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Archive for July 22nd, 2010|Daily archive page

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Vietnam Airlines cancels Fukuoka-Hanoi flight

In Uncategorized on July 22, 2010 at 7:19 pm




Vietnam Airlines cancels Fukuoka-Hanoi flight


QĐND – Thursday, July 22, 2010, 21:15 (GMT+7)

The national flagship carrier, Vietnam Airlines, on July 20 decided to cancel flight VN963 from Fukuoka in southern Japan to the capital city of Hanoi after detecting technical problems in its Airbus 320.


The problems were found during a technical check-up after the plane had finished a flight from Hanoi to Fukuoka at 8 am on the same day.


The incident affected more than 100 passengers booked on the flight and other Vietnam Airlines’ flights on the same route.


Vietnam Airlines said the firm had immediately provided the passengers with food and accommodation and on July 21 it sent another Airbus 320 to Fukuoka to pick up the stranded passengers.


The firm also said that its engineers managed to repair the out-of-order plane and it will return to Vietnam later.


According to the Vietnam Airlines office in Japan, the carrier is operating 45 Vietnam-Japan flights, including two flights each week on Hanoi-Fukuoka route.


In the first half of this year, Vietnam Airlines carried 140,000 passengers on the Vietnam-Japan route, up 52 percent over the same period last year.


Incidents are rare on the firm’s flights to Japan, a market where Vietnam Airlines has built up its prestige thanks to safety and an exact schedule of flights.


Source: VOV


Source: QDND

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Hanoi’s lakes reflect the city’s unique beauty

In Uncategorized on July 22, 2010 at 7:18 pm




Hanoi’s lakes reflect the city’s unique beauty


QĐND – Thursday, July 22, 2010, 21:15 (GMT+7)

Hanoi has been endowed with a myriad of lakes of different sizes lying scattered across the city, which, with their own distinctive beauty and history, have added a special cultural trait typical of Hanoi.


With more than 100 lakes of all sizes, Hanoi has more lakes than any other capital city in the world.


Of all the natural and man-made lakes, Ho Guom or Hoan Kiem lake (Lake of the Restored Sword) and Ho Tay (West Lake) are the largest and the most beautiful.


The history of Hoan Kiem lake is closely associated with the founding history of Thang Long – the country’s former capital, which nowadays is called Hanoi .


The lake used to be called Luc Thuy Lake or “Green Water Lake” since the water was green all year round. In the 15 th century, it was named Hoan Kiem lake after the legend of King Le Thai To and the large tortoise that grabbed his sword.


The legend dates back to the time of the Le Dynasty six centuries ago. During the war against the Minh aggressors (1417-1427), King Le Thai To chanced upon a precious fairy sword. After 10 years of struggles, the King finally defeated the northern invaders and reclaimed the nation’s independence. After that, one nice day, while the King was boating on lake Luc Thuy, a large tortoise swam towards him and asked him to return the sword. The tortoise grabbed the sword with its mouth and then dived again.


Hence, King Le Thai To named the lake Hoan Kiem or Lake of the Restored Sword.


Through the many ups and downs of history, the lake has remained a green pearl inside the city. Vietnamese, no matter how far they are from home, cannot help but feeling nostalgic about Hoan Kiem lake, where the image of the old Tortoise Tower is reflected under the pure green, sparkling water and the beautiful willow trees bend over the lake to see their reflections in the water.


The vivid and colorful scenery, the red arched The Huc Bridge and Thap But (Pen Tower) have also found their way into many songs and poems.


Tay Ho (West Lake) in Hanoi, meanwhile, is often described as the most romantic place, resplendent in its beauty and vastness.


Covering an area of more than 500 hectares, the lake was formerly known as Dam Dam or Lagoon of Mist, until the 15 th century and a favourite place for the kings of the Ly, Tran and Le dynasties to rest and relax.


West Lake becomes even most beautiful during the autumn. During this time, the dew and mist mingle together to make the lake duskier and more romantic, especially with the faint echo of the bell in Tran Quoc pagoda.


Walking along the small paths around the lake, one can see the vivid colours of hundreds types of flowers as the lake is surrounded by the three famous flower-growing villages of Nhat Tan, Quang Ba and Nghi Tam.


Hanoi’s lakes, that cover 1,165 ha, play a very important role in regulating the rainfall and preventing floods during the stormy season.


However, many lakes have been seriously contaminated and encroached by construction sites due to the fast pace of urbanisation.


The city’s authorities have carried out a project to improve the environment around Hanoi’s lakes and 15 lakes are due to be fully upgraded this year to catch the grand birthday anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.


Source: VNA


Source: QDND

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International Travel Expo 2010 to take place in HCMC

In Uncategorized on July 22, 2010 at 7:18 pm




International Travel Expo 2010 to take place in HCMC


QĐND – Thursday, July 22, 2010, 21:16 (GMT+7)

The International Travel Expo 2010, entitled “Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam – Three Countries, One Destination”, will be held from September 30th to October 2nd in Ho Chi Minh City, according to the Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.


