The Vietnamese State and people always value and wish to promote traditional friendship lasting over 70 years with the Czech Republic in all areas, said President Vo Van Thuong.

Head of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung and head of the Commission for External Relations of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee Thongsavanh Phomvihane held talks in Hanoi on April 21, on the occasion of the latter's visit for a friendship exchange under a cooperation agreement between the two commissions from April 20-24.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks with his Czech counterpart Petr Fiala in Hanoi on April 21.

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

An official from Ho Chi Minh City has handed over a grant of 250,000 USD to the Cuban side to aid the country in tackling the aftermath of an oil storage facility fire in Matanzas province in August last year.

The Vietnamese Embassy in France, in coordination with the Vietnamese Culture Centre in the country, organised a ceremony on April 20 to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries and the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 21 morning hosted an official welcome ceremony for his Czech counterpart Petr Fiala who is on an official visit to Vietnam from April 20-22.

Nguyen Xuan Thang, Politburo member, President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) and Chairman of the Central Theory Council, on April 21 received Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Orlando Nicolás Hernández Guillén.

Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Vuong Dinh Hue had a meeting with Cuban revolution leader Gen. Raúl Castro Ruz, and First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel in Havana on April 20 (local time).

Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell expressed his deep impression on Vietnam’s economic growth as well as the way the country has improved living standards of people, during his visit to the Southeast Asian nation from April 16-20.

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue attended a ceremony renaming the Peace Park in Plaza district, Havana, to Ho Chi Minh in honour of the late Vietnamese President and attaching a plate recording his life and career at the park on April 20 afternoon (Cuban time).

Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Vuong Dinh Hue met with Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz in Havana on April 20 afternoon (local time), stressing Vietnam’s resolve to further reinforce its time-tested ties with Cuba.

A delegation of representatives of some departments, sectors and districts of Hanoi led by Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Council Phung Thi Hong Ha is making a working visit to Laos from April 20-24.

A cultural and sports exchange programme between Vietnam and Venezuela was opened in Caracas on April 19.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue delivered an speech at a special plenary session of the 10th NA of the People’s Power of Cuba and a celebration of the 62nd anniversary of the Giron Victory at the Havana Convention Palace on April 19 afternoon (local time).

The "fishing ban" imposed by China in the East Sea violates Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) as well as its sovereignty rights and jurisdiction over the waters and exclusive economic zone defined in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Foreign Ministry's vice spokesperson Doan Khac Viet stated on April 20.

Vice spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Doan Khac Viet updated information about measures to protect Vietnamese citizens abroad at a regular press conference of the ministry on April 20 afternoon.

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

The Vietnamese National Assembly in coordination with relevant Cuban agencies presented orders to leaders of the National Assembly of the People’s Power of Cuba at a ceremony in Havana on April 20 (local time), as part of the official visit to the Caribbean nation by NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernández compared notes on orientations and measures to further strengthen the fraternal solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States, legislatures and peoples during their talks in Havana on April 20 (local time).