The Finlay Vaccines Institute of Cuba and the Vietnamese company Vabiotech on November 24 agreed to strengthen ties in the field of biotechnology.

“A delegation from Vabiotech headed by its director Nguyen Anh Tuan visited the Finlay Institute, where they discussed collaboration and future projects. The Vietnamese representatives were updated on the work of the institution,” according to a message from the Cuban institute on the social network X, as cited by Cuban news agency Prensa Latina (PL).

“In the meeting between the Finlay Institute and Vabiotech, the desire to continue expanding collaboration between both biotechnology institutions was expressed,” the text says.

Recently, Duc Minh Medical JSC (Almedic) also signed vaccine distribution and development contracts with Cuba's leading biological centres such as the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) and the Centre of Molecular Immunology (CIM).

Almedic has also cooperated with Da Lat Pasteur Vaccine Company Limited (DAVAC) to be in charge of a stage of Cuban vaccine production in Vietnam. It has sent many Vietnamese technicians and managers to Cuba's biological centres and advanced laboratories for short-term training, and invited Cuban experts to Vietnam for technical training for vaccine production facilities and quality monitoring agencies in the country.

HCM City ready to promote cooperation with Chinese partners

Politburo member and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen received visiting Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao on November 25.

At the reception, the host said that the visit to the city by the Chinese official is very meaningful as Vietnam and China are celebrating the 15th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

The visit demonstrates China's interest in developing bilateral relations, especially economic and trade cooperation with Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City, he added.

Nen said that together with ministries, agencies, and localities of the two countries, Ho Chi Minh City has been actively realising the common perceptions of the leaders of the two Parties and States on promoting ties.

Ho Chi Minh City hopes to work with Chinese localities, especially localities that have established friendship and cooperation with the city, to promote collaboration in economy and trade to benefit the people of the two countries.

For his part, Wang said that his visit aims to further bolster the economic and trade ties between China and Vietnam in general and the localities of the two countries in particular, contributing to realising the cooperation policy of the two Parties and States in the fields of economy and trade.

Chinese ministries, agencies, and localities always pay attention to promoting trade cooperation with Vietnam, he said, adding China always encourages and creates conditions for businesses with potential to invest and expand investment in Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City.

Appreciating the investment attractiveness of the southern economic hub, he said that China and Vietnam in general, Chinese localities and Ho Chi Minh City in particular still have a lot of room for developing economic and trade cooperation. Besides traditional cooperation areas, they can focus on boosting new potential areas such as digital economy, green economy, or e-commerce.

China invites and expects Ho Chi Minh City businesses to participate in international fairs and exhibitions in China to enhance trade and investment promotion opportunities between the two sides, thus increasing two-way trade between Vietnam and China.

Vietnam values tourism cooperation with Italy

Vietnam values tourism cooperation with Italy, considering it a basis for the bilateral relations’ sustainable and long-term growth in the time to come, affirmed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang at the launch of a Vietnamese tourism promotion programme in Milan on November 24.

The diplomat remarked that in Vietnam's tourism development strategy, Italy is identified as one of the key markets with significant potential for exploration. However, the number of Italian tourists visiting Vietnam and vice versa remains relatively modest.

There is ample room for cultural and tourism engagements between the two countries, she said.

With the favourable location of the Milan airport – a key transit hub in Italy and Europe, Hang recommended that both sides soon explore the possibility of establishing a direct flight route between Milan and Vietnam and increase their tourism promotion activities serving better collaboration in the field as well as people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

Andrea Tucci, vice president of aviation business development at SEA Milan Airports, told the Vietnam News Agency that the promotional programme is a highly anticipated initiative. Through it, various new travel opportunities and the early development of direct connections between the two markets can be introduced to the public.

The launch featured a lucky draw to win three free round-trip tickets on the France – Vietnam air route, a dragon dance performance, a photo exhibition, and Vietnamese culinary delights.

Vietnam-UK ties shine at friendship dance festival

The Vietnam-UK Friendship Association in Hanoi held a friendship dance festival on November 25 to mark the 50th anniversary of the countries’ diplomatic relations.

Featuring performances by students from secondary schools, high schools, and universities affiliated with the association, the event aimed to foster the sides’ mutual cultural and artistic understanding and strengthen the relationship between their people.

In his opening speech, Chairman of the association Vu Dang Dinh acknowledged that with the collaboration of the British Embassy in activities promoting peace, solidarity, and education between the two nations, the association has successfully organised cultural exchange events and introduced traditional Vietnamese culture to UK friends.

Marcus Winsley, Deputy Ambassador of the UK to Vietnam, affirmed over the past five decades, the Vietnam-UK ties have been continuously fortified and nurtured to thrive.

On September 11, 1973, the UK was one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam, which was still in the struggle for national independence and reunification.

Throughout their shared history, especially since both countries decided to elevate their relations to a strategic partnership in 2010, robust developments have been made.

PM urges removing bottlenecks to key transport projects

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked ministries, agencies and localities to make greater efforts to remove roadblocks to national and key transport projects while chairing a meeting on November 25.

Chinh, who is also head of the state steering committee for national and key transport projects, said at its eighth hybrid meeting that at least 3,000 kilometres of expressways should be built by 2025, and the figure is expected to reach 5,000 by 2030.

Currently, the country counts 34 major transport projects and 86 sub-projects considered important in the sector, which have been launched in 48 cities and provinces.

The leader pointed out that construction materials and site clearance remain the biggest obstacles to the projects, and asked localities to pay more attention to these issues.

He urged the Ministry of Transport to instruct investors to ask contractors to coordinate with localities in order to soon complete procedures for the exploitation of mines serving the construction of the North-South Expressway’s eastern wing for the 2021-2025 period, stressing the work should be done before December 31.

The PM also assigned specific tasks to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, among other ministries and agencies.

Meanwhile, localities were requested to consider opening appropriate intersections and optimise new development spaces along expressways.

Quang Binh’s New Year festival to thrill audiences

A first-ever grand music and light festival in the central province of Quang Binh is set to take place from December 23 to 31, welcoming the New Year 2024.

Co-organised by the Regal Group and provincial authorities, the first Legend Festival will be held at the Regal Legend international tourism urban area in Dong Hoi city’s Bao Ninh commune.

 A first-ever grand music and light festival in the central province of Quang Binh is set to take place from December 23 to 31, welcoming the New Year 2024.(Photo: toquoc.vn)
It will feature a series of events under the themes of Christmas, love, international integration, and lighting, with participants to be treated to musical performances, games, mystical magic shows, a carnival of traditional costumes from countries worldwide, and a 3D mapping programme, among many other activities.

Highlights of the festival will be an international concert, a New Year countdown event, and a firework display slated for the night of December 31.

Quang Binh, dubbed the “kingdom of caves”, welcomed over 3.6 million tourist arrivals in the first nine months of 2023, a 2.32-fold year on year surge, reported the provincial Department of Tourism.

Japan-Vietnam relations contribute to global, regional peace, prosperity: Japanese Ambassador

The coming visit to Japan by President Vo Van Thuong and his wife conveys the message that the cooperation between Japan and Vietnam is not only a bilateral relationship but also contributes to the peace and prosperity of the region and the world, said Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency ahead of the visit, slated for November 27-30, at the invitation of the Japanese State, the Japanese Ambassador said that in 2023, Japan and Vietnam celebrate 50 years of their diplomatic relations in the context that the relations between the two countries are developing strongly in various fields including politics, economy, and culture. 

He said that he believes that President Vo Van Thuong's visit will be of historical significance and become one of the most prominent marks in the year marking the 50th anniversary of bilateral ties.

The visit is also an opportunity for the two countries to look back on their cooperation progress, he added.

According to the Japanese ambassador, to further promote the relations, Japan will continue to support Japanese companies to invest in Vietnam as its economy is growing amid a shift of supply chains 

As Vietnam and Japan have advantages of training highly skilled human resources in the field of information technology, there is a great potential for the two countries to become innovation partners in green and digital transformation. 

In addition, Japan also wishes to create momentum to restore ODA capital, especially in infrastructure cooperation.

Politically, Japan affirms that Vietnam is an important partner in realising the goal of "a free and open Indo-Pacific". While the situation in areas such as the East Sea becomes increasingly complicated, Japan will deepen cooperation to maintain and strengthen the free and open international order based on the spirit of the rule of law. 

Regarding people-to-people and cultural exchanges, the diplomat said that exchange activities and visits between the two countries' delegations at all levels are increasing rapidly, including the visits by state leaders. There are about 500,000 overseas Vietnamese people in Japan, he said, emphasised that the country will promote cultural, sports, and tourism exchanges between young generations and between localities of the two countries.

Embassy delegation visits Vietnamese in Israel

Right after the Israel-Hamas temporary truce came into effect on November 24 morning, a delegation of the Vietnamese Embassy in Israel visited Vietnamese there.

The Gaza ceasefire made it safe for the embassy staff to arrange the meeting, which took place in the house of Hong Shuranys, from the Liaison Board of the Vietnamese Association in Israel, in Netanya city.

Since the war broke out, this was the first time the embassy had met in-person with representatives of the Vietnamese community in Israel although online meetings were held regularly, said Ambassador Ly Duc Trung, stressing that the embassy always pays attention to citizen protection.
   
