World record

A Republic of Singapore Navy serviceman briefs RSN and Indonesia n Navy personnel prior to a joint boarding exercise on board MV Swift Rescue for Exercise Joint Minex Pandu.(Photo:thestar.com.my) Singapore (VNA) – Over 230 servicemen from the Singapore and Indonesian navies gathered in a six-day bilateral military exercise starting on August 11, which aims to strengthen their coordination ability to counter underwater threats. Held in Singapore, and in Batam and the waters off Bintan in Indonesia, this year's Joint Minex Pandu exercise included joint mine-countermeasure operations, diving, live gunnery firing, professional exchange on mine clearance diving techniques, and table-top planning exercises. According to the Ministry of Defence of Singapore, the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) regularly conduct professional exchange, exercises and visits, and also collaborate through the multilateral Malacca Straits Patrol. The RSN's … [Read more...] about Singapore, Indonesia conduct bilateral naval exercise

At the ceremony (Photo: VNA) Tokyo (VNA) - The Vietnam Embassy in Japan on August 16 chaired a ceremony celebrating the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN)'s 55th founding anniversary with the participation of ambassadors/chargé d'affaires of the bloc’s 10 member states. In his opening speech, Vietnamese Ambassador Vu Hong Nam, who is the current rotating Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Tokyo (ACT), said ASEAN is now one of the most dynamic and successful regional organisations in the world. According to the ambassador, with a population of nearly 700 million and GDP exceeding 3.2 trillion USD, ASEAN is the world's 5th biggest economy. The bloc’s trade has so far recovered to the pre-COVID-19 level and is forecast to grow 4.9% this year and 5.2% in 2023. The group’s cooperation with its foreign partners has been increasingly deepened toward effectiveness. The diplomat attributed such results to unceasing efforts made by ASEAN people. Vietnamese Ambassador Vu … [Read more...] about Vietnam chairs ceremony marking ASEAN’s 55th founding anniversary in Japan

Vietnam has recorded new Omicron sub-variants including the fast-spreading BA.2.75, which explains the recent resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the country, according to the Ministry of Health. The General Department of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health has sent an urgent document to health departments in provinces and cities regarding the enhancement of COVID-19 prevention and control efforts. The number of cases has been rebounding in Vietnam and across the world, the department stated. An average daily count of 2,000 new cases have been logged in the Southeast Asian country over the past weeks. Vietnam has documented the appearance of the new Omicron sub-variants with the ability to spread rapidly. Aside from the BA.4, BA.5, and BA.2.12.1 sub-variants that were previously detected, the country recently recorded the BA.2.75 sub-lineage, which is considered to be more transmissible than the others. In early July, many countries around the world reported the … [Read more...] about Vietnam detects fast-spreading BA.2.75 Omicron sub-variant

Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, speaks at the press brief This year's fair with the theme ‘Standing Together, Going Up’ - Growing Forward Together, will take place from September 8 to 10 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 7. According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, the tourism sector will take full advantage of the golden time of tourism recovery, in addition to participation in international tourism fairs in other countries, Vietnam’s tourism will be introduced at big fairs and forums. ITE HCMC is one of the two largest annual international travel fairs in Vietnam and an important annual tourism fair in the lower Mekong region, playing a role as a bridge between domestic businesses and businesses. buyers as well as international visitors. Currently, 150 international participants from 18 countries and regions namely the US, Australia, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, … [Read more...] about HCMC International Tourism Fair expected to attract 22,000 visitors

The biennial national beauty contest Miss Vietnam 2022 has now opened for Vietnamese young women aged between 18 and 27. Miss Vietnam 2020 Do Thi Ha (C) and two runners-up Phuong Anh (L), Ngoc Thao (R) Women who have graduated from high school and are at least 1.63 metres tall and have had no cosmetic surgery are eligible to enter the contest. Participation is to be limited to unmarried women who have never given birth or parented a child. Entrants who have previously won first, second, or third prizes at local beauty contestants nationwide will progress through to the final round of the Miss Vietnam 2022 pageant. Moving forward, contestants will compete in parts such as the swimsuit, evening gown, and talent segments, as well as taking part in charity projects for the community and a Q&A. Along with the ultimate winner of the pageant, there will also be prizes for first runner-up and second runner-up, with the organisation board presenting sub-titles, … [Read more...] about Miss Vietnam 2022 beauty pageant launched

