Many residents of the capital venture out early, donning light jackets to combat the chill.—VNA/VNS Photos Minh Quyết

A cold spell has hit the northern region, resulting in noticeably cooler temperatures in Hà Nội on Wednesday morning.

A woman wears light jackets on Wednesday morning.

 Many residents of the capital ventured out early, donning light jackets to combat the chill.

According to the National Centre for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting, nights and early mornings are expected to be particularly cold, with mountainous areas experiencing a sharp drop in temperatures.

A woman wears a raincoat to keep warm on Wednesday morning.

People drives through Long Biên Bridge in Hà Nội on Wednesday morning.

Minimum temperatures in the north and Thanh Hóa Province are forecast to range from 19 to 22 degrees Celsius, while mountainous regions could see lows of 17 to 19 degrees, with some high-altitude areas dropping below 16 degrees.

An elderly woman wears long sleeve shirt when Hà Nội's weather becomes chilly on Wednesday morning.

People have to wear light jackets on Wednesday morning.

A mother takes her children to go to the school in Hà Nội on Wednesday morning.

A woman walks along a local pavement in Hà Nội on Wednesday morning.

People drives through Long Biên Bridge in Hà Nội on Wednesday morning.

In Nghệ An Province and Hà Tĩnh Province, minimum temperatures are anticipated to be between 20 and 23 degrees Celsius. 

New Zealand-Da Nang to bolster in hi-tech links

The central city pf Đà Nẵng is calling for investment from New Zealand Technology Industry Association in building hi-tech joint-venture partnerships or industrial business links with local partners at the central city’s high-tech park.

This was shared by Vice Chairman of Đà Nẵng City’s People’s Committee Trần Phước Sơn at a working visit by the New Zealand Ambassador to Việt Nam Caroline Beresford and the city’s leadership. 

The proposal on closer cooperation in hi-tech industries between Đà Nẵng and New Zealand was included in the investment promotion – Meet Đà Nẵng – in Auckland last month.

Sơn asked the ambassador to keep promoting the business partnership building in industrial and technology sectors among the central city and New Zealand enterprises.

New Zealand Ambassador Caroline Beresford said boosting cooperation and relationships with Việt Nam in many fields is a major mission in her term.

The diplomat said the two countries would mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties and move to the strategic comprehensive partnership next year.

She said there is already cooperation in tourism, education, health care, agriculture and technology, and innovation in the ecology system.

A New Zealand-Việt Nam business conference would be held in Đà Nẵng City next year to mark a series of activities on the 50th anniversary, according to the ambassador.

The Asia-New Zealand Foundation will help link 100 businesses in a field trip to explore investment opportunities and cooperation in Đà Nẵng next year.

Currently, Đà Nẵng only drew three FDI projects from New Zealand worth US$245,000, while export turnover from Đà Nẵng to New Zealand just achieved $3 million in seafood, garment and children’s toys.

The city expects more enterprises in AI, microchip, semiconductor and hi-tech industries from New Zealand to invest in Đà Nẵng in the coming years. 

Việt Nam and Mongolia promote agriculture, industry, logistics cooperation

Việt Nam and Mongolia need to closely coordinate to facilitate market access for agricultural products, especially livestock, and cooperation in minerals, construction, logistics, digital transformation, green and clean energy.

Party General Secretary and President Tô Lâm made these remarks at a meeting with economic organisations of Mongolia held on Tuesday in Ulan Bator, within the framework of his State visit to Mongolia.

In addition to delegations of Vietnamese and Mongolian officials, the meeting also featured the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and leaders of ten large Mongolian enterprises in the fields of import and export (food, beverages, household products, consumer goods), energy, minerals, transportation, logistics, tourism, education, agriculture and banking.

The top leader highly appreciated that the two countries have recently organised many activities to enhance cooperation between economic agencies and enterprises, contributing to promoting their economic cooperation.

Lâm emphasised that economic and trade cooperation has seen bilateral trade turnover reaching more than US$120 million in 2023.

But he stressed there is still have much room for expansion.

In the future, Việt Nam will focus on implementing digital economic transformation, green growth, development of science and technology and innovation to integrate deeply in the global supply chain.

At the same time, Việt Nam will promote investment in developing strategic infrastructure, continue to create a favourable investment and business environment for enterprises.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia Dorjkhand Togmid emphasised that the event is a valuable opportunity for economic organisations and large enterprises of Mongolia to share their aspirations with the senior leaders of Việt Nam, finding opportunities to strengthen trade and investment cooperation with Việt Nam.

Representatives of Mongolian economic organisations also offered proposals to promote cooperation, expand trade and investment in various fields and share information on policies and development potential of each country.

Learning about introducing production and business activities along with those proposals, Lâm affirmed that the State and Government of Việt Nam always welcome Mongolian enterprises to increase trade and investment cooperation.

He added that Vietnamese ministries and branches always create all favourable conditions for foreign enterprises, including Mongolian enterprises, to do business effectively. 

