Day: December 6, 2021

Collaboration opportunities between Vietnam and Laos remain huge for bringing mutual benefits to their farmers, said Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan at his talks with Lao Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Phet Phomphiphak on December 6 regarding bilateral engagements in agro-forestry and rural development.

As heard at the function, in May 2017, the two ministries signed a pact on cooperation in agro-forestry-fishery and rural development. The sides have regularly exchanged high-level delegations, experts and technicians to enhance join works and experience sharing in agro-forerstry, irrigation and food safety, and in forming investment partnerships.

In animal husbandry and veterinary medicine, the two sides have shared information regarding animal diseases, disease control measures, and monitoring of the transport of animals and animal products between the two countries.

They signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on collaboration in forest protection, forestry law enforcement, and the control and prevention of illegal trade and transportation of timber, forest products, and wildlife. They have also coordinated in the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Vietnam, Laos see opportunities for agro-forestry cooperation: Minister hinh anh 2

Illustrative photo (Source: nhipcaudautu.vn)

In irrigation, the sides have cooperated in many fields, including the implementation of Vietnamese-funded irrigation projects, supporting Laos in making irrigation planning, and human resources training.

The Lao minister hoped that the two will continue to work together in the implementation of their signed projects and increase their bilateral exchanges, especially on animal and plant control, so that Vietnamese and Lao products can be better traded.

Minister Hoan said Vietnam – Laos agricultural cooperation not only brings about economic benefits but also creates space for peace and growth.

He added that the sides need to pay more attention to the economic space in the Mekong sub-region. International organisations are looking forward to choosing a number of research and cooperation sites in the Mekong region, making it an opportunity for countries to take advantage of technical consultation support. Therefore, in addition to bilateral cooperation, the two countries’ agricultural sectors can shake hands with third parties who are international donors.

At the talks, the two ministers witnessed a ceremony to hand over and put into operation two irrigation works in the Lao capital of Vientiane. The projects cost over 68 billion VND (2.95 million USD), of which more than 61 billion VND came from non-refundable aid from the Vietnamese Government.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Although current social welfare policies have proved to be helpful for labourers in overcoming difficulties posed by COVID-19, experts held that further adjustments are needed to ensure that no disadvantaged persons in society are left behind.

Statistics from the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs showed that 28.2 million people across the country have been affected by COVID-19, including 4.7 people losing jobs, accounting for 16.5 percent.

To help address the impacts from COVID-19 on social security, the National Assembly and Government have rolled out various solutions, one of which is the Government’s Resolution 68, which stipulates the provision of aid in cash to labourers who have their labour contract suspended or have to take unpaid leave.

According to the ministry, as of November 8, 10.4 million labourers had benefited form the policies, with total assistance reaching over 24.62 trillion VND (1.07 billion USD) out of the 30 trillion VND support package.

Adjustments to social welfare policies needed to not leave anyone behind: Experts hinh anh 2

Many workers in the informal sector have been seriously affected by COVID-19 (Photo: VNA)

Many experts affirmed that the largest-ever direct support package in cash for labourers has helped them survive the toughest time due to COVID-19.

However, Associated Prof. Dr. Pham Hong Chuong, Rector of the National Economic University was of the opinion that the conditions to be eligible for support remain complicated, making it difficult for labourers to provide all necessary documents.

Freelancers and migrant workers, who make up a large proportion in the labour market, have faced difficulties in accessing the support, he added.

Chuong proposed that the Government should consider the increase of the support level for labourers who lose jobs due to prolonged social distancing measures. At the same time, it is necessary to continue assisting poor households and those who live near the poverty line as well as disadvantaged groups such as the elderly, the disabled and children, he stressed. Particularly, greater attention should be given to children who lost their parent(s) due to COVID-19, as they are the worst affected group both materially and mentally, he added.

Additionally, he suggested improving physical and mental health care services for labourers. It is crucial to strengthen health consultations and care at home for people facing high risk of or suffering from COVID-19 by expanding the family doctor network in a more effective manner, he underscored.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Co-working space provider Toong has recently introduced two new co-working projects in Ho Chi Minh City.

