Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and his spouse will make a state visit to Vietnam from January 29 to 30. Participants will engage in discussions on orientations and visions for the development of Vietnam and HCM City in particular in the future. The event was one among a series of activities to mark the 94th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) (February 3, 1930-2024). The Vietnamese official took the occasion to thank the AAFV for its support to Vietnam over the past 60 years. At the event, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour, and the Vietnam Red Cross Society Central Committee presented 600 gifts to the groups.

The Gie-Trieng people in the border village of Nong Kon in Dak Duc commune, Ngoc Hoi district, are excited with the inauguration of a Rong communal house in their village. The project, costing some 6,000 USD, was a cooperative effort between the local armed forces and community members in Kon Tum province last year. On this occasion, the Gie-Trieng people in the village came together around a campfire to celebrate the new year. Furthermore, exceptional individuals, including students, were recognised and honoured for their remarkable achievements and contributions. In addition to this recognition, financial and housing assistance was provided to local social policy beneficiaries and disadvantaged households./.

At Tinh Bien international border gate on the Vietnam-Cambodia border (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – The Government has issued Decree 5/2024/ND-CP on special preferential import tariffs for Cambodian goods as part of the implementation of the Vietnam-Cambodia trade promotion agreement for the 2023-2024 period. The decree provides details on special preferential tax rates and conditions for being entitled to those rates, including being on the list in Appendix I to the decree, having C/O form S issued by authorised agencies of Cambodia, and being transported through pairs of border gates stipulated in Appendix III to the decree. Besides, the decree also stipulates tariff and import quotas specifically for rice and unprocessed tobacco leaves originating from Cambodia. Under the decree, rice products produced with the support of Vietnamese firms, households and individuals in Cambodian provinces bordering Vietnam, upon import into Vietnam, must comply with existing regulations on export and import taxes. For rice and unprocessed tobacco leaves originating from Cambodia and imported into Vietnam by Vietnamese enterprises for re-export to other markets, the decree mandates adherence to the temporary import and re-export mechanisms established by the Vietnamese Government and relevant regional and global agreements signed by both countries./.

Delegates launch the award's official website. (Photo: VNA)General Director of the Vietnam News Agency Vu Viet Trang speaks at the event. The application of artificial intelligence and technology helps agencies and organisations better understand the targeted customers so as to create products that are both useful and suitable to the desires and preferences of the public, she said.The award is expected to encourage authors with their lenses and enthusiasm to record moments, meaningful actions and wonderful things that technology brings as well as spreading human values and making the life more worth living every day.Works sent to the contest should not violate Vietnamese customs and traditions and should not contain negative contents about politics, religions, belief, or cultural activities. They should not violate copyright and legal regulations.Vietnamese citizens living in the country and abroad are eligible to take part in the contest with entries sent to the organising board by April 30, 2024. Authors can submit works online at https://congnghetutraitim.com.The organisers will present three first prizes each worth 50 million VND (2,025 USD), six second, nine third and 15 consolidation prizes each worth 40 million VND, 30 million VND and 10 million VND to outstanding works./

The program aims to improve the quality of foreign language teaching and learning in the country, with a particular focus on the English language. The program is open to native speakers and foreigners with a college degree in English, or those with a college degree and a minimum foreign language certificate level five, equivalent to C1 proficiency based on Vietnam’s English language proficiency standards. Comprising 11 topics and a total of 160 lessons, each lasting 45 minutes, the program covers essential knowledge about the social and cultural context of Vietnam, the Vietnamese education system, and relevant regulations for teaching and learning in the country. Participants will be trained for English language teaching methods, the development of four language skills, testing and assessment methods, and the integration of information technology into English teaching. Foreigners who already possess English competence and English teaching certifications such as TESOL, TEFL, CELTA and DELTA, are exempt from attending this certification program.

He stressed the importance of addressing these issues to expedite Việt Nam's LNG development agenda in 2024, aligning with the government's Power Plan VIII objectives. Currently, 13 approved investment projects for LNG power plants are in progress, with five actively advancing, four looking for investors, and the remaining four under consideration by local authorities. Economists and industry insiders have long called for measures to address the country's infrastructure and policy-related issues to meet objectives set in the Power Plan VIII. Investors require well-thought-out plans for ports, liquefaction facilities, pipeline systems and gas power plants to assess their capital investments. A robust legal foundation is imperative to attract investments into LNG power projects.

Achieving Việt Nam's development goals for 2030 and 2045 involves overcoming significant challenges through strategic breakthroughs in institutions, infrastructure, and human resources. This aligns with the socio-economic development goal for 2024 and the five-year Plan 2021-2025 set by the Party Central Committee and the National Assembly. Strategic infrastructure projects, especially in highways, airports, ports, urban and inter-regional infrastructure, digital infrastructure, social infrastructure, healthcare and education, are being expedited. A substantial focus is placed on restructuring the economy, improving labour productivity, and fostering innovation, digital and green transformations. Improved capacities in production, services and economic infrastructure significantly contribute to economic growth and social security.

The Vietnamese leaders stressed that in its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of international relations, Vietnam always attaches importance to and prioritises developing relations with Germany. Notably, external affairs maintained a bright spot, contributing to expanding and elevating cooperation between Vietnam and other countries and international partners, he said. In addition, the movement has contributed to the development and modernisation of the blood transfusion sector in Vietnam. Frew thanked the Chairman for his efforts in enhancing the Vietnam - UK cooperation, particularly the legislature’s ratification of the UK - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA). Tung also urged them to employ practical activities to help popularise the image of Vietnam and its people and promote the friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and China.

The stage comes equipped with three consecutive projection domes and employs 300 devices to create a diverse range of special effects, encompassing lighting, flames, water, laser and pyrotechnics. While the cutting-edge technology delivers the awe-inspiring special effects, it's the artists who heighten the emotional experience. "'Kiss of the Sea' is a unique fusion of multimedia special effects and artistic performances. For example, the Earth element represents the distinct essence of Phu Quoc. It's no wonder that Kiss of the Sea has been declared as the hottest outdoor show in the world and the new sensation of Phu Quoc Island.

Lang So” (Digital Village) e-handbook is available at https://langso.dx.gov.vn and https://www.facebook.com/lang.so.mic (Photo: congdankhuyenhoc.vn)Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) has launched “Lang So” (Digital Village) e-handbook at https://langso.dx.gov.vn and https://www.facebook.com/lang.so.mic to help communities promote digital economy and digital society from the grassroots level, contributing to the country's digital transformation process. The app introduces about 30 "Make in Vietnam" digital platforms aimed at solving people's needs in the daily life. Each digital platform helps people easily access services, utilities, and optimise the benefits brought by digital technology. Each person, village, based on internal resources, culture, and local characteristics, can choose to build their own “Digital Village”. The initiative was inspired following the “Digital Transformation Handbook” which helps people use digital technology to solve problems in the daily life and stay ahead in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (third, left), Chairman of the HCM City People's Committee Phan Van Mai (third, right) and other officials. (Source: VNA)Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City Phan Van Mai on January 24 met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier who is paying a two-day state visit to Vietnam from January 23.Mai expressed his hope that the President will continue encouraging German enterprises to expand cooperation and investment in the city in the fields where Germany has strengths such as manufacturing technology, infrastructure and renewable energy, thus contributing to HCM City’s sustainable development.HCM City pledges to continue improving its investment environment, and creating favourable conditions for foreign investors, including those from Germany, he stressed.The official also proposed President Steinmeier encourage and support German educational organisations and businesses to strengthen cooperation with the city in education and vocational training for students, and exchange experiences in educational management and innovation.Mai expected that the German Government will continue to further promote people-to-people exchanges between German localities and HCM City.President Steinmeier spoke highly of the city's dynamic development which has contributed to the overall development of Vietnam over the past years.During his stay in HCM City, he is scheduled to attend a roundtable meeting with German businesses, and visit the Vietnam ese-German University in the neighbouring province of Binh Duong./.

HÀ NỘI — Cashew firms hoped to receive more support from State management agencies to develop raw material areas in Cambodia and southern Laos, the Việt Nam Cashew Association (Vinacas) said. Of which, the area under cultivation was 300,000ha, producing over 345,000 tonnes of cashew nuts. That could help promote the brand of Việt Nam's cashew industry domestically, regionally and internationally. Last year, Việt Nam exported over 644,000 tonnes of cashew nuts, earning US$3.64 billion, according to the General Department of Customs. In 2024, the cashew industry strives to produce 372,000 tonnes of cashew nuts and earn $3.7 billion from exports, according to Vinacas.

HÀ NỘI — President Võ Văn Thưởng and his spouse hosted a banquet in honour of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his spouse at the Hà Nội Opera House on Tuesday evening. The President expressed his delight at the presence of outstanding individuals from the Vietnamese community in Germany accompanying the President. The leader held that the thing that connects Vietnamese and German peoples is the shared history of the two countries. It is the foundation that has created diversity and depth in the bilateral friendship. After the banquet, the President and his delegation were invited to enjoy an art programme presented by the Vietnam National Academy of Music.

Vietnam suggests measures to boost tourism cooperation in ASEANDirector of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) Nguyen Trung Khanh put forth some measures to boost regional tourism cooperation while addressing the 59th Meeting of the ASEAN National Tourism Organisations in Vientiane, Laos, on January 23. Khanh told the meeting that Vietnam welcomed about 12.6 million foreign tourists last year, including about 2.1 million visitors from the ASEAN countries. Miss Ethnic Vietnam 2022 Nong Thuy Hang presents gifts to ethnic kids in Bac Me district of Ha Giang province. (Photo: VNA)Miss Ethnic Vietnam 2022 Nong Thuy Hang went to Ha Giang province’s Sao Ha village, where 94% of the population live in poverty. Ban flower festival to ignite National Tourism Year - Dien Bien Phu 2024The Ban Flower Festival, a highlight of the National Tourism Year 2024, is set to open in the northern mountainous province of Dien Bien on March 16.

At the 59th Meeting of the ASEAN National Tourism Organisations in Vientiane, Laos. (Photo: VNA)– Director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) Nguyen Trung Khanh put forth some measures to boost regional tourism cooperation while addressing the 59th Meeting of the ASEAN National Tourism Organisations in Vientiane, Laos, on January 23.The Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN ) needs to pay more attention to joint activities in three partner countries, namely China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, and take advantage of the strengths of partners and dialogues to promote ASEAN tourism, he said, elaborating that after COVID-19 pandemic tourists tend to travel shorter distances.It is essential for the bloc to seek out tourism standards in the coming years, taking into account emerging regional trends such as golf tourism , the head of the Vietnamese delegation said, adding that this is an attractive product and also a strength of ASEAN member countries.He held that more efforts should be paid to developing and diversifying tourism products , with the participation of the member countries, in which ASEAN can jointly organise a joint regional festival.Khanh told the meeting that Vietnam welcomed about 12.6 million foreign tourists last year, including about 2.1 million visitors from the ASEAN countries. He also expressed optimism about the bright prospects in 2024, saying that the tourism markets of all ASEAN countries will fully recover.Entitled “Quality and responsible tourism - Sustaining ASEAN future”, the meeting focused on discussing and updating the implementation of the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan 2016-2025, and decisions relating to tourism at the 42nd and 43rd ASEAN Summits.