Vietnam News Today (May 2): An Important Milestone in Vietnam – Latin America Relations

Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Vuong Dinh Hue and President of the NA of the People’s Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez sign a cooperation agreement, officially establishing an inter-parliamentary cooperation mechanism between the two legislatures.

An important milestone in Vietnam – Latin America relations

The recent working trip to Cuba, Argentina and Uruguay by National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue has opened up new cooperation opportunities between Vietnam and Latin America in general and between Vietnam and the three countries in particular.

The trip was described as a great success with dozens of bilateral meetings held and nearly 30 cooperation documents signed by the parties.

In Cuba, Hue was warmly welcomed as a special, close guest. He was also invited to deliver a speech at the first session of the newly elected legislature following the general election in late March.

In his speech, Hue highlighted the special and exemplary fraternal solidarity between Vietnam and Cuba over the past six decades, saying it is not only “a moment in history, but a long step forward in the struggle for national independence and socialism, for the happiness of the people, and for the development of the two parties, two states and two peoples”.

Homero Acosta Álvarez, secretary general of the Cuban legislature, highly appreciated Hue’s speech, which he said conveyed an important message of the Vietnamese Party, State and people to Cuba.

Meanwhile, Ángel Arzuaga, deputy director of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, noted the Cuba visit was not only symbolic but very practical, affirming the relationship between Cuba and Vietnam is an exemplary role model in the world.

Besides talks and meetings with Cuban politicians, Hue attended the Vietnam - Cuba business forum, in the presence of the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Cuba. The two sides signed a number of cooperation agreements between the two business communities in the fields of electricity, oil and gas, building materials and aviation.

At the Mariel Special Development Zone, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and his Cuban counterpart Esteban Lazo Hernandez cut the red ribbon to inaugurate the Suchel - TBV joint venture washing powder factory and the solar power plant of Thai Binh company, and attended the groundbreaking ceremony of phase II of Viglacera-invested project at Vimariel Industrial Park.

Construction Minister Nguyen Thanh Nghi, who is also co-chairman of the Vietnam - Cuba Intergovernmental Committee, recalled that the Vietnamese delegation had undertaken practical activities in the fields of trade, investment, agriculture, health, construction and culture, sports, and tourism.

“The Vietnam - Cuba Intergovernmental Committee will continue to effectively implement the signed agreements in order to contribute to strengthening the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba,” said Nghi.

In Argentina, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue held talks with the President of the Argentine Chamber of Deputies, met with the President, Vice President, and Senate Speaker, and attended the Vietnam - Argentina business forum, cited VOV.

President of the Argentine Chamber of Deputies Cecilia Moreau said that despite the geographical distance, the two countries have maintained good relations, especially in politics, economy, culture, and through parliamentary and people-to-people exchanges. Moreau said she believes the visit will contribute to giving strong impetus to deepening the comprehensive partnership and the parliamentary relations both bilaterally and multilaterally.

Eduardo Valdés, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Argentine Chamber of Deputies, emphasized that Argentina wants to learn about Vietnam’s development model closely linked to environmental protection.

“The signing of a cooperation document between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the House of Representatives of Argentina marked a leap forward in bilateral parliamentary cooperation, helping to create a dialogue mechanism to exchange information and experience on legislative issues of mutual interest,” he added.

While staying in Argentina, Hue delivered an important policy speech on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Argentina-Vietnam relations, saying despite the geographical distance, the two nations still share and develop common values of civilization and progress that is the aspiration for independence, democracy and development for the country, and freedom, happiness and progress for the people.

“Only when we unite with each other, shall we definitely level all obstacles to move forward,” stressed Hue.

Mario Shuff, former Argentine ambassador to the Philippines, spoke highly of Hue’s speech, noting it focused on future development of the Argentina – Vietnam relations, and he expressed his belief that the relationship between the two countries will grow stronger and stronger in future.

Leaving Argentina, Hue called at Uruguay, an important partner for Vietnam in Latin America. In Montevideo, the top Vietnamese legislator held talks with leaders of the bicameral legislature, and met with the President and leaders of the Parliament of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur).

This was the highest-level visit to Uruguay by a Vietnamese leader in the past 30 years since the two countries established diplomatic relations. The visit also took place at a time when the two countries were celebrating three decades of bilateral diplomacy.

Hue highly appreciated the role of the Mercosur bloc (comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) in promoting integration, economic, trade and investment cooperation. He affirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to and wishes to further strengthen relations with Mercosur in general and each member country of the bloc in particular.

“If we do not act quickly, we will miss cooperation opportunities to deal with current global challenges such as energy crisis, food crisis, climate change, traditional and non-traditional security issues, digital transformation and energy transition,” said Hue during bilateral talks and meetings.

Argentine Senator Cecilia Britto also expressed her belief that Hue’s visit will help establish a strategic relationship between the National Assembly of Vietnam and Mercosur, in all strategic areas of science - technology, tourism, culture, education and other areas of mutual interest.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Thang Hai, co-chairman of the Vietnam-Uruguay Joint Commission on Economic, Trade and Investment Cooperation, emphasized that if a free trade agreement was reached, it would give a boost to import-export activities.

