Page 8 - Vietnam

India, Vietnam adopt new action plan to expand strategic partnership

India and Vietnam on Thursday firmed up a new action plan to expand their strategic ties, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that both sides will work towards a free and rules-based Indo-Pacific and that New Delhi supports development and not "expansionism". After his wide-ranging talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Modi said the agreed USD 300 million credit line for Vietnam will strengthen the Southeast Asian nation's maritime security. Chinh arrived in Delhi on Tuesday night on a three-day visit that is aimed at further expanding the comprehensive strategic ties between the two countries. "We have adopted a new plan of action to further strengthen our comprehensive strategic cooperation," Modi said in his media statement in presence of Chinh. Modi said both sides will continue cooperation for a free, open, rules-based and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Vietnam is India's important partner in our Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific vision, he said. "We support

Vietnam PM Pham Minh Chinh pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat

Vietnamese Prime Minister paid his tribute by laying floral wreaths at the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was laid to rest

Rahul meets Vietnamese Ambassador to India, condoles Phu Trong's demise

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday condoled the passing away of Phu Trong, general secretary of Vietnam's ruling Communist Party, and said his decisive leadership helped build a more inclusive society and lifted millions out of poverty. Gandhi on Friday met Vietnamese Ambassador to India Nguyen Thanh Hai and condoled Trong's demise. In a message, Gandhi said, "I extend my condolences to the people of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on the passing of the General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong." "I have been fortunate to visit your beautiful country several times. During my journeys, I was struck by the fortitude of the people of Vietnam. Their ability to overcome adversity has shaped a culture of courage and community. I was moved by their dignified acceptance of their past, and their innate ability to treat everyone with kindness and compassion," he said. Amidst the global turmoil, Vietnam remains a powerful symbol of hope, the former Congress chief ...

Vietnam Communist Party chief's funeral draws thousands of mourners

Thousands of mourners gathered in Hanoi on Friday for the second day of the funeral of the man who dominated Vietnamese politics for over a decade, Communist Party general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. His death, at 80, last week in Hanoi marked the start of a succession struggle within the party that will likely to continue until the all-important National Party Congress of Vietnam's Communist Party in 2026. Trong's coffin, draped in the red and yellow of Vietnam's flag, was laid beneath his smiling portrait and dozens of medals at the National Funeral House in Hanoi on Thursday. All flags in the southeast Asian nation flew at half mast during the two-day period of national mourning, while all sports and entertainment were suspended. He will be buried at Mai Dich cemetery, the final resting place for military heroes and senior party officials, later on Friday. Top Communist Party officials paid tribute, including President To Lam, who took over as caretaker general secretary a day .

After Thailand, Vietnam now plans visa waivers for tourists: Know more

Vietnam aims to attract 18 million international tourists by the end of 2024

Tensions rise in South China Sea as Taiwan rejects Philippines' claims

MOFA said the claims made by the two nations were unacceptable and stressed the sovereign rights of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to its islands in the South China Sea

Vietnam's ruling Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong dies at 80

Vietnam's President To Lam took over Trong's duties on Thursday when the party announced aging leader needed to focus on medical treatment

Chinese EV giant BYD sets sights on aggressive expansion in Vietnam

Vietnam's government said last year BYD had decided to build a factory to manufacture electric cars in the north of the country but those plans have slowed

Vietnam tops list of most affordable countries for expats, India ranks 6th

This year's list sees a strong Asian presence, with six out of the top ten spots dominated by Asian countries

Japan to have a shortage of 1 million foreign workers in 2040: Think tank

Foreign workers are crucial to Japan's economy as they help to fill a severe labour shortage

China deploys aircraft carrier off Philippine coast amid tensions

China has deployed its second aircraft carrier 'Shandong' which was spotted patrolling waters off the Philippine coast as Manila stepped up efforts to assert its claims over a shoal in the disputed South China Sea firmly opposing Beijing's counterclaims. Shandong, an aircraft carrier with a displacement of about 70,000 tonnes, was seen patrolling the waters of the Philippines which serves as a deterrence against "continuous Philippine provocations" on Chinese islands and reefs in the South China Sea, state-run Global Times media reported on Monday. The aircraft carrier is likely on a scheduled exercise that could also prepare it for a potential far sea voyage into the West Pacific, it quoted Chinese experts as saying. Shandong's deployment comes after the People's Liberation Army (PLA) deployed major surface combat ships, including large and medium destroyers as well as the main amphibious landing ship in the South China Sea as the maritime territorial conflict with Manila ...

US-Vietnam trust at an 'all-time high', says US envoy after visiting Hanoi

A senior US diplomat held talks in Vietnam on Saturday and said that the trust between the two countries was at an all-time high, just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to Hanoi. US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink insisted that his trip was unrelated to Putin's visit on Thursday. Vietnam had elevated the United States to its highest diplomatic status, comprehensive strategic partner, last year, putting it at the same level as China and Russia. The elevation of the US ties suggested that Vietnam wanted to hedge its friendships as Western companies look to diversify their supply chains away from China. Kritenbrink was speaking at a briefing for selected media in Hanoi. A recording of the interaction was reviewed by The Associated Press. Putin's trip to Hanoi had triggered a sharp rebuke from the US Embassy in Hanoi, which said that no country should give Putin a platform to promote his war of aggression and ...

S Korean group flies anti-N Korean propaganda leaflets across the border

A South Korea activists' group said Friday it again flew large balloons carrying anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets toward North Korea, adding to a campaign that aggravated animosities between the rivals and prompted a resumption of Cold War-style psychological warfare along their border. The South Korean civilian group, led by North Korean defector Park Sang-hak, said it floated 20 balloons attached with 3,00,000 propaganda leaflets, 5,000 USB sticks with South Korean pop songs and TV dramas, and 3,000 US dollar bills from the South Korean border town of Paju on Thursday night. Pyongyang resents such material and fears it could demoralise front-line troops and residents and eventually weaken leader Kim Jong Un's grip on power, analysts say. After previous leafletting by Park's group and other South Korean activists, North Korean launched more than 1,000 balloons that dropped tons of trash in South Korea, smashing roof tiles and windows and causing other property damage. In ...

Putin inks deals with Vietnam to shore up ties in Asia to offset isolation

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed at least a dozen deals with his Vietnamese counterpart on Thursday and offered to supply fossil fuels, including natural gas, to Vietnam during a state visit that comes as Moscow is seeking to bolster ties in Asia to offset its growing international isolation over its war in Ukraine. Putin and President To Lam agreed to further cooperate in education, science and technology, oil and gas exploration and clean energy. The two countries also agreed to work on a roadmap for a nuclear science and technology centre in Vietnam. Of the 12 publicly announced agreements, none overtly pertained to defense but Lam said there were other deals that were not made public. Putin said the two countries share an interest in developing a reliable security architecture in the Asia-Pacific region with no room for closed military-political blocs. Lam added that both Russia and Vietnam wanted to "further cooperate in defence and security to cope with non-traditional

Putin says Russia keen to partner with Vietnam in energy, security

Russia, a major energy, natural resources and nuclear power, pivoted to Asia after the West imposed sanctions on Moscow for the conflict in Ukraine

Vietnam welcomes Russian Prez Putin, vows to strengthen diplomatic ties

Russian President Vladmir Putin arrived in Vietnam on Thursday, Russian news agency RIA-Novosti reported, for a state visit to strengthen ties with a longtime partner at a time when Moscow is facing growing international isolation because of its war in Ukraine. Putin landed in the Southeast Asian country after concluding his first trip to North Korea in 24 years. There, he and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed an agreement that pledges mutual aid if either country faces aggression, a strategic pact that comes as both face escalating standoffs with the West. Details of the deal were not immediately clear, but it could mark the strongest connection between Moscow and Pyongyang since the end of the Cold War. In Hanoi, the Russian leader is scheduled to meet Vietnam's most powerful politician, Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, the new President To Lam and other politicians. The trip has resulted in a sharp rebuke from the United States Embassy in Hanoi.

China blames Philippines for a ship collision in the South China Sea

A Chinese vessel and a Philippine supply ship collided near the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea on Monday, China's coast guard said, in the latest flare-up of escalating territorial disputes that have sparked alarm. The coast guard said a Philippine supply ship entered waters near the Second Thomas Shoal, a submerged reef in the Spratly Islands that's part of territory claimed by several nations. The Philippine military called the Chinese coast guard's report deceptive and misleading. The Chinese coast guard said in a statement on the social media platform WeChat the Philippine supply ship ignored China's repeated solemn warnings and dangerously approached a Chinese vessel in normal navigation in an unprofessional manner, resulting in a collision. The Philippines is entirely responsible for this, it added. In Manila, the Philippine military said it would not discuss operational details on the legal humanitarian rotation and resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal, which

Russian Prez Putin to visit North Korea, Vietnam; US embassy reacts sternly

No country should give Putin a platform to promote his war of aggression and otherwise allow him to normalise his atrocities, said US embassy in Hanoi

US rebukes Vietnam as Putin set to visit country after repeated invitations

Putin is expected to visit Vietnam on Wednesday and Thursday, after repeated invitations from Vietnamese leaders

Putin to visit North Korea, Vietnam soon to strengthen diplomatic ties

The Kremlin has said Russia wants to build a partnership with North Korea "in all areas" but has yet to confirm the date of the visit