Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan Hosoda Hiroyuki in Tokyo on Wednesday as part of his ongoing official visit to Japan.

PM Pham conveyed Vietnamese leaders’ greetings and congratulations to Hosoda upon the latter’s election as Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan.

Pham spoke highly of the exchanges and contacts between the legislative bodies of the two countries, calling on the House of Representatives of Japan to continue support for both countries to enhance cooperation in COVID-19 combat, economic connectivity, and post-pandemic recovery.

He affirmed Viet Nam attaches importance to further strengthening the extensive strategic partnership with Japan for the benefits of both countries and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region.

PM Pham appreciated Japan’s valuable assistance to the fight against COVID-19 pandemic in Viet Nam, expressing thanks to Japan for donating additional 1.5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Viet Nam, bringing the total vaccine doses gifted by Japan to 5.6 million.

The same day, PM Pham met with President of the House of Councilors of Japan Santo Akiko, during which he briefed about Viet Nam’s development goals and visions to 2030 and 2045. 

He reassured Santo that Viet Nam consistently sticks to its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, diversification and multi-lateralization of external relations, active and proactive international integration.

Earlier the same day, PM Pham had separate meetings with Chairman of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP) Kazuo Shii and Chief Representative of Japan's Komeito Party, Natsuo Yamaguchi./.

Vietnam, Japan hold environmental policy dialogue

Vietnamese Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha and Japanese Minister of the Environment Tsuyoshi Michael Yamaguchi have discussed measures to further foster cooperation between the two countries in the area of environment and climate change response, focusing on the implementation of commitments made by the Prime Ministers of the two nations at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).

At the 7th Vietnam-Japan environmental policy dialogue in Tokyo on November 24, Ha expressed his belief that with the great attention of both sides, bilateral cooperation in the fields of environment, climate change response and development of circular economy will be further promoted beyond the areas of natural disaster prevention and control, and ocean debris management.

Concluding the dialogue, the two ministers signed a cooperation plan on climate change response towards the target of carbon neutrality by 2050. The document is of significance in implementing the commitments delivered by the Prime Ministers of the two countries at COP26.

Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency after the dialogue, Ha said that during the dialogue, he and his Japanese counterpart concentrated on the contents which will contribute to the upcoming agreements between the two governments on a roadmap towards the target of net-zero emissions by 2050.

He said that the Japanese minister underlined the comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam from the stage of policy and institution building and completion as well as in technical assistance. It’s time for the two countries to shift fossil fuel to renewable energy, wind power and hydrogen, along with the application of new and modern technologies, Ha said.

Besides, the two sides also focused on measures to improve the efficiency of existing cooperation contents such as the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM)./.

Vietnamese PM receives former PM of Japan

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on November 24 received former Prime Minister of Japan Abe Shinzo, who is also former President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), as part of the former’s official visit to Japan.

PM Chinh conveyed compliments from Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Nguyen Xuan Phuc to the former Japanese PM.

The Vietnamese leader expressed his delight at the rapid and comprehensive development of the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership, saying Vietnam always attaches importance to and wishes to work with Japan to open a new era for the relationship.

Vietnam supports Japan’s efforts to promote its role in the region and the world at large, he said.

PM Chinh thanked for and spoke highly of Japan’s donation of COVID-19 vaccines and medical supplies, which, he said, demonstrated the close bilateral relationship and contributed to intensifying public confidence in the friendship between the two nations.

The PM thanked Abe for his sentiments towards Vietnam, and lauded his contributions to boosting Vietnam-Japan relations, especially the lifting of the relationship to the extensive strategic partnership in 2014.

He showed his belief that Abe will continue to pay attention to strengthening the bilateral cooperation, particular in personnel training, strategic infrastructure development and post-pandemic recovery, for the sake of the two countries’ people, as well as for peace, stability, cooperation and development in Asia-Pacific, and the world as well.

For his part, Abe said PM Chinh’s visit will practically contribute to the extensive strategic partnership in all spheres, and praised Vietnam’s role and significant contributions in the region and the international arena.

The former PM expressed his willingness to closely coordinate with Vietnam to deepen the cooperation and friendship between the two countries.

The same day, PM Chinh hosted a reception for former Vietnam-Japan Special Ambassador Sugi Ryotaro.

The PM said he hoped that Sugi will make more contributions to the bilateral ties, especially people-to-people exchanges.

Sugi pledged that he will work harder to boost cultural links and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, thus further enhancing their friendship and mutual understanding./.

Vietnam, Japan emphasise importance of respect for international law

Vietnamese Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang held talks with Japanese Minister of Defence Kishi Nobuo in Tokyo on November 23, within the framework of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to Japan.

Kishi said Giang’s ongoing visit will make an important contribution to maintaining momentum of cooperation, promoting the exchange of views on issues of mutual concern and orienting cooperation fields that need to be deployed in the coming time.

The two ministers held that based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Bilateral Defence Cooperation and Exchanges signed in October 2011 and the Joint Vision Statement on Defence Cooperation towards the next decade inked in April 2018, the two sides have closely coordinated together and promoted defence ties in a comprehensive, practical and effective manner in line with the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership.

They exchanged views on global and regional issues of mutual concern, including the importance of freedom of navigation and aviation amid complicated developments in the region and the world as well. The two ministers affirmed the importance of respect for international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in settling differences among concerned parties in disputed areas such as the East Sea and the East China Sea. They expected concerned sides to restrain, not to use force or threaten to use force, and settle disputes via peaceful measures on the basis of international law.

In the coming time, the two ministers consented to direct relevant agencies of the two defence ministries to actively deploy agreements reached by their leaders, including an agreement on the transfer of military equipment and technology signed in September 2021 and two MoUs inked during this visit.

Giang voiced his support for Kishi’s proposal on holding an ASEAN-Japan Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting and backed Japan’s active participation in ASEAN-led multilateral defence cooperation mechanisms, especially ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM ), thus contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large.

Both ministers spoke highly of the results of the 8th defence policy dialogue at the deputy minister level held earlier and agreed to assign authorised agencies to effectively carry out the consented contents, thereby strengthening Vietnam-Japan defence ties in the new development period.

Following the talks, the two ministers witnessed the signing of two MoUs on cooperation in military medicine and cybersecurity between the two defence ministries.

As part of the visit, Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang also received Gen. Koji Yamazaki, Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff of Japan./. 

PM meets leader of Japanese Communist Party

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Chairman of the Presidium of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP) Central Committee Shii Kazuo on November 24, during his official visit to Japan.

At the meeting, PM Chinh conveyed greetings of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong to leaders of the JCP.

He informed Shii of the successful holding of the 13th National Party Congress this February, which defined the roadmap and specific measures to build a prosperous Vietnam, and transform the country into a developing nation with upper-middle income by 2030 and a developed and high-income nation by 2045.

The Congress also affirmed Vietnam’s consistent external policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, diversification, multilateralism, active and proactive international integration; and being a friend, a trustworthy partner and a responsible member of the international community.

The Vietnamese leader welcomed achievements by the JCP over the recent past, notably the successful organisation of its 28th Congress, thereby further playing a significant role in Japan’s politics.

He highly valued trust and traditional solidarity between the two Parties, underlining that the Party, State and people of Vietnam always remember, treasure and be grateful to the sentiments and support from the JCP and people of Japan during the struggle for national liberation in the past and country construction and safeguarding at present.

He rejoiced that the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership has flourished across multiple fields, with a high level of political trust.

PM Chinh asked Shii and his party to continue to pay attention to, support and promote the cooperation and exchanges between the countries and Parties, as well as increase the exchange of delegations and dialogue mechanisms, firstly a theoretical consultation between the CPV and JCP.

He also requested the Japanese side to support Vietnam to successfully carry out its socio-economic strategies and plans.

For his part, Shii appreciated and spoke highly of the official Japan visit by PM Chinh, believing that it will contribute to bolstering the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership across all fields./. 

Hanoi to host 'Girls Deserve to Shine' concert

An Opera Gala Concert “Girls Deserve to Shine” will be held at the Hanoi Opera House at 20:00 on November 26.
The event will be  broadcast live on the digital television channel VTC3 and on UNFPA fan page and YouTube.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MOCST) and the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra organize the opera gala concert in promotion for gender equality and empowerment of women. This is also UNFPA’s contribution to Vietnam’s National Action Month for Gender Equality.

The 2021 Opera Gala Concert is organized following the first ever successful Symphony Concert in 2020 with the theme “Girls Deserve to Shine”. Under the direction of the well-known conductor Honna Tetsuji, the Opera Gala Concert features 7 successful Vietnamese opera singers, namely Dao To Loan/Soprano; Bui Thi Trang/Soprano; Le Vanh Khuyen/Soprano; Huong Ly/Soprano; Tung Lam/Tenor; Truong Linh/Tenor and Nguyen Duc Huy/Bariton, for world’s popular works by Gioachino Rossini, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Gaetano Donizetti, Giacomo Puccini and Giuseppe Verdi.

Tran Tuyet Anh, the Director of Family Department – Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism highlighted the important contributions of the Opera Gala Concert.

“We hope through this concert we can create a movement of soft power, bringing about a strong message to every family to eliminate domestic violence against women and girls. The Opera Gala Concert “Girls deserve to shine” will boost the confidence and the honor of being girls", says Tuyet Anh.

Gender equality in Vietnam has improved over the past decades, however, domestic violence and gender-biased sex selection are still widespread in the country. In Vietnam, nearly 2 out of 3 women experienced one or more form of violence in their life time. And domestic violence is hidden in Vietnamese society, as more than 90% of women never sought any services, and more than half never told anyone about it.

Vietnam has a lot more boys born than girls, which is the third highest in Asia following China and India. As many couples prefer sons to daughters, gender-biased and prenatal sex selection is present, and 45,900 female births are missing every year in Vietnam.

Naomi Kitahara, UNFPA Representative for Vietnam stressed that the organization of this concert demonstrated UNFPA’s commitments to achieving Zero gender-based violence and harmful practices against women and girls.

“We really want to appeal to everyone to stop domestic violence against women and girls. And we also want to appeal to everyone to stop son preference and gender-biased sex selection. Let the power of music bring us all together. Let’s get united to stop those harmful practices,” Naomi Kitahara said.

 

National Cultural Conference: traditional values should be promoted

Traditional values of Vietnamese people should be promoted to build a prosperous nation, for people’s happiness, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said while concluding the National Cultural Conference implementing the 13th National Party Congress’s Resolution on November 24.

The Deputy PM expressed his belief that Vietnamese culture will brighten up and blend in with the flow of human civilisation.

Mentioning some tasks during the implementation of the cultural development strategy by 2030 in the time ahead, he stressed the need to further improve public awareness of culture and deal with weaknesses and limitations in human resources.

The implementation work should contribute to arousing the entire nation’s development aspirations, preventing backwardness, creating new momentum and bringing into full play creativity and strength of the nation to develop more quickly and sustainably.

At the same time, it is necessary to make the best of good cultural values of the world and adjust the cultural aspects that are no longer appropriate, he said.

According to Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung, the conference took place within guidelines of the Politburo and Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, and received the warm response from all-level agencies and localities.

He emphasised the need to be fully aware of building and developing Vietnamese culture under the Party’s leadership and the State’s management, and on the basis of the great national unity bloc.

People must be put at the centre, with artists, writers, intellectuals and relevant forces playing the key role, the official noted./.

Vietnam Cultural Heritage Space underway in Hanoi

 

Many activities to honor the national tangible and intangible cultural values have been organized nationwide to celebrate Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day on November 23.
 
One of the highlights in the capital city of Hanoi is the Vietnamese Cultural Heritage Space exhibition at the Vietnam Arts and Culture Exhibition Centre that is open until November 27.

This major cultural and tourism event introduces and promotes the cultural and natural heritage values and unique landscapes of Vietnam, particularly those that have been recognized as world’s heritage by UNESCO.

Vietnamese Cultural Heritage Space showcases nearly 100 images of Vietnamese typical intangible cultures, 13 of which have been recognized by UNESCO, in addition to more than 200 documents, artifacts, costumes, musical instruments and scientific documents of six intangible heritages.

The event opens until November 27 at Vietnam Arts and Culture Exhibition Centre. Meanwhile, people can visit online from November 24 until December 31./.

Prime Minister receives Japanese Komeito Party’s Chief Representative

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Chief Representative of Japan’s Komeito Party Yamaguchi Natsuo on November 24 during his ongoing official visit to Japan.

During the reception, the Vietnamese Government leader congratulated the Komeito Party on its success in the last election, and highly valued the role and position of the party in Japan’s political system.

He thanked the Japanese party for its important contributions to consolidating and expanding the friendly cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Japan over the past time, expressing his hope that the party's parliamentarians always support the Japanese Government's proposals related to Vietnam.

PM Chinh emphasized that the Vietnamese Government and people consistently consider Japan as a leading and reliable and long-term partner.

He hoped that the Komeito Party will continue to pay attention to promoting the Vietnam - Japan extensive strategic partnership, the exchange between the two countries' friendship parliamentarian groups and people-to-people exchange in the coming time.

He also proposed that the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the Komeito Party hold exchange activities and share experience, especially in areas such as administration, management, training, natural resources, transport, tourism and improving the quality of human resources.

For his part, the Komeito Party official applauded the Vietnamese Government leader’s official visit to Japan, saying that the trip will contribute to further strengthening the Vietnam - Japan extensive strategic partnership across fields.

He affirmed that the Komeito Party has, and will continue to support stronger Japan – Vietnam relations, and bolster bilateral cooperation at regional and international forums.

The party always supports Vietnamese expats living, studying and working in Japan, he said.

PM Chinh conveyed a message from National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue inviting Komeito parliamentarians to visit Vietnam in the coming time./

Vietnam able to produce COVID-19 treatment drug Molnupiravir

Three pharmaceutical companies in Vietnam are planning to or are producing Molnupiravir pills to treat COVID-19 patients with mild or no symptoms, according to the Ministry of Health.

Of the three, the drug manufactured by Stellapharm Vietnam has been approved for clinical trial. Because Molnupiravir has yet been granted with a circulation registration number in Vietnam, the Ministry of Health is considering asking the Government for approval of using the drug in emergency cases. If approved by the Government, it is expected that three registration numbers will be issued for three types of Molnupiravir drugs manufactured by domestic pharmaceutical companies.

Regarding the effectiveness of Molnupiravir on COVID-19 patients in Vietnam, the Department of Science, Technology and Training under the Ministry of Health said that from the end of August, the ministry has piloted using Molnupiravir for non-hospitalised patients. Ho Chi Minh City was the first locality to implement this pilot programme. At present, it has been arried out in 34 provinces and cities.

The ministry has provided 110,000 doses, including 50,000 doses of Molnupiravir 400 mg Stella VN, and 60,000 doses of Molnupiravir 200 mg Optimus produced by India to localities.

The use of the drug in 22 provinces and cities show that Molnupiravir is safe and well-accepted, and has obvious effectiveness in reducing viral load, virus spread and the number of severe cases, and shortening treatment time, with no fatalities recorded.

Molnupiravir is developed by the US-based pharmaceutical companies Ridgeback Biotherapeutics and Merck & Co., Inc./.

Over 11,800 new COVID-19 cases recorded in Vietnam on Nov. 24

A total of 11,811 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Vietnam on November 24, along with 125 more deaths, according to the Ministry of Health.

The number of infections increased by 663 cases compared to the previous day’s figure.

Ho Chi Minh City still has the highest infection rate with 1,666 cases, followed by Can Tho city (766), Tay Ninh province (754), Binh Duong province (696), and Dong Thap province (625).

The capital city of Hanoi recorded 274 new cases.

Other areas that recorded new COVID-19 cases were: Ba Ria - Vung Tau (586), Dong Nai (580), Vinh Long (482), Binh Thuan (470), Soc Trang (425), Bac Lieu (418), Kien Giang (369), Ben Tre (300), Tra Vinh (299), Bac Ninh (241), Ca Mau (224), Hau Giang (198), Khanh Hoa (183), An Giang (181), Dak Lak (152), Binh Phuoc (145), Ha Giang (144), Vinh Phuc (133), Binh Dinh (133), Nghe An (132), Thanh Hoa (98), Quang Nam (97), Dak Nong (94), Long An (90), Thua Thien Hue (82), Hoa Binh (63), Da Nang (60), Tien Giang (60), Nam Dinh (56), Quang Ngai (50), Ninh Thuan (47), Thai Binh (45), Hai Phong (36), Quang Tri (35), Phu Yen (33), Tuyen Quang (29), Gia Lai (29), Phu Tho (26), Hai Duong (24), Lam Dong (24), Ha Nam (24), Quang Ninh (22), Ha Tinh (22), Bac Giang (20), Cao Bang (11), Thai Nguyen (8 ), Hung Yen (8 ), Dien Biên (7), Kon Tum (5), Ninh Binh (5), Lai Chau (1), Lao Cai (1), and Bac Kan (1).

Of the new cases, 22 were imported and quarantined upon arrival.

The total nationwide tally now stands at 1,155,778 cases, of which 1,150,625 are a result of the fourth wave that began in late April.

The 125 deaths also announced on November 24 were in HCM City (62), Binh Duong (15), Dong Nai (11), Kien Giang (5), Ca Mau (5), Soc Trang (4), Tay Ninh (3), Dong Thap (3), Can Tho (3), Binh Thuan (2), Long An (2), Bac Lieu (2), Tra Vinh (2), Ha Giang (1), Khanh Hoa (1), Dak Lak (1), Ninh Thuan (1), Binh Phuoc (1) and Hau Giang (1).

The Ministry of Health reported that 25,951 more patients have fully recovered from the virus, bringing the total number of recoveries to 937,261.

There are currently 5,533 patients in a serious condition in hospital; 10 are on life support (ECMO).

Vietnam has so far administered more than 112.9 million doses of vaccines, and over 45 million people are now fully inoculated./.

Vietnamese, Chinese Parties beef up cooperation

The results of the fourth plenum of the 13th Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and the sixth plenum of the 19th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee were highlighted at a conference on November 24.

The online conference was co-chaired by Le Hoai Trung, member of the CPV Central Committee and Chairman of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations and Song Tao, member of the CPC Central Committee and Head of the CPC Central Committee's International Liaison Department.

Trung said the Vietnamese Party and State always believe that the Party and people of China will carry forward their glorious traditions and reap greater achievements in the cause of building socialism with Chinese characteristics.

He also briefed the Chinese side on Vietnam’s COVID-19 prevention and control, and orientations in the time ahead.

For his part, Song noted his belief that the Vietnamese Party and State will successfully realise the Resolution adopted at the 13th National Party Congress.

The officials spoke highly of positive developments in relations between the two Parties and nations over the past time. They also exchanged views on cooperation activities in the coming time, including the continued building of a shared borderline of peace, friendship and development, and the well control of differences at sea, thereby contributing to the enhancement of the bilateral friendship and cooperation between the two Parties, countries and people of Vietnam and China./.

President Ho Chi Minh memorial complex in Thua Thien-Hue recognised as special national relic site

A certificate recognising the system of relics commemorating President Ho Chi Minh as a special national relic site was granted to authorities of central Thua Thien-Hue province at a ceremony on November 23.

The special national relic site comprises four sites that were previously classified as special national relics namely President Ho Chi Minh memorial house at Mai Thuc Loan street, Quoc Hoc School, President Ho Chi Minh memorial house in Duong No and Duong No village Communal House in Hue city.

Addressing the ceremony, Secretary of the Thua Thien - Hue provincial Party Committee Le Truong Luu emphasised that there are many precious relics relating to Uncle Ho and his family during their stay in in Thua Thien - Hue in 10 years. 

The province will focus on directing relevant agencies to set up a master plan for the four special national relics as well as implementing the project "Promoting the value of President Ho Chi Minh's relic in Thua Thien - Hue for tourism development", he said. 

Luu said relics and intangible cultural heritage of President Ho Chi Minh in the province will be collected and digitised.

The province will strengthen dissemination on raising people’s awareness to jointly protect and promote the values of the relic, he said, adding that the recognition of special national relic site will be a legal foundation for authorities and agencies to improve the efficiency of management, educate patriotism and national pride and serve as a driving force for the development of the province.

An exhibition displays more than 150 images, documents and exhibits relating to President Ho Chi Minh's childhood in Hue was also organised on the occasion./.

Cambodian PM hopes for expanded trade ties with Vietnam

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on November 24 expressed his hope for expanded trade ties between Cambodia and Vietnam.

At a reception for newly-appointed Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Huy Tang, PM Hun Sen said Cambodia and Vietnam should enhance their trade links, towards a bilateral agreement on agriculture, especially agricultural production in border areas.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, trade ties between Cambodia and Vietnam have still been maintained and recorded significant growth, he said, suggesting the two countries resume direct air routes.

For his part, Tang congratulated Cambodia on its development achievements, notably its successes in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, and thanked the country for presenting medical supplies and vaccines to Vietnam.

The ambassador pledged to try his best to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, particularly in politics, diplomacy, national defence, trade, economy, agriculture and COVID-19 combat, among others.

He also conveyed compliments from Vietnamese leaders to PM Hun Sen./.

Thai Hoa Palace undergoes major restoration

Thai Hoa Palace (the Palace of Supreme Harmony), part of the UNESCO-recognised Hue Imperial Citadel in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, is undergoing a major restoration, estimated to cost close to 129 billion VND (over 5.68 million USD).

The restoration work, which began on November 23 afternoon, is scheduled to complete in August, 2025.

Thai Hoa Palace, located in Hue Imperial Citadel, was built in 1805 under Emperor Gia Long (1762-1820). The building is symbolic of the power of the Nguyen dynasty and served as a venue for many important imperial events such as coronation ceremonies, the emperor's birthdays and receptions of foreign ambassadors.

The palace has remained fairly intact to this day. In particular, the special decoration style of "one poem - one painting" (one painting is placed adjacent to one poem) is still preserved in the palace, which has been recognized as a documentary heritage in the Asia-Pacific region.

The 200-year historic relic suffered severe deterioration and risk of collapse in bad weather. Some wooden structures have become rotten and unsafe. Recently, typhoon Noul in 2020 damaged part of the roof tiles on the right side of the palace.

The restoration work is taking place when Hue Imperial Citadel and other tourist attractions in Thua Thien-Hue have been closed to the public since May 11 to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Their re-opening day is not yet known.

Prior to the outbreak of the pandemic, the complex of relics within the ancient imperial capital of Hue, including the Museum of Royal Antiquities and the mausoleums of the Nguyen Emperors received hundreds of domestic and international visitors a day./

Vietnamese students receive AEON Scholarships

The AEON 1% Club Foundation, a member of Japanese retail and financial services corporation AEON, granted 60 scholarships to Vietnamese university students at an online ceremony on November 24.

Nagatsuma Hiroyuki, senior general manager of AEON Mall Vietnam Co Ltd, said the AEON Scholarship was an allowance-based scholarship for university students in various Asian countries and self-financed Asian students studying in Japan.

The project, designed to “Support the Dreams of Asian Students”, was started in 2006 in the hope that recipients will play an active role in the future, connecting their home countries with Japan in their respective specialist fields. In addition to year-round financial support, the project offers opportunities for various curricula and volunteer activities aimed at scholarship students in Japan and provides support for students aiming to develop into global talents.

In Vietnam, the AEON Scholarship has been awarded to a total of 1,040 university students, including students from universities in Hanoi since 2012 and those in HCM City since 2011.

This year in Hanoi, students from the Vietnam National University, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the Foreign Trade University and the Vietnam National University of Agriculture were honoured to receive the scholarships.

At the Scholarship Certificate Granting Ceremony, scholarship students gave speeches on their personal dreams and goals.

“This scholarship is the source of encouragement in making a bridge between Japan and Vietnam. This will be the motivation for me to keep believing in myself and achieve my career goals,” said Chu Thi Phuong Anh, a scholarship recipient from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

The AEON 1% Club Foundation was established in 1989 in Japan and has been operating on the 1 percent of pre-tax profit donated by major AEON Group companies. It engages in projects with the three main themes of “Sound Development of the Next Generation, Promotion of Friendship with Foreign Countries and Sustainable Development of Regional Communities”.

Since its establishment, the AEON scholarship has supported 7,426 students from 38 universities and colleges across Japan, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia and Myanmar./.

PM’s participation in ASEM Summit to help affirm Vietnam’s stature

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s attendance in the 13th Asia - Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit and related events will show the importance Vietnam attaches to ASEM and affirm the country’s stature in this forum.

The PM will take part in the meetings on November 25 - 26 via videoconference, at the invitation of his Cambodian counterpart Samdech Techo Hun Sen.

Themed “Strengthening Multilateralism for Shared Growth”, the 13th ASEM Summit is expected to help maintain cooperation in ASEM and enhance Asia - Europe connectivity.

As a founding member, Vietnam has always shown proactive and active participation in and promoted ASEM cooperation for peace, cooperation, and common development in the region.

The 53-member ASEM is important to Vietnam in terms of strategy, economy, politics, security, development, and society.

Over the last 25 years, Vietnam’s stature in this inter-regional cooperation mechanism has been growing thanks to socio-economic achievements, the fulfillment of duties in multilateral organisations, and meaningful contributions to ASEM.

Through ASEM, Vietnam has won support, stepped up the negotiation on its admission to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and boosted integration into the global economy.

In particular, at the ASEM Summit in Vietnam in 2004, the European Union was the first partner in the world to sign a bilateral agreement supporting the country to become a member of the WTO, which paved the way for many other deals to help Vietnam officially gain the status in 2007.

Besides, Vietnam launched talks on a free trade agreement with the EU in 2010, at the 8th ASEM Summit in Belgium, and finished the negotiation at the 10th ASEM Summit in Italy.

It is assessed as one of the most active members as seen in its proposal, launch, and promotion of many new cooperation ideas. It has also directly carried out and co-sponsored nearly 60 initiatives in different fields. Via these cooperation initiatives, the country has joined other ASEM members in highlighting the benefits of peace, security, and stability, resolving urgent problems, and promoting issues of common concern.

Vietnam’s bilateral relations with other ASEM members have been developing in an increasingly substantive manner. Among them, the EU expects Vietnam will serve as its key partner and connectivity centre in the region.

PM Chinh’s participation in the 13th ASEM Summit and related events will continue reflecting the country’s foreign policy of proactively and actively integrating into the world. It will also demonstrate the importance Vietnam attaches to ASEM, affirm the country’s role and stature in the forum, and help promote multilateral diplomacy.

The Government leader’s attendance will also reiterate Vietnam’s consistent stance on some major issues that affect regional and global peace and stability; protect and promote the country’s priorities and interests in ASEM; and make use of international cooperation to combat the pandemic and accelerate economic recovery./.

President's visit to create political motivation for growth of Vietnam-Switzerland partnership: Diplomat

The upcoming Switzerland visit by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc is expected to create a strong political motivation and open up bigger opportunities for the cooperation between Vietnam and the European country which are commensurate with their potential and strengths, stated Vietnamese Ambassador to Switzerland Le Linh Lan.

In an interview granted to Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the President's visit, the ambassador said during the visit, which will take place from November 25-29 at the invitation of Swiss President Guy Parmelin, President Phuc will hold talks with his Swiss counterpart and have a meeting with President of the Swiss National Council Andreas Aebi.

He will have working sessions with leaders of the United Nations Office in Geneva, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), meet the Vietnamese community in Switzerland and attend a Vietnam-Switzerland business forum, Lan said, adding that the President will also work with leading pharmaceutical firms of Switzerland to strengthen cooperation in COVID-19 vaccine and treatment medicine supply.

She held that the visit manifests Vietnam’s great attention to the development of the traditional friendship and partnership with Switzerland, one of the first western European countries that set up diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1971. Switzerland is also one of the European countries that consider Vietnam a prioritised development partner. The country has provided 600 million USD in development aid to Vietnam in the 1991-2021 period.

The visit also shows Vietnam’s strong commitment to further accelerating and deepening ties with Switzerland, she stressed, adding that it also reflects Vietnam’s multilateral foreign policy.

The ambassador expressed her optimism about the prospects of the partnership between the two countries.

She said that 2021 is a special year which not only marks the 50-year ties between the two countries, but also creates a chance for both sides to seek ways to speed up negotiations towards the signing of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), open up new cooperation opportunities and realise the great potential in bilateral collaboration, especially in trade, investment, sustainable development, renovation and digital transformation.

Similarities and shared values of both countries, along with the supplementary characteristics of the two economies and the great cooperation potential will be positive factors for the bilateral cooperative partnership, said Lan.

She also highlighted the contributions by overseas Vietnamese entrepreneurs, experts and intellectuals in Switzerland to the connections between the two countries, especially in health care, policy consultation and investment attraction in high technology, digital transformation, renewable energy, green agriculture, and innovation, serving Vietnam's sustainable development./. 

Vietnam wants to better help address non-traditional security issues at multilateral forums

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a symposium to discuss ways to strengthen Vietnam’s contribution to addressing non-conventional security challenges at multilateral forums on November 23.

Chaired by Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang, the event was part of a series of activities to prepare for the upcoming 31st Diplomatic Conference.

In his remarks, Giang said Vietnam’s multilateral diplomacy has seen encouraging progress in all three pillars – Party-to-Party diplomacy, State-to-State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy.

This symposium aims to prepare for the 31st Diplomatic Conference, which will focus on promoting multilateral diplomacy in the new context and addressing non-conventional security challenges, he said.

Climate change, epidemics, food security, energy security, water security, cyber-security, terrorism, transnational crimes, among others, are alarming issues globally which are adversely impacting the country’s development, he noted, stressing the necessity to further enhance the effectiveness of multilateral diplomacy in tackling them.

Vietnam has achieved various successes in multilateral diplomacy over the previous years, he said, but several aspects still need improvements, for example, coordination between ministries and agencies, development of suitable visions and strategies in participating in multilateral mechanisms, proposal of policies and initiatives to bolster cooperation at multilateral forums, and how to balance national interests and those of the international community.

Vietnam has constantly stepped up bilateral relations with regional and global powers and played a part in promoting global peace and development, he continued. Vietnam has been highly regarded internationally for its contribution at multilateral forums and strong commitments to UN operations, particularly peacekeeping mission./.

IUU fishing fight regulations popularised among fishermen in Bach Long Vi island

Coast guards and border guards in the northern port city of Hai Phong on November 23 held a communication event to popularise regulations on the prevention and combat of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing among fishermen in Bach Long Vi island.

Currently, more than 300 fishing boats, mostly from central localities, are docking in Hai Phong to avoid bad weather.

The coast guard and border guard forces directly talked about IUU fishing fight rules to 950 crew members on 168 vessels, while delivering 200 leaflets and presenting 120 national flags, 25 life vests and 20 gifts to fishermen.

The activity aims to help fishermen understand the law, thus strictly abiding by the law while operating at sea and joining hands with authorities to work towards the removal of the “yellow card” imposed by the European Commission on Vietnamese fishery products./.

S’Tieng people’s wine making technique recognised as nat’l intangible cultural heritage

The technique to make Can wine, a type of wine stored in a big jar and drunk with long bamboo straws, of S’Tieng ethnic minority group in the southern province of Binh Phuoc has been recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage in terms of folk knowledge and traditional craft.

The provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism held a ceremony on November 23 to announce the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s decision on the recognition.

The technique of making Can wine of the S'Tieng people in Binh Phuoc has been passed on from generation to generation. The folk knowledge and traditional craft are reflected in the appropriate identification and use of natural materials like leaves and barks, as well as the unique blend of leaf yeast with raw materials such as paddy and rice to create a wine product with distinct flavours.

This is a typical product, contributing to the richness and diversity of the culinary culture of Binh Phuoc province in particular and Vietnam in general.

On the same day, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the southern province of Binh Duong also held an event to announce the decision recognising Phu Chanh wood weaving toolkit as a national treasure, as well as Tan Khang – Ba Tra martial arts in Tan Uyen town and Binh Duong pottery craft as national intangible cultural heritage.

The toolkit, dating back to the end of the 3rd century BC - 1st century AD, includes 23 items which were discovered in Phu Chanh commune of Tan Uyen district in 1998 and 2001./.

Prime Minister receives Japanese Komeito Party’s Chief Representative

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Chief Representative of Japan’s Komeito Party Yamaguchi Natsuo on November 24 during his ongoing official visit to Japan.

During the reception, the Vietnamese Government leader congratulated the Komeito Party on its success in the last election, and highly valued the role and position of the party in Japan’s political system.

He thanked the Japanese party for its important contributions to consolidating and expanding the friendly cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Japan over the past time, expressing his hope that the party's parliamentarians always support the Japanese Government's proposals related to Vietnam.

PM Chinh emphasized that the Vietnamese Government and people consistently consider Japan as a leading and reliable and long-term partner.

He hoped that the Komeito Party will continue to pay attention to promoting the Vietnam - Japan extensive strategic partnership, the exchange between the two countries' friendship parliamentarian groups and people-to-people exchange in the coming time.

He also proposed that the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the Komeito Party hold exchange activities and share experience, especially in areas such as administration, management, training, natural resources, transport, tourism and improving the quality of human resources.

For his part, the Komeito Party official applauded the Vietnamese Government leader’s official visit to Japan, saying that the trip will contribute to further strengthening the Vietnam - Japan extensive strategic partnership across fields.

He affirmed that the Komeito Party has, and will continue to support stronger Japan – Vietnam relations, and bolster bilateral cooperation at regional and international forums.

The party always supports Vietnamese expats living, studying and working in Japan, he said.

PM Chinh conveyed a message from National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue inviting Komeito parliamentarians to visit Vietnam in the coming time./.

VN students receive AEON Scholarships

The AEON 1% Club Foundation, a member of Japanese retail and financial services corporation AEON, granted 60 scholarships to Vietnamese university students at an online ceremony on Wednesday.

Nagatsuma Hiroyuki, senior general manager of AEON Mall Việt Nam Co Ltd, said the AEON Scholarship was an allowance-based scholarship for university students in various Asian countries and self-financed Asian students studying in Japan.

The project, designed to “Support the Dreams of Asian Students”, was started in 2006 in the hope that recipients will play an active role in the future, connecting their home countries with Japan in their respective specialist fields. In addition to year-round financial support, the project offers opportunities for various curricula and volunteer activities aimed at scholarship students in Japan and provides support for students aiming to develop into global talents.

In Việt Nam, the AEON Scholarship has been awarded to a total of 1,040 university students, including students from universities in Hà Nội since 2012 and those in HCM City since 2011.

This year in Hà Nội, students from the Việt Nam National University, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the Foreign Trade University and the Việt Nam National University of Agriculture were honoured to receive the scholarships.

At the Scholarship Certificate Granting Ceremony, scholarship students gave speeches on their personal dreams and goals.

“This scholarship is the source of encouragement in making a bridge between Japan and Việt Nam. This will be the motivation for me to keep believing in myself and achieve my career goals,” said Chử Thị Phương Anh, a scholarship recipient from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

The AEON 1% Club Foundation was established in 1989 in Japan and has been operating on the 1 per cent of pre-tax profit donated by major AEON Group companies. It engages in projects with the three main themes of “Sound Development of the Next Generation, Promotion of Friendship with Foreign Countries and Sustainable Development of Regional Communities”.

Since its establishment, the AEON scholarship has supported 7,426 students from 38 universities and colleges across Japan, China, Thailand, Việt Nam, Indonesia, Cambodia and Myanmar.

Better social assistance system needed to prepare vulnerable people for crisis: World Bank

Despite progress in tackling multiple challenges for different vulnerable groups, Việt Nam’s social assistance system faces challenges that have affected the country’s ability to support vulnerable groups affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent report by the World Bank.

The report “The Distributional Impact of COVID-19 Fiscal Policies on Households with Emphasis on Đà Nẵng City” was released by the WB last week.

It examined the national social assistance system and the distributional and efficiency issues of the fiscal policies in response to COVID-19 in Việt Nam.

In 2020, the government responded swiftly with several resolutions to support people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the report said, the programmes are “fragmented” and there is no backbone social assistance programme to provide strategic coherence.

It also noted the weak delivery system which relies on manual and time-consuming registration, enrolment and payment procedures, which are done mostly in cash.  

The report pointed out that the country’s ability to respond to crises is limited by its large informal workforce. In 2019, only 26.5 per cent of the labour force was covered by social insurance, and much of the rest of the workforce is outside the social protection system and so is difficult to help in case of an emergency, it read.

Việt Nam’s assistance was of shorter duration and its spending on COVID-19 social assistance was less than some countries in the region. While many countries in the region including Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, and Thailand have extended cash transfers into 2021, Việt Nam’s first package lasted between April and June 2020.

Việt Nam’s total spending on social assistance during the pandemic was 0.86 per cent of GDP, lower than Mongolia’s 4.2 per cent, Thailand’s 3 per cent, and the Philippines’ 2.1 per cent.

Following the first support package in April 2020 that was worth VNĐ62 trillion, the Government issued the second support packages in July 2021 under Resolution 68/ NQ-CP.

The design of the second package has addressed some challenges faced by the first package in regard to adding new beneficiaries, including pregnant women, women with children, formal and informal workers working in a number of occupations, according to the report.

The second package has improved in terms of further decentralisation in targeting as local authorities decide on criteria for identifying their eligible beneficiaries and mobilise local budgets to cover the beneficiaries.

However, challenges in the design and implementation of this package still remain, especially targeting new beneficiaries and budget constraints in poor provinces, it said.

The World Bank recommended Việt Nam extends the duration of support to tackle the lingering COVID-19 effects, and increase the amount of benefits to those in need.

The country should also ensure timely and effective delivery of assistance in the immediate aftermath of a large shock, by simplifying targeting criteria and eligibility conditions to ensure most affected people can obtain assistance quickly and effectively, the report said.

It noted that this recommendation is particularly relevant to informal workers who were not identified or registered in existing social assistance databases and therefore are not easily traceable.

It is also important to improve the intake and delivery system as well as enhance delivery of social assistance benefits by digitalising the payment mechanisms, the report added.

In the short term, Việt Nam should leverage technology to facilitate self-registration/online registration to identify informal workers for assistance, according to the report.

In the longer term, the country need to establish a single social registry system to act as a base for a more robust and integrated social protection system. The country could consider using an integrated social registry as the foundation of an integrated social protection delivery network, said the report. 

US and Viet Nam Government Agencies Cooperate to Return Fugitive 

A fugitive currently wanted in the United States by the FBI for methamphetamine distribution was returned to the United States on November 16, 2021, following months of cooperation between US and Vietnamese government agencies. 

The 38-year-old fugitive, Tyler Pham, is a Vietnamese citizen who had previously evaded U.S. authorities and travelled to Việt Nam to escape prosecution. As a result of the longstanding cooperation on police investigations between the U.S. Mission to Việt Nam and the Ministry of Public Security, Pham was successfully located and returned to the United States to face prosecution for his crimes. 

Pham’s case is one example of how close coordination between law enforcement offices of the U.S. Mission to Việt Nam and the Ministry of Public Security is thwarting transnational narcotics organisations who value profit over human life, with devastating consequences. The United States applauds the Ministry of Public Security for its assistance with this case and looks forward to future cooperation on fugitive and other law enforcement matters. 

Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) special agents at the U.S. Consulate General in Hồ Chí Minh City, the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, and in Washington D.C., along with the U.S. Marshals Service, the FBI, and the Office of Investigation Police Agency and the Department of Immigration under Việt Nam’s Ministry of Public Security, were all instrumental in the return of Pham.

School principal makes 'Wishing Tree' to inspire students

Dương Minh Anh, Principal of Cù Chính Lan Secondary School in central Thanh Hóa Province has transformed his school’s bodhi tree into a “Wishing Tree”, to encourage his students to hope and dream.

As the principal, Anh always wondered how to improve the school’s education quality. He then realised that, for the results to go up, his students must be inspired to learn. “I was intrigued at the bodhi tree, which would cover more than half of the schoolyard,” said Anh, “I proposed an idea to the school board, to transform and redecorate the tree into a 'Wishing Tree'".

Anh added colourful ribbons and attached them to the branches. The students and teachers will then staple their messages on these ribbons. The messages are varied, but mostly follow a monthly theme from the school board. The first theme, for example, is a tribute to the frontline workers fighting the pandemic. Thousands of wishes were written with heartfelt respect and hope for a better future.

This month’s theme pays respect to teachers ahead of Vietnamese Teacher’s Day. “The Wishing Tree made our schoolyard lively, and so are we! I love to write and decorate my wish notes,” Trịnh Lê Minh Châu, a sixth-grade student said, “Every time I walk by the tree, I feel empowered to make my dreams come true.”

Another student, Trương Minh Nguyệt in seventh grade, said: “My goal is to get good results at the City Students’ Literature Contest. Furthermore, I want to be admitted to a specialised school in the future.” Nguyệt has these wishes written and tied to the tree, in hopes that they come true.

“The Wishing Tree has bridged the gap between students and teachers,” said Trịnh Thị Hải, a literature teacher. “Whenever the students have ideas and confessions that they cannot speak out directly, they can always write them anonymously on the tree. We teachers would always read them to better understand our students, and improve their learning experience.”

It is surprising to hear that Cù Chính Lan Secondary School was not one of the top schools in Thanh Hóa, rather, one that sits at the bottom of the table. Minh Anh and his colleagues had a plan to improve the quality, and the Wishing Tree is just one of them. Another idea in the plan is the “Healthy Schoolyard”, which hopes to improve the well-being of students after school, and connects students and teachers all over campus.

Free tutoring for students after school and a scholarship fund for excellent students are ideas that Minh Anh is also implementing so that his school could stay true to the motto: “Every student is a sunflower, growing stronger under the sunlight.”

Teachers personal sacrifices help remote students' education

Twenty-six years ago, teacher Bùi Thị Hồng Hoài left her hometown in Đức Thọ District, in the central province of Hà Tĩnh, and moved to a remote border village in Phú Gia Commune, Hương Khê District.

The 54-year-old teacher became a resident of Phú Lâm Village to help local children access education.

Hoài told baohatinh.vn, a local online newspaper, that she still remembers her first days in the village.

"At that time, the class was held in a local resident's house. To get there I had to walk through five streams and rocky roads," Hoài said.

"I don't even remember how many times I fell during the journey. But I had to keep my books dry even if I get wet."

For teachers working in remote areas like Hoài, the hardest challenges they face is not the dangerous roads or shortage of facilities. The most difficult thing is to change the thinking of students and their parents about education.

“In Phú Lâm Village, people can be very difficult. They make a living from forests. Some families do not pay much attention to their children's learning, so we must fulfil that role. Maintaining the fixed number of students in a class is our greatest joy every day," Hoài said.

For more than two years, Hoài has taken Trần Trung Kiên, a fourth-grade student, to the school every day. They have to travel more than four kilometres along a narrow mountain road to get to class.

“My parents have to go to the forest and work in the fields to earn money to buy medicine to treat my kidney disease. Teacher Hoài has become my second mother to take care of my studies. Every day, she takes me to school, reminds me to take medicines on time and encourages me to keep learning," Kiên said.

Like Hoài, teacher Hoàng Thị Nguyệt has been teaching in Phú Lâm Village for 26 years.

Born and raised in Hương Vĩnh Commune, Hương Khê District, Nguyệt understands the hardships of the mountainous people. But the life of people in Phú Lâm Village is more difficult.

"Sometimes, I wanted to give up the teaching in this village. Then I think 'What will the education of children in remote areas be like if no one stays here to teach them'", said Nguyệt.

"Their smiles and innocent eyes motivate me to stay and do a good job,” Nguyệt said, adding that she slowly but surely adapted to her new circumstances.

The year 2019 marked an important milestone for the children of Phú Lâm Village, as VNĐ500 million (US$21,990) was invested to repair and upgrade Phú Gia Primary School.

Temporary classes have been removed. Students and teachers now have a real school with support from the Hà Tĩnh border guards, Phú Gia border station, VTC News online newspaper and Thiện Tâm Fund.

Nguyễn Thị Hạnh, principal of Phú Gia Primary School, said: "In previous years, there were three teachers teaching students from grade one to five. In this school year, the school has only 34 students from grades one to four, including 23 students from the Lào ethnic group."

"To ensure the children's learning, we have to combine students into two classes and only two teachers are in charge of teaching."

Students in grades one and three are learning in one class and grades two and four are in the other, Hạnh said.

The teaching is very hard as the teachers must prepare two lesson plans to cover both grades in the same class. 

They have to arrange lessons flexibly to ensure the teaching quality.

Each class is equipped with two blackboards. When the first-graders study literature the third-graders study math, and vice versa.

"In the last two school years, we have implemented a new general education programme, but we have not been able to promote the effectiveness of e-learning textbooks due to unstable internet and the combination of students in one class," said Nguyệt, who is in charge of the first and third-grade class.

