Vietnam News Today (Oct. 2): Top Leader’s Visit Gives Extra Leverage to Vietnam – Ireland Trade Links
	Vietnam News Today (Oct. 3): Vietnam, South Africa Strengthen Traditional Friendship, Cooperation

Vietnamese lychee hits French supermarket shelves. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam-France trade, investment ties expected to grow further

The official visit to France by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and his attendance at the 19th Francophonie Summit are expected to give a boost to the bilateral economic, trade, and investment ties.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, two-way trade saw an average annual growth rate of 15.7% during the 2011-2019 period. France is Vietnam's fifth largest trade partner in Europe, making up a big share in the trade relations between Vietnam and the continent.

The export-import revenue stood at 4.8 billion USD last year, with Vietnam’s exports valued at 3.17 billion USD. In the first eight months of this year, the bilateral trade exceeded 3.4 billion USD, up 6.9% year-on-year, and Vietnam’s shipments fetched 2.23 billion USD, a rise of 4.3%.

Vietnam's key exports included footwear, garments-textiles, household utensils, agro-forestry-fishery products, jewelry, electronic items, ceramics, and rubber, among others.

Meanwhile, it mainly imported high-value and technology-intensive products from the European nation like pharmaceuticals, machinery, equipment, and means of transport.

Experts said since the establishment of the bilateral diplomatic ties in 1973, Vietnam and France have made significant strides in trade. Notably, the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has opened up substantial opportunities and prospects, serving as a catalyst for strengthening their economic and trade relations, cited VNA.

Vu Anh Son, head of the Vietnamese Trade Office in France, said 2021 marked the inaugural year for the office’s efforts to introduce Vietnamese fresh fruits, particularly lychee and longan, to the French market. The same year, Vietnamese canned fruit products made their debut at supermarkets there, followed by rice in 2022.

The office stepped up such efforts in 2023 with a range of promotion events in France, he said, adding that in 2024, it coordinated with the Vietnamese Cultural Center in Paris and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in organizing a big program honoring Vietnamese lychee.

Regarding the Vietnamese goods week at Carrefour supermarkets, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said it is significant to introducing Vietnamese products to French consumers, saying Carrefour is not just a distribution channel but also a platform promoting Vietnamese cuisine.

The Vietnam Free Trade Agreement Portal (FTAP) has provided necessary information about the French market and the two-way trade for businesses, along with the list of agencies that would support them to set up partnerships with French firms.

The office stressed that Vietnam needs comprehensive and well-structured strategies to boost exports to this demanding market, saying products must strictly adhere to the EU’s regulations regarding food safety, quality management, and environmental protection.

This not only improves the competitiveness of Vietnamese goods in the French market but also contributes to building the country's brand and image on the international stage, it said.

It also suggested businesses equip themselves with knowledge about the EVFTA to optimize it for deeper integration into the French market.

The office also pledged to make greater efforts in unleashing the market, promoting the export of some potential Vietnamese agro-fishery products, and attracting French investors to Vietnam in the time ahead.

Positive signals for Vietnamese exports in final months

Vietnamese exports are expected to enjoy positive signals ahead in the remaining months of the year thanks to the combined efforts of local businesses and results during the nine-month period, according to insiders.

Tran Thanh Hai, deputy director of the Agency of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that several groups of products recording export revenue of more than US$10 billion each included machines, equipment, tool and spare parts, telephones and components, computers, electronic products and components, textiles, wood and wooden products, as well as vehicles and spare parts, while there were 11 groups of products and 31 groups of goods with export turnover of more than US$5 billion and US$1 billion each, respectively.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), agro-forestry-aquatic product exports surged by 21% to reach more than US$46 billion during the nine-month span, with the value of agricultural products accounting for the lion share of US$24.85 billion, representing an annual rise of 27.7%.

The Vietnam Fruits and Vegetables Association (VINAFRUIT) said that fruit and vegetable exports hit a record high of US$5.6 billion, up 34% on-year. The revenue is equal to the figure of the whole 2023 and is therefore expected to grow strongly during the last quarter.

Trieu Van Luc, deputy director of the MARD’s Department of Forestry, said the forestry industry is making every effort to concretize and even surpass its export target of US$15.2 billion for the entire year, according to VOV.

Photo: VOV

The Ministry is therefore continuing to support enterprises as they work to improve their capacity in responding and resolving trade competition issues while organizing exhibitions and trade promotion events to seek and expand markets for forestry products, he said.

