Việt Nam proposes postponing 36th ASEAN Summit and related meetings.

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc on Thursday wrote to leaders of ASEAN countries and New Zealand proposing the 36th ASEAN Summit, the ASEAN-New Zealand Summit and related meetings, initially scheduled for April 8-9 in Việt Nam’s Đà Nẵng City, be postponed until the end of June.

In his letter, PM Phúc said Việt Nam has basically completed organisational work for the events, but the postponement is necessary due to the COVID-19 pandemic spreading in the region and the world. 

The Vietnamese Government leader expressed thanks to the countries for working together with Việt Nam to promote the building of a cohesive and responsive ASEAN Community. 

He said with resolve and joint efforts, solidarity and mutual compassion, the ASEAN Community will stand firm in the face of challenges, ensure a peaceful life for its people and prosperous development of its member countries. 

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyễn Quốc Dũng handed over the PM’s letter to the Ambassadors of ASEAN countries and New Zealand at a meeting in Hà Nội on Thursday.

The Deputy FM called on ASEAN countries to push ahead with efforts to maintain co-operation and connection, and promote the spirit of a cohesive and responsive ASEAN Community in the current difficult period under the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He asked ASEAN member states to continue to co-ordinate closely to mitigate the pandemic’s negative effects on the process of building the ASEAN Community as well as on socio-economic situations in member countries. 

He informed the ambassadors on measures that Việt Nam, as ASEAN Chair this year, will actively promote in the future in order to keep the pace of ASEAN working plans and bolster co-operation in preventing and controlling the pandemic. 

Representatives from the Foreign Ministry’s Consular Department informed the ASEAN embassies about Việt Nam’s measures to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ambassadors of ASEAN countries praised Việt Nam’s preparations for the events and its effective response to the pandemic. They expressed support of the decision of the ASEAN Chair and pledged to continue working closely with Việt Nam to prepare for the 36th ASEAN Summit.

Destination Highlights

F1 Vietnam Grand Prix 2020 postponed

 

The Formula One VinFast Vietnam Grand Prix 2020 will be put on hold due to the complicated developments of the COVID-19 outbreak, announced organisers on March 13.

“This is a tough decision as 2020 is the year Vietnam became one of the 22 official hosts of the F1 race,” the organisers said.
The race, initially slated for April 3-5 in Hanoi, was expected to attract some 300,000 visitors and promote Vietnam’s tourism.

The postponement was made after several discussions and thorough consideration of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), Formula One World Championship Ltd (F1), the Hanoi People’s Committee, and the Vietnam Motorsports Association (VMA), with a consensus from the Vietnam Grand Prix company (VGPC).

They will continue close their collaboration and keep a close watch on the COVID-19 to decide on a new date that will be safer and more suitable for the grand prix to take place and will make an official announcement to the public.

 

PM okays submission of Dong Ho folk paintings dossier to UNESCO

 

 

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism was assigned to sign the dossier as regulated.

 

Meanwhile, the Vietnam National UNESCO Commission will coordinate with the ministry to complete all necessary procedures to send the dossier to UNESCO before the end of this month.

Dong Ho village, formerly named Mai village, in Song Ho commune of Thuan Thanh district, northern Bac Ninh province, is known as the cradle of one of the most famous folk painting genres of Vietnam.

 

The paintings vividly reflect the traditional agricultural society, along with the life and practices of rural Vietnamese people.

In the past, there were 17 clans in Dong Ho village engaging in the trade. After 1945, folk painting genres like Dong Ho, Hang Trong and Kim Hoang gradually fell into oblivion. In 1990, some local artisans began collecting old paintings and woodblocks in an effort to revive the Dong Ho painting genre.

 

At present, making Dong Ho folk paintings has been recovered and has its values upheld in the contemporary life. It was recognised as part of the national intangible cultural heritage in 2013.

 

Travel Updates

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