Category: Politics

A ceremony to repatriate two sets of remains believed to be of US soldier listed as missing in action (MIA) from the war in Vietnam was held at the Da Nang International Airport in the central city of Da Nang on April 16.

The ceremony, the 164th of its kind, saw the attendance of Deputy Defence Minister Hoang Xuan Chien, Assistant Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu, representatives from the ministries of defence, foreign affairs and public security and the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP). On the US side were US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper, US Defence Attaché to Vietnam Thomas Bouchillon and representatives of the US MIA Office in Hanoi.

The remains were found as the result of the 154th joint field activity which lasted from February to April 2024. Vietnamese forensic specialists examined the remains and determined that they might belong to US MIAs from the war in Vietnam.

The joint efforts of the two governments to search and account for US MIAs since the late 1980s have to date
identify over 720 US MIAs.

On this occasion, Deputy Defence Minister Chien hosted a reception for US Ambassador Knapper, during which he highly appreciated the US’ help for Vietnam to overcome the consequences of war, including raising the budget for the dioxin detoxification project at Bien Hoa airport to 300 million USD; supporting people with disabilities in localities affected by Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin; conducting mine clearance; and cooperating in searching for Vietnamese soldiers who died or went missing during the war.

He proposed that the two sides coordinate to early sign a memorandum of understanding on overcoming the consequences of war in Vietnam.

Ambassador Knapper affirmed that the US Government is committed at the highest level to supporting Vietnam in overcoming the consequences of war, especially in completely cleaning up dioxin contamination at Bien Hoa airport and transferring DNA examination technology for identifying Vietnamese martyrs’ remains.

He also expressed a wish to work clos
ely with Vietnam to hold activities to mark the 30th anniversary of the normalisation of relations and establishment of diplomatic relationship between the US and Vietnam (1995-2025), the 50th year since the end of the war in Vietnam (1975-2025) and 80 years since the first contact between Viet Minh and the US

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnam is confident in its candidacy for re-election to the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) for the 2026 – 2028 tenure, the Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and other international organisations in Geneva, Ambassador Mai Phan Dung said while talking about the country’s contributions to the HRC’s 55th session.

The 55th session took place from February 26 to April 4, making it the longest session of the HRC so far. It considered over 80 reports and discussed a wide range of areas related to human rights, from climate change, the right to food, gender equality to such issues as impacts of the conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine, and other regions in the world on the enjoyment of human rights.

Concluding the session, the HRC adopted 32 resolutions and two decisions, approved 14 states’ national reports under the HRC’s fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism, and appointed personnel for 14 special procedures of the HRC in vario
us areas, said Dung.

He told the Vietnam News Agency that the delegation of Vietnam, an HRC member in the 2023 – 2025 tenure, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, actively participated in the session’s discussions and making of decisions.

Speaking at the session’s high-level segment, Minister Son highlighted Vietnam’s efforts and achievements in economic, cultural, and social development that have helped ensure social security and people’s full enjoyment of human rights. He also shared the country’s viewpoint on and approach to issues of the international community’s common concern. He stressed the requirement for maintaining and respecting peace, stability and international law; promoting mutual respect and understanding, tolerance, inclusiveness and unanimity; respecting differences, dialogue and cooperation; putting people at the centre of every policy; and ensuring inclusive and sustainable development.

The minister re-affirmed the priorities of Vietnam as an HRC member and also called for
other states’ support for Vietnam’s re-election to the HRC in the 2026 – 2028 tenure, according to Dung.

The ambassador noted that during the session, apart from its national speeches, Vietnam also actively joined in the drafting and delivered addresses on different topics on behalf of four groups of states.

The country represented the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Timor Leste to give a speech at the dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food. It represented the Core Group of the resolution on climate change and human rights (including Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Vietnam) at the dialogue on the report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on measures for mitigating climate change impacts on the enjoyment of the right to food. On behalf of 22 states in different regions, Vietnam delivered a speech at a general debate on the protection of people’s essential infrastructure in armed conflicts. As a representative of 63 states, it gave an address at another general
debate on accelerating the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals to boost gender equality.

All those issues were priorities of Vietnam and also high on the international community’s concern and priority, Dung went on, adding that the support and co-sponsorship of the speeches by many states reflected their high evaluation of Vietnam’s role, voice, and capacity of promoting dialogue on human rights-related issues at the HRC.

