A seminar on developing ecotourism in association with biodiversity conservation was held in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong on September 26.

The event was jointly organised by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Management Board for Forestry Projects of the Department of Forestry under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), and the World Wide Fund for Nature in Vietnam (WWF Vietnam).

Trieu Van Luc, Deputy Director of the Department of Forestry, said with a total of over 14.7 million ha covering 42.2% of Vietnam's natural area, forest ecosystems have greatly contributed to the national economy and livelihoods for people.

He noted that about 25 million people rely on forests to earn their living, mainly ethnic minority communities whose cultural identities are connected with forests. This is great potential to develop multi-purpose values of the forest ecosystem.

With the support of international and non-governmental organisations, the Vietnamese government has paid special attention and allocated resources to protect life in forests and promote biodiversity conservation in the face of challenges and risks to biodiversity.

Many tourist activities and tours to forests and national parks for sightseeing and  observe wild flora and fauna  have been organising, contributing to creating livelihoods and improving the lives of local people, especially those living in "buffer zones", Luc said.

According to John Kiely Beebe Harris from USAID in Vietnam, ecotourism holds the potential to create revenue for forest reserves and promote biodiversity conservation efforts, while also providing a source of income for local communities.

He underlined the importance to further develop eco-tourism in Vietnam, saying that this move will benefit local community and promote sustainable development of national parks and nature reserves.

Eco-tourism is about protecting nature, culture, and the future, Harris stressed.

According to Nguyen Van Hoang from Nguyen Tat Thanh university, ecotourism will include conservation, local economic development and environmental education. The principle of ecotourism is to minimise impacts on the environment, raise public  awareness of the environment, and bring real experiences to tourists.

Vietnam currently has 167 special-use forests, including 34 national parks, 56 nature reserves, 14 species/habitat conservation areas, 54 landscape protection areas and forests for scientific research and experiment belonging to nine scientific units.

Delegates said that Vietnam needs to have more appropriate policies, strategies and approaches to promote the diversification of forms of forest ecosystem services.

Vietnam to play three friendlies abroad in October

The Vietnamese national football team will play three friendly matches with China, Uzbekistan, and the Republic of Korea (RoK) in October as part of FIFA Days.

Vietnam will meet China on October 10 and Uzbekistan on October 13 in China at the invitation of the Chinese Football Association (CFA).

The team will then travel to the RoK and meet the Korean team in Suwon city on October 17.

Vietnam are ranked 95th in the FIFA rankings while China 80th, and Uzbekistan 75th.

Since 1997, the Chinese team have won seven out of eight matches against the Vietnamese team. Meanwhile, Vietnam won 3-1 against China in the match that took place at My Dinh Stadium on February 1, 2022, within the framework of the third qualifying round of FIFA World Cup 2022 Asia.

Vietnam makes efforts to develop domestic carbon market

In the context that about 70 countries and territories have applied carbon pricing instruments, experts held that Vietnam should also apply such tools, especially by developing the domestic carbon market, in order to support the realisation of the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction target.

Following the Paris Climate Accords, Vietnam must fulfill its mandatory obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 according to the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). The country also needs to make efforts to reduce GHG emissions towards the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Statistics show that carbon pricing tools control about 23% of total global emissions in 2023.

In Vietnam, the voluntary exchange of carbon credits with the world has been carried out by businesses since the mid-2000s in projects and programmes under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) - a United Nations-run carbon offset scheme allowing countries to fund GHG emissions-reducing projects in other countries and claim the saved emissions as part of their own efforts to meet international emissions targets.

Data from the Department of Climate Change (DCC) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment show that to date, more than 300 programmes and projects have registered to be implemented with carbon credit mechanisms. Of these, about 150 programmes and projects were granted more than 40.2 million carbon credits which have been exchanged on the world carbon market.

According to the Government’s Decree 06/2022/ND-CP on the roadmap for the domestic carbon market development, until 2027, Vietnam will implement a number of activities such as developing regulations for carbon credit management, exchanging greenhouse gas emission quotas and carbon credits, building regulations for operating the carbon credit exchange, and piloting the carbon credit exchange and offset mechanism in potential areas and guiding the implementation of the domestic and international carbon credit exchange and offset mechanism in accordance with the provisions of law international treaty to which Vietnam is a member.

At the same time, Vietnam will pilot a carbon credit exchange from 2025, and implement capacity building activities and raise public awareness of carbon market development.

DCC Vice Director Mai Kim Lien said that along with coordinating with relevant agencies to build policies in the field, the department has worked with specialised agencies to collect data on GHG emissions serving the allocation of GHG emission quota, while holding activities to raise awareness of the carbon market among officials, public workers and businesses in many localities across the country. A national registration system will be set up to manage all carbon credits generated in the territory of Vietnam, she added.

Mekong Delta provinces step up efforts to combat illegal fishing

Mekong Delta provinces have intensified their efforts to prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in a bid to have the European Commission (EC)’s “yellow card” warning against Vietnamese seafood lifted.

Kien Giang province reported no fishing boats violating foreign waters in recent months, according to the provincial steering board for IUU fishing prevention and control.

The result was attributed to the local authorities’ application of drastic and synchronous measures against IUU fishing, with a wide range of inspections and enhanced communications work to raise local fishermen’s awareness of current regulations on IUU fishing prevention put in place, said Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Quang Trong Thao, who is also deputy head of the steering board.  

To date, the vessel monitoring system (VMS) has been installed on 3,652 fishing boats out of 3,707 vessels with a length of 15 metres or longer. Meanwhile, the remaining ships are being listed for monitoring, with all of them out of operation.

Since the outset of the year, competent authorities have made more than 290 calls for 225 boats travelling outside Vietnamese waters, and nearly 20,000 calls for 1,811 fishing boats with VMS disconnected.

Thao also said that Kien Giang police have joined hands with their counterparts in the provinces of Ca May, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang, Tra Vinh, Ben Tre, Tien Giang, Ba Ria – Vung Tau, and Binh Thuan and HCM City to prevent illegal immigration for illegal fishing.

Meanwhile, Tra Vinh province has directed its Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to control the registration and licensing of local fishing boats, those operating in the local waters, and those without the installation of VMS.  

The border guard is responsible for controlling the number of vessels docking at and departing from local ports, and updating data on the national fisheries database VNFishbase, and prevent all vessels failing to comply with the VMS regulations from operating.

According to Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Van Dung, the department has completed registration and licensing procedures, installation of the VMS and update data of local fishing boats on the national fisheries database.

All of the local vessels have been monitored while fishing at sea via the VMS, and strictly complied with current regulations on certificates and traceability of caught seafood.

Tra Vinh has 879 registered fishing boats, including 272 with a length from 15 metres. By the end of August, all of the local vessels were equipped with the VMSs.

Communications work has been given a focus to raise public awareness of illegal fishing in foreign waters as well as legal fishing grounds.

Inspectors from the EC are scheduled to come to Vietnam to examine the country’s efforts on IUU fishing prevention and control in October instead of May.

According to the EC’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG-MARE), Vietnam has to take more stringent measures in preventing IUU fishing and violations of foreign waters with 100% of the cases investigated and handled, including those of vessels arrested at foreign seas and ships that do not maintain monitoring devices according to regulations.

The European Union (EU) is one of the top export markets for Vietnamese seafood, only behind the US and Chinese markets. It contributed approximately 1.3 billion USD in Vietnam’s total seafood export turnover of 11 billion USD in 2022.

The EU has regulations on certifying the origin of imported seafood, thereby classifying countries exporting seafood products with the green, yellow and red cards, or a trade ban at the most critical level.

With a yellow card, 100% of Vietnam’s seafood exports to the EU are subject to inspection, which reduces the export volume, increase the costs and delivery time.

Vietnam to host EC inspection team for anti-IUU fishing in October

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) recently approved a master plan for the upcoming fourth working session, scheduled for October 10 - 18, with the European Commission (EC) inspection team over the country’s efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The team will consist of representatives of the EC’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) and Delegation in Vietnam.

The inspection targets the implementation of the EC recommendations on IUU fishing, with a specific emphasis on the monitoring of fishing vessel activities in Vietnamese waters, vessel arrivals and departures at ports and their activities at sea, imported raw materials, and origin tracing of seafood from fishing.

It is anticipated that the team will conduct on-site examinations and technical work from October 10 to October 15. Accordingly, they will work with the Department of Animal Health, the Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development, and some export enterprises. They will run on-site inspections at designated fishing ports in accordance with the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) and in local areas.

On October 16 and 17, the team will engage in technical discussions with the two aforementioned departments, the Directorate of Fisheries, the directorate’s fisheries surveillance unit, and other relevant units.

On October 18, EC representatives will hold a high-level dialogue with MARD leaders, and they are scheduled to meet with leaders of the Government and the National Steering Committee for IUU Fishing Prevention on the same day's afternoon.

According to the MARD, the Vietnamese side continues reaffirming the country's strong commitment to combating IUU fishing, aligning with international regulations and fostering the sustainable development of the local seafood industry, and building trust and mutual understanding regarding Vietnam's current situation, efforts, and determination in combating IUU fishing and transitioning from small-scale to responsible fishing practices through the enforcement of the 2017 fisheries law.

Eco-tourism in special-use forests reels in 100 billion VND annually

Eco-tourism in special-use forests nationwide attract more than 2 million tourists and brings about over 100 billion VND (4.09 million USD) on an annual basis, heard a conference on responsible tourism in the central province of Quang Nam’s Hoi An city on September 26.

The event was part of biodiversity conservation efforts under the Sustainable Forest Management and Biodiversity Conservation (VFBC) project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
 
Gathering more than 50 leaders of localities, public managers, and travel operators, it aimed to raise awareness and understanding among responsible tourism entities regarding environmental conservation.
 
The event will also promote interdisciplinary participation and collaboration among forest rangers, the tourism sector, and private enterprises in a bid to reduce illegal wildlife consumption.

According to statistics from the Vietnam Tourism Association, the country currently has 33 national parks, 57 natural reserves, 13 species and habitat conservation areas, 53 landscape protection areas, and nine biosphere reserves. These are seen as a potential opportunity for tourism businesses to develop and promote distinctive tours tailored to each local region and area.

Hoang Hoa Quan from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism affirmed that in order to make responsible tourism aligned with wildlife and nature conservation, tourism activities must both contribute to economic development and generate livelihoods and income for the community. They also need to play a role in safeguarding heritage values, preserving ecosystems, and reducing direct environmental pollution.

Deputy Director of the Quang Nam Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Van Ba Son said tourism businesses, visitors, and local communities must change their perceptions about traditional practices and the needs of tourists, particularly concerning hunting and consuming wildlife as food, decoration, or souvenirs.

Based on the analysis of the negative impacts and risks that wildlife faces due to certain tourism activities, participants proposed harmonious and sustainable solutions that avoid conflicts between economic interests and nature conservation.

HCM City and Hanoi to host French Higher Education Exhibition

A French higher education exhibition is scheduled to take place at Rex Saigon hotel in Ho Chi Minh City on September 30, and at Pullman Hanoi hotel in the capital on October 1.

Bienvenue en France!, the largest of its kind this year, will bring together 36 French and French - Vietnamese higher education institutions that major in civil engineering, commerce, cuisine, hospitality and creative arts, according to organisers – Campus France Vietnam and the French Embassy in Vietnam.

High school students, their parents and teachers will be given the chance to meet representatives of the participating universities and attend thematic seminars on scholarships and visas.

Members of France Alumni Vietnam will share experiences in studying and working after studying in France.

France is one of the favourite destinations for Vietnamese students to choose for higher education overseas, ranking sixth in the world and second in Europe. Currently, more than 5,000 Vietnamese students are studying in France. Each year approximately 1,600 Vietnamese students choose France as the venue for higher education courses.

State president sends happy Mid-Autumn Festival wishes to children

State President Vo Van Thuong has sent a letter extending his best wishes to Vietnamese children living inside and outside the country as well as foreign children living in Vietnam on the occasion of the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival 2023.

Every Mid-Autumn Festival, children get to play together, gather around the moon feast with their parents and grandparents, deeply feel the value of friendship, and nurture the innocent and pure emotions of childhood, he wrote.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is also a festival of love and sharing, an opportunity for adults to remind themselves to pay more attention to children with love, responsibility and practical actions, he added.

He called for more efforts to be made to support children in difficult circumstances, orphans, and those living in remote and border areas and on islands so that all children can fully and completely celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, having fun with their family and community.

The president said he was moved and proud to see that children have in recent times made a lot of progress, done many good deeds, shown gratitude to their parents and grandparents, and known how to help and share with fortunate peers. Many children have studied hard, recording high achievements and becoming the pride of their family and fatherland.

He encouraged children to build on their excellent achievements and wished them a happy Mid-Autumn Festival 2023.

The Mid-Autumn Festival or Full-moon Festival is a festive occasion for children. It is held annually on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month every year. This year, the festival falls on September 29.

Vietnamese visitor number to Japan sees sharp increase

The growth in Vietnamese tourist arrivals heading to Japan has witnessed a notable rebound, according to figures released by the Japan National Tourism Organisation in Vietnam (JNTO).

The number of Vietnamese travelers to Japan in August alone hit 50,900, representing an increase of 16.5% compared to the pre-pandemic period back in 2019, and marking a rise of 54% compared to the same period from last year.

JNTO said that in the first seven months of the year, Vietnamese holidaymakers to the Far East nation increased by 17.4% over the same period from 2019, making it one of the markets to record the highest recovery and growth rate in terms of visitor numbers in the world.

In an effort to attract more Vietnamese tourists to Japan and commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries this year, JNTO also held a contest to sing the song "Tomodachi - Tinh ban" (Tomodachi - Friendship), that is due to last until late December. Five amateur talents who best perform the song in Japanese and Vietnamese will have the opportunity to tour Japan.

Moreover, a number of Vietnamese travel enterprises are set to open tours to Japan in November - the best time to visit the country to admire autumn leaves - at competitive prices.

Dat Sen Hong Marathon on the way, elite marathon series in schedule

The Dat Sen Hong-Dong Thap 2023 Marathon will take place on October 14-15 in Cao Lanh City, Dong Thap Province.

The Masterise Homes Cup event is hosted by the provincial Culture, Sports and Tourism Department and managed by Nexus Sport Events.

The second marathon will feature nearly 6,000 runners competing in four AIMS-standard routes of 42km, 21km, 10km and 5km along with an 800m race for children.

According to organizers, the Dat Sen Hong is expected to become a healthy and prestigious playground, where runners could secure their tickets to take part in major running races around the world.

Through the marathon, Dong Thap province's leaders want to introduce the image, scenic spots and peaceful people of the lotus land through sports and cultural activities. It is an important act to promote local trade and tourism, as well as attract strong domestic and foreign investments to the southern province.

The organizers also hope to develop the sporting movement and encourage local people to live a healthy lifestyle.

Prizes worth more than VND230 million (US$9,500) will be delivered to winning athletes.

Marathon champions will take the highest bonus of VND17 million while the top half marathoner will receive VND10 million.

In addition to the awards for top three, runners finished from No 4 to N10 in marathon category also walk away with bonus in cash.

Other sideliner awards include best and most impressive cosplays and fastest running clubs in 42km and 21km.

At a recent press conference, Nexus Sport Events also launched their Vietnam Nexus Marathon Series (VNMS) which aims to spread the message of Sports Change Life.

Nexus has been carrying out its goals to organize high quality running events in Vietnam.

A system of road races are displayed on the website vnms.vn, where participating athletes can search for their results and compare theirs with others.

As a member of VNMS, athletes will earn points after taking its tournaments. The higher points they get the more incentives they will receive from partners and sponsors of Nexus Sport Events.

With the orientation of building a healthy, positive and professional running community, VNMS hopes to be a place that promotes the sports spirit of everyone.

The company also expected to send Vietnamese athletes to world elite competitions in the near future and help them to proudly secure the podium.

Royal New Zealand Navy sailors visit HCM City charity org

The Royal New Zealand Navy donated nine wheelchairs for disadvantaged individuals at Maison Chance, a charity organization dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities and disadvantaged children during their official visit to Vietnam.

On the afternoon of September 25, a group of sailors from Royal New Zealand Navy vessels HMNZS Te Mana and HMNZS Aotearoa made a visit to Maison Opportunity in HCM City's Binh Tan District, as part of their five-day stay in Vietnam.

HMNZS Te Mana and HMNZS Aotearoa are on an official visit with the aim of fostering mutual understanding and cooperation between the Royal New Zealand Navy and the Vietnam People's Navy, as well as contributing to bilateral defense collaboration between Vietnam and New Zealand.

At Maison Chance, the sailors engaged in sporting events and cultural performances alongside the residents, including disabled individuals and children.

Scott James, the Consul General of New Zealand in HCM City, also attended the visit.

On behalf of New Zealand Ambassador Tredene Dobson, Consul General James and the sailors presented a donation of nine wheelchairs.

These wheelchairs had been generously contributed by benefactors from New Zealand through the New Zealand Embassy.

Consul General James emphasized the historic significance of the joint visit by the two New Zealand Royal Navy ships to Vietnam, highlighting how it underscores the strategic partnership between New Zealand and Vietnam.

He also commended the exceptional gesture of bringing nine wheelchairs from New Zealand to support Maison Chance.

​"Seeing the smiles on the children's faces as they interacted with the sailors, it was really rewarding being able to be involved in the providing of the wheelchairs, and giving us sailors a chance to spend time with the children was really rewarding," Lt. Cdr Jonathan Rowe of the Royal New Zealand Navy said.

In addition to their visit to Maison Chance, the sailors also visited Mai Am Ba Chieu, a charitable institution managed by the HCM City Women's Charity Association that supports disadvantaged girls in HCM City.

Established in 1993, Maison Opportunity provides housing, medical care, education, and vocational training to individuals with disabilities and underprivileged children in Vietnam.

The organization operates three facilities in HCM City and one in Dak Nong Province.

Early detection key to treating chronic kidney disease

Dialysis treatment for people with chronic kidney disease can be tough at the best of times.

But when you live hundreds of kilometers from the hospital providing that care, it makes pain relief all that more painful.

Nguyen Thi Hue experiences this every time she needs dialysis.

The 41-year-old lives in Yen Bai Province, around 300km from Hanoi where she needs regular treatment.

Often she has to stay in the capital for many days to receive care. Away from her family and far from home.

The financial implications of her travel and accommodation expenses add to the already heavy weight on her shoulders.

