Vietnam News Today (Nov. 28): Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni Begins State Visit to Vietnam

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Anders Lindberg, Senior Vice President of Wärtsilä Corporation, and Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha (L) (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Finland strengthen cooperation in green transition

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on November 27 said Vietnam urgently needs Finland’s expertise and technology in green energy to expedite its energy transition.

During a Helsinki meeting, Vietnamese and Finnish enterprises explored collaborative opportunities. The event, held within Ha's ongoing official visit to Finland, marked a key milestone in advancing bilateral cooperation toward a green economic transformation, featuring prominent Finnish companies such as Oilon, Merus Power, Operon, Hermia Business, and Wärtsilä, and presenting advanced solutions in renewable energy, wastewater treatment, carbon reduction, and smart technologies.

Operon Vietnam, a subsidiary of Finland’s Operon Group, highlighted its successful implementation of four major wastewater treatment projects in the Southeast Asian country. Funded through Finland’s Public Investment Facility (PIF) credit and valued at 120 million EUR (127 million USD), these projects have significantly improved the water quality and living standards in areas such as Pleiku, Ninh Thuan, and Binh Thuan.

Representatives of Vietnamese ministries addressed critical concerns raised by businesses, including the development of industrial emission standards for power plants and the inclusion of flexible power plants in Power Development Plan VIII. The government also committed to streamlining public investment approval processes for bilateral cooperation projects, cited VNA.

Ha highlighted Vietnam’s vast renewable energy potential, particularly in provinces like Ben Tre, known for their promising biomass energy resources.

He encouraged Finnish enterprises to invest in green hydrogen, wind and solar power, clean industries, and circular economy technologies. Stressing Vietnam’s early-stage development in green energy, Ha recognised Finland’s significant role, particularly its longstanding support in establishing clean water systems and assured commitment to fostering a transparent, fair, and globally aligned investment environment.

Finland’s innovative capabilities, combined with Vietnam’s untapped potential, position the Nordic nation as a regional leader in renewable energy. Additionally, Vietnam’s skilled workforce offers a possibility to quickly adapt to new technologies, fostering high-value collaborations with Finnish firms.

Key Vietnamese corporations such as PVN, EVN, and Vinalines engaged directly with Finnish enterprises, paving the way for partnerships in renewable energy, wastewater treatment, maritime transport, and smart technologies.

PM encourages German investments in Vietnam

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh encouraged businesses from Germany, including the state of Hesse, to increase their investments in Vietnam for mutually beneficial cooperation, during his reception in Hanoi on November 28 for Hasse Minister-President Boris Rhein.

Chinh welcomed Rhein’s visit to Vietnam, saying it took place at a time when the Vietnam-Germany Strategic Partnership, in general, and the Vietnam-Hesse relationship, in particular, are developing positively across all areas.

He emphasized that Vietnam is focused on implementing three strategic breakthroughs, namely perfecting the institutional framework, developing human resources, and building infrastructure, with a strong emphasis on sustainable development, digital transformation, and green transformation, according to VOV.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives Minister-President Boris Rhein of the German state of Hesse in Hanoi on November 28. (Photo: VNA).

In this context, he said Vietnam values the development of its Strategic Partnership with Germany in general, and prioritizes cooperation with the state of Hesse in particular, which has many strengths in areas such as the economy, finance, science and technology, and industry.

Chinh noted with satisfaction the relationship between Vietnam and Hesse has developed very positively and effectively over the years, with two-way trade turnover reaching around EUR1 billion, accounting for about one-tenth of the total trade turnover between Vietnam and Germany. Many Hesse-based companies, such as Bilfinger & Berger, Messer, Sanofi-Aventis, Fresenius, and Commerzbank, are making effective investments in Vietnam.

The PM requested that Hesse use its influence to urge the German Bundestag to quickly ratify the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and continue to encourage Hesse’s businesses to invest and operate in Vietnam. He also requested continued support for the development and expansion of the Vietnam-Germany University, particularly in fields such as high technology, finance and banking, semiconductor industry, and artificial intelligence.

He asked Hesse and Germany to share their experiences in implementing sustainable development projects, addressing climate change, and promoting clean and renewable energy to achieve carbon emissions reduction goals. He expected that the German side would support Vietnam in accessing funding, management experience, and human resource training to implement the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

The PM encouraged Germany and Hesse to continue to receive Vietnamese workers, especially skilled labour, and create favorable conditions for Vietnamese expatriates to live, work, and integrate locally.

Agreeing with the PM’s comments and proposals, Rhein affirmed that Hesse would continue to support the development and expansion of the Vietnam-Germany University, a flagship project undertaken by Hesse, encourage stronger connections between educational and research institutions of both sides in fields such as high technology, finance and banking, semiconductor industry, and artificial intelligence, and maintain the scholarship program for Vietnamese students and researchers.

Emphasizing that Hessen is in need of skilled workers from Vietnam, Rhein suggested that both sides take advantage of the favorable conditions created by Germany's recent approval of the Skilled Immigration Act to expand the supply of labour from Vietnam to Hesse, helping to generate opportunities for Vietnamese workers to come to Germany and address the labour shortages in the state.

The Minister-President of Hesse highly appreciated the positive contributions of Vietnamese expatriates to the state’s prosperity and cultural diversity, and affirmed that the state government would continue to create favorable conditions for the expatriates to live and work, preserve their cultural identity, and play an important role as a bridge of friendship between Vietnam and Hesse.

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni begins state visit to Vietnam

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni has begun his fourth state visit to Vietnam, aiming to deepen ties and enhance bilateral cooperation across various sectors.

