According to a project approved recently by the Ministry, the productivity is expected to rise to 3.5 tons of coffee bean per hectare, with an income increasing by 1.5-2 times compared to the previous time. The combined area in the five Central Highland provinces is projected at around 91,000ha, with Lam Dong making the largest share, followed by Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Gia Lai and Kon Tum. The attention will be paid to stepping up scientific and technological application, as well as technological transfer, while building standardised irrigation systems. Supportive policies will also be rolled out, aiming to reduce losses, encourage cooperation and connectivity in production and consumption, and promote organic agriculture. In 2021, Vietnam's coffee exports reached 1.5 million tons, worth of about 3 billion USD, down 2.7 percent in volume, but up 9.4 percent in value year on year./.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Vu Quang Minh was on a visit to the city of Wernigerode on July 6 – 7 to seek ways to enhance ties between the German city and its Vietnamese sister city Hoi An and potentially other cities and provinces in Vietnam.Talking to newly-elected mayor Tobias Kascha and his predecessor Peter Gaffert, Ambassador Minh emphasised the huge potential for further accelerating partnership between Wernigerode and Hoi An as well as other Vietnamese localities.The bilateral relations will be built on the solid foundation of the Vietnam – Germany strategic partnership which has been growing strong in all areas, from economy, energy, environment, education-training, to culture and science-technology, over the last 12 years, he said.Wernigerode and Hoi An set up a sister-city relations hip in 2013, he recalled, since then, the first has provided support for the latter in many major projects, for example, developing a solar power system at Song Hoai (Hoai River) Square, promoting efficient use of renewable energy, and minimising waste, among others.He called on enterprises from the German city to explore investment opportunity in Vietnam to reap benefits from the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).As Wernigerode and Hoi An are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their ties next year, the ambassador proposed the two sides to organise several activities for promotion of trade, investment and tourism.Former mayor Gaffert affirmed that maintain the sister-city relations with Hoi An was among his city’s top priorities and a major highlight during his term of office. He expected the new mayor will facilitate the further development of the bilateral ties. He suggested the two sides further expand ties in vocational training, tourism services, hospitality and handicraft making.Kascha, for his part, pledged to foster the sister-city relations in a long term during his upcoming sever years in office.On the visit, Ambassador Minh also visited a German mechanic corporation and representatives of Vietnamese community in Wernigerode./.

President Biden hails positive developments in US - Vietnam relationsUnited States President Joe Biden lauded considerable progress in the relations between the United States and Vietnam while receiving newly accredited Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Dung in Washington DC recently. Ambassador Dung conveyed to President Joe Biden the greetings and invitations to visit Vietnam by senior Party and State leaders. The vast majority of them strictly comply with the laws of their host nations, contributing to creating a good image of Vietnam and its people. At the ministry’s regular press briefing on July 7, when reporters mentioned the US’s wish to cooperate with Vietnam to fight illegal fishing, the diplomat affirmed that Vietnam is interested in the information. With three points from the match, Vietnam now rank third in Group B after Laos and Myanmar.

Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. (AFP/VNA)Jakarta (VNA) – Multilateralism is the only way to coordinate effective responses to global challenges, Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said on July 8. “Global challenges require global solutions. But honestly, we cannot deny that it has become more difficult for the world to sit together,” the Indonesian diplomat said. The current world situation has made people lose faith in multilateralism and its capacity to respond effectively to global challenges.

Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang (Photo: VNA)- Various measures have been taken to protect and support Vietnamese citizens facing difficulties in Cambodia, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said at a press conference on July 7 while answering reporters’ questions regarding the situation of Vietnamese workers being forced to work in the neighbouring country.Hang said that solutions have been implemented with collaboration between Vietnamese representative agencies in Cambodia and authorised agencies and localities at home, especially localities along the shared border with Cambodia.She said that specialised working teams have been set up to respond to citizens’ requests, post warnings on websites and social network accounts of Vietnamese representative agencies in Cambodia , and work with Cambodian agencies to support Vietnamese victims The Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia has set up a citizen protection hotline, along with a hotline of the Consular Department to receive reports on victims and other information, while coordinating with authorised agencies at home, especially media agencies, to provide information and raise public awareness of the issue.Thanks to the efforts of domestic agencies, and with coordination from the Cambodian side, to date, about 400 citizens have been brought home, while guidance and legal support have been supplied to about 1,500 workers meeting difficulties in exiting, traveling and extending their residence or violating the host country's laws, the spokeswoman stated.Hang said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vietnamese representative agencies abroad will continue to coordinate with domestic and Cambodian authorities to step up investigations and roll out necessary citizen protection measures./.

Notably, some COVID-19 patients have been also infected with dengue fever, which is at its peak time in Vietnam. Vietnam is one of the 17 countries prioritised by the Government of Japan for this global project to advance responsible business practices in Japanese companies and their supply chains in Vietnam. According to the minister, Ward has always accompanied and actively supported Vietnam in protecting the environment and responding to climate change, especially promoting cooperation and attracting investment for sustainable development and climate change adaptation programmes in the Southeast Asian country such as a low carbon energy programme for ASEAN, a project to develop Calculator Tool 2050 for Vietnam, Vietnam National Plastic Action Partnership, and a project to plant 1,000 mangroves to prevent erosion, among others. Miss Vietnam 2022 beauty pageant officially launchedMiss Vietnam 2022 officially got underway with a press conference held Ho Chi Minh City on July 6 by Tien Phong (Pioneer) newspaper, the organiser of the pageant. Miss Vietnam 2022 is a biennial national beauty contest which is open for Vietnamese young women aged between 18 and 27.

The Vietnamese delegation at ninth session of the General Assembly of the States Parties to the Convention 2003 (Photo: baoquocte.vn)Ninth session of the General Assembly of the States Parties to the Convention 2003 (Photo: baoquocte.vn)– Vietnam on July 6 was elected to the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2022-2026 term , with 120 votes – the highest among the elected countries, during the ninth session of the General Assembly of the States Parties to the Convention 2003, held in Paris.The committee, including 24 members, is UNESCO ’s important agency for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. Its functions are to promote the objectives of the Convention, provide guidance on best practices, and make recommendations on measures for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage.Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to UNESCO, said this is the second time that Vietnam has taken on this responsibility at UNESCO's key cultural governing body, after the 2006-2010 term.This is of great significance in many aspects, showing the country's increasing position and prestige in the international arena, as well as the international community’s confidence in its contribution to and administration capacity in the global multilateral institutions, and recognition of Vietnam's contributions in relations with UNESCO, in preserving and promoting the value of intangible heritage in the country and in the world.Winning the election is also a result of Vietnam's foreign policy of multilateralisation, diversification and comprehensive and extensive international integration, as well as the fruit of a methodical and concerted implementation of its candidacy plan in recent years, said Van.Along with being a member of the Executive Council for the 2021-2025 term, a member of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of Diversity of Cultural Expressions for the 2021-2025 tenure, becoming a member of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention will offer an opportunity for Vietnam to contribute more actively to UNESCO’s major programmes and orientations in general and on the culture field in particular; thus affirming its role and prestige at UNESCO and in the international arena, she added.Le Thi Thu Hien, Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage, said that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will develop specific plans focusing on the sharing of best practices in the protection and promotion of cultural heritage values, the realisation of the Convention’s goals for sustainable development, the promotion of UNESCO's priorities, and the improvement of awareness.The Convention 2003 has been ratified by 180 countries, with Vietnam being among the first 30 entering the Convention./.

