NA Standing Committee begins 27th session

The National Assembly Standing Committee began its 27th session on September 10 with a discussion of contentious issues in the draft revised anti-corruption law. 

Presenting a report on the draft, Chairman of the NA’s Justice Committee Le Thi Nga said the NA Standing Committee have reached consensus on most key issues except for the question of how to handle the increase in assets and incomes without clear origin of officials. 

In this regard, the NA Justice Committee supported the option that such additional assets and incomes be examined and handled at court. 

However, opinions of the NA Standing Committee members still differed on the proposal. 

Also the same day, the NA Standing Committee examined the plan on organising a vote of confidence for persons holding positions elected and approved by the NA at the 6th NA session. 

The session, to last until September 20, will give opinions on four bills which were discussed at the fifth session of the NA, namely the draft revised anti-corruption law, the draft revised Law on Education, the draft law adjusting and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Higher Education, and the draft law adjusting and supplementing laws related to the Law on Planning. 

The committee will also consider four other bills, to be submitted for first-time discussion at the sixth NA session, which are the draft laws adjusting and supplementing a number of articles of the Laws on Execution of Criminal Judgements and on Public Investment; the draft revised law on tax management, and the draft law on public administration. 

Several reports will be tabled for examination, including one by the Government on the implementation of the Constitution, Laws and the NA’s resolutions and another on the handling of complaints and petitions in 2018, among others. 

The draft working agenda for the 6th NA session, slated to begin on October 22, will also be under consideration by the NA Standing Committee, along with several issues related to foreign relations and state budget.

Participants at the national meeting in preparation for the country’s participation in the 11th ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour next October 

A national meeting took place in Hanoi on September 10 in preparation for the country’s participation in the ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour (AFML) in Singapore this October.

The AFML is an annual activity of the ASEAN Committee on the Implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers (ACMW). Each year it is hosted by the current chair of the bloc. 

The 11th forum, slated for October 29 and 30 in Singapore under the theme “Digitalisation to Promote Decent Work for Migrant Workers in ASEAN”, will focus on the digitalisation of migrant labour management and digital services targeting migrant workers.

The national meeting was co-organised by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the Australian government's agency for the delivery of foreign aid Australian Aid.

Comprising seven working sessions, the meeting reviewed activities at national level in implementation of recommendations put forth by the previous AFMLs. 

Participants also suggested Vietnam’s recommendations for the upcoming forum.

They said digital technologies can help facilitate and protect migrant workers’ rights, as they allow the workers to assess recruiters, compare reference exchange rates when sending money back home, and to form a network for information exchange and consultation, and access legal services, among others.

However, problems and risks also exist, such as security of personal information and database. Workers also face difficulties in using digital services due to poor quality of internet connection in certain areas.  

Knowledge on digitalisation and changes in future jobs are required to capitalise on the trend, they added.

Vietnam’s Party, State delegation visits DPRK

Tran Thanh Man, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee

A Vietnamese Party and State delegation is paying a visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) from September 8-11 to attend celebrations of the latter’s Day of the Foundation of the Republic (September 9).

On September 10, the head of the delegation, Tran Thanh Man, who is Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, held talks with Politburo member and Vice Chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea Pak Tae Song.

They informed each other of their Party and State’s situation, and exchanged views on measures to boost relations between the two Parties and States.

Pak Tae Song welcomed the Vietnamese delegation’s visit and attendance at the founding day celebrations, affirming that this is great encouragement for the DPRK’s Party, Government, and people.

He affirmed that the DPRK always attaches importance to and wishes to intensify collaboration between the two Parties and States. He said he believes Vietnam will go on to gain even greater achievements in the nation building and safeguarding process.

Man congratulated the DPRK’s people on their achievements over the past seven decades and wished them many more successes.

He stressed the need for the two countries to strengthen cooperation to bring about practical benefits to their people, as well as to contribute to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and across the world.

On the same day, the Vietnamese official had a meeting with Pak Myong Chol, President and General Secretary of the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland of the DPRK.

Along with its attendance at the founding day celebrations, the Vietnamese delegation also visited several economic, cultural, and historical establishments in Pyongyang.

Leaders congratulate UK counterparts on 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties

President Tran Dai Quang on September 10 sent a congratulatory message to Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and North Ireland (September 11, 1973-2018).

The same day, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc also cabled a similar message to his UK counterpart Theresa May.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh extended his greetings to UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Jeremy Hunt.

In the message, the Vietnamese leaders stressed that the strategic partnership between Vietnam and the UK is developing fruitfully in all fields. 

They expressed their beliefs that based on the 45-year fine relationship and great cooperation potential strongly affirmed through mutual visits by the two countries’ leaders, the Vietnam-UK friendship and cooperation will harvest more successes, meeting the aspirations and interests of their people, as well as for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries Huh Chang-Soo.

The Vietnamese Government welcomes and creates favourable conditions for foreign businesses to make investments in Vietnam, including those from the Republic of Korea (RoK), Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has affirmed.

Hosting reception in Hanoi on September 10 for Chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries Huh Chang-Soo, who led a RoK business delegation, PM Phuc lauded Korean investors for continuing their investment in large-scale projects in Vietnam, hoping that they will carry on pouring more capital into high-tech sectors, heavy industry, and infrastructure development. 

PM Phuc voiced his hope that RoK companies will bring state-of-the-art technologies to Vietnam, work to protect the environment, create jobs for local people, and contribute to Vietnam-RoK relations.

He wished for stronger cooperation between enterprises of both nations and suggested the RoK side import more from Vietnam in order to balance trade.

Furthermore, the Government leader asked businesses to channel more efforts into realising the set target of 100 billion USD in bilateral trade by 2020.

Vietnam and the RoK are enjoying a fruitful strategic cooperative partnership, he said, adding that nearly 160,000 Vietnamese and RoK nationals are living in each nation, serving as a bridge to connect the two peoples and contribute to their future.

Huh Chang-Soo, for his part, highlighted Vietnam’s strong economic growth and sound relations between the two nations, saying that the two factors will open up various cooperative opportunities for Vietnamese and RoK enterprises.

He said that bilateral relations have not only been thriving in economy, but also in other sectors such as culture, tourism, cuisine, and sport.

Representatives of RoK corporations informed the Vietnamese leader of their activities in Vietnam and hoped to receive further support from the Vietnamese Government and relevant authorities. 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam Adam Sitkoff 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc expressed his wish that US enterprises strong in digital economy will enhance cooperation and transfer technology to Vietnam during a reception in Hanoi on September 10 for Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam Adam Sitkoff. 

The PM welcomed the US delegation, who will be attending the World Economic Forum on ASEAN 2018 and the Vietnam-US Business Summit 2018. 

He said Vietnam appreciates its ties with the US, which have been growing over the past years. US exports to Vietnam have also grown in recent times, he added. 

The host affirmed that the Vietnamese Government has always and will continue to offer support for US firms doing business in Vietnam, considering it an important factor of bilateral ties.

Sitkoff, for his part, thanked the PM for hosting the delegation, which he said reflected on his strong commitment to promoting bilateral economic and trade links. 

He informed the host that the delegation had discussed digital economy development with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Vietnam-US Business Summit earlier in the morning.

US firms highly value the Vietnamese PM and Government’s efforts in improving administrative reform and business climate, as well as attracting foreign tourist arrivals, he said, adding that they are very interested in the Vietnamese market. 

Representatives from US firms expressed their determination to expand business operations in Vietnam and wished that the Vietnamese Government and PM would create more favourable conditions for them to do business in the country, especially in the fields of digital economy and connectivity, smart city development, pharmaceuticals, energy, and high-quality human resources training. –VNA

“Colours of Vietnam” marks National Day in Myanmar

The “Colours of Vietnam” programme recently took place in the city of Yangon in Myanmar on the occasion of the 73rd National Day of Vietnam (September 2) and the first anniversary of the upgrade of Vietnam-Myanmar ties to the level of comprehensive partnership. 

Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Myanmar Luan Thuy Duong reviewed the development of bilateral ties founded by President Ho Chi Minh and General Aung San that have been fostered by generations of leaders and the two countries’ people. 

She said that during a visit to Vietnam in April 2018, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi had affirmed that Vietnam and Myanmar are close friends who place trust in each other. 

According to her, the two countries have seen developments in their ties, including in the fields of trade and investment, national defence-security, agro-forestry-fisheries, energy, telecommunications, tourism, justice, education, culture, people-to-people exchange, and global integration. 

Myanmar Minister of International Cooperation Kyaw Tin expressed his belief that the bilateral ties will thrive in the future and wished to boost ties across trade, investment, tourism, and people-to-people exchange. 

He said two-way trade hit 830 million USD last year, up 50 percent from 2016, with Vietnam becoming Myanmar’s seventh largest investor. 

The minister wished that Vietnam would successfully hold the World Economic Forum on ASEAN 2018, adding that Aung San Suu Kyi’s presence at the event will open up opportunities for bilateral relations. 

Participants enjoyed music performances by artists from the two countries and traditional Vietnamese cuisine. 

On the occasion, the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar, the Vietnam-Myanmar Friendship Association and the Myanmar-Vietnam Friendship Association, and the two countries’ business communities held the cultural event, themed “Vietnam-Myanmar: Beautiful Countries in Nay Pyi Taw”. 

The event was part of the ongoing Vietnam-Myanmar cultural cooperation exchange programme for 2017-2020, contributing to stepping up cultural and tourism links, as well as people-to-people exchange between the two nations. 

Chi Ma-Ai Dian border gate pair open to traffic

Delegates pose photo in front of Chi Ma border gate 

The Chi Ma-Ai Dian border gate pair from Loc Binh district of Lang Son province and Ning Ming County in China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, officially opened on September 10.

The inauguration of the border gates on both sides is expected to help intensify the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Lang Son province and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in particular, and between Vietnam and China in general.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Cong Truong said that the relationship between Lang Son and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has been greatly enhanced over the past few years, bringing about benefits to both sides.

He suggested enterprises from both sides take full advantage of this opportunity to step up exchange and cooperation.

He also asked relevant offices to intensify coordination in managing and operating the pair of border gates effectively; create favourable conditions for import-export, entry-exit, and investment activities in the border areas; and address arising problems in a harmonious and satisfactory manner in order to boost border economic development and thus contribute to the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Sun Dawei, Deputy Communist Party Secretary of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, stated that Guangxi and Lang Son have a time-honoured economic and cultural cooperation. Many trade connectivity projects have been built and put into use.

Guangxi will continue working with the Vietnamese province to bring into full play the Ai Dian-Chi Ma border gate pair, he affirmed.

Vietnam, Japan share experience in local administration

At the seminar (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)

Experience in operating local administrative apparatus in Vietnam and Japan has been shared at a seminar held in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue on September 10-11.

The event is expected to help improve the quality and efficiency of local administrative systems in the two countries.

According to Minister of Home Affairs Le Vinh Tan, the Vietnamese state has paid due attention to the development of the local administrative system alongside speeding up national administrative and civil servant regime reforms. 

Although significant achievements have been attained, the work shows some of the remaining limitations, such as irrational urban and rural administration models, and unclear distinctions between urban authority and rural authority, he noted.

Former Vice Rector of the University of Home Affairs Ha Quang Ngoc said that the separation of urban and rural areas is necessary for the management of urban areas. 

The urban administration model should be piloted in specific localities. For example, first-tier cities such as Da Nang and Hai Phong may be considered. Meanwhile, the model should be on trial in Ho Chi Minh City as a special urban area, he suggested.

Toshinari Tanaka, an official from Japan’s Sapporo city, said that there was a time when the city could not handle the insufficiency of capital raised from taxes to serve the development of a big urban area.

Japan thus worked to create a bond amongst the city, district, and commune in a specific region. The linkage aimed to maintain a vibrant society in the context of a shrinking and aging population, he said, adding that it has helped to boost regional economic growth, complete the high-quality health care system and education environment, and form a sound public transport network. 

Holy See’s non-residential envoy to Vietnam hosted by Deputy FM

Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (R) welcomes Archbishop Marek Zalewski 

Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son has iterated Vietnam’s consistent policy of respecting and guaranteeing the right to freedom of religion and belief for all citizens and ensuring equality among religions.

Welcoming Archbishop Marek Zalewski, the Holy See’s Apostolic Nuncio to Singapore cum Non-residential Pontifical Representative to Vietnam, Son highlighted the progresses made in Vietnam’s relations with the Holy See.

He expressed his hope that Archbishop Zalewski will help the Vietnam Catholic Church implement the Pope’s teachings.

Archbishop Zalewski thanked Vietnam’s authorities for creating favourable conditions for his first visit to Vietnam. 

He affirmed that he and the Holy See at large will do their utmost to promote bilateral ties.

The Archbishop is on a visit to Vietnam from September 9-15. He is scheduled to pay a courtesy visit to the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, attend Mass, and meet bishops at Hanoi’s St Joseph’s Cathedral. 

Congratulations to newly-elected Pakistani President

President Tran Dai Quang on September 10 sent a message of congratulations to Arifur Rehman Alvi on his election as President of Pakistan.

Vietnam and Pakistan have worked to set out initiatives and practical, flexible measures to reach the target of 1 billion USD in bilateral trade by 2020.

The two countries also agreed to increase the exchange of business delegations to optimise investment and business opportunities.

Pakistan is the biggest importer of Vietnamese tea. The export value earned from this market accounted for 32.1 percent of Vietnam’s tea exports, or 29.9 million USD, in the first half of this year.