Vietnam News Today (Oct. 22): Vietnam Greatly Values Comprehensive Partnership With EU
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PM Pham Minh Chinh (centre, right) receives Russian Deputy PM Alexander Novak (centre, left). (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam always considers Russia one of top priority partners: PM

Vietnam always considers Russia one of the top priority partners in its foreign policy, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.

PM Chinh received Deputy PM Novak right after arriving in Kazan city in the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation on October 23 morning (local time) to attend the expanded BRICS (BRICS+) Summit.

Russian Minister of Economic Development Maksim Reshetnikov and Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov also attended the reception.

He highlighted the fruitful development of political and diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Russia, particularly following Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to Vietnam in June 2024, noting that a series of exchanges and meetings between high-ranking leaders of the two countries have fortified a reliable political foundation for cooperation across various areas.

The PM expressed his desire to work with the Russian Government to seek solutions to enhance the bilateral collaboration, particularly in areas where both sides have strengths and potential for mutual benefits, cited VNA.

Deputy PM Novak, for his part, affirmed that President Putin and leaders of the Russian Government attach importance to the Comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam and regard Vietnam as a leading important partner in the Asia-Pacific.

Both sides acknowledged the positive outcomes of bilateral collaboration, especially in the fields of energy, oil and gas, which have contributed to each country’s socio-economic development.

As many countries are shifting toward green energy to combat climate change, PM Chinh urged the Russian Government to explore new cooperation opportunities with Vietnam while effectively carrying out existing agreements in this critical area.

The Vietnamese Government always welcomes and offers all possible support to Russian companies, including those in the oil and gas sector that are interested in and want to expand operations in Vietnam, he said.

Vietnam runs for UN Human Rights Council for 2026-2028 term

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, permanent representative of Vietnam to the UN, announced on October 22 that Vietnam has decided to run for membership in the UN Human Rights Council (UNHCR) for the 2026 to 2028 term and called on countries to support this candidacy.

The Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs Committee (third committee) of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly discussed the topic of promotion and protection of human rights on October 22.

During the course of the discussion, countries assessed that the protection and promotion of children's rights in the world is facing many multidimensional and complex challenges due to the impact of wars, conflicts, economic crisis, and increasing poverty and inequality.

As part of efforts to address these challenges and further promote human rights, countries underscored the need to reinforce solidarity, co-operation, promote dialogue, and focus resources in a bid to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Ambassador Giang emphasized that progress on human rights can only be achieved when peace, stability, and the rule of law are maintained at international and national levels, while also ensuring respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, according to VOV.

At the meeting of the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs Committee of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Furthermore, in promoting and protecting human rights, it can be considered as necessary to prioritize solving urgent problems of the people, thereby putting people at the center of all policies. The Ambassador believes that dialogue, co-operation, and mutual respect, instead of politicization and confrontation, are the most effective ways to ensure human rights as they contribute to promoting inclusive and sustainable development whilst leaving no one behind.

The Vietnamese diplomat emphasized that Vietnam's struggle for national independence, unification, and socio-economic development has no other goal than to ensure the lives and rights of the Vietnamese people. Being steadfast and consistent with that goal has helped the country to overcome many difficulties and challenges. From a poor country devastated by war and facing embargoes, Vietnam has become one of the most dynamic and fastest growing economies in the world, Ambassador Giang added.

Affirming that human rights are not only a fundamental value but also an important content in Vietnamese international co-operation, the Ambassador highlighted the positive results that the nation has achieved in recent times which were clearly demonstrated in the National Report under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) cycle IV recently adopted by the UN Human Rights Council on September 27.

On this occasion, Ambassador Giang announced that the nation has decided to run for membership in the UN Human Rights Council for the 2026 to 2028 term and called on all countries to advocate this candidacy.

Vietnamese goods enter US through global supply chain

The Saigon Co.op Distribution Company Limited (SCD) - a member of the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Trade Cooperatives (Saigon Co.op), and STC Natural Vina Company on October 23 held a hand-over ceremony for goods that will be exported to the US.

The goods, worth about 70,000 USD, are mainly domestically produced and selected by Saigon Co.op, such as dipping sauce, vermicelli, noodles, spices, tea, and coffee. They will be sold at H-mart supermarkets of Hee Chang Group - a famous retail group from the Republic of Korea with more than 30 years of experience in the US market and more than 100 points of sale.

In September 2024, SCD also successfully exported two containers of goods to Canada as ordered by Hee Chang Group, VNA reported.

Illustrative photo (Photo: chinhphu.vn)

It is expected that in the last three months of 2024, SCD will complete the export of 20 containers of goods to foreign markets. It plans to ship 120 - 150 containers to many major markets around the world such as the US, the RoK, Japan, Australia, China, and Middle East countries next year.

SCD Director Tran Anh Quang said that through commercial contracts between SCD and a variety of partners, including STC Natural Vina, Vietnamese goods will have more opportunities to enter big and promising markets in the world.

Yun SuBong, Director of STC Natural Vina, called the cooperation between his company and Saigon Co.op - a leading retailer in Vietnam - a milestone in its development. The partnership not only benefits the firms, but also helps strengthen the Vietnam- RoK relations in trade, investment, cuisine, and culture exchanges.

Vietnam performs multilateral diplomacy at expanded BRICS Summit

The Orientalia Rossica newspaper run an article on October 22 by Dr. Alexander Korolev of the Higher School of Economics (HSE), titled “Vietnam implements multilateral diplomacy policy when attending the expanded BRICS Summit for the first time”.

According to Dr. Korolev, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s attendance at the expanded BRICS Summit demonstrates the nation’s keen interest in the development process of the bloc, as well as its appreciation of the growing role and influence of BRICS in addressing global issues and challenges. Simultaneously, this shows Vietnam’s respect for multilateral co-operation mechanisms.

The Russian scholar also stressed the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, diversification, proactive and active, comprehensive, deep and effective international integration, maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, constantly enhancing the nation’s international position and prestige. This includes promoting bilateral diplomacy whilst raising the level of multilateral diplomacy, cited VOV.

Dr. Alexander Korolev, from the Higher School of Economics of Russia.

Dr. Korolev affirmed the potential areas of co-operation between BRICS countries and Vietnam, such as digital transformation, green transformation, artificial intelligence, technological capacity building, sustainable development, and effective response to global challenges such as natural disasters, epidemics, and climate change.

The Russian expert also highly appreciated the country’s role in ASEAN, adding that a promising step is to bolster ties between BRICS and ASEAN.

He emphasized that PM Chinh's attendance at the expanded BRICS Summit in the Russian city of Kazan marks an important milestone in deepening Russia-Vietnam co-operation.

He outlined his belief that the two sides need to accelerate new projects and areas of collaboration, expand the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and develop a transportation and logistics system between the two sides.

Phu Quoc takes second place among Asia’s best islands, only behind Bali

Phu Quoc made a surprising jump into the top 10 best islands in Asia in the Readers' Choice Awards 2024 organized by Condé Nast Traveler.

With a score of 95.36, Vietnam's "Pearl Island" soared from 8th place last year to 2nd in the top 10 best islands in Asia this year, ranking only behind Bali (Indonesia). This marks the third time Phu Quoc has made it to this prestigious list.

The scores were determined by global readers of Condé Nast Traveler, based on their satisfaction with various aspects of the destination, including service quality, scenery, beaches, cuisine, and hospitality.

Blessed with white sandy beaches, clear blue waters, and a rich, diverse ecosystem, Phu Quoc has much to offer, VNN reported.

Photo: Wanderlust

In addition to its world-class resorts, the island impresses with unique attractions and exciting outdoor adventures. Visitors can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and more.

Other notable destinations on this year's Condé Nast Traveler list include Koh Samui, Phuket, and Koh Lanta (Thailand), Langkawi and Penang (Malaysia), the Andaman Islands (India), and more.

Condé Nast Traveler is a globally renowned travel magazine, launched in 1987, and headquartered in the United States. Its rankings, such as the Readers' Choice Awards, are widely regarded by travel experts as highly credible.

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