Economists stated that with a view towards ensuring stable economic growth, localities not affected by typhoon Yagi are accelerating production in compensation for the difficulties that the typhoon-hit provinces are encountering.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien affirmed that the sector is destined to fulfill the export revenue target of US$54 billion to US$55 billion set by the Government.

Vietnam, Ireland issue joint statement on strengthening bilateral partnership

Vietnam and Ireland have issued a 17-point joint statement on the strengthening of bilateral partnership, on the occasion of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s state visit to the European country from October 1-3.

The joint statement wrote that Lam and Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris updated each other on domestic developments, discussed ways to further advance bilateral relations, and exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual interest.

Harris expressed condolences on behalf of the Irish people on the recent devastation and loss of life caused by Typhoon Yagi, and affirmed that Ireland is willing to give support to the emergency response at this difficult time.

The two leaders acknowledged that the state visit is an important milestone after nearly 30 years of diplomatic relations, and affirmed the importance of further strengthening Vienam-Ireland relations. They agreed to work for the prosperity and inclusive development of both countries, and for peace, cooperation and development globally, in accordance with the fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter.

They recognized the importance of high-level visits and regular exchanges, and were unanimous in the maintenance of cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries, including through the bilateral consultations mechanism signed by their respective Foreign Ministers in February 2024.

Harris welcomed Lam’s announcement that Vietnam plans to open an Embassy in Ireland. The two sides welcomed the establishment of an Ireland-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group and a Vietnam – Ireland Parliamentary Friendship Group, which will foster greater understanding between the two countries’ parliaments.

Both leaders greatly appreciated the bridging role and positive contributions of the Vietnamese community in Ireland and the Irish community in Vietnam.

They reiterated the importance of cooperation in the face of security threats, and agreed that the two countries will increase exchanges, promote cooperation in the field of cyber security and prevention of transnational organized crime.

Both sides acknowledged the importance of the promotion of human rights, taking into account each country’s characteristics and law and their international obligations.

They also welcomed the new Sectoral Strategic Partnership in Higher Education and affirmed the importance of building a comprehensive partnership framework at the appropriate time.

The two leaders welcomed the significant and growing trade relationship between Vietnam and Ireland. They reaffirmed the importance of the full implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and discussed the value of the Vietnam - EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), which will contribute to favorable trade and investment conditions between both countries.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam thanked the Irish Government for its development cooperation program, which has supported Vietnam in achieving many development goals ahead of schedule. The Irish Prime Minister affirmed that his country will continue supporting Vietnam in various fields. Vietnam greatly appreciates Ireland's support in research and technical assistance in the agricultural sector.

Both sides welcomed the potential for cooperation in promoting innovation, digital transformation, climate change adaptation, the development of high-quality human resources, and other areas of mutual interest.

They agreed on the value of cultural and artistic exchanges, tourism promotion, and people-to-people exchanges, which contribute to enhancing mutual understanding and fostering friendship between the two nations, VNA reported.

Talks between Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and Irish President Michael D. Higgins. (Photo: VNA)

Both parties committed to strengthening coordination and mutual support at international and regional forums, particularly the United Nations and the ASEAN-EU framework. They expressed their support for a united, strong, and prosperous ASEAN community playing a central role in regional architecture and enhancing the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership.

The two sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, and the importance of resolving disputes by peaceful means, and in accordance with international law, in particular UNCLOS 1982. They emphasized the need to establish a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law. They highlighted the principles of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states. The leaders discussed the situation in Gaza, called for an immediate ceasefire and hostage release deal, and underlined the need for dramatic scaling up of humanitarian assistance.

The two leaders acknowledged the significant contributions of Ireland and Vietnam to United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and agreed to explore opportunities for future cooperation and experience sharing.

Vietnam affirms highest-level commitment to Francophone community’s development

Senior Vietnamese leaders have constantly engaged in Francophonie Summits for the past three decades, showing the country's commitment to co-operating with the International Organisation of La Francophone (OIF) and its member countries, Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang has said.

In a recent media interview given in Paris ahead of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s attendance at the forthcoming 19th Francophonie Summit and his official visit to France, the diplomat stated that the presence of the top Vietnamese leader at the summit for the first time represents a new milestone as it affirms the nation's highest-level commitment to the development of the Francophone community.

This is along with demonstrating its efforts to promote the image and presence of the Francophone community as part of the Asia-Pacific region. This also indicates the country’s willingness to serve as a bridge in which to strengthen the relationship that exists between the Francophone community and the region, thereby further elevating both national and community standing on the international stage.

According to him, this high-level of diplomatic activity will play an important role in carrying out the external policy of multilateralization and diversification, as well as active international integration, attaching importance to multilateralism whilst demonstrating Vietnam's active and responsible membership in the international community in general and in the Francophone community in particular.

Through interactions and exchanges with leaders of the OIF and member countries, partners have acknowledged Vietnamese commitments and contributions to preparing for this summit, displaying their hope that based on the solid foundation that the OIF and Vietnam have built together, the nation and the Francophone community will continue to nurture and elevate their long-term and sustainable co-operation and partnership moving forward, stated Ambassador Thang, VOV reported.

Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang.

Concerning the country’s role in the OIF, the diplomat stated that for years the Vietnamese side has both fully and effectively participated in most of the priority issues of the community, ranging from the planning of co-operation strategies to the promotion of reforms. As a result, it can be regarded as a key player and an important voice of the OIF in the Asia-Pacific region, which in turn is reflected through the fact that the nation has been repeatedly entrusted by member countries to hold important positions within the organization.

In terms of French language teaching, it has performed numerous initiatives and projects supported by member countries, particularly France, Canada, Belgium, and Switzerland. Since 2014, the nation has proactively made voluntary contributions to the Francophone University Agency (AUF), thus helping to improve French language education at 47 Vietnamese universities which are AUF members.

As for economic co-operation, Vietnam was the country which initiated economic co-operation within the Francophonie community at the seventh Francophonie Summit held in 1997 in Hanoi. Serving as Chair of the OIF’s economic committee, it successfully coordinated the drafting of the Francophone Economic Development Strategy for the 2020 to 2025 period.

The nation was also the first stop of a Francophone business delegation in a string of activities to implement this strategy.

To step up collaboration between Vietnam and the OIF, Ambassador Thang stressed the need to create significant changes in key areas which meet the development needs of both the community and individual countries.

In this spirit, both sides should outline a comprehensive policy in which to guide cooperation toward developing member countries, whilst effectively combining this with the participation of developed one, the Vietnamese diplomat said.

Vietnam to be among leading countries in Meta AI, says Meta's global affairs head

Meta President for Global Affairs Nick Clegg said recently that Vietnam will be one of the countries pioneering Meta AI, at a date much earlier than some European countries.

Meta AI will use the Vietnamese language and be free for users. Clegg, on the sidelines of the 2024 Vietnam Innovation Day on October 1, talked to the local press about Meta's commitments for the Vietnamese market.

Clegg was on his first trip to Vietnam as Meta’s President of Global Affairs. Before being promoted in 2022 to the post, he worked for 20 years in Europe and the UK.

He said from now to the end of the year, Meta will introduce an AI-based virtual assistant to businesses in Vietnam. The virtual assistant, integrated into the Messenger app, can be used to communicate with clients, enhancing productivity.

He also confirmed that Quest 3S, a VR glass wearable, will be produced in Vietnam.

“We will cooperate with partners in Vietnam to manufacture the product here. The production will help create 1,000 new jobs, which will help put Vietnam in the central position of the world’s map of metaverse products and technology,” Clegg said.

During his first working visit in Vietnam, he said Meta AI, an AI-based virtual assistant that can communicate and speak like a human, will be integrated into Meta’s platforms, including Facebook, Messenger and WhatsApp. Users can raise questions and receive answers.

“We still do not have Meta AI in Europe, but will soon deploy it in Vietnam, in Vietnamese language, and for free,” he said.

The senior executive said the commitments show Meta’s confidence in Vietnam and its online market which has been growing rapidly, as well as its successful development, VNN reported.

Meta President for Global Affairs Nick Clegg (Photo: Trong Dat)

Asked to compare the digital economy value in Vietnam with other regional countries, Clegg said Vietnam is a leading country as it has three important factors – young population, good education, and the use of digital technologies in daily life.

“We can only use AI well if we understand it. And we only can understand it when we have a good education and training foundation. That is why Meta focuses on organizing training courses on AI,” he said, adding that Vietnam is likely to become a powerhouse in the region.

Meta plans to work with the Hanoi National University to create training courses on AI capability for students, starting from January 2025.

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