Foreign diplomats learn about Vietnam

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized a ‘Learning about Vietnam’ session on January 25 to acquaint foreign diplomats with key facts regarding Vietnam’s land, people, and achievements in the renewal process and its contemporary foreign policy.

The event drew around 90 delegates from foreign diplomat corps, including 19 heads of diplomatic representative agencies and international organizations together with representatives from foreign non-governmental organizations, cultural centres, groups, and businesses in Hanoi.

Every year, around 200 diplomats assume their new duties in Vietnam. To help them develop an accurate and full understanding of Vietnam, the Foreign Ministry has held the annual ‘Learning about Vietnam” information session since 2015. It has attracted great attention and support from diplomatic missions and international organizations in Vietnam.

The organizers decided to hold the program near to the time of the Traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) with the aim of introducing the fine traditions of Vietnamese people to international friends.

The program is an effective channel of external information, contributing to the promotion of friendship, cooperation, and development ties between Vietnam and other countries, while fulfilling the diplomatic tasks for 2018 as set out by the Foreign Ministry.

India-ASEAN friendship park inaugurated in New Delhi

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs inaugurated the India-ASEAN Friendship Park in Tughlak Marg street, New Delhi on January 24, a day ahead of the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit.

Vietnamese Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha joined Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Lim Jock Hoi and many ASEAN officials at the event. 

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Indian Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj highlighted the significance of the event at a time when India and the ASEAN are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their dialogue partnership. 

The park symbolises the friendship between India and ASEAN and demonstrates the two sides’ commitment to protecting the environment, she said. 

She also looked back at the fruitful development of the relations between the two sides over the last 25 years, affirming that their partnership has been promoted strongly across fields. 

For his part, ASEAN General Secretary Lim Jock Hoi stressed that the increasing relations between ASEAN and India will benefit their people. 

On the occasion, foreign guests planted trees in the park. 

The park, in the shape of a D, has an area of nearly 1.2 hectares. 

Vietnam, Laos work to ensure quality of Lao NA House

Scene at the working session 

 A delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of Construction, led by its Minister Pham Hong Ha, held a working session with the management board for the Lao National Assembly (NA) House construction project in Vientiane on January 25.

At the working session, the delegation and the management board, headed by Secretary General of the Lao NA Suenesavanh Vignaket, discussed and agreed on their coordination mechanism and scope of work.

The two sides pledged to ensure quality, construction techniques, aesthetic appearance and safety of the building and complete the project - a gift presented by the Vietnamese Party, State and people to their Lao counterparts - by the end of 2020.  

Vice Chairman of the Lao NA Somphanh Phengkhammy, head of the Lao steering committee for the project, thanked the Vietnamese Party, State and people for their gift.

He stressed the building will be a symbol of friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and people and will become a valuable asset for the next generations.

At the end of the session, Ha and Vignaket signed an agreement on coordination mechanism and scope of work between the Vietnamese Ministry of Construction and the Lao management board for the NA House construction project.

Work on the 100-million-USD project began in Thatluang village in Vientiane’s Saysettha district on November 2017.

People-to-people diplomacy helps bolster Vietnam-India friendship

 Indian Society for Cultural Cooperation and Friendship delegation takes a picture with leaders of the Vietnam-India Friendship Association (Source: http://baoquocte.vn)

The people-to-people diplomatic activities, especially the Vietnam-India friendship festival, have helped bolster friendship between Vietnam and India, said Vice President of the Vietnam-India Friendship Association Ha Minh Hue.

Hue was hosting a delegation from the Indian Society for Cultural Cooperation and Friendship led by its Vice President Pujari Gobardhan in Hanoi on January 25.

He held that the promotion of the Vietnam-India to comprehensive strategic partnership has facilitated the friendship, cooperation and people-to-people diplomatic activities between the two sides.

The Vietnam-India Friendship Association has paid much attention to expand friendship and collaboration with India, while maintaining sound relations with the Indian Embassy in Vietnam, and coordinate with the Indian side in organising people-to-people diplomatic activities, thus strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between the two peoples, he said.

For his part, Pujari Gorbardhan pledged that his organisation will continue assisting Vietnam during its national construction and defence, showing his belief that the Vietnam-India friendship will continue to thrive.

Within the framework of the Indian delegation from January 24-27, they will visit Ninh Binh and Quang Ninh provinces to work with the Vietnam-India Friendship Associations of the localities on expanding exchanges and cooperation between the two sides.

Congratulations to new Liberian President

George Weah, new President of Liberia (Source: liberianobserver.com)

President Tran Dai Quang, on January 25, sent a congratulatory message to George Tawlon Manneh Oppong Ousman Weah on his election as new President of Liberia.

Weah, a former international football star, recently won the local presidential election and was inaugurated as President of Liberia on January 22.

Vietnam and Liberia established diplomatic relations in 2016.

Deputy PM vows to facilitate Vietnam-Russia oil-gas cooperation

The Vietnamese Government always encourages and creates favourable conditions for Vietnamese and Russian oil and gas companies to strengthen their cooperation, said Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung. 

Dung made the statement while receiving Kudryashov Sergey Ivanovich, General Director of Zarubezhneft JSC, in Hanoi on January 25.

Zarubezhneft and the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) formed the joint ventures of Vietsovpetro in Vietnam and Rusvietpetro in Russia.

Praising oil and gas cooperation between Vietnam and Russia in the recent years, Dung said the sector is one of the pillars in bilateral ties, bringing huge incomes to their state budgets.

Oil and gas exploration and exploitation activities between PetroVietnam and Zarubezhneft have contributed to strengthening and developing the Vietnam-Russia strategic partnership, the Deputy PM noted.

He suggested Zarubezhneft work closely with PetroVietnam to seek measures to cut production costs, improve the operation efficiency of Vietsovpetro and Rusvietpetro, apply latest technologies, optimise potential of current oil fields and look for new ones.

Kudryashov said all joint projects between Zarubezhneft and PetroVietnam have been implemented effectively and on schedule as agreed by both sides, adding that Vietsovpetro and Rusvietpetro plan to explore new oil and gas fields in the future.

He asked the Vietnamese Government to direct relevant ministries and agencies to remove obstacles hindering operations of the joint ventures.

Acknowledging the proposal, Dung assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade and PetroVietnam to work with Zarubezhneft and relevant agencies of Vietnam and Russia to address existing problems.

China treasures ties with Vietnam

Zhao Leji, Secretary of China's Central Commission (R), and Pham Minh Chinh, head of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee's Organisation Commission in a meeting in Beijing, China. 

Chinese Party, Government and people attach importance to reinforcing bilateral ties with Vietnam’s Party, State and people, said Zhao Leji, Politburo member of the Communist Party of China’s Standing Committee and Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, on January 25.

Zhao made the statement in Beijing while receiving Pham Minh Chinh, Politburo member, Secretary of the Communist Party of the Vietnam Central Committee and head of the Central Committee’s Organisation Commission who is on a working visit to China from January 23.

At the meeting, Zhao informed his guest about inclusive party management of the Communist Party of China, while expressing his delight at the development of the Vietnam-China relations.

Chinh, for his part, spoke highly of the recent progress in bilateral relationship between the two parties and nations, while affirming that Vietnam’s aspiration to strengthen traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations.

He suggested the two sides continue to maintain and increase high-level delegation exchange, enhance the efficiency of cooperation mechanisms in all fields, foster people-to-people exchange; and work together to maintain peace and stability at sea, fully implement common perceptions and agreements between senior leaders of the two Parties and countries.

The same day, Chinh held talks with the Party Committee of Beijing leaders to gain insights into China’s personnel development at grassroots levels. 

HCM City’s top leader continues working visit to Laos

As part of his working visit to Laos, Politburo member and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan on January 25 visited Khamtay Siphandone, former General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and former President of Laos.

Nhan expressed his hope that the former leader will continue giving his ideas and valuable experience as well as educating younger generations about the preservation and promotion of the traditional friendship and special solidarity between the two nations.

Nhan said that his visit shows HCM City’s determination to reinforce and develop special ties with Lao localities, especially its twined province of Champasak.

For his part, Khamtay Siphandone stressed that the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos is the only of its kind in the world, expressing his hope that leaders and people of both countries will continue working together closely and support each other in completing all important tasks, including developing socialist-oriented economy and ensuring defence-security.

The same day, Nhan paid a courtesy call on Bounthong Divixay, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Governor of Champasak province, during which he affirmed that HCM City always work hard to preserve, reinforce and develop special ties with Laos and Champasak province in particular.

Showing their delight at the growing partnership between the two localities over the past 18 years, the two officials noted that along with joint efforts in implementing the memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the 2016-2020 period, HCM City and Champasak have maintained the regular exchange of delegations. 

HCM City has granted 20 scholarships to Champasak students each year, thereby helping the Lao province to train its human resources.

Nhan proposed that Champasak continue prioritising and creating favourable conditions for HCM City’s projects, while supporting workers and technicians from the city, and strengthen bilateral collaboration in education and hi-tech agriculture. He also asked for Champasak’s assistance to the Vietnamese community in the province.

Nhan told the host that that in Match 2018, a delegation from the HCM City People’s Council led by its chairwoman Nguyen Thi Quyet Tam will visit Champasak to share experience in people’s council affairs, focusing on urban management and investment policy supervision.

Bounthong Divixay hailed the close cooperation between the two localities over the past years, adding that Champasak wants to learn HCM City’s financial experience.

Also on January 25, Nhan visited the Champasak Friendship Primary School, the Vietnamese General Consulate in Pakse, and the Vietnamese Association in Laos.

Paris Accords a lasting diplomatic lesson

Former Vice President Nguyễn Thị Bình (middle) speaks at a meeting which marks the 45th year of the Paris Peace Accords in Hà Nội on Thursday.

The lessons learned from the Paris Peace Accords can still be applied today, according to former Vice President Nguyễn Thị Bình.

Vietnamese diplomats of different generations gathered in Hà Nội yesterday to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Paris Peace Accords.

Among the attendees was former Vice President Bình. As head of the delegation of the National Front for the Liberation of South Việt Nam, she represented the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Việt Nam  to sign the accords.

On January 27, 1973, the Paris Peace Accords – an agreement to end the American war and restore peace in Việt Nam – were signed in Paris between the four governments of the Democratic Republic of Việt Nam, the National Front for the Liberation of South Việt Nam, the Republic of Việt Nam and the United States.

The agreement was the result of the longest and most difficult struggle in the history of Việt Nam’s diplomacy, with 202 public meetings held over four years, eight months and 14 days.

Speaking at the meeting, Bình said that the negotiations between the four parties left several valuable lessons for Việt Nam’s diplomacy today and in the future.

The right diplomatic strategy, an accurate assessment of the parties’ strengths and the world’s situation and taking advantage of internal strengths and international opportunities brought the best out of the negotiations, she said.

A country’s internal strength is what makes successful diplomacy, which includes military strength and economic strength, Bình added.

People’s diplomacy needs to be strengthened in Việt Nam’s current context, with a focus on building and defending the country, she said.

Nguyễn Mạnh Cầm, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the Paris Peace Accords were a great success in many aspects, not only for Việt Nam but also for the world.

Lê Hải Bình, deputy director of the Diplomacy Academy of Việt Nam, said that the accords were “a miracle” that inspire and encourage Vietnamese diplomats to contribute to the country’s diplomacy.

President urges business renovation for sustainable development

President Tran Dai Quang

Vietnamese enterprises, especially those in private sector, must unceasingly renovate themselves and take advantage of the fourth industrial revolution for their sustainable development while contributing to national growth, said President Tran Dai Quang.

He made the call at the launch of the “entrepreneurship innovation programme for national sustainable development” held by the Vietnam Private Business Association in Hanoi on January 25.

The programme is an important move in implementing the Party and State’s resolution and instructions on developing the private economic sector and promoting the role of local businesspeople in national construction and protection, the President highlighted. 

He went on to say that domestic enterprises should study and apply advanced technology to enhance labour productivity and competitive and business management capacity, and take the initiative in joining global value chains and building Vietnamese brands.

The President ordered ministries, agencies and local administrations to enhance communication work to raise public awareness of the Party and State’s consistent policies to develop the private economic sector.

On the occasion, the State leader lauded the Vietnam Private Business Association’s giant stride in the past time. It has joined hands with relevant organisations to carry out the Party and State’s socio-cultural-economic development policies and made significant contributions to alleviating poverty and ensuring social security in the country.

Since the launch of the “Doi moi” (reform), the Vietnamese economy has been operating under the socialist-oriented market mechanism and the Party and State have encouraged the roles of private sector in the nation’s development. 

Most recently, the 12th Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee adopted a resolution on “developing the private economy into an important driving force of the socialist-oriented market economy” at its fifth plenary meeting on May 10, 2017.

VNA