Ho Chi Minh City marks 34th Day of German Unity

The 34th Day of German Unity (1990 - 2024) was celebrated by the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations (HUFO) on October 1.

In his congratulatory speech at the event, Nguyen Anh Tuan, president of the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Association in the southern city, extended his congratulations on the socio-economic achievements that the Central European nation has recorded over the past three decades, hailing Germany for maintaining its leading role in the EU.

He went on to affirm his commitment to closely collaborating with the German Consul General in the city and actively engaging in joint events to mark the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations next year.

Tuan showed his confidence that the two sides will strive to remain reliable partners, enthusiastic advisors, and dedicated members in all activities aimed at enhancing and consolidating the traditional friendship and strategic partnership that exists between the two nations.

German Consul General Josefine Wallat applauded the effectiveness of ties among German businesses based in the city, especially in the fields of medical services and equipment, as well as the positive role and contributions made by Vietnamese students and interns both living and working in Germany to the overall development of the relationship between the two nations.

She outlined her hopes that the Consulate General will continue receiving co-operation from the HUFO and the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Association in the city as it launches a broad array of activities aimed at celebrating the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, especially cultural and people-to-people exchanges as a means of contributing to further strengthening and developing the bilateral friendship and linkages.

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 US$3.5 billion in 2023 and US$2.73 billion in the first seven months of 2024.

Regarding investment, Ireland is investing in 41 projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of US$44.32 million, 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 EUR250,000 (US$278,463) 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.

Young taekwondo fighters to vie for world champs’ titles in RoK

Nine Vietnamese fighters will compete at the Chuncheon 2024 World Taekwondo Junior Championships in the Republic of Korea (RoK).

The October 1-6 event features a record number of 963 athletes from 127 countries, Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) and the World Taekwondo Refugee Team.

The talented young athletes set to compete across 10 weight categories in both the men’s and women’s divisions at the Songam Sports Town Air Dome in Chuncheon.

It began with the men’s U63kg and women’s U52kg and U59kg categories on October 1, with a further five action-packed days of taekwondo set to follow.

Men’s weight categories at the World Taekwondo Junior Championships are from U45kg to over-78kg. Women’s competition will be held from U42kg to over-68kg.

The RoK topped the medals table at the last World Taekwondo Junior Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 2022. Supported by a home crowd this time around, they will be aiming to repeat the feat. This year marks the second time the RoK has hosted this event after Suncheon staged the 2004 edition.

Vietnam has not won a medal from this biennial tournament. Vietnamese athletes selected for the Chuncheon event are national junior champions and said the potential for international competition's victories.

Before the championships, organisers held a World Taekwondo Council meeting and the World Taekwondo General Assembly on September 30./.

Cuc Phuong National Park receives rare, endangered animals

The Centre for Rescue, Conservation and Development of Creatures under the Cuc Phuong National Park announced on October 1 that it has received many endangered and rare animals from several northern provinces and cities.

A man in Kien Xuong district of Thai Binh province voluntarily handed over two white-rumped sandpipers (Anthracoceros albirostris) to the centre on September 29.

The centre, in collaboration with the forest management department of Hai Phong city and the forest protection station of Hai Duong province’s Hai Duong city, persuaded people to voluntarily hand over five toothed turtles and one long-tailed macaque.

All of these animals belong to IIB group in the list of endangered and rare species priorised for protection under the Government’s Decree 84/2021/ND-CP. They are being cared for and rehabilitated at the centre before being released back to nature./.

Minister urges Vietnamese students in Russia to contribute to IT development at home

Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung has engaged in an exchange with Vietnamese students in Russia, whose major is information technology (IT), as part of his trip to the country.

At the September 29 event, Hung provided an overview of Vietnam’s position on the global IT map, stressing Party General Secretary and State President To Lam has viewed digital transformation as a revolution to develop the workforce, perfect production relations, and take the country into the new era. The minister cleared up many questions raised by the participating students, mainly focusing on the current trends of the IT sector, particularly digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI).

Noting that Russia offers an excellent environment for training IT experts, the Ministry of Information and Communications delegation encouraged Vietnamese students to study harder, thus contributing to the development of the IT sector in the homeland.

While in Russia, the delegation visited many universities and institutes specialising in IT and facilities operating in information security and satellite technology. They also had a working session with the Russian Minister of Digital Development, Communications, and Mass Media./.

Hà Nội focuses on clean and sustainable agriculture for export growth

Hà Nội is actively restructuring its agricultural sector by focusing on clean, green and high-quality agriculture that aims to grow sustainable exports.

The capital city is focused on modernising its agricultural production and creating value chains by helping local areas set up concentrated and safe production zones for key products. This strategy aims to attract business investment and build brands for agricultural products that meet export standards.

Trịnh Thị Nguyệt, Director of Đồng Phú Organic Agricultural Cooperative in Chương Mỹ District, said that the cooperative has 42ha of rice certified as organic under US standards. Farmers follow strict production processes, enabling smooth sales, with companies paying about 30 per cent more than for standard rice.

Currently, Đồng Phú organic rice is popular with domestic consumers and is exported to markets like Germany, as well as potential markets such as the US, Japan and South Korea, Nguyệt said.

Hoàng Thị Hậu, Director of Thanh Xuân Organic Agricultural Service Cooperative in Sóc Sơn District, said that their 31ha organic vegetable production area is tightly controlled from cultivation to packaging. The cooperative produces about five tonnes of vegetables daily for nearly 100 retail stores in the city, generating around VNĐ20 billion (US$800,000) in annual revenue. Some products, like spices and green squash, have been exported to France and Germany.

Hà Nội has over 13,000 agricultural, forestry and fishery businesses, including more than 1,700 processing facilities and over 250 agricultural companies. The city has 16 codes for fruit cultivation areas and four packaging facilities, each capable of handling 30 to 50 tonnes per day for exports, with eight codes for bananas and eight for longans.

The agriculture sector in Hà Nội has collaborated with 43 localities to develop 926 safe food supply chains, connecting local exporters with production chains. This proactive effort enables Hà Nội to export high-quality agricultural products to countries like the US (late harvest Đại Thành longan), Germany (Đồng Phú organic rice), South Korea (Văn Đức vegetables) and China (Hồng bananas).

Hà Nội also has significant export potential in rice (about 7,000ha of Japonica rice), vegetables (over 5,000ha), organic vegetables (over 50ha) and various high-quality processed products.

The Hà Nội agricultural sector has partnered with local authorities to assist agricultural, forestry and fishery businesses in implementing quality management programmes like VietGAP, HACCP and ISO 22000 to improve quality and ensure food safety. This shift to clean agriculture has transformed farmers' practices, leading to economic efficiency that is 10 to 15 per cent higher than traditional methods.

Since 2019, through the 'One Commune One Product' (OCOP) programme, Hà Nội has developed 2,756 OCOP products, including six five-star products, 12 potential five-star products, 1,491 four-star products and 1,247 three-star products. In 2024, the city aims to assess and rank nearly 500 products to help OCOP entities enhance their value and quality to meet rising consumer demands domestically and internationally.

Tạ Văn Tường, Deputy Director of Hà Nội’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that while many factors affect export capacity, standardising products is essential. Ensuring safety and quality increases the likelihood of overcoming technical barriers and accessing export markets.

Hà Nội is raising awareness of trade agreements and import requirements to enhance production capacity and product quality, Tường said, adding that strengthening connections, promoting trade and organising foreign market activities are key components of Hà Nội's agricultural export strategy.

At a recent conference on Hà Nội's agricultural sector, Nguyễn Mạnh Quyền, Deputy Chairman of the Hà Nội People's Committee, stressed the need for tailored plans that prioritise clean, green and high-quality agriculture for exports. He urged collaboration between sectors, localities and businesses to develop value chains.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development should collaborate with districts to create large-scale production areas connected to processing and focus on breeding development for competitive advantages. They should also identify market segments and unique models that highlight Hà Nội's agricultural strengths, Quyền said. 

Forest programme boosts local businesses

Việt Nam has increased forest coverage from 23 per cent in 1994 to more than 45 per cent today, demonstrating a remarkable commitment to forestation, according to Alexis Corblin, Regional Technical Advisor of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Corblin was speaking at Tuesday's workshop on the Forest Ecopreneur 2024 programme, which is part of the SAFE Initiative funded by the Korea Forest Services and implemented by UNEP, Bridge for Billions, and the Research Institute for Innovation and Development (IID).

He said Việt Nam was leading the way as the first country to host the Demo Day workshop for the first incubation cycle under the SAFE Initiative, whose objective is to conserve and restore forest ecosystems in Bhutan, Laos, Cambodia and Việt Nam.

"Việt Nam has always been at the forefront of the initiative since its beginning," said Corblin.

Trương Thị Nam Thắng, Lead Researcher at IID, said 35 businesses had been selected from a pool of applicants to participate in the Forest Ecopreneur 2024.

Between May and September 2024, the programme engaged them in diverse capability-building activities, including four online training modules, three networking events, and a field trip to Kon Tum Province, to support their growth.

"They have also been profiled on the imapvietnam - an interactive digital map of Việt Nam's SIB sector - and the Catalyst 2030 global network," said Thắng.

The programme culminated in the Demo Day workshop where seven of the 35 businesses were shortlisted for a pitch competition. The Innovative Foods Technology Company was awarded first place, followed by An Xuan Organic Herb CO LTD in second place and Goong Local Knowledge Cooperative in third place.

Third prize-winning Chảo Thị Yến told Việt Nam News that her cooperative, which produces agricultural commodities, aims to create social and environmental impact by planting 10ha of forest and reduce poverty rates in the local community from 85 per cent to 45 per cent in the next three years.

"Our primary objectives are two of the Sustainable Development Goals: life on land and no poverty," said Yến.

She said her cooperative aims to achieve the dual goals by planting high-value species such as macadamia and intercropping them with medicinal herbs.

She also underlined the problem of product misrepresentation, where some sellers falsely label their products as local, diluting the brand equity of genuine local products.

