Vietnam, Laos discuss Vientiane-Hanoi expy project Representatives of Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport and the Lao Ministry of Public Works and Transport have discussed a major project to develop an expressway linking Hanoi and Vientiane as part of their five-year cooperation plan starting this year.  Illustrative image At a meeting in Laos on Wednesday, the two sides agreed the route layout and related issues for the 760-kilometer expressway connecting the capitals of the two countries, according to Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport. The agreement was reached based on results of a pre-feasibility study conducted by Vietnam’s Transportation Design Consultancy Corporation (Tedi). The expressway is planned to start from Vientiane, passing through Laos’ Pakxan and Nghe An Province’s Thanh Thuy, and end in Hanoi. With the route layout finalized, the ministries will submit reports on the proposed expressway project to their governments. They will also carry out a study on upgrading National Highway No. 18B linking Laos’ Attapeu Province and Vietnam’s Kon Tum Province in the coming time. In addition, the transport ministry and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) have been implementing the feasibility study for construction of a railroad linking Ha Tinh Province’s Vung Ang Port and Vientiane. The Vientiane-Hanoi expressway and Vung Ang-Vientiane railway are considered key routes that help connect ASEAN countries and those in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Road projects connecting Vietnam and Laos are aimed at improving traffic networks in the region and promoting trade among ASEAN countries, especially between Laos and Vietnam. The transport ministries of Vietnam and Laos will improve their collaboration plan in 2016-2020 and prepare a government-to-government memorandum of understanding on transport cooperation for transport ministers of the two countries to sign this year. SGT |
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Article 6
Đà Nẵng’s Hoàng Sa Museum collects artefacts, memorabilia
The central city of Đà Nẵng’s Historical Association has called on the public to donate memorabilia and documents for the Hoàng Sa (Paracel) Museum from July until January 19, 2017. January 19, 2017, will recognise the 43-year anniversary of the date when China occupied and took Hoàng Sa (Paracel) islands from the hands of Vietnamese soldiers, who served the Republic of Việt Nam’s navy, as prisoners. The Hoàng Sa (Paracel) Museum, which has been built on an area of 1,300sq.m along Hoàng Sa Street, will accommodate artefacts, memorabilia, documents, ancient maps on Việt Nam’s sovereignty over the Hoàng Sa (Paracel) and Trường Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes. The city has planned on 128,543ha for development of Hoàng Sa district, including the Hoàng Sa (Paracel) islands, following the Prime Minister’s decision on the city’s adjusted master urban plan for 2030 and 2050. The Hoàng Sa District’s people’s committee proposes to include two fishing precincts Thọ Quang and Mân Thái in the administration of Hoàng Sa Island District. The museum building was inspired by the design of a royal seal from the Nguyễn dynasty’s King Minh Mạng in 1835 for establishing the Hoàng Sa Flotilla to administer the islands. The seal justifies Việt Nam’s sovereignty over the Hoàng Sa and Trường Sa archipelagos as per ancient documents from previous centuries. During the process of gathering evidences for the Hoàng Sa Museum, Chairman of Đà Nẵng Historical Association Bùi Văn Tiếng said all documents, photos, maps and antiquities related to Việt Nam’s sovereignty over Hoàng Sa (Paracel) and Trường Sa (Spratly) archipelagos will be displayed at the museum when it completes construction later this year. “We have collected over 150 maps, books and document published by domestic and foreign publishers between 1618-1859, and 1626-1908 indicating Hoàng Sa (Paracels) and Trường Sa (Spratlys) as part of Việt Nam,” Tiếng said.
From maps“The collection, which has been donated by local and overseas Vietnamese, includes two books of Postal Atlas Maps of China which were published by the Directorate General of Posts of the Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of China in 1919 (consisting of 49 maps) and in 1933 (29 maps), as well as one Atlas of the Chinese Empire, published by the China Inland Mission in 1909 (23 maps). None of the three books list Paracels and Spratlys index pages,” he said. Tiếng also said all documents and maps only clearly indicated that the southernmost point of China is the Hainan Island and that Paracels and the Spratlys belong to Việt Nam. Đà Nẵng City’s Communication and Education Board also donated a map printed in 1969 stating that the Hoàng Sa Island Commune (or former Định Hải Commune) was merged into Hòa Long Commune of Hòa Vang District in Đà Nẵng. Trần Đức Anh Sơn, vice director of Đà Nẵng City’s Institute for Socio-Economic Development, also suggested to the collecting team that an atlas (Atlas von China), published by German publisher Verlag von Dietrich Reimer, in 1885, confirming that the Paracels, and the Spratlys belong to Việt Nam’s sovereignty. The atlas is stored at Havard University, in the US. Sơn said he spent 10 months researching and collecting document related to Việt Nam’s sovereignty over Hoàng Sa and Trường Sa Islands at Havard University in the US. "As a scholar, I made suggestions to the museum board about the atlas," Trần Đức Anh Sơn told Việt Nam News Sunday. "If the Hòang Sa Museum decides to display the maps as part of the exhibition, they need to contact Harvard University Library for public use of copyrighted material." In May, a collection of 40 ancient maps, indicating the Paracels belongs to Việt Nam, and two atlases were displayed for the first time at a conference: Conflict in the South China Sea (called East Sea by Việt Nam) at Yale University in Connecticut, the US. The maps were collected by Trần Thắng, an American of Vietnamese origin, and is president of the Institute for Vietnamese Culture and Education, in New York. Thắng said that it was the first time that the ancient maps, which were published in 1618-1859 by the UK, the US, France, Germany and Scotland (1826 and 1980), and China, were exhibited in the US. He donated a 150-map collection to Đà Nẵng City’s Institute for Socio-Economic Development in 2012. Thắng said 20 maps published by Việt Nam and western countries (1618-1859) showed that the Paracels belongs to Việt Nam. Twenty maps published by western countries (1826 and 1980) indicated that the southern frontier of China is Hainan island.
To memoriesViệt Nam News Sunday interviews Bùi Kiến Thành, who was born and lived in the south till the 1960s. A graduate in economics from Columbia University in New York City in 1954, Thành was invited by the government of unified Việt Nam in the 1990s to return and live in his homeland, while providing consultancy to the top leadership. “In 1960, I went to Pattle (Hoàng Sa) Island with Mai Văn Hàm, a prominent businessman in Sài Gòn, to check out the guano potential for commercial use,” Thành, now 85, told Việt Nam News Sunday on the phone, while on a work trip in Đồng Tháp Province in Việt Nam’s deep south. “We left Đà Nẵng on a navy ship during the day and arrived also during the day. We were not seasick, though some others were. The sea was calm, no large waves.” Thành said from the boat, he saw the island as a white rim made of coral reefs and green foliage on top of it. On the island were a military outpost of the South Vietnamese navy and a meteorological bureau, built by the French government, from where weather information was sent inland daily. Thành was neither an official of the met office nor a navy officer, but a board member of the then Việt Nam Fertiliser Company. They went to explore if their company could exploit guano for commercial use. “We visited the site where guano was already been exploited by another company. The thickness ranged from 50cm up to more than 1m in depth. From the area we examined, thousands of tonnes could be collected for agricultural use,” he said. Guano, or seabirds’ excrement that has piled up over many thousand years, is exceptionally rich in nitrogen, phosphate and potassium, which are key nutrients for plant growth and the rice production.
According to Wikipedia, “The 19th century guano trade played a pivotal role in the development of modern input-intensive farming practices and inspired the formal human colonisation of remote bird islands in many parts of the world. “During the twentieth century, guano-producing birds became an important target of conservation programmes and influenced the development of environmental consciousness. Today, guano is increasingly sought by organic farmers.” Many years have passed and Thành said he did not remember the statistics. But he still recalls the crystal clear water on Pattle (Hoàng Sa) coral reef sea shore. “I could see fish swimming and giant seashells, measuring 30cm by 40cm, like the holy water bowls in churches. At night, I looked up at the starry sky when a nice breeze embraced me. I was 29.” While many historical documents have been collected so that future generations could know and treasure their predecessors’ work to maintain and protect Việt Nam’s sovereignty over the Paracels and Spratlys, personal memories like that of Thành and probably soldiers who served in the South Việt Nam navy can be convincing testimony of Việt Nam’s actual ownership and control up to January 19, 1974. “We have received many documents,” Võ Ngọc Đồng, head of Đà Nẵng’s Department of External Affairs, said in an e-mail. His department is overseeing the building of the future museum. “We know there are more documents being preserved in the wider population. We encourage their owners to send and share those documents as well as memories with the people.”
The men who died defending the islandsThe donation programme also received documents and letters related to Hoàng Sa Islands of Việt Nam before 1974 from Nguyễn Thị Lụa from southern Cần Thơ Province. Lụa’s husband, who died for the protection of Hoàng Sa Island when China took the islands by force on January 19th, 1974, had sent letters and personal memorabilia in connection with life on the islands. Lụa also named his son, who was born one month after his father died in 1974, under the name of Hoàng Sa Island. The People’s Artist Chí Trung also donated a film titled – Nhớ Đảo (Hoàng Sa Island’s Nostalgia) – exploring the lives of residents who had lived before 1974. The film was awarded a Gold Medal at the Việt Nam Film Festival, and the National Press Award in 2005. The city’s historical association also called for more donations of ancient documents, books, maps and objects related to Hoàng Sa and Trường Sa among Vietnamese at home and abroad as well as international collectors. Viet Nam News By Bùi Hòai Nam in Đà Nẵng, with additional reporting by Mỹ Hà in Hà Nội |
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Vietnam eyes enforcement unit to counter unfair tradeAnti-dumping, countervailing and special safeguard measures are effectively used by countries around the world to foster and protect commerce and other national interests, say leading economic experts.  At the same time using these WTO trade policy instruments is technically challenging, said Nguyen Phuong Nam, deputy head of the Vietnam Competition Authority (VCA), at a recent business forum in Hanoi. Most notably, they require a significant amount of awareness on the part of the public and private sectors, expert assistance, methodological work and money to prosecute, said Mr Nam. Nonetheless, it is vitally important that such work be implemented by public authorities and interested companies in a comprehensive, organized and thorough manner to keep international trading on a fair basis and protect the nation’s producers. As it relates to awareness of the private sector, Mr Nam said, Vietnamese businesses, by and large, lack even a basic understanding and the experience necessary to identify instances of dumping and discriminatory measures of regulation by foreign companies and governments. He pointed to a study last year by the Vietnam Chamber Commerce and Industry that shows 980 out of 1,000 local business men and women surveyed had little to no knowledge of anti-dumping measures or their application. Vu Van Thanh, deputy general director of Hoa Sen Group, in turn said the country’s experience in initiating antidumping or other safeguard measures to protect the market has not been very extensive and not as broad as in other large economies. To give some qualitative parameters, Mr Thanh pointed out that over the past decade the country has only applied safeguard duties in four instances and anti-dumping tariffs in two others. Meanwhile, there were around 100 cases for which these measures were levied on producers in the country, he emphasized, and many more complaints instituted. The immediate concern, said the Deputy Head of the VCA, is to devise a mechanism to protect the nations smallholder farmers and other businesses from the damaging effects of unfair trade practices brought about by the emergence of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and other free trade agreements (FTAs). Small farmers in Vietnam are particularly vulnerable, meaning that even temporary loss of income brought about by unfair trade practices can have severe negative effects on them, said Mr Nam. As the country reduces its trade barriers as a result of these agreements, farmers will increasingly become more vulnerable to external agricultural market instability and to harmful import surges. He underlined that some experts recently estimated that national income gains from the AEC and other FTAs would be relatively modest in Vietnam while employment losses and increased inequality would result from increased competition forcing businesses to drop wages and shed employees. These outcomes would likely be partly due to losses of jobs and production in fishing, livestock, and agriculture. Given that half of the population in Vietnam still works in these segments of the economy, this could lead to considerable hardship. For these reasons, Mr Nam said, it is imperative that the government in concert with the private sector devise and implement a trade enforcement unit to implement safeguard measures to effectively protect domestic producers and the national interest. VOV |
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Vietnam says Chinese media reports of PM backing Beijing stance 'untruthful'  The meeting between Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on July 14, 2016 at the 11th Asia – Europe Meeting in Ulan Bator, Mongolia. HANOI, July 18 -- Vietnam dismissed as "untruthful" reports carried in Chinese state media that said its prime minister respected China's stance on an arbitration ruling over the East Vietnam Sea, the latest sign of regional discord over the landmark verdict. China has refused to recognise last week's ruling by an arbitration court in The Hague, which invalidated its vast claims in the East Vietnam Sea. China has said its position has support from numerous countries and has responded with fury to western calls for it to abide by the decision. Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on the sidelines of a summit of Asian and European leaders in Ulanbaatar last week. The Vietnamese government's news website said on Monday articles by several Chinese outlets, which quoted Phuc as telling Li that Vietnam respected China's stance and was willing to promote bilateral talks, were incorrect. The reports backed up a statement by China's Foreign Ministry on Thursday, which also quoted Phuc saying Vietnam "respect's China's position" on the arbitration. The Vietnamese report reeled off a list of points it said Phuc did raise in the meeting. It did not clarify what Vietnam's position on the verdict was. Vietnam has been circumspect on the ruling, saying only that it welcomed the court delivering a verdict. Analysts say the victory for the Philippines is a favourable outcome for Vietnam, which has its own maritime problems with its giant neighbour China, but limits the extent of its criticism. REUTERS/TUOI TRE NEWS |
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Instant food market: door opens widely but barriers exist Vietnamese companies are eyeing the ready-made instant food market, as they won’t have to compete directly with foreign manufacturers. However, the market is it as easy one as most consumers are not used to the products.  Realizing that convenience stores are mushrooming, the Cau Tre Export Goods Processing JSC has developed a series of ready-made instant food products following its success with semi-processed products in order to expand ibusiness and market share. Cau Tre plans to market some 30 daily dishes eaten in the northern, central and southern region. All the products can be used after reheating them in the microwave for 4-8 minutes and priced at between VND20,000-40,000, affordable price levels for the majority of Vietnamese.
