Law ensures citizens’ right to information access

National Assembly deputies pressed buttons to vote on the Law on Access to Information in 2016 

The Ministry of Justice and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) co-held a seminar in Hanoi  on December 24 to introduce leaflets on the Law on Access to Information.

In her opening speech, Nguyen Thi Hanh, deputy head of the ministry’s Department of Criminal and Administrative Legislation, said the ministry defines communication as an important task to put the provisions of the law into life and help raise State agencies’ awareness of the responsibility for providing information on areas of their charge.

The ministry has coordinated with relevant ministries, agencies and localities in organising conferences, seminars and training courses on the law as well as compiling and issuing question-and-answer documents on this content, she said.

However, Hanh noted that popularisation measures need to be diversified, including leaflets, in order to help people, especially those from ethnic minority groups and mountainous, remote and island areas, better their understanding of the right to information access.

Catherine Phuong, a UNDP representative in Vietnam, ensuring people’s right to information access is one of the important criteria for Vietnam to achieve sustainable development goals.  One of the measures to ensure the right is the effective implementation of the Law on Access to Information, which took effect on July 1, 2018.  

This is an important document detailing the people’s right to information access and State agencies’ information provision responsibility, she noted.

She emphasised the need to distribute leaflets to help people better understand the provisions of the law.

At the seminar, a representative from the Department of Criminal and Administrative Legislation introduced two kinds of leaflets, with each featuring those entitled to information access, information that may be accessed, rights and obligations of citizens in accessing information, and procedures for requesting information provision, among others.

Accordingly, citizens are free to access information publicized by State agencies or ask State agencies to provide information. State agencies publicise information by posing on their websites or mass media, receiving citizens, and organising press conferences and issuing press releases.

For those living in border, island and mountainous areas can perform their right to information access via broadcasting and television systems, specialised documents, leaflets and publications, and community activities.

Meanwhile, State agencies will have their portals and websites equipped with basic functions to support disabled persons in accessing information.

ASEAN Chair 2020 – Responsibility and opportunity for Vietnam

The recent establishment of the National ASEAN 2020 Committee is one of the initial steps that Vietnam has taken for months to prepare for the task of the ASEAN Chair in 2020, said Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung.

The 29-member committee is assigned to help the PM direct, supervise, coordinate, and guide the ministries, offices and localities to work in the fields related to the preparations for and implementation of the role, Dung, who is also General Secretary of the committee, said on the sidelines of the committee’s launch ceremony on December 24 in Hanoi. 

It plans to convene nine periodical meetings between now and the end of December 2020, along with unscheduled meetings if necessary.

Commenting on the responsibilities and opportunities that Vietnam will see when taking the ASEAN Chair task in 2020, the official said that Vietnam must work to maintain the ASEAN growth and promote the building of a stronger ASEAN Community.

At the same time, Vietnam should take the guiding role to build an ASEAN with strong intra-bloc solidarity and enhanced position and prestige in the region with contributions to global processes, he said.

Deputy FM Dung also highlighted that the ASEAN Chair position in 2020 is also a chance for Vietnam to show its capacity as the host of the year, while introducing the nation to regional and international friends.

Deputy PM calls for Japanese investment in automobile, energy

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung (R) and Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Keiichi Ishii 

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung called for more Japanese investment in automobile industry, energy and tourism which are fields with huge demand and development potential in Vietnam. 

The Government official made the call while receiving Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Keiichi Ishii in Hanoi on December 25.

Dung told the guest that in the first 11 months of 2018, Japan remained the largest investor in Vietnam with a combined capital of nearly 8 billion USD, accounting for 26 percent of the country’s total newly-registered capital.

He appreciated Japan’s close cooperation and support in developing transport, notably in technical assistance for pre-feasibility studies of the north-south high-speed railway project, metro lines in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Terminal T2 at Noi Bai International Airport, Nhat Tan bridge, Cai Mep-Thi Vai and Lach Huyen ports, which have contributed to Vietnam’s socio-economic development.

He asked that Japan continue to help Vietnam in studying the implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects, including urban railways, high-speed railways and highways. 

The Deputy PM also expressed his hope that Japan will share its experience with Vietnam in managing and upgrading infrastructure, and in personnel training in aviation and maritime industries.

