The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will help build an additional 1,450 flood-resistant houses for poor households in coastal provinces of Vietnam in the future, UNDP representative in Vietnam Caitlin Wiesen has said.

Wiesen made the statement during a workshop themed “Storm and flood resilient housing: Successful model in Vietnam and ways forward” which was held in Hanoi on May 13.

Since 2018, a total of 4,100 flood-proof houses have been built through the support of the UNDP and the Vietnamese Government, to increase the resilience of coastal communities who are vulnerable to the impact of climate change, particularly rising sea levels and flooding.

The UNDP representative emphasised that these safe houses contribute to securing the livelihoods of residents in coastal provinces by helping them to withstand subsequent storms which have made landfall in Vietnam over recent years, as well as the dangers of severe flooding.

She underscored the importance of ensuring that society’s most vulnerable people are not left behind, noting that the UNDP will continue to accompany the Government to build an additional 1,450 flood resistant houses in coastal provinces from Binh Dinh to Ca Mau in the near future.

As Quang Ngai is among the first provinces of the project, 683 houses were built across its five coastal districts in the past four years, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Tran Phuoc Hien said.

Vietnam among 10 countries with unique coffee culture

Canadian magazine The Travel has listed Vietnam among 10 countries with a unique coffee culture in which iced coffee with condensed milk and egg coffee are the best options.

The Travel says: “In Vietnam, coffee isn't just a drink to start the day; it's something people enjoy morning, noon, and even night."

It advised travelers to try the ca phe sua da, a ground dark roast Vietnamese-grown coffee often served with ice with condensed milk that can be found on most sidewalk coffee stalls.

Vietnamese coffee is also popular among foreign media. CNN recently listed Vietnamese coffee among the 10 best in the world. The UK’s Telegraph newspaper has written that egg coffee is a unique, impressive, and must-try drink when in Vietnam.

Robusta coffee has earned Vietnam’s coffee industry three world records: as the country that produces and exports the most Robusta coffee; the country possessing a coffee-making culture with heritage values in barista art; and the country that is the best at mixing and enjoying Vietnamese coffee in diverse, creative, and unique ways.

NA Standing Committee’s 11th session wraps up

The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee’s 11th session closed on May 13 after three days of sitting, scrutinising socio-economic reports, allocation of State budget in 2021 - 2025, and investment plans for highway construction projects.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue asked relevant agencies to urgently collect opinions of the NA Standing Committee to finalise reports, and submit them to the 15th NA at its upcoming third meeting.

He noted that the draft laws expected to be submitted to the NA for approval at the 3rd meeting have been basically completed.

Projects submitted to the NA for comment for the first time have also been prepared carefully, therefore the NA’s agencies and related units need to focus on making careful preparations for the 3rd meeting.

During the 11th session, the NA Standing Committee approved a Resolution on the establishment of Phuong Son township in Luc Nam district and Bac Ly township in Hiep Hoa district in the northern province of Bac Giang.

NA Chairman Hue requested relevant agencies to urgently finalise the draft resolution for early signing and issuance.

Regarding the central budget allocation plan in the 2021 - 2025 period and 2022 for ministries, central and local agencies to implement three national target programmes, the NA Chairman said the NA Standing Committee reached a high consensus in principle.

He asked the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Transport to make further reports to the Government and the Prime Minister to continue reviewing project proposals and soon submit them to the NA Standing Committee.

President calls for stronger Vietnam-Indonesia defence cooperation

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on May 13 called on the defence ministries of Vietnam and Indonesia to bolster consultations and support each other at multilateral forums, and maintain the common stance of ASEAN on regional issues, including the East Sea.

He made the call while hosting a reception for Indonesian Minister of Defence Prabowo Subianto, during which he underlined the countries’ mechanisms such as the defence policy dialogue play a major role in exchanging viewpoints, and handling bottlenecks and promptly guiding bilateral defence ties.

