Venezuelan President congratulates Vietnam on national reunification day

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (Photo: EPA-EFE/VNA)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on April 30 praised the resounding victory of the Vietnamese people and army in the historic Ho Chi Minh campaign to liberate the South, end the war and reunify the country 43 years ago.

He twitted that: “Today marks 43 years since the victorious arrival of the Vietnamese fighters to Saigon (the current Ho Chi Minh City), thus ending the war and the U.S. military and political occupation of the area. Through this heroic triumph, Vietnam united once.”

The Venezuelan Government also sent congratulations to the Vietnamese Government and people on the important event.

In an official statement posted on its website, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela wrote that the President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, on behalf of the Government and the Venezuelan people, expressed the warmest congratulations to the Government and people of Vietnam on the 43rd anniversary of the South Liberation and National Reunification.

It noted that from this important achievement, Vietnam entered a period of war consequences settlement and economic recovery on the path to successfully building a socialist model with Vietnamese characteristics.

The ministry also reiterates Venezuela’s desire to strengthen political ties, bilateral cooperation and friendship for the sake of the well-being of the two Venezuelan and Vietnamese people and the sovereignty of the two countries.

Vietnamese, Macedonian legislatures seek stronger ties

NA Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu 

The Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) wants to intensify its friendship with the Macedonian Assembly in order to make it an important cooperative channel between the two countries, said NA Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu.

Luu made the statement at his talks on April 30 with Vice Presidents of the Macedonian Assembly Goran Misovski and Frosina Tashevska-Remenski during his working visit to the European nation.

He stressed the need to increase the exchange of delegations at all levels to strengthen the legislative bodies’ cooperation as Vietnam and Macedonia are now only holding bilateral meetings between parliamentarians at multilateral parliamentary forums.

The Vietnamese lawmaker suggested the legislative bodies promote their role of supreme supervision, especially in fostering the effective implementation of signed agreements.

Luu took the occasion to affirm that Vietnam always attaches importance to consolidating and developing its relations with traditional friends, including Macedonia.

Although political and diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Macedonia have enjoyed positive development, economic and trade cooperation has remained modest, failing to match with potential of both nations, he said.

The official asked relevant ministries and sectors to support enterprises to seek collaboration opportunities, while urging for the early establishment of an Inter-Governmental Committee to foster bilateral cooperation in economy, trade and investment.

Misovski stated that the first visit to Macedonia by a high-level Vietnamese NA delegation will serve as a foundation to bolster the cooperation between the two countries in general and their legislatures in particular.

Macedonia considers the parliamentary diplomatic channel a lever to enhance ties with other countries, including Vietnam, he added.

During the talks, both sides also exchanged experience in making laws and promoting the role of the legislative bodies in conducting legislative tasks and supreme supervision.

On the same day, NA Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu had a meeting with Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov, during which he thanked Macedonia for backing Vietnam’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure, and affirmed that Vietnam supports Macedonia’s bid to join the European Union.

He also requested the Foreign Ministry of Macedonia to take measures to bring into full play cooperation potential in tourism.

Dimitrov said he wishes to boost cooperation with Vietnam in the fields that they have strengths such as agriculture and tourism.

He also proposed Vietnam soon open an embassy in Macedonia to serve as a bridge to boost bilateral ties.

Earlier, the Vietnamese NA Vice Chairman had a working session with representatives from the Macedonian Assembly’s Committee for Foreign Policy.

The Vietnamese NA delegation is scheduled to pay a working visit to Romania from May 2-5.

Vietnam’s Reunification Day celebrated in China

Vietnamese Ambassador to China Dang Minh Khoi  speaks at the event 

The Embassy of Vietnam in China held a cultural and sports exchange in Beijing on April 28, to mark the 43rd Reunification Day (April 30) and the International Labour Day (May 1), with the participation of the Lao Embassy in the country.

Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to China Dang Minh Khoi said in its external policy, Vietnam always attaches importance to the sustainable development of its friendship with neighbouring countries, including Laos, China and Cambodia.

He voiced his hope that the relations between Vietnam and Laos, Vietnam and China as well as between ASEAN and China will be consolidated in all fields, contributing to each country’s national building while fostering regional and international peace, cooperation and development.

For his part, Vandy Bouthasavong, Lao Ambassador to China, affirmed the event helps enhance the friendship of the two embassies and the Vietnam-Laos traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation.

Participants also joined in sport activities and traditional art performances together.

Vietnam’s national reunification marked abroad

The Embassy of Vietnam to Chile celebrated the 43th anniversary of the liberation of southern Vietnam and national reunification (April 30, 1975) in a ceremony on April 28 which gathered the Vietnamese community in Chile and many foreign guests.

In his remarks at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Chile Nguyen Ngoc Son underscored the significance of the Victory of the Spring of 1975 that took Vietnam to the new era of independence and unification, and briefed on Vietnam’s achievements after more than three decades of “Doi Moi” (Renewal) period.

Son recalled milestones in the history of the Vietnam – Chile relations, highly speaking of progress made by the two countries in their comprehensive partnership, such as the regular exchange of visits at all levels. He highlighted the visits by Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and President of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile Fidel Espinoza Sandoval to Vietnam in November 2017 and January 2018, respectively.

Two-way trade between the two sides hit a record of 1.28 billion USD, making Vietnam Chile’s largest trade partner in Southeast Asia, he noted.

The diplomat later announced a plan to set up a Chile – Vietnam chamber of commerce and to carry out a number of projects to promote Vietnam among local communities in terms of culture.

On the same day, the Vietnamese Veterans Association in Russia held a gathering in Moscow with Major General Tran Minh Son, Vietnamese Military Attaché in Russia and Chairman of Russian Union of Veterans who used to work in Vietnam Nikolai Kolesnik in attendance

Speaking at the event, the major general hailed the Vietnam War Veterans Association in Russia for its efforts to not only provide a venue for Vietnamese veterans in Russia to meet but also to support disadvantaged veterans and raise funds for people affected by natural disasters in Vietnam.

For his part, Kolesnik congratulated Vietnamese people and veterans on their victory 30 years ago and wished the Vietnamese War Veterans’ Association would grow stronger in the future.

Meanwhile, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, a meeting to mark 43rd anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30) was held by the Vietnamese-Cambodian Association in Phnom Penh on April 28.

The event was attended by representatives of the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia and the Vietnamese expatriates in Cambodia.

The celebration helps the Vietnamese expatriates in Cambodia promote patriotism and solidarity and turn their hearts to the home land.

Ho Chi Minh City, Japan’s Sakai city promote workforce exchange

Permanent Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem 

Permanent Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem has committed favourable conditions for foreign investors to do long-term business in the city, including those from the Japanese city of Sakai, Osaka prefecture. 

During a reception in the city on April 28 for the Sakai delegation led by Mayor of Sakai city Osami Takeyama, Liem vowed to promptly deal with difficulties faced by Sakai and Japanese firms while doing business in the city. 

He suggested the Mayor continues fostering friendship between Ho Chi Minh City and Sakai city and Osaka prefecture, and thanked leaders of Sakai city for offering support to Vietnamese graduates and citizens in the city. 

Takeyama, for his part, invited Ho Chi Minh City to join the Vietnam Festival scheduled for November in Sakai, adding that the Vietnamese Consulate General in Sakai has actively launched activities to reinforce Sakai – Vietnam bonds, thereby doubling the number of Vietnamese people in the past two years, including many skilled workers and graduates from Ho Chi Minh City. 

He said Sakai is well-known for mechanical products and handicrafts and home to a number of small and medium-sized enterprises. 

Sakai wants to intensify close and extensive relationship with Ho Chi Minh City and stands ready to receive its workers and graduates, he said.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, his entourage and officials of Hospital 108 

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on April 28 offered congratulations to former Party General Secretary Do Muoi and former President Le Duc Anh as the two veteran revolutionaries were presented with the 80-year Party membership badge.

The Party chief visited Do Muoi and Le Duc Anh at Military Hospital 108 in Hanoi on the occasion of the 43rd anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975-2018) and the May Day (May 1). 

Former Party General Secretary Do Muoi was born in 1917. He was presented with the 80-year Party membership badge on April 12, 2018.

Former President Le Duc Anh was born in 1920. He was honoured with the badge on February 23, 2018.

Vietnam, Turkmenistan promote partnership

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia and Turkmenistan Ngo Duc Manh (Source: vnembassy-moscow)

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia and Turkmenistan Ngo Duc Manh has presented his credential to Speaker of the Parliament of Turkmenistan Gulshat Mamedova, who expressed her hope that the Vietnam-Turkmenistan relationship will continue growing in the future.

The Turkmenistan’s top legislator underscored that the two countries have shared sound friendship, while supporting each other at international arena.

For his part, Ambassador Manh, who is on a visit to Turkmenistan from April 25-29, thanked the people of Turkmenistan for their support to Vietnam during the country’s struggle for independence in the past.

Earlier, the diplomat has a meeting with Turkmenistan Deputy Foreign Minister Vepa Hajiyev, during which the two sides discussed a number of issues of shared concern, including preparations for the upcoming visit of the Turkmenistan President to Vietnam.

In both meetings, Ambassador Manh highlighted that the two countries have high potential of cooperation. 

Turkmenistan is rich in natural gas, while Vietnam is strong in industrial products and consumer goods, he said, adding that the two sides should also bolster bilateral cooperation in culture, tourism and sport to enhance mutual understanding.

In the coming time, Vietnam will carry out a number of activities to promote bilateral partnership, focusing on connecting businesses of both sides and encouraging Vietnamese firms to invest in Turkmenistan, he said.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese Embassy will work hard to increase meetings and visits between representatives of ministries, sectors and agencies of both countries.

The diplomat expressed his hope for the signing of more cooperation agreements between the two countries, including those on visa exemption for diplomatic passport holders, and simplifying travel regulations between the two countries, thus creating favourable conditions for people and businesses of both sides to meet and exchange.

During his stay, Ambassador Manh attended a round-table on the Vietnam-Turkmenistan economic, trade and investment cooperation, during which Vietnamese and Turkmenistan enterprises in various fields introduced their strengths and cooperation potential.

Along with natural gas, Turkmenistan is also strong in cotton, fabric and carpet, making it a potential material supplier of Vietnamese garment and textile firms. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s agricultural products such as tea, coffee and aquaculture products can meet Turkmenistan’s demand.

During the visit, Ambassador Manh also visited a number of local firms operating in fabric, carpet and confectioneries production.

PM joins round-table discussion with international firms

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and leaders of Singaporean-based conglomerates pose for a group photo

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended a round-table discussion with 16 leaders of Singaporean-based conglomerates on April 28, as part of his official visit to Singapore.

Addressing the function, the PM gave an overview of the Vietnamese economy to the business executives. 

Vietnam posted a ten-year high growth rate in the first quarter of 2018, he said, adding that the country’s market has been increasing its openness, hence it is now a favourable time for foreign investment. 

Average per capita income of the 93-million Vietnamese population is about 2,400 USD with the middle class accounting for 13 percent, resulting in increasing purchasing power. 

Phuc also mentioned a report by the World Bank at the end of 2017, which ranked the Vietnamese business climate at 68th among 190 countries, up 30 places against 2012. Also in 2017, the World Economic Forum ranked Vietnam 55th among 137 surveyed countries in terms of competitiveness. The country is a bright spot in FDI attraction in the region with 320 billion USD worth of foreign direct investment. Its foreign trade surpassed 425 billion USD last year. Vietnam is now member of 12 new-generation free trade agreements.

The PM said these results reflected the appeal of the Vietnamese market and international investors’ confidence in the market. He reiterated Vietnam’s commitment to creating more favourable conditions for foreign investors.

The Government leader unveiled Vietnam’s plan to build three special administrative-economic zones with a host of incentives for investors, telling the round-table’s participants that there are many opportunities for them. He also urged the multinational groups to speed up their projects in Vietnam in line with the law.

At the discussion, participating firms expressed their impression on Vietnam’s economic achievement, particularly its efforts to reform and take part in international commitments.

They said they are interested in a range of fields, including health services, online education, and online payment for farmers. They asked the Vietnamese Government to remove policy bottlenecks, improve the capital market, enhance the linkages among economic sectors, and to simplify customs procedure via the single-window mechanism.

Also joining the discussion, officials of Vietnamese public agencies and sectors fielded questions and recommendations by the international business executives.

They stressed that Vietnam is working to remove policy obstacles in sectors where the State used to hold the monopoly.

Also on April 28, the Vietnamese PM received Christian Cabrol, Senior Vice President of the multinational integrated oil and gas company Total’s Marketing & Services for Asia Pacific & Middle East.

PM Phuc suggested Total, which has become a popular brand in Vietnam, expand its operation in the country.

Christian Cabrol said his company has operated in Vietnam since 1990 and now employs about 1,000 locals to supply the market with oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). 

He said the group is now paying attention to the production of LPG and electricity in Vietnam and is willing to collaborate with local partners, adding that the group is proposing the construction of a number of port infrastructure to receive LPG products.

Lauding Total’s expansion plan in Vietnam, Phuc said Vietnam welcomes Total’s intention to work with Vietnamese partners to build infrastructure to receive LPG product. He encouraged the group to further engage in information exchanges with Vietnamese partners such as the PetroVietnam and Electricity of Vietnam.  

Phuc tasked the Ministry of Industry and Trade with studying Total’s recommendations.

HCM City leaders pay tribute to war martyrs

Politburo member and Standing Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh (R) and Politburo member and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan offer incense to heroic martyrs (Photo: plo.vn)

A delegation of Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, People’s Committee, People’s Council and Vietnam Fatherland Front paid tribute to fallen soldiers at the city’s War Martyrs Cemetery on April 28 on the occasion of the 43rd anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification and the 132nd May Day.

The delegation also offered incense and flowers to late Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Ton Duc Thang at the Ho Chi Minh Museum, the Ton Duc Thang Museum and the Ho Chi Minh Monument Park.

The delegation comprised Politburo member and Standing Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh; Politburo member and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan, along with many former and incumbent national and city leaders.

Participants spent a minute’s silence to commemorate the martyrs who sacrificed for the national independence and freedom.

The same day, a ceremony was held at the Ben Duoc Temple in Cu Chi district to commemorate war martyrs and Vietnamese Heroic Mothers.

Vietnam, Bulgaria to share experience in various fields

The meeting between Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Uong Chu Luu and Bulgarian Minister of Justice Tsetska Tsacheva 

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Uong Chu Luu had meetings with a number of Bulgarian leaders on April 27 to exchange experience in justice cooperation and other areas, as part of his ongoing visit to the Balkan country.

Meeting Bulgarian Minister of Justice Tsetska Tsacheva, the Vietnamese NA Vice Chairman highlighted important contributions of Tsacheva, who is a former leader of the National Assembly of Bulgaria, to the development of the Vietnam-Bulgaria relations. He proposed that the minister continue helping foster the bilateral partnership, especially in justice.

Vietnam is reforming its judicial system, he said, adding that the National Assembly of Vietnam has issued many laws related to the organization and operation of the judicial system. However, Vietnam still needs to learn experience of other countries, including Bulgaria, he stated.

For her part, Tsacheva said that Bulgaria has implemented a judicial reform strategy since 2015 with an aim to build a law-governed State. She affirmed that Bulgaria is willing to share its experience with Vietnam in managing the prison system, executing criminal verdicts, providing judicial support and protection, and observing the rights of prisoners.

At a meeting with Yordanka Fandakova, Governor of Bulgaria’s capital city of Sofia, Luu stressed the high cooperation potential between Sofia and Vietnamese localities, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City- the two cities sharing twinned relations with Sofia.

The Vietnamese NA Vice Chairman suggested that leaders of Sofia carry out more activities to promote economic, trade and tourism ties between the two countries such as organising workshops, forums and fairs for enterprises of both sides to study each other demands.

Agreeing with Luu’s proposal, Fandakova said that the city is willing to create optimal conditions for businesses of both sides to seek partnership opportunities.

Currently, the number of Bulgarian tourists to Vietnam remains modest, she said, noting her belief that the situation will be improved when businesses of both sides foster their affiliation.

Also on April 27, Luu had working sessions with Valeri Giablianov, President of the Bulgaria-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarian Group and Simeon Dimchev, President of the Bulgaria-Vietnam Friendship Association. 

Speaking highly of contributions of Bulgarian parliamentarians and members of the Bulgaria-Vietnam Friendship Association to the relationship between the two countries, Luu expressed his hope that they will continue working hard for the reinforcement of ties between Vietnam and Bulgaria.

PM attends plenary of ASEAN Summit

An overview of the plenary session

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc joined other ASEAN leaders at the plenary meeting of the 32nd ASEAN Summit under the chair of Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Singapore on April 27 evening. 

PM Lee Hsien Loong underlined the theme of ASEAN in 2018, which aims to build a resilient and innovative ASEAN.

Under the theme, ASEAN member countries will work together to implement cooperation orientations defined in the ASEAN Leaders’ Vision for a Resilient and Innovative ASEAN, building a network of smart cities and enhancing cyber security cooperation in ASEAN. 

ASEAN leaders expressed support of the ASEAN 2018 theme and stressed that resilience and innovation have been the foundation for ASEAN’s stable growth over the past half a century. 

They said it would also be a firm pillar for the association’s continued development in the context of rapid and complicated developments in regional and international situations along with new opportunities brought about by the 4.0 industrial revolution. 

The leaders engaged in in-depth discussion on the directions for ASEAN cooperation and linkages in priority fields, noting the need to strengthen intra-bloc partnership in economics, trade, investment; and expand regional economic links and cooperation with partners. 

They also agreed to continue efforts to foster a favourable business environment and support small- and medium-sized enterprises and startups, develop regional connectivity and narrow the development gap in the region. 

The leaders reached consensus on promoting people-centred cooperation through enhancing capacity to tackle challenges posed by terrorism and trans-national crime, ensure cyber security, invest in education, encourage dynamic youth development and support the old. 

Highlighting innovation-based development, the leaders held that ASEAN should optimize benefits of the 4.0 revolution by promoting the application of new technologies, especially in developing the digital economy, expanding e-commerce, increasing the people’s access to information and building smart cities. 

Sharing the ASEAN leaders’ view, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc appreciated the theme and priorities of ASEAN 2018 proposed by Chair Singapore. 

He affirmed that ASEAN’s collective resilient capacity should be fostered and brought into play in all three pillars, with maintaining the bloc’s solidarity, unity and central role having significant meaning. 

Meanwhile, innovation will be the lever to enhance ASEAN’s Resilience, Phuc said. 

The Vietnamese PM took the occasion to announce that Vietnam has selected its three top cities – Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang – to join the ASEAN Smart Cities Network initiative. 

He invited ASEAN leaders to attend the World Economic Forum on ASEAN (WEF-ASEAN) slated to be held in Vietnam in September this year.

PM Phuc and other ASEAN leaders are scheduled to attend the opening session and the retreat meeting of the 32nd ASEAN Summit on April 28.

Late Party General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh commemorated

Tran Quoc Vuong, permanent member of the CPVCC’s Secretariat, speaks at the ceremony. 

A ceremony was held in Giai Pham commune, Yen My district, the Red River Delta province of Hung Yen on April 27 to pay tribute to late General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC)  Nguyen Van Linh on the occasion of his 20th death anniversary (April 27). 

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phuc Trong and former President Truong Tan Sang sent baskets of flowers to the ceremony. 

Addressing the event, Tran Quoc Vuong, permanent member of the CPVCC’s Secretariat, highlighted the late Party chief’s contributions to the national revolution, saying he was a model, devoted  communist, a strong and staunch leader and an eminent student of late President Ho Chi Minh. 

Secretary of the Hung Yen province Party Committee Do Tien Sy recalled Linh’s deep sentiments towards his hometown and quoted the late leader as saying that the provincial Party Committee should work to develop Hung Yen in all aspects, turning it into a strong province nationwide.

The same day, a memorial site dedicated to Linh in his hometown in Yen Phu village, Giai Pham commune, Yen My district, which displays more than 120 documents and objects on the life and career of the late leader, received the title of the national historic relic site. 

Nguyen Van Linh, born as Nguyen Van Cuc on July 1, 1915 into a civil servant family in Hanoi,  was General Secretary of the CPV from 1986-1991.

A year after joining the patriotic movement at the age of 14, he was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment by the French colonialists. He then was jailed on Con Dao Island which was dubbed “hell on earth” until 1936 when election of the Popular Front in France was a success. 

After his release, Linh returned to become Secretary of the Party Committee of Hai Phong city. In early 1939, he was sent to Sai Gon (now Ho Chi Minh City) and became Vice Secretary of the Sai Gon Party Committee. Later the same year, he was assigned to the central region with the mission to restore Party organisations there. He was once again arrested and imprisoned in Con Dao by the French colonial regime in early 1941. 

With the success of the August Revolution in 1945, Linh was, for a second time, set free and returned to Nam Bo (Southern region) where he continued to fight for the liberation of the South and national reunification in his capacity as Secretary of the Sai Gon-Cho Lon municipal Party Committee, Secretary of the Sai Gon-Cho Lon Special Zone Party Committee and Secretary of the Nam Bo Party Committee. 

Following national reunification, Linh served as Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee. He was elected Party General Secretary at the sixth National Party Congress in December 1986, and became the first Party leader to lead and organise the execution of the Party resolution on “ Doi Moi ” (renewal), which marked a historic turning point in Vietnam’s revolutionary cause. 

Linh initiated and pursued the principles of Doi Moi while keeping to the socialist orientation, maintaining and promoting the Party’s leadership and respecting and bringing into full play the people’s right to mastery as reflected in the motto “people know, people discuss, people do and people inspect.” 

The Doi Moi process has since brought about significant successes, laying firm foundations for the country to accelerate in the next era. 

Linh and the Party Central Committee also devoted great efforts to cleaning up Party and State mechanisms, creating a flow of fresh air to society. His column “Things to be done immediately” on Nhan Dan newspaper won public approval for attacking negative phenomena in the community and creating an open and democratic social atmosphere.