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Vietnamese officers and soldiers at the exercise in Cambodia. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia hold joint search, rescue exercise

The defense minister of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia on November 18 launched a joint search and rescue exercise themed "Rescue and relief activities at collapsed structures" at the Royal Gendarmerie of Cambodia Training Centre in mountainous Chum Sen Rikreay area, Kampong Chhnang province, Cambodia.

The joint drill, conducted under the direction of the three countries' defense ministries, aims to strengthen cooperation between the nations' armies, support each other in case of natural disasters, provide prompt help for people affected by natural disasters and minimize the loss of life and property, Lieutenant General Pen Sokrethvithyea, Director of the Training Command for Cambodia and head of the Training Subcommittee of the Inter-Ministerial Committee, said at the opening ceremony.

During this exercise hosted by Cambodia, participating forces will coordinate to conduct search, rescue and relief activities, such as evacuation, transfer of victims to higher levels for treatment at level I, level II and level III hospitals, cited VNA.

Close to 700 soldiers, including 563 from the Royal Cambodian Army, 64 from the Lao People's Army and 71 soldiers from the Vietnam People's Army, joined this year's exercise. It will run until November 26.

Opportunities for Vietnam to lure more capital flows following Trump’s election

Emerging markets, including Vietnam, look set to take advantage of opportunities as investors begin to move capital to the United States following President-elect Donald Trump’s election win on November 5.

These remarks were made by Dr. Ho Quoc Tuan, a senior lecturer at Bristol University in the UK, during a recent media interview regarding the impact of the US election results on the European economy and emerging markets, including Vietnam.

According to Dr. Tuan, President-elect Trump’s win saw the US financial market increase while emerging markets all decreased, including markets that were considered quite optimistic in the eyes of investors such as India and Indonesia. This indicates that capital flows have begun to withdraw from some emerging markets and move back to the US.

However, Dr. Tuan believes that the US capital flow withdrawing from some markets can be replaced by capital flow from China, a country which is keen to diversify its supply chain and to capitalize on other markets to avoid the impact of direct tariffs on Chinese goods, which could be up to 60% as President-elect Trump has declared.

Dr. Tuan believes that this represents an advantage for Vietnam as it is a notable destination for businesses looking to move out of China, according to VOV.

Photo: VOV

Emerging markets, including the nation, also have the opportunity to attract international capital flows for green projects, citing China's commitment to a US$25 billion fund to support emerging markets in transitioning to a green economy, Dr. Tuan added.

Not only China, but Europe, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (RoK) are also looking to invest in this field.

This would provide emerging markets with alternative sources of capital in case the US withdraws from some environmental agreements, as President-elect Trump believes that multilateral agreements, including some on the environment, are damaging the US economy and its businesses.

However, Dr. Tuan said that Vietnam needs to prepare to compete with other emerging markets in attracting international investors, noting that competition itself will be the catalyst to promote Vietnam’s reforms.

Long An eyes cooperation opportunities with Belgium in renewable energy

A delegation of the southern province of Long An led by Nguyen Van Duoc, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People's Council, has visited John Cockerill Group, one of the world’s leading providers of efficient and sustainable energy solutions, as part of their recent working trip to Belgium.

Founded in 1817, John Cockerill is a global group based in Belgium, renowned for its advanced technological solutions in the fields of renewable energy, including solar energy, wind power, and green hydrogen.

At the meeting, representatives of the group introduced their standout technologies and ongoing projects they are implementing in various countries.

Pascal Brancart, Director of Business Development at John Cockerill, stated that Vietnam, with a 3,200 km coastline, holds significant potential for the development of renewable energy.

The group has implemented several cooperation agreements in Vietnam, including a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Innovation Centre (NIC) in areas such as green hydrogen, biomass fuel, and high-efficiency cooling technologies, and an MoU with the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre regarding the production of activated carbon from coconut husks. Brancart said that John Cockerill has strong interest in expanding its operations in Vietnam. In the renewable energy sector, the group aims to invest in the production of green hydrogen and biomass fuel. In the steel industry, the company is looking to apply advanced technologies to improve production processes and enhance efficiency, thus meeting Vietnam’s sustainable economic development needs.

Introducing Long An’s advantages, Duoc said that the province borders Ho Chi Minh City, and Tay Ninh, Dong Thap, and Tien Giang provinces, and serves as a gateway connecting Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta. With this unique position, Long An has the potential to become a hub for international cooperation, particularly in renewable energy, VNA reported.

At the meeting between the Long An delegation and representatives of the John Cockerill Group. (Photo: VNA)

Companies from Belgium provide a solid foundation for economic activities in Long An, with their strengths in high-tech agriculture, renewable energy, and sustainable development, they align well with the province’s development goals.

As it has a significant demand for clean energy development to meet economic growth needs, the province hopes that the Belgian company will become a key strategic partner. This is important for the development of biomass power projects using locally available materials, as well as in the research and development of hydrogen energy and technological cooperation in the LNG plant project in Can Giuoc district, Duoc said.

With these directions, the provincial leader proposed John Cockerill explore the opportunity to invest in the first electrolysis plant in Vietnam, to be located in Long An. The province is committed to providing maximum support and is ready to collaborate with the group, relevant central agencies, and financial partners to make this project a reality, he added.

On this occasion, the Long An delegation met with representatives of the Vietnamese Business Association in Belgium (VBAB) and the Belgian-Vietnamese Alliance (BVA).

Mexican media hails Vietnam's role at multilateral forums

The nation’s effective initiatives and contributions at important international forums such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the G20 Summit once again affirm the country’s growing prestige and position within the international arena.

Regarding the official visit of President Luong Cuong to Chile and Peru, as well as his attendance at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Summit in Peru, along with the working trip of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to Brazil and his attendance at the G20 summit followed by his visit to the Dominican Republic, many major Mexican newspapers have given extensive coverage of the country’s active role at multilateral mechanisms, thereby receiving support and high appreciation from friends and international partners.

In an article featuring the nation’s proactive contribution to APEC, Voces Del Periodista, an academic forum and voice of Mexican journalists, stated that over 26 years of participating in APEC, the country was one of the few members that have twice successfully assumed the role of APEC host, in 2006 and 2017, being one of the most active members in proposing APEC initiatives and projects.

Since the beginning of the year, according to the bi-monthly magazine Voces Del Periodista published at the end of November, Vietnam has made many contributions to the APEC cooperation process, implementing many initiatives and projects on structural reform, finance, science and technology, innovation, human resource development, tourism, agriculture, climate change response, as well as sustainable and inclusive growth.

The nation is currently the head of the Enhanced APEC Agenda for Structural Reform (EAASR) for the 2026 to 2030 period, chairing the development of the APEC Economic Policy Report 2025, which is highly appreciated by many APEC members, cited VOV.

Photo: VOV

According to author Mouris Salloum George, who is also president of the Mexican Journalists Association attending the APEC Economic Leaders’ Summit from November 12 to November 16, the Vietnamese delegation has effectively coordinated with APEC members to contribute to the process of making the APEC Leaders' Joint Statement and important documents of the summit.

Concerning the activities taking place within the framework of the conference, the Vietnamese State leader put forth many strategic and innovative proposals aimed at further enhancing the role and position of APEC in international economic co-operation and linkage.

Meanwhile, with the title “Vietnam’s international integration policy”, Regeneración newspaper, the political media channel of the ruling National Reconstruction Movement (Morena) party in Mexico, commented that PM Chinh’s attendance at the G20 Summit in Brazil from November 16 to November 19 continued to affirm Vietnam’s responsible contribution to addressing global challenges, whilst simultaneously serving to step up ties with partners across a variety of fields.

According to the Regeneración newspaper on November 17, in addition to President Cuong's attendance at the APEC Forum in Peru and PM Chinh's attendance at the G20 Summit in Brazil, two key Vietnamese leaders visited other Latin American countries. This is a clear demonstration of the increasingly strong and substantive relationship between the nation and Latin America, marking a remarkable transformation, which is the development from traditional friends to integration partners.

In particular, according to author Pedro Gellert, towards the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Mexico diplomatic relations in 2025, within the framework of activities at the G20 Summit in Brazil, PM Chinh is set to meet with new Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, the first female President in the history of the North American region, who officially took office in early October.

Bun rieu and mien xao cua: Vietnam’s culinary gems gain global recognition

Vietnam’s beloved noodle dishes, bun rieu and mien xao cua, have earned international acclaim by making it onto Taste Atlas’ list of the "100 Best Crustacean Dishes in the World."

Bun rieu is described by Taste Atlas as a dish with many regional variations. The most popular version features a tomato-based broth with crab paste, delivering a sweet and mildly tangy flavor.

Common accompaniments include crab meat, pork, tofu, tomatoes, congealed pig's blood, and fresh herbs. The combination of sweet and sour flavors makes bun rieu one of Vietnam’s most beloved noodle dishes.

Meanwhile, mien xao cua (stir-fried glass noodles with crab) (ranked 76th) is a favorite among locals and tourists alike, celebrated for its rich and savory taste.

This dish primarily consists of glass noodles, crab meat, wood ear mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, carrots, and bean sprouts. Depending on personal preference, it can be enhanced with egg, onions, or chili for added appeal, VNN reported.

Photo: Kim Ngan

Mien xao cua is often garnished with chopped scallions and cilantro, creating a visually stunning and appetizing plate.

Not only can it serve as a main course, but it also works well as an appetizer or light snack. With its delicious flavors and straightforward preparation, mien xao cua never fails to impress visitors.

Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Zagreb, Croatia, Taste Atlas is known for its extensive collection of traditional dishes from around the globe.

According to founder Matija Babic, Taste Atlas rankings for dishes and beverages are based on reviews and evaluations by culinary experts and critics to ensure credibility and recognition.

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