VUFO President receives international delegation of Protestant pastors
President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Phan Anh Son received an international delegation of Protestant pastors and two representatives of the US-based Institute for Global Engagement (IGE), in Hanoi on December 4.
Participants of the December 4 meeting between VUFO President Phan Anh Son and an international delegation of Protestant pastors and two representatives of the US-based Institute for Global Engagement. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Phan Anh Son received an international delegation of Protestant pastors and two representatives of the US-based Institute for Global Engagement (IGE), in Hanoi on December 4.
The delegation, led by IGE President Bob Roberts, is paying a visit to Vietnam from December 1 to 6. The trip is part of a joint initiative between VUFO and IGE under their signed memorandum of understanding as well as of an annual programme that brings together international Protestant pastors to different nations.
At the meeting, Son expressed his hope that with their experiences in Vietnam, Pastor Roberts and the delegation would help promote the country’s image as a vibrant, hospitable nation that respects diversity and religious freedom to the US government and people and to international friends.
For his part, Roberts commended the country’s ongoing efforts to ensure religious freedom. Vietnam has obtained remarkable achievements in various sectors, including its strides in safeguarding religious rights and continuously improving its legal system on religion and belief.
He expected that the visit to help the delegation learn about the Southeast Asian nation’s religion-related policies and laws, and exchange knowledge and experience regarding its religious practices.
While in Hanoi, the delegation is scheduled to meet with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affair✨s, the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, and the Government Committee for Religious Affairs. They are also set to visit the Aquila Protestant group in Quoc Oai district and the Hanoi In𓄧ternational Fellowship (HIF) on Ton That Thuyet street./.
The Party and State of Vietnam always affirm that belief and religion are the spiritual needs of the people, which have been and will be coexisting with the nation, and followers of all religions are part of the great national unity bloc.
The Investigation Security Agency under the Department of Public Security of Phu Yen province has decided to start legal proceedings against Nay Y Blang, born in 1976, for the charge of “Taking advantage of democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the State, the legitimate rights and interests of organisations and individuals”.
The Party, since taking up the leadership of the revolution in Vietnam, has followed a consistent policy on ensuring the freedom of belief and religion, strengthening the national solidarity bloc and uniting followers of all religions as well as secular people in the national construction and safeguarding process.
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.
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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.
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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.
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Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
