March 28 – April 3: Party chief holds phone talk with German Chancellor

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong during his phone talks with German Chancellor and leader of the German Social Democratic Party Olaf Scholz. (Photo: VNA)
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong during his phone talks with German Chancellor and leader of the German Social Democratic Party Olaf Scholz. (Photo: VNA)

Party chief holds phone talk with German Chancellor

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and German Chancellor and leader of the German Social Democratic Party Olaf Scholz held a telephone conversation on March 31, agreeing to direct the promotion of the countries’ cooperation in fields of mutual interest.

During the talks, Party chief Trong informed the German leader about Vietnam's achievements after more than 35 years of Doi moi (renewal), as well as the country's development path, foreign policy, and goal of becoming a developed country by 2045.

The Party leader proposed that the two countries enhance political relations, including exchanges of high-ranking delegations, and promote the relations between the Communist Party of Vietnam and political parties of Germany, including the ruling Social Democratic Party.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz affirmed that Germany attaches great importance to the nations’ strategic partnership which is developing robustly and has great potential for further growth. The leaders also discussed regional and international issues.

Vietnam’s exports in Q1 were up 12.9 percent

Vietnam’s import-export revenue over the first quarter of this year was estimated at 176.35 billion USD. (Illustrative image/Source: VGP)

Vietnam’s import-export revenue over the first quarter of this year was estimated at 176.35 billion USD, up 14.37 per cent year-on-year, of which 88.58 billion USD was from exports, a rise of 12.9 per cent.

In March alone, the export value reached some 34.06 billion USD, up 45.5 per cent month-on-month and 14.8 per cent year-on-year.

Vietnam saw increases in both export volume and value, especially in agricultural products, crude oil, fertilisers and plastics.

Vietnam excels in its COVID-19 vaccination drive

Vietnam has excelled in its vaccination drive, achieving widespread coverage amongst the elderly, the at-risk and the wider population groups, noted Aurélia Nguyen, Managing Director of the COVAX Facility at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

Congratulating Vietnam for its commitments to vaccine equity, Nguyen affirmed that the country has implemented strategies that have been crucial in ensuring success for vaccine distribution over the last year.

Vietnam International Travel Mart 2022 opens in Hanoi

At the 2022 VITM (Photo: NDO)

The 2022 Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM), themed “New Normal – New Opportunities”, officially opened in Hanoi on March 31.

The event has drawn the participation of more than 500 enterprises from 52 provinces and cities nationwide and six overseas countries and territories including Japan, the Republic of Korea (RoK), Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan (China) and Turkey.

The fair features around 320 pavilions and is expected to welcome 2,500 businesses.

Dossier of Via Ba Chua Xu festival approved for submission to UNESCO

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has approved the submission of the dossier of the Via Ba Chua Xu festival in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang for UNESCO's recognition as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

The Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO was tasked with being in charge of the submission and working with the ministry to complete all necessary procedures for sending the dossier to UNESCO before March 31.

Vietnam retains Top 100 place in the latest FIFA rankings

Vietnam maintain their place in the world's Top 100 following their 1-1 draw against Japan in the World Cup 2022 Asian Qualifiers on March 29.

Vietnam leapt up two places to sit 96th in the latest men’s world rankings announced by FIFA on Thursday.

Ahead of the last two World Cup qualifying matches, which took place in March, the Gold Star Warriors stood at the 98th position with 1218.55 points.

Vietnam remained the top-ranked team in Southeast Asia, 15 places above Thailand, which moved up one notch to the 112th position in the world.

In Asia, Park’s troops stood at 16th, while Iran (world no. 21), Japan (world no. 23) and the Republic of Korea (world no. 29) occupied the top three spots with 1564.49, 1553.44 and 1519.54 points, respectively.

National strategy on developing a digital economy and digital society approved

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has signed and promulgated Decision No.411/QD-TTg on the national strategy for developing a digital economy and digital society by 2025, with an orientation to 2030.

The task of developing the digital economy and society is placed at a high priority in national development strategies.

Digital development, with the creation of growth based on digital technology and digital data as input factors, becomes one of the new mainstream development methods for Vietnam to develop quickly, sustainably and inclusively, with the ability to adapt to challenges in a volatile and unpredictable world.