This nature reserve is intended to cover a water surface area of 2,400ha, divided into three main zones of the core (strictly protected), the recovery, and the administration ones with services and buffer areas.

After the creation of the planning, scientific consultation units will be invited to evaluate the ecological and biological values of this nature reserve. The corresponding report will be then submitted to the provincial People’s Committee for approval, and the nature reserve will be officially formed for both protection and exploitation purposes.

Thi Nai Lagoon is listed as an ecological zone in need of protection in accordance with Decision No.45/QD-TTg, issued on January 8, 2014 by the Prime Minister about approving master plan on biodiversity conservation in the whole country through 2020, with orientations toward 2030.

Results from the ecological survey co-conducted in 2021-2022 by the Natural Resources and Environment Department of Binh Dinh Province and the Central Institute for Natural Resources and Environment (CRES) reveal that Thi Nai Lagoon has 145 species, 191 benthic animals, 126 fishes, 103 bird species, 255 of which are in the Red Data Book of the National Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

Golden seal's return nominated among 10 most significant cultural events of 2023

The repatriation of the Golden Seal "Hoang de chi bao" (Emperor's Treasure) has been nominated as one of the 10 typical cultural, sports and tourism events in 2023.

The successful negotiation process for the repatriation of the Golden Seal was also listed among the 10 typical events of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2022.

According to Pham Dinh Phong, Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage, the Golden Seal "Hoang de chi bao" is an important treasure of the Nguyen Dynasty, and the successful repatriation of the seal has great significance for national culture, creating a spillover effect and serving as a premise for Vietnam to continue repatriating other antiquities abroad.

Last month, the Golden Imperial Seal was handed over to the Vietnamese delegation at a ceremony held at the Vietnamese Embassy in France and attended by Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang, Vietnamese Permanent Representative to UNESCO Le Thi Hong Van, and officials from the French Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs and UNESCO.

This followed more than a year of negotiations and legal proceedings to stop the public auction of the seal, which was cast in 1823 during the reign of King Minh Mang (1791-1841), in Paris in November 2022 and to return the artifact to Vietnam at the country's request.

Hoang Gia Nam Hong Co. Ltd, based in the northern province of Bac Ninh, has been selected to represent Vietnam and handle the related financial procedures by French law. The company will also preserve and display the seal and coordinate with the Vietnam National History Museum to protect and promote the value of the antique.

Earlier, representatives of the Department of Cultural Heritage and Hoang Gia Nam Hong Company signed an agreement to negotiate the purchase of the seal from France and its transfer to the State.

Accordingly, the company promised that the seal would be handed over to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism after a period of display at the Hoang Gia Nam Hong Museum in Bac Ninh Province.

The Department of Cultural Heritage affirmed that in addition to its historical, cultural and artistic value, the Golden Seal is a cultural heritage of the highest importance to the nation, a symbol of political power in a certain historical period of Vietnam, marking an important milestone in the transition from millennial feudalism to the new Vietnamese state - democratic communism, the predecessor of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

On August 30, 1945, while announcing his abdication, King Bao Dai handed over to the revolutionary government the most beautiful and precious seal, the symbol of the monarchy of the Nguyen Dynasty, the golden seal "Hoang de chi bao" and the precious sword inherited from his father - King Khai Dinh (1916-1925).

Tran Huy Lieu, representing the revolutionary government, received the seal and sword and sent them to Hanoi just before President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence at Ba Dinh Square on September 2, 1945.

After the National Resistance Day (December 1946), information about the whereabouts of these treasures was unclear. In 1952, these two antiques fell into the hands of the French, and on March 8, 1952, the French held a ceremony to hand over the sword and seal to Bao Dai, who took them to France in 1953.

Before his death (in 1997), Bao Dai willed all his assets in France, including the "Hoang de chi bao" golden seal, to his wife, Monique Baudot, a Frenchwoman. After Monique Baudot's decease in 2021, the assets belonged to the heirs and were auctioned off in 2022.

After learning that the French auction house Millon would auction the seal on October 31, 2022, the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism immediately drew up a plan to repatriate the seal through cultural diplomacy and implemented it in cooperation with related ministries and agencies. The Vietnamese side explored all channels, including exchanging letters and official notes, requesting the French presidential advisor on foreign affairs, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the French Ministry of Culture, UNESCO and relevant specialized departments to stop the auction.

In the face of Vietnam's interest, Millon twice postponed the auction of the gold seal. After working with the Vietnamese interdisciplinary working group, Millon agreed to give up the artifact "in the spirit of consensus and understanding between the two parties and the friendly cooperation between Vietnam and the French Republic".

Two illegal sand exploitation vessels seized

Two vessels have been seized for illegally exploiting sand in the coast area of the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Tiền Giang.

Senior Lieutenant Colonel Phan Nhân Hậu, head of the Đồng Nai Province-based Coast Guard Intelligence Division No. 2 under the Việt Nam Coast Guard Command, said a working team of the division and Border Guard of Tiền Giang Province discovered the two vessels 10 nautical miles from the province’s Cửa Đại Estuary when conducting field reconnaissance.

The seizure is part of the division’s campaign to prevent and fight criminal activities including illegal smuggling, drugs and drug crime, human trafficking, smuggling, trade fraud and counterfeit goods before, during and after the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tết) holiday.

Accordingly, the working team on December 8 stopped vessel SG7776 registered in HCM City and found about 300 cubic metres of sand. The vessel has capacity of 2,168 tonnes.

The vessel’s captain, Nguyễn Văn Hương, 38, of Nam Định Province, and six crew members were on board.

Another vessel was found with no registered number and about 100cu.m of sand. Its vessel’s captain, Bùi Văn Quyền, 38, of Hải Dương Province, and seven crew members were on board.

The captains of the vessels did not have ship registration papers and licences for sand exploitation.

On December 9, the vessels were brought ashore and the cases handed over to the Coast Guard Region No. 3 Command based in Vũng Tàu City in the southern coastal province of Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu for further investigation.

Recently, the illegal exploitation of sand has been occurring regularly in the delta.

Illegal sand exploitation has increased along rivers and coastal areas across the country in recent years.

The uncontrolled exploitation of sand has seriously harmed the environment, hurt the structure and safety of waterway transport, caused land erosion, and altered the flow of water. 

Exhibition celebrates 45th anniversary of art history and criticism faculty

An exhibition displaying artworks by generations of artists from the Việt Nam University of Fine Arts will open this week in Hà Nội.

The event called Đồng Hành (Accompany), will showcase 59 works by 35 artists, including lecturers and students who have been teaching and studying at the Art History, Theory and Criticism Faculty (HTCF) at the universary. 

It aims to mark the 45th anniversary of the faculty and at the same time create connections between generations of lecturers and students.

The exhibits include paintings, graphics, sculptures and prints, reflecting the concepts and personalities of each author.

The authors said they exhibit their artworks as a way to show a convergence of passions, creation and particularly express their pride in their time to study and work at the faculty, according to curators.

They regard the event as a chance to air their concerns about career and life, convey a message to viewers about their love toward art, and encourage the staff and students at the faculty to try their best to continuously achieve successes in their art creation and development. 

Đồng Hành will open today and run until Saturday at the University of Fine Arts, 42 Yết Kiêu Street, Hoàn Kiếm District.

In celebration of the 45th anniversary, alumni and lecturers also issue a book themed Những Giác độ Nghiên cứu Mỹ thuật (Perceptions of Art Research), a collection of their research articles over the last five years.

The HTCF was founded in 1978, in the new conditions of the country just coming out of wartime to enjoy peace after reunification. It was also the time for the national art sector to embark on rebuilding and "set a new shape" for development.

The Việt Nam University of Fine Arts, formerly the Indochina College of Fine Arts, is known as the "cradle" training the "first master painters" of modern Vietnamese fine arts. Although the HTCF was established later, it is extremely an important part of the university as it helps train leading researchers, critics and art theory lecturers in the country.

Đặng Thị Phong Lan, former student and current vice-principal of the university and director of the HTCF, said the study of theory, history and art criticism was essential in Vietnamese art. 

There are currently only two main institutions in Hà Nội and HCM City to formally train the theory, history and art criticism, and graduates can be available to work in all areas of society, making important contributions to the development of the country's fine art sector, according to Lan.

Previously, art criticism was integrated into other modules, but it has now become an independent programme as one of the important subjects of art theory, history and criticism. 

Run to Live race offers big bonus

Record makers will receive big bonuses at the 2024 Run To Live race, which will be organised next March in HCM City.

The three-day tournament will be held for the first time by the City's Culture and Sports Department, the Sài Gòn Giải Phóng (Liberated Sài Gòn) newspaper, and Miracle Entertainment Group.

It is held to motivate people to practice and compete in sports through running. It is expected to lead people to healthy and happy lifestyle, according to organisers.

