Party leader receives Lao Vice President

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong (R) receives Lao Vice President Phankham Viphavanh 

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong on September 26 hosted Lao Vice President Phankham Viphavanh, who is in Hanoi leading a high-ranking delegation to the funeral for President Tran Dai Quang.

Vice President Viphavanh sincerely conveyed the deep condolences and infinite grief of the Lao Party, State, National Assembly, Government, and Lao Front for National Construction to their Vietnamese counterparts over the passing of President Tran Dai Quang. 

He reflected on the valuable contributions made by President Quang in Vietnam’s national defence, construction, and development. 

The departure of President Quang is not only a great loss for the Vietnamese Party, State, and people, as well as his family, but also the Lao Party, State, and people have also lost a close friend, he stressed. 

President Tran Dai Quang made important contributions to promoting the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam in recent years, he noted. 

On behalf of the Party, the State and people of Vietnam, General Secretary Trong sincerely thanked the Lao side for offering condolences over the death of President Tran Dai Quang, and especially for assigning the Lao delegation to attend the funeral. 

He praised Laos for its observation of the two-day national mourning for President Tran Dai Quang, remarking that this shows the special, loyal, and rare solidarity in international relations between the two parties, states, and peoples.

The Vietnamese Party leader affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State, and people will do their best in joining hands with their Lao peers to preserve and further develop the Vietnam-Laos special solidarity for prosperous development of the two nations, as well as for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

President Tran Dai Quang passed away at 10:05am on September 21 in Hanoi due to serious illness at the age of 62.

PM: Vietnam willing to foster partnership with RoK

At the meeting between PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his RoK counterpart Lee Nak-yon 

The Vietnamese Government and people stand ready to work with the Republic of Korea (RoK) to promote the strategic cooperative partnership into a deeper and more comprehensive manner, which is in line with the common perception of the two countries’ leaders, particularly the Vietnam-RoK Joint Statement towards the future signed in March, 2018.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made the affirmation during a meeting in Hanoi on September 26 with his RoK counterpart Lee Nak-yon who came to Vietnam to pay tribute to President Tran Dai Quang.

On behalf of the Vietnamese Party, Government and people, PM Phuc thanked RoK President Moon Jae-in and his spouse for their message of condolences, and Lee for coming to Vietnam to pay his last respect to President Quang, saying this is vivid illustration of the RoK Government and people’s sentiments towards Vietnam.

Also, PM Phuc laid stress on the past achievements in the bilateral ties, adding that high-level exchanges have been maintained, political trust have been enhanced, and people-to-people exchanges have become an important pillar in the Vietnam-RoK friendship.

He said that both sides need to channel more efforts to advance relations in various sectors in order to attain their set goals.

On behalf of President Moon Jae-in, the RoK Government and people, PM Lee expressed the deepest condolences over the passing of President Quang, saying that this is a huge loss to bilateral relations.

The RoK President, Government, and people attach great importance to their relations with Vietnam, he said, affirming that the RoK will join hands with Vietnam to elevate the ties to a new height.

Party leader receives Lao Vice President

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong (R) receives Lao Vice President Phankham Viphavanh 

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong on September 26 hosted Lao Vice President Phankham Viphavanh, who is in Hanoi leading a high-ranking delegation to the funeral for President Tran Dai Quang.

Vice President Viphavanh sincerely conveyed the deep condolences and infinite grief of the Lao Party, State, National Assembly, Government, and Lao Front for National Construction to their Vietnamese counterparts over the passing of President Tran Dai Quang. 

He reflected on the valuable contributions made by President Quang in Vietnam’s national defence, construction, and development. 

The departure of President Quang is not only a great loss for the Vietnamese Party, State, and people, as well as his family, but also the Lao Party, State, and people have also lost a close friend, he stressed. 

President Tran Dai Quang made important contributions to promoting the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam in recent years, he noted. 

On behalf of the Party, the State and people of Vietnam, General Secretary Trong sincerely thanked the Lao side for offering condolences over the death of President Tran Dai Quang, and especially for assigning the Lao delegation to attend the funeral. 

He praised Laos for its observation of the two-day national mourning for President Tran Dai Quang, remarking that this shows the special, loyal, and rare solidarity in international relations between the two parties, states, and peoples.

The Vietnamese Party leader affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State, and people will do their best in joining hands with their Lao peers to preserve and further develop the Vietnam-Laos special solidarity for prosperous development of the two nations, as well as for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

President Tran Dai Quang passed away at 10:05am on September 21 in Hanoi due to serious illness at the age of 62.

Acting President receives Belarusian Senate Chairman

Acting President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh (R) and Chairman of the Council of the Republic of Belarus’ National Assembly Mikhail Myasnikovich 

Acting President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh affirmed that Vietnam treasures the traditional friendship and all-round cooperation with Belarus during a reception in Hanoi on September 26 for Chairman of the Council of the Republic of Belarus’ National Assembly Mikhail Myasnikovich. 

Myasnikovich is in Vietnam to attend the state funeral of President Tran Dai Quang. 

Thinh said the regular exchange of visits has fostered trust between the two countries’ leaders, creating a driving force for Vietnam-Belarus ties. 

The Vietnamese State will work with Belarus to effectively realise outcomes reached during President Alexander Lukashenko’s visit to Vietnam in 2015, and President Quang’s visit to Belarus in 2017, contributing to the strengthening of bilateral ties and meeting the aspirations of the two countries’ peoples and President Quang, she said. 

She spoke highly of the close liaison and mutual support of the two countries at international organisations and forums such as the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union. 

The host stressed that Vietnam wants to foster economic and trade ties with Belarus and work closely together to effectively realise the Vietnam-Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) Free Trade Agreement (FTA). 

Vietnam is ready to create favourable conditions for the automobile manufacturing and assembly joint-venture MAZ Asia to operate effectively, as well as push forward links in the fields of national defence-security, science-technology, culture, and tourism, she said. 

Lauding the active joint work between Vietnam’s Lao Cai province and Belarus’ Brest province, Hai Phong city and Vitebsk province, Hanoi and capital Minsk, and Hung Yen and Minsk province over recent years, the Acting President committed all possible support to the two countries’ localities, thus making practical contributions to bilateral ties. 

Myasnikovich conveyed the profound condolences of President Alexander Lukashenko and Belarusian people to the Vietnamese Party, State, and people, as well as the family of President Quang over the passing of the leader. 

He said Belarus will continue actively realising agreements reached during President Quang’s trip to the nation in June 2017. 

He expressed wishes that the Vietnamese State will continue supporting joint work between the two nations, especially in economy, trade, investment, and people-to-people exchange. 

The guest said Belarus imports many Vietnamese goods, believing that the Vietnam-EEU FTA will help boost bilateral trade.

NA Chairwoman receives Chinese Party official

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) and Secretary of the CPC's Commission for Discipline Inspection Zhao Leji 

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan expressed her thanks to member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Secretary of the CPC's Commission for Discipline Inspection Zhao Leji and CPC delegation for paying tribute to President Tran Dai Quang during a reception for the Chinese official in Hanoi on September 26. 

Ngan said Zhao’s ongoing visit reflects Chinese senior leaders’ appreciation for Vietnam-China ties, affirming that the Vietnamese Party and State always treasure and want to strengthen the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China. 

Speaking highly of the encouraging outcomes of bilateral cooperation in diverse areas, including growing ties between the Vietnamese NA and the National People’s Congress of China, she suggested the two sides fully and strictly implement the common perceptions reached by high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and countries as well as signed agreements, and properly settle disputes at sea for the healthy, long-term, and stable development of Vietnam-China relations. 

Zhao conveyed to Ngan the profound condolences from Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Li Zhanshu over the passing of President Quang. 

He affirmed that the Chinese Party, Government, and people highly value their ties with Vietnam and wish to enhance political trust and strategic exchanges. 

Zhao wished that the two legislatures would continue stepping up exchanges to lift ties between the two Parties and countries to a new height. 

The same day, Politburo member and permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Quoc Vuong also hosted a reception for Zhao Leji. 

Both officials agreed to promote high-level exchanges, strengthen political trust and bilateral friendship; and implement seriously and fully the common perceptions reached by senior leaders of the two Parties and countries.

They also agreed to well control disagreements, maintain peace and stability at sea and continue foster the healthy and sustainable development of the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the near future. 

Earlier on the day, Zhao Leji led a CPC delegation to pay respect to President Tran Dai Quang at the National Funeral Hall, No. 5 Tran Thanh Tong, Hanoi.

Vietnam General Confederation of Labour wraps up 12th congress

General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong gives flowers to the Congress 

The 12th Congress of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) for the 2018-2023 tenure closed in Hanoi on September 26 after the three days of sitting.

The closing session saw the presence of Politburo member, Chairman of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Organisation Commission Pham Minh Chinh and Politburo member, Chairwoman of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation Truong Thi Mai. 

Participants heard a report on the results of the first meeting of the 12th VGCL Executive Committee, and approved a resolution of the congress. 

VGCL Vice President Tran Van Thuat said the congress elected an Executive Committee for the 2018-2023 with 161 members.

The first meeting of the Executive Committee elected 22 members of the Presidium, the VCCL President and four Vice Presidents, 16 members of the Examination Board of the VGCL, the head and two vice 

heads of the Examination Board in the 2018-2023 tenure. 

President of the VGCL of the 11th tenure Bui Van Cuong was re-elected to President of the VGCL of the 12th term. 

In his speech at the event, Cuong, who is also Vice President of the World Federation of Trade Unions, promised to do his utmost to perform well the tasks entrusted by the congress, and concretize the Party’s Resolutions and those of the 12th  VGCL Congress. 

He expressed his hope to receive  support from the Politburo, the CPV Central Committee’s Secretariat , Party and State leaders  and the VGCL members, thus helping him do well his duties in the tenure. 

At the closing session, participants noted opinions gave by General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong, and suggestions by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to  the congress’s  Resolution and documents, thus approving basic contents on the assessment of the implementation of the Resolution of the 11th VGCL Congress, and orientations for the next five years. 

Tasks and targets for the next tenure will focus on improving the efficiency of representation for labourers of trade union organizations, and protecting interests of and bettering living standards for their members and labourers. 

More efforts will be made to make the Vietnamese working class stronger, while fine-tuning organisation models and renovating operation methods, towards promoting profession in trade union organizations. 

The Congress set a target of admitting additional two million trade union members by 2023, and establishing trade-union organisations in enterprises with at least 25 employees.

The Resolution also set an objective to have 100 percent of trade unions in administrative and State-owned enterprises, at least 70 percent of enterprises with trade unions signing the collective labour agreements. 

It also aimed to carry out three breakthroughs, including renovating organizational structure and operation of trade union organisations, protecting interests of trade union members and labourers; improve the capacity and quality of trade union staff. 

The Resolution called for joint efforts from trade union organisations nationwide in coordination with the Government in a programme to improve national competitiveness and promote sustainable development.

Party official hosts Japanese LDP Secretary General

At the reception 

Politburo member and Chairman of the Communist Part of Vietnam Central Committee’s Organisation Commission Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception in Hanoi on September 26 for Secretary General of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan Nikai Toshihiro. 

Toshihiro, who is also Chairman of the Japan – Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians’ Alliance and a special envoy of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, came to Vietnam to attend the state funeral of President Tran Dai Quang. 

Chinh, who is also Chairman of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Parliamentarians Group, expressed thanks to Toshihiro and the Japanese delegation for coming to Vietnam to condole with the Vietnamese Party, State and people. 

He also extended his sympathy to the Japanese government and people over damage caused by natural disasters since the beginning of 2018, leaving huge losses in humans and property. 

Toshihiro said President Quang had made great contributions to the extensive strategic partnership between Japan and Vietnam. 

Both officials shared the view that with similar cultures and strategic benefits, Vietnam and Japan have common interests in bilateral and multilateral cooperation with increasingly enhanced political trust.

Vietnam offers condolences over deadly ferry accident in Tanzania

Ferry accident on Lake Victoria claimed over 200 lives and left many missing. 

Acting President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh on September 25 sent condolences to Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli over a recent ferry accident on Lake Victoria in the East African country that claimed over 200 lives and left many missing. 

The same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also extended his condolences to Augustine Mahiga, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional and International Cooperation of Tanzania. 

A passenger ferry capsized on Lake Victoria, in Ukurewe district, in Mwanza region of Tanzania, on September 20. The country’s President has announced a four-day mourning for the victims.

Vietnam, Russia intensify parliamentary cooperation

NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) and her Russian guest

The Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) always supports parliamentary exchanges and cooperation with Russia to enhance the supervision of the implementation of the agreements and commitments inked between the two countries, said NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan on September 26.

The top legislator made the statement while hosting reception in Hanoi for Deputy Chairwoman of the State Duma of Russia Olga Epifanova, who led a high-level delegation to Vietnam to pay last respect to President Tran Dai Quang.

NA Chairwoman Ngan thanked Russian leaders for extending condolences and sending the delegation to Vietnam to attend the state funeral for President Quang, describing this as a vivid illustration for Russia’s sentiment to Vietnam.

At the meeting, NA Chairwoman Ngan welcomed the Russian official’s initiative to set up the Vietnam-Russia Inter-parliamentary Committee, saying that a high-level representative of the Vietnamese NA will be sent to the committee.

She thanked the Federation Council and the State Duma of Russia for inviting the Vietnamese NA to attend regional and international parliamentary conferences and forums. Also, she lauded Russia’s successful organisation of the Eurasian Women’s Forum and the Conference of Speakers of Eurasian Countries’ Parliaments.

Host and guest agreed to organise activities marking the 25th anniversary of the signing of a treaty on basic principles for Vietnam-Russia friendship in 2019, and the 15th anniversary of the Russian Centre of Science and Culture in October.

They also discussed the roles and contributions made by female parliamentarians to the development of each country and the world.

55 years of Cuban Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam marked

At the ceremony

The Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association (VCFA), in collaboration with the provincial Ben Tre People’s Committee, on September 26 organised a ceremony to mark the 55th anniversary of the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam.

The event was attended by Cuban Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Indira Lopez Arguelles, VCFA Vice President Nguyen Duy Cuong, and over 200 people from localities across the nation.

Speaking at the ceremony, Cuong said that this was an opportunity for Vietnamese people to express their gratitude for Cuba’s support during the country’s struggle for independence.

Cuba was the first country to establish a solidarity organisation with Vietnam, he highlighted, adding that the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam, later called the Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Association, was set up on September 25, 1963 under the instruction of Cuban Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro, who was serving as Prime Minister of the American nation at the time.

He further underlined that the VCFA has worked to mobilise Vietnamese people to promote support for Cuba in the fight against embargoes, as well as efforts in natural disaster recovery and socio-economic development. 

Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Phan Van Mai stressed that the special relations between Vietnam and Cuba, whose foundations were laid by President Ho Chi Minh and Cuban leader Fidel Castro, must be preserved and treasured by generations of people from both countries.

Luong Hoa commune, holding a twin partnership with Cuba’s Moncada village, is honoured to contribute to the friendship and solidarity between the two nations, he added.

Meanwhile, the Cuban Consul General underlined the goals set by both nations, in particular the consolidation of historical relations and fostering of bilateral cooperation in various sectors.

Acting President receives RoK Prime Minister

Acting President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh receives Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Lee Nak-yeon 

Acting President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh hosted a reception in Hanoi on September 26 for Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Lee Nak-yeon, who is in Vietnam to pay tribute to President Tran Dai Quang.

The Acting President thanked RoK President Moon Jae-in and his spouse for sending condolences to the Vietnamese Party, State and people, and the family of President Quang.

PM Lee leading a high-raking delegation from the RoK Government to Vietnam to pay homage to the President shows that the RoK State and Government attach importance to the Vietnam-RoK strategic cooperative partnership, she said.

President Quang’s passing is a great loss to the Party, State and people of Vietnam as well as his family, Thinh stressed, adding that the President made valuable contributions to developing the bilateral cooperation to a new level.

The RoK PM extended his deep sympathies to the Vietnamese State and people, and the family of President Tran Dai Quang, affirming that the President greatly contributed to elevating ties between his country and Vietnam.

He recalled a State visit to Vietnam by President Moon Jae-in in March 2018, during which the two sides issued a Joint Statement toward the future. The RoK Government is actively realising commitments between President Tran Dai Quang and President Moon Jae-in.

Acting President Thinh noted with pleasure the effective and practical development in various fields of the Vietnam-RoK strategic cooperative partnership.

The Party, State and people of Vietnam always treasure and wish to deepen the strategic cooperative partnership with the RoK, in line with the common perception of the two countries’ leaders and particularly the Vietnam-RoK Joint Statement toward the future signed in 2018, thus meeting the aspirations of their people as well as contributing to maintaining peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world, she said. 

Thinh highlighted great potential for bilateral cooperation, saying the two sides should continue consolidating political trust, regularly maintain high-level exchanges and contacts in flexible forms, and create a favourable political environment to foster collaboration in various fields.

Vietnam and the RoK need to continue stepping up connections between their ministries, agencies and localities, with a view to lifting two-way trade to 100 billion USD by 2020, she said.

She expressed her wish that the RoK will increase support for Vietnam in terms of capital and science-technology by continuing to provide development assistance for the Southeast Asian nation.

The two countries should expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in education and tourism, while supporting, protecting and providing favourable conditions for each other’s citizens, she added. 

For his part, PM Lee said that as the RoK and Vietnam are enjoying intensive, reliable and continuously developing collaboration in all spheres, the goal of raising two-way trade to 100 billion USD in 2020 is feasible.

He said his country wishes to cooperate with and assist Vietnam in areas of its strength such as science-technology, infrastructure, smart city, clean energy, human resources training, public administration, and e-government building.

He thanked the Vietnamese Party and State for creating favourable conditions for Korean citizens to live, work and study in Vietnam, affirming that the RoK Government will work hard to enable the Korean-Vietnamese multi-cultural families to lead a stable life in the country, making them firm bridges for promoting the bilateral friendship.

Expressing his belief that Vietnam will see rapid economic developments in the future, the PM asserted that his country will always accompany Vietnam in its development.

Deputy PM hosts Singaporean counterpart in Hanoi

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh (R) meets Singaporean Deputy PM Teo Chee Hean 

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh on September 26 hosted a reception for Singaporean Deputy PM Teo Chee Hean and his wife who are in Hanoi to pay respect to President Tran Dai Quang.

On behalf of the Government and people of Singapore, Teo extended his deepest sympathy to the Government and people of Vietnam over the passing away of President Tran Dai Quang.

Teo said that he met the leader many times during bilateral visits and at international meetings, and had a lot of memories with the President’s family.

Deputy PM Binh thanked the Singaporean PM and his wife for attending the funeral of President Tran Dai Quang, saying that the activity shows special sentiments between the two nations and the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Singapore.

Binh said that the passing away of President Tran Dai Quang is a great loss of the Party, State and people of Vietnam.

Deputy PM Teo spoke highly of the development of the bilateral strategic partnership and achievements that Vietnam has gained over the past years.

He thanked the Government of Vietnam for supporting Singapore to perform the role as ASEAN Chair 2018, and expressed his hope that Vietnam will successfully take the charge of ASEAN Chair in 2020.

The Singaporean Deputy PM noted that the country has successfully organised the Formula 1 Grand Prix and Singapore Summit which drew many officials from various countries.

He held that in the current world situation, countries should work closer together to deal with pressures from economic competition.

Vietnam is a model in expanding trade cooperation, making trade as one of the targets and motivation of the economy, he asserted, highlighting Vietnam’s determination to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership as well as free trade agreement with the EU.

Deputy PM Binh showed his hope that Vietnam and Singapore will continue enhancing their strategic partnership and implementing signed agreements, especially in economy, culture, society and justice. He asked for Singapore’s support in personnel training and experience sharing in Party building.

Binh said that Vietnam will hold a F1 race in Hanoi and hopes to learn experience from Singapore.

He praised the rapid and sustainable growth of Singapore and congratulated the country on fulfilling completing its ASEAN Chair 2018 with success.