Month: September 2021

Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung and his Lao counterpart Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune co-chaired the sixth political consultation between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs via videoconference on August 31, focusing on seeking measures to accelerate cooperation between the two sides and discussing international and regional issues of shared concern.

Both sides agreed that despite impacts of COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries have maintained high-level meetings and exchanges as well as bilateral cooperation mechanisms in various forms. They particularly took note that in the past two months, both sides coordinated in organising the Vietnam visit by General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith in June and President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s visit to Laos in early August.

They acknowleged the deepened defence and security partnership, as well as growing economic, trade and investment cooperation, with two-way trade reaching 764.5 million USD in the first seven months of this year, a year-on-year rise of 34.8 million USD.

Bilateral collaboration in other fields such as transport, education-training, culture-society and people-to-people exchange has also been promoted, they noted.

The two Deputy FMs agreed on a number of measures to increase the role of the two Foreign Ministries in fostering the bilateral partnership of the two countries, especially in speeding up the implementation of signed agreements, enhancing the efficiency of delegation exchanges and optimising international resources for socio-economic development in each country.

They also discussed a plan to hold the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Friendship and Solidarity Year 2022 to mark the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and 45 years of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Friendship and Amity, considering it a chance to strengthen communications and education on the tradition of the special friendship between the two countries to people of both sides, especially the youth.

Regarding international and regional issues of mutual concern, the two sides noted that the world and regional situation has continued to see complicated and unpredictable developments. They stressed the need to continue collaborating and supporting each other at regional and international forums, especially within the UN, ASEAN and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms and in matters of strategic significance related to peace and stability in the region and security and development in each country, including the East Sea issue.

They pledged to continue working closely together to deal with COVID-19, promote access to vaccine and the transfer of vaccine production technology as well as COVID-19 treatment medicines in a fair and effective manner.

Regarding cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries, both sides concurred to maintain and promote the effectiveness of consultation mechanisms at ministerial and deputy ministerial levels, while regularly strengthening exchanges among agencies of the two ministries, especially in the fields of personnel training, strategic research, economic diplomacy, international law, consular affairs, and border affairs.

They agreed to organise the next political consultation in 2022.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The Su That (Truth) National Political Publishing House has introduced two books by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, namely “The whole Party and people join hands and unite to build a more prosperous and happier country” and “Unity, confidence to lead the country to enter a new stage”.

The books comprise of 180 important speeches, articles, interviews and congratulatory letters and messages by the Party leader from January 2018 to April 2021.

The contents are arranged under four themes of comprehensively promoting the Doi Moi (Renewal) along the socialist orientation; considering Party building and rectification a key task; improving the effectiveness and operational efficiency of the political system and bringing into play the strength of the great national unity; and taking the initiative in international integration and cooperation.

Regarding the comprehensive promotion of the Doi Moi along the socialist orientation, Trong emphasized the need to study, supplement and perfect mechanisms and policies in accordance with the actual situation of the country, each locality, ministry, sector and field on the basis of the Party’s stances, guidelines and policies on socio-economic development.

As for Party building and rectification, the Party chief pointed out in many speeches and articles that the work has always received special attention. He noted that Party building aims to make the Party always transparent and strong, while Party rectification is to overcome shortcomings and weaknesses to make the Party worthy of being the sole force leading the country.

Regarding the improvement of the effectiveness and operational efficiency of the political system and the promotion of the strength of the great national unity, Trong’s articles, speeches and congratulatory letters have reflected his deep, regular and continuous care about all sectors, agencies, and organisations in the political and social systems from the central to local and grassroots levels.

On the active international integration and cooperation, his messages and speeches at regional and international meetings, along with congratulatory letters and messages sent to Party and State leaders of countries which Vietnam has diplomatic relations with, have demonstrated the Party and State’s policy on proactive and active integration and extensive international cooperation.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

A delegation of the Party Central Committee, the President, the National Assembly, the Government and the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee paid tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Hanoi on September 1 on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the National Day ( (02/9/1945-2021).

The delegation comprised President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, and President of the VFF Central Committee Do Van Chien, among others.

They expressed gratitude and respect to President Ho Chi Minh who made great contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Party and people of Vietnam and devoted his whole life for the nation.

On September 2, 1945 at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, declaring to the world the foundation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

President Ho Chi Minh was a great leader, a national hero who devoted all his life to the national independence and freedom and happiness of the people while tirelessly striving for peace and progress in the world.

His aspiration for independence, freedom and happiness has become a great motivation and strength for the Vietnamese people to overcome all difficulties and challenges.

Currently, the whole Party, military and people are implementing the movement of studying and following the moral example and lifestyle of President Ho Chi Minh.

The same day, the delegation also offered incense at the Monument of Heroes and Martyrs in Bac Son street of Hanoi.

Also on September 1, a delegation from the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of Defence, the Central Public Security Commission, the Public Security Ministry and the Party Committee and People’s Committee of Ha Noi paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh and laid flowers at the Monument for Heroic Martyrs.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The Vietnamese Embassy in Chile on August 31 offered flowers at President Ho Chi Minh Statue at the park named after him in Cerro Navia commune of Santiago capital on the occasion of Vietnam’s 76th National Day (September 2).

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Pham Truong Giang thanked the people of Chile in general and Cerro Navia in particular for their warm feelings for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam during the past years, affirming that the embassy will continue coordinating with Chilean authorities and people to preserve and nurture the traditional friendship between the two countries.

For his part, Cerro Navia Governor Mauro Tamayo expressed respect and admiration of Chileans to President Ho Chi Minh, as well as their affection for Vietnam. He stressed that Cerro Navia people appreciate the Vietnamese side’s attention to and support for the park’s renovation.

In 1969, to show solidarity and support for the Vietnamese people’s resistance war for national independence and respect for President Ho Chi Minh, a small park in Cerro Navia District was renamed Park Ho Chi Minh. Since then, the park has become a symbol of the traditional friendship between the two countries.

Also on August 31, the Consulate General of Vietnam in Russia’s Vladivostok city laid flowers at the monument of President Ho Chi Minh in the Ho Chi Minh flower garden in the city.

On the same day, the Consulate General organised a ceremony to mark Vietnam’s National Day.

On September 2, 1945 at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, declaring to the world the foundation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

President Ho Chi Minh was a great leader, a national hero who devoted all his life to the national independence and freedom and happiness of the people while tirelessly striving for peace and progress in the world.

His aspiration for independence, freedom and happiness has become a great motivation and strength for the Vietnamese people to overcome all difficulties and challenges.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi on August 31 had a meeting with representatives from the Russia – Vietnam Friendship Association and the association of Russian former military experts serving in Vietnam during wartime in an effort to accelerate people-to-people diplomacy between the two countries.

Khoi briefed his guests on the situation of Vietnamese expats in Russia, saying many Vietnamese have been granted Russian nationality and Russia has become their second homeland. Before the COVID-19 broke out, more than 600,000 Russians visited Vietnam annually, which formed a crucial foundation for promoting people-to-people diplomacy between the two sides, he said.

“For me, only a heart-to-heart relationship is one that is the most enduring, sincere, important and effective,” he said, expressing his delight at meeting with loyal Russian friends of Vietnam.

The diplomat highly spoke of the Russia – Vietnam Friendship Association as many of its members have been working tirelessly to foster the bilateral friendship despite their old age.

He also expected young generations will follow their seniors’ footsteps to help strengthen the Vietnam – Russia comprehensive strategic partnership and proposed the two sides establish a forum for people-to-people exchange.

Highly valuing the Vietnam – Russia long-standing relations, Khoi said the two countries have maintained the regular exchange of high-level delegations with Russian President Vladimir Putin visiting Vietnam five times. The two sides have also sustained regular contacts via emails, phone talks, and virtual meetings amid the COVID-19 pandemic and are working together to prepare for official visits of Vietnamese leaders to Russia and the conclusion of the Vietnam – Russia and Russia – Vietnam Friendship Year.

He moved on to say that Vietnamese cuisine has been expanding its presence in Russia and that he looks forward to receiving support from the two countries’ associations for the organisation of Vietnamese cultural events weekly at public places in Russia.

The ambassador pledged to do his utmost, together with competent authorities, to bolster economic cooperation between the two countries for the benefit of their people.

Chairman of the association of Russian former military experts serving in Vietnam Nikolai Kolesnik, for his part, recalled his memories during his on-duty time in Vietnam and made several recommendations to boost people-to-people cooperation between the two sides.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc handed over a decision appointing Nguyen Huy Tang as Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia during a ceremony held on September 1.

At the event, the leader underlined that it is a duty of great importance that helps promote the Vietnam-Cambodia friendship and traditional cooperation, calling on the diplomat to contribute to the development of the bilateral partnership.

Tang was asked to further deepen political trust between the nations, including thorough preparations for visits by high-ranking officials of both sides.

He was also urged to support the Vietnamese community in Cambodia and help them integrate and comply with the country’s law, thereby facilitating the economic development and the Vietnam-Cambodia relations.

President Phuc also called on the diplomat to foster the completion of the border demarcation work and of the building of border regions of peace, stability, cooperation and development between the nations; and put forward cooperation measures across all fields to the Party and State.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The 27th Congress of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) was held in Abidjan city of Ivory Coast from August 9-27 in both in-person and online formats, during which Vietnam was elected as a member of the UPU Postal Operations Council (POC).

Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, the World Trade Organisation, and other international organisations in Geneva, who directly attended the event, said Vietnam ran for the seat at and was elected to the office for the first time.

This is a very fierce competition as only 48 countries are elected to the council, and South Asia and Oceania are always regions with strongest competition.

Vietnam’s running for the seat once again affirmed the country’s commitment to being ready to join and contribute to the promotion of multilateral cooperation on issues of shared concern of the international community, she said.

According to Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang, Vietnam’s election for the 2022-2025 tenure has a significant meaning, opening up new opportunities for the country.

Postal sector is an important part of the economy in each country as well as the global economy, helping ensure the smooth circulation of goods and services, especially amid the situation of COVID-19. The UPU has become one of the major agencies of the United Nations that have the participation of all UN members, Giang noted.

Officially joining the UPU in 1976, Vietnam has been affirming its role and position in the global postal community through four terms of actively engaging in UPU’s activities as a member of the Council of Administration (CA).

Right after being elected to the council, Vietnam was also elected as the President of the Committee on Postal Financial Services, one of the four committees of the council. To fulfill its tasks, Vietnam, especially the Vietnam Post, will have to make preparations in both personnel and resources to contribute to the council.

Giang said that Vietnam’s election as a member of the council is a great success of the Vietnamese postal sector in international integration, showing the role and position of Vietnam in the world arena.

He held that the success manifests the joint efforts of ministries and sectors in international integration and implementation of multilateral external relations, as well as Vietnam’s willingness and ability to contribute to common jobs of the world.

This is a model for the coordination and cooperation among ministries and agencies in external relations, the official affirmed.

He expressed belief that following this success, the postal and other sectors will continue to show strong performance in international integration, thus contributing to the national economic development and international integration as well as the common work of the international community.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnam always considers its people as the centre, the subject, the main resource and the goal of development, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed at a grand ceremony on September 1 to mark the 76th National Day (September 2). The ceremony was held online in Hanoi and 194 places around the world.

Speaking at the ceremony, PM Chinh affirmed that in the past 76 years, the Vietnamese Party, State and people have constantly struggled to safeguard independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity as well as the right to self-determination of the nation and the right to freedom and happiness of its people, in the spirit of “Nothing more precious than independence and freedom”.

Especially, after more than 35 years of Doi Moi (Renewal), with the valuable and effective support of international friends, Vietnam has gained great achievements in all fields.

Under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and with the engagement of the whole political system and the will and unyielding spirit of the people, Vietnam has exerted efforts to accomplish key tasks of pandemic prevention and control, economic development and recovery, and safety for everyone, including foreigners working, studying and living in the country. The Government leader took the occasion to thank countries, friends and international organisations for their close cooperation and active and effective support for Vietnam, especially in the fight against the pandemic, as well as their creation of favourable conditions for the overseas Vietnamese community.

Chinh suggested countries and international organisations continue promoting cooperation; sharing and transferring technology, experience, finance, medical equipment, and vaccines for Vietnam; and at the same time facilitating investment, international trade, and collaboration in the transportation of people and goods between countries.

According to him, Vietnam’s stability and development is always associated with an environment of peace, cooperation and development of the region and the world. The Government always implements the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation, diversification, and active international integration, and being a good friend, a reliable partner and a responsible member of the international community.

Vietnam will persistently address disputes on territorial sovereignty, sea and islands by peaceful means on the basis of international law; and maintain a peaceful and stable environment for rapid and sustainable development of the country. In addition, it wishes to join hands in solving traditional and non-traditional security issues; and promoting globalisation and international integration and linkage, for a green, clean, sustainably developing, and more humane world, Chinh added.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Saadi Salama, Head of the Diplomatic Corps in Vietnam, said that the Declaration of Independence delivered by President Ho Chi Minh at Ba Dinh Square on September 2, 1945, has strongly confirmed the national sovereignty of the Vietnamese people with the whole world, opening a new era on the path of development.

He pledged to maintain efforts to further strengthen, promote and expand the friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between Vietnam and other countries and international organisations towards a common goal for a world of peace, equality, prosperity, cooperation and development.

Source: Vietnam News Agency