Day: August 10, 2021

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivered the remarks at the UNSC High-level Open Debate on “Enhancing Maritime Security – A Case for International Cooperation” which was held virtually on August 9.

The following is the full text of the remarks.

Mr. President,

Excellencies,

Good evening from Hanoi. And thank you very much, Mr. President, for taking the initiative and convening the first-ever Security Council Open Debate on Enhancing Maritime Security.

Even when the world is devoting much resource to the fight against COVID-19, the topic of our discussion is of strategic and substantial importance.

Vietnam especially commends and echoes India’s Five S Approach at the Security Council. Vietnam is committed to working with India and other Council members in promoting dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect, for global peace and prosperity.

Let me also thank the briefers for your extensive and insightful presentations.

Mr. President,

Oceans and seas provide an immense resource for mankind. They also serve as the lifeline of international trade and the gateway connecting countries and continents, and are critical to the development and prosperity of states and nations.

Recognizing the importance of oceans and seas, nations have created important cooperation mechanisms, both bilateral and multilateral, at regional and global levels. Most remarkably, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) has truly become the Constitution of oceans and seas, the universal and unified legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out, and the basis for international cooperation to address common challenges in the world.

Nevertheless, at sea, we are faced with both traditional and non-traditional security challenges. Terrorism and criminal acts, especially organized crime, have been expanding in scope and complexity. Climate change, sea level rise and pollution of the marine environment, especially by plastic debris and degradation of the marine ecosystem, have caused serious and long-term consequences. Unilateral acts that violate international law, even threats or uses of force, have escalated tensions and affected peace, friendship, security, safety and freedom of navigation and trade, as well as efforts to address non-traditional security challenges.

Therefore, preserving and enhancing maritime security is in the common interest, and has become an urgent task and shared responsibility of the entire international community.

Mr. President,

As a littoral state, Vietnam comprehends profoundly the immense value of the sea as well as challenges to maritime security.

Vietnam is implementing the Strategy for the sustainable development of the marine economy, which aims to utilize marine resources in a sustainable and responsible manner to contribute to the country’s overall development. The Strategy also aims to enhance Vietnam’s law enforcement capacity, ensure effective settlement of maritime issues, and safeguard the sovereignty, sovereign rights, jurisdiction and other legitimate interests of Vietnam over its maritime zones.

Vietnam consistently pursues a foreign policy of peace, independence, self-reliance, multilateralization and diversification of international relations, as a trusted friend and partner, and a reliable member of the international community. Vietnam stands ready to cooperate, exchange information and share experience with other countries in efforts to address maritime security issues and to contribute positively to the maintenance of a peaceful and secured maritime environment, and sustainable development in the region and the world.

In that connection, I would like to make the following proposals:

First, it is imperative that states and international organizations develop a comprehensive, extensive and broad awareness of the importance of oceans and seas, and the threats to maritime security. Such awareness shall form the basis for greater responsibility and political will to strengthen confidence and develop more cohesive and effective cooperation arrangements, in order to preserve and utilize oceans and seas in a sustainable manner, and safeguard a peaceful and stable maritime environment. Resources should be made available for the implementation of national strategies and regulations to meet this end.

Second, maritime security is a global issue and therefore requires global solutions. We need to take a comprehensive and holistic approach based on cooperation, dialogue and international law, and forge stronger cooperation through bilateral and multilateral channels and at regional, inter-regional and global levels to effectively address maritime security challenges.

Vietnam proposes the development of a network of arrangements and initiatives for regional maritime security with the United Nations working as the coordinator, to bolster information and experience sharing, coordinate actions, and address common challenges in a timely manner.

Vietnam values and actively takes part in initiatives and mechanisms in ASEAN and between ASEAN and its partners for practical cooperation in the South China Sea. They provide forums for dialogue and confidence building, and help coordinate maritime security cooperation efforts.

