Delegations from the external relations committees of the national assemblies of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia met in Kratie, Cambodia, from July 6-8, to discuss the role of parliamentarians in boosting development at the border triangle area of the three countries.

The fight against corruption must be stepped up, with closer cooperation between ministries and relevant agencies, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung at the 13th session of the Central Steering Committee for Corruption Prevention and Control in Hanoi on Thursday.

More than 150 Vietnamese and American delegates are gathering in Hanoi on July 8-9 to review bilateral relations after the two countries established diplomatic ties 15 years ago.

Vietnam and Bulgaria have signed a number of documents to increase bilateral cooperation in various areas, especially economics, trade and science-technology.

On July 8, Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh left Hanoi for an official visit to Russia at the invitation Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

Vietnam and Bulgaria should increase dialogue to further develop their 60 years of co-operation, Bulgarian President George Parvanov said at a reception for Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung on July 7.

Vietnam attaches importance to its co-operation with the US and wishes to develop the relationship both bilaterally and multilaterally, said National Assembly (NA) Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Kien.

Vietnam has pursued a consistent policy of ensuring and promoting human rights, including minority rights, said Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem.

The south central province of Khanh Hoa should take advantage of its potential for growth in agriculture, industry, natural and human resources as well as transport to attract investment and develop infrastructure, creating a breakthrough in socio-economic development.

A Vietnamese delegation led by Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Ngo Duc Thang has visited three Thai provinces to promote sub-regional links between them and central Vietnamese localities.

The 16th ASEAN Telecommunication Senior Officials Meeting (TELSOM) was held in Hanoi on July 7 to share information and experience in developing policies and management efficiency to keep ASEAN telecom grouping in member countries.

Vietnam is playing a leading role not only in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) but also in East and Southeast Asia in general, says US Senator Jim Webb, Chairman of the Senate’s Foreign Relations East Asian and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has confirmed Vietnam’s consistent stance of furthering the development of Vietnam-Denmark friendly and cooperative ties in various fields.

The Consultative Group (CG) Meeting 2010 will take place in Hanoi, according to the Government Office.

New progress has been made in the relations between Vietnam and the US, saidChairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan at a reception for US Senator James Webb in HCM City on July 6.

Two senior law-makers of Vietnam and Indonesia expressed keen interest in raising bilateral relations to strategic partnership during their meeting in Hanoi on July 6.

State President Nguyen Minh Triet held a working session with the Supreme People's Court in Hanoi on July 6 to discuss the implementation of the Politbureau’s Resolution 49 and the Strategy on Judicial Reform through 2020.

The meeting of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) on “Protecting and Respecting Cultural Diversity” was held in Phnompenh, Cambodia on July 5-6.

Representatives from foreign and domestic associations on July 6 attended a press conference on the role of the business community in the country’s administration reform process held by the Advisory Council.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key will pay an official visit to Vietnam on July 10-12, according to a communiqué released on July 6 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Several Party organisations and members will be punished for serious violations of the Party rules, said the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Commission for Inspection.

Relations between Vietnam and the US have taken a long and complex path that has greatly benefited both sides, said Senator Jim Webb, chairman of the Senate’s Foreign Relations East Asian and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee.

Agricultural restructuring, particularly the transforming of ineffective agricultural land will help create more steady jobs for local people, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung during his working visit to the central province of Nghe An on July 5.

More than 60 delegates from the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) gathered in Ho Chi Minh City on July 5 to discuss ways to ensure food security in sustainable manner.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked central provinces which have been hit severely by drought and heat to take drastic measures to negate the effects of drought and ensure the timely harvest of the summer-autumn crop.

Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh will pay an official visit to Russia from July 8-12. 

The Vietnam and Laos Ministries of Health co-organised a seminar on July 3-4 to discuss measures to boost cooperation in the healthcare sector.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung attended a ground-breaking ceremony for the Nghi Son 1 thermal power plant in Thanh Hoa province on July 3.

US Ambassador to Vietnam Michael W. Michalak on July 2 hosted a reception to mark his country’s 234th Independence Day (July 4).

A delegation from the Vietnamese National Assembly led by Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu paid a working visit to New Zealand from June 29 to July 2.