The event will take place on March 8-10 at the new city of Thủ Đức with the participation of around 6,000 elite and amateur runners.

A 1km race will be held for children on March 9.

On the main race day, March 10, athletes will take part in three categories of 21km, 10km and 5km, in which runners who can set new national records in the longest race will receive VNĐ100 million (US$4,100) each.

The awards for the top three in each category will be announced in the next few weeks.

Currently, SEA Games medallist Đỗ Quốc Luật holds the men's record of 1hr 07.99min, set at the Vietnam International Half Marathon in January. His record was considered an impressive result of the season.

Luật is master of the 3,000m steeplechase, 5,000m and 10,000m, and also a frequent face of running tournaments' top three nationwide. His latest win was at the Long Biên Marathon in October in Hà Nội.

On the women's side, multi-time SEA Games champion Nguyễn Thị Oanh holds the record of 1:15.24. Oanh has promised to defend her title next month.

Oanh will be a serious rival to any one in all running events. She has been unbeatable in middle distance races for many years. She recently began taking part in marathons and won remarkable results.

She just won the Techcombank HCM City International Marathon on December 10, setting a new personal best.

Despite being organised for the first time, 2024 Run To Live is expected to be a quality and competitive event. Organisers said the special bonuses would be a strong push for runners, who would vie for not only top podium but also a purse of cash.

In addition to the sport activity, organisers will also raise money for charity to support poor students, disabled athletes and projects for the community of the Việt Nam Volunteer Resources Information Centre under the Central Committee of the Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union. 

Over 1,000 students compete in HCM student basketball tournament

Sixty-two teams from 33 universities and colleges are taking part in the HCM City Student Basketball Tournament 2023, which is being held at the Lãnh Binh Thăng Gymnasium in District 11 from December 6 to 20.

Co-organised by the HCM City Department of Culture and Sports and the HCM City Basketball Federation, with the sponsorship of Nestlé's MILO brand, the tournament expects to offer students an opportunity to improve their health and perseverance with sports, while training young talents to supplement the national team, contributing to the development of Vietnamese basketball.

Huỳnh Trọng Khải, chairman of the HCM City Basketball Federation, said the city aims to develop student basketball over the long-term and constantly expand its scale and improve professionalism.

In addition to the diverse school sports activities that have been implemented this year, last August, Nestlé Vietnam and the HCM City Department of Education and Training signed an agreement to organise physical and nutrition activities for students during the 2023-24 school year. 

Localities must prevent bird flu from entering Vietnam

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has asked provinces and cities to strengthen bird flu prevention and control, and prevent the disease from spreading to humans.

In a letter sent to relevant organisations recently, the MoH said that the International Health Regulations (IHR) in Cambodia had informed that from November 23 this year to now, Cambodia has had two more cases of human infection with A/H5N1 flu in Kampot Province.

So far this year, Cambodia has recorded six cases of the disease, including three deaths.

Cambodia’s Kampot Province is on the southwest border of Việt Nam.

In the context of increasing trade exchanges between Việt Nam and other countries, the risk of bird flu entering the country and infecting humans is very high, especially in provinces bordering epidemic-affected countries.

In Việt Nam, the Department of Animal Health under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said that bird flu still occurred sporadically in different localities.

The weather is in the transition period with unusual changes that are favourable for bird flu virus to develop.

People tend to increase poultry farming to prepare for the Lunar New Year, which will fall in February next year, so poultry transport and trading activities may increase, posing higher potential risks of infection to humans.

To proactively prevent bird flu from entering Việt Nam and spreading to humans, the MoH asked concerned organisations to pay attention and urgently carry out preventive measures.

Provinces need to manage people entering the country to detect suspected cases early, especially live poultry traders and people coming from epidemic-affected areas.

Samples should be taken and sent to the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology or the Pasteur Institute for diagnostic testing.

Medical units need to promote monitoring of cases of acute respiratory infections, severe viral pneumonia syndrome and flu syndrome to detect influenza A/H5N1 cases.

Hospitals should be ready to receive, quarantine and treat cases according to the MoH’s regulations and notify the Centre for Disease Control for timely solutions.

Medical and veterinary agencies will co-ordinate closely with local authorities in detecting bird flu cases, especially at border gates and live poultry markets.

The MoH also requests localities to increase education on measures to prevent bird flu infection to humans in high-risk areas.

Provinces and cities must prepare drugs, chemicals and other means to handle outbreaks.

The MoH recommends that provinces should well coordinate in the work, and report the real situation to the MoH based on Circular 54/2015/TT-BYT issued on December 28, 2015. 

Career orientation conference for Vietnamese youngsters in Czech​ Republic held

More than 300 Vietnamese students in the Czech Republic participated in a career orientation conference held in Prague on December 10.

The event was jointly organised by the Vietnam Youth and Students Association and the networks of Vietnamese intellectuals and experts (NVIEC) in the host country.

Following the success of the first held in 2019, this year’s event focused on career orientation for teenagers, especially high school students.

Successful young Vietnamese entrepreneurs in the Czech Republic and the US at the event shared their experiences with participants. Participants discussed topics about professions and fields that interest them while parents listened to their children's thoughts and aspirations in order to accompany their children in next journeys.

Currently, there are nearly 100,000 Vietnamese people living in the Czech Republic. On July 3, 2013, the Czech Government decided to add Vietnamese-Czech people to its Council of Ethnic Minorities, thereby recognising Vietnamese-Czech people as an ethnic minority group in the country.

Vietnamese, Lao capital cities eye stronger friendship, cooperation

Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Council Phung Thi Hong Ha held talks with Vice Chairwoman of Laos's Vientiane capital People's Council Lamphoy Siakkhachanh in Hanoi on December 12.

Ha briefed Lao guests on Hanoi’s socio-economic development, saying that based on the special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples of Vietnam and Laos, Hanoi always gives priority to developing cooperative relations with Lao localities, especially Vientiane capital city.

She suggested the two sides consider cooperation directions in the time to come, focusing on increasing meetings and all-level delegation exchange, supporting each other in personnel training and improving the quality of human resources, enhancing mechanisms for periodically exchanging information and sharing experience in developing legal documents, and supervision work.

Siakkhachanh congratulated Hanoi on its socio-economic development achievements in recent times, expressing her hope that the People’s Council of Hanoi will share its experience with Vientiane in appraising and supervising the implementation of large investment projects, and building legal documents.

After the talks, the two sides will continue to prioritise promoting the friendship and cooperation towards further deepening the achieved cooperation results, and expanding new cooperation contents and forms.

Ha hoped that the results reached during the talks will facilitate specific cooperation programmes and projects between the two People’s Councils in the coming time.

On the occasion, the two sides signed a cooperation agreement for the 2023 – 2025 period.

Vietnamese agencies commemorate late leaders of Laos

A delegation of Vietnam’s representative agencies in Laos paid tribute to late Lao Presidents Kaysone Phomvihane and Souphanouvong in Vientiane on December 12 on the occasion of the 48th National Day of Laos (December 2) and the 103rd birth anniversary of Kaysone Phomvihane (December 13).

The delegation offered incense at the statue of President Kaysone Phomvihane and visited the museum dedicated to him. They also visited the memorial house of President Souphanouvong.

The delegation observed a minute of silence in commemoration of the late leaders, who made enormous dedications to the revolution of Laos, the two countries’ special relations, as well as regional and global peace.

At the Kaysone Phomvihane Museum and the Souphanouvong memorial house, they also learned more about the lives and revolutionary careers of the Presidents – preeminent and beloved leaders of the Lao people and also big and close friends of Vietnam, the close-knit ties between the revolutions of Laos and Vietnam, along with the leaders’ contributions to the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

UK-VN Season showcases transformative climate and environment projects

As COP28 takes over the global conversation, the British Council through the UK-Việt Nam Season is spotlighting collaborative projects with innovative and creative responses to tackle climate change.

The UK-Việt Nam Season is a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the British Council in Việt Nam and the 50th anniversary of UK-Việt Nam diplomatic relations, with a thematic focus on our climate and the environment is uniting experts, educators, artists, and innovators from both nations.

Aligned with the shared priorities of the UK and Việt Nam, the Season emphasises the critical need to protect our planet. Collaborating with top universities and organisations from both countries, the Season over the past six months has featured hackathons, residencies, symposiums, and digital exhibitions, fostering creative solutions to climate change.

Donna McGowan, the British Council Director in Việt Nam, said: "Our UK-Việt Nam Season envisions our future together, forging new partnerships and reinforcing bonds between our countries. Through joint climate and environment initiatives, we are actively contributing to the global conversation on climate change and showcasing the power of collaboration in addressing our shared responsibilities for a sustainable future.”

As we see outcomes from COP28 in Dubai, the Season's projects in Việt Nam are providing opportunities for people to tackle climate change through arts and culture, education, and English. 

