Deputy PM instructs preparations for WEF ASEAN

Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Minh 

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh has asked relevant ministries, agencies, and localities to promptly complete preparations for the World Economic Forum on ASEAN (WEF ASEAN) slated for September 11-13 in Hanoi. 

The WEF ASEAN is one of Vietnam’s key diplomatic activities this year, he said, stressing the need to ensure organisation efficiency in terms of politics, external affairs, economy, culture, and social affairs. 

Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to content, communication work, reception, security, and material facilities in line with Vietnamese regulations, as well as the standards and rules of WEF events, the Deputy PM said. 

The content should carry the message of a dynamic and open Vietnam that has stepped up its growth model reform and intensive and extensive international integration, as well as constructively participating in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and thus demonstrating the country’s hallmarks and contributions to regional issues of shared concern. 

He asked the Ministry of Sciences and Technology to closely coordinate with the WEF ASEAN organising committee to put together an innovative startup forum. At the same time, the committee will team up with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry to prepare for the Vietnam business summit. 

Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang city, and Quang Ninh province must join hands with the committee in preparation for communication work and optimise exchanges with leading groups to promote collaboration in trade, technology, and tourism, as well as attract more investments, he said.

Top Chinese leader affirms desire to develop ties with Vietnam

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping (R) welcomes Politburo member Tran Quoc Vuong, permanent member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee 

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping has affirmed that the Chinese Party, Government, and people attach great importance to and are willing to work, together with their Vietnamese counterparts, to continuously consolidate and develop relations between the two Parties and countries. 

Xi made the remarks during a reception for Tran Quoc Vuong, Politburo member and permanent member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, in Beijing, China, on August 20. 

The Chinese leader said he hopes that the two sides will continue to increase the exchange of high-level delegations, intensify mutual political trust, enhance strategic connectivity and promote humanitarian exchanges, thus developing the relationship between the two Parties and nations stably and healthily in the coming time.

The continuous nurture and consolidation of the neighbourliness and friendship between the two Parties and countries is of strategic significance to each side, Xi said. 

He noted with pleasure the great achievements the Vietnamese Party, State, and people have recorded during the reform process, voicing his belief that the Vietnamese people, under the leadership of the CPV, would successfully complete the targets and tasks set in the 12th National Party Congress’s Resolution. 

For his part, Vuong congratulated the Chinese Party, State, and people on the successful organisation of the 19th National Party Congress and the first sessions of the 13th National People’s Congress and the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. 

The official expressed his belief that under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi as the core, the Chinese people would firmly reap greater achievements in the cause of socialist building and reform. 

He held that the active progress has been made in relations between the two Parties and nations across many fields, noting the first-ever exchange of visits by their top leaders in the same year in 2017. 

Vietnam highly evaluated Xi’s selection of Vietnam as the first country he paid a State visit to, as well as his attendance at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Vietnam’s central Da Nang city right after the 19th National Party Congress, Vuong said. 

He called on the two sides to effectively realise the perceptions reached by senior leaders of the two Parties and countries, while continuing to strengthen political trust, improving the efficiency of existing cooperation mechanisms, properly handling maritime issues, maintaining the development trend of bilateral ties, and ensuring peace and stability in the region. 

Also on August 20, Vuong held talks with Wang Huning, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau and member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee. 

They briefed each other on the situation of their respective Parties and countries, and reviewed some of the past achievements and shortcomings in Vietnam-China relations. 

The two officials also discussed measures to fully and seriously implement agreements and common perceptions reached by senior leaders of the two Parties and nations, and to satisfactorily settle sea-related issues, thus improving the efficiency of practical and mutually-beneficial cooperation in different fields. 

During his five-day visit, starting on August 19, Vuong had working sessions with several agencies under the CPC Central Committee on issues of mutual concern, and visited the Vietnamese Embassy in China.

