The Hue Monuments Conservation Centre recently opened a green tourism route, through which eco-friendly vehicles tour the Gia Long Tomb area. The site is suitable for developing into a green heritage destination thanks to its ecological landscape and unique heritage value.

The Hue Monuments Conservation Centre has put clean water refilling stations into operation at several heritage sites around Hue, which has significantly reduced the amount of plastic bottles and waste.

The former imperial capital is set to develop additional routes and tours associated with green tourism to ensure that it lives up to its recently-received award as an “ASEAN Clean Tourist City” in January in Laos.

UNESCO recognises Thua Thien-Hue as a leading locality in heritage preservation in Vietnam. Apart from the efforts of the local government, it is also expected that more visitors will further elevate the value of local tourism and heritage sites./.

Over 116kg of waste collected seabed near Ly Son Island

The Management Board of Ly Son Marine Reserve (Quang Ngai Province) launched a campaign to gather and treat ocean waste harming the coral reefs here.

In response to the International Biodiversity Day on May 22 and the World Environment Day on June 5 and in combination with the current program to reduce plastic waste on the ocean, the staff in Ly Son Marine Reserve have undertaken a series of meaningful activities, including collecting ocean waste as well as catching and destroying harmful organisms to the coral reefs in the area.

Out of the total length of more than 300m in Ly Son Marine Reserve, the campaign has been carried out at the three coral reefs of Nam Ran Go An Vinh, Lang, Tro Hon.

Two days ago, the diving teams gathered, classified, and treated over 116kg of waste, including used nets, belts, soft drink cans and bottles, beet cans, truck tires, used clothes, fishing lines, packaging, plastic pipes.

The teams also caught and destroyed dangerous agents to coral reefs like ramose murex, common egg cowrie, crown-of-thorns starfish.

The Management Board of Ly Son Marine Reserve asks that local fishermen, members of fishing vessels, tourists experiencing marine-related activities, vehicles transporting goods and passengers at sea raise their awareness of environmental protection in sea areas.

Rescued Javan pangolin in Quang Nam gives birth after six months

After birth, the baby Javan pangolin receives meticulous care, including specialized nutrition and close monitoring to ensure its healthy development.

On May 24, the leader of Quang Nam Province's Department of Natural Resources and Environment reported that a Javan pangolin individual rescued and nurtured at the Vinpearl River Safari Nam Hoi An Animal Rescue Center had successfully given birth.

Accordingly, the Javan pangolin was discovered in a severely injured state on December 13, 2023, by the Forest Protection Unit of Tien Phuoc District, Quang Nam Province. It was subsequently transferred to the center to ensure proper care and rehabilitation.

According to Mr. Le Viet Cuong, Head of the Animal Care Department at the Center, caring for the severely injured Javan pangolin caught in a trap posed significant challenges. During the rescue operation, the center conducted a scan of the pangolin to aid in treatment and discovered that it was possibly pregnant, although there were no clear signs.

The pangolin individual resides in a simulated natural habitat, featuring soil, vegetation, and hiding spots to ensure the animal feels secure and at ease. On May 13, during a routine health check, the caretakers found that the pangolin had given birth to a newborn.

"After birth, the baby Javan pangolin receives meticulous care, including specialized nutrition and close monitoring to ensure its healthy development. The baby Javan pangolin is regularly weighed and undergone medical assessments. As of now, the newborn pangolin has gained 34 grams, weighing a total of 211 grams."

Before that, on January 22, 2023, the center celebrated the birth of a Javan pangolin offspring from an individual rescued on August 25, 2022, by the Nam Giang District Police (Quang Nam Province).

UNDP says political commitments needed for green economy

Strong political commitment from governments and active private sector engagement are critical for achieving a green and resilient economy, according to UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Việt Nam Patrick Haverman.

“Green recovery and green economy efforts must be vigorously pursued at national, regional and global levels, guided by the SDGs and the Paris Agreement,” he said while speaking at the South-South Lessons Learned Workshop on Aligning Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) with Green Recovery in the central province of Thừa Thiên-Huế.

In response to the dual challenges of recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing climate change, the alignment of NDCs with green recovery strategies has become a vital pathway for sustainable development.

To support this goal, the UNDP initiated a targeted support project for five pilot countries — Benin, Albania, Ecuador, Việt Nam and Jordan.

The workshop, which takes place from Wednesday to Friday, brings together government officials and UNDP international experts from the five countries as well as other Vietnamese representatives.

It aims to share insights and lessons learned from the pilot countries on integrating NDCs with green recovery initiatives.

Other objectives include identifying best practices and challenges in aligning NDCs with sustainable economic recovery efforts, exploring opportunities for applying the lessons learned in future programming and policy-making, and developing networks for South-South cooperation on NDCs and sustainable development.

The initiative focuses on leveraging the NDC enhancement and implementation process to foster a recovery that is robust, equitable and sustainable, highlighting the importance of the Paris Agreement and its instruments, such as NDCs, National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Long-Term Strategies (LTS).

