Associate Professor Dr. Trần Lê Nam from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering under the University College Dublin (UCD). — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The successes in education and science and technology cooperation between Việt Nam and Ireland have been serving as a solid foundation for the development of bilateral relations in other areas where both countries have significant potential, such as renewable energy, agriculture, and innovation, according to a scholar.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency in Europe ahead of the upcoming state visit to Ireland by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee and President Tô Lâm, Associate Professor Dr. Trần Lê Nam from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering under the University College Dublin (UCD) further said although Việt Nam set up its diplomatic relations with Ireland in 1996, relatively late compared to other European countries, the two nations have achieved significant accomplishments in the fields of education, training, and science-technology.

Each year, the Irish government offers 30 full scholarships for Vietnamese students to learn at top universities in the European country. With the collaboration of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Ireland also provides several postgraduate scholarships to Việt Nam as part of a national poverty reduction programme. Since 2015, the bilateral education exchange programme has facilitated partnerships between 15 Vietnamese and eight Irish universities across various fields, stated Nam.

According to the expert, bilateral cooperation in science and technology has also achieved remarkable successes. In 2010, the Irish Aid programme supported the establishment of the Ireland-Vietnam Initiative for Blood-borne Virus Initiative (IVVI), which is based on collaboration between the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology in Việt Nam and the UCD.

Việt Nam and Ireland recently prioritised cooperation in areas such as agricultural economics, food safety and nutrition, environmental issues, climate change response, and innovation through joint projects funded by the Irish government. The Irish Research Council and the Irish Aid have supported projects on addressing air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and related health issues in HCM City.

With education and training cooperation as a focal point of the Vietnamese top leader’s visit to Ireland, Nam expressed his belief that upgrading bilateral relations in this sphere will open up broader opportunities for bilateral collaboration, helping the two countries enhance the quality of education, research, and human resources development.

This move will also facilitate closer collaboration between universities and research institutes in both countries on high-tech research projects, he said, adding that research projects in renewable energy, climate change, and pharmaceuticals can get priority, allowing Vietnamese research institutes to learn from and access Ireland’s advanced technologies. — VNS

This article was first posted on Vietnam News

Sacombank cuts interest rate by up to 2 percentage points on loans to individual and corporate customers directly affected by storms and floods as a measure to support them. — Photo courtesy of the bank

HCM CITY — Sacombank will cut interest by up to 2 percentage points this year on existing and new loans to individual and corporate customers directly affected by storms and floods as a measure to support them.

It has also cut service fees by 50 per cent and waived early repayment penalty interest.

The recent typhoon Yagi and its aftermath have caused severe damage in many places in the north, impacting the livelihoods and business activities of thousands.

“The bank has instructed branches and transaction offices in the northern, central and Central Highlands regions to proactively review, assess and report the extent of damages and propose support measures to alleviate the difficulties of borrowers,” a Sacombank spokesperson said.

The lender had earlier donated relief goods worth VNĐ500 million (US$20,328) to people in Lào Cai and Thái Nguyên provinces and contributed another VNĐ500 million to a charity programme Tuổi Trẻ newspaper is running to provide relief to people affected by the storm.

Its trade union has called on all employees to make voluntary donations for the affected people. The funds collected from them will be handed over to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in HCM City.— VNS

Source: Vietnam News/ Vietnam Insider

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phùng Đức Tiến. VNA/VNS Photos

The European Commission (EC) inspection team will visit Việt Nam for the fifth time in October this year. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phùng Đức Tiến spoke with Vietnam News Agency about the immediate tasks that need to be carried out to ensure the best outcome from the EC inspection, with the aim of lifting the ‘yellow card’ warning related to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Could you provide an update on how Việt Nam has improved since the previous EC inspections?

Compared to the four previous inspections, Việt Nam has made relatively positive progress.

Regarding the legal framework, the country already has the 2017 Fisheries Law and relevant decrees and circulars have been fully issued.

Notably, the Government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development have recently revised two decrees and corresponding circulars to comprehensively manage the fishing fleet.

In addition, the export documentation for seafood to the EU now largely meets the requirements for both domestically caught and imported products. Electronic traceability has been implemented at over 70 fishing ports.

The handling of law violations has been more stringent, with relevant agencies and local authorities prosecuting and trying 11 criminal cases. These actions have reinforced the law and served as a deterrent to those who continue to violate regulations, including sending workers to fish in foreign waters.

In recent years, the Party and the State have strengthened their directive efforts on this issue. Following Document No 81-CV/TW issued on March 20, 2020 on enhancing leadership and guidance for the effective prevention of IUU fishing, the Party Secretariat issued Directive No 32-CT/TW on April 10, 2024 regarding strengthening the Party’s leadership in combating IUU fishing and promoting sustainable development in the fisheries sector.

Additionally, the Government passed Resolution No 52/NQ-CP on April 22, 2024 to implement the action programme and plan in response to Directive No 32-CT/TW. The Supreme People’s Court also issued Resolution 04/2024/NQ-HĐTP, which provides guidelines on applying certain provisions of the Penal Code related to the prosecution of illegal fishing, trading and transportation of seafood.