He took the occasion to thank the Japanese Government and people for helping Vietnam respond to climate change and address impacts of natural disasters, and proposed Japan provide non-refundable official development assistance (ODA) for projects to build a disaster prevention and control centre and to increase the capacity of reducing risks of flash floods and landslides in the northern mountainous region.

Minister Keiichi Ishii congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic development achievements, especially in infrastructure, tourism, and environmental protection.

He spoke highly of the Vietnamese Government’s drastic leadership to timely remove obstacles in implementing infrastructure development projects.

He voiced his belief that with the determination and efforts of the Government, ministries, sectors and localities, the country’s infrastructure system will develop quickly, thus creating the prerequisite for socio-economic development.

In the time to come, Japan is interested in important transport infrastructure projects that can drive growth such as the Long Thanh International Airport, high-speed railways, highways and urban railways in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and other major cities.

Sharing his sympathy with Vietnam over losses caused by disasters in 2018, he affirmed that Japan will coordinate with Vietnam in installing early warning systems as well as implementing construction and non-construction solutions to effectively cope with natural disasters.

Quang Tri, Laos’ provinces agree on border marker protection

Vietnam’s central province of Quang Tri and Lao localities join hands to build a borderline of peace, friendship and cooperation. 

Representatives from Vietnam’s central province of Quang Tri and Savannakhet and Salavan provinces of Laos gathered at a meeting in Huong Hoa district on December 25 to agree on the management and protection of national border markers.

At the event, the leaders of the three provinces signed a document assigning the management and protection of national border markers after completion. Quang Tri handed over the complete drawings of border markers, stakes and marker protection walls to Savannakhet and Salavan provinces.

Realising the approved plan on increasing the number of Vietnam-Laos national border markers and upgrading existing ones, between 2008 and 2016, Quang Tri and the two Lao provinces actively and closely cooperated in completing a master plan on the work. 

The three provinces finished the border marker increase and upgrading at 62 positions with a total of 68 markers as well as added 37 pairs of auxiliary stakes at 24 locations.

After completing the work, the border between Quang Tri and the two Lao provinces had additional 37 positions and 38 border markers.

Addressing the meeting, Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri provincial People’s Committee Ha Sy Dong said the plan on increasing and upgrading the Vietnam-Laos border marker system is an important work between the two nations that holds special significance in terms of security, politics and socio-economy and relates to the territorial sovereignty of each country. 

The provinces should assign their border management forces to closely coordinate with each other in patrolling and protecting the safety and status quo of the national border marker system, contributing to building a borderline of peace, friendship, cooperation and development, he noted.

Vietnamese, Lao fronts bolster relations

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Tran Thanh Man (R) receives Vice President of the Lao Front for National Construction Central Committee Khambay Damlat 

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Tran Thanh Man received Vice President of the Lao Front for National Construction Central Committee Khambay Damlath in Hanoi on December 24.

At the meeting, Man spoke highly of Laos’ 2018 achievements as well as the fine development of the two countries’ traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation through the exchange of delegations and the signing of cooperation agreements.

He suggested stepping up transport connectivity between the two countries such as the Thakhek-Mu Gia-Tan Ap-Vung Ang railway running through Laos’ Vientiane and Vietnam’s central Quang Binh and Ha Tinh provinces, and the Hanoi-Vientiane Highway.

The two sides should expand investment in infrastructure at border gates and continue coordinating in the search for, repatriation and reburial of remains of Vietnamese voluntary soldiers and experts who fell down in Laos during the wartime.

Appreciating the outcomes of the talks between the two fronts, he showed his belief that both sides will intensify collaboration, contributing to boosting the bilateral relations.

Khambay Damlat informed the host of Laos’ front work in 2018, especially the implementation of the memorandum of understanding on the building of a Laos-Vietnam border gate of peace, friendship, and cooperation for mutual development.

He stated that the two fronts will continue carrying out signed agreements, intensifying the exchange of experience in front work, thus helping bring the Laos-Vietnam relations to a new height, for the benefits of the two peoples, and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

The same day, the guest held talks with Hau A Lenh, Vice President and General Secretary of the VFF Central Committee.

Condolences extended to Indonesia over tsunami

As of December 23, the tsunami following a volcanic eruption claimed over 220 lives and wounded 800 others in Indonesia’s Banten and Lampung provinces (Source: BPBD Serang/VNA)

Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong, and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on December 23 conveyed their condolences to Indonesian President Joko Widodo over the massive material and human losses caused by the deadly tsunami that devastated Indonesia’s Banten and Lampung provinces on December 22.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan also extended condolences to Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly of Indonesia Zulkifli Hasan.

The Vietnamese leaders expressed their deep condolences to Indonesian leaders over the great losses caused by the natural disaster which happened only three months after the quake and tsunami in Sulawesi province.

They also expressed the Vietnamese people’s solidarity with and readiness to help ease the Indonesian people’s difficulties, saying they hope the Indonesian people would quickly overcome the consequences of the disaster and normalize their life.

The same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also sent his condolences to Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

According to local authorities, as of December 23, the tsunami following a volcanic eruption claimed over 220 lives and wounded 800 others. Initial estimates showed that about 430 houses were destroyed.

NA Chairwoman urges better role of young entrepreneurs

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (fifth, left) meets outstanding young entrepreneurs 

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan has urged the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association (VYEA) to gather and unite members to help them develop.

Speaking to outstanding representatives of the association in Hanoi on December 23, Ngan asked them to suggest and recommend to the Party and the State the right guidelines and policies to create a more favourable business environment for companies, encouraging the maximum dedication of young entrepreneurs to the country.

“Domestic enterprises should strengthen linkages and actively cooperate with the outside world in order to create strength and resources for businesses to develop strongly and sustainably,” Ngan stressed.

Noting the impact of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 on the economy, the NA leader said in the process of integration and development, it was impossible to stand outside. She hoped young entrepreneurs, with enthusiasm, passion, dare to think, dare to do, and take the advantages of opportunities and achievements of science and technology.

She expected young entrepreneurs would contribute to the State with reasonable and optimal solutions to bring back efficiency and success.

Emphasising on the basis of the Constitution and the legal system, Ngan asked enterprises to operate their business with high respect to law. And in real life, if any problem arises, they must propose to the relevant agencies to remove hurdles.

Ngan said the NA would continue to improve the legal system and accompany the Government to improve the business and investment environment and create the best conditions for enterprises to deliver equality and sustainability.

VYEA Chairman Dang Hong Anh said one of the biggest imprints in the association’s operation was the successful organisation of the Sao Vang Dat Viet (Gold Star) award.

Over the past 15 years, the award has honored more than 2,000 typical brands and products.

"Sao Vang Dat Viet has become a prestigious award, an important contribution to enhancing the position of Vietnamese brands and businesses in international economic integration, which is a proud symbol of Vietnamese enterprises,” Anh said.

On December 23, 200 best businesses in the country received the Vietnam Gold Star Award 2018 during a ceremony in the capital city of Hanoi.

These firms generated more than 912 trillion VND (39 billion USD) in revenue and contributed over 72 trillion VND (3 billion USD) to the State budget this year. They posted after-tax profit of about 72 trillion VND and created jobs for 417,000 people.

According to the association’s report, the member enterprises are creating jobs for more than 3 million people, the annual total revenue is more than 25 billion USD and contributing to social activities hundreds of billions of VND.

Deputy chairman of the association Tran Anh Vuong said there was currently a Government decree on supporting industry development. He hoped the NA would soon issue a Law on Development of Supporting Industry for further production development.

Vuong said the State should have policies to mobilise money sources in residents to invest in economic development as this was a great capital source.

Ta Lon landing-by-sea campaign – milestone in victory over Pol Pot regime

Vice Admiral Pham Hoai Nam, Commander of the Vietnam People’s Navy, addresses the ceremony in Kien Giang province on December 24 

A ceremony was held in southern Kien Giang province on December 24 to mark the 40th anniversary of the Ta Lon landing-by-sea campaign – a milestone in the victory against the Pol Pot genocidal regime in Cambodia.

After the resistance war against the US imperialists succeeded in 1975, the three Indochinese countries entered a new revolutionary period. 

However, in Cambodia, the Pol Pot regime incited hostility inside the country and towards Vietnam and carried out a brutal genocidal policy. From 1975 to 1978, they imprisoned and killed millions of innocent civilians and thousands of revolutionists, attacked Phu Quoc and Tho Chu islands of Vietnam, repeatedly infiltrated Vietnam’s border, and triggered armed conflicts with Vietnam.

In response to the call for international assistance from the United Front for National Salvation, people and revolutionary forces of Cambodia, in December 1978, the Politburo and the Central Military Commission of Vietnam decided to launch a general offensive to help free Cambodia from the genocidal regime.

The Ministry of National Defence assigned the Vietnam People’s Navy to act as the core of the Ta Lon landing-by-sea campaign to seize the Kampong Som Port and Ream military port, eliminate Navy Division 164 and Border Guard Regiment 17 of the Pol Pot regime, and destroy its southern defensive line.

The campaign began at 22:00 on January 6, 1979. Vietnamese forces attacked and occupied the beach at the foot of Ta Lon Mountain, also known as Bokor Mountain in Kampot province of Cambodia.

After five days of fierce fighting on both sea and land, the Navy Service of Vietnam eliminated the Pol Pot regime’s Navy Division 164 and Border Guard Regiment 17, and liberated Kampong Som town and the Ream military port that is located in the coastal southeastern gateway of Cambodia.

The Ta Lon campaign was the first successful landing-by-sea campaign of the Vietnam People’s Navy. It created chances for Vietnamese forces to move on to the next stage to liberate over 3,000sq.km. of land from Kampong Som to Koh Kong and the sea and island area of Cambodia, thereby contributing to the triumph of the struggle to completely eradiate the Pol Pot administration and protect Vietnam’s south-western border.

At the ceremony held in An Thoi town of Phu Quoc island district, Vice Admiral Pham Hoai Nam, Commander of the Vietnam People’s Navy, said the success of the Ta Lon campaign was significant to the fight. It was a demonstration of the Vietnamese Party and State’s viewpoint of “helping the friend means helping ourselves” and the disinterested international solidarity policy. It also affirmed the time-honoured friendship between the two nations.

The campaign also reflected the political firmness, resolve, bravery and creativity of Vietnam’s naval soldiers, he added.

Also on December 24, the High Command of the Naval Region 5 held another ceremony in the sea off the coast of An Thoi town to offer incense and float wreaths to commemorate soldiers who laid down their lives during the campaign.

Vietnam, China coast guards join exchange programme

Young officers of the coast guard forces of Vietnam and China joined an exchange programme that opened in the central city of Da Nang on December 24 

Young officers of the coast guard forces of Vietnam and China joined an exchange programme that opened in the central city of Da Nang on December 24.

At the programme, second of its kind, young Vietnamese and Chinese coast guard officers exchanged information on activities and reviewed cooperation to strengthen friendship. 

They shared experience on political and ideological work, search and rescue activities, along with law enforcement at the sea.

The young officers visited and presented gifts to children in the SOS Children’s Village in Da Nang, and joined an event with officials and soldiers of the High Command of the Vietnam Coast Guard Region 2. 

The second exchange programme runs until December 28.

Vietnamese, Lao peace committees step up cooperation

The Vietnam Peace Committee and the Lao Committee for Peace and Solidarity have exchanged experience in peace-related affairs during a meeting between their two vice presidents in Vientiane on December 24. 

Pham Van Chuong, Vice President of the Vietnamese committee, and Vice President of the Lao committee Alounxay Sounnalath informed each other about socio-economic development in each country and discussed regional and global issues of shared concern. 

Chuong noted with pleasure the fruitful development of the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnamese and Lao Parties, States and people, as well as cooperation between the two committees. 

He asked the Lao committee to send more delegations to attend peaceful activities to be held in Vietnam in 2019, and pledged that the Vietnamese side will make its best to contribute to the Asian regional meeting of the World Peace Council in 2019 when Laos will play the host. 

In reply, Alounxay Sounnalath thanked the Vietnamese side for their cooperation and support for the Lao committee, saying he believes that the two committees will continue with their collaboration and exchange of experience, information and viewpoints on regional and international issues, thus contributing to peace, friendship and cooperation in the region and the world. 

Later the same day, the Vietnamese delegation visited Chairman of the Lao National Assembly and President of the Lao Committee for Peace and Solidarity Somphan Phengkhammi.

The Vietnamese delegation of the Vietnam Peace Committee led by its Vice President Pham Van Chuong, is on a working visit to Laos from December 24-18.

National ASEAN 2020 Committee makes debut

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the launch ceremony 

The National ASEAN 2020 Committee, tasked with making preparations for Vietnam to shoulder the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020, made debut in Hanoi on December 24.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said after more than 50 years of formation and development, ASEAN has been successful with its increasing role, position and prestige in the region and the world. 

