The building and development of the e-Government and digital Government were among the outstanding achievements in administrative reform in the first half of this year, the Ministry of Home Affairs has said.

In June alone, nearly 22 million transactions were conducted through the National Data Exchange Platform, raising the six-month figure to 276.9 million, according to the ministry.

Since its inception in October 2020, the platform has handled more than 1.35 billion transactions, the ministry said, adding that the national database on officials and public servants has been connected with 23 ministries and 60 localities.

Meanwhile, the national population database has been linked with 13 ministries and agencies, 63 localities and a number of businesses to facilitate the administrative procedures.

Besides, the national land database has covered 52 out of the 63 cities and provinces nationwide, the ministry reported.

During the reviewed period, the national public service portal saw more than 3.6 million accounts and over 6.8 million transactions worth about 2.39 trillion VND (101.08 million USD). 

In the second quarter, the number of registered accounts was 2.23 million, and more than 3.83 transactions valued at some 1.5 trillion VND were conducted via the portal.

The ministry said 32.05% of the administrative results have been issued electronically for reuse, 67.32% of administrative procedures digitised, and all of the 25 essential public services integrated.

The portal has so far provided over 4,400 online public services with about 7.77 million accounts. Notably, more than 10.98 million transactions worth 6.05 trillion VND have been done via the portal.

The ministry, however, pointed to limitations in the work such as the slow issuance of relevant regulations by ministries, agencies and localities, sluggish dossier digitalisation and time-consuming procedures.   

It blamed them on poor infrastructure in ministries, agencies and localities, and their lack of attention to the work.

Ample room remains for Vietnam-Malaysia cooperation: Party chief

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said he believes that ample room remains for Vietnam and Malaysia to expand their cooperation while receiving Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Hanoi on July 20.

The Party leader welcomed the official visit by the Malaysian PM, which takes place on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties (1973- 2023), and stressed that Vietnam and Malaysia, as close neighbours in Southeast Asia and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), share views on many important international issues, as well as similarities in culture and history.

He reiterated Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, and multilateralisation and diversification of foreign relations, with great importance attached to relations with neighbouring countries.

Trong shared with his guest the importance of the fight against corruption, wastefulness and other negative phenomena, saying that the fight has received warm support and trust from the public in Vietnam. He added that Vietnam has learned a lot from Malaysia’s development experience, and hailed the achievements that Malaysia has recorded under the leadership of the government led by PM Ibrahim. 

He agreed with Ibrahim’s suggestions on the exchange of experience in leadership, socio-economic development management, and corruption and wastefulness combat.

For his part, the Malaysian PM lauded the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the Party General Secretary’s contributions to Vietnam's national development.

Informing his host about outcomes of the talks with PM Pham Minh Chinh, Ibrahim noted his hope for stronger comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam, including relations between parties, and the exchange of experience in leadership, development, economic cooperation, national defence and security, digital economy, cyber security and response to non-traditional security challenges.

Vietnam and Malaysia should also beef up cooperation and share experience in fighting corruption and other negative phenomena, he stressed.

Vietnam and Malaysia facilitate parliamentary cooperation

The legislative bodies of Vietnam and Malaysia will increase cooperation share experience, especially in perfecting institutionalizations for national development.

The agreement was reached during a meeting in Hanoi on July 21 between National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim who was in the capital of Vietnam for an official visit.

The National Assembly of Vietnam will do its best to strengthen relations with the Malaysian Parliament both bilaterally and multilaterally, including at the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) and Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Hue assured his guest.

He conveyed his invitations to the leaders of both houses of the Malaysian Parliament to visit Vietnam and to the Malaysian Parliament to send parliamentarians to the ninth Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians due to take place in Hanoi this September.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for his part welcomed Vietnam’s initiative to host the ninth global conference that is to focus on young people’s role in promoting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals through digital transformation and innovation. He affirmed that Malaysia attaches importance to relations with Vietnam which is Malaysia’s only strategic partner in Southeast Asia.

The two sides exchange views on bilateral cooperation, as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern.

At the meeting, the two sides agreed to facilitate economic – trade – investment cooperation, limit trade remedies, strengthen the supply chain, especially in the context that all countries are seeking to diversify markets to adapt to global market changes.

They agreed to consider a joint mechanism for spurring cooperation in catching, processing and consuming seafood, and support cooperation developing the Halal industry in Vietnam. They vowed to jointly combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and promote stronger cooperation in education, aviation, science - technology, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

The two sides voiced their strong support for ASEAN’s common stance on the East Sea issue. To this end, they consented to work closely with relevant parties in negotiations of a Code of Conduct (COC) in order to build a substantive and effective document in line with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Hue welcomed Malaysia’s tourism development plan, and proposed that both Vietnam and Malaysia speed up negotiations towards signing a new aviation cooperation agreement to boost tourism cooperation, cultural exchanges and people-to-people diplomacy.

Vietnam, Malaysia eye stronger strategic partnership

Malaysia attaches importance to and desires to develop a strategic partnership with Vietnam, Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs Senator Zambry Abdul Kadir stated.

Zambry Abdul Kadir and his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son co-chaired the 7th meeting of the Joint Commission for Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation between the two countries as part of his official visit to Vietnam on July 19-20.

FM Son said that the visit is an important event on the threshold of Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s official visit to Vietnam, and on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Malaysia diplomatic ties this year.

During the 7th meeting of the Joint Commission for Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation, the two sides focused on reviewing and evaluating the implementation of agreements signed by senior leaders of the two countries, including the Action Programme on carrying out the Vietnam-Malaysia strategic partnership in the 2021 – 2025 period.

They agreed to propose some major orientations to the two nations’ PMs in a bid to promote the strategic partnership in the coming time.

Accordingly, the two sides will boost coordination to intensify exchange of visits and meetings at all levels and across all channels, as well as people-to-people exchanges; and expand defence and security cooperation.

The two countries will strive to lift two-way trade to 18 billion USD soon in a more balanced direction, limiting the application of trade barriers, and capitalizing on opportunities from regional trade agreements that both sides participate in such as the Regional  Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

They agreed to step up cooperation in other important fields such as marine technology, oil and gas, education and training, labour, transportation, culture, sports, tourism and cooperation among localities; and in new areas such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence (AI), and renewable energy.

They will work together to accelerate the signing of cooperation documents, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation in training diplomatic staff.

The officials compared notes on international and regional issues of common concern, and agreed to continue to closely coordinate and actively support each other at multilateral forums. They affirmed the two countries’ readiness to join other ASEAN member states in maintaining solidarity and ASEAN's central role in dealing with strategic issues in the region.