Deputy general director of Saigon Food Le Thi Thanh Lam said that after the company received good feedback from customers for its instant products and broths of different kinds, it decided to continue developing the market. “The processing and preservation play the decisive role in success of developing this kind of product,” Lam said. While Saigon Food has the advantage of technology and materials for making products for export to Japan, Cau Tre’s advantage is in recipes which keep the freshness of meat and vegetables. Truong Chi Thien, general director of Vinh Thanh Dat JSC, said the company has marketed six ready-made egg products after realizing that these products had been selling very well in other regional countries. In South Korea and Japan, for example, 4-5 out of every 10 eggs sold are ready made and each egg is priced at VND10,000. Meanwhile, Vinh Thanh can make products at lower prices, and therefore, it is considering exporting products to the markets. Thien cited reasons for the company to make processed eggs for export. “Instant eggs are safe for health, while shipment is easy. Processing eggs can create added value and ensure egg sales for farmers,” he said. “The prices of instant eggs are stable, and don’t fluctuate like fresh eggs. Besides, it is easier to export instant eggs. We will only have to have products examined for food safety, and won’t have to undergo a quarantine,” he explained. However, though optimistic about niche market development, the companies admitted that the sales of the products remained modest. Cau Tre estimated that it would earn VND40-50 billion a year from the products. The sales of Saigon Food’s nutritious gruel have increased by 20 percent after several months. However, the company said it is just in the very early stages of development. DNSG |
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BUSINESS IN BRIEF 19/7 SFC wants to buy more than 30 per cent of Foodsaco  Sài Gin Fuel Joint Stock Company (SFC) registered to buy over 9.7 million shares, or nearly 33 per cent, of stakes in HCM Food One Member Company (Foodcosa) when the firm auctioned its shares in an initial public offering this week. Sai Gon Fuel Joint Stock Company (SFC) registered to buy over 9.7 million shares, or nearly 33 per cent, of stakes in HCM Food One Member Company (Foodcosa) when the firm auctioned its shares in an initial public offering this week. According to the HCM City Stock Exchange, which will organize the auction, the shares are to be offered on July 15 at a starting price of VND12,000 each (US$0.53). After equitization, Foodcosa is expected to have a charter capital of VND294.5 billion ($13.1 million). Except shares sold in the IPO, the state would hold 65 per cent equity, equivalent to 19.14 million shares, while employees would hold over 2 per cent of the stakes. Established in 1980 in HCM City, Foodcosa traded food and industrial products, such as flour, fertilizers and pesticides, as well as consumer goods. Focosa is also involved in trading fuel in the country, along with retailing. SSC fines public firm for late document submission The State Securities Commission fined Can Tho Urban Joint Stock Company VND7.5 million (US$333,300) for the late submission of their public firm document on July 6. Can Tho Urban Joint Stock Company became a public firm in July 2015, with charter capital of more than VND53 billion and 318 shareholders. Yet, it only handed over the document to the SSC this year. Under local regulations, the document should have been submitted one month after the company became a public firm. MEF II sells 2.5m Mobile World shares Mekong Enterprise Fund II, or MEF II, announced the successful sale of 2.5 million shares of Mobile World (MWG) on July 9. After the sale, MEF II's ownership of MWG fell from 10.94 to 9.24 per cent, equal to 13.54 million shares in the technology firm. The fund also became the largest shareholder of MWG after World Retail Investment Consulting Limited Company with its 13.18 per cent of shares. According to statistics from the HCM Stock Exchange on July 8, the entire 2.55 million shares of MWG, worth VND344.4 billion (US$15.3 million), were traded when the shares ended at VNÐ130,000 each. So, at the lowest intraday trading price of VND129,000 during the day, MEF II could earn at least VND322.5 billion. In the first six months of this year, MWG shares soared 64.5 per cent from VND79,000 to VND130,000. The MEF II fund, managed by Mekong Capital, was one of the earliest institutions to invest in MWG since 2007. It was once the largest shareholder, with ownership of over 30 per cent. VNPT and Microsoft signs co-operation agreement The Vietnam Post and Telecommunication Group (VNPT) and Microsoft signed a memorandum of understanding for co-operation in strategic agreements on cloud computing, cyber security and smart city plans on July 7. The VNPT was focusing on developing new products including information security applications and other applications on cloud computing platforms; while developing platforms and applications for smart cities, said Pham Duc Long, VNPT general director. "Microsoft is an experienced provider in these areas. Therefore, the two sides discussed and negotiated to reach to decision of the co-operation and committed to bring effective and cost savings products and solutions for customers", he added. Vietnam Air to hold extraordinary meeting before Sept Vietnam Airlines Corporation will hold an extraordinary shareholder meeting before September 30 to elect more board members after Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) acquired an 8.771% stake in the local firm. A representative of Vietnam Airlines confirmed that ANA has taken over the stake worth over VND2.43 trillion (US$109 million). The corporation agreed to sell its shares to ANA in May and the deal was done last Friday. At the forthcoming meeting, Vietnam Airlines will seek approval from shareholders to issue more shares to increase its chartered capital. Vietnam Airlines described ANA’s investment as an important factor for its long-term development strategy. It will enable the two sides to expand cooperation in many fields and Vietnam Airlines to further modernize its aircraft fleet, expand markets, improve service quality, and increase business efficiency. Vietnam Airlines will sell further shares to investors to lower the State holding to 65% in line with its restructuring plan. Vietnam Airlines saw its consolidated revenue in the first quarter of this year rising by 13.3% year-on-year to VND19 trillion (US$851.8 million), meeting 26.4% of the full-year target. It reported consolidated pre-tax profit of VND1.1 trillion (US$49.3 million) in quarter one, a year-on-year increase of 32.5%. Its parent company posted revenue of VND15 trillion (US$672.5 million) and pre-tax profit of VND873.9 billion (US$39.3 million). Vietnam Airlines credited its revenue and profit growth to the world’s lower fuel prices and a 20% year-on-year rise in foreign visitor arrivals to Vietnam in quarter one at 2.46 million, with the number of foreigners traveling by air accounting for nearly two million. In the first three months, Vietnam Airlines transported over 4.6 million passengers, up 11.6% over the same period last year, and nearly 61,000 tons of cargo, up 15.6% year-on-year and exceeding 11.2% of its quarter target. It operated 34,500 flights on domestic and international routes, increasing 9.3% over the same period last year. Vietnam Airlines now has a fleet of 89 modern aircraft, including Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A350-900 XWB. Its flight network covers 20 domestic and 29 international destinations. Currently, Vietnam Airlines conducts 66 weekly flights to Japan’s Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai and Fukuoka airports. Steel imports forecast to surge toward year-end The Vietnam Steel Association (VSA) has projected that steel imports into Vietnam would continue leaping, especially in the final months of 2016, when demand for construction rises. VSA statistics showed Vietnam had imported over 9.6 million tons of steel worth US$3.42 billion in the year to date, up 48% and 1% year-on-year respectively. China is Vietnam’s largest steel exporter in the period, accounting for 60% of the total. VSA vice chairman Nguyen Van Sua was quoted by the Vietnam News Agency as saying that although the local steel industry has expanded strongly, Vietnam remains the biggest steel importer in Southeast Asia and the seventh biggest in the world. Cheap steel products from China, whose steel industry is facing overcapacity, are predicted to overwhelm the domestic market at the end of this year, Sua said, and local steel producers will have to scale down production or face bankruptcy if Vietnamese authorities do not protect them. Sua suggested using import duties as a tool to protect local production. However, he stressed close cooperation among Vietnamese steel producers to improve the quality of their products and make their prices more competitive is a long-term solution. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has imposed respective temporary safeguard duties of 23.3% and 14.2% on steel ingots and long steel imported into Vietnam from many countries and territories since March 22 as a measure against cheap imports. Around 18.7 million tons of steel was shipped into the country last year. Retail space demand in Hanoi lackluster in Q2 A report of Savills Vietnam indicated that though the retail space segment in the capital city was lackluster in quarter two, supply reached 1.2 million square meters, up 4% quarter-on-quarter and 22% year-on-year. As a result, the average space rental fell nearly 6% quarter-on-quarter and nearly 2% over the same period last year. At least three new projects, namely T1 Tower of Thang Long Victory, Thang Long Garden and Victoria Van Phu, were launched in the period, providing an extra 48,000 square meters of retail space for the market. As reported by JLL, the percentage of unoccupied space at commercial centers in Hanoi rose from 25% in the first quarter to nearly 26% in the second quarter, and represented a year-on-year rise of 10% because many food stalls were closed. Commercial centers outside Hanoi’s central business districts had the same fate. Therefore, the average space rental at commercial centers dropped by 1.3% to nearly US$30 per square meter per month in quarter two compared to the previous quarter. JLL forecast that by the year-end the Hanoi market will have an additional 43,000 square meters of retail space from two projects in Long Bien and Dong Da districts and competition will intensify though more foreign retailers are projected to enter the market. Meanwhile, the office segment recovered in April-June. Savills Vietnam reported in quarter two that office supply in Hanoi increased by 1.4% over the previous quarter and 9.4% year-on-year as a new project provided about 18,000 square meters of office for lease. Average rents of grade A and B offices went up by 0.6% and grade C grew 3.7% quarter-on-quarter. The occupancy rate of grade A offices remained unchanged while the rates for grades B and C inched up over 3% and nearly 1% respectively. In the second half of 2016, two new office projects with a total of 47,000 square meters will join the market. Savills Vietnam said apartment transactions in Hanoi continued rising in quarter two. The total number of apartments offered for sale stood at 17,370, up 7% against the previous quarter and nearly 30% year-on-year. About 6,000 units found buyers in the period, up 7% quarter-on-quarter and 30% compared to the same period of 2012. Of the total apartments, grade B products led the market with 73%. In the second half of 2016, about 22,000 units from 41 projects, mainly of grade B, are expected to be put up for sale. EVN SPC to finalize power projects for island communes in Q3 Southern Power Corporation (EVN SPC) will complete two key projects designed to supply power for island communes in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang in the third quarter of this year. The projects are aimed at meeting electricity demand of people in Lai Son and Hon Nghe communes of the province as well as ensure social security and defense. Work started on the power project for Lai Son Commune worth VND467 billion (nearly US$21 million) in early September last year. It includes a 110-kV An Bien-Lai Son power transmission line with a length of 43 kilometers including 24 kilometers undersea, a 110-kV power station, and 13 distribution stations with a total capacity of 2,080 kVA. The project is 96% complete and scheduled to be up and running this month, according to Kien Giang Electricity Co. It will supply electricity to 1,956 households in the commune. Meanwhile, the power project for Hon Nghe Commune is planned to come on stream in the third quarter of this year, after around one year of construction. The VND140 billion project comprises 16.37 kilometers of 22-kV undersea medium-voltage cables and 154 kilometers of 22-kV line overland cables. Two 22-kV lines with a total length of 9.8 kilometers and eight substations with a total capacity of 975 kVA on Hon Nghe Island are also underway. EVN SPC plans VND6.5 trillion (US$295.9 million) for power projects this year. Regarding power supply in the third quarter, HCMC Power Corporation said it will deploy smart power grid applications to minimize power outages and meet demand. Seminar: Greater chance of partnering with Japan firms Local enterprises, including small ones, will have a lot of opportunities to join hands with Japanese firms, heard a seminar on investment promotion and business expansion in the Japanese market in Hanoi on July 5. Nguyen Xuan Huy, director of Vietnam Precision Mechanical, Service and Trading Co Ltd (VPMS), told the seminar that his small company with an investment of only VND10 billion has been successful in doing business with Japanese firms. Huy said his company mainly tailor-made parts under subcontracts in the past but has shifted to designing and producing molds since 2011. The company posted revenue of VND125.4 billion last year, with nearly 30% of it from Japanese partners. Huy added he had contacted his customers via the Internet, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), state agencies and word of month. To secure deals with Japanese partners, VPMS regularly organizes technical training courses for its staff with Japanese trainers to increase their skills. He also called for Vietnamese businesses to discuss with Japanese enterprises to well understand what they need. Speaking at the seminar which also aims to call for Vietnamese firms to invest in Japan, Shigeki Maeda, executive vice president of JETRO Tokyo, said Japan and Vietnam had cooperated in many fields. In terms of trade, Japan was the third biggest export market of Vietnam last year. Maeda said once Vietnamese companies succeed in business ties with Japanese partners, they could meet quality requirements of any other picky markets around the world. Japan , the world’s third largest economy, has strong consumption demand and serves 20 million tourists a year. Therefore, opportunities abound for Vietnamese enterprises to tap into the hospitability and food sectors. Atsusuke Kawada, chief representative of JETRO Hanoi, noted that when investing in Japan, Vietnamese firms should heed high labor costs and enquire with JETRO about the Japanese market or get legal advice before entering the market. According to the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA), Vietnamese enterprises have registered a total of US$7 million for nearly 40 projects in Japan, mainly in the fields of software, service and trade. “With the growth of Vietnamese enterprises, the figure will continue to rise in the coming time,” head of the FIA Do Nhat Hoang said. Long An: Over 900 new firms formed in six months A total of 918 new businesses have been set up in the southern province of Long An in the first six months of this year, with combined registered capital reaching 6.7 trillion VND (301.5 million USD). The figure showed year-on-year increases of 140 percent in the number of enterprises, and 72 percent in the value of capital, according to the provincial Department of Planning and Investment. In the same period, the local authorities have also granted licences to 195 investment projects worth a total 20 trillion VND (900 million USD), including over 400 million USD from 53 foreign-invested projects. To date, foreign investors have poured around 5 billion USD in 739 projects in Long An, with 434 of them operational. The positive outcomes were attributable to solutions devised by the local authorities, including activities to support enterprises. The provincial administration has taken many measures to improve the provincial competitive index (PCI), while organizing conferences to boost links between local firms with foreign counterparts. Director of the provincial Department of Planning and Investment Nguyen Van Tieu said Long An will work harder to better investment climate in the locality, thus facilitating enterprises’ production and business. Vinh Phuc province vows maximal support for Japanese investors The authorities of Vinh Phuc province in the northern key economic region assured Japanese businesses of maximum support for them at a meeting on July 6. The event, held by the provincial People’s Committee, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam, drew representatives of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), the Japan Business Association in Vietnam, and Japanese enterprises operating in Vinh Phuc. Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Van Tri promised continued efforts to improve local investment climate, develop infrastructure and skilled manpower, and timely deal with Japanese firms’ requests and administrative procedures. Vinh Phuc has benefited from the growth in overall Vietnamese – Japanese relations, especially since 1995 when Japan’s Toyota and Honda groups began investing in the province, the chairman said. He appreciated the quality and effectiveness of investments from Japan which have substantially contributed to local socio-economic development. By the end of June 2016, Vinh Phuc houses 222 FDI projects with a total registered capital of 3.43 billion USD from 16 countries and territories. Though Japan only ranks third in terms of the project number (26) and registered capital value (over 786 million USD), its companies have continually showed the best business performance and contributed most to local budget. Chairman Chi called for Japanese investment in projects using modern technologies such as mechanical engineering (including automobile and motorcycle manufacturing and assembly), electronics and their support industries, telecommunications, and hi-tech agriculture. Investors from the Northeast Asian nation are also welcomed in tourism – entertainment, health care and education. At the meeting, Japanese firms asked for more appropriate policies for importing used machinery with high quality and boosting auto manufacturing’s support industry. Vinh Phuc should also keep investment incentives transparent and stable, while improving infrastructure at industrial parks. Seafood exports to UK in the context of Brexit Britain’s exit from the European Union (EU) , or Brexit, may affect the competitiveness of seafood products exported to the UK in terms of price, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP). Vo Van Phuc, Director of Vietnam Clean Seafood Corporation, said that there will be difficulties in seafood exports to both the UK and the EU as Brexit causes devaluation of GBP and EURO. The VASEP also raised concern that exports to the UK will not enjoy preferential tax conditions from the free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the EU once it is approved. Especially, Brexit will have a big effect on shrimp exports as the UK is the largest importer of Vietnamese shrimp. Shrimp exports to the UK reached 47.5 million USD by June 15, up 16 percent against the same period last year, according to the VASEP. The export growth of this product has slowed down in recent time, with an increase of 21.6 percent in the first five months in comparison with a 39 percent rise for the four-month period. VSIP Nghe An invests 6 mln USD in ready-built warehouse The Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) Nghe An Co., Ltd is investing 6 million USD in constructing a 20,000 sq.m ready-built warehouse area in the central province. The company held a ground-breaking ceremony for the project’s first phase on July 6. The first phase consists of two warehouses covering a total area of 5,000 sq.m, each having office and manufacturing zones furnished with electricity, water and telecommunication systems. Enterprises operating at the warehouses will be supported with legal services, recruitment consultancy and firefighting. Speaking at the event, Director of the company Anthony Tan said the ready-built warehouses will help investors accelerate their business and production process with reduced initial investment costs. It is an ideal model for small-sized investors, he said, adding that the company’s ready-built warehouse system in the southern province of Binh Duong has proven effective. VSIP Nghe An lies on an area of 750 ha. Its construction started in September 2015. VSIP Nghe An commences construction The Viet Nam Singapore Industrial Park joint venture (VSIP JV) had a ground-breaking ceremony for the first phase of their Ready Built factory of VSIP Nghe An on July 7. The phase will commence construction on the 5,000sq.m ready built factory in the initial phase before increasing it to 20,000sq.m with total investment of about US$6 million. Last year, VSIP Nghe An was granted exclusive rights by the provincial people's committee to develop a 750ha integrated township and industrial park and the investment licence for phase one of the project with $15.2 million in funding. The licence covers 198ha of industrial land and 81ha of commercial and residential land. "A ready built factory helps investors to start their operation faster and with lower investment capital. It is ideal for those who want to start smaller and over time take up bigger units or land to build on their own as their operation expand. We have seen many tenants in VSIP Binh Duong taking this path," general director of VSIP Nghe An Anthony Tan said. "To date, 124ha of land has been resettled and handed over to VSIP and many more will be handed over in the coming months. VSIP will push harder to quickly fill and put up the necessary infrastructure including drainage, sewer pipes, roads etc. In the next two months, we will also start building our fire station, sewage treatment plant and office building. By next September, we should complete about 140ha of industrial land with tree lined streets and facilities to support our tenants," he said, It will be the seventh VSIP in Viet Nam after the ones located in Binh Duong, Quang Ngai, Bac Ninh and Hai Phong, in addition to Hai Duong. VSIP said Nghe An, located in north-central Viet Nam and 70km from the Laotian border, played an important role in supporting Ha Noi, 400km away. Garment manufacturers, agribusinesses and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors are the target industries of VSIP Nghe An. Till date, the total area of the seven VSIP projects in Viet Nam covers more than 6,000ha. The latest report said VSIPs nationwide have attracted 616 investors from 30 countries and territories with a total investment capital of $8.5 billion, creating 160,000 jobs. Over 10 tons of lychees shipped to Australia More than 10 tons of lychees under Luc Ngan brand name were exported to Australia on June 23-29. According to the Vietnam Trade Office in Australia, last year Vietnam lychees were mainly consumed in Sydney and Melbourne, but this year half of the volume was shipped to Perth city, Western Australia. This year’s import price was lower as transportation costs were reduced, but Vietnam lychees have to compete with Chinese lychees which were cheaper. However, the Vietnam fruits can compete with Chinese lychees given their quality and nice-looking skin. A delegation from Hai Duong provincial Department of Industry and Trade have made a market research in Melbourne city to find an outlet for lychees under Thanh Ha brand name. Earlier in June, the Australia’s Department of Agriculture and Water Resources certified the Hanoi Irradiation Centre to irradiate Vietnamese lychees exported to the market. This is the third irradiation centre recorgnised by Australia, after two centres in Ho Chi Minh City. Irradiation treatment in Hanoi will help save time and reduce transportation costs. As a result, the exported lychees will be cheaper and more competitive, experts said. Japan's Oita prefecture keen to boster ties with Vietnam Japan's Oita prefecture Governor Hirose Katsusada expressed his locality''s desire to step up all-around cooperation with Vietnam. At a meeting with Vietnam Ambassador Cuong to Japan during his working visit to Oita on July 2-4, Hirose Katsusada highlighted great potential for bilateral broader cooperation, affirming local authorities' willing to offer favourable conditions for their businesses to invest in Vietnam. Oita prefecture hopes to attract more Vietnamese tourists, students and workers to the locality, he said, adding that a host of activities will be