Meeting marks 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Cuba
diplomatic ties

A meeting to mark the 50th anniversary of
Vietnam-Cuba diplomatic ties was held at the Ho Chi Minh City Theatre on
November 30.

Photo: Vietnam+

At the meeting, Chairman of the HCM
City People’s Council, Pham Phuong Thao, said over the past three decades since
the city was liberated, Vietnam and Cuba have always stood side by side in their
national construction and defence towards socialism.

The relationship between the two
countries has been strengthened and expanded in many fields, Thao said. The
co-operative relations between HCM City and Cuba have achieved significant
progress in fields, such as biotechnology, genetic technology, and
infrastructure. The city will do at its best to foster co-operative relations
between the two countries for mutual benefit.

Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam,
Fredesman Gonzalez, expressed his delight at fine development of Vietnam-Cuba
ties. The two countries have helped and supported each other to overcome
difficulties. Economic, trade, investment, cultural, educational, healthcare and
scientific technological co-operation has been promoted in line with the fine
development of political ties between the two countries.

Fifty years of links with Cuba marked

The traditional friendship and co-operation shown between
the parties, governments and peoples of Viet Nam and Cuba will be strengthened
and developed further, said Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, while
emphasising the historical significance of 50 years of bilateral diplomatic ties
at a talk on the fraternal solidarity and comprehensive co-operation between
both countries in Ha Noi yesterday, Nov 29.

The Cuban Ambassador to Viet Nam, Fredesman
Turro Gonzalez, stressed that the relationship between Cuba and Viet Nam had
remained strong over five turbulent decades with bilateral friendly and
fraternal ties based on mutual trust and assistance as well as a consensus on
politics.

Themed “Viet Nam-Cuba traditional
friendship over the past 50 years,” and “Viet Nam-Cuba relations in the new
era”, the participants discussed and recalled the help the Cuban people provided
Viet Nam during its struggle for national liberation and socialism.

The participants highlighted achievements
made in bilateral relations and co-operation in various areas such as politics,
trade, science-technology and culture.

The relationship had set an example in
international ties and become a national treasure, which needed to be preserved
over the generations as an immortal symbol of true internationalism and a
treasure for the younger generations of Jose Marti and Ho Chi Minh, they said.

Anti-corruption fight to boost transparency

An anti-corruption campaign will be launched next month
by the Government Inspectorate and the World Bank.

The programme, aimed at strengthening
public integrity and legal enforcement, has been titled the Viet Nam
Anti-Corruption Initiative Programme 2011 (VACI 2011).

The Government Inspectorate has decided to
hold the campaign every two years from now until 2015.

“Strengthening public integrity will focus
on improving transparency and morality in public work,” said Deputy Inspector
General Tran Duc Luong at a workshop to introduce the campaign yesterday.

He said the scheme, first introduced in
2009, was good chance for people to make suggestions and exchange fresh and
innovative ideas on fighting corruption.

VACI 2011 will be divided into two main
activities – a competition to produce feasible ideas for battling corruption,
strengthen public integrity and legal enforcement, and a forum for exchanging
experiences and legal knowledge.

Vietnam opens second Honorary Consulate in Japan

Vietnam‘s decision to open its second Honorary
Consulate in Kushiro in Japan marks a new development in the strategic
partnership between the two countries.

Vietnam’s first Honorary Consulate
was inaugurated in Nagoya, Aichi prefecture in early November.

Vietnam’s diplomatic representative
offices have been expanded to many parts in Japan, including the embassy in
Tokyo, a Consulate General in Osaka (Kansai prefecture) and in Fukuoka (Kyushu
prefecture) and two the honorary consulates in Nagoya (Aichi prefecture)
and in Kushiro city (Hokkaido prefecture).

The Mayor of Kushiro said the
opening of Vietnamese Honorary Consulate is a great honour for Kushiro and his
administration will do its best to help Taro Nakajima, honorary consul in
Kushiro fulfill his task during his term of office.

For his part, Mr Nakajima expressed
his wish to promote the training of Vietnamese post graduates and boost
Vietnamese tourism in Kushiro.

On the occasion, a seminar was held
by the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan to highlight the Vietnam-Japan relationship
as well as opportunities to promote Vietnam’s trade, investment and tourism in
Kushiro.

The event attracted 200 delegates
and local businesses.

Activities mark Laos’ 35th National Day

A series of activities to celebrate the 35th
National Day of Laos and the 450th birthday of Vientiane capital took place in
central Quang Nam province on Nov. 29.

The activities were held by the Lao Consulate
General in central Da Nang city, the Quang Nam provincial chapter of the Union
of Friendship Organizations and the liaison committee for Vietnamese former
volunteer soldiers in Laos.
In the afternoon of the same day, Vansa Launhiada, Lao Consul General in Da Nang
along with representatives of sectors and mass organisations of Quang Nam
province, offered incense at the provincial martyrs’ cemetery to commemorate the
two countries’ heroic martyrs who sacrificed their lives for national
liberation.
Following the ceremony, the delegation went to the Laos Lower resistance zone in
the war against the French colonialists in Tam Vinh commune, now known as Phu
Thinh town, Phu Ninh district, Quang Nam province.
During the stay, Launhida expressed his appreciation for the precious support of
Vietnam in the new period, including projects of strategic importance for the
socio-economic development of the country.
He said that the Lao people always keep in mind beautiful images of
Vietnam-Laos’ fighting alliance in the struggle for national independence as
well as national construction and defence at present.
The Lao economy enjoyed a stable GDP growth at 7.1 percent during 2009-2010, an
income per capita of 1,000 USD per year, a reducing rate of poor households to
21.6 percent and the country has established diplomatic ties with 130 countries
around the world.
On this occasion, 15 scholarships and 20 bicycles were presented to poor and
outstanding students in Phu Ninh district.

VNN/VOV/VNS