Vietnamese State President Truong Tan Sang met with senior officials from leading Singaporean economic groups, including Sembcorp, CaptiaLand and Keppel, on September 27 as part of his working visit to the country.

Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on September 26 discussed measures to beef up bilateral partnership between the two countries towards strategic partnership.

The Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Public Administration (HCMA) on September 26 opened a class to help improve skills in information dissemination for Lao Party leaders and managers.

As a reliable partner and responsible member of the international community, Vietnam will make active contributions to maintaining peace and stability in the region, said Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

The Government will continue curbing inflation, stabilizing the macro-economy, ensuring social security and maintaining a suitable economic growth rate at 6 percent.

A sports and cultural exchange programme was held in Hanoi on September 26 to mark China’s 62nd National Day (October 1).

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has expressed hope that the Vietnamese and Dutch Ministries of Defence will cooperate closely in defence technology, equipping the navy, exchanging experiences in military training and raising national defence capacity.

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF)’s Central Committee Huynh Dam received a delegation of the National Council of Solidarity Front for the Development of Cambodia’s Motherland, headed by its Vice President Min Khin, in Hanoi on September 26.

President Truong Tan Sang was given a State welcome at the Istana Palace in Singapore on the afternoon of September 26 to begin a three-day State visit. 

A high-level military delegation from the Netherlands led by Dutch Defense Minister Hans Hillens arrived in Hanoi on September 25 at the invitation of Vietnamese Defense Minister General Phung Quang Thanh.

The Czech Republic aims to strengthen its traditional friendship and cooperation with Vietnam, said Miroslav Antl, Chairperson of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee of the Czech Senate.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will visit the Netherlands, Uzbekistan and Ukraine from September 27 to October 6.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on September 25 opened and put into operation a Consulate office in New York.

The second session of the 13th National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee opened in Hanoi on September 26.

President Truong Tan Sang left Hanoi for Singapore on September 26 to begin his official three-day visit to the country at the invitation of Singaporean President Tony Tan Keng Yam.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan received delegates to the third Vietnam-China People’s Forum in Hanoi on September 25, in the presence of Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Kong Xuanyou. 

ASEAN’s common voice on some United Nations (UN) issues will help strengthen the association’s role and image at the UN, said Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

The Vietnam-Argentina relations and many framework agreements signed by the two countries are firm foundation for the two sides to conduct detail cooperative projects.

The United Russia (UR) Party always attaches importance to boosting its relations with the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).

Vietnam continues to support disarmament, especially nuclear disarmament, as well as the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, said Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

The Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC) sent a message of congratulations to the United Russia Party for its 12th Party Congress.

Vietnam recognises the great importance of nuclear safety and security and fully implements its obligations under international nuclear treaties, said Vietnamese Ambassador Bui The Giang. 

The UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have approved the Vietnam Common Country Programme Document (CCPD) for the 2012-2016 period, the UNDP said on September 23. 

Vietnam and Italy have discussed issues of mutual interest in legislative and supervision work during the current working visit to Italy by Vice Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Uong Chu Luu.

Vietnam affirms relations and multifaceted cooperation with Singapore and Malaysia in bilateral aspects as well as at regional and international forums.

Vietnam has both state and social mechanism for human rights and, it has made considerable progress in the field, said scientists at an international seminar held in Hanoi on September 22.

State President Truong Tan Sang on September 22 sent a message of sympathy to his Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari over heavy losses caused by recent floods in the southern province of Sindh.

A solemn ceremony was held in Ho Chi Minh City on September 22 to mark the 66th anniversary of the Southern Resistance Day (September 23).

The Sri Lanka-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group made its debut in the capital of Colombo on September 21 under the chairmanship of the Sri Lankan Minister of Science & Technology, Prof. Tissa Vitarana.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will pay official visits to the Netherlands, Uzbekistan and Ukraine at the invitations of his counterparts.