Vietnam-Japan trade and culture exchange opens in Can Tho

Delegates attend the Vietnam-Japan 2023 Trade and Cultural Exchange in Can Tho City on June 17. Photo: Hong Tham/The Hanoi Times

Cantho, a first-tier city, and the Consulate General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City hosted the Vietnam-Japan 2023 Trade and Cultural Exchange on June 17 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations. The exchange also aimed to strengthen Cantho's decentralization relations with Japanese localities.

The exchange featured a series of cultural activities, including an exhibition of traditional costumes and paintings, a cosplay competition, and about 70 businesses showcasing their outstanding products and services.

Vietnam calls for easing of maritime tensions

Dang Hoang Giang, Vietnam's Ambassador to the United Nations, has called on all relevant countries to exercise restraint and avoid activities that could escalate tensions in the East Sea (South China Sea).

Addressing the 33rd Meeting of States Parties to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Giang reiterated Vietnam's commitment to resolving disputes through peaceful means following international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which provides a basis for cooperation and action by nations, regions and the global community in maritime affairs.

Vietnamese students triumph in Chemistry Olympiad

Vietnam won eight medals, including four gold and four silver, and took first place at the first Abu Reikhan Beruniy International Chemistry Olympiad, the Ministry of Education and Training announced. The competition, organized by the Ministry of Preschool and School Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan for students under 18, will be held every two years from now on.

In its first edition in 2023, the contest involved the participation of 15 countries, including Vietnam, Russia, Uzbekistan, Brazil, India, and Turkey.

Latvian man arrested for usury

Ho Chi Minh City police on June 17 announced the arrest of 37-year-old Latvian Aigars Plivčs and his accomplices for running a usury ring. They were accused of setting up three Vietnamese companies and offering loans with interest rates ranging from 153% to 1,379% per annum to borrowers without illegal contracts, 20-68 times higher than the limits set by Vietnamese law.

The Latvian and his cronies reportedly profited from VND4.1 trillion ($174.2 million) by lending a total of VND6 trillion ($254.5 million).

Second terminal opened at Phu Bai International Airport

The Airports Corporation of Vietnam inaugurated the second terminal of Phu Bai International Airport in the central province of Thua Thien Hue on June 17. The project, which began work in 2019 with a total investment of VND2.3 trillion (US$97.75 million), will handle five million passengers per year. It is the first terminal to feature technologies that allow passengers to complete check-in procedures independently.

JICA supports Vietnam's sustainable water supply system

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed a cooperation agreement with the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training on a project to develop a sustainable water supply system. The project is expected to help Vietnam solve problems related to pollutants from domestic and industrial wastewater.

The five-year project will focus on the research and development of a new water treatment technology using advanced nanofiltration membranes. The technology will be energy and chemical efficient and will not require pre-treatment.

Vietnam buys more fertilizers from Russia in May

Vietnam imported 35,800 tons of fertilizers worth US$17.5 million from Russia in May. The figures were up 705 percent in volume and 476 % in value year-on-year. In January-May, total Russian fertilizer exports to Vietnam amounted to 66,000 tons, worth US$32.2 million. 

Russia was the second largest fertilizer exporter to Vietnam last year, accounting for 11.9% of the country's fertilizer imports.

In May alone, Vietnam purchased more than 386,800 tons of fertilizers from foreign partners, valued at US$122.8 million. For the five months, the nation purchased 1.29 million tons of fertilizer valued at US$485.3 million.