Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Nguyen Minh Vu presents flowers to German journalist Hellmut Kapfenberger at the launching event. (Photo: VNA)
Speaking at the launch, Kapfenberger hailed the late Vietnamese leader as a brilliant national hero who displayed modesty, simplicity and friendliness, and devoted all his life to the homeland and people.
The 86-year-old writer said the newly-published biography is an improved version of his previous book “Ho Chi Minh – A Chronicle” released in 2009.
He expressed his proud and delight to publish a complete biography about President Ho Chi Minh, saying the book will give readers a better understanding about his life and career, from the time he was born in Nghe An to his travel across many foreign countries to find ways to liberate his nation.
The book also depicts his years resiliently leading Vietnam’s struggle for independence and as the State President until his last moment.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Nguyen Minh Vu thanked Kapfenberger and the director of the German publishing house Wiljo Heinen for hosting the launching event on Vietnam’s National Day – September 2, which also marked the 51st death anniversary of the late president.
He said the new book will be a valuable publication about President Ho Chi Minh which helps readers know better about Vietnam and its founder and greatly contributes to strengthening friendship between German and Vietnamese people.
He expected the book will be well-received by German readers as well as Vietnamese expats living in Germany and Kapfenberger will produce more books about Vietnam.
Journalist Hellmut Kapfenberger was presented with Friendship Order by President of Vietnam in 2017 in recognition of his contributions to the two countries’ friendship and multifaceted cooperation.
As a reporter for ADN – the official news agency of the former German Democratic Republic, and Neues Deutschland (New Germany) newspaper, he spent seven years in Vietnam to report on the war. He witnessed fierce battles, American atrocities and the heroic resistance of the Vietnamese.
After retiring, he spent time on collecting documents and writing books on Vietnam, including a book with Vietnamese version entitled “Ho Chi Minh – Mot bien nien su” (Ho Chi Minh – A chronicle), “Berlin – Bonn – Saigon – Hanoi”, “Vietnam - ein dreizigjähriger Krieg 1945-1975” (Vietnam – A 30-year war 1945-1975), and “Duong mon Ho Chi Minh” (Ho Chi Minh Trail).
German corporation to join wind power project in Binh Dinh
Representatives from PNE, a multinational corporation based in Germany, have taken part in a working session alongside leaders of the Binh Dinh province People's Committee to develop a USD1.5 billion wind power project in the locality.
Photo for illustration
Tran Minh, senior manager of the Offshore Wind Power project at PNE AG, said the group is keen to gain insights into various policies in order to encourage wind power energy development in the province, in addition to procedures that will eventually see the project gain approval.
Nguyen Phi Long, Vice Chairman of the Binh Dinh provincial People's Committee, emphasised that the local government is striving to create the perfect conditions in which PNE group can invest in the local wind power energy sector.
Marko Walde, head of the working group of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam, said that the implementation of the wind power park project in Binh Dinh is anticipated to transform the country into a competitive wind power supplier in both the region and across the globe.
Domestically, wind power and solar power projects are still being considered as alternative solutions for the over exploitation of hydroelectricity, which has caused a range of serious consequences for the environment.
At present, Vietnam is home to approximately 30 wind power projects which are either in operation or under construction.
PNE is a leading multinational corporation that has 20 years of experience in developing onshore and offshore wind power projects. The group has expanded into South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, including offshore wind power park projects located in Vietnam.
Labourers from informal sector to benefit from second support package
Labourers from the informal sector who have been seriously affected by COVID-19 pandemic will benefit from the second support package proposed by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA).
Illustrative image (Source: VNA)
According to the ministry, the package targets business households and small companies to help them recover, maintain and develop their business and production, thus improving income for labourers.
The MoLISA said labourers from the informal sector are a vulnerable group that face high risks but have access to few support policies.
Statistics in 2018 showed that 19.3 million people worked in the informal sector, accounting for 35.6 percent of the total employed labourers in the country. Their average income was 4.8 million VND (nearly 208 USD) per month, equivalent to only two thirds of those in the formal sector.
So far, a number of policies have been designed to support the group, including vocational training for rural labourers, employment consultations services, voluntary social insurance, and those related to labour safety and hygiene./.