Vietnam News Today (Oct. 18): Vietnam-Laos Trade Turnover Rises 29% Over Nine Months

Illustrative image. Photo: VNA

Vietnam-Laos trade turnover rises 29% over nine months

Trade revenue between Vietnam and Laos during the first nine months of the year reached US$1.22 billion, a year-on-year rise 29%, according to the Vietnamese Trade Office in Laos.

Of the figure, Vietnamese exports reached US$465.7 million, up 4.1%, while its imports hit roughly US$755.8 million, a rise of 51.3%.

Major Vietnamese export items include fruits and vegetables at US$44.8 million, up 230%, oil and gas at US$52.4 million, up 268%, fertilizers of all kinds at US$26.5 million, up 53.4%, and other machinery, equipment, tools and spare parts at US$45.5 million, up 14.9%.

In contrast, Vietnam imported rubber, fertilizer, and wood and timber products, as well as ore and other minerals, from the neighboring country, cited VOV.

Representative of the Vietnamese Trade Office in Laos noted that given the positive growth rate, it is estimated that this year will see total trade turnover between the two countries fetch US$1.6 billion, an annual increase of 20% to meet the target set out by the two sides’ leaders at the 44th meeting of the Vietnam – Laos Inter-Governmental Committee on Bilateral Cooperation.

Vietnam among 20 best places to visit in January suggested by Wanderlust

Vietnam is among the 20 best places to visit in January as suggested by UK travel magazine Wanderlust in a recent article.

According to the article, Vietnam, at the 8th place in the list, like its neighbour Laos, is a safe bet in January. The weather is similarly pleasant, dry and sunny – with only slight differences between the north and south. Crowds have yet to arrive post-Christmas, so you've got the chance to experience this uber-popular country in relative peace.

A view of Hoi An ancient town, Quang Nam. Photo: Wanderlust

“You'll never get bored of Vietnam's varied cities: Hoi An, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Hue, the perfect city for cycling enthusiasts,” the article said.

It said natural beauty is around every corner in Vietnam, too. There's Ha Long Bay and the lesser-known Lan Ha Bay, both accessible from Cat Ba Island, and one of the world's biggest caves, Hang Son Doong.

At the top of the Wanderlust’s list is Norway, followed by Malé (the Maldives) and Los Angeles (the US), Slovenia, Barbados, Laos and the Mekong River, Nicaragua, Honduras & El Salvador.

After Vietnam at the 8th place, the magazine suggests going to Hill Country of Sri Lanka, Panama, chick penguin watching in Antarctica, watching macaws inTambopata( Peru), bird watching in the UK, watching Eurasian lynxes in Poland, watching wildebeest in Tanzania, the International Kite Festival in Gujarat (India), Up Helly Aa in Lerwick (Scotland), Kiruna snow festival in Sweden and New Year's Eve in Sydney, Australia.

Park Hang-seo to end contract with VFF after AFF Cup 2022

Korean expert Park Hang-seo will no longer coach the national football team after he leads the team at the coming AFF Cup 2022 and his existing contract with the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) expires in January 2023.

The news was confirmed by VFF in its statement released in Hanoi on October 17.

Both sides agreed not to extend the contract after five years of collaboration, and the AFF Cup 2022 in December will be Park’s last tournament in his capacity as chief coach of the Vietnam national football team.

Park Hang-seo will no longer coach the national football team after the AFF 2022. Photo: VOV

Park said he would remember the five-year journey with Vietnamese football, describing it as memorable and exciting, according to the VFF statement.

VFF affirmed that the decision comes from ‘mutual understanding’ and ‘desire for a prosperous future for both sides’. It said Park would maintain a close partnership and expect to develop Vietnamese football, reported VOV.

Park signed a contract with VFF to coach the national team in late 2017. Under his instructions, Vietnam won a silver medal at the 2018 Asian U23 Championship, took the AFF Cup 2018 trophy, and entered the quarterfinals of the AFC Asian Cup 2019. The national team also twice won a gold medal at the SEA Games 2019 & 2021 and entered the final qualifying round of the World Cup 2022 for the first time.

Vietnam also maintained their top position in Southeast Asia, and kept the position as the longest-serving Southeast Asian country in FIFA’s top 100.