"We have to find more pictures related to the lessons to help students understand the lesson more easily."

"We are very happy when we see the changes of the school, classes and the attention of the teachers to the students," said Lê Thị Chung, mother of a fourth-grade student. 

In recent years, the school has also begun teaching other subjects like English, music, painting and basic life skills.

"I'm very happy to go to school and learn a lot of good things. I also really enjoy learning English and hope to have more opportunities to learn more about this subject in the future,” Phan Lê Bảo Lộc, a fourth-grade student said.

On Teachers' Day, teachers received greeting cards and flowers picked from the sides of the road from students. For the teachers, these were precious gifts that show gratitude and respect from the students. 

"The dedication and love of the teachers here have lighted up the learning for children in the remote border area," Trần Đình Hùng, head of Education and Training Department of Hương Khê District. 

Celebrities try their hand at martial arts in new reality show

Martial arts and boxing will be the focus of a brand new show called "The Champion 2021" which will be on air in early December.

The reality show will gather 50 Vietnamese artists, singers and actors, who will learn martial arts from experts.

Shows in Việt Nam have mainly been about singing and dancing, talk shows and quiz shows. Under famed director Lê Thanh Sơn, The Champion 2021 is the first of its kind about sport aiming at honouring martial arts. It is expected to bring a fresh look to the local entertaining environment, as well as to promote martial art practice in the country.

The show will provide viewers with a general look at how martial artists practise and compete. Viewers will get closer and better understand the life of sports athletes who have to spend time, tears and blood to reach glory.

The celebrity participants will be advised and trained by well-known martial art athletes and coaches, such as seven-time world muay champion Nguyễn Trần Duy Nhất, and take part in real competitions to show what they have learned. 

Participants will share with viewers more information about martial arts and their personal feeling after each episode and will have a chance to show their individual abilities and spread their positive energy to communities.

The Champions 2021 is a combined show of art and sport which is co-produced by Cát Tiên Sa Media Group and the Việt Nam Television who previously organised hot-hit shows such as The Voice Việt Nam, The Remix, King of Rap, and Dancing with the Stars. 

It is also for the first time cinematic aspects will be added to the show, which according to director Sơn, will make The Champion not only rich in martial arts' competitiveness and knowledge but also full of artistic images.

"I was confused a little when invited to direct The Champion. But when I was told about how the show would run I was really excited and many ideas came to mind," said Sơn who has for many years worked in action films. 

"When I searched for information about boxing I found that it is a beautiful sport. Boxing, and martial arts in general, is for everyone. It honours sportsmanship. At this time of the pandemic, power of will and sporting spirit are needed to push everyone up," said Sơn.

Sơn, who is called 'hundreds of billions đồng' director, has made his name through movies that strongly impressed viewers such as Em Chưa 18 (Jailbait) and Bẫy Rồng (Clash).

He also took part in a variety of films, Áo Lụa Hà Đông (The White Silk Dress), Âm Mưu Giày Gót Nhọn (How to Fight in Six Inch Heels), Saigon Yo!,  Để Mai Tính (Fool for Love), Long Ruồi (Long Fly) and Lửa Phật (Once Upon a Time in Vietnam), as a script-doctor and talent-coach.

He added: "I have met many people and all of them believe that it would bring positive effects to the community. I have told my crew that we might not produce The Champion once. The 2021 edition is the foundation for the many seasons to come.

"It's like The Champion has woken me up after a long sleep. And I hope that I would make people The Champion-addicted viewers will finish each episode with a great feeling."

Names of participants will be revealed soon. The first one has confirmed his participation is singer Ưng Hoàng Phúc. The 40-year-old practised martial arts for five years in the past and he believes that age is only a number. Phúc said he hopes to challenge himself in the show, earning his own experience in martial arts again and contributing competitive fights for viewers.

Trailers of other would-be fighters in training have been uploaded widely on social networks. 

The show will be aired every Saturday at 9.15pm. The first episode is slated to start on Saturday, December 4 on VTV3 channel.

Bình Định complete the signing of national team striker

Topenland Bình Định continued their busy transfer window with the signing of Hà Đức Chinh on a free.        

Chinh put pen to paper on a three-year deal with a salary of VNĐ45 million a month (US$1,988) and a VNĐ2.5 billion ($110,365) yearly bonus.

Chinh’s former club Đà Nẵng wanted to extend his contract which expires at the end of 2021, but both sides failed to meet any agreement in terms of salary and bonuses, leading to the departure of the 24-year-old striker.

Writing on his personal social media account, Chinh expresses his appreciation to his former club: “The time with SHB Đà Nẵng will always be a memorable part of my football career.

“Best regards and thanks to the board, coaching staff, and my teammates at the club who have always helped me wholeheartedly during my time here.

“Wish Đà Nẵng will always be successful and develop in the future. Goodbye!”

Chinh is currently on a short break before focusing on the AFF Cup 2021. During this time, Bình Định and their new signing will complete the final procedures of the transfer.

Hà Đức Chinh is a familiar face of the Việt Nam national squad but has only been the second choice for coach Park who normally opts for Nguyễn Tiến Linh upfront.

Chinh’s highlight in the 2022 World Cup final qualifying round was a chance created for Phan Văn Đức at the end of the 0-1 loss against Saudi Arabia.

The opening V.league transfer market saw Bình Định spend big on many quality signings.

Before Đức Chinh, talented players such as Mạc Hồng Quân and Nghiêm Xuân Tú, both from Quảng Ninh, completed their transfers to the club based in South Central Coast of Việt Nam.

TV show features famous musicians in 90s

Ten famous musicians in the 1990s will appear in the TV show Sắc Màu Thời Gian (The Cover Show) on Việt Nam Television starting this month. 

Highlighted artists include Bảo Chấn, Đức Trí and Phương Uyên from HCM City. 

The artists will talk about various topics related to Vietnamese music as well as their careers. Their stories are in the form of an interview or conversations hosted by the show’s producers.

Their hits are performed by Ưng Hoàng Phúc, Phạm Quỳnh Anh and Lê Minh from the boy band MTV who were young pop idols 10 years ago. 

In the first episode last Wedneday, artist participants were filmed without studio audiences because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Appearing in Sắc Màu Thời Gian is a chance for me to introduce my music to young audiences,” said veteran musician-mixer Bảo Chấn of the HCM City Musicians’ Association.

“I believe the show will bring Vietnamese musicians, singers and their art closer to fans at home and abroad.”  

“I love to hear that my songs are performed in new trends by young singers today,” said Chấn, who refused to appear in the public in the last 10 years. 

Chấn, 71, was known as a “music magician” in the region in the 1980s-90s. He was a pioneer in harmony and sound mixing which were still new in the industry at that time.

He has composed more than 70 songs. His music combines traditional and western styles, using Vietnamese folk elements.

Many of his hits, such as Đêm Nay Anh Mơ Về Em (I Dream of You Tonight) and Bên Em Là Biển Rộng (By Your Side is the Wide Sea), won the top prizes at national music competitions and awards presented by the HCM City Television and Radio the Voice of HCM City People. 

His songs helped several singers reach fame, including pop stars Lam Trường, Hồng Nhung and Phương Thanh. 

“Our show encourages youth to learn more about Vietnamese music,” said the show’s art director Minh Nhiên. 

“Many fans have sent comments to encourage the show’s artists and myself in particular on Facebook and Instagram.” 

Sắc Màu Âm Nhạc will air at 8.30pm on VTV3 every Wednesday. 

Phan Thiết City’s zero đồng market helping the poor

A recently opened 'zero đồng' market is proving to be a lifeline for residents in the southern province of Bình Thuận.

Many people struggling to make ends meet due to the pandemic have been flocking to the free store in Phan Thiết City stocking up on eggs, rice, vegetables and other essential items. 

The market opened on November 17 with support from the provincial Fatherland Front Committee and the local Việt Nam Buddhist Sangha.

All the items in the market have been donated by local residents and customers visiting follow strict pandemic prevention measures. 

Displays inside the store have also been spaced out to limit contact between staff and customers.

Each person was given an allocated time to shop and delivery drivers were on hand to take produce to the homes of the disabled and elderly. 

Đặng Thị Thu, 65, from Xuân An Ward, said that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused problems for many families.

She said: "These essential foods not only help families overcome the current difficulties, but also show how caring the community is by helping people less fortunate."

Phan Thiết City has seen a sharp rise in COVID infections. 

Since the fourth wave began at the end of April, there have been almost 5,000 new infections. The area has been declared a 'red zone' and many activities are still prevented. 

Phan Thị Vi Vân, Vice Chairwoman of the provincial Fatherland Front Committee said that the "zero đồng” market was helping disadvantaged people temporarily overcome difficulties and encouraging  local residents to comply with pandemic-preventive regulations during this period.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 again, the provincial Fatherland Front Committee has mobilised all resources to help the locality carry out pandemic preventive and social affairs work.

As well as the market, authorities are on hand to deliver other essential items to people who are struggling to leave their homes.

Phan Thị Vi Vân said with practical activities and the solidarity of the whole community, the Provincial Fatherland Front was contributing to help people to overcome difficulties and beat the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Home quarantine for close contacts of COVID-19 cases not allowed in four Hà Nội inner districts

Hà Nội authorities have allowed home quarantine for F1 cases (having direct contacts with COVID-19 patients) in all areas except for four inner districts of Ba Đình, Hoàn Kiếm, Đống Đa and Hai Bà Trưng.

In the latest instruction signed by vice chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, Chử Xuân Dũng, the authorities require quarantine areas to be separate houses or apartments with warning signs at the front gates. Yellow waste baskets labeled infection waste are required to store discarded personal protective equipment from medical staff.

F1 cases must be isolated in enclosed rooms which are separate from the family living areas. The installation of cameras is encouraged to monitor quarantined people.

The isolation room must have a separate toilet and bathroom, enough personal hygiene tools, hand soap, clean water, and hand sanitiser containing at least 60 per cent alcohol and personal temperature measuring device.

The city’s authorities order not using air conditioners connected with other areas and encourage separate air conditioners.

The isolation rooms must be equipped with washing machines or buckets for the quarantined people to wash clothes by themselves.

Quarantined people must strictly observe the quarantine period, are not allowed to leave their rooms and interact with other family members or pets during the time.

F1 cases are asked to self measure their temperatures, follow health status and update reports daily. If there are any suspected infection signs like coughing, fever, sore throat, shortness of breath, they must immediately alert medical staff.

They must conduct testing at least three times on the first day of quarantine and other tests on the seventh and fourteenth days of quarantine.

Elderly members or those infected with chronic diseases must not have contact with quarantined people.

All family members must conduct group testing at least three times on the first day of quarantine and other tests on the seventh and fourteenth days.

Local authorities have been asked to only allow home quarantine when households meet requirements and supply essential items for households that have quarantined people.

Vice chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyễn Văn Phong on Saturday said the city’s authorities had assigned the local Department of Health and relevant agencies to map out a scenario of 100,000 COVID-19 cases given the increasing infection risk in the New Year holidays.

If the city reports 30,000 cases or more, there will be four levels of treatment with the first level at city’s hospitals, the second level at district’s hospitals, the third at commune/ward healthcare centres and the fourth level, in case of overload, at home, he said.

The city’s authorities have assigned the Department of Health to study piloting home treatment for positive cases with light symptoms, he said.

According to the municipal Department of Health, nearly 8,000 F1 cases and those who entered the cities from other areas are currently in quarantine. The district authorities have reviewed and compiled a list of quarantine areas to accommodate 100,000 cases.

All 30 districts and towns have approved a plan to set up mobile health stations. Each village or residential group is expected to arrange one venue in response to any arising scenario.

As of November 19, the city has remained its second risk level (medium risk). Four districts of Hoàn Kiếm, Ba Vì, Đan Phượng, Ứng Hòa are at the first risk level (low risk); 26 districts and towns are at the second level.

Three communes and wards are at the third level (high risk) and no area is at the very high risk level.

The HCM City’s Department of Health has sought the health ministry’s permission to pilot shortening centralised quarantine period for F0 cases.

If patients in HCM City have no or light symptoms with symptoms disappearing after one week, the city’s health department proposed shortening quarantine period at centralised sites from 14 days to seven days for those who have no symptoms, have been fully vaccinated and test negative on the seventh day of quarantine.

The move aims to reduce overcrowding at centralised quarantine areas amid rising cases despite high vaccination rates in the epicentre of the country's fourth wave of infections.  

Sóc Trăng promotes development of collective economy

The Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Sóc Trăng is promoting the development of the collective economy in all sectors with a focus on production efficiency and quality.

The province has an estimated 1,336 co-operative groups and 231 co-operatives operating effectively in various sectors, but with a majority in agriculture, according to its Party Committee.  

The co-operatives are expected to have revenues of more than VNĐ4.5 billion (US$198,000) each on average this year, up VNĐ3.66 billion from 2001.

Their profits are expected to be VNĐ230 million ($10,100) and their members will have an annual income of VNĐ12 million ($530), VNĐ2 million ($90) higher than in 2001. 

Huỳnh Ngọc Nhã, director of the province Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the collective economy has played an important part in fostering socio-economic development, especially agriculture.

The development of co-operatives and co-operative groups has enabled the production of large volumes of products and improvement in quality for both domestic consumption and exports, he said.

Yet, the development has not been commensurate with potential, according to the province Party Committee, with many co-operatives having poor management and lacking sufficient infrastructure for operations and linkages with companies for production and distribution of their products.

The collectives are expected to account for only about 0.13 per cent of the province’s economy this year.   

Lâm Văn Mẫn, Secretary of the province Party Committee, said besides the Government’s policies for developing the collective economy, the province too has support policies.

It would promote its co-operative support fund and help co-operatives obtain soft loans for expanding their production and businesses, he promised.

It would help expand efficient co-operatives, develop linkages between them and companies to acquire advanced techniques for production and secure outlets for their output.

The province has 20 items made by 15 co-operatives that have been recognised as three – star and four-star OCOP products under the national ‘one commune – one product’ programme.

Agricultural co-operatives

As an agrarian province having a coastline of 72km, it has advantages for developing the cultivation of rice and fruits and aquaculture.

It has 54 agricultural co-operatives and 371 agricultural co-operative groups growing rice, fruits and vegetables that have tied up with companies.

The Thành Công Grapefruit Co-operative in Kế Sách District meets Vietnamese good agricultural practices (VietGAP) standards to enable exports and has a total area of 37.3ha with an annual output of 746 tonnes.

Lê Văn Phải, its director, said local agencies have provided training to the co-operative’s managing staff in applying VietGAP standards.

In 2019 it exported more than 60 tonnes of grapefruit to the EU, and each of its members earned an income of VNĐ210 million ($9,260).

Last year the province Management Board for Speciality Fruit Development brought the VinaGreenco Joint Stock Company from Cần Thơ City to buy 132 tonnes of grapefruit from the co-operative.  

Thành Công members also grow the fruit in the off-season to sell at higher prices.

Their green skin and pink flesh grapefruit and Năm Roi grapefruit were recognised as four-star OCOP products last year.

Most members of co-operatives across the province have received training in advanced farming techniques and benefited from a reduction in production costs and higher selling prices since their co-operatives buy inputs in large quantities and they are guaranteed outlets with steady prices.

Ngô Công Luận, director of the 14/10 Agriculture Fisheries Co-operative in Mỹ Xuyên District, said the collective economy helps producers get information and learn from others’ experience.

The experience is one of the factors that help producers reduce costs, increase incomes and meet the requirements of the market, he said.

14/10’s members have been trained by the World Wild Fund for Nature in Việt Nam and the International Centre for Aquaculture and Fisheries Sustainability in breeding shrimp to Global Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) standards to enable exports to the EU, he added.

"Live fully in Vietnam" campaign launched to welcome international guests

In order to strengthen the communication of opening the door to welcome visitors, the National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) has implemented a promotion and advertising campaign called "Live fully in Vietnam" in association with the national tourism brand identity: Vietnam Timeless Charm.

The message "Live fully in Vietnam" aims to invite international tourists back to Vietnam - a safe and attractive destination. For the first time since March 2020, international tourists have been able to re-experience a vibrant Vietnam with beautiful nature, sunny beaches, and a cultural identity that is respected by international friends.

On November 20, Phu Quoc welcomed 204 Korean tourists under the pilot programme to welcome international visitors with vaccine passports.

Previously, on November 17 and 18, Quang Nam Province welcomed 129 international tourists from the US, France, the UK, Germany, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and Switzerland, under the vaccine passport pilot programme.

It is expected that Phu Quoc City (Kien Giang), Hoi An (Quang Nam), Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa), Da Nang and Quang Ninh will welcome more international tourists under the pilot programme in the near future to affirm the attractiveness of Vietnam in the new context, towards the travel experience "Live fully in Vietnam".

In order to enhance the effectiveness of the "Live fully in Vietnam" campaign, the VNAT is actively implementing activities to promote and stimulate tourism recovery, including: Identity design; Building promotional video clips; and Promotion through images and articles on international and domestic media channels such as vietnam.travel page and social network pages of VNAT on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Youtube, and Tiktok. 

The message "Live fully in Phu Quoc" appeared at Incheon Airport (in the ROK) to welcome the first visitors from ROK to Phu Quoc under a closed tour programme. (Photo: VNAT)

The diplomatic missions representing Vietnam abroad, localities, businesses and domestic and foreign partners will coordinate to promotion, especially on a number of major international media channels such as CNN.

The promotion campaign “Live fully in Vietnam” is expected to be effective, attracting international tourists, showing international tourists that Vietnam is ready to invite the world back to experience good times in Vietnam.

Minister Nguyen Van Hung elected as President of Vietnam Olympic Committee

The Congress of delegates of the Vietnam Olympic Committee (VOC) for the 2021-2026 tenure took place simultaneously in four major cities in an online format on November 18.

At the Congress, the delegates discussed and voted to approve the final report on VOC work in the fifth tenure and set the direction for the 6th term, as well as electedthe Executive Committee, the Standing Board and the Inspection Board along with key positions of the VOC in the new term.

Accordingly, member of the Party Central Committee and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung was elected as President of the VOC.

In addition, the Congress also elected five Vice Presidents, as well as 13 members to the Standing Committee, and elected Tran Van Manh to hold the position of Secretary General of the VOC for the sixth term. 

Former HCMC leader gets five-year jail term in land violation case

The People’s Court of HCMC on November 19 sentenced former Vice Chairman of HCMC People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Tai to five years in prison for violating regulations involving a land lot at 57 Cao Thang Street that was exchanged for the land lot at 185 Hai Ba Trung Street in the city.

Eight accomplices of Tai received jail terms of between three and four years and a half. They were charged with a “lack of responsibility, causing serious consequences”.

Duong Thi Bach Diep, director of the Diep Bach Duong Real Estate Co., was sentenced to life imprisonment for “fraud and appropriation of assets”.

According to the indictment, the State-owned 185 Hai Ba Trung land lot was where the headquarters of the Light Music Center under the HCMC Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism was located. In 2007, the center’s then director Vy Nhat Tao contacted Diep to cooperate in upgrading the headquarters.

Diep proposed exchanging her land lot at 57 Cao Thang Street for the 185 Hai Ba Trung land lot. Diep said she planned to develop a five-star hotel complex at 179-181-183-185 Hai Ba Trung Street.

The property swap was approved by Nguyen Thanh Tai. During the process, Diep used the land use right certificate for 57 Cao Thang as collateral to borrow money from Agribank – HCMC branch. 

After being granted a land right use certificate for the property at 185 Hai Ba Trung, Diep did not use it to replace the collateral at Agribank to hand over the property at 57 Cao Thang to the Light Music Center, as committed. Instead, she used the 185 Hai Ba Trung land lot as collateral for a loan at the Southern Bank and could not repay the debt.

The indictment stated that Tai permitted the property swap but was not responsible for handling and reorganizing State assets.

On March 5, 2010, Tai signed a document to relevant units approving the exchange of the two land lots, without any request to check and clarify the legal status of the 57 Cao Thang land lot, causing losses of State assets.

The other defendants showed a lack of responsibility in carrying out their duty, thus facilitating Diep’s fraud and appropriation of State assets.

HCMC seeks 100,000 more Molnupiravir antiviral doses

Due to a surge in new Covid-19 infections in HCMC, the city’s Department of Health has asked the Administration of Science and Technology under the Health Ministry for an additional 100,000 doses of the Molnupiravir antiviral drug.

The doses will be used for a pilot program to treat Covid patients at home and those at healthcare centers in the city, said the director of the department, Tang Chi Thuong.

The city’s department is working with the Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine to test use Molnupiravir to treat patients with mild symptoms.

HCMC has been allocated 110,000 Molnupiravir doses, with 43,000 of them transferred to other provinces as required by the administration and the remaining 67,000 allocated to the city’s healthcare centers, field hospitals, hospitals and pop-up healthcare stations.

The health department has 2,000 Molnupiravir doses left and will allocate all of them to Covid treatment facilities within the next two days.

The city has seen a major spike in new cases since it reopened its economy in early October. There are currently 55,000 patients receiving treatment at home or quarantine facilities.

The Molnupiravir drug has been proven to help reduce hospitalizations and deaths and shorten the Covid treatment time.

National park release wild animals back to nature

 

Thirty masked palm civets were released back to nature on November 23 after a period of staying in the care at the Cuc Phuong National Park in the northern province of Ninh Binh.
 
The group are among the 100 civets that were handed over to the park from Bac Giang forest rangers and police in April. The animals were exhibits of an illegal wildlife trafficking case. 

Now 70 of them meet conditions to return to nature.

This time saw the largest number of animals being released, the park said, adding that the remainders will continue to be cared for and released in the future.

The activity to return animals into the wild has been integrated into a travel tour at Cuc Phuong National Park launched this March, which promotes forest protection and management, together with education on nature conservation via ecotourism, especially in wildlife rescue and conservation./.

Lateness in Long Thanh International Airport construction due to land clearance

The project to establish Long Thanh International Airport is one key national project approved by the Government to enter the first phase from 2021-2025, with an investment of over VND109 billion (approx. US$4.8 million). However, the step of Dong Nai Province handing over 5,000ha of land for construction cannot be finished this year owing to difficulties in land clearance.

Investigations show that there are signs of land sellers and buyers agreeing to fake earlier transaction dates to receive more land clearance compensation.

A land investor in Bien Hoa City of Dong Nai Province informed that he was marketed a lot of over 1ha in Binh Son Commune, along with 2 resettlement lots, with the price of VND2 billion ($88,000). If agreeing with the deal, the two parties enter a handwritten contract with an earlier transaction date (before the National Assembly approved investment into Long Thanh International Airport project and July 1, 2014 when the 2013 Land Law was in effect). If all go well, this investor will receive VND4 billion ($176,000) of compensation.

This action is not at all uncommon for land transactions in the neighborhood near Long Thanh International Airport project, creating more difficulties for land clearance tasks here.

As scheduled, Long Thanh District of Dong Nai Province has to erase a whole commune named Suoi Trau and certain hamlets in the communes of Cam Duong, Long An, and Long Phuoc. Due to heavy workload, it is challenging for state officials to verify the precision of informal handwritten land contracts such as corrected details in a contract, one lot sold several times to several buyers all via handwritten contracts, and even disputed land. This has made land compensation an extremely difficult task.

Dong Nai Province People’s Committee reported that until November 10, 2021, Long Thanh District approved requests of over 4,400 land compensation cases, 3,600 of which successfully received their money. The rest are waiting for further investigation and verification.

Vice Chairman of Binh Son Commune People’s Committee Hoang Huu Minh stated that the most troublesome task is to track back the origin of handwritten land contracts since the land use right in these cases is not certified by authorized agencies.

To accelerate the progress, Binh Son Commune People’s Committee has to post land recovery notices on its bulletin board. Within 15 days, if land owners do not come to complete necessary procedures, the localities will retrieve the lot and store the corresponding compensation in the local state treasury.

To identify land owners precisely, the functional agencies have to collect ideas from the neighborhood and people working on that lot, followed by a comparison with details saved at the Center for Land Development Resource of Long Thanh District.

In reality, only around half of the land is approved for compensation (57ha out of 104ha along the DA boundary and 342ha out of 722ha in the land reserve area).

As informed by Chairman of Long Thanh District People’s Committee Le Van Tiep, when the airport construction project was approved by the National Assembly in 2015, all land transactions were instructed to temporarily halt. However, information land purchases via handwritten contracts have still continued. Therefore, the district is working with the task force assigned to handle problems related to this project in order to address any arisen land issues and arrange resettlements for citizens.

Matters beyond power will be sent to Dong Nai Province People’s Committee before being submitted to the central agencies for further direction.

In the recent virtual meeting about the land clearance task for Long Thanh International Airport construction project, Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh asked that Dong Nai Province People’s Committee be responsible for completing this important task in the first quarter next year and prepare a report for the Government.

He stressed that since this building project is critical in traffic infrastructure development for the southern region and the whole country in general, it has attracted much attention of all people nationwide. Hence, it is necessary to ensure the schedule of all stages so that the project can be finished in 2025.

Vietnam promotes cooperation with Slovenia

Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria cum Slovenia Nguyen Trung Kien on November 22-23 held working sessions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies of Slovenia to strengthen cooperation between Vietnam and Slovenia.

At a meeting with Ambassador Igor Jukic, director general in charge of multilateral diplomacy under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Kien thanked the Ministry for coordinating with his embassy and relevant Vietnamese agencies in arranging a meeting between President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Slovenian President Borut Pahor on the sidelines of the 76th United Nations General Assembly in September 2021.

Ambassador Nguyen Trung Kien recalled that at a meeting with the Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development and Technology in September 2021, Vietnam requested the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology to soon submit to the Slovenian National Assembly for ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

He hoped that the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs would support and coordinate with the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology to speed up this process.

He also suggested that the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs work closely alongside its Vietnamese counterpart to hold a political consultation in 2022 to outline major future cooperation orientations.

For his part, Ambassador Jukic affirmed that the cooperative relations between Vietnam and Slovenia in recent times have achieved encouraging results despite the impact of the COCID-19 pandemic. At the meeting with President Phuc, President Pahor expressed Slovenia’s desire to place Vietnam in a higher position in its foreign policy.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia will make every effort to coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Embassy of Vietnam to realize this goal, he said.

At a working session with the leadership of the Port of Koper, Ambassador Kien requested that the Port authority coordinate with the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology and the Chamber of Commerce of Slovenia to incorporate logistics cooperation into the working agenda of the third session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Economic and Trade and Scientific and Technological Cooperation between Vietnam and Slovenia to be held in 2022.

The Vietnamese diplomat also attended a roundtable of discussion on logistic cooperation that attracted the participation of many Vietnamese and Slovenian businesses operating in the field.

The Slovenian sides revealed that as soon as the COVID-19 outbreak is completely brought under control, they will send a group of businesses specializing in logistic services to Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City to explore the possibility of shipping Vietnamese goods to European Union through the Port of Koper.

Source: VNA/VNS/VOV/VIR/SGT/SGGP/Nhan Dan