I. ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. President of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue paying an official visit to the Republic of Korea and India

At the invitation of Speaker of the National Assembly of the ROK Park Byeong-seug, Speaker of the Lok Sabha of India Om Birla, and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha of India Venkaiah Naidu, President of the National Assembly of Viet Nam Vuong Dinh Hue will lead the high-level delegation of the National Assembly to pay an official visit to the ROK and India from 12 to 19 December 2021.

This visit takes place at a time when the ties between Viet Nam and India and the ROK, and particularly the relations between the National Assembly of Viet Nam with the Parliaments of India and the ROK, continue to go from strength to strength, as we head towards the 30^th anniversary of the Viet Nam - ROK diplomatic relations and the 50^th anniversary of the Viet Nam - India diplomatic relations in 2022.

During this visit, President of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue is expected to meet with the Speaker of the National Assembly of the ROK, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. He will also join high-level leaders of the ROK and India in discussions on how best to bolster the Viet Nam - ROK Strategic Cooperative Partnership and the Viet Nam - India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in numerous areas. Notable fields among these include fostering post-pandemic recovery, and stepping up exchanges among localities and people-to-people exchanges, among others. 

In addition, President of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue will also meet with representatives of the leadership of political parties and of the local Vietnamese and business communities, and partake in a number of other important bilateral activities.

2. The G7 - ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting via videoconference

On 12 December 2021, the G7 - ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is expected to take place in Liverpool, the United Kingdom. The Meeting was called by the G7 President, the UK, to promote cooperation between ASEAN and the G7. Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son will attend and deliver his remarks at this virtual meeting.

This is the first meeting between ASEAN Foreign Ministers and their G7 counterparts, and as such a significant event for both sides. The two sides are expected to discuss areas of cooperation, such as containing the COVID-19 pandemic and promoting sustainable recovery. They will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

II. Q&A

1. Zing News: What is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ view on the Ministry of Transport’s proposal to ease quarantine requirements and step up recognition of vaccine passports to resume international flights? Can you provide an update on the recognition of other countries’ vaccine passports?

As you may have been informed, and as reported by the press, on 07 December 2021, the Minister of Transport reported to the Prime Minister on the plan to resume regular commercial flights from 15 December. Accordingly, on 30 November 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Transport, and other relevant agencies convened an inter-sectoral meeting with airlines to address difficulties stemming from the resumption of international flights. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs fundamentally shares the Ministry of Transport’s view on the importance of regular commercial flights in fostering economic recovery and growth. The arrangement for such flights needs to target the correct groups that are eligible for entry, and meet the medical requirements for people entering Viet Nam.

On the progress in expediting the recognition of vaccine passports, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been actively discussing with around 80 partners on the mutual recognition of vaccine passports. Vietnamese competent authorities have also expeditiously implemented necessary measures to promptly issue a vaccine passport template in line with international standards. As of early December 2021, a number of partners, including Japan, the US, the UK, Australia, and Belarus, have recognized Viet Nam’s vaccine certificate, with a number of specific requirements pertaining to types of vaccine. India and Canada have agreed with this matter in principle. In addition, other partners, such as other ASEAN countries, the EU, China, and the ROK, have taken positive note of Viet Nam’s proposal, and are waiting for Viet Nam to issue a fixed vaccine passport template, and a digital verification mechanism.

On Viet Nam’s part, as of 08 December 2021, we have temporarily recognized the vaccine certificates, or vaccine passports, of 78 countries and territories officially introduced to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This lays the groundwork for bearers of these documents to use them directly in Viet Nam, and have their concentrated quarantine duration reduced to 07 days in line with the Ministry of Health’s Guidance on reducing quarantine duration for people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or have recovered from this pandemic.

2. Zing News: Does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have a list of Vietnamese citizens who wish to return home in the upcoming Lunar New Year? When will this be arranged?

Amid the complicated evolution of the pandemic, domestic competent authorities and overseas Vietnamese representative missions have been working closely with airlines at home and abroad to organize over 800 flights, safely repatriating nearly 200,000 Vietnamese citizens from over 60 countries and territories. According to information from overseas Vietnamese representative missions, there remains a high demand for repatriation among Vietnamese citizens as the Lunar New Year is approach, and as many citizens who are working, studying, or going on a business trip abroad will soon have their visa expired, and wish to return home.

As I have previously stated, based on the instruction of Governmental leaders on the expeditious resumption of cross-border travelling for the people, on 07 December, the Ministry of Transport reported to the Prime Minister on the plan to resume regular commercial flights to bring in international tourists. This plan will be conducted in two phases, and is expected to be implemented from 15 December onward. Should this plan be successfully realized, it will make important contributions to fostering socio-economic recovery and development, stepping up international integration in the new normal, and facilitating and gradually meeting the demand for air travel of the people, especially as the Lunar New Year is approaching.

