Measures to speed up the tempo of major projects, ease traffic jams and prevent flooding in Ho Chi Minh City topped the agenda of a working session between the Government and the city’s leaders on March 15.

National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong received a European Parliament (EP) delegation for relations with Southeast Asian and ASEAN countries led by Wermer Langen, in Hanoi on March 15.

Deputy PM Khiem welcomes Qatari minister

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem received Qatar’s Acting Minister of Business and Trade Khalid Bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah in Hanoi on March 15.

NA Committee discusses land and environment tax policy

Nhan Dan- Draft laws on housing and land and environment were under discussion at the opening of the 29th session of the National Assembly Standing Committee yesterday.

Vietnam-Russia ties improve much over past decade

Vietnam and Russia relations over the past decade have been improved to a strategic co-operation level after several years when Russia “seemed to be far away from” Vietnam.

Vietnam wins international left-wing community’s support

The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) representative won standing ovations at a recent workshop in Mexico, which drew 102 left-wing parties from Australia, Asia, Europe, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

National Geographic Society asked to correct mistake

The world map published by the US National Geographic Society is wrong with a note of ‘Paracel Is. China’ in the Hoang Sa archipelago area of Vietnam, Vietnamese foreign ministry spokesperson said on March 13.

Vietnam invites more RoK businesses

Vietnam wishes to receive more businesses from the Republic of Korea (RoK) in the future, said President Nguyen Minh Triet.

FM spokeswoman rejects US human rights reports

Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Nguyen Phuong Nga has rejected the US Department of State’s comments on the human rights situation in Vietnam , saying that it was built on untrue information.

Vietnam hosts meeting of ASEAN defence chiefs

The 7th ASEAN Chief of Defence Forces Informal Meeting (ACDFIM-7) will be held in Hanoi on March 24-27, aiming to boost the effectiveness of co-operation among regional armies in response to non-traditional security threats.

Polish diplomatic delegation visits Vietnam

Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Pawel Wojciechowski paid a working visit to Vietnam and held an annual exchange of views with the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry on March 11 and 12.

Lao PM welcomes Vietnamese Minister of Justice

Lao Prime Minister Bouason Bouphavanh on March 12 welcomed Vietnamese Minister of Justice Ha Hung Cuong who is paying a working visit to the country from March 7-12.

Presidential office delegation visits Laos

A delegation from the Presidential Office of Vietnam, headed by Chairman Nguyen Van Chien paid a working visit to Laos from March 9-12.

Corruption fight to focus on seven areas

Provinces and cities nationwide should take drastic measures to further the fight against corruption, focusing on seven major fields in 2010.

President honours Ba To guerrillas

President Nguyen Minh Triet presented the State honour “People’s Armed Forces Hero” to the Ba To guerrilla unit, a founder of the revolutionary armed forces and also the Vietnam People’s Army.

Former Party leader honoured with 60-year Party insignia

Nhan Dan- The Party Committee of the Vietnam People’s Army Political General Department presented a 60-year Party membership insignia to former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu in recognition of his contributions to the Party’s revolutionary cause in Hanoi on March 11.

Vietnam and UK to spur multifaceted co-operation

Vietnam and the UK have signed joint statements on the establishment of an international standard state university in Vietnam and enhancement of co-operation in developing public-private partnerships.

Vietnam to join in Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations

Vietnam will join in the negotiation of the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (TPP), reflecting its determination to continue its renewal process and in-depth international economic integration.

Dak Lak marks 35th anniversary of liberation

Central Highlands Dak Lak province held a grand ceremony to mark the 35th anniversary of the victory at Buon Ma Thuot city and the province’s liberation (March 10) and receive Ho Chi Minh Order on March 10.

Politburo member praises Nhan Dan newspaper

Nhan Dan- “Nhan Dan newspaper has recorded outstanding achievements in the past 59 years since the release of its first issue (March 11, 1951), making a great contribution to the national construction and defence,” reaffirmed Politburo member and Secretary of the Party Central Committee  To Huy Rua when he called on the newspaper’s head office on March 10.

Deputy PM urges to perfect policy for former young volunteers

Nhan Dan- Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong has urged relevant authorities to promptly perfect the policy to ensure benefit for former young volunteers who had made great contributions to the nation’s resistance wars.

State-owned corps asked to lead economic development

State-owned businesses need to contribute more to stabilising the macro-economy, maintaining growth and curbing inflation to achieve this year’s growth target of 6.5%, said a government leader.

PM highlights Vietnamese ties with France, Poland

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung highlighted Vietnam’s ties with France and Poland, while separately receiving the French and Polish ambassadors in Hanoi on March 10.

NA wishes to share experiences with RoK parliament

Vietnam’s National Assembly (NA) wants to have more exchanges and share experiences with other countries’ parliaments, including the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s, to better carry out its functions, especially in building and improving Vietnam’s legal system.

PM lauds national defence institute’s officer training

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has described education in security for senior officials as a very important and practical task in the new stage of development.

Nhan Dan- Nhan Dan (The People) newspaper celebrated the 59th anniversary of the release of its first issue (March 11, 1951) and received the title of ‘Hero of Peoples’ Armed Forces’ in Hanoi yesterday.

PM pushes for consensus to fulfil national targets

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has emphasised the need to create solidarity and a high consensus among the entire Party, army and the people to accomplish the country’s socio-economic tasks set for 2010.

Vietnam expects closer ties with Philippines

Vietnam wishes to continue to bolster co-operative relations with the Philippines to achieve new accomplishments and realise the potential of the two countries, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has said.

Regional conference on post-crisis period wraps up

A regional conference on sustainable development and finding opportunities in the post-crisis period wrapped up in the central city of Da Nang on March 9.

Vietnam urges US to do more for overcoming war aftermath

The Vietnamese Prime Minister has urged the US to take more concrete action to help Vietnam recover from the aftermath of the Vietnam war in line with the country’s effective co-operation in searching for the remains of fallen US soldiers.

Government leader seeks more German aid on environment

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has called on Germany to give Vietnam stronger official development assistance (ODA), especially on the environment, and coping with climate change and rising sea water levels.

Media to focus more on sea and border demarcation

The development of foreign affairs news and the dissemination of information in Vietnam this year will focus on the nation’s strategy for the demarcation of its borders at sea.

ASEAN countries boost parliamentary co-operation

A meeting of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) opened in the central city of Da Nang on March 7.

Vietnamese women determined to follow the Party

Vietnamese women are willing to preserve and bring into full play valuable traditions of the nation and determined to follow the Party to build the country.

Outstanding businesswomen honoured with Golden Rose Cup

A ceremony to present the Golden Rose Cup Award to 100 outstanding Vietnamese businesswomen in 2009 was held in Hanoi on March 7 in the presence of President Nguyen Minh Triet.

Vietnam and Malaysia to ink agreement on criminal prevention

Vietnam and Malaysia will sign a co-operative agreement on criminal prevention and combat, said Minister of Public Security Le Hong Anh at the end of his official visit to Malaysia.

President Triet hails role of Fatherland Front

President Nguyen Minh Triet has expressed satisfaction at the role played by the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) as an active aid to the President in promoting national unity.

Casting of Thanh Giong statue completed

The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and Hanoi municipal authorities on March 5 celebrated the completion of the casting of a statue of the legendary hero of Thanh Giong (Saint Giong) in Phu Linh commune, Soc Son district, Hanoi.

RoK ambassador honoured with friendship order

The Republic of Korea (RoK)’s outgoing ambassador has received the Vietnamese State’s Friendship Order for his contributions to enhancing bilateral friendship and multifaceted co-operation.

President urges Yen Bai to tap local strengths

President Nguyen Minh Triet urged the mountainous northern province of Yen Bai to tap all its strengths for the sake of economic development.

PM urges agencies to mobilise capital for infrastructure

Government bodies at all levels and localities should actively mobilise all capital resources for infrastructure projects, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in a national teleconference held on March 4.

RoK ambassador lauded for lifting bilateral ties

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on March 4 commended the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s outgoing Ambassador, Im Hong Jae, on his role in elevating bilateral relations to a new height.

People’s Army welcomes US Air Force top brass

Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army on March 4 received the Commander of the US Pacific Air Forces Gen. Gary North, who is on a working visit to Vietnam.

Lifting ties with India, Indonesia to new height

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong’s recent visits to India and Indonesia have created a new driving force to boost relations between Vietnam and the two Asian countries, said an official.

President Nguyen Minh Triet has emphasised the need for the northern mountainous province of Thai Nguyen to call for investment in its steel industry.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong and his entourage arrived in Hanoi on March 3, wrapping up their official visits to India and Indonesia .

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung urged ministries and localities to closely watch prices, especially on essential goods, to prevent the reoccurrence of high inflation and speed up economic recovery.