Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on January 5 outlined tasks for all-level authorities, sectors, and localities to fulfill in 2024, which he called a year for making breakthroughs that holds special significance to the successful implementation of the five-year plan 2021 - 2025.

He set the tasks while chairing a national teleconference between the Government and local administrations. The event also saw the presence of State President Vo Van Thuong and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

In his speech, PM Chinh held that despite internal and external difficulties and challenges last year, the socio-economic situation continued recovering with better performance recorded month on month and quarter on quarter. Vietnam basically obtained general targets and many important results in different fields.

However, he demanded steering clear of complacency as a number of problems, shortcomings, difficulties, and challenges remain.

Stressing the importance of 2024, he asked all-level authorities, sectors, and localities to closely follow the conclusions and resolutions of the Party Central Committee, the National Assembly, and  the Government to carry out tasks and reach targets.

With regard to governance orientations, he emphasised the need to govern in a proactive, flexible, and effective manner; closely and harmoniously coordinate policies; keep a close watch on the real situation and respond to emerging issues in a timely manner; tighten discipline; step up power decentralisation, administrative procedure reform, digital transformation, and the fight against corruption and other negative phenomena; and attach the same importance to cultural development as that to economic, political, and social aspects.

He also underlined ensuring political and social stability; consolidating defence and security; building an independent and self-reliant economy at the same time with active, comprehensive, intensive, substantive, and effective integration into the world; and firmly maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for fast and sustainable development.

Among the key tasks and solutions, the Government leader ordered priority be given to promoting growth, sustaining macro-economic stability, controlling inflation, and guaranteeing major balances of the economy; a proactive, flexible, timely, and effective monetary policy continued and harmoniously coordinated with the fiscal policy and others; the traditional growth drivers (investment, export, consumption) enhanced; and new growth drivers (such as regional connectivity, science - technology, innovation, digital transformation, green tradition, semiconductor, and hydrogen) promoted.

In addition, it is necessary to consolidate traditional markets and expand new ones like the UAE, Africa, and Latin America; accelerate public investment disbursement and the national target programmes; increase the State budget collection and cut spending; and strictly control overspending, public debts, Government debts, and foreign debts, he remarked.

PM Chinh requested ministries, sectors, and localities substantively conduct economic restructuring in tandem with growth model reform while developing digital economy, green economy, circular economy, and emerging sectors. They need to strongly recover and develop industries - especially processing, manufacturing, and semiconductor production - so as to ensure this year’s industrial production index will increase 7 - 8% and high-tech product exports account for over 50% of the total export value.

He also asked them to push ahead with the restructuring of agriculture and the credit institution system, as well as with the settlement of the four remaining projects and businesses with slow implementation or poor performance.

Besides, the PM demanded strongly developing cultural and social areas, guaranteeing social security, and improving people’s material and spiritual life quality.

Ministries, sectors, and localities need to enhance the management over natural resources, protect the environment, allocate resources for natural disaster and climate change response, and drastically implement the action plans for realising the commitments made at the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) and the Political Declaration on Establishing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

They also need to comprehensively boost external affairs and international integration; build and fruitfully carry out action plans for implementing the country’s international commitments, agreements, and free trade agreements; effectively hold high-level diplomatic activities; and promote economy diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, foreign information service, and citizen protection, according to the Cabinet chief.

As the tasks for 2024 are very heavy but also critical to the realisation of the targets set in the resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, Government members, ministers, heads of ministry-level and Government agencies, and chairpersons of People’s Committees of localities have to ensure that the spirit of strong, timely, and effective action is thoroughly grasped by their staff members, and to strengthen their sense of responsibility, he noted, affirming the Government and PM’s support for ministries, sectors, and localities to fulfill the assigned tasks.