Since October 23, 2017, 13 conferences chaired by the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, along with 11 official documents, directives and communications, have shown that over the past seven years, the Party, Government, Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister – head of the national IUU steering committee – have been very resolute in addressing this issue. Thus, effective implementation remains the key to lifting the IUU ‘yellow card’.

However, certain issues persist in Việt Nam’s fisheries sector despite the EC’s recommendations. These include the management and monitoring of fishing vessels and administrative enforcement, which have yet to achieve the desired results.

What role should local authorities play in this critical period?

During the four previous inspections by the EC, they confirmed that at the central level, the legal framework has been established and meets the requirements to lift the card. However, the challenge lies in the implementation and the lack of strong commitment from local Party committees and local leaders.

Documents such as No 81-CV/TW and Directive No 32-CT/TW analyse both the achievements and shortcomings, identifying the causes and solutions. The Government’s Resolution No 52/NQ-CP also clearly outlines the tasks that need to be addressed.

All fishing vessels in the south central province of Bình Thuận are equipped with VMS (vessel monitoring system) devices.

Recently, the Prime Minister held a meeting with the Party secretaries and chairpersons of the People’s Committees from 28 coastal provinces and cities, issuing firm directives and emphasising the responsibility of local leaders. The involvement of local authorities from now until the EC’s fifth inspection is crucial and will be decisive in removing the ‘yellow card’.

What plans does the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development have to support local authorities in combating IUU fishing?

The ministry has conducted numerous working groups, with some fishing ports being inspected up to five times. Each inspection involves reviewing the fishing logs in detail and identifying areas where improvements are needed, but the implementation has been limited.

Since the issuance of Directive No 32-CT/TW, each inspection group has included the participation of the provincial Party Standing Committees and after each visit, official reports have been sent to the Standing Committee, the Party secretary and the provincial leaders for follow-up action.

When announcing Resolution No 04/2024/NQ-HĐTP, Supreme People’s Court Chief Justice (now Deputy Prime Minister) Nguyễn Hòa Bình emphasised that the resolution was not aimed at fishermen, but at those who violate the law and deliberately involve fishermen in illegal fishing in foreign waters.

Communication and education, combined with administrative enforcement, will be essential for implementing Directive No 32-CT/TW. Alongside directing state management and law enforcement agencies, Việt Nam must continue raising awareness among fishermen, helping them understand that as the country integrates into the global economy and exports products to nearly 180 countries and territories, so it must comply with the principles and regulations set by the markets.

This is not just a requirement of the EU but also of countries like Japan and the United States. – VNS

This article was first posted on Vietnam News

Dr Nguyễn Tuấn Lâm, technical officer for the Tobacco Free Initiative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Việt Nam. — VNA/VNS Photo

Dr Nguyễn Tuấn Lâm, technical officer for the Tobacco Free Initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Việt Nam, speaks to the press on recommendations for tobacco tax increases in an effort to reduce the dangers of smoking.

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) is receiving feedback on the draft amendment to the Law on Special Consumption Tax, which plans to keep cigarette tax at 75 per cent of the ex-factory price and gradually increase the absolute tax during the 2026-2030 term under two proposed options. What is your assessment of this proposal?

The WHO gives high regard to the two options for tobacco tax increases by 2030 as proposed by the Ministry of Finance.

According to Option 1, the absolute tax will increase to VNĐ2,000 (8 US cents) per cigarette pack by 2026. From 2027 to 2030, this tax will rise by an additional VNĐ2,000 per pack each year. By 2030, the absolute tax will be VNĐ10,000 ($0.4) per pack.

In Option 2, the absolute tobacco tax will increase to VNĐ5,000 (20 US cents) per cigarette pack, then increase by VNĐ1,000 each year thereafter. By 2030, the absolute tax will be VNĐ10,000 per pack.

In the second option, the initial absolute tax is VNĐ5,000 per pack compared to VNĐ2,000 per pack in the first option. WHO considers Option 2 to be more effective in quickly reducing the smoking rate when it starts being applied in 2026.

Overall, by 2030, WHO estimates that the MoF’s proposals will help reduce the number of smokers by 2.5 million people. This is because without intervention measures through tax, the smoking rate will rise and there will be an additional 2.5 million new smokers.

I believe that the MoF’s proposal on tobacco tax is sufficient to prevent an increase in the number of smokers, although the smoking rate should decrease according to WHO estimates.

Based on the model that we have developed in collaboration with the MoF and the Ministry of Health (MoH), this proposal should reduce the smoking rate among the male population to 37.5 per cent, nearly achieving the national target.

However, WHO still recommends a stricter option, which is to increase the special consumption tax to VNĐ5,000 per pack initially, then to VNĐ15,000 ($0.6) per pack of 20 cigarettes by 2030, in addition to the current tax rate of 75 per cent of the ex-factory price. This will help achieve the national target of reducing the smoking rate among the male population to below 36 per cent by 2030.

