New Zealand has pledged to give Vietnam technical support in the fields of agriculture and rural development, natural resources and environments.

Vietnam has now established diplomatic ties with 177 different countries and 244 economic and trade organisations around the world. This has helped Vietnam maintain socio-political stability and improve people’s living standards.

Vietnam consistently pursues a policy of preserving and promoting the time-honoured friendship and strategic partnership with India, said National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong while paying a courtesy visit to Indian President Pratbha Patil on February 25 as part of his trip to India.

Le Dung, Vietnamese Consul General in Houston, Texas, paid a working visit to Texas Tech University on February 24.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong and Lower House Speaker Meira Kumar agreed to increase all-round cooperation between the two countries during their talks in New Delhi on February 24.

Laos will host a symposium in Sainyabuli province in April to mark the establishment of the north-western resistance committee during Vietnam and Laos’ wars against the French colonialists.

Vietnam and Laos will work closer together to implement joint hydro-electric power projects, including the Sekarman I plant, to ensure they are completed on schedule.

Vietnam will offer more incentives for Norwegian businesses to operate efficiently in the country on an equal footing and mutually beneficial basis, says a Government leader.

Moscow will build a trade centre in Ho Chi Minh City and local labourers and materials will be used for construction, affirmed Moscow ’s First Deputy Mayor Vladimir Resin.

The Vietnam People’s Army and the Royal Cambodian Army will strengthen their cooperation in visit exchanges, training, border management and security, and the location and repatriation of Vietnamese martyrs’ remains.

Vietnam is committed to strengthening and broadening relations with Greece, Poland, France and Afghanistan, said State President Triet.

Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) is the country’s leading media agency, said To Huy Rua, Politburo member and Secretary of the Party Central Committee, during a visit to VOV on February 23.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy hosted a reception in celebration of the traditional Lunar New Year Festival (Tet) of Vietnam and China.

Hanoi and Moscow have agreed to increase cooperation in various areas, especially economics, trade, urban development planning, culture and tourism.

A delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) joined 40 international delegations at the 4th congress of the Brazilian Labour Party (PT) and the party’s 30th anniversary in the capital city of Brasilia on February 19-20.

Lao Defence Minister Douangchay Phichit has made a working visit to Vietnam on the occasion of the lunar New Year at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart, General Phung Quang Thanh.

On February 21, State President Nguyen Minh Triet paid a New Year visit to 100-year-old married couple Le Viet Tien and Nguyen Thuy Lan, who are both revolutionary veterans.

State Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan attended a seminar on the role of Vietnamese women in preserving national cultural heritage held by the Thua Thien Hue Historical Society and the Vietnam Women’s Museum in Hue city on February 21.

A delegation from the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee (VFFCC), led by its chairman Huynh Dam, offered incense to late President Ho Chi Minh at his relic area in the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on February 21.

The Hanoi Municipal People’s Committed has announced programmes to implement key tasks for socio-economic development and budget estimates in 2010.

More diversified foreign affairs information, particularly major external relations events, have captured the attention of international friends and left them with impression of Vietnam.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked Bac Lieu province to improve its infrastructure.

President Nguyen Minh Triet on February 18 paid Tet visits to the Saigon Jewellery Holding Company (SJC) and the Asia Commercial Bank (ACB).

The Doi Moi (Renewal) process, which was initiated by the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) in 1986, has brought about miraculous achievements for Vietnam, helping elevate the country’s status in the international arena.

Sudanese President Omar Hassan Ahmed El Bashir has expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s tremendous economic achievements, saying the Southeast Asian nation has set a bright example in economic development.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has sent a message of sympathy to his Belgian counterpart Yves Leterme over a tragic train crash on the outskirts of capital Brussels on February 15.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith has expressed his belief that relations between Australia and Vietnam will continue to grow and flourish in the Year of the Tiger 2010.

The development of Buddhism in the current period demonstrates the Party and State’s commitment to ensuring people’s religious freedom and creating every opportunity for Buddhism to develop, said Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Phu Trong Trong.

Vietnam and Sudan have exchanged high-level visits to promote bilateral cooperation in agriculture, industry and education.

On February 17, Truong Tan Sang, Politburo Member and Permanent Member of the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee, led a delegation of the HCM City People’s Committee and District 9’s Party Organisation in an incense burning ceremony to commemorate services rendered to the nation by the Hung Kings.