The two FMs agreed on the content of the Minutes of the 7th joint commission's meeting and concurred to hold the 8th session at a convenient time for both sides in Malaysia in 2025.

The Malaysian official took the occasion to invite FM Bui Thanh Son to pay an official visit to Malaysia at an appropriate time.

Diplomatic efforts assist Chinese killed in Khanh Hoa traffic accident: spokesperson

The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively coordinating with competent domestic agencies, Khanh Hoa province, and Chinese diplomatic missions in Vietnam to handle issues relating to the traffic accident in Khanh Hoa and complete necessary procedures for the deceased in accordance with the law, the ministry’s spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said on July 20.

Speaking at the ministry’s regular press conference in Hanoi, Hang said the bus accident occurred at the Khanh Le Pass in Khanh Vinh district, Khanh Hoa province on July 18, killing four Chinese passengers and injuring others, who are receiving treatment at the provincial general hospital, most of them not seriously injured.
According to the spokesperson, representatives from the Chinese Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City have arrived in Khanh Hoa and coordinated with the provincial Foreign Affairs Department and competent Vietnamese agencies in settling the incident, ensuring rights and interests of the Chinese victims.

Hang informed that right after learning about the incident, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent a dispatch to relevant ministries, agencies and Khanh Hoa province, ordering mobilising health workers, medicines and equipment to save the injured passengers, helping families reach the victims, conducting procedures related to the deceased, and visiting the victims’ families.

On this occasion, Hang extended her deep sympathy to the Chinese diplomatic mission and the bereaved families.

Vietnamese Ambassador presents credentials to Japanese Emperor

Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu presented President Vo Van Thuong's credentials to Japanese Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo on July 20.

Emperor Naruhito expressed his delight at Vietnam's development achievements and expected to promote multifaceted cooperation with the Southeast Asian country, especially when the two nations are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2023.

The Emperor wished the Ambassador would successfully complete his tenure, helping to bring Japan-Vietnam relations to a new development step.

Expressing his honour to hold the position of Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan, Hieu affirmed he will do his utmost to continue developing the bilateral ties extensively, effectively and sustainably.

He said that Vietnam consistently attaches importance to its relations with Japan and wishes to work with Japan to deepen the ties between the two countries on the basis of sincerity and trust for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world as well as for the benefit of their people.

Vietnam, Italy negotiate a draft agreement on protection and exchange of confidential

A round of negotiations on a draft agreement between the Vietnamese and Italian governments on mutual protection and the exchange of confidential information was held from July 18 to July 19 in Rome, Italy.      

The Vietnamese delegation was led by Major General Vu Hong Van, head of the Department of Internal Political Security under the Ministry of Public Security, while the Italian delegation was headed by Major General Gianfranco CAROZZA, head of the Department of Law and International Relations.

Both sides officially established diplomatic relations on March 23, 1973. After 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have recorded plenty of important achievements in politics, economy, culture, and social affairs.

Italy represents the first Western European country to actively support the strengthening of ties between Vietnam and the EU at major international forums, as well as the normalization of relations between Vietnam and the international financial, commercial, and monetary institutions in the early 1990s.

The two countries have built many co-ordination mechanisms such as a strategic dialogue at the deputy defence foreign ministerial level, defence policy dialogue at the deputy defence minister level, and joint committees on economic ties. This is along with maintaining regular high-level visits, boosting close links at international and local forums such as the UN, ASEM, ASEAN - EU, and IPU.

In the process of bilateral collaboration, the two sides exchanged a lot of information related to the fields of co-operation between the two countries, including state secret information.

However, the provision and transfer of confidential information does not have a legal basis to bind each party's responsibilities in the process of managing, using, and protecting confidential information.

In the spirit of friendship, co-operation, and mutual understanding, the two sides met and negotiated on the basis of the English version of the draft agreement compiled by Vietnam.

At the end of the negotiation, the two sides signed the draft Agreement and signed a Memorandum of Understanding. They also agreed to report to competent agencies of each country for permission to sign the Agreement as soon as possible.

Truong Sa medical centre saves fisherman in distress

The health centre of Truong Sa towns in the island district of Truong Sa of south-central Khanh Hoa province on July 20 received and provided first aid for a fisherman from the central province of Binh Dinh, who met with an accident at sea a day earlier, according to the Naval Region 4 High Command.

The victim, Tran Van Canh, 48, met with the accident at about 6am on July 19 when his vessel was fishing near Thuyen Chai island in Truong Sa (Spratly).

He fell and hit hard objects on the vessel, resulting in multiple injuries. He was brought to Truong Sa by fishermen on fishing boat BD 97910 TS.

Canh is now in stable condition and being monitored and treated at the centre.

Endangered animals released to nature

A wildcat (Felis silvestris) and a crested serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela) were released to nature at Bu Gia Map National Park in the southern province of Binh Phuoc.

They both belong to Group IIB of rare and endangered animals that need to be preserved.

The animals were voluntarily handed over by local people, after they were persuaded by the commune’s authorities.

Hanoi to host baseball championship

The National Baseball Club Cup will be held on July 26-30 at the Hà Nội's Mỹ Đình Sports Complex.

The tournament, which lures 11 clubs from HCM City, Hà Nội and Đà Nẵng, is one of the largest events in the country to promote the baseball movement.

The Việt Nam Baseball and Softball Federation said all 220 athletes are Vietnamese. There will be another tournament for foreigners, who are generally at a higher level than locals, in the near future. Furthermore, there will be tournaments in which local and international players can play together.

In addition to prizes for the top three teams, the organisers will present awards to MVP, best catcher and best pitcher. Outstanding players will be named in the best-12 squad.

"Baseball is a new sport in Việt Nam but it has been strongly developed in many countries including South Korea and Japan in Asia," said Trần Đức Phấn, president of the Việt Nam Baseball and Softball Federation.

"We organised the first championship last year in HCM City. This is a privately invested sport that we manage and develop without support from the Government and sports authority. In the future, if baseball is welcomed and grows well in the community, we will ask for the State's assistance," said Phấn.

Phấn added that in Southeast Asia, there are seven countries including the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand playing this sport. Việt Nam's baseball team once took part in the 2011 SEA Games but since then it was not organised.

It is scheduled again at the 33rd Games in Thailand and it is a target that Việt Nam would aim at in 2025.

Speaking at the press briefing, coach Park Hyo Chul said current players in Việt Nam were of good quality. Through national tournaments, the federation could pick up and nurture talented players for the national team. It took at least three years to train a person to be a good baseball player.