Without intervention measures through tax, the smoking rate will rise with an additional 2.5 million new smokers by 2030. — AFP/VNA Photo

What is WHO’s assessment on tobacco tax increases to reduce the number of smokers?

WHO’s proposal to increase the tobacco tax will help reduce the smoking rate among Việt Nam’s male population to about 35.8 per cent is a relative target, which is expected to help reduce the number of smokers by about 3.2 million.

However, without impactful measures, the number of smokers will increase by 2.5 million people by 2030. WHO’s proposal holds great significance not only in reducing smoking and related illnesses and fatalities, but also in the public’s health.

Increasing the tobacco taxes has another benefit, which is additional tax revenue for the government. We estimate that tobacco tax increases will equal about VNĐ30 trillion ($1.2 billion) each year by 2030, and will be a considerable source of tax revenue.

Both the tobacco tax increase proposals of the MoF and the WHO have positive impacts on protecting the public’s health protection and increasing the government’s revenue.

Some say that such a high tobacco tax will raise concerns about tobacco smuggling. What is your opinion on this?

Việt Nam’s current tobacco tax is very low. Compared to the retail price, Việt Nam’s tobacco tax is about 38 per cent, and between 36 to 38 per cent is a very low level compared to the global average (about 60 per cent compared to that of developing countries and 62 per cent of the global average). The WHO recommends that the tax on tobacco products should be about 75 per cent of the retail price; therefore, Việt Nam’s tobacco tax rate is currently extremely low.

With the MoF’s tax increase proposal, this rate is expected to increase and the retail price will go up by about 59 per cent, and WHO’s recommendation is estimated to increase the tax to about 65 per cent of the retail price, meaning it would be relatively similar to WHO’s best-case recommendation. Such a hike might be high for Việt Nam, but compared to the world, it is not.

Our estimates also show that the MoF’s proposal will only keep the number of smokers from rising. Therefore, it is a relatively good plan, but the WHO’s recommendation will better help lower the number of smokers.

Regarding the smuggling issue, tobacco companies often argue that increasing taxes will worsen the situation, but this is not true for Việt Nam. Việt Nam is maintaining a relatively high import tax [for tobacco products] at 135 per cent, which is necessary.

Recent reports show that the smuggling of tobacco products has eased, dropping to 13 per cent in 2017 from 20 per cent in 2010. This is a good trend, and I hope that the authorities will strengthen inspection to lower this figure even more.

Since 2009, both of Việt Nam’s tobacco tax increases remained very low. Therefore, tobacco is extremely affordable when income and other prices increase. Specifically, from 2010 to 2022, the per capita income rose by more than 300 per cent – threefold – while the tobacco price increased by only over 50 per cent. It is not good and not right that consumers can easily purchase such a harmful product like tobacco at such a low price and such accessibility.

Authorities prepare to destroy smuggled cigarettes in southern Tây Ninh Province. — VNA/VNS Photo

Statistics show that about 40,000 Vietnamese die from tobacco-related diseases every year, has this figure increased?

The figure of 40,000 tobacco-related deaths each year that we are seeing is actually a very outdated estimate (since 2006). The current estimate stands at about 70,000 to 80,000. However, we are still working on this research and will announce our findings once the study is completed.

As for tobacco-related deaths, we see that each person who dies early, when they are the breadwinner of their family, leads to grave consequences due to the loss of income for the family themselves and the society as a whole. Tobacco can cause cardiovascular disease, cancer or respiratory disease among people of working age, resulting in loss of workability or premature deaths, which affect family finances. Notably, when one person is hospitalised, many people in the family have to take on the role of caregivers, which is more costly.

I believe that the damage caused by tobacco is unnecessary, as all tobacco-induced premature deaths and losses are avoidable. When we apply impactful policies to reduce the number of smokers, we will reduce the number of people suffering from diseases and premature death. We truly hope that in the near future, the higher tobacco tax increases will lower the number of smokers, patients and premature fatalities. — VNS

This article was first posted on Vietnam News

Swiss Ambassador Thomas Gass. — VNS Photo Lê Hương

Could you brief me about the aid package that Switzerland’s government will send to Việt Nam soon to ease the consequences caused by Typhoon Yagi?

Please allow me first to just express my condolences and really my deep compassion of Switzerland, of our government and of our people for what you have been experiencing, what Việt Nam has been experiencing here.

We really feel the hurt, but we also feel the courage that you have and the resilience for rebuilding.

And at this moment, Switzerland wants to stand shoulder-by-shoulder with you to respond to your needs and help you to rebuild your lives and your communities.

You know, I was here when the storm hit and we saw the rain and the wind, how it just broke the trees and it reminded us of some of the natural disasters we had in Switzerland this same summer.

Over the last six months, we have seen mudslides. We have seen our houses and villages completely flooded.

We have also had losses of life in the Swiss mountains, where in the summer we had really terrible floods and rains.

And so when I saw what happened here, it reminded us that this is something that we also experienced and that we all can experience, especially in these mountainous countries.

