Vietnam elected Vice President of UNESCO General Conference: Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc, Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van and other Vietnamese delegates at the event. (Photo: MOFA)

Leaders’ activities

On November 9, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Independence Day of Cambodia (November 9, 1953 - 2023), the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) sent congratulations to the Central Committee of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP). General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong sent floral baskets to King Norodom Sihamoni and CPP President Samdech Techo Hun Sen. President Vo Van Thuong sent a congratulatory letter to King Sihamoni while Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh extended congratulations to Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Bovor Thipadei Hun Manet. National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue also sent congratulations to Senate President Samdech Say Chhum and National Assembly President Samdech Khuon Sudary.

On the occasion, Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and Head of its Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung cabled a congratulatory letter to Prak Sokhonn, member of the CPP’s Permanent Committee and Chairman of the CPP Central Committee's Commission for External Relations. Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son also extended congratulations to Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sok Chenda Sophea.

On November 8, President of Vietnam Vo Van Thuong received the newly accredited Venezuelan Ambassador Juan Carlos Fernandes Juarez and Laos Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh. Congratulating Ambassador Juan Carlos Fernandes Juarez on assuming his duty as Venezuelan Ambassador to Vietnam, President Thuong expressed his belief that during the term, the Vietnam - Venezuela cooperation will obtain new achievements. At the reception for Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh, President Thuong expressed his belief that with her bonds with Vietnam, Ambassador Ernthavanh will perform her tasks well to substantially contribute to the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

On November 9, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received the Russian Minister of Emergency Situations Sen. Lieut. Gen Kurenkov Aleksandr Vyacheslavovich. He suggested the two sides continue to increase the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially high-level ones, and effectively deploy existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the intergovernmental committee mechanism, to remove bottlenecks in the cooperation process in the spirit of harmonised interests and shared difficulties.

PM Pham Minh Chinh received Russian Minister of Emergency Situations Sen. Lieut. Gen Kurenkov in Hanoi on November 9, 2023. (Photo: VNA)

On November 5, National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue sent a thank-you letter to President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives Eliane Tillieux as the Chamber on October 5 passed a resolution in support of the Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin victims in Vietnam, with absolute approval votes. In the letter, Hue expressed his joy and emotion at the approval, highlighting that the resolution is important and meaningful to Vietnam as it can help increase the international community’s awareness of the AO disaster in Vietnam, thus further supporting the country to tackle the war consequences.

The NA Chairman emphasised that the Belgian Chamber of Representatives is the first parliament in the world to pass such a resolution in support of the AO/dioxin victims, which creates a great resonance, affirming Belgium's role in the international arena and spreading a positive message to parliaments around the world.

On November 6, according to the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam, the Japanese Government just announced the list of individuals awarded the Order of the Rising Sun in the fall of 2023. Accordingly, Japanese Government has conferred a Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun on former National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan for her great contribution to bilateral ties between Japan and Vietnam. Former Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Doan Xuan Hung was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, with Gold and Silver stars, for his contributions to strengthening relations and friendship between Vietnam and Japan.

On November 10, Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai hosted a reception for Charles R. Kaye, CEO of Warburg Pincus. The Deputy Prime Minister noted that after 10 years of its operation in Vietnam, Warburg Pincus has affirmed itself as one of the leading investment funds in Vietnam with a total capital of more than 2 billion USD. Charles R. Kaye informed the host of the fund's activities in Vietnam over the past 10 years, and shared its plans to continue expanding investment in Vietnam in the coming time. He said that there are currently many large US businesses showing interest in investing in the potential Vietnamese market and presented some proposals to the Vietnamese Government.

On November 10, Politburo member, Head of the Party Central Committee's Economic Commission Tran Tuan Anh received a high-ranking delegation of the Communist Party of Peru led by General Secretary Luis Villanueva, visiting Vietnam from November 9-19, at the invitation of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

On November 8, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha received visiting Professor David Rogers of the US-based Columbia Business School (USA), who is known for his pioneering model of customer networks and his work on digital transformation. Deputy Prime Minister Ha said that developing countries are facing challenges in transformation, such as inadequate governance capacity, incomplete laws and policies, and the lack of trained human resources and modern technologies, which require solutions at both national and global levels.

On November 7, Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai welcomed Minister-President of Thüringen state of Germany Bodo Ramelow to Vietnam on his second visit following the first one made in 2019. The Deputy Prime Minister suggested that Minister-President Ramelow promote long-term cooperation mechanisms in vocational training with Vietnam so as to make it easier for Vietnamese labourers to receive training and find work in Germany. He also hoped that the state's authorities will continue offering support to the Vietnamese community, thus enabling them to integrate into the host society and making positive contributions to local socio-economic progress and further bolstering friendship between the two countries.

