Vietnam Roundup: Renewable energy, relief from heat waves, World Camel Day celebrations

First candidate at ITLOS

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, who serves as the Director General of the East Sea Institute at Vietnam's Diplomatic Academy (DAV), has been announced by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the first Vietnamese nominee for a judgeship at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS). The declaration was made by Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu during his participation in the 34th session of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which took place at the United Nations headquarters in New York, USA, from June 10 to June 14, reports Tuoi Tre News.

Renewable energy success

Renewable energy companies in Vietnam, particularly wind power companies, are expected to benefit from the country's ambitious Power Development Plan VIII. The plan aims to increase the contribution of renewable energy sources, with a focus on wind power and set targets for renewable energy shares by 2030 and 2050. Leading companies like Bamboo Capital Group, Gia Lai Electricity, and Hà Đô Group are expected to see long-term benefits. According to Viet Nam News, the Government has also introduced policies to support wind power projects, such as feed-in tariffs. However, challenges exist in managing offshore wind power development due to insufficient laws and regulations. Despite this, leading renewable energy companies are moving ahead with plans to invest in wind power projects to meet the country's growing energy demand.

Heavy downpours chasing away heat waves

Northern Vietnam is experiencing heavy downpours, which are expected to bring relief from the heat waves. The forecast indicates that the northern highlands and midlands are bracing for heavy rainfall of up to 150mm this weekend, which could trigger flooding and landslides. Nguyen Van Huong, the chief of the weather forecasting division at the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, announced on Friday, June 14 that the recent spell of warm, clear weather in the north would conclude with the arrival of rains induced by a southward-moving low-pressure zone from China. The expected downpour is primarily concentrated in the northern mountainous and midland regions, particularly in the provinces of Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Lang Son, Bac Kan, and Tuyen Quang, where rainfall could reach 150mm. According to VN Express, the northern lowlands may see nocturnal rainfall averaging 20-40 mm, with certain locales potentially experiencing up to 70 mm. Weather experts anticipate that the rains in the lowlands will diminish considerably by Sunday, June 16, although the northern highlands and midlands are likely to continue experiencing substantial rainfall.

World Camel Day celebrations

Vietnam celebrated World Camel Day for the first time, with an event organised by the Embassy of Saudi Arabia and the University of Languages and International Studies. The event highlighted the historical, cultural, and economic significance of camels in Arab life, as well as efforts to preserve their heritage. Camels have played a pivotal role in human society, not only as a means of transportation but also as a source of food and raw materials. The event aimed to promote understanding of the role of camels in Arab culture and their importance in harsh environments. Arab camels have been a key factor in the development of societies, especially since their domestication 3,000 to 4,000 years ago. The annual festival, celebrating the camel, takes place in the Umm Ruqaybah locality, close to the Al Artawiyah region in Saudi Arabia. It features a variety of special events and attracts numerous traders who come together to pay tribute to this esteemed animal, reports Viet Nam News.

Health insurance coverage rate

Recent trends indicating steady growth have led the General Director of Vietnam Social Security (VSS), Nguyễn Thế Mạnh, to maintain a positive outlook, projecting that the health insurance coverage rate will surpass 94% by year's end. During a conference in Hà Nội on June 14, which aimed to disclose social insurance data, Mạnh reported that the second quarter of 2024 witnessed a notable rise in enrollments for social, health, and unemployment insurance relative to the same quarter the previous year. Viet Nam News highlighted that approximately 18.3 million individuals enrolled in social insurance, marking a coverage rate of 39.05% of the labour force, which is an increment of 1.16 million people or 6.77% compared to the corresponding period in 2023.