NDO – Seventy-two years ago, on August 19, 1945, under the leadership of the Party, the entire nation, with great determination, rose up in a revolt that overthrew feudalism and broke the chains of colonialist slavery, marking the dawn of a new era of national independence and socialism. With that resounding victory, the Vietnamese working class and people and the working classes and oppressed nations around the world could be proud. It was the first time in the revolutionary history of the colonial and semi-colonial nations that a 15-year-old party with over 5,000 members successfully led a revolution to seize power, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam) – the first ever people's democratic State in Southeast Asia. This great event was a glorious milestone in the history of national construction and defence. The great victory of the August Revolution was a victory of strength of national … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – Vietnam always treasures and wants to consolidate and further enhance traditional their relations with Mongolia, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Uong Chu Luu said. Luu made the statement during his reception in Hanoi, on August 18, for Secretary General of the Mongolian Parliament Office Tsend Tsolmon, who has been on a five-day working visit to Vietnam. He highlighted that the achievements in bilateral relations over the past six decades will lay a foundation for the two sides to promote cooperation in a more practical and effective manner. The leader hoped that the two countries will maintain high-level meetings and visits in order to enhance the friendship and mutual understanding between the Vietnamese and Mongolian people, increase political trust and expand cooperation. Vietnam and Mongolia should coordinate closely in issues of common concern and support each other at regional and international forums, … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on August 18 met with officials of the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand and the Vietnamese community in Bangkok, during which he lauded the community’s solidarity and mutual support to integrate into local society and contribute to the motherland’s development. >>> PM urges Thai firms to grasp opportunities in Vietnam He affirmed that the Party and State always pay close attention to overseas Vietnamese in general, and the Vietnamese community in Thailand in particular, while expressing delight at the growth of the community. Regarding the outcomes of his talks and meetings with the Thai leaders, the PM said that both sides shared their delight at the strong growth of cooperation between the two countries over the past 40 years, especially since the two sides set up a strategic partnership in 2013. PM Phuc said that he asked Thailand to continue creating favourable … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – The cooperation between the Vietnamese and Mexican legislative bodies has contributed to the overall development of bilateral relations, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh. He made the remark while receiving Gabriela Cuevas Barron, Chair of the Mexican Senate’s Foreign Affairs Committee, in Hanoi on August 18. Minh said the Vietnamese Government offers full support to increasing parliamentary affiliations with Mexico. He asked the law-making agencies from both sides to continue backing the two governments’ measures to enhance their partnership, particularly in completing and implementing relevant legal frameworks and cooperation mechanisms. Praising the robust growth of Vietnam – Mexico relations in politics and trade, and their cooperation at international organisations and multilateral forums, the Deputy PM asked Mexico to help with expanding the ties, which would contribute … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – Nearly 100 delegates from 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) discussed best practices, sharing of standards and conformity assessment in the development of smart cities within the APEC region, at a workshop held in Ho Chi Minh City on August 18. The workshop is an activity of the APEC Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance (SCSC) within the framework of the APEC 2017 third Senior Officials Meeting (SOM3) and other related meetings. In his opening remarks, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Van Tung said that the promotion of a digital economy is considered as an important issue of the APEC 2017. One of SCSC 2017 priorities this year is “Development and promotion of standards and conformance to support the digital economy”, in that the APEC region needs to work together to share best practices, identify opportunities and challenges, and boost cooperation, the harmonisation of standards … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Thai counterpart Prayuth Chan-ocha expressed their satisfaction at the strong development of Vietnam-Thailand cooperation over the past 41 years since they established diplomatic ties in August 1976, during their talks in Bangkok on August 17. >>> Deepening Vietnam-Thailand strategic partnership The two PMs recognised that the bilateral relations have been stable and developed in all fields from politics and security to economy and socio-culture, especially after Vietnam and Thailand established a strategic partnership in 2013. To further the relationship in the coming time, they agreed to enhance all-level delegation exchanges and effectively implement cooperation mechanisms in addition to soon organising the third meeting of the joint committee on bilateral cooperation, the third foreign minister-level meeting, the third meeting of the joint committee on trade, and particularly the … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – A Vietnam-Cambodia military youth gala night was held on August 16 in Ho Chi Minh City to celebrate the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year 2017 and the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries. Attending the event was Major General Le Hien Van, Vice Chairman of the General Department of Politics under the Vietnam People’s Army, Major General Du Truong Giang, Vice Commander of Military Zone 7, Im Hen, Cambodia’s Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, and nearly 3,000 young soldiers and officials from Military Zone 7, Youth Union of HCM City’s District 12. Addressing the event, Major General Le Hien Van stated that Vietnam and Cambodia, sharing the Mekong River, have enjoyed close neighbourliness. Through ups and downs in history, the two countries have always stood shoulder to shoulder and shared both hardship and success in fighting common enemies for national independence, and overthrowing the Pol Pot genocidal … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – A Vietnam-Cambodia military youth gala night was held on August 16 in Ho Chi Minh City to celebrate the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year 2017 and the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries. Attending the event was Major General Le Hien Van, Vice Chairman of the General Department of Politics under the Vietnam People’s Army, Major General Du Truong Giang, Vice Commander of Military Zone 7, Im Hen, Cambodia’s Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, and nearly 3,000 young soldiers and officials from Military Zone 7, Youth Union of HCM City’s District 12. Addressing the event, Major General Le Hien Van stated that Vietnam and Cambodia, sharing the Mekong River, have enjoyed close neighbourliness. Through ups and downs in history, the two countries have always stood shoulder to shoulder and shared both hardship and success in fighting common enemies for national independence, and overthrowing the Pol Pot genocidal … [Read more...]

