President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his entourage were welcomed at Seoul military airport by RoK Foreign Minister Park Jin, RoK Ambassador to Vietnam Oh Young-ju, along with Ambassador Nguyen Vu Tung and the staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and representatives of Vietnamese community in Korea. (Photo: WVR/Nguyen Hong)

Leaders’ activities

On December 2, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue sent messages of condolences to Chinese leaders over the death of former General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and former President of China Jiang Zemin.

In their letters sent to Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China Li Zhanshu and the family of the deceased, Vietnamese leaders affirmed that former General Secretary Jiang made important contributions to the normalisation and development of Vietnam-China ties.

On the afternoon of December 4, the special charter flight carrying President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation landed at Seoul's military airport, starting the state visit to the Republic of Korea. The visit, from December 4-6, is made at the invitation of RoK President Yoon Suk Yeol.

President Phuc and his entourage were welcomed at Seoul military airport by RoK Foreign Minister Park Jin, RoK Ambassador to Vietnam Oh Young-ju, along with Ambassador Nguyen Vu Tung and the staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in the RoK, and representatives of Vietnamese community in the country.

During the stay in the RoK, the President is scheduled to hold talks with President Yoon Suk Yeol, witness the signing of a number of cooperation documents. The President will also meet the Prime Minister Han Duck Soo and the Speaker of the National Assembly of the RoK Kim Jin Pyo, attend a business forum, and have many meetings with major Korean business leaders, overseas Vietnamese, and launch the Vietnam Day in Korea. President Phuc is the first foreign senior leader to pay a state visit to the RoK since President Yoon took office.

On December 1, at the Presidential Palace, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc received the Ambassadors of Azerbaijan and Brunei to present their credentials. Receiving new Azerbaijani Ambassador Shovgi Kamal Oglu Mehdizade, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed that Vietnam always treasures the traditional friendship with the country and hopes to promote all-round ties to match the great potential and sound bilateral partnership. Receiving new Ambassador of Brunei Datin Paduka Malai Hajah Halimah Malai Haji Yussof, President Phuc said that Vietnam and Brunei have shared a close relationship and showed pleasure at the growth of bilateral economic partnership with two-way trade exceeding the target of 500 million USD set for 2025.

On December 1, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with representatives from organisations of Republic of Korea (RoK) citizens living and working in Vietnam. The President appreciated the role of organisations of RoK citizens in Vietnam in supporting RoK nationals in the country and deepening the friendship and mutual understanding between the two peoples. He affirmed that the Vietnamese State always takes care of and protects the legitimate rights and interests of the RoK community, as well as creates the best possible conditions for the community.

On December 2, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has just signed decisions to appoint two Deputy Foreign Ministers - Mr. Do Hung Viet, Director General of the Ministry's Department of International Organizations and Ms. Le Thi Thu Hang, Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Spokesperson.

On December 1, receiving Chief Operating Officer of Nike, Inc., Andy Campion in Hanoi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh spoke highly of the firm’s contributions to Vietnam’s exports and job creation in the recent past. The Prime Minister noted with satisfaction the vigorous growth in Vietnam-US relations, including bilateral trade rising over 18% year on year to top 105 billion USD in the first 11 months of 2022.

From November 30 to December 6, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue is on an official visit to Australia and New Zealand to strengthen ties with two strategic partners in the South Pacific.

In Australia, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue held talks with leaders of Australian Parliament; met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Australian Governor-General David Hurley, received Australian Deputy PM, Minister for Defence Richard Marles; Australian Foreign Minister, Senator Penny Wong and the Australia-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group; Education Minister Jason Clare, leader of the Australian opposition party; Australian Minister of Trade and Tourism Don Farrell; attended Vietnam-Australia Education Cooperation Forum; had meetings with staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and representatives the Vietnamese community in Australia...

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue meets with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. (Photo: VNA)

In the late afternoon of December 3 (local time), Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue and a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese legislature arrived at Auckland International Airport beginning their official visit to New Zealand at the invitation of Speaker of the House of Representatives Adrian Rurawhe.

During the visit from December 3-7, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue is scheduled to hold talks with Speaker of the House of Representatives Adrian Rurawhe; have meetings with the Governor General and Prime Minister of New Zealand; attend Vietnam-New Zealand educational and economic cooperation forums; meet with the Embassy’s staff and representatives of the Vietnamese community; and meet some New Zealand businesses...

On November 30, at the headquarters of the Party Central Committee, Politburo member and Permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Secretariat Vo Van Thuong received General Secretary of the Mexican Labour Party (PT) Alberto Anaya Guitiérrez who was on the visit to Vietnam from November 27 to December 4. Politburo member Thuong said the PT General Secretary’s visit is a necessary follow-up to maintain high-level meetings between the two Parties, enhance political trust and deepen the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

On December 1, in Hanoi, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Vietnam celebrated the 77th anniversary of the Republic of Korea's National Day (August 15, 1945 - 2022) and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam-Korea (December 22, 1992 - 2022). Politburo member, Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh attended and delivered a speech at the event. Deputy Prime Minister Minh said 30 years are not a long period but thanks to the resolve and efforts by generations of the two countries’ leaders and people, on the basis of cultural similarities, geographical proximity, economic complementarities, and common strategic interests, Vietnam and the RoK have become leading partners of each other.

Activities of the Foreign Minister

Assessing the relationship between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that achievements in the cooperation relationship between the two countries over the past 30 years will be a favorable basis for promoting the two countries' relationship to further comprehensive, substantive and effective development in all fields in the next 30 years, thus contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and in the world. Republic of Korea's Foreign Minister Park Jin said that Vietnam and South Korea have limitless potential for further development of bilateral relations and are willing to further strengthen cooperation for forward-looking development and mutual understanding helpful.

On December 1, at the invitation of Ambassador, Head of the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Vietnam Giorgio Aliberti, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son attended a working lunch with EU Ambassadors in Vietnam.

On December 1, receiving Ms. Angela Pratt, the new Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), to present the Letter of Credentials, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son highly appreciated the support of the United Nations in general and WHO in particular during the past 45 years for Vietnam's socio-economic development, including in the health sector, supporting Vietnam in implementing previous Millennium Development Goals and the current Sustainable Development Goals, especially the Health Goals.

On November 28, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a conference on accelerating the implementation of economic diplomacy for development with Vietnamese representative missions abroad. Addressing the meeting, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that economic diplomacy has become a focal and consistent task of Vietnamese Representative Missions abroad. The Foreign Minister highly appreciated the Ambassadors, Head of the Representative Missions having made many positive contributions to the outcomes of socio-economic recovery in the first 10 months of 2022, in accordance with the spirit of "taking the locality, businesses and people at the center of the service".

Vietnam representative missions abroad to step up economic diplomacy: Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that economic diplomacy has become a focal and consistent task of Vietnamese Representative Missions abroad. (Photo: WVR)

On November 28, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son sent his condolences over the death of Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei.

Bilateral activities

On December 2, speaking at the birthday celebration of the late King of Thailand Bhumibol Aduljyadej, Thailand's National Day and Father's Day (December 5), Standing Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu affirmed that bilateral relations Vietnam-Thailand, on the basis of long-standing historical, cultural and religious links, is developing strongly. In particular, the recent visit of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc to Thailand has contributed to consolidating and deepening the strategic partnership relationship.

On December 1, Assistant Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu received General Director of the Department for Bilateral Politics, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia, Michal Pavuk on the occasion of the General Director-level political consultation between the two Foreign Ministries of Vietnam and Slovakia.

On December 1, on the occasion of the 47th National Day of Lao PDR and the 102nd birthday of President Kaysone Phomvihane (December 13, 1920- 2022), Standing Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu led a delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to congratulate the Lao Embassy in Hanoi.

On November 11, meeting with Mr. Roch Wamytan, President of the Congress of the Overseas Territories of New Caledonia (French), on the occasion of his attendance in the 10th Asia-Pacific Region Conference in the Francophone Parliamentary Union (APF), Assistant Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to traditional friendship and strategic partnership with France, which promotes cooperation with France's overseas regions and territories in order to bring the Vietnam-France Strategic Partnership into depth and practicality.

On November 29, in Hanoi, Acting Director of Europe Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Do Minh Hung and Director General of General Department of Asia and Americas, Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jari Sinkari co-chaired the Vietnam Political Consultative Vietnam-Finland.

On the occasion of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc's official visit to the Republic of Korea (December 4-7), Korean Ambassador to Vietnam Oh Young Ju gave an interview to the World and Vietnam Report about her expectations about new development in bilateral relations.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the RoK Nguyen Vu Tung shared that the visit takes place at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 30th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties and determined to lift their relations to a greater height towards new achievements in various spheres. According to the Ambassador, President Phuc is the first head of state to visit the RoK right after the East Asian nation unveiled the Indo-Pacific strategy and the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative. As Vietnam is a coordinator of ASEAN-RoK relations for the 2021-2024, President Phuc’s visit is of great significance both bilaterally and multilaterally, and on both national and global levels.

Commenting on the official visit to Australia by Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue from November 30 to December 3, Australian Charge d'Affaires to Vietnam Mark Tattersall highly appreciated the significance of the visit and expressed confidence that the visit will ensure a really good basis to strengthen bilateral relations through 2023 and beyond.

New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Tredene Dobson assessed that the visit to New Zealand by National Assembly Chairwoman Vuong Dinh Hue following the visit to Vietnam by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is a great opportunity for the two sides to promote multifaceted cooperation.

In an interview with the World and Vietnam Report (WVR) Vietnamese Ambassador to New Zealand Nguyen Van Trung said that this is the first visit of a Vietnamese leader to New Zealand since the two countries upgraded their relations to a Strategic Partnership in 2020.

Multilateral activities

On November 30, speaking at the UN General Assembly session, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), affirmed Vietnam's consistent position that the Palestinian issue must be addressed on the basis of international law and relevant UN resolutions, ensuring the legitimate interest of all parties, especially the inalienable rights of Palestinians, including the right to establish an independent and sovereign Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital, peacefully coexisting alongside the State of Israel, with internationally recognised and secure borders based on pre-1967 borders. At the session, participants approved four resolutions regarding the Palestinian issues.

Previously, on November 29, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang had a meeting with Catherine Russell, Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). The Ambassador affirmed that Vietnam is willing to participate more actively and substantively in UNICEF's strategies, programmes and activities at the global level.

On November 30, in Hanoi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with relevant agencies of the European Union, Australia and New Zealand co-organized the fourth workshop of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) on the application of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other international legal instruments in response to emerging challenges at the sea. The hybrid ARF workshop brought together about 200 representatives from 27 ARF member countries, regional and international organisations, diplomatic offices, research institutes, ministries and agencies.

In his opening remarks, Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu reiterated the significance of the 1982 UNCLOS, especially in the context of emerging challenges to the settlement of maritime issues, requiring intensive and extensive international cooperation.

The 1982 UNCLOS is an important basis for countries in the region to enhance trust and cooperation, for peace, security and prosperity, he stressed, adding that all disputes and maritime issues should be addressed by peaceful measures in line with international law, including the Convention.

Assistant of Foreign Minister Vu viewed the workshop as a demonstration of regional commitment to international cooperation to cope with the challenges. Delegates shared the view that the 1982 UNCLOS is the most crucial legal tool to maintain peace and stability in the region, creating a framework to push ahead with the settlement of both traditional and emerging maritime issues in the region.

Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Nguyen Minh Vu delivered the opening remarks of the 4th ARF Workshop on 1982 UNCLOS and other international instruments to adress emerging maritime issues. (Photo: WVR/Quang Hoa)

On November 29, the art of pottery making of Cham ethnic people was inscribed in the list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding by UNESCO. The recognition was made at the 17th session of the Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Rabat, Morocco, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The 10th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference in the Francophone Parliamentary Union (APF) hosted by the National Assembly of Vietnam took place on November 28-29, in Da Nang city.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson

On December 2, 2022, in response to a reporter's question about Vietnam's reaction to Taiwan's announcement of a live-fire drill in Ba Binh island, in the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago of Vietnam on December 29, 2022, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Le Thi Thu Hang stated:

“As it has been repeatedly affirmed, the fact that Taiwan to hold a live-fire drill in the waters around Ba Binh island in the Truong Sa archipelago of Vietnam is an act which seriously violates Vietnam's territorial sovereignty over Truong Sa archipelago, threatens peace, stability, maritime safety and security, causes tensions and complicates the situation in the East Sea.

Vietnam resolutely opposes and demands Taiwan to cancel the above illegal activities and not repeat the similar act in the future.”