News Highlights for April 16, 2023

Vietnam tightens control over junk SIM cards

More than 1.2 million subscriber identity module (SIM) cards in Vietnam have outgoing calls lock due to a lack of personal information.

The Ministry of Information and Communications directed all telcos to restrict junk SIMs from making calls so far and receiving calls after April 30. All junk SIMs will be withdrawn after May 15.

Old villa No.49 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hanoi. Photo: Cong Tho/The Hanoi Times

The first old villa in Hanoi has been restored: Hanoi and the Île-de-France region of France are restoring the French-style villa at No.49 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hai Ba Trung District.

This is the model facility in the joint restoration project conducted by both sides since 2016. At present, a photo exhibition takes place at the villa featuring 30 color photos taken between 1915-1921 by French photographer Léon Busy, the first color photos of Hanoi.

The Minister of Health disseminates guidance to prevent Covid-19 amid the return of infections in some places. People are advised to wear masks in the public, get vaccines, sanitize, and follow checkups and treatment.

In the last week, the number of infections averaged a few hundred per day. However, no impact on socioeconomic activities has been reported.

Ethnic minorities at Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Hanoi. Photo: Khanh Huy/The Hanoi Times

Vietnamese Ethnic Groups' Culture Day launched: A series of activities to celebrate the Vietnamese Ethnic Groups' Culture Day (April 19) has been kicked off nationwide to promote the cultural identities of ethnic minorities.

The biggest celebrations will be held at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Hanoi with an array of festivals, rituals, and customs to be vividly reproduced by more than 200 artisans and people representing 17 ethnic communities across the nation.

This annual festival is aimed to honor and promote cultural identities of ethnic minorities in the country home to 54 ethnic groups.

Nguyen Du Cultural Week opens in Ha Tinh on April 15. Photo: Van Chuong/The Hanoi Times

Nguyen Du Cultural Week opens in Ha Tinh: The week-long event was launched in Nghi Xuan District of Vietnam’s Central Province of Ha Tinh on April 15, featuring a series of folk performances namely UNESCO-recognized ca tru, vi and giam folk songs.

Nghi Xuan is the homeland of Nguyen Du (175-1820), a national great poet and one of the world-class cultural figures honored by UNESCO. The Tales of Kieu is a masterpiece translated into more than 20 languages.

Ninh Thuan Grape-Wine Festival 2022. Photo: VOV

Ninh Thuan Grape – Wine Festival 2023 lasts from April 13 to April 18 to promote grape and wine, specialties of the central province. On this occasion, a series of activities will be held including the handover of a certificate recognizing Bau Truc pottery-making craft as tangible cultural heritage.

The festival will cover a variety of activities that honor local brocade fabric, UNESCO-certified Nui Chua Biosphere Reserve, motor races on sand, among others.

Some universities raise tuition: Several tertiary facilities have announced to raise tuition by 10-20% depending on faculties. The name on the list is Academy of Finance and Academy of Journalism and Communication in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, and some faculties of Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City.