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Yamaguchi Nobuhiko, the Deputy Governor of Osaka Prefecture, addresses a function marking 79 years of Vietnam's National Day in Osaka on August 30. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam – Japan partnership developing strongly, says Consul General

The comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan is developing positively, reaping significant achievements in all areas, from politics-diplomacy to trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges, said Consul General Ngo Trinh Ha of Vietnam in Osaka.

Addressing a function celebrating the 79th National Day of Vietnam in Osaka on August 30, Ha highlighted the significance of the general uprising of the 1945 August Revolution, culminating in the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now Socialist Republic of Vietnam, on September 2, 1945.

He noted that over the past 79 years the Vietnamese people, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, have overcome numerous challenges and achieved significant accomplishments in the struggle for national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as in rebuilding the country after the war, cited VOV.

The Vietnamese economy has grown strongly, while its foreign relations have been increasingly expanded, he said.

Talking about the Vietnam – Japan relations, the diplomat recalled that the two countries organized more than 500 events last year commemorating 50 years of their diplomacy, including upgrading their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world.

Japan continues to be one of Vietnam’s crucial partners. Two-way trade turnover last year hit more than US$45 billion, making Japan the fourth-largest trading partner of Vietnam. Japan was also Vietnam’s second-largest direct investor, with a total investment of US$6.57 billion.

In his speech, the Deputy Governor of Osaka Prefecture, Yamaguchi Nobuhiko, read a congratulatory letter from Governor Yoshimura Hirofumi, thanking the Consulate General for their significant efforts in promoting relations between Vietnam and the Kansai region.

Since Osaka signed a friendship exchange document with Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam in 2007, relations between Osaka and Vietnam have developed across various fields such as economics, culture, and tourism. Last May, an investment and trade promotion seminar was held in Ho Chi Minh City, providing an opportunity for businesses from both sides to strengthen cooperation.

The Osaka government collaborates closely with the Vietnamese Consulate General in Osaka to organize events, such as the Vietnam Festival 2024 in Osaka and Ho Chi Minh City Day in Osaka to enhance economic, cultural, and tourism exchanges between the two countries.

The Governor expressed his belief that with the World Expo 2025 to be held in Osaka, cooperative exchanges between Osaka and Vietnam would continue to be strengthened.

Taking the floor, Ambassador Himeno Tsutomu, the representative of the Japanese government in the Kansai region, extended Japanese congratulations to the people of Vietnam, wishing that the relationship between Vietnam and Japan, in general, and between Vietnam and the Kansai region, in particular, will continue to develop further.

The participating distinguished guests enjoyed a performance of traditional musical instruments at the event.

Vietnamese, Lao, Thai provinces strengthen tourism connectivity

A tourism promotion meeting between Vietnam’s Quang Binh province, Laos’ Khammouane province, and Thailand’s Nakhon Phanom province has been recently held in the central Lao locality.

At the August 30 event, participants discussed ways to promote tourism cooperation among the three localities.

They agreed that the three provinces, which all have significant potential for tourism development and transportation links, form the shortest transport corridor connecting Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand, thus opening up opportunities for cooperation and boosting the international tourism market among the provinces, according to VNA.

An overview of tourism promotion meeting (Photo: VNA)

In bilateral and multilateral discussions, the provinces agreed to promote and support localities and businesses in each province in enhancing promotion activities; encouraging and creating the most favorable conditions for enterprises and investors to develop tourism and service facilities and projects.

A representative of Quang Binh introduced the delegates to the province's tourism potential and strengths, and called for investors to implement high-end resort projects that leverage its strengths in cave tourism, the diverse ecosystem of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, as well as coastal resorts, sports and entertainment complexes, adventure tourism, beach tourism, eco-tourism, and cultural and historical tourism products combined with wellness and health care.

On this occasion, the Quang Binh Department of Tourism, Khammouane’s Department of Information, Culture, and Tourism, and Nakhon Phanom’s Department of Tourism and Sports signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in state management of tourism; development of tourism products; promotion and marketing of tourism products; and coordination, support, and enhancement of their tourism industry to step up cooperation and exchanges.

August 2024 sees hot weather break record, say meteorologists

August 2024 saw hot weather hit new levels, with the highest daytime temperature exceeding historical records, according to national meteorologists.

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported that in August, Northern Vietnam experienced three heat waves with widespread intense heat lasting for four to six days on average.

Notably, during the first heat wave from August 4-10, many localities in the Red River Delta recorded daily maximum temperatures commonly ranging from 38 to 39°C.

Meanwhile, prolonged periods of intense and widespread heat also impacted localities in the central region. Specifically, localities stretching from Thanh Hoa to Quang Binh endured four heat waves, occurring from August 4 to 10, August 13 to 14, August 18 to 24, and from August 27 through the end of the month.

Localities from Thua Thien-Hue to Phu Yen alone were hit by the widespread heat throughout August, VOV reported.

Photo: VOV

In the southern region, a heat wave gripped across localities from August 18 to 20, mostly in the southeastern part of the region.

In August, over 30 meteorological stations across the country documented daily maximum temperatures surpassing historical records.

Among them, the Nho Quan station in Ninh Binh province recorded a daily maximum temperature of 39.3°C, exceeding the 1998 record of 39°C.

Other stations in Thanh Hoa and Ngha An provinces also recorded daily maximum temperatures of more than 39°C, surpassing the highest temperatures they obtained for decades.

In September, heat waves may still occur in the central region, but their intensity will be less severe and shorter in duration, mainly during the first half of September. The average temperatures across the country are expected to be 0.5 to 1°C higher than usual, with some areas experiencing temperatures significantly above the long-term average for this period.

Vietnamese culture popularized in Malaysia

The Malaysia - Vietnam Friendship Association (MVFA) organized an event to introduce Vietnamese culture at Malaysia’s Pavilion shopping mall as part of activities to develop the solidarity and friendship between the two nations.

The event, taking place from August 31 to September 1, attracted the participation of members of the association and the Vietnamese community in Malaysia, as well as local residents and international friends.

In opening the event, MVFA President Tran Thi Chang highlighted the strength of solidarity between the two nations, and held that culture is the soft power that helps tighten the ties between the two countries’ people, VNA reported.

At the event to popularize Vietnamese culture in Malaysia (Photo: VNA)

Cultural exchange offers the opportunities to explore the similarities between, and standout features of the two countries, and improve mutual understanding and respect for each other, creating a basis to build and branch out the friendship and cooperation between organizations and agencies for peace, solidarity, friendship and development, she added.

Various art performances extolling patriotism were staged at the ceremony, and an ao dai (traditional long dress) show, featuring impressive and colorful designs, particularly attracted attention of visitors to the event.

Vietnamese specialties, including crab noodle soup, steamed rice cake, and steamed dumplings, also impressed the visitors.

Vietnam, ideal destination for industrial real estate investment

Vietnam is described as an ideal location for industrial real estate investment with its economic and demographic factors, and analysts predict it will emerge as a regional leader in this segment.

In a recent report titled "From Vision to Action: Accelerating the Green Transition in Vietnam’s Industrial Sector," Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) Vietnam highlighted Vietnam's industrial market dynamics, favorable demographics and ongoing green initiatives as drivers of sustainable transition in the sector.

Its strategic geographical location would see it benefit significantly from the China Plus One strategy, it said.

Foreign direct investment in the country had grown at a compounded annual rate of 10 per cent between 2010 to 2023, well above the ASEAN average of 7.6 per cent.

With a commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, Vietnam was moving towards a carbon-neutral economy.

Initiatives included increased use of renewable energy, enhanced energy efficiency and promotion of electric transportation.

The industrial sector was leading in green building certification with over 70 per cent of LEED-certified projects in 2023.

To accelerate this transition, Vietnam had introduced Decree 35/2022/ND-CP, focusing on green initiatives, with eco-industrial parks being a key aspect.

Projects like Amata City Bien Hoa and Deep C Industrial Zones were making strides in implementing eco-industrial park models, emphasizing energy efficiency, waste recycling and renewable energy use, cited VNS.

An industrial zone in Vietnam. The country described as an ideal location for industrial real estate investment. Photo: VNS

Trang Le, head of research and consulting at JLL Vietnam, said: “Vietnam's industrial market is at a pivotal moment where embracing sustainability is not just regulatory compliance but a strategic advantage.

“We are extremely confident that all stakeholders looking to drive sustainable change and seize opportunities in Vietnam’s industrial landscape will also see the business case for green initiatives.”

The report said Vietnam's plethora of highly educated workers, with 87 percent having advanced education, was also a significant factor in attracting investment in logistics and industrial development.

The ready-built factory market was robust despite the economic headwinds, driven by growth in the manufacturing sector and foreign investment.

The ready-built warehouse sector, after a period of rapid growth, was currently stabilizing, supported by domestic consumption and storage demand from the manufacturing sector.

As the industrial and logistics markets grew quickly, the market also attracted attention to new alternative assets such as data centers and cold storage.

Savills Vietnam too said Vietnam is emerging as an attractive destination for foreign investors in the industrial real estate sector thanks to its favorable geographical location, preferential tax policies and competitive production costs.

It enjoys a lot of advantages in attracting investment into industrial real estate, it said.

The Vietnamese industrial real estate market is witnessing strong growth. The exchange rate stability between the Vietnamese dong and the US dollar compared to other currencies in the region and corporate income tax incentives are creating favorable conditions for ViệtNam compared to competitors like Malaysia and Indonesia, it said.

Free trade agreements play a significant role in attracting FDI to Vietnam, it said.

Since joining the World Trade Organization in 1995, Vietnam has signed a series of trade agreements, with the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) in 2019 sparking a surge in foreign investment, it said.

Major technology conglomerates such as Samsung, LG, Intel, and Foxconn have played an important role in making Vietnam a regional electronics manufacturing hub, it added.

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