A ceremony was held in Hanoi on August 5 evening to celebrate Switzerland's 730th National Day (1291-2021) and the 50th founding anniversary of Vietnam-Switzerland diplomatic relations (1971-2021) with the attendance of Swiss Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis.

Vietnam’s ideas and proposals at the 54th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings have been supported by ASEAN member states and partners thanks to their appropriateness, activeness and practicality, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang told the ministry’s online press briefing on August 5.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received visiting Swiss Vice President and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis in Hanoi on August 5, during which he thanked the Swiss Government for the timely and valuable help when Vietnam is coping with a resurgence of COVID-19.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son proposed Switzerland continue to assist Vietnam in getting access to COVID-19 vaccine supplies, treatment medicines and necessary medical equipment during his talks with Swiss Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis in Hanoi on August 5.

Vietnamese and US competent agencies are coordinating to prepare for the visit of US Vice President Kamala Harris to Vietnam, which is scheduled for August, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang at the ministry’ virtual press conference held on August 5.

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan hosted a reception on August 5 for Vice President and Foreign Minister of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis, who is on an official visit to Vietnam on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Switzerland diplomatic ties.

China’s military exercise in the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago area violated Vietnam’s sovereignty over the islands and went counter to the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), Spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang has said.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong on August 5 chaired the 20th meeting of the Central Steering Committee for Corruption Prevention and Control.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue held an online meeting with 5,000 voters in the northern port city of Hai Phong on August 5.

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn proposed Switzerland continue to assist Việt Nam in accessing to COVID-19 vaccine supply, treatment drugs and necessary medical equipment during his talks with Switzerland’s Vice President and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis on Thursday.

Việt Nam on Thursday condemns China’s newly announced military drill near its Hoàng Sa (Paracels) archipelago as a serious violation of the country’s sovereignty.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his spouse will pay an official friendly visit to Laos from August 9-10 at the invitation of General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang announced at an online press conference on August 5.

President of the National Assembly of People’s Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernández cabled a message of congratulations to Vuong Dinh Hue on his election as Chairman of the 15th National Assembly.

State President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and his spouse will pay an official visit to Laos from August 9-10.

The Vietnam-Thailand relations have been upheld and strengthened in all fields by the countries’ leaders and people despite uncertainties in the region and in each nation.

ASEAN and Canada say they will launch negotiations for a free trade agreement in 2021 and pledged to enhance economic, trade and investment partnerships as well as stabilise supply chain linkages.

Russia will continue to supply vaccines to ASEAN countries and is ready to transfer and expand vaccine production in the region.

Foreign Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn attended the 11th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting via a videoconference on August 4, as part of the 54th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings.

Foreign Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn urged India to continue its prompt and stable vaccine supply for ASEAN member states at the ASEAN – India foreign ministers’ meeting held on Wednesday  as part of the 54th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM-54) and related meetings.

The Party Central Committee’s Inspection Commission issued an announcement on its fifth meeting in Hanoi on August 4.