Vietnam News Today (Jun 12): Emotional Voyage to Truong Sa Archipelago

At the ceremony to launch the Vietnam Festival 2023 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo: vov.vn)

Vietnam Festival held in Osaka

The Consulate General of Vietnam in Osaka and the Japan’s festival organisation committee on June 10 held a ceremony to launch the Vietnam Festival 2023, an activity marking the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan.

Speaking at the event, Consul General Ngo Trinh Ha said that over the past 50 years, Vietnam and Japan have built a cooperative relationship of friendship, trust, mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit.

Japan is Vietnam's leading important partner in many fields and is the country with the second-largest Vietnamese community in the world, cited VNA.

Ha expressed his hope and belief that with consensus, potential, and strengths, the two sides can complement each other, bringing their relationship into a new stage of effective practical development in fields.

Japanese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Yamada Kenji said that the Japan-Vietnam friendship relationship was formed through cooperation in many fields of politics, diplomacy, economy, culture, art, and people-to-people exchanges.

He noted that Vietnamese food such as pho and spring rolls are very popular in Japan. At the festival, stalls are introducing Vietnamese food and goods, he said, adding that and he wants to try the Vietnamese culinary culture.

The Vietnam Festival 2023 in Osaka takes place in two days from June 10-11 with performances by popular singers in Vietnam and Japan as well as community teams. More than 90 booths at the festival join introducing and promoting Vietnam and its culinary culture. The organisers expect more than 100,000 visitors to the festival.

Emotional voyage to Truong Sa archipelago

Sea and islands are sacred territory of the Vietnamese nation. The Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago has always been a place that everyone wants to visit.

In late April, a delegation departed from Ho Chi Minh City to travel over 1,100 nautical miles to visit a number of islands in Truong Sa and the DK 1 platform, an offshore economic, scientific, and technical service station on Vietnam’s southern continental shelf.

At each destination of the journey, they saw with their own eyes the strong spirit and determination of the people and naval soldiers who have overcome challenges to safeguard the national sea and islands.

“This is the first time I’ve visited Truong Sa. I’ve heard a lot about the archipelago, so it feels familiar but actually there are many things new to me,” said Dao Thi Hong Hanh, a member of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Council.

“When I was told I would be able to travel to Truong Sa, I was very excited. I was surprised to see so many new things and I have mixed feelings. Sometimes I was speechless observing the soldiers on duty, who are young but experienced and tempered by hardship,” she said.

Like Hanh, other delegates were moved and filled with pride. Although they have read and heard a lot about Truong Sa, when they set foot on the islands, touched the national sovereignty markers, attended the flag-raising ceremony, and observed the life of the people and soldiers on the islands and platforms, all their emotions were enhanced, according to VOV.

Soldiers on An Bang island. (Photo: Thu Lan)

In late April, a delegation departed from Ho Chi Minh City to travel over 1,100 nautical miles to visit a number of islands in Truong Sa and the DK 1 platform, an offshore economic, scientific, and technical service station on Vietnam’s southern continental shelf.

At each destination of the journey, they saw with their own eyes the strong spirit and determination of the people and naval soldiers who have overcome challenges to safeguard the national sea and islands.

“This is the first time I’ve visited Truong Sa. I’ve heard a lot about the archipelago, so it feels familiar but actually there are many things new to me,” said Dao Thi Hong Hanh, a member of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Council.

“When I was told I would be able to travel to Truong Sa, I was very excited. I was surprised to see so many new things and I have mixed feelings. Sometimes I was speechless observing the soldiers on duty, who are young but experienced and tempered by hardship,” she said.

Like Hanh, other delegates were moved and filled with pride. Although they have read and heard a lot about Truong Sa, when they set foot on the islands, touched the national sovereignty markers, attended the flag-raising ceremony, and observed the life of the people and soldiers on the islands and platforms, all their emotions were enhanced.

Teacher Le Lam, rector of Dai Viet-Sai Gon College said that before the trip, he read about Truong Sa and the DK1 platform. When he saw with his own eyes the life and work of the naval soldiers, he felt respect for the spirit of the people and soldiers protecting Vietnam’s sea and islands.

On the islands, submerged islands, and precarious platforms at sea, the soldiers are optimistic, cheerful, in high spirits, ready to protect the Fatherland, and devoted to the nation.

“I have mixed emotions. I respect the iron will of the officers and soldiers on duty on the archipelago. They are fearless and nothing can stop them,” said Lam.

Nguyen Minh Khang, a member of the Ho Chi Minh City Veterans Association, said he and his comrades fought in the war against the US. To have a peaceful country today, many people sacrificed their lives. Meeting the soldiers on Truong Sa, who are as young as his grandchildren, he felt confidence in their bravery and patriotism.

