At the get-together marking the 74th founding anniversary of Vietnam – China diplomatic relations . (January 18, 1950 - 2024)The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organsiations (HUFO) organised a get-together on January 18 to celebrate the 74th founding anniversary of Vietnam – China diplomatic relations (January 18, 1950 - 2024).At the event, Nguyen Huu Hiep, Secretary of the Party Committee of Thu Duc city and Chairman of the Vietnam - China Friendship Association (VCFA) of HCM City, laid stress on the sound cooperation between the two Parties, States and localities over the past time, saying it will chart a path for the bilateral ties to develop into a stronger and more practical fashion.He recalled mutual visits by top leaders of the two Parties and States in 2023, with the most notable one being the state visit by Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping in December which aimed at unceasingly consolidating and developing the traditional friendship – a precious asset of the two nations' people.Hiep said that HUFO, VCFA, the Consulate General of China and the Chinese business community in Ho Chi Minh City have worked together to organise an array of friendship, cultural, art, social and exchange activities with a view to promoting mutual understanding between the Vietnamese southern economic hub and Chinese localities, helping to nurture the time-honoured friendship between the Vietnamese and Chinese people.Wei Huaxiang, Consul General of China in Ho Chi Minh City, also attributed the practical cooperation between Vietnam and China to the regular high-level contacts and vibrant cultural exchange programmes.Besides being a leading investor with 707 new projects in 2023, accounting for 22.1% of the total number of new projects in Vietnam, China has maintained its position as the largest trading partner of the Southeast Asian country, he said, adding bilateral cooperation has brought practical benefits to the two countries and their people.The traditional friendship between the two countries have been nurtured by generations of leaders of both sides, becoming a common valuable asset of the two Parties, States and people, he stressed, highlighting the Consulate General of China in HCM City pledged to continue its bridging role to promote exchanges, cooperation and mutual understanding between HCM City and Chinese localities, helping to enrich the Vietnam – China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership./.

Information related to online fraud and a list of counterfeit websites compiled by the port authority of Rotterdam (continuously updated) can be accessed at https://ferm-rotterdam.nl/en/blacklist/ (Photo: Screenshots)Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam Trade Office in the Netherlands has warned of online fraud cases, particularly related to petroleum products, amidst the high demand for this category of goods. Fraudsters often create fake websites with fabricated information or counterfeit websites impersonating legitimate import-export companies or companies providing petroleum storage tank services whose contact information being usually a mobile phone number or an internet phone number. According to the trade office, many companies are easy to become victims of the scams because of their fear of missing out on business opportunities and without information verification about partners due to they believe that the Netherlands is a developed country with a strict legal system and reputable companies. The payment method commonly used in petroleum trading transactions is through a letter of credit (L/C), it noted. The trade office has provided information related to online fraud and a list of counterfeit websites compiled by the port authority of Rotterdam (continuously updated), which can be accessed at https://ferm-rotterdam.nl/en/blacklist/./.

According to the Canadian diplomat, one of the highlights of the relations is economic cooperation. Canada is around the 14th largest investor in Vietnam, Ambassador Steil said, suggesting measures to boost the cooperation in the coming time. On the occasion, the Canadian diplomat highly spoke of achievements Vietnam has gained over the past time in various areas. The success is also seen through economic development when international investors are looking to Vietnam, seeing it as a safe haven for investment. Sharing with the national news agency about the upcoming traditional new year, or Tet, of Vietnam, Ambassador Steil said, he was lucky to experience the biggest festival of the Vietnamese people./.

Videos International arrivals in Vietnam expected to grow in 2024 The volume of international arrivals in Vietnam is forecast to increase in 2024, according to The Outbox Company, a Vietnam-based market intelligence company, which focuses on South East Asia & the Pacific. Videos Artworks depicting Vietnam’s cultural heritage exhibited An awards ceremony for the 2023 painting competition on the cultural heritage of Vietnam through fine arts has been held and 100 artworks are being exhibited at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum. Videos Vietnam looking toward effective IPEF for prosperity The Indo-Pacific Economic Cooperation Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) was initiated by the United States in May 2022. IPEF is expected to create a dynamic and effective economic cooperation framework in the region, as well as a level playing field for all countries, big and small. Therefore, Vietnam has been enthusiastic to make contributions to promoting negotiations of this framework.

HCM CITY Many patients say they are not satisfied with the service quality of medical check-up departments at public hospitals in HCM City. Other problems that lower the patient’s satisfaction at State-owned hospitals in HCM City are procedures for check-ups covered by health insurance, instructions and seats for patients in the waiting area. Since 2017, health check-up departments at the city’s public hospitals have been equipped with automatic survey machines on patient satisfaction. She said when hospital quality is improved, patient satisfaction will improve as well and medical complaints will be reduced. The hospital’s quality improvements focus on professional quality, patient satisfaction, facilities, medical equipment and medical staff morale.

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam should improve the mobilisation of investment in infrastructure for industrial parks, particularly for ecological industrial parks, which have faced significant challenges in recent years, according to the Financial Association of Industrial Parks (FAIP). Industrial parks have become the major focus in attracting domestic and international investment projects, with major global corporations investing in them. Collaboration within and between industrial parks, economic zones, and regions, as well as subpar innovation, sustainability issues, and imbalances in socio-economic and environmental aspects, remained significant hurdles to overcome. This situation has led to low occupancy rates in many industrial parks. To mobilise capital for investment in industrial parks in the coming years, fundamental changes were required to facilitate the flow of funds.

HÀ NỘI — Tax authorities plan to expand the list of taxable entities to properly and fully tax digital business activities. There are many problems in managing e-commerce taxation, Nguyễn Thị Lan Anh, head of the General Department of Taxation (GDT)’s small and medium-sized enterprises, household and individual tax management department, said. Households and individuals involved in e-commerce often lack business and tax registration addresses, she said. In many cases, they use other people's information to register their business, making it difficult for the tax authorities, she said. It plans to set up a database using information from taxpayers, tax authorities, inspections, and third parties.

Vietnam and Hungary ink three cooperation documents Vietnam and Hungary signed three cooperation documents in the fields of culture, diplomacy and crime prevention during the ongoing visit to Hungary by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Addressing a joint press briefing after their talks, Chinh said the two PMs had during their talks discussed major orientations and specific measures to take the Vietnam – Hungary comprehensive partnership to new heights. He is scheduled to meet with leaders and senior officials of Slovakia, attend a joint Vietnam - Hungary business forum, and visit universities and businesses there. The summit also presents the chance for Vietnam to boost cooperation with Uganda and other members of NAM. The event saw the participation of ambassadors, representatives from foreign embassies in Vietnam, international and non-governmental organisations, and foreign students studying in Hanoi.

Chief Representative of UNESCO in Vietnam Jonathan Baker. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Hong Thai on January 18 had a working session with Chief Representative of UNESCO in Vietnam Jonathan Baker. The two sides pledged to expand cooperation in natural sciences, culture, and education. Thai believed that the Vietnam - UNESCO cooperation on science and technology will contribute to realising Vietnam's socio-economic development goals as well as proactively promoting cooperation and international integration on science, technology, and innovation. He said UNESCO will support Vietnam and provide it with recommendations on ethics in AI and integrity in research./.

The traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Hungary have been growing well for the last nearly 75 years. In particular, the two PMs will witness the signing of cooperation documents in the fields of diplomacy, culture, water management, and crime, along with 10 others between Vietnamese and Hungarian universities. They will attend a business forum with a view to fostering bilateral economic, trade, and investment links.PM Chinh and the delegation of Vietnam will also visit and have meetings with some Hungarian enterprises operating in such key industries as the pharmaceutical sector. The Government leader is set to deliver an important speech on Vietnam’s foreign policy and relations between the two countries at the National University of Public Service of Hungary. In particular, Hungary was one of the first to ratify the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), helping bilateral economic and trade links to progress over the recent past.Thanks to these two deals, Vietnam has become a bridge for goods from Europe, including Hungary, to enter ASEAN and vice versa.

EsportsHCM CITY — The Việt Nam Recreational and Electronic Sports Association (VIRESA) officially introduced esports to the disability community on January 17 in HCM City. "VIRESA hopes to popularise esports among the people with disabilities community. This introducing programme is part of our roadmap to develop esports in HCM City," said VIRESA Chairman Nguyễn Xuân Cường. Recognising the development of this new generation sport in the people with disabilities community in Southeast Asia, VIRESA formed a plan to develop esports for disabled people in Việt Nam. The January 17 programme was expected to be a premise to expand e-sports tournaments for people with disabilities.

In a report titled “Vietnam Travel Landscape 2024” released on January 17, The Outbox Company said, Vietnam’s aviation industry has bounced back impressively since the travel restrictions triggered by COVID-19 were relaxed. Despite challenges in 2022 and surging costs in 2023, the hospitality industry of Vietnam has also shown resilience. For example, a higher occupancy rate and basic efficiency are also considered positive signals for 2024. Given such signals, the travel landscape in 2024 is following such main trends as experiential tourism, wellness tourism, eco-tourism, and sports tourism. A bright spot of Vietnam’s tourism industry in 2023 was the diversity of international tourist sources.

Vegetables, rice and coffee generated a record export revenue exceeding 14 billion USD last year. With a steady influx of orders, they are poised to earn an estimated 17-17.5 billion USD this year. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam can potentially export over 8 million tonnes of rice while still ensuring food security this year. Amid global uncertainties in rice supply, the Vietnamese grain prices are expected to benefit, leading to a boost in export revenue. The overall prosperity in the export of various agricultural products is also anticipated to continue thanks to improving production, processing, and supply.

HÀ NỘI — The Vietnam Trade Office in Spain has issued a warning to domestic businesses to be careful when signing contracts with Spanish businesses to avoid risks. Previously, the Vietnam Trade Office in Spain received feedback from several domestic cashew and pepper export businesses about delays in payment of goods from ISASA Export Company in Malaga, Spain. Specifically, the company was late in paying for the goods, causing difficulties, time loss, and storage costs for domestic businesses, and many businesses even had to take back the goods. To avoid risks in exporting, the Vietnam Trade Office in Spain warned domestic businesses to be careful when signing sales contracts with ISASA Export Company. At the same time, it suggested domestic businesses increase coordination with the Trade Office in Spain in verifying local businesses before actually signing sales contracts.

The summit also presents the chance for Vietnam to boost cooperation with Uganda and other members of NAM. MyTV is the top pay-TV service provider in Vietnam with nearly 200 channels and 70,000 hours of Video on Demand (VOD). He wished that the programme would further develop, providing more opportunities for students to have educational experiences in both Vietnam and Japan. They emphasised the crucial role of Hanoi in developing and elevating diplomatic relations between Vietnam and countries worldwide. Breaking down the data by region, the demand for travel to Vietnam and Japan collectively constituted over half of the bookings, with 27% heading to Vietnam and 25% to Japan.