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NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man (R) and President of the Australian Senate Sue Lines at a meeting in Hanoi on July, 24, 2024. (Photo: VNA)

Australian Senate President’s visit to deepen ties between legislatures: official

The visit to Vietnam from August 24-30 by President of the Australian Senate Sue Lines is of important significance, contributing to a deeper and more practical relationship between the two legislative bodies and making it a key pillar in the Vietnam-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership, said Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Committee for Foreign Affairs Le Thu Ha.

Talking with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporter, Ha said it will be the first official visit to Vietnam by the Senate President at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man.

The visit demonstrates Australia's interest and commitment to its relationship with Vietnam and affirms its desire to strengthen ties between the Vietnamese NA and the Australian Parliament. It also concretises the cooperation agreement between the two legislatures in the new phase, with broader contents aimed at increasing practical and effective collaboration, she said.

Regarding the Senate President's agenda, Ha said Lines will hold talks with NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man, meet with Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chinh, and pay a courtesy call to Party General Secretary and President To Lam. She will also attend the Vietnam-Australia Forum to be co-organised by the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, and pay working trips to the northern provinces of Ninh Binh and Bac Ninh, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Through the visit, she believed that both sides will continue to effectively implement existing cooperation mechanisms and enhance coordination across all areas. The focus will be placed on greater political and diplomatic trust; more comprehensive, practical and effective economic, trade and investment cooperation; stronger collaboration in sci-tech, innovation, digital transformation and green transition; more profound links in culture, education-training, environment, and climate change response; broader and more sincere people-to-people exchanges and connections between generations; and enhanced understanding and sharing of national defense-security issues, cited VNA.

Through parliamentary diplomacy, a cooperation agreement signed between the Vietnamese NA and the Australian Parliament will elevate and deepen their relationship, making it a key pillar in the overall bilateral relationship between the two countries, Ha said.

Reflecting on the strides made in the bilateral ties since the establishment of diplomatic relations on February 26, 1973, Ha highlighted the robust exchange of delegations at all levels, as well as significant cooperation in economy-trade, national defense-security, agriculture, education, labor, and people-to-people exchanges.

Looking ahead, the official sees ample potential for collaboration in emerging areas such as climate change response, digital transformation, and energy transition.

Party General Secretary, President meets with outstanding overseas Vietnamese

Party General Secretary and President To Lam received 60 outstanding overseas Vietnamese (OV) out of more than 400 from 42 countries and territories attending the 4th World Conference of Overseas Vietnamese and the 2024 forum of OV intellectuals and experts in Hanoi on August 23.

The OVs expressed their honor to meet the top leader, saying that the meeting demonstrates the attention of the Party, the State and the General Secretary and President personally to overseas Vietnamese. On this occasion, they raised their opinions, assessments, comments, recommendations and proposals on a number of OV-related issues, according to VNA.

Reporting to the General Secretary and President about the congress, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son affirmed that OV associations always receive special attention and affection from the Party and State leaders, ministries, sectors, localities and people at home as well as OV communities in countries.

Their policy recommendations have been recognised by domestic authorities, translated into policies and legal regulations and appreciated by the people, Son said.

Warmly welcoming the OV delegates, Party General Secretary and President Lam emphasized that for the country and the Vietnamese people, the OV community is always an inseparable part.

Informing the delegates about the country’s current situation, the leader said that after nearly 40 years of renovation, the country has achieved great results. Vietnam has become a world leading food exporter. It is now the 40th largest economy globally, with import and export turnover in the top 20. The country's role and position are increasingly consolidated.

Party General Secretary and President To Lam meets with overseas Vietnamese in Hanoi on August 23. (Photo: VNA)

"These achievements were made partly thanks to the valuable contributions of overseas Vietnamese," Lam noted.

Remittances and investments of OVs have contributed significantly to promoting production, business and socio-economic development, and improving the lives of people in the country, he said, adding many OV experts and intellectuals have made important contributions to training high-quality human resources for and transferring technology to Vietnam.

The leaders also acknowledged and appreciated the wholehearted and valuable advice and consultations of OVs on high-tech development, green and sustainable development, preserving and promoting Vietnamese culture, language, and upholding the great national unity at this year's conference.

He also said the overseas Vietnamese community also made very important contributions to the successes of Vietnam’s people-to-people diplomacy in the renovation process.

Through cultural and religious exchange activities, OVs have been contributing to preserving and promoting national cultural values, building the image of a beautiful and hospitable Vietnam, and enhancing the position and prestige of the country in the international arena.

He called on OV experts, intellectuals, scientists, and those who can gain fast access to modern technology and advanced knowledge to continue to contribute to the homeland’s construction and development.

The leader expected that OVs will not only return home to invest but also serve as a bridge to bring Vietnamese goods and brands to the world; promote Vietnam's cultural identity and fine traditions to international friends.

Vietnam posts US$15.5 billion trade surplus by mid-August

Vietnam recorded a trade surplus of US$15.5 billion in a period from January 1 to August 15, according to the General Department of Customs.

Throughout the reviewed period the country’s total trade fetched US$473.33 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 16.9%.

Of the total, export turnover stood at US$244.41 billion, rising by 16% over the same period last year, VOV reported.

Photo: VOV

Among staples posting strong export turnover were computers and components, up 28.9%; machinery, equipment, and parts, up 21.3%; telephones and components, up 11.1%; and wood and wooden products, up 23.2%.

Meanwhile, import turnover of goods was estimated at US$228.92 billion, marking an 18% yearly increase.

Major items which enjoyed strong growth in import value were computers, electronic products, and components, up 28.2%; machinery, equipment, tools, and spare parts, up 16.5%; and iron and steel, up 22.5% year on year.

Vietnam encourages women’s stronger role in ASEAN affairs

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, while addressing the Third ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit in Vientiane on August 22, underscored the importance of encouraging women to get much involved in society to eliminate social prejudice against women and promote gender equality.

In his speech, Chinh highlighted women’s role in various spheres of society, suggesting that ASEAN countries increase awareness and thinking about women’s role, and introduce policies to encourage their equal participation in all fields, where women are not only empowered but also fully equipped with skills and knowledge to effectively contribute to the care and self-reliant economy of ASEAN.

It’s imperative to strengthen innovation, improve infrastructure, build a system of public health care and health services that are high quality, accessible and affordable, especially in poor, remote and isolated areas, he said while attending the hybrid summit from Hanoi.

He called on ASEAN countries to continue to improve institutions and policies, and integrate women-related affairs into socio-economic development plans, to promote gender equality while adapting to rapid population aging as well as climate change, cited VOV.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addresses the Third ASEAN Women Leaders' Summit in Laos on August 23. (Photo: VGP)

The Vietnamese PM stressed the need to increase investment in human resource training and vocational training for workers. He said ASEAN countries should increase the mobilization of resources from the whole society by attracting private investment and considering private investment as an important factor in efforts to develop the care economy.

He also proposed that ASEAN countries strengthen cooperation to protect the legitimate rights and interests of workers, and prevent abuse, exploitation, discrimination and illegal activities, as well as transnational crimes such as cross-border human trafficking.

Taking the floor in Vientiane, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thi Ha, briefed the summit about the actual state of the care economy in Vietnam, challenges of social prejudice against women’s role, limitations in care service providers, especially in rural and remote areas, and limitations in social security coverage for care workers, leading to gender and income inequality.

She also proposed recommendations to spur the development of the care economy and enhance the role of women in society.

Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone highly appreciated Vietnam’s proposals and sharing at the summit. By the way, he respectfully invited Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to visit Laos and attend the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related meeting in Vientiane this October.

Vietnam to host UNESCO conference on geoparks in Asia-Pacific region

The 8th International Conference of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network for the Asia-Pacific Region will take place from September 5 to 17 in the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc told reporters on August 22 that under the theme: "Local Communities and Sustainable Development in Geopark Region", the conference targets to share and exchange experiences, effective models, and useful solutions in the development and management of geoparks according to UNESCO's standard among members of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network in the Asia-Pacific region.

The event aims to raise awareness and responsibility among all levels of government, sectors, and the public in preserving and promoting various types of heritage in favor of sustainable tourism development, VGP reported.

Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark, Cao Bang province, northern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Voice of Viet Nam.

As scheduled, the administration of Cao Bang will host a wide range of activities during the conference, including sessions of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council and the 20th anniversary celebration of the Global Geoparks Network.

Cooperative agreements among geoparks in the global UNESCO network of the Asia-Pacific region are expected to be signed during the conference.

Non Nuoc Cao Bang in the northern province of Cao Bang was recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2018. With a highland tropical monsoon climate and two distinct wet and dry seasons, the geopark boasts a rich biodiversity. It covers nearly 3,700sq.km and is home to nine ethnic minority groups, including the Tay, Nung, Mong, Dao, and San Chay people.

Vietnam is currently home to three geoparks, namely Dong Van Karst Plateau in Ha Giang province and Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark in Cao Bang province, both in the north of Vietnam, and Dak Nong Geopark in the Central Highlands province of the same name.

These geoparks received official recognition by UNESCO in 2010, 2018, and 2020, respectively.

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