An online conference on Vietnam-Russia tourism cooperation has been recently held by the Vietnam Trade Office Branch in the Far East region, with the aim of attracting more tourists from the Far East and Siberia regions to the Southeast Asian nation.

Nguyen Hong Thanh, Vietnamese Economic and Commercial Consul, the head of the branch, said that the event attracted the participation of more than 30 delegates from Russia’s Moscow, Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude, Khabarovsk and Vladivostok cities, and Vietnam’s Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Khanh Hoa and Binh Thuan provinces.

It aimed to create an opportunity for the two sides to introduce, promote and find cooperative solutions to increase the two-way exchange of tourists, thereby helping to enhance cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and promote economic, trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam and Russia.

Vietnam welcomed more than 646,500 Russian tourist arrivals in 2019. But the figure reduced to less than 70,000 last year, although it has opened its full door to international visitors since March 2023, and offered 45-day visa exemption for Russian citizens since August 15, 2023. The main reason was said to be due to the lack of direct flights connecting Russian cities to Vietnamese localities. 

Evgenia Mikhailova, Director of the Irkutsk Tourism Department, expressed her hope that travelling between the two countries will be more convenient in 2024 to help increase the number of Russian visitors to Vietnam.

President, Vietnamese expatriates commemorate nation's ancestors in HCM City

State President Vo Van Thuong, and 100 outstanding Vietnamese expatriates who have returned for the Homeland Spring programme, offered incense in commemoration of national ancestors, as well as late President Ho Chi Minh and late President Ton Duc Thang, in Ho Chi Minh City on February 2.

They later released live carps in a ritual that worship the Land Genie and Kitchen Gods on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month that falls on February 2 this year.

The ritual is a long-standing custom of great significance as it symbolizes the farewell to all bad things of the old year to help people enter a new year of peace and happiness.

On the day, Vietnamese people hold a ceremony to send off the Land Genie and Kitchen Gods to the Heaven. They believe that the Land Genie and Kitchen Gods are decisive to the good or bad luck and blessing for their families.

About 100 Vietnamese expatriates who represent more than 5 million Vietnamese nationals living abroad have returned to Ho Chi Minh City for the annual programme Homeland Spring getting underway on February 1-2.

Overseas Vietnamese updated on HCM City’s specific development mechanism, policy

The overseas Vietnamese (OV) community in the Czech Republic have been updated on a new resolution of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) on piloting some specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Ho Chi Minh City.

At a conference held by the Vietnamese Embassy and the HCM City Overseas Vietnamese Committee in Prague on February 1, Le Van Thu, the deputy head of the committee, introduced basic points of Resolution No. 98/2023/QH15, involving 44 mechanisms in seven areas.

He highlighted 27 new policies that allow the southern economic hub to apply superior mechanisms and policies toward breakthrough development, enhancing its role as a growth pillar and driving force in the region and the nation.

Thu also fielded queries on attracting diaspora capital back to the homeland, noting that remittances to the metropolis neared 10 billion USD in 2023, nearly tripling foreign direct investment value that year. Overseas Vietnamese have made significant contributions to the development of the nation, with immense untapped potential still awaiting exploration, he said. 

Nguyen Dieu Linh, the charge d'affaires of the embassy, emphasised the strength of the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic, who have deeply integrated into the host country while maintaining close bonds with their homeland. Many OVs and Vietnamese entrepreneurs in the European nation are eager to invest in Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City.

The diplomat said she is confident that Vietnamese intellectuals and entrepreneurs here will serve as a bridge for international financial institutions and corporations to invest in the city.

Homeland Spring programme held in Laos for OVs

The Consulate General of Vietnam in Pakse, Laos's Champasak province, a “Xuan Que Huong” (Homeland Spring) programme on February 1 to bring the Tet atmosphere to overseas Vietnamese (OVs) in the host country.

Consul General Nguyen Van Trung briefed the participants on the country’s achievements in 2023 and spoke highly of the sound leadership of the Party and the State which has helped the country enhance its foreign relations and position in the international area.

The diplomat stressed that the Party and the State have always considered the OVs as an inseparable part of the Vietnamese nation. He thanked the government, people of Lao provinces and the Vietnamese community for their contributions to the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, an invaluable asset of the two peoples.

For his part, Vilayvong Boutdakham, Secretary and Governor of Champasak province, extended New Year greetings to leaders of the Party and State of Vietnam. He wished the Vietnamese community and Vietnamese businesses cooperating and investing in southern Laos provinces to achieve many successes.

President pays pre-Tet visit to HCM City

President Vo Van Thuong on February 2 visited and inspected the combat readiness of Ho Chi Minh City’s police, fire prevention and fighting, and rescue forces as the Lunar New Year (Tet) Festival is nearing.

President Thuong took this occasion to extend his best new year wishes to all officers and soldiers of these forces.

Visiting the police force, he asked the municipal Department of Public Security to well fulfil its top task of ensuring social security, safety and order in the city in all circumstances.

