The Critical Diseases Research and Treatment Institute (Radiner) of Vietnam and Saidal Group - an Algerian pharmaceutical company - have signed a cooperation agreement, opening up cooperation potential in the healthcare sector between the two countries.

Radiner’s delegation led by its General Director Dr. Nguyen Phu Kieu paid a working visit to Algeria from February 27 to March 8 to introduce the institute's drug products, including Cedemex, a drug to support drug addiction treatment; Vegakiss, an herbal-based product to enhance immunity and resistance, and Kacemex, a herbal medicine  to support cancer treatment.

Researched since 2000, Cedemex has been approved by the National Council for Science and the Ministry of Health. According to reports from various localities in Vietnam, the results of applying Cedemex showed that the non-relapse rate after three years and community integration rate reached 56%, while the success rate of drug addiction treatment in rehabilitation centres is 100%.

Kieu said Cedemex has been used to treat over 20,000 drug-addicted patients in Vietnam and has also been utilised for treatment in Laos and Cambodia.

On this occasion, doctors and medical workers directly involved in treating drug-addicted patients at a hospital in Algiers were instructed on the usage procedure of this medication.

Under the agreement, Radiner authorises Saidal to act as the sole importer and distributor of Vegakiss products in Algeria and Africa.

In 2024, Saidal will import 100,000 boxes of Vegakiss, and it plans to increase the quantity by fourfold by 2026.

For Cedemex, Radiner and the Algerian partner are currently working together to obtain a usage permit in Algeria. The two sides will sign a distribution cooperation agreement for this product in the near future.

The export agreement between Radiner and the Algerian partner represents a notable achievement for Vietnam in the field of health care. It also signifies international recognition of made-in-Vietnam pharmaceutical products.

The partnership also contributes to strengthening the friendship between Vietnam and Algeria in both political and economic spheres.

Radiner will continue to promote the export of medical products to Algeria and other African nations in the coming time, while also pursuing research projects on drug formulation and medical products with foreign partners from China and Australia.

Commission uncovers violations in labour ministry, localities

The Party Central Committee’s Inspection Commission convened its 37th meeting in Hanoi from March 6-8 under the chair of its head Tran Cam Tu, who is also a Politburo member and Secretary of the Party Central Committee.

The commission concluded that the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs’ Party Civil Affairs Committee violated the principles of democratic centralism and working regulations, and showed the lack of responsibility, laxed leadership and directions, resulting in the ministry and a number of organisations and individuals seriously violating the Party regulations and the State laws on consulting and performing mechanisms and policies on vocational training, and on the implementation of bid packages by the Advanced International JSC (AIC) and enterprises in its ecosystem.

The above violations have affected the implementation results of the vocational training development strategy, causing serious and difficult-to-remedy consequences, posing a significant risk of damage and wastage to the State funds, assets and social human resources, hurting the reputation of the Party organisation and State management agencies to the extent that disciplinary review and actions need to be considered.

The responsibility for the violations lies with the ministry’s Party Civil Affairs Committee for the 2011 - 2016 and 2016 – 2021 tenures, including its Secretary and Minister Dao Ngoc Dung, and a number of key officials.

The Party Civil Affairs Committee and Party organisations in relevant units were asked to review responsibilities and disciplinary actions against Party members who have violated regulations according to their authority, and report the results to the commission.

The commission pointed out violations and shortcomings of the Party Civil Affairs Committee of the Kon Tum provincial People’s Court for the 2015-2020 and 2020-2025 tenures and officials concerned.

The standing board of the Kon Tum provincial Party Committee was required to consider responsibilities of violating organisations and individuals and report the results to the commission. Proposals of the Party Organisations of the Phu Yen, Gia Lai, and Ha Giang provinces were also taken under consideration on disciplinary actions against violating Party members.

Vietnamese and Algerian victims of 1974 plane crash remembered in Hanoi

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Algerian Embassy on March 8 co-organised a ceremony to commemorate Vietnamese and Algerian officials and journalists who perished in a plane crash five decades ago. 
 
On the occasion, the upgraded memorial site for the victims in Soc Son district, Hanoi was inaugurated.