From November 5-7, Politburo member, Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and Head of its Inspection Commission Tran Cam Tu paid a working visit to China. On November 6, the CPV delegation held talks with Li Xi, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Secretary of the CPC Central Committee's Commission for Discipline Inspection. Earlier, the Vietnamese delegation held working sessions with leaders of the Commission for Disciplinary Inspection of the Beijing municipal Party Committee, the Supervision Commission of Beijing and engaged in a seminar with the Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine to share professional experience.

Politburo member Tu affirmed that the visit aimed to continue realising the common perceptions reached by the General Secretaries of the CPV and the CPC, and represents the continuation of high-level exchanges and meetings between the two Parties and countries over the past years.

CPV Politburo member Tran Cam Tu visits China: the talks between the Communist Party of Vietnam delegation and the Communist Party of China delegation in Beijing on November 6, 2023. (Photo: VNA)

From November 3-7, a delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) led by Politburo member, Secretary of the CPV Central Committee, Chairman of its Commission for Internal Affairs Phan Dinh Trac paid a visit to Venezuela at the invitation of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). The delegation laid flowers at President Ho Chi Minh’s statue and a temple commemorating Venezuelan Hero Simón Bolívar. They had a meeting with Venezuelan President and PSUV President Nicolás Maduro, and held talks with a delegation of the PSUV, during which the two sides signed a cooperation agreement between the two Parties.

Activities of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

On November 10, receiving Georgian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Khvtisiashvili, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son said that Vietnam always treasures and wants to foster its traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Georgia. He suggested the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs work together to step up the exchange of delegations at all levels and closely coordinate at international and regional forums. Deputy Minister Khvtisiashvili said that Georgia wishes to beef up collaboration with Vietnam across fields, particularly economy-trade, agriculture, education-training, culture, and tourism.

On November 6, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son hosted a reception for Minister - President of German Federal State of Thüringen Bodo Rammelow. State of Thüringen and Germany as a whole are important partners of Vietnam, the Foreign Minister affirmed, expressing his belief that Minister-President Bodo Rammelow’s working visit to the country will provide a fresh impetus for the bilateral relations, benefiting localities and businesses of both sides. Foreign Minister Son suggested Thüringen State to support the German Parliament to approve the EU – Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), elaborating the deal will open up new cooperation opportunities for business communities, investors, and localities of both nations. The Foreign Minister also suggested Thüringen step up cooperation with Vietnamese partners across the fields of its strengths such as agriculture, high technology, processing and manufacturing.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (R) and Minister-President of German Federal State of Thüringen Bodo Rammelow. (Photo: WVR/Quang Hoa)

On November 9, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son hosted a reception for Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, during which he suggested the two Ministries work closely together and make thorough preparations for upcoming exchange activities between the two countries. The two Ministries need to actively take creative measures and foster practical coordination in various areas, especially in economy, trade, infrastructure and connectivity of railways and roads, thus facilitating people-to-people exchanges in border areas, Son said. There should be an emphasis on strengthening coordination in land border management, well controlling differences at sea, contributing to Vietnam-China friendly and cooperative ties, he said.

On November 6, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son sent a condolence message to Foreign Minister Narayan Prasad Saud over the losses caused by strong earthquake occurred in Karnali province of Nepal, on the evening of November 3, 2023.

Bilateral activities

On November 10, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang and her Georgian counterpart Alexander Khvtisiashvili co-chaired the second political consultation between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs. The two sides agreed to promote the exchange of delegations at all levels and via all channels and to enhance collaboration between the two Ministries. Deputy Foreign Minister Hang proposed the two sides jointly deploy measures to boost trade ties and business connectivity, further improve related legal frameworks, and expand partnership in such potential areas as tourism and agriculture.

On November 10, receiving newly-accredited French Ambassador Olivier Broche, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang affirmed Vietnam's consistent policy of promoting and deepening Vietnam - France strategic partnership, which has based on the historical, cultural and human connections between the two countries.

On November 10, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang received Irish Ambassador Deirdre Ní Fhallúin. The two sides agreed to effectively maintain consultation and dialogue mechanisms between the two Foreign Ministries to review and promote bilateral cooperation and on multilateral forums, collaborate and exchange experience on topics such as multilateral activities, women's participation in foreign affairs, enhancing staff capacity.

On November 9, Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu and Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong conducted a meeting between the Heads of the government-level delegations for negotiations on the Vietnam-China territorial and border issues.

