Czech PM Petr Fiala' makes an official visit to Vietnam from April 20-22 at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh.

Czech PM Fiala wraps up visit to Vietnam

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala left Hanoi on April 22 evening, concluding his official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

During his stay from April 20-22, Fiala held talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh, paid a courtesy visit to President Vo Van Thuong, and witnessed the signing of cooperation documents between the two countries.

Both sides affirmed their resolve to promote the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.

The two sides agreed to effectively implement the agreements reached during the visit to further increase bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, as well as education and training, cited VOV.

They consented to promote tourism and people-to-people exchanges, through the early opening of direct flights between the two countries and the opening of the Czech Cultural Center in Vietnam.

They vowed to raise bilateral trade turnover to US$1 billion in the next one or two years by fully and effectively implementing the EU – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), improving the efficiency of the joint committee on economic cooperation, encouraging Czech businesses to invest in Vietnam, and facilitating the accessibility of Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products in the Czech market.

The two sides agreed to to closely coordinate and support each other at multilateral forums and international organizations, especially at the United Nations, Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and the ASEAN-EU cooperation framework to contribute to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the rest of the world.

Exchanging views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, including the East Sea issue, the two sides emphasized the need to settle disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Fiala attended the Czech – Vietnam business forum in Hanoi and made a fact-finding tour of the Skoda Auto assembly plant, a joint venture project between Skoda Auto, the leading carmaker of the Czech Republic, and TC Group of Vietnam in Quang Ninh province.

Vietnam-ASEAN economic cooperation forum underway in Malaysia

The Asia Business Centre and Vietnam-Malaysia Business Association (VMBIZ) co-organised a Vietnam-ASEAN economic cooperation forum and a ceremony awarding strong brands, outstanding leaders, and quality services and products of ASEAN in Malaysia on April 22.

At the event, 15 products and services, 20 businessmen, and more than 80 enterprises were honoured. Vietnamese firms named among strong ASEAN brands included L.Q Joton Joint Stock Company; Nam A Commercial Joint Stock Bank; Viet Tiep Crystal Company Limited; Phuong Dong General Hospital; and EDH Technology Development JSC, to name just a few, according to VNA.

Le Gia Kien (first from right), Counselor at the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia, presents certificates recognising strong ASEAN brands to their winners at the ceremony. (Photo: VNA)

Addressing the forum, Andrew Goh Boon Kim, Vice-Chairman of the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) under the country’s National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCIM), recommended Vietnamese and Malaysian companies capitalise on their strategic advantages to expand their reach and strengthen their position in the ASEAN region.

He pledged efforts to further promote economic collaboration between Malaysia and Vietnam, saying that cooperation between the two countries and in the ASEAN region will bring about common and long-term development.

Hambali Mukhlas, Chairman of the NCCIM International Business Committee, informed participating firms on Malaysia’ Halal certification. He also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the VNBIZ and Asia Business Centre on implementing the issuance of Halal certification in the Vietnamese market.

The forum and the award ceremony are held annually on a rotational basis in Southeast Asian countries, presenting an opportunity for Vietnamese and ASEAN businesses to exchange, cooperate, connect, and develop together.

Vietnam to tighten aviation security during national holidays

The Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam has decided to increase security to Level 1 at five airports during the upcoming national holidays.

Specifically, security will be tightened at five airports including Noi Bai, Da Nang, Tan Son Nhat, Phu Quoc and Cam Ranh from April 29 to May 5.

Level-1 is applied when the country has significant socio-political events or faces complex developments in social order and political security, VGP reported.

Aviation security control to be tightened during national holidays. Illustration photo

Level 2 is applied when there is intelligence information about a plot to illegally interfere in civil aviation activities with unidentified place, target and time.

Level 3 is imposed when there is verified information about an illegal interference plot in civil aviation activities with specific places, targets and time.

In 2023, the anniversary of Hung Kings – the founders of the nation falls on April 29, 2023 and it will be followed by the Victory Day on April 30 and Labor Day on May 1. Civil servants and officials are entitled take five days off from April 29, until the end of May 3.

Top Vietnamese legislator receives Santiago de Cuba leadership

Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Vuong Dinh Hue visited Santiago de Cuba, the second largest city of Cuba, on April 22 (local time) as part of his official visit to Cuba.

He received Secretary of the Party Committee of Santiago de Cuba province José Ramón Monteagudo Ruíz and the province’s Governor Beatriz Jhonson Urrutia.

An overview of the meeting between top Vietnamese legislator Vuong Dinh Hue and the leadership of Santiago de Cuba. (Photo: VNA)

He briefed them on the results of his talks and working sessions in Havana and affirmed that the legislature and government of Vietnam would create the best possible conditions for localities of the two countries to learn from each other and share experience in various fields such as health care, education, tourism, services, food production and renewable energy.

The leaders of Santiago de Cuba warmly welcomed Hue and his entourage to the province and said their visit that coincides with major anniversaries of both countries has brought warm feelings and exemplary faith despite global changes.

They introduced local history, culture, potential and strengths to the Vietnamese guests, and expressed hope that more Vietnamese firms would explore investment and business opportunities in the province, cited VOV.

After the meeting, Hue witnessed the signing of a cooperation document between Vietnam’s Quang Binh province and Santiago de Cuba. The Quang Binh provincial administration also presented a token of gift worth US$50,000 to Santiago de Cuba.

Hue is leading a high-ranking delegation of the National Assembly on an official visit to Cuba. The visit takes place at a time when both countries are celebrating 60 years of Cuba's establishment of the Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam, and 50 years of Cuban leader Fidel Castro Ruz's first visit to Vietnam.

Vietnam making thorough preparation for AFC U17 Asian Cup finals

Freshly wrapping off their first training session of 16 days, Vietnamese U17 players are about to embark on a carefully designed plan in preparation for the 2023 AFC U17 Asian Cup, which will take place from June 15 to July 2 in Thailand.

According to the Vietnam Football Federation, the team and their coach, Hoang Anh Tuan, will gather in Hanoi on May 3 for a training session lasting about two weeks in the northern province of Phu Tho. Then they will go to Qatar for further training from May 19 - 22, during which the squad is set to have a friendly match with the host nation’s U17 team on May 21.

The Vietnamese players will continue getting their skills sharpened in Japan from May 22 to June 6 through various friendly matches with local football clubs, cited VNA.

Vietnamese U17 players (Photo: vff.org.vn)

Following the trip to Japan, they will come back home for a final training session in Vung Tau city in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau before heading to Thailand for the tournament.

Topping Group F of the qualifiers, Vietnam are in Group D of the finals together with strong rivals – defending champions Japan, India and Uzbekistan. The finals will take place from June 15 to July 2.

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