President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Singaporean Ambassador Jaya Ratnam at the meeting on February 1. (Photo: VNA)President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) receives Egyptian Ambassador Mahmoud Hassan Nayel on February 11. (Photo: VNA)– President Nguyen Xuan Phuc received the ambassadors of Singapore and Egypt at separate meetings in Hanoi on February 11.Talking to Singaporean Ambassador Jaya Ratnam, the State leader stressed that the two countries’ cooperation has been thriving, especially in trade and investment, since his official visit as the Prime Minister of Vietnam to the city state in April 2018.Ambassador Jaya Ratnam noted though 2021 was a year full of difficulties for both countries and the world, the two sides have sustained close relations as seen in high-level talks. Singapore ’s investment in Vietnam’s industrial parks topped 14 billion USD, and the two nations mutually supported in health care, including in COVID-19 vaccine and medical supplies.He vowed utmost efforts to bolster bilateral ties, particularly in economy, trade, investment, defence, and security.Applauding the diplomat’s determination, President Phuc spoke highly of the coordination among the countries’ agencies, ministries, and sectors to further intensify the Vietnam - Singapore strategic partnership and work towards the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2023.He asked the two sides to maintain all-level mutual visits, restore commercial flights, boost defence cooperation, consider new cooperation areas like defence industry, search and rescue, and promote collaboration in human resources development.The host leader also thanked Singapore for its precious and timely assistance for Vietnam in the pandemic combat, calling for mutual recognition of “vaccine passports” and favourable conditions for each other’s people and businesses to travel and do business.Meeting with outgoing Ambassador of Egypt Mahmoud Hassan Nayel, President Phuc highly valued his guest’s contributions to the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries.He affirmed that Vietnam always treasures the long-standing bilateral relations, noting even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the countries have still enhanced ties in multiple fields, including trade which rose from over 491 million USD in 2019 to 515 million USD in 2020. They have also consistently supported each other at international and regional forums.Ambassador Mahmoud Hassan Nayel thanked relevant agencies of Vietnam for their active support for his embassy to fulfill duties, adding that he always views Vietnam as his second homeland.He expressed his hope that in the time to come, bilateral trade will continue to be fostered and high-level mutual visits resumed.Sharing the diplomat’s view on the huge potential of their countries’ cooperation, President Phuc asked the two sides to increase high-level delegation exchanges and meetings, as well as those between ministries, sectors, and enterprises to tighten links.They should also work together to fruitfully organise the 6th meeting of the Vietnam - Egypt Inter-governmental Committee in 2022; actively carry out the signed agreements such as the investment facilitation and protection agreement, the memorandum of understanding on rice trade between the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and the Egyptian Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade, and the cooperation memorandum between the MoIT and the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources; and step up partnerships in education - training, tourism, and agriculture, according to the President.He voiced his hope that after returning to Egypt , Mahmoud Hassan Nayel will continue supporting the countries’ relations to develop in various spheres.For his part, the Egyptian ambassador pledged more dedication to bilateral ties, especially when his country is the host of the UN Climate Change Conference 2022 (COP27), which will give both sides many chances for stronger cooperation in the climate change issue./.

Vietnam records nearly 1,400 cyber attacks in JanuaryVietnam posted 1,383 cyber attacks in the first month of 2022, an increase of 10.29 percent from December 2021, according to the Vietnam National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). Algeria hopes for stronger economic partnership with Vietnam: AmbassadorAlgeria hopes to further bolster its economic partnership with Vietnam to match the sound political ties between the two countries, according to Algerian Ambassador to Vietnam Boubazine Abdelhamid. Regarding cooperation priorities in 2022, the diplomat said that the two sides will organise the 12th meeting of the Algeria-Vietnam Cooperation Committee and the Algerian Culture Week in Vietnam this year. International tourism forecast to recover strongly in Vietnam in 2022The number of international searches about Vietnam tourism is on an upward trend, which is considered as a positive sign for the Vietnam's industry, especially in the efforts to revive it and regain growth momentum. The Department of Construction and Quality Management of Traffic Works takes responsibility for proposing the establishment of a working group for the Steering Committee.

