The Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV) has just released a short documentary titled “Sea turtles belong to the ocean”, its 55th media short film, in an effort to increase public’s awareness on the threats to the species, particularly illegal poaching and trafficking. 

According to Nguyen Phuong Dung, Deputy Chairwoman of the ENV, a harsh reality shows that only about one in 1,000 hatching make it to adulthood.

Sea turtles face many threats during their maturation. Besides the loss of their habitat, especially the spawning grounds along the coast, sea turtles are also hunted to make jewelry, specimens and other valuable products, Dung said.

She called on the public to stop buying products made from sea turtle as well as from other wild animals.

The documentary will be aired on TV stations nationwide and on Youtube at https://youtu.be/VanLQbN0eA8 ./.

Vietnam attends International Children’s Festival in Croatia

An art troupe representing the Vietnam Puppet Theatre has participated in the 63rd International Children’s Festival held in Šibenik of Croatia as part of efforts to promote the image of Vietnamese people and landscapes among the global community.      

Vietnamese water puppet shows are held on June 30 and July 1, with the event featuring the daily life of farmers and common aspects of Vietnamese spiritual life.

A total of 11 artists from the Vietnam Puppet Theatre are expected to introduce local folk art to the world, with this helping international friends to gain greater understanding of traditional Vietnamese culture.

Water puppetry represents a tradition that dates back as far as the 11th century when it originated in the villages of the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam.

The puppets are made out of wood and then lacquered, whilst the shows are performed in a waist-deep pool. A large bamboo rod supports the puppet under the water and is used by the puppeteers, who are normally hidden behind a screen, to control them. This creates the effect of puppets appearing to be moving over the water. This comes from the tradition of when rice fields would flood, villagers would come together to entertain each other by using this form of puppeteering.

The International Children’s Festival was first held back in 1958, with the event drawing the participation of children from different parts of the world. During the festival held in June, all of the squares and streets are extremely lively.

The festival this year takes place from June 24 to July 8 in Croatia, with the occasion encouraging many ideas in various forms of art for children's creativity, including drama, puppetry, music-scenes, film, literary, and visual arts.

46 houses damaged in Vinh Long whirlwind

As many as 46 houses have been damaged when a whirlwind hit the southern province of Vinh Long late Thursday afternoon. 

A house is damaged by a whirlwind in Vinh Long Province on June 29.

The whirlwind also broke off many electric poles, causing widespread power outages in many areas.

Total damage caused by the whirlwind was estimated at VND860 million.

The Vinh Long Provincial Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue said on June 30 that they were dealing with the consequences of the whirlwind and evacuating some local households and moving their properties to safe areas.

Australia invests another AUD 17 million in Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem
 
The Australian Government has just announced that they will extend their investment in the development of an innovation ecosystem in Vietnam through the Aus4Innovation programme to 2028, making it a 10-year commitment with a total budget of AUD 33.5 million.

Australian Ambassador to Viet Nam Andrew Goledzinowski, Executive Director of Growth at CSIRO Jonathan Law, Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat and Vice Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy at the event.

The Aus4Innovation programme is delivered through a tripartite partnership between the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), CSIRO - Australia’s national science agency, and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST). To date, the programme has explored emerging areas of technology and digital transformation, trialled new models for partnerships between public and private sector institutions, and strengthened Vietnamese capability in digital foresight, scenario planning, science commercialisation, and innovation policy.

The programme, which was launched in 2018, has operated across 37 provinces in Vietnam.

Speaking at the Australia-Vietnam Innovation Partnership Day, Australia’s Ambassador to Vietnam, Andrew Goledzinowski, said that the two countries shared an ambition to base their future growth on science and technology, and the potential for increased international cooperation around innovation for global and regional solutions.

"Our innovation cooperation is substantial, efficient, and full of trust," he said. "It happens at all levels – individual, institution, and government, and proves to be enduring. As our two countries are working towards upgrading our relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, we will continue to deepen our cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security, and knowledge and innovation.”

Speaking at the event, Minister of Science and Technology, Huynh Thanh Dat, said that he was delighted that the partnership with Australia, through the Aus4Innovation programme, has delivered tangible, significant results that are having substantial positive impact on the lives of the Vietnamese people.

