Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has set out a series of proposals at the second Asia Zero-Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders’ Meeting in Laos, while urging countries to take more drastic actions toward achieving net-zero emissions across Asia soon. He proposed that AZEC member countries accelerate research, development, and transfer of new-generation energy technologies to help minimize greenhouse gas emissions in all economic sectors. AZEC countries should strengthen policy coordination through the ‘Asia Zero Emissions Center’ and enhance cooperation in training high-quality human resources and smart governance for the green and energy technology sector in every country, Chinh suggested. The meeting wrapped up by adopting the AZEC Leaders’ Joint Statement as a foundation for member countries to proceed with cooperation activities. As a platform for cooperation towards carbon neutrality/net-zero emissions in Asia, AZEC currently has 11 partner countries, including Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Themed "ASEAN: Promoting Connectivity and Resilience", the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related meetings featured nearly 20 activities, brought together more than 30 leaders from ASEAN countries and partners, more than 2,000 delegates, resulting in the adoption of nearly 90 documents. Key achievements included the adoption of the ASEAN Vision Statement on the Indo-Pacific, aimed at establishing a regional framework with ASEAN at its centre. Throughout the four-day summits, PM Chính and the Vietnamese delegation engaged in over 60 bilateral and multilateral activities. In bilateral meetings with high-ranking Lao leaders, PM Chính reiterated Việt Nam's commitment to its great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Laos. The successful summits and bilateral engagements underscored Việt Nam's proactive, positive, and responsible image, bolstering its relations with partners and contributing to ASEAN's solidarity and consensus, Sơn said.

HÀ NỘI – Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on October 12 stressed the need to promote three strategic breakthroughs of digital institutions, digital infrastructure, and digital human resources to enable Việt Nam to catch up with other nations, advance, and thrive in the new era. Chairing an event to celebrate the National Digital Transformation Day 2024 held at the Government headquarters and connected online with 63 provinces and cities, Chính, who is Chairman of the National Committee for Digital Transformation, emphasised that digital transformation was an inevitable trend, an objective requirement, a strategic choice and a top priority for rapid and sustainable development. Việt Nam has made significant progress in international digital transformation rankings. Revenue from the digital technology industry in the first nine months of this year was estimated at US$118 billion and that from software and digital services at $6.64 billion. Regarding human resources training, Chính emphasised the need to diversify training methods, with focus on digital skills that align with market demands, and support national digital transformation and the development of the digital economy and society.

HÀ NỘI - Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà met with leaders from the China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) and the China Railway 16th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. (CRCC16) in Hà Nội on October 11, expressing interest in learning from China’s extensive experience in railway construction. Hà also pointed out that once cooperation projects between CRCC and Vietnamese companies are completed, they will lay the groundwork for CRCC’s future investments in Việt Nam, following China’s top standards, regulations, and design models. CRCC Chairman Đới Hợp Căn expressed his eagerness to work closely with the Vietnam Railways Corporation and Trường Sơn Construction Corporation on infrastructure projects in Việt Nam. Beyond railway projects, he also expressed interest in expanding cooperation in areas such as seaport and airport construction, green energy development, and the use of environmentally friendly technologies and materials. In Việt Nam, CRCC has been involved in projects such as the modernisation and renovation of the country’s railway signalling system, the supply of railway materials, and the planning of the Lào Cai-Hà Nội-Hải Phòng railway route through its Design Institute 5.

It provides young Vietnamese scientists with opportunities to learn, expand international cooperation in basic and applied research, and engage with businesses. In mid-September, the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) officially issued and provided the National Digital Transformation Day 2024 identity set for free on the National Digital Transformation Portal at https://dx.gov.vn. Nguyen Quang Thanh, Director of the Da Nang Department of Information and Communications said the city has received two prizes at the Vietnam Digital Awards 2024. Pierre Du Ville, head of the Wallonie-Bruxelles Delegation in Vietnam, noted that the event would enhance the fine cooperation between Vietnam and Belgium. Ho Chi Minh City to host Vietnam Bakery Cup 2024The Vietnam Bakery Cup 2024, the first international cake making contest in Vietnam, is scheduled to take place from December 11 to 14 at the Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center in Ho Chi Minh City.

At his meeting with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, PM Chinh proposed that South Korea continue to provide preferential loans for Vietnam to implement large-scale, symbolic infrastructure projects such as railways and expressways. President Yoon agreed with Chinh’s proposals, adding that he wishes Vietnam would make it easier for Korean investors to join not only infrastructure projects but also those in urban development, energy, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Vietnam. PM Chinh affirmed that Vietnam will continue to create favorable conditions for Korean investors to do long-term business in Vietnam. He asked the WB to continue to provide Vietnam with preferential loans for key projects to build high-speed railways, subways, seaports and large airports. Ferro agreed with Chinh about giving priorities to such key, large-scale infrastructure development projects that contribute to boosting the national economy development.

HÀ NỘI — Girl Takeover 2024, an initiative to empower young women to step into leadership roles and promote gender equality, was launched on Friday by the Embassy of Sweden and Plan International Việt Nam. Through this initiative, girls will take over key leadership positions for a day, symbolising their capacity to lead and influence the world around them. Girl Takeover 2024 showcased the incredible potential of girls and young women to lead and instigate positive change, she said. Research shows that when young women are given the chance to realise their potential, they inspire others, create collective strength, and contribute to more resilient economies. Migena Shulla, Country Director of Plan International Việt Nam, said “Empowering young people is essential for long-term, sustainable solutions.”Initiatives like Girl Takeover amplified their voices and equipped them to effect real change.

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội stands on the cusp of significant opportunities to evolve into a 'civilised, cultured and modern' capital, characterised by a high standard of living and quality of life, seventy years after its liberation. According to Hoài, the resolution serves as a new manifesto for the capital’s development in the new era. Exceptional effortsHowever, to turn the plans into a reality that defines the future of Hà Nội as a 'Red River miracle' exceptional efforts are necessary. “Without this, it will be challenging to envisage how Hà Nội can leverage its millennium-old cultural heritage within a modern context," he added. Thiên, said that Hà Nội had not fully harnessed its substantial developmental potential over the past time.

THỪA THIÊN HUẾ — The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development coordinated with the United Nations (UN) representative agencies in Việt Nam and the Thừa Thiên-Huế provincial People's Committee on Friday held a ceremony in response to the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction and ASEAN Day for Disaster Management in Huế City. Under the theme "Empowering the next generation for a resilient future", the 2024 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction highlights the role of education in protecting and empowering youth for a disaster-free future. The official said children are among the most vulnerable groups to natural disasters. The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is observed by the UN every year on October 13. It is dedicated to fostering awareness of disasters and their impact on living beings as well as to praising individuals and groups working in the field of natural disaster prevention and control.

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội has achieved remarkable milestones in enhancing literacy, nurturing talent and providing comprehensive educational quality over the past 70 years since the liberation of the capital. Furthermore, Hà Nội students achieved 339 medals, placing second overall at the 2024 National Phù Đổng Sports Festival. Despite numerous challenges, just ten days after the capital city was completely liberated, Hà Nội schools began the first academic year. The law also underscores the necessity of investing in the establishment of high-quality public schools, educational institutions and multi-level educational facilities that ensure conducive learning environments. It also mandates that public educational institutions collaborate with foreign educational establishments to narrow the gap between the public schools and private schools.

Global Care held a ceremony on Wednesday to announce that Poni Insurtech had become a strategic shareholder by acquiring a significant stake in the company. Representatives of Global Care and Poni Insurtech press symbolical buttons to announce the latter as the former’s strategic shareholder. "The acquisition marks a significant milestone for Global Care,” said Dinh Thi Ngoc Niem, CEO of Global Care. However, a specialized platform like Global Care, which allows customers to visually compare insurance products, stands out as unique. By leveraging technology, Global Care contributes to promoting the digital technology revolution and changing the traditional insurance industry.

A suspected food poisoning incident at a Ho Chi Minh City high school led to the hospitalization of five students who presented at a local hospital with vomiting and abdominal pain following their lunch on Thursday. The emergency team took these five students, including one 11th grader and four 12th graders, to the hospital where they received fluids and pain-relief medicines. Their condition eventually stabilized and their vomiting and abdominal pain dissipated. They were discharged from the hospital on Thursday evening to continue recovering at home upon their parents’ requests. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

PM Wong also warned of further crises in the future, which is why Asean and its partners should work on building collective resilience to future shocks. So, it is significant that we are further improving on the ACFTA,” said PM Wong, referring to Asean’s trade with China. Meanwhile, Asean and South Korea boosted ties by upgrading their dialogue relations to that of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). Before this, Asean had only established CSPs with Australia, China, India, Japan and the US, with that being considered the highest level of bilateral ties between Asean and its dialogue partners. The East Asia Summit, which was established in Asean in 2005, brings together Asean member states as well as its eight key partners, Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the US.

With record-high cocoa bean prices, many candy companies are struggling to stay afloat in Vietnam. Africa is responsible for nearly 75 percent of the world's cocoa bean production, and supply cuts from this region have been a key factor driving up cocoa prices globally. Cocoa bean prices on the riseThe price of fresh cocoa beans in Vietnam's Central Highlands has tripled over the past year, with farmers now selling them for between VND11,500 (US$0.46) and VND13,000 ($0.52) per kilogram. Many firms believe that more manufacturers worldwide are turning to Vietnam for cocoa bean supply given severe shortages in Africa. In 2022, Vietnam churned out 5,300 tonnes of cocoa beans across approximately 3,400 hectares.

HÀ NỘI — A special book week will focus on new ways of driving Việt Nam forward in terms of technology. Deputy Minister Định was speaking at Thursday's opening ceremony for the Science and Technology Book Week 2024. He emphasised that this year's Book Week is themed 'Knowledge and Technology: A Journey of Innovation' to highlight the central role of science and technology in Việt Nam's drive for modernisation. "The recent Politburo's decree on science and technology has reaffirmed its pivotal role in driving Việt Nam's growth as the country navigates the complexities of a globalised market economy," said Định. The Book Week features a comprehensive collection of print and electronic books highlighting Việt Nam's remarkable achievements since Đổi Mới (The Renewal).