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Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Thi Thanh meets with her Armenian counterpart Hakob Arshakyan on October 19 in Vientiane. (Photo: VNA)

National Assemblies of Vietnam, Armenia promote cooperation

Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Thi Thanh met with her Armenian counterpart Hakob Arshakyan on October 19 in Vientiane on the sidelines of the 45th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-45).

At the meeting, Thanh conveyed the greetings and best wishes from NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man and other leaders of the Party and State of Vietnam to the Armenian official, and affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Armenia.

She said that Vietnam always remembers the wholehearted support and assistance that the Armenian people have given to Vietnam during the struggle for national liberation and reunification and in subsequent years of national reconstruction.

For his part, Vice President of the Armenian NA Arshakyan emphasized that since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992, their cooperation has kept developing bilaterally and multilaterally. He affirmed that Armenia always attaches importance to and wishes to continue to expand and deepen relations with Vietnam.

He informed that Armenia has established the Armenia-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians Group and hopes that Vietnam will soon establish the Vietnam-Armenia Friendship Parliamentarians Group to enhance their parliamentary exchanges, cited VNA.

He added that as Armenia has not had a representative office in Vietnam, Armenia wishes the two countries will set up their representative offices in each country, consider a visa exemption mechanism between the two countries and launch direct flights to enhance exchanges and cooperation in the fields of trade, investment and tourism.

Emphasizing Armenia's position as a bridge between the two continents of Asia and Europe, Arshakyan said that the cooperation between Armenia and Vietnam will strongly contribute to the development of the two countries and the region.

Thanh said that the bilateral trade between Vietnam and Armenia saw positive signals but has not commensurate with the great potential of the two countries’ relationship.

She affirmed that the Vietnamese NA supports the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries and wishes to promote comprehensive cooperation between the two NAs.

She suggested that in the coming time, the two sides further strengthen delegation exchanges through the Party, Government and NA. Particularly, the Vietnamese NA hopes to welcome the President of the Armenian NA to pay an official visit to Vietnam this November.

On this occasion, Thanh invited the Vice President of the Armenian NA to pay an official visit to Vietnam in the coming time.

Vietnam reaffirms desire to strengthen relations with China

The Party, State, and National Assembly of Vietnam consistently view the consolidation and development of friendly and cooperative relations with China as a consistent policy, an objective requirement, and a strategic choice, said Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man.

Receiving Chief Justice Zhang Jun from the Supreme People’s Court of China in Hanoi on October 20, Man affirmed that Vietnam – China relations have developed strongly following high-level reciprocal visits, including those by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong of Vietnam in October 2022, Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping of China in December 2023, and Party General Secretary and President To Lam of Vietnam in August 2024.

Most recently, Chinese Premier Li Qiang met senior Vietnamese leaders during his visit to Vietnam from October 12-14, during which both sides expressed a strong commitment to effectively implementing the Joint Statement and continuously deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries towards the goal of the Vietnam-China Community of a shared future.

Man highly appreciated the results of cooperation between the Supreme Courts of Vietnam and China in recent times, saying the two courts signed a cooperation agreement in 2018, laying the foundation for promoting cooperative activities. The leaders of the two courts frequently visit each other to strengthen cooperation and exchange experiences in judicial activities.

He also appreciated the cooperation mechanism of the Vietnam-China border provinces court conference, which was held for the first time in June 2023 in China, marking a new development in the relationship between the two courts, according to VOV.

Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man receives Chief Justice Zhang Jun from the Supreme People’s Court of China in Hanoi on October 20.

Man expressed hope that the second such conference, scheduled to take place next year, would facilitate the courts of the border provinces of both countries in effectively resolving civil and commercial disputes, as well as cross-border criminal offenses occurring in the border area.

To promote cooperation between the two Supreme People’s Courts, the top legislator proposed that the two courts exchange delegations at various levels; continue to enhance the effectiveness of cooperation; strengthen mutual understanding of each other’s legal and judicial systems; and share experiences in judicial reform, while actively engaging in international and regional forums of which both sides are members.

On this occasion, through Chief Justice Zhang, the top legislator Man respectfully extended an invitation to the top legislator of China Zhao Leji to make an official visit to Vietnam.

Zhang for his part informed his host on the results of his talks with Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court of Vietnam Le Minh Tri, and of his meeting with the Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme People’s Procuracy of Vietnam Nguyen Huy Tien.

During these talks, he said, both sides exchanged many important and specific topics, including judicial reform. They also discussed various areas such as environmental protection, intellectual property rights, and bankruptcy law in the upcoming legal framework.

Notably, they had in-depth exchanges on judicial reform and the establishment of a public prosecution system, an area of mutual interest in recent times.

Zhang affirmed that, based on the established relationship between the two parties and two states, the judiciary of both countries will strive to effectively fulfill its role as a legal foundation for cooperative activities between the two sides.

Vietnam attends int’l food trade show SIAL Paris 2024 in Paris

Nearly 100 Vietnamese exhibitors are promoting Vietnamese agricultural products at SIAL Paris 2024, an international food trade show underway in Paris, France from October 19 to 23.

Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang said that the increasing number of Vietnamese exhibitors at the SIAL Paris fair in recent years has built a national brand not only in France and Europe, but also in other markets.

Vietnamese enterprises have invested more systematically and thoroughly when attending the fair to meet the increasing needs of consumers, the ambassador said.

The enterprises not only bring to the fair high-quality, healthy products, but also those that are able to to meet foreign consumers’ tastes, VNA reported.

Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang visits Vietnamese booth at SIAL Paris 2024. (Photo: VNA)

Thang said that the presence of Vietnamese enterprises at the international fair also shows their ability to go global and make good use of the favorable conditions brought by the free trade agreement that Vietnam has signed with the EU and other trade partners.

Audrey Ashworth, Event Director of SIAL Paris 2024, with the theme of “Own the Change”, the 2024 edition not only celebrates its 60th anniversary, but also serves as an opportunity for stakeholders in food industry to find ways to address current challenges such as climate change, supply chain disruptions and technological advancements, and brings together experts from around the world to exchange ideas and innovations focusing on business, discovery and inspiration.

During the fair, exhibitors and visitors will explore and experience solutions in the areas of corporate social responsibility (CSR), AI and deep technology, supply chain resilience and Africa’s emerging role in the food market, she said.

Held every two years since 1964, Sial Paris is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious trade fairs in food and beverage. This year, the event attracts about 7,500 exhibitors and about 285,000 visitors from over 200 countries all around the world.

Vietnam’s FDI expected to hit US$39-40 bln this year

Vietnam expects to attract US$39-40 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI), according to forecasts to the end of the year.

The Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment said in the first nine months of this year, the total registered foreign investment capital reached more than US$24.78 billion, an increase of 11.6% over the same period in 2023.

Vietnam attracted more than US$4.26 billion in FDI, accounting for 17.2% of the total registered capital in nine months.

In September alone, Bac Ninh, Binh Duong, and Dong Nai provinces announced their development planning and conducted investment promotion activities. At those events, many projects were granted new and expanded investment certificates.

Therefore, the total registered investment capital, or the additional investment capital alone, reached the highest level since the beginning of the year, cited VOV.

Photo: VOV

According to the FIA, in September 2024, three major projects of Amkor, Luxcase and Advance Tyre Vietnam Ltd Co adjusted investment capital, contributing to bring additional investment capital in nine months to more than US$7.64 billion, an increase of 48.1% over the same period.

Besides, Vietnam’s FDI attraction also saw a bright spot with an improved quality of the FDI flow. According to the FIA, in the first nine months, major projects in the fields of semiconductors, energy (production of batteries, photovoltaic cells, silicon bars), production of components, electronic products, and products with high added value have received additional investment.

During the period, the total registered foreign investment capital reached more than US$24.78 billion, up 11.6%, and realized capital reached US$17.3 billion, up 8.9% over the same period in 2023.

Many technology corporations are showing interest in investing in Vietnam. At the Innovate Vietnam 2024, a series of leading global technology corporations, such as NVIDIA, Qualcomm, Intel, AMD, Samsung, and Meta made their presence known.

At the event, the leaders of the corporations committed to investing and supporting Vietnam in developing the fields of semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and innovation.

Raymond Teh, vice president of NVIDIA Corporation said that NVIDIA will help accelerate innovation in Vietnam's industries.

Meanwhile, President of Meta Group's Global Affairs Nick Clegg said that Meta will produce its newest mixed reality headset, the Quest 3S, in Vietnam in 2025, a move that will create 1,000 jobs.

Longtime Vietnam investor Samsung Group also planned to invest another US$1.8 billion in an LED screen factory in the northern province of Bac Ninh.

Phu Quoc ranks second among top 10 best islands in Asia: Condé Nast Traveler

Phu Quoc Island in the southern province of Kien Giang was ranked second among the top 10 best islands in Asia, up from eighth place from last year, according to the U.S. tourism magazine Condé Nast Traveler in its 2024 Readers' Choice Awards.

This score reflects global readers' satisfaction with the destination based on a wide range of criteria, including service quality, scenery, beaches, cuisine, and hospitality.

The ranking is part of the magazine's annual Readers' Choice Awards, which gathers votes from readers around the world.

In its 37th edition, the awards received over 575,000 votes from readers, who evaluated their travel experiences in each country based on criteria such as culture, landscapes, tourism services, and infrastructure.

Condé Nast Traveler is a travel magazine that covers luxury and lifestyle travel. It is a global authority on travel, offering news, tips, and guides, as well as inspiration and expert insights. The magazine is known for its opinionated voice on travel and culture, and for driving conversations around sustainability, inclusivity, and transformation.

Earlier, Phu Quoc was ranked 4th among the 10 most affordable tropical destinations to visit around the world by Travel+Leisure magazine.

DestinAsian magazine, a prestigious travel and lifestyle magazine for travel enthusiasts around the world, named Phu Quoc one of the top 10 most beautiful beach destinations in Asia.

Even as a newly emerging destination, Phu Quoc has been ranked next to other renowned beach paradises such as the Maldives, Bali in Indonesia, or Boracay in the Philippines, VGP reported.

Photo: VGP

Meanwhile, Tatler Asia, a publication of Conde Nast in the UK, hailed Phu Quoc as a pride of Vietnam and a new alternative to familiar destinations like Krabi in Thailand or Bali in Indonesia.

One of the reasons Phu Quoc made it to this list is its breathtaking beaches with smooth white sands, crystal-clear waters and diverse coastal landscapes for travelers to explore. The magazine asserts this would be the perfect place for healing and recharging.

As the largest island in Vietnam with 22 large and small islands and top-tier beaches worldwide, it's no wonder Phu Quoc has been favored by international media and tourists.

Numerous consecutive titles were awarded to Phu Quoc by international media. These have proven the island's allure and acted as leverage for the country's first island city to strive even harder to make its mark as one of the leading resort, entertainment, and leisure destinations in the region.

In the first nine months of this year, the island welcomed more than 720,000 foreign tourist arrivals, up 56 per cent against the same time in 2023 and exceeding the annual plan by 8.6 per cent.

Currently, there are approximately 100 flights from countries and territories worldwide to Phu Quoc each week, including many direct ones from South Korea, Taiwan China, Malaysia, and Thailand.

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