Vietnam appreciated Indonesia’s contributions to upholding ASEAN’s central role and solidarity, especially the country’s active role in promoting the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus on the situation in Myanmar adopted by ASEAN leaders in April 2021.

Vietnam will support Indonesia as Chair of ASEAN next year and hopes the country will further contribute to building an ASEAN Community of solidarity, development, peace and stability that ensures security and freedom of navigation in the region adhering to international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

President Phuc said that with high consensus between him and his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo, the two nations need to raise cooperation in addressing maritime issues and build a regular mechanism in this regard.

Vietnam, Indonesia agree to advance defence ties

Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang and his visiting Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto agreed to intensify bilateral defence relations in the time ahead in their talks in Hanoi on March 13.

Subianto, who is on an official visit from May 12 to 14, said his country always attaches importance to the relations with Vietnam.

The two sides shared the view that defence cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia has been promoted and recorded encouraging outcomes as seen in their effective dialogues, consultations, delegation exchanges, personnel training, cooperation between the naval and coast guard forces, partnership between research institutes, and coordination at multilateral forums.

In particular, despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s impacts since late 2019, bilateral defence ties have still been enhanced and obtained certain practical outcomes, especially dialogue and cooperation mechanisms maintained via videoconference, along with cooperation deals signed between the countries’ naval and coast guard forces.

They agreed that in the time ahead, Vietnam and Indonesia will press on with effectively implementing the defence cooperation agreements inked between their Governments and defence ministries, bring into play dialogue mechanisms, step up mutual visits at all levels, reinforce relations between their naval and coast guard forces, and boost collaboration in training and the defence industry.

The ministers affirmed the necessity to maintain peace, stability, security, and safety of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, comply with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), effectively carry out the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and soon finalise a substantive and effective code of conduct (COC) in the waters that is in line with international law.

At the talks, Giang asked the two countries’ maritime law enforcement agencies to increase coordination to share information and deal with issues emerging at sea in conformity with the Vietnam - Indonesia strategic partnership and the humanitarian spirit towards fishermen.

He also took this occasion to invite leaders of the Indonesian ministry to attend and send the country’s defence businesses to take part in the first international defence exhibition in Vietnam in December this year.

Vietnam, Cambodia hold fifth Defence Policy Dialogue

The fifth Vietnam-Cambodia Defence Policy Dialogue at the deputy ministerial level was held at  the Hoa Lu International Border Gate's border station in the southern province of Binh Phuoc on May 14.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien and Secretary of State at the Cambodian Defence Ministry Neang Phat co-chaired the event.

The two sides underlined the significance of the dialogue, which is a key activity in the "Vietnam - Cambodia, Cambodia - Vietnam Friendship Year 2022 and took place right before the first Vietnam-Cambodia Border Defence Friendship Exchange.

During the dialogue, the two sides shared views on issues affecting the stability and peace of both Vietnam and Cambodia, as well as in the region and the world, including traditional and non-traditional security challenges, and the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic.

They reviewed the outcomes of bilateral defence cooperation, and agreed on cooperation orientations in the future.

They agreed that the two countries have coordinated well to maintain high-level meetings in flexible forms, and continued effective collaboration in education and communications on the traditional friendship between the two countries and armies.

The border management and protection work was implemented actively, while the search for and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese voluntary soldiers and experts who died in wartime in Cambodia made progress.

Regarding cooperation orientations in the coming time, the two sides reached a consensus on coordinating to effectively implement the plan to organize activities in the Vietnam - Cambodia, Cambodia - Vietnam Friendship Year 2022, and effectively maintaining the current bilateral defence cooperation mechanisms, especially the Defence Policy Dialogue at the deputy ministerial level.

They agreed to continue promoting cooperation between border management forces through such forms as sharing information and organising joint patrols, to prevent and control crimes and illegal entry and exit activities. The two sides will also coordinate in preventing diseases; and in multilateral mechanisms and forums.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets Lao counterpart in US

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with his Lao counterpart Phankham Viphavanh in Washington D.C on May 13 afternoon (US time) on the occasion of their attending the ASEAN-US Special Summit.

