Australian defense minister

UK Minister of International Trade Greg Hands visited Vietnam on Wednesday to explore trade cooperation opportunities between the two countries. His visit came amidst the UK’s pursuit of full membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in 2023. Vietnam is the first stop on the minister’s three-day trip to three Southeast Asian countries, all of which are founding members of the partnership. During an exclusive interview with Tuoi Tre News , Hands emphasized what the UK can offer the CPTPP, as well as discussed the UK’s strong strategic partnership with Vietnam. In a speech at Lancaster House on January 23, UK Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch outlined five priorities for trade. What are your priorities as the Minister of State for Trade Policy? My personal priorities are, first, to get the UK into the CPTPP. Vietnam will play a crucial role in that progress. My second priority is to do a free trade agreement with India this … [Read more...] about UK joining CPTPP a fundamental change to the bloc: minister

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency’s correspondents in Vientiane, Boviengkham Vongdara, member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), Minister of Science and Technology of Laos, and President of the Laos - Vietnam Friendship Association (LVFA), highlighted Vietnam's major achievements under the CPV leadership through different periods, including the declaration of independence in 1945, the victories against the French colonialists and the U.S. imperialists between 1945 and 1975. He also spoke highly of the reunification of the country in 1975, and the post-war national construction and recovery after 1975. He said that the most outstanding success of the Party is its leadership over the “Doi Moi” (Renewal) cause, switching from a subsidized economic model to a socialist-oriented market economy, helping bring the country’s economy into the contemporary era. He noted that last year, despite COVID-19 impacts and difficulties from the … [Read more...] about Lao official highlights Vietnam’s successes under CPV leadership

A petrol station in HCM City (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) to take measures to ensure the supply of all key commodities, especially fuel, and to stabilise the country's distribution channels for the economy after the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday. Vietnam Electricity (EVN) was told to speed up the construction and implementation of major power projects, including renewable energy, to ensure enough power for the country's crucial industries. In addition, priority should be given to connecting isolated and remote communes to the national power and telecommunication networks. MoIT, the ministry in charge of Vietnam's power sector, was told to quickly finish and submit the country's Power Planning VIII to the central government for review. The PM said the country's top priority in the short term is to focus on boosting exports, especially agriculture products to China and neighbouring … [Read more...] about MoIT proposes adjusting fuel prices every Thursday

Addressing the event, Sieu said member countries’ tourism reopening last year signified a strong recovery of the sector. Vietnam welcomed 3.5 million international visitors in 2022, with ASEAN named the country’s leading tourist market in terms of recovery speed, he added. The official affirmed that Vietnam always welcomes proposals from ASEAN member states to learn, share and explore the potential for further cooperation in the field of festival tourism. In the second half of this year, Vietnam plans to organize a regional conference on festival tourism, he unveiled. The conference focused on reviewing reports of the bloc’s four tourism cooperation committees, and approving a number of documents including the final drafts of standards and toolkit for the MICE (Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) and event organization profession, among others. Participants also discussed preparations for a series of functions such as the 26th ASEAN Tourism Ministers’ Meeting; … [Read more...] about Vietnam attends meeting of ASEAN National Tourism Organizations

A Chinese spy balloon has been flying over the United States for a couple of days, U.S. officials said on Thursday, in what would be a brazen act just days ahead of a planned trip to Beijing by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Fighter jets were mobilized, but military leaders advised President Joe Biden against shooting the balloon out of the sky for fear debris could pose a safety threat, advice Biden accepted, U.S. officials said. The United States took "custody" of the balloon when it entered U.S. airspace and had observed it with piloted U.S. military aircraft, one of the officials told reporters on condition of anonymity. Separately, Canada's defense ministry said a "high-altitude surveillance balloon" was detected and that it was monitoring a "potential second incident", without giving further details, adding that it was in frequent contact with the United States. The news initially broke as CIA Director William Burns was speaking at an event at Washington’s … [Read more...] about Chinese spy balloon flies over the United States, Pentagon says

The event was attended by leaders of the Political Department of Military Region 3, the Military Youth Advisory Board, the provincial Military Command, the provincial Party Committee, the People’s Council, the People’s Committee, agencies, organizations, enlisted youths, and their relatives and friends. During the event, participants offered incense in commemoration of the fallen; visited historical relic sites; had exchange with war veterans, historical witnesses, and demobilized troops in 2023; participated in artistic, cultural, and sports exchanges. On the occasion, units presented gifts to youths enlisted to military and public security units. According to Senior Colonel Tran Viet Nang, Head of the Military Youth Advisory Board, the program aimed to disseminate and educate young people about patriotic traditions, national pride, and tradition of the heroic Vietnam People’s Army as well as to create a joyful atmosphere to encourage young people to join the military. It was … [Read more...] about Activities held for enlisted youths in Ha Nam province

Hanoi, (VNA) - The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency. -The Presidential Office on February 3 announced the Acting President’s order to promulgate the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment that was adopted by the 15th National Assembly at its second extraordinary session. The revised law aims to deal with shortcomings and emerging problems in medical examination and treatment activities in a bid to develop and improve the quality of medical services towards fairness, high efficiency, development and international integration, while strengthening State management over these activities. Read full text -A delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, the Presidency, the National Assembly, the Government and the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee on February 3 paid floral tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Hanoi on the occasion of the 93rd founding anniversary of the CPV … [Read more...] about ☕ Afternoon briefing on February 3