Giang Tien departs for Miss World Tourism 2023 in Sri Lanka

Vietnamese representative Nguyen Giang Tien set off from Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City on July 20 to vie for the Miss World Tourism 2023 title in Sri Lanka.      

The 25-year-old beauty from the southcentral province of Ninh Thuan province headed to the global pageant with separate pieces of luggage weighing a total of 100kg.

Giang Tien stands at 1.70 metres tall with measurements of 86-63-96. She is currently a model and fitness coach based in Ho Chi Minh City.

At Miss Fitness Vietnam 2022 held in Ho Chi Minh City last year, Tien claimed a Top 5 spot.

The Miss World Tourism 2023 will be organised in Sri Lanka for the first time ever with the aim of showcasing the country’s scenic regions and tourism hotspots.

Contestants representing 40 countries worldwide, including Vietnam, will vie for the crown.

The pageant commenced on July 20 in Sri Lanka. All contestants will spend a total of 10 days competing in numerous sub-contests and the grand finale which is slated for July 29.

Union gathers presidents of Vietnamese people's associations in Italy

A union of presidents of Vietnamese people's associations in Italy has come into being, aiming to meet the Vietnamese community’s wish to have a common organisation and help strengthen the two countries’ friendship.

A document on the establishment of the union was signed via videoconferencing on July 20. The event was attended by Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung, President of the Italy - Vietnam Cultural Bridge Association Le Thi Bich Huong, President of the Italy - Vietnam Mutual Assistance Association Tran Minh Chau, President of the Italy - Vietnam Chamber of Commerce Pham Van Hong, and President of the Milano Club Nguyen Hoang My.

Addressing the event, Hung said the establishment of the union is a modest initial step but significant to about 5,000 - 6,000 Vietnamese people across Italy.

The community long wanted to have a common organisation, and the foundation of this union, a voluntary and non-binding organisation, does not only meet their demand but also helps enhance the community’s solidarity to contribute to the countries’ friendship, he noted.

The presidents of the member associations agreed to coordinate to help promote the friendship, mutual understanding, and cooperation between the two countries’ people; popularise images of Vietnam in Italy; develop the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Italy.

The union will convene meetings at least once a year to discuss common issues. Its Secretary General will be selected by the presidents of the member associations and serve for a one-year term on a rotational basis.

Le Thi Bich Huong was chosen the first Secretary General of the union.

Meanwhile, the union’s establishment and operations do not affect the existence and activities of the member associations. Its membership is also open to other organisations.

The establishment of the union took place on the threshold of a State visit to Italy by Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong and amid the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations.

Vietnam promotes open innovation

Vietnam’s first open innovation event - Open Innovation Day – TechTraverse 2023 - was held in Ho Chi Minh City on July 20, drawing the participation of more than 100 leading domestic and foreign experts in this field.

Speaking at the event, Director of the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Development (NATEC) Pham Hong Quat, said that Vietnam is making strides in digital transformation and innovation with the focus on Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

As open innovation is being completed and developed by ASEAN countries to attract potential investment and talented human resources, Vietnamese enterprises that want to reach out to the international markets must change their thinking and connect with each other, said Quat.

Taking Singapore as an example, he said that when COVID-19 broke out, Singapore attracted more than 50 major corporations and over 100 universities around the world to help solve this global challenge.

Therefore, the NATEC director expressed his hope that at the Open Innovation Day 2023, the sharing of international experts from Singapore, Tunisia, Finland, and technology directors of large corporations will be valuable experience so that Vietnam can take more effective steps in promoting open innovation.
 
 Vietnam’s first open innovation event - Open Innovation Day – TechTraverse 2023 - draws the participation of more than 100 leading domestic and foreign experts in this field. (Photo: VNA)
Andrew Khaw, Samsung Asia's Regional Director for Government Affairs in Southeast Asia and Oceania, said that in order to boost open innovation, each country must first develop its digital government, which is the key to promoting the startup ecosystem.

At the event, participating experts discussed challenges facing enterprises in the journey to apply digital transformation initiatives. Along with that, model stories and practical lessons on open innovation in startups that pioneer in digital transformation were shared as well.

Requiem held for Vietnamese martyrs in Laos

A requiem was held in Luang Prabang, Laos, on July 20 for Vietnamese and Lao martyrs who laid down their lives in Laos for the national liberation and the international missions of the two neighboring countries, on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day (July 27, 1947-2023).

Speaking at the vent, Luang Prabang Deputy Governor Soukan Bounnhong praised the great merit and sacrifice by Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos in the past time.

More than half a century ago, tens of thousands of Vietnamese officials and soldiers came to help the Lao people fight for independence, freedom and happiness, contributing to creating special relationship between the two countries today, he highlighted.

Chairman of the Laos - Vietnam Friendship Association Soukan Bounnhong affirmed that generations of the Lao people will always be grateful for invaluable contributions by Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos and committed to continuing to educate the young generations to treasure and nurture the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Young overseas Vietnamese visit homeland

The Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 20 kicked off the Vietnam Summer Camp 2023 in Hanoi which welcomes nearly 120 outstanding young overseas Vietnamese (OVs) from 20 countries worldwide.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said that the annual event has become a bridge that connects generations of Vietnamese youth abroad and those in Vietnam, adding their connection is an important foundation in the great national solidarity bloc, a valuable resource for the country.

Hang expressed her hope that after the camp, the young OVs will have good memories of their friends and people who they meet during the journey to explore the homeland.

They are also expected to help people know more about Vietnam.

 Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang (centre) gives certificates of merit to outstanding young people. (Photo: VNA)
The summer camp is scheduled to take place in 10 localities across Vietnam from July 18 to August 2. During the camp, participants will have a chance to visit and learn about the culture, history, and traditions of the country; participate in gratitude and memorial activities; exchange with local youngsters; and take part in voluntary youth programmes and competitions, among others.

First held in 2004, the camp has brought thousands of outstanding OVs from 16-24 years old in various fields to visit their motherland.

Vietnam Fatherland Front enhances ties with Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference

Do Van Chien, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee, held talks with Wang Huning, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), in Beijing on July 20, as part of the Vietnamese delegation’s working visit to China.

Chien, who is also Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, expressed his delight at the flourishing relations between the two Parties and the two countries, especially the official visits to China by CPV General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in November 2022 and by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in late June 2023.

Vietnam highly treasures and always gives the top priority to its relations with China, he said, adding that it supports China to develop and bring into play its positive role to help with regional and global peace, stability, and prosperity.

