US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. (Photo: Reuters)

US Secretary of State Blinken to visit Vietnam this week

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to the United Kingdom, Ireland, Vietnam, and Japan from April 11-18, according to the US Department of State in a press statement.

Blinken will travel to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, to advance key discussions with Vietnamese partners as both countries are celebrating 10 years of their Comprehensive Partnership.

He is scheduled to meet with senior Vietnamese officials to examine shared vision of a connected, prosperous, peaceful, and resilient Indo-Pacific region, said the Department of State.

The date is yet to be announced in the press statement, but the visit is likely to take place late this week before Blinken travels to Karuizawa, Japan, to attend the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on April 16-18, cited VOV.

While in Japan, he will discuss with his counterparts charting a path forward on a range of global issues, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, food and energy security, and advancing an affirmative vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Ahead of his Asian tour, Blinken will accompany President Joe Biden on his trip to the United Kingdom and Ireland from April 11-14.

Vietnam, Algeria want to further develop economic ties: diplomat

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune received outgoing Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Vinh on April 10.

Talking to the media after the meeting, Vinh said that the two sides had discussed measures to further promote the bilateral relations in the coming time, according to VNA.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Nguyen Thanh Vinh (Photo: VNA)

As both countries want to develop their economic collaboration on par with their political ties, they plan to step up high-level exchanges, and organise a meeting of the joint committee on bilateral cooperation in May in Hanoi, he stated.

The Vietnamese diplomat also took the occasion to thank Algerian agencies for supporting him during his working term.

COVID-19 infections rise as weather conditions change

The number of new COVID-19 cases across Vietnam has increased rapidly for the past week, with a six-fold spike from two months ago, according to the Ministry of Health’s latest statistics.

With at least 100 cases per day recorded from April 8 to 10 alone, the capital of Hanoi has become the locality to record the highest number of new infections.

The majority of COVID-19 patients receiving treatment in hospital have mild symptoms of the virus such as cough, fever, fatigue, pneumonia, and loss of taste (ageusia), reported VOV.

A low vaccination rate in some areas is also to blame for the increase in hospital admissions.

Health experts attributed the rise in infection numbers to the transition of seasons in the northern region, saying it is a favourable condition for the development of viruses, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

In addition, masks and face coverings are no longer compulsory in most public places, a factor which has led people to be easily infected with the virus. A low vaccination rate in some areas is also to blame for the increase in hospital admissions.

Vietnam ranks among 10 most popular cuisines

UK-based travel firm The Bucket List Company has named Vietnam among its list of the top world’s most popular cuisines according to engagement on social media platforms.

The adventure holiday travel firm looked at levels of interactions on TikTok, Instagram, and Reddit, with the eventual ranking being based on both the number of tags for each cuisine and the amount of positive interactions.

Banh mi with roasted pork belly. (Photo: Delish)

Vietnam duly ranked eighth among the 10 most popular cuisines. The Republic of Korea topped the list, followed by Italy, Mexico, Japan, India, China, Thailand, the Philippines, and Turkey.

Vietnamese cuisine has become more renowned around the world over recent years thanks to international chefs and a range of prestigious food magazines praising several popular national dishes.

They include Pho (Vietnamese noodle soup), Banh mi heo quay (Banh mi with roasted pork belly), Bun bo Hue (Hue beef noodle soup), Com Tam (Broken Rice), and bun cha (vermicelli with grilled pork and fresh herbs).

Famous photographer introduces Vietnamese beauty to French friends

More than 40 photos highlighting the impressive beauty of Vietnam taken by renowned photographer Réhahn are being displayed at an exhibition that opened in Honfleur city in France’s Normandie region on April 10.

The exhibiiton forms part of cultural activites to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-France diplomatic relations and 10-year bilateral strategic partnership.

Impressionist photographer Réhahn, who he has been living in Vietnam for 12 years, said Vietnam is part of his life and Hoi An city in the central province of Quang Nam is where his career thrives. Therefore, he decided to choose his best photos on the landscapes and people of Vietnam to introduce to people in his homeland.

Participants at the opening of the exhibition (Photo: VNA)

Opening the event, Honfleur Mayor Michel Lamarre described the the exhibition as a gift that photographer Réhahn, a local of Honfleur with close bond with Vietnam, presents to the city on the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-France diplomatic relations.

For his part, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang lauded Réhahn’s efforts in promoting the image of the Vietnamese nation and people to residents in France and the world, thus contributing to fostering the friendship between the two countries, cited VNA.

Christophe Blanchet, Vice President of the France-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group, recalled his memories during his trip to Hoi An, during which he saw happy smiles of local people. This is what Réhahn wants audiences to explore, he said.

Réhahn, who is residing in Hoi An city, has been named among 10 best portrait photographers in the world. His photos are a unique combination of art and photography, frequently appearing in famous international media such as Condé Nast Traveler, The New York Times, National Geographic.

The exhibition will run throughout this year.

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