ASEAN FESTIVAL 2025 – “ASEAN UNLOCKED”

We are pleased to invite you to the ASEAN Festival 2025—an extraordinary event dedicated to celebrating the rich and diverse cultures of Southeast Asia. This year's theme, “ASEAN UNLOCKED,” will allow you (1) _______ a deeper understanding of the region's cultural heritage through food, music, traditional costumes, and (2) _______ stories.

The festival, (3) _______ annually, is an exceptional opportunity for students to gather, share knowledge, and foster cross-cultural connections. The Golden Bell Challenge (4) _______, providing an engaging way to enhance your knowledge and challenge your thinking in a fun and competitive environment.

We (5) _______ seeing you at this event where you will not only gain valuable insights but also pick up new friendships and memories that will (6) _______ a lifetime.

📅 Date: Thursday, May 22, 2025

🕓 Time: 4:00 PM

📍 Venue: 15th Floor Hall – Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance (UEF)

Join us for this unforgettable celebration of Southeast Asian culture. We are excited to welcome you to ASEAN Festival 2025!

Water Scarcity: A Growing Concern

Water covers 70% of our planet, but only 3% is freshwater, and two-thirds of that is locked away in glaciers or hard to reach. Freshwater is essential for drinking, farming, and daily life, (1) _______ it's becoming increasingly scarce.

What's Causing Water Scarcity?

Climate Change

As carbon dioxide levels rise, weather patterns are changing. This causes more droughts and floods, (2) _______ the water available in many areas. Glaciers are melting, which affects water supply for communities.

Pollution

Water pollution from farms, industries, and cities is a major problem. Harmful chemicals from fertilizers and waste can make water unsafe to drink or use.

Agriculture

Agriculture uses 70% of the world's freshwater, but much of this (3) _______. Leaky irrigation and (4) _______ are drying up rivers and lakes.

Population Growth

The world's population (5) _______ in 50 years, increasing demand for water. As more people need food, clothes, and shelter, the pressure (6) _______ water resources grows.

Cattle are unique animals that can consume grasses and hays, foods that humans cannot digest. They convert these foods into valuable products like milk and meat, which provide important nutrients for people. However, during digestion, cows release methane, a potent greenhouse gas, through their burps. This is a problem (1) _______.

One of the interesting things about methane is that it doesn't last forever in the atmosphere. It typically stays for about ten years before it breaks down into carbon dioxide and water vapor. The carbon dioxide is then absorbed by plants, (2) _______. This continuous process is known as the biogenic carbon cycle, where methane is produced, turned into carbon dioxide, and absorbed by plants.

The biogenic carbon cycle is always in motion, (3) _______. The cycle is in balance, meaning that as new methane is created, older methane is removed at the same rate. However, if less methane is produced today compared to the past, (4) _______.

This process presents a key opportunity in the fight against climate change. To reduce the impact of methane, research centers like the CLEAR Center and others around the world (5) _______.

1. On July 25, at Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST), the Hanoi Youth Union officially started the 2025 “Green Summer” Campaign. The event brought together 23 volunteer teams and almost 1,000 young people from Hanoi. They participated with great enthusiasm and determination to make valuable contributions to local communities. This campaign is one of the Youth Union's most remarkable yearly programs, showing Vietnam's tradition of unity and kindness. It also allows students to implement their knowledge in real-life situations, overcome challenges, and develop teamwork and social responsibility.

2. From July 25 to 31, 888 volunteers will work in 13 communes across six provinces and cities, including Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen, Ninh Binh, Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa, and Ha Tinh. They will organize “AI for All” classes, teaching school students about artificial intelligence and Scratch programming. They will also help local governments with administrative work and guide citizens in using online public services. In addition, they will offer STEM, English, and soft skills lessons to encourage local youth to learn and grow.

3. At the opening ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Huynh Dang Chinh, Vice President of HUST, praised the volunteers for their dedication and strong sense of responsibility. He advised them to remain disciplined, calm, and innovative while working. He also reminded the students to use their knowledge wisely, ensure safety, and serve the nation with passion and faith in their mission.

4. This year, the campaign gained strong assistance from sponsors such as the Green Future Fund – Vingroup, Viettel Youth Union, and Hanoi Bus Station Company. Their support helps volunteers complete meaningful projects like installing 10km of solar-powered lights, planting trees, and building restrooms. Each activity reflects the volunteers' endeavor to protect the environment and build a greener, smarter, and more sustainable Vietnam.

1. The environmental influence of cars goes well beyond exhaust emissions. Each phase of a vehicle's life span—from production to disposal—has harmful effects on the planet. Building cars requires huge amounts of energy and raw materials like steel, glass, rubber, and plastic, which raise their carbon footprint. Even after cars are no longer usable, dangerous substances such as battery acids and plastics persist in the environment. [I] Fortunately, modern recycling now allows about 75% of car components to be reused.

2. The greatest portion of a vehicle's environmental impact—nearly 80 to 90 percent—results from fuel consumption and emissions produced while driving. The burning of gasoline emits greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, which accelerate climate change. [II] Thus, both the creation and use of fuel greatly affect the planet's well-being.

3. Transporting fuel also creates environmental challenges. Shipping petroleum uses enormous amounts of energy and carries the risk of oil spills, which can devastate marine and coastal habitats. [III] As global demand increases, alternative fuel sources like oil sands are being used, but these can be even more harmful. Improving fuel efficiency and adopting electric vehicles (EVs) are key solutions. EVs produce no tailpipe emissions, though their manufacturing, battery production, and electricity use still have some environmental effects.

4. Cars and trucks are among the largest sources of air pollution in the United States, responsible for about one-third of total emissions. [IV] Harmful gases such as nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide are released at street level, directly affecting human lungs and causing health problems in densely populated areas.

5. Another major concern is the infrastructure built to support cars. Road construction contributes to pollution, damages ecosystems, and encourages urban sprawl. These effects, combined with growing populations and increased resource use, create long-term environmental challenges that technology alone cannot fully solve. Encouraging sustainable transport and limiting car reliance are crucial for protecting the planet's health.