Chien stressed that the VFF and CPPCC play crucial roles in the politics and society of their respective countries, especially in promoting the strength of the whole people as well as mobilising social forces and domestic and foreign resources for national development.

Their relations have enjoyed encouraging results and become increasingly practical as seen in frequent visits and meetings between their leaders, along with the exchanges and cooperation between the VFF and CPPCC committees of border localities, he noted.

The visiting official called on his host to continue fostering ties between the VFF and CPPCC, noting that it is necessary to press on with effectively implementing the two sides’ memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation for 2014 - 2019 that was extended, and discuss to soon sign a new MoU.

He recommended the two sides to maintain high-level mutual visits to enhance political trust and mutual understanding; increase delegation exchanges at the department level to share specialised experience; organise more meetings, workshops and discussions both in-person and online; and create conditions for provincial and municipal VFF and CPPCC committees to boost cooperation. He also suggested the CPPCC organise training and refresher courses for VFF personnel in China.

Chien voiced his hope that the two sides will hold the second friendship exchange between the VFF and the CPPCC, and between the VFF committees of seven Vietnamese border provinces and the CPPCC committees of China’s Yunnan province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region that borders Vietnam in Quang Ninh province of Vietnam in the fourth quarter of 2023. The first exchange took place in Kunming city of Yunnan in April 2019.

Wang, who is also member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee’s Political Bureau, shared his guest’s opinions about the enhancement of the two organisations’ relations.

He said that the CPPCC and the VFF boast close-knit ties, and that the CPPCC is ready to intensify their connections.

In the coming time, the two sides should keep promoting the cooperation under their MoU, he noted, adding that the CPPCC will have a positive attitude towards the issues pointed out by the VFF.

Chien said he hoped Wang will continue directing the CPPCC coordinate more closely with the VFF so as to tighten their links further, thus helping carry out the important common perceptions of the two countries’ leaders and unceasingly develop the traditional neighbourliness, friendship, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and China.

On this occasion, he also invited Wang to visit Vietnam and work with the VFF Central Committee.

Vietnam has great potential to attract high-quality US investment: official

Politburo member, Head of the Party Central Committee's Economic Commission Tran Tuan Anh emphasised the huge potential for Vietnam to lure abundant, high-quality investment from the US at his reception for US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in Hanoi on July 20.

Anh affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to its relations with the US, saying major achievements and developments in the bilateral ties have brought substantive interests to and matched aspirations of their people.

He noted that Vietnam and the US have signed many important cooperation agreements, and are working actively to form the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), while closely coordinating in regional and international forums like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

He stressed that the bilateral economic ties are thriving with two-way trade hitting a record last year, and expressed his hope that the two sides will deepen cooperation in economy, science-technology, trade-investment, finance-banking, supply chains, infrastructure, logistics, digital economy, green transition, health care, sustainable agriculture, energy transition and environmental protection.

Anh called on the US Department of the Treasury to continue coordinating with the Vietnamese side, and making objective and relevant assessments on Vietnam's monetary policy management, thereby facilitating the bilateral economic-trade-investment ties.

Yellen shared the host’s wish to deepen economic-trade-investment ties, and pointed to the potential for bilateral collaboration in just energy transition, pledging that the US and other partners stand ready to help Vietnam with capital and technology to accelerate the process.

She also suggested Vietnam mobilise multilateral sources of capital to achieve the set targets in this regard.  

The Treasury Secretary said the US wants to help Vietnam become an important link in building a diverse, sustainable supply chain, including in the semiconductor sector, and suggested the country take solutions to lure more investment in this field.

The official held that once taking effect, the IPEF will contribute to intensifying trade and investment ties between the two countries.

She also hailed the close coordination between the State Bank of Vietnam and the US Department of the Treasury over the past two years in monetary issues, and showed her support for the Vietnamese central bank’s efforts in modernising monetary and exchange rate policies.

Southern provinces continue progress on housing for ethnic minorities
 
Multiple provinces across the southern region have been working to continue progress on ensuring residential land and housing for ethnic minorities, especially impoverished households.

A stable place to live is a great contribution to improving people’s livelihoods, and therefore the local socio-economic development goals.

The southern province of Sóc Trăng has built approximately 10,000 houses out of charity, and nearly 33,200 houses as part of Programme 134, which aims to provide production, housing and domestic water support for poor ethnic communities.

This is one of the key focuses of the province due to the multiple difficulties in livelihoods that local ethnic minorities are facing.

Director of Sóc Trăng’s Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Võ Thanh Quang said that in 2021 and 2022, through a provincial Party Committee’s campaign, resources from local authorities, organisations and individuals had been mobilised to build nearly 3,500 houses at the total cost of VNĐ174 billion (US$7.4 million).

Among these houses, almost 1,300 were given to poor households of Khmer ethnicity, each worth VNĐ50 million ($2,100).

In the first six months of 2023, Sóc Trăng constructed around 1,350 residences for the poor with a total budget of VNĐ67.5 billion ($2.9 million), of which 1,200 houses were made possible with the support of the Ministry of Public Security and philanthropists.

The project is expected to be completed before Independence Day on September 2 this year.

Điền Hùng, a Khmer beneficiary of this project said: “I didn’t know when I could have the means to build a house and settle down. Now that the province provided support with this ‘solidarity’ house, I feel very happy.

“I was given VNĐ50 million to build my house, and our family covers the labour cost for workers ourselves.

“Now that we have a home, I only need to focus on working to improve our livelihood.”

In Châu Thành District of Trà Vinh Province, with 300sq.m of land and VNĐ50 million given to build a proper house, Thạch Nhựt’s family also got out of poverty and enjoy a stable life.

He and his wife were informal workers with uncertain incomes, and had been living in a makeshift shed on a piece of land their parents left them.

Meanwhile, the southern An Giang Province has built two residential areas, Châu Phong and Vĩnh Chương, which are home to nearly 300 households of Chăm people. Two more areas are in development.

An Giang has 28 ethnic minorities of over 119,000, accounting for 5.2 per cent of the province’s population. Among them, more than 2,800 households, or almost 11,200 people, follow Islam.

Bình Phước Province also has been striving to reduce the number of poor households by 1,000 every year.

In 2023, with an estimated budget of more than VNĐ120 billion ($5 million) for the programme, the province set out to resolve residential land and housing difficulties for nearly 680 households.

The family of Điểu Đơm and Thị Bớt in Bù Gia Mập District is one of the programme’s beneficiaries.

Last year, with a combination of VNĐ46 million from the programme, VNĐ40 million from the district’s bank for social policies, and VNĐ60 million from their own saving, the couple managed to build a proper house.

