Vietnam is among the top six best Asian destinations for a family holiday in a list made by the New Zealand Herald.

According to the daily, Vietnam is better suited to families with teens who are still willing to go on holiday with their parents.

It noted that the country represents an excellent budget destination.

“Hanoi is a lot of fun to explore, even for younger kids, with attractions like the Temple of Literature, water puppet dances or just wandering and nibbling on street food,” the paper said.

Furthermore, it noted that Ho Chi Minh City offers another level of culture and history, whilst the Mekong Delta is a riot of colours and sounds with a fascinating series of floating markets to explore. Elsewhere, Nha Trang is blessed with sandy beaches and calm waves that are perfect for island hopping, scuba diving, boarding, and waterskiing.

Rounding off the list of the best Asian destinations for family holidays were Singapore, Hong Kong (China), Bali (Indonesia), Japan, and Thailand.

Local cueist qualifies for WPA world 10-ball championship’s Round of 16

Local cueist Duong Quoc Hoang enjoyed victory over Japanese rival Toru Kurabayashi to progress to the Round of 16 at the ongoing Predator WPA world 10-ball championship.
      
Hoang beat Toru Kurabayashi 2-1 after the first three rounds on the morning of March 3 (Vietnam time). However, the Japanese player went through the next six rounds without making any mistakes and got back into the match with a score of 7-2.

In the final part of the game, Hoang made use of every chance to turn the tables and win with a final score of 8-7, with the latest victory marking the first time he has advanced to the Round of 16 at the tournament.

Hoang, who is ranked at 62nd in the world, will win at least US$2,000 for advancing to the next stage of the competition.

His opponent in the Round of 16 is Fedor Gorst of Russia who is ranked at 27th place in the world. The match is scheduled to take place at 2:00 a.m. on March 3 (Vietnam time).

Gender equality book festival marks International Women's Day

The first-ever book festival on gender equality is being held from March 4 to March 11 at the Vietnam Women’s Museum in Hanoi.

Under the theme of ‘Read & Rise Bookfest 2023’, the event aims to honour diversity and promote gender equality.

Held by UN Women with financial support from the Australian Government, along with the companionship of the Vietnam Women's Museum, and Eduforlife, the book festival is part of activities being held to celebrate International Women's Day on March 8.

Participating units at the event committed to donating 20% of their revenue to support Peace House Shelter, a charity that was established for women suffering gender-based violence.

Throughout the week-long event, visitors will have the opportunity to participate in a series of interesting activities, such as book displays on gender equality, discussions with experts and book authors, interactive exhibitions, and fairs.

A number of talk shows with the theme of "Gender equality and books in the digital age" and "Sex education, reproductive health, sexuality and gender equality start from home" will also be held during the course of the festival.

Ninth Ao Dai Festival of Ho Chi Minh City kicks off

The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee held the opening ceremony of the 9th Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival 2023, with the theme "I love Vietnamese Ao Dai", at the Nguyen Hue pedestrian street in District 1 on March 3.

The festival will be held throughout March with many exciting activities, promising to bring memorable emotions and unique experiences to Vietnamese people and international tourists alike.

On the opening night, outstanding collections of famous designers were introduced to the public with hundreds of Ao Dai models.

Activities within the framework of this year's Ao Dai Festival will be held at historical sites, cultural relics, tourist destinations, and architectural works of Ho Chi Minh City, thereby contributing to the promotion of the image of Ho Chi Minh City as a "Safe Destination - A Lively Journey".

This year's Ao Dai Festival features the participation of 23 Ao Dai designers from across the country, along with the companionship of 19 famous artists, singers, actors and characters in the role of image ambassadors.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Duong Anh Duc said through the eight previous events, the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival has become a cultural tourism event.

The city also plans to organise events to promote the festival to the world with the goal of turning the Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival into an international cultural tourism event.

President Vo Van Thuong receives visiting Cambodian Deputy PM

President Vo Van Thuong received Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Samdech Krolahom Sar Kheng, who was on a working visit to Vietnam, in Hanoi on March 4.

Congratulating his host on being elected President of Vietnam, the Cambodian official highly valued the sound relations between the two countries’ ruling parties, Governments, and peoples.

