Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and EC Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis, during their working session on the sidelines of the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam seeks stronger cooperation with EC

Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son has met with Valdis Dombrovskis, vice president of the European Commission (EC) on the sidelines of the recent OECD Ministerial Council Meeting 2023 in Paris, France.

Son suggested that the EC soon remove IUU yellow card for Vietnamese seafood exports and encourage the parliaments of member states of the European Union (EU) to soon ratify the EU – Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

He also suggested that the two sides work closely together to implement commitments under the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) deal to support Vietnam in energy transition.

The EC Vice President for his part acknowledged Vietnam’s request regarding the EVFTA ratification and affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner for the EU in the Asia-Pacific region. He asked the two sides to step up cooperation in trade-investment and climate change response.

The two sides expressed satisfaction at the positive developments in the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the EU in recent times, especially in economy-trade-investment, cited VOV.

They agreed to further strengthen the exchange of high-level delegations, and expand cooperation to labour and health care, along with existing fields of cooperation.

Regarding the East Sea issues, the two sides affirmed their support for settling disputes by peaceful negotiations on the basis of international law.

Vietnam, Singapore look to expand energy development cooperation

Vietnam is willing to cooperate with and learn from Singapore in developing green and sustainable energy industry towards ensuring energy security and safety, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Dang Hoang An has said.

The Vietnamese official made the statement during a recent working session with Keith Tan, Deputy Minister designate of the Singaporean Ministry of Trade and Industry.

The two officials briefed each other of policy priorities for energy development in each country and acknowledged the outcomes of the first meeting of the Joint Working Group to implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Energy Cooperation between the two ministries in January this year.

Parrticipants at the working session (Photo: congthuong.vn)

An applauded Singapore's proposal in promoting energy cooperation between the two countries and effectively implementing the MoU on energy cooperation, saying that the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) will develop a plan to implement Power Development Plan VIII in the near future, according to VNA.

Singaporean investors need to study, comply with, abide by relevant legal regulations and meet requirements of Vietnam in the process of implementing investment projects in Vietnam, he said.

According to statistics from the MoIT’s Asia–Africa Market Department, Singapore is the fifth largest trade partner of Vietnam in ASEAN and the 11th in the world. It is the second largest foreign investor in Vietnam, with the highlight being 13 Vietnam - Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP) across the country.

Vietnam to have 33 airports by 2050

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has just signed a decision approving a master plan on the development of the national airport system for the 2021 – 2030 period with a vision to 2050.

According to the master plan, by 2050 Vietnam will form two international aviation transport hubs in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on par with regional levels. It will expand and upgrade airports in regional economic centers to meet socio-economic development requirements.

The national airport system will by the time have 33 airports, including 14 international airports, namely Van Don, Hai Phong, Noi Bai, Tho Xuan, Vinh, Phu Bai, Da Nang, Chu Lai, Cam Ranh, Lien Khuong, Long Thanh, Tan Son Nhat, Can Tho and Phu Quoc.

The remaining 19 airports for domestic flights will be Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Sa Pa, Cao Bang, Na San, Cat Bi, Dong Hoi, Quang Tri, Phu Cat, Tuy Hoa, Pleiku, Buon Ma Thuot, Phan Thiet, Rach Gia, Ca Mau, Con Dao, Bien Hoa, Thanh Son and the second airport south of Hanoi capital.

A representative of Vietnam Airlines, the national flag carrier, says building more airports in Vietnam is a must, reasoning that the country is facilitating its economic development, with import-export activities, foreign direct investment, and tourism services making up a large proportion of the economy.

Vietnam currently has 22 airports – a rather modest figure compared to 38 in Malaysia and Thailand and 70 in the Philippines, reported VOV.

Tan Son Nhat International Airport, the largest of its kind in Vietnam, is always overloaded during peak season.

Currently, some airports such as Tan Son Nhat, the largest in the south, and Noi Bai, the largest in the north, are overloaded, hindering the development of the aviation industry. Therefore, developing the aviation market commensurate with its potential is the prerequisite for Vietnam to meet its development requirements.

According to experts and airlines, it is necessary to forecast the growth rate of the aviation market to ensure to-be-built airports cannot meet the demand and avoid overcrowding in the future.

