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| Pham Thi Thu Hang, director of the Vietnam – Singapore Board Forum and CEO of the VIETSTAR Training and Consulting Joint Stock Company, delivers a speech at the forum 2024. (Photo: PANO) |
In her opening speech, Pham Thi Thu Hang, VSBF director, noted that net-zero transition is an inevitable and irreversible trend to meet market requirements globally. This process is reshaping the economy, helping to create new markets and at the same time to narrow markets in several industries.
In Vietnam, she said the Government has over the past years introduced many solutions, focusing on perfecting mechanisms and policies, in an effort to meet the net-zero emissions commitment delivered by the Prime Minister at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, in 2022.
Accordingly, the government has issued a decree regulating greenhouse gas emissions mitigation and ozone layer protection; a decision promulgating the list of fields and establishments emitting greenhouse gases subject to greenhouse gas inventories; a decision on tasks and solutions to implement the outcomes of the COP26 Conference; and an action plan to reduce methane emissions until 2030.
However, she admitted, green transformation and greenhouse gas emissions reduction to realize the net-zero commitment is a long way to go, requiring great support and close cooperation of the business community.
In such a context, VSBF focuses on unlocking the challenges and opportunities ahead on economic instability, climate change, energy transition, green businesses, green technology, and green finance, said Hang.
She went on to say that VSBF serves as a place for peer leaders to learn from each other and consider economic trends, business sustainability and environmental factors that impact strategic decisions.
Taking the floor, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Hoang Minh highly appreciated the role of science, technology and innovation in the process towards green transformation.
According to the Deputy Minister, the government has outlined orientations and introduced policies to carrying out the process, including developing and implementing the national science-technology and innovation development strategy; increasing investment and prioritizing resources for the development of science-technology and innovation; and enhancing international cooperation on innovation and technology transfer.
The Ministry of Science and technology will continue to coordinate with relevant ministries, agencies and localities to increase investment and prioritize resources for research, development and application of green technology and high-quality human resources training in the field of green growth, while developing green technology fields such as renewable energy, clean production technology, recycling, and climate change adaptation, he said.
He expressed his belief that with the strong determination of the Government and international assistance, including from Singapore, Vietnam would meet the net-zero emissions commitment in future.
The Vietnam – Singapore Board Forum (VSBF), co-organized by VIETSTAR Training and Consulting Joint Stock Company (Vietnam) and Singapore Management University (SMU), has positioned itself as a pioneer forum in the region on sustainable development.
Since its first edition in 2021, VSBF has made its imprint and become a prestigious regional forum where leaders from Vietnam, Singapore and worldwide share experiences and initiatives on energy transition; green business building opportunities; sustainability integration into the core of business strategy; best corporate governance practices; and acceleration of green transition through finance.
Son Doong cave among top 7 most beautiful underground attractions
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| A scene of Son Doong Cave in Quang Binh province (Photo: VNA) |
The South China Morning Post (SCMP) of Hong Kong (China) has recently honoured Son Doong cave in Vietnam's central province of Quang Binh as one of the seven most beautiful underground attractions in the world, reported Vietnam News Agency.
The SCMPs article looks back at the journey to discover the world's largest cave of a local farmer named Ho Khanh.
During a jungle expedition in 1991, Khanh stumbled upon the cave entrance. However, the sound of rushing water and strong gusts of wind deterred him from venturing further inside. On subsequent attempts, he was unable to remember the location of the "mysterious" cave.
In 2007, Khanh joined a royal expedition team of the UK in their search of new caves in Phong Nha – Ke Bang, and he guided them to search for the cave but they could not find it. In 2008, Khanh finally found the cave entrance and contacted the UK expedition team. Upon measurement, explorers confirmed that the cave was 5km long.
In addition to its underground river systems, thriving jungle ecosystem, 400-million-year-old fossils, and spectacular geological formations, Son Doong cave is home to several species of plants and animals that exist nowhere else on earth.
