Category: Politics

Hanoi: The Department of Public Security of Hanoi and the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for Moscow on April 3 held talks and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in many fields.

Accordingly, the two agencies will strengthen cooperation in mutual legal assistance, transnational and high-tech crime prevention and control, and ensuring security and safety of the two countries’ embassies in each other’s territories.

At the talks, Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Hai Trung, Director of the Hanoi Department of Public Security, called on the Moscow delegation to share its experience and assist the Hanoi Department of Public Security, in applying advanced technologies to ensure security and order in the city, firstly the operation of a security surveillance camera system.

He also proposed the guests to share experience in ensuring cyber security and safety; administrative and social order management; security and order management at metro stations and on urban trains as well as in gua
ranteeing security and safety of diplomatic representative agencies, businessmen, foreign students, and expatriates in the capital cities of the two countries.

The two sides will continue to implement the cooperation agreements signed by the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, especially those on mutual legal assistance, new types of crimes, and hi-tech crimes. They will devised a plan to deploy the MoU signed by the two agencies.

For his part, Deputy Head of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for Moscow Major General Novikov Vladislav Anatolievich said that the MoU signed by the two agencies will open a new period of development for both sides, helping to promote cooperation between the administrations of the two cities.

He emphasised that the Russian side is always ready to support and meet all needs of the Hanoi Department of Public Security.

At the talks, the two sides discussed issues, including cybercrime prevention and control,
information security, and the fight against transnational and organised crimes./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hong Kong: Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region John Lee on April 3 hosted a reception for Vietnamese Consul General Pham Binh Dam, who came to bid farewell at the end of his tenure.

Highlighting the fruitful Vietnam – Hong Kong cooperation in recent times, Lee said Vietnam and Hong Kong are currently important trade and investment partners of each other.

He also appreciated the Consul General’s active contributions to the development of the relations over the past time, saying that with his efforts and commitment, many issues that existed for decades between the two sides have been resolved, including the removal of visa restrictions for Vietnamese workers and facilitation of business and tourist visas for Vietnamese citizens. Lee said he believes that it will create momentum for further development of the relationship between Vietnam and Hong Kong in the time to come.

Expressing his pleasure at the positive changes in Vietnam – Hong Kong relations recently, Dam spoke highly of L
ee’s efforts to create a breakthrough in Hong Kong’s ties with Vietnam.

The diplomat suggested the two sides sign cooperation documents in fields such as finance, human resources, education and tourism to create a framework for government agencies and businesses of both sides to carry out specific collaboration plans. He recommended they enhance the exchange of delegations at all levels to increase understanding and information sharing as well as exchange measures to promote cooperation and resolve existing and arising issues.

Acknowledging Dam’s suggestions, Lee said he believes that the two sides will witness many strong developments in their relations in the coming time, adding that Vietnam and Hong Kong can become a role model in international relations, both coordinating with each other to resolve existing differences and developing together in areas of mutual interest./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Seoul: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang on April 1 held working sessions with Governor of Jeonbuk province Kim Kwan Yyeong and Mayor of Naju city in Jeollanam-do province Bok Soo Kim within the framework of her working visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK), during which she assured them that the Vietnam-RoK ties are now at the best development stage in history.

Hang, who is also Chairwoman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese (OV) Affairs, described the RoK as the biggest foreign direct investor in Vietnam with a total capital value of 86 billion USD. The two countries also enjoy active exchanges on various levels, including cultural interactions and high-level delegations.

Governor Kim Kwan Yeong, for his part, praised the Vietnamese community in Jeonbuk and Vietnamese brides in particular for taking care of their families and raising their children in multicultural households, contributing to the development of both countries.

The provincial authorities will continue improving
policies in support of Vietnamese workers through simplified visa process, consider offering Vietnamese as a second language in local schools, and continue to support the stability and development of the Vietnamese community here.

Presenting Naju as a burgeoning city thriving in both industry and agriculture, Mayor Bok Soo Kim said the city needs skilled labour, citing the presence of 16 major industrial conglomerates. He also mentioned Naju’s recent labour agreement with Thuan Thanh district in Bac Ninh province and a twinning relationship established with Dong Nai province in Vietnam.

In reply, Hang proposed that the host further boost cooperation in labour, trade and vocational training, especially for skilled workers from Vietnam. She also urged continued support for the Vietnamese community living there.

While in the RoK, she attended the opening of the Vietnamese community office in Jeonbuk, and held meetings with the Vietnamese Associations in Jeonbuk and Jeonnam Gwang Ju.

The Vietnamese community
in Jeonbuk now groups about 15,000 people, primarily students, workers and women married to Korean citizens./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.

– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 1 issued a directive ordering measures be taken to cope with the current heat waves, drought, water shortages, and saltwater intrusion which have hit several localities.

The directive noted that due to El Nino impact, so far this year, many regions nationwide have faced a low rainfall, high temperatures, prolonged heat waves, drought, water shortages, and saltwater intrusion, especially in the Mekong Delta, central, and Central Highlands regions. Read full story

– The Government’s drastic directions in financial and monetary management, and growth support in the first quarter of 2024 are a foundation helping Vietnam’s economy overcome difficulties and achieve impressive growth amidst a variety of challenges of the world economy, according to economists.

Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc said that the financial sector has continued to solve a “difficult problem” of impl
ementing a reasonable expansionary fiscal policy to both promote the economy and ensure macro-economic stability, control inflation, and ensure national financial safety. Accordingly, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) has operated the fiscal policy flexibly and effectively. Read full story

– Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has signed a decision approving a roadmap for the implementation of the national electricity development plan for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050.

The approval aims to vigorously step up the energy transition from fossil fuels to new and renewable energy sources, thus easing environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and realising commitments to the Nationally Determined Contributions and the 2050 net-zero target. Read full story

– The 15th Provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance Index (PAPI) report was announced on April 2, showing progress in citizen perceptions on local anti-corruption efforts and e-governance but a backsliding in transparency in 2023.

The state of the economy and household prosperity were the top concern for citizens. Read full story

– General Auditor of the State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV) Ngo Van Tuan had a working session with Comptroller General of Peru Nelson Eduardo Shack Yalta in Lima on April 1 to seek stronger bilateral cooperation.

Hailing the Office of the Comptroller General’s experience in maintaining transparency and accountability for the government, Tuan expressed his hope to promote bilateral collaboration through expanding delegation exchanges, and enhancing the sharing of expertise and training cooperation. Read full story

– The US Department of Commerce (DOC) has issued a preliminary conclusion on the anti-subsidy investigation into frozen warm water shrimp originating in Vietnam, according to the Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam (TRAV).

The investigation, initiated on November 14, 2023, was conducted by the DOC at the request of the American Shrimp Processors Association with the investigated period from Janu
ary 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022. Read full story

– Coconut trees are seen in many localities across Vietnam, mostly in the Mekong Delta and the central coast region. However, the coconut industry including the value chains from planting, purchasing, processing, consumption, and export, has long been developing spontaneously without specific, clear planning.

As consumer demand for coconut products increases and Vietnam sees more opportunities to export coconut, the issue then becomes how Vietnam develops its coconut industry effectively and sustainably. Read full story

– Airplane engine manufacturer Pratt and Whitney (PW)’s recalling of a number of A321Neo aircraft operated by Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air has caused the domestic aviation industry to face a serious shortage of aircraft, said Director of the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) Dinh Viet Thang at a conference held by the Ministry of Transport on April 1.

The official said due to the recall, the aircraft will stop operating
in 2024 and 2025, beginning from January 2024. Read full story

– The Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM) Hanoi 2024, slated to take place from April 11-14 under the theme “Vietnam tourism – Green transition for sustainable development,” is said to closely follow a new global trend of “Net zero tours” which promotes sustainable tourism and reduces negative impacts on the environment.

With the theme, VITM Hanoi 2024 aims to promote responsible tourism, turning Vietnam’s tourism into a green economic industry with green destinations and products. It also prompts tourism businesses to equip their staff with knowledge about green tourism. Read full story

– Lai Gia Thanh won the first title for Vietnam at the International Weightlifting Federation World Cup on April 1 in Phuket, Thailand.

The world champion topped the men’s 55kg in the snatch event with a lift of 120kg, leaving behind two powerful ChomChuen Nathawat of Thailand (119kg) and Pang Un Chol of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (118kg).
Read full story

– A total of 65 prizes have been presented to individuals and groups winning the “Denmark in Your Eyes” painting contest at a ceremony in Hanoi on April 2.

Themed ‘Green Future,’ the competition was co-organised by the Danish Embassy and the Vietnam – Denmark Friendship Association (VIDAFA). It had received more than 21,500 entries from 256 schools and clubs across 42 provinces and cities nationwide./. Read full story

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Buenos Aires: General Auditor of the State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV) Ngo Van Tuan had a working session with Comptroller General of Peru Nelson Eduardo Shack Yalta in Lima on April 1 to seek stronger bilateral cooperation.

Hailing the Office of the Comptroller General’s experience in maintaining transparency and accountability for the government, Tuan expressed his hope to promote bilateral collaboration through expanding delegation exchanges, and enhancing the sharing of expertise and training cooperation.

The official shared Vietnam’s experience in carrying out cooperative audit on sustainable development goals, and affirmed that the visit by the Vietnamese delegation to Peru on the occasion of the 30th anniversary Vietnam-Peru diplomatic relations will contribute to strengthening bilateral partnership in the field.

Vietnam also shared experiences on the process of cooperative auditing in the management of water resources in Mekong River basin in line with the implementation of the Sustainable Develo
pment Goals. The work was conducted simultaneously by the audit institutions of Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar under the chair of the SAV, said Tuan.

For his part, Shack Yalta affirmed that the Office of the Comptroller General of Peru is willing to work with Vietnam in areas of its strengths, while further cooperating with the SAV.

He said he believes the SAV delegation’s visit will lay a firm foundation for cooperation between the two audit agencies and the two countries.

At the working session, the two sides exchanged information om the structure, missions and achievements that they have gained recently, and agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding between the two agencies at an early date./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

HCM City: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG)’s pollution control vessel Samudra Paheredar, with a crew of 120 sailors led by Captain Sudhir Ravindran, arrived at Ho Chi Minh City port on April 2, commencing a 4-day visit to the city.

The Indian delegation is scheduled to pay courtesy calls to leaders of the municipal People’s Committee and the commander of Coast Guard Region 3. They will participate in friendly exchanges, demonstrate pollution response activities, and carry out a joint exercise with the Vietnamese Coast Guard (VCG).

The visit is organised in line with a memorandum of understanding on cooperation signed by the two sides in 2015.

Ravindran stated that this visit is a good opportunity for officers and soldiers of the two forces to exchange experiences and practices in maritime law enforcement, thereby contributing to enhancing their friendly relations, cooperation, mutual understanding, and trust.

The 94.1m-long vessel boasts modern pollution response equipment and can operate at sea for 20 days w
ith a range of 6,000 nautical miles./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Washington DC: Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai is leading a Vietnamese delegation to attend the 2024 Vietnam Executive Leadership Programme (VELP) held at Harvard University in Boston, the US, from April 1-3.

In his opening remarks, Khai emphasised that through the eight successful editions, the VELP has become one of the reputable dialogue and policy consultation programmes between Vietnam and the US. He affirmed that Vietnam wishes to continue coordinating closely with the US to implement the contents of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development between the two countries in all fields, especially education and training.

The 2024 programme focuses on three main discussion contents: Prospects and notable developments of the world and Asian economies, and assessment of major transformation trends and impacts on Vietnam economy; promoting new growth drivers in Vietnam, especially innovation, digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), an
d emerging technologies; and solutions to overcome the middle income trap and transform the growth model.

At discussion sessions on April 1 on global economic prospects, AI, and semiconductor, professors and experts presented an overall and comprehensive picture of the development trends of major economies, and new technologies. They expressed their impression on the success of the Vietnamese economy, describing it as among those with the most successful transformation in the world over the past two decades.

Speaking highly of Vietnam’s potential and opportunities in participating in global supply chains in emerging technology industries, experts made specific and practical recommendations for the country to seize opportunities from new trends, especially taking advantage of the shifting of investment flows, building an ecosystem to develop emerging technologies, promoting human resources advantages in AI development, and investing in digital infrastructure and renewable energy.

On this occasion, Deputy PM
Khai received Professor Douglas Elmendorf, Dean at Harvard Kennedy School; Professor David Golan, Dean at Harvard Medical School; and professors of the Vietnam Programme at Harvard University.

On April 2-3, within the 2024 VELP framework, thematic sessions on cloud computing, digital environment, technology and global security challenges, growth model transformation and measures to overcome middle income trap are scheduled./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency