Day: August 6, 2022

Vietnam and Israel have made progress during the recently eleventh round of negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.

Opening the market, customs and trade facilitation, government procurement, services and investments and other legal and institutional issues were tabled at the eleventh round that took place in Israel on June 1-5.

The two sides agreed on many important contents, especially those related to opening markets to each other.

They pledged to accelerate discussions in the coming time to soon conclude the negotiating process.

The FTA is expected to further boost trade and investment between the two countries as well as bring substantial benefits to enterprises, and citizens of both nations.

Vietnam and Israel officially launched FTA negotiations on December 2, 2015./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked ministries, agencies and localities to maintain vigilance against COVID-19 while addressing a meeting in Hanoi on August 6.

Speaking at the meeting of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control, the leader stressed the significance of vaccination, and urged ministries, agencies and localities, particularly the Ministry of Health, to step up the communication work.

The resurgence of COVID-19 outbreak must be prevented, said Chinh, who is also head of the committee, emphasising the three pillars in the fight – testing, quarantine and treatment.

Given the appearance of new epidemics, the PM said it is necessary to ensure resources, the quality of preventive health care and medical infrastructure, and enhance grassroots health care.

Acting Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan reported at the meeting that in the first seven months of this year, the country recorded over 9 million cases of COVID-19, of which the number of recoveries reached more than 8.5 million and fatalities, 11,000.

As of August 4, some 247 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered, putting Vietnam among the countries with the highest vaccination coverage.

PM Chinh requested that targeted groups should receive the third and fourth shots, and children aged from five to 12 should got the second within this month.

The leader reiterated the spirit of safely and flexibly adapting to and effectively controlling the pandemic to accelerate rapid economic recovery and sustainable development.

He asked the Ministry of Planning and Investment to give guidelines on bidding procedures relating to the procurement of medical equipment, and handle obstacles to the work.

More than 82 trillion VND (3.5 billion USD) has been allocated so far, benefiting 728,488 employers and 49.94 million employees and other groups affected by the pandemic, the leader noted, asking the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to instruct localities to better implement such policies.

Chinh also called for greater efforts in the fight against corruption and stronger international cooperation in COVID-19 prevention and control.

At the meeting, representatives of localities suggested the Government pay more attention to policies towards health workers at the grassroots level and preventive health care sector.

The Ministry of Health should upgrade COVID-19 prevention and control measures at industrial parks, and production and business facilities, and continue to help localities with medical supplies in the combat, they said./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Ho Chi Minh City has been chosen as the venue for a gala ceremony of the World Travel Awards for Asia and Oceania region scheduled to take place on September 7, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).

On its website, the World Travel Awards (WTA) describes HCM City as a metropolis of boundless energy which draws together both old and new Vietnam.

“Wander through alleys and markets, explore the temples, and discover the designer malls beneath soaring skyscrapers in this fascinating fusion of different worlds,” it said.

This year, Vietnam has received a series of nominations for different categories at the WTA 2022. Specifically, Vietnam was nominated for awards in the Asian region for Leading Destination, Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination, Leading Heritage Destination, Leading Cultural Destination, Leading Nature Destination, Leading Youth Travel Destination and Leading Beach Destination.

The capital city of Hanoi was shortlisted as Asia’s Leading City Break Destination and Asia’s Leading Cultural City Destination.

Last year, Vietnam won the title of Asia’s Leading Destination at the World Travel Awards. It also honoured Vietnam as Asia’s Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination, and the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism as Asia’s Leading Tourist Board 2021.

The WTA was launched in 1993 to acknowledge excellence in the travel and tourism industry. Heralded as the “travel industry’s equivalent of the Oscars” by the Wall Street Journal, the awards are based on votes from the public and travel professionals across the globe./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Hong Thao has pledged to make more contributions to the progress and development of international law, for peace, friendship, cooperation and sustainable development in the world.

Speaking at the 73rd session of the International Law Commission (ILC) on August 5, the ambassador, on behalf of the Asian States regional group, spoke highly of efforts by the commission as well as its contributions and support to developing countries.

The 73rd session is the final meeting of the commission in the 2017-2022 tenure, which lasted up to six years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The session took place from April 18 to June 3, and from July 4 to August 5.

Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Hong Thao was re-elected to the International Law Commission (ILC) for the 2023-2027 tenure on November 12, 2021, with 145 out of 191 votes, ranking fourth among 11 candidates from Asia-Pacific.

During the 2017-2022 tenure, Ambassador Thao was the first Vietnamese to be elected to the ILC. He actively joined and offered ideas to the committee’s important discussions regarding environment protection in armed conflicts, atmosphere protection, response to rising sea level and international law.

Thao earned a doctorate degree on law from the University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne and previously held important positions such as Vice Chairman of the National Border Commission and head of the Vietnamese delegations to negotiations on border agreements with neighbouring countries of Vietnam.

