Day: August 9, 2021

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, his spouse Tran Nguyet Thu, and a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Party and State left Hanoi on August 9 for Vientiane for a two-day official friendship visit to Laos.

The visit, paid at the invitation of General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, is the first official visit to a foreign country by a senior Party and State leader after the 13th National Party Congress, and the first trip abroad by the State leader since he took office.

President Phuc’s entourage includes National Assembly Standing Vice Chairman Tran Thanh Man, Minister of Public Security To Lam; Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang; head of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission Tran Tuan Anh; Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Do Van Chien; Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh, head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung; Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son; Minister of Justice Le Thanh Long; Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, and Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi, among others.

The visit, taking place only six weeks after LPRP General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith visited Vietnam, is of significance to the bilateral relationship.

It is hoped to contribute to maintaining the sound tradition of the special ties between the two countries, opening up a new development period in the relations between the two Parties, States and people, aiming to continue to accelerate the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two sides.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnamese small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are facing barriers in digital transformation and have a passive response to market changes, said Hoang Minh Chien, deputy head of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade).

Chien told an online conference on digital transformation for sales and marketing held in Hanoi on August 7 that Vietnam targets to become a digital country by 2025 under the national digital transformation programme. Of which, digital transformation for businesses would play a crucial role.

However, the SMEs did not have enough awareness about digital transformation. In addition, they lacked commitment and perseverance from leaders as well as information about digital technology. They also faced limited human and financial resources.

“Vietrade is gradually implementing training, consulting and events applying information technology and digital transformation to support enterprises to overcome difficulties in the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.

Bui Hoang Anh, Director of the SME Centre under CMC Telecom Vietnam, said there are three clear trends in digital transformation in Vietnam this year, including data analysis, online payment/transactions and data security in the digital environment.

Digital transformation is strongly taking place around the world. But in Vietnam, the speed is still modest. A survey by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in 2020 at more than 400 businesses showed that 51 percent of businesses actively transformed digitally before the COVID-19 pandemic occurred. Meanwhile 25.7 percent of businesses were not interested but when COVID-19 happened, they started to catch up and find digital technology solutions; 17.5 percent of enterprises started to pay attention but they had not yet started to apply technology.

Nearly half of Vietnamese businesses have not actively converted to digital. But when the pandemic occurred with unpredictable developments, if enterprises do not adapt and catch up with trends, their business and development will certainly be affected, Anh said.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a driving force for businesses and people to change their habits and apply more technology in production, business and consumption. For businesses that do not keep pace with digital transformation, they will very quickly see their business results affected, and in the long run, they will be easily eliminated from the market.

Many businesses acknowledged the importance of digital transformation, but still faced challenges.

Chu Truong An, deputy head of the Ton Vinh Technology Development and Trading Company Limited, said: “We do not know where to start to digitalise while we are still applying information technology in production, business and export.”

“When implementing digital transformation, enterprises’ resources will be assessed for Viettrade and experts to support according to a roadmap. Enterprises could completely convert digitally and start from available resources. The most important factor is business owners’ commitment and persistence in digital transformation,” said Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy, Director of Vietrade’s Information Technology Application Centre.

She said Vietrade was completing the VECOBIZ ecosystem which is a platform that integrates trade promotion activities to serve businesses, such as exhibitions, promotions and trade connections. In the future, businesses could use this platform to find customers and exchange information. VECOBIZ also provided factors related to the business environment such as free trade agreements, non-tariff barriers and standards for export markets.

The online conference saw the participation of some 1,200 delegates from many provinces and cities nationwide to raise awareness and build capacity for individuals and enterprises in information technology application and digital transformation. This training focuses on sales and marketing skills for businesses. These are two important activities, contributing to improving sales and the image of businesses.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Vietnam and Vital Strategies on August 9 signed an agreement for a second phase of work under the Data for Health Initiative, which is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to continue supporting the Vietnamese Government’s efforts to improve civil registration and vital statistics.

Vietnam joined the initiative in March 2020, and the second phase will be implemented from July 2021 to March 2023 by Vietnam’s Ministry of Justice in collaboration with relevant line ministries.

Dr. Kelly Henning, Public Health Program Lead, Bloomberg Philanthropies said: “We are pleased to continue in partnership with the government of Vietnam in their efforts to collect better public health data. Stronger civil registration and vital statistics systems provide better data to assist in decision making that will protect the health of the Vietnamese people.”

“By continuing our partnership with UNFPA and the Vietnam government to improve CRVS systems, together we can ensure that every person is counted,” said Jana Shih, Technical Advisor for Vietnam and Thailand, CRVS, at Vital Strategies.

