Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife will pay an official visit to Vietnam from January 16-17.

President Tran Dai Quang has assured Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan of Russia R.Kh. Mardanov that the Vietnamese State continually facilitates ties with Russian localities.

 China highly evaluates the upcoming visit to China by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong, the Xinhua News Agency quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang as saying. 

 U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Vietnam, France, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland from January 13–18, the US Department of State announced on January 10.

Vietnam and Spain should step up their relations across the board, especially politics, economy, trade and investment, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said.

 Vietnamese and Cambodian defence ministers signed a cooperation plan for 2017 between the two ministries at their talks on January 9.

 President Tran Dai Quang lauded the effective collaboration between Vietnam’s Public Security Ministry and Cambodia’s Ministry of Home Affairs during a meeting with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Samdech Sa Kheng.

 A banquet and music performance was held in Hanoi on January 9 to celebrate the 67th anniversary of the Vietnam – China ties (January 18, 1950-2017) by the Hanoi People’s Committee in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam.

 The Ministry of Public Security maintained a close liaison with Cambodia’s Ministry of Home Affairs to fight crime last year, stated Minister To Lam.

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has affirmed Vietnam’s constant policy of reinforcing the fine neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability with Cambodia.

 The upcoming visit to China  of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong from January 12-15 is aimed at further strengthening the Vietnam-China ties and defining the long-term direction for bilateral relations future. 

 It is an urgent need to push ahead with building and perfecting a law-governed socialist State of the people, by the people and for the people, President Tran Dai Quang wrote in an article published on January 9.

 Lao Defence Minister Chansamone Channhalat has arrived in Vietnam to meet with Vietnam’s armed forces chiefs and begin an official three-day visit to deepen military relations between the two countries.

“Although there remain many difficulties and challenges, the outcomes obtained last year were encouraging, giving favourable conditions for the country to enter a new stage of development,” Party Chief Nguyen Phu Trong has said.

 President Tran Dai Quang hosted a reception in Hanoi on January 9 for the newly-accredited Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam, Kunio Umeda.

 Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh expected that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit to Viet Nam next week will further promote the Viet Nam-U.S. comprehensive partnership.

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc yesterday asked authorities in the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang, and in Tra Linh District in particular, to ensure a happy Tet (Lunar New Year) for everyone, especially the underprivileged.

 The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is ready to further speed up the process to create a legally binding code of conduct (COC) in the East Sea with China.

 'As a career diplomat, I have not been asked to resign and expect to complete my full term as ambassador.'

 2016 saw significant achievements in Vietnam’s external relations and international integration. The country has been acting as a responsible member of the world community, paving the way for new diplomatic landmarks in 2017.