“I feel lucky and happy to visit Truong Sa and the DK1 platform and meet the soldiers who are safeguarding the sea and islands. When we return home, we’ll tell people about the cause of defending Vietnam’s sea and islands,” said Lam.

While visiting Sinh Ton island, the delegates attended a flag hoisting ceremony with the soldiers of Brigade 146. After singing the national anthem, they listened to 10 sacred oaths sworn by the soldiers of the Vietnamese People's Army. The oaths reinforced the determination of each soldier to protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands.

Lieutenant Le Thanh Dat of Combat Group 1, Sinh Ton Island, said he was honored to be chosen to read the 10 oaths. Dat said that saluting the national flag in front of the sovereignty marker on Sinh Ton island is always a sacred ceremony which reminds them of their duty to defend national sovereignty in all circumstances.

“Whenever they sing the national anthem and read the 10 oaths, they hear the Motherland calling,” said Dat, “They accepted the duty on the island with a determination to devote all their strength to defending Vietnam’s sea and islands.”

Truong Sa Brigade 146 of Naval Region 4 was established in 1978. Over the last 45 years, its officers and soldiers have overcome countless hardships to resolutely defend Vietnam’s sovereignty over Truong Sa archipelago and contribute to the management and defense of the sea and islands.

Major Tran Dai Vinh, Commander of An Bang Island, said, “We are determined to fulfill our duty. We have trained ourselves to march onward despite difficulties to complete our assigned mission. We are always in combat readiness and closely monitor the situation to detect any incident that needs to be reported to headquarters.”

Senior Lieutenant Colonel Pham The Nhuong, Commander of Truong Sa Island, said that the naval soldiers consider the island their home and the sea their homeland.

“We follow the footsteps of our fathers and brothers. We’ve adopted a firm will and taken concrete actions. Our work is to train for combat readiness, build the island, and reinforce community unity. We are determined to defend Vietnam’s islands and national waters,” said Nhuong.

Son La holds potential to be world's top natural destination

With its incredible tea plantations, breathtaking nature trails, rugged hills, and diverse ethnic minorities, the Northwest province of Son La is something of a shining gem in the country, but until recently, it has not truly made waves on the tourist map.

But this is changing fast, and the clean, green province is now seen as one of the world's top destinations, with people visiting from every corner of the globe.

Son La, one of the highest provinces in the north, offers chilly and fresh surroundings that are ideal for relaxing holidays, where you can escape from the hustle and bustle of stressful urban life. It is rich in cultural treasures and characteristics that leave tourists in awe. Given the province's wealth of natural resources, tourism has emerged as a key economic driver. A visit here, is simply like no other.

Tourism products of all kinds, including those for recreation, wellness, training, discovery, and spirituality are a major area of development in the area. In recent years, the province has identified tourism as an area yet to be explored and is reaching out to investors to help map out possible areas to put money into the local economy.

Untapped potential

A conference to boost connections to promote the value of the province as a world leading natural destination was recently hosted by the People's Committee of Son La as part of the province's Cultural Tourism Festival this year.

Leaders from the National Administration of Tourism, the Department of Tourism of Quang Ninh province, the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in eight Northwest provinces, provinces associated with development cooperation in Son La, tourism associations, and more than 30 tourism businesses, operators, and cooperatives attended the conference.

Expertise in creating professional tourism products was debated and shared at the event, leading to the creation of new tourism products and tours that have helped boost the industry across Vietnam in general and the Northwest region in particular.

Some delegates highlighted solutions to enhance the attractiveness of Son La's Moc Chau district – the world's top regional natural destination – as well as promoting the Moc Chau National Tourist Area more extensively, cited VNA.

Nam Nghiep hamlet in Son La (Photo: VNA)

According to Phung Quang Thang, Vice Chairman of the Vietnan Travel Association, the province must first establish links within destinations as well as with tourist service providers and local people to build a colourful and clear vision for Moc Chau tourism.

"To optimally exploit Son La's potential, it is necessary to foster connections between travellers in other regions and international connections. In addition, Son La's tourism sector should increase the use of technology, particularly to increase destination management efficiency," Thang said.

"Son La's tourism must also pay special attention to environmental conservation and develop a comprehensive, genuine strategy with the active involvement of the local destination management agency."

Vice Chairman of the Son La Tourism Association Le Van Huu is certain that the province can accommodate the demands of both local and international visitors thanks to its various attractions. However, the province has to prioritise investing funds in infrastructure and increasing human resources to achieve the quality needed to meet standards.

"Media advancement must be on par with service quality to avoid situations in which visitors come once out of curiosity but never return," Huu said.

"Furthermore, product investment should focus on leveraging the distinctive indigenous cultural aspects, explicitly outlining the building of tourism locations and creating a good fit for each category of visitor."