“I receive kidney treatment at Bach Mai Hospital, so I have to travel to Hanoi every month,” Hue said.

“Sometimes, I need to rent a place to stay longer for dialysis. My children are still small and our finances are limited so my family has faced significant hardships since my illness began.”

Vietnam currently has more than 10 million people suffering from chronic kidney disease, accounting for 10.1 per cent of the population.

This disease ranks eighth among the top 10 causes of death in Vietnam, with more than 8,000 new cases diagnosed each year.

The treatment approach for chronic kidney disease varies depending on the stage of the patient’s condition. Patients in the late stages often require dialysis or even transplants.

Associate Professor Dr Nguyen Thi Xuyen, President of the Vietnam Medical Association, said: “Currently, in Vietnam, we have only 5,500 dialysis machines used for 33,000 patients, while there are more than 800,000 patients requiring dialysis.”

Her data also shows that half of the patients receiving dialysis treatment die within five years while being charged medical costs three times higher than those who received treatment in the early stages.

Xuyen said: “The treatment burden for chronic kidney disease patients is rapidly increasing and is predicted to become the fifth leading cause of years of life lost worldwide by 2040.

“This burden is increasing faster in low and middle-income countries, including Vietnam.”

Associate ProfessorDr. Nguyen Khoa Dieu Van, Vice President of the Vietnam Endocrinology and Diabetes Association, emphasized that impaired kidney function significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular complications and deaths while reducing the quality of life.

Van said: “Around 1.2 million people die from chronic kidney disease each year, in addition to 1.4 million people die from heart disease due to impaired kidney function and over 2 million people die due to a lack of access to dialysis.”

Chronic kidney disease is silently increasing globally, with more than 840 million cases worldwide, accounting for 11 to 13.4 per cent of the population. Of these, two-thirds of the cases are in low and middle-income countries.

There are no clear symptoms in the early stages of chronic kidney disease and most of the patients receive their diagnosis in the later stages.

Van said: “Almost no patient mentions kidney disease when they go for check-ups and health examinations. This explains why only 4.5 to 15.5 per cent of adults with chronic kidney disease are diagnosed. Typically, when it is discovered, patients have already reached stages three or four.

“Only 5 per cent of adults are diagnosed with the disease at stage 3 while most cases are discovered when they are already at stages four or five requiring kidney replacement.

“It is estimated that by 2030, there will be 5 million people in need of kidney replacement. Therefore, early diagnosis and intervention in chronic kidney disease distributes great significance to patients.”

Studies on the group of SGLT-2i inhibitors, especially Dapagliflozin, have shown positive results in managing chronic kidney disease. However, this is the best approach to managing chronic kidney disease from its early stages.

It has shown a 39 per cent reduction in the risk of disease progression and a 31 per cent reduction in mortality risk of patients with chronic kidney disease.

Xuyen added: “The Ministry of Health has recently encouraged the implementation and development of clinical research, alongside the establishment of national treatment guidelines based on research results to enhance the effectiveness and quality of patient care.

“In addition, we should enhance the early diagnosis of chronic kidney disease through high-sensitivity diagnostic tests.

“This solution should be implemented at the grassroots healthcare level to enable earlier detection and intervention.”

Vietnam has become an important research hub and actively participated in global clinical development programs in various fields, particularly in the areas of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic diseases, especially chronic kidney disease.

MoH urges better screening, diagnosis, treatment of prenatal and neonatal diseases

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has sent a letter asking provinces and cities to speed up the programme for screening and diagnosis of prenatal and neonatal diseases by 2030.

In the letter, the MoH requested localities to ensure human resources and infrastructure for prenatal and newborn screening for nine diseases and congenital defects.

The programme for screening, diagnosis and treatment of prenatal and neonatal diseases by 2030 was approved by the Prime Minister on 7 December 2020.

The MoH then issued the official dispatch No 7375/BYT-TCDS on 31 December 2020, asking provinces and cities to set up plans for the programme.

To date, 60 out of 63 localities have issued plans to implement the programme.

However, after more than two years, reports from provinces and cities showed that the implementation results were low.

To ensure the programme's effectiveness, the MoH requested provinces and cities to find solutions to achieve the programme's goals.

For the three localities that have not issued plans to implement the programme, it is necessary to speed up the work following the MoH's instructions in the official dispatch No 7375/BYT-TCDS.

From now to 2025, there is a focus on the target that 50 per cent of pregnant women should receive prenatal screening for at least the four most common congenital diseases.

About 70 per cent of newborns should be screened for at least the five most common congenital diseases.

As many as 70 per cent of communes, wards and towns should have adequate facilities to provide prenatal screening services.

About 70 per cent of medical facilities at district level or higher should be capable of providing prenatal screening services and newborn screening based on professional guidance.

The MoH requests municipal and provincial people's committees to ensure resources in terms of facilities and professional capacity for prenatal screening of four congenital diseases and defects, including Edward syndrome, Down syndrome, Patau syndrome and Thalassemia.

They must also ensure newborn screening for five congenital diseases and defects, including congenital hypothyroidism, G6PD deficiency, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, congenital heart defects and congenital heart disease.

During the implementation process, if localities experience any difficulties or problems, they should send reports to the MoH for timely support and resolution.

Ferry and boat services to Phu Quoc suspended due to bad weather

Authorities in the southern coastal province of Kien Giang have temporarily halted ferry and boat services to Phu Quoc Island due to rough sea. 

Director of Kien Giang Province Port Authority, Vo Minh Tuan, said that ferries and boats between Phu Quoc and Nam Du will be banned from September 26 until further notice while those running to Hon Son Island are still operating as usual.

The ban was issued as the local sea has experienced strong wind and high waves since Monday evening. Boat and ferry tickets that have been purchased can be returned or rescheduled.

It is forecasted that strong wind will cause high waves of up to 1-2 metres in the sea in the coming hours.

This is the second time in a month the ban has been applied due to bad weather conditions. Earlier on September 2, boat services were also suspended, leaving thousands of tourists stranded on the island.

Phu Quoc Island lies 120 km south of Rach Gia City and 45 km west of Ha Tien City. There are currently 45 boat trips to the island.

Similar call signs for flights may cause safety issues

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has requested local airlines to change commercial flight numbers for flights that sound similar to each other.

The CAAV has written to the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) and carriers including Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways, Pacific and Vietravel Airlines, asking them to take measures to reduce confusion resulting from the similarity of call signs.

According to VATM, there are some flights that have similar commercial flight numbers when they are operating at the same time, in the same airspace and used by a particular flight operator.

For example, aircraft from different airlines may have identical call signs, such as HVN123 and BAV123, or flights from the same airlines carry similar air pairs, such as HVN7344 and HVN1344.

For safety reasons, local airlines are required to adjust seasonal flight schedules so that aircraft whose commercial flight numbers are nearly identical will not operate at the same time and in the same airspace.

Flight crews and air traffic controllers are requested to take caution while assuming their duties, ensuring a smooth communication between them to reduce possible safety issues.

Ninh Thuan invests in essential infrastructure for nuclear energy area

The Ninh Thuan Province People’s Council yesterday approved a resolution on investments in necessary construction works in locations for Ninh Thuan Nuclear Energy Plants 1 and 2. 

The two nuclear power plants are planned to be sited in Phuoc Dinh Commune of Thuan Nam District and Vinh Hai Commune of Ninh Hai District.

There will be 6 investment projects for essential infrastructure to serve the operation of the power plants as follows:

_Expanding the old National Defense Route (701) in Phuoc Dinh Commune;

_Building 3 connection roads from Route No.701 to other coastal routes in Phuoc Dinh Commune;

_Upgrading the old Provincial Road No.702 in Vinh Hai Commune;

_Building 3 connection roads in the production are of Vinh Hai Commune;

_Constructing flood protection embankments and breakwaters in Thai An Village of Vinh Hai Commune;

_Improving Bau Tro Lake and building a water diversion system from Ho Quat Stream to to Bau Tro Lake in Vinh Hai Commune.

The total investment amount for the 6 above project is about VND296 billion (US$12.1 million). The allocated sum from the Central budget under the Socio-economic Recovery and Development Scheme is VND270 billion ($11 million). The rest takes from the local budget.

The projects will be carried out from 2023 to 2025.

Healthcare watchdog asks to monitor monkeypox cases

Vietnamese healthcare watchdog asked related institutes and departments of health to increase monitoring of monkeypox cases.

The Department of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health sent an official dispatch to the Ho Chi Minh City-based Pasteur Institute, the HCMC Department of Health, the departments of health in Dong Nai and Binh Duong on strengthening the prevention of monkeypox epidemic after recording 2 cases of monkeypox in the two southern provinces.

The Department of Preventive Medicine said that through the infectious disease surveillance system, a 25-year-old in HCMC on September 23 tested positive for monkeypox. The man hails from Dong Nai Province’s Xuan Truong Commune and temporarily is residing in Ho Chi Minh City’s Go Vap.

After discovering the disease, the male patient added that in the three weeks before the onset of symptoms, the patient only stayed in Vietnam and did not go abroad. Immediately upon receiving the information, the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC) conducted an epidemiological investigation including patients’ travel history. HCDC also made a list of 8 people in close contact with the patient including 4 people in Ho Chi Minh City, one person in Binh Duong, and three people in Dong Nai.

Worse, among these 8 close contacts, one is the patient's 22-year-old girlfriend in Binh Duong Province who also tested positive for monkeypox on September 24, and is currently quarantined for treatment while the remaining close contacts are currently stable, with no unusual symptoms.

To promptly monitor and detect disease cases early as well as prevent monkeypox outbreaks, and minimize the number of infections and deaths, the Ministry of Health requested departments of health of the above localities to strengthen supervision. Healthcare watchdogs in these cities and provinces should carry out an investigation of the above positive monkeypox cases’ close contacts to determine the source of infection for further control of the disease and curb the widespread into the community.

Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health Associate Professor Tang Chi Thuong said that infected people are currently quarantined and treated in the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in accordance with regulations of the Ministry of Health. The Health Department directed HCDC to continue coordinating with their peers in CDC Binh Duong and Dong Nai to investigate the epidemiology, especially the travel and contact history of the patient to promptly prevent the risk of spread in the community. Medical workers are instructing close contacts to self-monitor their health at home for 21 days.

According to Dr. Thuong, Vietnam has so far recorded 4 cases of monkeypox. The two previous cases tested positive after returning from abroad. Regarding the two new cases in Binh Duong and Dong Nai, epidemiological investigation has not found any factors related to foreign countries; hence, the source of infection is domestic, said Associate Professor Dr. Tang Chi Thuong.

According to Head of the Internal Medicine Department of Ho Chi Minh City Tropical Diseases Hospital Huynh Thi Thuy Hoa, monkeypox spreads from person to person through close contact with someone who is infected with the monkeypox virus. Close contact includes being face-to-face (such as talking or breathing close to one another which can generate droplets or short-range aerosols); skin-to-skin (such as touching or vaginal/anal sex); mouth-to-mouth (such as kissing); or mouth-to-skin contact (such as oral sex or kissing the skin) including sexual contact. For most people, monkeypox gets better on its own without treatment and symptoms can be managed at home whereas someone who tested positive for monkeypox has died following complications.

According to Associate Professor Tran Dac Phu, Senior Advisor to the Vietnam Public Health Event Response Center, the health sector must have a timely response accordingly so as not to lose control of the epidemic, but also not to waste resources because, at this time, the country is experiencing many other epidemics outbreaks such as dengue fever, hand, foot and mouth disease. In his point of view, it is necessary to continue to strengthen border gate surveillance, people returning from epidemic areas, community surveillance with patient records and other places.

Above all, medical facilities should try their best to treat positive cases to curb deaths and avoid cross-infection among medical staff during the care and treatment process. Media communication should be conducted to raise people’s awareness about the epidemic situation and prevention measures to avoid unnecessary public worry.

Last but not least, medical staff at all medical establishments should receive training on treating and preventing monkeypox infections. The Pasteur Institute of Ho Chi Minh City should increase timely professional and technical support and guidance for localities in monitoring, sampling, diagnosing zoning and handling monkeypox outbreaks.

The Ministry of Health has also issued recommendations for respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette including covering a person’s mouth and nose with a cloth or handkerchief or disposable tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing, it is best to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and performing hand hygiene (e.g., hand washing with non-antimicrobial soap and water, alcohol-based hand rub, or antiseptic hand wash).

