Vietnam News Today (Oct. 26): Malaysia, Vietnam Rejoice Over Fruitful Cooperation
	Vietnam News Today (Oct. 27): Vietnamese Prime Minister to Visit UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia

A local in Thanh Hoa city receives free dental examination and consultation under the voluntary medical program. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, RoK expand medical cooperation

Twenty-one doctors, medical staff and interpreters from the Republic of Korea (RoK) – Vietnam Exchange and Development Committee organized a voluntary medical program in Thanh Hoa city, the north central province of the same name on October 26.

The “Thank you Doctor” delegation provided free medical examinations and consultations for over 100 low-income residents aged 50-70 and in need of treatment in the city.

Chairman of the committee Lee Jong Il affirmed that the program will be held in other Vietnamese localities, aiming at improving healthcare services as well as expanding cooperation in the field between the two countries, cited VNA.

The program also helps consolidate the Vietnam – RoK friendship and develop a sustainable cooperation basis through collaboration with Vietnamese healthcare organizations.

The RoK – Vietnam Exchange and Development Committee, a non-profit organization, was set up on July 30, 2024 with the participation of 270 Korean enterprises to bolster cooperation across culture - education, socio-economy, and science - technology between localities and businesses of the two nations, contributing to making the bilateral relations more substantive and effective.

Vietnam, UAE set to upgrade relations, sign comprehensive economic partnership agreement

Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are expected to sign a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement within the framework of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to the gulf nation from October 27-29.

The visit is of special significance, as this is the first time a Vietnamese Prime Minister has officially visited the UAE over the past 15 years.

According to Vietnamese Ambassador to the UAE Nguyen Thanh Diep, the Vietnamese cabinet leader’s official visit to the UAE will contribute to consolidating political trust, elevating relations, especially attracting UAE investment to Vietnam and creating a breakthrough for Vietnamese goods and services to access the Gulf market.

During the visit, the two sides will have major activities such as upgrading their relations; strengthening cooperation at international and regional forums and organizations, signing the Vietnam - UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), and organizing a business forum.

This is in addition to creating breakthroughs in economic, trade and investment relations between the two countries; intensifying people-to-people exchange, stepping up cooperation in security, education, labor, climate change and the environment and other fields; and accelerating the signing of cooperation documents to consolidate the legal framework for bilateral cooperation.

With the upgrading of relations and the signing of the CEPA within the framework of the visit, in the coming time, relations in the fields of politics, economics, trade, investment, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchange will continue to see strong development, according to VOV.

Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Diep and UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Image source: The Vietnamese Embassy in UAE)

In particular, the signing of the CEPA, the first free trade agreement that Vietnam has negotiated with an Arab country in the Middle East - Africa region, will open up great prospects, a new phase of common strategic cooperation across multiple fields between Vietnam and the UAE.

The Agreement will serve a legal basis, creating a new platform to further bolster general economic cooperation between the two countries, through reducing or eliminating tariffs on many types of goods and services. This will help increase market access, promote FDI flows and create new opportunities in a number of important areas for the business communities of both countries.

It is forecast that cooperation in trade, investment, economy, industry, energy, logistics, agriculture and infrastructure, high technology, digital transformation, green transformation, innovation, labor cooperation, tourism, will be further promoted when the CEPA process is performed, Diep went on to say.

Upgrading relations plays a very important role for the UAE in expanding cooperation and investment in areas of interest to the Middle East nation such as high technology, clean energy, artificial intelligence, computing technology, semiconductors, while creating opportunities for major corporations of Vietnam such as FPT, Viettel, and Vingroup, the Vietnamese ambassador emphasized.

With trade and investment, it is essential for the two nations to develop the Halal market, provide support for businesses that produce and export Halal products, and assist Vietnamese goods to join the UAE and the region’s supply chains to meet Muslim visitors’ demand, he said, suggesting Vietnamese businesses focus on products boasting competitive edges and meeting UAE consumers’ taste.

He recommended the establishment of a Vietnamese business association in the UAE which will provide information and consultations for enterprises to minimize trade disputes and fraud.

A joint working group should be set up to share information and connect potential projects and partners between the two sides as well as promote UAE investment in areas of Vietnam’s strengths like renewable energy, oil and gas, logistics, real estate, energy and industrial infrastructure, and industrial waste treatment, he added.

Vietnam’s culture popularized in US

An event promoting Vietnam’s economy, culture and cuisine has been held in Washington D.C, attracting more than 100 participants.

In his remarks at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung provided an overview of the country's history, and diverse and unique culture, as well as the hardworking, intelligent, kind, resilient, and hospitable Vietnamese people. He also highlighted the achievements in the bilateral relations over the past time.

The program featured presentations on Vietnam's economy and investment opportunities in the country, a showcase of traditional costumes of Vietnam's three regions, and a party honoring Vietnamese cuisine, VNA reported.

Spouses of Vietnamese diplomats in Washington DC take part in a show of traditional costumes of Vietnam. (Photo: The Voice of Vietnam)

On the sidelines of the event, visitors had a chance to try on traditional Vietnamese attire and experience the making of nem cuon (spring rolls), a popular dish in the country.

Gregory Bland, CEO of Things To Do DC, co-organiser of the event along with the Vietnamese Embassy in the US, said guests were eager to learn more about Vietnam's people and culture.

Vietnam's seafood exports maintain good market share in Singapore

Vietnam remains among the countries with the largest seafood market share in Singapore and for the first time, Vietnamese seafood has maintained its 5th position for three consecutive quarters, according to the Vietnam Trade Office in the island-city state.

During the nine-month period, Singapore imported seafood from nearly 100 countries and territories with a total import turnover of about SGD 839.1 million (US$ 635.24 million), down 4.51% over the same period from last year.

Among the top 15 seafood exporters to the Singapore market, Malaysia continued to be the leader, followed by Indonesia, Norway, China, and Vietnam.

The seafood market share of the Singapore market is generally still divided equally among partners as each nation has its own export strengths, of which the 6 countries with the largest market share account for 9-13%, specifically Malaysia (13.42%), Indonesia (10.98%), Norway (10.34%), China (9.81%), Vietnam (9.22%) and Japan (8.42%).

Vietnam dominates the Singapore seafood market with frozen fish filet products, accounting for 29.57%) and processed fish making up for 19.57%, cited VOV.

Photo: VOV

Throughout the reviewed period, Vietnam's seafood export turnover to the Singapore market dropped by 2.51%, while export value reached nearly SGD77.36 million, accounting for 9.22% of the city-island nation's market share.

According to Cao Xuan Thang, Trade Counselor, head of the Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore, the above statistics demonstrate the important position and role of Vietnamese seafood in the Singapore market. However, in order to increase sustainable market share, and improve the ranking and export value of seafood to Singapore, Vietnam needs to continue to improve the quality of seafood products.

On the other hand, high inflation and tightened spending trends are also viewed as significant challenges for the seafood industry of exporters to Singapore, including Vietnam.

Countries that can take advantage of logistics and reduce costs will create greater competitive advantages in boosting exports to Singapore, Thang added.

Four airports reopen in central Vietnam after Typhoon Trami disruptions

As Typhoon Trami weakens, Da Nang, Phu Bai, Chu Lai, and Dong Hoi airports reopen, restoring central Vietnam’s air connectivity.

Based on forecasts regarding Typhoon No. 6 (Trami), the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has announced the resumption of operations at four airports in the central region.

According to information from the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting and the Aviation Weather Center on Typhoon Trami, the Civil Aviation Authority has approved the resumption of flight arrivals and departures at four airports in central Vietnam.

Specifically, Da Nang International Airport and Phu Bai International Airport resumed operations at 4:00 PM on October 27, Chu Lai Airport at 1:00 PM, and Dong Hoi Airport at 5:00 PM, VNN reported.

Da Nang Airport welcomes passengers back. Photo: Ho Giap

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, Typhoon Trami’s trajectory is highly unpredictable due to complex weather patterns, making it one of the most erratic storms of the season. It is expected to have its strongest impact from midday to the afternoon of October 27.

Due to Typhoon Trami’s circulation, Con Co Island (Quang Tri) recorded winds of level 8, gusting to level 9; Cu Lao Cham Island (Quang Nam) experienced winds of level 8, gusting to level 10; Ly Son Island (Quang Ngai) experienced level 6 winds, gusting to level 7; Nam Dong (Thua Thien Hue) recorded level 7 winds; Thua Thien Hue Province reported level 6 winds, gusting to level 8; and Ba Na (Da Nang) experienced level 6 winds, with gusts reaching level 13.

The region from Quang Binh to Da Nang has received heavy rainfall, with an average accumulation of 50-150 mm and isolated areas exceeding 250 mm. Rainfall and wind intensities are currently increasing.

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