Vietnam News Today (Oct. 20): Vietnam-Indonesia Strategic Partnership Bearing Fruit
	Vietnam News Today (Oct. 21): Vietnam Reaffirms Desire to Strengthen Relations With China

At the meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (R) and Vice-President of the European Commission Margaritis Schinas.

Vietnam greatly values comprehensive partnership with EU

Vietnam highly values its comprehensive partnership with the EU, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son at a meeting with Vice-President of the European Commission (EC) Margaritis Schinas in Ho Chi Minh City on October 21 on the sidelines of the ongoing Green Economy Forum & Exhibition (GEFE).

During the meeting, the Vietnamese diplomat noted his satisfaction with the positive developments in relations with the EU, elaborating that Vietnam is the only ASEAN member state to have a full framework of cooperation with the bloc, and the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has given extra leverage to both sides’ trade and investment.

As Vietnam and the EU prepare to celebrate 35 years of diplomatic ties in 2025, the deputy PM hoped they would continue working hand in hand to take their ties to new heights. He suggested intensifying high-level exchanges and contacts while effectively implementing cooperation mechanisms between their ministries and sectors.

He stated that the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), once in force, will create new opportunities for bilateral trade and investment cooperation, especially in areas such as the environment, green transition, digital transformation, and the circular economy. He also urged the EC to swiftly lift its "yellow card" on Vietnamese seafood exports under the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing framework as a contribution to Vietnam’s sustainable fisheries development.

On this occasion, Son thanked the EU for its ongoing support of Vietnam’s sustainable development efforts through substantive cooperation programmes and projects as well as its timely assistance of 800,000 EUR to help Vietnamese people recover from the impact of Typhoon Yagi.

For his part, Schinas hailed Vietnam's recent economic and social progress and noted that the Vietnam-EU cooperation has huge potential to grow in the time ahead, cited VOV.

He affirmed in addition to positive trade and investment relations, the EU seeks to boost collaboration with the Southeast Asian nation in areas where it holds a leading position, particularly green transition, environment, and climate change response. Schinas also consented to push for the rapid ratification of the EVIPA by EU member states to create a favorable environment for the expansion of their economic ties.

On the same day, at a meeting with Finnish Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tapani Tavio, Deputy PM Son stated Vietnam values its traditional friendship and all-around cooperation with Finland. He expressed his delight at the recent progress in bilateral collaboration across various fields, including politics-diplomacy, economy-trade, development, and education-training.

He proposed that both sides continue to maintain high-level exchanges and contacts and strengthen ties between their ministries and businesses so that they can fully capitalize on the benefits of the EVFTA to enhance trade links.

Applauding the Finnish Parliament's ratification of the EVIPA, he suggested the nations expand joint work in potential sectors like high technology, telecommunications, renewable energy, environment, water treatment, and forest management.

Hailing Finland's strengths in education, the official recommended enhancing collaboration in high-quality human resources development and fostering ties between their educational institutions.

Minister Tavio highlighted Vietnam as a successful development model in its region and affirmed Finland’s wish to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly in climate action and green transition – areas where Finnish businesses have significant experience and a long-standing presence in Vietnam.

He also consented to expand cooperation in education and training, to continue fostering comprehensive ties with the EU, and holding exchanges and consultations at international and regional forums.

Vietnamese, Chinese Parties promote theoretical exchanges

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, Politburo member, Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA), and Chairman of the Central Theory Council, hosted a visiting delegation from the Communist Party of China (CPC) led by Qu Qingshan, Director of the CPC Central Institute of Party History and Literature, in Hanoi on October 21.

Thang emphasized the significance of this visit, saying it represents a step to concretise the high-level common perception on deepening theoretical exchanges between the two Parties.

He congratulated the 20th CPC Central Committee on the success of its third plenum, which had outlined crucial measures for promoting comprehensive reforms, Chinese-style modernization and high-quality development in line with the Resolution of the 20th CPC Congress.

