Deputy Minister of National Defense Sen. Lieut. Gen Hoang Xuan Chien (R) and newly-appointed Cambodian Military Attaché in Vietnam Maj. Gen. Leang Sovannara in Hanoi on March 27. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Cambodia foster defense cooperation ​

Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen Hoang Xuan Chien received newly-appointed Cambodian Military Attaché in Vietnam Maj. Gen. Leang Sovannara in Hanoi on March 27.

Chien expressed his delight at the results of bilateral defense cooperation over the past time, particularly in delegation exchanges, human resources training, border management and protection, and seeking and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese volunteers and experts who sacrificed in Cambodia during the war.

He spoke highly of the collaboration among the Ministries of National Defence of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in successfully organizing the first border defense friendship exchange programme in January 2023, cited VNA.

Chien expected that Leang Sovannara will closely coordinate with relevant units of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence to continue effectively implementing cooperation contents between the two sides, especially on the exchange of delegations, training of human resources, and overcoming mine consequences after the war, participation in UN peacekeeping operations, and support each other at multilateral forums.

He also expressed his belief that Leang Sovannara will promote achieved results of his predecessor and make new contributions to further develop defense cooperation between the two nations.

For his part, Leang Sovannara expressed his pleasure at the good results of Vietnam-Cambodia relations in general and bilateral defense cooperation in particular. He also affirmed that in his tenure, he will make efforts to contribute to the effective implementation of Vietnam-Cambodia defense cooperation contents.

Vietnam seeks GFANZ assistance to meet climate commitment

Vietnam expects to receive technical and financial support and expertise from international partners and organisations, including the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), in order to realise its climate action commitment, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha told Mary L.Schapiro, GFANZ Vice Chair, in Hanoi on March 27.

At the meeting, Ha briefed his guest on major difficulties faced by Vietnam in formulating legal mechanisms and policies for green transformation.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha (R) meets with Mary L.Schapiro, vice chair of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) in Hanoi on March 27.

According to the Deputy PM, many investors have expressed interest in renewable energy projects but have not yet solved the technological problem related to ensuring balance and stability of the national power grid, production and use of green hydrogen and green ammonia, power storage solutions, and energy export.

Vietnam aims to completely resolve legal problems, and at the same time it is piloting a number of offshore wind and solar power projects with energy storage solutions and flexible power supply. However, it is in dire need of financial support for early implementation, he said.

In addition, he said the country hopes to receive technical assistance and expertise in building and perfecting institutions, transferring technology, and assessing the feasibility of energy and offshore wind power centres.

He suggested that GFANZ should have specific commitments on financial and technical assistance as well as technology transfer from G7 countries and international partners in the Just Fair Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) agreement signed with Vietnam, according to VOV.

Mary L.Schapiro for her part briefed his host on global financial institutions’ efforts in mobilizing capital for energy conversion projects as well as challenges for many economic sectors. Accordingly, she said GFANZ will spend financial resources on research, innovation and technology transfer activities in the field of renewable energy.

The GFANZ leader expected to receive clear requests from the Vietnamese side regarding capital mobilization in the international market for investment businesses in the fields of smart grid development, renewable energy, fossil energy conversion, green fuel production from solar power, and offshore wind power.

Vietnam - Japan joint initiative in new era launched

A meeting was held in Hanoi on March 27 to launch the first phase of the Vietnam - Japan joint initiative in the new era.

In his remarks, Vietnamese Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said the Vietnam - Japan joint initiative, which began in April 2003, is special cooperation between the two governments.

Via the establishment of a policy dialogue forum between Japanese investors and related Vietnamese ministries and sectors, it has contributed to building a transparent and conductive business climate in the Southeast Asian nation, and offered policy recommendations as reference serving the law and policy refinement processes by local agencies, VNA reported.

Photo: VNA

Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio said after two decades, the initiative completed eight phases, with 84% of the workload finished on time, giving a boost to foreign capital inflows in Vietnam, particularly from Japan.

The Vietnam - Japan joint initiative in the new era consists of five major groups of issues. They involve the promotion of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), green transition, innovation, and digital transformation, the strengthening of the supply chain, the training of high-quality IT, AI, and semiconductor human resources, and the reform of mechanisms to improve the business climate.

Participating Vietnamese and Japanese delegates agreed that the first phase will last for 19 months, with a mid-term review meeting slated for December this year and a summit to assess the entire process in October 2025.

The sides pledged cooperative efforts and active implementation of commitments in the action plan to meet the set goals, for mutual prosperity of the Vietnamese and Japanese business communities and the enhancement of the two countries’ relations.

As of February 20, Japanese investors had channeled 74.3 billion USD into 5,288 projects in Vietnam. In the first two months of 2024, their registered investment amounted to 422.4 million USD, soaring by 290% year-on-year.

Northern Vietnam to suffer first major hot spell of the year

A hot spell is heading towards the northern region of Vietnam from the west that is to bake the region in the coming days.

The hot spell will first affect north-western and north-central localities on March 30, with temperatures climbing to 33-35°C, according to the National Centre of Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

In Hanoi, temperatures will rise by 9 to 10°C, reaching 35°C on April 1 - 2.

The hot spell is forecast to last until April 4 due to the influence of low air pressure coming from the west, cited VOV.

Photo: VOV

Meanwhile, the southern region, including Ho Chi Minh City, is enduring a prolonged heat wave which is anticipated to last for a couple of days.

Daytime temperatures will stay high at between 35 - 37°C, or even above 37°C in some places, with humidity falling to a low of 45%.

Doctors warn that the searing heat could potentially threaten the health of the people, especially children and the elderly, as well as laborers working outdoors. They advise that adults keep children in airy homes during hot days, be fully vaccinated, and maintain a clean living area.

Cuba-Vietnam ties – symbol of solidarity: Cuban NA President

The close-knit relationship between Cuba and Vietnam, founded by President Ho Chi Minh and Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro and nurtured by the two countries’ generations of leaders and people, is a symbol of the era and of solidarity, said President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernández.

During a reception in Havana on March 26 for the new Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Quang Long, Hernández committed all possible support for the diplomat to fulfill tasks assigned by the Vietnamese Party and State, cited VNS.

President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernández (right) receives new Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Quang Long.

He recounted significant milestones in the exceptionally rare relationship between the two countries, notably the Cuba visit by National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue in April 2023 that coincided with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam of Cuba, now the Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Association; the 50th anniversary of leader Fidel Castro's first visit to Vietnam and the southern liberated zone, and the 63rd anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations (December 2).

According to him, Hue was the first foreign leader to visit Cuba after the country’s general election, and to address the Cuban legislature following the election of important State positions in line with the Constitution. This unprecedented event demonstrates the importance that the Cuban NA attaches to the Vietnam-Cuba relationship, he said.

Long, for his part, affirmed that Vietnam will never forget the invaluable support provided by the fraternal Cuban people during difficult times.

He highlighted Vietnam's unwavering support for Cuba in its fight against the US blockade, its pursuit of socio-economic development and efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation across various sectors.

Earlier, he submitted a copy of his credentials to Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Anayansi Rodríguez Camejo.

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