Facing up to the china threat

At a meeting with U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed in New York on May 16 (local time), the PM stressed that the year 2022 is of great significance as it marks the 45th anniversary of Vietnam’s U.N. membership. Appreciating the U.N.’s valuable contributions and support to Vietnam over the past more than four decades, the PM asked Amina to convey his invitation to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and other U.N. leaders to visit Vietnam this year to foster multi-faceted cooperation between the two sides. Chinh reiterated Vietnam’s strong commitments to multilateralism and a world order based on international law and the U.N. Charter, as well as the country’s support for the U.N.’s central role in the global administration system, saying it needs global, all-people, and comprehensive approaches to tackle common challenges like epidemics and climate change. Vietnam backs enhancing relations between the U.N., parliaments of its member countries and the … [Read more...] about Vietnam to play more active role at U.N.: PM

Vietnamese archers show their determination before entering competitions at SEA Games 31. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese archers on May 17 were qualified for the finals of the men’s and women’s teams recurve at the ongoing SEA Games 31 on home soil. In the men’s team recurve, Nong Van Linh, Nguyen Duy and Chu Duc Anh took down their Philippine rivals 5-4 and will face defending champions Indonesia in the final. The Vietnamese women’s team, which is the gold medallist of the previous SEA Games, will face the Philippines in the final after a 6-2 win over Malaysia. After three days of competition, Vietnamese archers have booked their spots in the finals of four events and five bronze medal matches. They will compete in the finals of the women’s individual and team compound on May 19. At SEA Games 30, Vietnam claimed three gold, two silver and one bronze medal in archery . This year, the team targets 2-4 golds across 10 events. SEA Games 31 , themed “ … [Read more...] about Vietnamese archers reach team recurve finals of SEA Games 31

Receiving Lao Finance Minister Bounchom Oubonpaserth in Vientiane on May 16 during his official visit to the neighboring country, N.A. Chairman Hue appreciated the two finance ministries’ organization of mutual visits and experience sharing. He held that although the Lao financial sector faces many difficulties, the Government and the National Assembly of Laos have delivered timely directions towards restructuring financial institutions. Hailing Laos for transparency in budget revenue and expenditure, and public debt, the top Vietnamese legislator emphasized the need to modernize the tax and customs sectors, strengthen publicity and transparency, and switch to e-invoices to both protect staff and ensure revenues. The Lao financial sector needs to pay more attention to people and businesses as well as proactively remove difficulties and obstacles to promote economic development, he noted. Hue affirmed that the National Assembly of Vietnam and he himself have always supported and … [Read more...] about Vietnamese N.A. willing to share financial supervision experience with Laos

The two countries have reached a new height of over USD 100 billion in two-way trade, Foote, who is also co-founder of the U.S.-Vietnam Trade Council (USVTC) and President and CEO of Bay Global Strategies, told the Vietnam News Agency's reporters on the sidelines of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s meeting with U.S. enterprises in New York on May 16. She highlighted the entrepreneurial spirit in Vietnam as well as its great workforce, better infrastructure and significant location in Asia as advantages for American firms doing business in the country. “Our companies very much appreciate the talents in Vietnam and working with the Vietnamese people,” she said. Foote also outlined several challenges facing U.S. investors which include burdensome administrative procedures in some areas, and supply chain and logistical difficulties which are not unique to Vietnam. “We're hoping as we come out of COVID-19, these things will smooth out,” she stated. Foote also hoped that U.S. firms … [Read more...] about American business community very optimistic about U.S.-Vietnam economic ties

The power industry is still facing many challenges to meet the rising demand in Vietnam. Vietnam needs US$133.3 billion to invest in new power plants and transmission networks from 2021 to 2030, according to Vice Minister of Industry and Trade Hoang Quoc Vuong. Vietnam needs US$133.3 billion investment in power projects by 2030. Photo: GIZ At the second conference on the National Power Development Plan VIII (PDP) VIII for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2045 on September 28, the Vietnam Energy Institute (VEI) reported that of the total investment, US$96 billion will be spent on new power plants and US$37.3 billion on expanding the power grid. It means the country needs an annually an amount of US$13.3 billion for investment in new power plants and transmission networks in the next 10 years. Deputy Minister Vuong told the conference that according to the power source development program until 2030, the total power capacity is expected to increase by … [Read more...] about Vietnam needs US$133.3 billion investment in power projects by 2030

Saigon was greeted with a heavy downpour at the beginning of this week. Getting to work, already a tedious task, was now chaotically worse. Motorbikes pulled themselves to the side en-masse and riders brought their raincoats out. Cars weren't much better off, either. They had to switch lanes frequently, making traffic even more complicated. Buses had no maneuvering room. As the water poured down my face, I wondered, not for the first time: was I better off on the bike or were the bus passengers the happier lot? The answer seemed obvious. They could just sit there and enjoy the rain tapping on the glass, insulated from the outside chaos. Of course, riding a bus in Vietnam is not always the most pleasant experience. It requires forbearance and not a little of it. I used to go to work on buses too, but could not go through the experience for long. I’ve seen people talking about banning motorbikes these days. I don’t necessarily oppose this. In any developed city, personal vehicles … [Read more...] about Vietnam should take a leaf out of Indonesia’s public bus book

But people around the 24-year-old, who is admittedly at the higher end of the range, call her "sumo." Nguyen, who used to love munching on snacks and sipping boba milk tea in the evening, admits: "I act as if I don’t care, but I'm still a girl and such a label triggers in me a subconscious fear of becoming fat." The office worker in HCMC's District 7 tries not to let others’ negative comments bother her, but has nevertheless grown tired of people’s criticism. Her weight and eating habits have become "semi-public" with family members often criticizing her appearance during the Lunar New Year, and friends constantly pushing her to lose weight. As a result her self-esteem has plummeted, she says. The shame and guilt caused by others has pushed her into action. She spends the better part of the day in front of a computer screen and is not physically active, and so has embarked on a strict eat-clean diet in the hope of losing two to three kilograms this summer. "I am not … [Read more...] about Thin-skinned souls work hard to keep bodies slim and fit

Vietnamese Nguyễn Tiến Nhật (right) in the men's epee team final of the SEA Games 31 against Singapore at the Hà Nội’s Indoor Athletics centre. Việt Nam lost 36-37. —VNA/VNS Photo Minh Sơn HÀ NỘI — Fencers from Singapore won a gold medal after beating the Philippines 33-28 in the women’s foil team final on May 17. Earlier, Singapore took a 45-22 win over Việt Nam in the semi-final. The Thailand team pocketed bronze. Singapore then earned their second gold in the day, edging out the host 37-36 in the men’s epee team final at the Hà Nội’s Indoor Athletics centre. Vietnamese Nguyễn Tiến Nhật, Nguyễn Phước Đến, Đặng Tuấn Anh, Trần Út Ngọc had a tense face-off against Singapore’s Han Elliot Yi Heng, Lee Samson Mun Hou, Lee Samson Mun Hou and Sito Jian Tong in the final. Although dominating from the first minutes, the hosts could not secure their momentum, leaving chances for Singapore to draw the score at 36-36. In the decisive extra-time … [Read more...] about S’pore fencers win gold in foil and epee

Myanmar number 9 Hlaing fails to beat Thailand's goalkeeper. VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Tùng HÀ NAM — Another 4-0 win, this time against Myanmar, wasn’t enough for Thailand to top the women’s futsal table as the hosts Việt Nam smashed Malaysia 4-1 in the later match on May 17. The Thais entered the match with no other goal than another big win, seeking to extend their goal difference to differ themselves from Việt Nam. The match started with Thai's dominated from the off, throwing everything at Myanmar, who were also looking for a better result after their 'tennis set' lost against Việt Nam in the opening match. Despite enormous pressure from the opponent, Myanmar sat back and defended solidly, creating difficulties for Thailand’s forwards who struggled to penetrate The Asian Lionesses’ defence. However, the women in white only managed to hold the mighty Thais for six minutes and thirty seconds. After a smooth build-up from the left, the ball was fed quickly to Hataichanok … [Read more...] about VN, Thailand show class in women’s futsal

OCOP products made by the Tài Thịnh Phát FARM Co-operative in Cà Mau Province come with good packaging and labelling. — VNA/VNS Photo Huỳnh Anh CÀ MAU — The national 'One Commune – One Product' (OCOP) programme has helped improve the value of Cà Mau Province’s agricultural products and promote its speciality products. The southernmost province enjoys advantages in agriculture, forestry and aquaculture, which enable it to offer various products and services designated as OCOP. They include food, beverages, handicrafts, and rural tourism services. The province recognised 44 more OCOP products last year, taking its total to 77 ranking from three or four star level under a five-star system. The ones recognised last year include Ngọc Trân and Mạch Long fish sauce, Từ Tâm biological rice, Minh Duy fermented bulrush, Minh Quân dried soft banana, Ba Đức dried gourami fish, Năm Căn shrimp cracker, and Ngọc Hiển mangrove chopsticks. The province ranks fourth out of the delta’s 12 … [Read more...] about Cà Mau Province focused on One Commune – One Product