So the Swiss government decided to allocate one million Swiss francs, that’s about US$1.2 million, to support the Vietnamese Government in its efforts to rebuild these communities and to come to help the vulnerable people. The most vulnerable people.

There will also be already some non-food items, so some tents, for example, family tents, 300 family tents.

There’s going to be hygiene kits, cooking sets for families, I think about 800 cooking sets and then two big water distribution systems that can bring water to 10,000 people.

So there’s a big shipment on its way already, and they will arrive in the early morning on September 16.

Will you send some experts here to help Vietnamese authorities? Could you tell me about them?

The experts are hydrologists and people who have expertise in securing very mountainous and very dangerous terrain.

And how can you rebuild the villages, and how can you secure them against landslides? How can you protect your population? How can you put the shelter, the temporary, but then also the long-term shelter?

So for the population to be safe, especially in this moment when things are not so stable yet.

Have you heard about any Swiss citizens stuck in flooded areas?

Actually, we have not and I’m actually not so surprised because the Government has been extremely efficient in bringing to safety all the tourists that were, for example, in Hạ Long Bay in Cát Bà, but also in the mountainous areas in Lào Cai.

As a Swiss Ambassador, I really want to express my gratitude to the Government of Việt Nam for what it has done to put tourists and foreigners into safe places.

And I know that many, many Vietnamese were also evacuated, so we have not had any casualties.

What do you think about Việt Nam’s capabilities to prevent natural disasters and overcome the consequences of superstorms?

So definitely there was a strong readiness.

And as I said, I mean, you cannot (be completely ready), nature is very powerful and so you cannot completely prevent the impacts of such disasters.

But I really believe that Việt Nam has been outstanding in the way that it has taken the population out of harm’s way to the extent possible.

Now, as I explained, in Switzerland, we have a lot of experience with natural disasters in the mountains, it’s just too powerful when you have landslides and rivers coming out of their banks and running through villages. There’s not much we can do to prevent that.

So hopefully now with these experts that are here, we can perhaps look at the short and medium term together with the Vietnamese Government to see whether something can be done also to further improve the disaster readiness. — VNS

This article was first posted on Vietnam News

Since 2017, under the financial support of Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), a programme of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, partnered with the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids, and Social Affairs and 15 provinces and cities to launch the proven effective interventions of survival swim and water safety education for children aged 6-15.

Việt Nam News reporter Lê Hương spoke with Đoàn Thu Huyền, Việt Nam Country Director of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, about the programme’s highlights.

HEALTH OFFICIAL: Đoàn Thu Huyền, Việt Nam Country Director of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Photo courtesy of the organisation

Could you highlight the progress of this programme in Việt Nam?

Việt Nam has been one of the most successful countries in child preventing child drowning over the past five years. The programme has been implemented in over 130 communes across 15 provinces, increasing awareness about child drowning prevention and teaching children aged 6 to 15 survival swimming skills.

We’ve trained more than 1,000 teachers in safe swimming instruction. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, around 32,000 children have learned to swim, and 52,000 have been taught water safety skills.

The percentage of children who can swim has more than doubled, rising to 32.6 per cent from 14.7 per cent. Additionally, in the areas where we’ve implemented the programme, the number of child drowning incidents has decreased.

What advantages and challenges have you encountered in carrying out this programme in Việt Nam?

We’ve acknowledged sincere thanks for the strong support and pro-active engagement from relevant ministries and local authorities, particularly from the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Education and Training. They’ve actively engaged in the programme planning and interventions at local levels, especially before the peak seasons for child drowning, such as summer and flood periods.

Public awareness has also increased significantly, with parents now actively seeking out information to protect their children. Social media has played a vital role in disseminating information in engaging formats, while in remote, underserved areas, healthcare workers visit homes and use public address systems to spread key messages.

However, in rural areas where children are often cared for by their grandparents or other elders, we need to provide even more support. These children are particularly vulnerable and should be prioritised for swimming lessons and safety training.

SAFETY FIRST: Children should learn survival swim and water safety skills. Photo courtesy of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

Some experts argue that teaching survival skills in water should take precedence over swimming for sport. What’s your view?

It’s important to see drowning prevention as a comprehensive issue. Drowning can happen to anyone, at any time, so we need a multi-faceted approach.

Survival swim is one of the most effective ways to prevent drowning. The WHO defines “survival swim” as the ability to swim at least 25 metres and float for at least 30 seconds.

For primary school children, it’s crucial to teach them not just how to swim, but also how to assess risks and perform basic self-rescue. For children under five, however, we don’t recommend swimming lessons. Instead, parents and caregivers should supervise them closely and keep them away from open water.

With the recent floods caused by Typhoon Yagi, do you think teaching survival swimming skills has become even more urgent? Have there been any proposals from the Vietnamese authorities to train children in these skills?

The UN’s Resolution on drowning prevention encourages countries to incorporate drowning prevention into their natural disaster action plans. There’s a clear connection between child drowning and climate change, as floods and other disasters increase the risk for children who play near open water.