launched to promote connections between local firms and foreign students, including those from Vietnam. Ambassador Cuong in turn reiterated the embassy’s support for Oita prefecture to augment cooperation with Vietnam, especially in economy, tourism, education-training, and labour. During the visit, the Vietnamese diplomat had a meeting with former Japanese Prime Minister Murayama Tomiichi, during which he praised great contributions made by the Japanese official to the Vietnam-Japan relations. Cuong and his delegation, visited APU University which is home to more than 500 Vietnamese students, and toured some businesses and tourist sites. Vietnam-Taiwan economic links thrive Economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Taiwan (China) has strongly expanded in recent years, with two-way trade in 2015 hitting US$13 billion. According to the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI)’s branch in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam mainly ships telephones and spare parts, textiles and farm products to Taiwan, while importing machines and equipment, computers and materials for textile and garment. In the first four months of this year, Taiwan ranked third among 50 countries and territories running investment in Vietnam. According to the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Taiwanese investors have mainly injected money into processing and manufacturing industries, water supply, waste treatment and logistics services. Taiwanese investors’ projects were present in 17 out of the 63 cities and provinces across Vietnam in the period. The southern province of Tien Giang took the lead in the number of projects and the amount of investment capital. It was followed by the central province of Ha Tinh. Seaports represent growing logistics opportunity The nation’s logistics network has not been implemented in an integrated manner, says the Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT). Speaking at a recent seminar, Bui Hong Minh from the Import-Export Department of the MoIT directed the audience’s attention to the fact that this has resulted in an annual total logistic cost of between 15-20% of GDP. “This cost is nearly double that of more developed nations,” said Mr Minh. For comparison purposes, said Mr Minh, an analysis by the Vietnam Business Forum last year showed that the US spends about 9.5%, Japan 11%, and China 21% of GDP on logistics each year. The rapid growth of the nation’s export oriented growth has outpaced its infrastructure, creating major bottlenecks in ports and is now a major constraint to continued economic expansion. The country’s infrastructure has often been described as “roads without bridges, bridges without roads” meaning there is no consistency and compatibility between ports and roads and the surrounding land use. Simply put, a large part of the country’s logistics network has not been implemented in an integrated manner, he stressed. The problem isn’t just limited to ports and inter-provincial roads, bridges and inland infrastructure works connecting to them— but can also be found in the major metropolitan areas and the inner-city traffic congestion. The World Bank estimates that the nation will need to muster roughly US$200 billion to bring its dire infrastructure need for roads, bridges, and ports in line with the nation’s economic requirements. “As long as Vietnam fails to improve its infrastructure and waste13-14% of its GDP on an annual basis, it will continue to lag behind other developing countries around the globe,” said Sandeep Mahajan, lead economist for the World Bank in Vietnam. Big names like Toyota, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Intel, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, P&G, Metro Cash & Carry, and Unilever, are all present in Vietnam and if they decide to take their business elsewhere because Vietnam is no longer cost-advantageous, the economy will suffer tremendously. The air and rail transportation network accounts for a low share of the overall transportation market in Vietnam and therefore the emphasis should be on port development. Some analysts estimate that more than 85% of the nation’s import and export commodities are shipped by sea, said Mr Mahajan, and the focus should be on integration of transport networks, information technology, warehousing and distribution facilities with the ports. Because of the nation’s geographical landscape, its access to water channels via ports is essential to maximize its competitive advantages. With 3,200 kilometres of coastline, the nation has 266 ports, about 144 of which are seaports. However, most ports are relatively small with obsolete facilities and poor support services, said economist Gerard McLinden. Mr McLinden underlined the fact that the lower the cost of freight the more likely that large multinational corporations would invest in and conduct their business operations in the Southeast Asian nation. Most importantly he stressed the need for more port storage capacity and ports that can harbour larger vessels. In comparison to Thailand and Malaysia, the nation’s main container ports seem miniscule in terms of storage capacity and depth. Since Vietnamese ports lack the capacity to accommodate larger vessels the larger post-Panamax ships have to transit through Singapore and Hong Kong, more focus on dredging and upgrading ports in Vietnam would be extremely cost and time-efficient. AEC integrates logistics network Foreign logistic firms are expediting their efforts to tap into the market’s growth following the establishment of ASEAN Economic Community. Clement Blanc, managing director of DHL Global Forwarding Vietnam, told VIR that one key aspect of achieving the AEC is to create an integrated transport market to increase connectivity and help spur ASEAN’s goals of economic integration. Logistics is a priority sector for ASEAN integration, and the Roadmap for the Integration of Logistics Services under the AEC makes firm commitments to liberalise ASEAN’s logistics sector including everything from cargo handling, storage, and warehousing, to courier services, customs clearance, and international freight. As road freight is more cost-effective than air freight, and faster than ocean freight, DHL Global Forwarding has expanded its road freight network in ASEAN in anticipation of a boom in trade in the AEC in the years to come. The firm first launched its road freight network in 2011 connecting Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, which now links to the existing Vietnam-China connection. Its latest integrated road freight network links all five countries and caters for the further expansion of trade and production networks across the region. According to Blanc, Vietnam is an exciting country to be in right now – booming with investment especially in the hi-tech sector. It has a young workforce, and a reform-minded government. From a logistics provider’s perspective, the firm is particularly satisfied with the consistent alignment with international best practices. “Vietnam is the only ASEAN country which has a truly paperless customs environment. All this has been done within a relatively short time frame. DHL will continue to work with the government on all aspects of customs and trade facilitation reforms,” he said. Another foreign logistics firm, DB Schenker, has also witnessed an increasing volume following the establishment of the AEC. The last few months have been especially exciting for the firm, as it has received many enquiries from its international customer base about trade opportunities in the region, DB Schenker claims. Christoph Matthes, managing director of DB Schenker in Vietnam, told VIR that the AEC is a critical enabler for the entire region because of the enormous market of over 600 million consumers. The ten member states have diverse economic profiles, and it will be interesting to see how the journey to full economic integration develops. Indeed, the AEC is a great opportunity for Vietnam to expand its international trade prospects. Vietnam is located at the heart of the ASEAN region and is well positioned to enjoy the benefits of the single market and production base. “To prepare ourselves, we will focus more and more on developing cross border logistics solutions. A good example is our Landbridge Asia road transport service where we take freight by truck to cross the borders of our neighboring countries,” he said, adding that, “We expect that the demand for this type of service will grow significantly in light of ASEAN’s substantial tariff reductions.” DHL-VNPT Express is also uniquely set up for ASEAN with its newly expanded South Asia Hub in Singapore and another hub in Bangkok. Currently, the firm’s intra-regional Asia Air Network is one of its key strengths. DHL-VNPT Express says it benefits from having the fastest network intra Asia-Pacific, as the firm is the only service provider that can provide same-day uplift on its own aircraft for a next day delivery across most of the region. According to George Berczely, the firm’s general director, participation in the AEC will give Vietnam more opportunities to attract foreign direct investment, expand its export markets, and help boost the capabilities of its logistics service providers through physical connectivity, such as hard infrastructure for transport within the regional network. However, it should also be noted that the AEC will undoubtedly intensify competition within the region. “For us, the AEC brings about more opportunities than competitive challenges, and we are continuously investing to capitalise on these opportunities. We are seeing strong growth within ASEAN, which has been the trend for a few years now,” he said, adding that, “Our primary focus is the expansion our air network and ground network.” DHL-VNPT Express has recently expanded its Saigon gateway by 50%, and plans to open more facilities across the country over the next few years to further its reach and improve services across the region. Debt trading decree in effect The first ever legal framework for debt trading activities in Viet Nam is available. Decree No 69/2016/ND-CP, which took effect last Friday, stipulates the following major conditions for enterprises dealing in the debt trading business: - The companies must have at least VND100 billion, or US$4.4 million, in charter capital. Firms dealing in debt trading floor services must have at least VND500 billion in equity. - Agreements in documents do not state that the debts cannot be transferred; the debts are not used as a mortgage for a civil duty at the time that transactions take place; debt buyers and sellers are not related parties in accordance with regulations of the Enterprise Law. - Debt transactions must be contracted in documents based on agreements of relevant parties, guaranteeing their legal rights and interests. The documents are to specify the rights and responsibility of debt buyers and sellers. - Debt trading companies must not use loans of credit institutions and foreign bank branches to buy debts from other borrowers of these lenders. Also, the firms are not to use a guarantee of credit institutions and foreign bank branches to buy debts from customers of the lenders. - Debt buyers and sellers and relevant parties must obey current regulations on foreign exchange management in case debt trading forms a foreign lending/borrowing relation and requires foreign exchange in the debt transactions. - Managers of debt trading firms must have adequate civil capacity and are not banned from corporate management in accordance with regulations of the Enterprise Law. They must have a bachelor's degree or higher degrees either in economics, business management, laws or a certain field that they are going to assume in their jobs. They are to have at least five years working directly in areas such as banking and finance, accounting, auditing, laws, asset evaluating or debt trading. Persons who already worked for a debt trading firm, whose business registration certificates were revoked, can become managers of another debt trading company if they did not manage the old firm in the last three consecutive years. Dau Anh Tuan, head of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI)'s legislation department, said debt trading remained on a list of business areas where enterprises must satisfy specific conditions, as attached in Appendix 4 of the Investment Law. "I think debt trading should not be on this list. It should be developed widely," Tuan told Viet Nam News in a phone call yesterday. "I have no specific idea about developments in the domestic debt trading market, but activities here apparently remain feeble," he said. State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) Governor Le Minh Hung said last week that banking authorities would accelerate steps to form a market for debt trading, as part of national efforts to restructure the credit institution system and settle bad debts. This was also part of an action plan of the banking sector to support the domestic business environment and national competitiveness with a vision towards 2020. The SBV has also issued 14 circulars, and it reportedly abolished many business conditions in the banking area. According to Government portal chinhphu.vn, the new circulars simplify administrative procedures related to activities such as lending abroad, mandating and payment for credit institutions, and foreign bank branches in Viet Nam. Viet Nam International Bank Deputy General Director Le Quang Trung told Dau tu (Vietnam Investment Review) that simpler procedures would help banks cut time and costs to improve their business efficiency. Can Van Luc, director of the BIDV training centre under the Bank for Investment and Development of Viet Nam, agreed, saying that this would create conditions for banks to lower interest rates. Decree No 69/2016/ND-CP is one of about 50 decrees that have become effective and provided guidelines for the enterprise and investment laws. These laws took effect last Friday. As of yesterday, the contents of fewer than 10 decrees were posted on the Government portal. The available ones include decrees on business conditions related to credit intelligence, maritime navigation, agriculture and automobile transportation. Tuan from the VCCI said he expected the other decrees to be published in the next few days. He said these documents had been built based on "quite a lot" of suggestions from the VCCI, which represents the domestic business community. "The decrees provide clearer and more transparent regulations, yet greater changes are needed," he said. Phan Duc Hieu, deputy director of the Central Institute for Economic Management, said last Friday was not a "dead-end" for Vietnamese business conditions reforms. Legal revisions would go on, said Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung. Capitalising on Vietnam’s retail market Vietnam’s retail sector posted an average growth rate of 7.3% per year during the 2010-2015 period with sales last year up 10% to reach US$112 billion, of which modern retail channels accounted for about one fourth of distribution. It is projected that the retail sector will grow at an annual rate of 11.9% until 2020 when sales are expected to hit US$180 billion, of which more than 45% belongs to modern retail channels. To achieve such targets, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) has approved the plan to develop a network of supermarkets and commercial centres until 2020 with a vision towards 2030, in addition to stable economic growth. Under the MOIT’s plan, Vietnam will have between 1,200 and 1,500 supermarkets, 180 commercial centres and 157 shopping centres in 2020 to meet consumers’ growing demand. Despite many successes, Vietnam’s retail market is facing numerous challenges both at present and in the future. A series of free trade agreements that Vietnam has signed, and will come into effect soon, are expected to mount greater pressure on domestic enterprises. Quality and competitively priced goods from member countries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the European Union will flood the Vietnamese market thanks to tax cuts and tariff eliminations. Furthermore, as foreign retailers are expanding their distribution channels aggressively, Vietnamese counterparts face the risk of being sidelined and taken over right on the home turf if they have no viable strategies. Vietnam is no longer among the world’s 30 most attractive retail markets (number one in 2008 and 28th place in 2014) but remains a market with great potential to both foreign and domestic companies. As such, identifying the trends in Vietnam’s retail market correctly so that Vietnamese retailers are not overwhelmed at home is an urgent task for both regulators and business circles. Vietnamese retailers need to formulate sensible and effective tactics to compete with rivals who possess strong financial resources, good business and marketing strategies, and professional management. Vietnam used to have a number of plans to develop supermarkets and commercial centres but implementation was not as expected and this needs to be addressed to develop a healthy and transparent market where parties can compete fairly, serve consumers and promote production and trade effectively. Domestic enterprises should build strength by working together to increase brand recognition and provide products in chains to maximise profits, while at the same time taking advantage of existing channels to increase their market share. On the other hand, the government should facilitate domestic retailers’ access to capital, land and other infrastructure so that they can proactively participate in the market without being crushed by foreign competitors. Vietnam delays work on largest airport until 2021: report State-owned Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) has confirmed that complex preparatory work will delay the construction of the country's US$15.8 billion airport near Ho Chi Minh City. In its recent report to the Ministry of Transport, the manager of 22 airports said work on Long Thanh Airport will likely start in April 2021, news website Dau Tu reported on July 5. That will put the project in Dong Nai Province at least two years behind the original schedule. It is taking ACV longer than expected to finish all the pre-construction tasks for the megaproject, described as the "biggest ever." The selection of consultants for the project's feasibility study, for instance, will not be completed until January next year, about nine months behind the previous deadline. Long Thanh Airport, about 40 kilometers from HCM City, is designed to serve 100 million passengers and five million tons of goods annually. It is expected to replace the country's currently biggest airport Tan Son Nhat, which reached its full capacity of 20 million passengers a year in 2013. Hanoi Gift Show 2016 to attract over 600 foreign importers The Hanoi Gift Show 2016 is set to get underway at the National Planning Exhibition Center in Tu Liem, Hanoi on October 17-20. It will exhibit handicraft and home décor products, indoor and outdoor furniture, home textiles and embroidery, gifts and ethnic items, personal accessories, toys and others. Deputy Director of Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade Tran Thi Phuong Lan said at a press briefing on July 5 that the annual show will provide wide networking opportunities and build new commercial relations in the Gifts & Handicrafts industry. It is expected to attract around 250 domestic businesses from 16 provinces and cities across the country to showcase their products on over 620 stalls. The organizing board will allocate a special area to introduce new and typical designs of handicraft and home décor products and furniture in 2016. To draw more visitors and foreign importers to the show, the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade has actively coordinated with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry to introduce the event at home and abroad. They expect to lure around 3,000 trade visitors and over 600 foreign importers to the event. Export value hits over 82 billion USD in six months Vietnam exported 82.2 billion USD worth of commodities in the first two quarters of 2016, a year-on-year increase of 5.9 percent. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), the group of processing industries was not listed among sectors with impressive export growth. Meanwhile, the group of mining industries posted a tumble due to the rapid exhaustion of natural resources and the falling price of crude oil. Economic experts said this is a negative sign for the national economy as these are key contributors to economic growth. According to statistics from the ministry’s Export-Import Department, Vietnam had 17 types of goods reaching export values of at least 1 billion USD in the period, with the agro-forestry-aquaculture sector having five out of its nine products named in the list. According to Le Quoc Phuong, deputy director of the MoIT’s Commercial Industry Information Centre, the reducing price of goods in the world market was one of reasons behind the slow export in some sectors of Vietnam. He stressed the need to provide more support for businesses and facilitate their production and business, towards maintaining momentum for the export sector. Vietnam’s export is likely to have stronger growth in the remaining months of the year as textiles and footwear manufacturers are speeding up their production for signed orders. Processing industries are also hoped to recover their growth in the period. Vietnam is set to rake in 180 billion USD from exporting commodities in the whole year, up 10 percent compared to 2015. VEF/VNA/VNS/VOV/SGT/SGGP/Dantri/VET/VIR |
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Vietnamese tycoons jump in, foreign tycoons leave property market Many M&A deals in the real estate market wrapped up recently. To many people’s surprise, the buyers were not powerful foreign conglomerates, but Vietnamese tycoons.  Vietnam’s BRG officially wrapped up the deal to take over Sedona Suites Hanoi. According to CBRE Vietnam, a real estate service provider, the value of the deal was $31.5 million, and the seller is the Singapore-based powerful real estate group Keppel Land. BRG is well known in Vietnam for a series of deals of buying property projects from foreign investors. In 2012, BRG bought the 5-star Hilton Hanoi Opera from the German and Austrian owners. In early 2015, the group contributed capital to Thang Loi Hotel. It now also holds stakes of a lot of other high-end hotels including Pan Horizon Hotel and InterContinental Hanoi Westlake. BRG is the conglomerate that owns the highest number of golf courses throughout the country. These include BRG King’s Island Golf Resort and BRG Legend Hill in Hanoi, and BRG Ruby Tree in Hai Phong. All of these were bought from foreign investors.
Vingroup, the largest Vietnamese real estate conglomerate, has wrapped up the deal of buying a project on Pham Hung Road in Hanoi from Vinaland, a foreign investor. The project is a complex covering an area of 4 hectares, next to Big C shopping center in front of the National Conventional Center and near the My Dinh National Stadium. It was kicked off in 2008 and became operational in 2011, but it has been left idle since then. With its powerful financial capability, Vingroup succeeded in many M&A deals in the past. It took over Hong Ngan, a real estate firm which owned the Green City project in Hanoi, covering an area of 17.6 hectares and capitalized at VND7.9 trillion. The Thanh Hoa Construction Corporation has become well known after a series of large deals recently. It was the buyer in the transfer deal of the Sky Park Residence project in Cau Giay district in Hanoi worth VND143 billion. The corporation also spent over VND100 billion to buy a 4-star hotel with 250 rooms on Cat Linh street in Hanoi. FLC Group, a familiar name, has acquired Alaska Garden City in Hanoi and it is preparing to implement the project under the new name – FLC Garden City. It was also the investor which took over the residence project at No 36 Pham Hung Road. Marc Townsend, CEO of CBRE Vietnam, a real estate service provider, commenting about the transactions of transferring real estate projects by foreign investors, said now is the right time for foreign investment funds to restructure their portfolios. D. Anh, VNN |
