The Party and State attach importance to the maintenance and development of stable friendship and cooperation with neighbouring countries, making this a top priority in Vietnam's foreign policy, said Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung. 

 More than 800 leaders from business, government, civil society and media will join these heads of state and senior ministers to discuss issues including entrepreneurship and employment in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan hosted a reception yesterday for Kamal Malhotra, UN Resident Coordinator and UN Development Programme’s Resident Representative; and Youssouf Adbel-Jelil, the UNICEF’s Representative for Vietnam.

An import task of Vietnamese representative agencies overseas is to boost economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and other countries and popularize the country’s image, said Ambassador to China Dang Minh Khoi.

 Minister of Public Security To Lam has answered questions on major issues of public concern such as black credit activities, hi-tech crime, online gambling, organised crime and violations committed by officers working in the security sector. 

  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted receptions for Mike Spanos, CEO of the Asia, Middle East, and North Africa unit of the US-based PepsiCo, Inc.; and Sarath Ratanavadi, founder and CEO of Thailand’s Gulf Energy Development, in Hanoi on August 14.

 The 42nd Pacific Armies Management Seminar (PAMS-42) is scheduled to take place in the capital city of Hanoi on August 19-24.

 Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong highlighted the need to enhance the effectiveness of economic diplomatic works serving for the nation’s sustainable development at the 30th Diplomatic Conference held on August 13 in Hanoi.

 Deputy Prime Minister Maxim Akimov has been appointed as chairman of the Russian subcommittee of the Russia-Vietnam Intergovernmental Committee for Economic-Commercial and Scientific-Technological Cooperation. 

 Minister To Lam said on August 13 that the Ministry of Public Security and the Central Public Security Party Committee have resolved to strictly deal with any violations within the ministry, even those involving senior officers.

 The Standing Committee of the National Assembly (NA) will convene its 27th session in September to discuss several important issues, said NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. 

 Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Tran Vinh Tuyen met with visiting Chairman of Enterprise Singapore Peter Ong on August 13, stating that his city hopes to learn from the latter’s experience in smart city building.

 The three pillars of culture, economy, and politics have contributed to creating a comprehensive, modern diplomatic sector, delegates said on the sidelines of the 30th Diplomatic Conference, which opened in Hanoi on August 13. 

  Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s state visit to Vietnam in September is expected to create new momentum for the bilateral strategic partnership, a diplomat said.

 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh affirmed at the 30th Diplomatic Conference which opened in Hanoi on August 13 that the diplomatic sector has completed the major tasks set by the 12th National Party Congress. 

 Shortcomings in implementing policies on ethnic minority groups and sustainable poverty reduction heated up the Q&A session for Minister-Chairman of the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs Do Van Chien on August 13.

 The Vietnam-US Comprehensive Partnership has seen remarkable progress over the past few years with important achievements obtained in all areas, but huge potential remains unleashed for the cooperation between the two countries.

 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang on August 10 voiced Vietnam’s resolute objection to China’s recent activities in Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago and reiterated Vietnam’s sovereignty over the islands.

 Members of the National Assembly Standing Committee have agreed that future official development assistance (ODA) loans are necessary for Vietnam to meet its development potential, but they emphasised the need to spend these loans more effectively.

President Tran Dai Quang on August 8 signed decisions on the demotion of two high-ranking police officers following their serious wrongdoings at work.