The virtual MoU signing ceremony between VUPDA and APA-ID held on November 21. (Photo: VNA)– The Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Agency (VUPDA) and the American Planning Association - International Division ( APA-ID ) on November 21 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further strengthen their partnership in addressing global urban planning challenges. VUPDA President Tran Ngoc Chinh and Chair of APA-ID Jing Zhang officially signed the MoU, solidifying a partnership that promises to foster cooperation and knowledge sharing between the two organisations, with a focus on addressing critical urban planning challenges faced by both Vietnam and the US. "We are excited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of VUPDA and mark this occasion by solidifying our partnership with APA-ID. This collaboration represents a significant milestone in our efforts to address the complex urban planning challenges we face today," said Chinh.

A new bus city tour will take tourists on a journey through the Old Quarter and along West Lake. Photo courtesy of Hanoi Passenger Transport Joint Stock CompanyA new bus tour has been launched in Hà Nội, offering tourists an additional way to explore the cultural and historical landmarks and scenic attractions of the capital city. The Scenic Spots of Thăng Long tour aims to offer new experience to tourists to Hà Nội. VNA/VNS PhotoTickets could be bought directly at booths nearby either Đông Kinh Nghĩa Thục Square or Hà Nội Opera House, or via the website hncitytour.vn. The new bus city tour passes through Hàng Ngang, Hàng Đào, Long Biên Bridge and West Lake that are famous landmarks with ancient craft villages, temples, and pagodas.

The reference exchange rate closed last week at VNĐ23,972 per dollar, down VNĐ42 compared to the previous week. Compared to the October peak at VNĐ24,110 per dollar, the rate currently cools down by about 0.5 per cent. Similarly, the dollar price listed at commercial banks has also continuously gone down in recent days. Compared to a month ago, the dollar price at commercial banks has decreased by about VNĐ300, equivalent to a decrease of about 1.2 per cent. However, if calculated from the peak in recent months when the dollar price at commercial banks exceeded VNĐ25,000 per dollar, the banks’ exchange rate has cooled down by up to 2.4 per cent.

The market’s benchmark VN-Index extended its rallies to finish higher at 1,110.46 points, an increase of 6.8 points, or 0.62 per cent. The breadth of the southern market was positive as the number of gainers surpassed that of losers. The VN30-Index, which tracks the 30 biggest stocks on HoSE, also increased 5.75 points, or 0.52 per cent, to close Tuesday at 1,108.6 points. More than 98.6 million shares were traded on the northern bourse, worth nearly VNĐ2.1 trillion. Limiting the rallies, foreign investors ran away from the market as they net sold nearly VNĐ568 billion on HoSE.

Veeramalla Anjaiah (R), a senior researcher at the Jakarta-based Centre for Southeast Asia Studies (CSEAS), grants an interview to the VNA's correspondent. (Photo: VNA)– Vietnam has obtained major successes in the international arena thanks to its “bamboo diplomacy” policy, an Indonesian scholar has said.Talking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondent in Indonesia, Veeramalla Anjaiah, a senior researcher at the Jakarta-based Centre for Southeast Asia Studies (CSEAS), highly evaluated Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s contributions to Vietnam’s diplomacy through the introduction of the term “ bamboo diplomacy ” in 2016.Bamboo is important to the history, culture, and daily life of the Vietnamese people, and it symbolises strength, durability, and resilience. It now has diplomatic relations with more than 190 countries, and comprehensive strategic partnerships (CSP) with the US, China, Russia, India, and the Republic of Korea. It has become a country friendly to all.In 2019, the S-shaped nation made strong impression when it was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020 - 2021 term with 192 approval votes out of the total 193. The country has also called for an effective code of conduct in the East Sea to be achieved to sustain peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the region, according to the researcher./.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh speaks at a meeting (Photo: monre.gov.vn)- The building of the national land database has achieved certain results, but still lags behind schedule, reported the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment The activity aims to serve the State management, providing public services related to land, and sharing land information with ministries, agencies, organisations, and individuals.At the same time, it establishes a data platform to support the operation of e-Government towards a digital Government, digital economy and digital society Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh suggested building a draft project on the construction, operation, exploitation, and use of land database.The Department of Digital Transformation and Data for Natural Resources and Environment was assigned to refer to international partners to ensure that once completed, the land database system will meet the needs of State land management agencies and process land-related administrative procedures, toward applying artificial intelligence to analyse strategic objectives and provide digital services related to land data./.

Hà Nội has among the highest levels of English proficiency in Việt Nam. VNA/VNS PhotoViệt Nam has improved its global ranking in English proficiency, ranking 58th out of 113 non-native English-speaking countries, according to the EF English Proficiency Index (EPI) by Education First (EF). The Red River Delta, with a focus on Hà Nội, has the highest English proficiency in Việt Nam, with men outperforming women. In Central Asia, English proficiency is low and stable, with higher-than-average gender gaps in favour of men in almost every country. In East Asia, adult English proficiency has been decreasing in the past four years.

Politics Party leader’s book on Vietnam’s diplomacy launched A book of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on the building and development of Vietnam’s diplomacy deeply imbued with the characteristics of “Vietnamese bamboo” made debut at a ceremony held in Hanoi on November 21. Politics Minister applauds results of defence cooperation with EU Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang received Ambassador Julien Guerrier, Head of the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Vietnam, in Hanoi on November 21. Politics ☕ Afternoon briefing on November 21 The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.

Vietnam is currently ranked 11th among the 30 countries worldwide with the highest burden of TB and multidrug-resistant TB. The country detected 103,120 TB patients in 2022, up nearly 31% year-on-year, and 1.8% against that of 2020, proving the strong recovery of the National TB Control programme. DAVIFO will work harder to better assist Vietnamese people, while enhancing cooperation with the Sweden – Vietnam, Norway - Vietnam friendship organisations to promote Vietnam’s image in the three Scandinavian countries, she pledged. Vietnam, Azerbaijan consolidate traditional friendship Vietnam always attaches importance to consolidating the friendship and cooperation with traditional partner countries, including Azerbaijan, said Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and head of its Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung. He said President of Azerbaijan and YAP Chairman Ilham Aliyev highly values the strengthening of cooperation with Vietnam in all fields.

HÀ NỘI - Việt Nam has had the fastest digital economic growth rate in Southeast Asia for two consecutive years. "E-commerce and digital economy are among the bright spots in Việt Nam's socio-economic development," said Tân. The total gross merchandise value (GMV) traded on the country's digital environment is expected to reach a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20 per cent, from US$30 billion this year to nearly $45 billion by 2025. In particular, GMV growth in the next two years of the country's digital economy will be led by the e-commerce sector. Speaking at the event, Lê Hoàng Oanh, director of the MoIT’s Việt Nam E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency (iDEA) proposed many solutions in related fields.

Gen Hoang Xuan Chien led the Vietnamese delegation, while the Lao and Cambodian delegations were led by Deputy Minister of Defende Lieut. Gen. Vongkham Phommakone, and Deputy commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Joint Chief of Staff, respectively. Read full story - The building of the national land database has achieved certain results, but still lags behind schedule, reported the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.The activity aims to serve the State management, providing public services related to land, and sharing land information with ministries, agencies, organisations, and individuals. He added presentations that spotlighted Vietnam’s experience in post-pandemic response and recovery were highly commended by foreign delegates. Read full story

UNITED NATIONS — Peace was the prerequisite for development, Ambassador Đặng Hoàng Giang, Việt Nam’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), has affirmed. He said the UNSC needed to work more effectively in preventing conflicts, arms races and resolving conflicts by peaceful solutions. Giang believed that the UN, including the UNSC, needed a comprehensive approach to promote peace and sustainable development, breaking the vicious cycle of conflict and poverty. More than anyone else, Việt Nam understood the importance of promoting socio-economic development and ensuring the welfare of the people in maintaining peace and stability, said Giang. The UNSC plays an important role in ensuring international peace and security to create conditions for development.

HÀ NỘI Enterprises in the shipping industry reported disappointing third-quarter business results with several companies facing losses. Việt Nam Sea Shipping Joint Stock Company (VOS) recently disclosed its business results with a substantial loss, reflecting the challenging conditions prevailing in the shipping market. This is in stark contrast to the profit of nearly VNĐ152 billion recorded during the same period last year. With no recorded revenue during this period, the company solely incurred business management costs, resulting in an after-tax loss of nearly VNĐ1.7 billion. Significantly, after four consecutive months of growth, exports exhibited signs of decline in September, dropping by 4.1 per cent compared to August.

Classifying carrots for export (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s vegetable export revenue is forecast to reach about 1-1.5 billion USD by 2030 under a project recently approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The nationwide vegetable production is estimated at 23-24 million tonnes, with around 1-1.3 million tonnes designated for processing. By 2030, the national vegetable cultivation is projected to cover an area of some 1.2-1.3 million hectares. Regarding the domestic market, the focus is on continuing to assist enterprises, cooperatives and households in building brands for safe vegetables. Distribution channels for safe vegetables will be diversified with the establishment of trading platforms, supply-demand connectivity, exhibitions, and trade promotion activities.

Luc Frieden,Prime Minister of Luxembourg (Photo: DPA)Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on November 20 sent a message of congratulations to Luc Frieden on his election as Prime Minister of Luxembourg. The same day, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son also extended his congratulations to Xavier Bettel on being appointed as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg./.