Vietnam Breaking News

Vietnamese switch off electricity, join green activities during Earth Hour

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'> People in different cities and provinces throughout Vietnam turned off power for an hour on Saturday night and partook in an array of activities in observance of the global Earth Hour 2015 campaign. <a href="http://bit.ly/1G5Kt6Z"><img alt="1653304-zzomg8lu" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="295" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1G5Kt6Z" width="500"/> </a> Many cities and provinces simultaneously organized a clutch of environmental protection activities, with the lights-off event held later the same night being the dominant focus. At 8:30 pm sharp on Saturday, all the lights at the Youth Culture House in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City as well as at coffee shops, hotels, and restaurants nearby went off. The culture house was the main venue for the city’s Earth Hour 2015 activities. Other highlights included the final round of a quiz contest on environmental protection and energy saving and stalls offering handicraft mementoes to raise funds for charity. <div class='wp-caption aligncenter' style='width: 510px' id='attachment_1653305'><a href="http://bit.ly/1CmToyp"><img alt="Delegates are seen performing a ritual to switch off lights during the Earth Hour 2015 campaign in Ho Chi Minh City on March 28, 2015. Photo:" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="333" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1CmToyq" width="500"/> </a> Delegates are seen performing a ritual to switch off lights during the Earth Hour 2015 campaign in Ho Chi Minh City on March 28, 2015. Photo: </div> Tuoi Tre A similar event organized last night in the southern province of Dong Nai was attended by nearly 3,000 young people, who passed on messages about climate change and helped raise locals’ awareness of cherishing water and forest resources and energy conservation. Earlier the same day, many young people cycled around the provincial capital of Bien Hoa, some 30 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, handing out leaflets on environmental protection, collecting garbage, and giving away environmentally-friendly bags. <div class='wp-caption aligncenter' style='width: 510px' id='attachment_1653306'><a href="http://bit.ly/1CmTpT1"><img alt="Students in Bien Hoa City, located in Dong Nai Province, are pictured during a bike ride for environmental protection purposes on March 28, 2015. Photo:" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="332" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1G5KurN" width="500"/> </a> Students in Bien Hoa City, located in Dong Nai Province, are pictured during a bike ride for environmental protection purposes on March 28, 2015. Photo: </div> Tuoi Tre In a similar vein, over 100 volunteers showed up at many intersections in Thu Dau Mot City, the capital of southern Binh Duong Province, and the province’s Thuan An District, raising environment-themed cartoons and talking locals into turning off their bike engines for 20 seconds while waiting at stoplights. Shows featuring fashion items made from recycled materials and songs about environmental protection, as well as an exchange between locals and environmental ambassadors also took place the same night. <div class='wp-caption aligncenter' style='width: 510px' id='attachment_1653307'><a href="http://bit.ly/1CmTpT2"><img alt="Volunteers are shown raising banners in support of the global Earth Hour 2015 campaign in Thu Dau Mot City, the capital of southern Binh Duong Province. Photo:" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="267" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1G5Kt72" width="500"/> </a> Volunteers are shown raising banners in support of the global Earth Hour 2015 campaign in Thu Dau Mot City, the capital of southern Binh Duong Province. Photo: </div> Tuoi Tre A similar recycled material fashion and music show was staged at Song Hau Park in the southern city of Can Tho last night. Like in other cities and provinces, all the lights at the park went off at 8:30 pm sharp and were replaced with sparkling Led lights brought over by more than 2,000 volunteers. The young had joined a parade on bicycles throughout the city earlier the same day. Meanwhile, around 200 students and staffers from major hotels in Nha Trang City, the capital of the south-central province of Khanh Hoa, scavenged garbage along the three-kilometer coast on Saturday afternoon. They also persuaded tourists to put litter into garbage bins before joining the lights-off event, during which several hotels along Tran Phu Street – one of the city’s major streets – turned off their decorative lights and air-conditioners and used the dim light from candles instead. Over 100 students also took part in a captivating flashmob dance on 2-4 Square. <div class='wp-caption aligncenter' style='width: 510px' id='attachment_1653308'><a href="http://bit.ly/1CmTpT5"><img alt="Young volunteers collect garbage on a Nha Trang beach in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa on March 28, 2015. Photo:" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="333" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1G5Kt75" width="500"/> </a> Young volunteers collect garbage on a Nha Trang beach in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa on March 28, 2015. Photo: </div> Tuoi Tre According to Tran Thanh Hai, vice director of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province’s Electricity Co., over 100 households switched off electricity and saved an estimated 60 million kWh. Similarly, on Phu Quoc Island, located off the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang, a wide range of green activities were also held, including a painting contest and a bicycle parade. The activities were meant to enhance the awareness of islanders and tourists of cherishing sea resources and safeguarding Vietnam’s sovereignty over its seas and islands. This is the seventh year that the Southeast Asian country has conducted activities in support of the global Earth Hour campaign. The country saved around 401MW during the 2013 Earth Hour and 431MW during the 2014 event. The Earth Hour campaign started as a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia in 2007. Since then it has grown to engage more than 162 countries and territories worldwide, according to its website. The campaign includes a simple yet environmentally-significant action: switching off lights for one hour on the last Saturday of March every year. <a href="#http://bit.ly/1CmToyt">Like us on Facebook</a> or <a href="#http://bit.ly/1G5Kt76">follow us on Twitter</a> to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnamese switch off electricity, join green activities during Earth Hour Releated Image(s) <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1G5Kt6Z" width="200"/> </div>

