Doan Khac Viet, deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Vietnam ready to take citizen protection measures

Doan Khac Viet, deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, answered a number of questions related to citizen protection during the Ministry’s regular press conference held on February 9.

Regarding the double earthquake disaster which recently hit both Turkey and Syria, the spokesperson shared, "Once again, we would like to express our deep condolences to the Governments and people of these two countries for the enormous damage caused by the earthquake disaster.:

Vietnamese Party and State leaders have already expressed condolences to the Governments and people of the two countries, cited VOV.

According to Viet, over the past few days the Vietnamese Embassy in Turkey and the Vietnamese Embassy in Iran concurrently in Syria have urgently contacted relevant agencies of the two host countries and the Vietnamese communities there in order to find out information about the possibility of any Vietnamese citizens in distress.

"So far, the rescue work is being actively deployed and there is no information about Vietnamese casualties in the two nations," the official said.

The deputy spokesperson affirmed that, following the direction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnamese Embassy in Turkey and the Vietnamese Embassy in Iran concurrently in Syria will continue to actively monitor the case and take necessary measures aimed at protecting citizens.

Responding to a question about Vietnamese support for Turkey and Syria in terms of earthquake disaster relief, Viet stressed that, "The relationship between Vietnam and Turkey as well as Syria is very good. Certainly, the relief assistance was also thought positively by the Vietnamese side”

With regard to information about the sinking of a Korean fishing boat on the night of February 4 off the coast of the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Sinan district in Jeonnam province, leaving nine out of 12 crew members missing, including two missing crew members who are Vietnamese citizens, Viet said, "The two missing citizens have not been found yet, according to the Vietnamese Embassy in the RoK.”

The search and rescue operation is still ongoing. According to Viet, the past few days has seen the Vietnamese Embassy in the RoK contact the families of the two citizens, informing them of instructions on necessary procedures related to solving consular and citizen protection-related issues. The Embassy therefore stands ready to take necessary measures aimed at protecting the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese citizens, he added.

Vietnamese, and Singaporean PMs hold talks in Singapore

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, now on an official visit to Singapore, held talks with his host counterpart Lee Hsien Loong following an official welcome ceremony chaired by the latter on February 9.

Speaking at the talks, PM Lee affirmed that the visit will create a strong impetus for the fine strategic partnership between the two countries and is an important opening event for the activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the partnership this year.

Congratulating Vietnam on its effective socio-economic recovery and development post-COVID-19, he stressed Singapore always treasures and hopes to further strengthen its strategic partnership with Vietnam.

The two PMs spoke highly of the positive developments of bilateral relations in both bilateral and multilateral aspects.

Singapore leads the ASEAN and ranks second in the world in terms of investment in Vietnam with 3,095 projects totaling 70.8 billion USD, accounting for 22.9% of the total foreign capital attracted by Vietnam. The Vietnam - Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP) are maintaining effective operations, and have been a symbol of success in investment cooperation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at their talks. (Photo: VNA)

The two leaders agreed to intensify political trust; maintain exchanges and contacts at all levels and through all channels; promote economic cooperation; effectively implement cooperation agreements, including the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of the Vietnam - Singapore partnership on digital economy and green economy signed on this occasion; and create favorable conditions for the implementation of cooperation in new and potential fields such as digital, green and circular economies, innovation, clean energy, and climate change response.

They also reached a consensus on stepping up cooperation in defense-security, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, according to VNA.

PM Chinh proposed Singapore consider the possibility of signing a labor cooperation agreement between the two countries; increase the import of agricultural and aquatic products, and garments and textiles from Vietnam; and facilitate the selling of Vietnamese goods in the distribution system in Singapore.

With a stable political system and an increasingly improved investment environment, Vietnam welcomes and creates favorable conditions for Singaporean businesses to expand their investment in the country, especially in digital transformation, green energy, science and technology, and innovation, Chinh added.

The Singaporean leader thanked Vietnam for approving the investment of VSIP Nghe An II, and showed support for his Vietnamese counterpart's proposal on opening more parks. He also emphasised his backing for collaboration in clean energy, and electricity connection, transmission and electricity trading.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese leader asked Singapore to increase support for Vietnam to develop and improve the quality of human resources, and carry out the Vocational Education Development Strategy in the 2021-2030 period.

On this occasion, he proposed the Singaporean Government continue to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the country, and cement the bilateral relations on the basis of cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Regarding regional and international issues, the two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation, maintain solidarity and unity, and promote ASEAN centrality, especially in strategic issues such as peace and stability in the East Sea and the region.

Chinh invited his Singaporean counterpart to pay an official visit to Vietnam in 2023. The latter accepted the invitation.

