One of the world's leading online travel platforms, Booking.com, has announced Da Lat - the city resort in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong - as the most-searched destination in Vietnam for the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday.

According to its list of the ten most-searched destinations for tourists during the Tet holiday based on searches and bookings from February 8-14 (the 29th day of the 12th lunar month to the 5th day of the first lunar month), announced on January 31, booking.com said Da Lat, Nha Trang and Da Nang are the three destinations most searched thanks to the harmonious combination of majestic natural landscapes, romantic beaches and special cultures.

Other destinations in the list are Vung Tau, Phu Quoc, Ho Chi Minh City, Mui Ne, Hanoi, Sa Pa, and Hoi An.

According to a survey by booking.com, this year, tourists tend to seek locations with cool weather, with 82% of respondents saying that they prefer vacations with sea-related activities. 

Vietnamese tourists also like crowded cities such as Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, which are famous for street food, particularly traditional Tet dishes. Hoi An ancient town with colorful lanterns on streets or Sa Pa with magnificent terraced fields also attract domestic travellers.

Vietnam fosters cooperation with Italian localities

Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung has visited Italy’s Campania region and its capital city of Naples, aiming to promote Vietnam’s comprehensive cooperation with the Italian localities.

At his meetings with Campania President Vincenzo De Luca, Naples Mayor Gaetano Manfredi and Prefect of Naples Michele di Bari, Hung briefed the host on major cooperation activities of the embassy and Italian partners in Naples.

He held that the two sides should further promote their comprehensive collaboration not only in politics but economy and especially culture.

Leaders of Campania and Naples welcomed and showed support to Vietnam’s cooperation proposals, affirming that Vietnam is a prioritised partner in its internationalisation scheme of the locality. They pledged to provide optimal conditions for local firms to explore the Vietnamese market, especially in the fields of aquaculture and culture, as well as mechanical manufacturing, space industry, supporting technology, food processing, and marine economic cooperation.

Manfredi spoke highly of cooperation outcomes between the two sides across all fields, affirming that he will support the promotion of Vietnamese image through the city's public means, while coordinating with the Vietnamese side to organise film screenings and exhibitions about Vietnam, as well as promoting delegation exchanges and seeking cooperation opportunities with localities of Vietnam.

At a Vietnam-Naples forum on economic and cultural connectivity held in Naples on January 30, Ambassador Hung said that Naples and Campania are important economic drivers of the Italian southern region with strengths in agriculture, pharmaceuticals and tourism, which can support Vietnam during the country’s industrialisation and modernisation process.

Naples Deputy Mayor Laura Lieto and Regional Minister for Startups, Innovation, Internationalisation of Campania Valeria Fascione highlighted the role of culture as a premise for international cooperation.

Campania, owning a large number of UNESCO-recognised world cultural heritages, hopes to cooperate with Vietnam in heritage conservation, land and water resources management, they said.

He welcomed enterprises of Naples and Campania to strengthen exchanges and partnership with their Vietnamese peers through the exchange of delegations and the joining of conferences and trade fairs in Vietnam as well as activities held by the embassy in Italy.

During his trip from January 29-30, Ambassador Hung had a working session with Prof. Roberto Tottoli, Principal of the University of Naples "L'Orientale on specific cooperation activities such as the opening of a Vietnamese faculty in the university as well as the exchange of students and research cooperation with Vietnamese universities and research institutions.

Overseas Vietnamese in Cuba celebrate Tet

The Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba has organised activities to celebrate the Lunar New Year (Tet) Festival 2024, offering overseas Vietnamese in the Caribbean country opportunities to experience Tet atmosphere despite living far from the motherland.

They together made “Chung” cakes (square glutinous rice cakes), a typical dish for the Tet festival. Young Vietnamese people were told about Tet rituals and customs.

Hoang Kim Anh, First Secretary of the Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba, said overseas Vietnamese and students in Cuba have been excited about activities on the occasion of the Tet festival.

