Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has asked the Southern Aviation Corporation (SAC) to tap the potential of Lien Khuong airport terminal effectively for the development of the central highland province of Lam Dong.

Vietnam and China have agreed to set up a joint committee to coordinate land border activities between the two countries.

As from Jan. 1, 2010, Vietnamese and Cambodian citizens holding ordinary passports valid for at least six months will enjoy visa exemption if they enter or transit the other country, according to the Foreign Ministry’s Consular Department.

The Party and State of Laos praised developments in all-round cooperation with Vietnam over the last year, especially in politics, economics, culture, education and health care, says a senior Lao State official.

A seminar to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Vietnam’s People’s Army Day was held on December 24 by the Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association (RVFA) and the Association of Russia Military Experts (ARME) in Vietnam.  

Despite the global economic crisis, natural disasters and epidemic diseases, Vietnam ironed out snags to reestablish economic growth, stabilize macro-economy and reach a GDP growth rate level of 5.2 percent in 2009.

Vietnam has voiced its concern over the instability in Guinea and has strongly condemned acts of violence against Guinean civilians in the capital of Conakry in September.

The Party and State consider Catholics an indispensable part of the great national unity bloc, says State Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan.

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong has praised contributions of Christians to national development and encouraged religious and non-religious followers to continue to join hands to build a prosperous Vietnamese nation.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has told the banking sector to definitely keep inflation under 7 percent in 2010 while achieving a higher economic growth than in 2009.

Hanoi Electronics Corporation (HANEL) must formulate a technological breakthrough strategy to increase its products’ competitiveness and set a firm foothold in local and international markets.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Gia Khiem met with ASEAN Secretary General Dr Surin Pitsuwan in Hanoi on December 23 to inform and prepare him for Vietnam’s assumption of the ASEAN Presidency in 2010.

A seminar on the media’s fight against erroneous allegations was held in Hanoi on December 23 by the Ministry of Information and Communication.

ASEAN expects Vietnam to play a leading role in 2010, emphasised ASEAN General Secretary Surin Pitsuwan in an exclusive interview granted to VOV reporter on December 22.

The President of the National Assembly of People’s Power of Cuba, Ricardo Alarcon, on December 22 praised the heroic and persistent spirit of Vietnamese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam as well as Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements in recent years.

State President Nguyen Minh Triet received outstanding individuals in the Navy’s emulation drive during the 2004-2009 period in celebration of the 65th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army on Dec. 22.

Vietnam will do its utmost together with Kazakhstan to continue carrying out their signed agreements and deals successfully for mutual benefit.

State President Nguyen Minh Triet on December 22 sent birthday greetings to Japanese Emperor Akihito on his 76th birth anniversary (December 23), which is also celebrated as the National Day of Japan.

The 6th session of the Vietnam-Iran inter-governmental committee met in Hanoi on December 22 to work out specific areas of future cooperation.

Vietnam wants to promote comprehensive cooperation with Iran for mutual benefit and for peace, friendship and development, says Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

The Vietnamese and Cambodian ministers of justice have briefly discussed a draft agreement on legal aid in civil and trade matters during a visit to Cambodia by a delegation from the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice.

A Vietnamese UN ambassador has reaffirmed support for a comprehensive political solution to the Darfur conflict on the basis of respect for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sudan.

It is fair to say that Vietnam has fulfilled its mission as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) during the 2008-2009 term, leaving a good impression on many international friends. 

Truong Tan Sang, a Politburo member and permanent member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam’s Central Committee (CPVCC) worked with the Quang Ngai provincial Party Committee on December 20 and 21.  

At the moment there are a lot of opportunities and advantages amid difficulties and challenges, so the army should keep up its revolutionary nature, said State President Nguyen Minh Triet.

A delegation of the National Assembly’s Committee for Social Affairs, headed by Truong Thi Mai, member of the NA Standing Committee has paid a working visit to India from December 13-21.

A meeting was held in Ho Chi Minh City on December 20 to mark the 65th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army (December 22).

Vietnam pursues the goal of successfully building socialism in the country, President Nguyen Minh Triet said on December 20 while receiving 12 international scholars who have been in Hanoi for a workshop on Marxism.  

Vietnam is proactive in promoting bilateral and multilateral cooperation in national defence by fully taking part in all ASEAN activities as well as those within the Asia-Pacific region on the basis of independence and self-reliance.  

Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh left Phnom Penh for Hanoi on December 19, concluding his official visit to Cambodia at the invitation of King Norodom Sihamoni.