Day: July 17, 2022

A list of 34 Vietnamese seaports of third-class and higher has been announced by the government, according to a decision signed by Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh last week.

The list consists of two categorised as “special”, 11 as first-class, seven as second-class and 14 as third-class. Special seaports include Hai Phong in the north and Ba Ria-Vung Tau in the south.

The 11 first-class seaports are Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Khanh Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai and Can Tho.

Those of second class comprise Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Binh Thuan, Dong Thap, Hau Giang and Tra Vinh.

Fourteen third-class ones include Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, Quang Nam, Phu Yen, Ninh Thuan, Binh Duong, Long An, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Soc Trang, An Giang, Vinh Long, Ca Mau and Kien Giang.

Last year, the government issued a decree providing instructions for the classification of seaports.

Under the decree, Vietnamese seaports are classified based on their scale and sphere of influence.

The scale of a seaport is evaluated through the total volume of cargo and the maximum size of vessels it can handle. The sphere of influence is judged by a port’s functions, for example, whether a seaport can act as an international gateway or serve socio-economic development at national, regional or provincial scales./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The Vietnam-Laos relations have been special and rare ties with loyalty and purity, a valuable asset, a rule for existence and development of both countries and a decisive factor for the success of the revolution in each nation, Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Sengphet Houngboungnuang has said.

The Lao diplomat made the statement while speaking to the media on the occasion of the 60th founding anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic relations (1962-2022) and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the bilateral Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (1977-2022).

He underlined that Vietnam and Laos are close neighbours that have shared difficulties and supported each other during many decades in their past struggles for national salvation, and the current cause of national construction and defence in each country.

Currently, despite complicated and unpredictable developments in the region and the world, the bilateral relationship has still been developing more fruitfully, bringing practical benefits to people of both nations, he said.

He noted that the bilateral relations in politics, defence, security and diplomacy have been strengthened with smooth coordination at international and regional forums.

Particularly, the partnership between the two countries in economy, trade, investment, education and culture has been continuously bolstered, said the ambassador, stressing that Vietnam is one of the biggest investors in Laos, and the number of Lao students studying in Vietnam has been on the rise.

Sengphet underlined that Vietnam and Laos have enjoyed close and special economic cooperation. After the two sides adjusted mechanisms and policies to suit the real situation in each country, their economic, trade and investment collaboration have thrived.

Vietnamese investors have played an important role and made significant contributions to the socio-economic development of Laos. Since 1988, Vietnam has run 417 projects in Laos with total capital of 4.6 billion USD, he said, noting that Vietnam now ranks third among 54 countries and territories investing in Laos.

Meanwhile, two-way trade in May 2022 exceeded 132 million USD, up 16.52% year on year, pushing the total value in the first five months of this year to 690 million USD, a rise of 21%.

The diplomat said that economic cooperation with Vietnam has fostered Laos’s economic growth, improving living conditions of Lao people, and positively contributing to defence-security ties between the two countries.

Regarding bilateral coordination in digital transformation process, he said that this is an important factor for the industrialisation and modernisation of Laos.

He said that Laos has designed strategies for digital economic development, while issuing a number of legal documents in the field, including the Law on E-Commerce, and Law on Electronic Signatures. Laos has joined international deals such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), he said, adding that Laos has also expanded its partnership with other countries in digital technology development.

According to the ambassador, the country is in need of investment from leading firms in the digital economy of Vietnam to catch up with countries in the region and the world in the field.

For Vietnamese businesses intending to invest in Laos, the ambassador said that his country is offering various incentives for foreign investors in many aspects, while improving its domestic industries and infrastructure system.

Laos is calling for investment in three major regions, including the remote and difficult region with tough conditions for investors, the region with favorable conditions, and the special economic region, he said.

The diplomat also highlighted preferential policies that Laos is offering to investors in particular regions and sectors.

He advised investors to focus on the cultivation, breeding and processing sectors to increase added value for farm produce, and create more jobs for local residents./

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The Government plans to develop 301 traditional craft villages linked to tourism by 2030, according to a decision approving Vietnam’s traditional craft village preservation and development programme for the 2021-2030 period.

Under the decision, signed by Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh, in the period of 2021-2030, at least 129 handicrafts and 208 traditional craft villages will be restored and preserved.

The programme aims to protect and uphold the values and characteristics of Vietnam’s traditional craft villages, promote production and increase competitiveness and added value for craft villages’ products.

It targets to create more jobs and increase incomes for locals, making contributions to enhancing sustainable rural socio-economic development.

During the 2021-2030 period, production value of craft villages is expected to expand 10% on average per year.

The export value of handicrafts made in craft villages is projected to reach 6 billion USD and all of the household businesses and establishments in the craft villages meet requirements on environmental protection.

A report from the Vietnam Traditional Craft Village Association shows that there are more than 5,400 craft villages across the country.

The number of households and business establishments in rural areas increased annually between 8.8% and 9.8%. The production value of craft villages grow about 15% on average per year.

The handicraft industry alone has attracted about 1.5 million workers, generating annual export value of about 1.7 billion USD./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnam ranked fifth with five medals at the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2022 hosted by Switzerland from July 10 – 17, according to the Ministry of Education and Training.

The five-member team won three golds, one silver and one bronze at this year’s virtual competition, coming fifth after China, Romania, the Republic of Korea and the United States.

For the first time in history, the Vietnamese team comprised a 10th grader, Vo Hoang Hai, who comes from the Hanoi University of Science (HUS)’s High School for Gifted Students under the Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU).

He was among three contestants from the HUS High School for Gifted Students, including 12th grader Le Minh Hoang and 11th grader Vu Ngo Hoang Duong, all of whom claimed gold medals.

Two other medallists are 12th graders from Bac Ninh and Vinh Phuc High Schools for the Gifted, Nguyen Dang Phuc and Phung Cong Hieu, who grabbed the silver and bronze, respectively.

The IPhO 2022 brought together 368 competitors from 75 countries and territories. It was the third consecutive year the contest has been held online./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Nearly 30 young scientists and entrepreneurs from lower Mekong countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, have gathered at the 2022 Young Scientist Programme to develop solutions on STEAM education and workforce innovation.

This year’s programme, part of the Mekong-US partnership, focused on agricultural technology and innovation.

The programme, sponsored by the US Department of State and organised by Arizona State University (ASU) in partnership with Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education in HCM City, focused on agricultural technology and innovation.

The programme is centered around fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing and the creation of a network of young scientists in the five Lower Mekong countries.

It’s a hybrid format, with participants taking virtual lessons from their home country in entrepreneurship and innovation from ASU faculty for one month.

These classes prompted participants to drill down on their problem statement and laid the foundation for outlining their investor pitch.

The participants were brought together for a 5-day immersive experience in HCM City to hear from agri-tech entrepreneurs, investors, and industry collaborators through a series of panels, keynotes, and informative sessions.

The in-person programme emphasised the importance of agricultural technology on the development and economic health of the Mekong countries.

In addition, agri-tech entrepreneurs provided insight in their success, challenges, and lessons learned through their start-ups, while investors and industry connectors identified what they search for when considering investments and collaboration with local start-ups.

Speakers represented various educational technology companies, investor agencies, and change makers, such as AWS, Ascend Vietnam Ventures, and SNV.

“The Young Scientist Programme is just one part of the commitment of the US to help Mekong countries address the unique challenges that the delta faces. Education and research collaboration are extremely important and that’s why we do this,” said Robert Greenan, Acting Consul General of the US in HCM City, during his welcome remarks earlier in the week.

“We hope that through this programme, early career scientists like yourselves in this region will continue to have an opportunity to do their good work, to collaborate on research, to come together to find the solutions to the transnational problems.”

The Mekong-US Partnership promotes the stability, peace, prosperity, and sustainable development of the Mekong sub-region through cooperation among the Mekong partner countries and the US.

It further reinforces the strong and longstanding relationship among the US, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The partnership builds upon 11 years of cooperation and progress to expand collaboration in the face of new challenges and opportunities.

The partnership supports the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision and is an integral part of support and cooperation between the US and ASEAN. The Mekong – US Partnership provides a variety of programmes and engagements, including US educational programs, regional exchanges, capacity building, and seed funding.

Jeffrey Goss, Associate Vice Provost of Southeast Asia Initiatives at Arizona State University, emphasised the need to maintain relationships from the program to continue supportive collaboration.

“Something like this is the result of collaboration of like-minded individuals who believe that people have the power to improve their communities. I encourage you to leverage the relationships you’ve made throughout the program as a supporting system to drive positive change,” he said.

The programme concluded with a pitch competition where each participant delivered their agri-tech solution to a panel of judges in pursuit of the grand prize, 15,000 USD in seed grant funding to implement their solution.

The judges represented start-up incubators and higher education professionals in the region.

Tin Mar Lar Thein, from Myanmar, won the first place at the competition which was announced during the closing ceremony on July 15, for her project on value-added ginger health drinks.

