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Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam-France ties reach new height in 2024: Ambassador

The year 2024 marks a historic milestone in Vietnam-France relations as the two countries elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang told a Vietnam News Agency reporter based in Paris in a recent interview.

Thang highlighted the significance of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s visit to France in October, which made France the first European Union (EU) member state with such a partnership with Vietnam. This milestone not only reaffirmed mutual trust but also paved the way for new cooperation opportunities across economy, national defense, culture and education, he said.

According to him, both sides have maintained regular exchanges at various levels and held periodic meetings under cooperation mechanisms, such as the 8th High-Level Dialogue on Economy and the first maritime dialogue, contributing to raising mutual understanding, solving bilateral issues, and promoting cooperation in global and regional matters.

Looking ahead, Thang expressed his belief that a roadmap will soon be agreed upon to deliver on the commitments outlined in the Joint Statement regarding the elevation of Vietnam-France relations.

On the economic front, France remains a crucial partner of Vietnam in Europe, with two-way trade growing significantly. French firms have made substantial investments in promising sectors in Vietnam, including high technology, renewable energy, and digital transformation. Meanwhile, Vietnamese companies are actively seeking opportunities in the French market.

In the realm of defense, he noted that the Vietnam visit by the French Minister of Armed Forces in May, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory, underscored Vietnam's role as a model for post-war reconciliation. Through various exchanges, both nations have committed to realising the signed agreements and expanding cooperation in peacekeeping, mine clearance, and defense exhibitions.

Cultural, educational and scientific exchange events have fostered lasting connections between the youth of the two countries. Collaborative initiatives in scientific research, particularly in high-tech and innovation fields, have improved the quality of bilateral comprehensive cooperation, cited VNA.

In his suggestions, economic collaboration should go further, particularly in key industries like high technology, renewable energy and sustainable manufacturing. Market access and investment need to be improved to better support businesses while emerging fields like artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and environmental protection should be prioritised to keep pace with global trends.

Both sides need to transition from individual commitments to long-term strategic cooperation programs. As a key member of the EU, France is well-positioned to support Vietnam in expanding its relations with the bloc, particularly in trade, education, and environmental protection. Vietnam should also leverage international initiatives launched by France to elevate its global standing, such as joining the AI Action Summit scheduled for February 2025 and the third United Nations Ocean Conference in June 2025, he said.

Underlining Vietnam’s strides in its relations with international organizations in France, Thang said the Southeast Asian country has played an important role in the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), advancing projects on sustainable development, digital transformation, and climate change response. Notably, Vietnam's relationship with UNESCO has been further strengthened through the successful advocacy for several key designations, helping to promote the nation's image and attract resources for development.

Tropical depression forms in East Sea, heavy rain expected

A tropical depression in the southern part of the East Sea has strengthened as of December 21, packing winds of 49 kmh near its center.

It is forecast to move toward the south of the Spratly Islands in the next two days, causing strong winds and high waves.

Meteorologists warned boats and vessels operating in the affected areas should avoid the dangerous zones and take shelter, VOV reported.

The tropical depression forming in the East Sea in December is unusual, as late-year formations are less common.

Due to the tropical depression combined with intensified cold air from the north, heavy rain and thunderstorms will hit in the central and southern central regions of Vietnam from December 23 to 26, with rainfall expected to range from 100-300 mm, and in some places, more than 500 mm.

From December 24-25, the Central Highlands will also experience heavy rain and thunderstorms, with rainfall ranging from 60-120 mm, and in some places, more than 200 mm.

The southern region will have scattered rain and thunderstorms, with more significant rain in the southeastern part.

The tropical depression that has formed in the East Sea is considered an off-season occurrence, as it typically arises outside the usual monsoon season. This type of tropical depression forming in December is unusual, as late-year formations are less common.

The presence of such systems during the winter months can have significant weather impacts, including heavy rains, thunderstorms, and strong winds, which pose risks to maritime activities and coastal areas.

Vietnamese, Indian coast guards conduct joint sea exercise

The Vietnam Coast Guard ship CSB 8005 departed Kochi on December 20, after a 4-day visit that strengthened the partnership between the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) and Indian Coast Guard (ICG).

According to a statement released by ICG, the visit aimed to enhance maritime cooperation and interoperability between the two forces. A key highlight was a comprehensive sea exercise code-named ‘Sahayog–Hop Tac’, conducted off the coast of Kochi, Kerala state in southern India.

The exercise addressed critical maritime security challenges and included various scenarios, such as search and rescue, a pollution-response demonstration like oil spills, and other environmental hazards at sea, cited VNA.

A Vietnam Coast Guard ship. (Photo: VNA)

It also simulated Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations to inspect vessels suspected of illegal activities and to combat drug trafficking. Additionally, it included joint training activities to neutralise asymmetric threats.

The statement emphasised that the visit of the CSB 8005 to Kochi is a strong symbol of the increasing cooperation between VCG and ICG through collaborative efforts, as both India and Vietnam strive for a more secure and safe maritime environment.

Two new air routes bring international tourists to Phu Quoc

The southern island city of Phu Quoc, a major tourist destination in Vietnam, on December 20 welcomed the first flights from Singapore of Scoot airline and a China Eastern Airlines flight from China’s Xi'an.

Budget Singaporean airline Scoot will operate a direct flight from Singapore to Phu Quoc with a frequency of three flights running per week from December 20.

Following the launch of this direct flight, Phu Quoc not only has the opportunity to welcome tourists from Singapore or Malaysia, but also from many other countries in the region and from around the world, cited VOV.

Phu Quoc welcomes welcomed the first flights from Singapore of Scoot airline. (Photo: Nguyen Khanh)

The carrier is expected to increase the frequency to five flights per week from January 25, 2025, making use of the Embraer E190-E2 narrow-body aircraft.

Later on the same day, Phu Quoc received the first charter flight from the ancient capital Xi'an in northwest China's Shaanxi province.

The round-trip flights between Xi'an and Phu Quoc island will operate three times a week, on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

During the peak period from January 15 to February 13, 2025 that coincides with the lunar New Year holiday, China Eastern Airlines plans to operate more direct flights from Xi'an to Phu Quoc with seven round-trip flights a week.

As scheduled, between January 13 and February 13, 2025, charter flights from Beijing to Phu Quoc will be operated, with a frequency of seven round-trip flights per week, to meet increasing travel demand. All flights will use the narrow-body aircrafts of China Eastern Airlines.

Fireworks to light up skies over two cities on New Year’s Eve

Ha Noi will host five firework displays at Hoan Kiem, Ha Dong, Nam Tu Liem districts, Son Tay township and Dong Anh suburban district to ring in the new year 2025.

The fireworks will light up the sky from 0:00 to 0:15 on January 1, 2025.

After nearly 10 years of suspension (since 2016), the city plans to hold firework displays on the occasion of New Year's Eve.

In addition, the city also plans to host New Year's Eve countdown events on December 31 at Dong Kinh Nghia Thu and August Revolution Squares.

On the occasion of the Lunar New Year Festival, the local authorities plan to launch fireworks at 30 sites across the capital, with nine of these sites having high-altitude fireworks. The fireworks will last for fifteen minutes from 12:00 AM on January 29, 2025.

In Ho Chi Minh City, high-range fireworks will light up the skies over the entrance of the Sai Gon River Tunnel in Thu Duc City for people to enjoy the New Year and the start of 2025, VGP reported.

Photo: VNA

Low-range fireworks will also be on display at Dam Sen Theme Park in District 11. The southern metropolis plans to hold countdown events at Nguyen Hue pedestrian street and Bach Dang Wharf Park, running from 7 p.m. on December 31 to 0:30 a.m. on January 1, 2025.

Art performances will get underway across 12 districts on December 31 and January 1, 2025.

Ho Chi Minh City will ring in 2025 Lunar New Year Festival (Tet), or the Year of the Snake, with a 3D projection mapping show and a fireworks display. The festivities will take place from 8:00 pm on January 28 (the 29th of the 12th lunar month) until 12:30 am on January 29.

The southern metropolis will display a 3D projection mapping show on the façade of the office building of the municipal People's Committee on the evening of January 28, followed by a fireworks show from midnight to 12:15 am on January 29./.

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