Category: Politics

Hanoi: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on March 27 hosted a reception for Thai Ambassador Nikorndej Balankura who came to bid farewell to the Vietnamese Government leader at the end of his tenure.

Congratulating the Thai diplomat on his successful tenure that helps develop the Vietnam – Thailand Strategic Partnership over the past time, Chinh expressed his hope that Nikorndej Balankura, in his new position, will continue making contributions to the cooperation between the two nations.

The PM thanked the Thai side for renovating relic sites dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh in Thailand, handling legal issues for Vietnamese expatriates, and creating favourable conditions for the building of the Vietnam town, the first of its kind in the world, in Thailand.

Vietnam looks forwards to visits to Vietnam by the Thai high-level leaders in the coming time, he said, urging the Thai side’s coordination to make meticulous preparation for the Thai PM’s official visit to Vietnam and the 4th Vietnam – Thailand Joint Cabi
net Meeting to discuss measures bolstering the sound relations and robust cooperation in various fields.

He suggested both sides push ahead implementation of necessary solutions to realise the target of 25 billion USD in trade revenue in a balanced fashion, stressing the Vietnamese Government encourages and facilitate Thai investment in the country.

Besides, he recommended both nations continue strengthen infrastructure connectivity, especially in transportation and e-commerce, as well as work together in climate change response, digital transformation, tourism and sports.

The two nations should continue coordination, give consultations and support each other at multilateral forums, maintain solidarity and promote ASEAN’s central roles, cooperate to develop the Mekong sub-region, and manage and sustainable use the water resources.

The Thai Ambassador, for his part, thanked competent agencies in Vietnam for helping him complete his mission, and spoke highly of Vietnam’s achievements over the past time.

He
affirmed that both nations hold huge cooperation potential, particularly in the field of trade and investment, adding Thailand wants to be a leading investor in Vietnam.

Describing Vietnam as his second homeland, he committed to continuing efforts to nurture the Vietnam – Thailand relations.

In a decade, two-way trade revenue increased from 10.4 billion USD in 2013 to nearly 19 billion USD in 2023. Particularly, the value reached 21.6 billion USD in 2022, exceeding the 20-billion-USD band mark for the first time.

Thailand ranks 9th among 144 countries and territories having investment in Vietnam as it has registered 13.7 billion USD to 715 projects so far./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang and visiting Permanent Under-Secretary at the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Philip Barton shared the view on the need for Vietnam and the UK to enhance cooperation in various spheres.

At their meeting in Hanoi on March 25, the officials suggested the two countries foster collaboration in finance, banking, education-training, science-technology, and maritime economy, among other fields.

They agreed that the two countries should optimise opportunities generated by the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), and step up coordination and mutual support at regional and international organisations and forums like the United Nations, and within the frameworks of the ASEAN-UK relationship and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Hang noted with pleasure the positive development of the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership, especially in politics, foreign affairs, trade, investment, security, n
ational defence, and education-training.

Notably, the two sides successfully organised activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties last year, she added.

To further tap cooperation potential of both sides, the Deputy FM suggested the two foreign ministries promote all-level delegation exchanges, and effectively put in place cooperation mechanisms.

Hang appreciated the UK’s support for Vietnam within the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) backed by the Group of Seven (G7), and called on the country to continue its assistance in terms of capital, technology and high-quality personnel training.

For his part, Barton affirmed that the UK attaches importance to strengthening its strategic partnership with Vietnam in its policy towards the Asia-Pacific.

The UK will maintain its support for Vietnam in climate change response, sustainable economic development and biodiversity preservation in the Mekong Delta, he said, promising to closely coordinate with Vietnamese ministries, agenc
ies and partners to accelerate the implementation of cooperation plans within the JETP, particularly those on offshore wind power development in which the UK has strengths.

Regarding regional and international issues of shared concern, Barton stressed the significance of ensuring security, safety and freedom of aviation and overflight, and observing international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in all seas and oceans, including the East Sea and the Red Sea./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Da Nang: Standing Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of the central city of Da Nang Ho Ky Minh on March 26 hosted a reception for US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Susan Burns, during which he expressed his hope for stronger cooperation with the US in the semiconductor industry.

Minh said that in March, Da Nang’s leaders made a working trip to the US, during which they worked with many organisations and businesses to propose cooperation in human resources training programmes for Da Nang and introduced the city’s business environment as well as policies to attract investment in the semiconductor industry.

On March 26, Da Nang launched a training course on semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) with the support from the US’s Synopsys company, he noted, adding that this is a step forward in developing the contents of the memorandum of understanding between the city and Synopsys on cooperation in the field of semiconductors.

Minh said the city hoped that the US Consulate General in HCM City will assist
Da Nang in accessing the International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund under the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) Act of the US, thus helping the city in human resources training and developing the assembly, test, and packaging (ATP) stage.

In the near future, Da Nang will soon establish a working group to promote cooperation between Da Nang and the US, aiming to work with the US Consulate General in HCM City to discuss cooperation in various fields between the two sides, he said.

For her part, Burns said that thanks to recent visits by Da Nang’s leaders, US firms have increasingly been interested in the city, which they described as a promising investment destination.

The US diplomat expressed her hope that along with cooperation in traditional areas, the US and Da Nang will expand collaboration in other fields such as semiconductor chips, renewable energy, finance, and seaports.

Da Nang now has cooperative relations with three US cities, namely Oakland in Cali
fornia, Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, and Houston in Texas.

As of the end of October 2023, Da Nang had hosted 82 valid US-funded projects worth 831 million USD, accounting for 8% of the project number and more than 19% of the investment capital of the city, mostly in the fields of tourism, real estate, high technology, and supporting industries. The results made the US the third largest investor among 45 countries and territories investing in the central economic hub.

Meanwhile, more than 20 firms of Da Nang have engaged in import-export activities with the US. In the first half of 2023, Da Nang’s exports to the US reached 205 million USD.

The US is running four ODA projects in Da Nang with total capital of 46.57 million USD, while US non-governmental organisations are funding nine projects in the city.

Regarding educational cooperation, as of 2019, Da Nang University had signed cooperation agreements with 30 reputable partners in the US, while coordinating with leading US technology enterprises such as Int
el, Boeing, Microsoft and IBM./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

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

– The youths should play a pioneering role in spurring the nation’s digital transformation as the digital economy is expected to make up 30% of the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said at a dialogue with them held in Hanoi on March 26.

The event, the second of its kind, attracted the participation of 300 standout young people nationwide. Read full story

– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh recently ordered efforts to be exerted to enhance the tuberculosis (TB) prevention and control efforts.

His recent dispatch in this regard said TB prevention and control activities have achieved commendable results in recent years. On an annual basis, over 100,000 TB patients are detected, with a treatment success rate exceeding 90% and the rate of detection quickly recovering after the COVID-19 pandemic. Read full story

– Vice Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Tran Quang Phuong and N
A Secretary General Bui Van Cuong had a meeting with First Vice President of the Grand Council of the Swiss canton of Bern Dominique Buhler and Secretary General of the Grand Council Patrick Trees on March 25.

The meeting was part of the Vietnamese NA delegation’s working trip to Switzerland. Read full story

– Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken co-chaired the first Vietnam-US Dialogue at the foreign ministerial level in Washington DC on March 25 (local time).

This was also the first ministerial-level dialogue between the two countries since they established their comprehensive strategic partnership in September 2023. Read full story

– The Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security (MoPS) is very interested in cooperation and professional exchange programmes with institutes and research centres of Harvard University, Minister General To Lam has said.

During a reception for Professor Thomas J. Vallely, Senior Advisor for Mainland Southeast Asia at the Harvard Ken
nedy School’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation on March 25, Lam said that cooperation between the MoPS and US IT companies can bring significant benefits in improving capacity to prevent and combat cyber threats, developing cyber security measures and enhancing the effectiveness of fighting cybercrime in Vietnam. Read full story

– The United Nations (UN) General Assembly on March 25 passed a draft resolution proposed by Vietnam and some other countries designating June 11 as International Day of Play.

The resolution was co-sponsored by 138 countries, with Vietnam, Bulgaria, El Salvador, Jamaica, Kenya and Luxembourg as co-authors. Read full story

– Vietnam has co-sponsored the UN’s first resolution on artificial intelligence (AI), which highlights the promotion of safe, secure, and trustworthy AI systems that will also benefit sustainable development for all.

Proposed by the US and co-sponsored by over 120 other nations, the resolution was adopted by the UN General Assembly in New York
on March 21. Read full story

– Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son held a working session with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Washington D.C. on March 25 as part of his US trip to co-chair the first annual dialogue between the foreign ministers of Vietnam and the US.

Sullivan reaffirmed that the US attaches great importance to relations with Vietnam and supports a strong, independent, self-resilient and prosperous Vietnam with increasingly important role in the region and the world. Read full story

– Hanoi’s culinary scene not only captivates tourists from far and wide but also wins over many world leaders such as former French President Francois Hollande, former US President Barack Obama, President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, US Secretary of State Antony John Blinken, and reputable chefs like the late Anthony Bourdain. Many dishes have been honoured by foreign travel guides, and included in travel handbooks for visitors to Hanoi. This serve
s as a driving force for Hanoi to further explore its culinary culture, bringing it closer to both domestic and foreign diners, and transforming cuisine into a competitive cultural industry product. Read full story

– The 18th Cong hien (Devotion) Awards by the Vietnam News Agency’s The Thao and Van Hoa (Sport and Culture) newspaper will announce winners at a ceremony held at the Hanoi Opera House on March 27 evening.

The event will be livestreamed on various channels, including the Facebook Page of the awards, VNews, YAN News, YANTV, YAN Talents, Bestie, and dienanh.net./. Read full story

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: National Assembly (NA) Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai came to the Russian Embassy in Hanoi on March 26 to pay homage to the deceased and offer condolences on the heavy casualties in the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall in the suburbs of Moscow on March 22 evening.

In the condolence book, Hai wrote: ‘We were extremely shocked to hear about the barbaric terrorist attack on March 22, 2024. The NA and people of Vietnam sincerely wish to offer the deepest sympathies and condolences to the State, the Federal Assembly, and people of Russia.

‘Vietnam strongly condemns all forms of terrorist acts and believes that the culprits will be properly punished. We wish the bereaved families will soon overcome this grief and loss.’

The official expressed his hope for speedy recovery for the injured, as well as peace, happiness, and development for the people and country of Russia.

The same day, many delegations of ministries, sectors, social organisations, and individuals visited the Russian Embassy to offer condo
lences.

A delegation of the Vietnam News Agency led by General Director Vu Viet Trang also came to pay tribute to the dead victims and write in the condolence book.

The Investigative Committee of Russia said that the Crocus City Hall attack on late March 22 killed at least 139 people, and the figure may keep rising. Meanwhile, health authorities reported 182 others injured. Eleven suspects have been arrested, including four suspected of being directly involved in the shooting.

On March 23, Acting State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan cabled condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the heavy casualties in the attack, while Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh did the same to his Russian counterpart Mikhail Mishustin. Meanwhile, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue sent messages to Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matviyenko and Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Volodin.

Minister of For
eign Affairs Bui Thanh Son also extended condolences to his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

The Russian Embassy in Hanoi opens the condolence book from March 25 to 27, during which condolence books are also opened by the Consulates General of Russia in Da Nang city and Ho Chi Minh City./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

New York: A delegation from the State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV) led by Auditor General Ngo Van Tuan attended the global meeting on the engagement of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI) in assessing government actions related to climate change in New York on March 25-26.

At the meeting, which drew leaders of SAIs from 60 countries, Tuan highlighted the efforts of the Vietnamese Government in building and issuing policies and national strategies to effectively respond to climate change and realise international commitments on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Vietnam is an active and responsible member of the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) and the Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI) Governing Board for the 2021-2024 period. In order to implement commitments stated in the Hanoi Declaration, over the years, SAV has conducted environmental audits related to environmental protection and climate change response, he said.

Bruno Dantas, President of the Fe
deral Court of Accounts of Brazil, the Chair of the INTOSAI, emphasised that solving the problem of climate change is not only a common responsibility of countries but also of SAIs as these agencies hold an extremely important position in promoting action by governments to cope with the phenomenon.

The ClimateScanner initiative under the Strategic Plan 2023-2030 and Work Plan 2023-2025 of the INTOSAI Working Group on Environmental Auditing (INTOSAI WGEA) is considered an ambitious project that can contribute to dealing with the climate crisis at both national and international levels, he held, noting that last year, the tool was developed by 17 SAIs.

However, the success of this project depends on the cooperation and participation of SAIs, said Dantas, expressing his hope that delegates will understand the tools and related aspects in detail as well as the benefits that SAIs and states receive to be able to fully exploit the potential of this project.

The two-day meeting focused on various issues, includin
g existing initiatives of INTOSAI on climate change response, exploration of the ClimateScanner tool, and the global call for implementation of the ClimateScanner initiative. On the first day, participants were guided to use ClimateScanner, a tool enabling SAIs around the world to promote a global assessment of government actions related to climate change, in their country.

The same day, Tuan and Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to the United Nations, attended a meeting of the UN General Assembly to adopt a resolution of taking June 11 every year as the International Day of Play, which was initiated by Vietnam and co-sponsored by 138 countries. The resolution was approved by consensus./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: The fifth meeting of full-time National Assembly (NA) deputies opened under the chair of NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue in Hanoi on March 26.

In his opening speech, the top legislator said that the NA Standing Committee has held four meetings of full-time deputies since the start of the 15th tenure (2021 – 2026) to discuss important issues.

He noted since the tenure’s beginning, the NA has adopted 32 draft laws, including 25 submitted to full-time deputies for opinion. Thanks to meetings of full-time deputies, some difficult bills such as the draft revised Land Law and the draft revised Law on Medical Examination and Treatment had their quality improved and secured very high unanimity and support from legislators when they were put for consideration or approval.

The fifth meeting of full-time NA deputies, scheduled to last for two and a half days, will discuss eight draft laws, namely the revised Capital Law; the revised Law on Organisation of People’s Courts; the revised Law on Social Insurance; the La
w on Roads; the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety; the Law on Defence, Security Industries and Industrial Mobilisation; the revised Law on Archives; and a law amending and supplementing some articles of the Law on Property Auction.

These eight bills were previously scrutinised at the NA’s sixth session, held in late 2023, Chairman Hue said.

Stressing this meeting’s importance to the fulfillment of lawmaking tasks, he asked the deputies to give responsible and valuable opinions so that the NA Standing Committee can continue perfecting the drafts to ensure the best quality and submit them to the NA for consideration and adoption at the coming seventh session.

He added the building of draft laws and legal documents in general needs to keep adhering to Resolution No 27-NQ/TW, issued at the sixth meeting of the 13th Party Central Committee on November 9, 2022, on the continuation of building and perfecting the law-governed socialist state of Vietnam in the new period./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency