General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping in Beijing, China, October 2022. (Source: VNA)

On March 10, Vietnamese Party, State and National Assembly leaders sent messages of congratulations to Chinese leaders, who were freshly elected at the first session of 14th National People's Congress (NPC).

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam's Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong; and President and Chairman of the Council of National Defence and Security Vo Van Thuong extended their congratulations to Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China’s Central Committee, President of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and Chairman of the PRC Central Military Commission. National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue congratulated Zhao Leji, Chairman of the 14th NPC Standing Committee. On the occasion, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan also sent a congratulatory message to her Chinese counterpart Han Zheng.

On March 11, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh send a message of congratulations to Li Qiang on his election as Premier of China at the first session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC).

On March 12, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, who is Chairman of the Steering Committee for Vietnam - China Bilateral Cooperation, sent a congratulatory message to Qin Gang, who was appointed as State Councillor at the first session of 14th National People's Congress (NPC) of China.

On March 10, President Vo Van Thuong sent a message congratulations to Mr. Petr Pavel on the occasion of his inauguration as President of the Czech Republic.

On March 6, President Vo Van Thuong sent a message of condolences to his Greek counterpart Katerina Sakellaropoulou over a recent serious train crash in the city of Larisa. The same day, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son sent his condolences to the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias.

On March 10, receiving US Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh applauded USAID for continuing to increase development budget for Vietnam. The Prime Minister suggested USAID continue strengthening its support for Vietnam to overcome war consequences, especially in decontaminating Agent Orange/dioxin, bombs and mines clearance; step up cooperation in climate change, healthcare, education, high-quality human resource development, and help Fulbright University Vietnam become a regional training centre; and promote green and digital transformation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh receives USAID Administrator Samantha Power in Hanoi on March 10, 2023. (Photo: VNA)

On March 9, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a conference on the implementation of the Government’s action programme materialising a directive by the Party Central Committee's Secretariat on economic diplomacy and its key tasks this year. The Action programme was issued for the 2022-2026 period in response to the Party Secretariat’s Directive No. 15-CT/TW dated August 8, 2022 on economic diplomacy for national development by 2030.

Attending the conference in hybrid format were Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Industry and Trade, Agriculture and Rural Development, Science and Technology, leaders of People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities as well as 94 Ambassadors, Heads of Vietnamese representative Missions abroad and leaders of key associations and enterprises.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Chinh emphasised the important role by diplomats, Ambassadors, Chiefs of the Vietnamese representative Missions and Trade Counsellors in the Party’s foreign policies, including economic diplomacy, amid the rapid, complex and unpredictable developments in the global situation. The Prime Minister also emphasised the need to utilise free trade agreements, and consider establishing long-term, stable economic-trade cooperation frameworks with potential partners, stay updated on the market, step up investment promotion, and connect domestic firms with foreign partners.

On March 7, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended and spoke at the Vietnam-Japan High-Level Economic Seminar themed "New possibilities of the Vietnam-Japan relationship towards the future" on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties (September 21, 1973 - 2023). Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said 50 years after the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties, the Vietnam - Japan friendship and cooperation have been unceasingly reinforced and developing in various fields. The Vietnamese Government will always stand side by side with and create the best possible conditions for Japanese investors to make successful, sustainable, and long-term investment in the country, he emphasised, considering their success as Vietnam’s.

High-levels economic seminar on promoting Vietnam-Japan relations in Hanoi, on March 7, 2023. (Photo: WVR)

On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received a visiting delegation of Japanese economic organisations, who were in Vietnam to attend the Vietnam-Japan high-level economic seminar.

On March 6, receiving Secretary-General of Japan's National Security Secretariat Akiba Takeo, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said Vietnam consistently considers Japan as a long-term, trustworthy, leading important and strategic partner. He wished that Japan would make increasingly positive contributions in the region and the world, especially in its capacity as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2023-2024 tenure and G7 President in 2023, for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation and development.

On March 7, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue received a delegation from the Japan Federation of Economic Organizations (Keidanren) who were in Vietnam to attend a high-level economic seminar on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (September 21). National Assembly Chairman Hue expressed his delight at the strong and comprehensive development of the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership with high political trust. The National Assembly Chairman has lauded the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) and Japanese corporate leaders for promoting economic, trade and investment ties between the two countries.

On March 10, on the occasion of Mr. Paul Mashatile's appointment as Vice President of the Republic of South Africa, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan sent a congratulatory message.

On March 8, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan met with female Ambassadors, Chief representatives of international organisations in Vietnam on the occasion of International Women’s Day. The Vice President said that she hoped through culture, the female ambassadors and chief representatives of international organisations in Vietnam will continue to connect and promote friendship and cooperation with Vietnam for peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

On March 10, Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) agreed to lift two-way trade to 100 billion USD right in 2023 and 150 billion USD by 2030 at the second Vietnam-RoK Deputy Prime Ministerial level economic cooperation dialogue taking place at the Government headquarters. The event was co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai and his Korean counterpart Choo Kyung-ho. The two sides discussed and reached consensus on cooperation contents in trade, energy and infrastructure, development cooperation, information-technology and investment, health care and labour.

On March 9, receiving US Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Marisa Lago, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang expressed his belief that the visit, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership, will contribute to opening up more cooperation opportunities for the two countries in the future.

On March 8, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang received a delegation of Japan’s Kyushu Economic Federation, led by Honorary Chairman Aso Yutaka. The Deputy Prime Minister congratulated the delegation on the inauguration of the Kyushu promotion centre in Hanoi, believing that the centre will be helpful in developing the cooperation between Kyushu region and Vietnam. He recommended both sides cooperate to export Vietnamese agricultural products that are in demand in Japan and called for Japanese experts’ assistance in transferring farm produce processing technologies so that Vietnam can meet Japan’s import standards.

On March 8, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang received Ye Liaoning, Chairman of the Sunny Optical Technology Group of China, which is currently investing in the northern province of Thai Nguyen. The Deputy Prime Minister suggested the Chinese group have plans to invest in other localities to create its ecosystem in Vietnam, and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese high-tech enterprises to participate in its auxiliary equipment supply chain. With an investment of 2-2.5 billion USD, the Sunny Group can establish a high-tech research and development centre in Thai Nguyen to immediately apply new technologies in production and to easily transfer the technologies to Vietnam, Deputy Prime Minister Quang recommended.

On March 9, receiving Ms. Rana Flowers, Representative of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Vietnam, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha said the Vietnamese Party and State always prioritise the work of protecting, caring for, and educating children. According to him, Vietnam now has three national target programmes with a comprehensive focus on education, healthcare, and social issues, particularly caring for vulnerable groups, including children and women. UNICEF could help Vietnam develop a set of child well-being indicators up to international standards, he suggested.

On March 10, receiving Yoshiaki Yokota, Managing Executive Officer and Chief Executive Officer for Energy & Infrastructure Solution Group at Marubeni, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha highly valued the Corporation’s production projects and business results, especially in the field of energy, in Vietnam. The Deputy Prime Minister pledged maximum support for Marubeni Corporation to shift its projects using new and modern technology to Vietnam.

Activities of the Foreign Minister

On March 12, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son sent a congratulatory message to State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Qin Gang on the occasion of being appointed by the first session of the 14th National People's Congress of China.

On March 10, in Hanoi, receiving former Prime Minister of the UK and President of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) Tony Blair, FM Bui Thanh Son said Vietnam attaches importance to effectively pooling and using external resources for sustainable national development. Vietnam wishes to continue receiving support and assistance from international partners in terms of capital, technology, and experience while ensuring a harmonious balance of interests among all parties.

On March 10, FM Bui Thanh Son received USAID Administrator Samantha Power. Highly appreciating the sound coordination between USAID and Vietnamese agencies and sectors, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Foreign Minister expressed his delight at the strong growth of the Vietnam-US ties. USAID has actively contributed to Vietnam's socio-economic development through development assistance projects in war aftermath recovery, health care, education, and governance capacity building for localities and businesses, he said.

On March 10, receiving Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Nong Rong in Hanoi, FM Bui Thanh Son welcomed China’s inclusion of Vietnam on pilot list to open group tours from March 15, suggesting the two sides facilitate the exchange of tourists, and effectively and sustainably exploit their extensive potential for tourism cooperation for mutual benefits.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son receives former Prime Minister of the UK and President of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) Tony Blair in Hanoi, on March 10, 2023. (Photo: WVR/Quang Hoa)

On March 6, receiving Secretary-General of Japan's National Security Secretariat Akiba Takeo, Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that Vietnam consistently considers Japan as a reliable, important and long-term strategic partner, sharing many common strategic interests; support Japan in promoting its role in the region and in the world, contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region.

On March 6, receiving Korean Ambassador Oh Young Ju, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son asked the Ambassador to create favorable conditions for Vietnam to export agricultural and aquatic products to the Korean market.

Bilateral activities

On March 10, Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu held talks with Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Nong Rong. The two sides agreed to fully implement the high-level agreements, to prepare well for the 15th session of the Steering Committee for Vietnam - China Bilateral Cooperation, and to promote cooperation between the two countries.

On March 9, meeting with US Under Secretary of Commerce Marisa Lago, Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc emphasized that Vietnamese enterprises are interested in investing in the US market, suggesting the US Department of Commerce and related agencies to support these businesses to continue to develop successfully, for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

On March 8, Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Hieu received Mr. Aso Yutaka, Honorary President of Kyushu Economic Federation.

On March 7, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper, and Vice Minister of the Ministry of National Defense (MND) Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien announced a new contract of up to 73 million USD to treat and clean soil at Bien Hoa Air Base. This program has been implemented as the two countries mark 10 years of the Comprehensive Partnership. Standing on a recently remediated parcel of land at Bien Hoa Air Base, the representatives of the two countries marked recent progress and announced the next stage of bilateral efforts to remediate dioxin contamination.

On March 8, Assistant Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu led the inter-ministerial delegation to lay a wreath at the memorial stele for 15 Algerian journalists and 7 Vietnamese journalists, 2 diplomats and 3 crew members who died in a plane crash in Soc Son district in 1974. This is an annual activity jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to pay tribute to those who have sacrificed for the traditional friendship between the two countries.

On March 8, Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Vinh led a delegation of the Vietnamese Embassy in Algeria visited the memorial site on the street named Journalistes du Vietnam 8/3/1974 in Algiers capital city to commemorate the Algerian journalists who died in a plane crash on the outskirts of Hanoi in 1974.

On March 7, receiving Director General of Political Affairs Department of the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Petar Mihatov, Assistant Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu asked Croatia to act for the EU's early removal of the IUU yellow card for Vietnamese seafood export.

Multilateral activities

On March 9, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnam Society of International Law held a workshop in Hanoi to discuss the role of the United Nations International Law Commission (ILC) in codification and progressive development of international law. In his opening remarks, Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu emphasised the role of international law in relations among countries, along with the ILC’s role in codification and progressive development of international law.

Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang attends 5th UN Conference on Least Developed Countries in Doha, Qatar. (Photo: WVR)

From March 5-8, attending the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) in Doha, Qatar, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang suggested improving internal capacity and national competitiveness on the basis of strengths and characteristics of each least developed country from March 5-8. The Deputy FM used this occasion to share Vietnam’s experience in socio-economic development, during which internal and external forces are combined together and people are taken as the centre, momentum and target. Vietnam is willing to work as a bridge between development partners and the LDCs, especially through the South-South and tripartite cooperation models, she affirmed.

While in Doha, Deputy FM held meetings with bilateral and multilateral partners such as the Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment, the Foreign Ministers of India, Benin, Uganda and Eswatini, and Deputy Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan and Venezuela, the World Bank Vice President and the UNESCO Deputy Director General.

On this occasion, the Deputy FM Le Thi Thu Hang paid a courtersy call to Qatar's Minister of Labour Ali Bin Saeed Bin Smaikh Al Marri; held talks with Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Soltan bin Saad al-Muraikhi; had a working session with Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Qatar (the body chairing the Qatar Division in the Vietnam-Qatar Joint Committee) Sultan Bin Rashid Al Khater, met with the First Vice President of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Twar Al- Kuwari.

On March 7, on the occasion of International Women's Day, March 8, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mozambique (Chairman of the Security Council in March 2023) discussed about theme "Women, Peace and Security: Towards the 25th Anniversary of Resolution 1325". On October 31, 2000, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1325 which was the first on women, peace and security (WPS). The event was attended by representatives from nearly 90 member countries. According to Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), at the session, Vietnam calls on the international community to enhance cooperation and coordinate policies in order to ensure women’s rights and gender equality.

On March 6, following the ASEAN Senior Officials (SOM) Meetings, Ambassador Vu Ho, Acting Head of SOM ASEAN Vietnam led the Vietnamese delegation to attend the 35th ASEAN-US Dialogue Meetings, 25th ASEAN-India SOM, ASEAN+3 SOM (with China, Japan, Korea) and East Asia Summit SOM (with China, Japan, Korea, Russia, USA, India, Australia, New Zealand) on March 7-8 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

From March 6-10, Vietnamese delegation led by Ambassador Nguyen Trung Kien, Governor - Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), was attending a regular meeting of the Agency’s Board of Governors in Vienna. The Vietnamese representatives joined discussions on draft reports on security, safety and the application of nuclear technology in 2023. They also reiterated Vietnam’s consistent guidelines and policies of supporting the IAEA’s three pillars - safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology.

Participants have reviewed security, safety and application of nuclear technology in 2022 and looked into the IAEA’s priorities in this field in 2023, as well as the implementation of safeguards agreements between the agency and Iran, Syria and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), among other issues. In his remarks, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi affirmed: “It is a central and unique strength of the agency that we facilitate and produce data that is usable, comparable and accessible to all states.”

Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Trung Kien attends IAEA Board of Governors Meeting in Vienna. (Photo: WVR)

On March 6, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet received Mr. Slim Khalbous, General Director of the Agency for Francophone Universities (AUF), who was on a business trip to Vietnam and some other countries in Asia-Pacific region.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson

On March 9, at the Ministry’s regular press conference, Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang highlighted Vietnam’s hope for close cooperation with China to boost tourism recovery concerning China's inclusion of Vietnam on the pilot list to open group tours; expressed Vietnam's reaction to information that the Korean Government appealed to the ruling of the Seoul Central District Court, Korea on the massacre in Quang Nam; welcomed Russia’s consideration of simplifying visa procedures for Vietnamese citizens.