I. ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. The 33rd ASEAN – Australia Forum

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dzung, Head of Viet Nam’s ASEAN SOM, will attend the 33rd annual deputy-ministerial-level ASEAN – Australia Forum on 17 March 2021 via videoconference.

This is an opportunity for senior officials from ASEAN and Australia to implement cooperation agreements agreed upon by Leaders from both sides at the ASEAN – Australia Summit in November 2020, identify the directions for the ASEAN – Australia ties in 2021, and discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest.

2. Press conference on the agenda of the 11th Session of the 14th National Assembly

As per the Regulation of a National Assembly’s Session, and in implementing the Plan of Communication for the 11th Session of the 14th National Assembly, tentatively, on 23 March 2021, Secretary General of the National Assembly and Chairman of the Office of the National Assembly Nguyen Hanh Phuc will chair the Press conference on the tentative agenda of the 11th Session of the 14th National Assembly at the Press Center of the National Assembly Building.

As usual, the Department of Information and the Press, Ministry of Foreign Affairs will assist foreign press members in attending this press conference. You can register with the Department of Information and the Press, MOFA.

II. Q&A

1. Xinhua: During the closing session of the 4 th Session of the 13th National People’s Congress of China (in the afternoon of 11 March), the NPC decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was adopted. A number of countries have criticized China, for this may be detrimental to Hong Kong’s democracy. Can you provide Viet Nam’s comment on this matter?

Viet Nam’s position on the situation in Hong Kong has been clearly stated. Viet Nam respects and supports China’s policy of “One Country, Two Systems”, the Basic Law and regulations related to Hong Kong. Issues pertaining to Hong Kong are the domestic affairs of China. Viet Nam always hopes for stability and prosperity in Hong Kong.

2. Zing: Can you comment on the recently announced Interim National Security Guidance by the Biden administration, particularly the position on the Asia-Pacific?

There have been numerous ideas and initiatives regarding cooperation in the Indo-Pacific proposed by countries within and outside the region.

Viet Nam’s position is that we look forward to and welcome regional initiatives that contribute to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region on the basis of the law and respect for international law, for the legitimate rights and interests of all countries, and ensure ASEAN’s centrality in the evolving regional architecture.

3. Zing: Can you comment on recent developments in Myanmar?

We are much concerned with the escalating violence and casualties in Myanmar recently. Viet Nam calls on related parties to exercise utmost restraint, avoid the use of excessive violence, and resolve conflicts via peaceful dialogue. We hope the situation in Myanmar will soon be stabilized, for the interest of its people and for peace and stability in the region.

Viet Nam shares the common position of ASEAN, as stated in the ASEAN Chairman’s Statement on The Developments in The Republic of The Union of Myanmar on 01 February 2021, and the Chair’s Statement on the Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (IAMM) on 02 March 2021, emphasizing the adherence to the ASEAN Charter, the support for dialogue and reconciliation, and the wish for Myanmar to soon return to stability in line with the will and aspiration of its people for nation building and development, for peace, stability and cooperation in the region, and for further contributions to the ASEAN Community building.

Viet Nam will continue to work with fellow ASEAN members to seek solutions to the issue in Myanmar. Viet Nam has also asked Myanmar to ensure the safety and legitimate interests of Vietnamese citizens and businesses in Myanmar.

I will also brief you on the situation of Vietnamese citizens in Myanmar. To our knowledge, there are currently about 600 Vietnamese citizens residing, studying and working in Myanmar. Given the complicated developments in this country, at the directive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar has been monitoring the situation, and maintaining close contact with local authorities and contact points within local Vietnamese communities to update information and offer recommendations to our citizens.

The Embassy also stands ready to implement necessary citizen protection measures. Should you require assistance or have information on Vietnamese citizens in need, please contact via the citizen protection hotline of the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar or the Citizen Protection Operator System of the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

4. Zing: Can you provide the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ position on the ‘Quad’ summit this week?

Viet Nam’s position is that we always pay keen attention to the developments in the region, including the foreign policy of major powers.

