Korean steelmaker posco urged to cut ties with myanmar junta

The 2019 ASEAN Tourism Forum Travel Exchange (Travex), which will be held in Quang Ninh province on January 16 - 18, 2019. The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism has called for local travel agents’ registration for Travex 2019. Accordingly, the travel exchange will feature 450 pavilions of ASEAN nations, including 100 booths of host Vietnam. Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh province. Travex is among the most long-standing annual travel fairs in ASEAN as part of the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF). Quang Ninh province will host the ATF 2019 from January 14-19 next year under the theme “ASEAN: The Power of One”. It provides a platform for tourism firms of Vietnam and ASEAN to meet and strengthen cooperation with more than 400 international buyers and reporters from major tourism markets such as the US, Europe and Northeast Asia, among others. The ATF is a cooperative regional effort to promote the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region as one tourist … [Read more...] about Vietnam ready for ASEAN Tourism Forum Travel Exchange

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (C, red shirt) and his Lao, Indonesian counterparts posing for a photo with reporters at ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (Photo: VNA) Jakarta (VNA) - The Vietnamese delegation to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat, led by Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, has actively contributed ideas to creating ASEAN's consensus on many important decisions such as measures to improve the group's institution effectiveness, implement the five-point consensus on the Myanmar issue, and support Timor Leste. The statement was made on February 4 by Ambassador Vu Ho , acting head of SOM ASEAN Vietnam, in an interview granted to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Indonesia on the outcomes of the retreat. Ambassador Ho said that the Vietnamese delegation not only discussed with other delegates to identify ASEAN's focuses and priorities, but also actively proposed many practical initiatives that are in line with the common concerns of other countries and the … [Read more...] about Vietnam contributes to ASEAN’s consensus on important decisions

In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the CPV’s 93rd founding anniversary (February 3, 1930 - 2023), the official stated the establishment was a remarkable event and a turning point in Vietnam’s revolutionary history. Speaking highly of the successes that the Party and people of Vietnam have achieved over the past time, he considered such achievements an invaluable lesson and strong motivation for Laos in its cause of national protection and development. He expressed his belief in further achievements gained by Vietnamese people under the CPV’s leadership toward turning Vietnam into a nation of modern industrialization, prosperity, equality, democracy and civilization. He said he was delighted to see the comprehensive growth of the great Vietnam - Laos friendship and special solidarity, which were cultivated by the first generations of leaders, and then fortified through their revolutionaries and the challenges they faced over the decades. Regarding … [Read more...] about Vietnam – Laos companionship bears imprint of Vietnamese Communist Party

During the talks, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh lauded Vietnam visit of Marise Payne following her reappointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs cum Minister for Women of Australia, saying that it proves the Australian government’s appreciation for Vietnam and substantial ties between the two nations. Deputy PM Minh thanked the Pacific country for maintaining the supply of development assistance to Vietnam, saying that it has been used effectively, contributing to Vietnam’s socio-economic development. For her part, Ms. Payne affirmed that Australia considers Vietnam one of its key partners in Southeast Asia and wants to further promote the bilateral relations and cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks. The two sides agreed to facilitate high-level visits in the coming time, effectively uphold 19 bilateral cooperation mechanisms, especially annual meetings between the two defense and foreign ministers, and hold the first … [Read more...] about Australia considers Vietnam a key partner in the region: Australian Foreign Minister

Won recently uploaded a photo to her Facebook page with the caption: "Based on my experience, most beautiful people don’t have hatred, they are pretty and kind. Therefore, I only hang with people who are pretty. What are your thoughts on this?" Hari Won’s post was then shared widely across a variety of social networks. Many commenters were not happy with the singer judging people based on their looks. "So, you’re saying that people only have great personalities when they are pretty? I know people who are pretty on the outside but ugly on the inside," read a comment posted by Amy Nguyen. "Don’t judge a book by its cover. That’s a basic lesson that everyone should learn. People can be kind whether they are beautiful or not pretty," Canh Pham commented. South Korean-born singer Hari Won. Photo courtesy of Hari Won Some also defended Won, arguing that the post was based on her subjective experience and that she did use the phrase "most" beautiful people, not "all." … [Read more...] about Singer mined in controversy over alleged appearance discrimination

