Day: November 26, 2021

A conference on promoting trade connectivity between the north central coastal province of Thanh Hoa and Indonesia was held in both face-to-face and virtual forms on November 26.

The Vietnamese Embassy and Trade Office in Indonesia in collaboration with the provincial People’s Committee and the Indonesian Embassy in Vietnam jointly organised the event. It aimed to create conditions for enterprises from the two sides to seize and expand trade opportunities and promote the consumption of their products, therefore recovering and stabilising their production and business operations.

Speaking at the conference, Nguyen Ngoc Vinh, Counsellor at the Vietnamese Embassy in Indonesia, said as the two countries are making efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic, sustainable economic recovery is a top priority, in which the cooperation between the Vietnamese and Indonesian governments and businesses play a very important role. Currently, the two nations are striving to soon bring their bilateral trade to 10 billion USD.

He hoped the conference will help Indonesian firms understand more about Thanh Hoa’ business climate and engage in related win-win cooperation. Thanh Hoa’s enterprises meanwhile could seek business opportunities in the biggest market in Southeast Asia via the conference, he added.

Vinh affirmed that the Vietnamese Embassy and trade office are willing to aid Vietnamese and Indonesia firms to step up cooperation and linkages in line with the nations’ laws and regulations.

On this occasion, the diplomat suggested the Indonesian side continue to create favorable conditions for the implementation of policies conducive to bilateral investment and trade, open its market for Vietnamese exports, and reduce trade barriers.

According to official statistics, in the first ten months of 2021, trade between Vietnam and Indonesia reached 9.1 billion USD, up 34 percent from 2018. With 99 projects worth 611 million USD, Indonesia is now among the 30 largest investment partners of Vietnam.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc held talks with his Swiss counterpart Guy Parmelin following the official welcome ceremony for the Vietnamese leader in Bern city on November 26.

President Phuc, who is paying an official visit to the European country, affirmed that the State and people of Vietnam always keep in mind and treasure the precious support and assistance that Switzerland has given to their struggle for national independence in the past as well as national development at present.

The two leaders noted with satisfaction that over the last half century, the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries have been growing well in multiple fields.

They discussed areas of cooperation and reached consensus on many measures to advance Vietnam – Switzerland relations. They agreed to increase exchanges and meetings to further intensify mutual understanding and trust and promote bilateral cooperation in all aspects.

President Parmelin highly valued Vietnam’s breakthrough achievements in socio-economic development and COVID-19 containment, stressing that Vietnam is an important economic partner of Switzerland in Southeast Asia.

Asking the Government of Switzerland to encourage Swiss enterprises to invest in Vietnam, President Phuc noted that the Southeast Asian nation is working hard to improve the business – investment climate and create favourable conditions for foreign firms to operate in the long term.

The leaders agreed to make efforts to soon conclude negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). They also expressed their delight at the progress in scientific – technological cooperation and agreed to further strengthen links in science – technology and education – training.

President Phuc thanked the Swiss Government for providing ODA for Vietnam. Meanwhile, the Swiss President assessed Vietnam as an effective ODA using partner, adding that the Swiss Government has decided to continue to provide Vietnam with 70 million CHF (over 75.6 million USD) worth of ODA in the 2021-2024 period.

The Vietnamese leader thanked the Swiss Government for its donation of medical equipment valued at about 5 million USD for Vietnam’s COVID-19 prevention and control on the occasion of Swiss Vice President Ignazio Casis’s visit to Vietnam in August. He proposed the two sides promote cooperation between their enterprises and research facilities in the development, production and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and treatment drugs.

President Phuc thanks and proposed the Swiss Government continue creating favourable conditions for the overseas Vietnamese community to well integrate into the host society.

The two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation and mutual support at multilateral forums and international organisations such as the United Nations and the Asia – Europe cooperation mechanism.

Vietnam agreed to help Switzerland strengthen its relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Regarding the East Sea issue, Switzerland stressed the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation, compliance with international law, and settlement of disputes via peaceful measures based on transparent dialogue and trust building.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Cambodia is determined to preserve the friendship, solidarity, and collaboration with Vietnam under the motto of good neighborliness, traditional friendship, and sustainable and long-term cooperation, said President of the Senate Samdech Vibol Sena Phekdei Say Chhum.

Making his statement while receiving newly-appointed Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Huy Tang on November 26, the President said he will direct competent Cambodian agencies to work closely with their Vietnamese partners to effectively implement bilateral agreements between the two nations.