Attention should be paid to improving the quality and effectiveness of the fight against crimes, especially new types of crime and frauds with sophisticated tricks, he stressed.

Inspecting the combat readiness of the fire prevention and fighting, and rescue force, the State leader visited the Command Centre 114 where he was reported on how to operate the emergency information reception and processing system.

He requested officers and soldiers to ensure high combat readiness and be present at the incident scenes in the shortest time to promptly handle and minimise damage to people and property.

On the same day, the President visited Professor, Doctor Nguyen Chan Hung, who is a reputable scientist, a leading medical expert, and former Chairman of the Vietnam Cancer Association; and People’s Artist Kim Cuong, a renowned and talented artist of the theatre industry of Vietnam in general and Ho Chi Minh City in particular.

Party founding anniversary celebrated in Cambodia

The Party organisation in Cambodia on February 2 held a ceremony to celebrate the 94th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3, 1930 - 2024).

Speaking at the event, the Secretary of the Party Committee of the Party organisation, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Huy Tang reviewed the achievements that the Party organisation and the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia had made in 2023, particularly in connecting, maintaining and tightening the friendly relations between two peoples and two countries.

According to the Ambassador, the Vietnam-Cambodia relations in 2023 continued to develop comprehensively across all fields including politics, foreign affairs, defence–security, economic cooperation, trade and investment, contributing to the growth of the two countries.

Last year, the two countries exchanged over 60 delegations including four high-level delegations, and held various meetings and exchanges between localities, military zones and organisations of the two countries.

Tang said that last year, the whole Party organisation in Cambodia fulfilled assigned political tasks in all areas of work from politics, economics, national defence and security, culture, external information work, citizen protection and affairs related to Cambodians of Vietnamese origin, contributing to the successful implementation of the Party's external policy set in the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, the Resolution of the 28th Party Congress of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Resolution of the 31st Diplomatic Conference, ensuring the interests of Vietnam in Cambodia, and strengthening the good traditional friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia.

On the occasion, delegates offered incense in tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at the altar dedicated to him at the embassy.

CPV extremely important to national development, defence: experts

The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) plays an extremely important role in leading the Vietnamese people to many victories during national construction and defence over the last 94 years, according to many international experts and scholars.

Talking to Vietnam News Agency, Secretary General of the Communist Party of Uruguay Senator Juan Castillo said the CPV’s responsibility for promoting the sustainable development of the nation is extremely enormous.

President Ho Chi Minh, who founded the CPV on February 3, 1930, and generations of Vietnamese leaders have been leading Vietnam on the path to socialism and much progress during the cause of “Doi moi” (Renewal), he emphasised.

Gaston Fiorda, an expert on Southeast Asian affairs at the National Radio of Argentina (RNA), held that during its 94 years of development, the CPV has shown its mettle and talent as seen in its flexible response to every challenge of the era.

He said he is impressed with the country's development achievements, particularly public transport infrastructure as well as modern urban areas and considerably improved life quality.

Highlighting the CPV’s leadership role, Fiorda attributed all the achievements to the sound direction by the CPV, which has created a politically and legally stable society with long-term development policies and programmes.

In a constantly changing world full of challenges, the Vietnamese people, under the CPV’s leadership, have always shown their capacity of rising from all circumstances to develop, even when the whole world fell into tragic circumstances such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic, or the expansion of capitalism, the expert noted.

Chairman of the Israel - Vietnam Friendship Association Amikam Levy, who served as Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam during 2001 - 2003, emphasised that Party and State leaders of Vietnam are visionary and dedicated to developing a more powerful country and ensuring more happiness and wealth for the people.

He held that the country has chosen the right direction and had a strong leadership with clear aspirations and commitments.

Meanwhile, both Assoc. Prof. Dr. Laura Hernandez, Director of the Education Institute at the Central University of Venezuela, and Dr. Juan Gamez, a lecturer at the Venezuela-based Simon Bolivar University, expressed their admiration for the achievements of the Doi moi cause, initiated and led by the CPV.

They stressed that Vietnam has been setting an example for other nations around the world in the struggle for independence and people’s happiness.

In his article written on the occasion of the CPV’s 94th anniversary, Chairman of the Russian Council of Experts of the Eurasian Research Fund Grigory Trofimchuk used the image of “an enduring lighthouse on the chosen path” to affirm the CPV’s leadership role in the cause of revolution, construction, and development of Vietnam.

He added that the CPV has become the factor ensuring stability and security for not only Vietnam but also the entire Southeast Asia and the world. With its guiding role, it is the foundation of Vietnam’s prestige in the world.

Laos, Cambodia extend congratulations to Vietnam on Party’s 94th anniversary

The Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and the Central Committee of the Cambodian People’s Party sent congratulatory messages to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) on the 94th anniversary of the CPV (February 3).

