Ho Chi Minh City needs to shift from political diplomacy to economic diplomacy in service of its development demand, said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.
HCM City (VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City needs to shift from political diplomacy toeconomic diplomacy in service of its development demand, said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.
Son made the suggestion ata conference held by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of External Relations onDecember 27 to review its 2016 performance and set out tasks for 2017.
The Deputy Minister notedthat external activities in the City and other localities nationwide have to prioritisestronger cooperation with strategic partners and serious selection of areas forjoint projects.
He tasked the municipaldepartment with closely working with relevant agencies in implementing culturaldiplomacy, protecting citizens overseas and improving the diplomatic sector’spersonnel.
Lauding external activitiesthroughout 2016, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen ThanhPhong recommended that the activities should continue focusing on strengtheningbilateral ties in terms of authority management, environment protection,climate change adaptation, foreign investment attraction and personnel capacitybuilding.
This aims to help developthe city as a trade, finance, science and technology hub in the region, Phongadded.
He said 2017 marks anumber of major diplomatic events, including the implementation of severalinternational commitments and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) events.
Phong highlighted thecity’s plan to celebrate the establishment of diplomatic relations betweenVietnam and other countries in 2017, particularly a cultural festival to mark25 years of Vietnam-the Republic of Korea ties.
As heard at the function,in 2016, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of External Relations organised 18official overseas visits for local leaders and welcomed over 140 foreigndelegations.
It also participated inthe organisation of an international tourism expo, a conference for overseasVietnamese and the Ho Chi Minh City festival on integration and development,among others.-VNA
The HCM City Tourism Association kicked off the 2017 domestic tourism promotion programme with discounts of up to 70 percent on package tours on December 20.
Ho Chi Minh City authorities will provide free train and bus tickets as well as gifts for workers and students to go home for Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.
The southern largest economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City welcomed its five millionth foreign visitor at Tan Son Nhat International Airport on December 24.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
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.
A view of Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: VNA) 
