The ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) Retreat took place in Singapore on January 12, discussing priorities for 2018 and the preparation for some of the grouping’s major activities in the time ahead.

 PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc lauded Viet Nam-Laos cooperation in 2017, affirming Viet Nam will continue support and assistance for Laos’ socio-economic development process in 2018 wiht a focus on key projects.

 Vietnam and Japan should increase significant friendship exchanges on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (1973-2018), especially the Vietnam-Japan Cultural Festival in HCM City.

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chaired a meeting with the Vietnam-Laos Cooperation Committee, relevant ministries and sectors on January 13 to discuss the implementation of the cooperation agreement with Laos last year and plans for 2018.

 The mission of Vietnamese diplomacy in 2018 is to continue maintaining an environment of peace, stability and cooperation to ensure Vietnam’s security and development goals.

 Vietnam and France have agreed to step up cooperation in training, military medicine, navy, defence industry and peace-keeping operations.

 Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan shakes hands with ​ambassadors and representatives from EU member nations in Vietnam

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc received in Hanoi on January 11 for former US Secretary of State John Kerry who is on a working visit to Vietnam. 

 How to develop in a rapid and sustainable way in order to escape the middle-income trap remains a major challenge facing Vietnam’s economy, said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

 The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee wrapped up its 20th session in Hanoi on January 11 after spending one and a half days discussing three draft laws, one draft resolution and some other issues.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Pham Quang Vinh held a meeting on January 10 with US Congressman Paul Gosar who affirmed that Arizona State is willing to boost cooperation with Vietnamese localities in all fields.

 The Government has issued Resolution No. 138/NQ-CP following the conference with local administrations and the regular Cabinet meeting in December 2017. 

 Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh reiterated Vietnam’s consistent policy of considering the US one of the top important partners during a reception in Hanoi on January 10 for former US Secretary of State John Kerry. 

 Vietnam always treasures and has made significant contributions to the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) in the past year, affirmed Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with his counterparts from China, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia on the sideline of the second Mekong - Lancang Cooperation Leaders' Meeting in Phnom Penh on January 10.

 The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee convened its 20th session in Hanoi on January 10, which is scheduled to deal with a range of matters within one and a half days. 

 Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue chaired a meeting Hanoi on January 9, asking ministries and sectors to work harder to officially connect Vietnam with the ASEAN Single Window mechanism in 2018.

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc arrived in Cambodia’s Phnom Penh International Airport at noon on January 10, beginning activities within the framework of the second Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Leaders’ Meeting.

 Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung has called for more support from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to Vietnam’s projects, including those in transport infrastructure, energy, climate change response and sea level rise. 

 Vietnam-India relations have become more important to peace, stability and development of the two countries, as well as peace, security and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, said Vietnamese Ambassador to India Ton Sinh Thanh.