Việt Nam has made significant progress in reducing child drowning, but we must have more joint efforts for long-term sustainability and impact to reduce the ratio of drowning deaths. In the coming year, I hope to see more investments in teaching water safety skills, especially in schools, with a focus on primary school students. Incorporating these lessons into both the main curriculum and extracurricular activities would be ideal.

If possible, communities should also host swimming classes for children, but it’s critical that these are conducted in safe conditions. This includes having qualified teachers who are knowledgeable about child safety.

Parents and caregivers must also be proactive in ensuring their children’s safety, whether that’s through reminders or careful supervision. Sometimes, a simple reminder or close watch can prevent a tragedy. VNS

This article was first posted on Vietnam News

SHB players show off their new jerseys for the national football championship, V.League 1 in 2024-25. The team is aiming to finish in the top five in the premiership. VNS Photo Cộng Thành

ĐÀ NẴNG — Players and members of football team SHB Đà Nẵng have raised VNĐ104 million to help Typhoon Yagi’s victims and post-storm flood families in the northern provinces and cities.

The money was collected by the squad who are getting ready to compete in the football premiership V.League1 and will be sent to aid to those most in need following the typhoon and subsequent floods. 

Head coach Trương Việt Hoàng said the team had a successful performance in the V.League 2 last year, but it will see big challenges in the top-flight championship in 2024-25.

Hoàng said the team have set a target of top-five finish in the new football season, along with a performance best in the National Cup.

The team have three Brazilian players – defender Marlon Rangel, striker Yuri Souza Almeida and Werick Caetano De Olivera – in the squad for the new season.

The three players, who performed well in V.League 1 last year, expect to achieve new successes with the central city team.

Brazilian Werick Caetano contributed five goals to help SHB Đà Nẵng finish second with three wins and one loss at the Thiên Long friendly tournament last month.

Marlon Rangel played for Bình Định, while his country’s fellowman Yuri Souza scored five goals for Hải Phòng in 2023-24.

Đà Nẵng has upgraded the 20,000-seat Hòa Xuân Stadium ready to achieve greatness in the 2024-25 season.

It will play an away match against tough rival Sông Lam Nghệ An on September 15 and will be hosting Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh at home on September 22.

SHB Đà Nẵng won the V.League championship in 1992-2009-2012 and two National Cup titles in 1993-2009, but it was relegated in 2022, before bouncing straight back into the top flight one year later.

The team has been sponsored by SHB Bank since 2007.

This article was first posted on Vietnam News

Many traders join the Shopee Enables SMEs programme to improve their skills in doing e-commerce. — Photo Courtesy Shopee Vietnam

HCM CITY — E-commerce company Shopee has launched a corporate social responsibility initiative called “Shopee Enables SMEs” to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Việt Nam. 

The programme, carried out in collaboration with the Việt Nam E-commerce Association (VECOM), aims to engage 100,000 MSMEs by enhancing their e-commerce capabilities and implementing e-commerce applications. 

It seeks to improve livelihoods through targeted e-commerce skills training and leveraging technology.

The company said “Shopee Enables SMEs” is not a one-time effort but a long-term commitment to advancing Việt Nam’s digital economy and helping businesses grow and contribute to the economy. 

It foresees the programme as a significant step towards achieving Việt Nam’s digital economy objectives and fostering digital cooperation between Việt Nam and Singapore.

Jason Bay, the SEA Limited country head, said: “Instead of charging high fees for third-party training, Shopee and its partners are offering these training sessions for free as we are devoted to serving the underserved and utilising technology to enhance everyone’s lives.”

The first “Shopee Enables SMEs” training course has commenced with the assistance of the Hà Nội Department of Industry and Trade and involved over 200 businesses and 100 students in the city.

Shopee also collaborates with the Government to provide e-commerce training to SMEs, having assisted nearly 10,000 sellers last year through national and provincial workshops. 

Over 90 per cent of products sold on Shopee in Việt Nam originate locally.

More than 350,000 Vietnamese SMEs and 1,000 local brands have received support from the company for expanding into ASEAN markets leveraging its international platform.

In recent years e-commerce has witnessed rapid growth, attracting numerous small enterprises and individual entrepreneurs.

Shopee’s market studies reveal that individual entrepreneurs and MSMEs in Việt Nam encounter various hurdles in navigating and understanding e-commerce, and so training and assistance play a pivotal role in supporting them.

With “Shopee Enables SMEs,” 100,000 businesses across all 63 provinces and cities will acquire fundamental skills and insights to comprehend consumer shopping patterns to help expand. — VNS

Source: Vietnam News/ Vietnam Insider

Minister of Education and Training Nguyễn Kim Sơn beats the drum to officially open the 2024-2025 school year at Hà Nội’s Nguyễn Đình Chiểu Secondary School on September 5. — VNA/VNS Photos

The 2024-25 academic year marks a significant milestone as the 2018 general education programme is rolled out uniformly across all twelve grades for the first time. It also marks the conclusion of five years of implementing the 2019 Education Law, with the draft Law on Teachers set to be debated in the National Assembly. Minister of Education and Training Nguyễn Kim Sơn spoke to Tin Tức (News) newspaper about strategies for addressing these key developments.

