Day: May 1, 2022

Cooperation possibilities for Japan and Vietnam are limitless, said Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio at a seminar on the two countries’ cooperation in technology renovation, digital transformation and supply chain diversification on May 1.

The Japanese Government leader attended the seminar during his official visit to Vietnam, together with his Vietnamese host Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Addressing the event, which was co-organised by Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry of Industry and Trade and Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), Kishida affirmed that Japan and Vietnam have been enhancing their partnership towards the post-pandemic period.

He recalled that during PM Chinh’s visit to Japan last November, the two sides had launched three initiatives on cooperation in technology and industrial development, digital transformation and supply chain diversification.

The Japanese PM elaborated that the key for Japanese enterprises to operate stably in Vietnam is the supporting industries of Vietnam, so the two sides should collaborate to enhance the capacity and technology for those industries.

Secondly, Japan and Vietnam also hope to continue working together to address socio-economic issues in many fields through digital transformation.

And thirdly, the impact of COVID-19 has made us realise the importance of diversifying supply chains, he said, adding that Vietnam is having an increasingly important role in the global supply chain. According to Kishida, among 92 Japanese-supported projects on diversifying supply chains in the ASEAN, Vietnam leads with 39 projects.

PM Chinh told the seminar that the Vietnamese Party and State have directed the promotion of science-technology development and innovation, in order to increase the capacity to access and participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution in service of rapid and sustainable national development.

He noted that the economies of Vietnam and Japan are highly supplementary and thus there is great potential for them to cooperate in many fields, particularly in technology, digital transformation and supply chain diversification.

Chinh stressed that Vietnam hopes for further coordination and support from the government and enterprises of Japan in the process of technology renovation, digital transformation and supply chain diversification.

“Our two countries can work together to accelerate their digital transformation process towards establishing a Digital Partnership,” he said.

The PM pledged that the Vietnamese government will always create every possible condition for Japanese and Vietnamese enterprises to intensify their partnership in all fields.

Participants at the seminar underlined that technology renovation and digital transformation have, more than ever, become an urgent need for Vietnamese enterprises in order to improve competitiveness, production efficiency and readiness to capitalize on new waves of investment prompted by multi-national corporations’ efforts to diversify their supply chains.

They agreed that with the resolve and support of high-ranking leaders of both Vietnam and Japan, the collaboration between the two countries in technology renovation, digital transformation and supply chain diversification will provide not only opportunities but also effective tools for both to realise their goal of sustainable development and contribute to their trustful strategic partnership.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

New archaeological findings at the Oc Eo – Ba The and Nen Chua archaeological sites in the Mekong Delta provinces of An Giang and Kien Giang have set an important milestone in the research of the Oc Eo culture and provided reliable evidence and materials for the compilation of a dossier of the sites to seek recognition as a World Cultural Heritage site, a prominent archaeologist has said.

Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Van Liem, editor-in-chief of the Archaeology Journal and member of the National Cultural Heritage Council, added that the findings also serve as orientations for upcoming programmes and research projects on the Oc Eo culture in the Mekong Delta in particular and across the ancient Phu Nam Kingdom at large.

The Prime Minister in 2015 assigned the Vietnam Academy of Social Science to launch a research project on the Oc Eo – Ba The and Nen Chua archaeological sites, with the goal of providing a trustworthy scientific foundation for the planning, conservation and building of a dossier on the relic site to submit to UNESCO for recognition as a World Cultural Heritage Site.

Between 2017 and 2020, archaeologists carried out large-scale excavations across an area of more than 16,000 sq.m. in Oc Eo field area and Ba The mountain, comprising eight sites.

Oc Eo culture was at its peak in the southern delta during the period from the first to seventh centuries.

The Oc Eo – Ba The national relic site in the southern province of An Giang mostly covers Oc Eo Town, Thoai Son district. Parts of the site are over 2,000 years old.

The renowned relic was first discovered by French archaeologists in late 19th century. It is believed to have been a prosperous commercial port of the once-powerful Phu Nam Kingdom two millennia ago.

The relics in the region are extremely rich and diverse in terms of both style and material, giving an insight into the period’s religion, residencies, architecture, burial areas, ancient canals and waterways.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio discussed in depth the Vietnam-Japan bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual concern at their talks in Hanoi on May 1.

The two government leaders expressed their joy at the great strides in the Vietnam-Japan relationship and reached overall agreement on the major orientations as well as measures to deepen cooperation in all aspects, thus opening up a new development stage in the extensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

They reached consensus on continuing to enhance political trust through maintaining high-level visits and contact and the effectiveness of cooperative and dialogue mechanisms.

