CIRCULAR

The 8th ASC General Assembly (ASC2010)

8-10 November 2010
Hanoi - Vietnam

Mitigating Seismic Hazards and Disasters in Asia

GENERAL INFORMATION ASC 2010

Organizers

• Asian Seismological Commission (ASC)
• Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST)
• Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Association (VUSTA)
• Institute of Geophysics (IGP)

Cosponsors:

• Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST);
• Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA);
• Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST);
• Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE); and
• PetroVietnam Group (PVN).

Invitation

It is a Great pleasure for the Organizing Committee to invite you to attend and contribute to The 8th ASC General Assembly (ASC2010) 8-10 November 2010 in Hanoi - Vietnam, which will give the opportunity to scientists from different countries to meet and exchange ideas about present-day problems of Seismology.

Organizing Committees

• ASC Bureau (2010 -2012)
• President: Prof. Kazuro Hirahama (Japan)
• First Vice President: Prof. Cao Dinh Trieu (Vietnam)
• Second Vice President: Dr. (Thailand)
• Member: Dr. Ding Zhifeng (China)
• Member: Prof. Andrew King (New Zealand)
• Secretary General: Dr. R.K. Chadha (India)

Scientific Committee

1. Prof. Harsh Gupta (India)
2. Prof. Zhu Chuanzhen (China)
3. Prof. Kazuro Hirahara (Japan)
4. Prof. Gary Gibson (Australia)
5. Prof. M. R. Gheitanchi (Iran)
6. Prof. D. Rhoades (New-Zealand)
7. Prof. Andrew King (New-Zealand)
8. Prof. Ding zhifeng (China)
9. Prof. R.K. Chadha (India)
10. Dr. Sumalee prachuab (Thailand)
11. Prof. Kunihiko Shimazaki (Japan)
12. Prof. Nguyen Hong Phuong (Vietnam)
13. Prof. Cao Dinh Trieu (Vietnam)

Local Organizing Committee

Chairman: Prof. Chau Van Minh, President of VAST (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology)

Members:

Bui Cong Que, Tran Ngoc Canh, Do Van Hau, Hoang Thai Lan, Hoang Van Quy, Mai Thanh Tan, Nguyen Tran Tan, Truong Minh, Nguyen Xuan Anh, Ngo Thi Lu, Ngo Gia Thang, Nguyen Hong Phuong, Nguyen Hoang, Dau Sy Thai, Nguyen Duc Liem.

Assembly Secretary

Cao Dinh Trieu
Institute of Geophysics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST)
E-mail:       vag-sec@fpt.vn, URL:    http://www.vag.vn

General Information

Asian Seismological Commission (ASC)

Asian Seismological Commission (ASC) was established in 1996 as a regional scientific organization affiliated to International Association of Seismology and Physics of the Earth's Interior (IASPEI) and with administrative and scientific decisions consistent with general IASPEI guidelines. Its objectives have been identified as following:

• To promote scientific cooperation and exchange among its national members
• To upgrade research activities
• To strengthen disaster mitigation
• To cooperate with other international and regional organizations.

ASC contains 2 sub-commissions: the Sub-commission on Earthquake Prediction and the Sub-commission on Education and Outreach. It is comprised of twenty-four countries members nowadays. Furthermore, it also welcomes all countries in the Asia and the Southern Pacific Regions that are willing to become the ASC National Members.

Meetings of ASC General Assembly

• The 1st ASC General Assembly (ASC 1996), Tangshan, China
• The 2nd ASC General Assembly (ASC 1998), Hyderabad, India
• The 3rd ASC General Assembly (ASC 2000), Teharan, Iran
• The 4th ASC General Assembly (ASC 2002), Katmandu, Nepal
• The 5th ASC General Assembly (ASC 2004), Yerevan, Armenia
• The 6th ASC General Assembly (ASC 2006), Bangkok, Thailand
• The 7th ASC General Assembly (ASC 2008), Tsukuba, Japan
• The 8th ASC General Assembly (ASC 2010), Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi - the capital of Vietnam

Vietnam, a tropical land of picturesque landscapes and hospitable people is honored to host the 8th ASC General Assembly (ASC2010), 8-11 November 2010.

