General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong on November 13 afternoon received German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Hanoi, during which they discussed major orientations and measures to promote bilateral cooperation in all fields to commensurate with expectations and potential of both sides.

Stressing that the visit is an important milestone in the bilateral relations, Party General Secretary Trong appreciated the outcomes of the talks between the Chancellor and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and welcomed cooperation agreements signed by the two nations' ministries and sectors during the visit.

Vietnam attaches great importance to its Strategic Partnership with Germany, he said, proposing the two countries maintain and promote the achievements gained over the past time, and continue enhancing collaboration, for the benefits of their people, and for peace, cooperation and development in the region and in the world.

He took this occasion to thank Germany for its cooperation with and support for Vietnam over the years, including its donation of vaccines against COVID-19, which helped Vietnam push back the pandemic, soon open its doors and boost socio-economic recovery.

Chancellor Scholz affirmed Germany treasures the bilateral Strategic Partnership, as well as Vietnam’s international role and position, including its role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

He outlined plans to implement the Strategic Partnership, and strengthen cooperation in traditional fields and expand to new areas such as energy transition, supply chain diversification, and defence and security cooperation.

The two leaders also exchanged opinions on regional and international issues of mutual concern, including intensifying bilateral cooperation at international forums, promoting the role of international law, and consolidating peace and development in the regions.

German media highlight Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Vietnam visit

The German media on November 12 ran articles highlighting the official visit to Vietnam by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, expecting that it will contribute to promoting bilateral economic ties.

According to Handelsblatt newspaper, German businesses are increasingly shifting production to Vietnam and this goal has been included in many companies' roadmaps. Since March, more than 10 new German factories have been built in the Southeast Asian nation.

The visit to Vietnam by the Chancellor, accompanied by a delegation of enterprises, will give wings to German firms’ trend.

The article also quoted Marko Walde, Chief Representative of the German Industry and Commerce Vietnam (AHK), as saying that Chancellor Scholz's visit is a positive signal showing the diversification of Germany's economic relations in Asia now at the top of the government's agenda.

Also covering the visit, Rheinische Post newspaper wrote that Vietnam is the first leg of the Chancellor’s longest foreign trip since he took office. This is his third trip to Asia in the past 11 months, after Japan and China.

During his stay in Vietnam, Chancellor Scholz will hold talks with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and meet with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong, during which the two sides are scheduled to discuss many issues, especially measures to boost bilateral economic cooperation, according to the article.

Other German newspapers such as Welt, Spiegel and Merkur, and radio channel Deutschlandfunk also posted articles on this visit.

Vietnamese PM suggests cooperation priorities at ASEAN Global Dialogue

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended and delivered a speech at the second ASEAN Global Dialogue on November 13, on the occasion of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The event was attended by leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and partner countries, along with some international organisations such as the World Bank (WB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Economic Forum (WEF), and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA).

Participants exchanged multi-dimensional views on prospects and challenges to the global economy, impacts on the region, and ASEAN’s vision and development orientations to ensure comprehensive recovery and lay the foundation for sustainable, resilient, and inclusive development.

In his remarks, PM Chinh emphasised that amid numerous risks in the external environment, ASEAN remains a bright spot in socio-economic recovery and development thanks to its spirit of cooperation and solidarity.

As an active member of ASEAN, Vietnam is ready to contribute to common efforts to build an ASEAN of inclusive, sustainable, and resilient development, thus greatly contributing to global peace, stability, and development, the PM stated.

The first ASEAN Global Dialogue took place in 2012 on the occasion of the 21st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits at the initiative of Chair Cambodia at that time. The dialogue offers a chance for leaders of ASEAN, partners, and international organisations to discuss regional and global issues, along with the bloc’s vision, priorities, and role.

PM attends 17th East Asia Summit in Cambodia

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on November 13 attended the 17th East Asia Summit (EAS) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, within the framework of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits.

The 17th EAS attracted the participation of leaders of ASEAN countries, their partners - China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India, Russia and the US, and the ASEAN Secretary-General. The President of the European Council and the Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) were invited to present on cooperation in ensuring food and energy security.

Speaking at the event, PM Chinh stressed the need to prioritise promoting economic recovery based on sustainable development, open trade and smooth supply chains. He called on countries to urgently open their markets and create favourable conditions for the flows of goods and services, intensify integration, address disrupted supply chains, contribute to the promotion of multilateralism, and free, fair and inclusive trade so as to bring practical benefits to people.

