Vietnam News Today (Nov. 25): Cambodia Attaches Importance to Defense Cooperation With Vietnam
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Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha holds a working session with the C.I.P leadership in Copenhagen on November 25 during his working trip to Denmark. (Photo: VGP)

Vietnam seeks Danish assistance in green energy development

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha emphasized Vietnam’s desire for Danish firms to increase investments in green energy development during his meetings with leaders of Denmark’s leading corporations and the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI) as part of his working trip to Denmark on November 25.

Meeting with the leadership of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners - C.I.P, one of the world’s leading offshore wind power developers, Ha noted that once the amended Electricity Law is approved by the National Assembly, it will create a favourable legal framework for the development of offshore wind power projects. The Vietnamese government is also formulating a decree to address challenges related to marine area allocation for surveying and investment purposes.

He proposed that, with its extensive experience in implementing offshore wind projects globally, C.I.P should collaborate with the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and partner enterprises in areas such as technology transfer and planning, as well as in building transmission infrastructure, and establishing harmonized electricity pricing aligned with Vietnam’s socio-economic conditions.

In addition, he said C.I.P should also explore and refine technologies to enable electricity exports or produce green hydrogen and green ammonia as part of its investments in offshore wind power projects.

Christina Sørensen, C.I.P Senior Partner, shared that in Vietnam, C.I.P is conducting research for an offshore wind project in the southern province of Binh Thuan. She expressed a desire for the authorities to promptly establish mechanisms and policies allowing foreign investors to survey, measure, and observe marine areas for offshore wind power development.

At a meeting with the leadership of the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI), Ha highly appreciated DI’s role in connecting and encouraging numerous Danish businesses to invest and operate in Vietnam over the past time, contributing to the implementation of the Green Strategic Partnership framework between the two countries.

He encouraged DI to closely collaborate with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) to bring major Danish businesses to Vietnam on the occasion of the fourth summit of Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G Summit) in 2025, helping to set priorities and establish effective, long-term cooperation mechanisms among businesses within the P4G framework.

The Deputy PM expressed his hope that DI and its member businesses would provide technical support to various Vietnamese ministries in preparing and developing policy mechanisms for implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership commitment, developing offshore wind power, and giving advice to the Vietnamese government with regard to investment attraction into wind power and renewable energy, cited VOV.

Vietnam always encourages foreign investors, including Danish companies, to enter Vietnam selectively, based on technology, innovation, and technology transfer, towards fulfilling net-zero commitments by 2050, stressed Ha.

Welcoming the Deputy Prime Minister’s visit, Kinga Christensen, deputy director general of DI, said with many member businesses already investing, manufacturing, and operating in Vietnam, DI plans to open a regional office for Asia in Ho Chi Minh City at the beginning of 2025.

Additionally, DI is collaborating with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry to identify key priorities in the transition to a green economy and green energy while promoting gender equality and inclusive development.

The same day, Deputy PM Ha attended a roundtable discussion with the participation of leaders from major corporations, including Vestas (wind turbine installation), Blue Water Shipping A/S (high-quality logistics services), Lego (educational tools and toys), Pandora (jewelry manufacturing), Orana (food and beverage processing), A.P. Moller Holding (maritime transport and logistics), and Carlsberg (beverages).

Ha emphasized that Vietnam and Denmark have established a close, effective, and substantive partnership in key global areas such as science and technology, innovation, green transition, digital transformation, green economy, circular economy, and low-carbon economy.

The presence of Danish businesses in Vietnam reflects the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries. Danish companies have so far invested in 169 projects in Vietnam, with a total registered capital of nearly US$2 billion, ranking 22nd among 148 countries and territories.

According to the Deputy PM, Danish companies enjoy many advantages in pioneering new fields that Vietnam has significant demand and potential in, such as green transition, digital transformation, and renewable energy development.

He affirmed that Vietnam is an attractive destination for foreign investors, including Danish businesses, with a population of about 100 million, a rapidly growing middle class, and a deeply integrated economy. The country has signed 17 free trade agreements with major economies and is committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It also has tremendous potential for renewable energy and is a partner in the Just Energy Transition Partnership.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his desire for Danish businesses to invest more actively in renewable energy projects in Vietnam, particularly offshore wind power, in conjunction with research, technology transfer, management and operational practices.

He expressed his belief that Danish businesses would find increasing opportunities to invest, produce, and operate in Vietnam, fostering collaboration, mutual trust, and the right direction to achieve new successes.

Through Vietnam, Danish businesses can connect and expand to other markets in Southeast Asia, Asia, and major economies worldwide, stated the Deputy PM.

Vietnam, Cambodia promote effective, practical defense cooperation

Vietnamese Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang made an official visit to Cambodia from November 23 to 26, during which he joined an annual meeting with Cambodian and Lao Defense ministers, and witnessed a joint search and rescue exercise between the armies of the three countries.

The Vietnamese minister held several high-level meetings and participated in various bilateral and multilateral activities and events in Phnom Penh and other localities, with the aim of further promoting and deepening the Defense cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia, as well as strengthening Defense cooperation among the three countries.

Giang paid courtesy calls on President of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and President of the Senate Samdech Techo Hun Sen, and Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet. He also held talks with Deputy PM and Minister of National Defense of Cambodia General Tea Seiha.

In his meeting with Hun Sen on November 26, Giang highlighted the traditional friendship and good neighborliness between the two countries, affirming that Vietnam always attaches importance to and gives top priority to continuously consolidating and developing good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability with Cambodia.

Vietnam always gives the highest support to the CPP and backs an independent, peaceful, developed Cambodia that plays a greater role in the international arena, he stated.

For his part, Hun Sen affirmed that Giang's visit contributes to further strengthening the friendly and close relationship between the two countries and the two armies. He wished the Vietnamese people, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), will continue to achieve many new achievements, stressing that Vietnam's development will also help Cambodia and Laos develop.

Cambodia will always preserve and nurture the relationship between the two parties, the two countries, and their people, he stressed.

The two sides valued cooperation achievements of the two countries during the recent times, expressing deep appreciation for the support, solidarity, and sacrifices made for each other during the struggle for national liberation in the past, as well as the process of national construction and development at present, according to VNA.

Vietnamese Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang (L) shakes hands with President of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and President of the Senate Samdech Techo Hun Sen. (Photo: VNA)

Giang informed Hun Sen about the outcomes of his earlier talks with General Tea Seiha, as well as the annual meeting of the Defense ministers of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. He expressed his hope that Hun Sen will support Cambodia’s relevant agencies to closely coordinate with the three countries’ Defense ministries to effectively and comprehensively implement the Defense cooperation agreements achieved during the talks and the meeting.

Receiving Giang on November 24, Hun Manet spoke highly of the increasingly strengthened relationship between Cambodia and Vietnam across all fields, which, he said, brings benefits to the people of both countries and contributes to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

He expressed his deep gratitude to Vietnam for its continuous support to his country in the struggle for national liberation, in saving the Cambodian people from the genocidal regime, and in the current cause of national construction and development. The PM affirmed that Cambodia, together with Vietnam, will protect, preserve, and nurture the bilateral relations, towards elevating it to new heights.

Hun Manet affirmed that Cambodia values strengthening Defense cooperation with Vietnam and will continue to support and provide the best conditions for activities related to the search and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers in Cambodia.

Cambodia supports the Vietnamese army's enterprises which are effectively doing business in the country, and contribute positively to its socio-economic development, he stated.

Giang said he hoped that the Cambodian PM will support and instruct relevant agencies of Cambodia to facilitate and closely cooperate with the defense ministries of the two countries in implementing Defense cooperation contents comprehensively and effectively.

At their talks, Giang and Tea Seiha showed their pleasure at the fruitful development of the bilateral Defense ties, and the effective implementation of the Protocol on Defense Cooperation for the 2020-2024 period between the two nations.

The two sides agreed to deepen and strengthen Defense cooperation in the coming time, ensuring it becomes more effective and substantive, and continue to solidify its position as one of the key pillars in Vietnam-Cambodia relations. This cooperation will focus on maintaining high-level meetings and existing cooperation mechanisms; enhancing collaboration in political and ideological fields, promoting education and awareness-raising about the history, significance, and importance of the Vietnam-Cambodia solidarity relationship; strengthening cooperation in managing and protecting land and sea borders, information sharing, and joint patrols; effectively combat cross-border crimes; facilitating economic development of border residents and fishermen; improving the effectiveness and quality of human resource training; continuing mutual support in international and regional issues, thus making significant contributions to the solidarity and central role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The two ministers signed a protocol on Defense cooperation for the 2025-2029 period, and a cooperation plan between the two ministries in 2025.

During his stay, authorised by the State President, Giang on November 26 presented a second-class Labour Order to Metfone, a subsidiary in Cambodia of the Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group (Viettel), in recognition of its outstanding contributions over the past 15 years. Metfone has become a symbol of friendship and strong economic cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Earlier, on November 24 afternoon, Giang visited the MB Cambodia Bank, Public Limited Company (MB Cambodia) - a subsidiary of Vietnam’s Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MB), one of the symbols of Defense cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia in recent times.

Giang and the Vietnamese delegation also visited the Win – Win Memorial monument in the outskirts of Phnom Penh; and offered incense and laid wreaths at the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Monument in the capital city of Cambodia.

Vietnam among world’s 30 largest export economies

Vietnam was ranked 23rd among the world’s top 30 countries and territories with the largest export value, according to rankings compiled by the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Photo: VGP

In 2023, Vietnam's total export turnover hit US$354 billion, accounting for 1.5 percent of global export value.