Could you tell us the standout achievements of the education sector in the 2023-24 academic year?

The 2023-24 academic year marked a decade since the implementation of Resolution 29. Following the Politburo’s directive, the Ministry of Education and Training, along with key agencies, reviewed the past ten years. On August 12, the Politburo issued Conclusion No. 91, stressing the need for continued reform.

This conclusion is crucial for unifying efforts in advancing comprehensive education reforms to meet future development needs. Last year, the government and Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính focused on early childhood education, introducing a new preschool curriculum and a draft resolution on universal education for children aged three to five.

In general education, the 2018 curriculum changes have been well received. Local authorities have invested in these reforms, with the 2023-2024 high school graduation exam successfully concluding as the last under the 2006 programme. The new exam system, starting in 2025, has been approved and is widely supported.

The year was also notable for Việt Nam’s specialised schools, with national Olympic teams achieving remarkable results, including gold and silver medals and high rankings in international competitions. Vietnamese students excelled at the International Science and Engineering Fair, securing second prize.

Higher education saw a record number of university applicants and significant quality improvements. Digital transformation advanced with the completion of educational databases and integration with the national population database. Increased applications for teacher training and improved base salaries have positively impacted educators.

The development and review of textbooks met quality expectations, and increased support for teachers was well received. The academic year also featured major national and international sports events, including the successful hosting of the 13th Southeast Asian Student Games and the 10th National Phù Đổng Sports Festival.

What are the education sector’s main priorities for the new academic year?

For the 2024-25 academic year, the education sector will focus on implementing key national policies and Party resolutions, prioritising educational reform through discipline, innovation and quality enhancement.

Major goals include executing Conclusion No. 91 on education reform, assessing the 2018 general education programme, preparing a new preschool curriculum, enhancing university autonomy, and advancing human resources training. Emphasis will be placed on developing skills in semiconductor microelectronics, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing.

The MoET will advise the government on an action programme for Conclusion No. 91 and create its own action plan to ensure effective execution. The sector will also update legal documents to address emerging issues and improve the policy environment, with a key focus on finalising the draft Law on Teachers.

Additionally, the ministry will soon release the Việt Nam Education Development Strategy for 2030 and a vision for 2045, aiming to address current challenges and achieve greater success in the new academic year.

For the 2024-25 academic year, the education sector will continue rolling out the new curriculum in grades five, nine, and 12. This year also marks the first high school graduation exam conducted under the new curriculum. What specific directives has the MoET issued for this academic year?

Despite the challenges encountered during recent educational reforms, the process has highlighted the commitment and effort of the entire political system, local authorities, and the education sector. This year is particularly crucial, and the MoET has been preparing extensively. The new high school graduation exam format, which will be introduced in 2025, has been developed with broad consultation and received strong public support. Regulations for the 2025 exam are expected to be issued by November 2024 and are designed to be practical and stable for students, teachers, and schools.

To ensure a smooth transition, extensive trial runs of the new exam format will be conducted, with local education departments prepared to implement these trials and address any issues.

The academic year’s schedule and guidelines have been released early, outlining key tasks such as implementing the 2018 curriculum for final grades and preparing for the 2025 graduation exam.

In various meetings, including those with education directors and sector-wide reviews, the MoET and local officials have discussed tasks, shared experiences, and sought solutions to challenges.

The MoET remains committed to closely monitoring and supporting local areas in executing key tasks for the 2024-25 academic year.

Students in Hòa Bình Province on the first day of the new academic year.

Teacher shortages continue to affect many provinces and cities, particularly for those qualified to teach the new curriculum. What steps has the MoET taken or planned to address this issue?

Currently, there are around 1.6 million teachers nationwide. In the 2023-24 academic year, 19,474 new teachers were recruited. However, rising student numbers have led to an increase in classes: 7,198 more at the lower secondary level (requiring 13,676 additional teachers) and 1,213 more at the upper secondary level (needing 2,729 more teachers). This has contributed to a persistent teacher shortage in many regions.

Preliminary reports suggest that the teacher shortage for the 2024-25 academic year will rise by 19,856, including 6,000 more needed for early childhood education and 13,856 for general education. The shortage is mainly due to the growing number of students, which has led to 2,327 additional groups in early childhood education and 7,150 more classes in general education.

The ministry has directed local authorities to fill all teaching positions and to request additional teacher training. Universities are being encouraged to train teachers for new subjects and ethnic minority languages.

The MoET will continue to update policies and legislation to improve teachers’ status, including presenting the draft Law on Teachers to the National Assembly. This law aims to create a legal framework for recruitment, management, and recognition of teachers and to give education authorities more control over teacher appointments.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the MoET will advise on staffing quotas as per Central Decision No. 72, urging localities to use existing quotas fully and request additional ones. Local authorities are also encouraged to implement supportive policies to ensure job security and satisfaction for teachers.

