Cambodia’s Victory Day remembered in HCM City

The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the Vietnam–Cambodia Friendship Organisation (VCFA) in Ho Chi Minh City hosted a ceremony on January 7 to celebrate the 34th Victory Day of Cambodia.

Vietnam-Cambodia Entrepreneurs' Club makes debut. (Source: VNA)

Truong Minh Nhut, VCFA Chairman in HCM City, said January 7, 1979, went down in history as an example of pure international solidarity, loyalty and special friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia.

The victory on January 7 liberated Cambodia from the Pol Pot – Ieng Sary – Khieu Samphan genocide, and ushered the country into a new era of independence, freedom and revival, while turning a new page in neighbourliness between the two countries.

Cambodian Consul General in HCM City, Sam Samouth, thanked the Vietnamese for sacrificing blood and bone to free Cambodia from the genocide, and assisting the country during its national construction.

On the occasion, VUFO and the municipal VCFA presented gifts, each worth 5 million VND (235 USD) to five former volunteer soldiers and specialists living with difficulties, and 10 outstanding Cambodian students in the city.

Cao Bang, Ha Giang urged to boost local economies

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has urged Cao Bang province to utilise its agricultural and forestry potential, and encouraged the development of household-based economy to rise out of poverty.

At a working session with provincial authorities in Hanoi on January 7, Dung also suggested that the province should boost tourism services and expand trade with neighbouring Chinese localities.

He reminded the province to pay attention to sustainable and environmentally friendly mineral mining, and pledged to create favourable conditions for the province to grow.

Nguyen Hoang Anh, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said the committee and people’s efforts have helped the development of the local socio-economy.

Anh said the province recorded GDP growth of 9.5 percent, achieved a per capita annual income of 15.2 million VND (735 USD) and reduced the rate of poor households by 4.6 percent last year.

The material and spiritual lives of local residents have improved, and political security and social order are strengthened, he added.

The same day, at a working session with authorities from the northern Ha Giang province, Dung asked the locality to focus investment on projects essential for local socio-economic development.

He said the province should pay more attention to trade with China, in the spirit of cooperation, friendship and mutual benefit to safeguard the border and sovereignty over national territory.

Dam Van Bong, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said the province is aiming for a GDP growth of 12.5 percent this year - compared to 10.78 percent in 2012 - and will try to reduce the rate of poor households to 25.6 percent.

Participants at the working session also discussed how to remove challenges facing border and southern districts, funding for water reservoirs, transport and irrigation works, and completing the infrastructure of border markets.

NA leader welcomes his Lao counterpart

The Vietnamese and Lao National Assemblies need to actively implement cooperation agreements, increase information and expertise sharing, and work closely together at regional and global inter-parliamentary forums for peace, cooperation and development.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung made the suggestion greeting his visiting Lao counterpart, Pany Yathotou, in Hanoi on January 7.

Hung congratulated Laos on its recent achievements in internal and external relations, especially its successful hosting of the 7 th Asia–Europe Parliamentary Partnership Meeting, the 9 th Asia–Europe Meeting Summit, the Asia–Europe People’s Forum, the Asia–Europe Business Forum, and its membership to the World Trade Organisation.

He also highlighted the Vietnam–Laos National Assembly Cooperation conference in April last year in Son La province during the 2012 Vietnam–Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year.

Yathotou said cooperation between the two legislative bodies in 2012 demonstrated their joint efforts to maintain bilateral friendship and cooperation, contributing to increased solidarity between the people of both countries.

Hailing the outcomes of the recent meeting between the two Politburos, Yathotou said its success displays determination to further boost the special solidarity between the two Parties, States and peoples.

She hopes leaders from the two legislatures will pay more attention to cooperation programmes between both Governments, especially those between the Vietnam–Laos, Laos–Vietnam Cooperation Sub-committees, to reap practical and effective results.

The Lao legislative leader also held a working session with the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Vegetable and Fruit Research Institute the same day.

VNN/VNA