Vietnamese, Lao PMs’ spouses visit SOS Children's Village in Thai Binh

The spouses of the Vietnamese and Lao Prime Ministers, Le Thi Bich Tran and Vandara Siphandone, visited and gave gifts to children with difficult circumstances at SOS Children’s Village Thai Binh in the northern province of Thai Binh on January 6 afternoon, within the framework of the official visit to Vietnam by Lao PM Sonexay Siphandone from January 6-7.

According to Director of SOS Children’s Village Thai Binh Nguyen Van Tan, established in 2013, the village provides disadvantaged children with family-based care with favourable conditions for their full development. From December 22, 2013 to December 2023, the facility nursed and provided support for 218 children. Currently, it is taking care of 136 kids.

On the same day, the two ladies visited a tussore silk weaving village in Nam Cao commune, Kien Xuong district. In Nam Cao commune, they visited an over-100-year-old house with the typical style in the North and a weaving cooperative, watched artisans' silk spinning performance, and listened to Cheo (classical opera) singing while enjoying green tea and “cay” cake – a specialty of the province. They also experienced silk spinning with local artisans.

The weaving profession in the commune is more than 400 years old and has been listed as national intangible cultural heritage. Currently, about 200 households in the village are being still involved in the traditional profession. The village's silk products are being exported to countries, including Laos, Thailand, and Europe.

Top legislator meets workers in Hai Phong city

Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Vuong Dinh Hue and other NA deputies of the northern port city of Hai Phong met with local voters who are workers on January 6.

Applauding local socio-economic development last year, the top legislator said Hai Phong is a bright spot in the disbursement of public investment, the recovery of tourism and services, and the implementation of social security policies, helping create jobs and improve the life quality of workers.

He stated businesses and workers are at the centre of every decision, noting that since the first national conference held by the NA Standing Committee in September 2023 to carry out the 15th-tenure NA’s laws and resolutions, the situation has improved much. Issues mentioned voters have been basically covered by laws and resolutions released by the parliament.

Describing salary increases as a very difficult issue, he said the Party and State support the building of harmonious, stable, and progressive labour relations to ensure stable and sustainable development.

In the digital era, labour relations are diverse. Aside from formal labour, many companies hiring out workers have appeared, people can work online, from home or in a single day, and they can also work for different partners or app-based firms, Hue pointed out, noting that the Employment Law is being amended by relevant agencies and will be updated with new regulations, including those on informal labour, labour without contracts, and unemployment insurance.

At the meeting, officials of some NA committees, ministries, and the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour fielded voters’ questions about social housing for workers in industrial parks, the building of cultural facilities for workers, the preferential tax policy for the companies employing many female personnel, the talent attraction policy, and the training of human resources for marine sectors.

On the occasion of the New Year, Chairman Hue and Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang presented gifts to 200 workers with outstanding performance and those with disadvantages.

Earlier the same day, Chairman Hue, Deputy PM Quang, Secretary of the Hai Phong municipal Party Committee Le Tien Chau and representatives from ministries and sectors attend a groundbreaking ceremony of the Happy Home project in Hai An district - the largest scale social housing project in the city, providing 4,300 houses

Association continues efforts to contribute to Vietnam - Cambodia ties

The Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association (VCFA) held the third meeting of its Central Committee in the fifth tenure (2021 - 2026) in northern Ninh Binh province on January 6 to review its performance in 2023 and launch tasks for this year.

The event was presided over by VCFA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh, who is also member of the National Assembly Standing Committee, head of the board for deputies’ affairs at the Standing Committee, and Vice Chairwoman of the Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission.

In his welcome remarks, Chairman of the Ninh Binh People’s Committee Pham Quang Ngoc said as an active member of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations, the VCFA has made substantial contributions to the enhancement of the Vietnam - Cambodia traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation. Its practical people-to-people diplomatic activities have helped promote mutual trust and understanding between the two peoples, thereby contributing to regional peace and stability, multifaceted cooperation, and socio-economic development in both countries.

