Some large enterprises associate with small enterprises and business households in the form of leasing or contracting, mostly for non-core business activities of the enterprise. The rate of conducting business linkages for core business activities or further participation in the global value chain is not much. Therefore, in order to encourage business linkage activities, there needed co-ordination from the State, industry organisations and economic entities, said Kiên. Finally, economic entities or businesses and business households are conscious of change, self-improvement and proactively seek to participate in the process of business linkages and formation of value chains. The initiative of economic actors played a key role in the formation and operation of economic links, he noted.

Vietnam Airlines carries year's first visitorsThe first domestic and international visitors to Vietnam in 2014 received a special welcome ceremony with bouquets and special gifts held by the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines in collaboration with localities nationwide on January 1. Hue Festival, held for 24 years, is one of the key international art event in Vietnam. Preserving cultural heritage, generating sustainable developmentEngaging the community in the preservation of natural resources and cultural heritage values has an important role to play in boosting sustainable development since it will bring substantial benefits to the national economy. According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Trang from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s Department of Cultural Heritage, cultural heritage could meet the development requirements of the cultural industry, especially cultural or heritage tourism. Khanh highlighted that Vietnam, boasting more than 40,000 relic sites and 15 UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, has huge potential to build cultural tourism offerings.

Firstly, the sector will continue to strengthen the renovation of mindsets on external relations, the FM said, stressing the need to boldly go beyond old-fashioned thinking and find new methods for the benefit of the nation. It is necessary to strengthen strategic research, consultation and forecast on external relations, discovering new issues and identifying the strategic position of the country, and making full use of international trend to design proper policies and take suitable steps, he said. Thirdly, the diplomatic sector will focus on creating new breakthroughs in building and developing itself in a strong, comprehensive and modern manner, he said. Directions by the Party leader has served as a guiding light for Vietnamese diplomacy to implement tasks in the current tenure, said the FM. Economic cooperation has become a key pillar in all external relations, especially with important partners, he said.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (third from right) and President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez (fourth from right) cut ribbon to inaugurate Suchel – TBV washing powder factory (Photo: VNA)VNA– Vietnam’s economic achievements deserve to be lauded and receive applause from the international community, including Cuba, according to Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Orlando Nicolás Hernández Guillén.In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 63rd anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Cuba diplomatic relations (December 2) and the New Year 2024, he said that Vietnam has reaped positive results in economic expansion despite complex developments of the world situation as a result of armed conflicts, financial crisis, and economic recession.Thanks to the bravery, intelligence, steadfastness, and sound leadership of the Party and Government, Vietnam recorded outstanding economic growth in 2022, and it continues to be among the countries with fast growth rates in 2023, the diplomat assessed.Regarding bilateral relations, he stated that Cuba has pinned high hope on the development of the Cuba-Vietnam ties.Cuba hopes Vietnam to become an increasingly important factor contributing to supporting the Caribbean country in realising its strategic goals of ensuring food security through the supply of rice, as Vietnam is the main supplier of this very important grain for the Cuban people, the ambassador stressed.He went on to say that cooperation between the two countries has been also promoted through Vietnamese businesses’ commitments to cooperating with Cuban partners in expanding production of essential goods such as rice, meat, maize, and beans.“Vietnam is the largest Asian investor of Cuba and we hope Vietnamese businesses will continue to increase investment activities in our country," Ambassador Orlando Hernández said.During National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue’s official visit to Cuba in April, Vietnamese businesses inaugurated a solar power plant, a washing powder factory, and an animal feed factory in this Caribbean nation, he said, adding that it continues to promote efforts to have more and more Vietnamese investors explore the market and expand operations in Cuba.He expressed his hope that investment cooperation activities will bring about benefits for both Cuba and Vietnam, as well as their enterprises, and Cuban products, particularly those related to biotechnology, will increase their presence in the Southeast Asian country. He shared that a delegation from BioCubaFarma, the Cuban organisation of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries, recently visited Vietnam to seek cooperation opportunities, which will contribute to improving Vietnamese people’s health.Regarding collaboration at regional and international forums, the Cuban Ambassador emphasised the need for the two countries to intensify coordination at multilateral forums and international organisations, promote cooperation in areas of mutual concern, in the context of a complex and changing world situation with many interwoven challenges and opportunities.In that context, Vietnam and Cuba must unite and make stronger efforts to implement all proposed plans, with the common goal of improving people's living conditions, Orlando Hernández stressed./.

HÀ NỘI Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has emphasised the need for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) to train and build a contingent of capable officials and public servants to fulfil the difficult and complicated tasks related to land, natural resources and minerals. Cumbersome and unnecessary administrative procedures that hinder development and cause inconvenience for people should be removed, he stressed. The ministry should focus on digital transformation, green transition and circular economy, while pooling resources to establish databases on land, the environment and minerals connected with the Ministry of Public Security’s population database, Chính said. The PM asked the ministry to drive the development of maritime economy, concentrating on meticulous planning to ensure land reserves for development, and review priority land bases earmarked for the planning of economic and industrial centres along the coastline. In 2024, the ministry was tasked with evaluating water resources and forecasting challenges to propose strategic solutions to ensure water security.

Flight connecting Cambodia to Khanh Hoa via China debutsCam Ranh International Airport in Khanh Hoa province, central Vietnam, on December 29 welcomed the first flight conducted by Cambodia Airways, transiting China. The second edition is jointly organised by the Hanoi People's Committee, Vietnam Athletics Federation (VAF) and Vietcontent under the sponsorship of Herbalife. The main event of the countdown will be the Vietnam International Half Marathon 2024 (VIHM) on January 1 at the Thien Quang Lake. She is currently practicing hard with the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra for the concert that will feature famous symphonies from Italy, France, Germany, and Austria. Tourism authority orders to throw the book on violatorsThe Vietnam National Authority of Tourism ordered to throw the book on those who committed violating deeds to the country’s tourism.

HÀ NỘI — The Vietnam News Agency has selected the top ten noteworthy events that shaped the country's economic landscape in the year 2023. Factors contributing to the country's economic recovery include record-breaking exports, public investment disbursement efforts, the highest FDI since 2020, and a rebound in domestic services. Major media outlets have acknowledged Việt Nam's growth efforts, positioning it as an attractive trade partner and investment destination. Record public investment disbursementThe country's public investment disbursement is estimated to reach an unprecedented value of over VNĐ461 trillion (US$19 billion), the highest to date. At the peak of the crisis, 106 out of 281 motor vehicle registration centres across the country were forced to suspend operations.

HÀ NỘI Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on December 30 chaired an annual dialogue with farmers nationwide, with its theme highlighting farmers’ central role in the development of agriculture, rural economy, and green, sustainable new-style rural areas. He noted that agricultural development still follows a production-oriented mindset rather than transitioning to an economic mindset. There are also shortcomings in rural development planning, environmental pollution issues, and new challenges in rural security and order. PM Chính called for the enhancement of the patriotic spirit, self-reliance, and political position of Vietnamese farmers regarding innovation and international integration. He urged sectors and localities to fully understand the role of farmers, improve the quality of training and consultancy services offered to farmers and rural labourers in production and business, and step up digital transformation in agriculture.

Fruit is one of the key currency earners of Thailand. (Photo: VNA)Bangkok (VNA) – Thai Deputy Minister of Commerce Napintorn Srisunpang has said Thai fruit exports will face more challenges in the future, especially in China’s market, due to greater competition. In the first 10 months of this year, Thailand exported 1.74 million tonnes of fruits, up 12.7% year on year. The top five exported fruits were durian (965,284 tonnes), longan (274,064 tonnes), mangosteen (245,049 tonnes), mango (104,154 tonnes) and pineapple (36,618 tonnes). The General Administration of Customs China has allowed Thailand to export 22 fruits, including tamarind, custard apple, papaya, star fruit, guava, rambutan, longkong, sapodilla, passion fruit, mandarin orange, orange, pomelo, pineapple, banana, coconut, jackfruit, longan, durian, mango, lychee, mangosteen and rose apple./.

Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency about the role of cultural diplomacy in Malaysia, the ambassador said that cultural diplomacy is one of the three pillars of Vietnam's comprehensive diplomacy during the integration period. “Cultural diplomacy is an effective measure in enhancing Vietnamese cultural values, promoting the national image, thereby expanding Vietnam's soft power”, the ambassador said. Cultural diplomacy creates a premise to promote trade and economic development, and in return economic and trade are important resources to strongly deploy cultural diplomacy abroad, he said. Directions by the Party leader has served as a loadstar for the Vietnamese diplomacy to implement tasks in the current tenure, said the FM. He made the suggestion at a reception on December 29 for Lao Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ting Souksanh, who led a LCOL delegation to visit Vietnam.

By Thúy HằngLeaving Hà Nội on a winter day for a short trip to Quảng Nam, I never imagined a working trip would be so busy with an agenda filled with… leisure and eating. It's no exaggeration to say that Hoiana Resort & Golf is a foodies’ paradise. However, the massive colonial-styled clubhouse at the Hoiana Shores Golf Club and the 1552 Bistro with its classic wood and leather furnishings, were a real hit. Named after the year of establishment of the world’s oldest golf course, the Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland, the 1552 Bistro features the regal yet distinct style of a Scottish clubhouse. For the main course, we were served mỳ Quảng, a widely popular noodle dish originating from Quảng Nam Province.

HÀ NỘI The central bank has warned people to take caution when trading gold amid the strong fluctuations of the precious metal. Đào Xuân Tuấn, Director of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV)’s Department of Foreign Exchange Management, noted that the bank has prepared measures to stabilise the domestic gold market, referring to the increase of SJC-branded gold bullion supply. It will continue coordinating with the Ministry of Public Security and other relevant ministries and agencies to intensify inspections over gold business, Tuấn continued. Given this, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has issued a dispatch asking for measures to strengthen the management of the domestic gold market. He ordered relevant agencies to work with the SBV to immediately roll out measures to strictly handle violations, especially smuggling, manipulation and speculation, ensuring a stable, transparent, safe, healthy and effective domestic gold market.

It forecasts that Vietnam will move swiftly up the WELT rankings, from 34th position in 2023 to 24th in 2033 and 21st in 2038 while the Philippines will reach 23rd place by 2038. It emphasised that both countries have demonstrated significant progress and are expected to climb 10 and 13 positions, respectively, by 2038, with full opportunities to join the top 25 economies in the world. CEBR also forecast a positive outlook for Vietnam over the next 15 years. With its population advantage, the country can likely achieve its goal of becoming a high-income country by 2045. With a large and relatively young population, Vietnam has a chance to surpass most countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), behind only Indonesia, to be among the world’s top 25 economies by 2038./.

HÀ NỘI — Several car manufacturers in the Việt Nam market have issued recalls to address various issues in their vehicles in 2023. The recall included 1,256 Everest vehicles manufactured between November 24, 2021, and February 3, 2023, which were equipped with faulty engine control module software. Additionally, 1,967 Explorer vehicles were recalled due to an error with the 360-degree camera display screen. Ford dealers offered free repairs for the affected vehicles, with the recall starting on August 31 for Everest vehicles and September 5 for Explorer vehicles. The second recall involved 651 Mercedes-Benz GLC (X254) cars manufactured in Việt Nam between November 2022 and May 2023, with 517 vehicles already delivered.

According to the ministry, the 2023’s national digital transformation campaign with the dual goal of developing the digital government, digital economy, and digital society, as well as fostering the growth of strong digital technology enterprises in Việt Nam has achieved positive results. In the postal sector, Việt Nam witnessed the explosion of e-commerce, contributing to driving the digital economy. Digital technology revenue reached $142 billion, with Việt Nam accounting for 28.7 per cent of the total value. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that bridging the gap with developed countries could only be achieved through science, technology, digital transformation, and innovation. However, he also pointed out that one of the biggest obstacles to digital transformation was the institutional and policy framework.