Paying friends

An overview of the meeting. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son hosted a reception for Liu Ning, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region , in Hanoi on March 30, discussing a wide range of issues to boost ties between the two sides. During the session, the host proposed that the two sides promote existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms and programmes, expand friendship exchange between the people along the shared border, and effectively implement legal documents regarding land border and related agreements. The two sides shared delight at the sound development of the Vietnam-China relations over the years, especially after Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong ’s visit to China last year. They agreed that the success of the visit has given a strong impetus to the growth of the traditional friendship between the two Parties and the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries. … [Read more...] about Foreign minister hosts China’s Guangxi leader

Tran Tuan Anh, who is also head of the Steering Committee for the building of a project on reviewing the implementation of the Politburo’s Resolution on the strategic orientations for the development of the Vietnamese petroleum industry by 2025, with a vision to 2035, asked delegates to discuss Petrolimex’s production and trade situation since the issuance of the Resolution, focusing on shortcomings, difficulties, their causes and suggestions regarding policies, mechanisms, legal regulations, particularly petrol price and market management, investment procedures, business development, national petroleum reserve as well as the construction, management, and operation of warehouse-port system. He asked for clarifying the restructuring of Petrolimex in line with divestment and equitization roadmap, and major orientations to international cooperation with strategic partners associated with the production, processing and distribution of new and clean energy products. Chairman of … [Read more...] about New strategic orientations for Petrolimex suggested

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly’s session on zero waste – breakthrough solution to sustainable development goals (SDGs) on March 30, Thoa said sustainable waste management plays a crucial role in achieving the SDGs, especially Goal No.12 on sustainable production and consumption and Goal No.13 on climate change response. Fully aware that zero waste is a solution to climate change, Vietnam passed a national action plan on circular economy, with a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% of the total national income and reuse and recycle, and treat 85% of the plastic waste, as well as reduce plastic waste in the ocean by half. Vietnam has also built a national action program on ocean plastic waste management with a target of reducing 75% of the plastic waste by 2030, she said. According to her, international and regional cooperation in the effort is extremely significant, especially in financial support and technological transfer to ensure sustainable production … [Read more...] about Vietnam calls for comprehensive, all-society approach to waste management

An art performance at the ceremony (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City organised a ceremony on March 23 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Italy (March 23, 1973-2023). In his remarks, Chairman of the People’s Committee Phan Van Mai highlighted the increasingly close ties between the two countries, saying over the past 50 years, the bilateral relationship has grown actively across spheres, both bilaterally and multilaterally. The good traditional friendship has also been consolidated and enhanced, the official added. Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam presented Italy with more than 300,000 masks, while Italy donated 2.8 million doses of vaccines to the Southeast Asian nation. This vividly demonstrates the intensive and effective strategic partnership and friendship between the two countries, he said. HCM City, for its part, has actively worked to promote cooperation with … [Read more...] about 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Italy diplomatic ties celebrated in HCM City

Participants at the talks (Photo: VNA) Lang Son (VNA) – Secretary of the Party Committee of Lang Son province Nguyen Quoc Doan held talks with Liu Ning, Secretary of the Party Committee of China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, in Lang Son city on March 30, during which they discussed measures to further expand border trade cooperation. The two sides positively evaluated the close high-level relationship between the two Parties and States, as well as between Lang Son and Guangxi, which has been increasingly strengthened and nurtured. They also discussed measures to promote the potential and strengths, and step up cross-border trade. Liu said he hopes the two countries will continue to strengthen strategic development and connection and deepen practical cooperation in various fields, thus strongly promoting the partnership and comprehensive strategic cooperation in the new era. The Chinese official said Guangxi is currently implementing measures to promote the … [Read more...] about Vietnamese, Chinese localities eye stronger border trade

At the conference (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Vietnam needs to develop appropriate policies to adapt to the global minimum tax and remain an attractive FDI destination , heard a seminar in Ho Chi Minh City on March 29. Dr Tran Du Lich told the seminar, titled "Global Minimum Corporate Tax - Prospects and Challenges in attracting FDI in HCM City", that the global minimum corporate tax rate of 15%, which is set to be applied next year in Vietnam , is forecast to have a significant impact on Vietnam in whose economy FDI plays a significant role. The tax applies to multi-national corporations with revenues of at least 750 million euros (870 million USD). When a company invests in a foreign country but pays corporate income tax of less than 15% in that country, it will have to pay the difference in the country where it is headquartered. As of today, 141 countries and territories have signed up to implement the tax. “It is estimated that 1,015 FDI companies in … [Read more...] about Global minimum tax should not impact investors’ benefits: Conference

Phung Ba Hung was recently named amongst the recipients of the Fulbright Master’s Program Scholarship so that he can continue to spread his love for reading in Vietnam. Hung’s passion for reading began when he was a child. It was not until after he graduated from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities under the Vietnam National University-Hanoi with a degree in journalism and media studies that he started sharing his passion with others through the launch of Duong Lieu. Duong Lieu is a private library he opened in his living room designed to create a safe space for neighborhood children to lose themselves in the magic of literature. When Hung, 33, launched Duong Lieu in 2013, the few private libraries that existed in his Hanoian neighborhood were primarily run by retired teachers, veterans, and the elderly. While these libraries were appreciated by many, they were not particularly approachable and child-friendly. “My knowledge of journalism and media has really … [Read more...] about This young man is the backbone of Vietnam’s community library network

UK Minister of State for Defense Baroness Goldie visited Vietnam on Wednesday and Thursday to continue efforts to strengthen the two countries’ bilateral defense partnership. During the visit, Goldie met with Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of National Defense, and co-chaired the UK and Vietnam’s Fourth Defense Policy Dialogue – an annual bilateral meeting between the two nations which focuses on the future of joint defense cooperation. The minister also visited the Vietnam Department for Peacekeeping Operations as the UK reaffirms its support for Vietnam in developing as a UN Troop Contributing Nation. The UK has already supported Vietnam’s deployments, including to South Sudan and Abyei, by training medical and engineering personnel. She also shared that the UK is eager to assist with future initiatives. UK Minister of State for Defense Baroness Goldie visits the Vietnam Department for Peacekeeping Operations in Hanoi in a … [Read more...] about UK defense minister visits Vietnam, bolsters bilateral defense partnership

Saigon Co.op signed a number of agreements with suppliers at its supplier conference held in HCM City on March 30. — VNS Photo Saigon Co.op, the owner of Co.opmart, Co.opXtra, Co.op Food, Co.op Smile, Cheers, Finelife, HTV Co.op, and Cooponline retail chains, met with nearly 600 suppliers to discuss strategies to better satisfy customers’ needs and develop together at its supplier conference in HCM City on Thursday. Vu Anh Khoa, its chairman, said Saigon Co.op is now the largest consumer goods retailer in Viet Nam, and has the largest number of modern retail models besides more than 800 points of sale in 42 of the country’s 63 provinces and cities. It accounted for 35.8 per cent of the modern retail market share held by domestic players last year, and had revenues of VND31 trillion (US$1.3 billion) and one million customers a day, he said. Nguyen Anh Duc, its general director, said: “Among its targets for 2025, Saigon Co.op aims to have 1,000 points of sale and deliver new … [Read more...] about Saigon Co.op discusses strategies with 600 suppliers