Looking back on last year’s performance, participants shared the view that 2023 was the first year the Vietnam - Cambodia and Cambodia - Vietnam friendship associations carried out the memorandum of understanding on the coordination of their activities during 2022 - 2027.

Many practical events, delegation exchanges, meetings, and friendship exchanges were held. Improvements were recorded in the communications and education about the two countries’ traditional friendship among members and people of all social strata, especially the young. The number of Cambodian students in Vietnam sponsored by the VCFA in the 2023 - 2024 academic year surpassed the target.

VCFA chapters at all levels carried out a number of charitable activities, participants noted, adding that they raised billions of VND for assisting Khmer and low-income people in rural and border areas, thus helping ensure social security and reduce poverty in disadvantaged areas and strengthen the two countries’ friendship, solidarity, and all-round cooperation.

For 2024, the VCFA will continue developing its chapters at all levels, diversify forms of sponsorship for Cambodian students, and step up friendship exchanges along with charitable and community activities. It will also increase communications about the two countries’ relations and assistance for disadvantaged members.

Five BOT projects hoped to clear chronically congested roads at HCMC's gateways

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Five  BOT (build - operate - transfer) projects in the city's gateways are hoped to clear decades-old chronic bottlenecks at the city's gateways.

Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has just issued a decision to implement 5 BOT (build - operate - transfer) projects on existing roads according to the Resolution 98/2023/QH15

According to the plan, three projects will be carried out at the gateway area towards the Mekong Delta. First, the project to expand the section of National Highway 1 from HCMC’s Binh Tan District to the border with the Mekong Delta Province of Long An with a length of nearly 10km will expand the road additional 52m. The project costs nearly VND12,900 billion (US$531,745,584). This project is expected to remove the bottleneck at the western gateway of the city.

The second project, the North-South axial road project including the 7.5km long section from Nguyen Van Linh Avenue to Ba Chiem Bridge, will be expanded from 4 to 10 lanes, with a total capital of nearly VND4,500 billion. The Binh Tien bridge - road project connecting districts 6, 8, and Binh Chanh districts is the third one with a cost of about VND6,200 billion.

According to Director of the Transportation Works Construction Investment Project Management Board of HCMC Luong Minh Phuc, after the Binh Tien Bridge and Road project is complete, it will create a lifeline connection of the National Highway 50, the Ring Road 3, and the Ben Luc - Long Thanh Expressway helping to remove traffic congestion, opening up urban development space for the southern part of the city.

Meanwhile, at the Northwest gateway, the project to expand Highway 22 from An Suong to the Ring Road 3 with a length of nearly 40m is being planned with an amount of VND 3,600 billion.

The project to expand the National Highway No.13 from Binh Trieu Bridge to Binh Phuoc intersection with a length of nearly 5km Thu Duc City has been also well underway. This is the main gateway to the Northeast of the city because it links Binh Duong and Binh Phuoc provinces. It will be expanded to 53-60m with an estimated cost of VND10,000 billion.

According to the Department of Transport of Ho Chi Minh City, the Resolution 98/2023/QH15 opens up great opportunities for city development. The above-mentioned projects were proposed by the Department of Transport based on many specific criteria such as the importance of the route, the ability to resolve congestion, the feasibility of financial plans as well as the ability to mobilize capital.

According to leaders of the City Department of Transport, after the Resolution 98/2023/QH15 was approved, city authorities can use up to 70 percent of the city’s state budget in the total project investment in BOT projects on existing roads. This is a new point to increase the attractiveness and feasibility of financial plans of projects, attracting investors’ participation.

On the other hand, site clearance work will be separated into an independent project which will be covered by city budget capital. Compensation and site clearance boards in districts where the project is located to carry out the implementation will do it. Investors only participate in project construction bidding packages. In the past, most investors participated in site clearance work, leading to very slow project implementation.

Furthermore, the bidding of all projects will be publicized, domestic and foreign businesses are eligible to participate.

