NA Vice Chairman appreciates cooperation with UK

National Assembly Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu highly appreciated the ties of friendship and cooperation with the UK while receiving Chairperson of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Vietnam Wayne David in Hanoi on October 2.

At the reception,  Luu highlighted his guest's visit as a contribution to promoting ties between the two sides' parliamentary agencies as well as bilateral strategic partnership.

He proposed boosting closer collaboration in culture, education, and workforce training – especially in the fields of law, finance-banking, insurance, high technology, and teaching English in Vietnam. 

Regarding the outcome of talks between the UK delegation and the Vietnamese NA Committee on External Relations, other NA committees, and the Vietnam-UK Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group, Vice Chairman Luu voiced his support for the promotion of comprehensive cooperation between the two legislative bodies and the facilitation of visits by parliamentarians so as to deepen mutual understanding, share information and experience in parliamentary activities, and maintain consultation and mutual support at multilateral parliamentary forums. 

Wayne David expressed his deep condolences over the passing of President Tran Dai Quang, and most recently, former Party General Secretary Do Muoi. 

He also briefed his host on the outcomes of meetings with the Vietnamese NA committees and agencies while hailing growing Vietnam-UK ties across a verity of fields.

He asked the two countries to further step up all-round cooperation for mutual benefits towards stronger bilateral strategic partnership in the future.

Deputy PM: Vietnam supports cashless payments

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue (R) and Grab CEO Anthony Tan

The Vietnamese Government will continue to support and solidify legal regulations on cashless payment systems, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue told Anthony Tan, CEO and co-founder of Grab – a ride-hailing platform in Southeast Asia which has been popular in Vietnam over the past five years. 

During a reception in Hanoi on October 2, the Deputy PM said that cashless payment reform is another step towards e-government, and as such the Government will pay close attention to the issue, especially for online public services payments. 

He said there are 78 credit organisations supplying cashless payment services and 28 others offering other mediums of payment such as e-wallet and electronic payment portals in Vietnam. 

Apart from facilitating payment, he said Vietnam’s legal regulations must ensure financial safety and prevent money laundering. 

The host asked Grab to send applications to Vietnam’s agencies to launch cashless payment services and consider expanding into logistics in the country. 

Tan, for his part, expressed his wishes that Vietnam would allow the opening of e-wallets without connecting to bank accounts. He suggested that e-wallets could be registered at convenience stores and the e-KYC (Know Your Customer) process would be enabled to reduce turnaround time and paperwork. 

He said Grab wants to assist Vietnam in building and launching online payments for public services under the e-government project.

At the World Economic Forum on ASEAN 2018 held in mid-September in Hanoi, Grab also offered other suggestions on developing cashless payment to the Vietnamese Government. 

NA Vice Chairman assures friendship with UK

National Assembly Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu (R) and Chairperson of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Vietnam of the UK Wayne David 

National Assembly Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu hosted a reception in Hanoi on October 2 for Chairperson of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Vietnam of the UK Wayne David, assuring him that Vietnam highly values its friendship and cooperation with the UK. 

Luu said the visit will strengthen ties between the two parliaments’ agencies and legislators, thereby promoting the bilateral strategic partnership between Vietnam and the UK.

He suggested reinforcing collaboration in culture, education, and workforce training – especially in the fields of law, finance-banking, insurance, high technology, and teaching English in Vietnam. 

Hailing the outcomes of talks between the UK delegation and the Vietnamese NA Committee on External Relations, several other NA committees, and the Vietnam-UK Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group, Vice Chairman Luu expressed support for the strengthening of comprehensive cooperation between the two law-making bodies; the facilitation of visits by parliamentarians to raise mutual understanding, share information and experience in parliamentary activities; and maintaining consultation and mutual support at multilateral parliamentary forums. 

Wayne David expressed his profound condolences over the passing of President Tran Dai Quang, and most recently, former Party General Secretary Do Muoi. 

Briefing the host about the outcomes of meetings with the Vietnamese NA committees and agencies, he said that Vietnam-UK ties are growing in all areas. 

He asked the two countries to further boost all-round ties to bring practical benefits to their people, especially in training and other fields of their respective strength to match the bilateral strategic partnership. 

Deputy Defence Minister welcomes Chinese Charge d’affaires

Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh (right) hosts a reception for Charge d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam Yin Haihong in Hanoi on October 1. (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh hosted a reception for Charge d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam Yin Haihong in Hanoi on October 1.

Vinh congratulated China on the 69th anniversary of the National Day and affirmed that the Vietnam – China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership has been growing strong with the bilateral defence ties being one of the key pillars.

The partnership between the two countries’ armed forces has achieved positive and practical results, he said. The two sides have been active in exchange of visits at all levels, joint medical checkup for border communities, border cooperation, military history studies, providing Vietnamese and Chinese language courses for military personnel from both sides and experience exchange in United Nations peacekeeping missions, he noted.

The two nations have supported each other at multilateral forums, particularly the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM ). Vietnam will participate in an ASEAN-China Maritime Drill at China’s Zhanjiang naval base in late October.

The deputy minister spoke highly of the visit to China by Sen. Lieut. Gen. Luong Cuong, head of the General Department of Politics under the Vietnam People’s Army in July, saying that the successful visit has greatly contributed to the relations between the two Parties, States and armies.

He suggested the two sides further discuss details of their plan to deepen the bilateral defence cooperation in the time ahead, including the fifth Vietnam – China border defence friendship exchange to take place in Cao Bang this November, the deputy minister-level defence policy dialogue and exchange of high-level visits between the two armies.

Yin, for her part, thanked Vinh for his reception. She agreed with her host on the significant development of the two nations’ Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership as well as defence relations. 

She pledged that she will report his proposals to her higher authority at the earliest.

Leader suggests issues for discussion at Party Central Committee’s meeting

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong addresses the opening session of the 8th meeting of the 12th Party Central Committee on October 2 

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong delivered an opening speech at the 8th meeting of the 12th Party Central Committee on October 2, suggesting issues regarding socio-economic development, the Vietnam Maritime Strategy and the Party building that participants should focus on.

He said 2018 is in the middle of the Party’s 12th tenure, so it plays a decisive role in the realisation of the Resolution of the 12th National Party Congress and is the first year for making preparations for the 13th National Congress.

The Party leader noted that this meeting’s agenda covers many important issues directly relating to the steering of the implementation of socio-economic development targets and the building of a pure and strong Party.

At the event, Politburo member and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc delivered a report of the Government’s Party Committee on the socio-economic and state budget situation in 2018, along with the socio-economic development plan and state budget estimates for 2019.

Pointing out certain problems and shortcomings, the report said there remain many difficulties in carrying out the three strategic breakthroughs and restructuring the economy. The investment in construction of key national projects and the disbursement of public investment capital remain slow. While exports growth still relies on the foreign invested sector, the independence and self-reliance of the economy remain modest, and the macro-economy has yet to be steady.

Resources for implementing social and cultural policies are limited, some policies haven’t been issued in a timely manner or implemented well, and the wealth gap among regions and strata of people is big and tends to widen. Additionally, there are still many social problems in such fields as healthcare, education, natural resources management and environment.

In his speech, General Secretary Trong asked members of the Party Central Committee to have objective and comprehensive assessment of local and national socio-economic situation, point out achievements as well as flaws to seek solutions, as well as analyse and predict different possibilities. He also requested them to specify targets, tasks, and breakthrough and feasible policies and solutions to fulfill the tasks set for 2019 as well as the whole 12th tenure.

The Political Bureau delivered a report reviewing the 10-year implementation of the resolution of the 10th Party Central Committee’s 4th meeting on the Vietnam Maritime Strategy towards 2020.

Seas and islands are not only a component part of the nation’s sacred sovereignty and sovereign right, but also where generations of Vietnamese people have existed and grown. Vietnamese waters hold important geo-political, geo-military and geo-economic positions in the region and the world.

At the meeting, based on the report and the analyses and forecasts of new situations in the country, the region and the world, the Party Committee of the Government proposed the Party Central Committee issue a new resolution on the Vietnam Maritime Strategy until 2030 with a vision to 2045.

The promulgation of the resolution will help to orient the building of strategies, plans, policies and laws, as well as programmes and projects of the Government, localities and agencies involved, especially in the mobilisation of resources for the medium-term investment plan for maritime and coastal economic development, in conformity with the national socio-economic development plan and strategy for the 2021-2030 period.

Suggesting several issues for discussion, the Party chief asked for the clarification of reasons why several maritime and coastal economic development targets are difficult to be reached in 2020, the sea-based economy develops slowly, and the investment in developing coastal infrastructure, especially the seaport system, remains ineffective.

It is also necessary to clarify shortcomings in the planning of coastal areas and several sectors, sea pollution, complicated developments of climate change and sea level rise and their negative impacts, and inefficient State management on seas and islands, General Secretary Trong stated.

Regarding the Party building, the Politburo proposed the Party Central Committee decide on some important issues such as the issuance of regulations on responsibility of officials and Party members, firstly members of the Politburo, the Secretariat and the Party Central Committee, for setting examples. 

The Politburo also suggested the establishment of sub-committees in preparation for the 13th National Party Congress and the introduction of personnel for the post of President to the National Assembly, the election of additional members of the 12th Party Central Committee’s Inspection Commission, and taking disciplinary measures against officials in line with Party regulations. 

In his remarks, Party General Secretary Trong said the Party Central Committee, Politburo and Secretariat have issued many guidelines and regulations on the responsibility of officials and Party members for setting examples. 

The implementation of Party guidelines and regulations has intensified the Party’s disciplines, helped improve the leadership and combat capacity of Party organisations and members, contributing to preventing degradation, corruption and other bad deeds, and consolidating confidence of officials, Party members and people in the leadership of the Party, he said. 

However, the Party leader pointed out that the outcomes have failed to meet the set targets, explaining that many officials and Party members, including those holding key positions at all levels, have yet to be aware of the responsibility. 

Some high-ranking officials, both retired and incumbent, have seriously violated Party disciplines and State laws, sparking concerns among officials, Party members and people, he said. 

Given this, the Politburo has agreed with the proposal of the Party Central Committee to issue a new regulation on the responsibility for setting examples of officials and Party members. 

The draft regulation requires Politburo, Secretariat and Party Central Committee members to set examples, align themselves with rules and resolutely combat bad deeds, the Party leader said. 

During the session, the Politburo proposed the establishment of five sub-committees on documents, socio-economic affairs, Party regulations, personnel and organisation to serve the 13th National Party Congress.

The sub-committees will prepare a report on the ten-year implementation of the supplemented 2011 Party Political Platform, political report, report reviewing the 10-year  realisation of socio-economic development strategy, five-year socio-economic report, and others on five-year Party building, implementation of Party regulations and supplements and amendments to the Party regulations (if any), and personnel affairs.

NA Chairwoman hopes diplomats will bring opportunities to localities

At the reception 

National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan has urged ambassadors and heads of representative Vietnamese agencies abroad to seek and bring more development opportunities to Vietnamese localities, especially those suffering in disadvantaged areas, in order to narrow the development gap. 

During a reception in Hanoi on October 1 for diplomats for the 2018-2021 tenure, the NA Chairwoman said as Vietnam is striving to run as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure and prepare for its own Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2020, the legislature must push itself in its roles as member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Executive Committee and IPU Vice Chair for the time ahead. 

At the same time, Vietnam’s NA must successfully hold the 41st session of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) 2020 and assume the position of AIPA Secretary General for the 2019-2021 tenure, she said. 

She lauded the close coordination of State and parliamentary diplomacy towards improving Vietnam’s stature on the international arena, most notably the success of the 132nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in 2015, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting in 2017, and the 26th annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) in Hanoi in January 2018. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs made thorough preparations, in terms of both agenda and reception, contributing to the success of meetings, she said. 

The top legislator also hailed the Foreign Ministry for hosting the 30th Diplomatic Conference in August to share experience and promote the external activities of the Party and State. 

On the occasion, she asked diplomats to uphold their role as a bridge to develop ties between Vietnamese and foreign legislatures via bilateral and multilateral channels. 

Representative agencies abroad need to work closely with the NA Committee for External Affairs to further promote parliamentary diplomacy and facilitate the exchange of delegations at all levels, thus improving personnel capacity and mutual understanding, she said. 

They were urged to learn from other countries’ experience in state management so that international friends could see Vietnam’s determination to reform itself, foster trust in the heart of overseas Vietnamese, as well as coordinate with host authorities to offer all possible support to them. 

Amid several complicated developments in the world, she suggested launching more dialogue channels to fight wrongful allegations and pool support from foreign countries, contributing to safeguarding national sovereignty and interests. 

Ngan expressed her hope that heads of representative Vietnamese agencies abroad will always maintain strong political will; stay absolutely loyal to the nation; improve Vietnam’s stature in political, diplomatic, economic, and cultural terms; and contribute to building the homeland. 

Several diplomats said they have completed basic works before departure, including holding working sessions with ministries, agencies, and localities to grasp hold of the situation, thereby building specific action plans to fulfil assigned tasks. 

According to permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, there were 24 heads of overseas representative Vietnamese agencies appointed for the 2018-2021, including 16 ambassadors approved by the legislature. 

Since the NA’s 14th tenure, the NA Standing Committee has approved the appointment of 67 ambassadors. 

Leaders of Parties, int’l organisations send sympathies over President Quang’s passing

A hearse carrying the coffin of President Tran Dai Quang to his resting place in Ninh Binh crosses a street in Hanoi 

More leaders of foreign Parties and international organisations have sent messages of condolence to the Vietnamese Party, State, Government leaders, and people, as well as the family of President Tran Dai Quang over his passing. 

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Spain (PCE) Enrique Santiago and PCE Secretary in charge of external relations Manuel Pineda cabled their condolences to the Communist Party and people of Vietnam. 

General Secretary of the Nation for All Movement Party of Dominica (MPT) Ivan Rodriguez, MPT President Fulgencio Sevenrino, and MPT Secretary in charge of external relations Julio Diaz Campusano also sent their sympathies to the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong, CPV members, and the Vietnamese people. 

Member of the standing board of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) Central Committee and head of the CPP Central Committee’s Mass Mobilisation Commission Men Sam On sent her sympathies to Politburo member, Secretary of the CPV Central Committee, and head of the CPV Central Committee’s Mass Mobilisation Commission Truong Thi Mai. 

Futhermore, Foreign Minister of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif and Director General of the International Rice Research Institute Matthew Morell cabled messages of condolences to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.