In its congratulatory message, the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party highly appreciates the CPV’s clear-sighted leadership role in bringing the revolutionary cause to glorious victory over the past 94 years. It especially values the great, comprehensive and historically important achievements Vietnam has recorded in implementing the Renewal process since 1986 under the leadership of the CPV, helping the country to maintain stability, develop the economy, improve people’s living conditions, and expand foreign relations.

The Lao People’s Revolutionary Party congratulates Vietnam on those achievements, considering them valuable lessons and a great source of encouragement for the cause of national development and defense in Laos, reads the message.

It says it believes that Vietnamese people under the leadership of the CPV led by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong will reap greater development achievements, to build Vietnam into a modern industrial country towards the goal of a rich people, a strong country, and a just, democratic and civilized society.

The message recalls the close bond between Vietnam and Laos, and expects that the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries will live long forever.

In its congratulatory message, the Central Committee of the Cambodian People’s Party also highly appreciates the achievements that the Party, State and people of Vietnam have recorded in recent times, helping to elevate Vietnam's prestige and position globally.

The Cambodian People’s Party is extremely happy about the positive development of the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples under the motto of ‘good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive, sustainable and long-term cooperation.’

The Cambodian side expresses its belief that Vietnamese people under the leadership of the CPV led by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong will reap greater development achievements in successfully implementing the Resolution adopted at the 13th National Party Congress. It expects that the Central Committee of the CPV will successfully achieve its goal of developing Vietnam into a high income, developed economy by 2045.

12 sailors in distress at sea brought ashore

A total of 12 foreign sailors have been rescued from a sunken vessel by Vietnamese fishermen, according to information given by the Border Guard High Command of southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.

At 16:50 p.m. on January 29, a fishing boat captained by 45-year-old Nguyen Duc Thu of the southern province of Binh Thuan spotted a distressed Cambodia-flagged SAMADRA INDAH II cargo ship. At the time, the vessel sank about 20 nautical miles off away Con Dao Island.

The captain and his crew members immediately moved to rescue 12 foreign sailors, while three others are still missing.

Upon receiving a call for help from the ship’s captain, the Border Guard High Command of southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province co-operated alongside other relevant agencies to send rescue forces to bring them ashore in Ba Ria-Vung Tau. All of the crew members are in a good condition. At present search work is still underway.

Harnessing renewable energy for sustainable agriculture in Bạc Liêu

The use of renewable energy in agriculture is opening up new directions for the fisheries industry in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta provinces, especially as climate change becomes increasingly challenging, causing notable damage to the agricultural sector.

In Bạc Liêu Province, the combination of solar energy with shrimp farming not only helps reduce costs and CO2 emissions, but also plays a crucial role in adapting to the challenges of climate change.

The province now has about 44 organisations and individuals investing in installing solar energy systems combined with shrimp farming on an area of 70 hectares.

The use of solar energy in shrimp farming has brought benefits such as proactive electricity sourcing, reduced electricity costs, and decreased greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to Việt Nam's commitment to reducing CO2 emissions by 2030.

Trịnh Văn Hoặc, living in Bình Điền hamlet, Long Điền Tây Commune, is one of the households applying the solar power model combined with shrimp farming in Đông Hải District.

His family owns 20,000 square metres of land, including 3,000 square metres for aquaculture, and the remaining area is used for water storage.

According to Hoặc, in the years before having solar power, electricity costs for family activities and aquaculture operation were very high, averaging around VNĐ7 million (US$286) per month, sometimes even exceeding VNĐ10 million during peak periods.

In the last two years since installing solar power, he has been very pleased with the benefits this model brings.

Due to the sunny conditions, the electricity production is consistently high and with surplus for use.

His electricity costs have been significantly reduced, and during peak production seasons, he only has to pay around VNĐ7 million per month, or even less than VNĐ3 million in months with lower production.

However, the initial investment cost of this model is high, he said.

He was fortunate to receive 70 per cent support for the installation of the solar power system from the Bread for the World, a non-partisan Christian advocacy organisation based in the United States, so his family only had to pay about VNĐ21 million for this system.

The project "Energy conversion and climate change adaptation in the Mekong Delta region" has been implemented from 2021-23 in four communes of Đông Hải District, aiming for the efficient use of energy, closely linked to the application of the low-emission biogas renewable energy model in shrimp farming processes.

Nguyễn Thị Hạt's family in Bửu 2 hamlet, Long Điền Đông Commune, is one of the households that has been supported by the project to install a biogas model.

Recognising the advantages of the model, she has actively participated in the "Clean Energy" group and conducted various advisory and support activities for local residents to learn and experiment with the model.

Hạt said the unpredictable weather due to climate change in recent years has significantly affected the growth of shrimp and created considerable challenges impacting the health and lives of women, a group that is gradually increasing in the aquaculture sector.

The biogas model has brought positive outcomes to her life and her family. Each month, she can significantly save on gas and electricity costs, Hạt said, adding that she no longer spends much time finding coal and firewood for cooking, allowing her to take better care of herself and her family.