Vietnam, US step up defence cooperation

Sen. Lt. Gen. Phan Van Giang (R), Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and Deputy Minister of National Defence, meets with Commanding General of the US Army Pacific Command Gen. Robert B. Brown on August 20 

Sen. Lieut. Gen. Phan Van Giang, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and Deputy Minister of National Defence, hosted a reception on August 20 for Commanding General of the US Army Pacific Command (USARPAC) Gen. Robert B. Brown.

At the meeting, Giang spoke highly of the outcomes of defence cooperation between Vietnam and the US over the past time, especially in the settlement of post-war consequences, search and rescue operations, disaster relief, maritime security and UN peacekeeping operations. 

Giang said he hopes that the Vietnamese and US armies will step up their collaboration on the basis of equality and mutual respect, for the sake of each country, and for peace and stability in the region. 

Brown, who is in Vietnam to attend the 42nd Pacific Armies Management Seminar, informed the host about the results of his earlier working session with Sen. Lieut. Gen. Pham Ngoc Minh, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the VPA. 

He stressed that Vietnam and the US hold huge potential for cooperation, and pledged that in his capacity, he will make all-out efforts to develop the bilateral defence ties practically and effectively. 

The 42nd Pacific Armies Management Seminar, themed “Cooperation Among Indo-Asian Pacific Land Forces in Humanitarian Assistance, Disaster Response,” took place in Hanoi on August 20. 

It was co-chaired by Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the VPA Sen. Lieut. Gen. Pham Hong Huong and Gen. Robert B. Brown.

HCM City celebrates Vietnam-Canada diplomatic relations

Deputy Director of the municipal Department of External Affairs Nguyen Tuan addresses the ceremony

A ceremony was held in Ho Chi Minh City on August 21 to mark the 45th founding anniversary of Vietnam-Canada diplomatic relations (August 21, 1973-2018).

Addressing the event, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of External Affairs Nguyen Tuan noted that in recent years, along with regular meetings between senior leaders, Vietnam and Canada have increased the exchange of delegations and step up bilateral partnership, focusing on the areas of politics-diplomacy, economy-trade, education-training, and development cooperation.

Particularly, in 2017, within the official visit to Vietnam by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the two countries agreed to lift up bilateral ties to the level of comprehensive partnership, which is not only a milestone in their relations but also a motivation for the promotion of friendship, more extensive and effective cooperation, especially when they are sharing interests in bilateral, regional and international aspects, he said.

Tuan lauded the efforts of the Consulate General and community of Canada in Ho Chi Minh City in working with the city to organise various activities to foster people-to-people exchanges and raise public awareness of different issues such as environmental protection, climate change response, women and children empowerment, support for the disabled, and the fight against human trafficking.

Kyle Nunas, Canadian Consul General in HCM City highlighted strides in the bilateral partnership, especially in trade, investment, education-training, culture, and tourism. Visits by leaders of the two nations have opened up new cooperation prospects for the two countries in many fields, he said.

Nunas suggested that Vietnam and Canada should exert more efforts to realise cooperation activities, thus forging stronger affiliation in all fields.

Along with many multilateral organisations and international forums in which both countries are members, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is also a good chance for the two nations to promote economic cooperation, he added.

Currently, more than 250,000 Vietnamese Canadian and 14,000 Vietnamese students are living, working and studying in Canada. In 2017, trade revenue between the two countries reached nearly 5 billion USD. Vietnam is now the biggest trade partner of Canada among ASEAN countries, while Canada ranks 14th out of 112 countries and territories investing in Vietnam with 149 projects worth 4.1 billion USD.

Tay Ninh should become high-quality agricultural hub: PM

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (standing) at the meeting with leaders of Tay Ninh province

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that the southern province of Tay Ninh boast huge potential to become a national hub for high-quality agricultural production.

At a meeting with the provincial leaders on August 21, PM Phuc said that having strengths in organic farming together with intensive processing, the province should continue expanding processing models, and developing additional goods and services.