“We hope, after the historic visits to Argentina and Uruguay by the National Assembly Chairman, two-way trade between the two sides, including Vietnamese exports, will make a step forward,” he commented.

Reviewing the results of Hue’s trip, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc affirmed that leaders of countries attached great importance to Vietnam’s position and role.

Ngoc quoted the ambassadors of Cuba, Argentine and Uruguay to Vietnam, saying that this working trip was of historic significance to Latin American countries, and would have a lasting and far-reaching impact on the region’s cooperation with Vietnam.

Vietnamese handicrafts promoted in Italy

A forum on opportunities for Vietnamese handicraft products has taken place as part of the MIDA – Florence International Crafts Fair 2023, which runs in Italy from April 25 to May 1.

Co-organized by the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy and the Vietnam Trade Promotion Centre for Agriculture (AGRITRADE), the event gathered leaders of European and Italian craft associations, as well as Italian experts and businesses in the field.

Addressing the forum, Duong Phuong Thao, Trade Counselor at the embassy, informed participants that diverse handicraft products from across Vietnam, which are produced from natural materials that are sustainably exploited locally, have so far made their presences in 163 countries and territories around the world, with the EU named their second largest market after the US. In Italy, the goods are increasingly popular, with the turnover of several products, such as bamboo-rattan products and carpets, grown by double digits.

Visitors at at the Vietnamese space at the MIDA - Florence International Crafts Fair 2023 in Italy (Photo: VNA)

Nguyen Thi Hoang Yen, deputy head of the Vietnamese Department of Cooperatives and Rural Development, said the sector is not only a production area with important contributions to creating incomes and jobs for rural people, but also an industry imbued with the national cultural identity.

President of the World Crafts Council Europe Elisa Guidi said Europe's green development trend is a great opportunity for handicraft products.

She recommended the Vietnamese handicraft sector come up with communication measures to help consumers understand the art story behind each product and encourage young people to choose handicrafts as a career direction in the future, according to VNA.

Participating Italian experts held that Vietnam's handicraft has all the key factors serving its further success. They suggested the industry be developed based on three core values of ensuring contemporary, sustainability, and originality, meeting the specific tastes of their target markets.

The annual fair attracted more than 500 exhibitors from over 50 countries worldwide, including Vietnam.

US is largest export market for Vietnamese goods over four months

US is the largest export market for Vietnamese goods for over four months.

China ranked second with US$16.4 billion, followed by the EU with US$13.7 billion, ASEAN with US$11.1 billion, the Republic of Korea (RoK) with US$7.8 billion, and Japan with US$7.3 billion.

Photo: VOV

Throughout the reviewed period, Vietnam’s export turnover of goods dropped by 11.8% to US$108.57 billion against the same period last year.

Meanwhile, the country’s four-month import turnover also declined by 15.4% year on year to US$102.22 billion, VOV reported.

China was the largest importer of Vietnamese goods with an estimated turnover reaching US$33.3 billion, trailed by the RoK with US$16.7 billion, ASEAN with US$13.4 billion, Japan with US$7.3 billion, the EU with US$4.4 billion, and the United States with US$4.1 billion.

The reviewed period saw Vietnam rack up a trade surplus of US$24.4 billion, of which US$24.4 billion was generated from Vietnamese export surplus to the US alone.

Vietnamese veterans in Russia recall glorious national history

The Vietnamese Veterans’ Association in Russia held a ceremony in Moscow on April 30 marking the 48th anniversary of southern liberation and national reunification and the 137th anniversary of International May Day (May 1).

Speaking at the event, the Vietnamese defence attaché in Russia Vuong Dac Thang affirmed that Vietnam always remembers the contributions of war veteran soldiers, including Russian experts who dedicated themselves to Vietnam’s independence and freedom.

At the event (Photo: VNA)

The young Vietnamese generations will continue upholding the heroic traditions of their forefathers and carry on the mission of protecting and building the nation, he said.

Participants at the event recalled the glorious historical periods of the nation, and remarkable milestones in their lives, and sang high praises for the homeland, VNA reported.

The same day, the Vietnamese Association in St. Petersburg city held a gathering marking the anniversaries and honoring former Soviet Union experts who stood side by side with the Vietnamese people during difficult times.

Speeches at the event praised the victory of Vietnam, the indomitable and courageous spirit of the Vietnamese people, and the contributions of Soviet Union military experts, and wished for the relationship between Vietnam and Russia to become increasingly strong and durable.

Boat racing on Sai Gon River marks National Day

The 2023 Binh Duong Open Boat Race Tournament was held on the Saigon River in Phu Cuong ward, Thu Dau Mot City, Binh Duong Province on April 30, marking the 48th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day.

The tournament attracted nearly 150 athletes from 10 teams from districts, towns, and cities in Binh Duong province. Thousands of spectators flocked to the river to cheer for the racing teams.

Teams competed in two events of 500m and 3,000m, NDO reported.

Photo: NDO

After a morning of exciting and attractive competition, the team from the Dau Tieng district won the first-place prize in the 500m event, while the Thanh Phuoc team from Tan Uyen City seized the highest prize in the 3,000m event.

The Binh Duong Open Boat Race Tournament was interrupted for a long time and was just resumed in 2022.

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