Voters
press for better transport infrastructure

Development of transport infrastructure was at the top of voters’ minds when
they met Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in the northern port city of Hai Phong’s
Hai An District yesterday, March 31.

Photo: Vietnam+

Voters
emphasised the concern during a meeting held to disseminate the results of the
ninth session of the 12th National Assembly.

Attendees applauded the great strides the Government had made in economic
growth, improving people’s living standards and increasing Viet Nam’s position
in the international arena.

They
asked the Government leader to promote the development of transport
infrastructure such as the sea port system and airlines. They also emphasised
concerns about price hikes and curbing inflation, administrative reform and
corruption.

Before a
large audience, Dung said that the session would help evaluate efficiency in the
work place, analyse the causes of any problems and draw lessons for making
improvements.

Dung
said that the Government and authorities at all levels spared no efforts to
stabilise and maintain economic growth while assuring social welfare.

The
Government urged ministries and agencies to build a comprehensive and modern sea
port system in Hai Phong City, develop Yen Lang Airport and upgrade the Ha
Noi-Hai Phong train route and the Ha Noi-Hai Phong Highway. This route was
considered as one of the keys to increasing the city’s economic exchanges.

On the
same day, the PM paid a visit to the Viet Nam-Singapore Economic Zone in Hai
Phong.

Vietnam respects right to religious freedom

The Vietnamese State’s consistent policy is to
respect and ensure the people’s right to religious freedom, said Foreign
Ministry Spokesperson Nguyen Phuong Nga.

Nga made the statement on March 31
while answering reporters’ questions on Vietnam’s reaction to information in a
Human Rights Watch (HRW) report issued on March 30 relating to the religious
situation in Vietnam.

“We reject incorrect information in
the HRW March 30 report,” she stressed.
In fact, the development of religions and plentiful religious activities of the
people, which have been appreciated by many foreign individuals and
organisations in particular and the international community in general, are of
freedom of religions and beliefs in Vietnam, the spokesperson said.

El Salvador FM welcomed in Vietnam

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia
Khiem held talks with his El Salvador counterpart Hugo Martinez Bonilla who is
on an official visit to Vietnam from March 30 to April 1.

During the talks, host and guest
informed each other of the situation in their countries, compared notes on
regional and international issues of common concern, and discussed measures to
promote the friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries as
well as the two foreign ministries.

Mr Khiem praised El Salvador’s
achievements during the process of national reconciliation and socio-economic
development in recent years while Mr Bonilla expressed his admiration for
Vietnam’s history, tradition and the significant achievements its people
recorded after 25 years of implementing the Doi Moi (Renewal) process which has
continuously raised Vietnam’s prestige and international status.

Both sides agreed to boost bilateral
cooperation in producing consumer goods, agriculture, science and technology,
culture, healthcare, education, training and telecommunication and support each
other in expanding their relations with other countries in Southeast Asia and
Central America.

In the near future, they will
increase exchange visits between ministries and sectors to deepen political
relations, promote mutual understanding and accelerate negotiations for the
signing of cooperation documents to create a legal foundation for promoting
economics, trade and investment as well as creating the best possible conditions
for businesses to have access to the markets and establish a direct partnership.

The two leaders also agreed that the
two countries will continue to support each other at international forums and
organisations such as the WTO and the Forum for East Asia-Latin America
Cooperation (FEALAC).

On the occasion, Mr Bonilla invited
Mr Khiem to visit his country and his invitation was accepted with pleasure.

After the talks, the two FMs signed
an agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders and
a Memorandum of Understanding on building a mechanism for bilateral consultation
between the two foreign ministries.

Female NA candidates improves skills

A course was held in the south-central province of
Khanh Hoa from March 29-31 to provide basic knowledge and necessary skills for
female candidates to the 13th National Assembly (NA).

Seventeen female candidates, who will run for parliamentary seats for the first
time, from the Central Highland provinces of Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak and Lam
Dong and the south-central provinces of Phu Yen, Ninh Thuan and Khanh Hoa
attended the course, organised by the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU).

Along with symposiums on operations of the NA and NA deputies, and women
engaging in political affairs, participants were introduced to methods to map
out action plans, listening skills and how to answer questions raised by voters,
plus how to lobby via mass media.

Talking with the candidates on March 31, VWU Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa
said the Party and State always highly value the role of women in the process of
national construction and development, reflecting the importance of women in
socio-political affairs in general and in the NA in particular.

Hoa, who is also a member of the Party Central Committee, advised the candidates
to show self-confidence during the electoral campaign.

NA Office delegation visits Laos

A delegation from the Office of the Vietnam National
Assembly led by its Chairman Tran Dinh Dan paid a working visit to Laos from
March 28-31.

On the final day of their visit, the
Vietnamese delegation was received by Prime Minister Thoongsinh Thammavong, who
thanked the Vietnam NA for having supported its Lao counterpart in recent times.

He expressed his wish that the two
NAs in general and the two NA offices in particular would strengthen their close
cooperation in order to achieve greater results.

Earlier, the Vietnamese guests held
talks with a delegation of the Lao National Assembly Office led by Chairman
Thongteun Sayasen.

They highlighted the effective
cooperation between the two sides, especially in personnel training and in
ensuring the progress of a Vietnamese NA project to build the headquarters of
the Lao NA Office, which is due to be completed this July.

In the future, the two sides will
continue strengthening personnel training cooperation and enhancing exchanges of
NA deputies from provinces sharing the borderline, and jointly prepare for the
debut of Laos’ “People’s Deputy” weekly in early 2012.

On the same day, Lao NA Vice
Chairman Saysomphon Phomvihane received the delegation.

Ha Tinh seeks closer ties with Lao localities

A senior officer from Ha Tinh said that the central
province will tighten ties with Lao localities for the long-term benefit of
special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

Nguyen Thanh Binh, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of
the provincial People’s Council, made this statement during his meeting with Lao
Vice President Bounhang Volachit and Prime Minister Thoongsinh Thammavong on
March 31.
He congratulated them on the success of the 9 th Congress of the Lao People’s
Revolutionary Party and informed them of the province’s plan to cooperate with
Bolikhamxay and Khammuane in the areas of technology transfer, cattle breeding,
tree plantation, education and health care.
The Lao leaders highly valued the assistance of Ha Tinh authorities to many
projects in Bolikhamxay province.

VNN/VOV/VNS