Top legislator extends Xmas greetings to Catholics in HCM City

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (left, in pink) visits Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan on December 19 visited and extended Christmas greetings to Auxiliary Bishop of Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese Do Manh Hung and local Catholic dignitaries and followers.

She stressed that the Party and State applaud the role and contributions of Catholics to national construction and development. 

The Law on Belief and Religion, which has officially come into force since early 2018, has affirmed that the freedom of belief and religion of all Vietnamese people is respected and ensured, facilitating the practice of religions in line with charters and regulations of religious organisations, as well as law, the top legislator said.

She highlighted the visit to the Vatican by Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh last October, during which he met with Pope Francis and Secretary of State of the Vatican City Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

The two sides reached consensus on orientations to enhance the relations between Vietnam and the Vatican, towards elevating the relationship from the level of non-residential envoy to residential envoy in the time to come, she said. 

The leader expressed her hope that Catholic dignitaries and followers will carry forward the tradition of patriotism, accompany the nation and make practical contributions to strengthening the great national unity bloc, as well as national construction. 

For his part, Auxiliary Bishop Hung said the Law on Belief and Religion has created conditions for religious people, including Catholics, to practise their religions and contribute more to national socio-economic development. 

He said with about 1 million Catholics, Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese is the largest among 26 archdioceses and dioceses nationwide. 

It has established many facilities in support of disabled children, the elderly and HIV/AIDS patients, he said, adding that the archdiocese has received support from local authorities during its operation. 

On the occasion of the upcoming Christmas and New Year, NA Chairwoman Ngan also visited Cardinal Pham Minh Man at the HCM City pastoral centre.

Myanmar Party contributes to enhancing cooperation with Vietnam

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue (R) and USDP Chairman U Than Htay 

Myanmar’s Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) will do its utmost to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam, said its Chairman U Than Htay during his meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue in Hanoi on December 19.

He said the USDP will support the investment and business activities of Vietnamese firms in Myanmar for mutual benefit.

He informed the host about the outcomes of the talks between the USDP and the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).

He said he is deeply impressed with the socio-economic achievements that Vietnam has gained during its “Doi Moi” (reform) process. 

For his part, the Vietnamese Deputy PM spoke highly of Myanmar’s socio-economic accomplishments over the years and affirmed to support the country’s efforts in peace building.

He noted that the comprehensive cooperative partnership between Vietnam and Myanmar has been expanded and deepened, especially after the visit to Myanmar by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in August 2017 and the visit to Vietnam by State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in April 2018.

Bilateral trade between the two nations has recorded an annual growth of 15-18 percent and is expected to hit 2 billion USD in the near future, he said, adding that Vietnam is the seventh biggest foreign investor in Myanmar, with the total investment of 2 billion USD.

The two countries are coordinating closely in the fields of politics, defence, and security as well as at bilateral and multilateral forums, according to the Deputy PM.

Hanoi leaders convey Christmas greetings to local Catholics

Hanoi leaders meet with newly-appointed Archbishop of the Hanoi Archdiocese Joseph Vu Van Thien (second from right) 

Politburo member and Secretary of Hanoi’s Party Committee Hoang Trung Hai and Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung have extended Christmas greetings to Catholic dignitaries and followers in the capital city.

They held separate meetings on December 19 for newly-appointed Archbishop of the Hanoi Archdiocese Joseph Vu Van Thien, who replaced his predecessor Pierre Nguyen Van Nhon.

Hai expressed his belief that with his knowledge and experience, Archbishop Joseph Vu Van Thien will fulfil his tasks at the Hanoi Archdiocese.

As a national political-administrative centre and the country’s major centre for culture, science, education, and economy, the city is currently facing many challenges related to infrastructure, traffic congestion, and environmental pollution, thus requiring the involvement of people from all walks of life to address them, he said.

Therefore, Hanoi authorities hope that the Hanoi Archdiocese, as well as Catholic dignitaries and followers, will stand side-by-side with the city to help prove its position and role, Hai stated.

Meanwhile, Chung also affirmed that during the implementation of its socio-economic development tasks, the capital city hopes to continue receiving support of all its citizens, including the Catholic community. 