He suggested the EAS partners support ASEAN's efforts to promote digital and green transformation; develop the circular economy; ensure food, energy and cyber security; and develop sub-regions, including the Mekong Sub-region, to contribute to narrowing the development gap and promoting equitable, sustainable and inclusive development.

The Vietnamese leader also suggested the EAS partners to back ASEAN in implementing the Five-Point Consensus and assist Myanmar in finding solutions to stabilise the situation.

Right after the 17th EAS, the leaders attended the closing ceremony of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, and a ceremony to transfer the ASEAN Chairmanship from Cambodia to Indonesia.

On November 13 afternoon, PM Chinh and the Vietnamese delegation left Phnom Penh, successfully concluding their official visit to Cambodia and his attendance at the summits.

Vietnamese, Canadian PMs meet on sidelines of ASEAN Summits

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on the  occasion of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on November 12.

In their first face-to-face meeting, the two leaders expressed their satisfaction with the strong development of the Vietnam-Canada Comprehensive Partnership, affirming their hope to tighten ASEAN-Canada relations.

Towards the 50th founding anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations in 2023, the two PMs agreed to promote high-level visits to reach consensus on the orientations for developing the Vietnam-Canada relations in a deep, effective and practical manner.

Besides cooperation in economy - trade - investment and education - training, they reached consensus on boosting collaboration in responding to climate change, promoting gender equality, and handling global challenges such as food security, energy security, and cyber security.

PM Chinh proposed Canada support Vietnam in the fields of energy, digital transformation and green transformation, share experience in technology, governance, institution improvement and especially high-quality human resource training.

He affirmed to welcome Canadian businesses to invest in Vietnam and proposed Canada further open its market for Vietnamese goods, especially agricultural and aquatic products, and grant more scholarships to Vietnamese students. The PM also suggested the Canadian Government create favourable conditions for more than 240,000 Vietnamese people living, working and studying in the nation.

Agreeing with PM Chinh’s proposals, PM Trudeau said that the Indo-Pacific Strategy that Canada is about to announce will cover many areas of common interests of the two countries such as innovation, green and clean technologies, digital technology, human resource development.

He showed his hope that the strategy will open up many new opportunities to further strengthen cooperation between Canada and ASEAN in general and Vietnam in particular.

On this occasion, PM Chinh invited his Canadian counterpart to soon visit Vietnam again. The latter accepted the invitation with pleasure and said he will arrange the visit at an appropriate time.

Vietnamese, Japanese PMs agree to boost bilateral ties in all fields

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio on November 13 agreed to maintain the exchange of delegations and intensify bilateral ties in all fields during their meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on the sidelines of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits.

They also consented to closely coordinate in holding activities in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2023.

PM Chinh proposed Japan continue to support Vietnam in developing renewable energy, and soon provide new-generation official development assistance (ODA), and cooperate in responding to climate change, and create conditions for the country to access the aid of 10 billion USD that PM Kishida committed at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 26).

He also expressed his hope that the Japanese Government will issue policies to support the community of more than 400,000 Vietnamese people in Japan; assist in human resource training; and facilitate the issuance of visas for Vietnamese citizens.

PM Kishida affirmed Vietnam holds a leading important position in the implementation of Japan's foreign policy in the region, adding that Japan will soon provide new-generation ODA for the Southeast Asian country and support Vietnam in socio-economic development, industrialisation and modernisation and green transformation.

Agreeing to coordinate closely in promoting the export of agricultural products of both countries, PM Kishida informed that Japan will officially announce the opening of its market for Vietnamese longan in November.

The two PMs also exchanged views on the East Sea issue and several regional and international matters of mutual concern, and agreed to closely  coordinate in multilateral cooperation mechanisms such as ASEAN, Mekong sub-region, the United Nations and activities on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between ASEAN and Japan next year.

PM Chinh meets RoK President in Phnom Penh

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a meeting with the Republic of Korea (RoK)'s President Yoon Suk-yeol in Phnom Penh on November 12.

At the meeting, held on the sidelines of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and related meetings, PM Chinh welcomed the RoK leader's first participation in an ASEAN summit, and extended Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's invitation to visit Vietnam to President Yoon.

