Cao Dai sect holds congress in Tien Giang 

The Cao Dai Chon Ly sect held its third congress in My Tho city of the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang on December 24.

The head of the Caodaism Department of the Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs Nguyen Dac Tuan said he hoped the sect would continue to promote religious unity, abide by State laws and policies and join in national patriotic movements, contributing to building a rich and prosperous homeland.

The congress elected Cardinal Le Van Long as head of a 21-member executive council that will serve during the 2010-15 term.

The Cao Dai Chon Ly sect was set up in 1931 in Dinh Tuong province (now Tien Giang) and granted legal recognition in 2000.

Cao Dai Chon Ly followers have conducted social charitable activities such as caring for Vietnamese heroic mothers and helping poor people and victims of natural disasters.

Party delegation visits Hue Archbishop Office

A delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam, led by Party Secretary Ha Thi Khiet, visited dignitaries of the Archbishop Office of Hue on December 24.

On behalf of the Party, State, and the Fatherland Front, Ha Thi Khiet, who is also Chairwoman of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Mass Mobilisation, sent best wishes to Archbishop Nguyen Nhu The and all Christian followers on the occasion of Christmas and the New Year.

She informed Archbishop The and other dignitaries of the country’s achievements in socio-political development, defence and security, and diplomacy, attributing them to the nation’s great unity. She highlighted the roles of Christian followers in upholding the nation’s patriotism and their active response to emulation campaigns, which has contributed to the nation’s process of construction and defence.

Mrs. Khiet expressed her thanks to the Archbishop and other dignitaries, as well as all Christian followers, for their participation in charitable and other social activities.

Under the leadership of the Archbishop, 70,000 followers in the diocese have joined hands with local authorities and people to produce great socio-economic achievements, she said.

The Secretary hoped Christian followers will continue their joint effort to build a powerful and wealthy country.

On behalf of the Archbishop Office and followers, Archbishop The thanked the Party and State for their attention to the diocese and pledged to work closely with the authorities in social activities such as charity, poverty alleviation, education and healthcare development to build a strong country.

Laos grants Freedom Order to Vietnamese Party’s departments

Laotian Deputy Prime Minister cum Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thongloun Sisoulith, on December presented the Freedom Order, third class to departments for Lao and Cambodia, protocol and administration, and the office of the Party Central Committee’s (PCC) Commission for External Relations.

The ceremony was attended by Head of the PCC Commission for External Relations, Hoang Binh Quan, the commission’s vice head Vuong Thua Phong, Laotian Ambassador to Vietnam Sunthon Sayachak, and staff of the Commission for External Relations and Laotian Embassy in Vietnam.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Sisoulith, who is also Head of Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations said the presentation was part of the Lao Party and State’s recognition of and gratitude to the three departments’ achievements in enhancing cooperation between the two commissions and two Parties in general. He hoped they will contribute more to strengthening Laos-Vietnam ties.

On behalf of the three departments, Le Tuan Khanh, Director General of the Department for Lao and Cambodia Affairs expressed thanks for the presentation and said his department will make greater effort to promote the traditional relationship between the two countries.

Promoting Vietnam’s image to the world

Vietnam will participate in major international exhibitions and fairs in France to introduce its image and potential to international friends in 2011.

This year, many programmes have been implemented at various localities across France to promote the image of Vietnam. In future, these programmes will continue to be held in France and Europe.

Notably, in May 2011, Vietnam will introduce its culture at the Tours International Fair (in the central region of France). Vietnam will be one of the fair’s guests of honour. 

In addition, in May 2011, “Vietnam month” programme will be held in Florence city in the southwest region of France with diverse activities including a seminar on Vietnam-France cooperation. Vietnam will present unique performances by artists from Vietnam’s northeastern region and other areas to help international audience find out more about the country.

Three exhibitions held to introduce Vietnam’s cultural heritages will present Ha Long Bay, My Son Relics, the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi and documents on Hanoi’s historic development. On the occasion, Vietnam will send experts to attend a seminar on science and technology, environment, climate, health, and culture.

According to Nguyen Van Tinh, Head of the International Cooperation Department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, these are significant activities for Vietnam, especially as it wants to introduce its diversified and unique culture as well as promote its image of a peaceful and dynamic nation on the right track of development.

The Tours International Fair is a major annual tourist fair and France often invites one nation to be an official guest of honour. Becoming one fair next year proves Vietnam’s role and status in the international arena.

France also wants to introduce Vietnam’s potential in trade, tourism, and culture, especially handicrafts. Florence’s authorities have also supported “Vietnam’s month in Florence” programme which will help French public learn more about Vietnam.

Also in May 2011, Vietnam will get involved in “Vietnam Day in Lorient” in the western region of France.

Laos to preserve Ho Chi Minh Trail

Laos will preserve a section of the Ho Chi Minh Trail in its territory as part of its project to upgrade Highway 15 linking Lao southern province of Saravan to Vietnam.

Bouachanh Ouansavanh, director of the project said that the 147 km highway worth over US$58 million is expected to finish by 2012.

Once completed, the route would help Saravan province reduce poverty, boost trade with Vietnam’s central region and improve living conditions of local people, especially in the districts of Toumlane, Taoy and Samuoy.

Ouansavanh affirmed that the Ho Chi Minh trail would be preserved as a historical relic of the Indochina war in Laos and a symbol of the special Vietnam-Laos ties.

Running through the southern region of Laos, the Ho Chi Minh Trail served as a route to supply food and weapons from the northern to the southern regions of Vietnam during the war against the United States.

13 Vietnamese sailors rescued in East Sea

Thirteen of 17 Vietnamese crew members were saved by a Chinese rescue team after strong winds sank their ship near Minjiang estuary in the East Sea Friday, according to Chinese Xinhua News Agency.

According to the China Maritime Search and Rescue Center (CMSRC), the Vietnamese ship, named “Hung Cuong 168”, which was overloaded with 5,200 tons of stone, had an engine broken and overturned at around 5:00 p.m. (local time) due to strong winds, with 17 crew members falling into the sea.

Being alerted about the accident, China 's East China Sea Rescue Bureau and the local maritime search and rescue center in the coastal Fujian province sent professional salvage vessels and helicopters to the scene where they rescued 13 sailors, as of 6:18 p.m.

The rescue team is still searching for the remaining four sailors, according to the CMSRC.

PV