Vehicle inspection capacity merely meets 40 percent of actual demand

The Vietnam Register has announced that if there are no changes, there is a risk of serious congestion at vehicle inspection centers in the coming time, as the capacity to inspect motor vehicles only meets less than 40 percent of the demand.

According to statistics from the Vietnam Register, up to now, there are a total of 2,014 inspectors nationwide, including 1,061 high-level motor vehicle inspectors.

However, currently, only about 1,500 inspectors are active, while at least 1,986 inspectors are needed to maintain the operation of the entire motor vehicle inspection system. Specifically, vehicle registration centers and advisory offices under the Vietnam Register are currently short 120 inspectors, equivalent to about 50 percent of the required number.

At the same time, 121 out of 489 inspection lines across the country have to temporarily suspend operations because the inspection units are under investigation by the police, fail to meet the conditions for operation under Decree No.139/2028/ND-CP, or have voluntarily closed.

In Hanoi, only 16 out of 31 vehicle registration centers are operating, with 31 out of 61 inspection lines, equivalent to 53 percent compared to before. Similarly, in Ho Chi Minh City, only 11 out of 19 vehicle registration centers are opened, with 26 out of 48 inspection lines, equivalent to 54 percent compared to before.

It is forecasted that the number of inspection units halting operation will continue to increase this week due to a lack of personnel. Not to mention that each inspection line can only handle 40 vehicles per day on average, achieving 66 percent of capacity. The reason is that most inspection lines have only three inspectors each to carry out the inspection.

Therefore, with the current number of active inspection lines, Hanoi can only inspect about 1,240 vehicles per day, equivalent to 32,240 vehicles per month. In Ho Chi Minh City, the inspection capacity only reaches 1,040 vehicles per day, equivalent to 27,040 vehicles per month, meeting less than 40 percent of the actual demand.

Inspection on poultry imports strengthened amid H5N1 fear

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has issued a dispatch boosting urging the inspection of poultry and poultry product imports into Vietnam to prevent the spread of the influenza A virus subtype H5N1 (A/H5N1).

In the dispatch sent to the agriculture departments of localities and the Department of Animal Health on February 26, the ministry requested them to take measures to prevent poultry and poultry products from being illegally imported into Vietnam, causing harm to the livestock industry, food hygiene and public health.

The dispatch was issued following WHO’s warnings that the influenza A virus could be spreading after a death was reported due to A/H5N1 in Prey Veng, Cambodia, which shares a border with Vietnam.

The ministry urged the relevant ministries and provincial people’s committees to take preventive measures.

The dispatch requested provinces and cities, especially southern provinces and cities, to strengthen inspection, surveillance and control at the border gates, trails, border crossings and seaports to timely apply strict sanctions on illegal trading, slaughter and the importation of poultry and poultry products to Vietnam.

Authorities will collect samples for testing from animals and animal products which are illegally imported to the country before destroying them.

The local authorities will report their locality’s plague on the online animal disease portal and raise awareness among residents in the boundary areas over the danger of avian influenza and the consequences of trading poultry without certification.

Over 130 fishing boats run out of food amid bad weather at sea

More than 130 fishing boats with 524 fishermen have run out of food while operating near the Spratly Islands in bad weather, according to the Phu Quy District People's Committee in the southern province of Binh Dinh.

The committee on Monday sent an urgent letter to the provincial authorities to inform them about the fishermen's situation and propose support.

According to the committee, the fishing boats departed between February 2-12 and had prepared enough food and necessities for trips of between 17-20 days off the Spratly Islands.

"However, the area has been hit by strong winds which caused 3-4.5 metre high waves. The fishermen have had to seek shelter at Da Lat Island," the committee said. "Due to the prolonged bad weather, they could not continue their fishing activities nor return home. So they have had to call for support from local authorities there."

It is forecasted that strong winds and high waves of 4-5 metres would continue in the sea area from Phu Quy to the Spratly Islands. The committee proposed that Binh Thuan Provincial People's Committee directed relevant agencies to provide food, drinks and necessities to the stranded fishermen.