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The case of the century, a turning point in the East Sea The arbitration case brought by the Philippines against China’s nine-dash line claims in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) ended with the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) constituted under Annex VII to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on July 12. We can call it a case of history for many reasons. For the first time in its history, China - "the world’s center"– was unilaterally sued by a small country in a marine dispute.  By its ruling, the PCA rejected 2 of the 3 aspects that Chinese scholars often used to justify the nine dotted line. The East Sea dispute is complex, involving many parties, most concerned by many others. For the first time the PCA had to answer and explain in detail Article 121.3 of the UNCLOS and thereby contributing to the development of international law. The ruling not only affects the Philippines and China but also affects many countries inside and outside the region, the process of implementation and development of maritime law and international law. After 17 years of failed bilateral negotiations, 3 years of performing procedures for the case, the ruling made on July 12th is considered beneficial to the Philippines. China has pursued the three-no policy: not recognizing the jurisdiction of the PCA, not involving in the case and not accepting the ruling. The closer the day of ruling making came, the faster and stronger China took actions. It launched a propaganda campaign which built China’s image as a victim of a legal-political conspiracy. This might be the reason for the PCA to extend the time to announce the ruling to have an objective verdict. The ruling has played an important role in affecting the political, security, economic situation of the countries in the East Sea region, to internal solidarity of ASEAN, to Sino-US competition and to the foreign policy of the countries having interests in the East Sea. The ruling is also the test of the credibility of international law, the respect and goodwill of the parties in the implementation of the law. The unintended effect of the ruling will also impact on many generations. The Philippines made 15 submissions to the PCA on the basis of interpretation and application of the UNCLOS. This country invited a team of reputed international lawyers, prepared 4,000 pages of documents to submit to the PCA in the first hearing and additional 3,000 pages in the 2nd hearing. The content of these submissions focused on three main issues: 1) the validity of the nine-dash line claim of China in the East Sea; 2) the legal status of some features, islands, rocks, shoals in Truong Sa Archipelago (Spratly Islands); 3) the behavior of China that the Philippines considered unsuitable to the UNCLOS and damaging the rights of the Philippines defined by the UNCLOS and the marine environment. China refused to join the case with the reasons: 1) the true nature of the dispute between China - the Philippines is the issue of sovereignty that the PCA has no jurisdiction over; 2) the submission of the Philippines as defining regulations of features related to maritime delimitation was eliminated by China's reserves in 2006 to Article 298 of the UNCLOS; 3) the Philippines did not comply with the commitments between the two countries, the ASEAN - China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, the Biodiversity Treaty ... on solving disputes by bilateral negotiations rather than the intervention of a third party. China’s documents were carefully scrutinized by the PCA. The tribunal convened a hearing on jurisdiction and admissibility in July 2015 and rendered an Award on Jurisdiction and Admissibility on 29 October 2015, deciding some issues of jurisdiction and deferring others for further consideration. The tribunal rejected the arguments of China and acknowledged that it had the jurisdiction in 7/15 submissions made by the Philippines. For the others, the PCA would determine its jurisdiction when considering the content. The ruling announced on July 12 with 501 pages affirmed that the PCA had the jurisdiction over the entire 15 submissions made by the Philippines and gave answer to each submission. The jurisdiction In addition to the arguments announced in the Award on Jurisdiction and Admissibility dated October 29th 2015, the PCA continued to consider the exceptions that reserves in 2006 of China to Article 298 of the UNCLOS may hinder its jurisdiction. The PCA said that the exception in Article 298 can only be applied if the Philippines’ submissions concerning law enforcement activities in the exclusive economic zone of China. However, as the Philippines’ submissions are relating to the events taking place in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines or in the territorial waters, Article 298 does not hinder the PCA’s jurisdiction. The Tribunal also considered whether the Philippines’ submissions were affected by the exception from jurisdiction in Article 298 for disputes concerning military activities. The Tribunal considered whether China’s land reclamation and construction of artificial islands at seven features in the Spratly Islands constituted military activities, but noted that China had repeatedly emphasized the non-military nature of its actions and had stated at the highest level that it would not militarize its presence in the Spratlys. The Tribunal decided that it would not deem activities to be military in nature when China itself had repeatedly affirmed the opposite. Accordingly, the Tribunal concluded that Article 298 did not pose an obstacle to its jurisdiction. The meaning of this conclusion of the PCA is that the value of unilateral acts of countries, especially from the senior leaders, will create additional resources for international law and they are binding. Based on the analysis of the both rulings, the PCA declared itself competent enough to consider the major content of the submissions from the Philippines. The nine-dash line Because China did not explain and its claims are vague and unclear, the PCA used the method of elimination to determine the most common parts between the Philippines’ submissions and the claims of China that it has jurisdiction over. The tribunal affirmed not considering the issue of sovereignty of the features within the nine-dash line. The PCA carefully reviewed the historic rights concept, a concept that can bring sovereignty to the claimant and this country has the duty to prove it. This concept is mentioned in Article 15 of the UNCLOS, relating to delimitation of the territorial waters. Historic right consideration is limited by China’s reserves in 2006. But China has never proven the legal nature and scope of the historic rights that it claims. China's claims - in addition to claims of sovereignty over the islands and adjacent waters - are also claims of "legitimate rights in the East Sea, which were formed during the long history". The vagueness, ambiguity in the statements made by China cannot prove their historic rights. The tribunal clearly analyzed what China, through its different acts and claims, claims is the historic rights to resources within the nine dash line. This right is not tied to the concept of historic title or the historic gulf. The historic fishing rights were discussed by countries, including China during the 3rd conference on the Law of the Sea and were not accepted into the UNCLOS. China’s claims for historic rights to biological and non-bio resources within the nine-dash line is inconsistent with the UNCLOS, meaning that it is beyond the waters under the UNCLOS provisions. The historic rights, if they have, are not consistent with the new water institutions of the UNCLOS when it took effect and therefore do not exist. On the other hand before the UNCLOS took effect and the exclusive economic zone became an institutional nature of international practices, the waters beyond the territorial waters of 12 nautical miles were the high seas. All fishing activities of Chinese fishermen and fishermen of other countries were practicing their freedom of fishing, not historic right. Historic maritime and fishing activities outside the territorial waters, therefore, could not create the basis for the formation of historic rights. The PCA determined that although the Chinese navigators and their fishermen, such as those from other countries, had been used the features in the East Sea in history, there is no evidence that China has historically implemented exclusive control over the waters or resources. So with the submissions number 1 and 2 of the Philippines concerning the legal validity of the nine dotted line, the PCA said "there is no legal basis to assert this country (China) has a historic right to the resources, in accordance with the rights provided by the UNCLOS 1982, in the sea area within the nine dotted line." By this statement, the PCA rejected 2 of the 3 aspects that Chinese scholars often used to justify the nine dotted line; the claims of historic rights of traditional fishing and claims of waters. Only the claims of sovereignty over the features within the nine-dotted line, which the PCA does not have jurisdiction over. The status of features in the Spratlys and Second Thomas Shoal The Philippines specifically mentioned only 7 features. The Tribunal agrees with the Philippines that the Johnson South Reef, Cuarteron Reef, Fiery Cross Reef and Scarborough are high-tide features; Subi Reef, Hughes Reef, Mischief Reef, and Second Thomas Shoal were submerged at high tide in their natural condition. However, the Tribunal disagreed with the Philippines regarding the status of Gaven Reef (North) and McKennan Reef and concluded that both are high tide features. The Tribunal interpreted Article 121 and concluded that the entitlements of a feature depend on (a) the objective capacity of a feature, (b) in its natural condition, to sustain either (c) a stable community of people or (d) economic activity that is neither dependent on outside resources nor purely extractive in nature. The Tribunal noted that many of the features in the Spratly Islands are currently controlled by one or another of the littoral States, which have constructed installations and maintain personnel there. The Tribunal considered these modern presences to be dependent on outside resources and support and noted that many of the features have been modified to improve their habitability, including through land reclamation and the construction of infrastructure such as desalination plants. The Tribunal concluded that the current presence of official personnel on many of the features does not establish their capacity, in their natural condition, to sustain a stable community of people and considered that historical evidence of habitation or economic life was more relevant to the objective capacity of the features. Accordingly, the Tribunal concluded that all of the high-tide features in the Spratly Islands are legally “rocks” that do not generate an exclusive economic zone or continental shelf. This is an important decision not only for the East Sea but also for the East China Sea, the disputes over Diaoyu Islands, Tokto islands, Riukyu archipelago and other rocky islands dispute when Article 121 is applied. It confirms the Tribunal's role in minimizing disputes and seeking solutions for international peace and stability. However, China may reject by saying that the Tribunal exceeded its jurisdiction and settle out the issues out of the Philippines’ submissions. The Tribunal also held that the Convention does not provide for a group of islands such as the Spratly Islands to generate maritime zones collectively as a unit. This prevents any future attempts to establish straight baselines for the Spratlys as a single feature such as China did with the Paracels in 1996. The activities of China in the East Sea Having found that the features in Spratly Islands have the surrounding waters of only 12 nautical miles, the Tribunal came to the conclusion that there is no overlap of the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines and China in the Spratly. The Tribunal found as a matter of fact that China had interfered with Philippine petroleum exploration, purported to prohibit fishing by Philippine vessels within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, protected and failed to prevent Chinese fishermen from fishing within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. The Tribunal therefore concluded that China had violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights with respect to its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. The Tribunal also considered the effect of China’s actions on the marine environment. In doing so, the Tribunal was assisted by three independent experts on coral reef biology who were appointed to assist it in evaluating the available scientific evidence and the Philippines’ expert reports. The Tribunal found that China’s recent large scale land reclamation and construction of artificial islands at seven features in the Spratly Islands has caused severe harm to the coral reef environment and that China has violated its obligation under Articles 192 and 194 of the Convention to preserve and protect the marine environment with respect to fragile ecosystems and the habitat of depleted, threatened, or endangered species. The Tribunal also found that Chinese fishermen have engaged in the harvesting of endangered sea turtles, coral, and giant clams on a substantial scale in the East Sea, using methods that inflict severe damage on the coral reef environment. The Tribunal found that Chinese authorities were aware of these activities and failed to fulfill their due diligence obligations under the Convention to stop them. Viet Long, VietNamNet Bridge |
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Article 10
Social News 19/7 Use of banned substances for pig farming prevalent  Despite a recent respite, the use of prohibited substances is still rampant in the pig farming sector in HCMC, posing a public health threat, the Animal Health Department reported. At a conference on the issue last Friday, the department said that in the first six months its inspectors tested 1,225 pig samples from 551 shipments of several major slaughterhouses. Their test results showed that 116 samples, or 9.47%, from 38 shipments contained salbutamol. The samples came from pigs raised in the provinces of Dong Nai, Tien Giang, Binh Thuan, Long An, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, and Binh Duong. The inspection team also tested 48 samples from 25 pig shipments which were illegally transported and slaughtered. They detected salbutamol in 10 samples, equivalent to 20.8%. The samples tested negative for ractopamine. Salbutamol, together with clenbuterol and ractopamine, belong to the Beta-agonist substance group that can make pigs grow fast and produce more lean meat. Phan Xuan Thao, director of the HCMC Animal Health Department, said despite such findings, the overall management and control of food safety in the city has improved. In the first six months, local authorities checked and certified 1.3 million pigs as safe, equivalent to more than 117,000 tons of pork. They also approved 5,600 cattle and about 20 million poultry. Over 75,000 tons of frozen food, with poultry accounting for nearly 52% and buffalo meat 23%, was also put under tight control, up 26.89% from the amount checked in the same period last year. In addition, inspectors found no banned substances when combing through 74 livestock farming facilities in HCMC’s districts 9, 12, Hoc Mon, Cu Chi, Binh Chanh and Binh Tan and testing 18 urine samples from 13 suspected pig farms. At the conference, concerns continued to be raised over poor food hygiene and safety in the city. Nguyen Huu Hung, deputy director of the HCMC Health Department, said the city needs to promote health information access, publicize the names of violators, step up food safety controls, and closely monitor food supplies, not least from other provinces and cities. Hung said the HCMC Department of Home Affairs has sent the city government a plan for a new food safety management board. If approved, the board will be the agency responsible for food safety issues in the city. Dong Nai establishes Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association The Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association of southern Dong Nai province held its first congress for the 2016-2021 tenure on July 18. At the congress, Dang Manh Trung, head of the provincial Information and Education Board, was chosen as the association’s President. The congress also set forth activities to intensify cooperation between Vietnamese and Russian people. Trung stated that the Vietnam-Russia diplomatic relationship has been nurtured and developed over the past 66 years. In Dong Nai province, during 1984-1991, the former Soviet Union (now Russia) provided both financial and technological assistance to build the Tri An hydropower plant on the Dong Nai river in Vinh Cuu district, whose electricity output reaches 1.7 billion kWh per year. Numerous localities also set up their Vietnam-Russia Friendship Associations, including Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang city, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Dong Thap, Thai Binh, Phu Tho and Hai Duong provinces. Waste treatment project to be built in Phan Rang-Thap Cham The Prime Minister has agreed in principle to the signing of an agreement on receiving non-refundable aid from the Dutch Government to construct a system for wastewater collection, treatment and re-cycle in Phan Rang-Thap Cham city, the central province of Ninh Thuan. The Prime Minister asked the provincial People’s Committee to join hands with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency to sign the agreement to get the funding soon. The project will benefit 125,000 local residents and about 300 small-medium enterprises while improving water quality in detention basins and rivers in the city. It also helps enhance institutional and technical capacity in operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment and collection systems as well as apply suitable sewage treatment technology to use treated wastewater for agricultural development in the locality and neighbouring regions. The aid grant is provided under the Facility for Infrastructure Development ORIO, which is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and implemented by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. ORIO contributes to the development, construction, expansion, operation and maintenance of public infrastructure in developing countries, contributing to human and private sector development. New school-year to start on September 5 The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has just issued Decision No. 3626 to announce the new school year of 2016- 2017 for kindergarten, high schools and vocational schools. Pursuant to the decision, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Education and Training Department will instruct schools from kindergarten to higher education levels in the city to start the new academic year on September 5. The plan will be adjusted if the weather condition is bad such as flood, storms, thunderstorm and strong wind. Accordingly, schools in the city will officially begin the new school year on September 5. The primary, secondary, high school and vocational school will start on August 15. Pupils and students will be absent from school on Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday from January 23 to February 5. More dead fish found in Thua Thien-Hue Over the past week, more dead fish have been washed up on a beach in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue's Phu Loc District. According to the Phu Loc District's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development it has co-operated with the provincial Veterinary Department to take samples of the dead fish for testing. Residents in Loc Vinh commune have collected around 30kg of dead fish along the local 1km-beach in recent days. Much of the found dead fish are ulcerated, showing signals of being contracting skin diseases. Loc Vinh was also among localities in Thua Thien-Hue Province affected by the mass fish deaths in April caused by the toxic discharge from Taiwan's Formosa Group's steel plant in Ha Tinh Province. Formosa admitted to its responsibility for the massive pollution and pledged USD500 million in compensation following a three-month investigation. SCG grants scholarships to poor students Thai group SCG last week awarded 350 scholarships and gifts worth a total of VND1.4 billion to poor high school children in seven southeastern provinces. The scholarships were donated to mark the 10th anniversary of the company’s “SCG Sharing The Dream” program carried out in collaboration with Tuoi Tre newspaper. Since 2007, the program has benefited 3,801 needy high school children with outstanding academic records in Hanoi and seven localities of southeastern Vietnam -- Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Binh Phuoc, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Tay Ninh, Binh Thuan and HCMC. VBL funds clean water projects Vietnam Brewery Limited (VBL) has donated VND400 million (US$17,800) to the Vietnam Central Youth Union to implement clean water supply projects in rural areas. The financial aid was presented to the union during an event held last Saturday at the HCMC Youth Cultural House as part of VBL’s community program titled “Mot phut tiet kiem trieu niem vui” (one minute of saving brings joy to millions). Launched in 2012, the program has helped raise public awareness on the importance of clean water and the need for saving and protecting water resources. For every 100,000 good deeds for environmental and water resource protection posted on the program’s website at www.1phuttietkiemtrieuniemvui.com.vn, VBL will sponsor a clean water station in a certain locality. After nearly five years, the program has financed 10 clean water supply stations in areas in need of clean water. Through its cooperation with the Vietnam Central Youth Union since last year, VBL expects one million actions of environmental protection. So far, 400,000 actions have been sent to VBL. Paul Bleijs, supply chain director of VBL, said: “I believe that there would be nothing more practical than individual efforts in small good actions to create a big impact on water saving and protection.” More Formosa waste found buried in Ha Tinh’s park The Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Ha Tinh Province has found waste from the Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Corp buried in and outside Hung Thinh Park in the north-central province, adding to already-grave concerns over its rampant discharge of industrial waste. Dang Ba Luc from the province’s environment agency was quoted by Tuoi Tre newspaper as saying that in addition to 10 tons of waste buried inside the park in Ky Anh Town, there was some waste buried outside. The waste was handled by Ky Anh Urban Environment Company. Regarding more than 100 tons of Formosa’s waste dumped at a farm of Le Quang Hoa, director of the company, Luc said the waste had been moved out of the farm and that soil in the waste holes would be collected for treatment to avoid possible contamination. In addition, Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Corp has been told by local authorities to remove an illegal underground waste drainage pipeline in Ky Phuong Ward of Ky Anh Town. According to the newspaper, the underground pipeline installed inside the Formosa steel plant and connected to a ditch in Ky Phuong was discovered by local people. Besides the illegally installed pipeline, locals have also found another pipeline outside the fence of the Formosa project running towards the sea. Late last month, Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Corp took responsibility for mass fish deaths along the coasts of Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue by industrial waste from its steel complex, and pledged to pay US$500 in compensation for economic damage. Charity concert to suport disadvantaged children in Hanoi A concert featuring classical music titled “Smile for You” will take place at the V-Art Club in Hanoi on July 23. The event with the participation of cellist Ha Mien, violist Trinh Minh Hien, pianist Tran Thu Thao aims to spread and share love and sympathy to the poor and unlucky children. Cellist Ha Mien is a member of the Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hanoi Strings Chamber Orchestra, and then also is a cello faculty of the Academy. From 2014 to present, she is a cellist in the two newly chamber music groups; Hanoian Trio, and Apaixonado String Quartet. Violist Trinh Minh Hienstarted playing violin at young ages and graduated String instrument Department of Vietnam National Academy of Music. She is now a violist of Vietnam Symphony Orchestra. The pianist Thao Thu Tran was born in an artist family as her parents are professional dancers. In 1987, she graduated as a valedictorian and won full music scholarship in Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Ms. Thao has established the THT Art Center with the desire to share knowledge and experiences with people who have the same interests. Youngest Vpop releases first album The TBC music band has just released the first album named “FIRST” and received many good replies from experts and audiences. The FIRST includes 6 new and old songs. “Don’t think” is new song composed by Pham Hai Au. The TBC was founded in 2015 with 5 young members. They are Thu Mai (1999); Vicky Duong (2000); Phuc Nguyen (1999); Jasmine Nguyen (2001) and Van Pham (2000). VFF President hosts Lao Front official President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Nguyen Thien Nhan hosted a reception for Vice President of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC)’s Central Committee Chanthavong Senamatmontry in Hanoi on July 18. Nhan said Vietnam is delighted at the recent developments of Laos, especially the success of the 10th Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party. He informed his guest that the 2013 Constitution has further specified the VFF’s role to continue working with its 46 member units on mass mobilisation for national construction. As fraternal countries, Vietnam and Laos should learn from each other’s experience, he said, adding that Vietnam is ready to share its expertise with Lao Front officials. Chanthavong Senamatmontry, for his part, informed his host about the outcomes of talks between the VFF and LFNC. He believed that under the leadership of the President of the VFF Central Committee, the special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos would be deepened. During the earlier talks, Vice President of the VFF Central Committee Nguyen Van Pha said both sides have effectively realised the 2012-2016 agreement, with its contents to be continued in 2017-2021. The two countries’ VFF Central Committees will increase bilateral friendship and cooperation to celebrate the 55th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the 40th anniversary of the signing of Vietnam-Laos Cooperation and Amity Agreement, he said. The guest wished that the two sides would sign a cooperation agreement for the next five years, featuring the regular exchange of information and visits by the two fronts, celebrations for the 55th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the 40th anniversary of the signing of Vietnam-Laos Cooperation and Amity Agreement, and training officials of the LFNC’s Central Committee. Host and guest expressed their belief that bilateral ties between VFF and LFNC will contribute to fostering special solidarity, friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two peoples. Sustainable poverty reduction requires joint efforts Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue has emphasised the need to mobilise social resources for sustainable poverty reduction and encourage people to join these efforts. Speaking at a meeting of the Central Steering Committee for Sustainable Poverty Reduction in Hanoi on July 18, the official said policies should be rolled out to support farms and businesses that can generate multiple jobs. According to Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Trong Dam, initial results collected from localities show that the number of poor and near-poor households stands at 15.1 percent. In the first six months of this year, about 10.8 trillion VND (roughly 486 million USD) has been channeled into health insurance coverage and education for the poor, he said. Most of localities have allocated capital to communes and districts to implement the national target programme on poverty reduction in 2016, and poured investments in infrastructure construction in communes and districts in extreme difficulties. However, several localities have still lagged behind, he admitted. Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Dao Quang Thu suggested setting expiration dates for poverty reduction-related policies, creating more livelihoods for the poor and supporting business initiatives. Other delegates underscored the need to adjust relevant policies and empower the poor.- Extension of flood-proof house construction programme proposed The Ministry of Construction has proposed to the Government on the extension of a programme to build floodproof residential clusters and houses in areas highly vulnerable to flood in the Mekong Delta region to another period from 2016 to 2020. As planned, 132 projects will be added to the programme, with the construction of 86 additional residential clusters and dykes around 44 flood-affected residential areas, aiming to prevent serious flood, landslide, saltwater intrusion as well as ensure safe shelters for 44,800 locals. Half of the capital for the ground upgrading in these areas will be sourced by the central budget, while the rest will be funded from the Vietnam Bank of Investment and Development. Meanwhile, major infrastructure works for the clusters will be invested fifty-fifty by both central and local budgets. The central budget will also cover 80 percent of investment for the building of banks around the residential areas, while the rest will be paid by local budget. Under the programme, a half of loans for locals to build houses will come from the State budget through the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies. The bank will be in charge of mobilising the rest. Total estimated central budget for the programme in the 2016-2020 period is 1.79 trillion VND (80.26 million USD), including over 1.39 trillion VND (62.32 million USD) in direct support and 394 billion VND (17.66 million USD) in soft loan. In 2016, the State budget poured into the programme is about 358 billion VND (16.05 million USD). In the first phase from 2001 to 2008, 804 residential clusters with banks were built, while 140,000 poor households in flood-affected areas were moved to a safer and stable places, reaching 94.7 percent of the target. In the second phase from 2008-2015, 178 out of 179 clusters with banks were constructed, or 99.4 percent of the plan, together with safe places for about 52,220 poor households. However, many regional localities have reported of areas affected by dangerous landslides threatening the safety and livelihood of locals, showing the need to prolong the programme. Lao Cai ramps up activities in preparation for 2017 Tourism Year The northern mountainous province of Lao Cai is focusing on improving infrastructure and creating more products in preparation for the Year of Tourism 2017, which will be organised in the province. Nguyen Dinh Dung, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said in order to prepare for the year’s biggest tourism event, Lao Cai is promoting such programmes as exploring the northwestern region’s terraced field culture heritage route in Bac Ha and Bat Xat districts; popular markets in Bac Ha, Muong Khuong and Si Ma Cai; and spiritual tourism along the Red River. He said the province has also instructed Bao Yen district to develop community cultural tourism in Nghia Do commune and revive Com (Green Rice Flakes) festival of the Tay ethnic group in Viet Tien commune while maintaining and enhancing the quality of the Buffalo Fighting Festival in Bao Ha commune and the Goat Fighting Festival in Vinh Yen commune. Lao Cai is calling for investment in some new tourist spots in Bac Ha district like the Ba Me Con (Mother and her two children) Mountain, Thien Long Cave, Bac Ha Culture Market, the Chay River and the Van Ban – Thac Bay Natural Reserve, said Dung. Construction of roads connecting tourism sites has been accelerated, he added. At a recent conference on investment, trade and tourism promotion, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Vinh stressed districts like Bat Xat, Bac Ha, Bao Yen and Si Ma Cai should step up communication campaigns to raise locals’ awareness of tourism-based economy as well as develop infrastructure for sustainable tourism development. Besides that, localities also need to preserve and promote their unique ethnic cultural features and develop native tourism products, Vinh said. Diphtheria toll rises in Bình Phước The number of cases of diphtheria increased to 60 as of yesterday in Bình Phước, according to the south-eastern province’s Preventive Health Centre. The epidemic has spread to one more commune, Đồng Tiến in Đồng Phú District, after sweeping through Thuận Lợi and Thuận Phú. The epidemic was declared on July 15 after three people died. The head of the national Preventive Health Department, Trần Đắc Phu last weekend led a Ministry of Health study team to the two communes hit earlier and held discussions with provincial authorities. He instructed the deployment of all available preventive methods in the affected areas and the monitoring of family members who have been in contact with patients. Non-epidemic-hit areas should also be surveilled to prevent its spread, he said. The provincial health department should work closely with the HCM City Pasteur Institute to obtain vaccines and ensure the coverage rate in rural and mountainous areas is more than 95 per cent, he added. As of yesterday health officials vaccinated nearly 1,200 of 7,700 people aged from a few months to 26 years who have not been immunised. Authorities said all patients are aged 26 or less. Dr Nguyễn Thành Trương, head of the Bình Phước General Hospital, said the hospital’s quarantine area is filled with patients. Eight patients were discharged from the hospital last week, Trương said. If the disease continues to spread, the quarantine area would not have any more vacant beds, and patients might have to be put in a corridor, he said. Because diphtheria is highly contagious, Trương said people should not transport patients by private vehicle but should instead call for hospital ambulance. The main areas where the disease has broken out are home to the S’tiêng ethnic minority, many of whom are poor. Trương told the health ministry delegation that hospital fees should be waived for poor ethnic patients. Phu said diphtheria used to be common in the country, claiming many lives until the national expanded programme on immunisation helped virtually eliminate it. But every year a few cases occur in mountainous provinces, he said. Dr Nguyễn Trung Cấp of the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases in Hà Nội told the meeting that diphtheria could cause complications like nerve damage or lung infection. The rate of mortality is 10-20 per cent, he said, adding that if the disease is diagnosed in time patients would recover without any after-effects. Its symptoms are sore throat, high fever and swollen neck glands. HCM City, Mekong Delta plan tighter links Mekong Delta’s Long An province and its neighbour, HCM City, need to have better transportation and communications connections in order to improve their economic development. The comment was made by the Secretary of HCM City’s Party Committee Đinh La Thăng, who chaired a conference on Saturday about the socio-economic development of the two localities between 2007 and 2015. Long An has the great advantage of being located near HCM City, the country’s largest economic hub, but the two localities have not taken full advantage of this for better socio-economic development, according to the official. “Therefore, during the meeting with Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, HCM City suggested to build a mechanism for coordinating, regional connectivity for the southern economic hub and a deputy prime minister should be assigned to look after this. In fact, HCM cannot steer Long An nor is Long An able to steer HCM City,” Thăng said. Implementing regional connectivity well would impact development in other localities, Thăng said, adding that the two localities need to point out specific areas for cooperation. In transport, Thăng urged speeding up contruction of projects that link HCM City and Long An, in addition to the Trung Lương Express way, National Highway No.1 and Trans-provincial Road No.10. National Road No.50 and Rạch Dơi Bridge had been in the planning for several years, but hadn’t been completed for various reasons, including insufficient capital, said Bùi Xuân Cường, director of the HCM City Department of Transport. Between 2007 and 2015, transportation connectivity between HCM City and Long An improved with the Bến Lức–Long Thành Expressway. The official said after working sessions with the HCM City Department of Planning and Investment and the Long An Province Department of Transport that a new transportation system was needed for better connectivity. There is a plan to build a Southwestern road linking HCM City’s Bình Chánh Distrrict, Nhà Bè District with Cần Guộc District in Long An and a road linking HCM City and Tân An City, with a total investment of VNĐ7 trillion (US$318 million). Between 2007 and 2015, 36 enterprises from HCM City invested in Long An to develop infrastructure at 24 industrial parks in a total area of 8,240 hectares, with total investment of VNĐ14.9 trillion (US$677 million). Another 15 enterprises from HCM City invested in 15 economic clusters in Long An with total investment of VNĐ6.7 trillion (US$304.5 million). As of the end of 2015, 400 enterprises from HCM City invested in the industrial parks with a total registered capital of VNĐ43.7 trillion (US$1.9 billion), accounting for 62 per cent of the 646 enterprises investing in Long An’s industrial parks. In order to have more efficient cooperation between the two localities, Phạm Văn Rạnh, secretary of Long An Province’s Party Committee, said the province had priority policy to attract investment in transportation development, industrial parks and urban areas. Rạnh said Long An would focus on developing 20 routes linking the province and HCM City. Singer croons for border soldiers Pop singer Khánh Hòa has launched an album and music video of romantic songs expressing her love for border soldiers, in a new musical production released recently in Hà Nội. The album, entitled Tình Biên Cương (Love in the borderlands), comprises a CD and a DVD with seven songs, including popular and new ones. The songs were composed by An Thuyên, Thế Song, Vũ Hiệp Bình and Phó Đức Phương, besides Lưu Hà An. The DVD is a musical film, telling the love story of a Mông ethnic girl and a border soldier. The local boys are very attracted to the beautiful girl, but she falls in love with a soldier. “Islands and the borders are the toughest areas that need people’s support and encouragement,” singer Hòa said at a ceremony held to launch the album. Meritorious Artist Hòa produced an album a few years ago, one of the first to be filmed entirely on the islands of the archipelago. After that album, Hòa wished to make an album about border soldiers. She visited border posts in the northern mountainous Hà Giang Province to meet troops and sing for them. “I wanted to familiarise myself with the soldiers and share their problems,” Hòa said. “During the time I met and performed at the border posts, I received a lot of support from the soldiers, which made me determined to produce an album.” Hòa and her crew went to every corner in Hà Giang, looking for shooting locations. The album was shot with the help of about 30 soldiers. It took about four years to make the album, including a year to select the songs that suit Hòa’s voice. “It took a long time to complete the album because I had to get permission to shoot at the border spots,” the singer said. “The most important thing was that the trips to the border were an experience and made me emotional enough to sing.” The production of the album was directed by veteran Việt Hương, with the script written by poet Nguyễn Trọng Tạo. The album portrays the life of soldiers, who devote their youth to protecting the country’s borders and helping the people living on the mountains and ethnic people to have a better life. Coming from Thanh Hóa Province, Hòa joined the Thăng Long Music and Dance Theatre in 2005 after graduating from the Việt Nam National Academy of Music. She has won several awards in national music contests. National football tourney for teenagers kicks off The final round of National Football Tournament for teenagers kicked off yesterday in the northern province of Thái Bình. The event drew 11 teams who were selected from the qualifying round and the hosts Thái Bình. They have been divided into three groups, competing in a round robin format. The event, which will finish on July 29, aims to seek out young talent for the national youth team. Sanna Khánh Hòa look to progress: AFC championship Two debutants, Sanna Khánh Hòa FC and Dibba Al Hissin SCC, will play each other in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Futsal Club Championship’s quarter-finals today. Both sides are eyeing a place in the last four. Sanna Khánh Hòa of Việt Nam are the top team in Group D after two wins. They have scored six goals so far and only conceded against Al-Sadd after beating Taipower 3-0 in their opening fixture. Dibba Al Hissin SCC of the United Arab Emirates are second in Group C, recording two draws in the group stage against Nafit Al-Wasit and Dalian Yuan Dynasty FC. Despite their first time in the continental event coach Đặng Đình Khang of Khánh Hòa is confident about his players. “If they could play as well as they have done so far we will have big chance to beat Dibba in the quarter-finals,” Khang said. “From the time the competition started our target was to reach the next round, so every match for us is a final,” he said. “Dibba’s game is similar to Al-Sadd but it would be a more difficult match because it is the knock-out stage now,” he said, adding, “Now, my players are confident, so I hope they can play their best match.” Sanna Khánh Hòa have their best formation, except for Lê Anh Tuấn, who suffers from a twisted ankle. The other quarter-final match is between Iraqi Nafit Al-Wasat and Al-Sadd. Iraqi Nafit reached the AFC Futsal Club Championship semi-finals in 2015. Meanwhile, Qatar’s Al-Sadd are no strangers to the tournament, having appeared twice before. They made it all the way to the final in 2010. Reigning champions Tasisat Daryaei of Iran who sealed their spot in the top of Group B will face Japanese Nagoya Oceans who finished second in Group A. Host club Chonburi Bluewave will be up against Almalyk FC of Uzbekistan. The Thais with home advantage are well placed to mount another challenge for the title they won for the first time in 2013. Meanwhile Almalyk who are playing their AFC debut have a squad packed with players who have major tournament experience, which is believed to be capable of denying the host’s dream. VNA/VNS/VOV/SGT/SGGP/TT/TN/Dantri/VNE |
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Article 9
Classical concert to aid impoverished children Smile For You, a classical concert that aims to spread love and sympathy to impoverished and underprivileged children, will take place at V-Art Club inside the Indochina Plaza Hanoi this Saturday night.  Cellist Bui Ha Mien will perform in the classical music night ’Smile For You’ this Saturday night to raise money for disadvantaged children. The concert will feature both classical and modern works like Salut D’amour by Edvard Elgar, Fanatasie Impromtu by Frédéric Chopin and A Thousand Years by Christina Perri, which will be performed by cellist Bui Ha Mien, violist Trinh Minh Hien and pianist Tran Thu Thao. The contribution to disadvantaged children is included in the ticket price, which can be purchased either directly at V-art Club or by calling 0199 319 1775/ 0945 283 441. Violist Bui Ha Mien is a member of the Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hanoi Strings Chamber Orchestra, while Trinh Minh Hien is now a violist with the Vietnam Symphony Orchestra. Pianist Tran Thu Thao established the THT Art Center with a desire to share knowledge and experiences with people who have the same interests. VNS |
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Article 8
Party Chief extends investigation of dismissed NA delegate
HÀ NÔI – Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng has ordered the continuation of investigations into the case of a dismissed National Assembly (NA) delegate after receiving a report indicating violations were suspected. Trịnh Xuân Thanh, the former deputy chairman of the Hậu Giang Province People’s Committee, last week, was dismissed from the NA after being found accountable for massive losses at a major State-owned oil company, PetroVietnam, and was censured for illegally using a Government license plate on his private car. The Party Chief on Monday asked the Central Personnel Committee and leaders of PetroVietnam, as well as the authorities of the Hậu Giang Province and the Ministry of Home Affairs, to review and clarify the responsibility of individuals or groups of people who were involved, related to or supported Thanh’s violations and to determine the relevant penalties. He also ordered an investigation into whether any suspected individuals or groups were involved in the process of awarding the Labour Order for 2009 and 2010 and the Labour Hero 2011 title to the Việt Nam Oil and Gas Construction Joint Stock Corporation. Penalties will also be issued, where guilt is established. Police at all levels should intensify their investigations to determine how the corporation had allowed a loss of VNĐ3 trillion (US$135 million) to occur in the 2011-2013 period, according to the Party General Secretary. The Party Chief also demanded police to find the violators involved in the illegal granting of a Government license plate for Thanh’s private car. On June 1, media reported public outrage in Hậu Giang Province when a Lexus car worth some VNĐ5 billion ($224,000), registered with a Government plate, was found to belong to the vice chairman of the People’s Committee of Hậu Giang, a poor southern province. Prior to being assigned to his position in Hậu Giang, Thanh was the chairman of PetroVietnam Corporation from 2007 to 2013. Thanh later denied that he owned the car but had borrowed it from a friend in Hà Nội when he was transferred to Hậu Giang. Viet Nam News |
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Article 7
Vietnam’s growth forecast downgraded, mid-term outlook positive The retail market’s expansion is said to have made up for the shrunken agriculture sector (Photo: VNA) Hanoi – The World Bank (WB) has revised its 2016 growth forecast for Vietnam down to 6 percent from 6.2 percent predicted earlier in the year. In a report released on July 19, the WB said after posting strong growth in 2015, Vietnam’s economy grew at a slower pace in the first half of this year, with gross domestic product (GDP) growth at 5.5 percent, compared to 6.3 percent a year before. The growth slowdown was attributable to the recent drought and saltwater intrusion’s adverse impacts on agriculture, and weaker industrial production. However, the retail market’s expansion has made up for the shrunken agriculture sector, said Sebastian Eckardt, a senior economist with the WB Group. He also spoke of the State Bank of Vietnam’s application of the daily reference exchange rate – a more flexible exchange rate management mechanism which will improve the Vietnamese dong’s resilience to global fluctuations. Achim Fock, the WB’s Acting Country Director for Vietnam, said to maintain a high growth rate, Vietnam needs to push ahead with restructuring to promote productivity. Although growth may slow down this year, the country’s mid-term economic outlook is still positive, he added. In another report, on Vietnam’s elderly people unveiled the same day, Philip O’Keefe, lead economist for the WB’s social protection and labour global practice, said while Vietnam is among the countries with the fastest aging populations, its average income is much lower than most of the other aging population nations. Population aging will have widespread influences on the economy and society. To mitigate those impacts, it is critical to have policy actions pertaining to the labour market, pension system and health care, he said. The report analysed the rapid population aging in Vietnam and suggested some policy actions to cope with the problem. About 6.5 million people in Vietnam are at least 65 years old at present. It is projected to surge almost threefold to 18.4 million by 2040.-VNA |
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Article 6
Banks’ cross-ownership problems remain unsolved The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has decided that banks’ cross-ownership must end by February 2016. However, according to banking experts, the bank network remains ‘as interlaced as a spider’s web’.  Under Circular 36 which was released one year ago, one commercial bank can hold stakes of no more two other credit institutions, while the stake volume must be lower than 5 percent of the institutions’ capital. The banks which hold higher stakes than allowed must reduce the proportion prior to February 2016. However, the problem still has not been settled as expected by the State Bank. Analysts commented that banks have not implemented the regulation because shareholders don’t want to do it. If they find benefits in maintaining the cross-ownership situation, they will try to maintain the situation. Nguyen Tri Hieu, a renowned banking expert, said owning banks means possessing effective financial tools to finance business projects.
The current laws set limits on the credit banks can provide to fund one business project. However, bank shareholders can "play tricks" to dodge the laws and force banks to which they contribute capital to fund their investment projects. Hieu also thinks that as the watchdog agency still does not have measures to seriously sanction violating banks, commercial banks deliberately and slowly reduce their ownership ratios in other banks. Dang Ngoc Duc from the Hanoi Economics University said that instead of commanding banks to cut their ownership ratios in other banks, which he believes is an impossible mission, the State Bank should try to find solutions to deprive them of benefits brought by cross-ownership. If so, banks will give up. Only recently did some commercial banks begin implementing the plan to reduce the cross-ownership ratio. VietinBank recently put 16.9 million Saigonbank shares into auction with the starting price of VND10,800 per share to divest from Saigonbank. Ten individuals (and no institutional investors) joined the auction and ordered a number of shares four times higher than that offered by VietinBank. All the 16.875 million shares were sold to two individual investors at the price of VND12,500 per share on average, which brought VND211 billion to VietinBank. Vietcombank remains the bank which holds the largest capital contributor, holding stakes in four other banks and one finance company. It now holds 7.16 percent of stakes in Military Bank, 8.19 percent in Eximbank, 5.07 percent in Phuong Dong Bank, 4.3 percent in SCB and 10.91 percent in Cement Finance JSC. Analysts said that the reported proportion of stakes held by commercial banks are just the ‘tip of the iceberg’. The real situation is very complicated, and difficult to settle. DDDN |