At the hand-over ceremony (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRCS) Central Committee on July 4 received medical equipment and supplies donated by the Omani government and people. Omani Ambassador to Vietnam Saleh Mohamed Ahmed Al-Suqri and CEO of the Oman Charitable Organisation (OCO) Mohammed Hamoud Said Al-Zahli handed over two ambulances, two ventilators, 20,000 N95 masks, 8,000 SPO2 meters, 8,000 protective suits, 8,000 electronic personal thermometers, and 2,000 gloves to representatives of the VRCS at a ceremony at the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hanoi. Mohammed Hamoud Said Al-Zahli said the donation by the Omani government and people is an expression of the friendship and cooperation between the two countries. For her part, President of the VRCS Bui Thi Hoa thanked the government and people of Oman, and the Omani Embassy in Vietnam for the gifts. She pledged that the medical equipment will be used for the right purposes so that poor and disadvantaged people can access and benefit from them./.

It will become the sole broadcaster of the tournament on all platforms including mobile app TV360 and Viettel TV in Vietnam. Vietnam Waste Solutions Co. Ltd. proposed that HCMC should welcome capitals from professional investors, who will then select appropriate waste handling technologies and be legally responsible for their choices. Le Anh Tuan, Director of Vietnam National Academy of Music, musician Ho Hoai Anh who is currently a lecturer in the academy has been suspended from work under a decision launched in an urgent meeting between the Vietnam National Academy of Music and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. They are Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology under Viet Nam National University (VNU)-Ho Chi Minh City, University of Science and Technology under Da Nang University, Ha Noi University of Science and Technology (HUST), Ha Noi University of Civil Engineering; University of Science under VNU-Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City based-Ton Duc Thang University and International University under VNU-Ho Chi Minh City. They are Duy Tan University in the central city of Da Nang, Viet Nam National University in Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Noi National University.

At the press conference (Photo: VNA)– The Presidential Office in coordination with relevant ministries and agencies held an international press conference in Hanoi on July 4 to announce the President’s amnesty decision on the occasion of National Day (September 2).The beneficiaries include those who are serving their fixed-term sentences in jail, those who have life sentences reduced and those who have sentences suspended, with the serving time to be considered for amnesty calculated until August 31.In order to be considered for amnesty, inmates must show good conduct, serve at least half of their fixed-term sentences, and at least 15 years for those who have their life sentences reduced to fixed-term sentences. Another requirement is that the inmates must complete the payment of court fees.Prisoners who have returned part of assets, paid part of compensations or fulfilled part of other civil obligations, but have met special economic difficulties will be taken into consideration, except for those committing corrupt crimes.Those who are 70 years old and above, or the only breadwinner of disadvantaged families, or suffer from serious diseases, chronic illness or disability, or female inmates who are pregnant or have kids less than three years old will also be considered once they have served at least one third or two fifths of their prison terms, or 13 years for those who have their life sentences reduced to fixed-term sentences.Pham Thanh Ha, Vice Chairman of the Presidential Office , also noted cases that are not subject to the amnesty include those who attempted to overthrow the people's administration, espionage crimes, riots, terrorists and organised crimes, among others.This is the second year the amnesty has been conducted in line with the 2018 Law on Amnesty. The conditions for amnesty do not change much compared to 2021.More than 3,000 prisoners received the amnesty last year, according to Deputy Minister of Public Security Major General Nguyen Van Long./.

