June 24-30: Vietnam – EU free trade, investment protection agreements signed

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

The signing ceremony of the EVFTA and EVIPA in Hanoi (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)
The signing ceremony of the EVFTA and EVIPA in Hanoi (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)

Vietnam, EU sign free trade, investment protection agreements

The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) were officially signed in Hanoi on June 30.

The signing ceremony took place in the witness of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and leaders of the European Union (EU).

The EVFTA was inked by Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh and European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia, and the EVIPA, between Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung and an EU leading official.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc attends G20 Summit in Japan

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (front, centre) at the first session of the 14th G20 Summit. (Photo: VNA)

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the Vietnamese delegation arrived in Japan for G20 Summit at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The Vietnamese Government leader attended several sessions during the 14th G20 Summit in Osaka and gave a speech a working session on innovation in the afternoon of June 28.

PM Phuc met world leaders on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.

He also talked with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, and received Japanese authorities and representatives of businesses as well as joined various activities on the occasion.

GDP picks up 6.76% in first half of 2019

Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 6.76%, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

The agro-forestry-fishery sector expanded 2.39%, contributing 6% of the GDP growth; meanwhile the industrial and construction sector, and service industry contributed 51.8%, and 42.2%, respectively.

Forest fires focuses in central region

The prolonged hot weather increases high risk of forest fire. (Photo: NDO/Ngo Tuan)

There have been several forest fires focused in the central region, including Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh, due to prolonged hot weather.

The hot and prolonged dry weather is forecast to last until July with unusual developments, while many forests are at extremely dangerous risk of forest fire, posing great damage to forests and the environment and affecting people's lives.

The relevant agencies have conducted urgent measures to prevent and fight forest fires.

Korean Cultural Exchange Festival held in Hanoi

The Korean Cultural Exchange Festival has taken place in Hanoi, featuring the participation of 80 artists from Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK).

The festival promoted the traditional culture and art of the RoK to Vietnamese audiences.

GM Le Quang Liem wins Summer Chess Classic in the US

Vietnamese GM Le Quang Liem in their sixth game at the 2019 Summer Chess Classic.

Vietnamese Grandmaster Le Quang Liem was crowned champion at the 2019 Summer Chess Classic in the United States on June 28.

The event, which took place in St. Louis, Missouri, is the second of four annual Chess Classic tournaments featuring international chess professionals.

That was Liem’s second consecutive title this month, following the Asian standard chess crown.

Vietnam welcomes nearly 8.5 million international visitors

Vietnam welcomed nearly 8.5 million international visitors in the first six months of 2019, up 7.5% over the same period last year.

Accordingly, Vietnam continues to be an attractive destination for international tourists with the number of international visitors continuously reaching over 1 million people per month since the beginning of 2019.