Viet Nam News documentary wins at US film festival
One Year On: The Essex Lorry Tragedy (Photo: VNA)- A documentary written and produced by Viet Nam News has won top prize at an international film festival in the US.One Year On: The Essex Lorry Tragedy was made for the first anniversary of the deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants who were found in the back of a lorry container in Essex, UK. Viet Nam News journalists Paul Kennedy and Ho Hoang travelled to Yen Thanh district, Nghe An province, central Vietnam, to a small community hit hard by the tragedy.On December 18, judges at the Erie International Film Festival announced the documentary produced by the multimedia department of Viet Nam News had won first prize in the Documentary Short category.Frank Leczner, Jr., Festival Director, said: “I am honored to congratulate Viet Nam News on creating a film so very well done, and it was my true pleasure to have had the opportunity to present it to the world. "An incredible film, so well done by very talented filmmakers on a subject matter that was told in a truly touching, respectful, and heart-wrenching way. "The 2021 Erie International Film Festival took place over nine days from December 10 in Pennsylvania. I just hope our production can go some way to highlighting the plight of the poor people who lost their lives in the back of that lorry two years ago.” One Year on: The Essex Lorry Tragedy is available to watch exclusively in Vietnam via Galaxy Play https://galaxyplay.vn/title/one-year-on-the-essex-lorry-tragedy./.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 23, 2021 08:01 UTC
Vietnam, RoK foster on trade, industry, energy cooperation
The production chain of Nexcon Vietnam in Bac Ninh (Photo: VNA)Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and the Republic of Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Sung-wook sign documents following the meetings (Photo: VNA)– Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Sung-wook co-chaired the 11th meeting of the Vietnam-RoK Joint Committee on trade, industry and energy cooperation and the 5th meeting of the bilateral Joint Committee on implementation of the free trade agreement between the two countries on December 22.The two ministers discussed measures to support enterprises in adapting to COVID-19 and maintaining operations, while seeking new motivations for the promotion of partnership between the two countries in trade, industry and energy in the time to come.In the area of trade, the officials agreed to work together to implement measures to expand the scale of bilateral trade, including broadening the market for farm produce and settling trade barriers between the two countries.They concurred to promptly finalise procedures for the signing of an agreement on the implementation of the cumulation of origin of textile materials between the two nations under the Vietnam-UK Free Trade Agreement and continue to coordinate closely in implementing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.In the area of industry, the two ministers agreed to strengthen cooperation to connect the supply chains between the two countries and support enterprises to optimise advantages from FTAs that both countries have signed through technology transfer and capacity improvement in the field of supporting industries, while supporting Vietnam in building a Law on Industry development.In terms of energy, both sides will encourage enterprises to foster partnership in technology transfer in energy, especially new energies. Following Vietnam’s requests, the RoK’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy agreed to continue sponsoring the second phase of a project to promote the in energy efficient investment market in the industrial sector and support the national green development action program in the 2021-2025 period.At the fifth meeting of the Vietnam-RoK Joint Committee on implementation of the bilateral free trade agreement, the two ministers shared delight at the efficiency of the deal, noting that after seven years of implementing the agreement, two-way trade is estimated to rise 2.1 times from 36.5 billion USD in 2015 to 77 billion USD in 2021.Total RoK investment in Vietnam also increased to 74.1 billion USD as of November 2021 from 36.5 billion USD in 2015.The two ministers agreed to continue to work closely together to foster partnership in customs clearance and removing difficulties facing enterprises of both sides, creating a favourable legal corridor to optimise the advantages brought about by the FTA.Following the two meetings, the two ministers signed four documents, including a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on middle and long-term cooperation in commercial urea for industrial use.During Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue’s visit to the RoK, leaders of both sides agreed to work together towards the target of 150 billion USD in two-way trade in 2030 with trade balance./.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 23, 2021 04:06 UTC
Vietnam targets all people using clean water by 2045