USAID, Đà Nẵng promote renewable energy and energy efficiency

The central city has been boosting the deployment of clean energy and advanced energy systems, such as rooftop solar and electric vehicles, by launching four policies and regulations, contributing to turning the National Strategy for Energy Development into action.

The renewable energy and energy efficiency initiative by the city's Department of Industry and Trade, in partnership with the United States Mission to Việt Nam, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), has achieved positive progress since 2019, a report on the close of USAID's Việt Nam Urban Energy Security project in the city unveiled.

The Đà Nẵng City's Department of Industry and Trade (DOIT) strongly confirmed the joint success in the partnership to advance renewable energy and energy efficiency in the city, and highlighted key results achieved in 2019-23.

“USAID's partnership with Đà Nẵng has helped pave the way for the city to reduce its energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions,” said USAID/Việt Nam Mission Director Aler Grubbs. “Through our successful partnership, Đà Nẵng stands well positioned to be a model city in Việt Nam for advancing the country’s net-zero emissions goal by 2050.”

With $2.7 million in funding through USAID's Việt Nam Urban Energy Security project, USAID and Đà Nẵng City's DOIT partnered to facilitate energy efficiency gains and develop and deploy new sources of renewable energy.

It was reported that some specific results had been reached from the project, including the development of four policies and regulations that help the city put the National Strategy for Energy Development into action by encouraging the deployment of clean energy and advanced energy systems, such as rooftop solar and electric vehicles.

The report recorded that the creation of Đà Nẵng City's Energy Efficiency Awards (EEA) marked the first time the city recognised large energy-consuming enterprises for their energy efficiency advances.

A roof-top solar power system is installed on a building of the Đà Nẵng City's University of Technology and Science. The city has been boosting the use of renewable energy and energy-saving solutions to cut carbon emission. — Photo courtesy of SolarBK Group
Meanwhile, training key financial institutions on green bonds, rooftop solar, and waste-to-energy projects improved access to finance for such initiatives.

The creation of an Innovation Challenge Fund, which demonstrated three solutions to address urban energy and environmental issues in Đà Nẵng, enabled innovators to bring their cutting-edge ideas to life. These solutions included electric vehicle charging stations and an eco-power meter solution for commerce and industry.

USAID is a committed partner of Việt Nam in advancing the country’s transition to a clean, secure, and market-based energy sector. 

Vietnam to increase participation in peacekeeping operations

As an active and responsible member of the UN and the wider international community, Vietnam will continue to intensify its participation in peacekeeping activities, including the police sector, in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, permanent representative of Vietnam to the UN, made the statement at a meeting held on December 11 with Faisal Shahkar, UN Police Adviser, to discuss measures aimed at increasing the participation of Vietnamese police officers in the organisation's peacekeeping operations.

At the meeting, Ambassador Giang thanked the UN's Department of Peace Operations and Shahkar personally for the effective and active support in engaging in the nation’s peacekeeping activities, especially in terms of training and capacity building activities for police officers sent by the Ministry of Public Security.

The diplomat also expressed his nation's wish to participate more deeply and substantively in the UN' policy-making process in this field.

As part of the occasion of the Police Adviser's upcoming visit to Vietnam at the invitation of the Ministry of Public Security, Ambassador Giang expressed hope that the business trip will be a success as a means of contributing to shaping specific fields and activities that the two sides can step up co-operation in moving forward, including deploying a number of police officers to field missions and taking entrance exams to work at the UN headquarters.

This is along with technical support, making it possible for the Ministry of Public Security to become self-sufficient in training and education, thereby better meeting the requirements and needs of the UN in implementing peacekeeping operations.

Shahkar highly appreciated the nation’s active participation and good results in peacekeeping activities in general, as well as the police force's activities in particular, expressing a wish to continue closer co-operation with the country in this regard.

He therefore affirmed the UN’s Department of Peace Operations’ readiness to support the country to the best of its ability in the process of training, pre-feasibility testing, and assessment, as well as the process of deploying officers to the field.

Cambodian press highlights PM Hun Manet’s Vietnam visit

The Cambodian press has given wide coverage of the official visit to Vietnam by Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet from December 11-12, especially his main activities on December 11.

Most major media agencies like the Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP), Fresh News, sbm.news and btv.com.kh highlighted important meetings that took place on the afternoon of December 11 between the Cambodian PM and Vietnamese leaders, including Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Vo Van Thuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.  

The leading online news website Fresh News quoted the Vietnamese PM as saying at the talks on December 11 between the two PMs that with the Cambodian PM's official visit to Vietnam, the relationship between Cambodia and Vietnam will grow even closer in the spirit of "Good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term stability " for the mutual benefit of the two nations. 

The Vietnamese PM expressed confidence that under the leadership of PM Hun Manet, Cambodia will be destined for further development, aligning with the assured realisation of the visionary goals set for 2030 and 2050, it added. 

According to the news website, the two sides informed each other on political, social, and economic situations in their respective countries, evaluated the results of past bilateral cooperation and set the goal of further enhancing and expanding cooperation in various fields, including politics, trade, investment, tourism, health, education, connectivity, national defence, security, and border affairs. 

They also exchanged views on global and regional affairs, expressing satisfaction with mutual support in international forums, including the United Nations, ASEAN and the Mekong sub-region.

Meanwhile, the sbm.news quoted Party General Secretary Trong as saying that through the visit, ties between Vietnam and Cambodia will keep growing.

PM Hun Manet, for his part, stressed that the Cambodian Government of the seventh term will continue with the consistent policies of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP). Cambodia will continue to nurture the relations with Vietnam in the spirit of traditional friendship within the bilateral framework, mutual support at multilateral forums, and expanding cooperation in new and promising areas. 

On December 12, the website of Bayon Television (BTV) reported on the Cambodian PM’s courtesy call to President Thuong, saying that the Vietnamese leader hailed the outcomes of the talks between the two PMs and expressed readiness to welcome King Norodom Sihamoni to Vietnam for an official visit in the near future.

The AKP also published news and articles on the talks and meetings between PM Hun Manet and Vietnamese leaders.

It reported that in his meeting with PM Hun Manet, NA Chairman Hue underscored the significance of the visit to the strengthening of Vietnam-Cambodia traditional cooperation across all areas.

Meanwhile, PM Hun Manet stressed that with the consistent foreign policy of the Cambodian Government, the Cambodia-Vietnam friendship will continue to be nurtured, strengthened and expanded at all levels, both in the legislative and executive branches, as well as in the people-to-people relationships, for the benefit of both nations.

ASEAN countries share experience in 5G technology development

The fourth ASEAN conference on 5G and a workshop on the digital platform to guide a digital government were held in the northern province of Quang Ninh on December 12 within the Vietnam International Digital Week 2023.

The annual conference, initiated by Vietnam, focused on the roadmap to launch 5G services in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), providing updates on technologies, and offering an opportunity for the countries to build up cooperative ties in this field.

The workshop saw the participation of representatives from management agencies and businesses, and experts, who compared notes on successes and challenges to the implementation of centralised digital platforms by governments.

The participants also looked into the optimisation of new technologies like AI and blockchain to improve the efficiency and transparency in digital administration.

The Vietnam International Digital Week 2023 opened in Quang Ninh on the same day. The four-day programme, the second of its kind, includes conferences, seminars and forums with the participation of representatives from management agencies, associations and businesses of ASEAN member countries and their dialogue partners.

They are expected to share experience in issues related to policy planning, development strategies, technology and human resources, propose solutions to major challenges, and discuss opportunities in the digital technology era for the ASEAN region and the world.

NA Vice Chairman receives Vientiane leader

Vice Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai hosted a reception in Hanoi on December 12 for Vice Chairwoman of the People’s Council of Vientiane capital city of Laos Lamphoy Siakkhachanh.

Hai told his guest that Vietnam and Laos have maintained regular high-level visits, meetings and cooperation mechanisms through various channels, including those between the two legislatures. The two sides have been working closely together to create a favourable legal framework for the implementation of agreements reached by the two Governments, while strengthening coordination and supervision over the implementation of bilateral cooperation agreements. 

The NA Vice Chairman hailed the ties between Hanoi and Vientiane as a model for locality-to-locality cooperation between the two countries, adding that the Vietnamese NA is amending the Capital Law to introduce special mechanisms, especially those regarding infrastructure management and development in the capital region, to facilitate Hanoi's development.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State have, and will create favourable conditions for cooperation between Hanoi and Vientiane, and suggested that the two capital cities, especially their People's Councils, continue to effectively implement the signed agreements, making Hanoi-Vientiane ties a vivid testimony to the special traditional friendship between Vietnam and Laos.

Siakkhachanh, for her part, informed the host about the outcomes of her talks with delegates from the Hanoi People’s Council, saying that both sides had shared experience in appraising and monitoring the implementation of large investment projects, including both domestic and foreign-invested ones, and the building of resolutions by the People's Councils and legal documents.

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