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At the dialogue in New York on February 27 with Secretary-General António Guterres on the contributions of the Francophonie bloc to the implementation of the UN agenda and his 2025 priorities. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam vows to promote realization of Sustainable Development Goals: diplomat

As a responsible member of both United Nations (UN) and International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), Vietnam is committed to promoting the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fulfilling climate commitments, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang has said.

Speaking at a dialogue at the UN headquarters in New York on February 27 with Secretary-General António Guterres on the contributions of the Francophonie bloc to the implementation of the UN agenda and his 2025 priorities, Giang affirmed Vietnam’s appreciation of Guterres’s leadership in advancing global agendas and diplomatic and mediation efforts for peace and conflict settlement worldwide.

The diplomat underscored Vietnam’s strong support for initiatives aimed at accelerating climate action and ensuring climate financing, as well as for the Secretary-General’s efforts toward reforming the UN development system, cited VNA.

Vietnam will work closely with UN member states, OIF partners, ASEAN, and African nations to advance climate objectives, he said, highlighting the country’s intention to increase its contributions to UN peacekeeping operations in the near future.

On this occasion, Giang extended an invitation to the UN Secretary-General and all OIF member states to attend the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime, set to take place in Hanoi later this year.

In his remarks at the dialogue, Guterres praised the contributions of Francophone members in promoting cultural and linguistic diversity, which are among core values of multilateralism and the UN system.

Pledging to take strong measures to uphold these values within the UN and its Secretariat, he urged Francophone countries to play an active role in achieving the SDGs, Pact for the Future, and Global Digital Compact, as well as to contribute to the settlement of conflicts and maintaining international peace and security.

Strong wave of FDI into South Vietnam in two months

Foreign direct investment (FDI) flows into southern Vietnam have regained momentum over the past two months after a period of decline.

Nguyen Tri Phuong, head of the Industrial Park Management Board of Dong Nai province, revealed that the locality has attracted 14 investment projects with a total registered capital of over US$738 million.

Of the figure, US$689 million is foreign direct investment (FDI) capital, fulfilling more than 80% of the yearly plan.

Most of the investors come from Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan (China), the Republic of Korea, and the United States. Notably, Japan’s SMC has poured an additional US$330 million into SMC Manufacturing Vietnam Co., Ltd. in Long Duc Industrial Park.

Moving forward, the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee aims to attract US$1.1 billion in FDI this year, according to VOV.

Photo: VOV

Meanwhile in Binh Duong province, immediately after granting investment decisions to 20 projects and investment registration certificates to three projects with a total capital of US$1.7 billion in January, the provincial administration issued investment certificates to a series of schemes with capital of billions of US dollars in early February.

In particular, Binh Duong approved investment in seven social housing projects totalling VND8,468 billion.

Two new FDI projects in the locality are the Timotion Vietnam Manufacturing Factory valued at US$29 million and the project of Axman Vietnam Co., Ltd. in VSIP III Industrial Park with US$24 million.

Furthermore, three other projects have increased their capital, namely Cheng Loong Binh Duong Paper Co., Ltd with US$50 million, Deneast Vietnam Co., Ltd with US$40 million, and Dongil Rubber Belt Vietnam Co., Ltd with US$15 million.

Elsewhere, Ho Chi Minh City has also presented investment decisions to 12 housing development schemes in Thu Duc City with total capital exceeding VND33,000 billion.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Center (IPTC), as many as 125 countries and territories around the globe have so far invested in the city. By the end of January, it had 13,691 FDI projects with a total registered capital of more than US$58.9 billion.

Vietnam to officially waive visas for tourists from three European countries from March

Vietnam will waive visas for tourists from Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland from March 1, 2025 in a bid to promote inbound tourism this year.

Specifically, the new policy will be applied to tours organized by international travel service providers in Vietnam until December 31, 2025 under Government's Resolution No. 11/NQ-CP dated January 15, 2025.

Under the policy, Vietnam will waive visas for citizens of the three European countries for a temporary stay of up to 45 days from the date of entry for tourism purposes.

Vietnam also unilaterally exempts visas for citizens from 13 countries, namely Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, the RoK, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Belarus, with a duration of stay of up to 45 days from the date of entry, according to VGP.

Photo: VGP

These countries are among the largest tourist source markets of Vietnam.

In 2024, Vietnam attracted over 17.5 million international tourists, an increase of 39.5 percent from 2023.

Vietnam targets to attract 22-23 million international tourists this year, surpassing the pre-pandemic levels, said the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT).

HCM City eyes multifaceted cooperation with New Zealand

The PM expressed his optimism that his visit will bolster the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, laying a ground for the two sides to work together in various areas such as economy, education, tourism, and agriculture.

The New Zealand leader shared his experience when visiting the Temple of Literature in Hanoi the previous day, noting Vietnam's profound cultural emphasis on education. He highlighted New Zealand's strengths in higher education, with several world-class universities, and mentioned plans for increased investment in science and education, VNA reported.

Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Van Duoc (R) meets with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on February 28. (Photo: VNA)

Cooperation in education provides an excellent starting point, after which the two countries could enhance collaboration in other spheres such as economy, science, technology, and high-tech agriculture, he added.

On February 27 night, Luxon went on a cruise tour down the Sai Gon River and enjoyed the art of "hat boi," a unique theatrical art form that has existed for hundreds of years in Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City to host Vietnam - Japan Festival in early March

The 10th Vietnam - Japan Festival will take place in Ho Chi Minh City on March 8-9 to promote trade, culture, and tourism activities between the two countries, according to a press conference on February 28.

There will be a series of cultural, artistic, and sporting exchanges alongside a number of talk shows, seminars, and forums, to be held during the festival, to strengthen solidarity between the young generations of both countries and spread the message "children - earth - future".

The annual cultural exchange event imbued with the national identities of both countries, affirms the "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" between Vietnam and Japan, said Le Truong Duy, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs.

As both Vietnam and Japan are not only strategic partners, but also sincere friends, he said, the festival demonstrates a long journey in the close friendship between the Governments and peoples of both countries, cited VOV.

Le Truong Duy, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs, speaks at the event (Photo: baotintuc.vn)

In addition to enhancing cultural exchanges, he said, the festival will help promote trade, investment and tourism, as well as tightening friendship and mutual understanding.

For his part, Ono Masuo, Consul General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City, acknowledged that the festival has gradually become the largest Japan - Vietnam exchange program held in Vietnam.

With a diverse range of activities, he said, this year's event promises to continue to offer attractive and interesting experiences to a large number of visitors.

The exchange among people of the two countries also lays the foundations for promoting the mutual relationship across multiple fields, the Japanese diplomat noted.

The organizers said, to mark the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam - Japan Festival this year, the Ho Chi Minh City Festival in Japan will be also held for the first time in Tokyo.

The event is scheduled to run on November 1 - 2 at the Tokyo International Forum Convention Center.

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