Illustrative image. (Photo: laodong.vn)Hanoi (VNA) – The 2022 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plus police music gala is a highlight in the communication work on the People’s Police, Minister of Public Security General To Lam has said. He made the statement at a working session with the event’s organising board on July 2. The gala is part of a series of activities organised by the Ministry of Public Security to mark the 60th anniversary of the traditional day of the Vietnam People’s Police (July 20). It will bring together police music groups from ASEAN members such as Laos, the Philippines, Brunei, Myanmar, and Vietnam, in addition to those from Japan and China.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long delivers a remark at Meet Vietnam in Nottingham. (Photo: VNA)Lord Mayor of Nottingham Wendy Smith speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)The Trade Office of Vietnam in the UK in collaboration with the British importer of oriental food EUTEK Group has hosted Meet Vietnam in Nottingham to introduce Vietnamese products and promote opportunities for trade and investment between Vietnam and the British city.The July 1 event attracted officials and enterprises from both sides.In her remarks, Lord Mayor of Nottingham Wendy Smith described her city as a dynamic economic hub where many Vietnamese people are residing and studying. Nottingham welcomes all Vietnamese companies and investors, she affirmed, hoping that the economic and trade relations between the two sides will grow further in the coming time.Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long, for his part, said there is plenty of room for the relations between Vietnam and Nottingham to expand.Nottingham is home to a large Vietnamese community, and many Vietnamese students are pursuing education at two major universities here – University of Nottingham and Notting Trent University, he said, emphasising that they will act as a bridge to further develop the bilateral partnership.With enthusiastic support from the government of Nottingham for trade and investment between the two sides and exchanges between their localities, the bilateral cooperation will be taken to the next level in the future, Long said.Robert Dixon, Head of Business Growth at Nottingham City Council, pledged that Nottingham City Council will do its utmost to support Vietnamese enterprises doing business and investing in the city.The 2022 Vietnam Goods and Gastronomy Week is underway in Nottingham. On display are wooden furniture and a wide range of food products exported from Vietnam, including coffee, fragrant rice, cashew nut, fresh and dried fruits, canned fruit juices, dried noodles and rice papers./.

The event was held by the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) to celebrate the two countries’ Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022. In his works, President Ho Chi Minh showed a pure diplomacy spirit with the famous words of “helping our friends is helping ourselves,” said Khamla. Vietnam attends Turkey security, defence expoLieutenant General Phung Si Tan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, attended security and defence exhibition SEDEC 2022 in Ankara from June 28 – 30. They also proposed new directions to promote bilateral relations of their countries with Vietnam. of Vietnam to the UN, affirmed that Vietnam totally supports the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030.

National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines resumes services between Ho Chi Minh City and Jakarta (Indonesia) on July 2. (Photo: VNA)National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines resumed services between Ho Chi Minh City and Jakarta (Indonesia) on July 2 after months of closure because of COVID-19.The first flight in months, coded VN631, departed from HCM City for Jakarta at around 9:40am, with 144 passengers on board; and the return flight took off from Jakarta ’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at 1:50pm carrying 171 passengers.There are now regular round trips on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.This is another international destination Vietnam Airlines has relaunched air route to after the Vietnam reopened its border and lifted travel restrictions.Nguyen Minh Toan, head of Vietnam Airline’s representative office in Indonesia , said there is high travel demand between Vietnam and Indonesia, and the resumption of an air route between the two countries, with three flights per week, marked a start for the carrier before it can recover the flight frequency to seven per week like pre-pandemic.Travellers can visit its official website at www.vietnamairlines.com or Facebook fanpage www.facebook.com/VietnamAirlines; log in mobile app Vietnam Airlines; or contact its booking agencies for more information and further support./.

Environment Seminar seeks to promote private sector’s engagement in greenhouse gas reduction Climate change has become one of the great challenges facing humanity, affecting all aspects of economy, politics, diplomacy as well as global security, Nguyen Tuan Quang, Deputy Director of the Climate Change Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), has said. Environment Workshop discusses plastic waste collection, recycling A workshop recently took place in Quy Nhon city, central Binh Dinh province, to discuss the improvement of awareness in plastic waste collection and recycling to promote the circular economy in Vietnam. Videos GPS collars to be used on wild elephants in Dak Lak GPS collars will be fitted to 28 wild elephants in the Yok Don National Park in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak, a workshop heard on June 29. Environment US supports law enforcement training for Vietnamese forest rangers The Forest Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with the United States Forest Service (USFS), held a workshop on building a law enforcement curriculum for forest rangers in Vietnam on June 30 in the central province of Khanh Hoa.