In her remarks, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang recalled that 15 Algerian journalists and technicians, two diplomats, six military officers and flight crew members, and nine Vietnamese journalists lost their lives in the accident while accompanying the then Algerian President Houari Boumediene on his official visit to Vietnam.

In remembrance of the fallen officials and journalists from both countries, the memorial site in Soc Son’s Mai Dinh commune was built in 2000, with its upgrade recently completed.

The site has become a landmark where Vietnamese and Algerians come together every year to commemorate the significant contributions of the previous generations, fostering the time-honoured traditional friendship between Vietnam and Algeria, the diplomat said.

Expressing his gratitude to the ministry, local authorities, and the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group for their efforts in renovating the memorial site, Redha Oucher, a charge d'affaires at the embassy, stressed that the place is considered a strong bridge in the history of the Vietnam-Algeria traditional relationship, evoking the friendship shared between the sides.

At the ceremony, delegates offered incense and paid tribute to the fallen officials and journalists.

Over 5,000 people join ‘Ao dai’ parade in HCM City

Over 5,000 people clad in "Ao dai" (Vietnamese traditional gown) joined a parade in Ho Chi Minh City on March 8 as part of the city’s ongoing 10th Ao Dai Festival.

Head of the city Women’s Union Nguyen Tran Phuong Tran said that the annual festival has been held for a decade on the occasion of the International Women’s Day (March 8), with an aim of honouring the traditional costume as well as the beauty of Vietnamese women.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Van Dung expressed his belief that the women movement will develop further, helping the city successfully fulfil its socio-economic and cultural targets.

Held from March 7-17, the festival includes a variety of unique activities such as an art programme themed “Ao Dai – Colours of Ho Chi Minh City”, an Ao dai exhibition and interaction space, and an online competition.

Vietnam develops offshore hydrogen production

Green hydrogen production using offshore wind turbines is an optimal solution that many countries around the world have applied in their energy transition. Vietnam also considers it one of the breakthrough solutions to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Hydrogen has been recognised as a clean energy source that is indispensable in the energy structure of many countries to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

As of early 2023, more than 40 countries had issued national hydrogen strategies and major financial support policies to form and develop the hydrogen industry.

In Vietnam, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is drafting a hydrogen production strategy and deploying gas power and offshore wind power projects according to a Politburo's Resolution on the strategic orientation of Vietnam's national energy development until 2030 with a vision to 2045.

Under the draft strategy, Vietnam will promote the development of hydrogen energy production and hydrogen-derived fuels in potential areas to target a hydrogen output of 100,000-500,000 tonnes by 2030 and 10-20 million tonnes by 2050.

Vietnam rises to become regional trade, innovation hub: New Zealand expert

Vietnam has risen to become a regional trade and innovation hub, and there is a lot New Zealand can learn from Vietnam’s experience and expertise, CEO of the Asia New Zealand Foundation Suzannah Jessep has assessed in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s correspondents in Oceania.

Talking to the VNA reporters on the occasion of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to New Zealand on March 10 and 11, Jessep highlighted the significance of the trip as it provides an opportunity for both countries to further deepen their relationship at the highest levels and to exchange perspectives on a whole range of issues important to them. “Arriving with such a senior and large delegation signals the investment Vietnam is making in the relationship, and of the importance it places on this engagement,” she said.

According to the CEO, next year, Vietnam and New Zealand will mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Over the last five decades, the two sides have seen significant growth over the decades in people-to-people connections as well as growth in business, government, arts, defence and security, sports, science and other areas.

The expert held that: “There is a vibrancy to the relationship today that deserves celebration – but it also a platform from which we should look to catapult future growth.”

Recalling the upgrade of the bilateral relationship to a ‘strategic partnership’ in 2020, she said this was an acknowledgement of the closer ties the two countries have forged together and an expression of intent that they want to continue to look for ways to work together and advance mutual interests. New Zealand has teamed up with Vietnam to grow its agriculture sector, build resilience to climate change and disasters, and support the development of a highly-skilled and educated workforce. “We also have many friends in common. Our two countries have an opportunity to collaborate with others as we respond to climate change and other challenges that are impervious to geographic borders.”