The ASEAN Community, established in 2015, has become a “safe home” for regional residents, where they can live in peace, stability, cooperation and development.

The 20-year development of ASEAN has been imprinted with Vietnam’s hallmarks and contributions, he said, stressing that the assumption of the ASEAN Chairmanship 2020 is both the responsibility and opportunity of the country to raise its role and position in the regional and international arenas. 

The PM affirmed Vietnam always determines ASEAN as a top priority in its multilateral diplomacy policy. Vietnam wishes to make more practical contributions to the building and development of a united ASEAN Community that plays a central role in the region, he said.

The country is willing to do its utmost to make its ASEAN Chairmanship 2020 successful, Phuc stressed.

The Government leader instructed relevant agencies to urgently make necessary preparations so that the country can excellently fulfill this role, in terms of content, ensuring security and safety, and promoting the image of the Vietnamese land and people in the prosperous ASEAN Community.

The National ASEAN 2020 Committee was set up following the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 1743/QD-TTg dated December 14, 2018.

The committee, headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, includes 29 members. They are assigned to help the PM direct, supervise, coordinate, and guide the ministries, offices and localities to work in the fields related to the preparations for and implementation of the role.

It is made up of five subcommittees in charge of the contents, protocol issues, communications and culture, materials and logistics, and security and health care, along with the National ASEAN 2020 Secretariat.

After the launch ceremony, the National ASEAN 2020 Committee convened its first meeting under the chair of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, Chairman of the committee. 

The meeting focused on discussing issues relating to the completion of the organisational apparatus and working plans of the committee, orientations on the roadmap for building the theme and priorities of ASEAN in 2020 as well as the roadmap for preparation for and implementation of the ASEAN Chairmanship 2020.

Delegates agreed on coordination and working regulations of the National ASEAN 2020 Committee. The committee plans to convene nine periodical meetings between now and the end of December 2020.

Concluding the meeting, Deputy PM and FM Minh highlighted the major orientations and focuses that the committee needs to realise in the time to come. He asked the committee members to thoroughly grasp their assigned tasks, considering the preparation for and implementation of the ASEAN Chairmanship 2020 one of the leading priorities to ensure the success of the ASEAN Year 2020.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.

Public Security Ministry officials visit Ukraine

A delegation of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) has recently paid a working visit to Ukraine.

The Vietnamese officials had working sessions with the Security Service, the State Migration Service and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, the Embassy of Vietnam, and the Vietnamese associations in Kiev and Odessa cities, dealing with the situation of the Vietnamese community in the host country.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Ukraine Nguyen Anh Tuan thanked the MPS for cooperating with the embassy to successfully launch key tasks in 2018. 

He highlighted that the delegation’s visit helped the two nations’ competent agencies to discuss recent activities, as well as supported the Vietnamese associations in Kiev and Odessa to seek solutions to their current challenges.

HCM City reviews foreign activities in 2018

Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son 

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of External Relations convened a conference on December 24 to review its performance in 2018 and chalk out tasks for the next year.

In his remarks at the event, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem said 2018 was a significant year for the city as it has been busy with various foreign affair events. Highlight is the HCM City Economic Forum 2018 last month that introduced foreign investors about the local plan to develop the city’s eastern part into an innovative hub.

Thanks to such events, the city raked in more than 7 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI) and welcomed over 7.5 million international tourist arrivals this year, he said. 

The leader urged the department to continue taking an active role in promoting diplomatic activities in tandem with cultural exchange, economic development and FDI attraction, contributing to the fulfilment of development goals of the city and the country at large.

Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son spoke highly of the department’s performance this year, saying that the department has advised the Foreign Ministry and southern cities and provinces to effectively implement the Party and State’s foreign affairs while successfully fostering people-to-people diplomacy to create good impression on international friends.

Director of the HCM City Department of External Relations Le Quang Long said in 2019, the department will continue advising local leaders to effectively implement external activities with the new approach to communications and information dissemination. The department will focus more on improving the effectiveness of cooperation in the era of international integration, while better supporting local enterprises to unleash their potential and explore new markets as a number of new-generation free trade agreements Vietnam has signed are about to take effect, he noted.

Long added that the department will step up cooperation with other municipal departments to develop comprehensive foreign activities and plans and promote the city as a dynamic city full of potential and an appealing investment and tourist destination.