Politics

Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan (R) and US Secretary of Defence James N.Mattis (Source: VNA)    HCM City (VNA) – Politburo member and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan hosted a reception in the city on October 16 for US Secretary of Defence James N.Mattis, assuring him that Vietnam always considers the US one of its important partners. Nhan said Vietnam wishes to continue promoting the bilateral comprehensive partnership on the basis of respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political regime for the benefit of the two countries’ people, contributing to maintain peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world. He thanked the US Secretary of Defence for his contributions to the detoxification project at Da Nang and Bien Hoa airports, affirming that Vietnam will work closely with the US to continue those activities … [Read more...] about HCM City leader greets US Secretary of Defence

Vietnamese Minister of Public Security To Lam (front, right) and Mongolian Minister of Justice and Home Affairs Tsend Nyamdorj exchange the signed agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons after their talks in Hanoi on October 16 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese Minister of Public Security To Lam and Mongolian Minister of Justice and Home Affairs Tsend Nyamdorj agreed to reinforce crime fighting cooperation during talks in Hanoi on October 16. Minister Lam noted the important mutual visits by the countries’ leaders, including an official trip by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in May 2017 and a tour by Chairman of the Mongolian parliament Miyegombyn Enkhbold in January this year. Bilateral cooperation has been expanded in various spheres, including defence, security, culture, and education, he noted, adding that relations between the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and relevant agencies of Mongolia have also recorded major outcomes. … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Mongolia to strengthen cooperation in crime combat

NA General Secretary and Chairman of the NA Office Nguyen Hanh Phuc (Source: VNA)    Hanoi (VNA) – The National Assembly (NA) will elect the State President at the beginning of the sixth session, said NA General Secretary and Chairman of the NA Office Nguyen Hanh Phuc at the NA Standing Committee’s 28th meeting on October 16. The early voting aims to facilitate the submission of proposals and documents afterwards, he said when reporting to the Standing Committee preparations for the upcoming sixth meeting of the 14th legislature, slated to open on October 22. Phuc said the agenda for the meeting has been sent to lawmakers, adding that they essentially agree with the contents and have made several suggestions. Besides the election of the State President, the scheduled agenda includes ratification of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and related documents, a resolution on extending the pilot issuance of e-visas … [Read more...] about Legislature to elect State President at beginning of sixth session

Representatives of the Vietnam Embassy welcome Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the airport when he arrives in Brussels, Belgium (Photo: VNA) Brussels (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation arrived in Brussels, Belgium, in the afternoon of October 16 (local time), where he will attend the 12th ASEM Summit, pay a working visit to the European Union and make an official visit to Belgium. His attendance at the 12th ASEM Summit and visits are being made at the invitation of President of the European Council Donald Tusk, President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker and Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel. PM Phuc is scheduled to hold talks with his Belgian counterpart and witness the signing of cooperative documents between ministries, sectors and businesses of the two countries on October 16. He also has plans to meet with executives of several major European groups. Belgium is the second stop of PM … [Read more...] about Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc arrives in Brussels

NA Vice Chairman Do Ba Ty speaks at the session on October 16 (Photo: quochoi.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee decided on October 16 to extend the pilot e-visa programme for foreign visitors to Vietnam by another two years. On November 22, 2016, the NA issued Resolution No.30/2016/QH14 on the pilot programme, which was scheduled to last until February 1, 2019. According to a report at the 28th sitting of the NA Standing Committee, between February 2017 and August 31, 2018, Vietnam approved 298,113 e-visas for foreigners, of which 298,507 were self-submitted and 8,606 done by sponsoring organisations. As of August 31, there had been 241,875 e-visa holders entering Vietnam. Presenting the Government’s report on the implementation of the pilot programme, Deputy Minister of Public Security Le Quy Vuong said the outcomes showed that the policy has contributed to attracting foreigners to Vietnam for tourism and investment, forming a driving … [Read more...] about Lawmakers approve continued pilot e-visa issuance for foreigners

