Vietnam News Today (Sep. 20): Singapore, Vietnam Enhance Economic And Investment Connectivity

	Vietnam News Today (Sep. 18): Vietnam Champions ASEAN Economic Integration at AEM 56 in Laos
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Photo: VOV

Vice President attends 4th Eurasian Women's Forum

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan attended the fourth Eurasian Women's Forum in the form of a recorded speech, following an invitation sent by Valentina Matvienko, chair of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.

During the course of the plenary session, in his welcoming speech given to delegates and guests, Russian President Vladimir Putin affirmed that the active participation of women today can be viewed as important to the process of building a multipolar, fair, and truly free world.

Matvienko emphasized that amid the current complex world geopolitical situation, women need to play a key role in forming a more just and humane world order.

In her recorded speech given at the forum's plenum, VP Xuan hailed the role and positive contributions made by the Eurasian Women's Forum, considering it to be a place to exchange and share opportunities, challenges, and solutions to enhance the role of women in all aspects of social life, cited VOV.

VP Xuan affirmed that the forum conveyed a strong message regarding the role of women, not only in the development of their own countries, but also in terms of deeply influencing peace and sustainable development in the region and across the world.

In recent years, the Vietnamese side has recorded many positive achievements in socio-economic development, whilst its position in the international arena has been increasingly elevated, including its achievements in ensuring and implementing gender equality and empowering women. Indeed, the role and status of Vietnamese women has been clearly enhanced in all areas of social life, especially in the political and economic fields, VP Xuan added.

The VP said that women, as messengers of peace and charity, need to be placed at the center and given more power in efforts to promote dialogue, build trust, and step up co-operation to jointly build a world of peace, happiness, and prosperity.

Vietnam pledges to continue supporting female development, creating greater opportunities for women to access positive trends of the times and make greater contributions to the noble goals set by the UN.

The Eurasian Women's Forum is held every three years, starting in 2015 at the initiative of the Federation Council of the Russian Assembly and the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) as a way of promoting the role of women in all fields for the goal of building a world of peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.

This year's forum was held from September 18 to September 20 in Saint-Petersburg with the participation of 1,500 delegates from 126 countries and international organizations, including many female leaders.

The event will last until September 20 with around 100 meetings and discussions, focusing on topics such as the role of women in shaping the agenda for peace and trust; women in the new economy: technology and innovation; women for a healthy and happy society; women for a clean planet and food security; and women with preserving traditions and diversification.

Within the framework of the forum, there will also be meetings of the G20 Women's Group (W20), as well as the BRICS Women's Entrepreneurship Forum.

Vietnamese agricultural products, food displayed in India

Vietnamese businesses are displaying their products at the World Food India 2024 (WFI 2024) that opened in New Delhi on September 19.

Vietnam is one of the two selected as Focus Country at WFI 2024, the third of its kind. The Southeast Asian nation has set up two pavilions, one covering 27sq.m and the other 150sq.m, showcasing agricultural products and processed food, including fresh and dried fruits, cashew nuts, coffee, tea, pepper, cinnamon, rice wine, and instant noodles, by more than 20 firms, according to VNA.

Vietnamese red-flesh dragon fruit. (Photo: VNA)

The selection of Vietnam as Focus Country reflects India’s acknowledgement of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, affirms Vietnam’s role in the global food supply chain as well as the potential and quality of its agricultural products and processed food, and helps promote the country’s image to international friends, said Vietnamese Trade Counsellor in India Bui Trung Thuong.

Meanwhile, the event offers an opportunity for Vietnamese enterprises to enhance their connectivity with partners, expand export markets, and stay updated on food processing and preservation technologies, he added.

Moreover, with the presence of many leaders from Indian ministries and agencies, the fair helps promote dialogue and policy cooperation, thus facilitating Vietnam’s agricultural export, particularly plant quarantine and food safety processes, to the South Asian nation, the official continued.

Apart from Vietnamese businesses, WFI 2024, to last until September 22, attracts the participation of firms from 89 countries and 26 states of India.

India ranks second in the world in the field of food processing that contributes 13% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and is expected to reach 535 billion USD in 2025-2026, with a growth rate of 15% by 2030.

Singapore, Vietnam enhance economic and investment connectivity

Minister Dung co-chaired a meeting on September 18 with Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore Tan See Leng, during which both sides concurred to continue ramping up co-operation in innovation, promoting applied research capabilities and creative startups.

They also took time to discuss orientations aimed at expanding collaboration in clean energy, the importance of wind power development projects, the establishment of an ASEAN electricity grid, and solutions and challenges Singapore is currently facing in the energy transition process towards a hydrogen economy.

Both host and guest witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Enterprise Singapore and the Foreign Investment Agency under the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment.

This document is designed to boost economic collaboration between the two countries in an effective, substantive, and comprehensive fashion, whilst further facilitating the exchange of information and supporting businesses from both countries in their investments and operations.

It will therefore help to expand research, explore opportunities, and carry out effective investment and business activities in key sectors, VOV reported.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung at the event.

In particular, a "Singapore Unit" will be set up at the Foreign Investment Agency, with a view towards increasing support for quality investment projects from Singapore into Vietnam and vice versa.

As part of his address, Minister Dung stressed that both sides need to ensure that the "Singapore Unit" is genuinely effective rather than merely symbolic, by providing support, serving as a bridge, and being a solid foundation for future bilateral economic, trade, and investment development.

The two sides also announced the Vietnam-Singapore Innovation Talent Exchange Programme aimed at further facilitating the exchange of 300 young and talented individuals in technology and innovation between the two countries during its first year of implementation. The programme is expected to start in the first half of 2025.

On September 19, the Minister visited the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), as well as its Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Center (ARTC) and the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech).

The Vietnamese Minister said that as innovation is a special interest of the nation, he hopes that through Singapore's support and appropriate investment resources, the country will soon establish an integrated center for several key sectors, similar to the ARTC and SIMTech models.

Furthermore, he suggested that the two sides augment co-operation in education and training in the field of innovation.

Singapore currently ranks second among the 146 nations and territories investing in the Vietnamese market. Singaporean investors have poured capital into 18 out of the 21 Vietnamese economic sectors, with a focus on processing, manufacturing, real estate, and electricity and gas production and distribution.

More condolences delivered to Vietnam over Typhoon Yagi’s impact

High-ranking leaders from various countries continue to send letters and messages of condolence to the leaders of the Party, State and people of Vietnam, with regard to severe damage caused by Typhoon Yagi in the Southeast Asian country.

In his message of sympathy, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of life and property caused by the typhoon in Vietnam. He extended heartfelt condolences to the Vietnamese Party, State, Government, and people, especially to the directly affected families.

Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong stressed that as a member of the ASEAN Community as well as a strategic partner and a close friend of Vietnam, Singapore stands ready to assist Vietnam in recovering from the aftermath of the typhoon.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra of Thailand sent messages of condolence, affirming that the Thai people are deeply concerned and stand in solidarity with the people of Vietnam to overcome this challenge together.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his admiration for the extraordinary efforts of the Vietnamese government, military, police, and local authorities in responding to this natural disaster. The UK confirmed its readiness to provide aid and support Vietnam in restoring normality, cited VNA.

Many roads in Lao Cai province severely damaged and eroded due to floods. (Photo: VNA)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz conveyed his deep condolences and expressed hope that those affected would quickly recover their health and stabilize their lives.

King Felipe VI of Spain extended his deepest sympathies on behalf of the Spanish people and personally to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged humanitarian assistance and expressed her desire to further discuss this issue on the sidelines of the upcoming 79th United Nations General Assembly.

The King of Norway, the President of Uzbekistan, and comrades from the communist parties of India, Portugal, and France also sent messages of sympathy, sharing Vietnam's difficulties and the immense loss of life and property caused by Yagi.

On this occasion, the Second Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei, the Foreign Ministers of Singapore and Thailand, the Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia, the Deputy PM and Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan, and the Foreign Minister of Serbia also sent messages of condolence to Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.

Vietnam among Top 10 global travel destinations in Flight Center survey

In a recent survey conducted by Flight Center, Vietnam emerged as one of the top 10 countries favored by global travelers. VN's diverse landscapes, UNESCO heritage sites, and vibrant culinary scene have significantly contributed to its high rankings.

Vietnam has been recognized as one of the top 10 countries preferred by travelers around the world, according to the latest survey conducted by Flight Center, a leading global travel company headquartered in Australia.

The survey, which garnered responses from over 170,000 travelers globally, highlights Vietnam’s burgeoning appeal as a prime tourist destination for 2024.

The survey revealed that Portugal topped the list this year, with an impressive 94% of travelers expressing satisfaction with their visit. Following closely was the Cook Islands in the South Pacific, securing the second spot with a 93% satisfaction rate.

Vietnam proudly stands as one of the two representatives from Southeast Asia featured in Flight Center’s esteemed list. This recognition underscores Vietnam’s strategic efforts to enhance its tourism offerings and cater to the diverse preferences of international visitors.

Andrew Stark, CEO of Flight Center Global, commented on the surprising entries in this year’s rankings, stating, “The unexpected names in this year’s list demonstrate that not all popular destinations offer unique experiences to travelers.”

He further elaborated that Vietnam’s inclusion is a testament to the country’s exceptional blend of safety, affordability, and rich cultural experiences that resonate with a wide range of tourists.

Previously, Flight Center highlighted Vietnam as “the gem of Southeast Asia,” emphasizing its safety, cost-effectiveness, and the plethora of enriching experiences available to tourists of all ages and interests.

The country’s picturesque rural villages, UNESCO-recognized heritage sites, and diverse local cuisine have been pivotal in captivating the hearts of travelers worldwide.

Vietnam offers a harmonious blend of ancient traditions and modern vibrancy. Visitors can explore tranquil countryside landscapes, bustling metropolitan cities, and serene beaches, all within a single trip.

The country’s historical landmarks, such as the ancient town of Hoi An and the stunning Halong Bay, provide memorable experiences that cater to both cultural enthusiasts and adventure seekers, VNN reported.

Photo: Pinterest

Moreover, Vietnam’s culinary diversity, featuring delectable dishes like pho, banh xeo, and vibrant street food, adds an enticing flavor to its tourism appeal.

These gastronomic delights not only satisfy the taste buds but also offer a glimpse into the country’s rich cultural tapestry.

Flight Center’s survey indicates that Vietnam’s tourism sector is poised for continued growth, driven by ongoing investments in infrastructure, hospitality, and sustainable tourism practices.

The Vietnamese government’s proactive measures to promote tourism, coupled with the country’s natural and cultural assets, are expected to attract even more international visitors in the coming years.

As Vietnam continues to innovate and enhance its tourism offerings, it remains committed to providing exceptional experiences that meet the evolving demands of global travelers.

This dedication to excellence is reflected in Vietnam’s esteemed position in Flight Center’s top 10 global travel destinations.

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