Government News 30/1 Vietnam, Indonesia co-operate on education   Minister of Education and Training Pham Vu Luan met with Indonesian Minister of Education and Culture, Anis Basweden in Jakarta on January 28, during the Vietnamese official’s working visit to the country. Minister Pham Vu Luan, who also serves as President of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation (SEAMEO), said SEAMEO looks forward to support from Indonesia on its seven post-2015 priorities, including developing the kindergarten and vocational training sectors as well as co-ordinating research and teaching in tertiary education. Regarding bilateral co-operation between Vietnam and Indonesia in education, he highlighted recent growth and expressed his desire for the Indonesian provision of long-term scholarships and training courses. Vietnam welcomes Indonesian students to study and conduct research, Luan said. The official also sought the formalisation of a memorandum of understanding on educational co-operation from 2015 to 2020. For his part, Minister Anis Basweden said additional efforts are needed to reinforce mutual understanding between the two nations in terms of culture and language, including opening educational establishments teaching the Indonesian Bahasa language in Vietnam. He said Indonesia hopes to learn from Vietnam’s experience in vocational training to effectively expand this field in his country. On the same day, Minister Pham Vu Luan visited the regional centre of open education and met with six Indonesian educational facilities to learn about their operations. Vietnamese Ambassador spotlights ties with Singapore The relationship between Vietnam and Singapore has experienced rapid, strong and efficient development across all five pillars of their strategic partnership, according to newly-accredited Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Nguyen Tien Minh. As a financial and economical hub with a stable socio-political base and strong developing industry, Singapore is an important partner to Vietnam in politics, economics, defence security, culture, education-training, and science-technology, he said in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency after meeting with Singaporean President Tony Tan Keng Yam on January 29. He held that strong development in the bilateral relationship will benefit the people of both nations, contributing to the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community and the maintenance of peace, stability and development in the region and around the world. Besides deepening relations with traditional friends and neighbours, Vietnam devotes significant attention to furthering its comprehensive ties with other ASEAN members and Asia-Pacific nations, with Singapore as one of the top partners, the Ambassador said. He added that the political ties between Vietnam and Singapore are progressing into a period of increasing trust; both sides have shared their mutual concerns on safeguarding peace, security and stability in the region, especially in the East Sea , for regional economic growth and prosperity. Bilateral cooperation in economics, trade, investment, education and tourism has been further enhanced, with Singapore remaining one of the leading trade partners of Vietnam . The two countries have also expanded collaboration in defence and security by actively implementing the agreement on bilateral defence cooperation signed in 2009. Vietnam and Singapore have also worked closely at regional and global forums, helping to forge regional connections, narrow development gaps, enhance capacity to address any emerging challenges, and ensure navigation freedom, safety and security in the East Sea , elevating the role of the two countries in the ASEAN and beyond. The diplomat pledged to enhance the strategic partnership between the two nations through high-level delegation and people-to-people exchanges and enhancing bilateral cooperation. According to Minh, 2015 will be an important year with the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community, potential signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement, and the commencement of the second year of the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Singapore . The Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore will take an active role in popularising the Vietnamese culture and people as well as encouraging Singaporean businesses to invest in Vietnam, the diplomat said. NA Vice Chairwoman welcomes Lao Justice Minister National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong hosted a reception in Hanoi on January 29 for Lao Justice Minister Bounkeut Sangsomsak, affirming that Vietnam always prioritises fostering traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Laos. She lauded the outcomes of jointly-implemented important activities, referring to the 37 th meeting of the Inter-Governmental Committee on economic, cultural, education, and science-technology cooperation, and the signing of bilateral affiliation agreement between the two governments in 2015. She suggested the two sides continue utilising bilateral and multilateral collaboration outcomes over the past years, especially in the law-making and supervision domains. Bounkeut Sangsomsak briefed his host that the two Justice Ministries signed a cooperation agreement for 2016-20 providing a legal foundation for central and local judicial bodies to support each other in settling shared issues. The Lao official said he hopes the two sides will enhance partnership and the sharing of experience in law making and enforcement and personnel training. Vietnam, Laos agree to boost judicial links The Lao Justice Ministry will do its utmost to further enhance cooperation with Vietnam in the field of justice, said Minister of Justice Bounkeut Sangsomsak. The Lao minister made the statement during his meeting with Deputy Chief Judge of the Vietnam People’s Supreme Court Bui Ngoc Hoa in Hanoi on January 29. Minister Bounkeut Sangsomsak, who is on a five-day working visit to Vietnam from January 27, said his ministry plans to establish an academy of justice and hopes for support in training from the Vietnam People’s Supreme Court. Deputy Chief Judge Hoa highlighted the Vietnam-Laos traditional relations and increasing cooperation between the two nations’ court sectors in recent times. He said the judicial relations between the two nations have been reinforced, especially since the court sectors signed a cooperation agreement in 2008, which aimed to enhance delegation exchange, training activities and experience sharing in the field. Both host and guest said they wish cooperation in information on law, expertise and training will be enhanced by exchanging high-level delegations. New ambassador to Singapore presents credentials Vietnam, Laos agree to boost judicial linksNew Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Nguyen Tien Minh on January 29 presented his credentials to Singaporean President Tony Tan Keng Yam who was glad with the two countries’ growing ties, especially the establishment of strategic partnership. The host said many Singaporean businesses and investors are interested in expanding their investment in Vietnam . He recalled his visit to Vietnam in 2012 and congratulated Vietnamese people on their development achievements. Minh said he was impressed with successes that turned Singapore into one of the leading developed countries, and an important economic-finance, science-technology, education and health-care centre in the region and the world. He expressed hope that the two sides will continue working closely bilaterally and multilaterally. The diplomat pledged that he will do his utmost and coordinate with authorised agencies of both sides to bring the bilateral strategic partnership to the next level of development across politics, economy, investment, defence, culture, and people-to-people contacts to contribute to regional and global peace, stability and development. Party chief urges thorough preparations for Party Congresses Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has asked the Party Central Committee’s Organisational Commission to continue maximising its efficiency as a part of this year’s preparations for the 12th National Party Congress. Chairing a conference in Hanoi on January 29 to evaluate the commission’s 2014 performance and launch its Party building-related tasks this year, the Party leader hailed the commission for undertaking a large workload and achieving successes through strong initiatives and a high sense of responsibility. Amid concerns over the Party’s ability to overcome unforeseen challenges ahead, the General Secretary confidently assured the nation that the over 4-million member Party is a convergence of brainpower and has been a crucial factor in every national revolutionary triumph. On a path towards comprehensive and seamless renovation, the nation is determined to achieve socio-economic development targets, safeguard national sovereignty, and foster an environment of peace and stability, he said, adding that these conditions are essential to the success of the Party Congresses at all level, and the 12 th National Party Congress. The Congressional meeting provides an opportunity to fine-tune personnel and Party organisations and fully realise the Resolution on Party building adopted by the fourth plenum of the National Party Congress (11 th tenure), a document General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong considers a historic turning point in revamping the Party. The leader expressed his hope that the commission will continue its strong track record with multi-level personnel work in preparation for the Party Congresses. Last year, the commission served as a think-tank for the Party Central Committee, Politburo and Secretariat in issuing resolutions, directives and conclusions regarding personnel work, including regulations on Party election, vote-of-confidence casting, and strengthening internal political security. Concluding the event, the Party chief expressed his wish that the commission will fulfil its tasks as assigned by the Party and people. Party-initiated renovation process lauded Realities show that the “ doi moi ” (renovation process) would not have come about in the absence of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), whose sound leadership has successfully carried out the process. Introduced at the sixth National Party Congress in December 1986, the renovation process was a revolutionary choice for national development, targeting economic growth as a significant turning point in the history of Vietnamese revolution. By looking at, correctly evaluating and identifying the realities, the Congress laid out comprehensive national reform policies focused on changing the entrepreneurial mindset. The move was a key breakthrough in the Party’s ideology, opening the door to improvements in every aspect of society by unleashing production force and shifting from the centrally-oriented economy to a socialist-oriented market economy. Prior to the renovation process, Vietnam had long maintained a non-market economy, which, to some extent, helped mobilise human and material resources for the liberation war, but was flawed and limited the country’s forward progress. The reality raised the need for the country to undertake cross-sector reform addressing structure and regulations for developing a socialist-oriented market economy and designing new approaches to organisational apparatus and leadership. In the face of increasing opportunities and challenges, renovation is an unavoidable priority to set the stage for innovation and increased production, buoying socio-economic progress. Looking back the past nearly 30 years of renovation under the Party leadership, Vietnam has achieved a great deal of substantial successes across the board. During the initial renovation period of 1986-1990, the average growth of gross domestic product (GDP) was a mere 4.4 percent, which soared to 7.6 percent from 1991-2000 and 7.34 percent from 2001-2005. Due to the global economic slump, the Vietnamese economy slowed down to a 6.32 percent average from 2006-2010. Suffering from the repercussions of the 2008 global financial crisis and 2010 public debt crisis, the economy has contracted over subsequent years, recording an average growth of only 5.6 percent between 2011 and 2013 and 5.98 percent in 2014. Notably, the growing GDP per capita has pulled Vietnam out from the categorisation of “underdeveloped” to become a middle-income economy. To create a legal corridor for a socialist-oriented market economy, all necessary regulations have been devised in tandem with the Party’s renovation policies and crafted into laws. The promulgation of the 1992 Constitution in replace of the 1980 predecessor has established a solid legal framework for the shift from a central economy to a multi-sector commodity market economy with socialist orientations under State management. Notably, the 2013 Constitution has substantial improvements from the 1992 edition, such as the rights to free trade in each legitimate sector and better reflecting the nature of the socialist-oriented market economy. The process of renovation and fostering socialism has provided the country and its people with material and spiritual comforts. Vietnam fulfilled many of the United Nations millennial development goals in 2008, seven years ahead of the 2015 deadline. Vietnam has sufficient evidence to affirm that renovation is a strong choice, stimulating a new cycle of quality growth in line with modern trends and public aspirations. After nearly 30 years of relentless efforts, the renovation process initiated and led by the Party shows signs of being both effective and beneficial, paving the way for substantial and historic triumphs. The country has made significant achievements in its rapidly growing market economy and improving quality of life. The political system and national unity sentiment continue to grow stronger, maintaining national security and defence and elevating Vietnam ’s status in the global arena. Rice research institute urged to lead region in new technologies President Truong Tan Sang encouraged the Mekong Delta Rice Research Institute to master cutting-edge technologies, especially biotechnology, to become a leader amongst agricultural science institutes in Southeast Asia. Speaking at the 38th anniversary of the institute in Can Tho City yesterday, Sang asked the establishment to forge ahead with modern approaches to cultivation, processing and preservation technologies to develop new high-yielding varieties of rice. The institute must also equip farmers with the latest knowledge; increase training courses; build safe and high-tech production zones for farm produce; and strive for strong and comprehensive agricultural development in the delta and the nation at large, he added. Established in 1977, the institute has helped the agricultural sector develop high-yield, disease-resistant varieties; raise the region's total rice output to 25 million tonnes per year from 4.2 million tonnes in 1976; and contribute to national food security. The institute was lauded for its contributions to making Viet Nam one of today's top rice exporters in the world. Sang also had a working session with the Steering Committee for the southwest region yesterday, at which he asked local authorities to focus on improving human resources and more effectively utilising investment capital to reduce the public debt and restructure the economy. The Mekong delta region should focus on high-added value, competitive products, increasing the income of farmers, and preparing to handle emergencies in order to fulfill 2015's socio-economic targets, he said. In 2014, the region recorded an economic growth of 8.9 percent, a per capita income of VND38 million (US$1,809) and generated 330,000 jobs. Deputy PM Ninh urges facilitating administrative procedure reform in social security Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh has asked the Vietnam Social Security (VSS) to further promote administrative procedure reforms and IT application to reduce procedure handling to 49.5 hours per year by the end of this year, considering it a key task to improve social insurance quality. Speaking at a meeting with the VSS on January 29 to mark the 20th anniversary of the agency’s establishment (February 16, 1995-2015) and deploy the social security sector’s tasks of 2015, Deputy PM Ninh praised accomplishments achieved by VSS over the last 20 years, saying that its position is particularly important in ensuring social security. He suggested VSS closely co-ordinate with relevant authorities and localities to effectively implement social insurance laws, health insurance policies and the Vietnam Social Insurance Strategy until 2020, as well as ensuring the interests of social insurance consumers. He also asked the sector to continue to raise awareness of employers, workers and all people on the role and importance of social insurance policies and healthcare insurance in the national social security system. The VSS should enhance management of its operation, improve staff capacity, and strengthen supervision to deal with serious violations in implementation of social insurance policies in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Social Insurance, Ninh added. According to statistics from the VSS, the number of people opting for social insurance, health insurance, and unemployment insurance increased rapidly over recent years. By the end of 2014 there were 11.37 million people covered by compulsory social insurance, up 9 million people compared to 1995 and 4.67 million compared to 2006 (the first year of implementing the Law on Social Insurance). Over 64.8 million people were covered by health insurance (accounting for nearly 71% of the population), an increase 11.5 million compared to 2009 (the first year of implementation of the Law on Health Insurance). In addition, more than 9 million people benefit from the unemployment insurance policy, up 3.6 million people compared to 2009 (the first year of implementation of the unemployment insurance policy). From 1995 to 2014, the sector has settled social insurance cases for over 1.6 million people covered by regular social insurance, plus nearly 70 million people covered by short-term social insurance. On the occasion, VSS organised a photo exhibition featuring 170 images marking important milestones in the social insurance sector’s development, as well as efforts by social insurance staff in contributing to the national socio-economic development. Vietnamese Ambassador to France presents credentials Vietnam is expecting a visit from the French President, with hopes for concrete steps and fresh driving forces to push bilateral strategic partnership to a new height, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Nguyen Ngoc Son said. He made the statement while presenting his credentials to French President Francois Hollande on January 29. The French President said that his visit to Vietnam has been scheduled in his foreign activity programme and that it should be quickly arranged through diplomatic channel. He expressed his delight at recent developments of Vietnam-France relations, speaking highly of Vietnam’s active contributions to the Francophone community. The host recalled meetings with Vietnamese leaders on the sidelines of big events, saying that the French Government and enterprises always hope to enlarge the relations with Vietnam. The relations between Vietnam and France have been boosted through high-ranking visits. France is one of the leading partners of Vietnam across the fields of politics, diplomacy, economics, trade, culture, education and training. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to France in September 2013 elevated the two countries’ relations to strategic partnership, an impetus to deepen the bilateral ties. Numerous events were held in the two countries in Exchange Year 2013-2014 to mark the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, showing traditionally historical and cultural bonds as well as potential in efficient and sustainable collaboration in the coming time. VNA/Nhan Dan