Representatives of Laos’ capital city of Vientiane and Ninh Binh province have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the exchange of delegations to share experience and increase cooperation in tourism, socio-culture, education and agriculture.

The signing ceremony took place following a working session between visiting Mayor of Vientiane Athsaphangthong Siphandonne and leaders of Ninh Binh province on October 6.

Vice Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Pham Quang Ngoc said Ninh Binh is actively promoting industrial development, with a focus on clean and eco-friendly industries.

The province is also developing organic agriculture, tourism services, civilised and modern urban and rural areas. Last year, its State budget revenue ranked 15th out of 63 cities and provinces while income per capita was among the top 15 nationwide.

Over the past years, Ninh Binh has also been seeking cooperation opportunities with Lao localities, especially Oudomxay province, he said.

Siphandonne, for his part, said his visit is meant to realise the outcomes of his trip to Ninh Binh in August 2022.

Sharing Vientiane’s vision to become a worth-living and sustainable capital with various efforts aimed at transforming Vientiane into a smart city that uses technology in the supply of public administrative services, he said Vientiane will host the Lao National Tourism Year with many unique tourism and cultural activities next year, which are expected to draw numerous visitors at home and abroad alike.

Both sides agreed to facilitate the exchange of high-level delegations and share lessons and experience to attract more investment, especially in tourism, and to create opportunities for their businesses to cooperate in the future.

Belgian Culture & Food Festival 2023 kicks off in Hai Phong

The Belgian Culture & Food Festival 2023 (B.Fest 2023), the third of its kind and the largest Belgian culture and food event ever hosted in Vietnam, opened in the northern port city of Hai Phong on October 6 evening as a celebration of the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries (1973-2023).  

Co-organised by the Embassy of Belgium and the DEEP C Industrial Zones – the largest Belgian-invested project in Vietnam, comprising a system of industrial zones and a seaport developed and operated by Belgian investors in Hai Phong city and Quang Ninh province – and other units, the three-day event introduces to visitors over 20 premium craft beers directly imported from Belgium and specialty dishes steeped in Belgian style.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Belgian Ambassador Karl Van den Bossche said this was an opportunity for tourists and Hai Phong residents to enjoy one of Belgium's most important culinary export products and unique cultural experiences.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Le Khac Nam affirmed that the event contributed to laying the foundation for the development of the bilateral ties in the years to come. The support of the Vietnamese and Belgian people will create conditions for bilateral relations to flourish and boom, especially in economic cooperation, he said.

During the course of three days, B.Fest 2023 is set to treat attendants to a carnival parade, a musical concert, fireworks, waltz dances, flair bartending demonstrations, skating performances, among many other exciting activities.

Ban Gioc Waterfall Tourism Festival 2023 opens

The Ban Gioc Waterfall Tourism Festival 2023 kicked off in the northern province of Cao Bang on October 6 evening, attracting thousands of domestic and foreign tourists.

The opening ceremony featured an enticing art programme, which covered a performance of Then singing – a special ritual practice of ethnic minority groups - and Tinh musical instrument with the attendance of 1,000 people.

Earlier on the same day, a water procession ceremony from the waterfall to a local pagoda took place to pray for peace in the country and good weather for agriculture.

The annual festival aims to introduce and promote the scenery, culture, and people of Cao Bang, as well as the Ban Gioc Waterfall to domestic and international visitors.

It also features an exhibition to display and introduce products, specialities and dishes of the province as well as sports activities, folk games and chestnut picking.

Ban Gioc Waterfall is located within the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark, which was recognised as a global geopark by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council in 2018. It is considered a home to various fauna and flora species and gives insight into more than 500 million years of Earth’s history.

The number of tourists to the area reached nearly 227,000 people in the first nine months of this year.

Ha Tinh delegation explores opportunities in Slovakia

A delegation from the central province of Ha Tinh paid a working trip to Slovakia from October 1-3 to promote bilateral economic ties with various localities, including Trnava region and its businesses.

On October 2, Vietnamese Ambassador to Slovakia Nguyen Tuan and the Ha Tinh delegation held a working session with President of the Trnava Self-Governing Region Jozef Víkupic and Mayor of Trnava Peter Brocka, during which they agreed to look toward the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on economic cooperation between the two localities.

The Vietnamese delegation visited global auto maker Stellantis and Bizzcom Ltd in Bucany. Bizzcom has been innovatively developing robots for the production of electric car lights in the region for a long time.