If someone is suspected or confirmed as having monkeypox, they should isolate until the scabs have fallen off and abstain from sex, including oral sex. Moreover, they should come to medical clinics for timely monitoring.

Medical workers advised people to avoid contact with objects and materials that an infected person has used. People should not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox. If someone is suspected or confirmed as having monkeypox at a person’s residence or workplace, it is necessary to notify the health authority for timely advice and treatment, without self-medication.

People traveling to countries where monkeypox is endemic such as Central and West Africa should avoid contact with mammals (dead or alive) such as rodents, marsupials, and primates that may contain the monkeypox virus. After returning to Vietnam, they need to report their travel history to a monkeypox-endemic country so that local health authorities can take measures.

Hanoi Book Festival 2023: Spreading reading culture

The 8th Hanoi Book Festival will return to the pedestrian area of Hoan Kiem Lake in downtown Hanoi from October 6 to 8, helping to spread reading culture to many local and international readers, according to the city's Department of Information and Communication.

The event, which has become a popular cultural rendezvous for bookworms, is one of the activities to celebrate the 69th anniversary of the capital's Liberation Day (October 10, 1954-2023) and the 71st anniversary of the traditional day of Vietnam's book publishing, printing and distribution sector (October 10, 1952-2023).

The book festival has been held in the capital city annually and has become a must-visit destination for book lovers every year in October. With the theme "Lighting the Fire of Knowledge-Creating the Future",  Hanoi Book Festival 2023 is expected to attract the participation of local and international publishers who will present various genres of books in 200 to 250 booths, ranging from comic books, novels, literature, and political literature to bookworms.

The highlight of the book fair will be a bookshelf introducing the culture and history of Thang Long-Hanoi. The event will be accompanied by book launch ceremonies for bestsellers and book trading activities. There will also be many other cultural exchange activities and reading contests. According to the organizers, changing the venue to an open space shaded by many trees will create a favorable reading space while facilitating cultural exchange activities and discussions between authors and readers.

On September 25, the Reading Culture Ambassador Contest 2023 was launched in Hanoi with the theme "Book: Connecting Knowledge-Creating the Future".

The contest draws the participation of roughly a million students every year and has become a forum for instilling a love of reading in the younger generation.

The contest aims to develop the participants' thinking skills and creativity. They are encouraged to paint, compose poems, write short stories and stage plays, among other activities. Entries must be submitted by October 15.

Hanoi: Exhibition of children's paintings to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival

The exhibition, titled "The Colors," features 58 colored paintings on acrylic. These are the works of students from the Little Superman Art Club, which has been operating in Hanoi and neighboring provinces for nearly 10 years.

The exhibition will last until September 30 to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival 2023 in the capital.

Life in the innocent eyes of children becomes beautiful, kind, and precious. Some highlight artworks include a painting showing the beauty of terraced fields in the ripe rice season, farmers working hard in the fields, a vase of chrysanthemums, and joyful daily life around children.

As part of the exhibition, the Hanoi Museum and the Little Superman Art Club also organized a workshop on making and painting paper masks using traditional methods, in which participants discussed the benefits of drawing for children's intellectual development.

The painting exhibition titled "The Colors" aims to create an interesting, meaningful and useful playground for children during the ongoing Mid-Autumn Festival.

The Hanoi Museum has long become a creative art space and a destination for art lovers at home and abroad.

Mid-Autumn Festival held for Vietnamese children in Laos

The Association of Vietnamese People in Vientiane on September 26 evening held a Mid-Autumn Festival at Phat Tich pagoda for Vietnamese children living in Laos.

The Mid-Autumn or Full-moon Festival is celebrated annually on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month which falls on September 29 this year.

This is one of the familiar cultural activities that Vietnamese teenagers and children in Laos always look forward to during the year, and helps Vietnamese culture spread closer to people in the Lao capital city.

On this occasion, students of Nguyen Du Lao - Vietnamese Bilingual School and those from Ton Ca Kindergarten entertained visitors with joyful performances, and a vibrant lion dance.

The organisers presented 200 scholarships and gifts to Vietnamese children.

Hanoi promotes specialised farming areas

The Hanoi People’s Committee recently issued a decision regarding the planning of specialised farming areas in the city.  

Accordingly, there will be 15 areas specialising in high-quality rice production, covering 53,360 hectares, 18 vegetable areas with 7,291 hectares, and 19 others for high-value fruit trees with 13,417 hectares.

Others are zoned off for the cultivation of flowers and ornamental plants, high-quality tea, aquaculture, medicinal plants, animal feed, and concentrated husbandry areas.

Currently, the city is home to over 200 concentrated rice production areas, with approximately 40,000 hectares, each of them covering at least 50 hectares, some even 300 hectares.

It is striving to maintain the 200 areas of Japonica and other rice varieties, satisfying export standards, and form from three to five supply chains for domestic consumption and exports.

Local authorities will approve detailed plans for the concentrated farming areas, and roll out plans and activities facilitating their development in line with regulations.

Da Nang promotes MICE and golf tourism in RoK

A tourism promotion programme has been launched in Seoul in the Republic of Korea (RoK) to introduce popular destinations and unique tourism products in the central city of Da Nang, with a specific focus on the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) and golf tourism.

The event was jointly held by the Da Nang Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotion Representative Office under the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.  

The occasion saw representatives of the Da Nang Department of Tourism introduce airlines, travel agencies, MICE, and golf tourism organisers and news agencies in the RoK to the central city’s popular destinations, along with providing them with relevant information about new tourism products and services.

As a means of accelerating the development of MICE tourism market, Da Nang has launched a scheme to support domestic and international MICE visitors this year.

According to Micenet, a reputable website about MICE tourism, Da Nang has been considered as an ideal MICE tourism destination in the region and is in the process of developing into a destination for conferences and seminars.

The central city is also striving to promote its brand as a golf tourism destination in the region and the world, particularly as the Da Nang Golf Championship has been successfully organised over the past two years, attracting the participation of leading professional golfers from throughout Asia.

The RoK has always taken the lead in the city's international tourism market with continuous growth from 2015 to the present being recorded.

As of September this year, the number of visitors to the central city reached more than 5.8 million, equivalent to 115% compared to the same period from 2019, including 1.56 million foreign arrivals, with the RoK visitors making up one million, accounting for 48% of the total international arrivals to the city.

Nguyen Xuan Binh, deputy director of the Da Nang Department of Tourism, revealed that the city has implemented a number of tourism promotion programmes in a bid to reboot the international tourism market with a focus on visitors from the RoK, Japan, Taiwan (China), Southeast Asia, Australia, and Europe.

Vietnamese and Bulgarian Deputy FMs compare notes on bilateral cooperation

Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang and her Bulgarian counterpart Tihomir Stoytchev have discussed cooperation between the two foreign ministries as well as international and regional issues of mutual concern within the framework of the official visit to Bulgaria by National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

At the meeting, Deputy FM Le Thi Thu Hang expressed her thanks to the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for effectively coordinating with the Vietnamese sides to make the official visit to Bulgaria by National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue a great success.

Both sides agreed that the visit is of great significance, contributing to promoting the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries to new heights.

The Vietnamese diplomat affirmed that Vietnam will coordinate to effectively implement the agreements reached during this visit, including continuing to strengthen political trust between the two countries, maintaining high-level delegation exchanges as well as stepping up cooperation in  economics - trade - investment, education and training, tourism, culture, people-to-people exchanges and between localities.

Regarding cooperation between the two foreign ministries, both sides highly appreciated the close and effective cooperation between the two ministries in recent times and consented to conduct political consultations between the two foreign ministries in 2024.

They will strengthen direct cooperation between units of the two ministries, consider sending diplomatic officials from the two countries to exchange and study, continue to coordinate closely and support each other at international and regional forums, especially at the United Nations, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and the ASEAN-EU cooperation mechanism.

On this occasion, Deputy FM Le Thi Thu Hang thanked the Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the people of Bulgaria for supporting and creating favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community to stabilize their life, study, and do business, thus making positive contributions to the socio-economic development of the host nation, while simultaneously serving as a bridge for furthering cooperation between Vietnam and Bulgaria.

Concerning regional and international issues of shared concern, Hang affirmed that Vietnam supports the resolution of conflicts and disputes by peaceful means on the basis of respect for independence, sovereignty and legitimate interests of nations in compliance with international law and the United Nations Charter.

VN - US forge partnership to promote start-ups against climate change

The US Department of State, Việt Nam’s Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology (PTIT) and VMO Holdings Technology JSC (VMO) on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and launched the Coalition for Climate Entrepreneurship (CCE Hub). 

The parties agreed to work together to promote start-up activities in the field of climate change by using start-up resources and exploiting technology, thereby minimising climate change and increasing economic growth with clean energy sources. 

Speaking at the event, Dorothy McAuliffe, Special Representative for Global Partnerships in the US Department of State, said that the US State Department, along with the hosting and implementing partners, is prepared to use this hub in the coming years to identify sustainability-focused entrepreneurs, convene them in this space, and equip them with the tools and resources they need to scale climate solutions to market. 

“We are confident this hub will build upon the momentum of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership issued between Việt Nam and the US during President Biden’s recent visit as we work together to address the climate crisis,” McAuliffe said. 

Trần Quang Anh, Deputy Director of PTIT, hopes that the CCE Hub will create a dedicated creative space designed for creators and start-ups, focusing on sustainable research areas such as clean energy, sustainable agriculture, climate finance, and resilience projects. 

The CCE Hub management unit in Việt Nam will strive to be a bridge between the business community and make practical contributions to sustainable environmental development, climate change, and community benefits, he added.

The CCE Hub, located at PTIT, is a dedicated innovation space designed to provide a community space for founders and start-ups. This is the first of its kind in Asia. 

The hub's goal is to facilitate the creation of market-viable businesses that pioneer emerging sustainable solutions or innovate existing ones, focusing on sustainability, which includes clean energy, sustainable agriculture, climate finance, climate resilience and adaptation, and recovery projects.

“The project will help raise awareness of climate issues among Vietnamese people, especially the youth. And even though we have to invest a lot at the moment, the economic potential of the project is huge”, Quang Anh told Việt Nam News. 

Earlier this month, Việt Nam and the US announced the establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development. The two countries' relationship was upgraded during the state visit of President Biden to Việt Nam. 

The president applauded Việt Nam’s climate commitments under its Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), as well as the country’s 2050 net-zero greenhouse emissions target. 

Cần Thơ hosts ecotourism festival

The Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta city of Cần Thơ is holding an ecotourism festival to promote its tourism potential and products.

The annual Phong Điền – Cần Thơ Ecotourism Festival aims to introduce the people, culture, potential in ecotourism, tourism products, and destinations of the district and the city to local and international visitors.

Phong Điền is known as the city’s “green lung”, and has many attractions such as a floating market, fruit orchards, craft villages, and cultural and historical sites.

The event includes 150 stalls presenting tourism and OCOP (one commune one product) products from 12 provinces and cities, along with firms seeking opportunities for tourism cooperation.

During the festival, visitors have chances to enjoy cultural activities such as a showcase of bà ba (a traditional blouse of southern women), fruit arrangements, and performances of tài tử music.

It also includes a showcase of local fruits and food, special products from local craft villages, and folk games.

Đào Thị Thanh Thuý, deputy director of the city’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, hoped the event would spread a message of green tourism development, and raise the community’s awareness of the purpose and importance of sustainable tourism development for the environment and the society.

According to the department, Cần Thơ welcomed more than five million visitors this year, reaching 96 per cent of the year’s target, while total tourism revenue was VNĐ4.3 trillion (US$157.8 million).

The festival is open at the Phong Điền District square until September 29. 

Two dead after heavy downpours, widespread flooding

Heavy rains and floods from Sunday through to Tuesday have caused significant damage to the central region, with two reported deaths and six people injured. 

According to the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention late Tuesday, one fisherman in Quảng Trị Province died after being struck by lightning while at sea. 

The six injuries were recorded in Thừa Thiên-Huế Province. The torrential rain also flooded 28 houses and took the rooves off 155 others.

Quảng Bình recorded one death due to heavy rain on Tuesday noon. 

The victim is a 14-year-old child from Tuyên Hóa District, who was trying to cast a fishing net with three other children in a flood area in front of Ba Tâm Village Kindergarten, situated about 100m away from the bank of Gianh River. 

The child slipped into deep water and was found dead later. 

Quảng Bình Province also evacuated 32 households, but residents returned home on Tuesday evening. 