With the application of technology, her project helps local ginger growers to earn more income and consumers to find healthy drinks made from ginger.

She said the programme should be continued in the future to help young entrepreneurs like her to gain more confidence./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang to turn its potential into resources and aspirations into practical and effective actions, and promote its internal strength for faster and more sustainable socio-economic development and higher living conditions of local people.

Working with the Standing Board of the provincial Party Committee on July 17, PM Chinh highlighted Hau Giang’s advantages such as strategic location, a thick system of waterways, a wide primary forest area, rice production, and high tourism potential.

According to Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Nghiem Xuan Thanh, last year, the province enjoyed regional gross domestic product (GRDP) growth of 3.08%, while the majority of its set targets for the year were completed or surpassed.

In the year, Hau Giang ranked 38th out of 63 cities and provinces nationwide in terms of provincial competitiveness index (PCI), while came 27th in administrative reform index.

In the first six months of this year, Hau Giang reported an 11% economic growth rate, the highest among regional localities and ranking 8th among cities and provinces nationwide. Its State budget collection reached 68.8% of its goal for the whole year.

PM Chinh pointed out a number of shortcomings of the province, including a lack of resources for strategic infrastructure development and slow shift of economic structure.

He held that along with implementing resolutions on socio-economic development, Hau Giang should optimise its self-reliance and potential, especially in human resources, natural conditions, historical tradition and culture, while changing its mindset in designing and implementing planning, and speeding up economic structure transition.

At the same time, it is necessary to continue effectively controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, while designing policies to mobilise resources for development, and strengthening public-private partnership, PM Chinh said.

He underlined the need to apply measures to increase income sources for higher State budget collection, while strengthening the restructuring of the agricultural sector, paying more attention to environmental protection and climate change response.

The PM also urged Hau Giang to continue to speed up administrative reform and improve the business and investment environment and increase dialogue with local firms to help them tackle difficulties.

At the meeting, Hau Giang put forth a number of proposals to the PM and central ministries and agencies, including the upgrade of National Highway 61C connecting Hau Giang and Can Tho city, and changing the use purpose of parts of the area of the Lung Long Hoang Nature Reserve.

PM Chinh stressed that the reserve is a priceless asset of the locality and the region, so that Hau Giang should be careful in considering the use of the area.

During his trip to Hau Giang, PM Chinh and his entourage offered incense to heroic martyrs at the provincial martyr cemetery and visited some Heroic Vietnamese Mothers in the province./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has proposed the Government upgrade the city’s Food Safety Management Board into a department six years after its establishment to enable the board to perform its tasks optimally.

HCM City was the first locality in the country to set up the board in 2016, said Pham Khanh Phong Lan, head of the board.

Although it has been operating on a pilot basis, the board has been performing well its tasks assigned by the municipal People’s Committee on food safety management in the city, Lan said at a conference on July 15 to review the six years of its operation.

Food safety inspection, surveillance and testing have been strengthened while stringent penalties have been imposed to control food safety hazards and prevent food safety incidents in the city, she said.

Food safety chains have been increasingly expanded in the city to supply safe food to the city’s markets, Lan said.

However, food safety management remains a challenging task and there is a high risk of potential food safety incidents due to a growing number of small food producers and traders, high use of agricultural inputs such as antibiotics, pesticides and chemical fertilisers and overlapping roles of three departments – health, industry and trade, and agricultural and rural development, she said.

Twelve food poisoning cases have occurred in the city over the past six years, with 185 people getting poisoned and seven deaths.

During the period, teams of inspectors carried out inspections of 327,554 establishments around the city. Violations were discovered at 36,953 establishments./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

More than 470 billion VND (20 million USD) will be potentially earmarked for the renovation of train stations in northern Vietnam, according to a feasibility report by the management board of railway projects.

The report has been recently submitted to the Ministry of Transport for verification.

They include passenger railway stations at Gia Lam (Hanoi – Dong Dang rail route), Cam Giang and Hai Duong (Gia Lam – Hai Phong route) – and four others for rail freight – Vat Cach (Gia Lam – Hai Phong), Dong Dang and Lang Son (Hanoi – Dong Dang) and Xuan Giao (Yen Vien – Lao Cai).

The project is expected to raise the capacity of the stations and develop transportation in the region, says the report. The management board plans for the project to receive approval sometime between the third and fourth quarters of 2022.

Construction is scheduled to start between 2023 and 2025.

The investment will be sourced from the State budget in line with the medium-term public investment plan for the 2021 – 2025 period./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency