Diplomacy should be business-centred: PM

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at a plenary session of the 30th Diplomatic Conference on August 15. 

Diplomacy should be centred around helping Vietnamese enterprises reach out to the world, said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at a plenary session of the 30th Diplomatic Conference on August 15, which discussed the promotion of diplomacy to develop the economy in the era of intensive global integration.

Diplomacy must uphold the principle of taking action to boost economic development. It should translate the strong relations between Vietnam and other countries and foreign partners into opportunities for economic cooperation and global integration, the PM added.

He expressed his appreciation of many Vietnamese ambassadors’ efforts in coordinating closely with ministries and local governments to promote trade and expand markets overseas with diversified and effective approaches.

Phuc urged all diplomats to take more active roles in shaping and promoting multilateral partnerships and, at the same time, guide and foster the expansion of all-round cooperation with a focus on economy. In addition, they must provide accurate and up-to-date information on foreign markets for the government, ministries, localities, and enterprises as well as give advices on foreign economic diplomacy and development, he added.

He suggested that diplomats double efforts to search for external resources, promote trade overseas, develop the labour market, call for ODA, and attract more remittance and visitors to Vietnam, all of which will aid the country in striving towards a digital and smart economy.

“Vietnamese embassies should not only serve the Government and the prime minister, but also localities and both private and State-owned enterprises for the ultimate key goal of developing the national economy,” the PM stressed.

The government leader also emphasised the importance of information for foreign service, citing 4,000 foreign reporters covering events in Vietnam in 2017.

“This is an important channel to promote the potential, country and people of Vietnam to the world,” he noted.

At the event, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc spoke highly of the contribution of diplomacy to the country’s achievements. 

Resources brought by both internal and external diplomacy have been attributed to the country’s economic restructuring and strong economic growth over recent years, he noted, referring to the fact that Vietnam is the only ASEAN member state to have set up strategic and comprehensive partnerships with five permanent members of the UN Security Council, the entire G7, as well as 13 of the G20 countries.

Over the last two years, Vietnam has taken great advantage of ambassadors and delegations’ missions abroad to organise hundreds of trade and investment promotion events, particularly the promotion of the country’s key agricultural products.

Speaking at the conference, Chairman and General Director of the military-run telecom group Viettel Le Dang Dung voiced his hopes to continue receiving enthusiastic support from Vietnamese diplomatic corps overseas. He asked diplomats to put more effort into bridging domestic and foreign businesses, strengthening legal support for Vietnamese enterprises abroad, and facilitating them to seek overseas trade and investment opportunities.

The diplomatic conference, which was initiated in 1957, convenes every two years to provide a venue for the diplomatic sector to reach a consensus on awareness, resolve, and action to effectively implement the Party and State’s foreign policy. 

The event’s 30th edition opened in Hanoi on August 13, aiming to discuss measures to maintain the effective implementation of the 12th National Party Congress’ resolution, which emphasised the tasks of protecting national independence, sovereignty, unification, and territorial integrity; maintaining peace and stability to serve national development; expanding diplomatic relations; effectively implementing international integration; and continuing to raise the country’s position and prestige on the international stage.

PM inspects maintenance of President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc inspects the maintenance of President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on August 15

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on August 15 applauded efforts by relevant units in maintaining and renovating both the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Monument for Heroic Mothers in Hanoi. 

At a working session with the mausoleum’s management board, the Government leader highly appreciated the application of science and technology in preserving the corpse of President Ho Chi Minh.

He asked the management board to improve the information work in order to promote the cultural and educational values of the mausoleum. He also asked relevant agencies to work harder to ensure the security and safety of the site. 

The PM instructed the Ministry of Construction to coordinate with the Hanoi People’s Committee to set forth a plan on building an underground parking lot in the Ba Dinh Cultural-Historical Relic Complex. 

According to the management board, the mausoleum will reopen for visitors from August 16 after a temporary closure for annual maintenance and renovation in 2018. 

Major General Nguyen Van Cuong, head of the board, said that they had maintained and repaired the equipment and architecture of both the mausoleum and monument. 

The management board joined hands with relevant agencies to ensure security and safety during memorial services paying tribute to the late President and other heroic martyrs, as well as for cultural and political activities around the mausoleum.

The sites were closed for annual maintenance and renovation from June 15 to August 15.

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is an important landmark of the capital city and is integral to the political and social history of Vietnam. 

After his death on September 2, 1969, President Ho Chi Minh was embalmed and later placed for viewing at this granite mausoleum. The mausoleum, modelled after Lenin’s tomb in Moscow, was built in two years from 1973 to 1975, with materials donated by people from all over the country.

The mausoleum welcomed nearly 51,000 visitors, including 11,500 foreigners, during holidays in celebration of the 43rd National Reunification Day (April 30) and International Workers’ Day (May 1) this year.

India’s Independence Day celebrated in Hanoi

The Embassy of India in Vietnam hosted a ceremony to celebrate the 71st anniversary of India’s Independence Day (August 15, 1947) in Hanoi on August 15.

The event was attended by Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Harish Parvathaneni; Chairman of the National Assembly’s Ethnic Affairs Committee and Chairman of the Vietnam-India Parliamentary Friendship Group Ha Ngoc Chien; Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung; and Vice President of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien.

In his remarks at the event, Ambassador Parvathaneni reminded his guests of the history of Vietnam-India relations which date back more than 2,000 years ago when Indian merchants and monks came to Vietnam to trade goods and spread the teaching of Buddhism. 

The two nations lifted their ties to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Vietnam in September 2016, which has brought new impetus to the expansion of the bilateral cooperation in many fields, he said.

The two countries’ leaders have identified strong economic cooperation as a key factor driving the bilateral relations, the ambassador noted, highlighting the mutual goal of raising two-way trade to 15 billion USD by 2020.

