HCMC delegation visits Laos

A delegation of Ho Chi Minh City high ranking officials led by Head of the Department of Propaganda and Training of the HCMC Party Committee, Than Thi Thu visited and met head of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee's Commission for Propaganda and Training, Kikeo Khaykhamphithouneon August 17.

Head of the Department of Propaganda and Training of the HCMC Party Committee, Than Thi Thu (L) meets head of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee's Commission for Propaganda and Training, Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune. (Photo: Sggp)

At the meeting , Mr. Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune highly appreciated the HCMC leaders’ visit, contributing to the development of Vietnam and Laos, Vientiane and Ho Chi Minh City.

He extended hearty thanks to HCM City and citizens for supporting to victims of the collapse of the Sepien-Senamnoi hydropower dam in Attapeu province; and hoped to learn about the propaganda and training tasks from Vietnamese Government and HCM City’s authorities.

As her part, Ms. Than Thi Thu informed the results of working sessions between the HCMC delegation and the Propaganda and Training departments of Luang Phrabang, Xiangkhouang and Vientiane, starting on August 13-17.

During the visit, the Vietnamese delegation also visited the Vietnam embassy in Laos and offered US$10,000 in aid relief from the city’s government to Lao people in order to help them overcome difficulties after the deadly dam collapse.

Vietnam congratulates Hun Sen on reappointment as Cambodian PM

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen (centre) during his election campaign in Phnom Penh. 

Vietnam congratulates Samdech Techo Hun Sen on his re-appointment as Prime Minister of Cambodia, Spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang told reporters on August 18.

“As a close neighbour of Cambodia, Vietnam congratulates Samdech Techo Hun Sen on his appointment as Cambodian Prime Minister in accordance with a royal ordinance issued on August 17 by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni to take a mission of establishing a new Govenrment for the new-tenure National Assembly’s approval.”

“This is a significant stride in the election progress of Cambodia,” the spokeswoman said.

“Vietnam believes that once established, the new National Assembly and Government of Cambodia will continue leading the country to thrive and contribute to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the Southeast Asian region and the world,” Hang stressed.

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni on August 17 designated Samdech Techo Hun Sen as the Prime Minister for another five-year term after his Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) won a sweeping victory in the general election on July 29.

The decision was made following a request from the CPP, which won all 125 parliamentary seats in the election.

National Council on Sustainable Development has new vice chairman

Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vu Tien Loc 

The Prime Minister has decided to appoint Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vu Tien Loc as Vice Chairman of the National Council on Sustainable Development and Competitiveness Improvement. 

The PM also decided to create the Committee on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) as a professional body of the National Council on Sustainable Development and Competitiveness Improvement. 

The Committee on PPP will be chaired by the Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry. A representative of the Vietnam Association of Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises will serve as vice chairman of the committee. 

National Council on Sustainable Development and Competitiveness Improvement is headed by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam. 

The council is tasked with advising the Government and the PM in building and implementing strategies, policies, plans, programmes, tasks and measures for the effective implementation of the National Plan of Actions to carry out the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

The council also plays a consultative role in helping the Government and PM in improving the investment and business environment, and raising productivity and the national competitiveness.

Diplomatic sector to focus on serving development: Deputy Foreign Minister

Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son 

The diplomatic sector is focusing on serving development, Standing Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son told the press after the conclusion of the 30th Diplomatic Conference on August 17. 

He said guiding by the spirit, the conference has decided on a number of key tasks for the time ahead based on thorough discussion of the regional and world situation. 

First of all, in the context of rapid and complicated changes in the world situation, the diplomatic sector must lead in efforts to maintain a peaceful and stable environment and mobilize both internal strength and external resources for the country’s development.   

Second, the sector must conduct research in order to give advice and forecast to the Party, State, Government and related ministries and sectors in implementing socio-economic development. The Deputy FM stressed that the sector must make accurate and feasible recommendations to the making of policies on external relations and their implementation. 

Third, the sector should take strong action in economic diplomacy to serve national development. 

