Over the past 65 years, the Vietnam’s diplomatic sector has made significant progress, greatly contributing to the cause of national construction and defence.

The leading task of the diplomatic sector in the future is to maintain and foster a peaceful and stable environment, and create the best international conditions to attract outside resources more effectively in order to develop and raise the country’s prestige.

Delegates to the eighth East Asia forum, held in Da Lat city of Lam Dong on August 26-27, shared opinions and discussed measures to boost cooperation, connectivity and build a community in the region.

The Party Political Bureau held a working session with the Hanoi Party leadership on August 27 to give comments on draft documents and personnel plans for the upcoming municipal Party congress (term 2010-2015).

The ministerial meeting of the ASEAN-Mekong Basin Development Cooperation (AMBDC) was held in the central city of Da Nang on August 27, drawing delegates from ASEAN members and China.

ASEAN’s economic ministers, under the chairmanship of Vietnam’s Minster of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang, on August 27 worked with their counterparts from India and the EU.

Deputy Minister of Defense Nguyen Khac Nghien held a reception in Hanoi on August 27 for a delegation of war veterans from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Mozambique, Aires Bonifacio Baptista Ali, will pay an official visit to Vietnam from August 31 to September 5.

King Norodom Sihamoni has described President Nguyen Minh Triet’s current visit to Cambodia as an historical event, which he said will help bring fresh impetus to the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

A royal ceremony to welcome Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet was held in Phnom Penh on August 27 by King Norodom Sihamoni.

The Vietnamese community in Cambodia has a patriotic spirit and has positively contributed to the country’s two wars of resistance to gain national independence, said President Nguyen Minh Triet during his visit to the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia  on August 26.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has expressed support for mutual assistance in judiciary personnel training with Laos as well as a boost for judiciary cooperation between local administrations sharing the borderline.

The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Politburo has asked the army to strengthen the army’s combat capacity as a key force in national defence.

US Congressman Eni Faleomavaega is on a visit to Vietnam to discuss the relations between the two countries, including humanitarian cooperation activities to solve Agent Orange/dioxin consequences in Vietnam.

A UN independent expert on human rights and extreme poverty spoke highly of impressive progress made by Vietnam in poverty reduction while meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem in Hanoi on August 26.

ASEAN economic ministers have reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to the overall plan for building an ASEAN Economic Community by 2015.

The National Assembly is expected to pass 10 draft laws at its upcoming 8th plenary session later this year.

Estonia wants to strengthen and develop its friendship and cooperation with Vietnam, especially in the economy, IT, culture, tourism and education, said President Toomas Hendrik Ilves.

Vietnam’s Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh has expressed his hope that the Vietnamese and Chinese Defence Ministries will step up the exchange of information and consolidate mutual understanding and trust. 

Politburo and Party Secretariat member Truong Tan Sang urged the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology to pursue a higher research and success potential during his visit to the academy on August 25.

State President Nguyen Minh Triet left Vientiane for Luang Namtha province on August 25, continuing his official visit to Laos.

As a member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Vietnam has positively contributed to raising the organisation’s role and status. Through its two struggles for national liberation and with its renewal achievements, Vietnam is seen as a shining example for other NAM members to follow.

The 42nd ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting, the 4th ASEAN Economic Council (AEC) Meeting and related meetings began in Da Nang on August 25.

The Vietnamese Consulate General in Sydney, Australia, held a solemn ceremony in New South Wales on August 24 to celebrate Vietnam’s 65th National Day (September 2).

State President Nguyen Minh Triet, currently on an official visit to Laos has cabled a message of congratulations to General Vo Nguyen Giap on his 100th birthday (August 25).

A delegation of the High Command of the Cambodian Royal Army Guards led by deputy commander General Dieng Sarun, has paid a working visit to the High Command of Military Zone 7.

The ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) was held in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau on August 23-24 with Vietnamese Assistant Foreign Minister and Head of SOM ASEAN-Vietnam Pham Quang Vinh in the chair.

President Choummaly Sayasone and President Nguyen Minh Triet have expressed their delight at the fine development of the special, traditional friendship between Vietnam and Laos which has grown stronger and more effective in recent years.

The authorities of Hau Giang province on August 24 declared an outbreak of blue-ear disease in its area.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked the transport industry to draw up long-term strategies and grasp opportunities available to meet the country’s demand for economic development.