Earlier, the Secretary of the municipal Party Committee visited the Hanoi Archdiocese on December 18, while the Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee visited the archdiocese the day before.

Vietnam-Vatican Joint Working Group convenes seventh meeting

 Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (L) and Under Secretary for the Holy See’s Relations with States Antoine Camilleri 

Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Under Secretary for the Holy See’s Relations with States Antoine Camilleri co-chaired the seventh meeting of the Vietnam-Vatican Joint Working Group in Hanoi on December 19. 

At the event, Son stressed that the Party and State of Vietnam consistently follows and improves its laws and policies towards respecting and ensuring citizens’ right to freedom of religion and beliefs. At the same time, Vietnamese authorities also pay attention to the needs of the Vietnam Catholic Church and create favourable conditions for the activities of the Vietnamese Catholic community. 

He lauded growing ties between Vietnam and the Vatican, especially through meetings between leaders of Vietnam and the Holy See, such as permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh’s visit in October during which he met with Pope Francis and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Both sides maintained effective information sharing mechanisms to promote mutual understanding and deal with existing issues. 

The host suggested that the Holy See instruct the Vietnamese Catholic community to contribute to national development and improve the imagery of Catholicism in Vietnam, thus boosting bilateral ties. 

Camilleri, for his part, affirmed that the Pope continues to attach importance to ties with Vietnam and wants the Vietnam Catholic Church to contribute to the country’s socio-economic development.

He thanked the Vietnamese Government and all-level authorities for creating conditions for the activities of the Vietnam Catholic Church, including the Holy See’s Non-Residential Pontifical Representative to Vietnam, as well as the delegation’s warm reception during their visit. 

The guest wished that Vietnam and the Holy See would continue maintaining regular exchanges and visits at all levels. 

Both sides spoke highly of the meeting’s agenda, contributing to the development of bilateral ties. 

They agreed to upgrade Vietnam-Vatican ties from Non-Residential Pontifical Representative to Residential Pontifical Representative. 

On December 18, Camilleri met Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, held a working session with head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Vu Chien Thang, and attended the installation of new Archbishop of Hanoi Vu Van Thien.

Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh pays official visit to Laos

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (L) meets with LPRP General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith 

The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue close coordination with its Lao counterpart to consolidate and tighten the Vietnam-Laos special relations for benefits of their people, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has said.

Minh made the statement at separate meetings with Lao leaders, including General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President Bounnhang Vorachith, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, and Chairwoman of the National Assembly Pany Yathotou on December 19, as part of his official visit to the country from December 18-19 to co-chair the fifth foreign ministerial-level consultation with Lao FM Saleumxay Kommasith.

The Lao leaders spoke highly of the annual consultation mechanism, saying that it has helped the two foreign ministers discuss strategic issues to give effective and timely recommendations in bolstering bilateral cooperation to Party and State leaders of both nations.

LPRP General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith affirmed that the Lao Party and State always attach importance to nurturing the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.

PM Thongloun Sisoulith expressed his pleasure at the positive development of bilateral relations, especially the close coordination between the two governments and the connecting role of the two foreign ministries.

Meanwhile, NA Chairwoman Pany Yathotou promised to support necessary changes and supplements in mechanisms, policies and laws in order to further boost trade and investment ties between Laos and Vietnam.

Earlier, Minh hold talks with his Lao counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith, during which they discussed measures to foster bilateral relations and exchanged views on several regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Both diplomats said they were delighted at the extensive and effective development of the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation in all spheres such as politics, foreign affairs, security, defence, economy, trade, investment, and education.

They agreed to increase the exchange of high-level visits and meetings, effectively carry out the existing cooperation mechanisms, and work with competent ministries and branches to make meticulous preparations for the 41st meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee scheduled to take place in early 2019 in Vietnam.

They held that the two foreign ministries have enjoyed practical and effective cooperation through a wide range of cooperation mechanisms like the foreign ministerial-level consultation, the deputy minister-level political consultation, border meetings and human resources training.

The two FMs agreed that in the context of complicated developments in the world, the two ministries need to step up discussions on regional and international issues based on mutual trust and understanding.