Positive signals

Son La's tourist industry has developed throughout the years, capitalising on the area's tremendous natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Ecotourism, resorts, and community-based tourism are all represented here.

The Moc Chau National Tourist Area, Bach Long glass bridge, Moc Chau night market, Quynh Nhai tourist area, and Ta Xua are just a few examples of the many tourist sites and attractions that lure domestic and foreign tourists alike to the magical northwestern province.

Recognition in 2022 as "The World's Leading Regional Nature Destination" at a recent World Travel Awards has contributed to the consistently rising number of visitors to Son La.

Visitors to Son La reached an estimate of 3.3 million people, with revenue at nearly 3 trillion VND last year.

In the first five months of 2023 alone, the number of tourist arrivals was more than 2 million, with total revenue at more than 2 trillion VND.

The culture, sports and tourism authority of Son La hopes that the National Administration for Tourism (NAT) will continue to pay attention to and assist in tourism development activities in the province.

In particular, the provincial tourism authority also hopes that NAT will help complete the four remaining criteria and compile a dossier for recognition of Moc Chau National Tourist Area in 2023; add the province to the list of potential areas to develop into a national tourist area; and support the promotion of tourism in the province.

Heavy rain helps relax Vietnam power cuts

Heavy rain is expected to lash large parts of the northern region of Vietnam from June 12-15, helping to reduce droughts and water shortages in hydropower plants in the region.

Northerners are set to endure a spell of hot and dry weather on July 10-11 before rain starts on June 12, said Nguyen Van Huong, an official of the National Centre of Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

High rainfall will help improve water levels in hydropower reservoirs in the North, he added.

The prolonged hot and dry weather has over the past weeks caused water levels in the river and lake system in the north to fall sharply.

The northern region is expected to endure a spell of heavy rain in mid June 2023, helping to ease power cuts faced by local people.

Limited water flows into reservoirs have made it impossible for hydro-electric power plants to operate normally. Eleven such plants were said to suspend operations on June 8 as water levels in the reservoir fell to the dead level.

However, power supply has partially improved when small hydro-

electric power plants resumed operations thanks to heavy rain on June 8-9, reported VOV.

In addition, a number of thermal power plants such as Quang Ninh, Nghi Son 1, and Thai Binh 2 have completed handling incidents, supplying an additional 1,000MW to the national power grid.

Water levels in reservoirs are expected to rise quickly as soon as heavy downpours start on June 12, helping to address power shortages that have thrown business production and people’s daily life into chaos over the past days.

Vietnam preparing for competitions at ASIAD 19

Vietnam is preparing to send the best athletes for competitions at the 19th Asian Games (ASIAD 19).

In late May and early June, officials of the Vietnam Sports Administration had working sessions with leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to develop a plan for the Vietnamese sports delegation to compete at the sports event in Hangzhou, China.

The Vietnamese track and field team will participate in the 2023 Asian Championships in Thailand in July, before participating in the world championships in August.

Swimmers Nguyen Huy Hoang, Tran Hung Nguyen, Nguyen Thanh Bao and 8 other male and female athletes in Vietnam teams have been sent to Hungary for further training, and at the same time they will take part in the 2023 world championships which will be held in this country.

Athletes in other sports teams such as weightlifting, shooting, rowing, table tennis, gymnastics, taekwondo, judo, karate, and fencing are making efforts to practice for competitions at the ASIAD 19, according to SGGP.

Swimmer Nguyen Huy Hoang is expected to make a special mark at the ASIAD 19.

Vietnam is attempting to win 3-5 gold medals. At the ASIAD 17 in 2018 in Indonesia, Vietnamese athletes won 5 gold medals, 15 silver medals and 19 bronze medals, which is considered the most success in the history of Vietnamese players. Athlete Quoc Thi Lan won a medal in women's 400m hurdles, athlete Bui Thi Thu Thao won medals in women's long jump and Vietnamese martial artist Tran Dinh Nam brought home a medal in pencak silat for 75kg weight class. Vietnamese athletes also captured the medal for women's lightweight quadruple sculls.

However, at Asiad 19, pencak silat is not included in the competition program meanwhile the women's lightweight 4-way rowing competition is also likely to be eliminated. Worse, women's hurdles champion Quach Thi Lan certainly can’t participate in the sports event because of the doping suspicion and Bui Thi Thu Thao is not sure to take part in the event.

Instead, other sports namely Sepak takraw, shooting, chess, rowing, karate, swimming, cycling, and e-sports are highly likely to have medals as experienced athletes, even with young faces with great potential registered for the event.

The 19th Asian Games (ASIAD 19) is scheduled to take place from September 23 to October 8 in China’s Hangzhou City with 42 official sports. Vietnamese athletes will take part in 20 sports. Countries should finalize the registration list of athletes in July.

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