On the occasion, the two localities planned to sign a comprehensive cooperation agreement in the fields of trade and investment, education and tourism. They also scheduled joint work to honour the bronze plaque in remembrance of President Ho Chi Minh and support the Vietnamese community in Trnava.

On October 3, Ambassador Tuan, along with the delegation and representatives of the Vietnamese community, visited and laid flowers at the bronze plaque commemorating President Ho Chi Minh’s visit to Slovakia in the town of Horne Saliby. This plaque is considered evidence of the friendship and solidarity between the two nations.

Earlier on October 1, the delegation visited and held a working session with the Vietnamese Embassy in Slovakia.

Lo Go-Xa Mat National Park preserves biodiversity in tourism development

Lo Go - Xa Mat National Park, home to an abundance of rare fauna and flora, has become an attractive tourist destination in the southern province of Tay Ninh.

Covering 30.023ha in Tan Lap, Tan Binh, Hoa Hiep, Thanh Tay, Thanh Bac and Thanh Binh communes of Tan Bien district, the park now accommodates over 700 different species of plants, along with 49 species of mammals, 203 bird and 53 reptile species.

At the 15th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment in October 2019, Lo Go - Xa Mat was recognised as an ASEAN Heritage Park, becoming one of the 10 ASEAN Heritage Parks in Vietnam and the only one in the southeastern region.

In addition to the significant biodiversity value, the park also houses important relic sites related to the anti-US resistance war period, including the headquarters of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam, the Liberation News Agency, the Liberation Radio Station and the Liberation Film Studio, among others.

Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Tran Thi Huy Hoang said the park now offers various eco-tourism activities which are suitable for education and scientific research purposes. It also holds cycling tours through the forest, visits to the Vietnam-Cambodia border marker and historical sites, riverbank landscapes along the Vam Co Dong river, a 33m-high watchtower, a more than 200-year-old heritage tree of Vietnam, overnight camping and forest cuisine, among others.

Permanent Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Vo Duc Trong said during 2023-2025, Tay Ninh will identify key tourist attractions and outstanding festival events, aiming to shape and affirm its tourism brand on the Vietnamese tourism map.

One of the four key tourist attractions designated by the province includes the special national historical site, the Central Office for South Vietnam, located within the park. The others are the Ba Den mountain, the Cao Dai Holy See, and the Dau Tieng reservoir – the largest man-made reservoir in Southeast Asia.

Prime Minister receives President of Italy’s Lombardy region

Vietnam treasures and advocates deepening its strategic partnership with Italy, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told President of Lombardy region Attilio Fontana and an Italian delegation at a reception in Hanoi on October 6.

PM Chinh hailed their visit which takes place at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the 10th anniversary of strategic partnership.

Informing the PM about the outcomes of his visit, Fontana affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner of Italy. He highly evaluated Vietnam's potential for sustainable and comprehensive development with sound development policies and directions, a “human-centred" approach and an abundant young population.

The delegation also proposed measures to promote the bilateral ties in agriculture, industry, aviation, high technology, tertiary education, and more. The aim is to transform potential and opportunities into specific projects and joint activities.

The President of Lombardy said the region wishes to enhance cooperation and access to the ASEAN market through Vietnam.

In reply, the PM proposed the two sides continue reinforcing economic and trade ties by leveraging their similarities and complementing each other. Italy should further open its market for products of its demand and Vietnam’s strength such as apparel, leather and footwear, agro-aquatic products.

The two sides should increase the exchange of business delegations, effectively utilise the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), and accelerate the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). Additionally, efforts should be made to urge the European Commission (EC) to soon remove its "yellow card" warning against Vietnamese aquatic products, he said.

Affirming that Vietnam is ready to serve as a bridge to boost economic and trade ties between Italy and ASEAN, the PM suggested further boosting cooperation in culture, tourism, people-to-people exchanges, studying the possibility of opening a direct flight between Vietnam and Italy, assisting Vietnam in developing the fashion and cultural industries, as well as football, vocational training, and further partnership in digital transformation, high technology, innovation, green transformation, circular economy, renewable energy, and climate change response.

He also proposed the Lombardy region consider the possibility of establishing a partnership with a Vietnamese region, such as the Red River Delta region with Hanoi capital city, or the southeastern region with Ho Chi Minh City.

The guests vowed to actively engage with the two countries’ relevant agencies to promote coordination in various areas, especially in the fields suggested by the PM.

The Italian Ambassador to Vietnam also pledged to accelerate the opening of a direct air route between the two countries.

Vietnam, Indonesia discuss religious, ethnic issues

A delegation from Vietnam's Central Theory Council had meetings with leading Indonesian research institutions concerning religious and ethnic issues as part of its ongoing working visit to the nation from October 4 to 8.

Hosting the delegation, led by Vice Chairman Associate Professor Dr. Pham Van Linh, on October 5, Professor Ikrar Nusa Bhakti from the Indonesian National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas) – a leading research and strategic leadership training institution in Southeast Asia, noted that the two nations share many similarities in culture and history of national struggles for independence.

Recalling the long-standing bilateral traditional friendship between the two countries, established and nurtured by Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh and Indonesian President Sukarno, he expressed his delight at significant progress recorded across various aspects, especially politics and economy.

Ikrar said he wishes to share Indonesia's practical experience and to learn from Vietnamese researchers and scholars regarding the management and tackling of religious and ethnic issues as well as national construction and development.

For his part, Linh emphasised that the Vietnamese Party and the State consider religion and belief part of people’s legitimate needs and are committed to protecting and promoting the nation’s cultural diversity and national unity.

On October 6, the delegation had a working session with the Indonesian Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities (ISSH) under the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) to gain insights into the ISSH’ history, organisation, functions, missions, and international research cooperation.

ISSH Chairman Ahmad Najib Burhani stated that there are myriad areas in which both sides can collaborate in the future, such as human development, economic development, and national security, particularly maritime security.

Agreeing with this proposal, Linh said he believes that there are ample opportunities for the council to team up with BRIN and ISSH. He suggested the sides cooperate in exchanging delegations, organising scientific events, and sharing research results. He expressed his hope that they will have more meetings in both Indonesia and Vietnam at various levels to gradually promote their scientific research cooperation.

Da Nang city promotes tourism in Indonesia

The Department of Tourism of central Da Nang city introduced local distinctive tourism products in Jakarta, Indonesia, on October 6, with a focus on the Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism, golf and eco-tourism, cultural heritage, culinary experiences, nightlife entertainment, and prominent events and festivals.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Tran Chi Cuong described Indonesia as one of the potential tourism markets that Da Nang is particularly interested in.

He said Da Nang's tourism sector saw a strong growth in the first nine months of 2023, with nearly 6 million visitors served by accommodation facilities in the city, which is a 2.1-fold increase compared to the same period last year.

Regarding Indonesia - a Muslim-majority country with a population of some 280 million, ranking fourth in the world and the largest in Southeast Asia, a significant number of Indonesian tourists visited and stayed in Da Nang in the first eight months of this year.

According to the official, Da Nang has invested in accommodation infrastructure, facilitated direct flight services, opened Halal restaurants, and set up prayer rooms at Da Nang International Airport in service of Muslim tourists.

On the occasion, the Da Nang Tourism Association and the Indonesian Travel Agents Association signed a cooperation agreement to exchange tourists and facilitate the opening of a direct air route between Indonesia and Da Nang.

Con Dao set to become world-class eco-tourism destination by 2045

The southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau has set a goal of developing Con Dao into a world-class eco-tourism destination by 2045, heard a seminar held by the provincial People's Committee on October 6.

Under the Con Dao development project till 2030 with a vision to 2045, Con Dao is expected to become an area that preserves special national relic sites, forest and marine ecosystems while fulfilling important missions related to national defence and security.

Speaking at the event, Associate Prof. and Director of the Institute for Circular Economy Development Nguyen Hong Quan pointed out that Con Dao is facing various issues such as waste management, water scarcity, and the risk of ecological degradation due to economic activities and climate change. Transitioning to a circular economy model is an inevitable trend that could meet requirements for socio-economic development.

Associate Prof. Nguyen Thi Van Hanh, from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities under the Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City, suggested that Con Dao’s tourism development should be accompanied by the protection of its environment and unique cultural heritage. A sustainable approach to local tourism must rely on close collaboration between local authorities and community, tourism sector and tourists.

Delegates also proposed specific suggestions such as designing eco-tourism products that minimise plastic consumption. They also suggested creating healing and self-help tourism products, such as meditation and yoga retreats, and the development of volunteer tours, building hotels and resorts that use renewable energy, and education tours for students to learn about marine life, marine ecosystems, and conservation issues.

Con Dao is an island located in the southern part of the East Sea, belonging to Ba Ria-Vung Tau province. It consists of 16 large and small islets, with a total land area of around 75.78 sq.km and a marine area of roughly 140 sq.km within Con Dao National Park.

Fifth working day of 13th Party Central Committee’s 8th plenum

The 13th Party Central Committee on October 6 discussed the implementation of two resolutions and elected new members to its Secretariat and Inspection Commission at its ongoing 8th plenum.

In the morning, the discussion focused on the 15-year implementation of Resolution No.27, issued by the 10th Party Central Committee on August 6, 2008, regarding the building of the contingent of intellectuals in the national industrialisation and modernisation period.

The session was presided over by Truong Thi Mai, Politburo member, Permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat and Chairwoman of its Organisation Commission.

The Party Central Committee elected Le Hoai Trung, its member and head of its Commission for External Relations, as a member of its Secretariat. Meanwhile, Vu Hong Van, Director of the Department of Internal Political Security under the Ministry of Public Security, and Dao The Hoang and Le Nguyen Nam Ninh, respective heads of the Division VI and Research Division at the Inspection Commission, became new members of the Inspection Committee.  

In the afternoon, members of the committee discussed in groups on the 20-year implementation of the 9th Party Central Committee's Resolution 23/NQ/TW dated March 12, 2003 on promoting the strength of great national unity for prosperous people, a strong nation, and a just, democratic and civilised society.

Hoa Lo Prison exhibition recalls liberation of Hanoi

An exhibition, named “The Roar of the Red River”, is underway at the Hoa Lo Prison relic site, reviving memories of the atmosphere of the Hanoi Liberation Day on October 10, 69 years ago.

The exhibition has two parts, with the first featuring Hanoi’s preparations for a long resistance war following President Ho Chi Minh’s appeal for national resistance against the French.

In this section, visitors can learn about Hanoi at the time it was under French occupation, when local residents rose up against the colonial government in various forms, such as conducting ambushes against the enemy's troops, distributing leaflets and hanging the national flag.

The second part highlights the significance of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign in 1954, which forced the French to sign the Geneva Accords and withdraw their troops from northern Vietnam.

Under the Party’s leadership, Hanoi residents staunchly fought against the enemy’s sabotage plots to protect the city and keep it intact before the revolutionary army moved in on October 10, 1954.

The photos and artefacts re-create the atmosphere of the liberation day, when the army was split into many units and made a historic march into the capital city in the welcome of local residents.

The exhibition will remain open to visitors until December 31, 2023.

CPV delegation attends int’l conference on political parties and new society in Mexico

A delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) led by deputy head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Internal Affairs Nguyen Thai Hoc attended the annual international conference themed “political parties and a new society" which opened in Mexico City on October 5 (local time).

The 27th edition of the conference drew more than 600 delegates from more than 100 political parties and left-wing movements of 34 countries in Latin America and other regions of the world.

It provided a forum for global left-wing forces to update each other on the situation of their respective parties, countries, and issues of common concern. The conference is also a place for parties to exchange measures to coordinate actions, contributing to promoting the common struggle for peace, national independence, democracy, cooperation, development and social progress.

At the event, General Secretary of the Mexican Labour Party (PT) Alberto Anaya Guitiérrez spent 10 minutes to introduce the CPV and Vietnam’s achievements during the “Doi Moi” (Renewal) cause led by the party.

Addressing the conference, Hoc affirmed that the CPV’s participation at the event shows its constant support to political parties, the left-wing movement and progress in Latin America and the whole world.

He said that through nearly 40 years of renewal under the leadership of the CPV, Vietnam has gained great achievements of historical significance.

From a poor and war-torn country, Vietnam has risen to become the fourth largest economy among ASEAN members and one of the 40 largest economies in the world. The country’s per capita income has increased 17 times compared to that in the 1990s, while the rate of poor households has been reduced to 4.03% in 2022 from 58% in 1993, Hoc noted.

He said that the CPV has set up relationship with 253 political parties of 115 countries, while the Vietnamese Government has established relations with more than 190 countries around the world.

The official affirmed that Vietnam always treasures the traditional relations with Latin American countries, especially Cuba and Mexico, which were among the first Latin American countries to set up diplomatic relations with Vietnam and have always given great support to Vietnam to successfully implement the Doi Moi scheme and integrate into the region and the world.