Dr. Tran Quang Thang, director of the Institute of Economic Management of Ho Chi Minh City, says the planning should be based on actual needs and development conditions in localities.

A new airport may contribute to creating breakthroughs for the development of the locality and the region, but the airport infrastructure planning must be consistent with the overall development planning of the region and the whole country, he says.

Party official reaffirms Vietnam’s solidarity with Cuba

Politburo member and permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Secretariat Truong Thi Mai has reaffirmed the Vietnamese Party and State’s consistent policy of supporting solidarity with the just revolutionary cause and heroic struggle of the Communist Party and people of Cuba.

During a reception in Hanoi on June 9 for member of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) Central Committee and First Secretary of the Havana Party Committee Luis Antonio Torres Iríbar, Mai expressed readiness to share experience and provide practical support for Cuban people within her ability.

She suggested the Party Committees of Hanoi and Havana work closely together and direct agencies concerned to turn plans into specific actions for the successful implementation of the recently-signed cooperation agreement for the 2023-2028 period, especially in areas of their strength such as agriculture, urban construction and planning, health care, tourism, industrial park management, foreign investment attraction and digital transformation.

Torres Iríbar, informed the host about socio-economic development and key agenda of the Havana Party Committee to realise the Resolutions of the eighth PCC National Congress.

He expressed his firm belief that under the leadership of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, the CPV and Vietnamese people will continue reaping greater achievements, leading the nation towards stronger and sustainable development, cited VNA.

Politburo member Truong Thi Mai (R) and First Secretary of the Havana Party Committee Luis Antonio Torres Iríbar (Photo: VNA)

The Cuban official thanked leaders of the Vietnamese Party and State for always creating favourable conditions for the development of relationship between the two capital cities, and providing support for the Cuban Party, State and people in general and Havana’s people in particular in improving social welfare, defending the revolutionary achievements, and steadfastly pursuing the goal of building socialism in Cuba.

The guest also briefed Mai about the two municipal Party Committees’ consensus on major orientations to improving the efficiency of cooperation in important areas between the two cities, saying that both sides agreed to share experience and offer practical support to each other and believed that their 2023-2028 cooperation agreement will yield substantial and positive results.

HCM City develops Cultural Space project

HCM City has achieved good resultes in cultural growth a year after launching the project called “Hồ Chí Minh Cultural Space”.

The project is part of a strategy of the city’s cultural industry between 2020 and 2025 approved by the municipal People’s Committee.

It focuses on building public spaces such as pedestrian streets and amusement parks. Cultural activities in photography, fine arts, traditional theatre and music are also highlighted.

Under the project, more than 2,900 Cultural Space activities have been launched at cultural centres, religious sites, and residential areas around the city.

Local organisations and associations have offered 2,000 contests and festivals featuring traditional theatre, music, fine arts and literature.

Art clubs around the city have organised many singing and sports contests aimed at children and teenagers, cited VNS.

The Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space project focuses on building public spaces such as pedestrian streets and amusement parks. Cultural activities in photography, fine arts, traditional theatre and music are also featured. Photo courtesy of the HCM City Theatres Association.

Photo and book exhibitions and showcases on the late President Ho Chi Minh were launched.

The Ho Chi Minh Museum has also offered several showcases displaying many literary and artistic works, newspapers and documentaries to introduce President Ho’s legacy to the public.

The city organised a special programme of cultural and artistic activities celebrating the 46th anniversary of the day Sai Gon-Gia Dinh was officially named after President Ho Chi Minh last year.

It attracted several thousand artists from leading art troupes, theatres and clubs, who used their art to introduce the city’s history, culture and lifestyle.

The city spent VND45 billion (US$1.93 million) from its budget to restore the Ho Chi Minh Museum of History, one of the city’s seven biggest museums.

The museum is still open while the restoration work, which began in April, is being carried out.

According to Nguyen The Thuan, director of the city’s Department of Culture and Sports, the Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space programme is essential to the city’s cultural growth.

“We will continue to develop of the Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space project in the future. Our new programmes this year will provide local people, particularly youngsters, in suburban areas with more chances to experience cultural activities,” he said.

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