Author: Singapore News Gazette

Hanoi: The Vietnam Academy of Blockchain and AI Innovation (ABAII) made its debut on April 24 at the annual forum on Blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI). The ABAII aims to train and universalise Blockchain technology and AI for 1 million people. In particular, about 100,000 students at 30 universities across the country will be equipped with the latest knowledge on this field through various activities such as workshops, training courses, programming competitions (hackathon), idea creation competitions (ideathon), and the 2024 university tour programme (Unitour 2024). Dao Trung Thanh, ABAII deputy director, shared that the Unitour has been held at five universities in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang city over the past two months, bringing useful knowledge on the applications of blockchain and AI according to the needs and desires of each university with topics of interest such as digital economy and finance, banking data analysis, and career opportunities. On this occasion, the academy also g ave five universities with 50 scholarships each to promote the universalisation of Blockchain and AI among the Vietnamese technology students./. Source: Vietnam News Agency

Ninh Binh: A series of activities will be held in the northern province of Ninh Binh on the occasion of the five-day holiday of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day (May 1) from April 27 to May 1. One of the events that residents and tourists are looking forward to will be the 10th anniversary of the Trang An Landscape Complex's UNESCO recognition as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site. A grand ceremony to mark this anniversary is scheduled to take place on April 26 evening. On this occasion, tourists to Ninh Binh can attend the Trang An Festival, also held on April 26, during which they will have a chance to experience the local culture and river rituals. Sports lovers can take part in the cycling for a green environment on April 27, and the 'Dau an Di san 2024' (Heritage Imprint) Marathon on April 28 on the Trang An-Bai Dinh heritage route. The events are expected to see 1,000-1,500 participants. Those who love traditional arts will have opportunities to immerse themselves in water puppetry performances, folk songs, and a space to experience the culture of a typical village in the north in Hoa Lu ancient town. Tran Thi Diep Anh from the Hoa Lu ancient town management board said that besides regular activities, a special art programme named 'Ruc ro Hoa Lu' (Colourful Hoa Lu) will be held on April 30 evening, drawing the participation of more than 100 artists, including famous ones like singer My Tam. It will be open for free to local residents and tourists who can also watch firework displays. The provincial Tourism Department has sent a document to the management boards of tourism sites and accommodation service establishments to increase the quality of services, take concerted measures to ensure safety for tourists such as guaranteeing conditions for tourism business; and strictly implementing conditions on fire and explosion prevention, environmental sanitation, and food hygiene and safety. It is also necessary to publicise prices and avoid raising p rices and enticing or forcing tourists to buy food, the department stressed. It said it will also coordinate with the Ninh Binh Tourism Association to mobilise and encourage local hotels to have policies to support service prices for delegations, people, and tourists on this occasion, thus contributing to promoting the image of the land and friendly and hospitable people of Ninh Binh to domestic and international friends. Ninh Binh is striving to welcome 7.5 million tourists this year. The Trang An Landscape Complex, which was honoured by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site in 2014, covers a total area of 6,226 hectares within the Trang An limestone massif and is surrounded by a 6,026-ha buffer zone which is mostly made up of rural land with rice paddy fields. The site spans across 20 communes and wards in five districts and cities of Ninh Binh, comprising the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, the Trang An-Tam Coc-Bich Dong Scenic Landscape, and the Hoa Lu Special-Use Forest./. Source: Vietnam Ne ws Agency

HCM City: More than 1,300 healthcare professionals joined a Women's Health Summit in southern Vietnam in April to update on health matters spanning across a woman's life. The annual event, organized by Abbott, the global healthcare company, has the biggest turnaround since the pre-pandemic gathering in 2019, marking another milestone in the company's efforts to improve access to women's health care in Vietnam. Awareness of the women's role in the society and their health care has been elevated in recent years in the Southeast Asian nation with one of Asia's fastest-growing economies as the government seeks ways to expand women's access to health care services. With more women joining the labor force, the health authorities have introduced more incentives to allow them to better control their health. Vietnamese female laborers last year edged up 1.2% from 2022 to 24.47 million, accounting for around a quarter of the country's population, based on government statistics. Given up to 90% of Vietnamese women s uffer from gynecological-related diseases as per Health Ministry data, the ministry last year revised a 2013 circular to allow female laborers to get gynecological examinations and screened for cervical cancer and breast cancer during regular health check-up. The ministry has pledged it would further focus on improving maternal and child health and reproductive health in 2024. At the Abbott-hosted summit held on April 14 in Ho Chi Minh City, health experts discussed key issues closely related to women's health, including endometriosis, fertility support and menopause. The event trailed a regional meeting in late March, the Asia Pacific Women's Health Summit, to which Abbott brought together over 1,100 foreign and Vietnamese experts to discuss perspectives in obstetric and gynecological management. The events are part of Abbott's continuous works to share with healthcare professionals' approaches and solutions in women's healthcare, contributing to reducing the proven health disparities. Partnership for b etter care Abbott has been partnering with global and Vietnamese organizations to help address the challenges in women's specific health needs at every stage of their lives, such as dealing with endometriosis pain, fertility problems, or physical and emotional changes relating to menopause. Work with key partners ranges from driving clinical trials and enhancing professional development in healthcare to providing education to improve women and family healthcare. Abbott and Tam Anh Hospital are conducting a nationwide clinical study on assisted reproduction, the first women's health clinical trial to be done by the hospital. The study is expected to bring about Vietnam-relevant insights towards an effective and convenient treatment alternative with positive outcomes compared to traditional therapies. On another development, Abbott teams up with the World Endometriosis Society and the Vietnam Association of Gynecology and Obstetrics to update the national treatment guidelines for the disease with upcoming m edical trainings for healthcare professionals across the country for earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment. Besides, Abbott has partnered with the Vietnam Women's Union for over a decade to expand healthcare and nutrition education across the country. The program has raised public awareness about healthcare to help improve the well-being of women and children, and establish family health. Established in 1888, Abbott has pledged to help people live more fully at all stages of life. Since its 1995 arrival in Vietnam, the company has been working with the authorities, partners and stakeholders to improve access to women's health care so that women can take charge of their health and live their healthiest lives. Given Vietnam's success in post-pandemic recovery, its open policies towards enterprises and potential for further development, Abbott will continue its long-term investment in the country, Robert Ford, Abbott's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, told Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at a Hanoi meeting in August 2023./. Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: Vietnam has eliminated malaria in 46 provinces and centrally-run cities as of the end of last year, and is determined to eradicate the disease by 2030, according to official data. The World Health Organisation (WHO) commemorates World Malaria Day on April 25 every year to highlight the community's commitment to as well as global solidarity towards the shared goal of a malaria-free world. WHO aims to reduce the number of malaria cases by at least 90% by 2030. In response, this year, Vietnam adopted the theme of making concerted efforts towards malaria elimination, in a bid to enhance access to healthcare services for malaria prevention and control. According to Dr. Hoang Dinh Canh, Director of the National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology, and Entomology under the Ministry of Health, Vietnam recorded 448 malaria cases last year, a decrease of 97.3% compared to 2011. In the same period, the numbers of severe malaria cases and deaths from the disease went down by 89.19% and 85.71%, respectively. A lthough Vietnam has brought malaria cases down to below 500 cases per year, its prevention and control work still face many challenges. In addition to the nation's tropical climate, over 6 million Vietnamese now live in malaria-endemic areas and there is evidence of mosquito resistance to insecticides. To achieve the 2030 goal, Canh noted it is necessary to develop a malaria elimination strategy to mobilise the participation of the entire society and use local budgets to replace aid sources. He recommended strengthening related communications work, training personnel involved, maintaining surveillance and reporting systems, and utilising information technology, among other measures./. Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) held its annual 2023 Press Award ceremony at its Hanoi headquarters on April 25. The event honored outstanding journalistic works and recognised the dedication of VNA journalists across all media platforms. In her speech, VNA General Director Vu Viet Trang said in 2023, VNA produced about 370,000 news pieces, averaging over 1,000 per day. Among them, only 0.02% were selected and awarded, demonstrating the meticulous selection process by each member of the preliminary and final judging panels. She commended authors of the prize winning entries, both at home and abroad, for capturing important events, delving into pressing security and social issues, and reflecting the exceptional efforts of the entire political system during a year when Vietnam had to face 'headwinds'. Such information, she said, has had a positive impact on the society, fostered public trust in the Party, and enhanced the country's role and position on the international stage. On the occasion, she lau nched the VNA Press Award 2024, stressing that this year is crucial as Vietnam strives to achieve the goals outlined in the 13th National Party Congress's resolution, which presents opportunities to VNA journalists to explore in their reporting, both within Vietnam and globally. At the ceremony, prizes were awarded to 69 outstanding works, with 6 A, 15 B, 20 C, and 28 consolation prizes. Additionally, six specialised awards were also presented./. Source: Vietnam News Agency

HCM City: A centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) in Ho Chi Minh City is scheduled to be officially launched in September, with a mission to be Vietnam's top facility in advising national industrial policies, piloting their implementation in the southern metropolis, and promoting economic transformation in the revolution. The information was unveiled at a workshop on the C4IR held in the city on April 25. The facility, the second of its kind in Southeast Asia and the 19th worldwide, is expected to be located in the Saigon Hi-Tech Park. It is established as part of cooperation between the Vietnamese Government and the World Economic Forum (WEF) for 2023-2026 and under a deal signed between the chairman of the municipal People's Committee and WEF leader earlier this year. Vice Chairman of the HCM City People's Committee Vo Van Hoan expressed his hope that the centre will become a platform not only for the city but also for the entire country to shape the development of Fourth Industrial Revolutio n strategies in line with the overall national development strategy, contributing to the global trajectory of technological advancement. Manju George, heading the strategic impact and integration platform at WEF, noted that the C4IR in the city will benefit from the synergy of leading Vietnamese technology enterprises and leverage the knowledge and experience of the global C4IR network to provide support, advice, proposals, and recommendations for solutions, policies, and initiatives in line with Vietnam's directions and international technology trends. Kim Byoungho, Chairman of the Board of Directors of HDBank - a founding member of the C4IR in HCM City, said that its establishment is a significant step forward, contributing to creating breakthrough momentum towards the goal of developing HCM City into a modern industrial service city, as well as a hub for economy, finance, commerce, science-technology, and culture in the region./. Source: Vietnam News Agency