Having a place to settle down gave them the motivation to continue working and sending their children to school, they said.

Similar initiatives are being carried out in Đồng Nai, Vĩnh Long and Bạc Liêu provinces.

Hầu A Lềnh, Minister-Chairman of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities Affairs has required southern provinces to comprehensively implement solutions for raising funds with the aim to realise the national target programme of socio-economic development among ethnic minority and mountainous regions in the 2021-30 period.

He also called for mobilising resources outside of the state budget, and the engagement of businesses in supporting and effectively using the social policy credits.

The Bank for Social Policies said that multiple measures had been taken to respond to the borrowing needs of policy beneficiaries, especially people in poverty.

These include allocating funding from the State budget and providing capital for social policy credit programmes.

At the local level, deputy chairwoman of Sóc Trăng People’s Committee Huỳnh Thị Diễm Ngọc said that the province would continue to review and identify ethnic households that meet the requirement for housing support.

She added that Sóc Trăng had set the goal to resolve over 90 per cent of the cases lacking residential land and housing among poor ethnic minority households by 2025.

Trà Vinh People’s Committee chairman Lê Văn Hẳn said that the localities would continue to make use of support from state programmes and social resources to ensure land and housing for ethnic minorities, while also encouraging them to improve production and livelihoods.

The province also planned to enhance communication activities to reduce dependence on external support and promote self-reliance among the people on the way out of poverty. 

New Ly Son Island speedboat service launched

A new Phu Quoc Express 5 speedboat ferry service was launched on the Sa Ky - Ly Son route in the central province of Quang Ngai on July 19. Photo by Nhandan.

The boat runs four trips daily and has a capacity for nearly 300 passengers. The 35-minute trip costs VND185,000 for local people and VND218,000 for non-locals.

According to the investor, Phu Quoc Express Company, the boat was designed following European standards with the engines imported from Germany. It served in the welcoming activities of the US Navy's aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan in Danang before being taken to Sa Ky Port.

Sa Ky - Ly Son is an important waterway in Quang Ngai which connects Ly Son Island and the mainland. Before the Phu Quoc Express 5, there were six speedboats operating on this route including Super Bien Dong, Super 2 Bien Dong, Hoa Binh Express, Hoa Binh Express 2, An Vinh Express, and Chin Nghia 09.

It is expected that two more boats will be launched on this route in the coming time, which can transport a total of 3,000 passengers daily.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Party Secretary of Ly Son District People's Committee, Nguyen Minh Tri, said that the launching of new boats will create competition which can help improve boat services and reduce ticket prices.

Ly Son received some 60,000 visitors in the first half of this year, an increase of 134 percent compared to the same period last year, according to the Ly Son District People's Committee.

Tourist site illegally built on Binh Thuan hydropower reservoir

A tourist site has been suspended due to being illegally built on a hydropower reservoir in the southern central province of Binh Thuan.

According to Nguyen Ngoc Thach, chairman of Ham Thuan Bac District, Tai Loc tourist site is built on Da Mi hydropower reservoir without being licensed by management agencies.

The site, owned by Nguyen Thu Nga, a local person, includes restaurants and four homestay facilities. It has also launched a motorboat service to transport tourists on the reservoir. Meanwhile, a 1-kilometre road running along the reservoir has been cleared for the site expansion.

Each homestay is leased at VND350,000 – 750,000 per night. The price of motorboat service is VND70,000 – 80,000 per person.

The tourist site has been found tapping electricity from surrounding residential areas to use.

Nguyen Anh Toan, chairman of Da Mi Commune, said that in April, after detecting the illegal construction, local authorities reported the case to the district. They also have asked the Da Nhim-Ham Thuan-Da Minh Hydropower JS Company, the operator of Da Nhim Reservoir, to deal with the illegal tourist site construction. However, the firm did not give any feedback.

On Tuesday, local authorities contacted the company again to help settle the case.

PM urges preparations for Can Gio transshipment port

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested seven ministries to work with HCMC to finalize the documents of the Can Gio international container transshipment port project within this month.

Pham Anh Tuan, general director of Portcoast Consultant Corporation, said the port would be situated on Phu Loi Island, Thanh An Commune, Can Gio District, which is in the transition zone of the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve. Thus, it would not affect the core zone of the biosphere reserve.

The upcoming Can Gio transshipment port could handle huge container vessels of up to 24,000 TEUs. The US$5.4-billion project would be developed in seven phases. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed in 2027, and the entire project is scheduled for completion by 2045.

Currently, MSC, the world’s leading shipping line, has invested in building the project and has undertaken to find sources of cargo for the port.

Upon completion, the project would create 6,000 to 8,000 jobs for local residents and directly contribute to generating extra state budget revenue through taxes and fees amounting to VND34,000 to VND40,000 billion per year.

Following the consultant’s report, PM Chinh asked the unit to further study three issues: traffic infrastructure, technical infrastructure, and social infrastructure, and include them in the plan before implementation.

The prime minister said that MSC should be invited to Vietnam this month to work out a plan for the implementation of the Can Gio international container transshipment port project.

Half of Can Tho budget planned for traffic projects

The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho has allocated VND11,000 billion, or 45% of the city’s budget, for traffic projects in its mid-term public investment plan for the 2021-2025 period.

Tran Viet Truong, chairman of the Can Tho People’s Committee, said the city wants to improve its road network.

The projects primarily focus on provincial roads that connect the districts within the city, namely 917, 918, 921 and 922.

A significant portion of the investment will be directed towards the Can Tho western beltway project, a crucial undertaking that commenced in November last year at a total cost of VND3,838 billion. The State budget contributes VND2,000 billion to this project.

In early July, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged Can Tho City to make necessary preparations for the implementation of major investments outlined in the regional infrastructure planning, which includes a high-speed railway and several expressways.

Regarding waterways, the efforts involve dredging projects in Dinh An Canal and activities aimed at upgrading facilities at Cai Cui Port in the southeastern part of the city.

Japanese experts examine area of deadly landslide in Dalat

A team of Japanese experts has made a site visit to the area affected by a deadly landslide in Dalat at the invitation of local authorities.

The landslide, which led a retaining wall to collapse, occurred at 36 Hoang Hoa Tham alley in Ward 10, Dalat City in June 29, killing two people.

Accompanied by Vice Chairman Nguyen Van Son and other relevant authorities from Dalat City, the experts from Kawasaki Geological Engineering Joint Stock Company surveyed the area where the retaining wall collapsed.