Congratulating Tang on his appointment as the ambassador to Cambodia, Say Chhum expressed his belief that the diplomat, with his diverse experience, will contribute positively to the friendship and cooperative relations between the two countries as well as between the Cambodian Senate and the Vietnamese National Assembly.

For his part, Tang affirmed the Vietnamese Party, State, Government and people always remember Cambodia’s assistance to Vietnam in different periods.

He also congratulated Cambodia on its great achievements under the leadership of King Norodom Sihamoni, the Senate, the National Assembly, and the Government, particularly in COVID-19 prevention and control and effective vaccination rollout, which has helped to bring the socio-economic life in Cambodia to a new normal.

Expressing his delight at the fine cooperation and strong development of relations between the two countries over the past time, the Ambassador vowed to do his best to contribute to fostering the ties, especially in politics, diplomacy, security, defense, economy, trade, agriculture and the fight against COVID-19, among other fields.

Say Chhum took the occasion to thank the Vietnamese Party, State, National Assembly, Government and people for their support and assistance to Cambodia in any circumstances, particularly Vietnam’s support for Cambodia’s hosting of international and regional events.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

President of Switzerland Guy Parmelin hosted an official welcome ceremony for his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who is paying an official visit to the European country, in Bern city on November 26 morning (local time).

The two leaders held talks following the ceremony.

The official visit to Switzerland by the Vietnamese President takes place amid the 50th founding anniversary of the countries’ diplomatic ties (October 1971 – 2021) and the 30th anniversary of their development cooperation. It is an illustration of their traditional friendship and close-knit relations over the last five decades.

Switzerland is one of the most important economic partners of Vietnam in Europe. Bilateral trade hit a record of 3.6 billion USD in 2019. About 140 Swiss companies, including world-class firms like Nestle, ABB, Novartis, Roche, and Holcim have been operating successfully in Vietnam. With the total investment of nearly 2 billion USD, Switzerland is the sixth largest European investor in Vietnam.

On the basis of the time-tested friendship and sound cooperation in all fields, the talks between the two Presidents are expected to create a new political impulse to tap into the countries’ huge potential and open up greater cooperation opportunities, thus bringing bilateral relations to the next level.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The central coastal province of Khanh Hoa expects to welcome some 9,350 international tourists on board 48 flights from now until the end of 2021, according to director of the provincial Department of Tourism Nguyen Thi Le Thanh.

The flights will be from the Republic of Korea (RoK), Russia, the Philippines, Japan and Cambodia.

On November 25, a flight operated by Bamboo Airways carried 295 Americans and Canadians of Vietnamese origin to Cam Ranh International Airport from Seoul, the RoK.

The next day, four flights carrying some 1,200 Russians, Koreans and Americans will arrive in Khanh Hoa province.

Between late November and early January 2022, seven flights will bring visitors from the RoK, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan and Qatar to the province.

Tran Duy Thang, general director of Thien Nhan Travel Company, said the firm will start to take Korean tourists to the province from January 5 next year, targeting to serve some 1,000 visitors per month. Travelers will go in the form of bubble tours, mostly to golf courses.

There is a high demand in the RoK for tours to Vietnam as the country is now in winter, Thang said.

The Republic of Korea is Khanh Hoa’s third largest source market, after China and Russia, said Pham Minh Nhut, vice chairman of the Nha Trang-Khanh Hoa Tourism Association.

A report by the provincial government showed that as of November 22, the province had allowed 35 lodging facilities to serve international tourists with a COVID-19 vaccine passport.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Deputy head of the Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission Nguyen Thi Thanh has been elected as Chairwoman of the Vietnam – Cambodia Friendship Association (VCFA) for the 2021-2026 tenure.

She was elected at the fifth Congress of the VCFA, which was held both online and offline in Hanoi on November 26 with 47 locations at home and abroad.

Speaking at the event, Thanh said it is her great honour and responsibility to assume the new position. She also pledged to fulfill tasks assigned by the Congress.

Head of the Party Central Committee’s Mass Mobilisation Commission Bui Thi Minh Hoai hailed the VCFA chapters at all levels for conducting various activities, making important contributions to raising mutual understanding and consolidating bilateral ties between Vietnam and Cambodia.

She suggested them continue making new breakthroughs in cooperation and development, affirming that the Party and State will continue offering all possible support to them to accomplish tasks.