Vietnam is determined to work with ASEAN and China to seriously, fully and effectively implement the 2002 Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and negotiate an effective and substantive Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (COC) consistent with international law, in particular UNCLOS 1982. In addition, Vietnam calls upon all countries and multilateral institutions, especially UN agencies, to step up assistance and pay due attention to the hardships and interests of developing countries.

Third, the policies, regulations and conducts of states at sea must be in line with international law, especially the United Nations Charter and UNCLOS 1982.

States shall uphold fully their legal obligations under the Convention, respect the sovereignty, interests and legitimate economic activities of relevant states, settle disputes through peaceful means in line with international law, respect diplomatic and legal processes, and ensure freedom, safety and security of navigation and overflight, without resorting to acts that would complicate the situation or create tension.

Mr. President,

It is my strong belief and fervent hope that the Security Council will uphold its primary role and responsibility in maintaining international peace and security, and continue to make important and concrete contributions to enhancing maritime security.

Vietnam stands ready to make greater contributions to promoting dialogue and building confidence, and join the international community to maintain security at sea and to realize the ocean’s enormous potential, for a future of peace and prosperity for all as peace, cooperation and development is the irreversible course of our world today.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnamese officials met in Vientiane on August 9 with their Lao counterparts to discuss ways to step up bilateral cooperation in industry, trade and justice as they were accompanying President Nguyen Xuan Phuc in his ongoing official visit to Laos.

In the meeting between Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and his Lao counterpart Khampheng Xaysompheng, both sides expressed their delight at the recovery of the two-way trade in the first half of 2021, laying solid foundation for lifting the trade growth to 10 percent this year as planned by the two governments.

They agreed to accelerate talks to soon conclude a protocol amending the 2015 Vietnam-Laos trade agreement which is expected to be inked this year. They will also urge relevant agencies from both sides to fully implement the commitments of the bilateral border trade agreement.

Dien emphasised the importance of the construction of an expressway connecting Hanoi and Vientiane, saying it would form a basis for his ministry to encourage and support more Vietnamese enterprises to invest in Laos to make the most of the two nations’ potential for cooperation.

He later took the occasion to invite Lao Minister of Industry and Commerce Khampheng Xaysompheng to visit Vietnam at the earliest convenience and suggest the two countries hold a joint conference for cooperation in and development of industry and trade, and energy and mining in Vietnam.

On the same day, Vietnamese Minister of Justice Le Thanh Long met with his Lao counterpart Phaivy Siboualipha, who thanked Long and his ministry for always assisting and sharing experience with Laos.

Minister Long, for his part, proposed the two sides further deepen judicial ties via the periodic judicial conference between their border-sharing provinces and exchanges of delegations, documents and legal papers.

He also asked his host to speed up the granting of Lao citizenship to eligible Vietnamese people under the bilateral agreement on settlement of free migration and to jointly launch talks on an agreement on mutual legal assistance in civil matters.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on August 10 had meetings with Lao Vice Presidents Pany Yathotu and Bounthong Chithmany as part of his ongoing official friendship visit to the neighbouring country.

At these meetings, President Phuc emphasised that the Party, State and people of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give the highest priority to consolidating and strengthening the traditional friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, describing it an invaluable asset and a vital factor for the revolutionary cause of the two nations.

The Vietnamese President suggested the two sides continue to coordinate and effectively implement the signed agreements, promoting cooperation in all fields and facilitating important cooperation projects.

Vice Presidents Pany and Bounthong expressed their belief that the positive and practical outcomes of the Vietnamese leader’s visit will contribute to further tightening the special ties between the two countries for the interest of their people.

Earlier in the morning, President Phuc delivered an important speech at the first session of the 9th National Assembly of Laos, becoming the first foreign leader to do so at the new NA Building of Laos, 10 years after the speech of Party General Secretary and Chairman of the 11th NA of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong at the first session of the 7th NA of Laos in 2011.

The Vietnamese leader underscored that political relations will continue to become a key pillar in the overall special ties between Vietnam and Laos in the future, in which, the cooperation between the two legislative bodies plays a significant role.

