The successes in education and science and technology cooperation between Vietnam and Ireland have been serving as a solid foundation for the development of bilateral relations in other areas where both countries have significant potential, such as renewable energy, agriculture, and innovation, according to a scholar.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency in Europe ahead of the upcoming state visit to Ireland by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam, Associate Professor Dr. Tran Le Nam from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering under the University College Dublin (UCD) further said although Vietnam set up its diplomatic relations with Ireland in 1996, relatively late compared to other European countries, the two nations have achieved significant accomplishments in the fields of education, training, and science-technology.

Each year, the Irish government offers 30 full scholarships for Vietnamese students to learn at top universities in the European country. With the collaboration of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Ireland also provides several postgraduate scholarships to Vietnam as part of a national poverty reduction programme. Since 2015, the bilateral education exchange programme has facilitated partnerships between 15 Vietnamese and eight Irish universities across various fields, stated Nam.

According to the expert, bilateral cooperation in science and technology has also achieved remarkable successes. In 2010, the Irish Aid programme supported the establishment of the Ireland-Vietnam Initiative for Blood-borne Virus Initiative (IVVI), which is based on collaboration between the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology in Vietnam and the UCD.

Vietnam and Ireland recently prioritised cooperation in areas such as agricultural economics, food safety and nutrition, environmental issues, climate change response, and innovation through joint projects funded by the Irish government. The Irish Research Council and the Irish Aid have supported projects on addressing air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and related health issues in Ho Chi Minh City.

With education and training cooperation as a focal point of the Vietnamese top leader's visit to Ireland, Nam expressed his belief that upgrading bilateral relations in this sphere will open up broader opportunities for bilateral collaboration, helping the two countries enhance the quality of education, research, and human resources development.

This move will also facilitate closer collaboration between universities and research institutes in both countries on high-tech research projects, he said, adding that research projects in renewable energy, climate change, and pharmaceuticals can get priority, allowing Vietnamese research institutes to learn from and access Ireland's advanced technologies./.

NIC to soon form nine prioritised technology industries: Minister

Since its establishment in October 2019, the National Innovation Centre (NIC) has become the core of the country’s innovation ecosystem and a bridge between the State, enterprises, training institutes, research centres, financial institutions and incubation support units to lead, build and develop Vietnam's innovation, said Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung.

Talking with the press on the occasion of the 5th founding anniversary of the NIC (October 2, 2019 - 2024), the minister said the NIC has benefited hundreds of enterprises, especially in supporting digital transformation.

The centre has done a lot of good things in a short time, and it is only the beginning, he said, emphasising that the centre is striving to become a modern centre that meets international standards, connects with international and domestics units, and contributes to turning Vietnam into an innovation destination in the region and the world.

In the coming time, the NIC will shape up nine prioritised technology industries in Vietnam, which is expected to fully seize the opportunities from the 4th Industrial Revolution.

To promote the development of innovation activities in general and of the NIC in particular, according to the minister, it is necessary to issue a complete, synchronous, and unified mechanism and policy so that the centre can operate effectively in line with international standards, and to complete infrastructure, research centres, labs, and housing facilities for experts.

He also noted an urgent task for the NIC in the coming time is to form the nine prioritised technology industries, including smart manufacturing, smart cities, digital communications, cyber security, environment, healthcare, semiconductors, and hydrogen.

The minister added that the NIC has been assigned to manage the training programme to develop human resources for the semiconductor industry.

It is a very ambitious and strategic goal as Vietnam targeted to have at least 50,000 trained semiconductor engineers by 2050 to serve the demand of both domestic and international markets.

Human resources is a very strong resources of Vietnam and training is crucial for the country to have skilled human resources to meet domestic and global demands, Dung explained.

The minister said he believed that the NIC will soon thrive and deeply penetrate into the global value chain in the semiconductor industry./.

Hanoi event highlights innovation as driver for fast, sustainable development

The Techconnect and Innovation Vietnam 2024 kicked off in Hanoi on September 30, highlighting innovation promotion as an impetus for fast and sustainable socio-economic development.

The two-day national-level event, held by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) and the Hanoi People’s Committee, is expected to attract 2,500 - 3,000 direct participants, and 7,000 - 10,000 others taking part in online from ministries, sectors, localities, enterprises, research institutes, universities, and organisations of Vietnam and other countries.

It features a series of forums on technology management policy; construction, health, and agricultural technologies; high-tech investment promotion. A seminar on the importance of innovation to Hanoi enterprises, a display of technological achievements in 2024, and a conference on technology and innovation application and transfer also form part of the programme.

Domestic and foreign technological advances applied to a wide range of sectors are being showcased at 200 booths at the event, according to the organising board.

In his opening remarks, Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat stressed that science - technology and innovation have been playing a significant role in national socio-economic development. In such crucial sectors as agriculture, construction, health, education, and industry, they are not only the main driver for productivity improvement or sustainable growth, but also help create new business models and enhance the competitiveness of enterprises and the country in the international arena.

The MST hopes to continue receiving coordination from ministries, sectors, localities, enterprises, and scientists nationwide to promote the unanimity on the strategic vision about developing the innovation system, in which enterprises hold the central role, institutes and universities act as strong research bodies, and investment resources, especially from enterprises, for science - technology and innovation are fostered, he continued.

Dat also pointed out the need to reserve appropriate resources for implementing support solutions to encourage enterprises to improve their technology absorption capacity, step up technological innovation, and develop a comprehensive and efficient science - technology market integrating into the world.

Permanent Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Le Hong Son said the city is home to over 70% of the science - technology organisations, universities and research institutes, 82% of the laboratories, and over 65% of the leading scientists nationwide, which is viewed as a particularly important advantage for it to bolster science, technology, and innovation.

Hanoi will keep accompanying enterprises, organisations, and scientists and create the best possible conditions for the development of science, technology, and innovation, the official underlined.

For his part, Ambassador Julien Guerrier, head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, voiced his belief in the huge potential for closer cooperation between the EU and Vietnam, particularly in such areas as green technology, digital innovation, and sustainable agriculture.

