I. ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Spouse to visit Brunei Darussalam (10-11 February 2023)

At the invitation of His Majesty Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, Hasanal Bolkiah, His Excellency Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Spouse will pay an official visit to Brunei Darussalam from 10-11 February 2023.

This is the first visit to Brunei by His Excellency Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the first visit by a Vietnamese Prime Minister to Brunei Darussalam in 16 years. The visit will take place as the Viet Nam - Brunei Comprehensive Partnership is enjoying positive developments and the two countries recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2022. In terms of trade, the two-way turnover already reached the goal of over US$ 500 million, the deadline of which was set to be in 2025.

Prior to the visit, His Excellency Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Spouse paid an official visit to the Republic of Singapore from February 8 to 10, 2023.

2. El Salvador’s Prime Minister to visit Viet Nam (14-16 February 2023)

At the invitation of Viet Nam’s Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, Foreign Minister of the Republic of El Salvador Alexandra Hill will pay an official visit to Viet Nam from February 14-16, 2023.

The traditional friendship between Viet Nam and El Salvador continues to be bolstered. The bilateral economic - trade relations have great potential for cooperation, especially in telecommunications, agriculture and fisheries. Regarding multilateral cooperation, the two sides maintain coordination and mutual support at international organizations, especially at the United Nations.

It is expected that during the visit, Foreign Minister of the Republic of El Salvador Alexandra Hill will hold talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son to discuss measures to promote bilateral relations between the two countries as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

II. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Asia Today: On 07 February 2023, the Court in Seoul ordered the Government of the Republic of Korea to compensate for a Vietnamese victim of atrocities in the 1968 massacre. What is Viet Nam's view on the order and Viet Nam's stance on the mass killings in the Viet Nam war?

We follow with keen interest the ruling by the Seoul’s Central District Court and highly respect the protection of legitimate rights of Vietnamese nationals. In the spirit of leaving the past behind and looking towards the future, Viet Nam wants to work closely with the Republic of Korea to further advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of the two countries. We also encourage practical and effective actions that help to overcome the remnants of war and contribute to strengthening the friendship and sound cooperation between the two countries and peoples.

2. AFP:  Following the previous question, does Viet Nam’s Government consider taking legal measures against the ROK’s Government with regards to the massacre?

The stance of Viet Nam’s Government has been clearly stated. In the spirit of leaving the past behind and looking towards the future, Viet Nam hopes that the Viet Nam – ROK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will be bolstered effectively and meaningfully in the interests of people of both countries.

3. Tuoi tre News: Please provide updates on the situation of citizens and citizen protection measures in the two following events: the first one is the capsizing of an ROK’s fishing boat off the southwestern coast, in which 09 people were reported missing, including 02 Vietnamese citizens; the second one is the earthquake in Turkey and Syria that caused 15,000 of casualties. Regarding the earthquake, has Viet Nam extended any forms of assistance to the victims of the catastrophe?

With regards to the citizen protection measures for the victims of the ROK’s capsized boat, on February 6, 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam already provided information about this incident. According to the Vietnamese Embassy in the ROK, the two Vietnamese citizens are still missing. Search and rescue work is still ongoing. In the past few days, the Embassy has contacted the families of these two citizens, informing and guiding them about necessary consular and insurance procedures. Following the direction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnamese Embassy in the Republic of Korea will continue to closely follow the case and be ready to take necessary measures to protect the citizens and their legitimate rights and interests.

With regards to the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, our heartfelt condolences for the governments and peoples of the two countries who suffered from heavy losses in the catastrophe. The Vietnamese Party and State Leaders have extended their condolences in multiple forms. In the past few days, the Vietnamese Embassy in Turkey and the Vietnamese Embassy in Iran concurrently accredited to Syria have urgently contacted the authorities of the two mentioned countries and the focal points of the Vietnamese community in the respective communities to find information about possible Vietnamese citizens in distress. So far, there has been no information about Vietnamese citizens being injured in the aforementioned earthquake. Following the direction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnamese Embassy in Turkey and the Vietnamese Embassy in Iran concurrently accredited to Syria will continue to closely follow the situation and be ready to implement measures to protect citizens in the coming time if required. Viet Nam – Turkey and Viet Nam – Syria relations are sound and strong, thus Viet Nam will actively consider according disaster relief assistance to the two countries.

4. Phoenix TV: Early next March, China will convene its first post-Covid Two Sessions (or Liang Hui), which is expected to introduce specific socio-economic indicators and directions for international cooperation. China is a large trade partner of Viet Nam. What contents and discussions of the Two Sessions is Viet Nam interested in?

Viet Nam and China have close relations as two neighboring countries and are important partners in many areas. Viet Nam always attaches great importance to strengthening and advancing the friendly neighboring relationship and comprehensive cooperation with China. Viet Nam wants to see China’s stable development and Viet Nam-China relations growing healthy, stable, in the interest of the two peoples and for peace and development in the region and the world. 

Viet Nam strongly believes that the Two Sessions will be a great success./.