NA Standing Committee concludes 29th meeting

NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (centre) addresses the NA Standing Committee's session on December 11

The National Assembly Standing Committee wrapped up its 29th session on December 11, completing all items on the working agenda of the two-day meeting.  

The committee gave opinions on the outcomes of the NA’s sixth plenum and preparations for the seventh, and discussed amendments to the programme on building laws and ordinances in 2019 and the purchase of additional rice for national reserve as well as the provision of more money to buy animal medicine for stocking.

They also evaluated the outcomes of the implementation of the committee’s external relations and international cooperation in 2018, while deciding the programme for the activities in 2019, along with the committee’s working plan for 2019.

NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan asked the NA General Secretary to note all opinions of the committee’s members in order to finalise the report on the outcomes of the NA’s 6th plenary session. She also required the General Secretary to complete the draft agenda of the NA’s 7th session and send it to relevant agencies and NA deputies for feedback. 

She added that the committee is scheduled to vote on the draft ordinance on the adjustments and supplements to some articles of ordinances related to planning on December 29.  

Prior to the conclusion of the meeting, the committee discussed whether it is necessary to promulgate a decree on exhibition activities. Members of the committee reached consensus on the need for a decree to regulate such activities as there is yet any law or ordinance in this field. 

Also in the afternoon of December 11, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh presented to the NA Standing Committee the Government’s draft decree on benefits for officials working at Vietnamese offices abroad, which received approval from the committee’s members.

The 30th meeting of the NA Standing Committee is slated to take place from January 10-12, 2019.

Conference calls for joint efforts in humanitarian activities

Truong Thi Mai – Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Secretariat, and head of the Party Central Committee’s Mass Mobilisation Commission – addresses the conference in Hanoi on December 11 (Photo: qdnd.vn)

A conference in Hanoi on December 11 called on organisations and businesses to bring into play their social responsibility to increase humanitarian activities for the sake of the community.

Addressing around 300 Vietnamese and foreign delegates, Truong Thi Mai – Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Secretariat, and head of the Party Central Committee’s Mass Mobilisation Commission – highly valued the efforts of domestic and foreign organisations in raising funds for humanitarian activities in Vietnam, particularly those supporting vulnerable groups.

She said many people, especially low-income earners, are still faced with hardships as a result of natural disasters or epidemics. Aside from the work of local authorities, support for those less privileged also needs contribution by organisations, individuals, enterprises, as well as more efforts by the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRC), the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

According to VRC President Nguyen Thi Xuan Thu, the VRC has provided humanitarian aid worth 2 trillion VND (85.7 million USD) to assist 7 million disadvantaged people annually over the last five years.

VCCI Chairman Vu Tien Loc noted that Vietnamese entrepreneurs have always taken the lead in performing their social responsibilities for the benefit of the greater community. Each company has joined in the work under different forms, depending on their capacity and business fields.

Meanwhile, VUFO Standing Vice President and Secretary General Don Tuan Phong noted that the union has raised about 300 million USD each year, donated by nearly 1,100 foreign non-governmental organisations. Of the sum, 35 percent has been spent on promoting healthcare, 19 percent on solving social issues, 17 percent on economic development, 11 percent for environmental causes, and 9 percent for education and training.

At the conference, 12 agencies and organisations inked coordination agreements with the VRC. Domestic and foreign organisations and businesses also committed more than 185 billion VND (7.9 million USD) towards humanitarian activities. 

Vietnam considers UN migration pact important step forward

Migrants captured near the Mexican border 

The UN Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) marked an important step forward in international cooperation concerning the matter, stated Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung.

Dung made the statement at an intergovernmental conference to adopt the pact, held in Marrakesh, Morocco, on December 10 and 11, as part of the UN Migration Week, which ran from December 5 to 11.

The diplomat affirmed that Vietnam support orderly and legal migration as well as increasing international collaboration in illegal migration prevention. 

He said there is no perfect multilateral agreement that could meet the demands and interests of all countries concerned, thus the implementation of the pact should respect specific conditions of each nation and continue fine-tuning the content.

At the conference, participants agreed that migration has become a global issue that no country could handle by itself. They stated migrants’ basic rights and interests must be ensured, adding that orderly and legal migration contributes significantly to sustainable development of countries’ involved.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the pact will help curb the pressing issue of illegal migration in many countries.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said it is regrettable that some countries are yet to join the accord, which she considers a requirement rather than an option.

