Assoc. Prof. Bilveer Singh from the National University of Singapore. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Singapore boast special relations: experts

Relations between Vietnam and Singapore are special, and the two sides have ironed out differences to seek similarities and work towards the future, some Singapore-based experts have said.

In a recent interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (August 1, 1973 - 2023) and 10 years since the establishment of the strategic partnership, Assoc. Prof. Simon Tay, Chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA), held that the two countries have obtained much progress in their relations, turning from confrontation to extensive and strong cooperation.

Their strategic partnership still has much potential to grow, he said, noting that there are plenty of new areas in which they can enhance cooperation such as business partnerships, between not only their major State-owned enterprises but also private firms. Both sides can also explore cooperation opportunities in the fields of environment, sustainable development and, especially, digital economy.

Speaking highly of the countries’ strong cooperation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Tay said Vietnam is an important factor of the bloc. Each ASEAN member has its own interests and concerns but shares common benefits from regional economic integration, which is also a priority of Singapore.

Stronger cooperation between Singapore and Vietnam within the ASEAN framework is necessary for further promoting intra-bloc solidarity, the expert opined.

Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Bilveer Singh from the National University of Singapore perceived that Vietnam and Singapore are unique countries in Southeast Asia and ASEAN. Despite ups and downs in their relations, they have found similarities, cited VNA.

For Singapore, Vietnam is a “gold mine” with numerous opportunities while for Vietnam, Singapore is clearly a partner of potential win-win cooperation. Bilateral ties have been developing well, but much potential remain untapped, according to him.

Singh said green economy is a field Singapore is working towards, and it is encouraging that the two countries signed a cooperation deal on this area during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to this city state in February 2023.

The greening of bilateral relations across the board, including connections between the countries’ people, agencies, sectors, and governments, is a completely right direction for the sake of both peoples, he went on.

He noted that in the long term, the Vietnam - Singapore strategic partnership should be further reinforced, and with the existing political trust, their relations will only get better.

If the two sides step up collaboration in the defence industry, including sharing more defence information and technology, that will be an important sign of mutual trust under their strategic partnership, the expert said.

Amid international and regional uncertainties, the challenges ahead will help Singapore and Vietnam work together more closely as benefits from collaboration and cooperation are obvious, Singh noted, expressing his delight that both sides have had many complementarities and much cooperation and created what have been seen in bilateral ties today.

Vietnam hands over remains of MIA serviceman to US

A ceremony was held at Da Nang International Airport on July 29 to repatriate the remains thought to be associated with a US service member missing in action (MIA) during the war in Vietnam.

The event was attended by representatives of the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP), the US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper, and other relevant agencies.

The ceremony, the 162nd of its kind, saw representatives of the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons hand over the remains to the US side.

The remains were found during the 151st joint field activity from recovery operations, which took place from May to July, according to VOV.

The US repatriates the remains of a US serviceman missing in action during the war in Vietnam.

Vietnamese forensic specialists examined the remains and determined that they might belong to a US service member missing in action from the war in Vietnam. The remains are set to be transferred to Hawaii in the US for further verification.

The joint humanitarian effort intent is to locate and identify US service members who went missing during the war in Vietnam. These sustained efforts have been implemented for 35 years by the two governments since the late 1980s. To date, more than 730 US service members missing in action have been identified.

Vietnam Summit in Japan 2023 to be held in October

The Vietnam Summit in Japan 2023 gathering experts in all fields from the two countries is set to be held on October 15 in Tokyo, as part of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan.

It is hoped to offer a venue for not only experts but also businesspeople from both countries to meet and exchange knowledge and ideas as well as learn about new trends in the world today, organisers said at a recent press conference.

An overview of the press conference. (Photo: VNA)

With the goal of acting as a bridge connecting Vietnam and Japan in terms of culture, science and economy, the forum will cover diverse topics such as technology, science, education, economics, culture and society, they added.

Addressing the press conference, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu expressed his belief that the summit will contribute to promoting a friendly and sustainable relationship between the two countries, reported VNA.

The event is an important effort in building a sustainable partnership between Vietnam and Japan, reflecting the commitment to strengthen cooperation in many important areas, he said.

Vietnamese firms invest over US$320 million abroad in seven months

Vietnamese enterprises invested a total of US$320.6 million abroad, including newly and adjusted capital, during the opening seven months of the year, representing a drop of 10.6% year on year, according to the General Statistics Office.

Of the figure, US$149.2 million was poured into 69 new projects, marking a drop of 52.5% year on year, while US$171.4 million was added to 17 existing projects, up 3.8 times compared to the same period last year.

The majority of overseas investment was injected into wholesale and retail services, repair of automobiles, motorcycles, motorbikes, and other motor vehicles (at US$148.6 million), followed by information and communication (US$109.3 million), and the agro-forestry fishery sector (US$15.7 million), cited VOV.

Photo: VOV

Canada represented the largest recipient of Vietnamese investment among 22 countries and territories around the world at US$150.2 million, accounting for 46.9% of total investment capital.

Singapore ranked second with US$109.3 million, trailed by Laos with US$26.3 million, Cuba with US$11.8 million, and Israel with US$6.1 million.

Many challenges to be solved in using VNeID for domestic flights

The Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) has just submitted a report detailing challenges arising during the trial of using the e-identification app VNeID for domestic air travel.

The pilot programme allows users with eID accounts at level-2, which means their information has been verified by authorities, to use the app for security checks for domestic flights.

However, the CAAV reported that several airports in mountainous areas or on islands have unstable connections, which is an obstacle to using VNeID.

Meanwhile, most passengers use the same device for the e-identification app and for storing their online check-in code, which proves inconvenient for security officers to cross-check information.

A domestic air passenger uses mobile devices for security check at Nội Bài International Airport in Hanoii in June. Photo: vietnamnet.vn

In addition to this, details of a person’s ID also appear in a small font size in the app, particularly on devices with smaller screens.

Elderly passengers also have a difficult time figuring out the app.

According to a report by the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) and Vân Đồn International Airport, on average, 0.64 per cent of air passengers use VNeID for domestic flights.

It takes approximately 20 seconds for security officers to directly check their information. If a person’s data needs further inspection through QR code scanning, this figure is 24 seconds on average.

A passenger using traditional papers usually passes through direct security checks in around six seconds, cited VNS.

The CAAV has requested proactive solutions to address these shortcomings.

The administration also proposed that an official document be sent to the Committee for Management of State Capital at Enterprises, which will then direct the ACV to implement equipment procurement procedures to solve the challenges outlined in the CAAV’s report.

This pilot programme is expected to run from June 1 to August 1 this year, per the approval of the transport ministry.

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