The frigate HQ-011 Dinh Tien Hoang left Vietnam on March 15 to attend the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Showcase 2017 (LIMA 2017) in Malaysia for the first time.

 Hanoi is willing to create favourable conditions, especially in administrative procedures, for businesses from the Republic of Korea (RoK) to make long-term investments in the city.

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has reiterated that all ministries and central authorities act to end the practice of State-owned agencies accepting luxury cars as gifts from private firms or individuals.

The Netherlands wishes to expand relations with Vietnam, including cooperation in peacekeeping activities between the two countries’ armies, said Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Nienke Trooster. 

 The Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarian Alliance always pays heed to boosting multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam, particularly in climate change adaptation, said special advisor of the group Takebe Tsutomu.

 Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh paid a visit to Samdech Sar Kheng, Acting Prime Minister of Cambodia, in Phnom Penh on March 14.

Leaders of HCM City and Houaphan province of Laos reached consensus on cooperation plans and orientations in various fields for 2017-2020 during their talks in Vietnam’s southern largest economic hub on March 14. 

 The 8th meeting of the National Assembly (NA)’s Standing Committee opened on March 14 with an agenda full of important contents for the third session of the 14th NA.

 Deputy Minister of Public Security Nguyen Van Thanh has hailed the European Police Office (EUROPOL) as the Ministry of Public Security’s important international partner in the fight against crimes.

 President of Israel Reuven Ruvi Rivlin and his spouse will make a State visit to Vietnam at the invitation of President Tran Dai Quang.

 Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea Yun Byung-se will pay an official visit to Viet Nam from 19th to 20th March 2017.

 PCI rankings of five centrally-run municipalities through years

 Secretary of the Party Committee and Governor of Laos’ Vientiane capital Sinlavong Khoutphaythoun received visiting Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen The Hung in the Lao capital city on March 13.

 Good settlement of post-war matters like AO/dioxin victims as well as leftover bombs and mines in Vietnam will make contributions to consolidating and promoting friendship between Vietnam and the US.

The US Department of State’s 2016 annual Human Rights report acknowledges some of Vietnam’s achievements in protecting human rights, but makes biased statements and does not reflect the real situation in Vietnam.

 Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh has urged China to respect Vietnam’s sovereignty and international law in response to reporters’ question relating to recent actions by China in Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago.

 Some 34,214 State-owned cars cost the State budget more than 486 million USD per year, according to Tran Duc Thang, Director of the Department of Public Asset Management under the Ministry of Finance (MoF).

 Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung has made a working visit to the EU from March 4-10, aiming to boost Vietnam – EU ties via lobbying for the early signing and ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement.

 Vietnam’s relations with the US and Israel were the focus of a recent diplomatic reception held by the Vietnamese Embassy in the US and the Asia Pacific Institute of the American Jewish Committee (AJC).

 Top leaders of Ho Chi Minh City had a working session on March 10 with visiting Lao National Assembly Chairwoman Pany Yathotou.