Vietnam News Today (Sep. 10): Vietnam Progresses in Global Human Development Index

Illustrative image. Photo: VNA

Vietnam records 3,649 new Covid-19 cases on Sept. 9

A total of 3,649 new Covid-19 cases were recorded on September 9, according to the Ministry of Health.

The new infections brought the country’s total caseload since the pandemic broke out to 11,435,472.

Also on September 9, 17,576 patients were declared to recover from the disease, lifting the total number of recoveries to 10,278,977, cited VNA.

Meanwhile, the death toll was kept at 43,126, accounting for 0.4% of the total infections.

More than 258.22 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered so far.

Vietnam progresses in global human development index

The UN Development Program (UNDP) acknowledged Vietnam’s human development efforts as part of its human development report for 2021 – 2022 released on September 8 in New York, the United States.

Despite enduring difficulties faced over the past two years, the country has moved up two places in the Human Development Index (HDI) ranking, rising from 117th place to 115th place. It is among the countries with a high human development index, including China, South Africa, Indonesia, Cuba, Egypt, and Brazil.

Addressing the ceremony, Achim Steiner, administrator of the UNDP, noted that the world is currently living in uncertain times and facing a range of challenges, from conflicts to climate change, as well as the Covid-19 pandemic and food insecurity, all of which have an impact on human development globally.

Vietnam has made every effort to improve its human development index ranking which has been recognized internationally. Photo: VOV

For the first time in 30 years, the worldwide human development index has fallen in two consecutive years, according to Steiner, who also pointed out a lack of trust and social inequality which have been factors in making it difficult for countries to work together to find solutions to current common challenges.

The UNDP development report, in addition to the impact analysis, also offers three main groups of recommendations aimed at addressing current issues, including increasing investments in nature and human, strengthening insurance and social protection to enhance resilience to challenges, creatively applying science and technology advances for the cause of human development.

Steiner went on to emphasize the need of putting faith in the young generation who will ultimately pioneer and bring new ideas to solve global problems, according to VOV.

Meeting with Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN at the ceremony, the UNDP administrator highly appreciated the country’s human development efforts over recent years and its contributions to handling global challenges.

First published in 1990, the UNDP Human Development Report has been made by experts from UN agencies, countries, along with international organizations and non-governmental organizations. The primary purpose of the report is to analyze trends and global contexts that impact human development in various aspects to build and update the Human Development Index for each country in the world.

Multiple activities to celebrate Vietnam-RoK diplomatic ties

A lantern festival, to take place in Hanoi from September 9-11, will start a series of cultural activities marking the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK).

The RoK Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said on its website that in the country, opportunities to experience Vietnamese culture, including the Vietnamese language and traditional clothing, will be provided during the Asia Culture Week in October and the Asia Traditional Orchestra, reported VNA.

Illustrative image. Photo: VNA

A new Vietnamese song will also be released online on the occasion of the establishment of diplomatic ties (December). The ministry also plans to hold consecutive events in Vietnam to share and promote exchanges between the cultures of the two nations, including the RoK-Vietnam Visiting Book Fair (late September), K-Expo (October), the Korean Cultural Festival (October), the opening of the Korean Hall and Interactive Experience Centre at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (November), and the Korea Culture and Tourism Exhibition (December).

Minister Park Bo-gyoon will unveil a range of diverse cultural exchange events in both the RoK and Vietnam to marke the 30th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties.

In December 2021, the two Ministers of Culture, Sports and Tourism signed the 2022 RoK-Vietnam Cultural Exchange Programme as part of the celebration, and promised more vibrant cultural exchanges and promotion for cooperation, including the holding of a flagship anniversary event in the other nation.

Vietnam, Egypt increase business connectivity, seize opportunities

A trade promotion seminar was held in Cairo on September 8 to help businesses of Vietnam and Egypt share information, explore the market and find partners.

Dozens of Vietnamese and Egyptian businesses specializing in farm products, construction materials, household plastic products, paper, packaging and fertilizers attended the event, cited VOV.

Addressing the seminar, Vietnamese Ambassador to Egypt Nguyen Huy Dung affirmed that Vietnam and Egypt boast great strengths in different fields, and businesses of the two countries have many opportunities to promote cooperation.

However, he pointed out that the trade turnover between Vietnam and Egypt currently only reaches US$630 million per year, which is not commensurate with the two countries’ cooperation potential.

The Ambassador therefore suggested that the two sides need to make joint efforts to bring about bilateral trade exchange to a higher level by strengthening connectivity and providing market information.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt is ready to work as a bridge to connect businesses of the two countries, he said.

At the seminar, Vietnamese and Egyptian businesses shared information about the demand for import and export of goods. Egyptian businesses especially showed their interest in Vietnamese agricultural and seafood products and wished to promote opportunities with Vietnamese partners.

Egyptian businesses are interested in Vietnamese goods. Illustrative image. Photo: VNA

Representatives of the Egyptian side affirmed that they are willing to support Vietnamese businesses in finding investment and business opportunities in the Egyptian market by supporting connectivity between the two business communities.

According to Ahmed El-Wasimi, vice president of the Cairo Chamber of Commerce, Egypt is a big market for many key Vietnamese commodities such as agricultural products, seafood, electronics, and garments.

“We are ready to support and remove obstacles to help businesses of the two countries have easy access to each other’s markets,” he said.

The seminar was jointly held by the Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and the Cairo Chamber of Commerce.

Youth Innovation Startup Contest 2022 launched

The 2022 edition of the Youth Innovation Startup Contest was launched on September 9, aiming to seek out and promote innovative ideas and projects that benefit society and enhance the country’s image.

The contest is being jointly held by the Youth Union of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Patent and Innovation Enterprise Village.

The contest is open to all Vietnamese citizens both at home and abroad, who have come up with creative new ideas that can promote innovation in socio-economic development.

Competing teams will present their ideas on issues in such fields as manufacturing, agriculture, education, tourism, services, healthcare, finance, media, culture, arts and the creative industry, NDO reported.

Experts and speakers at the launch of the contest. Photo: doanhnghiepvn.vn

According to Pham Hong Quat at the MOST, the contest is an opportunity for young people who want to start their own businesses and for investors to approach potential business ideas.

After the preliminary round, the shortlisted teams will enter the final round with one first prize, two second prizes and three third prizes up for grab.

Besides certificates, winning teams will receive training courses on intellectual property management for startups, digital transformation and blockchain application in tracing the origin of agricultural products, and digital marketing.

They also have the chance to attract investment from startup support funds.

The deadline for entry submission is September 25, 2022.