The support of the two legislatures will serve as a firm legal foundation for the effective cooperation between the two Governments, Fronts, localities as well as social organisations, while helping encourage efforts and creativity of businesses and people of both nations, he said. Chairman of the Lao NA Saysomphone Phomvihane thanked President Phuc for delivering the speech, which manifests the close friendship, solidarity and brotherhood between the two countries.

He affirmed that the two legislatures will exert every effort together to make contributions to the development of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.

Also on August 10, President Phuc, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and NA Chairman Saysomphone attended the inauguration and hand-over ceremony of the Lao NA Building, a gift presented by the Vietnamese Party, State and people to their Lao counterparts. The building was finished after nearly 38 months of construction. Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction was the project’s main investor and Army Corps 11 of the Ministry of National Defence was the main constructor.

Covering a total area of 23,400sq.m, including a construction area of about 7,100sq.m, the new building is built on the foundation of the old one at Thatluang Square in downtown Vientiane. It has one basement and five storeys.

Addressing the ceremony, President Phuc reiterated Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun’s assessment that the building has “four best” – most modern, most harmonious in national identity, most solid, and having highest investment value.

On the occasion, President Phuc presented first- and second-class Labour Orders to a number of incumbent and former leaders of the Lao NA who made outstanding contributions to the direction of the building’s construction. The top Lao leader also handed over a first-class Freedom Order to the Ministry of Construction, and two second-class Freedom Orders to the Project Management Board under the Ministry of Construction and Army Corps 11 under the Ministry of National Defence of Vietnam.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with Chairman of the Lao National Assembly Saysomphone Phomvihane on August 10.

The President congratulated Saysomphone on being elected as Chairman of the Lao National Assembly and highly appreciated the results of the first session of the 9th National Assembly, especially the adoption of key leadership positions and development policies for the 2021-2025 period of Laos.

At the meeting, Chairman Saysomphone warmly welcomed President Phuc on his official friendship visit to Laos, saying that the trip would contribute to further tightening the close relationship and special solidarity between the two countries, and expressed joy about the great and comprehensive achievements that the Vietnamese people have obtained in socio-economic development in recent years.

The two leaders were pleased to see that despite impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the cooperation between the two legislatures has still developed well with meetings and communications between senior leaders of the two agencies, share experience, coordinate to monitor agreements, and support each other at regional and international parliamentary forums.

The Vietnamese President said he supported the National Assemblies of the two countries to strengthen coordination and supervision to contribute to the effective implementation of high-level agreements which have been signed and sharing experience, especially building and perfecting institutions, legal systems, and supreme supervision of activities of State agencies.

The two legislatures should continue exchange experience, hold conferences and seminars in flexible forms and closely coordinate and support each other at regional and international parliamentary forums such as the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) and ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) as well as collaborate harmoniously and effectively in international and regional issues for peace, stability, cooperation and development.

President Phuc took the occasion to convey Vietnamese NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue’s invitation to the Lao NA Chairman to pay an official visit to Vietnam.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, his spouse and the high-ranking Party and State delegation arrived at Noi Bai international airport in Hanoi late August 10, concluding their two-day official friendship visit to Laos.

During the visit, on August 10, the President laid a wreath at a monument dedicated to unknown martyrs, met Chairman of the National Assembly of Laos Saysomphone Phomvihane, received Vice Presidents Pany Yathotou and Bounthong Chitmany, attended and delivered a speech at a meeting of the ninth Lao legislature.

Phuc also attended a ceremony to inaugurate and hand over the Lao National Assembly House, visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos and talked with its staff and representatives of Vietnamese businesses in Laos.

At meetings with Lao leaders, President Phuc expressed support for closer coordination between the two legislatures in supervision work in order to promote the effective implementation of signed high-level agreements. He also wanted the two legislatures to continue working together and offering mutual support at regional and global parliamentary forums, and collaborating effectively in regional and global issues for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation and development.

Talking with the two Vice Presidents, Phuc suggested the two countries continue working effectively together to realise signed high-level agreements, boost joint work in all areas, and help each other, especially border localities, in fighting the pandemic and restoring socio-economic development.

