Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung received the President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), Rifat Hisarcikhoglu, at Government headquarters on October 29.

Vietnam and Croatia have agreed on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports.

Former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu held a working session with Professor Stein Tonnesson, director of Norway’s Institute for Peace Research, Oslo/PRIO in Hanoi on October 29.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on October 28 had a phone conversation with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung, according to the Russian government website.  

On the sidelines of the current National Assembly session in Hanoi, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai gave an interview to the press on the results of the 2009 socio-economic plan and a similar plan for 2010.

The International Religious Freedom Report 2009 released by the US State of Department on October 26 still includes biased assessments, which are based on misleading information on the situation in Vietnam. 

A Vietnamese representative to the UN said Vietnam welcomes positive developments in Lebanon in the past six months but still expressing concerns about challenges currently facing the country.

Japan is one of Vietnam’s most important partners in terms of economics, trade and investment, said State President Nguyen Minh Triet on October 28. 

Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh received the Permanent Secretary of the Singaporean Defence Ministry, Chiang Chie Foo, in Hanoi on October 28. 

National Assembly deputies agree that in 2010 the government should focus on stabilising the macro economy, ironing out snags in the implementation of State policies, and overcoming weaknesses in socio-economic management.

The Vietnam-Algeria Friendship Society and the Algerian embassy in Vietnam have celebrated the 55th anniversary of Algeria’s National Day.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has attended the opening of a Samsung mobile phone factory in Yen Phong industrial park in the northern province of Bac Ninh.  

Danish Queen Margrethe II and her spouse, Prince Consort Henrik, together with the Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark will pay an official visit to Vietnam from November 1-9.

A Foreign Ministry spokesperson on October 27 condemned the brutal arrest of a Vietnamese student named Ho Phuong by police in San Jose, calling it an abuse of power and unacceptable. 

At a plenary session in Hanoi on October 27, National Assembly deputies discussed the implementation of the NA resolution on socio-economic development in 2009 and proposed solutions to fulfil tasks for 2010.

The Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan received a delegation from the Asia Pacific Ladies Friendship Society (ALFS) in Hanoi on October 27.

The Vietnam National UNESCO Committee held a ceremony in Hanoi on October 27 to commemorate the date Hanoi was awarded “The City for Peace” title by UNESCO ten years ago.

Vietnam highly values information technology (IT) and is boosting IT in State agencies, including the Foreign Ministry, said a senior Vietnamese diplomat at a workshop in Hanoi on October 27.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on October 26 pressed the button to launch a website for the national database on administrative procedures at http://csdl.thutuchanhchinh.vn.

Foreign delegates praised Vietnam’s determination to combat corruption at a workshop in Hanoi on October 26, saying the government has issued a national strategy on anti-corruption and the State President has ratified the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).

Le Hoang Quan, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has asked the city’s departments, agencies and businesses to make a greater effort to overcome difficulties to reach a GDP growth of 7.5-8 percent.  

Despite stemming the economic slowdown, Vietnam is still facing challenges, particularly the return of inflation. Therefore, the Government should tap domestic resources to stimulate the national economy in the post-crisis period.

Vietnam will successfully perform its duties as ASEAN chair next year, contributing to enhancing ASEAN solidarity and connectivity and to implementing the goal of building the ASEAN Community.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung: close coordination among ASEAN member countries will create a favourable foundation for the dynamic development of the East Asia Summit.

Vietnam and Ireland have agreed to facilitate their business circles’ investment in Vietnam, especially in Ireland’s strong fields including energy, information technology, finance-banking, medical equipment and bio- technology.

Vietnam welcomed the efforts of Timor- Leste’s Government and people, especially in maintaining public security situation conducive to the realisation of the country’s political, social and economic objectives.

Leaders from the Ministries of Planning and Investment of Vietnam and Cambodia met in southwestern Tay Ninh province on October 23-24 to discuss measures to step up bilateral cooperative relations.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa left Ho Chi Minh City on October 24, wrapping up a three-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart, Nguyen Minh Triet.

Cuban President Raul Castro has expressed thanks for Vietnamese assistance after Vietnamese Construction Minister Nguyen Hong Quan pledged further cooperation and help to Cuba in all fields, especially in agricultural projects for its food security.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung received his New Zealand counterpart John Key on October 24 on the sidelines of the 15th ASEAN Summit in Cha-am – Hua Hin, Thailand.