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).

At the opening ceremony of the Five Nations Stamp Exhibition-Vietnam (Photo: vietnamnet.vn)On display are 71 stamp collections featuring 300 frames of collectors from Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and Hong Kong (China). It also helps to promote philately and stamp collecting from a national level to the highest international level, the organising board noted. At the opening ceremony, Chu Thi Lan Huong, executive vice president of the Vietnam Post Corporation (VNPOST), also introduced two sets of stamps that have just been released to the public by the Ministry of Information and Communications. They include the "150th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (1874-2024)" commemorative stamp, as well as the postage stamp series “Celebrating 70 Years of Hanoi's Liberation 10/10/1954 - 10/10/2024”. The exhibition will last until October 12.

According to VEC’s report, traffic on its expressways continued to grow in the first nine months of the year. The expressways under VEC’s management—Nội Bài-Lào Cai, Cầu Giẽ-Ninh Bình, Đà Nẵng-Quảng Ngãi, and HCM City-Long Thành-Dầu Giây—safely served 50.5 million vehicles. The Cầu Giẽ-Ninh Bình Expressway followed with 16.9 million vehicles but had the lowest growth rate at 7.4 per cent. Despite the highest growth rate of 14.6 per cent, the Đà Nẵng-Quảng Ngãi Expressway saw the lowest traffic volume, with just 2.1 million vehicles. “In the first nine months of this year, traffic safety on VEC’s expressways was well-coordinated between operating units and law enforcement.

It is expected to help open a new beginning in sustainable rice production in the region. Vietnam Rice Industry Association (VIETRISA) Chairman Bui Ba Bong said that promoting sustainable development of the rice sector is an important task of all Southeast Asian countries. Taiwan ICDF representative Ming Hong Yen committed to joining efforts to enhance sustainable rice development, improving livelihoods and income for farmers in Southeast Asian countries. VIETRISA is currently working to build a sustainable rice brand and aims to register the trademark "Green and Low-Emission Vietnam Rice" by the end of this month. State policies also play a crucial role in encouraging the application of biotechnology in agriculture and fostering sustainable development.

Anh ĐứcIn 2000, the hit song 'Hà Nội of the 2000s' blasted through the airwaves in Việt Nam. At the turn of the millennium, poverty was still a prominent issue in Việt Nam -- and not just in Hà Nội. Old and dilapidated apartments from the 70s are also a complication that Hà Nội must deal with to protect the safety of residents. Hà Nội is not perfect, but Hà Nội in 2024 is way better than Hà Nội in the 2000s. And with a promising plan and a generation eager to contribute and change society for the better, Hà Nội in 2034 might progress even further.- VNS

In the first round, Vietnam's representative, Vo Le Que Anh, stood out on stage in a stunning short fringed dress. Que Anh advances to the Top 15 in the "Grand Voice" round. Previously, she had reached the Top 5 in the Grand Voice competition at Miss Grand Vietnam 2024. However, many contestants at Miss Grand International 2024 faced challenges in the Grand Voice round due to less polished performances, as singing is not their strong suit. The representative of Vietnam at this competition is Vo Le Que Anh, Miss Grand Vietnam 2024.

Doctors perform the 8-hour heart and liver transplant at Viet Duc Friendship Hospital. Photo provided by the hospitalA 41-year-old man suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy, leading to severe heart, liver, and kidney failure, has become the first patient in Vietnam to undergo a successful simultaneous heart and liver transplant. The life-saving surgery was performed at the Viet Duc Friendship Hospital (Hanoi), using organs donated by a brain-dead patient. The new heart began beating almost immediately, and within 36 hours, the patient’s liver and heart functions began to recover steadily. This is the first time in Vietnam that doctors have successfully performed a simultaneous heart and liver transplant on a critically ill patient.

Data from the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs reveals that there are currently more than 153,000 temporary and dilapidated houses in need of rebuilding or repairs. Over the past decades, with the determination of the entire political system, many policies on housing support, especially for poor households across the country, have been implemented. From 2000 to 2023, more than 1.7 million houses were built or repaired for poor people and those with disadvantaged backgrounds. 42-NQ/TW on continuing to renovate and improve the quality of social welfare policies. The Resolutiuon sets the goal of "completely eliminating temporary and dilapidated houses for poor households, near-poor households, and people affected by natural disasters and climate change" by 2030.

PARIS — The Việt Nam Vaccine Joint Stock Company (VNVC) and Sanofi on Tuesday signed a document guiding the cooperation in manufacturing some vaccines of the French pharmaceutical group in the Southeast Asian country. Accordingly, Sanofi will broadly share its knowledge and expertise on biotechnology with the Vietnamese partner to create conditions for gradually manufacturing essential vaccines at the VNVC factory in Việt Nam. This important partnership will not only facilitate Vietnamese people’s access to vaccines but also help ensure stable vaccine supply and reduce many expenses. In Việt Nam, it supplied more than 7 million high-quality vaccine doses in 2023. It prioritises cooperation with Sanofi and other pharmaceutical firms so as to manufacture important vaccines and drugs, helping ensure sufficient supply for Việt Nam.

Vietnam acknowledges and appreciates valuable assistance from many international partners in addressing the consequences in recent years, he said. Vietnam, Japan step up sport cooperationThe sports association of the Vietnam People’s Police Force and the Vietnam – Japan international exchange organisation (FAVIJA) will build sport cooperation programmes under a Memorandum of Understanding recently signed between the two sides in Japan. The event was co-organised online by the Vietnam Institute for Tourism Development Research (ITDR) and the Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute (JTTRI). INL Vietnam Director Ryan McKean said that by equipping frontline border officers, their key role in preventing and combating human trafficking will be promoted. The project will also contribute to training and providing essential equipment to support border guards in carrying out this important task, he added.

HÀ NỘI — Recent medical studies have shown that the rate of myopia in Vietnamese children is increasing, especially in cities. Currently, all children under six nationwide are granted free health insurance cards, and nearly 100 per cent of Vietnamese children are fully vaccinated, according to the deputy minister. In HCM City, 75.6 per cent of surveyed children had refractive errors and 52.7 per cent of those had myopia. Myopia and eye diseases can limit children's ability to learn. In the current digital age, children are inevitably exposed to smart electronic devices such as computers and mobile phones, so parents need to remind children to regulate their usage so that they do not spend too much time using the devices.

LONG AN – Long An Province has implemented breakthrough programmes and key projects envisaged under a resolution adopted at the 11th province Party Congress, term 2020-25. The transport programme has focused on eight projects: Lương Bình – Bình Chánh road, Hựu Thạnh – Tân Bửu road, Provincial Road 826E (section from the Provincial Road 826C intersection to Cần Giuộc Bridge), the road connecting Rạch Dơi bridge to Provincial Road 826E, Đức Hoà dynamic axis (road connecting Provincial Road 822 - Provincial Road 823 - Provincial Road 823B - Provincial Road 825), Provincial Road 826D (Tân Tập – Long Hậu) section from Belt Road 4 to Provincial Road 830, upgrading and expanding the Provincial Road 824 section from Tua Một to Ranh Canal bridge, and Hùng Vương Street - the National Highway No. Of these the Hùng Vương Street – National Highway 62 intersection and Provincial Road 824 section have been completed, and the construction of Provincial Road 826D will be done in 2026 - 28. Its vocational training establishments and schools have co-operated with more than 200 companies in the province and elsewhere to provide vocational training in combination with providing jobs for local workers. DoLISA has strengthened advocacy for vocational training and provided counselling for high school students on vocational pathways.

A dozen domestic flights at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City were delayed due to heavy rain on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Southern Airports Authority. Between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm, the airport experienced 11 flight delays due to adverse weather conditions, affecting domestic carriers Vietnam Airlines (four flights), Vietjet (four flights), Bamboo Airlines (two flights), and Pacific Airlines (one flight). A representative from Vietnam Airlines elaborated that the airline had proactively notified passengers about the delays and was working to rearrange flight schedules as quickly as possible. The Southern Airports Authority said that it continues to closely monitor weather conditions to ensure safety and respond promptly to any emergency. Passengers are advised to check flight updates via airline websites or apps as weather conditions may continue to impact schedules.