Vietnam News Today (Nov. 9): Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam Boost Parliamentary Cooperation

Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan speaks at the event (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Australia, Vietnam ramp up co-operation in health digital transformation

The 2023 International Conference on Digital Health got underway in Hanoi from November 8 as part of efforts to step up cooperation between Vietnam and Australia in health digital transformation.

The two-day event provided an opportunity for researchers and experts in the field of digital health and health care to come together to share policies, strategies, initiatives, and experiences in applying digital technologies in the health sector.

Upon addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan affirmed that digital transformation represents the key task of the health sector, adding that top priority should be given to mobilizing resources to accelerate the application of information technology and digital transformation as a means of improving management and create favorable conditions for people to access medical services, cited VOV.

Deputy Minister Thuan underscored the importance of the involvement of the entire health sector, people, and businesses, as well as assistance from international friends to promote digital transformation in the health sector.

At the conference, Associate Professor Dr. Pham Le Tuan, chairman of the Vietnam Military and Civil Medicine Association, described the conference as the start of close collaboration between scientists and experts of Vietnam and Australia as a means of helping the Vietnamese side to devise a national action plan on digital transformation in health care.

The event will also create greater opportunities for businesses to introduce Industry 4.0 technology products, data analysis systems, and artificial intelligence applications.

Japan’s Osaka prefecture commits to closer ties with Vietnamese localities

Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu hosted a reception in Hanoi on November 8 for a delegation of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance of Osaka prefecture led by its Chairman Wada Kenji, who is on a visit to Vietnam from November 7-11.

Vu welcomed the delegation to Vietnam at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

He described Japan as Vietnam's leading economic cooperation partner in official development assistance (ODA), investment, trade, labor, tourism, locality-to-locality cooperation and people-to-people exchange.

Speaking highly of Osaka’s position and role in the Japanese economy with strengths in areas of interest to Vietnam, such as hi-tech agriculture, manufacturing and supporting industries, he suggested that Osaka prefecture’s alliance continue promoting coordination with Vietnamese localities, especially those with signed cooperation agreements such as Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.

Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu (right) and Wada Kenji, Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance of Osaka prefecture. (Photo: Baoquocte.vn)

He also proposed increasing investment from the Kansai region in fields of Vietnam’s interest, especially manufacturing, hi-tech agriculture and innovation. He also suggested increasing the frequency of flights between the two countries to boost people-to-people exchanges and tourism cooperation, reported VNA.

On the occasion, he thanked the Osaka authorities and alliance for providing support for the Vietnamese community living there, especially during COVID-19.

Wada Kenji, for his part, said it is the third time the alliance has arranged a visit to Vietnam since its establishment in 2007. He agreed with the host’s proposal to further intensify economic ties and support the activities of the Vietnamese Consulate General in Osaka.

He also committed further support for the Vietnamese community living and studying in Osaka, helping them integrate into the life and culture of Japan.

The guest also took the occasion to introduce the Osaka Kansai Expo, an international exhibition scheduled to be held in Osaka in 2025, and invited Vietnam to send a delegation to the event.

Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam boost parliamentary cooperation

Chairman of the National Assembly (NA)'s Foreign Affairs Committee Vu Hai Ha on November 8 chaired an online meeting with the Foreign Affairs Committees of Lao and Cambodian NAs on preparations for the first Parliamentary Summit of the three countries, set to take place in the Lao capital of Vientiane in December.

The preparatory meeting focused on discussing and giving opinions on procedures, the expected program on the conference and activities within the framework of the agenda. Accordingly, in addition to the opening and closing sessions, the conference will conduct two plenary sessions.

There will be sessions within the summit. Accordingly, the Foreign Affairs Committee session focuses on the topic "Strengthening the role of the NAs of the three countries of Cambodia - Laos - Vietnam in promoting cooperation, partnership, solidarity and prosperity".

The session on economic and socio-cultural cooperation aims to focus on strengthening parliamentary cooperation in enhancing the connection of the economies of Cambodia - Laos - Vietnam towards sustainable and inclusive development goals.

The session on defense and security issues concentrates on intensifying the supervisory role of the parliaments of the three countries to ensure peace and stability and the session of the Drafting Committee, VOV reported.

