Day: October 26, 2021

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should play a more active, proactive and responsible role in all issues impacting on the region, thus helping the ten-member bloc to maintain its centrality, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said at the 39th ASEAN Summit, which was held virtually on October 26.

Promoting its spirit of independence in behaviours and neutrality in addressing and balancing relations will help ASEAN avoid being passive in competition between powers, the PM said.

He, therefore, called on major countries participating in the region to show their sense of responsibility, respect international law, not to affect regional peace and stability, respect ASEAN’s role, and fully consult ASEAN through mechanisms established and led by the bloc.

PM Chinh stressed the need to uphold intra-bloc solidarity, core values and power, as well as responsibility and constructive spirit of all member countries, to help ASEAN reach consensus and carry forward its centrality and prestige.

The bloc should prove its mettle and self-reliance in maintaining peace, security and stability in the East Sea, he said.

While affirming Vietnam’s principled stance on the East Sea, the PM suggested countries promote commitments to observing international law, act responsibly, practice self-restraint, take no actions that would cause tensions and complicate the situation, and cooperate in issues of shared concern like maritime environmental protection, illegal fishing combat and humanitarian aid to fishermen, among others.

He also proposed fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and reaching an effective and efficient Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) between ASEAN and China as soon as possible in line with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS), which serves as a framework adjusting activities at sea.

PM Chinh expressed his sympathy with difficulties facing Myanmar, especially impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and called on parties to take action responsibly for the common interests of the region, push ahead with the implementation of the five-point consensus so that the bloc’s envoy can visit the country as soon as possible, and increase humanitarian aid to Myanmar people.

The participating leaders shared the view that ASEAN needs to work harder to strengthen and deepen its partnerships, encourage the partners to support and practically contribute to the building of the ASEAN Community, and join efforts to deal with emerging challenges, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic and comprehensive and sustainable recovery.

They welcomed the UK becoming the 11th dialogue partner of ASEAN in August 2021.

The leaders said amid the current difficulties, ASEAN’s centrality plays a key role that should be further consolidated and respected, and suggested promoting dialogue, trust building and cooperation for common interests.

They expressed their concern over the situation in the East Sea, including unilateral activities that have escalated tensions, eroded trust and destroyed the maritime environment.

The leaders reiterated the need to step up trust building, practice self-restraint, not to complicate the situation, and maintain peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea.

Leaders emphasised their stance on the settlement of disputes in the East Sea via peaceful measures on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

For the Myanmar matter, they agreed to provide more assistance for the country, affirming that solidarity is the key for ASEAN and Myanmar to find out effective solutions to the current complex issues in the country.

At the meeting, the ASEAN leaders also looked into other regional and international issues of shared concern, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

A tropical depression moving towards south-central Vietnam is likely to increase its strength in the next 24 hours, the National Centre for Hydro Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) reported on October 26.

The tropical depression is forecast to dump heavy rain on coastal localities from Thua Thien-Hue to Binh Thuan, plus the Central Highlands and Southeastern regions, the NCHMF said.

In the early morning on October 26, the depression was about 310km off the coast of south central Khanh Hoa province, packing winds of 50kph near its centre.

In the next 36 hours, it is forecast to move in the west-northwest direction at a speed of 10kph-15kph, hit south-central localities and weaken into a low pressure area.

Heavy downpours will be reported in the regions, with rainfall likely to climb as high as 300mm.

Weather experts warned coastal and mountainous localities of severe flooding and landslides when the tropical depression makes landfall.

On October 25, the Prime Minister ordered localities in the central region, ministries, and sectors to take swift actions to address flooding consequences and gear up for the approaching tropical depression.

An official dispatch issued by the PM noted that incessant rains have occurred in central provinces over the past days, especially from October 22 to 24 in Thua Thien – Hue, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, and Binh Dinh provinces, causing floods and landslides and isolating certain areas.

While some rivers in the region are still in full spate and several areas remain submerged, a tropical depression in the East Sea is moving towards the mainland, likely to intensify into a storm, and may continue triggering downpours in the areas from Da Nang city to Binh Thuan province, as well as the Central Highlands.

To cope with the tropical depression, protect people’s lives, and quickly address flood aftermath, the PM requested the administrations of the localities from Quang Tri to Binh Thuan and those in the Central Highlands to promptly make preparations for the depression, with a focus on ensuring safety for boats and vessels at sea and taking actions to guarantee people’s safety in case of serious flooding.

Meanwhile, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, and Thua Thien – Hue provinces were told to swiftly deal with flood aftermath.

