25th SEA Games closes

(VNA) The 25th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) came to a successful end on Dec. 18 after ten days of competition with Vietnam ranking second in medal standings.

The final overall medals table reads Thailand on top with 86 golds, 83 silvers and 97 bronzes. Vietnam is second at 83-75-57 and Indonesia places third at 43-53-74.

Following top three countries in order are Malaysia , the Philippines , Singapore , Laos , Myanmar , Cambodia , Brunei and East Timor .

Vietnam’s exports to US to increase 10 percent

(VNA) Vietnam’s exports to the US will see an increase of at least 10 percent in 2010, according to Vietnamese commercial counsellor in the US Ngo Van Thoan.

Talking with the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in the US, Thoan said his forecast was based on the encouraging results in two-way trade between Vietnam and the US in 2009 despite difficulties caused by the global financial crisis.

Outstanding overseas Vietnamese honoured

(VNA) The Vietnamese Embassy in France and Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a meeting in Paris on Dec. 20 to honour overseas Vietnamese communities and individuals who fervently studied and followed the moral example of President Ho Chi Minh.

US weekly: Agent Orange still poisons Vietnam new generations

(VNA) The US Time magazine on Dec. 16 ran a feature reflecting the fact that the levels of cancer-causing dioxins in Danang airport area are still 300-400 times higher than what is deemed to be safe, yet the US is using aid on meetings rather than practical deeds like cleanup of the toxic.

Defence chief: boost integration but maintain independence

Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh has reaffirmed Vietnam’s external policy of independence along with global integration at the end of his visit to the US and France.

Thanh told Vietnam News Agency (VNA) that the Defence Ministry has established relations with 60 foreign counterparts and has sent attachés to dozens of countries. In return, over 20 countries have opened defence attaché offices in Vietnam.

East Sea security, development workshop closes

(VNA) An international workshop on cooperation on the East Sea wrapped up in Hanoi on Nov. 27 with 25 speeches presented and four discussion sessions held.
Addressing the closing ceremony of the workshop, Prof. Dr Duong Van Quang, President of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, said that scientific knowledge at the event will be a valuable reference source for policy makers and provide a more objective and comprehensive assessment of disputes in this region.

Regarding recent dispute at Bat Nha Monastery

Spokeswoman of Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Nguyen Phuong Nga answered question regarding on the information that Viet Nam forced about 400 followers of the Plum Village to leave the Bat Nha Monastery, Lam Dong province:

First of all, I would like to make it clear that there is absolutely no such thing as ‘Viet Nam forced 400 Plum Village followers to leave Bat Nha Monastery.’ The information saying that there have been clashes between the authorities and the "monks" and "nuns" at Bat Nha Monastery, causing several wounded and many others detained, is totally false.

Vietnam, US set up health task force on AO/dioxin

(VNA) Vietnam and the US have reached consensus on directions to address the consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin in the Southeast Asian country, including the establishment of a health task force.

The two nations came to the decision during the fourth annual meeting of the Vietnam-US Joint Advisory Council (JAC) on AO which ended in Hanoi on Sept. 10 after three days of talks.

State President: Vietnam persists with anti-war policy

(VNA) Vietnam follows a consistent policy to protest against war, promote disarmament and preserve peace, State President Nguyen Minh Triet has said at the United Nations Security Council summit in New York on Sept. 24.

The summit, the first for heads of State to discuss the issue of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, is part of the 64th annual session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Reception marks VN's National Day in US

(VNA) Ambassador of Vietnam Le Cong Phung hosted a National Day (Sept. 2) reception in the capital city of the United States on Sept. 15.

Among their guests at the reception were officials from the US Department of State and the ambassadors of several countries in the US .

Speaking on this occasion, Ambassador Phung recalled 64 years of development of Vietnam since the country's foundation in 1945. He laid stress on the achievements Vietnam gained in national construction, especially the high economic growth rates over recent years.

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