PM Chinh appreciated the visit of PM Kishida, which he said reflects the importance that the Japanese government attaches to the relations with Vietnam. He reiterated Vietnam’s consistent policy of considering Japan a leading important and reliable strategic partner.

The Japanese PM re-affirmed that Japan treasures its relations with Vietnam and values Vietnam’s increasing role and position in the region and the world. He also affirmed that Japan will continue to work with and support Vietnam in socio-economic development, including in key infrastructure, receiving Vietnamese trainees and students, and assisting the Vietnamese community in Japan.

The two leaders welcomed the outstanding progress in implementing outcomes of PM Chinh’s official visit to Japan last November, with the completion of an update document on the progress of cooperation in eight aspects, namely health care (including COVID-19 prevention and control), investment-trade, ODA-infrastructure, people-to-people exchange, environment-climate change, judicial affairs, defence-security, and culture-education. According to the document, most agreements and projects reached during PM Chinh’s visit to Japan are making good progress, such as the observation satellite, the metro line No1 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam-Laos connectivity enhancement, the initiatives on digital transformation, technology renovation and supply chain promotion, support of COVID-19 prevention and control, defence-security, settlement of copyrights violation and resumption of commercial flights.

They agreed to promote collaboration in post-pandemic economic recovery, including in trade, investment, agriculture, energy and the environment. The two countries will work to early reach and effectively implement a programme on new-generation ODA loans with flexible and preferential conditions along with streamlined procedures for strategic infrastructure building, transport infrastructure, digital transformation, response to climate change, health care.

They will speed up procedures so that Japan can declare opening up its market for Vietnam’s longan in September this year while continuing to facilitate the export to Japan of Vietnamese pomelo, avocado and rambutan.

The PMs also agreed to increase cooperation to help Vietnam participate deeper in regional and global supply chains, accelerate digital transformation and the building of digital government, digital economy and digital society, and realise its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050.

The two sides will push ahead with collaboration in security-defence, UN peacekeeping operation and war consequences settlement in Vietnam.

The two PMs also vowed to promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges and tourism, and coordinate to organise activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations in 22023.

Exchanging views on regional and international issues, they agreed to coordinate closely at international and regional forums such as ASEAN, Mekong and the UN, and in responding to global challenges like climate change and epidemics, as well as in implementing the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Regarding the Ukraine issue, PM Chinh said Vietnam attaches special importance to the humanitarian issue and announced that Vietnam will provide 500,000 USD in aid to Ukraine through international humanitarian organisations. The decision was welcomed by PM Kishida.

On the East Sea issue, the two government leaders underlined the importance of ensuring security, safety and freedom of aviation and maritime activities, and of settling disputes and differences by peaceful means, including full respect for diplomatic and legal processes, no use of force and no threat of the use of force, on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. They also pointed to the significance of the full, comprehensive and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the early completion of an effective and substantial Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC) that is legally binding and in accordance with international law.

Following the talks, the two PMs witnessed the exchange of 22 cooperation documents between ministries, agencies, localities and enterprises of the two countries.

They jointly chaired a press conference on the main outcomes of their talks.

PM Kishida is making an official visit to Hanoi from April 30 to May 1.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on May 1 met with visiting Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, who said he attaches great importance to promoting cooperation and exchange between the two countries’ parliaments.

PM Kishida, who is on an official visit to Vietnam, said he has been a member of the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance for more than 20 years, and that he hopes Chairman Hue with rich experience in previous posts will continue contributing to the enhancement of bilateral relations, especially in parliamentary cooperation.

Noting with satisfaction that the Vietnam – Japan ties have been thriving in different aspects, Hue expressed his belief that after Kishida’s visit, the common perceptions reached between the countries’ leaders and the freshly signed cooperation documents will be implemented fruitfully, opening up a new development stage for bilateral connections.

The NA of Vietnam always supports the Government’s commitments and actively works to perfect regulations so as to create a favourable business climate for foreign investors, including those from Japan, he stated.

In his capacity, he will further promote collaboration between the two legislative bodies, including increasing high-level mutual visits as well as exchanges between the parliaments’ specialised agencies, the host leader affirmed, noting that the 15th-tenure NA set up the Vietnam – Japan Parliamentary Friendship Group, led by Politburo member and Chairwoman of the Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission Truong Thi Mai.

At the meeting, the two leaders shared the view that to secure substantive and effective post-pandemic economic recovery, it is critically important to carry out investment projects, including those funded through official development assistance (ODA).

