Vietnam News Today (Apr. 23): Vietnam, UNICEF Chart Course to Enhance Child Protection Efforts

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Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese President’s state visit to Laos extremely significant to bilateral ties: Lao FM

Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane has underscored the extreme significance of the state visit to Laos by Vietnamese President Luong Cuong to the two countries' robust relations.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on the threshold of the visit from April 24 to 25, the Lao official stressed that the trip, to be made at the invitation of General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and the first by Cuong as the State leader of Vietnam, will create new momentum for and substantially contribute to the great friendship between the two countries, making it develop in a deeper and more substantive and effective fashion to bring prosperity to the people of each country in the coming time.

The Lao FM shared that during this visit, the two sides will exchange notes on important issues to continue implementing the foreign policy agreements between the two Parties and States, thus further tightening the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the Parties, States, and peoples of Vietnam and Laos, VNA reported.

Amidst the complex and unpredictable developments in the region and the world, he emphasised the need to continue steadfastly maintaining and enhancing the special relationship, which was founded by the great President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, and President Souphanouvong, and has been nurtured by generations of the two countries' leaders. He stated that the ties were built on the sweat and blood of revolutionary soldiers and people of both countries.

According to Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Vietnam and Laos should continue mutual visits at all levels to nurture and maintain political trust. He also laid stress on the importance of closer cooperation and coordination to effectively implement the agreements between the high-ranking leaders of both Parties, the results of the 47th meeting of the Vietnam – Laos Intergovernmental Committee, the outcomes of high-level visits between the two countries, as well as cooperation agreements between their ministries, agencies, and localities.

Furthermore, he noted that Vietnam and Laos have always supported each other at bilateral, sub-regional, and multilateral forums, contributing to the common development of humanity and promoting peace and friendly cooperation among nations worldwide. The close cooperation across multiple fields has helped develop the special relationship between the two countries, all aimed at bringing practical benefits to the peoples of both nations.

He went on to praise the invaluable, timely, and effective assistance that the Vietnamese Party, State, and people have provided for Laos throughout the country’s past struggle for national salvation, as well as in the current national development endeavours.

The minister expressed his belief that regardless of changes in the global situation, with the determination of both the Parties, States and peoples, the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos will continue to be preserved, nurtured, and developed to stay everlasting.

South America offers gateway for Vietnamese trade expansion

As a trade gateway and strategic partner, Chile plays a vital role in helping Vietnamese businesses get greater access to South America’s 430-million-strong market.

On April 22, the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Center (ITPC), in collaboration with ProChile – the Export Promotion Bureau under Chile’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a seminar on promoting trade and investment in the Chilean market and South America.

Ho Thi Quyen, Deputy Director of ITPC, emphasized that market expansion, diversification of trade partners, and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) are essential tasks for Vietnam, especially amid deepening international economic integration.

With its dynamic economy and open trade policies, Chile is considered a key partner of Vietnam in the South American region. The two countries signed the Vietnam–Chile Free Trade Agreement (VCFTA) in 2014 and are both members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), creating a favorable legal framework and broadening cooperation opportunities.

Quyen noted that Vietnam sees ample potential to boost its presence in this market, particularly in agricultural processing, thanks to FTAs and preferential tariffs.

In 2023, bilateral trade between Vietnam and Chile reached nearly US$1.8 billion, including US$1.4 billion in Vietnamese exports and US$330 million in imports. Vietnam’s key exports to the South American nation include seafood, coffee, rice, and cement. The country currently ranks as Chile’s 12th largest goods supplier and the fourth among Asian exporters, following China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.

As of April 2024, Chile had four investment projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of US$295,000, according to VOV.

Ho Thi Quyen, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Trade and Investment Promotion Center, speaks at the event (Photo: nhandan.vn)

Delegates at the seminar noted that as Vietnam’s leading economic engine, Ho Chi Minh City plays a major role in national exports and is actively seeking new trade and investment opportunities in South America.

The city and Chile, in particular, hold strong potential for expanding cooperation in exports, investment in processing and manufacturing, technology transfer, and sustainable development.

In 2023, Ho Chi Minh City’s export turnover to Chile was estimated at US$53.3 million, still modest compared to the untapped potential on both sides.

Pablo Arancibia Salazar, Trade Representative of ProChile, reported that Vietnam’s total exports to Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Colombia reached US$5.13 billion in 2023, a 7.2% decline from 2022. He stressed the importance of diversifying export products and stabilizing raw material supply to better capitalize on market opportunities.

Salazar also reaffirmed Chile’s growing role as a strategic investment destination in South America, particularly in the seafood, wood processing, and clean energy sectors - areas that offer diverse and promising prospects for Vietnamese businesses in the coming years.

Vietnam, Thailand seek ways to promote more practical, effective cooperation

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong paid a working visit to Thailand from April 21-22, aiming to seek ways to promote practical and effective cooperation in various fields, and expand exchanges and bonds between the two countries' political parties.

At a meeting with Cuong, Thai Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Russ Jalichandra affirmed that Thailand always treasures and wants to further strengthen its Enhanced Strategic Partnership with Vietnam. He spoke highly of close cooperation between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs in promoting the implementation of high-level agreements.

Jalichandra thanked Vietnam for creating favourable conditions for Thai businesses operating in the country, expressing his hope that the Vietnamese Government will continue to help resolve obstacles facing several Thai investment projects in Vietnam. He emphasized the importance of the Vietnam – Thailand three-connectivity strategy and agreed that the two sides should soon establish a working group to discuss its content and concrete plans.

For his part, Cuong stated that Thailand is an important partner of Vietnam in the region, and one of Vietnam's leading trade and investment partners in ASEAN. He suggested the two sides continue expanding market access, reducing trade barriers, and striving to reach the bilateral trade target of 25 billion USD in a more sustainable and balanced manner.

The two sides expressed their satisfaction with the positive progress in the Enhanced Strategic Partnership, which was built on the foundation of mutual respect and understanding, and deepened through delegation exchanges and cooperation across all channels, cited VNA.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong (Photo: VNA)

The officials agreed that defense and security are among the key pillars of bilateral cooperation. They committed to further promoting existing cooperation mechanisms such as the defense policy dialogue and the high-level dialogue on crime prevention and control, and security issues.

Both sides also emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation in combating transnational crimes and reaffirmed their commitments not to allow any individual or organization to use the territory of one country to resist the other.

The officials agreed to closely coordinate between tourism management authorities and businesses to link products, connect destinations, and share experiences in sustainable tourism development. They also discussed the possibility of effectively implementing tourism connectivity initiatives within ASEAN, including Thailand’s "Six Countries, One Destination" initiative, to attract visitors from outside the region.

At meetings with the Vietnamese official, leaders of the Pheu Thai Party and the Democrat Party spoke highly of the important leadership role of the Communist Party of Vietnam in the country’s national construction and development.

The two sides expressed satisfaction with the flourishing development of bilateral relations in recent years. They affirmed that in addition to cooperation through state, government, and parliamentary channels, collaboration between the two nation’s political parties is a crucial diplomatic channel, helping to enhance understanding, build trust, and deepen the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations.

Vietnam, UNICEF chart course to enhance child protection efforts

Vietnam and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) aim to expand their partnership in child protection, education, and welfare, with new commitments leading up to a 2025–2030 cooperation program.

Vu Thanh Mai, Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Information and Education had a meeting on April 22 in Hanoi with Silvia Danailov, UNICEF Representative in Vietnam.

Welcoming Danailov and her delegation, Mai applauded the cooperation between the Commission and UNICEF in the care, education, and protection of children.

2025 will mark 50 years of Vietnam–UNICEF cooperation and 35 years since Vietnam ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Over the years, UNICEF has remained a close and timely partner, providing support tailored to Vietnam’s different development stages, Mail told his guest.

Introducing the Commission and its joint activities with UNICEF, Mai said the meeting provided a good opportunity for both sides to exchange useful experience and identify shared priorities toward a cooperation program for 2025–2030.

He reaffirmed that the Party regards child care, education, and protection as a central part of human development and human resource strategies. As such, investing in children is a crucial step in Vietnam’s vision to become a high-income developed country by 2045, VOV reported.

At the meeting

Outlining future priorities in child-related work, Mai called on UNICEF to step up information sharing and engagement with the Commission. He also expressed readiness to work with relevant agencies to promote broader awareness of Vietnam’s strong ties with the United Nations in general, and UNICEF in particular.

As part of the upcoming cooperation program for 2025–2030, UNICEF will support the development, implementation, monitoring, and review of Directive No. 28-CT/TW of the Politburo on enhancing child care, education, and protection to meet the needs of a prosperous and happy nation. It will also assist in implementing related resolutions and directives.

In the near term, UNICEF will help organize a workshop to gather opinions on the draft political report of the 14th National Party Congress on child-related issues.

In response, Danailov highlighted Vietnam’s efforts and achievements in child protection, which have earned high praise from the international community. She emphasized that child-related work remains a top development priority for the country.

She also welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the 14th Congress draft documents and showed interest in three key areas: the opportunities and challenges children face in the digital era; targeted responses to climate change; and institutional policies that ensure continued attention and investment in children.

Commending Vietnam’s adoption of the Juvenile Justice Law and Decree No. 110/2024/ND-CP on social work, Danailov voiced support for scaling up child-friendly initiatives nationwide and reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to close, effective cooperation with Vietnamese ministries, sectors, and localities.

Vietnam to hold grand parade to mark 50th national reunification anniversary

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh paid a visit to the southern province of Dong Nai on April 19 to inspect and encourage military, militia, and police forces who will join the grand parade commemorating the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30).

Pham stressed that Vietnamese people are also looking forward to witnessing the maturity and strength of the Vietnamese armed forces, and take pride in the years of brave resistance and nation-building.

He commended the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense for their close leadership and direction of the parade. The parade subcommittee has effectively organized the selection and training of the forces while ensuring necessary provisions and benefits for all participants, cited VGP.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh encourages forces who join the military parade on 50th reunification day (April 30, 2025)

Pham urged the forces to embody "five premier principles" – most thorough preparation, best spirit, most beautiful movements, most effective coordination, and most attentive logistical support.

The Ministry of National Defense has invited military units from China, Laos, and Cambodia to partake in the upcoming parade.

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