ANNOUNCEMENT
APEC High-level Policy Dialogue on Sustainable Tourism - Ha Long City, June 18-20
Within the framework of the 2017 APEC year, Vietnam has introduced the initiative to organize the APEC High-level Policy Dialogue on sustainable tourism, which is to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals of APEC and also to welcome the Viet Nam-hosted APEC Year 2017 and welcome the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development of the United Nations.
The Dialogue, held in Hạ Long on June 19, will be hosted by Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien, with participation of about 150 delegates from APEC member economies and speakers from prestigious international organizations such as the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), among others.
APEC Tourism ministers will expectedly issue a joint declaration on sustainable tourism development, including specific recommendations and orientations to develop sustainable tourism in the APEC region.
Hosting this event will play a part in strengthening Vietnam’s position and role in the region in developing policies on sustainable tourism development.

Question & Answer:
Question about Doan Thi Huong. Could you please give update on her health condition after she has appeared in court for three times? How have her lawyers been doing with collecting the documents and information?
The Embassy of Viet Nam in Malaysia informed that her health and spirit are stable.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been working closely with relevant authorities in Viet Nam, the Embassy of Viet Nam in Malaysia, the Vietnam Bar Federation and the Malaysian lawyers to ensure her rights be protected.

On June 13, ROK Foreign Ministry voiced their interpretation of what President Moon Jae-in had said about their Viet Nam veterans. They said the President's remarks were intended as a call to remind of their sacrifice for the country. How do you comment on this?
Viet Nam wishes to develop friendly ties with all countries which were engaged in wars in Viet Nam, including the ROK. The two countries' leaders have reached common perceptions in putting the past aside and looking towards the future.

How Vietnamese government treats Pham Minh Hoang’s appeal against President’s decision to revoke his citizenship? With his citizenship taken away, is his stay in Ho Chi Minh City legal or not? If not, when will he be deported?
The Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam has answered question from AFP concerning this case.
Pham Minh Hoang has repeatedly violated Viet Nam laws and harmed the Viet Nam’s national interests. The revocation of his citizenship is in line with Vietnamese laws.
Vietnamese authorities have informed Pham Minh Hoang and the Embassy of France in Hanoi of this matter.

Question concerning diplomatic crisis in Qatar. How is the situation of Vietnamese citizens? What is Vietnamese policy in protecting our citizens in Qatar? 
As the political tension in Qatar escalated, the Embassy of Viet Nam in Qatar has under the direction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs closely followed and updated the development. In our latest communication with the Embassy, we were reported that the situation of Vietnamese citizens is stable, without any significant changes.
Our Embassy will continue to keep close contact with labor dispatching agencies, our labor contact points in Qatar to update the development in Qatar for the Vietnamese community there and to provide support to ensure they remain calm and normal live and work. We urge them to keep contact with our Embassy to receive support and assistance. The Ministry will continue to work closely with authorities at home to set up protection plans for our citizens when necessary.

Could you confirm whether there is any Vietnamese victim in the recent fire in a London's tower block?
Just before I stepped into this press conference, I have contacted the Embassy of Viet Nam in the UK and learned that until this moment, there is no Vietnamese victim reported in the fire in London.
This is a tragic incident. I would like to extend the deepest condolences to the British Government and people, and families of the victims.

Vietnamese President is going to visit Russian. Please tell when and how long the visit is? What is its purpose?
Right now the two countries are actively making arrangements for the visit. We will inform you more specifically at the earliest convenience.

Regarding the statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, I understand that this is the first time that the Vietnamese Government has an official statement   responding the ROK statement? Why now?
As far as I know the new President of the Republic of Korea has not issued any statement on this matter before. Our statement is remarks by Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs' spokesperson in response to the questions by the journalists, and those questions I understand reflect the public concerns over this statement.

The Pentagon released reports that say China is completing its militarization process on the structures in Paracel and Spratly Islands. What is Viet Nam’s response to this?
I would like to reiterate that Viet Nam has sufficient legal ground and historical evidence to affirm its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelagos.
Without Viet Nam’s permission, all foreign activity in these areas are illegal and cannot alter the fact that Viet Nam has full sovereignty over these two archipelagos.
We believe that as a major power in the region and the world, China need take responsible steps in order to maintain peace and stability in the region as well as in the East Sea, on the basis of respecting international law.