Mayor Pierre Garzon bestowed the title of "Honorary Citizen of Villejuif," the city's highest honour, upon Tran To Nga, an 82-year-old French-Vietnamese who has fought tirelessly for justice for millions of Vietnamese Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin victims.

Speaking to a Vietnam News Agency reporter, Garzon said Nga grew up during the war in Vietnam and has continually fought for peace. An AO victim herself, Nga has led a historic struggle to make US chemical corporations accountable for the ecological devastation they caused, bringing their actions to light despite countless obstacles.

Nga's efforts have inspired people worldwide, amplifying the voices of those often forgotten in the aftermath of war, he said, adding that recognising her contributions is not just for her, but for the broader struggle for peace and justice, Villejuif shares these profound values with her.

Vietnamese Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang affirmed that the honorary citizenship awarded to Nga symbolises the strong solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and France. This gesture also reflects the compassion and commitment of Villejuif to those who fight for a better and more equitable future.

He underscored the devastating impact of AO/dioxin, with 3 million ha of forests destroyed and 4.8 million people directly affected, suffering from severe illnesses such as congenital disabilities, cancer and neurological disorder. "Thanks to those like Nga, this tragedy is not forgotten", he said.

Although the Paris Court of Appeal upheld the ruling of the Crown Court of Evry City, rejecting Nga's lawsuit, he stressed that the reality of the suffering and the urgency of justice remain unchanged.

According to him, the Vietnamese Government, in collaboration with organisations like the Vietnam Association of Victims of AO/dioxin, continues to provide financial and medical support for the victims. Decontamination efforts in the most polluted areas, such as Bien Hoa and Da Nang airports, are ongoing with assistance from the US.

He expressed a hope that this distinction will send a powerful message to the world: “The fight for justice continues, and together we can make a difference”./.

PM calls for swift action to fix shortcomings in laws

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, who is also head of the steering committee for reviewing and handling shortcomings in legal documents, chaired its third meeting in Hanoi on September 28.

The meeting focused on addressing shortcomings in key laws and ensuring a more efficient regulatory framework to support economic growth and stability.

PM Chinh requested immediate action to fix shortcomings in the 2018 Law on Crop Production, the Law on Environmental Protection, the Law on Marine and Island Resources and Environment, the Law on the Organisation of the Government, and the Local Government Organisation Law.

He asked relevant ministries and agencies to promptly develop a new law to amend multiple laws related to public investment. Additionally, they were tasked with drafting the amended Law on the Management and Use of State Capital in Enterprises to resolve obstacles and unlock resources for development, especially during challenging times.

For proposed laws which are not included in the 2025 legislation building programme and plan, the PM called for their integration during the law evaluation process to ensure compliance with legal regulations.

Another key proposal was to identify institutional "bottlenecks" to facilitate production and trade. This aims to achieve the goals of promoting growth, controlling inflation, and stabilising the macro-economy.

Alongside law-making, the government leader underlined the need to promptly issue decrees guiding the timely and effective enforcement of laws, and hold seminars and conferences to collect feedback on legal fields under review, especially those with differing opinions.

Specific tasks were also assigned to Deputy PM Le Thanh Long, who is standing deputy head of the steering committee, and relevant ministries and agencies, with a requirement to report back to the PM./.

Prime Minister welcomes Commissioner General of Korean National Police Agency

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception in Hanoi on September 28 for Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) Cho Ji-ho, who is in Vietnam to attend the second Vietnam-Republic of Korea (RoK) police cultural and sport exchange programme.

PM Chinh expressed his gratitude to the RoK for its assistance to help Vietnam overcome the aftermath of recent Typhoon Yagi, as well as during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He praised the practical and effective cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and the KNPA, especially their collaboration in information exchange, training, infrastructure, and international cooperation, which has contributed to deepening the Comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the RoK.

The PM suggested building on this momentum to foster political trust through the exchange of delegations and promote practical cooperation between the Vietnamese public security force and the RoK's police force, thus contributing to enhancing the Vietnam-RoK relationship in a deeper and more comprehensive and effective manner with a focus on strengthening economic, trade, and investment ties, particularly in labour cooperation, capacity-building projects for the Vietnamese public security force, and mutual support at multilateral forums.

PM Chinh proposed the two sides protect the legitimate rights and interests of the Vietnamese community in the RoK and the Korean community in Vietnam, especially Vietnamese-Korean multicultural families. He also requested the KNPA to advocate for the RoK government to waive visa requirements for Vietnamese citizens.

Cho, for his part, thanked and highly appreciated the PM's efforts to boost the bilateral ties, especially in national defence-security.

He noted that this was his first overseas trip in his current position based on the importance of the bilateral relationship and vowed to further advance the ties between the two nations.

The guest proposed that the Vietnamese side, under the direction of the PM, create a safe and favourable environment for Korean citizens and businesses in Vietnam. In return, the RoK is committed to ensuring security and safety of Vietnamese tourists and citizens residing in the East Asian country, he stressed./.

Vietnam, RoK intensify defence cooperation

Vietnam always attaches importance to developing comprehensive strategic partnership, especially in defence, with the Republic of Korea (RoK), said member of the Standing Board of the Central Military Commission and Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army Sen. Lieut. Gen Nguyen Tan Cuong.

During a reception in Hanoi on September 27 for Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the RoK Gen. Lee Young Su, Cuong highlighted the steady progress in bilateral defence cooperation, particularly in education-training, maritime security, war recovery, defence industry, and engagement in UN peacekeeping operations.

