President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) meets with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in the city state on February 25. Photo: VNA

Vietnam, Singapore reach consensus on directions for all-round ties

Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong held talks on February 25, agreeing to bolster cooperation in all fields.

Welcoming the Vietnamese delegation, PM Lee said the good outcomes of their State visit to Singapore and the significant cooperation achievements in the recent past will create a new impulse for the two countries’ strategic partnership.

President Phuc affirmed that Vietnam always treasures and highly prioritizes the unceasing reinforcement and development of its strategic partnership with Singapore.

Both host and guest expressed their delight at the increasingly substantive and effective partnership in all fields, noting that political and diplomatic cooperation has become stronger and more fruitful while economic ties are now a bright spot in the region.

Despite adverse impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, bilateral trade still reached US$8.3 billion in 2021, up 23.3 percent from the previous year. Singapore now ranks first among ASEAN countries and second among the 140 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, with its total registered FDI standing at US$66 billion. The Vietnam - Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) model has become a symbol of successful cooperation between the two countries.

Cooperation in other important aspects like defense - security, culture, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchange have also continued growing well, according to the leaders.

President Phuc and PM Lee also agreed to expand ties in innovation, digital transformation, digital economy, and green and sustainable development so as to elevate the Vietnam -Singapore economic connectivity to a digital-based one. Besides, the two countries will work together to develop VSIPs into hi-tech, smart, and environmentally friendly industrial parks, and to capitalize on benefits from the new-generation free trade agreements to which both are parties such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), cited VNA.

Discussing major orientations for bilateral relations, they agreed to resume all-level mutual visits and meetings soon; step up security - defense collaboration; effectively implement bilateral cooperation mechanisms, especially the ministerial meeting on economic connectivity; and promote the key cooperation areas under the bilateral Connectivity Framework Agreement, including investment, finance, ICT, education and training, transport, trade, and services.

Applauding bilateral cooperation in Covid-19 combat, the leaders hailed their countries’ mutual recognition of each other’s vaccination certificates, which will facilitate bilateral travel and trading and greatly contribute to each side’ post-pandemic recovery and development.

They noted with satisfaction their countries’ effective coordination at regional and international forums, concurring in the continued coordination to help maintain ASEAN’s solidarity and centrality. Both sides also showed their support for the bloc’s active role in assisting Myanmar to surmount the current crisis and promoting the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus reached at the ASEAN leaders’ meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, in April 2021.

They also affirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea; not using or threatening to use force; peacefully solving disputes on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC); and negotiating to reach a substantive and effective Code of Conduct (COC) in the waters that matches international law, including the UNCLOS.

On this occasion, President Phuc conveyed PM Pham Minh Chinh’s invitation to visit Vietnam to PM Lee.

Following the talks, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of five cooperation documents on defense, economy - trade, intellectual property, digital economy, and people-to-people ties signed by the countries’ government agencies. The deals are expected to create an important framework helping strengthen the Vietnam - Singapore strategic partnership.

Vietnam breaks daily Covid record again with 78,795 cases

Vietnam reported another record daily tally of Covid-19 infections on Friday with new cases hitting 78,795, against 69,128 a day earlier.

The new record brings the total caseload in Vietnam to 3,120,301 infections.

Out of the new transmissions, 21 were imported and quarantined on arrival.

Hanoi still topped the list of new infections with 9,836, followed by the northern province of Quang Ninh with 4,615, and Bac Giang with 3,563.

A critically ill Covid-19 patient is being treated in a hospital in HCM City. Photo: VNA/VNS

Other localities with over 2,000 cases were Tuyen Quang (2,797), Phu Tho (2,696), Nam Dinh (2,581), Hai Duong (2,441), Nghe An (2,424), Hung Yen (2,403), Hoa Binh (2,385), Vinh Phuc (2,367), HCM City (2,206), Bac Ninh (2,139), Lang Son (2,046) and Son La (2,001).

The remaining infections were found in Ninh Binh (1,971), Hai Phong (1,919), Dak Lak (1,912), Yen Bai (1,785), Khanh Hoa (1,631), Thai Binh (1,585), Lao Cai (1,525), Ha Giang (1,493), Thai Nguyen (1,489), Quang Nam (1,328), Quang Binh (1,218), Binh Phuoc (1,080), Binh Dinh (963), Da Nang (957), Cao Bang (914), Dien Bien (891), Thanh Hoa (885), Ba Ria - Vung Tau (846), Lam Dong (785), Phu Yen (777), Ha Tinh (734), Lai Chau (623), Ha Nam (619), Gia Lai (603), Ca Mau (558), Quang Tri (546), Binh Duong (339), Binh Thuan (254), Quang Ngai (235), Dak Nong (220), Bac Kan (210), Thua Thien Hue (200), Kon Tum (194), Tay Ninh (174), Ben Tre (147), Bac Lieu (135), Dong Nai (109), Vinh Long (84), Can Tho (74), Kien Giang (67), Long An (66), Tra Vinh (39), An Giang (29), Ninh Thuan (24), Dong Thap (14), Hau Giang (11), Soc Trang (10) and Tien Giang (2).

According to the Ministry of Health, the average number of daily Covid-19 cases hit a record 57,160 over the past seven days.

The country added 78 more deaths related to Covid-19, meaning the death toll reached 39,962, about 1.3 per cent of infections, according to VNS.

There are currently 3,235 people patients in serious condition, with 13 on life support.

More than 192 million vaccine doses have been administered in the country to date.

Vietnam greatly concerned over armed conflict in Ukraine

The nation is extremely concerned about the ongoing armed conflict occurring in Ukraine and calls on all relevant parties to exercise restraint, to avoid using force, and to continue dialogues as a means of seeking peaceful solutions.

Le Thi Thu Hang, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made the statement on February 25 when responding to questions raised by Vietnamese and foreign reporters about the nation’s reaction to the recent tense developments in Ukraine, as well as efforts to protect citizens.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang. Photo: VOV

The spokesperson called on all relevant parties to exercise restraint, comply with the UN Charter and fundamental principles of international law, not to use force, protect people, and continue dialogues to seek peaceful solutions. These efforts can therefore contribute to ensuring peace, security, stability, and co-operation in the region and the world at large, reported VOV.

Following the recent developments, the country is paying close attention to the situation of the Vietnamese community and requests that the safety of people, property, as well as the legal rights and interests of Vietnamese citizens and businesses in Ukraine be ensured, Hang stressed.

Vietnamese representative offices in Ukraine and domestic authorities are currently in the process of working hand in hand and are ready to carry out citizen protection plans, she added.

Bright prospects ahead for coffee exports due to high export prices

There are bright prospects moving forward for local coffee exports this year with export turnover reaching US$3 million last year, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

Especially, coffee exports during the last month of 2021 witnessed a spectacular jump with 169,000 tonnes worth US$379 million, an increase of 57.6% in volume and 56.9% in value compared to November, 2021.

Most notably, processed coffee exports last year surged by 2.9% to reach US$569.46 million on-year. The nation currently exports processed coffee to more than 100 countries and territories globally, with the major markets including ASEAN, Europe, China, and the United States, cited VOV.

Photo: VOV

Industry experts have pointed out that the strong export growth of coffee in the final months of last year can largely be attributed to the high price of coffee globally, thereby making a positive impact on the price of Vietnamese coffee.

This comes after December, 2021, saw the average export price of Vietnamese coffee grow by 22.8% to reach US$2,237 per tonne, thereby bringing last year’s export price up 12.3% to US$1,966 per tonne compared to 2020.

This sharp rise in export coffee prices is continuing to exert a positive impact on coffee exports earlier this year.

January alone witnessed the country export over 163,000 tonnes of coffee worth US$371 million, marking a rise of 1.8% in volume and up 32.1% in value compared to the same period from last year.

Insiders have outlined that global coffee production is forecast to decrease moving forward, leading to a limited supply sources and pushing up coffee prices this year.

Vietnam enters Wanderlust’s list of ideal destinations in March

According to Wanderlust, the spring weather of March is the ideal time to explore mountainous areas in Northwest Vietnam.

Stable temperature, low humidity, and little rain will be favorable conditions for tourists to visit the villages around Sapa or Mai Chau.

Photo: VNN

Sapa mountains have always been attractive to those who love to explore nature. The famous trails leading to Giang Ta or Lo Chai villages will be covered with terraced fields stretching endlessly. However, it is best for visitors to contact in advance a local guide who can communicate with the H'mong or Dao ethnic people in this area.

To the southwest of Hanoi, Mai Chau valley is rated by Wanderlust as another great choice for long-distance picnics. This place is known as the homeland for the white Thai ethnic group, VNN reported.

In Mai Chau, visitors have the opportunity to stay in traditional stilt houses and enjoy the specialties of local residents. It will take tourists up to a week to discover the valley by foot.

Other names in the list include: Michoacan (Mexico), Wilhelmina Bay (Antarcritic), Lapland (Sweden), Fagu Festival (Nepal), Lisse (the Nerthlands), Japan, Namibia, Jordan, Colombia, Egypt and New Zealand.

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