Vietnamese switch off electricity, join green activities during Earth Hour

People in different cities and provinces throughout Vietnam turned off power for an hour on Saturday night and partook in an array of activi...

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Ongoing exhibition features Saigon in black-and-white photos

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'> Dozens of black-and-white photos which capture the icons and people in Saigon (the former name of Ho Chi Minh City) over the past 20 years are being displayed at an exhibit in the southern metropolis. <a href="http://bit.ly/1DhoD1u"><img alt="1653273-u7hzsldw" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="295" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1DhoD1u" width="500"/> </a> “> The exhibition, “Chao Sai Gon” (Hello Saigon), by young photographer Nguyen Thanh Tung opened on Friday at TajmaSago Castle, located at 6 Phan Van Chuong Street, District 7. It closes on Sunday before being organized at Workshop Café, situated at 27 Ngo Duc Ke Street, District 1, where it will run from Friday next week to May 3. On display are 40 black-and-white photos which vividly depict the city’s icons, including Ben Thanh Market, Ben Nha Rong (Dragon Wharf), the People’s Committee edifice, Caravelle Hotel, and Dong Khoi Street. The visually striking photos are printed on large-sized canvases. <div class='wp-caption aligncenter' style='width: 510px' id='attachment_1653274'><a href="http://bit.ly/1BBj7zI"><img alt="This photo, taken on April 30, 2005, depicts a pyrotechnic show at Bach Dang Wharf, a hallmark of Saigon, which was organized in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Reunification Day. The area was packed with fireworks spectators then." class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="748" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1DhoD1x" width="500"/> </a> This photo, taken on April 30, 2005, depicts a pyrotechnic show at Bach Dang Wharf, a hallmark of Saigon, which was organized in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Reunification Day. The area was packed with fireworks spectators then. </div> Tung, the author, began taking the pictures some 20 years ago when he first arrived in Saigon. His photos thus accentuate the marked changes that the city has been through, and serve as reminders of the hallmark structures which are no longer around or have been renovated, such as the Saigon Tax Trade Center – part of which has bitten the dust to give way to a skyscraper and part of a subway station – and Thu Ngu Flagpole, which is a historical witness positioned near Khanh Hoi Bridge in District 1. Tung’s works also highlight the city’s new striking additions such as the Saigon River Tunnel and the Nhieu Loc Canal, a “dead” channel which has recently been brought back to life. The photographer has also been sensitive enough in capturing street corners, landscapes, and the daily life of city dwellers. The pictures are on sale for VND6-14 million (US$280-652), which is considered much higher than what is fetched by the paintings displayed at other exhibitions. <div class='wp-caption aligncenter' style='width: 510px' id='attachment_1653275'><a href="http://bit.ly/1BBj5rG"><img alt="Ho Chi Minh City looks gorgeous in one of Nguyen Thanh Tung's photos." class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="333" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1DhoDP4" width="500"/> </a> Ho Chi Minh City looks gorgeous in one of Nguyen Thanh Tung's photos. </div> The Mong Bridge, which connects Districts 1 and 4, is regarded as one of Ho Chi Minh City’s oldest bridge. Built in 1893-1894, the bridge now serves as a pedestrian bridge. This photo was taken in March 2015 by Nguyen Thanh Tung. <div class='wp-caption aligncenter' style='width: 510px' id='attachment_1653276'><a href="http://bit.ly/1BBj7zJ"><img alt="Thu Thiem Tunnel, which crosses the Saigon River, is considered symbolic of Ho Chi Minh City's strides in infrastructure development. This photo was taken in March 2015 by Nguyen Thanh Tung." class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="500" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1DhoD1y" width="500"/> </a> Thu Thiem Tunnel, which crosses the Saigon River, is considered symbolic of Ho Chi Minh City's strides in infrastructure development. This photo was taken in March 2015 by Nguyen Thanh Tung. </div> <a href="#http://bit.ly/1BBj5rL">Like us on Facebook</a> or <a href="#http://bit.ly/1DhoDPc">follow us on Twitter</a> to get the latest news about Vietnam! Ongoing exhibition features Saigon in black-and-white photos Releated Image(s) <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1DhoD1u" width="200"/> </div>

