Vietnam News Today (Nov. 23): South Korean Firms Eye Joint Ventures With Vietnamese SMEs

	Vietnam News Today (Nov. 21): Vietnam Attends ASEAN-US Defense Ministers’ Informal Meeting
	Vietnam News Today (Nov. 22): Vietnamese, Malaysian Navies Seek Stronger Cooperation

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (C) and his spouse are welcomed by Vice Chairman of the Government Office Nguyen Sy Hiep at the Noi Bai International Airport. (Photo: VGP)

PM wraps up working trip to Brazil, official visit to Dominican Republic

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam returned to Hanoi in the early morning of November 23, successfully wrapping up their working trip to and attendance at the G20 Summit, and official visit to the Dominican Republic.

Attending all main activities within the framework of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, PM Chinh gave important speeches at discussion sessions on "the fight against poverty" and “sustainable development and energy transition”.

On the sidelines of the summit, PM Chinh had bilateral meetings with more than 30 leaders of countries and international organizations, thereby contributing to the overall success of the G20 Summit, promoting Vietnam's relations with other countries and international organizations, clearly portraying the image of a dynamic, open Vietnam as "a friend, a trusted partner and a responsible member of the international community".

Along with attending the G20 Summit, during his second working visit to Brazil in just over a year, the PM had various activities in Rio de Janeiro such as talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and issued a Vietnam-Brazil Joint statement on upgrading the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership. He attended the inauguration ceremony of a plaque commemorating President Ho Chi Minh in Rio de Janeiro city; attended the Vietnam Day Programme in Brazil; attended the Vietnam-Brazil Business Forum; worked with leading Brazilian businesses; and met with the Vietnamese community in Brazil, cited VNA.

In particular, PM Chinh made a historic visit to the Dominican Republic, becoming the first senior Vietnamese leader to visit this Caribbean country after nearly 20 years of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Dominican Republic. The PM had talks and meetings with the President, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Dominican Republic; received leaders of Dominican political parties; attended the inauguration ceremony of the upgraded Statue of President Ho Chi Minh in the capital of Santo Domingo; attended the Vietnam-Dominican Republic Business Forum; delivered a policy speech at the Institute of Higher Education in Diplomatic and Consular Training (INESDYC) of the Dominican Republic.

In particular, the two sides adopted a Joint Declaration affirming the determination of the two Governments and announcing directions and measures agreed by both sides to further strengthen solidarity, friendship and good cooperation between Vietnam and the Dominican Republic in the future; and agreed to promote the bilateral relations to a new height.

PM Chinh's working trip to Brazil, attendance at the G20 Summit and official visit to the Dominican Republic was a success, demonstrating Vietnam's role, prestige, and responsible contributions to global issues, and at the same time, creating new momentum for further strengthening the bilateral relations between Vietnam and Brazil and between Vietnam and the Dominican Republic.

South Korean firms eye joint ventures with Vietnamese SMEs

At the 2024 Vietnam-Korea Investment Cooperation Forum, leaders emphasized the growing interest of Korean SMEs in partnering with Vietnamese counterparts.

Answering VietNamNet’s questions during a press conference on November 21, held alongside the 2024 Vietnam-Korea Investment Cooperation Forum, Kim Ki Mun, Chairman of the Korea Federation of SMEs, stated that South Korean businesses have been actively establishing factories and investing in production in Vietnam.

However, recently, South Korean companies have also expressed interest in forming joint ventures and transferring technology and production expertise to Vietnamese firms. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Korea are ready to collaborate with their Vietnamese counterparts.

Nguyen Van Than, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of SMEs, highlighted that South Korea has a substantial investment presence in Vietnam. Currently, there are more than 10,000 South Korean investors in Vietnam, with 90% being SMEs, contributing a total investment of approximately $87 billion.

Conversely, Vietnamese investments in South Korea remain minimal, according to VNN.

Leaders of the two business associations answer questions at the press conference. (Photo: Binh Minh)

"First, Vietnam’s investment environment offers more attractive opportunities than South Korea. Second, Vietnamese firms lack the capacity to invest in South Korea. This forum aims to bring together SMEs from both countries. Allowing private businesses to connect independently would require significant time and effort," Than explained.

Discussing SME collaboration in the semiconductor sector, Kim Ki Mun emphasized:

"Semiconductors are a core industry that affects national competitiveness. Attracting investment in semiconductors differs from other sectors. It requires negotiations and agreements between governments, not only South Korea and Vietnam but also involving the U.S. and other countries. Without government support, private businesses struggle to take the initiative in this field.

Nguyen Van Than added that South Korea's strengths in semiconductor technology could be leveraged to train Vietnamese talent.

"We want to work with the Directorate of Vocational Education to send young Vietnamese to South Korea for training, so they can return and work in Vietnam instead of seeking employment abroad," Than said.

During the forum, five memorandums of understanding were signed between local SME associations from both countries, further solidifying bilateral cooperation.

Vietnam, Japan strengthen cooperation to develop agricultural supply chains

A seminar on connecting agricultural supply chains was held in Hanoi on November 22, promoting agricultural cooperation between Vietnam and Japan.

The event attracted more than 120 delegates, and was jointly organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), the National Agricultural Extension Centre (NAEC), Agribusiness Japan Desk (ABJD), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

New products, technologies and the role of agricultural extension activities in Japan's agricultural business cooperation were introduced at the event.

Speaking at the event, MARD Minister Le Minh Hoan said that the strategic agriculture cooperation between Vietnam and Japan is developing strongly, boasting a variety of achievements.

Japan is currently one of Vietnam's important agricultural, forestry and fisheries export markets, accounting for about 7.5% of the country’s total export turnover of agricultural products. The average export growth rate in the past 10 years has reached an average of 6.35%/year, VNA reported.

MARD Minister Le Minh Hoan speaks at the event (Photo: VOV)

Hoan said that Japan's strict specialized technical standards for agriculture, the fluctuation of the world economy, and domestic production protectionism are having a great impact on global agricultural trade.

Meanwhile, military conflicts, trade embargoes, and the risk of epidemic outbreaks can increase the risk of global supply chain disruption, which poses challenges for agricultural cooperation between the two countries.

He said the two countries need to make more effort to build appropriate cooperation and exchange mechanisms, adjusting production processes and technologies to remove these difficulties and challenges.

Le Quoc Thanh, Director of the National Agricultural Extension Centre, said that in order to realize the goals and commitments of cooperation between Vietnam and Japan, they must build a sustainable agricultural ecosystem where producers, businesses and consumers can work closely to create quality products that meet the increasing demand of domestic and foreign markets.

Thanh suggested that experts and businesses share experiences on building a connection network, creating an effective communication system between farmers, producers, distributors and consumers to help the parties quickly exchange information about products, prices and market demand.

On this occasion, the center and the AEON Topvalu Vietnam Co., Ltd signed a Memorandum of Understanding on promoting the consumption of agricultural products.

Vietnamese culture and cuisine promoted in Israel

The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel cooperate with the International Women’s Club (IWC) in Israel on November 21 to organize an event aimed at introducing Vietnamese culture and cuisine.

The function attracted the participation of around 50 IWC members who are female diplomats, spouses of foreign diplomats in Israel, Israeli businesswomen, Embassy staff, and representatives of the Vietnamese community in the country.

At the event, participants had the chance to gain a better understanding about Ao Dai, the traditional Vietnamese dress, and watch a number of videos showcasing the nation’s beautiful landscapes, delicious cuisine, and warm hospitality, cited VOV.

Foreign participants at the cultural event.

Furthermore, Several IWC members who had previously visited Vietnam also shared their positive impressions of the country, its people, and cultural and culinary traditions.

Moreover, Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung provided deeper insights into Vietnam's cultural and historical characteristics, as well as its recent socio-economic achievements.

Professor Nir Avieli, a sociologist from Ben-Gurion University, shared that he has visited Vietnam many times and showed his love to both the country and its land and people. He highlighted Vietnamese cuisine as the best in the world.

Vietnam hosts Buddhist art exhibition ahead of UN Vesak Day 2025

The exhibition “Illuminating the Way of Life” brings together 51 Buddhist-themed artworks, providing an artistic lens into Vietnam’s cultural and spiritual heritage.

As part of the artistic campaign Illuminating the Way of Life, in preparation for the United Nations Vesak Day 2025, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Central Cultural Committee is organizing a namesake exhibition.

The exhibition features 51 unique works by 12 artists, including Trinh Sinh Nha, Le Ba Cau, Can Manh Tuong, Hoang Ga, Nguyen Van Nghia, Hoang Huong Giang, Truong Thinh, Nguyen Phan Bach, Thu Hang, Thu Thuy, Long KJ, and Le Tuan Anh.

Under the theme Illuminating the Way of Life, the exhibition aspires to offer the public a profound appreciation of the moral and spiritual values of Buddhism in modern living, cited VNN.

The exhibition features 51 works by 12 talented artists.

Beyond artistic beauty, the works convey profound humanistic philosophies, spreading messages of compassion, kindness, and the wisdom of Buddhism.

Most Venerable Thich Tho Lac emphasized that Buddhism has been part of Vietnam's cultural and spiritual fabric for thousands of years.

Throughout its journey, Buddhism has stood alongside the Vietnamese people through historical ups and downs, providing faith and guiding individuals toward the values of truth, goodness, and beauty.

“Temples have always been sanctuaries—not only places of worship but also symbols of sacred harmony, where people seek solace and inner peace. This exhibition honors these values, allowing viewers to reflect, immerse themselves in the artistic space, and understand the significance of Buddhism in daily life,” shared Most Venerable Thich Tho Lac.

The exhibition will run from November 21 to November 28, 2024, at the Hanoi Exhibition Center.

Vietnam News Today (Nov. 19): Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia Hold Joint Search, Rescue Exercise Vietnam News Today (Nov. 19): Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia hold joint search, rescue exercise; Opportunities for Vietnam to lure more capital flows following Trump’s election; Long ...

Vietnam News Today (Nov. 20): Russia, Vietnam Seek to Bolster Import And Export Turnover Vietnam News Today (Nov. 20): Russia, Vietnam seek to bolster import and export turnover; Vietnamese, UK universities strengthen collaboration in teacher training; Typhoon Man-yi weakens ...