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At the reception.

Laos, Vietnam seek more effective parliamentary cooperation

On the morning of August 13 in Hanoi, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Senior Lieutenant General Tran Quang Phuong hosted a reception for Lieutenant General Vongsack Phanthavong, chairman of the National Defense and Security Committee of the NA of the Laos People's Democratic Republic, who is on a working visit to Vietnam.

At the reception, NA Vice Chairman Phuong respectfully thanked the high-ranking delegation of the Laos Party and State, led by General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, for paying tribute to and offering condolences to the Party, State, and people of Vietnam on the passing of late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, thereby demonstrating the very special sentiment between both nations’ parties, states, and people.

Hailing the results of talks between the NA’s Defense and Security Committees of the two countries, NA Vice Chairman Phuong said that the talks highlight the determination to consolidate and develop the great relationship, special solidarity, and comprehensive co-operation between both sides, specifically the two countries' legislatures.

He emphasized that the relationship between the two nations in general and the cooperation between the two legislative bodies in particular has been continuously consolidated and developed far and wide, cited VOV.

Leaders of the two sides have continued to maintain high-level exchanges and contacts in many flexible forms, while exchanges and co-operation between specialized committees, as well as friendship parliamentarian groups have achieved many positive results, he told his guest.

The consistent policy of the Party and State of Vietnam always attaches importance to developing the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive ties between the two Parties, two countries, and people, NA Vice Chairman Phuong said, adding that in difficult and complicated circumstances, the joint relationship must be further tightened.

Moving forward, the two committees will continue to coordinate to fully prepare for the visits of the two countries’ Party and State leaders, actively prepare conferences and seminars to consult on experience in law-making, and monitor bilateral agreements to make collaboration between the two legislatures more practical and effective.

The Vietnamese NA is always ready to work alongside, exchange, and share operational experience with its Laotian counterpart to effectively carry out the tasks and responsibilities assigned by the people as well as the agreements signed between the two sides, NA Vice Chairman Phuong went on.

In response, Chairman of the Lao NA's Defense and Security Committee Phanthavong briefed the hosts on the outcomes of the talks with the Vietnamese NA’s Defense and Security Committee and results recorded in the Laotian NA's activities in recent times.

He therefore thanked the Vietnamese NA for its help and support for the Laotian NA, while hoping that in the coming time the two legislatures will continue to pay attention to directing NA agencies and standing committees to actively carry out cooperation activities and share operational experience.

Vietnam, China cooperate to build borderline of peace, friendship, cooperation, sustainable development

Deputy Minister of National Defense Sen. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien on August 13 received a delegation of the National Immigration Administration of China, led by its deputy head Li Junjie, who are paying a working visit to Vietnam.

Chien affirmed that the Party and State of Vietnam always attach importance to consolidating and developing the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and China. The two countries agreed to build a community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, with developing more practical defense and security cooperation as one of the six orientations.

He emphasized that over the past time, on the basis of the good relations between the two countries, the Vietnam-China defense cooperation has been promoted and generated effective results in areas, including the exchange of delegations; the successful organization of the 8th Vietnam-China Border Defense Friendship Exchange; effective maintenance of the 3-level law enforcement coordination mechanism in border control at border gates and land border management, through forms such as meetings at the border, talks, hotlines, exchanging official letters, joint patrols to enforce the law on the border; coordination in crime prevention and control in border areas and border gates; and establishing twinned relations between border posts and stations.

Chien highly evaluated the cooperation between the Vietnam Border Guard and the National Immigration Administration of China, according to VNA.

Deputy Minister of National Defense Sen. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien on August 13 has a meeting with a delegation of the National Immigration Administration of China, led by its deputy head Li Junjie. (Photo: qdnd.vn)

He suggested the two sides continue to coordinate to effectively implement the signed agreement on the three-level law enforcement coordination mechanism in border control at border gates and land border management; enhance the exchange of information and situation related to the fight against all types of crimes and law violations in border areas; promote the exchange of delegations, political exchanges at all levels, exchange of young officers, maintain and expand the model of "friendship ambassadors", and setting up twinned relations between stations and stations, and residential areas along the borderline.

For his part, Li informed the host about the results of the talks between the National Immigration Administration of China and the Vietnam Border Guard Command.

He affirmed that the two forces will continue to strengthen solidarity, friendship and cooperation, thereby contributing to the building of a borderline of peace, friendship, cooperation and sustainable development between the two countries.

Vice President hosts Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan hosted a reception on August 13 in Hanoi for Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and the Thai Royal delegation on the occasion of the Princess's working visit to Vietnam.

The meeting saw the Vice President, on behalf of the State and people of Vietnam, thank Thailand for flying the flag at half-mast for two days on August 1 and August 2 to commemorate late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, emphasizing that this was a gesture demonstrating the close-knit relationship and friendship between the two countries.

Recalling his visit to Thailand in June, 2022, the Vice President was impressed by the development of the Kingdom of Thailand, as well as the tremendous achievements that the Thai people have recorded.

She expressed her belief that with the spiritual support of the Royal Family, the Thai people will unite to overcome all difficulties, continue to gain even greater achievements in building a prosperous Thailand, whilst also playing an active role in the region and the world.

The host leader noted her appreciation for the good sentiment that the Thai Princess has given to the country and people of Vietnam, with this being demonstrated through the Princess's six visits, as well as her song composed by herself and personally performed at Chulalongkorn University in March, affirming that this as one of the symbols of the close friendship between the two nations, cited VOV.

