Late President Ho Chi Minh was not only a beloved leader of the Vietnamese people, but his life and career also left good impressions on many international friends and won their hearts.

Indian journalist Sandip Hor, Vice President of the Foreign Correspondents’ Association in Australia, said he came to know Ho Chi Minh in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when his hometown - Kolkata city in India’s West Bengal state - witnessed demonstrations in support of the fight against the US and for national reunification in Vietnam. Since then, the great leader of Vietnam has been the one he always admires.

Talking to Vietnam News Agency, Hor recounted that in Kolkata, called Calcutta then, people went on many marches protesting the war and supporting the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam). As protestors advocated President Ho Chi Minh’s revolutionary ideals, many posters featuring images of the Vietnamese leader were placed along local streets.

Those posters were the first images of Ho Chi Minh that he knew, he said, noting that also at that time, the West Bengal administration named a central street in Calcutta capital after the leader who was a source of inspiration for the local liberation movement from 1945.

It was not until 2006 that Sandip Hor had a chance to come to Vietnam for the first time. During this trip, like many other foreign visitors to the country, he paid tribute to Ho Chi Minh at the mausoleum and the stilt house where the late leader used to live in.

The journalist has re-visited Vietnam many times since then, and through those trips, he has gained even better understanding of the country’s history as well as Ho Chi Minh, he added.

Anjuska Weil, Chairwoman of the Switzerland - Vietnam Friendship Association and Honorary President of the Swiss Party of Labour, said her youth in the 1960s was marked with anti-war activities in support of Vietnam, along with the poem collection “Prison Dairy” by Ho Chi Minh that she was given at the age of 17 by her mother.

Those poems greatly impressed her and since then, she invested efforts in learning about Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam, Weil said, noting that the more she learned, the more she was impressed with his dignity and ideology.

Her decision to become a member of the Swiss Party of Labour was closely linked with Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, she added.

She expressed her hope that the late President’s dignity, ideology, and brilliant revolutionary career will become known more among young people in the West.

Meanwhile, Wang Feng, daughter of late journalist Wang Weizhen - former head of the Xinhua News Agency’s bureau in Hanoi from 1955 to 1960, was the small girl in the photo with President Ho Chi Minh taken on May 20, 1957 by Mai Nam.

The picture was taken when she, called Wang Xiaohong then, followed her parents who came to the Gia Lam airfield to cover Soviet Union Marshall Kliment Yefremovich Voroshilov’s visit to Vietnam.

The 70-year-old recalled that she was eager to meet Vietnamese heroes after hearing stories about them told by her father and other Xinhua correspondents who interviewed them. She was very happy to meet the President of Vietnam, and that moment is still fresh in her mind today.

After Ho Chi Minh passed away in 1969, she has come back to Vietnam four times. She plans to re-visit the country and pay homage to the late leader again after the COVID-19 pandemic is over, Wang said, voicing the wish that Vietnam - her second home - will continue developing.

Vietnam is marking the 132nd birth anniversary of Ho Chi Minh (May 19, 1890 - 2022).

Probiotic spores research centre opens in Hanoi

A Spobiotic (probiotic spores) Research Centre, the first of its kind in the country, was opened in Hà Nội on Wednesday.

The centre aims to serve in-depth research on probiotic spores based in the fields of microbiology, biophysics, biochemistry, molecular biology and cell, according to Anh.

The centre, with a total investment of US$1 million, equipped with many modern machines and equipment, is operated by LiveSpo Global JSC.

According to a study published in the Lancet magazine in early 2022, about five million people die from antibiotic resistance every year around the world.

According to the principles, to kill pathogenic bacteria, in addition to antibiotics, probiotic spores can be used to inhibit and destroy pathogenic bacteria.

In 2014, LiveSpo Global JSC's made-in-Việt Nam probiotic spores products were exported for the first time. The company's probiotic spores products have now been exported to 20 countries. 

Continued caution urged for international arrivals as testing dropped

The General Department of Preventive Medicine has urged continuing surveillance, early detection and swift resolution of new COVID-19 outbreaks, especially unusual ones related to people entering the country.

