Day: December 23, 2021

Vietnam lost 0 – 2 against Thailand in the first leg of the AFF Cup semifinals on December 23.

Both teams entered the game, held at the National Stadium of Singapore, with confidence and made strong attempts to vie for the ball.

Chanathip Songkrasin of Thailand scored the game’s opening goal at the 14th minute and another at the 23rd.

Despite efforts and several chances, Vietnam still failed to score a goal into the rival’s net.

Suffering from this defeat, the team of head coach Park Hang-seo will face many difficulties in the second leg of the semifinals on December 26.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc received the ambassadors of Mongolia, Nigeria, Timor-Leste, and Algeria who came to present their credentials on December 23.

Talking to Mongolian Ambassador Jigjee Sereejav, the Vietnamese President asked the two countries to accelerate the signing of a memorandum of understanding on economic and trade cooperation, facilitate their products’ access to each other’s markets, and open a direct air route early so as to enhance economic, trade, and tourism links and raise bilateral trade to 100 million USD in the near future.

He asked Mongolia to continue supporting ASEAN and Vietnam’s stance on the peaceful settlement of disputes in the East Sea. He affirmed that ministries and sectors of Vietnam will help the ambassador fulfill his duties during his term in the country.

In response, the diplomat pledged utmost efforts to help strengthen the traditional friendship between the two countries, particularly in economy and people-to-people exchange.

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Nigerian Ambassador Hassan Adamu Mamaniu (R) presents his credentials to President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (Photo: VNA)

Meeting with Nigerian Ambassador Hassan Adamu Mamaniu, President Phuc expressed his hope that during the diplomat’s term, the two countries will coordinate closely to develop bilateral relations on par with their political resolve and cooperation potential and increase their annual trade to about 1 billion USD.

The ambassador said he will exert every effort during his term so as to intensify the countries’ multifaceted cooperation, noting that Nigeria is ready to send a high-ranking delegation to Vietnam to reinforce ties.

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President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Timor-Leste Ambassador Olandina Isabel Caeiro Alves (Photo: VNA)

At the meeting with Ambassador of Timor-Leste Olandina Isabel Caeiro Alves, President Phuc affirmed that Vietnam wishes to work with Timor-Leste in promoting post-pandemic sustainable development and bilateral trade.

He held that both sides should carry out the Joint Committee for Bilateral Cooperation early as stated in the framework agreement on economic and technical cooperation signed in April 2010, and coordinate with one another to celebrate the 20th founding anniversary of their diplomatic relations next year.

The leader also asked the Timor-Leste Government to create favourable conditions for the telecom group Viettel to operate and encourage other Vietnamese firms to invest there.

The ambassador of Timor-Leste voiced her hope that she will receive assistance from relevant agencies in Vietnam, committing all-out efforts to contribute to the countries’ cooperation.

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President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) receives Algerian Ambassador Abdelhamid Boubazine on December 23 (Photo: VNA)

Receiving Algerian Ambassador Abdelhamid Boubazine, President Phuc said Vietnam always views Algeria as a leading partner in Africa, asking the two sides, during the diplomat’s term, to work more closely with each other to develop their relations in a more substantive and effective manner.

He asked Boubazine to help implement existing cooperation mechanisms such as the Inter-Governmental Committee and the political consultation between the two foreign ministries. He also called on the two countries to continue coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, especially the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement, and step up trade and investment partnerships.

For his part, the Algerian ambassador noted the countries’ Joint Committee will convene a meeting to consolidate the legal basis for bilateral cooperation, adding that his embassy will organise an Algerian culture week in Vietnam and many other activities so as to help deepen mutual understanding on the occasion of the 60th founding anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

“Bo Gia” (Dad, I’m sorry), by directors Tran Thanh and Vu Ngoc Dang, was honoured as the Best Feature Film at Golden Kite Awards 2020 which was held by the Vietnam Cinema Association (VCA) in Hanoi on December 22.

“Gai Gia Lam Chieu V – Nhung Cuoc Doi Vuong Gia” (Camellia Sisters) by Bao Nhan and Nam Cito, and “Trang Ti Phieu Luu Ky” (Diary of Child Master’s Adventure) by Phan Gia Nhat Linh followed as runner-ups which received Silver Kite Awards.

The Vietnam Television Film Centre (VFC) won big this year, with its production “Ho So Ca Sau” (the Crocodile File) by Nguyen Mai Hien named the Best TV Drama Series.

Its three other projects – “Huong Duong Nguoc Nang” (Sunflowers against Sunlight) by Vu Truong Khoa, “Tinh yeu va tham vong” (Love and Ambition) by Bui Tien Huy, and “Yeu Hon Ca Bau Troi” (Love More Than the Sky) by Nguyen Khai Anh brought home Silvers.

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Actor-Director Tran Thanh receives a Golden Kite Award for the Best Feature Film for “Bo Gia” (Dad, I’m sorry). (Photo: VNA)

The awards also honoured the Best Director, Best Cinematographer, Best Actor and Actress in Leading Role, Best Actor and Actress in Supporting Role, and Best Screenplay among others, and outstanding works in the categories of scientific film, documentaries, animation, and short films.

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The Golden Kite Award for the Best TV Drama Series is given to Ho So Ca Sau”(the Crocodile File). (Photo: VNA)

The event was initially slated for March but postponed due to the complexity of the COVID-19 situation. This year, it saw the competition among 141 entries in total, including 12 feature films, 16 TV drama series, 60 documentaries, 12 scientific films, 20 animated movies, and 18 short films, according to VCA President Assoc. Prof, Dr. Do Lenh Hung Tu.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

A national conference was held in Hanoi on December 23 to review the external information service and communications about seas, islands, border demarcation, marker planting, and land border management in 2021.

Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Information and Education Commission Phung Xuan Nha said the leadership and direction over the external information service and communications about seas, islands, and land border-related issues this year have been carried out in a uniform, consistent, and timely manner, mobilising the engagement of the entire political system and creating widespread consensus.

He noted that diverse, multidimensional, and persuasive information has been provided to popularise Vietnam’s viewpoints and policies on the settlement of issues relevant to the border, seas, islands, and human rights, those attracting public attention like the COVID-19 fight, as well as the country’s contributions to international efforts towards peace, security, development, and progress.

Chairman of the Information and Education Commission Nguyen Trong Nghia, who is also head of the steering committee for external information service, emphasised the focal tasks for 2022, asking the forces involved in the work to reform the mindset in the work to guarantee to the highest possible the interests of the nation and the people and help raise the prestige and stature of the country and the Communist Party of Vietnam in the international arena.

In addition, they need to resolutely fight against wrongful viewpoints and distortions, stay proactive in terms of information, and effectively respond to any circumstances and incidents.

The official also demanded the continued reform of content and diversification of methods for disseminating information in foreign languages, thus creating information products meeting the requirement of international and national development in the new context.

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The outstanding collectives and individuals in the external information service receive rewards at the event (Photo: VNA)

On this occasion, the commission commended the collectives and individuals with outstanding performance in the external information service and communications about seas, islands, border demarcation, marker planting, and land border management in 2021.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

A business information portal was launched on December 23 with a view to helping address difficulties faced by enterprises, assisting policymaking, and proposing support measures for the development of businesses.

The portal, at https://business.gov.vn, was launched by the Agency for Enterprise Development (AED) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).

AED Director Le Manh Hung said the information explosion generates both opportunities and challenges and open up new business chances for enterprises. Given this, it is an urgent need to develop a multidimensional, diverse, timely, and precise information channel connecting the State with businesses, as well as businesses with one another.

The portal will also link Vietnamese businesses with foreign partners, show the country’s activeness in operating ASEAN ACCESS – a portal connecting small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in ASEAN, and help domestic firms stretch their reach to other regions around the globe, he added.

Sebastian Paust, First Counsellor and head of the development cooperation division at the German Embassy in Vietnam, said the portal is a comprehensive and friendly platform basing on which SMEs, State-owned firms, and the business community at large can access important information and data, along with support services.

Paust noted by applying modern technology, the highly open portal is frequently updated to meet businesses’ demand for all-round and precise information about support policies.

He also considered the launch as a timely and practical move by the Vietnamese Government to assist SMEs in line with the 2018 Law on Support for SMEs.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on December 23 sent a message of sympathy to Malaysia’s King Abdullah Billah Shah over heavy losses caused by torrential rains and wide-scale flooding in many states of Malaysia.

The same day, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son also extended sympathy to his Malaysian counterpart Saifuddin Abdullah.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Only Japan has officially agreed with Vietnam’s plan to resume regular international flights starting next year with four flights a week, the Civil Aviation Authority said on December 23.

Vietnam is eyeing restoring air links from January 2022 to nine destinations with a high level of epidemiologic safety: Beijing/Guangzhou (China), Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (the Republic of Korea), Taipei (China), Bangkok (Thailand), Singapore, Vientiane (Laos), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), and San Francisco/Los Angeles (United States).

The aviation authority said countries are all paying attention to restoring air connections, but there are still a lot of issues that need to be considered, including disease prevention and control protocols, whether those protocols are convenient for passengers, as well as allotment of flights to airlines.

Aside from Japan, no other country on the list has given its official response.

However, since the national carrier Vietnam Airlines received permission from the US authorities to conduct non-stop commercial flights to the country, it is expected that the scheduled trips will continue to go on normally.

With regards to flights between Japan and Vietnam, since before the pandemic, only Vietnam Airlines and the budget carrier Vietjet operated flights to and from Japan. So the early 2022 pilot phase will involve only these two airlines.

Japan has also announced that two of their airlines, Japan Airlines and ANA, will be operating the flights to Vietnam and back.

Emphasising that the Government’s decision on the time to reopen international flights from January 1, 2022 is a good sign, Vietnam Airlines is preparing for the restoration of international flights by piloting five provinces and cities when the Government allows.

Vietnam Airlines said it is also preparing to reopen international routes to Europe and Australia, where there is a huge demand from overseas Vietnamese who wish to return or visit Vietnam, especially with the traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) drawing near.

Vietjet Air’s representative said that the airline is ready to reopen regular international routes to Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Bangkok, Singapore, and Phnom Penh.

According to the Ministry of Transport’s plan, there will be between four and seven flights to Vietnam each week from each of the countries on the list. Airlines are ready to operate the number of flights as allotted.

After the market recovers and when there is no need to limit the number of flights, airlines could restore the pre-pandemic frequency.

The health ministry earlier issued COVID-19 guidelines for overseas arrivals, which allows fully vaccinated/recovered COVID-19 entrants with negative RT-PCR COVID-19 tests to self-quarantine at home or place of accommodation for three days.

Vietnam aims to vaccinate all adults in the country against COVID-19 by the end of

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said the northern province of Hung Yen has the conditions to develop modern industrial, agricultural and service sectors in a harmonious manner and urged the province to strive towards fast and sustainable development during a working visit to Hung Yen on December 23.

At the working session with the PM, officials of Hung Yen submitted proposals to the Government, ministries, and agencies on the delegation of authority in supplementing land use plans and licensing the change of land use purpose, the selection and replacement of investors of projects in the province, and adjustments to flood control planning.

Highlighting the advantages that the province can capitalise on to promote development, PM Chinh said Hung Yen should press on with building strategic infrastructure, especially traffic infrastructure linking it with other localities, digital infrastructure, digital administration, digital society, digital citizens, as well as infrastructure for climate change response. Besides, it needs to step up administrative reforms.

He agreed in principle with the province’s proposals and asked related ministries and agencies to coordinate with Hung Yen to handle them.

The same day, the Government leader witnessed the presentation of investment licences and memoranda of understanding to some major projects, and attended the ground-breaking ceremonies of two key transport projects in Hung Yen.

He also visited some Heroic Mothers and families of revolution contributors on the occasion of the 77th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army (December 22, 1944 – 2021).

Source: Vietnam News Agency