Site handover for 2 routes connecting to Long Thanh Airport scheduled in June

The Project Management Board of Long Thanh International Airport expects that at the end of this quarter, the bidding dossier on 2 connection routes to the airport will be issued to start the bidding process and select suitable contractors.

Accordingly, the two routes named T1 and T2 that connect to Long Thanh International Airport will be built to answer transport demands in the first stage.

_T1, with a length of 3.8km, begins from the West Gate of Long Thanh International Airport to Bien Hoa – Vung Tau Expressway, goes along National Highway No.51, and ends at the link with Provincial Highway No.25C.

_T2, with a length of 3.5km, begins from its intersection with T1, goes parallel with Bien Hoa – Vung Tau Expressway, and ends at its link with HCMC – Long Thanh Expressway.

The Project Management Board of Long Thanh International Airport asked that Dong Nai Province accelerate the land clearance task until June 2023 in order to hand over the land for construction work.

Wartime bomb deactivated in central Vietnam

The Military High Command in the central province of Nghe An said on February 27 that they have defused a bomb weighing up to 120kg that had been left over from the war.

The bomb was found four metres deep underground in a garden of a local resident of Hung Thanh commune in Yen Thanh district of Nghe An province.

Local authorities quickly put up warning signs in order to ensure people stayed out of the area.

Engineers from the military headquarters of Nghe An subsequently extracted the bomb, which measured 1.2 metres in length and still had a detonator, before taking it away in order to safely dispose of it.

In July 2022, local military forces deactivated a similar bomb near the site the February 27 bomb was detected.

Single donor provides the gift of life for transplant patients

Doctors from Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City and Viet Duc University Hospital in Hanoi have worked together to conduct several organ transplants donated from a single donor.

The donor, born in 1988 from An Giang province who failed to survive a disease, decided to donate his heart, kidneys, two corneas and skin to save others.

Doctors at Cho Ray Hospital conducted kidney transplants on two patients - one born in 2007 and the other born in 1996, and a skin transplant on another. They are scheduled to perform the cornea transplant on a patient on February 27.

Meanwhile, the heart of the donor was transported to Hanoi for a transplant on a patient registered in Viet Duc University Hospital. With great effort, for the first time in its history, Cho Ray Hospital had successfully applied techniques to keep the heart healthy for the receiver and delivered it to Hanoi for the transplant operation.

According to Viet Duc University Hospital, after receiving the heart, 40 doctors and nurses of the hospital conducted an 8-hour operation which ended in success. The patient has received the new heart and is recovering in hospital.

DRVN asked to solve problems in changing driver’s license online

The Ministry of Transport has just requested the Department for Roads of Vietnam (DRVN) to urgently scrutinize problems related to changing driver’s licenses online.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Transport requested the DRVN to remove obstacles in carrying out procedures for changing driver's licenses online on the National Public Service Portal. At the same time, it is necessary to support people who do online public services to change driver's licenses. After reviewing the problems, the DRVN needs to report the results to the Ministry of Transport before February 28.

Following people’s complaints, online driver’s license renewal is currently facing many problems, especially related to health certificate. People have to go for a medical checkup, get a health certificate, then go to people's committees in communes and wards to have attestation online, which is time-consuming.

HCMC’s Youth Month 2023 starts

The 2023 Youth Month program was kicked off in Thu Duc City under the theme “Young pioneer in digital transformation” on February 26 with the participation of a large number of local young people.

Vice Secretary of the HCMC Party Committee Nguyen Ho Hai attends the city's 2023 Youth Month program that is kicked off on February 26. (Photo: SGGP)

On this occasion, the Standing Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of HCMC launched the 14th Young volunteer for science development program with the participation of Vice Secretary of the HCMC Party Committee Nguyen Ho Hai and Secretary of the Central Committee of the Youth Union, the Chairwoman of the Central Council, Nguyen Pham Duy Trang.