It is not easy to organise an event to make 200 "Chung" cakes for the Vietnamese community, she said, adding that the embassy staff have to make plans to buy and store pork, sticky rice and green beans which are shipped from Vietnam.

She added that they used wild banana leaves to wrap the cakes instead of “dong” (phrynium) leaves.

Moreover, the activities also helped introduce and promote Vietnamese cultural values to international friends.

“Xuan Que huong” programme expected to become cultural, art highlight

“Xuan Que huong” (Homeland Spring), an annual programme for overseas Vietnamese (OVs) during the Lunar New Year (Tet) Festival, is expected to become a cultural and art highlight that will leave a strong impression on participants, said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang.

This year's programme, jointly held by the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, will take place from February 1-2 with diverse and meaningful activities.

OVs will have a chance to experience many activities, including a city tour and visits to some nearby localities, a seminar and a meeting with leaders of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and the People’s Committee of HCM City.

Presient Vo Van Thuong and his spouse will join OVs and locals in HCM City to offer flowers in tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh and President Ton Duc Thang, and release carp fish on the day for Ong Cong, Ong Tao (Kitchen Gods) at Nha Rong Wharf.

At a gala night on February 2, President Vo Van Thuong will extend Tet greetings to the Vietnamese community all around the world and beat the drum to start a festive season.

The Deputy Minister said that currently, about 6 million Vietnamese people are living in 130 countries and territories, 80% of whom are in developed countries.

To date, all major policies related to OVs have been specified and turned into particular projects, including a project to organise a day to honour Vietnamese language abroad in the 2023-2030 period, and another to promote resources from OVs for national development in the new situation. Recently, the Land Law (revised) has been approved by the National Assembly with many regulations providing favourable conditions for OVs in land-related issues, Hang noted.

Along with the increasingly reinforced and completed Vietnamese associations and organisations abroad, support activities to OVs, especially those in areas suffering difficulties, natural disasters and war have been implemented in an active and timely manner.

Many activities have been held annually for the Vietnamese community abroad, including visits for OVs to Truong Sa and DK1 platform, Vietnam summer camp, and the “Xuan Que huong” programme.

The official said that this year, the OV affairs will continue to be strengthened in a more comprehensive manner, aiming to show the sentiment and responsibility of the Party and State towards the Vietnamese community abroad, and encourage and back OVs to head to the homeland.

This year, the OV affairs will be organised following two directions of fostering the great solidarity and making full use of resources from OVs, Hang said. She pointed out seven major solutions, including supporting OVs in enhancing legal status and settling down, attracting resources from OVs, promoting national cultural identity among the community, and proving more information to the community.

Hang highlighted a number of specific activities to attract and optimise the resources from OVs, including the organisation of a conference for OV across the globe, bringing OV delegations to localities at home, and completing mechanisms, policies and laws regarding OVs.

China hopes to conclude ASEAN-China FTA 3.0 negotiations soon

China is ready to work together with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to conclude  negotiations for version 3.0 of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA), Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen has said.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the fifth round of negotiations taking place in Hangzhou city, Zhejiang province, on January 31, he said that China aims to further upgrade liberalisation of trade and investment with ASEAN, on the basis of the existing ACFTA and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

He noted that China is also willing to expand practical cooperation with ASEAN in emerging areas such as trade of intermediate goods, digital trade and cross-border e-commerce.

The ongoing round of negotiations is expected to last until February 2 with the participation of nearly 400 officials from relevant agencies of China and ASEAN countries.

The negotiations on the ACFTA were launched in 2000. Version 1.0 of the ACFTA was officially established in 2010, with more than 90% of the tax items of the two sides enjoying zero tariff treatment. The ACFTA was officially upgraded to version 2.0 in 2019. At the ASEAN-China Summit in November 2022, the two sides announced the launch of negotiations to upgrade the ACFTA to version 3.0.

Event spotlights blend of Vietnamese cuisine with Japanese wine

The blend of Vietnamese cuisine with wine from Japan’s Yamanashi prefecture shined at an event held in Tokyo on January 31, gathering a large number of representatives from Japanese agencies and firms.

In his remarks, Governor of Yamanashi Nagasaki Kotaro described the event as a culinary exchange, where Vietnamese signature dishes prepared from the fresh Yamanashi ingredients are enjoyed alongside premium wines from the same prefecture.

Interactions between Vietnam and Yamanashi are vibrant, he noted, highlighting the recent establishment of the Vietnam-Yamanashi friendship association on January 30, a move to deepen locality-to-locality exchanges.

In response, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu said such a combination is a creative and unique idea and a lively demonstration of cultural fusion and locality-to-locality connectivity between the two countries. The diplomat also described this as an opportunity for Vietnam to understand the needs and desires of Japanese friends regarding its culinary delights.

Hieu held that cuisine is always an essential element in promoting Vietnam-Japan cultural exchanges, with Vietnamese food warmly welcomed by Japanese people at many exchange events.

In a sideline interview with the Vietnam News Agency's correspondent, Kotaro mentioned the friendly relations between Yamanashi and the central Vietnamese province of Quang Binh. He stated the prefecture will work to further enhance the two sides' exchanges across various fields in the time to come.

Bilingual school in Laos celebrates Vietnamese Tet festival

The Nguyen Du Lao-Vietnamese bilingual school in Vientiane on February 1 held a programme to celebrate the Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tet) Festival 2024.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung, representatives from Vietnamese associations, and local officials attended the celebration. Vietnamese Tet traditional dishes and musical performances were introduced at the event.

Speaking at the event, the school's Principal Sivanheuang Phengkhammay said that the event aimed to help its students learn more about Vietnamese cultural values. Then, they will help introduce those values to international friends.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung said that he was happy to see the school's teachers and students integrate well into Lao society, but still preserve Vietnamese cultural identity.

On this occasion, the ambassador presented 15 million LAK (720 USD) to support the school's Vietnamese language teaching and learning.

Hanoi's leader pays pre-Tet visit to VBS Patronage Council, Tran Quoc pagoda

Permanent Vice Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Thi Tuyen on February 1 paid a visit to the Patronage Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) and Tran Quoc pagoda in Tay Ho district on the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet).

Tuyen extended her Tet wishes to dignitaries, monks, nuns and Buddhist followers of the VBS Patronage Council and Tran Quoc pagoda.

She expressed her hope that the dignitaries, monks, nuns and Buddhists continue accompanying the city to help it more civilized and modern.

Venerable Thich Nguyen Chinh said he hopes to receive more attention from the city's administration to Buddhist activities of the VBS at all levels, Tay Ho district as well as Tran Quoc pagoda.

Wartime bomb safely deactivated in Nghe An

Sappers in the Military Command of the central province of Nghe An safely defused a 350-kg bomb left from wartime found in a residential area on February 1.

The explosive device was found by a local man in Ky Son district’s Nam Can commune on January 29 when he was digging a foundation for building a house. It was determined to be an M117 bomb with the detonator intact.

After receiving information on the whereabouts of the explosive device, local authorities had laid siege to the dangerous area and deployed troops for safeguarding.

The bomb was moved to a safe place for detonation.

Anti-corruption steering committee convenes 25th meeting

The Central Steering Committee for Prevention and Control of Corruption and Negative Phenomena convened its 25th meeting in Hanoi on February 1.

The committee acknowledged the drastic efforts in combating corruption and negative phenomena throughout the previous year. Comprehensive results were achieved at both central and local levels, contributing significantly to Party building and rectification, political stability, socio-economic development, and strengthening public trust.

Party committees and inspection commissions at all levels imposed disciplinary measures against 606 Party organisations and 24,162 Party members, up 12% from 2022. The Party Central Committee and its Inspection Commission, the Politburo and the Secretariat disciplined 19 officials under the management of the Politburo and the Secretariat, of whom six were disciplined for violations related to asset and income declaration for the first time.

Since the term-beginning of the 13th National Party Congress, disciplinary actions have been taken against 105 officials under the management of the Party Central Committee, including 22 members and former members of the Party Central Committee. Two-thirds of the disciplined Party members were penalised for misconduct during the previous term.

