Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai (right) and Chairman of the House of Representatives' Committee on Ways and Means Jason Smith (Photo: daibieunhandan.vn)

Vietnam, US boost economic, trade relations

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai received a delegation of the US Congress led by Chairman of the House of Representatives' Committee on Ways and Means Jason Smith in Hanoi on August 4.

Vice Chairman Hai highlighted the visit's significance as the two countries are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership (2013-2023), contributing to promoting the elevation of the bilateral relations to a new height for peace, cooperation, and comprehensive and sustainable development.

He emphasized that the exchange of delegations at all levels between Vietnam's National Assembly and the US Senate and House of Representatives in the years has shown the strengthening of cooperation between the two countries on bilateral, regional and global levels.

Hai suggested that the two sides actively promote cooperation channels, and said that the National Assembly wishes to promote all-level exchanges and establish a cooperation mechanism between the legislatures commensurate with the two countries' ties, cited VNA.

For his part, Smith stated that, with the efforts of both sides, the relationship between the two countries is at a fine stage of development.

He spoke highly of Vietnam's achievements in socio-economic development in recent times, and noted that the two countries should continue to promote cooperation in the fields of economy and trade.

He expressed his desire to support Vietnam in global supply chains and the implementation of solutions in the field of agriculture through dialogue to ensure the highest benefits for the people of the two countries.

Vietnam is partner of strategic importance to Indonesia in Southeast Asia

Vietnam is a partner of strategic importance to Indonesia in Southeast Asia, Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Puan Maharani told visiting Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue during talks in Jakarta on August 4.

Maharani welcomed Hue’s visit which she said is taking place at a time when the two countries are celebrating 10 years of their Strategic Partnership (2013-2023), making an important contribution to the development of the traditional friendship and strategic partnership, including parliamentary cooperation, between the two countries.

Hue for his part congratulated the Indonesian House of Representatives on successfully organizing the G-20 Parliamentary Forum (P20), and expressed his belief that Indonesia would successfully assume the role of ASEAN Chair 2023 and AIPA Chair 2023.

Vietnam attaches great importance to the development of a strategic partnership with Indonesia based on the traditional friendship built and nurtured by late President Ho Chi Minh of Vietnam and President Soekarno of Indonesia, as well as generations of leaders and people of the two countries, he assured his host.

The two leaders agreed on major directions to further promote bilateral relations in the coming time, including celebrating 10 years of their Strategic Partnership this year and looking forward to 70 years of their diplomatic relations in 2025. Accordingly, the two sides will increase visit exchanges at all levels, people-to-people exchanges, parliamentary cooperation and cooperation between their localities.

The two sides agreed to strive to raise their two-way trade turnover to more than US$15 billion in the coming time and towards a more balanced direction. They vowed to facilitate trade, reduce trade barriers, promote the development of a new strategic supply chain, and take advantage of their potential and strengths, according to VOV.

Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (L) and Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Puan Maharani pose for a photo ahead of their talks in Jakarta on August 4.

Hue suggested that Indonesia open the market for Vietnamese agricultural products, especially Halal foods and fruits such as litchi and longan, while continuing to facilitate and encourage Vietnamese enterprises to operate in Indonesia.

The two sides consented to step up measures to create favourable conditions for businesses of the two countries to diversify fields of investment and business cooperation. They stressed the need to share experiences in legislative work, creating a legal corridor for the two countries to cooperate closely in the current global fields, especially in just energy transition and safe digital transformation.

The two leaders were also adamant that Vietnam and Indonesia would ramp up cooperation in other important fields, including culture, education, tourism, people-to-people exchanges; enhance connectivity through increased frequency of direct commercial flights; and open a direct air route from Hanoi to Jakarta.

The two sides also agreed to strengthen maritime and fisheries cooperation, and at the same time promote the settlement of issues related to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Exchanging views on regional and international issues in the context of complicated and unpredictable developments, both host and guest agreed to continue to strengthen consultation and close coordination between the two countries at regional and international forums, such as the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF).

They voiced their strong support for ASEAN’s solidarity and central role, as well as their positions on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of peace, stability, safety, security and freedom of navigation in the East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea). They emphasized the need to maintain the solidarity and common stance of ASEAN in the East Sea issue, promote the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and closely coordinate in effective and efficient negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the regional waters in accordance with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Hue respectfully invited Maharani to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time, and the invitation was accepted with pleasure.

On this occasion, Maharani said Indonesia would send a delegation to attend the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians to be hosted by the National Assembly of Vietnam in September 2023.

After the talks, the two leaders signed a memorandum ò understanding on cooperation between the two legislative bodies.

Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue is in Jakarta for an official visit to Indonesia where he is also scheduled to attend the 44th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA – 44).

Vietnamese, Cuban people promote friendship, solidarity

The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) on August 4 held a get-together to mark the 70th anniversary of the Moncada Barracks attack in Cuba (July 26, 1953-2023), which represents the solidarity and friendship between the people of the city and the people of Cuba.

Speaking at the event, Consul General of Cuba to the city Ariadne Feo Labrada thanked HUFO for organising a meaningful event as the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the visit by Leader Fidel Castro to the liberated zone in South Vietnam in Quang Tri.

Vietnamese and Cuban officials congratulate members of newly-established liaison committee of veterans of Battalion 261 - Giron in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA)

This event is proof of the friendship, solidarity, and pure internationalism between the two countries and the two peoples, she said, adding that 70 years ago, the attack on the Moncada Barracks by young Cuban patriots led Fidel Castro - the great leader of Cuba - opened up a new stage of development during the Cuban revolution as it subsequently brought the just struggle of the Cuban people to victory on January 1, 1959.

The diplomat said that over the years, Vietnam and Cuba have demonstrated a close brotherhood and solidarity, fostered by leaders, especially sincere support in various fields, especially people-to-people exchanges. The Cuban people appreciate the opportunities for cultural exchange and friendship with the Vietnamese people and always thank Vietnam for standing side-by-side and supporting Cuba wholeheartedly during difficult times, reported VNA.

HUFO President Truong Thi Hien said that along with the exchange of high-level delegations between Vietnam and Cuba in 2023, the union is coordinating with the Consulate General of Cuba to organise major celebrations.

On this occasion, the Vietnam - Cuba Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City announced the establishment of a liaison committee of veterans of Battalion 261 - Giron in Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam, Iran have huge potential to forge cooperation: ambassador

Vietnamese Ambassador to Iran Luong Quoc Huy has highlighted great potential for the two countries to boost their cooperation, especially in economy and trade, during a recent interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties (August 4).

According to the diplomat, the Vietnam-Iran relationship has seen marked developments, with the opening of the Iranian Embassy in Hanoi in 1991, and the Vietnamese Embassy in Tehran in 1997 as milestones.

Over the past years, the traditional political and diplomatic ties had been growing fruitfully, as reflected through high-level visits by leaders of the two countries, he continued, adding that the two sides reached various cooperation agreements in such areas as economy, trade, culture, science-technology, agriculture and customs, and established important cooperation mechanisms.

Their two-way trade exceeded US$500 million before the COVID-19 outbreak, and stood at over $100 million last year, excluding trade revenue through third countries, cited VNS.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Iran Lương Quốc Huy presented his credentials to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Photo courtesy of the embassy

The two economies are complementary as Iran has strengths in natural resources, science, technology, and oil and gas, while Vietnam has advantages in agriculture, handicrafts, fisheries, and human resources, according to the ambassador.

As members of many international organisations, the two countries had provided mutual support at multilateral forums, he added.

Regarding the upcoming visit to Iran by National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, the ambassador said the two sides expected to sign many cooperation agreements in trade, agriculture, justice and sports, as well as exchanges between localities on this occasion.

There would be a range of activities, including a law and policy forum aiming to enhance economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries, a Vietnamese culture week, and exhibitions within the framework of the visit.

Such activities would mark the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties, strengthen cooperation across spheres, and advance the Vietnam-Iran relationship, Huy said.

To foster cooperation, the ambassador suggested the two countries further implement the cooperation documents and mechanisms they signed and established over the past years.

They should create conditions for their goods to enter respective markets, jointly organise trade promotion activities, hasten negotiations for and signing of a preferential trade arrangement, and seek suitable payment methods, he said.

The diplomat also suggested the two countries enhance the exchange of delegations, especially at high level, promote people-to-people diplomacy and intensify cooperation between localities, while strengthening collaboration in science-technology, education-training, culture and tourism.

According to the ambassador, the 10th meeting of the Vietnam-Iran Inter-governmental Committee, scheduled for later this year, will be a highlight of cooperation activities in 2023.

The mechanism would set forth plans and measures for cooperation in economy, trade, banking, investment, science-technology, and culture, among other fields, he explained.

Vietnam pockets three medals at MOS World Championship

A team of six Vietnamese students bagged one silver and two bronze medals at the 2023 Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) World Championship recently held in the United States.

A silver medal went to Nguyen Thi Thanh Truc, a student of Vietnam Maritime University in the MOS Excel 2016 category.

Elsewhere, two bronze medals were awarded to Dang Thi Minh Anh, a student of Le Hong Phong high school in Nam Dinh, and Hoang Thuy Linh, a student of the Foreign Trade University, in the MOS Word 2019 category.

Photo: VOV

Besides two youngest players who are both at 8th grade from Hanoi-based Nguyen Tat Thanh secondary and high schools had good results at the competition. Nguyen Tuan Dung finished in Top 4 of the MOS Powerpoint 2019 category and Do Thanh Viet claimed a Top 6 finisher in the MOS Powerpoint 2016 category.

This year marks the 14th edition of the tournament, and Vietnam has sent representatives to the competition 12 times, winning all medals in the process, reported VOV.

The MOS World Championship has been held annually by Certiport of the US since 2002, attracting more than one million contestants worldwide each year.

Students, aged 13 to 22, competed against their peers to prove their superior skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, culminating in the most popular technology skills competition on Microsoft Office.

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