Vietnam Selected as Vice President of Asia-Pacific UNESCO Clubs and Associations

Tran Van Manh, vice president and general secretary of the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations, and Editor-in-Chief of Ngay Nay Magazine, represents Vietnam, at the AFUCA Executive Board meeting in Almaty, Kazakhstan on April 2. (Photo: ngaynay.vn)

Vietnam elected vice president of Asia-Pacific UNESCO Clubs and Associations

Vietnam has been elected Vice President of the Asia-Pacific Federation of UNESCO Clubs and Associations (AFUCA) at the federation’s 26th executive board meeting, which was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on April 2nd.

Tran Van Manh, Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations, as well as Editor-in-Chief of Ngay Nay Magazine, attended the meeting on behalf of Vietnam.

Manh joined representatives from 13 AFUCA member countries to examine the federation’s operations for 2021-2022, and to prepare for the 10th congress of the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs and Associations. During the meeting, the representatives approved amendments and supplements to the AFUCA Charter and elected key posts of AFUCA for the new term.

Delegates at the Vietnam National Assembly have praised a report that highlighted a range of meaningful and practical programmes and activities in the areas of culture, science, education, and information and communication, according to the Voice of Vietnam (VOV).

It also aims to create a platform to share knowledge, experiences, resources and best practices to help UNESCO Clubs and Associations to achieve their goals. The Asia-Pacific Federation of UNESCO Clubs and Associations (APFUCA) was established in 1974 with the aim of promoting collaboration among UNESCO Clubs and Associations in the Asia-Pacific region. The organization works to encourage the growth and establishment of UNESCO Clubs and Associations in the region, and to provide a platform to share knowledge, experiences, resources, and best practices. By doing so, APFUCA seeks to help UNESCO Clubs and Associations achieve their goals and objectives. Through its network of UNESCO Clubs and Associations, APFUCA works to foster greater understanding among the people of the Asia-Pacific region, and to promote the values and ideals of UNESCO. By connecting members of the Asia-Pacific region, APFUCA seeks to create a more interconnected and collaborative atmosphere. In this way, it works to create a better future for the region and its people.

Since joining AFUCA in 1996, the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations has consistently been praised as one of the most dynamic associations in the region, with numerous substantive and effective contributions to the UNESCO movement. Furthermore, between 1999 and 2004, Vietnam held the position of vice president of AFUCA.

State visit to Vietnam by Australian Governor-General to deepen the two’s goodwill, trust: expert

Dr. Leung noted that the two countries have similar views on many regional and global issues, for instance, both support a rules-based international order and are active members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. She also pointed out that the comprehensive partnership between the two countries is built on the basis of mutual trust and understanding, and the visit of the Governor-General is expected to deepen the goodwill and trust for the mutual benefit of both countries.

Dr. Leung highlighted the importance of the educational ties between the two countries, saying that the number of Vietnamese students in Australia has been increasing over the years. She said that the students have brought their knowledge and skills to the country, contributing to the development of the Vietnam-Australia relationship.

Furthermore, Dr. Leung said that Australia and Vietnam can further strengthen their relations by expanding collaboration in various areas, such as trade, investment, infrastructure, energy, and health. She also suggested that the two countries should set up a joint committee to promote cooperation and exchange between their governments.

In conclusion, Dr. Leung expressed her hope that the visit of the Governor-General to Vietnam will further enhance the friendship and trust between the two countries, and lead to increased cooperation in many areas.

According to her, when Doi Moi (Renewal) began in Vietnam in the late 1980s, many talented Vietnamese scholars were selected to come to the ANU to pursue courses in “market economics”. This was made possible with the support of AusAID – now part of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) – which provided the necessary funding.

Upon completion of their studies, they returned home to their respective positions in the Vietnamese Government, academic institutions, and universities. There, they had a largely responsible role in implementing the various phases of economic reforms, which ultimately resulted in Vietnam becoming a middle-income country within just two decades. This transformation has enabled the country to gain access to regional and international organisations, such as ASEAN and the World Trade Organization, as reported by VNA.

