Japan helps to promote financial services for Vietnamese women
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Vietnam Office and the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) signed a record of discussions for the “project of promoting gender responsive financial inclusion through the Vietnam Women’s Union” in Hanoi on November 28.
Delegates from JICA Vietnam and Vietnam Women’s Union at the signing ceremony in Hanoi on November 28. (Photo courtesy of JICA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)Vietnam Office and the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) signed a record ofdiscussions for the “project of promoting gender responsive financial inclusionthrough the Vietnam Women’s Union” in Hanoi on November 28.
The technical cooperation project is expected to be implemented from March 2019to March 2021. It aims at improving VWU’s capacity to promote development anddelivery of financial and non-financial services responding to the needs oflocal women.
Under the project, JICA and VWU will work together to provide training tofinancial service providers such as microfinance organisations and commercialbanks on the basis of gender-responsive financial inclusion and good practicesfrom other countries.
At the same time, the project will support selected financial service providersto develop new products which respond to the diversified needs of women atdifferent stages of life.
Lessons learnt and hands-on experiences from the project will be shared withVietnamese policymakers as references for advocacy in promoting financialinclusion.
In Vietnam, only 31 percent of adults have bank accounts. As few as 14 percentof adults have savings deposits at a financial institution and 21 percentborrowed money from formal financial institutions.
Although the majority of customers of microfinance services are women, thetypes of financial products available to them are quite limited.
International experiences have shown women’s financial inclusion generatesbenefits for society in addition to improvements in the wellbeing of women.
To encourage financial service providers to offer women-friendly products, anenabling policy environment is necessary and thus gender-responsiveness needsto be integrated into national financial inclusion policy.
To address these issues, in 2016, the Government of Vietnam asked theGovernment of Japan for technical cooperation to promote gender responsivefinancial inclusion.
For JICA, promoting gender equality and empowerment of women is crucial toachieve the “inclusive development” goal. - VNA
A forum was held by the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) in Hanoi on November 15 to discuss trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam and Japan.
An exchange between medical students of Vietnam and Japan was held in Hanoi on November 23, aiming to further enhance medical cooperation and academic exchange between the two countries.
Leading Vietnamese and Japanese experts and scientists shared knowledge and experience in medical research, biology and technology at a symposium held at Hanoi Medical University on November 24.
Vietnamese Consul General in Fukuoka Vu Chi Mai highlighted the growing demand for Vietnamese workers in Kyushu, especially in Fukuoka, Oita, and Saga prefectures. Currently, the region employs about 35,000 Vietnamese manual workers and over 5,000 IT engineers.
In Vietnam’s case, she said, President Ho Chi Minh demonstrated his strategic vision by founding the revolutionary press a century ago. The late leader understood the press's role not only as a means to reflect the country’s realities but also as a powerful tool to strengthen national unity and inspire the resistance wars and national construction process.
In recent interviews granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporters in Mexico, prominent figures reflected on the press’s legacy and its global influence.
VietnamPlus e-newspaper of the VNA clinched an A prize in the “Outstanding Press Product” category for its immersive 3D multimedia project, “Epic of Reunification,” a groundbreaking blend of storytelling and technology. The VNA won another A prize for its eye-catching exhibition booth.
Today, the press for foreign service has evolved into a distinct, irreplaceable force, bridging Vietnam with the world and portraying a nation that is stable, peace-loving, and fully integrated into the international community.
At a review conference held on June 21, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh praised the province’s scientific, coordinated, and flexible approach. He noted that the early completion reflects the strong commitment of local authorities, the business community, philanthropists, and residents in improving housing conditions for disadvantaged groups.
The VNA delegation, led by General Director Vu Viet Trang, actively participated in the event, engaging in both professional and diplomatic activities.
In the context where AI dominates and produces vast volumes of content, the only sustainable path forward for journalism is to focus on high-quality content and core values. Journalism must redefine its mission - not to report the fastest, but to provide the most profound and trustworthy value.
Granma and the VNA have great potential for cooperation, especially in sharing content regularly, so that VNA products are published on Granma platforms and vice versa, thereby helping Cuban and Vietnamese people access true information and gain a deep understanding of each other's country and people.
During his stay in China’s Guangzhou city from 1924 to 1927 to prepare for the establishment of a Communist Party to lead Vietnam’s revolution, President Ho Chi Minh founded “Thanh nien” newspaper and released its first issue on June 21, 1925.
Vietnam and Cambodia are hoped to strengthen their robust collaboration across various sectors, particularly in resolving remaining border issues to transform the border area into a zone of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.
The strategic product, managed and operated by the Vietnam News Agency Digital Media Centre (VNA Media), is an official channel for popularising the Party and State’s information and documents as well as delivering mainstream and trustworthy news to both domestic and international audiences through various kinds of multimedia formats.
Since President Ho Chi Minh founded Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has become the voice of the people. During the resistance war against the colonialists, journalists took great personal risks to inspire patriotism and the will of rising up against foreign invaders.
The total investment exceeded 319 billion VND (12.2 million USD), including over 261 billion VND from the state budget and 57.5 billion VND mobilised from businesses, organisations, and individuals.
The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang is intensifying efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as part of the country’s goal of having the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning lifted.
Throughout its 80-year history, the VNA has remained at the forefront of information dissemination. It has consistently delivered timely, accurate, and objective reports on both domestic and international events, serving the Party’s leadership, the State’s management, and the public’s demand for official news.
With strong support from local authorities, businesses, organisations, and residents, the province has successfully built or repaired 10,707 homes for disadvantaged households, including war veterans, families of martyrs, ethnic minority people, and low-income residents.
Throughout its resistance against colonialists and imperialists, Vietnam developed a revolutionary press that has served as a benchmark for just and legitimate causes worldwide.
Founded in 1842, the Vienna Philharmonic is regarded as a cultural ambassador of Austria, with prestigious conductors like Mahler and Karajan who shape its legacy. Its New Year’s Concert, broadcast to over 90 countries annually, stands as a global symbol of classical music excellence.
Delegates from JICA Vietnam and Vietnam Women’s Union at the signing ceremony in Hanoi on November 28. (Photo courtesy of JICA) 
