Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung received the UK’s Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, in Hanoi on October 11 on the occasion of his visit to Vietnam to attend the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.

The Vietnamese capital city of Hanoi and other localities across the country wish to develop cooperation with Japanese localities.

The Vietnam National Assembly wants to strengthen exchanges and learn from the experiences of the European Parliament (EP), especially law-making skills and improving the capacity of deputies.

The ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Retreat was held in Hanoi on October 11 to prepare for the first ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting plus (ADMM+) scheduled for October 12.  

“Vietnam wants to expand co-operation with the UK in the fields of economics, culture, science, education and defence and hopes that more English businesses will invest in mechanic manufacturing, transport infrastructure, seaport, aviation, finance and banking in Vietnam.”

The Vietnam Episcopal Council (VEC) convened the 11th assembly at the Pastoral Centre in Ho Chi Minh City from October 4-8.

Many foreign newspapers and media published photos and articles on Vietnam’s special cultural and artistic activities celebrating the millennial anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.

Vietnam wants to promote its cooperation with France not only in trade and investment but also in culture, education, energy, aviation, water treatment and agriculture, said President Nguyen Minh Triet.

The Defence Ministers of Vietnam and China discussed measures to promote cooperation in training and joint sea patrol for peace, stability and prosperous development in the region and the world during their talks in Hanoi on October 10.

The General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Nong Duc Manh, has called the Chinese, Lao and Cambodian Defence Ministers’ visit as evidence of their strong support for Vietnam in its capacity as ASEAN chair.

Over its 1000 years of ups and downs, Thang Long-Hanoi has always stood firm and shows its indomitable spirit, earning its place as the heart of the whole country.

A grand banquet was held at the National Convention Centre, Hanoi on October 9 to mark the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.  

Hanoi wants to be friends with all cities in the world for peace, friendship, cooperation, development and mutual benefit, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung affirmed while receiving foreign delegations to celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of Hanoi.

Vietnam always gives priority to strengthening relations with Laos, said State President Nguyen Minh Triet at a meeting with Lao State Vice President Bounnhang Volachith in Hanoi on October 9.

A ceremony was held in Hanoi on October 9 to award the National Gold Order- Laos’ highest distinction, to Hanoi on its 1000th anniversary.

With its available strengths, Prague is always keen to share cooperation in all fields with Vietnam, especially Hanoi, said the mayor of the Czech Republic’s capital, Prague.

On October 9, senior Party, State, National Assembly and Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) leaders paid tribute at Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and burnt incense in commemoration of national heroes and martyrs.

The ninth Congress of the Ho Chi Minh City’s Party Committee (2010-2015 tenure) closed on October 8, electing politburo member Le Thanh Hai, as Secretary of the municipal Party Committee.

Ambassador of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to Vietnam Ma Chol Su held a reception in Hanoi on October 8 to mark the 65th founding anniversary of his country’s Workers’ Party (October 10).

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on October 8 awarded a 50-year Party membership insignia to his predecessor, former PM Phan Van Khai.

The upcoming ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting plus (ADMM+) aims to increase high-level dialogue to carry out practical cooperation in security and defence, helping to build a region of peace and stability, said Deputy Defence Minister Lieut-Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh.

Vietnam and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) signed on October 7 a protocol to screen the validity of international treaties and agreements they signed in the 1950-2007 period.

Vietnam will host the 31st session of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) regional conference for Asia and the Pacific in 2012, reported the government office.

Vietnam and South Africa have agreed to hold an inter-Governmental forum early next year to review progress in implementing the signed agreements and discuss measures to bring these agreements to their full fruition.

The conference will heighten the sense of responsibility, promote democracy, and make correct and wise decisions on key national issues, Party leader Nong Duc Manh told the 13th Conference of the 10th Party Central Committee opened in Hanoi on October 7.  

Ha Tinh province should be ready to cope with tropical low pressures in the East Sea and support flood victims.  

Vietnam strongly supports multilateralism and the central role of the UN in the field of disarmament, said a high-ranking diplomat.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung returned to Hanoi on October 6 after attending the eighth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 8).

The Party, State and people highly value the patriotism and valuable contributions of Overseas Vietnamese (OVs) to the process of national construction, the Party chief said on October 6. 

The Republic of Korea (RoK) Ambassador to Vietnam, Park Suk Hwan, is committed to encouraging businesses to invest in Thua Thien-Hue province.