Being an investor, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Infrastructure Investment Joint Stock Company Le Quoc Binh said that in the past, the city had called for BOT investment in many projects but not many businesses participated because they found it difficult to recover capital. Businesses are also worried about the feasibility of capital return when doing BOT projects on existing roads. To attract investors, the city needs feasibility assessments in return on investment and overall plans to connect surrounding traffic as it is likely that people will not enter the BOT road but move to other roads instead leading to congestion.

Commenting on the implementation of BOT projects, Associate Professor Nguyen Van Trinh, a senior expert at the Center for Urban and Regional Studies, said that through BOT forms, the city will have more opportunities to accelerate investment in completing traffic infrastructure at gateways which have been delayed for many years due to lack of capital.

However, he emphasized that during the implementation process, the city needs to ensure transparency, along with strict inspection to curb wrongdoings as in some prior projects applying this type of contract. City infrastructure projects implemented under BOT and BT (build-transfer) contracts have a very large total investment, so there are many risks such as slow site clearance, people's reactions, affecting investors’ capital recovery. Therefore, there should be a clear agreement between the city and the investor to ensure the projects’ effectiveness and benefit harmony.

HCMC to expand city gateway areas from 2025

HCMC is gearing up for the development of five major build-operation-transfer (BOT) projects in late 2025 to expand the main roads in the city’s gateways to the Mekong Delta and the eastern region.

These projects encompass the upgrade and expansion of National Highway 12, National Highway 1, the renovation and expansion of National Highway 22, improvements to the North-South axis, and the construction of Binh Tien road and bridge project.

The estimated total cost of these five projects is VND44,592 billion. Out of this, VND8,143 billion will be allocated for site clearance and preparation between 2023 and 2025. From 2026 to 2030, the projects will receive VND36,449 billion, with VND16,702 billion of it coming from the city budget.

Work on these projects is set to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025, with completion scheduled for 2028. These projects are outlined in the city’s plan to upgrade, expand, and renovate existing road projects under the BOT format.

Construction corporation plans to build 50,000 social houses in 2022-2030

Construction group Viglacera Corporation JSC has announced its plan to develop 50,000 affordable apartments for workers during 2022-2030.

Accordingly, an array of projects will be rolled out in the coming time, including one at Dong Van IV Industrial Park in Ha Nam province, another in Kim Chung commune, Hanoi’s Dong Anh district, and one in Hai Yen ward, Quang Ninh province’s Mong Cai city. The corporation will also join bidding for new projects in Bac Ninh, Phu Tho and Hanoi.

The projects aim at improving the living standard of workers, ensuring their commitment to the enterprises.

Last year, despite global headwinds, the corporation showed robust performance, with the business and production activities surpassing its set targets. Building materials and industrial real estate continued making significant contributions to the firm’s revenue and profit.

The result was spurred by Viglacera’s consistent policy on the development of complete industrial service, affordable houses for workers and cultural institution. The firm paid due attention to improving service quality and professional operation, and enhancing utilities at industrial parks, making itself an attractive destination for investors in the future.

Viglacera is now owning and operating 12 industrial parks, covering an area of more than 4,000 hectares. The parks have lured 16 billion USD in foreign direct investment from large enterprises, including Samsung, Amkor, Canon, Hyosung, and Anam Electronics.

This year, it will sharpen focus on enhancing business management, accelerating digital transformation, and applying Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) in business and production management for the firm’s stable and long-term development.

Viglacera will continue its proactive and flexible business policy, making it suitable to the market developments.

RoK seeks to import graphite from Vietnam

The Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Technology DA Company on January 3 announced that it has signed an exclusive contract for importing natural graphite with Vietnam Graphite Group (VGG).

Under the contract, VGG plans to supply at least 20,000 tonnes of natural graphite every year to DA Technology, which has the exclusive right to import and distribute natural graphite of 99.97% purity produced by VGG in the RoK.