They examined the section under the retaining wall and collected images for further analysis.

Le Ngoc An, an engineer from Kawasaki Geological Engineering Joint Stock Company, said that the company had previously provided consultation on a landslide incident on Nguyen Van Troi Street in Dalat in April 2017.

In addition to assessing the landslide at 36 Hoang Hoa Tham alley, the experts visited other locations in the Dalat area. Following the visits, the experts will provide advice to local authorities on measures to prevent landslides during the rainy season.

The experts’ agenda also includes evaluating areas prone to landslides along Khe Sanh and Dang Thai Than streets.

The remaining part of the retaining wall at 36 Hoang Hoa Tham alley has been dismantled, reducing risks for residents in the affected vicinity.

Binh Thuan Province requests quick repair of damaged expressways

Binh Thuan Province Transport Department yesterday mentioned its proposal to the Transport Ministry on the urgent need to repair damaged roads when constructing the North – South Expressway passing the province. 

Accordingly, the proposal by Binh Thuan Province Transport Department to consult the provincial People’s Committee on the request for the Management Board of Project 7 and the Management Board of Thang Long Project as well as contractors to quickly mend damaged roads caused by transporting materials for the North-South Expressway construction project.

First, the two Management Boards and related units must urgently work with Binh Thuan Province to identify the damage scale, followed by discussions on repair solutions and schedule. Also, Binh Thuan Province People’s Committee asked that contractors and investors of the expressway accelerate the building progress to complete frontage roads and other project parts in accordance with the approved design.

Before this, SGGP Newspaper has reported unfinished parts of the two expressways of Phan Thiet-Dau Giay and Vinh Hao-Phan Thiet even though the two are in operation now. This has severely affected both daily and farming, production activities of local residents there.

In particular, 41 routes in Binh Thuan Province were damaged while construction materials were being transported to construction sites of the two expressways. More than 10,700m of frontage roads alongside the expressways have not been established. 11 tunnels are still flooded while 14 overpasses are under construction. 27 houses nearby were cracked without compensation. 52 sewers across frontage roads have not been handled.

Construction of road linking Hanoi’s expressway, Ring Road 3 started

A groundbreaking ceremony for a road connecting the Phap Van – Cau Gie expressway and Ring Road 3 was held by the People’s Committee of Hanoi on July 19.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Duong Duc Tuan said that the road has a significant role in completing the city's transport infrastructure system and reducing traffic congestion at Phap Van intersection, ensuring traffic order and safety in the city, and promoting the socio-economic development of Hoang Mai and Thanh Tri districts, the southern and southeastern areas in the capital.

The eight-lane road has a total length of 3.4 km and a width of 60 m, starting at Km184+100 at the Phap Van-Cau Gie expressway and ending at Km169+100 at Ring Road 3 passing through Hoang Mai and Thanh Tri districts. The total investment is VND3,241 billion (US$137 million) from the city’s budget. The construction is expected to be completed by 2025.

Around 31.05 hectares of land in Thanh Tri and Hoang Mai districts must be cleared for the construction project.

Construction of road linking Central, Central Highland regions, Laos kicked off

The construction project of a road connecting districts of the central coastal province of Quang Nam was kicked off on July 19, contributing to completing the transport network in the Central and the Central Highlands regions.

The road has a total length of 31.85 km, including the first 3.88km-long section with a width of 12m and the second 27.97-long section with a width of 9m, running through Thang Binh, Tam Ky, Phu Ninh, Tien Phuoc and Bac Tra My. The construction starts from route DT613B and ends at National Road 40B.

The construction project of the road and the upgrade project of National Road 40 are expected to create a driving force connecting the East-West area in the south of the province, complete the transport network in the Central and the Central Highlands regions, and connect with Laos, Ky Ha seaport, Chu Lai International Airport, Chu Lai Open Economic Zone, Dung Quat Economic Zone in accordance with the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity.

According to Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Quang Nam Province Nguyen Hong Quang, the project will contribute to completing a plan for the development of synchronous transport infrastructure, creating favorable conditions for travel, transport of goods and agricultural products, promoting socio-economic development and ensuring national defense and security in the southwestern mountainous districts, in the province and region.

The project uses ODA loans worth US$34.514 million from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund of Korea, including US$25.474 million from the ODA loans of the Korean Government via the Economic Development Cooperation Fund, and the reciprocal capital of US$9.04 million.

The construction is expected to be completed in November 2025.

Vietnamese, Chinese localities foster tourism cooperation

A tourism promotion program between Sa Pa township in Vietnam’s Lao Cai province and Mile City in Honghe county of China’s Yunnan province was held in the Vietnamese northern mountainous locality on July 18.

At the program, travel firms from Mile City introduced their unique tourism products connecting Lao Cai and the Chinese city. 

Tourism cooperation between Lao Cai and Honghe county has received support from the Parties and authorities of the two countries.

After the Covid-19 pandemic was controlled, they signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on tourism cooperation in early 2023. The two sides agreed to instruct relevant agencies, and travel associations and firms to strengthen collaboration and restore the model tourism program "Two countries - Six destinations."

Located 350km northwest of Hanoi, Sa Pa is 1,600m above sea level, with an average temperature of 15-18 degree Celsius. The township is among a few locations in Vietnam where snow and ice sometimes appear in winter.

The Travel, a well-known travel site in Canada, listed Sa Pa among the 10 most attractive snow-covered destinations in Asia.

According to To Ngoc Lien, Chairman of the Sa Pa People’s Committee, the township expects to welcome 3.5 million visitors this year.

Illegal tourist area at heart of hydroelectric lake suspended

The Chairman of Ham Thuan Bac District People’s Committee in the South Central province of Binh Thuan yesterday informed that the case of tourism buildings in the middle of its hydroelectric lake has been handled.

Accordingly, Ham Thuan Bac District People’s Committee has stopped the operation of the eco-tourism site named Ho Tren Nui Tai Loc (located in Da Mi Commune of Ham Thuan Bac District in Binh Thuan Province).

The Committee is cooperating with Da Mi Commune People’s Committee, Da Nhim - Ham Thuan - Da Mi Hydropower Co. Ltd., and related units to carefully assess and calculate the encroached surface area by the owners of this eco-tourism site for illegal construction.

“After identifying all violations, the local authorities are going to request the owners of this eco-tourism site to dismantle any illegal construction works; otherwise, they will be punished in compliance with the applicable laws. This handling will complete this month”, stressed Chairman Nguyen Ngoc Thach of Ham Thuan Bac District People’s Committee.

