National Assembly (NA) Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai came to the Russian Embassy in Hanoi on March 26 to pay homage to the deceased and offer condolences on the heavy casualties in the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall in the suburbs of Moscow on March 22 evening.

In the condolence book, Hai wrote: “We were extremely shocked to hear about the barbaric terrorist attack on March 22, 2024. The NA and people of Vietnam sincerely wish to offer the deepest sympathies and condolences to the State, the Federal Assembly, and people of Russia.

“Vietnam strongly condemns all forms of terrorist acts and believes that the culprits will be properly punished. We wish the bereaved families will soon overcome this grief and loss.”
 
The official expressed his hope for speedy recovery for the injured, as well as peace, happiness, and development for the people and country of Russia.

The same day, many delegations of ministries, sectors, social organisations, and individuals visited the Russian Embassy to offer condolences.

A delegation of the Vietnam News Agency led by General Director Vu Viet Trang also came to pay tribute to the dead victims and write in the condolence book.

The Investigative Committee of Russia said that the Crocus City Hall attack on late March 22 killed at least 139 people, and the figure may keep rising. Meanwhile, health authorities reported 182 others injured. Eleven suspects have been arrested, including four suspected of being directly involved in the shooting.

On March 23, Acting State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan cabled condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the heavy casualties in the attack, while Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh did the same to his Russian counterpart Mikhail Mishustin. Meanwhile, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue sent messages to Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matviyenko and Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Volodin.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son also extended condolences to his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

The Russian Embassy in Hanoi opens the condolence book from March 25 to 27, during which condolence books are also opened by the Consulates General of Russia in Da Nang city and Ho Chi Minh City./.

FM addresses seminar on Vietnam-US relations in Washington D.C.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son attended and delivered a speech at a seminar on Vietnam-US relations at Brookings Institute in Washington D.C. on March 26, within the framework of his official visit to the US to co-chair the first foreign ministerial-level dialogue between the two countries.

In his speech, Son said that amidst latent traditional and non-traditional security challenges in the region, Vietnam consistently implements its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralisation and diversification of foreign relations, comprehensive and extensive international integration, and being a friend, a trusted partner and an active and responsible member of the international community.

In particular, the minister emphasised that Vietnam continues its bamboo diplomacy school of "solid roots, strong trunks, flexible branches" to respond to challenges and maintain a favourable diplomatic environment for national development, which is clearly reflected in the fact that to date, Vietnam has established a strategic partnership and comprehensive strategic partnership with all five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

He said to achieve its set development targets, in addition to its efforts, activeness and self-reliance, Vietnam needs a peaceful, stable external environment and active cooperation and support from important partners, including the US. In that spirit, the minister affirmed that Vietnam always considers the US as one of its most important partners.

To further deepen the Vietnam – US comprehensive strategic partnership, Son said that the two countries need to increase the exchange of high-level and all-level delegations; promote political trust; continue focusing on economic - trade - investment cooperation; boost collaboration in science, technology and innovation, including the semiconductor ecosystem; consolidate people-to-people exchanges, educational and cultural cooperation; and coordinate more closely at multilateral forums and cooperation mechanisms such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, and the Mekong - US partnership.

Vietnam will also continue to improve the business environment, and create favourable conditions for foreign enterprises to invest and do business in the country, he emphasised.

Receiving several advisors and assistants of the US Congress, Minister Son expressed his thanks to parliamentarians of both parties, notably Senators John McCain, John Kerry and Patrick Leahy, who always support Vietnam and Vietnam - US relations. He proposed the US Congress to maintain support for bilateral cooperation in various fields, including overcoming the consequences of war, economics, trade, education and training, science, technology, security, defence, and people-to-people exchanges.   

The advisors and assistants appreciated Vietnam’s efforts to create a favourable environment for US businesses to invest in the country, implement international commitments to respond to climate change, especially in the Mekong Delta region, and ensure human rights.

They affirmed the support of the two political parties in the US Congress for bilateral relations as well as continued cooperation with Vietnam to contribute to further develop the bilateral ties in various fields in the spirit of the new relationship framework as well as in regional and international issues.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese foreign minister also received Jeffrey Goss, Associate Vice Provost/SE Asia at the Arizona State University, and had an online meeting with NVIDIA Vice President Keith Strier./.   

Deputy PM hosts JICA Executive Senior Vice President

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang received Executive Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Yamada Junichi in Hanoi on March 26.

Welcoming the JICA official to Vietnam to attend the launch of the first phase of the Vietnam-Japan joint initiative in the new era, Deputy PM Quang briefed the guest on Vietnam’s national budget management mechanisms as well as the country’s recent efforts to remove difficulties and obstacles to speed up the progress of projects using Japanese ODA.

For his part, Yamada said that recently, Japan's ODA disbursement rate has increased significantly, with the amount of slow disbursement at about 1.8 billion JPY (11.86 million USD), much lower than that in previous years thanks to the drastic direction of the Vietnamese Government.

The JICA Executive Senior Vice President affirmed that the agency is ready to discuss with Vietnam about the implementation of 11 infrastructure development projects in localities, including the consideration of the possibility for these projects to be bid domestically instead of internationally to shorten investment preparation time.

He suggested that Vietnam build a separate legal framework for additional loans outside the medium-term budget plan from JICA as well as other donors such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

Lauding JICA’s recommendations, Deputy PM Quang proposed that the two sides work together on the suitable interest rates and each specific project.

The two sides concurred to coordinate closely to remove difficulties and obstacles facing each project, including those related to tax rates for Japanese contractors implementing ODA projects, thus speeding up the progress of delayed projects, especially the Cho Ray Hospital No.2 and the Vietnam-Japan University.

Japan is currently Vietnam's largest ODA provider. Since 1992, Japan has provided Vietnam with over 2,700 billion JPY in ODA loans, along with nearly 100 billion JPY in non-refundable aid and nearly 180 billion JPY in technical assistance. Japan's ODA accounts for over 30% of bilateral development aid that Vietnam has received. In 2023, Japan's total ODA capital for Vietnam reached more than 100 billion JPY, the highest level since 2017./.

PM chairs 2nd meeting of 14th National Party Congress’s socio-economic subcommittee

Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, head of the subcommittee for socio-economic affairs of the 14th National Party Congress, chaired its 2nd meeting in Hanoi on March 26 to discuss a draft report on the  evaluation of the five-year implementation of the socio-economic development strategy in 2021-2030, as well as orientations and tasks for socio-economic development for 2026-2030.

PM Chinh acknowledged and spoke highly of the enthusiastic, intellectual, and responsible opinions of the subcommittee’s members, and other delegates.

He requested the editorial team to carefully study and incorporate feedbacks, and urgently finalise the draft report to submit to the Prime Minister and the subcommittee’s standing members for consideration before presenting it to the Political Bureau.

The PM said that the draft report has a logical structure, clearly reflecting the spirit of innovation, and highlighting key issues; fundamentally outlines new aspects in leadership, organisation, and implementation of the strategy; identifies causes and lessons; and basically forecasts the upcoming situation to propose orientations, tasks and solutions for the coming time.

He requested the editorial team to continue refining the draft report with contents that are practical, and easy to understand, remember, implement, monitor, and evaluate, saying that the evaluation needs to closely adhere to objectives and tasks outlined in the 13th National Party Congress’s Resolution, and directions given by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

The assessment must be objective, honest, and practical, clearly indicating difficulties, advantages, achievements, and shortcomings, both what has been accomplished and what has not, he stressed.

Additionally, the PM underlined the necessity to deeply analyse solutions regarding the three strategic breakthroughs; industrialisation, modernisation, and innovation of growth models; the formation and development of new economic models; the establishment of international financial hubs and free trade zones; and measures to ensure sustainable and harmonious development among economy, society, environment, national defence and security.

The Government leader asked the subcommittee to mobilise brainpower and resources of its members for the work, expressing his belief that the subcommittee will excellently complete the tasks entrusted by the Party Central Committee, contributing to the successful organisation of the 14th National Party Congress./.

Vietnam attends global meeting on SAI's role, climate change action

A delegation from the State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV) led by Auditor General Ngo Van Tuan attended the global meeting on the engagement of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI) in assessing government actions related to climate change in New York on March 25-26.

At the meeting, which drew leaders of SAIs from 60 countries, Tuan highlighted the efforts of the Vietnamese Government in building and issuing policies and national strategies to effectively respond to climate change and realise international commitments on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Vietnam is an active and responsible member of the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) and the Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI) Governing Board for the 2021-2024 period. In order to implement commitments stated in the Hanoi Declaration, over the years, SAV has conducted environmental audits related to environmental protection and climate change response, he said.

Bruno Dantas, President of the Federal Court of Accounts of Brazil, the Chair of the INTOSAI, emphasised that solving the problem of climate change is not only a common responsibility of countries but also of SAIs as these agencies hold an extremely important position in promoting action by governments to cope with the phenomenon.

The ClimateScanner initiative under the Strategic Plan 2023-2030 and Work Plan 2023-2025 of the INTOSAI Working Group on Environmental Auditing (INTOSAI WGEA) is considered an ambitious project that can contribute to dealing with the climate crisis at both national and international levels, he held, noting that last year, the tool was developed by 17 SAIs.

However, the success of this project depends on the cooperation and participation of SAIs, said Dantas, expressing his hope that delegates will understand the tools and related aspects in detail as well as the benefits that SAIs and states receive to be able to fully exploit the potential of this project.

The two-day meeting focused on various issues, including existing initiatives of INTOSAI on climate change response, exploration of the ClimateScanner tool, and the global call for implementation of the ClimateScanner initiative. On the first day, participants were guided to use ClimateScanner, a tool enabling SAIs around the world to promote a global assessment of government actions related to climate change, in their country.

The same day, Tuan and Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to the United Nations, attended a meeting of the UN General Assembly to adopt a resolution of taking June 11 every year as the International Day of Play, which was initiated by Vietnam and co-sponsored by 138 countries. The resolution was approved by consensus./.

Int’l conference on soil health held for first time in Vietnam

The Thai Nguyen University (TNU) in the northern province of the same name, in collaboration with the Vietnamese Society of Soil Science (VSSS), on March 26 opened the 16th International Conference of the East and Southeast Asia Federation of Soil Science Societies (ESAFS) themed “Healthy Soils for Sustainable Development”.

The ESAFS conferences is a series of scientific meetings organised every two years to share updated experience and knowledge among soil scientists, particularly within East and Southeast Asian countries. It is also a platform to promote research and development, and disseminate the acquired knowledge and technology related to soil sciences.

This is the first time the conference has been hosted by Vietnam.

At the event, delegates are to discuss a number of issues such as soil health, soil ecology and biodiversity, fertility and crop nutrition, classification and mapping, degradation and treatment, recent advances in soil research, land administration, and land policies and education on land management.

TNU President Hoang Van Hung said that the four-day conference aims to share experience and knowledge among soil scientists all over the world, promote active participation of member societies, and contribute towards sustainable development in the region through harmonisation of agriculture and the environment./.

Da Nang develops human resources to serve semiconductor IC industry

The Vietnam – Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU) in the central city of Da Nang on March 26 launched a programme on human resources training for integrated circuit (IC) design.

Speaking at the event, Standing Vice Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Ho Ky Minh said that the programme is an important step in the city’s strategy of promoting high-quality human resources development.

He spoke highly of the collaboration between the Da Nang Semiconductor and Artificial Intelligence Center for Research and Training (DSAC), the VKU, Synopsys Group and the Information Technology Institute under the Vietnam National University in promptly deploying the city's first IC circuit design instructor training course.

Susan Burns, US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, said that this programme demonstrates a commitment to strengthening cooperation between the government, private businesses and universities to develop high-tech talents in Vietnam. This cooperation activity aims to strengthen Vietnam's role in the diverse, safe global semiconductor supply chain. The US recognises Vietnam's important role in building flexible semiconductor supply chains and strongly supports the development of this industry in Vietnam.

VKU principal Huynh Cong Phap shared that when completing the training, students can build a practical IC design curriculum to be ready to deploy training at universities in Da Nang. At the same time, the school will implement a short-term training course on semiconductor circuit design for juniors and seniors who are currently studying majors such as computer engineering, technology, embedded systems and IoT, and technology information.

On the occasion, the university also opened a centre for semiconductor circuits and smart technology (VKU – SSTH), equipped with 30 computers and copyrighted circuit design software from Synopsys and many equipment for training and research of semiconductor circuits and smart technology./.

Vietnam, RoK discuss copyright challenges in digital environment

Vietnamese and Korean experts gathered in Ho Chi Minh City on March 26 for the Vietnam-Republic of Korea (RoK) Copyright Forum 2024, a joint effort by the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Copyright Protection Agency (KCOPA) to tackle pressing issues related to copyright protection in the digital environment.

Discussions focused on navigating copyright complexities in the digital environment, emerging trends in copyright policies amid artificial intelligence boom, and the responsibilities of online intermediaries for combating digital copyright infringement. Participants also explored potential solutions and avenues for stronger bilateral cooperation.

Pham Thi Kim Oanh, Deputy Director of the ministry’s Copyright Office of Vietnam, highlighted the need for robust technological solutions for copyright tracking and transparent use.

KCOPA President Park Jung-youl showcased the RoK's success in developing automated software to detect and counter eavesdropping apps globally. He expressed interest in collaborating with Vietnam, among other countries, to transfer this technology in order to bolster monitoring capabilities and safeguard the rights of authors and their works.

Regarding the protection of music copyrights, General Director of the Vietnam Centre for Protecting Music Copyright (VCPMC) Dinh Trung Can called for raising public awareness of intellectual property ownership laws. He advocated for enhanced international cooperation in protecting musical works in the digital environment and urged Vietnam's participation in relevant international treaties.

He further encouraged copyright holders to actively identify violations and exercise their legal rights of self-protection. This includes taking existing solutions like YouTube's Content ID and Facebook's Rights Manager, alongside exploring the development of new platforms dedicated to tracking copyright infringement.

Park Soo-ho, Chairman of the Korea Music Copyright Association (KOMCA), proposed stronger bilateral cooperation in copyright development, such as fostering the exchange of copyright information between the two countries and facilitating the global monitoring of copyrighted works./.

Vietnam, UK agree to better tap cooperation potential

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang and visiting Permanent Under-Secretary at the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Philip Barton shared the view on the need for Vietnam and the UK to enhance cooperation in various spheres. 

At their meeting in Hanoi on March 25, the officials suggested the two countries foster collaboration in finance, banking, education-training, science-technology, and maritime economy, among other fields.

They agreed that the two countries should optimise opportunities generated by the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), and step up coordination and mutual support at regional and international organisations and forums like the United Nations, and within the frameworks of the ASEAN-UK relationship and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Hang noted with pleasure the positive development of the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership, especially in politics, foreign affairs, trade, investment, security, national defence, and education-training.

Notably, the two sides successfully organised activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties last year, she added.

To further tap cooperation potential of both sides, the Deputy FM suggested the two foreign ministries promote all-level delegation exchanges, and effectively put in place cooperation mechanisms.

Hang appreciated the UK’s support for Vietnam within the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) backed by the Group of Seven (G7), and called on the country to continue its assistance in terms of capital, technology and high-quality personnel training.

For his part, Barton affirmed that the UK attaches importance to strengthening its strategic partnership with Vietnam in its policy towards the Asia-Pacific.

The UK will maintain its support for Vietnam in climate change response, sustainable economic development and biodiversity preservation in the Mekong Delta, he said, promising to closely coordinate with Vietnamese ministries, agencies and partners to accelerate the implementation of cooperation plans within the JETP, particularly those on offshore wind power development in which the UK has strengths.

Regarding regional and international issues of shared concern, Barton stressed the significance of ensuring security, safety and freedom of aviation and overflight, and observing international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in all seas and oceans, including the East Sea and the Red Sea./.

US organisation-funded project benefits poor households in Tra Vinh

Eighteen cooperatives with 70 households engaging in cow breeding and 14 households specialising in beekeeping in the Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh have benefited from a livelihood support project financed by Samaritan’s Purse International Relief (SPIR) – a US non-profit organisation.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the friendship union of the province reviewed the project at a meeting on March 26.

Accordingly, the project was implemented from July 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024 with a total budget of more than 2.7 billion VND (nearly 108,250 USD).

It focused on providing financial support and technical training in cattle raising and beekeeping to poor households, Khmer households, and vulnerable women in Cang Long, Tra Cu, and Cau Ke districts. As a result, the beneficiaries have significantly improved their income.

Le Van Dong, deputy director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said this is the third consecutive year SPIR has collaborated with the locality to work for the goal of reducing the rate of poor households through livestock and crop farming models.

Over the past three years, SPIR has provided livelihood support to 239 disadvantaged households with a total budget of 7.1 billion VND, including 220 households specialising in cow breeding, 14 households practising beekeeping, and five households engaging in greenhouse vegetable cultivation.

The models have contributed to developing concentrated livestock areas in the direction of forming value chains, ensuring biosecurity, disease control, and environmental protection; and fostering sustainable economic development for vulnerable households./.

Hanoi workshop explores semiconductor measurement, testing technology

A workshop was held in Hanoi on March 26 to discuss semiconductor measurement and testing technology in training, research, development and production.

The event was co-hosted by the National Innovation Centre (NIC), the Ministry of Planning and Investment, ASIC Technologies and Keysight Technologies of the US.

Sangho Oh, Director of Keysight South Asia Pacific Regional Sales, highlighted the crucial role of measurement throughout the design and manufacturing process of semiconductor chips.

He also further reaffirmed Keysight's commitment to provide Vietnam's burgeoning semiconductor industry with necessary tools and expertise.

Keysight is ready to collaborate with the NIC to propel Vietnam’s semiconductor industry, he said.

Deputy Director of ASIC Technologies Nguyen Anh Quan said the event will contribute to developing Vietnam's human resources and semiconductor technology.

Leading experts from Keysight presented solutions to semiconductor chip measurement to optimise the design and manufacturing process./.

Bac Lieu releases over 6 million shrimp fry to regenerate aquatic resources

The Agriculture and Rural Development Department of the southern province of Bac Lieu and Bac Lieu city People’s Committee on March 26 organised an event to release over 6 million shrimp fry to sea to regenerate aquatic resources and improve public awareness on aquatic resources protection and regeneration.

The event was held on the occasion of the 65th traditional day of Vietnam’s fisheries sector (April 2, 1959- 2024).

Speaking at the event, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Pham Van Muoi said the awareness of local people, especially fishermen, about protecting aquatic resources and the environment has been improved thanks to effective communication activities with the participation of the entire political system.

He said that the province gradually effectively controls the use of prohibited fishing tools that destroy aquatic resources.

In the last five years, the province released nearly 40 million black tiger shrimp fry, 500,000 fingerling fish and nearly 5 tonnes of adult fish into the natural environment. In 2023 alone, it released over 10 million shrimp fry into the sea and 2 tonnes of fish into inland water areas to regenerate aquatic resources./.

Bac Lieu is aiming to become a "national shrimp industry hub". The province exported nearly 96,900 tonnes of aquatic products last year, exceeding the plan by 2% and marking a 17% annual uptick. The export revenue surpassed 1 billion USD, registering a 17% increase./.

Vietnamese corporate culture takes centre stage at Japan conference

An international conference popularising Vietnamese corporate culture to Asia-Pacific nations took place in the Japanese prefecture of Chiba on March 26.

The event was co-hosted by the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations (VFUA) and the Society of Japanese Value Engineering (SJVE).

VFUA Standing Vice Chairman and Vice President of the Asia-Pacific Federation of UNESCO Clubs and Associations Tran Van Manh said the forum aims to provide a comprehensive overview of corporate culture of developed countries worldwide, along with a specific focus on the current landscape in Vietnam. It also affords a chance to foster mutual respect among nations from different regions across the globe.

Representatives from the Vietnamese and Japanese firms engaged in constructive discussions, contributing to building corporate cultures towards a sustainable future.

The conference also served as a platform to recognise outstanding contributions to the community made by enterprises, entrepreneurs, organisations and individuals who have championed traditional Vietnamese culture, fostered national identity, and contributed to people-to-people and cultural diplomacy in line with UNESCO's criteria.

Via the event, VFUA hopes to popularise Vietnam, its country, people and culture to the Japanese people, especially in heritage, education, scientific research and corporate culture./.       

Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Ben Tre take action to fight IUU fishing

The numbers of vessels and fishermen in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau infringing upon foreign waters have decreased remarkably over the past five years thanks to its efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, according to a report released by the provincial People’s Committee.

At a conference held by the provincial Party Committee on March 26 to review the five-year implementation of its standing board’s resolution on several measures to prevent and stopping fishing vessels and fishermen from conducting illegal fishing on foreign waters, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Cong Vinh affirmed that the state of fishing boats encroaching foreign waters has been basically addressed.

To strengthen the fight against IUU fishing, the provincial People's Committee has signed coordination regulations with the Naval Region 2 High Command, the Coast Guard Region 3 High Command and the Coast Guard Region 4 High Command in managing activities related to the fishery sector, said Vinh.

As of October 25, 2023, 96.56% of the fishing boats with a length of 15m or more had been installed with the vessel monitoring system (VMS).

Permanent Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Nguyen Thi Yen requested the provincial People’s Committee to assign specific tasks to each department, agency and unit to take measures to combat IUU fishing, strengthen coordination in this work, and closely monitor boats going in/from fishing ports.

Meanwhile, in the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre, the Ham Luong border guard station has intensified the dissemination of information about related laws in diverse forms, targeting vessel owners, captains and fishermen.

The border guard station has also hung banners showing 14 illegal fishing acts for fishermen to avoid./.

Deputy PM orders unified standards and completion of investment plan for high-speed rail lines

Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà stressed the importance of completing the investment plan for high-speed rail lines during the second meeting of the Steering Committee for the Construction and Implementation of the proposal for investing in high-speed rail lines on the North-South axis and other vital national railway projects.

The March 26 meeting aimed to ensure consistency and uniformity in standards across all aspects, including design, infrastructure, vehicle systems, information systems and operations.

Highlighting the necessity of high-speed rail development for an industrialised and modernised country, Hà emphasised its role in reducing logistics costs, enhancing economic competitiveness and contributing to green transformation.

He urged the Ministry of Transport to absorb, explain and clarify the opinions expressed during the meeting, stressing the importance of retaining central stations in major urban areas with symbolic significance while ensuring safety corridors through elevated or underground routes.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Transport was tasked with exploiting the economic efficiency of high-speed rail, drawing from international experience in integrating passenger and freight transport, outlining capital mobilisation plans and phased investments, establishing organisational models for synchronised management and operation, and devising plans for technology transfer to bolster domestic railway industry development.

According to the Ministry of Transport's report, the high-speed rail line, designed for speeds of up to 350 km/h, will cater to both passenger and freight transport. Existing railway lines will be repurposed to accommodate freight transportation.

A recent collaboration between the Ministry of Transport and the General Statistics Office has assessed the North-South high-speed railway project's economic impact, estimating a potential contribution of around 1 per cent to annual GDP growth from 2025 to 2037.

In addition to this, the Ministry of Transport and related agencies have refined the capital mobilisation plan, evaluated its impact on public debt, devised a human resource development strategy, and outlined directions for the development of the railway industry.

Efforts are also underway to renovate and upgrade existing railway lines for optimal functionality. The Project Management Board has been tasked with preparing investments for projects deemed nationally significant, such as the Lào Cai - Hà Nội - Hải Phòng line along the East-West economic corridor and others connecting various regions.

However, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyễn Danh Huy highlighted challenges, including the large scale and complex technical standards of these projects, requiring meticulous planning and close coordination among ministries, sectors and localities.

While national railway projects offer substantial economic benefits, their financial efficiency is not always high, necessitating significant state budget allocation, according to Huy.

Furthermore, the railway industry's current limitations include a lack of domestic production for railway vehicles, equipment and spare parts, as well as a shortage of skilled personnel in management and technical roles, highlighting the need for further development in these areas.

Professor Doctor Lã Ngọc Khuê, former Deputy Minister of Transport, stressed the importance of high-speed rail lines not only for passenger transport but also for addressing cargo transport bottlenecks in Việt Nam. He emphasised the need to change the transportation market's structure to reduce logistics costs and advocated for international railway line connections. While inland waterway and maritime transportation offer cost advantages, they are time-consuming and involve multiple loading and unloading processes, presenting an opportunity for the railway sector to regain market share in long-haul freight transport and to enhance economic competitiveness.

Former Deputy General Director of Việt Nam Railway Corporation, Vương Đình Khánh, advised careful consideration of utilising the existing railway line solely for freight train operations and proposed investing in the railway industry, particularly in manufacturing locomotives and carriages, alongside implementing high-speed railway projects.

Furthermore, there were suggestions regarding the necessity of proactive mechanisms and policies to mobilise resources and innovate approaches, given the current reliance on foreign technology and engineering expertise. 

Full-time NA deputies convene fifth meeting in Hanoi

The fifth meeting of full-time National Assembly (NA) deputies opened under the chair of NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue in Hanoi on March 26.

In his opening speech, the top legislator said that the NA Standing Committee has held four meetings of full-time deputies since the start of the 15th tenure (2021 - 2026) to discuss important issues.

He noted since the tenure’s beginning, the NA has adopted 32 draft laws, including 25 submitted to full-time deputies for opinion. Thanks to meetings of full-time deputies, some difficult bills such as the draft revised Land Law and the draft revised Law on Medical Examination and Treatment had their quality improved and secured very high unanimity and support from legislators when they were put for consideration or approval.

The fifth meeting of full-time NA deputies, scheduled to last for two and a half days, will discuss eight draft laws, namely the revised Capital Law; the revised Law on Organisation of People’s Courts; the revised Law on Social Insurance; the Law on Roads; the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety; the Law on Defence, Security Industries and Industrial Mobilisation; the revised Law on Archives; and a law amending and supplementing some articles of the Law on Property Auction.

These eight bills were previously scrutinised at the NA’s sixth session, held in late 2023, Chairman Hue said.

Stressing this meeting’s importance to the fulfillment of lawmaking tasks, he asked the deputies to give responsible and valuable opinions so that the NA Standing Committee can continue perfecting the drafts to ensure the best quality and submit them to the NA for consideration and adoption at the coming seventh session.

He added the building of draft laws and legal documents in general needs to keep adhering to Resolution No 27-NQ/TW, issued at the sixth meeting of the 13th Party Central Committee on November 9, 2022, on the continuation of building and perfecting the law-governed socialist state of Vietnam in the new period./.

Foreign Minister meets US National Security Advisor, USAID Administrator

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son held a working session with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Washington D.C. on March 25 as part of his US trip to co-chair the first annual dialogue between the foreign ministers of Vietnam and the US.

Sullivan reaffirmed that the US attaches great importance to relations with Vietnam and supports a strong, independent, self-resilient and prosperous Vietnam with increasingly important role in the region and the world.

He expressed delight at the two sides actively and proactively implementing their comprehensive strategic partnership and high-level agreements reached by US President Joe Biden and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong during the former’s visit to Vietnam in September 2023.

For his part, Son said he is pleased at the specific and positive results recorded during the implementation of the Vietnam-US comprehensive strategic partnership so far, especially the regular high-level delegation exchanges.

Affirming Vietnam’s external policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, multilateralisation and diversification, the FM underlined that Vietnam considers the US a partner of strategic importance, and highly valued the US’s support to a strong, independent, self-resilient and prosperous nation of Vietnam.

He extended regards of Party General Secretary Trong and senior leaders of Vietnam to President Joe Biden, and invited Sullivan to visit Vietnam.

The Vietnamese FM suggested that the two sides continue to promoting cooperation across all key pillars of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, with priority to making preparations for delegation exchanges and meetings between the two countries, especially at high levels, maintaining existing dialogue mechanisms and seeking new ones, especially in issues of differences.

The two sides should continue to expand economic-trade and science-technology cooperation, especially in innovation and human resources training, he said, proposing the US recognise Vietnam’s market economy regulations soon, and strengthen cooperation in overcoming war consequences.

Sullivan pledged that the US will continue realising agreements reached by leaders of the two countries, and supports Vietnam in developing high technology industries, energy transition, climate change response, overcoming war aftermaths, and making bilateral relations more intensive, extensive, substantial and effective.

The two sides also discussed a number of regional and global issues of shared concern.

The same day, FM Son also had a meeting with Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Samantha Power who affirmed that the agency always prioritises the development of relations with Vietnam, and vowed that the USAID will continue to work for the implementation of the US-Vietnam comprehensive strategic partnership and agreements reached by senior leaders of the two countries.

Reviewing the partnership between Vietnam and the USAID in overcoming war consequences, supporting persons with disabilities, education-training, and health care, Son highly valued the USAID’s assistance to Vietnam, and expressed his hope that the agency will continue to provide resources for the implementation of dioxin detoxification in Bien Hoa airport, searching for missing Vietnamese soldiers, enhancing Vietnam’s capacity in DNA analysis, supporting persons with disabilities, and war victims. At the same time, the US should consider new areas of cooperation such as high-quality human resources training, climate change response, energy transition, while turning Fulbright University into a regional training centre.

Power briefed the Vietnamese FM on the situation of USAID projects in Vietnam, underlining that the agency will continue to focus on cooperation in dealing with war aftermath, including dioxin detoxification in Bien Hoa, enhancing the DNA analysis for Vietnamese scientists, improving health care and social services in order to enhance the living conditions for persons with disabilities, and support Vietnam in mitigating climate change impactsand promoting sustainable development, human resources training, health care infrastructure, and disease prevention and control.

The two sides concurred to continue to work closely together in approving and effectively developing USAID projects in Vietnam, contributing to fostering the Vietnam-US comprehensive strategic partnership./.

Lao PM hails cooperation of Vietnamese, Lao ministries

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone on March 26 hailed Vietnam-Laos cooperation in home affairs as he received Vietnamese Minister of Home Affairs Ministry Pham Thi Thanh Tra.

At the reception, the PM asked the two ministries to keep exchanging experience in administrative reforms, particularly digital transformation.

He called on Vietnam to continue supporting Laos in human resources training in the sector.

The Lao government prioritises digital transformation in public administration, digital economy, and digital society, the PM said, asking the two ministries to coordinate with the two countries’ cooperation committees to develop a digital transformation project for the Lao Ministry of Home Affairs.

For her part, Tra informed the Lao leader about the cooperation results between the two ministries as well as the results of her talks with her Lao counterpart on March 25.

The Vietnamese side will do its best to implement Vietnam-Laos cooperation programmes to join in maintaining and nurturing the special solidarity between the two countries.

Tra proposed the Lao Prime Minister continue to pay attention and create favourable conditions to support the key cooperation activities of the two ministries in the coming time including personnel training in public administration, archives management, religious affairs, emulation and commendation, and State organisation science.

Vietnam also expects to receive Lao officials and civil servants and offer them short training courses in the home affairs sector, Tra said.

She also said she hopes that the Lao PM will soon consider and approve the Vietnamese-funded project on digital transformation for the Lao Ministry of Home Affairs in 2024-2025 with a vision to 2030.

Within the framework of the visit to Laos, Tra also had working sessions with the Laos - Vietnam Cooperation Committee and the Lao National Academy of Politics and Public Administration./.

Hundreds help stamp out Yen Bai forest fire

Nearly 200 people joined firefighting efforts on Monday to control a large forest blaze in the northern province of Yen Bai. 

Chairman of Lao Chai Commune People's Committee, Giang A Lu, told Dantri/Dtinews that the fire had been brought under control as of Tuesday morning.

"The fire started at 1.30 pm on March 25 in a forest near the villages of Dao Cu Nha and Hu Tru Linh," he said. "A resident noticed the fire and informed local authorities. We sent out a rescue team who arrived soon after to work with soldiers and local people to bring the fire under control.

"Dry weather and strong winds combined with difficult mountainous terrain had created challenges for firefighters attempting to control the blaze. By Monday evening, nearly 200 people had been mobilised to prevent the fire from spreading," he added.

According to the official, the fire might have been caused by the prolonged dry weather.

Yen Bai reported at least five forest fires in Mu Cang Chai, Tram Tau districts and Nghia Lo Town over the past month. Most of the fires broke out after people had burnt dry grass on their rice farms and the flames had spread to local forests.

Vietnam attends largest food and beverage expo in UK

Eight Vietnamese enterprises are showcasing their food and beverage products at the International Food and Drink Expo (IFE) 2024 in London, the UK from March 25 – 27.

Considered the most successful event in the UK for connecting businesses operating in the hospitality; restaurant services; and wholesale, retail, distribution, and import - export of food, the expo serves as a venue for enterprises to explore new business opportunities, directly meet potential customers, assess demand and consumer trends in the food industry in the UK and international markets.

Vietnam’s booths at the expo attracted visitors with a variety of products including fresh fruit, frozen seafood, dried noodles, different kinds of coffee and tea, and products from cononut and ginger.

Hoang Le Hang, First Secretary at the Vietnamese Trade Office in the UK, said that the UK is a highly promising market for Vietnamese exporters, evidenced by the continuous growth in Vietnamese exports to the UK over the past three years, with projections indicating that this growth trend will persist. She stressed that Vietnamese firms should seize opportunities to take part in expos like IFE to affirm their capability to supply stable, high-quality, environmentally friendly products.

Marina Stewart, International Sales Manager at the IFE’s organising board said for companies looking to penetrate the UK market, IFE is an essential destination as it acts as a crucial link between manufacturers and retailers, distributors, including major UK supermarket chains.

IFE is also the only trade fair where participating businesses cover the entire food supply chain, from raw material production and product manufacturing to packaging and food service, creating opportunities for firms to find partners in every sector of the food industry, she noted.

Stewart expressed her hope that in the future, Vietnamese products will have a stronger presence at IFE, given the increasing demand for Vietnamese goods in the UK, especially products sourced from plants, organic products, and healthy items.

Nguyen Thi Hanh Huong, CEO of Ben Tre Betrimex said that IFE is an opportunity for her company to access potential customers, including large retail chains in the UK.

Huynh Van Tan, General Director of Camimex - a seafood export company in the Mekong Delta province of Ca Mau said he hopes to receive additional support from the Vietnamese Trade Office in the UK in connecting Canimex in particular and firms in Ca Mau in general with distributors in the UK.

In January, Vietnam’s export turnover to the UK reached nearly 780.5 million USD, up over 57% year-on-year. Most export items experienced stable growth, particularly agricultural products, with coffee increasing by 218.5%, cashew nuts (nearly 61%), pepper (over 60%), fruits and vegetables (over 56%), and seafood (over 26%).

As the largest annual international F&B trade fair in the UK, IFE 2024 attracted nearly 1,000 exhibitors from 102 countries worldwide, along with 27,000 domestic and international business visitors./.   

18th Devotion Awards to reveal winners on March 27

The 18th Cong hien (Devotion) Awards by the Vietnam News Agency’s The Thao & Van Hoa (Sport and Culture) newspaper will announce winners at a ceremony held at the Hanoi Opera House on March 27 evening.

The event will be livestreamed on various channels, including the Facebook Page of the awards, VNews, YAN News, YANTV, YAN Talents, Bestie, and dienanh.net.

The awards have been organised since 2005, with the press nationwide participating in the selection process. From the 17th edition last year, the organising committee expanded its scope to also featuring sports from solely focusing on music as previously.

The new realm covers four categories, namely the sport achievement of the year, athlete of the year, young athlete of the year, and aspiration for devotion.

The traditional awards for music, meanwhile, consist of ten categories, including those for the song, music video, new artist, album, producer, and composer of the year.

This year, apart from the standard award categories and selection procedures, the organising committee and the voting council will present the Impressive Devotion Award to acknowledge and honour individuals or organisations whose musical activities have left a profound impact and impression on both the general public and industry experts./.

Kien Giang steps up IUU-related communication work