Analysing challenges facing HCM City, the President stressed that the city's position as a growth engine for the southern region and the whole country is gradually declining due to its falling growth rate.Meanwhile, technical and social infrastructure is increasingly inadequate compared to the requirements of the new stage of development, especially planning ; and traffic infrastructure is more seriously overloaded, with no progress seen in efforts to reduce traffic jams and flooding. Especially, the city has recorded a low disbursement rate of public investment.Therefore, the President emphasised that ensuring the stability and good control of the macro-economy is of special importance for a mega-city with a large population like Ho Chi Minh City.He asked the city to continue supporting labour supply and training; restoring and developing the business sector; regularly holding dialogues with enterprises to help them address difficulties; and creating favourable conditions for businessmen to contribute more to the city's building and development process.According to the State leader, people in the city are under more severe inflation pressure than those in other localities, so it is necessary to pay due attention to programmes, projects and initiatives which serve social welfare and assist vulnerable groups.The city also needs to continue to reform both policies and public services to make positive changes in the business environment, while improving mechanisms, policies and infrastructure related to digital platforms and innovation; develop digital economy, green economy, and circular economy, he said.Agreeing with the opinion about the need for a new mechanism and policy to help HCM City develop quickly and sustainably in the coming time, the President said that a new policy framework is needed to help the city immediately remove its bottlenecks in infrastructure, congestion, flooding, and environmental pollution./.

Torrential rain is forecast to fall again in central Vietnam for several days, starting on October 13. Along with the North - South railway, there are five railway lines connecting HCM City with other localities including Nha Trang – HCM City (high-speed rail), HCM City – Cần Thơ, HCM City – Lộc Ninh, HCM City - Tây Ninh and Thủ Thiêm - Long Thành. The HCM City – Cần Thơ high-speed railway project will pass through five localities including HCM City, Long An, Tiền Giang, Vĩnh Long and Cần Thơ with nine stations. On September 21, 92 Vietnamese also returned to Vietnam through Moc Bai International Border Gate after fleeing from a casino in Cambodia. She conveyed to her host an invitation to visit Vietnam from Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

An exercise to stop oil spills in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau. Illustration. (Photo: VNA)East Asian Seas countries are currently in the process of negotiating a global agreement to put an end to plastic pollution and marine plastic litter, said Pham Thu Hang, Deputy Director-General of the Vietnam Institute of Seas and Islands (VISI) on October 12.The regional countries are close to a new agreement on global biodiversity goals through the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, aiming to conserve and protect the nature and essential natural ecosystem services for humans, Hang told the 25th Inter-governmental Meeting of the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA), Part Two, underway in Hanoi.The event brought together representatives from nine COBSEA member states, namely Cambodia, China, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.It is a very promising joint initiative by countries in the East Asian Seas region, she said, noting that the marine and coastal ecosystems of the Seas of East Asia are at risk of habitat loss, pollution and climate change due to human activities.She went on to say that Vietnam has taken various measures to tackle these issues. It has adopted the 2020 Law on Environment Protection; and issued a national strategy for sustainable development of marine economy in tandem with protection of environment and ocean ecosystems and a national action plan for management of marine plastic debris by 2030, she noted, adding that it has also accelerated plastic awareness campaigns and pushed for scientific research, innovation, technology transfer and new public-private partnership in addressing plastic pollution.Vietnam maintains its political commitment to forming a global agreement on marine plastic pollution based on international laws and within the UN framework, for a blue ocean, green planet, peace, stability and prosperity, she stated./.

Vietnam wishes to continue receiving close coordination and assistance from the Japanese Government and businesses in promoting their strategic partnership on digital transformation , Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Nguyen Huy Dung said on October 12.He made the statement at a forum themed “Digital Transformation for an Inclusive Digital Society ”, which was co-organised by the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC), the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, and the Digital Agency of Japan and the Centre for International Cooperation for Computerisation (CICC).The event, part of the Vietnam International Digital Week 2022, provides an opportunity for participants to share experience in the field of digital transformation and digital society, thereby enhancing cooperation between Vietnam and Japan in the information and communications sector, contributing to building a digital partnership between the two countries.The Deputy Minister said that Japan has succeeded in the industrialisation process and caught up with many advanced countries. The East Asian nation has experience in solving social problems such as population aging, resources management and climate change, he noted.Dung said that valuable experience shared by Japan ese speakers was useful for the Vietnamese side.Addressing the event, Koichiro Urabe, CICC Director, affirmed that digital transformation is necessary for the further development of the economy and society in Japan and Vietnam.To make digital transformation beneficial to people, Japan is studying related issues, including a national initiative on building digital cities, he said.Urabe added the forum will help Japan and Vietnam deepen their understanding of digital transformation and promote further cooperation in the digital field./.

Yesterday evening, 16 petrol stations announced they were out of stock, bringing the number of gas stations temporarily closed to 137, nearly a fourth of the total gas stations in the city. Binh Duong has 477 gas stations and nine distributors with fuel reserves of over 66,000 cubic meters. By yesterday afternoon, local people and workers flocked to the operational gas stations for refueling. The loss-making gas stations closed down in droves while the demand for fuel among local people remained high. Therefore, they swarmed into operational gas stations, resulting in congestion at these places, the representative explained.

Speaking at the event, Thanh said the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has drafted an amended Law on Water Resources, focusing on four groups of policies passed by the National Assembly, including ensuring water security, the equitisation of the water sector, a water resource-based economy, protecting water resources and preventing water-borne harm, while suggesting amendments to several policies. As Finland has experience and technology in underground water treatment, so Thanh suggested the European country share its experience in this area. In response, Kurvinen said the effective management of water in Finland is the foundation for outstanding successes of the water sector. A representative from the Finnish Water Utilities Association said effectively using water not only helps save water but also energy and other resources. The event afforded the two countries’ enterprises a chance to seek solutions to reasonable use and sustainable management of water resources./.

– India has so far signed 13 free trade agreements ( FTA s) with its trading partners, including those with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in a bid to enhance international trade relation s.ASEAN is one of the focal regions for India. The trade and investment ties between India and ASEAN have also grown over the past decade thanks to India's Look East Policy. Two-way trade rose to 110.4 billion USD in the 2021-2022 thanks to a number of key agreements signed between the two sides. Since trade and investment are priority areas of economic cooperation between ASEAN and India, AITIGA, which was signed in 2009, has continually been at the forefront of engagement. Since AITIGA took effect in January 2010, trade between ASEAN and India has increased remarkably, with an increase of 23% in exports and 55% in imports over the past decade.

Illustrative image (Source: kinhtemoitruong.vn)– Vietnam called for a comprehensive approach in addressing challenges relating to climate change, environment and bio-diversity , at a meeting of the Economic and Financial Committee of the United Nations General Assembly’s 77th session on October 10. Le Thi Minh Thoa , Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam at the UN, suggested that ahead of the upcoming relevant meetings of the UN, countries should work to ensure pragmatic progress in the implementation of international commitments.People should be put at the centre in the response efforts, she said, stressing the need to ensure financial balance for climate change mitigation and adaptation.Thoa proposed countries continue to integrate climate, environment and biodiversity issues into their legal frameworks, policies and action plans; build and promote a green, sustainable economy; and raise public awareness of the matters.She emphasised the significance of science, technology and innovation to national sustainable development strategies, as well as scientific and technical cooperation, and technology transfer in this regard.The representative spoke of Vietnam’s efforts in implementing comprehensive and specific measures to fulfill its climate and environment commitments, saying the country has amended and adopted relevant legal documents and updated its National Climate Change Strategy to 2050 and the Nationally Determined Contributions under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)./.

Eighth Vietnam- Japan Festival to be held in HCMCThe Eighth Vietnam - Japan Festival will be held in Ho Chi Minh City on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. For her part, Tomoko highlighted the breakthrough developments of the Japan – Vietnam relations, especially in UN peacekeeping operations. Earlier, Pham was elected by the provincial People's Council as new Chairman of the Binh Dinh Provincial People’s Committee. Hanoi applies digital technology in road traffic controlThe Hanoi People's Committee will intensify the application of digital technology in traffic control and road infrastructure maintenance. Two wins against India and Singapore in the recent international friendly tournament in Ho Chi Minh City helped Vietnam gain a considerable advantage.

Participants at the event (Photo: VNA)– The Vietnam Germany Innovation Network (VGI Network) has held a conference in Wolfsburg, Germany, to foster connectivity among Vietnamese experts and businesses as well as those of the Vietnamese origin in automobile industry and relevant technical sectors.The VGI-Automobile conference aimed to link experts with Vietnamese businesses operating in the European market in technical sectors to support the firms in approaching and partnering with German enterprises where Vietnamese and Vietnamese-origin experts are working.It also offered a chance for the experts to meet diplomatic officials and representatives from Vietnamese ministries and sectors to explore the demand of Vietnamese businesses at home, and introduce their capacity and possibility to bring German technologies to the firms.Participants at the event discussed opportunities to strengthen their connectivity and cooperation in automobile and related technical sectors.

Illustrative image (Source: Internet)– The first Vietnam International Digital Week (VIDW) 2022 will open on October 11, expecting the participation of leaders of ministries, sectors and management agencies related to digital transformation from ASEAN countries, as well as international organisations, associations and digital firms from all around the world.According to the Ministry of Information and Communications, the event, part of the activities to respond to the National Digital Transformation Day (October 10), will be held under the theme of “Global Partnership for Sustainable Digital Future”.Running until October 14, the week will include a series of activities, such as conferences, forums on digital transformation, the development of digital economy, digital society, 5G network, cooperation in data protection, fake news prevention and combat, and the improvement of digital skills for the people.Vietnam has designed important strategies to speed up digital transformation and boost digital economy, digital society and digital government. Establishing bilateral and multilateral digital partnerships with countries in the region and the world has been defined as a key task in the next 10 years, in order to maximise resources for the acceleration of the construction of a digital Vietnam.The ministry underlined that the VIDW 2022 will focus on promoting and expanding digital partnerships, with priority to completing institution and management environment, developing digital technology industry and digital infrastructure, building a safe and reliable cyberspace and improving digital skills for people.The WIDW 2022 is also a chance for organisations, individuals and businesses from Vietnam, other ASEAN countries and the world to directly meet, share information and seek cooperation opportunities and partnership in trade, investment, market development, thus joining hands in promoting digital transformation ./.

At the award ceremony (Photo: VNA)Forty-nine organisations, businesses, products and solutions were honoured at Vietnam Digital Awards 2022 in Hanoi on October 9 for their contributions to the process of national digital transformation The awards has accessed 10,000 businesses, attracted 1,000 entries and honoured a total of 300 units and individuals that offer outstanding digital transformation solutions through its five editions, according to Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Huy Dung.Notably, apart from domestic firms, this year’s awards saw the participation of foreign enterprises, he added, expressing his hope that the winners will further contribute to Vietnam’s digital transformation.Nguyen Duc Hien, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee's Economic Commission , said the awards has also created a playground for collectives and individuals to exchange experience in digital transformation, digital economic development, and high-tech application in management, production and business.Organisers said they received nearly 400 dossiers, many of which have used new technologies like AI, Big Data, IoT, Blockchain and Cloud, covering health care, education, banking, transport, energy and logistics, among others./.

PM Chinh was delivering remarks at a programme marking the National Digital Transformation Day in Hanoi on October 10. The date of October 10 was designated as the National Digital Transformation Day by the PM last April. At the programme, PM Chinh presented awards to ministries, sectors, localities, enterprises, and individuals with excellent digital transformation solutions. At the event, many young participants took part in training courses on digital transformation, creativity and startup, learned about the experience of digital transformation, the use of information technology in business, and introduced new applications for digital transformation to support startups. The Vietnam Medical Association (VMA) and the Vietnam Young Physicians Association signed a cooperation agreement on implementing the “Improving the quality of grass-root healthcare facilities” program.

Illustrative image (Source: isocert.org.vn)– Vietnam has conducted numerous activities to respond to the International Day of the Girl Child 2022 (October 11), which is themed “Our time is now-our rights, our future”.In mid-September, the General Office for Population and Family Planning under the Ministry of Health issued a dispatch guiding communications activities on the day. Accordingly, this year, the day in Vietnam will be themed “promoting gender equality contributes to reducing sex imbalance at birth”.Communications activities have focused on popularising the policy and laws of the Party and State regarding gender equality and the protection of children such as the Law on Gender Equality, the Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control, and the Law on Marriage and Family, aiming to enhance public awareness of the improvement of role and position of girl child and women in general, especially in families with all children being girls.At the same time, legal regulations banning sex selection by parents and relevant punishments have also been popularised, along with the real situation, reasons and consequences of sex imbalance at birth, thus improving the public awareness and changing outdated perceptions on gender equality On December 19, 2011, United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognise girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.The International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.According to the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021, up to 10 million girls will be at risk of child marriage. The profound effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are putting girls at a higher risk of early marriage due to a combination of economic shocks, school closures and interruptions in reproductive health services.Girls are primarily victims of sexual exploitation (72% of detected girl victims), while boys are mainly subjected to forced labour (66% of detected boy victims), it said./.

Venezuela art exhibition highlights Vietnam land, culture, peopleA painting exhibition featuring art pieces on Vietnam produced by Venezuelan artists was held on October 7. Winners of Vietnam art photo contest announcedAn awards ceremony for a Vietnam art photo contest was held on October 6 in Hanoi, with a set of images showcasing Ho Chi Minh City’s Thu Thiem 2 Bridge winning gold prize. The exhibition will get underway in Ho Chi Minh City from November 4 to November 13, with a virtual exhibition taking place at http://ape.gov.vn. Standing at 1.75-metres tall, she is currently a student of the Industrial University in Ho Chi Minh City. Two wins against India and Singapore in the recent international friendly tournament in Ho Chi Minh City helped Vietnam gain a considerable advantage.