Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (C) and Senate Speaker Beatriz Argimon Cedeira.(R) and House Speaker Sebastian Andujar (L) of Uruguay pose for a photo ahead of their talks in Montevideo on April 27. (local time)

Vietnam and Uruguay to set role model in South-South cooperation

Vietnam wishes to promote comprehensive cooperation with Uruguay in all fields and through all channels, to make their cooperation relationship a model in the South-South cooperation framework.

Vuong Dinh Hue, chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam, was speaking during his talks in Montevideo on April 27 (local time) with Senate Speaker Beatriz Argimon Cedeira.and House Speaker Sebastian Andujar of Uruguay.

He said his visit shows Vietnam attaches importance to strengthening ties with traditional friends in Latin America, including Uruguay.

The two Uruguayan speakers for their part hailed Vietnam’s increasing role internationally and said Uruguayan politicians regardless of their political factions want to develop relations with Vietnam.

They viewed Vietnam as one of the dynamic developing countries, with an important role and position in the Asia-Pacific region as well as in the world, and said that cooperation with Vietnam is a great opportunity for Uruguay’s regional and international integration process.

They stressed the opening the Embassy of Uruguay in Hanoi in 2011 demonstrates the country’s efforts in strengthening bilateral cooperation towards long-term relations with Vietnam.

As a member of the South American Common Market (Mercosur), Uruguay wants the grouping to continue to expand multilateral and inter-regional cooperation, including with Southeast Asia and Vietnam, they said.

Vuong Dinh Hue, chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam, was speaking during his talks in Montevideo on April 27 (local time) with Senate Speaker Beatriz Argimon Cedeira.and House Speaker Sebastian Andujar of Uruguay.

He said his visit shows Vietnam attaches importance to strengthening ties with traditional friends in Latin America, including Uruguay.

The two Uruguayan speakers for their part hailed Vietnam’s increasing role internationally, and said Uruguayan politicians regardless of their political factions want to develop relations with Vietnam.

They viewed Vietnam as one of the dynamic developing countries, with an important role and position in the Asia-Pacific region as well as in the world, and said that cooperation with Vietnam is a great opportunity for Uruguay’s regional and international integration process, cited VOV.

They stressed the opening the Embassy of Uruguay in Hanoi in 2011 demonstrates the country’s efforts in strengthening bilateral cooperation towards long-term relations with Vietnam.

As a member of the South American Common Market (Mercosur), Uruguay wants the grouping to continue to expand multilateral and inter-regional cooperation, including with Southeast Asia and Vietnam, they said.

With regard to parliamentary cooperation, Argimon and Andujar emphasized that the signing of a cooperation document between the two legislatures during Hue’s current visit shows the desire of Uruguay’s bicameral parliament as well as political factions to strengthen cooperation relations between the two countries, as well as between the two legislatures.

They expressed hope that the two sides would effectively implement this cooperation agreement, contributing to enhancing political trust and mutual understanding, as well as the sustainable cooperative relationship between Uruguay and Vietnam.

Both hosts and guest agreed that the two sides will continue to increase visit exchanges between their parliamentary committees and friendship parliamentary groups to share experiences in legislation, supervision and decision-making. They vowed to ramp up coordination at multilateral parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and support each other’s positions on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

On this occasion, Hue cordially invited the two speakers of the bicameral parliament to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time. He also said he expects to welcome a delegation of young Uruguayan parliamentarians to the ninth Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians to be hosted by the National Assembly of Vietnam this September.

HCM City reactivates campaign to protect high-risk groups against COVID-19

Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Health has reactivated the campaign to protect people of high-risk groups against the COVID-19 pandemic, including those aged over 50, those with underlying diseases and pregnant women, Deputy Director of the city’s Centre for Disease Control (CDC) Le Hong Nga said on April 27.

Nga said that since the beginning of April, the number of new COVID-19 cases in Ho Chi Minh City has surged, especially from April 14, resulting in a rise in the number of hospitalized patients.

