State President Nguyen Minh Triet on June 21 sent a message of sympathy to Russian President D. Medvedev over the June 20 plane crash in the Republic of Karelia, Russia.

Lao President Kaysone Phomvihane has affirmed that the fraternal friendship between Laos and Vietnam will always endure.

The Press Association Chapter at VOV celebrated the 86th anniversary of Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day at the National Radio Centre on June 21, praising the achievements of its members and presenting the awards for the winners of VOV’s journalism contest.

The US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) organised a seminar on maritime security in the East Sea on June 20, focusing on issues related to sovereignty, territorial disputes, regional stability, freedom of international navigation and exploitation of under sea natural resources.

A delegation from Laos’ Champasak province led by governor and Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Sonsay Siphandon has visited Binh Phuoc province.

The Vietnamese embassy in Laos on June 20 opened its new headquarters in the capital city of Vientiane in the presence of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh.

The Vietnam People’s Navy and the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China have conducted the 11th joint petrol in the Bac Bo (Tonkin) Gulf.

All dailies in Laos on June 20 ran front-page news stories with photos and the biography of Nguyen Phu Trong, Party General Secretary and National Assembly Chairman of Vietnam, on the first day of his three-day official visit to the neighbouring country.

Party General Secretary and National Assembly (NA) Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong on June 20 met with Lao NA President Pany Yathortou, Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, Deputy President of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) Tong Yeutho, and President of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association (LVFA) Phankham Viphavan.

Party General Secretary and National Assembly (NA) Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong and his entourage arrived in Vientiane on June 20 for an official visit to Laos at the invitation of Lao Party General Secretary and State President Choummaly Sayasone.

New Vietnamese ambassador to the UK and the Republic of Ireland Vu Quang Minh has presented credentials to Irish President Mary McAleese.

It is rare for any nations in the world like Vietnam and Laos, which have long maintained their traditional ties of special, loyal and pure fraternal friendship.

Vietnam has emphasised the significance and importance of the UNCLOS, a comprehensive international legal order that has been established in the oceans and seas.

The two sides have reaffirmed their commitment to promoting bilateral relations based on friendship, mutual respect, and shared commitments to ensure a peaceful, stable, prosperous and secure Asia-Pacific region.

The Vietnamese ambassador to New Zealand, Nguyen Hong Cuong, presented his credentials on June 16 to the Governor-General of New Zealand, Anand Satyanand, in the capital city of Wellington.

Vietnam respected the Asian Development Bank (ADB) goodwill and constructive contributions during the effective assistance and cooperation in policy consultation, macro-economic advice, technical assistance and projects, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung emphasised.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong visited the Thang Long Industrial Park in Hanoi on June 17 to gain a better understanding of the workers’ living conditions.

Vietnam is a country of opportunities and potential and Mexico needs to make the most of these possibilities, said General Secretary of Mexico’s Labour Party Senator Alberto Anaya Gutierrez.

Vietnam's only national English language daily, the Vietnam News, was awarded the Independence Order, third-class, in Hanoi on June 16 for its contributions to the country's information service for foreigners.

Japanese businesses have made great contributions to the socio-economic development of Vinh Phuc province, affirmed Pham Van Vong, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee.

Vietnamese Party General Secretary and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong, State President Nguyen Minh Triet, and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on June 16 sent messages of congratulations to their newly-elected Lao counterparts.

Members of the Switzerland-Vietnam Friendship Association always wish to rally support for developments in Vietnam.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has affirmed that Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) had enormous potential for further cooperation.

The Labour Party (PT) of Mexico wanted to boost solidarity, friendship and expand cooperation with the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) as well as between the two countries’ peoples, said the PT leader. 

The Mexican Labour Party on June 15 handed over a statue of President Ho Chi Minh to Vietnam as a gift on the occasion of his 121st birthday (May 19) and the 100th anniversary of the day he went abroad to seek a path to national salvation.

Scientists and cultural experts nationwide have discussed the legal basis of Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Truong Sa archipelago at a symposium in the south central coastal province Khanh Hoa.

Deputy Defence Minister Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh received the visiting Head of the Policy Department of the Singaporean Defence Ministry, Gabriel Lim, in Hanoi on June 15.

Vietnam and Cambodia have paid due attention to strengthening the role and position of women in society, including the role of female deputies in legislative agencies at all levels.

Vice National Assembly Chairman Uong Chu Luu has affirmed the consistent policy of the Vietnamese Party, State and People to enhance the fine neighbouring relations, traditional friendship and comprehensive, long-lasting cooperation with Cambodia. 

All media in Laos on June 14 ran articles highlighting the Vietnam-Laos relationship, which was expected to prosper through the upcoming visit to Laos by Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.