I. ANNOUNCEMENT

The Viet Nam-Cuba Deputy-Ministerial-level Political Consultation

The Viet Nam-Cuba Deputy-Ministerial-level Political Consultation will take place on 02 March 2021 (in Hanoi time) via videoconference. Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son will lead the Vietnamese delegation, and First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcelino Medina González will lead the Cuban delegation.

This is the 6th political consultation to review and evaluate areas of cooperation between the two countries and Foreign Ministries, and discuss concrete measures to further bolster the friendship and collaboration between Viet Nam and Cuba.

Apart from bilateral cooperation, tentatively, the two sides will discuss in depth the situation of both countries, international and regional issues of common interest, and further cooperation and mutual support at international organizations and multilateral forums to which Viet Nam and Cuba are parties.

II. QUESTIONS

1. Sputnik: After the COVID-19 vaccine has been imported into Viet Nam, does the Vietnamese Government plan to provide vaccine injections for foreign nationals?

As reported by the press, the Prime Minister has assigned the Office of the Government and the Ministry of Health to promptly submit the Resolution on vaccine injection for prioritized groups.

At the meeting between Standing members of the Government and Standing members of the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 prevention on 24 February, the Ministry of Health made a proposal on prioritized groups for vaccine injection being those at the frontline in the fight against the pandemic. These groups include healthcare workers, officials partaking in pandemic prevention (steering committees at all levels, officials in quarantine areas, journalists, etc.), diplomatic officials, custom officials, officials in charge of entries and exits, military personnel, police officers, teachers, people over the age of 65, providers of essential services in aviation, transportation and tourism, electricity and water suppliers, people with chronic diseases, people in need of travel overseas for work or study, people from pandemic clusters (areas) in accordance with epidemiological directives, and other subjects as per the regulations of the Government.

These are the initial proposals of the Ministry of Health. Thus, we need to wait for the final decision from the Prime Minister, and the Government’s Resolution.

2. Sputnik: On 09 February, AFP cited the words of Madam Florence Parly, French Minister of the Armed Forces, that France has deployed the SNA Emeraude nuclear attack submarine to patrol through the South China Sea, accompanied by the BSAM Seine support ship. Can you comment on this information?

The maintenance of peace, stability, order, security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight, and rule-of-law, and the respect for sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction of countries in the South China Sea in accordance with the 1982 UNCLOS are common goals, interests, obligations and aspirations of all countries and the international community at large.

Activities of countries in the South China Sea must contribute to this goal.

3. Sputnik: At present, does Viet Nam consider purchasing Russian-manufactured vaccines? If Viet Nam does, what type?

At the directive of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Health has worked with medical corporations to negotiate with global vaccine manufacturers and suppliers, including COVAX Facility, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Russia’s Sputnik V, to provide Vietnamese citizens with vaccines as soon as possible.

On 24 February, the first batch of 117,600 doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine has arrived in Viet Nam. In addition, Viet Nam is focusing our resources on domestic vaccine research and manufacturing. At present, vaccine research and trial have made progress as per schedule. The Ministry of Health also states that Viet Nam wishes to gain access to high-quality and affordable vaccine sources, in line with storge conditions in Viet Nam. 

4. Zing: Can you provide more information of possible losses among Vietnamese citizens in Texas? Is there any concrete number recorded by our Embassy?

According to Viet Nam’s Consulate General in Houston, the snow storm and record-low temperatures have affected over 29 million people in the state of Texas. The majority of families of over 300,000 people of Vietnamese origin currently residing and working in Texas were affected, with power outages, lack of water, and difficulties in accessing essential goods. According to official information from local authorities, there were 04 casualties in a family of Vietnamese-Americans, as the fire they used to stay warm caused their house to burn down.

The Vietnamese Consulate General in Houston has actively got in touch with contact points, be they overseas Vietnamese nationals or students, to grasp the situation and encourage our people, and has made donations and financial assistance to help them maintain their daily activities. At the directive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Consulate General has also worked with local authorities to continue monitoring the situation, assigning officials on duty 24/7 to implement citizen protection measures in necessary circumstances. 

Should you need assistance, or have information on Vietnamese citizens in need, please make contact via the Citizen Protection Hotline of the Vietnamese Embassy in the US, via the Citizen Protection Hotline of the Vietnamese Consulate General in Houston, or via the Citizen Protection Operation System at +84-981-848-484./.

5. Zing: Please provide more information on the situation of Vietnamese nationals in Cambodia in the latest COVID-19 outbreak? How many people there were infected?

According to the information from the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia, by the morning of 25 February 2021, the Cambodian Ministry of Health announced that there are 195 new COVID-19 cases, including 13 Vietnamese citizens.

