Themed “Towards an ASEAN-RoK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace, Security and Prosperity”, the event brought together representatives from Government agencies, scholars and researchers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the RoK. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam hosts ASEAN-RoK Strategic Forum

The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea (RoK) organized the ASEAN-RoK Strategic Forum in Hanoi on November 1.

Themed “Towards an ASEAN-RoK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace, Security and Prosperity”, the event brought together representatives from Government agencies, scholars and researchers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the RoK.

In his remarks, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet stressed in the rapidly changing and complex world situation, ASEAN and the RoK are bound together by a shared vision - which is one of a peaceful, secure and prosperous region based on international law, and an open, inclusive and transparent regional structure with ASEAN at the center.

This shared vision has continuously deepened the ASEAN-RoK relations, and they have become reliable and important partners for each other.

Deputy Minister Viet remarked that ASEAN appreciates the RoK's strong and consistent support for ASEAN's centrality and its contributions to ASEAN-led mechanisms such as ASEAN 3 (ASEAN with China, Japan, the RoK), East Asia Summit (EAS), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM), cited VNA.

"We are pleased to see both sides continue their efforts to expand and bolster the ASEAN-RoK strategic partnership. I believe that with the impetus of the growth in ASEAN-RoK relations in the past decades, the shared vision and strong connectivity between RoK and ASEAN member countries, including Vietnam, ASEAN and the RoK will succeed in elevating our partnership and dialogue to a higher level," Viet noted.

First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Chang Ho-jin, addressing the forum, said that over the past three decades, significant achievements have been made in ASEAN-RoK relations.

Chang Ho-jin affirmed that the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Initiative (KASI), announced by the RoK last year, demonstrates the RoK's respect and strong commitment to supporting ASEAN's central role as well as the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).

The RoK appreciates ASEAN's welcoming and supportive attitude towards KASI.

The Korean diplomat underscored that the RoK's top priority is to elevate the relationship with ASEAN to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Outlook Traveler suggests local festivals for Vietnam trip

As Vietnam is a land steeped in tradition and history, it typically hosts an array of unique celebrations throughout the year which offer a captivating glimpse into the country's rich heritage, blending vibrant rituals, music, and community celebrations, according to an article recently published by India's leading travel magazine Outlook Traveler.

Comprising various landscapes from the hills of Bac Ninh to the Mekong Delta, Vietnamese festivals tend to reflect the country's diverse culture and heritage. Guests should therefore plan trips around these unique festivals and embrace the colors, traditions, and heartwarming experiences they offer, the author Antaraa Chatterjee wrote.

The Indian media outlet introduced Lim Festival in Bac Ninh province in February as the first experience for visitors to enjoy in Vietnam as it commences the Vietnamese festival calendar with a vibrant celebration of spring.

Highlighting the unique culture of the Red River Delta, this three-day festival commemorates the founder with a remarkable ritual called Quan ho (duet singing). Here, traditionally-dressed men and women serenade each other from dragon boats, singing Quan ho folk songs that evoke themes of love, longing, and the beauty of nature.

Between April and May, tourists can spend time discovering the Xen Xo Phon festival of the White Thai ethnic people which unfolds in the beautiful Mai Chau valley, Hoa Binh province. This ritual aims to summon rain, which is believed to bring prosperity to the harvest.

Mid-Autumn Festival centers around children. (Photo courtesy of Outlook Traveler)

If travelers are in Vietnam around late August, then the Ghost Festival of Wandering Souls Day should be on their list of experiences to indulge in. It’s a significant event where Vietnamese families come together to welcome the spirits of their ancestors back home.

The article also shared that enjoying the Mid-Autumn Festival in the country is also a great experience. The festival centers around children and is adorned with toys, paper lanterns, and masks. Joyful festivities feature lion dances, lantern processions, and moon gazing as families gather to watch the harvest moon and enjoy some sweet treats.

UNESCO-listed Hoi An Ancient Town transforms into a magical venue for this celebration, with lanterns adorning the Thu Bon River during the festival.

In early December, the Ooc Om Boc festival in Soc Trang province offers an extraordinary glimpse into Khmer culture in the Mekong Delta. Tourists are therefore urged not to miss out on the vibrant activities that showcase the rich culture of the locals.

Festivities include rituals to thank the moon god, vibrant feasting, singing, and the thrilling 'Ngo' boat race which draws thousands of travelers to come and witness this spirited celebration.

Each festival unfolds a unique story, offering an unforgettable experience and a deeper understanding of the country's rich cultural traditions, the author concluded.

Vietnam hopes for stronger cooperation with Mongolia: Party chief

The Party, State and people of Vietnam always want to practically promote bilateral comprehensive cooperation with Mongolia, a traditional friend, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong told visiting Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh in Hanoi on November 1.

The host leader affirmed that Vietnam always remembers the sentiments and valuable support of the Mongolian Government and people during its past struggle for national independence and reunification, as well as the present cause of national construction and development.

Trong expressed his belief that Khurelsukh's Vietnam visit will contribute to strengthening the traditional friendship between the two countries, especially when they are working towards the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2024.

The Party chief briefed his guest on marked achievements Vietnam has recorded after nearly 40 years of Doi Moi (Reform), national development goals set out at the 13th National Party Congress, and the country’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, development, and multilateralization and diversification of relations, according to VNA.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong (R) and visiting Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh. (Photo: VNA)

He also spoke of major directions and measures to bring the bilateral relations to a new height in the new period, including exchanges and cooperation between the CPV and the Mongolian People's Party, and strengthening comprehensive cooperation for the sake of the two countries' people as well as for peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world at large.

For his part, Khurelsukh congratulated Vietnam on its achievements in reform and socialism building, and expressed his belief that under the leadership of the CPV headed by Trong, the country will successfully materialize the resolution adopted at the 13th National Party Congress, and achieve targets set for 2030 and 2045.

Mongolia always cherishes the good traditional friendship between the two countries, and considers Vietnam a leading partner in Southeast Asia, he said, noting his hope for stronger relations between the two Parties, contributing to consolidating the political foundation of the bilateral relations.

Agreeing with Trong's views on major measures to foster the relationship, Khurelsukh emphasized his desire to work together with Vietnam to elevate it to a new height.

Vietnam aims to run high-speed rail service by 2045

The Vietnamese Government has initiated plans to begin construction of a North-South high-speed rail route by 2030 and put it into operation by 2045.

This goal has been set by the Government in a plan of action on orientations for the country’s rail service development to 2030 with a vision ahead towards 2045, which was issued on October 31.

The Government has assigned the Ministry of Transport (MoT) to draft the project this year which will be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration and approval by 2025.

It has assigned the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) to prioritize allocating capital for rail infrastructure projects, including the high-speed route, between 2025 and 2045.

Furthermore, it has also asked the MPI to review and amend the Investment Law to attract further investment in this key project by encouraging public-private partnerships.

In conclusions made in March, the Political Bureau requested that the North-South high-speed railway project be approved by 2025 and begin construction before 2030. Priority will be given to construction of the Hanoi - Vinh and Ho Chi Minh City - Nha Trang high-speed railway sections between 2026 and 2030. The entire North-South route is anticipated to come into operation before 2045.

In late 2019, the MoT submitted two options to the Government with regard to developing the North-South high-speed railway route, reported VOV.

Vietnam is expected to begin construction of a North-South high-speed railway route by 2030 and put it into operation by 2045.

The first option will see Vietnam build a double-track railway with a track gauge of 1,435m at a total length of 1,545km for only passenger trains that are designed to run at a maximum speed of 320 km/h. The existing railway route that has a track gauge of 1,000m will be upgraded to transport goods. The total expected investment for this option is about US$58.71 billion.

In the second option, the country will construct a new double-track railway with a track gauge of 1,435m for both passenger and freight trains to run at maximum speeds of 180 km/h and 120 km/h, respectively. The project is likely to cost about US$64.9 billion.

On October 18, the Government Office announced conclusions made by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha who requested that the synchronous and modern development of the North-South high-speed railway occur in accordance with world trends. The route will support trains at a designed speed of 350 km/h and will become the backbone of the national transport system.

Vietnam becomes United States’ sixth largest trading partner

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and rising trade tensions between the United States and China, Vietnam leapfrogged the Republic of Korea (RoK) to become the US’ sixth largest trading partner by import value in 2022, reported the East Asia Forum newswire.

In a recently published article entitled “Can Vietnam become the next Asian tiger?”, the East Asia Forum newswire noted this jump is an important pivot in the Vietnamese economy, as the country’s main exports to the US are no longer textiles and garments, but instead high-tech products.

The article outlined that many flagship Apple products will have been assembled in Vietnam by the end of the year.

Rather than competing against China’s ‘world factory’ tag, Vietnam has branded itself as an additional manufacturing destination to the northern neighbor within the global supply chain ecosystem.

The country has also provided a much needed ‘neutral’ environment for foreign fintech firms to de-risk and reroute their exposure from the US–China great power rivalry, including Apple’s shift of production away from China and US-based Amkor Technology’s investment of US$1.6 billion investment in a semiconductor factory.

Furthermore, Vietnam is also welcoming back Huawei after initially deferring to US efforts to ban the company.

In line with this, it boasts the potential to become the fourth largest exporter of high-tech goods, behind China, Taiwan (China), and Germany.

Though Vietnam currently holds seventh position, its growth has no rival, with high-tech goods as a share of overall Vietnamese exports hitting 42% in 2020, up from 13% in 2010.

The Vietnamese Government’s intervention in opening the country up for free trade and foreign direct investment can be seen as overwhelmingly positive and non-threatening to the global trading system as a whole, cited VOV.

Photo: VNN

While the country’s high-tech exports are fueling further growth, there is an overreliance on foreign innovation inputs, with about 70% of total Vietnamese export value being driven and captured by foreign companies.

According to the article, there is also a significant bright spot in the form of the current FDI inflows from fintech companies which are giving Vietnam more time to address its dependency on foreign innovation inputs.

The Vietnamese Government could entice Apple to invest in research and development and at the same time deepen its relationships with Vietnamese universities and students, as the tech giant did in China.

Vietnam has uniquely positioned itself to be among the fastest growing economies over the coming decade. This comes off the back of its success in managing COVID-19 as Asia’s top performing economy during the pandemic which strengthened the country’s statism and reputation as a safe and friendly environment for foreign direct investment.

However, the article also pointed out that the country’s race to become the next Asian tiger has its challenges, including the question of how to reduce its overreliance on foreign innovation inputs. But it appears that core elements of an innovation ecosystem are taking root as the country establishes itself as a high-tech export power.

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