Last Wednesday, the Government and the Ministry of Health issued updated instructions on pandemic control, primarily the suspension of COVID testing being a requirement to enter the country and the scrapping of medical declarations for national and international travel. 

However, the department said that people should still be vigilant and health protection measures should be maintained. Instructions at border gates on pandemic control in Việt Nam should be in various forms and languages, suitable for different residents at different border gates.

To implement COVID-19 prevention and control measures in the new situation and to protect people's health, the department requested concerned organisations to strictly comply with instructions of the Government and the MoH, ensuring pandemic prevention and control and also creating favourable conditions to promote socio-economic development.

Book in Vietnamese, English, Thai released about life of President Hồ

With the desire to convey valuable information about President Hồ Chí Minh's journey to spread patriotism among the overseas Vietnamese community in Thailand, Vietnamese and Thai researchers painstakingly compiled a book written in three languages – Vietnamese, Thai and English.

Vietnamese and Thai versions of the book “President Hồ Chí Mính, the Founder of Modern Vietnam – Thailand Relations,” co-authored by Assistant Professor Dr Trương Thị Hằng at Lampang Rajabhat University and Professor Chuan Petkaew at Suratthani Rajabhat University in Thailand, was published in May 2019.

The English version of the five-chapter book by Associate Professor Dr Prachacksha Saisang, former lecturer at Thailand’s Naresuan University was published in celebration of Hồ Chí Minh’s 130th birthday (May 19, 1890 – May 19, 2020).

The female doctorate, who is currently teaching at Lampang Rajabhat University in Thailand, said that with the book "President Hồ Chí Minh, the Founder of Modern Vietnam – Thailand relations" written in Thai, she expected that Thai readers would have the opportunity to understand more about the spirit of peace-loving, international solidarity and especially the deep affection that President Hồ Chí Minh had for the country and people of Thailand.

She said that she and Thai co-author Professor Chuan Petkaew tried very hard to bring Vietnamese and Thai documents to research and cross-checked to get the most objective information.

The two co-authors hoped that the book would create favourable conditions for Thai researchers, lecturers and students to have access to new and accurate sources about the life and career of President Hồ Chí Minh.

Sufficient understanding could help enhance his influence as well as honour the immortal values ​​that President Hồ Chí Minh bestowed upon the Vietnamese people, as well as to progress mankind.

Rajabhat Lampang University introduced and gave the book to agencies, organisations and readers in Thailand and Việt Nam in  May 2019.

In addition, the university also donated books to the libraries of 100 universities across Thailand so that Thai teachers and students would have additional materials during their research on the biography of President Hồ Chí Minh – one of the world's greatest leaders of the twentieth century.

Regarding future plans, Hằng said that because of few documents written on the biography of President Hồ Chí Minh in Thai and English, many Thai people only knew President Hồ Chí Minh as a political activist, but do not know him as a poet, writer or journalist.

Grieving family overwhelmed by generosity after motorbike crash

The family of a young man killed in a motorbike smash earlier this week in central Việt Nam say they have been overwhelmed by the generosity from both friends and strangers.

In just a few hours, more than VNĐ374 million ($16,000) was donated to a JustGiving page set up to pay for the body of Denver Barfield to be repatriated to his home in the UK.

The 24-year-old from Leicester in the East Midlands, died after losing control of the motorcycle he was riding from Hội An City to Điện Bàn township in the early hours of Monday morning.

Another UK national, Beth Thompson, believed to have been from the Essex area of the UK, also lost her life in the accident.

His mum, Desby Clayton, told LeicestershireLive: "He was meant to be off to Cambodia and then Bali before finishing off in Perth. He was starting his new graduate job in London in the second week of July.

"My baby had his whole life ahead of him. On Saturday, he rang me and said he booked a sleep train which cost him £40."

"He said he went for the luxury one because the standard one was sold out, and how he was happy to get some good sleep. It was the last time I spoke to him."

She described her son as passionate, with an "enthusiasm for life". She said Denver was, "one of a kind - a special kind - he was quirky, loving and unique".

She added: "I just want my baby home. I just want him back where he belongs with me.

