For Thien, the official visit to Vietnam by U.S. President Joe Biden earlier this month was not only an important event between Vietnam and the U.S., but a memorable milestone in his life. At the National Assembly Building on September 11, Thien received his war diary lost during a battle in Tay Ninh that borders HCMC in 1967, as witnessed by Biden and National Assembly chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. "I couldn’t have imagined ever receiving my lost diary from the war around 60 years ago. It was truly surprising and moving. For me, it was an invaluable relic," said Thien, 75. Thien was born in northern Thai Binh Province and joined the army in 1965, at the age of 17. He brought with him a diary to recount what happened during his march into the southeastern Vietnam battlefield. "I want my descendants to know how their forefathers used to face dangers and hardship," he said. He would often sit down and write in his diary one or two days into the march, or when emotions ran … [Read more...] about How a Vietnam War diary found its way home after 56 years
Assemblies start new school year
Top legislator’s official visit expected to help boost Vietnam-Bulgaria multifaceted cooperation
NParty General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (R) receives then Bulgarian President Risen Plevneliev in 2013 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue’s upcoming official visit to Bulgaria is expected to help consolidate and enhance time-tested friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries in general and the two parliaments in particular. Hue’s trip is made 15 years after the visit to the European country by then NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong in 2008. Vietnam and Bulgaria set up their diplomatic relations on February 8, 1950. Over the past years, the bilateral relationship has enjoyed positive developments in all fields from politics-diplomacy, economy, trade, defence-security, science-technology, education-training, culture to sports and tourism. In addition to regular visits by high-ranking leaders, the two countries have maintained close cooperation at regional and international forums, particularly within the … [Read more...] about Top legislator’s official visit expected to help boost Vietnam-Bulgaria multifaceted cooperation
Industry-trade minister holds working session with US Secretary of Commerce
At the working session (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien held a working session with US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo in New York recently, on the occasion of a working trip to attend the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly and bilateral activities. Both sides underscored the need for broader and deeper cooperation between the management agencies of both countries, and between the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and the US Department of Commerce (DOC) in particular, in order to actualise the vision of the two countries' leaders and to set development goals that match the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership. Reiterating the importance of the recognition of Vietnam's market economy status, Dien suggested the DOC make drastic directions to expedite and complete the Changed Circumstances Review (CCR) process this year, in line with the spirit of the Joint Statement on September 11 and … [Read more...] about Industry-trade minister holds working session with US Secretary of Commerce
PM Pham Minh Chinh calls on US enterprises to expand business in Vietnam
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh during his receptions for leaders of several global and U.S. corporations on Thursday afternoon (local time), such as Apple, Boeing, Google, and Siemens proposed them to expand their businesses in Vietnam. Nick Ammann, vice president for global government affairs at Apple, and an Apple high-ranking delegation said Vietnam is an important market and has much potential for cooperation. Apple is interested in clean energy strategies and the approach to clean energy for Apple contract manufacturers in Vietnam, Ammann said. The Apple representative also wanted to jointly organize training programs for software personnel in Vietnam, which has developed strong human resources in the digital economy. PM Chinh congratulated Apple on its achievements in Vietnam and around the world, adding that he welcomes businesses that enhance the use of clean energy and training for human resources in the hi-tech sector to invest in Vietnam. The Vietnamese … [Read more...] about PM Pham Minh Chinh calls on US enterprises to expand business in Vietnam
The key factors to take into account for switch to LNG
Lam Nguyen Hoang Thao, senior associate at law firm Russin & Vecchi The central provinces of Thanh Hoa and Nghe An are looking for the government’s green light to convert some coal-fired power projects into liquefied natural gas (LNG) -to-power one. How do you think this trend is panning out in Vietnam so far? I believe that the trend of converting coal-fired power to LNG-to-power plants in Vietnam is a very positive development. The Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8) called for a reduction in the use of coal and an increase in the use of cleaner fuels. The nation’s goal is to make the transition to green, renewable energy including solar, wind, biomass, ammonia, hydrogen, and nuclear energy. However, the road to reach these goals is still long and uncertain. Vietnam still has limited ability to supply energy from biomass and green ammonia due to the limitation of technology, expertise, and due to the related high production costs. Similarly, with hydrogen, the … [Read more...] about The key factors to take into account for switch to LNG
Vietnamese FM attends preparatory meeting for 2024 future summit, holds bilateral meetings
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (Photo: VNA) New York (VNA) – Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son joined nearly 150 ministers and representatives from UN member countries at a preparatory ministerial meeting for the 2024 Summit of the Future in New York on September 21 (local time). At the meeting, ministers pointed to major difficulties and challenges currently, especially those related to climate change, environment, food security, energy, water resources as well as the decline in trust and multilateral cooperation. They were especially concerned as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been completed by 14%, and believed that the 2024 Summit of the Future is significant in creating new catalysts to promote the implementation of the 2030 Agenda . The ministers shared their countries' vision and priorities for the summit, and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening global governance and multilateralism, calling for respect for the basic principles of … [Read more...] about Vietnamese FM attends preparatory meeting for 2024 future summit, holds bilateral meetings
Banyan Tree Group celebrates World Wellness Weekend
World Wellness Weekend (WWW) is considered one of the largest wellness campaigns in the world, with the participation of more than 6,000 organisations and individuals in 147 countries and territories, with the message "Wellness for all - Healthy living for everyone." General manager of Garrya Mu Cang Chai Hylton Lipkin (yellow shirt) and associates Celebrating WWW this year, were the top brands of Banyan Tree Group, including Garrya Mu Cang Chai – a new resort brand in Northern Vietna expected to launch in early 2024; and Banyan Tree Lang Co - the most luxurious resort on the central coast of Vietnam, known for its core values of wellbeing. In the Northwest mountain area of Vietnam, with the guidance of Hylton Lipkin, general manager of Garrya Mu Cang Chai, also the ambassador of WWW in Vietnam, the attendees had a meaningful weekend. Not only organising meditation and yoga activities, this was also an opportunity for Garrya Mu Cang Chai to offer the bustling … [Read more...] about Banyan Tree Group celebrates World Wellness Weekend
6 Vietnam companies with exemplary technology environments in 2023
This is the first year the CTO Summit Technology Leadership Conference has been organized at the annual AI event to honor enterprises with a technology-rich working environment. WD, Heineken, VNPT, FPT's representatives receive the award as the best technology environment enterprises at Vietnam Artificial Intelligence Day 2023 on September 22, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran Launched in mid-July, the award received more than 50 nominations and 17 were shortlisted for the next round. FPT FPT is one of the pioneering enterprises in technology and digital transformation in Vietnam. The company has representative offices in 29 countries and territories. The group has invested trillions of dong to create comfortable office complexes and offices with utility ecosystems to meet employees' demand for working, entertainment, studying, and accommodation. One of FPT's unique cultures is the core staff training program, which helps young talents enhance their skills … [Read more...] about 6 Vietnam companies with exemplary technology environments in 2023