President Truong Tan Sang paid working visits to three provinces in the Central Highlands (Tay Nguyen) on March 16-17 to inspect their implementation of socio-economic development tasks.

An agreement to enhance co-operation between Vietnamese and Lao foreign ministries during the 2012-17 period was signed in the central province of Ha Tinh on March 18.

The upcoming visit to Vietnam by Myanmar President Thein Sein aims to promote mutual understanding and trust between senior leaders of both nations and raise Vietnam-Myanmar relations to a higher level.

A Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) delegation led by NA Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu paid a working visit to the US and Canada from March 12-16 to exchange experiences in legislation and supervision.

Vietnamese ambassador to Andorra, Duong Chi Dung, has presented his credentials to Co-Prince of Andorra Joan Enric Vives Sicilia.  

A press briefing to review the results of Belgian Crown Prince Philippe's visit to Vietnam was held by the Belgian Embassy and Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City on March 17.  

Vietnam attaches great importance to developing the ties of the time-honoured friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Cambodia.  

Vietnam considers sustainable development as an essential factor for enhancing reforms in the coming years.  

Vietnam will continue raising relations with Laos to a higher level for the benefits of the two countries and for regional peace, stability and development. 

The 31st meeting of the FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific (APRC) concluded in Hanoi on March 16.  

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has emphasised the necessity for the Government and the Vietnam Farmers’ Association (VFA) to coordinate in reducing poverty and narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor, especially in ethnic-inhabited rural mountainous areas.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has proposed that Vietnam and Laos boost bilateral cooperation, especially in economics, trade, and investment.

President Republic of Chile, Sebastian Pinera Echenique, will pay an official visit to Vietnam from March 21-25.

State President Truong Tan Sang on March 15 sent his condolences to King Albert II of Belgium regarding the tragic coach accident in Sierre, Switzerland on March 12, which killed 28 people, 22 of them children.  

Belgian Crown Prince Philippe and his delegation have witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements between Belgium’s Flanders region and Vietnamese partners.

President of Myanmar Thein Sein will pay an official visit to Vietnam from March 20-21, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Vietnam requests China to respect its territorial sovereignty and stop all activities that violate Vietnam’s sovereignty of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi on March 15.

Vietnam is willing to cooperate and share experiences in agriculture and rural development with other countries through the FAO’s South-South Cooperation Programme.

On March 15, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung received the Republic of Korea (RoK) Minister of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Suh Kyo Yong, who is on a visit to Vietnam for the 31st meeting of the FAO’s Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific (APRC).

Vietnam will continue to support the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)’s initiatives and activities in the future, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

Vietnam and Germany should continue to develop cooperation in all fields, especially in education and training, said Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan at a reception for German Minister of Education Dorothea Henzler in Hanoi on March 14.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ho Xuan Son and Cambodian Senior Minister Var Kimhong have reviewed the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on land border area adjustment.

The Army is always the key force to defend the country’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity on land, sea and in the air, affirmed President Truong Tan Sang in Hanoi on March 14.

Vietnam has set a great example in developing rural areas, reducing poverty and ensuring food security, says FAO Director General José Graziano da Silva.

Lao Deputy Prime Minister cum Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulit will pay an official visit to Vietnam from March 15-20.

The 11th National Women’s Congress closed in Hanoi on March 14 with a new executive committee elected and statutes amended.

Senior Lieutenant General and Deputy Defense Minister Do Ba Ty received the Philippines’ Vice Admiral Alexander P Pama in Hanoi on March 13.  

Vietnam attaches much importance to boosting multifaceted co-operation with Mozambique, a country it considers an important partner in Africa.

On March 13, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung received Indonesian Ambassador Mayerfas who paid a courtesy visit to the PM upon assuming his new tasks in Vietnam.  

Vietnam hopes to strengthen the ties of friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Belgium, and praises the role it has played in the EU, said Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh at a reception for Belgian Vice Prime Minister cum Foreign Minister Didier Reynders in Hanoi on March 13.