I. ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. President Nguyen Xuan Phuc to attend the 28^th APEC Economic Leaders’ Week via videoconference

 At the invitation of Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc will attend the 28^th APEC Leaders’ Summit - the most important event of the 28^th APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, and other related activities from 11 to 12 November 2021 via videoconference. Prior to this, from 8 to 9 November 2021, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyễn Hong Dien will attend the 32^nd APEC Ministerial Meeting.

 The APEC Economic Leaders’ Summit will focus on the questions of “How can we work together through APEC to accelerate the economic recovery from COVID-19? What are the significant challenges and opportunities that are present in a post-pandemic world and how can we ensure the benefits are shared by all, both today and in future?”, and discuss two main topics, including global economic prospects and cooperation towards post-pandemic recovery.

 President Nguyen Xuan Phuc will deliver important remarks on the global and regional situation, and the direction for cooperation within APEC in the time to come.

2. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia to visit Viet Nam and co-chair the Viet Nam - Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 9 November 2021

 At the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia Marise Payne will visit Viet Nam, co-chair the 3^rd Viet Nam - Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and attend the opening ceremony of the 2^nd ASEAN - Australia Women, Peace and Security Dialogue on 9 November.

3. The 14^th Viet Nam - Singapore Political Consultation via videoconference on 9 November 2021

 On 9 November 2021, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dzung and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore Chee Wee Kiong will co-chair the 14^th Viet Nam - Singapore Political Consultation via videoconference. The two sides will discuss issues in bilateral cooperation, and regional and international issues of mutual interest.

II. Q&A

1. VnExpress: Viet Nam has temporarily recognized the vaccine certificates, also called vaccine passports, of 72 countries and territories that have been introduced to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Which criteria does Viet Nam rely on to recognize the vaccine passports of these countries? Do they also recognize Viet Nam’s vaccine passport on a reciprocal basis?

Viet Nam has temporarily recognized the vaccine certificates, or vaccine passports, of 72 countries and territories that have been officially introduced to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Accordingly, people can use these documents directly in Viet Nam, and have their quarantine duration reduced to 7 days based on the Guidance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on reduction of quarantine duration for people who have been fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19. The list of countries and territories that have officially introduced their vaccine certificates or proof of recovery is constantly updated on the e-portal for consular affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. People from countries and territories that have not officially introduced their vaccine certificates and proof of recovery to Viet Nam can contact local Vietnamese representative missions to legalize or validate these documents.

This is a temporary measure before Viet Nam officially recognizes vaccine passports of other countries. To be officially recognized, vaccine passports of other countries need to meet the set of criteria for the recognition and use of vaccine passports of other countries and territories in Viet Nam that was recently approved by the Government. In particular, vaccine passports need to be issued in both digital and hard copies. These documents need to have a verification codeand be issued by countries and territories with a high safety index and vaccination rate. The vaccines used need to be those approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization, the United States’ Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the European Medicines Agency, or the Ministry of Health of Viet Nam.

At the instruction of the Government, Vietnamese competent authorities are considering expanding subjects eligible for entry into Viet Nam. Such measures will be implemented at a suitable time, towards the prompt resumption of international commercial flights. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also engaging in active discussions with around 80 partners to expedite the mutual recognition of vaccine passports.

2.VnExpress: Satellite images showed that Chinese ships were once again present in the Union Banks, which are a part of Viet Nam’s Spratly Islands. Can you elaborate on Viet Nam’s response to this matter?

 As constantly reiterated, Viet Nam has sufficient legal ground and historical evidence to assert its sovereignty over the Spratly Islands in line with international law, and enjoy sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its waters as provided by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Viet Nam will take steadfast and persevering action in line with international law to protect these lawful and legitimate rights.

The operation of Chinese ships within the waters around the Union Banks, which belong to Viet Nam’s Spratly Islands, is a severe violation of Viet Nam’s sovereignty and the provisions of the 1982 UNCLOS and goes against the spirit and content of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).

Viet Nam asks that China withdraw its fishing vessels from this area, respect Viet Nam’s sovereignty, uphold in good faith the 1982 UNCLOS, strictly observe the DOC, and foster an environment conducive to the conclusion of the Code of Conduct for the South China Sea (COC) between ASEAN and China, thereby making meaningful contributions to maintaining peace, security, stability and the legal order at sea in the region.

3. Central News Agency: Recently, five journalists, who moderated a Facebook fanpage named Bao Sach, were convicted of posting false information, and sentenced to imprisonment. Since Viet Nam does uphold freedom of the press, can you comment on this verdict? In addition, is there anything that requires further clarification regarding the contents posted by Bao Sach?

