Overseas Vietnamese painter Pham Trong Chanh has recently opened his latest exhibition in France which displays over 40 paintings and sculptures on Vietnamese history, people, culture, and nature.
      
Chanh's artworks feature the heroic history of the country’s founders known as the Hung Kings, the legend of Saint Giong, and typical cultural characteristics of each Vietnamese region.

Can Van Kiet, former vice president of the General Union of Vietnamese in France (UGVF), said the exhibition is part of a series of community activities in France that have been reactivated after a long hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The exhibition serves to contribute to introducing the talent of overseas Vietnamese to the French public, while simultaneously helping young generations of Vietnamese citizens and international friends gain greater insights into the history, culture, and traditions of Vietnam, Kiet said.

The event opened on May 13 and is expected to run through to May 28.

Former Indonesian President tells story about President Ho Chi Minh

Megawati Sukarnoputri, Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), former Indonesian President and daughter of the country’s founder Sukarno, has repeatedly told a story about President Ho Chi Minh in his meeting with her father on February 27, 1959, as part of his historic visit to Indonesia.

Megawati said she was impressed when seeing the Vietnamese President wearing sandals instead of shoes in this meeting as well as knowing the meaning behind. Questioned about this, President Ho Chi Minh answered: “Later, when the struggle (of Vietnam) wins, I will put on shoes.”

According to her, President Ho Chi Minh’s simple answer demonstrated his confidence in Vietnam’s independence.

In office from July 23, 2001 to October 20, 2004, the first female President of Indonesia visited Vietnam twice, in August 2001 and June 2003.
 
In Indonesia, Vietnam’s national liberation hero and world cultural celebrity Ho Chi Minh, also called "Paman Ho” (Uncle Ho) by Indonesians, is often mentioned as the person who laid the foundation for the friendship between the two countries over the past 65 years.

In addition, his morality and simple lifestyle have been respected by many local politicians, researchers, media and people.
 
His birthday (May 19, 1890) is an anniversary celebrated not only inside Vietnam.

Vietnamese NA willing to share financial supervision experience with Laos

The Vietnamese National Assembly is willing to create conditions for its Finance-Budget Committee to share financial supervision experience with the Lao Ministry of Finance, said NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

Receiving Lao Finance Minister Bounchom Oubonpaserth in Vientiane on May 16 during his official visit to the neighbouring country, NA Chairman Hue appreciated the two finance ministries’ organisation of mutual visits and experience sharing.

He held that although the Lao financial sector faces many difficulties, the Government and the National Assembly of Laos have delivered timely directions towards restructuring financial institutions.

Hailing Laos for transparency in budget revenue and expenditure, and public debt, the top Vietnamese legislator emphasised the need to modernise the tax and customs sectors, strengthen publicity and transparency, and switch to e-invoices to both protect staff and ensure revenues.

The Lao financial sector needs to pay more attention to people and businesses as well as proactively remove difficulties and obstacles to promote economic development, he noted.

Hue affirmed that the National Assembly of Vietnam and he himself have always supported and created favourable conditions for the two countries' financial sectors to increase exchanges and mutual support.

For his part, Minister Bounchom Oubonpaserth said that the Lao financial industry is facing difficulties, especially regarding public debt. The Government and financial sector of Laos are working to solve this situation by increasing revenues and applying anti-corruption, thrift practice and wastefulness prevention measures.

The Lao Ministry of Finance will learn from the experience of its Vietnamese counterpart in corporate reform and public debt settlement, he stated.

He further said that the two sides will organise a wide range of activities during 2022 - the "Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year", which aims to celebrate the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations and 45 years of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation./.

NA Committees for Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, Laos strengthen cooperation

Chairman of the National Assembly (NA)’s Committee for Foreign Affairs Vu Hai Ha held talks with his Lao counterpart Sanya Praseuth on May 16, in the framework of NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue’s official visit to Laos.

The NA Committees for Foreign Affairs have closely partnered together both bilaterally and multilaterally under their jurisdiction, the officials said.

The Vietnam-Laos relations have become more practical, notably with a workshop presided over by the NA Chairmen which shared experience in policy mechanisms for socio-economic recovery and development in the post-pandemic period.

The two countries need to facilitate economic, trade and investment relations to match their potential and turn them into an important pillar in bilateral ties, they underlined.

The two sides agreed that the NA Committees for Foreign Affairs play a central role in the implementation of the recently-inked cooperation agreements between the two legislative bodies and between the NA Office of Vietnam and the NA Secretariat of Laos; and backed the signing of an agreement between the two committees to step up cooperation.

They pledged to increase the exchange of delegations, including deputies to provincial People’s Councils, especially of border localities, hold more workshops chaired by parliamentary leaders in the coming time, and consider collaboration in the supervision of common concerns such as the implementation of cooperation agreements and issues at border gates, for prompt solutions.

They vowed to support each other at the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the ASEAN Peoples' Forum (APF), and more; and bolster consultations on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

NA Vice Chairman visits Vietnamese language class in Laos

Vice Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Duc Hai and Vice President of the Lao NA Sommad Pholsena on May 16 visited a Vietnamese language class for staff at the Lao NA Office, on the occasion of NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue’s visit to Laos.

Vietnam appreciates Laos’ idea to open the first ever Vietnamese language class at the Lao NA Office, regarding it as a necessary cooperation programme between the countries’ legislative bodies, Hai affirmed.

He expressed his belief that students of the class will obtain good results and hope to welcome them to do internships in Vietnam.

The Lao side suggested the Vietnamese NA Office arrange a Laotian class for its staff in the time to come.

Upon completing their study, the learners will receive certificates issued by the Embassy of Vietnam in Laos.

Vice President hosts tea party for visiting Greek President

Visiting President of Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou toured the Temple of Literature in Hanoi and attended a tea party hosted by Vice President of Vietnam Vo Thi Anh Xuan on May 16.

Sakellaropoulou is paying an official visit to Vietnam from May 15 to 19 at the invitation of Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

At the tea party, the Vietnamese Vice President welcomed the positive results of talks between the two presidents, expressing her belief that the visit by Sakellaropoulou will promote Vietnam-Greece cooperation in a practical and intensive manner.

Xuan thanked the Greek President for her the warm sentiments to a high-ranking delegation from Vietnam during an official visit to the European nation last November, as well as for presenting 250,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Vietnam.

She said that Vietnam and Greece share similarities in culture and history and hoped that the visit to the Temple of Literature helped the Greek President understand more about the country and people of Vietnam.

In reply, Sakellaropoulou thanked Xuan for arranging the tea party and informed her host that during her talks with President Phuc, the two sides exchanged views on issues of mutual concern. They underscored that despite geographical distance, the countries shared numerous common values and approaches. 

Vietnamese, Lao NAs share experience in designing post-pandemic socio-economic recovery policies

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and his Lao counterpart Saysomphone Phomvihane co-chaired a conference to share experience in designing mechanisms and policies supporting post-pandemic socio-economic recovery and development in Vientiane on May 16.

The Lao NA leader said that the event is a good chance for both sides to learn from each other to promote post-pandemic socio-economic recovery and development.

For his part, NA Chairman Hue underlined that COVID-19 pandemic has posed problems to most countries around the world, including Laos and Vietnam.

He highlighted the Vietnamese NA’s close coordination with the Government and relevant agencies to collect ideas from voters, people, experts, scientists and the business community inside and outside the country on measures to respond to the pandemic.

He noted that the Vietnam Economic Forum held in 2021 connected a large number of experts and scientists who shared practical experience and suggested policies for Vietnam.

In January, the NA of Vietnam held an extraordinary session to consider a number of important issues regarding socio-economic development, including new, breakthrough policies, as well as the launch of a 347-trillion VND (about 17 billion USD) package to accelerate socio-economic recovery and development, he said.

He underscored that so far, the Vietnamese economy has seen great progress with the resumption of all socio-economic activities, while policies to respond to the pandemic and boost socio-economic development have proved efficient.

Currently, Vietnam’s vaccine passport can be used in 81 countries and territories. From May 15, people entering Vietnam are not required to take COVID-19 tests. Vietnam is hosting the 31st Southeast Asian Games.

The top Vietnamese legislator said this is the first conference held within the cooperation agreement signed between the two NAs on May 16 morning.

At the event, the two NA leaders shared their belief that the two sides will clarify matters of mutual concern, thus seeking helpful solutions to build mechanisms and policies regarding socio-economic recovery and development.

HCM City bolsters cooperation with Australian state

Ho Chi Minh City will spare no efforts to translate its cooperation plans with the state of Victoria in Australia, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Phan Van Mai said on May 16.

He made the pledge while joining virtual talks with Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews and the signing ceremony of an agreement on friendship and cooperation between the city and Victoria.

Speaking at the event, the HCM City official expressed his delight at the thriving Vietnam-Australia relations, viewing them as the cornerstone of sound cooperation between the Vietnamese southern economic hub and Australian localities, including Victoria state.