A representative from DA Technology said that in 2023, the RoK relied on China for 96.4% of its natural graphite needs, the highest rate in the past five years. As China has strengthened control on graphite exports from December 2023, the Korean company hopes the freshly signed contract will have a positive impact on the supply of the mineral to the country.

DA Technology plans to jointly invest in graphite processing and refining facilities to expand graphite production capacity (CAPA). 

Due to the recent boom in demand, high-purity graphite has been widely used in lithium-ion battery production.

VGG is holding the right to exploit a graphite mine with a total area of 34.3ha in the northern province of Yen Bai. The company also owns a graphite processing plant in Tran Yen district, Yen Bai province.

The total crude ore reserves of the graphite mine are estimated at 4 million tonnes, and VGG's graphite production plant is capable of processing 400,000 tonnes of ore concentrate per year.

Hanoi gathering marks 45 years since victory of southwestern border defence

A gathering took place in Hanoi on January 6 to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the victory of the war defending the southwestern border and, together with the Cambodian troops and people, defeating the genocidal regime (January 7, 1979 - 2024).

The event saw the presence of Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam Chea Kimtha; Vietnamese generals and heroes of the people’s armed forces; foreign guests; 200 war veterans, former volunteer soldiers, and former experts of Vietnam who used to fight and work in the neighbouring country; and Cambodian students.

Le Kim Anh, President of the Hanoi Women’s Union and Chairwoman of the city’s Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association, affirmed that the two countries boast friendly neighbourliness, solidarity, and mutual support throughout history.

Shortly after winning the resistance war against the US in 1975, the Cambodian people suffered from a big tragedy caused by the reactionary force of Pol Pot - Ieng Sary. This force also distorted history, provoked, and seriously violated the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Vietnam.

To safeguard the Fatherland’s sacred sovereignty, protect people’s lives and property, and respond to the urgent appeal from the Kampuchean United Front for National Salvation, with the noble international spirit of “helping the other means helping oneself”, volunteer soldiers of Vietnam and the revolutionary armed force of Cambodia launched a strategic offensive along the entire borderline to drive off the Khmer Rouge and liberate the Cambodian people from the genocidal regime. On January 7, 1979, Phnom Penh capital was completely liberated, Anh noted.

At the gathering, former volunteer soldiers and former experts of Vietnam recounted their memories of the time they spent with Cambodian comrades and people while fighting on the southwestern battlefield to free Cambodia from the genocidal regime, and settling this regime’s consequences and rebuilding Cambodia.

On this occasion, 50 gift packages were presented to war veterans, former volunteer soldiers, former experts, and representatives of Cambodian students in Vietnam.

New development space for Da Nang

Seeing the significance of the master plan of Da Nang for the 2021-2030 period with a vision to 2050, the central city’s authorities have been starting work to implement the plan effectively.

According to Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Quang Nam, local authorities identified programmes and projects to prioritise investment in all socio-economic fields.

Regarding transportation, the city will focus on key projects such as Lien Chieu port project, Da Nang International Airport, the allocation of Da Nang Railway Station, and a study on the public transport project like high-speed subway or urban light rail.

In addition, the city will prioritise projects on free trade zones, non-tariff zones and accompanying services, on Da Nang international exhibition centre, shopping centres and those to improve infrastructure, landscape or create architectural highlights along Han river and night service areas.

In the coming time, Da Nang will also develop a complex of trade and urban eco areas in Hoa Khanh Nam, An Don, a complex of commercial, service areas and residential buildings serving international firework festival, and a complex of sports, entertainment, commercial areas and creative space project in Hoa Xuan ward.

In the field of digital economy and information technology (IT), Da Nang city will prioritise the development of a high-tech data services research and development centre - HTC Digital Park, and the DanangBay IT Park. It will also prioritise projects on the production of chips, biosensors, and integrated circuit (IC), projects on aviation, space technology, design technology, robot manufacturing, and mechanical manufacturing for the oil and gas, and wind power sectors.