Hoc lauded the results that left-wing governments in Latin America have achieved in recent years and noted the difficulties they are facing.

The CPV representative affirmed that the CPV and the people of Vietnam always support left-wing parties and progressive movements during the development process, while standing ready to share its experience in Party building and rectification, corruption prevention and control and leading national renewal cause. The CPV always works hard to promote the cooperation between Vietnam and Latin American countries, he added.

He said that the CPV and Vietnam hope to continue to receive practical and effective support from left-wing parties, progressive movements and Latin American countries in the coming time.

Earlier, the CPV delegation laid flowers at President Ho Chi Minh’s statue at the Freedom of Ethnic Park in Mexico City.

HCM City, German state seek cooperation opportunities in vocational training, climate change response

Ho Chi Minh City highly values Germany’s capacity for education and vocation training, and wishes to step up cooperation with Lower Saxony state in this field through specific projects, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan told visiting Minister-President of Lower Saxony Stephan Weil on October 6.

Hoan said Weil’s visit creates a foundation for cooperation between the two localities in the time ahead, especially in the implementation of agreements reached by Vietnamese and German leaders.

HCM City stands ready to work together with Lower Saxony to enhance delegation exchanges and cooperation between their businesses, the official stressed.

Hoan suggested the state’s authorities introduce quality educational institutions and vocational schools to HCM City so that the two sides can seek cooperation opportunities in this regard.
 
HCM City is also willing to send young labourers to Germany for training and working, and welcome German teachers to the city, he added.

As a locality hit hard by climate change, HCM City wishes to cooperate with international partners, including those from Germany, in this field, Hoan said, noting that the city is building a renewable energy system, including solar and wind energy, to replace fossil fuels, contributing to ensuring national energy security.

HCM City is ready to create favourable conditions for German investors, including those from Lower Saxony, to participate in its renewable energy projects, he said.

Lauding HCM City’s strong and dynamic development, Weil said Lower Saxony is seeking cooperation opportunities with the southern metropolis to roll out labour and vocational training cooperation programmes.

Regarding climate change response, he emphasised that both Germany and Vietnam are interested in renewable energy transition during their development process.

Lower Saxony, which is now taking the lead in Germany in wind energy development, stands ready to cooperate and share its experience with HCM City in this sphere, he affirmed.

In addition, with a contingent of good experts and enterprises that have strengths in urban flood management, the state is willing to work together with HCM City in joint projects to counter climate change impacts, Weil added.

Vietnam culture - tourism week to take place in Laos

A week featuring culture and tourism of Vietnam's northwestern provinces and Ho Chi Minh City is scheduled to take place for the first time in Luang Prabang province of Laos in from October 25-27.

The culture and tourism event of eight northwestern localities, namely Phu Tho, Dien Bien, Ha Giang, Hoa Binh, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Son La, and Yen Bai, and Ho Chi Minh City is to mark the 61st anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Laos (1962-2023).

It will include a series of cultural, sport and tourism activities introducing typical cultural identities and tourist products of the nine Vietnamese localities and Luang Prabang, along with a photo exhibition, farmtrips, and tourism promotion workshops.

The event's highlight is an art programme, extolling the natural beauty and people of the two countries as well as unique cultural features of each participating locality.

The culture and tourism week is part of the 2023 cooperation plan under the agreement on tourism development cooperation between HCM City and eight northwestern provinces for 2020 - 2025.

The event is expected to promote cooperation, friendship, and cultural exchange between Vietnam and Laos, especially economics, trade, and tourism between Vietnam’s northwestern provinces, Ho Chi Minh City and Luang Prabang, as well as other Lao provinces.

Deputy PM pledges to accelerate JETP implementation in Vietnam

The Vietnamese Government will continue fine-tuning the legal framework on investment, finance and technology, and ensure resources for renewable energy projects, and build mechanisms for direct electricity trading, said Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha.

At a reception in Hanoi on October 6 for Principal Adviser on Energy Diplomacy of the European Union Tibor Stelbaczky and the UK's Envoy on the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) Chris Taylor, Ha said the JETP needs to be promptly carried out with specific actions and a cooperation mechanism between the Government and the private sector. However, he admitted that they are facing challenges when it comes to practical implementation.

So far, Vietnam has taken several steps in fulfilling its commitments under the JETP, such as establishing a steering committee, approving an action plan, forming a secretariat with specialised working groups, he said.

Ha also added that it is time to devise specific plans for the joint tasks in which the Government will lead the private sector in the energy transition process to develop renewable energy centres or convert coal-fired power plants into those that use cleaner fuel.

He said the Vietnamese Government has approved the National Power Development Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, which allocates a significant space for renewable energy. Recently, Vietnam has selected leading enterprises to conduct surveys and prepare for the pilot implementation of an offshore wind power project.

In his suggestion, leading firms of the UK and EU should cooperate with Vietnam to embark on specific projects, during which the Governments work together to address obstacles as they arise.

He also hinted at the possibility of establishing a research centre focused on mechanisms, policies, and technical science for energy transition in Vietnam. This centre would involve the participation of government officials, scientists, businesses, financial institutions, and more in order to propose new cooperation mechanisms between developing and developed countries.

Stelbaczky and Taylor shared their plans to pool collective resources for the JETP implementation through specific projects with practical approaches and actions. The officials said they want to join regular exchange mechanisms to propose concrete and effective solutions during the implementation process in Vietnam.

Taylor believed that both bilateral and multilateral coordination mechanisms within the JETP play a crucial role in the successful implementation of renewable energy projects.

GBA Oktoberfest 2023 introduced to local people in Da Nang

Oktoberfest, the annual German beer and food festival and the biggest of its kind in Southeast Asia, was launched in Da Nang, central Vietnam, on October 6 evening.

In his opening speech, Andre De Jong, member of the board of directors of the German Business Association (GBA), noted that over the past 30 years, GBA Oktoberfest has become an annual cultural event held in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to bring traditional German culture closer to Vietnamese people.

This is the largest German cultural festival in Southeast Asia with more than 10,000 visitors each year. The festival also becomes a symbol of the enduring bilateral relationship between Germany and Vietnam. This is the first time that the festival has been held in Da Nang city.

Traditional dishes which are rich in traditional flavours were prepared by a German chef. But the much awaited thing was fresh German craft beer and other non-alcoholic beverages imported directly from Germany.

According to Elmar Dutt and Torben Minko, co-chairmen of the GBA, 2023 marks 48 years of establishing diplomatic relations between Germany and Vietnam. The strategic partnership between the two countries has been increasingly tightened in all fields, especially in culture, economy, trade and investment.

Over the years, they said the GBA has promoted bilateral economic and social cooperation and introduced unique German cultural values throughout Vietnam through the GBA Oktoberfest festival.

GBA Oktoberfest 2023 is jointly hosted by GBA and the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Vietnam under the patronage of the German Embassy in Hanoi and the German Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.

After Hanoi and Da Nang, GBA Oktoberfest 2023 is scheduled to entertain local people in Ho Chi Minh City on October 12-14.

St. Petersburg honours individuals for contributions to Russia-VN friendship

The Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg on October 5 presented certificates of merit to several individuals who have made contributions to the Russia-Vietnam friendship.

They contributed importantly to the inauguration of the statue of President Ho Chi Minh to mark 100 years since President Ho Chi Minh first set foot in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg) (June 30, 1923-2023).

Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of St Petersburg Alexander Belsky said that the inauguration of the statue was an important step in developing friendship between St. Petersburg and Vietnam.

Nguyen Quoc Hung, Director of the Russia-Vietnam cooperation support fund called “Tradition and Friendship”, expressed his honour to receive the award, adding that President Ho Chi Minh was the person who laid the foundation and made valuable contributions to the relationship between the two countries.

Coast guard forces of Vietnam, Japan share experience

A delegation of the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) visited the Osaka Bay marine traffic centre and patrol vessel SETTSU of the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) on October 5.

The activity was part of an exchange visit to Kobe city by the VCG’s vessel CSB 8004, the Quan doi Nhan dan (People’s Army) daily reported.

At the Osaka Bay marine traffic centre, Kono Minoru, deputy commander of the centre, introduced the centre’s system for managing and monitoring waterway vehicles on the bay to the VCG delegation.

This centre is responsible for providing support information and managing the flows of vessels on Osaka Bay to ensure traffic safety, protect the marine environment, and protect equipment and facilities at sea from incidents caused by vessel operations.
  
The same day, the VCG delegation visited patrol vessel SETTSU, which is 105.4m long, 14.6m wide and 29m high at the maximum, and has the maximum speed of 18 nautical miles per hour. The 3,304 DWT ship with 50 crewmembers is in charge of conducting patrols to prevent piracy and armed robbery. It also engaged in an exchange visit with the VCG in Vietnam’s central city of Da Nang in February 2023.

Leading the VCG delegation, Col. Le Thanh Hai, Deputy Commander of Coast Guard Region 1, said that he hopes the visit to the Osaka Bay marine traffic centre and vessel SETTSU would help the Vietnamese side gain precious experience in safeguarding maritime safety and security, and improving the capacity of deploying vessels to perform tasks.

This was also a good chance for the two sides to share maritime law enforcement experience and enhance cooperation and mutual understanding, he added.

Promoting tertiary education cooperation between Vietnam and US

Deputy Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son on October 6 received a delegation from Niagara University, USA, who are on a working visit to Vietnam.

The two sides exchanged information and experiences in carrying out student and lecturer exchange programs and scientific research, as well as attracting foreign students to Vietnam and the United States. International student training and management activities at Niagara University were also discussed at the meeting.

Niagara University president James J. Maher said Niagara University has over the years built partnerships with a number of universities in Asia, including Vietnam.

The university wishes to continue expanding undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate programs with Vietnamese institutions, said Maher, hoping Niagara University would receive further support from the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam in deploying its programs in the country.

Deputy Minister Son for his part said Vietnamese universities always focus on international integration and cooperation. Many Vietnamese universities have developed cooperative relationships with universities around the world in general and in the United States in particular.

He proposed that Niagara University strengthen cooperation and exchange experiences with Vietnamese educational institutions in its strong areas, such as tourism management, business, and education.

Founded in 1856, Niagara University in Niagara County of New York State is a private university that offers four major academic pillars - Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Hotel Management and Travel. The university has more than 4,200 students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate training programs.

Send-off ceremony for athletes to ASIAN Para Games slated for October 10

A ceremony to send off the Vietnamese Paralympians to the fourth Asian Para Games is scheduled to take place on October 10 in Da Nang City.

The competition will be the largest regional tournament for athletes with disabilities and is set to be held in the Chinese city of Hangzhou from October 22 to 28.

The Vietnamese sports delegation will be led by Nguyen Hong Minh, deputy general director of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism’s Vietnam Sports Administration.

Five years ago at the third Asian Para Games held in Indonesia, Vietnam sent 52 athletes and won eight gold, eight silver, and 24 bronze medals, ranking 12th in the medal tally.

This year, besides medals, Vietnam aims to have its athletes meet the standards to progress to 2024 Paralympics in France.

At the 2023 ASEAN Para Games in Cambodia in June, 128 disabled athletes of Vietnam brought home 66 gold medals, finishing third in the medal tally.

Another medal for Vietnamese Sepak Takraw team at ASIAD 19

Vietnam bagged a bronze medal in sepak takraw after their defeat to Thailand in the semi-final match of the men’s triple (team of three) at the Jinhua Sports Centre Gymnasium on October 6.

This marks the first medal won by Vietnamese athletes on October 6 at the ongoing 19th Asian Games (ASIAD 19) in Hangzhou, China.

Previously, Vietnam came from behind to beat Indonesian 2-1 in the final match of the women's quadrant (team of four) and secured a gold medal on October 4.

On October 6 Vietnamese athletes are competing in Karate, Ju jitsu, Wrestling, Sepak Takraw, Archery and Volleyball.

So far, Vietnamese athletes have won two gold, three silver, and 17 bronze medals, putting them in 20th place in the overall standings at this year’s Asian Games.

At present, China top the medal table with 182 golds.

Southern Binh Duong province records second monkeypox case

The health sector of southern Binh Duong province said on October 6 that it has carried out epidemiological investigations, following the discovery of the second monkeypox case in the locality.
The latest case, born in 2004, was said to have earlier met a monkeypox patient, 22, in nearby Ho Chi Minh City.

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The patient tested positive for monkeypox after going to Becamex International Hospital in Binh Duong for a medical check-up.

The patient was later transferred to Thuan An City Medical Centre also in Binh Duong for isolation and treatment at the Infectious Diseases Unit.

The patient is in stable health condition at present, said Huynh Minh Chin, deputy director of the Binh Duong Health Department.

Those who had contact with the patient have been put in quarantine for medical surveillance according to regulations of the health sector.

The first monkeypox case in Binh Duong is a 22-year-old local resident living in Bac Tan Uyen district. The female patient has recovered from symptoms and is expected to be discharged on October 10.

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