The ILC is an independent body of the UN, and specialises in developing and codifying international law, and reporting to the UN General Assembly’s Legal Committee. It is composed of 34 members who are elected by UN member states every five years via secret ballot./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

A delegation led by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on August 6 paid tribute to late Chairman of the Council of State Vo Chi Cong at his memorial site in the central province of Quang Nam’s Nui Thanh district on the occasion the late leader’s 110th birth anniversary.

The delegation included Permanent member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Vo Van Thuong, Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) and Chairman of the Central Theory Council Nguyen Xuan Thang, and former President Nguyen Minh Triet, among others.

Vo Chi Cong (1912 – 2011), who was also Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers from 1976 to 1986, participated in revolutionary activities since 1930 and led local people to gain power in Quang Nam and Da Nang in 1945.

On the occasion, President Phuc visited and presented gifts to outstanding revolutionary families in the province. He affirmed that the State always attaches importance and attention to the care for people with meritorious services and policy beneficiary families.

While expressing his gratitude towards the families who sacrificed for the country’s revolution, the president said he wishes that they continue to promote the revolutionary traditions of the homeland and set a bright example for the younger generations to follow./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietjet and Tuyen Quang province introduced a series of unique and attractive activities at Tuyen Citadel Festival 2022 at an event held in Ho Chi Minh City on August 5.

From this September, the northern mountainous province of Tuyen Quang will organise the biggest ever festival with numerous activities. The highlight of Tuyen Citadel Festival this year is the Tuyen Citadel Night Party themed “Sparkling colours of Tuyen Citadel Night Festival” in the Mid-Autumn Festival which is the largest lantern festival in Vietnam.

Besides, a ceremony will be held to receive a certificate recognising “Then practice of the Tay, Nung and Thai ethnic groups in Vietnam” as of the intangible cultural heritages of humanity, along with the Night of Trade – Tourism Fair and “Miss Tuyen Citadel” contest.

Hoang Viet Phuong, Vice Chairman of the Tuyen Quang provincial People’s Committee, said Tuyen Quang province is ready to welcome people and visitors to the unprecedented festival activities this year.

Do Xuan Quang, Vice President of Vietjet, which accompanies Tuyen Citadel Festival 2022, said the airline is pleased to accompany Tuyen Quang province in the special festive programmes, and will continue to promote its role as an international airline that is always accompanying Tuyen Quang, the northern mountainous region as well as many others across the country to promote the tourism to domestic and international tourists.

It’s easy for local and international tourists to come to Tuyen Quang with various travel options. Vietjet is offering attractive promotions, including “It’s 12 o’clock, let’s Vietjet!” with 0 VND tickets, the “Fly now – Pay later” service with the online procedure just takes only 3 minutes./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The Consular Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnamese Embassy in the UK will continue to actively coordinate with Vietnamese and British competent agencies in the identification of victims in a blaze in Greater Manchester on May 7.

Necessary measures will be taken to organise funerals for the victims after they are verified, the ministry said, noting that Vietnam has asked the British side to investigate the cause of the incident, ensuring legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese citizens.

Over the past days, the department has coordinated with domestic agencies and localities to identify families of the four Vietnamese workers who were reported missing in the fire.

The embassy has also maintained contact and provided British police with necessary information to accelerate the identification.

British police on August 4 asked Vietnam to support and coordinate in the verification of victims with specialised techniques.

The same day, Greater Manchester Police officially announced the identity of the four Vietnamese citizens, comprising Chu Van Cuong (39), Nguyen Van Uoc (31), Nguyen Van Duong (29) and Le Thanh Nam (21). Their families had lost contact since May 7.

According to a statement from the local police, investigation teams have been searching around Bismark House Mill since workers found bodies on July 23.

The remains of a third victim have been recovered, but they have yet to be officially identified.

Lewis Hughes, senior investigator and head of GMP’s identification team, said that police have contacted relatives of the four, and will make every effort to ensure that they are updated with information and fully supported./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has suggested the Government remove coal-fired plants with a capacity of 14,120 megawatts from Power Development Plan VIII (for 2021-30), which is currently being drafted.

The move aims to achieve the target of net zero emissions by 2050, the ministry explained, adding that the plants were included in Power Development Plan VII (for 2011-20).

Out of the 14,120 MW, 8,420 MW are from coal plants where State-owned enterprises have been assigned as the main investors, including Electricity of Vietnam (EVN), the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN) and the Vietnam Coal and Mineral Industries Group.

The ministry also wants to reduce the ratio of coal-fired power sources from 25.7-31% in 2030 to around 10% in 2045.

It plans to increase output from LNG-fueled and renewable plants to offset the cut in coal use, with about 14,000 MW of LNG during the 2030-2045 period, and 11,700-13,921 MW of wind power by 2030./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency