Vietnam News Today (Nov. 22): Vietnam-RoK Cultural Exchange Marks 30-year Diplomacy

Vietnam and Cambodia sign a cooperation agreement in religious affairs for the 2022-2026 period. Photo: VNA

Vietnam, Cambodia reinforce religious cooperation

A delegation of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) led by Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang held talks with a delegation of the Cambodian Ministry of Cults and Religion headed by Minister Chhit Sokhon in Ho Chi Minh City on November 21.

At the talks, Thang said the ongoing visit by the Cambodian delegation has contributed to enhancing the ties between the two ministries and religious organisations, especially Buddhist ones, of the two countries.

He acknowledged the effective cooperation activities conducted by the Vietnamese Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs and the Cambodian Ministry of Cults and Religion, saying that they help promote the sharing of religious information and policies and the exchange of delegations to share experience in State management on religious affairs.

The Vietnamese official suggested the two sides increase high-level visits and strengthen coordination among State management agencies in charge of religious affairs in border localities, encourage and create favourable conditions for the two countries' Buddhist Sanghas to strengthen ties, thus contributing more to friendship and solidarity between the two peoples, cited VNA.

Sokhon, for his part, said the two ministries should push ahead with cooperative programmes in the field of religious affairs, particularly those in border areas, thus contributing to the building of a borderline of peace, development and prosperity between Cambodia and Vietnam.

On the occasion, head of the Vietnamese Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs Vu Hoai Bac and the Cambodian minister signed a cooperation agreement in religious affairs for the 2022-2026 period.

While in Ho Chi Minh City, the Cambodian delegation also visited Candaransi, a Khmer pagoda in District 3.

Vietnam-RoK cultural exchange marks 30-year diplomacy

The Vietnam-Republic of Korea (RoK) cultural exchange got underway on November 20 in Hanoi as part of activities aimed at marking the 30th anniversary since the establishment of joint diplomatic ties and welcome the National Congress of Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS).

The event was co-hosted by the Association for Liaison with Overseas Vietnamese and the Vietnamese Buddhist Cultural Center in the RoK under the auspices of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, according to VOV.

In his opening speech, Nguyen Phu Binh, chairman of the Association for Liaison with Overseas Vietnamese, highlighted the role of Vietnamese Buddhist nun Thich Nu Gioi Tanh, head of the Vietnamese Buddhists’ Association, in strengthening connectivity with communities in both nations. Indeed, she greatly contributed to assisting people who endured difficulties during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Vietnam-Republic of Korea cultural exchange opens in Hanoi. Photo: baoquocte.vn

Binh went on to underscore the importance of Vietnamese language among members of the overseas Vietnamese community, which has served to connect overseas Vietnamese (OVs), and to tighten friendship and co-operation with countries from around the world.

Sharing this perspective, Mai Phan Dung, vice chairman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese (OV) Affairs, highlighted the Liaison with Overseas Vietnamese and the Vietnamese Buddhist Cultural Center for their initiative to organise the event to celebrate the 30th anniversary of both nations' diplomatic relations.

He emphasised that Vietnamese language and culture have actively contributed to building a multicultural Korean society, thereby serving as a bridge connecting the two peoples.

Korean culture has built a great presence in Vietnam and it provides a solid foundation to promote all-round co-operation between the two countries, he added.

During the event, a wide range of activities were held, including cultural exchanges, seminars on the Vietnam-RoK Culture, and the screening of documentaries in response to the Day of honoring the Vietnamese language in the OV community, along with fashion shows to popularise traditional Vietnamese long dress (Ao Dai) and traditional Korean costumes.

Petrol prices drop after four consecutive hikes

The retail prices of petrol and oil dropped in the latest adjustment by the Ministries of Industry and Trade, and Finance on November 21 after four consecutive hikes.

Illustrative image. Source: VNA

The price of RON 95-III bio-fuel went down 80 VND per litre to 23,780 VND (0.96 USD) per litre from 3pm on November 21.

Meanwhile, the retail price of E5 RON 92 decreased by 40 VND to 22,670 VND per litre.

Diesel 0.05S is now sold at 24,800 VND per litre, down 180 VND, cited VNA.

The two ministries also decided to extract 250 VND per litre from E5 RON 92 price, 200 VND from RON 95-III price and 300 VND per litre from diesel price for the petrol price stabilisation fund.

Morocco always treasures relations with Vietnam

Morocco always attaches importance to relations with Vietnam and is ready to serve as a bridge between Vietnam and Africa, thus helping to bring Vietnamese goods to potential markets.

Speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives, Rachid Talbi Alami, made the statement while meeting with National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on November 21 on the sidelines of the 43rd ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) General Assembly held in Phnom Penh.

NA Chairman Hue expressed his delight at the positive developments in relations between the two countries as well as between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the Moroccan Parliament during the past 60 years.

The Vietnamese top legislator affirmed Vietnam's recognition of importance to and the nation's wish to promote the friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Morocco, the only country in Africa that has a parliamentary cooperation mechanism with the Southeast Asian nation.

Speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives, Rachid Talbi Alami and NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

Although both nations are geographically far apart, they have many similarities as they are both members of the Non-Aligned Movement and the Francophone Community, and have good political-diplomatic relations. Notably, there is plenty of room for the two countries to step up cooperation in economy, trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges.

As a country with an important position in the African Union, Morocco backs Vietnam’s bid to soon become an observer of the African Union, the Moroccan speaker said.

At the meeting, Rachid Talbi El Alami cordially invited NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to visit Morocco, VOV reported.

During the meeting, both sides agreed to boost cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral channels, the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially high-level one, and activities on Party, State, parliamentary channels and people-to-people exchanges in order to discuss measures for broader cooperation.

They consented to continue to work closely and offer mutual support at multilateral forums such as the Inter- Parliamentary Union (IPU) , the ASEAN People's Forum (APF) and other multilateral parliamentary organizations.

On this occasion, the top Vietnamese legislator also invited the Speaker of the Morocco House of Representatives, to visit Vietnam again. The Moroccan official accepted the invitation with pleasure, saying that he will arrange the visit to Vietnam soon.

Hanoi proposes to pilot bicycle-sharing service in six urban districts

Hanoi’s Department of Transport has proposed that the city’s People's Committee allow Tri Nam Group to pilot a bicycle-sharing service in six city districts.

Under the plan, the public bicycle-sharing service will be carried out over a period of 12 months in the six districts of Hoan Kiem, Dong Da, Thanh Xuan, Hai Ba Trung, Ba Dinh, and Tay Ho.

As many as 94 rental spots and 1,000 bicycles, half of which are electric, will be put into operation. The total cost is about VND30.2 billion (US$1.21 million).

The cost for each 30-minute use is VND5,000 ($0.2) for a regular bicycle and VND10,000 ($0.4) for an electric one.

The cost for the whole day will be VND60,000 ($2.4) and VND120,000 ($4.8), respectively.

Monthly and yearly tickets will be available. Rentals can be paid through bank transfer and e-wallet.

During the pilot period, Tri Nam Group, the investor of the project, will get permission to use the sidewalks free of charge as a favourable condition for the development of the service, the department said.

The public bicycle-sharing service has been piloted in HCM City, Vung Tau and Quy Nhon cities, and northern Hai Duong Province. The model, which helps limit private vehicles, ease traffic congestion and protect the environment, has been warmly welcomed by both locals and tourists.

Young people use the public bicycle-sharing service in HCM City. The service has received positive feedback from locals so far. Photo: VNA/VNS

Dao Viet Long, deputy director of Hanoi’s Department of Transport, said that based on the results and efficiency of Tri Nam Group's service business as well as the opinions of departments, agencies and others, the department would consider the expansion of the service provision as well as the collection of a sidewalk fee from the investor.

The group has considered conditions for the implementation of the project and affirmed they couldn’t carry out the service for free during the pilot period as the capital is all from the enterprise's equity.

The group has calculated that it would take at least seven years to recover the initial investment and management costs for the service if the service receives passenger support like it has in HCM City, VNS reported.

Long said Hanoi has approved the project to strengthen the management of road vehicles to reduce traffic congestion and environmental pollution in the city. A public bicycle service would help replace private vehicles for short trips between residential areas, bus stations, and metro stations.

Public bicycle service is a good option to ensure service to people, he said, adding that the pilot project would encourage enterprises to invest in this field instead of the Government having to use State budget.

Long said the pilot cities agreed to allow the investor to collect service fees. The investor has not received any feedback or questions about the fee collection from people in these cities.

After the pilot period, the department would evaluate the results of the pilot service and report to the People's Committee, he said.

On March 22, the city’s People’s Committee assigned the Department of Transport to set up a project to develop public bicycle service in downtown areas of the city after the model got positive feedback from passengers in HCM City.

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