Deputy Director of the Central Military Hospital 108 Colonel Prof. Dr. Le Huu Song (left) and Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Gen. Chansamone Chanyalath. (Photo: VNA)

Lao leader hails cooperation of Vietnamese and Lao military hospitals

Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Gen. Chansamone Chanyalath outlined the value of cooperation between Vietnam’s Central Military Hospital 108 and Lao Central Military Hospital 103 at a reception held on March 15 in Vientiane for a delegation from the Vietnamese hospital.

The Lao leader said that cooperation between the two hospitals contributes to tightening the solidarity and friendship between the two Parties, the two States, and the two armies. He asked the two hospitals to continue working hand in hand, especially in training, to improve professional qualifications for medical staff and doctors at the Central Military Hospital 103 of Laos in particular, as well as the military medical service of Laos in general.

Leading the Vietnamese delegation, Colonel Prof. Dr. Le Huu Song, deputy director of the Central Military Hospital 108, said that next year will mark the 20th anniversary of the cooperative ties between the two hospitals, thereby proving their effective collaboration efforts.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese hospital will continue to support and send specialists to help the Lao hospital.

He said he hopes that the defense ministries of both sides will continue to create favorable conditions for the two hospitals’ future cooperation.

Earlier, representatives of the two hospitals worked with each other and signed a Memorandum of Understanding for their cooperation in 2024, under which the Vietnamese hospital will receive doctors from the Lao partner for training and sending doctors to help with medical examination and treatment at the Laotian hospital.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang (L) and State Secretary of the Croatian Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy Ivan Vidis (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Croatia explore labor cooperation potential

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang on March 14 held a working session with State Secretary of the Croatian Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy Ivan Vidis to discuss the potential of labor cooperation between the two countries as part of her working visit to the European country.

Briefing Vidis on Vietnam's socio-economic landscape, Hang highlighted the potential and strength of Vietnam's labor force. With 53% of Vietnam's 100 million people falling within the working-age range, she presented Vietnam as a promising source of qualified labor for Croatia. Vietnam expects to collaborate with Croatia in vocational training to equip Vietnamese workers with the skills necessary to meet the European Union (EU) standards, she said.

Vidis, for his part, agreed to boost bilateral labor and vocational training cooperation. He noted that despite having around 200,000 foreign workers, constituting 6% of the population, 80% of Croatia's economic sectors still face labour shortages. Croatia, he explained, aims to attract skilled and legal foreign workers, and Vietnam is seen as a potential partner in this effort. To facilitate this partnership, Vidis highlighted Croatia's policies that allow work permits and contracts for foreigners for up to three years, ensuring their rights are protected on par with local workers.

Both sides pledged to step up labor cooperation, including continuing to facilitate direct cooperation between businesses from both countries. They will initiate negotiations to build a legal framework through the signing of a bilateral agreement. The guest also further expressed his intention to visit Vietnam next year to conduct surveys.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung (fourth from left) (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Ambassador explores cooperation with Italy’s Basilicata region

Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung visited Basilicata region in southern Italy from March 12-14 to explore potential areas of collaboration between Vietnamese localities and Basilicata.

Ambassador Hung met with key regional leaders, including President of Basilicata Vito Bardi, Councilor of Matera province Concettina Sarlo, Prefect of Potenza city Michele Campanaro, Prefect of Matera city Cristina Favilli, and Mayor of Matera city Domenico Bennardi.

Highlighting the longstanding friendship between Vietnam and Italy spanning over five decades of diplomatic relations, Hung proposed that leaders of Basilicata region and its cities prioritize policies and measures that would foster cooperation with Vietnamese localities in areas of mutual strength, especially in the economy which still holds significant untapped opportunities.

President Bardi hoped that the diplomat’s visit would open up specific cooperation opportunities with Vietnam, especially in trade and investment.

Mayor Bennardi expressed his desire to step up specific cooperation programs in cultural preservation, arts and cuisine, aligning with Matera's strengths as a renowned tourist city chosen as the "European Capital of Culture 2019" and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

He suggested forging twinning partnerships with a Vietnamese locality, and expressed his readiness to collaborate with the Vietnamese Embassy to hold cultural, art, fashion and culinary events, thus nurturing friendly cooperation, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

Both Prefect Campanaro and Prefect Favilli also echoed their support for collaborative initiatives, delegation exchanges, and all-encompassing cooperation.

During a working session, Councilor Sarlo thanked the Vietnamese embassy for its gift of books on Vietnamese history, art and culture to the provincial library to raise mutual understanding. He reciprocated by presenting the embassy with a set of books detailing the historical background of Matera's 31 territories.

On the occasion, a roundtable connecting Vietnam and Basilicata, co-hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy and the Basilicata Confederation of Industry, was a great success; during which participants gained further insights into the potential, cooperation needs and market attractiveness of each other. Ambassador Hung also visited major local enterprises and met with members of Rotary club to step up people-to-people diplomacy.

Vietnam, France exchange funding agreement for climate change projects (Photo: tapchitaichinh.vn)

Vietnam, France exchange funding agreement for climate change projects

A ceremony took place in Hanoi on March 15 to exchange the agreement signed by the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance (MoF) and the French Development Agency (AFD) to fund two projects worth 72.3 million EUR (80 million USD) in Vietnam. The agreement supports the Hoi An anti-erosion and sustainable coastal protection project in the central province of Quang Nam and the central coastal urban development project for green growth and climate change response in Dong Ha city, Quang Tri province.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Finance Vo Thanh Hung said the committed loan amount further solidifies AFD's position as Vietnam's largest bilateral donor in Europe, highlighting the French Government's commitment to strengthening strategic partnership with Vietnam.

The AFD loan is accompanied by non-refundable aid from the European Union (EU), aimed at improving project effectiveness and supporting localities in enhancing their capacity to operate projects and undertake climate change adaptation activities in localities.

Peteris Ustubs, European Commission Director for the Middle East, Asia and Pacific, said investing in projects funded by the Water and Natural Resources Management Facility (WARM) not only helps strengthen the resilience of local communities but also contributes to the global fight against climate change. They are in line with the EU's Global Gateway Initiative to bridge the global investment gap and demonstrate the EU's commitment to being a loyal partner of Vietnam in climate action and sustainable development.

On the occasion, representatives from the MoF, the People's Committees of Quang Nam and Quang Tri provinces also signed loan agreements to redistribute AFD loans from the central to local budgets to ensure seamless capital transfer and project effectiveness.

On December 29, 2023, the MoF signed loan agreements with AFD and the non-refundable grant agreements from the EU, delegated through the AFD, for the above two projects.

Phu Quoc among 10 best islands in Asia

Asian travel website DestinAsian has revealed a list of the 10 best islands to visit across Asia, with the Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc ranking sixth on the list. Now home to one of the most imaginative new five-star resorts in the region, Phu Quoc seems to be one step closer to emerging as the nation’s premier beach destination, the travel website wrote.

However, for the time being its mellow charms continue to endure, as does a local spirit as distinct as the island’s famous fish sauce, the article reported.

According to DestinAsian, Phu Quoc is a renowned source of two staples of local cuisine, including nuoc mam (fish sauce) and black pepper. It’s also known for its seafood, pearls, and delicate pink wine which is made from the fruit of the rose myrtle tree.

Topping the list is Bali of Indonesia, followed by the Maldives, Phuket of Thailand, Koh Samui of Thailand, and Boracay of the Philippines. The other destinations to make the top 10 are Phu Quoc of Vietnam, Langkawi and Penang of Malaysia, Palawan of the Philippines, and Lombok of Indonesia.

Politburo member, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen (second from the right) and delegates visit a booth displaying publications of the Vietnam News Agency at the event (Photo: VNA)

2024 National Press Festival opens in HCM City

The 2024 National Press Festival kicked off in Ho Chi Minh City on March 15 as a significant preparation step towards the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Revolutionary Press Day.

In his opening speech, Nguyen Trong Nghia, head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Information and Education, underlined the role of the revolutionary press of Vietnam as a bridge between the Party and people from all walks of life, and a means for the people to express their feelings and trust in the Party and the State. He urged media agencies and the Vietnam Journalists’ Association (VJA)’s chapters nationwide to continue researching and creatively applying the Party's relevant guidelines, policies, and laws of the State effectively.

The official said that the continuous development of multi-platform and multimedia journalism and data journalism with digital tools such as artificial intelligence and blockchain technology, has created both opportunities and challenges for media agencies and journalists, so press agencies need to proactively seek solutions to improve competitiveness, protect copyrights, fight misinformation and fake news.

With the theme "Vietnamese Press - Pioneering, Innovation for the Revolutionary Cause of the Party and the People", the festival is a highlight of the Vietnamese press' professionalism and modernity.

The event this year is the biggest of its kind so far, bringing together representatives from three journalists’ associations of cities and provinces and over 600 central and local press agencies nationwide, with 112 booths displaying outstanding publications covering all aspects of economic, political, cultural, social, defence, security, and foreign affairs.

In the framework of the event, a national press forum will be held for the first time, gathering over 60 speakers, including experienced journalists, representatives of leading media agencies in Vietnam, and reputable international communications experts. It will include 10 sessions, debating on topics of interest to the press, such as enhancing the Party's leadership and orientation in journalistic activities, building a media cultural environment, data journalism and superior content strategy, and effective investment and application of technology in editorial offices.

The festival offers a chance for journalists to gain a better understanding of the information demand and preferences of readers and audiences, thus producing media products that closely reflect life, and widely popularising policies of the Party and the State, said Le Quoc Minh, Editor-in-Chief of Nhan Dan (People) newspaper, head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Information and Education and VJA chairman.

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