Ho Chi Minh City wishes to strengthen cooperation with the French-speaking community of Belgium (Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles) in potential fields such as clean energy, biology, health, education; digital transformation, and high-tech agriculture, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Ngo Minh Chau has told a Belgian official.

Việt Nam will work closely with other UN member states and stakeholders to ensure and promote human rights.

Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres arrived in Hanoi, beginning an official visit to Vietnam from October 21-22 at the invitation of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

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

The 15th National Assembly commenced its fourth session in Hanoi on October 20 following a preparatory meeting approving the agenda of the fourth session and an opening ceremony with the presence of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, and other incumbent and former leaders of the Party, the State and the Vietnam Fatherland Front.

The situation of Vietnamese workers in Africa has been stable and seen certain improvements, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said at a regular press conference of the ministry in Hanoi on October 20.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has always kept a close watch on the situation in Ukraine and paid attention to the citizen protection work and the protection of Vietnamese people living and working there, spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang affirmed on October 20.

Legislators scrutinised a proposal and a report on the draft Law on Money Laundering Prevention and Control (amended) as part of the 4th session of the 15th National Assembly (NA) in Hanoi on October 20.

United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pauline Tamesis has granted an inclusive interview to Vietnam News Agency on the upcoming Vietnam visit by UN Secretary-General António Guterres as well as the Vietnam-UN partnership.

The joint working group of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China held their 37th meeting on the implementation of the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) in Cambodia on October 1-3, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang.

The visit to Vietnam by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres from October 21 – 22 is expected to contribute to expanding and improving the efficiency of cooperation between the two sides.

The Inspection Commission of the Party Central Committee held its 21st session on October 18-19, meting out disciplinary measures on some Party organisations and Party members that have violated the Party’s regulations and the State’s law.

Australian newly-appointed Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew John Lech Goledznowski has given general assessments of the potential to further promote multifaceted relations between Vietnam and Australia, saying that there are many opportunities for the two countries to expand their relations in the future.

Speaking at the opening of the session, NA chairman Vương Đình Huệ said lawmakers will scrutinise and adopt seven bills.

The spokesperson stressed that ASEAN and China also expressed the wish to soon finalise the second reading of review for a single draft document of the COC, and to soon adopt a substantive, effective COC in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS

The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency on October 20.

Singaporean President Halimah Yacob left Ho Chi Minh City on October 20, concluding her five-day state visit to Vietnam.

Voters and people nationwide have expressed their delight at the rapid socio-economic recovery and development after a long period of stagnation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report delivered at the opening of the 15th National Assembly (NA)'s 4th session on October 20.

Promoting economic diplomacy in Laos has become an important focus of the Vietnamese Embassy and representative agencies there as it not only strengthens bilateral economic and trade ties but also cements great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, according to Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung.

Vietnam’s economic growth this year is projected at nearly 8%, up 1.5-2% from the initial target, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh while delivering the 2022 socio-economic performance report and 2023 socio-economic development plan at the 14th National Assembly’s fourth session in Hanoi on October 20.