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Ministerial-level negotiation session between Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, US promote negotiations on reciprocal trade agreement

Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, who is head of the government negotiation delegation, held a ministerial-level negotiation session with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, in Jeju, the Republic of Korea on May 16, immediately after the conclusion of the 31st APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting (MRT 31).

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, this was the first in-person negotiation at the ministerial level between the two countries following the online meeting on April 12, to implement the negotiation of the Vietnam-US Reciprocal Trade Agreement as directed by the high-ranking leaders of both countries.

The negotiation session was conducted in a frank, constructive, open, and flexible manner, reflecting both sides’ efforts to build a stable economic, trade, and investment relationship that balances interests and aligns with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the US, based on respect for sovereignty, self-reliance, and political institutions, and harmonizing and balancing interests, in accordance with international law and practices, and the level of development of each country.

Jamieson Greer appreciated Vietnam’s goodwill and proactiveness in preparing for the negotiations between the two sides, and generally agreed with Vietnam’s approach and proposals, cited VNA.

He expressed his hope that with the efforts of both sides, the upcoming technical negotiations will yield positive results, bringing practical benefits to their people and business communities, contributing to stability and sustainable development in bilateral trade relations and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Based on this, the two officials reached a high consensus on principles, approaches, content orientations, and negotiation plans, thereby establishing a foundation for subsequent negotiation sessions to achieve positive outcomes.

Cannes 2025: Vietnam rising as new destination for international filmmakers

On May 14, during the 78th Cannes Film Festival, the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism and the Film Development Association (VFDA) recently hosted a seminar titled "Vietnam – Dynamic Asian Market and New Destination for International Film Crews”

The event attracted filmmakers, producers, directors, experts, and international partners, with Vietnam’s Ambassador to France, Dinh Toan Thang, in attendance.

Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, emphasized Vietnam’s diverse landscapes and rich culture as unique filming assets, highlighting locations from Ha Giang’s mountain roads to the coastal beaches of Da Nang and Phu Quoc. He stressed the country’s potential as both a filming site and an emerging film market.

Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang applauded the longstanding film cooperation between Vietnam and France and expressed hope to expand cooperation through cultural exchange, co-productions, and training programs.

The seminar included screenings and discussions on opportunities and challenges in the film industry, legal reforms supporting production, and the role of cinema in boosting tourism. The Vietnamese diplomat noted the film's power to promote Vietnam’s cultural identity and attract quality tourism, according to VOV.

Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director General of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, introduces Vietnam’s scenic landscapes and filming potential to international partners.

Representatives from the Vietnam Cinema Department and the VFDA shared efforts to improve filming conditions and develop incentive programs aimed at attracting international projects.

International filmmakers present showed strong interest in Vietnam’s growing film scene and its potential as a vibrant filming destination.

Notably, Vietnam Film Night on May 16 will provide a platform for filmmakers, artists, and partners to further exchange and explore opportunities, marking a key milestone in promoting Vietnam as a vibrant international film hub.

Vietnam, China launch new cross-border tourism route

The northern province of Cao Bang held a ceremony on May 16 to announce the opening of a new cross-border tourism route connecting its Cao Bang city and Baise city of China’s Guangxi.

Speaking at the ceremony, Director of the Cao bang province’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Department Sam Viet An said Cao Bang province is blessed with breathtaking natural landscapes that captivate visitors. Particularly, the Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark is recognized for its unique geological, geomorphological, and historical values, as well as its rich cultural identity.

Home to various ethnic groups including Tay, Nung, Mong, Dao, and others, Cao Bang boasts a vibrant and diverse cultural tapestry. This multicultural landscape has created a unique and colourful cultural space, contributing significantly to Vietnam’s and humanity’s broader cultural heritage.

In recent years, Cao Bang has placed a strong focus on developing cross-border tourism, achieving several notable milestones, reported VNA.

Representatives from Cao Bang province and Baise city jointly inaugurate the cross-border tourism route between the two localities. (Photo: VNA)

On October 15, 2024, the Ban Gioc - Detian Waterfall Scenic Area officially opened to tourists after a successful one-year pilot phase, marking a milestone in tourism cooperation between Vietnam and China, he said.

The “two countries – two zones” cooperation model is regarded as a pioneering approach, unprecedented in cross-border economic collaboration, especially in the field of tourism. It aims to establish a model of cross-border and green tourism, promoting sustainable development and mutual growth.

Moreover, the upgrade of the Tra Linh (Vietnam) – Longbang (China) border gate to international status in December 2023, the tourism program connecting Cao Bang (Vietnam) and Jingxi city (Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China) has become an increasingly popular travel product, the official said.

At the ceremony, representatives from Cao Bang province and Baise city jointly pressed the button to inaugurate the cross-border tourism route between the two localities.

Mexico expects to soon upgrade ties to a Strategic Partnership with Vietnam

Marking 50 years of Vietnam – Mexico diplomacy (May 19, 1975 - 2025), Mexican Ambassador to Vietnam Alejandro Negrin has shared in-depth information about the development of bilateral relations, which he said are now facing a great opportunity to be elevated to the level of a Strategic Partnership.

Negrin said in a recent interview granted to VOV that the friendly relationship between the two countries has been continuously strengthened and expanded across many fields over the past half century. One of the important milestones was the establishment of the Political Consultation mechanism at the Deputy Ministerial level in 2002, creating a foundation for official and effective dialogue between the two Governments.

“This mechanism has been maintained stably with seven meetings and is expected to hold the eighth meeting in 2025 in Mexico City, marking a commitment to further strengthening political cooperation,” he revealed.

In terms of economy, the Ambassador highlighted the role of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as a lever to strongly promote bilateral trade. In just five years since the agreement came into effect, two-way trade turnover between the two countries has tripled, reaching over US$14 billion by 2024. Currently, Mexico is Vietnam’s second largest trading partner in the Latin America - Caribbean region and the largest import market for Vietnamese goods in the region.

In addition, the CPTPP also opens up many opportunities for investment capital flows and joint venture projects between businesses of the two countries. The diplomat highly appreciated the potential of the Vietnamese market for Mexico’s key export products such as electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, meat, processed foods and typical beverages such as mezcal (distilled alcoholic beverage) and tequila (also distilled beverage).

On the contrary, he expected that many Vietnamese enterprises would be more interested in investing in the Mexican market, thereby promoting two-way capital flows and increasing connectivity between the two economies.

“A recent diplomatic milestone was the meeting between Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro at the end of 2024. This meeting clearly demonstrated the political determination of both sides in deepening the bilateral relationship and moving towards strategic cooperation goals in the future,” said the ambassador.

Negrin also stated that cultural and educational cooperation is an area with great potential but has not yet developed commensurate with the economic relationship. He affirmed that cultural and educational activities play an essential role in enhancing understanding and connection between the people of the two countries, reported VOV.

Mexican Ambassador to Vietnam Alejandro Negrin says Mexico and Vietnam are now having a great opportunity to elevate their relations to a level of a Strategic Partnership on the back of the positive development of their relations over the past decades.

In order to further develop the Vietnam - Mexico relationship, the ambassador proposed that the two countries promote the signing of a comprehensive partnership agreement, and complete unfinished bilateral agreements, thereby creating favourable legal conditions for expanding cooperation in all fields.

He also mentioned other potential areas of cooperation such as semiconductor technology, tourism infrastructure development, UNESCO heritage conservation, environmental protection and energy transition. These are all strategic areas that can open up many opportunities for extensive cooperation, especially in the context of the two countries moving towards a sustainable and environmentally friendly development model.

“Mexico and Vietnam are both countries with increasing status and role in the international arena. We share the aspiration to build a fair world, based on the rule of law and sustainable development. I believe that, through strengthening bilateral relations, the two countries will actively contribute to shaping a new international order where countries cooperate closely, together towards a better future,” affirmed the Ambassador.

On the occasion of the 50th diplomatic anniversary, he revealed, the Mexican Embassy in Vietnam is implementing many meaningful programs such as an academic conference between the Vietnam Institute for American Studies (VIAS) and the National University of Autónoma de México (UNAM); Mexican Cuisine Month in May and June; the publication of the literary work El Libro Salvaje (The Wild Book) by Mexican writer Juan Villoro; and an exhibition of Mexican art at the Vincom Center for Contemporary Art (VCCA) in September.

Citizen advised to wear masks in public areas amid COVID-19 spike

The Ministry of Health has called for wearing face masks at public places amid an increasing incidence of COVID-19.

The move was made as infection cases are rising in many other countries.

Specifically, people have been told to wear masks in public places, on public transport and in healthcare facilities.

They should avoid large gatherings unless necessary and wash their hands regularly with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.

People should maintain a healthy lifestyle with regular physical activity and proper nutrition, and seek medical advice immediately if symptoms such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing are present, cited VGP.

Photo: VGP

According to the ministry, since early this year, Vietnam has recorded 148 COVID-19 cases across 27 provinces and cities, with no reported fatalities.

The highest numbers were seen in Ho Chi Minh City (34 cases), followed by Ha Noi (19), Hai Phong (21), Nghe An (17) and Bac Ninh (14).

Although there have been no major outbreaks, health authorities have noted a slight increase in weekly cases over the past three weeks, averaging 20 new infections per week.

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