Day: January 29, 2023

 

The Canada-Vietnam Friendship Society (CVFS) on January 28 organised a virtual seminar on the nations’ 50 years of diplomatic and cooperative ties (1973-2023), attracting participation of Canadian scholars, international friends, and Vietnamese expatriates.

 

The key speaker, Vietnamese Ambassador to Canada Pham Cao Phong, delivered an overview of the relations, which are growing more comprehensively, effectively, stably, and sustainably in terms of bilateral, regional, and international aspects.

 

He listed factors that have helped the relationship thrive, which included the nations’ commitment to maintaining international peace, stability and security; and compliance with the UN Charter and principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

 

The sides share common interests for peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region; support the maintenance of a rules-based order in the seas and oceans, including the East Sea; work to ensure the freedom of navigation, aviation, trade and the use of the oceans for peaceful purposes, and for the protection of the marine environment and ecosystems.

 

The two countries support ASEAN centrality; multifaceted people-to-people exchanges; the protection and promotion of human rights following national constitutions and international commitments; and the peaceful settlement of disputes in the East Sea, including full respect for diplomatic and legal processes in accordance with international law.

 

Steve Rutchinski, a member of the CVFS, unveiled the society’s plan to hold a series of virtual forums to foster the Vietnam-Canada ties this year. Their topics are set to cover Vietnam’s successful poverty eradication campaign, social programmes, and its journey to claim justice for 40,000 AO/dioxin victims.

 

Seminar spotlights Vietnam – Canada cooperation in five decades hinh anh 2

 

Participants at the seminar (Photo: VNA)

 

Participants took the occasion to discuss the Southeast Asian country’s important position in Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy, as well as measures to promote bilateral relations.

 

The seminar was part of the activities to mark the upcoming 93rd anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3, 1930 – 2023)./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 

According to the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), Vietnam is likely to attract 36-38 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2023. The figure was nearly 22.4 billion USD in 2022.

 

Deputy Director of the FIA Do Van Su said disbursement of foreign investment this year is expected to hit 22-23 billion USD,.

 

Su acknowledged that the opening of China’s economy might affect Vietnam’s foreign investment attraction, adding that China remained the leading investment destination in the region, so when they opened up, capital will flow into this market while that to Vietnam and other economies in the region will be limited.

 

On the contrary, the investment capital movement of the Republic of Korea (RoK) , Japan, and Taiwan (China) will be accelerated. This shift will be accelerated until 2025, and Vietnam will be a preferred investment destination for investors, he added.

 

Vietnam’s FDI projected to reap up to 38 bln USD in 2023 hinh anh 2

 

Hanoi city (Photo: VNA)

 

Currently, the RoK, Japan and Taiwan (China) are Vietnam’s major sources of foreign investment and they have constantly increased their investments in Southeast Asian countries.

 

According to FIA, essential factors for FDI to continue to prosper in 2023 include economic growth results in 2022 and endless efforts of authorities in improving the business investment environment, creating trust with investors, and effectively exploiting the advantages of free trade agreements.

 

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said that Vietnam had adopted a selective approach to attracting foreign investment inflows which will contribute to the country’s implementation of the sustainable development strategy.

 

Priority will be given to projects using new and green technologies, with high added value, modern corporate governance, and high spillover effects, ensuring technology transfer, and being integrated with global supply and production chains, Dung said.

 

To lure more foreign investment, he emphasised the importance of developing innovation and financial centres at the regional and international levels, creating a driving force for socio-economic development in the coming period, adding that stabilising the macro-economy, improving infrastructure and the quality of human resources will be also needed.

 

So far this year, Vietnam saw good signs in foreign investment attraction as nearly 900 million USD of FDI has been registered in the northern province of Bac Giang.

 

On January 7, China’s Yadea Group said it will invest 100 million USD in a factory to manufacture and assemble electric motorcycles with an expected capacity of about 2 million vehicles per year in the province’s Tan Hung Industrial Park. Covering an area of 23.2ha, the project will be implemented in the second quarter of 2023.

 

Earlier on January 2, Bac Giang province granted an investment certificate to Singapore’s Ingrasys Pte Ltd, the Fulian precision technology factory project investor signed an MoU with Chinese investor Hainan Longi Green Energy Technology Co Ltd on a project to produce solar panels.

 

Both projects will be conducted from the first quarter of 2023, with a combined registered capital of about 761 million USD.

 

Foreign investment in Vietnam remained a bright spot in the country’s 2022 economic panorama, despite experiencing a year-on-year decrease in value, thanks to its disbursement reaching a five-year high.

 

Data from the MPI showed as of December 20, there were 2,036 newly-registered FDI projects worth 12.45 billion USD, up 17.1% year-on-year in the quantity, but down 18.4% in value.

 

In addition, 1,107 projects had their capital raised with a total amount of 10.12 billion USD, up 12.4 % and 12.2 % year-on-year, respectively.

