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Deputy Foreign Minister Ngo Le Van speaks at the opening ceremony of the 221st session of the UNESCO Executive Board in Paris on April 7. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam affirms positive role and responsibility at UNESCO

Vietnam has been affirming its positive role and responsibility at UNESCO through various specific activities, aiming to promote the organization’s goals in education, culture, science, and the protection of world cultural heritage, said Deputy Foreign Minister Ngo Le Van.

Addressing the 221st session of the UNESCO Executive Board in Paris on April 7, Van emphasized that the world is undergoing a transformational era marked by many challenges and complexities regarding peace, security, and sustainable development. In this context, UNESCO’s mission of “building peace in the minds of men” has become more urgent than ever.

He recalled Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam’s viewpoints during his official visit to UNESCO in October 2024, saying Vietnam will continue to be a UNESCO reliable, responsible partner, proactively contributing to the programs and common goals of the organization.

He urged UNESCO to continue enhancing its leadership role in key areas of cooperation, namely education, culture, and science. He emphasized the importance of lifelong learning and said Vietnam views education as the key to realizing its aspirations for development in the new era.

The diplomat proposed that UNESCO further support countries in building comprehensive education systems, while sharing Vietnam’s policy of offering free education for public school students starting from the 2025-2026 school year, as a strong commitment to investing in education in the future, cited VOV.

Talking about culture, he proposed promoting intercultural dialogue, developing creative industries, and safeguarding cultural diversity. He also welcomed efforts to refine the legal framework for artificial intelligence, promote scientific diplomacy, and encourage further cooperation in science, technology, and governance of new technologies.

Van informed that the Vietnamese government had issued a resolution on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, considering this one of the most important strategic priorities.

During the session, Deputy Minister Van and leaders from a number of provinces of Vietnam held meetings with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, Deputy Director-General Xing Qu, Assistant Director-General for Culture Ernesto Ottone, and the heads of delegations of various countries to promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Director-General Audrey Azoulay and other UNESCO leaders were impressed with the highly successful, substantive visit of General Secretary To Lam to the UNESCO headquarters last October, which elevated Vietnam-UNESCO relations to new heights.

Azoulay praised Vietnam as a model for comprehensive, substantive, and effective cooperation with UNESCO, affirming that the country is one of the most active members of the organization.

The UNESCO leaders commended the close and effective cooperation between Vietnam and UNESCO over nearly half a century and recognized Vietnam’s substantial, responsible, and increasingly broad contributions to the organization’s activities. They also noted Vietnam’s leadership in various key positions in UNESCO’s governing bodies.

Vietnam wants to deepen comprehensive cooperation with Spain: Party chief

Vietnam wants to deepen comprehensive cooperation with Spain, a key member and a gateway to the European Union (EU), Party General Secretary To Lam told visiting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at their meeting in Hanoi on April 9.

Highlighting the significance of the first-ever visit by a head of the Spanish government since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the Party chief believed that the visit will serve as a catalyst to elevate the bilateral Strategic Partnership to a new height, fostering prosperity and mutual benefits for both nations while contributing to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

While sharing PM Sánchez's assessments of the world's current economic situation, he affirmed Vietnam’s pursuit of a policy of self-reliance, overcoming challenges by diversifying markets with regions around the world, including the EU and Africa. It is also promoting the development and application of sci-tech, while increasing trade exchanges with partner countries and traditional friends, including Spain, Lam said.

Spanish PM Sánchez, in response, highly valued Vietnam’s role and position in the region and the world, as well as in Spain’s foreign policy, affirming that Spain is ready to serve as a bridge to further strengthen Vietnam-EU relations and expects to upgrade the bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The PM highlighted the similarities and complementary nature between the Spanish and Vietnamese economies, pledging to urge EU nations to soon ratify the EU - Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). He also suggested Vietnam send a delegation to Spain to learn its experience aimed at prompting the European Commission to soon remove its IUU yellow card warning against Vietnamese seafood.

Both sides agreed to reinforce cooperation in the fields of national defense-security, agriculture, and education- training, while also exploring promising fields like innovation, artificial intelligence, semiconductor, and digital transformation.