Inspections and audits led to recommendations for handling financial matters amounting to nearly 219 trillion VND (1.2 billion USD), nearly tripling the figure from 2022. Administrative fines were proposed on 7,524 collectives and 7,944 individuals. Moreover, 660 cases showing signs of criminal offenses were transferred to investigation police agencies for legal proceedings, marking an annual increase compared to 2022.

Throughout the year, legal proceedings were initiated against 4,523 cases involving 9,373 defendants nationwide, reflecting a yearly rise of 46% in cases related to corruption, economic crimes, and abuse of power. Notably, 13 new cases involving 54 defendants fell under the oversight of the steering committee. Assets worth over 234 trillion VND were confiscated, sealed and reclaimed.

Looking ahead, the steering committee will promulgate and enforce regulations concerning the moral standards of officials and Party members in the new period.

Party committees, organisations, and competent agencies will continue refining institutions and laws related to socio-economic management, prevention and control of corruption and negative phenomena. A review of the five-year implementation of the Anti-Corruption Law 2018 and the Politburo’s Directive on strengthening the Party leadership in protecting whistleblowers and those combating corruption, wastefulness and negative phenomena will also be conducted.

They were assigned to adopt more concerted and effective measures in the inspection, supervision and auditing of sectors prone to corruption and negative phenomena. Conclusions related to wrongdoings at 34 cases under the purview of the steering committee, especially at Viet A and AIC companies, Van Thinh Phat Group and SCB Bank must be promptly issued.

At the meeting, the steering committee decided to add two cases to its watch list. The first involves violations of regulations on research, exploration and exploitation of resources, accounting irregularities leading to severe consequences, and smuggling at Thai Duong Group JSC and Rare Earth Vietnam JSC, and related units. The second pertains to abuse of positions and power while performing official duties at the Ministry of Industry and Trade and in various localities.

Da Nang, Laos’ Savannakhet province boost ties

Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of the central city of Da Nang Le Quang Nam hosted a reception on February 1 for a delegation from Laos’ Savannakhet province led by Vice Governor Lingthong Sengtavanh.

Briefing the guests about the city’s socio-economic achievements last year, Nam said Da Nang successfully held many national and international-scale events, welcomed over 7.3 million tourists, including 372 foreign delegations comprising 3,106 people who came to work in trade, education, culture, tourism and sci-tech.

He spoke highly of cooperative ties between Da Nang and Laos’ southern and central provinces, including Savannakhet, saying that the city is rolling out cooperation programmes outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation for the 2023-2027 period that it signed with five provinces in southern and central Laos, with significant results in education and training, notably a scholarship programme enabling Lao officials and students to study at the University of Da Nang.

The host informed that in early April, a local high-ranking delegation will visit and extend Bunpimay New Year greetings 2024 to Laos’s southern and central provinces, including Savannakhet. The city is also in the process of building plans to carry out cooperation programmes outlined in the MoU between the two localities this year.

Sengtavanh, for his part, expressed thanks to Da Nang for its support over the past years. He wished that friendly ties between the two localities would be further tightened, contributing to fostering the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries’ Parties, States and people.

Localities receive rice aid for Lunar New Year

Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai on February 1 signed a decision regarding the allocation of rice from the national reserve to localities for the 2024 Lunar New Year festival and the between-crop period.

He assigned the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to distribute a total of 431.9 tonnes of rice at no cost to the provinces of Ha Giang, Bac Kan and Kon Tum.

Ha Giang will receive 253.62 tonnes, Bac Kan - 31,605 tonnes, and Kon Tum - 76.86 tonnes for distribution to locals during Tet. An additional 69.87 tonnes will be given to residents of Kon Tum for the between-crop period.

The authorities of Ha Giang, Bac Kan and Kon Tum are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of reporting data and delivering the timely rice aid to eligible recipients in line with regulations.

