Significant contributions to photography or the art world

At the meeting (Photo: VNA) Jakarta (VNA) - The first ASEAN-France Development Partnership Committee (AF-DPC) Meeting took place on March 4 in the form of a video conference. The Vietnamese delegation was led by Vietnam’s representative to the ASEAN Ambassador Nguyen Hai Bang. At the meeting, the French side affirmed that France treasures cooperation with ASEAN, underlining that the organisation plays a significant role in maintaining political and economic stability in the region, and voicing a hope to further participate in ASEAN-led processes. France affirmed it will support the building of the ASEAN Community and implementation of the 2025 Vision, priorities in the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework, the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025), and the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan IV (2021 -2025); while actively contributing to maintaining peace, stability and development in Asia-Pacific and the world. For their part, ASEAN representatives welcomed and highly valued that France has become a Development Partner of ASEAN. They expressed gratitude to France’s assistance for ASEAN members through the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) over the past 25 years, especially in the fields of regional economic integration, education, environment and climate change, and institutional enhancement/capacity building. They also suggested France bolster cooperation in digitalisation, biodiversity, tourism and cultural exchange, technical education and vocational training, as well as support other ASEAN mechanisms and initiatives, particularly the ASEAN Smart Cities Network. Regarding future cooperation, the two sides agreed to foster practical collaboration in spheres of mutual interest, and identify and focus on some prioritised fields at present. Of note, they consented to compile the Practical Cooperation Areas (PCA) for 2022-26, which serves as the basis for effective implementation of cooperation activities between …

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Vietnam and its timeless beauty Vietnam, a truly fascinating country, offers a 3,260km coastline, connecting the north and south with white sandy beaches. Beyond its significant coast, the country boasts overlapping ranges of mountains, primaeval forests, and world-famous caves. The destination is also known for its rich history, deep culture and arts, and unique street food cuisine. More than its diverse natural landscape, Vietnam also has vibrant cosmopolitan cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, each with their own distinct ambience and rhythm. Hanoi offers a traditional setting with a heritage dating back 1,000 years. Ho Chi Minh City is a high-energy urban and business centre with skyscrapers and a bustling streetscape. There are also the idyllic landscapes of the Vietnamese countryside and craft villages. These include bountiful fruit orchards across the Mekong Delta; narrow Hoi An streets adorned with bright red Bougainvillea trellises of ancient yellow houses; and the terraced paddy fields in Sapa. Vietnam has become one of the top destinations in the Asia-Pacific region, attracting tourists from all over the world. The US-based Go Overseas website ranked Vietnam 8th on its list of top 10 travel destinations for 2019, saying the nation is “filled with beauty at every turn”. As a home to eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, Vietnam was also rated as one of the 10 most unique destinations in Southeast Asia in 2019 by The Quarterly Tourism Monitor , while Condé Nast Traveler ranked Vietnam 9th of its 20 favourite destinations of 2020. Factors to turn Vietnamese tourism into an economic juggernaut Prior to 2020, global demand for travel and tourism was booming around the world, with growth of roughly 4 per cent per annum expected over the next decade (2019-2029). In addition, Vietnam’s GDP growth, young population, and rapidly expanding middle class are all driving tourism. According to World Bank statistics, between 2002 and 2018, GDP …

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Clip expresses gratitude toward doctors in COVID-19 fight A video clip comprising a series of paintings by children on doctors, who are called intimately as white blouse warriors during the COVID-19 fight, has been published recently by the Ministry of Health. The paintings by child artists are part of a campaign initiated by the Vietnamese Ministry of Health and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). They depict doctors as white-blouse soldiers who have relentlessly fought against the pandemic, through which children’s gratitude toward health workers is expressed. The video also conveys a message of solidarity in the fight against COVID-19./. 110 foreign experts to be isolated for COVID-19 combat The administration of Quang Ngai province, central Vietnam, has outlined plans to put a total of 110 foreign experts into isolation in concentrated places in an effort to prevent the potential spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The foreign experts are scheduled to pass though Huu Nghi international border gate in the northern province of Lang Son and then travel to Quang Ngai to work for Hoa Phat Dung Quat Iron and Steel Integrated Complex. The provincial administration requested relevant agencies to create favourable condition for the experts during their travel and quarantine back in Quang Ngai. At present, Quang Ngai is yet to record any positive COVID-19 cases this year, although local authorities have advised relevant agencies to closely control people entering from COVID-19 hotspots in the fight against the virus. Cases that violate the Health Ministry’s COVID-19 prevention and control measures will be punished, whilst local medical workers will take samples for testing of relevant cases, especially foreigners currently working in Quang Ngai. Daily Mail hails Vietnamese driver as hero after saving life of local girl The Daily Mail newspaper of the UK has posted an article hailing the bravery of a local delivery …

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