PM Pham Minh Chinh suggests Brunei create favourable conditions for Vietnamese goods to access the Brunei market.

Vietnam, Brunei upbeat about flourishing all-around partnership

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah expressed their appreciation for the fruitful development of the comprehensive partnership across multiple fields during talks held on February 11 at Istana Nurul Iman Palace.

During the course of discussions the Sultan warmly welcomed and appreciated the significance of PM Chinh's first official visit to Brunei which will help to add fresh impetus to promoting all-around co-operation between the two countries.

The Sultan of Brunei went on to express his great satisfaction with the upgrade of relations between the two nations to the level of a comprehensive partnership on the occasion of his visit to Vietnam back in 2019 and respectfully conveyed his regards to senior Vietnamese leaders.

The Sultan also congratulated the Vietnamese side on bringing the COVID-19 pandemic swiftly under control, quickly recovering with the highest GDP growth rate in the region. He affirmed that his nation always attaches importance to and wishes to constantly develop positive relations with Vietnam, especially in the fields of economics, trade, investment, education, and agriculture.

In response, PM Chinh conveyed the cordial greetings of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, and high-ranking Vietnamese leaders to both the Sultan and the royal family.

The Vietnamese Government chief also expressed his pleasure at visiting a country that has always been associated with an important international integration milestone of Vietnam, with Bandar Seri Begawan being the place that Brunei officially became the seventh member of ASEAN back in July, 1995.

He affirmed the country’s consistent policy that always places importance on ramping up the comprehensive partnership with Brunei.

PM Chinh congratulated Brunei on its achievements in economic development and social security, stating his belief that Brunei would soon successfully implement the Brunei Vision 2035 (Wawasan Brunei 2035) in order to become a country with dynamic and sustainable economic development.

The two leaders highly appreciated the effective development of the Vietnam - Brunei Darussalam comprehensive partnership in all fields, ranging from politics, security, and defence, to economics, trade, investment, marine co-operation, energy, and education and training.

Most notably, trade links have made great progress, with two-way turnover in 2022 reaching US$725.8 million, an increase of 134% compared to 2021, cited VOV.

Both host and guest agreed on directions to enhance ties between both sides across a variety of fields moving forward.

Accordingly, the two sides will continue to intensify exchanges and meetings at all levels, whilst effectively carrying out the co-operation mechanism of the Bilateral Cooperation Committee at the ministerial level, as well as implementing important co-operation agreements, particularly the Program of Action to implement the Vietnam - Brunei Darussalam comprehensive partnership for the 2023 to 2027 period which has just been signed on this occasion.

The two sides consented to boosting trade growth in a more diversified and balanced manner, while also considering the possibility of joint ventures in areas such as fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing, as well as seeking opportunities, in new areas of co-operation such as the digital economy, the circular economy, and climate change response.

PM Chinh therefore suggested that Brunei create favourable conditions for Vietnamese goods to access the Brunei market, especially rice and agricultural and aquatic products that fully meet Halal standards.

He assured the hosts of Vietnam's readiness to continue offering optimal conditions for Bruneian businesses to expand business investment in the Vietnamese market.

He proposed that the two sides strengthen linkages to connect the two economies to support the building of an independent and self-reliant economy associated with extensive, substantive, and effective international integration.

Both leaders agreed to bolster ties in other important fields such as defence, security, and maritime co-operation, including effectively maintaining a hotline to support fishery activities and sharing information regarding law enforcement at sea.

This should be done whilst simultaneously stepping up co-operation in education-training, tourism, enhancing connectivity, and increasing the frequency of direct commercial flights.

Regarding regional and international issues, the Vietnamese cabinet leader applauded Brunei's 2021 ASEAN Chair term, as well as the close co-ordination between the two countries when Vietnam served as the ASEAN Chair in 2020.

The two leaders concurred to continue to enhance consultation and close co-ordination between the two countries at regional and international forums, maintain solidarity, and promote the central role of ASEAN.

They reaffirmed the importance of ensuring peace, stability, safety, security, and freedom of navigation in the East Sea, working together to maintain the unity and common stance of ASEAN on the East Sea issue, and striving for progress in the negotiation of the Code of Conduct (COC).

As part of the occasion, PM Chinh cordially invited the Sultan of Brunei and the Queen to visit Vietnam at a suitable time. The Sultan of Brunei accepted the invitation with pleasure and stated that he is looking forward to making a visit to Vietnam soon.

At the end of talks, the leaders witnessed the signing and exchange of the Action Plan on the implementation of Vietnam-Brunei comprehensive partnership for the 2023-2027 period and a diplomatic note on the Visa Waiver Agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders between Vietnam and Brunei.

Ample room for Vietnam-Bangladesh cooperation: ambassador

Vietnam and Bangladesh – two emerging economies with quick growth, big population and market, and abundant, young labour force – see ample room for bilateral cooperation, said Vietnamese Ambassador to Bangladesh Pham Viet Chien.

On the occasion of the two nations celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, Chien recommended the sides effectively implement existing bilateral agreements and cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Joint Committee on economic, culture and science-technology cooperation and the Joint Sub-committee on Trade, while building new ones suitable to their new development contexts.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Bangladesh Pham Viet Chien (second from right) and embassy staff take a photo with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina (third from right) in 2020. (Photo: VNA)

Chien said the countries uphold the role of multilateralism in creating and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment regionally and globally serving cooperation and development. Bearing the brunt of climate change, they show similar approaches to such global issues as climate change response as well as food and energy security, he added.

The two have been closely coordinating at many multilateral forums and continue to support each other in the international arena, the diplomat said, unveiling that their 50th anniversary celebration will take place throughout 2023 with diverse activities, according to VNA.

The traditional friendship between the countries has been continuously consolidated, developed and deepened across all channels of the party, state, parliament and people-to-people exchange. Many bilateral agreements have been signed and a range of cooperation mechanisms formed in different fields like trade, industry, agriculture, fishery, animal husbandry, and science-technology.

Bangladesh is currently Vietnam's second largest trading partner in South Asia. Trade between the countries nearly quadrupled within a decade from about 350 million USD in 2012 to about 1.47 billion USD in 2022, aiming for 2 billion USD set by the senior leaders of the two countries in 2018.

Vietnam wins election as vice chair of UNESCO committee for cultural diversity protection

Vietnam has been elected as vice chair of the 24-member UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee of the 2005 Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions and will represent the Asia-Pacific region as part of the committee’s 16th session.

Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to UNESCO, stressed that taking on the post for the second time continues to demonstrate the country’s increasing position and prestige within the international arena. In addition, it clearly shows the international community’s support for and trust in the nation’s contribution and management capacity as part of global multilateral institutions.

The election also recognizes the active Vietnamese contributions to UNESCO and its efforts to promote the role of culture and creativity as part of sustainable, inclusive, and resilient development, she noted.

The 16th session ran from February 7 to February 10 in Paris, France, and brought together nearly 400 delegates and observers from all member nations and nearly 100 other countries, international, and cultural organizations, VOV reported.

Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to UNESCO speaks at a plenary session of the UNESCO General Assembly (Photo:VNA)

During the course of the event, member countries applauded Vietnamese policies and practical measures aimed at optimising the role of culture as an endogenous strength and a driving force for sustainable development. This is along with protecting and promoting the diversity of cultural expressions in the context of culture and creativity being heavily impacted by the pandemic, globalization, and digitization.

They also welcomed the country’s efforts to develop a national cultural index for sustainable development and its creative cities network.

In its new position, the nation will have favourable conditions to further contribute to the implementation of the 2005 Convention’s goals and priorities, as well as taking advantage of its knowledge, experience, and external resources for its cultural and sustainable development in the new period, Van said.

The 2005 Convention was adopted on October 20, 2005, and has so far been ratified by 152 countries. Vietnam was first elected as vice chair of the committee during the 2011 to 2015 tenure.

Vietnamese team begins search, rescue mission in Turkey

A 24-member team deployed by the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security has begun engaging in search and rescue efforts in the Turkish southeastern city of Adiyaman, which is among localities bearing the brunt of the devastating February 6 earthquake.

According to the ministry’s police department of fire prevention, fighting and rescue, the delegation arrived in the Istanbul international airport on February 10. Due to difficulties in traveling and having to transport 15 tonnes of equipment for rescue work, they were divided into two groups to reach the site where their services are needed.

Vietnamese police on duty in Turkey (Photo courtesy of the delegation)

On February 11, they began working at the rubble of a building in Adiyaman where the local authorities said 15 people are trapped, cited VNA.

Related inspection and planning activities are thoroughly conducted given extremely difficult conditions, as the temperature drops to minus 6 degrees Celsius and collapsed buildings continue to fall, said a representative of the team.

The group left Vietnam for Turkey on February 9, marking the first time Vietnam has sent a delegation on an international search and rescue mission to a disaster site far away from its territory.

Da Nang promotes destinations at Asia's largest travel fair

The Da Nang Department of Tourism organised the "Da Nang FantastiCity" booth, promoting the destination and connecting with international partners at the 30th South Asia’s Travel & Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2023 – the largest travel fair in Asia.

The 30th South Asia’s Travel & Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2023, with a scale of more than 1,400 booths, took place at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, India from February 9-11.

Danang FantastiCity booth took place with the participation of tourism businesses in Da Nang-Quang Nam, including Furama Danang Resort, Sunworld, Vinpearl, Hoian Express, Indochina Unique Tourist, Wink Hotels and Vedana Lagoon Resort and Spa.

Da Nang City. (Photo: VNA)

Attending and cutting the ribbon to inaugurate the booth, Vietnamese Ambassador to India Nguyen Thanh Hai, congratulated Da Nang for its first time attending this large-scale tourism fair in Asia and appreciated the fact that Da Nang is very actively developing the Indian tourist market, since reopening after the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, the ambassador re-committed to accompanying and supporting localities and businesses, in promoting Vietnam in general and specific tourism products in particular.

Danang FantastiCity booth is a space to introduce and provide information about Da Nang tourism, as well as the main venue for partner meetings, reported NDO.

Here, partners can enjoy Vietnamese coffee, experience destinations in VR360 virtual reality and participate in a lucky draw to receive souvenirs, accommodation vouchers, as well as tickets to the destination of Da Nang city.

According to the working programme, the representative of the Da Nang Department of Tourism had meetings with representatives of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), the Network of Indian MICE Agents (NIMA), the India Golf Tourism Association (IGTA) and media partners, to enhance promotions, focusing on MICE segments, wedding tourism, luxury golf tourism and school tourism.

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