The GCM is the first intergovernmentally negotiated agreement, prepared under the auspices of the United Nations, to cover all dimensions of international migration.

In September 2016, the UN General Assembly decided, through the adoption of the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, to develop a global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration. The process to develop this global compact started in April 2017, with its text finalized on July 13 by UN member states.

Vietnam considers UN migration pact important step forward

Migrants captured near the Mexican border 

The UN Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) marked an important step forward in international cooperation concerning the matter, stated Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung.

Dung made the statement at an intergovernmental conference to adopt the pact, held in Marrakesh, Morocco, on December 10 and 11, as part of the UN Migration Week, which ran from December 5 to 11.

The diplomat affirmed that Vietnam support orderly and legal migration as well as increasing international collaboration in illegal migration prevention. 

He said there is no perfect multilateral agreement that could meet the demands and interests of all countries concerned, thus the implementation of the pact should respect specific conditions of each nation and continue fine-tuning the content.

At the conference, participants agreed that migration has become a global issue that no country could handle by itself. They stated migrants’ basic rights and interests must be ensured, adding that orderly and legal migration contributes significantly to sustainable development of countries’ involved.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the pact will help curb the pressing issue of illegal migration in many countries.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said it is regrettable that some countries are yet to join the accord, which she considers a requirement rather than an option.

The GCM is the first intergovernmentally negotiated agreement, prepared under the auspices of the United Nations, to cover all dimensions of international migration.

In September 2016, the UN General Assembly decided, through the adoption of the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, to develop a global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration. The process to develop this global compact started in April 2017, with its text finalized on July 13 by UN member states.

NA Vice Chairman receives Lao Justice Minister

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Uong Chu Luu (R) receives Lao Justice Minister Xaysi Santivong

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Uong Chu Luu hosted a reception for visiting Lao Justice Minister Xaysi Santivong in Hanoi on December 11.

Luu lauded the visit of the Lao delegation as contributing to enhancing the cooperation between the two justice ministries.

He expressed delight at the comprehensive achievements of Laos over the past years, as well as the growth of traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive partnership between the Parties, States and peoples of Vietnam and Laos.

Hailing the outcomes of talks between the Lao delegation and its Vietnamese counterpart, Luu expressed his belief that the two ministries will continue fostering collaboration in an effective manner.

He suggested that the two ministries continue supporting each other in building legal documents, personnel training, law popularization and education, and sharing experience in mutual legal support.

The Lao guest thanked the Justice Ministry of Vietnam for assisting the Laos’ Justice Ministry, especially through the sending of officials to Laos to help in drafting a number of bills.

In 2018, the two ministries have surpassed targets in their cooperation agreement for the year. Vietnam has offered Laos an ODA project in justice, the first that Vietnam has granted to Laos, he noted.

The Lao minister affirmed that his ministry will coordinate closely with the Justice Ministry of Vietnam in realising cooperation agreements reached between the two sides.

Thai King confident in relations with Vietnam

Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn 

The Vietnam-Thailand friendship and cooperation, particularly within the ASEAN framework, will continue to grow strongly and contribute to peace and prosperity in the two countries and in the world, said Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

The King made the statement while receiving newly-accredited Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Nguyen Hai Bang, who came to present his credentials.

Bang said he was honoured to take the post and vowed to do his best to boost friendly and cooperative ties between the governments, businesses and people of Vietnam and Thailand.

King Vajiralongkorn took the occasion to send his best wishes to Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong and recalled his good impression of Vietnam from past visits to the country.

Vietnam and Thailand established diplomatic relations in 1976.

Thailand is now the biggest trade partner of Vietnam in ASEAN, with two-way trade increasing to 15.3 billion USD in 2017 from 11.5 billion USD in 2015. Meanwhile, Vietnam is the second biggest trade partner of Thailand in ASEAN, following Malaysia.

In the first half of 2018, bilateral trade reached nearly 8 billion USD, an annual rise of 14.7 percent. Vietnam exported more than 2.7 billion USD worth of goods to Thailand during the period, up 22.7 percent year on year.

PM: students should equip themselves with broad knowledge

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc (second from right) visits an exhibition by students at the 10th national congress of the Việt Nam Students’ Association (VSA) in Hà Nội yesterday. 

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc urged Vietnamese students to equip themselves with broad knowledge in the digital era at a plenary session of the 10th national congress of the Việt Nam Students’ Association (VSA) in Hà Nội yesterday.

The PM lauded outstanding achievements the VSA has recorded over the years, saying the association has proven its role in representing students.

The PM underlined the need to step up the education of revolutionary ideology, morality, lifestyle and culture among students, while asking the VSA to protect the interests of students, as well as encourage them to engage in research and innovation in science-technology and start-ups.

Students must be pioneers in innovative start-ups, think big, not flinch from difficulties and rise from failures, he said.

The Government will create the best possible conditions for students to turn their start-up initiatives into reality, the leader pledged.

The Party and State have pinned their hopes on students and the VSA to help develop high-quality human resources to serve national construction and defence, he noted.

Lê Quốc Phong, First Secretary of the Hồ Chií Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee and Chairman of the Vietnam Youth Federation and the VSA, said the VSA has been consolidated with more than 1.3 million members from 28 provincial chapters, 283 chapters at schools and eight others abroad.

In the 2018-2023, the association hopes to develop a contingent of students with revolutionary ideology, firm political will, patriotism and responsibility.

It aims to introduce jobs to 1 million students, present scholarships and awards worth VNĐ250 billion (10.75 billion) to students and raise its membership to 1.5 million.

The congress brings together 700 delegates representing more than 2.4 million Vietnamese students at home and abroad. 

Party leader sets tasks for key committee

Party General Secretary, President Nguyễn Phú Trọng (left) speaks at a Central Public Security Party Committee’s conference in Hà Nội yesterday. 

Party General Secretary, President Nguyễn Phú Trọng has asked the Central Public Security Party Committee to review its achievements in 2018 and fix shortcomings in Party building. 

The Party chief made the request when speaking at a Central Public Security Party Committee’s conference in Hà Nội yesterday to review Party work in 2018 and set tasks for 2019, as well as recommended personnel for positions in the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV) Central Committee for the 2021-26 tenure. 

He called for attention to the Party building, political and ideological education and the improvement of Party activities, adding that each official and Party member of the public security force must set an exemplary model, staying loyal to the Party, nation and the people.

Trọng described the nomination of personnel planned for positions in the CPV Central Committee for the 2021-26 tenure as an important agenda to improve personnel quality, Party leadership and combat capability, protecting national security and ensuring social safety and order. 

Attending the conference, both Trọng and Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc lauded the achievements made by the Central Public Security Party Committee during the past half tenure, saying it closely followed the leadership of the CPV Central Committee, National Assembly and Government to ensure public security and order. 

Participants at the event heard a report on the outcomes of nominating personnel planned for positions in the CPV Central Committee for the 2021-26 tenure on December 4. They later cast votes for candidates likely to run for seats on the CPV Central Committee for the 2021-26 tenure. 

Incorrect statistics could ruin Government policies: Deputy PM

Ethnic minority people at the Suối Sìn Hồ market in the northern mountainous province of Lai Châu. Attention should be paid to statistics so that the Government has relevant data to craft better policies, Deputy Prime Minister Vương Đình Huệ said. 

Deputy Prime Minister Vương Đình Huệ asked all ministries and agencies to pay more attention to the importance of statistics, as incorrect data could ruin Government policies.

He made the request yesterday at a conference held by the General Statistics Office (GSO) of Việt Nam, stressing that measurements of the performance of the economy are needed as the country moves towards a market system.

However, the Government leader pointed to the fact that many ministries and agencies have not fulfilled their reporting duties.

The Statistics Law 2015 provides for 186 national statistics divided into 20 categories ranging from agriculture and transport to population and environment matters. The collection and reporting of 79 statistics were assigned to 21 ministries.

But so far, only 34 statistical figures have been collected and reported as required. Twenty-nine statistics are being measured but have not been submitted to the GSO, while work on 16 statistics has not even started, Deputy PM Huệ said.

The Government Office is one of the biggest offenders, accounting for six out of the 16 statistics, followed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment with three. The remaining measures are shared between the home affairs, justice, finance and industry ministries.

GSO Director Nguyễn Bích Lâm said that despite improved collaboration between the office and the ministries in recent times, communication between the agencies and the capacity of the statistics workers can be improved.

“The implementation of information technology in the collection of statistics has room for improvement, especially at the local level, leading to delays in reporting and affecting the quality of the data,” Lâm said.

Deputy PM Huệ also expressed his dissatisfaction with the fact that less than half of the ministries and central-level agencies have issued official mechanisms to share statistics.

“The law was passed in 2015,” he said. “How does this reflect on our legal compliance?”

He said ministries must work on statistics issues because Việt Nam is set to conduct several large-scale statistical projects, such as taking stock of the economic resources, the 2019 national population and housing census, the ASEAN statistics integration scheme and the study on Việt Nam’s non-observed economy.

He also urged the GSO to focus on analysis of collected data and to derive forecasts and proposals for the Government to refer to in its decision making. 

Việt Nam, US mark 147th repatriation of US soldiers’ remains

The US Guard team carry a coffin containing the remains believed to be those of a US service member missing from the Việt Nam War. 

The Vietnamese Government transferred three sets of remains believed to be those of missing US service members from the Việt Nam War at a repatriation ceremony at Đà Nẵng International Airport yesterday.

The repatriation ceremony, which was held by the Vietnamese Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP) and the US Defence POW/MIA (Prisoners of War, Missing in Action Accounting Agency (DPAA), also marked the 30th anniversary of US-Việt Nam co-operation on this humanitarian issue.

The remains will be examined in DPAA’s laboratory in Hawaii.

The remains were recovered during the 133rd Joint Field Activity (JFA) in Việt Nam. Seventy-six Americans and over two hundred of their Vietnamese partners worked together on sites in the provinces of Nghệ An, Quảng Bình and Thừa Thiên-Huế provinces.

Rear Admiral Jon C. Kreitz of the US Navy and deputy director of the DPAA said this repatriation marked the 133rd Joint Field Activity of the US in conjunction with the Vietnamese Government.

He said it was a symbol of the amazing co-operation and friendship developed over the past 30 years between the US and Việt Nam.

US Ambassador to Việt Nam Daniel Kritenbrink said it was the first time he had participated in a repatriation ceremony in Việt Nam, and the POW/MIA issue had been a fundamental factor in the partnership between the US and Việt Nam.

He said both countries looked forward to a prosperous partnership involving security, economics and other interests.

Since 2000, the US has worked with Việt Nam to resolve humanitarian and wartime legacy issues. These include the removal of unexploded ordnance, the identification of remains of missing personnel, and the remediation of dioxin.

Colonel Nguyễn Hữu Lương from the VNOSMP said the co-operation beween the US and Việt Nam helped ease the pain of war on both sides.

He said the US also helped provide information on about 1,000 missing Vietnamese, while offering support to clean up dioxin, landmines and UXOs. 

New Azerbaijan Party delegation visits Vietnam

Truong Thi Mai (R), Politburo member, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, and head of its Commission for Mass Mobilisation, meets with Sevinj Fataliyeva, head of the International Relations Department of the New Azerbaijan Party, on December 11 

Truong Thi Mai, Politburo member, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, and head of its Commission for Mass Mobilisation, received a New Azerbaijan Party delegation led by Sevinj Fataliyeva, head of its International Relations Department, in Hanoi on December 11.

At the reception, Mai said Vietnam always attaches importance to strengthening and developing the traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Azerbaijan.

She highly valued the New Azerbaijan Party’s contributions to Azerbaijan’s socio-economic development as well as promoting all-round collaboration between the two countries.

She stressed the two Parties need support the promotion of parliamentary cooperation and people-to-people exchange, thereby fostering the two countries’ ties in a more comprehensive and deeper manner.

Fataliyeva, who is also Deputy Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign and Inter-Parliamentary Relations, said Azerbaijan considers Vietnam a leading important partner in Southeast Asia and pledged to do her utmost to contribute to expanding the ties between the two Parties in the coming time.

On the same day, Hoang Binh Quan, head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, held talks with Fataliyeva and her entourage, during which they discussed the situation of each party and country, and experience in party building and youth-related affairs. They also exchanged views on several international and regional issues as well as orientations to continue implementing the cooperation agreement between the two Parties.

While in Vietnam, the delegation met with leaders of the National Assembly’s Committee for External Affairs and had a working session with authorities of the northern coastal province Quang Ninh.

Ho Chi Minh City ceremony marks Vietnam-France diplomatic ties

Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Tran Vinh Tuyen 

A ceremony marking the 45th anniversary of Vietnam – France diplomatic ties and five years of bilateral strategic partnership took place in Ho Chi Minh City on December 11. 

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Tran Vinh Tuyen said the establishment of Vietnam-France strategic partnership in 2013 and mutual visits by leaders have opened up new opportunities for bilateral ties. 

Tuyen recalled French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe’s statement during Ho Chi Minh City visit last month that both France and Vietnam anticipate a new world order based on trade multilateralisation and liberalisation and respect to international law. 

He spoke highly of the French Consulate General and Trade Office’s role in pooling technical resources and capital, thereby dealing with challenges in socio-economic development toward the goal of building a green, modern and sustainable city. 

The Vice Chairman expressed his wish to further boost all-around ties with French localities, especially in climate change, planning and urban lighting, education-training, high-quality workforce development, cultural exchange, and science-technology. 

French Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City Vincent Florean said after taking office in Ho Chi Minh City, he has seen effective cooperation between France and southern localities, saying that they have made important strides in joint work across economy, education-training, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food, infrastructure and high technology. 

He expressed his belief that visits by the two countries’ leaders will propel bilateral ties forward. 

In recent years, Ho Chi Minh City and the French city of Lyon signed a cooperation agreement and successfully launched artistic lighting projects. Meanwhile, the number of French nationals living and working in Vietnam, especially in Ho Chi Minh City, has grown to nearly 9,000.

France now ranks 16th among 100 countries and territories investing in Ho Chi Minh City with two-way trade hitting 867 million USD last year.

Clermont Group urged to help VN build fintech, digital banking ecosystem

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue (right) shakes hand with Chairman and Founder of Clermont Group Richard F Chandler. (Source: SGP)

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue called on Singapore’s Clermont Group to share its experience with and provide consultations for Vietnam in building and developing an ecosystem for fintech and digital banking. 

At a working session with Richard F.Chandler, Chairman and Founder of Clermont Group, in Hanoi on December 11, the official suggested the group consider direct provision of services in the fintech and digital banking sectors in Vietnam. 

Although the Vietnamese Government and the Prime Minister have no plans to establish more wholly foreign-owned banks, they encourage foreign investors to participate in restructuring weak banks and then become an entity holding 100 percent of capital in line with domestic legal regulations, he stressed. 

Hue asked Clermont to select banks for restructuring through the State Bank of Vietnam and relevant Vietnamese agencies and submit the list to the Government for consideration.

Lauding Clermont’s successes in Vietnam through its investment in the stock market, initial public offering (IPO) of some banks and health care, the official urged the group to train human resources in these realms. 

He also spoke highly of the group’s moral principles as well as its commitments to long-term investment in Vietnam. 

The Vietnamese Government and the PM always make efforts to improve the local business climate and national competitiveness, and create the best possible conditions for domestic and foreign investors, he noted. 

Asked how Clermont can do to help Vietnam in bank restructuring and bad debt settlement, Richard Chandler said with its experience in Brazil, Russia, Japan and India, the group would join the effort, noting that the group wishes to make more contributions to Vietnam.

The Clermont Group is an international business group with its headquarters in Singapore. Founded in 1986 by New Zealand-born entrepreneur Richard F Chandler, the Clermont Group builds and invests in businesses in healthcare, financial services and aerospace. These businesses employ over 5,000 people around the world.

In Vietnam, Clermont invested in Hoan My Medical Corporation in 2013. From six hospitals at that time, Hoan My now comprises 15 hospitals and six clinics, where more than 4,000 employees serve 3.7 million patients annually. In 2017, Hoan My was awarded 'Vietnam Hospital of the Year' by Frost & Sullivan and the Labour Medal by the President of Vietnam for its achievements in medical services, charitable activities and contribution to building.

PM urges Hoa Binh to become tourism locality

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc in a working session with Hoa Binh province

The northern mountainous province of Hoa Binh should bring into play the full potential of its land, people and culture to become a tourism locality, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said in a working session with local officials on December 11.

Hoa Binh province has huge potential for tourism development as it is known for being the cradle of ancient Vietnamese with cultures of the Muong ethnics- Muong Bi, Muong Vang, Muong Thang and Muong Dong.

It houses four renowned natural reserves of Ngoc Son-Ngo Luong, Thuong Tien, Hang Kia-Pa Co, and Pu Canh, and the Da River reservoir which is being developed into national tourism site, PM Phuc said.

The local authority needs to improve its underdeveloped tourism infrastructure, he said, adding that the Government always pays due attention to the development and arising issues in the province.

He hailed comprehensive socio-economic development achievements of the province in the past time, with positive changes in culture, society, security and politics. 

He advised the province to take advantage of its geographic location of just 30 kilometres from the capital city of Hanoi, for its socio-economic growth.

The locality needs to promote the development of forestry and wood processing industry to contribute to the effort to turn Vietnam into a wooden furniture production centre of the world, he said.

The Government leader asked the province to address its shortcomings, including small-scale business, modest foreign investments, and high proportion of impoverished households.

Hoa Binh is among the provinces with the lowest rankings of the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) as administrative procedures and inspections have caused troubles to local businesses, he underlined.

As part of the efforts to branch out local forestry and high-tech agriculture, the locality must give top priority to come up with a sustainable planning scheme, promote regional linkages, production and value chain as well as enhance market access ability.

PM Phuc asked the locality to outline rational programmes in response to natural disasters and entrusted the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) to join hands with relevant organisations to ensure safety for local residents in the context of extreme weather.

In 2018, Hoa Binh posted a GRDP growth of 8.36 percent, welcomed around 2.5 million visitors, including 310,000 foreigners. However, the proportion of poor households remains high, at 14.9 percent.

The same day, PM Phuc attended the investment promotion conference of Hoa Binh province in 2018.

HCM City, China’s Chengdu boost trade, tourism links

Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong (R) presents a gift to Chengdu Mayor Luo Qiang at the meeting on December 11 

Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong expressed wish to acquire the Chinese city of Chengdu’s experience in urban and transportation management during a reception on December 11 for visiting Mayor Luo Qiang. 

Phong hailed Chengdu for winning the title of the happiest city of China, adding that Ho Chi Minh City is working to turn itself into a civilised, modern and friendly city. 

He said China is now among the five largest sources of tourist arrivals to Ho Chi Minh City and Chinese localities such as Guangdong and Jilin regularly hold trade and tourism promotion events in the city. 

The scheduled launch of direct flight services between Ho Chi Minh City and Chengdu in 2019 will contribute to facilitating exchange as well as trade, investment, tourism promotion, he said. 

Luo, for his part, said Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan province, which is home to numerous relic sites and beautiful landscapes, adding that Chengdu wants to further enhance tourism cooperation with Vietnamese localities. 

According to him, Sichuan Airlines is conducting procedures to launch flights linking Chengdu and Ho Chi Minh City, which he said, will step up bilateral trade, cultural and tourism ties. 

Following the reception, Phong and his guest witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism and the Chengdu Tourism Bureau. 

Accordingly, both sides will share information regarding tourism policies, travel agencies and tourist destinations, and consider cooperation plans related to workforce training and tourism investment.

Vietnamese Ambassador meets leader of Indonesian party

Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Pham Vinh Quang (R) and PDI-P President Megawati Sukarnoputri 

Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Pham Vinh Quang on December 10 spoke highly of Indonesia’s vanguard role in the ASEAN, while paying a courtesy call on President of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Megawati Sukarnoputri, who is former President of Indonesia. 

Quang attributed Indonesia’s successes to the daily contributions of millions of Indonesian people, its government, and political parties, particularly the PDI-P under the leadership of Megawati. 

He informed his host about the development in Vietnam-Indonesia ties, founded by President Ho Chi Minh and Megawati’s father President Soekarno, over the past 63 years, saying that the bilateral relationship was upgraded to the strategic partnership level in 2013. 

The ambassador highlighted visits by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong in 2017, Indonesian President Joko Widodo in September 2018 to sign a new action programme for 2019-2023, and a working trip to Bali by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in October 2018. 

Megawati, for her part, said the bilateral strategic partnership needs to be nurtured and the two countries should work closely together to effectively realise the 2019-2023 action programme. 

She thanked Vietnam for providing support for Indonesia’s initiatives and affirmed the importance of Vietnam-Indonesia cooperation at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) forums and other multilateral ones, especially at the United Nations and the United Nations Security Council. 

Megawati said she was planning to visit Vietnam in 2019, adding that she will be delighted to meet Vietnamese leaders and friends during the trip. 

The former president said she is willing to attend and work with the Vietnamese embassy and units concerned to hold exhibitions and scientific seminars on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of historic visits by Presidents Soekarno and Ho Chi Minh.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives Lao Justice Minister Xaysy Santivong

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) receives visiting Lao Minister of Justice Xaysy Santivong in Hanoi on December 10 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc received visiting Lao Minister of Justice Xaysy Santivong in Hanoi on December 10.

At the reception, PM Phuc congratulated the Lao Party, State and people for their achievements recorded over the past time and expressed his belief that under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, Laos will successfully implement the resolution of the Party’s 10th Congress.

He noted with pleasure the fruitfully developing traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations.

The Government leader highly valued the concrete cooperation outcomes between the two justice ministries, saying judicial collaboration is one of the most important contents in the bilateral ties.

Minister Xaysy Santivong said his visit aims to continue enhancing the cooperation between the two ministries. He informed the host that the two sides earlier had successful talks during which they exchanged experience in judicial activities in 2018.

The Lao Ministry of Justice’s today development is thanks to the wholehearted and valuable assistance of the Vietnamese Party, Government and justice ministry, he said, adding that his ministry is coordinating with the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs in supporting Vietnamese nationals living in Laos, especially in terms of legal papers.  

Appreciating Vietnam’s official development assistance (ODA) projects which help the Lao Ministry of Justice with personnel training, he affirmed that the two ministries will push forward closer and more effective coordination in the time ahead.

PM Phuc said that on the basis of the two countries’ special friendship and solidarity, Vietnam is ready to share with the Lao side lessons of both success and failure in its development process.

He said that institutional building is extremely important to the development of a country as it covers legal institutions, development policies, and management and monitoring work.

The leader instructed the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice to provide the best support for its Lao counterpart, not only at ministerial level but also lower levels. 

He asked the two ministries to effectively realise the agreement between the two Governments relating to the judicial field as well as the signed agreement on their cooperation for the 2015-2020.

Vietnam, Laos boost judicial cooperation

Vietnamese Minister of Justice Le Thanh Long (L) and his Lao counterpart Xaysi Santivong 

Vietnamese Minister of Justice Le Thanh Long and his Lao counterpart Xaysi Santivong agreed to work closely together to launch a bilateral cooperation programme for 2019, during their talks in Hanoi on December 10. 

Both sides vowed to facilitate the exchange of delegations to learn from judicial experience and continue with a project to support the Lao Academy of Justice. 

They promised to jointly study a roadmap on amending the judicial assistance agreement in civil and criminal affairs between the two nations; effectively realise conclusions reached at the fourth extended judicial conference of the border provinces of Vietnam and Laos; implement the two governments’ agreement on the settlement of free migration and illegitimate marriages in border areas; as well as enhance law training in the two justice ministries’ training establishments. 

The two ministers expressed the belief that the talks’ outcomes will open up new opportunities to lift bilateral judicial ties to a greater height, contributing to fostering the special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries’ parties, states, and people. 

Following the talks, they signed the 2019 cooperation programme between the two ministries. 

Santivong presented orders and medals of the Lao State to Vietnamese individuals and collectives in recognition of their contributions to bilateral judicial cooperation. 

The Lao minister is currently visiting Vietnam from December 8-12.

Central Public Security Party Committee reviews 2018 work

General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and President Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and delegates 

The Central Public Security Party Committee convened a conference in Hanoi on December 10 to review the party work in 2018 and set tasks for 2019, as well as recommended personnel planned for positions in the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee for the 2021-2026 tenure. 

Both General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and President Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc spoke highly of the achievements made by the Central Public Security Party Committee during the past half tenure, saying that it has closely followed the leadership of the CPV Central Committee, National Assembly, and Government to fulfil the task of ensuring public security and order, contributing to socio-economic development and global integration. 

Trong described the nomination of personnel planned for positions in the CPV Central Committee for the 2021-2026 tenure as an important agenda to improve personnel quality, Party leadership, and combat capability, thus meeting the demand for protecting national security and ensuring social safety and order in the new context. 

The Party chief asked the Central Public Security Party Committee to review the past achievements and fix the shortcomings in the party building, towards continuing to build a revolutionary, elite, and modern public security force. 

In the next period, he called for attention to the party building, political and ideological education, and the improvement of Party activities, adding that each official and Party member of the public security force must set an exemplary model, staying absolutely loyal to the Party, nation, and people. 

Participants at the event heard a report on the outcomes of nominating personnel planned for positions in the CPV Central Committee for the 2021-2026 tenure on December 4. 

They later cast votes to choose candidates who will likely run for seats in the CPV Central Committee for the 2021-2016 tenure.

Vietnam, RoK hold seventh defence policy dialogue

The seventh defence policy dialogue between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) took place in Ho Chi Minh City on December 10 

The seventh defence policy dialogue between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) took place in Ho Chi Minh City on December 10.

Deputy Minister of National Defence Nguyen Chi Vinh and his RoK counterpart Suh Choo-suk co-chaired the dialogue.

Vinh expressed his pleasure at the strong development of the Vietnam-RoK relations in the fields of culture, society, and people-to-people exchange.

He said Vietnam is keen to boost cooperation with the RoK and hoped the dialogue would help further deepen the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership.

Suh said the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries has been reinforced in various fields such as economy, investment, trade, people-to-people exchange, and sports.

The annual defence policy dialogue plays a crucial role in promoting exchanges between the two countries as well as the defence ministries, he said.

It is also a good chance for the two sides to review their cooperation over the past time and discuss future cooperation development orientations, he added.

At the dialogue, the two sides talked about global security situation and other matters of common concerns, thereby increasing mutual understanding and trust. 

They focused on reviewing the outcomes in some areas such as exchange of high-level delegations, personnel training, marine security, humanitarian assistance in addressing post-war aftermaths.

The two sides agreed to continue maintaining and promoting the achievements and increase collaboration in defence industry and United Nations peacekeeping activities.

They pledged to step up coordination at multilateral forums such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM ), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Asia Economic Forum (AEF), Shangri-La Dialogue, and Seoul dialogue.

Vietnam, Laos hold annual border meeting

The 28th annual Vietnam-Laos border meeting took place on December 10 in the Lao capital of Vientiane, reviewing cooperation in 2018 and discussing orientations for 2019 (Illustrative photo: VNA)

 

The 28th annual Vietnam-Laos border meeting took place on December 10 in the Lao capital of Vientiane, reviewing cooperation in 2018 and discussing orientations for 2019.

The Vietnamese delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister and head of the National Border Committee Le Hoai Trung, while the Lao side was led by Foreign Minister and head of the Laos-Vietnam border committee Saleumxay Kommasith.

Both sides agreed that so far this year, political stability and security, as well as social order and safety have been ensured along the shared border. 

The two agencies and local authorities have assisted the development of border areas in all spheres, contributing to the enhancement of the traditional friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the countries in general and among border localities in particular, they said.

They highlighted the progress in joint management and development of their inland border gate system, as well as in the two border localities’ collaboration across the fields of economy, trade, culture, education, healthcare, and tourism.

The two sides lauded the positive outcomes recorded in their implementation of an agreement between the two governments on dealing with undocumented migration and marriages along the shared border. They set out specific measures to speed up their joint works in increasing the number of border markers and upgrading existing ones.

Vietnam and Laos agreed that in 2019, they will focus on border management collaboration in compliance with two legal documents on the matter. They said they will continue their implementation of the agreement on tackling undocumented migration and marriage to ensure progress keeps to schedule. 

The sides planned to organise a conference before the end of the second quarter in 2019 to review the pilot of the single-window mechanism at the Lao Bao (Quang Tri, Vietnam)-Densavan (Savannakhet, Laos) border gate pair. They said they will complete the opening and upgrade of border gate pairs in line with their agreements.

Concluding the meeting, heads of the Vietnamese and Lao delegations signed the minutes, agreeing to organise the 29th meeting in Vietnam in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Officials highlight progress in Vietnam-EU defence ties

Sen. Lieut. Gen. Phan Van Giang, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army and Deputy Defence Minister 

Developments in Vietnam-EU relations, especially in security-defence, were highlighted during a meeting between a senior official of the Ministry of National Defence and a delegation of the EU’s Crisis Management and Planning Directorate (CMPD) in Hanoi on December 10.

Talking to Sen. Lt. Gen. Phan Van Giang (member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, and Deputy Minister of Defence), CMPD Director Gabor Iklody said bilateral ties have recorded strides in the recent past, including in security-defence.

The EU and Vietnam can further strengthen cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral aspects, as well as in the relationship between the EU and ASEAN, especially as Vietnam will hold the ASEAN Chair in 2020.

He said the EU is ready to promote collaboration in UN peacekeeping activities, adding that cooperation potential in this field is considerable, particularly in terms of personnel training and technical assistance.

For his part, Sen. Lt. Gen. Giang asked the EU to help the Vietnamese army with UN peacekeeping activities so that the country can meet requirements while performing tasks at UN missions.

He urged relevant sides to keep close coordination to accelerate discussion on future defence ties in the coming time.

He also called on the EU to endorse Vietnam’s candidacy for a non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council for 2020-2021, and to support the two sides’ win-win cooperation to continue its development.