NDO – A key new systematic and strategic framework for delivering United Nations support to Vietnam was reached between the two sides on July 5, highlighting the strong commitment of both the UN and the Government of Vietnam to the National Action Plan for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development (SDGs). As assigned by the Prime Minister, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung and UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Kamal Malhotra, on behalf of the UN, signed the new Joint One Strategic Plan (OSP) for the 2017-2021 period, between the Government of Vietnam and 18 UN agencies. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Dung said that since 2006, Vietnam alongside seven other countries have jointly piloted the global ‘Delivering as One’ reform initiative initiated by the UN, with the OSP is one of the cornerstones of this initiative. Over the past ten years, Vietnam has made remarkable achievements in socio-economic … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – Dong Cuu is Viet Nam’s only craft village that supplied ritual dresses for kings, lords and courtiers in the past. Now it specialises in costumes for the hau dong (the spirit medium) ritual that received UNESCO recognition.  Finishing touches: A young woman in Dong Cuu works on a costume set for a hau dong ceremony held during the first lunar month in the central province of Nghe An.  Dong Cuu has a unique claim to fame in Viet Nam. It is the only craft village that used to supply dresses for kings, lords and courtiers to wear for rituals. That was in the past, of course. It has always had another skill to bank on, that of embroidery, but it has still kept the unique tradition alive by producing items for hau dong, or the spirit medium. The rituals were recognized by the UN cultural agency … [Read more...]

The US$29.5 million project, approved by the GCF in 2016, has been developed as a partnership between the UNDP, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Construction, the MPI and coastal provinces. It will focus on supporting communities vulnerable to natural disasters to protect themselves from the impacts of frequent typhoons and floods and improve their livelihoods. Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen The Phuong said that Vietnam has an urgent need for investment to mitigate climate change impacts, reduce risks and develop the low-carbon economy. This project is the first step in the long-term strategic partnership between Vietnam and the GCF, he stated, adding that the country also wants to contribute to the fund and share its experience with other GCF-supported countries. Kamal Malhotra, UN Resident … [Read more...]

A United Nations-backed fund dedicated to providing climate-resilient investments for developing countries has announced a project worth nearly US$30 million to improve climate resilience for Vietnam’s coastal communities. The project, titled “Improving the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities to climate change related impacts in Vietnam,” is the first of its kind to be financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in the Southeast Asian country. The $29.5 million project was announced during a dialogue between GCF executive director Howard Bamsey and Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment in Hanoi on Sunday, the ministry said in a press release on Monday. Bamsey, who was on his first-ever Vietnam visit, joined local officials in discussing how the Southeast Asian country could take action to achieve climate-resilient development and green growth. GCF was created in 2010 by the United … [Read more...]

A photo of the GCF-Vietnam cooperation dialogue (Photo: VNA)   Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) on June 26 announced a GCF-funded project to increase the resilience to climate change for coastal residents in Vietnam. The 29.5 million USD project, approved by the GCF in 2016, has been developed as a partnership between the UNDP, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Construction, the MPI and coastal provinces. It will focus on supporting communities vulnerable to natural disasters to protect themselves from the impacts of frequent typhoons and floods and improve their livelihoods. Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen The Phuong said that Vietnam has an urgent need for investment to mitigate climate change impacts, … [Read more...]

In the last five years, around 400 people were killed by natural disasters in Vietnam every year. Also due to natural disasters, thousands of households have fallen into poverty, causing yearly economic losses estimated at from 1-1.5 percent of the country’s total GDP. Consequently, the mitigation of natural disasters has become one of the key tasks for Vietnam to maintain sustainable socio-economic development. Since early this year, in addition to whirlwinds, hailstorms, flash floods and landslides, there have been 10 storms operating on the East Sea. In particular, tropical storm Katsana, one of the most powerful storms in the last 40 years, wrecked havoc on central and central highlands provinces. How to control natural disasters Being fully aware of this danger, in recent years, the Vietnamese Party and State have priotised natural disaster mitigation by allocating thousands of billions of VND to upgrading and building flood and storm control projects and warning and … [Read more...]

Addressing the event in Hanoi on December 26, Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh stressed “the signing of the MOA is a reaffirmation of the Vietnamese Government’s strong commitment to the implementation of the “Delivering as One initiative.” Once completed, the Green One UN House will stand a the symbol of lasting cooperation between Vietnam and the United Nations, Vinh said. UN Resident Coordinator Pratibha Mehta extended her sincere appreciation and thanks to the Vietnamese Government, saying that “with its green building features, the Green One UN House will also demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.” The Green One UN House will facilitate inter-agency teamwork and programmatic synergies. The new building will use energy and water with efficiency to reduce the environmental footprint of the UN in Vietnam . The project is a joint endeavor between the Vietnamese Government, donors and the UN Country Team. Vietnam is … [Read more...]

