A delegation from the Vietnamese Ministry of the Interior is visiting China from August 8-16 to work with some Chinese research agencies and exchange experience in the management of civil servants as well as in the structuring of state apparatus at both central and local levels.

The Special Senior Officials Meeting of the 30th ASEAN Ministers Meeting on Agriculture and Forestry (Special SOM-AMAF 30) was held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in HCM City on August 11.

The Prime Minister on August 11 ratified the framework agreement on cooperation between the Governments of Vietnam and Central African Republic signed on May 19, 2009 and the agreement on air transportation with the Canadian Government signed in Montreal on September 28, 2004.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem has called for concerted efforts to maintain Belgium’s status as Vietnam’s fourth largest European importer. 

The 2nd meeting of the Vietnam-Sri Lanka Joint Committee on Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation took place in the Sri Lankan city of Colombo from August 10-11. 

Hoi An town in central Quang Nam province and Kiama City in Australia's New South Wales have agreed to strengthen cooperation, especially in economics, culture and education and some other potential areas.

State President Nguyen Minh Triet inspected socio-economic development and judicial reform programmes in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai during a visit from August 9-11.

The 22nd session of the National Assembly Standing Committee opened in Hanoi on August 11, debating a number of draft laws, including those on telecommunications and radio frequencies.

The Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Yves Leterme visited Vietnam from August 11-12 at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked all ministries, sectors and localities to launch more campaigns to fulfil and surpass the socio-economic tasks set for 2009.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan has highlighted training courses conducted by the SEAMEO Regional Training Centre (SEAMEO RETRAC) as well as efforts made by the Centre to establish ties with international organisations around the world.

A seminar was held in Hanoi on August 10 to discuss the role of the National Assembly in upgrading the State mechanism.

The northern mountainous province of Dien Bien should focus on building new rural areas and training staff, said Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong during his working visit from August 8-9.

VTV4 is scheduled to broadcast programmes related to Agent Orange/dioxin in Vietnam from 0h:00 to 24h:00 on August 10.

A delegation from the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association (VCFA) has met with its counterpart to strengthen friendship relations between the two countries during its working visit to Cambodia from August 6-10.

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung has requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to coordinate with related ministries and departments to quickly carry out the PM’s decision on promulgating a set of national criteria for rural areas.

General Tariq Majid, Chairman of the Pakistani Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, left Ho Chi Minh City on August 9, concluding an official visit to Vietnam.

The National Assembly Standing Committee will continue to question a number of Cabinet ministers on pressing issues of public concern at its 22nd session, starting on August 11.

State President Nguyen Minh Triet expressed his belief at an cultural exchange in Hanoi on August 8 that the struggle for justice by Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin will end in victory despite the challenges ahead.

Lao Prime Minister Buasone Bouphavanh received the Head of the Commission for External Relations of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Hoang Binh Quan, in Vientiane on August 8.

Vietnam supports women’s participation in peace processes, particularly in conflict resolution and peace building, a Vietnamese diplomat said.

Oil and gas cooperation should become an exemplary role model in relations of multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Venezuela, said State President Nguyen Minh Triet.

State President Nguyen Minh Triet on August 7 received Prof. Philip Alperson, Director of the Vietnam Philosophy, Culture and Society Centre from Temple University in the US State of Pennsylvania.

A delegation of the Party Commission for External Relations, led by its head Hoang Binh Quan, began a three-day working visit to Laos on August 7.

During the past 42 years, despite many upheavals, ASEAN has grown to become a regional organisation of comprehensive cooperation and a dynamically integrated political and economic entity which is playing an important role in the region and the world.

Egypt wants to promote cooperation with Vietnam and seek opportunities for investment in the Southeast Asian nation, says a senior Egyptian official.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave a banquet in Hanoi on August 7 to foreign ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic corps to mark the 42nd anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian nations (ASEAN).

Deputy Minister of Transport Le Manh Hung has delivered a speech at the fourth Pan-Tonkin Gulf Economic Cooperation Forum held in Nanning, Guangxi, China, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation in the context of the global economic downturn.

Vietnam and Cuba clinched a cooperation deal in records and archives in Havana on August 6.

Indonesian National Police (POLRI) Chief Bambang Hendaso Danuri and Vietnamese Minister of Public Security Le Hong Anh have signed a joint statement to boost bilateral cooperation in preventing and fighting trans-national crime.