PM Kishida said he hopes the Vietnamese parliament will keep cooperating with Japan in this regard, and that both sides should exert joint efforts to deal with obstacles in order to effectively promote cooperation projects.

He also highly valued his host’s efforts to strengthen parliamentary cooperation amid the COVID-19 pandemic such as by holding talks and meetings with leaders of the Japanese parliament via videoconference and in person last year.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern, agreeing to reinforce coordination at multilateral parliamentary forums like the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), and the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF).

With regard to the East Sea issue, they underscored the importance of ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the waters; resolving disputes by peaceful means, including respecting all diplomatic and legal processes and not using or threatening to use force on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); fully, comprehensively, and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC); and soon finalising a code of conduct (COC).

In terms of the Ukraine situation, PM Kishida welcomed the importance Vietnam attaches to the humanitarian issue and the country’s decision to provide 500,000 USD in humanitarian aid for Ukraine via international humanitarian organisations.

The two leaders affirmed that their countries will work together to successfully carry out the plan to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2023 in a way that matches their Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia.

PM Kishida said he will convey Chairman Hue’s invitation to visit Vietnam to Speaker of the House of Representatives Hosoda Hiroyuki and President of the House of Councillors Santo Akiko.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Prime Ministers Pham Minh Chinh and Kishida Fumio held a joint press conference and witnessed the exchange of Vietnam – Japan cooperation documents following their talks in Hanoi on May 1.

PM Chinh said during their successful talks, the two sides looked into the progress in the implementation of the agreements reached at their meeting in Tokyo last November. They reached high consensus on the orientations and detailed measures for opening up a new development stage for the “Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia” between Vietnam and Japan.

Accordingly, they affirmed the importance of promoting the extensive strategic partnership in a more substantive, effective, and extensive manner. They shared the view that the two countries have made new strides in developing strategic infrastructure of Vietnam, agreeing to work together to accelerate transport infrastructure projects.

The Vietnamese leader noted they also agreed to boost ties in post-pandemic economic recovery, increase the connectivity between the two economies and their production – supply chains, and step up partnerships in investment, trade, support industry development, digital transformation, innovation, smart city building, hi-tech agriculture, and energy transition.

PM Kishida has pledged continued assistance for Vietnam to realise socio-economic development targets, Chinh said, adding that the Vietnamese Government is determined to effectively use Japan’s official development assistance and continue improving the investment climate so as to create optimal conditions for investors, including those from Japan.

During their talks, they also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern such as the East Sea issue, the Ukraine situation, and non-traditional security challenges.

Pledging to enhance coordination to maintain regional peace and stability, they reaffirmed the importance of ensuring peace, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea; promoting the peaceful settlement of disputes without use of or threats to use force; seriously complying with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in activities at sea; respecting diplomatic and legal processes; fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC); and soon finalising a code of conduct (COC) in the East Sea that is substantive, effective, and in line with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, PM Chinh went on. Regarding the Ukraine situation, he added, the two sides affirmed their respect for the fundamental principles of international law and the UN Charter, especially the principle of respecting the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, rights, and legal and legitimate interests of countries, as well as not threatening to use or using force in international relations. They called on the parties concerned to persistently promote dialogue and negotiations to seek durable peaceful solutions.

Vietnam expressed its all-round viewpoint on the humanitarian issue in Ukraine and that it is ready to actively contribute to humanitarian assistance activities, diplomatic process, dialogue, and negotiations.

In that spirit, Vietnam will provide 500,000 USD in humanitarian aid to Ukraine via international humanitarian organisations, PM Chinh told the media.

He said the two PMs agreed to work together to hold activities marking the 50th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations in 2023 while bolstering locality-to-locality, cultural, people-to-people, and tourism cooperation.

The Vietnamese PM asked his counterpart to continue supporting the nearly 450,000 Vietnamese people in Japan. The two sides also affirmed they will cooperate to protect the Vietnamese community’s legitimate and legal interests, according to Chinh.

For his part, PM Kishida said they discussed measures for strengthening post-pandemic cooperation in a more substantive manner, including in supply chain diversification, digital transformation, and technological cooperation within the Asia-Japan Investing for the Future Initiative.

He added efforts will be made to soon complete the Metro Line No. 1 project in Ho Chi Minh City, improve the capacity of Vietnamese interns in Japan, help with energy transition in Vietnam, boost security – defence ties, and ensure cyber security.

Japan will do its utmost to open up new opportunities for bilateral relations on the occasion of their diplomatic ties’ 50th anniversary, Kishida stated.