"With the introduction of the Strategy for the development of science, technology and innovation (STI) in Vietnam until 2030, the Government of Vietnam has affirmed the pivotal role of STI in addressing emerging economic, societal and institutional challenges," he said. "Our Ministry is working hard to meet the goals set by the Strategy; and knowing that in this process, we will have the support of a trusted partner like Australia is encouraging. We will build on the accomplishments of today to achieve much more in the next five years, and beyond.”

CSIRO’s Executive Director of Growth, Jonathan Law, explained that the next phase of the Aus4Innovation programme would build upon the solid foundations already established. “I am deeply encouraged that the Australian Government, through DFAT decided to continue to support this programme for another five years, broadening our opportunities to pursue our endeavour to bring technology and innovation to life. Over the next five years, the programme will put a stronger focus on areas of Vietnam’s priorities, such as resilient agriculture and food, as well as introducing appropriate interventions for the digital era, including responsible artificial intelligence."

Hundreds of artists perform to celebrate the 325th anniversary of Sai Gon - Cho Lon - Gia Dinh - HCM City

Hundreds of artists from various fields will participate in performances on the occasion of the 325th anniversary of Sai Gon - Cho Lon - Gia Dinh – Ho Chi Minh City (1698-2023) and 47 years since Sai Gon - Gia Dinh was officially named after President Ho Chi Minh (July 2, 1976 - 2023).

Cultural and artistic activities on this anniversary are planned by the People's Committee of HCM City and will be carried out by the City Centre for Light Music.

According to Meritorious Artist Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, deputy director of the municipal Department of Culture and Sports, the special art programme will be officially kicked off at 7pm on July 2 at the main stage area of District 1's 23/9 Park and broadcasted live on television and radio.

Besides these performances, relevant authorities of HCM City will organise a wide range of activities, including water puppet shows, sports events, cooking contests, and a traditional costume show, among others, with an aim to tighten relationships among family members and celebrate the role of the family in social life.

On this occasion, the city will also hold a ceremony to announce and award OCOP products in HCM City with the theme “A new day in the countryside”, taking place at 7pm on June 30, at 23/9 Park.

Rome seminar talks path towards socialism in Vietnam

Vietnamese and Italian experts looked into theories on the path towards socialism in Vietnam at a roundtable seminar in Rome on June 30.

The event was held by the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Speaking at the seminar, Associate Prof. Dr. Pham Van Linh, Vice Chairman of the Central Theory Council, presented theories on socialism and the path towards socialism in Vietnam.

He said developing a socialist-oriented market economy is a fundamental, innovative theoretical breakthrough of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), which is an important theoretical achievement after nearly 40 years of Doi Moi (Renewal).

Linh also emphasised the parallel between economic and social policies, and economic growth and social progress and equality in Vietnam, saying thanks to Doi Moi, Vietnam has posted an average economic growth rate of 7% over the past nearly four decades.

Last year, its GDP reached about 400 billion USD, and per capita income stood at 4,100 USD, he added.  

General Secretary of the Italian Communist Party Mauro Alboresikl spoke highly of outcomes of 13th National Congress of the CPV, saying Vietnam is creative in national development.  

The path to socialism in Vietnam has revived ideals and perspectives of socialism on a global scale, helping raise the country’s reputation in the international arena, he continued.

Other Italian participants lauded Vietnam’s strong economic growth and Doi Moi, stressing that Vietnam is on the right path towards socialism.

Japanese expert lauds Vietnam’s “bamboo diplomacy”

Professor Go Ito from Japan’s Meiji University has emphasised flexibility in Vietnam’s foreign policy in maintaining relations with countries, referring to its “bamboo diplomacy.”

The term “bamboo diplomacy” was coined by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong during a diplomatic conference in 2016 and reiterated at the first national conference on foreign affairs in 2021. During these meetings, the leader likened Vietnam’s foreign policy to bamboo, with strong roots, solid stems, and flexible branches.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)’s correspondents in Japan, the professor held that the main concepts of “bamboo diplomacy” lie with resilience, flexibility and modesty.

