Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister cum Minister of the Interior Krolahom Sar Kheng co-chair the 12th conference on cooperation and development of border localities between Vietnam and Cambodia in Tay Ninh province on April 25. (Photo: VGP)

Vietnam and Cambodia vow to facilitate cross border cooperation

Relevant ministries, agencies and localities of Vietnam and Cambodia will continue to improve and develop appropriate legal frameworks and cooperation mechanisms in order to create favourable conditions for cooperation between the two countries’ border localities.

The agreement was reached at the 12th conference on cooperation and development of border localities between Vietnam and Cambodia held in Tay Ninh province on April 25. The conference was co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister cum Minister of the Interior Krolahom Sar Kheng.

The two sides reaffirmed the principle of not allowing any hostile force to use the territory of one country to harm the interests of the other. They vowed to work closely to effectively implement the signed documents relating to land border work, and popularize these documents to build a common border of peace, friendship, stability, cooperation and sustainable development.

They agreed to effectively develop the land border gate system between the two countries, including opening and upgrading the agreed border gate pairs, and promote investment in infrastructure and transport facilities connecting the two countries’ border areas and connecting the border gate area with the major economic hubs of each country, cited VOV.

The two sides showed resolve to maintain the growth of bilateral trade in general and border trade activities in particular, boost the effective implementation of the November 2022 Border Trade Agreement, and encourage their businesses to seek opportunities to jointly develop the Cambodia-Vietnam Special Economic Zone in Cambodian provinces bordering the two countries.

They encouraged their border localities to ramp up cooperation in the fields of transportation, agriculture, forestry and fishery, water resources and meteorology, energy, education, social affairs, culture and sports, tourism, health care, justice, information and communication, as well as increasing people-to-people exchanges.

At the event, the two Deputy PMs held that despite complicated developments regionally and globally, the two countries have reinforced cooperative relations in all fields and at all levels, including between their border localities.

The two sides have maintained regular high-level visits and effectively implemented important cooperation mechanisms, including the 20th meeting of the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Committee on economic, cultural, scientific and technological cooperation in March 2023.

Economic, trade and investment cooperation is a major pillar in bilateral relations. Two-way trade between the two countries has grown strongly, reaching more than US$10.57 billion last year, a year-on-year rise of nearly 11%. Vietnam is currently Cambodia’s third largest trading partner after China and the US and is Cambodia’s largest trading partner in ASEAN.

To date, Vietnam has 205 valid investment projects in Cambodia with a total registered capital of US$2.92 billion, ranking first in ASEAN and in the top five foreign investors in Cambodia.

Cooperation in other fields such as defence, security, energy, transport connectivity, agriculture, forestry and fishery, education and training, culture, information and tourism has increasingly been promoted.

Cooperation between border localities of the two countries has comprehensively been enhanced, yielding many positive results. The administrations and people of border provinces have regularly exchanged delegations, maintained cooperation channels, and supported each other in economic development, infrastructure construction, health care, education, and social security.

Relevant forces and local administrations of the two countries have joined hands to maintain security and order in the border area.

Vietnam seeks to foster relations with Czech Republic

A delegation from the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) led by Nguyen Trong Nghia, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of the committee’s Commission for Information and Education, paid a working visit to the Czech Republic from April 22-24.

During the visit, the delegation had a meeting with Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech parliament and Vice President of the ruling Civic Democratic Party (ODS) Jan Skopecek, President of ANO Party Andrej Babis, and First Vice President of the Czech Communist Party Petr Simunek.

At the meetings, Nghia underlined that the trip, which coincides with the Vietnam visit by Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, aims to further strengthen the traditional friendship and all-round cooperation between Vietnam and the Czech Republic, while fostering the ties between the CPV and political parties of the Czech Republic, and promoting people-to-people exchange.

It is also to express gratitude to the Government and people of Czechoslovakia in the past and the Czech Republic at present for giving Vietnam support and solidarity in the past struggle for independence and national reunification and the current national construction and defence, as well as the Czech Government’s recognition of the Vietnamese community as an ethnic minority group of the country.

Nguyen Trong Nghia, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of the committee’s Commission for Information and Education, speaks at a meeting with First Vice President of the Czech Communist Party Petr Simunek. (Photo: VNA)

Briefing the Czech side on Vietnam's socio-economic situation and national development strategy, Nghia proposed that Vietnam and the Czech Republic continue to reinforce exisiting cooperation mechanisms in culture, education and training, and promote the role of the Vietnamese community in strengthening the ties between the two countries and peoples.

He said that the relationship between the CPV and Czech political parties is an important foundation for the effective development of the bilateral relations in all fields.

Nghia thanked the Czech Republic for being the first European Union member to ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement, and suggested that Czech partners support orientations, viewpoints, development and external policies of Vietnam, and help spread Vietnam’s external messages to the Government, localities and people of the Czech Republic so that they get deeper understanding of the history, nation, culture, people, reform achievements and foreign policies of Vietnam, contributing to developing the Vietnam-Czech Republic relations in an extensive, substantial and effective manner.

The Czech officials said that the Czech Republic highly values Vietnam's role and position in the region and the world. They highlighted the long-standing historical relations between the two nations, and the Vietnamese community’s contributions to the prosperity of the host country, according to VNA.

They spoke highly of the Vietnamese Party and State’s orientations and the country’s achievements in socio-economic development, international integration, culture, education and science-technology. They affirmed that there are plenty of rooms for the two sides to further develop their partnership.

They shared Vietnam’s stance in upholding international law and settling disputes through peaceful negotiations to ensure peace and stability for development.

During their stay, the delegation also had a meeting with representatives of the Vietnamese Embassy, Vietnamese press agencies, Vietnam's defence attaché and the Vietnamese community in the country.

HCM City to activate COVID-19 treatment units amid infection rise

The Department of Health of Ho Chi Minh City, the most populous locality in Vietnam, has recently requested that its medical facilities ready plans for the acceptance and treatment of COVID-19 patients amid increases in the number of new cases.

All hospitals in the city were instructed to set up separate areas to admit and treat COVID-19 patients. Local health centres and medical facilities were required to prepare resources to timely and promptly to respond in the event that the COVID-19 pandemic worsens.

Photo: VOV

Hospitals were directed to take samples for SARS-CoV-2 detection by the RT-PCR method in order to make the most accurate diagnosis. For hospitalised cases, it is necessary to exploit their history of vaccination, underlying illnesses, and patient information to implement the most effective treatment measures possible.

When the number of severe cases treated at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases exceeds 50, field hospital No. 13 with 1,800 beds will be reactivated to respond to the worst case scenario.

As of April 25, the southern metropolis has recorded more than 200 new COVID-19 cases, with 57 patients requiring mechanical ventilation, VOV reported.

Notably, about 30% of hospitalised cases have not been vaccinated against the virus, and the majority of them are elderly and those suffering from underlying illnesses. Among them are eight children under 16 and five pregnant women.

Local scientists recently found many sub-variants of the SARS-nCov-2 mutated Omicron, including XBB. 1.5, XBB.1.9.1, XBB. 1.16 and XBB.1.16.1. Health professionals fear the number of fresh coronavirus cases would continue to rise in the coming time, especially during the upcoming five-day break to mark National Reunification Day on April 30 and International Labour Day on May 1.

Vietnamese culture popularised in Birmingham

A programme to popularise the Vietnamese culture was held in Birmingham on April 23 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United Kingdom.

The event attracted 150 students from Vietnam and other countries, as well as Vietnamese living in the locality, VNA reported.

An ao dai (Vietnamese traditional long dress)show at the event. (Photo: VNA)

Held as part of the Vietnam Days in the UK 2023 which is taking place from March 28 to April 27, it included a range of activities, including a photo exhibition on Vietnam-UK relations, art performances, folk games, and "Ao dai" (Vietnamese traditional long dress) show.

Pham Van Nam, head of the organising board of the programme, said the event contributes to promoting the relationship and solidarity between the two countries. It also aims to create a playground for Vietnamese students studying at universities in the central UK, as well as enhance the connection in the Vietnamese community.

According to Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long, as part of the Vietnam Days in the UK 2023, many more activities are planned in the city in April such as a meeting between the Vietnamese Ambassador and the Mayor of Birmingham and a seminar on trade between the two countries.

HCM City to host cultural events to celebrate Reunification Day

HCM City will host a series of cultural events to mark the Hung Kings Commemoration, the 48th anniversary of South Vietnam's liberation and Reunification Day (April 30), and International Labour Day (May 1).

The city will host the second Orchid Festival with the theme of “Dam Da Huong Sac” (Harmony between Fragrance and Flavour) at Tao Dan Park in District 1 from April 28 to May 2.

The festival will showcase more than 25,000 orchid varieties from gardeners, flower farmers and plant firms in HCM City and neighbouring provinces, cited VNS.

HCM City will host the second Orchid Festival at Tao Dan Park in District 1 to mark the Hung Kings Commemoration, the 48th anniversary of South Vietnam's liberation and Reunification Day (April 30), and International Labour Day (May 1). Photo: VNA

It will offer guidelines on how to grow and take care of orchids.

Nguyen Huu Hoai Phu, deputy director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the festival aims to introduce and promote the city’s orchid varieties and orchid farming to local and international visitors, as well as to honour orchid farmers.

In addition, the city will organise a special music gala at Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in District 1 from 8pm on April 28.

The show will present songs praising the country, its islands and seas, President Ho Chi Minh, and the city.

Many music and art performances will be also held to serve people and workers at industrial parks and export processing zones in districts 12, Binh Tan, Tan Phu, Binh Chanh, Hoc Mon, Cu Chi, Nha Be and Can Gio and Thu Duc City on April 30 and May 1.

Two photo exhibitions titled “Tu Hao Mot Dai Bien Cuong” (Pride in Our Country) and “Ngay Hoi Non Song Thong Nhat” (National Reunification Day) will be open to the public at Nguyen Hue and Dong Khoi Streets, and the Labour Culture Palace in District 1 from April 25 to May 6.

The city will also offer two firework displays at Thu Thiem Tunnel in Thu Duc City and Dam Sen Cultural Park in District 11 from 9-9.15 pm on April 30.

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