IID Lead Researcher Thắng told Việt Nam News that the programme is open to forest-linked small and medium-sized businesses in the initial phase of their start-up.

She said more than half of the programme's businesses are women-owned and nearly all of them are either founded or run by entrepreneurs with ethnic minorities background.

"The programme also contributes to the preservation of cultural heritage by incorporating products crafted by ethnic minorities," said Thắng. 

Book exhibition to mark 70th anniversary of Hanoi’s Liberation Day

A book exhibition celebrating the 70th anniversary of Hanoi’s Liberation Day (October 10) will take place at the National Library of Vietnam in the capital city from October 9-13.

The event, co-hosted by the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Hanoi People's Committee, and the Vietnam Publishers’ Association, will feature both indoor and outdoor display spaces centred around several key themes.

It aims to highlight the historic significance of the capital’s Liberation Day in the revolutionary struggle for national independence and socialism, affirm the sound leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh, as well as the spirit of national unity as decisive factors in all victories of the Vietnamese revolution.

A highlight of the event will be an outdoor area showcasing two models: “Viet Bac – Capital of the Resistance” from Thai Nguyen University Publishing House and “Hanoi – Capital of Peace” from Hanoi Publishing House, along with booths from various publishers and distribution units.

Visitors will have an opportunity to explore valuable book collections and photos about the Vietnamese people and landscape.

The exhibition will include literature works and studies by domestic and foreign scholars that focus on the thousand-year cultural heritage of Hanoi, the capital liberation 70 years ago, and the ongoing process of building and developing Hanoi into a more wealthy, civilised, and modern city.

Publishers and distribution units will host a variety of events, including panel discussions, book introduction, exchanges with authors, and music performances, and a range of attractive discounts and incentives for readers./.

Cham Brahman people in Ninh Thuan celebrate Kate Festival

The Cham Brahman people’s traditional Kate Festival kicked off in the south-central province of Ninh Thuan on October 1, drawing a large number of local residents and tourists.

The festival began with traditional rituals, including the procession of Goddess Po Ina Nagar, who taught the Cham people to grow rice, weave cloth, and raise livestock, helping them have a prosperous life.

It was followed by spectacular art performances by Cham men and women in colourful traditional attire. The audience was treated to graceful fan dances accompanied by the rhythmic beats of the Paranung drums and the melodic tunes of the Saranai flutes. Everything blended together, creating a lively and captivating festive atmosphere that enchants everyone.

Visitors to the event, which lasts until October 3, can witness rituals such as the genie's costume procession, the opening of tower gates, and genie statue bathing. They also have a chance to enjoy folk games, pottery art and sports competitions and fashion shows.

Taking place in the seventh month of the Cham calendar, Kate is the biggest festival in the year of the Cham Brahman people. It reminds the ethnic Brahman community of their ancient gods and delivers wishes for bumper harvests and the growth of all beings.

There are more than 50,000 Cham Brahman people in Ninh Thuan, mainly in the districts of Ninh Phuoc, Thuan Nam, Thuan Bac and Ninh Hai, and Phan Rang-Thap Cham city.

In 2017, the "Kate Festival of Cham people in Ninh Thuan province" was officially recognised as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage./.

Hanoi campaign encourages women to wear Ao dai

The Hanoi Ao dai campaign was kicked off on the first day of October, as part of the activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the capital’s liberation (October 10, 1954 - 2024) and the 94th founding anniversary of the Vietnam Women's Union (October 20, 1930 – 2024).

Lasting to October 20, it aims to promote and encourage female workers at government offices, central and municipal agencies, businesses, schools, and other institutions to don the iconic traditional dress every Monday and Friday as well as on important events.

At the launch event, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi Women's Union Pham Thi My Hoa said the campaign not only honours the beauty of Vietnamese women but also promotes the dress to international communities. Additionally, it seeks to reinforce the costume’s cultural value in modern life, while offering local women a chance to showcase their love, solidarity, and commitment to preserving and promoting the country’s cultural heritage.

On the occasion, 50 high school girls from disadvantaged backgrounds were presented with gifts from Dat Viet company and white Ao dai from Hanoi's Ao dai Heritage Club.

A seminar on the cultural value, preservation, and development of the traditional dress in the contemporary context also took place. Experts, artisans, and researchers shared insights on its history, evolution, and aesthetic and cultural significance, as well as solutions to preserve this traditional garment in today’s society./.

Innovate Vietnam 2024 kicks off in Hanoi

The Innovate Vietnam 2024, an event marking the fifth anniversary of the National Innovation Centre (NIC), opened at the NIC headquarters, Hoa Lac High-tech Park in Hanoi’s outlying district of Thach That, on October 1.

The opening ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, leaders from ministries, sectors and localities, as well as representatives from research institutes, universities, domestic and foreign corporations, banks, investment funds, and international organisations.

In his remarks, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung highlighted that the NIC was established by the Government on October 2, 2019, aiming at promoting the innovation ecosystem in Vietnam and helping the nation grasp opportunities from the fourth industrial revolution to make breakthrough development.

He said the Innovate Vietnam 2024 offers a chance for tech corporations, domestic and foreign research institutes to step up connectivity through meetings as well as introduction and demonstration of the latest technological solutions and innovative products in the areas of AI, semiconductor, and green transition.

It also marks NIC’s strong transformation over the past five years while affirming its important role in elevating the national innovation ecosystem, the minister said, stressing the centre has created a favourable environment for businesses, startups, and researchers to develop and apply advanced technologies while paying due attention to high-quality human resources training by carrying out an array of programmes, including presenting scholarships and arranging training courses and events connecting both domestic and international partners, particularly those in semiconductor and AI sectors.

The centre’s efforts have paid off, helping Vietnam improve its ranking in the global innovation index, he added.

At the event, leading experts from such giant techs as Nvidia, Qualcomm, AMD, Intel, Qorvo, and Samsung shared information about emerging technologies and their business development strategies in Vietnam as well as discussed potential cooperation to boost the country’s innovation capacity.

President and Global Affairs at Meta Nick Clegg said Meta pledges support for Vietnam’s long-term vision to turn AI into a major pillar of the its digital economy.

Prime Minister Chinh and Minister Dung presented certificates of merit and commemorative medals to individuals and organisations with great contributions to the nation’s innovation ecosystem.

The two-day event features a technology exhibition and experience area with more than 100 booths showcasing the latest advancements in various fields, including artificial intelligence, semiconductor technology, and green energy. Visitors have an opportunity to interact with cutting-edge technologies and witness innovations./.

Special TV shows to mark 70th Liberation Day anniversary of Hanoi

Vietnam Television (VTV) is scheduled to broadcast a large number of programmes in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Liberation Day of Hanoi (October 10, 1954 - 2024).

The series of key events and programmes marking the 70th Liberation Day anniversary has been prepared diligently and will be broadcast on the multi-platform system of VTV, VTV Deputy General Director Do Thanh Hai told a press meeting on September 30.

Apart from reports in news programmes, he noted, VTV has coordinated with the municipal Department of Information and Communications to prepare for a Hanoi-themed documentary week on its app VTVgo. Twenty special documentaries produced by the national television station, the National Documentary and Scientific Film Studio, the Sao Khue Film Studio, and independent filmmaker Jean-Noel Poirier (former French Ambassador to Vietnam) will be available on this app.

Meanwhile, exchanges between the audience and the crews of three new documentaries will be broadcast live from October 4 to 6.

Looking back on the pride-worthy historical milestones of Hanoi, a special music show featuring famous singers will spotlight local residents’ 80-day preparations for the day the Vietnamese army took over the capital from the French colonialists on October 10, 1954, a result of the nine-year resistance war whose peak was the globe-shaking Dien Bien Phu Victory.

Another music programme will depict Hanoians as unyielding and urbane persons, and the city as a land of heritage and a confluence of the past, the present, and the future, Hai went on.

Many foreigners holding special sentiment towards Hanoi will gather at a talk show to share their love for the city as well as contributions to local development.

Additionally, two films – “Dao, Pho va Piano” (Peach blossom, Pho and Piano) and “Hoa sua ve trong gio” (Milk flower in the wind) – will also be broadcast on VTV channels on this occasion, according to Hai./.

PM welcomes newly-appointed Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception in Hanoi on October 1 for newly-appointed Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam He Wei, assuring him that Vietnam consistently considers the development of relations with China an objective requirement, a strategic choice, and a top priority in its overall foreign policy.

PM Chinh thanked China for its various forms of support for Vietnam to overcome the consequences of typhoon Yagi and subsequent floods, and appreciated China's sharing of hydrological information and cooperation in regulating water release from hydropower dams to minimise flood damage.

The Vietnamese Government, ministries, and localities will offer all possible support to the ambassador to fulfill his duties, he said, believing that He Wei will effectively promote his bridging role to consolidate mutual trust, promote cooperation and expand exchanges, contributing to further strengthening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and building the Vietnam-China community with a shared future.

He wished that the ambassador would encourage Chinese ministries and localities to continue working closely with Vietnam to comprehensively and effectively realise high-level agreements and common perceptions, with a focus on regularly maintaining visits and contacts at all levels, deepening substantive cooperation in economy-trade, investment, transport infrastructure connectivity, culture, education, tourism, climate change response, disaster prevention, water security, and construction of smart border gates.

The host suggested China step up cooperation in building standard gauge railway lines connecting the two countries, continue to open doors for Vietnamese agricultural products, swiftly launch large-scale investment projects that reflect China's level of development in Vietnam, and jointly hold the Year of Vietnam-China Humanistic Exchange to celebrate the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2025.

He called on both sides to seriously follow high-level common perceptions regarding the better control and settlement of differences at sea, respect each other's legitimate rights and interests, and properly handle disagreements in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

He Wei said he will make every effort to bolster bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and the China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance in a more practical and effective manner. He also expressed a desire for support from the Vietnamese Party and State leaders, as well as close coordination with Vietnamese ministries and agencies in the coming time.

He affirmed his commitment to prompting Chinese ministries, agencies and localities to grasp and fully realise the high-level common perceptions and signed agreements, facilitate the regular exchange of high-level visits to foster political trust, promote cooperation in diplomacy and national defence-security, improve the substantive coordination in economy-trade, investment, transportation, supply and production chains, tourism, health care, education, digital transformation, green growth, cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchange.

The diplomat also pledged close coordination at multilateral mechanisms and international forums, working together to better control and settle maritime disagreements based on the existing agreements and high-level common perceptions, for the well-being of both nations’ people and for regional peace and stability./.

Vietnam eyes enhancing theoretical exchanges with Azerbaijan, Belarus

Politburo member and President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) Nguyen Xuan Thang hosted separate receptions in Hanoi for Ambassadors of Azerbaijan and Belarus on October 1.

Receiving Azerbaijani Ambassador Shovgi Kamal Oglu Mehdizade, Thang emphasised that this year marks an important milestone in the relationship between the two countries, as they celebrate the 65th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s historic visit to Baku. He affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to consolidating and strengthening its friendship and cooperation with traditional friends, including Azerbaijan.

Expressing gratitude for the sincere and valuable support that the Azerbaijani Government and people have extended to Vietnam during the past struggle for national independence, as well as the current national construction and development, Thang highlighted the importance of deepening the relationship between the ruling parties of both countries, which he said contributes to reinforcing and advancing the traditional bilateral friendship between Vietnam and Azerbaijan.

Thang said he hopes that Mehdizade will connect Azerbaijani educational institutions and the academy to boost cooperation activities, student exchanges and short- and long-term courses. He expressed his wish that his academy and Azerbaijani partners will increase theoretical exchanges to seek common voices in international issues.

The Azerbaijan diplomat said he expects that both sides could develop cooperation in education, along with economic, trade, and scientific-technical bonds. He voiced his hope that Azerbaijani educational institutions, especially the Academy of Public Administration under the President of Azerbaijan and units of the HCMA will explore cooperation opportunities, contributing to deepening the Vietnam-Azerbaijan relationship, meeting the interests of their people.

In his meeting with Belarusian Ambassador to Vietnam Uladzimir Baravikou, the HCMA leader highlighted the traditional friendship between the two countries, which has continuously been strengthened and developed.

Briefing the guest on the academy, he said it currently has cooperative ties with over 200 international partners in global knowledge sharing and training high-quality human resources. He said he wishes to promote cooperation between the academy and Belarusian partners in these two areas.

Thang also suggested the embassy pay attention to connecting the academy with Belarusian partners, including universities, academies, and research institutions, to establish cooperation mechanisms in theoretical research and exchanges regarding global and regional issues of mutual concern.

For his part, the diplomat pledged that his embassy is willing to support and facilitate cooperation programmes in theoretical research and exchanges, and personnel training between the two countries, including collaboration between the Belarusian Institute of Strategic Studies and the HCMA.

Vietnam Airlines launches “flying lightly to Con Dao" campaign

National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, the Vietnam Air Services Company (VASCO) and the People’s Committee of Con Dao district in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau on September 30 launched the “Bay nhe toi Con Dao” (flying lightly to Con Dao) campaign, with an aim of reducing carbon emissions.

The campaign is also to increase programmes to collect, treat and recycle all types of waste with a goal of treating 85% of generated plastic waste by 2025, while promoting sustainable aviation and tourism and shifting the economy towards a circular direction in Con Dao.

Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Dang Minh Thong said that the campaign is hoped to make specific contributions to the roadmap for reducing plastic waste and carbon emissions, moving towards the goals of green economic development, circular economy and sustainable development of Con Dao district.

Meanwhile, Vietnam Airlines Deputy General Director Dinh Van Tuan said that protecting Con Dao is not only to preserve the landscape and today living environment but also a precious gift for the future. By "flying lightly", each person will contribute to preserving the "pearl island" of Con Dao for future generations, he stated.

At the launching ceremony, representatives of the Con Dao district People's Committee, Vietnam Airlines and Lagom Vietnam signed a Memorandum of Understanding affirming their commitment to cooperation, starting a pioneering campaign on environmental protection.

On the occasion, Vietnam Airlines and VASCO presented 10 sets of tables and chairs made of materials from recycled plastic waste collected in the island district to some local tourist destinations and residents of Con Dao.

Earlier on September 23-24, Vietnam Airlines coordinated with the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Con Dao to collect plastic waste at Bai Nhat, during which 780kg of waste were gathered, including 380kg of recyclable plastic waste, which was classified and brought to the mainland to be "revived" into green recycled products such as tables, chairs, and flower pots to give back to Con Dao.

According to Vietnam Airlines, Con Dao is famous for its pristine natural beauty and diverse ecosystems. In recent years, the rapid growth of tourism has put pressure on Con Dao's waste treatment infrastructure, especially for plastic waste. Along with that, the impact of climate change has impacted environmental quality and threatened the island's endemic ecosystem.

The campaign is expected to become a pioneering initiative in partnership among aviation development, sustainable tourism and economic transformation towards circularity.

Through this campaign, Vietnam Airlines hopes to encourage passengers on each flight to reduce the weight of their luggage, limiting the discharge of plastic waste to the environment, "lightening" the weight of each flight and the amount of carbon emissions, thus reducing the amount of plastic waste to the environment./.

CPV keen to boost collaboration with Mongolia’s political parties

Le Hoai Trung, secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and head of its Commission for External Relations, held working sessions with General Secretary of the ruling Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) Yangug Sodbaatar and Vice Chairman of the Mongolian Democratic Party (MoDP) Batchimeg in Ulaanbaatar on October 1.

The meetings were conducted within the framework of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s state visit to Mongolia.

Trung highlighted the significance of the State leader’s visit to Mongolia, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations. He was appreciative of the upgrade in ties between the two nations to that of a comprehensive partnership which elevates ties to new heights.

Co-operation between the CPV and Mongolia’s political parties has played an important role in the development of bilateral relations, he said, affirming that the Vietnamese side values and wishes to continue strengthening its relationship with Mongolia. He also proposed several measures aimed at further enhancing collaboration between the CPV and the political parties of Mongolia.

Hailing the top Vietnamese leader’s state visit, the hosts affirmed the importance of mutual relations, as well as their support for the development of bilateral ties. They also agreed upon the expansion and improvement of the efficiency of co-operation with the CPV.

On this occasion, Trung and General Secretary Sodbaatar signed a memorandum of understanding on collaboration between the two parties moving into the new period.

National Weightlifting Championship opens in Đắk Lắk

The National Weightlifting Championship is currently underway in Đắk Lắk Province, featuring over 200 athletes from across the country.

Competitors from 29 teams are representing regions such as An Giang, Bạc Liêu, Bắc Ninh, Bắc Giang, and Cần Thơ.

They are vying for medals in 20 events: male athletes will compete in 10 categories ranging from 55kg to over 190kg, while female athletes will also compete in 10 categories, with weights from 45kg to over 87kg.

The championship is set to continue until October 4. 

International women's football tournament to kick off in Hà Nội

The T&T Cup Hà Nội International Women's Football tournament’s opening ceremony is set to take place at Hàng Đẫy Stadium on October 3.

Manila Digger FC of the Philippines and Being FC of China have already arrived in Hà Nội to compete in the event.

They will join with Hà Nội FC and Thái Nguyên T&T FC in a round-robin format. The organisers will give prizes to the first, second, and third-placed teams.

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

The event is part of activities to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Hà Nội Liberation Day (October 10, 1954-October 10, 2024).

Nam Định prepare for second win in AFC Champions League 2

Both Việt Nam’s Thép Xanh Nam Định and Thailand's Bangkok United have the potential to stake an early claim for the top spot if they win the second match of Group G in the AFC Champions League 2 on October 2 in Nam Định Province.

Both teams won their opening matches, Nam Định secured a 2-0 victory against Lee Man of Hong Kong while Bangkok United claimed a 4-2 triumph against Tampines Rovers of Singapore.

With both teams level on points, Bangkok United temporarily sit on top due to goal difference. A win for either side will help them assume control of the group heading into the remaining four matches.

Nam Định recently played to an unexpected draw against Hoàng Anh Gia Lai in the domestic tournament. Despite being considered the stronger side, V.League 1 champions could not carry out their attacking tactics and failed to score a single goal.

After three matches, they have scored just once.

Coach Vũ Hồng Việt was not pleased with his front line's performance, saying that they had not been sharp enough while a congested schedule has left his players exhausted.

He added that the Nam Định players understood each other and were united during the game. To solve the problem, they needed to improve their performance against rivals who focused on strong defensive play.

It is believed that Việt will use all of his seven foreign players, including newly-signed striker Moses Odo from Nigeria and striker Nguyễn Xuân Son, V.League 1's best scorer.

As the club that has spent the most this season, Nam Định not only aims to retain their domestic crown but also hopes to make a big bang at the continental competition despite their first time participating in an international event.

Việt said the club's big investment clearly showed their ambitions and also created some  necessary pressure for coaches and players to play hard in all tournaments. He expressed confidence in his plans.

"This season, we have to play a match every four days in three tournaments- V-League  1, National Cup and the Champions League 2. A strong squad with many player options and high-quality foreigners will help the coaching staff with line-up selection for each match," Việt said.

"I could not guarantee how far Nam Định will go in these events but I promise we will play strong and aim for the highest results. A win against Bangkok United on home ground will give us an advantage in the AFC competition before we travel to their hometown for the return match."

Bangkok United arrived in Nam Định with their strongest players, including Serbian 1-million-euro-valued left winger Luka Adzic. The team also features five other foreigners, including two strikers -- Richairo Zivkovic and Mamoud Eid - who have helped Bangkok United currently sit third in the Thai League.

In their latest five games, they won three and drew one. Their 0-0 draw against Rachaburi FC last week extend Bangkok United's unbeaten streak to seven matches across all competitions this season.

The match between Nam Định and Bangkok United will begin at 7pm at the Thiên Trường Stadium and will be broadcast live on FPT channels.

In another group G clash, Tampines will take on Lee Man at Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore, with both teams hoping to improve on their previous performances.

Germany, France and Vietnamese artists join in community project

International artists from Germany, France and Việt Nam have displayed their works at Phúc Tân Forest Park in Hoàn Kiếm District.

The display is part of a project jointly organised by the Goethe-Institut Hà Nội, French Institute of Hà Nội and Think Playgrounds for sustainable development of public spaces and urban landscape of Hà Nội through creative uses of recycling and public art.

The artists include Berlin based artists Jöran Mandik and Eliza Chojnacka from the collective Floating Berlin, French comic artists Maxime Péroz, Clément Baloup and urban design expert Sylvie Fanchette and Vietnamese Trần Lương and Phạm Minh Đức.

The artists use their own art skills to reflect on the ecological narratives of the booming metropolis, as well as the people living on the brink of it. They will host a workshop learning to make space decorations from fabric and indigo dye on October 2 at the park.

On October 7, an talk will be held at 6.30pm to discuss about community participation in art through the perspective of Vietnamese and German artists at APD Centre for Art Patronage and Development, in Creative Square, No1 Lương Yên Street, Hai Bà Trưng District.

A tour through the artworks was held on September 30 with German ambassador to Việt Nam Helga Margarete Barth and the French ambassador to Việt Nam Olivier Brochet.

It is a part of the art tour Turning Waste into Art: Urban Environmental Solutions in Hanoi Through a Creative Lens including a dining table installation, comic sketches and recycled works made from glass bottles.

The ambassadors, local authority representative and the public learned about the efforts of the local community to build a public space with the support of local authorities and the social enterprise Think Playgrounds

They also listened to the artists and experts sharing perspectives on the use of art to raise awareness about local environmental issues through their viewpoints.

This project is supported by the Franco-German Cultural Fund 2024 and has been implemented from September to November 2024.

Think Playgrounds is a social enterprise that aims to raise awareness about the importance of public playgrounds. It has worked on many projects such as recycled playgrounds, community gardens, ecological parks and community artworks. 

Hà Nội campaign encourages women to wear Áo Dài

The Hà Nội Áo Dài campaign was kicked off on the first day of October, as part of the activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the capital’s liberation (October 10, 1954 - 2024) and the 94th founding anniversary of the Việt Nam Women's Union (October 20, 1930 – 2024).

Lasting to October 20, it aims to promote and encourage female workers at government offices, central and municipal agencies, businesses, schools, and other institutions to don the iconic traditional dress every Monday and Friday as well as on important events.

At the launch event, Vice Chairwoman of the Hà Nội Women's Union Phạm Thị Mỹ Hoa said the campaign not only honours the beauty of Vietnamese women but also promotes the dress to international communities.

Additionally, it seeks to reinforce the costume’s cultural value in modern life, while offering local women a chance to showcase their love, solidarity, and commitment to preserving and promoting the country’s cultural heritage.

On the occasion, 50 high school girls from disadvantaged backgrounds were presented with gifts from Đất Việt company and white Áo Dài from Hà Nội's Áo Dài Heritage Club.

A seminar on the cultural value, preservation, and development of the traditional dress in the contemporary context also took place.

Experts, artisans, and researchers shared insights on its history, evolution, and aesthetic and cultural significance, as well as solutions to preserve this traditional garment in today’s society.

Localities urged to finish pre-feasibility study of HCM City’s Ring Road 4

Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà has ordered HCM City to collaborate with localities to finish the pre-feasibility study report of the Ring Road 4 investment and construction project and submit it to the State Assessment Council in November.

Chairing a virtual meeting on Tuesday on the project’s implementation, he said localities should continue to prepare investment steps as soon as possible, including a plan to balance local budgets.

The Ministry of Transport has been asked to coordinate with localities to propose the Prime Minister assign the HCM City People's Committee to be the competent authority to prepare the pre-feasibility study report.

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Trần Quốc Phương said, in August 2023 the PM assigned the HCM City People's Committee to be the agency in charge of the Ring Road 4’s construction. This is a large-scale project, implemented under the public-private partnership scheme.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment has worked with localities where the HCM City’s Ring Road 4 passes through and proposed combining component projects through five localities into one big project.

Deputy Minister of Transport Lê Anh Tuấn said the transport ministry has agreed with localities on the project’s scale, investment phases, technical standards and related items.

The HCM City’s Ring Road 4 is expected to cover the length of 206.72km, including 18.73km in Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu Province; 47.95km in Bình Dương Province; 16.7km in HCM City and 78.3km in Long An Province.

In the first phase, site clearance will be carried out following the approved planning.

Four complete expressway lanes, 21 interconnecting intersections, parallel roads and residential roads on both sides of the route will be constructed. 

Source: VNA/VNN/VNS/VOV