Representatives from the Australian Embassy in Vietnam recently visited the Hoang Lien centre for wildlife rescue, conservation and development in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai to work on the care for suspectedly smuggled wallabies.

The first wallaby was discovered in nature and caught by residents in Duc Long commune of Thach An district in the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang, on November 8, 2023. Two more were found by local police and people the next day, and another on November 11.

The animals later were sent to the Hoang Lien centre for wildlife rescue, conservation and development of the Hoang Lien National Park for care in a semi-natural habitat.

However, two of the wallabies died due to the stress caused by the long distance between Cao Bang and Lao Cai, the cold in winter, and illness. The two remainders are adapting well to the new environment, said veterinarian Tran Thu Nga, who is caring for the macropods.

The Australian Embassy said on January 26 that visiting the centre, it's representatives presented 80 million VND (over 3,200 USD) in financial aid to help the centre continue caring for the wallabies.

At the meeting, Director of the Hoang Lien centre La Van Toi said Vietnam is a hot spot of wildlife trafficking, and that the wallabies are the first and only foreign-origin animals at the centre.

He expressed his hope that the embassy will help the centre connect with animal rescue organisations, experts, and volunteers to better care for the plants and animals here, including the wallabies.

Local authorities noted there are no wallabies in nature in Vietnam, so the animals could have been abandoned when smugglers were uncovered by forest rangers.

Wild animals endemic to Australia can only be exported for non-commercial purposes like exhibiting at zoos. Any individual and organisation accused of committing illegal wildlife trade will be investigated and fined or imprisoned if found guilty, according to the Wildlife Trade Office of Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.

Vietnam attends INTOSAI environmental auditing meeting in Finland

A delegation of the State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV) attended the 22nd meeting of the Working Group on Environmental Auditing (WGEA) of the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) held in Rovaniemi city, Finland, from January 22 to 25.

The event saw the presence of 120 delegates from 43 countries, representatives of over 40 supreme audit institutions and many international organisations, along with audit and environmental experts.

The WGEA aims to improve the environmental auditing capacity and enhance environmental management via high-quality contributions and visions of members and non-members of the WGEA.

The working group currently consists of 86 countries, among which the SAV became a member in November 2023. This was the first time the SAV had attended an annual WGEA meeting as an official member.

The SAV delegation, led by Deputy Auditor General Bui Quoc Dung, took part in the sessions on indigenous knowledge, green fiscal policy tools, and economic - environmental accounting systems, among others. They actively gave opinions and shared auditing experience of Vietnam.

The meeting adopted an action plan on the recommendations submitted during the event.

It also presented the third INTOSAI WGEA Award - Inspiration in Environmental Auditing to the audit institutions of Canada, Chile and Costa Rica, and the European Court of Auditors.

Officials pay pre-Tet visits to Bac Giang, Hung Yen, Yen Bai

National Assembly Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai visited and presented Tet gifts to social policy beneficiary households  and poor students in Luc Ngan district, the northern province of Bac Giang on January 26.

The NA Vice Chairman affirmed that the Party and the State always care for and support poor and policy beneficiaries to overcome difficulties and stabilise their lives.

He urged the Party committees, authorities and people of Luc Ngan district as well as Bac Giang province to continue upholding internal resources, potential and strengths of the locality, and fully tapping advantages of geographical position and historical - cultural landscape, and opportunities towards promoting rapid and sustainable development in the locality.

Hai noted the local Party committees and authorities should pay more attention to caring for vulnerable people and those with difficult circumstances so that everyone can enjoy a happy Tet, ensuring that “no one is left behind.”

On the occasion, He presented 320 gift packages to disadvantaged households, social policy beneficiary families and poor students in Tan Son commune.

The same day afternoon, NA Vice Chairman Hai also presented 200 gift pakages to disadvantaged labourers working at the Boviet Solar Science and Technology CO., Ltd invested by China in Luc Ngan district.

He suggested the Chinese company continue  expanding investment and business activities in the locality and paying attention to taking care of and improving the material and spiritual life of its workers; fulfil obligations to the State budget, and be active in the social welfare work.

