Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26).

PM’s attendance at COP28 and Turkey visit looks towards sustainable development

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will reveal the nation's new initiatives and commitments at the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) as part of joint efforts against climate change.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet made the statement in a recent media interview given ahead of the PM’s trip to attend the World Climate Action Summit (WCAS) within COP28, holding bilateral activities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and paying an official visit to Turkey from November 29 to December 3.

The Vietnamese diplomat highlighted the significance of the summit amid climate change being the biggest challenge and the greatest public concern globally this year.

Therefore, the country hopes that COP28 will reap tangible outcomes, especially in the areas of top concern, according to the official.

Deputy Minister Viet elaborated that participating countries are expected to take stronger measures aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and embarking on a sustainable, just energy transition.

Developed countries should therefore seek to fulfill their commitments, especially with regard to financial support and technology transfers carried out to developing nations in this process, he continued, adding that the conference is expected to put forth a clear and feasible global adaptation target framework, cited VOV.

The Loss and Damage Fund should be put in place soon to ensure a new and larger financial source in support of developing countries and others most severely affected by climate change, he said.

For Vietnam, after the PM announced the nation’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 at COP26, which was held in the UK back in 2021, the Government, ministries, agencies, and localities have taken drastic and specific actions in a bid to achieve this goal, Deputy Minister Viet noted. He went on to give examples of the approval of National Power Development Plan VIII and the country’s joining the political declaration on the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) in order to attract resources to its just energy transition.

Asked about PM Chinh’s upcoming Turkey visit and bilateral activities in the UAE, the Deputy FM said they are of special importance as the country is celebrating the 45th anniversary of its diplomatic ties with Turkey, as well as the 30th anniversary of its diplomatic ties with the UAE.

This is also to be the first official visit by a Vietnamese PM to Turkey, Deputy Minister Viet stressed.

The trip is expected to contribute to further consolidating political trust and creating new breakthrough momentum for ties between the nation and both Turkey and the UAE in all fields, ranging from economics, trade, and investment to new areas like innovation, science-technology, and energy.

It will also help to implement the Vietnamese foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, and multilateralization and diversification of foreign relations, the official said.

This marks the PM's second visit to the Middle East within two months, following his attendance at the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (ASEAN-GCC) summit and bilateral activities in Saudi Arabia in October, thereby demonstrating the country’s clear interest in enhancing all-around cooperation with the region, he continued.

Apart from meetings with high-ranking leaders and politicians from other countries, the PM will attend and deliver speeches at business forums and seminars, as well as receive representatives from leading enterprises, corporations, and investment funds of Turkey and the UAE This will thereby help to facilitate Vietnamese exports, attracting new and high-quality investment flows whilst expanding collaboration in new fields, towards the goal of sustainable development, Deputy Minister Viet added.

Ample room remains for Vietnam-China trade: Meeting

The 12th meeting of the Vietnam-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Committee took place in Hanoi on November 27 under the co-chair by Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao who is on an official visit to Vietnam from November 25 – 28.

In his speech, Dien said this is concrete evidence of the increasingly important role of the Vietnam - China economic cooperation and trade for each country's economy.

Dien suggested the Chinese side support Vietnamese businesses in building trademarks in China and open its market for more Vietnamese agricultural products, and urged the signing of a framework agreement on rice trade between the two nations.

The minister called on Chinese authorities to set a transition period for spiny lobsters imported into China, and expand the list of border gates between China and Vietnam that are allowed to import agricultural and aquatic products, and food, according to VNA.

The 12th meeting of the Vietnam-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Committee in Hanoi on November 27 (Photo: VNA)

Dien also mentioned Vietnam’s plan to complete procedures to establish a trade promotion office in Haikou, Hainan, China in 2023; and strengthen economic and trade cooperation and work coordination between the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and Vietnamese localities and Chinese localities.

He urged the Chinese side to effectively implement signed agreements and support Vietnamese businesses to increase their presence, rent warehouses, and export goods through China's e-commerce pilot zones or free trade pilot zones.

The minister called on Chinese authorities to set a transition period for spiny lobsters imported into China, and expand the list of border gates between China and Vietnam that are allowed to import agricultural and aquatic products, and food.

Dien also mentioned Vietnam’s plan to complete procedures to establish a trade promotion office in Haikou, Hainan, China in 2023; and strengthen economic and trade cooperation and work coordination between the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and Vietnamese localities and Chinese localities.

He urged the Chinese side to effectively implement signed agreements and support Vietnamese businesses to increase their presence, rent warehouses, and export goods through China's e-commerce pilot zones or free trade pilot zones.

Hanoi ranked as world’s fourth most air-polluted city

The Vietnamese capital ranked fourth among the top 100 worst air-polluted cities in the world on November 28, according to data released by Switzerland-based air quality monitor IQAir AirVisual.

