Day: March 11, 2024

Posted on

Hanoi’s Party oficial pledges to deepen ties with Laos


Vientiane: Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung paid a courtesy call to Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in Vientiane on March 11, assuring the host that Hanoi, as well as Vietnam, will spare no effort, together with the Party, State and people of Laos, to preserve and foster bilateral special relationship in various areas.

Dung affirmed that Hanoi always gives high priority to its important political relations with Laos, especially Vientiane capital and northern Lao provinces.

In the coming time, Hanoi will work together with Vientiane and other Lao localities to enhance cooperation in a more practical and effective manner, he said, adding that in this regard, Hanoi will increase sharing experiences in various fields.

PM Sonexay Siphandone, for his part, highly valued the success of joint initiatives between the two capitals under their 2022-2025 cooperation agreement, especially practical support provided by Hanoi for Vientiane during this period.

Expressing his confidence that the
two capitals will continue effectively realising the 2022-2025 cooperation agreement, he wished that Hanoi would actively share the best practices and lessons learned in Party and political system building, economic management, budget allocation, Capital Law drafting, decentralisation, long-term planning with innovative thinking, building of green-clean-beautiful urban areas and fight against social vices like drug abuse, among others.

He envisioned a future where the two capitals become a model of local-level collaboration, thereby fostering the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation nurtured by leaders of both Parties and States.

In the afternoon the same day, Dung held talks with Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People’s Council of Vientiane Anouphap Tounalom.

Dung said in response to Laos’ National Tourism Year 2024, Hanoi will collaborate with Vientiane to hold a bilateral tourism promotion programme aimed at increasing economic cooperation and people-to
-people exchanges between the two capitals.

He further highlighted Hanoi’s keen interest in and desire to step up cooperation with Vientiane in quality human resources development this year.

Beyond offering scholarships for university and postgraduate education, Hanoi stands ready to assist Vientiane in leadership training, and facilitate vocational training and internship opportunities for Vientiane artisans in Hanoi’s craft villages, he said.

Agreeing with Dung’s proposals, Anouphap Tounalom vowed to direct local agencies to discuss with Hanoi counterparts to effectively realise them. This collaborative approach, he believed, will foster deeper mutual understanding and solidify the bonds between the two cities./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Posted on

Vietnam attends dialogue with Secretary General of La Francophonie


New York: Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), has attended a dialogue with Louise Mushikiwab, Secretary General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).

The dialogue, chaired by the Group of French-speaking Ambassadors, took place on March 9 at the UN headquarters in New York, the US. It drew the presence of more than 40 ambassadors and representatives of permanent missions of OIF member countries in New York.

Addressing the event, Ambassador Giang underlined that Vietnam highly appreciates the efforts of the OIF and Secretary-General Mushikiwabo to promote multilateralism and multilingualism at the UN.

He underlined Vietnam’s support to French-speaking countries sharing and coordinating each other to make contributions to preparation for the future summit, the global digital agreement as well as other discussions at the UN.

He affirmed said Vietnam will actively contribute to the upcoming 19th Francophonie Summit.

At the ev
ent, Secretary-General Mushikiwabo talked about the complicated situation in many regions, challenges that the international community is currently facing such as conflict, political and economic instability, competition between major countries, climate change, differences in development levels, digital transformation and digital disruption which are the priorities and focus of the OIF’s actions from now to 2030.

She called on OIF member countries to continue working together to promote a multilateral system based on the central role of the UN, adding that it is necessary to ensure multilingualism in all activities and discussions at the UN for the system to operate effectively and substantially.

Mushikiwabo briefed participants about preparation for the 19th Francophone Summit to be held in France in October which focusing on creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Posted on

Para powerlifters take home World Cup medals


Hanoi: Vietnam’s delegation has arrived home with three silvers and one bronze at the Dubai 2024 Para Powerlifting World Cup.

Para Games champion Nguyen Binh An competed in the men’s U54kg and placed second in the total lift and best lift categories, recording 518kg and 179kg, respectively.

