Vietnam News Today (Oct. 29): Vietnam, UAE Leaders Agree on Key Cooperation Areas

	Vietnam News Today (Oct. 27): Vietnamese Prime Minister to Visit UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia
	Vietnam News Today (Oct. 28): Vietnam, RoK Expand Medical Cooperation

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (left) and Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum witness the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, UAE leaders agree on key cooperation areas

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks with Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai on October 28 (local time) on the occasion of the Vietnamese leader's official visit to the Middle East country.

Chinh expressed his pleasure at re-visiting Dubai - the leading economic and financial center in the region and the world. He congratulated the UAE on successfully hosting the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in December 2023, which made a strong mark in accelerating the implementation of climate goals.

He hailed important achievements made by Dubai in particular and the UAE in general in national construction and development, expressing his belief that the Middle East country will successfully implement the "We the UAE 2031" vision.

Conveying the regards from Party General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to the UAE leaders, PM Chinh affirmed that the official visit to Vietnam in 2007 by the UAE Vice President and Prime Minister was a bold and historic mark, contributing to promoting the bilateral relations.

PM Chinh also shared with the host Vice President and PM the significant achievements of Vietnam since 2007, particularly in the economic sector. He noted that the country's GDP has nearly quintupled, from approximately 100 billion USD in 2007 to an estimated 480 billion USD in 2024.

For his part, the host warmly welcomed PM Chinh on his official visit to the UAE, affirming that this visit will further enhance the already strong bilateral relations.

He congratulated Vietnam on its rapid and robust development across all sectors, expressing his love for the country and its people. He said he wishes to return to Vietnam soon to witness the remarkable development and reform achievements the country has made since 2007.

The two leaders discussed and agreed on five key areas of cooperation, including facilitating the exchange of all-level delegations to foster greater political trust and establish joint working groups for the effective implementation of the Comprehensive Partnership, cited VNA.

A priority is the effective implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aiming to create significant breakthroughs in trade and further open markets.

The leaders set a target of achieving over 10 billion USD in two-way trade in the near future. They also pledged to encourage and facilitate mutual investment, creating lucrative business opportunities for enterprises from both countries.

Crucially, they agreed to enhance cooperation in digital transformation, green energy, innovation, and creativity.

Vietnam extended a warm invitation to UAE businesses to invest more in sectors aligned with Vietnam's interests and the UAE's strengths, including infrastructure for green transition, digital transformation, digital finance, and particularly artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

The two sides will enhance cooperation in people-to-people exchange, culture, and tourism. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that he will direct the opening of a direct flight route between Vietnam and the UAE to further facilitate mutual visits between the people of both countries.

They will strengthen cooperation and mutual support at multilateral forums, given that both nations share many common viewpoints on regional and international issues. Both are peace-loving nations that seek collaboration for peace, stability, and development in their respective regions and in the world.

Emphasizing the effective implementation of the agreed-upon contents, the two leaders agreed to assign relevant ministries and sectors to actively coordinate with one another to realize the proposals.

PM Chinh used the occasion to invite the UAE leader to visit Vietnam soon. The latter accepted the invitation with pleasure.

Following their talks, they witnessed the signing of the CEPA — Vietnam’s first free trade agreement (FTA) with an Arab nation.

This is also the fastest-negotiated FTA for Vietnam, demonstrating the strong commitment of the leaders as well as ministries and agencies from both countries to advance economic, trade, and investment cooperation, opening up a big path of historical significance for Vietnam to enter the Middle Eastern market.

With its comprehensive negotiation content, the CEPA promises to bring balanced benefits to both countries and aligns with their shared goal of enhancing cooperation across various sectors.

On this occasion, the two sides announced the signing of six other documents, comprising a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on investment, innovation, and financial center; one on exchanging experience in government modernisation and development; one on cooperation in higher education and scientific research; one on cooperation between the State Bank of Vietnam and the UAE Central Bank; one on cooperation between the General Department of Vietnam Customs and Abu Dhabi Ports; and another on cooperation between the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

RoK and Vietnam conduct coast guard exchange

The Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG)’s CSB 8004 ship is on its way to the Republic of Korea (RoK) for a visit and to hold an exchange with the Korean Coast Guard (KCG), a move which will implement the sides’ memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation signed in 2007.

