World

In Southeast Asia, a Vietnamese passport has the same clout as a Cambodian one, and is only more powerful than Laos and Myanmar. The Singapore passport ranks second, tied with Germany, with a total of 188 destinations accessible without a prior visa. The third places go to the Republic of Korea, Finland, France, Italy, Spain and Sweden, while the U.S. and the UK are at fourth places. The Henley Passport Index is formulated based on data from the International Air Transport Association, which maintains the world's largest database of travel information, the Straits Times of Singapore said. The index surveyed a total of 199 different passports against 227 different travel destinations, including countries, territories, and micro-states. The region’s biggest economy Indonesia climbed 10 spots from last year, making one of the biggest improvements in the global ranking to claim 69th position. By Vien Nhu … [Read more...] about VN ranks 84th among world’s most powerful passports

Russia and Viet Nam officially established diplomatic ties on January 30, 1950. Over the past years, economy and trade have been the highlights in bilateral cooperative relations, with robust growth seen in the oil and gas and energy sectors. In 2017, two-way trade topped US$5.3 billion, representing a year-on-year rise of 35%. In the first two months of this year, the figure reached US$657.7 million, up 45.3% year on year. Both nations are striving to lift their bilateral trade value to US$10 billion by 2020. Russia has poured more than US$1 billion in Viet Nam, ranking 23rd out of 119 nations and territories investing in the Southeast Asian country. … [Read more...] about Congratulations to Russia’s re-appointed Foreign Minister

China’s aforesaid activities seriously violated Viet Nam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago and went against the Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of maritime issues signed between Viet Nam and China, said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang on Monday. The Chinese activities also violated the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), causing negative impacts on the negotiation process between ASEAN and China to develop a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) and intensifying tensions in the region, thus unconducive to peace, stability and cooperation in the East Sea. Viet Nam demands China immediately end the above mentioned activities, not conduct militarization, seriously respect Viet Nam’s sovereignty, strictly stick to the Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of maritime issues and the DOC, and create an atmosphere that is conducive to maintenance of peace, stability and cooperation in the … [Read more...] about VN demands China immediately stop bomber tests in Paracel Islands

Photo: VNA Viet Nam has become the 10th country ratifying the document, which has been signed by 58 countries. Once the Treaty is ratified by 50 countries, it comes into effect. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh signed the treaty on September 22, 2017 within the framework of the 72nd UN General Assembly’s High-level Meeting. Viet Nam’s ratification of the Treaty has manifested its consistent policy for peace and supporting nuclear disarmament across the world. The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons is the first international document comprehensively prohibiting the development, testing, producing, manufacturing, acquiring, possessing, stockpiling, transferring, receiving, using or threatening to use nuclear weapons. Particularly, the treaty regulates that any State involving in activities related to the testing or use of nuclear weapons shall have responsibility to provide adequate assistance … [Read more...] about VN joins Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

20:01 | 17/05/2018 VGP – All solutions related to Jerusalem need to abide by international law, especially the resolutions of the United Nations together with consensus of the relevant parties. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang made the above statement at press conference on Thursday while she was asked about rising conflicts in the Gaza Strip over the past days. Hang said Viet Nam has followed and expressed concerns over escalating violence in the Gaza Strip, which has left many Palestinians dead and injured. Once again, Viet Nam calls for self-restraint and objects to the use of force. More efforts are needed to seek comprehensive, fair and long-term solutions to ensure safety of civilians and legitimate interests of the relevant parties as well as peace and stability in the region. Hang affirmed Viet Nam’s consistent position of supporting the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people and two-State solution, including the establishment of the … [Read more...] about All Jerusalem solutions must abide by int’l law, UN resolutions

Hang made the above statement in response to reporters’ query regarding Viet Nam’s reaction to the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. Viet Nam hopes members of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) need consistently pursue talks to find out solutions to long-term peace and stability in the region and the world. The JCPOA, reached by China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, the U.S., the European Union and Iran on July 14, 2015, aims to ensure that Iran’s nuclear program will be exclusively peaceful./. By Quang Minh … [Read more...] about VN responds to U.S. withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to India Ton Sinh Thanh said the establishment of the center is significant to growing relations between the two countries.  He added the Centre for India Studies, which was established in Viet Nam four years ago, has helped Vietnamese understand more about India and the Viet Nam-India relations.  Secretary (East) in the Indian Ministry of External AffairsPreeti Saran stated the Viet Nam – India friendship has been based on their differences, similarities and common benefits over the centuries. She stated that today, Viet Nam is not only a trustworthy friend of India but also a key pillar in India’s Act East policy and an important partner of the country in ASEAN. The Viet Nam Embassy in India will do its best to support the centre, particularly in its early stages, the diplomat affirmed. On the occasion, the centre launched its website and signed a memorandum of … [Read more...] about VN Studies Center inaugurated in India

Vietnamese Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang made that statement in reply to reporters’ question regarding Viet Nam’s response to the recent terror attacks in Surabaya city.  “We extend our deepest sympathy to the Indonesian Government and families of the victims,” she said, asserting that Viet Nam advocates the Indonesian Government’s efforts in anti-terrorism and believes that masterminds behind the attacks will be punished properly. On March 13, a series of bombings hit three Christian churches in Surabaya, East Java province, leaving at least 13 deaths and over 40 others wounded. Later the same day, Indonesian police announced that the bombings were conducted by a family of six, including four children aged 9 to 18. By Thuy Dung … [Read more...] about VN strongly condemns terror attacks in Indonesia

09:23 | 15/05/2018 VGP – State President Tran Dai Quang and PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc on May 14 extended condolences to Indonesian President Joko Widodo over bombings at three Christian churches in Surabaya, East Java province on May 13 that left many civilians dead and injured. The same day, Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh sent a message of condolences to Indonesian FM Retno Marsudi. On March 13, a series of bombings hit three Christian churches in Surabaya, East Java province, leaving at least 13 deaths and over 40 others wounded. … [Read more...] about Condolences over terror attacks in Indonesia

The statement was made by Spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang on May 4 in reply to reporters’ question about Viet Nam’s reaction to the 2017 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices of the U.S. Department of State. Despite recognition of Viet Nam’s achievements in protecting human rights, the reports still made some assessments that are not objective and do not reflect correctly the actual situation in the country. The nation’s efforts and achievements in this field have been recognized and highly evaluated by the international community, she added. “Like with other countries, Viet Nam is willing to discuss with the U.S. within the existing frameworks on issues of mutual concern in the frank, open and mutual respect spirit,” stressed the Spokeswoman, adding that the country considers this as an effective method to strengthen mutual understanding and address the issues in which both sides have differences./. By … [Read more...] about VN responds to U.S. human rights reports