At the symposium

Vietnam’s National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and her Lao counterpart Pany Yathotou chaired a symposium on laws and policies on vocational education and employment, as well as coordination to address public complaints and denunciations, in Vientiane on September 27.

At the opening ceremony, Chairwoman Ngan said vocational education and job generation in Vietnam are stipulated in Vietnam’s constitutions.

Vietnam has defined employment as one of the important policies in the country’s socio-economic development. Therefore, after the launch of Doi Moi (renewal), Vietnam has built many programmes, action plans and arranged budget for this matter, Ngan said.

The country has built an employment strategy for 2011-2020, along with a national target programme and a support fund for employment, she added.

Vietnam has implemented policies on unemployment insurance and assistance, and ensuring job security as well as providing employment support for vulnerable groups in society, said the Vietnamese legislator.

The country has focused on improving vocational skills for workers to create high-quality human resources to serve development.

Besides implementing employment and vocational education policies according to law, Vietnam is stepping up administrative reforms and decentralisation in State management of labour, and ensuring the benefits of employees.

Regarding the settlement of public complaints and denunciations, Chairwoman Ngan said this is an important task in national reform.

Vietnam creates favourable conditions for the people to exercise their right to mastership, and encourages the people to engage in the fight against negative phenomena, corruption and wastefulness.

In 1998, the Vietnamese NA issued the law on complaints and denunciations for the first time to help promote democracy and strengthen the socialist legal system as well as defend the State interests, and legitimate rights and interests of citizens, organisations and agencies, she said.

After many amendments and supplementations, the NA promulgated the law on complaints in 2011 and the law on denunciations in 2018, she added.

The Vietnamese NA Chairwoman shared that agencies of the NA and the Government of Vietnam have been coordinated closely and smoothly in settling citizens’ complaints and denunciations.

The Lao top legislator said the topics discussed at the symposium are significant as the two countries are expanding socio-economic development.

They also relate to the activities of the NA and people’s councils in building, revising and supplementing legal articles as well as supervising the law enforcement in addressing social matters, especially employment and vocational employment, she added.

Yathotou emphasized that co-organising workshops is an effective way for the NAs of Laos and Vietnam to help each other improve their law-making activities.

The Vietnamese and Lao NAs have co-organised eight workshops during the current 14th tenure of the Vietnamese legislature and the 8th tenure of the Lao legislature, four of which were co-chaired by the heads of the two law making bodies./.

Vietnam calls for New Deal for Nature and People

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has called upon the United Nations for the development of a Declaration for a New Deal for Nature and People.

Phuc said our world is facing many challenges and crises with the environment and climate change with more and more countries demanding urgent and drastic actions to be taken in the spirit of collaboration for nature and all of humanity.

For Viet Nam, sustainable development and minimization of nature losses are key factors in our policy making process, he affirmed.

The country is making “great efforts to join hands with the world in a transformation toward a green and circular economic model where we will never exchange the environment for economic development,” he said.

He reiterated Viet Nam will always put climate change adaptation, resources management, environmental protection at “crucial place” in our resolution and policy planning.

As a reliable and responsible member of the international community, Viet Nam seeks to join hands with the international community and other stakeholders to call upon the United Nations for the development of a Declaration for a New Deal for Nature and People, affirmed PM Phuc.

Phuc emphasized the deal should focus on the building of a harmonious relationship between economic development and environmental protection as well as between nature and people./.

PM urges speeding up disbursement of public investment capital 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (standing) speaks at the event

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has ordered that more drastic solutions to be taken to speed up the disbursement of public investment capital, which he described as an urgent task from now through 2020.

He made the request while chairing a teleconference on September 26 that was attended by officials of all ministries, sectors and 63 provincial-level localities.

According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), the allocation and disbursement of public investment capital is a “dark point” in the bright panorama of the economy.

Disbursement of public investment capital in the first nine months of 2019 met only 45.17 percent of the yearly target set by the National Assembly and 49.14 percent of the target set by the PM.

There are 31 ministries and central agencies and 19 localities with the disbursement rates under 50 percent of their assigned figures. Among them, 17 ministries and agencies and one locality only met under 30 percent of the target.

The MPI attributed the snail-pace disbursement partly to some institutional obstacles.

It noted there remain much confusion in the implementation of the laws on land, construction, bidding and natural resources protection; site clearance is still time-consuming; and the preparation for projects using public investment capital remains problematic. Besides, the provision of counterpart funds for some projects did not meet schedule, subsequently affecting the disbursement of foreign capital, the ministry said.

Addressing the conference, PM Phuc said public investment plays a major role in socio-economic development, especially the building of important infrastructure facilities. It accounts for 10.7 percent of the total GDP and about 32 percent of total investment in society in 2019.

However, the sluggish disbursement of public investment capital over the past nearly one decade has created a bottleneck in the economy, he noted.

Pointing out consequences of the slow disbursement, he said it will affect economic expansion since capital is one of the important factors of GDP growth.