A working delegation led by Minister of Public Security General To Lam visited and given 200 gift packages to social policy beneficiary households, and poor and disadvantaged workers in the northern province of Hung Yen on the same day.

Minister Lam hailed efforts made by the local authorities in taking care of the people's lives, stressing that the social welfare work has been implemented practically, promptly and effectively and achieved tangible results.

Accordingly, the rate of multidimensional poor households in the province decreased to less than 0.9%; and over 158,000 people with meritorious services, families of martyrs, the elderly, those from poor and near-poor households and other social beneficiaries were given gifts with a total value of over 92 billion VND (over 3.7 million USD). Meanwhile, over 800 local poor households and families of Agent Orange victims were supported to build and repaid houses with a total cost of over 50 billion VND.

Also on January 26, Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung paid a pre-Tet visit and presented gifts to families that have rendered contributions to the revolution in the northern mountainous province of Yen Bai.

Top legislator urges Gia Lai to accelerate administrative reform

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue asked the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai to speed up administrative reform and improve the investment environment right in early 2024 while holding a working session with the provincial Party Committee's Standing Board on January 26.  

With the second largest area in the country and located in the centre of the Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia development triangle, Gia Lai holds a strategic significance, the top legislator said, adding that the province's comprehensive achievements in 2023 showed persistent efforts and solidarity of the local Party Organisation, administration and people.

The top legislator said the local authorities should focus on developing connectivity infrastructure in the province and the region, and ensure the harmony and synchronisation between economic growth and culture and social development, as well as sustainable exploitation of resources, especially forest resources.

He requested the Party Organisation and administration of Gia Lai to continue promoting the spirit of solidarity, democracy, innovation, and creativity, thus successfully implementing the province's political tasks.

The NA Chairman emphasised his requirement for Gia Lai to build a clean and strong Party and political system, and promote prevention and the fight against corruption and negative phenomena.

He ordered the locality to pay heed to ensuring social welfare of former revolutionary bases, maintaining operations of ethnic minority boarding schools, and preparing well the personnel work, especially female and ethnic minority cadres for the next term.

Chairman Hue urged Gia Lai to urgently outline and effectively deploy plans for implementing the province's approved Master Plan, contributing to the effective implementation of Resolution No. 23 of the Politburo on orientations for socio-economic development and defence - security safeguarding in the Central Highlands until 2030, with a vision to 2045.

The province should also pay attention to comprehensively developing and improving the quality of education and  training, promoting the application of science - technology, awaking potential and strengths for eco-tourism and agricultural tourism development, and preserving and upholding traditional and unique cultural values, he said.

The Chairman underlined the need for Gia Lai to effectively perform the National Assembly's Resolution on a number of specific mechanisms and policies for the implementation of national target programmes, as well as land-related policies for ethnic minorities in the Land Law (amended).

With an important strategic position, Gia Lai must focus on deeply grasping and effectively implementing the Resolution of the Party Central Committee's 8th session on the Strategy to Safeguard the Fatherland in the new situation, he added.

The top legislator expressed his belief that Gia Lai will develop quickly, effectively and sustainably, realising its goal of becoming a centre of the Northern Central Highlands region and the Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia Development Triangle by 2030, and a "Plateau of ecology, sports and health" and an unique ecological destination by 2050.

Tet gifts come to needy in Long An, Lang Son provinces

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan on January 26 visited and presented gifts to social policy beneficiaries, the poor, and disadvantaged labourers and children in Ben Luc district, the Mekong Delta province of Long An, on the occasion of the Tet (Lunar New Year) festival.

Xuan hailed efforts by local authorities and residents in socio-economic development, with Long An’s per capita income topping 94 million VND (3,818 USD), relatively high as compared with the national average, and the rate of poor households dropping to only 0.75%.

She asked the locality to uphold the achievements, focus on rapid, sustainable development, pay more attention to infrastructure development, and give more care to residents in remote areas.