Vietnam, Singapore step up population database connection

A delegation from the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security (MoPS) led by Deputy Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Duy Ngoc began a working visit to Singapore on February 1.

During the trip, the delegation worked with the Smart Nation and Digital Government Office (SNDGO) and the Government Technology Agency (GovTech).

Ngoc also paid a courtesy call to Singaporean Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean, during which both sides underscored the robust and comprehensive development of the bilateral strategic partnership over the past years. Building upon this foundation, the two countries will continue to deepen their cooperation this year, thereby laying the groundwork to elevate the bilateral relations in the time ahead.

Teo, for his part, expressed his delight at the growing collaboration between Singaporean law enforcement agencies and the MoPS over the past years.

He also took note of cooperation proposals from the Vietnamese side and expressed his hope for continued collaboration in key areas such as security, digital economy, and human resources training.

In the morning of the same day, the Vietnamese delegation attended the annual dialogue between the MoPS and Singapore's Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI), SNDGO and GovTech led by Deputy Secretary Sim Fengji.

The discussion focused on advancing the negotiations on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the MoPS and MCI. Notably, they deliberated the connecting of population databases through the integration of Vietnam's VNeID app and Singapore's SingPass. They also agreed on the legal aspects of data sharing between the two countries for cooperation in fields such as health care, education, tourism, crime prevention and control, and sharing of training experiences to support the establishment of a national big data centre, particularly in legal, technological and human resources aspects.        

Following the dialogue, the Vietnamese delegation attended an exhibition on programming technology solutions for better public services for people - an annual event showcasing public service applications to the public.

Practices in Party building helps create high-quality journalistic works: PM

Practices in the process of national construction and defence and Party building and rectification, and consensus and trust of the people are a valuable and unlimited source of inspirations for authors to create high-quality journalistic works, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at a ceremony on February 1 evening to honour winners of the 8th National Press Awards on Party Building in 2023.

The PM said the National Press Awards on Party Building - Bua Liem Vang (Golden Hammer and Sickle) Awards has affirmed the value and attractiveness of the Party  and political system building; and the deep political awareness, professional ethics and strong heart for the revolution of journalists throughout the country.

The Awards has also offered a forum for journalists to express views, theories, proud history, the belief of the people and the practical activities of the Party, he stressed, adding that it is always awaited and looked forward to on the occasion of the founding anniversary of the Party.

He said that the works closely followed the policies and viewpoints on the Party building, vividly reflecting political activities in the Party, especially emerging urgent issues such as building culture and ethics within the Party, and preventing "the disease of avoiding responsibility and fear of making mistakes”.

The PM expressed his belief that innovation and creativity will continue to be promoted so that the Awards will increasingly spread its positive influence, contributing to the process of national construction and defence, for the goal of a strong country, wealthy people, and a democratic, fair and civilised society.

This year’s awards, the organising board received 2,216 entries, up 184 from the previous one. Six A, 12 B, 18 C, six subject and 30 consolation prizes were presented to winners at the awarding ceremony.

Most of the works reflected hot issues, outstanding events, and key tasks of the political system and the country, including current issues of the Party building and rectification work such as fighting the disease of Hypengyophobia (fear of responsibility), building a mechanism to protect officials who dare to think and dare to do, and combating wrong and distorted views to protect the Party's ideological foundation and the national sovereignty in cyberspace.

Winners of national press awards on Party building to be announced tonight

Winners of the eighth National Press Awards on Party Building, the Bua Liem Vang (Golden Hammer and Sickle) Awards 2023, will be announced at a ceremony in Hanoi on late February 1.

The Party Building magazine, the standing agency of this year’s awards, said the organising board had received 2,216 entries, up 184 against the previous one. Six A, 12 B, 18 C and 30 consolation prizes will be named at the awarding ceremony.

Most of the works reflect hot issues, outstanding events, and key tasks of the political system and the country, including current issues of the Party building and rectification work such as fighting the disease of Hypengyophobia (fear of responsibility), building a mechanism to protect officials who dare to think and dare to do, and combating wrong and distorted views to protect the Party's ideological foundation and the national sovereignty in cyberspace.

In the seventh edition, the best 72 works were honoured, including six granted Prize A, 12 Prize B, 18 Prize C, 30 the consolation prize, and eight the specialised prize.

Creating new motivation to complete assigned tasks: PM

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on February 1 chaired the Government’s regular meeting to review the socio-economic situation in January, the allocation and disbursement of public investment, and the implementation of national target programmes.

At the meeting, the leader called for elaborating Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s recent article titted “Proud and confident under the Party's glorious flag, determined to build a Vietnam more prosperous, powerful, civilised and heroic with a fine and long-lasting culture” penned on the occasion of the 94th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).

This is to consolidate national pride, tradition, patriotism, mettle and confidence, and promote the sense of responsibility in order to create new motivation to complete assigned tasks, he explained.

Chinh said it is necessary to further follow the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, directions of the Party Central Committee, the Politburo and key leaders, along with the 2021-2030 socio-economic development strategy, the 2021-2025 plan, and resolutions and directives of the government and the PM.

The immediate task lies with ensuring that the entire population, especially remote, border, island residents and disadvantaged groups, enjoy a happy New Year, he said.

The PM urged maintaining macro-economic stability, taming inflation, ensuring major economic balances, and managing monetary policy in a flexible, timely and effective way, saying they should go in tandem with fiscal policy and others.

Apart from consolidating traditional markets, efforts are needed to seek new ones, he said, calling for more attention to controlling budget spending, overspending, public debt, government debt and foreign debt.

Ministries, agencies and localities were asked to forge growth engines, focusing on luring and disbursing social investment sources, and attracting large-scale, high-tech foreign direct investment (FDI) projects, particular those in processing, manufacturing, electronics, semiconductors and hydrogen, among others.

They were also requested to boost exports, especially of agro-forestry-aquatic products, to major and promising markets; accelerate the negotiations and signing of the comprehensive economic partnership agreement between Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and free trade agreements with Brazil, the Southern Common Market (Mercosur - including Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay), and India; better tap the Halal market; promote the domestic market; and concertedly roll out solutions to attract domestic and foreign tourists.

The leader also touched upon attracting green finance and credit to develop renewable and new energy, and building regional and international financial centres in Vietnam.

He emphaised the need to speed up public investment disbursement and the implementation of the three national target programmes on new-style rural area building, sustainable poverty reduction and socio-economic development in ethnic minority-inhabited and mountainous areas, while pushing ahead with the ratification of planning schemes.

For projects that are facing obstacles regarding construction material supply, Chinh urged the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to immediately amend relevant regulations.

Ministries, agencies and localities must focus on removing difficulties to production and business, and drastically streamline administrative procedures, he continued.

The leader called for greater efforts to have the European Commission (EC)’s “yellow card” on Vietnamese seafood removed and boost services and tourism, saying more heed should be paid to social welfare, environmental protection, climate change response, and national defence and security.

Other tasks assigned by the PM included stepping up the fight against corruption and other negative phenomena, and enhancing external relations and international integration.

According to a report presented at the meeting, the socio-economic situation in January continued its positive recovery trend with many remarkable results in all fields.

In particular, the macro-economy remained stable, inflation controlled, and major balances guaranteed, with the consumer price index (CPI) up 3.37% year-on-year, and exports up 37.7% to nearly 64.22 billion USD with a trade surplus of 2.92 billion USD.

The index of industrial production (IIP) rose by 18.3% over the same period last year, showing a positive trend. Total retail sales of consumer goods and services grew by 8.1% in the month.

The country welcomed over 1.5 million international visitors, an increase of 73.6% year-on-year.

The total registered FDI capital reached 2.36 billion USD, a rise of 40.2%, with 1.48 billion USD disbursed, up 9.6%.

Tet wishes extended to overseas Vietnamese

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang, who is also Chairwoman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese (OV) Affairs, has extended her best wishes to Vietnamese people living around the world on the occasion of the nearing traditional Tet (Lunar New Year).