On the morning of November 28, a special aircraft carrying Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and a high-ranking delegation arrived in Hanoi, marking the beginning of his state visit to Vietnam.

The visit, taking place from November 28–29, is at the invitation of Vietnamese President Luong Cuong.

Accompanying King Norodom Sihamoni are several senior Cambodian officials, including:

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Royal Palace, Senior Advisor to the King, Samdech Mahamontrei Kuy Sophal;

Deputy Prime Minister Neth Savoeun;

Senior Advisor to the King and Deputy Chief of the King’s Office, Chan Samdarind;

Senator and Chairperson of the Senate’s 8th Committee, Mean Som An;

Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the National Assembly’s 5th Committee, Sous Yara;

Several Secretaries of State for the Royal Palace and Cambodia's Ambassador to Vietnam, Chea Kimtha.

At the airport to welcome the delegation were Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, leaders from the Hanoi People’s Committee, Vietnam’s Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Huy Tang, and representatives from the Office of the President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

King Norodom Sihamoni seldom undertakes visits to neighboring countries, including ASEAN member states. However, since ascending to the throne on October 29, 2004, he has visited Vietnam three times—in 2006, 2012, and 2018. This state visit marks his fourth trip to Vietnam.

During this visit, King Sihamoni is scheduled to hold discussions with Vietnam’s top leaders, further strengthening the bonds between the two nations, VNN reported.

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni arrives in Hanoi to begin his state visit to Vietnam. Photo: VNA

Ambassador Nguyen Huy Tang emphasized that the King wishes to convey warm sentiments of friendship and solidarity from Cambodia’s leadership and people to Vietnam. These exchanges aim to deepen political trust, enhance bilateral cooperation across various sectors, and foster economic, cultural, and educational ties.

King Sihamoni’s visit follows a series of high-level exchanges between the two countries in 2023–2024. These include:

A state visit to Cambodia by then-President (now General Secretary) To Lam in July 2023.

An official visit to Cambodia by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man in November 2024.

Earlier visits to Vietnam by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and National Assembly President Khuon Sudary in December 2023.

The strong Vietnam-Cambodia partnership continues to flourish, with notable achievements in trade, investment, and other areas:

Trade: Bilateral trade reached $8.3 billion in the first 10 months of 2024, a 17.5% increase year-over-year, with a goal of $20 billion in the near future.

Investment: Vietnam has 205 active investment projects in Cambodia, worth $2.94 billion, making it Cambodia’s top ASEAN investor and one of its largest global partners.

Collaborations in education, transport, culture, healthcare, and telecommunications are also being actively promoted. The two countries maintain close cooperation in international and regional forums, including the United Nations, ASEAN, and mechanisms such as GMS, CLMV, and ACMECS.

Vietnam and Poland enhance maritime transport cooperation

The significant rise in demand for Vietnamese goods and services in the Polish market and vice versa has accelerated maritime transport linkages between the two countries, heard the Vietnam - Poland trade exchange held in Ho Chi Minh City on November 28.

Addressing the event, Tran Ngoc Liem, director of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ho Chi Minh City Branch, emphasised that with the current growing trade ties, many Vietnamese logistics enterprises have moved to establish international freight routes from Vietnam to Poland and vice versa.

However, the development remains far from the existing potential for cooperation between the two sides, he noted.

An overview of the event (Photo:nhadautu.vn)

With a coastline of more than 3,260km long, Vietnam is among the top 10 countries with the highest index of coastline length compared to its territorial area. It has developed maritime transport infrastructure characterized by many modern ports such as Hai Phong port, Da Nang port, Cat Lai port, Cai Mep port, Phu Huu port, Tan Thuan port, and Ben Nghe port.

Meanwhile, Poland also boasts a rich port system, including Gdansk port, Gdynia port, Szczecin port. Of these, Gdansk port is one of the largest that handles nearly 17.8 million tonnes of cargo every year. It is a major international transport hub which plays an important role in the trans-European transport corridor connecting the Nordic countries with Eastern and Southern Europe.

Dorota Pyc, chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Gdansk Port Authority, stressed that with its strategic location, Gdansk Port can serve as an ideal entry point for Vietnamese goods to make inroads into the European market and a gateway for Polish and European products to the enter the Vietnamese market, cited VOV.

Cooperation between businesses of both countries will not only facilitate trade activities, but also improve logistics efficiency, reduce transit times, while also ensuring that firms remain competitive in a demanding global market, said the executive.

Statistics indicate that Polish exports to Vietnam increased by nearly 20% last year, while Vietnam was Poland's largest trading partner among EU member states.

Petrol prices go up in latest adjustment

The retail prices of petrol were revised upward on November 28 afternoon following the latest adjustment by the Ministries of Industry and Trade and Finance.

Specifically, the price of E5RON92 bio-fuel was priced at up to 19,840 VND (0.78 USD) per liter, representing a 497 VND increase from the previous baseline while RON95-III rose to a maximum of 20,857 VND per liter, an increase of 329 VND, VNA reported.

The retail prices of petrol revised upward on November 28 afternoon (Photo: VNA)

Diesel 0.05S and kerosene were capped at 18,777 VND and 19,142 VND per liter, up 268 VND and 221 VND, respectively.

Meanwhile, mazut oil 180CST 3.5S was priced at 16,125 VND per kilogram as the highest, up 111 VND.

The two ministries decided not to use the petrol price stabilization fund for this adjustment.

The regulators said fuel prices were affected by an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, an increase in the US’s petrol reserves, and ongoing discussions of the OPEC about delaying oil output hike, among others.

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