US automaker Ford's production in Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)Adam Sitkoff, executive director from the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Hanoi. (Photo: tinnhanhchungkhoan.vn)There are great opportunities and a bright future for US companies within sight in Vietnam despite the economic implications of the COVID-19 for the country, said Adam Sitkoff, executive director from the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Hanoi, in a recent interview. US companies and investors have contributed significantly to the transformation and growth of Vietnam’s economy, Sitkoff told Dau Tu (Vietnam Investment Review). A trade deal would improve investment and trade flows, assist sustainable supply chains, enhance business conditions that strengthen the private sector, ensure sustainable economic and social development, and promote prosperity in Vietnam, he stated./.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang on February 10 held talks with Resident Representative of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam Caitlin Wiesen. (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Minister of Foreign AffairsGiang spoke highly of contributions by the two UN agencies to socio-economic development in Vietnam, and thanked them for their support to Vietnam in the fight agaist the COVID-19 pandemic. Vietnam will prioritise post COVID-19 socio-economic recovery in a green, sustainable and inclusive fashion, and promote innovation, he said, welcoming key areas of the 2022-2026 Country Programme Document (CPD) and the 10th Country Programme for Vietnam recently approved by executive boards of UNDP and UNFPA. The Deputy Minister also praised cooperation between UNDP and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in organising an international conference on green, sustainable, inclusive socio-economic recovery and innovation this month, and expressed his belief that the conference would result in policy proposals useful for post-pandemic recovery in Vietnam and the world. Nhập mô tả Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative in Vietnam Naomi Kitahara (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)Wiesen and Kitahara, for their part, affirmed the importance that UNDP and UNFPA attach to the cooperative relations with Vietnam, and lauded the active and responsible cooperation of Vietnamese ministries and agencies.

An aerial view of Ca Mau Cape in the Mekong Delta province of Ca Mau, which is also located in the southermost of Vietnam (Photo: VNA)– The Mekong Delta, the largest agricultural hub of Vietnam, should be confident to surmount difficulties and become a role model in climate change adaptation in the world, said Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan.Agriculture will remain a pillar of the economy in the coming years, so it needs to grow in a new direction which is shifting from separate development within each locality to inter-locality and inter-regional connectivity to boost common development, he told a meeting with agriculture officials of the 13 Mekong Delta localities in Bac Lieu province on February 9.Hoan said the local agriculture sector should adopt the production models generating high economic values and enriching farmers.Highlighting the tasks for 2022, the minister asked the localities to boost eco-farming to meet the global consumption demand, noting that agriculture should not be developed at the expense of the environment or people’s health.They need to stay dynamic, flexible, and adaptive to the new normal context while effectively developing the rural economy, creating jobs, and raising locals’ income, which can be done by setting up cooperatives and improving their operations, he recommended.Local agriculture officials said since the Government issued a resolution on sustainably developing the Mekong Delta in adaptation to climate change in November 2017, the localities have been making efforts to weather difficulties and challenges and carry out agricultural promotion solutions, thus achieving fruitful outcomes.International organisations and development partners have also highly valued and actively assisted the region to expand farming, they noted.They also pointed out certain problems such as the imbalance in food security, environmental pollution, land subsidence, the depletion of underground water and water from the upstream Mekong River, riverbank and coastal erosion, along with human resources and infrastructure issues, calling for support from the ministry to address those problems in the time ahead./.

The Vietnamese national women’s football team beat Chinese Taipei 2-1 on February 6 in a play-off match of the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup, securing a berth in the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 for the first time. Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Tran Viet Truong said that the resolution is a new opportunity to promote the rapid development of Can Tho – one of the five centrally-run cities of Vietnam. Up to 775 entries by Vietnamese and Korean were submitted to the contest, launched by the Embassy of Vietnam in the RoK and the Embassy of the RoK in Vietnam last October and November. This brings the total caseload in Vietnam to 2,404,651 infections. Many localities face post-Tet Covid-19 outbreakMany localities in Vietnam are experiencing Covid-19 outbreaks after the Lunar New Year Tet holiday.

