A ceremony to honour Hanoi students who won high prizes at the recent 16th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA-16) was held in the city on August 22 by the municipal Department of Education and Training.

They won two silver and two bronze medals at the contest held in Poland from August 10-20, 2023 with the participation of 261 candidates from 53 countries and territories.

Director of the municipal Department of Education and Training Tran The Cuong said what the students' achievement has continued to affirm the strength of the city’s education sector, and expressed his hope that in the coming time, more attention will be paid to the education sector.

Started in Thailand 2007, the annual contest is a joint initiative of five countries - Thailand, Indonesia, Iran, China and Poland, with the aim to popularise astronomy among high school students and to foster friendship and cooperation among young astronomers at the international level.

Vietnam keen on further promoting ties with Belgium: President

President Vo Van Thuong hosted a reception for visiting President of the Belgian Senate Stéphanie D'Hose in Hanoi on August 22, during which he affirmed that the State and people of Vietnam always treasure relations with  Belgium and are keen on lifting up bilateral ties to a new height.

Highlighting the significance of the Vietnam visit by Belgian Senate President, President Thuong said he believes the trip will open up a new chapter in cooperation between the parliaments of Vietnam and Belgium, and help further promote the growth of relations between the two countries in the time to come.

Vietnam is grateful for the support that Belgium has provided during the country’s past struggle for independence and present national construction and development, he said.

For her part, the Belgian Senate President briefed her host on the fruitful talks and meetings with Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other leaders of Vietnam, and showed her impression on the nation and people of Vietnam.

Vietnamese people are among most hospitable and friendly people in the world, she said.

D’Hose said that following her visit, many Belgian delegations will visit Vietnam to promote investment partnership with the Southeast Asian nation.

She revealed that a resolution on support to Agent Orange/Dioxin (AO) victims in Vietnam is expected to be adopted by the Chamber of Representatives of Belgium. It calls on the Belgian Government to increase efforts to provide more aid to the victims and assist the Vietnamese Government in caring for them, she said.

The Belgian Senate President said she hopes the two sides will create favourable conditions for people of Vietnam and Belgium to travel between the two countries to promote people-to-people exchange and cooperation in economy and trade, and especially tourism.

He expressed his hope that the two sides will work more closely together in international issues, and asked for Belgium’s support to the stance of ASEAN and Vietnam regarding the East Sea issue, including guaranteering the safety and freedom of navigation and overflight as well as peacefully settling disputes in line with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Minister of Foreign Affairs receives Belgian Senate President

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on August 22 received President of the Belgian Senate Stéphanie D'Hose who is on an official visit to Vietnam from August 21-25.

Son welcomed the Belgian leader’s visit which is taking place at a time when Vietnam and Belgium are celebrating the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and five years since the two countries established a strategic partnership in agriculture, saying that it is an important milestone in Vietnam-Belgium relations.

The minister affirmed that Vietnam always treasures and wants to enhance its comprehensive cooperation with the EU, including Belgium.

For her part, D’Hose underlined that Belgium always attaches great importance to its friendship and cooperation with Vietnam, and highly evaluated the socio-economic development achievements that Vietnam has gained after the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the country’s role and position in the region and the world.

The two sides shared delight at the positive growth in cooperation between the two countries and the two legislatures in particular over the past years. They agreed that, in order to strengthen political trust, the two sides should increase the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially high-level ones via the State, Government, parliament and people-to-people exchange channels.

Son held that economic cooperation is an important pillar in the Vietnam-Belgium relationship, emphasising that there is plenty of room for the two sides to promote their economic, trade and investment partnership. He hoped that the two sides will optimise opportunities from the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

The minister proposed Belgium soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to create a favourable investment environment for businesses of the two nations. He also suggested Belgium prompt the European Commission (EC) to early remove its “yellow card” warning against Vietnamese seafood to ensure livelihood for hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese fishermen and meet the demand of European consumers.

D’Hose said that the Belgian Federal Parliament is actively working to ratify the EVIPA before the end of this tenure. She recognised Vietnam’s efforts in preventing and combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU).

Belgium is ready to support Vietnam in energy transition, agricultural development, climate change response, and overcoming consequences of dioxin, the Senate President said.

The two sides concurred to facilitate the travel of people of the two countries to promote people-to-people exchanges and beef up economic, trade and investment ties, while continuing to work closely together at multilateral and international forums. The two sides pledged to coordinate closely at the UN Human Rights Council in the 2023-2025 tenure, contributing to the common affairs in the direction of improving efficiency, transparency, objectivity and balance in the spirit of dialogue, cooperation, equality and mutual respect.

PM Pham Minh Chinh receives visiting Australian Foreign Minister

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong, who is paying an official visit to Vietnam, in Hanoi on August 22.

Welcoming Wong on her second visit to Vietnam as the Foreign Minister of Australia, PM Chinh noted with satisfaction the vigorous growth of the countries’ relations, especially their increasingly enhanced political trust and the flourishing ties in economy - trade, education, culture, labour, people-to-people exchanges, and locality-to-locality links.

He asked the foreign ministries of Vietnam and Australia to keep coordinating with relevant ministries and sectors to effectively carry out the reached agreements and signed documents while developing concrete joint projects and activities in order to further intensify cooperation, create a solid stepping stone for bilateral relations to reach a new height, and properly prepare for coming high-level mutual visits.

The two countries should strengthen educational, labour, cultural, and people-to-people ties; encourage their enterprises to expand investment in the fields they are strong at; and bolster partnerships in such new areas as climate change response, energy transition, green growth, and digital transformation, he said.

The Government leader also thanked Australia for its precious support for Vietnam via official development assistance (ODA) and scholarships for Vietnamese students and postgraduates.

For her part, Wong affirmed that Australia treasures the two countries’ strategic partnership.

She called on both sides to further strengthen cooperation to lift bilateral relations to a new level in the time ahead, particularly in the pillars of politics - diplomacy, security -defence, economy - trade - investment, science - technology, and innovation.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will coordinate closely with the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to arrange visits and meetings between the countries’ senior leaders in the coming time, she added.

On this occasion, the minister announced a new aid package worth over 94 million AUD (60.3 million USD) for climate change response in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam.

Talking about some regional and international issues, Wong stressed that her country respects the centrality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the recently established comprehensive strategic partnership with the bloc.

Australia continues giving priority to the cooperation with the Mekong sub-region and attaches importance to cooperation so as to help with regional peace, stability and balance and the adherence to international law, according to the official.

Kazakh President concludes Vietnam visit

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev left Hanoi at noon on August 22, concluding his three-day official visit to Vietnam at an invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Vo Van Thuong.

While here, the leader paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum, and laid a wreath at the monument to war martyrs near there. He met Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, held talks with President Thuong, and had separate meetings with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. He also visited some economic and cultural establishments in Hanoi’s neighbouring provinces of Bac Ninh and Hai Duong.

The two sides engaged in in-depth discussions on measures to enhance cooperation in politics, economy-trade, investment, transport and logistics, culture, and tourism as well as various issues of mutual interest.

At their talks, the two Presidents agreed to facilitate the exchange of delegations at all levels through Party, State, Government and parliamentary channels as well as people-to-people exchanges.

They vowed to uphold the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms such as the Intergovernmental Committee, political consultations and other mechanisms to enhance mutual understanding and trust, and expand bilateral cooperation in multiple sectors.

In economic and trade ties, the two sides discussed promising cooperation areas such as tourism, information technology, agriculture, transport and logistics. They expressed readiness to take full advantage of the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union to boost two-way trade in the near future.

Appeal court upholds sentence for facebooker jailed for abusing right to freedom, democracy

The appeal trial of the People’s Court of Ho Chi Minh City on August 22 upheld a sentence of one year and six months in prison for a woman for “abusing the right to freedom and democracy to violate the interests of the State, the rights and legitimate interests of organisations and individuals.” 

According to the court, Vu Ngoc Suu, born in 1973 and a resident of Ward 9 in Phu Nhuan district, posted three articles that offended and defamed the Party and Party and State leaders in the period from May 19, 2019 to January 29, 2021.

Suu admitted guilty, saying that due to her discontent about social issues, she posted articles containing unverified information.

The jury held that the defendant showed repentance but the first instance trial had fully taken into account the extenuating circumstances. Therefore, the appeal trial had no reason to accept the defendant's appeal to reduce the sentence.

Vietnam takes actions to support landlocked developing countries: diplomat

Vietnam, as a developing transit country, has taken a lot of actions within regional, sub-regional and bilateral frameworks to assist landlocked developing countries, Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Phan Chi Thanh said on August 22.

Accordingly, Vietnam has actively implemented many projects and programmes such as the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) connecting Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar; and promoted cooperation in the Mekong sub-region, Thanh told the High-Level Euro-Asia Regional Review Meeting of the Vienna Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) which opened in Bangkok the same day.

The country also actively joins efforts to strengthen ASEAN connectivity and other bilateral plans such as “One border – One pillar” with Laos.

Its strong commitment to support the LLDCs is underscored by its hosting of the Asia-Pacific Regional Annual Meeting of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) and the mid-year meeting of the ASEAN Freight Forwarders Association (AFFA) in July, and the UN High-level Meeting for the Euro-Asia Region on Improving Cooperation on Transit, Trade. Facilitation and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2017.

On the basis of experiences gained in the post-pandemic recovery process, Vietnam has made several proposals, including strengthening infrastructure connectivity, developing fields that are less affected by geographical distance such as sustainable tourism and digital economy to exploit the economic potential of LLDCs, and intensifying transport cooperation through transboundary river routes such as the Mekong River. Recently, in January 2023, Vietnam signed an agreement with Laos to connect 29 ports along 1,800 km of the Mekong River in Laos with Vietnam's seaports, Thanh said.

At the meeting, the diplomat reaffirmed Vietnam's strong commitment to support and strengthen cooperation with the LLDCs, adding that the country is willing to contribute to common goals and actions towards inclusive, sustainable and resilient development, with no country left behind.

During the two-day meeting, participants are scheduled to continue updating the review of the Vienna programme of action towards the organisation of the third UN Conference on the LLDCs in 2024 in Rwanda; discuss achievements and limitations, and opportunities and challenges; and share experiences and make policy recommendations to strengthen resilience and meet specific needs of the LLDCs in the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Lao Consul General in HCM City awarded friendship insignia

Lao Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Phimpha Keomixay on August 22 was awarded an insignia “For peace and friendship among nations” by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) for her contributions to the cause of peace, friendship, cooperation and development.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) Do Viet Ha said that the Consul General has actively strengthened the traditional solidarity, friendship and cooperation between the Vietnamese people in general and the city's residents in particular and the Lao people with various practical and effective activities in different areas, including economy-trade, cultural-sport exchanges, health, and education, among others.

He expressed his hope that the diplomat will continue to carry out more activities to further intensify the sound relationship between Ho Chi Minh City's people in particular and the  Vietnamese people in general, and the Lao people.

Expressing her honour to receive the insignia, Phimpha Keomixay thanked the city’s leaders, departments, sectors and HUFO for their close cooperation, coordination and assistance.

The Consul General affirmed that in any position, she will always do her utmost to reinforce and develop the fine friendship and close attachment between the Lao people and their Vietnamese counterparts, including those in HCM City.

Exchange programme of Vietnamese, Chinese young coast guard officers kicks off

The third exchange programme of Vietnamese and Chinese young coast guard officers kicked off in Hanoi on August 22.

In his opening remarks, Major General Tran Van Xuan, Deputy Political Commissar and Head of the Department of Politics of the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG), said over the past years, the coast guards of the two countries have united and coordinated together to implement many practical and effective cooperation activities, actively helping to build trust between the two forces, jointly maintaining security, order, safety and law observance in the territorial waters between the two countries. Cooperation between the two nations is a bright spot in the collaboration in law enforcement at sea among regional countries, he said.

Xuan said that efforts of young officers of the two forces have contributed to cultivating and maintaining good relations between the Vietnam Coast Guard and the China Coast Guard (CCG).

Colonel Gan Yu, head of the CCG delegation, said that through exchange activities, young coast guard officers from both sides have opportunities to understand and learn from each other, thereby inheriting the tradition of friendship and fraternity and contributing to the maintenance of peace at sea in the region.

The highlight of the four-day exchange programme will be a gala night themed "Joining hands to protect the marine environment"  which features art performances, games and an eloquence contest.

Within the framework of the exchange programme, the young officers of the two sides will take part in various activities, including visiting President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, paying a courtesy call to leaders of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army, and going on a tour of Hanoi. They will also join marine environmental protection activities in Lap Le fishing village in Hai Phong city's Thuy Nguyen district.

Delegation of Japan’s Komeito party visits Vietnam to intensify relations

A delegation of Japan’s Komeito party led by Chief Representative Yamaguchi Natsuo is paying a working visit to Vietnam from August 21 to 23, part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties (September 21, 1973 - 2023).

On behalf of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, Truong Thi Mai, Politburo member, Permanent member of the CPV Central Committee’s Secretariat, Chairwoman of the CPV Central Committee’s Organisation Commission and head of the Vietnam - Japan Parliamentary Friendship Group, received the delegation in Hanoi on August 22.

Mai highly valued the visit, which she described as a contribution to the two Parties’ political trust and cooperation, the two peoples’ friendship, and the “extensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia” between Vietnam and Japan.

She emphasised that Vietnam consistently attaches importance to the relations with Japan and is ready to join the latter in actively contributing to regional and global peace, stability, and development.

The host official also thanked and asked Japan to continue providing favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live, study, and work there.

Yamaguchi said the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties is a historic milestone, adding that he believes the two countries’ relations will keep developing comprehensively.

The Komeito leader applauded the positive results of the countries’ extensive strategic partnership as seen in the cooperation in various spheres.

At the meeting, both sides agreed on the importance of maintaining frequent high-ranking mutual visits between the countries’ States, Parties, and parliaments; boosting exchanges between parliamentarians, including women and young ones; and fostering people-to-people and cultural links.

Also on August 22, Chairman of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung had a working session with the Komeito delegation.

He underlined that the Party, State, and people of Vietnam treasure the assistance and support from the Government and people of Japan, especially in socio-economic development, industrialisation, and modernisation.

The two sides affirmed that via exchanges and meetings in flexible forms, they will further consolidate and develop relations between the two Parties and strengthen mutual trust to create a solid political foundation for the Vietnam - Japan connections.

President Vo Van Thuong welcomes Chief Justice of Lao supreme court

President Vo Van Thuong received visiting Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court of Laos Viengthong Siphandon in Hanoi on August 22.

Siphandon highlighted the close cooperation between the supreme courts of Laos and Vietnam and informed her host about the outcomes of her talks with Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court of Vietnam Nguyen Hoa Binh earlier the same day.

The two sides discussed cooperation orientations and agreed to uphold the fine traditions of their countries’ special relationship, which has been nurtured by generations of leaders, she went on.

She stressed that the assistance and coordination from the supreme court of Vietnam form an important source of support for the Lao side to fulfil its duties.

Highly valuing the talks’ outcomes, President Thuong said the Vietnam - Laos special relationship is a priceless common asset both countries need to maintain and promote. Therefore, it is necessary to keep frequent mutual visits and experience sharing between their agencies and localities so as to help each party better perform its tasks and contribute more to bilateral ties.

He applauded the cooperation results of the countries’ court sectors, affirming that Vietnam is delighted at the Lao people’s achievements in economic development, defence and security, and also sympathises with the difficulties they are facing.

The host called on both sides to stay united to surmount difficulties and fulfil their duties. He attributed the attainments of the Vietnam - Laos great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation partly to the substantial contributions by the two court sectors’ cooperation.

Thuong welcomed the two court sectors’ enhancement of ties in multiple aspects, especially the signing of cooperation deals among five people’s courts of the countries’ non-border localities, which he said will strongly and effectively foster their partnerships in the time to come.

Vietnam, Laos strengthen court cooperation

Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court Nguyen Hoa Binh on August 22 held talks with his Lao counterpart, Viengthong Siphandone, who is on a working visit to Vietnam.

Binh affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State, and people always attach importance to and give the highest priority to the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, considering it an invaluable asset with strategic importance to the revolutionary cause of the each country.

He stressed the importance of unceasingly fostering and developing the Vietnam-Laos special relationship in all areas, including the two countries' court sector.

The strengthening of cooperation has been bringing concrete and practical benefits to both court systems, contributing to the common development of each country, and tightening traditional cooperation and friednship between the two nations, he said.

For her part, Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court of Laos Viengthong Siphandon thanked the Supreme People's Court of Vietnam for its support, saying that the Party and State of Laos highly appreciate the close cooperation between the two courts.

She wished Laos would continue to receive support from the Supreme People's Court of Vietnam in the future.

After their talks, the two officials witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the five People's Courts of provinces that do not share border of Vietnam and Laos.

Chief Justice Binh emphasised that the signing of the MoU of the five provincial People's Courts has brought the cooperation of the two countries' courts to a new and more substantive height.

On this occasion, the Supreme People's Court of Vietnam received the first-class Labour Order and Certificate of Merit awarded by the President and Prime Minister of Laos in recognition of its contributions to the cause of construction and development of the special friendship and cooperation between the Party, State and people of the two countries.

Minister, ambassador talk Vietnam - Canada cooperation in climate change response

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh had a meeting with Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Shawn Steil in Hanoi on August 22 to discuss cooperation possibilities in climate change response and related issues.

Minister Khanh noted that Canadian partners have joined the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) in developing fruitful relations in environmental and climate change issues, especially industrial pollution and environmental governance.

He said that to implement Vietnam’s commitments made at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), the MoNRE has coordinated with other ministries and sectors to draft a national strategy on climate change until 2050, a methane emission reduction plan, and many other important documents.

It has also submitted a plan for implementing the Political Declaration on establishing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) for approval. On July 14, the Prime Minister of Vietnam issued a decision on the establishment of a secretariat for the JETP implementation to coordinate activities of international partners and the Vietnamese Government in the adoption of a resource mobilisation plan for the JETP implementation. This plan is set to be launched this November, Khanh went on.
 
He expressed his hope that Ambassador Steil will continue helping promote the Vietnam - Canada cooperation in environmental and climate change issues.

The minister also called on the North American country to work closely with the MoNRE and related agencies to help Vietnam effectively carry out the JETP, achieve the target of net zero emissions by 2050, and build the resource mobilisation plan for the JETP implementation.

Speaking highly of Vietnam’s commitments at COP26 and practical actions to implement the pledges, Steil said the year 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the countries’ diplomatic relations and is also specially meaningful for them to enhance bilateral collaboration, particularly in the field of environment and climate change response.

Canada always gives priority to and assists Vietnam with the transition to a circular economy, climate change response, energy transition, and sustainable development, the diplomat noted, voicing his belief that the countries’ cooperation will be elevated to a new height, especially in climate change response and environmental governance, in the coming time.

Hanoi one of Asia-Pacific’s culinary gems: Travel agency

Dutch online travel agency Booking.com has named Hanoi among the top five culinary gems in the Asia-Pacific, based on readers’ votes.

The Vietnamese capital was mentioned first in the list which also includes Seoul (the Republic of Korea), Tokyo (Japan), Singapore, and Kaohsiung (China’s Taiwan).

According to the website, Hanoi boasts Michelin Star restaurants Gia and Hibana by Koki and Tam. At Gia, Chef Sam Tran creates a rotating, seasonal contemporary Vietnamese menu, Hibana by Koki serves Japanese cuisine at an intimate 14-seat counter with ingredients flown in twice a week from Japan; while Tam Vi is focused on northern Vietnamese dishes like ham with snails and crab soup with Malabar spinach.

“These eateries which were awarded the prestigious Michelin star in June 2023 serve beautifully crafted dishes and exceptional culinary experiences that are worth stopping by on a trip to Vietnam,” it said.

Hoi An named among nine best city destinations with beaches

Hoi An city in the central province of Quang Nam, a UNESCO-recognised World Cultural Heritage Site, has been named among the nine best city destinations with beaches by the South China Morning Post (SCMP) based in Hong Kong.

The SCMP suggested Hoi An as a destination for visitors who want to mix shopping, sightseeing, and sunbathing.

According to the SCMP, criss-crossed by canals, Hoi An is a photogenic city on Vietnam's central coast. An architectural medley of wooden Chinese shophouses, French colonial buildings, ornate temples and the Japanese Covered Bridge helped the old town gain UNESCO World Heritage status in 1999.

Formerly one of the busiest trading ports in Southeast Asia, today Hoi An bustles with tourists who sightsee and have clothing tailored for a fraction of the price they would pay at home. At night, lanterns illuminate the old town, creating a fairy-tale feel, it said.

Located in the lower reach of Thu Bon River in the coastal plain, about 30 km south of Da Nang city, Hoi An has been known in the international market by various names such as Lam Ap, Faifo, Hoai Pho, and Hoi An. The only Southeast Asian port-market in Vietnam and very rare in the world, Hoi An keeps almost 1,360 architectural relics intact. These include streets, houses, assembly halls, communal houses, pagodas, shrines, clan houses, ancient wells and tombs. They exhibit both Vietnamese traditional art characteristics and the convergence of eastern and western cultures.

Hoi An is not merely an ancient town but also home to pristine beaches with blue sea. Aside from the famous Cua Dai beach, An Bang beach is like a hidden gem, chosen as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches in 2011 by CNN Go.

Vietnam attends Asia-Oceania Food, Culture Fair in Brazil

Vietnamese handicraft products and authentic dishes were introduced at the recent Asia-Oceania Food and Culture Fair held at the Brasilia Art Museum (MAB) in Brazil.

The August 19 event, organised by spouses of heads of international delegations in Brazil, saw the participation of representatives from 15 countries, serving as an for countries to promote their image.

It also helped raise funds for Santo Anibal Maria Centre - an organisation that provides support to disadvantaged people, protects human rights, and promotes civil rights in educational and cultural social activities.

The fair attracted more than 1,000 visitors, mainly Brazilians and people from some other South American countries.

Five famous concertos to be staged in HCM City: HBSO

Two special concerts will take place at Saigon Opera House on August 25-26 to mark the house’s 30th anniversary with the participation of leading violinist Bui Cong Duy and invited artists from the US, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO).

Famous guests performing in the two concerts include violinist Chuong Vu; Taiwanese-American cellist Grace Ho (China); American pianist Max Levinson; Taiwanese violist Yi-Wen Chao and cellist Phan Do Phuc.

The concerts will be under the baton of the famous Japanese conductor Honna Tetsuji.

The August 25 night concert is set to begin with concerto Grosso for violin, piano, percussion and string Orchestra by Nguyen Manh Duy Linh, a musician who graduated with a master's degree in music composition from Russia’s Magnitogorsk State Conservatory.

It will be followed by the Double Concerto for Clarinet, Viola, and Orchestra in E minor, Op.88 by German composer Max Bruch, which will be performed by Bui Cong Duy and Yi Wen Chao.

The concert will end with a double concerto for violin, cello and orchestra by composer Johannes Brahms, performed by Bui Cong Duy and Phan Do Phuc.

The August 26 concert will begin with the concerto "Vietnam's Four Seasons" for violin and orchestra by composer Dang Hong Anh who received her master's degree from Russia’s National Academy of Music in 1998. Some of her works have been performed throughout Europe, Asia and Vietnam.

Bui Cong Duy and Chuong Vu will perform the concerto with the symphony orchestra of HBSO.

The concert will end with a concerto for violin, cello, and piano by Ludwig van Beethoven, one of the greatest composers in musical history.

Ho Chi Minh City tighten friendship, cooperation with Cuba’s Havana

A delegation from Ho Chi Minh City led by Deputy Secretary of the city's Party Committee and Chairwoman of the city People's Council Nguyen Thi Le on August 22 had a working session with First Secretary of the Havana Party Committee Luis Antonio Torres Iríbar in Havana.

At the meeting, the Cuban official hailed the special friendship and cooperative relations between Cuba and Vietnam as well as between Havana and Ho Chi Minh City, and voiced his hope that the two sides would continue to promote cooperation in many fields including agriculture, healthcare, education, fisheries, wholesale, and retail.

For her part, the Vietnamese official said the delegation’s visit to Cuba aims to promote the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba, including that between Ho Chi Minh City and Havana.

The visit is also an opportunity for the two cities to seek further cooperation and share experiences in areas of mutual interest.

Le suggested that Ho Chi Minh City and Havana promote cooperation in economy, health, biotechnology, education, and youth exchange; coordinate to organise investment and trade promotion activities, connect businesses and introduce each other's markets and investment environment.

Ho Chi Minh City hopes to learn Cuba’s experience in developing a family doctor model, she said, adding that her city also wishes to foster bilateral collaboration in research, exchange of experiences and transfer of vaccine production technology, as well as to import Cuba's vaccines, specialty pharmaceuticals and biological products.

On this occasion, the Ho Chi Minh City official symbolically handed over 1,000 tonnes of rice as a gift of the city to the Party, State, and people of Cuba.

Within the framework of the visit, the Ho Chi Minh City delegation offered flowers at the President Ho Chi Minh Monument in Havana and visited the Fidel Castro Centre.

Vietnam eyes four gold medals at 1st Asian Cup of Shuttlecock in Hong Kong

Vietnamese athletes are aiming for four gold medals at the first Asian Cup of Shuttlecock that opened in Hong Kong (China) from August 22 - 26 with the participation of nearly 260 coaches and athletes.

The event held by Asian Shuttlecock Federation offers seven sets of medals in seven contents - Men’s Team, Women’s Team, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, Men’s Single, Women’s Single, and Mixed Doubles – in two categories of Asian Shuttlecock Championships and Asian Youth Shuttlecock Championships (age 12 to 21).

The Vietnamese athletes will compete in all contents, striving to win gold medals in four events - men's team, women's team, men's single, and women's single. Vietnam also expects to enter the final rounds in the other contents.

Food reserves kept sufficient to cater for emergencies: Authority