Introduction of tourism products and services, golf tournaments, networking tours to build networks with media and businesses and the ASEAN Tourism Investment Forum, will be among several activities during the upcoming event.


This year’s forum will extend tourism cooperation, said the Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. In addition to Laos, Cambodia and the host country Vietnam, Myanmar was also invited to take part in the forum.


If the four ASEAN countries reach an agreement on tourism cooperation, the theme of the next year’s forum will be “Four Countries – One Destination.”


Source: HNM


Translated by Duy Minh


Source: QDND

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Storm Chanthu heads for Vietnam-China border

In Uncategorized on July 22, 2010 at 7:18 pm




Storm Chanthu heads for Vietnam-China border


QĐND – Thursday, July 22, 2010, 21:15 (GMT+7)

Tropical storm Chanthu – the second to hit the East Sea this year – is moving quickly towards China’s Leizhou peninsula and Vietnam’s border Quang Ninh province.


At 10.00am on July 22, Chanthu was positioned at 21 degrees north latitude and 111.1 degrees east longitude, about 350km south-east of Quang Ninh’s Mong Cai town. It continued to regain its strength with winds gusting between 118-133kph near its center.


In the next 24 hours, the storm is expected to move between north and north-west at a speed of 15kph and directly affect the northern part of the Bac Bo (Tonkin) Gulf.


On July 23, Chanthu is forecast to travel along the Vietnam-China border with sustained winds and then begin to weaken into a low pressure system.


On its way, Chanthu will cause rough seas in the Tonkin Gulf and dump heavy rain on north-eastern provinces. It is likely to cause flash floods and landslides in low-lying mountain localities.


The National Steering Committee on Flood and Storm Control reported on July 22 that more than 50,000 vessels with 203,000 fishermen have been brought ashore or returned to storm shelters.


Coastal provinces from Quang Ngai to Quang Ninh have been asked to keep a close watch on the direction of the storm and guide fishing vessels still operating at sea to storm shelters nearby.


Mountain localities have been requested to put forces on standby and move local residents living in flood-prone areas to safe grounds.


On July 22, floodwaters caused by heavy downpours in northern mountain Ha Giang province washed away a boy walking to school in Be Chieu village, Bac Quang district.


Torrential rains accompanied by whirlwinds have caused huge damage to people’s property and subsidiary crops.


Rescue workers have combed through the area to search for the dead body and help local residents overcome the aftermath of the natural calamities.


Source: VOV


Source: QDND

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Project helps local people access to broadband Internet

In Uncategorized on July 22, 2010 at 7:17 pm




Project helps local people access to broadband Internet


QĐND – Thursday, July 22, 2010, 21:15 (GMT+7)

Most of the work in a pilot project to raise computer skills and broadband Internet access in public sites in the country has finished, said the project manager, Phan Huu Phong, at a meeting held in Hanoi on July 21 to evaluate the project implementation.


Under the project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, more than 300 local staff and 4,000 ordinary people have been trained how to use computers.


In addition, 235 computers and 33 printers have been installed at post offices and libraries in each pilot province, helping local people access to the broadband Internet, said the manager.


The project, launched in last February in the northern province of Thai Nguyen, central province of Nghe An and southern province of Tra Vinh, has received large contributions from the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) and the Military Telecoms Corporation (Viettel).


The project is said to be expanded between now and 2015, bringing Internet to remote and isolated areas in the country.


Source: VNA


Source: QDND

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1,588 bridges to be built in Can Tho

In Uncategorized on July 22, 2010 at 7:17 pm




1,588 bridges to be built in Can Tho


QĐND – Thursday, July 22, 2010, 21:16 (GMT+7)

PANO – This year, the southern province of Ca Mau is planning to build 1,588 bridges, as part of the “Dream Bridge” project to improve the network of roads in the area.


Due to intense waterways, local residents in the coastal province always find it hard to travel. In particular, 50% of communes and one district have no access to the provincial town.


Priority will be given to the construction of bridges to link all these localities in the province.


So far, 900 out of 2,500 bridges under the project have been completed, and the remainder will be built at a cost of VND 452 billion, which will be financed by different sources.


Once completed, these bridges will upgrade the road network and help the province to develop socio-economically.


Translated by Duy Minh


Source: QDND

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State President welcomes Russian Foreign Minister

In Uncategorized on July 22, 2010 at 7:17 pm




State President welcomes Russian Foreign Minister


QĐND – Thursday, July 22, 2010, 21:16 (GMT+7)

State President Nguyen Minh Triet on July 22 received Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov while he is in Vietnam to attend the ASEAN Regional Forum and the ASEAN-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.


Both expressed their pleasure at the development of the two countries’ relationship over the past few years, especially in politics, security, defence, economies, trade, culture, education, science and technology.


Triet said that he believed the visits by senior officials, including the recent visit by Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh to Russia have helped the strategic partnership between the two countries to flourish, adding that Russia is an important strategic partner for Vietnam.


“The State and people of Vietnam wish for further consolidation and development of the friendship and cooperation with Russia,” he said.


He also praised Russia’s role and contribution to ASEAN, adding that Vietnam is preparing to welcome President Dmitry Medvedev at the second ASEAN-Russia Summit.


In his reply, Lavrov said he believed that President Medvedev’s official visit to Vietnam will create new momentum for the strategic partnership and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries forward. He also affirmed Russia’s support for ASEAN’s role in ensuring security in Asia.


Source: VNA


Source: QDND

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Bilingual education to benefit ethnic minorities

In Uncategorized on July 22, 2010 at 7:16 pm




Bilingual education to benefit ethnic minorities


QĐND – Thursday, July 22, 2010, 21:16 (GMT+7)

Bilingual education will help improve living conditions for Vietnamese ethnic minority communities, said Gay McDougall, an expert on minority issues for the United Nations, on July 21.


After spending a 10-day fact finding tour in Vietnam, McDougall said that equal access to education is one of the best ways of reducing poverty, as well as preserving and promoting the cultures, languages and identities of ethnic minorities.


With all 54 different ethnic groups having different languages, religions and cultural traits, Vietnam should give top priority to bilingual education, she said, adding that it helps children to gain better results at school, which is a firm foundation for their studies in the future.


She will submit a full report to Human Rights Council in March, 2011.


Source: VNA


Source: QDND

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Private clinics violate law by revealing baby gender in Vietnam

In Uncategorized on July 22, 2010 at 11:19 am

Despite the Ministry of Health (MOH)’s ban on doctor’s revealing the gender of fetuses to expectant parents, most doctors in private clinics in big cities are more than glad tell parents anyway, as a way to draw more customers to their clinic.

Obstetric private clinics mushroom in streets in Hanoi. Due to pressures of competition, doctors of such hospital are often glad to reveal the gender of fetuses, despite the law forbidding the practice ( Photo: SGGP)

Private obstetrics clinics that provide ultrasound scan services capable of revealing the sex of unborn babies have mushroomed in Hanoi. Private clinics on Thai Thinh, Van Bao, De La Thanh and Giai Phong streets in Hanoi have seen influx of pregnant women waiting their turn to undergo an ultrasound scan.


However, the reliability of ultrasound results greatly depends on the technician’s experience and skill.


An anonymous doctor of a private hospital admitted most of expectant mothers would not undergo an ultrasound test purely to check on the baby’s position, general development or to see if congenital malformations are taking place, but to learn the gender of the baby.


If doctors refused to reveal the gender of fetuses, the clinic would not attract as nearly as many clients.


MOH banned doctors from revealing to prospective parents the gender of their unborn baby or else face having their licensees revoked.


The move is designed to redress the imbalance in the ratio of boys to girls in the country. Nguyen Ba Thuy, vice-minister and general director of the General Office for Population and Family Planning, expressed his concern that gender imbalance in Vietnam has reached an alarming level, blaming baby predictions that take place at private hospitals.


The gender ratio among newborns in Vietnam has risen to 112 boys for every 100 girls. In some localities in the Red River delta this rate has increased to 115 boys for every 100 girls.


Thus, doctors in private clinics must use different ways to tell expectant parents about the gender of the baby to avoid violating the ban.


A doctor said some couples, after learning their unborn fetus is a female, decide to abort it. For instance, a couple in the mountainous northern province of Son La, who already have two daughters, rushed to Hanoi for an ultrasound scan test to learn the gender of their unborn baby. They decided to remove the baby after being told the baby is a girl, despite being advised against doing so because the fetus was large. Unluckily for them, after aborting the baby, they were told it had been male.

Source: SGGP

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Family artist members shine in special cai luong show

In Uncategorized on July 22, 2010 at 11:19 am

Cai luong’s lovers will have chance to enjoy a special program of the Southern traditional music performed by five generations of famous actors and actresses of the Minh To troupe.

Cai luong veteran actress Bach Le (L) and People’s Artist Thanh Tong. (Photo: Sggp)

The program titled, “Gin vang giu ngoc” (Keeping valuable treasure of traditional music), introduces two well-known cai luong classical plays to audiences: Cau tho yen ngua and Dieu Tam Xuan bao phu cuu (Dieu Tam Xuan takes a revenge of her husband) or Tram Trinh An (Beheading military general Trinh An).


Onstage, veteran couples Thanh Bach and Bach Le, Dien Thanh and Bach Luu, People’s Artist Thanh Tong, Truong Son, Thanh Loan, Bach Long, dramatic actor Thanh Loc and young actresses Tu Suong, Trinh Trinh and Que Tran will perform.


The Minh To troupe is regarded as a cai luong family with many talents, who always have done their best to restore and preserve the family tradition.


Director Vu Minh, who has a great love for cai luong, persuaded the Minh To Troupe to organize a special program to commemorate the traditional career of their family. Thanh Bach and Bach Le from France and Dien Thanh and Bach Luu from Australia were planning to visit their mother, the artist Huynh Mai, in Ho Chi Minh City, making the show possible. 


It is also a chance for family members to gather onstage.


The cai luong show will take place at Ben Thanh Theater in Ho Chi Minh City from July 23 to 25 and 30 to 31.

Source: SGGP