In her Tet greeting letter, Hang wrote that in 2023, the world witnessed unpredictable changes, beyond forecasts. However, under the leadership of the Party and State, and the consensus of the Vietnamese people, including more than 6 million compatriots abroad, the country steadfastly surfed difficulties and gained many important and comprehensive achievements in all fields, especially in keeping economic development momentum, ensuring social security, maintaining independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

External affairs also reaped achievements of historical significance, contributing to increasing the image, stature, reputation and position of Vietnam in the international arena.

She said she was deeply moved and appreciated as the OV community well serves as a bridge connecting Vietnam with the world, and makes important contributions to the Fatherland building, development and safeguarding cause.

The official affirmed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs will always stand side by side with OVs, make efforts to implement programmes and activities more effectively to connect the communities abroad as well as connecting Vietnamese people at home and abroad.

She wished the entire OV community a warm Tet, and a new year of good health, happiness and prosperity.

Vietnamese peacekeepers celebrate Party’s 94th anniversary, Tet festival

The Vietnamese engineering soldiers joining the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei have held various activities to celebrate the 94th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Tet (Lunar New Year) festival.

A banh chung (square glutinous rice cake) making contest was organised, with materials including dong leaves, white glutinous rice and pork brought from Vietnam.

Besides, the Vietnamese blue-beret soldiers had a friendly volleyball match with local residents, with several Nigerian servicemen being the referees. They then presented the foreign friends several gifts, and invited them to try traditional dishes of Vietnam.

In the coming days, the sappers will make Tet decorations at the yard of the military engineering unit, while organising several art performances and folk games such as tug-of-war, blind-man’s buff, and stick pushing with a view to popularising Vietnamese culture among foreigners.

According to Major Nguyen Mau Vu, political commissar of the engineering unit, along with preparing for a warm Tet, the soldiers have undergone training to ensure security and safety for the military base amidst the complicated and unprecedented developments in Abyei.

OVs welcome traditional Tet in HCM City

One hundred overseas Vietnamese (OVs) returning from 28 nations and territories on February 1 offered incense at the Hung Kings Memorial Site in the National Historical and Cultural Park in Ho Chi Minh City, starting a series of activities of the “Xuan Que huong 2024” (Homeland Spring) programme.

On this occasion, the city’s Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) organised a full-line test run on Metro Line 1 linking Ben Thanh in District 1 with Suoi Tien in Thu Duc city to serve OVs.

Within the framework of the programme, OVs will have chances to join a lot of activities to enjoy the Tet atmosphere.

The “Xuan Que huong” programme is held annually on the threshold of the Lunar New Year (Tet) – the biggest and longest festival in a year of Vietnamese people – for outstanding Vietnamese people living abroad. The programme is attended by leaders and former leaders of the Party and State, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other ministries, and localities.

This is the largest political, external and cultural event connecting Vietnamese people at home and abroad, and also an opportunity for Party and State leaders to listen to the thoughts and aspirations of OVs.

Lang Son peach blossom festival in full swing

The northern mountainous province of Lang Son’s annual peach blossom festival kicked off on the first day of February. 

Lasting through March 9, the event features myriad cultural activities, including a trade fair, sightseeing and experimental tours, gardening and cooking contests, musical performances, and an art exchange with Pingxiang city, China’s southwestern Zhuang Autonomous Region of Guangxi.

At the opening ceremony, Standing Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee and head of the organising committee of the festival Duong Xuan Huyen said that the festival has created an enticing cultural space to promote Lang Son’s economic, tourism, and service development, attracting more tourists to the border land.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong highlighted the province’s potential for cultural and festive activities serving its tourism growth, job creation and better living standards.

The official recommended Lang Son come up with more tourism products and invest in upgrading and completing related infrastructure.

The natural condition of the province is perfect for many beautiful, unique, and rare peach varieties. In spring, the whole land is blanketed in blooming peach trees that are grown aplenty across villages, hillsides and streets. It is also a must destination for tourists when the Lunar New Year (Tet) comes.

Practices in Party building helps create high-quality journalistic works: PM

Practices in the process of national construction and defence and Party building and rectification, and consensus and trust of the people are a valuable and unlimited source of inspirations for authors to create high-quality journalistic works, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at a ceremony on February 1 evening to honour winners of the 8th National Press Awards on Party Building in 2023.

The PM said the National Press Awards on Party Building - Bua Liem Vang (Golden Hammer and Sickle) Awards has affirmed the value and attractiveness of the Party  and political system building; and the deep political awareness, professional ethics and strong heart for the revolution of journalists throughout the country.

The Awards has also offered a forum for journalists to express views, theories, proud history, the belief of the people and the practical activities of the Party, he stressed, adding that it is always awaited and looked forward to on the occasion of the founding anniversary of the Party.

He said that the works closely followed the policies and viewpoints on the Party building, vividly reflecting political activities in the Party, especially emerging urgent issues such as building culture and ethics within the Party, and preventing "the disease of avoiding responsibility and fear of making mistakes”.

The PM expressed his belief that innovation and creativity will continue to be promoted so that the Awards will increasingly spread its positive influence, contributing to the process of national construction and defence, for the goal of a strong country, wealthy people, and a democratic, fair and civilised society.

This year’s awards, the organising board received 2,216 entries, up 184 from the previous one. Six A, 12 B, 18 C, six subject and 30 consolation prizes were presented to winners at the awarding ceremony.

Most of the works reflected hot issues, outstanding events, and key tasks of the political system and the country, including current issues of the Party building and rectification work such as fighting the disease of Hypengyophobia (fear of responsibility), building a mechanism to protect officials who dare to think and dare to do, and combating wrong and distorted views to protect the Party's ideological foundation and the national sovereignty in cyberspace.

Localities receive rice aid for Lunar New Year

Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai on February 1 signed a decision regarding the allocation of rice from the national reserve to localities for the 2024 Lunar New Year festival and the between-crop period.

He assigned the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to distribute a total of 431.9 tonnes of rice at no cost to the provinces of Ha Giang, Bac Kan and Kon Tum.

Ha Giang will receive 253.62 tonnes, Bac Kan - 31,605 tonnes, and Kon Tum - 76.86 tonnes for distribution to locals during Tet. An additional 69.87 tonnes will be given to residents of Kon Tum for the between-crop period.

The authorities of Ha Giang, Bac Kan and Kon Tum are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of reporting data and delivering the timely rice aid to eligible recipients in line with regulations.

Key players return from injuries, boosting Vietnamese team's prospects for World Cup qualifiers

Many of Vietnam's national team stars have fully recovered and returned to training and competition at their clubs, preparing for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in March.

The recovery of these players is good news for French coach Troussier, as their presence provides the Vietnamese team with more quality options for the crucial matches against Indonesia in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Vietnam's objective in the matches against Indonesia is to secure six points, which would open the door for further progress in the tournament.

However, the two matches, scheduled to take place at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on March 21 and My Dinh National Stadium on March 26, promise to be challenging. Indonesia have significantly transformed since the addition of several naturalised players, and their confidence is soaring following their progress at the 2023 Asian Cup.

The disappointing performance at the 2023 Asian Cup has subjected coach Troussier to immense pressure from the media and public. Fans are particularly interested in whether the contract with the French coach will be extended.

Nevertheless, a representative of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has confirmed that Troussier will retain his position despite the team's underwhelming performance at the Asian Cup.

"The Vietnamese team is not the exclusive property of the VFF or coach Troussier; they are the collective asset of the country," said Nguyen Xuan Vu, VFF Vice President in charge of communications.

"We will collaborate with clubs to ensure that the Vietnamese team have the strongest line-up before entering the World Cup qualifying matches in March.

"In the event that the Vietnamese team do not achieve success, the VFF will sit down with coach Troussier and evaluate the situation, but the contract does not contain an immediate termination clause."

Troussier assumed the position in early 2023, succeeding Korean coach Park Hang-seo, and his contract with the VFF will run until the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

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