At the event, the Vietnamese PM congratulated Laos on the positive results in the country’s fight against COVID-19 and reopening, and highly valued the two countries’ sound cooperation in the bilateral framework as well as at regional and international forums.

The Lao PM spoke highly of Vietnam’s important achievements in the recent time, especially in bringing the COVID-19 pandemic under control and promptly reopening its borders for socio-economic recovery and development, and thanked Vietnam for cooperation and support for Laos over the years.

The two PMs rejoiced at the stable development of the Vietnam-Laos great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation. Since the start of 2022, the countries have exchanged delegations at all levels, notably an official visit to Vietnam by the Lao PM in January.

They have collaborated in effective implementing high-level agreements and those adopted at the 44th meeting of the Inter-Governmental Committee chaired by the two PMs in Hanoi earlier this year.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son meets US counterpart, National Security Advisor in Washington

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, who is accompanying Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh during his US trip, met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Washington D.C on May 13 (local time).

At the meetings, FM Son thanked the US Department of State and the US National Security Council for helping promote the Vietnam-US relations over the years, especially through the close coordination in organising the ASEAN-US Special Summit. 

The two sides shared pleasure that US President Joe Biden and PM Pham Minh Chinh had a meeting on the sidelines of the summit, during which they engaged in practical discussions on the bilateral relations between the two countries as well as regional and international issues of shared concern.

FM Son expressed his delight at the positive development of the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership over the years, as seen in mutual visits, including that by US Vice President Kamala Harris in 2021, as well as in meetings and telephone talks between officials of both sides. Therefore, bilateral cooperation in many areas such as economy, trade, COVID-19 prevention and control, education-training, science-technology, climate change response, and war aftermath settlement have been strengthened despite difficulties from COVID-19, he noted. 

Son said he hopes the US Secretary of State and the National Security Advisor will continue to make positive contributions to the development of the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership.

For their part, Blinken and Sullivan said they are impressed by the breakthrough growth of Vietnam in the past years, and highly valued the important outcomes of the comprehensive partnership between the two countries.

The US officials affirmed that they hope the two sides will continue to promote their cooperation in all aspects of their comprehensive partnership.

Responding to the Vietnamese FM’s proposal to turn the US into one of the leading investors of Vietnam, Sullivan said that President Biden’s administration hope to increase investment and development cooperation with all partners in the region and the world, including Vietnam.

Secretary Blinken said that the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework is one of the US’s efforts to promote an economic mechanism that benefits all parties and responds to global economic challenges, especially during the post-pandemic period. He said he hopes to continue to hold more detailed discussions with Vietnam on the initiative’s contents.

The two sides agreed to continue working closely together at regional cooperation frameworks, especially the ASEAN and Mekong Sub-Region. Accepting the invitation of FM Son, Blinken and Sullivan said they will visit Vietnam when conditions permit.

Vietnam, US hold potential in expanding economic, business collaboration

The United States and Vietnam have a lot of potential to expand their business and trade cooperation in such fields as agriculture, life sciences and energy transition, according to President and CEO of the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) Peter Tichansky.

The economic and business cooperation between the two countries is developing strongly and will grow even further, Tichansky said in an interview granted to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in New York on the occasion of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s working trip to the US.

The BCIU’s member companies are placing a very high priority on cooperation with Vietnamese partners, he stated, adding that the council wishes to work closely not only with existing but also with future Vietnamese partners.

He appreciated the Vietnamese Government for listening to proposals by the council’s member companies, affirming this is the style that makes Vietnam different from others because it understands how to attract high-quality foreign investment. During the past decade, more and more US companies have realised this and invested more in Vietnam.

The BCIU will continue to act as an effective bridge to promote partnerships between US and Vietnamese companies, he confirmed.

The Business Council for International Understanding is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan, membership organisation that encourages dialogue between business and political leaders in different countries.

Seventh Argentine Week in Hanoi "Celebrating our friendship"

The Embassy of Argentina to Vietnam is organising the 7th edition of the Argentine Week in Hanoi under the slogan "Celebrating our friendship" from May 23-28, aiming to continue bringing Argentina closer to Vietnam and its peoples through political dialogue, trade and culture.

The event, held in the framework of the excellent relations between Argentina and Vietnam, the bilateral Comprehensive Partnership in force since 2010 and on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations that will occur in 2023, will consist of three main activities.

The Week will kick off with the celebration of "Argentine Beef and Wine Day" on May 23 at the restaurant "Los Fuegos - Argentinian Steak en Grill" (located in the heart of the Tay Ho district) of the renowned Argentine Chef Emilio Fusé.

The Argentine Beef and Wine day is an Argentine gastronomy promotion event organized by the Argentine Embassy in Vietnam in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City since 2014. On this occasion, the participants will have the opportunity to taste a selection of the highest quality Argentine cheese, seafood, beef, wine and dulce de leche. The Beef and Wine Day will count with the participation of entrepreneurs, executives of hotels, the gastronomy industry, retail, importers and distributors, among others, as well as selected personalities from Hanoi and from the expat community.

The companies and institutions sponsoring promoting their products are: the Argentine Beef Promotion Institute (IPCVA),the Restaurant “Los Fuegos Argentinian Steak and Grill”, Del Plata – Argentina Market, Food Source International, Warehouse, Daloc, Red Apron , TBN, Huy Phong, San Ignacio and Pampa Cheese.

During Argentine Week, the Restaurant "Los Fuegos Argentinian Steakand Grill” will be offering the “Asado Criollo” menu, based on the traditional Argentine barbecue cuisine, to accompany the celebrations.

On May 25, the Argentine Embassy will commemorate the 212th anniversary of the May Revolution, a key date in the Argentine independence process which led to the establishment of the Primera Junta, the first National Government, on May 25, 1810.

On this occasion, a reception will be held at the Official Residence of the Argentine Republic with the participation of Authorities and Officials of Vietnamese Government, the Diplomatic Corps and personalities from local affairs.

The closing event of the 7th Argentine Week in Hanoi" will be the Argentine Tango and Gastronomy Festival that will take place on May 28 from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Octogonal House of the Ly Thai To Flower Garden in Hoan Kiem district.

The Argentine Tango and Gastronomy Festival will be open to the public and its main attractions will be Tango shows and classes in charge of the following Hanoian Tango clubs: Tango Hanoi, El Cielo Tango and La Boca Tango. Throughout the evening there will be dance demonstrations and basic steps will be taught to the public.

The Octagonal House will be surrounded by gastronomy booths and Argentine products. Dishes based on the typical "Argentine barbecue" will be presented by the Restaurant Los Fuegos, accompanied by Argentine wines from Warehouse and Da Loc. People will also be able to taste the popular "churros with dulce de leche".

Matéa, the first Vietnamese company to distribute Yerba Mate (a traditional and popular Argentine infusion) in Vietnam, will also be present with its products.

The Argentine company Arcor, a world leader in the food industry, will present its “Saladix” snacks, very popular in Argentina.

The Argentine Embassy will have its official stand with touristic and cultural information about the natural beauties that travellers can find in the South American country.

Digital transformation help connect insurance, population databases

 The Vietnam Social Security (VSS)’s digital transformation efforts have helped provide chip-based ID cards for health insurance at more than 4,000 medical facilities across the country.

With 16 million labourers taking out social and unemployment insurance and 88 million people with health insurance, the VSS has strengthened the application of information technology to improve its operational efficiency.

Nguyen Hoang Phuong, Vice Director of the VSS’s Information Technology Centre, said the centre has been developing a national insurance database, while also sharing population data.

The centre is also implementing Decision No.06/QD-TTg approving a project to develop the application of population data, ID and electric identification serving national digital transformation in the 2022-2025 period, with a vision to 2030, Phuong said.

After the national population database was put into operation, the VSS connected with the system and has been working with the Ministry of Public Security to link the demographic information. So far, the system has identified about 40 million people, said Phuong, adding that the VSS has provided social and health insurance information for more than 21 million people to the national population database.

He said the VSS will continue to synchronise its data with the national population database to form a complete connection between insurance and population data. The work is scheduled for completion by the end of 2022.

On February 28, 2022, the Ministry of Health sent Dispatch No.931/BYT-BH to health departments of localities and medical facilities across the country asking for the pilot use of chip-based ID cards for health check-ups and treatment services covered by health insurance. On March 1, 2022, the VSS started to implement the scheme in all of its branches nationwide.

PM receives CEO of Murphy Oil Corporation

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received President and Chief Executive Officer of Murphy Oil Corporation Roger Jenkins in Washington D.C on May 13 afternoon (US time) as part of his trip to the US.

At the meeting with Roger, PM Chinh spoke highly of the cooperation and active participation of Murphy Oil in oil exploration activities in Vietnam over the past time. He welcomed the corporation's plan to expand operation in Vietnam in the future.

Roger said he highly appreciated the Vietnamese market and reported about Murphy Oil's activities in Vietnam, particularly the progress of the Lac Da Vang oilfield project. He proposed support measures to help promote the progress of the project.   

PM Chinh said he had issued directions relating to the project, and the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam or PVN) held many meetings with contractors and ministries, agencies to consider and deal with the project's problems. He proposed the two sides to speed up the progress of related works. 

PM Chinh said Murphy Oil needs to promptly continue to coordinate with the PVN and the PetroVietnam Exploration Production Corporation (PVEP) to handle related works. He stated that he had asked the Vietnamese ministries of Industry and Trade, and Planning and Investment to study proposals of the corporation and implement related tasks in order to speed up the progress of the Lac Da Vang project. 

Murphy Oil has invested around 300 million USD in oil exploration in Vietnam and is managing oil fields in Be Cuu Long and Be Phu Khanh. It is cooperating with the PVEP to carry out the Lac Da Vang oilfield project with a total investment capital of 700 million USD.

In the coming time, the corporation will continue oil exploration activities at oilfields under its management as committed with the Government of Vietnam.

Vietnam to ban plastic bags from markets by 2030

Vietnam will ban the use of all plastic bags, even in wet markets, from 2030, according to an official of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Deputy head of the ministry’s Institute of Strategy and Policy on National Resources and Environment (ISPONRE) Nguyen Trung Thang said that currently, manufacturers are considering changes to technology to meet market demand and comply with State regulations.

Thang said over the past time, Vietnam has seen many positive signals in promoting the restriction of plastic bags.

He took the establishment of the Plastic Alliance's pilot project as an example.

The Plastic Alliance gathers 16 retailers that pledge to reduce the use of disposable plastic bags. It is part of the “Rethinking Plastics - Circular Economy Solutions to Marine Litter in Vietnam” project funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Government, and carried out by Expertise France.

The alliance has stepped up communication programmes directed at retailers and on social media platforms to change consumer behaviour and reduce single-use plastic bags and plastic products.

According to an ISPONRE survey, up to 104,000 single-use plastic bags are used at supermarkets each day, equivalent to 38 million bags a year. Among the 48 supermarkets surveyed, 46 are providing plastic bags free of charge.

Therefore, Vietnam has set a target of using 100 percent environmentally-friendly bags at commercial centres and supermarkets by 2025.

To that end, many policies have been approved by the Vietnamese Government to limit plastic bags and single-use plastic products, including the National Strategy on Integrated Management of Solid Waste to 2025, with a vision to 2050.

The 2020 Law on Environmental Protection also stipulates the responsibility of manufacturers for waste recycling and treatment, and includes regulations on the reduction, recycling and treatment of plastic waste as well as prevention and control of ocean plastic waste.

Source: VNA/SGT/VNS/VOV/Dtinews/SGGP/VGP/Hanoitimes