He affirmed that with the country’s role and stature, its active and responsible engagement in the HRC during the 2023 – 2025 tenure, and the international community’s high evaluation of its participation in multilateral forums, most recently its election to the Executive Board of the Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) for the 2025 – 2027 tenure, there are grounds to be confident on other states’ support for Vietnam’s candidacy for re-election to the HRC in the 2026 – 2028 tenure./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh paid homage to General Vo Nguyen Giap and met with families of soldiers fighting in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign and policy beneficiaries in Muong Phang commune of Dien Bien Phu city, the northwestern province of Dien Bien, on April 16.

The activity was part of events held in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the historic Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954 – 2024).

At the Dien Bien Phu Campaign Headquarters relic site, PM Chinh and other officials offered incense in commemoration of General Vo Nguyen Giap, Commander-in-chief of the Vietnam People’s Army and also direct commander of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, and the soldiers who laid down their lives for the victory.

The delegation also visited an exhibition hall on the life and military career of General Giap and the Muong Phang historical relic site – the base of the Campaign Headquarters for 105 days, from January 31 to May 15, 1954. At this place, Giap and others of the Campaign Command made decisive instructions and
orders, culminating in the order for launching a general offensive across the battlefield on May 7, 1954, leading to the victory that ‘resounded across the five continents and shook the globe’.

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PM Pham Minh Chinh presents gifts to families of Dien Bien soldiers and policy beneficial families from Muong Phang and Pa Khoang communes on April 16. (Photo: VNA)

Meeting with 20 families of Dien Bien soldiers and policy beneficial families from Muong Phang and Pa Khoang communes, PM Chinh thanked people of the two communes and nearby localities for protecting and taking care of the Campaign Headquarters relic, which he said reflected the close-knit ties between the military and civilians in Vietnam.

He asked authorities of Dien Bien province and Dien Bien Phu city to continue promoting socio-economic development in Muong Phang. He also requested that they preserve and bring into play the values of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign Headquarters r
elic site to help educate people on patriotism and former generations’ undaunted spirit in national defence, develop historical tourism, and uphold cultural identities of local ethnic groups.

On this occasion, the Government leader also presented 100 million VND (over 3,900 USD) to the education promotion fund of Muong Phang commune to support disadvantaged students./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang had a meeting with First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel in Havana on April 15.

The Vietnamese official congratulated Cuba on its significant achievements obtained amid numerous difficulties and challenges. He affirmed Vietnam’s consistent solidarity with and support for Cuba as well as objection to the embargo against the Caribbean nation.

He informed his host about the outcomes of his talks and working sessions with Cuban Government leaders and made some suggestions for pushing ahead with the comprehensive, substantive, and effective cooperation between the two countries.

The Deputy PM stressed the need to devise mechanisms and measures for tackling difficulties, further promoting bilateral economic, trade and investment ties, and fruitfully implementing joint projects, especially in agriculture, thus helping strengthen the countries’ friendship and all-round partnerships.

Welcoming Quang on the firs
t official visit to Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel stated that the Cuba – Vietnam relations are special and have continually been reinforced on the basis of mutual trust, with their strategic importance affirmed in the current context.

He congratulated Vietnam on its recent political – diplomatic and socioeconomic attainments while appreciating the Vietnamese Party, Government, and people’s assistance for his country through the stable rice supply and technical support in terms of rice and fisheries production.

The host leader praised joint ventures and investment projects with Vietnamese enterprises, which have effectively contributed to Cuba’s economic stability and development.

Cuba always pays attention to and provides optimal conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to do business and invest in such fields as trading, consumer goods production, renewable energy, construction material, and industrial park infrastructure, he stated.

Miguel Diaz-Canel expressed his hope that more Vietnamese firms will cooperate w
ith Cuba in agriculture, food processing, energy, automobile industry, bio-pharmaceutical production and health services to tap into each country’s advantages and herald a new period of cooperation for common development.

At the meeting, Quang also conveyed Vietnamese leaders’ invitation to Miguel Diaz-Canel to pay a visit to Vietnam.

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The meeting between Deputy PM Tran Luu Quang and Cuban PM Manuel Marrero Cruz in Havana on April 15 (Photo: VNA)

Meeting with Cuban PM Manuel Marrero Cruz the same day, the visiting Deputy PM noted that leaders of the Vietnamese Party and State always keep a close watch on Cuba’s situation and share the Caribbean country’s successes as well as difficulties and challenges on the path of national development and protection.

Vietnam, within its capacity, will continue standing side by side with and assisting Cuba, he remarked, stressing its consistent solidarity with and support for the latter, alo
ng with objection to the embargoes against the country.

The Cuban PM applauded the Southeast Asian nation’s role as the biggest Asian-Pacific investor in Cuba and the second biggest in the Mariel Special Development Zone.

