RTAF – Air Attaché Office in Hanoi
DEFENSE NEWS BULLETIN 31.October.2022
1. VIETNAM KEEN ON STRENGTHENING DEFENSE COOPERATION WITH THAILAND: OFFICIAL.
Vietnam always attaches great importance to and prioritises the development of ties with Thailand, and hopes to enhance the bilateral strategic partnership in all fields, including defence, Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen Hoang Xuan Chien told the new Thai attachés in Vietnam.
(Chien made the statement at a meeting with Thai defence and army attaché Colonel Anupon Naksut, Thai navy attaché Captain Warun Weerakul, and Thai air attaché Colonel Prin Yongpiyanon in Hanoi on October 27)
He highly valued the outcomes of the Vietnam-Thailand defence ties over the past years, with regular delegation exchanges and high-level contacts, the establishment and implementation of joint working groups and consultations between forces, and the organisation of the deputy ministerial policy dialogue, as well as the close coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, especially the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM), ADMM Plus, and the ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces’ Meeting (ACDFM).
Chien suggested that this year, when Vietnam and Thailand are celebrating their strategic partnership, Thai attachés should continue to work closely with the Vietnamese side to effectively implement the cooperation agreements with a focus on all-level and high-level delegation exchanges, and the organisation of the fourth Vietnam – Thailand defence policy dialogue, and the optimising of existing cooperation mechanisms, the enhancement of collaboration and experience sharing between services and arms, and personnel training.
The host affirmed that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence’s leaders always support and create optimal conditions for the strengthening of bilateral defence ties.
On behalf of the guests, Colonel Anupon Naksut thanked the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence for assisting Thai attachés to complete their tasks.
Holding that defence cooperation will continue to be one of the key pillars in the two countries’ strategic partnership, he affirmed that Thailand will continue to further beef up defence ties with Vietnam to be on par with the strategic partnership of the two countries.
Thailand will send a delegation to the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2022 in Hanoi this December, he said.
(By Nhan Dan News)
2. VIETNAM, SINGAPORE BEEF UP DEFENSE COOPERATION.
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(The 10th meeting of the Vietnam – Singapore joint working group on defence cooperation was held virtually on October 25) |
Vietnam, Singapore beef up defense cooperation
The 10th meeting of the Vietnam – Singapore joint working group on defense cooperation was held virtually on October 25.
The event was co-chaired by Major General Vu Thanh Van, Director of the Department of Foreign Relations at the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense and Colonel Phua Jia Kai, Director of the Defense Policy Office at the Singaporean Ministry of Defense.
The two sides affirmed that the joint working group mechanism has so far demonstrated its important role in making recommendations to leaders of the two ministries, and building practical cooperation activities between the two ministries and armies, cited VNA.
They affirmed that Vietnamese and Singaporean leaders defined defense cooperation as one of the important and prioritized areas that need to be promoted. The defense partnership has been jointly carried out and achieved positive outcomes in naval cooperation; search and rescue; exchange of young officers; education and training; and mutual consultation and support at multilateral defense mechanisms and forums.
The two sides agreed to advise defense leaders of the two nations to further direct bilateral cooperation in the areas of delegation exchange; promote the role of existing cooperation mechanisms; prioritize personnel training collaboration; strengthen cooperation between armed services; and consult and support each other at multilateral mechanisms and forums.
Vietnam needs to enhance institutional reform to attract high-quality FDI from EU
Vietnam must further disseminate information on the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to boost reform, improve its business climate, and attract foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows from the EU, according to insiders.
These recommendations were put forward by think-tanks at a workshop in Hanoi on October 25 to discuss the EU’s FDI inflows into Vietnam following the enforcement of the EVFTA in August 2020 and the impending implementation of the EVIPA.
In a joint report presented at the workshop, the Vietnam Institute for Economic and Policy Research (VERP) and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Institute in Vietnam (KAS) shared the view that the number of projects registered for investment by EU enterprises has been increasing since 2010, mostly in the manufacturing and processing industries.
However, FDI inflows from the bloc into Vietnam remain modest compared to other ASEAN countries, analysts pointed out. They cited statistics from Eurostat and the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, saying Vietnam attracts between 2-5% of the investment capital that the EU allocates in the world.
The Netherlands is the largest European investment partner for Vietnam, making up almost half of the total, followed by France, Luxembourg, Germany, Denmark, and Belgium. The scale of EU-invested projects in Vietnam is still hugely disparate, with few large-scale and high-value projects, according to VOV.
Nevertheless, experts affirmed that the EU-invested projects have significantly helped spur growth, accelerate economic restructuring, improve competitiveness, and increase budget revenue for provinces and cities across the country.
In addition, the EU’s FDI has become one of the main driving force for improving the overall quality of the investment environment in Vietnam.
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(Experts share their viewpoints at the launching workshop) |
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Chien Thang, director of the Institute of European Studies under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, said Vietnam is a bright spot for FDI attraction, despite facing global uncertainties such as Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
These positive signs can largely be attributed to improved infrastructure, drastic actions by localities in improving the investment climate, and an abundant workforce.
Sharing this perspective, Nguyen Hong Van, external relations manager under the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (Eurocham), noted European business stakeholders remain optimistic about the prospects for their own businesses in the fourth quarter in Vietnam.
Van, however, stated that high freight costs are a hindrance for FDI attraction from the EU in the time ahead. At the workshop, experts suggested Vietnam continue to fine-tune its legal system, simplify administrative procedures, and invest in training high-skilled workforce in a bid to attract high-quality FDI inflows from the EU.
514 new Covid-19 cases recorded on October 25
The national Covid-19 caseload rose to 11,498,047 with 514 new cases recorded on October 25, according to the Ministry of Health.
With 446 patients given the all clear during the day, the number of recoveries rose to 10,601,535.
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(514 new Covid-19 cases recorded on October 25) |
Meanwhile, there are 68 patients needing breathing support, reported WVR.
No death from Covid-19 was recorded in the past 24 hours. The total fatalities stood at 43,161.
As of the end of October 24, the total number of doses of Covid-19 vaccine injected was 261,406,795 with 109,775 doses administered on October 24.
Vietnamese aviation industry enters seasonal lull
The Vietnamese aviation market is entering an off-peak season as the number of air passengers recorded a slight decline over two consecutive months.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), the number of passengers passing through nationwide airports reached 7.2 million in October, down 11.6% month-on-month and 23.3% compared to October 2019.
Of the total, 5.8 million passengers were domestic travelers, down 1.4% month-on-month, and 1.3 million were foreign travelers, down 1.4%.
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(The number of passengers passing through nationwide airports see a slight decrease in October)
The CAAV explained that after experiencing high growth during summer time, the domestic aviation market is now entering an off-peak season that normally lasts until the end of December every year before witnessing a short surge during the New Year holidays.
Overall, Vietnamese airports have served more than 81 million passengers for the past 10 months, according to VOV.
The CAAV reports that the domestic aviation market is currently undergoing a strong recovery, while the international market has yet to fully recover. China, one of Vietnam’s major tourism markets, has not reopened its doors due to Covid-19 challenges. The aviation authorities of the two countries are negotiating the time for resuming flight routes.
Meanwhile, some other markets such as the Republic of Korea and Japan have reopened flights, although travel demand remains low.
It is expected that the total number of passengers traveling through Vietnamese airports will pass the 100 million mark this year, equaling around 83% of the figure recorded in the pre-pandemic period in 2019.
Immigration Department gives advice to foreign e-visa applicants
Foreigners who are seeking e-visas should search for information in advance and access the right website, the Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security said on October 25.
The e-visa fee, US$25 as regulated by the Ministry of Finance, should be paid via the electronic payment gateway, the ministry said after a number of businesses and individuals published false information on some websites and social networks to increase the fee.
Since Vietnam shifted to the new normal on March 15, 2022, the country restored immigration policies, including e-visa granting, which had been suspended since early 2020 as part of Covid-19 prevention and control measures. Since then, the department granted 459,000 e-visas.
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(Illustrative image)
Currently, citizens from 80 countries can apply for Vietnam’s e-visas as named in the Government’s Resolution No. 79/NQ-CP, dated May 25, 2020, cited VNA.
The department said it will propose the Ministry of Public Security coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to propose the Government expand the list of eligible countries.
The 14th National Assembly passed a resolution on piloting the issuance of e-visas for foreigners at its second session on November 22, 2016.
After the pilot scheme was put into place, starting February 1, 2017, the e-visa granting has been prescribed in the law amending and supplementing some articles of the law on entry, exit, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam, which took effect on July 1, 2020.
Foreigners can apply for e-visas without invitation or guaranteeing by an agency, organization or individual in Vietnam.
An e-visa is processed within three working days after the Immigration Department receives the completed application and full e-visa fee.
Currently, about 30 countries worldwide offer e-visas with different forms and conditions.
(By Vietnam Times)
3. VIETNAM, LAOS STEP UP PRACTICAL COOPERATION IN DEFENSE.
Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lt. Gen. Le Huy Vinh on October 24 received a delegation from the Lao Ministry of National Defence’s Office led by its head Lt. Gen. Saichay Commasit.
(Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lt. Gen. Le Huy Vinh (R) and Lt. Gen. Saichay Commasit of Laos)
Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lt. Gen. Le Huy Vinh on October 24 received a delegation from the Lao Ministry of National Defence’s Office led by its head Lt. Gen. Saichay Commasit.
Vinh said the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos has always been vital for the two nations, adding that their senior leaders have attached great importance to preserving and consolidating the great relationship and special solidarity between the two governments, people and armies.
He noted that given complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic in the past time, Vietnamese and Lao defence units have made significant efforts to deploy their cooperation tasks in the fields of politics, delegation exchange, search and rescue, border protection, and human resources training, among others.
Lauding the tight collaboration between the Lao office and its Vietnamese counterpart, Vinh affirmed leaders of the Ministry of National Defence support and create best conditions possible for the two sides to strengthen their cooperation and implement common perceptions reached by the leaders of the two defense ministries, thereby contributing to deepening the special solidarity and friendship between the two countries and their armies.
(At the event)
Earlier, the Lao delegation held talks with the Office of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence to exchange experience, review their past collaboration, and discuss future orientations for their cooperation.
(By Vietnam Plus)
4. VIETNAM DELEGATION TO UN MEETS US MILITARY ACADEMY LEARNERS.
The Delegation of Vietnam to the UN on October 21 discussed the country’s contributions to and priorities at the UN with a delegation of learners from the US Military Academy.
(At the event)
The Delegation of Vietnam to the UN on October 21 discussed the country’s contributions to and priorities at the UN with a delegation of learners from the US Military Academy.
This meeting took place within the framework of the academy’s training course for a strategic studies class whose learners are officers of the US army and other countries, including one officer from the Vietnam People’s Army.
At the event, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Tra, Charge d’affaires a.i. of Vietnam to the UN, briefed the delegation on Vietnam’s participation in and contributions to the UN since its membership began in 1977.
Vietnam always strives to make maximum contributions within its capabilities to the common work of the UN regarding all three pillars of sustainable development, human rights protection and promotion, and maintenance of international peace and security, she affirmed.
Tra said as a responsible member of the UN, the Vice Chair of the 77th UN General Assembly, and a member of the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 tenure and many other important UN agencies, Vietnam will continue to work with other countries to deploy the UN’s major initiatives and priorities in the coming time.
(At the event)
The sides discussed a series of matters, including challenges facing the UN in the current period, and Vietnam’s foreign policy in relations with big countries at the UN and its efforts in ensuring and promoting human rights as well as in Vietnam‘s engagement in UN peacekeeping activities, among others.
(By Vietnam Plus)
5. MORE THAN 16 HA OF MILITARY LAND TO BE USED TO EXPAND TAN SON NHAT AIRPORT.
The People’s Committee of HCM City has approved a plan to get more than 16 ha of military land to build a new terminal ( Terminal 3) at the Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport.
(Passengers wait for taxis at HCM City’s Tân Sơn Nhất Airport)
The People’s Committee of HCM City has approved a plan to acquire more than 16 ha of military land to build a new terminal (Terminal 3) at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport.
The land area in wards 4, 12 and 15 of Tân Bình District is now under the management of the Air Defence-Air Force of the Ministry of National Defence. The handover of the area will be done by the end of this month for the construction of Terminal 3.
According to the ministry, about VNĐ1.15 trillion (US$48.2 million) is needed for the land clearance work.
In May 2020, the Government of Việt Nam approved the construction of Terminal 3 and other supporting facilities. The domestic terminal is expected to manage 20 million passengers per year, helping to reduce pressure on Terminal 1.
Chairman of HCM City People’s Committee Phan Văn Mãi asked Tân Bình District to fully implement procedures for land acquisition, compensation and support to ensure publicity, transparency and democracy in accordance with the law.
He also asked for synchronous co-ordination among relevant authorities to effectively implement compensation and support work.
He also asked for effective dissemination of legal policies on land recovery, compensation and support.
On July 28, 2022, Deputy Prime Minister Lê Văn Thành signed Resolution No. 93/NQ-CP of the Government to remove obstacles in handing over defence land for the implementation of the Terminal 3 passenger terminal project and the project of connecting roads.
Accordingly, the Government agreed to the proposal of the Ministry of National Defence to hand over about 27.85 hectares of defence land in Tân Bình District to the HCM City People’s Committee, of which about 16.05 ha would be for the construction of the new terminal and 11.8 ha for opening roads that lead to the terminal.
At a meeting with HCM City leadership in July 2022, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính directed the Ministry of Transport to soon complete the procedures to start construction of Terminal 3 in the third quarter of 2022 and complete it by September 2024.
Tân Sơn Nhất Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Việt Nam.
It handles 840-850 flights and 130,000 passengers a day.
The airport has been overcrowded for years, and the result has been visible cracks in the infrastructure as well as subsidence of runways and taxiways. It has been serving 36 million passengers a year since 2017 against a designed capacity of 25 million a year.
(By Vietnam News)
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