Information:
I. Outbound visits:
1. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Gia Khiem to pay an official visit to the Philippines and co-chair the 5th session of the Vietnam- Philippines joint committee on bilateral cooperation (21 - 22 February 2008)
At the invitation of Filipino Foreign Minister Alberto Romulo, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Gia Khiem is paying an official visit to the Philippines from 21 to 22 February, 2008 and co-chairing the 5th session of the joint committee for bilateral cooperation.
The visit is aimed at consolidating and promoting the friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between Vietnam and the Philippines, reviewing the implementation of the agreements reached at the 4th session of the Joint Committee and discussing concrete measures to further promote the two countries’ cooperative relations in various fields.

2. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Thien Nhan to visit Australia and New Zealand (23 February - 1 March 2008)
At the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations of Australia Julia Gillard and Minister of Education of New Zealand Chris Carter, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Nguyen Thien Nhan will visit Australia and New Zealand from 23 February to 1 March 2008.
The visits are to strengthen and promote educational cooperation between Vietnam and Australia, New Zealand.

3. Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung to attend the 4th Conference on Cooperation and Development among Vietnam - Cambodia border provinces (27 - 28 February 2008).
According to agreement reached at the 3rd Conference on Cooperation and Development among Vietnam - Cambodia border provinces, the 4th Conference on Cooperation and Development among Vietnam - Cambodia border provinces will be held from 27 to 28 February 2008. Standing Deputy P.M Nguyen Sinh Hung and Cambodia’s Interior Minister Sar Kheng will co-chair the Conference.
At the meeting, the two sides will:
- Review the implementation of the 3rd Conference’s cooperative agreements in various fields;
- Discuss cooperation directions and measures in 2008 ; and
- Promote the expansion and improve the efficiency of the comprehensive cooperation, mutual support and assistance among the provinces along the Vietnam - Cambodia border .

II. Outbound visits:
1. Finland’s President to visit Vietnam (21 - 23 February 2008)
At the invitation of President Nguyen Minh Triet and his Spouse, President of the Republic of Finland Madam Tarja Halonen and her Spouse is on a State visit to Vietnam from 21 - 23 February 2008. This is the first State visit by a Finland’s President since the establishment of the diplomatic relations on 25 January 1973.
The visit to Vietnam by Madam President of Finland aims to promote the traditional friendship relations between Vietnam and Finland in various fields, evaluating the efficiency of ODA projects in Vietnam, and discussing international and regional issues of common concern. 

2. Singapore’s President to visit Vietnam (25 -29 February 2008)
At the invitation of President Nguyen Minh Triet and his Spouse, Singapore’s President S. R Nathan and his Spouse will pay a State visit to Vietnam from 25 - 29 February 2008.
The visit is aimed at consolidating and enhancing the multi-faceted traditional friendship relations between the two countries, further promoting bilateral cooperative relations, especially in the fields of economics, trade, investment, culture and education.

3. Vice Chancellor, Foreign Minister of Federal Republic of Germany Frank Walter Steinmeier to visit Vietnam (28 February - 1 March 2008)
At the invitation of Deputy P.M, Minister of Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem, Vice Chancellor, Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank Walter Steinmeier to visit Vietnam from 28 February to 1 March 2008.

4. Minister of Foreign Relations of Brazil Celso Nunez Amorim to pay an official visit to Vietnam (26 - 28 February 2008)
At the invitation of Deputy P.M, Minister of Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem, Minister of Foreign Relations of Brazil Celso Nunez Amorim will pay an official visit to Vietnam from 26 to 28 February 2008. This is the first official visit to Vietnam by a Brazilian Foreign Minister, the highest ranking official of the Brazilian Government since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Questions and Answers:

Question: What is Vietnam’s reaction to the news that President Fidel Castro announces not to continue his position as the President of the State Council and the Commander-in-Chief of the Cuban Armed Forces?

Answer:

We all know about the life and revolutionary career of President Fidel Castro, who led the Revolution to success on 1st January 1959 that opened up an era of independence and freedom for the Cuban people. From that time till now, President Fidel Castro has made tremendous dedications to the cause of Cuban national defense and construction, directly leading the Cuban people to overcome numerous challenges and gain important accomplishments in all areas. To Cuba, Fidel Castro is an outstanding Leader, the supreme Commander-in-Chief who has steered the Cuban revolution boat towards a beautiful socialist Cuban Fatherland. To the world people who love peace, freedom and justice, Fidel Castro is a faithful friend and an exemplary companion in their struggles to protect their legitimate rights.

To the Leaders and people of Vietnam, President Fidel Castro is always a great friend, a very close comrade and brother who has nurtured and developed the traditional friendship, brotherly solidarity between the Vietnamese and Cuban people. The Vietnamese people sincerely thank President Fidel Castro, and the state and people of Cuba for their tremendous contributions, whole-hearted support and precious assistance in our past struggle for independence, freedom and national reunification, and our present national construction. The Vietnamese people respect decisions by President Fidel Castro and Cuba’s National Assembly of People’s Power. We fully believe that in any position, President Fidel Castro will continue to devote his intellectuality to the Cuban revolutionary cause, and contribute to further strengthening and developing the traditional friendship, brotherly solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba.

Question: Pls provide stance of Vietnam on the 9th February 2008 announcement of Myanmar’s State Peace and Development Council for saying that Myanmar will hold a Referendum in May 2008?

Answer:

Vietnam welcomes the 9th February 2008 declaration of Myanmar’s Peace and Development Council on democracy roadmap of Myanmar. This is an important step by the Myanmar’s Government in their efforts to build and develop their country. Vietnam supports the process of national reconciliation and harmonization of Myanmar as well as the dialogues with parties concerned. Vietnam expects Myanmar to actively and effectively strive for the proposed goals for the sake of national stability and in the interest of its people, making contribution to maintaining stability and development in the region and the world.