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Party General Secretary To Lam receives visiting Bulgarian President Rumen Radev in Hanoi on November 25 afternoon. (Photo: VNA)

Party leader receives Bulgarian President

Party General Secretary To Lam received visiting Bulgarian President Rumen Radev in Hanoi on November 25 afternoon.

Welcoming Radev on his official visit to Vietnam as the two countries are preparing to celebrate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2025, Lam congratulated Bulgaria on its achievements in economic development, and regional and international integration.

The Party leader informed the guests of Vietnam's significant and comprehensive accomplishments after nearly 40 years of reform and reaffirmed its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, diversification and multilateralization of external relations.

Expressing gratitude for the assistance the Bulgarian government and people have given to Vietnam throughout various periods, Lam emphasised that Vietnam always attaches importance to strengthening its relations with traditional friends, including Bulgaria.

Highlighting Bulgaria's importance as a gateway for fostering ties with the European Union (EU), he noted that Vietnam is ready to act as a bridge between Bulgaria and Southeast Asian countries, cited VNA.

The Party leader also praised the positive outcomes of Bulgarian President Rumen Radev’s talks and meetings with Vietnamese leaders, as well as the positive developments in Vietnam-Bulgaria relations.

Lam shared major directions and measures to elevate the traditional friendship between the two countries to a new height. These include enhancing comprehensive cooperation, particularly in areas where Bulgaria has strengths and Vietnam has needs, such as agriculture, industry, electronic engineering, information technology, artificial intelligence, and space research.

For his part, Radev congratulated Vietnam on its significant and remarkable reform achievements in recent years, which he said have enhanced the nation’s strength, position and reputation globally.

He expressed his confidence that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) led by Party General Secretary To Lam, the Vietnamese people will continue to achieve greater successes, propelling the nation into a new era - the era of Vietnam's rise.

The President affirmed Bulgaria’s appreciation for the long-standing traditional friendship with Vietnam, considering it a top partner in Southeast Asia. He also emphasised the importance of cooperation between Bulgaria's political parties and the CPV as a key channel for strengthening and advancing bilateral relations.

He also shared the view with Lam about major measures to deepen and make bilateral cooperation more effective.

On this occasion, Radev invited Lam to make an official visit to Bulgaria in 2025, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations. The Party leader accepted the invitation with pleasure.

Vietnamese movie honored at Sharjah Film Platform

“Cu Li Khong Bao Gio Khoc” (Cu Li Never Cries) directed by Pham Ngoc Lan won the Best Feature Film award at the annual film festival Sharjah Film Platform (SFP) which was held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on November 25.

The black-and-white drama “Cu Li Khong Bao Gio Khoc” portrays the journey of a middle-aged woman named Nguyen, who is played by local actor Minh Chau.

Having picked up the ashes of her long-estranged husband in Germany, she returns to her Vietnamese home. She carries a pygmy slow loris in her luggage, a species of primate originating from the Vietnamese rainforest, which she has inherited from the dead man.

Meanwhile, her young niece who lives with her is hastily preparing for her upcoming wedding, according to VOV.

A scene from the movie "Cu Li Khong Bao Gio Khoc"

As the story unfolds, Nguyen’s path intersects with that of a young man, whilst she also unexpectedly reunites with an old soulmate.

The film earlier won the New Horizons NETPAC Award for Best Asian First Film at QCinema International Festival in the Philippines.

This year, the Sha

rjah Film Platform Film Festival attracted the participation of nearly 30 movies from various countries, including Myanmar, Bhutan, Rwanda, Nigeria, Colombia, Bahrain, Palestine and Vietnam.

Vietnam’s export-import turnover hits over US$681 bln by mid-November

As of November 15, Vietnam's total import-export turnover reached US$681.48 billion, a year-on-year increase of 15.7 percent, reported the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

Photo: VGP

Of the figure, foreign direct investment (FDI) sector contributed US$461.33 billion, up 14 percent or US$56.74 billion from the same period last year.

The Southeast Asian nation earned US$352.38 billion from exporting goods, up 14.8 percent, or US$45.54 billion compared to the same period last year, VGP reported.

Key export products include computers, electronics and spare parts up 26.1 percent; machines and tools up 21.7 percent; garments up 10.6 percent; and timber up 21.4 percent.

During the reviewed period, Vietnam spent US$329.1 billion on imports, up 16.6 percent (or US$46.74 billion).

The country enjoyed a trade surplus of US$23.28 billion.

Vietnam's trade with the rest of the world is expected to hit US$800 billion by the end of this year.

Strong cold air sweeps across northern Vietnam, temperatures drop sharply

A strong cold spell hit northern border localities of Vietnam early on November 26 and is sweeping across northern and north-central provinces in the coming hours, causing temperatures to drop sharply, according to the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF).

Starting from November 26, the northern region and the north-central region of Vietnam will experience colder weather, with mountainous areas facing colder conditions, said NCHMF meteorologists.

From the night of November 26, temperatures in the northern and north-central regions will drop significantly, with some mountainous areas experiencing intense cold, they added.

The lowest temperatures during this cold wave are expected to be around 16-18 degrees Celsius, while mountainous areas may see temperatures fall to 12-14, and even below 10 degrees Celsius, cited VOV.

The weather turns cold in northern Vietnam due to the impact of a strong cold spell.

This is the first significant cold spell of the winter season in 2024, they said.

The meteorological agency also reported that due to the influence of the cold air, the northeast region will experience light rain.

In the capital of Hanoi, temperatures will decrease by 5-6 degrees Celsius compared to previous days. The weather will turn cold, with temperatures dropping further into the night of November 26. The lowest temperatures during this cold wave in Hanoi are forecast to be around 17-19 degrees Celsius.

According to meteorologists, the cold air is expected to be stronger than average at the end of November and into early December.

The cold air is likely to become more intense from December, bringing prolonged cold spells and severe frost. People should be cautious about these cold spells, particularly in the northern mountainous regions, which may also experience frost and ice.

Severe cold and frost in the North will likely spread widely from mid-December, similar to previous years, said meteorologists.

Vietnamese community football tournament helps strengthen bond in Japan

The finals of the FAVIJA Champions Cup 2024, the largest Vietnamese football championship in Japan, took place in Saitama prefecture, featuring 32 top teams from seven regions of Kanto, Chubu, Tokai, Kansai, HoKuriku, Chugoku and Kyushu.

The event, held by the Vietnam – Japan international exchange organization (FAVIJA) under the sponsorship of the Vietnamese Embassy and local administrations, saw the teams simultaneously play across eight pitches at Resland Sports Complex.

FC T-Connect Binh Dinh claimed the championship title after a series of competitive matches, with FC Asahi securing the second place. Meanwhile, FC ISC and FC Uni-co Hai Phong shared the third place, VNA reported.

FC T-Connect Binh Dinh claims the championship title. (Photo: VNA)

The tournament introduced an innovative cultural integration element by allowing each team to register up to two Japanese players and three Vietnamese football stars, exemplifying the growing ties between Vietnamese expatriates and local Japanese communities.

According to FAVIJA President Do Quang Ba, beyond physical fitness, this tournament creates a healthy environment for Vietnamese expatriates to strengthen community bonds and support one another while living abroad.

The championship, with its qualification running from March 17 to October 27, drew a record participation of 232 teams nationwide.

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