Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s speech at the recent meeting of the sub-committee in charge of the personnel work of the 14th National Party Congress has received applause from officials, Party members, and people in Ho Chi Minh City.

Diep Van Son, former Vice Director of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Representative Office in HCM City, said that the Party leader’s orientations on the work are similar to those in the 13th National Party Congress, which is to ensure that no unqualified officials are considered for high-ranking positions.

Son underlined the need to renovate methods to control power amid changes in power abuse forms.

Meanwhile, La Huu Vinh, a war veteran and a 50-year Party member from District 10 said that the Party chief’s speech can be seen as a summary of the meaning and significance of the personnel work as well as thorough, proper and scientific viewpoints on the work, with a long-term vision.

Vinh noted that in the speech, the Party leader affirmed that personnel work is not only a key task in Party building but also an important link in all Party activities, a factor determining the success of the revolution. The Party chief also highlighted the significance of the work to the country’s development, Vinh said.

The veteran highly evaluated Party General Secretary Trong’s ideas on the methods and process to select personnel at the 14th National Party Congress, especially requirements in selecting the 14th Party Central Committee, the agency that gives significant decisions for the country.

The Party Central Committee must be a collective of solidarity, integrity and high unity in will and actions so as to ensure the success of the revolution in the new period, Vinh said.

The standards for officials mentioned by the Party leader, including those in virtue and talent with virtue being the root, are the common guidance for Party Committees, sectors and localities in personnel work, he stressed.

Vinh held that basing on the Party chief’s directions and the current reality, it can be said that the higher position an official holds, it is more important for the official to set good example in serving the Fatherland and the people, placing the interest of the revolution, the nation and the people above all.

April 30 holiday airfares sharply rise 

Prices of air tickets on the Reunification Day April 30 and May Day holidays have been on the rise.

Trinh Chi from Hanoi said that her family planned to go to Nha Trang on April 27-30, but the increasing airfares have caused her to reconsider.

The lowest return air tickets on Hanoi-Nha Trang route on Tuesday at unfavourable hours was around VND4.4 million (USD179) per person. The figure has reached up to VND6 million for flights at more convenient times.

Return tickets on Hanoi-Quy Nhon air route have seen the highest rise of up to VND6.3 million each.

The higher ticket prices have also been reported on flights linking Hanoi/HCM City to other tourist destinations such as Phu Quoc and Danang.

According to Bui Thanh Tu, Marketing Manager of BestPrice Tourism Company, tour prices have risen because of higher airfares. For instance, tours from Hanoi to Danang/Nha Trang or HCM City to Quang Binh have increased by VND300,000-500,000 per person compared to last year.

Tu added that people have tended to select domestic tours and short tours to Thailand and Singapore as the April 30-May holiday is shorter than last year. He was concerned that air ticket price hikes would reduce the tour purchase power.

Tu forecasted that his firm’s tourist number on the April 30-May 1 holiday would be 20 percent lower than the same period of last year.

Vietnamese Ambassador explores cooperation with Italy’s Basilicata region

Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung visited Basilicata region in southern Italy from March 12-14 to explore potential areas of collaboration between Vietnamese localities and Basilicata.

Ambassador Hung met with key regional leaders, including President of Basilicata Vito Bardi, Councilor of Matera province Concettina Sarlo, Prefect of Potenza city Michele Campanaro, Prefect of Matera city Cristina Favilli, and Mayor of Matera city Domenico Bennardi.

Highlighting the longstanding friendship between Vietnam and Italy spanning over five decades of diplomatic relations, Hung proposed that leaders of Basilicata region and its cities prioritise policies and measures that would foster cooperation with Vietnamese localities in areas of mutual strength, especially in economy which still holds significant untapped opportunities.

President Bardi hoped that the diplomat’s visit would open up specific cooperation opportunities with Vietnam, especially in trade and investment.

Mayor Bennardi expressed his desire to step up specific cooperation programmes in cultural preservation, arts and cuisine, aligning with Matera's strengths as a renowned tourist city chosen as the "European Capital of Culture 2019" and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

He suggested forging twinning partnerships with a Vietnamese locality, and expressed his readiness to collaborate with the Vietnamese Embassy to hold cultural, art, fashion and culinary events, thus nurturing friendly cooperation, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

Both Prefect Campanaro and Prefect Favilli also echoed their support for collaborative initiatives, delegation exchanges, and all-encompassing cooperation.

