and Industry and Trade, and the Police to improve the quality of tourist services, ensure food safety and prevent unlicensed taxis and cheating acts.</p><br /><p>In 2014, Ha Noi welcomed 3 million tourists, a 16 percent increase from 2013.</p><br /><br/><br />Ha Noi sees 8 percent rise in tourist numbers during Tet Related image(s)<br/><br /><img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1DA6YyM" width="200"/><br/></div>

Ha Noi sees 8 percent rise in tourist numbers during Tet

Ha Noi welcomed 270,000 domestic tourists and 70,083 foreign tourists during the nine-day lunar New Year holiday (February 15-23), up 8 pe...

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Liverpool in shootout misery, holders Sevilla win

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><strong>Liverpool’s Europa League campaign ended at the scene of one of their greatest European triumphs as they lost 5-4 on penalties to Besiktas in the Ataturk Stadium on Thursday on a woeful night for British clubs.</strong> </p><br /><p><a href='http://bit.ly/1DA6YyI'><img alt="1640605-4gx47qa7" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="295" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1DA6YyI" width="500"/> </a> </p><br /><p>Brendan Rodgers’s side were the highest profile casualties of the last 32, where holders Sevilla came through a testing encounter at Borussia Moenchengladbach, winning 3-2 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate.</p><br /><p>But in a sign that Italian teams may not be the dying force in Europe they are sometimes made out to be, AS Roma were joined in the last 16 by compatriots Inter Milan, Fiorentina, Torino and Napoli.</p><br /><p>Roma overcame crowd trouble and the temporary suspension of their match in Feyenoord to win 2-1 in a fiery atmosphere in Rotterdam and clinch a 3-2 success over the two legs.</p><br /><p>The only British representatives in the last 16, however, will be Everton, who saw off Young Boys 7-2 on aggregate, after Premier League Tottenham Hotspur were beaten 2-0 at Fiorentina and Celtic had their hopes ended in a 1-0 defeat by Inter.</p><br /><p>Turkish side Besiktas won their clash with Liverpool after Dejan Lovren missed the decisive penalty after the match ended 1-1 on aggregate following Besiktas’s 1-0 win on the night.</p><br /><p>Croatia centre back Lovren blasted his effort high and wide to spark wild celebrations at the ground where Liverpool beat AC Milan on penalties 10 years ago to clinch a fifth European Cup.</p><br /><p><strong>Attacking lineup</strong> </p><br /><p>The Merseysiders were playing at the Ataturk Stadium for the second time since their stunning 2005 comeback victory against Milan but, with club captain Steven Gerrardinjured, had no surviving members of that side on the field against Besiktas.</p><br /><p>They picked an attacking lineup but were second best most of the night and Tolgay Arslan’s crisp, curling effort after 72 minutes from the edge of the area levelled the aggregate score and took the game into extra time and eventually penalties.</p><br /><p>The first nine of both team’s spot kicks found their target, but Lovren stepped up, leant back and sent his effort high over the bar sparking raucous home celebrations.</p><br /><p>The statuesque Croat was perhaps an odd choice to take a penalty, but boss Rodgers defended the decision.</p><br /><p>“We were happy with the penalty takers and Dejan was confident. We’re obviously disappointed for him, because I felt in the game he played very well.”</p><br /><p><strong>Plastic banana</strong> </p><br /><p>Roma’s passage into the last 16 was fraught after French referee Clement Turpin took the players off for more than 10 minutes after the home fans threw objects onto the pitch, including a giant plastic banana.</p><br /><p>After Adem Ljajic gave Roma the lead and Elvis Manu had levelled for Feyenoord, who had Mitchell Te Vrede sent off which sparked the trouble, Gervinho netted the winner when he converted Vasilis Torosidis’s cross from he right.</p><br /><p>Three-times winners Sevilla were twice pegged back by their German hosts, who had goalscorer Granit Xhaka sent off, before Vitolo rounded off a counter attack in the 79th minute with his second goal to complete the victory.</p><br /><p>Inter edged Scottish champions Celtic 1-0 to go through 4-3 on aggregate after a high-scoring first leg was followed by a cagey return in Italy where Fredy Guarin got an 88th minute winner.</p><br /><p>Inter’s Serie A rivals Fiorentina beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 on aggregate with German striker Mario Gomez and on loan Chelsea player Mohamed Salah scoring in the second half.</p><br /><p>Two goals from Jose Rondon helped Zenit St Petersburg ease past PSV Eindhoven 3-0 in their second leg in Russia to complete a 4-0 aggregate success.</p><br /><p>Ajax Amsterdam, Villarreal, Dinamo Moscow, Dynamo Kiev, VfL Wolfsburg, Club Bruggeand Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk also booked spots in the last 16 of Europe’s second tier competition which this season brings a Champions League spot for the winners.</p><br /><br/><br />Liverpool in shootout misery, holders Sevilla win Related image(s)<br/><br /><img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1DA6YyI" width="200"/><br/></div>

Liverpool in shootout misery, holders Sevilla win

Liverpool’s Europa League campaign ended at the scene of one of their greatest European triumphs as they lost 5-4 on penalties to Besiktas i...

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Image: Quang Ngai displays 300 artifacts in newly-restored nha ruong house

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><em>VietNamNet Bridge – After eight months of construction, dozens of artisans from the Kim Bong carpentry village (Hoi An, Quang Nam) have successfully restored a traditional nha ruong house in Quang Ngai City. The house has been opened to the public from February 14, displaying more than 300 antiques.</em> </p><br /><p><a href='http://bit.ly/1Bngrdy'><img alt="1640554-14-2-anh-1-hang-tram-co-vat-trong-nha-ruong-1423918259-660x0" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="333" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1BngtlM" width="500"/> </a> </p><br /><p><a href='http://bit.ly/1DA6WqG'><img alt="1640554-14-2-anh-3-hang-tram-co-vat-trong-nha-ruong-1423918286-660x0" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="333" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1BngrdJ" width="500"/> </a> </p><br /><p>The house consists of three compartments, connected with each other by a 40m corridor. Mr. Vo Hoai Nam, Chairman of the Thien An Cultural Heritage Association (Quang Ngai), said artisans collected materials from three old houses in the districts of Duc Pho and Binh Son (120 to 300 years) to restore this original nha ruong.</p><br /><p><a href='http://bit.ly/1DA6WqI'><img alt="1640554-14-2-anh-4-hang-tram-co-vat-trong-nha-ruong-1423918295-660x0" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="333" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1BngrdL" width="500"/> </a> </p><br /><p>Ared lacquer, trimmed with gold, casket from the 19th century of collector Le Quoc Trung – a member of the Thien An Cultural Heritage Association. More than 300 artifacts on display in the house are mainly ceramics of the Le, Ly, Tran, and Nguyen dynasties and My Thien ceramics dating from the 12th to 20th centuries.</p><br /><div class='wp-caption aligncenter' style='width: 510px' id='attachment_1640555'><a href='http://bit.ly/1DA6WqK'><img alt="The collection of royal ceramic bowls of the Nguyen dynasty of Mr. Vo Hoai Nam, Chair of the Thien An Cultural Heritage Association." class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="333" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1BngtCa" width="500"/> </a><br /><p class='wp-caption-text'>The collection of royal ceramic bowls of the Nguyen dynasty of Mr. Vo Hoai Nam, Chair of the Thien An Cultural Heritage Association.</p><br /></div><br /><div class='wp-caption aligncenter' style='width: 510px' id='attachment_1640556'><a href='http://bit.ly/1DA6Y1P'><img alt="The collection of Dong Son bronze axes and some ceramic items by Tran Sac, a member of the Thien An Cultural Heritage Association." class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="333" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1DA6Y1R" width="500"/> </a><br /><p class='wp-caption-text'>The collection of Dong Son bronze axes and some ceramic items by Tran Sac, a member of the Thien An Cultural Heritage Association.</p><br /></div><br /><div class='wp-caption aligncenter' style='width: 510px' id='attachment_1640557'><a href='http://bit.ly/1Bngru5'><img alt="A collection of Chu Dau ceramics." class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="333" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1DA6Y1X" width="500"/> </a><br /><p class='wp-caption-text'>A collection of Chu Dau ceramics.</p><br /></div><br /><div class='wp-caption aligncenter' style='width: 510px' id='attachment_1640558'><a href='http://bit.ly/1Bngru9'><img alt="Artisan Lam Du Xenh shows visitors the collection of old books of Champa (15-16th centuries), which were written on dried buong leaves and pasteboard." class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="333" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1DA6Yif" width="500"/> </a><br /><p class='wp-caption-text'>Artisan Lam Du Xenh shows visitors the collection of old books of Champa (15-16th centuries), which were written on dried buong leaves and pasteboard.</p><br /></div><br /><div class='wp-caption aligncenter' style='width: 510px' id='attachment_1640559'><a href='http://bit.ly/1DA6Yih'><img alt="The collection of My Thien ceramic items." class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="333" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1Bngruf" width="500"/> </a><br /><p class='wp-caption-text'>The collection of My Thien ceramic items.</p><br /></div><br /><p><a href='http://bit.ly/1BngtCp'><img alt="1640554-14-2-anh-10-hang-tram-co-vat-trong-nha-ruong-1423918354-660x0" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="333" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1DA6Yij" width="500"/> </a> </p><br /><p>Dr. Nguyen Dang Vu, director of the Department of Culture Sports and Tourism of Quang Ngai, said that within the 5,000 m2 campus of Quang Ngai Museum, a traditional nha dai house of the Cor ethnic will be restored to help visitors learn about cultural heritage of Quang Ngai.</p><br /><p><a href='http://bit.ly/1BngtSE'><img alt="1640554-14-2-anh-11-hang-tram-co-vat-trong-nha-ruong-1423918366-660x0" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="333" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1DA6WqT" width="500"/> </a> </p><br /><p>Nha ruong – hand made traditional wooden houses – can be found in the central provinces in Vietnam including Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam, Quang Tri, Quang Ngai, and Quang Binh provinces.</p><br /><p>Some people believe that Nha Ruong first originated in northern Vietnam, as wooden stilt houses of the Muong ethnic people in Nghe An and Thanh Hoa provinces, and then they headed south during the 14th and 15th centuries.</p><br /><p>Many Nha Ruong have a sloping tile roof, to cope with the rainy season. It has actually four roofs, made of double tile or other types. The tiles are placed tightly, helping the house retain its structural integrity.</p><br /><p>Nha Ruong are constructed based on eastern philosophy, which holds that all things originate from a single source and expand in all directions. This is why before constructing a Nha Ruong, the owner must first determine the center point, which establishes the location of other parts of the house and their direction.</p><br /><p>With Vietnam’s current fast-paced development and rapid urbanization, Nha Ruong are on the verge of disappearing. More efforts must be made to preserve this precious architecture.</p><br /><p><em>VNE</em> </p><br /><br/><br />Image: Quang Ngai displays 300 artifacts in newly-restored nha ruong house Related image(s)<br/><br /><img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1BngtlM" width="200"/><br/></div>

Image: Quang Ngai displays 300 artifacts in newly-restored nha ruong house

VietNamNet Bridge – After eight months of construction, dozens of artisans from the Kim Bong carpentry village (Hoi An, Quang Nam) have succ...

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