He appreciated Vietnam’s assistance for his country in the successful organisation of many important events in 2022 and socio-economic development. He also thanked the Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of National Defence of Vietnam for their support in various areas, applauding the countries’ cooperation in security and transnational crime fight.

As Cambodia will hold a number of major events in 2023, including the seventh-tenure parliament election, the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, and the ASEAN Para Games, the Deputy PM called on Vietnam to share experience and support his country to successfully host these events.

The visiting official also asked Vietnam to coordinate with Cambodia to hold the conference of border provinces and open two new border gates on the shared borderline, thus promoting the building of a border of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.

Stressing the importance of the Vietnam - Cambodia relations, President Thuong expressed his delight at the fruitful cooperation in all spheres, spoke highly of the effective partnership between the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and the Cambodian Ministry of Interior, and appreciated Deputy PM Sar Kheng’s substantial contributions to the settlement of difficulties facing Cambodians of Vietnamese origin.

He agreed with the Cambodian Deputy PM on the promotion of cooperation in border areas so as to step up the building of a border of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.

Vietnam is ready to share experience to help Cambodia hold important events in 2023, including the seventh-tenure parliament election, the 32nd SEA Games, and the ASEAN Para Games, he went on.

The host leader also asked the Deputy PM to convey his invitation to King Norodom Sihamoni to pay a visit to Vietnam in the near future.

Police forces of Vietnam, Cambodia record fruitful crime fight cooperation

 The Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and the Cambodian Ministry of Interior reviewed the results of their 2022 cooperation plan and signed a new one for this year at a conference in Hanoi on March 4.

Vietnamese Minister of Public Security Gen. To Lam and Cambodian Deputy PM and Minister of Interior Samdech Krolahom Sar Kheng co-chaired the event.

Looking back on cooperation results last year, the officials said the two sides maintained sharing information about the international and regional situations related to their countries’ national security and social order and safety, supported each other at international and regional forums, and coordinated to guarantee security and safety for important political events in each country, including the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and related summits in Cambodia.

Vietnam also actively put forth coordination programmes and plans to crack down on crimes, especially in the two countries’ border provinces.

In 2022, despite certain difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the two ministries’ police forces boosted cooperation in crime prevention and control such as exchanging information and verifying requests related to criminals on international wanted lists via INTERPOL, ASEANAPOL, the diplomatic channel, specialised departments, and the police forces in border provinces, thereby obtaining some significant results in crime fight.

Wrapping up the conference, the Vietnamese and Cambodian officials signed the cooperation plan for 2023 between their ministries.

Top legislator co-chairs seminar on draft revised Land Law

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, and Nguyen Xuan Thang, President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA), co-chaired a seminar contributing ideas to the draft Land Law (amended) in Hanoi on March 4.

The event was held by the HCMA to create a forum for scientists, experts, former lecturers, officials and Party members of the academy to discuss and contribute opinions to perfect the draft law.

The top legislator emphasised four basic issues that need to be thoroughly grasped when amending and supplementing the Land Law following the conclusion of the Party Delegation to the NA and the NA Standing Committee.

Firstly, it is necessary to closely follow and institutionalise guidelines, orientations and policies in the 13th National Party Congress Document, as well as Party resolutions and conclusions, and the legislature’s resolutions.

Secondly, the revised law should inherit the stable regulations of the law on land over the past periods that have been proved to be correct.

Thirdly, the uniformity, compatibility and feasibility of the legal system to create motivation for socio-economic development.

Fourthly, the amendment process needs to be implemented in a methodical, scientific and objective manner, with selective reference from the experiences of countries, and the collection of opinions from people.
 
The top legislator asked participants to focus their attention on the regulations on the rights, obligations and responsibilities of stakeholders in land-related legal relations, the institutionalisation of the content of Resolution 18-NQ/TW on land finance and land prices, land use planning and planning on land acquisition for socio-economic development for national and public interests.

Foreign leaders offer congratulations to new President of Vietnam

Leaders of Russia, India, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Japan, Italy, Mongolia, and the UAE have sent congratulations to Vo Van Thuong on his election as President of Vietnam by the 15th National Assembly.

In his congratulatory message, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed the two countries’ relations are based on the traditional friendship and mutual respect.

He expressed his belief that as the President of Vietnam, Thuong will help further solidify the countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership, thus meeting the fundamental interests of the two nations and contributing to regional security and stability.

Extending her congratulations, Indian President Droupadi Murmu said the solidarity and close-knit friendship between her country and Vietnam have been nurtured since the time of late President Ho Chi Minh, and bilateral relations have continued to be reinforced and developed into a comprehensive strategic partnership.

She wished to work with President Thuong to further promote bilateral ties on the basis of the Joint Vision Statement on Peace, Prosperity, and People adopted in 2020.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the DPRK’s State Affairs Commission Kim Jong-un emphasised that Thuong’s election as President of Vietnam reflects the Communist Party of Vietnam and the entire Vietnamese people’s high trust in the newly elected leader.

The traditional friendship between the two Parties and States will keep growing more strongly in the coming time, he affirmed, wishing Thuong many significant achievements in the new position.

Offering congratulations, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said the two countries mark the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship in 2023, and that over the last 50 years, they have jointly surmounted numerous difficulties and challenges and built close cooperation in all fields, from politics, economy, diplomacy, security to culture and people-to-people exchange.

He voiced his belief that serving as President of Vietnam, Thuong, a close and important friend of Japan, will help further intensify bilateral relations. Kishida also noted he hopes to work with the newly elected leader to elevate their countries’ ties to a new level.

For his part, Italian President Sergio Mattarella hailed the bilateral friendship and cooperation amid the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties, adding that he believes Italy and Vietnam will seize opportunities to further strengthen their strategic partnership and cooperation in the time ahead.

On this occasion, President Thuong also received congratulations from President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, President of the UAE Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Government leader hosts Cambodian Deputy PM

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception in Hanoi on March 4 for visiting Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Kheng.

PM Chinh affirmed that despite complicated and unpredictable developments of the international situation, the good neighbourliness, traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia continue to be consolidated and intensified. Notably, cooperation in security-defence always receives special attention by the two countries’ leaders, and is considered an important pillar in the bilateral ties.

He asked the Cambodian Ministry of Interior and the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security to continue strengthening the fight against all kinds of crimes, especially transnational ones; and coordinating in rescuing and repatriating Vietnamese citizens being detained and forced to work in illegal gambling facilities in Cambodia.

Thanking the Deputy PM and other leaders of Cambodia for paying attention to the Vietnamese community living in the country, Chinh proposed that they continue directing authorised offices to carry out appropriate measures to help Vietnamese people deal with difficulties in applying for citizenship, and in resettlement affairs.

As Cambodia will organise many important events this year, including the election of the seventh National Assembly, the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, the Vietnamese Government is willing to support and share experience with Cambodia to make these event a success, the Vietnamese PM said.

For his part, Sar Kheng affirmed that Cambodia always bears in mind Vietnam’s valuable support for its struggle for national liberation in the past and the nation building and development cause at present.

He expressed his belief that with sincere affection, solidarity and mutual trust, the two countries will make most of their good neighbourhood, time-tested friendship, and all-round cooperation, and work together to solve problems effectively.

The two sides showed their delight at the growing economic cooperation, with two-way trade hitting 10.6 billion USD last year, up 11% year-on-year. To date, Vietnam has had 205 valid investment projects in Cambodia with a total registered capital of 2.94 billion USD, ranking first in ASEAN and among the five largest foreign investors in Cambodia.

Agreeing that there remains ample room for economic collaboration, the leaders proposed the two countries strengthen infrastructure connectivity and work together to build an independent, self-reliant, and integrated economy. In the immediate future, the two countries should make good preparations for a conference of their border provinces; and inaugurate two new border gates, in order to build a border line of peace, friendship, cooperation and development.

The two sides also agreed to support each other at multilateral forums; back ASEAN's principled stance on the East Sea; uphold international law; fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), build a substantive, valid and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

UN official hails Vietnamese peacekeepers’ contributions to UNMISS

Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General for South Sudan and Head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), on March 3 appreciated the active and effective contributions, creativeness and efforts to overcome difficulties of medical officers and soldiers of the level-2 field hospital and peacekeepers of Vietnam at the UNMISS.

He made the recognition when talking to Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Vietnam’s Permanent Representative to the UN, at the first meeting in 2023 of the UN Security Council with representatives from 79 countries sending soldiers to the UNMISS. 

Ambassador Giang thank the UNMISS leader for creating conditions for Vietnam’s peacekeeping force to fulfil their tasks.

He affirmed Vietnam's commitment to continue sending military and police personnel to participate in the UN peacekeeping activities in general and UNMISS in particular in the coming time.

In his remarks at the meeting, the ambassador reaffirmed the country's support for UNMISS’ mission, and emphasised the importance of building trust among related parties, including the Mission, authorities and local people, to create a favourable environment for the election and the process of building the Constitution of South Sudan.

Vietnam is willing to continue contributing to this effort through the implementation of and participation in support activities, he said.

The ambassador also shared Vietnamese peacekeepers’ efforts and creativeness in fulfilling their duties as well as taking care of the life, safety and health of the local people, thus consolidating and strengthening the cohesion and trust between them and the UN peacekeeping mission.

Vietnam offers initiatives to promote cooperation to reduce emissions in Asia

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha presented several important initiatives of Vietnam during the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo, Japan on March 4.

Hailing the Japanese Government's initiative to organise the meeting right after the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27), Ha said that this is an important and suitable forum to promote intergovernmental cooperation in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, thus contributing to sustainable development in the region.

The path to achieve the targets set by the Paris Climate Agreement is very tough, and requires intelligence, cooperation and high solidarity, he stated, stressing the need to strengthen cooperation between government and government, between governments and enterprises, and use public investment to lead private finance in the context of private finance being an important resource for emission reduction efforts.

The Vietnamese representative proposed countries put forward a very methodical and realistic emissions reduction roadmap, but not at all costs, as socio-economic issues should be taken into account.

On this occasion, Deputy PM Ha also emphasised Vietnam's commitments to and efforts in responding to climate change and cutting greenhouse gas emissions, including measures to increase the proportion of renewable energies.

He proposed participating countries establish specific institutions such as a carbon credit market of the region, and a research and technology transfer centre, because technology is a key to reduce emissions while ensuring energy security and ensuring the state, people and businesses have access to clean energy at affordable prices.

He also suggested setting up a scientific research support fund and a high-quality human resource training centre, while stressing the need to rely on digital transformation to enhance exchanges and dialogues on policies and techniques to increase the efficiency of the implementation of emissions reduction measures and ensure the implementation of socio-economic targets.

At the meeting, delegates approved a joint statement about the “Asia Zero Emission Community” which sets forth cooperation orientations in the coming time to achieve inclusive, just, sustainable and affordable energy transition in Asia.

Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha meets Japanese parliamentarians in Tokyo

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha met with Speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives Hosoda Hiroyuki, Chairman of the Japan - Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance Nikai Toshihiro, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura Yasutoshi, and the parliamentarians in charge of environmental issues of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Tokyo on March 3.

Meetings took place on the sidelines of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Ministerial Meeting in the capital city of Japan.

Talking to Speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives Hosoda Hiroyuki, Deputy PM Ha said the two countries’ relationship is now at its prime, and that Vietnam wishes to join Japan in further strengthening their extensive strategic partnership.

The year 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, and it’s suitable time for them to boost exchanges between the countries’ governments, parliaments, young parliamentarians, women parliamentarians, localities, and people, he noted.

He asked his host to promote the Japanese Government’s assistance for Vietnam in the development of strategic infrastructure, human resources development, science and technology, and innovation, as well as for the nearly 500,000 Vietnamese to live, study, and work in the Northeast Asian nation.

Hosoda stressed Vietnam is an important partner of Japan, and that the two countries share many common interests and hold much potential for development.

The House of Representatives of Japan supports stronger cooperation between the two countries in all fields, he noted, expressing his hope for increased bilateral exchanges and cooperation.

Japanese businesses highly value the skillfulness and industriousness of the Vietnamese community in Japan and want to receive more high-quality engineers and workers from Vietnam. There is also much room for promoting energy partnerships, according to the Speaker.

At the meeting with the Japan - Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, Deputy PM Ha appreciated the contributions by the alliance and its chairman to bilateral economic, cultural, tourism, and locality-to-locality ties.

He asked the alliance to continue supporting all-level exchanges, boost tourism links, and promote the Japanese Government’s simplification of procedures for granting visas for Vietnamese tourists to help facilitate people-to-people exchange.

Nikai affirmed that the alliance will do its utmost to develop bilateral cooperation more substantively.

He also informed about a plan to lead a delegation of Japanese parliamentarians and businesses on a visit to Vietnam this year, suggested a “Vietnam – Japan forest” be planted in the Southeast Asian country as a lasting symbol of relations, and agreed to support tourism cooperation.

Meanwhile, when being received by the Vietnamese Deputy PM, Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura thanked Ha for his participation in the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Ministerial Meeting.

He emphasised that Japan considers Vietnam an important partner to jointly implement the AZEC initiative and hopes to join Vietnam and other participating countries in actively discussing and promoting cooperation to achieve the emission reduction target on the basis of trust and fairness.

In response, Ha said sending a delegation to the meeting reflects Vietnam's efforts toward the goal and support for the Japanese Government’s initiatives and policies in building the Asia community toward carbon emission reduction, and in ensuring energy security and sustainable development.

He held that the parties involved should have a reality assessment and choose feasible and suitable solutions.

There is a need to cooperate in research on technology and a participation mechanism for the government and the private sector as well as to determine financial sources to implement the AZEC joint declaration in member countries, including Vietnam, Ha suggested.

At his meeting with Japanese parliamentarians in charge of environment sector, the Deputy PM asked them to support the Japanese Government in offering financial assistance to and sharing experience with Vietnam in the areas of climate change response and low-emission development.

He proposed the lawmakers persuade Japanese enterprises to invest in and transfer technology to Vietnam in high technology, new energy, green transition, and digital transformation.

The parliamentarians pledged their efforts to enhance the countries’ relations in the environment field and join works at regional and international forums and cooperation mechanisms.

Deputy PM Tran Luu Quang holds talks with Spanish counterpart in Madrid

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and First Deputy PM of Spain Nadia Calviño had talks in Madrid on March 3, affirming the determination to develop the two countries’ “strategic partnership towards the future” on par with potential.

At the meeting, part of the Vietnamese Deputy PM’s official visit to the European country, the two sides applauded the recent strides in their countries’ relations.

They agreed to increase mutual visits at all levels, effectively carry out bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and fruitfully implement the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to raise bilateral trade to 5 billion USD.

Deputy PM Quang said Vietnam always attaches importance to the “strategic partnership towards the future” with Spain. His counterpart also noted that Spain respects Vietnam’s stature and role in the Asia-Pacific region.

Quang asked Spain to create optimum conditions for Vietnam’s agricultural and fishery products to access its market and the EU; encourage Spanish businesses to boost high-quality investment in such fields as infrastructure, renewable energy, transport, and information technology in Vietnam; and support the European Commission’s removal of the IUU fishing warning for Vietnam’s fishery export.

He also called on the Spanish Government to continue providing favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community, which he described as an important bridge of the countries’ friendship.

At the talks, Calviño highlighted Spanish enterprises’ growing attention to the Vietnamese market and highly valued Vietnam’s political stability and favourable investment and business climate.

She agreed to maintain development assistance for the Southeast Asian country.

Vietnam is a favourite tourism destination of many Spanish people, she noted, agreeing to consider the opening of a direct air route between the two countries.

Calviño added Vietnam has been striving to developing sustainable fisheries. She pledged technical support for the country to improve its fisheries management system to prevent IUU fishing as requested by the EU.

Both sides also concurred in expanding cooperation in security - defence, education - training, science - technology, natural resources and environment, digital transformation, response to global challenges like climate change and food insecurity; and in early signing an agreement on cultural and sport cooperation to help promote mutual understanding and people-to-people exchange.

Besides, the two officials also discussed some regional and international issues of common concern.

Medical support offered for Vietnamese community in RoK

Representatives of the Wonkwang medical organisation and the Vietnamese Association in the Republic of Korea (RoK) on March 3 signed a memorandum of understanding on collaboration to provide medical support for the Vietnamese community in this Northeast Asian country.

Under the MoU, the two sides agreed to set up a mechanism for cooperation in the use of Wonkwang medical services, including emergency case that need urgent health assistance.

Accordingly, Wonkwang, with five hospitals in the cities of Incheon, Hwaseong, Iksan, Gunsan, Cheongju, is committed to reducing the costs of medical services for Vietnamese residing in the country by up to 50%, and supporting those who suffer work-related accidents.

It will also lower medical expenses that are not paid by health insurance for Vietnamese citizens living in RoK when they receive treatment, surgeries and general health examination.

Addressing the signing ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to the RoK Nguyen Vu Tung applauded the cooperation between Wonkwang and the association, saying that it is a very meaningful activity for caring for the health of the Vietnamese community in this nation.

The diplomat expressed his hope that through the signing of the MoU, the sides will continue to foster relations, providing good support for the Vietnamese living here.

Wonkwang Chairman Oh Soung-bae said the signing of the MoU marks the start of a bilateral medical cooperation programme and pledged that his organisation will help the Vietnamese community receive the most favourable health care services.

Ha Giang province ready to host first kapok flower festival

The first kapok flower festival will open on March 4 in Meo Vac district in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang.

The event is to promote the special cultural features of the ethnic minority group in mountainous area while simultaneously developing the local tourism sector.

It will involve a wide range of activities such as ethnic costume competition, and Khen flute performance of Mong ethnic group.

During the event tourists will have opportunities to enjoy taking photos in the kapok flower forest in Po Pi A hamlet, visiting Dong Van Karst Plateau, a UNESCO-recognised Global Geopark, and planting kapok trees.

It is part of a traditional festival to celebrate the Khen (panpine) of the Mong ethnic group who reside in Ha Giang province.

Cambodian province marks completion of upgrade to friendship monument

A ceremony was held in Chbar Mon city, Cambodia’s Kampong Speu province, on March 3 to mark the completion of upgrades to the Cambodia - Vietnam Friendship Monument there.

Addressing the event, Yim Sokhom, member of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) Central Committee and Standing Vice Chairman of the Kampong Speu Committee of the Solidarity Front for the Development of Cambodian Motherland, said the monument repair and upgrade project started in February 2020 and worked on different segments at the site. The monument alone covers an area of 16.5 square metres and is 19 metres tall.

The project finished in December 2020, but its inauguration was delayed for several reasons, especially the COVID-19 pandemic, he noted.

The official thanked the Vietnamese Government, army, and people, particularly the Ministry of National Defence, for funding the repair and upgrade of the Cambodia - Vietnam friendship monuments across his country.

The monument in Kampong Speu province is one of 23 built and upgraded in Cambodia recently.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Huy Tang said the monument in Kampong Speu and others across Cambodia are a demonstration of the solidarity and cooperation between the two countries and militaries, who surmounted countless difficulties to gain independence and peace for their country, including defeating the genocidal Pol Pot regime in Cambodia.

He expressed his hope that the friendship monument in Kampong Speu will become a site for the countries’ youth to come to learn about the special friendship between the Vietnamese and Cambodian people and militaries, as well as the value of peace so as to contribute to national development.

The Vietnamese side is ready to work with the Cambodian Solidarity Front’s National Council and administrations of localities to complete the building of friendship monuments, thereby helping affirm the countries’ solidarity and reinforce cooperation, the diplomat said.

Nhem Valy, member of the CPP Central Committee, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Cults and Religions, Standing Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Cambodian Solidarity Front’s National Council, highlighted the flourishing bilateral relations.

On behalf of the CPP, State, Front, and people of Cambodia, he once again thanked Vietnam for assisting his country to defeat the genocidal Pol Pot regime and obtain the ultimate victory on January 7, 1979.

Polish films screened across Vietnam this month

Cinema lovers in Hanoi, Thue Thien-Hue and Ho Chi Minh City will be treated to interesting Polish feature films this month as part of a cultural exchange programme jointly held by the Vietnam Cinema Department and the Polish Filmmakers Association.

Aiming to boost mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries, the Polish Film Week in Vietnam is set to screen five films, including ‘Sonata’, ‘The Getaway King’, "Papazazzi Love", "Songs about Love" and ‘Solid Gold’.

They are scheduled to be shown to audiences free-of-charge at the National Cinema Centre (NCC) in the capital from March 11 to 15, in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue from March 15-19, and in the southern metropolis HCM City from March 18-22.

People can obtain tickets to these screenings at the official sites of NCC at https://chieuphimquocgia.com.vn/ and of the CineStar at https://cinestar.com.vn/

World Bank provides assistance for HCM City in data management

A data management strategy for Ho Chi Minh City by 2025 with a vision towards 2030 was launched on March 3, part of cooperation between the southern metropolis and the World Bank (WB) in 2022-2023.

The strategy will unlock data potential to better serve operations of local authorities, provide friendlier and more effective services for people, raise productivity and step up innovations, towards the comprehensive and sustainable development of the digital economy.

By 2025, it will focus the data on people, finance-businesses, and land and urban areas.

The city expects to form a management system on land and construction and planning licensing, along with data on public health, and social welfare. The establishment and operation of enterprises and household businesses, budget spending and expenditure, and public investment disbursement are also part of the vision. Database must be stored and managed at the city data centre.

Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Phan Van Mai noted that thanks to the support of the WB, international friends and domestic experts, HCM City has been able to issue the strategy.

He called on the bank, the Australian Consulate General in HCM City and experts to continue assisting the city during the implementation of the strategy.

WB Country Director for Vietnam Carolyn Turk suggested HCM City pour more investment in building suitable institutions to manage data safely to maximize the value.

An agency specialising in data management and digital transformation is significant to the effective implementation of the strategy, she said, stressing that the WB stands ready to cooperate with HCM City and offer it global knowledge and consultancy by leading experts in the work.

Australian Consul General Sarah Hooper hoped the strategy will be put into place quickly and effectively, meeting the demand of local leaders.

Vietnam attends Baku Summit of Non-Aligned Movement Contact Group in response to COVID-19

A Vietnamese delegation led by Ambassador to Russia and Azerbaijan Dang Minh Khoi attended the Summit of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Contact Group in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, held in Baku on March 2.

The summit, chaired by Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, saw the participation of leaders, foreign ministers, and ambassadors from NAM member countries as well as representatives from international organisations, observers, and guests of Azerbaijan that is taking NAM chairmanship.

NAM member countries recognised the movement's contributions to COVID-19 prevention and control. In the last three years, the pandemic has widened the rich-poor gap, seriously affecting socio-economic development in developing countries, especially in Africa and small island countries. Furthermore, a third of the world's population has yet to receive the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Besides, it is forecast that the world will not be avoidable to new pandemics in the future, so humanity must prepare for potential pandemics and possible consequences.

As the consequences of the pandemic are increasingly multi-dimensional, geopolitical tensions, global economic crisis, and non-conventional challenges, the countries emphasised the role of multilateral cooperation in general and NAM in particular in post-pandemic recovery.

Representatives from countries called for the lifting of restrictions on vaccine exports, strengthening health capacity building, sharing experiences, and transferring biotechnology. At the same time, they reaffirmed their commitment to promote the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and highlighted the urgency of developing a vision and strategy for NAM to ensure the common interests of member countries during the post-pandemic period.

At the summit, Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi shared Vietnam’s experiences in COVID-19 prevention and control as well as post-pandemic recovery.

He emphasised the country’s policies of putting people at the centre and its duo goals for both disease control and socio-economic development.

To promote post-pandemic recovery, Vietnam suggested that NAM cooperation in the coming time should strengthen solidarity based on respecting the sovereignty and diversity of members, upholding the voice of members at international forums, promoting cooperation mechanisms within the NAM framework and implementing people-centered recovery policies, Khoi said.

The summit was closed on March 3 with the issuance of a summary statement of chairing country. Azerbaijan will continue to hold NAM Chairmanship until the end of 2023 before handing it over to Uganda.

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