During a working session, Councilor Sarlo thanked the Vietnamese embassy for its gift of books on the Vietnamese history, art and culture to the provincial library to raise mutual understanding. He reciprocated by presenting the embassy with a set of books detailing the historical background of Matera's 31 territories.

On the occasion, a roundtable connecting Vietnam and Basilicata, co-hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy and the Basilicata Confederation of Industry, was a great success; during which participants gained further insights into the potential, cooperation needs and market attractiveness of each other.

Ambassador Hung also visited major local enterprises and met with members of Rotary club to step up people-to-people diplomacy.

Vietnam, Croatia explore labour cooperation potential

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang on March 14 held a working session with State Secretary of the Croatian Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy Ivan Vidis to discuss the potential of labour cooperation between the two countries as part of her working visit to the European country.

Briefing Vidis on Vietnam's socio-economic landscape, Hang highlighted the potential and strength of Vietnam's labour force. With 53% of Vietnam's 100 million people falling within the working-age range, she presented Vietnam as a promising source of qualified labour for Croatia.

Vietnam expects to collaborate with Croatia in vocational training to equip Vietnamese workers with the skills necessary to meet the European Union (EU) standards, she said.

Vidis, for his part, agreed to boost bilateral labour and vocational training cooperation.

He noted that despite having around 200,000 foreign workers, constituting 6% of the population, 80% of Croatia's economic sectors still face labour shortages. Croatia, he explained, aims to attract skilled and legal foreign workers, and Vietnam is seen as a potential partner in this effort.

To facilitate this partnership, Vidis highlighted Croatia's policies that allow work permits and contracts for foreigners for up to three years, ensuring their rights are protected on par with local workers.

Both sides pledged to step up labour cooperation, including continuing to facilitate direct cooperation between businesses from both countries. They will initiate negotiations to build a legal framework through the signing of a bilateral agreement.

The guest also further expressed his intention to visit Vietnam next year to conduct surveys.

National Press Forum convenes in Ho Chi Minh City

The National Press Forum, as part of the National Press Festival 2024, took place in Ho Chi Minh City on March 15, with over 60 veteran journalists and international media experts taking part.

Co-hosted by the Vietnam Journalists’ Association (VJA), the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education, the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the municipal People's Committee, the event featured 10 sessions on pressing topics relevant to Vietnam's revolutionary press in the age of digital transformation.

Speaking at the event, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan (People) Newspaper, deputy head of the commission and VJA Chairman Le Quoc Minh said the forum provides a platform for in-depth professional exchange, tackling the imperative of innovation across leadership method, management thinking and journalistic activities.

Highlighting the need for innovation in journalism in the current context, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung said digital technology, the Internet and social media are powerful drivers for this innovation which will strengthen the role of revolutionary journalism in building a strong and prosperous country.

In his remarks, Phan Van Mai, Chairman of the municipal People's Committee, expressed his hope for continued collaboration with the press. He encouraged media outlets to champion the city's goals, particularly disseminating its 50 outstanding projects, toward celebrating the 50th anniversary of southern liberation and national reunification (April 30, 1975 - 2025).

Quang Nam launches biodiversity exhibition, wildlife campaign

An exhibition on biodiversity and a meeting in response to a campaign on acting for wildlife opened in the central province of Quang Nam on March 5.

The event was co-hosted by the provincial People’s Committee, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Vietnam and the GreenViet Centre.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Le Tri Thanh affirmed that Quang Nam aims to be a pioneer in sustainable development, focusing on green, circular and balanced growth and achieving a harmonious balance between economic development and environment protection.

In the future, the province hopes to receive cooperation, both at home and abroad, to strengthen wildlife conservation efforts, he said.

The six-day exhibition showcases 64 information boards and stories, along with 86 photos depicting conservation and restoration models nationwide, other 153 photos and 61 posters highlighting the local forests, plains and coastal areas.

This event marks the beginning of the National Biodiversity Restoration Year - Quang Nam 2024, introducing and promoting the values of biodiversity resources, the richness of rare and endemic flora and fauna, and the distinctive gifts of nature, contributing to mitigating the global climate change.

