HA NOI -- A troupe of 47 Lao artists will present a special show of music, dance and arts at the Ha Noi Opera House next Tuesday as part of the Lao Cultural Days programme in Viet Nam. Taking place on July 16-20, the Cultural Days programme includes a fine arts exhibition and film screenings to introduce Lao culture features and enhance the long-standing and close friendship between Viet Nam and Laos on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties. The artists will perform Lao songs, instrumental music and dances praising the beautiful landscape and culture of the country. Traditional dresses of ethnic groups in Laos will also be displayed at the event. The Lao singers will sing several Vietnamese songs and one song composed by a Lao musician that honours late President Ho Chi Minh. Free tickets for the performance can be collected at the Viet Nam Performing Arts Centre, 32 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Ha Noi. -- VNS … [Read more...]
Viet Nam-China friendship association welcomes new chair
HA NOI — The fifth national congress of the Viet Nam-China Friendship Association for the 2012-17 term was held in Ha Noi yesterday. Attending the event were Deputy Prime Minister and president of the Viet Nam-China Bilateral Co-operation Steering Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan, chairman of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Association Vu Xuan Hong, deputy head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for External Relations Tran Dac Loi, and Chinese Ambassador to Viet Nam Kong Xuanyou. The plan for the new term focuses on the effectiveness of the traditional co-operation between Viet Nam and China and a developed friendship between the two peoples. The congress elected a new executive board, chaired by Party Central Committee member Nguyen Xuan Thang, who is also president of the Viet Nam Institute for Social Sciences. The Vietnamese Deputy PM and the Chinese Ambassador congratulated the congress on its success. — VNS … [Read more...]
Chairman affirms Cuba friendship
HA NOI — Nguyen Sinh Hung, Chairman of the National Assembly, had talks with Raul Castro, first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers of Cuba in Ha Noi yesterday. Hung said Vietnamese treasured the special friendship, solidarity and support that the Cuban people had reserved for Viet Nam in the war for national independence and unification – and during the present nation building and development. He said he believed that under the clear-sighted leadership of the Cuban Communist Party, the Cuban people would overcome difficulties and gain many more achievements in their noble revolutionary cause. "The Vietnamese National Assembly pledges to work together with the Cuban... National Assembly to raise the special and traditional friendship between the two nations to a higher level," Hung said. He proposed that politicians from the two legislative bodies should make more exchange visits, sharing … [Read more...]
Japan, Viet Nam lawmakers boost friendship
HA NOI — To Huy Rua, Political Bureau member, secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of its Organisation Commission, yesterday received Takebe Chutomu, president of the Japan-Viet Nam Parliamentarians' Friendship League. Takebe expressed his delight at the fine development in Viet Nam-Japan relations and stressed that his visit aimed to promote co-operation between the two parliaments and their friendship parliamentarians' alliances. Rua, who is also president of the Viet Nam-Japan Parliamentarians' Friendship Group, reaffirmed that the Party, National Assembly and Government of Viet Nam had a consistent policy to develop multifaceted relations with Japan and highly valued the effective co-operation between the two countries' legislative bodies and friendship parliamentarians' alliances. — VNS … [Read more...]
The price of friendship
Tran Tuan was in love with Nguyen Lan and wanted to marry her, although she already had a child to a different man. To convince his family to accept their marriage, Tuan told his parents that he was the biological father. His family, however, doubted his word and asked Tuan and the child to have DNA tests to prove it. Tuan then sought help from a friend, named Hai, who was married and had a son. He proposed that Hai and Hai's son make a DNA genetic test under the names of Tuan and his girlfriend's son. All were 100 per cent sure the test would solve Tuan's problem and that the wedding bells would ring. But Tuan may have to try another ploy. When the test result came, Hai was shocked to find he was not the father of his "own" son! Wedding bells may eventually ring for Tuan - if he can find a young couple who have been faithful to each other. But poor old Hai is still recovering from his gift of friendship. The joys of marriage … [Read more...]
