News Highlights for April 24, 2023

The following information provides the most recent news from Vietnam and Hanoi.

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Vietnam Secures Hosting Rights for the 2023 World Aerobic Championship
Vietnam has successfully secured the hosting rights for the 2023 World Aerobic Championship. This will be the first time that the event will be held in Vietnam, and the nation is already gearing up to host the world’s top aerobic athletes. The event is expected to attract competitors from all around the world, and the government is already making preparations to ensure that the championship is well-organized and well-received. Vietnam’s Minister of Sport and Physical Education, Nguyen Ngoc Thien, has expressed his delight at the country being chosen to host such a prestigious event. He stated that the government is committed to providing an excellent experience for all participants and spectators.

The 2023 World Aerobic Championship will be held in the capital city of Hanoi. The event is expected to bring together the very best aerobic athletes from all around the world and is a great opportunity for Vietnam to showcase its culture and hospitality. The government is already preparing for the event and is inviting spectators from around the globe to come and experience the competition. This is a great chance for Vietnam to show the world what it is capable of, and to prove that it is capable of hosting major international sporting events.

The Vietnamese team of five won the World Aerobic Cup 2023 championship in Tokyo, Japan, on April 23. Photo courtesy of MeloGym

Vietnam retained its crown at the World Aerobic Cup 2023, held in Japan on April 23, after a fierce battle between five teams.

The Vietnamese gymnasts scored an impressive 19,844 points to win the tournament with ease. Their score was the highest of any team in the event, putting them far ahead of the competition.

France and Japan were the runners-up in the competition, with 19,167 and 18,544 points respectively. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to secure first place.

In the battle of three teams, Vietnam emerged triumphant in second place with 19,600 points, 285 points less than the champion, France.

Vietnam was a major success story in the recent competition, taking home a second place in the pairs competition and two third places in the single male and single female categories. This is a remarkable achievement, and speaks to the hard work and dedication of Vietnam’s athletes.

After the 2023 World Aerobic Cup, held in Tokyo, Japan from April 20th to 24th, the Vietnamese gymnastics team will compete in the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Cambodia.

Former Ship Inspection Official Prosecuted for Bribery and Corruption

A former official responsible for ship inspections has been prosecuted for bribery and corruption. The individual, who was employed by an international maritime agency, allegedly accepted bribes in return for overlooking safety infractions on vessels he inspected.

The accused is believed to have taken advantage of his position to benefit from a range of illicit activities. He is accused of accepting bribes from vessel owners in order to sign off on ships that were in violation of safety standards. The individual was also suspected of providing false certificates to vessels that did not meet the necessary regulations.

The prosecution of this individual is part of a larger effort to combat bribery and corruption in the maritime industry. International maritime agencies have increased their focus on stamping out these illegal activities, and have put in place systems to detect and prevent them.

This case serves as a warning to those who seek to abuse their positions for personal gain. Bribery and corruption will not be tolerated, and those who commit these types of crimes will be held accountable and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

On April 23, HCM City police accused Nguyen Tuan Anh, the deputy director of the river vessel classification and registration department at Vietnam Register, and three other individuals of bribery and corruption. They were formally charged with the crime and taken into custody. This follows an investigation into the alleged illegal activities. It is believed that Nguyen Tuan Anh and the other three suspects had been taking bribes in exchange for providing services at the Vietnam Register.

The other three former officials include Pham Dinh Tham, the registrar of the department, as well as Luong Duc Thai and Vu Duc Nhat, who were both former deputy directors of the Hai Hung Registration Center in Hai Duong Province.

The former officials were accused of bribing local registrars to turn a blind eye to technical flaws during inspections, thereby enabling the faulty vessels to operate.

The former officials are accused of conspiring with several officials from the River-Going Ship Classification and Registration Department to fabricate profiles for new and modified vessels to operate. This deception reportedly allowed the vessels to bypass safety regulations and operate illegally.

HCM City has detected three new variants of the Omicron virus. The variants, first identified in the city, were found in recent Covid-19 tests. According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, the new variants have been given the names Omicron-H4, Omicron-H5, and Omicron-H6.

The Department of Health has warned that these new variants may be more contagious than the original strain of the virus. It is also possible that they may require different treatments and strategies to contain their spread.

In response to the discovery of the new variants, the Ho Chi Minh City government has strengthened its testing and tracing protocols. This includes ramping up the number of Covid-19 tests being conducted and increasing contact tracing efforts. The government has also urged people to continue to practice social distancing, wear face masks, and take other preventive measures to reduce the spread of the virus.

On April 23, the Ho Chi Minh City Health Department identified three Omicron variants labeled XBB.1.9.1, XBB.1.16, and XBB.1.16.1.