Lam stressed the importance of boosting cooperation in sci-tech and transport which are the strengths of Spain that meet Vietnam’s needs. He also noted that cultural and tourism exchanges hold great potential, given the rising number of Spanish tourist arrivals to Vietnam, according to VNA.

Party General Secretary To Lam (R) and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at their meeting in Hanoi on April 9. (Photo: VNA)

PM Sánchez, representing a country with the world’s second-largest high-speed rail network, said Spanish firms are keen to join Vietnam’s infrastructure and railway projects.

The Party leader took this occasion to thank Spain for supporting the Vietnamese community and called for continued assistance for their integration and contributions to both nations.

On the multilateral aspect, PM Sánchez praised Vietnam's efforts for the settlement of global issues and welcomed Vietnam’s hosting of the Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit in April, confirming that Spain would send representatives to the event.

Both sides stressed that Vietnam and Spain need to continue coordinating closely at multilateral forums and international organisations, promoting multilateralism and respect for international law to address regional and global challenges, especially amid rapid and complicated changes around the world, including the East Sea issue.

Vietnam attracts Indian tourists through SATTE 2025

India is expected to represent a potential source of tourists for the Vietnamese market as a huge number of Indian tourists are set to flock to the country in the coming time.

According to Nguyen Van Phong, cluster director of sales for the southern region of Melia Vinpearl, Vietnam attracted great attention and interest from Indian visitors at the South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE 2025) recently held in New Delhi, India.

At the event, Melia Vinpearl set up many appointments to introduce their products and services and to maintain connections with foreign partners in order to bring Indian travelers to Vietnam.

India is considered to be a promising market for Vietnamese tourism as it has shown a keen interest in the country, he added.

Gaurav Verma, a representative of The VietnamDMC in India shared that the company has received over 500 service orders from Indian travel agencies after only three days of the SATTE, cited VOV.

Vietnamese travel agencies and hotels attend SATTE 2025.

He noted that besides the traditional tourist segment, the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibition (MICE) and wedding tourism segments are also showing great interest in the Vietnamese market.

“SATTE 2025 has helped the Vietnamese tourism industry connect more closely with tourism partners,” he added.

Nguyen Thanh Van, sales director of Rubicon Tours, shared that the tourism promotion results at the SATTE 2025 serve to reflect the market potential, as well as the increasing trend of Indian tourists to Vietnam, after recording strong growth in 2024.

Last year Vietnam welcomed over 501,000 Indian tourists, a significant increase from approximately 169,000 in 2019. This impressive recovery made India the top-performing inbound market for Vietnam, with a 297% rebound compared to other major markets such as China at 64%, Japan at 75%, and the Republic of Korea at 106%.

In addition, in March, VietJet opened two new routes to Bengaluru and Hyderabad, two of India's leading metropolitan cities, offering convenient travel options for local people and tourists.

Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Sandeep Arya said that the tourism growth between India and Vietnam over the past year has been very impressive, reaching over 25%, adding that the increase in direct flights between the two countries has also contributed to the rapid increase in tourist arrivals.

He noted that accommodation services in Vietnam are also becoming more and more convenient for tourists to make use of.

VietCham Thailand connects Vietnamese, Thai businesses

Around 50 Vietnamese and Thai companies gathered at a business networking event held by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce in Thailand (VietCham Thailand) in Bangkok on April 9.

In her opening remarks, Chairwoman of VietCham Thailand Duong Thu Huong highlighted the chamber’s launch in October 2023 as Vietnam-Thailand relations are thriving in trade, investment, tourism, and education. She underscored Vietnam’s role as a vital trading partner of Thailand and praised the remarkable successes of Thai firms in Vietnam’s growing market.

Huong said VietCham Thailand aims to work as a key platform for companies to exchange ideas, seize opportunities, and tackle challenges together. It is also hoped to assist businesses in accessing markets, expanding partnerships, and beefing up economic cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand, she added.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung spoke highly of VietCham Thailand's efforts in connecting Vietnamese and Thai companies and voiced his belief that it would form a vibrant and dynamic business community, contributing to the bilateral economic links, VNA reported.

At the business networking event (Photo: VNA)

As the first overseas Vietnam Chamber of Commerce, VietCham Thailand groups major firms such as Vietjet, FPT, and VMO, focusing on startups, and young entrepreneurs to deliver practical benefits through meaningful collaboration.

The event featured valuable insights from business leaders and experts across various sectors, with discussions revolving around VietCham Thailand’s unique and innovative approach to unlocking new opportunities for Vietnamese and Thai business communities.

Border diplomacy: Vietnam and China to hold joint defense exchange

The Ministry of National Defense held a press briefing this morning to introduce the 9th edition of the Vietnam-China Border Defense Friendship Exchange.

Colonel Nguyen Duy Minh, Deputy Director of the Ministry’s Department of Foreign Relations, said the event will take place from April 16 to 17, with activities scheduled in Lang Son Province (Vietnam) and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China).

The Vietnamese delegation will be led by General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense. His Chinese counterpart will head the Chinese delegation.

On April 16 in China, there will be an official welcoming ceremony for the Vietnamese delegation, a visit to the Youyi Pass tourist area, and a tour of the Youyi Pass Border Guard Station. The two ministers will also witness a joint naval patrol conducted online.

They will also visit the smart border gate at Youyi Pass, a local primary school in Pingxiang City, and a cultural village in the border area.

On April 17, activities will move to Vietnam, including an official welcoming ceremony for the Chinese delegation and a symbolic tree-planting ceremony. The two ministers will visit Dong Dang Primary School, the Huu Nghi International Border Gate Border Guard Station, and the Viettel Logistics Park operated by the Military Industry and Telecommunications Group.

The ministers will also hold bilateral talks and witness the signing of a cooperation agreement.

Lieutenant Colonel Cao Van Dan, Acting Editor-in-Chief of the Naval Newspaper, shared details about the joint naval patrol. Vietnam’s Navy will coordinate with the Southern Theater Command Navy of China’s People’s Liberation Army to carry out the 38th joint patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin.

Vietnam will deploy its two most modern surface combat ships, the missile corvettes 015-Tran Hung Dao and 016-Quang Trung, for a friendship visit and the patrol mission, according to VNN.

Vietnam’s Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang and China’s Minister of National Defense Dong Jun at the 8th Vietnam-China Border Defense Friendship Exchange in April 2024. Photo: Minh Nhat

“This will be the first time both ships participate in a joint patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin,” said Lieutenant Colonel Cao Van Dan.

The Vietnamese vessels are scheduled to depart Cam Ranh Military Port on April 10, heading to Beihai Naval Port (Guangxi, China), where the Chinese Navy will host a welcoming ceremony. Activities will include meetings between the two navies' commanders, sports competitions between naval officers, and mutual ship visits.

A joint patrol will follow, including collaborative training exercises on maritime search and rescue.

Also this morning, the Ministry of National Defense shared details about a major cultural and artistic event to be held in April.

Titled “The nation’s joy,” the epic-style art program will feature 24 works. The show narrates Vietnam's journey through art, celebrating the leadership of the Communist Party and President Ho Chi Minh, the heroic spirit and victories of the Vietnamese military and people, and the iconic image of “Uncle Ho’s soldiers” during the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign.

The performance is scheduled for the evening of April 20 on the outdoor stage in front of Thong Nhat Hall (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City).

Colonel Dang My Hanh, Head of the Department of Cultural and Artistic Affairs under the General Department of Politics, said over 1,000 performers from within and outside the military will take part, including well-known singers Cam Van, Tung Duong, and People’s Artist Thanh Thuy, along with standout contestants from the program “Anh Trai Vuot Ngan Chong Gai” (Call Me By Fire). These performers will present a new act created exclusively for the event.

Senior leaders, former leaders of the Party, State, Vietnam Fatherland Front, Ho Chi Minh City, veteran revolutionaries, heroic Vietnamese mothers, Heroes of the Armed Forces, Labor Heroes, and generals are expected to attend.

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