Viet Nam hopes that countries should continue to contribute to peace, security, stability and prosperity in the region and the world, maintain cooperation, and respect ASEAN’s centrality in the evolving regional architecture.

5. CNA: Taiwan is considering working with other countries to promote “travel bubbles”. As Viet Nam has excelled in its pandemic prevention efforts, it has been listed in the list of these “travel bubbles”. Can you comment on this matter, and does Viet Nam stand ready to discuss with Taiwan to promote “travel bubbles” to soon resume normal travelling for people from both sides?

To fulfill the dual objectives of both combating the pandemic and promoting economic development, at the directive of the Prime Minister, Vietnamese competent authorities are discussing with a number of partners with a high safety index on resuming regular commercial flights with these partners.

Regarding other partners who wish to resume commercial flights to Viet Nam, our aviation authorities are also looking into this matter, and will discuss with these partners on relevant procedures and timing in detail.

As for Taiwan, on 15 September 2020, Deputy Prime Minister (Foreign Minister) Pham Binh Minh agreed with measures to resume international commercial flights with Taiwan. To my knowledge, aviation authorities from both sides have fundamentally come to an agreement regarding related procedures. People allowed to seek entry via commercial flights include: Vietnamese citizens and foreign relatives of Vietnamese citizens, foreigners seeking entry for diplomatic and official purposes or to visit relatives, experts, investors, business managers, skilled laborers and their relatives, and international students. These people must follow pandemic prevention measures, receive testing upon entry, and are subjected to a 14-day quarantine as per the regulations of the Ministry of Health.

Our countries’ competent authorities should meticulously discuss the timing to resume commercial flights in line with the pandemic’s evolution in the world and in Viet Nam.

6. CNA: Recently, experts have proposed that Viet Nam should implement ‘vaccine passport’ to soon welcome international tourists to Viet Nam by the latter half of this year. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc also directed relevant Ministries and agencies to conduct studies, assessment and evaluation, and devise appropriate measures. Can you elaborate on the progress of this matter, and can Viet Nam indeed reopen for international tourists by the latter half of this year?

To our knowledge, a number of countries have implemented vaccine passport. At the directive of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working with Vietnamese competent authorities and overseas Vietnamese diplomatic missions to conduct studies and put forward recommendations on entry and exit regulations in line with the situation on the ground.

The gradual resumption of travel for citizens and promotion of tourism development must meet pandemic prevention requirements.

7. The World and Viet Nam Report: Can you comment on the report by Freedom House, with Viet Nam continued to be rated Not Free?

Viet Nam’s consistent policy is to protect and promote human rights, including the fundamental liberties as stipulated in our 2013 Constitution and related legal documents. In recent years, we have constantly improved our policies and legal system, took concrete measures to better ensure human rights and the rights of our citizens, and actively participated in international cooperation on human rights.

A particular example is that under the 3 rd Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the UN Human Rights Council (in 2019), interested countries have actively participated in these session, with most countries highly valuing Viet Nam’s efforts, achievements and approach, and offering constructive recommendations.

8. Sputnik: Regarding the sexual harassment of foreign women in the West Lake area, recently, on 05 March, Hanoi police has summoned 03 related suspects. Can you provide more information related to this matter, and measures to raise awareness among foreigners?

Upon receiving information from foreign diplomatic missions in Hanoi regarding acts of sexual harassment against foreigners, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has immediately worked with related diplomatic missions, and sent documents to Vietnamese competent authorities, including the police forces in Hanoi, to verify these incidents and strictly punish perpetrators, with a view to preventing similar incidents and ensuring the safety of foreigners residing in Viet Nam.

As reported by the press, recently, 03 suspects were summoned to the office of the police of Hanoi for questioning. They have confessed to having committed the aforementioned acts. The police of the West Lake District has also reached out to the people, particularly households with properties rented to foreigners, to stabilize the situation and ensure security and order in this area.

Once again, I would like to reiterate that Viet Nam always attaches great importance to ensuring security, order and safety for our citizens and foreigners who are residing and working in Viet Nam, and to identifying and strictly punishing violations of the law. As foreigners living and working in Viet Nam over the years, I am confident that you too share our country’s guidelines, particularly the hospitality of our people.