The pilot countries have undertaken various initiatives, including policy alignment, financial strategies, capacity building and knowledge sharing to integrate NDCs into their green recovery efforts.

In addition to deep-dive sessions on aligning NDC policy measures with post COVID-19 recovery plans and NDC finance with recovery finance, the workshop also includes sessions on enhancing gender responsiveness and inclusivity in green recovery efforts.

Hoàng Hải Minh, deputy chairman of Thừa Thiên-Huế Province People’s Committee, said: “With the cooperation and support of UNDP, Thừa Thiên-Huế has achieved positive results in green energy conversion, reducing carbon and methane emissions in the transportation sector.

“Some projects include the pilot ‘Support for providing preferential loans for individuals to purchase electric vehicles’ for people in Thừa Thiên-Huế Province; deploying six electric trucks at a pilot waste collection site in Huế City funded by UNDP; researching and testing green transportation policy for shippers delivering goods by motorbike in Huế City; and installing solar panel systems for electric vehicle charging stations.”

Workshop participants are scheduled to visit various sites in Huế City, including Vietnam Motorcycle Ltd., where they will see the electric vehicle fleet supported by UNDP. They will also visit Huế Environment and Urban Works JSC to learn about solar battery stations and electric garbage trucks funded by the Japanese government and UNDP.

Additional stops include the Institute of Development Studies of Thừa Thiên-Huế Province and a shared bicycle station promoting environmentally friendly transport options.

The tour concludes at the Gia Long Mausoleum, where participants will experience the electric vehicle and bicycle systems used for site visits. 

Vietnamese women's volleyball team defeats Singapore

The Vietnamese women's volleyball team continued their winning streak in Group B of 2024 Asian Women's Volleyball Challenge Cup, with their victory over Singapore's women's team being unsurprising.

On the afternoon of May 23 in the Philippines, the Vietnamese women's volleyball team played their second group stage match in Group B, facing off against Singapore.

In theory, Singapore's women's volleyball team is not a particularly strong opponent for the Vietnamese team. Nevertheless, coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet and the coaching staff remained cautious and respectful, ensuring a solid lineup. Once again, outside hitter Tran Thi Thanh Thuy did not take the court. However, hitters Hoang Thi Kieu Trinh, Nguyen Thi Tra My, and Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen were assigned the responsibility of scoring points by coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet.

Besides them, at certain points, outside hitters Vi Thi Nhu Quynh and Tran Tu Linh were brought in to bolster the strength of the Vietnamese women's team. Throughout the match, setter Vo Thi Kim Thoa safely distributed the ball to the outside and middle hitters, allowing Vietnamese players to make precise attacks.

In the first set, coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet's players secured a quick victory with a score of 25-8. In the second set, the Singaporean team showed more enthusiasm and determination, making it challenging for the Vietnamese blockers. At the crucial moment of the set, Bich Tuyen made a precise spike to secure a 29-27 win. The third set concluded with a decisive 25-10 victory for the Vietnamese women's volleyball team, resulting in a 3-0 overall win.

Facing a relatively weak opponent, coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet rotated players to allow more team members to play. This strategy helps each player gain a better feel for the game. In an earlier match, Hong Kong's women's volleyball team (China) defeated Indonesia 3-0. With two consecutive wins, Vietnam temporarily leads Group B. On May 24, the Vietnamese women's volleyball team will face Kazakhstan.

National beach volleyball tourney kicks off in Phu Yen

The 2024 National Beach Volleyball Championships officially kicked off in Tuy Hoa city of the central coastal province of Phu Yen on May 24.

The tournament, organised by the Vietnam Volleyball Federation and the Phu Yen provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, attracted the participation of 200 male and female athletes and coaches of 13 teams from across the country.

The teams divided into six groups are playing in a round-robin format in order to select the top two men’s and the top two women’s teams in the final round.

The competition aims to promote volleyball among young people and to select promising young talents for the national youth team.

It will also serve to create a golden opportunity for Phu Yen to promote its image as a safe, beautiful, and friendly destination to both domestic and foreign friends.

The 2024 National Beach Volleyball Championships is scheduled to last until May 27.

Vietnam’s bamboo diplomacy gains Russian scholars’ interest

Vietnam’s bamboo diplomacy drew attention of Russian researchers on Vietnamese studies at a conference held by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) on May 22.

Participants in the event, themed “Vietnam in a Multipolar World: Approaches, Challenges and Prospects”, discussed the concept of “bamboo diplomacy" in Vietnam, new directions of the Vietnamese foreign policy, the country’s relations with strategic partners, its political and socio-economic development, as well as current aspects of Russian-Vietnamese cooperation.

Speaking at the conference, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Phan Anh Son briefed participants on the foreign policy that Vietnam is pursuing, which is independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralisation and diversification of foreign relations; to be a friend, a trustworthy partner and an active and responsible member of the international community; to stay steadfast in principles and goals while being flexible and smart in strategies; and to harmoniously combine the Party, state and people's external affairs.

Responding to scholars' questions about how Vietnam chooses to join international organisations, Son affirmed that following the above-mentioned principle, Vietnam will never join any organisation that hinders the development of other countries, but it has always helped others, including close neighbours, integrate into international organisations.