French military leader visits in friendship, information exchange
HA NOI – Senior Lt Gen Do Ba Ty, chief of the General Staff of the Viet Nam People's Army and Deputy Minister of National Defence, yesterday received French Navy Admiral Edouard Guillaud, chief of Defence Staff who is currently on a three-day visit to Viet Nam. The two sides exchanged information about their respective countries and issues of mutual concern to boost friendship and understanding between their militaries and peoples. They also reached an agreement on visit and work exchanges by military delegations from both countries, improving co-operation in education and training and military equipment. Their agreement also mentioned maintaining effective implementation of the annual meeting of the Viet Nam-France Joint Committee on National Defence Co-operation and contributing to the celebrations of the 40th year of relations between the two countries. Admiral Guillaud also gave a salute to Minister of National Defence Phung Quang Thanh. — VNS … [Read more...]
Viet Nam-Japan Friendship Association donates cherry blossom trees
HA NOI — A ceremony to accept 500 cherry blossom (sakura) trees from the Viet Nam-Japan Friendship Association took place in Hoa Binh Park in Ha Noi's Tu Liem District on Saturday. Addressing the ceremony, Ha Noi People's Committee vice chairmanTran Xuan Viet expressed the city's gratitude toward the Japanese, particularly the Chukyo area where the trees came from. Second secretary of the Japanese Embassy Nishino Atsunori said the cherry blossom was Japan's national flower and the trees planted in the park aimed to help people from Viet Nam increase their knowledge of Japanese culture. Previously, Japan has brought cherry blossom trees to Ha Noi for Japanese Cherry Blossom Festivals, but this is the first time the trees have been planted in Ha Noi.-VNS … [Read more...]
Vietnamese entrepreneurs receive Lao Friendship Medal
VIENTIANE – Two leading Long Thanh-Vientiane Special Economic Zone officials have been awarded the Friendship Medal by the Lao government for their contribution to socio-economic development worth nearly US$5 million in the country. Le Van Kiem, president of the management board, and general director Tran Cam Nhung of the Long Thanh-Vientiane Special Economic Zone yesterday received the award from Lao Deputy Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith. Speaking at the awards ceremony, the deputy prime minister said he highly valued the two men's contribution to boosting trade in the area. He also pointed out that Kiem and Nhung had responded quickly to appeals from Japan for aid to help victims of the earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. Kiem alone, who served as a volunteer soldier in Laos during the American War, donated $216,000 to the Japanese victims. Thongloun said he hoped construction work on the economic would be completed on schedule. Kiem thanked the Lao Government for … [Read more...]
Viet Nam, China seek to build trust through friendship, co-operation
The Hanoitimes - Viet Nam and China have discussed specific measures to enhance political mutual trust by promoting bilateral co-operation and all-level friendship exchanges. During the meeting between visiting President Truong Tan Sang and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing yesterday, the two sides agreed to promote mutually beneficial co-operation, bring economic-trade links to a new stage in a more effective and sustainable manner, and incessantly enrich the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations. Premier Li spoke highly of the outcomes of the talks between President Truong Tan Sang and Chinese President Xi Jinping, affirming that the China's Government will work with its Vietnamese counterpart to effectively implement agreements reached during the visit. President Sang congratulated Li Keqiang on his election as the Chinese Premier and conveyed the regards of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and other Vietnamese leaders. They reached a consensus on … [Read more...]
Sweden hails friendship with VN
Home Swede home: Swedish people celebrate their national day. — Photo Ola Ericson/imagebank.sweden.se (VNS) To mark Sweden's National Day today, Viet Nam News presents an article by the Swedish Ambassador, Camilla Mellander. Today, on Sweden's National Day, I ex-tend my kindest regards to all Swedes and friends in Viet Nam and around the world. On June 6, we celebrate Gustav Vasa's appointment as King of Sweden in 1523, thus laying the foundation for a united Swedish kingdom. Sweden and Viet Nam have a long history of co-operation in the area of culture. Music is one area where Sweden has a lot to offer. Even though there are only nine million Swedes, we are the world's third largest music exporter. Maybe you have heard of Roxette, ABBA, Swedish House Mafia and Robyn to mention a few. Many Swedish musicians have come to Viet Nam and many Vietnamese have visited Sweden. Our two countries have also collaborated a lot in the field of literature with numerous translations of each … [Read more...]