Head of the Cambodian People’s Party Central Committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Chairwoman of the Cambodia – Vietnam Friendship Association (CVFA) Men Sam An expressed her belief that under the leadership of new leaders, the VCFA will reap greater successes and promote the friendship between the two countries’ people more effectively.

She proposed the VCFA and the CVFA enhance cooperation and exchanges, create favourable conditions for the people of the two countries to join in social activities, trade, culture, education, science-technology and security, with a focus on safeguarding border security.

During the new tenure, the VCFA will work closely with the CVFA to raise public awareness of bilateral traditional freidnship, and jointly celebrate major anniversaries such as the 55th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (June 24, 2022) and the liberation of Cambodia from Pol Pot genocidal regime (January 7).

The VCFA will also consolidate its chapters, especially those in border provinces, districts, communes and townships; offer support to Vietnamese students in Cambodia and Cambodian students in Vietnam, hold cultural and art exchanges, improve the operation efficiency of the Vietnam – Cambodia Business Club as well as charity activities for Cambodians of Vietnamese origin and people in border areas.

On the occasion, the VCFA received the Labour Order, second class while its 18 individuals were awarded with the Friendship Order of the Cambodian Government.

The Presidium of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) presented six insignias and 10 certificates of merit to the VCFA’s outstanding collectives and individuals. The VCFA Central Committee also honoured its 22 units and individuals.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The official visit to Japan by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh from November 22-25 is a success with comprehensive and specific outcomes of strategic importance, leaving a deep imprint on the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership, stated Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.

Speaking to the media on the results of the Government leader’s visit, the minister said that the goal of the visit is to reinforce and strengthen the bilateral extensive strategic partnership, bringing practical benefits to people and businesses of both sides, especially when the two countries are working to overcome consequences of COVID-19.

According to Son, the visit bears special significance in three aspects. It helps deepen the extensive strategic partnership with Japan, contributing to promoting bilateral cooperation in major areas, vividly reflecting Vietnam’s external policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation, diversification, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, and affirming that Vietnam is a trustworthy friend and an active and responsible member of the international community.

The visit is even more meaningful as Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is the first foreign guest of the new Japanese administration, said the FM. Son highlighted that during the visit, the two sides defined major orientations and specific measures to deepen the already close and extensive relationship between the two countries. Those orientations and measures have been clarified in a clear, comprehensive and practical manner in the Joint Statement Toward the Opening of a New Era in Japan-Vietnam Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia.

At the same time, the visit helps reinforce the friendship and enhance mutual understanding between the two nations and peoples, he said. During the visit, the Vietnamese leader reiterated a message that Vietnam always considers Japan a friend and a reliable and leading important partner with many shared strategic interests, the minister stressed. In addition, the visit contributes to strengthen cooperation among ministries, sectors, localities and businesses of both sides with more than 50 cooperation agreements signed in various fields, including many large-scale deals worth billions of USD, said Son.

Besides, the visit continues to affirm the rising role and position that Vietnam plays in the world arena, Son said. The diverse activities of the PM and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation in Japan once again showed the confidence and dynamism of Vietnam, held the FM.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to Japan has received attention of the Japanese media, which have run articles on the visit with the focus on his talks with the host country’s Prime Minister Kishida Fumio on November 24.

On the day, the national broadcaster NHK reported that during his talks with PM Chinh, PM Kishida expressed hope for further development of bilateral relations with Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Chinh congratulated Kishida on assuming office and said he believes Kishida’s inauguration will bring a bright future for friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

One day later, in an article titled “Japan, Vietnam PMs reaffirm ties”, NHK reported that Japan’s Prime Minister and his Vietnamese counterpart have agreed to work together to maintain the international order based on freedom and the rule of law.

It said that Chinh is the first foreign leader Kishida has met in Japan since taking office.

Meanwhile, Kyodo News reported that during their talks, the two PMs agreed to step up security cooperation between their countries while sharing “serious concerns” over aggressive moves in regional waters.

Kyodo cited a joint statement following the leaders’ meeting in Tokyo which said the two sides agreed on the importance of upholding an international order that is based on law, while affirming they will work together toward economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

It also quoted Kishida as saying that Vietnam is an important partner for Japan which will serve as the linchpin in our efforts to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Nikkei Asia also posted an article on the talks, during which the two leaders discussed ways to boost tourism with a hope to increase the number of tourists between the two countries to 1.5 million arrivals per year like before the COVID-19 broke out.

Source: Vietnam News Agency