At the event, Mr. Nghia emphasized the important role of Vietnamese representative agencies abroad, adding that they are the front-line force undertaking external information duty in foreign countries and the fastest and most efficient channel in transmitting domestic information to international friends and overseas Vietnamese communities. Given the complicated developments of regional and global situations and the new requirement in ideology, dissemination, and external information work in the new situation, Mr. Nghia asked newly-appointed ambassadors and consuls general to thoroughly grasp and follow the views, policies and guidelines of the Party and State on foreign policy and external information. He also requested them to proactively provide information, give recommendations on foreign policy, guideline, and information; continue to promote their role as an official, direct and responsive information channel, protecting the ideological foundation of the Party and State. In … [Read more...] about Vietnamese representative offices abroad urged to boost external information work
General information reviewer
4 Vietnam Airlines flight attendants released after being caught transporting drugs
Four flight attendants of national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines who were taken into custody last week for transporting 11.4 kilograms of ecstasy and meth from France to Vietnam were released on Wednesday afternoon. According to Ho Chi Minh City investigators, there is no ground to file criminal charges against them. However, the case is still under investigation. Police said the flight attendants -- Vo Tu Quynh, Tran Thi Thu Ngan, Nguyen Thanh Thuy, and Dang Phuong Van -- did not know that they were carrying drugs. Last Thursday, customs officials at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City detected 8.4 kilograms of grey tablets and 3.080 kilograms of white powder, which are ecstasy and methamphetamine, in the four flight attendants’ carry-on luggage. The drugs were found in toothpaste tubes. Lieutenant General To An Xo, spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Security, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that based on investigation results, relevant agencies … [Read more...] about 4 Vietnam Airlines flight attendants released after being caught transporting drugs
One more Vietnamese officer taking on peacekeeping duties
Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, who is also Head of the MND’s Steering Committee on Vietnam’s Participation in U.N. Peacekeeping Operations, chaired the event. According to the decision, Major Nguyen Van Phong, assistant at the Division of Political Affairs of Brigade 229 under the Engineering Corps, will work as a military observer at the U.N. Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). Assigning tasks to the officer, Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien asked him to promote the spirit of pro-activeness, self-reliance, overcoming difficulties, being flexible and creative; promptly integrate into the international environment and demonstrate his capability while observing military discipline, U.N. regulations and the host country’s laws, and others. According to Major General Hoang Kim Phung, Director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations (VNDPKO), Major Phong participated in various … [Read more...] about One more Vietnamese officer taking on peacekeeping duties
Thailand arrests phone scam gang targeting elderly Americans
Bangkok (VNA) – Thai police on March 22 announced that they had arrested 20 suspects, including five Indians and 15 Thais, for alleged involvement in a phone scam network preying on elderly Americans. According to local police, the scammers were arrested in Chon Buri, Rayong, Roi Et and Surat Thani on March 21, adding that all five of the Indian suspects were men and 11 of the 15 Thais detained were women. The police also seized 162 bank account books, 61 mobile phones, two cars, one pistol, land title deeds and other assets. The investigation dates back to last year, when US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Secret Service agents informed Thai police that Indian cyber criminals and Thai nationals had set up a phone scam network to trick elderly people in US into transferring money to them. The fraudsters, pretending to be US law-enforcement officials, preyed on the fear of their victims by telling them that they were being investigated for alleged money … [Read more...] about Thailand arrests phone scam gang targeting elderly Americans