Vietnam News Today (Sep. 19): Engineering Unit, Field Hospital Ready For UN Peacekeeping Missions

The Engineering Unit Rotation 3 and the Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 6 pay tribute to fallen soldiers at the Heroic Martyrs' Monument in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

Engineering unit, field hospital ready for UN peacekeeping missions

The Engineering Unit Rotation 3 and the Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 6 paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Hanoi, and to fallen soldiers at the Heroic Martyrs' Monument in the capital city on September 18 before they head for UN peacekeeping missions.

On this occasion, Major General Pham Manh Thang, Director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations under the Ministry of National Defense, launched an emulation movement in the units.

Under the movement, which runs until October 1 next year, the units are encouraged to improve their comprehensive knowledge, carry forward solidarity, both internal and international, outstandingly perform assigned tasks, abide by the Vietnamese State’s laws, military rules, the UN code of conduct, and local laws, and promote Vietnam’s image to the world.

The Engineering Unit Rotation 3 with 180 personnel is scheduled to leave Hanoi for the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) on a UN charter flight on September 24.

The 63 personnel of the Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 6 will depart for the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on an Australian-funded flight the same day, cited VNA.

The first 165 personnel of the Engineering Unit Rotation 2 are scheduled to return home on September 28, and 15 others one month later. Four of the units will remain in UNISFA to perform duties at the Engineering Unit Rotation 3.

The first 51 personnel of the Level-2 Field Hospital Rotation 5 will fly home on September 28, and the remaining 12 members on October 10.

Netherlands, Vietnam seek stronger climate cooperation

Prince Jaime de Bourbon de Parme, who is also Climate Envoy of the Netherlands, and officials of the European country agreed to step up ties with Vietnam in climate change response while receiving Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang.

At meetings held on September 17, Prince Parme; Steven Collet, assistant minister of Foreign Affairs for Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit; and Meike van Ginneken, Water Envoy; noted with pleasure the positive developments recorded in the comprehensive partnership between the two nations.

The Dutch prince extended his deep sympathies to Vietnam over great losses caused by typhoon Yagi.

Deputy Minister Hang highlighted the Netherlands as the nation’s biggest investor and leading trade partner in the EU, saying this year marks the fifth anniversary of the bilateral comprehensive partnership and the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership on sustainable agriculture and food security. Both will celebrate the 15th anniversary of their strategic partnership on climate change adaptation and water management next year.

The official suggested that the Netherlands continue helping the Vietnamese side, which is one of the countries most heavily affected by climate change, in improving its response and forecasting capacity, as well as flood and landslide prevention, sustainable water management, green and smart agriculture development, energy transformation, and green transition, according to VOV.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang and Prince Jaime de Bourbon de Parme, who is also Climate Envoy of the Netherlands.

She also thanked the Netherlands, which is one of the key partners of the P4G Summit, for its support to the nation as the host of the fourth P4G Summit in 2025, calling for its more co-ordination in the preparation and organization work.

The Dutch side also concurred to effectively implement the outcomes of the eighth meeting of the Vietnam-Netherlands Inter-Governmental Committee on climate change adaptation and water management held in The Hague in June.

Collet said that Dutch firms are interested in the Vietnamese market, with plans to expand operations in the country. He also suggested that the two sides step up co-operation in areas such as high-tech, semiconductors, and renewable energy, as well as facilitate the exchange of business delegations.

Van Ginneken noted that hosting the 2025 summit shows Vietnamese efforts and responsible contributions to dealing with urgent global issues, thereby pledging to support the country in the organization.

Vietnam an important link in global value chains: int’l observer

Vietnam, through its economic reforms, has positioned itself as one of the key actors in terms of global value chains, influencing regional and global economic dynamics, according to Red Lantern Analytica, an international affairs observer group based out of New Delhi, India.

According to its recent article posted on redlanternanalytica.com, as a key player in various global value chains, especially in manufacturing and export-oriented industries like garment and textile, electronics, and engineering, Vietnam has been a major competitor due to its cost advantages, strategic location, and improved infrastructure, VNA reported.

Vietnam eyes to become a semiconductor production hub in the world. (Photo: VNA)

Its engagement in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has helped the nation better its market access, and global supply chain integration, it highlighted.

The country’s focus on improving infrastructure, including ports and logistics, has also played a key role in facilitating integration into global value chains. Furthermore, efficient transport and communication networks have consolidated Vietnam’s role as a manufacturing hub, and enhance its attractiveness as an investment destination.

Vietnam’s strategic importance is evident in its relationships with major world powers, and its role in regional and global dynamics. The nation’s strategic positioning provides it with significant leverage in international negotiations, and helps shape global economic policies. Vietnam’s role is expected to become even more important in the future, it concluded.

Vietnam prepares for tropical depression expected to bring over 500mm of rain

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, a tropical depression is expected to strengthen into a storm by tomorrow (September 19), bringing heavy rain to the central provinces from Ha Tinh to Quang Ngai.

On the afternoon of September 18, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nguyen Hoang Hiep, chaired a meeting with various ministries and agencies, along with an online conference involving 11 coastal provinces from Ninh Binh to Binh Dinh, to prepare for the tropical depression, which may intensify into a storm.

During the meeting, Dr. Mai Van Khiem, Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, stated that by 1pm on September 18, the tropical depression was located about 530km east of Da Nang, moving slowly at 15km/h.

“All weather models, both domestic and international, indicate that the tropical depression could strengthen into a storm,” Dr. Khiem explained.

The forecast suggests that by 10am on September 19, the tropical depression will intensify into a storm with wind speeds reaching level 8 and gusts up to level 10. The storm's center is expected to be located about 110km east-southeast of Quang Tri and Quang Nam, before making landfall later in the day and weakening as it moves inland.

The projected high tides at the time of landfall (from 5pm on September 19 to 7am on September 20) are expected to reach 0.7-1.8 meters at Cua Gianh (Quang Binh), 0.7-1.4 meters at Cua Viet (Quang Tri), and 0.7-1.3 meters in Da Nang.

From September 17 to midday on September 18, the central and Central Highlands regions experienced significant rainfall ranging from 50-150mm, with some areas recording higher levels, such as Bach Ma (237mm) and Suoi Da (279mm) in Da Nang, cited VNN.

Forecast of the tropical depression's path. Photo: Vietnam Disaster Monitoring System.

It is forecasted that from the evening of September 18 through September 19, heavy rain will continue from Ha Tinh to Quang Ngai, with rainfall totals ranging from 100-300mm and some areas exceeding 500mm. Meanwhile, Thanh Hoa and Nghe An are expected to receive 70-150mm of rain, with isolated areas reaching over 250mm, and the Central Highlands will see 40-80mm of rain, with some spots exceeding 150mm.

From September 18 to 21, rivers from Thanh Hoa to Quang Nam are predicted to experience a flood wave, with water levels rising by 3-7 meters. Major rivers such as the Ma River and Buoi River in Thanh Hoa, and the Ca River in Nghe An, are expected to rise to levels between the first and second flood alert, while smaller rivers in Quang Binh and Quang Tri may reach the third flood alert.

Low-lying areas along rivers, particularly from Thanh Hoa to Quang Nam, face a high risk of flooding, and mountainous areas are at risk of landslides.

The Border Guard Command reported that as of 11 AM on September 18, authorities had contacted and informed 66,960 boats and 306,725 people of the tropical depression’s development and its likely path, allowing them to take precautions. Among these, 75 boats with 618 people were operating near the Hoang Sa Archipelago.

The Department of Fisheries also reported that by 1 PM on September 18, 80,024 hectares of coastal and offshore aquaculture facilities were at risk, along with 22,152 cages and 684 watchtowers.

Colonel Pham Hai Chau, Deputy Director of the Rescue Department, noted that over 268,000 people, including 56,000 military personnel, 211,000 militia members, and more than 4,000 vehicles, as well as 10 helicopters, are ready to respond to the tropical depression and any potential storm, ensuring the safety of residents and providing emergency aid.

He also emphasized the need to review areas prone to landslides, citing previous experiences where damage was minimal from storms but significantly increased during post-storm downpours and subsequent landslides.

“There must be a quick and efficient warning system for households in landslide-prone areas, ensuring that people can relocate to safety in a timely manner,” Colonel Chau stressed.

Vietnam reinforces all-around ties with Egypt

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son held a phone conversation on September 17 with Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Badr Abdelatty.

Minister Abdelatty extended profound condolences to the Government and people of Vietnam over the severe consequences left by typhoon Yagi, affirming that Egypt always stands by, unites with, and supports the Vietnamese side as repeatedly affirmed by leaders of the two sides.

He highlighted the nation as an important partner of Egypt in the region, stressing that there remains ample room for both sides to augment co-operation, especially in terms of economics, investment, and people-to-people exchanges, VOV reported.

Egypt therefore stands ready to offer optimal conditions for Vietnamese businesses and investors in the North African country, he said.

As Egypt has signed free trade agreements (FTAs) with the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), as well as countries in Africa and the Arab world, Vietnamese enterprises can take full advantage of these FTAs to bolster exports to these strong markets which have a combined population of two billion, he said.

Deputy PM Son thanked Minister Abdelatty for his sympathies over the damage caused by typhoon Yagi, affirming that Egypt's timely sharing and encouragement during the nation’s difficult times are a clear demonstration of the traditional friendship and close relationship that exists between the two countries.

In order to promote all-round ties between the two countries, Deputy PM Son suggested that the two sides maintain meetings and delegation exchanges at all levels, whilst continuing to coordinate efforts with and support each other at multilateral forums, especially the UN and the Non-Aligned Movement.

He therefore suggested that the two sides work closely together to step up ties with each other’s organizations and regions, such as the Arab League and ASEAN.

Both sides pledged to boost closer linkages and prepare for high meetings between the two sides, while enhancing connections among localities and businesses of the two sides and improving the efficiency of bilateral cooperation mechanisms.

They are therefore committed to ramping up close collaboration between the two countries' Foreign Ministries as a contribution to further propelling the traditional friendship and multifaceted collaboration between Vietnam and Egypt forward.

On the occasion, Deputy PM Son invited Minister Abdelatty to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time. The Egyptian official accepted the invitation with pleasure and promised to arrange the visit as soon as possible.

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