According to Nguyễn Trung Hiếu, deputy director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, most shrimp farming households currently use electricity for both domestic and production purposes in shrimp farming, leading to a significant electricity consumption, and annual increases in electricity prices result in high production costs, about 7-10 per cent of production costs depending on the type of farming.

Meanwhile, the Mekong Delta region has significant potential for the development of solar energy as a supplementary source to reduce costs, decrease dependence on the grid, and increase income from selling surplus electricity to the grid.

Reports from households with installed solar power systems show that they can reduce the electricity consumption from the national grid for shrimp farming households by 40-50 per cent monthly.

"The use of solar power is a criterion for Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification and Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification. Customers highly appreciate products that show concern for the use of renewable energy and environmental protection," Hiếu said.

Challenges in green energy development

Despite initial benefits, the development of shrimp farming models combined with renewable energy is facing various challenges and has not realised its full potential.

According to Hiếu, the government has not yet implemented policies to encourage the combination of shrimp farming and solar energy.

Some solar power projects combined with shrimp farming have not done well in planning and initial design, focusing only on the solar energy part in the initial construction phase. This has resulted in shrimp farming activities not achieving optimal efficiency.

The relatively large initial investment is also a difficulty for small-scale shrimp farming households, and the loan procedures at banks often require collateral, making it challenging to access.

Hiếu said, the agriculture sector in Bạc Liêu proposes that using renewable energy in shrimp farming in the Mekong Delta is a correct direction, creating conditions for environmentally friendly shrimp farming. The use of renewable energy contributes to ensuring shrimp products meet export standards, bringing economic benefits to people, businesses and the country.

The agriculture sector hopes the government will consider policies to encourage such models.

He added that clearer guidance on procedures is needed for all shrimp farmers to access and invest.

Especially, the installation of solar power systems combined with shrimp farming needs regional planning, synchronised design, and implementation to avoid deployment difficulties.

Associate Professor, Dr Lê Anh Tuấn, advisor to the Research Institute for Climate Change in the Mekong Delta under Cần Thơ University, said the Mekong Delta is the largest agricultural production area in the country and has great potential for developing renewable energy, particularly solar and wind energy.

To overcome existing limitations in renewable energy development, he suggested that the government needs suitable support policies, focusing on addressing issues to reduce the initial investment cost of renewable energy systems. Businesses should invest in researching and developing new technologies to reduce costs and improve the efficiency of renewable energy use.

Farmers, as both beneficiaries and operators of these models, need training in basic technical skills for installing and maintaining systems.

Tuấn also proposed that policy planners should focus on specific solutions for each agricultural production sector.

In shrimp farming, there should be mechanisms to popularise the use of renewable energy to run fans supplying oxygen to water, operate water quality monitoring devices, and process shrimp feed.

Similarly, in crop farming, there is a need to promote applications such as automatic irrigation and drying of agricultural products.

World Wetlands Day 2024 highlights link between human wellbeing and environmental health

Celebrated annually on February 2, World Wetlands Day 2024 takes on the theme of “Wetlands and Human Wellbeing” which highlights the interconnectedness between human welfare and environmental health of wetlands across the globe. 

Wetlands play a significant role in ecological balance, nutrition supplies and serving as the habitat for numerous wild species. They also can sequester carbon and help respond to climate change. 

Việt Nam has approximately 12 million hectares of wetlands across its Red River and Mekong deltas with a diverse ecosystem of more than 1,000 fish, 800 birds and 800 invertebrate species in freshwater habitats, alongside 11,000 fauna and flora species in coastal wetlands.

Việt Nam has successfully nominated nine Ramsar sites with a total area of 120,549 hectares, which are the national parks of Xuân Thủy, Tràm Chim, Cà Màu Cape, Côn Đảo, U Minh Thượng; Bàu Sấu area in Cát Tiên National Park; Ba Bể Lake; as well as Láng Sen and Vân Long wetland reserves. 

More than 90 per cent of the United Nations (UN) member countries have signed the Ramsar Convention, which was adopted in 1971. 

Joined in 1989, Việt Nam became the first Southeast Asian to join the convention and the 50th globally. 

The conservation and development of resourceful and biodiverse wetlands have been identified by the state and the Party as one of Việt Nam's sustainable development goals. 

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has issued Dispatch No 183/BTNMT-BTĐD to other ministries and ministerial-level and government agencies to promote communication on wetlands’ importance and values to human life and nature. 

The document also calls for better awareness of the prominent risks to wetland ecosystems and citizen engagement in the sustainable use, protection, management and restoration of wetlands.

The wetland area of Xuân Thủy National Park (Nam Định Province) was officially recognised as the first Ramsar site of Việt Nam in January 1989. 

The park has since organised numerous projects that help locals increase their income through mushroom growing, beekeeping or community ecotourism.

Benefitting from the park, residents and authorities have coordinated various ecosystem conservation and development activities, including afforestation projects. 

Forest rangers also conduct regular patrols to prevent crimes such as hunting wild birds or illegal exploitation of woods and aquatic resources. 

Meanwhile, Côn Đảo National Park has successfully put in place 17 ecotourism routes. The engagement of local communities and travel agencies helps share benefits among stakeholders, offer stable income sources, and encourage locals to participate in biodiversity conservation. 

HCM City ensures price stability, adequate food supply for upcoming holiday

HCM City has announced plans to ensure price stability and an adequate supply of essential goods while supporting those in need during the upcoming Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday, which begins on February 8.

Speaking at a meeting on Thursday, Nguyễn Văn Dũng, vice chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, said the city will allocate over VNĐ1.1 trillion to assist over 625,400 people in need during the Tết holiday.

The city will organise trips for workers to visit their hometowns and provide additional support to those in need, he said.

It will continue to focus this month on stimulating consumption and stabilising the market.

It will also work on developing tourism through the end of the year and the new year festivities, he added.

Bùi Tá Hoàng Vũ, director of the city Department of Industry and Trade, said the city will continue to monitor and evaluate the supply and demand of goods, especially essential items such as rice, meat, poultry, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and others, throughout the holiday.

To prevent speculation, hoarding, and the circulation of counterfeit goods in the market, the city will strengthen market inspections and management, he added.

In addition, the city will organise specialised trade exchange conferences with foreign business representative offices, foreign direct investment enterprises, and foreign business associations.

According to a report by the municipal Department of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs, Tết bonuses for employees this year at businesses will be around VNĐ12.3 million per person.

Supermarkets, commercial centres, and convenience stores are offering various sales promotions with deep discounts to stimulate shopping demand and increase sales for the holiday.

Vũ, director of the city Department of Industry and Trade, said the department has issued a plan to implement its price stabilisation programme covering essential goods for Tết holidays.

Many businesses in the city have participated in price stabilisation programmes to ensure sufficient supply and stable prices for essential goods commonly consumed during the holiday.

The industry and trade sector has worked with the General Department of Market Surveillance and authorities in Thủ Đức City and districts to monitor price listings and inspect and control low quality goods and goods without clear origin prior to and during the festival, he said.

Spending for the upcoming Tết holiday is expected to increase by 10 per cent compared to the previous Tết holiday, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Lê Thị Huỳnh Mai, director of the Department of Planning and Investment, said total state budget revenue in January reached VNĐ54.7 trillion, or 94.2 per cent of the yearly estimate.

Imports and exports are expected to reach $3.8 billion in January, a 23.3 per cent increase year-on-year.

Tourism revenue is expected to increase by 57 per cent year-on-year.

Foreign direct investment inflows dropped by 29.8 per cent in January, while the number of businesses that were temporarily suspended in the city increased by 23.4 per cent year-on-year. 

"Alice in Wonderland"-inspired art exhibit opens

The Outpost Art Organisation is featuring an exhibition of artwork inspired by the classic fantasy novel Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

The Becoming Alice: Through the Metal Tunnel exhibition features the work of 13 artists, and is now on display at the Outpost Art Organisation's gallery at Roman Plaza Tower B1, Floor 2, Tố Hữu Street.

Much of the artists' work focuses on the theme of transitioning from the innocence of youth into the dynamic world of adulthood. The exhibition's organizers invite the viewers to enter the display space with an inquisitive and playful mindset.

Hexogon Vietnam, Unios, and Galerie BAQ are collaborating with the Outpost Art Organisation to run the exhibition.

Becoming Alice: Through the Metal Tunnel runs until March 3, 2024. The exhibition's opening hours from 9am to 7pm, Tuesday to Sunday. Entrance tickets are available at The Outpost’s reception desk (024.2226.6888). Ticket prices are VNĐ60,000 (standard) and VNĐ40,000 (student), while senior citizens over 65 and children under 6 get free entrance. 

Việt Nam to challenge South Africa in Davis Cup group competition

Việt Nam will have the chance to play in the Davis Cup 2024, Asia/Oceania Zone Group II for the first time, if they can beat South Africa in the playoff match on February 2-3 in Bắc Ninh Province.

The team were close to their dream last year, but they unexpectedly lost 2-3 to Indonesia, who were lower than them in the world ranking.

This time, their task is more challenging as they will face the world No 58 seed, placed 12 steps higher than them in world rankings.

According to the Việt Nam Tennis Federation, the host side gathered the best players, including top national player Lý Hoàng Nam, world No 557.

The first Vietnamese Grand Slam participant and the former Wimbledon boys double winner is expected to help Việt Nam in this situation.

Other members are Vũ Hà Minh Đức (No 1,929), Trịnh Linh Giang, Nguyễn Văn Phương, and Phạm Minh Tuấn under captain Trương Quốc Bảo.

"Talking about South African tennis, people will think about famous Kevin Anderson who placed No 5 in the world and Lloyd Harris who is currently No 168. Neither of them are playing in this play-off, but they still have strong players such as Kris Van Wyk, No 416, and Philip Henning, No 748, so they are considered stronger than Việt Nam," Bảo told reporters.