"I've been terrible since I've found out. It should've been me and not him. They should've taken me."

"Everybody loved him. I've had hundreds and hundreds of messages since I shared the news. He never said a bad word about anyone.

"He saw good in bad people. When he walked into the room he lit it up. I can't believe he's gone."

The current amount raised through donations stands at almost $25,000.

Initial reports from police in Hội An named the two victims as Denver Christopher Marcus and Thompson Peth May.

Hanoi art performance marks President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday

An art performance was held in Hanoi on May 18 to celebrate the 132nd birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh.

Hosted by the Van hoa (culture) Newspaper under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in coordination with relevant agencies, the event was broadcast live on H1 TV channel of the Hanoi Television, with the participation of many famous artists.

It spotlighted the late President’s life and career, and the love of Vietnamese people for the homeland and the late leader.

Many valuable documentary images about him were screened interspersed with songs during the event, highlighting his care for children and soldiers, farmers, intellectuals, and workers.

Tokyo to host 14th Vietnam Festival in June

The 14th Vietnam Festival is scheduled to take place at Yoyogi Park in Tokyo, Japan, from June 4-5.

The information was revealed by Aoyagi Yoichiro, member of Japan’s House of Representatives and head of the festival managing board, at a press conference in Tokyo on May 18.

The first Vietnam Festival in Japan was held in 2008 as part of the activities to celebrate the 35th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. It is one of the largest annual festivals in Tokyo, which does not only promote Vietnamese cuisine and culture to Japanese people but also helps enhance mutual understanding between their people.

Vietnam, Singapore agree to further advance parliamentary relations

Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Vuong Dinh Hue and visiting Speaker of the Singaporean Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin held talks in Hanoi on May 18, sharing view on the need for their countries to further intensify overall relations and parliamentary ties so as to step up the strategic partnership.

Speaker Tan, who is paying an official visit to Vietnam, thanked the country for supporting Singapore in COVID-19 response, noting the two countries’ cooperation and mutual assistance are growing even more strongly.

Chairman Hue congratulated Singapore for successfully containing the pandemic and reopening the economy. He also appreciated its precious provision of COVID-19 vaccine and medical supplies for Vietnam and said he hopes the two sides will continue cooperating in scientific research on COVID-19 and other epidemics, firstly the current unexplained hepatitis in children.

Vietnam attaches great importance to the countries’ strategic partnership and views Singapore as one of its leading partners in ASEAN in terms of both politics and economy, he stressed, asking both sides to coordinate closely to prepare for the 50th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership in 2023.

He noted Singapore is a leading investor in Vietnam, and that the Vietnamese NA and Government always welcome foreign investors, including those from Singapore, and pledge to keep reforming and perfecting policies and laws while helping address obstacles to Singaporean projects in the country.

Suggesting the two sides continue sharing experience in developing a digital economy, a green economy, and renewable energy, Hue expressed his hope for stronger cooperation to connect Vietnamese cities with Singapore to exchange experience in green and sustainable development.

The top legislators held that the signing of a cooperation agreement between the two parliaments this time will help further tighten bilateral links, especially by increasing all-level contacts and discussions in different forms, sharing institutional building experience, maintaining coordination at multilateral forums and organisations, and supporting each other’s stances on regional and international issues of common concern.

Hue suggested Tan help connect Vietnamese and Singaporean businesses in agriculture, especially hi-tech farming, and promote the city state’s import of high-value products from Vietnam.

He asked both countries to focus on a cooperation model in which products are invented in Singapore and produced in Vietnam; effectively implement cooperation in defence, personnel training, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and crime fight.

The host leader recommended the two parliaments support the negotiation and signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in cyber security and some other important documents on mutual legal assistance and transnational crime combat.

The Chairman voiced his hope that Singapore will bring into play its role in the region, help with connectivity enhancement and community building in ASEAN, maintain the bloc’s centrality, and coordinate ASEAN’s common stance on regional issues.

