Both sides have announced the finalization of negotiations for their free trade agreement (FTA)

Vietnam, Israel finalize FTA negotiations

Vietnam and Israel have announced the conclusion of negotiations for their free trade agreement (FTA) which will serve as a premise for both nations to sign the deal this year.

The announcement was made at a working session on April 2 between Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and Israeli Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat during the former’s ongoing visit to Israel.

Dien said with the reciprocal economies and growing two-way trade, both nations will greatly benefit from the agreement, whose negotiations lasted seven years with 12 rounds.

He suggested the two sides intensify coordination and delegation exchange to seek and promote cooperation opportunities in trade and investment, and incentivize Israeli businesses to invest in Vietnam in such fields as industry, high-tech agriculture, IT, green production and industrial infrastructure.

Dien also called on Israel to share its experience and technology in digital economy, digital transformation and energy transition, cited VOV.

The announcement was made at a working session on April 2 between Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and Israeli Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat during the former’s ongoing visit to Israel.

Dien said with the reciprocal economies and growing two-way trade, both nations will greatly benefit from the agreement, whose negotiations lasted seven years with 12 rounds.

He suggested the two sides intensify coordination and delegation exchange to seek and promote cooperation opportunities in trade and investment, and incentivize Israeli businesses to invest in Vietnam in such fields as industry, high-tech agriculture, IT, green production and industrial infrastructure.

Dien also called on Israel to share its experience and technology in digital economy, digital transformation and energy transition.

Vietnam’s tourism promoted at Canada’s Travel and Vacation Show

The Vietnamese Embassy in Canada on April organised activities to promote the images of the Vietnamese country, people, and tourism at the Ottawa Travel and Vacation Show.

The event is among activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Canada. It’s also the first major event that Canada has organised in Ottawa since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than 150 representatives from embassies, international travel agencies, and travel service operators attended the event, which aims to show the importance and value of tourism products and services now, especially after the pandemic.

Visitors to the show are provided with information about more than 60 international destinations and dozens of Canadian attractions, according to VNA.

Tourist buy fruits at Cai Rang floating market in the Mekong Delta province of Can Tho. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam and Canada are witnessing fruitful relations, especially in the economic field, with their two-way trade value reaching 11 billion CAD (8.31 billion USD).

Currently, the two sides maintain people-to-people and economic exchanges through associations and organisations such as the Canada-Vietnam Friendship Association or the Vietnam-Canada Business Association.

Da Nang, China’s Guangxi step up cooperation

The central city of Da Nang and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China share many similarities and have the best possible conditions for broader cooperation via road and sea routes.

Secretary of the Party Committee of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Liu Ning, made the statement while meeting with Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Van Quang on April 2.

The Chinese official hailed Da Nang’s development potential and opportunities, and noted his hope that the two sides will further boost cooperation in seaport services and open maritime tours linking localities of Guangxi and Da Nang, VOV reported.

At the meeting between Secretary of the Da Nang City Party Committee Nguyen Van Quang and Secretary of the Party Committee of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Liu Ning (Photo: VNA)

In response, Quang briefed his guest on the city’s socio-economic development over the past time, and agreed with Liu’s proposals, saying the distance between Da Nang and seaports in Guangxi is favourable to their trade connections.

According to the official, Da Nang has established friendship and cooperation with a number of Chinese localities. In 2017, the Chinese Consulate General was set up in the city, serving as a bridge between Da Nang and Chinese localities and partners.

Between 2016 and 2019, China remained one of the biggest sources of tourists to Da Nang. Last year, the central city welcomed more than 15,000 Chinese visitors, and the number stood at nearly 4,900 in January this year.

Vietnam-Italy Year marking 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties launched

Italy is currently one of Vietnam's leading economic partners in Europe, while Vietnam has become Italy's largest trading partner in ASEAN.

A ceremony to launch the Vietnam-Italy Year 2023 was held in Rome on March 31 evening in celebration of the 50th founding anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations (March 23, 1973-2023), and the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership, cited VNS.

The Vietnam-Italy Year 2023 is launched in Rome on March 31. Photo: VNS

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said that over half a century, Vietnam and Italy had become more and more important partners of each other in all fields, from politics - diplomacy, trade and investment to culture, tourism, and education and training, in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks.

Italy is currently one of Vietnam's leading economic partners in Europe, while Vietnam has become Italy's largest trading partner in ASEAN, according to Hang.

Meanwhile, Italian Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Maria Tripodi affirmed that for Italy, Vietnam is an important interlocutor and an essential partner for balance and sustainable economic development in the Indo-Pacific region.

She expressed her belief that the friendship and solidarity would continue forming a firm foundation for the two countries’ future.

This year, a wide range of activities will be held to mark the anniversaries, including the Vietnamese Film Day at the Asian Film Festival, a fashion show in Bologna/Napoli, a workshop on Vietnam's situation and prospects in Milan, and a photo exhibition featuring the two nations’ solidarity and relations.

Tourism linkage expected to raise visitor numbers

Many southern localities have formed and optimised trans-regional tourism products to promote the attractiveness of both local and regional tourism.

Director of the HCM City Department of Tourism Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa said the southern metropolis has partnered with six regions across the country in tourism development, VNA reported.

A view of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province (Photo: VNA)

They have worked together in tourism promotion, investment attraction and personnel training, contributing to post-COVID-19 tourism recovery, the official said.

A wide range of tours have been launched, linking HCM City with other localities like Tay Ninh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Vinh Long, Tien Giang, Can Tho, Hau Giang, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Long An, Dong Thap, An Giang and Kien Giang.

HCM City welcomed over 34 million visitors last year. The figure stood at more than 5.3 million in the first two months of this year, up nearly 67% year-on-year with revenue of 21.23 trillion VND (903.21 million USD), a rise of about 62% from the same period last year.

Duong Hoang Sum, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Tra Vinh province, said the locality and neighbouring Ben Tre province have joined hands to bring into full play their tourism strengths, offering new experiences to holidaymakers.

Soc Trang province has also coordinated with Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Can Tho, Tien Giang, Bac Lieu and Ca Mau in the connection programmes, aiming to become a festival tourism centre in the Mekong Delta.

Given the fact that the number of international tourists to Vietnam has yet to meet the expectation, localities and businesses have stepped up connectivity, expanded the market and reformed the communications work.

HCM City, for example, has combined tourism with culture, agriculture, trade and services, while coordinating with other cities and provinces to carry out tourism promotion activities abroad.

Master Tran Thanh Thao Uyen from the Dong Thap University pointed to similarities in tourism products and development orientations of Mekong Delta localities as a major obstacle, and suggested them identify focuses in their connectivity.

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