 

Capital contributions and share purchases (foreign indirect investment or FII) were worth 5.15 billion USD, down 25.2 %. This figure made the total foreign investment in the country in 2022 top 27.7 billion USD.

 

Meanwhile, FDI disbursement in 2022 hit nearly 22.4 billion USD, up 13.5% year-on-year, making it the highest amount in the past five years, the General Statistics Office (GSO) reported.

 

By the end of last year, the country was home to 36,278 valid projects with a total registered capital of approximately 438.7 billion USD. The accumulated realised capital of foreign investment projects topped 274 billion USD, equalling 62.5 % of the total valid registered investment capital.

 

Foreign investors poured funds into 19 out of the 21 sectors in the national economic classification system, of which the processing and manufacturing industry maintained its lead in terms of attracting FDI with a combined investment of over 16.8 billion USD, accounting for 60.6 % of the country’s total.

 

Among the 108 nations and territories pouring capital into Vietnam this year, Singapore ranked first with 6.46 billion USD. It was followed by the RoK and Japan./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The Vietnam Poetry Day will be held next month in Hanoi’s Thang Long Imperial Citadel with new activities, according to organisers.

 

It is the first time this annual cultural event will take place in the citadel, which is a UNESCO World Heritage of Vietnam, after 18 years being held at Van Mieu (Temple of Literature) and three years of hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

With the theme of “Nhip dieu moi” (New Rhythm), the 21st edition carries the wish that after the country has overcome the pandemic, life returns with a “new rhythm, momentum and confidence” along with the recovery of the whole economy, culture and society to approach a “future full of hope for good things”, said Nguyen Quang Thiều, President of the Vietnam Writers’ Association (VWA).

 

It is expected to open on the occasion of the new year’s full moon celebration which falls on January 15 of the Lunar calendar or February 5, 2023, with more events to be organised in new and attractive ways, organisers announced at a recent press conference.

 

Within the framework of the day, there will be activities such as a seminar hosted, poem recitals, and talk shows about poetry./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 

 

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on January 29 asked the southern province of Dong Nai to complete the handover of cleared ground for the first-stage construction of Long Thanh international airport by the end of this first quarter.

 

During a working session with ministries, agencies, localities and stakeholders of the project after making a fact-finding trip earlier the same day to the construction site, he assigned them to responsibility for the work under their watch and solve existing issues.

 

The Government has directed the establishment of a working group led by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha to oversee and speed up the project, PM Chinh revealed.

 

At the construction site, he asked ministries, agencies, localities and investor to hasten the implementation of the project, with quality guaranteed.

 

Covering a total area of more than 5,580 hectares, the Long Thanh international airport will spread across six communes in Long Thanh district, Dong Nai province. The airport’s total investment is 336.63 trillion VND (14.6 billion USD), with construction divided into three phases.

 

In the first phase, a runway and one passenger terminal along with other supporting facilities will be built at a cost of 109.112 trillion VND to serve 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tonnes of cargo each year.

 

The project started in 2021. Once fully completed by 2050, the airport will be able to handle 100 million passengers and 5 million tonnes of cargo annually.

 

Located 40km east of Ho Chi Minh City, the airport is expected to relieve overloading at Tan Son Nhat international airport in the southern metropolis, now the country’s largest airport./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 

A Vietnamese delegation led by deputy head of the National Assembly’s Committee for External Affairs Le Anh Tuan attended the fifth International Conference For World Balance in Havana on January 24-28.

 

Themed “With all and for the good of all”, the event was one of the activities honouring Cuban national hero José Martí on the occasion of his 170th birth anniversary (January 28), with over 1,100 delegates from 87 countries globally taking part.

 

This world forum of plural and multidisciplinary thought is convened by the José Martí Project for World Solidarity every three years, enabling hundreds of professors, social activists and intellectuals in general, from all latitudes of the planet, to reflect on the main contemporary problems.

 

As the first guest to address the opening ceremony, Tuan underlined that together with the people across the globe, the Vietnamese people always aspire to live in a world of peace, democracy with the long-term goal of wealthy people, strong country and a democratic, fair and civilised society.

 

In order to build a better world, the Vietnamese delegation suggested further strengthening the role of the legislature and lawmakers in fine-tuning laws; overseeing the enforcement of policies; ensuring equality and non-discrimination in terms of gender, ethnicity and religion in the fields of politics, socio-economy, culture, labour, health care, education – training; and settling conflicts and disputes via peaceful means in line with international law; among others.

 

On the occasion, Tuan also held working sessions with Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of People’s Power of Cuba Ana María Mari Machado and President of the Cuban National Assembly’s Commission on Foreign Relations Yolanda Ferrer Gómez.

 

The host leaders said the Party, State and people of Cuba highly value ties with Vietnam and wish to welcome Chairman of the Vietnamese NA to the country.

 

Cuba wishes to enhance consultations and share experience in lawmaking and NA’s expertise with Vietnam; further boost coordination in economy, culture and tourism; and stays ready to help Vietnamese firms expand operations in the country, they said.

 

Tuan said Vietnam believes that under the sound leadership of the Communist Party of Cuba, the Cuban State and fraternal people will successfully realise Resolutions adopted at the eighth National Congress of the Party and overcome its current challenges./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 

Vietnam’s consumer price index (CPI) in January edged up by 0.52 % month-on-month, fueled by high consumer demand for the Lunar New Year or Tet which fell in the same month, the General Statistics Office said on January 29.

 

In addition, the prices of goods, food and foodstuffs went up during the final lunar month to prepare for the longest annual holiday and domestic fuel prices rose to global levels, contributing to the rise of the index.

 

This month’s CPI increased by 4.89 % year-on-year, while the core inflation in January inched up 5.21%.

 

Among the 11 main commodity groups, nine marked a month-on-month increase in prices, and the rest registered a decline.

 

Transport services reported the highest rise of 1.39 %, followed by beverage and cigarette with 1.12%.

 

The prices of catering, other goods and services, apparel, footwear and hat, gold prices, restaurant services, cultural activities, and entertainment posted a growth of 0.82%, 0.72%, 0.62%, 0.57%, 0.46% and 0.42%, respectively.

 

Household equipment and appliances reported the smallest increase, at 0.36%.

 

Meanwhile, the prices of housing and construction materials and education fell by 0.12% and 0.15%, respectively./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 

Endowed with beautiful natural scenery from lakes and waterfalls to mountains and forests, the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai is seen as a tourist site free of charge.

 

Gia Lai is an ideal destination for travelers wanting to explore the wild nature and the unique culture of the central highlands ethnic groups who are known for their gong heritage.

 

When visiting Gia Lai, you do not need to go far to find beautiful scenery. Right in its provincial capital, Pleiku, you can find scenic Bien Ho (Sea Lake), Bien Ho Che (Tea Sea Lake), Chu Dang Ya and Ham Rong volcanoes and Chu mountain.

 

All you need is a motorbike to drive around in Pleiku in the sun and wind of the central highlands to reach the best sightseeing places in town. You can enjoy the gorgeous view of Bien Ho with its cool and clear air or wander in immense green tea hills in Bien Ho Che. You can also see beautiful wild sunflowers dyeing yellow the sides of old volcanoes which have slept for millions of years, or enjoy the wild and dreamy beauty of rubber forests in their season of changing leaves.

 

For those who love adventurous trips, Kon Chu Rang and Kon Ka Kinh (an ASEAN heritage park) national parks are recommended. The parks, which are perfect for trekking and camping overnight, boast gorgeous waterfalls and wild animals and plants.

 

Not only endowed with pristine natural landscapes, Gia Lai is also a land imprinted with the cultural traits of the central highlands. The gong culture and old habits and practices of central highlands ethnic groups, including the Gia Rai, Ba Na, Mo Nong, Cho Ho, Xo Dang, E De, Chu Ru, S’tieng and Ro Mam, are the major attractions to this beautiful region.

 

The weather in Gia Lai was so nice in December, fully showing the beauty and prosperity of this bazan red soil region with red-ripening coffee plantations, immense green tea hills and rubber forests which are changing their leaves.

 

Apart from coffee, Gia Lai is a major grower of tea, rubber and pepper. In the Bien Ho Che area in Chu Pah, around 13 kilometers from Pleiku, there are vast tea hills with a total area of more than 1,100 hectares. The area was originally the French’s first tea plantation in Gia Lai in the 1920s. Gia Lai’s Bien Ho tea is a well-known brand which has received a certificate of high-quality Vietnamese farm produce by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The tea is currently exported to Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Singapore.

 

Gia Lai is also considered the rubber capital of the central highlands. The province has nearly 120,000 hectares of rubber with an annual output of nearly 290,000 tons of latex, which accounts for more than 30 percent of the country’s total output and quadruples the total output of the four remaining central highlands provinces.

 

Walking in huge rubber forests where the trees are changing their leaves in Dak Doa district, we could see Gia Lai’s big potential for the so-called “white gold”.

 

Gia Lai is now a major producer of farm goods in the central highlands, ranking second in the region in farming area with over 500,000 hectares of different crops. These include 120,000 hectares of rubber, 94,000 hectares of coffee, 17,000 hectares of cashews and nearly 17,000 hectares of black pepper.

 

Gia Lai has a total area of 15,500 km2 and is the second largest province in the country, and the largest in the central highlands. The province has the climate and soil conditions favorable for growing industrial crops such as coffee, rubber and pepper. With a population of over 1.4 million, including 34 ethnic groups with diverse and rich cultures and beautiful pristine scenery, Gia Lai has the advantages for developing tourism./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency