Politics Infographic Fostering Vietnam – India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Vietnam and India established their diplomatic relations in 1972 and upgraded the ties to comprehensive strategic partnership in September 2016. They are working to implement an action programme materialising the partnership for 2021-2023. They always support each other and regularly exchange delegation across all levels, particularly high-level ones. Politics Infographic First National Conference on Foreign Affairs The first National Conference on Foreign Affairs will be held on December 14. The event forms part of functions, aiming at implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress.

Environment Typhoon Rai changes direction, gradually weakens Typhoon Rai, the ninth storm to hit Vietnam in the East Sea, was about 200km to the east-northeast of Ly Son island of the central coastal province of Quang Ngai at 4am on December 20, with gust near the eye of the storm reaching 200 km per hour, according to the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting. Environment USAID-funded project aims to reduce harm of plastic pollution on public health The Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE) has recently coordinated with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to launch the “Plastic and Health Action Partnership” (PHA) with the aim of reducing impact of plastic wastes on public health. Environment Coastal localities brace for super typhoon Rai As typhoon Rai is changing its moving direction in the waters to the northwest of Truong Sa archipelago, coastal localities are bracing for the impacts of the super typhoon. Environment Typhoon Rai to cause heavy rains in central coastal region Typhoon Rai, the ninth storm to hit Vietnam this year, is forecast to cause heavy rain across the area spanning from central Thua Thien – Hue to Khanh Hoa provinces between the evening of December 18 and December 19, with common rainfall of 100-250mm and over 300mm in some places.

(Dec 21): The Halal market is a huge market for Vietnamese businesses because currently Vietnamese Halal products do not account for a significant share, Vietnam News reported. Nguyễn Quốc Dũng, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, made the statement at a conference "Halal market in Southeast Asia-South Asia-South Pacific: Potentials and opportunities" held on Monday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in co-ordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. According to Dũng, the Southeast Asia - South Asia - South Pacific region is a potential market with 860 million Muslims and Halal consumers, accounting for 66 per cent of the total Muslim population in the world, Vietnam News reported. Vietnam has many strengths and favourable conditions to effectively participate in the global Halal economy, including in the pillars of the food, tourism, textiles, pharmaceuticals and media.

Participants at the event (Photo: VNA)Anatoly Chernov and his daughter Anatoly Chernov who designed the statue of President Ho Chi Minh in St. Petersburg, briefed participants on the design of the 5.25m-high statue, which features the late leader sitting with a book on his hand. (Photo: VNA)– A ceremony was held in St. Petersburg to pay tribute to former military experts of the Soviet Union (Russia now) who supported Vietnam during the anti-US war The event, held on the occasion of the 77th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army and Vietnam's 32nd People’s Defence Festival Day (December 22), was attended by Vyacheslav Kalganov, Vice-Chairman of the Committee for External Relations of St. Petersburg; Colonel Alexei Skreblyukov, President of the St. Petersburg chapter of the Inter-regional Public Organisation of Veterans of the Vietnam War (MOOVVV), and a large number of Russian war veterans who served in Vietnam.Vietnamese participants included Colonel Tran Tien Phuong, Vietnam's Defence Attaché in Russia, and representatives of Vietnamese officers and Vietnamese students studying in St. Petergsburg and the Vietnamese community in the city.Addressing the event, Nguyen Quoc Hung, Director of the Russian-Vietnamese Cooperation Development Fund "Tradition and Friendship" expressed gratitude towards Russian military experts who rendered services in Vietnam during the war, worked alongside the Vietnam People’s Army and Vietnamese people to overcome difficulties, making great contributions to the Russia-Vietnam relations.Colonel Phuong said that during the recent visit to Russia, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Vietnamese Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang held a meeting with former Soviet Union military experts and thanked Russian people, including Russian veterans, for supporting Vietnam during the past struggle for national independence and reunification.Colonel Phuong showed delight at the growing defence partnership between Vietnam and Russia.Russian veterans highlighted the loyal friendship of Vietnamese people, affirming that they will continue to work for stronger ties between the two countries.At the event, Anatoly Chernov and his daughter Anatoly Chernov who designed the statue of President Ho Chi Minh in St. Petersburg, briefed participants on the design of the 5.25m-high statue, which features the late leader sitting with a book on his hand.The construction of the statue is scheduled to be submitted to the city for approval on December 22, and completed in 2023 on the occasion the 100th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s first arrival in Russia./.

Over the past two decades, the two-way trade has expanded 8.6 percent, much higher than the average growth rate of 5.8 percent between Australia and other ASEAN countries. (Photo: VNA)The Governments of Vietnam and Australia on December 21 announced their enhanced economic engagement strategy, and set out a roadmap to boost bilateral trade and investment ties.In a media release, Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan welcomed the strategy as the foundation for Vietnam and Australia’s effort to double investment and become top ten trading partners. Australia and Vietnam have complementary economies - we are partners more than competitors. Our supply chains are becoming more closely entwined, meaning together we are exporting to markets around the world,” he said.“The implementation of the Economic Engagement Strategy will unlock mutually beneficial opportunities and boost our trade and investment relationship, especially in key areas such as education, resources, agriculture, manufacturing and digital economy.”The minister said as both our countries emerge from the pandemic and begin their economic recovery, the strategy presents tremendous opportunities for both nations.For his part, Vietnam’s Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung noted “success in achieving the common objectives of the Strategy will further enhance the economic position of Vietnam and Australia, contributing to the safety, security and shared prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region”.Statistics show that over the past two decades, the two-way trade has expanded 8.6 percent, much higher than the average growth rate of 5.8 percent between Australia and other ASEAN countries.Trade between Vietnam and Australia reached some 14.6 billion AUD (10.4 billion USD) last year./.

Iron and steel of all kinds are one of Vietnam's exports to Cambodia. The figure is estimated at 9.3 billion USD for the entire year, marking a rise of nearly 75 percent annually. During the 2016-2020 period, two-way trade expanded by 17 percent annually on average, from 2.92 billion USD in 2015 to 5.32 billion USD in 2020. Apart from boosting exports to Cambodia, Vietnam continued offering preferential tariff on Cambodia’s exports to Vietnam. At present, Vietnam has 188 valid investment projects with a total registered capital of nearly 2.85 billion USD in Cambodia.

Then Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) welcomes his Cambodian counterpart Samdech Techo Hun Sen during the latter's visit to Vietnam in October 2019 (Photo: VNA)– A State-level visit to Cambodia by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on December 21 - 22 is set to help further enhance political trust and intensify multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.The visit will be the first to Cambodia by the State leader of Vietnam since the Vietnamese leadership was completed after the 13th National Party Congress in January 2021. It will also be the first visit to Cambodia by a foreign head of state this year.The trip aims to implement the foreign policy identified at the 13th National Party Congress, which is treasuring and developing relations with neighbouring countries. It takes place amid the continued growth of the two countries’ neighbourliness, solidarity, traditional friendship, and comprehensive cooperation though both have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.It is also one of the first activities marking the “Vietnam - Cambodia, Cambodia - Vietnam Friendship Year” and the 55th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (June 24, 1967 - 2022).Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Huy Tang said during the visit, the two sides will review cooperation outcomes over the past years, exchange views on the regional and international issues of common concern, and discuss measures for addressing difficulties and obstacles to promote cooperation in all fields, especially economy. The countries’ leaders will also witness the signing of some important cooperation documents.He held that the Vietnam - Cambodia relations should focus on education to raise public awareness, particularly among the young, of the strategic significance, role, and importance of bilateral ties so as to help strengthen political trust between the two countries.They should also step up partnership in economic issues and make new breakthroughs in this regard; bolster cooperation in security, defence, and foreign affairs to jointly maintain a peaceful and stable environment for both nations, as well as the region and the world; and increase the exchange and collaboration between their peoples and localities, especially the ones situated along the shared borderline, in order to help nurture the Vietnam - Cambodia friendship.The visit will mark the start of the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Year 2022, Tang said, noting that it will help reinforce the political trust and multifaceted cooperation and develop bilateral relations in a more substantive and effective manner.The trip will also demonstrate Vietnam’s support for Cambodia’s internal and external activities in the time ahead such as the general elections in 2023 and the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2022, according to the diplomat.Meanwhile, Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam Chay Navuth described President Phuc’s visit as an illustration of the close-knit ties as well as friendship between the two countries.Cambodia supports and highly values Vietnam’s successful chairmanship of ASEAN, organisation of meetings, and contribution to the elevation of the bloc’s cooperation to a new height amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he went on.He added the countries’ leaders have regularly held phone talks and online discussions, which has once again shown their solidarity and mutual assistance, along with Vietnam’s support for Cambodia’s ASEAN Chairmanship at a time the bloc is facing numerous challenges like the competition among superpowers and the pandemic./.

Dung made the call at a workshop held on December 20 by the Ministry of Foreign Affair in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on exports to the Halal market. The deputy minister noted that however, only about 50 Vietnamese companies are granted Halal certificates each year. Phung Duc Tien, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said 50 percent of Vietnamese agricultural products such as rice, vegetables, tea, coffee, cashew and pepper are considered very suitable for the Halal market. Samina Naz, the Bangladeshi Ambassador to Vietnam, said Bangladesh is a large market with high potential. According to him, long-term strategies are needed to penetrate the Halal market./.

Addressing the event, General Secretary Trong stressed that 2021 is a very difficult year, but also a year that the public security sector could be proud of. The Ministry of Public Security has tried the best to continue improving its organizational structure, actively and effectively participated in the fight against corruption, and well maintained political security, social order and safety, he noted. In the coming time, the ministry should be more drastic and effective in preventing and combating corruption, especially for cases which are sensitive, complicated, prolonged that cause frustration among the public, Trong stressed. The Central Public Security Party Committee is one among the first ministerial Party Committees to implement and bring the Resolution of 13th Party Congress to life./.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son co-chairs the 19th meeting of the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Committee on economic , science and technology cooperation via videoconference. (Photo: VNA)The meeting (Photo: VNA)– Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn co-chaired the 19th meeting of the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Committee on economic, science and technology cooperation via videoconference on December 19.Addressing the event, Son expressed his delight at the good progress of the sound neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive, stable and long-term cooperation between the two countries in all fields since the previous meeting in December 2020 despite COVID-19 impacts.Prak Sokhonn noted that the friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive partnership between Cambodia and Vietnam have been reinforced and deepened. He welcomed the effective collaboration and mutual support between the two countries in pandemic fight, underlining that the meeting is a chance for both sides to improve their coordination at regional and international forums.They shared pleasure with both sides' close cooperation in preparing for a State visit to Cambodia from December 21-22 by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc as well as events to celebrate the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year 2022 and the 55th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties in 2022.They discussed cooperation outcomes among ministries and sectors over the years across all fields of politics-diplomacy, defence, security, border control, economy, trade, investment, transport, education-training, culture, sports, tourism, health care, and justice as well as among localities.Both sides agreed to continue maintaining regular high-level meetings and exchanges, promoting the efficiency of existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms, coordinating closely in organising events within the framework of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year 2022, educating the youth in the bilateral ties, and implementing agreements on defence and security, speeding up the search and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese voluntary soldiers and experts falling down in Cambodia.They concurred to continue working together to strengthen economic connections and deal with difficulties facing businesses of both countries, while fostering partnership in transport, tourism, agro-forestry-fisheries, telecommunications and information technology, labour, natural resources and environment.Minister Son thanked the Cambodia n side for supporting the Vietnamese community in the country, suggesting that both sides strengthen coordination in reaslising bilateral deals to build a shared borderline of development and friendship.They shared pleasure at close coordination at international and regional forums, especially within the ASEAN and UN frameworks as well as sub-regional cooperation mechanisms, including collaboration in effective and sustainable use of Mekong River water resources.Son affirmed that Vietnam will support Cambodia in completing its role as ASEAN Chair in 2022.A minute of the meeting is expected to be signed in Phnom Penh on December 21 during the State visit to Cambodia by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc.The next meeting of the committee is scheduled to be held in Vietnam in 2022./.

Business Vietnam can help connect EAEU, ASEAN: Russian scholar Vietnam is a model in Asia-Europe cooperation and can act as a bridge for the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) to get closer to the ASEAN, according to Anton Viktorovich Bredikhin, political scientist and editor-in-chief of the Russian scientific journal Arkhont. Business Seafood sector striving to boost exports After months of stagnation due to COVID-19, Vietnam’s seafood sector is now striving to recover production and boost exports, especially during the year-end period. Business National statistical development strategy approved Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh has recently signed a decision approving the National Statistical Development Strategy for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2045.Business Infographic Vietnam's cashew nut exports pick up despite COVID-19 Cashew nut exports in 2021 increase 13% in value and 12% in volume compared to 2020, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

Hanoi (VNA) - Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh has recently signed a decision approving the National Statistical Development Strategy for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2045. The strategy focuses on modernizing the statistics sector in the direction of innovation, rapid and solid development with proper organizational structure; providing and popularizing statistical information in line with international standards and practices; and forming a quality national concentrated statistical information system. The statistics sector aims to reach advanced development level in ASEAN by 2030 and meet global modern standards by 2045. Meanwhile, at least 80 percent of statistical products will be timely provided to users by 2025. Under the strategy, priority will be given to developing a national statistical information system serving management and administration requirements of all sectors, thus meeting the maximum demand for statistical information and step by step providing micro-statistical data.

Illustrative image (Source: Khmertimeskh.com)– A good relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia will positively contribute to the development of each country as well as to ASEAN and the whole region where socio-economic recovery effort is underway, said Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Huy Tang Speaking to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Phnom Penh on the occasion of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc 's upcoming visit to Cambodia from December 21-22, Ambassador Tang said that Vietnamese and Cambodian people have shared long-standing friendship, which plays an important role in the development in each country.He stressed that without the support of the international community and Cambodia, Vietnam would not have been able to secure resources for its struggle to liberate the south and reunite the country. Meanwhile, without the timely and effective assistance from the People’s Army of Vietnam, Cambodia would not have been able to eliminate the Pol Pot genocidal regime and revive its nation.The ambassador highlighted that the Vietnam-Cambodia relationship is developing under the motto of "good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, and comprehensive, sustainable and long-term cooperation,” playing an increasingly important role in the development and international integration of each country.According to the ambassador, despite ups and downs in history, the Vietnam-Cambodia ties have overcome all challenges to continuously thrive. He said in celebration of the 55th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations (June 24, 1967-2022), the two sides will focus on a number of major tasks to further boost their ties, first of all strenghtening the already sound political relationship, which guides the overall relations.Along with enhancing awareness of both sides on the strategic and vital significance of the bilateral ties to each country's national construction and defence, they will work closely together to reinforce political trust and build a firm social foundation for the development of the ties, he said.The diplomat went on that Vietnam and Cambodia should beef up their collaboration in security, defence and diplomacy, while coordinating closely at regional and international multilateral forums to help Cambodia complete its task as the ASEAN Chair in 2022.Both sides will work to improve the efficiency of their economic cooperation, creating new motivation for growth in both countries and a factor ensuring the sustainable development of bilateral relationship.At the same time, they will continue to bolster their partnership in culture, education-training, health care, and science-technology. In 2022, they will coordinate to organise a culture and a film week in each other’s country, while promoting educational activities among people, especially the youth, on the bilateral traditional friendship, he added.In addition, Vietnamese and Cambodian ministries, sectors and localities as well as people’s associations and organisations will promote mutual support, thus contributing to deepening the comprehensive ties between the two countries.Regarding what the two countries can do to contribute to the socio-economic recovery in the ASEAN and region, Ambassador Tang said that they can continue to call for the international community’s support to ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund, while sharing with regional countries their experience in controlling the pandemic, fostering economic connectivity and fixing the disruption of supply, production and sale chains.Alongside, the sound relationship between the two countries will contribute to promoting economic connections and cooperation among ASEAN member countries, thus helping implement common goals of the association, including the ASEAN Economic Recovery Framework, and draft long-term strategies and proper recovery solutions to resume sustainable socio-economic development in the region, he stated./.

A total of 14 Vietnam Airlines flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Quang Nam, Quy Nhon and Tuy Hoa and vice versa will be cancelled on December 19. Vietnam records 15,895 COVID-19 cases on December 18Ca Mau posted the highest number of infections with 1,341, followed by Hanoi with 1,244 and Ho Chi Minh City with 1,019. Ho Chi Minh City honours hundreds of role-models in following Uncle Ho’s exampleThe Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee held a conference on December 16 to review the 5-year implementation of the Politburo’s Directive No.05-CT/TW and commend role-models in studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology and morality. At the event, 371 role-models in studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology and morality were commended, including 145 collectives and 226 individuals. New book on President Ho Chi Minh’s national salvation journey introducedThe Ho Chi Minh Museum’s chapter in Ho Chi Minh City on December 17 held a press conference to give the public insights into a freshly published book on the late President Ho Chi Minh’s national salvation journey.

Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue (L) shakes hands with Chief Minister of India’s Kerala state Pinarayi Vijayan (Photo: VNA)Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue received Chief Minister of India’s Kerala state Pinarayi Vijayan in New Delhi on December 17 as part of his official visit to the country.Kerala is among the most developed states in India regarding economic and human development.At the reception, Vijayan informed his Hue that Vietnam and its late President Ho Chi Minh have left good impression on people in Kerala.He said his state shares similarities with many Vietnamese provinces and cities and suggested the sides cooperate in many farming areas like peppercorn, coffee, rubber, and fishery.Kerala can support Vietnamese localities in the fields of IT and intensive English training, the official stated.Lauding comprehensive socio-economic achievements obtained by the Indian state, Hue affirmed that Vietnam always welcomes Indian enterprises, including those from Kerala, to boost investment in Vietnam regarding manufacturing, auto support industry, IT and communications, renewable energy, high-tech agriculture, and innovation.The top legislator said he is delighted to know that in the past time, Kerala, a number of Vietnamese localities, and the Vietnamese Embassy in India have exchanged cooperation experience concerning such potential fields as farming and fishery.Hue hoped the collaboration between Kerala and Vietnamese localities would be promoted in the time to come in contribution to the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and India./.