Additionally, as public investment capital is usually among the resources of big projects, slow disbursement will also decelerate the mobilization of private and foreign parties’ reciprocal capital, which subsequently affects the prestige of Vietnam and undermines investors and donors’ trust in the country.

The snail-pace disbursement will also lead to considerable wastefulness because while the capital is not disbursed, the Government still has to pay the cost of capital, the PM noted, adding that businesses and investors will also have to face floated expenses and debts, fewer jobs, and eroded prestige.

The Government leader demanded all ministries, sectors and localities speed up the allocation of public investment capital, an urgent key task from now through 2020 – the final year of the medium-term public investment plan for 2016-2020.

He said ministers, heads of sectors and leaders of localities must take full responsibility for this task, asking them to enhance coordination in the settlement of hindrances to the implementation of projects using public funds.

Assigning tasks to ministries, PM Phuc showed his support for the establishment of a special working group for monitoring and promoting construction projects funded with public capital.

He also requested ministries, central agencies and localities to clarify the responsibility of collectives and individuals who hamper the disbursement progress./. 

Vietnam, Italy expand cooperation in anti-corruption

At the signing ceremony

The Government Inspectorate of Vietnam and the Italian National Anti-corruption Authority (ANAC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on bilateral cooperation to strengthen coordination between the two countries in fighting corruption.

The signing was made during a working visit to Italy from September 26-28 of the Vietnamese delegation led by Government Inspector General Le Minh Khai.

At the meeting with ANAC President Raffaele Cantone, the Vietnamese official said the Government of Vietnam has stepped up the fight against corruption to create a transparent environment, maintain political stability and promote socio-economic development.

He suggested the two sides work closely to implement the MoU soon.

For his part, Cantone affirmed the ANAC’s willingness to cooperate with the Government Inspectorate of Vietnam in combating corruption, saying that cooperation activities between the two countries in this field will be enhanced.

He highlighted the fruitful development of Vietnam-Italy partnership in recent times, saying that experience sharing and exchange in anti-corruption between the two sides will help boost bilateral relations.

During their stay, Vietnamese delegates had a working session with representatives from the Italian Foreign Ministry, during which they discussed the system of agencies related to anti-corruption in Italy, the country’s efforts to fulfill its commitments as a member of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Anti-Bribery Convention (OECD-ABC)./.

Deputy PM: Vietnam wishes to develop partnership with Finland

At the working session

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh has expressed his wish that Vietnam-Finland relations will be further developed in the fields of politics, trade, investment, development cooperation, environment, education – training, and science-technology.

During a meeting with Finnish Prime Minister Antti Rinne in Helsinki on September 26, Deputy PM Binh spoke highly of the European country’s achievements and wished that both sides would share experience in building an effective social welfare system, contributing to ensuring social fairness and enhancing training in judicial cooperation and court work.

Rinne spoke highly of Vietnam’s achievements in external relations over the past years, stressing that the visit affords both sides a chance to reach consensus on orientations to bilateral links in the coming years.

Finland wants to boost collaboration with Vietnam in the fields of economy, environmental protection, climate change response, education – training, and other fields that suit each side’s potential, he said.

He said Finland will strive to push forward the early ratification of the Vietnam – European Union Free Trade Agreement and the Vietnam – EU Investment Protection Agreement, thus creating a driving force for economic, trade and investment ties between Vietnam and EU member states, including Finland.

Both sides agreed to increase their cooperation at international forums and contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the region and the world in line with international law, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, as well as boost multilateral collaboration to address common challenges.

The host accepted invitation to visit Vietnam by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and promised to come to the country next year.

During a meeting with Finnish Minister of Social Affairs and Health Aino-Kaisa Pekonen, Deputy PM Binh expressed desire to learn from Finland’s experience in health care and social affairs.

Both sides agreed to facilitate visits and explore areas of cooperation that meet demand of each side./.

Belarus Deputy PM witnesses inauguration of Maz Asia auto plant in Hung Yen

At the event

A Maz Asia auto manufacturing and assembling plant was inaugurated and put into use in Chinh Nghia commune, Kim Dong district, the northern province of Hung Yen on September 26, witnessed by Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Lyashenko.

Covering a total area of 5 ha, the project will allocate 300 billion VND (13.04 million USD) for its first stage and manufacture 2,000 big-size trucks for domestic and foreign markets.

It will generate jobs to over 200 workers in the near future and 1,000 others in the second stage. From 2020, the plant will contribute about 300 billion VND to the local State budget.

During a working session with the provincial authorities, Lyashenko thanked them for providing all possible support for Belarusian firms over the past years, adding that the project will lay a foundation for Belarus to embark on other investment projects in Hung Yen in the future, thus further tightening bilateral friendship.

He said the European nation will assist the province in workforce training, technological transfer and industrial production in the near future.

Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Do Tien Sy spoke highly of Belarus’s contributions to local development and wished that Belarus would encourage domestic firms to invest in Vietnam and Hung Yen in particular.

