Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) receives Sen. Lt. Gen. Alvaro Lopez Miera, Chief of the General Staff and First Deputy Minister of the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) of Cuba in Hanoi on September 16.

Vietnam always stands side by side and supports Cuba to further promote the Caribbean country’s socio-economic development for peace and prosperity in the region and the world, said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

The PM made the statement while receiving Sen. Lt. Gen. Alvaro Lopez Miera, Chief of the General Staff and First Deputy Minister of the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) of Cuba in Hanoi on September 16.

PM Phuc spoke highly of Vietnam-Cuba relations which have been built by President Ho Chi Minh and his Cuban counterpart Phidel Castro and nurtured by generations of leaders of both countries, saying the bilateral ties would last forever and be deepened with practical results.

He noted that the ongoing visit to Vietnam by the Cuban delegation would help promote the relations between the two countries to a new height.

The Cuban officer said he was happy to visit Vietnam again after many years and delighted at the country’s changes and outstanding achievements. Cuba should learn from Vietnam’s experience in socio-economic development, he said.

Cuba is facing numerous difficulties, particularly in food supply, because of the embargo, he said, hoping that Vietnam will send experts to share with Cuba maize varieties as well as experience in maize farming as Cuba’s maize productivity has remained low.

Cuba also expects to get support from Vietnam in developing the industrial sector, including shipbuilding, Miera added.

He also thanked the Vietnamese government and PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc for facilitating the cooperation between the Ministry of National Defence of Vietnam and the MINFAR.

Vietnam has consistently voiced support for Cuba and condemned the embargo against the country at the United Nations General Assembly, PM Phuc said.

The two nations must stay united and support each other in hardship since Vietnam also used to suffer from the embargo, the PM noted.

Vietnam will actively help Cuba to overcome difficulties, particularly in food supply, he affirmed.

The Vietnamese leader said that Vietnam has experience in cyber-security and stands ready to cooperate with Cuba in this field to bring benefits to both sides.

Vietnam attends Global Dialogue CSIS 2019 in Indonesia

The Vietnamese delegation at the event

A Vietnamese delegation is attending the Global Dialogue CSIS 2019 which opened in Indonesia’s capital city Jakarta on September 16.

Head of the Vietnamese delegation Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga said the theme of the event, Harnessing Frontier Technologies: Redesigning National, Regional and Global Architecture, is very relevant in the context of the booming Fourth Industrial Revolution and digital technology in the region and the world.

Nga, who is Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation (VNCPEC), said the Vietnamese delegation is attending the event to express the country's interest in optimizing advanced technologies for national development.

Vietnamese delegates will also take the occasion to discuss with the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) and its members issues of common concern in preparation for Vietnam’s chair of the ASEAN in 2020 and non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure, Nga said.

She added that the delegation is scheduled to hold sidelines meetings on specific issues with politicians, research centres and agencies of the host country to strengthen the Vietnam-Indonesia friendship, particularly when the two countries are organizing many activities to mark the 60th anniversary of the visits of President Ho Chi Minh and President Sukarno in 2019, and the 65th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship in 2020.

The Global Dialogue CSIS 2019 is being held by the Washington based Centre for Strategic and International Studies and the PECC.

Vietnam, Cuba enjoy fruitful defence cooperation: general staff chiefs

Sen. Lt. Gen. Phan Van Giang (second, left) and Sen. Lt. Gen. Alvaro Lopez Miera (second, right) at the welcome ceremony for the Cuban delegation in Hanoi on September 16

The chiefs of the general staffs of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and the Cuban Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) highlighted the fruitful defence cooperation between the two countries and agreed to enhance the partnership during talks in Hanoi on September 16.

The talks held following the welcome ceremony for the Cuban side were chaired by Sen. Lt. Gen. Phan Van Giang, member of the Party Central Committee, member of the Central Military Commission’s standing board, Chief of the VPA’s General Staff and Deputy Minister of National Defence, and Sen. Lt. Gen. Alvaro Lopez Miera, Politburo member, Chief of the General Staff and First Deputy Minister of the MINFAR.

Both sides voiced their delight at the growth of the two countries’ relations, including in defence – one of the pillars of the bilateral ties.

They noted the countries have effectively implemented cooperation activities on the basis of the signed documents and agreements under the cooperation plan for 2017 – 2019. High-ranking exchanges have also been further increased, helping to promote the defence partnership in a result-oriented manner.

As Vietnam and Cuba are preparing to mark the 60th founding anniversary of their bilateral diplomatic relationship next year, the officials agreed to compile a dossier on the 60-year history of the defence relationship so as to help educate younger generations about the special traditional friendship between the two nations.

For the time ahead, the two sides will further promote the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms and maintain all-level mutual visits. The officials also expressed their willingness to welcome each other’s delegations on the trips for the celebrations of the diplomatic relationship’s 60th anniversary in 2020.

Regarding collaboration in the defence industry, both sides agreed to work closely with each other in the implementation of joint projects.

Sen. Lt. Gen. Giang said the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence is ready to cooperate with Cuba in such fields as telecommunications and communications for which Vietnam has mastered technologies. He also asked the MINFAR to facililtate the Vietnamese military-run industry and telecom group Viettel to invest in telecom infrastructure and other potential areas in Cuba.

Besides, Vietnam will continue sending personnel to training courses in the fields the Caribbean nation is strong at like military medicine and engineering. It is also ready to receive Cuban personnel for training in cryptography, defence industry, electronic warfare and Vietnamese language, he added.

After the talks, the Cuban delegation paid a courtesy call to Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich, Politburo member, Vice Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Minister of National Defence of Vietnam. They also had a meeting with Gen. Luong Cuong, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, member of the Central Military Commission’s standing board, and head of the VPA’s General Department of Politics.

The Cuban guests were on an official visit to the Southeast Asian country from September 14 to 16.

Parliamentary leader welcomes chief justice of Singapore

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Singapore Sundaresh Menon at the meeting in Hanoi on September 16

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan received Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Singapore Sundaresh Menon in Hanoi on September 16.

Welcoming the Singaporean delegation, the host leader said their working visit, during which a memorandum of understanding on information exchange between the Supreme Court of Singapore and the Supreme People’s Court of Vietnam has been signed, is of critical importance as it will help strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Chief Justice Menon said during the visit, he will give a lecture on conciliation, noting that amidst growing international trade disputes, conciliation will help change those disagreements. Besides, conciliation is also useful to the judicial sector as it will help save costs and time for the parties concerned.

The Supreme Court of Singapore is ready to share experience in this field with the Vietnamese counterpart, he added.

Chairwoman Ngan said the two countries have set up the strategic partnership, and many Singaporean businesses and investors have operated successfully in Vietnam. Therefore, judicial cooperation will help facilitate bilateral economic, trade, investment and tourism activities.

She appreciated the Singaporean court’s support for and assistance in judicial cooperation activities with Vietnam, and highly valued the achievements that Singapore’s legal and judicial systems have obtained, considering them the highlights in which it can share experience with other ASEAN countries.

The top legislator affirmed that the Vietnamese parliament supports the court system to make judicial reforms and encourages the Supreme People’s Court of Vietnam to enhance exchanges with and learn experience from courts around the world, including Singapore.

She also lauded the ASEAN courts’ establishment of the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices to serve as an ASEAN connecting institution, aside from the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly.

On this occasion, via Chief Justice Menon, Chairwoman Ngan sent an invitation to the Speaker of the Singaporean Parliament to pay an official visit to Vietnam.

Gov’t supports stronger ties between Vietnam, Singapore’s courts: Deputy PM

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh (R) receives Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Singapore Sundaresh Menon in Hanoi on September 16

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh affirmed the Vietnamese Government’s support for stronger cooperation between Vietnamese and Singaporean courts, while meeting with Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Singapore Sundaresh Menon in Hanoi on September 16.

Deputy PM Binh highlighted that the two countries have recorded substantive developments in their strategic partnership over the past years.

He also expressed his delight at the growing cooperation between the two supreme courts, stressing the importance of further collaboration and experience sharing between courts of the two countries, as the judicial and legal systems of Vietnam are making intensive and extensive reforms.

He spoke highly of the Singaporean Supreme Court’s experiences, considering them valuable to Vietnam’s legal and judicial reforms.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the Deputy PM said Vietnam is extremely concerned about China’s recent actions in the sea. These have violated not only Vietnam’s waters but also the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, and run counter to China and the ASEAN countries’ commitment to maintaining a favourable environment for the negotiation on a Code of Conduct in the waters, Binh stressed.

According to him, the ASEAN members need to ensure their central role by coordinating their stances, sustaining the bloc’s solidarity, having common voices and resolutely objecting unilateral actions that infringe international law, seriously violate coastal nations’ rights and legal and legitimate interests, or negatively affect the maintenance of peace, stability, security and safety of navigation and aviation in the East Sea.

For his part, Chief Justice Menon said the Singapore-Vietnam strategic partnership has been illustrated in mutual high-ranking visits and various cooperation aspects, including justice.

He noted that during his delegation’s visit, the two countries’ court sectors will sign a memorandum of understanding on information exchange so as to help share experience at a higher level.

As for the East Sea issue, the official said his country always trusts the relevant sides’ respect for law and settlement of disputes by negotiations.

Vietnam, US boost people-to-people exchange

The Vietnam – US Society (VUS) and Peace Trees Vietnam (PTVN) held a gathering in Hanoi on September 16 with Vietnamese and American war veterans, on the occasion of the 74th anniversary of National Day (September 2) and the VUS (October 17), and the 25th anniversary of the normalisation of the Vietnam – US ties.

The foreign guests are on a working trip to Vietnam from September 14-30.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Nguyen Van Huynh, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Peace Committee and permanent member of the VUS, recalled the traditional history of the VUS and highlighted achievements by Vietnam over the past years.

He also introduced the position and role of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations and the VUS in order to foster friendship and solidarity between Vietnamese people and international friends.

According to him, Vietnam and the US have expanded bilateral ties across politics, diplomacy, economy, national defence-security, culture and education since the normalisation of their relationship in 1995.

PTVN Executive Director Claire Yunker said his organisation has conducted bombs and mines clearance projects and other humanitarian activities since its establishment in 1995, thus contributing to further tightening the Vietnam – US people-to-people exchange.

She added that the PTVN will continue with its activities in Vietnam in the near future.

This is the first non-governmental organisation in the US to be licensed in the search and clearance of bombs, mines and explosives.

At the event, Vietnamese and American war veterans discussed initiatives to further boost peace, cooperation and development in the two countries.

Prime Minister pays tribute to martyrs in Quang Tri

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on September 15 paid tribute to martyrs at the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel on the occasion of their death anniversary (September 16).

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on September 15 paid tribute to martyrs at the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel on the occasion of their death anniversary (September 16).

As a special national relic site, the citadel has gone down into national history as a symbol of bravery after local military units and people fought for 81 days against enemy troops, from June 28 to September 16, 1972.

This contributed to the success of the Paris talks and the 1975 Spring Campaign which ultimately brought about the liberation of the southern region and national re-unification.

An estimated 328,000 tonnes of bombs were dropped on the old citadel and a small town of some 10,000 houses around it. By the time the fighting ended, the town was almost leveled. No houses remained intact.

The last day of the fighting (September 16) was then designated as the death anniversary of all the martyrs.

Swiss Labour Party commemorates President Ho Chi Minh’s 50th death anniversary

Chairman of Swiss Party of Labour Alexander Eniline.

The Swiss Party of Labour cooperated with the Vietnamese Embassy to solemnly hold an event to commemorate President Ho Chi Minh’s 50th death anniversary at its headquarters in Geneva on September 14.

In her remarks at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador Le Linh Lan said Vietnam commemorated the 50th death anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh and the 50th year of implementation of his testament.

The late president’s testament has been implemented by the Vietnamese Party, Government and people, she said, particularly highlighting his will for Vietnam having “more friends and fewer enemies,” and “wishing to be a friend and a trustworthy partner of all nations”.

Vietnam is currently a member of various multilateral organisations, such as the United Nations (UN), the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), ASEAN among others. Vietnam has recently been elected to the UN Security Council for the second time with 192 out of 193 votes, she said.

The Swiss Party of Labour hosting this event shows its deep respect for President Ho Chi Minh as well as Vietnam and Vietnamese people, Chairman Alexander Eniline told the Vietnam News Agency.

Several books on President Ho Chi Minh were exhibited while a documentary portraying the late president was also screened at the ceremony.

Get-together marks Vietnam, Hungary’s National Days

A get-together was held in Hanoi on September 15 to celebrate the National Days of Vietnam (September 2) and Hungary (August 20).

Addressing the event, President of the Vietnam-Hungary Friendship Association Nguyen Dang Vang expressed his delight at the great achievements that people of both countries have gained in politics, economy, science-technology and education, as well as the progress of the bilateral relations.

Vang noted that in recent years, the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Hungary have been expanded and develop strongly in many areas.

Leaders of the two countries have made regular visits to each other’s country. Most recently, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong visited Hungary in September 2018, while Hungarian PM Orban Vicktor came to Vietnam in September 2017, he said.

He expressed his hope that that along with activities to deepen the comprehensive partnership between the two countries, both sides will step up economic collaboration by signing more economic contracts.

Hungarian Ambassador to Vietnam Ory Csaba said that the Vietnam-Hungary relations have grown in all fields such as diplomacy, economy, education, culture, science and technology.

Currently, the two sides are organising many joint activities to promote the ties, he said, noting that the Hungarian Government has offered more scholarships to Vietnamese students, with 196 students have got the scholarships in 2019.

In 2020, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, Hungary will launch 70 programmes with Vietnam in all fields such as culture, education, science-technology, and economy to mark the event, he revealed.

Deputy PM emphasises people-centred approach in building new rural areas

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue.

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue has underlined the importance of the people-centred approach to successfully building new rural areas at a conference to review the programme in the southeast and Mekong Delta regions.

Speaking at the conference on September 14 in Bac Lieu, the Deputy PM Hue recognised the outcomes brought to the regions by the programme, highlighting the positive impacts on the lives of local rural residents and poverty reduction efforts.

He asked each locality to review their results and outline an appropriate direction for the new period.

Deputy PM Hue noted that localities need to give priority to quality when recognising new rural areas in the spirit that the programme will have no ending point.

At the event, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Quoc Doanh said that after nine years of implementing the programme, the two regions have had 874 new rural communes and 30 district-level units have been recognised as meeting new rural standards.

Notably all of the communes of Dong Nai and Binh Duong provinces have been recognised as new rural communes.

With over 932 trillion VND (40 billion USD) poured into the programme in these two regions, their infrastructure has been greatly improved and the standard of living significantly enhanced with the criteria of income and housing much higher than the national average, Doanh added.

Vietnam, Armenia increase friendly exchanges

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (L) in a photo with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc during his official visit to Vietnam in July 2019

The Vietnam-Armenia Friendship Association held a get-together in Hanoi on September 14 to celebrate the 28th Independence Day of Armenia (Sept. 21) and the 74th National Day of Vietnam (Sept. 2)

Chairman of the association Nguyen Van Thuan said Vietnam and Armenia are building equal and mutually-beneficial cooperation partnership.

The official visit to Vietnam by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his spouse in July 2019 opened up a new promising period of bilateral cooperation in various fields such as economy, trade, science-technology, culture and people-to-people exchanges, he said.

Just established in 2014, the association has worked to maintain and develop the solidarity, friendship and collaboration between the two countries as well as increase exchanges and mutual understanding between the Vietnamese and Armenian people, Thuan added.

Armenian Ambassador to Vietnam Vahram Kazhoyan said the friendly relations between the two countries are growing, proven by the opening of the Embassy of Armenia in Vietnam.

He recalled the recent official visit to Vietnam by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, during which the Armenian Government leader had positive talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc and other senior officials.

One of the notable outcomes of this visit is that the two sides agreed to hold the second inter-governmental meeting in October this year in Yerevan capital, said the ambassador.

Kazhoyan revealed that Armenia plans to organise a business forum with the attendance of the two countries’ enterprises.

Vietnamese Party delegation visits Cuba to boost traditional ties

Hoang Trung Hai, Politburo member of the CPV and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee (L) and Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of Cuba

A delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) led by Hoang Trung Hai, Politburo member of the CPV and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, paid a working visit to Cuba from September 9-13.

During the visit, Hai met with Raul Castro Ruz, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, and Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of Cuba.

At these meetings, the two sides exchanged experience in building socialism in each country and affirmed their determination to promote socio-economic cooperation to further deepen the long-standing friendship between Vietnam and Cuba.

Hai informed the Cuban leaders about the outcomes of the delegation’s working trip and affirmed the Vietnamese people’s consistent sentiments and support to the revolutionary cause of the fraternal Cuban people.

At a reception for the Vietnamese Party delegation, José Ramón Machado Ventura, Second Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, highlighted the special brotherhood between the two Parties, Governments and peoples as the two nations will celebrate the 60th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties in December 2020.

He also shared difficulties and challenges that the Cuban people are encountering due to the complicated situation in the region and the world.

The Vietnamese official said he believed that with the strong will, experience and the leadership of the Communist Party of Cuba, the Cuban people will overcome these obstacles to push ahead with their development path.

Hai affirmed that Vietnam has been and will always stand side by side with the Cuban people in any circumstances.

At the talks with Luis Antonio Torres Iríbar, Secretary of the Havana Party Committee, Hai voiced his hope that the two capital cities will have more cooperation projects in the coming time to make practical contributions to the development of bilateral traditional relations.

During his working visit to Cuba, Hai also worked with Vice President of the Council of Ministers Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz to discuss cooperation in potential fields.

Vietnamese land, people spotlighted at photo exhibition in Ukraine

Visitors at the photo exhibition (Photo: VNA)

A photo exhibition featuring Vietnam’s achievements, land and people was opened in Kyiv, Ukraine, on September 13 as part of the celebrations of Vietnam’s 74th National Day (September 2).

Addressing the ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to Ukraine Nguyen Anh Tuan said the Vietnamese people have overcome numerous difficulties over the past 74 years to defend the country’s independence, freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Vietnam has do its utmost to contribute to peace, friendship and progress in the region and the world, he said, adding that with its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance and peace, Vietnam has actively promoted international cooperation and integration, especially reinforcing solidarity in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and promoting the bloc’s central role in Asia-Pacific.

The ambassador also highlighted Vietnam’s outstanding external accomplishments in recent years such as the successful hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Year 2017, the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) in January 2018, the World Economic Forum in September 2018, and the second summit between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the US in February 2019.

In 2020, Vietnam will concurrently assume the role of ASEAN Chair and non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term, showing its efforts in promoting regional and global integration, he stressed.

Regarding relations between Vietnam and Ukraine, the diplomat expressed his belief that the bilateral comprehensive cooperative partnership will reap a lot of fruits in the coming years based on the firm foundation of the traditional friendship.

Zhanna Leschynska, Acting Director General of the Directorate General for the Asia- Pacific Region under the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Ukraine always attaches great importance to its relations with Vietnam and believed that the bilateral cooperative ties will thrive in the time to come.

The official also highly evaluated Vietnam’s achievements in national development and international integration as well as its growing position on the international arena.

Top leader asks academy of politics to build development strategy

Top leader asks academy of politics to build development strategy hinh anh 1Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong speaks at the event

The Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) needs to clearly define its missions and visions to build a long-term development strategy, Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong said while attending a ceremony marking its 70th founding anniversary in Hanoi on September 14.

As a Party school, the primary priority of the academy is to train and provide further training for leaders and managers who are absolutely loyal to the Party’s ideal and the national revolutionary cause, and wholeheartedly serve the country and people, he said.

At the same time, the HCMA should step up the fight against wrong views and distorted allegations of hostile forces, thus helping to defend the Party, State, people and socialist regime, the leader said.

He asked the academy to focus on the quality of training while diversifying its training programmes and opening refresher courses for strategic officials.

The leader emphasised the significance of educating learners with firm political skills and spirit, ideological stance, and revolutionary ethics.

The academy should promote its role as a leading national centre for training and improving qualifications and knowledge for cadres in charge of the Party building as well as lecturers of political theory for political schools and univeristies across the country, he said.

The top leader suggested the HCMA to make greater efforts and investment in scientific research and translate outcomes into teaching, dissemination and education of politics, and policy consultancy.

The Party Central Committee is compiling draft documents for submission to the upcoming 13th National Party Congress, he said, expecting that the academy, with a large number of talented and wholehearted lecturers and scientists, would make positive and effective contributions to the preparation of such important documents.

The leader called on the HCMA to take the lead in preventing the degradation of political ideology, morality and lifestyle as well as manifestations of internal “self-evolution” and “self-transformation.”

The academy should strive to create a modern and integrated learning environment, focusing on improving the quality and international cooperation to selectively acquire global achievements and experiences in training high-quality human resources and conducting scientific research, especially in politics, leadership and management, he added.