Alongside economic development, the province should pay attention to sustainable environmental protection, especially sewage and forest environment issues.

Urging the locality to pay due attention to the fight against smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods through border gates, he laid stress on the need of combining socio-economic development with ensuring defence and security in the border areas.

He asked relevant ministries and branches to recommend mechanisms and policies facilitating conditions for the province to carry out infrastructure projects.

The Ministry of Transport was requested to submit the pre-feasibility study for the building of Ho Chi Minh City-Moc Bai highway to the Prime Minister in September in order to map out appropriate land clearance measures, he said, adding that construction of the road should begin next year.

Representatives from ministries highlighted the province’s potential in tourism, and recommended that Tay Ninh make tourism a key point in socio-economic development in the coming time. 

At the same time, they reminded the province to pay heed to forest protection while developing eco-tourism development, especially in the Ba Den (Black Lady) Mountain region.

Tay Ninh province has favourable geographical conditions for socio-economic development, with flat terrain and fertile soil and temperate climate. The Trans-Asia road connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Cambodia through Moc Bai border gate crosses the locality, making it a gateway for trade exchange and investment between Vietnam and the ASEAN bloc.

Also, it is home to many historical and cultural sites including the headquarters of the former Central Bureau for Southern Vietnam during the anti-US war, the Nui Ba Historical and Cultural Complex with majestic natural landscapes and sacred pagodas and temples, and the Cao Dai Church Holy See.

Furthermore, the province boasts the Lo Go Xa Mat national park with a wide range of fauna and flora, and Dau Tieng Lake, the largest irrigation reservoir in the Southeast Asian region.

Workshop talks ASEAN entrepreneurs in revolution 4.0

Opportunities and challenges facing ASEAN enterprises in the fourth industrial revolution (4.0) were the main discussion at a workshop hosted by the Foreign Ministry in Hanoi on August 21. 

The event, themed “ASEAN 4.0: entrepreneurs in the fourth industrial revolution”, forms part of activities ahead the World Economic Forum (WEF) ASEAN 2018 that will take place in Hanoi from September 11-13.

It saw the participation of representatives from ASEAN embassies in Vietnam, ministries, leaders of top local technology enterprises and economic experts.

Participants shared ideas and made policy recommendations to help ASEAN enterprises improve their adaptation to and increase their participation in the 4.0 industrial revolution, thus maintaining the region’s active development.

In his opening speech, Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said: “Vietnam is striving for sustainable growth on the basis of improving the quality of growth and taking advantage of the opportunities of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 to increase its labour productivity and competitiveness to move up the ladder in the global value chain.” 

Vietnam is working to be one of the world’s top 10 biggest software and digital content outsourcing service nations, with about 1 million employees in the IT field by 2020, Son said.

The Deputy Foreign Minister also highlighted the opportunities for ASEAN developing nations to make fast, sustainable and inclusive development in the fourth revolution.

ASEAN is the world's sixth-largest economy with 630 million people, of whom, 260 million have a regular access to the Internet. The number is expected to increase to 480 million by 2020.

In Vietnam, about 60 percent of the 93 million population are under 35 years of age. They have a quick access to new technology and about 55 percent of the population use the Internet.

Son cited estimates of Google and Singaporean Temasek groups, saying that the Southeast Asian internet economy will reach 200 billion USD by 2025, or 6 percent of the region's total GDP.

“This is a favourable foundation and a big enough market for innovation and investment in new business models in the region as well as in Vietnam,” Son said.

However, Son also highlighted challenges posed in the 4.0 industrial revolution. Large-scale automation, changing business models that cause disturbance, displacement, and employment replacement in large scale, especially in labor-intensive industries. 

“This poses an urgent need for vocational education and training in many ASEAN countries,” he said.

According to the International Labor Organisation (ILO), about 56 percent of the workforce of five ASEAN countries, namely Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, are at high risk of being replaced by new technologies in about two decades.