Acting President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh (R) and Ambassador of the Netherlands Elsbeth Akkerman (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Acting President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh hosted separate receptions for ambassadors of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark who came to present her with their letters of credence on October 16. In her meeting with Elsbeth Akkerman, the new Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam, Thinh said Vietnam treasures the support Dutch people have provided for the Asian country. She specifically referred to the Dutch doctors who founded the Medical Committee Netherlands-Vietnam (MCNV) to provide aid to Vietnam during wartime and who have continued to offer medical help to disadvantaged areas to this day. The Order of Friendship awarded by the State of Vietnam to the MCNV demonstrated Vietnam’s appreciation towards its humanitarian efforts to improve people’s health, reduce poverty, and sustainably develop the country, she said. The Acting President also spoke highly of … [Read more...] about Acting President hosts newly-appointed ambassadors from EU countries

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) and Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner (Source: VNA)    Vienna (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc spoke highly of Lower Austria’s role in Vietnam-Austria relations during a meeting with the state’s Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner on October 16. He expressed his delight at visiting what is now one of the most important economic and cultural hubs of Austria, a driving force of economic growth in the east of the European country. The leader stressed that the Vietnamese Government has created favourable conditions for foreign enterprises, including those from Austria and the state of Lower Austria, to do long-term business in the country. He hailed Lower Austrian firms which have been successful in Vietnam as a foundation to extend bilateral ties and asked authorities of the Austrian locality to support linkages between its universities and enterprises, and Vietnamese partners. The guest suggested that Lower Austria … [Read more...] about PM hails Lower Austria’s role in Vietnam-Austria ties

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (second, left) is welcomed at IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems of Austria on October 16 (Photo: VNA) Vienna (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the high-ranking Vietnamese Government delegation left Vienna on the afternoon of October 16 (local time), concluding the official trip to Austria. The PM set off for Brussels to attend the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit and pay official visits to Belgium and Denmark. Before leaving, PM Phuc visited the IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems (IMC Krems) of Austria on the morning the same day. Talking to the university’s lecturers and students, he said the Vietnamese people always keep in mind the support of the Austrian youth during the country’s fight against foreign invaders in the 1960s. In the 1970s, Austria was one of the first western nations to set up diplomatic ties with Vietnam. Over the last four decades, friendship and cooperation between the … [Read more...] about PM wraps up official visit to Austria

Acting President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh (R) receives the 15th Grand Master of the Urasenke Tea School of Japan Daisosho Sen Genshitsu in Hanoi on October 16 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Acting President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh hosted a reception for the 15th Grand Master of the Urasenke Tea School of Japan Daisosho Sen Genshitsu in Hanoi on October 16. At the meeting, Thinh highlighted the long-standing ties between Vietnam and Japan in history, culture and trade. In the 15th century, the trade port of Hoi An in Vietnam’s central province of Quang Nam welcomed the first Japanese merchant ships and the Japanese street in Hoi An was a major trade centre connecting Japan with other countries in Southeast Asia, she said.  She applauded Daisosho’s activities to promote the Japanese tea ceremony to the world and Vietnam in particular, and his contributions to cultural and people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and Japan. The Acting President expressed her hope that … [Read more...] about Acting President receives Japanese grand tea master

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) and President of the Austrian National Council Wolfgang Sobotka (Source: VNA) Vienna (VNA) - Vietnam always considers Austria an important and reliable partner in Europe, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc told President of the Austrian National Council Wolfgang Sobotka. During a meeting with the Austrian leader on October 16 as part of his official visit to Austria, PM Phuc suggested the two countries continue to develop the bilateral relations in a more intensive, effective and comprehensive manner in the time to come. He highlighted great potential for the two countries to promote cooperation in trade and investment, and affirmed that Vietnam is constantly improving its investment environment and strongly restructuring its national economy, thus opening up opportunities for Austrian enterprises to invest the Southeast Asian country. PM Phuc took this occasion to thank Austria for providing preferential loans for Vietnam, which, he said, have … [Read more...] about PM: Vietnam regards Austria as important, reliable partner