Vietnamese Ambassador to Myanmar Luan Thuy Duong (Photo from the embassy)

The relations between Vietnam and Myanmar have seen remarkable strides since they signed a joint statement upgrading ties to a comprehensive cooperative partnership in 2017, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to Myanmar Luan Thuy Duong.

Progress has been made across all five pillars of the partnership, namely political cooperation, defence and security cooperation, economic cooperation, socio-cultural, and people-to-people exchange, and regional and international cooperation, she said.

The ambassador cited statistics that showed two-way trade reached 548.3 million USD in 2016, surpassing the goal of 500 million USD. 

In 2017, the bilateral trade hit 828.3 million USD, showing a year-on-year rise of 51 percent.

Meanwhile, Vietnam became the seventh largest foreign investor in Myanmar with 70 projects worth around 2 billion USD. 

Among the effective projects are: Hoang Anh Gia Lai Complex Centre in Yangon, direct flights between Vietnam and Myanmar operated by Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air, a branch of the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV), and the telecommunication network of Viettel in Myanmar (Mytel).

To date, more than 200 Vietnamese enterprises have made their presence in Myanmar in various forms such as representative office, branch, joint venture and company with 100 percent of Vietnamese capital.

The bilateral cooperation in defence and security has been deepened in an effective and practical manner with new content for cooperation such as exchanges of young officers, training in Vietnamese and Myanmar languages, military medicine, defence industry, border management, illegal migration control, and fighting smuggling.

Vietnam and Myanmar have also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on culture and education cooperation, creating a momentum for cooperation programmes and exchanges in those fields.

During the official visit to Vietnam in April 2018 by Myanmar State Counsellor, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister of the Office of the President of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi, the two countries defined more clearly the direction of cooperation at present and in the future.

The two countries have emphasised the exchange of delegations at all levels and channels, including the Party, Government and National Assembly, with the party channel to be an important pillar. 

Vietnamese and Myanmar leaders have also expressed their determination to boost cooperation in trade-investment, security-defence, and agro-forestry-fishery in addition to finance and banking, education, health, justice, energy, oil and gas, tourism, transportation and telecommunication.

The two countries will soon sign a plan of actions for 2018-2023 to deploy their comprehensive cooperative partnership effectively.

The historical and cultural similarities are an advantage for the two nations to promote people-to-people exchanges, cultural cooperation and community building.

However, the Vietnamese ambassador took note that challenges and obstacles still remain in the process of promoting the partnership between Vietnam and Myanmar, one of which is the sensitive issues in their cooperation in politics and defence.  

From the bilateral aspect, both countries must take care to observe the principle of non-interference in each other’s internal affairs while sharing experience in stabilising political situation, ensuring security, and promoting economy. 

From the multilateral aspect, as ASEAN members, Vietnam and Myanmar must ensure that their bilateral relations do not interfere with multilateral cooperation and vice versa.

At the same time, the complexity of Myanmar’s internal politics forces the Government to concentrate most of its resources on dealing with it, thus it will be a great challenge to maintain a stable diplomatic policy.

Thirdly, given the current complex situation in the region and the world, when the crisis in Myanmar’s Rakhine State is being internationalised and the East Sea issue is threatening the sovereignty of Vietnam, both countries are bearing a lot of pressure from the outside. Therefore, the two countries need to trust each other, share views and information more often and provide mutual support at regional and international forums to ensure the sustainable development of their ties.

Myanmar is among the first countries to establish friendly ties with Vietnam. In 1947, Vietnam set up its first liaison office in Yangon. The two sides agreed to upgrade the liaison office to an information and propaganda office in 1948, and to Consulate General in 1957. On May 28, 1975, the two countries officially established diplomatic relations.-VNA

Promoting and enhancing the role of multilateral diplomacy in the context of intensive international integration was the main topic of a plenary session of the 30th Diplomatic Conference in Hanoi on August 16.

Chaired by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung, the session saw the participation of leaders from relevant ministries, agencies and sectors as well as heads of Vietnamese representative agencies abroad.

The participants thoroughly grasped the Directive No. 25-CT/TW on promoting and enhancing the role of multilateral diplomacy until 2030 issued by the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat on August 8, 2018, and agreed on the significance of the issuance of the directive in the current context.

The directive will be a guideline for Vietnam’s multilateral diplomatic affairs over the next years in all fields such as economy, politics, defence, security, society, environment, education-training, science-technology and culture.

They held that Vietnam’s multilateral diplomacy have been expanded and enhanced both regionally and globally.

The delegates stressed the need for the country to have an overall strategy and plans of action, as well as resources and a contingent of capable officials to implement the directive.

Vietnam should focus on a number of prioritized tasks in the coming time, such as successfully taking over the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020, running for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council in the 2020-2021 term and boosting cooperation within regional frameworks, the participants noted.-VNA

PM urges stronger development of sea-based economy

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked relevant ministries, sectors and localities to further promote marine potential and advantages, overcome shortcomings and adopt timely measures to turn Vietnam into a rich and strong country based on its maritime economy.

PM Phuc made the request while chairing a meeting on Vietnam’s Maritime Strategy in Hanoi on August 16, with the attendance of leaders from relevant ministries, sectors and coastal provinces and cities.

A report presented by Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha and ideas put forth by participants showed that after years of implementing the maritime strategy, the sea-born economy has witnessed comprehensive development, while the living conditions of residents in coastal areas have been improved.

Economic sectors such as tourism, aquaculture, fishing, seafood processing and marine shipping have enjoyed remarkable growth. Due attention has been paid to environmental protection.

However, the country is facing a range of difficulties and challenges, especially those related to human resources, science-technology, integrated sea management and coordination mechanism among ministries, sectors, localities and forces at sea.

Participants emphasized the need to step up the synchronous implementation of the maritime strategy as the sea-based economy plays an important role in the development of the whole country as well as 28 coastal provinces and cities.

In 2007, the 10th Party Central Committee adopted Vietnam’s Maritime Strategy towards 2020 to further enhance a sea-based economy and protect national sovereignty over islands and seas. 

The strategy set out a goal that sea-based economic sectors will make up 53-55 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) while per capita income in coastal areas is expected to double the average of the whole country by 2020.-VNA

At the launching ceremony. 

The Theoretical Council of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee launched its online portal on August 16.

Nguyen Xuan Thang, Secretary of the Party’s Central Committee and President of the Theoretical Council, said that the launch of the portal will help remove barriers in developing theoretical research and popularising the results of studies on Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh thoughts, as well as the Party’s points of view.

Thuan Huu, member of the Party Central Committee and deputy head of its Commission for Information and Education, said the birth of the portal meets the demands of people doing theoretical and press work, especially when tasked with fighting inaccurate and hostile allegations.

The portal will frequently update national and international theoretical situations as well as information about theoretical work and the Party’s resolutions, and post articles directly combating wrongful allegations, Huu suggested.

The portal is also tasked with collecting public feedbacks on the council’s operations to better carry out assigned missions.

Parliamentary diplomacy contributes to nation’s international integration

Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan stressed the important role of the legislature’s external relations during a plenary session within the 30th Diplomatic Conference in Hanoi on August 16. 

The NA’s external activities have changed bilaterally and multilaterally, as well as via friendship parliamentary mechanisms, she said, citing the establishment of the 57 specific friendship groups which have helped enhance understanding and friendship with foreign parliamentarians. 

Pointing out the rapid and complex development of the regional and international situation that presents both opportunities and challenges, the top legislator said it is necessary to identify the position and significance of the legislature’s foreign relations in order to carry forward the efficiency of parliamentary diplomacy, and thus ensure national interests are kept. 

Besides this, the legal system must be completed in order to facilitate external affairs in the spirit of Politburo’s Resolution No. 22 on international integration, NA Chairwoman Ngan suggested. 

She also talked about coordination between channels of external affairs to maximise the nation’s strength in this regard, with focus on reinforcing relations with neighbouring countries, other ASEAN members, strategic and comprehensive partners, and traditional friends. 

The coordination should also target promoting trade ties; narrowing differences and seeking new friends and partners; contributing to strengthening friendships and mutual trust with foreign countries; and gathering international support, she said. 

The chief legislator added that the NA will effectively perform its membership at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)’s Executive Committee; thoroughly prepare for hosting the 41st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in 2020 and taking on the role of AIPA General Secretary for 2019-2021; while constructively participating in the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie (APF), the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF), and the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership forum. 

At the same time, the Vietnamese legislature needs to engage in building common mechanisms, rules, and standards; forming a transparent, equal, democratic, and sustainable economic-political order; and utilising benefits brought about by multilateral cooperation, Ngan concluded.

A representative of the Vietnamese Embassy in France presents necessities to Vietnamese citizens detained in Coquelles in February 2018 

Chiefs of Vietnamese representative agencies overseas talked about the citizen protection work during the 30th Diplomatic Conference, held in Hanoi during August 13-17. 

Assistant to the foreign minister and head of the Foreign Ministry’s Consular Department Nguyen Minh Vu said the ministry and relevant agencies have offered protection for 608 vessels with 5,197 fishermen and 26 firms involved in international maritime transport, as well as safely brought home about 2,000 people working in the fishery sector, the largest number so far. 

Representative agencies abroad took measures to conduct search and rescue work; as well as support Vietnamese nationals in cases of earthquake, disaster, fires, and terrorism that caused severe damage in terms of human and asset loss. 

Since the 29th Diplomatic Conference, up to 151 bulletins on citizen protection, including travel warnings, have been published on the ministry’s portal or consular work website: www.lanhsuvietnam.gov.vn. 

Portals of Vietnamese representative agencies also issued travel warnings in cases of crises in the Maldives and Syria, or terror attacks in Belgium, France, and Turkey. 

Since early 2018, telecom provider Viettel has sent over 450,000 SMS messages updating its roaming subscribers abroad of the citizen protection hotline ( 84 9818 484 84), which contributed to the increase of its receiving calls to over 2,400, up 100 percent year-on-year from 2017. 

In the near future, the ministry will continue working with telecom groups Vinaphone and Mobiphone to launch similar proactive steps, as well as provide hotlines of representative agencies for incoming citizens. 

Ambassador to Russia Ngo Duc Manh, for his part, said citizen and community protection is one of the top tasks of the embassy, adding that it has regularly updated information and helped the Vietnamese community deal with difficulties that have arisen.

Ambassador to Japan Nguyen Quoc Cuong said the embassy has partnered with the Consulates General in Osaka and Fukuoka to offer support to the Vietnamese Association, the Vietnamese Entrepreneurs’ Association, the Vietnamese Youth-Students’ Association and the Vietnamese Buddhists’ Association in Japan, and chapters of the Vietnamese Association in many regions and localities. 

The embassy plans to establish a database on the Vietnamese community in Japan to update them about the latest Vietnamese Party and State’s guidelines and policies, as well as respond to disasters and earthquakes. 

Vu said the ministry will continue with high-tech application in citizen protection – including launching online citizen registration and upgrading several public administration services from the third to fourth level – and consider the construction of a crisis response centre to deal with contingency cases facing Vietnamese nationals abroad. 

It will also work closely with ministries, agencies, and localities in the effort, he confirmed.

HCM City attracts RoK investment to smart urban development

Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan (right) and SM Group Chairman Woo Oh-hyun. 

Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan on August 16 urged the Republic of Korea (RoK) SM Group to invest in the city’s latest innovative urban area, particularly in the spheres of transport, telecommunications, and housing for scientists. 

At a reception for Chairman Woo Oh-hyun, the municipal leader suggested the group set up joint ventures with local businesses in goods transportation and logistics. 

Nhan expressed his belief that with its strength in materials, chemicals, energy, construction, and goods transportation, the SM Group would meet the current demands for urban development in HCM City. 

The official informed his guest that the respective innovative urban area is located in the eastern side of city, covering Thu Duc district and Districts 9 and 2. It houses several universities as well as a high-tech zone, which has attracted many domestic and foreign businesses with a total investment capital of more than 9 billion USD. 

HCM City will create the best possible conditions for investors from the Republic of Korea to materialise their projects in the locality, he pledged. 

For his part, Woo, who is also President of the Korea-Vietnam Economic and Cultural Association, said his group aims to study the Vietnamese market so as to set up a representative office in Southeast Asia. 

After the office is established, it will implement investment projects in HCM City and Vietnam as well. 

The SM Group will focus on goods circulation, maritime transportation, and smart urban development, while expanding cooperation in production and business in Vietnam, he said.

Vietnam aims to promote multilateral diplomacy

Promoting and enhancing the role of multilateral diplomacy in the context of intensive international integration was the main topic of a plenary session of the 30th Diplomatic Conference in Hanoi on August 16.

Chaired by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung, the session saw the participation of leaders from relevant ministries, agencies and sectors as well as heads of Vietnamese representative agencies abroad.

The participants thoroughly grasped the Directive No. 25-CT/TW on promoting and enhancing the role of multilateral diplomacy until 2030 issued by the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat on August 8, 2018, and agreed on the significance of the issuance of the directive in the current context.

The directive will be a guideline for Vietnam’s multilateral diplomatic affairs over the next years in all fields such as economy, politics, defence, security, society, environment, education-training, science-technology and culture.

They held that Vietnam’s multilateral diplomacy have been expanded and enhanced both regionally and globally.

The delegates stressed the need for the country to have an overall strategy and plans of action, as well as resources and a contingent of capable officials to implement the directive.

Vietnam should focus on a number of prioritized tasks in the coming time, such as successfully taking over the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020, running for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council in the 2020-2021 term and boosting cooperation within regional frameworks, the participants noted.

Vietnam aims to promote multilateral diplomacy

Promoting and enhancing the role of multilateral diplomacy in the context of intensive international integration was the main topic of a plenary session of the 30th Diplomatic Conference in Hanoi on August 16.

Chaired by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung, the session saw the participation of leaders from relevant ministries, agencies and sectors as well as heads of Vietnamese representative agencies abroad.

The participants thoroughly grasped the Directive No. 25-CT/TW on promoting and enhancing the role of multilateral diplomacy until 2030 issued by the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat on August 8, 2018, and agreed on the significance of the issuance of the directive in the current context.

The directive will be a guideline for Vietnam’s multilateral diplomatic affairs over the next years in all fields such as economy, politics, defence, security, society, environment, education-training, science-technology and culture.

They held that Vietnam’s multilateral diplomacy have been expanded and enhanced both regionally and globally.

The delegates stressed the need for the country to have an overall strategy and plans of action, as well as resources and a contingent of capable officials to implement the directive.

Vietnam should focus on a number of prioritized tasks in the coming time, such as successfully taking over the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020, running for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council in the 2020-2021 term and boosting cooperation within regional frameworks, the participants noted.

Indonesia’s Independence Day celebrated in HCM City

A get-together was held in HCM City on August 16 to mark the 73rd anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence Day (August 17, 1945-2018)

The event was co-organised by the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) and the Vietnam-Indonesia Friendship Association’s HCM City chapter (VIFA HCM City).

Speaking at the function, Indonesian Consul General to HCM City Hanif Salim noted with pleasure the strong development of the bilateral ties in all fields, especially politics, diplomacy, economy, culture, education and people-to-people exchange.

He thanked HUFO for closely coordinating with the Indonesian Consul General in implementing cooperation activities, thus enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries’ people.

He expressed his wish to receive the union’s continued support to further step up collaboration and amity between the people of Indonesia and HCM City. 

The diplomat also pledged to try his best to foster bilateral diplomatic ties as well as promote economic development in both nations, thus bringing practical benefits to their people.

VIFA HCM City President Le Ton Thanh said since Vietnam and Indonesia upgrade their ties to a strategic partnership in June 2013, the two countries have recorded numerous achievements, both intensively and extensively, through high-level visits and meetings, and the signing of cooperation agreements in the fields of politics, economy and culture.

The two sides have regularly promoted their collaboration at two important forums, namely the Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation and the Bilateral Cooperation Committee, he said.

Diplomatic activities and development cooperation have helped HCM City’s people understand more about the socio-economy and culture of Indonesia, he added.

Two-way trade between Vietnam and Indonesia hit 6.4 billion USD in 2017, up 20 percent against the previous year.

At present, the Indonesian Government is providing scholarships for Vietnamese citizens under three programmes sponsored by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education, and Ministry of Education and Culture.