Before this, SGGP Newspaper has reported the case of illegal activities of Ho Tren Nui Tai Loc eco-tourism site when it purposedly built several tourism works (homestay houses, dining area, photo-taking area) without permission on a surface area of thousands of square meters right at the heart of Da Mi hydroelectric lake. This lake is under the management of Da Nhim - Ham Thuan - Da Mi Hydropower Co. Ltd.

Hanoi-based architecture honored at Asia Architecture Design Awards

A number of resorts, restaurants, and offices in Vietnam have a combination of modern architecture with indigenous elements, including the connection between nature and human living space.

The Ngo (Alley) House (D.O.G House) in Hanoi is one of the winners of the Asia Architecture Design Awards (AADA) held in Singapore on July 17.

Creating a living space close to nature is a very important thing to help people achieve balance and relaxation in their accommodation in the context of Hanoi's urban rush, rapid development, and unbalanced ecosystem, according to Arch Daily.

Inheriting the native architecture of the traditional tube house, the Alley House is a passive cooling house that maximizes the green area from the entrance, courtyard, and roof garden. The green spaces from the alley garden to the courtyard are filled with natural light and wind traps, while the roof garden helps reduce heat and insulate the building.

Unlike the tube houses that race to access the main street, this house retreats to create a garden, using silence to control the bustle of the city and green infrastructure to overwhelm the surrounding urban concrete. Alley House is the synthesis of the trend of environmental protection while preserving both tangible and intangible cultures.

Other Vietnamese architecture honored at the AADA include Mai Chau Culture Resort in Hoa Binh, Grand Tourane Nha Trang Hotel, Tre Dining in HCM City, and Xuan Thao Residence in Long An.

The AADA is considered a prestigious platform to celebrate exceptional architectural achievements across Asia's diverse landscapes, highlighting the innovative and visionary designs that reshape and define this dynamic region's built environment.

The 2023 Asia Architecture Design Awards winners represent a diverse range of architectural typologies, demonstrating the industry's breadth and depth of talent. From awe-inspiring skyscrapers to sustainable urban developments or furniture design, the winning projects demonstrate a harmonious blend of aesthetics, functionality, and environmental awareness.

"These exceptional projects have truly distinguished themselves through their remarkable design solutions, innovative applications, harmonious integration with their surroundings, and unwavering commitment to sustainable practices. These visionary designs reflect the vibrant and dynamic spirit that characterizes Asia, as they boldly push the boundaries and redefine the very possibilities of architecture," said Alberto Beretta, Chief of Judges for the 2023 Asia Architecture Design Awards.

More than 400 projects from countries across Asia submitted to the contest.

In 2023, the award has 30 categories in 6 main fields: Architectural Design, Interior Design, Furniture Design, Architectural Design Firms, Interior Design Firms, Furniture Manufacturing, and Retail Firms.

Vietnam maintains responsible contributions to SDG implementation: ambassador

Vietnam will exert more efforts in implementing sustainable development goals (SDGs), Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang told the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on July 19.

Vietnam will exert more efforts in implementing sustainable development goals (SDGs), Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang told the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on July 19.

Giang, who is the country’s Permanent Representative to the UN, assessed that the international community has not yet made progress as planned in the implementation of the 17 SDGs at the mid-point of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

Therefore, it is necessary to take stronger and more urgent measures with the participation of multi-stakeholders to speed up implementation to be able to complete the SDGs by 2030, he said.

Over the past seven years, Vietnam has carried out the National Action Plan to implement the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs across the country with the participation of all sectors and the principle of “no one is left behind”. The country has made remarkable progress, especially in reducing poverty, ensuring clean water and sanitation, accessing quality education, ensuring universal health coverage, creating jobs and enhancing coverage of the social welfare system, building peace and justice, and perfecting its institution.

However, it still faces major challenges in implementing the SDGs such as responding to global issues, and climate and environmental risks; pressure to fulfill international commitments and ensuring balance with development and financial resources.

From its experience, Vietnam proposes several measures to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs in the second half of the decade. Firstly, countries need to maintain a people-centred approach, with stakeholders’ participation in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Secondly, it is necessary to maintain macroeconomic stability and sustainable post-pandemic recovery, and effectively mobilise and use financial resources for sustainable development. Thirdly, countries should prioritise investment in human resources, science, technology, innovation and infrastructure as tools for SDG implementation. And lastly, attention should be paid to narrowing the gap of available data with 232 global SDG indicators to monitor and evaluate the progress, stated Giang.

The diplomat affirmed that Vietnam will continue its role as a responsible member of the international community, coordinating with other countries to contribute to common efforts in the implementation of the SDGs by 2030.

Da Nang hopes for stronger economic, tourism ties with China

Secretary of the Party Committee of central Da Nang city Nguyen Van Quang received Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo on July 20.

Quang stressed that the two countries are recording important strides in bilateral relations as seen in the visits to China by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong in November 2022 and other Vietnamese leaders.

Offering congratulations on the success of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the country’s post-pandemic economic recovery, he said the two sides are working actively to shore up tourism cooperation.

Da Nang always pays attention to and supports activities of foreign enterprises, including those from China, and hopes to foster tourism links, the official said, considering relations between the countries’ localities as a contributor to the overall bilateral ties.

He also called on Xiong to help create favourable conditions for developing economic and tourism connections between Da Nang and Chinese localities.

For his part, the Chinese ambassador underlined the historic significance of the official visit to China by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong right after the 20th National Congress of the CPC.

Both countries have been working unceasingly to strengthen economic and tourism partnerships. In particular, they still maintained relatively high trade revenue during the three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, he went on.

China wishes to encourage its enterprises to invest in Vietnam, of which Da Nang holds advantages for investment attraction, Xiong said, suggesting the city provide assistance for Chinese firms and optimal conditions for their investment here.

He expressed his belief that the cooperation between the two Parties and the two countries will develop even more strongly in all fields, and more Chinese people will spend their holidays in Vietnam, which is home to many beautiful landscapes.

Vietnam, Laos strengthen defence cooperation

Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Vu Hai San and his Lao counterpart Lieutenant General Vongkham Phommakone have agreed on the need for the two Ministries of National Defence to continue their comprehensive cooperation in the time ahead.

At their meeting in Hanoi on July 20, San stressed that the bilateral defence ties have been developing in various spheres like the exchange of delegations, especially high-level ones; personnel training; and border management and protection.

Competent forces of the two sides have regularly shared information, conducted joint patrols and coordinated in the fight against crimes, particularly drug trafficking and illegal immigration, the officer said.

