Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung. (Photo: VNA)
Rome (VNA) – Vietnam – Vatican relations haveseen𒆙 new positive progress, said Vietn❀amese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung.
Talking to Vietnam News Agency reporters in Rome on theoccasion of the visit by President Vo Van Thuong to the Vatican on July 27, theambassador said that in meetings of the Pope and the Vatican's officials with Vietnamese representatives, the Holy See side assessed that the two sides' relations were developing positively, andexpressed their wish to further promote the relations with Vietnam in thecoming time. He noted that on the occasions of the last Christmas and New Year 2023, high-ranking leaders of Vietnam for the first time sent congratulatory messages to Pope Francis, and the Pope also asked the VietnameseAmbassador to Italy to convey his Christmas and New Year greetings toleaders and people of Vietnam.
Recently, at the10th-round meeting of the Vietnam - Vatican Joint Working Group, the two sidesbasically agreed on the content of regulations for the Holy See’s ResidentRepresentative and Resident Representative Office in Vietnam, the ambassador said, stressing that the result is especially significant after 14 years of negotiations.
He added t🔯hat Vietnam and the Vatican are taking the final steps to approve the regulations, thus lifting the bilateral relationship to the level of permanent representative soon.
According to the diplomat, the Vatican side is always willing to arrangeexchanges and working programmes between Vietnamese delegations and the HolySee's competent agencies. The latest one was the meeting between Vice Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council Pham Van Linh and the Vatican representativesin June this year. In addition, the Holy See also regularly sends representatives toparticipate in activities organised by the Embassy of Vietnam in Italy, whichcontributes to strengthening the relationship between the two sides.
During his visit to the Vatican, President Vo VanThuong is expected to meet Pope Francis and the Vatican’s Secretary of StateCardinal Pietro Parolin.
Ambassador Hung assessed that the positivꦅe development ofthe Vietnam-Vatican relationship over the past time is in line with the wishesand aspirations of both sides.
In Vietnam, the Catholic Church and over 7 millionparishioners will have better conditions in performing their religious practice following Vietnamese law, and in the spirit of "good Catholics are good citizens", Ambassador Hung said, noting that this is also an important premisefor the two sides to continue to work together to further their relations inthe coming time.
Regarding thepotential for cooperation between Vietnam and the Vatican, the Ambassador saidthat the two sides are actively preparing to officially upgrade therelationship to the level of the Permanent Representative of the Holy See inVietnam. This is considered to be a new historic step in theirbilateral relationship, as well as an important premise to open up a new phase inwhich cooperation potentials between Vietnam and the Vatican will be exploitedand promoted./.
The Vietnam - Holy See Joint Working Group held the 10th-round meeting in the Vatican on March 31 under the co-chair of Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang and Monsignor Miroslaw Wachowski, Under-Secretary for the Holy See's Relations with States.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Vietnam (CBCV) hosted a meeting of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) themed “FABC 50 Bangkok Document and its implications for Asia” in the southern province of Ba Ria - Vung Tau from June 5-10, looking back on the 50-year operation of the FABC and sharing ideas about activities to protect the environmental, ensure social justice and migration in Asia.
President Vo Van Thuong and his spouse will pay an official visit to Austria, a State visit to Italy and a visit to the Vatican from July 23-28, at the invitations of President of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen, President of Italy Sergio Mattarella and Pope Francis.
President Vo Van Thuong and his spouse left Hanoi on July 23 morning for an official visit to Austria, a State visit to Italy and a visit to the Vatican.
President Vo Van Thuong’s visit to the Vatican on July 27 will help open up new prospects for bilateral relations in the coming time, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung. (Photo: VNA) 
