PM imposes ban on sale of soft drinks at schools

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has decided to impose a ban on the sale of all types of soft drinks at schools across the country.

  • Vietnamese, Japanese PMs hold telephone conversation
  • PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc welcomes Alibaba Chairman Jack Ma

The PM has asked the Ministries of Health, Education and Training, and Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs to implement the regulation in a bid to improve children’s health and height.

The Ministry of Education and Training has been asked to raise the awareness of teachers and students on how to eat a healthy, balanced diet and ensure food hygiene and safety.

The ministry has also been asked to improve the quality of meals at schools as well as organise programmes to encourage students to drink milk instead of soft drinks.

In addition, advertisements for soft drinks, alcohol drinks and unhealthy food must be banned at schools, according to the PM.

A soft drink is a drink that typically contains carbonated water, a sweetener and natural or artificial flavouring. Soft drinks may also contain caffeine, colourings, preservatives and other ingredients.

Many countries in the world have imposed such a ban considering the harmful and adverse effects of soft drinks on children’s health.

Experts have called for the urgent implementation of this regulation.

The rate of malnourished children under five years old with extremely low height and weight is 24 per cent and 14 per cent, respectively, according to the latest statistics from the National Institute of Nutrition.

Meanwhile, the number of obese children in big cities across the country is increasing at an alarming rate, almost the same as the rate of obese children in the world, according to the institute.

In 2011, the Government launched a programme to increase the height and physical fitness of Vietnamese people in the 2011-30 period.

However, the programme has not been implemented due to a lack of funding. Meanwhile, the indicators on height show that the Vietnamese are the shortest in Southeast Asia.

VNA

Other News

Communication drive promoted for 500-day campaign to locate, identify fallen soldiers' remains

Communication drive promoted for 500-day campaign to locate, identify fallen soldiers' remains

Under the plan, all central and local media outlets are required to launch columns on the campaign, maintain regular coverage, and produce at least five to seven in-depth reports each month in key search areas. Media agencies will also be encouraged to gather and verify valuable information and develop high-quality products in both Vietnamese and foreign languages, including feature articles, documentaries, reports and short videos.

First Vietnamese pagoda in Tokyo inaugurated

First Vietnamese pagoda in Tokyo inaugurated

Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu expressed confidence that the establishment will serve as a strong spiritual anchor for Vietnamese people living in Japan while contributing to friendship and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

National drive kicks off to protect, support children online

National drive kicks off to protect, support children online

Cyberspace now runs through children’s learning, entertainment, and daily lives, but warned it is laced with dangerous content, online insults, threats, and seemingly harmless clicks that can trigger fraud, data breaches, and risks children who are not yet equipped to handle.

Vietnam, RoK scholars discuss diplomatic perspectives amid modern East Asia

Vietnam, RoK scholars discuss diplomatic perspectives amid modern East Asia

A scholar has stressed the need for Vietnam to make use of cooperation opportunities arising from the RoK’s foreign policy, particularly in semiconductor technology, artificial intelligence (AI), supply chains, digital transformation, and green energy, as well as chances in multilateral diplomacy.

'Barefoot inventor' and global ambitions

'Barefoot inventor' and global ambitions

Pham Van Hat is best known as the creator of the made-in-Vietnam “Seed Sowing Robot,” now exported to 15 countries, alongside dozens of practical inventions that have eased labour for thousands of farmers.

Safeguarding fairness for creators, future of Vietnam's culture

Safeguarding fairness for creators, future of Vietnam's culture

Films, music, television programmes, e-books, video games, journalistic works, images and creative data can now be copied, edited and redistributed within minutes. While copyright violations were once linked mainly to pirated discs or counterfeit books, infringements have shifted online with faster speed, wider scale and greater anonymity.

Flower tribute ceremony honours President Ho Chi Minh in Russia

Flower tribute ceremony honours President Ho Chi Minh in Russia

Consul General Nguyen Viet Kien stressed President Ho Chi Minh’s reputation and career transcended Vietnam’s borders to inspire liberation movements worldwide, and that his ideas on the right to self-determination, peace, and friendship among nations remain deeply relevant today.

Education ministry targets five digital technology incubators at universities

Education ministry targets five digital technology incubators at universities

A key target under the new plan is the establishment of five digital technology incubators, or Deeptech Hubs, at universities and research institutes with strong potential. The education ministry also plans to launch a training programme for 1,000 outstanding technology entrepreneurs and develop criteria for selecting and supporting startup ecosystems within educational institutions.

Vietnam steps up implementation of ethnic affairs strategy through 2030

Vietnam steps up implementation of ethnic affairs strategy through 2030

To accelerate the implementation of the the Ethnic Affairs Strategy by 2030, with a vision toward 2045, the Prime Minister requested ministries, agencies and local authorities to continue thoroughly carrying out the Party and State’s policies on ethnic affairs, enhancing the effectiveness of State management and strengthening oversight of policy implementation.

Security preparations reviewed for APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc

Security preparations reviewed for APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc

The team examined the APEC 2027 Convention Centre, where main conference activities are scheduled; Sun Serenia Hospital, designated to provide healthcare and emergency medical services for delegates; provincial road DT.975, which connects Phu Quoc International Airport to the convention centre; and the area surrounding Phu Quoc International Airport.