(Photo: VNA)The Government has issued Decree No 58/2022/ND-CP on the registration and management of foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Vietnam. US congratulates Vietnam on National DaySecretary of State Antony Blinken, on behalf of the US Government, has cabled a message of congratulations to Vietnam on the 77th anniversary of its National Day (September 2). Expressing his delight at the enormous achievements Vietnam has obtained over the last 77 years, Lao Ambassador to Thailand Khamphan Anlavan emphasised the traditional relations, comprehensive cooperation, special solidarity, and great friendship between Vietnam and Laos. Both the UNFPA and MRI Representatives committed to working closely together in joining hands with the Government of Vietnam and the international community to effectively address population aging and other emerging population issues in Vietnam. Vietnam has officially entered the "aging phase" since 2011, and is projected to become an “aged” society by 2036.

Some five-star OCOP products exhibited at the event in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)– Outstanding products of the “One Commune, One Product” (OCOP) programme from northern mountainous provinces are being showcased at an event opened in Son Tay town of Hanoi on August 31.In his opening remarks, Nguyen Van Chi, Deputy Chief of the coordinating office for the new-style rural area building programme of Hanoi, said this is an important event under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development ’s direction to help organisations and individuals advertise OPCP products and specialties of regions across Vietnam.The OCOP programme looks to have at least 10,000 products nationwide by 2025. It is a focus of economic development efforts in rural areas and also a crucial task in the implementation of the national target programme on new-style countryside building for 2021 - 2025.Hanoi is currently home to 1,649 OCOP products, including four rated five stars, 1,098 rated four stars, and 534 rated three stars. They include 1,071 food products, 35 beverage products, 17 herbal products, 492 handicraft products, and 34 fabric and apparel ones.These items have quickly gained a foothold in the market, helping local residents expand production, increase product value, and improve their material and spiritual life, Chi noted./.

He noted Vietnam needs support from and win-win cooperation with the international community to help achieve fast and sustainable development. Vietnam attends Defence and Security 2022 exhibition in ThailandA delegation of the Ministry of National Defence led by Lt. Gen. Phung Si Tan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, attended the Defence and Security 2022 exhibition in Thailand from August 29 to 31. Tan noted the Defence Ministry of Vietnam will hold an international defence exhibition for the first time this December. According to Trần Việt Hoa, the director of the Việt Nam National Archives Centre III, the documents are valuable sources of information about his life, career and research on the diplomatic history of Việt Nam. U20 Viet Nam to play friendly with U20 PalestineU20 Việt Nam will have a friendly match with U20 Palestine at Việt Trì Stadium in Phú Thọ Province on September 3, the Việt Nam Football Federation (VFF) has announced.

Nguyen Van Hieu, Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee (third from the right), hosts a reception for Gerardo Peñalver Portal, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba (fourth from the right) on August 31. (Photo: VNA)Nguyen Van Hieu, Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, has suggested the Cuban Party and State to further push for cooperation and delegation exchange with the Vietnamese city in areas of mutual interest, including youth exchange, healthcare, biology and education.He made the statement while hosting a reception for Gerardo Peñalver Portal First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba on August 31.Describing Portal’s visit as a practical move to beef up the long-standing relations between the two countries, Hieu said HCM City welcomes all high-level delegations from Cuba to step up ties between the two sides, particularly in economy.He thanked the Party, State and people of Cuba for supporting Vietnam, including HCM City, in the COVID-19 fight and post-pandemic recovery though the Caribbean country has been enduring many hardships itself.Portal, for his part, expressed his delight at progress in economic cooperation, especially trade and investment, between the two nations, saying enterprises from HCM City have invested in Cuba, contributing to its socio-economic development.Highly valuing HCM City’s potential, he said Cuba wants to further boost partnership with the city in multiple fields, including trade, investment, medicine, healthcare, education, pharmaceutical production and cultural exchange. Cuba has planned various high-level delegation visits to intensify ties with Vietnam in politics and economy, he said, noting that they are expected to develop the friendship between the two Parties, States and peoples more strongly.Hieu took the occasion to hand over the Cuban official a cash donation worth 250,000 USD from the city's Party, authorities and people, aiming to help Cuba address aftermath of the severe oil deport fire in Matanzas province./.

Exploring caves in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National ParkPhong Nha - Ke Bang is the largest national park in Vietnam and been ranked a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Hiking in the northern mountainsSeptember and October is the rice harvest season in northern mountainous provinces, with golden terraced rice fields creating a spectacular landscape. Enjoying delicious dishes from the three regionsVisitors should make sure to taste specialties from all three regions of Vietnam: the northern, the central, and the southern region. Taking the Ho Chi Minh HighwayFor many tourists, traveling from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City or vice-versa along the mountainous highway is the reason they come to Vietnam and is one of the best trips of their lives. Looking out over Ho Chi Minh City from a rooftopAfter arriving in Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam’s bustling southern metropolis - find a rooftop bar and sip on a drink while watching the city go about its business below.

Vietnam expects international assistance to accelerate energy transitionVietnam hopes it will soon get financial support and technical know-how from international development partner donors to realise its energy transition projects. The PM assured his guest that Vietnam would accelerate the negotiation process to establish a Just Energy Transition Partnership with partners, including countries in the Group of Seven. The Partnership will be underpinned by clear plans to deliver a just energy transition and catalyse clean energy investment, offering Vietnam the opportunity to become a world leader in renewable energy. With a final victory of 2-1 against the Australian opponent, Hoang Nam will progress to the second round to face off against Italian Federico Gaio on August 31. After his success at the Bangkok Open 1, Hoang Nam jumped from 328th to 290th position in the ATP rankings.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and delegates (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – President Nguyen Xuan Phuc welcomed Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Jagannath Chapagain and international delegates to the 11th National Congress of the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRC) during a reception in Hanoi on August 30. Phuc suggested Red Cross organisations of other countries and the VRC work more closely together in the near future, focusing on projects and key areas in Vietnam. Vietnam is one of the countries hardest hit by climate change, so he called on associations and partners at the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, organisations and diplomatic agencies to provide more non-refundable aid for environmental projects in Vietnam. Though Vietnam has provided care for about 6.2 million people living with disabilities, there remain many in need of help. He also suggested the IFRC offer all possible support to the VRC so that it can contribute more to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, enhance the sharing of experience among national societies and expand cooperation in humanitarian activities.

Illustrative image (Photo: AFF)Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam will face Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar and Laos in Group B at the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022. In Group A, Thailand will face the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia and the winner of a match between Brunei and Timor Leste . The tournament will take place from December 23, 2022 to January 15, 2023. The group stages are scheduled from December 23,2022 to January 4, 2023. This year, Mitsubishi Electric is the new title sponsor for the event./.

Parking lots at Noi Bai International Airport are often fully occupied. (Photo: VNA)- The Ministry of Transport has requested the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) to promptly study the investment and operation of non-stop toll collection using camera recognition technology at airports.All toll booths on highways nationwide have already switched to automated non-stop toll collection since August 1.If the plan is realised, vehicles entering and leaving the airport will be similarly identified via camera recognition.The ministry also proposed the Committee for Management of State Capital at Enterprises direct the ACV in equipping camera systems at the airport frontage; and coordinate with local authorities to strengthen the inspection, supervision and handling of administrative violations to ensure implementation of regulations on vehicles at airports.The ACV was urged to direct Tan Son Nhat International Airport in researching additional signboards, information counters at the pick-up and drop-off terminals, strengthening the information and communications counter, and helping passengers choose suitable transport.To overcome delays, flight cancellations and passenger congestion in security screening areas, the Ministry of Transport requested the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam to assume responsibility in coordinating with agencies to establish an inspection group at airport screening areas.They will also focus on improving areas such as the coordination and management of flight slots and allocation of night flights according to airport capacity.The ACV will research and invest in upgrading equipment, ensuring and increasing screening services and aviation security checks for passengers in a quick and efficient procedure.The Ministry of Transport has also requested ground service enterprises to review their operations following an assessment report that demonstrated an unresolved demand for more baggage clearance.It should improve the current process and solve the problem of delayed baggage during busy periods such as the upcoming national holiday and during the Lunar New Year.

Scenes at the Policy Dialogue on International Experiences & Consultation on the Draft Gender Affirmation Law organised in Hanoi on August 26. (Photo UN Women Vietnam)- Medical interventions are now non-obligatory for people who want to be recognised as transgender, and trans men are eligible for maternity leave should they be pregnant.These amendments were proposed to the draft Gender Affirmation Law and were discussed during the Policy Dialogue on International Experiences & Consultation on the Draft Gender Affirmation Law organised in Hanoi last week.Eighty representatives from the National Assembly, Ministries, NGOs and UN organisations gave their recommendations for the Gender Affirmation Law, which was drafted in June and is being amended by the Ministry of Health to present to the National Assembly Standing Committee this year. "Although Vietnam made progress in ending LGBTQ discrimination, especially for transgender people, when the right to change sex was recognised in 2015, the affirmation and recognition of transgender people are currently not applicable in reality. For example, men with uteruses or vaginas.This led many Vietnamese transgender people to go abroad or to illegal medical facilities to implement sex change surgery. They are not obligated to be sterilised in genital operations unless they want to.Transgender people, according to the draft, should also be able to marry their new gender after recognition.

Certificate recognising Vietnam – Laos revolutionary historical relic site as a special national relic site is presented at the event (Photo: VNA)Son La (VNA) – A ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of Vietnam – Laos diplomatic ties and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation was held in the northern mountainous province of Son La on August 29. On the occasion, the province also received a certificate recognising the Vietnam – Laos revolutionary historical relic site in Phieng Khoai commune, Yen Chau district as a special national relic site. Over the years, Son La has formed friendly and comprehensive partnerships with the Lao provinces of Houaphane, Luang Prabang, Bokeo, Udomsay, Luang Namtha, Phongsaly, Sainyabuli, Xieng Khouang and Saysomboun, especially in the fields of politics, socio-economy, culture, and national defence-security. Secretary of the Party Committee and Governor of Houaphane province Vansay Phengsumma said the Lao provinces will always stand side by side with Son La in the cause of national construction and defence, as well as in socio-economic development. Delegates at the event also offered incense to Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Kaysone Phomvihane and planted trees at the Vietnam – Laos revolutionary historical relic site./.

The comments come even as defense engagement has seen many fold increase, including high level exchanges.Vietnam and India have seen engagement in defense cooperation especially in Defence production. "We are going into the final stage of the 500 million credit line for equipment in defense. India is very generous, Indians treat guest as God, I see this is true. "On India's role in the world, the ambassador highlighted that, " India role is growing tremendously high in the world, and everyone wants to come to make case. India is not only growing int terms of economic weight, but political weight, and importantly cultural weight.

VSFA HCM City President Bui Quang Hai addresses the event (Photo: VNA) VSFA HCM City President Bui Quang Hai addresses the event- A get-together was held in Ho Chi Minh City on August 28 by the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) and the municipal chapter of the Vietnam-Slovakia Friendship Association (VSFA HCM City) to mark the 30th anniversary of Slovak Constitution Day (September 1).Addressing the event, VSFA HCM City President Bui Quang Hai reviews the ties between the two countries since they set up diplomatic relations on February 2, 1950.He highlighted Slovakia's support to Vietnam throughout the history, especially in personnel training.Particularly, Slovakia's recognition of Vietnamese-Slovakian community as its 14th ethnic minority group has created favourable conditions for the community to make more contributions to the host society, he stressed.He also underlined the sound partnership among localities of both sides, as well as bilateral cultural cooperation.For his part, Deputy Ambassador and Trade Counsellor of the Slovak Embassy in Vietnam Marian Veres said that for Slovak people, Vietnam is an attractive country with great potential. He said that he has worked to recover and further beef up bilateral ties, especially in economy.He noted that before COVID-19 broke out, many Slovak firms showed interest in Vietnam, holding that this positive trend will return, so that the business communities of both sides will foster their partnership.According to the VSFA HCM City, Slovakia has been an important partner of Vietnam in Central and Eastern Europe, with two-way trade rising through the years.Statistics from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) showed that two-way trade hit 1 billion USD in 2020. As of the middle of this year, Slovakia had ranked 45th out of 135 countries and territories investing in Vietnam with 12 projects worth 140.8 million USD./.

Speakers at the conference: “Accelerating 5G connections in Vietnam." The conference was also a place for representatives from stakeholders to share their insights on how to scale up 5G in the country.O.H. By bringing everyone together, we believe that we can establish a partnership between companies and organisations and work together to help Vietnam get closer to its set 5G plan and targets. By 2025, the population basically will have 5G coverage and by 2030, all people will have 5G coverage. With the available broadband telecoms infrastructure via fiber optic and mobile, 5G technology will be the premise for all industries and sectors in the economy to implement digital transformation, ready for Industry 4.0 .

A longan orchard equipped with an efficient irrigation system in Ba Ria – Vung Tau province. (Photo: VNA)- Using machines to cultivate fruits in the country still has limitations and the harvesting stage is done mostly by hand, experts said.Fruits are one of the country’s key agricultural products for export and the country has 1.18 million hectares of fruits as of last year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Department of Economic Cooperation and Rural Development.Speaking at a recent seminar held in the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang, Vu Van Tien, deputy head of the department, said mechanising the country’s fruit cultivation is focused on land preparation, tending, harvest, transportation and processing, and post-harvest preservation.Mechanisation for land preparation is used on more than 90% of the country’s total fruit area and 70-80% for tending, he said.In the harvesting stage, most fruits are harvested manually, he said.To increase yield and quality, reduce labour and production costs, and enhance competitiveness, it is necessary to increase mechanisation in harvesting, he added.Nguyen Duc Long, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Post–Harvesting Technology, said machines used in the country’s fruit cultivation are focused mostly on the land preparation and tending stages such as irrigation and spraying pesticides. Mechanisation for the country’s fruit cultivation is only implemented in each separate cultivation stage and has not been implemented synchronously for all the cultivation stages,” he said.Small scale cultivation, scattered growing areas, and fruit growing areas mostly owned by households who have limited mechanisation capacity are major reasons hindering the process of mechanisation, he said.Meanwhile, there are not many types of machines and facilities that meet the requirements of mechanisation and suit the cultivation situation in the country, he said.In addition, investment in researching mechanisation for the country’s agriculture production is still modest, he said.To increase mechanisation, the country needs to identify the potential and advantages of each locality to choose types of machines and facilities suited for each kind of fruit, he said.In addition, it is necessary to establish large-scale growing areas and upgrade transport infrastructure for agriculture production in rural areas, he said.Besides researching and using agricultural machines and facilities, the country should prioritise applying smart devices to manage information and data for agricultural production, according to participants at the seminar.It is also necessary to develop human resources for modern agricultural production, including workers who operate modern agricultural machines, they said.The Government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development have implemented various policies to boost mechanisation in agricultural production in recent years.Fruit growers in the country, especially in the Mekong Delta, have used more machines in cultivation.The delta has 400,000ha of fruits with an annual output of 4.3 million tonnes, accounting for 60 % of the country’s total output.Vo Huu Thoai, head of the Southern Fruit Research Institute, said mechanisation for fruit cultivation in the Mekong Delta has yielded positive results.In a specialised durian growing area covering more than 15,000ha in Cai Lay district, which is Tien Giang province’s largest durian producer, farmers have strengthened mechanisation in tending orchards.In the area, stages such as pumping irrigation water into orchards, irrigating trees and spraying pesticides are done by machines.Some large farms have applied mechanisation in harvesting fruits to reduce harvesting cost, reduce depending on harvest workers and meet harvest requirements, he said.Vo Van Lap, head of Tien Giang province’s Sub-department of Rural Development, said the province has strengthened mechanisation in agricultural production.In fruit cultivation, the use of machines for land preparation is 84.3% of the province’s total fruit growing area; for pumping water and spraying pesticides, 100%; and using efficient irrigation systems, 59%.Tien Giang is the country’s largest fruit producer./.