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Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Pham Hung Tam (right) and Premier of Australia's Victoria state Jacinta Allan.

Australia’s Victoria state wants to boost ties with Vietnamese localities

Premier of Australia's Victoria state Jacinta Allan said the state considers Vietnamese localities priority partners in its international cooperation during a recent meeting with Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Pham Hung Tam.

Allan noted that Victoria state had opened a representative office in Ho Chi Minh City to promote trade and investment, adding that she wishes to further expand vocational and skills training cooperation between the two sides.

Meanwhile, Lord Mayor of Melbourne City Nicholas Reece told the Ambassador that Vietnam is becoming increasingly important to Melbourne. The Vietnamese community has settled in Melbourne city for a long time, and is developing strongly. A large number of Vietnamese students are studying in Melbourne.

He wished that Vietnamese businesses would open offices and branches in Melbourne city to strengthen connections and expand business between the two sides, cited VOV.

The leader of the Opposition in Victoria, John Pesutto, expressed his optimism about the relationship between the two countries as well as between their localities, noting that strengthening Australia-Vietnam cooperation is a bipartisan consensus in Australia.

He hoped the two countries would expand cooperation in the fields of energy transition and innovation, and supported the further opening of the market for each other's agricultural products, as they are also the main exports of Victoria state.

For his part, Ambassador Tam hailed the development momentum of key areas of cooperation between Victoria state and Vietnamese localities, especially with Ho Chi Minh City.

The ambassador proposed that the two sides continue to promote traditional areas of cooperation such as tourism, trade, education and training, and tourism, while expanding their partnership into new areas such as energy conversion, green economy, and digital economy.

Tam also discussed with Victoria state leaders on issues related to the Vietnamese community in Victoria, calling on the Victorian government to continue to create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live, study, work and contribute to the host locality.

Meeting with representatives of the Vietnamese community in Melbourne, Tam highly appreciated the rapid development in both quantity and quality of Vietnamese associations in the city.

He hoped the associations will strengthen solidarity, support and coordination with each other to constantly enhance the prestige of the Vietnamese community in the host country.

Vietnam, Japan step up cooperation in education, training

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang hosted a reception for Special Advisor to the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance Takebe Tsutomu in Hanoi on July 22, where he said the Vietnamese Government has paid due attention to removing bottlenecks for education and training projects between the two nations.

Tsutomu expressed his deep sadness at the passing of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong, and reminisced his good impressions on the late leader when meeting him in both Vietnam and Japan.

He took this occasion to thank the Vietnamese Government for its support for cooperation programs and projects between the two nations, including the Vietnam – Japan University, Japan – Vietnam Festival, and Vietnam Festival in Hokkaido, and Hokkaido Festival in Ha Long, among others, according to VNA.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang (R) and Special Advisor to the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance Takebe Tsutomu (Photo: VNA)

The Vietnam – Japan University is envisaged to become not only an academic training establishment but also a practice one to meet both nations’ demands for high-quality human resources, he said, adding he hoped that the Vietnamese Government will support the university to organize a ceremony to mark its 10th founding anniversary in October, and join hands with Japan to make the university a new symbol of the Vietnam – Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World.

Quang thanked the Japanese special advisor for his sentiments and sympathy over the demise of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, stressing under the leadership of the Party chief, the Vietnam – Japan ties have developed strongly, comprehensively and substantively, with the upgrades of the ties to the Extensive Strategic Partnership in 2014, and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023.

He spoke highly of the efforts, enthusiasm and great contributions by his Japanese guest to the bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and locality-to-locality cooperation, that enhance the friendship and mutual understanding between the two sides.

The Deputy PM also highly evaluated the initiative to bring graduates from the Vietnam – Japan University to Japan to engage in the apprentice programs, which, he said, help the students improve their knowledge while supporting Japan to handle its labor shortage.

Quang expected that the Japanese Government, enterprises and organizations will continue assisting the university and its graduates, thus improving the establishment’s training quality and attractiveness.

Film about Vietnam screened at UK international arts festival

“Once upon a bridge in Vietnam” by French-Vietnamese director François Bibonne has been screened at the Ruthin International Arts Festival (RIAF) 2024 held in the historic North Wales town of Ruthin.

The film is about a young French music reporter who decides to discover Vietnam through investigations into classical music and get enrolled in an epic journey after his Vietnamese grandmother died. It features beautiful natural images, unique traditional dances and costumes plus the sound and image of a symphony orchestra and unique ethnic musical instruments of Vietnam.

Director Bibonne said that the film screening at the festival is an opportunity for him to connect with UK and international audiences and introduce Vietnam to international friends through music – a bridge that connects people regardless of their origins, reported VOV.

French-Vietnamese director François Bibonne (left) meets a native woman in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang when making the movie "Once upon a bridge in Vietnam”. (Photo: François Bibonne's Facebook)

It is the first documentary about Vietnam by Bibonne. He planned to return to Vietnam in October this year to continue his Vietnamese cultural projects with the second one being a musical film that introduces Vietnamese football, the king sport in Vietnam.

RIAF 2024 themed Elsewhere running from June 28 to July 28 seeks to explore the fertile intersection of cultural diversity and human connection.

The festival includes direct performance of over 50 international artists along with film screening, poetry readings, art exhibitions and workshops.

Hanoi, Da Nang among best places in Southeast Asia for solo travelers

The capital city of Hanoi and the central city of Da Nang have been ranked among the seven best places in Southeast Asia for solo travelers by Lonely Planet.

Da Nang ranks third for its idyllic coastal escape and gateway to varied experiences. Meanwhile Hanoi is in sixth place for its unpretentious vibes.

The criteria for selecting a destination are based on a low crime rate, safety, affordability, diverse landscapes, an "amazing" and immediately noticeable culture upon arrival, and cuisine with enticing flavors that offer a sense of daily triumph with delicious dishes.

The ranking criteria are based on low crime rates, safety, affordability, diverse cultures and landscapes, and delicious foods with enticing flavors.

According to Lonely Planet, cities must have a dense network of flights, trains and buses, which give travelers access to the smallest of provinces, encouraging free-spirited exploration. Strong and widespread Wi-Fi coverage is also considered a significant advantage.

Lonely Planet said Da Nang's graceful arc of a coastline is as stunning as they come, punctuated at the end by the majestic Lady Buddha statue on the Son Tra peninsula. The hotels by the bay recognise this, often maximizing room views with large windows, balconies and infinity pools. Solo travelers on a budget needn't worry about missing out as rooms here average 1,000,000 VND (39.47USD).

For those unused to the country's hectic moped culture, this can be a lifesaver, as the traffic here is easier for pedestrians to navigate, it added.

Solo travelers who love to connect with local people will find them especially amenable to sharing their stories here. Otherwise, the southern stretch invites one to linger with its food trucks and photogenic spots, cited VNA.

Hanoi and Da Nang among the best places in Southeast Asia for solo travelers. (Photo: VNA)

Meanwhile, Hanoi is one of the few cities in the region that has remained relatively unchanged by its popularity.

Local people go about their daily lives with a genuine, unpretentious spirit that keeps Hanoi feeling refreshingly authentic; which to casual observers might seem aloof, but is largely not personal. It is this unvarnished appeal that has won its fans.

Vietnamese people are a sociable lot, and solo travelers will find themselves making transient connections easily.

“Don't be surprised if you're approached by local youths when walking about – they often just wish to practice their English skills and are more than happy to make recommendations,” Lonely Planet said.

Hanoi also serves as a springboard for neighboring attractions, it said, adding that from Hanoi, visitors can book tours to Ha Long, Lan Ha Bay, Sa Pa, and Ninh Binh to explore the beauty of the northern region of Vietnam.

Typhoon Prapiroon to hit Quang Ninh and Hai Phong

As Typhoon Prapiroon intensifies, it is forecasted to make landfall in Quang Ninh and Hai Phong, unleashing heavy rain and strong winds across Northern Vietnam.

Residents are advised to prepare for severe weather conditions including potential flooding and high sea waves.

As Typhoon Prapiroon approaches, its impact is expected to be felt heavily in Quang Ninh and Hai Phong. Currently, the storm has brought strong winds of up to level 7, with gusts reaching level 9, to Bach Long Vi Island. The storm is projected to move northwest, making landfall in the Quang Ninh - Hai Phong region and subsequently causing significant rainfall in the northern provinces and Thanh Hoa.

According to the latest forecast from the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, as of 10am on July 22, the storm's center is located at approximately 19.8 degrees North latitude and 109.0 degrees East longitude, over the eastern waters of the North Gulf of Tonkin, about 150 kilometers southeast of Bach Long Vi Island.

The strongest winds near the storm's center are reaching levels 9-10 (75-102 km/h), with gusts up to level 12. The storm is moving northwest at a speed of 10-15 km/h, cited VNN.

The movement of Typhoon Prapiroon. Photo: National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting

By 10am on July 23, the storm is expected to be positioned at approximately 21.4 degrees North latitude and 107.7 degrees East longitude, over the coastal land of Quang Ninh - Hai Phong. It is anticipated to weaken upon reaching the Vietnam-China border area by 10pm on July 23, with wind speeds dropping below level 6.

Meteorologists predict that the storm will cause strong winds at sea, with gale force winds of levels 6-7 and gusts up to level 9 in the western part of the North Gulf of Tonkin. In the northern Gulf of Tonkin, including Bach Long Vi and Co To Islands, winds will be between levels 6-7, with the strongest gusts reaching levels 9-10 and up to level 12, accompanied by very rough seas.

On land, from tonight, the coastal areas of Quang Ninh and Hai Phong could experience strong winds of levels 6-7, with gusts up to level 9.

Notably, the storm will also lead to storm surges and large waves. In the western part of the North Gulf of Tonkin, waves could reach heights of 2-4 meters, while in the northern Gulf of Tonkin, including Bach Long Vi and Co To Islands, waves could rise to 2.5-4.5 meters. Coastal areas of Quang Ninh and Hai Phong are expected to see wave heights of 2-3 meters.

Residents in the coastal provinces of Quang Ninh and Nam Dinh should be alert for high tides (expected on the afternoon of July 22-23) combined with storm surges and large waves, which could lead to flooding in low-lying areas and slow drainage in rivers.

Furthermore, from the night of July 22 to July 24, the North and Thanh Hoa regions may experience moderate to heavy rain, with localized areas facing very heavy rainfall. Predicted rainfall totals are 100-200 mm in the northeastern region, with some areas receiving over 300 mm; and 50-100 mm in the northwestern region and Thanh Hoa, with some areas exceeding 200 mm.

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