Talking to Vietnam News Agency, Deputy Director of the MGIMO’s ASEAN Centre Valeria Vershinina said that in just the last few years, Vietnam has upgraded its relations with several powers, especially the US, to the highest level of comprehensive strategic partnership. Meanwhile, Vietnam and Russia are still maintaining their highest-level relationship successfully.

This shows that Vietnam's bamboo diplomacy is multi-dimensional and aims to maintain the country's influence and pro-activeness despite ongoing conflicts in the Asia-Pacific region as well as others in the world, she added.

For his part, Vladimir Mazyrin, Director of the Vietnam - ASEAN Research Centre at the Russian Academy of Science, held that Vietnam's philosophy of bamboo diplomacy is new and more reasonable than other countries' in the same region.

Bamboo diplomacy is not only a work methodology for Vietnam's diplomatic sector but also a right political choice in the current context, and this policy reflects Vietnamese leaders' research efforts and creativity, he added.

The concept of "bamboo diplomany", first mentioned by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the 29th Diplomatic Conference on August 22, 2016, has become known in Russia inthe past few years and attracted growing attention.

Counsellor of the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia Doan Khac Hoang expressed his belief that better understanding of Vietnam’s foreign policy will help future diplomats take the first steps properly and in a right direction to build up and develop relations between the two countries./.

Vietnam, Finland discuss ways to boost labour cooperation

Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Le Tan Dung held a working session with Finnish Ambassador to Vietnam Keijo Norvanto in Hanoi on May 23, during which they discussed measures to promote cooperation in vocational education and sending Vietnamese workers to Finland.

Dung proposed Norvanto continue to act as a bridge to coordinate and step up cooperation activities in vocational education such as building and developing training institutions of Finland, establishing a quality assessment system that meets international standards, connecting Vietnamese vocational education institutions with Finnish businesses in Vietnam, enhancing the capacity of management officials and teachers, and selecting support for technology transfer and training courses aligned with Finland's key strengths.

While acknowledging the absence of a formal labour cooperation agreement between the two countries, Dung highlighted the recent trend of receiving Vietnamese guest workers to Finland, saying that since late 2023, about 20 Vietnamese workers have secured jobs in various sectors, including nursing, welding and forestry.

Amid the labour shortage caused by an aging population and a low birth rate, Norvanto said the Finnish Government launched the pilot Talent Boost Programme to attract workers, experts and entrepreneurs during 2020-2022 to draw 50,000 immigrants for employment to Finland by 2030 and 250,000 by 2050.

Vietnam, alongside Brazil, India, and Turkey, has been identified as a key source country for this initiative, he said.

He urged the Vietnamese Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) to prioritise strengthening bilateral labour cooperation, specifically by expeditiously studying and signing a Memorandum of Understanding outlining a framework for Vietnamese labourers working in Finland.

With the upcoming visit of the Finnish Minister of Employment to Vietnam in January 2025, he expressed his desire for close collaboration between MoLISA and the Finnish Embassy to solidify cooperation plans./.

HCM City partners German firms in vocational training, labour export

Le Van Thinh, Director of Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, and Tran Thanh Hai, Principal of Vien Dong College, have signed a commitment with several German enterprises to increase skilled young labourers for the college and to train young talents in line with German standards for the labour market in both countries.

The signing ceremony in May 22 was part of the working trip of representatives from the municipal People’s Committee to Germany to explore opportunities on transferring vocational education and training programmes at college and intermediate levels from Germany in the field of healthcare.

Under the commitment, Avestos HR UG of Germany will provide vocational training for students and assist skilled workers to integrate into the German labour market, and support in protecting their rights in Germany as defined by the programme.

Avestos also cooperate with Devis Company of Vietnam to fulfil conditions stipulated in the internship/skilled worker contract.

Meanwhile, the Vien Dong College is responsible for coordinating with Devis to provide career consultation to high school students in HCM City, and take responsibility for support programmes for its students.

The education establishment will also collaborate with relevant departments and agencies to offer recommendations to the municipal People's Committee, creating favourable conditions for sending students from HCM City to Germany for training, studying, and working.

The working trip aimed to understand the quality assurance activities according to German standards for vocational education institutions, the scope of assessment by accreditation agencies (inside and outside the scope of Germany), the acceptance of the quality assessment results of other countries, and the methods and costs of quality assurance assessments; and to learn about how vocational education institutions collaborate with businesses throughout the training process.

The delegation visited several models of elderly care centres, specialised techniques related to elderly care work.

During their stay, the delegation worked with representatives from the Consulate General of Vietnam in Frankfurt, Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, the Azurit nursing home in Hesse, the AWO company specialising in nursing centres and schools for the elderly in Thuringia state, and the VTT company operating in teaching German to Vietnamese people in Berlin./.

Quang Binh holds memorial, reburial services for martyrs' remains

A memorial and reburial ceremony was held at the Ba Doc martyrs' cemetery in Bo Trach district, the central province of Quang Binh, on May 23 for the remains of 16 Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who fell down in Lao battlefields during wartime.

The ceremony drew Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Vo Minh Luong, representatives of the Quang Binh provincial People’s Committee, the Military Region 4 High Command and the Lao province of Khammouane, along with local people.

They offered incense and flowers to the martyrs, showing gratitude to the ones who laid down their lives for the independence and reunification of Vietnam, as well as the liberation of Laos.

The remains were discovered and gathered during the 2023-2024 dry season by Team 589 under the Quang Binh Military Command with support from the authorities and people of Khammouane province.

The ceremony is the 45th of its kind that Quang Binh has organised to receive the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts repatriated from Laos./.

Mine action for Korea-Vietnam peace village project launched

The mine action for the Republic of Korea (RoK) - Vietnam peace village project, which covers the central provinces of Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Ngai and Binh Dinh, was launched in Binh Dinh on May 23.

Jointly implemented by the Vietnam National Mine Action Centre (VNMAC), the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the UN Development Programme, the project will run until December 2026 at a total cost of over 14 million USD from non-refundable aid provided by the RoK Government.

It aims to cope with consequences of bombs and mines left by the war, protect civilians, promote socioeconomic development of the localities and serve the building of rural communities of harmony, safety, prosperity and climate change resilience.

The project will focus on conducting technical surveys on 15,000 hectares of land and clear about 6,000 hectares of UXO and explosive-contaminated areas in the three provinces.

It will support UXO victims and persons with disabilities in the covered localities, while enhancing the capacity of officials at all levels in the field, and helping complete mechanisms, policies and social solutions to assist UXO victims and the disabled.

Addressing the launching ceremony, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Binh Dinh Nguyen Tu Cong Hoang said that 250,000 hectares, or 40% of the province’s natural area are polluted by post-war bombs, mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO).

Thanks to a cooperation project between Vietnam and the RoK that was implemented in 2018-2021, more than 4,200 hectares of UXO-contaminated land of Binh Dinh were cleared, and 69,000 UXOs of all kinds were collected and deactivated. Currently, more than 26,800 people affected by UXO in the province are in need of support, Hoang said.

Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defence, said that once completed, the project will help people in areas contaminated with bombs, mines and explosives in the three provinces to be safe during their production and daily life.

Along with the completion of three component projects implemented by the People's Committees of the three provinces, many communities and bomb and mine victims living in Hoa Binh (peace) villages will receive support in human and livelihood development, thus making an important contribution to the socio-economic development of the localities.

He asked VNMAC to continue coordinating closely with KOICA and UNDP with the highest sense of responsibility, ensuring the effective implementation of all project activities as scheduled with the utmost safety.

Earlier, VNMAC, KOICA and UNDP jointly implemented the Korea-Vietnam Mine Action Project (KVMAP) which successfully cleared nearly 17,000 hectares of UXO-polluted land in Quang Binh and Binh Dinh provinces, enhance the capacity of more than 450,000 locals in preventing UXO accidents, and support 1,000 UXO victims./.

National park releases rare wild animals back to the wild

The Wildlife Rescue Centre at the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in the central province of Quang Binh on May 23 said that it has released 17 rescued rare animals back to the wild.

Specifically, the wild animals released were three pig-tailed macaques (Macaca leonina), a northern yellow-headed box turtle, a keeled box turtle (Cuora mouhotii), an oldham’s leaf turtle (Cyclemys oldhamii), a wild cat, two pygmy lorises (Nycticebus pygmaeus), a palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), four civet cats (Viverricula indica), two earth pythons, and one hoary bamboo rat (Rhizomys pruinosus).

The animals are all on the list of endangered, precious, and rare animal species in Decree No. 84/2021/ND-CP of the Government on management of endangered forest plants and animals and implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

They were taken from the Hanoi Wildlife Rescue Centre to the rescue centre under the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Management Board where they were cared for and rehabilitated to restore their natural behaviour before being released back into nature./.

Vietnam Day held at Moscow university

The Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) on May 22 organised a Vietnam Day, which drew the participation of not only Vietnamese students but also their international peers, and scholars.

With the support of the Vietnamese Embassy, the ASEAN Centre in MGIMO and Vietnamese associations in Russia, the programme, in its 9th edition, featured diverse activities, including a photo exhibition on the 70th anniversary of the Geneva Accords, symposiums on Vietnam-Russia relations, and art performances.
Vietnamese calligraphy and Dong Ho paintings, a unique Vietnamese art that carries the nation's traditional values, were also introduced to foreign friends on this occasion.

Rector of MGIMO Anatoly Torkunov praised the Vietnamese people, nature and traditional cuisine, and expressed his belief that MGIMO students will contribute to Vietnam’s diplomatic sector.

Vietnamese Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi said the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership is developing fruitfully, highlighting contributions by Vietnamese scholars graduating from the university.

The programme has opened up a series of events on Vietnam at universities in Moscow./.

Deputy minister requires strict handling of violations of vessel monitoring system regulations

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien on May 23 emphasised the management of the fishing fleet, traceability, and strict administrative punishment for violations of regulations on the vessel monitoring system (VMS) as the key issues in ending illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing while addressing an online conference on May 23.

The conference was held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) to implement Dispatch No. 49/CD-TTg on detecting and handling violations of the VMS regulations.

Tien said in a recent working session between a MARD delegation and the European Commission (EC), the EC pointed to limitations during the implementation of the VMS regulations in localities, despite adequate legal documents and strong political determination in Vietnam.

It is a must to strictly handle violations of VMS regulations, especially those committed by above-15m-long boats, the official said, noting that merely commitments or warnings are not accepted by the EC.

Ha Le, Director of the Fisheries Information Centre under the MARD’s Directorate of Fisheries, said as of May 21, 2024, up to 98.25% of boats measuring at least 15m long had been equipped with VMS devices.

However, only about 60% of them maintain daily connection, he said, adding that many vessels have disconnected since 2019, which has hampered monitoring efforts by competent forces.

He also pointed to shortcomings in the handling of such violations, the loose coordination between forces in localities, along with wrongdoings by VMS suppliers.

Director of the Fisheries Resources Surveillance Department Nguyen Quang Hung asked localities to review and dispose vessels no longer operational, and take more drastic actions in investigating and handling violations./.

Vietnam calls for cooperation in protection, use of transboundary water resources

Vietnam, Slovenia, Switzerland, several other United Nations (UN) member states and international organisations on May 23 jointly organised an event on preventing attacks on water resources in armed conflicts and enhancing civilian protection.

Held within the UN Protection of Civilians Week, the event saw many representatives lauding the importance of Resolution 2573, which is on protecting objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, to the protection of water systems and infrastructure. The document was initiated by Vietnam during its non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for 2020 - 2021.

In his remarks, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, outlined several proposals by the Southeast Asian nation for better protecting water resources in armed conflicts.

He said addressing the root causes of conflicts is the best way to protect civilians and water resources, with the Security Council playing a crucial role. Resolution 2573 is one of the significant initiatives in this regard and its implementation needs to be strengthened.

All parties involved in armed conflicts must adhere to international law and international humanitarian law and be held accountable for attacks on water resources and water infrastructure, he noted.

The diplomat went on to stress a need to prioritise stronger cooperation in protecting and sustainably using transboundary water resources to ensure effective and equitable management of the shared resources, maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for sustainable development, and preventing conflicts. The UN and regional mechanisms have a vital role to play in promoting dialogue and joint work among countries for common development and prosperity./.

World leaders congratulate Vietnam’s new leaders

Leaders of Russia, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, Palestine and Sri Lanka have sent congratulatory messages and letters to To Lam on his election as the President of Vietnam by the 15th National Assembly.

Russian President Vladimir Putin underlined the dynamic development of the Vietnam-Russia relationship in the spirit of the comprehensive strategic partnership and hoped that in his capacity as President, Lam will continue promoting bilateral constructive cooperation in all fields, benefiting both nations and strengthening security and stability in the Asia-Pacific.

Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah expressed his desire to further strengthen and deepen the friendship and long-term cooperation between the two countries, both bilaterally and as close partners within ASEAN.

Letters of congratulations were also sent by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State of Palestine and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation Mahmoud Abbas, and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh and Chairman of the Mongolian Parliament Gombojav Zandanshatar sent congratulatory letters to President To Lam and Chairman of the Vietnamese NA Tran Thanh Man.

The Mongolian leaders expressed their readiness to work closely with Vietnamese leaders to strengthen bilateral relations and traditional friendship in all areas, meeting the interests of both Mongolian and Vietnamese people.

They also extended invitations to President Lam and NA Chairman Man to visit Mongolia, aiming to elevate the bilateral relationship on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year.

UN Secretary-General extends congratulations to new President

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has asked Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, to convey his congratulations to General To Lam on his election as the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

During his phone talks with Giang on May 23, Guterres expressed his belief that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), the State and President Lam, Vietnamese people will reap more achievements across all spheres, particularly the implementation of sustainable development goals (SDGs).

The Secretary-General affirmed that the UN will continue to be a reliable partner of Vietnam in its cause of national development.

Guterres also noted his hope to meet Lam in the time ahead to further promote the good relations between Vietnam and the UN, while appreciating the Southeast Asian nation’s remarkable socio-economic achievements as well as its contributions to the handling of global issues at UN forums.

On this occasion, the two sides compared notes on the international situation, newly-emerging issues at the UN, and solutions to raise the operational efficiency of the UN system.

Australia launches next phase of support for women’s economic empowerment in Vietnam

The Australian Embassy in Vietnam on May 22 announced the launch of the next phase of Investing in Women (IW), an Australian Government initiative supporting women’s economic empowerment in Southeast Asia.

Established in 2016, IW targets barriers to women’s economic engagement, while fostering an environment for women to thrive in the workplace and succeed in business.

“With our renewed support for the Investing in Women initiative, Australia reaffirms our commitment to advancing gender equality and accelerating inclusive economic opportunities in Vietnam and the region,” said Andrew Goledzinowski, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam.

Australia’s Ambassador for Gender Equality, Stephanie Copus Campbell AM, offered the following remarks during her official visit to Vietnam.

“It has been truly inspiring to learn about Vietnam’s progress in accelerating women’s economic empowerment. Australia is proud to work with Vietnam on this journey towards equality, paving the way for a more inclusive future that harnesses the talents and contributions of all.”

At the launch ceremony, representatives from private sector companies, development organisations and academia discussed the trends, priorities, and collective action needed to drive gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in Vietnam.

To date, Investing in Women has provided technical support to the Government of Vietnam for the gender-transformative Labour Code of 2019, supported local partners to deliver campaigns promoting positive examples of gender equality, and collaborated with impact investors to support women-led small to medium enterprises.

Investing in Women will build on the momentum achieved, with a focus on advancing workplace gender equality, expanding the care economy, supporting campaigns on gender equality at work and at home, and fostering gender lens investing.

Investing in Women is a multi-country Australian Government initiative in Southeast Asia that seeks to accelerate women’s economic empowerment. With a focus on addressing structural barriers, the initiative supports women to thrive in the workplace and succeed in business, fostering inclusive economic growth and development.

Vietnam calls for cooperation in protection, use of transboundary water resources

Vietnam, Slovenia, Switzerland, several other United Nations (UN) member states and international organisations on May 23 jointly organised an event on preventing attacks on water resources in armed conflicts and enhancing civilian protection.

Held within the UN Protection of Civilians Week, the event saw many representatives lauding the importance of Resolution 2573, which is on protecting objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, to the protection of water systems and infrastructure. The document was initiated by Vietnam during its non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for 2020 - 2021.

In his remarks, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, outlined several proposals by the Southeast Asian nation for better protecting water resources in armed conflicts.

He said addressing the root causes of conflicts is the best way to protect civilians and water resources, with the Security Council playing a crucial role. Resolution 2573 is one of the significant initiatives in this regard and its implementation needs to be strengthened.

All parties involved in armed conflicts must adhere to international law and international humanitarian law and be held accountable for attacks on water resources and water infrastructure, he noted.

The diplomat went on to stress a need to prioritise stronger cooperation in protecting and sustainably using transboundary water resources to ensure effective and equitable management of the shared resources, maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for sustainable development, and preventing conflicts. The UN and regional mechanisms have a vital role to play in promoting dialogue and joint work among countries for common development and prosperity./.

Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An marks 15th anniversary of world biosphere reserve status

A ceremony was held by the People’s Committee of Hoi An city, the central province of Quang Nam, on May 23 to mark 15 years since Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An was recognised as a world biosphere reserve by UNESCO.

Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An was granted the status by the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Programme of UNESCO on May 26, 2009 thanks to its unique and typical values that cannot be found anywhere else among the 11 world biosphere reserves in Vietnam at present.

Among those prominent values, the site, established in 2006, is part of the system of national-level protected areas. It features Hoi An Ancient Town – a cultural heritage site recognised by UNESCO in 1999, a nipa palm forest ecosystem in the mouth of the Thu Bon River, a special-use forest on Cu Lao Cham Island, a coastal protection forest system, and traditional craft villages with outstanding tangible and intangible cultural values associated with the land and people of Hoi An throughout history.

According to UNESCO, this biosphere reserve is a typical and the clearest demonstration of the connection and harmony between the nature and humans. Located in the downstream Thu Bon River and linked with Cu Lao Cham archipelago, it is home to all representatives of natural ecosystems along river branches, in coastal areas, and on islands around Hoi An Ancient Town.

The world biosphere reserve title is the international community’s recognition of Hoi An city’s remarkable efforts in preserving and bringing into play values of natural and human resources on the path to sustainable development.

On this occasion, visitors to Cu Lao Cham between May 22 - June 3 have a chance to experience diverse and special activities such as a photo exhibition on the reserve’s biodiversity and nature protection efforts, a music show, and local traditional crafts./.

Vietnamese, Czech communist parties eye to strengthen relations

Chairwoman of the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM) of the Czech Republic Katerina Konecna has asserted her support for further strengthening the bilateral relations with Vietnam, as the two countries are looking forward to the 75th founding anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations (February 2, 1950 - 2025).

In a recent interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, the official highlighted the long-lasting and good relationship between the two countries, saying that the Czech Republic was one of the first countries in the world to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam, and even before that, it supported Vietnam's struggle for national liberation.

Throughout the history, the relationship between the two countries has always developed dynamically and comprehensively, she said.

According to Konecna, one of the foundations for strengthening bilateral relations is the mutual respect of sovereignty and choice of social models, including differences in history and culture, thus paving the way for enhancing the win-win cooperation based on the demands and capabilities of the two nations.

She stated that as a member of the European Parliament (EP), she personally always supports strengthening the relationship between the European Union (EU) and Vietnam.

In the overall bilateral relationship, she valued the long-standing tradition of the relationship between the KSCM and the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), saying that the two parties share a common belief in building a socialist society with the unique identities of each nation.

She affirmed the CPV’s role in the struggle for national liberation and reunification, and as well as the ongoing national construction and defence efforts.

Konecna spoke highly of the Vietnamese community’s integration into Czech society, and the fact that hundreds of thousands of people in Vietnam still maintain ties with the Czech Republic. She emphasised that the KSCM supports the recognition of the Vietnamese community as an ethnic minority group in the country more than 10 years ago.

In mid-April, during a meeting with Vietnamese Ambassador to the Czech Republic Duong Hoai Nam, Konecna evaluated the political and diplomatic relations between the two countries, stressing that the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation have been maintained and developed by leaders of both nations over nearly 75 years.

She affirmed KSCM’s consistent policy of promoting traditional relations with communist parties around the world, of which the CPV is one of the priority partners in the foreign policy of the KSCM.

Vietnam puts forward initiatives to promote Asia’s role and sustainable development

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai delivered a speech at the 29th Future of Asia Forum in Tokyo, Japan, on May 23, putting forward a number of initiatives to promote Asia’s role and sustainable development amidst global complications.

He said Asia remains a dynamic and steady growth region, citing the fact that after each crisis in the past three decades, Asia has overcome difficulties, resolved challenges, developed more strongly and truly become a role model of development with pioneers and leaders in many new fields.

To promote its role and development in the future, he said it’s necessary for Asia to maintain a peaceful and stable environment as a premise for cooperation and development, while respecting the United Nations Charter and international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

In his viewpoint, benefits from trade and investment liberalization are distributed widely and equally among countries, and countries uphold multilateralism and take a global, all-people, comprehensive approach in solving common challenges.

The Deputy Prime Minister called on regional partners to promote and strengthen the adaptive capacity and resilience of Asian economies and businesses. According to him, through multilateral frameworks, regional economies need to increase information sharing, coordinate macro policies, and promptly promote regional and inter-regional economic cooperation initiatives.

Cooperation on food security, energy security, cyber security and trade connections to diversify supply sources is necessary to contribute to strengthening the economic security of the Asian region, he stressed.

He also suggested bringing into full play resources to promote new growth drivers in the green economy and digital economy, saying regional economies need to prepare to welcome new development trends, such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and new energy; pilot and replicate green, circular, and sharing economy models; and enhance the implementation of regional initiatives such as Japan’s  Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) initiative; the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, the ASEAN Blue Economy Framework, and the ASEAN Strategy for Carbon Neutrality.

To do this, the Deputy Prime Minister requested that developed countries continue paying attention to and providing support to developing countries in terms of finance, technology transfer, and improving capacity building to implement commitments on green growth, emission reduction, climate change adaptation, and human resources training.

Amidst common challenges in the region, the Vietnamese leader called on businesses to accompany the governments in implementing its commitment to sustainable development, towards long-term economic, environmental and social goals. He underscored the need to increase investment in science - technology, and human capital, and in building inclusive, self-reliant communities, considering this an opportunity for Asian businesses to establish positions in global supply chains.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his hope that leaders would support youth exchange programmes to strengthen mutual understanding and build up trust for the next generations.

He also highly appreciated Japan’s role in shaping Asia’s future development, saying as one of the most developed economies in the region, Japan has made important contributions to regional cooperation and development over the past decades. He expected that Japan, with its advantages in capital, technology and governance, would continue to play a leading role in promoting regional economic cooperation and development, as well as supporting and accompanying partners in Asia and ASEAN on this journey.

At the meeting, Deputy PM Khai affirmed that Vietnam is part of the great Asian family, and it wishes to further promote its role as a good friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the region and the international community.

He briefed delegates on Vietnam’s recent development achievements and its policy line, saying the country is entering a new stage of development with the vision of becoming a developed economy by 2045.

To realise the goal, he said Vietnam focuses on implementing three strategic breakthroughs, namely economic institutions, infrastructure and human resources; steadfastly building an independent, self-reliant economy closely linked to deep, active and effective international integration; and persistently implementing the foreign policy line of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, along with multilateralization and diversification of foreign relations.

He also assured that the Government of Vietnam accompanies foreign investors to iron out snags for win-win results.

Deputy PM meets Cambodian, Singaporean counterparts in Tokyo

Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai met bilaterally with his Cambodian and Singaporean counterparts on May 23 during his working trip to Tokyo for the 29th International Conference on the Future of Asia.

Meeting Cambodian Deputy PM Sun Chanthol, Khai expressed his delight at the stable development of bilateral cooperation, especially in the economic aspect with a remarkable growth in two-way trade in the first quarter of this year.

He affirmed Vietnam's respect for Cambodia's legitimate interests in national construction and development, including the Funan Techo canal project, in line with the friendly relations and relevant regulations of the Mekong River Commission (MRC).

In this spirit, Khai urged Cambodia to continue collaborating closely with Vietnam and the MRC to share information and assess the project's impact on water resources and the eco-environment in the Mekong River basin. This, he stressed, is crucial for harmonising interests of riparian countries for the sustainable development of the basin and the well-being of its inhabitants.

Sun Chanthol, for his part, highlighted the need to further strengthen economic, trade and investment ties to achieve the goal of US$20 billion in two-way trade, adding that the Cambodian Government encourages Vietnamese investment in Cambodia.

Both leaders agreed to promote high-level visits and exchanges, including via the Party channel, and effectively implement existing agreements and cooperation mechanisms. They affirmed their high regard and priority for the fine neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive, sustainable and long-term cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Meeting with his Singaporean counterpart Gan Kim Yong, Khai congratulated Gan on his recent appointment. He believed that following the recent successful power transfer, the Singaporean Government and people will reap greater successes in national construction and development.

To elevate Vietnam-Singapore relations to a new level, Khai proposed further strengthening the implementation of the Vietnam-Singapore Economic Connectivity Agreement framework and the Digital Economy and Green Economy Partnership (GDEP) framework. He also called for attracting high-quality foreign investment in emerging technology sectors, transforming Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs) into smart, green and sustainable models, and fostering collaboration in education, training, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

The Vietnamese leader hoped that both countries would continue working closely together at international and regional forums such as ASEAN, the United Nations, and APEC. He also emphasised the need for a strong, united and resilient ASEAN Community to uphold its role and address regional issues.

Both sides acknowledged the positive outcomes of their cooperation, particularly in the economic sphere. They expressed a commitment to elevating their relationship to a new height, potentially setting a model for future ASEAN partnerships.

Gan underscored the potential for further economic cooperation, expressing a desire to expand collaboration not just in quantity but also in quality. Building upon the GDEP framework, he suggested the two sides explore and launch projects in emerging areas like electricity transmission, hydrogen energy, carbon credits and green finance.

On the occasion, Deputy PM Khai conveyed an invitation from Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh for a visit by Singaporean PM Lawrence Wong.

HCM City contest seeks innovative solutions for public administration

HCM City’s Department of Science and Technology on May 23 launched the Sài Gòn Govtech Challenge contest to find innovative solutions to improving the management of the government sector.

The contest's objective is to find models and solutions that use technology and digital transformation for managing the activities of government entities.

Individuals, groups and businesses with innovative solutions and models can take part.

Selected models and solutions will receive financial and incubation support.

Nguyễn Việt Dũng, director of the department, said the contest is not about what technology to use but how to solve specific problems faced by departments and localities.

“This is an opportunity for businesses that already have technology solutions, but have not found a market.”

The department will enable the practical application of winning solutions.

The evaluation criteria include high practical applicability, creativity, economic efficiency, and likely social impact.

The jury will comprise technology experts, and the contest will involve four rounds.

In the preliminary round, the candidates will get training in presentation skills to introduce their products and solutions to the jury.

Those that pass the preliminary round will go to the competition round and make a presentation to qualify for the incubation round.

In the incubation round, they can win cash prizes worth up to VNĐ80 million (US$3,395).

They will be trained, advised and assisted to connect with government agencies to understand their needs and perfect their solutions and models.

In the Demo Day round, the top 10 projects will be introduced to authorities for practical implementation.

Online registration is open until June 15 at govstar.dosthcmc@gmail.com . 

Chí Thạnh Railway Tunnel expected to reopen in the next three days following landslide incident

The Ministry of Transport says that provided the remains favourable, the landslide repairs at Chí Thạnh Railway Tunnel in the south-central province of Phú Yên can be completed quickly and the tunnel reopened within the next three days.

Repairs are underway at the Chí Thạnh tunnel, with nearly 100 workers actively pumping concrete to reinforce the landslide points, while no new soil and rock displacements have been observed inside the tunnel.

Speaking at the on-site inspection on Thursday, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyễn Danh Huy stated that Chí Thạnh Tunnel and other tunnels in the central region were built over a hundred years ago and have deteriorated.

However, due to the lack of investment funds, repairs and renovation of the tunnel faces many difficulties.

The cause of the landslide at Chí Thạnh Railway Tunnel has been identified as complicated geology and loose structures, while a road on top of the tunnel has caused structural damage.

Heavy rainfalls have reduced the physical and mechanical properties of the soil, triggering the landslide along a 325m railway tunnel section in Tuy An District and disrupting the North-South rail services.

The Ministry of Transport has instructed the Project Management Board No85, the project owner and the construction unit to closely coordinate with the Việt Nam Railway Corporation to carry out the repairs.

Construction forces must remain on-site around the clock to quickly address the landslide, ensuring worker safety throughout the process.

Despite the challenging conditions, repair work at Chí Thạnh Railway Tunnel is making significant progress.

At 10.30 am on Tuesday, a landslide occurred inside the tunnel, causing 30 cu.m of soil and rock to fall onto the track, covering part of the tunnel.

No trains were damaged, as the tunnel was already closed for reinforcement when the landslide occurred. Passengers were taken by bus to bypass the affected area.

Previously, the Bãi Gió railway tunnel in the Đèo Cả area of south-central province Khánh Hoà experienced a serious landslide, causing disruptions on the North-South railway route for nearly ten days. 

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