Lao National Assembly delegation to visit VN

A high-ranking delegation of the National Assembly of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, led by Chairman Pany Yathotu, will make an official visit to Viet Nam in the near future.

The visit will be made at the invitation of NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung, said the NA's External Relations Committee yesterday, Aug 22.

Deputy PM commends former UNESCO official

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan has commended former UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsura for his important contributions to developing the relationship between Vietnam and UNESCO in education and culture during his term of office.
At a reception in Hanoi on August 22, Koichiro Matsura congratulated Vietnam on gaining more UNESCO-recognised world heritages, which he said affirmed the nation’s cultural depth and its socio-economic development.
Deputy PM Nhan said UNESCO is close to Vietnamese people through its recognition of the country’s world cultural and natural heritage sites and the implementation of the “Decade of Education for Sustainable Development” programmes.
He expressed his hope in the effective cooperation between Vietnam and UNESCO and that the former UNESCO leader will assist Vietnam in seeking more projects with donations from countries experienced in heritage preservation, to help Vietnam maintain its cultural heritages.

Greetings on Vietnam-Thailand diplomatic anniversary

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has sent a message of congratulation to Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand.

The message marks the 35^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Thailand (August 06, 1976 – August 6, 2011).

Viet Nam eyes Myanmar opportunities

Viet Nam hopes that Myanmar would develop policies facilitating favourable investment conditions, especially in the rubber, sugarcane and aqua culture industries.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat made the above statement while meeting a delegation from Myanmar in Ha Noi yesterday.

Accordingly, the two countries agreed to boost co-operation in promoting agricultural products, research and human resource development within the sector.

The Myanmar Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Myint Hlaing said that his country planned to develop its agriculture production, seeing as 70 per cent of its population was centred in rural areas, making a living from agriculture, which accounted for 44 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product.

The delegation's five-day visit to Viet Nam kicked off on Sunday.

Frigate delivered to Viet Nam via Cam Ranh Port

The Navy yesterday, Aug 22, held a ceremony to receive a Gepard 3.9 class frigate at Cam Ranh Port in central Khanh Hoa Province.

The frigate HQ-012 Ly Thai To, designed by Russian technology, has a displacement of 2,100 tonnes and a length of 102 metres.

A similar boat was delivered and put into use by the navy early this year.

Defence deputy minister and navy chief Nguyen Van Hien said the boat's delivery was part of a road map to build an elite Vietnamese people's army to meet the demands of national construction and protection, contributing to keeping peace and stability for the country and the region as well as international integration.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA