Recently, great efforts have been made by central and local relevant agencies to ensure the best preparations for the forthcoming 5^th Asian Beach Games (ABG5) which will open in Da Nang on 24 September.

Vice Chairman Dung (third right) inspecting the construction sites of competition facilities at the East Sea Park

On Tuesday, the Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, Mr Dang Viet Dung, met with representatives from ABG5’s Security-Traffic-Logistics Sub-board.

Col Tran Dinh Lien, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Police and Head of the Sub-board, said that his unit has checked hotels and information and communications systems ready for ABG5.  In addition, plans have been developed for ensuring security, road and marine traffic safety, and search and rescue activities before, during, and after the biennial international event.   

A spokesperson for the event’s organising board highlighted the importance of ensuring safety for the 9 participating VIP delegations during their stay in the city, with a focus on the flag hoisting ceremonies of the participating countries on 22 and 23 September.

In reply, Vice Chairman Dung expressed high appreciation of the Sub-board for its great efforts in fulfilling its assigned tasks.  However, he stressed the need for the unit to continue working closely with local relevant agencies to perfect its plans for ensuring the success of the international event, especially its opening ceremony, and the safety of locals, visitors, and the participating coaches and athletes.  Local hotels were asked to take effective measures to ensure fire fighting and prevention work, and food safety and hygiene.

Also on the same day, a visiting group from the Vietnamese Ministry of Health, led by its Deputy Minister Le Quang Cuong, and some representatives from the municipal Department of Health, discussed the medical preparations for ABG5.

Local medical workers checking disease prevention work in Son Tra District

Medical workers from the Ministry’s Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management will take over 400 blood samples from participating athletes for dope testing.  The samples will be collected 3 days ahead of the start of ABG5 and sent to Thailand for testing.

Mr Nguyen Tan Hai, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Health, said “26 emergency teams, each with a doctor, 2 nurses and a driver, have been allocated for the competition areas and hotels.  Each hospital across the city has established an emergency team and made plans for any unexpected situations such as natural disasters, fires, explosions, or mass food poisoning.”

Deputy Director Hai remarked that the city's Centre for International Health Quarantine has arranged for its staff members to check passengers' temperatures as they arrive at Da Nang International Airport.  The city’s Centre of Preventive Medicine has made detailed plans for any unexpected situations. 

Deputy Minister Cuong asked the local Department to monitor and check the water quality, environmental hygiene and food safety, as well as effectively handle any possible infectious cases or disease outbreaks.

He stressed the need for local relevant agencies to do their utmost to ensure the success of the event.  The intention is to affirm the position of Da Nang, and Viet Nam as a whole, in the world.