Switzerland will continue to grant official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam, particularly in education and training, Swiss President Micheline Calmy-rey told Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung during a meeting in Davos on January 27.

Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh inspected the implementation of the 10th National Party Congress’s resolutions in the south-western province of Tay Ninh during a fact-finding tour on January 26-27.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem presented Friendship Order to Klaus Rohland, outgoing director of the World Bank Vietnam, in Hanoi on January 26.

Vietnam is an important pillar in India’s “Look East” policy, said a senior Indian diplomat at a reception in Hanoi on January 26 to mark the 57th anniversary of India's National Day.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Philippine President Gloria M. Arroyo and Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah A. Badawi attended a special panel session to mark the 40th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on January 26.

Vietnam gives top priority to developing the service sector and its country’s insurance market holds great promise for foreign investors, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung assured leaders of the French insurer AXA during a reception in Davos, Switzerland, on January 26.

On January 25, State President Nguyen Minh Triet sent a message of congratulation to Indian President Abdul Kalam on India’s 57th National Day (January 26).

Italian media gave a wide coverage of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to Italy and the Vatican on January 25.

Italy highly respects Vietnam's role and position in Southeast Asia and considers the country as a bridge to Italy's further integration into ASEAN markets, said Italian Premier Romano Prodi during the talks with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on January 25.

Australians mark their national day on January 26. On this occasion, a VOV Radio reporter interviews Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Bill Twedell, about the Vietnam – Australia ties over the past years and in the future.

Vietnam's major dailies, Nhan Dan and Quan Doi Nhan Dan, on January 25 carried editorials, emphasizing Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung's visit to Italy as a chance for the two nations to boost political ties, fortify mutual trust and promote economic relations, particularly two-way trade.

A delegation of the Belorussian Interior Ministry headed by Minister Naumov Vladimir began a five-day official visit to Vietnam on January 25 at the invitation of Public Security Minister General Le Hong Anh.

The 15th annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) concluded in Moscow, Russia, on January 25 with the adoption of more than 20 resolutions and joint communiqués, showing member parliaments’ common views and solutions for resolving regional issues.

State President Nguyen Minh Triet held a working session with the Presidium of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee (VFFCC) in Hanoi on January 25 to review the implementation of cooperation regulations on both sides in the past year and discuss measures to boost cooperation in 2007. Also present was State Vice President Truong My Hoa.

A Vietnamese Government delegation led by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung left Hanoi on January 24 for an official visit to Italy at the invitation of Chairman of the Ministers' Council of Italy, Romano Prodi.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will spend two and a half hours talking online with the public on February 9. It will be the first time a Vietnamese Prime Minister will be involved in an online exchange with the public.

The ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN BAC) Vietnam met in northern Ha Tay province on January 24 to announce a plan of action for 2007.

The year of 2007 will see a deeper understanding between the people of Australia and Vietnam through economic, cultural and educational cooperation activities, said Australian General Consul Mal Skelly at a ceremony in HCM City on January 24 to mark Australia’s 219th National Day.

The fourth conference of the 10th Party Central Committee concluded in Hanoi on January 24 after a nearly 10-day sitting. It decided on many important issues including orientations for the upcoming election to the National Assembly, continued re-organisation of Party and State bodies, major economic development policies in the post-WTO period and a marine-based development strategy.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will pay an official visit to Italy on January 25 at the invitation of Chairman of the Ministers' Council of Italy, Romano Prodi.

"With similarities in culture, economy and commerce, it's time for Vietnam and India to renew their comprehensive cooperation," said Vietnamese Ambassador to India Vu Quang Diem at a ceremony held in Kolkata city, West Bengal state, India, on January 21 to mark the 35th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic ties.

A Vietnamese delegation led by the Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, Nguyen Phuc Thanh, attended the 15th annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF), which opened in Moscow, Russia, on January 22.

Significant Buddhist activities in 2006 have made positive changes in the religious practice in Vietnam and contributed to ensuring political stability and national unity.

Vietnam has recorded many important achievements in promoting human rights, said David Robinson from the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission at a seminar entitled "Vietnam and international conventions on human rights" held in Hanoi on January 22.

Chairman of the Vietnam Sub-committee to the Francophone Parliamentary Forum (APF) Nguyen Ngoc Tran attended the organisation’s regular meeting in Chalons-en-Champagne, France, from January 15-20 to review its activities over the past four decades.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said that in 2007, the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) should focus on mobilising more patriotic personalities and intellectuals at home and abroad to serve national construction, with more attention paid to the roughly 3 million Vietnamese living overseas.

They agreed that the demarcation process has entered a key stage and the two sides should make efforts to provide comprehensive guidance, and speed up the process through friendship consultation and mutual concessions.

Receiving Malaysian ambassador to Vietnam, Ahmad Anuar Abdul Hamid, in Hanoi on January 19, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung affirmed that Vietnam aims to boost economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

Chairman of the Binh Duong People’s Committee Nguyen Hoang Son has asked Singapore to continue to help students in the province study English language. He made the request at a meeting with Singaporean Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew on January 20.

Vice State President Truong My Hoa has urged authorities in the Central Highland province of Dak Nong to further uphold the patriotism and solidarity among ethnic minorities in order to boost socio-economic development and reduce hunger and poverty.