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<span class='text_page_counter'>(1)</span>HA NOI (VNS)— Viet Nam's State and Party leaders again affirmed they value strengthening the country's traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Cambodia. President Truong Tan Sang and Politburo member cum standing member of the Party Central Committee Secretariat Le Hong Anh made this statement while receiving a delegation of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) headed by Senator Sim Kar, member of the CPP Standing Committee, in Ha Noi yesterday. The two leaders expressed pleasure at recent developments in the relations between the two countries, particularly the successful Viet Nam-Cambodia Friendship Year. They also praised the two parties for their continued co-operation and hoped that the two sides would continue to implement high-level agreements. The Vietnamese leaders said they believed under the reign of King Sihamoni and the leadership of the Cambodian National Assembly, Senate and Government, the Cambodian people would continue reaping great achievements in national construction and successfully organise the upcoming National Assembly elections. Sim Kar expressed gratitude to Viet Nam for its assistance during Cambodia's struggle for national liberation and current efforts in construction and defence. He said the CPP, Cambodian State and people would do their utmost to elevate the traditional friendship between the two Parties and nations to a new height. He affirmed that Cambodia would continue working closely with Viet Nam to implement agreements and joint declarations between the two Parties and States. The same day, Ngo Van Du, Politburo member and Secretary of the Party Central Committee, held talks with the CPP officials, during which the two sides discussed ways to implement agreements between the two Parties and nations. They also signed a Party cooperation agreement for the 2013-2014 period. — VNS. The hamlet is separated from other districts by the dangerous Thac Ma River, which has caused up to four deaths in the last three years, said hamlet chief Tran Quang Hai. Last year, a child drowned while trying to get to school. All 70 households have a small area of land for farming production. But they also have to fetch firewood in the forest and do extra jobs to survive, he said – meaning that they are often forced to cross the river. "We can get across the river in the dry season but not in the rainy season, when the water level rises to nearly 15 metres. As a result, most students have to skip school for nearly one month," said Hai. Ho Xuan Chien, a fourth-grader at Hai Son Primary School, was once swept away by the river's swift current – but he fortunately escaped death thanks to a local resident. "My parents work in the forest for the whole day so I have to cross the river by myself. I feel so scared now and won't go to school if nobody helps me cross the river," Chien told Nguoi Lao Dong (Labourer) newspaper. For the same reason, Chien's older sister left school when she was only in fifth grade. The lack of a bridge has forced local residents to create their own means of transport. Punctured car tires collected from auto repair shops are fixed and inflated, then used as buoys to carry students. "Since the tubes are old, they sometimes turn over and get students' clothes and books wet. They have to miss their classes that day," said 53-year-old villager Doan Thanh Binh..

<span class='text_page_counter'>(2)</span> Khe Muong Hamlet now has 30 school-age children, but in the 2012-2013 academic year, only one student attended high school. The rest refused to brave the river. The lack of a bridge also affects agricultural production. Local farmers find it hard to transport products across the river for sale; residents, as a result, are forced to sell products at a price two or three times lower than market value. According to Nguyen Khanh Vinh, chairman of the Hai Son communal people's committee, the commune has proposed a motion to build a bridge over the Thac Ma River many times but it has not been approved as yet due to the lack of budget. — VNS. Thai Son Nam District 8 beat Tao Dan District 1 in the final of the HCM City Women's Futsal Championships in HCM City on Wednesday. Hong Bang International University beat Tanimex Tan Phu to secure the third place. The winners walked away with the trophy, gold medals and a cash prize of VND10 million (US$480). The runners-up received VND7 million and VND5 million, respectively. The event, which kicked off on March 19, is considered the top women's futsal tournament in HCM City. The tournament was aimed at developing and improving the level and training of women's futsal and identifying players for the national team in preparation for the Asian Indoor Games in June in South Korea, and the 27th Southeast Asian Games in December in Myanmar. — VNS. The HCM City Futsal Open for strong teams will begin today at the Phu Tho and Thai Son Nam Gymnasiums in HCM City. The event, which will last until April 2, has attracts eight teams who will compete in two round robins.. The champion will receive VND30 million (US$1,400), while the runners-up will get VND20 million and VND10 million. The event's organising board also gives awards for the best player, the best goalkeeper and the top scorer. The tournament is held to improve professional futsal skills in the country. — VNS. The fifth Southeast Asian Student Sports Festival is scheduled to begin at Ha Noi's Elite Athletes Training Centre on June 22-30. About 1,500 athletes and coaches from eight countries will participate, including Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei, Laos, and Viet Nam. Students will compete in track-and-field, swimming, pencak silat, basketball, sepak takraw, badminton, gymnastics, table-tennis and volleyball. At a meeting with team representatives in Ha Noi earlier this week, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Tran Quang Quy said the festival would enhance solidarity and knowledge-sharing in the region..