He suggested the two sides continue their coordination in materialising cooperation contents comprehensively and effectively, with a focus on the first defence minister-level Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia Border Defence Friendship Exchange and the regular meeting between the defence ministers of the three countries.

On this occasion, San congratulated Vongkham on his appointment as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Star Telecom (Unitel), a joint venture between Vietnam’s Viettel Global and Lao Asia Telecom, and expressed his belief that the company will grow further, deserving its role as a symbol of effective collaboration between the two countries and armies.

For his part, Vongkham conveyed regards from Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Chansamone Chanyalath to Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang, and thanked the Vietnamese defence ministry for its support in renovating the Laos-Vietnam Combat Alliance Monument in Xieng Khouang province.  

He suggested the two sides focus on implementing contents of the 2023 defence cooperation plan between the two countries.

Vietnamese, Lao armies boost information, liaison cooperation

Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Doan Anh on July 20 received a delegation from the Information Department under the General Staff of the Lao People's Army (LPA), led by its Director Col. Souban Phanthavi.

Anh said that Vietnam-Laos defence cooperation has been implemented in a more substantive and effective manner, particularly in training and expert exchanges.

Souban Phanthavi thanked the VPA for providing multi-faceted assistance for the Information Department, including the training of human resources and equipment supply, thus contributing to the LPA’s building up an increasingly strong information force to meeting its needs in the new context.

He expressed his hope that the Vietnamese Defence Ministry and the VPA General Staff will continue creating favourable conditions for the two countries’ information forces to enhance their cooperation.

The Vietnamese officer proposed the two sides maintain the effective implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment and operation of a hotline between the two ministries.

He stressed the need to step up the exchange and sharing of experiences, and human resources training; and ensure information security for the upcoming Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia border exchange.

Requiem held for Vietnamese martyrs in Laos

A requiem was held in Luang Prabang, Laos, on July 20 for Vietnamese and Lao martyrs who laid down their lives in Laos for the national liberation and the international missions of the two neighboring countries, on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day (July 27, 1947-2023).

Speaking at the vent, Luang Prabang Deputy Governor Soukan Bounnhong praised the great merit and sacrifice by Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos in the past time.

More than half a century ago, tens of thousands of Vietnamese officials and soldiers came to help the Lao people fight for independence, freedom and happiness, contributing to creating special relationship between the two countries today, he highlighted.

Chairman of the Laos - Vietnam Friendship Association Soukan Bounnhong affirmed that generations of the Lao people will always be grateful for invaluable contributions by Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos and committed to continuing to educate the young generations to treasure and nurture the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

PM chairs Coordinating Council for Red River Delta Region’s meeting

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Chairman of the Coordinating Council for Red River Delta Region, chaired its first meeting in Hanoi on July 20.

The meeting was held right after the PM decided to establish the coordinating councils for the northern and coastal central region, the southeastern region, the Red River Delta region, and the Central Highlands region.

According to the plan of the Red River Delta region in the 2021- 2030 period, with a vision to 2050, it is oriented to become a fast and sustainable developing region with a well-structured economy imbued with national cultural identity.

The council is an inter-sectoral bodies helping the PM with considering, directing, coordinating, and handling important and inter-sectoral issues on regional connectivity and sustainable development.

PM Chinh stressed that the Party and the State, and key leaders always pay special attention to the implementation of the 13th Party Congress's Resolution on six socio-economic regions in the country, including the Red River Delta.

He underlined the region’s development potential, saying that it is an important strategic area, the northern gateway of the country and ASEAN in economic and trade connection with China, and a vital bridge connecting international economic and cultural exchange.

However, the region’s development has not been commensurate with its potential, advantage and location, he noted.  

The establishment of the Coordinating Council for Red River Delta Region aims to overcome existing limitations and promote rapid and sustainable economic development in accordance with the 13th Party Congress’s Resolution and Resolutions of the Politburo, the National Assembly and the Government, he said.

According to the PM, regional connectivity should focus on realising the goals of stabilising the macro economy, controlling inflation, promoting growth, and ensuring major balances of its economy.

He emphasised the need to focus on promoting strategic infrastructure connectivity, training high-quality human resources, accelerating administrative reform and improving investment and business environment, and perfecting institutions.

The leader requested provinces and cities in the region to urgently implement tasks set by the Council and affiliated organisations and urgently complete provincial and regional planning, especially Hanoi, underlining the necessity to develop projects to protect the environment and combat climate change in association with promoting green growth in Hanoi and the whole region.

The PM suggested forming cooperation mechanisms in sharing experience in Party and political system building and anti-corruption work, and a regional infrastructure development fund, as well as organising scientific seminars on digital transformation, green transformation, circular economy, sharing economy, and disaster and climate change response.

At the session, representatives from ministries, sectors, localities, experts and scientists discussed and proposed coordination programmes and solutions for developing the Red River Delta region, easing environmental pollution, and promoting green and sustainable development.

They also proposed measures to develop the region into a centre of science, technology and innovation and to develop urban, service and tourism centres, modern and high-tech industries, marine economic centres and seaport systems in the region in association with building a modern warehouse and logistics system linking with industrial parks and coastal economic zones.

Delegates proposed specific mechanisms for the region to effectively mobilise resources from all economic sectors to invest in developing regional infrastructure, especially in the field of transport.

National swimming, drowning rescue competition for youths begins in Nha Trang

The national swimming and drowning rescue competition for teenagers and students, “Green race track,” has opened in Khánh Hòa Province’s Nha Trang City.

The competition, which runs from July 17 to 23, has attracted more than 500 participants from 18 provinces and cities, who will contest in six categories related to knowledge and skills to prevent drowning and 36 swimming events by age group.

Organised by the Sub-department of Physical Education and Sports and the province Department of Culture and Sports and Nestlé MILO, this year the competition is in six age groups between six to 18 years in all the swimming strokes and in rescuing people in distress.

Besides the opportunity to exchange experiences in drowning prevention and rescue, the event also helps sporting authorities unearth swimming talent.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on July 19, Nguyễn Ngọc Anh, representative of the Sub-department of Physical Education and Sports and head of the competition organizing committee, said to safeguard children from drowning, the department and Nestlé MILO organise many activities to raise awareness and train children in preventive skills.

Philomena Tan, MILO and dairy product business unit manager at Nestlé Vietnam, said participating in sports, especially water sports, helps children acquire survival skills and improve their health.

Nestlé wants to join hands with parents to build a strong-willed generation, which would have a positive impact on society in future, she added. 

Source: VNA/SGT/VNS/VOV/Dtinews/SGGP/VGP/Hanoitimes