President of the VFF Central Committee Tran Thanh Man (centre, left) extends Easter greetings to Catholic and Protestant dignitaries and followers in Hanoi on a visit to the Hanoi Archdiocese and the Evangelical Church of Vietnam on April 3. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Tran Thanh Man extended Easter greetings to Catholic and Protestant dignitaries and followers in Hanoi while visiting the Hanoi Archdiocese and the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (North) on April 3. In a meeting with Archbishop of the Hanoi Archdiocese Cardinal Pierre Nguyen Van Nhon, Man highlighted the country’s outstanding achievements of socio-economic development and major activities in the front work in 2017, saying that Catholics nationwide have made great contributions to attainments. He expressed his belief that Cardinal Pierre Nguyen Van Nhon will encourage Catholic dignitaries and followers in the Hanoi Archdiocese to … [Read more...] about VFF leader congratulates Catholics, Protestants on Easter
Climate change protesters
Experts decry Vietnam’s risky coal compulsions
With Vietnam planning to signigicantly increase its number of coal plants over the next decade, potentially posing great risks to the environment, international experts have advised the country to work on a cleaner path forward. Coal-fuelled power plants are scheduled to account for a greater portion of the local energy mixLast week, John Kerry came to Hanoi to attend an international conference on green energy and sustainable economic growth for Vietnam. The former US Secretary of State now acts as a senior energy expert, working with Vietnam’s government on an alternative to its coal plan. The aim is an alternative that could provide the same amount of electricity, but use hydroelectric dams and solar panels instead of fossil fuels.“It is a scheme that would help save Vietnam billions of dollars, prevent pollution-related deaths, and keep greenhouse gases (GHGs) out of the atmosphere,” Kerry said.Under Vietnam’s revised Power Development Plan, the ratio … [Read more...] about Experts decry Vietnam’s risky coal compulsions
German nuclear shutdown sets global example: Merkel
Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germany could serve as a global trailblazer with its decision Monday to phase out nuclear power by 2022 but France, Europe\'s biggest producer, said it will not follow suit. German Chancellor Angela Merkel addresses a press conference at the chancellery in Berlin. Merkel said the "fundamental" rethink of energy policy in the world\'s number four economy, prompted by the disaster in March at Japan\'s Fukushima plant, opened new opportunities for business and climate protection."We believe we as a country can be a trailblazer for a new age of renewable energy sources," she told reporters."We can be the first major industrialised country that achieves the transition to renewable energy with all the opportunities -- for exports, development, technology, jobs -- it carries with it."Yet neighbour France, while saying it "respected" the German position, insisted it was not ready to give up nuclear … [Read more...] about German nuclear shutdown sets global example: Merkel
Top ten world events in 2017
1. ASEAN creates central role in region after 50 years of establishment Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (fourth from left) attended 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila, the Philippines in November. (Photo: VNA)2017 marks 50 years of establishment and development of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). From an association with just five founding countries, ASEAN now groups ten members which have overcome various difficulties and differences to contribute to peace and prosperity in the region and the world. Of note, with the formation of the ASEAN Community in December 2015, ASEAN became the world’s sixth largest economy and the most dynamic economic community in Asia-Pacific. The association has created an important position that is rarely seen in sub-regional linkages, with mechanism connecting its member countries, as well as its member countries with other major partners. 2. 19th CPC National Congress marks new development period of China Chinese … [Read more...] about Top ten world events in 2017
Social News 24/12
Khanh Hoa welcomes 2 millionth foreign visitor in 2017 The 2 millionth foreign passenger Kim Sun-won is interviewed by a reporterThe central province of Khanh Hoa, on December 23, hosted its 2 millionth international tourist of the year, who landed on a VietJet Air plane from Incheon, the Republic of Korea.The lucky passenger was Korean national Kim Sun-won, who received free accommodation for two nights at the local Vinpearl Nha Trang Resort and six months of free flights on all routes operated by VietJet Air. The 1,999,999th and 2,000,001st foreign visitors to Khanh Hoa were also from the RoK.In 2017, the province is estimated to welcome nearly 5.5 million visitors and earned about 17.3 trillion VND (761.2 million USD) from tourism activities. The number of foreign arrivals to Khanh Hoa has to date surpassed 2 million, up 69 percent from last year.The province houses 650 lodging facilities with close to 27,000 rooms, of which over 14,000 meet 3 – 5 star standards. … [Read more...] about Social News 24/12
Top ten world events in 2017: VNA
1. ASEAN creates central role in region after 50 years of establishment 2017 marks 50 years of establishment and development of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). From an association with just five founding countries, ASEAN now groups ten members which have overcome various difficulties and differences to contribute to peace and prosperity in the region and the world. Of note, with the formation of the ASEAN Community in December 2015, ASEAN became the world’s sixth largest economy and the most dynamic economic community in Asia-Pacific. The association has created an important position that is rarely seen in sub-regional linkages, with mechanism connecting its member countries, as well as its member countries with other major partners. Photo: thediplomat.com 2. 19th CPC National Congress marks new development period of China Taking place from October 18-24, 2017, the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) … [Read more...] about Top ten world events in 2017: VNA
Christmas wishes to Kon Tum, Can Tho followers Most Recent News
NDO – Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh paid a courtesy visit to several Catholic establishments in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum on December 23, to express his wishes for a merry Christmas season to the local followers. He visited and presented gifts to the Kon Tum Diocese, the ethnic Sisters of the Miraculous Medal group, the Vietnam Christian Mission and the family of A Hot in Plei Chum Dak Choah hamlet, Ngo May ward, Kon Tum city. The official wished the Catholic and Protestant priests and followers a warm and merry Christmas, and hoped that the Bishop and dignitaries would contribute further to national development. He asked the provincial authorities to continue creating favourable conditions for religious activities. Deputy PM Binh wished that together with the local authorities and the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Bishop and dignitaries would provide care for the poor and ethnic minorities, especially those living in need, as well as offer education to … [Read more...] about Christmas wishes to Kon Tum, Can Tho followers Most Recent News
Christmas wishes to Kon Tum, Can Tho followers
NDO – Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh paid a courtesy visit to several Catholic establishments in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum on December 23, to express his wishes for a merry Christmas season to the local followers.He visited and presented gifts to the Kon Tum Diocese, the ethnic Sisters of the Miraculous Medal group, the Vietnam Christian Mission and the family of A Hot in Plei Chum Dak Choah hamlet, Ngo May ward, Kon Tum city.The official wished the Catholic and Protestant priests and followers a warm and merry Christmas, and hoped that the Bishop and dignitaries would contribute further to national development.He asked the provincial authorities to continue creating favourable conditions for religious activities.Deputy PM Binh wished that together with the local authorities and the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Bishop and dignitaries would provide care for the poor and ethnic minorities, especially those living in need, as well as offer education to … [Read more...] about Christmas wishes to Kon Tum, Can Tho followers
ASEAN leaders start summit, work toward community
ASEAN leaders start summit, work toward communityBy Hong Phuc - The Saigon Times DailyThe Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has become an important player in the region and an essential partner elsewhere in the world, he added, and it will grow into a community by 2015.In 2008, ASEAN adopted a charter envisioned developing the region with a total population of 580 million people and a combined GDP of US$2.7 trillion into a political and economic community.But the regional grouping is still faced with challenges such as lingering impacts of the global crisis, climate change, natural disasters and epidemics, so the member states should make concerted efforts to cope with these challenges, he noted.“While we’re optimistic about the recovery of the regional and global economies, particularly the encouraging recovery of the ASEAN economies, a full recovery and sustainable development would require more time and unceasing efforts, especially appropriate directions … [Read more...] about ASEAN leaders start summit, work toward community
Banks, companies turn against coal as leaders seek cash for climate
Two years to the day since 195 nations sealed the Paris Agreement to avert worst-case-scenario climate change, the World Bank said it would stop financing oil and gas exploration and extraction - about two per cent of its portfolio now - from 2019.On the sidelines of a summit of some 60 leaders called by French President Emmanuel Macron, French insurer Axa said it would speed up its carbon sector divestment, pulling €2.5 billion (US$2.9 billion) from companies which derive more than 30 per cent of their revenues from coal.Dutch bank ING said it would have "close to zero exposure" to coal power generation by 2025, and a group of more than 200 global investors, including banking giant HSBC, launched a campaign to pressurise the world's largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters - including BP, Airbus, Volkswagen, and Glencore - to go greener.Summit participants, meanwhile, warned that … [Read more...] about Banks, companies turn against coal as leaders seek cash for climate