Cuba marks 45 years since Fidel’s historical visit to Vietnam

Cuban leader Fidel Castro meets Vietnamese soldiers 

A ceremony was held at President Ho Chi Minh statue in the Cuban capital city of Havana on September 3 to kick-start a series of activities in celebration of the 45th anniversary of Cuban leader Fidel Castro’s historical visit to Vietnam in September 1973.

The event was jointly held by the Communist Party of Cuba (CPC) Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, the Cuban Institute of Friendship with Peoples (ICAP), and the Committee for the Defence of the Revolution (CDR).

Speaking at the event, ICAP Vice President José Prieto Cintado recalled the visit, saying that Fidel Castro became the only foreign head of state passing through the 17th parallel to visit a liberated region in Quang Tri province when the war was ongoing.

While congratulating Vietnam on its achievements in national development, Cintado affirmed the late leader’s statements and actions on Cuba’s solidarity with Vietnam have become a valuable asset in history of bilateral ties.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Nguyen Trung Thanh said that Fidel Castro’s revolutionary thoughts and ambitions always serve as a lodestar for those who have devoted to solidarity between the two nations.

The Vietnamese people will continue intensify the brotherhood with the Cuban people, he stressed.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese Embassy opened a photo exhibition featuring the historical visit by leader Fidel Castro as well as the two countries’ relations and Vietnam’s images during the “Doi moi” (Reform) process.

Activities to mark 45 years of the historical visit will be organised in almost all provinces and cities of Cuba, with the main one slated for September 12.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosts Lao Front leader

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (second, right) at the meeting 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on September 4 hosted the visiting Chairman of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC)’s Central Committee Saysomphone Phomvihane in Hanoi.

The Government leader highlighted the growth of the special ties between the two countries over the past years, stressing that the two sides should work closely together to further develop the relationship and fight division plots of hostile forces.

He expressed his sympathies over the losses that Laos has suffered during the collapse of hydropower dam in Attapeu, underlining that Vietnam has made every effort to help Laos overcome the disaster’s consequences.

Amidst complicated and unexpected developments in the world and the region, he stressed the need for the two sides to effectively implement joint statements, high-level agreements as well as cooperation plans between the two Governments and agencies of both sides, including the collaboration deal between the Communist Party of Vietnam’s Mass Mobilisation Commission and the LFNC for the 2016-2020 period.

Noting that the LFNC will host the Laos-Vietnam-Cambodia Buddhism conference in late 2018, the PM underscored the significance of mass mobilization, as well as ethnic and religious affairs to the national construction and defence in both countries.

He asked for closer collaboration between the LFNC and the Vietnam Fatherland Front in popularising and promoting the tradition of the special ties of Vietnam and Laos, while combating wrongful arguments from hostile forces to divide the two nations, and continue supporting each other at multilateral forums.

PM Phuc affirmed his support to the strengthening of affiliation among agencies and sectors of Vietnam with the LFNC, as well as the policy of fostering partnership among localities of both sides, especially those along the border.

On the occasion, the PM asked the Lao side to continue backing the Vietnamese community in settling down in the country.

For his part, Saysomphone Phomvihane thanked the Party, State and people of Vietnam for giving a helping hand to Laos during the disaster of hydropower collapse in Attapeu.

Lauding the socio-economic development of Vietnam, he described the success as a motivation for Laos in completing socio-economic targets.

Briefing the host on the outcomes of his talks with representatives of the Mass Mobilisation Commission of Vietnam, he said that the two sides agreed to work harder together to educate the younger generations in both countries of the loyal solidarity and close ties between the two nations, while continue the exchange of delegations and the coordination in holding conferences and seeking measures to boost the growth of the Vietnam-Laos special friendship.

He said that the LFNC has maintained sound partnership with the Vietnamese side in issues related to ethnic and religious affairs, and asked for Vietnam’s support to the organisation of the Laos-Vietnam-Cambodia Buddhism conference.

On the occasion of the Vietnam’s 73rd National Day, he wished Vietnamese people further successes in the cause of national construction.

Vietnam calls for more Japanese assistance in maritime research

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung (R) receives Fukui Teru, Japanese Minister of State for Ocean Policy 

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung called for more assistance from Japan in maritime research and environmental protection while receiving Fukui Teru, Japanese Minister of State for Ocean Policy and head of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance’s Office, in Hanoi on September 4.

Dung showed his delight at the comprehensive and practical growth of the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership in all fields with high political trust that benefits people of both countries.

Japan is now a leading economic partner of Vietnam, ranking first in terms of official development assistance (ODA) provision, second in terms of investment, third in terms of tourism and fourth in terms of trade, he noted.

The bilateral cooperation in agriculture and human resource training has become more effective, while exchanges in culture and between localities as well as people of both countries have been promoted, helping to foster mutual understanding between the Vietnamese and Japanese people, the Deputy PM said.

He said that maritime cooperation between the two nations has also been strengthened over the past years, noting that Japan has assisted Vietnam in studying, exploiting and using maritime resources and environment in a sustainable manner. 

Japan has also shared experience with and transfer technology to Vietnam, while helping improve the capacity of Vietnamese officials in the fields of maritime science and technology, maritime economic development and environmental protection, and assisting Vietnam in enhancing law enforcement capacity at sea, said Dung.

He proposed that in the future, Japan will continue working closely with and supporting Vietnam in the area of environment, especially the sea environment. Vietnam hopes for Japan’s help in improving its capacity in forecasting, thus giving timely response to natural disasters, climate change and sea level rise, along with the provision of equipment, technology and personnel training for maritime resources and environmental research, Dung said.

The Deputy PM also called for Japan’s collaboration in implementing Vietnam’s initiative in setting up regional marine partnerships on East Asia seas in plastic waste management.

Vietnam needs assistance from Japan in management experience, maritime and coastal waste collection and treatment technology, and preventing invasive alien species and eco-diversity degradation at sea, he said.

For his part, Fukui Teru said that the strategic partnership between the two countries is developing in a positive, diverse and practical manner in many spheres with different forms.

The Japanese Government pays special attention to fostering cooperation with Vietnam, especially in maritime research, he said, affirming that Japan is willing to share information and experience in ocean policy with Vietnam so that both countries could become sea-based rich nations.

He proposed that Vietnam, as coordinator of Japan-ASEAN relations, make more contributions to fostering collaboration among the nations in the settlement of plastic waste in the ocean.

Laos vows to work with Vietnam to enhance bilateral ties

CPV General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (R) and LFND President Saysomphone Phomvihane 

The Lao Party, State and people will do their utmost, together with Vietnam, to nurture the two countries’ special solidarity and develop it to a new height for the benefit of not only local people, but also for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and across the world.

The statement was made by President of the Lao Front for National Development (LFND) Saysomphone Phomvihane while he was received by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong in Hanoi on September 4.

Congratulating Vietnam on its socio-economic development achievements, the LFND President expressed his belief that under the leadership of the CPV, the Vietnamese people will continue to reap further achievements during the “Doi moi” (Renewal) process.

He took the occasion to show his gratitude for Vietnam’s support for Laos, most recently in its relief aid for people affected by a dam collapse in southern Laos.

He also informed the host about the outcomes of his talks with head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission on Mass Mobilisation Truong Thi Mai and affirmed that the two sides will maintain close collaboration in realising signed cooperation agreements.

The Vietnamese Party chief said he is delighted at the wide-ranging development of Vietnam-Laos special relations across all fields, with the important contributions by the LFND.

He expressed his sympathy over the terrible human and asset losses caused by the dam collapse in Attapeu province, believing that under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, those affected will soon be able to overcome its consequences, stabilise their lives, and resume production. 

The leader appreciated the cooperation results between the CPV Central Committee’s Commission on Mass Mobilisation and the LFND, stressing the importance of mass mobilisation work at present.

He showed his hope that the two sides will step up the sharing of experience in each party’s mass mobilisation work, as well as personnel training and cooperation in educating the people, especially younger generations, on the two countries’ special relations.

Earlier in the day, the Lao guest held talks with head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission on Mass Mobilisation Truong Thi Mai.

They agreed to cooperate in implementing agreements signed by the two Parties’ leaders as well as the 2016-2020 cooperation agreement between the two agencies.

State audit agency improves professionalism

State Auditor General Ho Duc Phoc 

The State Audit of Vietnam (SAV) has applied a system of standards in accordance with the International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAI) as part of its constant efforts to enhance its professionalism and operation efficiency.

According to State Auditor General Ho Duc Phoc, SAV signed a commitment to apply the ISSAI in 2013, and issued the national audit standards in 2016 in line with the commitment.

The building and application of national audit standards which both comply with ISSAI and suit the conditions in Vietnam is an inevitability in order to enhance the SAV’s independence, efficiency and effectiveness. It will also improve the SAV’s prestige and position in the community of supreme audit institutions.

In addition, the move will help SAV realise the targets and important contents in the strategy for state audit development to 2020.

Deputy Auditor General Doan Xuan Tien said SAV had so far completed the training in the national audit standards for all its officials and auditors. Existing auditing processes have been reviewed and adjusted to match the new standards.

However, many problems have emerged during the application of the standards, such as the translation of professional terms from English into Vietnamese to match Vietnamese laws and practices.

Tien said the SAV will continue to review and adjust auditing processes and develop detailed instructions on the new standards to facilitate their application, while intensifying supervision and inspection of the work.

The SAV became a member of the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) in 1996, and joined the Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI) in 1997.

The SAV will host the 14th Assembly of ASOSAI slated for September 19-22 in Hanoi.

Established in 1979 with 11 members, ASOSAI now has 46 members. The ASOSAI Assembly is held every three years.