Parvathaneni said he is pleased to know that Indian enterprises have more business opportunities in Vietnam, particularly in the areas of energy, petroleum, agriculture and agricultural processing, banking, textiles and garment, engineering, and services. Vietnam and India have also co-held a number of cultural exchange events, notably a series of Yoga Day events across Vietnamese cities and provinces this year. 

He moved on to say ASEAN is the centre of India’s Act East Policy, with Vietnam as a key pillar of the grouping. For this reason, Vietnam has made it possible for India to gain access to other ASEAN member states, contributing to the success of the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit earlier this year. He vowed to further foster the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations.

Deputy FM Le Hoai Trung, for his part, said Vietnamese people are proud to have a loyal friend like India, noting that political trust has been proven through high-level visits between the two sides.

Indian FM Sushma Swaraj will visit Vietnam and co-chair the 16th meeting of the Vietnam-India intergovernmental committee later this month, he said, adding that he expects the two countries will continue working closely and supporting each other at international forums and organisations.

He expressed his belief in the bright future of long-standing relations and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and India, for the benefit of the two peoples as well as the peace, stability, and prosperity of the region and the world. 

Condolences extended to Italy over Genoa bridge collapse

Vietnamese leaders extend condolences to Italy over Genoa bridge collapse. 

President Tran Dai Quang on August 15 cabled a message of condolences to his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella over the Morandi Bridge collapse, which occurred in the northern city of Genoa a day earlier.

The same day, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc extended his sympathies to Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte over the tragedy. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also sent a message of condolences to Italian Foreign Minister Enzo Maovero Milanesi.

The Morandi Bridge suddenly crumbled on August 14 morning, plunging down 45 metres onto a riverbed, buildings and streets below, burying dozens of vehicles and people under the rubble.

According to Reuters, death toll was estimated at 39. 

Vietnam Coast Guard asked to better support fishermen

President Tran Dai Quang on August 15 requested the Vietnam Coast Guard to continue coordinating with authorities of island communes and districts to provide more effective and practical assistance for fishermen.
 
During a meeting in Hanoi with outstanding representatives of the force, authorities and fishermen of 11 island communes and districts, and representatives from businesses and socio-political organisations on the occasion of the 20th founding anniversary of the Vietnam Coast Guard (August 28), the State leader also reaffirmed that sea and islands hold an extremely important position and role in the national construction and defence.

He asked authorities of the coastal localities, including island communes and districts, to continue turning the Party and State’s policies, especially the Vietnam Maritime Strategy till 2020, into specific plans and measures to develop maritime economy sustainably, combine cultivation development with increasing the efficiency of fishing, and develop tourism services.

It is also important to develop maritime economy in line with ensuring defence and security, ensure social welfare, and help island communes and districts grow further, he added.

Over the past two decades, the Vietnam Coast Guard has fulfilled its tasks of patrolling and controlling law enforcement at sea, and helped protect the national sovereignty by law.

The force has taken the initiative in search and rescue activities, disseminating laws to fishermen, and carrying out military and defence diplomacy.

Since the beginning of 2017, it has implemented a “Vietnam Coast Guard go along with fishermen” programme in island communes and districts, which has contributed to strengthening the political system in these localities, making fishermen feel secured to earn their living and safeguarding the national sovereignty as well as sea and island security and safety.

President urges all people to join security protection movement

President Tran Dai Quang has called on the whole Party, people and army to heighten revolutionary vigilance and combating spirit to firmly defend national security and ensure social order and safety.

The President made the call while attending a ceremony held by the Ministry of Public Security in Hanoi on August 15 to review the “All people protect national security” movement in 2006-2018.

He pointed out opportunities and challenges as the country is entering a period of comprehensive reform, industrialisation, modernisation, and international integration.

The President hailed effective models and outstanding individuals in the field, which, he said, will be one of the important practical foundations for the Party and State to promulgate policies and solutions to strengthen the protection of national security and order.

He ordered further reforms in terms of forms and measures to build the “All people protect national security” movement in line with specific conditions of each region and field while enhancing coordination between the Public Security Force and the Vietnam People’s Army, Vietnam Fatherland Front, relevant agencies and sectors.

The State leader suggested improving the quality of self-management, self-defence, self-protection and self-reconciliation models in addition to rewarding contributors in the fight against crimes.

In the 2016-2018 period, the country has 2,080 typical models in the movement, which helped the police uncover over 300,000 cases, arrest nearly 200,000 violators, and crack down on thousands of criminal gangs.

Congratulations to Republic of Korea on Liberation Day

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang on August 15 sent a congratulatory message to President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Moon Jae-in on the country’s 73rd Liberation Day (August 15). 

On this occasion, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan extended congratulations to their RoK counterparts Lee Nak-yeon and Moon Hee-sang, respectively.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also sent a message of congratulations to RoK Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha. 

Vietnam and the RoK oficially established diplomatic ties on December 22, 1992. Since then, relations between the two countries have been growing fruitfully in different fields. 

The RoK is currently Vietnam’s largest foreign investor, with accumulative registered capital of over 60 billion USD. Up to 5,500 Korean firms are operating in Vietnam and creating millions jobs for Vietnamese workers. 

According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, two-way trade between Vietnam and the RoK hit 61.5 billion USD in 2017, a year-on-year increase of 41.3 percent. Vietnam’s exports to the RoK reached 14.8 billion USD, while its imports from the RoK stood at 46.7 billion USD, up 30 percent and 45.3 percent against 2016, respectively. 

Last year, around 2.5 million Korean tourists visited Vietnam, while the number of Vietnamese holidaymakers to the RoK surged by 70 percent. People-to-people exchanges have been also held at all levels and in all fields.