He asked the two Governments to keep enhancing coordination in implementing high-level agreements and the outcomes of the 41st session of the Inter-Governmental Committee.

Calling on Vietnam to encourage its enterprises to increase investment and business activities in Cuba, he affirmed that the Cuban Government will work out mechanisms and measures for facilitating activities of Vietnamese firms, thereby benefiting enterprises and people of both countries and contributing to local socio-economic development.

At the meeting with Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Deputy PM Quang said Vietnam believes that with its traditional heroism and dauntlessness, Cuba will manage to weather difficulties and challenges and harvest greater achievements.

The Cuban Foreign Min
ister appreciated the attention and support from Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, other leaders, the Government, and people of Vietnam for his country in food and fisheries production and at international forums as well.

As part of the official visit, Deputy PM Quang laid floral tributes to President Ho Chi Minh at a park named after the late Vietnamese leader in Havana, as well as to Cuban hero Jose Marti at his monument.

He also visited Vietnamese projects at the Mariel Special Development Zone and had a meeting with Vietnamese enterprises and people in Cuba.

Quang is set to visit the Vo Thi Thang Primary School and the Fidel Castro Ruz Centre, where the late Cuban leader’s legacy is preserved./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

A symposium held in the central province of Ha Tinh on April 16 highlighted Tran Phu, the first General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, as a faithful and undaunted communist and an eminent figure of Vietnam.

The event was held by the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA), the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education, and the Party Committee of Ha Tinh province – the hometown of Tran Phu, on the occasion of his 120th birth anniversary (May 1, 1904 – 2024).

Addressing the event, Nguyen Xuan Thang, Politburo member, Director of the HCMA and Chairman of the Central Theory Council, described the life, honourable revolutionary career, and enormous dedications of Tran Phu as precious heritage contributing to the glorious history of the Party.

His revolutionary morality, faithfulness, and undauntedness set an ever-shining example for generations of cadres, Party members, and people of all social strata to follow, Thang noted.

The official added that the symposium
was also a tribute to Tran Phu, who dedicated his entire life to the revolutionary cause of the Party and people, and helped educate cadres, Party members, and people, especially the young, on revolutionary traditions.

Speeches delivered at the events shed light on the process during which Tran Phu turned from a patriot into a communist, his role as the first Party General Secretary, his faithfulness and undauntedness as a communist, his role as an excellent disciple of President Ho Chi Minh and an eminent figure of Vietnam, and the promotion of his revolutionary spirit in the current context./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received visiting CEO of Apple Tim Cook in Hanoi on April 16, who he once met in the US in September 2022.

The Government leader said the growing Vietnam-US relations, which have been upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership, lay the foundation for bilateral cooperation across all fields, particularly science-technology, innovation, high-quality human resource training, semiconductors, and digital transformation.

He suggested that the Silicon Valley giant voice support calling for the US’s early recognition of Vietnam’s market economy and removal of the Southeast Asian nation from its high-tech export restriction list.

The PM affirmed that Vietnam creates all favorable conditions, accompanies, and supports enterprises, including foreign-invested ones, to operate effectively and sustainably in the country.

Appreciating Apple’s significant contribution to Vietnam’s development, Chinh expressed his wish for the conglomerate to expand investment cooperation with Vietna
m, helping the country participate more deeply in its domestic and global production, supply, and value chains based on the spirit of harmonious interests and shared risks.

The Vietnamese Government is ready to cooperate with Apple to establish a task force facilitating such expansion, the leader said, with his guest expressing the company’s willingness to participate.

Chinh went on suggesting Apple enhance support and advice to Vietnam in sci-tech development and innovation, promote cooperation and linkage with innovation centres and software parks in Vietnam, and offer scholarships for Vietnamese students in IT, programming, electronics, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence (AI). He called upon the tech giant to assist Vietnam in training high-quality engineers, including 50,000 ones for the semiconductor industry.

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At the meeting in Hanoi on April 16 (Photo: VNA)

Impressed by Vietnam’s development process and the presence of Apple products in the coun
try, Cook told his host that there is still significant room for cooperation between the sides, and better results can be achieved in the future.

With two legal entities in Vietnam, over 70 manufacturing partners producing original equipment, 40 distribution partners, and over 5,000 authorised stores, Apple has provided jobs for about 200,000 workers.

Apple hopes to further strengthen investment activities in the country, particularly in developing high-tech products and applications, said the CEO.

He noted Apple is ready to cooperate with Vietnam in energy transition toward net-zero emissions by 2050, and to participate in exporting Vietnamese cultural values to the world through its products and applications on the App Store./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency