Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong sent a condolence wreath to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) over the death of Kim Jong-il, DPRK’s top leader on December 25.

The President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF), Huynh Dam, visited the Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese and the Vietnam General Confederation of Evangelical Churches (Southern Region) on the morning of December 24 to celebrate Christmas.

Vietnam, Thailand need to make greater efforts to expand friendship and cooperation, said State President Truong Tan Sang while receiving President of the Thai Senate Teeradej Meepien in Hanoi on December 23.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has asked officials in charge of external affairs improve their capacity and political conscience, as well as grasping the principles of maintaining the nation’s self-reliance and identity when Vietnam opens its doors to the world.

Vietnam and Thailand should promote the exchange of development experience in economics, trade, investment, culture and social affairs, as well as legislation, says National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung.

Thirteen representatives of former volunteer Vietnamese army and expert forces supporting Laos during the war were honoured in Hanoi on December 22.

President Truong Tan Sang on December 22 presided over the third meeting of the Central Steering Committee for Judicial Reform in Hanoi. 

On December 22, Vietnamese ambassador to France Duong Chi Dung presented his credentials to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, along with other diplomats from 21 nations in different continents.

The Vietnam Defence Attaché Office in Laos hosted a meeting in Vientiane on December 21 to mark the 67th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army (December 22). 

State Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan praised the contributions made by religious followers, including Catholics, to Thai Binh province’s development achievements during a visit on December 22.

Vietnam will do its utmost, together with the Lao people, to continue developing bilateral ties in a deeper, more practical and effective manner. 

Vietnam always treasures China’s valuable support and assistance and wants the country to more closely coordinate with Vietnam in carrying out the agreements reached by leaders from both sides under the “16-word” motto and the “four goods” spirit.

Vietnamese and Chinese youth play an important role in maintaining and developing the traditional relationship between the two countries.

A visiting Chinese Communist Youth League delegation was received by Ha Thi Khiet, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Head of the Party Central Committee Mass Mobilisation Commission, in Hanoi on December 21. 

Vietnam and China should do their best to deepen cooperation in all fields and educate their people, especially the younger generations, about the importance of friendly neighbourliness and mutual support.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung returned to Hanoi on December 21, successfully concluding his official visit to Myanmar and participation in the fourth Greater Mekong Sub-region Summit (GMS 4). 

A Vietnam News Agency (VNA) delegation held talks with a delegation from Xinhua News Agency (Xinhua) on December 21 in Hanoi, to promote cooperation between the two agencies.

Vietnam and China will promote the exchange of high-ranking delegations and maintain close cooperation between the two Communist Parties.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and President Thein Sein have agreed to strengthen the traditional relationship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Myanmar, especially in agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, finance, and banking.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping’s visit to Vietnam will increase political trust and expand friendship between the two countries.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung has underlined the important geographical position of Bach Long Vi island district and its role as an ideal destination for developing fishing and tourism in line with the national socio-economic development plan.

A Vietnamese delegation led by Politburo member Le Hong Anh paid tribute to Kim Jong-il, top leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) at the DPRK Embassy in Hanoi on December 20.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has reaffirmed Vietnam’s strong support for cooperation in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) towards integration, prosperity and sustainable development.

Vietnam and China should closely coordinate in seriously implementing bilateral agreements, especially those on the principles of settling marine-related issues, including disputes, based on international law, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said in Myanmar on December 19.

President of the Senate of Thailand Teeradej Meepien will pay an official visit to Vietnam in the near future, announced the National Assembly’s External Relations Committee on December 19.

Naval officers and soldiers should make greater efforts to increase their combat capacity and preserve entrusted weapons and equipment, says Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Sinh Hung. 

Lao Minister of Public Works and Transport Sommad Pholsena is visiting Vietnam to increase cooperation between the two transport sectors.

On the occasion of Christmas 2011, a delegation from the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee (VFFCC) led by its President Huynh Dam visited the Bac Ninh Diocese Office on December 19.

Vietnamese Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Bac Son and Cambodian Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith signed a plan on information cooperation at a meeting in Phnom Penh on December 19. 

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam has sent a message of condolences to the Central Committee of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Workers ’ Party over the death of its General Secretary, Kim Jong-il.