NDO – The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the opportunities the community provides for residents and businesses were discussed at a seminar in Can Tho city on August 18. The event attracted the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Steering Committee for Southwest Region and the leaders of the People’s Committees of cities and provinces in Mekong River Delta. Participants at the event were provided with an overview of the AEC, its role and operation, economic cooperation in the AEC, how the community will benefit Vietnamese businesses, in addition to Vietnam’s commitments while joining the AEC. They were also updated on the opportunities and challenges facing the Mekong River Delta, and Can Tho City in particular, since Vietnam joined the AEC. According to Vice Chairman of Can Tho city People’s Committee Truong Quang Hoai Nam, since Vietnam became a member of ASEAN in … [Read more...]

NDO - A Nhan Dan Online selection of notable events that made headlines over the past week. National Assembly Standing Committee convenes 13th session The 13th session of the National Assembly Standing Committee (NASC) opened in Hanoi on August 10 and will run for seven days. NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan stated that during this session, the NA Standing Committee will give opinions in regards to controversial issues of the four draft laws. Deputies commented at the NA’s third session in regards to the revised laws on forest protection and development and fisheries. The Standing Committee also discussed public debt management, along with denunciations at the convention. The committee will scrutinize five bills scheduled to be submitted to the NA for consideration at the upcoming fourth session. First Vice President of the Cambodian Senate Nay Pena visits Vietnam Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong … [Read more...]

Accordingly, they will prioritise collaboration in trade, industry, energy, natural resources, minerals, investment, agriculture, forestry, fishery, transport, construction, education, culture, tourism, finance, banking, information and communications. Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh chairing the meeting in Hanoi on August 12  Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh said the two sides also agreed to increase the exchange of delegations, information and experience in management and development, while working together to build new cooperation frameworks in various realms. Besides, they will tighten cooperation to remove difficulties hindering the bilateral ties and encourage connectivity between their private economic sectors in order to fully tap their potential. Minister Tuan Anh and Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita signed the minutes of the meeting. According to the … [Read more...]

Vietnam and Mozambique have signed many agreements on investment commitments in almost all sectors, including agriculture. One important area of cooperation that the Mozambique business community wants to boost cooperation in the coming time is the agricultural sector, with a focus on cashew. Recently at the Melia Hotel there was a round table discussion between Mozambique's government agencies and Vietnamese businesses. Assessing the potential and opportunities for cooperation in the coming time, Dr Doan Duy Khuong, Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), said: "Vietnam has participated in many bilateral and multilateral free trade agreements and holds membership in many trade organisations, this is the basis for both sides to expand cooperation further in the future, through which Vietnam will be the bridge for Mozambique to access other markets such as Southeast … [Read more...]

The flag raising ceremony at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister (FM) Bui Thanh Son, Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Doan Mau Diep, and Vice Chairman of the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Van Suu, among others.  Delegates attending the flag raising ceremony in Hanoi  Foreign guests at the ceremony included heads of the diplomatic corps in Hanoi and Venezuela Ambassador to Vietnam Jorge Rondon Uzcategui, and ambassadors and embassy representatives of ASEAN member countries and ASEAN partner countries in the capital city.  Guards of honor approach positions  Addressing the ceremony, Deputy FM Bui Thanh Son emphasized that the foundation of the ASEAN Community in 2015 is a historic milestone in the connectivity … [Read more...]