He assured Lee that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence always supports and stands ready to facilitate the air forces of both countries in carrying out the agreed cooperation activities.

The goal is to make cooperation between the two air forces increasingly substantive, sustainable, and on par with the broader bilateral defence cooperation, as well as the overall Vietnam-RoK relationship, Cuong said.

Gen. Lee briefed Cuong on the outcomes of his earlier meeting with Commander of the Air Defence-Air Force Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Van Hien, saying that both sides reviewed the results of their cooperation thus far and agreed on orientations for future collaboration.

Lee expressed his belief that the bilateral defence relationship, and specifically the ties between the two air forces, will develop even further in the time ahead./.

Lai Chau, Chinese locality conduct cross-border patrol

The Lai Chau provincial Border Guard and the Honghe border management team under the Jin Shuihe border immigration checkpoint of China conducted a joint law enforcement patrol along their shared border on September 27.

Establishing a joint command, each side deployed three land patrol groups consisting of 24 officers, with each comprising eight members. The patrol covered the area from Border Marker No. 29 to Border Marker No. 71.

The operation was divided into two phases, spanning a total of 7 hours. Throughout the patrol, the teams made four vehicle trips and exchanged greetings 12 times along the border. Covering about 150 km, they engaged with 300 border residents, distributing 300 flyers containing crucial information about legal regulations and disease prevention.

In the coming time, both sides will adhere to the agreements reached during the 2023 professional dialogue between the Vietnamese delegations of the Border Guards of Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, and Ha Giang, and the delegation of China's Yunnan immigration checkpoint.

They will maintain regular communication through official letters and hotlines to share information and coordinate responses to border management and crime prevention issues.

The joint patrols will be enhanced to promptly detect and prevent criminal activities, particularly illegal immigration, human trafficking, smuggling, and other crimes. Additionally, both sides will intensify the dissemination of legal regulations and policies to border residents, raising their awareness and compliance with national border management laws./.

Binh Dinh provides financial support for VMS installation to combat IUU fishing

The south-central coastal province of Binh Dinh will provide one-time financial support for the installation of vessel monitoring systems (VMS) for boats that are 12-15 metres in length, as part of the efforts to clamp down on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Under the resolution adopted at the 18th meeting of the provincial People’s Council on September 27, the province will fund 50% of the costs for purchasing and installing the equipment for each fishing vessel, but the amount should not exceed 10 million VND (over 400 USD) per device.

Ship owners, who are able to show their vessel registration and technical safety certificates and valid fishing licence, should send dossiers to competent authorities to request for support no later than December 31.

According to Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Van Phuc, although strict measures against IUU fishing had been rolled out over the past time, Binh Dinh still recorded increasing numbers of violations, primarily among the vessels with a maximum length of 15 metres which are not required to install the VMS devices.

He described the financial support as a special policy to prevent local boats from infringing foreign waters.

The province is now home to 218 vessels measuring between 12 and 15 metres, most of which are operating in the southern fishing ground. To date, the VMS have been installed on 148 boats./.

Huong Pagoda complex recognised as city-level tourist destination

The Hanoi People's Committee has just issued a decision to recognise the Huong Son special national relic complex (Huong Pagoda) in Huong Son commune, My Duc district, as a city-level tourist destination.

Located about 65km from the centre of Hanoi, it is a famous Buddhist pagoda complex in Vietnam. Covering a total of 4,940 hectares, the complex comprises of 21 pagodas, temples, shrines, and caves dedicated to the worship of Buddha and deities associated with indigenous agricultural beliefs.

The Huong Pagoda Festival is traditionally held from the sixth day of the first lunar month, which was originally the day of forest opening, through the third lunar month. It is the biggest and longest traditional festival in Hanoi as well as Vietnam as a whole.

On this occasion, Hong Van tourist site in Hong Van commune, Thuong Tin district, was also recognised as a city-level destination. Embodying the typical characteristics of a rural village in northern Vietnam, it is focusing on developing culture tourism, agriculture tourism, and MICE tourism./.

World Tourism Day 2024 celebrated in Hanoi

A ceremony was held by the Vietnam Tourism Association in Hanoi on September 26 in response to the World Tourism Day (September 27).

The event featured some special performances reflecting the folk culture of Vietnam, expected to become a source for developing cultural tourism products.

Every year, the global tourism sector organises various activities on September 27 to raise public awareness of the importance of tourism to countries’ socio-economic development. This is also an occasion for inspiring tourism workers and businesses’ confidence and pride in their sector’s role.

This year, the World Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism) choose the theme “Tourism and Peace” for the World Tourism Day with the aim of highlighting the vital role of this sector in fostering peace and understanding among nations and cultures, and in supporting reconciliation processes.

Moreover, tourism also has clear links with peace building factors like social equality, human rights, economic equity, sustainable development, and extensive democracy with the capacity of non-violent conflict settlement. Apart from economic benefits, the biggest strength of tourism is to bring people closer together. Tourism holds the potential for contributing to peace through various ways.

In particular, UN Tourism emphasises the role of young people, noting that by investing in the youth, providing education - training opportunities, and encouraging their active engagement in tourism, the potential of young people could be capitalised on to promote social changes and peace.

In Vietnam, tourism has gained sufficient conditions to affirm its status as an important economic sector.