"However, we still have the chance to make history because we will play on home ground with strong local support. In addition, our strongest players will compete. Among them, Nam shoulders a heavy responsibility as he can play well individually and in pair.

"I believe that with high determination and at their peak performance, Việt Nam can pull off a surprise," Bảo said.

Nam, who used to rank No 231, also expressed his strong will, saying he would try his best to win any match that he would be assigned.

"My teammates and I will do all we can to push Việt Nam to Group II for the first time," Nam said.

Captain Christo Van Rensburg also confirmed Nam as the key for Việt Nam, and said his team must keep eyes on him.

"I know your No 1 player (Lý Hoàng Nam). He is a good player who used to be in top 300 in the ATP ranking, although he is in top 500 now," Van Rensburg said.

"We understand that it will be a tough match as he will be strongly supported by local fans. He is also a good doubles player, but doubles is also our strong point. The upcoming match would be very competitive one," said the 61-year-old.

Players will take part in a five-match (four singles and one doubles) format event at the Hanaka Paris Ocean Park Tennis Courts, the best tennis complex in Việt Nam.

A team which won three matches will be the winner and will jump to the World Group II where they will face the loser of the World Group I's playoff match in September. Meanwhile the loser will be dropped to Group III competition in July and August.

Hanaka Courts will open for free both days for supporters to cheer their favourite players. 

Runners to join THACO Marathon for Traffic Safety

The THACO Marathon for Traffic Safety – Điện Biên Phủ 2024 is expected to draw 1,300 runners to discover the mountainous province of Điện Biên on April 14.

The event is jointly held by the local People's Committee, the National Traffic Safety Committee and Giao Thông Newspaper.

"The race is a practical activity to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory (May 7, 1954 - May 7, 2024); 115 years since the founding of Điện Biên Province (June 28, 1909 - June 28, 2024); and the National Tourism Year - Điện Biên Phủ 2024," said Nguyễn Hoàng Hiệp, deputy director of the provincial Culture, Sports and Tourism Department.

"Through the tournament, we push everyone to practise sports and running, to improve the stature and physical strength of the Vietnamese people.

"We also can introduce the land, people, culture, history and tourism to the wider community, bringing Điện Biên closer to domestic and international friends.

"Joining with us, athletes will have the opportunity to visit historical relics and scenic spots, experience the unique beauty of cultural spaces imbued with national identity, and explore beautiful landscape of the Northwest mountains and forests. Meanwhile people will increase their awareness of preserving and protecting the natural environment," he said.

Khuất Việt Hùng, vice chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee, said: "The race themed 'Traffic Safety - Happiness for every home' serves as a reminder to organisations and individuals working to ensure traffic safety to be persistent and serious, just like when trying to conquer a marathon distance.

"People must always see the importance of safe traffic in daily life. Everyone should join hands in building a safe traffic culture for the community anytime, anywhere, that is also a lifetime Ultra Marathon," he said.

Runners will compete in five categories of 5km, 10km, 21km, 42km and 70km, on routes leading them past through notable landmarks such as Him Lam Base, Hồng Cúm, Hill A1, De Castries bunker, among many others. These all are famous locations associated with the world-shaking victory of Điện Biên Phủ.

According to organisers, the 42km will be a challenging category participants will have to overcome 1,360m of climbing, while it will be very tough for the 70km runners with 2,230m of climbing.

Nationally famous runners as well as celebrities will be invited to take part in the run.

On this special occasion, organisers ask a group of athletes to conduct a relay run, carrying the “Determined to Fight, Determined to Win" flag, from the tomb of General Võ Nguyên Giáp, the mastermind of the Điện Biên Phủ Campaign, in Quảng Bình Province, to the memorial site of General Giáp in Điện Biên.

Also, part of the cash collected from the tournament will be given to families of traffic accident victims in difficulties. 

Quảng Ninh replaces foam aquaculture floats to protect environment

More than 6.85 million aquaculture floating cages made from foam in the northern province of Quảng Ninh have been replaced by those made from high-density polyethylene plastic, benefiting both the environment and farmers.

As of November last year the province had more than 32,000ha of aquaculture farms, and they had replaced 98 per cent of foam cages with plastic.

HDPE plastic is environmentally friendly, durable, flexible, non-oxidising, resistant to big waves and strong winds and can withstand high loads.

Local authorities have destroyed the foam cages without causing pollution.

In Cẩm Phả City and Hạ Long City, foam pieces have been sent to industrial zones and cement plants to be used as fuel to recover heat and save coal.

When burned at high temperatures, foam is converted completely to heat, and does not affect the environment.

It is then burned into clinker for cement production.

In Quảng Yên Town, the foam cages that need to be destroyed have been transported by a HDPE cage supplier in Bắc Ninh Province for recycling.

In Vân Đồn District, over two million cages have been collected at Cái Rồng Fishing Port, and will be processed by the VietCycle Joint Stock Company, which recycles domestic scrap for free.

The company uses a crushing, heating and pressurized gas compression line to create solid plastic, which is then converted into other products.