Sharing their viewpoints on several international issues, including the Asia-Pacific situation, ASEAN Cooperation, Mekong sub-region collaboration and sustainable water use, and the East Sea, they consented to continue close coordination at regional and international forums to elevate thr position of each country in the international arena.

Right after the talks, on behalf of Party, State and Government leaders, the two FMs presented orders and medals to units and individuals of the two foreign ministries, who have made significant contributions to promoting the Vietnam-Laos special solidarity.

Non-governmental organisations active in social welfare

At the conference (Source: http://dangcongsan.vn)

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been very active in social welfare projects across Vietnam, said Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Le Tan Dung at a conference in Hanoi on December 19 to promote cooperation with NGOs in this field.

He said over the years, the Government has exerted every effort to build a legal system and policies on social welfare and gained remarkable achievements in job generation, vocational training and sustainable poverty reduction.

The accomplishments were significantly contributed to by NGOs through cooperation activities and projects to support people and the provision of technical assistance in building and carrying out related policies, the official said.

This has not only supported people from disadvantaged backgrounds but also strengthened the friendship between Vietnam and other countries, he confirmed, adding that with a new approach in building and implementing policies, NGOs have created innovative and flexible models to ensure social welfare for citizens.

The Deputy Minister suggested devising coordination mechanisms with the organisations to ensure social welfare. 

Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Don Tuan Phong said NGOs have carried out social welfare activities in all fields, focusing on Vietnam’s priorities such as healthcare, education, agriculture and rural development and the settlement of social matters.

For the labour, invalids and social sector, NGOs have provided aid to support children, people with disabilities, elderly people, war victims and Agent Orange/dioxin victims, Phong noted.

He hoped NGOs would continue working with the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to address social issues in Vietnam. 

VUFO will coordinate with the ministry and local authorities to ensure effective links with NGOs in this field, Phong affirmed.

Vice President receives SOS Children's Villages International leader

Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh (second from right) at the reception 

Vietnam always attaches importance to contributions of social organisations, including help from the SOS Children's Villages International, for Vietnam, said Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh. 

Thinh made the statement during a reception for President of the SOS Children’s Villages International Siddhartha Kaul in Hanoi on December 19, during which she congratulated the organization on its upcoming 70th founding anniversary. 

The organisation has so far helped Vietnam develop 67 projects in 17 provinces and cities, she said, stressing that those have shown the great humanitarian significance. 

Thinh thanked Kaul for his concern and affection for Vietnam, expressing her hope that the organisation will continue to support Vietnam in expanding more SOS children's villages in the coming time. 

She promised that the Vietnam will do its best to ensure preferential treatment for those who are working in SOS children's villages in Vietnam. 

For his part, Kaul expressed his belief that the cooperation model between the SOS Children's Villages International and Vietnam will be closer, thus promoting effective coordination between the village with the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), and departments of labour, invalids and social affairs in localities in raising funds and improving the quality of SOS children's villages in the country. 

SOS Children’s Villages International has provided Vietnam with nearly 120 million USD to develop infrastructure in SOS villages in the past 30 years. 

It helped Vietnam build 17 SOS children's villages, which has raised, cared for, and educated nearly 6,000 children, of which 2,800 have grown up and have stable lives. Some 3,100 others are being brought up in SOS villages by a total of 1,300 employees.

SOS Children's Villages have been implemented in 134 countries and territories.

NA Chairwoman congratulates Catholics in Dong Nai ahead of Christmas

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R)

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan extended Christmas greetings to the Catholic community while visiting the Catholic Diocese of Xuan Loc in the southern province of Dong Nai on December 19. 

Speaking at the meeting, the NA Chairwoman attributed the country’s socio-economic achievements to the Catholic community’s contributions and highlighted the role of Catholic dignitaries in local development. 

She affirmed that the Party, State, and localities will continue to pay attention to the repair and upgrade of places of worship, thus meeting the legitimate demand of the community. 

Ngan hailed the provincial authorities for following the Party and State’s policies of creating conditions for religious establishments in line with the law, contributing to local socio-economic development. 

On the occasion, she mentioned the Law on Belief and Religion that took effect in early 2018 which made it easier for religious followers, including Catholics, to contribute to national socio-economic development. 