Vietnam is standing in an environment that enables the country to gain an important position in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and boost political and economic ties with Japan and the Republic of Korea (RoK), he said.

Regarding the Vietnam-Japan relationship, the professor noted that geopolitical and geoeconomic factors would be impulses for the bilateral ties.

Hanoi ceremony marks 247th anniversary of US Independence Day

A ceremony took place in Hanoi on June 29 under the chair of US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper to celebrate the 247th anniversary of the US Independence Day (July 4).

On behalf of the Vietnamese Government, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan offered congratulations to the US leaders and people on the Independence Day.

He said the US is one of the partners of leading importance of Vietnam. He highly valued the results of bilateral cooperation on bilateral, regional, and international aspects, especially the meetings, dialogues, and mutual visits in the first half of 2023.

As the two countries are celebrating the 28th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and 10 years of the comprehensive partnership, he highlighted the important principles of the countries’ relations such as closing the past, overcoming differences, bringing into play similarities, working towards the future, and equal and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Hoan stressed both sides’ achievements in agricultural cooperation, including the strong growth of trade in agro-forestry-fishery products over the past years.

The minister appreciated relevant US agencies’ provision of optimal conditions for farm produce of Vietnam to access the US market, as well as technical assistance for the Southeast Asian country’s agricultural sector.

For his part, Ambassador Knapper said the US attaches importance to the comprehensive partnership with Vietnam; supports a strong, independent, resilient, and prosperous Vietnam; and wishes to continue promoting bilateral relations on the basis of respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political regimes.

The diplomat thanked Minister Hoan and other leaders of Vietnamese ministries, sectors, and localities for their active coordination with the embassy and agencies of the US administration and congress.

The US will continue paying attention to and reserve appropriate resources and budget for strengthening cooperation with Vietnam in education, health care, and science - technology. It will also keep helping the latter with the settlement of war aftermath, climate change adaptation, and digital transformation, he added.

President hails RoK Ambassador's contributions to promoting bilateral ties

President Vo Van Thuong has congratulated the outgoing Ambassador of the Republic of Korea (RoK) to Vietnam, Oh Young Ju, on fulfilling her tasks and commended the diplomat for her important contributions to fostering the bilateral ties.

Receiving Oh in Hanoi on June 30, President Thuong congratulated the ambassador on being assigned a new task and expressed his belief that the diplomat would continue backing and promoting the Vietnam-RoK comprehensive strategic partnership in the coming time.

He affirmed that Vietnam attached great importance to the freshly-ended State visit by RoK President Yoon Suk Yeol, adding that senior leaders, people and businesses of both nations paid due attention to and highly evaluated the outcomes of this trip.

Oh, for her part, said the RoK side highly appreciated of the success of the Vietnam visit by President Yoon.

She said following the visit, President Yoon asked Korean agencies to implement the cooperation agreements signed between the two countries. She believed that these cooperative commitments and agreements will soon be materialised in practice, thus helping the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership to develop in a deeper, more practical and effective way.

Via the diplomat, President Thuong expressed his thanks to and spoke highly of President Yoon’s directions to soon realise the signed commitments and agreements, affirming that Vietnam will actively carry out these commitments.

The ambassador reiterated President Yoon's invitation to President Thuong and his spouse to soon visit the RoK. President Thuong accepted the invitation with pleasure, saying that the visit will be arranged at a suitable time.

The State leader also asked the ambassador to convey his best regards to President Yoon and his spouse.

Remains of 83 voluntary soldiers, experts repatriated from Cambodia

Remains of 83 Vietnamese voluntary soldiers and experts who sacrificed during the war in Cambodia were repatriated via Hoa Lu international border gate in the southern province of Binh Phuoc on June 30.

During the 2022-2023 dry season, team K72 of the provincial Military Command sent 42 officers and soldiers to the Cambodian provinces of Kratie and Kampong Thom to search and unearth remains since February 20.

A memorial and re-burial service for the remains will be held at the provincial martyrs' cemetery on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs' Day (July 27).

Over the past two decades, the team has brought home nearly 2,800 sets of remains of Vietnamese voluntary soldiers and experts who laid down their lives in Cambodia.

Statue of President Ho Chi Minh inaugurated in St. Petersburg

A ceremony was held in St. Petersburg city, Russia, on June 30 to inaugurate the statue of President Ho Chi Minh.

The 3m tall bronze statue of President Ho Chi Minh is placed on a 1.5m high pedestal. The President is shown as sitting solemnly, with his right hand holding a book - a posture described by the designers as "dynamic in stillness," symbolising his profound ideological insights during his journey to Russia.

Speaking at the event, Governor of St. Petersburg Alesander Beglov said the inauguration of the statue of the late Vietnamese President in the city is a gesture of profound respect and remembrance for one of the greatest figures in history, a bright example of patriotism and national heroism.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi said that the statue will serve as a new symbol of friendship between the two countries and will become a prominent destination for Vietnamese guests, Russian and international friends.

Earlier, Politburo member and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen visited and cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Ho Chi Minh Museum at High School No. 488, near the Ho Chi Minh statue.

President of Swiss National Council concludes Vietnam visit

President of the National Council of Switzerland Martin Candinas and his entourage left Hanoi on June 30 evening, concluding their official visit to Vietnam from June 27-30 at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

During the visit, Candinas held talks with Chairman Hue, paid a courtesy call to President Vo Van Thuong and met Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

During talks and meetings, the Vietnamese leaders spoke highly of Candinas’s visit, saying that it is an opportunity to raise mutual understanding, deepen comprehensive relations and discuss measures to foster friendship and all-around ties between Vietnam and Switzerland, as well as between their legislative bodies.

Candinas said Switzerland is one of the first western European countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam, and until now, their bilateral relations have been growing in both bilateral and multilateral aspects.

He vowed to continue bolstering cooperation between the two countries.

Switzerland always considers Vietnam a strategic partner in Southeast Asia, he said, adding that his visit aims to reaffirm and implement the foreign policy.

Leaders of both countries shared the view that the two legislatures should play their roles in promoting economic, trade, and investment cooperation, just energy transition, digital transformation and climate change response, toward signing the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) soon.

While in Vietnam, Candinas also held working sessions with Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and several economic establishments in Hai Duong and Hai Phong.

His visit was an important parliamentary diplomatic activity that marks the resumption of high-level delegation exchanges between the two countries following the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to deepening the close and reliable relationship between the two countries in various fields.

Success of vaccine diplomacy

It can be said that the COVID-19 pandemic has been brought under control in Vietnam thanks to efforts by the entire political system and people, and particularly vaccine diplomacy.

Vaccine diplomacy has contributed to successes of Vietnam’s vaccine strategy, which also includes vaccine fund and vaccination.

Amid the pandemic outbreak and vaccine scarcity, the Vietnamese Party and State mobilised both macro and micro resources, and drastically instructed the diplomatic sector to utilise channels to access vaccine sources.

Vaccine was an important content of phone talks and international meetings of Party and State leaders.

The government vaccine taskforce on vaccine diplomacy was established on August 13, 2021, which was headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, aiming to accelerate vaccine delivery, call for vaccine support from bilateral partners and international organisations, and promote technical transfer.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) also encouraged localities, organisations and businesses to purchase vaccines. The ministry was in charge of licensing and monitoring the quality of vaccines, and launching the free-of-charge vaccination campaign.

In May 2021, Vietnam received the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines under the COVAX Facility - mechanism set up by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation (GAVI), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and manufacturers and partners to accelerate the development and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines, and to guarantee fair and equitable access for every country in the world.

As of October 2021, the country got some 97.5 million doses of vaccines, the MoH said, adding that the amount was 206 million doses at the end of June 2022, of which more than 51 million doses came under the COVAX Facility.

More than 146 million doses had been administered as of December 27, 2021, making Vietnam rank 52rd among the 63 countries and territories that covered two doses of COVID-19 vaccine for at least 70% of their populations.

Vietnam also became one of the countries worldwide with the highest COVID-19 vaccination coverage as up to 266,416,100 doses administered as of May 31, 2023, basically achieving the target of herd immunity earlier than scheduled.

Meanwhile, in the first phase of the pandemic, Vietnam supported other countries like Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, China, Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand in financing and medical equipment. The country also gave aid to France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Mexico, Russia, Japan, the US and Sweden, among others, during the pandemic combat.

Besides, Vietnam contributed 100,000 USD to the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund and 5 million USD to the ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies.

High-ranking Vietnamese Party and State leaders made phone calls and sent letters to leaders of 22 countries and 10 international organisations, met with foreign ambassadors and representatives of foreign firms in Vietnam, and visited European nations, Cuba, the US, Japan, Russia, the Republic of Korea and India to sign vaccine production technology procurement and transfer contracts, and mobilise vaccine support.

The success of vaccine diplomacy not only contributes to strengthening soft power, affirming the national image and the pioneering role of the diplomatic sector but also provides valuable experience for Vietnam in diplomatic mobilisation and the implementation of economic diplomacy and export diplomacy in the current challenging global economic context.

Vietnam-Australia Innovation Partnership Day takes place in Hanoi

The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), the Australian Embassy in Vietnam and Australia's national science agency – CSIRO –organised a “Vietnam-Australia Innovation Partnership Day” in Hanoi on June 30.

The event showcases achievements that Vietnam and Australia have made thanks to their cooperation in the innovation field.

Since 2018, the Australian Government has helped Vietnam develop an innovation ecosystem through its flagship Aus4Innovation programme. Australia recently announced that the Aus4Innovation programme will be extended to 2028, making it a 10-year commitment with a total budget of 33.5 million AUD (22.17 million USD).

Speaking at the event, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski said the two countries’ innovation cooperation is substantial, efficient, and full of trust. It happens at all levels – individual, institution, and government, and proves to be enduring.

“As our two countries are working towards upgrading our relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, we will continue to deepen our cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security, and knowledge and innovation,” he said.

Huynh Thanh Dat, Minister of Science and Technology said that the partnership with Australia, through the Aus4Innovation programme, has delivered tangible, significant results that are having substantial positive impact on the lives of the Vietnamese people.

With the introduction of the strategy for the development of science, technology and innovation (STI) in Vietnam until 2030, the country affirms the pivotal role of STI in addressing emerging economic, societal and institutional challenges.

Dat said that MoST is working hard to meet the goals set by the strategy; and knowing that in that process, it will have the support of a trusted partner like Australia to achieve much more in the next five years, and beyond.

SIRO’s Executive Director of Growth Jonathan Law said that the next phase of the Aus4Innovation programme will build upon the solid foundations already established.

Over the next five years, the programme will put a stronger focus on areas of Vietnam’s priorities, such as resilient agriculture and food, as well as introducing appropriate interventions for the digital era, including responsible artificial intelligence, he said.

After five years in operation across 37 provinces in Vietnam, the Aus4Innovation programme has laid the foundation for 82 partnerships between Australian and Vietnamese universities, research agencies, high-tech businesses, and policy makers; established a pool of 875 trainers and experts through capacity building activities; and contributed to national policies on science, technology and innovation, as well as developed practical tools for innovation policy development to help contribute to a more enabling environment.

Workshop marks 100th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s arrival in Russia

An international workshop was held at the Ho Chi Minh Institute under St Petersburg University on June 30 to mark the 100th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s arrival in Russia.

Addressing the hybrid event, Vladimir Mazyrin, Director of the Centre for Vietnamese and ASEAN Studies at the Russian Academy of Science, recalled the late President’s 10-year stay in Europe, saying the knowledge he gained had contributed to the success of Vietnam’s August Revolution and building a Vietnamese state of democracy and independence.

Nguyen Anh Tuan, Second Secretary of the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia, noted that Vietnam and the former Soviet Union Russia, and now Russia, have always stood side by side, and reaped many achievements in developing their traditional friendship as well as comprehensive strategic partnership.

The participating Russian and Vietnamese scholars shared the view that President Ho Chi Minh had creatively applied Marxism-Leninism to successfully lead the Vietnamese national liberation revolution and contribute to the bilateral relationship.

Vietnam welcomes nearly 5.6 million international visitors in H1

Vietnam welcomed nearly 5.6 million international visitors in the first half of this year, accounting for 66% of the figure the country recorded in 2019 before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Vietnam National Authority of Tourism – the new name of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism from July 1.

Regarding the level of recovery compared to before the pandemic, five markets saw growth including Cambodia (338%), India (236%), Laos (117%), Thailand (108.4%), and Singapore (107.4%).

Two markets with the growth close to their 2019 levels were the US (95%) and Australia (92%). In addition, the number of visitors to Vietnam from the Republic of Korea (RoK), the UK, Germany, and France all increased positively. However, the Chinese market only recovered 22.4% because China reopened group tours to Vietnam from March 15 this year.

The RoK remained the largest market of the Vietnamese tourism in the first half of 2023 with 1.6 million tourist arrivals, accounting for 28% of total international visitors to Vietnam. It was followed by China and the US.

Among the top ten markets of Vietnam tourism, four were in Northeast Asia - the RoK, China, Taiwan (China) and Japan, and three in Southeast Asia - Thailand, Malaysia, and Cambodia. Australia and India ranked ninth and tenth.

The UK, France, and Germany were the three biggest markets for Vietnam tourism in Europe. In addition, Vietnam attracted 62,000 Russian tourists in the reviewed period.

In 2023, Vietnam aims to welcome 110 million tourists including 8 million international visitors. The country expects to earn about 650 trillion VND (27.56 billion USD) from tourism.

Vietnamese, Cuban youth unions strengthen cooperation

The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCMYU) in Ho Chi Minh City and the Young Communist League (UJC) of Havana will enhance cooperation in the 2023-2027 period under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on June 30.

Secretary of the HCMYU in HCM City Pham Thi Thanh Phuong emphasised the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Cuba, and expressed her hope to the expansion of cooperation and youth movements between the two cities.

Phuong also noted her belief that the MoU will open up a new period for programmes and activities bringing together young people of the two localities.

For his part, First Secretary of the UJC Havana Raúl Alejandro Palmero said Cuba was the first Latin American nation to establish diplomatic ties with Vietnam in 1960, saying Cuban youngsters have grown up with admiration for Vietnamese people for their spirit in both struggling and working.

The HCM City delegation is paying a working visit to Cuba from June 26 to July 3 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Cuban leader Fidel Castro's visit to the liberated area in the south of Vietnam (September 1973).

On this occasion, the HCMYU in HCM City presented many gifts to the UJC Havana in support of its youth movements. Currently, 63 Vietnamese students are studying in the Caribbean nation.

Workshop on Vietnam-Japan relations held in Da Nang

A workshop on Vietnam- Japan relations was held by Dong A University in the central city of Da Nang on July 1 as an activity to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

A total of 24 thematic reports by more than 30 domestic and Japanese researchers were represented at the workshop, evaluating the Vietnam - Japan relationship in many fields from history, culture, diplomacy, security-defence, economy to official development assistance (ODA), and cooperation in education, agriculture and digital transformation.

Speaking at the event,  Ho Ky Minh, Vice Chairman of Da Nang City People's Committee, said Da Nang has established friendship and official cooperative ties with four Japanese cities - Kawasaki, Sakai, Yokohama, and Kisarazu, and cooperated with 15 other provinces and cities.

Japan currently ranks first in terms of registered investment capital in Da Nang with more than 1 billion USD in 222 projects, accounting for 23.5% of the number of projects and 26% of foreign investment capital in the central city.

Export turnover between Da Nang and Japan reached 730 million USD in 2022, while import value was 440 million USD, contributing to trade between the two countries.

Da Nang and Japan have also cooperated strongly in the fields of culture, education, and tourism. Many cultural exchange activities between the two sides have been held.

Da Nang has also cooperated with Japanese universities and educational institutions to promote relationships in human resources, and education and training.

Besides, the central city has attracted a large number of Japanese tourists, contributing to local economic and tourism development.

Within the framework of the workshop, a forum on "Vietnam - Japan relations: Looking towards the future" was held with the participation of leading scholars on Vietnam-Japan relations.

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