The event was attended by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh, and Foreign Ministers from 10 member states and the bloc’s partner and dialogue countries. The Vietnamese delegation was led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh. Photo for illustration: vov.vn  With the theme “Under one light, we are one ASEAN”, the ceremony included a series of performances praising the friendship and solidarity of the 10 member states. Participants also paid tribute to the founders of ASEAN and honored ASEAN citizens who have made great contributions to its socio-economic development. Speaking at the ceremony, Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano emphasized that after 50 years, ASEAN has risen to be a prestigious regional association and a trusted partner of many countries. It has led its member states to overcome a … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh met with his counterparts from New Zealand, the US, China and the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on August 7 as part of the 50th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings (AMM 50). During the meetings, the officials discussed bilateral cooperation and international and regional issues of common interest. Vietnam and the nations agreed to deepen cooperation, maintain high-level contacts and delegation exchanges, strengthen people-to-people exchanges and enhance the effectiveness of cooperation mechanisms. The Vietnamese FM called on the countries and the EU to help Vietnam’s goods enter their markets. Regarding international and regional issues, the ministers affirmed the central role of ASEAN in the region, and agreed to work together on security issues, including terrorism, the situation on the Korean peninsula and the East Sea issues on … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh met with his counterparts from New Zealand, the US, China and the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on August 7 as part of the 50th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings (AMM 50). During the meetings, the officials discussed bilateral cooperation and international and regional issues of common interest. Vietnam and the nations agreed to deepen cooperation, maintain high-level contacts and delegation exchanges, strengthen people-to-people exchanges and enhance the effectiveness of cooperation mechanisms. The Vietnamese FM called on the countries and the EU to help Vietnam’s goods enter their markets. Regarding international and regional issues, the ministers affirmed the central role of ASEAN in the region, and agreed to work together on security issues, including terrorism, the situation on the Korean peninsula and the East Sea issues on … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Dinh Quy and his Bangladeshi counterpart Md. Shahidul Haque co-chaired the first political consultation between Vietnam and Bangladesh, which took place in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on August 6. With regards to their political ties, the two sides agreed to accelerate the exchange of high-level visits and the Bangladeshi side expressed their wish to welcome President Tran Dai Quang for an official visit soon. Concerning the economic and investment sphere, they agreed to continuously facilitate their businesses’ market research and investment promotion, towards achieving the set two-way trade turnover goal of US$1 billion. They also pledged to accelerate the implementation of the commercial rice deal in 2017-2022 and explore the possibility of cooperation in manufacturing and assembling motorbikes. Bangladesh suggested that Vietnam considers importing its medicine and potatoes. They … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Dinh Quy and his Bangladeshi counterpart Md. Shahidul Haque co-chaired the first political consultation between Vietnam and Bangladesh, which took place in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on August 6. With regards to their political ties, the two sides agreed to accelerate the exchange of high-level visits and the Bangladeshi side expressed their wish to welcome President Tran Dai Quang for an official visit soon. Concerning the economic and investment sphere, they agreed to continuously facilitate their businesses’ market research and investment promotion, towards achieving the set two-way trade turnover goal of US$1 billion. They also pledged to accelerate the implementation of the commercial rice deal in 2017-2022 and explore the possibility of cooperation in manufacturing and assembling motorbikes. Bangladesh suggested that Vietnam considers importing its medicine and potatoes. They … [Read more...]

Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland made the affirmation at a meeting with Vietnam’s Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh within the framework of the 50th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, the Philippines on August 6. The two sides agreed to elevate the bilateral cooperation framework to a new height. Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland (R) meets with Vietnam’s Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh  While discussing regional and global issues, the ministers affirmed the central role of ASEAN in the region and agreed to maintain ASEAN’s principles of addressing regional disputes peacefully in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea. They urged ASEAN and China to soon conduct pragmatic negotiations to reach a Code of Conduct in the East … [Read more...]

As the ASEAN bloc celebrates 50 years since its establishment on August 8, 1967 – with Vietnam present for 22 of those years – now seems an opportune time to look back on the successes of this bloc. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh talks VIR’s Thanh Tung about the positive effects that ASEAN membership has had on Vietnam in these years, and vice versa. What impacts has the ASEAN Community had on Vietnam’s expanding trade and in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI)? The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which is one of the ASEAN Community’s three major pillars, is the realisation of the end goal of regional economic integration of the 10 ASEAN economies. It facilitates the free flow of goods, capital, services, investment, and skilled labour. AEC has created a … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA - Canada has pledged to continue supporting Vietnam to increase capacity to cope with non-traditional security challenges, including climate change and environmental issues Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland made the affirmation at a meeting with Vietnam’s Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh within the framework of the 50th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, the Philippines on August 6. The two sides agreed to elevate the bilateral cooperation framework to a new height. While discussing regional and global issues, the ministers affirmed the central role of ASEAN in the region and agreed to maintain ASEAN’s principles of addressing regional disputes peacefully in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea. The ministers also urged ASEAN and China to soon conduct pragmatic negotiations to reach a Code of … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA - Canada has pledged to continue supporting Vietnam to increase capacity to cope with non-traditional security challenges, including climate change and environmental issues Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland made the affirmation at a meeting with Vietnam’s Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh within the framework of the 50th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, the Philippines on August 6. The two sides agreed to elevate the bilateral cooperation framework to a new height. While discussing regional and global issues, the ministers affirmed the central role of ASEAN in the region and agreed to maintain ASEAN’s principles of addressing regional disputes peacefully in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea. The ministers also urged ASEAN and China to soon conduct pragmatic negotiations to reach a Code of … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – The Committees for Foreign Affairs of the National Assemblies of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam (CLV) have pledged to strengthen coordination for the purpose of increasing the role of the legislatures in implementing the agreements and development initiatives signed by the three countries’ governments, based on the trilateral traditional friendship and cooperation. The trio signed a joint declaration in the field at their sixth meeting, which wrapped up in Vientiane, Laos, on August 3. During the two-day event, delegates discussed policies and laws relating to illegal travelling, migration and marriage of citizens in the CLV Development Triangle Area, as well as the measures needed to promote peace, security and development in the region. They exchanged their views on stepping up their coordination to prevent drug and human trafficking, cross-border crimes and terrorism, whilst scrutinising explosives left over from war in the CLV Development … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – The Committees for Foreign Affairs of the National Assemblies of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam (CLV) have pledged to strengthen coordination for the purpose of increasing the role of the legislatures in implementing the agreements and development initiatives signed by the three countries’ governments, based on the trilateral traditional friendship and cooperation. The trio signed a joint declaration in the field at their sixth meeting, which wrapped up in Vientiane, Laos, on August 3. During the two-day event, delegates discussed policies and laws relating to illegal travelling, migration and marriage of citizens in the CLV Development Triangle Area, as well as the measures needed to promote peace, security and development in the region. They exchanged their views on stepping up their coordination to prevent drug and human trafficking, cross-border crimes and terrorism, whilst scrutinising explosives left over from war in the CLV Development … [Read more...]