He called on his counterpart to continue supporting ASEAN’s common stance on safeguarding peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation in the East Sea, and peacefully resolving disputes on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Hue thanked Singapore for backing Vietnam’s candidacy for membership in the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf for 2023 - 2028, asking it to support Vietnam to run for a seat in the Legal and Technical Commission of the International Seabed Authority for 2023 - 2027.

Agreeing with his host’s proposals, Tan said the two countries boast strong economic ties, and Singaporean firms’ enormous trust in Vietnam remains unchanged and is still increasing.

He shared the view that the countries can work together more closely in boosting digital transformation, green economy, and sustainable development.

Singapore supports its enterprises to seek investment and business opportunities in multiple localities of Vietnam, he noted, adding that the success in economic relations will create not only value in terms of the money flow but also people-to-people connectivity, friendship, and amity between the two countries.

Showing support for his guest’s opinions, Chairman Hue affirmed that their countries still have much room for reinforcing all-round cooperation, in which the collaboration in law and policy making is highly important. The two parliaments have sufficient conditions and need to cement their ties so as to actively and effectively contribute to the Vietnam - Singapore strategic partnership.

Following the talks, the leaders signed a cooperation agreement between the two parliaments.

NA leader meets Greek President in Hanoi

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue had a meeting with visiting Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou in Hanoi on May 18, during which the Vietnamese top legislator expressed his delight at the growing friendship and all-round partnership between the two countries.

Hue noted that economic cooperation and trade between Vietnam and Greece have seen positive progress, especially since the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) took effect.

He proposed that the two countries continue to promote collaboration in areas of Greece’s strength and Vietnam’s demand such as maritime economy, shipbuilding, seaport, and tourism, while working together to reach a double taxation avoidance agreement and another on maritime transportation to create favourable conditions for economic exchange and trade.

The NA leader thanked the Greek parliament for ratifying the EVFTA, suggesting that it hasten the act on the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) as well as the removal of the “yellow card” on Vietnamese fisheries sector.

The two sides should work closely together to optimise advantages from the two deals, protecting the legitimate interest of businesses of both countries during their investment and business activities in each other’s market, he said.

Hue proposed that President Sakellaropoulou and the Greek Government continue to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the country to settle down. He proposed that the two sides speed up the formation of twinning relations among localities, and finalise procedures for the establishment of such relations between Sparta city-state of Greece and Hue city of Vietnam, contributing to promoting people-to-people exchange.

For her part, President Sakellaropoulou pointed to potential for bilateral cooperation in history and culture.

She agreed with the Vietnamese top legislator’s proposal to beef up bilateral trade, saying her visit aims to further beef up bilateral partnership and that the bilateral double taxation avoidance agreement and maritime transportation agreement will be signed soon.

The Greek President said her, with rich experience in protecting heritage against climate change impacts, education and tourism, can cooperate with Vietnam in the field.

NA Chairman Hue expressed his hope that the Greek President supports the promotion of parliamentary cooperation between the two countries in both bilateral framework and at multilateral parliament forums.

He thanked Greece and said he hopes that the country will continue to support the stance of ASEAN and Vietnam in the East Sea issue on the basis of respect to international law, as well as ASEAN-led mechanisms.

The Vietnamese NA leader took the occasion to, through President Sakellaropoulou, invite Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Konstantinos Tasoulas to visit Vietnam at a convenient time.

President wishes for more Vietnam-Singapore cooperation projects

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc said he hopes to see more cooperation projects between Vietnam and Singapore while hosting visiting Speaker of the Singaporean Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin in Hanoi on May 19.

Bilateral trade is growing positively, with more and more Singaporean-invested projects in Vietnam, Phuc said, considering the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) model a symbol of economic collaboration between the nations.

He said he wishes for further bilateral cooperation in the field of human resources training, which serves as a firm foundation for both nations’ socio-economic development.

Speaker Tan, who is paying an official visit to Vietnam, said special celebration activities are earmarked for 2023, which marks the 50th founding anniversary of the countries’ diplomatic relations. On the occasion, the Singaporean Prime Minister wants to visit Vietnam, he added.

Expressing impressions on Vietnam's hosting of SEA Games 31,Tan said the organisation of the region's largest sport tournament helps boost people-to-people exchange among participating nations.

