ANNOUNCEMENTS

The President Pro Tempore of the US Senate pays a visit to Viet Nam (16-20 April, 2014)

At the invitation of H.E. Mr. Nguyen Sinh Hung, Chairman of the National Assembly of Viet Nam, Senator Patrick Leahy, the President Pro Tempore of the US Senate pays an official visit to Viet Nam from 16^th to 20^th April.

The visit is aimed at promoting the comprehensive partnership between Viet Nam and the US. The two sides share experience and discuss measures to enhance the mutual understanding as well as the parliamentary relations. Besides, they also exchange views on the international and regional issues of mutual concern.

During the visit, Senator Patrick Leahy holds talks with Mr. Nguyen Sinh Hung, Chairman of the National Assembly, pays courtesy calls to General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam H.E Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong and President Truong Tan Sang, visits cultural and historical sites in Ha Noi.

The 6^th Meeting of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts and related meetings (17-20 April, 2014)

The 6^th Meeting of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts (AMCA 6) and related meetings will be held in Hue city from 17^th to 20^th April 2014. During the meeting, the ASEAN’s Cultural Ministers discuss measures to promote cooperation in culture and arts among ASEAN countries as well as between ASEAN and its 3 dialogue partners (China, Republic of Korea and Japan). The Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh attended and delivered a speech at the Meeting’s opening ceremony.

The AMCA+3 Meeting (ASEAN and China, Japan and Republic of Korea) and AMCA+1 Meetings (ASEAN and each dialogue partner) will also be held along with the AMCA 6. The AMCA 6 is expected to adopt the Hue City Declaration on Culture for the sustainable development of the ASEAN Community. Meanwhile, the AMCA+1 with China will adopt the Action Plan of China- ASEAN Cultural cooperation for 2014- 2016.    

The 2014 Conference on Connection for Tourism Development in the North-Western region and "Meet the Diplomatic Corps" (5-7 May, 2014)

On the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in collaboration with the People's Committees of Northwestern provinces will organize “The 2014 Conference on Connection for Tourism Development in the Northwestern region” and the “Meeting with the Diplomatic Corps” in Dien Bien province from 5^th to 7^th May, 2014. The events are aimed at promoting the tourism and investment opportunities of the Northwestern provinces. The Conference is also a forum for Diplomatic Corps, international organizations, investors, businesses and tourism agencies to exchange dialogue, share experience and boost cooperation for the development of the region.

Journalists are welcome to cover the events and advised to contact the Press and Information Department of MOFA for more information.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Question: Please provide Viet Nam’s response to the sunken ferry incident in Korea on April 16^th 2014?

Answer: We express our deep concern over the April 16th sunken ferry incident in Korea which caused many dead and still missing. We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the victims’ families and hope that the search, rescue and salvage efforts by the Korean Government will help to find the missing people in the earliest time.

Question: What measure will Viet Nam implement in the context that only a few among 4.5 million overseas Vietnamese have done Vietnamese nationality registration procedures in accordance with the 2008 Nationality Law?

Answer: The Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam stipulates that overseas Vietnamese is an inseparable part of the Vietnamese nation.

Vietnamese relevant agencies are reviewing the nationality registration procedures in line with the 2008 Nationality Law in order to devise the optimal solutions to ensure rights and legitimate interests of overseas Vietnamese.

Question: What is Viet Nam’s stance regarding the current situation in Ukraine?

Answer: Viet Nam is closely following the situation in Ukraine and is extremely concerned over the recent complicated developments in the eastern provinces of Ukraine. We hope that all concerned parties exercise restraint, refrain from using of force and avoid any actions that could aggravate the situation and cause casualties to civilians while making efforts through peaceful dialogues to find solutions ensuring the legitimate interests of all parties and meeting the people’s aspiration for peace, stability and development of Ukraine and the region.