Vietnam always treasures its traditional friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Russia, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of its Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung said on March 4.

He is set to hold discussions with Australian and ASEAN leaders to put forward visions, directions and specific measures to expand their cooperation in the future. 

The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.

As Australia is granting a relatively large number of scholarships to foreign students, including those from ASEAN countries, the two sides should launch a prestigious scholarship programme with priority given to research students.

This is the first visits by a Vietnamese PM to Australia and New Zealand in seven years and also the first by PM Chính to the two countries in his role as Government leader of Việt Nam.

Education and training have been important cooperation pillars in the Australia-Vietnam relations since the “Doi Moi” (Renewal) cause was implemented in Vietnam, held Suiwah Edna Leung, Honorary Associate Professor at the Australian National University (ANU) Crawford School of Public Policy.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, his spouseLê Thị Bích Trân and the high-ranking delegation of Vietnam left Hanoi on March 4 morning for the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit to commemorate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Australia dialogue relations, and official visits to Australia and New Zealand from March 5 – 11.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s trip to attend the ASEAN - Australia Special Summit commemorating the 50th anniversary of the two sides’ dialogue relations and pay official visits to Australia and New Zealand holds special significance, said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse Le Thi Bich Tran and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam left Hanoi on March 4 morning for the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit to commemorate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Australia dialogue relations, and official visits to Australia and New Zealand from March 5 - 11.

A high-leveldelegation of the Ministry of Public Security (MoPS) led by its Deputy MinisterLieutenant General Le Quoc Hung paid a working trip to South Africa fromFebruary 24 to March 1 to promote bilateral cooperation between the twocountries, especially in the field of law protection and enforcement.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son hosted a reception on March 3 for Russian First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs V. Titov who is in Hanoi for the 13th Vietnam-Russia strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defence and security.

The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last weekend by the Vietnam News Agency.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse Le Thi Bich Tran and the high-ranking delegation of Vietnam left Hanoi on March 4 morning for the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit to commemorate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Australia dialogue relations, and official visits to Australia and New Zealand from March 5 – 11.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang attended the Antalya Diplomacy Forum and held bilateral activities in Türkiye on March 1-2.

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski has emphasized the significance of the upcoming trip to Australia by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang attended the Antalya Diplomacy Forum and held bilateral activities in Türkiye on March 1-2.

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski has emphasised the significance of the upcoming trip to Australia by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

The 140-year-old railway, considered outdated in Vietnam, will undergo the most significant infrastructure transformation in decades, as the North-South high-speed railway project will be submitted to the Politburo in March, and the National Assembly within this year.

Located deep in the core area of Cat Ba National Park, with a total area of only some 150 hectares, Viet Hai ancient village is a memorable destination for visitors to the northern port city of Hai Phong.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue had a working session with representatives of the Party Committee of the south-central province of Khanh Hoa on March 2, as part of his working trip to the locality.