NDO – The localities in the Mekong Delta region have welcomed over 17 million visitors since the beginning of the year, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The Mekong Delta region concludes Can Tho city and 12 provinces of An Giang, Ben Tre, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, Dong Thap, Hau Giang, Kien Giang, Soc Trang, Long An, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh and Vinh Long. Over the past years, the infrastructure of the region has been strongly invested in. Many large bridges, such as My Thuan Bridge, Can Tho, Rach Mieu, Ham Luong and Co Chien, have been completed over all major rivers in the region. A series of important new routes have been completed, such as Can Tho - Ca Mau, Can Tho - Bac Lieu. Many other routes are also being upgraded and expanded. Investing road traffic has brought opportunities to develop the socio-economic status, including in the tourism sector. The area has a large tourism resource system. Most of the tourism resources of the Mekong Delta region … [Read more...]

NDO – The high-level delegation of the National Legislative Assembly of Thailand, led by its President Pornpetch Wichitcholchai and his wife, left Hanoi on August 16, successfully concluding their official visit to Vietnam, which took place from August 13 to 16, at the invitation of Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. >>> Prime Minister welcomes Thailand’s top legislator >>> Vietnam, Thailand should keep mutual support at int’l parliamentary forums >>> Parliamentary friendship group hopes for stronger Vietnam-Thailand ties During his stay in Vietnam, Wichitcholchai held talks with NA Chairwoman Ngan, paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and met with the Vietnam-Thailand Parliamentary Friendship Group. At the meetings, both sides agreed that the relations between Vietnam and Thailand have been growing exceptionally over the past few years, manifested through the regular … [Read more...]

ATHENS: Greece on Tuesday (Aug 15) pleaded for assistance from European neighbours to help battle wild fires including a blaze ravaging a forest near Athens. Greece is asking Europe for four CL-415-type water bombers to help tackle its forest fires. (AFP/ARIS MESSINIS) In total 146 fires have broken out across Greece since Sunday, and while most have been brought under control, authorities are worried about three on the coast near Athens, in the western Peloponnese and on the island of Zakynthos. The government "has asked for the activation of the European civil protection mechanism for air support ... because of the danger posed by the fires," fire service spokeswoman Stavroula Malliri told a press conference. She said Greece was asking for four CL-415-type water bombers, which are built for aerial firefighting … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc stated that cooperation with Tokyo Gas Co Ltd is very important as oil and gas cooperation is one of the top priorities in Vietnam-Japan economic ties. He called on Tokyo Gas to run long-term business in Vietnam during his reception for the company’s President Michiaki Hirose in Hanoi on August 15. The leader noted that the Vietnamese Government always pays attention to and protects legitimate rights of foreign investors. He also highlighted that the Vietnamese Government’s views on developing the gas industry comprehensively and effectively by maximizing domestic resources and intensifying international cooperation. He lauded Tokyo Gas’s opening of its representative office in Vietnam and congratulated the company and PetroVietnam Gas Joint Stock Corporation (PV Gas) on the establishment of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) joint venture in Vietnam. Emphasing the … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – General Secretary of the Vietnam National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Hanh Phuc on August 15 held talks with General Secretary of the Office of the Mongolian Parliament Tsend Tsolmon who is on a working visit to Vietnam from August 14-18. At the meeting, General Secretary of the Vietnam National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Hanh Phuc stated that the Vietnamese NA appreciated Tsend Tsolmon’s visit to Vietnam, expressing his belief that it will help advance collaboration between the two legislative bodies and their Offices in a more pragmatic and effective fashion. Tsend Tsolmon highlighted the fruitful relationship between the two law-making bodies, of which, he noted, has been demonstrated through the regular exchange of delegations. The guest expressed his wish that the two sides will share experience to promote relations between the two legislative bodies as well as their Offices. At the meeting, host and guest held that Vietnam … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA - Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has signed the first-ever regulations on specific standards and assessment criteria for officials under the management of the Party Central Committee, Politburo and Secretariat. Under Regulation 90-QD/TW, Party senior officials must show absolute loyalty to the Party, nation and people, and steadfast trust in the Marxist-Leninist ideology, Ho Chi Minh thoughts and the ideal of national independence and socialism. The officials are required to always put the interests of the Party, the nation, and the people first, and must be willing to sacrifice for the Party’s revolution, the country’s independence and freedom as well as people’s happiness. The officials must set examples for others in morality, lifestyle and attitude, while resolutely fighting against degradation in political ideology as well as signs of self-evolution and self-transformation. The regulations emphasised … [Read more...]

