ANNOUNCEMENTS

+President Vo Van Thuong pays an official visit to the Republic of Austria, a State visit to the Republic of Italy and the Vatican from 23 to 28 July 2023

At the invitation of President of Austria Alexander Van dar Bellen, President of Italy Sergio Mattarella and Pope Francis, President Vo Van Thuong and his Spouse are to pay an official visit to the Republic of Austria, a State visit to the Republic of Italy and to the Holy See from 23rd to 28th July 2023. This is the first visit to Austria by a President of Viet Nam in 15 years, and is the first State-level delegation exchange with Italy and the Holy See in 7 years. It is also the biggest highlight in the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Viet Nam - Italy diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the Viet Nam - Italy Strategic Partnership.

Over the last 50 years, Viet Nam - Austria ties have flourished in many areas. In politics and diplomacy, both sides maintained exchanges of delegations at the high level and at all levels. In economic cooperation, Austria is among Viet Nam’s 10 largest export partners in Europe, and Viet Nam is Austria’s leading trading partner within ASEAN. Bilateral trade in 2022 reached 2.79 billion USD and Austrian investment in Viet Nam currently amounts to about 148 million USD.

Viet Nam - Italy relations continue to witness positive growth in recent years. In 2023, both sides celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Strategic Partnership. In politics and diplomacy, both sides maintained exchanges at the high level as well as bilateral cooperation mechanisms. In economic cooperation, Italy is Viet Nam’s third largest trading partner in the EU and the 36th largest foreign direct investor, out of 141 investors in Viet Nam, and has provided 117 million Euros worth in ODAs to Viet Nam.

During the visit, President Vo Van Thuong and leaders of the two countries will discuss measures to strengthen cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, national defense, labor and vocational training, renewable energy, and people-to-people exchange, to add further depth, substance and effectiveness to Viet Nam’s ties with Austria and Italy, respectively. President Vo Van Thuong is also expected to hold talks with the President of Austria, the President of Italy, to co-chair the joint press conference after the talks, to meet with leaders of Austrian and Italian localities, to meet with a number of leaders of various parties in Italy, and to meet with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Relations between Viet Nam and the Holy See have witnessed progress. Both sides have been maintained, as well as the Viet Nam - Holy See Joint Working Group. Since 2011, the Holy See’s non-resident Special Envoys have been operating in Viet Nam.

As part of the visit to the Holy See, President Vo Van Thuong is expected to meet with Pope Francis and Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

+ Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim and Spouse pay an official visit to Viet Nam (20 to 21 July 2023)

 At the invitation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim and Spouse will pay an official visit to Viet Nam from 20 to 21 July 2023. This is Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s first visit to Viet Nam since taking office in December 2022. 
Recently, Viet Nam - Malaysia ties have continued to flourish, particularly in 2023 as the two countries are commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1973 - 2023). Economic cooperation witnessed positive growth. Malaysia is Viet Nam’s second largest trading partner in ASEAN and ninth-largest in the world, with bilateral trade turnover reaching 14.8 billion USD in 2022. Cooperation in other important areas are also being strengthened and have yielded positive results.

During the visit, both sides will discuss measures to strengthen the Strategic Partnership, particularly in economic, trade and investment, labor and tourism, as well as promote cooperation in new areas such as food security, cybersecurity, innovation and digital transformation. The Prime Minister of Malaysia will also hold talks with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, meet with General-Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Vo Van Thuong, President of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue, among other activities.

Immediately prior to the visit by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, at the invitation of Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, the Foreign Minister of Malaysia paid an official visit to Viet Nam and co-chaired the 7th Viet Nam - Malaysia Joint Committee on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation from 19 to 20 July 2023.

+ Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang pays bilateral visits to Israel and Egypt (24 to 27 July 2023)

To promote the friendship and multilateral cooperation between Viet Nam and Israel and Egypt, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and the Vietnamese delegation will pay an official visit to Israel and Egypt from 23 to 27 July 2023.

During the trip, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang will meet with high-level leaders of Israel and Egypt, witness the signing of a number of important bilateral cooperation agreements, including the Viet Nam - Israel Free Trade Agreement. He will also meet with leaders of a number of ministries, agencies, and major businesses of Israel and Egypt, attend the ceremonies commemorating the 30th anniversary of Viet Nam - Israel diplomatic relations and the 60th anniversary of Viet Nam – Egypt diplomatic relations, as well as meet with the Vietnamese communities in Israel and Egypt.

Q&A

1. Dan Viet: In the recent Global Passport Power Ranking, Viet Nam ranks 82nd with 55 destinations that passport holders may visit without requiring a visa, climbing several spots but still ranking behind a number of Southeast Asian countries. Does Viet Nam have any plans to negotiate with countries to increase the number of visa exempted destinations to facilitate foreign travel for Vietnamese citizens and increase the competitiveness in attracting foreign tourists?

So far, Vietnamese passport holders can enter 55 destinations in the world without requiring a visa, or have simplified procedures such as electronic visas or visas granted at the border gate.

In meetings with partners, Viet Nam has been and will suggest the simplification of visa procedures or visa exemption for Vietnamese citizens entering these partner countries, to facilitate the trade, travel, and people-to-people exchange, contributing to the enhancement of Viet Nam’s friendship with these countries.

2. Phoenix TV: Regarding the accident on Khanh Le pass which killed 4 Chinese tourists and injured many others. Can you provide an update on the status of those who were injured, and what measures have been taken in the aftermath in accordance with the Prime Minister’s official dispatch?

 A coach overturned on Khanh Le pass (in Son Thai commune, Khanh Vinh district, Khanh Hoa province), killing 4 Chinese citizens and injuring a number of others. The injured are being treated at the Khanh Hoa General Hospital, and most of their injuries are non-threatening.

Immediately upon receiving the information, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh issued an official dispatch ordering relevant ministries and localities to mitigate the damage caused by the accident, direct the medical personnel, equipment and supplies to treat the victims of the crash, facilitate the return of the victims to their families, conduct arrangements for the deceased, and provide moral support for the families of those affected.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively working with domestic competent authorities, Khanh Hoa local authorities Chinese diplomatic missions in Viet Nam to handle related issues and assist with post-mortem arrangements for the deceased in accordance with the law.
Currently, the representative of the Consulate General of China in Ho Chi Minh City is present at the locality and is working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Khanh Hoa authorities to handle the case, ensuring the rights and interests of Chinese citizens in Viet Nam.

We wish to express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims.

3. Phoenix TV: Can you comment on US Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen’s visit to Viet Nam from 19 to 21 July?

US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen will visit Viet Nam from 18 to 21 July, 2023. This is the first visit to Viet Nam by Madam Janet Yellen in her capacity as Secretary of the Treasury. The visit takes place in the context that Vietnam and the United States are organizing activities to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Comprehensive Partnership between the two countries.

On this occasion, the two sides will exchange views on the means to further deepen bilateral economic ties, foster post-pandemic economic recovery, support the global transition to clean energy, bolster bilateral financial and banking cooperation, and build capacity to promote financial recovery and ensure macroeconomic stability.

During the visit, Madam Janet Yellen will meet with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and leaders of relevant Vietnamese ministries and agencies.