<span class='text_page_counter'>(3)</span> At the fourth festival in Indonesia last year, Viet Nam won 27 golds, 17 silvers and 16 bronzes. — VNS. Ha Noi 1 lost to Phong Phu Ha Nam 1-0 in the fifth and last round of first leg of the National Women's Football Championship-Thai Son Bac Cup in the northern province of Ha Nam on Tuesday. Despite the loss, Ha Noi 1 took the lead in the first leg with 12 points after five matches in a round robin format. Phong Phu Ha Nam came second with 10 points and HCM City third with eight points. The annual event has attracted six teams. The second leg is scheduled from June 9 to 22 at Ha Nam Stadium. — VNS HA NOI (VNS)– Male gymnast Nguyen Ha Thanh won gold on the parallel bars in the Challenge Cup Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Cottbus, Germany, yesterday. Thanh finished first in the final round with 15.375 points, followed by Vasileios Tsolakidis of Greece with 15.300 points and Germany's Lucas Fisher with 15.255 points. Thanh was the only Vietnamese at the competition. Last Monday Thanh won a silver medal in the men's vault at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in La Roche-surYon City, France. Viet Nam's next gymnastic medal hope is Phan Thi Ha Thanh, who will compete at the Challenge Cup in Doha, Qatar, from tomorrow until March 29. Hai Phong-born Thanh won bronze at the 2011 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Tokyo and she dominated the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia with three gold medals, which earned her a berth at the 2012 London Olympics Games. – VNS. Viet Nam remain 30th in FIFA women's world rankings The Viet Nam women's national football team retained their 30th position in the latest FIFA rankings for the first quarter of the year. Viet Nam placed second in Southeast Asia with 1640 points, just one point behind world No 29, Thailand. Meanwhile, Myanmar and Indonesia came in third and fourth with 1536 and 1346 points, respectively. World No 3 Japan continued to dominate Asia with 2096 points, closely followed by Australia and North Korea which both have 1943 points. The US remained on top of the world rankings with 2215 points, followed by Germany with 2163. — VNS. The Viet Nam Challenge-Ciputra Ha Noi International Badminton Tournament 2013 kicked off yesterday in Trinh Hoai Duc Gymnasium. The event, which runs until March 31, attracts 269 outstanding players from 14 countries and territories.They are completing in five events: men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles..

