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The police force of Dien Bien and bordering Muang May districts sign a cooperation agreement at the talks (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese, Lao police strengthen cooperation in ensuring border security

Police of Dien Bien district in the northern province of Dien Bien and bordering Muang May district of Laos’ Phongsaly province held talks in the Vietnamese locality on October 15 to evaluate their cooperation in ensuring security and order along the shared border in 2024.

Participants noted that the political security situation in Dien Bien district has been basically stable, while social order was ensured and crime and law violations continued to be under control. Authorities discovered 127 drug trafficking cases, arresting 137 suspects, and seizing more than 3.5 kilos of heroin and meths.

Through information exchanges via the hotline, the two sides discovered four cross-border drug trafficking cases involving 13 suspects, and 13 economic and environmental violation cases with 13 suspects, cited VNA.

The police force of the two districts agreed to continue to sign an agreement on strengthening coordination in ensuring security and order along the border, thus promoting their achievements and effectively foiling the plots and operations of hostile forces and criminals.

The two sides will also update each other on information related to security and order, while increasing law communications and education, effectively cooperating in managing entry-exit activities, and collaborating in investigating and combating autonomous separatist activities.

Vietnam likely to brace for more typhoons as La Nina appears

Meteorologists have warned that Vietnam would probably face more super typhoons in the coming months as El Nino has shifted to La Nina which is anticipated to make the stormy season this year more complicated.

Super typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm in Asia in the past decades, pounded Vietnam in early September, leaving hundreds dead and missing. Its economic damage was estimated at US$3.3 billion.

According to Bloomberg, Southeast Asia could endure higher-than-normal rainfall in the near future, causing further disruptions to agriculture, tourism, and industrial output in a region already hit by subsequent storms this year.

Weather forecasters predicted that spells of heavy rainfall would occur in the Philippines and Vietnam through November, mainly due to the emerging La Nina phenomenon which moves warm water toward the western Pacific Ocean and causes more rainfall over the region.

Bloomberg also quoted the ASEAN Specialized Meteorological Centre as saying that La Nina conditions are predicted from October November onwards, one of the factors contributing to the above-normal rainfall anticipated across several countries in the region.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Vietnam revealed that Vietnam is forecast to witness higher-than-average rainfall that could cause widespread flooding, especially in the central region, according to VOV.

Strong winds bring down a big tree in Gia Lam district of Hanoi capital during the height of Yagi landfall in early September.

Takahisa Nishikawa, forecast operations leader for The Weather Company, told Bloomberg that Vietnam could also see a higher number of tropical storms than usual through April, potentially “producing heavy rain with a risk of flooding, mudslides, and collapsed buildings due to strong winds.”

The news agency also quoted Benjamin Horton, director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore, as saying that tropical cyclones are going to get stronger because the underlying theory is that ocean temperatures are getting higher.

“The warmer the oceans, the more energy there is for tropical cyclones to get bigger, and bigger, and bigger, and places like Taiwan and Vietnam can expect to see more super typhoons,” he concluded.

Vietnamese community supports Lao people affected by floods

Vietnamese expatriates in Laos have presented 1,000 relief packages, including blankets, clothes, and necessities, among others worth 400 million LAK (more than 12,800 USD) to those impacted by floods in September in Huaphanh province, northern Laos.

Most Venerable Thich Minh Quang, head of the Vientiane-based Phat Tich Pagoda, emphasized that the relief packages are the special affection of the Vietnamese people living and working in Laos for the locals, VNA reported.

Most Venerable Thich Minh Quang and Vietnamese expatriates in Laos present relief packages to Lao residents (Photo: VNA)

Governor of Huaphanh province Khampheng Xaysompheng expressed deep gratitude for the timely support, which highlights the close bond between Laos and Vietnam.

The floods on September 22 caused severe damage to houses, property, and infrastructure in Samnuea town.

Politburo member receives Morocco High Commissioner for Veterans

Nguyen Trong Nghia, Politburo member, Party Central Committee Secretary and Chairman of its Commission for Information and Education, received Mustapha El Ktiri, High-Commissioner for Veterans and Former Members of the Army of Liberation of Morocco, in Hanoi on October 16.

Nghia thanked El Ktiri for facilitating his working visit to Morocco from May 29 to June 3 this year, during which he had meetings with the leaders of the Moroccan parliament and political parties, and attended a workshop on President Ho Chi Minh of Vietnam at the headquarters of the High Commissioner for Veterans and Former Members of the Army of Liberation.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese people will never forget and always cherish the support that the Moroccan people provided during the past struggle for national liberation and unification, as well as in their current national construction and participation in international and regional forums, cited VOV.

Nguyen Trong Nghia (R), Politburo member, Party Central Committee Secretary and Chairman of its Commission for Information and Education, and Mustapha El Ktiri, High-Commissioner for Veterans and Former Members of the Army of Liberation of Morocco, during their meeting in Hanoi on October 16. (Photo: VNA)

Marking more than six decades of bilateral diplomacy (1961-2024), Nghia proposed that the two countries coordinate closely to promote cooperation in various fields, including enhancing exchanges and cooperation between their war veteran businesses.

El Ktiri for his part emphasized the strong friendship between Morocco and Vietnam, that has stood the test of time for the past six decades.

He expressed a desire for both countries to further enhance cooperation in the coming time, especially in educating the younger generation about Vietnam-Morocco relations.

Both sides should also exchange experiences and cooperate closely to contribute to their development alongside the world, while maintaining their independence and resilience, he suggested.

Four Vietnamese restaurants voted among Asia’s Top 25 list

Three representatives from Hanoi and one from Ho Chi Minh City have been voted among Asia’s 25 best fine dining restaurants by readers of the world's largest travel guidance platform TripAdvisor.

Seventh position went to the Rhythms Restaurant, located on the seventh floor of La Sinfonía del Rey Hotel & Spa in downtown Hanoi. The restaurant was highly recommended due to its ambient atmosphere and personalized decorations, particularly noted for elevating special occasions.

While opinions on pricing vary, some finding it fair and others high-end, the consensus is that the restaurant offers good value, especially for celebratory events, Tripadvisor wrote.

Reflections Restaurant ranks eighth among Asia’s 25 best fine dining restaurants. (Photo courtesy of the restaurant)

This was followed by Reflections Restaurant in eighth position. The only representative to feature on the list from Ho Chi Minh City is dedicated to serving creative dishes from around the world to diners in the heart of Saigon. Claiming a discreet perspective above one of the city’s most prominent intersections, this third-floor restaurant is a fitting space to reflect on the changing faces of Vietnam, the travel guide reported.

Placed 15th on the list, the website shared that Cloud Nine Restaurant on Hang Be street in Hanoi is frequently celebrated for its delectable cuisine and elegant ambiance, offering diners a top-notch culinary experience that doesn't disappoint.

John Anthony Cantonese Grill & Dimsum Restaurant located in the JW Marriott Hotel in Hanoi claimed 17th place.

John Anthony is a modern Cantonese restaurant which is named after the first Chinese man to be naturalized as a British citizen in 1805 and inspired by his journey along the Spice Routes from East to West, the media outlet recommended.

Akira Back Restaurant from Thailand was voted as Asia’s best restaurant, followed by Ise Sueyoshi Restaurant from Japan.

The winners were decided by the reviews of travelers and their votes on Tripadvisor between June 1, 2023, and May 31, 2024

The list is part of the Travelers' Choice 2024 "Best of the Best" awards unveiled in early October.

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