55th
anniversary of Vietnam-Indonesia diplomatic ties celebrated

The 55th anniversary of Vietnam-Indonesia diplomatic
ties was celebrated on December 30 by the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship
Organisations.

Speaking at the function, Chairman of the
Vietnam-Indonesia Friendship Association, Luong Van Ly praised the friendly
relations of the two neighbouring countries, fostered by President Ho Chi Minh
and former Indonesian President Sukarno.

Vietnam always regards Indonesia as its important
strategic partner in the region, and wants to boost the cooperation and friendly
relations with the country within the regional and international cooperation
framework, said Mr Ly.

Annual two-way trade turnover between the two
countries reaches more than US$2 billion. During the 2001-2009 period, Vietnam’s
exports to Indonesia soared by 26 percent/year while Indonesia’s exports to
Vietnam also increased by 30 percent.

Both sides have cooperated in resolving regional
and international issues and organised cultural and sports exchange programmes
to further strengthen their friendship. Every year, Indonesia provides Vietnam
with short-term, mid-term and long-term scholarships for language and culture.

In his speech, Indonesian Consul General Bambang
Tarsanto highlighted the close-knit relationship between the two countries as
saying that as ASEAN members, Vietnam and Indonesia share the same views on
forming an ASEAN community and making positive contributions to peace, security,
stability and prosperity in Southeast Asia as well as in the Asia Pacific region
and the world.

Vice President welcomes outstanding overseas
students

Vice State President Nguyen Thi Doan received
delegation of 52 returning overseas students from the USA, Japan, England and
other countries on December 29 in Hanoi.

The students told the Vice
President about their contributions in promoting Vietnam’s image to their
foreign friends. They said they will study hard to then return to work in
Vietnam.

Ms Doan praised the students’
academic achievements and said they represented Vietnam’s traditional respect
for learning. She added they had an important role in producing Vietnamese
culture and history to the world.

She asked the students to foster
their sense of solidarity and uphold the nation’s traditions to further
contribute to the country’s future development.

Vietnam cares deeply about its
young generation and aims to create best conditions for them, she added.

On December 29, the delegation of
overseas students also participated in the Festival of Overseas Students to
celebrate the New Year 2011 at the Temple of Literature.

Hanoi’s
NA deputies commemorate first general election

Generations of the National Assembly deputies of
Hanoi met in the capital on December 29 to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the
first General Election of the Vietnam National Assembly (January 6, 1946).

Addressing the meeting, NA President Nguyen Phu
Trong said that the date was a milestone of Vietnamese politics and the Vietnam
National Assembly was formed based on Ho Chi Minh’s thoughts on the role of
people, democracy and a socialist law-governed state.

Ngo Thi Doan Thanh, Head of the Hanoi deputies
delegation, said the National Assembly has completed its mission at every stage
of history and its operations are becoming increasingly effective, thereby
contributing to the revolutionary cause and winning support from voters
nationwide.

Ms Thanh recalled the first-term National
Assembly which formed a coalition government of resistance, endorsed the first
Constitution of 1946, and enacted many important policies for building the
Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

Throughout its 12 terms, the NA has constantly
improved its quality in terms of intellect, organization and activities.

At the meeting, the former deputies highlighted
the recent innovations in the NA, which they said have made the NA the most
powerful state agency that represents the will and aspiration of the people.

VNA promotes
Vietnam-China traditional ties

VNN/VOV/VNS