<span class='text_page_counter'>(4)</span> The winner of each Challenge will receive 4,000 points towards their world ranking, while the two runnersup will get 3,400 and 2,800 points, respectively. The organising board will also award cash prizes worth a total of US$15,000. Viet Nam's top player Nguyen Tien Minh will not be competing in this year's tournament due to injury. — VNS. HA NOI (VNS)– HCM City drew with Ha Noi 2 1-1 in the fifth-round match of the first leg of the National Women's Football Championship-Thai Son Bac Cup in the northern province of Ha Nam yesterday. Striker Nguyen Thi Dang opened the score for Ha Noi 2 in the tenth minute of the first match. Twenty minutes later striker Phan Thi Trang levelled the score for HCM City. Ha Noi 1 temporarily took the lead with 12 points, while HCM City and Phong Phu Ha Nam stayed second and third with eight and seven points respectively. Today Thai Nguyen will take on defending champions Viet Nam Minerals and Coal. The annual event has attracted the participation of six teams. The first leg of the championship will run until tomorrow in a round robin format. The second leg will take place from June 9 to 22 at Ha Nam Stadium. – VNS. HA NOI (VNS)— Viet Nam's top chess player Le Quang Liem took the HD Bank International Chess Championships title in HCM City after drawing with Hungary's Berkes Ferenc in the last and ninth round of the event yesterday. The Hungarian rival accepted a draw after 30 moves. With six wins and three draws, the HCM City born player won a US$10,000 cash prize. Lu Shanglei of China came second with seven points. "I played well in this tournament. I didn't commit any errors in nine matches. This win is very important to me," said Liem. This year's tournament lured more than 100 players from 13 countries, who competed in the nine-round Swiss-style contest. Forty-eight Vietnamese players, including Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son, Nguyen Duc Hoa, Dao Thien Hai and Nguyen Van Huy, competed in the event. The annual event, the largest of its kind held by the Viet Nam Chess Federation, is part of the World Chess Federation's competition system. — VNS. Viet Nam lose in Asian Cup qualifier Viet Nam lost to Hong Kong 1-0 in the Asian Cup 2015 qualifier at Mongkok Stadium on Friday. Chan Wan Ho's goal helped the hosts earn three points..

<span class='text_page_counter'>(5)</span> To prepare for the away match, coach Hoang Van Phuc's players produced an impressive 4-1 performance in their warm-up game against Ha Noi T&T several days ago. Viet Nam were on the attack from the kick-off, but failed to take advantage of their possession. In the final minutes, Hong Kong pushed forward and were rewarded by Chan's header that sealed the win for Hong Kong with three minutes to go. After two losses, Viet Nam remain bottom of Group E. — VNS. HA NOI (VNS)– No 1 seed Le Quang Liem progressed in the HDBank Cup International Open Chess tournament ranking in HCM City after victories in two rounds. Grandmaster Liem yesterday (Mar 21) beat teammate International Master Nguyen Van Huy in the fourth round and Chinese Zeng Chongsheng in the fifth, earning 4.5 points and ranking fourth. He will next meet Paragua Mark of the Philippines, ranked second, also with 4.5 points. In top position is IM Wei Yi of China while running third is her teammate Zhou Jianchao, both with 4.5 points. IM Nguyen Duc Hoa, who ranked first on Tuesday, relinquished his position after one loss and one win on Thursday. He is now fifth with 4 points and will play GM Berkes Ferenc of Hungary. Vietnamese No 4 seed Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son has lost his chances with only three points in two wins, two draws and one loss. His next rival will be IM Yu Lie of China. The HDBank Cup will conclude on Sunday with the winner taking US$10,000. – VNS. HA NOI — Four Vietnamese athletes were named as the best athletes of the 25th Southeast Asia (SEA) Games which closed on Saturday in Laos, the Games’ Organisation Board has announced. The athletes were selected because of their achievements at the Games. The lists feature the top eight male and 10 female athletes. The Vietnamese representatives on the list includes marksman Ngo Huu Vuong, male track and field athlete Nguyen Dinh Cuong and two female runners Vu Thi Huong and Truong Thanh Hang. Vuong won two gold medals in the men’s individual running target air rifle and the running target mixed rifle event. Vuong was ranked sixth on the list. Cuong, who won two gold medals in the men’s 800m and 1,500m events, followed right behind Vuong on the list in seventh position. Cuong also won two gold medals in the above events at the previous SEA Games in Thailand two years ago. Two female Vietnamese representatives, Hang and Huong, finished at No 9 and No 10 on the women’s list. While Hang won two gold medals in the 800m and 1,500m events, Huong earned two other golds in the 100m and 200m. Both of them defended their titles that they won at two previous Games. The first places on each list were occupied by two Singaporean swimmers, Daniel William Henry Bego and Quah Ting Wen. Both of them won five gold medals in different events. — VNS. HA NOI (VNS)— Gymnast Phan Thi Ha Thanh sealed gold at the FIG Challenge Cup in Doha, Qatar on Thursday, coming out on top for the second successive year. In the women's vault, the Hai Phong City-born girl won a total of 14,825 points to bring home gold, followed by Larisa Andreea Iordache of Romania with 14,675 points..

<span class='text_page_counter'>(6)</span> In the qualifying round on Wednesday, Thanh had ranked just fourth with 14,100 points, but the 22-yearold upped her performance levels to repeat her golden triumph at the same event held in Belgium last year. In 2011 Thanh became the first gymnast to win a world medal for Viet Nam, winning a bronze medal on the vault at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Tokyo, Japan. This success qualified her as an individual gymnast for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Meanwhile, she dominated the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia, walking away with three gold medals. Fellow Vietnamese female gymnasts Thu Huyen and Van Anh were eliminated in the qualifying rounds of the balance beam and freestyle gymnastics event. On the men's side, Hoang Cuong reached the final round of the men's vault and parallel bars. Earlier this week, top Vietnamese male gymnast Nguyen Ha Thanh also performed outstandingly in the men's parallel bars at the Challenge Cup in Cottbus, Germany to bring home a gold medal. Thanh was the only Vietnamese representative at this tournament and was competing against some of the world's top athletes. On March 18, Hanoian Thanh also sealed a silver medal for Viet Nam at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in La Roche-sur-Yon City, France. — VNS. HA NOI (VNS) — Australia and Germany have pledged to provide more than US$23.3 million in nonrefundable aid between them to support coastal and mangrove protection and climate change adaptation in the Mekong Delta. The programme, worth more than $25 million is aimed at helping Viet Nam to manage coastal ecosystems to mitigate risks and increase the recovery capacity for the Mekong Delta region which is vulnerable to climate change. The project, focusing on transferring experience in policymaking and strengthening management of biological diversity, forest and aquaculture and improving the means of subsistence for local citizens, will be implemented in An Giang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, Kien Giang and Soc Trang provinces over three years. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Ha Cong Tuan told a workshop in Ha Noi yesterday that the programme of integrated coastal and mangrove protection and the programme of climate change and coastal ecosystems in the Mekong Delta were designed in line with Viet Nam's comprehensive growth and poverty reduction strategy until 2020. The first phase of the project is scheduled to end in October next year. — VNS. HA NOI (VNS)— More than 200 Vietnamese and international scholars, researchers and entrepreneurs gathered in Ha Noi yesterday to share experiences related to sustainable architecture..