About 500 Vietnamese expatriates and nearly 200 students, along with a number of temporary workers are now in Israel, who remain safe as they all live far from conflict zones.  

Over the past time, the embassy has coordinated with the Liaison Board of the Vietnamese Association in Israel to take measures to ensure safety and security for the Vietnamese community.

Vietnamese ambassador conferred Cuban friendship medal

Outgoing Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Thanh Tung has received the country’s friendship medal in acknowledgment of his contributions to the development of the strong and long-standing traditional relationship between Vietnam and Cuba.

At the medal presentation ceremony held in Havana on November 24, Cuba’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Anayansi Rodríguez highlighted the new strides of the bilateral relations during the diplomat's tenure that lasts more than 3 years and 4 months. There have been notable achievements in agriculture, trade, biotechnology, construction, education, finance, and tourism, she said.

Rodríguez pointed to Tung’s effective contributions to strengthening the mutual trust and friendship between the two countries' governments and people, especially in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing presence of Vietnamese businesses in the Caribbean island nation. Vietnam is currently the largest Asia-Pacific investor in Cuba.

In response, Tung expressed his gratitude for the sincere support from the Cuban Party, State, and people for Vietnam’s liberation and nation-building cause as well as for his personal learning, training, and working.

Feeling honoured with the prestigious award from the Cuban State, the ambassador pledged to continue contributing to the preservation and promotion of the countries’ special relationship, even after the end of his term.

Earlier, on November 18, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez received Tung before he ends his diplomatic mission.

Over 267 tonnes of rice given to Phu Tho’s disadvantaged students

The Department of State Reserves in charge of Vinh Phuc and Phu Tho provinces has allocated over 267 tonnes of rice to nearly 4,500 disadvantaged students in Phu Tho province.

According to Decree 116/2016/ND-CP of the Government on supporting students in specially disadvantaged communes, each eligible student is supported with 15kg of rice each month in no more than nine months per year. They also receive support for food and housing.

The rice support policy has been implemented promptly and effectively for many years, helping disadvantaged students to attend school regularly and thus creating positive changes in improving the quality of local education.

Vietnam develops national education for sustainable development initiative

The Ministry of Education and Training and the UNESCO Hanoi Office on November 24 held a consultation workshop on the national education for sustainable development initiative.

UNESCO has launched and promoted such initiatives across the world, particularly in countries and territories that are highly vulnerable to climate change and extreme weather.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Van Phuc emphasised the important role of education and training in addressing global challenges and ensuring sustainable development.

He said the Government of Vietnam has had policies and actions to increase the quality of education and training. However, to make education and training a driver for sustainable development, more things need to be done, he said.  

To implement Vietnam's commitment at the UNESCO international conference on education for sustainable development in 2021, the ministry has built a national education for sustainable development initiative until 2030, as a strategy to strengthen existing efforts and promote coordination, towards nationwide impacts.

He added that sustainable development is not only about economic and social development, protecting the ecological environment, but also ensuring basic human needs, including development for the happiness of humanity. Therefore, Vietnam set a target of building happy schools.

For her part, Miki Nozawa, education team leader at the UNESCO Hanoi Office, said sustainable development education can equip learners from preschool with important knowledge, critical thinking, and teamwork skills to solve sustainability challenges.

Therefore, sustainable development education has become more important than ever. UNESCO is pleased that the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam has initiated a national education for sustainable development initiative until 2030 and that many stakeholders are willing to participate in this process, she said.

Participants at the workshop discussed the current situation of education for sustainable development in Vietnam and gave opinions to the draft national education for sustainable development initiative. They also identified and agreed on the next direction, an inter-sectoral coordination mechanism to implement the initiative.

Project helps put forth biodiversity conservation in Da Nang

With an array of effective models and programmes put in place, a biodiversity protection and environmental sustainability project in Da Nang, funded by the EU, has made contributions to promoting biodiversity and helping local people develop livelihoods, heard a workshop held in the central city on November 24.

The project “Establishing a Funding Foundation for Biodiversity Protection and Environmental Sustainability in Da Nang city” has been implemented by GreenViet Biodiversity Conservation Centre (GreenViet) and Gustav-Stresemann-Institut (GSI, Germany) with a funding of 650,000 EUR (710,000 USD) from the EU from July 2020 to the end of December 2023.

It aims to strengthen civil society organisations (CSOs) of the city and the central and Central Highlands provinces in environmental protection by diversifying financial resources.

At the workshop, Vice Chairman of Da Nang city’s Union of Science and Technology Associations Nguyen Dinh Phuc said that despite formidable challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and global economic downturns, all of the targets set in the projects have been fulfilled.

Although the project is coming to an end, the biodiversity conservation journey will continue in Vietnam, he said, adding localities need support from the authorities and stakeholders.

In 42 months, the project carved out a lot of achievements, including mobilising 4.6 billion VND (189,500 USD) from enterprises and organisations to fund biodiversity conservation initiatives and projects, improving capacity for over 50 groups, clubs and organisations working in biodiversity conservation and environmental protection, funding and giving technical support to 25 related initiatives, carrying out four communications campaigns to raise public awareness of biodiversity significance and sustainable environment protection, and monitoring to protect the red-shanked douc langurs, the endangered primates in Son Tra peninsula.

Foreign diplomats attend 'pho' cooking class in Ho Chi Minh City

Members from foreign representative agencies in Ho Chi Minh City attended a 'pho' (noodle soup) cooking class under the guidance of chefs from the Saigon Professional Chefs Association (SPC) on November 23.

Co-hosted by the municipal Department of Foreign Affairs, the Institute of Cultural Exchange with France (IDECAF), the Ho Chi Minh City Food & Beverage Association (FBA) and the SPC, the event drew leaders and staff of representative agencies from the UK, Australia, Belarus, Cambodia, Hungary, Indonesia, New Zealand, Japan, China and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) who cooked beef, lamb and vegan 'pho'.

Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Foreign Affairs Pham Tran Thanh Thao said the exchange activity, in response to Vietnam's Day of Pho on December 12, enables diplomats and their families to explore and spread the essence of Vietnamese culinary culture, and the secrets of making delicious 'pho' to the international community.

After completing the class, the agencies received certificates and joined in a gathering to enjoy the noodle soup. They also had the opportunity to visit a display of photos and taste complimentary servings of various dishes at the event.

Vietnam, Cuba consolidate defence ties

Deputy Director of the General Department of Politics under the Vietnam People's Army (VPA) Sen. Lieut. Gen. Trinh Van Quyet hosted a reception in Hanoi on November 24 for a young officer delegation from the Cuban Ministry of Revolutionary Armed Forces, led by second chief of the ministry's Political Directorate General of Brigade Marcelo Perez.

Quyet spoke highly of bilateral defence cooperation and the results of collaboration between Vietnamese young military officers and their Cuban counterparts in particular over the past years.

He assured the guest that the Vietnamese people and army will always stand side by side with and offer all possible support to Cuba in their capacity, like the way Cuba had previously assisted Vietnam during the most challenging period of the national liberation struggle and construction cause.

Leaders of the VPA’s General Department of Politics always support and create favourable conditions for young officers of both armies to enhance exchange and share experience, making them annual events to contribute to further deepening bilateral defence relationship, he said.

Perez, for his part, wished that young generations of both countries and young officers in particular, would continue inheriting and developing their traditional friendship and special solidarity, thus stepping up fine relations between Vietnamese and Cuban armies in the coming time.

National Assembly adopts law on National Defense at sixth session

With 470 out of the 471 participating deputies saying “yes”, the National Assembly (NA) approved the Law on the Management and Protection of National Defense Works and Military Zones at its sixth session on November 24.

Prior to the voting, the legislators looked into a verification report on the legal document, during which they discussed the classification of defense works and military zones, dual-use projects, and the change in the use purpose of defense works and military zones.

In the morning, the legislature passed the Law on Telecommunications (revised), with 473 approval votes or 94.74% of the deputies.

The sixth sitting, which opened on October 23, is scheduled to close on November 28.

Lai Chau hosts second Open Putaleng Long Distance Paragliding Tournament

The second Open Putaleng Long Distance Paragliding Tournament 2023 kicked off in Tam Duong district, the northern mountainous province of Lai Chau on November 24.

The event saw the participation of nearly 100 pilots, including 35 foreigners from countries such as Australia, the US, the Republic of Korea (RoK), the UK, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, France, and China.

The tournament has two categories, one for Vietnamese pilots and the other for all participants.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Tam Duong district People’s Committee Vu Xuan Thinh said that the games are an opportunity for pilots to exchange and learn from each other as well as promote the development of paragliding in Vietnam.

The tournament is also expected to help promote the nature, people and culture of the district in particular and Lai Chau province in general, thus helping attract investors to the district.

The tournament will run until November 26.

Putaleng mountain is in the range of Hoang Lien Son which has been dubbed as the second-highest roof in Indochina with a height of 3,049m, after Fansipan which is 3,143m above sea level.

Phu Quoc Island tourism promotion in full swing

Phu Quoc, dubbed “Pearl Island” of Vietnam, in the southern province of Kien Giang plans to organise a wide range of activities to stimulate tourism in the last month of 2023 and the first months of the following year.

Accordingly, the island city will hold the “WOW Phu Quoc” communication campaign with a message of “I love Phu Quoc”.

A website named “WOW Phu Quoc” will be launched, providing detailed information about destinations on Phu Quoc Island.

An event titled “Phu Quoc Day” will be organised in key domestic markets such as Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, together with roadshows with travel agents and key opinion leaders (KOLs), and exhibitions.

Chairman of the city People’s Committee Huynh Quang Hung said that Phu Quoc will also strengthen State management over tourism, increase inspections to control prices, and ensure the quality of services.

On the occasions of the Christmas, New Year, and Lunar New Year holidays, a lot of promotion activities will be offered to attract more tourists to the island.

Vietnam looks for UPU’s experience, technical support in postal development

Vietnam seeks experiences and technical support from the Universal Postal Union (UPU) to modernise and improve the competiveness of its postal sector—a crucial and essential infrastructure of the country, said Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang at his meeting with UPU Director General Masahiko Metoki in Hanoi on November 24.

Appreciating the UPU's innovation efforts to adapt to the digital age requirements, Quang expressed his confidence that the union will overcome difficulties and challenges, working together with member countries to step up the growth of the sector.

For his part, Metoki lauded the Vietnamese Government’s postal development orientations and Vietnam’s role in its first-time membership of the UPU Postal Operations Council (POC).

The UPU will continue sharing experiences and expertise as well as offer technical support for Vietnam, he affirmed.

Established in 1874, the UPU, headquartered in Berne, is the second oldest international organisation worldwide. With 192 member countries, it is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players, helping to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services.

Vietnam counts 305 green buildings nationwide

Green buildings in Vietnam total only 305 with a combined certified construction area of nearly 7.5 million sq.m by September 30, 2023, according to Nguyen Cong Thinh, Vice General Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Environment under the Ministry of Construction.

Green building has been developing in Vietnam for about 15 years. According to Decree No. 15/2021/ND-CP of the Government, green building means a construction work designed, built and operated in conformity with criteria or standards on efficient utilisation of energy and resource saving; ensuring comfort and quality of the living environment inside and protecting the environment outside buildings

There are four popular green building assessment and certification systems in Vietnam including Lotus of the Vietnam Green Building Council (VGBC); Edge of the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group (IFC-WB), and LEED of the US Green Building Council and Greenmark of Singapore, Thinh said.

According to statistics reported by experts from the European Chamber of Commerce Vietnam (EuroCham) at the Green Economy Forum 2023, construction projects in Vietnam account for 39% of energy consumption, 12% of water consumption, and about 38% of carbon emissions.

Specifically, in the planning and design phase, the application of green standards and solutions will create favourable conditions for the next steps of the project such as construction and operation, Thinh said.

If materials that meet green building standards are selected and used during the construction process, it will promote production development, increase demand, and create motivation to develop green production and green consumption, he added.

In operating green buildings, managers and users also have awareness and skills to use the equipment and utilities and be aware of the responsibility to protect the environment, reduce waste, and change behaviour to live a greener style.

Green buildings have contributed to reducing emissions, increasing the local environmental protection index and the score in evaluating and classifying urban areas.

Vietnam puts forth recommendations at APPF-31

Vice Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Duc Hai presented four recommendations to enhance parliaments’ role in promoting peace and stability in the region, while addressing a plenary session of the 31st Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF-31) in Manila on November 24.

Firstly, countries need to maintain strong political commitments to boost multilateral and inter-parliamentary cooperation, increase dialogues, exchange information and experience in parliamentary operations, improve understanding, and build trust on the basis of mutual respect, he said.

They should seriously observe international commitments and law and the United Nations Charter, not use force, power politics and unilateralism, and not cause division, the legislator continued.

Secondly, Hai said, it is necessary to foster legislative ties in the region by strengthening cooperation and linkage mechanisms and networks such as the APPF. 

He highlighted fostering collaboration and exchange between legislatures to exchange information and experience, and create a network of cooperation and linkages between parliaments to reinforce common power and promote their influence.

Parliaments can work together in building common rules and standards, and seek solutions to promote peace and stability, and settle global issues, he suggested.

Hai mentioned raising expertise of parliaments and parliamentarians as the third recommendation, which, he said, will benefit regional peace and stability.

Parliaments should keep a close watch on global issues, especially those on security, economy, environment and human rights, while encouraging the full and comprehensive participation of people, including vulnerable groups, in making policies and ensuring social welfare, Hai went on.  

Finally, he suggested the APPF member parliaments prioritise resources to sustainable, inclusive development goals, creating a foundation for peace and stability in the region and the world, elaborating that with the current approach, the Asia-Pacific can only fulfill these goals by 2065, or 35 years later than the original plan.

Hai used the occasion to affirm that Vietnam always top prioritises maintaining a peaceful and stable environment to spur national development, improving people’s living standards, and contributing responsibly to solving common challenges of the region and the world.

Vietnam supports initiatives conducive to regional and global peace and stability; the promotion of the settlement of conflicts and disputes by peaceful means, without the use of force or threat to use force; and the observance of international law and the UN Charter, he said.

He also stressed that the Vietnamese NA is committed to further accompanying the APPF and its member parliaments in promoting the law-making and supervisory role of parliaments.

Vietnam will coordinate with other members to maintain peace, stability, as well as economic connectivity and recovery globally, and uphold the region's pioneering role in economic development, Hai pledged.

Institute's contributions to ties between Vietnam, Northeast Asian nations, territories highlighted

The Institute for Northeast Asian Studies (INAS) under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences on November 24 held a national seminar highlighting achievements, issues and potential of the institute’s studies on relations between Vietnam and Northeast Asian nations.

The seminar was one of the activities to celebrate the 30th founding anniversary of the INAS which is functioned to carry out basic and comprehensive researches on countries and territories in Northeast Asia.

A total of 25 reports were sent to the seminar, of which, 12 reported were presented at the event. Most of the presentations focused on clarifying scientific arguments that serve the policy-making process of the Party and State of Vietnam as well as popularise knowledge about Northeast Asian countries and territories and outstanding issues of this region.

Speaking at the event, INAS Vice President Dr. Tran Hoang Long affirmed that through research works, conferences, seminars, and publications, the institute has made significant contributions to the development of studies on Japan, the RoK and China in Vietnam, thus promoting the friendship and cooperative relationship between Vietnam and countries and territories in Northeast Asia.

Vietnam supports Laos in successfully assuming ASEAN and AIPA chairmanship

Vietnam is always ready to support Laos in successfully assuming its chairmanship of ASEAN and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in 2024.

The affirmation was made by National Assembly (NA) Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Hai during a meeting with his Lao counterpart  Sommad Pholsena and his delegation on the sidelines of the 31st Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF-31)  in Manila, Philippines.
  
Regarding bilateral relations, NA Vice Chairman Hai emphasized that Vietnam always gives the highest priority to the special "unique" traditional relationship with Laos, always standing side by side in strongly and comprehensively supporting the defence, construction, innovation and development of the neighbouring country.

Concerning the relationship between the two NAs, the two sides have maintained very close and effective cooperation and are implementing well the content of the Cooperation Agreement between the two legislatures signed in May 2022, with the exchange of delegations at high level being regularly maintained.

The National Assembly of Vietnam is working hand in hand with Lao and Cambodian legislatures to organize the first Cambodia - Laos - Vietnam (CLV) parliamentary summit slated to take place in Laos in December.

The NA Vice Chairman also proposed that the two parliaments need to strengthen exchange, experience sharing, and mutual coordination in areas of mutual interest.

This is addition to closely coordinating and jointly monitoring the effectiveness of the implementation of agreements signed between the two countries, while reinforcing solidarity, close coordination, and mutual support at regional and international forums.

In response, the Lao legislator emphasized that in the context of unpredictable changes in the world, the two countries need to boost closer coordination.

He also expressed his desire to learn from Vietnam's experience in budget allocation, and socio-economic development and asked the Vietnamese NA to support its Lao counterpart in fulfilling its role as AIPA chair in 2024.

Da Nang destined to become modern and smart urban area

The central city of Da Nang hosted a ceremony on November 25 to unveil its master plan for the 2021 to 2030 period with vision towards 2050, with the ultimate goal of turning the city into an ecological, modern, and smart urban area with sustainable development.

Under the terms of the plan, Da Nang will become one of the major socio-economic centres in the nation and throughout Southeast Asia, as well as becoming a hub for startups and innovation, tourism, trade, finance, logistics, high-tech industry, information technology, and supporting industry by 2030.

Upon addressing the event, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha emphasised that the master plan will open up fresh opportunities for Da Nang  to make breakthroughs in terms of its own socio-economic development.

He affirmed that with its important strategic location at the end of the East-West economic corridor, the city is the gateway to the Pacific Ocean and can conveniently be connected to the economic hubs throughout the region.

With great potential and advantages for fast and sustainable development, the city can act as one of the country’s growth hubs, he noted.

The Deputy PM has asked the local authorities to accelerate administrative reform, as well as to develop e-government and smart cities with priorities given to key projects that have exerted direct impacts on socio-economic development goals.

He underlined the necessity to develop human resources and promote innovation and creativity with a specific focus on industries such as tourism, processing industry, manufacturing, semiconductors, digital human resources, logistics services, and seaports.

As part of this occasion, the city granted investment registration certificates and decided to approve seven investment projects, with a total investment capital of more than VND9.3 trillion.

Vietnam determined to end AIDS by 2030

A meeting was held on November 25 in the northern port city of Hai Phong to respond to the National Action Month for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control 2023 and the World HIV/AIDS Day on December 1.

Addressing the event, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan emphasised that HIV is not only an infectious disease, but can also be viewed as a public health issue for each country and the world as a whole, adding that this year marks 40 years since the world first discovered the HIV virus.

Vietnam has spent a total of 33 years responding to the HIV pandemic with nearly 250,000 infected people nationwide.

Up to now, the country has been gradually worked on containing the HIV/AIDS pandemic. However, in recent years the epidemic has shown signs of increasing rapidly among young people ranging between 15 and 29 years old, with newly-infected cases being mainly among men who have sex with other men, accounting for 80% of the overall figure.

Minister Lan revealed that the Ministry of Health has worked alongside relevant ministries across the country to continue to take drastic measures against HIV/AIDS by providing services ranging from HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, and treatment.

Furthermore, the Ministry has also expanded coverage of HIV/AIDS services and mobilised domestic financial resources for HIV/AIDS prevention and control, especially the Health Insurance Fund to pay for HIV/AIDS treatment services.

Ramla Khalidi, acting resident coordinator of the UN in Vietnam, emphasized that 2024 is an important milestone for the nation’s response to HIV/AIDs, noting that this is the final year before the country finishes the first five years of implementing the National Strategy on ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

According to information provided by the Department of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control under the Ministry of Health, Vietnam recorded 10,219 newly-detected HIV-positive cases and 1,126 deaths during the nine-month period.

Among them, 84.5% are men at the age ranging from 16 to 29 (accounting for 47.3%) and those at the age of between 30 and 39 (making up 28.2%)

MoT to adjust draft road, traffic legislation to ensure smooth implementation

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) will continue to closely coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security to review and refine the draft Law on Roads and the draft Law on Road Traffic Safety and Order, ensuring consistency, avoiding duplication, and facilitating the application of laws. 

Minister Nguyễn Văn Thắng made this statement on Friday during parliamentary discussions on the matter.

During the debate, the majority of deputies agreed on the separation of the 2008 Road Traffic Law into two laws. 

Road traffic order and safety will come under security, order, safety, and society; while the construction, development and management of road traffic infrastructure, transport management and road transport support services will belong to the economic and technical sector.

However, according to delegate Nguyễn Hải Dũng from Nam Định Province, there are still many difficulties in building these two laws, and it is necessary to make a clear distinction for the transition to one law or for coexistence between two laws.

Regarding the land fund allocated for road traffic infrastructure, transport minister Thắng said that this regulation had been revised and supplemented to ensure feasibility. 

The draft law adds provisions for special areas to ensure the land fund ratio according to general regulations, taking into account the need to preserve historic urban areas and urban areas in mountainous regions, border and island areas, and areas with challenging terrain.

Regarding the financial sources for investing in the construction, management, operation, and maintenance of road infrastructure, there is a suggestion to assess the necessity of supplementing tolls for the use of expressways in addition to the tolls for using roads through vehicles. 

Thắng said the ministry had undertaken a study on toll collection for expressways invested by the State, analysing and evaluating the impacts in cases of toll collection and non-toll collection for State-invested expressways.

To ensure the appropriateness between the fee level and the quality of services enjoyed by users, the draft law had included provisions based on the principle that people using higher-quality services would have to pay a higher fee. Users also have the right to choose parallel routes. 

The fee levels would be determined for each expressway to ensure suitability for the operational conditions of each region and in line with the quality of services. This would ensure that the State receives returns from its investments to reinvest in infrastructure, including annual costs, and balances the interests of both the citizens and the State.

"At present, toll collection through vehicles only meets 35-40 per cent of the maintenance needs. Therefore, if the expressway system is constructed and completed without tolls, the maintenance budget will be significantly deficient, posing substantial challenges," the minister said.

Regarding the general regulations for expressways, Thắng said that the draft law had stipulated that the investment in expressways must be comprehensive, including phased investment in expressways. Specific requirements for phased investment in expressways would be researched and regulated by the Ministry of Transport in the national standards for expressway design.

The minister also said that based on the practical experience of investing in transportation infrastructure, land clearance had consistently been a complex issue, leading to complaints, slow progress, and overinvestment. 

Additionally, policies and compensation rates were frequently adjusted. Supplementary land clearance for expansion within a complex plan incurred significantly higher costs compared to a single clearance effort.

The head of the Transport Ministry emphasised that for expressways, it was essential to invest in a comprehensive system of access roads and side roads. 

Learning from practical problems, in the Resolution on investment policies for a number of expressway projects, the National Assembly had stipulated that site clearance should be a one-time effort following a specific scale and plan.

In the field of road transportation, minister Thắng said that according to the draft Law on Road, the application of software to support the connection of car transportation was not considered a transportation business activity. 

Only when an organisation or an individual provides software services to support road transportation by car and engages in at least one of the vehicle management and driving stages, or makes decisions regarding transportation fares for the purpose of profit, would it be considered a transportation business activity.

On the same day, the National Assembly approved the Law on Telecommunications (revised).

The document sailed through the legislature with 473 yes votes, or 94.74 per cent of the NA deputies.

Earlier, legislators opined on the exemption and reduction of financial contributions by businesses to the Vietnam Public-Utility Telecommunication Service Fund, along with telecom resources, and telecom auctions.

Senior citizens need training, employment support amid aging population

There will be tens of millions of elderly people with desires for entrepreneurship, vocational training, and employment opportunities in the next decade, offering both significant challenges for society and an important workforce contributing to the country's economic growth.

In 2023, Vietnam has more than 16 million elderly people. According to a forecast by the General Statistics Office, by 2036, the country will officially enter the aging population phase, with over 21 million elderly people, accounting for 19.48% of the total population. Based on population data from the Ministry of Public Security, the aging process will end earlier, and Vietnam is expected to officially enter the phase in the early 2030s.

As per consolidated data from localities, as of 2023, Vietnam has over 7 million elderly people directly participating in labour and production activities. There are 221,000 senior citizens owning and operating production and business establishments across the nation.

Between 2010 and 2020, the average annual increase in the elderly workforce was about 160,000 people, equivalent to a rate of about 4%, which was more than twice the general employment growth rate of the country.

Statistical data also showed that 57% of old people in Vietnam do not receive pensions or social insurance benefits. The majority of the group has not enjoyed social security policies or has low incomes insufficient to cover their living expenses. Therefore, the need for work to generate income for themselves and their families is an issue of great concern.

Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly Phan Van Hung said that the Party and State have issued many regulations and policies regarding entrepreneurship, vocational training, and employment for the group. However, most of these are still at the policy level and have yet to be specifically implemented or brought into daily life.

To support senior citizens in vocational training and career transition, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs submitted to the Prime Minister for approval of a national action programme on the elderly for 2021-2030. The programme aims to have at least 50% of elderly people with the need and ability to work securing jobs, and at least 20,000 elderly people supported in startup activities or vocational training between 2022 and 2025. The figures will be at least 70% and at least 30,000 people in the 2026-2030 period, respectively.

From the experience of many countries, it is evident that, first and foremost, there is a need to raise social awareness regarding vocational training, job creation, and career transition support for elderly workers. Following that, the establishment of a flexible and readily available support system related to these matters is crucial. It is also important to have accurate forecasting of vocational training needs and suitable industries.

These actions need to be taken promptly to prepare for the upcoming aging population era, stressed Deputy Director General of the General Directorate of Vocational Training Pham Vu Quoc Binh.

HCM City ready to promote cooperation with Chinese partners

Politburo member and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen received visiting Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao on November 25.

At the reception, the host said that the visit to the city by the Chinese official is very meaningful as Vietnam and China are celebrating the 15th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

The visit demonstrates China's interest in developing bilateral relations, especially economic and trade cooperation with Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City, he added.

Nen said that together with ministries, agencies, and localities of the two countries, Ho Chi Minh City has been actively realising the common perceptions of the leaders of the two Parties and States on promoting ties.

Ho Chi Minh City hopes to work with Chinese localities, especially localities that have established friendship and cooperation with the city, to promote collaboration in economy and trade to benefit the people of the two countries.

For his part, Wang said that his visit aims to further bolster the economic and trade ties between China and Vietnam in general and the localities of the two countries in particular, contributing to realising the cooperation policy of the two Parties and States in the fields of economy and trade.

Chinese ministries, agencies, and localities always pay attention to promoting trade cooperation with Vietnam, he said, adding China always encourages and creates conditions for businesses with potential to invest and expand investment in Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City.

Appreciating the investment attractiveness of the southern economic hub, he said that China and Vietnam in general, Chinese localities and Ho Chi Minh City in particular still have a lot of room for developing economic and trade cooperation. Besides traditional cooperation areas, they can focus on boosting new potential areas such as digital economy, green economy, or e-commerce.

China invites and expects Ho Chi Minh City businesses to participate in international fairs and exhibitions in China to enhance trade and investment promotion opportunities between the two sides, thus increasing two-way trade between Vietnam and China.

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