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Article 5
The case of the century, a turning point in the East Sea The arbitration case brought by the Philippines against China’s nine-dash line claims in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) ended with the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) constituted under Annex VII to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on July 12. We can call it a case of history for many reasons. For the first time in its history, China - "the world’s center"– was unilaterally sued by a small country in a marine dispute. The reaction of the parties  China's artificial island in the East Sea. Photo: EPA The ruling has been well received and widely acclaimed worldwide. The ruling promotes the spirit of respect of international law, gives important guidance on the interpretation and application of the UNCLOS 1982, and at the same time it asked the countries concerned to clarify the content and scope of disputes in accordance with the law. The UN Secretary General, the United States, the European Union, Japan, Australia, India, South Korea, many ASEAN member states ... quickly issued a statement confirming the support to the ruling, considering it as the final verdict, which is legally binding and the parties concerned have to comply with it. They also called all parties for restraint, and to comply with international law. The ruling returned the freedom of navigation, aviation for the international community in most of the East Sea. For the territorial waters of 12 nautical miles of the features, boats have the right to pass through without making any harm. Vessels of the US or other countries can come close to the Mischief Reef, within 12 nautical miles from where China builds its runways and large base on the artificial island. The ruling indirectly rejected any attempt to set up an air defense identification zone of any country in the East Sea. The ruling provides the basis for ASEAN countries to reach a common view at the upcoming Summit on July 21. Singapore, the coordinator of the ASEAN – China relations, the country most concerned about freedom of navigation in the East Sea and Indonesia, the country was liberated from the recent upset when Natuna is within the nine-dotted line, will play a proactive role. Malaysia, assured of the James Shoal, will continue its policy of economic cooperation with China, while supporting the ruling. Malaysia’s ministry of foreign affairs issued a statement calling for the implementation of the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, a 2002 agreement signed by China and ASEAN to refrain from occupying uninhabited reefs and shoals. This country called for all sides to exercise restraint and avoid the use of force, saying it believed a peaceful resolution was possible with respect for international law. The Philippines actively initiated the proposal to resume negotiations with China, including for the issues of "setting aside dispute and pursuing joint development". In this regard, the Philippines has gone through a detour for 13 years, since the tripartite agreement among the Philippines - China - Vietnam on cooperation for joint development in 2003. However, this proposal is based on a clear legal basis that the features in the Spratly Islands do not have exclusive economic zone or continental shelf individually. A statement calling on the concerned parties to respect the Tribunal’s ruling, supporting the maintenance of order in the East Sea based on international law would improve the image of a divided ASEAN in recent years. China can save its face when joining the ASEAN to continue the negotiations on a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). But a bad scenario, ASEAN cannot make a joint statement, can still occur. ASEAN solidarity can also be affected by the stance of the Philippines, the ASEAN President next year. If the Philippines revives the dispute with Malaysia over Sabah, Erica Reef which is managed by Malaysia may be located on the continental shelf of Philippines’ claims? The court ruling also makes strong impact on future negotiations aimed at finding a lasting solution to the fundamental issue of sovereignty in the East Sea. Taiwan, the author of the nine-dash line, thought it could not keep 200 nautical claims for Aba, may be pleased that the ruling does not touch sovereignty. Based on the position and strength in the region, Taiwan may declare to abandon the nine-dotted line claims in exchange for the status quo. If this happens, the situation of the East Sea will also change. The biggest question now is how China will react to the PCA’s ruling. The ruling has stopped the momentum of China as a new superpower challenging the US as well as its ambition “one corridor one road" and the "core interests". It put Beijing ahead of two options: continue to reject, which will hurt its position and the trust of others or adjust its policy. Only four hours after the PCA announced the ruling, the PCA website was knocked out by Chinese hackers. On the day the Tribunal released the ruling, Chinese President Xi Jinping claimed that China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime interests in the East Sea will not be affected by the PCA’s ruling in all situations. China's Foreign Ministry also said that the judgment is null and not binding. There is no doubt that in the near future China will launch a huge propaganda campaign to reject the ruling and to maintain its claims in the East Sea. In the history of international proceedings, there were 5 cases in which countries did not appear at the hearings and did not accept the jurisdiction of the international court. But along with time and pressure from the international community, these countries had to cooperate to settle the disputes under the ruling of the Tribunal. The international community hopes that China, which participated actively in the 3rd Conference on the Law of the Sea of the United Nations, a global power that has always declared its peaceful rise, will also not be an exception. The statement of the spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry included the ability to open negotiations with the Philippines after the ruling. The international community should also help China quietly adjust policies and practical actions in line with international law. The Tribunal rejected the nine-dash line in terms of claims of waters, not commenting on claims of sovereignty. China will continue to assert sovereignty in accordance with the line, even maintaining the claim of 200 nautical miles of the exclusive economic zone from these features. It will continue to strengthen military presence on artificial islands. Beijing can also consider occupying some uninhabited rocks. A scenario that many experts predicted that China will build artificial islands in Scarborough. The US has warned China to not exceed the red line. But Scarborough is not located in the territory under the protection of the US- Philippines Defense Treaty. The possibility is not high, but can still occur when Beijing uses force to occupy some positions under control of other parties. Beijing can argue that the Tribunal had no right to consider the legal status of each feature without considering the Spratly Islands as a feature. Instead of setting up an inefficient and difficult-to control regional air defense identification zone, Beijing could declare a baseline for Spratly Islands as it did with the Paracel Islands in 1996. From this baseline China will continue to expand the disputed waters, instead of the U-shaped line. China cannot easily give up its attempt to control the East Sea, as a counterbalance to US in strategic competition. Struggling to defend sovereignty will be fierce. Clashes are possible, but the parties are of sound mind to refrain war. Immediately after the ruling was announced, an arms race to strengthen power has been quietly launched. Indonesia has stepped up security around the Natuna Islands. The reaction of China and the lack of enforcement mechanisms of the Tribunal shows that the ruling is important, but a legal solution is not a comprehensive solution of the conflict in the East Sea. The situation will be tense in the near future. The ruling’s effects on Vietnam As a coastal state with sovereignty over the East Sea, Vietnam has pursued a consistent policy of refuting the absurd nine-dotted line and supporting the Tribunal. On December 7th 2014, the Vietnam’s Foreign Affairs sent its declaration to the Tribunal noting Vietnam’s stance 'to protect its legal rights and interests in the East Sea ... which may be affected during the trial process". Vietnam also expressed its strong support to "member states of CULB seeking resolution for their disputes concerning interpretation and application of the UNCLOS... through the procedures specified in Part XV of the UNCLOS". Vietnam’s statement clearly indicated that "Vietnam does not doubt the jurisdiction of the Tribunal in the process of litigation" and wished that the Tribunal’s ruling could "clarify the legal position of the parties in this case and that of third parties who are interested in". When making the profile on the Limits of the Continental Shelf with Malaysia in 2009, Vietnam based it on the grounds that all the features in the Spratly Islands have waters of no more than 12 nautical miles. Vietnam's view is fully consistent with the content of the ruling announced on July 12th 2016. On July 12th 2016, Vietnam quickly declared its support for the ruling. The spokesman of the Vietnam’s Foreign Affairs declared: “Vietnam once again reiterates its consistent stance on this lawsuit as it was fully shown in the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry’s Declaration on December 5, 2014, sent to the arbitration tribunal.” “In that spirit, Vietnam strongly supports settling disputes in the East Sea through peaceful measures, including diplomatic and legal processes without the use or threat to use force, as in line with regulations of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, maintaining peace and stability in the region, security, safety and freedom of navigation in and overflight over the East Sea, and respecting the law-abiding principle in seas and oceans”. “On this occasion, Vietnam once again affirms its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes, the sovereignty over internal waters and territorial waters, the sovereign right and jurisdiction over Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf as defined in line with the 1982 UNCLOS. Vietnam upholds all of its legitimate rights and interests regarding the geographical structures belonging to Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes,” stated the spokesperson. The Tribunal’s ruling creates legal conditions to protect Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf from the mainland separated from the disputed waters. The contract signed between Chinese company Hai Zi Yang and US firm Crestone on Tu Chinh (Vanguard Bank) in 1992, which belongs to Vietnam’s continental shelf will no longer be valid. Likewise is 9 petroleum blocks which the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) called for tenders in 2012 on the continental shelf of Vietnam. These are examples mentioned in the Tribunal’s ruling, page 89. Vietnam and Malaysia can ask the UN’s Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf - CLCS to consider the joint submission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf of Vietnam-Malaysia submitted in 2009. The Philippines will withdraw the request to the Commission to not consider the records of Vietnam and Malaysia and this country can join the joint submission. Cable cutting operations, and pursuing Vietnam fishermen perform legitimate right to fish in their waters must be terminated. The right of access to resources of Vietnam fishermen in the waters of the Paracel Islands and Spratly Islands must be ensured. Vietnam and other countries have the ground to ask China to end the illegal ban of fishing in the East Sea issued in 1998. Vietnam as well as the countries concerned have the ground to clarify the claims of Spratlys Islands waters on the basis of claims of features. Vietnam can learn from experience from the Philippines to use legal measures to determine the legal status of the features in the Paracels Islands, rejecting the baselines around the Paracels in 1996, reducing disputes off the Gulf of Tonkin on the basis of maintenance claims of sovereignty. Vietnam also has the ground to struggle with violations of the marine environment. The Tribunal’s ruling also creates favorable conditions for Vietnam to implement the Resolution of Vietnam’s IXth National Assembly, 5th session, dated June 23rd 1994 ratifying the 1982 UNCLOS. The resolution allows studies to have the amendments and supplements necessary for the relevant provisions of national law in line with the 1982 UNCLOS, to ensure the interests of Vietnam. The solution for the East Sea concerns overall political, diplomatic, legal, economic, security and defense measures. Legal tools are important, narrowing the differences, helping parties adjust policy, make right decisions, and satisfactorily resolve the sovereignty dispute for peace, stability and prosperity of the region and the whole world. Viet Long, VNN |
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Article 4
Vietnam, Australia seek to boost health cooperationVietnamese and Australian scientists gathered together at a workshop in Hanoi on July 19 to discuss the probability to promote links between the two countries in medical technology transfer and healthcare service development.  Jointly organised by the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Health and the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, the event also attracted a crowd of international medical experts and representatives from Australia’s leading healthcare technology firms. In his opening remark, Deputy Health Minister Le Quang Cuong highlighted Australia’s medical strengths, saying that the country has developed a national health system with modern technologies, advanced techniques and high professional skills. Australia also has close partnerships with many counties worldwide in health, medical research and the provision of technical and financial assistance to developing countries, including Vietnam, he noted. The workshop aims to introduce Australia’s strengths in scientific research, technology and healthcare service development, Cuong said, adding that this offers a good chance for the two sides to enhance links in the field. Participants to the two-day event will focus on sharing information related to research activities and policy-making for non-communicable diseases, how to improve the quality of healthcare services and hospitals through improving technology, and pharmaceuticals training in Vietnam. Measures to better research and creativity in health care; promote the study and application of stem cell use, improve the medical training system in Vietnam, and developing models of healthcare service supply, will be scrutinised. The workshop has laid a foundation for future cooperation between Vietnam and Australia in medical technology transfer and joint research, training, and technical support for healthcare system management. VNA |
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Article 3
Vietnam museum says all paintings fake in high-profile exhibition  Titled as "Abstract," this painting is found to be deceptively put under the name of late artist Ta Ty at the exhibition "Paintings returned from the Europe." A living artist has claimed the work as his. Photo: Lucy Nguyen/Thanh Nien The Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts Tuesday publicly apologized for failing to verify the authenticity of 17 paintings on display at an exhibition that have been confirmed as fake. A panel of famous artists and experts and officials found 15 of the paintings, supposedly the works of legendary artists such as Nguyen Tu Nghiem and Bui Xuan Phai, were copies. Two others were found to be works of other artists. At least one living artist, Thanh Chuong, has claimed one of the two paintings as his. All the paintings at the show are owned by Vu Xuan Chung, who claimed to have acquired them from Jean-Francois Hubert, a known expert on Vietnamese art and a former senior consultant for giant auction houses Christie's and Sotheby's. The "Paintings returned from the Europe" exhibition opened on July 10 and soon faced forgery accusations from local artists and experts. It was originally slated to end on July 21. Trinh Xuan Yen, deputy director of the museum, said it would keep all the paintings and ask relevant authorities to step in. Luong Xuan Doan, vice chairman of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, called the scandal "an insult to Vietnam's fine arts." "All local artists are outraged by the paintings which are bad and superficial copies. Anyone can see they are fake."  The "Abstract" painting by painter Thanh Chuong. Photo: Lucy Nguyen/Thanh Nien Chuong, who said his work had been stolen and displayed at the exhibition under another artist's name, said the incident would at least help authorities crack down on the forgery of Vietnamese paintings that has been going on for many years. Many people, including officials, have been aware of the problem but had no evidence until now, he said. Speaking to Thanh Nien, Chung, the collector, said all the paintings' authenticity was certified by Hubert and that he trusts the French expert. It is not known how much Chung paid for the collection. Hubert also insisted on the paintings’ authenticity in an interview with Thanh Nien. By Lucy Nguyen, Thanhniennews |
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Article 2
Recipe for ‘pure’ Vietnamese coffee: coffee essence plus water A seller introduces a bottle of coffee essence at Kim Bien Market in Ho Chi Minh City. In Vietnam, dubious outlets may serve you a delicious, flavorful cup of coffee made of nothing more than a few drops of coffee essence and water. Besides mixing coffee with soybeans and corn and selling the final products as ‘100 percent pure coffee,’ the coffee business in Vietnam, one of the world’s biggest coffee exporters, also involves making it from coffee essence. On June 29, Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper visited a grocery store in Buon Ma Thuot, the capital of Dak Lak Province in the Central Highlands, known as the country’s coffee hub, and asked to buy some coffee essence. The storekeeper agreed to introduce her products – several plastic bags of ash-colored powders and bottles of blackened, glutinous liquid, in a dark corner, beneath the stairway of the house. “Pour these into fresh water and you will have ‘pure coffee’,” she said, pointing to the bottles. At the store, in addition to the ‘magical’ coffee essence, there were also other flavorings and ingredients used to make bun bo and cha lua, or Vietnamese beef noodles and pork bologna, without those kinds of meat. All were stored in plastic bottles and bags that were either unlabelled, or with labels written entirely in Chinese lettering. The storekeeper revealed that all products were sourced from Kim Bien Market, infamously known as the ‘market of death’ in Ho Chi Minh City, where myriad kinds of chemicals are as easy to buy as candy. Because the media have widely denounced the sale of chemicals at Kim Bien, vendors have become more cautious with strangers. Consequently Tuoi Tre’s attempts to buy coffee essence at the market in District 5 had repeatedly failed, until the owner of a booth named N.N. accepted the reporters’ request.  A bottle of coffee essence on sale at Kim Bien Market in Ho Chi Minh City She offered two types of essence; one fetching VND200,000 (US$8.93) a kg, and the other at double the price. The owner then asked her daughter to take out a 5kg bottle of the black, condense liquid that had a strong coffee smell. The store owner stressed that the product was only essence, and mainly used to increase the flavor of real coffee. “It is not meant to completely replace authentic coffee as rumored,” she said, before explaining that the best way to use the essence was to “add a few drops to brewed coffee,” which will make it tastier and more delicious. The store owner also warned the reporters not to touch the essence with their bare hands because the smell would be hard to remove. “Inhaling too much of this essence will also result in a headache,” she added. The owner of a nearby store at Kim Bien Market introduced similar coffee essence products, and stated the same disclaimer that it was impossible to make coffee using only the essence. However, it is not clear what dishonest coffee sellers do with the essence, as they are not obliged to follow warnings from chemical traders. A recent survey revealed that more than 30 percent of coffee consumed daily across four Vietnamese provinces and cities actually contained miniscule caffeine content, or no caffeine at all. TUOI TRE NEWS |
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Article 1
Additional Formosa waste dump found in Ha Tinh The waste dumped at a farm in Ha Tinh Province's Ky Anh Town is from Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Corp. (FHS), a local environment official confirmed.  Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Corp. has been accused of dumping large amount of construction waste at another farm in Ky Anh Town, Ha Tinh Province Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment in Ky Anh Town, Pham Van Hung, said that they had come to inspect the site following the news on DTiNews and found out that FHS has been dumping their construction waste here since 2013. "Our first testing showed that the black muddy waste was not toxic but there were toxic substances left in the used tanks," Hung added. "We plan to move the waste to a local company for treatment." Following reports from local people, DTiNews visited the two-hectare dump site in Trai Village, Ky Long Ward, some three kilometres from the FHS, yesterday to see different kinds of waste including used tanks, plastic bags, bricks and concrete, wooden and iron pieces, and black muddy waste. On the many iron and plastic tanks found here, there were letters written in both Chinese and Vietnamese which indicate toxic substances. Three letters F.H.S which is an abbreviation of Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Corp. were also seen on some pieces of waste. According to the owner of the farm, Cao Nhan, at the end of 2013, a foreign man came with his interpreter to ask for Nhan's permission to dump waste at his farm. Nhan agreed after seeing that he could reuse many items in their waste. "I don't know whether this is hazardous waste or not," Nhan said. "I can take the wooden pieces for fire, the tanks can also be reused." The farm owner also said that he didn't know about the amount of waste that has been discharged at his farm. In early July, Ha Tinh’s environmental police uncovered around 100 tonnes of waste dumped at a private farm run by Le Quang Hoa, director of Urban Environment Company in Ky Anh town. Samples tested at the Institute of Technology and Environment showed that the waste was toxic. Hoa said the waste were from Formosa. In a letter sent on July 15 to many agencies including the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Ha Tinh Province People's Committee, and the media, Formosa cited an article in its contract with the Urban Environment Company in Ky Anh Town saying the firm was responsible for transporting Formosa's muddy waste to a dump site approved by the Ha Tinh's Department of Natural Resources and Environment. The company also had sole responsibilty for the dumping process after taking waste out of Formosa Company. Formosa also said that they had dumping approval from Ha Tinh's Department of Natural Resources and Environment and tests showed their waste was not toxic. By Minh Duc, dtinews.vn |
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Article 0