He added the EU and its members are committed to continuing to help Vietnamese people, enterprises, and researchers apply the latest technologies to boost economic growth while ensuring environmental sustainability and social equity.

On this occasion, the MST’s State Agency for Technology Innovation inked memoranda of understanding on cooperation in technology and innovation transfer with Spain’s Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) and the Republic of Korea Smart Manufacturing Office (KOSMO)./.

Feasibility report for North-South high-speed rail investment project needs urgent completion

The Government Office on September 30 issued a document detailing Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha’s conclusions drawn from a meeting regarding the North-South high-speed rail investment project.

In the document, the Deputy PM has directed the Ministry of Transport to compile and incorporate all feedback from the meeting to urgently finalise the feasibility study report.

Key points to be clarified include the basis for selecting a design speed of 350 km/h for the high-speed rail and justification for not opting for a design speed of 250 km/h, as well as additional arguments to support the necessity of constructing the entire line without phasing.

According to the official, passenger transport is the primary function, addressing dual-use requirements for national defence and security, with provisions for cargo transport as needed. Also necessary is an analysis of economic effectiveness based on macroeconomic indicators, along with a unique policy mechanism to attract investment and involve various stakeholders in specific project components.

Ha stressed that the development of the high-speed rail must ensure consistency, harmonisation, and independence to establish a comprehensive rail industry encompassing high-speed rail, urban rail, and national rail systems.

The Ministry of Construction has been tasked to review and propose a plan for the development of Vietnam's rail construction sector, identifying state-owned and private enterprises that could participate.

Regarding workforce development, the Deputy PM stressed the need for proactive planning. The Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Transport, and the Vietnam Railways Corporation are set to develop a proposal for human resources development that utilises state funding and facilitates technology transfer in infrastructure development, machinery, manufacturing, and operational management.

The Deputy PM has also instructed the Ministry of Transport to clearly delineate responsibilities between central and local authorities based on their capabilities, and to come up with mechanisms to help both state-owned and private enterprises engage in research and development of mechanical and automation technology.

The ministry is expected to complete the feasibility report for submission to the Government by October 7 this year./.

Minister calls for China’s enhanced cooperation with Vietnam

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien has called on China to foster investment cooperation with Vietnam, given the country’s favourable geographical location and signing and negotiations of various free trade agreements that China could capitalise on.

Dien made the statement at a meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Beijing on September 30 as he is in China to co-chair the 13th session of the Vietnam-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Committee.

He took this occasion to thank the Chinese Government and competent agencies for opening market for Vietnamese agricultural products such as bird’s nest, fresh durian, and frozen durian, urging the State Council of China to continue creating favourable conditions for Vietnam’s high-quality farm produce to penetrate the Chinese market to concretise Memoranda of Understanding signed between ministries, sectors and localities of the two nations.

Vietnam hopes that the State Council of China will accelerate market opening for products of its strength like citrus fruits, avocado, custard apples, longans, and cardamom and complete the signing of a protocol on quarantine requirements for certain fruits that have been exported to the nation.

Dien stressed that the Vietnamese Government and the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) stand ready to create favourable conditions for Chinese goods to enter the Vietnamese market.

He went on to suggest the Chinese side to support the building of brands for several products of Vietnam’s strengths in the Chinese market such as milk, agro-aquatic products and processed food, facilitating Vietnamese goods’ deeper penetration into China’s retail system and e-commerce platforms.

Additionally, the minister urged the Chinese side to coordinate to facilitate custom clearance to prevent congestion at border gates while asking for the State Council of China's support for the establishment of Vietnamese trade promotion offices in China, initially in Hainan province.

He also recommended the Chinese side to enhance connectivity and ensure smooth supply chain of goods in the areas of industry and agriculture between the two countries, encourage Chinese firms with advanced, energy efficiency and environmentally-friendly technologies to expand investment in Vietnam, while focusing on promoting the implementation of three railway routes connecting Vietnam and China, namely Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong, Lang Son – Hanoi and Mong Cai – Ha Long – Hai Phong.

The Chinese Vice Premier, for his part, held that the economic and investment between the two countries have been developing in a stronger and more extensive, comprehensive and practical way, adding China has purchased a large amount of agricultural products from Asia and ASEAN, with those from Vietnam accounting for 20% of the total imports. China supports the purchase of goods that are favoured by consumers such as dragon fruit and durian.

The 7th China International Import Expo will be held in Shanghai soon, he said, adding Vietnamese firms could attend the event to promote their agricultural exports to not only China but also partner countries.

He said China is always interested in and ready to support bilateral railway cooperation, stating that both sides need to study the feasibility during the construction of the railways to create favourable conditions for enterprises and people of both nations.

The Chinese Vice Premier also added that competent parties need to effectively carry out agreements reached at the 13th session of the Vietnam-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Committee and resolve arising issues, contributing to bolstering the Vietnam – China cooperation with stability and long-term development.

During the January – August period, two-way trade increased 23.7% year-on-year to 130.8 billion USD. China was the fourth largest investor in Vietnam during the eight-month span with 1.65 billion USD in registered capital. However, the results were not on par with the potential of the bilateral political, diplomatic and economic ties./.

Photo festival spotlights Mekong Delta’s landscapes and culture

The stunning landscapes of the Mekong Delta, the cultural traits of local ethnic people, socioeconomic achievements, and those who study President Ho Chi Minh's ideology were featured in an art photo exhibition which opened in Vinh Long city on September 30.

The event was organised by the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists (VAPA) and the Literacy and Art Association of Vinh Long Province as part of the 39th Mekong Delta Art Photo Festival themed “Mekong Delta Land and People on the Path of Renewal”.

More than 1,850 colour and black-and-white entries were sent to the festival by 252 photo artists from 13 region of Vietnam including An Giang, Bac Lieu, Ben Tre, Ca Mau, Can Tho, Dong Thap, Hau Giang, Kien Giang, Long An, Soc Trang, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh and Vinh Long.

An award ceremony was also held on the same day, with gold medals going to the colour photo “Preserving Phu Quoc Coral Reef” by Truong Phu Quoc from Kien Giang and black-and white photo “The Beauty of Mang Thit – the Kingdom of Bricks” by Tran Thanh Sang from Vinh Long.

Two silvers, three bronzes and four consolidation awards were also presented to excellent photographs in each category.

According to VAPA President Tran Thi Thu Dong, the art photos not only reflect regional life, economy and culture at this event, but will also go on to national and international contests.

The exhibition will run until October 4./.

Recruitment demand in emerging sectors surges

As Việt Nam's economy continues to recover, certain industries are finding it difficult to keep pace with the demand for skilled labour.

Sectors such as e-commerce, logistics and warehousing are growing rapidly, yet many companies are being forced to train their own staff due to a lack of formal educational programmes.

The challenge, however, is not limited to specialised fields. Even entry-level positions like drivers and warehouse workers are hard to fill.

Data from Việc Làm Tốt, an online job search platform, highlights that recruitment demand in the first eight months of the year increased by 30 per cent compared to the same period in 2023. The demand is concentrated in key southern economic regions and is particularly high in fast-growing sectors such as construction, real estate and logistics.

Despite this surge, 85 per cent of companies surveyed reported labour shortages, with 30 per cent facing severe gaps, some lacking more than half of the workers they require.

This labour market imbalance is a persistent issue. According to the Employment Department, over one million working-age individuals are either unemployed or underemployed. Meanwhile, companies across the country are struggling to recruit, with over 836,000 general labour positions still unfilled.

One major barrier is the absence of structured educational pathways for emerging industries like e-commerce and logistics.

Lê Thị Đoan Trinh, Deputy General Director of Human Resources at Scommerce, a start-up with 20,000 employees, spoke of the difficulty in finding qualified recruits. The company, which provides rapid delivery services through its brand Ahamove, primarily serves clients like Tiktokshop and Shopee.

“Many industries aren’t being taught at educational institutions fast enough,” Trinh told the Voice of Việt Nam.

“E-commerce, for instance, is covered in only a few schools. The same is true for logistics and warehousing. These are new industries where most companies have to train their employees internally.

"We’ve had to learn management and goods-sorting techniques ourselves. Training centres don’t offer classes in automated sorting, so we had to figure it out. Only in transportation can we hire workers who have gone through formal training.”

She added that, despite appearing straightforward, roles such as delivery drivers require a high degree of professionalism.

“Shippers need discipline and skills, like using smartphones for sorting goods and handling customer service. It’s not as simple as it seems.”

It’s not just e-commerce and logistics that are facing recruitment issues.

Lê Thị Bích Hằng, from the management board of Printing Company No. 7, described the printing sector’s labour shortage as critical.

With only 100 people nationwide receiving formal training in printing each year, companies are left scrambling for skilled workers.

“We had plenty of orders, but the lack of workers led to a crisis. In response, we developed an in-house training programme,” Hằng said.

This programme, the '40 Skilled Workers Initiative' focuses on hiring workers and training them internally. It takes two to three years for an employee to master printing machines, but the initiative has helped build a skilled workforce that now meets production demands.

Hằng noted that while they once hoped to hire graduates who could begin working immediately, it became clear that retraining was necessary.

“The advantage of today’s young workers is their energy, creativity and enthusiasm. We now recruit third and fourth year university students as paid interns to train them early, which helps alleviate recruitment challenges.”

Recruitment difficulties, however, are not solely tied to supply issues. The criteria that job seekers use when selecting jobs have shifted.

According to Hoàng Thị Minh Ngọc, chief operating officer at Chợ Tốt and director of Việc Làm Tốt, companies are facing three key challenges, including recruitment efficiency, optimising applicant screening and increased competition among businesses.

Many recruiters complain about the time-consuming process of sifting through incomplete resumes. Only 14 per cent of applicants meet the full requirements for technical skills, soft skills, and attitude.

Moreover, competition for talent is intense, especially with companies adjusting salaries and benefits to attract applicants. And it’s no wonder, today’s job seekers prioritise three main factors: salaries and benefits (56 per cent), a safe and comfortable work environment (52 per cent) and positive relationships with colleagues and supervisors (44 per cent).

Flexible work arrangements are also gaining popularity, with around 30 per cent of employees opting for part-time, remote, or freelance positions. This trend is reshaping the way businesses approach recruitment, particularly in industries where remote work is viable.

Trust has become a crucial element in the job search process. Job seekers increasingly value the credibility of job listings and companies, with 80 per cent expecting job postings to be authentic.

However, 30 per cent of candidates struggle to present themselves effectively in their resumes, and many find the recruitment process too cumbersome.

A large majority - 60 per cent hope for simpler application procedures.

Ngọc emphasised that while salaries and benefits might draw applicants in, a company’s corporate culture would be what keeps them.

“Salary is the initial attraction, but it’s the company culture that makes employees want to stay.”

NA Chairman addresses concerns at meeting with Hau Giang voters

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man met with voters of the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang on September 30 ahead of the 15th NA’s 8th session.

Man revealed that during its 8th session, scheduled to open on October 21 and last until November 30, the NA will consider several important bills, including the draft law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Health Insurance. The amendments aim to guarantee fairness between service-based medical examinations and those covered by health insurance, ensuring equal treatment for patients in terms of service attitude and access to medications. Additionally, the management of both public and private hospitals will be made more transparent and equitable.

He also highlighted efforts to simplify administrative procedures, allowing citizens to access medical examination and treatment more easily. In the future, those who have purchased health insurance will be able to receive medical care anywhere in the country, at any provincial or district level, with coverage and payment facilitated nationwide.

Responding to concerns over ads and fraud on social media, the top legislator said the legislature will scrutinise the draft law amending and supplementing several articles of the Advertising Law. A key focus will be regulations on advertising activities on electronic newspapers, online information portals, social media, online apps, and cross-border advertising services. There will also be stricter accountability for organisations and individuals providing cross-border advertising services in Vietnam.

The Ministry of Information and Communications is studying technical solutions and stronger sanctions to curb illegal and deceptive advertising activities in the digital environment, protecting consumers from fraud, he said.

Regarding the fight against corruption and negative behaviours, Man affirmed that this effort has been intensified in line with the motto of "no forbidden zones" and "no exceptions," ensuring strict, transparent and humane handling. This approach has earned the trust and support of voters and the public, and also been welcomed by the international community.

Updating voters on the country's socioeconomic performance during the first nine months of this year, the NA Chairman noted that Vietnam continues to strive toward a growth rate of about 7% this year, along with guarantee for social welfare, national defence and security, and fight against corruption and negative phenomena.

During its 15th tenure, the legislature has made concerted efforts to renew its approach to law-building in a more flexible and effective manner, he said, noting a push for decentralisation and delegation of authority that enables local authorities to make decisions and hold accountable in line with regulations.

On the occasion, Man witnessed the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank) symbolically present a donation of 5 billion VND (208,000 USD) to Vi Thuy district for the construction of rural roads. He also presented 200 gifts to trade union members living in need in the province./.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos presents credentials

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam presented his credentials to Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith in Vientiane on September 30.

Sisoulith noted that Ambassador Tam is taking on his duties at a time when the bilateral relationship is increasingly deepening, practical and effective. Both nations are actively preparing for the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and the 45th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-45).

He asked both countries’ ministries and agencies to work closely together to effectively realise high-level cooperation agreements and treaties, as well as the Vietnam-Laos joint statement. He stressed that the diplomat plays a critical role as a bridge between the two nations to facilitate the effective implementation of these agreements.

The Lao leader expressed his belief that during his tenure, Ambassador Tam will continue to effectively advise leaders of both Parties and countries on the Vietnam-Laos relationship. He emphasised the need to enhance political, diplomatic, and national defense-security ties, particularly by making breakthroughs in economic cooperation. This includes connecting the two economies, as well as financial, monetary, infrastructure, transportation, telecommunications, and tourism sectors.

Ambassador Tam assured the Lao leader that Vietnam attaches great importance and gives the highest priority to nurturing and consolidating the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation with the Lao Party, State and people. Together with Laos, Vietnam is committed to preserving and passing on their unique relationship to future generations.

Tam pledged that he, along with the embassy and its agencies, will make every effort to effectively serve as a bridge and coordinator. This will assist ministries, agencies, and localities in improving the effectiveness of cooperation with their Lao counterparts, including the successful implementation of high-level cooperation agreements and joint statements, as well as the Vietnam-Laos cooperation agreement.

The embassy will continue working closely with the Lao side to deepen the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation across various fields between the two Parties, States and people, he said./.

Top leader’s visit hoped to bring Vietnam-Ireland ties to new development stage

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s state visit to Ireland from October 1-4 at the invitation of Irish President Michael D.Higgins, the first by a head of state of Vietnam to the European country since the two sides set up their diplomatic relations in 1996, is expected to bring bilateral ties to a new development stage.

Sharing many similarities in history and culture, Vietnam and Ireland boast great advantages to strengthen mutual understanding and become closer together. After 28 years of establishing diplomatic relations, the two sides have enjoyed great progress in their friendship and cooperation through regular delegation exchanges.

Particularly, during Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son’s visit to Ireland in February 2024, the two countries agreed to continue increasing delegation exchanges and meetings at high and all levels, enhancing the effectiveness of parliamentary cooperation, effectively implementing cooperation mechanisms, strengthening close coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums such as the UN and ASEAN-EU cooperation mechanisms.

The Irish side suggested that Vietnam open an embassy in Ireland to further strengthen bilateral relations, while the Vietnamese side proposed that Ireland encourage businesses to invest in Vietnam in areas where Ireland is strong in and Vietnam needs such as digital transformation, energy transformation, and high-tech agriculture.

The two sides have coordinated closely at multilateral forums and international organisations. Both support multilateralism, international order based on international law, and the settlement of disputes by peaceful means in accordance with the UN Charter.

Economic and trade cooperation is currently a key pillar in bilateral relations based on the effective implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). Ireland is now Vietnam's sixth largest trading partner among EU members, with two-way trade reaching 3.5 billion USD in 2023 and 2.73 billion USD in the first seven months of 2024.

Regarding investment, Ireland is investing in 41 projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of 44.32 million USD, ranking 61st out of 141 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. Irish businesses have invested in areas where Ireland has strengths and Vietnam has great potential such as green technology, renewable energy, healthcare, innovation, and high-tech agriculture.

In terms of development cooperation, Ireland considers Vietnam a priority partner in its development cooperation policy, focusing on the fields of education, gender equality, climate change response, and support for ethnic minorities. Ireland has provided non-refundable ODA for Vietnam in the fields of poverty reduction, education and training, support for people with disabilities, and mine clearance.

Recently, Ireland has offered humanitarian aid worth 250,000 EUR (278,463 USD) to Vietnam to help overcome the consequences of Typhoon Yagi. This aid, through the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has been providing emergency clean water and sanitation supplies for affected families.

Besides, bilateral collaboration in education, training, health care, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, sustainable development, and information technology has also been fruitful.

Irish Ambassador to Vietnam Deirdre Ní Fhallúin said that the Irish Embassy in Vietnam is increasing cooperation between universities and institutes in the two countries to share experience and build capacity in areas such as agriculture and agrifood, which are priority fields for both Ireland and Vietnam. The Ireland Vietnam Agrifood Partnership (IVAP) is an example of strong bilateral collaboration in this area. Ireland is also helping rural communities in Vietnam in climate change adaptation and expanding university cooperation and research in the areas of climate change and sustainability.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK and Ireland Do Minh Hung said that the October 2023 update of the "Global Ireland: Delivering in the Asia Pacific Region to 2025" strategy, which reaffirms the centrality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), continues to demonstrate Ireland’s interest in the region. Ireland said the strategy’s implementation includes strengthening ties with ASEAN and its member states, including Vietnam.

In addition to trade and education being the bright spots in the bilateral relationship, Vietnam is currently the only country in the region that Ireland has included in its international development cooperation programme (Irish Aid) to promote cooperation in areas such as climate action, gender equality, overcoming the consequences of unexploded ordnances, ethnic minority communities, education, and people-to-people exchanges, he said.

