Vietnam seeks further UNESCO assistance

Vietnam hopes to receive further UNESCO support, especially in the areas of education, and preservation and restoration of heritage sites, says Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan.

Nhan made the request while receiving Eric Falt, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for External Relations and Public Information, in Hanoi on June 15.

He thanked the UN organisation for its practical contribution to implementing UNESCO-funded programs in Vietnam, including those on education for all, education for sustainable development, and finalisation of policies on protection of cultural and natural heritage sites.

Falt acknowledged the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO for its efforts to seek and maintain the country’s distinctive cultural, education and scientific values, helping to enrich the global cultural heritage system.

Eric Falt is in Hanoi for ceremonies to mark the 35th anniversary of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO and grant UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage Certificate to Thanh Hoa province’s Ho Dynasty Citadel.

He is scheduled to attend a consultative meeting of UNESCO National Committees in the Asia-Pacific region.

Vietnam has 7 world cultural and natural heritages, 6 world intangible cultural heritages, 8 world biosphere reserves, 3 global documentary heritages, and 1 global geo-park.

Former ambassador receives Friendship Order

The former Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam, Pitono Purnomo, has been awarded Vietnam’s Friendship Order for his active contributions to fostering friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh presented the award to Pitono Purnomo in Hanoi on June 14 as the former ambassador was visiting Vietnam as Head of the Policy Analysis and Development Agency, under the Indonesian Foreign Ministry.

When speaking at the presentation, Minister Minh said he was delighted with the positive developments in the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between both countries, particularly after President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited Vietnam in October 2010 and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung visited Indonesia in September 2011.

Minh suggested that both Foreign Ministries work closer together to speed up the 2012-2015 action programme and organise senior-level visits between both countries.

Pitono Purnomo, who served in Vietnam from 2008 to 2011, stated that in his new position, he will continue to help strengthen friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia.

Border children boost VN-China friendship

Close to 500 children from the border province of Lang Son joined 70 of their peers from the province of Guangxi in China, in an exchange programme held in Lang Son City on June 13-14.

ll the children took part in a concert, dancing and singing songs about their love for their homeland and praising the friendship between Vietnam and China .

When addressing the gathering, the Vice President of Guangxi’s Youth Union Li Yangzhi, said that these kind of activities help to strengthen friendship between the young people of both countries as well as the relationship between both Parties and countries in general.

As part of the programme, the children from Lang Son and Guangxi offered incense at the Statue of President Ho Chi Minh in Lang Son City . They also visited the memorial to comrade Hoang Van Thu and planted trees at the local Children’s Palace.

According to the Secretary of Lang Son provincial Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Nguyen Minh Tho, the exchange is held annually, which helps to ensure a stable and peaceful border between both countries.
VNN/VOV/VNA