To strengthen the friendship, mutual understanding, and trust between the two forces, the trip will see the Vietnamese delegation meeting with local authorities and joining exchanges and experience-sharing activities with the KCG’s academy and several other units. This is as well as taking part in joint exercises in search and rescue and fire prevention. They are scheduled to tour a number of cultural sites in the RoK.

Photo: qdnd

At the send-off ceremony held in the northern port city of Hai Phong on October 27, Major General Tran Van Tho, Commander of VCG Region 1 Command, said that the visit translated into reality the directions on international integration and diplomacy issued by the Central Military Commission and Ministry of National Defence’s leader. It is expected to cement co-operation between the VCG and the KCG, according to VOV.

The journey will also help the Vietnamese crew to increase their command ability, operational skills, and proficiency with weapons and equipment for prolonged activities at sea, he added.

UNESCO official applauds Ninh Binh for heritage value promotion

UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa and External Relations Firmin Edouard Matoko on October 28 applauded the northern province of Ninh Binh for its determination, commitment and direction in preserving and promoting the value of Trang An heritage site.

Speaking at a meeting with the Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, Doan Minh Huan, the official who is leading a UNESCO delegation on an official visit to Vietnam from October 25-30, affirmed that UNESCO will always accompany the locality in preserving and promoting heritage values.

He voiced approval and appreciation of the province's goals, visions and development orientations, saying that Ninh Binh has the foundation to become a millennium heritage city and a creative city in the future, VNA reported.

The Phat Diem Stone Church in Ninh Binh province. (Photo: VNA)

He said UNESCO will connect Ninh Binh with international experts in related fields and organize forums for the province to learn from similar models in the world.

At the same time, UNESCO will consider selecting Ninh Binh to host UNESCO conferences and share the province's experiences in heritage preservation and promotion as well as in the successful coordination with UNESCO and countries in the region.

For his part, Huan assessed that the visit by the UNESCO delegation is of great significance as it takes place when Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex celebrates the 10th anniversary of its UNESCO recognition as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

Huan said that he hopes that UNESCO will organize a forum in Ninh Binh to announce a manifesto or charter on Trang An and deliver specific messages about the heritage site development model that harmoniously combines conservation and community-based tourism development, as well as the close coordination between the State, businesses and people.

The provincial official called on UNESCO to continue to support Ninh Binh's efforts to have more cultural and natural heritage sites recognized by 2035 such as Phat Diem Stone Church, Hoa Lu Great Wall, Thien Ton pagoda, or poetry engraved on Duc Thuy Son stone.

Ample room for stronger ties with Saudi Arabia and GCC countries

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit to three Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, will certainly strengthen the solid foundation for seeking new co-operation opportunities and boosting market expansion for Vietnamese goods and services in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dang Xuan Dung.

PM Chinh, his spouse, and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam are paying official visits to the UAE and a working trip to Saudi Arabia to attend the eighth Edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) from October 27 to November 1.

These trips by the PM to the three Gulf countries will help to expand trade whilst boosting energy transition, sustainable growth, skilled labor co-operation, Halal industry development, agricultural, and aquatic product exports and tourism.

In a recent interview granted to a VOV correspondent in Cairo, asked about the significance and importance of the visit to Vietnam - Saudi Arabia ties, as well as Vietnam's relationship with the GCC countries, Ambassador Dung said, “Saudi Arabia is currently one of our leading important partners in the Middle East, especially in terms of trade and economy, with bilateral trade turnover reaching nearly US$2.7 billion in 2023. The first nine months of 2024 saw two-way trade turnover hit US$2.21 billion, of which Vietnam enjoyed a trade surplus of over US$140 million.”

This visit by PM Chinh and his wife takes place on the occasion of both countries celebrating the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties and it is also the second visit to Saudi Arabia made by the PM in two consecutive years.

This fact shows the special interest of the Vietnamese PM in promoting relations with Saudi Arabia in particular and with the Gulf countries in general, thereby demonstrating the growing expectations and interest of the Middle East nation towards Vietnam, cited VOV.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dang Xuan Dung.

Relations between the nation and the Gulf countries have been promoted in a variety of areas in recent times, ranging from politics and diplomacy to investment, trade, and tourism. In 2023, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the GCC Secretariat signed a co-operation memorandum of understanding (MoU), creating a foundation to further strengthen relations between the two sides moving forward.

The most important activity of PM Chinh in Saudi Arabia this year is to attend and speak at the eighth Future Investment Initiative (FII8) conference on the prospects of economic and investment co-operation between the country and the Middle East. Within the framework of this event, the PM is expected to meet with leaders of several countries, as well as receiving leaders of important ministries and agencies of the host country and major enterprises not only from Saudi Arabia.

The PM’s activities during the visit will focus on promoting investment, economic, and labour relations between the two countries. It is therefore expected that the two PMs will discuss expanding bilateral linkages in all areas, including economic ones such as expanding trade ties, labour co-operation, information and communication technology such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, people-to-people exchange, culture, and tourism.

During the visit, a number of MoUs and documents will be signed as a contribution to further fine-tuning the legal framework for bilateral relations. In addition, ministries, sectors and businesses of both sides will have many opportunities to work and connect with each other effectively and practically.

He also expressed his confidence that the visit made by the Prime Minister will open up many new directions of cooperation in bilateral ties in the coming time.

Regarding the prospects for the nation’s co-operation with Saudi Arabia and the GCC in the time ahead, Ambassador Dung said he believes that the relationship between the two countries still has a lot of room for stronger development. The signing of documents regarding energy, economics, and labour during this visit will create a legal framework for bilateral relations to develop more smoothly.

The specific agreements that have been and will be reached will help to increase the export turnover of agricultural products, aquatic products, food, garments, furniture, and handicrafts to the local market, especially superior and breakthrough technological products. Currently, more and more Vietnamese enterprises are going directly to the host nation to explore business opportunities, promote and introduce products, participate in international fairs and exhibitions, with plans to penetrate and consolidate market share in this potential market.

Concerning the prospects for future Vietnam - GCC co-operation, the Vietnamese diplomat said that both sides still have plenty of opportunities to boost ties across multiple fields, especially politics, trade, investment, tourism, and culture.

In the context that GCC countries are accelerating plans to diversify their economies to avoid over-reliance on oil and gas income, the nation has many opportunities to step up investment co-operation with countries in the region in potential fields such as green energy, renewable energy, information technology, AI, as well as increase the export of the nation's strengths such as agricultural and aquatic products, garments and textiles, computers, and electronic components.

Over 100 flights canceled due to typhoon Trami impact

Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways canceled over 100 flights due to Typhoon Trami, with plans to resume operations after the storm.

Due to Typhoon Trami, Vietnam Airlines canceled nearly 90 domestic and international flights, while Bamboo Airways also suspended 14 flights.

Representatives from both Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways reported that over 100 flights were canceled on October 26 and 27 due to the storm’s impact. Specifically, Vietnam Airlines had to cancel nearly 90 flights, while Bamboo Airways canceled 14 flights, VNN reported.

Typhoon Trami caused Vietnam Airlines to cancel 90 flights. Photo: Archive

Once authorities approved the reopening of Dong Hoi, Phu Bai, Da Nang, and Chu Lai airports, flights resumed on the afternoon of October 27. Vietnam Airlines, for instance, added four flights between Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, while Bamboo Airways resumed its regular schedule.

Vietnam Airlines also plans to add at least six more flights on October 28 between Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang to accommodate passengers affected by Typhoon Trami. All these flights will use Airbus A321 aircraft.

Airlines advise passengers planning to travel through Dong Hoi, Phu Bai, Da Nang, and Chu Lai airports to stay updated on weather conditions and check airline announcements to manage travel plans accordingly.

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