Located at 18E Cong Hoa street in Tan Binh district and 186 Vo Thi Sau street in District 3, the two new offices have increased the company’s market share in the flexible office segment in total office space for lease in the city to about 4.9 percent, an increase of about 1.5 percent over the same period in 2019.

“Thanks to the positive impact of wide vaccination coverage, businesses are accelerating back to the office. Only six weeks since the easing of social distancing in HCM City, our revenue has reached the same level as before the critical COVID-19 wave in June 2021.

“We continue to receive many requests from large-scale companies needing to shift to serviced offices, an option that provides both proven experience quality and financial flexibility,” said Duong Do, CEO of Toong.

Construction of our two new locations in HCM City started in the second quarter but was postponed due to the pandemic, Duong said, adding the company took advantage of the prolonged waiting time to integrate extra features into the spaces, which will directly benefit our customers who pre-booked their offices.

“In retrospect, introducing two new sites right after lockdown was not a risky decision for us, because our services respond to the essential demands of businesses, which are only further highlighted by economic disruptions,” he said.

In another development, Toong announced cooperation to develop a new working space with the investors of IPH shopping center, one of the landmark buildings in the West of the capital city of Hanoi.

After three years of efficient operation of a large co-working space at Indochina Plaza Hanoi (IPH), 241 Xuan Thuy, Cau Giay, Toong has received support and investment from IPH complex investors to build a new workspace.

This is a part of a bigger programme to renovate and redesign the IPH commercial complex into a lively destination for progressive urbanists living in the central west of Hanoi, Toong said.

In this new plan, the entire IPH centre of commerce will evolve in terms of both utility infrastructure and aesthetic concept.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Ho Chi Minh City has actively applied technology and digital platforms to promote tourism, introduce safe destinations to tourists and create favourable conditions for tourism businesses to operate in a secure and flexible manner during the pandemic.

The 17th Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Festival, running virtually from December 4 to 25, is an effort in this direction.

Anyone can participate in the festival, which is co-organised by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism and Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association, by logging on to the event’s official website (ngayhoidulich.visithcmc.vn) or via Shopee e-commerce platform and Traveloka online tour agent.

Thanks to 2D and 3D platforms, visitors can experience the virtual exhibition booths, and receive direct support and advice through message or email. They can also make direct transactions to buy their favourite products and find super promotions in line with the time frame of the stalls.

Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, director of the HCM City’s Department of Tourism said to improve the effectiveness of tourism promotion of the city, the department has set up a modern platform designed to introduce its tourism. Particularly, the department has coordinated with Onicorn Media in developing the HoChiMinhCity Tourism app that enables users to find information about the city’s destinations more easily, Hoa said.

Phan Thi Thang, vice-chairwoman of the municipal People’s Committee, said the tourism industry is identified as a key economic sector, contributing more than 10 percent to the city’s Gross Regional Domestic Product prior to the pandemic period.

The number of international visitors to HCM City accounts for about 50 percent of international tourists to Vietnam while domestic tourists to the city make up more than 30 percent of domestic travellers. The city’s tourism revenue is about 25 percent of that of the whole country.

The tourism festival is a practical activity, meeting the visitors’ demand in a safe manner while facilitating localities across the country to introduce their typical tourism products, Thang said, adding that it helped strengthen coordination between HCM City and other provinces and cities.

Nguyen Trung Khanh, director general of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism said the organisation of the 17th Ho Chi Minh Tourism Festival in the virtual form with the participation of 100 tourism firms and agencies will stimulate the demand for research and purchase of tourism products of tourists from all over the country.

The number of domestic tourists to HCM City reached nearly 9 million in 11 months of 2021, down 41 percent and 71 percent compared to those of 2020 and 2019.

Total revenue from tourists hit 42.6 trillion VND in the first 11 months of this year, a decline of 44 percent from the previous year and 69.7 percent from two years ago.

Source: Vietnam News Agency