Vietnam is recognised as one of the 16 countries with the highest biodiversity globally, boasting around 51,400 species. However, it is currently facing a growing trend of biodiversity decline.

A total of over 38 million USD in non-refundable aid have been so far allocated to 21 nature reserves in Vietnam, including five national parks, nature reserves and protective forests in Quang Nam.

Mines Advisory Group Vietnam’s 25-year journey marked in Quang Tri

The Mines Advisory Group (MAG), a humanitarian non-government organisation that helps clear explosive ramnants of war, held a ceremony in Dong Ha city, the central province of Quang Tri on March 15 to mark its 25th year of operation in Vietnam.

Established in the UK in 1989, MAG has worked to bring safety and opportunities to rebuild life and develop livelihoods and future for tens of millions of people in war-affected areas of more than 70 countries.

In 1999, MAG arrived in Vietnam and set up its first office in Quang Tri, the most severely contaminated place for bombs and mines in Vietnam. It expanded its operation in Quang Binh in 2003 then Quang Nam in 2012.

Over the past 25 years, MAG has cleared almost 180 million square metres of land, and destroyed more than 230,000 explosives of various kinds, helping bring safety to nearly 700,000 residents. Besides, it has built schools, medical stations, roads and resettlement areas while carrying out over 1,000 communications activities to raise public awareness of measures to prevent bomb and mine accidents.

At the ceremony, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Hoang Nam spoke highly of the contributions by MAG, expressing his hope that MAG and other action operators will continue support for the province to recover post-war consequences and develop the socio-economy sustainably.

Quang Tri is striving to become the first Vietnamese locality that lives safely with bombs and mines left over from wars, he added.

On the occasion, MAG received certificates of merit from the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisation and the Chairman of the Quang Tri provincial People’s Committee for its contributions to Vietnam’s socio-economic development during 1999-2024, and post-war recovery in Quang Tri province.

Nam Dinh celebrates pho’s delicious diversity

The 2024 Pho Festival, themed "Journey of Vietnamese Pho", kicked off in the northern province of Nam Dinh on March 15, drawing a crowd of eager locals, domestic and foreign visitors.

The three-day event boasts over 50 booths showcasing the talents of 65 artisans and professional cooks nationwide. Visitors can embark on a culinary adventure through Vietnam's diverse pho landscape, with each booth offering the distinct flavors of the north, central and southern regions.

A highlight of the festival is the creation of a giant pho pot containing 2,000 bowls, all prepared with standardised ingredients to ensure consistent quality for diners.

For those seeking a more affordable option, a special programme is offering an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 bowls of discounted pho, with all proceeds donated to the provincial cerebral palsy children's fund.

Beyond tasting pho, festival-goers have a chance to attend a seminar discussing the history and evolution of pho, witness live cooking demonstrations, and enjoy traditional performances.

The organisers hope that the festival will not only celebrate this beloved dish but also garner public support for its recognition as a national and world intangible cultural heritage.

Activities during the event will last till March 17 at Nam Cuong hotel, Nam Dinh City and in Van Cu village, Dong Son commune, Nam Truc district.

Over 5,200 jobs up for grabs at HCM City’s job fair

The Ho Chi Minh University of Technology (HUTECH) organised a job fair on March 15, with more than 5,200 vacancies on offer.

Seventy-five domestic and foreign recruiters looked to fill positions from staff, team manager to collaborators and interns.

Among the vacancies, banking and finance made of the lion share with more than 2,100, or 42% of the total. Most of the vacant jobs were teller interns, accountants, and tax consultant.

Meanwhile, there were over 1,000 vacancies in marketing firms and some 1,000 others in the business administration industry.

Recruitment demand was also high in the areas of IT and technique, with such positions as software sales specialists and mechanical maintenance and quality control staff.

According to HUTECH Director Assoc. Prof. Dr Phan Dinh Nguyen, close cooperation with enterprises is the university’s strategy to provide the market with high-quality labour force.

At the event, representatives from the businesses and HUTECH presented scholarships to disadvantaged students with standout academic results, and signed various cooperation deals.

Rabies-related deaths on the rise in Vietnam

Vietnam saw 22 rabies-related human deaths in the first two months of this year, more than double the same period last year.

According to the Ministry of Health, since 2022, deaths related to rabies have increased in many localities. Gia Lai Province topped with 14 cases, followed by Nghe An and Binh Phuoc with seven cases each, Dien Bien with six, Ben Tre with five, Dak Lak and Binh Thuan with four each respectively. 

There have been noticeable rabies cases with a short incubation period, ranging from 10 to 15 days, with many involving children aged under five.

The main cause of rabies-related fatalities in humans is the ignorance about vaccinations after being bitten by suspected rabid animals or the late vaccination.

The management of dogs and cats in some areas has remained lax and the rate of rabies vaccination for animals is still low at just 50 percent of the total dog and cat population in many areas. The vaccination rate is even merely 10 percent in some areas.

According to the National Rabies Prevention and Control Programme for the period 2022-2030, the rabies vaccination rate for the country’s dog and cat population will be 70 percent between 2022 and 2025.

The World Health Organisation said that to date there is no drug to cure rabies. Therefore, timely vaccination is the only way to save bitten people.

US launches expanded support for disabled people in Bac Lieu

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) partnered with the Bac Lieu People’s Committee to launch USAID’s persons with disabilities programme in the southern province on Thursday.Speaking at the event, USAID/Vietnam Mission Director, Aler Grubbs, said that the programme shows the two countries’ shared priorities and their support for a strong, resilient, prosperous, independent Vietnam.

USAID is launching its Disabilities Rights Enforcement, Coordination, and Therapies project in Bac Lieu. The project supports the enforcement of disability laws, expansion of rehabilitation services and livelihood support to persons with disabilities, and improvement in early childhood disability detection. The USD1.15 million project is implemented by USAID partner, Vietnam Assistance for the Handicapped, and runs from 2023 to October 2025.

The US Government through USAID has contributed more than USD155 million in assistance to persons with disabilities in Vietnam so far.

Web drama on urban youth released

The first six episodes of an online web drama series about urban life, directed by award-winning artist Phan Đăng Di, has attracted more than 350 million views.

The show Ước Mình Cùng Bay (Wishing Fly Together) focuses on love, family, and the values of the youth today.

The values of self-love, forgiveness, respect, honestly, responsibility and compassion are highlighted.

The film also looks at the trials and tribulations between parents and children.

It was released in early February and has 50 episodes.

Director Di used young artists such as Quang Đại and Thuỳ Dung as lead characters, and their performances have left a strong impression on audiences.

"I decided to challenge myself making Ước Mình Cùng Bay, a web drama. I hope my film will be entertaining and useful to young audiences, and provide much laughter," said director Di, one of the country’s few independent filmmakers.

Di has released 11 films.

He was nominated for a Golden Bear prize at the 65th International Berlin Film Festival in 2015. His work, Mekong Stories, was also the first Vietnamese movie to compete for the Golden Bear.

The film tells the stories of three young people in HCM City in the 2000s - a photographer, a bartender and a dancer - who face conflicts and challenges in their lives.

Mekong Stories won the Young Jury Prize at the Festival of the Three Continents in Nantes, France.

It was screened at 50 film festivals around the world, receiving reviews from newspapers and cinema magazines such as Le Monde, Premiere and Positif.

The film’s copyright was then bought by French firm Memento Films and was screened for three months at 400 cinemas in 30 cities in France in 2015. More than 50,000 tickets were sold.

Di worked as a producer and art director for the film Cu Li Không Bao Giờ Khóc (Cu Li Never Cries), a winner at the Berlinale Film Festival in February.

The film helped its director Phạm Ngọc Lân of Hà Nội to bring home the Best First Feature from the Society for the Management of Film and Television Rights.

“I think releasing films on online platforms is a good way to save money on production and provide audiences with art,” said Di, who has 20 years of experience in the industry.

Ước Mình Cùng Bay is released on VieON. 

Nearly 14,000 personnel needed to man Long Thanh Airport

When operational in 2026, Long Thanh International Airport in the southern province of Dong Nai will need nearly 14,000 workers of all levels, a local official has said.

Invested with about 336.63 trillion VND (13.6 billion USD), the airport will have total capacity of 100 million passengers and 5 million tonnes of cargo each year. In the first phase, scheduled to be completed in 2026, it will be capable of serving 25 million passengers per year.

Among the 14,000 workers required for its operation, the airport will need 5,000 personnel holding bachelor’s or higher degrees and 2,000 unskilled workers. The remainders are those having undergone primary, intermediate, or junior college levels of vocational training, acting Chairman of the Dong Nai provincial People’s Committee Vo Tan Duc told a March 13 conference on manpower training for Long Thanh airport.

A representative of the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) said that when Long Thanh is put into use, most of the over-1,000-km flights will take off or arrive at this airport, so manpower training should focus on aircraft maintenance and repair.

Training institutions also need to pay attention to training high-quality workers related to information technology, data centre, biometrics, passenger and baggage handling automation, and electricity, the ACV added.

Meanwhile, an official of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam also recommended Dong Nai and schools train personnel for state management and airport operation positions.

Nguyen Hong Linh, Secretary of the Dong Nai Party Committee, said Long Thanh Airport will attract a large number of human resources once operational, and good preparations for training will ensure timely supply of quality manpower. Therefore, the province has zoned 1,000ha of land for training establishments.

Residents in the areas affected by the project will be prioritised for training and working at the airport, he added./.

Hanoi sees jobs rebound as thousands get hired by 2024

After months of looking for work, Nguyen Van Long, a former technical maintenance and repair worker for a Japanese-owned industrial sewing machine company with a monthly salary of VND14-16 million (US$571-US$653), has found a new job.

He was one of the workers made redundant when the company started to fail.

"Recently, I attended a job fair organized by the Hanoi Centre for Employment Services and found a new job that suits me," Long said excitedly.

Long is one of tens of thousands of workers in Hanoi who have found jobs in the first two months of this year.

The labor market has rebounded as many businesses hurriedly joined production after the Tet (Lunar New Year) period in the capital city. In January-February, Hanoi provided employment for more than 28,200 workers, achieving 17.4% of the annual plan, an increase of 1.4% compared to the same period in 2023.

According to the Hanoi Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, in February, the city created jobs for 12,715 people, including 3,119 workers hired thanks to the city's funds disbursed through the Social Policy Bank, with a total amount of VND195.5 billion ($8 million).

Thanks to its timely assessment of the post-Tet holiday employment situation in industrial parks and timely support, the department has helped enterprises overcome labor shortages in the first months of the year, especially after Tet.

The Hanoi Center for Employment Services provided job counseling and placement services to 3,859 workers and supported 55 vocational training students with a budget of VND 230.2 million (US$ 9,409).

Nguyen Tay Nam, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, said that the labor market is expected to continue facing a shortage of labor this year and next year. Therefore, the city would continue implementing measures to develop the labor market and create job opportunities.

In 2024, Hanoi aims to provide employment for 165,000 workers.

To achieve this target, the Hanoi Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs is developing a labor market information system, enhancing the application of information technology, and undertaking digital transformation.

Other activities include strengthening the links between labor supply and demand in the market, guiding the collection and updating of labor market information, reviewing and assessing demand by sector and field, organizing training programs to develop the skills of the workforce, and promptly responding to the demands of the labor market.

This year, the department also plans to organize 230 job transaction sessions in daily, online, specialized, mobile and direct recruitment forms to provide employment opportunities for 20,000 people.

The city will also provide vocational training for the workforce, aligning training with the needs of the capital's job market.

"Every year, we organize a Vocational Education Connection Day, which has helped people gain access to training institutions and companies, leading to employment opportunities," Nam said.

This year, vocational schools in Hanoi will train about 235,000 people (26,000 at the college level, 29,000 at the intermediate level, and 180,000 at the basic level and through courses of less than three months). The proportion of trained workers will reach 74.2%, of which 54% will have a degree or certificate.

In addition to domestic policies to support job creation, promoting labor migration through overseas employment contracts is also one of the strategies to create jobs.

The city continues to explore and develop new markets in Europe and the Americas while consolidating traditional markets by implementing measures to prevent contract breaches and illegal workers.

This year, the city will send 4,000  workers on contract overseas, focusing on markets with high and stable incomes, such as Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan (China).