After nine months of detention, Son, 59, has been charged by the Central Military Procuracy for "embezzlement of property," a crime that carries a maximum penalty of death. He was arrested in April 2022 and identified as the mastermind of the case. Six other people are facing trial for the same charge: former Lieutenant General Hoang Van Dong, former Political Commissar of the Coast Guard; former Major General Doan Bao Quyet, former Deputy Political Commissar of the Coast Guard; former Major General Pham Kim Hau, former Deputy Commander, Chief of Staff of the Coast Guard; former Major General Bui Trung Dung, former Deputy Commander of the Coast Guard; former Colonel Nguyen Van Hung, former head of the Department of Technology; and former Colonel Bui Van Hoe, former Deputy of the Finance Department of the Coast Guard Command. According to the indictment, the crime began in February 2019 as the Ministry of National Defense allocated VND450 billion of administration budget to the … [Read more...] about Former Coast Guard commander charged with directing $2.1M embezzlement

According to the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA), under the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), close to $1.7 billion worth of foreign capital poured into Vietnam last month. While this figure was down 19.8 per cent on-year, partly due to the timing of the Lunar New Year, January still saw positive signs. Some 153 new foreign-invested projects, valued at $1.2 billion, were granted licences, up 48.5 per cent in number and 3.1 times in value compared to the same period last year. “We can consider this a signal confirming the confidence of overseas financiers to expand their interests in Vietnam,” said Do Nhat Hoang, director of the FIA. This confidence is also reflected in the amount of new projects that were granted investment registration certificates or signed an MoU in the first month of the year. Bac Giang People’s Committee have granted several investment certificates and MoUs for a number of internationally funded projects with total registered capital of about … [Read more...] about Strong figures for FDI in January

Addressing the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Jakarta, Indonesia, Minister Bui Thanh Son said that initiatives in the region should come from the goodwill of cooperation, complementarity and reciprocity to ASEAN-led mechanisms, thus contributing to the common goal of peace, security, stability and development. Sharing common concerns about unpredictable regional and international fluctuations, the Vietnamese minister stressed that ASEAN needs to maintain solidarity, self-reliance and flexible adaptation, strengthen internal resources, and promote its centrality. He reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and safety of navigation and aviation in the East Sea (South China Sea), emphasizing the necessity for the group to strengthen its principle stance, and uphold international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, towards a rules-based regional maritime order, and effectively protecting the legitimate interests of … [Read more...] about ASEAN should maintain balanced, harmonious approach to partners: FM Son

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs the third session of the Government’s Steering Committee for Administrative Reform. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the third session of the Government’s Steering Committee for Administrative Reform on February 3, stressing that administrative reform must centre on people and enterprises . At the meeting, connected with 63 provinces and centrally-run cities via videoconference, participants reviewed the obtained results, pointed out shortcomings and difficulties, and proposed focal solutions and tasks for promoting the work. The PM, who is also head of the steering committee, said administrative reform was identified by the Party and State as one of the targeted strategic breakthroughs. It is meant to create favourable conditions for people and enterprises; reduce the time needed for civil servants and public employees to perform duties; help fight corruption and negative phenomena; cut down … [Read more...] about Administrative reform must centre on people, enterprises: PM

Bali in Indonesia (Photo: travel.kompas.com) Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia announced two tourism recovery strategies post COVID-19 on the sidelines of the 2023 ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in Jakarta on February 2. Raden Wisnu Sindhutrisno, an official from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, said that one strategy is to launch two types of visas that make it easier for foreign tourists to visit. The first type is the Visa on Arrival which will be given to foreign tourists when they arrive in Indonesia. Meanwhile, the second is the Second Home Visa intended for foreign tourists or former Indonesia n citizens who want to live and contribute to the Indonesian economy. In addition, there are also visa exemptions for nine other member countries of ASEAN, namely Brunei, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam . The second strategy to restore tourism and attract more tourists is through the Tourism Marketing Programme. … [Read more...] about Indonesia announces two post-pandemic tourism recovery strategies