Ongoing exhibition features Saigon in black-and-white photos

Dozens of black-and-white photos which capture the icons and people in Saigon (the former name of Ho Chi Minh City) over the past 20 years a...

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Up all night: Flower market adds colors to Saigon vivid life

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Up all night: Flower market adds colors to Saigon vivid life <a href="http://bit.ly/1EmuPp2"><img alt="1653510-flowermarket-hbzq-214" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="332" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1NuPpow" width="500"/> </a> <a href="http://bit.ly/1EmuPp3"><img alt="1653510-flowermarket4-oyvu-164" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="332" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1NuPpVA" width="500"/> </a> <a href="http://bit.ly/1EmuPFj"><img alt="1653510-flowermarket3-juvx-262" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="305" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1NuPpVB" width="500"/> </a> <a href="http://bit.ly/1EmuNgU"><img alt="1653510-flowermarket5-xugf-122" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="265" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1NuPpVC" width="500"/> </a> <a href="http://bit.ly/1EmuNgV"><img alt="1653510-flowermarket2-xiya-526" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="332" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1NuPpoz" width="500"/> </a> <a href="http://bit.ly/1EmuNgW"><img alt="1653510-flowermarket1-xnbs-213" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="332" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1NuPpoB" width="500"/> </a> Up all night: Flower market adds colors to Saigon vivid life Related image(s) <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1NuPpow" width="200"/> </div>

Up all night: Flower market adds colors to Saigon vivid life

Up all night: Flower market adds colors to Saigon vivid life Up all night: Flower market adds colors to Saigon vivid life Relate...

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Jetstar Pacific launches Hanoi – Bangkok flights

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Jetstar Pacific launches Hanoi – Bangkok flights <a href="http://bit.ly/1EmuP8s"><img alt="1653437-img1707-gylt" class="attachment-medium aligncenter" height="333" rel="lightbox" src="http://bit.ly/1NuPp7X" width="500"/> </a> Jetstar launches its first flight from Hanoi to Bangkok on Sunday. Photo: Minh Hung Jetstar Pacific launched its first direct flight between Hanoi and Bangkok on Sunday, marking the first flight of the low cost carrier connecting the two capitals. Every day, a flight departs Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport at 11:10 AM and another flight departs Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport at 2:35 PM. Total flight time is around 1 hour and 50 minutes on 180-seat Airbus A320 aircraft. Le Hong Ha, Jetstar Pacific CEO, said the direct flights were launched to serve a growing demand for low fares from visiting relatives and business travelers between Vietnam and Thailand, as well as deliver a boost for local tourism. “There is a huge demand for low fares in both markets. We saw a fantastic response to the low fares when bookings first opened, and we’re expecting this demand to continue to grow,” he said. Jetstar Pacific operates 16 domestic flights to 13 cities in Vietnam. Jetstar Pacific launches Hanoi – Bangkok flights Related image(s) <img height="200" src="http://bit.ly/1NuPp7X" width="200"/> </div>

Jetstar Pacific launches Hanoi – Bangkok flights

Jetstar Pacific launches Hanoi – Bangkok flights Jetstar launches its first flight from Hanoi to Bangkok on Sunday. Photo: Minh Hung Jetst...