Long An should work to maintain its role in linking Mekong Delta cities and provinces with Ho Chi Minh City and others in the southeastern region, thus ensuring their sustainable, even development, Xuan said.

On this occasion, she handed over 600 Tet gifts, each worth 1 million VND, to local social policy beneficiaries and needy people; 10 houses, each worth 500 million VND, to disadvantaged households; and 200 million VND to the provincial children sponsor fund.

The same day, she attended a New Year programme and cut the ribbon to open a “zero dong” market fair for the poor organised by the Vietnam Red Cross Society in An Thanh commune, Ben Luc district.

Also on January 26, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Duc Hai attended a Tet programme in the northern mountainous province of Lang Son and presented Tet gifts to labourers in difficult circumstances.
 
The programme formed part of the activities in support of needy residents, during which they received free health checkups and medicines, and gifts.

In his remarks, Hai affirmed that the Party, State, and NA always pay attention to those who have rendered services to the nation, social policy beneficiaries and disadvantaged people, especially ethnic minorities, asking Lang Son to pay more heed to the social welfare work.

He presented 12 gifts to social policy beneficiaries, and 200 others to trade union members and labourers in the locality.

Da Nang hosts 13th ASEAN Schools Games’ Chef de Mission Meeting

The Chef de Mission Meeting of the 13th ASEAN Schools Games was held in the central city of Da Nang on January 26.

Participants heard the organising board's report on the preparations for the Games, checked competition venues and hotels along with discussing and approving the sports regulations.

Deputy Minister of Education and Training Ngo Thi Minh said that Vietnam is honoured to host the 13th ASEAN Schools Games in 2024, marking the second time it has hosted one of the important sport and educational events of Southeast Asia for students.

She expressed her hope that delegation heads of Southeast Asian countries will uphold their sense of responsibility and discuss contents related to preparation work to contribute to making the Games a success.

The tournament will take place from May 31 to June 9, with 10 participating countries. It includes six sports, namely athletics, swimming, basketball, badminton, Pencak Silat, and Vovinam, with 107 events.

NA Chairman commemorates former NA leader

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on January 26 offered incense to commemorate late NA Chairman Nguyen Huu Tho at his house in Ho Chi Minh City on the occasion of the Lunar New Year (Tet).

Talking with Tho’s first son Nguyen Huu Chau, Hue recalled important milestones in the life and career of the late NA Chairman.

Wishing the family a happy new year, Chairman Hue expressed his hope that they will continue to contribute to the cause of national construction and protection as well as to the activities of the NA.

For his part, Chau said that he always pays attention to the NA’s activities. He appreciated the NA’s approval of the amended Land Law - a major law with special significance in the country's political and socio-economic life, as well as to national defence, security, and environmental protection.

Hue said the 15th NA has continuously promoted the work of perfecting institutions and policies with many laws and resolutions passed to create a transparent and stable legal corridor, thus creating better conditions to ensure legitimate rights and interests of the people and to develop the country sustainably.

Lawyer Nguyen Huu Tho was born in 1910 in Ben Luc district, Long An province. At the first session of the 7th NA, he was elected NA Chairman and Vice President of the Council of State.

Phu Yen man jailed for abusing democratic freedoms

Nay Y Blang, born in 1976 in Song Hinh district, the south-central province of Phu Yen, on January 26 got four years six months in prison for “taking advantage of democratic freedom to infringe upon the interests of the State, the legitimate rights and interests of organisations and individuals”.

At the first instance trial of the Phu Yen province People’s Court, Nay Y Blang admitted to his crime and asked for leniency.
According to the indictment, Nay Y Blang engaged in the foreigners-led Central Highlands Protestant Church of the Christ (CHPC) – a reactionary organisation that has abused the religious affairs to incite followers and people to erode the national solidarity bloc, trigger secession, and promote the establishment of a “separate state” of the ethnic minority groups in the Central Highlands and areas in the vicinity.

Despite local authorities’ communications and education efforts, Nay Y Blang ignored the law and used his house to organise prayers for CHPC followers and provide them with false information on Vietnam’s freedom of belief and religion, infringing upon the State interests and negatively impacting the locality’s security and order.