Ambassador Hung said that during the visit, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam is scheduled to deliver an important policy speech on the strategic vision for bilateral relations in the new development stage, while visiting a number of educational and training facilities and high technology establishments, and meeting a number of Irish businesses in the fields of semiconductor, high-tech agriculture, and energy infrastructure that are keen on entering and expanding investment and business in Vietnam. He will have a meeting with the Vietnamese community in Ireland.

The diplomat said that within the framework of the visit, the two sides are scheduled to sign and approve many important agreements to promote cooperation across various fields such as trade, agriculture, and education and training./.

Museum displays memorabilia of Vietnamese women soldiers

The Southern Women’s Museum in HCM City has held an exhibition featuring memorabilia of Vietnamese women soldiers during the wars of resistance.

The “Kỷ Vật - Ký Ức Của Chiến Tranh” (Memorabilia – Memories of War) exhibition displays 93 items including letters, notebooks, embroidered handkerchiefs, cooking wares, watches, bags, a sewing machine, and a mandolin.

The showcase also includes portraits of war heroines and women honoured as "Vietnamese Heroic Mothers", and images of female soldiers’ daily life during the wars.

Among the exhibits is a handkerchief made by Nguyễn Minh Hạnh, a 70-year-old veteran, in 1969.

Hạnh’s handkerchief was one of hundreds of letters and handkerchiefs conveying words of encouragement made by female soldiers in the back. They were later sent to the soldiers on the battle front.

Hạnh said that her handkerchief was embroidered with an image of a dove reflecting her aspiration for peace and reunion.

Nguyễn Thị Thắm, director of the museum, said the exhibition aims to commemorate and show gratitude to Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, female soldiers, youth volunteers and war martyrs who had given their blood, sweat, and tears to the national liberation.

She added that every piece of memorabilia reflects their sacrifice and keeps memories of their sacred journey and trust in a victory for the nation.

The exhibition remains open until December 31 at 202 Võ Thị Sáu Street in District 1.

Italian Film Festival opens in HCM City 

Audiences in HCM City can explore the culture and history of Italy by watching classics at the 2024 Italian Film Festival, Enrica Padula, the country’s consul general in the city said.

The festival at Galaxy Cinema in District 1 from September 29 to October 4 is being organised by the consulate, the Asian Film Festival in Rome and others.

One movie is screened each day at 7 pm.

The event opened with "Io Capitano" (I Am the Captain), directed by Matteo Garrone, which is about two cousins, Seydou Sarr and Moustapha Fall, who migrated from their hometown in Senegal to Italy.

Other movies include Palazzina Laf by Michele Riondino, Zamora by Neri Marcorè, Quell'estate con Irène by Carlo Sironi, Rapito by Marco Bellocchio, and La Chimera by Alice Rohrwacher.

After each screening there will be a discussion with Antonio Termenini, artistic director of the festival and the Asian Film Festival in Rome.

The festival will also include a workshop on "The filmmaking direction of contemporary Italian cinema" hosted by the University of Theatre and Cinema in HCM City, an "Italian Film Review Contest" for moviegoers and a short film contest on "Italian Culture Through the Eyes of Vietnamese People" exclusively for students of the University of Theatre and Cinema in HCM City.

Registration is free. 

Thailand’s culture promoted in Hưng Yên

A programme to promote Thailand’s culture to people in the northern province of Hưng Yên was held by the provincial People’s Committee and the Thai Embassy in Việt Nam on September 29.

Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council of the province Trần Quốc Toản gave an overview of the locality's socio-economic development in recent times and future orientations.

He affirmed that together with the whole country, Hưng Yên is constantly making efforts to contribute to maintaining and further developing the enhanced strategic partnership between Việt Nam and Thailand.

The official highlighted the significance of the programme, saying that it offers an opportunity for Vietnamese people, including those in Hưng Yên, to understand more about the culture of Thailand, thus promoting people-to-people exchanges.

It also contributes to further boosting economic, trade and investment cooperation with Thai businesses, and raising funds to support people severely affected by the recent Super Typhoon Yagi, he said.

Toàn stated that the provincial authorities commit to creating the most favourable conditions for Thai companies to operate in the locality; and closely coordinating with Thailand’s authorities in organising exchange and cooperation activities in cultural and social development.

Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Urawadee Sriphiromya emphasised that over the recent times, people-to-people exchange activities between Thailand and Việt Nam, including cultural exchanges, have contributed to enhancing mutual understanding and deepening the relationship between the two peoples, and tightening the neighbourliness and traditional friendship between the two countries.

She called on participants to raise funds to support the victims of the natural disaster.

Lực secures silver at world three-cushion championship

Việt Nam's Trần Thanh Lực claimed the silver in the individual category at the 76th World Three-Cushion Championship, which closed on September 29 in Bình Thuận Province.

It was the first time that Lực took part in a world tournament, and he made a strong impression despite his defeat in the final match.

South Korean Cho Myung-woo, the world No. 5, got the gold in a 50-23 win against Lực after 20 innings in the final, which attracted attention in many ways.

The 26-year-old Cho was already a world-class player, while 34-year-old Lực was also a strong player who defeated many other strong players in this competition -- including highest-ranked player in the world -- on his journey to the finals.

Cho gave his best performance in defeating world No. 7 Eddy Merckx of Belgium. Meanwhile Lực, ranked No. 21, won against the world's No. 1, Dick Jaspers of the Netherlands, in the semi-finals. Lực also beat European powerhouses one after another, like Spaniard Ruben Legazpi (round of 32), Italian Marco Zanetti (round of 16) and Frenchman Jeremy Bury (quarter-finals), thereby saving the host country's pride.

Lực, who recorded an average of three points (3.125) in the semi-finals against Jaspers, made several mistakes in the finals. On the other hand, Cho did not show his strength in explosive long hits, but he easily won the match with consistent scoring.

Cho overwhelmed his opponent from the beginning. He finished the first half with a score of 22-5 by gaining consecutive runs from the first pitch to the ninth inning during the break.

In the second half, Lực's pursuit began. He added seven points in the 10th to 12th innings and came close with a score of 25-12. However, there were no more threatening attacks.

In contrast, Cho did not have any big innings, but he maintained the gap with consistent scoring.

Lực chased him to 38-23 with nine high runs in the 18th inning, and the excitement could be felt in the stands. However, he could not continue the trend.

In the end, Cho put an end to the game with 11 high runs, including a lucky shot at the end in the 20th inning attack, leading to a final score of 49-23.

Jaspers and Merckx tied for the third place. 

Việt Nam take world aerobic silver

Việt Nam won silver at the 18th FIG Aerobic Gymnastics World Championships which came to an end on September 29 in Italy.

The exciting routine channeled a James Bond-style and gave the nation 20.622 points in the group of five category, its fourth world medal in Aerobic competition.

The Chinese team won with a Terminator-themed exercise whose music began with Arnold Schwarzenegger’s famous statement “I’ll be back”, underlining China’s return. Their precision was rewarded with 20.794 from the judges, which edged 2022 world champions Việt Nam by 0.179.

Hosts Italy took bronze with 20.483 points.

The Vietnamese athletes also compete in the trio and men's individual classes but failed to make the top three.

The championships returned to Italy for the first time in a quarter century on September 27-29, with Pesaro hosting a competition that determined nations that qualify to The World Games 2025.

Held every other year, the tournament was a career-defining competition, and its 18th edition drew 350 gymnasts from 37 nations. The prospect of winning World Games berths is guaranteed to the nations of the five highest finishers. 

Artists celebrate late sculptor Điềm Phùng Thị with exhibit

Late sculptor Điềm Phùng Thị known for her remarkable invention of a system of seven modules. Photo coutersy of The Outspot Art Organisation

Artists and curators from Việt Nam and Singapore are celebrating the iconic late sculptor Điềm Phùng Thị at an exhibition in Hà Nội that showcases some of her rare sculptures along with a video installation and archives about the artist.

The artists Lê Thuận Uyên, Hachul Lệ Đổ, Ngô Đình Bảo Châu, Đỗ Thanh Lãng and Nguyễn Hữu Hải Duy are introducing a collection of archival materials gathered over five years further illustrating Điềm Phùng Thị’s mastery in adapting her modular system to engage with a wide range of spatial environments.

Điềm Phùng Thị (born in Phùng Thị Cúc, 1920-2002) remains a monumental figure in sculpture, with her legacy firmly established in the Larousse Dictionary: 20th Century Art. She was honored as a member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts.

Known for her remarkable invention of a system of seven modules - flexible, scalable organic forms that could be expressed in various materials - her body of work spans an impressive breadth.

Although primarily known for sculpture, Điềm Phùng Thị also experimented with paper, fabric and sketches, extending her visual language into multiple realms.

At the heart of her practice is the consistent reconfiguration of these seven modules - an abstract system resembling an alphabet, which she used to articulate her playful yet deeply philosophical artistic voice.

The exhibition presents rare sculptures created by Điềm Phùng Thị between the 1960s and 1980s, including pieces previously shown in larger form in public spaces.

It is the first exhibition in Hà Nội dedicated to the visionary sculptural practice of the legendary artist. 

The exhibition entitled The Curious Adventure of the Modules: A visual essay on Điềm Phùng Thị's System of Signs delves into her distinctive approach to modular forms, positioning her work within the continuum of Vietnamese sculpture and beyond.

On display at the exhibit are sculptures from art organisation The Outpost's collection, as well as pieces borrowed from various private collections.

Her work has inspired countless generations of artists. Điềm Phùng Thị’s legacy is particularly enduring in Thừa Thiên Huế, where her public works and monuments stand as symbols of her talent, strength and patriotism.

The exhibition runs until November 22 at The Outpost Art Organisation, Roman Plaza Tower B1, Floor 2, on Tố Hữu Street in Nam Từ Liêm, Hà Nội from 10am to 8pm from Tuesday to Sunday.

Tickets are available at the reception desk. 

Health ministry announces complementary feeding guide for Vietnamese children

The Ministry of Health has officially announced plans to compile a Vietnamese version of a Japanese complementary feeding practice guide at the 'Japan - Việt Nam workshop on improving complementary feeding practices in the first 1,000 days of life for Vietnamese children', which took place in Hà Nội on Saturday.

The ministry also intends to collaborate with businesses, Government agencies and educational institutions from both Việt Nam and Japan to implement and disseminate the guide.

Complementary feeding is when children receive foods to complement breast milk or infant formula, usually starting at around six months of age.

The workshop was co-organised by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the National Institute of Nutrition in Việt Nam and other relevant agencies.

It is part of the 'Commercialisation verification project for improving maternal and child health in the first 1,000 days of life in Việt Nam', proposed by Asahi Group Foods to JICA, with the aim of addressing socio-economic challenges faced by developing countries.

The project is one of several under the Support Programme for Small and Medium Enterprises targeting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Participants at the workshop said beyond theories on what and how much children should eat, it was essential to promote practical methods of feeding that align with the development of a child's eating abilities.

Developing a practical guidebook of this nature would help address the concerns of Vietnamese parents about complementary feeding, contributing to the healthy growth of children.

More than 120 delegates attended the workshop.

At the event, representatives from the Việt Nam Vaccine Joint Stock Company, Nutrihome Nutrition Centre, and AEON Vietnam presented joint research findings on the current state of complementary feeding and the potential acceptance of Japanese-style complementary feeding products in the Vietnamese market.

Based on these findings, Asahi Group Foods signed a cooperation agreement with the National Institute of Nutrition in Việt Nam to support the compilation of the guide.

The company also partnered with VNVC and Nutrihome to promote rational complementary feeding practices and distribute complementary food products.

The sharing of knowledge about appropriate dietary practices, nutrition, breastfeeding and complementary feeding from Japan was discussed between the two nations.

The initiative to expand access to this information at healthcare facilities and among families in a more accessible way is expected to improve the health of pregnant and breastfeeding women, support proper complementary feeding and ultimately foster the healthy development of infants and young children in Việt Nam.

JICA will continue to support activities related to maternal and child healthcare and nutrition.

Bình Dương to host national dance, music festival

The southern province of Bình Dương will host the 2024 National Dance and Music Festival from September 29 to October 15.

The festival is organised by the Performing Arts Department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in collaboration with the province’s People’s Committee and relevant organisations.

According to the organisers, the festival creates a platform for troupes and artists to meet and share experiences to improve their professional skills.

It is also an opportunity for cultural management agencies and art troupes to discover young talents.

The event will have the participation of more than 1,000 musicians, singers and dancers from 24 professional art troupes across Việt Nam such as the HCM City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO), the Bông Sen Traditional Music and Dance Theatre, and the Bình Dương Culture and Art Centre.

The troupes can perform different performing arts such as folk or contemporary music and dance, classical music, ballet, musicals, and traditional theatrical dramas.

Each performance runs between 60 and 110 minutes.

The organisers will give prizes to best performance, director, choreographer, musician, lead vocalist, lead dancer, and more.

At the last National Dance and Music Festival held in the Tây Nguyên (Central Highlands) province of Đắk Lắk in 2022, the organisers granted excellence awards for Ballet Kiều staged by HBSO, the ballet Hàm Lệ Minh Châu by Việt Nam National Ballet and Opera, and the musical Người Cầm Lái (The Leader) by the Public Security Theatre.

Ballet Kiều is based on Truyện Kiều (The Tale of Kiều), the 18th-century poetic masterpiece by great poet Nguyễn Du (1765-1820), while Hàm Lệ Minh Châu tells a tragic love story of Princess Mỵ Châu of the Âu Lạc Kingdom (now Việt Nam) and Trọng Thủy, son of the lord of a rival state.

Người Cầm Lái portrays President Hồ Chí Minh and his 30-year journey seeking national salvation.

The 2024 National Dance and Music Festival will take place at the Bình Dương Convention and Exhibition Centre in Thủ Dầu Một City. 

First ever Thanh Hóa marathon to start on December 8

The inaugural Thanh Hóa Marathon is set to take place on December 8 at Hàm Rồng Square in Thanh Hóa City.

The event is expected to attract between 2,000 and 3,000 runners competing in four categories: 5km, 10km, 21km and 42km races, which are open to both men and women.

This marks the first marathon held in Thanh Hóa, a region known for its strong runners and rich history in athletics that has produced many renowned athletes for the national team.

According to the organising committee, the marathon aims to promote physical fitness and raise awareness of the importance of sports, ultimately enhancing public health and quality of life.

The organisers also aspire to showcase the local economy, society, and tourism -- particularly green tourism -- creating opportunities for the running community and visitors to explore and experience the beauty of the region. 

Đức Giang General Hospital successfully performs first kidney transplants

Đức Giang General Hospital has successfully performed its first three kidney transplants, mastering techniques trained and transferred from the experts of the Military Medical Hospital 103.

The hospital has become the second medical facility under the Hanoi Department of Health (after Saint Paul General Hospital) to be named on the organ transplant map of Việt Nam.

The first case was N.T.B.H, 26, living in Tuyên Quang Province who was diagnosed with end-stage chronic kidney failure in early 2022 and required dialysis three times a week.

The patient was donated a kidney by his biological mother. The special thing about this transplant pair is that the mother is older and her body is smaller than her child's, so the risk of graft kidney function is difficult to achieve as expected.

However, with careful preparation of human resources and medical equipment, the transplant was carried out successfully on September 8, 2024. After transplantation, the health of both the donor and recipient was completely stable.

The second case was L.B.C, 19, living in Thanh Hóa Province. In April 2024, he was hospitalised after showing signs of fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness and frequent rashes. Examination and diagnosis results showed that he had end-stage kidney failure and required dialysis three times a week.

Luckily, through screening tests of family members, his biological mother's kidney was suitable for transplantation to the patient. On September 11, the hospital’s medical team performed surgery to remove a kidney from the mother and transplant it to her son.

After more than six hours of surgery, the transplant was successful beyond expectations. After the transplant, the health of patient C and his mother both improved.

The third case was P.T.H, a 24-year-old man living in Nam Định Province. He was diagnosed with glomerulonephritis in 11th grade. To maintain his health, H always took medicine regularly following the doctor's prescription. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, H did not go to the doctor regularly for a long time, leading to end-stage kidney failure.

In August 2024, H's mother registered for her son to receive an organ transplant when she learned that Đức Giang General Hospital would carry out an organ transplant programme. After testing with highly compatible results between mother and child, the transplant was conducted successfully on September 13. Currently, the health of both mother and H is progressing well.

Dr Nguyễn Văn Thường, Director of the Đức Giang General Hospital said that after the success of the first three transplants, the hospital will introduce kidney transplant techniques into routine implementation.

“It is expected that next week, the hospital will carry out two more kidney transplants. So, in just one month, the hospital will be able to transplant five cases and will eventually transplant kidneys from brain-dead donors," said Dr Thường.

Dr Nguyễn Văn Tuyên, Head of the Department of Nephrology - Urology, Đức Giang General Hospital said that to maintain life, kidney failure patients must go to the hospital for dialysis once every other day. Currently, the department has nearly 180 patients with end-stage chronic kidney failure on dialysis.

Dr Tuyên said: “Every day there are 80 patients undergoing dialysis divided into three shifts. This makes patients and their families tired, has to travel a lot, and is expensive.

"Mastering kidney transplant techniques at Đức Giang General Hospital will contribute to improving the quality of life for kidney failure patients.”

HCM City Ring Road 4 should be a single comprehensive project: MoT

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) recently sent an official document to the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the HCM City People’s Committee outlining options for implementing the HCM City Ring Road 4 Project.

MoT agreed to study the various options in order to choose the best approach and promptly propose solutions to accelerate the project’s progress.

Specifically, regarding implementation plans, the ministry said that one major proposal is to merge the five component projects across five localities into one comprehensive project for submission to the investment approval process.

This differs from a previously approved plan outlined in the Prime Minister’s Directive No. 1263/TTg-CN, dated 29th September 2021.

The transport ministry recommended that the Ministry of Planning and Investment coordinate with the HCM City People’s Committee and relevant localities to clarify the advantages and feasibility of this approach before reporting to the Prime Minister for a final decision.

As for merging the projects into a comprehensive plan, MoT recognised that assigning the HCM City People’s Committee the responsibility of finalising the pre-feasibility study report is a similar approach to that taken in implementing the Ring Road 4 Project for Hà Nội and Ring Road 3 for HCM City.

MoT also agreed that the project's investment application should be expedited, with a goal of submitting the investment approval to the National Assembly during its session in October this year.

The ministry urged HMC City, along with the provinces of Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu, Đồng Nai, Bình Dương and Long An to mobilise their resources to meet this timeline.

The transport ministry has asked the Ministry of Planning and Investment to coordinate with HCM City and relevant localities to review and reconstruct the project’s implementation plan.

This should take into account the actual progress of recent similar projects and the procedures for project evaluation under the Law on Public Investment to ensure a feasible and practical timeline for reporting to the Prime Minister.

As for the allocation of central government funds, the MoT emphasised that this project requires substantial investment, with a preliminary total investment of more than VNĐ128 trillion (US$5.27 billion), making the combination of central and local government budgets crucial, especially considering the financial challenges of certain localities.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment should report to the Prime Minister to ensure a balanced allocation of central government funds for the project, according to MoT. The funds should be proportionate to the financial resources available and be reported to the National Assembly in October.

The HCM Ring Road 4 Project has a total length of 207km, of which the section passing through Long An Province is over 78km. The sections in Bình Dương Province is 47.5km, Đồng Nai Province is 45.6km, Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu Province is 18.1km and HCM is 17.3km.

The preliminary total investment is more than VNĐ128 trillion ($5.2 billion), of which construction costs stand at nearly VNĐ77 trillion ($3.1 billion) and land clearance at over VNĐ51 trillion ($2 billion).

The project is proposed under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, specifically a build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract.

The project is set to be completed before 2030.

Leipzig to promote healthcare service and education in Đà Nẵng

Trilateral Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on medical training and healthcare treatment have been inked by Leipzig City, Germany and Hospital No 199 under the ministry of Public Security, and Việt Nam College of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Technology.

The deals aim to secure human resources education in medical care, along with improving hi-quality healthcare and treatment.

Dr Juegen Ulrich, a consultant of Leipzig City’s major, said he was impressed with infrastructure investment at the hospital, especially with rehabilitation services and physical therapy.

He said Leipzig City has been developing a physical therapy-based sports training programme and the city will support its new partnership with regular cooperation programmes to share that expertise.

Leipzig will help the hospital develop sports medicine, convalescence and nursing with the participation from hospitals in Leipzig including St. Georg, Apelos, Eisenmoodbad Bad Schmiedeberg, Tim Leipzg and Uni Klinik.

The three partners also agreed to recruit human resources for training and supplying manpower for medical and health care system at Leipzig City and throughout Sachsen as well Germany.

Deputy director of the Hospital No 199, Trần Quang Pháp said the trilateral partnership would create more opportunities in cooperation in terms of examinations and treatment with updated technology and skills from German experts and hospitals, as well as improving medical education.

Chairman of the Việt Nam College of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Technology, Nguyễn Văn Tuấn said the college will promote human resources cooperation with Leipzig not only in medicine, but various fields of hospitality, construction and industrial manufacture.

He hoped the MoUs would help elevate the work force in the central and Central Highlands region, with them meeting European standards and skills.

Last year, the Germany Business Association (GBA) and Đà Nẵng City’s Investment Promotion Agency also agreed to boost cooperations in hi-tech industries, human resources training, information technology, logistics and seaport development.

The investment from Germany to Đà Nẵng remains modest, with 11 projects worth US$10.3 million – just one per cent of the total FDI projects in the city. German businesses operating in Đà Nẵng are creating sports shoes and sewing machine batteries, while a pilot German teaching project is underway at two junior secondary schools.

Transport department proposes delaying car fee in city centre

The Hồ Chí Minh City Department of Transport has proposed delaying the introduction of a fee system for cars entering the city centre until the public transport network, particularly metro lines, can better meet residents' travel demands.

Ngô Hải Đường, Head of the Road Transport Management Division at the city's Department of Transport, noted that the fee collection scheme is identified as one of the 27 specific tasks within the plan for enhancing public passenger transport and monitoring private motor vehicles from 2021-2030.

The department expects it will address traffic congestion and generate funds for infrastructure upgrades.

The department recommends that the car fee be imposed only after the completion and operation of key metro lines. In the draft explanatory report for the city’s master plan adjustment to 2040, with a vision to 2060, the goal is to prioritise public transport development and curb private vehicle use through the toll system.

The department aims to have approximately 510 km of urban railway completed in total, with 183 km operational by 2035, covering 30-40 per cent of the public transport demand. By 2045, the target is to increase the operational length to around 170 km, accounting for 40-50 per cent of the city’s public transport market share.

In the near future, Hồ Chí Minh City plans to implement a comprehensive set of measures to limit private vehicle use and effectively reduce traffic congestion. This includes collaboration with relevant agencies to undertake major transportation projects, enhancing infrastructure and road connectivity in line with the special mechanisms established by Resolution 98/2023. 

Hanoi to host international women's football tournament this October

Two foreign teams will join two local clubs to compete for the championship title during the Hanoi international women's football open tournament, with the event set to take place at the Hang Day Stadium in the capital from October 1 to October 8.

Manila Digger FC of the Philippines and Being FC have already arrived in Hanoi to compete in the tournament.

They will join with Hanoi FC and Thai Nguyen T&T FC to compete in a round-robin format. The organisers will give prizes to the first, second, and third placed winners.

Furthermore, awards will also be given out to the team with the best style, the top goal scorer, the best goalkeeper, and the best player at the tournament.

The opening ceremony is slated to be held on October 3 at the Hang Day Stadium and will take place as part of activities to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Hanoi Liberation Day (October 10, 1954-October 10, 2024).

Source: VNA/VNN/VNS/VOV