Son suggested each ASEAN Government and ASEAN business promote self-reliance, find new ways to adapt to and prosper in a fast-paced world under the influence of new technology.

Vietnam and the World Economic Forum will co-host the ASEAN World Economic Forum 2018 (WEF ASEAN 2018) in Hanoi from September 11 to 13.

This is one of Vietnam's biggest foreign events this year, attracting more than 1,000 domestic and international delegates.

The WEF ASEAN 2018 co-hosting is the initiative of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab.

Under the theme "ASEAN 4.0: Enterprise Spirit in the 4th Industrial Revolution", the conference is expected to promote dialogues and share the vision, ideas and policy directions related to the 4.0 revolution in ASEAN and around the world.

The agenda of the WEF ASEAN 2018 was also elaborated on this year's ASEAN theme: “ASEAN Resilience and Innovation”.

Greetings to Muslims on Eid al-Adha festival

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Tran Thanh Man has extended his greetings to Muslim imams and followers nationwide on the occasion of Eid al-Adha Festival - one of the two most important festivals in the Muslim calendar.

In his letter sent to the Muslim community, Man said that the community had actively participated in patriotic emulation movements launched by the Front at all levels, and responded to charitable activities and those to prevent crimes, protect the environment and adapt to climate change, thus helping strengthen the great national unity bloc.

He appreciated the efforts and contributions by representative and management boards of cathedrals as well as the entire Muslim community.

The VFF leader wished the Muslim community welcome a new year with many blessings from Allah, and maintain close unity and support to each other to build a better life.

This year, the holiday, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, or Greater Eid, falls on August 21-25.

Gathering celebrates Hungary’s National Day in HCM City

A gathering held to celebrate the National Day of Hungary (August 20) 

The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations and the municipal chapter of the Vietnam-Hungary Friendship Association (VHFA) held a gathering on August 20 to celebrate the National Day of Hungary (August 20).

Chairman of the VHFA’s municipal chapter Le Minh Triet highlighted the time-honoured friendship and growing cooperation between the two countries, including those between Ho Chi Minh City and Hungary’s Budapest capital.

He spoke of the role of the VHFA over the past years in connecting Vietnamese and Hungarian partners and closely working with the Hungarian Consulate General in HCM City to carry out numerous exchanges and cooperative and friendly activities between the two countries, and HCM City and Budapest in particular.

Hungarian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Baloghdi Tibor said after re-establishment in 2016, the Consulate General in the city has coordinated with Vietnamese partners to successfully organise activities in trade and investment promotion, cultural exchanges, music performances and art exhibitions.

The Consulate General will continue promoting various cooperative activities with Vietnamese partners in HCM City such as cultural exchange, music shows and cinematographic cooperation

HCM City and Budapest signed an agreement on increasing friendship and cooperation in 2015. Two years later, HCM City’s District 1 and Budapest’s District 11 set up friendly and cooperative relations. From this year, Hungary provides 200 scholarships for Vietnamese students, doubling that of 2017.

Top legislator attends talk on late President Ton Duc Thang

From left: NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, former NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung and NA Vice Chairman Phung Quoc Hien, at the talk

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan on August 20 attended a talk about late President Ton Duc Thang on the occasion of his 130th birth anniversary.

Participants at the event recalled the life and revolutionary career of the late President.

Born on August 20, 1888 at Ong Ho islet, An Hoa village, now My Hoa Hung commune of Long Xuyen city, An Giang province, Ton Duc Thang joined the patriotic movement against the French colonialists since young age. During the time working abroad, he participated in workers’ movement in France, the rising of the French Navy in the Black Sea in support of the October Revolution in Russia.  