<span class='text_page_counter'>(7)</span> "UN statistics show that the world's construction projects use up 17 per cent of drinkable water, 25 per cent of timber, 30-40 per cent of energy consumption, 40-50 per cent of raw materials and account for 33 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions," said deputy minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi. "This underlines the importance of creating a sustainably built environment." In Viet Nam, the construction sector experienced robust growth over the past year. There were 760 urban areas established and 51 million tonnes of cement consumed. This put huge pressure on the environment, Nghi said. As building a sustainable environment is one of the country's Millennium Development Goals, the Vietnamese Government has approved a Strategy on Sustainable Development. The Ministry of Construction has also started implementing an action plan to prevent construction projects from causing environmental problems. A delegation from the ministry visited the UK early this month to learn about sustainable design. Its most valuable findings will play a role in future policies. Angela Brady, president of the Royal Institute of British Architecture, said that Viet Nam should make a long-term construction plan that takes into account environmental, economic and social factors and the preservation of architectural and cultural heritage. Sustainable construction balances the impact on natural environment with the needs and values of the community, according to Dr Chris Goodier from the UK's Loughborough University. Viet Nam currently faces many challenges in this regard: 28 new coal power plants are expected to go into operations by 2020 and slag waste from iron and steel factories is projected to double by 2025. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure the long-term resilience of infrastructure and energy systems. The two-day conference, "Sustainably Built Environment for Now and the Future," was jointly held by the Viet Nam National University of Civil Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, Loughborough University, British Council Viet Nam and UK Trade and Investment. It was one of several activities marking the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Viet Nam and the UK. — VNS. HA NOI (VNS)— The Ministry of Education and Training is planning to waive exams for first graders to reduce pressure on them and to stop kids being given private reading and writing lessons before they enter school. Many parents are sending kids to private tutors before entering first grade so that they get good marks, said the ministry's Primary Education Department head Pham Ngoc Dinh at a press briefing on Monday. But it was not helpful to teach children how to read and write before entering first grade, he said. "The kids will lose their eagerness to learn if they already know basic writing and reading skills that they would have been taught in first grade," he said..

<span class='text_page_counter'>(8)</span> The ministry was against it, he said. In fact it could be harmful if the kids were not taught the right way. Dinh said the ministry did not permit kindergartens to teach the primary education curriculum and was about to get rid of the first grade examination. He said the ministry would intensify supervision and inspections to dissuade parents from getting private lessons for their children in preparation for first grade. Primary school teacher Nguyen Thanh Giang said the curriculum was designed to help first-graders gradually get familiar with reading and writing and to learn how to communicate with teachers and friends without putting too much emphasis on knowledge. "The children could follow the curriculum," she said. It was obvious parents wanted to have ‘talented' kids and expected early tutoring to help them study better, she said. Some parents even expect their kids to be the best in the class, putting even more pressure on them. "However, many parents don't know that this makes things difficult for their kids, who should enjoy going to school to learn basic skills, not to perform well with good marks." Teaching and learning quality at primary schools was part of the problem. It worried the parents, Giang said. "Some education content is unreasonable for the kids while the number of students per class exceeds the standard 35-40, reaching between 50-60." — VNS HA NOI (VNS)– The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund has committed to provide another US$10 million in grants to address the environmental crisis engulfing mainland Southeast Asia. The ground-breaking biodiversity fund was launched in 2008. During the first phase, $10 million was invested in efforts to conserve the critical ecosystems in the Indo-Burma Hotspot, which includes the Irrawaddy, Thanlwin (Salween), Chao Phraya, Red, Pearl and Mekong Rivers and Tonle Sap Lake system. Collectively, these systems sustain the economy, cultures and biodiversity of one of the biologically richest and most densely populated regions on earth. The funding strategy was developed by hundreds of conservationists and researchers from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Viet Nam. Past grants were used for many projects, such as one that employed community rangers to address threats to the Saola, one of the rarest animals on Earth, found exclusively near the border of Viet Nam and Laos. - VNS. PHU YEN (VNS)— A pilot project to build 100 flood-proof residential complexes for the poor has proved to be effective in the central province of Phu Yen. Phu Yen is one of seven provinces in the coastal central region to have been selected for the pilot model, with complexes now under construction following a 2012 Government directive. Each complex includes two floors, with the second floor covering an area of no less than 10 square metres. This floor is designated for storing people's essential property during flooding..

