Vietnam and China on November 17 opened two temporary cross-border corridors to facilitate travel, trade and people-to-people exchanges.

The first route links Malipo county, Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous prefecture of southwest China's Yunnan province with Nghia Thuan commune, Quang Ba district, Ha Giang province of Vietnam.

The other connects China’s Yang Wan township with Bach Dich commune, Yen Minh district, Ha Giang province.

These are important border roads for residents on both sides of the border. The two routes will promote exchanges between people in the border areas of the two countries and cooperation between the Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous prefecture and Ha Giang province./.

Party chief requires high determination in streamlining political system

Party General Secretary To Lam on November 19 expressed his confidence that with a clear, forward-thinking mindset, coupled with strong determination and the unity of purpose and action, Vietnam will successfully reform its political system so as to lay a foundation for it to enter the new era of the nation's rise.

Chairing the first meeting of the central steering committee for reviewing the implementation of Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW, issued in 2017 by the 12th-tenure Party Central Committee, on several issues regarding the reform of the political system for greater efficiency, the Party chief, who is head of the committee, stressed that the review is a particularly important task, representing a revolution of streamlining the organisational apparatus; and the work must be carried out with the highest determination and drastic actions by the entire political system.

All-level Party committees and organisations, agencies, and departments, particularly leaders and heads of units, must set examples and take proactive roles in fulfilling their assigned tasks, prioritise key ones, and coordinate smoothly during the implementation.

The process must be carried out in an objective, democratic, scientific, specific, and thorough manner, with an open-minded approach that is closely aligned with the reality, Lam said, emphasising the need to identify weaknesses and shortcomings, as well as their causes; and adhere to the principles of the Party and its Political Platform and Charter, the Constitution, the law, and practical requirements.

The leader highlighted streamlining and restructuring the apparatus as a challenging, sensitive, and complex task, with a direct impact on individuals within each organisation, especially when it comes to proposing the dissolution or merger of certain agencies or organisations. Therefore, apart from solidarity, it requires Party members, officials, and civil servants to sacrifice their own interests for those of collectives.

He also stressed the need to effectively implement the political and ideological work, step up communications across the entire political system and society to raise public awareness of the policy, its goals, and relevant tasks.

Lam noted a harmonious approach to refine the organisational apparatus, alongside personnel restructuring to ensure that officials have the required qualities and competencies to perform their duties, with appropriate staffing levels.

The Party chief called for a strong reform of recruitment, training, promotion, appointment, rotation, and evaluation processes, with tangible outcomes, no "forbidden zones", and no exceptions.

Effective mechanisms must be put in place to filter out those who lack the necessary qualities, capabilities, or credibility, while identifying and utilising those with outstanding abilities, he added.

AI is core technology of 4th Industrial Revolution: Minister

Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung on November 19 emphasised that artificial intelligence (AI) is the core technology of the 4th Industrial Revolution, as important as the steam engine of the first Industrial Revolution, the power generator of the 2nd Industrial Revolution and the personal computer of the 3rd Industrial Revolution.

Speaking at the opening of the Vietnam International Digital Week 2024 (VIDW 2024), Hung said the world is still looking for breakthrough application of AI. Virtual assistants can be a breakthrough application of AI but they must be personal virtual assistants, customised for each individual and each organisation based on their own data and knowledge, he said.

The minister said that the annual VIDW will be an opportunity for management agencies, international organisations, associations, and global digital businesses to discuss, share, and establish partnerships and joining hands to build a sustainable digital world.

The VIDW is taking place in Ha Long city in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh from November 19-22 under the theme “Virtual Assistant”. It attracted about 600 representatives from domestic and international organisations and tech firms.

During the week, participants will focus on exchanging, discussing, sharing new practices, approaches and initiatives to expand cooperation between countries, organisations and businesses on promoting the development of AI and deploying virtual assistants, with priority topics including virtual assistant applications, AI governance, Open RAN, legal framework for 5G, digital infrastructure development and digital human resources.

Dang Xuan Phuong, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Quang Ninh province, said that Quang Ninh has been determined to strongly develop a digital economy to create a foundation for development and new growth values in economic and social sectors and fields.
Quang Ninh will strive to make digital economy account for about 35% of the province's gross regional domestic product by 2030, he added./.

Nearly 200 exhibitors to join Vietnam int’l defence expo

Nearly 200 exhibitors from 27 countries across the globe, including major powerhouses like China, France, Japan, the Republic of Korea, will attend the second Vietnam International Defence Expo slated for mid-December, heard a press conference in Hanoi on November 19.

The event, held by the Ministry of National Defence from December 19-22, is part of activities to celebrate the 80th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and the 35th anniversary of the All-people’s National Defence Day.

Domestic and foreign defence exhibitors will showcase military equipment and weaponry as well as technological solutions at the 100,000-square-meter expo.