Since the beginning of April, Vietnam has detected four new Omicron variants. Variant XBB.1.9.1 was reported in Hanoi, and the remaining three variants XBB.1.5, XBB.1.7, and XBB.1.8, were reported in Ho Chi Minh City in early April.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified three variants of the virus as Variants of Interest (VOI) and Variants under Surveillance (VUM). These variants are closely monitored to ensure the virus does not spread further and that appropriate measures are taken to protect public health.

Cases of the variants XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16 have been reported in 95 and 20 countries, respectively. These variants of the virus have caused alarm and concern among global health organizations.

The emergence of new Omicron variants is believed to be the main cause of the increasing number of infections in Vietnam.

Authorities have strictly advised locals to wear masks, thoroughly disinfect their hands, and get vaccinated to minimize the risk of infection.

Hanoi is considering creating three more pedestrian streets in the city, according to a plan proposed by the municipal Department of Transport. The department has proposed the establishment of pedestrian streets on Hang Bong, Hang Duong and Cau Go Streets to boost tourism and cultural activities in the city.

The proposed pedestrian streets would cover a total area of around 9,000 square metres, with a length of 1.2km and width of 7.5 metres. The plan includes the construction of benches, lighting and other amenities for pedestrians. Additionally, the plan also proposes the installation of traffic lights at intersections, as well as the extension of the existing pavement along the streets.

The plan will be submitted to the municipal People’s Committee for approval, and if approved, the pedestrian streets will be constructed next year. The plan is expected to help reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in the city. It will also create an environment conducive to leisure activities, such as walking, jogging and cycling.

Hanoi’s authorities are planning to open three new pedestrian-only streets in both Dong Da and Ba Dinh districts.

The Dong Da District Government is considering opening a new pedestrian zone in the area of the Temple of Literature in 2023, encompassing Van Mieu and Quoc Tu Giam Streets. This initiative aims to create a safe and enjoyable environment for both local residents and tourists. The zone will be designed to promote a sense of community and bring people together, with plenty of recreation and leisure areas for visitors to enjoy. In addition, the pedestrian zone will also provide a greener and more sustainable transportation option for the area. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this new project will have on the Dong Da District.

In 2024, the district will transform Hoang Cau Street to Hao Nam Street into a pedestrian-friendly zone, in line with the urban skytrain.

In Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, authorities have announced plans to open a pedestrian street around Ngoc Khanh Lake in the fourth quarter of 2023. This will be a great addition to the local area, providing an enjoyable and safe environment for people to explore and relax.

Hanoi is home to five bustling pedestrian streets, located in the Hoan Kiem, Tay Ho, Hai Ba Trung, and Son Tay Town districts. Each of these streets is alive with activity and offers visitors a unique and memorable experience. From street food vendors to souvenir shops, these pedestrian streets provide something for everyone. Explore the vibrant colors, sounds, and smells of Hanoi’s traditional culture and soak up its unique atmosphere. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the streets and savor the sights, sounds, and tastes of this vibrant city. Whether you’re looking for a bite to eat, a chance to shop, or just a relaxing stroll, the pedestrian streets of Hanoi are a must-see for any traveler.

Vietnam is the Third Most Targeted Country for Cyberattacks, According to Kaspersky

Vietnam is receiving the third highest number of cyberattacks, according to the cybersecurity firm Kaspersky. The company’s research shows that Vietnam is the third most targeted country in the world for cyberattacks, behind only the United States and China.

Kaspersky’s research identified that the most common form of attack on Vietnam is malicious network activity, which accounted for over 30% of all cyberattacks in the country. This type of attack is used to disrupt online services, steal information, and compromise computer systems.

The company’s research also revealed that Vietnam has become a popular target for cybercriminals due to its high rate of internet penetration and the lack of understanding of cyber security among its citizens. Kaspersky encourages businesses and individuals in Vietnam to take proactive steps to protect their digital assets and raise their cyber security awareness.

Vietnam is ranked third in Southeast Asia in terms of the number of cyber attacks, according to global cybersecurity company Kaspersky. The country has experienced an increasing number of cyber assaults in recent years, posing a serious threat to its digital security.

The rapid development of infrastructure and telecommunications in Vietnam has led to increased risk of cybersecurity breaches for users, Ngo Vu Tuan Khanh, a spokesman for Kaspersky, warned last week. He highlighted that with the growing use of digital devices, the possibility of malicious activities is on the rise and urged users to stay vigilant and take necessary steps to protect themselves online.

In 2022, Kaspersky thwarted 505 cyber attacks across the globe, with over 207,000 of them occurring in Southeast Asia alone.

Vietnam experienced a staggering 15,500 cyberattacks last year, making it the third most vulnerable country to cybercrime after Indonesia and Thailand, according to Khanh.

Compared to 2021, the number of attacks decreased, but their damage escalated due to the introduction of new technology trends such as ChatGPT, metaverse, AI, and blockchain, he added.