Following the direction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnamese diplomatic missions in Cambodia have contacted local authorities and relevant agencies to verify the information and request proper attention and treatment for Vietnamese patients, to ensure their legitimate rights and interests. Accordingly, after being tested positive, all patients are quarantined and hospitalized, and have been provided with active treatment at medical facilities and hospital according to the direction of the Cambodian Ministry of Health in Phnom Penh and Kandal province. The health of all patients remains stable.

Amid the recent evolution of the pandemic in Cambodia, our diplomatic missions in Cambodia also got in touch with contact points within the Vietnamese community in Cambodia and the Khmer – Viet Nam Association in Cambodia to timely receive updates on the pandemic, raise awareness, and request Vietnamese citizens and businesses residing and working in Cambodia to strictly adhere to local pandemic prevention measures.

Should you need assistance, or have information on Vietnamese citizens in need, please make contact via the Citizen Protection Hotline of the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia at +85-597-702-0561, or via the hotline of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at +84-981-848-484./.

6. Zing: According to NIKKEI Asia, the Biden administration is working to arrange a foreign-ministerial meeting with ASEAN countries to discuss the issue of Myanmar. When with this meeting take place, and under which format?

ASEAN always attaches importance to its Strategic Partnership with the US. The Press Release by the Chairman of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (AMMR) in January 2021 emphasized the aspiration to work with the US’ new administration, contributing to peace, stability, security and prosperity in the region. To this end, ASEAN members and the US will maintain discussions and exchanges at all levels and under diverse formats.

7. Zing: What is your comment on the UK Embassy’s recent warnings to their citizens that the number of attacks on foreigners have increased significantly in Hanoi? Has the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received any official document from the diplomatic mission on this matter?

Regarding this issue, the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has discussed with the UK Embassy in Viet Nam to clarify the content of the Embassy’s notice. The Ministry has also worked with domestic relevant authorities to verify the information and coordinate in addressing the cases mentioned by the UK side.

Viet Nam always attaches great importance to ensuring security, social order and safety for all Vietnamese and foreign citizens who are residing and working in Viet Nam. We pledge to identify and strictly punish violations of the law.

8. CNA: To our knowledge, the first batch of vaccines that Viet Nam purchased has arrived in Tan Son Nhat International Airport on 23 February, with the ROK’s Korean Air in charge of the shipment. My question to the Vietnamese Government is that why is the shipment of vaccines conducted by an ROK’s airline? Will an ROK’s airline be in charge of future shipments as well? Or is this because the ROK was delegated by AstraZeneca to manufacture this batch to sell to Viet Nam?

To my knowledge, this is the agreement between vaccine providers and manufacturers. On our part, we will just receive the vaccines in Viet Nam.

9. Phoenix: At present, a number of ASEAN members, such as Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia have placed orders for China’s COVID-19 vaccines. Does Viet Nam plan to buy vaccines from China? If so, how is the negotiation going?

Apart from the aforementioned sources, to my knowledge, Viet Nam is also negotiating with other vaccine manufacturers around the world to meet domestic demands.

10. Phoenix:  Since the outbreak of a new COVID-19 wave in Viet Nam, there have been constant report of illegal entries and exits along the Viet Nam – China border. What measures have competent authorities from both countries taken to prevent such incidents?

Given the recent illegal entries (of foreign nationals) into Viet Nam, the Prime Minister has directed the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, and the People’s Committees of border provinces to bolster inspection and monitoring to prevent illegal entries, review entries and exits management across borders, routes, major cities and a number of Central provinces, and strictly punish agencies and individuals who violate the law or assist foreign nationals to illegally enter Viet Nam.

However, in the spirit of humanism, the Vietnamese Government has directed competent authorities to work with our medical service to provide testing and implement appropriate pandemic prevention measures for foreigners having illegally entered Viet Nam. Such measures include quarantine or treatment (if necessary), strictly upholding our pandemic prevention guidelines.

Moreover, Vietnamese competent authorities are also actively working with foreign authorities, particularly those in countries sharing a border with Viet Nam, including China, to devise better measures to manage and prevent illegal entries.

At the 7th Meeting on Crime Prevention between the Ministries of Public Security of Viet Nam and China on 19 February, both sides reached a consensus on this matter.

11. The World and Viet Nam Report: What’s Viet Nam’s view on the new Director General of World Trade Organization?

Viet Nam congratulates Doctor Ngozi Okonjo – Iweala on becoming the new Director General of the WTO. With the experience and knowledge in finance and trade, the new Director General will certainly succeed in leading the WTO, contributing actively to the global trade system.