Telling his host about a memorandum of understanding between the Vietnamese and Singaporean parliaments, the top legislator considered it an important basis for tightening cooperation in contribution to the two nations' economic development.

Echoing Tan, Phuc said the two nations have paid great attention to collaboration in not only the economic field but also in the judicial and legislative sectors. Education, tourism, security and defence are also solid cooperation contents between Vietnam and Singapore, the State leader noted.

He wished that the two countries maintain ASEAN's common stances at international forums regarding the compliance with international law and 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to peacefully settle disputes and ensure security, safety, freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea.

The President also asked the Singaporean Parliament and the National Assembly of Vietnam to keep such stances at multilateral parliamentary forums, such as the AIPA, IPU, APPF, among others.

Top legislator hosts Boeing vice president

Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Vuong Dinh Hue received Michael Arthur, Senior Vice President of Boeing and President of Boeing International, in Hanoi on May 19.

Lauding the aviation group’s activities in Vietnam and sharing its COVID-19-induced difficulties, Hue expressed his belief in Boeing’s post-pandemic recovery, particularly in Southeast Asia and Vietnam.

Vietnam always aims to create the best conditions possible for foreign investors, he stated, telling his guest about the country’s implementation of a monetary and fiscal support package that will last until 2023 and other incentives for enterprises.

Hue welcomed a cooperation pact signed between Boeing and the Vietnamese low budget carrier Vietjet Air on restructuring and further implementation of a commercial contract to buy 200 Boeing 737 aircraft on the occasion of Prime Minister Pham Minh's attendance at the ASEAN-US Special Summit, as well as working visits to the US and United Nations.

He suggested that Boeing continue to work with other airlines in Vietnam such as Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways to adapt to the new situation.

The NA Chairman said he backed Boeing’s plan to establish research and development and technical support centres in Vietnam.

For his part, Arthur said Boeing leaders recently met with leaders of Vietravel Airlines and Vietjet Air to discuss ways to develop cooperation in the near future.

He said Vietnam is the first country where Boeing opened a representative office after the COVID-19 epidemic subsided.

The business leader affirmed his corporation will continue to expand activities to support Vietnam to improve its capacity through aviation training and infrastructure development.

Boeing will also coordinate with Vietnamese management agencies to issue aviation certifications, and expand aviation services and supply chains, he added.

Greek President wraps up official visit to Vietnam

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou left Ho Chi Minh City on May 19, concluding her five-day official visit to Vietnam.

During her stay in Vietnam, President Sakellaropoulou paid tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum, laid a wreath at the Heroic Martyrs’ Monument, held talks with President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, paid a courtesy visit to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, met with National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, witnessed the signing of important documents, and joined a tea party chaired by Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan.

Welcoming the Greek President, Party General Secretary Trong affirmed that Vietnam attaches much importance to its traditional friendship with Greece and is delighted at the important progress in their bilateral ties. He gave a number of proposals to promote the partnership in all fields, and suggested Greece continue to support the Vietnamese community in the country.

During talks between the two presidents, they shared delight that despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, trade between the two countries still increased to 447 million USD in 2021, up 33 percent year on year, and two times higher than the 15 percent growth in Vietnam-EU trade.

The presidents agreed to promote a win-win partnership, while encouraging and creating favourable conditions for businesses from both nations to strengthen exchanges focusing on areas of Vietnam’s demand and Greece's strengths, such as shipbuilding, maritime logistics, energy and agriculture. In order to create a framework for bilateral economic cooperation, they agreed to increase negotiations for a double tax avoidance agreement and another on maritime transport.

In her meeting with the Vietnamese top legislator, President Sakellaropoulou pointed to the potential for bilateral cooperation in history and culture.

Within the framework of her visit, the Greek leader also visited Hanoi’s traditional craft villages, and Quang Ninh province and Ho Chi Minh City.

Her official visit took place in the context that the traditional friendship between the two countries is developing well. It is expected to contribute to strengthening political trust, and deepening multi-faceted cooperation in the fields of politics-diplomacy, economics, culture and tourism.

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