In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to work with relevant Ministries, agencies and localities to organize repatriation flights in line with the people’s wishes, the pandemic’s developments, and the domestic quarantine capacity.

3. Zing News: As Viet Nam now enjoys a comparatively high vaccination rate in comparison with the world, how will further vaccine diplomacy efforts be carried out?

With vigorous vaccine diplomacy efforts and the participation of the entire political system, including that of high-level leaders, to date, Viet Nam has received around 150 million vaccine doses to ensure domestic vaccination demands. At present, Viet Nam is among the countries with a high vaccination rate, thereby mitigating the adverse impacts of the pandemic. Such successes also lay the groundwork for Viet Nam to transition into a period of safe and flexible adaptation to novel circumstances while effectively containing COVID-19 and fostering economic recovery and development.

However, as the pandemic continues to evolve in a complicated manner around the world, with the emergence of several new variants, vaccine diplomacy efforts will be further promoted in the time to come, so as to ensure sufficient supplies for vaccination in 2022, and facilitate access to potential vaccine sources for children. Such endeavors will also assist domestic vaccine production, ensure sources for procurement, and support the manufacturing of COVID-19 medications in Viet Nam. Furthermore, these efforts are also meant to further mobilize international resources via donations of medical equipment and supplies, and attract investment in the public health sector, with a view to improving Viet Nam’s healthcare infrastructure.

4. Xinhua: The Joe Biden’s administration is taking into account human rights issues, and may thus consider an act of diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. What is Viet Nam’s view on the politicization of sports by other countries?

The Olympics is an international sporting event that aims to facilitate exchange, solidarity, friendship and mutual understanding between nations of the world. In this spirit, Viet Nam hopes that all countries will contribute to the success of this event.

5. Soha: There is information that President of the US Joe Biden wishes to convene a Summit with ASEAN Leaders. Has Viet Nam received an invitation to this Summit, and what is Viet Nam’s view on this matter?

We have received the information on the US’ wish to convene a Summit with ASEAN Leaders. ASEAN members are engaging in active discussions on this proposal.

It bears mentioning that external relations bear great significance for ASEAN, and for the ASEAN Community building process. ASEAN, and Viet Nam in particular, always stands ready to step up dialogue and cooperation with partners, including the US, on the basis of equality and mutual respects, wishes to work together with partners for shared peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world.

6. Soha: Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed his wish to invite the Senior General of Myanmar to ASEAN’s meetings during Cambodia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2022. Has ASEAN reached a consensus on this matter?

Viet Nam supports Cambodia in successfully fulfilling its role as the ASEAN Chair for 2022. ASEAN’s work is always conducted on the basis of discussion and consensus among its members in line with relevant processes, procedures, and regulations of the ASEAN Charter. Viet Nam and other ASEAN countries always consider Myanmar as a member of the ASEAN family, and hope that Myanmar will continue to make meaningful contributions to the ASEAN Community building process, and to regional peace, security, and stability.

7. Traffic Newspaper: Can you provide an update on the situation of the 18 crew members who were caught in an accident in the waters adjacent to Japan, the ROK and the DPRK? What measures have been taken to repatriate 17 crew members who were rescued, and what is the situation of the 18th crew member, who is still missing?

As we have stated, according to competent authorities, in the afternoon of 01 December 2021 (local time), while sailing in the waters adjacent to Japan, the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Panama-flagged vessel Houei Crystal, originated from Japan, along with 18 Vietnamese crew members, had an accident, as water flooded the ship due to strong waves. All contacts with this ship were lost since then.

Upon receiving the news, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has instructed Vietnamese representative missions in Japan, the ROK, and the DPRK to contact local authorities to verify this information, and urgently conduct search and rescue operations to ensure the lives of Vietnamese citizens. Competent authorities in these countries informed that SAR vessels have been deployed at the site. By early morning of 02 December 2021, SAR vessels of the ROK managed to rescue 17 crew members and return them to safety at Muk-ho Port, Donghae City, Kangwon Province, the ROK. Coast guard forces still actively conducted the search for the remaining crew member until the evening of 04 December 2021. However, it has not yielded any result.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also contacted the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Transport to instruct labor export companies to get in touch with relatives of these crew members, brief them on the situation, provide them with encouragement, and offer them guidance on relevant procedures. These companies were also instructed to fulfill their functions in assisting these crew members and ensuring the lawful rights and obligations of Vietnamese citizens. The ship’s owner and its insurance company have contacted these crew members to inquire upon their situation, and offer compensation in line with relevant regulations. Repatriation work will be conducted based on the wish of the crew members.

8. AP: Please provide Viet Nam’s comment on the information from Insikt Group, a research agency of Recorded Future, the US, that recently, a number of hackers, rumored to be backed by the Chinese Government, have conducted cyber attacks to retrieve data from multiple high-ranking agencies in the armies and governments of Southeast Asian countries, including the Office of the Party Central Committee and the National Assembly of Viet Nam?

 At present, ensuring information safety and security holds great significance for all countries. Bearing this in mind, the Government of Viet Nam has always paid due attention to this matter, and adopted numerous guidelines, policies, and concrete courses of action to ensure information safety and security, thereby safeguarding national sovereignty in the cyberspace. The Vietnamese Government has also established and developed agencies with necessary competency and preparedness to address all risks encountered in the cyberspace, as well as prevent and tackle cyber attacks and threats to cybersecurity.

Viet Nam condemns all forms of cyber attacks, and stands ready to work with the international community in addressing this issue.

9. Thanh Nien: Recently, opposing factions in Myanmar have been sabotaging telecommunication towers in this country, including one that belongs to a Vietnamese telecommunication enterprise. What measures has Viet Nam taken to protect Vietnamese corporations that are currently investing and doing business in Myanmar, and laborers that are working for these enterprises?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar have followed with keen attention the developments in this country, and the situation of the local Vietnamese and business communities. They have implemented necessary citizen protection and consular measures to ensure the lives, properties, and lawful rights and interests of Vietnamese nationals and businesses in Myanmar.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Viet Nam in Myanmar have also made multiple requests to competent authorities in Myanmar to pay due attention to and protect the lives and properties of Vietnamese nationals, businesses, and workers employed by Vietnamese enterprises in Myanmar, In particular, it is necessary to protect the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Vietnamese corporations in line with the agreement between the two sides, and international regulations.

10. Phoenix TV:  Viet Nam is not listed among the invitees to the US’ Summit for Democracy convened by the Biden administration. Please provide Viet Nam’s response to this matter. Does this affect the bilateral ties between Viet Nam and the US?

Viet Nam’s policy is to build a socialist democracy, in tandem with upholding the people’s right to democracy in all aspects of their social life. This is line with the Constitution and the law of Viet Nam, and is guaranteed under the Party’s leadership. It offers a means for the people to exercise their rights to freedom and equality, and identifies the people as those who can exercise their power. Over the past years, Viet Nam has made every effort to improve its legal system pertaining to human rights, joined international treaties, stepped up economic cooperation in conjunction with social equality, and constantly improved the people’s living standards. Such endeavors brought about important achievements, earning the praise and recognition of the international community. Most recently, under the 3rd Cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), many countries followed with keen interest and attended sessions pertaining to Viet Nam. Many of these countries welcomed Viet Nam’s efforts and accomplishments. They also voiced their support for Viet Nam’s approach, and put forth numerous constructive recommendations.

The Viet Nam - US Comprehensive Partnership has witnessed excellent progress in many fields over the past years. Viet Nam always stands ready to discuss with the U.S. issues of mutual interest to increase mutual understanding, strengthen cooperation on the basis of candidness, openness and mutual respect, and contribute to enhancing the Comprehensive Partnership between the two countries.

11. CNA: The Ministry of Transport of Viet Nam recently proposed to the Government to resume regular commercial flights from 15 December 2021 onward, including flights between Viet Nam and Chinese Taipei. Please provide your comment on whether the target audience of these proposed flights would comprise tourists, or would be limited to investors and experts. In addition, does this proposal mean that passengers can enter Viet Nam without undergoing other approval procedures?

As you may have been informed, and as I have previously stated, the Ministry of Transport has reported to the Prime Minister on the plan to resume regular commercial flights to bring in international tourists. This plan will be conducted in two phases, with phase 1 expected to take place from 15 December, encompassing regular flights between Viet Nam and markets with a high safety index, including Beijing (China), Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (the ROK), Taipei (Chinese Taipei), Bangkok (Thailand), Singapore, Vientiane (Laos), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), and San Francisco or Los Angeles (the US). The 2nd phase is planned to take place from January 2022. For this phase, apart from the markets outlined in the 1st phase, the Ministry of Transport also proposed to resume flights to and from Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Hong Kong (China), Paris (France), Frankfurt (Germany), Sydney (Australia), and Moscow (Russia).

Individuals who are eligible to enter Viet Nam are Vietnamese citizens, entrants for diplomatic or official purposes, experts, investors, skilled laborers and their relatives, foreign students studying in Viet Nam, entrants looking to explore the Vietnamese market, attending conferences or seminars, and visiting relatives, and Vietnamese nationals abroad and their relatives. International tourists coming to Viet Nam under pilot tourism programs are required to possess a vaccine certificate or proof of recovery from COVID-19. Entrants will need to comply with medical and quarantine requirements during their stay in Viet Nam.

12. Dan tri: During a football match of the AFF Cup in Singapore on 16 December between Viet Nam and Laos, amid the flag salutation ceremony, the Vietnamese anthem was muted on Youtube. What is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ comment on this matter?

According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, this Ministry is responsible for carrying out relevant state management functions, and needs to take necessary action to maintain and build upon the values of Viet Nam’s anthem. Accordingly, all individuals and organizations need to strictly observe this guideline, and avoid all actions that prevent the promotion of the Vietnamese anthem./.