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.

Ho Chi Minh City's Party Secretary Le Thanh Hai and People's Council Chairman Pham Phuong Thao on January 19 met with visiting Singaporean Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew in the city at separate receptions.

Vietnam will set up a steering board for this year’s organisation of the 45th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic relations and the 30th anniversary of the Friendship and Cooperation Treaty between the two countries.

The Communist Party of Vietnam’s Political Bureau on January 16 issued a decision to set up a steering board for the coming campaign aimed at "studying and following President Ho Chi Minh's moral example".

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has called on the Government Office to focus on administrative reform efforts to help the Government fulfil tasks in 2007 entrusted to it by the National Assembly.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will hold an on-line dialogue with the public through the websites of the Government and the Communist Party of Vietnam as well as the electronic newspaper VietnamNet on February 9.

The Vietnamese government and people will do their best to foster the fine tradition of friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia, said PM Nguyen Tan Dung at a reception for outgoing Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam Long Kem in Hanoi on January 18.

This year Vietnam will boost external religious activities together with intensifying the fight against the abuse of religions to undermine national unity.

The acceleration of the exchange in culture, education, scientific research, youth activities and sports between Vietnam and Spain is considered as a stable and long-term step towards to bilateral comprehensive cooperation.

Mozambique President Armando Emilio Guebuza visited northern Ha Nam province and Ho Chi Minh City on January 18 as part of his official five-day visit to Vietnam.

German ambassador to Vietnam Christian Ludwig Weber-Lortsch has emphasised Vietnam’s important role in ASEAN bloc, saying that the European Union (EU) will co-ordinate with the country to develop overall plans for development of EU-ASEAN relations.

During the visit to Italy, Mr Dung is expected to meet with Pope Benedict XVI.

2006 was the year of great significance in the relations between Vietnam and China, said Vietnamese ambassador to China Tran Van Luat to a reporter of Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) on the 57th anniversary of the two countries’ establishment of diplomatic ties (January 18).

Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh has affirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of strengthening and expanding cooperative relations with its Southeast Asian neighbours, including Singapore, while receiving former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in Hanoi on January 17.

The Vietnam-China Friendship Association and the Vietnam-China Cultural Exchange Club held a get-together in Hanoi on January 17 to mark the 57th anniversary of the two countries’ establishment of diplomatic ties (January 18, 1950 - January 18, 2007).

Legislative bodies of Vietnam and Mozambique should exchange more visits and experiences in order to boost bilateral relations.

During her visit to the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) in Hanoi on January 17, Maria da Luz Guebuza, wife of the visiting President of the Republic of Mozambique expressed her wish to bolster ties among women of the two countries through exchange activities in all fields.

The procuracy sector should deliberately settle pending complaints and petitions and focus on the fight against corruption to win people’s trust in 2007.

The Prime Minister on January 16 urged relevant agencies to consider bird flu prevention as their key task in order to quickly contain the outbreak.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Singaporean Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew affirmed to strengthen the friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries at their meeting in Hanoi on January 16.

A superior Buddhist monk has highlighted the Vietnam Buddhist Shangha (VBS)’s effort in strengthening the great national unity bloc and boosting the process of national construction.

Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Dung on January 16 requested the Russian Government to considerately create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Russia to stabilise their lives and allow them to work legally in the country.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nong Duc Manh on January 16 received the visiting President of the Republic of Mozambique, Armando Emilio Guebuza, during his official friendship visit to Vietnam from January 16-20.

The first round of negotiations on building a Vietnam-Japan economic partnership agreement opened in Tokyo, Japan on January 16 with the participation of Yokota Jun, Ambassador for International Economic Affairs of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Phan The Rue, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Trade.

An official welcome ceremony for visiting Mozambique President Armando Emilio Guebuza and his wife was held at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on January 16. The Mozambique President and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Minh Triet witnessed the signing of important cooperation documents.

Singaporean Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew and his wife began a five-day visit to Vietnam on January 16 at the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) posthumously conferred the Gold Star Order on former member of the Party political bureau, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nguyen Co Thach, at a ceremony in Hanoi on January 15.

Mozambique President Armando Emilio Guebuza and his wife arrived in Hanoi on January 16 beginning a five-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of President Nguyen Minh Triet.