On October 9, State President Nguyen Minh Triet received the mayor of Prague, Pavel Ben on his visit to Vietnam for the 1000^th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.

Despite being so far apart, Hanoi and Prague have many similarities particularly they are both ancient capitals with long-standing cultural traditions.

One million overseas Vietnamese are now living in Prague and have been very successful in business, proving Vietnam’s development. Apart from cooperation in trade and investment, Prague is ready to work with Vietnam, particularly Hanoi, using its areas of strength such as education and urban management.

President Triet thanked the Prague mayor as well as the Czech Republic Government for facilitating the Vietnamese nationals in their country and said bilateral relations are expanding to different fields. The two countries are trying to accelerate a direct Hanoi-Prague air route which will contribute to boosting bilateral cooperation, Mr Triet noted.

The congress announced the election result of the ninth municipal Party Committee’s 69-member executive board and adopted a resolution which includes 18 economic targets such as annual GDP growth rate of 12 percent with service accounting for 57 percent, industry 42 percent and agriculture 1 percent of the city’s economic structure through 2015. By the end 2015, GDP per capita is expected to hit US$4,800 and the target for reducing the number of poor households with per capita income of less than VND12 million per year will be fulfilled by that time.

In his speech, Mr Hai highlighted the success of the ninth Congress which was a great source of encouragement for the municipal Party Committee and the local people, while underlining the need to bring the resolution to life.

The congress also elected 34 delegates to attend the 11^th National Party Congress.

At a reception for the Lao delegation which is visiting Hanoi on the capital’s millennial birthday, President Triet thanked Laos’ Party, State and people for awarding Hanoi the Gold National Order- the Lao State’s highest decoration, showing a deep traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

Mr Triet praised the tremendous achievements Laos has recorded during its renewal process and national construction and defense while expressing his delight at the positive developments in the Vietnam-Laos relationship.

President Triet asked the Lao delegation to convey his warm regards to Lao President Choummaly Sayasone and other Party and State leaders.

For his part, Vice President Volachith hoped the Vietnamese people and Hanoi continue to make even greater achievements in national development towards the goal of a prosperous people living in a strong country with a just, democratic and civilized society.

Mr Volachith thanked the Vietnamese Party and State and people for their valuable assistance and affirmed that Laos would try its best to bring the time honoured Vietnam-Laos friendship to a higher level.

The same day, politburo member and member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat, Truong Tan Sang, hosted a banquet in honour of Vice President Bounnhang Volachith and his delegation.

Attending the ceremony was Lao State Vice President Bounnhang Volachith, Mayor of the Laos capital, Vientiane, Sombath Yialayheu, State Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan, the Secretary of Hanoi’s Party Committee, Pham Quang Nghi, and Chairman of the Municipal People’s Committee, Nguyen The Thao.

In his speech, Vice President Volachith said the Lao Party, State and people are very proud of the achievements the Vietnamese people and Hanoi have recorded over the past years. He expressed his delight at the special friendship between the two countries which is growing and flourishing.

Laos’ decision to award Hanoi the National Gold Order on its millennial birthday is an expression of Lao Party, State and people’s profound gratitude to the Vietnamese people and Hanoi for their contributions to the Lao revolutionary cause and for promoting comprehensive relations between the two countries.

Mr Thao said this highest distinction is a great source of encouragement for Hanoi and reflects the deep traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

On the occasion, the Secretary of Hanoi’s Party Committee Pham Quang Nghi presented a gift called “ Thang Long Dragon” to the Lao delegation.

The visit was one of Party and State leaders’ activities to mark Hanoi’s millennial celebrations.

The delegation, led by Party Secretary Nong Duc Manh, laid wreaths at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the War Martyrs and Heroes Memorial.

The same day, representatives from the Hanoi municipal Party Committee, the municipal People’s Council, the municipal People’s Committee, the municipal Fatherland Front and delegations of representatives from 62 provinces and cities, heroic mothers and overseas Vietnamese also paid tribute at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and burnt incense to express their gratitude to war martyrs and heroes who laid down their lives for national independence and freedom.

Addressing a ceremony, attended by Deputy PMs Nguyen Sinh Hung, Pham Gia Khiem, Hoang Trung Hai, and former Deputy PM Vu Khoan, Mr. Dung said the insigna is the Party’s recognition of Mr. Khai’s great contributions to the nation’s revolutionary cause.

Mr. Khai is a good example for every Party member to follow, said the PM.

The former PM expressed his thanks to the State and Party and declared it a great honour to receive the noble insignia. He said he will continue to do all he can to contribute to the nation’s development.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will set up an organising board including representatives from the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Finance.

The board will be headed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.