 As a responsible member of the WTO, Viet Nam fully supports the open, transparent and rules-based multilateral system, where the WTO’s central role is upheld. Viet Nam shall work closely with the new Director General of the WTO and other members to contribute actively to its activities and bolster the effectiveness of its reforms.

12. Tiền Phong: There’s information that China is going to build a 2nd surface-to-air missile base in Yunnan Province. Can you comment on whether Viet Nam has verified this information, and Viet Nam’s position on this matter?

Viet Nam’s position is that the defense policy of all countries should actively and substantively contribute to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

13. Tri thức trẻ: There’s information that in the morning of February 24, the China Coast Guard 5304 approached the Hải Thạch platform, under Viet Nam’s Block 5-02, according to AIS (Automatic Identification System) signal. Can you provide verification and comment on this information?

Vietnamese competent authorities always closely follow developments in the South China Sea, and safeguard and exercise national sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over Vietnamese waters in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

Activities of countries in the South China Sea must adhere to relevant regulations of international law, with respect for sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction of littoral countries as designated in the UNCLOS, contributing to peace, stability and cooperation in the South China Sea.

14. VnExpress: A US destroyer, in February, has navigated through the vicinity of Viet Nam’s Paracel Island, marking the first time a US battleship traveling near the Paracel Islands since President Joe Biden’s inauguration. Can you provide Viet Nam’s response to this information?

As a responsible member of the international community and a member of the 1982 UNCLOS, Viet Nam fully adheres to the regulations of the UNCLOS, including the regulations on maritime and aviation activities on waters as designated in accordance with the UNCLOS. Viet Nam looks forward to countries’ further active contributions to maintaining peace and stability on the basis of international law in the South China Sea.

15. AFP: When will Viet Nam provide initial vaccine injections for Vietnamese citizens? Will foreign press be allowed to provide coverage of this event?

As I stated earlier, the first batch of vaccines has arrived in Viet Nam on 24 February. Apart from making proposals and recommendations for prioritized groups for vaccine injection, the Ministry of Health is making rapid preparations for scenarios, and mobilizing resources to provide prompt vaccine injections and ensure sufficient coverage.

We are also discussing with the Ministry of Health to facilitate the presence of foreign press members to provide news coverage on the vaccine injections for Vietnamese citizens. This, of course, needs to meet epidemiological requirements, and fulfill pandemic prevention measures.

16. Does the Vietnamese Government plan to resume repatriation and commercial flights? Can you provide details on such plans?

Due to the new strains of COVID-19, the COVID-19 waves in many countries, and the pandemic’s complicated evolution in Viet Nam in January, Viet Nam has temporarily stopped organizing repatriation flights. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working with related Ministries, agencies and localities to devise safe repatriation plans, in accordance with the pandemic’s situation around the world and in Viet Nam, and domestic quarantine capacity.

Regarding the resumption of commercial flights, in order to fulfill the dual objectives of both combating the pandemic and promoting economic development, the Prime Minister has directed relevant Vietnamese agencies to discuss with partners from countries with a high safety index on the potential resumption of regular commercial flights between Viet Nam and these countries. For partners wishing to resume commercial flights to Viet Nam, Vietnamese aviation authorities are also looking into and discussing procedures and possible timing for such resumption. 

17. Reuters: What is Viet Nam’s response to the situation in Myanmar?

We have stated our position on the recent complicated developments in Myanmar.

As a neighboring country in the region and a fellow ASEAN member, Viet Nam is paying keen attention to the unfolding situation in Myanmar.

Viet Nam also shares ASEAN’s shared position as stated in the Chairman’s Statement on the developments in Myanmar on 01 February, in which emphasis is placed on the adherence to the ASEAN Charter. We also support dialogue and reconciliation, and hope that the situation in Myanmar will soon return to normal, in line with the aspiration and interest of the people of Myanmar for nation building and development, for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region, further contributing to the ASEAN Community building.

18. Viet Nam News Agency: Can you comment on the situation of Vietnamese businesses in Myanmar?

According to the information from the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar, Vietnamese businesses are maintaining their operation in Myanmar.

Viet Nam proposes that Myanmar’s competent authorities pay attention to and ensure the safety of Vietnamese citizens residing, working, and studying in Myanmar, and protect the legitimate and legal interests of Vietnamese businesses in line with the agreements between both sides, and with international law and regulations.

Over the years, Vietnamese enterprises in Myanmar have made active and significant contributions to Myanmar’s socio-economic development, and the strengthening of the Viet Nam – Myanmar Comprehensive Cooperative Partnership./.