Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (L) holds online talks with President of the Liberal Democratic Party and Prime Minister of Japan Kishida Fumio on September 3. (Photo: VNA)

Top leader holds online talks with Japanese PM

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam held online talks with President of the Liberal Democratic Party and Prime Minister of Japan Kishida Fumio on September 3.

Fumio said he believes that the Vietnamese leader will continue to play a crucial role in promoting and deepening the Vietnam-Japan relationship, stressing that Vietnam is an important partner of Japan in the region and the world.

For his part, Lam reaffirmed that Japan is a key partner of Vietnam in its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.

The two leaders expressed their satisfaction at the strong, rapid, and comprehensive development of bilateral relations, particularly the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership for peace in Asia and the world on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties, cited VNA.

They agreed to continue strengthening political trust and mutual understanding through maintaining high-level exchanges in various flexible forms, enhancing the effectiveness of dialogue mechanisms and bilateral cooperation, intensifying economic cooperation as a key pillar of their relationship, and deepening connection between their economies.

The two sides agreed to continue substantively strengthening defence and security cooperation, effectively implementing signed agreements, and deepening connection in human resources, people-to-people exchanges, and cooperation between localities.

The Japanese leader emphasised that Japan will continue to contribute to Vietnam's development through official development assistance (ODA), and expand cooperation with Vietnam in digital transformation, green transition, and training high-quality human resources.

Lam affirmed that Vietnam will continue to significantly improve its investment environment, enhance infrastructure quality, and welcome foreign businesses, including Japanese companies, to invest and operate in Vietnam.

He suggested the Japanese government continue to pay attention to, and have policies that encourage and creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in Japan.

The two leaders also discussed international and regional issues of common concern, including those related to the East Sea, and agreed to strengthen cooperation to reinforce a peaceful, secure, and stable environment in the region.

Vietnam’s Cuc Phuong honored as Asia’s Leading National Park 2024

Cuc Phuong National Park in northern Vietnam has been named Asia’s Leading National Park 2024 by World Travel Awards, according to the management board of the national park.

The honor was presented at the World Travel Awards ceremony held in Manila, the Philippines, on September 3 evening.

The Vietnamese nominee outperformed several strong competitors worldwide, including Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park of Japan, Chitwan National Park of Nepal, Minneriya National Park of Sri Lanka, Kinabalu and Taman Negara National Parks of Malaysia, as well as Cat Tien National Park of Vietnam, to be honored as Asia's Leading National Park for 2024.

This is the sixth consecutive year since 2019 that Cuc Phuong National Park which is also the country’s largest Nature Reserve has been awarded this title.

Established in 1962, Cuc Phuong National Park covers 22,408 hectares of land in three provinces of Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa, and is known for its exceptional biodiversity and stunning landscapes.

The park is home to numerous rare and endangered species, making it a valuable ecological treasure in Asia. Its dense forests house over 2,000 plant species and 300 bird species, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and researchers alike.

It attracts over 10,000 visitors annually, many of whom are international tourists, according to VOV.

Cuc Phuong National Park is Vietnam's largest Nature Reserve.

The park has implemented successful conservation programmes to protect its diverse flora and fauna. It has established rescue and rehabilitation centers for endangered species such as primates and turtles.

In addition, it has involved local communities in its conservation efforts by promoting community-based ecotourism initiatives, providing alternative livelihoods for locals while promoting sustainable tourism.

Visitors to the park can enjoy a range of ecotourism activities such as hiking trails, wildlife watching, and immersive experiences like staying in ecolodges.

The park also serves as a hub for research and education in biodiversity and conservation, collaborating with various national and international institutions to conduct scientific studies, training workshops, and educational programmes.

The World Travel Awards is a leading global tourism award established annually since 1993. It has become one of the most prestigious and esteemed brands in recognizing outstanding achievements of the tourism industry. It is often referred to as the 'Oscars' of the global travel and tourism industry.

Chinese airline chooses Hanoi as first int'l destination

Chinese carrier Colorful Guizhou Airlines has chosen Hanoi as its first international destination by launching a direct air route between Guiyang city (China) and Hanoi.

The Guiyang-Hanoi route will be operated with a frequency of three round-trip flights per week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, using Airbus A320 aircraft. Previously, the journey from Hanoi to Guiyang took about 12 hours by road, but with the new direct flight, it now takes only about two hours.

Established in 2015, Colorful Guizhou Airlines is a Chinese airline headquartered in Guiyang, Guizhou. The airline owns 20 aircraft, including the Embraer E190 and Airbus A320 models, VNA reported.

With Hanoi chosen as its first international destination, the new direct flights between Guizhou and Hanoi will make it easier for tourists from Guizhou to visit the capital city of Hanoi and nearby northern provinces. Additionally, it offers more options for Hanoi residents planning short-term tours.

In just two hours of flight time, travelers can visit the largest Miao ethnic village in China and the world; explore Jiaxiu Tower, an iconic more-than-400-year-old structure situated on a small island on Nanming River; and admire the Huangguoshu Waterfall, considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls in China.

Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló visits Vietnam this week

President of Guinea-Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embaló and his spouse will pay an official visit to Vietnam from September 5, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The visit has been made at the invitation of Vietnamese Party General Secretary and President To Lam and his spouse, the ministry said in a communique released on September 3.

Vietnam and Guinea-Bissau established bilateral diplomatic relations on September 30, 1973.

In its foreign policy, Vietnam consistently values traditional friendly relations and seeks to develop multifaceted cooperation with its African friends, including Guinea-Bissau.

Guinea-Bissau also places high importance on its traditional friendship with Vietnam and aims to enhance effective cooperation between the two countries.

On June 27, Guinea-Bissau's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Nancy Raisa Cardoso, visited Vietnam and attended the funeral of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, cited VOV.

Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló. (Photo: AFP)

During subsequent talks, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang affirmed that Vietnam is ready to support Guinea-Bissau in developing agriculture through bilateral or trilateral agricultural cooperation projects, thereby gradually helping the African state ensure and achieve food security.

The two sides agreed to enhance visit exchanges at all levels, support each other at international forums and act as bridges to bolster cooperation with regional organizations such as the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Both sides expressed a desire to boost information exchange, explore cooperation opportunities, and connect businesses. They vowed to further promote key traded items such as cashews and expand into other potential items like agricultural products and textiles.

Additionally, they planned to sign bilateral cooperation agreements on agriculture, seaports, and trade.

Meteorologists warn of potential super typhoon Yagi in East Sea

Meteorologists are warning that Typhoon Yagi, currently in the East Sea, could intensify into a super typhoon by September 6, potentially threatening Hainan Island and the Gulf of Tonkin.

As of 4 p.m. on September 3, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF) reported that the center of Typhoon Yagi was located in the northeastern part of the East Sea, with maximum sustained winds reaching 102 km/h and gusts up to 120 km/h. The storm is moving northwest at approximately 15 km/h.

Forecasts indicate that Typhoon Yagi will continue to strengthen over the next few days, with wind speeds potentially reaching 150 km/h and gusts up to 180 km/h. The storm is expected to head towards Hainan Island and the Gulf of Tonkin, with a high likelihood of directly impacting northern and central Vietnam.

Dr. Huy Nguyen, a climate change and disaster warning expert, shared his analysis of Typhoon Yagi’s potential trajectory and intensity. According to Dr. Nguyen, Yagi has already moved past Luzon Island in the Philippines, which typically weakens storms due to its mountainous terrain. However, Yagi managed to avoid the higher mountain ranges, allowing it to retain its structure and intensity as it entered the East Sea, VNN reported.

Path of Typhoon No. 3. Source: VNDMS

“The sea surface temperature in the northern part of the East Sea is currently around 31°C, providing ample energy for Yagi to strengthen,” Dr. Nguyen noted. “We expect Yagi to reach typhoon status by the evening of September 4 and potentially become a super typhoon by September 6 as it nears the coast of Hainan Island and the Leizhou Peninsula.”

Dr. Nguyen also pointed out that the storm’s path will significantly affect its intensity. If Yagi passes over the high mountains of Hainan Island, it will likely weaken. However, if it moves through the strait between Hainan and Leizhou, it could maintain much of its strength, posing a greater threat to the Gulf of Tonkin.

The current models from the United States’ GFS and Canada’s CMC suggest Yagi will make landfall on the Leizhou Peninsula, while the European ECMWF model predicts it will pass over Hainan Island. Dr. Nguyen leans towards the European model due to the influence of a high-pressure system forming over the Tibetan Plateau, which is likely to steer Yagi westward or slightly northwest towards Hainan Island.

Given the current atmospheric conditions, Dr. Nguyen cautioned that Yagi should not be underestimated. Even if the storm weakens after passing Hainan or Leizhou, it could still maintain wind speeds of up to 150 km/h as it approaches the northern coast of Vietnam.

Coastal provinces from Thanh Hoa to Quang Ninh are advised to prepare for the storm. Measures include reinforcing roofs, securing loose objects, and planning for the evacuation of residents from low-lying and vulnerable areas.

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