– The Republic of Korean (RoK) always considers Vietnam a key partner in its New Southern Policy, stated RoK President Moon Jae-in while receiving visiting Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on February 9.Son is paying an official visit to the country from February 9 to 11 at the invitation of his RoK counterpart Chung Eui-yong , during which the official is scheduled to attend a meeting of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)’s Southeast Asia Regional Programme (SEARP).Hosting the Vietnamese minister, President Moon expressed his hope that the two nations will soon elevate their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership and recommended the sides increase their collaboration regarding regional and international issues of common interest.He also requested that Vietnam further facilitate RoK firms' operation in the country, particularly those investing in infrastructure, finance, and large-scale projects.Appreciating Vietnam’s coordinating role for the ASEAN-RoK relations during 2021-2024, the President said the Vietnamese FM's current visit to the RoK will contribute to developing his nation’s ties with Vietnam and ASEAN in the time to come.For his part, Son affirmed Vietnam highly values and wants to foster its relations with the RoK, particularly in organising activities in celebration of the 30th founding anniversary of their bilateral diplomatic relationship and in lifting the ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership this year.He suggested the sides maintain regular high-level exchanges and interactions, create a favourable political environment and effectively implement mechanism for cooperation expansion, especially in economy, trade, investment, and post-pandemic recovery.The diplomat highlighted the goal of raising bilateral trade to 100 billion USD in 2023 and the need to enhance bilateral collaboration in culture, education tourism, labour, people-to-people exchange, and citizen protection.It is also necessary to maintain the bilateral cooperation at multilateral forums, he added.He stressed Vietnam will fulfill its role of coordinator for ASEAN-RoK relations for 2021 – 2024 to achieve more practical and effective progress in the ties.The Vietnamese minister hoped that the two nations will continue to coordinate and affirm their stance on maintaining peace, stability and legal order at sea, respecting the freedom of navigation and overflight and settling the East Sea disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).The sides should continue to support the building of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law and the UNCLOS, Son noted./.

HCM City universities tell students to return on Feb 14Many universities and colleges in HCM City plan to resume in-person classes next Monday (February 14) with strict compliance with COVID-19 pandemic safety measures. HCM City targets attracting 50,000 people to live and work in Thủ Đức by 2025, including 20,000 engineers and other experts. Documentary about Vietnamese music wins at Los Angeles Film AwardsA documentary about Vietnamese music by French filmmaker François Bibonne has been announced as one of the winners at the Los Angeles Film Awards (LAFA). The 30-minute film, entitled Once Upon a Bridge in Vietnam, won the Best Documentary Short in January. Besides, during the period of 2026-2030, all senior citizens in Vietnam will have access to necessary health care services when they are sick.

– The upcoming official visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son is expected to contribute to fostering relations between Vietnam and the RoK, towards a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Vu Tung has said.Son will pay an official visit to the RoK and attend the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development ( OECD )-run Southeast Asia Regional Programme ( SEARP ) ministerial meeting from February 9-11 at the invitation of his RoK counterpart Chung Eui-yong and OECD Secretary General Mathias Cormann.This is the first visit to the RoK by a Vietnamese foreign minister over the past five years, and also the first by Son after his appointment to the position, the ambassador told the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), adding that the visit opens up activities marking the 30th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties (1992-2022).Given complex developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, the visit demonstrates the resolve to maintain and boost the bilateral relationship, he noted.According to the diplomat, Son will hold working sessions with officials of the RoK, during which they will look into the celebration of the diplomatic ties, and orientations for the relations as agreed by senior leaders of the two countries.Priority cooperation areas would be politics-diplomacy, national defence-security, economy and social affairs, for peace, stability, collaboration and development of the two countries, Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and other regions.The two sides will work to consolidate the existing cooperation spheres and open up new ones, while restoring those disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.Son is scheduled to meet with representatives of the Vietnamese community in the RoK, the ambassador said.The minister will attend the OECD-run Southeast Asia Regional Programme (SEARP), to be hosted by the RoK, in his capacity as the co-chair of the programme for 2022-2025.As coordinator for the ASEAN-RoK relations for 2020-2023, Son will also engage in discussions with Korean partners in this regard.

Apart from the award source of the Vietnam Football Federation, a group announced to award the team VND3 billion (US$133,000). The Best Innovation Award went to Dr. Pham Thi Thuy Phuong of Vietnam’s Institute of Chemical Technology under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. The trip was organised on the occasion of the 92nd founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Tet (Lunar New Year), the most important festival of Vietnamese. Book collection on Party’s ideological foundation debutsThe National Political Publishing House has released a collection of more than 160 book titles on the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV)’s ideological foundation. The tourist information website says that riding a motorbike is the best way to experience the daily life of local people, and discover interesting things in Vietnam.

Having adopted a strategy of living with COVID-19, Vietnam relaxed entry regulations on foreign nationals at the end of last month. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has also proposed that, from March 31, Vietnam fully open up to international tourism, with inbound and outbound tourists welcomed at all international border gates./.

A plane of national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines (Photo: VNA)The Vietnam Airlines Group has planned to arrange nearly 200 more flights from February 7 to 10 so as to meet passengers’ rising demand for travel to the southern region following the end of the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, with approval of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV).The flights will be on 14 busiest domestic routes , particularly between HCM City and Hanoi, Da Nang and Hai Phong, among others.Passengers can purchase air tickets at websites, mobile apps and ticket offices nationwide of member carriers of Vietnam Airlines Group, comprising Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines, and VASCO.They are advised to make health declarations on PC-COVID app before reaching the airport to save time.It is the latest flight adjustment during this year’s Tet by Vietnam Airlines Group. In late December 2021, the group announced to increase flight frequency on many routes, with a daily average of 300 flights per leg.The number of seats was also raised by 120 percent to serve the Lunar New Year peak, which falls in late January and early February./.

More than 100 flights, mostly on the Hanoi – HCM City route, are expected to be added from February 6 – 12. Trains to Hanoi and HCM City were also full on the last day of the national holiday. Participants at the event had a chance to enjoy traditional Vietnamese food, play folk games, exchange books and join a music game show. 2, 3 and 4, HCM City- Thủ Dầu Một -Chơn Thành Expressway running from HCM City, through Bình Dương Province to Bình Phước Province, and HCM City- Mộc Bài Expressway between HCM City and Tây Ninh Province. HCM City tourism industry sets plan for 2022HCM City’s tourism sector hopes to attract 3.5 million international visitors and 25 million domestic travellers this year.

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has approved the Country Programme Document for Vietnam for the 2022-2026 period and a financial package worth over 120 million USD. According to UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam Caitlin Wiesen, Vietnam now stands at a critical juncture as it seeks to rebound from COVID-19 in ways that generate growth, are job-rich, sustainable and inclusive. "With UNDP’s new 5- year Country Programme, we deepen our partnership with Vietnam to eradicate persistent poverty and develop pathways that deliver net zero carbon emissions and the Sustainable Development Goals. The Country Programme Document describes how we will foster innovation and shift ecosystems to scale implementation of the SDGs," she said. The UNDP will closely cooperate with its partners to speed up green and inclusive transformation, with the most vulnerable to be given with greater opportunities, she noted./.

At Sa Pa Jade Hill Resort & Spa (Photo: agoda.com)Hanoi (VNA) – Bookings for hotel rooms during Lunar New Year (Tet) festival have surged since early January, especially in four and five-star resorts. Amid the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, most holidaymakers wait until later to decide where to spend the Tet holiday, resulting in higher demand in the days just before Tet compared to the same period last year. Compared to normal days, service prices in hi-end resorts will rise by 30-40 percent together with incentives such as free tickets for children and credit accumulation for dining and beverages. The situation is similar in Alba Wellness by Fusion in Hue, and five-star resorts in Ha Long (Quang Ninh), and Thanh Hoa like Vinpearl or FLC. At Da Lat Wonder Resort (Photo: 2trip.vn)The southern market is also vibrant with many rooms in luxury resorts fully booked during Tet.