The Phu Yen police’s investigation security agency began legal proceedings and arrested Nay Y Blang on May 18, 2023, for further investigation.

Earlier, the man also got administrative punishments for violating the law on religious activities.

PM askes defence intelligence force to well prepare for tougher tasks

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on January 26 visited officers and soldiers of the Ministry of National Defence’s General Department for Defence Intelligence (General Department II), during which the PM asked them to be prepared to continue completing all assigned tasks in 2024 and following years.

Hailing the general department’s efforts and contributions to the common attainments of the country last year, the PM acknowledged the increasing important role of the general department in national construction and defence.

He emphasised that as 2024 and following years will continue to see complicated and unpredictable regional and world situation, the General Department II must continue enhancing its strategic forecast capacity, grasping the situation and timely advising the Party and State on appropriate measures to firmly protect the Fatherland "early and from afar".  

The general department should actively implement measures to enhance the leadership capacity and combativeness of its Party Committees and Party organisations and roll out comprehensive measures to develop an elite, streamlined, professional and effective defence intelligence force.

Affirming that defence intelligence is a special force of the armed forces, the PM asked the General Department II to clearly identify partners and enemies so as to take proper actions, serving the Party, the Fatherland and people as well as the national construction and defence.

On the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, the Government leader asked the general department to ensure combat readiness, while paying attention to caring for its officers and soldiers during the festival.

Event to bring Tet gifts, chung cake to disadvantaged people

A programme to make chung (square, glutinous rice cake) for disadvantaged people will take place at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism on January 30 on the outskirts of Hanoi, ahead of the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival.

The annual “Green chung cake – Tet for the Poor” aims to help people, especially youngsters, learn about the cultural values of the most important festival in Vietnam and the Vietnamese tradition of sharing.

At the event, people will join in making chung cakes - a distinctive feature of Vietnamese culinary culture and an essential item during the Tet celebration.

About 500 Tet gifts each worth up to 2 million VND ( 81 USD) will be given to social policy beneficiaries, disadvantaged households in Kon Tum and Quang Tri provinces, Hanoi’s Son Tay town, Ba Trai commune’s Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin in Hanoi’s Ba Vi district, and people who are living at the tourism village.

State President visits oil and gas staff in Ba Ria-Vung Tau ahead of Tet

State President Vo Van Thuong visited the central drilling rig of the Cuu Long Joint Operating Company (Cuu Long JOC), offering New Year wishes to its officials and engineers representing the 60,000-strong staff in the oil and gas industry, in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau on January 26.

Since its establishment in 1998, the Cuu Long JOC has so far pumped up over 415 million barrels of oil, generating a total revenue of more than 30 billion USD. This outstanding performance has translated into a contribution of nearly 14 billion USD to the State budget, solidifying its standing as Vietnam's second largest oil contractor.

President Thuong said he is delighted to witness the company's remarkable growth. Beginning with a modest 31 personnel, the rig now boasts a team of 350 officials, engineers, and workers, with 94%  of them being Vietnamese.

Commending the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam) for overfulfilling its financial and production targets ahead of schedule, Thuong highly valued their substantial revenue of nearly 1 quadrillion VND (41.6 billion USD) last year.

The success of collaborative endeavors like Cuu Long JOC serves as a beacon of international cooperation, delivering significant national benefits, fostering confidence among foreign partners, and crucially contributing to the upskilling of the industry's workforce, he stressed.

The leader urged officials, Party members, and employees of Petrovietnam to deeply understand the intrinsic link between economic development and ensuring national defence and security.

As the Lunar New Year (Tet) draws near, he directed leaders of Cuu Long JOC and drilling rigs to prioritise the well-being of workers, ensuring a joyous and warm Tet holiday for all.

In the morning the same day, the President visited and delivered gifts to the PTSC port of the PetroVietnam Technical Services Corporation, a unit established in 1993 that specialises in providing essential services for the energy and oil and gas sectors.