During the first eight months of 2024, the country welcomed 11.4 million international arrivals, rising 45.8% year on year and 1% compared to the same period of 2019. Domestic travellers numbered 89.5 million. Total tourism revenue was estimated at 586.1 trillion VND (23.8 billion USD), statistics show.

With such figures, the tourism sector is likely to bounce back comprehensively and break the record set in the pre-pandemic 2019, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism./.

Minister highlights importance of innovation input, output

Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat has emphasised the need for Vietnam to pay heed to both innovation input and output, thus maintaining and improving its ranking on the Global Innovation Index (GII).

The GII reveals the most innovative economies in the world, ranking the innovation performance of around 130 economies while highlighting innovation strengths and weaknesses, according to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

Over the past years, the Vietnamese Government has taken the index as a key management tool, and assigned ministries, agencies, and localities to raise relevant indicators.

In the 2024 GII report, released by the WIPO at a ceremony held in Switzerland on September 26, Vietnam climbed two places, now ranking 44th out of the 132 countries and economies, reflecting its ongoing progress.

Among the lower middle-income countries, Vietnam maintains its second position in the ranking, Minister Dat told the press, noting that the country ranks 1st globally in high-tech exports, high-tech imports. and creative goods exports.

Other improvements are also seen in venture capital, with the number of venture capital deals jumping 27 places to the 50th, and that of venture capital recipients up 10 spots to the 44th.

Dat attributed the results to the drastic leadership of the Government and the Prime Minister, as well as the engagement of ministries, agencies, and localities, the science and innovation community, and businesses.

He, however, pointed to Vietnam’s sluggishness in institutions, ICT infrastructure, and human capital and research, especially education, stressing that institutional reforms require greater efforts to facilitate socio-economic development driven by science, technology, and innovation.

The minister also highlighted the need for Vietnam to continue improving education quality to attract both domestic and international students, invest more in educational models to meet international standards, and promote the role of universities in cooperation with the business circle in research and development, and innovation.

He suggested devising special breakthrough mechanisms and policies to facilitate science, technology, and innovation; and improving businesses’ capacity of adopting and absorbing cutting-edge technologies.

Ministries and agencies also need to implement solutions concertedly to improve poor indicators, while localities should work harder to better the Provincial Innovation Index, contributing to raising the GII in the time ahead, he said./.

Vietnam, Cambodia continue close coordination in search for martyrs’ remains

Vietnam and Cambodia on September 26 agreed to enhance close coordination to improve the efficacy of the search for, gathering and repatriation of the remains of the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who laid down their lives in Cambodia during wartime.

The agreement was reached at the 23rd meeting of the specialised committees of the two Governments in the central city of Da Nang.

For the 2024-2025 dry season, the two sides reached consensus on promoting coordination and direction of the work until there is no further information about the burial sites of the remains. Eleven Vietnamese repatriation teams will maintain their missions in Cambodian cities and provinces.

The standing committees of the two sides will continue proposing measures to push ahead the work, while examining and evaluating the coordination between the local specialised agencies and the search and repatriation forces.

Additionally, they concurred to work closely with each other and direct competent organisations to build and renovate the Vietnam – Cambodia friendship monuments in Cambodia, contributing to deepening the good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, and sustainable and comprehensive cooperation between the two Governments, militaries and peoples.

Remains of 834 martyrs were collected and repatriated during the 2023-2024 dry season./.

Hanoi Book Fair 2024 opens on September 27

The Hanoi Book Fair 2024 will take place from September 27-29 at the pedestrians’ space around Hoan Kiem Lake in the heart of the capital city, expecting more than 30 reputable publishing houses and distributors across the country and the embassies of several countries.

The event is part of the activities celebrating the 70th anniversary of the capital's Liberation Day (October 10, 1954 – 2024), and the 35th anniversary of UNESCO's designation of Hanoi as a "City for Peace".

The highlight of this year's event is a book exhibition with many on Hanoi, from history and culture to works written about the people and traditions of the capital.

Along with introducing many book titles in diverse genres and offering special promotion programmes, publishers and book companies will organise meaningful exchange programmes with readers.

Within the fair’s framework, a seminar will be held to introduce book series entitled “History of Vietnam in pictures”, together with a series of exchange events to make debut new poetry collections and books.

This year, the organising board will launch a book donation programme for Hanoi suburban schools which have been heavily affected by Typhoon Yagi.

Initiated in 2014, the annual event aims to promote reading culture, encourage reading habits, and stimulate community reading movements to build a learning society./.

OVs in Kazan contribute to promoting Vietnam – Russia relations

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi had a working session with representatives of the Vietnamese community in Kazan city, the Republic of Tatarstan, on September 25 as part of his three-day trip there.

Dam Danh Lam, Chairman of the Vietnamese association in Kazan, briefed the diplomat on the living, working, and studying situations of the Vietnamese community in Kazan.

According to Lam, established in 2012, the association works to represent and protect the rights of Vietnamese people; preserve and promote the Vietnamese language, culture, and identity; and promote people-to-people diplomacy. It now comprises 700 members, mostly in small-scale trading and restaurant businesses.

The association focuses on organising events to promote the Vietnamese traditions and culture, attracting the participation of Vietnamese expats, contributing to increasing solidarity and cohesion in the community, he said.

Regarding people-to-people diplomacy, the association proactively and effectively supports delegations from Vietnam to Kazan, contributing to further strengthening the Vietnam – Russia relationship. It has also actively participated in charitable activities in the host country, as well as those towards the homeland.

