Vietnamese Deputy PM Le Minh Khai (R) and MOECO CEO Hidenori Harada (Photo: VGP)

Vietnam seeks investment cooperation opportunities in Japan

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai met representatives of several Japanese businesses on May 25 as part of his ongoing working trip to Japan to seek investment cooperation opportunities.

At a meeting with the Executive Vice President of Idemitsu Kosan Co Ltd. Sakai Noriaki, Khai appreciated Idemitsu’s efforts in undertaking investment and cooperation activities in Vietnam over the past years, especially in its role as a capital contributor to the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Project (NSRP).

He proposed that Idemitsu continue to expand business investment activities in Vietnam, especially in areas of its strength such as energy conversion, alongside strengthening cooperation and supporting technology transfer, helping Vietnamese businesses engage more deeply in regional and global supply chains.

Sakai briefed Khai on Idemitsu’s operations globally, saying Vietnam is the group’s largest investment location worldwide in seven areas. He affirmed that Idemitsu would expand investment and business in Vietnam.

Idemitsu will work closely with the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN) and related parties to promote the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Project to operate effectively and stably, bringing harmonious benefits to all parties, he said.

At another meeting with Hidenori Harada, CEO of MOECO Mitsui Oil Exploration Co.,Ltd., Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai welcomed efforts of MOECO and joint venture partners in implementing investment and cooperation activities in Vietnam in recent times, including the O Mon III gas-fired thermal power plant of the US$12 billion Block B - O Mon gas-to-power project.

He highly appreciated the firm’s major investment directions in Vietnam to contribute to stable energy supply and net zero emissions, as well as to expansion of foreign direct investment and labor cooperation, cited VOV.

He proposed that MOECO expand business investment activities in Vietnam commensurate with its financial potential and technological level, while strengthening cooperation and supporting technology transfer to Vietnam.

Harada expressed his joy at MOECO’s engagement in large-scale energy projects in Vietnam like the O Mon III plant, and affirmed that his firm would continue to coordinate closely with the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group and relevant ministries and agencies to soon deploy projects, ensuring progress, quality and efficiency.

The same day, Deputy PM Le Minh Khai met with Ichita Yamamoto, governor of Gunma prefecture who affirmed that he would promote the implementation of cooperation documents between Gunma and ministries, agencies, and localities of Vietnam.

According to Yamamoto, businesses of Gunma have so far poured more than JPY8 billion (equivalent to US$60 million) into Vietnamese projects. He revealed that he would lead a business delegation to visit Vietnam in 2024 to further rev up investment in the fields of information technology and digital transformation.

Khai for his part welcomed Yamamoto’s plan and proposed that the businesses of Gunma invest more in Vietnam in areas of its strength such as manufacturing, processing, high-tech agriculture, tourism, and human resource training.

Vietnam hopes to further reinforce ties with Africa: official

A Vietnamese official underlined the country’s wish to further reinforce multifaceted ties with Africa while addressing a celebration of the Africa Day (May 25) in Hanoi on May 24.

The event, organized by the African countries’ embassies in Vietnam, saw the presence of Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu; representatives of the embassies of Egypt, Algeria, Angola, Libya, Morocco, Mozambique, South Africa and Nigeria; along with officials from the diplomatic corps in Hanoi and many Vietnamese ministries and sectors.

In his remarks, Vu highlighted the historical significance of the Africa Day, which honors the African countries’ unyielding and enduring spirit of struggling for national liberation in the past, as well as their progress and achievements in the building of a peaceful and prosperous continent nowadays.

Vietnam highly values the stature and prestige of the African Union (AU) in the continent’s political security, economic, and social life. It wishes to congratulate African people, under the AU’s leadership, on having obtained many enormous development attainments recognized by the United Nations and the international community as seen in the AU’s permanent membership of the Group of 20 (G20), he noted.

He voiced his belief that thanks to the countries’ strong implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Africa will soon become a dynamic development hub of the world.

The official affirmed that Vietnam always treasures and hopes to further intensify multifaceted relations with Africa, at both bilateral and multilateral levels, according to VNA.

Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu (left), Moroccan Ambassador Jamale Chouaibi (centre) and Palestianian Ambassador Saadi Salama, who is also head of the diplomatic corps in Vietnam, toast at the ceremony on May 24. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam became an observer of the AU in December 2023 and has practically contributed to the initial achievements of the AU’s Agenda 2063 with the vision of “An Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena”.

Bilateral trade posted impressive year-on-year growth of 8.9% to 8.92 billion USD in 2023 despite difficulties in Vietnam’s trade with the world, according to Vu.

Moroccan Ambassador to Vietnam Jamale Chouaibi, head of the group of African countries’ ambassadors in Hanoi, said Africa is emerging and undergoing economic and systematic transition with the ultimate goal of ensuring a just and sustainable future. As a growth powerhouse of the world and a land of opportunities, it is actively cooperating with partners to secure sustainable economic development, despite considerable difficulties relating to political instability, climate change, and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic facing the world.

He held that with Vietnam’s strengths and experience along with Africa’s demand and great natural advantages, the two sides boast much cooperation potential, particularly in the fields of food security, health care and energy, to work towards a prosperous and cohesive world.

Dutch frigate HNLMS Tromp makes goodwill visit to Vietnam

HNLMS Tromp (F803), the second De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate of the Royal Netherlands Navy, docked at Chua Ve port in the northern city of Hai Phong on May 24, beginning a four-day goodwill visit to Vietnam.

The vessel’s commander and crew members were welcomed at the port by Hai Phong leaders and officers of the High Command of Region 1 of the Vietnam People’s Navy, and the High Command of Region 1 of the Vietnam Coast Guard.

The visit is expected to strengthen the cooperative relationship between the two countries in general and the two militaries in particular, in accordance with the framework of the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the Netherlands.

It will also help to promote friendly exchanges, cooperation, mutual understanding and trust between naval officers and sailors of the two countries, VOV reported.

HNLMS Tromp (F803) of the Royal Netherlands Navy calls at Chua Ve port of Hai Phong city, beginning a goodwill visit to Vietnam. (Photo: PANO)

During their stay, the commander and crewmembers of the Royal Dutch vessel will pay a courtesy visit to leaders of the Hai Phong administration and the High Command of Region 1 of the Vietnam People’s Navy. They will also play a friendly football match with local navy officers and soldiers.

Vietnamese and Dutch naval ships are scheduled to take part in a drill at sea.

Vietnamese culinary delights shine at Seoul Friendship Festival

Vietnam’s food booth has made a strong impression at the 2024 Seoul Friendship Festival, which takes place from May 24-26 and gathers representatives and residents from over 70 countries living, working, and studying in the Republic of Korea (RoK).

Vietnam is presenting its popular dishes such as Pho Bo (beef noodle soup) and Nem Ran (fried spring rolls), prepared by staff from Vietnamese representative offices in the East Asian nation, cited VNA.

At the Vietnam’s food booth within the 2024 Seoul Friendship Festival. (Photo: VNA)

The Seoul authorities said that the festival is a global event celebrating diverse cultures from around the world, with this year’s theme spotlighting the capital city and the world through culture. The 2024 edition also sees the highest number of participating countries since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The annual event has been held since 1996.

Son Doong Cave among top 7 most beautiful underground attractions

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) of Hong Kong (China) has recently honored Son Doong Cave in Vietnam's central province of Quang Binh as one of the seven most beautiful underground attractions in the world.

The SCMPs article looks back at the journey to discover the world's largest cave of a local farmer named Ho Khanh.

During a jungle expedition in 1991, Khanh stumbled upon the cave entrance. However, the sound of rushing water and strong gusts of wind deterred him from venturing further inside. On subsequent attempts, he was unable to remember the location of the "mysterious" cave.

In 2007, Khanh joined a royal expedition team of the UK in their search of new caves in Phong Nha – Ke Bang, and he guided them to search for the cave but they could not find it. In 2008, Khanh finally found the cave entrance and contacted the UK expedition team. Upon measurement, explorers confirmed that the cave was 5km long, VNS reported.

Son Doong Cave in Quang Binh Province has been honoured as one of the seven most beautiful underground attractions in the world by the South China Morning Post. Photo courtesy of Oxalis Adventure

In addition to its underground river systems, thriving jungle ecosystem, 400-million-year-old fossils, and spectacular geological formations, Son Doong Cave is home to several species of plants and animals that exist nowhere else on earth.

In 2018, a team of UK cave experts discovered that Son Doong cave is at least 30 per cent larger and much deeper than previously reported.

In addition to Vietnam's Son Doong Cave, the list of the seven most beautiful underground attractions in the world includes Tham Luang cave (Thailand), the Paris Catacombs (France), the Cold War Tunnel (Albania), the Reed Flute Cave (China), Malinta Tunnel (the Philippines), and the National Coal Mining Museum of the UK.

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