Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha (center) and Speaker of the House of Representatives Vera Bergkamp (R) and President of the Senate Jan Anthonie Bruijn. (Photo: VNA)

Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha pays a working visit to the Netherlands

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha held talks with his Dutch counterpart Carola Schouten in The Hague on June 26 as part of his working visit to the Netherlands.

Ha affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to its comprehensive partnership with the Netherlands.

Appreciating the significance of Ha’s visit on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Schouten expressed her belief that the trip will contribute to deepening the bilateral strategic partnership on climate change adaptation and water management.

The two Deputy PMs confirmed the determination to further develop the Vietnam-Netherlands comprehensive partnership to be commensurate with the two countries’ potential and the wishes of their leaders and people, cited VNA.

They stressed the need to step up the exchange of delegations at all levels via the State, Government and National Assembly channels and people-to-people exchanges; and effectively implement the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Ha proposed the Netherlands soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), back the European Commission’s removal of its ‘yellow card’ warning against Vietnamese seafood exports, and boost collaboration with Vietnam in not only politics and economy but also in socio-culture; social insurance; child education, care and protection; and human resources training.

Meanwhile, Schouten showed her hope that Vietnam supports the Netherlands in strengthening its relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The two sides affirmed maintaining close coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums and international organizations such as the ASEAN-EU cooperation framework, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and the United Nations.

Regarding the South China Sea issue, both leaders stressed the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea; and settling disputes by peaceful measures on the basis of international law, while emphasizing the importance of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Ha took this occasion to propose the Dutch Government continue creating favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the Western European country to promote its important role as a bridge connecting the two countries. He affirmed that Vietnam welcomes and creates the best environment for foreign investors, businessmen, and tourists, including those from the Netherlands.

Earlier, Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha had a meeting with Speaker of the House of Representatives Vera Bergkamp and President of the Senate Jan Anthonie Bruijn, in which he described the Netherlands as Vietnam’s leading partner in trade, investment, and cooperation in climate change adaptation; and asserted Vietnam’s determination to comprehensively promote and deepen the strategic partnership framework in the field of climate change and sustainable agriculture.

He proposed the Dutch Parliament soon ratify the EVIPA to contribute to creating favorable conditions for Dutch enterprises to expand their business and investment in Vietnam and push for the EC’s removal of its ‘yellow card’ warning against Vietnamese seafood exports. Ha also suggested the Netherlands and its bilateral and multilateral partners support Vietnam in implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

The host leaders asserted that Vietnam is an important partner of the Netherlands in the Asia-Pacific region, and spoke highly of close coordination between the Dutch Parliament and the Vietnamese National Assembly at regional and international inter-parliamentary forums.

Both sides showed their belief that the cooperation between the two legislatures will develop stronger in the coming time on the bilateral aspect and at multilateral forums, contributing to peace and stability in the world and the region, as well as to addressing global challenges towards sustainable development.

They also shared views on regional and international issues of mutual concern. Regarding the South China Sea issue, the two sides affirmed their support for ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation and settling disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law and the 1982 UNCLOS.

On this occasion, Ha conveyed National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue's regards and invitations to Vera Bergkamp and Jan Anthonie Bruijn to visit Vietnam. The Dutch leaders accepted the invitations with pleasure and affirmed that they would pay visits to Vietnam in the coming time.

Vietnamese leaders mourn for former Deputy PM Vu Khoan

Vietnamese Party and State leaders paid their last respects to former Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan in a State funeral service held in Hanoi on June 27.

Among the leaders present at the funeral ceremony were State President Vo Van Thuong, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai, and Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Hoang Cong Thuy.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong; Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and former Presidents Tran Duc Luong and Nguyen Minh Triet sent flowers to pay tribute to former Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan.

State President Vo Van Thuong (third from left, first row) and other officials pay their last tributes to former Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan at a funeral service held in Hanoi on June 27.

In the mourning book, State President Thuong expressed his deepest sadness over the passing of the former Deputy Prime Minister, describing him as a Vietnamese leader who had made practical contributions to the country’s Doi Moi (Renewal) and international integration process.

“You have devoted yourself to the glorious revolutionary cause of our Party, country, and people,” he wrote.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan passed away in Hanoi on June 21 due to his old age and illness at the age of 86, according to VOV.

He was elected to the Party Central Committee, the Party Secretariat, and the National Assembly in various tenures. He kept important positions in the State apparatus, including Minister of Commerce, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister.

He was in charge of relations with countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and relations with ASEAN, ASEM, and APEC, along with research work, economic cooperation, and consular affairs, among others.

Former Deputy PM Vu Khoan was awarded many noble distinctions in Vietnam and other counties such as the former Soviet Union, Laos, and Japan.

Numerous activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam – Malaysia ties

A ceremony to announce activities celebrating the 50th founding anniversary of Vietnam – Malaysia diplomatic ties was jointly held by the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia and Malaysia – Vietnam Friendship Association (MVFA) in Kuala Lumpur on June 26.

The event offered a chance for the two nations to review the development of bilateral relations and set out plans to promote cooperation in the future.

In his opening remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador to Malaysia Dinh Ngoc Linh highlighted the fruitful development of the Vietnam – Malaysia relationship across fields over the last five decades, especially after the two nations upgraded their ties to a strategic partnership in 2015.

He expressed his belief that the bilateral relations will continue growing stronger as the two sides boast huge potential for cooperation, especially in sustainable development, innovation, and technology, VNA reported.

The signing of the MoU between the MVFA and the Digital Heritage Department of Malaysia. (Photo: VNA)

The close and steadfast cooperation will elevate the strategic partnership between the two countries to a new height, the diplomat affirmed.

MVFA President Tran Thi Chang said the association plans to organize a series of cultural and sports activities in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties, including a boat race, a football tournament, Vietnam Day, and a trade promotion fair in Malaysia, she said.

According to former Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Dato Azmil Zabidi, increasing two-way trade is considered evidence of the flourishing cooperation between the two countries, and also a strength that needs to be further intensified.

In the framework of the event, the MVFA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Biotechnology Information Centre and the Digital Heritage Department of Malaysia.

Vietnam is the 11th trading partner and the 7th biggest export market of Malaysia, with two-way trade hitting about 15 billion USD in 2022. The two countries are expected to lift their trade to 18 billion USD by 2025.

Vietnam remains an ideal destination for global giants

Despite a decline in global investment flows, Vietnam remained an attractive destination for foreign companies, especially large-scale enterprises, experts have said.

Over the past five months of this year, foreign investment registered in the country reached nearly US$10.86 billion, up 10.6% month-on-month, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment's Foreign Investment Agency (FIA).

Of the sum, more than US$5.26 billion was injected into 962 new projects, representing year-on-year increases of 27.8% in the value and 66.4% in the number, the agency said.

Koh Chiap Khiong, Sembcorp Industries' CEO of Singapore and Southeast Asia, told vtv.vn that his company had focused on expanding the renewable energy portfolio in Vietnam, in line with the country's climate goals.

He added that there were many opportunities to drive business growth in line with the country's energy transition as the supply chain was expanding.

Chairman of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Hyosung Group Cho Hyun Joo said his firm considered Vietnam a strategic market. Hyosung has developed production facilities in many localities throughout the country, such as Ho Chi Minh City, and Dong Nai and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces.

He told baodautu.vn that his group would not only want to expand the scale but also to turn the country into a sustainable investment destination.

Another Korean firm, Doosan Group, said it was looking to expand eco-friendly energy investment in Vietnam as one of the future strategies that it is aiming at the potential clean energy market in the Southeast Asian country.

Doosan Enerbility company had signed agreements with three companies operating thermal power plants in Vietnam to promote an environmentally friendly fuel conversion project.

The RoK’s firm and Nghi Son 2 Power Limited Liability Company have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on energy collaboration to research the application of carbon reduction solutions in electricity production, coal consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions.

These MoUs were among a series of cooperation deals inked among Vietnam and the RoK firms during the Vietnam-Korea Economic Forum, held in the capital city last week under the framework of the State visit to Vietnam by RoK President Yoon Suk Yeol, cited VNS.

Photo: VNS

They had proved the keen interest of Korean investors in the Vietnamese market, experts said.

FIA Director Do Nhat Hoang said that Vietnam saw a breakthrough in the Korean investment flow over the past six or seven years.

The RoK is now the largest foreign investor in Vietnam, with a total registered capital of US$82 billion.

Most notably, several leading Korean business groups, including Samsung, LG, and Posco, had initiated projects worth billions of dollars in Vietnam.

Although Korean investment in Vietnam tended to slow down in the first five months of this year, due to the general trend of global investment flows, a bright future was ahead, baodautu.vn cited Hoang as saying.

He added that the FIA had a list of dozens of Korean-invested projects waiting for approval, some worth hundreds of millions of dollars, some valued at billions of dollars and his agency would soon publish the information about these projects.

Large Korean corporations were considering Vietnam as the number one investment destination, Hoang noted.

In his speech at the Vietnam-Korea Economic Forum, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said Vietnam was giving priority to three strategic breakthroughs regarding institutional reforms, infrastructure, and human resources.

The country was also stepping up economic restructuring, industrialization, and modernization based on sci-tech and innovation, including sustainable growth drivers such as the digital economy, digital transformation, green growth, and circular economy in line with the country’s green growth strategy.

In such a process, Vietnam welcomed foreign investors, especially those from the RoK, particularly in innovation, digital transformation, biotechnology, electronics, semiconductors, clean energy, green economy, smart city development, and hi-tech agriculture, he stressed.

He also wished for their further investment in the cultural and entertainment industries.

At the forum, RoK President Yoon Suk Yeol said Vietnam and the RoK should boost joint work in digital transformation, energy transition, and renewable energy.

Japanese people encouraged to travel to Vietnam

The Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) and the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) have encouraged Japanese people to travel to 24 countries and regions, including Vietnam.

The move aims to boost the Japanese airline and tourism industries, amid demand for international travel struggling to recover in the post-COVID period.

According to kyodonews.net, to further incentivize international travel, JATA will gift JYP8,000, equal to US$60, in electronic money by lottery to 3,210 people who acquire a decade-long passport and fly internationally between July 1 and September 30.

The 24 countries and regions include China, Hong Kong (China), the Republic of Korea, Taiwan (China), Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Canada, the United States, Hawaii, Guam, Mexico, Spain, Finland, France, the UK, Germany, Italy, Turkey, and Australia.

Vietnam is a popular tourist destination for Japanese holiday-makers as it attracts approximately one million arrivals from the Far East nation each year, cited VOV.

Japanese tourists visit Vietnam (Photo: Bao Van Hoa)

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism reports that the number of Japanese tourists visiting the country increased by 1.4 times to 952,000 in 2019 during the 2015 - 2019 period, with an annual average growth rate of 9%. In 2022, Vietnam welcomed only more than 128,000 Japanese visitors, much lower than the pre-pandemic figure. However, the number is anticipated to rise considerably this year.

Japan ranked fourth among the top 10 tourism markets of Vietnam in the last five months, with 204,000 visiting the nation in the reviewed period.

Japanese tourists are mostly interested in tours to experience local culture and explore UNESCO World Heritage sites, as well as resort-style vacations in Vietnam. Hanoi, Hoi An, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City are their most favorite destinations.

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