Vice Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Tran Quang Phuong (R) and Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski in Warsaw on March 28.

Vietnam and Poland strengthen sci-tech research cooperation

Vietnam wishes to boost cooperation in various fields with Poland, of which science-technology and innovation is one of Vietnam’s priorities.

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Tran Quang Phuong was speaking during his working session with Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski in Warsaw on March 28.

Vietnam is ready to further expand cooperation and learn Poland’s experience in this field, said Phuong who was paying a working trip to the EU nation.

Vietnam welcomes Polish investors, scientists, as well as Vietnamese-Polish scientists to engage in joint research projects in the country, he added.

He expressed hope that the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs would continue to closely direct Polish ministries and agencies to coordinate with the Vietnamese side to effectively implement the high-level agreements reached between the two countries.

Gawkowski for his part briefed his guest on Poland’s digitalization development policy that is focused on digital technology development, artificial intelligence and quantum computing, cited VOV.

Poland’s ambition is to lead Europe in digitalization and it is willing to cooperate with Vietnam in this field, said Gawkowski.

According to the minister, a number of Polish firms in the digital industry want to introduce digital products to Vietnam and help the Southeast Asian nation develop digital technology.

At the meeting, the two sides expressed their desire to promote cooperation in fields where Vietnam and Poland have strengths.

Vietnam, Canada to collaborate for transition to net-zero emissions economy

Canada’s commitment to support Vietnam’s clean energy transition and goals to achieve net-zero, and its willingness to share its expertise and experiences underscore the depth of collaboration between the two countries, visiting Canadian Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade, and Economic Development Mary Ng said.

In her opening remarks at the workshop entitled “Towards Net-zero: Canada-Vietnam Experiences Sharing,” she noted that Canada and Vietnam are both committed to combating climate change and transitioning to a net-zero carbon emissions economy.

“Canada has the expertise to help Vietnam reach its net-zero 2050 targets. From energy storage to biofuel to other greenhouse management solutions, we have the right people who can provide these solutions.

“We want to be your partner of choice in helping you to power a clean and green future,” the minister said.

Canadian Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade, and Economic Development Mary Ng delivers her opening remarks at the workshop. (Photo: VNA)

She noted that Canada was among the countries that helped establish the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) with Vietnam in 2022, adding that the JETP and the Emissions Trading Scheme, which establishes carbon pricing, are expected to go a long way to driving investment in clean and green technologies.

What that means is opportunities for even deeper collaboration between the two countries, which would help Vietnam deliver on its climate commitments, she said.

Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh said Vietnam’s national strategy on climate change outlines measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and the country has stepped up technological innovations to increase energy use efficiency, cut production costs, increase competitiveness, and reduce carbon emissions, according to VNA.

In December 2022 Vietnam agreed to the JETP with the International Partners Group comprising Canada, Denmark, the EU, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, the UK and the US, which committed support for Vietnam’s clean energy transition and net-zero goal.

Vietnam seeks cooperation with Canada in its transition to clean and renewable energies and efforts to improve social and economic adaptability and resilience, the deputy minister added.

The two-day workshop was organized by the Canadian embassy in Hanoi, the Canadian consulate general in HCM City and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on the sidelines of the Team Canada Trade Mission to Vietnam led by Ng.

It was attended by hundreds of participants from ministries, provincial governments, research institutions, and commercial entities from Canada and Vietnam and other stakeholders.

Vietnam, Japan promote financial mechanisms in green energy transition projects

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on March 29 emphasized the important role of banks and financial mechanisms in green energy transition projects when he received the Managing Director of the Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC) Tanimoto Masayuki in Hanoi.

During the reception, Ha said that Vietnam and Japan have promoted cooperation within bilateral and multilateral frameworks related to just energy transition. In particular, the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Initiative includes many directions and contents of cooperation that the two sides have set out, deployed, and achieved many positive results.

Ha said that the AZEC and the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) are initiatives to realize the agreement reached at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).

"Now, countries around the world including the most developed are in the testing phase of reducing gas emissions and using 100% renewable energy sources. For a just energy transition, developed and developing countries should increase support for each other in terms of financial mechanisms and technology," Ha noted.

Emphasizing some common goals of AZEC and JETP, the Deputy PM appreciated the feasibility of the AZEC mechanism with many specific solutions, VOV reported.

Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha (right) and JBIC Managing Director Tanimoto Masayuki at the meeting in Hanoi on March 29.

For his part, Tanimoto Masayuki said that JBIC has cooperated and provided loans for partners in Vietnam. It has also been supporting many Japanese businesses in implementing investment and cooperation activities abroad, including Vietnam.

He said that JBIC will further support Vietnam in green energy development, for example, bringing Japanese and European technology to help Vietnamese businesses reduce carbon emissions and save energy.

He said JBIC hopes that Vietnam can both implement a carbon-neutral strategy and ensure socio-economic development and energy security.

Vietnam is the first partner that Japan supports in the AZEC initiative, he said, adding that key international partners strongly back Japan's cooperation with Vietnam. He hoped that Japan - Vietnam cooperation in AZEC will become a model in the world.

Vietnam remains attractive destination for foreign investors

According to official data, in the first two months of the year, registered FDI reached 4.29 billion USD, up 38.6% compared to the same period in 2023.

The amount of FDI disbursement reached 2.8 billion USD, an increase of 9.8% year on year.

Foreign visitors make a tour of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO heritage site in Vietnam

Insiders acknowledged that in the context of uncertainties and fierce strategic competition, Vietnam is still an attractive market for foreign investors, because its economy has recovered and developed in a relatively stable fashion.

Besides, the government has issued policies to encourage foreign firms to invest in projects using advanced technology, clean, environmentally friendly technology, with modern management methods that actively contribute to the production chain and global supply, cited VNA.

Recently, global credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has upgraded Vietnam's sovereign credit rating to BB+ with a stable outlook.

With the achievements, advantages and position of the economy, 2024 is expected to be a breakthrough year in FDI attraction of the country.

HCM City incorporates cuisine into tourism activities

Many tourism businesses and travel companies in HCM City are making efforts to introduce regional specialties to serve tourists at tourist destinations.

Cuisine is not only a field closely associated with tourism but also plays an important role in attracting tourists to destinations.

The Saigontourist Group's 2024 Culinary Culture Festival "Delicious Dishes”, taking place from March 28 to 31 at Van Thanh Tourist Area in Binh Thanh District, marks the third consecutive year that Saigontourist Travel Service Company has collaborated with several partners to organize the event.

The highlight of the festival is the introduction of over 400 delicious dishes from the three regions of Vietnam, along with cultural programs, traditional art, craft villages, folk games and other tourism promotion activities.

At the same time, the essence of cuisine will be gathered and presented by representatives of famous culinary brands from four to five-star hotels, resorts and restaurants in HCM City, as well as many localities nationwide.

The festival also features the participation of some culinary brands that are partners of Saigontourist Group, including Vietnam Airlines and Sai Gon Trading Corporation (Satra).

This will be a must-visit culinary cultural event for both domestic and international tourists when visiting HCM City during this period.

More culinary cultural events will be organised in HCM City for domestic and foreign tourists. Photo: VNS

According to Pham Huy Binh, Chairman of Saigontourist Group, in addition to the goal of stimulating domestic tourism demand, diversifying the tourism products of HCM City and promoting Vietnamese culinary culture, the festival is also aimed at becoming an internationally recognised event.

The festival will increase interactive activities for participants such as voting for the most favorite dishes at the festival, learning to make traditional cakes with artisans and performing interactive traditional arts with tourists, among others, VNS reported.

Meanwhile, the Rex Hotel Saigon in District 1 infuses the style of southern Vietnamese people into its hotel menu, introducing the dish "Crab Noodle Soup" with a rich variety of fresh and delicious local ingredients.

This dish, created by the chefs of Rex Hotel Saigon, harmoniously combines the distinctive aroma of crab meat with many pure Vietnamese ingredients, ensuring high nutrition for consumers.

Furthermore, when visiting Rex Hotel Saigon in March, domestic and international tourists can discover the uniqueness and freshness in the flavor of "Coconut Salted Ice Coffee."

This is a drink that is both familiar with the distinctive aroma and bold taste of premium pure Vietnamese coffee beans, yet also new when perfectly combined with the sweet, aromatic richness of coconut milk and fresh milk, along with a touch of delicate salt, which brings a unique and delicious flavor.

Lan Anh, a tourist from Da Nang City, shares that she often combines work and leisure in HCM City, particularly enjoying tasting the local delicious dishes and specialties.

When tourism businesses and travel companies introduce regional specialties into their restaurant, hotel and festival systems, it provides opportunities for tourists to fully enjoy the flavors of the food and have more peace of mind regarding food hygiene compared to smaller eateries.