He expressed sympathy to the RoK over the tragic incident that happened in Itaewon, Yongsan district of Seoul, on October 29, and thanked the RoK Government for coordinating closely with Vietnam in supporting the family of the Vietnamese victim in the incident.

The two sides shared pleasure at the development of the bilateral relationship, and agreed to strengthen political trust, increase the exchange of delegations at all levels, and promote cooperation in digital transformation and green growth.

PM Chinh proposed that the two sides continue to bolster their collaboration in economy, investment, trade, and official development assistance (ODA).

He asked for the RoK's support in industrialisation and modernisation as well as cultural industry development, and continuous assistance for Vietnamese citizens and Vietnamese-origin Koreans in the RoK to settle down and make more contributions to the socio-economic growth of both the RoK and Vietnam.

For his part, President Yoon affirmed that his country attaches great importance to the relations with the ASEAN, including the strategic partnership with Vietnam in its overall Indo-Pacific Strategy.

The RoK is willing to work with Vietnam in areas of its strength and Vietnam’s demand such as digital transformation, cyber security, and biotechnology, he stated.

Vietnam gives top priority to developing ties with China: PM

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, Government and people always treasure and give top priority to developing the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China.

Meeting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on November 11, PM Chinh expressed his belief that under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) with General Secretary and President Xi Jinping as a nucleus, the Chinese people will accomplish goals and tasks set by the CPC’s 20th National Congress.

Premier Li affirmed that China backs Vietnam's efforts to build an independent, self-reliant economy that effectively integrates into the world.

The two leaders vowed to continue specifying and turning the Vietnam-China joint statement on further promoting and deepening the bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership into specific results, enhance all-level exchanges as well as effective, practical, mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields to bringing practical benefits to the two countries' people.

PM Chinh suggested promoting two-way trade in a more balanced manner, especially maintaining smooth trade at border gates to facilitate Vietnam’s export of farm produce to China as the Lunar New Year holiday is approaching.

He wished both sides would strengthen railway connection, raise the amount of Vietnamese goods transited in China via railway to the third countries, soon approve the opening and upgrading of a number of border gates and traffic connection projects in border areas, improve the quality of investment cooperation and actively tackle difficulties facing some projects such as the second stage of the Thai Nguyen Iron and Steel Plant, Ninh Binh and Ha Bac Fertiliser Plants.

The leader proposed enhancing the exchange of experience in regulating macro-economy, lifting the level of cooperation in new fields such as digital economy, green economy, workforce training, industrialisation and modernisation, effective response to emerging challenges like food security, water security and climate change.

Agreeing with Chinh’s proposals, Li vowed to cooperate with Vietnam to deal with deficit, step up healthy trade in win-win spirit, further open the market for Vietnam’s exports, especially farm produce while preventing the reoccurrence of Vietnamese farm produce overload at border gates.

He suggested two sides jointly maintain supply and production chains and tap strengths of each side to expand the world markets. About existing problems in several joint projects, the Chinese leader expressed willingness to work with Vietnam and called for establishing a joint working group to deal with them.

China is ready to create conditions for Vietnamese students to return to China and resume commercial flights between the two nations, he said.

Underscoring the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea, they agreed to satisfactorily handle differences on the basis of equality and cooperation, continue upholding negotiation mechanisms on maritime delimitation and cooperation, fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), strive to reach a practical, effective and efficient Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC) in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), contributing to peace, security, stability and sustainable development in the East Sea and the region.

Vietnamese, Russian FMs meet on sidelines of ASEAN Summits

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son met with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on November 12 on the occasion of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits.

Son affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia and pays attention to promoting mutually beneficial cooperation in all spheres.

For his part, Lavrov said Russia always views Vietnam as an important partner in the region and hopes that the Southeast Asian nation will continue to act as a bridge helping Russia expand relations with other ASEAN members.

The two ministers noted with satisfaction that Vietnam-Russia political ties have been maintained through conversations and meetings held in all channels.

They agreed to soon organise the 24th meeting of the Vietnam - Russia Intergovernmental Committee on economic - trade and scientific - technical cooperation to identify collaboration orientations for the time ahead.

Both sides shared the view that the two foreign ministries should keep bringing into play their coordinating role in stepping up the implementation of agreements reached between senior Vietnamese and Russian leaders, and enhance their ties, including in the implementation of the ministries’ cooperation plan.

Regarding the Ukraine situation, Son said Vietnam always pays attention to and keeps a close watch on developments, affirming Vietnam’s consistent stance that all disputes must be resolved via peaceful measures in line with the fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, and that it hopes the parties concerned will end the conflict and resume dialogue soon.

As an active and responsible member of the international community, Vietnam is ready to help with promoting dialogue and seeking solutions to soon stabilise the situation in Ukraine, he added.

PM Chinh meets Indian Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on November 12 met Indian Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, affirming that bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership has a firm ground to further develop.

On the cooperation orientations, the two leaders agreed to maintain contacts and exchanges at the high level and all levels.

PM Chinh proposed the two sides intensify their cooperation in economy, trade and investment, asked India to further open its door to Vietnam’s commodities, and welcome Indian firms to invest in information technology, pharmacy, education, agriculture and energy.

The two sides agreed to further make use of their cooperation potential in defence-security, maritime cooperation, sustainable development, energy, etc. They also agreed to continue their close coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums in issues of mutual interests, including ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation.

The Indian Vice President affirmed Vietnam is one of the important partners in India’s foreign policy; and agreed with PM Chinh’s proposal on the holding of a meeting of the Vietnam – India Joint Committee on Economic, Trade, Science and Technology Cooperation early next year.

PM Chinh conveyed invitations from Vietnamese high-ranking leaders to Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Chairman of Upper House Venkaiah Naidu to visit Vietnam.

HCM City's leader welcomes secretary of Cuban parliament, state council

Vice Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Ho Hai on November 12 received Homero Acosta Alvarez, Secretary of the National Assembly of People’s Power and the Council of State of Cuba.

The host official stressed that the Party organisation, administration, and people of HCM City appreciate Cuba’s wholehearted assistance for Vietnam, including the city, in the COVID-19 combat.

HCM City will always stay united with Cuba and ready to do its utmost to help develop the special traditional relations, solidarity, trust, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, he noted.

Hai called on Cuba to step up bilateral cooperation in the fields where it has strength such as health care and education while increasing friendship exchanges between students and youths of HCM City and Cuba.

He suggested Alvarez introduce Cuban localities with similar conditions to HCM City to form cooperative ties in the time ahead. He also expressed the city’s willingness to join hands with the Caribbean nation to resolve difficulties to translate cooperation agreements into concrete and effective projects.

For his part, Alvarez said Cuba always treasures the strong fraternity with Vietnam, noting that despite numerous difficulties and challenges, Cuba will never give up its ideals but stay persistent in the path of national construction and development.

Cuba appreciates Vietnam’s heartfelt assistance during trying times and also hopes to learn the Southeast Asian country’s experience in law and policy making, he added.

Highly valuing HCM City’s potential and dynamic development, he took note of his host’s cooperation proposals and affirmed that Cuba will not only provide scholarships for Vietnamese students or help Vietnam and HCM City in terms of health care, but also be ready to do everything it can, with sincerity, to maintain and develop the fine friendship between the two nations.

PM Pham Minh Chinh appreciates Australia’s assistance to Vietnam

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on November 12.

Affirming that Australia is a leading strategic partner of Vietnam in the region, PM Chinh thanked the Australian Government for increasing official development assistance to Vietnam by 18% in the 2022 - 2023 fiscal year, describing this as practical assistance. He also highly appreciated Australia’s donation of vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PM Albanese said Australia attaches great importance to the reinforcement of its ties with Vietnam, especially in economy, education - training, climate change response, energy, agriculture, manufacturing industry, healthcare services, and defence.

To develop the relations in an intensive and practical manner, PM Chinh suggested the two sides increase all-level mutual visits, firstly preparing carefully for the upcoming official trip to Australia by Vietnam’s National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue; continue to effectively carry out the Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy to further open their markets to each other’s exports, especially farm produce; bolster coordination in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; increase sharing experience in macro-economic governance; intensify security and defence ties; and step up initiatives on energy transition, digital transformation, climate change response, and educational cooperation.

He also proposed Australia assist Vietnamese people living in the country so as to help strengthen the bilateral friendship and cooperation.

On this occasion, PM Chinh invited his Australian counterpart to visit Vietnam at a suitable point of time in 2023, when the two countries mark the 50th founding anniversary of their diplomatic ties (February 26, 1973 - 2023).

Vietnamese, Singaporean Government leaders meet in Cambodia

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed Singapore support Vietnam in building a digital platform and promoting digital transformation while meeting with his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on November 12 on the occasion of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits.

The two leaders expressed their pleasure to witness the strong development of the Vietnam-Singapore Strategic Partnership in various fields, especially in economic cooperation.

They agreed that the visits by the two countries' senior leaders since the beginning of the year, especially the Singapore visit by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc in February and the Vietnam visit by President Halimah Yacob in October, have created new impetus for the Strategic Partnership, thus contributing to promoting the post-COVID-19 economic recovery of both countries. PM Chinh invited his Singaporean counterpart to soon visit Vietnam again.

They reached consensus on stepping up the exchange of delegations at all levels and in all channels; effectively implement Memoranda of Understanding reached during the high-level visits in 2022 in the fields of digital economy, the environment, and energy.

The PMs agreed to direct relevant ministries and sectors to study and build the framework of the “Vietnam-Singapore digital economy – green economy partnership”; and coordinate in holding activities to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 10th founding anniversary of the Strategic Partnership in 2023.

Having appreciated the successes and practical contributions of the Vietnam - Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs) to the development of Vietnam, PM Chinh proposed Singapore multiply this model; and expected Singaporean businesses to integrate 4.0 technology in their investment projects in Vietnam in the coming time.

He also showed his hope that Singapore will continue creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the city-state, considering this as a bridge to further strengthen the friendship and solidarity between the two countries' people.

The two leaders agreed to cooperate more closely at international and regional forums, especially in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations, thus contributing to strengthening ASEAN's solidarity and centrality as well as maintaining peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region.

On this occasion, PM Lee invited PM Chinh to visit Singapore in early 2023.

Vietnam welcomes Ukraine’s joining Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has congratulated Ukraine on officially joining the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), which, he said, will open up new cooperation opportunities for both sides.

Son made the congratulation during a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba on the sidelines of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on November 11.

He affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to its traditional friendship and comprehensive partnership with Ukraine and hopes to boost the bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Kuleba expressed his delight to meet Son on the occasion of the 30th founding anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations (1992-2022).

The two ministers agreed to soon hold a political consultation between the two foreign ministries and the 16th meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee to review the bilateral cooperation in various fields, especially in economy, trade and investment currently affected by the conflict in Ukraine.

Regarding the current conflict situation in Ukraine, Son affirmed Vietnam's consistent stance that disputes should be solved by peaceful measures in accordance with the basic principles of international law and the UN Charter, and hoped that the relevant parties will soon put an end to the conflict and resume dialogue.

The Vietnamese minister emphasised that Vietnam supports and is willing to participate in the international community's efforts to provide humanitarian aid and relief for the people, and contribute to promoting dialogue and finding solutions to soon stabilise the situation in Ukraine.

On this occasion, he thanked Ukraine for assisting the evacuation of Vietnamese citizens in Ukraine, and proposed the Ukrainian government to continue to support and ensure the safety of the lives and properties of Vietnamese citizens and businesses in the country.

Book sheds light on the life of Vietnamese immigrants to the US

Set in San Francisco, from the 1980s to the present day, ’Quiet As They Come’ is a beautiful, brutal and humorous portrait of ordinary people caught between two cultures.

The cover of Những Người Thầm Lặng (Quiet as They Come) by Vietnamese American writer Angie Chau, published by Hồ Chí Minh General Publishing House. Photo courtesy of the publishing house.

The struggles of Vietnamese immigrants to the US have been depicted by the Vietnamese-American writer Angie Chau in her debut collection, 'Quiet as They Come'.

Set in San Francisco, from the 1980s to the present day, Quiet As They Come is a beautiful, brutal and humorous portrait of ordinary people caught between two cultures.

IG Publishing House published the collection of stories in 2010. It was a Finalist in First Fiction for The California Book Award and a Finalist in Fiction for the Northern California Independent Booksellers' Award. The book has been translated and published in Việt Nam by Hồ Chí Minh General Publishing House under the title 'Những Người Thầm Lặng'.

Eleven stories in the book surround the lives of three families forced to share a Victorian house in San Francisco's Sunset District due to history and circumstances. 

With one family to each bedroom, each closet brims with desire and suppression, secrets from the past, and dreams for the future. While some can survive and assimilate, others are crushed by the false promise of the 'American Dream.' 

As the families branch out, their lives illuminate the distinctive struggle of refugees, who have found shelter yet continually search for a home.

Two generations of Vietnamese people are seen in the collection – the adults carrying with them memories of Việt Nam and struggling to overcome the difficulty of integration; and the younger ones who are eager to explore and easily adapt to the new culture. The generation gap and conflicts between them have emerged from such differences in attitudes and lifestyles.

Angie Chau was born in Việt Nam in 1974 and left the country at the age of 4. 

She has also lived in Malaysia, Italy, Spain, and Hawaii and currently resides in California. She earned a BA in Southeast Asian Culture and Political Economy from the University of California, Berkeley and a Master's degree in English with a Creative Writing emphasis from the University of California, Davis, where she was the fiction editor for The Greenbelt Review. She is a member of The San Francisco Writers' Grotto and Diasporic Vietnamese Artists Network.

She has been awarded a Hedgebrook Residency, an Anderson Centre Residency, and a Macondo Foundation Fellowship. Her work has appeared in the Indiana Review, Santa Clara Review, Night Train Magazine, and New California Writing. She won the UC Davis Maurice Prize in Fiction in 2009.

The female author is currently working on a novel set in 1960s Sài Gòn, which tells the story of a young woman from the Vietnamese aristocracy falling in love with the man of her dreams only to discover that he is not who he appears to be.

Americans, Vietnamese book most Son Doong tours for 2023

Nearly 80% of bookings for tours to the world's largest cave Son Doong for next year have come from Vietnamese and American tourists, according to travel agency Oxalis.

Oxalis, the only firm to offer Son Doong expeditions, said 900 visitors have booked for the tours, with 40% of them or 360, being Vietnamese.

Among foreign nationals, Americans topped the list with 330 bookings, followed by Australians and Singaporeans with 45 each.

This year, 1,000 joined the Son Doong tours, including 91 foreigners.

Son Doong, part of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in the central province of Quang Binh, has catapulted to global fame since it opened to tourists in 2013.

Provincial authorities only allow tours to the cave between January and August, with the cave closed during other months to allow its ecosystem to recover. Visitor numbers are also limited to 1,000 per year.

A four-day-three-night expedition of Son Doong Cave cost around 3,000 USD before the pandemic, which will be the same price for 2023.

Indonesia takes over ASEAN Chairmanship from Cambodia

Cambodia on November 13 held the closing ceremony of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, and a ceremony to transfer its ASEAN Chairmanship to Indonesia.

Expressing his delight at the success of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said, in the context that all countries are making efforts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and solve the Myanmar issue, many issues have arisen, posing impacts on socio-economic and security aspects. However, ASEAN has controlled and dealt with those challenges, and gained many achievements in accordance with the theme set out for the ASEAN Chairmanship year of Cambodia: "ASEAN A.C.T.: Addressing Challenges Together".

According to the PM, in the past four working days, ASEAN completed comprehensive and substantive discussions on the upcoming directions to strengthen ASEAN's values and centrality in relations with external partners, in the context of rapid and complicated changes of the region and international situation.

ASEAN approved and took note of 70 documents and declarations covering the three pillars of the ASEAN Community; adopted cooperation frameworks with several dialogue partners; and issued a joint statement on the 20th anniversary of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).

Taking over the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2023, Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced that the theme of ASEAN 2023 will be "ASEAN Matters: The Epicentrum of Growth".

He also shared a number of priorities that Indonesia will promote next year on building the ASEAN Community, enhancing ASEAN's capacity and operational efficiency, promoting the bloc’s relations with partners, strengthening solidarity and promote the role and position of ASEAN in the region and the world.

Unique dugout boat racing festival on Po Co River

The third dugout boat racing festival was recently held in the Central Highlands’ province of Gia Lai, attracting thousands of visitors. The festival also sent a message about preserving the unique cultural values of ethnic minority people, who created dugout boats as a means of transport and for fishing.

Some 30 teams from 13 communes across La Grai district in Gia Lai province participated in the races, rowing 1,400 metres along the Po Co River.

The festival aimed to preserve local cultural traditions, and commemorate A Sanh - a local hero, who used his dugout boat to carry local soldiers and military equipment to fight the enemy.

At the end of the festival, the organising board presented 78 awards to the most excellent racing teams.

The dugout boat racing festival is one of just a few activities being preserved in the Central Highlands.

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