Vietnamese Embassy in Russia steps up ‘vaccine diplomacy’
The Vietnamese Embassy in Russia has been making active moves to boost “vaccine diplomacy” to assist the battle against COVID-19 in the homeland, Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi said.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi (Photo: VNA)
Moscow (VNA) – TheVietnamese Embassy in Russia has been making active moves to boost “vaccinediplomacy” to assist the battle against COVID-19 in the homeland, AmbassadorDang Minh Khoi said.
Khoi told the Vietnam NewsAgency that facing complex developments of the pandemic, the embassy set up aspecial working group for enhancing cooperation with Russia in COVID-19prevention and control, as well as seeking sources of vaccine, drug, andmedical supplies.
This group is tasked withlearning Russia’s experience in the COVID-19 fight, assessing the pandemic situation,and seeking medicine and vaccine sources to work with relevant agencies in thehomeland to purchase.
There are two Vietnamesecompanies designated to provide COVID-19 vaccine from Russia for domestic use. Vabiotechhas received technology transferred from Russia to bottle Sputnik V in Vietnamwhile T&T has been assigned to buy 40 million doses of this vaccine.
The first batch of Sputnik Vis expected to be bottled in August and early September, according to theambassador.
Russia is ready to cooperatewith Vietnam, but there are also certain objective difficulties, he said,pointing out that Russia is stepping up vaccination nationwide, and it has alsosigned contracts with many countries and partners around the world since theyear’s beginning.
It’s now the peak time forvaccine delivery, so it is not until September that Vietnam can receive the firstbatch of vaccine from Russia, Khoi noted.
The diplomat said “vaccinediplomacy” is a new definition, but Vietnamese people in Russia form a big andunited community that has deep understanding of the host nation and goodrelations with many local ministries, sectors, agencies and businesses, thus greatlyhelping the embassy find partners and drug and vaccine sources.
In addition, many Vietnamesestudents working at hospitals in Russia have also shared anti-pandemic experiencewith the embassy to report to domestic agencies, he added./.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son chaired the first meeting of the Government’s freshly established working group on COVID-19 vaccine diplomacy in Hanoi on August 16.
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, who heads the Working Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Diplomacy, has stressed the group's resolve to promote vaccine diplomacy for the country's fastest access to COVID-19 vaccines and medical equipment and drugs to treat the disease.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on August 18 sent a letter to President of the European Council Charles Michel suggesting the European Union (EU) share COVID-19 vaccines to Vietnam, in an effort to step up the vaccine diplomacy strategy.
CEO of AstraZeneca Pascal Soriot has pledged to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to Vietnam on schedule as well as increase vaccine supplies to the country this month.
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.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi (Photo: VNA) 
