Busy parents in HCM City are frantically looking for places that can mind their children as school's out for summer. Options include sending the unlucky kids on military courses to giving them mobile phones and iPads. Libraries in HCM City have few young visitors School summer holidays generally start at the end of May and last for two months. Hoang Thi Thu Ha, a local in Tan Phu District, said her house-keeper was tired from looking after two children while doing other housework. They tried to bring the kids along to work but had to arrange extra classes soon after. "I registered them for foreign language and aptitude training classes. Just picking the kids up is already taking us a lot of time. And when we have free time, we'll bring them to supermarket or public pool," she said. Another local Tran Thi Thuong said she had to take leave for a week to care for two children who were in kindergarten while waiting for help from her mother. She also registered … [Read more...] about Parents keep kids learning through summer
Overly protective parents
Photo triggers debate on over-protected children
A photo in which a Vietnamese mother is trying to push her motorbike on a flooded street in HCM City while her teenage son is still on the vehicle has drawn lots of comments after being published on Facebook. The photo which triggers debate on over-protected children The photo was taken on September 15 when HCM City was facing severe flooding. Right after being posted Facebook, the photo received lots of comments. A Facebooker named Nguyen Nam said that "If I was in this situation, I would do the same to protect my children from being sick." "When you have children, you will understand how important your children are. In this case, if the mother let her son to walk in water along with her, both of them would be wet. It's better for only her to be wet, instead of both," another Facebooker named Pham Hoang Minh said. Meanwhile, a lot of people disagreed, saying it was overprotective for such an old child. "The mother should not indulge her son like this as he looks … [Read more...] about Photo triggers debate on over-protected children
Seminar about building criterion to protect environment in Vietnam’s relic sites
(Cinet)- Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Cultural Heritage Department and Information Technology Center organized a dialogue “Building criterion to protect environment in Vietnam’s relic sites” on the morning of December 16.Addressing at the seminar, Dr. Tu Manh Luong, head of Department of Science, Technology and Environment said that there were over 40.000 relics and landscapes including 08 relics of world heritage, 48 special national relics and over 3000 national relics. In the past years, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has focused on protecting environment in some relics and gained many achievements. Many typical provinces to protect environment consists of Yen Tu, Trang An – Bai Dinh, ect.09 discussions from some representatives and experts were made a report at the seminar. Some discussions comprised some criteria: protecting natural environment, environment of humanity and propaganda-education.According to some … [Read more...] about Seminar about building criterion to protect environment in Vietnam’s relic sites
Seminar to build some criteria of environmental protection in some relics
(Cinet) – Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism promulgated Decision No.4003/QĐ-BVHTTDL on December 04 about organizing the seminar to build criteria of the environmental protection in some relics of Vietnam.With over 40.000 relics and landscapes, Vietnam faces on some challenges to protect environment of nature and people.To associate with some relevant individuals, building and healthy environment honours some typical relics to protect environment, which contributes to protect environment nationwide and cultural values. Department of Science, Technology and Environment; Cultural Heritage Department and the Information Technology Center organize seminar-dialogue “Building criteria to protect environment in some national relics of Vietnam”. The seminar belongs to the Project “ Building some criteria to protect environment and honour title “ Green heritage” for some national relics in … [Read more...] about Seminar to build some criteria of environmental protection in some relics
Parents urged to keep immunisation faith
Each year in Vietnam, vaccines protect 1.5 million children under-1 year of age against a minimum of eight life-threatening childhood diseases.However, over the past few months some parents have been concerned about media reports that have suggested a link between a number of child deaths or adverse reactions, and vaccinations with the 5-in-1 or pentavalent vaccine.WHO and UNICEF officials noted that following an investigation by independent international and national experts, no evidence was found to indicate that the quality or safety of pentavalent vaccines has directly or indirectly led to children's deaths following immunisations."Whilst every effort is made to ensure the safety of immunisations, when thousands of children are vaccinated on a daily basis, a small number of reports of adverse events following immunisation are to be expected," the statement said.At least 27 fatalities, along with 43 adverse reactions associated with Quinvaxem in the country, have been recorded since … [Read more...] about Parents urged to keep immunisation faith
Parents embrace a change in attitude
by Trung Hieu - Tuyet ThanhNguyen Huu Thanh is part of a social revolution. Like many other parents in Viet Nam, he and his wife have only given birth to daughters. What sets them apart from more traditional couples is that they don't despair the absence of a son in their family.Thankfully, Thanh and his wife are not alone. They are part of a growing club of parents taking pride in their daughters and challenging primitive social attitudes that value boys over girls."I did not feel upset about not having a son,"he says. "I have two daughters and I am very proud. Being a parent in itself is the most amazing thing and I feel very lucky."The club, titled "Women Having Daughters and Good Parenting", is growing fast, showing an increasing change in attitudes towards having girls. However, in spite of this, the club's founders in HCM City are concerned they are battling centuries-old and culturally entrenched gender bias.Social harmsExperts believe that traditional attitudes have led to a … [Read more...] about Parents embrace a change in attitude
Readers dubious over new law to fine adulterers – and their lovers
Last week, Viet Nam News asked readers for their opinions about a new decree stipulating that adulterers and their lovers be fined. Most respondents questioned the feasibility of the decree. Some said the authorities had more serious problems to deal with than personal morality. Here are some of the responses: Keith McDonald, British, Vung Tau In my humble opinion and with due deference to legislators, this decree is ridiculous and impossible to enforce. Will this lead to the introduction of Morality Police as seen in Saudi Arabia, Iran et al? How will offences be detected? Hearsay? Gossiping neighbours? If a philandering husband and an unfaithful wife arrange to have a consensual physical relationship - they will regardless. If it is not consensual then obviously it is a crime. Surely the police have better things to do in enforcing current legislation. I live opposite a school and see at least 95 per cent of children over the age of six arriving on motor cycles without … [Read more...] about Readers dubious over new law to fine adulterers – and their lovers
Domestic beaches in need of protection before it’s too late
Last week, Viet Nam News asked readers about their experiences during seaside excursions and sought their suggestions about the conflict between the pressures for increased development on or near beaches and the need to preserve the natural and unspoiled beauty of beaches. Here are some responses: William Ribbing, American, USA: Next Week: Tet is in the air. Tet or lunar new year is the biggest traditional festival in Viet Nam. It is an occasion for family reunions, relaxation and celebrating the country's diversified cultural customs. This year, the nine-day Tet holiday will begin on February 9. One expert has recently suggested that Viet Nam should celebrate Tet under the solar calendar instead of the lunar calendar. He reasoned that having a long Tet holidays under the lunar calendar hampered business transactions, especially with counterparts in countries that normally work during this time. … [Read more...] about Domestic beaches in need of protection before it’s too late
Parents reassured over vaccinations
HA NOI (VNS)— Although three three-month-old babies died after vaccinations in central Nghe An Province in December, experts say that parents should not refrain from having their children vaccinated, as the benefits of vaccination far outweigh its risks. Vaccination is essential to ensure babies' health, said Dr Nguyen Trong An, deputy head of the Department of Protection and Care of Children, who explained that like medicines, vaccines have certain unavoidable side effects and risks, but their benefits are enormous. He added that the quality of vaccines depended on several factors: where the ingredients came from, the way the vaccines were transported and preserved, the quality testing process and the vaccination procedure itself. "If vaccinations were not conducted in a proper manner according to international standards, or if the vaccines were not preserved properly when transported to remote areas, the risk of harmful side effects increased substantially," he said. … [Read more...] about Parents reassured over vaccinations
Parents are vital in ensuring kids survive cyberbullying
This Week: Should the country impose a luxury tax on soft drinks? The Viet Nam Beer, Alcohol and Beverage Association (VBA) recently proposed that the State administration impose a 10 percent-tax on carbonated beverages, otherwise known as soft drinks. In a proposal sent to the National Assembly, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance, the VBA said carbonated beverages contain a level of acidity that is 100,000 times higher than normal water, which can lead to obesity. According to the document, a reaction between the drinks' saturated carbon dioxide (CO2) with acid in the body creates pressure on the stomach and intestines; and is especially harmful to those who suffer from ulcers. Currently, domestic beverage companies have chosen to focus on non-carbonated drink products, leaving the carbonated drinks to the production of foreign giants. Viet Nam's annual per capita consumption of soft drinks … [Read more...] about Parents are vital in ensuring kids survive cyberbullying