The Korean coach has twice extended his contract with VFF, in 2019 and 2021.

Vietnam records 673 new Covid-19 cases on October 17

Vietnam reported an additional 673 Covid-19 infections on October 17, according to the Ministry of Health.

The new infections brought the country’s total caseload since the pandemic broke out to 11,493,271, cited VNA.

Meanwhile, 227 patients were declared to be free from the disease on the same day, lifting the total number of recoveries to 10,599,201.

Covid-19 vaccination. Photo: VNA

The death toll rose to 43,157 after two fatalities were logged in the south central province of Binh Thuan and the southwestern province of Tay Ninh on October 17.

So far, more than 260.58 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered in the country.

PM hails Australia's role in co-chairing OECD Southeast Asian forum

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Assistant Minister for Trade and Assistant Minister for Manufacturing of Australia Senator Tim Ayres, who is in Vietnam to co-chair the OECD Southeast Asia Ministerial Forum.

PM Chinh said the organization of the forum in the current context is necessary and timely. He hailed its theme “Connecting Regions: Partnerships for Resilient and Sustainable Supply Chains”, saying that it is of concern and matches priorities and strengths of Vietnam and Australia.

He suggested Australia continue working closely with Vietnam while co-chairing the OECD’s Southeast Asia Regional Programme, adding that it affords both countries a chance to continue strengthening bilateral cooperation and connecting with multilateral activities, thus serving as bridge linking cooperation between OECD member states and Southeast Asia in a practical and effective manner, upholding international solidarity and multilateralism.

With the people-centered mindset, he urged OECD member states, including Australia, to pay attention to human resources development and vocational skills for ASEAN and Vietnam.

The host proposed the Australian guest, in his position, further bolster bilateral economic-trade-investment ties, including continuing to open the market for Vietnamese agro-fisheries, ending anti-dumping investigation on several Vietnamese products, stepping up quarantine and customs clearance at border gates, creating conditions for Vietnamese firms to invest in Australia and encouraging Australian investment in Vietnam in the fields of renewable energy, hi-tech agriculture and strategic transport infrastructure.

The PM thanked Australia for providing Vietnam with Covid-19 vaccines and supporting its run for a seat at the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 tenure.

Australian Assistant Minister for Trade and Assistant Minister for Manufacturing of Australia Senator Ayres spoke highly of Vietnam's role as a co-chair of the OECD's Southeast Asian regional program for the 2022-2025 tenure, and said Australia will continue working closely with Vietnam to co-chair the program and promote cooperation in OECD suggested by the PM.

The Australian Government always treasures the strategic partnership with Vietnam and wants to tighten bilateral relationship, he said.

In his capacity, he vowed to further boost ties with Vietnam in the fields of economy-trade-investment, agriculture, education-training, culture and labor.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chinh receives Assistant Minister for Trade and Assistant Minister for Manufacturing of Australia Senator Tim Ayres in Hanoi on Monday. Photo: VNA

He agreed that both nations need to further cultivate ties in response to regional and global challenges at present, including climate change and energy security.

On regional and international matters, including the South China Sea issue, Ayres shared Vietnam's stance on the settlement of disputes by peaceful means in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and supported the role and stance of ASEAN and early conclusion of an inclusive and effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, VNS reported.

Later the same day, Ayres met Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Sơn who said he appreciated the important contributions and close coordination of Australia in organizing the OECD forum.

Minister Son proposed the two sides continue effectively implementing the Memorandum of Understanding on enhancing cooperation between Vietnam and OECD, focusing on fields that are of the two countries' interests and will contribute to the socio-economic development of Vietnam such as digital transformation, green growth and human resources improvement.

Australian Assistant Minister for Trade and Assistant Minister for Manufacturing of Australia Senator Ayres stressed that Vietnam's role as a co-chair of the OECD's Southeast Asian regional program for the 2022-2025 tenure has an important meaning, demonstrating the role and position of Vietnam as well as the trust of OECD members and countries in the region about Vietnam's capacity in effectively connecting OECD with the region.

Discussing bilateral cooperation, the two ministers agreed to increase exchanges of high-ranking delegation, maintain cooperation mechanisms, and enhance cooperation in commerce, economy and investment.

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