The National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control was asked to direct the timely implementation of appropriate response measures so as to minimise losses, according to the dispatch.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his UK counterpart Boris Johnson agreed that Vietnam and the UK will recognise each other’s “vaccine passports” early during their online talks on October 26.

Chinh again thanked the UK government for its timely donation of 415,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to Vietnam, and suggested the UK continue to help Vietnam access vaccines and treatment drugs, especially the transfer of COVID-19 vaccine production technologies.

Lauding Vietnam’s performance in pandemic prevention and control, Johnson said the UK will present more medical supplies worth 500,000 GBP (689,930 USD) to the Southeast Asian nation.

PM Chinh spoke highly of the UK’s leading role in raising commitments and initiatives at the upcoming 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) and affirmed that Vietnam will continue to make strong commitments to contributing to global efforts against climate change, and closely coordinate with the UK to ensure the success of the event.

Both PMs expressed their delight at the strong development of the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership over the past time, and consented to further the coordination to accelerate the materialization of multi-faceted cooperation orientations.

Johnson praised Vietnam’s role and position in the region and within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), stressing the UK considers Vietnam an important partner in the region as the UK is adjusting its policy towards strengthening cooperation with Indo-Pacific.

Chinh suggested the UK further facilitate access to its market for Vietnamese goods, and encourage British firms to expand their investments in areas with good potential in Vietnam.

The leaders noted with pleasure the fine cooperation between Vietnam and the UK at the United Nations Security Council during the time when Vietnam serves as a non-permanent member (2020-2021), and within the framework of the Asia-Europe Economic Meeting (ASEM).

Johnson thanked Vietnam for supporting the UK to become a dialogue partner of ASEAN, as well as in negotiations to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

While exchanging views on regional and international issues of shared concern, the leaders stressed the significance of ensuring the freedom of navigation and aviation, security and peace in the East Sea, and observing international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS) – a legal framework for all activities at sea.

The Vietnamese PM invited his UK counterpart to pay an official visit to Vietnam at an early date. PM Johnson accepted the invitation with pleasure.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

About 70 percent of labourers in local firms of Binh Phuoc have returned to work as the majority of enterprises in the southern locality have resumed their operations in the new normal situation when COVID-19 has been put under control.

According to the provincial Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, many local firms are showing high demand for labourers.

Statistics showed that about 100,000 out of 400,000 labourers in the informal sector in Binh Phuoc have been affected by COVID-19. So far, they have returned to the labour market and found jobs.

A survey by the province indicated that 63 local firms in Binh Phuoc are in need of more than 10,000 labourers.

Binh Phuoc is home to 13 industrial parks and export processing zones with 174 operating enterprises and 73,000 labourers, along with over 3,400 firms located outside the IPs and export processing zones with more than 61,000 labourers.

Meanwhile, the neighbouring province of Dong Nai is making plans to welcome thousands of workers returning for work.

On October 26, the provincial Labour Federation said that many businesses in garment and textile sector and leather and footwear have ready to receive workers from southern, central and Central Highlands back to work.

The firms have offered support in travel fee and accommodation for labourers.

Enterprises that are receiving a large number of labourers include Taekwang Vina with about 2,000 workers, Changshin Vietnam with 2,500 labourers, and Pouchen Vietnam with about 1,500.

Dong Nai has 31 operating IPs with over 1,700 enterprises and more than 615,000 labourers. So far, 92 percent of the firms have resumed production and business activities. However, due to impacts of COVID-19, they are facing a lack of workers.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan on October 26 met with Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev and held talks with Vice President Iliana Iotova as part of her official visit to the European country from October 25-27.

At the meetings, Xuan affirmed that her visit demonstrates the wish of Vietnamese leaders and people to further enhance the traditional friendship between the two countries in all spheres.

She thanked Bulgaria for its support to Vietnam in the process of negotiations and signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), and suggested the two countries optimise opportunities presented by the deal to foster the bilateral trade ties as well as cooperation between ministries and agencies.

The Vietnamese Vice President called on Bulgaria to create optimal conditions for a number of Vietnamese goods to increase their presence in the market, and then penetrate the EU market.

She also asked Bulgarian high-ranking officials to work to urge the two legislatures to soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and stated that Vietnam always creates favourable conditions for Bulgarian firms to invest and run business in the Southeast Asian country.

The Vice President used the occasion to appeal to Bulgaria to grant more scholarships to Vietnamese students, increase cultural and art exchanges, strengthen tourism collaboration, share experience in the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage, and consider receiving more Vietnamese guest workers.

She thanked the Bulgarian State and people for their assistance to the Vietnamese community in the country amid COVID-19 over the past time.