Chief executives of Merck, Intel and Under Armour resigned from a White House advisory panel on manufacturing after President Donald Trump's initial failure to explicitly condemn a white supremacist rally. The resignations came as criticism grew over Trump's slow response to the weekend demonstration which ended in bloodshed when a suspected Nazi sympathizer plowed his car into a crowd of anti-racism protesters, killing one and wounding 19. Trump initially blamed "many sides" for Saturday's violence, sparking a welter of criticism and prompting Merck CEO Kenneth Frazier, a prominent African-American businessman, to quit the presidential advisory panel. "America's leaders must honor our fundamental values by clearly rejecting expressions of hatred, bigotry and group supremacy, which run counter to the American ideal that all men are created equal," Frazier wrote on Twitter in announcing his resignation on Monday. "As CEO of Merck and as a matter of personal conscience, … [Read more...]

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc pressed ministries, agencies and localities to have more drastic efforts and solutions to realize this year’s targets, especially the growth goal of 6.7% at a meeting on Friday. PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Photo: VGP To achieve the growth goal, the economy needs to expand 7.42% in the second half, said the Government chief, adding that this is an “important political mission” of all levels and sectors. As the agriculture sector only grew 2.65% in the first six months, PM Phuc questioned the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to clarify measures to raise the growth rate to 3.3% this year. The PM also pointed out that the industry and construction must obtain growth rate of 9.2% in the second half in a bid to contribute to the overall economic … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – The fulfillment of the gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 6.7% in 2017 requires great political determination from ministries and departments, as well as corporations, businesses and people, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc stressed at a meeting in Hanoi on August 12. Addressing the conference between the Government’s Standing Board and ministries, sectors, economic groups and corporations, the PM noted that in order to realise the aforementioned target, the growth rate in the six remaining months of this year must be at a level of 7.42%. He stressed that this is an important political task for all sectors, especially the agriculture, industry, construction, processing and manufacturing sectors. According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the surging GDP in the second quarter raised the January-June growth rate to 5.73%. The service sector made the most significant contribution to the overall growth rate (2.59 … [Read more...]

NDO – Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh hosted an intimate meeting with a delegation of 60 exemplary members of the trade unions of the People’s Public Security and People’s Army Forces, who have performed effectively in the “Good Labour” emulation movement during the period of 2012-2017. The aim of the event was to celebrate 72 years of the August Revolution (August 19) and the National Day (September 2), 72 years of the traditional day of the Vietnam People’s Public Security Force, 88 years since the establishment of the Vietnam Trade Union, and all-level trade union congresses. Addressing the meeting, the Vice President briefed the delegates on the national socio-economic situation over the past few years, whilst recognising and praising the significant contributions of the public security and army forces to the country’s general development, including the efforts and sacrifices made by the good labourers who have set … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA - President of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front (VFF) Tran Thanh Man held a meeting with Chairwoman of the Lao National Assembly Pany Yathotou on August 11 as part of his working visit to Laos. Man said that Laos is the first country he has chosen to visit since taking the top position at the VFF and vowed to do his upmost to contribute to the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the Parties, States and people of Vietnam and Laos, as well as to the ties between the two countries’ front organisations. He informed the host of the outstanding development in the ties between the VFF and the Lao Front for National Construction, saying that the two fronts have regularly held exchanges and share working experiences. The two organisations will continue to work closely to successfully implement joint plans for 2017-2020. The VFF leader took the occasion to ask the Lao NA leader to help create more favourable conditions for overseas Vietnamese in … [Read more...]

NDO - Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc expressed his admiration and gratitude to the former Truong Son soldiers for their great sacrifices during the resistance war against the US across the Truong Son - Ho Chi Minh trail. The PM made the remarks at a meeting with a delegation of the Truong Son - Ho Chi Minh Trail Tradition Association led by Major General Vo So, at the Government Office on August 10. The Truong Son - Ho Chi Minh Trail Tradition Association, which is a member of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, was established in 2011 and at present has around 310,000 members. The association members include former soldiers and volunteers who had participated in the logistical system called Truong Son trail, or Ho Chi Minh trail, which provided manpower and materials for the South of Vietnam in the 16 years from 1959-1975. Along this historical route, over 23,000 peopled laid down their lives, with more than 30,000 people injured and tens of thousands of people who were … [Read more...]