Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha (R) receives Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski in Hanoi on July 7. (Photo: VGP)

Vietnam and Australia boost energy transition cooperation

Vietnam and Australia are expected to increase cooperation in energy transition and climate change adaptation in the coming time.

The view was shared by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha and Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski during the meeting in Hanoi on July 7.

Receiving the Australian diplomat, Ha briefed his guest on the implementation of the national energy transition plan and the Just Energy Transition Partnership agreement towards net-zero emissions commitments in Vietnam. He expected that Australia would actively engage in the development of a mechanism for coordination and action by developed and developing countries to achieve the carbon neutralization goal.

The Deputy PM proposed that Australia share experiences, cooperate in research, and transfer technology to produce green hydrogen and green ammonia from renewable energy at an appropriate cost, as well as in managing the smart energy transmission system and pooling finance for converting fossil energy to renewable energy to ensure the balance and stability of the energy system.

As the two countries share similarities in climate change adaptation, water resource management and desertification, Ha suggested that they could undertake a number of joint projects to share experiences, transfer technology and management methods, and complete the legal corridor suitable to Vietnam’s conditions, cited VOV.

Vietnam expects that Australia with its experience in building a green financial mechanism for climate change adaptation and environmental protection will give advice and help form a carbon credit market in the country, he made the request.

The Deputy Prime Minister highly appreciated the support of Australian organizations and partners in developing Vietnam’s policies on geology, minerals, and energy conversion.

Ambassador Goledzinowski for his part briefed his host on the Australian Government’s energy transition strategy, and said Australia lauded Vietnam’s net-zero emissions commitments by 2050.

He also assured his host that Australian businesses show their keen interest in renewable energy development orientation prescribed in the Vietnam National Power Development Plan VIII for 2021-2030 and with a vision to 2050, as well as the application of advanced technologies in exploration, exploitation and processing of precious minerals in Vietnam.

Vietnam, China hold negotiations on maritime issues

Vietnam and China held the 16th round of negotiations of the working group on the sea area beyond the mouth of the Gulf of Tonkin and the 13th round of talks of the working group for consultation on cooperation for mutual development at sea in China’s Guangdong province on July 4.

The Vietnamese delegation was led by Trinh Duc Hai, deputy head of the National Boundary Commission under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the Chinese side was headed by Yang Renhuo, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

They are the first in-person negotiation rounds of the two working groups since the COVID-19 outbreak, according to VNA.

A ship of the Vietnam Coast Guard. (Photo: VNA)

The two sides reaffirmed each nation's principled stance on the delimitation of the sea area beyond the mouth of the Gulf of Tonkin, and exchanged opinions on cooperation for mutual development at sea; and had in-depth discussions on these two issues on the basis of conformity with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

They agreed to respect each other's legal and legitimate concerns, strictly implement important common perceptions reached between leaders of the two Parties and States, the "agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between Vietnam and China", concertedly promoting discussions on the delimitation of the sea area beyond the mouth of the Gulf of Tonkin and cooperation for mutual development at sea to soon achieve substantive progress.

The two sides also agreed to make efforts to promote cooperation at sea, including the early negotiation and signing of a new agreement on fisheries cooperation in the Gulf of Tonkin, thus contributing to maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea and the region, and to the development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and China.

Three VN destinations named among 16 UNESCO heritage wonders in SEA

Ha Long Bay, Hoi An Ancient City, and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park have been listed among the 16 UNESCO world heritage wonders throughout Southeast Asia, as compiled by UK-based travel magazine Wanderlust.

Topping the list is Ha Long Bay, a site that was first recognized by UNESCO in 1994.

Although these limestone karst pillars aren’t unique to Vietnam, nowhere on Earth is their scale so dramatic, sprouting some 1,600 spines from the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, birthing towering islands and islets which are out of bounds to all but the native seabirds that have made them home, the article writes.

Hoi An Ancient City ranks sixth in the list. The central city was once a thriving port town and home to merchants from across Asia, until the Thu Bon River silted up some 200 years ago and traders were forced to move elsewhere.

Reminders of Hoi An’s multi-cultural past can be found in its French-style buildings, Chinese Quarter, and dainty Japanese-style covered bridge. The Chinese influence is particularly visible in the city’s assembly halls, with each being built according to the home province of its settlers, the magazine explains.

Ha Long Bay tops the list of the 16 UNESCO world heritage wonders throughout Southeast Asia. (Photo: Wanderlust)

Moving down the list, ninth position went to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. The park was recognised by UNESCO long before Son Doong cave was discovered, a five km-long cavern so big a skyscraper could fit inside which is the world’s largest cave.

The area was opened to tourism services in 2013, although guided trips into its gaping limestone maw are still in their infancy. More caves are being found all the time, with the glistening underground stalagmite field of newly-discovered Hang Va becoming the latest to receive tours, according to travel magazine Wanderlust.

Other sites to make the list include Singapore Botanic Gardens in Singapore, Luang Prabang in Laos, Gunung Mulu National Park in Malaysia, and Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns in Thailand.

Packed full of wild parks, natural wonders, and ancient temples, it’s amazing that Southeast Asia boasts a total of 41 UNESCO world heritage sites.

Wanderlust picked their favourite places in the region and have recommended them as great destinations for tours.

Vietnamese company develops wind power project in Laos

An agreement signing ceremony to develop a wind power plant project in Savannakhet province was held in Vientiane on July 6 between representatives of the Lao Government and Vietnam's AMI Renewables Quang Binh Investment Joint Stock Company.

Speaking at the event, Lao Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Sthabandith Insisienmay emphaised that energy development is one of the potential fields and comes in line with Laos' socio-economic development orientation, adding that the work has been included in the list of projects selling electricity to Vietnam by 2025, reportd VNA.

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

He expressed his hope that the investor will closely coordinate with ministries, sectors and locality to carry out the project in timely fashion and implement their rights and obligations under the signed contract.

For his part, Nguyen Nam Thang, Chairman of the Board of Directors of AMI Renewables Quang Binh, affirmed that his company will strive to complete the work ahead of schedule, making practical and effective contributions to economic cooperation between Quang Binh and Savannakhet provinces in particular and the two countries at large in the new period.

With a total capacity of 1,220 MW, the AMI Savannakhet Wind Power Plant project has a total investment of over 2 billion USD, the largest in the energy field of Vietnam invested in Laos.

The project will be a symbol of special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Quang Binh and Savannakhet in particular and the two countries in general. In addition, the project will play an important role in economic development, ensuring energy security, and contributing to national defense and security in the Vietnam-Laos border area in Quang Binh.

Most of storms to affect Vietnam in Aug-Oct

Most storms and tropical depressions have been forecasted to affect the South China Sea and Vietnam between August and October.

According to Mai Van Khiem, director of the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the El Nino phenomenon would continue until the end of 2023 and even the first half of next year.

From now to September, the northern and central regions of Vietnam would continue to face hot weather. The peak time would be from July to August.

The rainfall from now to the year-end would be lower than the average level of many previous years, cited Dtinews.

This year, the South China Sea has been predicted to see between 11-13 storms, including 5-7 that would hit Vietnam. Most of the storms would happen between August and October.

The flooding in the north would mainly occur between July and September.

The Mekong Delta region would struggle with drought and salt intrusion late this year and early next year.

Five high tides would ravage the southeastern region between June and September this year.

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