– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the high-level session of the annual Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) in Hanoi on February 21 under the theme “Restoring the economy & Developing supply chain in the new normal”.Addressing the event, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that after 35 years of implementing its "Doi moi" (renewal) process, Vietnam has obtained historical achievements.He highlighted that in 2021, despite unprecedented challenges and difficulties, Vietnam gained encouraging achievements with the solidarity and unanimity of the people and business community as well as support from international friends and partners.Last year, the country’s import-export revenue surged 22.6 percent year on year to a record of nearly 670 billion USD, bringing Vietnam to the top 20 countries with largest trade scale in the world, he noted, adding that the country enjoyed a 9.2-percent rise in foreign direct investment attraction.Vietnam has become one of the six countries in the world with highest COVID-19 vaccination coverage, he said, adding the country has switched to safe, flexible adaptation to and effective control of the pandemic since October 2021.The Party, State and Government of Vietnam highly values the contributions of the business community and share the difficulties that they are facing, especially amid COVID-19, he stressed.He underlined that with the motto of placing businesses in the centre, the Vietnamese Government will continue to implement three strategic breakthroughs – completing institution, developing human resources, and building synchronised and modern infrastructure system.Vietnam is seeing an opportunity to rise strongly on the foundation of the national synergy, position and prestige after 35 years of Doi moi, he said, stressing that it is the time for the country to challenge the mettle, creativity and adaptation capacity of both the Government and business community in the spirit of mutual support, harmonious benefit and shared risk. An overview of the high-level session of the annual Vietnam Business Forum (Photo: VNA)Along with effectively implementing the socio-economic recovery and development programme in parallel with COVID-19 prevention and control, Vietnam will continue to work to keep macro-economy stable, improving the business and investment environment, speeding up digital transformation, boosting the growth of digital economy, digital society, green economy and circular economy, and mitigating climate changes, he said.The PM stated that Vietnam will roll out measures to recover the supply chains as well as business and production activities, while speeding up administrative reform, and developing different factors serving production such as capital, land, resources and science-technology markets.The Vietnamese Government will also work to create an equal environment for all economic sectors, he underscored, saying that the country encourages private and foreign investments in the fields of high technology, support industries, smart agriculture, environmental protection, renewable energy, infrastructure building and social welfare.Vietnam will make full use of advantages from free trade agreements, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to expand markets and diversify business partnership, while strictly handling smuggling and trade fraud, he said.At the event, PM Chinh asked ministries, sectors and relevant agencies to collect ideas from the business community and respond to their feedback.He expressed his hope that the business community will continue to join hands with the Vietnamese Government and people to effectively implement socio-economic targets for 2022.At the event, representatives from business associations gave ideas on how to improve the domestic production capacity, expand the supporting industry, develop inter-sectoral industrial clusters and value chains, and increase linkages between foreign-invested enterprises and their domestic peers.They highlighted the role of financial resources to the development of industrial clusters and supply chains, as well as the significance of sustainable energy and digital economy. They also gave proposals on what Vietnam should do to help the business community to grow fast and sustainably.Established in 1997, VBF is a regular and high-level channel of communication between the business community and Vietnamese Government./.

There are only nine border gates and crossings along the Vietnam-China land border operating after the Lunar New Year festival. (Photo: VNA)There are only nine border gates and crossings along the Vietnam-China land border operating after the Lunar New Year festival, causing difficulties for customs clearance for goods, the General Department of Vietnam Customs said.To deal with goods congestion in northern border gates over the past time, the general department rolled out many solutions to support businesses in customs clearance.However, there still remain difficulties in customs clearance due to stringent COVID-19 prevention and control measures imposed by China, along with the shortages of trucks and workers.Given this, the general department has suggested China’s customs agencies facilitate the process at the border gates where all competent forces are working, especially main and auxiliary gates.It has also called for coordination of Chinese localities, saying more trucks and workers are needed to load and unload goods.The general department has suggested border localities consider upgrading and expanding infrastructure at the border gates and make reports to authorised agencies for approval./.

FPT will continue to research and apply latest technologies such as automation, artificial intelligence , blockchain technology and cloud computing (Source: fpt.ai)Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam has 64,000 digital enterprises and the figure is on the rise, which is a good condition for the country to promote its technological self-reliance to rise stronger, according to General Director of FPT Nguyen Van Khoa. Khoa noted that Vietnam currently ranks 25th in the top 50 digital countries as reported by the US strategic consulting firm Tholons. FPT is confident to make it come true thanks to its 20-year experience of working with the most advanced markets in the world as well as world-class technologies and solutions, along with its 20,000 technology engineers, and especially high quality human resources provided by FPT Education, he stressed. According to Khoa, FPT has coordinated with more than 40 cities and provinces across the country to conduct comprehensive digital transformation and organise training courses for more than 10,000 leadership officials at all levels. Its network covers 27 countries across the world./.

In the qualifying round, the U23 Vietnam team won all two matches to win a ticket to the final round. This is also the fourth time in a row that the U23 Vietnam team have entered the final round. The final round of the AFC U23 Asian Championship 2022 will take place in Uzbekistan from June 1-19. Five members of U23 Vietnam show suspected positive COVID-19 resultsFive members of the U23 Vietnam team had suspected COVID-19 tests prior to its first match at the ongoing 2022 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Youth Championship, according to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF). Vietnam will play against Singapore on February 19 at the Prince Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Illustrative image (Source: VNA)HCM City (VNA) – Vietnam’s stock market is expected to grow further this year as the Government has increased public investment, creating a premise for long-term growth. Given this, investment based on the economy's recovery has been opted by many experts this year. HSBC Global Research has forecast that the VN-Index will reach 1,850 points in 2022 as the prospects of Vietnam’s stock market remain positive this year as well as in the long term. Michael Kokalari, Chief Economist of VinaCapital, said in the “Looking Ahead at 2022” report that Vietnam’s economy will benefit from positive factors and recovery in different sectors. Meanwhile, others like construction will benefit from the Government’s policy aiming to boost public investment./.

Vietnamese Trade Counselor in Algeria Hoang Duc Nhuan (centre) at an online trade exchange on exploiting the potential of Vietnam-Algeria trade and investment cooperation. (Photo: VNA)Algiers (VNA) – A handbook on doing business and investment in the Algerian market in 2021 has been introduced by the Vietnam Trade Office in Algeria. The book aims to help Vietnamese businesses better understand Algeria's policies on trade and investment, thus enhancing business exchange and investment activities between the two countries in the coming time. The Algerian market has a demand for Vietnam's key products, especially coffee, pepper, cashew nuts, and seafood. Statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs showed that trade between the two countries amounted to 300 million USD in 2017, of which Vietnam exports reached about 281 million USD.

(Photo: VNA)Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha also affirmed that green growth and the development of the circular and digital economy will become popular in the post-COVID-19 world. Accordingly, one of the dominant activities of the ministry this year will be intensifying international cooperation, especially those relating to climate and environment, exploiting transboundary water and marine resources. Internal resources will be promoted along with taking advantage of international support to fulfill Vietnam's commitments. The business community, organisations and individuals will be encouraged to pour capital into developing the circular economy. The VASI will proactively recommend the MONRE to strengthen the coordination between the ministry and relevant agencies in the management of seas and islands./.

Politics Vietnam to soon issue policy on visas for foreign tourists The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to complete plans on tourism resumption and devise a policy on visas for foreign tourists, the ministry’s spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said at a press conference on February 17. Politics Measures to be taken to protect legitimate rights of Vietnamese citizens abroad The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has asked the Vietnamese Embassy in Ukraine to announce a hotline on citizen protection to provide timely support for Vietnamese people there when necessary, the ministry’s spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said on February 17. Politics Repatriation of Vietnamese stuck abroad amid COVID-19 sound policy: spokesperson The repatriation of Vietnamese people who are in extremely difficult circumstances abroad and wish to go home amid the COVID-19 pandemic is a sound and humane policy of the Party and the State, spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Le Thi Thu Hang affirmed. Politics Vietnam calls for enhanced solidarity to build strong, resilient ASEAN Community Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has called for solidarity, unity, dialogue, and cooperation to be enhanced to serve as the basis for a strong and resilient ASEAN Community.

Earlier he held the position of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and head of SOM ASEAN Vietnam for many years. The two admitted they were hired to transport the drugs from Laos to Vietnam and were arrested on the way. Binh Thuan wants to host National Tourism Year 2023Binh Thuan Province yesterday, February 16, wrote to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism seeking permission to host the National Tourism Year 2023. The province is also effectively implementing a scheme to develop Binh Thuan into a national sports and tourism center, and mapping a zoning plan for the Mui Ne national tourism area. Among over 2.5 million Covid infections reported in Vietnam, more than 490,000 are children under 18.

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)– Vietnam is ready to join negotiations on a draft resolution which aims to pave the way for an i nternational legally binding agreement on marine litter and plastics to be presented by Peru and Rwanda at the second segment of the 5th UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) in late February.This is part of the tasks set out in the Prime Minister’s decision on approving a project named “Vietnam actively prepares and participates in building a global agreement on ocean pollution”.As an international partner supporting Vietnam in developing contents for negotiations, the World Wide Fund for Nature in Vietnam (WWF Vietnam) recently carried out many specific activities. Pham Manh Hoai, WWF Vietnam’s Plastic Policy and Partnership Programme Manager, said WWF is supporting the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in conducting research to review domestic policies on the management and reduction of plastic pollution, and assess the integration of existing national policies with potential regulations to be built into the global agreement.According to the Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, in 2021, it took an active part in activities and meetings within the UNEA framework. The agency and its counterparts from Germany, Ecuador and Ghana coordinated in holding the Ministerial Conference on Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution in September 2021 to contribute to building the global agreement.

Vietnam will be in the same group with other two Southeast Asian teams of Thailand and Malaysia, along with the Republic of Korea (Photo: VNA)– Vietnam have been drawn in Group C at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U23 Asian Championship final round following the draw results in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on February 17 (Hanoi time).According to the Vietnam Football Federation, Vietnam will be in the same group with other two Southeast Asian teams of Thailand and Malaysia, along with the Republic of Korea, the 2020 champion.The final round of the AFC U23 Asian Championship 2022 will see the competition of 16 teams which are divided into four groups. Eight teams that are group winners and runners-up will advance to the quarterfinals.In the qualifying round, the U23 Vietnam team won all two matches to win a ticket to the final round. This is also the fourth time in a row that the U23 Vietnam team have entered the final round. The team played the final game of the championship in 2018.The final round of the AFC U23 Asian Championship 2022 will take place in Uzbekistan from June 1-19./.

The entire route is expected to operate on a trial basis by December 31, according to Dau tu (Vietnam Investment Review). The event, which is jointly organised by the Vietnamese Cultural Centre in France in collaboration with the Aurore Association and Arcueil city. The award ceremony was hosted by the Vietnam Football Federation in Ho Chi Minh City on February 16. The festival is considered the biggest and most important cultural event of a year of the Chinese-Vietnamese community in Vietnam. A vivid cultural week is underway at Vietnam Pavilion in EXPO 2020 Dubai to promote Vietnam tourism as well as the reputation of Ha Long Bay worldwide.

A proposal by the Ministry of Science and Technology – the compiling agency - on supplementing Article 24a on the copyright and other relevant rights related to the national flag, national emblem and national anthem received great attention. Tung said strict regulations on the promotion and use of the national flag, national emblem and national anthem are necessary to ensure the sanctity of those national symbols in social life, as well as people’s rights towards the national anthem. However, the Standing Committee found that the compiling agency has failed to provide sufficient grounds and information to decide the supplementation of Article 24a, he noted. Tung stressed that the national flag, national emblem and national anthem are both intellectual properties and sacred symbols of the nation. Therefore, the adjustment in this law only would fail to cover the use of the national flag, national emblem and national anthem in a comprehensive, inclusive and complete manner.

A meeting was held on February 15 to discuss the plan to reopen tourism activities in the context of safe, flexible adaptation to and effective control of the COVID-19 pandemic with Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam in the chair. Accordingly, the pilot programme for welcoming international tourists, which was implemented from November 2021 to February 10, has had positive results. Nearly 9,000 international tourists were welcomed while safety was ensured, leaving a good impression on them. Regarding the issuance of entry visa, Vietnam has exempted visas unilaterally for 13 countries and bilaterally for 88 countries and territories. Ministries and agencies have proposed the Government resume the visa issuance for international tourists including electronic visa, unilateral and bilateral visa exemption as from March 15.

The VNA delegation and officials of Lao Cai province pose for a group photo. (Source: VNA)The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai will enhance cooperation in communication work this year under a programme launched in Lao Cai city on February 15.The launching ceremony was attended by VNA General Director Vu Viet Trang and Deputy General Director Dinh Dang Quang, Secretary of the Lao Cai province Party Committee Dang Xuan Phong and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Trinh Xuan Truong, among others.The programme is intended to disseminate the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies and laws among local officials, Party members and residents, and promote Lao Cai’s land, people, achievements in socio-economic development, Party building and defence-security, and investment potential.Accordingly, the VNA will help Lao Cai popularise diplomatic, political, socio-economic and cultural events in the province this year, especially activities marking its 115th anniversary (July 12) and the 75th anniversary of the provincial Party Committee (March 5).The State-run news agency will also report on the pandemic fight, the process of socio-economic recovery, the restructuring of State-owned enterprises, major investment projects and areas, administrative reform, e-government building, anti-corruption and the settlement of petitions and complaints in Lao Cai, as well as the province's efforts to turn into an economic bridge between Vietnam and other ASEAN member countries, and China’s southwestern region.