At the event (Photo: vietnamnet.vn)

Vietnam, Italy hold 4th Defence Policy Dialogue

Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien and Matteo Perego di Cremnago, Italian Undersecretary of State for Defence, co-chaired the fourth Vietnam - Italy Defence Policy Dialogue on July 3 as part of the former’s working visit to Italy.

During the course of the Dialogue, the two defence officials evaluated the implementation of co-operation areas within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence ties in 2013 and the results of collaboration since the third Defence Policy Dialogue held in Hanoi back in 2019.

The two sides stated that there is ample room ahead to build stronger defence links together, while agreeing on orientations aimed at strengthening co-operation in the various fields of their need and strengths, with a major focus on delegation exchange taking place at all levels, training and capacity building for staff - officers, defence industry co-operation, and technology transfer of production of dual-use products, cited VOV.

This is along with promoting the exchange of experience in deploying UN peacekeeping forces, dealing with the consequences of previous wars in Vietnam, and boosting ties in cybersecurity for the sake of peace, co-operation and development, as well as for the mutual benefit of the two peoples.

For his part, the Italian Undersecretary of State for Defence acknowledged Vietnamese initiatives and underlined the Italian side’s readiness to support the Vietnam People's Army in improving their capacity, whilst also stepping up practical and effective bilateral defence ties through the Defense Policy Dialogue at a deputy defence ministerial level.

The two sides also compared notes relating to international and regional issues of shared concern, while emphasising maintaining peace, stability, and security, including maritime security, along with advocating dispute settlement by peaceful means in compliance with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

This comes after Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and his delegation paid a courtesy visit to Guido Crosetto - Defence Minister of the Republic of Italy.

At the meeting, the two sides consented to assign the two defence ministries’ relevant agencies to study, supplement, and revise the legal basis for bilateral defence co-operation, including ties in UN peacekeeping activities, the settlement of war consequences, and cybersecurity.

On the same day, the Vietnamese delegation held a meeting with Admiral Luciano Portolano, general secretary of Defence and director of the National Equipment Agency, as well as representatives of some Italian agencies, and visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy.

This year both sides celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations which were launched in 1973 and 10 years of a strategic partnership which started in 2013.

Over the past five decades, the friendly mutual co-operative ties which exist have always been promoted by Party, State, and Government leaders of both countries in multiple fields, such as politics, diplomacy, economics, social affairs, trade - investment, defence - security, culture – tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

The fourth Vietnam-Italy Defence Policy Dialogue and a courtesy visit to Ho Chi Minh City by Navy ship Morosini in May are two important events contributing to the promotion of bilateral defence links in line with the friendly co-operation and strategic partnership between the two countries, thereby marking a new step of development in the defence co-operation after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hanoi, Vientiane improve State management in industry, trade

The Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade and the Vientiane Department of Industry and Trade of Laos held a conference in Hanoi on July 3 to share experience in State management in the field of industry and trade.

The event was meant to realise their cooperation agreement for the 2022 – 2025 period signed in Vientiane on November 4, 2022.

Both sides focused their discussions on improving the management in the sector and the capacity of personnel, stabilising the market, promoting trade and developing the One District One Product (ODOP) and the One Commune One Product (OCOP) distribution systems, and raw material zones for production, bringing goods to supermarkets and shopping malls in the two cities, and promoting the consumption of traditional craft products.

They also mulled over the development of handicraft products from traditional craft villages, focusing on product designs that are environmentally friendly and suitable for export, as well as solutions to vocational training in craft villages in Vientiane and Hanoi.

Last year, Hanoi's exports to Laos was estimated at 200 million USD, or 1.2% of Hanoi's total exports, up 20% annually. Its major exports include minerals, machinery and equipment, and electronic components-computers, accounting for 14.8%, 14.4% and 5.3% of the total, respectively.

Meanwhile, its imports from Laos reached 211 million USD, equivalent to 0.5% of its total imports, up 12.6% year-on-year, mostly farm produce, fertiliser, and food, according to VNA.

Acting Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade Tran Thi Phuong Lan speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)

The event was meant to realise their cooperation agreement for the 2022 – 2025 period signed in Vientiane on November 4, 2022.

Both sides focused their discussions on improving the management in the sector and the capacity of personnel, stabilising the market, promoting trade and developing the One District One Product (ODOP) and the One Commune One Product (OCOP) distribution systems, and raw material zones for production, bringing goods to supermarkets and shopping malls in the two cities, and promoting the consumption of traditional craft products.

They also mulled over the development of handicraft products from traditional craft villages, focusing on product designs that are environmentally friendly and suitable for export, as well as solutions to vocational training in craft villages in Vientiane and Hanoi.

Last year, Hanoi's exports to Laos was estimated at 200 million USD, or 1.2% of Hanoi's total exports, up 20% annually. Its major exports include minerals, machinery and equipment, and electronic components-computers, accounting for 14.8%, 14.4% and 5.3% of the total, respectively.

Meanwhile, its imports from Laos reached 211 million USD, equivalent to 0.5% of its total imports, up 12.6% year-on-year, mostly farm produce, fertiliser, and food.

Dengue fever becomes more complicated this year

It is forecast that dengue fever will become increasingly complicated as the epidemic has come sooner compared to previous years, according to information given by Hanoi’s Department of Health.

Since the beginning of this year to mid-June, the capital has reported nearly 400 cases of dengue fever, marking an increase of five times compared to the same period from last year.

The Centre for Tropical Diseases of Bach Mai Hospital noted that it had received dengue fever patients as early as May and June.

According to the analysis given by the health department, abnormal weather conditions have led to the early presence of the dengue fever epidemic, with the disease normally not emerging in such numbers until the rainy season.

Dr. Nguyen Van Dung of the Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology (NIMPE) said in recent years the peak of dengue fever has tended to appear every year instead of the cyclical nature of the disease, re-appearing every five years.

He also warned that dengue fever would continue to spread this year as an effect of the El Nino phenomenon.

The health department anticipates that this year the dengue fever situation will become increasingly complicated, with there being many obstacles to prevention work, VOV reported.

A dengue fever patient receives treatment in the Hanoi-based National Hospital of Tropical Diseases.

Currently, there is no vaccine against dengue fever or any specific treatment for the disease. As a means of halting the spread of dengue fever, the public must have an in-depth understanding of the disease and should be made aware of the need to change their living habits, eliminate mosquito breeding grounds by keeping water out of flower pots and aquariums, and regularly clean items that may contain water.

According to information given by health experts, the dengue virus is dangerous as there is no specific medication for the disease. Therefore, addressing symptoms, staying hydrated, resting, and having an appropriate diet are all crucial aspects to recovery.

Vietnam's economy shows bright spots amid global difficulties

In the context of the global economic downturn and the lingering impact of challenges on the recovery process, many international organisations continue to highlight Vietnam’s positive economic outlook in 2023 thanks to the government's concerted efforts in boosting socio-economic recovery.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast that Vietnam's economic growth will recover in the second half of 2023, reaching about 4.7% for the whole year, thanks to the rebound of exports and easing domestic policies. Inflation is expected to be controlled below the State Bank of Vietnam's 4.5% target.

According to Paulo Medas, head of the IMF's Article IV Mission, in the medium term, Vietnam can potentially regain high growth when structural reforms are effectively implemented.

The projected growth may be lower than that of 2022, but Vietnam's economy still performs well, he said.

Experts of the mission have highly valued the resilience of Vietnam's economy and called for better policy coordination to stabilise the macroeconomic situation in the current context.

Regarding Vietnam’s economic outlook, Singapore-based Maybank Research Pte Ltd said in a recent report that Vietnam’s GDP growth is likely to expand by 5% in the second quarter, and 4% in 2023 before reaching 6% in 2024.

Experts from Maybank predicted that the drop in exports will continue in the second half of 2023 due to slowing global growth, while domestic consumption is likely to decline in the next months amid a weak labour market.

Addressing the Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris in June, Secretary-General of OECD Mathias Cormann expressed his impression of Vietnam’s socio-economic development achievements in recent times.

He affirmed that the OECD will continue to accompany Vietnam on its path towards green and sustainable economic development.

In a dialogue among member nations of the United Nations in New York last month, representatives of the UN Development Program (UNDP) and countries highly valued Vietnam’s post-pandemic economic recovery and its efforts to ensure social security and responding to climate change through appropriate and timely policies.

Meanwhile, participants at the 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Tianjin, China, acknowledged Vietnam as one of the bright spots in the region’s economic recovery, a successful model in pandemic fight, and a pioneer in growth model transformation and energy transition, cited VNA.

Vietnam's economy shows bright spots amid global difficulties. Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

Representatives from many enterprises, impressed by the Vietnamese Government’s strong commitment and support for the business community, said Vietnam is among the most suitable choices for long-term investment and cooperation.

They spoke highly of the country’s participation in the meeting, affirming that they will come to Vietnam to continue discussions with its ministries, sectors and localities on how to realise cooperation plans.

According to the portfolio-adviser.com of the UK, Vietnam is one of the fastest growing economies in Asia.

In its article, the site said many years of consistently high GDP growth have been thanks to a highly attractive combination of political stability with sound pro-market execution from the Vietnamese Government, which has managed to slash poverty from 17% to less than 5% in the last decade.

The best-known growth driver for Vietnam is its step-change in foreign direct investment (FDI), benefiting from an increase in exports, it said, adding that Vietnam is now moving more towards manufacturing higher value products, more in electronics rather than textiles.

One of Vietnam’s most critical FDI sources is technology giant Samsung Electronics of the Republic of Korea, which employs tens of thousands of Vietnamese workers. The firm is the largest investor in the country with 50% of its handsets being produced there.

The Vietnam stock market overall now meets the size and liquidity requirements to be included, with a four-fold surge in retail participation during the past 2-3 years, driven by digital account technology, it noted.

According to the Business Times of Singapore, for decades, Vietnam has been the home of low-cost manufacturing facilities and cheap labour. However, in recent years, the government and the private sector have made a big push to bring in the best talent in an ongoing effort to become a regional technology manufacturing hub.

This has attracted the attention of numerous global tech giants, many of whom have beefed up their investments in Vietnam’s high-tech sectors.

In the first half of 2023, some big names announced plans to increase their presence in Vietnam. Chinese display manufacturer BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd. – a supplier for both Apple and Samsung – has plans to build two factories with a total investment capital of 400 million USD in Vietnam. Meanwhile,

US semiconductor producer Marvell Technology will establish a world-class design centre in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meanwhile, The Nation newspaper of Thailand quoted Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit, General Director of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) under the Thai Ministry of Commerce, as saying that Thai businessmen should study the possibility of exploiting Vietnam's steadily growing retail market, which is likely to reach 350 billion USD by 2025.

South Koreans to help develop Vietnam's film industry

Promoting cooperation within Asia is one of key factors for Vietnam’s film industry to develop and gain success, according to Park Ki-Yong, chairman of the Korean Film Council (KOFIC).

Park said Vietnam should seek support from Asian countries in sharing infrastructure and human resources, and improving storytelling.

He also emphasised to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the film industry between Vietnam and South Korea.

He gave the example of Nha Ba Nu (The House of No Man), a successful cooperation between Vietnamese filmmakers and Korean distributor CJ HK Entertainment, who successfully distributed the movie in Vietnam and foreign markets.

The directorial debut of film producer Tran Thanh became the highest-grossing Vietnamese film of all time, earning VNĐ450 billion (US$19 million). It also achieved more than $560,000 a week after release in the US in March.

Park mentioned that Korea’s capital, experience, and global distribution channel combined with Việt Nam’s human resources, creativity, and location created the success of the movie.

Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, deputy director of the Vietnam Cinema Department, said the cooperation between the department and CJ ENM has earned many achievements over the years.

Ben Trong Vo Ken Vang (Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell), a film by Pham Thien An, one of the winners of the 2018 CJ Short Filmmaking Project, won the Caméra d’Or Award at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Photo jkfilm.vn

In 2014, the department cooperated with CJ ENM in a programme called “Art House” to support and screen films by Vietnamese independent directors who won top prizes at national and international film festivals.

In 2016, they signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the film industry, including the CJ Short Film Making Project, where many Vietnamese filmmakers received financial support to make their own short films, and from there develop them into feature films.

Ha said the CJ Short Film Making Project was first held in 2018, discovering many talented filmmakers such as Pham Thien An, VNS reported.

An was one of the winners of the 2018 contest with the short film Hay Thuc Tinh và San Sang (Stay Awake, Be Ready). The film later turned into his debut feature film, Ben Trong Vo Ken Vang (Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell), which brought the director the Caméra d’Or Award at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.

According to Park, Vietnam needs to have a support system for independent filmmakers from governments and businesses to make art movies, because the movie industry must consist of both commercial and art movies.

He said KOFIC planned to provide funds of KRW22.8 billion to KRW85.4 billion ($17.23 million-$64.76 million) for Korean filmmakers in 2023.

He also recommended developing facilities for filming such as virtual production studios and post-production, as well as open schools to educate filmmakers, film crews, and technicians.

In the workshop on the film industry held in HCM City this week, KOFIC chairman expressed his wish to increase cooperation between KOFIC and the Korean Academy of Film Arts with Vietnam in the future.

Ha of the Cinema Department said, “It is a precious and practical opportunity to boost the development of Vietnam's cultural industry in general, and the film industry in particular.”

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