Vietnam News Today (Nov. 7): Poland, Vietnam Beef Up Cooperation in Science

Photo: VOV

Poland, Vietnam beef up cooperation in science

The Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, in collaboration with Poland’s University of Warsaw, co-organized a conference on scientific ties between the nation and Poland on November 6 in Hanoi.

In his speech at the event, Dr Trinh Hai Son, director of the Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources, said that during the course of the two-day conference 250 participants will join discussions about geology and mineral resources; natural hazards and environmental protection; and archaeology and geoarchaeology. In addition, a field trip will be held from November 8 to November 9.

He highlighted the event as an important opportunity for participants to share and discuss advanced research and new technologies in the field of geosciences and other majors such as archaeology, society, and history in both Vietnam and Poland.

They are therefore expected to propose solutions aimed at the effective application of geosciences in practice, he continued.

Prof Anna Wysocka of the Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences, said that the occasion is taking place for the first time in Vietnam as a means of strengthening scientific ties between Vietnamese research institutes and universities with their Polish counterparts.

Through the event, both sides will be given a platform to exchange experience, information and ideas in geosciences, minerals, environmental protection, and training, cited VOV.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Quy Kien said that since the two nations first established diplomatic ties on April 2, 1950, they have been co-operating in various areas, including science-technology and education.

According to him, Poland has trained about 4,000 Vietnamese nationals through university and postgraduate degrees, including 100 in the geology and minerals sector.

The Minister noted that the two countries boast huge potential to build ties in science and technology which currently remains untapped.

The Ministry has assigned the Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources to develop co-operative programmes between the two countries in the fields of geology and minerals, while making further preparations for building a Vietnam-Poland tropical study center in the nation.

Vietnamese students in Italy strengthen connectivity and engagement

The 2nd congress of the Vietnamese Students' Association in Italy (ASVI) for the 2023 - 2025 term was held in Rome on November 4, with the online and offline participation of 37 delegates representing nearly 1,000 Vietnamese students and graduate students that are living, studying and working in the European country.

Addressing the event, Nguyen Luu Tra My, member of the Secretariat and Chief of the Office of the Vietnamese Students' Association (VSA) Central Committee underlined the need for ASVI to promote widespread implementation of the student movement in the country, strengthen the gathering and engagement of Vietnamese students in all regions of Italy, and actively participate in the preparation for the 11th National Congress of the VSA for the 2023 - 2028 tenure.

Participants focused on reviewing and evaluating the ASVI's activities during the 2021-2023 term, according to VNA.

Participants attend the congress (Photo: VNA)

Accordingly, during the last tenure, the ASVI has organized many important, large-scale activities and events in many fields such as sports, culture, and education for students living and studying in Italy and those having a passion for Italian culture.

The association has also organized and joined volunteer activities, attracting crowds of students.

In the 2023 - 2025 term, the ASVI’s executive board will continue to promote the management of students, communications, learning, and scientific research, culture and sports activities, towards enhancing connectivity in the Vietnamese student community in the country.

HCM City boosts development cooperation with Japan’s Osaka prefecture

Vice Chairman of the People’s Council of Ho Chi Minh City Nguyen Van Dung on November 6 hosted a reception for a delegation of the Friendship Parliamentarians’ Association of Japan’s Osaka prefecture led by its Chairman Wada Kenji.

In his speech, Dung said that based on the fine Vietnam-Japan relations, the soy city has conducted effective cooperation activities with Japanese localities.

Collaboration between the metropolis and Osaka prefecture is one of the most vibrant and effective cooperative relationships in the city's local-level international cooperation, VOV reported.

Vice Chairman of the People’s Council of Ho Chi Minh City Nguyen Van Dung (R) and Chairman Wada Kenji of the Friendship Parliamentarians’ Association of Japan’s Osaka prefecture (Photo: VNA)

He suggested the association bolster its collaboration with Ho Chi Minh City in the fields of infrastructure, innovation, green economy, green energy, and biotechnology.

Dung also voiced his hope that Japanese parliamentarians will continue to encourage Japanese businesses to come to his city to seek cooperation opportunities and promote cultural exchange activities, and proposed the Japanese government choose the city as a venue for cultural and people-to-people exchange programs.

Wada Kenji said that his working visit to Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City, on the occasion of both nations celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties aims to seek and ramp up cooperation opportunities between Osaka and Vietnam, especially in tourism, and share information about the World Expo 2025 Osaka with authorities and the business community of Ho Chi Minh City.

He pledged to providing information regarding the Vietnamese city’s potential, strengths and development orientation to the Japanese Government and business community, and affirmed the desire to boost cooperation with the Vietnamese largest economic hub in areas of mutual interest such as tourism and education to contribute to propelling bilateral ties forward.

Saudi Fund for Development contributes to Vietnam’s development

The Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Vietnam on November 6 held an event highlighting contributions of the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) in Vietnam and the world.

Speaking at the event, Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Vietnam Mohammed Ismaeil A. Dahlwy said, founded in 1974, the SFD is a financial institution of the Saudi Arabian government that has played a significant role in providing funding for development projects in developing countries. It has so far funded over 800 projects and development programmes across various fields in 100 countries.

In Vietnam, the SFD has provided concessional loans for 12 projects, ranging from the construction and expansion of educational and healthcare facilities to the development of transportation infrastructure and upgrade of rural infrastructure affected by natural disasters, contributing to close ties between Saudi Arabia and Vietnam over the past 24 years, cited VNA.

Delegates at the event (Photo: nhandan.vn)

On the occasion, CEO of the SFD Sultan Al-Marshad announced that the Ha Nam Vocational College project, funded by the SFD with a budget of over US$9 million, was inaugurated in the afternoon of the same day.

As next year marks the 25th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong expressed his belief that the SFD will continue playing as a bridge to foster Vietnam – Saudi Arabia ties, aiming for new cooperation opportunities that align with the priorities of both sides.

Da Nang to become a city of events, festivals

Da Nang City is focusing on becoming a city of events and festivals.

In October, the Furama Resort Da Nang International Conference Center hosted the GBA Oktoberfest 2023, a German cultural festival, attracting thousands of locals and tourists who came to indulge in culinary delights and enjoy the festivities.

The GBA Oktoberfest has been an annual event since 1992 in Hanoi and HCM City, but this was the first time this event took place in Da Nang.

Nguyen Duc Quynh, deputy chairman of the Da Nang Tourism Association, chairman of the Da Nang Hotel Association, and general manager of Furama Resort Da Nang, said that compared to other cities in the country, Da Nang still needs many high-profile events.

Starting from this year, the GBA Oktoberfest will be an annual event, contributing to creating a unique cultural, culinary, and touristic product and pushing Da Nang towards becoming a city of events and festivals, VNS reported.

Da Nang hosted various significant events and festivals in the past. Photo: thanhnien.vn

The GBA Oktoberfest, apart from its culinary delights, German beer and music, serves as one of the activities to enhance the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Germany across various cultural, economic, commercial, and investment sectors.

According to Nguyen Xuan Binh, deputy director of the Da Nang Department of Tourism, relevant authorities will continue to evaluate and allocate resources to each event appropriately and address seasonal variations.

In addition to attractive promotions for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) groups, groups with over 700 tourists will be offered welcome ceremonies, transportation, artistic performances, souvenirs and thank-you letters from the city's People's Committee [Administration] when visiting Da Nang.

Pham Truong Quoc Vuong, chairman of the Da Nang Events Association, said that to truly make Da Nang a city of events and festivals, it is crucial to enhance the local capacity for on-site event organization.

Most businesses in the event planning sector in Da Nang are small enterprises, Vuong said.

Most large-scale cultural, sports, and entertainment events are organized in the two ends of the country, namely Hanoi and HCM City. Da Nang businesses only participate in the role of supplying equipment and essential items.

The main challenge is the lack of unique, innovative ideas and slow adaptation to technological advancements due to limited investment resources, Vuong added.

Relevant authorities have set goals and solutions to enhance their members' capacity and human resources quality, focusing on creative ideas, professional directing, and contributing innovative concepts to construct Da Nang as a city of events and festivals in the true sense.

Furthermore, there is a crucial need for investment in internationally standardized event spaces with modern, flexible infrastructure suitable for various types of events, including major concerts and sports events, meeting the requirements of international programmes and renowned stars, Vuong said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Vietnam Travel Association Vu The Binh said that not only has Da Nang established a brand for events and festivals such as APEC 2017 and the International Fireworks Festival, but also Thua Thien - Hue with the Hue Festival and Quảng Nam with the Heritage Festival can completely turn the Central region into a national MICE tourism center, in which Da Nang, with its central role and convenient transportation, has a great advantage.

Post-COVID-19, MICE tourism has shown rapid development, especially with the resurgence of big events attracting thousands of participants, revitalizing the tourism industry.

Da Nang’s decision to become a city of events and festivals, offering numerous incentives to MICE groups and developing tourism infrastructure, along with nurturing young businesses in this field, can undoubtedly usher in a new wave of development, Binh emphasized.

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