Asean foreign ministers meeting 2017

Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Bangkok (NNT/VNA) - Representatives of ASEAN member nations are meeting in Bangkok for the second round of the High-Level Brainstorming Dialogue (HLBD) on Enhancing Complementarities between the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The event, overseen by Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Shamshad Akhtar, is taking place at the United Nations Conference Centre. According to Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs Suriya Chindawong, Foreign Minister Don  Pramudwinai will voice the country’s support for the plan on ASEAN connectivity and the "no-one left behind" development agenda, as they correspond to the government’s policy. The Thai Government has also proposed establishing the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue in Thailand in 2019 to … [Read more...] about Thailand hosts ASEAN High-Level Brainstorming Dialogue

This collection of little gems comes from exchanges with expats and tourists over the years – here in Vietnam, abroad at overseas living conferences and meetings, and, best of all for candid input, coffee shops and ‘belly up to the bar sessions’ in various places around the world. Conference attendees for the most part have never visited Vietnam, so their views are distant and often skewed, with eyes glossed over and wide open like saucers as reality is revealed. Do they use money in Vietnam or is there some type of bartering system? Seasoned veterans see that question as absurd, but to the uninitiated it’s a query worthy of clarification. Vietnam is often perceived by those from developed countries as a distant and eccentric country, while reality is it would be a struggle to find more business-oriented people anywhere in the world. I reply: “Cash is king. Just pop into a bank for a glimpse at how the                                          commercial system works here, … [Read more...] about Questions foreigners ask about Vietnam

Vietnam attended four WEF annual meetings at prime ministerial level in 2007, 2010, 2017 and 2019, and joined the WEF on ASEAN at prime ministerial level four times in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2017. (Photo: AFP/VNA) This will be one of the major multilateral foreign relations activities of Vietnam in 2022, especially in the context that the annual meeting of this major global economic forum has been postponed over the past two years due to Covid-19, according to Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other international organizations in Geneva. She said that since Vietnam and the WEF set up their relationship in 1989, leaders of both sides have paid great attention to the promotion of bilateral ties in many fields. Vietnam attended four WEF annual meetings at prime ministerial level in 2007, 2010, 2017 and 2019, and joined the WEF on ASEAN at prime ministerial level four times in 2012, 2013, … [Read more...] about Vietnam to introduce national development strategies at 2022 Davos WEF

This will be one of the major multilateral foreign relations activities of Vietnam in 2022, especially in the context that the annual meeting of this major global economic forum has been postponed over the past two years due to COVID-19, according to Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other international organizations in Geneva. She said that since Vietnam and the WEF set up their relationship in 1989, leaders of both sides have paid great attention to the promotion of bilateral ties in many fields. Vietnam attended four WEF annual meetings at prime ministerial level in 2007, 2010, 2017 and 2019, and joined the WEF on ASEAN at prime ministerial level four times in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2017. The country hosted the WEF on ASEAN in 2018, the WEF on Mekong in 2016 and the WEF on East Asia in 2010. The first WEF's Country Strategic Dialogue on Vietnam was held on October 29, 2021 in the … [Read more...] about Vietnam to introduce national development strategies at 2022 Davos WEF: Ambassador

Speaking to Vietnam News Agency following the visit, Ha said that senior leader of Laos highly valued the first visit by Hue as the Vietnamese top legislator during the Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022, making him the first foreign parliament leader to visit Laos during the ninth tenure of the Lao N.A. The Lao side congratulated Vietnam on its achievements in socio-economic development and pandemic control, and informed the Vietnamese leader on Laos’ socio-economic targets and tasks as well as its action plan to deal with COVID-19 impacts and boost socio-economic development, he said. Ha underlined that N.A. Chairman Hue’s visit sent out a message that the Vietnamese Party, State, N.A. and people always have understanding of and sharing with Laos with a spirit of comradeship, brotherhood and mutual support, and Vietnam always stand by the side of, accompanies and assists Laos to overcome all challenges for further development. Ha noted that … [Read more...] about N.A. Chairman’s visit helps bolster partnership with Laos: Official