“Registering births and deaths are key to unlocking rights and protections for individuals, as well as providing decision makers with data that can guide policies to improve quality of life for all. Strengthening the CRVS system’s legal framework in Vietnam is a critical step toward meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goal targets of universal birth registration and 80 percent death registration by 2030.”

In the first phase, the programme supported quality improvements of birth and death registrations through strengthening CRVS governance, assessing CRVS system functioning, conducting the review of the CRVS legal framework, and designing the improvement framework on the registration of births and deaths and other vital statistics.

The second phase of the programme will focus on further strengthening CRVS governance and the legal framework; applying digital solutions to improve CRVS processes and capacity development; and improving collaboration between relevant ministries in sharing CRVS data to be used in policymaking. The programme will also pilot an innovative model on the registration of births and deaths for nationwide scaling up.

Nguyen Cong Khanh, Director of Civil Registration, Nationality and Attestation Department, Ministry of Justice emphasised the important role of the programme’s second phase.

“The signing of the second phase of the partnership between UNFPA and Vital Strategies to continue supporting the Ministry of Justice to successfully implement the National Action Programme on CRVS is necessary and significant. This partnership will contribute to improving the legal framework and CRVS business process in a more modern way; and promoting creative communication and inter-sectoral coordination at all levels. The linkage and sharing of data and statistics, especially on births and deaths among sectors will not only serve the policy making process by relevant ministries, sectors and localities, but also protect people’s health and ensure other lawful rights and interests as stipulated by the law,” he said.

Vietnam has been implementing the National Action Programme (NAP) on CRVS for the period 2017-2024. Strengthening the CRVS process, as well as building and sustaining quality birth and death registration data including causes of death enables countries to confer and guarantee citizenship, plan and budget for effective national and subnational policies for health, social protection, education, population and human rights, and measure the impact of various public projects and programmes.

UNFPA Representative Naomi Kitahara highlighted that the most important outcomes of the first phase were the increased capacity of civil servants involved in CRVS and the streamlining of birth and death notification and registration processes.

She expressed belief that a well-functioning CRVS system will help ensure individual’s social benefits including education, health care, property inheritance and the right to vote, among others. A streamlined registration mechanism across the life course is particularly important for women, creating a framework for addressing gender inequalities./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Czech counterpart Andrej Babis exchanged views on relations between the two countries, notably cooperation in COVID-19 combat, during their online talks on August 9.

Chinh suggested the Czech Government transfer their unused vaccines to Vietnam, help it access other sources of vaccines as many as and as soon as possible, and aid the Southeast Asian nation with medical supplies.

In reply, Babis said the Czech Republic stands ready to support and cooperate with Vietnam in this regard, including the transfer of 500,000 vaccine doses and a number of rapid test kits.

The Czech Republic will also call on other European countries to help Vietnam with COVID-19 vaccines like AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna and Sinopharm that are being used in the region.

The two PMs compared notes on measures to lift the traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries to a new height in a more effective manner.

They also consented to maintain all-level meetings flexibly based on the real situation.

On this occasion, Chinh invited Babis to visit Vietnam as early as possible. The Czech PM said he wishes to visit the country this year.

Regarding trade and investment ties, Chinh suggested the two sides closely coordinate to maximise the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

The leaders agreed to step up cooperation in some priority areas like auto industry, transportation, education-training, national defence-security, and sending Vietnamese nurses to work in the Czech Republic.

They also concurred to further facilitate the export of Vietnamese goods and agricultural products, especially seasonal fruits, to the Czech market and the EU at large.

A direct air route between Vietnam and the Czech Republic will be launched when possible, as agreed by the PMs.

Chinh thanked Czech leaders and authorities at all levels for creating conditions for the Vietnamese community to live and integrate into the host society.

Babis spoke highly of the Vietnamese community’s actively role, and expressed his hope that they will make more contributions to the bilateral friendship and cooperation.

The leaders agreed to further intensify cooperation between the two countries at multilateral forums.

They also shared views on certain regional and international matters of shared concern, including the East Sea issue. They stressed the need to ensure security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the waters, and settle disputes through peaceful measures, in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The Vietnamese and Lao armies will stand side by side to overcome all challenges and difficulties, in any circumstances, to firmly protect revolutionary achievements of the two countries, the Vietnamese Defence Minister has affirmed.

Defence Minister General Phan Van Giang made the affirmation during his meeting with Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Chansamone Chanyalath in Vientiane on August 9.

Giang also stressed the great importance Vietnam attaches to the relations with the neighbouring country.

For his part, Chansamone Chanyalath said the meeting offers a chance for the two sides to seek measures to strengthen the bilateral defence ties amid the complex developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to consolidating and further deepening the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the Lao and Vietnamese Parties, States, armies and people.

The ministers said since their meeting in Vietnam last June, agencies of the two ministries have actively and drastically implemented cooperation contents, notably in the Party and political work, training, expert affairs, and border management and protection.

Given the pandemic spread, they agreed to take suitable cooperation forms and step up mutual support in the pandemic fight, especially in border management and protection and the prevention of illegal exit and entry.

Earlier, the ministers signed a letter of intent on cooperation in rescue operations between the two defence ministries, and minutes under which the Vietnamese side will present a school of culture to the Lao army.

Later the same day, they cut the ribbon to inaugurate a school of political theory as gift from the Vietnamese Defence Ministry to its counterpart.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Top leaders of Vietnam have extended congratulations to their Singaporean counterparts on the city-state’s 56th National Day (August 9).

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc sent a letter of congratulations to Singaporean President Halimah Yacob.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh extended congratulations to his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong.

On the occasion, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son also sent a letter of congratulations to Singaporean Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan./

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith promised to continue giving the highest priority to constantly consolidating and nurturing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos during their talks in Vientiane on August 9.

The two sides informed each other about the situation of each Party and country, and discussed orientations and measures to continue developing the Vietnam-Laos great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation in a deep, effective and practical manner, and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The Lao leader stressed that President Phuc’s selection of Laos as the first country to visit in his new position showed that the Vietnamese Party and State, and President Phuc personally have attached special importance to preserving, protecting and nurturing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

The two leaders affirmed that the Parties, States and people of the two nations have always given each other valuable and wholehearted support and assistance in the past struggle for national liberation and reunification and the current cause of nation protection and development.

They expressed their delight at the fruitful development of the bilateral collaboration in recent years, discussed ways to support each other in dealing with difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and agreed to jointly promote cooperation in all fields.

They agreed to maintain the effective implementation of high-level agreements and the results achieved at the 43rd meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee as well as the Agreement on Bilateral Cooperation for the 2021-2025 period and the Vietnam-Laos Cooperation Strategy for the 2021-2030 period, along with the outcomes achieved during the official friendly visit to Vietnam by the Lao leader in late June and this official friendly visit to Laos by President Phuc.

Both sides highlighted the need to deepen bilateral political cooperation; coordinate closely in strategic issues related to security and development of each country; maintain high-level visits; and increase the exchange of information and experience in Party and political system building, socio-economic development, macroeconomic stability and international integration.

They agreed to designate 2022 as the “Year of Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Friendship and Solidarity” to celebrate the 60th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties and 45 years of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation between the two countries.

The two leaders also affirmed to maintain cooperation in defence and security to effectively deal with traditional and non-traditional security challenges.

The two leaders consented agreed to coordinate closely at international and regional forums, continue to promote the central role of ASEAN and ASEAN-led mechanisms, strengthen coordination with Cambodia to implement the agreement between the three Prime Ministers on the Cambodia – Laos – Vietnam Development Triangle and implement the Master Plan on connecting the three economies by 2030, and closely coordinate in the Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms. The two sides agreed to continue intensifying cooperation with each other and with relevant countries and international organisations for the sustainable and effective management and use of the Mekong River’s water sources.

Both host and guest emphasised the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea; settling disputes through peaceful measures on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); working with relevant parties to promote the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon achieve an effective and practical Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law. After the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of 14 cooperation documents between the two countries’ ministries, sectors and enterprises in the fields of defence, security, drug prevention and control, search and rescue, electricity trading, and mineral exploration, exploitation and processing.

On this occasion, Vietnam also presented a vocational training school in Khammuane province worth 5 million USD as a gift to Laos./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Chairman of the People’s Committee of the Vietnamese northern province of Bac Giang Le Anh Duong had a meeting with Khamlieng Outthakaison, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Governor of Xaysomboun province of Laos in Vientiane on August 9.

Duong is a member of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s entourage on his ongoing official friendly visit to Laos.

Earlier the same day, Duong and Khamlieng signed a cooperation agreement between Bac Giang and Xaysomboun provinces for 2021 – 2025 under the witness of President Phuc and General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith.

At the meeting, the Vietnamese and Lao officials expressed their delight at the strong growth of the Vietnam-Laos great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, including increasing collaboration between their localities, which have been deepened toward effectiveness and practical outcomes.

They underscored that their provinces boast favourable geographical locations and tremendous potential for cooperation, especially in farming and animal husbandry.

The two sides also exchanged experience in COVID-19 prevention and control. Bac Giang province was once a pandemic hotspot of Vietnam that has successfully controlled the pandemic.

Both officials believed that the freshly signed cooperation pact will deepen and expand the ties between the two provinces in the future.

Source: Vietnam News Agency