The municipal Department of Health will request the People's Committees of wards and communes to review and make a list of people belonging to the groups in their localities to ensure all are fully vaccinated with four doses, according to VNA.

Supervising COVID-19 patient quarantine and treatment at Cho Ray Hospital (Photo: VNA)

To prevent the spread of the pandemic, the CDC also recommended each citizen, in addition to being fully vaccinated, must also consciously take preventive measures such as washing hands regularly, wearing face masks, keeping distance, and avoid mass gatherings, especially on holidays and festivals.

In face of a risk of the COVID-19 outbreak after the national holidays of Hung Kings Commemoration Day, National Reunification and May Day from April 29 to May 3, the municipal People’s Committee recently sent a dispatch requiring leaders of departments, sectors and localities to direct the strengthening of prevention and control measures during the five-day holiday.

The department will maintain vaccination throughout the holidays.

The Hospital for Tropical Diseases and assigned hospitals were asked to prepare personnel, and medical equipment and supplies to operate a hospital for COVID-19 treatment within 24 hours after it is activated.

UK keen to work closely with Vietnam on renewable energy: Ambassador

The UK stands ready to provide financial and equipment support for to fulfill its commitments made at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) and looks forward to working closely with the country on renewable energy which is also the UK’s strengths, said UK Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew.

Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong hosted a reception on April 28 in Hanoi for Ambassador Frew, during which he expressed great appreciation for the diplomat’s efforts to launch a broad array of activities to promote joint relations, despite only just receiving his assignment in Vietnam.

The Vietnamese State leader outlined his belief that during his term, the Ambassador will continue to make important contributions to the effective and practical development of the two countries' relations.

The State President said that, at the invitation of the British Royal Family, the President will attend the coronation ceremony of King Charles III in the UK. King Charles III is a noble symbol of the UK, serving as its Head of State, whilst he is also an active supporter of the Vietnam - UK Strategic Partnership.

He said he hopes that the visit would contribute to strengthening the favourable political foundation for promoting all-around co-operation between the two sides.

The Vietnamese State leader expressed his pleasure at the strong development of the joint strategic partnership in many fields, suggesting that the two sides take advantage of the UK – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) to step up trade and investment ties, thereby contributing to speeding up post-pandemic economic recovery.

Vietnam highly values the UK’s role as one of the world's leading countries in researching and developing solutions aimed at preventing and combating the COVID-19 pandemic, he stressed.

He requested that the diplomat encourage British businesses to pour more investment into the Vietnamese market, especially in green growth, digital transformation, innovation, education – training, and health care, VOV reported.

President Vo Van Thuong (R) hosts UK Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew (Photo: VNA)

President Thuong informed the diplomat that he will attend King Charles III’s coronation in the UK at the invitation of the British Royal Family, hoping that his trip will contribute to enhancing the favourable political foundation for boosting multifaceted ties between the two nations.

For his part, Ambassador Frew highlighted the flourishing development of the bilateral relations, saying that he believes the two countries will continue to record more comprehensive achievements in their relations in the future, especially in economics, trade, climate change response, and education.

The diplomat suggested the two sides further boost links in defence and security, stating that his country aspires to make contributions to Vietnamese socio-economic development, thereby promoting peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

Ambassador Frew also thanked Vietnam for supporting the UK in the negotiation process to join the CPTPP, saying that this marks an important step for the European nation in terms of engaging more deeply in the Pacific economic region, as well as fostering ties with Vietnam in all fields, especially lifting two-way trade between the two countries.

The UK stands ready to provide financial and equipment support for the Vietnamese side to realise its commitments at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in the UK, he affirmed, showing hope at the prospect of ramping up ties with the nation in renewable energy development, one of the UK’s strength.

He also expressed his joy that President Thuong will attend King Charles III’s coronation, saying that the event is especially meaningful in the context that the two countries celebrate the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2023.

