Bai Choi singing receives UNESCO statusA ceremony was held in Quy Nhon city, south central province of Binh Dinh, on May 5 to receive a certificate from UNESCO recognising Bai Choi singing, a popular folklore style of singing in central Vietnam, as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism (R) receives the UNESCO certificate recognising Bai Choi singing as an Intangible Cutural Heritage of Humanity. He called on people to join efforts in maintaining and preserving Bai Choi singing as it is now the common asset of the humanity. On the occasion, 400 artisans and singers from nine central provinces with Bai Choi singing heritage joined an art performance programme, highlighting the establishment and development of Bai Choi sining. A card and a flag are used in a Bai Choi singing performance.

Vietnamese teachers now ‘have to compete with Google’VietNamNet Bridge - Many students are concerned about their future careers and want to improve the education sector to change society's perception of teaching careers. And nursery school teachers were found abusing children. And nursery school teachers were found abusing children. Huynh Thanh Phu, headmaster of Nguyen Du High School, commented that modern teachers ‘have to compete with Google’ in providing knowledge to students. However, teachers cannot be replaced by Google, because teachers communicate with students and transfer knowledge to them in an emotional way.

Government News In Brief 5/5PM: Vietnam treasures strategic partnership with JapanVietnam treasures its strategic partnership with Japan and considers Japan an important and long-term partner, said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Japanese companies are very interested in the Vietnamese market, Kishida said, adding that Vietnam and Japan should strengthen their cooperation in regional and international matters. The Deputy PM appreciated Japan’s support for socio-economic development and competitiveness improvement of Vietnam through official development assistance (ODA) and fruitful investment projects. The Vietnamese official noted the cooperation between the Vietnam-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Group and the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance has been developing fruitfully. In Vietnam, President Ho Chi Minh also employed and developed Marxism-Leninism in a creative manner to suit Vietnam’s situation.

Singapore's new brand film, “Singapore-Where Passion is Made Possible” has received 192 million video views and attracted 3.19 million social media engagements since its launch. The ministry has proposed using interest from the social insurance fund’s deposits at banks or revenues from fines imposed on enterprises failing to pay social insurance premiums on time to support workers whose employers have fled the country. According to Vietnam Social Security (VSS), social and health insurance debts have amounted to VND12 trillion (US$527 million), with VND10 trillion of it social insurance. Vietnam currently has some 8,000 enterprises whose owners have left Vietnam, leaving behind social insurance debts of VND2 trillion. At a meeting of the National Assembly Committee for Social Affairs on the implementation of social insurance policies last year, deputies complained that there was no legal document which could help handle social insurance debts.

HCM City calls for locals’ involvement in battle against dengue feverThe People’s Committees at districts, wards and communes must mobilise all resources and take drastic measures to prevent dengue fever, said Director of the municipal Department of Health Nguyen Tan Binh. “Organisations, agencies and local people should set aside 10-15 minutes per week to find and kill mosquito larvae in their surroundings to prevent dengue fever”, he said. Binh urged strict sanctions for any organisation and individual that do not take actions to kill mosquito larvae. Thanks to effective measures against dengue fever, the number of dengue cases in the city in 2017 declined 11 percent from the previous year. In the first four months of 2018, the city reported 3,000 dengue patients, a year-on-year decrease of 31 percent.

Vietnam’s top tennis player enters F1 Futures semi-finalsVietnamese top tennis player Ly Hoang Nam beat Kazuki Nishiwaki of Japan in the quarter-finals of the men’s singles of the Vietnam F1 Futures tennis tournament in Hue on May 4. Vietnamese top tennis player Ly Hoang Nam beats Kazuki Nishiwaki of Japan in the quarter-finals of the men’s singles of the Vietnam F1 Futures tennis tournament. (Photo: VTF)Nam, No 1 seed and world No 461, beat Nishiwaki, world No 998 with the score of 6-1, 6-3. In the semi-finals, Nam will meet Lucas Vuradin of Australia, world No 1,155, who beat Takashi Saito of Japan in the other quarter-final match. The Vietnamese duo are to play Chun Hun Wong and Pak Long Yeung of Hong Kong in the final on May 5.-VNA

Vietnam exempts import tax for Emirates AirlineDeputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue has agreed with the Ministry of Finance’s proposal to exempt tax on imported goods of Emirates Airline. The Airbus A380 aircraft of Emirates AirlineHue assigned the Ministry of Finance to implement the proposal and has instructed the customs forces to supervise and closely control the import and use of duty-free goods of the airline to ensure that they are used for right purposes and in line with the law. Under the direction of the Deputy PM, the import and use of duty-free goods by Emirates must be for the right purposes as described in Article 6 of the Agreement on Air Transport, signed between the Governments of Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates. It is the fifth airline to receive exemption from import tax. Previously, the Deputy PM had agree to exempt the tax for imported goods of Hong Kong Dragon, Cathay Pacific Airways, Federal Express Corporation and Japan Airlines.-VNA