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)– A national strategy on clean water supply and sanitation in rural areas by 2030 with a vision to 2045 was announced on December 22 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Vietnam.The main objective of the strategy is that by 2030, 65 percent of the population will have access to clean water that meets the standards set by the Ministry of Health; and 100 percent of households, schools and health stations have basic toilets.By 2045, 100 percent of people will gain access to clean water and safe and sustainable sanitation ; and 50 percent of rural residential areas will have domestic wastewater collection systems.After 10 years of implementing the national strategy on clean water supply and sanitation in rural areas by 2020, at present, 88.5 percent of residents in rural areas use hygienic clean water, of whom 51 percent gain access to clean water that meets the standards set by the Ministry of Health; and 75 percent of rural households have basic toilets.The effective implementation of this strategy has helped improve rural residents’ living conditions and boost socio-economic development, and helped many localities achieve the goal of new-style rural area building.Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative in Vietnam, said that clean water and rural sanitation are the core issues for developing smart human resources, thereby promoting labour productivity and economic growth. Access to clean water and good sanitation means that people are protected well against the risk of diseases.Vietnam has made great strides in improving rural water and sanitation, she said./.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 22, 2021 16:17 UTC
Vietnam, Cambodia solidify defence cooperation
He announced that Cambodia has decided to reopen its whole economy since November after effectively curbing COVID-19 pandemic. In his capacity as Chairman of the Cambodia SEA Games Organising Committee next year, Tea Banh wished to visit Vietnam to learn from its experience in organising the biggest sport event in Southeast Asia. Minister Giang spoke highly of Cambodia’s economic development, especially in urban infrastructure. The Vietnamese minister highlighted a need to continue holding drills against non-traditional risks, search and rescue exercises, enhancing discussions on holding Vietnamese and Khmer languages to the two countries’ trainees. On the occasion, Minister Tea Banh invited Minister Phan Van Giang to pay an official visit to Cambodia in the near future./.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 22, 2021 12:07 UTC
Vietnam should promote new investment wave in Cambodia: President
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc address at the meeting with Vietnamese Cambodian enterprises during his State visit to Cambodia. (Photo: VNA)Vietnam needs to improve the scale and quality of investment in Cambodia , promoting a new wave of investment, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc stated while meeting Vietnamese Cambodian enterprises on December 22 during his State visit to Cambodia.Phuc listed a series of potential fields for such investment, including real estate, construction, agriculture, retail, tourism, and entertainment.Praising efforts made the Vietnamese business communities in Cambodia to overcome difficulties due to COVID-19 , he highlighted the importance of the Cambodian market, particularly regarding agriculture.The State leader appreciated Vietnam's new investment trend focusing on sustainable areas such as clean energy and growing fruit trees for export.On behalf of the business community, President of the Vietnam Business Club in Cambodia (VBCC) Nguyen Thanh Dung thanked the attention paid by the Vietnamese Party, Government, and State for the community in nearly two difficult years under the impact of the pandemic.At the meeting, many of the participating firms expressed their concern over a gradual decrease in the number of employees knowing the Vietnamese language in most economic sectors, particularly in finance, banking, and telecommunications.They proposed that the Vietnamese State and Government increase scholarships for Cambodian students to study in Vietnam, therefore creating favorable conditions in terms of human resources for Vietnamese businesses in Cambodia.They also agreed that it is necessary to have special policies in aid of Vietnamese investors in Cambodia, especially in agriculture, industrial tree cultivation, and aquatic farming.Over the past decade, many enterprises, such as the Vietnam Rubber Group or the Truong Hai Agriculture Joint Stock Company, have made effective operations and made significant contributions to the Cambodian economy, creating thousands of jobs for local people, as well as effectively supporting the relocation and career change of Cambodian people of Vietnamese origin.In the afternoon of the same day, President Phuc and his high-level entourage left for Vietnam, concluding the two-day State visit at the invitation of Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni./.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 22, 2021 11:54 UTC
Founding anniversary of Vietnamese People’s Army marked in Ukraine
(Photo: VNA)Kiev (VNA) – The Vietnamese Embassy and Defence Attache Office in Ukraine, in collaboration with the Vietnamese war veterans’ association in Ukraine, on December 21 held a ceremony to mark the 77th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and the 30th All People’s Defence Festival (December 22). Guests at the event included President of the Association of Veterans of Ukraine, Major General Vladimir Popovich and Ukrainian war veterans who used to help Vietnam during the war. Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Defence Attache in Ukraine Colonel Nguyen Quang Chien reviewed the 77-year development of the Vietnam People’s Army and its feats in two resistance wars against the French colonists and American imperialists. He highlighted the long-standing friendship between the people, army and veterans of the two countries, and the close relations between the Veterans Association of Ukraine and the Embassy, the Defense Attache Office, the Vietnamese Veterans Association in Ukraine, adding that he looked forward to stronger relations between two sides in the future. For his part, Nguyen Van Loan, chairman of the Vietnamese war veterans’ association in Ukraine, said Vietnamese veterans always maintain the virtues of Uncle Ho’s soldiers.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 22, 2021 05:07 UTC
Vietnam-Cambodia sound friendship relations
Politics Infographic Fostering Vietnam – India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Vietnam and India established their diplomatic relations in 1972 and upgraded the ties to comprehensive strategic partnership in September 2016. They are working to implement an action programme materialising the partnership for 2021-2023. They always support each other and regularly exchange delegation across all levels, particularly high-level ones. Politics Infographic First National Conference on Foreign Affairs The first National Conference on Foreign Affairs will be held on December 14. The event forms part of functions, aiming at implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 22, 2021 00:58 UTC
Furture of electric vehicle development in Vietnam discussed
Environment Typhoon Rai changes direction, gradually weakens Typhoon Rai, the ninth storm to hit Vietnam in the East Sea, was about 200km to the east-northeast of Ly Son island of the central coastal province of Quang Ngai at 4am on December 20, with gust near the eye of the storm reaching 200 km per hour, according to the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting. Environment USAID-funded project aims to reduce harm of plastic pollution on public health The Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE) has recently coordinated with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to launch the “Plastic and Health Action Partnership” (PHA) with the aim of reducing impact of plastic wastes on public health. Environment Coastal localities brace for super typhoon Rai As typhoon Rai is changing its moving direction in the waters to the northwest of Truong Sa archipelago, coastal localities are bracing for the impacts of the super typhoon. Environment Typhoon Rai to cause heavy rains in central coastal region Typhoon Rai, the ninth storm to hit Vietnam this year, is forecast to cause heavy rain across the area spanning from central Thua Thien – Hue to Khanh Hoa provinces between the evening of December 18 and December 19, with common rainfall of 100-250mm and over 300mm in some places.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 21, 2021 21:28 UTC
Vietnam sees great potential in global Halal market — Vietnam News
(Dec 21): The Halal market is a huge market for Vietnamese businesses because currently Vietnamese Halal products do not account for a significant share, Vietnam News reported. Nguyễn Quốc Dũng, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, made the statement at a conference "Halal market in Southeast Asia-South Asia-South Pacific: Potentials and opportunities" held on Monday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in co-ordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. According to Dũng, the Southeast Asia - South Asia - South Pacific region is a potential market with 860 million Muslims and Halal consumers, accounting for 66 per cent of the total Muslim population in the world, Vietnam News reported. Vietnam has many strengths and favourable conditions to effectively participate in the global Halal economy, including in the pillars of the food, tourism, textiles, pharmaceuticals and media.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 21, 2021 19:06 UTC
Ceremony pays tribute to former Russian military experts serving in Vietnam
Participants at the event (Photo: VNA)Anatoly Chernov and his daughter Anatoly Chernov who designed the statue of President Ho Chi Minh in St. Petersburg, briefed participants on the design of the 5.25m-high statue, which features the late leader sitting with a book on his hand. (Photo: VNA)– A ceremony was held in St. Petersburg to pay tribute to former military experts of the Soviet Union (Russia now) who supported Vietnam during the anti-US war The event, held on the occasion of the 77th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army and Vietnam's 32nd People’s Defence Festival Day (December 22), was attended by Vyacheslav Kalganov, Vice-Chairman of the Committee for External Relations of St. Petersburg; Colonel Alexei Skreblyukov, President of the St. Petersburg chapter of the Inter-regional Public Organisation of Veterans of the Vietnam War (MOOVVV), and a large number of Russian war veterans who served in Vietnam.Vietnamese participants included Colonel Tran Tien Phuong, Vietnam's Defence Attaché in Russia, and representatives of Vietnamese officers and Vietnamese students studying in St. Petergsburg and the Vietnamese community in the city.Addressing the event, Nguyen Quoc Hung, Director of the Russian-Vietnamese Cooperation Development Fund "Tradition and Friendship" expressed gratitude towards Russian military experts who rendered services in Vietnam during the war, worked alongside the Vietnam People’s Army and Vietnamese people to overcome difficulties, making great contributions to the Russia-Vietnam relations.Colonel Phuong said that during the recent visit to Russia, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Vietnamese Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang held a meeting with former Soviet Union military experts and thanked Russian people, including Russian veterans, for supporting Vietnam during the past struggle for national independence and reunification.Colonel Phuong showed delight at the growing defence partnership between Vietnam and Russia.Russian veterans highlighted the loyal friendship of Vietnamese people, affirming that they will continue to work for stronger ties between the two countries.At the event, Anatoly Chernov and his daughter Anatoly Chernov who designed the statue of President Ho Chi Minh in St. Petersburg, briefed participants on the design of the 5.25m-high statue, which features the late leader sitting with a book on his hand.The construction of the statue is scheduled to be submitted to the city for approval on December 22, and completed in 2023 on the occasion the 100th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s first arrival in Russia./.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 21, 2021 16:21 UTC
Vietnam, Australia deepen trade ties
Over the past two decades, the two-way trade has expanded 8.6 percent, much higher than the average growth rate of 5.8 percent between Australia and other ASEAN countries. (Photo: VNA)The Governments of Vietnam and Australia on December 21 announced their enhanced economic engagement strategy, and set out a roadmap to boost bilateral trade and investment ties.In a media release, Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan welcomed the strategy as the foundation for Vietnam and Australia’s effort to double investment and become top ten trading partners. Australia and Vietnam have complementary economies - we are partners more than competitors. Our supply chains are becoming more closely entwined, meaning together we are exporting to markets around the world,” he said.“The implementation of the Economic Engagement Strategy will unlock mutually beneficial opportunities and boost our trade and investment relationship, especially in key areas such as education, resources, agriculture, manufacturing and digital economy.”The minister said as both our countries emerge from the pandemic and begin their economic recovery, the strategy presents tremendous opportunities for both nations.For his part, Vietnam’s Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung noted “success in achieving the common objectives of the Strategy will further enhance the economic position of Vietnam and Australia, contributing to the safety, security and shared prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region”.Statistics show that over the past two decades, the two-way trade has expanded 8.6 percent, much higher than the average growth rate of 5.8 percent between Australia and other ASEAN countries.Trade between Vietnam and Australia reached some 14.6 billion AUD (10.4 billion USD) last year./.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 21, 2021 15:14 UTC
President’s upcoming Cambodia visit to boost bilateral economic-trade ties
Iron and steel of all kinds are one of Vietnam's exports to Cambodia. The figure is estimated at 9.3 billion USD for the entire year, marking a rise of nearly 75 percent annually. During the 2016-2020 period, two-way trade expanded by 17 percent annually on average, from 2.92 billion USD in 2015 to 5.32 billion USD in 2020. Apart from boosting exports to Cambodia, Vietnam continued offering preferential tariff on Cambodia’s exports to Vietnam. At present, Vietnam has 188 valid investment projects with a total registered capital of nearly 2.85 billion USD in Cambodia.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 21, 2021 02:19 UTC
Vietnamese President’s visit to help advance relations with Cambodia
Then Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) welcomes his Cambodian counterpart Samdech Techo Hun Sen during the latter's visit to Vietnam in October 2019 (Photo: VNA)– A State-level visit to Cambodia by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on December 21 - 22 is set to help further enhance political trust and intensify multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.The visit will be the first to Cambodia by the State leader of Vietnam since the Vietnamese leadership was completed after the 13th National Party Congress in January 2021. It will also be the first visit to Cambodia by a foreign head of state this year.The trip aims to implement the foreign policy identified at the 13th National Party Congress, which is treasuring and developing relations with neighbouring countries. It takes place amid the continued growth of the two countries’ neighbourliness, solidarity, traditional friendship, and comprehensive cooperation though both have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.It is also one of the first activities marking the “Vietnam - Cambodia, Cambodia - Vietnam Friendship Year” and the 55th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (June 24, 1967 - 2022).Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Huy Tang said during the visit, the two sides will review cooperation outcomes over the past years, exchange views on the regional and international issues of common concern, and discuss measures for addressing difficulties and obstacles to promote cooperation in all fields, especially economy. The countries’ leaders will also witness the signing of some important cooperation documents.He held that the Vietnam - Cambodia relations should focus on education to raise public awareness, particularly among the young, of the strategic significance, role, and importance of bilateral ties so as to help strengthen political trust between the two countries.They should also step up partnership in economic issues and make new breakthroughs in this regard; bolster cooperation in security, defence, and foreign affairs to jointly maintain a peaceful and stable environment for both nations, as well as the region and the world; and increase the exchange and collaboration between their peoples and localities, especially the ones situated along the shared borderline, in order to help nurture the Vietnam - Cambodia friendship.The visit will mark the start of the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Year 2022, Tang said, noting that it will help reinforce the political trust and multifaceted cooperation and develop bilateral relations in a more substantive and effective manner.The trip will also demonstrate Vietnam’s support for Cambodia’s internal and external activities in the time ahead such as the general elections in 2023 and the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2022, according to the diplomat.Meanwhile, Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam Chay Navuth described President Phuc’s visit as an illustration of the close-knit ties as well as friendship between the two countries.Cambodia supports and highly values Vietnam’s successful chairmanship of ASEAN, organisation of meetings, and contribution to the elevation of the bloc’s cooperation to a new height amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he went on.He added the countries’ leaders have regularly held phone talks and online discussions, which has once again shown their solidarity and mutual assistance, along with Vietnam’s support for Cambodia’s ASEAN Chairmanship at a time the bloc is facing numerous challenges like the competition among superpowers and the pandemic./.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 20, 2021 15:46 UTC
Vietnam should tap Halal market's potential: Deputy Minister
Dung made the call at a workshop held on December 20 by the Ministry of Foreign Affair in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on exports to the Halal market. The deputy minister noted that however, only about 50 Vietnamese companies are granted Halal certificates each year. Phung Duc Tien, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said 50 percent of Vietnamese agricultural products such as rice, vegetables, tea, coffee, cashew and pepper are considered very suitable for the Halal market. Samina Naz, the Bangladeshi Ambassador to Vietnam, said Bangladesh is a large market with high potential. According to him, long-term strategies are needed to penetrate the Halal market./.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 20, 2021 15:41 UTC
Police asked to be more drastic in fighting corruption
Addressing the event, General Secretary Trong stressed that 2021 is a very difficult year, but also a year that the public security sector could be proud of. The Ministry of Public Security has tried the best to continue improving its organizational structure, actively and effectively participated in the fight against corruption, and well maintained political security, social order and safety, he noted. In the coming time, the ministry should be more drastic and effective in preventing and combating corruption, especially for cases which are sensitive, complicated, prolonged that cause frustration among the public, Trong stressed. The Central Public Security Party Committee is one among the first ministerial Party Committees to implement and bring the Resolution of 13th Party Congress to life./.
Source:Viet Nam News
December 20, 2021 12:33 UTC