Very few foreign visitors return to Vietnam: travel association  A tour guide gestures while introducing a place of interest in Ho Chi Minh City to foreign visitors in this file photo. Very few first-time foreign visitors to Vietnam choose to come back, according to a travel association, with multiple causes attributed to the low return rate. The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has said that of the 90 percent of foreign visitors to the Southeast Asian country who are first-timers, only six percent visit again. The Vietnamese tourist industry seems to focus mainly on ways to boost profit, leaving operational processes cumbersome, while at the same time, marketing campaigns remain limited. It is estimated that the annual marketing budget of Vietnamese tourism is around US$2 million. The primary focus remains on getting as many tourists as possible, without attending to the need to provide better services. According to a government resolution, Vietnam has extended its visa-waving initiative for citizens of the UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy until June 30, 2017. Since July 1, 2015, when it was initiated, the visa-free program has attracted more visitors from these countries, and it is expected that the program will continue to boost the local tourist industry. According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, there were 4.7 million foreign visitors during the first six months of 2016. Notably, the percentage of tourists from the five countries granted visa wavers increased from 13.8 percent to 30.1 percent year on year. During the first six months of this year, the number of visitors from those five countries rose by 62,000 against the same period last year. In addition to granting visa waivers, the Vietnamese government is also implementing methods to streamline the immigration process for foreigners. According to many Vietnamese travel agencies, the 15-day visa-free duration for people coming from those five countries is quite short, luring only small groups of tourists to enjoy short vacations. Unfortunately, most visitors from Western Europe prefer tours lasting between three and four weeks. Streamlining immigration procedures for foreigners will make the Vietnamese tourist industry competitive on the world stage and especially amongst neighboring ASEAN countries. Free visas for the five Western countries is a great initiative, but it needs to be more carefully planned in order to better suit the situation and make Vietnamese tourism more competitive. Tuoitrenews |
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Article 4
WHAT'S ON JULY 15-30 (DAILY UPDATE) HCMC – Opera Gala Night Fri 29 Jul 2016, 8 pm HCMC Opera House No. 7 Lam Son Square, D.1, HCMC HBSO’s Opera Gala Night will bring to the Ho Chi Minh City audience excerpts and arias from Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte” and “Le Nozze di Figaro”, Rossini’s “William Tell”, Bizet’s “Carmen”, Verdi’s “La Traviata” and Mascagni “Cavalleria Rusticana”, etc… Performers are Ho Chi Minh City’s top opera artists: Pham Khanh Ngoc, Pham Duyen Huyen, Pham Trang, Tran Duy Linh, Mer. A Tran Hong Vy, Vo Thuy Ngoc Tuyen, Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga and Dao Mac, Nguyễn Võ Thành Tâm, Lý Hoàng Kim, Nguyễn Thu Hường, etc… with the HBSO Symphony Orchestra and Choir. The concert will be led by Maestro Mer. A. Tran Vuong Thach. Program Conductor: Mer A. Trần Vương Thạch HBSO Opera and Symphony Orchestra PART I: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Overture “Le nozze di Figaro” Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – La cidarem la mano from opera “Don Giovanni” Performing: Lý Hoàng Kim, Võ Nguyễn Thành Tâm Gioachino Rossini – Un segreto d’importanza from opera “La Cenerentola” Performing: Vũ Minh Trí, Nguyễn Hoàng Nhật Quang Léo Delibes – Flower Duet (Sous le dôme épais) from opera “Lakmé” Performing: Mer. A. Trần Hồng Vy, Phạm Duyên Huyền Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Un’aura amorosa from opera “Cosi fan tutte” Performing: Phạm Trang Gioachino Rossini – Bel raggio lusinghier from opera “Semiramide” Performing: Phạm Khánh Ngọc & Chorus Gioachino Rossini – Pres Des Torrents Qui Grondent from opera “William Tell” Performing: Chorus PART II: Pietro Mascagni – Intermezzo from opera “Cavalleria Rusticana” Johann Strauss – Mein Herr Marquis from operetta Fledermaus Performing: Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nga Georges Bizet – Au fond du Temple Saint from opera “Les pecheurs de perles” Performing: Trần Duy Linh, Đào Mác Vincenzo Bellini – Mira, o Norma from opera “Norma” Performing: Phạm Khánh Ngọc, Võ Thuỵ Ngọc Tuyền Jacques Offenbach – Olympia’s Aria from opera “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” Performing: Võ Thụy Ngọc Tuyền Gaetano Donizetti – Chi mi frena in tal momento from opera “Lucia di Lammermoor” Performing: Nguyễn Thu Hường, Nguyễn Vũ Uyên Di, Trần Duy Linh, Nguyễn Lê Vinh, Võ Nguyễn Thành Tâm, Bùi Danh Hùng Giuseppe Verdi – Brindisi from opera “La Traviata” Performing: Phạm Trang, Phạm Duyên Huyền & Chorus Tickets Ticket price starts from 200,000 VND Booking and delivery: 08 38237419, Ms. Huong: 0989874517, Ms. Huong Ly: 0908057972 At HCMC Opera House, 7 Lam Son Square Online Booking: www.ticketbox.vn Exhibition “Self Portrait: Hanoi Art 21” Opening: 27 Jul 2016, 7 pm Exhibition: 27 – 29 Jul 2016 NEST BY AIA – Hanoi 4th floor, Vincom B Ba Trieu, Hanoi “Self Portrait” is the first exhibition by Hanoi Art 21. Resulted from the meeting and art sharing at the end of July 2015, Hanoi Art 21 was founded as a platform for young artists to share and learn from each other. Facing the big change and rapid development of information technology and internet, why is painting still attractive to 9x and late 8x generations? Does the romance and nostalgia from Ecole Superieure des Beaux-Arts de L’Indochine still inspire them? The name Hanoi Art 21 is chosen randomly but partly reflected their spirit linked to Hanoi, with the nostalgia of the romantic silhouette and new vision of the young generation in the 21st century. Once again why can art not merely be a means to express the beauty, exploration or new perspectives on aesthetics? (Do Tuong Linh) Hanoi Art 21 members: Vu Do – Vũ Đỗ Hà Ninh – Hà Ninh Xuân Lam – Xuân Lam Nguyen Minh Quan – Nguyễn Minh Quân Tharo Thasnh Thieejn – Đỗ Phương Thảo An Can – Ân Cần Din Sama – Nguyễn Thị Tuệ Thư Viet Anh Dinh – Đinh Việt Anh Free entry Storytelling Event: “Social Entrepreneurs & The World Through Their Lenses” Sat 23 Jul 2016, 2.30 – 6 pm Chula 43 Nhat Chieu Most people dream to live a meaningful life while giving their own contribution for a better world. However, only few people actually create a business that allows this dream to come true. Have you ever wondered why? Welcome to “The World through The Lenses of Social Entrepreneurs, a Collective Story Harvesting event”! Social entrepreneurs see the world in a very particular way. They see opportunities to do business with their hearts, which has a social cause at its center. They want to give their contribution to solve a social problem they see, while giving meaning to their own lives. They have inspiring stories of overcoming the challenges they faced because they believe that a better world is possible. Listening to those stories can perhaps help us overcome our own fears and live the life we believe in. This event will be hosted by practitioners in the Art of Hosting Conversations that Matter, and will feature a team of amazing storytellers: – Diego Cortizas Del Valle, from Chula – An ethic fashion brand, “a different company that believes in other kind of society” – Frederic Labarthe, from The Life School – A place for spiritual self development, holistic living and social responsibility designed to facilitate the emergence of a new generation of global citizens. – Jimmy Pham, from KOTO – A social enterprise, training center, restaurant chain that is changing life of disadvantaged youth in Vietnam – Van, from Atelier Vegan – A workshop and restaurant that promotes veganism and love for nature Storytelling is an ancient and powerful tool that has been a key to learning throughout human history. Now, you are invited to be a part of those stories and to build connections and mutual inspiration with other people who are committed to the creation of a better world! ★ Registration via this link ★ When: Saturday, July 23rd, 2:30pm – 6pm ★ Where: Chula – 43 Nhat Chieu (follow the event’s Facebook page) ★ Fee: you choose! (Read more about the “Cape a Hero” campaign below) ★ Language: English This event is part of the “What is Knowmads?” series, in which you will experience a bit of what Knowmads is and decide if you should join Knowmads Hanoi Team 6 starting on September 17th (http://welcome.knowmads.vn/). The “Cape a Hero” campaign aims to support applicants for Knowmads Hanoi Team 6 who are very passionate about joining the program but have serious financial difficulties. During the “What is Knowmads?” series, all the profit generated at contribution-based events will provide partial scholarships to those future heroes. Culture Puzzle 02: Tò He (Toy Figurine) Sat 30 Jul 2016, 6 pm Hanoi Old Quarter Culture Exchange Center (3rd floor) 50 Dao Duy Tu, Hanoi Series “Culture Puzzle” consists of cultural workshops, which does not only provide simple knowledge but gives a chance for the attendants to create folk game toys with foreigners under the guidance of artisans. Besides, summer is the best time to make friends, especially friends from many different cultures. Therefore, if you are still wondering “What should I do for a meaningful summer?”, the Culture Puzzle will be a fascinating choice. Puzzle 2 themed on To He (a traditional Vietnamese toy) is coming close. Are you ready for an unforgettable experience with your friends from other countries and make lovely To He? REGISTER LINK Contact: 097 613 1748 (Ms. Lưu Ly – No SMS) Email: hanoikids.culturepuzzle@gmail.com Once Upon A Time in Hanoi: Storytelling Workshop 26, 27 and 28 Jul 2016, 7 – 10 pm Bluebirds’ Nest 13 lane 19 Dang Dung Str, Hanoi Are you ready to learn about the world of storytelling and its magical powers? To be around dragons and other amazing creatures? To meet kings, giants and new places? Then this is for you! We are very excited to invite you to our first Storytelling workshop in Hanoi. Listen to several stories, learn many tools on how to memorize and tell stories, practice to tell a story in group, receive feedback and learn how to use storytelling in your life! You will experience all these during 3 evenings in a safe, cozy and magical environment! This invitation is for teachers who want to improve their storytelling skills, facilitators, instructors, parents, actors, those who give presentations and those who just want to have fun while going on a collective adventure in the land of storytelling! Day 1 Get introduced to the world of storytelling Connect to the other participants Listen to stories and learn tools you can use in the future Day 2 Practice and deepen the knowledge of the tools Prepare to tell a story in a small group Day 3 Tell a story in group and receive feedback from the audience Reflect on how to use the stories you listened to and how to use storytelling in your life REGISTRATION ★ Registration required via this link ★ The spots are limited! ★ Fee: VND 900.000 (detailed information will be sent per email once you register) ★ Language: English Film Screening “Les Enfants de Timpelbach” Sun 31 Jul 2016, 4 pm L’Espace 24 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội Come to the film screening “Les Enfants de Timpelbach” (France, 2008, 95’) at L’Espace. Director: Nicolas Bary Casting: Adèle Exarchopoulos, Léo Legrand, Gérard Depardieu, Carole Bouquet The adventure movie adapted from the humorous novel takes audience back to the world of a childhood full of laughter in the French countryside. Film synopsis: Les Enfants de Timpelbach is an adventure film based on the novel of the same name by Henry Winterfeld. The story follows a group of teens in a village with the odd rebel mock battle tore game. Fascinated by the classic novel for children since childhood, director Nicolas Bary spent over four years to find and train 20 child actors in order to make this film. After debuting in 2008, the film has won TFO Prize award in the youth category of Best Youth Film. Designed with colorful costumes as comic style, the film was nominated in Best Costum at César award. Language: French with Vietnamese subtitles Tickets Ticket price: 50,000 VND Special price for members of L’Espace and students: 40,000 VND Tickets are available at L’Espace. Film Screening “The Hourglass Sanatorium” Fri 22 Jul 2016, 7 pm Blossom Art House 94B Tran Hung Dao, Hanoi “The Hourglass Sanatorium” is a 1973 Polish film directed by Wojciech Jerzy Has. It is also known as “The Sandglass” in English speaking countries. The story follows a man who visits his father in a mystical sanatorium where time does not flow normally. Joseph (Jan Nowicki) travels through a dream-like world, taking a dilapidated train to visit his dying father, Jacob, in a sanatorium. When he arrives at the hospital, he finds the entire facility is going to ruin and no one seems to be in charge or even caring for the patients. Time appears to behave in unpredictable ways, reanimating the past in an elaborate artificial caprice. The film is an adaptation of Bruno Schulz’s story collection “Sanatorium Under the Sign of the Hourglass”. It won the Jury Prize at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival. Duration: 119 minutes Language: Polish Subtitle: English 50.000VND donation is suggested at door. For further question, please feel free to contact 0126.620.3694 (Ms. Linh) JF Garage Concert 10: Concert Feat. Fantasia Wind Quintet Sat 30 Jul 2016, 8 – 9 pm Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam 27 Quang Trung, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam proudly presents its tenth act of the JF Garage Concert – a concert by Fantasia Wind Quintet in Hanoi on Saturday 30 July 2016. Fantasia Wind Quintet was founded in 2006, all members are teachers of Vietnam National Academy of Music and artists from the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra. The members had studied in the Vietnam National Academy of Music and in many prestigious music academies worldwide, such as: The Danish Royal Academy of Music in Denmark; University of North Texas; Hong Kong Academy for Music and Performing Arts; Frederic Chopin Conservatoire in Paris, France; Vienna University for Music and Performing Arts, Austria; Temple University – Philadelphia, USA as well as Malmo Music School in Sweden. Fantasia Wind Quintet has performed in many concerts & recitals domestic and abroad, as well as in television and radio’s programs. In this tenth garage concert, Fantasia Wind Quintet will play masterpieces of well-known Japanese and Western composers. Free admission and no registration is required (first come, first served). JF Garage Concert is a series of concerts at the garage and courtyard of the Japan Foundation in hope to provide musical diversity to Hanoi through the introduction of Japanese music played by distinguished musicians. Free admission Open stage in courtyard (Capacity: around 200 guests) Film Screening “Pas son Genre” Film screening with Vietnamese subtitles: Fri 29 Jul 2016, 8 pm Film screening with English subtitles: Sun 31 Jul 2016, 6 pm L’Espace 24 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội Come to the film screening “Pas son Genre” at L’Espace. Director: Lucas Belvaux Casting: Emilie Dequenne, Loïc Corbery, Sandra Nkake The romance between a small-town hairdresser whose idol is Jennifer Aniston and and a Parisian philosophy professor is a sweet chocolate for French dramedy lovers. Film synopsis: After dealing with violence in its different facets in his last five feature films, director Lucas Belvaux puts here on stage a love story in which the socio-cultural background divides between a teacher of philosophy and a Parisian hairdresser in the province of Arras. The heroine is a Belgian famous actresses in the world – Emilie Dequenne. The actress who was born in 1981 won two consecutive two “Female Actor” awards at Cannes film festival in 1999 and in 2012 for her roles in the film “Rosetta” and “Our Children”. In the new film, grossing star plays naturally with the French comedy actor – Loïc Corbery. Language: On 29 Jul: French with Vietnamese subtitles On 31 Jul: French with English subtitles Tickets Ticket price: 50,000 VND Special price for members of L’Espace and students: 40,000 VND Tickets are available at L’Espace. HN & HCMC – Stand-up Comedy: “The Money Shot” with Aidan Killian Hanoi: Fri 29 Jul 2016, 8 pm ATK 73a Mai Hac De — HCMC: Thu 28 Jul 2016, 8 pm Game On 115 Ho Tung Mau, Q1, Ho Chi Minh City If you want the zenith of international comedy festivals, nothing can beat the annual comedic knees-up at The Edinburgh Fringe. So when the much-loved Irish comic Aidan Killian told that he would be able to perform his one-man show in Vietnam on Thursday, July 28th (Ho Chi Minh City) and Friday, July 29th (Hanoi), just a week before taking it to the Scottish capital, he was met with an immediate ‘yes’. Titled “The Money Shot”, Aidan’s latest offering is a thought provoking, witty and inspiring show that explores the history of money and how it impacts society. Asking challenging questions like, “Would you die for what you believe in?” with answers like, “Yes. If I was ninety,” according to Chortle, the former investment banker turned comedian, now “consistently writes and performs the most committed, knottiest, issue-comedy shows on the Fringe”. Entrance is VND200,000 and includes a free glass of Pasteur Street IPA. For info and bookings, email: danbuff@gmail.com in Hanoi and nick@saigoninternationalcomedy.com in HCMC. Film Screening “Le Petit Prince” Sun 24 Jul 2016, 4 pm L’Espace 24 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội Come to the film screening “Le Petit Prince” (France, 2015, 107′) at L’Espace. Director: Mark Osborne Casting: Florence Foresti, André Dussollier, Marion Cotillard, Vincent Cassel, Guillaume Gallienne, Vincent Lindon Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s timeless classic gets a loving 21st-century makeover, especially in its handcrafted stop-motion sequences. For more information about synopsis, please see L’Espace website (in French) or refer to the Vietnamese version of this post. Language: French with Vietnamese subtitles Tickets Ticket price: 50,000 VND Special price for members of L’Espace and students: 40,000 VND Tickets are available at L’Espace. Film Screening “Le Fantome de Canterville” 22, 24, 25, 27 and 28 Jul 2016 L’Espace 24 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội You are invited to the film screening “Le Fantome de Canterville” (France, Belgium, 2016, 90 mins) tại L’Espace. Director: Yann Samuell Cast: Audrey Fleurot, Michaël Youn, Michèle Laroque A ghost comedy with amusing dialogue and incessant visual effects which please the audience’s eyes ! For more information about synopsis, please see L’Espace website (in French) or refer to the Vietnamese version of this post. Language: French with Vietnamese subtitles Screening schedule 22/07: 16:00, 18:00 24/07: 14:00, 20:00 25/07: 17:00, 19:00 27/07: 17:00, 19:00 28/07: 17:00, 19:00 Tickets Ticket price: 50,000 VND Special price for members of L’Espace and students: 40,000 VND Tickets are available at L’Espace. Roundtable discussion “Why French romantic novels attract Vietnamese readers” Tue 26 Jul 2016, 6 pm L’Espace 24 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội You are invited to the roundtable discussion “Why do French romantic novels attract Vietnamese readers?” with the participation of translators Bang Nguyen, Huy Minh, Tran Khanh Van. For more information about the program, please refer to Vietnamese version of this post. Language: Vietnamese Free entry A Night of Concert and Ballet in July 29 and 30 Jul 2016, 8 pm Hanoi Opera House 1 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội Come to A Night of Concert and Ballet in July at Hanoi Opera House. Program Part I: Passacaglia by G.F. Handel Stabat Mater for Soprano and Alto by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi Conductor: Le Phi Phi Soprano: Lê Thị Vành Khuyên & Trần Thị Trang Alto: Nguyễn Thu Quỳnh & Nguyễn Phương Đông and the String Orchestra of Vietnam National Opera and Ballet Interval Part II: Ballet “Những người đãng trí” Music: Roderick Vanderstraen Choreographer: Pham Minh and Dancers of Vietnam National Opera & Ballet Sometimes, people themselves want to be absent-minded to forget pains and bad memories in life… Then those forgotten spaces are to be filled with hopes and desires for happiness. Tickets Ticket prices: 200,000 – 350,000 – 500,000 VND. All tickets available at Hanoi Opera House or can book online at ticketvn.com. ABOUT “EUROPE MEETS ASIA IN CONTEMPORARY DANCE 2016” Time: 21-27 September 2016, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City “Europe meets Asia in Contemporary Dance Festival” is one of the most beautiful and exciting cultural events of Vietnam. Started in 2011 as a small initiative between 3 countries, it has grown in popularity and size, and expanded geographically to include this year both the capital Hanoi and HCMC. This year’s edition will bring to the Vietnamese audience participants from Germany, France, Israel, Austria, Japan and the host country Vietnam. Hanoi Escape Picnic 23 and 24 Jul 2016, 9 am – 7 pm Le PARC by Gamuda Let’s escape the urban hustle of the city! The most ecclectic event this summer: Music with international artists, camping, Zumba Concert and Flea market, along with crafts and games for the kids. NOT TO BE MISSED! * Camping for a great fun #escape with family and friends * Exciting Zumba and holi color flashmob that you have never seen before on Saturday * “LET’S GET WET” with a range of fun game on Sunday: rolling ball and SUP the first time ever in Vietnam * Think Playground, craft workshop for kids và games: inflatable pool, skateboard, hoverboard… * Choice of Beer and foods of the world (YUM!) * Music from local, and international artists (day and night) * Flea market, with a choice selection of hand made crafts and goods ABOUT BANDS AND ARTISTS: * MC – GO (Gonjamna) is a Japanese artist from Tokyo. His specialty include reagea, dancehall and he is also a story teller! * THE HOTPLAY: The band does Coldplay covers and has alway been a hot hit for live music event in Hanoi.i * THE DIO TRIO: The three members band, famed with pop, rock, reagea covers in the own way. * HI JINKS: wonder/ Paul Simon/ Beatles etc amongst others. With an emphasis on high octane dance funk their live shows aim to get people wriggling on the dance floor, while their studio material spans the whole gamut of human emotional expression: from introspection yearning and yielding to raw base instinctual sexual desire! HI Jinks are about to release a 7 song cd called Stimulus Package. Free download of the music will soon be available on their website, which is currently under construction. * ELLA BETH WALLS: Flame haired Australian singer/songwriter living the dream in Vietnam: electric-rock, soul/swing/indie! Currently a Contestant on Vietnam’s Got Talent! * NOWHERE BAND: The band famed with Beatles’s covers. * THE NEW VIBES: Beatbox and Guitar will bring a new vibe to the event! EASY TRAVEL! * Using your own bike/car: From city centre, go straight to Giai Phong Street, turn right at cross road, passing the Phap Van Cau Re sight, go pass the front gate of Yen So Park 300m and turn right to Le Parc gate. * By Bus: Gamuda Land operate a public round bus from city centre to Gamuda Le Parc. Please visit the link below for schedule. * Grab Taxi: private drivers will take you to the event! – For new user: 100,000 (50,000 each ride) – For current users: 60,000 (30,000 each ride) TICKET (per day) * Adults: 120,000đ/day or 200,000đ for 2 days * Kids (under 14 years old): 50,000đ * Family Combo: 240,000đ including 2 adults ticket and 1 kid ticket * Friends Combo: 360,000đ for 4 adults ticket * VVIP COMBO: 3,200,000đ/day – exotic cabana for 6 on a isolated island. Free flow of alcohol, lunch include * VIP COMBO: 1,200,000đ/day – tent for 4, lunch included Call the hotline for VVIP và VIP combo: 0902 230 107 – 098 111 86 91 (Vietnamese) | 01644270638 (English) Tickets include some free activities. Do not bring foods & drinks. Tents are available for rent. Film Screening “Hippocrates” Film screening with Vietnamese subtitles: Fri 22 Jul 2016, 8 pm Film screening with English subtitles: Sun 24 Jul 2016, 6 pm L’Espace 24 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội Come to film screening “Hippocrates” (France, 2014, 101’). Director: Thomas Lilti Casting: Vincent Lacoste, Reda Kateb, Jacques Gamblin, Marianne Denicourt, Felix Moati “A scathing yet touching social dramedy that depicts the sketchy underside of a French public hospital” – The Hollywood Reporter Film synopsis: Benjamin is meant to be a great doctor, he’s certain of it. But his first experience as a junior doctor in the hospital ward where his father works doesn’t turn out the way he hoped it would. Responsibility is overwhelming, his father is all but present, and his co-junior partner, a foreign doctor, is far more experimented than he is. This internship will force Benjamin to confront his limits… and start his way into adulthood. Language: On 22 Jul: French with Vietnamese subtitles On 24 Jul: French with Vietnamese subtitles Tickets Ticket price: 50,000 VND Special price for members of L’Espace and students: 40,000 VND Tickets are available at L’Espace. Classical Music Night “Smile For You” Sat 23 Jul 2016, 7.30 – 9.30 pm V-Art Club 3rd floor, IPH Shopping Mall Centre, 241 Xuan Thuy, Hanoi Come to classical music night “SMILE FOR YOU” with an aim to spread and share love and sympathy to the poor and unlucky children. Program Part 1: 1. Salut D’amour – Edvard Elgar (Ms. Thao & Ms. Mien) 2. Le Cygne – Bernard Dewagtere (Ms. Thao & Ms. Mien) 3. Meditation de « Thais » – Massenet (Ms. Thao & Ms. Hien) 4. Fanatasie Impromtu – F. Chopin (Ms. Thao) 5. Duo « one in a red moon» – Rolf Lovlad (Ms. Thao, Ms. Mien & Ms. Hien) Part 2: 6. Begin Again – The Piano Guys (Ms. Thao & Ms. Mien) 7. Home – The Piano Guys (Ms. Thao & Ms. Mien) 8. All of Me – The Piano Guys (Ms. Thao & Mr. Duc) 9. Disney _ Enchanted _ So close (Ms. Thao) 10. Trio .. Anh _ Xuân Phương (Ms. Thao, Ms. Mien & Ms. Hien) 11. A thousand years – The Piano Guys (Ms. Thao & Ms. Mien) 12. Let it go – The Piano Guys (Ms. Thao, Ms. Mien & Mr. Duc) Ms. Ha Mien – Cello Ha Mien started to learn the cello at the age of 9 at the Hanoi National Conservatory of Music (Vietnam National Academy of Music in the present). In 2000, 2003 and 2004 she was selected to participate in the Southeast Asian Youth Orchestra and Wind Ensemble (SAYOWE) held in Thailand. In 2004 she entered the undergraduate program of Cello at the Vietnam National Academy of Music. In 2006, she participated in the Canton International Summer Music Academy (CISMA). In 2009 joined the Asian Youth Orchestra (AYO). In 2007 she completed and received the Bachelor of Music Performance in Cello. In 2008 she started to pursue the graduate program and also to be a cello teacher at the Vietnam National Academic of Music. From 2004 to present, she is a member of the Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hanoi Strings Chamber Orchestra, and then also is a cello faculty of the Academy. From 2014 to present, she is a cellist in the two newly chamber music groups; Hanoian Trio, and Apaixonado String Quartet. At the beginning of 2015, she was featured as a young artist in the first program of the concert series “YOUNG ARTISTS NIGHT” at the music salon Saturday Coffee of the famous composer Duong Thu. Ms. Hien Minh Trinh – Violist Hien Minh Trinh started playing violin at young ages and graduated String instrument Department of Vietnam National Academy of Music. She is now a violist of Vietnam Symphony Orchestra. As a passionate and dedicate violist, Ms. Hien Minh Trinh has participated many concerts in Vietnam and other countries with Vietnam Symphony Orchestra. Beside she has also composed countless songs and won many Vietnamese Song’s awards such as: Cánh buồm đỏ (Red Sail), Này đồng hoa cúc (Chrysanthemum Field), Trắng bay (Flying clouds), Xuân (Spring) and Gọi tôi Hà Nội. Especially, Ms. Hien’s songs are unique as she does instrumental combinations and performs violin herself. Ms. Thao Thu Tran – Pianist The pianist Thao Thu Tran was born in an artist family as her parents are professional dancers. At the age of 5, she had her first lesson about piano. Two years later, she was accepted into Hanoi Conservatory of Music (Vietnam National Academy of Music in the present) and in the next 7 years, she was an outstanding student. In 1987, she graduated as a valedictorian and won full music scholarship in Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. She was also chosen as one of five representative students of Hanoi Conservatory of Music to attend the National award ceremony for gifted students. After her graduation, she became an entrepreneur. In 2000, she came back to Vietnam and joined the service business, but her passionate for art kept glowing. In recent years, to actualize her passion, together with some friends in the artist community, Ms. Thao has established the THT Art Center with the desire to share knowledge and experiences with people who have the same interests. Tickets Ticket: 100.000 VND/employee 70.000 VND/student, pupil or children For ticket: Direct buying at V-Art Club Or contact: 0199 319 1775 (Ms. Mac Thao), 0945 283 441 (Ms. Dieu Thu) Open for sale: July 13th 2016 *Ticket includes charity money for the poor and unlucky children. Music Talk – “Random Encounter” with Nguyen Hong Nhung & Corey Keating Sat Fri 22 Jul 2016, 7 pm Trung Nguyen Coffee 3a Ngo Quyền, Hanoi You are invited to the music talk “The random encounter” with two experimental/electronic music artists – Nguyen Hong Nhung and Corey Keating. They will share the inspiration and working process of their music and perform together to clarify what they have shared. Speaker: Corey Keating, Nguyen Hong Nhung Language: Vietnamese (with translation) Moderator: Artist Duong Thu About the speaker: Corey Keating is a composer cum electronic music artist currently studying composition at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. His compositions have been performed by Sō Percussion quartet, UC Stanislaus chamber choir, SJSU choir, members of the San Jose Chamber Orchestra, ensemble39, horn trumpet artist Mike Walker, pianist Jiang Qing. Nguyen Hong Nhung is an experimental music and sound artist, founder of Awakener Sound solo project. In recent years, based in Hanoi, she cooperates with local and international artists in the visual arts/multimedia project. Since 2014, she has released music under the project name Sound Awakener and her real name [Nhung Nguyen], supported by independent record labels as Time Released Sound (USA), Soft Recording (France), Flaming Pines (English). Program: Part I: Music talk with Nguyen Hong Nhung and Corey Keating. Q&A with speakers (60 minutes). Part II: Performance of experimental/electronic music by two speakers (30 minutes) Contemporary Dance with Vietnamese Traditional and Ethnic Music Hanoi: Thu 21 Jul 2016, 8 pm L’Espace 24 Trang Tien Str, Hanoi — HCMC: 26 and 27 Jul 201, 8 pm IDECAF 28 Le Thanh Ton Str, Dist 1, HCMC Come to enjoy performances of contemporary dance with Vietnamese traditional and ethnic music entitled “NON” by a group of independent artists, including choreographer – dancer Vu Ngoc Khai, music composer Ngo Hong Quang, program producer Van Quy Ngoc Ai in Hanoi and HCMC. This time, we still keep the skillful mixture of the interesting body movements of the contemporary dance and the melodic flows performed acoustically: String Gong (Chiêng Dây) (there are only two in Vietnam), Đàn Tính (a 3-string instrument from Tay ethnic minority), Đàn Môi 3 lá (3 pieces Mouth Harp), Đàn Môi 1 lá (1 piece Mouth Harp, Đàn Bầu (monochord) and singing. In addition, last year, music composer Ngo Hong Quang invented a unique “language” for NON’s songs in which audience could be able to feel and understand the atmosphere of forests and mountains where he would like to inspire, although the lyrics were not perceptible. After one year, Quang will beautifully treat the audience of NON an accomplished song where music and lyrics of “Coming back to the young hill” will let the imaginations of the audience free to go and travel further to the wild spaces of forest and hills. By using the methodology 70-30 (70% arranged – 30% improvised), choreographer – dancer Vu Ngoc Khai bravely applied the open characteristic of contemporary dance into NON. Thanks to that, performance after performance, the artists continue their works and become more creative, and the audience always has chance to see the differences between now and then to be able to understand more the story that artists want to tell, the messages they like to share. After two years working and creating together, Vu Ngoc Khai and Ngo Hong Quang become more connected and well-understanding to each other. Therefore, the upcoming performances only consist of 50% conventionally arranged factors, while the improvisational elements will be up to 50%. This is a very crucial highlight that NON brings to audience, especially after a year NON was added “alluvium” from performing the extracts, the whole performances or giving workshops. Furthermore, with a wish to bring the contemporary dance to come closer to the audience as well as to exchange the experiences with the colleagues, we will organise two workshops for dance and traditional music lovers. In details, the workshops will take place in Hanoi, on the 9th and 10th of July, and on the 22nd and 23rd in Ho Chi Minh city. Each workshop will last 2 hours and feature lectures by Vu Ngoc Khai and Ngo Hong Quang. Especially, the participants will have chance to learn about NON’s piece combining with live traditional music. We will update the information about time and venue in detail soon. Additional information of the artists: * Music composer Ngo Hong Quang is currently pursuing his Master degree in music composition at Deen Haag Royal Conservatory of music. He is a Vietnamese traditional instrumentalist and music composer with the skilful ability of playing multi Vietnamese instruments; two-chord fiddle, monochord, mouth harp, K’ny fiddle (a musical instrument of the ethnic minority people from Highland Central of Vietnam)…etc. Quang’s talent was presented in different programs organised in Vietnam and many other countries in the world such as Netherland, Italy, Poland, Belgium, France, Germany, Iceland, Korea, Singapore… He won many awards both domestically and internationally, he also released two albums; Quang and Song Hanh. Quang has many live concerts experiences; cooperating with circus, music show but not with dance. NON is the first dancing show that he worked together with Vu Ngoc Khai. * Vu Ngoc Khai has been an artist of Staatstheater Braunschweig theatre, Germany; from August 2016, he will works at Phoenix Dance Theater, Leeds city, United Kingdom. He has been known as an active and talented contemporary dancer through performances which he plays both choreographer, performance director like “Story of the shoes”, “Wood”, “Tik Tok”, “Morning dew”, “Silk”… He had been working in Switzerland, Netherland, Germany, participated in many big events in Europe, America, Asia… and conquered many famous and fastidious directors like Ismael Ivo (Mishima), Arco Renz (Ha Noi Startdust)… He loves Vietnamese culture, art and people and he has been sublimated with his dance together with traditional music. Tickets In Hanoi Ticket prices: 300.000VND/ ticket and 250.000VND/ ticket Buy online tickets here In HCMC Ticket prices: 500.000VND/ ticket and 400.000VND/ ticket Buy online tickets here For more information about NON, please contact Van Quy Ngoc Ai (Ms.) Email: ngocai.vq@gmail.com – Cellphone: 0938300030 Choir Performance “Look At The World” Wed 20 Jul 2016, 7.30 pm Hanoi Opera House 1 Trang Tien, Hanoi You are invited to the choir performance to raise funds for the program “Thien Nhan and friends”. The project “Look at the World” is organized each two years parallel with two surgeries within the program “Thien Nhan and friends” including choir performance, art exhibition, etc… “Look at the World” is a cultural meeting point for art lovers, with art as a way to exchange hopes and reduce pains. Ticket Buy ticket online here All the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the program “Thien Nhan and friends” that provides free genital reconstruction surgery to unfortunate children. For more information about the ticket, please contact: Ms. Thủy Tiên (0906 263 805) Mr. Dệ (0914 033 661) Tengger To Tour Tengger Sat 16 Jul 2016, 9 pm Hanoi Rock City 27/52 To Ngoc Van, Tay Ho Come to a music night with TENGGER – an electronic psychedelic / drone musical duo and travelers. Members: ‘itta’, Korean new wave avant-garde artist who plays voice, Indian harmonium and toy instruments with her poetry and, ‘Marqido’, Japanese noise creator, music producer who plays analogue synthesizers currently. TENGGER formed under the name of ‘10’ in 2005 Korea and has been touring extensively in Asia (Korea, Japan, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines), Europe (UK, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Belgium, France, Germany, Austria, Iceland, Czech Republic, Sweden), USA (east coast). THE WIRE, TimeOut, WFMU, Resonance FM, to name a few, introduced their music to Europian and American experimental music fans. The band is based in Seoul, South Korea. They have toured abroad extensively and this has definitely changed the way they think. The beauty of each new space they have visited has been deeply affecting. It has lead them to consider the environment more carefully. They got married with each other, and their baby RAAI was born in 2012.  Finally they changed the name to TENGGER( In Mongolian it means big, infinite sky, while in Hungarian it means big ocean) in 2013. The name is expansion of 10, and came out from their life. Support by two local acts: Dee.F and Duy Free entry Hue – Artist Talk with Nguyen Manh Hung Sat 16 Jul 2016, 4 pm DMZ Arts Space 3rd Floor, 60 Le Loi Street, Hue City You are invited to an artist talk with artist Nguyen Manh Hung. ”Europe meets Asia in Contemporary Dance 2016″ Calls for Volunteers Deadline: 20 Jul 2016 “Europe meets Asia in Contemporary Dance 2016” is looking for enthusiastic and committed volunteers to help us out with the preparation and organisation of the upcoming international dance festival (21-27 September 2016, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City). Volunteers will have the opportunity to connect with the core of the artistic network in Vietnam, meet with world-wide famous artists, all while enjoying the best dance event in Hanoi. They will receive a volunteer certificate, gain experience worth putting on their CV, build up their professional network, make new friends, and more. We are looking for: – Translators (ENG VN), – Social media contributors, – Interviewers, Journalists, – Photo / Video Makers, Editors, – Theatre Ushers, Information Desk Receptionists Selection process Please send us your CV and a letter of interest, answering: – Which of the above mentioned positions are you interested in? – How do you think you can best contribute to the Festival? – When will you be available? (July, August, September period) All applications should be in ENGLISH only. No previous experience required. Candidates from both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are welcome. Deadline for submissions: 20 July 2016 hanoi.dancefestival@gmail.com Concert Symphony No. 9 “From the New World” by Antonin Dvorak Tue 19 Jul 2016, 8 pm HCMC Opera House No. 7 Lam Son Square, D.1, HCMC You are invited to the Concert Symphony No. 9 “From the New World” by Antonin Dvorak with the participation of: Conductor: Lê Phi Phi Flute: Strasho Temkov with the symphony orchestra from HBSO Program Gabriel Fauré – Pavane, Op. 50 John Rutter – Suite Antique for flute, harpsichord & strings Francis Poulenc – Sonata for flute & orchestra Antonin Dvořák – Symphony No. 9 “From the New World”, Op. 95 Tickets Ticket price: 550,000 – 400,000 – 350,000 – 200,000 – 80,000 VND (for students only) Booking and delivery: 08 38237419, Ms. Huong: 0989874517, Ms. Huong Ly: 0908057972 At HCMC Opera House, 7 Lam Son Square Online Booking: www.ticketbox.vn Surreal Dance Performance “Four Seasons” Mon 18 Jul 2016, 6.30 pm Kinergie Studio 7th Floor, 101A Nguyen Khuyen, Hanoi You are invited to the surreal dance performance titled “Four seasons” with artist Doan Minh Hoan (Hoan Doan). About the dance: Hanoi is bestowed with Mother Nature’s four seasons Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. The seasons are like a passionate woman with immense love and infinite creativity offering an endless variety of scenery. She came to earth as Spring, elegant as an ancient girl approaching her husband, each step very deliberate, but still with an apparent shyness. The warm breeze and the scent spreading through every twig and leaf, and then gently through each street, mixed with the flow of people, awakening the life that has been dormant, giving energy for delivery of a resurrected nature. The Spring goes in to Summer carried be the orchestra of solo musicians, the cicada’s persistent melodic music, accompanied by the tiny lights of the fireflies flickering brightly in the evenings. The shimmering light everywhere makes the appearance of a grand and intense lady in a red and green dress dwelling in a prestigious house, full of heat, love and energy. Not shy as Spring or energetic as the summer, the Autumn is beautiful, but melancholic as the withering beauty of the honorable aging lady. The Autumn is in each step flexible, down to earth. Thousands of fallen leaves rustling yellow dye the streets leaving marks after her footsteps. The mystery of the early morning Autumn chill comes as poetry to the lonely stray souls. Miss Winter is both youth and age, as a woman has experienced many of life’s ups and downs, she brings the shadow of existence with a stringent vitality and intensity. Her appearance is cold, as the night comes, wandering alone through the street, we see her attraction through the enchanting scent of passion fruit milk, singing softly as an ocean breeze blowing through the rock and peeling underneath the skin, at the same time anxious and overwhelmed. The eternal dance of life – creating and destroying – a continuous development of natural causes where the creation is constantly self-mutilating in order to enable new life to appear. The performance of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter is a tribute to the Creator, a childhood nostalgia where the endless line of generations – each delivering the next into being and then slowly withering away – is accompanied by the constant rhythm of the Four Seasons. Surcharge fee: 150 000 VND For more information, please contact 0902 19 29 69 Film Screening “Eames, The Architect and The Painter” Sat 16 Jul 2016, 3 pm Hanoi: Heritage Space 1st Floor, Dolphin Plaza 6 Nguyen Hoang (for car) | 28 Tran Binh (for bike), My Dinh 2, Hanoi HCMC: Salon Ca phe thu bay 19B Pham Ngoc Thach, Ward 6, Dist 3, HCMC To mark the ending of film series about the movement “Modern Architecture”, Architecture Movies Club will feature the architect and the painter Charles and Ray Eames (Charles Eames, 1907-1978 & Ray-Bernice Alexandra Eames, 1912-1988). Always regarded as the best designers in the USA and all over the world, the couple created the timeless artworks and influenced many generations. It can be said that Charles and Ray Eames were the first to mass produce modern furniture using inexpensive techniques and new materials. They changed people’s life through the use of furniture. Program: . 14h30 – 15h00: Meeting . 15h00 – 16h30: Film screening . 16h30 – 17h00: Discussion Vietnamese subtitles Free entry The Rotten Grapes Comedy Show Sat 16 Jul 2016, 8 pm L’Espace 24 Trang Tien, Hanoi The Rotten Grapes – the one and only English-speaking Comedy club in Hanoi – invites you to its biggest comedy show ever on July 16th, 8 PM at L’Espace. Performances: The show is featured with improvisation acts starring The Rotten Grapes and To be Continued – a Hong Kong improv troupe but travels throughout Asia to spread their funny and talented improvisation performance. Everything you see in this performance will be completely made up on the spot based on your suggestions. We will turn your words of inspiration into improvised scenes. The show is also featured with musical comedy by JUNK!, Stand-Up comedy by Chris Blackwood as well as Comedy Magic by Alex Nguyen. Trailer for the show: Tickets: – Ticket price: 160.000VND each – VIP ticket: 220.000VND each Tickets available here Hotline: 0968.246.155 (Mr. Le) A Night of Trinh Cong Son’s Music “Nguyệt hạ” Sun 17 Jul 2016, 8 pm L’Espace 24 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội Nguyệt hạ is a return to the original spirit of Trinh Cong Son music. It is also an opportunity for Giang Trang, Le Thu Huong and Le Thu to gather after a while of following their own paths. Three artists, who live and work in different countries, will have a chat over the melodies and lyrics of songwriter Trinh Cong Son. The conversation, sometimes busy, sometimes calm, which empties or fills with the singing, classical guitar and flute, is a return to the serene space of Trinh Cong Son music. Each song has its own origin, bringing a memory, like a distant meeting in the moonlight. “Nguyet ha” embeds the audience in a quiet area, which floats between memory, forgetting and melancholy. Artists: Le Thu: guitar Giang Trang: vocal Le Thu Huong: flute Tickets A ticket 300 000 VND B ticket 170 000 VND B ticket for members 100 000 VND B ticket for students 80 000 VND Tickets are available at L’Espace. Hanoi Collective Orchestra comes back! Sun 17 Jul 2016, 2 – 6 pm Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam 27 Quang Trung The Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam proudly presents “Hanoi Collective Orchestra”, which is audience participatory, improvisational orchestra performance on the 17th of July in Hanoi. Hanoi Collective Orchestra, held for the second time in Hanoi, is one of the art projects in which participants perform “music instruments” as a member of Orchestra. Participants create “music instruments” using tools, materials that we use in our everyday life. The first performance was held in September last year in Hanoi. Participants will create new instruments and perform as part of a large, impromptu orchestra. With this impromptu orchestra and the multitude of different ensembles created by the participants and varied sounds drawn from Hanoi’s streets, a new kind of “music without musicians” will be born in Hanoi. At the same time, 2 weeks of workshop will be held with Otomo Yoshihide, a musician, Suzuki Akio, a sound artist and facilitators from Vietnamese, Thai and Japanese. Participants for workshop will search the sound from the street, life in Hanoi and create music instruments. Free admission and registration is not necessary. But we might restrict entrance in case of the number of participants exceed venue’s capacity. Film Screening “Attila Marcel” Screening film with Vietnamese subtitles: Fri 15 Jul 2016, 8 pm Screening film with English subtitles: Sun 17 Jul 2016, 6 pm L’Espace 24 Tràng Tiền, Hà Nội Come to the film screening “Attila Marcel” (France, 2013, 106’) at L’Espace Director: Sylvain Chomet Casting: Guillaume Gouix, Anne Le Ny, Bernadette Lafont Director Sylvain Chomet, who has gain fame through two animations “Belleville Rendez-vous” and “The Illusionist” makes a comesback with his first live-action movie, telling a unique story about a naive mute man searching for his memories. Film synopsis: Thirty-year-old Paul lives in a Parisian apartment with his aunts, two elderly aristocrats who have looked after him since he was two years old and who dream of seeing him become a virtuoso pianist. His life is reduced to a daily routine of playing the grand piano in the lounge and attending his aunts’ dance class, where he is an accompanist. Isolated from the outside world, Paul has grown old without ever having lived… Until the day that he encounters Madame Proust, his neighbor on the fourth floor. This eccentric woman possesses a herb tea recipe capable, thanks to music, of making even the most deeply buried memories spring forth. With her, Paul will discover the story of his past and find the key that will allow him to live life at last. Language: On 15 Jul: French with Vietnamese subtitles On 17 Jul: French with English subtitles Tickets Ticket price: 50,000 VND Special price for members of L’Espace and students: 40,000 VND Tickets are available at L’Espace. Live Performance “Lang Toi – My Village” 16 – 17, 25 and 26 Jul 2016, 6pm Hanoi Opera House “Lang Toi”, also known as “My Village” – the spectacle created by a group of 4 creators: Tuan Le, Nguyen Lan Maurice, Nhat Ly, Tan Loc – will perform live at the 105 year-old Hanoi Opera House from July 16th, 2016 onwards. The show is 60-minute length, at 18:00 every Monday and Tuesday. However, the July 2016 show schedule includes 6 nights: July 16th – 19th and July 25th – 26th, 2016. “Lang Toi” is a delicate merge of tradition and innovation, where the poetic beauty of Vietnamese village life is presented under new cirque approach using iconic bamboo; breathtaking cirque and twenty different exotic folk instruments performing live. In 2005, the group of 4 creators created “Lang Toi” in Hanoi. From 2009 to 2012, the show toured the world with over 300 shows in France, Holland, Spain, Belgium, Greece, Hungaria, Germany, and Hong Kong. The French Daily Newspaper – Le Monde, 11/07/2011 commented on the show: “The beautiful idea is using the bamboo trunk, an ancient material, as the key to the whole show. With just a few pieces of strips or bike tires, the artists of the Nouveau Cirque du Vietnam are composing and recomposing infinitely movable and superb architectures.” Tickets Ticket price: aah! Zone – 630,000 VND ooh! Zone – 1,050,000 VND wow! Zone – 1,470,000 VND VIP Cabin Zone – 4,000,000 VND Call + 84 1245 18 11 88 for more information. Tickets can be purchased online or via email at reservation@luneproducton.com or directly at Hanoi Opera House Box Office: 1 Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Installation Art Exhibition “Inner Space” by Nguyen Duy Manh Opening: Sun 17 Jul 2016, 5.30 pm Exhibition: 17 – 23 Jul 2016 Vietnam Fine Arts Museum 66 Nguyen Thai Hoc St. Hanoi “Inner Space” is the first solo exhibition of Nguyen Duy Manh prepared within 3 years from 2014 to 2016. A journey to discover himself, and share his experience about the “inner space”. It is difficult for others to do that. Nguyen Duy Manh was born in 1984 in Vinh Phuc. He is a member of Association of Culture and Art of Vinh Phuc and Vietnam Fine Arts Association. He is freelance artist, now living and working in Vinh Phuc. Since 2012, he used strings and available things in 3-dimensional environment to show his regret for the old memories. He has participated in several group exhibitions of young artists. He won the consolation prize at the Young Fine Arts Festival 2011 and the Vietnam Fine Arts Association prize at the Young Fine Arts Festival 2014. VNN |
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