Australian Governor-General David Hurley (Photo: abc.net.au)

Australian Government-funded scholarships in the region, and in Vietnam in particular, have been widely recognised as one of the most effective forms of development aid. She added that these scholarships have had a significant impact on the country’s progress.

The expert also said that rapid economic growth and development in Vietnam has benefited both countries immensely, as Australian exports to Vietnam have been increasing steadily at an average of around 12% annually since 2013. Moreover, the export of education services has seen a particularly remarkable growth, with more than 26,000 Vietnamese students studying in Australia in 2019 alone.

There is ample scope for improvement in the export of other services, such as tourism and IT, in addition to increased investments from the Australian business sector in Vietnam.

Meanwhile, schemes such as the New Colombo Plan have enabled more than 4,500 undergraduate students from Australian universities to spend time in Vietnam, learning about its people, culture, language, and ways of doing business. This should, in time, improve business contacts and investment flows between the two countries.

The recent establishment of the Vietnam-Australia Centre at the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics in Hanoi has been met with great enthusiasm and appreciation, highlighting the strong bond of trust and goodwill that exists between the two nations, she added.

Activities underway to promote culture of Vietnamese ethnic groups

A series of activities are being held at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Hanoi’s suburban Son Tay Township from April 1 to May 3 to celebrate Vietnamese Ethnic Groups’ Culture Day on April 19. Visitors to the site can enjoy an array of cultural performances, handicraft exhibitions, and traditional cuisine from the various ethnic groups of Vietnam. Additionally, there will be talks and workshops on the history, customs, and languages of these ethnic groups. The event aims to promote the cultural heritage of the nation and to foster better understanding and appreciation of the nation’s diversity. It is expected to be an enriching experience for all who attend.

The main attraction of this series will be the re-enactment of a traditional market session from the northern province of Lao Cai. Visitors will have the chance to witness local farm produce, food, and tourism products being showcased. It will be a great opportunity to experience the culture and heritage of the region. Furthermore, this event will serve as a platform to promote and strengthen the economic development of Lao Cai.

Visitors to the festival will be treated to a variety of activities, including a musical programme, folk games, and performances of the art of Khen (panpipe) by the Mong ethnic group. According to VOV, these performances are sure to be unforgettable experiences for all who attend. Additionally, there will be a range of traditional cuisine and souvenirs available. This festival promises to be an exciting and unique cultural experience for all who visit.

Photo: VOV

Throughout April, ethnic festivals will be re-enacted in the national village, with exciting events such as the wedding ceremony of the M’nong ethnic people in Dak Nong province and the Gong festival of the Central Highlands region.

Furthermore, guests will have the opportunity to partake in cultural exchanges with the Xo Dang ethnic community from Kon Tum province, giving them the opportunity to explore and learn more about the customs and traditions of this unique culture.

The activities to celebrate Vietnamese Ethnic Groups’ Culture Day aim to honour the cultural values of the country’s diverse ethnic groups and the cultural diversity of the nation, held annually on April 19th. This special day is a time to appreciate the unique contributions that the various ethnic groups have made to the country’s culture, and to recognize the importance of cultural diversity. Through activities such as traditional music and dance performances, traditional cuisine, and other cultural activities, people can come together to celebrate and learn more about the culture of their fellow Vietnamese citizens. By recognizing and celebrating the different ethnic groups in Vietnam, we can all come together and celebrate the beauty of the country’s rich cultural heritage.

Vietnamese, Chinese localities look to boost investment cooperation

Vice Chairman Nguyen Trung Thao of Cao Bang province in Northern Vietnam has recommended that companies from Cao Bang and Baise city in Guangxi Autonomous Region of China prioritize their investments in potential sectors such as logistics, processing-manufacturing, and high technology.

During a working session between the localities on April 2, he called for promoting ties in agriculture, education, health, tourism, trade and services as well as supporting the economic development in the border areas, cited VNA.

An overview of the working session between the two localities. (Photo: VNA)

For his part, Li Yucheng, Vice Mayor of the Baise Administration, asserted that the city has the potential to drive border economic development and enjoy a close relationship with Cao Bang Province. This, in turn, creates a favorable condition for both sides to further foster their trade relations.

Cao Bang is an integral gateway for investment from Chinese cities to Vietnam, as well as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to a statement. This investment has been instrumental in forging closer ties between the two countries and the region as a whole.

The official stated that he anticipates Cao Bang province will foster market expansion, further noting that the city pledges to provide incentives for businesses in the region.

On the occasion, representatives of the Cao Bang Economic Zone Management Board and the Baise Department of Commerce held talks, during which they discussed practical measures to promote trade and enhance the business environment at the border gates. During the meeting, both parties explored ways to improve the investment climate and boost economic performance in the area. The representatives also identified potential opportunities for collaboration and further development of the region. Ultimately, both sides agreed to work together to create a more conducive environment for businesses operating in the Cao Bang Economic Zone and the Baise Department of Commerce.

Cao Bang, a province in Vietnam, currently has six international border crossings with China. These crossings constitute the major land links between the two countries and facilitate trade, travel, and other forms of exchange.

Vietnam’s rice sells at good prices in Asia, Europe

Asian clients, particularly those from China and Indonesia, have made an unexpected surge in their purchases of rice from Vietnam. This is a remarkable development for the rice industry in Vietnam, as it signals a strong demand from Asian markets. With the new influx of customers, Vietnam is now well-positioned to capitalize on the opportunity and further solidify its position as a major rice supplier.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) reported that, despite a decrease in growth rates during the first two months of the year, rice exports in March experienced an unexpected surge. The export turnover for March was impressive, reaching a total of $480 million, representing an increase of 82.6 percent compared to the previous month.

The rise in price is attributed to a strong demand from Philippine buyers.

At present, Vietnam’s 5 percent broken rice is selling at $450 per ton, representing an increase of $5 per ton over the $440-445 per ton earlier this month. This rise in price is largely due to the strong demand from Philippine buyers.

Businesses reported that rice prices had risen due to improved shipments to China and increased purchasing of rice by Indonesia for its national reserves.

As of the end of March, Vietnam had exported 1.79 million tons of rice, earning $952 million, an increase of 19.3% in quantity and 30.2% in value compared to the same period in 2022.

The average export price of $531 per ton in the first three months of the year was 9.2 percent higher than the same period in the previous year, according to the Vietnam News Agency (VNN).

The Philippines was the biggest consumer of Vietnam’s rice in the first two months of the year, accounting for 43.3% of the market share.

Nearly 402,000 tons of rice were exported to the market during that time, which brought turnover of $204.7 million, a 25 percent decrease in quantity and 17.8 percent in value compared with the same period last year.

Analysts have commented that Vietnam’s rice is unexpectedly selling for good prices in Asian markets. Rice exports to China during the first two months of 2023 yielded a turnover of $90 million, representing a 120.5% increase, while exports to Singapore experienced a 40.6% increase.

Photo: VNN

However, the sharpest increase was seen in the Indonesian market, which consumed $67.3 million worth of Vietnam’s rice in the first two months of 2023. This represented a record-high growth rate of 30,352 percent compared with the same period in 2022. As a result, Indonesia now accounts for 14.3 percent of Vietnam’s total rice exports.

The Vietnam Trade Office in Indonesia recently announced that the Indonesian Ministry of Trade has stated their intention to import 2 million tons of rice for national reserves in 2023. This will help ensure the country has adequate reserves of the essential commodity.

The imports of rice from Vietnam will be used for the stabilization of rice prices, support to 21.53 million poor households, and other purposes. Preum Bulog is set to import 500,000 tons of rice as soon as possible, offering a great opportunity for Vietnam to expand its rice exports to Indonesia.

In mid-February, Quang Tri province exported 15 tons of organic rice to Europe for a price of $1,800 per ton. Quang Tri Organic Agro Products, the exporter, has plans to export between 30-50 tons of organic rice to Europe every month.