A China-Vietnam-Laos freight train loaded with agricultural products at Nanning International Railway Port in Nanning, China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Photo: xinhua) Hanoi (VNA) - Trade between countries along the Mekong River and China posted steady growth last year despite COVID-19 and the sluggish global economy. Specifically, China's trade volume with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam hit 416.7 billion USD in 2022, up 5% year-on-year. The figures were disclosed at the opening ceremony of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Week 2023, which was held on March 23 in Kunming, China’s Yunnan province. Since, the mechanism was launched in 2016, it has become a landmark cooperation model in the region, and has continuously injected vitality into regional development./. VNA … [Read more...] about Trade between Mekong countries, China reaches over 416 bln USD in 2022
Vietnam china train
MIC to regulate OTT communication in Vietnam
The MIC called for a level playing field for domestic and foreign companies. Vietnam's Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) is seeking Government approval for a proposal to regulate over-the-top (OTT) interpersonal communication, which would bring popular messaging apps such as Zalo, Viber, and Telegram under the Telecommunications Law. The ministry believes that over-the-top service platforms such as Zalo, Viber, Telegram, and WhatsApp are replacing mobile phone services. However, there are currently no legal provisions governing these platforms, and there is no way to protect users and information security, the MIC stressed. Over-the-top media services, like Zalo, Viber, and Telegram, are displayed on a smartphone. Photo: Anh Quan Some world governments (in Europe, China, and South Korea) have classified this service as a telecom service and regulated it in accordance with the Telecommunications Law, it added. The ministry also called … [Read more...] about MIC to regulate OTT communication in Vietnam
Vietnam, Laos hold 3rd defense policy dialogue
Vietnamese Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and his Lao counterpart Lieutenant General Vongkham Phommakone co-chaired the event. At the dialogue, the two sides shared a common perception on the impacts of regional and global situations, the rise of non-traditional security challenges, major power’s growing competition for influence in Asia-Pacific. They agreed that in that context, ASEAN has continued to promote its centrality in the region, enhance dialogues and cooperation among ASEAN member states and other partners for regional peace and stability. The two sides spoke highly of the outcomes of their bilateral defense cooperation over the past time, especially the successful organization of nearly 30 big and meaningful activities in the Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam Year of Solidarity and Friendship in 2022. They also praised the two sides’ agencies and units for their great efforts and close coordination to fulfill the cooperation plan for … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Laos hold 3rd defense policy dialogue
National Defense Academy concludes training courses for Lao and Cambodian troops
Over the past time, implementing the Party’s and State’s foreign policies and guidelines as well as tasks assigned by the Ministry of National Defense, the academy has trained a number of Lao and Cambodian military officers. Accordingly, after over five months, nearly 60 trainees completed the two courses as scheduled with good results. During these courses, the trainees were equipped with knowledge about Vietnam’s internal and external policies; defense and security in Vietnam and in the region; Vietnamese military art as well as its cause of national liberation, construction and defense. In addition, they also learnt more about Vietnamese history and culture, among others. Addressing the ceremony, Political Commissar of the academy Senior Lieutenant General Luong Dinh Hong affirmed that the Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia ties are always considered a special relationship and play an important role in Vietnam’s external affairs and cooperation activities. He hoped that the trainees … [Read more...] about National Defense Academy concludes training courses for Lao and Cambodian troops
Priest discusses challenges to iconic Saigon church renovation
Work began on the VND140 billion (US$5.98 million) project to renovate the 147-year-old Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica in 2017. The project was originally expected to be finished this year, but the completion date has since been pushed back until 2027. Priest Ignatio Ho Van Xuan, head of the church's renovation board, spoke with VnExpress in an exclusive interview about the unexpected challenges and difficulties that have caused the renovation work to drag on much longer than planned. After six years, how is the project going? Currently, the restoration work is 50% complete. It has been carried out on the principle of keeping intact the parts that are still good enough and replacing the parts that are too damaged. To date, no items have been completed. For example, the roof has been beautifully restored, but the gutter system for it has not been completed because the restoration of two bell towers and the metal towers with two crosses must be completed [before installing the … [Read more...] about Priest discusses challenges to iconic Saigon church renovation
Hanoi exerts efforts to boost tourism development
Foreign tourists join a double-decker bus tour around Hanoi (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The tourism sector of Hanoi has worked hard to step up linkages with other localities nationwide to diversify products and improve the quality of tourism services, toward attracting more holidaymakers to the capital city. Since the beginning of 2023, Vietnam has seen a significant rise in the number of tourists. Hanoi alone welcomed more than 3 million visitors in January and February, an increase of 2.8% compared to 2022. The figure included 535,000 foreign tourists. In February, hotel occupancy in Hanoi was about 56.2%, up by 39.5% over the same period in 2022. The total revenue from tourists reached 13.2 trillion VND, 3.6% higher than that last year. Tours featuring destinations in Hanoi are always connected with other tourist attractions such as Ha Long (Quang Ninh), Sa Pa (Lao Cai), Trang An (Ninh Binh), and Moc Chau (Son La). Such tours are suitable for tourists nationwide, … [Read more...] about Hanoi exerts efforts to boost tourism development
Ocean dialogue discusses offshore renewable energy potential
The event, entitled “Offshore Renewable Energy: Opportunities and Challenges to Green Transition,” drew the virtual and in-person participation of more than 200 domestic and foreign experts. It was jointly organized by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV) and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Foundation (KAS). In his remarks, Assistant to Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu expressed optimism about the development of renewable energy in general and wind power in particular. In the long term, offshore wind power will be cheaper than current fossil fuel-based energy sources, he said, adding that other types of offshore renewable energy are also becoming indispensable elements of the modern, blue economy. Vietnam is committed to joining the common effort of mankind to promote clean energy, as demonstrated through its commitments at the 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) and the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), the official said. Vietnam is an attractive … [Read more...] about Ocean dialogue discusses offshore renewable energy potential
Cultural heritage to propel Hanoi’s future development
Hanoi aims to become the leading locality in the development of cultural creative space. The various cultural heritages that exist in Hanoi have significant potential, serving as a foundation and resource for Hanoi's socio-economic growth, particularly in cultural tourism development. Overview of the conference. Photos: Lai Tan/The Hanoi Times Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Ha Minh Hai gave the remarks at an international conference titled “Promoting the role of world cultural and natural heritages in sustainable development for Hanoi” today [March 24]. Cultural heritages as invaluable assets According to Hai, Hanoi is positioned as the political-administrative center of Vietnam and is a significant center for culture, science, education, economy, communication, and international trade. Hanoi is also known as the "Heritage City" and is the leading locality in terms of the number of monuments, he said. “The city’s cultural heritage … [Read more...] about Cultural heritage to propel Hanoi’s future development
Intellectuals form important force for social development: Party leader
VUSTA Chairman Phan Xuan Dung said that at the first congress of the Vietnam Association for Science and Technology Dissemination, the predecessor of VUSTA, on May 18, 1963, then President Ho Chi Minh talked to and assigned tasks to the country’s intellectuals. Twenty years later, on March 26, 1983, VUSTA was established with Labor Hero, Professor and Academian Maj. Gen. Tran Dai Nghia, a prominent scientist of Vietnam, being the first chairman. Since then, VUSTA has increasingly affirmed its important role in uniting and bringing into play the creativity of Vietnamese science and technology intellectuals both at home and abroad, thus substantially helping promote the country’s scientific and technological strength, boost socio-economic development, and contribute to defense - security safeguarding. From the 15 initial associations with a modest membership, VUSTA now comprises 156 associations, including 63 local association unions and 93 associations, with over 2.2 million … [Read more...] about Intellectuals form important force for social development: Party leader
Strong signals of positive year for industrial real estate market
Due to strong demand from various sectors, average occupancy rates of tier-1 markets in the northern region reached 83.2 per cent as of Q4 2022. — VNA/VNS Photo CBRE Vietnam has reported that Viet Nam's industrial real estate sector is poised for a prosperous year in 2023 due to a surge in demand. This upswing is largely attributed to an ongoing production shift and China-plus One strategy of manufacturers. The rental prices of industrial park lands in tier-1 markets are expected to rise by 5-10 per cent, fueled by robust demand. In addition, the CBRE Market Outlook 2023, released on February 17, revealed that in 2022, net absorption in tier-2 markets witnessed a substantial increase, further confirming the continuation of this trend in the coming years. Throughout 2022, northern industrial markets sustained a positive performance. By the end of 2022, the industrial land supply of tier-1 markets in the North reached 10,291 ha, up 8 per cent yearly. Bac Ninh and Hung Yen are … [Read more...] about Strong signals of positive year for industrial real estate market