Vietnam suggests diversifying ASEAN-Russia tourism activities

ASEAN member states should consider measures to intensify tourism cooperation between the bloc and Russia, Director General of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh said on January 26.

In his speech at the third ASEAN+ Russia Tourism Ministers’ Meeting held in the framework of the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane, Laos on January 24-26, Khanh highlighted that Russia is an important tourism market of ASEAN and Vietnam in particular, with visitors making long trips to the region.

Laying stress on the modest tourism activities between the two sides, Khanh suggested organising cultural-tourism festivals, conferences and cultural exchange programmes besides the existing Russian language training courses.

He recommended Russia increase its presence at large tourism promotion events held by ASEAN members and support them to roll out several online popularisation campaigns through the country’s official media channels.

At the event, participants reaffirmed commitment to endorsing sustainable tourism development in ASEAN and Russia as well as enhancing collaboration in sustainable and comprehensive growth, ensuring that tourism will benefit people from all walks of life.
         
With a view to increasing the number of tourist arrivals to accelerate tourism recovery, the meeting adopted a proposal on a project to expand business relations between Russia and ASEAN travel firms through Russian-language training and experience exchange to improve human resources quality.

Participants also supported a proposed project to popularise the off-the-beaten-path destinations in ASEAN and Russia. The project will be coordinated by Brunei.

Despite formidable challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Southeast Asia remained a favoured destination for Russian tourists. During January – September of 2023, ASEAN member countries welcomed 664,000 Russian visitors, while around 23,000 holiday makers from Southeast Asia made their trips to Russia.

Minister calls for boosting ASEAN Plus Three tourism cooperation

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung has suggested the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries to strengthen connection and support ASEAN centres in China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (RoK) in tourism promotional activities.

He made the suggestion at the 23rd Meeting of ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Ministers on January 26, within the framework of the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 (ATF) which is taking place in Vientiane, Laos.  

The minister also urged ASEAN members to jointly participate in exhibitions in the three partner countries and contribute to making the ASEAN tourism booth more lively by providing publications and display items and sending delegations to the events to introduce their culture, art, cuisine, and craft villages.

Vietnam stands ready to work closely with other member states to implement tourism cooperation plans between ASEAN and the three partner countries to boost the effectiveness of their cooperation, Hung said.

The Vietnamese official emphasised that the three partner countries are key tourism markets of not only ASEAN countries but also Vietnam. In 2023, Vietnam welcomed nearly 6 million visitor arrivals from the three countries, accounting for 47% of total foreign arrivals, he continued.

Preliminary figures in 2023 showed that ASEAN Plus Three countries attracted over 147 million visitors last year.

The meeting expressed optimism that the tourism sector would continue to recover as demand for travel continues to grow.

Participants exchanged views and information on the development of their respective tourism sector in the past year. They noted that 24 activities or 61.5% of items in the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Tourism Cooperation Work Plan 2021-2025 have been implemented.
   
The meeting emphasised the importance of upskilling and reskilling the tourism workforce, thereby, expressing appreciation to the ASEAN Plus Three partner countries for their continued commitment in advancing the skills and knowledge of ASEAN tourism professionals through various training programmes and activities.

Within the framework of ASEAN-China tourism cooperation, the meeting highly appreciated China's support for ASEAN-China tourism cooperation activities, noting that in 2023, China organised three events, namely the China-ASEAN Tourism Expo 2023, the 2023 China International Travel Mart and the China-ASEAN Tourism Human Resources Training Programme.

The meeting also appreciated Japan for organising the ASEAN-Japan Tourism Ministers' Special Dialogue in October 2023 and the country's support for tourism cooperation activities between ASEAN member countries and Japan.

ASEAN and Japan were encouraged to enhance further cooperation in the tourism sector and implement initiatives to promote sustainable tourism including sharing best practices, and advancing mutual exchange of visitors, based on the joint media statement adopted at the Special Dialogue.

The meeting hailed the RoK for its continued support of ASEAN-RoK tourism cooperation activities through the Korea Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Tourism (KOPIST) Programme. It encouraged ASEAN and the RoK to discuss ways to enhance cooperation with a focus on activities to support sustainable tourism.

Chief legislator presents Tet gifts to social policy beneficiaries in Gia Lai province

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on January 26 presented Tet gifts to social policy beneficiaries, officers, soldiers, and disadvantaged labourers in Gia Lai as part of his visit to the Central Highlands province.

The Chairman lauded Gia Lai for its achievements in 2023, with its gross regional domestic product (GRDP) expanding by 3.02%, GRDP per capita reaching 59.08 million VND (2,400 USD), and budget collection over 5.55 trillion VND.

Notably, the locality has paid due attention to social policy beneficiaries and those who have rendered services to the nation, he said, adding that Gia Lai is working to mobilise more resources to support underprivileged households on the occasion of the Tet (Lunar New Year) festival.

Hue asked the province to further facilitate production and business to generate more jobs for labourers and raise their income, pay more heed to the management and use of farming and forestry land, and well implement land-related policies towards ethnic minorities as stipulated in the amended Land Law which will take effect from January 2025.

The province was requested to give more care to social policy beneficiaries, revolution contributors, poor households, Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin victims, and disadvantaged labourers.

On this occasion, the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam) symbolically presented 200 houses worth about 10 billion VND to poor households in the locality.

Chairman of the NA’s Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs Y Thanh Ha Nie KDam handed over 300 million VND from the Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank) to ethnic minorities and other needy residents in Gia Lai.

Japanese professor appreciates Vietnam’s culture of valuing human relations

Vietnam’s valuing human relations over economic interests is an outstanding feature, according to Prof. Junichi Iwatsuki at the University of Tokyo.

Talking to the Vietnam News Agency's correspondents in Japan on Vietnam’s culture, the professor on sociolinguistics said he was impressed when Vietnamese people value the interpersonal relationship and place it above all others.

Iwatsuki recalled the time when he studied in Vietnam, his host treated him like a family member, thereby helping him deeply understand the Vietnamese lifestyle and culture.

The professor also cited a speech by Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the 2022 National Cultural Conference as saying that the focus of cultural development is the development of human beings with dignity and the development of a healthy cultural environment.

According to the scholar, the good news is that Vietnam is currently achieving economic growth and transforming into a society where people can live a life with well-being. In this trend, he stressed the need to think about how to achieve a balance between economic growth and social harmony.

Iwatsuki affirmed that the cultural exchange between Japan and Vietnam has a relationship with the culture of the Vietnamese people, that is awareness of morality.

HCM City leader welcomes US congressional delegation

Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan on January 26 hosted a reception for Chairwoman of the House of Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific Kim Young, who is leading a US congressional delegation to pay a working visit to the city.

Highlighting the Vietnamese Party and State’s stance on the issues of the US guests’ interest, Hoan affirmed that Vietnam always cares for, protects and promotes human rights, and pust the people in the centre of its policies.

He expressed his hope that the US will support Vietnam’s ethnic and religious policies, helping further develop the Vietnam – US cooperative relations.

He went on to spotlight that the amount of remittance to HCM City in 2023 surged 40% year-on-year to 9.5 billion USD, describing it as a vivid illustration for the overseas Vietnamese’ confidence in the country’s business climate and strong solidarity among the Vietnamese nationals.

As Vietnam and the US have put aside the past, overcome differences, promoted similarities and moved into the future, Vietnam expects enhanced cooperation with the US to expand of the search and repatriation of the remains of soldiers of both sides, support Agent Orange/Dioxin victims, and clean up the dioxin-contaminated land.

The HCM City leader said the city is moving towards green growth and sustainable development in line with the global trend, strengthening cooperation with partners in the areas of semiconductor and integrated circus production as well as enhance connectivity in seaport development, adding the city wants to join hands with US sides for mutual development.

Admitting the challenges that Vietnam has to overcome to concretise the cooperation agreements between the two countries after they elevated the relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, including human resources quality and infrastructure, Hoan said HCM City hopes to receive consultation from the US to build incentives to lure more investment within its authority.

