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Hungary was the first European Union state to approve the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). Vietnam and Hungary are expected to sign an agreement on cooperation between the two parliaments in replacement of the one inked in 2008. Chairman of Vietnam’s National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue and István Jakab, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary, in Budapest on June 26 (local time). Photos: VNA The agreement would be signed during the visit to Budapest by Chairman of Vietnam’s National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue on June 26-28 at the invitation of Speaker of Hungary’s National Assembly László Kövér. The parliamentary cooperation is evidence of the Comprehensive Partnership agreed in 2018 during the visit paid by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong to the European country. The cooperation agreement is believed to cover three main fields namely the exchange of visits of high-profile officials and … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Hungary to sign new parliamentary cooperation agreement

The Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, unveiled with fanfare by U.S. President Joe Biden and G7 allies from Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and the European Union, aims to fill a huge gap left as communist China uses its economic clout to stretch diplomatic tentacles into the furthest reaches of the world. Biden said the target was for the United States to bring $200 billion to the table, with the rest of the G7 another $400 billion by 2027. Funding the kinds of projects that China currently dominates -- everything from roads to harbours in far-flung corners of the world -- is not "aid or charity," Biden said. Highlighting the geostrategic thinking behind the plan, Biden said such projects "deliver returns for everyone, including the American people and the people of all our nations." Around the world, the role of China's democratic rivals is "a chance for us to share our positive vision for the future" and for other countries to "see for themselves the … [Read more...] about G7 touts $600 bn global infrastructure plan to rival China

Hanoi authorities’ campaigns to solve sidewalk encroachment caused by street hawkers on the banks of the West Lake have proved to be water off a duck’s back as the issue recurs after every crackdown. The West Lake, which is the capital’s biggest freshwater reservoir located in Tay Ho District, has long been a favorite spot for young people to hang out, leading to the emergence of street stalls along its banks. Street hawkers rake in money from visitors to the lake by displaying their wares on the banks to sell street food and beverages even though that means the sidewalk there is partly or completely blocked. The encroachment has prompted local authorities to roll out multiple crackdowns, which have turned out to be wasted labor as the street stalls crept back in a few days. Young people enjoy beverages at a lakeside stall illegally established on the sidewalk of a street along the West Lake in Tay Ho District, Hanoi, June 25, 2022. Photo: Pham Tuan / Tuoi Tre … [Read more...] about Crackdown on sidewalk encroachment along West Lake’s banks a wasted effort in Hanoi

Vietnam has greatly improved its living standards as it jumped 39 places to become the 62nd-best country worldwide for quality of life in 2021, according to a report by CEOWORLD . The Southeast Asian nation earned 78.49 points, ranking 62nd out of 165 countries and territories, registering a sharp improvement from its 101st position among 171 countries in 2020. It ranked seventh in the region, while Singapore took the lead with 87.64 points, followed by Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Singapore also held the 19th position in the global rankings. Finland was named the world’s best country for quality of life last year with 99.06 points, while Denmark and Norway ranked second and third, respectively. “Being safe, politically stable, and having a well-developed public health system drove Finland’s quality of life ranking to the top of the Best Countries 2021 list,” said CEOWORLD, a business and trade magazine. Belgium came in fourth in the rankings, over Sweden, … [Read more...] about Vietnam up 39 notches in global quality of life index: CEOWORLD