In 2018, a team of UK cave experts discovered that Son Doong cave is at least 30% larger and much deeper than previously reported.
In addition to Vietnam's Son Doong cave, the list of the seven most beautiful underground attractions in the world includes Tham Luang cave (Thailand), the Paris Catacombs (France), the Cold War Tunnel (Albania), the Reed Flute Cave (China), Malinta Tunnel (the Philippines), and the National Coal Mining Museum of the UK.
Thai Binh seeks Belgian investment, partnerships
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| At a conference promoting Thai Binh province's trade and investment climate in Brussels on May 23. (Photo: VNA) |
A conference promoting the trade and investment climate of the northern province of Thai Binh, one of Vietnam's major hubs for ago-fishery exports, took place at the Vietnamese Embassy in Brussels, Belgium, on May 23, reported Vietnam News Agency.
Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Van Thao, who is also the head of the Vietnamese delegation to the European Union (EU), talked about significant opportunities for Thai Binh to collaborate with Belgian partners in green energy – one of the province’s priority areas for investment attraction.
He noted that in December 2022, Vietnam became the third country in the world to endorse the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) with G7 countries and the EU, Denmark, and Norway.
Permanent Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Council Dang Thanh Giang said that last year the province achieved an annual GDP growth rate of 7.37%, attracting over 3 billion USD in foreign investment and posting 2.6 billion USD in export turnover.
The leader affirmed that Thai Binh looks for comprehensive and multisectoral cooperation with Belgian partners, highlighting trade, high-tech agriculture, new energy, renewable energy, climate change response, services, logistics, manufacturing industries, education, human resources, healthcare, and cultural exchange.
Chairman of the provincial People's Council Nguyen Tien Thanh pledged to accompany and create the most favourable conditions for the investment and operation of foreign investors, including those from Belgium, in the locality.
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| Chairman of the provincial People's Council Nguyen Tien Thanh speaks at the event (Photo: VNA) |
Secretary-General of the Belgian Vietnamese Alliance (BVA) Duong Minh Tri stated that the BVA is ready to act as a bridge connecting Belgian enterprises with their partners in Thai Binh for the development of effective investment projects conducive to the local economic growth.
At the conference, businessmen of both sides exchanged information about their potential and cooperation needs, sought partnerships, and shared experiences for operating in the two markets.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency, Chrysoline Monnier from Hub.Brussels affirmed the Brussels investment and export promotion agency’s commitment to supporting Belgian enterprises in seeking investment and cooperation chances in Thai Binh. A delegation of Belgian enterprises will soon make a business trip to Vietnam to explore the market, with Thai Binh a likely destination.
While in Belgium, Thai Binh leaders also held working sessions with investment and trade agencies from three regions of Brussels, Wallonia, and Flanders.
Vietnam Airlines increases flights on Da Nang - Da Lat route
The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines will increase flights between Da Nang and Da Lat to meet the increasing travel demand of passengers, contributing to stimulating tourism in the central region and Central Highlands.
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| Photo for illustration. (Photo: VNA) |
Accordingly, Vietnam Airlines will operate three flights per week on the route between Da Nang and Da Lat, on every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The flight from Da Nang will depart at 3:30 p.m. and from Da Lat will fly at 5:25 p.m. All flights will be operated by Airbus A321 aircraft.
Da Lat, with its special geographical location and mild climate, has long been an attractive destination for domestic and foreign tourists. In 2024, Da Lat plans to organize many major events such as the 3rd Golden Week of Tourism in May and June and the 10th Da Lat Flower Festival in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Effective air connectivity also aims to support socio-economic development in the Central Highlands region, making Da Lat an important trade and tourism center, thereby positively contributing to sustainable development of the area.
Vietnam Airlines’ leadership is committed to continuing to expand its flight network and to improve service quality and to better serve the needs of passengers, accompanying the development of provinces and cities across the country./.