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Nguyen Xuan Thang (L), Politburo member, President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, and Chairman of the Central Theory Council, welcomed by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Kazakhstan promote multifaceted cooperation

A delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam led by Nguyen Xuan Thang, Politburo member, President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA), and Chairman of the Central Theory Council, has paid a working trip to Kazakhstan from November 13-16.

Within the trip’s framework, Thang had a meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, State Counselor Karin Erlan, and Executive Secretary of the ruling Amanat Party Karibek Daulet.

He also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the HCMA and the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies, took part in a scientific seminar marking the 65th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s visit to Kazakhstan, and observed the signing of an MoU establishing sisterly relations between Bac Ninh province in Vietnam and East Kazakhstan.

The meetings and working sessions covered a wide range of topics, including bilateral relations, strategic directions for future cooperation, and discussions on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

At the meeting between Thang and President Tokayev, the host leader emphasized that the visit is a significant milestone in promoting comprehensive cooperation between the two nations.

He expressed Kazakhstan’s sharing over the damage caused by Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam and recalled his successful state visit to Vietnam in August 2023. He asked Thang to extend his invitation to Vietnamese President Luong Cuong to visit Kazakhstan in May 2025 for the Astana International Forum.

On bilateral relations, Tokayev praised the impressive development across all areas, including politics, trade, investment, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. He affirmed that Kazakhstan values its traditional friendship with Vietnam and takes the country as a key partner in Southeast Asia, within the framework of Kazakhstan’s balanced, multilateral foreign policy. The President assured that his country will implement concrete measures to further enhance cooperation with Vietnam and thanked it for its support of Kazakhstan’s initiatives, including the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA).

In response, Thang thanked Kazakh people for supporting Vietnam during the fight for independence and national reunification in the past as well as current national construction and defense. He also praised Kazakhstan’s economic development strategies aimed at reducing dependence on oil and natural resources, cited VNA.

Thang informed President Tokayev of Vietnam’s economic transformation, from a centrally planned economy to a socialist-oriented market economy, with a focus on sustainable development and ensuring no one is left behind. He reiterated Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralization of relations, being a friend and a trustworthy partner of the international community.

Regarding the future of bilateral ties, the official stressed the strategic importance of Kazakhstan which serves as a critical link between Asia and Europe. He proposed enhancing cooperation in sectors such as trade, investment, science and technology, education, and transport. Thang also suggested the opening of direct flights between Hanoi and Astana, the creation of favorable conditions for businesses of the two sides to promote cooperation towards the goal of 10 billion USD in two-way trade, and the promotion of cooperation in various fields like defense, security, digital transformation, green transition, and organic agriculture.

At the working sessions between the Vietnamese delegation and State Counselor Karin Erlan and Amanat Party leaders, both sides noted the rapid growth of bilateral trade which reached nearly 1 billion USD in 2023, and expressed optimism for continued growth in 2024. New agreements, including visa exemptions for ordinary passport holders and direct air routes between Astana and Vietnam's Nha Trang and Phu Quoc, are expected to drive further cooperation in trade, investment, and tourism.

Leaders of the Amanat Party affirmed that the party places great importance on strengthening and deepening its relations with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and expressed the party's willingness to sign a new cooperation agreement between the two parties which will replace their Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2018.

Thang and his Kazakh hosts also commended the signing of MoU between the HCMA and the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies and the sisterly relations between Bac Ninh and East Kazakhstan, describing these as concrete steps to implement agreements signed during President Tokayev’s visit to Vietnam earlier this year.

Vietnam seeks cooperation opportunities at 2024 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week

Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong met a number of leaders of the United States, China, Malaysia Singapore, Australia, Canada and Russia on the sidelines of the ongoing 2024 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Lima, Peru, on November 15, to strengthen bilateral relations, and explore cooperation opportunities in various areas.

Meeting with Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, Cuong affirmed that Vietnam considers the development of cooperative and friendly relations with China a strategic choice and a top priority in its foreign policy.

He congratulated the significant and historic achievements that the Party, State, and people of China have recorded under Xi’s leadership over more than a decade of the new era, especially since the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

Xi for his part emphasized that China regards its relationship with Vietnam as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy, and supports Vietnam in successfully organizing the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party. He also extended an invitation to Cuong to visit China at an appropriate time.

Both leaders expressed their appreciation for the positive developments in the relationship between the two Parties and countries, particularly following the successful visits of General Secretary and President Xi Jinping to Vietnam in December 2023 and General Secretary and President To Lam’s visit to China in August 2024.

At a meeting with US President Joe Biden, Cuong reaffirmed that Vietnam views the US as a strategically important partner and noted the positive results achieved by both sides after one year of implementing the comprehensive strategic partnership framework. He also praised Biden’s leadership and contributions to the development of Vietnam-US relations in recent years.

Biden congratulated Cuong on his new role and affirmed that the US values its relationship with Vietnam, and supports a strong, independent, self-reliant, and prosperous Vietnam.

While meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Cuong emphasized Vietnam’s commitment to further developing the friendly relationship and strategic partnership with Malaysia.

Anwar congratulated Cuong on his new position and acknowledged Vietnam as a very important partner for Malaysia in the region. He proposed that both sides continue to strengthen and elevate their relationship through expanded and deeper cooperation.

During his meeting with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Cuong suggested continuing to enhance cooperation mechanisms in areas such as political-diplomatic relations, economy-trade, defense-security, culture-education, science-technology, and people-to-people exchanges.

Wong congratulated Cuong on his new role and recognized Vietnam as a significant partner for Singapore in ASEAN. He stressed the need to boost bilateral cooperation in strategically important areas.

Meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Cuong proposed continued close coordination to effectively implement the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Action Program for 2024-2027.

Albanese reaffirmed Australia’s respect for Vietnam’s role and status, while recalling his four previous visits to Vietnam. He extended a formal invitation to the Vietnamese President to visit Australia at an appropriate time, according to VOV.

Vietnamese President Luong Cuong (L) meets with US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the 2024 APEC Economic Leaders' Week in Lima, Peru, on November 15.

Both sides agreed to enhance political trust, maintain regular and effective high-level exchanges, and ensure cooperation mechanisms are active, especially within the frameworks of the United Nations, APEC, and ASEAN.

During his meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Cuong thanked Canada for its support in helping Vietnam recover from recent Typhoon Yagi.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the robust development of Vietnam-Canada relations and emphasized their determination to deepen cooperation based on mutual respect and benefit.

Trudeau noted that many Canadian officials and businesses have visited Vietnam to explore economic, trade, and investment opportunities, particularly in new areas such as innovation, digital transformation, and green transition.

Meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, Cuong reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to its comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia.

Meanwhile, Overchuk stated that Russia prioritizes developing substantial and effective relations with Vietnam, rooted in their traditional friendship and the potential of both countries.

Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in economic-trade, energy, science-technology, education-training, and tourism.

Throughout these meetings, the leaders emphasized the importance of multilateralism and the multilateral mechanisms of which Vietnam and the respective countries are members, including APEC.

Da Nang welcomes nearly 2,000 int'l cruise passengers

The Dutch-flagged cruise ship Noordam docked at Tien Sa port in Da Nang on November 15, bringing nearly 2,000 international visitors to explore the central city.

During their stay, tourists from Europe and the Americas are set to visit iconic attractions such as the APEC park, the museum of Cham sculpture, Han market, Marble mountains, and beaches.

The Noordam is on its way from Hong Kong (China) to Singapore, with scheduled stops in four Vietnamese destinations of Ha Long in northeastern province of Quang Ninh, Da Nang, Nha Trang in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa, and Ho Chi Minh City in the south. The ship is set to leave Da Nang at 11 p.m. the same day to continue its journey.

Cruise tourism typically peaks from the last months of a year to April of the following, with passengers often seeking cultural experiences, sightseeing, and local souvenir shopping, VNA reported.

Cruise passengers from the Noordam board vehicles to explore Da Nang city. (Photo: VNA)

Earlier, on November 11, Da Nang hosted the Blue Dream Melody cruise ship with nearly 600 Chinese tourists onboard. The vessel is expected to revisit the city on November 19.

In the first nine months of this year, the economic hub recorded approximately 8.67 million overnight stays, an annual increase of 33%. By the end of 2024, it anticipates the figures to hit 10.3 million and 39%, respectively, with international arrivals estimated at 4.2 million.

Da Nang aims to accommodate over 10.5 million overnight visitors in 2025, up 6% year-on-year.

Man-yi strengthens into super typhoon, quickly heads for East Sea

Man-yi intensified into a super typhoon on November 16 and is expected to move into the East Sea on November 18 morning, according to the National c for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Center.

At 7 a.m. on November 11, Man-yi was swirling across the eastern waters of central Philippines, packing winds of between 184-201 kmh. it was moving northwest at a speed of 20-25 kmh.

In the next 24 hours, Man-yi will continue to move mainly northwest at about 20-25 kmh, and make landfall across the area of the Philippines’ Luzon island before gradually losing force.

The super typhoon is expected to enter the East Sea on November 18 morning and likely to impact Vietnam during this year’s stormy season, cited VOV.

Super typhoon Man-yi is expected to move into the East Sea on November 18 morning and impact central Vietnam in the coming days. (Photo: NCHMF)

According to Nguyen Van Huong, an official of the National Center for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting, when Man-yi enters the East Sea, it will interact with a strong cold air moving southward.

The interaction between the cold air and Manyi will make the storm’s intensity and trajectory complex and unpredictable, he warned, adding that the East Sea will experience severe weather conditions in the coming days, including strong winds, high waves, and rough seas.

The meteorologist noted that when Man-yi enters the East Sea, it may initially move northwest before shifting to a west-southwest direction, approaching the waters off the Central and South-central provinces of Vietnam on November 20-21.

Man-yi will be the ninth storm to form in the East Sea this year.

Vietnamese, U.S. agencies set up partnership in cyber security

Vietnam and the U.S. have signed a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) on strengthening cooperation in cybersecurity.

The MoU was signed by the Authority of Information Security (AIS) under the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)'s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in Ha Noi on November 14.

This event marks the official partnership between the two agencies to ensure cyber security, contributing to promoting the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the U.S.

Acting Director General of AIS Tran Quang Hung emphasized the importance of the partnership between the two agencies in improving Vietnam's cybersecurity capabilities.

He said that the MoU contributed to marking Vietnam's efforts to protect critical digital infrastructure and ensure a secure cyberspace in the context of increasingly sophisticated and unpredictable cyber threats, VGP reported.

At the signing ceremony. Photo: VNA

Cooperation with an experienced organization like CISA helps Vietnam strengthen its ability to protect national interests, contributing to a safer and more prosperous future around the globe.

According to Trent Frazier, Deputy Assistant Director of the Stakeholder Engagement Division in CISA, collaboration and partnership are essential to successfully protecting critical infrastructure and further enhancing cybersecurity capabilities.

The MoU will help strengthen the existing partnership between the U.S. and Vietnam, helping the U.S. effectively advance innovation, secure digital infrastructure, and combat ever-evolving cyber threats.

The two agencies have committed to working closely together to realize the objectives outlined in the MoU. They hoped the cooperation would become increasingly sustainable and robust.

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