Diverse celebrations are underway from across the country to celebrate Southern Liberation Day (April 30) and International Labour Day (May 1).

The development of Can Tho city, an economic centre of the Mekong Delta, will help to promote growth in the whole region.

The Netherlands is one of Europe’s biggest investors in Vietnam, with a total capitalisation of around US$2.3 billion. Many Dutch companies can be said to be operating effectively in Vietnam.

President Nguyen Minh Triet has praised southern Dong Nai province for its rapid economic recovery since the end of the American war.

Thanh Hoa province should focus on developing Nghi Son economic zone, considering it a key point in the province’s industrialization and modernization process, said State President Nguyen Minh Triet while visiting the zone on April 28.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung inspected socio-economic development, the progress in the construction of the Ca Mau Gas-Power-Nitrogenous Fertilizer Complex, and forest development and forest fire prevention in the southernmost province of Ca Mau on April 27.

Vietnamese missions in Cambodia should coordinate with local administrations to help Vietnamese nationals stabilise their lives and integrate well into local communities, says National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong.

State President Nguyen Minh Triet presented and posthumously conveyed the Gold Star Order to those army generals who had made great contributions to the cause of national liberation, reunification, construction and defence.

The Phnom Penh administration will continue to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to invest in the Cambodian capital city.

A meeting was held in Hanoi on April 27 to celebrate the 32nd anniversary of Southern Liberation Day (April 30) and the 121st anniversary of International Labour Day (May 1). The meeting aimed to encourage cadres, workers and people to study and follow the moral example of late President Ho Chi Minh.

Vietnam is striving to build a law-governed state for all people through a series of programmes being implemented on legislative, administrative and juridical reforms.

Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh paid a working visit to northern Phu Tho province from April 25-26 to examine the implementation of the 10th National Party Congress’ resolutions. During the visit, Mr Manh stressed the need to fully grasp the policy of agricultural and rural industrialisation and modernisation.

An incense-offering ceremony was held at the Hung Kings Temples complex on Nghia Linh mountain on April 26 (lunar March 10), in honour of the Hung Kings, who were credited with the founding of Vietnam. Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and representatives from various ministries and sectors gave flowers and offerings to their Vietnamese ancestors.

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung received the visiting Danish Minister of Development Cooperation, Ulla Tornaes, in Hanoi on April 25.

Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong left Vientiane on April 25 after successfully concluding his visit to Laos and is now on an official visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong on April 24 visited the Lao National Institute for the Studies of Politics and Administration, talked with the Vietnamese Embassy’s staff and met with the governor of Vientiane.

Vietnam and other regional countries are facing severe droughts this dry season. It has been proposed that this issue can only be resolved through cooperation on a regional scale.

Vietnam will facilitate US groups and companies’ investment in the country, said President Nguyen Minh Triet in his meetings with US businessmen in Hanoi on April 23.

Assistance from the Swedish Government and people to the Vietnamese Government and people over the past 40 years has been effectively contributing to Vietnam’s renewal achievements and efforts to improve the people’s material and spiritual lives, says Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem.

Vietnam attaches importance to developing friendly and cooperative relations with Bulgaria, emphasized Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and State President Nguyen Minh Triet while receiving Bulgarian Vice President Angel Marin in Hanoi on April 23.

Lao major newspapers on April 23 ran articles praising the Laos-Vietnam special relationship on the occasion of the Lao visit by Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong.

Ties between education, society and science in Japan have been a hot topic of discussion by a Vietnamese delegation from the Science Council of Party Commissions headed by Prof. Do Nguyen Phuong as they paid a working visit to the country.

A National Assembly (NA) delegation led by its Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong will leave Hanoi on April 23 for official visits to Laos and Cambodia.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has urged southern Binh Duong province to make the most of its opportunities and lead the country’s process of industrialisation and modernisation.

State President Nguyen Minh Triet stressed that Kon Tum province must pool all resources to reduce poverty for local people, particularly ethnic minority groups in especially difficult areas.

Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City’s People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan on April 19 received Iranian Vice President for Physical Education Mohammad Aliabadi, who is on a visit to Vietnam.

Mozambique is eager to strengthen ties with Vietnam, primarily in the fields of agriculture, education, healthcare and poverty alleviation, said Mozambique Minister of Planning and Development, Aiuba Cuereneia.

The province must give top priority to boosting socio-economic development, creating an open investment environment and reinforcing Party building and political system while maintaining security and national defense in the Central Highland strategic area, said State President Nguyen Minh Triet during his visit to Gia Lai from April 18-19.

“We were saddened by the shooting tragedy on April 16, 2007, which claimed the lives of more than 30 people, most of whom were students of the Virginia Tech University. We would like to send our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the American people,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Dung.