Press digest – November 20

NA passes Laws on Citizen Identification, Civil Status

Deputies at the eighth session of the 13th National Assembly passed the Law on Citizen Identification and the Law on Civil Status.

The Law on Citizen Identification, which was passed with 76.66 percent of votes, is expected to lay the legal foundation for the allocation of a personal identity number to each citizen and ensure the process is implemented meticulously and in a way that helps manage society.

The Law on Civil Status, passed with 76.65 percent of votes, is designed to guarantee the legal frameworks on civil status, family records and citizen identity are harmonized.

Vice President meets regional leader of the Francophonie

Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan hosted a reception for Anissa Barrak, the Asia-Pacific Regional Director of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), expressing her delight at the growing ties between Viet Nam and the French-speaking community.

Barrak spoke highly of Viet Nam’s leading role in expanding OIF operations in Asia-Pacific, as well as the country’s contributions to building the development strategy for the French-speaking community.

Australia, VN hold third strategic defense dialogue

Viet Nam and Australia conducted the third deputy- ministerial foreign and defense strategic dialogue in Canberra, Australia as a result of enhanced defense cooperation over the years.

Both sides noted with satisfaction the positive developments in relations and strong cooperation between the two countries in recent times, acknowledging the celebration of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties (1973-2013) marked a new step of development in bilateral relations.

The two sides consented to hold the fourth dialogue in Viet Nam next year and closely work on the early signing of a cooperation agreement between the two foreign ministries on bomb and landmine clearance and development aid.

US, VN enhance strategic partnership

New US Ambassador to Viet Nam Ted Osius and new Viet Nam Ambassador to the US Pham Quang Vinh are believed to make significant advances in the strategic partnership between the two nations in the time ahead.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh made the statement a at a regular press briefing in the context when Mr Ted Osius has been ratified by the US Senate to become US Ambassador to Viet Nam and Mr Pham Quang Vinh will leave for the US to take up the post of Vietnamese Ambassador to the US.

VN introduces labor rights policy at informal ASEM seminar

The Viet Nam General Confederation of Labor introduced a range of measures and initiatives to increase the promotion of the rights and interests of workers via corporate social responsibility during the 14th informal ASEM seminar on human rights.

Participants shared their experience and made suggestions to raise businesses’ awareness and sense of responsibility in the field, especially towards vulnerable groups such as women, children and people with disabilities.

EU pours US$19 billion into VN

The capital city ranked first in the nation in attracting investment from European Union countries, with 357 projects worth US$3 billion.

EU investors have funded projects in 52 provinces and cities, focusing on Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Quang Ninh and Dong Nai as well as Hanoi and HCM City. 

VN, Thailand cooperate on e-commerce application

A workshop focusing on fostering cooperation between Viet Nam and Thailand in applying e-commerce in trade promotion was held in Ho Chi Minh City.

Suwipan Thisyamondol, Deputy Head of Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) highlighted that the “Thaitrade.com” website was one of the most effective measures to boost Thailand’s trade and integration efforts by applying modern technologies.

The DPT and DITP signed a cooperation agreement on fostering trade promotion between the two countries in order to benefit businesses on both sides in the near future.

VNA hosts SkyTeam meeting

Viet Nam Airlines is hosting the SkyTeam’s Governing Board Meeting for the first time in Ha Noi.

Chief executive officers of SkyTeam’s member airlines will discuss development plans for 2015 with a focus on improving the service quality.

By Thuy Dung