Illustrative image (Photo: Xinhua) Phnom Penh (VNA) – The National Minimum Wage Council of Cambodia on August 15 started talks to consider raising minimum wage for workers in the textile, garment, footwear and travel products and bags industries for 2023, reported the Khmer Times . The meeting heard views of stakeholders on the changes in social and economic criteria. “Employers’ representatives and the workers’ representatives were, however, unable to confirm some figures, and will do so at another meeting,” the statement following the meeting said. The next meetings will be held later this month and next month, it added. The minimum wage of workers in the textile, footwear and travel product sector is 194 USD per month, up 2 USD from 2021. Workers also received other allowances, including 7 USD in transport and housing allowance. The sector has about 1,100 factories and uses nearly 750,000 workers, becoming the biggest currency earner in Cambodia. In the … [Read more...] about Cambodia starts talks to raise wage for textile workers for 2023

Illustrative image (Photo: Airbus) Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - Malaysia Aviation Group , parent company of Malaysia Airlines , has signed a provisional agreement to acquire 20 Airbus A330neos to replace its ageing fleet of A330 widebody jets, in a deal that also involves aircraft leasing company Avolon . The airline will buy 10 of the planes from Airbus and then execute a sale-and-leaseback deal with Avolon, with the other 10 leased directly from Avolon, the carrier announced on August 15. The planes, which will have Rolls-Royce engines, are scheduled to be delivered from the third quarter of 2024 through 2028, the airline said. The A330neo is the new generation version of the popular A330 widebody. Incorporating the latest generation engines, a new wing and a range of aerodynamic innovations, the aircraft offers 25% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions./. VNA … [Read more...] about Malaysia Airlines to buy 20 A330neos

The Exercise Super Garuda Shield takes place in Indonesia from August 1 - 14. (Photo: AFP/VNA) Singapore (VNA) – The Singapore Armed Forces ( SAF ) has, for the first time, taken part in a multilateral exercise involving assets and personnel from 13 countries, said the Singapore an Ministry of Defence on August 15. Held in Indonesia from August 1 – 14, the inaugural exercise was named Exercise Super Garuda Shield to reflect its expanded scope, with many countries participating or observing for the first time, the ministry added in its statement. Itis an annual bilateral exercise between the Indonesian National Defence Forces (TNI) and the United States Indo-Pacific Command (Indopacom). The other countries involved in this year's expanded exercise included New Zealand, France, Malaysia, India and Canada. Singapore's Assistant Chief of General Staff (Operations)-Designate Brigadier General Adrian Teng said the exercise allowed participating armed forces to … [Read more...] about Singapore joins multilateral exercise involving 13 countries for first time

Children pray before eating their free meals inside a missionary house at a slum area in Baseco, Tondo city, metro Manila, Philippines in 2018 (Photo: Reuters) Hanoi (VNA) – About 2.3 million people in the Philippines were pushed into poverty between 2018 and 2021, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). PSA reported. poverty rate to 9% by 2028 - a target that remains achievable despite soaring inflation. According to Balisacan, the Southeast Asian country had achieved its goal of lifting 6 million people out of poverty, four years ahead of a 2022 target. COVID-19 restrictions in 2020 and the lack of regular jobs for poor labourers had plunged many Philippine back into financial difficulty, he said./. VNA … [Read more...] about Pandemic pushes millions of Philippine people into poverty

Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said his government has always prioritised the interests of women as they have contributed immensely to the country’s development. The PM was quoted by local media as speaking at an event with Malaysian women media practitioners on July 15 that last year, the Malaysian Government agreed to establish the National Women’s Council, the National Women's Executive Committee and state women’s working committees to empower women’s roles at the federal and state levels. Meanwhile, the Securities Commission has also amended its listing requirement to make it mandatory for all public-listed companies to appoint at least one female director . The PM said beginning September 1, all major companies with market capitalisation of 2 million RM, or over 447,000 USD (as of Dec 31, 2021) will implement this requirement, while for other companies this will be enforced on June 1, 2023. He added that to date, as many as 210 out of … [Read more...] about Malaysia prioritises interests of women