Vietnam, Sri Lanka strengthen cooperation across multiple areas
At the National Library of Sri Lanka, the Vice Chairman and his entourage paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh, offering flowers at his monument and visiting the Ho Chi Minh Space.
Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai presents a portrait of President Ho Chi Minh to the Communist Party of Sri Lanka. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) -🅷 Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai engaged in numerous activities Colombo capital and Kandy city during his two-day visit to Sri Lanka on March 21-22.
At the National Library of Sri Lanka, the Vice Chairman and his entourage paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh, offering flowers at his monument and visiting the Ho Chi Minh Space. He praised the library’s efforts in collecting and displaying materials on Ho Chi Minh’s life and career, including a translation of his Prison Diary into Sinhala, a language of Sri Lanka. He proposed closer cooperation between the national libraries of both countries to expand the collection.
Meeting General Secretary Weerasinghe Geeganage and other leaders of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka, Vice Chairman Hai underscored the long-standing ties between the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and Communist Party of Sri Lanka, supporting stronger bilateral relations, urging the two parties to continue exchanging issues of shared concern, promoting their friendship and cooperation.
General Secretary Geeganage congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic achievements under the CPV leadership, describing the country's success as a model and a source of encouragement for communist and workers' parties worldwide. Affirming strong support and solidarity between the two parties, he expressed his wish to strengthen bilateral ties further, contributing to the development of the two countries' relations.
During discussions with the Sri Lanka-Vietnam Solidarity Association, the Vice Chairman commended its role since its inception in 1966 in fostering international support for Vietnam. He expressed gratitude for its efforts in strengthening tradition friendship between the two countries' people.
Association representatives pledged to continue promoting solidarity between the two countries.
On March 22, Central Province Governor Sarath Abeykoon welcomed Vice Chairman Hai, emphasising the visit’s role in enhancing ties between Sri Lanka’s Central Province and Vietnamese localities.
Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai presents a souvenir to Central Province Governor of Sri Lanka, Sarath Abeykoon. (Photo: VNA)
Hai highlighted the long-standing Buddhist connections between Vietnam and Sri Lanka, noting Buddhism’s values of peace and compassion as a spiritual bridge between the nations. Abeykoon praised Vietnam’s economic progress as an example for Sri Lanka.
As part of his visit, Vice Chairman Hai toured the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the Vietnam Corner at the International Buddhist Museum, and Truc Lam Zen Monastery, the first Vietnamese temple in Sri Lanka. He commended the monastery’s contributions to promoting Buddhist values and Vietnamese culture./.
Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in economy, trade, and investment, with an aim to soon reach 1 billion USD in two-way trade; consider negotiating and signing a free trade agreement soon; and promote the possibility of a direct air route to facilitate exchanges, trade, and tourism, and tap into the potential and strength of each country.
The formation of the Sri Lanka-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group is a key milestone in relations between the two countries as well as between their parliaments, especially as Sri Lanka prepares to welcome a high-level delegation from Vietnam’s National Assembly.
In recent years, trade between Vietnam and Sri Lanka has reached about 300-350 million USD per year. Sri Lanka has invested in around 30 projects in Vietnam while there are four Vietnamese restaurants in Sri Lanka
General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the VPA’s General Staff and Deputy Minister of National Defence reaffirmed Vietnam’s unwavering gratitude for Cuba’s invaluable support during its struggle for independence and nation-building efforts, and pledged to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Cuba as it navigates current challenges.
Vietnam is a country with which Russia shares a special relationship. In the 1950s and 60s, particularly during Vietnam’s struggle for independence, the two countries forged a deep bond. While much has changed over time, the friendship and cooperation between our nations have endured, said Russian President Vladimir Putin.
For 50 years, Vietnam and New Zealand have worked together to uphold peace and prosperity for their peoples and the region. The friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding Vietnam and New Zealand nurtured have grown from a seed into a deeply rooted, strong, and thriving tree, she stressed.
Since the Strategic Partnership was established in 2020, Vietnam and New Zealand have witnessed steady growth in the relations. Beyond the remarkable 40% increase in bilateral trade over five years, political relations and multilateral interactions, particularly within the CPTPP framework, have remained highly positive.
Known as the “four pillars for Vietnam’s ascend”, the Pobiburo's Resolutions 57, 59, 66, and 68 focus on cultivating a robust national entrepreneurial spirit, unlocking resources for innovation across society, and accelerating the development of digital economy, knowledge-based economy, green economy, and circular economy, propelling Vietnam forward rapidly and firmly on the path of modernisation and international integration.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang cleared up deputies' concern regarding how to spur socio-economic growth, renew traditional growth motives and establish new momentum for development.
Vietnam proposed several priorities: narrowing the digital divide, strengthening women’s leadership in the digital economy and AI governance, and mobilising sustainable financing for gender equality initiatives in line with each country’s national priorities and context. Vietnam also advocated for genuine women’s participation and leadership across all areas of public life.
Ha expressed his hope that cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, and natural resources would emerge as new focal points and engines of growth in Vietnam–China relations.
Giang said he believes that building on the solid foundation nurtured over the past half-century and the strong determination of both nations, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to grow in a more robust, comprehensive, and extensive manner, thus bringing more practical benefits to the two nations' people.
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According to the Ministry of Public Security, Hoan, formerly Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, is under investigation for allegedly taking bribes in connection with a case involving the Hoang Long Construction and Manpower Supply JSC and related units.
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Right on the same day, the ministry issued its highest-level travel warning, urging Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Israel or Iran, and advised those already in these countries to swiftly consider evacuation or relocation plans.
From the struggles against colonialists and imperialists to the period of Doi moi (renewal) and international integration, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has always played a pioneering role on the ideological and cultural front, he said.
The Party leader's working session with the standing boards of the Party Committees of HCM City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Binh Duong, the VNA General Director's remarks on the occasion of the 19th OANA General Assembly, the launch of new NIC - Google initiatives aimed at bolstering AI entrepreneurship and digital literacy in Vietnam are among news highlights June 18.
Vietnam and Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism as it remains a threat to peace, security, and stability across their respective nations, the broader region, and the international community.
The Vietnamese representative also emphasised the shared responsibility of relevant parties to build trust, enhance cooperation, and jointly manage the risks of conflict, thus safeguarding long-term peace and stability in the East Sea.