Quang Ninh mobilizes resources for Van Don island developmentThe northern coastal province of Quang Ninh has been working to mobilise resources for the building of a blueprint on the establishment of the Van Don Special Administrative-Economic Zone. The province mobilised 57.6 trillion VND to invest in infrastructure in Van Don district, creating an impetus for the area’s development. A series of key transport projects are scheduled to complete this year, including the Van Don airport, the Ha Long-Hai Phong and Ha Long-Van Don highways. Van Don district will be one of the first three special administrative-economic zones in Vietnam. Once the law is released, the general socio-economic planning and construction of Van Don economic zone will be adjusted to fit its status as a special administrative-economic zone.- VNA

Mekong Delta shows best competiveness nationwideThe Mekong Delta has consistently recorded the highest average provincial competitiveness index (PCI) among six regions nationwide since 2014, said the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI). Among 10 cities and provinces across the country showing the best governance, five are in the Mekong Delta, including Dong Thap, Long An, Ben Tre, Vinh Long and Can Tho, as heard a seminar discussing the PCI 2017 in the Mekong Delta and lessons on management and reform experience that took place in Can Tho city on May 4. It also boasts the easiest business registration conditions with fastest administrative procedures and least red tape. VCCI President Vu Tien Loc asked the regional localities to issue resolutions on PCI improvement, and build PCI at ward, commune and district levels to measure businesses’ satisfaction with public services, thereby fueling administrative reform. Participants listened to experience in administrative reform and business environment improvement by experts and firms shared by the northern province of Quang Ninh and the central city of Da Nang.-VNA

European Book Days 2018 kicks off in HanoiThe European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) in collaboration with Embassies of the EU member states opened the eighth European Book Days in Hanoi on May 5. The 8th European Book Days opens in Hanoi on May 5. The book festival has been in full swing with an array of activities such as book introduction, readings, workshops, exhibitions, films, quiz games, and discounted programme. Particularly, European writings about Vietnam will be introduced on the occasion, including “Les Jungles Moi” by Henri Maitre and “We have eaten the forest” by Georges Condominas. The European Book Days, which was previously called European Literature Days, has been organised annually in Hanoi since 2011 with the support from the Delegation of the European Union.

Action month on environment to be launchedAn action month on environmental protection will be launched in June under the theme “Resolving pollution caused by plastic and nylon” as part of activities to mark World Environment Day on June 5. An action month for the environment will be launched next month with the theme “Resolving pollution caused by plastic and nylon”. (Photo: vea.gov.vn)The launch ceremony will be organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) on June 4 in the central province of Binh Dinh. The action month will have three focuses, including conducting measures to protect natural resources and the environment, preventing natural calamity and adapting to climate change, and treating waste with a focus on plastics. Specialised teams on environmental protection should be set up to implement a process for collecting and treating waste.-VNA

Hanoians get a taste of European culturesA kaleidoscope of European cultures has been brought to Hanoians through the Europe Days 2018 programme which opened in Hanoi on May 4. The Europe Days 2018 is underway in Hanoi with a wide range of cultural activities. The event, jointly held by the Delegation of the European Union (EU), Embassies of the union’s member states and European cultural centres, offers a string of various activities that demonstrate the diversity of European culture from art and cuisine to lifestyle. Meanwhile, Ambassador Bruno Angelet, head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, noted that the European Days 2018 is organised right in the heart of Hanoi, aiming to make European cultures more familiar to Vietnamese people. In addition, the European Book Days 2018 will be held in Hanoi for the eighth time and Ho Chi Minh City for the third time.

Vietnam beat Bangladesh at AFC women’s futsal eventVietnam crushed Bangladesh 7-0 in the second match of Group B of the AFC Women’s Futsal Championship in Bangkok, Thailand on May 4. Vietnam celebrate beating Bangladesh in the AFC Women’s Futsal Championship in Bangkok, Thailand on May 4. (Photo: plo.vn)The win helped the Vietnamese side move a step close to a place in the quarter-finals. Do Thi Nguyen’s hat-trick was the highlight of the seven goals scored by Vietnamese girls during the match. Group B of the second AFC Women’s Futsal Championship comprises Vietnam, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Chinese Taipei.

Vietnamese economists concerned over bond issuance planVietNamNet Bridge - Issuing international bonds means borrowing foreign capital at high interest rates. Once US dollars are pumped into circulation, Vietnam dong will be withdrawn from circulation. Because of the dollar supply, the dollar price would go down, and the Vietnam dong would appreciate. Because of the dollar supply, the dollar price would go down, and the Vietnam dong would appreciate. When issuing international dong-linked bonds, Vietnam would face certain restrictions in seeking investors.

Education Ministry warns of high percentage of students with mental health problemsVietNamNet Bridge - Educators and adults have finally begun paying more attention to school counseling needs after reports of a number of suicides of students. Mr Bui Van Linh from MOET's Students' Affairs DepartmentThe public was stunned by the suicide of a 16-year-old student at the Nguyen Khuyen High School in HCM City. A study by the University of Education under the Hanoi National University in seven northern provinces found that 20 percent of students have mental health problems that need treatment. MOET wants at least 90 percent of high schools, intermediate school (2-year training), junior colleges (3-year training) and universities to have counseling divisions. However, a high school teacher in Hanoi warned that training 70,000 counselors within a short time would be a very difficult task.