The first severe heat wave is hitting northern and central regions of Vietnam on April 1 and is forecast to last till April 5.

First severe heatwave bakes northern, central Vietnam

The northern and central regions of Vietnam are enduring a strong heat wave, with daytime temperatures anticipated to rise to 39°C in some localities on April 1, according to the National Centre for hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

The most severe heat will be recorded in north-western localities, with daytime temperatures set to climb to 37-39°C, said the center.

The heatwave is now spreading across north-eastern localities, including Quang Ninh, Hai Phong and Hanoi.

Temperatures in these localities are expected to rise quickly to 35-37°C and even exceed 37°C, cited VOV.

Border provinces such as Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Ha Tinh in central Vietnam are forecast to endure intense heat on April 1, with daytime temperatures rising to 37-39°C.

The ongoing heat wave is forecast to last till April 4 in north-eastern localities and April 5 in north-western and central localities.

Meanwhile, the prolonged heatwave has been baking southern localities for several weeks and it is anticipated to last till May.

According to meteorologists, this year's El Nino that causes heat waves would gradually weaken and change to a neutral state between April and June, and change to La Nina from July to September.

They warned that heat waves would come early this year and they may be more severe than the average of previous years.

The temperature nationwide, starting in April, is generally about 1-2°C higher than the average for many years, said Dr Hoang Phuc Lam, deputy director of National Centre for hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

The expert did not rule out the possibility that the summer of 2024 would set a new temperature record.

ASEAN Future Forum 2024 to take place in Hanoi on April 23

The ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) will take place in Hanoi on April 23, with over 200 delegates taking part, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet told an international press conference in Hanoi on April 1.

As one of the foremost multilateral diplomatic events hosted by Vietnam this year, the AFF 2024 initiative was announced by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia in September 2023.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet chairs the international press conference on ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) (Photo: VNA)

The AFF 2024 is expected to create a platform for stakeholders within and beyond ASEAN to contribute ideas and initiatives, Viet said, adding that the forum is about to forge a shared vision for ASEAN 2045 and its implementation.

The forum serves a dual purpose: fostering regional contribution to the upcoming UN's September Summit of the Future, and amplifying ASEAN's voice on global development. It also reflects Vietnam's commitment to a people-centric ASEAN, prioritizing rapid and sustainable growth.

The opening session will see the attendance and speeches by high-ranking Vietnamese leaders, current and incoming ASEAN Chairs, ASEAN Secretary-General, and UN Secretary-General, according to VNA.

Two key discussion sessions will delve into accelerating ASEAN's sustainable development and strengthening comprehensive security measures for a people-centered ASEAN.

A highlight of the event will be a dialogue between the ASEAN Secretary General and young people.

The emblem and official website of AFF 2024 were also announced at https://www.asean-futureforum.com.

Vietnam among top growth leaders globally in 2024: World Bank

The World Bank, in its East Asia and Pacific Economic Update released on April 1, 2024, forecast that the Vietnamese economy would grow by 5.5% this year, making it among top growth leaders in the world.

The projection remains unchanged compared to the bank’s forecast of 5.5% in 2024 and 6% unveiled earlier this year.

World Bank East Asia and Pacific Chief Economist Aaditya Mattoo attributed Vietnam’s 5% growth projection to global trade resilience as well as the country’s post-pandemic recovery resilience.

In addition, no urgent reforms have been undertaken in real estate as seen in services, investment improvement, and investment disbursement, along with cooperation among localities, reported VOV.

Photo: VGP

However, he stated Vietnam is a country with great potential, and it should not be satisfied with the 5% projection while in fact it is likely to grow by 8%.

According to the report titled Firm Foundation of Growth, the East Asia and Pacific region is growing faster than the rest of the world, but slower than before the pandemic. While recovering global trade and easing financial conditions will support regional economies, increased protectionism and policy uncertainty will dampen growth.

The region is projected to expand by 4.6% this year, up from 4.4% last year. Growth in China is projected to moderate to 4.5% from 5.2% last year, as high debt, a weak property sector, and trade frictions weigh on the economy.

“The East Asia and Pacific region is making a strong contribution to world economic growth, even as it faces a more challenging and uncertain global environment, aging population and the impacts of climate change,” said World Bank East Asia and Pacific Vice-President Manuela V. Ferro. “Countries of the region can sustain their growth momentum by accelerating the opening of more activities to private sector investment, resolving financial sector challenges, and boosting productivity.”

The outlook is subject to downside risks, which include a greater than expected slowdown in the global economy, higher for longer interest rates in major economies, increased uncertainty around the world about economic policies, and an intensification of geopolitical tensions.

