Vietnam News Today (Dec. 11): PM Chinh’s Visit to Take Vietnam-Netherlands Ties to New Heights

Illustrative image. Photo: VNA

Vietnam logs 408 new Covid-19 cases on December 10

The national Covid-19 caseload rose to 11,520,445 with 408 new cases recorded on December 10, according to the Ministry of Health.

With 100 patients given the all-clear during the day, the number of recoveries rose to 10,609,573.

Meanwhile, there are 68 patients needing breathing support, cited VNA.

No death from Covid-19 was recorded in the past 24 hours. The total fatalities stood at 43,178.

PM Chinh’s visit to take Vietnam-Netherlands ties to new heights

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s upcoming official visit to the Netherlands aims to promote, tighten, and bring the comprehensive co-operative partnership that exists between Vietnam and the European country to a higher level.

This assessment was made by Vietnamese Ambassador to the Netherlands Pham Viet Anh during a recent media interview prior to the PM’s visit from December 11 to December 12.

The Ambassador said that the visit, which came at the invitation of PM Mark Rutte and is taking place ahead of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Netherlands diplomatic relations, will create a premise for the fresh development of joint ties.

Both nations share similarities in terms of natural conditions and geopolitics. The Netherlands boasts strengths in utilising water resources and a resolving to fulfill climate and environmental protection targets, whilst the country has set a good example in terms of its circular economy, digital transformation, and energy transformation. These are also issues that Vietnam pays close attention to, the Vietnamese diplomat went on to say.

Therefore, PM Chinh is particularly keen in further collaboration with the Netherlands in climate change response and energy transition, Ambassador Anh said, adding that the PM will pay close attention to building trade and investment co-operation.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the Netherlands Pham Viet Anh. Photo: VNA

Moving forward, Vietnamese Government chief is set to chair a business forum on collaboration in climate change and energy transition, as well as meeting with leading Dutch enterprises which have already invested in the Vietnamese market or are interested in shifting their operation to Vietnam, according to VOV.

Highlighting the hallmarks of the bilateral friendship over the past nearly 50 years such as the Medical Committee Netherlands-Vietnam and the Quang Tri hospital, Ambassador Anh stressed that the Netherlands had dispatched experts to help the Vietnamese side in education, agriculture, irrigation, and maritime during its most difficult years. This support has helped the nation overcome difficulties and become a rice exporter.

The relationship has therefore recorded several outstanding developments over the past two decades, he said, explaining that the enhanced delegation exchange has contributed to bolstering ties in all spheres. This has led to the formation of two strategic partnerships during this period, with the strategic partnership in climate change adaptation and water management in 2010, along with another on sustainable agriculture and food security in 2014. The two countries also formed a comprehensive partnership during a visit to Vietnam by PM Rutte in April, 2019.

Both nations boast huge potential for broader co-operation, particularly in climate change response, energy transition, seaport planning and construction, semi-conductor technology, as well as high-tech agriculture, he added.

Vietnam prioritises upholding international commitments to human rights: UN Resident Coordinator

Among Vietnam’s pledges as part of its election to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), it is encouraging that the country prioritised upholding its commitments and obligations under the international human rights treaties, of which Vietnam has ratified seven out of nine, according to UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pauline Tamesis.

In her article titled “Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All” on the occasion of Human Rights Day (December 10), Tamesis quoted the first line of the Preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which says “Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.”

“In one sentence, it encapsulates the principles and values that we, as a human family have promised to uphold and fulfil 74 years ago. It is a powerful reminder of the proclamation made by the United Nations General Assembly on this very day in 1948,” she wrote.

Tamesis said 2023 marks the 45th anniversary of Vietnam’s membership to the UN, citing UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres as saying during his recent visit that upholding human rights in all its dimensions, remain vital to the next chapter of Vietnam’s development success story.

She pointed out that the world today continues to face a multitude of challenges, from pandemics to conflicts to climate change, reported VNA.

Vietnam has not been spared from impact of global crises, she said, adding that while the country is still recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, it needs at the same time to cope with the increasing food and energy prices from the fallout of the war in Ukraine, while battling natural disasters and impact of climate change. Unfortunately, the poor and those least capable to overcome these shocks disproportionately bear the brunt of these crises.

According to the UN official, the climate crisis exacerbates vulnerabilities faced by ethnic minority groups. Drought, heat waves and flooding lead to climate change-induced insecurity. Smallholder agriculture, particularly poor, ethnic minority and women farmers are ultimately the most severely impacted.

UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pauline Tamesis. Photo: VNA

She said all these development challenges threaten dignity and equality in rights, including health, food, education, an adequate standard of living, social assistance, and even to life itself.

“The realities that vulnerable individuals and communities face in their lives and livelihoods serve as a reminder and push for our continued action to integrate human rights in all development priorities – from climate action, to labour and social protection, to economic transformation – and put people at the centre of development,” Tamesis wrote.

She noted that Vietnam’s election to the UNHRC for the period 2023-2025 presents a great responsibility but also an important opportunity to redouble efforts in protecting and promoting economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights in line with international human rights standards.

Among Vietnam’s pledges as part of its election to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), it is encouraging that the country prioritised upholding its commitments and obligations under the international human rights treaties, of which Vietnam has ratified seven out of nine, strengthening education on human rights, and addressing the impacts of climate change on the enjoyment of human rights, with particular attention on the rights of vulnerable groups, she wrote.

As Vietnam commences its membership to the council, it would be critical to translate these commitments into concrete actions, and to demonstrate even stronger evidence of the protection and promotion of human rights, she suggested.

The UN, as a proud and long-standing partner of Vietnam over the past 45 years, will continue to work closely with the Vietnamese Government, development partners and civil society, to keep human rights at the centre of all development efforts, she pledged.

“Renewed collaboration and cooperation, including meaningful inclusion and participation of diverse non-government actors and communities, will be crucial for promoting the vibrant dialogue needed to help Vietnam progress on a broad range of human rights,” Tamesis said.

“Together, we can fulfil the promise of a human family that upholds dignity, freedom and justice for all”.

Ho Chi Minh City sets growth target of 7.5-8% for 2023

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Council has passed a resolution on socio-economic development tasks in 2023, aiming to achieve economic growth of between 7.5% and 8% next year.

The city also aims for labour productivity growth of 7% and will strive to maintain the proportion of services in its economic structure at above 60%.

Thu Thiem 2 Bridge in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: VnExpress

The rate of public disbursement is set at 95% while social spending on science and technology will average 1%.

In other targets, Vietnam’s southern economic hub aims to welcome 4.5-5 million foreign visitors and generate tourism revenue of 120 trillion VND (5 billion USD).

In order to fulfil such targets, Ho Chi Minh City will continue stepping up administrative reform, improving public service delivery, enhancing the business environment, and addressing obstacles relating to investment, cited NDO.

The city will accelerate the progress of key infrastructure, transport and urban projects, and create breakthroughs in digital transformation and developing a knowledge-based economy.

In 2022, Ho Chi Minh City’s economy is expected to exceed the target and grow by 9.03%. The city’s government revenue is estimated at 457.5 trillion VND (19.4 billion USD), up 17.5% from last year.

Residents and tourists thrilled with HCM City International Music

The second Ho Chi Minh City International Music Festival titled “Ho Do” 2022 officially kicked off on December 9 at Nguyen Hue pedestrian street, with the event attracting a large number of residents and tourists.

The opening ceremony saw Phan Thi Thang, vice chairman of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, emphasise that the southern city is striving to organise an annual international music festival that boasts both unique and youthful features, as well as international integration imbued with national identity.

She went on to express her hope that the function will serve to introduce international friends to typical Vietnamese cultural characteristics in terms of language, music, and artists.

Photo: VOV

Simultaneously, the event will create a vibrant atmosphere in Ho Chi Minh City during the remaining days of the year, thereby creating favourable conditions for the public to enjoy a range of impressive performances put on by local and foreign artists. Another benefit of the function will be to help local audiences gain exposure to a wide variety of music genres which originate in the country, as well as those from around the world.

During the opening night of the festival the gathered audience was entertained by nearly 30 performances, including domestic and international artists with popular names such as local young artist Gray D, the band Ani Rock from Japan, and La Sra Tomasa from Spain.

From December 10 to December 11, the public will have the chance to enjoy colourful music parties with the involment of more than 250 international artists from the Republic of Korea, the UK, France, Spain, India, and the United States. They will be joined by local artists such as Tung Duong, Ngoc Mai, Uyen Linh, Van Mai Huong, Soobin Hoang Son, and Vu Cat Tuong, cited VOV.

Most notably, two virtual singers Michau and Damsan will also debut at this year’s festival for the first time. Alongside the music, the occasion will also have other interesting activities such as camps, food stalls, children’s games area, and an installation art gallery.