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan welcomes Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

The Vice President highly appreciated the results achieved in the implementation of the Project “Improving the quality of life of children and youth in the Asia-Pacific region” sponsored by the Princess in a number of schools nationwide since 2006, thereby contributing significantly to improving the overall quality of students in disadvantaged areas in the nation.

The Vietnamese leader thanked the Princess for establishing the Princess Maha Chakri Award to honor individuals who have made positive contributions to the cause of education development, of which five Vietnamese teachers have received the Award since 2015.

VP Xuan affirmed that the Princess's Award has great influence, creating an important motivation to encourage teachers to make continued contribution to the cause of education development, bringing about practical benefits to the education of all Southeast Asian nations.

Princess Sirindhorn told her host that she always has special feelings for Vietnam, adding that the Thai Royal Family is highly interested in carrying out community support projects in the nation.

She affirmed that she will continue to pay attention, develop, and expand the Project "Improving the quality of life for children and youth in the Asia-Pacific region" in Vietnam, thus further contributing to the development of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Satisfied with the strong development of the joint strategic partnership in recent times, host and guest agreed to continue to pay close attention to and support all-around co-operation between the two countries, including intensifying people-to-people exchanges. This is along with enhancing the role of the Vietnamese community in Thailand and backing efforts to both preserve and promote Vietnamese cultural values in Thailand towards upgrading the relationship between the two countries to a higher level.

On this occasion, VP Xuan conveyed the regards of Party General Secretary and President To Lam to the King and Queen Mother of Thailand.

Cruising in Ha Long Bay among 25 world's most exciting experience

Tripadvisor has recently announced the top 25 most exciting boat experiences worldwide this year, with cruising in Ha Long Bay (Hai Phong City) and Lan Ha Bay (Quang Ninh Province).

Tripadvisor released the list as part of its annual Travelers' Choice Best of the Best Things to Do awards.

Accordingly, a trip exploring Lan Ha Bay, Ha Long Bay, and Dau Be Island offers tourists the chance to discover tranquil, less crowded destinations with crystal-clear waters, stunning rock formations, and smooth white sandy beaches.

Meanwhile, the bamboo basket boat experience in the Cam Thanh coconut forest, Hoi An city, stands at the 19th place of the list, VGP reported.

A trip exploring Lan Ha Bay, Ha Long Bay, and Dau Be Island is ranked third in the top 25 most exciting boat experiences worldwide by Tripadvisor.

"Ride a basket boat in Hoi An to enjoy the surroundings. Drift along the picturesque canals, say 'hello' to the locals, and hear about the history from your guide. Don't miss the chance to immerse yourself in the local community, participate in basket boat shaking, and sing karaoke," Tripadvisor quoted an enthusiastic tourist as saying.

The list of the most interesting experiences is based on reviews and opinions collected from the user community over a 12-month period.

Tripadvisor, the world's largest travel platform, helps 463 million travelers each month make every trip their best trip. Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to browse more than 859 million reviews and opinions of 8.6 million accommodations, restaurants, experiences, airlines and cruises.

Vietnam, Russia continue promoting defense cooperation

Minister of National Defense Gen Phan Van Giang and his Russian counterpart Andrey Removich Belousov on August 13 held talks in Moscow as part of Giang’s visit to Russia to attend the International Military-Technical Forum “Army-2024”.

At the talks, Giang emphasized that the visit by the high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense aims to concretise the policy of deepening the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership agreed upon by the two countries' senior leaders during the Russian President's State visit to Vietnam in June this year.

Giang affirmed that Vietnam has always been consistent in its foreign policy of "independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship and development cooperation, multilateralization and diversification of relations; being a friend, a reliable partner and an active and responsible member of the international community"; valuing neighborly relations and traditional friendship with other countries, particularly the good traditional friendship between Vietnam and Russia.

He clearly affirmed Vietnam’s "four Nos" defense policy (not partaking in military alliances, not siding with one country to act against another, not allowing foreign countries to set military bases or use Vietnam’s territory to counter a third country; not using force or threatening to use force in international relations) for the goal of peace, self defense and safeguarding the Father early and from afar.

The minister reiterated that the Vietnamese people and People's Army always bear in mind the whole hearted support that Russia has given to Vietnam during its struggle for national liberation and reunification in the past and the current national construction and defense cause. He said the inauguration of the monument to Vietnamese international volunteer soldiers who fought in battles to protect Moscow in the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) is a symbol of the traditional ties between the two countries, of which defense cooperation is an important pillar.

For his part, Minister Belousov said Russia is ready to consider cooperation proposals of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense, especially training cooperation and cooperation between agencies and units, VNA reported.

Minister of National Defense Gen Phan Van Giang and his Russian counterpart Andrey Removich Belousov. (Photo: VNA)

He agreed to promote the signing of cooperation documents between the two sides in the coming time. In addition, he backed the expansion of cooperation to new fields in accordance with the capabilities and conditions of each country.

Discussing the world and regional situation and issues of mutual concern with the host, the Vietnamese minister emphasized Vietnam's consistent stance of resolving all disputes and disagreements by peaceful means, on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); international and regional commitments such as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC); and the country's support for the early signing of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) that is substantive, effective and legally binding.

The two ministers agreed that the two sides will continue to coordinate to promote defense cooperation, focusing on exchanging delegations at all levels; effectively maintaining existing cooperation mechanisms; human resources training; cooperation between military branches; scientific research cooperation within the framework of the Vietnam - Russia Tropical Center; and effective coordination and consultation at multilateral mechanisms and forums.

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