Government representative abroad in an embassy

A working session between VWU delegation and Begona Lasagabaster, Director of UNESCO Division of Gender Equality. (Photo: VNA) Paris (VNA) – A delegation from the Vietnam Women's Union (VWU) led by its Vice President Nguyen Thi Minh Huong paid a working visit to France from May 30 to June 1, during which they met and discussed with representatives from international organisations and Vietnamese associations in France. On June 1, the delegation and Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to UNESCO, met Chairperson of the UNESCO's Executive Board Tamara Rastovac Siamashvili and Begona Lasagabaster, Director of UNESCO Division of Gender Equality. A working session between VWU delegation and Chairperson of the UNESCO's Executive Board Tamara Rastovac Siamashvili. (Photo: VNA) VWU Vice President Nguyen Thi Minh Huong informed the UNESCO officials about the guidelines and policies of Vietnam and the country’s socio-economic development in recent … [Read more...] about Vietnam Women’s Union delegation pay working visit to France

Illustrative image (Photo: Dai bieu nhan dan newspaper) Hanoi (VNA) - The State Treasury raised 162,952 billion VND (nearly 6.94 billion USD) worth of Government bonds via auctions on the Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX) in the first five months of 2023, up 188.4% year-on-year. The amount was equal to 48.4% of the issuance plan in the second quarter, and 40.74% of the plan set for 2023. In May alone, as many as 23,269 billion VND, or 75.06% of the total G-bonds on offer, was mobilised via 17 auctions on the HNX. Most of the total volume offered in the month was 15-year and 10-year bonds, accounting for 43.4% and 32.1%, respectively. Interest rates continued their downward trend in all terms, with a decrease of 27-35 basic points compared to the last session of April. In the last auction of May, the interest rates for 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-, and 30-year terms were 2.4%,  2.95%, 3.05%, 3.19% and 3.4%, respectively. On the secondary market, the State Treasury … [Read more...] about Nearly 6.94 billion USD raised through Gov’t bond auctions in five months

The Government leader highlighted Buddhism’s companionship with Vietnam over the past nearly 2,000 years, saying the religion has played an important part in the spiritual and cultural life of Vietnamese people. Buddhism has significantly contributed to national construction and defense, he said, adding that Buddhist activities have been reformed over the past years, receiving the warm response of followers and people. The Prime Minister also lauded Buddhism’s material and spiritual contribution to the COVID-19 combat, as well as post-pandemic socio-economic recovery and development. Through the organization of U.N. Day of Vesak for three times, the VBS has importantly contributed to the development of Buddhism globally, improving the position and role of Vietnam Buddhism, and promoting the image of Vietnam and its people to international friends. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh used the occasion to thank the VBS, monks, nuns and followers both at home and aboard for their … [Read more...] about Prime Minister extends greetings on Lord Buddha’s birthday

According to Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) deputy general director Nguyen Tai Anh, "It will be crucial to implement a swift legal framework on investment, building, and operating offshore wind power projects while simultaneously drawing in investment and enhancing the existing transportation system." "The urgent need is to alter the policy framework as well as regulations to effectively accomplish the defined goals," added Tai Anh, speaking at a conference hosted by EVN on June 1. According to international practice, bringing an offshore wind power project into action requires about 8–9 years of planning and execution. Some analysts predict that Vietnam will require a vigorous preparatory process with suitable regulations to expedite the implementation time to meet the target of 7GW of power from offshore wind by 2030. The German Development Agency's Energy Support Programme and Vietnam Energy Partnership Group (VEPG) gathered specialists to share their international knowledge … [Read more...] about Vietnam needs to modify policies to foster offshore wind power

Illustrative photo (Source: vietnamnet.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on June 1 signed a document requesting all public agencies and localities intensify their work for effective administrative reform and business climate improvement . The document said such work should be in line with the national digital transformation to boost the quality of administrative services and tackle hurdles facing investment, production, and business activities. Since 2021, ministries have cut and simplified more than 2,200 business regulations in 177 legal documents and offered over 4,400 public services on the national public service portal. As of May this year, the country had 6,422 administrative procedures in total, a drop of 376 compared to the same period in 2020. In the document, the PM ordered a thorough review to further reduce and simplify at least 20% of the total regulations and administrative procedures related to investment, production, business and … [Read more...] about PM requests intensifying administrative reform, business climate improvement

Vietnam experienced a notable increase in automotive imports between January and April compared to the same period last year, in spite of a subsequent drop in April, according to data from the General Department of Vietnam Customs. The country imported 54,344 completely-built-up (CBU) autos in January-April, up 47.2 percent in volume and 33.4 percent in value year on year. The imports comprised 43,856 sedans, hatchbacks, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), minivans, and multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs), marking an increase of 45.6 percent compared to the same period last year, and 7,773 units designed for goods transportation, indicating a significant upswing of 109 percent. Thailand was Vietnam’s biggest auto exporter in the four-month period, with around 27,150 units worth US$545 million, followed by Indonesia with 19,050 units valued at $260 million and China with 3,617 units costing $135 million. The importation slowed down in April when Vietnam brought in 12,323 CBU cars worth … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s auto imports surge in January-April

Vietnamese Ambassador to the Netherlands Pham Viet Anh and delegations of the Vietnam Women's Union and the Vietnamese Women's Association in the Netherlands (Photo: VNA) Brussel (VNA) – Vietnam ese Ambassador to the Netherlands Pham Viet Anh hosted a reception for a delegation from the Vietnam Women's Union (VWU) led by its permanent Vice President Do Thi Thu Thao. During the meeting on May 30, the diplomat briefed delegates on the activities of the Vietnamese community and societies in the European nation, including overseas Vietnamese women. He said that these establishments have maintained many significant activities, contributing to strengthening solidarity in the community and the homeland’s development. On the occasion, the VWU’s delegation had a meeting with Vu Ngoc Mai and Nguyen Lan Huong, who are presidents of the Vietnam Women's Union and the Vietnamese Women's Association in the Netherlands, during which good experiences in organizing activities for … [Read more...] about Women’s Union enhances connection with Vietnamese women in Netherlands

Vietnam Airlines, Vietnam’s national flag carrier, was named one of the world’s top 25 airlines for 2023 by Australia-based AirlineRatings.com, an aviation safety and product review group. The carrier sits at number 20 in the rankings, above Turkish Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, KLM, Alaska Airlines, and United Airlines. The first five positions on the list respectively went to Air New Zealand, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Korean Air, and Singapore Airlines. To prepare its annual round-up, AirlineRatings.com considered major safety and government audits, as well as looked at airline fleet age, passenger reviews, profitability, investment rating, product and services, and staff relations. To make it to the top twenty-five, airlines must achieve a seven-star safety rating and demonstrate leadership in innovation for passenger comfort, according to AirlineRatings.com. “We are focused on leadership and airlines that innovate to make a real difference to the passenger … [Read more...] about Vietnam Airlines among world’s top carriers for 2023

Eighty more Vietnamese forced laborers recently rescued from a Philippine casino have arrived home safely, sending the tally to 140 as of Thursday, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry’s Consular Department and the Vietnamese Embassy in the Philippines are working with their Philippine counterparts to repatriate the remaining 297 Vietnamese citizens, said Nguyen Duc Thang, deputy spokesperson of the ministry at a press briefing on Thursday afternoon. Thang affirmed that Vietnam promotes legal, safe, and orderly migration while adopting preventive measures against illegal migration and human trafficking. The ministry also teamed up with localities and competent forces in Vietnam to raise public awareness about job scams. Earlier this month, the Philippine authorities rescued more than 1,000 people, including 437 Vietnamese nationals, from forced labor at an establishment owned by the Clark Sun Valley Hub group in Pampanga Province, near Manila. … [Read more...] about Vietnam repatriates 80 more forced laborers from Philippines

Visitors at the event. — VNS Photo Mai Huong The Plum Week and Safe Agricultural Products of Son La Province opened at Big C Thang Long supermarket in Ha Noi on Thursday evening, connecting the province’s businesses and cooperatives with retailers and businesses in other provinces and cities. The event was organised by the Son La Provincial Investment Promotion Centre in collaboration with Central Retail Vietnam and Vietnam Farmers' Union. The five-day event features 30 stalls showcasing a wide range of Son La’s agricultural products meeting food safety standards such as VietGAP, GolbalGAP, OCOP and organic certifications. The focus was on promoting Son La plums. Son La provincial People’s Committee Vice Chairman Nguyen Thanh Cong highlighted the significance of the event, stating that it presents a valuable opportunity to showcase the province’s agricultural products and safe food in both the capital city’s market and beyond, encompassing various provinces. He further … [Read more...] about Son La Plum Week and Safe Agricultural Products open in Ha Noi