In his speech to the ninth Lao NA’s meeting, the Vietnamese State leader highlighted two messages that the two countries stand united and firmly move forward on the road to socialism on the basis of Marxism-Leninism and the similar thoughts of Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Kaysone Phomvihane, and that they should work to enhance their economies’ quality and efficiency, garner international support, improve connectivity between the two economies and seek new cooperation areas.

Lao NA Chairman Phomvihane affirmed that the two legislatures will bolster their cooperation to contribute to fostering great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive partnership between the two nations. Later, President Phuc joined Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith and top legislator Phomvihane in co-chairing the ceremony to inaugurate and hand over the Lao NA House as a gift from Vietnam to the Lao side.

Before leaving Laos, the President met and talked with the Vietnamese embassy staff and representatives of Vietnamese businesses and the Vietnamese community in Laos. He took the occasion to hail them for holding practical activities toward the homeland.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vice Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man held talks with his Lao counterpart, Sounthone Xayachak, in Vientiane on August 10.

The two officials briefed each other on the political and socio-economic situation in each country.

Man, who has been accompanying President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his wife on their official friendship visit to Laos, shared the Vietnamese NA’s experience in coordinating with the Government in implementing the “dual target” of fighting COVID-19 and boosting economic development at the same time.

They discussed specific measures to realise cooperation contents between the two sides in the time to come.

The two officials also exchanged ideas on how to foster coordination at regional and international inter-parliamentary forums of which both sides are members, as well as in international and regional issues of shared concern such as those related to peace, security and stability. They also discussed ways to promote the role of the two legislatures in building the ASEAN Community.

Both sides agreed to work closely together in organising activities to celebrate the 60th founding anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties and 45 years of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in 2022.

On the occasion, Man conveyed NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue’s best regards and invitation to visit Vietnam to Chairman of the Lao NA Saysomphone Phomvihane and other leaders of the Lao legislature.

Man also invited Sounthone to visit Vietnam, and the invitation was accepted with pleasure

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Loship, a delivery startup in Vietnam, has announced that it successfully raised 12 million USD in Pre-Series C round, bringing the company’s valuation to over 100 million USD, according to DealStreet Asia.

This round of financing was jointly led by venture capital firm BAce Capital backed by Ant Group and investment unit of Sun Hung Kai Co. Lt., an investment company listed in Hong Kong.

The money will help Loship increase its presence in five key markets including Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Can Tho and Bien Hoa.

The start-up plans to expand its business activities into other localities, invest in upgrading technology and promote the growth of B2B services.

With the new round of funding, Loship expects that 10 percent of the Vietnamese population will use the app in the next two years. The company also aims to become a leading one-hour delivery and e-commerce company in Vietnam.

This is the second funding Loship has received this year. Previously, in February, this food delivery and e-commerce start-up successfully raised capital from Skype co-founder Jaan Tallinn through the MetaPlanet Holdings Investment Fund.

Loship traced its roots back to Lozi, an app that helps users find food, beverage, and coffee shops.

In 2017, it transformed into a delivery service platform and now provides one-hour delivery for a variety of products and services, including food and medicine.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The State Bank of Vietnam set the daily reference exchange rate at 23,187 VND/USD on August 10, up 14 VND from the previous day.

With the current trading band of +/- 3 percent, the ceiling rate applied to commercial banks during the day is 23,882 VND/USD and the floor rate 22,491 VND/USD.

The listed rates at major commercial banks saw slight decreases.

At 8:25am, Vietcombank listed the buying rate at 22,800 VND/USD and the selling rate at 23,030 VND/USD), unchanged from August 9.

Meanwhile, BIDV cut both rates by 10 VND, listing the buying rate at 22,820 VND/USD and the selling rate at 23,020 VND/USD.

Vietinbank also reduced both rates by 5 VND, listing them at 22,800 VND/USD (buying) and 23,020 VND/USD (selling).

Source: Vietnam News Agency