Vietnam News Today (Aug. 7): Vietnam And Japan Boost Defense Cooperation
	Vietnam News Today (Aug. 8): Vietnam, Singapore Spur Financial Investment Promotion

Vietnamese Deputy Defense Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien (L) and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense General Tea Seiha (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Cambodia fortify defense ties

Vietnamese Deputy Defense Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien paid a courtesy visit to Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense General Tea Seiha on August 8 as part of his working trip to the neighboring country to attend the seventh defense policy dialogue between the two nations.

At the meeting, Chien affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance, and gives priority to consolidating and developing the sound neighborliness, traditional friendship, as well as the comprehensive, long-term and sustainable cooperation with Cambodia. Vietnam supports an independent, peaceful and developing Cambodia which plays an increasing role in the international and regional arenas, he said.

Briefing the host on the outcomes of the seventh Vietnam-Cambodia defense policy dialogue, with the two sides reaching consensus on enhancing cooperation and effective implementing several key cooperation areas in the coming time, Chien expressed his hope that the Cambodian Government and Tea Seiha himself will continue supporting the search and repatriation of the remains of Vietnamese voluntary soldiers and experts who laid down their lives during the war time in the nation, cited VNA.

He also voiced his hope that leaders of the Cambodian Defense Ministry will support events organized by Vietnam, particularly activities to mark the 80th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) (December 22, 1944-2024), and the second Vietnam International Defense Expo in December. Chien invited General Tea Seiha and leaders of the Cambodian defense ministry to join the exhibition.

Tea Seiha, for his part, expressed his confidence that the fine neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability between the two nations, with defense cooperation being an important pillar, will be bolstered in the coming time.

He took the occasion to thank the Vietnamese Party, State and Defense Ministry for supporting Cambodia during the wartime as well as national construction and development nowadays, adding the VPA has carried out a wide range of cooperation programs, including those on training Cambodian military officers.

The Cambodia Deputy PM expressed his wish that the Vietnam – Cambodia ties, and the defense cooperation between the two nations in particular will further develop across various areas, affirming he will continue supporting activities organized by Vietnam.

He also hopes for continued support from the Vietnamese Ministry of Defense in all domains.

Deputy Minister Chien led a working delegation from the defense ministry on a working trip to Cambodia from August 7-8.

Vietnam places importance on developing comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia

Vietnam attaches importance to consolidating and developing its comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia, while always identifying relations with Russia as being of strategic importance and one of the top priorities in its foreign policy.

This affirmation was made by Party General Secretary and President To Lam during a phone call held with Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 8 in Hanoi.

After sending a congratulatory letter, President Putin proposed a phone call to directly congratulate the Vietnamese leader on being elected General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).

President Putin recalled the good memories of his recent visit to Vietnam, thanked General Secretary and President Lam for his warm welcome and appreciated the substantive exchanges held alongside Vietnamese leaders during the visit.

President Putin wished General Secretary and President Lam many successes in his noble position and expressed his confidence that he will be able to lead the Party, State, and people of Vietnam to continue to be more successful in the cause of Party building, as well as national construction and development to become increasingly prosperous.

Lam sincerely thanked President Putin and other leaders for sending letters of condolence and a delegation to attend the State funeral of the late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, strongly and deeply demonstrating the high level of relations between the two countries. This is along with the special affection held by President Putin and Russian leaders for the late General Secretary Trong, as well as for the Party, State, and people of Vietnam, reported VOV.

Party General Secretary and President To Lam.

He affirmed that the late General Secretary was an exceptionally outstanding leader with great prestige for the Party, State, and people of Vietnam. During nearly 60 years of engaging in revolutionary activities, he tirelessly devoted himself and made great contributions to the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party and the Vietnamese people, devoting plenty of affection, enthusiasm, and efforts to foster the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations.

General Secretary and President Lam thanked President Putin for sending a letter and holding a phone call to congratulate him on his election as General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee.

He affirmed that the country consistently implements a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, and diversification of foreign relations, as well as continuing to attach importance to consolidating and developing the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia. Indeed, it always identifies ties with Russia as being of strategic importance and being one of the top priorities in its external policy.

He expressed his belief that the relationship between the two countries will increasingly develop, bringing about practical benefits to the people of the two countries, thereby contributing to peace and development in the region and the wider world.

The two leaders agreed that the Vietnam-Russia cooperation relationship has developed very well and recorded many important results across a variety of fields, especially defense, security, energy, oil and gas, and trade.

To continue strengthening the Vietnam - Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in an increasingly effective and substantive manner, the two leaders discussed and agreed upon a number of major orientations which will be realized in the near future within the framework of bilateral and multilateral co-operation.

Amid the warm atmosphere of the exchange, President Putin expressed his joy and looked forward to welcoming General Secretary and President Lam visiting Russia soon.

Vietnam works to turn itself into leading destination for international tourists

The country's tourism sector is actively promoting and marketing to untapped international markets, aiming to attract 18 million international visitors in 2024.

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), the number of international tourists reached 1.15 million in July. In the first seven months of the year, the figure hit 9.98 million, marking a 51% increase from the same period in 2023 and a 1.9% rise compared to the same time in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. The Republic of Korea (RoK) remained the largest source of tourists to Vietnam, with nearly 2.6 million visitors.

Following the Vietnam-Korea Tourism Promotion and Cultural Cooperation Forum held in early July, which was attended by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, various organizations and localities across Vietnam have undertaken numerous practical activities to boost tourism promotion and communications between the two countries.

The Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA) participated in the 8th Korea International Travel Fair (KITS) in late July. VITA’s impressive promotional activities and its Vietnam pavilion provided international visitors and Korean people with vivid images of Vietnam as a diverse and attractive destination, VNA reported.

Vietnam works to turn itself into leading destination for international tourists (Photo: VNA)

VITA Chairman Vu The Binh highlighted that the RoK has been the largest source of tourists to Vietnam over the past two years, and Vietnam is also a crucial market for Korean tourism. In 2023, Vietnam was the 5th largest source of tourists to the RoK in the world and the largest in Southeast Asia. In 2024, the Northeast Asian country aims to attract 550,000 Vietnamese tourists.

At the fair, besides showcasing well-known destinations familiar to Korean travelers, Vietnamese tourism businesses introduced new products and destinations specifically tailored for the RoK market, including Ninh Binh, Binh Dinh, Da Lat – Lam Dong, and Phu Quoc.

Along the RoK, the US market represents a significant opportunity for Vietnam's tourism industry. In the first seven months of 2024, Vietnam welcomed 478,000 American tourists.

At a recent tourism promotion conference, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong emphasized the importance of focusing on key markets such as the US. Vietnam and the US have upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which, he said, will help also enhance bilateral cooperation in cultural, sport, and tourism sectors.

American tourists are known for their long stays and interest in exploring natural beauty and cultural experiences in Vietnam, Phong said, suggesting localities and businesses leverage these characteristics effectively.

Phong revealed a key initiative for this year’s promotional activities, which is a tourism and film promotion programme scheduled for the third quarter in Los Angeles, named "Vietnam Expo in Hollywood”. This event will feature an exhibition on Vietnamese cinema and tourism, along with presentations on the potential of Vietnam's film industry and its policies towards international filmmaking activities. This initiative aims to connect with international filmmakers and promote Vietnam as a filming destination.

To capitalize on growing international markets, VNAT Deputy Director Ha Van Sieu, stated that the industry will conduct a series of promotional activities until the end of the year, including establishing Vietnam tourism promotion offices in Laos and abroad and implementing the 2021-2030 tourism system planning scheme with a vision to 2045.

Besides, VNAT will co-host and participate in numerous tourism promotion programs in 2024 such as a high-level forum within the framework of the 18th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City 2024 (ITE HCMC), ASEAN- China Expo Tourism Exhibition, and World Travel Market 2024 in the UK, as well as programs to introduce Vietnamese tourism in ASEAN and Australia markets, among others.

The tourism sector will focus on campaign-based approaches, diversify market access methods, and optimize integrated marketing and communication strategies, combining both online and offline forms while mobilizing resources and coordinating promotional activities effectively in an attempt to turn Vietnam into a leading destination for international tourists.

Vietnam responds to Cambodia’s construction of Funan Techo canal project

Vietnam respects Cambodia's implementation of the Funan Techo canal project, said Doan Khac Viet, deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, when asked to comment on Cambodia's recent official commencement of the canal project.

At a routine press briefing held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 8 in Hanoi, Viet said, “The Mekong River is a priceless asset and a connection point of special solidarity and friendship between the three countries of Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia. Vietnam hopes that riparian countries, including Cambodia, will cooperate to effectively and sustainably manage and develop the Mekong River water resources for the benefit of the people in the river basin as well as for the future of next generations and the solidarity between riparian nations.

The construction site of the project

In that spirit, Vietnam supports Cambodia’s development efforts and its implementation of the Funan Techo canal project. We also wish to work together to conduct a comprehensive study and assessment of the project’s impacts and take appropriate measures to minimize the impacts.”

This comes after the morning of August 5 when Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet presided over a groundbreaking ceremony, officially starting construction work on the Funan Techo Canal project in Preak Takeo village of Kien Svay district in Kandal province, cited VOV.

According to the design itself, this is the first point of the canal, which begins a 180km journey through Kandal, Takeo, and Kampot provinces, before then emptying into the sea in Kep province.

Vietnam, Japan holds foreign ministerial cooperation meeting

The ministers agreed to further strengthen the connection between the two economies through promoting cooperation in Official Development Assistance (ODA), investment, trade and labor.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and his Japanese counterpart Kamikawa Yoko co-chaired the 12th meeting of the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation Committee in Tokyo on Wednesday discussing a number of issues including human training in key industrial sectors, semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

Son paid an official visit to Japan from August 7-10 at the invitation of Japanese foreign minister Kamikawa Yoko.

At the meeting, the two sides reviewed the results achieved since the 11th Cooperation Committee meeting and discussed measures to concretise the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World, which was established in 2023.

The leaders highly appreciated the re-launch of the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation Committee mechanism after a five-year interruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The meeting on Wednesday was the first after the two countries upgraded their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, increasing political trust and strong development in all areas of bilateral relations.

The ministers agreed to further strengthen the connection between the two economies through promoting cooperation in Official Development Assistance (ODA), investment, trade and labor.

Minister Son proposed that Japan continue to provide new-generation ODA with high incentives, simpler and more flexible procedures for Vietnam in digital transformation, green transformation, climate change response, healthcare and large-scale key infrastructure development.

Minister Kamikawa Yoko affirmed that Japan wishes to support Vietnam in building an independent and self-reliant economy, implementing industrialisation and modernisation, and achieving the goal of becoming a developed country by 2045.

She said Japanese enterprises are interested in and consider Vietnam as an attractive investment destination to diversify the supply chain.

The two sides welcomed and affirmed that they would continue to closely coordinate to effectively implement the first phase of the Vietnam-Japan Joint Initiative to ensure efficient and sustainable activities of Japanese investors in Vietnam.

They also look forward to extending market opening for fruits, including Vietnamese grapefruits and Japanese grapes, cited VNN.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and his Japanese counterpart Kamikawa Yoko co-chaired the 12th meeting of the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation Committee in Tokyo. Photo baoquocte.vn

The two sides agreed to expand comprehensive cooperation to new areas including digital transformation, innovation, information technology, digital society through practical and specific initiatives and projects.

Minister Kamikawa Yoko emphasized that Japan wishes to cooperate with Vietnam in sustainable development, emission reduction and environment through initiatives such as the Asian Zero Emission Community (AZEC).

Minister Son proposed that Japan continue to simplify procedures and move towards visa exemption for Vietnamese citizens entering Japan.

Appreciating the positive contributions of the community of nearly 570,000 Vietnamese people to Japan’s socio-economic development, Minister Kamikawa Yoko introduced Japan's new labor policy issued in June 2024, which offers more preferential regimes for foreign workers, including those from Vietnam.

She affirmed the Japanese government will continue to create a more favorable and attractive environment for Vietnamese workers.

The Japanese Foreign Minister affirmed Vietnam is an important partner in implementing Japan's foreign policy towards the region.

Japan will support Vietnam to successfully participate in the EXPO 2025 Osaka.

At the meeting, the two ministers also exchanged opinions on international and regional issues of mutual concern. They agreed to strengthen coordination and exchange of viewpoints at international and regional forums such as ASEAN, the United Nations, APEC, and OECD.

On this occasion, Minister Son invited Minister Kamikawa Yoko to attend the fourth Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) summit and the ASEAN Future Forum to be held in Vietnam in 2025.

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