Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (R) and President of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) Izumi Kenta (Photo: VNA)

Foreign Minister receives Japanese CDP leader

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son hosted a reception for Izumi Kenta, president of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP), on August 31 in Hanoi to mark the occasion of the latter’s visit to Vietnam from August 29 to August 31.

Vietnam-Japan relationship is now at their best in history. Through the support of the Governments, political parties, and people of the two countries, there are favorable conditions for the relationship to further grow to new heights, FM Son told his guest.

The Vietnamese diplomat used the occasion to thank the CDP and Izumi himself for their support of mutual relations over the past time, as well as asking the CDP to continue strengthening exchanges with the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), cited VOV.

The Vietnamese diplomat therefore expressed a wish for the CDP to advocate the further promotion of bilateral ties in both traditional and new fields such as digital transformation, green transition and energy transition, as well as promote locality-to-locality and people-to-people exchanges, especially during this year when the two countries mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

He hailed the role of House of Representatives member Aoyagi Yoichiro, senior deputy director of the CDP’s International Department, in the organisation of the Vietnam Festival in Tokyo, one of the biggest foreign festivals in the Far East country, contributing to forwarding the cultural-tourism links between the two nations.

The CDP President affirmed that his party’s support of the Japanese Government’s policy on promoting ties with the country over several years and viewing the Vietnamese side as a leading important partner in the region.

He went on to reveal that the CDP has just signed an memorandum of understanding on increasing exchanges and cooperation with the CPV.

Izumi also expressed his wish for more exchanges between female and young lawmakers of the two countries and stronger bilateral economic, trade, and investment collaboration. He suggested that the Vietnamese Government outline policies aimed at creating favourable and transparent investment environment in a bid to attract even more Japanese companies to the nation in the time to come.

Both sides also compared notes on international and regional issues of shared concern.

Vietnam, Egypt celebrate 60 years of diplomatic ties

Egypt was one of the first countries in the African region and also one of the first Arab countries to establish diplomatic relations with the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in the 1960s. Since the establishment of their diplomatic relations on September 1, 1963, the two countries have enjoyed a thriving partnership across various fields.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Egypt Nguyen Huy Dung said over the past 60 years, the relationship between the two countries has seen significant progress.

Vietnamese citizens welcome the former Deputy Prime Minister of Egypt Hussein el-Shafei on the official visit to Vietnam in August 1973. Photo: VNA

He said the political and diplomatic ties between the two nations have been strong, resulting in mutual support at multilateral forums such as the United Nations. Furthermore, significant advancements have been made in bilateral economic, trade, and investment cooperation.

The annual two-way trade volume has exceeded US$500 million, and both countries are committed to increasing it to over US$1 billion, according to VNA.

The diplomat said in the coming years, Vietnam and Egypt will focus on trade and investment, building upon the solid foundation of sound political ties and the longstanding relationship between the two countries. To date, Vietnam and Egypt have signed approximately 35 agreements and memoranda of understanding.

The robust political relations and the deep mutual affection between the Vietnamese and Egyptian people have laid a strong foundation for the development of bilateral cooperation in various areas, including economy, trade, investment, politics, diplomacy, and people-to-people exchanges.

National Day celebration held in Japan, France, Sri Lanka

Vietnamese representative missions in Japan, France and Sri Lanka held ceremonies on recent days to celebrate the 78th anniversary of the National Day of Vietnam.

At an event held in Osaka, Japan on August 31, Vietnamese Consul General to Osaka Ngo Trinh Ha highlighted achievements of Vietnam in socio-economic development and foreign affairs.

He stressed that among Vietnam's diplomatic relations with 193 countries, the relationship with Japan is one of the most important strategic ties for Vietnam.

The diplomat noted that the bilateral relations have developed fruitfully over the last five decades across fields from politics, economics, security to regional and international issues, which is also true for the cooperation relationship between Vietnam and the Kansai region.

For his part, Watanabe Shigeki, Deputy Governor of Osaka Prefecture read a letter from Osaka Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi congratulating Vietnam on its National Day and expressing his wish to further develop close relations with Vietnam in many fields.

In his congratulatory speech, Himeno Tsutomu, representative of the Government of Japan and Ambassador in charge of Kansai region affirmed that the Japan-Vietnam relationship is a particularly important relationship, reported WVR.

Vietnamese Consul General to Osaka Ngo Trinh Ha speaks at the celebration of Vietnam's National Day in Osaka, Japan.

The same day, the Embassy of Vietnam in France held an incense offering ceremony in tribute to President Ho Chi Minh in Paris on the occasion of the National Day of Vietnam.

After the incense offering ceremony, a delegation led by Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang laid a wreath at President Ho Chi Minh’s Monument and visited the Ho Chi Minh Space at the Museum of Living History at Montreau park.

In a similar ceremony organised in Colombo, Sri Lanka on August 29, Vietnamese Ambassador Ho Thi Thanh Truc briefed the guests on Vietnam's development process over the past 78 years.

She expressed her pleasure to see the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Sri Lanka being increasingly strengthened for the benefit of the two peoples.

Representing the Government of Sri Lanka, Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera affirmed that economic and trade cooperation is one of the pillars in the two countries' relationship, contributing to growth and prosperity of both nations.

He also highly valued cultural cooperation and people-to-people diplomacy between the two countries.

On the occasion, the Vietnamese Embassy in Sri Lanka in coordination with the Sri Lanka - Vietnam Solidarity Association organised a flower offering ceremony at President Ho Chi Minh's Monument in the Colombo Public Library and a meeting with representatives from political parties friendly to Vietnam as well as many friends who love the country.

Vietnam to sends over 500-member delegation to 19th ASIAD

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung on August 31 signed a decision on the formation of the Vietnamese sports delegation to the 19th Asian Games (ASIAD), which will kick off in China in late September.

The delegation, led by Director of the Vietnam Sports Administration Dang Ha Viet, comprises more than 500 members, including 90 coaches and 337 athletes of 31 sports.

The Vietnamese sports delegation at the opening ceremony of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (Photo: VNA)

The Vietnamese male and female football teams' squads have yet to be revealed, cited VNA.

The Vietnam sports delegation to the 19th ASIAD is divided into three groups. The first group includes players in Chinese chess, sepak takraw, shooting, karate, cycling, weightlifting, and archery. The second one are athletes in swimming, athletics, rowing, canoeing, table tennis, chess, tennis, gymnastics, roller, boxing, taekwondo, wrestling, wushu, judo, kurash, jujitsu, and fencing. The last group comprises volleyball, football, golf, badminton, soft tennis, e-sport, and breakdancing.

A send-off ceremony for the delegation will take place on September 20. Swimmer Nguyen Huy Hoang has been selected as the flag holder of Vietnam at the ASIAD opening ceremony.

At the 19th ASIAD, Vietnam aims for 2-5 gold medals. At the 18th ASIAD, Vietnam won four gold, 16 silver and 18 bronze medals.

Culture-tourism village hosts activities 'Happy Independence Day'

This September, more than 200 artisans, compatriots, and artists are set to participate in the activities and events that mark National Day, at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism (in Dong Dong Mo Tourism Area, Son Tay District, Hanoi).

Visitors to the village have the opportunity to immerse in the rich culture of Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups, through a program themed Vui Tet Doc Lap (Happy Independence Day), NDO reported.

Performance of national costumes at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism.

Activities include the Introduction and demonstration of Phuc Sen forging craft from Cao Bang province; the Introduction of lion dance art of the Nung ethnic group; the Folk song and dance program "Happy Independence Day"; the Re-enactment of a wedding ceremony of the Nung ethnic group; the Re-enactment of the procession of ghosts to keep the fire of the Mong ethnic group.

The highlight of September is the “Highland Market - Happy Independence Day”, introducing the real cultural space of the highland market with cultural colours in the provinces of Cao Bang, Lang Son and Son La.

The market is set to offer a unique experience where visitors can immerse themselves in the cultures of the ethnic communities through various booths of different ethnic groups.

These booths will proudly showcase local ethnic products, ranging from bamboo shoots, star anise, and cardamom, to regional dishes like thang co, corn wine or roasted suckling pig with honey. Additionally, a wide array of traditional clothing, accessories, and souvenirs from different ethnic groups, will also be available for purchase.

The market space seamlessly integrates festival and entertainment areas, accompanied by folk songs and dance performances, traditional games, and diverse cuisines of various ethnicities.

Visitors will have the chance to participate in traditional activities such as trading, traditional dish preparation or corn wine tasting while listening to the histories shared by people of ethnic minorities.

In particular, there is also a space to introduce and experience several activities such as: making bamboo dragonflies, making star lanterns, and making turtles.

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