Deputy Foreign Minister hosts first Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang hosted a reception in Hanoi on February 5 for Archbishop Marek Zalewski, the first Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang (R) and Archbishop Marek Zalewski, first Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Deputy Minister o🧔fForeign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang hosted a reception in Hanoi on Febr🐲uary 5 for ArchbishopMarek Zalewski, the first Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam.
Highlightingthe growing ties between Vietnam and the Holy See, Hang noted the positivedevelopments fueled by high-level visits and exchanges. She specificallypointed to the approval of operating regulations for the Resident Papal Representative and the Office of the Resident Papal Representativein Vietnam during President Vo Van Thuong's 2023 visit to the Holy See as a crucialmilestone. Underlining Vietnam's commitment to this progress, Hang assuredZalewski of full support from Vietnamese agencies, toward the shared goals ofstrengthening ties between Vietnam and the Holy See, and the Holy See and theVietnamese Catholic Church, and fostering national development as well.
Zalewski, for his part,thanked the Vietnamese agencies for their support during his tenure asNon-Resident Special Envoy to Vietnam, and wished that Vietnam will continue facilitatinghis activities in his new role to fulfill the mission entrusted by Pope Francis.
He alsovowed to contribute to further increasing high-level contacts and dialogues in thespirit of cooperation and mutual understanding, thus solidifyi♔ng relationsbetween the Holy See and Vietnam as well as the Vietnam Catholic Church./.
On the occasion of the visit by the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, H.E. Vo Van Thuong, to the Vatican on July 27, 2023, on the basis of the 10th Session of the Joint Working Group between Vietnam and the Holy See on March 31, 2023 in the Vatican, and with the desire to continue advancing bilateral relations, the two sides officially announce that the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Holy See concluded the “Agreement on the Status of the Resident Papal Representative and the Office of the Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam”.
President Vo Van Thuong, his spouse and entourage met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Vatican, in the Vatican on July 27 afternoon (local time) to discuss Vietnam-Vatican ties and the Catholic situation in Vietnam.
Pope Francis’s appointment of Archbishop Marek Zalewski as the first Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam marks a historic moment in the diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Vatican, said Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang.
Ha expressed his hope that cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, and natural resources would emerge as new focal points and engines of growth in Vietnam–China relations.
Giang said he believes that building on the solid foundation nurtured over the past half-century and the strong determination of both nations, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to grow in a more robust, comprehensive, and extensive manner, thus bringing more practical benefits to the two nations' people.
Highlighting the transformative potential of the draft law in revitalising Vietnam’s railway industry, Hoang Van Cuong, a deputy of Hanoi, expressed his support for Article 39, which empowers the Prime Minister to issue a list of railway-related goods and services to be assigned or ordered from domestic enterprises for production.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, Hoan, formerly Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, is under investigation for allegedly taking bribes in connection with a case involving the Hoang Long Construction and Manpower Supply JSC and related units.
Chairing a national conference on the organisation of the examination on June 18, the PM highlighted the historical significance of the examination, as the restructuring of provincial-level administrative units is underway and the two-tier local administration model is set to officially begin operations on July 1.
Right on the same day, the ministry issued its highest-level travel warning, urging Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Israel or Iran, and advised those already in these countries to swiftly consider evacuation or relocation plans.
From the struggles against colonialists and imperialists to the period of Doi moi (renewal) and international integration, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has always played a pioneering role on the ideological and cultural front, he said.
The Party leader's working session with the standing boards of the Party Committees of HCM City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Binh Duong, the VNA General Director's remarks on the occasion of the 19th OANA General Assembly, the launch of new NIC - Google initiatives aimed at bolstering AI entrepreneurship and digital literacy in Vietnam are among news highlights June 18.
Vietnam and Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism as it remains a threat to peace, security, and stability across their respective nations, the broader region, and the international community.
The Vietnamese representative also emphasised the shared responsibility of relevant parties to build trust, enhance cooperation, and jointly manage the risks of conflict, thus safeguarding long-term peace and stability in the East Sea.
The National Assembly on June 18 passed the law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality, with 408 out of 420 participating deputies voting in favour, accounting for 85.36% of the total.
The Party leader asked the new HCM City to embrace a multi-centre and integrated urban ecosystem where each development pole functions as a link complementary to and intelligently connected with each other in a harmonious whole.
The resolutions issued by the PM as well as ministries and ministry-level agencies reassign responsibility for 346 administrative procedures - 18 from district to provincial levels, 278 to commune level, and 50 eliminated.
Legislators are due to pass several amended laws, including the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, and the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality.
Vietnamese localities' readiness to implement the two-tier local administration model, the evacuation of 18 Vietnamese citizens from Iran, Petrovietnam's 11th ranking in the 2025 Fortune Southeast Asia 500 are among news highlights on June 17 evening.
The General Secretary underlined the resolve to achieve a growth rate of at least 8% in 2025, laying the groundwork for double-digit growth in the following period. He noted that these are mandatory targets, with no alternative path to success.
Restructuring and improving the quality of officials, civil servants, and public employees is no longer a choice, but an urgent requirement to transition from administrative management to governance in service of the people.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang (R) and Archbishop Marek Zalewski, first Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam. (Photo: VNA) 