Returning to Vietnam in 1920, the late President founded the first workers’ union in Vietnam and led the worker’ movement in Sai Gon, with the Ba Son strike being the most typical example of the movement’s activities. He then joined the Vietnam Revolutionary Youth's Union and was entrusted with several key positions. He was arrested by the French colonialists in 1929 and was imposed 20 years of hard labour in prision. In Con Dao prison, he was among the founders of the first Party cell in prison. 

With the success of the August Revolution, Ton Duc Thang regained his freedom and immediately joined the resistance war against the French invaders. He was assigned many important missions by the Party, and in any position, Ton Duc Thang fulfilled his duty, setting a bright example of patriotism, firm revolutionary will, loyalty and revolutionary ethics.

His great contributions to the Vietnamese revolution, the world peace movement and international friendship had won recognition in the form of many noble order and awards. He was the first person to be conferred with the Sao Vang (Golden Star) Order by the Vietnamese Party and State. He was also awarded with the Lenin Order and the Lenin Prize of the Soviet Union.

Congratulations on 45th anniversary of Vietnam-Canada ties

President Tran Dai Quang (R) meets Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Hanoi in November 2017 

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang on August 20 sent a message of congratulations to Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, on the 45th founding anniversary of Vietnam-Canada diplomatic relations (August 21, 1973-2018).

The same day, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc cabled a congratulatory message to his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau.

Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan also congratulated Speaker of the Canadian Senate George Furey and Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons Geoff Regan. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh also took the occasion to extend a congratulatory message to Canadian Foreign Minister Alexandra Chrystia Freeland. 

Vietnam is currently Canada’s biggest trade partner in ASEAN with bilateral trade reaching nearly 5 billion USD in 2017. Canada ranks 14th among the 112 nations and territories investing in Vietnam, with 149 projects totalling 4.1 billion USD.

Recently, Canada announced its support of official development assistance (ODA) for a project developing cooperatives in Vietnam, another to help the country respond to climate change, and two others on food safety.

Bilateral cooperation in education and training has been enjoying a strong growth, with the number of Vietnamese students in Canada rising twofold in the past 10 years to 12,000, the largest among all ASEAN countries. 

Congratulations to newly-elected leaders of Pakistan

New Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi (Source: Khaama Press)

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on August 20 cabled a congratulatory message to Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi on his election as Prime Minister of Pakistan.

The same day, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan extended a message of congratulations to Asad Qaiser for his election as Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also congratulated Pakistan’s new Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

Vietnam and Pakistan have worked to set out initiatives and practical, flexible measures to reach the target of 1 billion USD in bilateral trade by 2020.

The two countries also agreed to increase the exchange of business delegations to optimise investment and business opportunities.

Pakistan is the biggest importer of Vietnamese tea. The export value earned from this market accounted for 32.1 percent of Vietnam’s tea exports, or 29.9 million USD, in the first half of this year. 

Role of NA spotlighted in State diplomacy

The National Assembly has helped to strengthen relations between Vietnam and many foreign countries, especially neighbouring and regional nations, traditional friends, and strategic and comprehensive partners, said National Assembly (NA) Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu. 

The legislator said at a seminar in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on August 20 that the Vietnamese legislative body has set up ties with 140 parliaments and become a member of many parliamentary cooperation organisations worldwide.

Parliamentary diplomacy has significantly contributed to materialising the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, diversification, and multilateralisation, thus improving Vietnam’s global image and position, he noted. 

He cited multilateral parliamentary mechanisms in which Vietnam has participated, such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie, the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum, and the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership. 

Vietnam has proposed several initiatives and constructive recommendations, proving itself a responsible member of the international community, Luu said. 

He, however, pointed out difficulties facing the legislature’s external affairs, especially regarding personnel, strategic research, and situation forecasting. 

Representatives from the foreign ministry, Vietnamese embassies, and international delegates presented speeches on the regional and global situation, and parliamentary diplomacy during the implementation of State’s foreign policy, among other topics. 

The event, jointly held by the NA’s Committee for External Affairs and Germany’s Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, last until August 21.