Phạm Văn Tùng, a technical expert at the VietCycle Joint Stock Company, said on knowing that Vân Đồn District wants to recycle more than two million pieces of foam, the company took the production line there since transporting millions of bulky foam floats would take a lot of effort and money.

In the one-odd month since it began, the company has recycled around 40 tonnes of foam and another 250 tonnes are awaiting processing, he said.

It is installing a new line with a higher capacity to increase efficiency, and expects to do so in the second quarter of 2024, he told Vietnam News Agency.

He said the line does not affect the environment or even cause noise pollution, and is easy to transport.

After being cleaned, the foam pieces are crushed, heated and compressed to form solid plastic pieces of more manageable size than the floats.

The pieces are transported to factories in Hải Phòng and Hà Nội to clean them further before being used as inputs for waste plastic products, or so-called black plastic, he said.

He said Styrofoam is also a form of plastic, and so when processed by burning it normally gives off black smoke, polluting the environment.

Gathering more than two million foam cages at the Cái Rồng fishing port not only occupies a lot of space but also affects the environment and poses fire and explosion hazards.

Đặng Ngọc Thiết, head of the port and harbor section at the Vân Đồn District Agricultural Technical Service Centre, said that a large fire broke out in the port’s temporary foam cage storage yard in May last year.

The centre has had to establish a 24-hour monitoring team with surveillance cameras to deal with fire risks.

Bùi Văn Hường, chairman of the Cái Rồng Town People's Committee, hoped the company would speed up recycling of the foam stored at the port.

Local authorities hope the company will invest in more production lines with larger capacities to soon recycle the remaining foam floats.

Improving product quality – key to making inroads into Australian market

Despite enjoying bright export prospects ahead, Vietnamese businesses are required to improve product quality in order to penetrate deep into the Australian market, according to insiders.

The Vietnam Trade Office in Australia reports that two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Australia fell by 12% to US$13.75 billion last year due to slow economic recovery, high inflation and exchange rate fluctuations.

Of the total trade figure, Vietnam earned US$5.22 billion from exports, representing a year-on-year decrease of 5.3%. Despite the fall, several key export products still witnessed an upward trajectory, including crude oil, up 37.4%; garment and textiles, up 4.9%; and iron and steel products, up 1, 5%. Most notably, the export of textile and garment products to Australia saw robust growth amid a remarkable decline in other markets. 

On the bright side, a sharp decrease in inflation in Australia and a strong recovery in trade exchanges in the last months of 2023 raised hopes for bilateral trade to prosper in 2024. 

Representatives of the Vietnam Trade Office in Australia stated that Vietnamese exports to this market are anticipated to see advantages moving forward thanks to positive developments in bilateral relations in multiple fields, especially in the economic sphere. 

The leaders of both countries are considering upgrading  bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership at an appropriate time. In addition, both countries are members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and three important free trade agreement (FTAs) -  the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) with tariff incentives. 

Both sides have also signed the Australia-Vietnam Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy (EEES) that outlines measures to rev up cooperation. In particular, the Australian economy has witnessed plenty of positive signs of recovery with inflation being kept in check.

The Australian Government recently launched the Economic Strategy for Southeast Asia until 2040, with a primary focus on four priority areas in Vietnam - agriculture and food, clean energy, mineral resources, and education - training, that are expected to help step up bilateral trade ties.

Several Vietnamese products have also gained a firm foothold in the demanding market, with some items recording impressive growth such as confectionery and cereal products, up 89%; rice, up 19.1%; clinker and cement, up 119.7%. 

Moreover, the Vietnamese State has introduced a number of policies to support businesses in accelerating exports, including tax exemptions and access to low interest rates for bank loans. 

However, insiders point out that there remain challenges ahead as the Australian market has set forth stringent regulations relating to packaging and labels, food hygiene and safety and quarantine, intellectual property rights, trademarks, and other business practices. They advised local enterprises to give top priority to improving product quality, instead of price, in order to further penetrate the market, as Australian consumers pay special attention to product quality.

The Vietnam Trade Office in Australia says this year it will continue to proactively update market information and deploy trade promotion activities to support firms in taking the full advantage of FTAs to promote exports. It will closely coordinate with the Vietnamese Embassy in Australia, the Vietnamese Consulate General in Sydney, and relevant agencies in a bid to enhance trade promotion by displaying products at major international fairs, and at the same time facilitate business-to-business meetings in Australia. 

The Trade Office recommends that Vietnamese businesses carefully research market trends, gain greater insights into consumer tastes and laws, and pay closer attention to product packaging, especially regulations on chemical ingredients. It encourages the businesses to boost digital transformation in agricultural production and improve capacity building in the fields of advanced technologies and human resources.

Three scenarios for HCM City’s economic growth in first quarter

The Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies (HIDS) outlined three scenarios for the southern city’s economic growth in the first quarter of the year at a meeting held on February 1 aimed at reviewing the situation and socio-economic performance in January, as well as proposing solutions for February.

