I. ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. President of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue attends the 42nd AIPA General Assembly (via videoconference, from 23 to 25 August 2021)

At the invitation of Pehin Dato Abdul Rahman Taib, President of AIPA, Speaker of the Legislative Council of Brunei Darussalam, President of the National Assembly of Viet Nam Vuong Dinh Hue will lead the Vietnamese delegation to attend the 42nd AIPA General Assembly via videoconference. The 42nd AIPA General Assembly will take place from 23 to 25 August, under the theme “Forging Parliamentary Cooperation in Digital Inclusion towards ASEAN Community 2025.” This is the first official multilateral diplomatic activity of Mr. Vuong Dinh Hue and the high-level Vietnamese delegation during the 15th Legislature of the National Assembly of Viet Nam. Mr. Vuong Dinh Hue is expected to deliver an important remark during the Plenary Session of the 42nd AIPA General Assembly to convey the message of a continuously innovating Viet Nam and a responsible, proactive and active Vietnamese National Assembly in promoting multilateral inter-parliamentary diplomatic cooperation in the region. The high-level delegation of the National Assembly of Viet Nam will be participating virtually at the International Conference Center, Hanoi.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc will also have a welcoming message at the 42nd AIPA General Assembly.

2. The webinar on fostering investment cooperation between Viet Nam and the Middle East

On 26 August 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working with the Ministry of Planning and Investment to organize the webinar on “Fostering Investment Cooperation between Viet Nam and the Middle East: Potential, Opportunities and New Approaches.” Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Hieu and Deputy Planning and Investment Minister Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc will co-chair this webinar.

It is expected that there will be over 300 delegates attending this Conference. They comprise representatives of a number of Ministries, agencies, localities, Embassies, investment funds and businesses from Viet Nam and Middle Eastern countries. This constitutes an opportunity for delegates to discuss and propose novel measures to further bolster investment efficiency between Viet Nam and Middle Eastern countries.

3. The Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam cooperates with the British Embassy in Viet Nam and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) to organize the 7th Ocean Dialogues

On 19 August 2021, the East Sea Institute of the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam is cooperating with the British Embassy in Viet Nam and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), Germany to host the 7th Ocean Dialogues under the theme “Emerging Maritime Issues from Legal Perspectives.”

This event brings together many experts at home and abroad, representatives of Vietnamese agencies and research institutes, and of foreign representative missions in Viet Nam. It constitutes an opportunity for all participants to share their initiatives and experience and promote cooperation, with a view to (i) improving a common understanding of maritime freedom and safety, (ii) identifying the legal repercussions of the rising sea level, and (iii) outlining measures to bolster international cooperation on these issues.

II. Q&A

1. Zing: Please provide your comment on the situation in Afghanistan at present.

Viet Nam follows with keen attention the situation in Afghanistan, and wishes for Afghanistan to soon return to stability, for the interest of its people and for peace and stability in the region.

As a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Viet Nam calls on all relevant parties to refrain from the use of force, ensure security and order, protect essential infrastructure and the lives and properties of the Afghan people and foreigners, especially women and children, and ensure the access to humanitarian assistance when necessary.

2. Zing: Please provide further information on the visit to Viet Nam by US Vice President Kamala Harris. During the visit, will Vice President Harris, together with Health Ministers of ASEAN countries, attend the ceremony to establish a US CDC Regional Office for Southeast Asia in Hanoi?

As stated in the previous press conference, competent authorities from Viet Nam and the US are working together to arrange the schedule for US Vice President Kamala Harris during her visit to Viet Nam.

3. Central News Agency: The international community is following with keen interest the situation in Afghanistan at present. Will Viet Nam recognize the authority of the Taliban?

Viet Nam hopes that the situation in Afghanistan will soon return to stability, for the interest of its people and for peace and stability in the region.

4. Central News Agency: Recently, international media has made comparisons between the US’ evacuation of its citizens from the capital of Kabul with the withdrawal of US troops from Sai Gon in 1975, and considered this as “history repeating itself.” What is Viet Nam’s comment on this comparison?

With the historic victory in the Spring of 1975, the army and people of Viet Nam had triumphed in their courageous and enduring resistance war, fully liberating the South of Viet Nam and achieving national reunification. This victory opened up a new chapter for the Vietnamese nation, ushering in an era of independence, freedom and peace, wherein each and every Vietnamese citizen can partake in national construction and development.

Viet Nam’s victory in its righteous war brought forth confidence, elation, and admiration among the progressive and peace-loving people around the world. Its historic significance is immutable.

5. Central News Agency: Which Vietnamese leaders will US Vice President Kamala Harris meet with during her visit to Viet Nam? Which issues will be discussed? Are press members allowed to attend and provide coverage of these meetings?

As I have stated in response to the question from Zing, the schedule for US Vice President Kamala Harris during her visit to Viet Nam is being drafted by relevant authorities in Viet Nam and the US.

The detailed arrangements for the operation of press members will be announced at a later date, and carried out based on the developments of the pandemic.

6. Central News Agency: Early this August, the Ministry of Health of Viet Nam stated that people who have been fully vaccinated will only have to undergo a 07-day quarantine upon entry into Viet Nam. When will this policy be enforced? Are Chinese Taipei citizens also subjects of application of this regulation? How will the validation of vaccine certificates be conducted? Are there any concrete measures to implement this regulation?

As you may already know, on 04 August 2021, the Ministry of Health issued a Guidance on quarantine for people entering Viet Nam, who have been fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19. In line with this Guidance, people who are confirmed SARS-CoV-2 negative, have been fully vaccinated or have proof of recovery from COVID-19 are required to be placed under centralized quarantine for 07 days and health monitoring for the next 07 days.

At present, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Information and Communication to establish criteria and arrangements to approve the use of vaccine certificates/vaccine passports in Viet Nam for foreigners, thereby facilitating entries while ensuring suitable quarantine measures in line with the situation in Viet Nam, the Vietnamese law and international law.

Recently, to facilitate the implementation of the Ministry of Health’s Guidance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has worked with the Ministry of Health to issue a temporary instruction on inspecting and approving vaccine certificates and proof of recovery of other countries, including those of 44 countries and territories officially introduced via diplomatic channels. The list of countries and territories having officially introduced their vaccine certificates and proof of recovery will be frequently updated on the information portal on consular work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (lanhsuvietnam.gov.vn).

People from countries and territories that have not officially introduced their vaccine certificates and proof of recovery for use in Viet Nam can contact local Vietnamese representative missions to legalize or validate the above-mentioned documents.

7. Central News Agency: Since 23 July, 04 Chinese Taipei businesspeople residing in Viet Nam have passed away due to COVID-19. According to our information, among 70,000 Chinese Taipei citizens residing in Viet Nam, only 10% have been vaccinated. Please comment on Viet Nam’s plans and arrangements for foreigners to be vaccinated. Should Chinese Taipei citizens wish to be vaccinated, how should they register with the Vietnamese Government?

The Vietnamese Government always pays due attention to foreigners residing, studying and working in Viet Nam, and offers them necessary assistance to go on with their daily lives as usual and receive sufficient medical services and treatment should they become infected. Amid the complicated developments of the pandemic, the Government of Viet Nam considers the vaccination of foreigners in Viet Nam as a necessary component in the path towards achieving herd immunity.

Recently, the Prime Minister has instructed the Ministry of Health to uphold the consistent policy of providing vaccination irrespective of nationality or residency. Foreigners, or Vietnamese nationals with a permanent residency abroad who are living in Viet Nam, are eligible to be vaccinated similar to Vietnamese citizens if they are among the prioritized groups or living in prioritized areas. If they belong to neither of the aforementioned categories, they are eligible to register for vaccination at their workplaces, agencies or localities similar to Vietnamese citizens.

8. Tuổi Trẻ: Recently, the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) wrote a letter to President Joe Biden to call for further allocation of COVID-19 vaccines for partners of the US, including Viet Nam. AAFA also stated that its representative sent a letter to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to uphold its support for Viet Nam’s pandemic prevention efforts. Can the Ministry of Foreign Affairs elaborate on Viet Nam’s response to this matter?

Viet Nam welcomes and appreciates the assistance of all countries and partners in its pandemic prevention efforts. We hope that countries and international organizations will continue to share information, technology, financial and medical resources, and vaccines, to soon contain this dangerous pandemic.

On its part, Viet Nam has been joining in the concerted efforts of the international community in the fight against COVID-19.

9. The World and Viet Nam Report: What is Viet Nam’s response to the Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2021, which was published on 09 August?

Climate change is a major global challenge, bringing about detrimental consequences around the world. Viet Nam calls on the international community to urgently work together to respond to this issue.

As one of the countries most severely affected by climate change, Viet Nam remains determined and strongly committed to addressing climate change, including proactively adapting to and cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions in line with Viet Nam’s international commitments.

The Assessment Report on Climate Change of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) lays the important scientific groundwork for countries to draft and update their policies and scenarios pertaining to climate change. The Report also provides inputs for countries to refer to in international negotiations on climate change. At present, Vietnamese competent authorities are studying the contents of this Report to consider updating Viet Nam’s scenarios related to climate change and incorporate such updates in the National Strategy on Climate Change in the future.

10. Channel News Asia: Please provide your comment on the significance of US Vice President Kamala Harris’ upcoming visit to Viet Nam.

The visits by high-level Leaders and exchanges of delegations at all levels between the two countries serve to deepen the Viet Nam - US Comprehensive Partnership, for the interest of the two peoples, and for peace, stability, cooperation and development of the region and the world.

11. Phoenix TV: Pertaining to the instruction on and approval of vaccine certificates of proof of recovery from COVID-19 of foreigners, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs already made public the list of relevant countries, and I only wish to further inquire on whether foreigners, including tourists, can enter Viet Nam simply by meeting these criteria?

As I have previously stated, the instructions on entry and quarantine policies have been clearly defined by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Subjects of application include Vietnamese citizens and foreigners eligible for entry. To my knowledge, at present, tourists are not yet eligible for entry.