Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien (R) and South African Defence Attaché Colonel Eugene Dudley at their meeting in Hanoi on June 12. (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Vietnam, South Africa beef up defence cooperation

Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien on June 12 received South African Defence Attaché Colonel Eugene Dudley, who came to say goodbye before ending his working term in Vietnam.

Chien said Dudley’s contributions in his post and as the head of the military attaché delegation of foreign countries in Vietnam have served the promotion of the Vietnam-South Africa defence cooperation and effective implementation of activities by the delegation.

The official noted that with South Africa considered an active partner of Vietnam, the two nations’ defence collaboration has been bolstered in accordance with their 2006 agreement on relations in the field, cited VNA.

Chien proposed the sides soon promote the signing of a memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation, thereby creating a new impetus to strengthen the ties towards the 30th anniversary of the countries’ diplomatic relations (1993 - 2023).

It is also necessary to effectively maintain consultation, dialogue and delegation exchange mechanisms; promote bilateral collaboration in training, defence industry, and military medicine with respect to the potential and needs of each nation, added the deputy minister.

He also suggested the sides fortify cooperation and experience sharing in UN peacekeeping participation and soon seal cooperation documents in the area.

In response, Dudley highlighted progress made in the Vietnam-South Africa defence ties and thanked units under the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence for their support during his tenure.

He expressed his wish that the countries’ relations and their defence cooperation will grow further in the time to come.

Vietnamese cuisine introduced at Festival of Embassies Food and Culture 2023

Vietnam's traditional dishes and culinary products captured great attention from visitors at the Festival of Embassies Food and Culture 2023, which was recently held in Prague in the Czech Republic.

The annual cultural event aims to strengthen cultural exchange and help local people to gain greater insights into people and various nations from around the world.

At the function, visitors had the opportunity to enjoy traditional dishes and impressive cultural performances put on by various countries from around the world, according to VOV.

Photo: VOV

Most notably, the Vietnamese Embassy in the Czech Republic co-ordinated efforts with TAMDA FOODS company in a bid to introduce traditional Vietnamese dishes such as fried spring rolls, southern Vietnamese beef noodles, and bun cha (vermicelli with grilled pork and fresh herbs).

Many Czech customers also expressed their keen interest in other aspects of traditional Vietnamese culture, especially local conical hats.

The participation of the Vietnamese Embassy during this year's event has served to contribute to elevating the culture and image of the nation to both the Czech community and international friends.

Vietnamese community a bridge connecting Vietnam, Slovakia: Ambassador

The Slovak Government’s recognition of the Vietnamese community as the 14th ethnic minority group is of great significance, helping them have more power and act well as a bridge connecting the two countries, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to Slovakia Nguyen Tuan.

Tuan said that this is a result of continuous advocacy by the embassy and the Executive Board of the Vietnamese Association in Slovakia with the host country’s National Council, Government and relevant ministries and sectors, VNA reported.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Slovakia Nguyen Tuan and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Slovakia (Photo: VNA)

According to the diplomat, the Vietnamese community in Slovakia was formed more than 50 years ago when students, trainees and apprentices went to Czechoslovakia under the agreement between the two countries.

When Czechoslovakia was split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1992, the Vietnamese community has maintained their contributions to Slovakia’s development.

Tuan said that this is a result of continuous advocacy by the embassy and the Executive Board of the Vietnamese Association in Slovakia with the host country’s National Council, Government and relevant ministries and sectors.

According to the diplomat, the Vietnamese community in Slovakia was formed more than 50 years ago when students, trainees and apprentices went to Czechoslovakia under the agreement between the two countries.

When Czechoslovakia was split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1992, the Vietnamese community has maintained their contributions to Slovakia’s development.

Petrol prices remain unchanged as oil prices record slight increase

The prices of RON 92 and E5 petrol remained unchanged while diesel and kerosene prices increased slightly on June 12 following the latest price adjustments made by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Ministry of Finance.

In line with the changes, from 3 p.m. the price of E5RON92 and RON95 bio-fuel was left unchanged with a maximum price of VND20,878 per litre and VND22,015 per litre, respectively.

Photo: VOV

Furthermore, the price of diesel oil went up by VND85 per litre to VND18,028 per litre. In addition, a rise of VND52 per litre was also seen in the price of kerosene to VND17,823.

However, the price of mazut endured a drop of VND164 to VND14,719 per kilo, cited VOV.

The two ministries also decided to extract VND228 per litre from E5 RON 92 price, VND180 from the price of RON 95-III, VND200 per litre from diesel price, VND200 per litre from kerosene price, and VND100 per kg from the price of mazut from the petrol price stabilisation fund.

US tops the list of inbound nationalities visiting Vietnam this summer

The United States has been named among the list of the leading inbound nationalities visiting the nation this summer, according to details given by Booking.com’s Travel Predictions 2023.

US travelers topped the list, followed by tourists from Australia, the Republic of Korea, Spain, and France.

Furthermore, Booking.com also released its latest search data trends that reveal Vietnamese travelers’ preferred destinations this summer.

Da Nang retained its top spot as the most searched domestic destination among Vietnamese tourists this summer, followed by Nha Trang and Phu Quoc. The website noted that boasting 3260 km of remarkable coastline and almost 5000 years of history, beaches continue to hold an irresistible appeal for Vietnamese travelers.

Photo: VNN

Along with beaches, Vietnamese people are also searching for urban cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and charming countryside destinations such as Da Lat, Vung Tau, and Hoi An, all of which make it to the list of top 10 most searched destinations this season.

Moreover, as the tourism industry continues on its recovery path, outbound trips from the country are increasing, with people eager to resume and reboot their international travel plans.

Booking.com revealed that Bangkok makes up the most popular outbound destination for Vietnamese travelers, followed by Singapore and Paris. “Since reopening its borders Tokyo and Seoul are also seeing great interest among Vietnamese travelers and among the top 5 most searched destinations this season,” Booking.com noted.

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