The data compiled on November 28 indicated that the air quality index (AQI) of Hanoi at 7 a.m. reached 225, representing a level very unhealthy for humans.

Furthermore, the monitoring station also stated that the air quality in Thanh Xuan district was at a hazardous level with an AQI exceeding 300.

Hanoi ranks fourth among the top 100 worst air-polluted cities in the world on November 28.

Other districts such as Hoan Kiem, Hai Ba Trung, Dong Da, Cau Giay, Bac Tu Liem, Gia Lam, and Dong Anh reached an AQI of 200 to 300, with this being harmful to people outdoors, VOV reported.

Moreover, The PAM air quality system in the nation also showed the level of severely-polluted air in Hanoi and other northern provinces. Indeed, the AQI of the city reached maroon, indicating that the overall quality of air was at the worst level.

In addition, monitoring app VN Air produced by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment revealed that the air quality of Long Bien district in Hanoi this morning was at 214, with this being a very bad level.

As a result of the health risks involved, specialists have moved to advise citizens to refrain from venturing outside unless necessary. Indeed, adults, children, pregnant women, and individuals suffering from respiratory diseases have been recommended to wear masks and glasses in the event they do go outside.

FDI flows into Vietnam go up 14.8% in 11 months

Nearly US$28.85 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) was registered as of November 20, rising 14.8% year on year, reported the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

FIA said on November 27 that foreign investors have invested in 56 provinces and cities during the 11 months of 2023, cited VNA.

The skyline of HCM City, which attracted over 3.08 billion USD in FDI as of November 20. (Photo: VNA)

The northern province of Quang Ninh remains the biggest destination of FDI with nearly US$3.11 billion, up 42.3% from the period last year. It is followed by Ho Chi Minh City with over US$3.08 billion, Hai Phong city US$2.8 billion, Bac Giang province US$2.7 billion, and Hanoi US$2.6 billion.

HCM City, accounting for 10.7% of the total FDI, takes the lead in the numbers of new projects (38%), those with additional capital (25.3%), and capital contributions to or purchases of shares at domestic companies (66.6%), statistics show.

As of November 20, there were 38,844 valid FDI projects worth almost US$462.4 billion in total across Vietnam. Nearly US$294.2 billion of the projects’ registered capital was disbursed, equivalent to 63.6%, according to FIA.

Passengers enjoy Vietnamese culture at Noi Bai Int'l Airport

Passengers at Noi Bai International Airport (NIA) in Hanoi can learn about the capital city’s culture through folk music performances or demonstrations of artisans from craft villages taking place right in the airport terminals.

These activities are part of the ongoing cultural week themed “Hương Sắc Hanoi” (Colours of Hanoi) held by the NIA until November 30.

Passengers can enjoy music performances or join hands with artisans to create handicraft products at several spots that have been set up in both T1 and T2 terminals.

Specifically, at the international terminal, T2, passengers can take check-in photos at “Village Gate”, “Traditional Triple Gate” and “Bamboo Range” on the 3rd floor.

Nearby is a small stage with a background depicting mossy-tiled houses in the Old Quarter, featuring traditional performances, cited VNS.

Guests view photos of Hanoi presented at a small exhibition on the 3rd floor of Terminal 2 during the cultural week themed “Huong Sac Hanoi” (Colors of Hanoi) held by the NIA. Photo courtesy of NIA

Guests can enjoy different traditional music genres such as chèo (traditional opera) and hat xam (blind busker's singing).

Guests can also learn about the handicraft process of making tò he (traditional toy figurines), palm-leaf conical hat, clay objects and embroidered pictures. Under the guidance of artisans, they can also join in the process to create a piece for themselves.

The performances and demonstrations take place from 9am until 10pm.

A small exhibition on the third floor showcases images of Hanoi, and a replica of Hanoi’s symbolic Quan Chưởng Gate has been set up on the first floor.

A mini landscape imitating Hanoi’s most poetic street – Phan Dinh Phung, has been created on the 1st floor. Guests not only can take pictures with a colorful flower bicycle of street vendor, but can also taste Hanoi specialties such as ô mai (salted fruits) and com lang Vong (Vong Village’s young sticky rice).

According to NIA Deputy Director Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, ‘Colors of Hanoi’ is the opening event of a series of annual activities to honor Vietnamese traditional cultural values.

“The event not only aims to create a unique impression for passengers, but also to introduce and promote the image of Vietnam, together with its culture and people to all tourists going through Noi Bai International Airport. We will continue to coordinate with agencies and organizations to host other meaningful events for passengers," she said.

Explaining the event’s theme, ‘Colors of Hanoi’, Ngan said that Hanoi is the country’s biggest center of politics, economy and culture. In addition, the well-known yet elegant lifestyle of Hanoian people is a specific feature of the city.

“Those features recreated here can offer a unique experience, making NIA special and different from any other airport in the region and the world,” she added.

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