Vietnamese Minister of Planning and Investment Vo Hong Phuc, UN Resident Coordinator John Hendra, and representatives from 14 resident UN organisations on June 20 signed the One Plan 2, which is hailed as a significant milestone in the UN reform process in Vietnam. The US$404 million One Plan 2 is a follow-up of the One Plan 1 that was finalised one year ago with the participation of six UN organisations. Overall objective of the One Plan 2 is to better support Vietnam to achieve its national goals as outlined in the 2006-2010 socio-economic development plan, and all eight of the Millennium Development Goals. The One Plan and the Green One UN House are two of the key pillars of the One UN Initiative in Vietnam, which also include One Budget, One Leader, and One Set of Management Practices. The One Plan, in particular, aims to support Vietnam in achieving its socio-economic goals while optimising the UN’s impact in five key areas: equitable and inclusive social and economic … [Read more...]

He will attend the 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP15) and the 5th Conference of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP5) in Copenhagen, Denmark from December 16-18. He is scheduled to deliver a speech at the plenary session of the meeting, highlighting Vietnam’s five main viewpoints, one of which is that all countries in the world need to join efforts in the fight against climate change. He will urge developed nations to make mid-term and long-term obligatory commitments to reducing emissions with a view to maintain the green house gas concentration of well below 400 parts per million (ppm) so that the world average temperature will not increase by more than two degrees Celsius by the end of this century. An additional viewpoint is that developed nations need to provide financial assistance and technology transfer to countries badly affected by climate change. Also, developing countries need to contribute to the … [Read more...]

The president has brought the iron-fist approach he used to rule Davao to the capital Manila. Rodrigo Duterte has kept his word. "Forget the laws on human rights," he declared in May at his final presidential campaign rally in Manila. "If I make it to the presidential palace, I will do just as I did as mayor. You drug pushers, hold-up men and do-nothings, you better go out. Because, I'd kill you." More than seven months after winning the presidency, Duterte is rolling out on a national scale the model of government he honed over 22 years and seven terms as mayor of this city on the southern island of Mindanao. Just as in Davao, blood is now flowing in the capital Manila and surrounding areas as the police and vigilantes, inspired by the president, conduct a wave of killings. A Davao-based human rights group, the Coalition Against Summary Execution (CASE), has compiled figures showing that death squads in the city were responsible for at least 1,400 documented killings between 1998 … [Read more...]

(VOVworld)-Vietnam is one of the countries worst hit by climate change. In 2016, the national climate change strategy has received strong support from the international community. The Global Climate Index indicates that Vietnam ranks 5th among countries most affected by natural disasters, which kill hundreds of people and cause losses of 1.9 billion USD or 1.3% of GDP each year on average. Vietnam has been pursuing a national strategy on climate change as well as other strategies on green growth, natural disaster prevention and control, and renewable energy development. International support Many countries and international organizations have pledged assistance for Vietnam’s climate change response. During a visit to Vietnam last May, UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson said the UN will help Vietnam cope with droughts and saline intrusion. The UN plans to mobilize 50 million USD from the international community to support countries like Vietnam that are affected by … [Read more...]

300 people escape deafness, dumbness thanks to cochlear implant One of great achievements in ear-nose-throat health care which the Ear-Nose-Throat Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City performed is a cochlear implant (CI)- a surgically implanted electronic device that provides a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf. Ear-Nose-Throat Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City yesterday announced it has implanted cochlear for 300 people in the period 2000-2016 in its celebration of 30th establishment anniversary and scientific conference 2016. Patients who had been implanted the devices are able to re-gain their hearing The group of adults and children who who have lost their hearing later in life can speak well after one or two year implantation while the group of congenitally deaf people who are undertaken surgery for cochlear implant and learn language can converse after two or three years and integrate with the society well. Experts said that cochlear implantation has great meaning in treating … [Read more...]

Unquiet Americans Simon Speakman Cordall By Simon Speakman Cordall in HCMC Graham Greene, the British author, was already a famous novelist when he came to Saigon as a war correspondent in the 1950’s. Originally in Vietnam to cover the war of resistance against the French, Greene’s Vietnam experience was to lay the foundations for one of the most uncannily prescient novels of the 20th century, The Quiet American. In his book, Greene details - with blistering accuracy - the decay of the tired and cynical influence of European colonialism in the face of the increasingly assertive, yet fundamentally naive, American brand of imperialism. These two factions take on personal form in the shape of jaded middle aged English journalist, Tom Fowler, and the idealistic American Aid worker, and CIA operative, Alden Pyle. It was this political aspect of the book, with its stark criticism of American policy in South East Asia, which was to earn it a hostile reception on its release … [Read more...]

Dance to fight against breast cancer International SOS Hanoi in partnership with Intercontinental Hotel Hanoi, Yury Rockit and La Zum3, will hold the first ever annual Breast Cancer Zumbathon to raise money for disadvantaged women fighting Breast Cancer at 2pm on October 30, 2016 at Grand Ballroom of InterContinental Hanoi West Lake. Every year over 1.7 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide and currently it is the most common cancer amongst women in Vietnam. 2012 saw over 11,000 Vietnamese women diagnosed with 30 per cent of all patients diagnosed already in the advanced stages of the disease, meaning mortality rates are high. Attending the event with International SOS Vietnam, we wish to join the fight against Breast Cancer by supporting Vietnamese women currently undergoing diagnosis and treatment, and we need your help to do this. At 2pm on October 30, International SOS Hanoi in partnership with Intercontinental Hotel Hanoi, Yury Rockit and La Zum3, will hold … [Read more...]

President Tran Dai Quang expressed his pleasure at the development of the relationship between Vietnam and the UN in the past five years during the tenure of UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pratibha Mehta. At a reception for the out-going UN Resident Coordinator in Hanoi on October 21, the President said many projects were implemented with good results within the framework of the Joint Plan on Vietnam-UN Cooperation for 2012-2016, contributing to Vietnam’s social-economic development. He stressed that Vietnam welcomed the support of the UN in general and the UN Development Program in particular in the final stage of completing Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and building National MDGs Reports. He also acknowledged UN agencies’ help to Vietnam in building and preparing to implement Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. President Tran Dai Quang affirmed that Vietnam is an active and responsible member of the UN, and … [Read more...]

President Quang highlighted the effective implementation of numerous projects within the framework of the Joint Plan on Vietnam-UN Cooperation for 2012-2016 as a contribution to boosting Vietnam’s social-economic development. Vietnam welcomes the support of the UN in general and the UN Development Programme in particular in the final stage of completing Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and building National MDGs Reports, he told his guest. He also acknowledged UN agencies’ help to Vietnam in building and preparing to implement Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As an active and responsible member of the UN, Vietnam is ready to take part in the UN’s joint efforts for peace, security and development as well as to reform the UN. In 2014, Vietnam sent soldiers to participate in the UN peacekeeping force and successfully fulfilled its role as a member of the UN Human Rights Council in the 2014-2016 tenure and the UN … [Read more...]

STRASBOURG, France: The landmark Paris climate pact is poised to enter into force globally after the European Parliament joined the world's top polluters in endorsing the deal to slow the planet's dangerous temperature rise. With UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon watching the vote on Tuesday (Oct 4), the parliament overwhelmingly approved the EU's fast-track ratification of the deal sealed in Paris last December. That puts the European Union on track to hand over its ratification to the United Nations on Friday, which would then take the international community above the threshold needed for implementation within one month. "I'm extremely honoured to be able to witness this historic moment," Ban said at the European Parliament building following the vote that passed by 610 to 38, with 31 abstentions. "I look forward to the Paris agreement entering into force as soon as possible, even in just a few days time." The Paris accord requires all countries to devise plans to achieve the goal … [Read more...]

Vietnam, EU share experience in ensuring human rights Experts from Vietnam and the European Union (EU) shared experience in ensuring human rights while implementing the United Nations Convention against Torture (UNCAT) during a workshop held in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on October 3. The event gave an insight into important human rights principles set in international conventions and the UNCAT in particular for officials working in Vietnam's public security, judicial and court sectors. Participants presented Vietnam's responsibility in carrying out international conventions, including the UNCAT, to which the country is a member. EU experts updated the current situation in the field in the union as well as shared experience of EU and member states on crime investigation without use of torture and methods to prevent torture. The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (commonly known as the UN Convention against Torture ) is an … [Read more...]

UNFPA helps Vietnamese localities fight domestic violence The number of domestic violence cases reported in the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre dropped from 642 in 2012 to 187 in 2015, according to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The decrease was partially thanks to the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) through "the pilot model of a minimum intervention package on domestic violence" implemented in the locality from 2012 through 2016, heard a workshop in Ben Tre on September 27. During the period, the UNFPA sponsored domestic violence projects in 12 communes in the province, helping raise public awareness of gender equality. However, the department said, domestic violence still remains a problem in the province, with the victims mainly women aged from 16-59, children and the elderly. Most participants at the workshop emphasised the need to handle domestic violence with reconciliation measures. Many suggested communication campaigns … [Read more...]

Noi Bai unveils free electric bus transport The free service will serve passengers at terminal T2 with priorities given to those who have difficulties in getting around such as the elderly, children or pregnant women. The service will operate on a trial basis for September 2016 through February 2017. An Airports Corporation of Vietnam representative said the move is part of a continuing effort to improve the quality of passenger services at the airport. Wallonie-Bruxelles Delegation in VN marks 20th founding anniversary A ceremony was held in Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam, Hanoi, on September 13 night to mark the 20 th founding anniversary of the Wallonie-Bruxelles Delegation to Vietnam. Addressing the ceremony, Minister-President of the French Community of Belgium (Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles) Rudy Demotte noted with joy the outcomes of cooperation between Wallonie-Bruxelles and Vietnam over the years, saying among joint projects, Wallonie-Bruxelles heeds those in healthcare, culture … [Read more...]