Dang Thi Linh Phuong was second in the total lift of 169kg in the women’s U50kg.

Former world and Paralympic champion Le Van Cong earned a bronze in the men’s U49kg’s total lift category with a result of 409kg. His best lift was 141kg. It was an unexpected achievement for the multi-time SEA Games champion as before he has lifted 183.5kg, which is the current world record.

The season-opening World Cup was organised from February 29 to March 6 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

As many as 200 of the world’s finest athletes from 32 countries took part in the event. The star-studded line-up gathered many Paralympic, world and continental champions.

The World Cup also offered important world rankings points for the athle
tes’ qualification for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the deadline of which is July 2024./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Posted on

Nearly 2,400 runners join in Quang Binh Discovery Marathon 2024


Quang Binh: The Quang Binh Discovery Marathon 2024 was held at the world natural heritage site of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park in the central province of Quang Binh on March 10, with nearly 2,400 athletes at home and abroad taking part.

The athletes competed in varied distances, including 6km, 10km, 21km and the challenging 42 km. Each distance was an intriguing route with picturesque and majestic natural landscapes at the national park such as Son and Chay rivers, gigantic caves, and internal botanic garden, among others.

In the men’s and women’s 42km events, Nguyen Duy Lam and Nguyen Thi Trang Giang won the first prizes, respectively. Nguyen Dac Hung and Le Thi Thu were the winners of men’s and women’s 21km runs. Nguyen Xuan Bach and Vo Quynh Thu won the men’s and women’s 10km races while Tran Minh Quy and Nguyen Thi Hien finished first in the men’s and women’s 6km distance.

The event, the forth of its kind, was a practical activity to celebrate major holidays of the country and the province and kic
ked off the tourism season in 2024.

The marathon was expected to promote the province’s advantages of tourism in general and biodiversity values, natural landscapes and tourism products in the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park in particular. Tournament was also a new and unique playground to promote the movement of sport training and competing, especially running.

On March 9, the provincial Department of Culture and Sports hold a cultural exchange programme with the participation of a traditional art troupe and athletes./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Posted on

Musical exchange gathers Vietnamese women from across Europe


Berlin: A recent musical exchange in Germany has brought together Vietnamese women representatives from eight European countries to celebrate the International Women’s Day (March 8).

In her opening speech at the exchange held by the Vietnamese Women’s Union (VWU) in Germany on March 9 evening, Chairwoman Trinh Thi Mui expressed the group’s desire to expand connections among overseas Vietnamese sisters and call on them to stay united to develop together, preserve the national identity, and honour the Vietnamese women.

At the event, the chapter introduced its volunteer committee, aiming to take care of elderly, sick, and lonely Vietnamese women in Germany.

Also launched was a writing competition themed ‘Vietnamese Women Abroad’ – an area where Vietnamese readers at home still lack a comprehensive understanding. Encouraging women to pick up their pens, the organisers – the Vietnamese Women’s Forum in Europe and the Vietnamese Writers’ Association – hope that the contest will provide an opportunity for the gro
up in particular and Vietnamese people abroad in general to improve their mother tongue and fulfill the mission of preserving the language.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Vu Quang Minh remarked that the gathering of overseas Vietnamese women and numerous associations demonstrates their solidarity, which the diplomat considered a strength and a source of pride./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Posted on

Temple of Literature to host largest-ever watercolour painting exhibition


Hanoi: As many as 200 watercolour paintings by talented artists across the globe will be introduced at the international exhibition ‘Colours of Cultures’ which will open at Van Mieu (Temple of Literature), Hanoi on March 16.

The event, which draws the participation of some 60 painters from 22 countries and territories, is said to be the largest-ever international watercolour exhibition in Vietnam. It is an initiative of VietnamInAcquarello, a branch of the International Watercolour Museum – the world’s largest community of watercolour painters – based in Italy.

According to Dr.Le Xuan Kieu, Director of the Temple of Literature’s Cultural and Scientific Activity Centre, the exhibition is significant to promote and popularise the spiritual and cultural values, and gradually make the Temple of Literature a creative space.

Under the ‘Colours of Cultures’ project, 465 watercolours will be on display at the Temple of Literature and Nhau Studio at No.364 Doi Can Street, Ba Dinh district from March 16-26.

A speci
al space called the Poland’s corner will be arranged at the relic site, spotlighting paintings by Polish talents. Besides, Polish watercolour painters will share their experience and professional techniques with Vietnamese fine art students and artists at a workshop on March 15.

Foreign painters will also engage in a Hanoi – Ninh Binh painting tour on March 18-20 to capture the beauty of Vietnamese landscapes, relic site and local livelihoods, helping popularise the country’s images, culture and tourism internationally./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Posted on

Vietnam call up 33 players for World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia


Hanoi: Philippe Troussier, head coach of the Vietnamese national men’s football team, on March 11 announced a 33-player squad in preparation for two matches against Indonesia in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers later this month, according to Vietnam Football Federation.

The first leg will take place at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium of Indonesia on March 21, and the second leg at My Dinh Stadium on March 26.

The squad will welcome the return of a number of familiar players, notably defenders Nguyen Thanh Chung, Bui Tien Dung and Nguyen Duc Chien, strikers Nguyen Tien Linh and Nguyen Cong Phuong.

The Vietnam national team is set to gather on March 13 but it will be until March 15 that the team will have full players due to the schedule of the round of 1/8 of the 2023-24 National Cup. Thus, Coach Troussier has only four days of training in Hanoi before leaving for Indonesia on March 19. Then, he and his players will have two more training sessions to complete preparations for the match with host Indonesia on March 2
1 at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, with a capacity of 80,000 spectators.

The Vietnamese team will return on March 22 to meet the Indonesian team again on March 26 at My Dinh National Stadium./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Posted on

Measures sought to speed up WB-loaned projects


Can Tho: The Ministry of Planning and Investment chaired a meeting on March 9 to discuss solutions to resolve difficulties and obstacles so as to accelerate the implementation of projects using loans from the World Bank (WB) in the Mekong Delta region, Ho Chi Minh City, and the southern province of Binh Duong.

According to Pham Hoang Mai, Director General of the Department of Foreign Economic Relations under the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), Vietnam has 13 WB loan agreements worth 2.42 billion USD currently being implemented.

There are 40 projects currently in preparation for implementation, with a total capital of 3.22 billion USD. Among these, those prioritised by the WB are mainly in the fields of energy, renewable energy, and railway, digital transformation, emission reduction, and urban development.

However, he noted that the implementation of projects using WB loans still faces some difficulties such as poor project preparation quality; ambiguity in determining the responsible agencies d
ue to legal gaps, especially for projects implemented in many localities; limited expertise and capacity of investors; insufficient qualified personnel; and delays in compensation, land clearance and resettlement.

Kathleen A. Whimp, Operations Manager for the WB in Vietnam, East Asia and the Pacific, underlined the need to shorten the time for implementing projects.

She said the WB Vietnam also faces challenges in flexibly adjusting the scope of projects as it must adhere to decisions by the Boards of Directors of the WB. She expressed the hope that Vietnam’s partners, including the Ministry of Justice, project leading units, investors, and relevant ministries and sectors, will engage in specific discussions with the WB on challenges and discrepancies between the WB’s regulations and Vietnam’s laws, thus finding solutions.

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong said regarding procedures, regulations, and legal provisions related to official development assistance (ODA) projects, Vietna
m is currently undergoing the process of amending relevant laws.

To overcome difficulties and expedite project progress, ministries, sectors, and localities suggested the WB coordinate with the MPI and the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to review ongoing projects with proposed adjustments, evaluate, and provide feedback on proposals from agencies and localities.

For new projects, the WB was urged to collaborate with the MoF and relevant agencies to speed up the completion of negotiations and the signing of loan agreements.

Delegates proposed that the WB collaborates with the MPI and the MoF in building potential projects, simplifying procedures, and ensuring harmony with Vietnam’s reality./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Proudly powered by WordPress