After the talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing and hand-over of cooperation documents, including the MoU on the establishment of the Vietnam - Singapore partnership on digital economy and green economy; another on a cooperation plan in economics and trade between the two Ministries of Industry and Trade; the one on youth cooperation between the National Committee on Youth of Vietnam and the National Youth Council of Singapore; and an MoU on maritime cooperation between the Vietnam Maritime Administration and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

Many Japanese firms plan expansion in Vietnam: JETRO poll

Sixty percent of Japanese investors in Asia-Pacific polled in a 2022 survey by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) said they plan to expand operations in Vietnam within the next two years.The rate is the highest in the ASEAN region and third in Asia-Pacific only after India (72.5%) and Bangladesh (71.6%).

Another survey of JETRO also revealed Vietnam ranks only after US as a favourite destination for investment for Japanese companies.

Explaining the figures for Vietnam at a recent meeting with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Chief Representative of JETRO in Hanoi Nakajima Takeo said Japanese businesses’ expectation of higher revenue is based on the Vietnamese market’s current export expansion and growth potential. Most small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the group want to expand their activities in the non-manufacturing industry.

Photo: VNA

Also according to the poll, conducted in August and September last year, the prospect of business profit in Vietnam in 2022 recovered strongly after the COVID-19 pandemic, especially regarding the sectors of production - consumption and direct services, thanks to significant increases posted in export volume and market purchasing power. In 2023, the local manufacturing and non-manufacturing industries are forecast to improve by more than 50%.

At the meeting, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung underscored the Vietnamese Government’s efforts for business climate improvement to attract more foreign investors, including those from Japan.

He suggested JETRO assist Vietnamese SMEs in building capacity and forming linkages with their Japanese peers; transfer technologies to Vietnam; and encourage Japanese firms to promote innovation and R&D activities in the Southeast Asian nation.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang among Asia’s most thrilling zip line experiences

Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park in the central province of Quang Binh has been listed among the top eight most thrilling zip line experiences in Asia, as compiled by Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post newspaper (SCMP).

According to the media outlet, with a combination of being a natural wonder and featuring an epic zip line, Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is renowned for its unique geological formations, diverse array of wildlife, and Son Doong, the largest cave in the world.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang is listed among Asia’s most thrilling zip line experiences (Photo: Internet)

“But for adrenaline junkies, Hang Toi, aka Dark Cave, is the hole to head for. At 400 metres, Vietnam’s longest zip line transports visitors above the turquoise Chay River to the entrance of the cave,” says SCMP.

Most notably, the interior of the cavern is unlit and the rocky walls are dark grey and black, giving the site its name.

SCMP also revealed that it is just a short swim to get inside, followed by a guided walk, with a helmet and headlamp provided, a mud bath, and a kayak ride back to the starting point, reported VOV.

Rounding off the list of the top eight locations is ZipCity in Macau, Southern Cardamom National Park of Cambodia, Zip-Flyer of Nepal, Awaji Island of Japan, Chocolate Hills Adventure Park of the Philippines, Gibbon Experience Treetop zip line of Laos, and Mega Adventure theme park of Singapore.

Large room for Vietnam to boost exports to Europe, America

Vietnam’s exports to the European and American markets will continue to benefit from free trade agreements (FTAs) that Vietnam signed with partners in the regions, said Ta Hoang Linh, Director of the Europe-American Market Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Linh said that the new-generation FTAs, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Vietnam-Chile FTA, the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), the Vietnam-Eurasian Economic Union FTA (VN-EAEU FTA), and the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKFTA), will continue to have positive impacts on Vietnam's trade, investment and export activities.

European and American countries have enhanced the search for alternative goods supply sources and alternative investment locations, and Vietnam may be an option, Linh said.

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

The move towards producing green and environmentally-friendly products will create a competitive advantage for Vietnam's export goods in the future when the demand for products of this kind in Europe and America is increasing, he noted.

Vietnam will receive more and more support from developed countries in energy transition and changing production towards a circular economy and sustainable development in both production and consumption, Linh stressed.

To further promote exports, the official said the MoIT needs to keep a close watch on the market's developments, and propose cooperation frameworks and measures to expand export markets, reported VNA.

Attention should be paid to implementing the FTAs, especially new-generation FTAs such as the CPTPP, EVFTA and UKVFTA, helping businesses to make the most of opportunities from and limit challenges posed by these agreements, Linh said.

The MoIT will promote the diversification of markets and categories of products to reduce the dependence on traditional markets and sectors, he said.

The MoIT will coordinate with the trade offices abroad to help businesses effectively exploit markets and protect their legal rights, Linh went on.

He also proposed banks to support Vietnamese enterprises to standardise production processes, improve the competitiveness as well as have policies to control credit sources flowing into production and export activities.

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