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Lao NA Sengnuan Xayalath stressed that this conference is of significance for the three legislative bodies to supervise the enforcement of a Development Initiative in the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam (CLV) Development Triangle. Delegates to the sixth conference of the Committees for Foreign Affairs of the  National Assemblies of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Photo: vietnamplus.vn To realize development-related treaties and initiatives signed by the governments, participants at the meeting need to study and contribute ideas to each issue straightly to find out proper orientations and solutions to be submitted to the governments, disseminate investment policies in the region to foreign investors through parliamentary mechanisms and regional and global parliamentary offices. Nguyen Van Giau, Head of the Vietnamese NA’s Committee for External Relations, said that with their role … [Read more...]

According to the General Statistics Office (GSO), the State budget disbursement in the first six months of 2017 reached 38.7 per cent of the full-year target and rose 7.6 per cent over the same period of 2016. However, the disbursement pace of government bonds and State fund remained slow.   The disbursement of government bonds and State funds reached only VND7.4 trillion and VND24.2 trillion, down 53.2 per cent and 8.7 per cent from the same period of last year, respectively. The aggregate disbursement value of all sources approximated that in previous years but was still lower than this year’s plan.   At the meeting of the Prime Minister’s Working Group on public investment disbursement in 2017, Mr Mai Tien Dung, Minister and Chairman of the Government Office and Head of the Working Group, said, 13 ministries, agencies and localities disbursed less than 20 per cent of … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – Vietnam’s northwestern province of Son La and northern provinces of Laos held a conference in Son La on July 30 to discuss measures concerning the intensification of their cooperation in personnel training. Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee of Son La Pham Van Thuy stated that the province is currently hosting more than 1,000 Lao students from northern Lao provinces. Son La has offered support to these students, including assistance in dormitory, study equipment, and good living conditions, he also added that the Lao students have quickly integrated into local society and show good performances. Meanwhile, representatives of the Lao localities pointed out some difficulties facing Lao students, including challenges in choosing majors and difficulty with the Vietnamese language. Chomsilath Thanapan, Vice Governor of Bokeo province, proposed to Son La’s training establishments to specify their … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – Vietnam’s northwestern province of Son La and northern provinces of Laos held a conference in Son La on July 30 to discuss measures concerning the intensification of their cooperation in personnel training. Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee of Son La Pham Van Thuy stated that the province is currently hosting more than 1,000 Lao students from northern Lao provinces. Son La has offered support to these students, including assistance in dormitory, study equipment, and good living conditions, he also added that the Lao students have quickly integrated into local society and show good performances. Meanwhile, representatives of the Lao localities pointed out some difficulties facing Lao students, including challenges in choosing majors and difficulty with the Vietnamese language. Chomsilath Thanapan, Vice Governor of Bokeo province, proposed to Son La’s training establishments to specify their … [Read more...]