As constantly reiterated, Viet Nam’s consistent policy is to respect, protect, and promote human rights, including freedom of speech and freedom of the press. This is stipulated in the 2013 Constitution and other relevant legal documentsand reflected through the robust development of the Vietnamese press over the past years. Viet Nam’s efforts and accomplishments have earned the recognition and praise of the international community. Similar to other countries, in Viet Nam, all violations of the law under the guise of human rights protection are punished in accordance with the law.

Information regarding this case has been reported by the press. The investigation and trial process took place in line with the Vietnamese law. Prior to this incident, the defendants previously had their journalist licenses revoked for violations that affected agencies, businesses and the people. They cannot be considered journalists.

4. Central News Agency: As Lunar New Year is approaching, many Chinese Taipei businessmen in Viet Nam plan to take flights overseas to visit their relatives. Thus, can you comment on which countries have recognized Viet Nam’s COVID-19 vaccine certificate? Can you provide us with a list of these countries? Do countries frequented by Chinese Taipei entrepreneurs, such as Canada, the US and European countries, accept vaccine certificates issued by Viet Nam? Or would other legalization procedures be required? Is Chinese Taipei included in the list of partners that Viet Nam is working with on mutual recognition of vaccine passports?

 On 29 October 2021, the Government of Viet Nam has approved of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ recommendations regarding the recognition of vaccine passports. As I have stated in my answer to the reporter from VnExpress, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is engaging in active discussions with around 80 partners on expediting the mutual recognition of vaccine passports.

As of early November 2021, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Belarus have made official announcements on the official recognition of Viet Nam’s vaccine passport, with a number of specific criteria regarding the types of vaccine. India has also agreed to this matter in principle. Other partners such as China, the Republic of Korea, other ASEAN members, and the European Union have taken positive note of Viet Nam’s proposal and are waiting for Viet Nam’s issuance of a single, fixed template of its vaccine passport.

Vietnamese competent authorities are engaging in active discussions to expeditiously issue a vaccine passport template in line with international standards. Further information and concrete guidance will be announced at a later date.

5. Trí thuc tre: There is information that Iran recently seized a Vietnamese-flagged oil tanker. Please validate and provide your comment on this incident.

Upon receiving the information, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has worked with the Iranian Embassy in Hanoi, and the Vietnamese Embassy in Iran has also contacted Iranian competent authorities to validate the information and seek an early solution, while ensuring the safety of and humane treatment for Vietnamese citizens. On 27 October 2021, in the discussion with Viet Nam’s Embassy in Iran, the captain of the MV Sothys stated that all 26 Vietnamese crew members were treated well and were in good health conditions.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also contacted the Ministry of Transport to identify the crew members, as well as request the company in charge and the owner of the MV Sothys to ensure the rights of Vietnamese workers abroad.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Vietnamese Embassy in Iran will continue to closely monitor the situation, work with Iranian competent authorities to promptly address the issue in line with the law and take necessary action to protect the lawful rights and interest of Vietnamese citizens.

6.Phoenix TV: Phu Quoc and a number of Vietnamese localities will receive international tourists this month. What measures are put in place to ensure pandemic control requirements for international tourists and local people?

As you may have been informed, recently, the Vietnamese Government approved of the pilot roadmap to receive international tourists. The roadmap consists of three phases, with phase 1 taking place since November 2021, phase 2 since January 2022, and phase 3 since the 2nd Quarter of 2022. Phase 1 is meant to welcome tourists via packaged deals. Tourists will travel on charter and commercial flights to Phu Quoc (Kien Giang), Cam Ranh (Khanh Hoa), Quang Nam and Da Nang.

To keep up pandemic control efforts, international tourists arriving in these areas will need to have all necessary documents as required by Vietnamese competent authorities, including vaccination certificates or proof of recovery from COVID-19. In addition, these tourists also need to follow pandemic containment measures in line with the guidance of competent authorities and relevant localities.

In order to best ensure the people’s well-being, localities in the pilot project to receive international tourists are making efforts to expeditiously administer the 2nd vaccine dose for their people, including laborers. A number of large-scale resorts are also repurposed into isolated vacation areas for international tourists.

7. Phoenix TV: Viet Nam Airlines plans to carry out the first regular commercial flight to the US by the end of November. What is your comment on the fact that after 20 years of preparation, Viet Nam is opening a direct flight route to the US?

 The opening of direct flights to the US bears great significance in strengthening the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, especially in stepping up economic and trade ties, and promoting tourism, education and people-to-people exchange. Meticulous preparations have been made for this endeavor, with the participation of competent authorities in both countries.

Recently, the Transportation Security Administration of the US has approved Viet Nam Airlines’ plan to ensure aviation safety, so as to go through with the opening of regular flights between Viet Nam and the US. Vietnamese competent authorities are working to finalize remaining procedures to implement Viet Nam Airlines’ flight plan. They will also continue to assist other Vietnamese airlines that wish to establish direct flights to the USand have sufficient capacity to pursue these plans.