The HCMC Youth Month 2023 will run from February 26 – March 31 featuring 12 goals and one major work of building a site introducing the tradition of HCMC Youth Union, aiming at marking the 92nd founding anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and the 3rd Youth Festival.

peaking at the ceremony, Standing Vice Secretary of the HCMC Youth Union Ngo Minh Hai emphasized the 2023 Youth Month has a special significance in the new tenure of congress of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union at all levels, bringing hope from the Party organization and the municipal Government of a generation of young people with energy, aspiration, and devotion who will pioneer the digital transformation to directly solve social problems.

At the launching ceremony, the Party Committee of Thu Duc City handed over 20 gifts to households affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and needy families.

The Youth Science and Technology Development Center of HCMC signed cooperation agreements on activity programs in 2023 with five units.

Fire rips through wood processing firm in Binh Phuoc

A huge fire erupted at the warehouse of a wood processing firm at the Minh Hung 3 industrial park in Binh Phuoc Province’s Chon Thanh Town this morning, February 27.

Some employees at High Line Smart Home Company, which specializes in manufacturing woodwork, discovered the blaze at 9:50 a.m. on the day. The inferno quickly swept through the woodwork production warehouse due to many highly inflammable items, the local media reported.

After being notified of the fire, many fire trucks and over 30 firefighters were dispatched to the scene to extinguish it.

The firefighters put the fire under control nearly one hour of efforts in fighting it.

No fatalities were reported in the fire, while more than 1,000 square meters of the warehouse was burned.

The police of the province are investigating the cause of the fire.

Deputy PM meets Vietnamese expats in Switzerland

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang joined a meeting with Vietnamese expatriate community and representative agencies in Switzerland on February 26, following his arrival in Geneva to attend a high-level discussion of the 52nd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

At the event, Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, head of the Vietnamese Delegation to the UN, WTO and other international organisations in Geneva, informed Quang of Vietnamese expats’ significant contributions to the operation of the delegation, assistance for their fellow countrymen at home, and successful integration into the host society.

She expressed her pride in nearly 30 Vietnamese experts’ presentations and contributions at international organisations in Geneva, such as the UN Office, World Health Organisation, and World Trade Organisation.

Taking into account such efforts, Quang took note of concerns and questions from the expatriates of different ages. He gave his answers and assigned relevant competent agencies to tackle their issues.

The Deputy PM’s attendance at the High-Level Meeting on February 27 and 28 officially marks the start of Vietnam's participation as a UNHRC member for the 2023-2025 tenure.

Hanoi to build 13 resettlement areas for Ring Road No 4 project

Hanoi will build 13 resettlement areas at a cost of 13.36 trillion VND (563 million USD) for households affected by the construction of the Ring Road No. 4 project.

It was a decision signed by Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh, the committee revealed on February 26.

It relates to compensation, support, and resettlement for the Ring Road No. 4 project. The fund will come from central and local budgets.

Of the total fund, nearly 11.3 trillion VND (473.6 million USD) will be used for compensation, 530 billion VND (22.2 million USD) for relocating high-voltage power transmission lines, 960.9 billion VND (40.3 million USD) for the construction of resettlement areas, 7.58 billion VND (317,901 USD) for making the feasibility report, and 611.2 billion VND (25.6 million USD) for other costs.

Land area to be used for the construction of Ring Road No. 4 is approximately 812.07ha, covering seven districts, including Soc Son, Me Linh, Dan Phuong, Hoai Duc, Ha Dong, Thanh Oai and Thuong Tin.

The 13 resettlement areas will need 39.28ha in five districts, which are Me Linh, Dan Phuong, Hoai Duc, Thanh Oai and Thuong Tin.

The site clearance work is expected to be completed this year so that the entire subproject can be finished next year.

The construction of Ring Road No. 4 in the capital city is an important project contributing to the expansion of development space for the capital.

It will reduce population density and traffic congestion in the inner city and gradually change the economic structure of the area along the road and the suburbs.