The Embassy and Vietnamese diplomatic agencies are working together to launch a broad array of activities aimed at celebrating the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, he added.

Quang Ninh welcomes nearly 6 million tourist arrivals in four months

The northeastern province of Quang Ninh attracted 5.59 million tourist arrivals in the first four months of this year, double the figure of the same period last year, according to the provincial Department of Tourism.

In April alone, the number of visitors to Quang Ninh is estimated at 1.1 million. For the past few weeks, the number of visitors to the province has been increasing.

It is forecasted that during the five-day holidays from April 29 to May 3, the province will welcome about 430,000 visitors with 196,000 being expected to stay at local accommodations. Quang Ninh expects to rake in 939 billion VND (40 million USD) in tourism revenue during the holidays, cited VNA.

Tourists visit a cave in Ha Long Bay in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh. (Photo: VNA)

The province planned to offer 38 new tourism products this year. Visitors to Ha Long City can enjoy eight new tourism products including "Night Cruise Street", sports tourism, sailing and music on Ha Long Bay, or walking along the night and pedestrian street around Long Tien Pagoda area in Ha Long City, and climbing Bai Tho mountain.

The province also expects to receive 12 million visitors from southwestern localities after a new air route between the province and the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho was officially launched on April 25. Especially, during the Hung Kings Commemoration Day (April 29), Reunification Day (April 30), and May Day (May 1), Quang Ninh will organise a series of cultural and sports activities, for example, the Ha Long Carnaval festival on May 1 evening, the Tran Quoc Nghien Temple (Duc Ong Temple) Festival, the Culture and Sports Festival of the ethnic minorities in Binh Lieu district.

In 2023, Quang Ninh strives to become a "can't-miss" destination in Vietnam. It aims to attract 15 million visitors, exceeding 500,000 visitors compared to 2019 before the outbreaks of the COVID-19 pandemic.

HCMC to close inner-city streets for Reunification Day celebration

Many inner-city streets will be closed to traffic on the evenings of April 28 and 30 to make room for the city’s Reunification Day celebration, said the HCMC Department of Transport.

Vehicles will be banned from entering Nguyen Hue Boulevard, the section from Le Loi to Ton Duc Thang streets, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on April 28 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the “Outline of Vietnamese Culture” program.

The city will hold two 15-minute fireworks shows starting at 9 p.m. on April 30 at two locations: the Saigon River Tunnel area in Thu Duc City and Dam Sen Park in District 11.

For traffic safety during the celebrations, vehicles will be banned from entering Nguyen Hue pedestrian street, the section from Le Thanh Ton to Ton Duc Thang streets, between 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m, Saigon Times reported.

Road users should use the alternative route of Le Thanh Ton – Nam Ky Khoi Nghia – Nguyen Thai Binh – Calmette – Calmette Bridge – Doan Van Bo – Hoang Dieu to travel from District 1 to District 4 and the routes of Ton Duc Thang – Me Linh Square – Hai Ba Trung – Le Thanh Ton – Pasteur to travel from District 1 to District 3.

All types of vehicles are prohibited from entering certain roads in District 1 and District 4 from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on April 30, namely Nguyen Tat Thanh Street (from Hoang Dieu to Khanh Hoi Bridge), Ton Duc Thang Street (from Me Linh Square to Khanh Hoi Bridge), Dong Khoi Street (from Ngo Duc Ke to Ton Duc Thang), Hai Trieu Street (from Ho Tung Mau to Nguyen Hue) and Ham Nghi Street (from Ho Tung Mau to Ton Duc Thang).

Additionally, vehicles and pedestrians are also not allowed to enter Khanh Hoi Bridge and Ba Son Bridge.

The HCMC Department of Transport asked locals not to stop or park their vehicles on bridges and the Saigon River Tunnel area to watch the fireworks displays.

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