Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi on August 31 protested against China’s plan to invite international bids for oil block 65/12, about 3 nautical miles off Cay (Tree) Island of the country’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago.”  

The final marker, erected between Vietnam’s central province of Quang Tri and Lao southern province of Salavan, was unveiled on August 31. 

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has highlighted the significant role of foreign ambassadors, charge d’affaires and chief representatives of international organisations in Hanoi in promoting their countries’ relations with Vietnam. 

Various activities have been held nationwide to mark Vietnam’s National Day (September 2).

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan and his delegation met with Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs (FDEA) Johann Scheneider Ammann and Head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs Alain Berset on August 30.

As a proactive and responsible member of ASEAN and NAM, Vietnam is committed to promoting peace and development, ensuring stability in the region and building a strong ASEAN community.

Vietnam will do its utmost to foster close fraternal relations with Laos, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Luong Minh told Lao Ambassador Somphone Sichalenne in Hanoi on August 30.

President Truong Tan Sang will attend the 20th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum summit in the Russian city of Vladivostok from September 6-9.

The Indonesian Speaker of People's Representative Council, Marzuki Alie, who is also president of the ASEAN Inter Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), will visit Vietnam on September 4-5.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Nguyen Van Hoa presented his credentials to Kazakhstani President N. Nazarbayev on August 28.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has highly valued assistance from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to infrastructure development, institution building and human resource training in Vietnam.

EU Ambassador Franz Jessen has pledged to do his utmost to promote comprehensive cooperation between the EU and Vietnam, following a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) signed on June 27.

A ceremony to celebrate the 67th anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence Day was held in Ho Chi Minh City on August 29.

Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith’s visit will significantly contribute to deepening the Vietnam-Australia comprehensive partnership and cooperation between their Defence Ministries.

The 67th founding anniversary of Vietnam’s diplomacy was celebrated on August 28 by the Vietnamese Embassy in Paris and the Vietnamese permanent Mission to UNESCO.

Vietnam and Cambodia have exchanged delegations at all levels to share legislative and inspection experiences as well as supporting each other at multilateral forums. 

The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Central Committee on August 28 announced an atlas under the Guangxu reign of the Chinese Qing dynasty, proving Hainan Island to be the last Chinese strip of land in the region.

Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) have established many effective cooperation mechanisms over 20 years of diplomatic ties, promoting the two countries’ strategic partnership and contributing to regional and global stability and development.

The Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and the National Council of the Solidarity Front for the Development of the Cambodian Motherland issued a joint communique at an international conference on building the Vietnam-Cambodia border of peace, friendship and cooperation for development in Ratanakiri province on August 28. 

Over the past 67 years, Vietnam’s diplomacy has always accompanied the country’s effort for progress and has significantly contributed to an array of glorious achievements, said Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh. 

Politburo member and member of the Party Central Committee Secretariat Le Hong Anh received Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister cum Minister of Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean in Hanoi on August 28, during the latter’s ongoing visit to Vietnam.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung spoke highly of the special ties between Vietnam and Laos, which have developed strongly and effectively in all fields.

Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith MP will pay an official visit to Vietnam from 29 to 30 August 2012, says the Australian Embassy in Vietnam.

State President Truong Tan Sang on August 27 sent condolences to his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez over a recent gas leak that caused a major explosion, leaving over 40 dead.

Vietnam highly values Singapore’s role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its consistent stance on issues of regional and international concern.

Lao Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad said he is confident that Vietnam will gain even greater achievements under the sound leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).

A meeting was held in Hanoi on August 26 to mark the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Uzbekistan, and their National Days.

Laos hopes that there will be more Vietnamese businesses, especially from Thai Nguyen province, to invest in the country's biotechnology, agricultural development, and poverty reduction.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung has asked HCM City to take the lead in the country's process of industrialization and modernization.

A photography exhibition is currently on show at No. 93 Dinh Tien Hoang Street in Hanoi to celebrate General Vo Nguyen Giap’s 102nd birthday (August 25).