Da Nang: Seeing the significance of the master plan of Da Nang for the 2021-2030 period with a vision to 2050, the central city’s authorities have been starting work to implement the plan effectively.

According to Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Quang Nam, local authorities identified programmes and projects to prioritise investment in all socio-economic fields.

Regarding transportation, the city will focus on key projects such as Lien Chieu port project, Da Nang International Airport, the allocation of Da Nang Railway Station, and a study on the public transport project like high-speed subway or urban light rail.

In addition, the city will prioritise projects on free trade zones, non-tariff zones and accompanying services, on Da Nang international exhibition centre, shopping centres and those to improve infrastructure, landscape or create architectural highlights along Han river and night service areas.

In the coming time, Da Nang will also develop a complex of trade and urban eco ar
eas in Hoa Khanh Nam, An Don, a complex of commercial, service areas and residential buildings serving international firework festival, and a complex of sports, entertainment, commercial areas and creative space project in Hoa Xuan ward.

In the field of digital economy and information technology (IT), Da Nang city will prioritise the development of a high-tech data services research and development centre – HTC Digital Park, and the DanangBay IT Park. It will also prioritise projects on the production of chips, biosensors, and integrated circuit (IC), projects on aviation, space technology, design technology, robot manufacturing, and mechanical manufacturing for the oil and gas, and wind power sectors.

At the same time, it will invest and attract investment in urban development projects, construction of resettlement areas, apartments, commercial housing, and social housing. Da Nang will also pilot urban reconstruction projects, forming urban areas in Binh Hien ward (district Hai Chau), Thanh Khe Dong ward (
Thanh Khe district), and An Hai Tay ward (Son Tra district).

Secretary of the Da Nang Party Committee Nguyen Van Quang said that the master plan is a step to formalise policies to develop the city following the Poliburo’s Resolution No. 43-NQ/TW.

Speaking at the ceremony to announce the master plan in November 2023, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha directed the city to develop a roadmap for implementation and identify key content, progress and resources for implementing planned programmes and projects.

The city should speed up administration reform and e-Government in building a ‘smart’ urban area with ‘green’ growth, circular economy and digital economy, he said.

The Deputy PM urged Da Nang to issue ‘green’ standards for luring renewable energy and hi-tech investment, building economic links with neighbouring provinces and cities in the region.

Da Nang will be focusing on human resources education and technology applications for semiconductor manufacture and processing industries in building a liveabl
e city and a destination worthy of investment and sustainable development in the region, he urged.

The city should continue monitoring biodiversity protection and the ecological system in dealing with climate change and high sea levels, he added.

According to the master plan, Da Nang targets to achieve an economic growth rate of 9.5-10% a year by 2023, eyeing 12%, and Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) per capita of about 8,000 – 8,500 USD.

The city aims to have the number of visitors increased by 17.5 – 18% a year and revenue of accommodation, food, and travel increased by 12.5 – 13% a year.

State budget revenue in the city is expected to increase by an average of 9 – 11% a year, while total investment capital for social development by 11 – 12% yearly./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: A gathering took place in Hanoi on January 6 to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the victory of the war defending the southwestern border and, together with the Cambodian troops and people, defeating the genocidal regime (January 7, 1979 – 2024).

The event saw the presence of Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam Chea Kimtha; Vietnamese generals and heroes of the people’s armed forces; foreign guests; 200 war veterans, former volunteer soldiers, and former experts of Vietnam who used to fight and work in the neighbouring country; and Cambodian students.

Le Kim Anh, President of the Hanoi Women’s Union and Chairwoman of the city’s Vietnam – Cambodia Friendship Association, affirmed that the two countries boast friendly neighbourliness, solidarity, and mutual support throughout history.

Shortly after winning the resistance war against the US in 1975, the Cambodian people suffered from a big tragedy caused by the reactionary force of Pol Pot – Ieng Sary. This force also distorted history, provoked, and seri
ously violated the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Vietnam.

To safeguard the Fatherland’s sacred sovereignty, protect people’s lives and property, and respond to the urgent appeal from the Kampuchean United Front for National Salvation, with the noble international spirit of ‘helping the other means helping oneself’, volunteer soldiers of Vietnam and the revolutionary armed force of Cambodia launched a strategic offensive along the entire borderline to drive off the Khmer Rouge and liberate the Cambodian people from the genocidal regime. On January 7, 1979, Phnom Penh capital was completely liberated, Anh noted.

At the gathering, former volunteer soldiers and former experts of Vietnam recounted their memories of the time they spent with Cambodian comrades and people while fighting on the southwestern battlefield to free Cambodia from the genocidal regime, and settling this regime’s consequences and rebuilding Cambodia.

On this occasion, 50 gift packages were presented to war veteran
s, former volunteer soldiers, former experts, and representatives of Cambodian students in Vietnam./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Ninh Binh: The Vietnam – Cambodia Friendship Association (VCFA) held the third meeting of its Central Committee in the fifth tenure (2021 – 2026) in northern Ninh Binh province on January 6 to review its performance in 2023 and launch tasks for this year.

The event was presided over by VCFA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh, who is also member of the National Assembly Standing Committee, head of the board for deputies’ affairs at the Standing Committee, and Vice Chairwoman of the Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission.