Vietnamese, Chinese Foreign Ministries hold talks on territorial, border issues: Overview of the meeting. (Photo: VNA)

They assessed the positive progress in the Vietnam-China land border management and cooperation according to legal documents, including the effective and smooth operation of the Land Border Joint Committee mechanism, stronger cooperation in building infrastructure and improving transportation connectivity in border areas, and effective pilot operation of the Ban Gioc – Detian waterfalls, demonstrating their determination to create a safe and attractive tourist destination, thus making important contributions to socio-economic development in border areas.

On issues at sea, the Vietnamese side proposed that both sides really respect each other's legitimate rights and interests, work together to control differences properly, maintain smooth channels of negotiation on maritime issues, and strive to find a fundamental and long-term solution in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

On November 9, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang received newly-accredited Italian Ambassador Marco Della Seta. Both sides affirmed that the two countries still have many opportunities and potential for cooperation, such as promoting trade cooperation, tourism development, and people-to-people exchanges. The two sides agreed to research and consider opening direct flights between Vietnam and Italy.

On November 8, receiving Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance of Osaka prefecture Wada Kenji, Standing Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu stated that Japan is Vietnam's leading economic cooperation partner in official development assistance (ODA), investment, trade, labour, tourism, locality-to-locality cooperation and people-to-people exchange. The Deputy Foreign Minister suggested that Osaka prefecture’s alliance continue promoting coordination with Vietnamese localities, especially those with signed cooperation agreements such as Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.

On November 7, receiving Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship alliance of Kobe city, Japan’s Hyogo prefecture, Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu said that Vietnam always considers Japan as a long-term and leading important partner. Commending the Vietnam's development and the countries’ relationship over the years, Chairman of the alliance Murano Seiichi said he wants to enhance effective and substantive collaboration between Kobe and Vietnamese localities, including Ha Nam and Quang Ninh provinces, Hai Phong city, particularly in economics, investment, trade, and cultural and people-to-people exchange.

On November 7, President of the Chamber of Representatives of Belgium Éliane Tillieux hosted a reception for Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium Nguyen Van Thao and representatives from the Collectif Vietnam Dioxine Association and the Belgium-Vietnam Friendship Association (BVFA) in Brussels. Ambassador Thao highly appreciated the support and great efforts of the Belgian parliament through the resolution which he said is a very meaningful action to mark the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries. He affirmed that the decision will help increase international community’s awareness on support of the AO/dioxin victims. The Ambassador handed over to the Belgian Chamber of Representative leader a thank-you letter and an invitation to visit Vietnam from National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. Belgian Ambassador to Vietnam Karl Hendrik Margareta Van Den Bossche said that the Resolution is an initial step towards future resolutions to promote concrete cooperation with Vietnam, reflecting Belgium's political participation and commitment regarding the matter.

On November 7, Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi, on behalf of the State President of Vietnam, presented the Friendship Order to Governor of Saint Petersburg Alexander Beglov in recognition of his contributions to and tireless efforts in maintaining and promoting relations between St. Petersburg and Vietnam in particular and enhancing the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership. On November 8, Ambassador Khoi also handed over another Friendship Order to the Ho Chi Minh Institute under the St. Petersburg State University, a leading academic research centre not only on Vietnamese history and culture but also on President Ho Chi Minh.

On November 6, Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet led a delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to congratulate the 70th anniversary of the Independence Day of the Kingdom of Cambodia at the Cambodian Embassy in Vietnam.

Multilateral activities

On November 12, in her interview with the World and Vietnam Report at the threshold of President Vo Van Thuong’s trip to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Week 2023 and bilateral activities in San Francisco, the US, from November 14-17, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang stated that Vietnam has made active, responsible and effective contributions to all cooperation aspects of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum over the past 25 years and left many important imprints.

On this occasion, In his interview for Vietnamese press, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung said President Vo Van Thuong’s attendance in the coming APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in the US this year demonstrates Vietnam’s support for multilateralism in general and the APEC process in particular.

On November 10, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the Vietnamese Delegation to the United Nations (UN), has a working session with Mr. Francisco Pichon, UN Resident Coordinator in Cuba. Appreciating the UN Resident Coordinator's efforts in supporting Cuba over the past time, the Ambassador affirmed that Vietnam stands ready to coordinate with the UN on assisting Cuba overcome current challenges and carry out the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development. Ambassador Giang highlighted the special friendship between Vietnam and Cuba, and informed the UN official of Vietnam’s active support for Cuba through various mechanisms, including the South – South Cooperation and trilateral cooperation, especially in the fields of agriculture and food.

On November 10, addressing a debate at the 78^th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on reforms of the UNGA, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, Minister Counselor Le Thi Minh Thoa laid stress on the significance of the UN General Assembly’s operation reform to the UN’s reform. She highlighted that the UN and its member countries should intensify measures to ensure that the UNGA can make a more effective and meaningful response to global challenges that have been increasing in number and growing complicated. Tthe UN General Assembly’s role in peace and security issues should be enhanced in accordance with the UN Charter, while the relations between the UN General Assembly and other key orgnisations of the UN, including the UN Security Council, should be promoted, she said.

On November 9, the fifth workshop of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) on implementing the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982) and other international instruments to address emerging maritime issues was co-organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with the Embassies of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the EU in Hanoi. Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet emphasized the extremely important role of UNCLOS 1982. "Only by upholding and fully implementing UNCLOS can we cooperate fully and effectively. As have been underlined time and again, the Convention sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out. It provides us the framework and a range of tools to handle today’s challenges", Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet affirmed.

The fifth workshop of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) on implementing the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982) and other international instruments to address emerging maritime issues. (Photo: WVR/Tuan Anh)

On November 8, at the debate on the 2022 Annual Report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at the UN General Assembly from November 8-9, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, stated that Vietnam appreciates the IAEA's achievements in the field of nuclear inspection and its leading role in supporting countries, including Vietnam, to ensure nuclear security and safety. The Vietnamese Ambassador acknowledged and appreciated the amount of work that the IAEA has completed in the past year, and thanked the IAEA and other members of the IAEA Board of Governors for cooperating with Vietnam while it serves as a member of the board in the 2021 - 2023 term. Vietnam supports a cautious and step-by-step approach within the IAEA framework for research, development, licensing, management and operation of FNPPs through close consultation with involved countries.

On November 8, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang had a meeting with Ambassador Harold Agyeman, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Ghana to discuss bilateral relations between the two countries and cooperation at the UN. Ambassador Giang stressed that the bilateral relationship has grown positively, adding Ghana is Vietnam’s largest trade partner in West Africa, especially in rice trading. The two shared the view that ample room remains for the two countries to enhance multi-faceted cooperation in trade and investment, as well as other potential areas like renewable and clean energy.

On November 7, Vietnam was elected a Vice President of the 42nd session of the UNESCO’s General Conference, representing the Asia-Pacific. With this election, for the first time, Vietnam is taking on the roles at four key mechanisms of the UNESCO at the same time. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc, who is also Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, said the election affirms the Party and State’s sound foreign policy of multilaterisation, diversification as well as comprehensive and effective international integration. It also affirms Vietnam’s increasing prestige in the international arena, and is a vivid illustration for the international community’s confidence in Vietnam’s contributions to the global multilateral mechanisms, he said, describing this as an outcome of the cultural diplomacy strategy by 2030.

On November 6, Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet received United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to development Surya Deva who was on a working visit to Vietnam from November 6-15. The Deputy Minister welcomed the UN Special Rapporteur for recommending Vietnam as his first country to visit after being appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council.

On November 6, speaking at the National Consultation Workshop on the draft National Action Program on Women, Peace and Security jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Agency for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment (UN Women), Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet affirmed the role of Vietnamese women in maintaining peace and sustainable development.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

On November 9, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' regular press conference, Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang answered questions about the situation of Vietnamese citizens rescued from fraudulent casinos in the northern border area of Myanmar, reiterated calling on all parties to ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. She informed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has continued to urge Vietnamese citizens in Israel to leave the country in the face of recent complex developments in the Middle East.

Responding to a question about the US Department of the Treasury’s latest report on the macro-economic and foreign exchange policies of major trading partners of the US, she noted that the report did not list Vietnam as a currency manipulator and made positive assessments on the results of the country’s monetary policy and exchange rate governance. Vietnam will maintain close cooperation and regular and effective communications channels with the US to share information, increase understanding and tackle outstanding problems in bilateral ties, especially in economy and trade, to help bilateral economic ties meet both sides’ interests, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said.

Other activities

On November 10, in Hanoi, the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV) in collaboration with the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS), Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), and the Foundation for East Sea Studies (FESS) successfully convened the 2^nd International Sinology Symposium themed on “The Role of China in Global Governance”. The International Sinology Symposium builds upon the annual China Talk Series hosted by DAV.

The 2nd International Sinology Symposium themed on “The Role of China in Global Governance” was convened in Hanoi on November 10, 2023. (Photo: WVR/Minh Quan)

This year's hybrid event drew participation from over 150 delegates of scholars, experts, leaders, former leaders, and representatives froml Vietnamese agencies, alongside other diplomatic representatives in Vietnam. Notably, the Symposium also attracted a distinguished assembly of globally renowned experts and scholars specializing in China, many of whom are affiliated with esteemed universities, research institutes in China. The Symposium helped Sinology scholars and experts expanding their networks, sharing diverse and multi-faceted assessment, contributing to establishing a realistic, proper perspective on China’s role in international affairs in general as well as global governance specifically.