Top four export markets of Vietnam in 2023 included the U.S. with US$96.99 billion; China US$60.71 billion; South Korea US$23.45 billion and Japan US$23.29 billion, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

From January-November 15, 2024, the Southeast Asian nation earned US$352.38 billion from exporting goods, up 14.8 percent, or US$45.54 billion against same period last year, VGP reported.

Exports are one of the main drivers of Vietnam's economic growth and are on a path to recovery.

The World Bank (WB) noted that in recent years, Vietnam has emerged as a prime example of an export-led growth economy. This transformation has not only bolstered the nation's economic standing but also had significant implications for its labor market.

The Times reveals 12 best places to visit in Vietnam

Travel writer and photographer Claire Boobbyer of UK-based newspaper The Times recently published an article sharing her amazing experience of visiting Vietnam.

In the article, Boobbyer revealed her top 12 best places to visit across Vietnam, with the capital city being her first choice.

She revealed that the thousand-year-old city of lakes, founded on a bend in the Red River, is full of history, charm, museums, shops, markets, and wonderful street food.

“Don’t miss the Old Quarter, the heart of the city, where you’ll find lots of food, hotels and temples cheek-by-jowl with shops,” the author noted.

The northern mountainous province of Ha Giang ranked second on the list due to its otherworldly landscape filled with sugarloaf peaks, mountain passes, and rice paddies.

Boobbyer suggested that visitors should find villages inhabited by the Red Dzao, Flower Hmong, and other local minorities. Other places to visit include local markets and eco-stays which offer a window into rural life full of timeless traditions such as weaving.

Located in the northwest of the nation, Pu Luong and Mai Chau are idyllic retreats found amid neon-green rice paddies, according to the travel writer.

Hoan Kiem Lake is one of the famous tourist attractions in Hanoi.

At Pu Luong nature reserve, which boasts both homestays and eco-retreats, visitors are able to trek past the paddies and orchards of the Muong people and cruise down a river whilst on a traditional bamboo raft amid a landscape woven with traditional water wheels. The area is home to the rare Asian black bear, Owston’s palm civet, and endangered Delacour’s langur.

“North is the exceptionally beautiful Mai Chau Valley, a serene landscape of rice paddies. Stay at the lovely Avana Retreat, built by local Hmong, White Thai and Black Thai people,” she suggested.

Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO-recognized World Heritage site located in the northern province of Quang Ninh, is the locality full of thousands of craggy limestone outcrops, proving to be her favourite destination in Vietnam.

“It’s an ethereal landscape and with each turn of weather can bring dense fog or crisp blue skies. It won’t matter — it’s all enchanting,” she revealed.

Boobbyer shared that to make the most of it, visitors should head out on a boat for at least two nights in order to cruise to the outer “fortress” of towers — Bai Tu Long Bay.

“It’s more magical and it escapes the crowds of one-day and one-night boats,” she concluded.

The UK writer also introduced other attractive places to visit in Vietnam, including the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, the central city of Da Nang, the Ancient Town of Hoi An in the central province of Quang Nam, Ninh Van Bay in the southern central province of Khanh Hoa, Da Lat City in the Central Highlands of Lam Dong, the Mekong Delta, and Con Dao archipelago.

Vietnamese firm signs labor cooperation deal with German partners

A framework agreement was recently signed in Halberstadt city, Harz district, Germany’s Saxony-Anhalt state to strengthen the partnership in training and recruiting Vietnamese labourers.

The tripartite framework agreement brings together Vietnamese-based SHD-CORP Joint Stock Company, Harz district authority, and IB Mitte GmbH under the International Federation (IB), a non-governmental organisation.

It aims to set up a strategic partnership that creates favourable conditions for young Vietnamese aspiring to complete vocational training certifications recognised under Germany’s relevant acts, enabling them to work in Harz afterward.

The collaboration ensures Vietnamese trainees receive robust support, from language skills to administrative assistance, accommodations, and post-graduation employment opportunities, cited VNA.

At the signing ceremony among Vietnamese-based SHD-CORP Joint Stock Company, Harz district authority, and IB Mitte GmbH. (Photo: VNA)

At the signing ceremony, Harz district Administrator Thomas Balcerowski highlighted the locality's dedication to attracting immigrant workers, including those from Vietnam, to address local labour needs. He affirmed that Harz will help Vietnamese workers integrate successfully into the host locality.

Winnie Kutzner from the IB, said the organisation’s three decades of experience in supporting immigrant labour integration are the foundation for IB’s role in the project.

For her part, SHD CEO Nguyen Thi Huyen highlighted that the firm has already recruited 11 trainees in hospitality, nursing, and construction in Harz, with plans to increase these numbers significantly.

This project underscores SHD’s pioneering role in connecting Vietnam’s young human resources with international labour markets. Through comprehensive cooperation strategy and commitment to sustainable development, the firm is opening up invaluable opportunities for Vietnamese trainees while contributing to economic and social growth for both nations.

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