Photo: VOV

2023 a fruitful year for Vietnam in UN peacekeeping mission

The year 2003 has continued to see Vietnam's practical and effective contributions to UN peacekeeping operations, thereby helping to affirm the nation’s image as a dynamic, active, and responsible member of the international community.

Following the Party and State’s orientations, the country has sent personnel to UN peacekeeping missions, carrying out its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, co-operation, and development.

So far, the nation has sent nearly 800 military and public security officers to the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), and the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), as well as the UN headquarters in the forms of individuals and units.

Currently, Vietnam ranks 45th out of 120 countries sending military and police officers to the missions with the number of personnel regularly deployed to field missions reaching 274, including 36 women officers.

The UN Secretary General, the UN Under-Secretary-General for peacekeeping operations, and the UN Military Advisor have repeatedly hailed Vietnamese peacekeeping forces and sent letters of thanks to the Vietnamese Government for the contributions of the forces.

Many UN leaders also hailed the country’s various contributions to promoting gender equality by sending a large number of women officers to UN peacekeeping missions, thereby meeting and exceeding the criteria set by the UN, cited VOV.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, under-secretary-general for Peace Operations of the UN, hailed the active and effective engagement of Vietnam in UN peacekeeping activities, as well as the country’s commitments to implementing UN targets and criteria. The official stated that he was deeply impressed by the Vietnamese engineering unit’s performance in the UNISFA despite difficulties.

Meanwhile, Atul Khare, under-secretary-general for Operational Support of the UN, expressed his admiration for Vietnamese efforts and contributions, especially through the deployment of level-2 field hospitals to UN peacekeeping missions since 2018. This indicates the nation’s strong commitments and efforts, being a wonderful thing in the partnership between Vietnam and the UN, he commented.

In March this year, during a conversation with Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, permanent representative of Vietnam to the UN, Nicholas Haysom, special representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and Head of the UNMISS, expressed appreciation for the active and effective contributions, creativeness, and efforts to overcome difficulties of medical officers and soldiers of the level-2 field hospital and peacekeepers of Vietnam at the UNMISS.

In December, Faisal Shahkar, police adviser of the UN, stated the great value of the country’s active involvement and good results recorded in peacekeeping operations, including police activities, going on to voice his hope for closer ties with the Vietnamese side in this regard.

At an event aimed at honoring the contributions and sacrifices of “blue beret” forces as part of activities marking the 75th anniversary of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers on May 29, Antonio Guterres, secretary general of the UN, emphasized that amid escalating tensions and conflicts in many regions around the world, UN peacekeeping forces are considered to be a fulcrum of safety and hope for people in many countries whilst being a symbol of multilateralism.

At the event, Ambassador Giang, on behalf of the Vietnamese State, received a Dag Hammarskjöld Medal, the medal for the cause of international peace to servicemen who died while on duty under the UN flag in 2022, presented by Guterres to Lieutenant Colonel Do Anh.

The contributions and successes of Vietnam in the past journey serve as clear evidence that the deployment of forces to international peacekeeping operations is a sound policy of the Party and State, thereby helping to affirm that the country is a responsible member of the international community, enhancing its position, prestige, and role in solving international problems. In addition, it also creates favorable conditions to promote international links in both bilateral and multilateral aspects.

With their braveness and spirit of self-reliance, as well as flexible and creative approach, Vietnamese officers joining peacekeeping activities have shown strong performance in implementing their tasks, overcoming difficulties, maintaining close relations with local communities, and acting as ambassadors of peace and friendship.

Joining UN peacekeeping missions has also helped the nation to actively prepare forces and become ready to deal with non-traditional challenges in any circumstances.

Sound foreign policy contributes to Vietnam’s stature in int’l arena: Italian expert

A sound foreign policy has helped promote Vietnam’s stature in the international arena, according to Director of Italy-based AGC Communication Antonio Albanese.

Talking to the Vietnam News Agency, he described 2023 as a highly successful year of Vietnam’s diplomacy in terms of its relations with Italy amid the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, as well as with other countries around the world.

He noted that the Italy - Vietnam relations date back to the widespread movement of support for Vietnam in the European country during the 1960s - 1970s. Nowadays, the country and people of Vietnam have become even more familiar to Italians thanks to a large number of celebratory activities held in many Italian localities this year.

Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong (L) meets with Italian President Sergio Mattarella during his State visit to the European country in July 2023. (Photo: VNA)

Since Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong’s visit to Italy in July, bilateral relations have reached a new height, becoming more intensive and closer over time. Aside from the signed agreements, the diplomacies of Vietnam and Italy share relatively many similarities as geo-political changes have led to a demand for a diplomatic policy of peace, diversity, and responsibility to help enhance international relations, Albanese said.

Talking to the Vietnam News Agency, he described 2023 as a highly successful year of Vietnam’s diplomacy in terms of its relations with Italy amid the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, as well as with other countries around the world.

He noted that the Italy - Vietnam relations date back to the widespread movement of support for Vietnam in the European country during the 1960s - 1970s. Nowadays, the country and people of Vietnam have become even more familiar to Italians thanks to a large number of celebratory activities held in many Italian localities this year, according to VNA.

Since Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong’s visit to Italy in July, bilateral relations have reached a new height, becoming more intensive and closer over time. Aside from the signed agreements, the diplomacies of Vietnam and Italy share relatively many similarities as geo-political changes have led to a demand for a diplomatic policy of peace, diversity, and responsibility to help enhance international relations, Albanese said.

Tan Son Nhat Airport prepares for peak season on New Year holiday

Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City has seen a surge in travel volume amid people traveling during the Christmas and New Year holidays, which takes place between December 23 and January 2, 2024.

The airport is expected to serve a total of 710 flights and up to 110,000 to 120,000 passengers each day as part of this occasion.

Furthermore, the nation’s largest airport is expected to receive 900 flights a day during the Lunar New Year holiday, serving a total of 140,000 passengers, VOV reported.

Tan Son Nhat International Airport is expected to serve 140,000 passengers a day during the Lunar New Year holiday.

As a means of meeting the rising demand, a representative from Tan Son Nhat airport said that all units have been asked to pay attention to monitor the flight schedule, frequency, and density of flight operations in each time frame and arrange personnel in order to ensure airport services.

The airport will also coordinate alongside local police units in controlling traffic and minimizing congestion along the routes leading to the airdrome, as well as in front of its terminals.

Localities nationwide promote consumption of OCOP products

The Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the People’s Committee of Tay Ho district are hosting an event to introduce products under the One Commune One Product Program (OCOP) from localities across the country.

Addressing the opening ceremony on December 21, Vice Director of the department Ta Van Truong said the event offers a good chance for businesses and producers to enhance trade connections, promote brands and products, as well as connect the consumption of OCOP products through networks and distribution channels, cited VNA.

The five-day event features more than 100 booths showcasing over 2,000 OCOP products and regional specialties from Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

The five-day event features more than 100 booths showcasing over 2,000 OCOP products and regional specialties from Hanoi, 19 central and Central Highlands localities, and 17 others nationwide.

Notably, businesses from Hanoi arrange 45 pavilions at the event to introduce over 1,000 products, including typical products of the Vietnamese and Japanese cultures.

In the framework of the event, a Vietnam – Japan culture exchange program is organized as part of the activities to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of the diplomatic ties between the two countries. It features various activities imbued with Vietnamese and Japanese cultures, along with art performances joined by artists from both nations.

Vietnam tops men's football ranking in Southeast Asia, 15th in Asia

The Vietnamese national football team concluded 2023 with the top position in Southeast Asia and 15th in Asia, according to the latest FIFA rankings released on December 21.

Since December 2018, the Vietnamese national team has consistently ranked among the Top 100 teams by FIFA.

In the latest FIFA rankings, Vietnam successfully maintained its leading position in the Southeast Asian region, recording a total of 1235.58 points.

Behind Vietnam in Southeast Asia is Thailand with 1176.75 points, placed 113th in the globe.

Malaysia dropped to 130th in the world, followed by the Philippines at 140th, and Indonesia at 146th, VNN reported.

Top 15 teams in Asia 2023. Photo: AFC

In Asia, Japan dominated the region being ranked 17th in the world with 1620.19 points, followed by Iran at 21st with 1565.08 points, the Republic of Korea in 23rd with 1550.65 points, Australia at 25th with 1539.22 points, and Saudi Arabia at 56th with 1421.06 points.

Argentina - World Cup champions - remained top of the rankings with 1855.2 points. Other countries making up the top of the latest FIFA rankings include France with 1845.44 points, England with 1800.05 points, Belgium with 1798.46 points, and Brazil with 1784.09 points.

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