Country to face heat wave

The national weather bureau informed yesterday afternoon that the country would face heat wave conditions during the next few days.

Temperatures will gradually rise in the northern and central regions within the next few days, according to the National Hydro Meteorological Forecasting Center.

Temperatures in the northern part of the central region will remain the highest while along Thanh Hoa to Thua Thien-Hue city provinces temperatures could rise up to 35-37 degrees Celsius.

Ho Chi Minh City and the southeastern provinces will also experience heat wave conditions. Temperatures will hover around 32-35 degrees with occasional showers in the afternoons or at night.

Authority orders company to withdraw toxic jelly

The Department of Food Safety and Hygiene, the Ministry of Health, has ordered New Choice Foods Company to withdraw all its products from the market, which contain the toxic chemical DEHP, before June 6.

Health inspectors found that the chemical was prevalent in many products made by the company in its Industrial Park factory in the southern province of Binh Duong, on June 1. They immediately ordered the company to remove jellies with the taro flavor from stores and supermarket shelves before June 6.

They also seized 100 kilograms of cloudy agent additive, imported from a Taiwanese export company named Triko Foods.

The company said it had already withdrawn 3,582 consignments of taro jelly from the market shelves. Distributing agents and supermarkets have been asked by the company to halt sales and return 3,688 containers of jelly before June 6. The company is also required to make a public announcement on the withdrawal and of the harmful effects of the chemical, DEHP.

The Department of Health, Food Safety and Hygiene in Binh Duong province has been asked to supervise the removal of the product.

Health authorities will return to check if the company had indeed removed all products from the markets, otherwise it would face penalization.

DEHP is a common ingredient in fruit jelly, yogurt mix powder, juices and other soft drinks as a substitute for palm oil.

Vietnam’s exporters not eager for export credit insurance

Experts said export credit insurance boosts the country’s export and helps local exporters to reduce risks of losses. However, despite the insurance’s advantages, local businesses remain unwilling to opt for it.

“We do know export credit insurance, but we have no plan on using it due to high costs. Moreover, businesses have been still smooth so far without the insurance,” said Nguyen Thanh Tuyen, head of marketing department of Viet Seacooking.

Many other companies showed a similar opinion about export credit insurance. They worried that high costs of the insurance would push up the operation expenses and reduce their profit margin.

Some in the Mekong Delta especially have never heard about it. Truong Dinh Hoe, secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, told Dau Tu Tai Chinh Newspaper he had not received any information about the insurance.

“We will find out and inform to every members of the association,” Hoe said, adding he guesses the insurance is useful for seafood exporters.

Analysts warned Vietnam’s exporters were carrying high risks of losses from the international payment term, which sees foreign customers transfer money only after receiving shipments.

Therefore, buying export credit insurance is a must even thought it reduces the profit margin, they noticed.

However, statistics from the Association of Vietnamese Insurers show there are only three local insurers providing export credit insurance, comprising of Bao Minh, PetroVietnam Insurance and Australia–based QBE.

Phung Dac Loc, chairman of the association, said only insurers who can assess the foreign importers are able to provide the service. They can estimate trade and politic risks that will affect the importers, Loc said.

Most of the Vietnamese insurers have not been capable for the requirements since Vietnam had no database of businesses worldwide, he said.

Ho Chi Minh City-based insurer Bao Minh also said to be an export credit insurer, it had to cooperate with a foreign large insurer to have access into their detailed information about businesses. The foreign partner is the insurer of Bao Minh.

Experts said local insurers could ask commercial offices of Vietnam’s overseas embassies to help create their own database of business profiles worldwide.

Vietnam tops the list of countries in the world needing trade finance, according to an HSBC report that surveyed 17 markets worldwide.

The global bank said that the number of Vietnamese businesses who said they need trade finance will increase to 74 percent in a first-quarter survey from 66 percent in the second half of last year.

Additive inspections to continue: Ministry

Ministry: Students, pupils should vote for Ha Long Bay

The Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training has urged schools nationwide to call upon students and pupils to vote for Ha Long Bay as one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

The promotional campaign is part of the summer activities for pupils and students in the country.

According to information on the website www.new7wonders.com, the Seven Natural Wonders of the World will be announced on November 11.

Ha Long Bay is the only heritage site in Vietnam to be short listed from 28 other wonders and recommended for the 7 natural wonders of the world.

People can call phone number 033.3847481 or http://www.halongbay.com.vn for further information.

Vietnamese people and foreign visitors can also go to www.natural7wonders.com to vote for Ha Long Bay.

Former UNIDO representative to Vietnam honoured

Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung on June 3 handed over the Friendship Medal to Nilgun Tas, former Chief Representative in Vietnam of the UN Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).

The decoration was made in recognition of Nilgun Tas’s contributions to boosting cooperation between Vietnam and the UN, particularly UNIDO.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister Trung praised Nilgun Tas’s active contributions and recognised her efforts in promoting the One UN Initiative in Vietnam.

For her part, Nilgun Tas promised, in her new position, she would continue to boost cooperation and assistance from UNIDO to Vietnam in the coming time.

Gathering to mark Russia Independence Day

A gathering was held in Ho Chi Minh City on June 3 to mark the Russia Independence Day (June 12, 1990).

At the event, Hoang Huu Nghia, Chairman of the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City, said that 21 years ago the Russian parliament formally declared Russian sovereignty from the Soviet Union and opened a new era in the country’s history.

The Vietnamese people have always been grateful for the Russian people’s support in their resistance wars to defend the country and during the process of national construction.

After 60 years of diplomatic ties both countries have strengthened their multi-faceted strategic cooperation particularly in oil exploration, by signing an inter-governmental agreement to extend the Vietsovpetro Joint Venture to 20 years.

The two sides also discussed solutions for cooperation projects including a project to build the first nuclear power plant in Vietnam.

They will also work together to explore titanium mines, produce natural rubber and develop mobile information services.

Last year, two-way trade between the two countries reached US$2.4 billion and the figure is expected to hit US$3 billion in 2012 and US$10 billion by 2020.

Around 120,000 Russian visitors traveled to the southern regions of Vietnam in 2010.

ADB, Australia offer loans for GMS development

The Asia Development Bank (ADB) will provide a non-refundable aid worth US$26 million funded by the Australian Government for a constructional project of transportation infrastructure in the Mekong Sub-region.

The loan aims to fund design preparations and building of two cable-stayed bridges and a 25-kilometer highway to join the two bridges.

The aid is part of the AUD160 million non-refundable aid package from the Australian Government for Vietnam’s project to make a connection with the centre of the Mekong river delta.

It will finance the project’s technology, design and constructional supervision items, as well as most expenses of the construction of Cao Lanh bridge in the southern province of Dong Thap.

Ceremony to mark conservation of tomb of late President’s mother

A ceremony to inaugurate the conservation and embellishment of the tomb of Madame Hoang Thi Loan, mother of late President Ho Chi Minh, was held in Nam Dan District of central Nghe An Province yesterday.

President Nguyen Minh Triet, accompanied by high-ranking officials, attended the ceremony which also received flowers from Party General Secretary and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong; former Party General Secretaries Do Muoi, Le Kha Phieu and Nong Duc Manh; and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

Loan (1868-1901) was the mother of a number of children, including Nguyen Sinh Cung, who later became President Ho Chi Minh.

Her tomb is one of the main tourist destinations in the Kim Lien Complex, conservation of which had been approved by the Prime Minister in July 2003.

“Both the Kim Lien Complex and Hoang Thi Loan’s Tomb are invaluable to the Party, State and people of Viet Nam. The tomb has been a significant destination for generations of Vietnamese and foreign visitors,” National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong said during the ceremony.

She called on Nghe An Province to organise tours to the site.