Recent policies, including incentives for teacher trainees and salary increases, have made teaching careers more appealing. Many regions have adopted measures to attract and retain teachers, and the draft Law on Teachers is designed to address these needs, representing significant progress in tackling the teacher shortage.

As the new academic year approaches, shortages of school places persist in major cities, and school infrastructure in challenging and flood-affected areas remains inadequate. How has the MoET addressed and supported localities in dealing with these issues?

Localities have recently focused on expanding school networks, improving infrastructure, and upgrading teaching facilities. However, around 15.5 per cent of classrooms nationwide remain inadequately built, with persistent shortages in densely populated, mountainous, remote, and particularly challenging areas. The availability of teaching equipment meeting regulatory standards is also low, at just 50.63 per cent.

To achieve the 2030 goal of upgrading all educational facilities, significant effort from local authorities, guided by the MoET, is essential. For the 2024-25 school year, local education departments should develop a 2025-30 plan to secure proactive investment in education. Localities must allocate at least 20 per cent of their budgets to education and leverage available policies and incentives.

Key objectives include effective state budget use, continuing facility upgrades, eliminating temporary classrooms, and expanding classrooms in rapidly growing or densely populated areas. Adequate infrastructure and teaching equipment to support the new general education programme are crucial.

The draft Law on Teachers, which the Ministry has developed and published for public consultation, is expected to be a major highlight. The National Assembly Standing Committee has included it in the 2024 legislative agenda, with initial review scheduled for October 2024 and final approval in May 2025. This development is promising for the 1.6 million teachers nationwide, addressing crucial issues related to their livelihoods and professional development.

As the new school year begins, what message would you like to share with the millions of students, teachers and education staff nationwide?

As the country’s economy and society develop, the demands on education become increasingly rigorous. The education sector has never faced such significant responsibilities and challenges as it does today. Over the past academic year, the sector has made remarkable efforts to overcome numerous obstacles.

The 2023-24 academic year ended on a positive note, and as we look forward to the new academic year, I want to acknowledge and thank the exceptional efforts of all education staff, including managers, teachers, and employees, as well as students. As we embark on this new academic year, I encourage everyone, managers, teachers, and staff, to continue their hard work with renewed dedication and innovative solutions.

Building on the sector’s strong traditions, let us strive to further advance Vietnamese education in line with the Party’s and State’s goals. I wish teachers increased joy and motivation in their roles, and I hope students enjoy a year filled with creativity and progress. — VNS

This article was first posted on Vietnam News

It is aimed at further improving the effectiveness of child protection and education in Việt Nam. A Vietnam Law and Legal Forum magazine reporter talked with Silvia Danailov, Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) about the draft law.

Silvia Danailov, representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Việt Nam

UNICEF Việt Nam has carried out several activities to support the Vietnamese Government in protecting children’s rights and formulating the draft law on justice for minors. What are your thoughts about the significance of this law in protecting children and supporting judicial reform for juveniles in Việt Nam?

Let me begin by expressing my highest appreciation for Việt Nam’s remarkable achievements in strengthening justice for children in recent years. The development of the Law on Justice for Minors, once again, demonstrates the country’s strong commitment to the advancement of children’s rights. As the cornerstone of any child-friendly child justice system, this law will provide a solid legal foundation for strengthened protection of children in the criminal justice system, including alleged offenders, victims and witnesses.

For any girl or boy, growing up and developing entails trying out, making mistakes and learning from them. This is a very normal process, as the human brain is not fully developed until the early 20s. All children – especially adolescents – often lack the ability to foresee the consequences of their actions or control their emotions and impulses. This holds true for today’s teenagers, even though exposure to the Internet and social media makes them grow up rapidly and might give them an appearance of maturity. The way we understand their actions and treat them during this phase can have lifelong implications.

Adopting a child-focused approach, fundamentally different from the way adult offenders are treated, the new comprehensive Law on Justice for Minors focuses on rehabilitation, offering individualised support to address the root causes of poor decisions. Because they are still developing, children are generally more receptive to changing their behaviour than adults. Educative measures that build positive attitudes and social skills, as well as a sense of responsibility can help them take productive paths to adulthood. Globally, this approach has been recognised to be less costly and more effective at preventing re-offending.

Prioritising alternatives to criminal proceedings (called ‘diversion’) and community-based solutions, the Law on Justice for Minors allows children and adolescents to ‘grow out’ of offending in their home community and maintain ties to families and schools. By doing this way, children and adolescents are protected from harsh, stigmatising and punitive treatment that could have long-lasting negative consequences on their physical and mental health and development.

Here in Việt Nam, many children brought before the courts have committed non-violent offences, such as theft and disturbance of public order. For them, community-based solutions are the most appropriate option – and it does not mean being ‘soft on crime’. In fact, it requires hard work of the child – encouraging them to confront their issues, holding them accountable for their actions, targeting the root causes of their behaviour and helping them choose the right path to becoming productive and law-abiding citizens. This is the best way to ensure the long-term societal cohesion and public safety.