Ambassador Khoi commended the role of the association in leading and guiding Vietnamese in Kazan in maintaining stable business operations during the recent difficult times.

He informed OVs in Kazan on the homeland's development, as well as advancements in the Vietnam - Russian relations in recent times, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The diplomat urged the association to further uphold its position in the local society to further promote the image of Vietnam and its people through Vietnamese culture and cuisine events.

The teaching of the Vietnamese language, history, and culture to the generation of Vietnamese born in Kazan was also emphasised by Khoi as one of the key tasks.

During the trip from September 25 to 27, the delegation led by the diplomat will have working sessions with the administration of the Republic of Tatarstan, the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency, and the high-tech city of Innopolis./.

Vietnamese in Australia join hands in helping disaster victims back home

The Vietnamese community in Australia has contributed a total of around 5 billion VND (203,300 USD) in support of people affected by natural resources, Ambassador Pham Hung Tam has released.

Receiving a working delegation of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation led by deputy head Pham Tat Thang on September 25, Tam handed over 12,700 AUD (8,700 USD) to the delegation to help victims of Typhoon Yagi which hit Vietnam on September 7.

Thang expressed his impression at the contributions by the Vietnamese community, intellectuals, and students in Australia.

Showing his delight at new developments in the Vietnam-Australia relations, the official acknowledged efforts and contributions by the embassy to strengthening and consolidating the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

On the same day, Thang met with Kim Sampson, President of the Australia-Vietnam Friendship Society, at the embassy. Both sides discussed measures to enhance the effectiveness of the association's activities and strengthen cooperation to continue nurturing the friendship between the two peoples.

While there, the delegation also met and had working sessions with representatives from the Australian Department of Social Services and the Australian Public Service Commission in Canberra./.

Quang Binh: 15 rare wild animals released back to the wild

The Centre for Rescue, Conservation and Creature Development under the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Management Board in the central province of Quang Binh released 15 wild animals into the park on September 25.

They are eight northern pig-tailed macaques (scientifically known as macaca leonine), two impressed tortoises, one Indian crested hawk-eagle, one Burmese python, one red junglefowl, one crested porcupine, and one oriental ratsnake (Ptyas mucosa). Some of them are listed as endangered, rare, and precious forest species.

These wild animals were voluntarily handed over by organisations and individuals to the authorities, which then transferred them to the centre for caring, nurturing, and rehabilitating behaviours.

Since early 2024, the centre has received and rescued 47 animals, releasing 17 back into their natural habitat. It is now home to 73 wild animals./.

Vietnam seeks cooperation opportunities with Tatarstan

A delegation from the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia, led by Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi, had a working session with the Head of the Republic of Tatarstan (Russian Federation), Minnikhanov Rustam Nurgalievich, as part of the working trip from September 25-27.

At the meeting, Khoi highlighted the sound friendship and traditional relations between Vietnam and Russia, the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership since 2012 and several important events between the two sides this year, including a celebration to mark the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on Principles of Friendly Relations, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Vietnam in June, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s trip to Russia as the latest.

That the two governments' leaders co-chaired the 25th meeting of the Vietnam-Russia Intergovernmental Committee for Economic-Trade and Scientific-Technological Cooperation in Moscow has opened up various cooperation opportunities for both sides in the coming time, he added.

As Vietnam and the Republic of Tatarstan boast a multitude of favourable conditions to develop economic, trade and investment collaboration, particularly in the areas of industry, IT, petrochemicals and high-tech health care, he suggested the Tatarstan Government pay due attention to joining hands with Vietnamese localities to further expand cooperation, issue incentives for Vietnamese firms and support them to invest and do business in Tatarstan.

He said the Vietnamese Embassy is willing to serve as a bridge to promote cooperation between localities of both nations and between Tatarstan and Vietnamese localities in particular.

The diplomat also took this occasion to request the Tatarstan Government to continue creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community with some 770 people to better ingrate into the host nation while preserving the traditional cultural traits, contributing to the prosperous development of the Vietnam – Russia ties.

Minnikhanov, for his part, said the Republic of Tatarstan wants to step up economic-trade cooperation with Vietnam through Vietnamese localities and pledged support for Vietnamese enterprises who are interested in investing in Tatarstan.

He welcomed Vietnamese business delegations to Tatarstan to study the market and cooperation potential.

Describing the Vietnamese community as the one with strong solidarity, industriousness and good compliance to the host nation’s regulations, Minnikhanov promised to create all favourable conditions for them to integrate into the host society.

Earlier, the delegation visited and had working sessions with the Investment Development Agency and the High-Tech City of Innopolis./.

Party official calls for solidarity to promote regional integration, international linkages

Member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and Vice Chairman of its Commission for Information and Education Le Quoc Minh has called on countries to strengthen solidarity and join hands to effectively carry out initiatives as well as new cooperation proposals to promote regional integration and international linkages.

Minh, who is also Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan (People) Newspaper and Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists’ Association, made the statement while leading a CPV delegation to attend the 28th international conference “Political parties and a new society” in Mexico City from September 25 to 29 at the invitation of the Mexican Labour Party (PT).

According to the official, in a world of uncertainties with various turning-point transformation ad multidimensional international crisis, countries should step up discussions about the essence of the changes and their challenges as well as share experiences to better adapt to the new situation.