At the same time, it will invest and attract investment in urban development projects, construction of resettlement areas, apartments, commercial housing, and social housing. Da Nang will also pilot urban reconstruction projects, forming urban areas in Binh Hien ward (district Hai Chau), Thanh Khe Dong ward (Thanh Khe district), and An Hai Tay ward (Son Tra district).

Secretary of the Da Nang Party Committee Nguyen Van Quang said that the master plan is a step to formalise policies to develop the city following the Poliburo’s Resolution No. 43-NQ/TW.

Speaking at the ceremony to announce the master plan in November 2023, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha directed the city to develop a roadmap for implementation and identify key content, progress and resources for implementing planned programmes and projects.

The city should speed up administration reform and e-Government in building a ‘smart’ urban area with ‘green’ growth, circular economy and digital economy, he said.

The Deputy PM urged Da Nang to issue ‘green’ standards for luring renewable energy and hi-tech investment, building economic links with neighbouring provinces and cities in the region.

Da Nang will be focusing on human resources education and technology applications for semiconductor manufacture and processing industries in building a liveable city and a destination worthy of investment and sustainable development in the region, he urged.

The city should continue monitoring biodiversity protection and the ecological system in dealing with climate change and high sea levels, he added.

According to the master plan, Da Nang targets to achieve an economic growth rate of 9.5-10% a year by 2023, eyeing 12%, and Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) per capita of about 8,000 - 8,500 USD.

The city aims to have the number of visitors increased by 17.5 - 18% a year and revenue of accommodation, food, and travel increased by 12.5 - 13% a year.

State budget revenue in the city is expected to increase by an average of 9 - 11% a year, while total investment capital for social development by 11 - 12% yearly.

Cambodian media highlights fine Vietnam-Cambodia neighbourliness

Cambodian media on January 5 published articles and photos acknowledging the role of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers in the January 7, 1979 victory that overthrew the genocidal Pol Pot regime as well as in the reconstruction and development of Cambodia today.

The articles also highlighted the sound friendship between the two neighbouring countries, which continues to be enhanced and expanded in all fields and at all levels.

Electronic news outlet Thmeythmey said in its article that January 7, 1979 marked the great and historic victory of the Cambodian people over the genocidal Pol Pot regime, opening up a new era of independence, freedom, democracy and social progress. It also also paved the way for national unification in Cambodia, the newswire said.

The newspaper commented that Cambodia has achievements today thanks to the overthrowing of the genocidal regime, carried out by the United Front for National Salvation of Cambodia with the support of the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and people.

In its article published on the same day, the Koh Santepheap newspaper highlighted that this victory was a historic event, reflecting the spirit of great international solidarity between the people and armies of Cambodia and Vietnam, ushering in a new chapter in the fine friendship between the two countries.

According to the newspaper, since the complete withdrawal of the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers from Cambodia in 1989, bilateral relations have increasingly developed in many areas, bringing great interests to the two countries' people.

This relationship has been preserved and nurtured by the leaders, people and the young generations of the two countries under the motto “good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, and sustainable, long-term and comprehensive cooperation”, it said.

Second Dien Hong award ceremony honours 79 works

The second Dien Hong award ceremony, dedicated to honouring works on the National Assembly (NA) and People’s Councils, took place in Hanoi on January 5, as part of activities marking the 78th anniversary of the first NA general election (January 6).

Speaking at the event, Permanent NA Vice Chairman Tran Thanh Man, who is also head of the steering committee for the award, said just six months after the first edition, the organising board received 2,679 entries from 138 press agencies at both central and local levels, which have earned praise from readers.

Notably, 79 outstanding works have been meticulously selected, with 7 A , 14 B, 20 C and 38 consolation prizes to be honoured at the ceremony, he said.

He wished that press agencies and journalists would continue upholding a sense of responsibility, enthusiasm and professional dedication; actively disseminate and bring the Party's guidelines, State policies and laws into the daily life, contributing to building a more effective and efficient NA and People's Councils, deserving the trust of voters and people.

They were also urged to serve as a bridge between the Party and people and a platform for diverse voices to contribute to national construction and defence.

The contributions of 15 agencies and units to the success of the award were also honoured at the event, with certificates of merit presented.

Hanoi prioritises strengthening friendship, cooperation with Lao localities

Hanoi will continue to prioritise the promotion of its friendship and cooperation with Lao localities, agencies, and units, building upon and deepening cooperative results and expanding the scope of work to meet their needs and aspirations, Chairman of the municipal People's Council Nguyen Ngoc Tuan said at a January 5 working session with visiting Vice President of the Lao National Assembly (NA) Chaleun Yiapaoher.

The collaboration not only brings practical benefits to both sides but also contributes to consolidating and developing the special ties between the two nations, Tuan stated.

The Lao legislator said his delegation’s visit aims to exchange, share, and acquire experience in legislative research, constitutional amendments, and legal system improvement. The trip also targets gathering information to aid in compiling documentation about the 50-year history of the Lao NA’s establishment and development, as well as obtaining experience in operating the people's councils at all levels.

The insights shared by Hanoi are invaluable knowledge and experience for Laos to absorb, study, and translate into practical actions, the lawmaker noted.

Tuan said in recent times, the cooperative ties between Hanoi and the Lao capital and localities have been strengthened across all channels, recording numerous successful projects. The Vietnamese capital is keen to collaborate closely with the Lao Party, State, and localities in further exchanging information and experience and assisting each other in their construction and development of various sectors.

In the morning of the same day, the Lao NA Vice Chairman embarked on a field trip, visiting and working in Van Con commune in Hanoi’s Hoai Duc district.

Vietnam Australia Centre helps promote bilateral ties

Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics Nguyen Xuan Thang has urged the Vietnam Australia Centre (VAC) to further promote research and policy consulting activities.

Thang, who is also Politburo member and and Chairman of the Central Theory Council, made the statement at a working session with Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski within the framework of the third meeting of the Vietnam Australia Centre Project Steering Committee in Hanoi on January 5.

Research serving the review of 40 years of doi moi (renewal) process should provide initiatives and strategic orientations to support Vietnam in realising its socio-economic development goals to become a high-income country by 2045, the official said.

It is necessary for studies on women's empowerment in Vietnam to set forth practical recommendations to assist the promotion of women's leadership role in the country, he continued.

Thang highlighted the relations between the two countries in 2023, especially the visits to Vietnam by Australian Governor General David Hurley in April, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in June, saying these trips marked the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Australia diplomatic ties, and contributed to strengthening cohesion and strategic trust between the two countries.

He lauded outstanding activities of the Vietnam Australia Centre in the past year such as organising the Vietnam - Australia Forum on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties with the participation of Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and  training courses for cadres in Vietnam and Australia, especially the development of contingent of female leaders.

He attributed the VAC’s achievements to cooperation and support from the Australian Embassy, efforts of the centre's staff and contributions of the partner agencies, namely the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, Government Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Affirming that the Vietnam Australia Centre is a symbol of the "soft connection" of the two countries' relations and will play an increasingly important role following the two nations' upgrade of their partnership, Thang called on the Australian Government, relevant ministries and agencies of Vietnam to continue to assist and pay more attention to the centre's operations in the future.

Also at the meeting, the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics awarded the insignia "For the cause of training and fostering political theory" to Mark Tattersall, Minister - Deputy Ambassador of Australia to Vietnam.

Launched in June 2022, the VAC aims to help Vietnam access Australia’s knowledge, skills and expertise, experience in training and scientific research, thereby strengthening mutual understanding and deepening the fruitful partnership relationship between the two countries.

It also focuses on improving the capacity of Vietnamese leaders and managers to meet the requirements of integration and development of the country and contributing to beefing up the close, positive and sustainable Vietnam-Australia cooperation relationship.

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