Dong Nai and Vila Nova de Gaia of Portugal signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in key areas including culture, tourism promotion, economic and trade exchange, urban refurbishment, and heritage preservation.
Representatives of Dong Nai province and Vila Nova de Gaia city of Portugal sign a memorandum of understanding. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – A delegation from Vietnam’s southern province of Dong Nai, led by Permanent Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Ho Thanh Son, is on a working visit to Vila Nova de Gaia city of Portugal, from May 11 to 15.
As part of the visit, Dong Nai and Vila Nova de Gaia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in key areas including culture, tourism promotion, economic and trade exchange, urban refurbishment, and heritage preservation.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai People’s Committee Nguyen Son Hung emphasised the significance of the agreement, calling it a promising start for a cooperative relationship between the two localities.
He highlighted opportunities for collaboration in economy, culture, and people-to-people exchanges through concrete programmes and projects, and reaffirmed Dong Nai’s commitment to creating favourable conditions for practical and effective partnerships that benefit both sides' residents and businesses.
Eduardo Vítor Rodrigues, President of the city council and Mayor of Vila Nova de Gaia, underlined his city’s strengths and the strong potential for joint initiatives with Dong Nai in economy, culture, and tourism. He expressed confidence that this partnership would further enhance the growing relationship between Vietnam and Portugal.
Leaders of the two localities pose for a group photo at Vila Nova de Gaia City Hall. (Photo: VNA)
During the trip, the delegation also met with Vietnam’s diplomatic mission in Portugal to discuss ways to foster cooperation in trade, investment, culture, sports, and tourism between Dong Nai and various Portuguese localities.
They also had a meeting with the recently established Portugal–Vietnam Friendship Association (AAPV), which comprises prominent Portuguese individuals who have actively supported bilateral ties. Notable members include Henrique Calisto, former head coach of the Vietnamese men's national football team, and lawyer Jose Pedro Viera, who is also the association’s president.
On this occasion, the delegation visited key cultural and economic facilities in Vila Nova de Gaia, including urban planning firm Gaiurb, water utility Aguas de Gaia, and a local bus manufacturing and assembly company, to learn about the city’s socio-economic development and management models./.
At the event, businesses raised concerns related to value-added tax refunds, increased land rental costs, reduced LNG supply, labour shortages, the issuance of construction ownership certificates, and environmental hygiene and traffic safety on roads within industrial zones.
Located along the Dong Nai River, the 293-hectare Hiep Hoa Urban Area project in Bien Hoa city, Dong Nai province will feature a new urban complex with a low population density, modern infrastructure, and a harmony with nature. The development will also focus on sustainable tourism, offering a mix of residential areas, commercial-service housing for tourism, ecological villas, and public services.
The People's Committee of the southern province of Dong Nai, in collaboration with Viet Phat Group JSC, on January 10 began work on an office leasing and commercial centre in Hiep Hoa ward, Bien Hoa city, with a total investment of over 6 trillion VND (236.4 million USD), making it one of the largest commercial centre projects in Vietnam.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