It was promulgated in Directive 16-CT/TU signed by Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung.

The road will also strengthen connectivity and create motivation and breakthroughs in the socio-economic development of Hanoi and neighbouring areas.

The project has total length of 112.8km and includes seven subprojects.

The road should be basically completed in 2026 and put into use in 2027.

To reach the target, at least 70% of the construction site must be handed over to the investor by June this year and the site clearance work must be finished by the end of this year.

Vietnam keen on working with Japan in implementing global commitments, goals

As a country with high sense of responsibility, Vietnam is willing to cooperate with Japan in realising global commitments and goals, thus turning the bilateral relations into a model in partnership between a developing country and a developed one, said Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha.

Ha made the statement while receiving Special Advisor of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Alliance Takebe Tsutomu and Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio in Hanoi on February 27.

Ha, who is also Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, recalled his engagement in the process of establishing bilateral strategic partnership, especially in the fields of maritime research, environment, climate change response, and hydrometeorology, among others.

Showing support to the Japanese Government’s initiatives to achieve net-zero emission goal, the Deputy PM highlighted cooperation potential between Vietnam and Japan in just energy transition, and personnel training. He held that the Vietnam-Japan University is a symbol of bilateral collaboration in human resources development.

The Vietnamese official highly valued Japan’s technology and financial support to Vietnam to settle the Agent Orange/dioxin (AO) consequences. Vietnam has been working hard to mobilise diverse resources to ease the AO pains, helping victims to integrate into the society, he said.

Deputy PM Ha thanked Ambassador Yamada Takio for launching many activities to further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, and spoke highly of Japan’s ideas to achieve net-zero emission goal and boost economic development at the same time.

He held that developing countries can only implement just energy transition and complete the net-zero emission goal if they are active in promoting the transfer of relevant technologies.

Special Advisor of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Alliance Takebe Tsutomu said that the reinforcement of the Vietnam-Japan ties is significant to the growth of each country, especially amid unpredictable developments in the world and challenges in food security, energy, social welfare and climate change.

He proposed a number of cooperation ideas on education-training, high quality human resources training, salinity and sea level rise response in the Mekong Delta region, and AO consequence settlement.

At the meeting, the two sides discussed measures to further promote ties between the two countries on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, and bring the bilateral extensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia to a new development period.

Vietnamese footballers arrive in Uzbekistan for 2023 AFC U20 Asian Cup finals

After a week-long training course in the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam's U20 team arrived in Uzbekistan’s Fergana city on February 26, ready to compete in the finals of the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U20 Asian Cup.

According to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), coach Hoang Anh Tuan and his team have the first training session on February 27 afternoon. After two training sessions, they will play the first match against Australia on March 1.

Vietnam are in Group B together with Iran, Australia, and Qatar in the tournament’s finals.

Sixteen squads will compete in the tournament, comprising Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Japan, Jordan, the Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Oman, Tajikistan, Iran, Australia, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan, China, Iraq, and Syria.

Vietnam are one of the five second-placed teams with the best results in the qualifying round.

Among the rivals of Vietnam in Group B, Qatar won the tournament in 2014, Iran triumphed for four times (in 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976), while Australia were the runners-up in 2010.

Meanwhile, Group A gathers hosts Uzbekistan, Syria, Iraq and Indonesia; Group C consists of Oman, Jordan, Tajikistan and the Republic of Korea; and Group D comprises Kyrgyzstan, China, Japan and Saudi Arabia.

NA Standing Committee carries out foreign affairs for 2023

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on February 27 attended the NA Standing Committee’s conference to implement foreign affairs of the legislature in 2023.

Speaking at the event, NA Permanent Vice Chairman Tran Thanh Man highlighted the need to continue strengthening cohesion and coordination with Party, State and people-to-people diplomacy, and bring into play parliamentary diplomacy in order to maximise synergy in implementing the country’s foreign policy to ensure national interests.

He proposed attaching importance to economic diplomacy for development, putting people and businesses at the centre, and stepping up socio-economic recovery.