9. Sputnik: On 07 March, regarding NBC’s question on whether China would consider a compromise with the US regarding issues pertaining to the South China Sea, Taiwan, Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Tibet to stabilize the relations between the two countries? Mr. Wang Yi stated that “the majority of the issues mentioned are China’s domestic affairs”. Can you comment on this, particularly on the South China Sea?

Our position on the issues you mentioned has been constantly reiterated.

With particular regard to the South China Sea, I will once again affirm that Viet Nam has sufficient legal foundation and historical evidence to claim sovereignty over the Paracel and Spratly Islands, and legal rights over Viet Nam’s waters that are identified in line with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

10. Sputnik: Can you comment on the 05 cases with side effects from the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, particularly the 02 cases with anaphylaxis at level 2, and whether they will receive a 2nd injection?

According to the National Expanded Program on Immunization, by 09 March 2021, there are 522 people who have been vaccinated, with a number of cases suffering from certain side effects, most of which are in line with pre-vaccination warnings, such as muscle pain, fatigue, fever, headache, etc. There are 05 cases that are being monitored and treated in the hospital. The health conditions of these cases are now stable.

According to the Ministry of Health’s regulations, as the COVID-19 vaccine is a new vaccine, people receiving vaccination must comply with the guidelines of medical agencies. They must be thoroughly screened and meet all required health conditions before vaccination.

11. VnExpress: Can you comment on the information that China conducted an illegal exercise in Triton Island within Viet Nam’s Paracel Islands in March?

Once again, I would like to reiterate that Viet Nam has sufficient legal foundation and historical evidence to claim sovereignty over Paracel and Spratly Islands in line with international law.

Viet Nam’s consistent position is that all activities within the Paracel and Spratly Islands without our approval are violations of Viet Nam’s sovereignty over these islands, complicating the situation and adversely impacting relations, peace, stability, order, security, safety, freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea.

12. VTC: What is Viet Nam’s position on the deployment of warships to the South China Sea by several European countries, such as the UK, France and Germany?

It is the shared goal, interest and aspiration of all countries and the international community at large to maintain peace, stability, order, security, safety, freedom of navigation and overflight, uphold the rule-of-law, and the respect for sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction of countries in the South China Sea in line with the 1982 UNCLOS. All activities of countries in the South China Sea need to contribute to this objective.

13. VTC: There’s recent information that the US is about to transfer coast guard vessels to Viet Nam. Can you comment on this matter?

The Viet Nam – US Comprehensive Partnership has thrived in many fields, including cooperation in security and defense. Based on agreements between the two sides, including the 2011 MoU on defense cooperation, the 2015 Joint Vision Statement on Defense Relations, and the 2018 – 2020 Plan for defense cooperation, both sides have continued to promote bilateral defense collaboration, including maritime security and the strengthening of maritime law enforcement capacity, thus contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

14. Phoenix: Since early March, domestic press has constantly reported on the detention of hundreds of Chinese people illegally entering Viet Nam. Can you elaborate on the situation of these people, and how will these cases be handled? The press has also reported that they would utilize domestic rings of Vietnamese people to enter Cambodia for illegal labor. How will related individuals and organizations be addressed?

Recently, a number of localities have identified illegal entries of foreigners into Viet Nam. In the spirit of humanism, these cases have received COVID-19 testing and treatment (if they are confirmed positive). They have been quarantined and will be addressed based on the law of Viet Nam after their quarantine duration ends.

On this matter, Vietnamese competent authorities are actively working with overseas authorities, particularly from countries sharing a border with Viet Nam, including China, to devise better measures to manage and prevent illegal entries.

In particular, at the directive of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, and People’s Councils of border provinces have bolster inspection and monitoring to prevent illegal entries, review entries and exits management across borders, routes, major cities and a number of Central provinces, and strictly punish agencies and individuals who violate the law, assisting foreign nationals to illegally enter Viet Nam.

Our competent authorities have conducted investigations and strictly punished Vietnamese citizens and organizations for assisting illegal entries, exits and residency of foreigners. Vietnamese press has also provided public coverage on this matter./.