Vietnam Airlines serves as official carrier for Hue Festival 2024

The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines signed a sponsorship contract worth 1.2 billion VND (nearly 48,600 USD) with the organising board of the Hue Festival 2024 at a ceremony in Hue city of the central province of Thua Thien - Hue on March 14.

Under the contract, Vietnam Airlines will continue to serve as an official carrier for the Hue Festival 2024. This marks the 9th consecutive year Vietnam Airlines has been participating as a companion to the annual festival.

The airline will also contribute to promoting Hue as Vietnam's distinctive festival city through articles introducing Hue's culture and tourism, and popularising the Hue Festival 2024 on the Vietnam Heritage Magazine  distributed on flights and published in the electronic version.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Vice Chairman of the  provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thanh Binh emphasised that the success of the Hue Festival has always been greatly contributed to by sponsors, including Vietnam Airlines. He expressed his hope that Vietnam Airlines will continue to accompany the Hue Festival and strengthen cooperation with the local authorities to promote cultural and tourism development in the province.

The Hue Festival, held for 24 years, is one of the key international art events in Vietnam.

Themed “Cultural heritage with international integration and development”, the Festival Hue 2024 will feature an array of outstanding festivals, including Spring Festival from January to March, Summer Festival from April to June, Autumn Festival from July to September, and Winter Festival from October to December, and hundreds of response activities.

The locality debuted the Hue Festival 2024 by performing the Ban Soc (royal calendar delivery) ceremony on January 1 – the event that kings under the Nguyen Dynasty organised to distribute calendars for royal mandarins at Ngo Mon (Noon Gate). Ordinary people received the calendar in their localities.

The organising board has recently unveiled an official poster for the event, which draws inspiration primarily from the restored royal patterns on the Kien Trung Palace in the Imperial Citadel, Hue city. 

Hue, the imperial capital of Vietnam for over 100 years, has been a unique destination in central Vietnam with its five UNESCO heritage: the ancient citadel relic complex, Hue royal court music, Nguyen Dynasty’s wooden blocks, Nguyen Dynasty’s royal administrative documents, and literature on Hue royal architecture.

The Hue Festival 2024 is of special significance in the context of Thua Thien - Hue province's efforts to realise the goal of becoming a centrally-run city based on the conservation and promotion of the values of the imperial heritage and cultural identity of Hue.

Project helps Vietnamese students better integrate into Australia

The Association of the Vietnamese Students in Queensland (AVSQ) successfully organised the Future Queenslanders project from January to March 9 in an effort to help Vietnamese students better integrate into the life in Australia.

Designed with three milestones, the project aimed at providing Vietnamese students, especially new comers to Australia, with necessary knowledge and skills while studying in the country.

According to Quan Nguyen Quynh Anh, head of the project, the AVSQ expected to give the students a better insight into the life of the overseas students in Australia, and help them get connected with each other.

The Milestone 1 event, called Queensland Know All, was arranged in Vietnam to give the participants an overview of Queensland state and Brisbane city in particular. Meanwhile, the Milestone 2, named “AVSQ O-week”, was organised in the Australian city to share experience and information related to healthcare, finance and learning methods with the Vietnamese students who set their foot in the city for the first time.
 
The Milestone 3 event brought together 40 Vietnamese in Australia for several traditional games, helping strengthen connectivity within the Vietnamese community.

Established on June 18, 2021 with the support of the Vietnamese Embassy in Australia and the Vietnamese General Consulate in Sydney, the AVSQ is a non-profit organisation that focuses on skill development and career orientation programmes for Vietnamese students in Queensland and Australia as a whole.

Bac Lieu increases local fishermen's awareness of IUU fishing

The Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu is focusing on raising the awareness and responsibility of local fishermen in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Pham Van Thieu has said.

This is among the solutions taken by the province to combat IUU fishing, the official said, noting that many intensive inspections and supervisions have been held by the locality.

According to the Chairman, the People’s Committee has proposed ministries and centrally-run agencies enhance coordination in this regard, and directed competent forces to maintain operations in waters, particularly adjacent areas to quickly handle violating fishing boats and help fishermen feel secure.  

The province is home to 1,018 registered fishing vessels, including 451 measuring 15m and above in length, he said, noting that no signs of illegal fishing in foreign waters by the vessels have been found so far.

Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Luu Hoang Ly, however, pointed to challenges such as the shortage of surveillance forces, inspections and supervisions yet to meet requirements, and the frequency of fishing vessels losing contacts at sea.

Given this, the province will step up the inspection work and deal with vessels without licensing and registration, strictly handle violations of fishing regulations, and enhance coordination with other coastal localities and competent law enforcement forces at sea, he said.

Cuban National Assembly launches special publication on relations with Vietnam

The Cuban National Assembly launched a special publication entitled "Cuba and Vietnam: a symbol of brotherhood" on March 14 at the Cuban Capitolio, Havana.

Speaking at the ceremony, President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez affirmed that the publication is a treasure of historical memory of both peoples and a symbol of the eternal brotherhood passed down from generation to generation between the two peoples.

The president emphasized that the launch of the publication coincided with Cuba's Press Day which falls on March 14 and the 132nd anniversary of the founding of the newspaper Patria (Fatherland), further emphasising the symbolic value of the publication praising the exemplary solidarity that has become a symbol of this era.

Hero of the Republic of Cuba Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of Friendship with Vietnam highlighted the strong friendship and emotional attachment between the two peoples.

"We grew up in an understanding of the history of the Vietnamese nation, of the example, of the dedication, simplicity and resilience of the Vietnamese people," he said.

Director of Communications of the National Assembly of Cuba, Enrique Moreno Gimeranez said that the launch of the special publication marked the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam (September 25, 1963), the 50th anniversary of the first visit of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro to Vietnam (September 1973) and the 63rd anniversary of diplomatic relationship of the two countries (December 2, 1960).

Nguyen Ngoc Hung, First Secretary of the Embassy of Vietnam in Cuba, expressed his belief that the warm sentiments, respect and admiration that the people of the two countries have for each other will continue to be preserved and maintained, passed on to present and future generations.

Vietnam’s destinations, e-visa policy promoted in Hong Kong

A workshop promoting Vietnam’s tourist destinations and e-visa policy took place in Hong Kong (China) on March 14.

Co-organised by the Vietnam Airlines branch in the region and the Society of IATA Passenger Agents Ltd (SIPA), the event gathered representatives of the Vietnamese Consulate General in Hong Kong and Macau and CEOs and senior managers of many local travel companies.

In his opening remarks, the head of the Vietnam Airlines branch, Ngo Tri Hung, said Hong Kong residents consider Vietnam an attractive place for its scenic spots, friendly people, diverse culture, exquisite cuisine, and near distance of just several hours' flight. Vietnam Airlines is operating 11 weekly flights between Hong Kong and Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City.

The workshop introduced the latest top Vietnamese destinations as voted by TripAdvisor like Ha Long Bay, the Sapa resort town and the ancient citadel of Hue.

In particular, Consul Nguyen Minh Tuan from the Consulate General informed the participants about the advantages and convenience of the e-visas, such as simple procedures that save time.

SIPA Chairman Tommy Tam told the Vietnam News Agency that Hong Kong residents are fond of traveling to Vietnam. He expressed his hope to see Vietnamese tourism businesses bringing their products to the upcoming International Travel Expo (ITE) Hong Kong scheduled for June.

Lao leader values cooperation of Vietnamese, Lao military hospitals

Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Gen. Chansamone Chanyalath valued the cooperation between Vietnam’s Central Military Hospital 108 and Lao Central Military Hospital 103 when he received a delegation from the Vietnamese hospital in Vientiane on March 15.

The Lao leader said that the cooperation between the two hospitals contributes to tightening the solidarity and friendship between the two Parties, the two States and the two armies.

He asked the two hospitals to continue working together, especially in training, to improve professional qualifications for medical staff and doctors at the Central Military Hospital 103 of Laos in particular and the military medical service of Laos in general.

Leading the Vietnamese delegation, Deputy Director of the Central Military Hospital 108 Colonel Prof. Dr. Le Huu Song said that next year will mark the 20th anniversary of the cooperative relations between the two hospitals, proving their effective cooperation.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese hospital will continue to support and send specialists to help the Lao hospital.

He hoped that the defence ministries of Vietnam and Laos will continue to create favourable conditions for the two hospitals’ cooperation.

Earlier, representatives from the two hospitals worked with each other and signed a Memorandum of Understanding for their cooperation in 2024, under which the Vietnamese hospital will receive doctors from the Lao partner for training and send doctors to help with medical examination and treatment at the Lao hospital.

Vietnam, Australia working to promote strategic trust: Scholar

The establishment of the Vietnam-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership during the recent official visit to the Oceania nation by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh demonstrates joint efforts to deepen and promote mutual strategic trust, and contribute to building a new vision for the region, according to a scholar.

In his recent article, Dr. Vu Le Thai Hoang, Director of the Institute for Foreign Policy and Strategic Studies under the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, said since the two countries set up their diplomatic ties in 1973 and upgraded their relationship to a strategic partnership in 2018, they have witnessed strong, comprehensive, and strategic developments in the bilateral cooperation across spheres.

He highlighted the bilateral economic-trade-investment ties, with two-way trade hitting 13.8 billion USD last year, making Australia the 10th biggest trade partner of Vietnam, and the Southeast Asian nation the seventh largest of Australia.

For investment, Australia has run nearly 600 projects worth over 2 billion USD in Vietnam, while Vietnamese investments in Australia are valued at 600 million USD.

Australia remains one of Vietnam’s biggest non-refundable aid (ODA) providers with the funding amounting to 92.8 million AUD (60.9 million USD) each year during the 2022-2023 period, according to the article.

Hoang also reviewed people-to-people exchange activities between the two countries, as well as their effective support and cooperation at regional and international forums, especially within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Sub-Mekong region.

Touching upon the joint statement issued on March 7 as part of the visit, the scholar said bilateral friendship and cooperation have been developing firmly and comprehensively on the basis of mutual strategic trust and understanding, and the relationship has been consolidated through the reciprocity of the two economies, similarities in interests, and the close ties between the two peoples.

He called the joint statement on the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership an outcome and development of the 50-year relationship, which matches the needs, interests and aspirations of both sides’ people.  

This is the most important relationship framework in the foreign policies of both countries, he said, noting it enables Vietnam and Australia to further enhance their relations, promote mutual political trust and understanding, and mobilise more resources for cooperation priorities, especially economy, science-technology, and sustainable development.

The scholar emphasised the cooperation spirit for rapid and sustainable development, and that the sole purpose of cooperation contents is to contribute to regional and international peace, stability, security and safety.

He viewed the comprehensive strategic partnerships between Vietnam and Australia, and others like China, Russia, India, the Republic of Korea, the US and Japan, as a testimony of Vietnam’s sound foreign policy, helping the Southeast Asian nation maintain a peaceful, stable environment for development, and advance its position and role in the international arena.

Regarding the common vision for the Indo-Pacific as affirmed in the joint statement, he said it is the universal principle in international relations and law.

By promoting a new vision that sees the Indo-Asia-Pacific as a common home for many countries to stay together peacefully in the spirit of mutual respect as well as respect for international law, Vietnam, Australia and their partners can nurture a sustainable and equitable future, he noted.

Phu Quoc among 10 best islands in Asia

Asian travel website DestinAsian has revealed a list of the 10 best islands to visit across Asia, with the Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc ranking sixth on the list.

Now home to one of the most imaginative new five-star resorts in the region, Phu Quoc seems to be one step closer to emerging as the nation’s premier beach destination, the travel website wrote.

However, for the time being its mellow charms continue to endure, as does a local spirit as distinct as the island’s famous fish sauce, the article reported.

According to DestinAsian, Phu Quoc is a renowned source of two staples of local cuisine, including nuoc mam (fish sauce) and black pepper. It’s also known for its seafood, pearls, and a delicate pink wine which is made from the fruit of the rose myrtle tree.

Topping the list is Bali of Indonesia, followed by the Maldives, Phuket of Thailand, Koh Samui of Thailand, and Boracay of the Philippines.

The other destinations to make the top 10 are Phu Quoc of Vietnam, Langkawi and Penang of Malaysia, Palawan of the Philippines, and Lombok of Indonesia.

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