Heavy downpours also cut off traffic to 16 villages and caused temporary congestion on multiple routes in Quảng Bình’s Tuyên Hóa and Minh Hóa districts. 

The central province also recorded erosion of approximately 1,500 cubic metres of soil. 

Around 21 hectares of fruit orchards in Hà Tĩnh Province and about 2,000 fruit trees in Quảng Trị were damaged.

Meanwhile, schools in Nghệ An Province were closed on Monday and Tuesday. 

Nguyễn Thị Châu, head of Quỳ Châu District’s education and training division said that multiple areas were inundated due to downpours combined with hydropower plant discharge from 2 am on Tuesday. 

Initial reports show that the water level has risen to the roof of the kindergarten and elementary school in Tà Sỏi Village while reaching around one metre in many schools in Châu Thắng Commune.

According to Nghệ An Provincial Department of Education and Training, as of 8 am Wednesday, multiple schools were closed in Quế Phong, Quỳ Châu, Quỳ Hợp and Tân Kỳ districts due to heavy rain and hydropower plant discharge.

In the remaining Anh Sơn, Con Cuông and Kỳ Sơn districts, students in several schools were also given a day off due to road closures.

Nguyễn Trọng Hoàn, chief of the department office said that a guideline has been issued early for active responses during the rainy season. 

Schools can let students stay at home with early notice and will work with local authorities and families to keep the children safe. 

The department has also directed schools to actively relocate equipment to higher floors and reinforce walls in case of prolonged rain. A person should also be assigned on duty around the clock in case of emergency. 

Thanh Hóa Provincial People’s Committee Chairman on Wednesday morning also issued an official document requiring localities to implement protection measures for agricultural production, as well as urban, industrial and low-lying areas.  

Inspection teams will also patrol households at risk of flooding and landslides for early evacuation. 

The provincial agriculture and rural development department will conduct reviews and take protection measures for local dams, dykes and irrigation reservoirs, while the transport department will redirect traffic from at-risk areas to ensure transportation connection. 

From 7 pm Tuesday to 8 am Wednesday, rainfall levels recorded in Thanh Hóa Province ranged from 40 to 100mm, reaching up to 172mm in some areas and causing flooding in several streets of Thanh Hóa City including Phan Chu Trinh, Đinh Công Tráng and Lê Quý Đôn. 

According to the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, heavy downpours will continue from Thanh Hóa to Quảng Bình provinces until late Thursday. 

The total rainfall in the next two days in these localities is expected to be between 150 to 250mm. 

Thunderstorms are also forecast for the northern and southern deltas. 

The centre said that people need to stay vigilant for flash floods and landslides in the mountainous regions and inundation in low-lying areas. 

The heavy downpours in the central region in recent days were caused by a tropical low-pressure system formed in the East Sea which weakens as it moves inland. 

NA Vice Chairman visits Kazakhstan

National Assembly (NA) Vice Chairman Nguyen Khac Dinh is paying a visit to Kazakhstan from September 24-28.

During his stay, the official held talks with Speaker of the lower house of Kazakhstan’s parliament (Mäjilis) Erlan Zhakanovich Koshanov and Speaker of the Senate Ashimbayev Maulen Sagathanuly.

He also had meetings with Deputy Speaker of the Mäjilis Albert Rau and Deputy Speaker of the Senate of Kazakhstan Zhakip Asanov, as well as Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin, and Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Agency of Kazakhstan Askhat Zhumagali. The official also met officials at the Vietnamese Embassy in Kazakhstan and representatives from the Vietnamese community in the country, and visited Almaty city.  

At the talks and meetings, NA Vice Chairman Dinh affirmed that Vietnam always attaches great importance to relations with traditional friends, including Kazakhstan, and thanked Kazakhstan for supporting the State and people of Vietnam during the past struggle for independence and present national construction and defence. He affirmed that Vietnam is keen on further boosting relations with Kazakhstan in all fields for the benefits of both peoples.

He highlighted progress in bilateral ties, especially after the Vietnam visit by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev last August and highly valued the mutual support and coordination that the two sides have shown at international organisations and multilateral forums, especially the UN.

The Kazakh officials hailed the Vietnamese NA Vice Chairman’s visit, which they believed will help promote the friendship and all-round cooperation between the two countries in general and the two legislatures in particular.

They affirmed that Kazakhstan considers Vietnam as a leading important partner in Southeast Asia and hopes to strengthen partnership with Vietnam through all channels and in all fields, especially economy, trade and investment.

The two sides agreed that there is plenty of room for the two countries to bolster their economic, trade and investment cooperation and optimise the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) towards the goal of 1 billion USD in two-way trade. The two countries boast high potential of collaboration in other fields such as logistics, transportation, finance, digital transformation, agriculture and mining, they said, pledging to provide favourable conditions for businesses to seek investment opportunities in each other’s market and form joint ventures in the fields of garment and textile and processing.

Kazakh leaders underlined that with its location in the centre of the Eurasian region, Kazakhstan wishes to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in the field of transport and railways, exploiting transnational railway routes and direct flights between the two countries to increase goods exchange between Vietnam and Kazakhstan in particular and EAEU countries in general, and transshipping goods to Europe through the trans-Caspian international transport route.

Kazakhstan also wants to beef up bilateral collaboration in digital transformation, artificial intelligence and high-tech finance, they said, vowing to remove obstacles and provide optimal conditions for businesses of the two sides to partner with each other, and back Vietnamese firms in investing in strong areas of Kazakhstan such as processing, garment, agriculture, finance and banking. Kazakhstan wishes to increase the exports of cereals, wheat, and petrochemical products to Vietnam, they said.

Both sides agreed that the signing of an agreement on visa exemption for citizens holding ordinary passports and the opening of direct flights between Vietnam and Kazakhstan (from Cam Ranh to Almaty and Astana) will facilitate the development of bilateral partnership in trade, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

Regarding parliamentary cooperation, Dinh and Kazakh leaders concurred to promote ties between the two legislatures in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks. They agreed to increase delegation exchanges and continue to support each other at multilateral parliamentary forums, and strengthen supervision over the implementation of agreements signed during President Tokayev's visit to Vietnam and other important agreements between the two countries.

During his stay, NA Vice Chairman Dinh also attended the inauguration of a showroom of Vietnamese consumer products.

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