He said the annual conference has become an important forum to share experiences, spotlight challenges to parties and countries, and discuss measures to promote peace, cooperation, development and social advancement.

Highlighting Vietnam’s socio-economic development, Minh said that the country, under the leadership of the CPV, has obtained major achievements over the past nearly four decades of Doi Moi (renewal), with the average economic growth of 6.5%, the GDP rising over 54 folds to 430.5 billion USD during 1986-2023 and deep international integration.

He attributed the renewal process’s achievements to the supplement and development of Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought in the specific situation of Vietnam based on lessons learned from the success and failure of the real socialist model in the 20th century, adding that Vietnam is also developing a theory of comprehensive human development, liberating people from all forms of oppression and injustice while placing the people at the centre and identifying the development of education and training as a top national policy.

The country aims to achieve progress and social equity in every step and policy of development as well as pay attention to environmental protection, he stressed.

Regarding the nation’s foreign policy, Minh stated that Vietnam always chooses on justice and righteousness, supports the settlement of all international disputes and disagreements through peaceful diplomatic negotiations as well as respect for each other’s legitimate interests for peace, stability and development of the region and the world.

The CPV stands ready to exchange and share experiences and lessons from its renewal process with all parties and countries, the official noted.

At the event, foreign participants discussed Vietnam’s path to socialism and the historic lessons from its struggle for national independence.

During his stay in Mexico, Minh had a meeting with PT General Secretary Alberto Anaya Gutierrez who conveyed his condolences to the Vietnamese Party, State and people over the passing of late General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong and the losses caused by Typhoon Yagi.

Gutierrez expressed his admiration for the achievements that Vietnam has attained over the past decades, adding that he has meticulously studied documents about President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s revolutionary path and its path to socialism.

Minh, for his part, said the CPV is ramping up preparations for its 14th National Congress, identifying human resources as the foundation, science-technology and innovation as the breakthrough to bring the nation to a new era, an era of the nation’s rise.

He took this occasion to thank and appreciate the PT for its cooperation with and support for Vietnam to publish books, photo newspapers and documents introducing Vietnam’s noble struggling history and achievements of the renewal process, saying this demonstrates the close relations between the two Parties.

Minh and the CPV delegation also had a working session with representatives from Mexico’s ruling National Regeneration Movement (Morena party) and the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI).

Earlier, they had a working session with the Vietnamese Embassy in Mexico and laid a wreath at the monument to President Ho Chi Minh at the freedom park of ethnic groups in Mexico City./.

Vietnam, Cambodia step up cooperation in information - education work

A delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee's Commission for Information and Education, led by its Standing Vice Chairman Lai Xuan Mon, paid a working trip to Cambodia from September 26-30.

During the visit, Mon, who is a member of the CPV Central Committee, paid a courtesy call to Vice President of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and Chairman of the Standing Board of the CPP Central Committee Samdech Say Chhum, held talks with member of the CPP Central Committee and Chairman of the CPP Central Committee's Commission for Publicity and Education Tak Sun Y, and had a working session with Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra.

His visit continues affirming Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of external relations and helps consolidate and deepen the relations with partner countries and traditional friends, including the friendship neighbourliness and comprehensive cooperation with Cambodia. Besides, it contributes to enhancing cooperation between the two countries via the Party channel, particularly between the two commissions which are in charge of the political and ideological work of the two Parties.

At the events, Mon expressed his belief that under the judicious reign of King Norodom Sihamoni, the sound leadership of the Senate and National Assembly as well as the effective management of the Government, with the CPP at the core, the Cambodian people will continue obtaining further achievements in the cause of national construction and development.

He affirmed that Vietnam always backs the CPP and Cambodia’s national protection, construction and development, adding the country always treasures and give its top priority to enhancing and developing the ties with the neighbouring country and will do its utmost to join hands with Cambodia to preserve, nurture and develop the relations in a deeper and more practical and effective manner.

In the information and education work, the CPV Central Committee's Commission for Information and Education will direct the enhancement of the popularisation of the history of the bilateral relations, the achievements that Cambodia has obtained while fighting and refuting hostile views and distorted information about the relationship between the two countries, Mon stressed.

He spoke highly of the positive and close coordination of Cambodian agencies in supporting and creating favourable conditions to handle the legal residency of people of Vietnamese origin in the country and remove bottlenecks for Vietnamese firms to land their investments in the host nation.

Say Chhum congratulated Vietnam on the great achievements that it has attained over the past time under the leadership of the CPV and conveyed his condolences over the human and asset losses that the Vietnamese people have suffered from Typhoon Yagi.

He affirmed that the Cambodian Government and Prime Minister Hun Manet are promoting the strong cooperation with Vietnam for the development and prosperity of the two nations.

The official said that he supports cooperation activities between the two commissions and asked them to continue close collaboration to concretise the cooperation agreements between the two Parties, including educating people of both countries, particularly the youth, about the traditional solidarity and friendship between the two nations.

At the talks between the two commissions, the two sides concurred to enhance discussions and coordination to carry out high-level agreements, exchange professional expertise and raise public awareness of the Vietnam – Cambodia friendship as well as the socio-economic development in each nation under the leadership of the CPV and the CPP.

In the framework of his visit, Mon also had a meeting with the staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia during which he asked them to make efforts and contribute to promoting bilateral and multilateral external activities, helping to improve Vietnam’s position and prestige in the international arena.

Visiting Metfone, a subsidiary company of the Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group in Cambodia, he expressed his delight at the firm’s robust development as well as its implementation of various digital transformation projects in Cambodia, helping to foster the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations./.

Vietnam hopes for further cooperation with OECD at UN forums: Ambassador

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN) on September 27 expressed his hope for closer coordination with the Representative Office of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in the issues of mutual concerns at the UN forums.

Meeting with Andreas Schaal, Director for OECD Global Relations and Cooperation, as well as the OECD Sherpa to the G7, the G20 and APEC, Giang affirmed that the OECD has played an important role in the enhancement of the implementation of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), global management as well as support for developing countries in the areas.

The ambassador highlighted that the organisation could have a significant part in bridging the substantial gap between developed and developing countries while appreciating the OECD’s technical assistance to Vietnam to deliver on its set target of becoming a high-income nation by 2045.

Schaal, for his part, extended his condolences over the passing of late General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong as well as the losses and difficulties that the Vietnamese people have suffered from typhoon Yagi.

He said Vietnam and the OECD have enjoyed close coordination in carrying out the SDGs as well as in many other areas, expressing his wish to set up information exchange mechanisms with developing countries, the Group of 77 (G77) and ASEAN./.

Vietnam, Cuba beef up parliamentary cooperation

A delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) led by Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai paid a working visit to Cuba from September 21-27 to concretise the protocol on cooperation between the two parliaments.

Authorised by NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man, Hai co-chaired the first meeting of the Vietnam – Cuba Inter-parliamentary Cooperation Committee with President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernández.

At the event, the two sides affirmed their resolve to support and enhance the solidarity, friendship and special traditional cooperation between the two nations as well as the important role of the parliamentary collaboration in consolidating and promoting the special fraternal solidarity.

They underscored the necessity to expand the inter-parliamentary relationship between the two NAs and agreed to foster close collaboration bilaterally as well as at regional and international forums, consolidate coordination capacity, enhance and regularly supervise activities to effectively carry out the cooperation documents signed between the two nations.

Earlier, the committees of the two NAs held meetings on several issues such as economy, finance, energy, health care, dialogue, defence and security. The parliamentarians of both sides shared their practical legislation experiences.

During his stay in Cuba, Hai and the delegation visited the Mariel Special Development Zone in Artemisa province to study the local socio-economic situation and discuss with the Cuban sides about Vietnam’s investment projects in the zone.

Additionally, the delegation also had working sessions with the Office of the Comptroller General during which the two sides discussed measures to enhance bilateral audit cooperation.

Hai and the delegation also laid a wreath at the monument dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh at the park named after the late leader in Havana./.

Deputy FM highlights education’s role in ensuring human rights

Education is an effective tool that helps citizens to ensure their rights as well as improve respect and understanding in society, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet said on September 27.

Viet made the statement while delivering his opening remarks at an international seminar on integrating human rights education into education system co-sponsored by Vietnam, the Philippines, Australia and Italy as he is attending the 57th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC)’s meeting to adopt Vietnam’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) cycle IV report.

Highlighting Vietnam’s efforts in the area, Viet said promoting education rights and human rights education is among Vietnam’s priorities during its membership of the UNHRC in the 2023-2025 tenure.

Vietnam hopes for further co-sponsorship of the seminar, creating a forum for nations to share their experiences and contribute to the preparation for the implementation of the fifth phase of the World Programme for Human Rights Education (WPHRE) for the 2025-2029 period, he stated.

The Vietnamese diplomat held that although countries and international organisations have obtained various achievements in promoting human rights education, with the integration of it into school system as the core, and made efforts in promoting international cooperation in the area, it is necessary to enhance experience and knowledge sharing since not many countries have provided information for the programme yet.

Dr. Le Xuan Tung, from the Institute for Human Rights under the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA), shared Vietnam’s implementation of its project on engaging human rights education in formal education with several standout results, including organising training courses for teachers and lecturers, compiling and publishing documents related to the field, incorporating human rights education into the education system and setting up partnership between the HCMA and the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Sharing their stories, representatives from other countries and regions underscored the important role of schools, families, society and competent parties in educating human rights for children.

Elena Ippoliti, of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Research Division, said a comprehensive approach to human rights education is the combination of policy building, ways to carry out the policies, process and teaching and learning tools, capacity building for teachers and education staff and learning environment./.

Chinese Embassy hosts banquet to mark 75th National Day

The Chinese Embassy in Vietnam hosted a banquet in Hanoi on September 27 evening to celebrate the 75th National Day of the People’s Republic of China (October 1, 1949 - 2024).

The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha; Chairman of the Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises and President of the Vietnam – China Friendship Association Nguyen Hoang Anh and leaders of Vietnamese ministries, sectors and localities.

In his speech, Anh congratulated the Chinese Party, State and people on their achievements over the past 75 years of national construction and development.

He particularly laid stress on the decade in the new era after the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) when China has been led by Xi Jinping's thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics, adding China completed its first centenary goal, bringing the country from advancing with the times to confidently leading the era together with other nations.

The official said he believed that China will continue firmly advancing on its path to realise its second centenary goal of turning itself into a modern, prosperous, democratic, civilised, harmonious and beautiful socialist nation.

Regarding the bilateral relations, Anh said under the leadership and strategic orientations of the top leaders of the two Parties and States, the ties have been further strengthened and deepened, particularly following the historic visits by then General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong in October 2022, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of China Xi Jingping in December last year, and General Secretary of the Communist Part of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam in August this year.

The Vietnamese Party, State and people are willing to join hands with the Chinese Party, State and people to intensify the Vietnam - China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, promote the building of a community with shared future that carries strategic significance under the common perceptions reached by the top leaders of both nations and the six major goals, contributing to bringing practical benefits to the two countries' people as well as maintaining peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

He also expressed his belief that Ambassador He Wei will promote his bridging role and make practical contributions to promoting the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties and States during his tenure in Vietnam.

He Wei, for his part, reviewed the great achievements that the Chinese Party, State and people have obtained over the past 75 years, stressing that under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee, with Xi at the core, China successfully realised its first centenary goal, opening a new journey to modernisation with the Chinese style.

He underscored that Vietnam and China are friendly neighbours, and China always considers its ties with Vietnam as a prioritised orientation in its neighbourhood diplomacy policy as well as a strategic choice based on the time-honoured development of the relations between the two Parties and two countries.

The diplomat said he will work with the Vietnamese side to concretise the common high-level perceptions, stay steadfast with the strategic orientations of the top leaders of the two Parties and States on enhancing the Vietnam - China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and promoting the building of a community with shared future that carries strategic significance.

He promised to promote his bridging role, urge Chinese ministries, sectors and localities to coordinate with the Vietnamese sides and continue developing the bilateral cooperation in a deeper manner./.

Prime Minister receives newly-appointed German Ambassador to Vietnam

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception in Hanoi on September 27 for newly-appointed German Ambassador to Vietnam Helga Margarete.

At the meeting, PM Chinh congratulated Margarete on receiving her new assignment in Vietnam, believing that the Ambassador's experience would contribute positively to the relationship between the two countries.

The PM is pleased to see that after nearly five decades, the Vietnam - Germany relations have continued to develop fruitfully, especially after the Vietnam visits by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in November 2022 and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in January 2024, creating new momentum for the bilateral relations.

Currently, Germany is Vietnam's largest trading partner in the European Union (EU) with trade turnover reaching over 11 billion USD in 2023, and more than 8 billion USD in the first eight months of 2024. Educational cooperation between the two countries is developing positively with more than 7,500 Vietnamese students studying in Germany and the Viet-German University project operating effectively.

PM Chinh highly appreciated the German government’s creating conditions for the Vietnamese community to live and work stably in Germany.

Towards the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2025, the PM proposed the two sides coordinate to organise meaningful activities such as exchanging high-level delegations, organising Germany Days in Vietnam and Vietnam Days in Germany to further deepen the cooperative relationship.

He suggested both sides take advantage of the opportunities of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), ask the German parliament to soon approve the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), urge the European Commission (EC) to soon remove IUU “yellow card” against Vietnamese seafood and strengthen cooperation and mutual support at international and regional forums.

On this occasion, PM Chinh thanked the German Government for providing Vietnam with a large number of vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as Germany's sympathy and support through multilateral mechanisms to help Vietnam overcome the consequences of recent Typhoon Yagi.

Margarete expressed her honour to take on the assignment in Vietnam, affirming that Vietnam is a key partner of Germany in the region and pledging to make every effort to promote the relations between the two countries.

On this occasion, the Ambassador offered her sympathy with the loss of life and property of the Vietnamese people after Typhoon Yagi and said Germany would continue to support Vietnam through multilateral mechanisms.

Margarete highly appreciated the good development of the bilateral relations, and agreed to coordinate with Vietnamese agencies to carry out activities commemorating the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations.

The diplomat spoke highly of Vietnam's role at international and regional forums and said that in the coming time, she wishes to further promote cooperation between the two countries in all fields, especially education, training, skilled labour, and climate change adaptation.

Regarding international and regional issues, including the East Sea issue, the two sides heightened the basic principles of international law, and agreed to resolve disputes by peaceful means and ensure security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, on the basis of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982./.

Deputy Minister hosts President of Japan’s National Defence Academy

Member of the Central Military Commission and Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen Pham Hoai Nam hosted a reception in Hanoi on September 27 for President of the National Defence Academy of Japan Kubo Fumiaki.

Nam highlighted the major strides in defence cooperation between the two nations, noting regular visits by leaders from the two countries' defence ministries, armies and national defence forces, as well as engagements at multilateral forums. He underlined practical results in personnel training, cybersecurity, and post-war recovery efforts among armed forces, with education and training being a standout area of collaboration.

Expressing gratitude to the Japanese Ministry of Defence for providing annual scholarships to the Vietnamese counterpart at the National Defence Academy, Nam said Vietnamese trainees who return home after their study in Japan have successfully applied their knowledge, effectively fulfilling their duties and becoming a bridge to foster the friendly cooperation between Vietnam and Japan.

As the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence has a growing demand for undergraduate and postgraduate training, particularly in high-tech fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, short-term training and research, Nam urged Kubo Fumiaki to pay attention to these areas.

The Vietnamese ministry consistently supports and facilitates increased exchanges and training collaboration between the military academies and schools of both countries in the future, he affirmed.

The Japanese guest briefed his host on the outcomes of his delegation's meeting with the Military Technical Academy, stressing that both sides agreed to submit a report to their superiors regarding future cooperation. This includes continuing to promote the training of Vietnamese students at the National Defence Academy of Japan./.

Two individuals arrested for activities against people’s administration

Police in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang on September 27 announced the prosecution and arrest of two individuals for "activities aimed at overthrowing the people's administration."

