1. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to visit Southeast Asian countries from 8 to 17 August 2007:

At the invitation of President of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of the Philippines Gloria Aroyo, Prime Minister of Singapore Lee-Hsien-Loong , Prime Minister of Myanmar Soowin  and His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei Hassan Bonkia, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will pay official visits to Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Myanmar and Brunei from 8 to 17 August 2007.

These are the first official visits to these countries by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung for courtesy calls, as an ASEAN practice.

The visits are to enhance friendship and cooperation relations with Vietnam’s neighboring and regional countries, including Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Myanmar and Brunei; to discuss directions to promote Vietnam’s relations with these countries, especially in economic, trade and investment areas.

2. The 40th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and related meetings:

The 40th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, Post Ministerial Conferences with Dialogue Partners (PMCs), the 14th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF 14) will be held in Manila, Philippines from 30 July to 2 August 2007.

Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Cong Phung will be leading the Vietnamese delegation to attend AMM 40 and related meetings.

This AMM takes place as ASEAN is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Association with determination to accelerate intra-integration in cooperation agenda and institution aiming to build the ASEAN Community and ASEAN Charter. This year, AMM’s theme is “one caring and sharing community” chosen by the Philippines, the host of the meeting.  At the meeting, the Ministers will focus their discussion on directions and concrete measures to build the ASEAN Community, particularly drafting the ASEAN Charter and narrowing the development gap within ASEAN.

Post Ministerial Conferences will continue to help ASEAN develop and expand while ensuring its leading role in regional processes.

The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) will be discussing international and regional issues of common interest and measures to deepen mutual understanding to build confidence as well as to implement Preventive Diplomacy measures.

3. Activities for the 40th anniversary of ASEAN (8 August 1967 - 8 August 2007)

ASEAN will mark its 40th anniversary on 8 August 2007. On this occasion, the ASEAN Standing Committee will be organizing celebrative activities with the theme “ASEAN - the heart of a dynamic Asia” at regional and national levels. This is an important milestone that marks the new turn of ASEAN towards an ASEAN Community based on three pillars: the ASEAN Security Community (ASC), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and the ASEAN Social and Cultural Community (ASCC).  This is also the time to review initial development stages of the Association.

As an active member of ASEAN, Vietnam has been organizing various celebrative activities during 2007 with the ASEAN Foundation Day on 8 August as the most remarkable event. Other highlights for the 40th anniversary of ASEAN are:

- Speech by Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on Vietnam's Television on 7 August 2007(live broadcast);

- Special art performance at Hanoi Opera House on 7 August 2007 (live broadcast on VTV);

- Seminar on "Direction and Measures of Vietnam to take part in ASEAN cooperation towards the goal of building the ASEAN community" on 10 August 2007 at Hanoi Daewoo Hotel.

Besides, a number of other celebrative activities will be organized during 2007:

- ASEAN art and cultural activities (film's week; fine arts, handicraft and cuisine fair; stamp exhibition; cultural and art exchange programs).

- Inauguration of ASEAN lane at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat border gate.

- Issuance of ASEAN stamps and telephone cards.