Vietnam News Headline: FM Bui Thanh Son Embarks on Official Visit to South Korea

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, Bui Thanh Son

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son to Visit the Republic of Korea

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, Bui Thanh Son, is set to embark on an official visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) from May 30 to June 1. This visit comes at the invitation of his RoK counterpart, Cho Tae-yul, and marks the first visit to the RoK by a Vietnamese Foreign Minister since the two countries upgraded their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2022.

The timing of this visit underscores the positive development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the RoK. The administration of President Yoon Suck-yeol considers Vietnam an important partner in its foreign policy initiatives, particularly in relation to its Indo-Pacific strategy and Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative.

The two nations have maintained regular exchanges at all levels and have consistently supported each other in regional and international forums, as cited by VOV. Economically, the RoK is one of Vietnam’s leading partners, being the largest foreign investor with a total registered investment capital of US$87 billion as of April 2024. The RoK is also Vietnam’s second-largest ODA partner and the third-largest trade and labor partner.

The strong people-to-people connections between the two countries are evident, with more than 270,000 Vietnamese nationals living and working in the RoK. In 2023, 3.6 million Koreans visited Vietnam, while 500,000 Vietnamese travelers explored the RoK. This trend continues, with 1.6 million Korean visitors to Vietnam in the first four months of 2024 alone, accounting for a quarter of all foreign visitors to the country.

Minister Son’s upcoming visit underscores Vietnam’s commitment to strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with the RoK. This will be achieved through the promotion of cooperation agreements across various fields, including politics, security, national defense, economics, trade, investment, development aid, finance-banking, labor, science-technology, climate change response, transport, infrastructure, education, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

Vietnamese Cultural and Art Association in the Czech Republic’s 4th Congress

On May 25, the Vietnamese Cultural and Art Association in the Czech Republic held its fourth congress, during which it resolved to enhance the quality of its art performance programs for the 2024-2028 period. This initiative aims to showcase the image of Vietnam to the international community.

As part of this endeavor, the association will focus on maintaining programs that preserve and promote the values of Vietnamese intangible cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO. They will also engage in organizing the Mrs. Ao Dai (traditional long dress) contest in Europe and foster solidarity within the Vietnamese community in the region. Additionally, the association will leverage the Mrs. Ao Dai’s charity fund to foster a positive image of the community among foreign friends.

Furthermore, the association will prioritize training presenters to speak English and promoting singing classes in Vietnamese, as reported by VNA.

Photo: VOV

Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador Duong Hoai Nam commended the association’s efforts over the past 15 years in organizing activities that enrich the spiritual lives of Vietnamese expatriates and promote Vietnamese culture globally.

Since its establishment in 2008, the association has fostered the development of various clubs, dancing teams, and singing groups. They have also focused on initiatives to support Vietnam, including hosting and co-organizing large-scale events in the Czech Republic and Europe, such as fundraising programs for Vietnam’s sea and island protection and support for the central region.

Korea Travel Festa 2024 in Hanoi

The Korea Travel Festa 2024, organized by the Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO), brought a vibrant Korean festival to Hanoi’s K-Town, Ocean City, on May 25-26. The event featured over 40 booths from Vietnamese and Korean companies, offering a range of fascinating activities such as Hanbok dress-up, traditional Tuho games, and picture coloring.

Visitors also benefited from substantial discounts on Korea tours, including K-drama, cycling, cruise, and carnival experiences. The multimedia booth was a highlight, immersing visitors in a colorful Korean space through presentation technologies. The K-drama and K-pop booths further enhanced the festival atmosphere, taking visitors into the worlds of renowned Korean films and music.

Korea Travel Festa 2024 in Ocean City, Hanoi (Photo: vnexpress.net)

The festival was further enlivened by stellar performances from famous V-pop and K-pop artists. On May 24, the Korea Tourism Night 2024 was held to introduce Korean tourism offerings and promote linkages between Vietnamese and Korean travel firms, fostering the development of new products.

In 2023, the Republic of Korea welcomed 420,000 tourists from Vietnam, while 3.6 million Koreans vacationed in Vietnam. The RoK is currently the top source of international visitors to Vietnam, and Vietnam is the fifth largest source of tourists for the Korean side.

During the first four months of 2024, over 167,000 Vietnamese travelers visited the RoK, marking a 32.6% increase from the same period last year. This is the highest figure in Southeast Asia, underscoring the strong appeal of Korean tourism among Vietnamese travelers.

Cambodian Deputy PM: Funan Techo Canal to Protect Vietnam from Floods

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol has provided assurances that the Funan Techo Canal Project will help protect Vietnam from floods. This information was shared during a meeting with Vietnamese Deputy PM Le Minh Khai on the sidelines of the 29th Future of Asia Forum in Tokyo, Japan, according to the Phnom Penh Post.

Deputy PM Chanthol explained that the canal will help alleviate floods in five Cambodian provinces, thereby preventing floodwaters from flowing into Vietnam. To address the risk of salinity intrusion, three sluice gates will be constructed in the provinces of Kandal, Takeo, and Kep to safeguard freshwater networks.

The Cambodian senior official emphasized that the construction method will enable precise control over the canal’s water volume and outflow, mitigating any potential adverse environmental impacts on Cambodia and its neighboring countries. He referenced a comprehensive study indicating that the current water flow into the sea from the Mekong River and its tributary, the Bassac River, is significantly higher than the projected flow from the Funan Techo Canal project.

The project, announced by the Cambodian Ministry of Public Works and Transport, will contribute to environmental sustainability and ecosystem preservation while creating diverse habitats for aquatic animals and plants. A team of 48 senior technical experts, including 11 science professors, conducted a two-year study on the project, ensuring a thorough assessment in various fields such as hydrological analysis, canal rehabilitation, and environmental impact mitigation.

Deputy PM Khai reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to respecting Cambodia’s legitimate interests in national development, including the Funan Techo Canal project. This commitment is rooted in the longstanding bilateral friendship between the two countries and the relevant regulations outlined by the Mekong River Commission (MRC). He expressed hope for continued close coordination between the two countries and the MRC in sharing information and evaluating the project’s impacts on water resources and the ecological environment of the Mekong River basin.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol (L) and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai meet on the sidelines of the 29th Future of Asia Forum in Tokyo, Japan, on May 23, 2024. Photo: Phnom Penh Post

In recent times, Vietnam has requested detailed information about the canal project and collaboration in assessing its potential environmental impacts. The Cambodian media has actively covered the project, reflecting the determination of Cambodian leaders to implement an initiative that will benefit both Cambodia and its neighboring countries.

In March, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet affirmed that the Funan Techo Canal would positively impact approximately 1.6 million people living along the waterway and contribute to national development. With an estimated cost of US$1.7 billion, the canal is expected to be constructed by Chinese contractors using the build-operate-transfer (BOT) method.

Summer Book Fair for Children in Hanoi

Dinh Ti Books is organizing a summer book fair for children from May 29 to June 2. The event, held at 34T Square on Hoang Dao Thuy Street in Hanoi, aims to promote reading habits among children while also responding to Action Month for Children and celebrating International Children’s Day (June 1).

The fair will offer a range of activities for children, including interactive books, audiobooks, projection books, pop-up books, and more. It will also introduce titles from leading global publishers, covering topics such as encyclopedias, storytelling, literature, parenting, creativity, and life skills.

The book fair aims to foster a love of reading among children. (Photo: Dinh Ti Books)

Children will have the opportunity to participate in daily play areas and workshops, including “Exploring the Animal World – I Create Giant Book Pages” and “Make Your Own Books.” The main event, “International Children’s Day Party,” on June 1, will feature a variety of exchange, interaction, and competition activities.

Throughout the fair, promotions such as a 40% discount on all books and special offers will be available.