He called for research institutions of the two Parties and countries to closely follow practical demands in the new situation, continue enhancing theoretical cooperation, and regularly share the latest research results, contributing to the socio-economic development and socialist construction efforts of both nations, according to VNA.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, Politburo member, Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA), and Chairman of the Central Theory Council and Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, Politburo member, Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA), and Chairman of the Central Theory Council of the Communist Party of China (CPC) (Photo: VNA)

For his part, Qu, a CPC Central Committee member, praised Vietnam’s achievements in nearly 40 years of Doi Moi (Renewal) under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and expressed his belief that the country will fulfill the goals set by the 13th National CPV Congress and successfully organize the 14th Congress. He emphasized that Chinese research agencies are ready to closely coordinate with Vietnam in effectively realizing the common perception of the highest-level leaders of the two Parties on enhancing theoretical and practical exchanges in the process of building socialism and promoting modernization in line with each country's reality.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with the positive developments of relations between the two Parties and countries; and agreed to maintain close high-level contacts, strengthen practical cooperation across spheres, promote people-to-people exchanges, and better control and resolve disagreements based on the high-level common perceptions and international law. This will contribute to deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and building a Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

They also consented to enhance collaboration between their respective Party history and theoretical research institutions and jointly organize the 19th theoretical seminar between the two Parties.

On the same day, Lai Xuan Mon, a member of the CPV Central Committee and standing deputy head of its Commission for Information and Education, met with the CPC delegation to discuss the theoretical and practical achievements of both Parties over the past time and sketch out orientations for future cooperation between their information and theoretical agencies.

Quang Ninh welcomes three millionth foreign tourist at cruise port

The administration of Quang Ninh province held a ceremony on October 21 at Ha Long International Cruise Port as part of efforts to receive its three millionth foreign visitor to the locality this year.

The lucky traveler was on a German-flagged Viking Orion ship. Specifically, a total of 900 tourists from Europe and the United States traveled to Ha Long on board the Viking Orion ship, VOV reported.

Quang Ninh welcomes three millionth foreign tourist at cruise port. (Photo: tienphong.vn)

As scheduled, the tourists visited the UNESCO-recognized World Natural Heritage site of Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Museum, and several sightseeing around the locality from October 21 to October 22.

Over the past nine months, Quang Ninh has greeted over 15.6 million visitors, including 2.6 million foreigners.

Local authorities have therefore set a target of welcoming 19 million visitors, including 3.5 million foreigners, this year.

Peru’s mega-port to open opportunities for Vietnam's import-export, logistics

The 3.5 billion USD mega-port of Chancay in Peru, set to be completed this year and expected to become a key logistics hub in Latin America, will open new opportunities for Vietnam's logistics industry by enhancing maritime transport connections and facilitating trade between the two regions.

According to experts, designed to handle 1.5 million TEUs annually, Chancay is poised to play a vital role in boosting economic and trade relations between the Southeast Asian nation and its Latin American peers. Forecasts suggest that trade between Vietnam and Latin America could grow by up to 10% on a yearly basis, provided that improvements in logistics and transport connections are made.

Leveraging the mega-port as an optimal logistics solution, Vietnam could significantly increase its import-export turnover with Latin American partners, especially in sectors such as industry, agricultural goods, and energy. As a result, Chancay is expected to become a crucial link for economic and trade relations between Vietnam and Peru in particular and Latin America in general. The former will be better positioned to capitalize on existing trade agreements with countries in the region, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Vietnam-Chile and Vietnam-Cuba free trade agreements, cited VNA.

illustrative image (Source: VNA)

Vietnam's import-export turnover with Latin American countries reached 20.6 billion USD last year. Its major exports to the region include farm produce, garments-textiles, footwear, processed foods, wood products, electronics, and components. Meanwhile, Vietnam primarily imports raw materials, agricultural products, wood, garment accessories, and animal feed.

With new maritime routes connecting Chancay and Vietnam, Vietnamese businesses can optimize both time and transport costs. It is estimated that the port could reduce shipping times from the country to Latin America by up to 30%, or even 50%, which could help firms involved save up to 20% in logistics costs compared to traditional routes. This would enable Vietnam to export key products like textiles, electronics, and agricultural goods (such as rice and coffee) to and import minerals, agricultural products, and petroleum from Latin American countries at more competitive costs.

Vietnam resolved to develop green and sustainable economy

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son reiterated Vietnam's resolve to build a green and sustainable economy and join global efforts in the fight against climate change.

Addressing the Green Economy Forum & Exhibition (GEFE) 2024 in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday, Bui said the Vietnamese Government has adopted a number of policies to cope with climate change, reduce emission and boost digital transformation, including the plan to implement the 8th edition of the National Power Development Plan, the strategy for hydrogen development through 2030, the project to develop one million hectare of high-quality and low-carbon rice in the Mekong Delta region.

The Government has amended the Law on Land, the Law on Water Resources and the Law on Electricity in a bid to improve the legal framework for management and use of natural resources and environmental protection.

Bui informed that the Government has issued a mechanism for direct power purchase between renewable power generators and large electricity users.

The Government planned to start a pilot operation of carbon credit exchange in 2025, said Bui.

The Government is accelerating the implementation of 16 sustainable development projects financed by foreign partners with a total capital of around US$2.5 billion in the Mekong Delta.

Vietnam has also announced a Resource Mobilization Plan to implement the Political Declaration on establishing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) at the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28).

The Southeast Asian nation has identified key projects within the framework of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) initiative led by Japan, VGP reported.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (5th from right) cuts the ribbon to inaugurate the Green Economy Forum & Exhibition (GEFE) 2024 in Ho Chi Minh City, October 21, 2024. Photo: VGP

Next year, Vietnam will host the fourth Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit, which indicates the country's wish to join hands with the international community in fostering the process of greening the planet.

Green economy – breakthrough cooperation pillar of Vietnam-EU relations

Regarding Vietnam-EU relations, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son noted with pleasure at the comprehensive advancement of the bilateral ties over the past 35 years.

Bui suggested Vietnam and the EU should consider green economy cooperation as a breakthrough pillar of their relationship, calling on the EU to soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

He also called on the EU to assist Vietnam in terms of finance, technology, and human resource training, and share with Vietnam its experience in developing the green economy.

Bui suggested the EU continue ODA for Vietnam, with a focus on vital fields like public governance, green economy, digital economy, and circular economy.

The Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister also called on both sides to strengthen exchanges and mutual support at multilateral forums on green growth, energy transition, and other strategic domains.

GEFE 2024 is taking place in Ho Chi Minh City from October 21-23, with an aim to bring together key stakeholders from businesses, government, and non-governmental organizations from Europe and Vietnam to engage in meaningful discussions and advocate for sustainable practices, policies, and initiatives.

GEFE 2024 brings together experts across sustainable businesses and governance for three days of conferences, exhibitions, and high-level B2B and B2G dialogue sessions. The whole slate of events will act as a platform to enhance cooperation between European and Vietnamese business communities, to promote a sustainable green Vietnamese economy through expertise sharing and technology transfer initiatives.

Participants will gain valuable insights into opportunities within existing and emerging industries. Moreover, the event offers unparalleled networking opportunities, allowing attendees to connect with many expert speakers, including industry trailblazers who are pioneering sustainable solutions.

Vietnam News Today (Oct. 17): Vietnam – US Bilateral Trade Officially Exceeds US$100 Billion Vietnam News Today (Oct. 17): Vietnam – US bilateral trade officially exceeds US$100 billion; Vietnam, Australia hold fourth economic partnership meetings; NA Chairman begins official ...

Vietnam News Today (Oct. 18): Vietnam And Laos Vow to Further Cement Ties Vietnam News Today (Oct. 18): Vietnam, Australia target 20 billion USD in bilateral trade; Vietnam and Laos vow to further cement ties; Vietnam, UK see ...