In his welcome remarks, Chairman of the Ninh Binh People’s Committee Pham Quang Ngoc said as an active member of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations, the VCFA has made substantial contributions to the enhancement of the Vietnam – Cambodia traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation. Its practical people-to-people diplomatic activities have helped promote mutual trust and understanding between the two peoples, thereby contributing to regional peace and stability, multif
aceted cooperation, and socio-economic development in both countries.

Looking back on last year’s performance, participants shared the view that 2023 was the first year the Vietnam – Cambodia and Cambodia – Vietnam friendship associations carried out the memorandum of understanding on the coordination of their activities during 2022 – 2027.

Many practical events, delegation exchanges, meetings, and friendship exchanges were held. Improvements were recorded in the communications and education about the two countries’ traditional friendship among members and people of all social strata, especially the young. The number of Cambodian students in Vietnam sponsored by the VCFA in the 2023 – 2024 academic year surpassed the target.

VCFA chapters at all levels carried out a number of charitable activities, participants noted, adding that they raised billions of VND for assisting Khmer and low-income people in rural and border areas, thus helping ensure social security and reduce poverty in disadvantaged areas and
strengthen the two countries’ friendship, solidarity, and all-round cooperation.

For 2024, the VCFA will continue developing its chapters at all levels, diversify forms of sponsorship for Cambodian students, and step up friendship exchanges along with charitable and community activities. It will also increase communications about the two countries’ relations and assistance for disadvantaged members./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Tokyo: The Vietnamese Embassy in Japan on January 6 held an online meeting with Vietnamese associations to discuss coordination to support Vietnamese people affected by the earthquake that hit central Japan recently.

The meeting saw the participation of the Consuls General of Vietnam in Osaka and Fukuoka, Vietnamese associations in localities such as Gunma, Chiba, Niigata, Hokkaido, Fukushima, Nagasaki, and the Vietnamese Business Association in Japan, Vietnamese Intellectual Association in Japan, Vietnamese Buddhist Association in Japan, and representatives of volunteer groups in Fukui and Toyama.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu said that the earthquake on January 1 caused severe consequences in Ishikawa prefecture, central Japan, leaving residents there in a difficult situation.

He said after the earthquake, some Vietnamese volunteers were active in supporting and providing essential supplies to the Vietnamese affected by the earthquake.

According to him, the support work must be implemen
ted quickly and transparently and in the long term. In the next two to three days, activities should focus on providing food, water, and shelter.

Nguyen Hong Son, Chairman of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in Japan, said that more than 5,000 Vietnamese people are living in Ishikawa province, of which about 600 are working in companies in the Noto peninsula area that was hard hit by the earthquake in Ishikawa prefecture.

A report from the Ishikawa authority said there has been no casualties among the Vietnamese community there recorded due to the earthquake.

Son called for support for the Vietnamese community there as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, a representative from the Vietnamese association in Saitama prefecture proposed establishing an formation board to swiftly provide information on those who need support.

The association is ready to implement a support package of about 2 million JPY (more than 13,800 USD) for the reconstruction and purchase of new microwave ovens and refrigerators to replace
those damaged by the earthquake./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

COTABATO CITY: Anti-narcotics agents arrested Friday night a police officer and his female accomplice during a PHP4 million ‘shabu’ drug sting operation in front of a food chain here.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM) identified the arrested suspects as Staff Sgt. Mujeeb Bitayo Sepi of the Sultan Kudarat Municipal Police Station in Maguindanao del Norte, and his companion, Farida Alim Alfonso.

‘The suspects agreed to sell the prohibited stuff to an undercover PDEA agent at 7 p.m. along Quezon Avenue in this city,’ Gil Cesario P. Castro, PDEA-BARMM director, said in a statement Saturday.

Joint PDEA agents, city police operatives, and 5th Marine Battalion Landing Team troopers arrested the duo after the handover of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of PHP4 million, packed in 12 huge plastic sachets.

The arresting team also seized a pistol and mobile phones from the suspects.

Detained at the PDEA custodial facility, the su
spects were awaiting the filing of formal charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Friday’s drug bust was the second huge operation on prohibited drugs by PDEA-BARMM since Dec. 29 when agents seized 500 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of PHP3.4 million from a big-time drug peddler in Panamao, Sulu.

PDEA identified the suspect as Reximar Muhammad, 30, of Patikul, Sulu.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Thai Binh: The spouses of the Vietnamese and Lao Prime Ministers, Le Thi Bich Tran and Vandara Siphandone, visited and gave gifts to children with difficult circumstances at SOS Children’s Village Thai Binh in the northern province of Thai Binh on January 6 afternoon, within the framework of the official visit to Vietnam by Lao PM Sonexay Siphandone from January 6-7.

According to Director of SOS Children’s Village Thai Binh Nguyen Van Tan, established in 2013, the village provides disadvantaged children with family-based care with favourable conditions for their full development. From December 22, 2013 to December 2023, the facility nursed and provided support for 218 children. Currently, it is taking care of 136 kids.

On the same day, the two ladies visited a tussore silk weaving village in Nam Cao commune, Kien Xuong district. In Nam Cao commune, they visited an over-100-year-old house with the typical style in the North and a weaving cooperative, watched artisans’ silk spinning performance, and listened
to Cheo (classical opera) singing while enjoying green tea and ‘cay’ cake – a specialty of the province. They also experienced silk spinning with local artisans.

The weaving profession in the commune is more than 400 years old and has been listed as national intangible cultural heritage. Currently, about 200 households in the village are being still involved in the traditional profession. The village’s silk products are being exported to countries, including Laos, Thailand, and Europe./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency