May 9-15: Prime Minister attends ASEAN-US summit and visits US

Nhan Dan Online reviews the notable events that made headlines over the past week.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends the summit. (Photo: VNA)
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends the summit. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese PM attends ASEAN – US Special Summit

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said he hopes major powers who are partners to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will work towards stable relations and responsible, healthy competition, for the sake of regional and global peace and security.

The Vietnamese Government leader made the statement as he addressed the highly anticipated ASEAN – US Special Summit on May 13 (US time). The summit includes a meeting between ASEAN leaders and US President Joe Biden, a session between ASEAN leaders and US Vice President Kamala Harris on maritime security and COVID-19, and a session between ASEAN leaders and the US cabinet on climate, clean energy, and infrastructure.

At the end of the Special Summit, the leaders of the countries adopted a Joint Vision Statement reflecting the results achieved in the past 45 years and setting directions for the future. In particular, the US and ASEAN are committed to establishing an ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that is substantive, effective and mutually beneficial at the 10th ASEAN-US Summit, slated for November 2022, and look forward to the early completion of the necessary procedures.

Prime Minister visits the US

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s trip to the US takes place from May 11-17. (Photo: VNA)

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh arrived in Washington D.C. on the morning of May 11 (local time), commencing his seven-day trip to attend the Special ASEAN-US Summit and a working visit to the US and the United Nations.

He met with US President Joe Biden on May 12 (US time) and leaders of several US ministries, agencies, international organisations, businesses, experts and scholars, and visited some economic, cultural and education establishments in the country. The leader also delivered speeches at the US Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and Harvard University and toured several large companies such as Intel, Apple and Google.

PM Chinh attended trade, tourism and investment promotion activities, and meet with the Vietnamese community in the US.

Through the trip, the Vietnamese Government aims to continue to implement the overseas Vietnamese affairs, affirming that Vietnamese who reside abroad, including those in the US, are an indispensable part of the Vietnamese community.

NA Chairman pays official visit to Laos

Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue and a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese legislature are paying an official visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic from May 15 to 17 at the invitation of President of the Lao National Assembly Xaysomphone Phomvihane.

This is an important event in the Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022 and the first official visit to Laos by Vuong Dinh Hue as the Chairman of the National Assembly (NA). It is also the first visit of a high-ranking NA delegation to Laos since the country successfully organised the 11th Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the first session of the ninth National Assembly.

The official visit to Laos by National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue is being made in the context that the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos continue to be consolidated and have made important progress in all fields.

Greek President arrives in Hanoi for official visit to Vietnam

President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and a high-ranking delegation of Greece arrived in Hanoi on May 15 afternoon. (Photo: VNA)

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and a high-ranking delegation from Greece arrived in Hanoi on the afternoon of May 15, beginning their four-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

During her stay in Vietnam, President Sakellaropoulou is scheduled to pay tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum and fallen soldiers at the Heroic Martyrs’ Monument in Hanoi.

She will hold talks with President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, pay a courtesy visit to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, and meet with National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

The Greek President will also witness the signing of documents, meet with the press, visit Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature Complex) in Hanoi, and attend some events in various localities.

First-ever report on foreign investment in Vietnam released

An annual report on foreign investment in Vietnam, the first of its kind, was released at a ceremony in Hanoi on May 12.

The report was published by the Science and Technics Publishing House in coordination with the compiling council of the annual report on foreign investment in Vietnam.

The report analysed regional and global FDI trends over the past three years, as well as opportunities and challenges to Vietnam in this regard, and gave recommendations to improve efficiency in State management of foreign investment.

The report has satisfied a pressing need of Vietnam’s development process, and helped the world understand more about the country.

Vietnam stops COVID-19 testing for international arrivals from May 15

Illustrative image

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has signed a document on the suspension of COVID-19 testing for international travellers before entering Vietnam.

The document stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has begun to see reductions in the number of both cases and deaths on a global scale while COVID-19 vaccines are still proving effective against current variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In addition, many other countries and territories have been gradually easing anti-pandemic measures, including the requirement for COVID-19 testing for entry.

Vietnam’s representative crowned Mrs United Nations 2022

Nguyen Nhu Quynh, representative of Vietnam, has triumphantly overcome 42 contestants from various countries around the world to be crowned Mrs United Nations 2022.

The final round of the Mrs United Nations was officially held on the night of May 7 in Delhi, India, with the competition of 43 contestants from various countries around the world.

Continuing the journey after the coronation, the new Mrs United Nations Nguyen Nhu Quynh will participate in several activities with the organising committee in India.

SEA Games 31 opening ceremony held in Hanoi’s My Dinh Stadium

The Vietnam sports delegation (Photo: THANH DAT)

The opening ceremony of SEA Games 31 began at 8 pm in Hanoi’s My Dinh Stadium under the theme “For a Stronger Southeast Asia” with the participation of more than 4,900 athletes from 11 countries.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore Tan Chuan-Jin and other delegates attended the opening ceremony of the 31st SEA Games.

Hanoi mobilised nearly 2,000 workers, soldiers, artists, actors, athletes and students from 14 art and sports units to serve the opening ceremony of the 31st SEA Games.

E-ticket system launched at Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam

The Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam Culture and Science Centre coordinated with the Tourism Information Centre under the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism to launch an e-ticket system at Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature Complex) and digital conversion products in tourism activities on May 13.

The launch of the e-ticket system aims to help customers in buying tickets online. Upon arrival at Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam, visitors simply scan the QR code to pass through the ticket gate.

The system also aims to help visitors book tickets in advance, buy tickets for large groups of tourists, easily look up ticket purchase history, and look up invoices and store tickets with flexible forms to avoid losing them. This system creates more convenience for tourists, especially tourists from far away or foreign tourists.