Vietnamese Party delegation pays working visit to Japan

Politburo member, permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Secretariat and Chairwoman of the CPV Central Committee’s Organisation Commission Truong Thi Mai is leading a high-level delegation on a working visit to Japan from March 31 to April 3.

The visit is taking place at a time when the Vietnam - Japan relations are growing fruitfully with the latest milestone being the upgrade of the ties to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World” last November.

The delegation held separate meetings with Vice President of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan Aso Taro and Secretary-General of the LDP Motegi Toshimitsu, and received Governor Shuhei Kishimoto of Wakayama prefecture.

At the meetings, Mai, who is also Chairwoman of the Vietnam – Japan Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group, affirmed Vietnam always treasures the comprehensive strategic partnership with Japan. She expressed her readiness to cooperate with the government, LDP, and various political parties and localities of Japan to deepen and enhance the bilateral relationship in line with its new position and level.

To deepen the bilateral ties in the new phase, the Party official proposed both sides, especially the CPV and LDP, leverage the roles of the ruling parties in concretizing common high-level perceptions and important contents stated in the joint statement on the upgrade of the bilateral relations.

It is also necessary to strengthen the bilateral political relationship through high-level leaders' visits and meetings through party, state, government, parliamentary, and people-to-people channels, while promoting economic cooperation and locality-to-locality exchanges, she noted.

Mai also expressed her wish that Japan would continue to pay attention to and create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community living and working in the country, cited VNA.

Politburo member, permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Secretariat and Chairwoman of the CPV Central Committee’s Organisation Commission Truong Thi Mai (L) at her talks with Secretary-General of ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Japan Motegi Toshimitsu (Photo: VNA)

For their parts, the leaders of the LDP and Wakayama prefecture highly appreciated Mai's proposals. They said Japan always attaches importance to the bilateral ties, considers Vietnam an important comprehensive strategic partner in the region, and is ready to work with the Vietnamese Party and State to enhance the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation across various fields.

They said the LDP is willing to promote its friendship with the CPV, as well as to support Japan's continued collaboration with Vietnam in industrialisation, modernisation, economic connectivity and cooperation in sustainable development-oriented areas and international issues.

The leaders said they back the two countries’ localities and people-to-people organizations to increase exchanges, enhance mutual understanding and consolidate the Vietnam-Japan friendship foundation.

The Vietnamese delegation also met CPV officials and members and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy. Mai acknowledged their positive contributions and suggested them further contribute to strengthening and promoting the two nations’ comprehensive strategic partnership for sustainable development, for the interests of their people, and for peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

Australia helps Vietnam monitor, protect coral reefs

The Institute of Oceanography, in collaboration with the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, on April 1 organized training on technology transfer and improvement of monitoring capacity over coral reefs in Vietnam.

Specifically, Australia will support the use of world-class ReefScan technology (a blockchain discovery tool) to help Vietnam monitor and protect coral reefs against the impacts of climate change. This is a program announced by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in March and also reflected in the Joint Statement on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of the two countries.

Australian Ambassador Andrew Goledzinowski presented ReefScan devices to the Institute of Oceanography at the start of the training session to use the monitoring devices on Monday in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province. Photo: VNS

This year, Australia will have three training activities to transfer this technology to Vietnam, at the Institute of Oceanography in Khanh Hoa Province, the Nui Chua Marine Reserve in Ninh Thuan Province and the Cu Lao Cham Marine Reserve in Quảng Nam Province in the central region in July and August.

As a result, about 20 scientists and managers will be trained on how to use ReefScan and ReefCloud, cited VNS.

Australian Ambassador Andrew Goledzinowski presented ReefScan devices to the Institute of Oceanography.

ReefScan is a modular suite of automated marine monitoring systems that translate field data into comprehensive information about the state and health of critical marine ecosystems such as coral reefs.

Meanwhile, ReefCloud is a digital tool that uses machine learning and advanced analysis to rapidly extract and share data from images of coral reefs anywhere in the world.

Vietnam News Today (Mar 30): Vietnam - Great Market For Canadian Businesses Vietnam News Today (Mar 30): Vietnam sees record number of foreign arrivals in Q1; Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia hold joint firefighting, search, rescue exercise; Vietnam - ...

Vietnam News Today (Mar 31): Vietnam, Canada to Collaborate For Transition to Net-zero Emissions Economy Vietnam News Today (Mar 31): Vietnam and Poland strengthen sci-tech research cooperation; Vietnam, Canada to collaborate for transition to net-zero emissions economy; Vietnam, Japan promote ...

Vietnam News Today (Apr. 1): HCM City Becomes Member of UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities Vietnam News Today (Apr. 1): Vietnam-Russia roundtable conference on language in diplomatic activities held; Vietnam celebrates “International Day of Zero Waste”; HCM City becomes a ...