Jessep said New Zealand and Vietnam are advocates for a peaceful region governed by the rule of law, respect for sovereignty and freedom of navigation. She recommended the two nations, alongside other Southeast Asian countries and regional powers, to continue to work together to protect and promote their interconnected, prosperous and stable region.

Concerning the prospects of the Vietnam - New Zealand relationship in the future, she assessed that there is great potential to grow cooperation across almost every sector. “At the Asia New Zealand Foundation, we work to help build connections between talented New Zealanders and their counterparts in Asia. This includes incredible young entrepreneurs who are designing solutions to tomorrow’s challenges – whether it be future food needs, climate adaptation, technology, green energy and so on. But we also invest in growing connections between our communities, as the basis for developing stronger, deeper country relations. Vietnamese students who study in New Zealand are thriving, and bring with them skills and cultural acumen that we need.”

According to the expert, in April, the foundation plans to take a group of young New Zealand leaders to Vietnam to learn about the country, its economy, history, and to build connections with young Vietnamese leaders. In May, it will lead a delegation of emerging art curators to Vietnam to learn about Vietnam’s burgeoning arts scene and make connections with arts practitioners. The foundation will also welcome a delegation of tourism and agribusiness entrepreneurs from Southeast Asia, including from Vietnam, to learn about New Zealand’s agricultural and tourism sectors and share ideas with their local counterparts.

“Connections such as these help us to grow trade connections, but they also help us to see the relationship beyond a trade lens and I believe this is imperative to building stronger, lasting ties,” the CEO concluded.

Can Tho, German city eye green tourism cooperation

Authorities of Can Tho and a delegation from Germany’s Wernigerode city led by Mayor Tobias Kascha agreed to strengthen cooperation in various fields, with a focus on sustainable green tourism, during a working session in the Mekong Delta city on March 8.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Duong Tan Hien said Can Tho boasts a strong agricultural sector, with 80% of its land for farming (nearly 115,000 ha). The city is a hub for services and tourism, with rice, seafood, fruit trees and animal farming forming the backbone of its agricultural industry.

Last year, the city accommodated roughly 6 million visitors, generating a revenue of 5.42 trillion VND (225.8 million USD). Leveraging the advantages provided by the Government’s pilot specific policies and mechanisms for Can Tho's development, the city aims to maximise its potential and become a stronger economic force.

Hien emphasised the mutual benefits of increased agricultural cooperation between Wernigerode and Can Tho, saying that it aligns perfectly with Can Tho's strategic focus on developing its services- tourism.

The city commits all possible support for firms from Germany, particularly those from Wernigerode to do business there, he said.

Hien wished that Mayor Kascha would act as a bridge, facilitating information exchange and business opportunities for Can Tho enterprises seeking to expand into Wernigerode.

Mayor Kascha expressed his desire for deeper cooperation across various sectors. He highlighted Germany's existing twinning relationships with Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An, which he believes provide a solid foundation for further locality-to-locality partnerships between Vietnam and Germany.

Wernigerode, like Can Tho, prioritises tourism as a key economic driver, he said, noting the German city's extensive experience in sustainable green tourism models. He expressed his willingness to share this expertise with Can Tho while learning from the Mekong Delta city's successful models, particularly those focusing on green tourism adaptable to climate change.

According to the municipal Department of Foreign Affairs, Can Tho exported 18.15 million USD worth of goods to Germany last year, with rice, aquatic products, agricultural and processed agricultural products, apparel and handicrafts as key currency earners. Its imports from Germany reached 260,000 USD, mostly pharmaceutical materials, machinery and equipment.

NA Chairman receives Chinese Ambassador

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue hosted a reception in Hanoi on March 8 for Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo, during which they discussed relations between the two Parties, countries and legislatures.

Chairman Hue highly evaluated the progress in relations between the two Parties and countries over the past time. He conveyed the regards from General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong and other key leaders of Vietnam to General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and President of China Xi Jinping and other senior leaders of China.

The NA Chairman congratulated the Chinese Party, State and people on their achievements over the past decade, especially the successes in 2023 - the first year to implement the Resolution adopted at the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

He also congratulated the National People's Congress of China (NPC) on the opening of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference with important issues related to socio-economic development being discussed and decided.

Both sides agreed to maintain regular high-level exchanges and meetings in flexible forms; realise high-level common perceptions on enhancing people-to-people exchanges, actively raise public awareness of Vietnam-China friendship and achievements in each country’s reform, raise mutual understanding between the two countries’ people, especially among young generations; and offer mutual support in multilateral frameworks like the United Nations, ASEAN, APEC, ASEM, Mekong-Lancang and at multilateral parliamentary forums in the region and the world.

Xiong, for his part, spoke highly of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to China in 2022 and General Secretary of the CPC and President of China Xi Jinping’s visit to Vietnam in 2023 when the two Party leaders announced the building of a “China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance”, marking a great milestone signaling the development of the bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new era.

Regarding legislative ties, Chairman Hue highlighted concerted efforts to foster political trust between the Vietnamese NA and the NPC, with regular exchanges through online talks, the exchange of leaders of committees, specialised agencies and friendship parliamentarians’ groups; and mutual support at regional and global parliamentary forums, especially the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).

The host and guest pledged to continue promoting the bilateral ties and facilitating future visits of leaders and officials from legislative bodies.

The top legislator expressed his belief in the Ambassador’s ability to continue serving as a bridge to effectively boost the bilateral relationship, thereby realising the common perceptions of high-ranking leaders and materialising new achievements and contents of the bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, ensuring that the ties between the two Parties and countries will be further deepened and stablised in the long term.

Cruise liner Celebrity Solstice brings foreign visitors to Vung Tau

International cruise liner Celebrity Solstice docked at Phu My port in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau on March 9, bringing around 3,000 tourists of various nationalities to the popular beach city of Vung Tau.

During their stay, the foreign guests were taken to several of the southern city’s most popular tourist attractions, including Ho Phap pagoda, Hoa Long market, Long Dien ancient house, and Cao Dai Temple.

The passengers are scheduled to join Saigontourist tours to discover Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta region as a whole.

The ship will also bring the tourists to Nha Trang, Hue, and Ha Long before concluding the journey on March 13.

Celebrity Solstice is the lead ship of the Solstice class of cruise ships which is operated by Celebrity Cruises. 

The vessel stretches for 314.86 metres in length, boasts a capacity of 2,852 passengers, and is rated as one of the most modern ships in the world.

Foreign diplomats go on spring tour in Hanoi

More than 400 delegates, all of whom are foreign diplomats in Hanoi, their wives, and representatives from international and non-governmental organisations took part in a spring tour of Hanoi on March 9.

The tour took them to the historical Soc Temple monument complex in Phu Linh commune in Hanoi's Soc Son district.

Nguyen Ngoc Ky, chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations’ Hanoi branch, said the annual programme aims to provide the foreigners with greater insights into the country’s cultural and heritage sites, thus further contributing to tightening mutual understanding, friendship, and cooperation between Vietnam and international friends.

Ralph Anselm Guzmán Dorsey, trade counselor of the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Vietnam, said the programme helps him to gain a greater understanding about the traditional culture and friendly people of Vietnam.

The same day saw organisers present gifts to ambassadors’ wives on the occasion of the 114th International Women’s Day.

Many survive as bus overturns on southern expressway

Many passengers have survived after a 29-seater bus hit a soft median strip and overturned on Trung Luong – Ho Chi Minh City expressway on March 9.

The accident happened at around 12 o’clock at bypass No10 of Chau Thanh district, Tien Giang province.

The bus carrying approximately 20 passengers on board was travelling from Ho Chi Minh City to Tien Giang.

The vehicle was said to suddenly swerve to the right, crash into the soft median strip and flip sideways off the expressway.

Hearing about the news, the police and doctors were dispatched to the scene to transfer injured passengers to nearby medical facilities.

At least two passengers were serious injured in the accident, according to the local police.

Red-crowned cranes return to Tram Chim National Forest

Four red-crowned cranes were spotted at the Tram Chim National Park in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap on March 7, the forest’s management board has reported.

The birds stayed on the feeding ground in Zone A5 for about 30 minutes then flew towards Zone A4 in the park. The park has sent specialised staff to monitor around the clock at A5 feeding area and other zones where the birds used to feed.

The park has also assigned security personnel to regularly patrol around the area to prevent people from entering the place to exploit the park’s resources, affecting the habitat of red-crowned cranes.

Besides, the national park will increase secondary food source such as rice for red-crowned cranes in order to attract more cranes to the area. The unit is continuing to implement technical measures to restore the park’s ecosystem, creating favourable conditions for red-crowned cranes to find food.  

The last time when red-crowned cranes returned to Tram Chim National Park was in 2021 and there were only three individuals. The red-crowned crane is a rare species, named in the World Red Book as in an endangered state and in need of protection; it is a symbol of Tram Chim National Park in particular and of Dong Thap province in general.

The People’s Committee of the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap has approved a project to conserve red-crowned cranes in the Tram Chim National Park in the 2022 – 2032 period with an estimated total budget of over VND184 billion (nearly US$7.6 million).

The project will focus on receiving, caring, studying, and reintroducing the birds; improving and restoring their ecosystems and habitats; developing sustainable ecological agricultural production models; and investing in infrastructure and facilities.

The project will play a crucial role in preserving the population of the birds in the Mekong Delta region which is facing the risk of extinction, thus demonstrating Vietnam's commitment and responsibility when participating in international institutions.

It aims to revive the flocks at the park through a process of breeding and natural reintroduction and restore the wetland habitat for many other species, contributing to preserving biodiversity and the cultural and spiritual life of the local community.

The project will be a joint effort by the provincial People’s Committee, the Vietnam Zoos Association (VZA), the International Crane Foundation (ICF), and the Zoological Park Organization (ZPO) of Thailand, which has been successful in the work.

ADB pledges to help Vietnam realise climate action

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will assist Vietnam to meet its net zero emissions commitment by 2050 through implementing a number of projects in the coming years.

Flooding as a consequence of climate change is increasingly severe, threatening people’s life along the central and southern coast of Vietnam. The regional financial institution will support Vietnam in implementing 3 - 10 projects within the framework of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and a plan to mobilize resources for the JETP implementation.

ADB Vietnam director Shantanu Chakraborty made the commitment during his meeting with Deputy Minister of natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh in Hanoi on March 8.

Chakraborty said during the past 30 years, the ADB has actively supported Vietnam in addressing many issues, especially climate change response. He expressed the bank’s desire to promote the signing of a cooperation agreement or Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in climate change response with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

The document will highlight the bank’s commitment to supporting the country in solving the current climate crisis, said the ADB country director.

Deputy Minister Thanh for his part highly appreciated the ADB’s assistance and cooperation over the past years and expected to receive additional assistance from the bank in implementing pilot projects, helping to promote the JETP implementation.  

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is reviewing and amending a Government decree regulating greenhouse gas emissions mitigation and ozone layer protection, focusing on the organization and development of the carbon market.

Thanh proposed that the ADB continue to share experience and expertise, assist Vietnam to build and manage a carbon credit trading floor, and support connection of domestic and international carbon markets.

Super express boat brings visitors to Poulo Condor island

Phu Quoc Express Boat Jsc on March 8 put into operation a super boat to carry passengers from Vung Tau City to Con Dao (Poulo Condor) island and vice versa.

The super boat named Thang Long is the largest single-hull ship in Vietnam as it is capable of accommodating more than 1,000 passengers.

The 77.46m long and 9.49m wide boat has three floors, with the ground floor designed with 300 VIP seats to help passengers minimize seasickness.

The first and second floors have 717 seats, while the third floor is the cockpit and the bar to help passengers relax and feel comfortable during the trip.

This passenger boat is guaranteed to meet the strict standards of the World Maritime Organization (IMO) and can operate safely in large seas to the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa islands, said Vu Van Khhuong, director of Phu Quoc Express Boat Jsc.

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