Vietnam News Today (Jul. 11): President To Lam Sets Off For State Visits to Laos, Cambodia
	Vietnam News Today (Jul. 12): Vietnam Remains Important Investment Destination in Medium, Long Terms

Vietnamese President To Lam.

Vietnam, Cambodia set for new stage in relations

President To Lam's Cambodia visit will help to further consolidate the strategic trust between the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and boost friendly relations and comprehensive ties with Cambodia, while continuing to bring relations between the two sides into a new stage of development.

Vietnamese President To Lam is paying a state visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia from July 12 to July 13 following an invitation by Cambodian King Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni.

The visit is taking place within the framework of President To Lam's first oversea business trip in his new position to affirm the nation’s consistent policy of always valuing and desiring to further consolidate and deepen ties with Cambodia.

Since both sides moved to officially establish diplomatic relations in 1967, the diplomatic achievements recorded are not only a victory of the national liberation struggle in each country, but also shows the development of co-operative ties in all aspects. This has served to make a positive contribution to the development of each country, whilst further solidifying both nations’ bonds.

In particular, in 2005 the two countries' senior leaders agreed to set out a new motto in developing bilateral relations which was "Good neighbors, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability".

With that orientation, the mutual relationship has been continuously strengthened and developed across multiple fields, bringing practical benefits to citizens of both sides and actively contributing to peace, stability, and co-operation in the region and around the world, cited VOV.

Most notably, political relations play a core role, orienting the overall relationship between the two countries. The two sides have signed many documents as a basis for developing comprehensive linkages, regularly conducting exchange visits, holding meetings, and ensuring contact between senior leaders at all levels through flexible forms, even in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Through the visits, both states consented to reaffirm the principles guiding the relationship between the two countries. They also agreed on directions to consolidate and develop friendly relations and multi-faceted co-operation, form specific mechanisms to both collaboration efforts, and focus on step-by-step negotiations to resolve outstanding issues in order to create favorable conditions for the two countries to bring ties to a new stage of development.

Activities of the fronts, friendship parliamentary groups, friendship associations, and mass organizations of the two countries, especially in border provinces, have been launched widely to contribute to improving understanding between their people, especially the young generation. The focus is on tradition, solidarity, friendship, co-operation, and mutual assistance between the two countries and two peoples.

Joint efforts in defense and security have constantly been strengthened, becoming more and more substantive and effective, with this being one of the important pillars in the relationship between the two countries. Both sides have always affirmed that they will not allow any hostile force to use their territory to harm the other country's security.

In his speech given at the 47th Anniversary of Samdech Tocho Hun Sen's path to overthrow the genocidal regime of Pol Pot on June 20, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet affirmed that generations of Cambodian leaders remember the Vietnamese side’s sacrifices to help his nation escape Pol Pot’s genocide. In addition, the younger generation needs to preserve solidarity and friendly neighborliness between the two countries.

Economic, trade, and investment co-operation is a bright spot, with bilateral trade turnover growing at a high level. The first four months of the year saw two-way trade turnover reach about US$3.9 billion, up 16.8% on-year.

Vietnam is currently Cambodia's third largest trading partner after China and the US, as well as being their largest trading partner in ASEAN.

To date, the country has 205 valid investment projects taking place in the Cambodian market with a total registered capital of US$2.94 billion, ranking first in ASEAN and being among the top five countries with the largest direct investment in the neighboring country. In contrast, Cambodia ranked second among 79 countries and territories with investments in the Vietnamese market.

Both nations have also paid close attention to promoting other areas of cooperation in education - training, traffic - transportation, culture, health, and telecommunications

Every year, the Vietnamese side grants hundreds of long-term scholarships to Cambodian students, whilst the number of Vietnamese students studying in Cambodia is increasing.

The two countries also regularly launch cultural exchange activities, especially in border localities, and co-ordinate and support each other at multilateral forums, especially at the UN, ASEAN, and sub-regional mechanisms.

Reality has proven that despite experiencing many ups and downs, the relationship between the two Parties and the two States is always closely linked and expressed in many different forms, depending on each situation and each specific historical moment.

Strengthening solidarity, attachment, and mutual assistance between the two Parties and the two States is therefore an objective necessity, a vital rule, and the most important factor for each country's revolution. Ultimately, this will contribute to ensuring an environment of peace, security, and development in the region.

President To Lam's visit to Cambodia aims to strengthen and carry out high-level agreements, especially the results of the annual meetings between the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the Central Committee of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP).

This will help to further consolidate the strategic trust that exists between the CPV and CPP and boost friendly relations and comprehensive ties with Cambodia, while continuing to bring relations between the two sides into a new stage of development.

President To Lam’s visit successful, reflects Vietnam - Laos special ties: LPRP official

Vietnamese President To Lam’s visit to Laos was successful and once again affirmed the special solidarity between the two countries, said Vanxay Tavinyan, Vice Chairman of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee’s Commission for Propaganda and Training and Editor-in-chief of the Pasaxon Newspaper.

He made the remark while talking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondents about the outcomes of the President's state visit on July 11 and 12.

Vanxay expressed his delight that President Lam chose Laos as the first country to visit as the State leader of Vietnam, which demonstrates the trust in and respect for the two countries’ good traditional relations.

Laos and Vietnam boast special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, an unprecedented relationship in history, he remarked, describing the trip as an enormous momentum for the Lao Party, State, and people and also a contribution helping the bilateral ties become stronger and stay sustainable forever.

Vietnam has always stood shoulder by shoulder with Laos, even in the most trying times. Particularly, when Laos is holding the rotating Chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2024, Vietnam has assisted Laos even more, reflecting the strong bonds between the two countries, according to the official.

He noted that the Vietnamese President’s visit received high evaluation from many Lao people and obtained considerable successes. President Lam’s talks and meetings with the President, Prime Minister, Chairman of the National Assembly, and former leaders of Laos showed that Vietnam always treasures the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation with the neighboring country, according to VNA.

Vanxay Tavinyan, Vice Chairman of the LPRP Central Committee’s Commission for Propaganda and Training and Editor-in-chief of the Pasaxon newspaper, grants an interview to the Vietnam News Agency. (Photo: VNA)

Vanxay went on to say that during the visit, the two sides signed seven cooperation documents to help Laos develop in all spheres and foster bilateral cooperation, solidarity, and mutual assistance.

Generations of Vietnamese leaders often choose Laos as the first country to visit after taking office. The latest trip was important to helping people around the world and young people of the two countries understand that in the past, at present, or in the future, Laos and Vietnam are never inseparable, he added.

Australia, Vietnam boost cooperation on gender equality

Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Pham Hung Tam held a working session with Australian Ambassador for Gender Equality Stephanie Copus Campbell on July 11.

At the reception, Ambassador Campbell expressed her positive impression from her visit to Vietnam last May which achieved many outstanding results, especially meetings with leaders of ministries, sectors and working sessions with the private sector and businesses associated with women's leadership roles.

Through her visit, the Ambassador hopes to be inspired through Australia's experience in carrying out gender equality and boost international co-operation on this issue, including ties with Vietnam. She stated her nation’s readiness to exchange and share within the diplomatic corps in Canberra on strengthening women's capacity.

For his part, Ambassador Tam expressed his joy at the outcomes of building ties between both sides in promoting gender equality, emphasizing that this field continues to be the focus of co-operation between the two nations, reported VOV.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Pham Hung Tam (R) and Australian Ambassador for Gender Equality Stephanie Copus Campbell.

The Ambassador also congratulated Australia's candidate, Natasha Stott Despoja, on her re-election to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.

Ambassador Tam affirmed that the Vietnamese side attaches great importance to gender equality, increasingly raising social awareness on this issue and achieving progress in co-operation from countries, including Australia.

He welcomed the two countries' increasing attention to gender aspects in priority agendas such as climate change and areas of bilateral collaboration.

As part of the occasion, Ambassador Tam and Ambassador Campbell compared notes on emerging challenges related to gender equality.

Vietnam’s Phu Quoc surpasses Bali and Phuket in Global Island Ranking

Phu Quoc, a breathtaking island in Vietnam, has been ranked as the second most beautiful island in the world by the readers of the esteemed American magazine Travel+Leisure.

This accolade sees Phu Quoc surpassing renowned destinations like Bali and Phuket, marking a significant achievement for the island.

Photo: VNN

The survey, participated in by over 186,000 readers globally, assessed islands based on natural attractions, beaches, activities, food, hospitality, and value.

Phu Quoc earned a remarkable score of 94.41, lauded for its tranquility, pristine beaches, and luxurious resorts. This recognition underscores Phu Quoc's rising appeal as a premier travel destination.

In response to Phu Quoc's growing popularity, the Vietnamese government has prioritized sustainable development for the island. The goal is to transform Phu Quoc into a premier ecological and marine tourism center, ensuring it remains clean, green, and safe. The island has witnessed a 44% increase in international visitors in the first half of the year, reflecting its burgeoning status.

The Prime Minister recently detailed a strategic development plan for Phu Quoc, highlighting the importance of robust infrastructure, environmental conservation, and innovative urban planning. The vision is to develop Phu Quoc into a multi-center city with tourism, service hubs, and conservation areas, maintaining its status as a smart, modern, and eco-friendly city.

The government is also implementing comprehensive measures to uphold environmental standards, attract high-quality investments, and enhance the living standards of residents, cited VNN.

With a total score of 95.63, the Maldives in the Indian Ocean topped the ranking. This place has received countless glowing reviews from travelers, describing it as a "paradise on Earth."

Rounding off the list were global destinations including Milos and Crete of Greece; Dominica, Hvar, and the Dalmatian Islands of Croatia; Galápagos Islands of Ecuador; Koh Samui of Thailand; and Great Barrier Reef Islands of Australia.

Over 100 southern local dishes spotlighted at HCM City festival

More than 100 typical dishes of southern localities have been introduced at the “Taste of the south” culinary festival that opened in Ho Chi Minh City on July 11.

Visitors to the four-day event have a chance to enjoy a diversity of specialties of the region such as “bun mam mien Tay (Western noodles with fish sauce), “hu tiu Sa Dec” (Sa Dec noodle), “banh xeo rau rung” (Vietnamese fried pancake with forest vegetables), and “che ba Ba” (ba Ba sweet soup).

They can also experience traditional products of the land crisscrossed by numerous rivers, join cultural activities, and enjoy art performances at the festival which has drawn a large number of hotels and restaurants, VNA reported.

A giant "banh xeo" (Vietnamese fried pancake). Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

Hoang Van Ba, General Director of the Phu Tho Tourist Service JSC and head of the festival’s organizing board, said that the board aims to make the festival annual, creating a typical culinary space, and connecting players in the culinary and tourism sectors from Ho Chi Minh City and southern localities.

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