At the celebration

The Vietnam Embassy in Spain has held a ceremony to mark Vietnam’s 74th National Day and the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam – Spain strategic partnership.

The event gathered 400 guests who are representatives of Spanish public agencies and enterprises, as well as of foreign embassies and the Vietnamese community in Spain.

Speaking at the ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to Spain Ngo Tien Dung reviewed Vietnam’s historical path to independence and reform, which has turned it into a country of political stability, dynamic economy, and international integration.

He also highlighted Vietnam’s upcoming positions as the Chair of ASEAN in 2020 and a non-permanent of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure.

The diplomat stated Spain, the first strategic partner of Vietnam in Europe, has always been the country’s important partner in the EU for years.

Bilateral trade grew annually at a growth rate of more than 15 percent in 17 years to reach 3.6 billion USD in 2018. Last year, 80,000 Spanish tourists visited Vietnam. These figures and several frame cooperation agreements signed between the countries will help deepen their engagements particularly in trade-investment, energy, and infrastructure.

Xiana Margarida Méndez Bértolo, State Secretary for Trade at the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, affirmed Spain values the enhancement of its comprehensive collaboration with Vietnam.

Stressing that Vietnam is an important partner of Spain in ASEAN, she hoped the early ratification of the free trade and investment protection agreements signed between the EU and Vietnam in June will create favourable conditions for the two nations to expand their economic and investment ties across fields.

The ceremony featured a fashion show of Vietnamese traditional long dress Ao Dai, a photo exhibition and film screening, and Vietnamese food./.

NA leader concludes Laos visit

NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (L) meets General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President Bounnhang Vorachith in Vientiane

National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and the Vietnamese NA high-level delegation arrived in Hanoi on September 29 night, concluding their four-day visit to Laos.

During the visit, the NA leader had a meeting with General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President Bounnhang Vorachith, and held talks with Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith. She also visited Vientiane province.

Ngan and her Lao counterpart Pany Yathotou co-chaired a symposium on laws and policies on vocational education and employmentas well as coordination to address public complaints and denunciations.

In Vientiane province, the Vietnamese top legislator presented the Independence Order of first, second and third classes, Friendship Order and Friendship Medal of the State of Vietnam to individuals and collectives from the Laos’ NA.

She also inspected the progress of the Lao NA House construction in That Luang Square, a gift of the Vietnamese Party, State and people to Laos, and met with officials and soldiers of Military Corp 11 under the Vietnamese Ministry of Defence, who are in charge of the project’s construction.

Speaking at the site, the top legislator stressed the political-diplomatic significance of the project, a symbol of the great friendship and special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

She highlighted a number of requirements for agencies involved in the project, asking them to strictly follow regulations on technical standards of the project, while striving to complete it in 2020.

NA Chairwoman Ngan also expressed her sympathies to Lao leaders and people over losses in human lives and property caused by the recent flooding in six central and southern Lao localities.

Vietnam is raising funds to support Lao people to ease their difficulties, she said.

Before leaving for Hanoi, Ngan and the NA delegation also visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos./.

Top legislator visits construction site of Lao NA House, Vientiane province

NA National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan at the construction site of the Lao NA House

National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan on September 29 made a field trip to the construction site of the Lao NA House, a gift of the Vietnamese Party, State and people to Laos, as part of her visit to the neighbouring country.

At the site, Vietnamese Deputy Construction Minister Le Quang Hung reported that after more than one year of construction, many items of the project are about to be completed under the supervision of Vietnamese and Japanese experts.

NA Chairwoman Ngan emphasised the project’s political and diplomatic significance, and described it as a symbol of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

The construction must be finished and handed over to the Lao side at the end of 2020, ahead of the 11th National Party Congress of Laos scheduled in 2021, the top legislator said.

She spoke highly of the close coordination between Vietnamese and Lao relevant agencies and units during the construction, and urged them to seriously follow the design as well as regulations on technologies and safety.

While in Laos, the top legislator visited Vientiane province on September 28 where she met provincial Governor Khamphan Sitthidumpha.

Top legislator visits construction site of Lao NA House, Vientiane province hinh anh 2
During her stay in Laos, NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan visited Vientiane province on September 28 where she met provincial Governor Khamphan Sitthidumpha.(Photo: VNA)

Ngan rejoiced at major achievements the province has recorded across spheres over the past time, and praised cooperation outcomes between Vientiane and Vietnamese localities, especially in personnel training, education and production.

Vietnamese localities stand ready to cooperate with their Lao counterparts, including Vientiane province, she said.

She suggested Vientiane expand and improve cooperation efficiency with Hai Phong city, Hai Duong, Yen Bai and Nghe An provinces, and other localities of Vietnam, particularly in education-training, personnel training and goods production in service of export, while promoting start-up programmes in Vientiane’s villages to diversify its products.

Ngan said her visit aims to consolidate the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnamese and Lao Parties, States and peoples, and promote the bilateral legislative ties.

For his part, Khamphan Sitthidumpha thanked the support of the Vietnamese Party and State to Laos and Vientiane province in particular, saying the mutual support and collaboration will deepen the Vietnam-Laos relationship.

On this occasion, Ngan and her encourage paid tribute to Vietnamese and Lao soldiers at the Laos-Vietnam Combat Alliance Monument in Vientiane province’s Keun village, about 70 km north of Vientiane capital city./.

Vietnam – pillar of Francophone community in Asia

Senator Catherine Deroche, head of the France-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group of the Senate of France (L) at a meeting with Vietnam's National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan

Vietnam is the pillar of the Francophone (French-speaking) community in Asia, according to Senator Catherine Deroche, head of the France-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group of the Senate of France.

She said the development of Vietnamese-French bilingual system began in 1990 and has become stronger through the seventh Francophone Summit held in Vietnam in 1997.

French is being taught in 33 cities and provinces across Vietnam. In particular, two high schools in Hanoi, namely Chu Van An and Hanoi Amsterdam, have been recognised as members of the Label FrancEducation – a global network of schools having French bilingual teaching programmes.

Label FrancEducation seal is granted by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs to schools having high qualified French bilingual teaching programme or at least one subject is taught in French to promote the language and culture in schools of foreign countries, including Vietnam.

During her working visit to Vietnam from September 20 to 26, the French Senator met with National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and representatives from the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss ways to expand cooperation between the two countries, especially in tertiary education and youth exchanges./.

Friendship union works to strengthen HCM City’s ties with Slovakia

At the event

The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO), on September 29, held a get-together to mark Slovakia’s 27th Constitution Day (September 1).

Speaking at the event, Bui Quang Hai, Chairman of the municipal chapter of the Vietnam-Slovakia Friendship Association (VSFA HCM City), said Slovakia has helped train thousands of Vietnamese personnel in economics and engineering, particularly mechanics and light industry.

Many of them have served important positions within the Vietnamese Party, State and Government systems and are currently working as a friendship bridge connecting the two nations, he added.

The official took the occasion to thank the Slovakian Embassy in Vietnam and the Slovakian Consulate General in HCM City for their financial and spiritual support toward the HUFO’s and the VSFA HCM City’s activities to promote friendship between the two peoples.

He mentioned the Friendship Tower invested by the CZ Slovakia – Vietnam limited company as a symbol of the bilateral traditional relations.

Chargé d’Affaires at the Slovakian Embassy in Vietnam Jozef Cibula noted trade between Vietnam and Slovakia has grown stably in recent years, and the two countries boast potential for stronger cooperation in several other fields.

He unveiled that Slovakian firms are seeking opportunities to form partnerships with their Vietnamese peers.

Slovakia highly values contributions of Vietnamese expatriates in the country and Vietnamese alumni to the two nations’ cooperation development, the diplomat stressed, adding that the fruitful ties between the two peoples lay the basis for Vietnam-Slovakia relations to thrive in all fields./.

Top legislator visits Vietnamese Embassy in Laos

Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan speaks at the event

Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos on September 29 as part of her trip to the country.

At the visit, the top legislator briefed on her activities in Laos so far, which included meetings with Lao Party General Secretary and President Bounhang Volachith and Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, as well as a field trip to the construction site of the Lao National Assembly House – a gift of the Vietnamese Party, State and people to Laos.

She also informed embassy staff on Vietnam’s socio-economic development and the NA’s preparations for its upcoming 8th session in October.

Praising efforts of the embassy in fulfilling their missions tasked by the Party and State, Ngan said despite several difficulties, the embassy has made important contributions to boosting the Vietnam – Laos friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation across politics, economy-trade-investment, culture, education, and tourism, among others.

She affirmed that the Party and State always create favourable conditions for the operations of Vietnamese representative agencies overseas, including the embassy.

Amid the global and regional situation, Ngan recommended the embassy strengthen its citizen protection measures in terms of spiritual support, information supply and legal consultation.

She took the occasion to express her wish that Vietnamese enterprises operating in Laos will respect local law and cultural traditions, and make contributions to Laos’ socio-economic growth./.

NA Chairwoman meets Lao top leader

The Vietnamese Party, State and people will make all-out effort to preserve and enhance the special relations with Laos, Chairwoman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan affirmed on September 29.

During a meeting with Lao Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith in Vientiane, Ngan said the Vietnamese and Lao legislatures have co-organised many activities contributing to strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

She cited eight thematic workshops jointly held by the NAs, including a symposium on laws and policies on vocational education and employment, and coordination in addressing public complaints and denunciations, co-chaired by her and Lao NA Chairwoman Pany Yathotou in Vientiane on September 27.

Regarding the construction of the Lao NA House, a gift from the Vietnamese Party, State and people to Laos, Ngan said the Vietnamese legislature will closely coordinate with the Vietnamese Government and the Lao side to ensure the progress and quality of the project.

The Vietnamese top legislator expressed her sympathy over human and property losses caused by the recent floods in six central and southern province of Laos, adding that Vietnam is raising funds to support Lao flood victims.

On this occasion, Ngan presented first, second and third-class Independence Orders, and Friendship Order and Medal of the Vietnamese State to 69 individuals and 17 collectives of the Lao NA in recognition of their contributions to the bilateral legislative ties.

For his part, Bounnhang Vorachith said Ngan’s visit has contributed to tightening and boosting the Vietnam-Laos relationship, and lauded the freshly-concluded symposium co-chaired by the NA Chairwomen.

Applauding Vietnam’s support to Laos, he described the Lao NA House as a valuable gift Vietnam has presented to its neighbouring country.

The host noted his wish that the two legislatures will further their close cooperation and seek new collaboration forms, and suggested them organise seminars at the local level to exchange professional experience.

He urged Vietnamese and Lao ministries, agencies and localities to continue joining hands at work, for the sake of the two Parties, States and peoples.

The host leader said Vietnam and Laos should continue to stand side by side given the complex developments of the regional and international situation./.

Leaders extend congratulations to China on National Day

Vietnam’s top leaders have sent messages of congratulations to their Chinese counterparts on the occasion of China’s 70th National Day (October 1).

The well-wishers are General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

The messages were cabled to Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang, and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Li Zhanshu.

In the messages, the Vietnamese leaders congratulated China on major achievements the country has recorded over the past 70 years, especially after 40 years of reform and opening-up, and expressed their wish that Chinese people will reap greater fruits in the cause.

They said Vietnam attaches importance to the comprehensive strategic partnership with China and wishes to work together with China to consolidate the friendly neighbourliness, deepen their mutually beneficial cooperation, and control and satisfactorily settle existing issues on the basis of respect for each other’s legitimate interests and in line with international law, meeting basic and long-term interests of the two countries and peoples, and contributing to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.

On this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, who is also head of the Steering Committee for Vietnam-China Bilateral Cooperation, sent a congratulatory message to Foreign Minister Wang Yi./.

Vietnam calls for increasing vitality of multilateralism

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh speaks at the General Debate of the UN General Assembly’s 74th session

Promoting vitality of multilateralism is an urgent requirement for the international community amid challenges brought about by power politics, populism, declining political commitments and resources shortage, said a senior Vietnamese official.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh made the statement while delivering his speech to leaders and representatives of 193 member countries at the General Debate of the UN General Assembly’s 74th session in New York on September 28.

Minh said multilateral cooperation has a special place in Vietnam’s foreign policy.

The process of reform, development, and international integration is closely associated with Vietnam’s participation in global and regional multilateral institutions, he emphasised.

Vietnam has proved its role as an active and responsible partner in multilateral processes by contributing to the UN’s peacekeeping operations and sustainable development goals, he noted, adding that the country was recently elected a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020 – 2021 tenure.

Affirming that international law is the foundation of equal relations among states, he said the international community should raise voice against unilateral actions that violate international law, and should promote the settlement of disputes by peaceful measures.

Mentioning his concerns over the recent complicated developments in the East Sea, including serious incidents that infringe upon Vietnam’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the country’s maritime zones as defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Minh stressed countries involved need to exercise self-restraint and refrain from conducting unilateral acts which may complicate or escalate tension at sea, and settle disputes by peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

The official affirmed that as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020 – 2021 tenure and Chair of the ASEAN in 2020, Vietnam will prioritise boosting cooperation between the UN and regional organisations particularly in preventing conflicts and promoting peace and sustainability.

Multilateral efforts need to put people at heart. Lasting peace is the prerequisite for sustainable development and can only be achieved when the basic safety and living condition of the people are ensured, he said.

On the occasion, Minh attended the Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (IAMM), and joined other ASEAN foreign ministers at a series of their meetings with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Pacific Alliance (PA), UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and President of the UN General Assembly Tijjani Muhammad-Bande.

At the IAMM where participating countries discussed the preparation for the 35th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, Thailand in November, Minh informed the participants on Vietnam’s preparations for its ASEAN chairmanship next year. He also voiced Vietnam’s concerns over the East Sea issue after the 52nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Bangkok last August as well as the country’s stance on the matter.

The same day, meeting with President of the UN General Assembly Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said Vietnam attaches importance to cooperating with the UN and will make active contributions to the UN’s central role in the multilateral system.

Minh underscored Vietnam’s commitments to the UN’s 2030 agenda on sustainable development and Paris climate agreement while meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. He also shared the country’s plans for its upcoming participation in the UN Security Council and ASEAN chairmanship, thereby enhancing the relations between the UN and regional organisations./.