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The Tan Cang Cat Lai Port. The port is the first in Viet Nam to be recognised as a green port by the APEC Port Services Network. — Photo vneconomy.vn The Viet Nam Maritime Administration is gathering comments on a proposed set of criteria for recognising green ports. The criteria are expected to push port-managing firms to embrace green development, improving their competitiveness and ensuring sustainability. A green assessment will be carried out every three years. The first criterion is that the firms strictly comply with environmental regulations specified in Viet Nam's legal documents and international agreements of which Viet Nam is a member. Additionally, the firms must closely monitor their port construction and operation and make frequent reports on their environmental impacts. The second criterion comprises three sub-criteria with specific max points assigned to each. Under the Commitment sub-criterion, port-managing firms get 0.75 points once they have a … [Read more...] about Vietnam Maritime Administration formulates green ports criteria

The Strategic Framework for Sustainable Development Cooperation 2022-2026 (CF) guides and steers the government of Vietnam and the UN in Vietnam’s collaboration on accelerating progress to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals. It highlights the joint commitment to deliver sustainable development for all. Speaking at the signing ceremony on August 11, MPI Minister Nguyen Chi Dung emphasised that the CF will be implemented at a time when Vietnam has been synchronously implementing solutions to strengthen economic recovery after the pandemic, respond to climate change, and transition to a green, circular economy. "The government has been working to improve institutions and policies in order to mobilise resources from all economic sectors to develop the country. Together with other development partners, the UN plays an important role in supporting Vietnam in its development, integration, and strong participation in global development through policy advice, sharing Vietnam’s … [Read more...] about Strategic framework for sustainable development between UN and Vietnam

Double digit export growth According to the Hanoi People’s Committee, the export turnover of goods in June 2022 reached about US$1.517 billion, up 6.8 percent from May 2022 and 17.5 percent from June 2021. In the first half of this year, the commodity exports turnover reached US$8.3 billion, up 17.1 percent over the first half of 2021. Some key items with increased export turnover in this period included textile and garment, reaching US$1.22 billion, up 29.6 percent; computer components and peripherals, US$1.072 billion, up 20.2 percent. The total import turnover of goods hit US$3.675 billion in June and US$20.5 billion in the first six months of 2022, the latter of which is 24.5 percent higher than the same period in 2021. Among the items of highest value were machinery, equipment and spare parts reaching US$2.996 billion, down 5.6 percent; petroleum US$2.934 billion, 2.8 times higher than the same period in 2021; computers, electronic goods and components at US$1.535 … [Read more...] about Hanoi helps firms implement trade deals

Cooperation between Hanoi and Vientiane remains an example of the long-standing and special relations Vietnam-Laos. Hanoi and Vientiane have been taking steps to bolster economic ties during the Vietnam-Laos 2022 Solidarity and Friendship Year. Overview of the “Hanoi-Vientiane Cooperation for Development” investment, trade, and tourism conference. Photo: The Hanoi Times At the investment, trade, and tourism conference titled “Hanoi-Vientiane Cooperation for Development” on August 10, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen noted the cooperation between Hanoi and Laos’ provinces in general, and with Vientiane in particular, have been progressing in all spheres, including priority fields of economy, healthcare, education, agriculture, military, and people-to-people exchange. Echoing Quyen’s view, Vice Director of the Hanoi’s Department of Planning and Investment Nguyen Ngoc Tu added since 2004, Hanoi has been funding several projects to … [Read more...] about Hanoi – Vientiane bolster economic ties

It began to rain around 3 p.m., and roads in several districts were inundated soon after. The heavy rain knocked open a manhole cover at the intersection of Tran Hung Dao and Huynh Minh Dat streets in District 5, causing floodwaters to form a whirlpool . A motorcyclist who inadvertently drove through the flooded manhole was knocked over but people in the area rushed to help. Thu Phuong, a 56-year-old woman selling refreshments near the intersection, said it wasn’t the first time that the manhole had been lifted up by heavy rain. "Many people from the drainage company have come to fix it. However, it still gets pushed open by the force of water pressure and becomes extremely dangerous for people driving by," she said. Pedestrians cross a flooded section of Bui Vien Street in District 1. Cars turned on their headlights after it became dark and visibility became poor. … [Read more...] about Saigon traffic descends into chaos after year’s heaviest downpour

Vietnam and Qatar yesterday signed an agreement on visa exemption for their diplomatic and official passport holders. Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani sign the agreement on August 14. Photo baoquocte.vn The agreement was signed during talks yesterday between Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani during the latter’s visit to Vietnam. Minister Sơn emphasised that the visit, the first of its kind by the Qatari minister, is an important milestone in the bilateral relations between the two countries, especially as the two have recently successfully organised the second political consultation between the two foreign ministries and will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2023. The two ministers highlighted the need to … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Qatar mutually waive visas for diplomatic, official passport holders

The school opening day is set at the appointed time after the Covid-19 pandemic has been controlled. The Hanoi Department of Education and Training has decided that the academic year of 2022-23 will start on September 5 as usual, according to a decision issued by Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Chu Xuan Dung. The decision will be applied to educational facilities from kindergarten to high schools, as well as centers for continuing education. Ceremonies to kick off the school year city-wide are scheduled for September 5, with the first and second semesters planned to be completed before January 16 and May 25, respectively. “The school opening day is set at the appointed time after the Covid-19 pandemic has been controlled. However, educational institutions will have to strictly implement measures to prevent and control the Covid-19 disease in accordance with the protocols as the pandemic threat remains,” Dung said. He noted that inaugural ceremonies held for … [Read more...] about Hanoi’s students to begin new academic year on September 5

The countries attempt to strengthen relations on politics, economics, energy, tourism, and manpower to tap potential of both. Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested Vietnamese and Qatari authorities to speed up negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement. Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in Hanoi on August 15. Photo: VGP He requested the two countries to ink an agreement on visa exemption for ordinary passport holders. On the same day, Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son met Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, agreeing to boost trade promotion activities, facilitating exports to each market. The top diplomats also agreed to enhance cooperation at international forums, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Qatari Deputy Prime … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Qatar eye free trade agreement

The Vietnam Green Building Week 2022 will be held in Ho Chi Minh City by the Ministry of Construction this October as part of efforts to meet the net-zero emissions commitments set out at the UN Conference on Climate Change (COP26). The event, in response to the World Green Building Week, will attract the participation of over 1,200 delegates from various ministries and provincial authorities, policy makers, as well as both national and international organisations. They will be joined by experts such as construction project owners and operators, construction consultants, leading architects and design professionals. The Vietnam Green Building Week 2022 is to create a forum for policymakers and experts to share experience and exchange information relating to policymaking, new technologies, products, equipment, and materials to develop energy-efficient buildings. The event will consist of one plenary session and three thematic sessions discussing and exchanging experience on … [Read more...] about Vietnam Green Building Week 2022 to take place in October