Young Kim and other members of the delegation spoke highly of HCM City’s dynamic growth, and said the US wants to enhance collaboration with the city in hi-tech development, logistics and diversification of energy sector.

They affirmed that they are always interested in and ready to assist Vietnam to settle post-war consequences and reconciliation, especially in dioxin detoxification.

The delegation plans to visit the War Remnants Museum in HCM City and survey the dioxin cleanup project at Bien Hoa airport in Dong Nai province.

Cruise ship brings 400 tourists to Ha Long Bay

Cruise ship Dream Cruise with about 400 tourists on board, mostly from China, docked at Ha Long International Port in the northern province of Quang Ninh on January 26.

This is the first time the cruise liner has returned to Ha Long since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Sanya (China) - Ha Long (Vietnam) route.

During their stay, the tourists will visit Ha Long Bay, go on city tours to explore local culture and cuisine as well as tour some neighbouring localities.

From now until March, Dream Cruise is scheduled to have at least one trip to Ha Long every week, depending on the number of bookings.

Sixty international cruise ships with a total of some 80,000 passengers aboard have registered to dock at Ha Long International Port this year. These ships belong to renowned firms such as Mein Schiff 6 & 5, Celebrity Solstice, Noordam, MSC Spendida, and Westerdam, according to the provincial Department of Tourism.

Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Tourism Nguyen Huyen Anh said as one of the localities with the most modern international seaports in the country, Quang Ninh focuses on attracting international cruise tourists to the province.

The department has coordinated with other departments and agencies to facilitate immigration procedures and offer the best services to foreign visitors, she added.

The province is striving to attract 17-20 million visitors this year, including 3 million foreign visitors, with revenue from tourism reaching 39.1 trillion VND (1.58 billion USD). It aims to welcome about 25 million tourists by 2030, of which 8 million are foreign arrivals and the number of visitors will grow at 6% a year on average.

HCM City leader hosts US congressional delegation

Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan on January 26 hosted a reception for Chairwoman of the House of Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific Kim Young, who is leading a US congressional delegation to make a working visit to the city.

Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan (R) welcomes Chairwoman of the House of Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific Kim Young 
The municipal leader was appreciative of the Vietnamese Party and State’s stance on the issues of the US delegation’s interest, while affirming that Vietnam always cares for, protects and promotes human rights, and puts the people in the centre of its policies.

He voiced his hope that the US will support Vietnam’s ethnic and religious policies, helping further  advance the Vietnam – US cooperative ties in the coming time.

The amount of remittance to HCM City in 2023 soared 40% year-on-year to US$9.5 billion, describing it as a vivid illustration for the overseas Vietnamese’ confidence in the country’s business climate and strong solidarity among the Vietnamese nationals.

As Vietnam and the US have put aside the past, overcome differences, promoted similarities and moved into the future, Vietnam expects enhanced cooperation with the US to expand of the search and repatriation of the remains of soldiers of both sides, support Agent Orange/Dioxin victims, and clean up the dioxin-contaminated land.

Hoan said the southern city is moving towards green growth and sustainable development in line with the global trend, strengthening cooperation with partners in the areas of semiconductor and integrated circus production as well as enhance connectivity in seaport development, adding the city desires to join hands with the US side for mutual development.

Admitting the challenges that Vietnam has to overcome to concretize cooperation agreements between the two countries after they upgraded the relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, including human resources quality and infrastructure, Hoan said HCM City hopes to receive consultation from the US to build incentives to lure more investment within its authority.

Young Kim and other members of the delegation hailed HCM City’s dynamic growth, and said the US wants to enhance collaboration with the city in hi-tech development, logistics and diversification of energy sector.

They affirmed that they are always interested in and ready to assist Vietnam in settling post-war consequences and reconciliation, especially in dioxin detoxification.

The delegation is poised to visit the War Remnants Museum in HCM City and survey the dioxin cleanup project at Bien Hoa airport in the southern province of Dong Nai.

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