The tomb was built in 1985 on the occasion of the 95th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh.

Conservation and embellishment of the tomb began in July, 2010. It covers 65.2ha and additionally includes the tomb of the late President’s paternal grandmother.

The ceremony is one of a series of events held to celebrate the 121st birthday of President Ho Chi Minh and 100 years since he left the country to look for ways to salvage the country.

OV in Russia present gifts for orphans and disabled children

The Vietnamese People’s Association in Russia and the Moscow Peace Fund presented gifts to pupils at the No.81 boarding school for orphans and disabled children under the Moscow State Department of Education on the occasion of International Children’s Day (June 1).

First Secretary Le Minh Dan from the Vietnamese Embassy wished that the children would overcome challenges to study well.

The school’s rector Nalivaiko, thanked the Association and the Vietnamese Embassy’s officials for their gifts to the disadvantaged.

In recent years, the Vietnamese People’s Association in Russia has held many socio-cultural and charitable activities for both Vietnamese and Russian friends.

Korea gives $1.8m for cyber university

The South Korean government has given a US$1.8 million grant to Viet Nam to establish the ASEAN Cyber University.

The money will be dispensed by the Korea International Co-operation Agency (KOICA).

Quach Tuan Ngoc, director of the Informatic Department at the Ministry of Education and Training, and Lee Wook Heon, KOICA Viet Nam’s chief representative, signed a memorandum of understanding on the non-refundable loan in Ha Noi yesterday.

“Extension of e-learning and e-training systems will not only contribute to reforming the education environment and human-resource training but is a symbol of the tight co-operative relations between Korea and Viet Nam as well as Korea and ASEAN,” Lee said.

As part of the project, the Ha Noi Science and Technology University will develop an e-learning and training and a facility support centre.

The university project comes under the framework of a co-operation deal between South Korea and ASEAN countries that include Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Viet Nam.

Viet Nam meanwhile will support other countries acting within the technology hub.

KOIKA said Viet Nam had the most advanced informatic and technology infrastructure among the four countries.

More than 20 per cent of Viet Nam’s State budget is spent on education.

It is hoped the project will raise training standards and boost e-learning in ASEAN.

The ASEAN Cyber University project was initiated at the Korea-ASEAN Summit in 2009.

Rowdy airline passenger fined

An Australian passenger was fined VND5 million (US$240) for creating disorder on a Vietnam Airlines flight from Melbourne to HCM City on June 1, according to the Southern Aviation Authority. The passenger reportedly became noisy after drinking alcohol and then struck cabin crew and nearby passengers.

The passenger, an Australian businessman working in HCM City, later appologised for his behaviour and said it may have been caused by an interaction between the alcohol and a medication taken to relieve toothache.

On May 17, a French passenger was also fined VND15 million ($715) for joking that there was bomb in the aircraft on a flight between HCM City and the central city of Da Nang.

Flocks of wild ducks descend on Ba River

Hundreds of wild ducks have been spotted on the sandbars in the lower section of Ba River in Phu Hoa and Tay Hoa districts in the central province of Phu Yen.

A local said the large flocks had been gathering at midday over the past month, when normally there were only five to ten ducks.

“If wild ducks are feeding here, we will draft plans to encourage their protection,” said the head of the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Huynh Le Dinh.

Ninh Binh sets stricter rules on tour boats

The northern province of Ninh Binh has imposed stricter controls on the operation of tour boats and wharves to guarantee the safety of tourists. Each tourist site is now required to maintain a rescue team and each boat must be equipped with life jackets. Operators must be certified and rules on danger signs in sea routes must be properly obeyed. Ninh Binh, known for its beautiful scenery, has about 3,000 vessels to transport tourists.

City plans to limit bikes via Thu Thiem Tunnel

The HCMC Department of Transport is making a plan to limit the number of motorbikes traveling through the Thu Thiem Tunnel when the under-river tunnel is in operation.