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Chinese enterprises to invest in Binh Duong

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Chinese enterprises to invest in Binh Duong A delegation from the China Business Association – Ho Chi Minh Branch (CBAH) led by President Miao Ren Lai visited southern Binh Duong province on March 27 to evaluate the local investment climate. Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Tran Van Nam briefed the delegation on the locality’s socio-economic context in recent years, noting that the province prioritises projects using advanced and environmentally-friendly technology. To prepare Binh Duong for the impacts of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement and other international and regional agreements, the province has zoned off areas for the textile support industry in Bau Bang district and Ben Cat town as well as for the timber support industry at Bac Tan Uyen Industrial Zone, according to Nam. The locality will continue to upgrade its infrastructure and reform its administrative procedures to attract more investors, he pledged. About 125 Chinese enterprises currently operate in Binh Duong with a total investment of 352 million USD, said Miao Ren Lai. He believes the coming TPP and free trade agreements between Vietnam and foreign partners will pave the way for additional Chinese investment in the country. Another CBAH delegation plans to visit Binh Duong in early April, he noted./. Chinese enterprises to invest in Binh Duong Related image(s) <img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200"/> </div>

Chinese enterprises to invest in Binh Duong

Chinese enterprises to invest in Binh Duong A delegation from the China Business Association – Ho Chi Minh Branch (CBAH) led by President Mi...

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Tay Ninh, Cambodia partner prepare for one-stop border customs check

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Tay Ninh, Cambodia partner prepare for one-stop border customs check The southwest province of Tay Ninh and its neighbouring Cambodian province of Svayrieng along with the Ministries of Transport of Vietnam and Cambodia have agreed on the building of two goods storage sites for joint customs checks at the Moc Bai-Ba Vet border gates. The sides will ask their respective governments for permission to go ahead with the construction, which is part of a bilateral project to apply the one-stop-shop customs check at border gates between the two countries. The two sides have also agreed on the locations for the goods storage sites, which both are about 500m from the border gate, facilitating the work of customs officers when conducting joint checks on goods. According to Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The, the congestion at the Moc Bai-Bavet has become more serious, affecting trade activities between the two countries. The implementation of a one-stop-shop mechanism is urgent to ease congestion, reduce time for checking goods, and facilitate bilateral trade exchanges, he said, adding that the good storage sites should have all the necessary facilities for animal and plant quarantine with modern equipment.-VNA Tay Ninh, Cambodia partner prepare for one-stop border customs check Related image(s) <img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200"/> </div>

Tay Ninh, Cambodia partner prepare for one-stop border customs check

Tay Ninh, Cambodia partner prepare for one-stop border customs check The southwest province of Tay Ninh and its neighbouring Cambodian provi...

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Forestry service looks to collect 1.3 trillion VND from environment services

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Forestry service looks to collect 1.3 trillion VND from environment services The forestry sector is looking to collect more than 1.3 trillion VND (60 million USD) from payments for forest environmental services in 2015. As of March 25, organisations and individuals using the services had paid 234.9 billion VND (10.9 million USD), it was reported at a conference held by the Fund for Forest Protection and Development in Hanoi at the end of March. To achieve the 2015 target, Deputy Head of the fund Pham Hong Luong said the fund will direct and guide its members to follow the policy on payments for forest environmental services while disseminating policy details to organisations and individuals involved. At the conference, participants agreed that after four years of implementation, the policy on collecting fees for forest environmental services has produced positive results in forestry management, improving forest owners’ awareness of protection and development and contributing to poverty reduction in mountainous areas. In 2010, Vietnam introduced new regulations on payments for forestry environmental services, which took effect in 2011. Water supply for hydropower plants, the supply of clean water for water stations and eco-tourism are three main sources of income from the forest environmental services At present, 37 localities across the country have funds set up for forest protection and development. Last year, the funds collected 1.3 trillion VND (60 million USD) from forest environmental services, protecting around 5.78 million hectares of forests./. Forestry service looks to collect 1.3 trillion VND from environment services Related image(s) <img height="200" src="http://ift.tt/1eWmqbm" width="200"/> </div>

Forestry service looks to collect 1.3 trillion VND from environment services

Forestry service looks to collect 1.3 trillion VND from environment services The forestry sector is looking to collect more than 1.3 trillio...

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