The Law on Justice for Minors is also crucial for protecting child victims and witnesses from trauma when involved in criminal proceedings, ultimately improving the quality of their testimony. It contains detailed guidelines for handling cases involving child victims and witnesses in a child- and gender-sensitive manner, ensuring a fair judicial process and bringing perpetrators to justice. Countries like Indonesia, Laos, Nepal, Croatia, Georgia and Serbia have already incorporated provisions for protecting child victims and witnesses in their laws on justice for minors.

The new law aims to innovate and drastically reform laws and policies toward juveniles regarding criminal justice to make them conform to international commitments and practices. How will the law help Việt Nam achieve this target?

In Việt Nam today, the handling of children and adolescents in the criminal justice system is covered by separate provisions and chapters in the Criminal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Law on Execution of Criminal Judgments and different sub-laws. This results in fragmentation and does a disservice to children. Over recent decades, many countries globally and in the Asia-Pacific region have moved away from this approach and replaced chapters on minors in their general criminal laws with a comprehensive child justice law that stipulates a set of objectives, principles, measures and sanctions, as well as procedures and services specially adapted to children.

In the most recent Concluding Observations on the combined fifth and sixth reports of Việt Nam (dated September 19, 2022), the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child urged Việt Nam to build upon its significant achievements related to child rights, to bring its child justice system fully into line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), especially to adopt a comprehensive child justice law.

The adoption of a comprehensive Law on Justice for Minors will strengthen the country’s compliance with its obligations under the CRC, providing a more unified legal framework for the child justice system by consolidating provisions that are currently covered across multiple laws. This will allow the adoption of a distinct approach to children, fundamentally different from adults, introducing measures adapted to their specific needs, evolving capacities and inherent vulnerabilities and promoting the best interests of a child in contact with the criminal justice system.

With UNICEF’s experience in child protection, could you give some recommendations for development of the Law on Justice for Minors in Việt Nam?

I am delighted to see many positive elements in the draft law submitted to the National Assembly in June, which will improve the handling of criminal cases involving children in line with Việt Nam’s obligations under the CRC. Some aspects of the draft law can still be further improved by aligning with international standards and best practice.

Firstly, UNICEF applauds efforts to introduce alternatives to criminal proceedings (so-called ‘diversion’) to redirect children away from the criminal justice system toward community-based rehabilitation. However, it is important to note that because diversion is applied at the pre-trial stage, core procedural safeguards must be respected. Notably, diversion cannot be imposed. It requires the minor’s voluntary consent to be diverted and to all obligations or measures in the diversion plan. To be in full alignment with international standards, the draft law should strengthen this voluntary and consensual aspect by explicitly requiring for the child’s consent to both the diversion process and obligations in the diversion plan.

Secondly, diversion should not involve any form of deprivation of liberty. As such, placement in reform school should be a penalty rather than a diversion measure.

And finally, juvenile offending is generally related to complex social issues in the living environment of the child. As shown by international best practices, effectively addressing these issues requires the specialist knowledge and skills of dedicated staff with professional social work capacities. UNICEF strongly recommends the establishment of a more professionalised social service workforce, especially a network of social workers at the provincial and district levels and social work collaborators at the commune level.

UNICEF has been accompanying the Vietnamese authorities in several projects on child protection and support for judicial reform for juveniles in the country. Can you explain more about your past projects and their outcomes?

UNICEF has been present in Việt Nam to support the advancement of children’s rights since 1975. Our support to strengthen justice for children was intensified with the approval of the very first project on Friendly Justice System for Minors between the Ministry of Justice and UNICEF in 2006. Since then, UNICEF has been working closely with dedicated partners to improve children’s access to justice – especially the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Supreme People’s Court, Supreme People’s Procuracy and the Việt Nam Lawyers Association.

Over the years, UNICEF has been supporting national partners to learn more about international standards and valuable lessons from other countries, especially those sharing similarities with Việt Nam, to inform efforts to improve the legal and justice systems for better protection of girls and boys in contact with the law. UNICEF also helped equip thousands of new and frontline law enforcement and justice officers, legal aid/lawyers and welfare officers with specialised knowledge and skills to conduct justice proceedings in a child- and gender-sensitive manner and deliver high-quality, age-appropriate legal aid and other services to children.

Through our trusted and long-standing partnership, national authorities have institutionalised successful approaches to produce impactful results for children at national scale. The significant achievements in child justice were acknowledged in the most recent Concluding Observations on Việt Nam of the Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Committee especially commended Việt Nam for the introduction of diversion measures in the Law on Handling of Administrative Violations, child-friendly procedures in the Criminal Procedure Code, expansion of legal aid child beneficiaries under the Law on Legal Aid, as well as the roll-out of 40 Family and Juvenile Courts as specialised children’s courts, just to name a few.

The Law on Justice for Minors, once approved, will mark a significant milestone. We look forward to our continued collaboration with key partners to ensure that the law on paper becomes a law in practice, thereby increasing access to justice for girls and boys under the age of 18 across Việt Nam. — VNS

This article was first posted on Vietnam News