The legislative body should promote relations with other parliaments in a more intensive, substantive and effective manner, intensify multilateral parliamentary diplomacy, and enhance the role of the NA in multilateral cooperation mechanisms, and regional and international organisations.

Man also emphasised the importance of researching and consulting on perfecting the legal system to serve foreign affairs and international integration and focusing supervision on the implementation of international commitments and treaties to which Vietnam is a member, as well as international agreements that it has signed.

Attention should be paid to improving the effectiveness of external information work, and innovating and raising awareness about the role and importance of the work on the parliamentary diplomatic channel in response to the country's renewal requirements.

It is necessary to pay more attention to the training of personnel working in the diplomacy and foreign affairs sectors, added Man.

Photo exhibition marks 80 years of Outline of Vietnamese Culture

A photo exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the Party's Outline of Vietnamese Culture was held at the International Convention Centre in Hanoi on February 27.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong said that with 80 photos displayed, the exhibition is divided into two parts.

The first part comprises documentary photos, mostly black and white, taken and archived since 1945, including those of the full text of the document published on the first issue of Tien Phong magazine in November 1945, the first national conference on culture in 1946, and Party and State leaders attending cultural and artistic events.

The second features photos of Vietnam’s achievements in preserving and promoting heritage values and cultural identities, together with a number of prominent cultural and artistic activities in recent years.

The exhibition is organised with the support and contribution of the Vietnam News Agency; the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists; the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts Studies; the Vietnam National Museum of History; and the Ho Chi Minh Museum, among others.

It will be moved to the Hanoi Opera House on February 28.

In 1943, by applying Marxism and the guidelines of the Party and leader Nguyen Ai Quoc, Party General Secretary Truong Chinh wrote the Outline on Vietnamese Culture (also known as the 1943 Outline on Culture), stressing that the content, nature, organisation and development orientation of a cultural revolution can only be associated with the national liberation revolution and a cultural revolution can be realised when the political revolution has succeeded.

The three principles of “nationalisation”, “popularisation”, and “scientification” stated in the document have kept their value over time, guiding the development of the national culture.

Vietnam, Japan look to promote inter-parliamentarian cooperation

Politburo member, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and Chairwoman of its Organisation Commission Truong Thi Mai on February 27 received Takebe Tsutomu, Special Advisor to the Japan - Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance, who is on a visit to Vietnam to attend the eighth Vietnam-Japan Festival.

Expressing her delight at the strong development of the Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership, as the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, Mai, who is Chairwoman of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group, affirmed that Japan is a leading economic partner of Vietnam.

Cooperation between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the National Diet of Japan continues to strengthen, reflected through the regular exchange of delegations, and the intensified collaboration of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group and the Japan - Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance.

She proposed Takebe pay attention to boosting cooperation between localities in the two countries in the fields of investment, trade, tourism and labour. Mai also encouraged Japanese ministries and sectors to maintain close collaboration with Vietnam’s relevant agencies to improve the mechanism of sending and receiving interns, and promoting cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Reiterating the importance of cooperation in human resources training, she proposed Takebe encourage Japanese businesses and organisations to continue support for the Vietnam-Japan University to improve its quality.

Regarding this issue, Takebe stated that the Vietnam-Japan University plans to establish a centre for human resources development to contribute more to bilateral cooperation in training high-quality human resources, and to enhancing mutual understanding between the two peoples.

He affirmed that in his position he will work to foster cooperation between the Japan - Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance and the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group to develop relations between the two countries more substantively and effectively.

Hanoi shares experience with Lao NA delegation

The capital city of Hanoi is ready to further expand friendship and cooperation activities in various fields, including those of people-elected bodies, thereby contributing to fostering Vietnam-Laos special relationship, chairman of the municipal People’s Council Nguyen Ngoc Tuan has said.

At a reception for a delegation of the Lao National Assembly led by its Vice Chairman Khambay Damlath on February 27, he said that the city always gives high priority to developing friendly and cooperative relations with the localities of Laos, especially the capital Vientiane.

Over the past time, the collaboration between the two capitals in particular and between Hanoi and the localities of Laos in general has been constantly tightened and comprehensively developed on all channels, with many effective projects, he went on.

Sharing some experience in the operation of the municipal People's Council, the official said that after 16 terms, the organisation, apparatus and activities of the council have been consolidated and improved.

Improvements have been seen in the reception of citizens and the handling of complains and denunciations, Tuan added.

For his part, Khambay Damlath said his visit aims to promote the implementation of cooperation between the two parliaments, expressing his belief that the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Laos will further thrive in the future.

Man given 13 years in prison for trading endangered animal products

Nguyễn Đức Tài, a 34-year-old resident of Đà Nẵng, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison by the Đà Nẵng's People's Court.

Tài was found guilty of illegally trading 10 tonnes of rhino horns, ivory, lion's bones, and pangolin scales and intentionally forging seals and documents.

On February 21st, the court declared that Tài had violated regulations to protect endangered and threatened wildlife species while using counterfeit seals and documents from organizations and agencies.

In addition to the prison sentence, Tài was fined VNĐ50 million (US$2,000).

According to a report on July 17, 2021, from the city’s Customs department, 138kg of rhino horns and 3.1 tonnes of lion’s bones were discovered during an inspection at Tiên Sa Port.

The department also found 456.9kg of ivory tusks and 6.2 tonnes of pangolin scales from Nigeria.

The smuggled goods are from species listed on the extinction list issued by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The city’s investigation agency of Đà Nẵng’s Public Security on June 22, 2022, charged Tài with breaking wildlife protection laws and forging seals and documents.

Bùi Thị Hà, vice director of Education for Nature – Việt Nam (ENV), a Vietnamese non-governmental organisation, praised the successful prosecution.

She said the case would be a sample for other provinces and cities dealing with illegal trade and transporting the banned wildlife species and products.

According to ENV, about 80 tonnes of illegal wildlife products have been seized at major sea ports of Tiên Sa in Đà Nẵng, HCM City’s Cát Lái and Hải Phòng Port since 2015.

In March 2019, Việt Nam Customs seized over nine tonnes of ivory at Đà Nẵng Por, bringing the amount seized in Việt Nam since 2004 to over 70 tonnes.

In 2018, nearly 10 tonnes of smuggled ivory and pangolin scales were discovered in a container at Đà Nẵng’s Tiên Sa Port.

In 2015, eight tonnes of ivory, rhino horns and pangolin scales were found in five containers at Tiên Sa Port.

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) partners with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to assist Việt Nam’s customs and seaport authorities in using technology to counter wildlife trafficking.

USAID’s Saving Threatened Wildlife project, implemented by WWF, convened agencies to discuss tools and technology that combat wildlife trafficking through improved detection and interception at maritime ports. 

Vietnam, US jointly address post-war UXO consequences

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen Hoang Xuan Chien said he hopes that the US will continue offering long-term funding to Vietnam to help the country deal with the consequences of bombs, mines and unexploded ordinance left over from the war and create gainful livelihoods for those living in affected areas.

During a working session in Hanoi on February 27 with US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper, Chien, who is also head of the standing board of the National Steering Committee on Overcoming Post-War Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and Toxic Chemical Consequences, stressed that Vietnam will continue creating favourable conditions and work closely with the US partners to achieve set targets.

E.Knapper, for his part, affirmed that since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on addressing the aftermath of bombs and mines between the two countries in 2013, the US has strived to fulfill its commitments, stepped up funding activities directly and indirectly via international and non-governmental organisations operating in this field.

He spoke highly of Vietnam’s achievements in this field with the US’s support.

About cooperation orientations for the 2023-2028 period, Chien suggested the US continue delivering on its commitments, including accelerating the building of a training ground meeting the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and supporting research and development activities.

The Vietnamese side wished that the US would prioritise direct funding for Vietnamese partners and reputable international organisations in Vietnam, expand support to other areas contaminated with UXO beyond the central provinces, and strive to achieve the goal of clearing about 350,000ha of contaminated land from 2023 to 2028.

Over the past decade, Vietnam has cleared up around 500,000 ha of UXO-contaminated land.

50th anniversary of Cuban leader’s visit to Quang Tri to be held
 
Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Orlando Nicolás Hernández Guillén held a working session with authorities of the central province of Quang Tri on February 27 to discuss activities marking the 50th anniversary of Cuban leader Fidel Castro’s visit to the liberated area in the south of Vietnam (September 1973).

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Hoang Nam noted that Quang Tri always values cooperation opportunities with Cuba in agriculture and stays ready to welcome Cuban firms operating in culture, tourism, health care and education.

He said scheduled activities for the occasion include a State-level meeting in September, a Vietnam-Cuba photo exhibition, a seminar on the 62nd anniversary of Vietnam-Cuba diplomatic ties and Cuban leader’s visit to Quang Tri, a floral tribute and tree planting at Fidel Park in Dong Ha city, and visits to relic sites where Fidel Castro arrived in 1973.

Cuban Ambassador Guillén, for his part, wished that ties between Vietnam and Cuba, and between Quang Tri and Cuba in particular, would be further tightened in culture, tourism, sport and economy.

On the occasion, the Cuban delegation also visited venues scheduled for the celebration.

Vietnamese, Lao legislatures consolidate close ties

Vietnam always gives the highest priority to consolidating and enhancing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with the Lao National Assembly, NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Khac Dinh affirmed in Hanoi on February 28.

During the talks with his Lao counterpart Khambay Damlath, Dinh stressed that Vietnam stands by the side of and strongly supports national construction, defence, reform and development in the neighbouring country.

The legislators agreed to constantly improve the quality of the Vietnam-Laos cooperation across spheres in the time ahead, and effectively implement agreements between the two countries and their legislatures, and the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam parliamentary summit mechanism.

The Vietnamese legislature supports and stands ready to help its Lao counterpart organise the first summit of the mechanism in Vientiane this year, Dinh pledged.
 
The officials consented to maintain all-level meetings and noted their firm belief that with their joint efforts and close cooperation, the NAs will contribute to consolidating the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples.

Damlath said his trip aims to materialise outcomes of the visit to Laos by NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue in May 2022, and the cooperation agreement between the two legislative bodies.

He congratulated the Vietnamese Party, State and people on the great and comprehensive achievements they recorded over the past time, especially in the implementation of the resolution adopted at the 13th National Party Congress, helping ensure political stability, national defence and security in the country, and raise Vietnam’s position in the international arena.

Damlath emphasised that the bilateral legislative ties are developing intensively and extensively, especially after Hue’s visit, with various activities, and the two sides have supported and closely coordinated with each other at regional and international parliamentary forums.

While here, the Lao delegation had working sessions with the NA Standing Committee's Board for Deputy Affairs, some relevant agencies and localities over the operation of the NAs and provincial People’s Councils.

National Assembly eager for experience sharing, exchange with Laos: leader

The Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) is willing to share and exchange experience with the Lao NA and to learn from the law-making body’s effective models to boost its operation, said Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue as he received Lao NA Vice Chairman Khambay Damlath in Hanoi on February 28.

Praising the Lao NA’s flexible responses in approving key decisions and amending laws to tackle the country’s difficulties, the top legislator expressed his belief that Laos will soon overcome challenges, gain prosperity, and boost its role in the international arena.

Damlath took the occasion to inform his host on his visit to Vietnam so far. He said he has held talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Khac Dinh and paid working visits to Quang Nam, Da Nang, and Hanoi to exchange experiences regarding the organisation and operation of the People’s Council.

Hue briefed his guest on a host of matters in Vietnam, including specific local governance models currently applied, the instruction for and direction of the provincial level People’s Councils; and taking vote of confidence on officials holding positions elected or approved by the NA.

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