The suspects are identified as Tran Thi Hong Duyen (born in 1984) and Bui Thi Anh Ngoc (born in 1958), both residing in Vinh Thanh ward, Rach Gia city. During the search of their home, authorities seized evidence linked to their illegal activities.

According to the investigation, since late 2018, Duyen had been using Facebook to connect with members of the terrorist organisation “Chinh phu Quoc gia Viet Nam lam thoi (Provisional National Government of Vietnam)” and sought guidance on how to join. After gaining acceptance into the group, she was assigned a code name and tasked with recruiting others, particularly to support a "referendum" campaign to elect Dao Minh Quan as President of the so-called "De tam Viet Nam Cong hoa (Third Republic of Vietnam)." Duyen then convinced Ngoc – her mother – to join the organisation.

Both suspects actively posted and shared content on social media that distorted history, spread false information, and defamed the government and its leaders. Although the police had previously summoned Duyen for questioning and attempted to deter her from continuing her activities, she remained uncooperative and persisted in her involvement.

Currently, further investigations are being conducted to handle the case according to the law./.

HCM City fosters cooperation with Cuba’s Santiago de Cuba province

Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Duong Ngoc Hai hosted a reception on September 27 for a visiting delegation from Cuba’s Santiago de Cuba province led by Vice Governor Waldis Gonzalez Peinado.

Hai affirmed that HCM City attaches great importance to and has active cooperation with the Cuban Government and localities, especially in the fields of education, health care, trade, and people-to-people exchange.

He noted that trade between HCM City and localities in Cuba reached nearly 8 million USD in the first eight months of this year. The two sides have regularly organised delegation exchanges at all levels, he added.

The municipal leader said that HCM City is a regional connection centre and an international trade hub, owning Tan Son Nhat International Airport and Cat Lai Port, the largest port in the country, while Santiago de Cuba is the second largest province in Cuba, with strengths in agriculture, industry, tourism and culture.

Santiago de Cuba's seaport plays an important role in international trade, serving as the gateway connecting Cuba to the world, he noted, holding that the two localities share many similarities on potential, strength and development need.

In 2007, HCM City and the Administration of Santiago de Cuba signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on promoting their friendly and cooperative relations. However, to date, bilateral collaboration activities have not been carried out.

Therefore, Hai proposed that the two sides resume exchanges and take steps towards the signing of a MoU to establish a new friendly and cooperative relationship, which clearly states priority areas and includes specific cooperation programmes.

For his part, Waldis Gonzalez Peinado said that this HCM City trip to attend the HCM City Friendship Dialogue and Economic Forum has provided the delegation with many practical experience, and enabled them to seek potential for cooperation with HCM City.

Santiago de Cuba province has an important strategic position, not only for Cuba but also for the Caribbean region. It is an industrial hub for important industries, he said, asserting that the province and HCM City have many similarities on potential and strength for cooperation.

Affirming the province’s readiness to restart the signed MoU, Waldis Gonzalez Peinado suggested that the two sides quickly sign specific cooperation contents and implement them drastically, while grasping advantages from similarities and potentials to soon put cooperation into practice.

He said he hopes that HCM City will send a delegation to the 2025 Caribbean Expo in Cuba, and help connect more provinces and cities in the southern region of Vietnam with Santiago de Cuba to explore cooperation opportunities./.

Annual dialogue discusses ways to enhance efficiency of Vietnam-India cooperation

The Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) and the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) on September 27 held their 5th annual dialogue in Hanoi, discussing key issues in the two countries’ relations in a new world order.

Speaking at the event, Director of the VASS’s International Cooperation Department Nguyen Thanh Ha said that amid the changing situation in the world and the region, the regular exchange and updating of information between the two agencies is necessary to adapt and act for the common benefit.

Ha held that the two countries’ cooperation has yet to be commensurate with their comprehensive strategic partnership.

He expected that participants would propose new solutions to improve the bilateral cooperation and develop the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and India, meeting the expectations of the governments and people of the two countries.

Ambassador Soumen Bagchi, Acting Director of the Indian Council of World Affairs, affirmed that the long-standing cooperative relationship between ICWA and VASS originated from the Asian Relations Conference in 1947 and has been strengthened through subsequent events.

In his speech at the ICWA in August 2024, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that recent leadership changes in both India and Vietnam have given new impetus to the bilateral relations, particularly in trade, technology and defence ties, the ambassador noted.

Regarding international cooperation, India highly appreciates Vietnam's role in global forums and hopes that Vietnam will join alliances such as the International Solar Alliance, he said.

The ambassador hopes that scholars from both countries will further study to find more effective cooperation opportunities in the future.

Prof., Dr. Prabir De from the ASEAN- India Centre at the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) in New Delhi said that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between India and Vietnam can boost bilateral exports, strengthen global value chains, reduce trade barriers, encourage investment and improve regulations on intellectual property, e-commerce and government procurement.

He suggested the two countries consider establishing a joint research group to implement this agreement.

As both India and Vietnam are working to enhance stability and growth in the Indo-Pacific region, the bilateral cooperation will become more important than ever, especially in areas such as trade, connectivity, maritime security and technology, he said.

Other potential cooperation spheres include economy, digital technology, climate change response, science and technology, support for small- and medium-sized enterprises, and semiconductor industry, the scholar suggested./.

VNA/VNS/VNN