At the meeting (Photo:daibieunhandan.vn)

Delegates discussed and gave opinions on technical issues, expertise and how to organize the Friendship Bicycle Race aimed at enhancing exchange activities, friendship and intimacy among participating delegates.

According to the Joint Declaration of the Presidents of the NAs of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos (CLV) signed on November 20, 2022 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the CLV Parliamentary Summit aims to strengthen the friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation among the three countries, with a particular focus on socio-economic development, defense-security cooperation and people’s exchange, for sustainable development of the three countries and the region as a whole.

The mechanism will accelerate and monitor the implementation of agreements, action programs and cooperation projects reached by the three Governments as well as of multilateral agreements to which the three countries are members; promote the sharing and exchange of information, experience and good practices in performing the functions and tasks of the three NAs; allocate budgets and discuss ways to mobilize capital from partners in and outside the CLV region to carry out programmes and projects in the development triangle and other fields of cooperation.

The CLV Parliamentary Summit will be held every two years under the rotational chair of the leaders of the three NAs in alphabet order.

Traditional costumes of Vietnamese ethnic groups displayed in Paris

A collection of traditional ethnic costumes from Vietnam by French collector Alain Dussarps is on display at the Vietnamese Cultural Center in Paris.

The exhibition, which opened on November 7, introduces about 70 sets of costumes, hats and scarves, along with many accessories, jewelry and daily items. The exhibits were used by people from more than 30 ethnic groups living mainly in the northern mountainous and Central Highlands regions, as well as minority groups in the Mekong Delta and Red River Delta.

Various items such as costumes of the Dao and Kho Mu people, brocade scarves of the Thai and Lo Lo people, baskets of the E De people, or jewelry of the Mong people show the life and diversity of Vietnam' ethnic minority groups.

Sonia Ait Mansour, a Moroccan student in France, remarked at the diversity of the costumes as well as the culture of Vietnamese ethnic groups. She noticed the costume of the Red Dao people, saying that it has many similarities with the costume of an ethnic group in her country.

Another visitor, Julien Paralles said he is particularly impressed by the colors of the costumes of ethnic groups in the northern mountainous region, and realizes the diversity in religions and cuisines of ethnic groups across Vietnam, VNA reported.

Visitors at the exhibition (Photo: VNA)

Collector Dussarps said that the collection was gathered during the time that he joined Red Cross Societies and charity groups to conduct about 60 humanitarian missions throughout Vietnam. The exhibitions of traditional costumes of Vietnamese ethnic groups have helped him raise funds for humanitarian projects in Vietnam. He undertook some 99 projects so far raising a total amount of EUR562,000 (US$599,920).

Nguyen Hai Nam, Chairman of the France-Vietnam Friendship Association (AAFV), said that along with introducing the traditional costumes of Vietnamese ethnic groups, the exhibition is also a chance to call for support of the groups in developing production. On this occasion, the AAFV also called for support for Agent Orange/dioxin victims in Vietnam, stated Nam.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang praised Dussarps’ enthusiasm in implementing humanitarian activities in Vietnam as well as his love for Vietnamese people, describing it as a long-standing friendship.

The exhibition will run until November 12.

Ha Long Bay among world’s 51 most beautiful places: Condé Nast Traveler

Condé Nast Traveler, a luxury and lifestyle travel magazine, has named the UNESCO-recognized heritage Ha Long Bay in the northeastern coastal province of Quang Ninh on its list of the 51 most beautiful places in the world.

The magazine said the bay is beloved for its blue waters and spread of limestone islands, all occupied by tropical trees and wildlife. It suggested visitors board a sailing ship to experience the beauty (and associated myths and stories) of the mist-shrouded emerald basin.

Tourists kayaks across a vast body of water in Ha Long Bay (Photo: VNA)

The formation of Ha Long Bay dates over 500 million years and the limestone that is found in the bay began forming around 340 million years ago. Over time, the bay has gone through countless changes resulting in its today’s magnificent natural landscape. Its core area, which has been recognised by the UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage, is 434sq.km and comprises 775 limestone islands and islets.

Other destinations on the Condé Nast Traveler’s list include the Amazon (South America), Angel Falls (Venezuela), Antarctica, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (Japan), Atacama Desert (Chile) and Avenue of the Baobabs (Madagascar).

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