Vietnamplus

In late autumn and early winter, the Long Coc tea hills in northern Vietnam are blanketed by fog and turn into a photographers’ delight.

To align Vietnam's coffee, fruit and vegetable industries with international standards on responsible business practices and sustainable growth, the sectors have agreed to abide by a unifying Code of Conduct (CoC) on how they operate. The move was announced at a virtual workshop on October 27.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested boosting the ASEAN-US strategic partnership in all three aspects of security, socio-economic recovery and sustainable, inclusive development, while addressing the 9th ASEAN-US Summit that was held via videoconference on October 26.

Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn said Cambodia welcomes the resumption of negotiations on a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea (called the East Sea in Vietnam) as it reflects the commitment of ASEAN and China to maintain regional stability by managing differences as per international law.

Vietnam welcomes a proposal to upgrade the ASEAN-China relationship, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said at the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held via videoconference on August 3 as part of the 54th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-54) and Related Meetings.

The 18th dialogue between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Canada took place virtually on July 13, focusing on sketching out orientations for cooperation between the two sides, discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, and preparing for the ASEAN-Canada Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in this August.

Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Phan Van Giang highlighted the importance of the ASEAN – China cooperation to peace and stability in the region while addressing the ASEAN – China Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting held virtually on June 15.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has urged ASEAN and China to soon resume talks on a code of conduct in the East Sea (COC), which can serve as a guide for countries to behave in the sea.

Ambassador Nguyen Hai Bang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to ASEAN, attended the East Asia Summit (EAS) Ambassadors' Meeting in Jakarta (EAMJ) in 2021 which took place virtually on June 7.

The 19th ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) on the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) was held in China’s Chongqing city on June 7, in the framework of the special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

Vietnam requests parties concerned to respect its sovereignty and international law and abide by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang has said.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung and Mark Sinclair, Acting Deputy Secretary for the Americas and Asia Group at New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, co-chaired the 12th Vietnam-New Zealand Political Consultation via videoconference on May 13.

As host of the 2021 National Tourism Year, with the theme “Hoa Lu - Thousand-year-old Capital”, the northern province of Ninh Binh will work to promote itself as an attractive and safe destination for tourists.

Some 90km south of Hanoi, Ninh Binh province boasts many famous destinations, including Trang An Landscape Complex, a UNESCO-recognised heritage site; Tam Coc, nicknamed “Ha Long Bay on Land”; Cuc Phuong National Park; Van Long Wetlands Nature Reserve; and Phat Diem Stone Cathedral.

The 33rd ASEAN-Australia Forum took place via videoconference on March 17, during which Deputy Secretary of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Justin Hayhurst reiterated the nation’s commitment to increasing cooperation with the bloc.

China is ready to work with ASEAN to build an even closer community with a shared future, and open up another three decades of even greater cooperation, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at a press conference on the nation’s foreign policy and external relations.

Coc Coc browser and search engine developed by the Hanoi-based technology company of the same name has attracted 25 million users, becoming the second largest in the Vietnamese market.

Singaporean Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen congratulated Vietnam, the ASEAN 2020 Chair, on successful organisation of the 14th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM), and the 7th ADMM Plus.

Vietnam demands that China respect Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said at the Foreign Ministry’s regular press conference on December 3.

The 12th South China Sea International Conference, with the theme “Maintaining Peace and Cooperation through a Time of Turbulence”, kicked off on November 16 in both the in-person and online formats.