Vietnam located in the center of the Southeast Asian region, Vietnam lies on the eastern coast of the Indochina Peninsula bordering China to the north, Lao and Cambodia to the west, the East Sea (South China Sea) to the east and West Sea to the west. Archaeological finds of fossils and the remains of ancient people excavated in the Lang Son and Thanh Hoa province show that Vietnam was inhabited by human life for hundreds thousands of years. 54 different ethnic groups inhabit Vietnam today with the Kinh people (or Viet) accounting for nearly 90 per cent of the total population. Major religions in Vietnam are Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, the Cao Dai sect, the Hoa sect, etc. and many other religious traditions. Vietnam's rich culture is based on wet rice agriculture giving the Vietnamese people a life style centered on village life and the land. Village festivals are an important tradition in the daily life of the Vietnamese people. These festivals are held in the front yard of the village temple, a pagoda, or the village long house. Tourism is now a significant and growing industry in Vietnam.

Vietnam is a land holding many wonders for visitors to discover. The Country is looking forward to greeting the delegates.

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and is one of the oldest cities in Southeast Asia. In October 2010 it will celebrate 1000th birthday anniversary (1010-2010). Today, its people and visitors enjoy a typical Southeast Asia's city, full of life, art, culture and differentials with the cities in European, American and African continents.

Hanoi is situated on an ancient soil of layer after layer of alluvium carried down from the northern mountain ranges bay the Red River and its tributaries. Hanoi is considered the city of romantic lakes. Currently there are 18 lakes, which the most beautiful are Hoan Kiem (Saber Restored Lake), Ho Tay (White Bamboo Lake), etc.

Hanoi is famous for its numerous ancient Buddhist pagodas. One can visit the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) - Quoc Tu Giam, the first University of Vietnam, was built in 1076. The University was opened to talented students of common families. In 1482 King Le Thanh Tong ordered the erection of steles inscribed with the names, birth dates, and birth places of Doctors and other notable graduates since 1442. At present there remain 82 steles standing in the premises of Van Mieu.

The Average Temperature of Hanoi in November is about 18 - 22 C degrees.

Ha Long Bay

Magnificent Ha Long Bay lies in the middle of the waters of Quang Ninh, some 180 km from Hanoi. The bay covers an area of 1500 sq.km with thousands of islands and grottoes rising from the clear, emerald waters of the Bac Bo Gulf. The bottom of the bay is some 200 m deep. The book "Les Merveilleurs du Monde" published by Hachette, Paris in 1950 classified Ha Long Bay as one of the wonders of the world. Recently the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized Ha Long Bay its significance as a natural heritage of the world.

Passport and visa:

Parties interested in attending the Assembly should in touch with their agents, consulates or the Vietnamese Embassy in their countries to obtain information about visa application procedures.

Public Transportation in the City:

There is a comprehensive public transportation system in the Hanoi City. Bus fare is 3,000 VND, and 5,000 VND from International Airport to the Center of Hanoi. The Taxi and Cyclobuses are also running in Hanoi.

Hotel Accommodation:

The recommended hotels will be listed in the Second Circular. Reduced prices will be made for participants under arrangement with the Organizing Committee. Reservation must be sent to Organizing Committee before November 1, 2010.

Payment:

All payments for registration fee, for field trip, for hotel deposit and etc. from foreign participant must be in USD.

Accompanying Persons Program:

A diverse social program will be available to all accompanying persons, ranging from the trips around the Hanoi City; visit museums, parks; the trips on boat along Red River to historical places of Vietnam near by Hanoi; a shopping day in Hanoi; and visiting to many villages of handicrafts: Ceramics, porcelain, silk natural etc. around Hanoi.

Electric Power:

220 Volts; 50 Hz; alternative current.

Banks and Foreign Exchange Facilities:

Foreign exchange facilities are available at the Banks of the city. The exchange bank is also Organizing Committee at the airport and every hotel. Average Exchange rate on USD 1 is about 17,000 VND.

Insurance:

Insurance is the responsibility of participants. It is strongly recommended that overseas participants arrange their own health and accident insurance. However, in cases of emergency there are always hospitals on duty and the treatment is complimentary. The telephone number for emergency cases is 115.

Shopping:

The larger stores and supermarkets are open between 08:00 and 20:00 seven days a week. Smaller shops are opened all the days too late at night. Hanoi City is a shopping paradise for many interesting item at very reasonable prices.

Schedule and Deadline to remember:

Information and Website :       http://www.vag.vn/ASC2010 ,       http://www.ASC2010.vag.vn           E-Mail: vag-sec@fpt.vn

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