At the rehearsal for SEA Games 31's opening ceremony. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam , head of the National Steering Committee for Organising SEA Games 31, attended a rehearsal for the event’s opening ceremony in Hanoi’s My Dinh Stadium on May 10 night. He highly valued the endeavours of those who are engaging in the preparation for the ceremony in recent days, calling on relevant units to gather opinions and timely make adjustment so as to ensure success of the opening event. After a parade and a hoisting ceremony of the national flag of Vietnam and the flags of ASEAN and SEA Games 31, outstanding Vietnamese athletes will carry the torch and light the Games cauldron, followed by a three-chapter show. The first chapter, themed “Friendly Vietnam” will feature the unique cultural identity of Vietnam as well as the hospitality and friendliness that the country offers to people from all countries in the region and the world. Deputy … [Read more...] about Deputy PM attends SEA Games 31 opening ceremony rehearsal

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addresses the event (Photo: VNA) Gia Lai - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the Gia Lai Investment Promotion Conference 2022 in Pleiku city on May 21, which drew representatives from ministries, sectors, international organisations, businesses, investors and localities in the Central Highlands region. Addressing the event, PM Chinh underlined the need for Gia Lai to continue to keep COVID-19 pandemic under good control, while quickly completing its planning to identify its own potential and competitive advantages, and speeding up the development of its strategic infrastructure system. Gia Lai should continue to work hard with administrative reform, improve the quality of human resources, promote science-technology, innovation, diversify the supply chain and strengthen digital transformation and energy transition, he said. The Government leader expressed his hope that investors will make effective investment and long-term business in the … [Read more...] about PM attends investment promotion conference in Gia Lai

Mai and the Ambassador agreed to promote cooperation between the two countries in the fields of diplomacy, youth and cultural exchange. HCM City will offer 30-50 scholarships for Cuba students to visit and learn in the city each year as well as support the exchange of students between the two sides, the city official said. Mai suggested that the Cuban Ambassador pay attention to specific collaboration projects with the city in the fields of healthcare and teaching Spanish for the sake of cultural exchange. HCM City plans to hold several meetings this year to introduce potential cooperation areas between Cuba and the city, he said. For his part, the Cuban Ambassador said there is great room for cooperation and expressed his hope that HCM City will facilitate stronger collaboration between the two sides in the future. At present, Cuba is adopting many policies that can open up investment opportunities, he said, noting the hope that more businesses in HCM City take interest in … [Read more...] about Room remains for boosting HCM City – Cuba cooperation

Reporters take part in the third international press conference on May 21. — VNA/VNS Photo Tuấn Đức Thanh Hà HÀ NỘI — The SEA Games 31 is considered an event of solidarity in the spirit of fair play, according to the Organising Committee at the third international press conference on May 21 in Hà Nội. Many local and international reporters and journalists attended the conference chaired by deputy head of the Information and Communications Sub-Committee Lê Thị Hoàng Yến, who summarised and reviewed the regional sports meet's activities. "Almost competitions have been well organised in the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship. Olympic sports are run following clear rules and regulations while sensitive sports, including martial art performance events, are assessed fairly and objectively," said Yến, who is the vice chairwoman of the Việt Nam Sports Administration. "The chief-de-missions of all teams are satisfied with organising activities of the hosts. To date, we have not … [Read more...] about ‘Games held in spirit of fair play’: organisers

Vietnam and Australia are both members of at least three free trade agreements, namely ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA), CPTPP and the Regional Economic Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). According to data of the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, last year, two-way trade between Vietnam and Australia hit 12.4 billion USD for the first time, up more than 49 percent compared with that of 2020. The value of shipments to Australia reached more than 4.45 billion USD, a year-on-year increase of 23 percent. Vietnam spent nearly 8 billion USD in importing goods from Australia, up nearly 70 percent against 2020’s figure. Vietnam's exports to Australia are growing strongly, reaching 1.38 billion USD in the first quarter of 2022, a surge of 32.36 percent against the same period last year. Sharp increases were seen in Vietnam’s export of various agricultural and industrial products to Australia, for example 84 percent in coffee, 51 percent in aquatic … [Read more...] about CPTPP helps leverage Vietnam – Australia investment cooperation