According to Master Nguyen Truc Van, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Center for socio-economic simulation and forecasting of the HIDS, in January the socio-economic situation in the southern metropolis showed positive signs when purchasing power and industrial production activities maintained growth momentum. In addition, the monetary market to support businesses in lending capital for production also saw drastic changes.

However, there are still some warnings such as import and export facing numerous difficulties due to a sharp fall in aggregate demand, falling prices of some commodities, high inventory index, some manufacturing industries being at a disadvantage, some environmental taxes applied in the European market, and carbon credits posing many challenges.

As part of efforts to avoid repeating the low growth scenario as seen in the first quarter of last year, according to Van, immediately in late 2023 the southern city took drastic actions to promote growth with a particular focus on forecasting, ordering institutes and universities to participate in research, consultation, and promoting public investment right from the beginning of the year.

This includes promoting domestic consumption, regional connectivity, promotions, e-commerce, and stimulating consumer demand associated with the Lunar New Year.

According to three growth scenarios for the first quarter of the year proposed by the HIDS, the unfavourable scenario is that major economies recover slowly; political conflicts in the world continue to escalate; pandemics remain unpredictable; and new economic growth drivers have not been promoted, with Ho Chi Minh City's GRDP is forecast to reach about 4.83% to 5.95%.

As for the base scenario of continuing the recovery momentum at the end of 2023, promoting traditional growth drivers and new drivers such as science and technology, digital transformation, the green and circular economy, the first quarter GRDP of Ho Chi Minh City is expected to reach 6.05%, while forecast is around 5.49% to 6.61%.

The most favourable scenario is that if the international and domestic environment sees favourable changes; risk factors are well forecast; the macroeconomy remains stable, exploitation factors are good, people's confidence and enterprises are consolidated, Ho Chi Minh City is expected to grow at 6.56%, while the forecast is about 6% to 7.12%.

"Depending on developments in global economic growth and the efforts and effectiveness of the southern city's public service implementation, different scenarios will be put forward," Van added.

More construction price norms for public transport projects to be issued

The Ministry of Construction will issue more construction price norms for public transport projects under its authority in the first quarter of 2024 to boost the construction of the country’s key transport projects.

Deputy Minister of Construction Bui Hong Minh spoke at an online conference to deploy the Prime Minister's Official Dispatch 02/CD-TTg dated January 9, 2024, co-organised by the Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Transport early this week. The event aimed to remove difficulties and obstacles related to construction investment costs, construction price and construction material price regulations.

According to Minh, in recent years, the investment in the construction of key projects, such as North-South Expressway, Ring Road 4 in Hanoi, Belt Road 3 in Ho Chi Minh City, National Railway, urban railways, seaports and airports have been implemented synchronously, helping to connect economic development of regions, inter-regions and national key economic regions.

However, Minh said, the management of the projects has still faced many difficulties and obstacles related to construction investment costs, construction price and construction material price norms, especially the price of construction materials at mines assigned to contractors according to the specific mechanism of the National Assembly and the Government.

At the meeting, Deputy Minister of Transport Le Anh Tuan said that the current regulations on managing construction investment costs are basically complete and meet practical management requirements. However, in the actual implementation process, some projects still face difficulties and obstacles in developing, appraising and approving total investment estimates and construction costs.

To solve the problems, Deputy Minister of Construction Bui Hong Minh said his ministry will issue 318 additional construction price norms for public transportation construction projects according to its authority in the first quarter of 2024.

Besides, the ministry will also issue 547 price estimation norms for public transport construction projects.

"We will continue to review to issue new norms for those still lacking or inappropriate due to changes in technology, construction conditions or new construction materials," Minh affirmed.

Overseas Vietnamese keep close bonds with Fatherland

Over 1,000 delegates representing more than 6 million Vietnamese living in all continents attended the "Xuan Que huong" (Homeland Spring) programme in Ho Chi Minh City on February 2.

The event 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.

Speaking at the event, Nguyen Ngoc Luan from Australia said with the wish to find a place for Vietnamese farm produce on the international market, his company (Meet More Coffee) has focused on coffee and gained certain success in introducing products from Vietnamese coffee to international consumers.  

“Overseas Vietnamese always look towards the homeland and are proud of the nation. We hope that mechanisms in Resolution 98 will open up opportunities for us to contribute to the city and the country,” Luan said.

Tran Dinh Thang from the US noted the Vietnamese intellectual community in the US have great potential, so a suitable model to develop connectivity with OVs is needed in order to fully tap this resource for Vietnam’s development.  

Dinh Vinh Cuong from Japan stressed that the traditional values and patriotism are the source of motivation for every OV to work to contribute more to the Fatherland’s prosperity.   

Chairman of the People’s Committee of HCM City Phan Van Mai acknowledged the remarkable contributions of OVs to the city’s economic and social attainments in 2023. Sharing with the OVs the city’s development plans this year, he hoped OVs continue to make recommendations to the city and help connect the city with resources so that it can effectively implement those plans.

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