Tran Quang Lam, director of Thu Thiem Tunnel management center, told the Daily via telephone that related agencies are discussing and fielding suggestions for organizing traffic through the tunnel. The department will submit the plan to the city’s government.

Motorbike limitation will help ensure safety for the tunnel but there is no final decision for the plan right now, Lam said.

Japanese contractor Obayashi is installing technical works inside the tunnel like ventilation, water pumping, damp-proofing, lighting, telecommunications, emergency alerting, fire and explosion prevention and other facilities. The tunnel is expected to be opened to traffic in early September.

The Thu Thiem Tunnel is about 1.49 kilometers in length, 33 meters in width and nine meters in height with six lanes for automobiles and motorcycles, not including two emergency lanes. The under-river section connecting districts 1 and 2 will be 370 meters long.

Property dealers seized in $214,000 extortion

Hanoi police yesterday arrested a businessman and his two employees for forcing a customer to pay an extra VND4.4 billion (US$214,000) to buy a house.

Nguyen Tran Linh, 34, deputy director of the Hanoi-based UDIC Investment and Real Estate Management Joint Stock Company, were arrested when he was caught receiving the money from Nguyen Van Loc, the house buyer, from Ha Nam Province.

Also arrested at the scene were Dang Quang Huy, 27, an executive of the trading floor, and Nguyen Thi Nhan, 26, the company’s cashier.

In late May, Loc wanted to buy from the company’s UDIC trading floor a house priced at VND135 million ($6,600) per square meter, but Linh and Huy told Loc that he would have to pay them an additional VND52 million ($2,500) per square meter, otherwise, they would not sell the house to him.

Linh also asked Loc to transfer the extra amount to him before signing the contract.

As the house – in Hanoi’s Cau Giay District – is 86.1 square meters, the extra value amounted to nearly VND4.4 billion.

Loc agreed to the deal but he later reported the case to police.

Yesterday, June 3, Loc brought the said money to the company’s office to pay Linh. While Linh and his two staff were counting the money, the police rushed in.

The police said the three would be charged with “abusing position and power to appropriate assets.”

Three injured during fight at gold mine

Three people were injured when 200 angry residents caused a stampede at the Bong Mieu gold mine in Quang Nam Province yesterday after a local was allegedly assaulted by the mine’s security guards.

The incident occurred at 2 a.m. Saturday, after Vu Xuan Loc, a local resident, had a blow exchange with some security guards of the Bong Mieu Gold Company, said Bui Quang Minh, chairman of the Phu Ninh district’s Tam Lanh commune People Committee.

Loc and two guards, whose names were not announced, were injured during their fight that broke out at pit No. 6 of the mine, Minh said.

The guards suspected that Loc had stolen some gold ore exploited by the company, which is licensed to mine gold at Bong Mieu, Minh said.

Soon after the fight, more than 200 locals flocked to the scene to protest the company’ security force, causing a chaos there.

After being informed of the incident by the company, local police rushed to the scene to control the situation and prevent any extreme actions by the two sides and, said Senior Lieutenant Colonel Le Hoai Nam, deputy head of the Phu Ninh Police Department.

Policemen tried to cool down the angry crowd but it was not until 6 a.m. that the disorderly crowd was dispersed, Minh said.

Before the fight between Loc and the guards, a number of locals had allegedly broken into the company’s mining site to steal an indeterminable amount of rock containing gold ore, the official said.

The police are investigating the case.

91 tourists hospitalized after restaurant dinner

91 tourists were hospitalized for food poisoning in Lam Dong province after having dinner at a restaurant there.

Most vomited and had mild temperatures. According to Lam Dong General Hospital where they were treated, they are tourists coming from Vinh Long province and Ho Chi Minh City.

Most have been discharged as of 10am today except seven tourists who are still being treated for complications.

Relatives said that after having dinner at the Cam Do restaurant on Phan Dinh Phung Street in Da Lat City, they had to go to the toilet multiple times before being rushed to hospital.

Authorities are investigating.