She wished that Catholic dignitaries and followers of Xuan Loc Diocese would continue to uphold their tradition of patriotism and a positive outlook.

Bishop of the Xuan Loc Diocese Dinh Duc Dao pledged to urge Catholic dignitaries and followers to uphold the power of great national unity and continue contributing to the nation. 

The Xuan Loc Diocese is now home to more than 1 million Catholic followers in 272 parishes. This year, it donated billions of VND to support residents in flood-hit areas and launched the Hoa Binh Xuan Loc College with eight faculties offering training in 18 fields.

PM requests prioritisation of support industry

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has requested that private industrial firms be developed, with a focus on innovative startups and the support industry. 

Chairing a conference in Hanoi on December 19 to discuss measures promoting Vietnam’s support industry, the PM lauded the positive results of the domestic support industry so far, including ensuring the local content rate at 40-45 percent in the apparel, leather, and footwear industry; 10-20 percent in nine-seat auto manufacturing and assembling; and 15 percent in electronics and informatics. 

As there are currently only 23 certificates of preferential treatment for projects manufacturing products in the support industry, he asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade to review and issue better support policies. 

Based on lessons learnt from Japan and the Republic of Korea, the leader expressed his hope that Vietnam will become a workshop for the ASEAN bloc, Asia, and on a global scale. 

He urged firms to pay more attention to research and development, while the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance must allocate capital to build three technical centres for support industry development. 

According to him, Vietnam has set the goal of developing highly competitive industrial products by 2020; meeting 45 percent of demand for domestic manufacturing and consumption, accounting for nearly 11 percent of the industrial manufacturing value; and having about 1,000 enterprises capable of supplying products to manufacturing firms and multinational corporations nationwide. 

By 2030, the support industry is expected to meet 70 percent of demand for domestic manufacturing and consumption, making up roughly 14 percent of the industrial manufacturing value, while around 2,000 businesses will supply products to assembling and multinational corporations across the country. 

The leader also called attention to developing the industrial workforce in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Participants shared the view that the support industry in Vietnam remains weak. There are over 3,000 support industry firms nationwide – 1,800 of which manufacture spare parts, and more than 1,500 produce materials for garments, leather, and footwear. 

Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh attributed the weakness of the support industry to its heavy reliance on imported spare parts, resulting in the low added value of the manufacturing and processing industry. 

Among the 1,800 domestic spare part manufacturers, over 300 have joined the manufacturing chains of multinational corporations, much lower than those in other countries. Though manufacturing and processing accounts for 90 percent of manufacturing and trade revenue, it only contributes to nearly 15 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), lower than the 20 percent in ASEAN, 26 percent in Thailand, 22 percent in Cambodia, and 36 percent in China.

Vietnam seeks to boost cooperation with international NGOs

A conference discussing ways to promote cooperation in social security between Vietnam and foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs) was jointly held by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) and the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) in Hanoi on December 19. 

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Le Tan Dung said the Vietnamese Government has made efforts to build and perfect the national legal system and policies on social security. 

Foreign NGOs have actively helped the country reach significant results in the work, especially in job creation, vocational training, and sustainable poverty reduction, through cooperation projects, direct support provided for Vietnamese people, and technical assistance in building and implementing policies.

Dung highlighted the significance of foreign NGOs’ contributions, saying that they have not only benefited disadvantaged Vietnamese people, but also helped enhance the friendship between Vietnam and other countries.

With their approach of policy development and implementation, foreign NGOs have built innovative and flexible models, helping to ensure social security for people in many Vietnamese localities, especially vulnerable groups, he stressed. 

Dung also underlined the need to build suitable cooperation mechanisms between the country and foreign NGOs in order to avoid overlapping and achieve more sustainable results in this work. 

VUFO Vice President and Secretary General Don Tuan Phong said foreign NGOs have worked in all fields in localities nationwide recently, focusing on Vietnam’s priority sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture and rural development, and solving social problems. 

For the labour, invalids and social affairs sector, foreign NGOs have mainly supported children, people with disabilities, the elderly, Agent Orange victims, and others affected by the war, he added. 

Phong said Vietnam needs great support and close cooperation from international organisations, expressing his hope that foreign NGOs will continue to cooperate with the country’s labour, invalids and social affairs sector at all levels.

The VUFO pledges to work with the MoLISA and localities to facilitate the operations of international NGOs in this field, he affirmed. 

Participants at the event shared relevant information and pointed out barriers to overcome in the process of cooperation between foreign NGOs and Vietnam’s agencies, thus rolling out a more effective cooperation mechanism in the future.

Christmas greetings delivered to Catholic communities

President of the VFF Central Committee Tran Thanh Man (red tie) delivers Christmas greetings in Binh Duong

Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Tran Thanh Man paid a visit and delivered Christmas greetings to the Diocese of Phu Cuong in the southern province of Binh Duong on December 19.

On behalf of the Party, State, and VFF, Man conveyed his best wishes to Catholic dignitaries on the occasion, and hailed the significant contributions made by the diocese and its followers towards national achievements in economy, culture, society, security, defence, and foreign affairs.

He quoted Pope Francis’ teaching that a Vietnamese Catholic must be a good citizen and patriot who sides with the nation to build a country of prosperity and happiness.

Man expressed his hope that the diocese and its Bishop Joseph Nguyen Tan Tuoc will continue supporting patriotic emulation movements and engaging in environmental protection activities, thus contributing to the nation’s development and solidarity.

On the occasion, Man visited and extended Christmas wishes to Vice Chairman and Secretary of the Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics Priest John Baptist Nguyen Van Rien. 

The same day, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan visited and wished the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City a merry Christmas.

Nhan thanked the archdiocese for their involvement in local development programmes and charitable activities. He wished that they will further their efforts to carry out socio-economic development schemes, helping to improve the livelihoods of local people.

Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Do Manh Hung, for his part, thanked the city’s leaders for creating favourable conditions for Catholic followers, saying that he is proud of the city’s robust achievements across the fields of economy, foreign investment attraction, and tourism.

PM: Vietnam-Italy strategic partnership records fruitful development

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Chairman of the Italy-ASEAN Association (IAA) Enrico Letta 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has highlighted the fruitful development of the Vietnam-Italy strategic partnership across all fields, adding that the two sides boast many opportunities and potential to enhance the bilateral relations in the time ahead.

The Government leader stated this during a reception in Hanoi on December 19 for Chairman of the Italy-ASEAN Association (IAA) Enrico Letta who is visiting Vietnam. 

PM Phuc applauded the IAA’s plan to organise the third High-level Dialogue on ASEAN-Italy Economic Relations in Hanoi in 2019, affirming that this will be a good chance to further tighten economic ties between Italy and ASEAN member nations, including Vietnam. 

He promised that Vietnam will welcome and create favourable conditions for the successful organization of the event. 

Letta, who is also former Prime Minister of Italy, said the IAA is holding meetings on the preparations for the dialogue, which is hoped to improve the relationship between Italy and Vietnam.

This is also an opportunity to foster bilateral cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Italy, and between Italy and Vietnam, he said. 

The Italian and Vietnamese economies have similarities, Letta said, adding that Vietnam is the gateway to ASEAN, while Italy is the gateway to Europe.

Therefore, the IAA selected Hanoi as the venue for this important dialogue on the threshold of 2020, when Vietnam will takeover as chair of ASEAN, he noted.

Italy is seeking to increase its influence in Southeast Asia, and Vietnam plays an important role in this process, he affirmed.

While congratulating the Vietnamese football team on winning the AFF Suzuki Cup 2018, Letta expressed his hope that the two sides will have opportunities to cooperate in this field in the near future, and that Vietnamese players will have chance to participate in an Italian football tournament.

He also expected the two-way trade to grow strongly, doubling in the coming years, affirming that Italy will continue to support and promote the signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

PM Phuc suggested Italy, the IAA and Letta have strong voice to urge the EU to soon adopt the EVFTA, saying that this will benefit enterprises and people of both sides. 

He said that the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, related ministries, and Hanoi authorities would cooperate closely and support the organisation of the dialogue, hoping that after the event, Vietnam-Italy trade will record higher growth.