The Bulgarian leaders appreciated Xuan’s choice of Bulgaria as the first foreign country to visit in her capacity as Vice President of Vietnam.

President Rumen Radev expressed his admiration for the socio-economic achievements Vietnam has recorded, and spoke highly of the progress in the bilateral relations.

Bulgaria stands ready to serve as a gateway for Vietnam to forge its relations with the European Union, they pledged.

Vice President Iliana Iotova said Vietnam and Bulgaria have substantial cooperation potential, and suggested the two sides beef up collaboration in traditional fields.

Before arriving in Bulgaria, Vice President Xuan visited Frankfurt, Germany, on October 25, where she received President of the Hessen State Parliament Boris Rhein.

During the reception, she thanked the authorities and people of Hessen State for their timely donations of COVID-19 vaccines and medical supplies to Vietnam.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

A programme spotlighting Quang Ninh’s Ha Long Bay, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, is scheduled for October 31 to mark a decade since the bay obtained such title and the northern province’s return to the ‘new normal’ condition.

Taking place at the Tuan Chau international tourism site in Ha Long city, the outdoor event will last for 70 minutes, featuring art performances and a fashion show of ‘ao dai’ (Vietnamese traditional costume) staged by local women.

After reopening its doors to tourists in November, Quang Ninh expects to welcome between 1.5 and 2 million visitors in the fourth quarter of this year.

In 2011, Ha Long Bay, literally “descending dragon bay”, surpassed more than 400 destinations from over 200 countries and territories to be named as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World by the organisation New Open World.

The bay was recognised twice by the UNESCO as World Natural Heritage for its landscape and geographical value. It has a 120-km coastline and is approximately 1,553 square kilometres in size, with 1969 isles. The limestone in the bay has gone through 500 million years of formation in different conditions and environments.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Five Vietnamese universities have been named in the Times Higher Education (THE) Emerging Economies University Rankings 2022, two more compared to last year’s list.

Vietnam National University – Hanoi (VNU-Hanoi) was placed in the Top 301 – 350 group; VNU-Ho Chi Minh ranked among the 401-500th spot; and Hanoi University of Science and Technology is among the 501+ group.

It is worthy of note that the two other tertiary education establishments of Vietnam that have secured their places this time are Ton Duc Thang University in Ho Chi Minh City and Duy Tan University in the central city of Da Nang, which ranked 82nd and 107th, respectively.

The THE Emerging Economies University Rankings 2022 includes only institutions in countries classified by the London Stock Exchange’s FTSE Group as “advanced emerging”, “secondary emerging” or “frontier”.

The rankings use the same 13 performance indicators as the THE World University Rankings to judge institutions on their teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook. However, they have different weightings to reflect the development priorities of universities in emerging economies.

This year, 698 educational institutions across 50 countries and territories were included in the ranking, up 92 compared to the previous year.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc expressed his hope that trade between Vietnam and New Zealand will reach 2 billion USD in 2024 while receiving New Zealand Ambassador Tredene Dobson in Hanoi on October 26.

New Zealand has become an important economic partner of Vietnam, he said, adding that two-way trade has continuously expanded over the past years.

President Phuc urged the ambassador to join efforts to promote the exchange of all-level delegations between the two countries, carry out meetings both online and in-person, reach an action programme to deploy the Vietnam-New Zealand strategic partnership this year, and facilitate the travel of people as well as trade and investment ties.

Vietnam always creates optimal conditions for New Zealand businesses to invest in the Southeast Asian nation, he promised.

The President said the two sides should enhance connection between high schools and universities, and cooperation in vocational training, continue with scholarship schemes, recover tourism collaboration, and step up people-to-people exchange.

He used this occasion to thank New Zealand for donating 30,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Vietnam.

Vietnam highly evaluated New Zealand’s leadership in APEC Year 2021 when the world faces unprecedented challenges, he said, stressing that Vietnam supports the draft Declaration of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, and the plan to implement the APEC Vision until 2040.

Vietnam will cooperate with New Zealand to ensure the success of this year’s APEC events, President Phuc pledged.

For her part, Dobson said many New Zealand people are interested in Ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress), and expressed her wish for stronger cultural exchange between the two countries.

She recalled the announcement by then PM Phuc and New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern of upgrading Vietnam-New Zealand relations to a strategic partnership in July 2020, marking the 45th founding anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

The ambassador said she is trying her best to promote the bilateral relationship, making it match cooperation potential of the two countries.

On this occasion, President Phuc asked the ambassador to convey his invitation to PM Ardern to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time.

Source: Vietnam News Agency