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Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu (right) and his Japanese counterpart Funakoshi Takehiro at the dialogue. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Japan hold 8th strategic partnership dialogue

Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu co-chaired the 8th Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership dialogue and held talks with his Japanese counterpart Funakoshi Takehiro as part of his working visit to Japan from December 11-13.

The two sides agreed to maintain their close coordination and mutual support at international and regional forums, such as the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, as well as on international issues of common concern, thus contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

Vu reaffirmed Vietnam's consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of international relations, and being a friend, trustworthy partner, and responsible member of the international community, stressing that Japan is one of Vietnam's most important long-term partners.

Vietnam supports Japan to play a greater role in international and regional issues, he stated.

The Vietnamese official suggested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan support and actively participate in international events to be hosted by Vietnam in 2025, including the Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit and the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum.

For his part, Funakoshi said Vietnam holds an important position in Japan's foreign policy in the region and the world, and expressed his hope that Vietnam will support and attend the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai.

On this occasion, Vu conveyed invitations from Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to Japanese PM Ishiba Shigeru to visit Vietnam, and from Deputy PM and FM Bui Thanh Son to Japanese FM Iwaya Takeshi to visit Vietnam and co-chair the 13th meeting of the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation Committee in 2025.

During his stay, the Permanent Deputy Minister paid courtesy calls to Minister of Justice Suzuki Keisuke, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Miyaji Takuma, and Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and Chief of Office of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance Takebe Arata. He also visited Yamaguchi and Osaka prefectures, met with the Governor of Yamaguchi, the Deputy Governor of Osaka, and the Mayor of Sakai city.

Vietnam to collect fingerprints, facial images at border gates from 2025

Vietnam is set to collect fingerprints and facial images from Vietnamese travellers entering and exiting the country at border gates from January 1, 2025, according to the Ministry of Public Security.

This new policy is part of the Circular No. 59/2024/TT-BCA of the Ministry of Public Security regulating the control of entry and exit for Vietnamese citizens at border gates.

Information about the exit and entry process on the National Database on Exit and Entry has the value of replacing the verification stamp on citizens' exit and entry documents, according to VGP.

Photo: VGP

When on duty, the officer in charge will enter the information of the person leaving or entering the country into the immigration control system and supplement the necessary information. Next, check and compare the personal information in the immigration documents with the information in the National Database on the exit and entry of Vietnamese citizens.

Then, the functional officer stamps the verification stamp on the exit and entry documents of citizens exiting and entering the country through the port and land border gates that are not connected to the National Database on Exit and Entry.

"Do not stamp the verification stamp on the exit and entry documents of Vietnamese citizens exiting and entering the country through air border gates and land border gates connected to the National Database on Exit and Entry," Circular No. 59/2024 stated.

Since July 1, 2024 onwards, when citizens apply for an ID card, iris biometric information has been collected at the public security agency along with fingerprints and facial images.

The collection of iris biometric information is used as a basis for cross-checking and verifying the information of each individual while supporting in cases where a person's fingerprints cannot be collected (such as disabilities or deformed fingerprints).

Northern region braces for cold front with lows of 5°C

Northern Vietnam is experiencing a sharp temperature drop as temperatures in several areas are forecast to reach between 7°C and 10°C, with some locations hitting lows of 5°C.

According to details given by the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, by December 15 the cold air will strengthen, which in turn will impact the north central region, as well as parts of the central and south central regions. Northeasterly winds will reach speeds of three on the Beaufort scale inland and four to five along the coast.

Furthermore, the northern region and Thanh Hoa will continue to be influenced by the cold air mass with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 13°C, with lows of 10°C in the mountains. In high-altitude areas, temperatures may dip below 5°C.

The coastline from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai will see northeasterly winds strengthen to six to seven Beaufort, with gusts of eight to nine producing rough seas and waves three to five meters high, cited VOV.

Many Hanoians go out to the street in warm clothes. Photo: VOV

From the central province of Quang Tri to the south central coastal province of Khanh Hoa, scattered showers accompanied by thunderstorms may appear in several areas.

Experts have stated that the cold spells are expected to increase in frequency and intensity, with severe cold snaps likely to emerge in the second half of the month.

Residents are therefore advised to prepare for harsher weather conditions and take all necessary precautions, especially in frost-prone mountainous areas.

Vietnam calls for full adherence to UNCLOS legal standards, obligations

All countries, regardless of size, must fully comply with the legal standards and obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, has affirmed.

He made this statement during an annual plenary discussion on oceans and the law of the sea held by the 79th UN General Assembly session in New York from December 10 - 12. The event coincided with the 30th anniversary of the convention's entry into force.

In his remarks, Ambassador Giang described the convention as an important achievement and the most significant impact of the process codifying modern international law. It provides a comprehensive legal framework defining the rights and obligations of all countries in maritime activities, resources management, and environmental protection.

To address emerging and multidimensional challenges in ocean governance, the diplomat called on countries to continue pursuing a multilateral approach, further reinforce the role of related international and regional mechanisms, and boost the development and adoption of new enforcement documents to promote the compliance with UNCLOS in specific maritime cooperation areas.

Actions by each country, including maritime claims, activities at sea, and international cooperation in marine issues, must align with UNCLOS, he said.

Giang also urged countries, particularly developed ones, to make stronger commitments and actions, allocate more resources, and promote technology transfer to developing countries to achieve the full implementation of the criteria of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) by 2030.

The ambassador noted 2024 also marks 30 years since Vietnam ratified and carried out UNCLOS, highlighting that as an active and responsible member of this convention, the country has obtained considerable achievements in the UNCLOS implementation.

Vietnam always attaches importance to maritime economic activities in its sustainable growth and development strategy, and it pledges to actively help prepare for and practically contribute to the third UN Ocean Conference on the implementation of SDG 14 in 2025, he added.

In his speech, Giang also expressed concern about the recent activities and tension in the East Sea that threaten regional peace and security, and contravene UNCLOS provisions, VNA reported.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, speaks at the annual plenary discussion on oceans and the law of the sea held by the UN General Assembly. (Photo: VNA)

Stressing Vietnam's principled stance on supporting the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS, he appealed to the countries involved to fully implement their obligations under UNCLOS with goodwill, fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), exercise self-restraint, build trust, resolve disputes peacefully, and respect all diplomatic and legal processes.

Vietnam always respects the rights of coastal states to enact domestic laws in accordance with UNCLOS, and demands them respect the sovereignty and legitimate rights of other coastal states, he said, reaffirming Vietnam's commitment to fully implement the DOC and work actively with other countries to finalise an efficient and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea that aligns with international law, particularly UNCLOS.

On the same day, the 79th UN General Assembly session adopted an annual resolution on oceans and the law of the sea, co-sponsored by 118 countries, including Vietnam.

UNCLOS was adopted on December 10, 1982, and officially entered into force on November 16, 1994. Vietnam was one of the first 107 countries to sign and later ratified the convention on June 23, 1994. Currently, UNCLOS has 170 member states.

Deputy PM hosts Cuban Minister of Agriculture in Hanoi

Vietnam is fully committed to, together with Cuba, lead both nations' time-honoured friendship to overcome challenges and difficulties, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said at a reception in Hanoi on December 14 for Cuban Minister of Agriculture Ydael Jesus Pezez Brito.

Vietnam always viewed Cuba as a comrade, brother, and traditional and loyal friend that shares a special friendship; and that it always pays attention to the situation of Cuba and sympathises with the difficulties and challenges, in terms of both economics and natural disasters, facing the Caribbean nation, the Deputy PM told his guest.

Vietnam always treasures the great assistance and support from Cuba for its past struggle for national liberation and the current process of national development, he noted, saying that he believes cooperation between the two countries will continue to grow further, particularly in agriculture.

Deputy PM Son stated that he supports the all-around cooperation between Cuba and Vietnam, focusing on the key areas specified in the agreements reached during Party General Secretary and then President To Lam's state visit to Cuba in September 2024, cited VOV.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (R) receives Cuban Minister of Agriculture Ydael Jesus Pezez Brito.

Vietnam will continue to carry out programs to help Cuba develop into a self-reliant and resilient nation, Son said.

He also appreciated Cuba's preferential policies for Vietnamese businesses in piloting agricultural production projects in the country. The success of these projects will not only help Cuba ensure food self-sufficiency but, more importantly, also create a prerequisite for expanding bilateral cooperation in other areas.

Son expressed confidence that the two sides will advance collaboration and encourage investment in other areas such as health care, education, construction, and trade, noting that there remain huge opportunities for expanding and strengthening cooperation.

The Cuban official thanked the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam for helping design a working programme with numerous activities for the Cuban delegation during the trip. He stated that Cuba fully pledges to fulfill the high-level agreements reached during Lam's visit.

The minister also provided information regarding some recent joint projects between the two countries, including a one on agricultural development. He expressed his hope that Vietnam will continue its support to help both nations’ economies integrate more deeply, and assist each other to ensure mutual benefits for their businesses.

Stressing that the prime purpose of the visit is to boost rice production in Cuba, Brito also voiced his hope for cooperating with Vietnam in providing raw materials and inputs for rice production, saying his country has offered incentives to incentivize Vietnamese businesses to run investments.

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