Besides, the expo will feature a Vietnamese cultural space and an exhibition highlighting Vietnam’s achievements in building the armed forces and national defence, the tradition of the VPA, and the digital transformation results in several military agencies and enterprises.

The public will have free access from the afternoon of December 21 to December 22.

To date, 42 foreign delegations have officially registered to attend the expo.

Building on the success of its 2022 debut, the event aims at expanding international cooperation and defence relations while diversifying procurement channels and facilitating technology transfer in the area./.

Plastic camp to warn community against addiction to SUPs

The ‘Plastic Rehab Camp’ communication project has been initiated by Choice, a Vietnamese non-profit company, in Ho Chi Minh City to wean the community off using single-use plastic (SUP).

They want to change consumption habits and help build a more sustainable living environment.

Choice, which provides practical solutions and cost-effective services in environmental communications, education and sustainability consultancy, said the initiative is built with the slogan ‘Stop the plastic addiction, heal the planet’ in response to the alarming reality of plastic pollution.

“The project will help raise awareness about the harmful effects of plastic on health and the environment, and it is inspired by the model of recovery from bad habits (such as alcohol, tobacco and even sweets),” according to Choice’s statement.

“The ‘Plastic Rehab Camp’ emphasises the harm of ‘addiction’ to single-use plastic and practical solutions for ‘plastic rehab’ to change plastic consumption habits, contributing to reducing plastic pollution and protecting public health and the environment.”

The Plastic Rehab Camp event, which took place at the AEON MALL, in Tan Phu district of HCM City, offered an experiential space for self-assessing the level of ‘plastic addiction’, exploring information about plastic pollution and hands-on testing of ‘plastic rehab’ solutions.

Consul General of Canada in HCM City Annie Dubé said: "Plastic pollution is threatening our oceans, harming marine life and ultimately affecting our health. Reducing plastic is not just a trend but everyone's responsibility. I am delighted to witness the Plastic Rehab Camp inspiring people to take action and build a greener planet together."

The project has been working with Tiktok to promote a warning message: ‘Choose plastic addiction, choose danger’. It also shares regularly information and stories for ‘plastic rehab’ on Facebook.

Director of Choice, Tran Thanh Kim Tien said: "The transition from awareness to action is a long journey. The Plastic Rehab Camp project is expected to call for cooperation for a greener future, helping people recognise the problem and work together to find solutions.

"We need the joint efforts of the community and all stakeholders to achieve sustainable success."

The ‘Plastic Rehab Camp’ project has received support from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) and partners such as AEON MALL Tan Phu Celadon Shopping Centre, Lagom Vietnam and goodwill ambassadors through the TikTok platform, singers Du Uyen, Dao and Marko Nguyen./.

Long Sap–Pa Hang int'l border gate pair opens

The Long Sap (Vietnam) – Pa Hang (Laos) international border gate pair was officially launched with a ceremony held in Vietnam's Son La province on November 19.

The Long Sap border gate was established on March 1, 1990 according to the 1990 Vietnam - Laos Border Regulation Agreement. It is located in Phieng Cai hamlet, Long Sap commune, Moc Chau district, Son La province, while its Lao counterpart in Pa Hang hamlet, Sop Bau district, Houaphanh province.

On December 22, 2020, the Vietnamese Government issued a resolution to upgrade the Long Sap border gate to an international border gate. Subsequently, on December 31 the same year, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent an official diplomatic note to the Lao side, notifying them of the decision and suggesting Laos promptly advance the Pa Hang border gate to the status. On September 16, 2024, the Lao Government approved the project.

Speaking at the ceremony, Nguyen Minh Vu, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Border Committee of Vietnam, emphasised the significance of the international border gate pair, which is expected to facilitate exchange and development cooperation between Son La and Houaphanh provinces, thereby improving living standards of local residents and further strengthening their solidarity.

The official urged relevant agencies and local authorities in both nations to prioritise investment in socio-economic infrastructure in border areas and border gates, including the Long Sap–Pa Hang pair. He stressed that such efforts would bolster economic, trade, investment, and tourism cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos, regarded the inauguration as a vivid demonstration of the traditional friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive strategic comprehensive between the two countries. He noted that the event reflects the deep mutual trust and consensus between their leaders and citizens.

The official called for continued collaboration to maintain a shared border of peace, cooperation, and friendship. Such efforts, he added, would strengthen the special Vietnam-Laos relationship, ensuring its sustainability and growth for future generations.

Nguyen Dinh Viet, Chairman of the Son La provincial People’s Committee, noted Son La’s commitment to maximising the potential of this international border gate pair to serve local rapid and sustainable development and contribute to the Lao province’s sustainable growth. He stressed a vision for both provinces to integrate quickly, safely, and comprehensively into ASEAN and the international community, thereby actively strengthening and fostering the special friendship./.

Vietnamese, UK universities strengthen collaboration in teacher training

A delegation from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Education (HCMUE), led by its President, Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Son, visited the UK to advance cooperation in teacher training, teaching, scientific research, and gender equality promotion in education.

During the five-day working visit from November 11 to 16, the group attended a seminar on the Making Gender Equality Matter in Schools (MGEMS) project at Birmingham City University (BCU), and held a meeting with London South Bank University (LSBU). They also participated in the International Conference 2024 of the International Professional Development Association (IPDA), a UK-based education association with over 400 members from 25 countries.

On November 12, the delegation visited the LSBU and signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on bilateral cooperation in the presence of representatives from the Vietnamese Embassy. Discussions focused on potential collaborations, including joint academic programmes, teacher training partnerships, and the application of information technology in teaching. Plans for short-term courses on teaching and research skills lasting three to nine months were also explored. The LSBU’s side emphasised its commitment to expanding international collaboration with a focus on Southeast Asia, identifying Vietnam as a potential destination.

The MoU saw the two universities affirming their commitment to working together in the areas of student exchange, short-term study programmes, faculty and expert exchange, digital resource sharing, and professional development programs. Additionally, they pledged to foster academic and cultural exchanges.

The visit is part of the British Council’s broader Going Global Partnerships initiative, supporting the HCMUE’s strategy to diversify international collaborations with universities and organisations worldwide. Currently, the Vietnamese institution has established partnerships with over 130 universities, institutes, NGOs, and corporations across more than 30 countries./.

Comprehensive approaches employed for better HIV response amid shift in transmissions

Vietnam’s authorities have taken comprehensive approaches to curb the spread of HIV amid the significant shift in the spread of the virus from blood-borne to sexual transmissions, especially among key populations.

The country’s data and efforts in HIV response up until Q3-2024 were released by the Vietnam Administration for HIV/AIDS Control (VAAC) in a press briefing on November 18, within the National Action Month for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control (November 10 - December 10).

Among the new infections, blood-borne transmission decreased from 47.5% in 2010 to 6.5% as of September.

Meanwhile, sexual contact has become the primary mode of HIV transmission, increasing from 47.5% to 70.8% in the same period.

In the first nine months of 2024, the country recorded 11,421 new HIV cases and 1,263 deaths related to the virus.

Among them, 82.9% are male, many aged between 15-29 (40%) or 30-39 (27.3%). Men who have sex with men (MSM) are the most affected group, at 42.2%.

Geographically, nearly 70% of these new transmissions are recorded in the southern region of the country, with the Mekong Delta at 31.2%, Ho Chi Minh City at 24.3% and the southeastern region at 12.8%.

However, statistics also revealed potential risks of HIV prevalence due to drug injections, including chemsex (the practice of consuming drugs to enhance sexual activity).

In response, testing services have been expanded across 1,300 health care facilities, with community-based testing available in 33 localities, to reach two million people.

Among them, 176,000 are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), as recorded in the nationwide Electronic ARV Drug Management Tool (HMED).

“By providing treatment in an early stage and ensuring that they have stable health conditions, we can disrupt the transmission chains in the community, therefore, ART plays a powerful role [in HIV response],” said VAAC director Dr Phan Thi Thu Huong.

Vietnam’s ART programmes have received high regard from the international community, with 97% of people on treatment achieving viral suppression (≤1000 copies/mL).

Policy-wise, a new streamlined, updated government decree serving as a guideline for implementation of the Law on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control will enter into force next month, on December 15.

Decree No 141/2024/ND-CP will replace three current legal documents regarding HIV response, testing conditions and opioid replacement therapy (decrees No 108/2007/ND-CP, No 75/2016/ND-CP and No 90/2016/ND-CP).

Highlights of the new document include psychological therapy as a harm reduction prevention for people who use drugs, and removing the requirement of a local police clearance certificate for those who wish to register as peer supporters for people living with HIV.

“This is an opportunity and a basis to facilitate engagement in intervention programmes as peer supporters,” said Dr Nguyen Thi Minh Tam, head of the prevention department at VAAC.

The new decree also addresses the shortcomings in current regulation for HIV drug management and distribution for improved medication access, including for rescue workers, children in need of prevention measures against mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and people in closed settings./.

Vietnam Teachers’ Day celebrated at Swiss school

Binh Minh, a school that teaches Vietnamese to children in the German-speaking regions of Switzerland, held an event at the school's headquarters on Auenstrasse in Zurich to celebrate the Vietnam Teachers’ Day (November 20).

At the celebration, Ngoc Dung Moser, General Secretary of the Vietnamese Association in Switzerland, recalled her memories of establishing the school and the support it has received from the Vietnamese Embassy in Switzerland over the years.

She said that the founding and development of Binh Minh School was a way to promote the Vietnamese language and culture among future generations. She also expressed her hope that the school would have more opportunities to interact with other schools teaching Vietnamese across Europe in the future.

Participants honoured the school’s teachers, who have always shown great enthusiasm and dedication in supporting the teaching activities at the school though they were not formally trained,

Trung Cao, a researcher in biomedical science at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine in Zurich, said that despite challenges in balancing busy daily work schedules, the teachers' determination and commitment to helping future generations learn Vietnamese are evident. They continuously improve their knowledge and explore Vietnamese teaching programmes to apply them in the classroom. He underlined that by maintaining weekend classes, Binh Minh School has offered students a valuable opportunity to speak and interact with each other in Vietnamese.

At the celebration, Vietnamese Ambassador to Switzerland Phung The Long presented gifts to the school and expressed his hope that the school will continue to make significant strides in the years to come./.

Rare green sea turtle released in Quang Tri

A rare green sea turtle, weighing nearly 20 kilograms, was successfully rescued and released back into the ocean by the Con Co Island Marine Reserve Management Board on November 19.

Locals discovered the turtle earlier that morning at Cua Viet Beach in Gio Linh district, entangled in a fishing net and struggling to move. Recognising its endangered status, they promptly reported the sighting to local authorities.

Volunteers from the marine reserve quickly arrived to assess the turtle’s condition. They carefully removed the fishing net before releasing the turtle into its natural habitat. Identified as “Chelonia mydas,” the green sea turtle is listed as an endangered and critically protected species in Vietnam’s Red Data Book.

The Con Co Marine Reserve has led sea turtle conservation, working closely with local authorities and communities to protect these vulnerable creatures. Through education campaigns and rescue efforts, the reserve has enhanced awareness and contributed significantly to preserving marine biodiversity in the region.

This successful rescue highlights the importance of community involvement in wildlife conservation and the ongoing efforts to safeguard endangered species in Vietnam./.

Vietnam enhances cooperation with Mexican localities

A delegation from the Vietnamese Embassy in Mexico, led by Ambassador-Designate Nguyen Van Hai, has paid a working visit to Zacatecas state to explore opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in various fields, especially trade, investment, and education.

The visit was part of ongoing efforts to enhance ties between Vietnam and different regions of Mexico.

During his November 18-19 trip, Hai had meetings and working sessions with Zacatecas Governor David Monreal Ávila, Minister of Economy Rodrigo Castañeda Miranda, and leaders of the Autonomous University of Zacatecas. He highlighted Vietnam’s remarkable progress after nearly 40 years of Doi moi (Renewal), while noting the country's consistent GDP growth of 6–6.5% annually over the past three decades.

In 2023, Vietnam's GDP reached 430 billion USD, ranking 34th globally, according to the UK-based Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR). Projections suggest that by 2038, Vietnam’s GDP could grow to 1.559 trillion USD, placing it among the world’s top 25 economies if current recovery and growth trends continue.

Regarding foreign investment, Hai emphasised Vietnam’s success in attracting investors, thanks to its favorable policies. In the first 10 months of 2024, the couuntry secured 27.3 billion USD in foreign direct investment, up 1.9% from the same period in 2023.

On bilateral relations, he reaffirmed the strengthening ties between Vietnam and Mexico across politics, economics, trade, culture, education, and tourism. He expressed confidence in the continued growth of bilateral trade, especially as both nations are members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

He proposed that Zacatecas authorities explore cooperation mechanisms with Vietnam, including signing technical agreements to facilitate the exchange of competitive goods.

Welcoming the delegation, Governor Monreal Ávila described the visit as a significant milestone in fostering friendship between Vietnam and Mexico, particularly between Zacatecas and Vietnam. He committed to creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to invest in the state and enhancing the exchange of students as well as people-to-people exchange activities.

Minister of Economy Miranda also praised the visit, stating it underscored Zacatecas’ attractiveness as a hub for international trade and investment. He highlighted Zacatecas’ strategic location in northern and central Mexico, abundant mineral resources, and highly skilled workforce, positioning it as a ideal destination for Vietnamese and global investors.

As part of their trip to Zacatecas, the Vietnamese delegation visited the Autonomous University of Zacatecas (UAZ), where they signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Education and Cultural Cooperation, aiming to bolster the long-standing partnership between UAZ and Vietnamese higher education institutions.

Beyond official meetings, the delegation also met with the Vietnamese community in Zacatecas, toured local handicraft establishments, and visited sustainable tourism models in the region./.

Vietnamese culture promoted in Laos

The women's association under the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted tea party in Vientiane on November 19, bringing together female diplomats, spouses of diplomats, and representatives from international organisations in the country.

Joining the event, Vietnamese representatives, dressed in traditional Ao dai (long dress), introduced Vietnam's history and culture through music, dance, and traditional dishes.

The Vietnamese booth highlighted the culinary and cultural essence of Hanoi and Vietnam as a whole, captivating the audience and strengthening cultural diplomacy.

The event featured traditional Lao and international performances, along with a display of crafts and food, creating a vibrant and engaging atmosphere for visitors.

Held annually, it serves as a platform for female diplomats and spouses to share experiences, foster solidarity, and showcase their nations' unique cultural heritage.

Alouni Kommasith, spouse of Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, noted the importance of such gathering, especially as Laos successfully chaired the ASEAN Summits and related meetings this year.

She thanked all participants and ASEAN partners for their contributions to these achievements, emphasising the critical role of women in diplomacy./.

Vietnamese Party chief’s visit of great significance to relations with Malaysia

Party General Secretary To Lam's official visit to Malaysia is of great significance for consolidating and further promoting the sound ties that exist between Malaysia and Vietnam.

Deputy Ambassador of Malaysia in Hanoi Cik Aida Safura Niza Othman made the statement in a recent media interview ahead of General Secretary Lam’s official visit to Malaysia from November 21 to November 23.

Looking back at 2023, the two countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, marked by the successful official visit of Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim to Hanoi in July.

This year, Party General Secretary Lam's visit to Malaysia at the invitation of PM Ibrahim continues to reflect the commitment of both sides to propelling the relationship forward, Deputy Ambassador Othman said.

“Vietnam is an important partner of Malaysia and we expect that the visit will create momentum for a broad array of areas such as economics, trade, investment, renewable energy and green technology; information and communication technology; digital economy; tourism, cultural and educational exchanges as well as strengthening regional cooperation, especially within the framework of ASEAN,” the Malaysian diplomat noted.

Taking about the current level of co-operation between the two countries and the prospects for future development, Deputy Ambassador Othman stated that since the upgrading of relations to a strategic partnership in 2015, the diplomatic relationship has grown stronger and stronger in a very positive direction, one which both sides are aiming for.

Vietnam is therefore an important trading partner of the Malaysian side, whilst the are one of the leading investors in the nation. The two sides boast great potential to further boost trade co-operation, especially in emerging areas such as the digital economy, e-commerce, and sustainable energy.

Both countries are fully committed to diversifying trade and shifting from traditional goods to higher value sectors such as technology and renewable energy. This will therefore be the key to future economic growth for both countries.

Regarding ​​people-to-people exchanges, the two nations have increasingly strengthened their links between social organisations and people. Educational and cultural exchanges, as well as tourism, has continued to grow as a contribution to deepening understanding and appreciation of each other’s traditional values.

The two sides will also continue working closely towards an increasingly cohesive and resilient ASEAN region. Looking ahead, the prospects for joint ties are excellent and both sides are fully committed to further building on this momentum, she went on to say.

Sharing the Malaysian side’s priorities for its ASEAN chairmanship in 2025 and assessing Vietnamese contributions to the organization, Deputy Ambassador Othman said 2025 represents a very important year for ASEAN as the regional bloc will celebrate the 10th anniversary since the official establishment of the ASEAN Community. Based on this milestone and the achievements already made, ASEAN is expected to adopt the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and outline the strategic direction of the region for the next 20 years.

As ASEAN Chair in 2025, Malaysia will prioritize a number of key areas that are in line with the ever-changing needs and aspirations of the wider region.

These include strengthening ASEAN centrality, increasing intra-regional trade and investment; enhancing the bloc’s capacity to leverage advances in science, technology, and innovation; and effectively exploiting the potential and advantages that exists for digital transformation and new technologies.

Malaysia will also ensure that the “Inclusiveness and Sustainability” elements, which are the theme of the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2025, remain central to the community-building efforts.

Next year is also an important time for the nation in relation to ASEAN, as it marks 30 years since Vietnam first became a member of the bloc.

Regarding Malaysian expectations of Vietnamese contributions, she affirmed that the country’s strategic position and active role in ASEAN are essential as both sides work together to address common challenges such as climate change, digital transformation, or regional security.

Deputy Ambassador Othman said she hopes that both sides, as close partners, can continue to co-operate more closely in enhancing ASEAN’s global position and influence, as well as ensuring security, prosperity, and cohesion for the entire region.

Vietnam to implement goals of Beijing Platform for Action in gender equality

Vietnam ranks 72nd out of 146 countries in the gender equality index this year, while the rate of female representatives in the National Assembly is always high and currently stands at 30.26%.

The information was shared by Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thi Ha at the three-day Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+30 Review, which was officially launched on November 19 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Bangkok conference, which was convened by the Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), in collaboration with the UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, was set on the 30th anniversary of the fourth World Conference on Women and the Adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

Over 1,200 participants have joined the conference and 27 side events on a wide range of topics related to gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Deputy Minister Ha confirmed that over the past 30 years and especially for the period 2019-2024, the Vietnamese Government has been determined to realise the goals of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and other international commitments on gender equality, notably the development and accomplishing national laws and policies.

The nation has seriously mainstreamed gender equality in the development of legal documents and policies to eliminate discriminatory regulations against women or men, she said.

The Labour Code 2019, the Law on Prevention and Combat against Domestic Violence 2022, the Social Insurance Law 2024 and other legal documents have new regulations to ensure women's rights, promote gender equality, and prevent and respond to gender-based violence and domestic violence.

The National Strategy on Gender Equality for the 2021-2030 period was adopted with a variety of goals, targets and solutions to narrow the gender gap, creating conditions and opportunities for women and men to equally participate and benefit from all areas of the social life, contributing to the sustainable development of the country.

The active participation of the government and socio-political organisations from the central to local levels in implementing laws and policies has brought about important results, said Ha, adding that Vietnamese women now account for 46.8% of the national workforce. The labour force participation rate of women is 62.4%.

The rate of women-owned businesses reaches 28.2%. More and more outstanding Vietnamese female entrepreneurs and CEOs have been recognised and honoured by economic groups in the world.

In addition, the gender gap in all levels of education has been narrowed, the health care system has been strengthened for ethnic minority women and those who migrate from rural to urban areas, and the service system to support victims of gender-based violence has been expanded and improved, according to the deputy minister.

“Based on the experience gained, Vietnam believes that to achieve progress in gender equality, it is important to have common awareness that economic development must go along with social justice and progress, poverty reduction and care for vulnerable groups, especially women and children, further strengthening the state management of gender equality and mainstreaming gender equality in programmes and initiatives at all levels and fields,” said Ha.

Though encouraging results have been achieved, like many other countries in the region, Vietnam is facing a number of difficulties and challenges in this process. Those are gender stereotypes which still exist and will take time to change, the lack of gender-disaggregated statistics, rapidly ageing population, along with the negative impacts of climate change, natural disasters and epidemics on people's lives, especially women and children.

With the desire to maintain and promote achievements in gender equality, the country is determined to implement the solutions stated in the National Review of the 30-year implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, aiming for successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda on sustainable development, and leaving no one behind in the development process, she said.

It will also continue to strengthen the partnership between the Government and relevant stakeholders, including the United Nations agencies, to maximise their support and outcomes of gender equality and women's advancement, added Ha.

Developing relations with China is Vietnam’s top priority: Deputy PM

Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long on November 19 held talks with Ding Xuexiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Vice Premier of China, on the occasion of his attendance at the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit and his visit to Zhejiang province.

Both sides expressed their delight at socio-economic development achievements gained by each country in their respective processes of reform. They highly valued the positive momentum and tangible progress seen in the friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between Vietnam and China, particularly in high-level delegation exchanges and frequent contacts at various levels. They highlighted the dynamic economic and trade cooperation, with bilateral trade reaching US$168.5 billion in the first 10 months of 2024, marking a 21.1% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

Long affirmed that developing relations with China is a consistent policy, an objective requirement, a strategic choice, and a top priority in Vietnam's foreign policy. Vietnam is ready to work with China to effectively implement the high-level perceptions reached during visits by the leaders of the two parties and countries, so as to elevate bilateral relations to a new stage of development, which is more effective and substantive.

He spoke highly of the significance, theme, and success of the 2024 WIC Wuzhen Summit, which highlighted China's important role in this field. He reaffirmed Vietnam's support for and active participation in multilateral activities organised by the neighbouring country.

Welcoming Long and the Vietnamese government delegation to the 2024 World Internet Conference, Ding said Vietnam’s participation contributes significantly to the event, reflecting its role in fostering international cooperation in this critical field.

The Vice Premier affirmed that China views its relationship with Vietnam as a top priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy, supports the nation’s sustaining its strategic autonomy, and is willing to work with Vietnam in further deepening their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

On directions for future cooperation, the two sides agreed to step up all-level exchanges through diverse formats, to well organise the 16th meeting of the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation, and to improve the effectiveness of practical cooperation across various sectors.

They said it is necessary to strengthen people-to-people exchanges to solidify the social foundation of the bilateral relations, as well as to effectively organise activities celebrating the " Year of Vietnam-China Humanistic Exchange", and the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic relations.

Deputy PM Long suggested enhancing the connectivity of development strategies between Vietnam and China and called on the neighbouring country to provide preferential loans, transfer technology, and help Vietnam in pesonnel training.

He also highlighted coordination in the consultation and construction of three standard-gauge railway lines connecting the two countries, and the acceleration of the building of the pilot smart border gate model.

He suggested China expand the import of Vietnamese goods, facilitate the establishment of Vietnam trade promotion offices in certain Chinese localities, and work together to effectively manage land border and control and address maritime disputes.

Ding showed his support for Long’s proposals, affirming China's readiness to further open its market to high-quality Vietnamese products and support the establishment of more Vietnamese trade offices in his country.

He also agreed to foster infrastructure connectivity, prioritising the construction of the three railway lines. Furthermore, he emphasised strengthening cooperation in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and new energy, while jointly maintaining stable supply and production chains in the region.

He agreed that the two sides should control and handle satisfactorily maritime issues, boost cooperation, and create conditions for resolving differences.

Party chief suggests Vietnam, Mongolia promote practical, effective cooperation
 
Vietnam and Mongolia should enhance practical and effective cooperation in sectors that align with their respective potential and strength, Party General Secretary To Lam said during his reception for Mongolian Minister for Food, Agriculture and Light Industry Jadamba Enkhbayar in Hanoi on November 19.

Expressing his delight at the progress made over the past seven decades since the establishment of the countries’ diplomatic relations, the Party chief commended the organisation of the 19th meeting of the Vietnam-Mongolia intergovernmental committee and stressed its importance in implementing high-level common perceptions and the joint statement on upgrading bilateral ties to a comprehensive partnership.

He urged both sides to strengthen their relationship in politics, security, defence, economy-trade, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

Minister Jadamba Enkhbayar, who is on a visit to Vietnam to co-chair the 19th meeting, said Lam's recent state visit to Mongolia opened a new chapter in bilateral relations with the issuance of the joint statement.

Underscoring Mongolia’s appreciation for the countries’ traditional friendship and its recognition of Vietnam as a key partner in Asia and a “third neighbour,” the minister said he strongly agrees with the Party chief's recommendations for deepening the relations in the time to come.

As the chairperson of Mongolia's subcommittee in the intergovernmental committee, he pledged to work closely with related Vietnamese agencies to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across various sectors.

Vietnam aspires to advance all-around ties with Armenia

Vietnam always values and desires to foster its traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Armenia, said National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man during the talks with his Armenian counterpart Alen Simonyan in Hanoi on November 19 following an official welcome ceremony for the top Armenian legislator.

Welcoming  Alen Simonyan and his delegation's official visit to Vietnam, NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man emphasized that this is the first visit by by a top legislator of Armenia, after the two countries established their diplomatic ties more than 30 years ago.

The two countries have continuously strengthened political and diplomatic relations, as well as multifaceted cooperation across multiple fields in recent times, Alen Simonyan told his host, while expecting that both sides to discus issues of shared concern in an effort to establish joint working groups and ramp up cooperation in areas such as trade, economics, science and technology, education, and tourism.

He also highlighted huge potential for stronger bilateral collaboration and expressed a desire to bolster cooperation in such areas as defence and technology, while suggesting the two countries strengthen mutual support at international forums.

The host leader showed his elation at the positive developments of the bilateral relations across all areas in recent times, demonstrated through the promotion of high-level delegation exchanges and meetings.

In addition, bilateral economic and trade cooperation has been boosted, with two-way trade hitting close to US$424 million during the past ten months of this year, representing a year-on-year rise of 28.9%. Armenia has also run a number of investment projects in Vietnam, while the latter incentivizes its businesses to invest in the former, particularly in the areas where there is a competitive advantage, including agriculture, food processing, and textiles.

Sharing the Armenian legislator’s view on the ample room for bilateral collaboration, Man suggested Armenia continue to intensify all-level delegation exchanges, and effectively implement existing cooperation mechanisms and agreements, thereby consolidating mutual political trust. He also underlined the importance of accelerating the implementation of the Vietnam-Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Free Trade Agreement to generate remarkable breakthroughs in bilateral economic and trade collaboration.

The Vietnamese NA leader asked the two sides to increase the sharing of information on the issues of shared concerns as well as their foreign policies, urging continued effective cooperation at regional forums. He called for Armenia’s support for ASEAN's and Vietnam's stance on the East Sea issue, and on settling disputes through peaceful means, based on international law, the United Nations Charter, and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, particularly matters related to peace, stability, and sustainable development.

Host and guest reached a consensus on providing scholarships for students of the two countries and regularly organising cultural exchanges, and consented to encourage relevant agencies to consider visa incentives to facilitate citizens’ travel.

Concerning the Armenian NA delegation's trip to the northern province of Ninh Binh, Man underlined the importance of augmenting cooperation between the two countries’ localities. He proposed local authorities from both sides move forward with signing memoranda of understanding on sister city partnerships to push up cooperation in the areas where they have potential, particularly tourism.

The two sides stated that they are considering the signing of a cooperation agreement between the two legislatures to establish a legal framework that will further boost and deepen parliamentary cooperation, contributing to building political trust and mutual understanding, and fostering the fine friendship and collaboration between Vietnam and Armenia.

The host proposed advancing the role of the legislative bodies in propelling the bilateral relations forward, particularly in supervising the implementation of international treaties and cooperation agreements between the two governments, and supporting the business communities and citizens living, investing, and doing business in respective countries.  He also called for closer coordination at multilateral forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APF).

He used this occasion to congratulate Armenia on successfully hosting the 10th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians in September 2024, and invite the Armenian National Assembly to send a high-level delegation to the parliamentary forum on Francophone cooperation in sustainable agriculture, food security, and climate change, which will be hosted by the Vietnamese NA in January 2025.

Deputy PM expects French group’s new logistics solutions for Vietnam

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has asked France’s CMA-CGM Group, a global player in sea, land, air, and logistics solutions, to prioritise new ways to assist in Vietnam's port development strategy, with a specific focus on smart ports, infrastructure for renewable energy, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and automation.

At a reception held on November 19 in Hanoi for Mathieu Friedberg, senior vice president – Commercial & Agencies Network of CMA CGM Group, the Deputy PM emphasized that the successful implementation of the group's projects would support further co-operation between Vietnamese and French firms.

This comes following the upgrading of diplomatic relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the France visit made by Party General Secretary To Lam in October.

Friedberg highlighted CMA-CGM's significant footprint in the nation as it boasts four shipping lines serving six international ports and offering 15 international routes to Europe, the US, and other places. Most notably, it is embarking on a project aimed at deploying electric barges, initially on inland waterways in Vietnam.

The initiative seeks to both integrate and maximise the efficiency of multimodal transport, combining maritime, inland waterway, road, and rail networks.

In response, Deputy Minister Ha affirmed that the country always welcomes and encourages the use of renewable energy-powered means of transport as a way of contributing to green energy transition whilst reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector.

The Vietnamese Government has already introduced mechanisms for direct electricity trading, thereby allowing renewable energy plants to sell electricity directly to large corporate customers, as well as supporting solar rooftop installations for self-generation and consumption. These policies make it easier for CMA-CGM to launch its electric barge project, including investing in infrastructure and charging station systems, he said.

The Government’s commitment to the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) offers CMA-CGM access to financial resources from both the Government and international financial organisations to fund future projects on green energy transition and green transportation in the nation, he added.

The Ministry of Transport has been asked to work alongside CMA-CGM in order to assess the potential and needs of Vietnamese inland waterways, to pilot the electric barge operation to refine safety standards, and to develop infrastructure regulations for renewable energy-powered systems.

Vietnamese delicacies feature among top 76 best Southeast Asian rice dishes

A number of local cuisines have been listed among the top 76 best Southeast Asian rice dishes, as compiled by international food website TasteAtlas.

The website said that Cơm tấm is a traditional Vietnamese dish which is typically sold as a street food. It consists of broken and imperfect rice grains that had been chucked away after the milling process, but nowadays it has become a signature dish of Ho Chi Minh City.

“Broken rice has a texture that's similar to normal rice, just smaller. When served, Cơm tấm is accompanied by numerous toppings such as fried eggs, shredded pork skin, grilled pork chops, or deep-fried fish patties,” it revealed.

TasteAtlas shared that Cơm tấm eateries are easily found because they usually have a coal-fired grill on the street, dispersing the smoke scented with lemongrass and charred meat, a result of preparing the accompaniments for broken rice.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese Steamed Savory Rice Cake (Bánh bèo) was placed at 14th.

Bánh bèo is a popular Vietnamese steamed cake consisting of key ingredients such as rice flour, fish sauce with green chili peppers, and either shrimps or pork.

“Additionally, noodles, roasted peanuts, or fried onions can be added to the cake in order to improve its flavors. Apart from savory cakes, there are also sweet versions which are almost exclusively available in Hoi An,” the website shared.

It added that some people refer to it as the Vietnamese version of tapas and it is believed that the most important characteristic of a good Bánh bèo is an indentation in its centre which is used for holding the flavourful, savory stuffings.

Other Vietnamese dishes named in the list included Sticky Rice Cakes with Mung Beans or Pork (Bánh tét), Vietnamese Fried Rice (Cơm chiên), Square Sticky Rice Cake (Bánh chưng), Bamboo Cooked Sticky Rice (Cơm lam), Chicken Sticky Rice (Xôi gà), Burnt Rice (Cơm cháy), Sticky Rice and Gấc- a deep red Asian fruit (Xôi gấc), Green Sticky Rice (Cốm), Red River Delta Steamed Rice Cake (Bánh tẻ), Clam Rice (Cơm hến), Vietnamese Rice Balls (Cơm nắm), Five- Colour Sticky Rice (Xôi ngũ sắc), Rice and Dehusked Mung Beans (Xôi vò), and Tam Ky Chicken Rice (Cơm gà Tam Kỳ).

TasteAtlas is an encyclopedia of flavours, a world atlas showcasing traditional dishes, local ingredients, and authentic restaurants. The website has cataloged over 10,000 foods and drinks from across the world, with dozens of thousands yet to be researched and mapped.

VNA/VNN/VNS/VOV