<span class='text_page_counter'>(9)</span> Financial support for the project has come from the Government, local authorities and residents who have been able to borrow money with low interest from the Viet Nam Bank for Social Policies. Vo Thi Bach Tuyet, 70, from Phu Yen's An Dinh Commune said, "Thanks to financial aid, I now own a block in the residential complex." Another resident, 88 year-old Nguyen Thi Que, said: "Previously our family had to stay with relatives during flood attacks. Now we can stay safely where we are." The vice chairman of the provincial People's Committee, Tran Quang Nhat, said that the initiative had received an overwhelmingly positive response from local people. "It is really thought to be an effective and positive policy," he claimed. Phan Van Bay, head of An Dinh ‘s Dinh Trung village, said that in the past it was difficult for people to evacuate before floods hit. "That is no longer a problem," he proclaimed. A huge flood in 2009 inundated all 126 local houses in the village at depths of up to three metres, he said. The province has planned to replicate the model in other areas, as there are more than 17,000 local households in flood-prone areas. — VNS. CAN THO (VNS)— Major countries in Asia including Viet Nam are likely to face severe water crises in the coming decades and regional and international co-operation will be crucial to tackling them. Experts attending the Asia-Europe Meeting that wrapped up last Friday in Mekong Delta Can Tho City also agreed that water resource management has become a pressing global issue. They said water sources play a decisive role in energy and food, production, and the management of trans-boundary resources in particular needs greater national, regional and international co-operation. The challenge has become tougher as the impacts of climate change become evident, they added. The delegates said achieving food security, energy security and sustainable urban growth in the context of climate change requires massive shifts in water management practices and co-operation. Brahma Chellaney, Professor of Strategic Studies at the Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi, said national and regional co-operation on trans-boundary water resources needs good political conditions. When the relationship between countries is put under pressure of historical and territorial disputes, cooperation on water management is difficult to realise, he said. He warned that in the future, the driest continent in the world will be Asia, not Africa, due the low efficiency of current water use and management. In Asia, China, India, Viet Nam, South Korea, and Japan are going to face a huge pressure on water sources, and the situation will get worse in the next three or four decades, he said. — VNS.

<span class='text_page_counter'>(10)</span> HA NOI (VNS)—Central Quang Nam Province has approved VND625 billion (US$29.7 million) to dredge and clean 27km of the Co Co River. The project will include cleaning up the river bed and construction of works along its length to ensure water traffic safety. It is expected to be completed by 2015. Province People's Committee Chairman Le Phuoc Thanh said the project was expected to enhance co-operation between Hoi An and Da Nang cities, through which the river runs, and to contribute to river tourism between Hoi An's Cua Dai Beach and Da Nang. Thanh said the project would open up 2,600ha of riverbank space and opportunities for socio-economic development. – VNS. HCM CITY (VNS)— Central provinces are taking steps to prevent forest fires as prolonged heat and low humidity are creating a high risk of fires. In Binh Thuan Province, the fifth and highest warning level has been reached. Bac Binh, Ham Thuan Nam and Tuy Phong districts have the highest risk of forest fires. The province's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has built 446km of firebreaks, five water reservoirs, five fire-watching towers and set up 360 fire-fighting groups. Tran Ngoc Tan, deputy head of the Bac Binh District People's Committee, said the district had always been careful about fire-prevention and, as a result, had fewer number of fires than other districts in the province. Most of the district's forests contain dipterocarp trees that drop their leaves during the dry season. The district's Forest Protection Bureau has assessed the risk levels for each forest owner so they can carry out prevention and control measures. The bureau has also raised public awareness about forest protection regulations. In the western areas of Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien – Hue, Quang Nam and Quang Ngai, heat and wind from Laos are creating favourable conditions for forest fires. The central provinces normally have forest fires every year. Quang Tri Province has gathered army forces, forest rangers and local residents to be ready round-theclock to combat fires. Thua Thien – Hue authorities have banned the use of fire in special-use forests. Thua Thien – Hue has 600,000ha of forests located in the province's western districts. Of that figure, half are planted forests in which owners often clear grass and other small bushes and cook in the forests, creating forest fire risks. Local residents who burn incense and votive offerings at the graves of family members is another cause of forest fires, according to the province's Forest Protection Sub-department. — VNS.

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