The host pledged to create favourable conditions for Belarusian enterprises to do effective business in the locality./.

Chinese Embassy in Hanoi marks China’s 70th National Day

At the reception to mark China's 70th National Day

The Chinese Embassy in Hanoi held a reception on September 26 to mark China’s 70th National Day (October 1, 1949 – 2019).

Addressing the event, Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo looked back on the achievements that the Chinese Party, Government and people have made over the past 70 years. He highlighted that the greatest accomplishment was to find a path of development that suits China’s conditions, define socialism with Chinese characteristics, develop a socialist culture with Chinese characteristics and bring socialism with Chinese characteristics forward into a new era.

The ambassador stressed that China and Vietnam will mark the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship next year. The two countries should comprehensively implement the common perceptions of high-ranking leaders of the two Parties, continue to uphold the traditional friendship nurtured by predecessor leaders, keep to the main direction in the bilateral friendship, firmly protect the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties and promote the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, he said.

On behalf of the Party, State and people of Vietnam, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue congratulated the Chinese Party, State and people over their great achievements in the past seven decades. The foundation of the People’s Republic of China is a great event in China’s history, opening up the period of socialism building in the country, he said.

The Deputy PM affirmed that the Party, State and people of Vietnam always treasure and remember the support and mutual help between the two Parties and countries during their respective revolutionary causes for national liberation.

He emphasized that Vietnam always wishes to, together with China, promote the stable, healthy and sustainable development of the Vietnam-China ties, thus bringing practical benefits for people of the two countries and contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

Deputy PM Hue called on the two sides to well implement the common perceptions of the two Parties’ leaders, well control disputes and properly settle sea-related issues on the basis of respect for each other’s legitimate interests and in accordance with international law, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the aspirations of the two countries’ people, for the sake of peace, stability and development of the region and the world as a whole.

On the occasion, the Chinese Embassy held a photo exhibition on the country’s development accomplishments over the past 70 years and the economic-trade cooperation between China and Vietnam./.

Meeting reviews Defence Ministry’s preparations for ASEAN Year 2020

Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh and Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung co-chaired a working session in Hanoi on September 26 to review preparations for ASEAN Year 2020 and Vietnam’s assumption of a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

The meeting took note that a series of important events related to the Defence Ministry and defence cooperation in ASEAN will be held next year, including the 10th anniversary of ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM) and the 65th founding anniversary of Vietnam People’s Navy, along with several national defence and military conferences.

Participants said defence and military conferences next year should give priority to promoting dialogues, national defence-military cooperation within ASEAN and between ASEAN and partners, and enhancing substantial collaboration in humanitarian assistance and search and rescue.

The meeting also agreed to invest resources in improving Vietnam’s capacity via co-chairing the ADMM Experts' Group on UN Peacekeeping Operations, and studying the establishment of an ASEAN peacekeeping centre and an English centre for ASEAN defence.

Speaking highly of preparation work made by the Defence Ministry, Deputy FM Dung said the Defence Ministry plays a significant role, contributing to the success of Vietnam ASEAN Chair Year 2020./.

Scholar: Vietnam, Russia build exemplary relationship

President of the Eurasian Ideas Foundation Grigory Trophimchuk said Vietnam and Russia are building an exemplary relationship during an interview recently granted to Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of his Vietnam visit.

As a political commentator for Russian mainstream media, Trophimchuk has monitored issues in the Southeast Asia and Vietnam in particular.

Hailing Vietnam as an important partner of Russia, he said the Vietnamese people have played an important role in fostering time-tested friendship with Russia.

According to him, Vietnam is the first country to sign the free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) since it began operation.

As the Vietnam – Russia ties are growing in diverse areas, the two countries set the goal of raising economic ties on par with political ties, with a two-way trade of 10 billion USD by 2020, he said, suggesting that tourism and hi-tech could lift bilateral ties to a greater height.

He highly valued the Vietnamese business promotion activities in Russia, including the Eastern Economic Forum held annually under the initiative of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok city, the Far Eastern region.

Sharing impressions during his first visit to Vietnam, Trophimchuk said Hanoi is the first stop during his trans-Vietnam trip, followed by Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.

He also expressed his impression about the country’s socio-economic achievements, saying the Vietnamese people, tourist destinations and food have left unforgettable memory in his mind.

According to him, Vietnam plays an increasingly significant role in Southeast Asia and the region. Whenever political commentators mention the Southeast Asia, Vietnam is almost put to the top.

According to Trophimchuk, Vietnam and Russia are organising various activities within the framework of the Vietnam Year in Russia and the Russia Year in Vietnam. High-level visits have been maintained with Russia visits by Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong in September 2018 and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in May 2019, which created a new driving force for bilateral relationship.

The scholar highlighted the need to bring images of Vietnam to more Russian people in the future, which could be attributable by experts who, he said, could talk about Vietnam at present and in the future./.