Vietnam - Holy See relations record much progress: officials
The Vietnam - Holy See Joint Working Group held the 10th-round meeting in the Vatican on March 31 under the co-chair of Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang and Monsignor Miroslaw Wachowski, Under-Secretary for the Holy See's Relations with States.
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang (R) and Monsignor Miroslaw Wachowski, Under-Secretary for the Holy See's Relations with States, at the meeting in the Vatican. (Photo: VNA)
Rome (VNA) – The Vietnam - HolySee Joint Working Group held the 10th-round meeting in the Vatican onMarch 31 under the co-chair of Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs LeThi Thu Hang and Monsignor Miroslaw Wachowski, Under-Secretary for the Holy See's Relations with States.
In the spirit of friendship, mutualunderstanding, and mutual respect, the two sides discussed the Vietnam - Holy Seerelations and issues related to the Vietnam Catholic Church.
Hang affirmed Vietnam’sconsistent policy of respecting and ensuring people’s freedom of belief andreligion, and that administrations at all levels have always paid attention toand created favourable conditions for activities of religions, including Catholicism.
She proposed the Holy See payattention to and guide the Catholic community of Vietnam to stay attached toand stand side by side with the State and people, contribute to the country’sdevelopment, and bring into play the fine cultural and ethical values ofCatholicism, thereby helping to promote the Vietnam - Holy See ties.
The 10th-round meeting of the Vietnam - Holy See Joint Working Group on March 31. (Photo: VNA)
Wachowski noted that theHoly See always hopes that the Vietnam Catholic Church operates in line withVietnam’s law and actively contributes to the country’s development inconformity with the Church’s teachings of “living the gospel amidst the nation”and that “a good Catholic must be a good citizen”.
At the meeting, the two sides sharedthe view that the relations between Vietnam and the Holy See have recorded muchprogress in the recent past as seen in the regular meetings and consultations,high-level delegation exchanges, and frequent pastoral visits by Archbishop MarekZalewski, Non-Resident Pontifical Representative and Special Envoy of the HolySee, to Vietnam.
They also discussed and basicallyagreed on the working regulations for the Holy See’s Resident Representativeand Resident Representative Office in Vietnam.
On this occasion, Hang had a meeting with Secretary for the Holy See's Relations with States Archbishop Paul Gallagher./.
The Vietnamese Party, State and Government always pay attention to legitimate aspirations of religious organisations, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang told Franklin Graham, President and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA).
The Vietnamese Party and State and the administration of Ho Chi Minh City always respect religions and ensure the operation of religious organisations and believers within the framework of the law, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Ngo Minh Chau said on March 3.
The Government Committee for Religious Affairs released the white book on religions and religious policies in Vietnam at a conference held by the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications in Hanoi on March 9.
The consistent policy of the Vietnamese Party and State in ensuring people's right to freedom of belief has been enshrined in the country's Constitutions issued in 1946, 1959, 1980, 1992 and 2013, creating favourable conditions for all religions in the country.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang (R) and Monsignor Miroslaw Wachowski, Under-Secretary for the Holy See's Relations with States, at the meeting in the Vatican. (Photo: VNA) 
The 10th-round meeting of the Vietnam - Holy See Joint Working Group on March 31. (Photo: VNA) 