Deputy FM Son noted that at the plenary session chaired by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, the PM gave specific instructions on economic diplomacy and diplomacy serving development. He laid emphasis on two points, one of which is to make the people and business the centre and subject of service, and the second is to combine all diplomatic channels and security-defence to create synergistic strength to maintain a peaceful and stable environment for national development. 

The official added that the diplomatic sector will also work in a concerted manner in all the fields of cultural diplomacy, overseas Vietnamese affairs, citizen protection and external information work. 

An important outcome of the conference is a specific programme to build a streamlined but effective apparatus of the foreign ministry which is able to meet the requirements of the work in the new situation. 

Elaborating on the notion of diplomacy serving development, the Deputy FM said the diplomatic sector has been doing several tasks since the 29th conference. 

The sector has conducted market research and provided update information for the business community about markets in the world, based on the advantage of diplomatic representative offices in most countries, and it will continue with the work in the time ahead. 

The sector will also work together with the business community to make inroad into new markets, 

At the request of the business community, the Foreign Ministry will collect more information and make assessment on foreign markets to supply to the business community. 

According to Deputy Minister Son, the Foreign Ministry has assisted several domestic companies in their efforts to expand to foreign markets, such as the military run telecom corporation Viettel, the low-cost airline Vietjet Air, or dairy giant TH True Milk. 

The 30th Diplomatic Conference took place in Hanoi from August 13-17. The five-day event reviewed the recent implementation of external affairs, analysed the regional and international situation as well as opportunities and challenges facing Vietnam, and proposed some countermeasures. 

Deputy FM Son stressed that Party and State leaders highly appreciate the performance of the diplomatic sector over the past more than two years, which, they said, have significantly contributed to the nation’s achievements in implementing the external relation guidelines in particular and the resolution of the 12th Party Congress in general.

HCM City leader hosts Chinese youth league’s secretary

Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Vu Thi Dung (R) receives Secretary of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China Fu Zhenbang on August 17 

Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Vu Thi Dung on August 17 hosted a reception for Secretary of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) Fu Zhenbang.

Dung expressed her belief that Fu’s visit will help deepen the friendship between Vietnam and China as well as between the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCMYU) and the CYLC. 

The official told her guest that the municipal youth union and the Vietnam Youth Federation’s HCM City chapter have made noted contributions to the city’s building and development. 

The local youth organisations have launched various activities to encourage young people to take part in national construction, she said, adding that they have also proven their pioneering role and responsibility in joint efforts to turn HCM City into a civilised and modern city during 2015-2020. 

For his part, Fu expressed his impression on dynamism and creativeness of youths in HCM City, voicing his hope for more exchanges and cooperation activities between youth unions of Vietnamese and Chinese cities and provinces. 

The HCMYU and the CYLC should step up their collaboration to contribute to cultivating the friendship and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, he said. 

Fu is in Vietnam to attend the 18th Vietnam-China youth friendship meeting that officially kicked off in Hanoi on August 14.

The meeting is held from August 13-19, with main activities taking place in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City. 

The meeting has been organised in rotation in each country since 2000, aiming to realise the common policy of the leaders of the two Parties and States on enhancing exchanges between the Vietnamese and Chinese people and youths.

President highlights role of overseas Vietnamese scientists

President Tran Dai Quang (R) presents gifts to overseas scientists and experts at the meeting on August 18 

President Tran Dai Quang has urged Vietnamese scientists and experts worldwide to take an active part in transferring technologies, training high-quality personnel and other activities serving scientific-technological and socio-economic development at home. 

He made the appeal at a meeting in Hanoi on August 18 with 100 outstanding overseas Vietnamese in science and technology who came home to attend an innovative network connection programme from August 18-24. 

Turning Vietnam into a developed and prosperous nation driven by high technology is the responsibility and aspiration of Vietnamese from all over the world, the leader said, stressing that to that end, it requires joint efforts of Vietnamese people. 

President Quang affirmed that the Party and State always attach importance to policies on attracting Vietnamese talents worldwide to national development, especially in the context that the Fourth Industrial Revolution is developing robustly and science-technology have played a decisive role for developing nations to catch up with advanced ones. 

Many policies have also been rolled out in Vietnam, aiming to encourage scientific-technological development, he said, citing the innovative and creative network as an example. 

Valuable contributions by overseas Vietnamese scientists and experts have helped Vietnam keep pace with the world in terms of technology, the President noted. 

He asked the Ministry of Planning and Investment to join hands with the Ministry of Science and Technology, and other relevant ministries and agencies to cooperate with Vietnamese scientists, experts and businesspeople abroad, thus improving the efficiency of the innovative networks. 

Many delegates said they want to return to Vietnam to support ministries and agencies through specific projects. 

With its existing potential, Vietnam can develop strongly in the time ahead, they said, suggesting their homeland promote research studies and applications, and create conditions for startups. 

To access the Fourth Industrial Revolution more rapidly and specifically, Vietnam needs to have a clear legal framework for artificial intelligence (AI), data mining and blockchain, they said.

Training course for CPVCC members concludes

Standing member of the CPVCC Secretariat Tran Quoc Vuong speaks at the closing ceremony of the training course on August 18 

A five-day course providing updated knowledge for members of the 12th Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC) wrapped up in Hanoi on August 18.

The closing ceremony saw the presence of National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, standing member of the CPVCC Secretariat Tran Quoc Vuong, and other members of the committee.

Politburo member and Chairman of the CPVCC’s Organisation Commission Pham Minh Chinh said the course achieved the set targets and proved effective.

Meanwhile, Tran Quoc Vuong said the course organisation showed the Politburo and Central Committee’s special attention to helping CPVCC members improve their knowledge since they are key officials directly steering the implementation of the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies and laws in their localities, sectors and agencies.

He added the refresher course covered very important issues for national development, in both the short and long terms, thus updating participants on theoretical and practical issues to help them realise major guidelines of the Party in a synchronous and effective fashion. 

During this course, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc presented a report relating to the building of an upright, serviceable and action-oriented government to promote the country’s socio-economic development in the current context. Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan introduced issues regarding the building of a law-governed socialist State in the new situation.

The participants also looked into the renovation and rearrangement of the organisational structure of the political system, and the personnel training and management in the new situation.

Other issues presented include the Party's ideological work; the promotion of the strength of the national unity, implementation of social democracy and ensuring people's right to mastery; strategies on the Fatherland safeguarding, national defence and security, military affairs and diplomacy; the completion of socialist-oriented market economic institutions; and the development of the State and private economic sectors.

Quang Binh works hard to protect border security

Col. Le Van Phuc, head of the border gate department of the Border Guard High Command, speaks at the meeting to review Quang Binh's implementation of the Ordinance on the Border Guard 

The People’s Committee of the central province of Quang Binh held a meeting on August 17 to review the implementation of the Ordinance on the Border Guard over the last two decades.

Quang Binh has nine communes of five districts located along the 201.8 km-long land border with Laos. Meanwhile, its 116km-long coastline is home to 20 communes and wards of six districts, one town and one city.

Since the Ordinance on the Border Guard was issued in 1997, the province’s border guard force has handled entry-exit procedures for nearly 18 million people, over 5.2 million vehicles, and 8,600 ships with some 134,400 crew members. 

They have dealt with more than 3,000 boats and vessels with violations and 504 foreign fishing boats illegally entering Vietnam’s sea areas. Local border guards have also uncovered 17 drug trafficking rings, handled thousands of drug dealers, and seized over 200 heroin bricks, 94kg of synthetic drug and 2,530kg of methamphetamine.

Col. Le Van Phuc, head of the border gate department of the Border Guard High Command, praised Quang Binh’s efforts and achievements in carrying out the ordinance over the past 20 years.

He asked the province to improve state management of the building, management and protection of national sovereignty and border security. Authorities should also better combine socio-economic development tasks with defence-security consolidation duties and capitalise on the public’s support for the work.

Addressing the meeting, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Huu Hoai proposed the Party, State, National Assembly, Government and Ministry of National Defence enhance their direct and comprehensive leadership of national sovereignty and border security protection.

He also called for a strategy on national border protection to be promulgated soon, the legal system on border management and the border guard force to be fine-tuned, and a law on the border guard to be built to replace the existing ordinance.

Hoai also suggested more actions to promote the material and spiritual lives of residents in remote, disadvantaged and ethnic minority areas, while increasing benefits for border guards who have to perform duties in difficult conditions.

30th Diplomatic Conference wraps up

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh speaks at the conference 

The 30th Diplomatic Conference concluded in Hanoi on August 17 after five days of sitting.

In his closing remarks, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said the conference was a resounding success, helping improve the role of Vietnam’s diplomatic sector. 

The five-day event reviewed the recent implementation of external affairs, analysed the regional and international situation as well as opportunities and challenges facing Vietnam, and proposed some countermeasures. 

He stressed that Party and State leaders highly appreciate the achievements of the diplomatic sector, which, they said, have significantly contributed to maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for national development, and enhancing Vietnam’s international status. 

The delegates also outlined some of the sector’s key tasks for the time ahead, including researching and defining the direction for external relations in a modern context; putting development at the centre of diplomatic activities with more heed paid to the needs of residents, businesses, and localities; intensifying multilateral diplomacy; making preparations for Vietnam’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020 and the country’s candidacy for a seat at the UN Security Council for 2020-2021; and building modern diplomacy. 

At the closing ceremony, the conference approved a resolution and an action plan, showing their commitment to materialising the outcomes of the conference and concretising the resolve of the diplomatic sector to implement the Resolution adopted at the 12th National Party Congress. 

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong delivered a speech at the opening of the Conference on August 13, in which he mentioned difficulties and challenges the diplomatic sector could face in the near future.

The external environment in the years to come will be complicated and unpredictable, and there will be challenges to keeping a peaceful and stable environment, he said.

The protection of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity along with national interests at sea will also face new challenges. The situation will remain complicated while the risks of conflicts have not yet been pushed back.

The country’s external economic activities could see new challenges, including rising protectionism in major export markets and trade wars between powerful countries. The role of major multilateral institutions like the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum is being threatened. The development of science and technology is posing new issues for trade and foreign investment.

Multilateral external work will also encounter more challenges. Currently, the role of multilateral institutions is declining while in the region, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is still facing difficulties in reinforcing its central role. 

The Party leader urged the diplomatic sector to continue reforming its mindset in external work and pursue the country’s external policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation, development, multilateralisation and diversification of relations, and active international integration.

He suggested capitalising on all favourable factors to contribute to building multilateral mechanisms, while canvassing countries’ support of Vietnam’s candidacy to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure.

Apart from improving the efficiency of external activities, especially economic cooperation and collaboration in politics and defence-security, it is necessary to better implement the country’s policy of active international integration and promote economic diplomacy for sustainable development.

The Party chief also emphasised improving the quality of research work and strategic forecasts in addition to strengthening coordination between ministries, relevant departments and localities, particularly between diplomacy and defence-security in implementing the Party and State’s external affairs and international integration.

VFF Vice President receives Lao Buddhist official

Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Ngo Sach Thuc hosted a reception in Hanoi on August 17 for Permanent Vice President of the Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organisation, Most Venerable Veth Masenay. 

Thuc said over the past years, the two countries have proved their special relations via a cooperation agreement on the front work between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia with a common goal of uniting people, thus laying a foundation for their economic development. 

Specifically, a Vietnam – Laos agreement on the work covered people-to-people friendship exchange, construction of a borderline and sharing of experience in religious solidarity. 

According to him, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha has played an active role in campaigning for religious unity. He said the VFF is promoting a campaign on calling on the public to stay united to build new-style rural and civilised urban areas, urging religions to engage in environment protection, climate change response and humanitarian programmes. 

Extending his sympathy to Lao people over the recent hydropower dam collapse, Thuc affirmed that Vietnam is ready to continue assisting Lao people in overcoming difficulties and stabilising lives. 

He said the VFF and Lao Front for National Construction are embarking on effective cooperation programmes, creating favourable conditions for the two peoples to develop together. 

Masenay, for his part, said since 2005, the Buddhist Sanghas of Vietnam and Laos have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to boost bilateral ties, and wished that they would conduct practical activities to reinforce bonds.