He thanked Victoria’s authorities for supporting and working with HCM City to prepare for the signing ceremony, hoping that after the event, the two localities will join hands to carry out cooperation plans and programmes contributing to Vietnam-Australia ties in the coming time.

Mai affirmed that the southern city welcomes visits by authorities and businesses from the Australian state to explore cooperation chances in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, automation and pharmaceutical products, contributing to HCM City’s economic growth and smart city building. 

For his part, Andrews highly regarded the signing ceremony as a milestone for the two localities to officially establish their friendship for stronger and more efficient cooperation in the future.

He hailed HCM City’s development potential and underlined Victoria state’s robust economic and technological development, affirming that the two localities hold various opportunities to promote cooperation, especially following the inauguration of a direct flight linking HCM City and Victoria’s capital Melbourne.

NA Chairman attends groundbreaking ceremony of Laos-Vietnam park

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and his Lao counterpart Saysomphone Phomvihane have attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the Laos-Vietnam friendship park in Vientiane, as part of his official visit to the neighbouring country.

The May 15 event took place on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties (September 5, 1962) and 45 years of the signing of the Laos - Vietnam Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (July 18, 1977).

The Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Office of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee are the main investors of the project.

The park is located at Dong Mak Khai which is planned to be turned into a large urban centre of Vientiane capital city.

It is a symbol of the special solidarity and close-knit ties between Vietnamese and Lao Parties, States and peoples, said Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Ba Hung at the ceremony.

Once operational, the park will serve as an education venue, helping young generations of Vietnam and Laos as well as international friends understand more about the good, pure relationship, he said, noting that the project also demonstrates viewpoints and guidelines of the two Parties and States on maintaining, consolidating and enhancing the special relationship now and in the future.

During his stay in Laos, Hue visited former Party General Secretary and State President Bounnhang Vorachith on May 16.

Vietnamese intellectuals in RoK talk sci-tech cooperation

The Embassy of Vietnam held a seminar with Vietnamese scientists and intellectuals in the Republic of Korea (RoK) on May 15 to discuss cooperation in science and technology.

Nearly 30 Vietnamese professors and doctors from leading universities and research institutes in the RoK, along with representatives of the Vietnamese Students’ Association in the country attended the event.

Counsellor Do Thi Bich Ngoc, head of Vietnam’s division for science and technology in the RoK, provided an overview of Vietnam’s orientations for scientific - technological development and innovation, noting that the country views science and technology as an impulse for growth.

Participants presented some speeches on the studies on environmental and climate change issues, metaverse development, the chemical industry, 3D printing, and human resources development, which are being conducted by Vietnamese scientists in the RoK. These areas suggest new cooperation chances for the two countries’ scientists and businesses, as well as policies for scientific and technological development.

They held that the bilateral cooperation context has been creating favourable conditions for partnerships in science and technology.

Vietnamese scientists and students in the RoK are growing in terms of both quantity and quality. Many scientists of Vietnam have initially gained a foothold in some scientific and technological areas in the Northeast Asian nation. A number of them are enthusiastic about contributing to the homeland’s development.

Ambassador Nguyen Vu Tung highly valued the scientists’ sense of responsibility towards the homeland and bilateral scientific - technological cooperation.

He stressed that the embassy will stand by the Vietnamese scientists in the RoK and create favourable conditions for them to develop.    

“Ho Chi Minh Bookcase” inaugurated in Hanoi

The Su that (Truth) National Political Publishing House on May 16 launched the “Ho Chi Minh Bookcase” and a room for the display of books on President Ho Chi Minh at the relic site commemorating the national leader in Hanoi.

Addressing the launching ceremony, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the publishing house Pham Thi Thinh said that the “Ho Chi Minh Bookcase” gathers hundreds of book titles published by the publishing house, featuring the life, revolutionary career, ideology, morality and lifestyle of President Ho Chi Minh.

The bookcase aims to provide the community with a deeper understanding on the life and career of the late leader, thus encouraging the learning and studying of his ideology, moral example and lifestyle.

She said that the launching of the bookcase and the exhibition room will pave the wat for the publishing house to set up more such rooms in other localities across the country.

The launching of the “Ho Chi Minh Bookcase” and the display room was part of activities to mark the 132rd birthday of the late leader.
 
His birthday (May 19, 1890) is an anniversary celebrated not only inside Vietnam.

Ashes of deceased Vietnamese woman in Japan brought home

The ashes of a 24-year-old Vietnamese woman who was recent found dead in Japan have finally been brought back to her home in the Central Highland province of Dak Lak for a memorial and burial service.
      

The woman followed a training course in Japan in 2018 and completed it in April 2022. She then decided to seek a job in Japan before her visa expired in September.

However, she was found dead in a Tokyo alley on May 2, and Japanese police forces are still looking into the circumstances that led to her death, according to Japanese news website NHK.

Her old teacher and friends made donations and co-ordinated with local competent agencies to hold a funeral and assist in sending her ashes back home.

Vietnamese martial arts championship in France awards 151 medals

The Vietnamese martial arts championship held from May 14 to May 15 in the French city of Montévrain ended with a total of 151 medals, including 59 gold and 56 silver, being awarded to outstanding athletes.

The tournament was initially planned to take place two years ago but was forced to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year the event gathers approximately 100 athletes from 15 clubs based in France.

Upon addressing the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang said the tournament clearly demonstrates the strong development of Vietnamese martial arts in the Central European country.

Vietnamese martial arts continues to be very popular in France and has shown signs of developing, particularly with the increasing number of contestants joining martial arts clubs across the country, he added.

The Federation of Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts in France was first established in January, 2010, and has attracted 1,100 practitioners nationwide so far.

Argentine Tango & Gastronomy Festival

The embassy of Argentina will host an Argentine Tango & Gastronomy Festival in downtown Hà Nội on May 28 to celebrate the country’s national day.  

The event, which will take place between 6pm and 11pm at the Octogonal House at Lý Thái Tổ Garden in Hoàn Kiếm District, will be open to the public.

The main attractions will include Tango shows and classes, taught by those in charge of famous Hà Nội Tango clubs like Tango Hanoi, El Cielo Tango and La Boca Tango. There will be dance demonstrations and basic steps taught to the public.

Booths for Argentinian food and products will be set up in the area. Dishes based on the typical Argentine barbecue cuisine will be presented by Restaurant Los Fuegos, accompanied by Argentine wines from Warehouse and Da Loc. People will also be able to taste the popular “churros with duice de leche”.

Matéa, the first Vietnamese company to distribute Yerba Mate (a traditional and popular Argentine infusion) in Việt Nam, will also present its products.

The Argentine company Arcor, a world leader in the food industry, will present its “Saladix” snacks, which are very popular in Argentina.

The Argentine Embassy will have its official stand with tourist and cultural information about the natural beauties that travellers can find in the South American country.

Lotus village festival marks birthday of President Ho Chi Minh

The central province of Nghe An is scheduled to run a music gala on May 19 in Vinh City as part of the Lang Sen (Lotus Village) festival to celebrate President Ho Chi Minh’s 132nd birthday.

The event is set to bring together singers, models, and beauty queens from both Nghe An and Ho Chi Minh City.

The music gala will feature many songs which praise the life and revolutionary career of President Ho Chi Minh.

Stories about Lang Sen village in Kim Lien commune of Nam Dan district, the homeland of President Ho Chi Minh, will also be told during the event.

The music gala will be broadcast live on Nghe An province’s NTV channel and Ho Chi Minh City’s HTV channel. It is part of a range of activities taking place at the Lang Sen festival on May 17 - 19 in Nghe An.

A ceremony to pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his statue in Vinh city, as well as an incense offering ceremony in Kim Lien Relic site in Nam Dan district, will get underway during the festival.

The annual Lang Sen festival, held to commemorate President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday, has been postponed for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘Free your eyes’ charity fund brings sight to patients

The Hà Nội-based Đông Đô Hospital’s doctors performed free eye surgery for two children in difficult circumstances on May 14.

The surgery is part of the hospital’s summer campaign to provide free eyes checkup and treatment to patients with eye problems due to COVID-19.

All eye checkups and treatment costs will be covered by the hospital’s "Free your eyes" charity fund, which was launched on the same day to bring sight to poor patients in tough circumstances in Việt Nam.

The first case Ninh Thị Tường Vy, seven years old, in Yên Lạc Commune, Phú Lương District, Thái Nguyên Province, with a crossed eye disease. Her mother left when she was more than one month old, while her father works far away and rarely comes back.

Vy and her sister were raised and cared for by their grandmother. She is now old, suffering from many illnesses. Her family is a poor household in the commune.

The second case is Bùi Thúy Nga, four years old, in Tuyên Quang Province, with a conjunctiva tumour in the right eye. Her father is a worker, and her mother is a teacher.

Her parents discovered Nga's eye tumour two years ago but could not afford to go to the doctor. The tumour is now quite large, encroaching on the baby's right pupil.

The director of the hospital’s High-Tech Eye Centre, Đinh Phương Thủy, said that the fund would focus on children and the elderly, especially the elderly living alone or older people with difficult circumstances.

“All patients of difficult circumstances, children or the elderly with indications for eye surgery, will be provided free eye checkups and surgery. The fund will cover 100 per cent of surgery costs. Patients and their family members will be arranged to stay at the hospital,” said Thủy.

“In Việt Nam, there are currently about two million people who are blind and have low vision. One-third are poor people or living in difficult circumstances. That’s why we established a charity fund to help poor children and the elderly."

NA Chairman receives President of State Audit Organisation, meets former leader of Laos

Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue received Malaythong Kommasith, President of the State Audit Organisation of Laos, in Vientiane on May 16 afternoon as part of his official visit to the neighbouring country.

Hue expressed his pleasure to meet Malaythong, affirming his interest in the state audit sector as one who have many experience in the field.

Malaythong also expressed his honour to meet with Hue, mentioning his appreciation for many important initiatives of the latter while still holding the position of State Auditor General of Vietnam, such as the rotating mechanism to organise meetings of audit agencies of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam (CLV); putting many cooperation contents between the two state audit agencies of Vietnam and Laos into the content of joint cooperation between the two governments; creating favourable conditions for many delegations of the State Audit Office of Vietnam to come to Laos to share valuable experience, contributing to the development of the relationship between the two audit agencies.

Malaythong announced that in July 2021, the President of the State Audit of Laos had an online meeting with the State Auditor General of Vietnam to review and re-evaluate the cooperation between the two agencies over the past time, through which the two sides agreed to continue promoting cooperation in training auditors, cooperation in improving audit and post-audit quality in the coming time.

The two sides will also work to develop a cooperation agreement, promoting the exchange of delegations, training and experience sharing on modernising the audit work.

On the occasion of the Laos-Vietnam, Vietnam-Laos Year of Solidarity and Friendship 2022 to celebrate 60 years of establishing diplomatic relations and 45 years of signing the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation between the two countries, the two state audit agencies also expected to organise many activities.

Hue suggested that in the coming time, the two state audit agencies of Vietnam and Laos should further enhance cooperation contents and comprehensive forms in order to continue to improve organisational capacity and professional expertise at each agency, to become model agencies at INTOSAI, ASOSAI, ASEANSAI.

He also conveyed an invitation to visit Vietnam from Auditor General of the State Audit Office of Vietnam Tran Sy Thanh to President of the State Audit Organisation of Laos Malaythong Kommasith.

Also on May 16, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue met former Prime Minister, former Chairman of the National Assembly of Laos Thongsing Thammavong.

He conveyed the regards from Vietnam’s Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to the Lao former leader, affirming that Thongsing is a close friend of Vietnam who had made many contributions to strengthening and developing the relationship between the two National Assemblies and the two countries. 

Hue said he hopes that Thongsing will continue his contributions to his country's development as well as further promote the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

For his part, the Lao former leader spoke highly of the significance of Hue’s visit and expressed his expectation that the National Assembly of Vietnam will continue to share experiences with the National Assembly of Laos, contributing to strengthening the relationship between the two legislative bodies. 

He also highly valued the workshop on sharing experiences on mechanisms and policies for socio-economic recovery and development after the COVID-19 pandemic which was jointly held by the two national assemblies and said he hopes similar seminars will be held in the future.

Two British tourists killed in motorbike crash in Hoi An: Police

Two British tourists, a man and a woman, died in a motorbike crash in the central city Hội An (Quảng Nam Province) early Monday morning, police have confirmed.

Đinh Xuân Nghĩ, head of the city’s police, said the accident occurred at 3:40am in front of a residential house at No.208 Hùng Vương Street, Thanh Hà District.

The two were travelling on one motorbike when the accident happened.

The victims have been identified as Denver Christopher Marcus (born in 1997) and Thompson Peth May (born in 1998), both UK nationals, who were staying at a hotel on Cửa Đại Street.

Nghĩ said their motorbike crashed into a power pole on the side of the road while they were driving from Hội An City to Điện Bàn Commune (also in Quảng Nam Province).

Whether the two were driving under influence would need forensic appraisal, but this procedure would require the input from the UK embassy, according to the city’s police chief.

The case has been transferred to the province-level police to carry out further investigations.

Quảng Nam Province’s Department of Foreign Affairs were contacting the UK embassy for related issues, he noted.

The bodies of the two victims are being kept at Quảng Nam Province General Hospital. 

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