At the press conference, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of 22 cooperation documents in various areas between their countries’ ministries, sectors, localities, and enterprises.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The Ninh Kieu pedestrian zone, the first of its kind in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, was inaugurated on April 30, expected to be a draw for domestic and foreign tourists.

The 700-metre-long walking street is scheduled to open to the public from 6pm to 10pm every Saturday, with designated areas for shopping-cuisine, cultural and art activities, and official events.

Sjoerd Janse, a tourist from the Netherlands, said he likes it that he can walk leisurely, enjoy the landscapes and visit the stalls without being worried about vehicles.

Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ninh Kieu district Huynh Trung Tru expressed a hope that activities at the newly-opened pedestrian zone will help promote, conserve and honour the history and culture of Can Tho, which is expected to become a regional hub.

The walking area also provides a venue to promote tourism products and attract investment in the city, paving the way for the development of trade, services and tourism sectors.

Local authorities will evaluate operations of the pedestrian zone after a three-month trial until July.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Planning in the southeastern region for the 2021 – 2030 period, with a vision to 2050, will be conducted with the aim of developing it into a dynamic region that takes the lead in growth model reform.

The planning task was recently approved by Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh.

According to the decision, the southeastern region covers land, islands, archipelagoes, underground, and the seas and skies under Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign right, and jurisdiction in six localities: Ho Chi Minh City and the provinces of Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Phuoc and Tay Ninh.

Regional planning must be in line with the goals and orientations set in the country’s socio-economic development strategy for 2021 – 2030 and development plan for 2021 – 2025, the national strategy on green growth and sustainable development, the strategy for sustainable development of Vietnam’s maritime economy, as well as international treaties to which Vietnam is a party. The planning work must ensure development across the region, environmental protection and climate change adaptation; reasonably and effectively allocate, exploit and use natural resources; preserve local historical, cultural and natural heritages; and minimise adverse socio-economic and environmental impacts on local communities.

Other policies also need to be taken into consideration during the planning process to promote development in disadvantaged areas and guarantee sustainable livelihoods for local people, the decision noted.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment is responsible for chairing and coordinating with other ministries, agencies and local administrations to perform the task

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hai Phong, Da Nang, and Ha Tinh kicked off the sea tourism season of 2022 with ceremonies held on April 30.

In Hai Phong city, the “Do Son – colours of the sea 2022” festival was opened in Do Son district – a famous coastal destination in northern Vietnam, promising visitors a wide range of interesting activities, including dragon boat racing, the launch of a pedestrian street, a music show, an exhibition and parade of classic cars, an electro dance music festival, and a golf tournament.

Addressing the opening, Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong municipal People’s Committee Le Khac Nam said coming to Do Son, tourists will have a chance to not only enjoy the local nature and landscapes but also explore the legends associated with many unique traditional festivals and relic sites.

Hai Phong is working hard to protect the environment, develop tourism workforce, boost tourism promotion, and preserve and bring into play cultural values so as to improve the quality and stature of the local tourism in domestic and international visitors’ eyes.

Do Son looks to attract 1.6 million tourist arrivals in 2022.

In the central city of Da Nang – a major tourism hub of Vietnam, the sea tourism season also began with various unique and attractive activities, including the My An night beach services, during the four-day National Reunification and May Day holidays.

Nguyen Duc Vu, head of the management board of Son Tra Peninsular and tourist beaches in Da Nang, said activities have been renewed over the past years to meet the demand of local residents as well as domestic and foreign visitors.

From April 28 to May 3, the beaches of My An, T18, and My Khe, those along Nguyen Tat Thanh road, and some places on Son Tra Peninsular are hosting many activities such as a sand sculpting competition, musical programmes, exhibitions of artworks, sailboat performances, an antique market, and photo displays.

Other activities like a beer garden, a kite festival, the “Da Nang Summer Camp” hip-hop contest, the Dork Dancing space, outdoor film screening, and food van services are also set to be memorial experiences for visitors to the city.

In the central province of Ha Tinh, the sea tourism season started with a special music show and a firework display at the Thien Cam tourism area in Cam Xuyen district.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Le Ngoc Chau said aside from the rich cultural, spiritual, and ecological tourism potential, Ha Tinh also boasts considerable sea tourism potential with beautiful beaches and sea landscapes. This year’s sea tourism season is an opportunity for it to introduce tangible and intangible cultural values as well as special tourism products to travellers from far and wide.

Outstanding activities at the Thien Cam tourism area these days include a women’s volleyball tournament, boat racing, a “Vi – Giam” folk singing festival, a festival praying for bumper seafood catches, beach sports events, and night food services.

Source: Vietnam News Agency