Government News 13/2 Leaders pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh ahead of Tet   Leaders pay floral tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum.  Vietnam’s top leaders paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Hanoi on the occasion of the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival on February 13.  The delegation included General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong, former Party General Secretaries Le Kha Phieu and Nong Duc Manh, President Tran Dai Quang, former President Tran Duc Luong, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, former NA Chairmen Nguyen Van An and Nguyen Sinh Hung and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Tran Thanh Man, among others.  The delegates expressed their gratitude to President Ho Chi Minh, the founder and leader of the CPV, and honoured his contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Party and nation.  The delegation also paid homage to war martyrs at the Monument for Heroic Martyrs at Bac Son street, and Mai Dich Cemetery in Hanoi, where they recalled martyrs’ sacrifices for national independence and reunification. The same day, representatives from the Central Military Commission, Ministry of National Defence, Ministry of Public Security and Hanoi Party Committee and People’s Committee also paid respect to President Ho Chi Minh and heroic martyrs. PM lauds capital High Command   Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc praise​s the High Command of Hanoi for its comprehensive performance of tasks over the past year. (Photo: nhandan.com)  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc praised the High Command of Hanoi for its comprehensive performance of tasks over the past year while visiting the unit on February 12 on the occasion of the upcoming Tet (Lunar New Year) festival. He highlighted the unit’s proactive advising of local authorities on the implementation of defence-military missions in close connection with the socio-economic development of the capital city; maintaining combat readiness and effectively coordinating with other forces to ensure absolute safety during critical political events and major anniversaries. Regarding key national defence and security tasks in 2018, PM Phuc said apart from advantages, the regional and international situations remained complicated and the imperatives of national construction and national defence created new tasks and requirements. He urged the Ministry of National Defence and Hanoi authorities to pay special attention to building strong armed forces to effectively fulfil assigned tasks. They should proactively advise local authorities on the implementation of Party resolutions on national defence and security; continue innovation in defence activities focusing on improving the qualification, training and education of members of the armed units; incessantly improve their political firmness; and master the use of specialised and advanced equipment and techniques in defence activities, he said.   The unit should also effectively coordinate with other forces to ensure absolute safety during critical political events and major anniversaries, as well as national security, social order and safety for the capital city, the PM noted. It was necessary for the unit to speed up international integration and improve external defence relations; proactively participate in supporting needy people and in natural disaster prevention and mitigation, as well as in search and rescue activities. Regarding the upcoming traditional Tet festivities, PM Phuc asked the unit’s leaders to pay more attention to the spiritual and material life of its troops, particularly those who are on duty during Tet and those from disadvantaged families. As the Lunar New Year is drawing near, the PM wished the command, its troops and militia and self-defence force good health, happiness and success in task performance. Party chief receives French Ambassador   Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (R) receives French Ambassador Bertrand Lortholary.   General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong hosted French Ambassador Bertrand Lortholary in Hanoi on February 12, affirming that Vietnam wants to further promote friendship and cooperation with France in the coming time. The Party chief stressed the two countries celebrate 45th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and five years of the Strategic Partnership in 2018, adding that the two sides need to enhance high-level exchanges, and promote cooperation between branches and levels. He congratulated Ambassador Lortholary on his mission fulfillment as an important bridge, contributing to enhancing the Vietnam-France Strategic Partnership in the time ahead. Ambassador Lortholary said France highly values Vietnam’s economic development and wants, to strengthen bilateral ties in the near future.  The diplomat suggested both sides promote cooperation in strategic issues, economics, aviation, space research, defence, culture and youth exchange, thus creating practical imprints in the year of celebrating 45th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties. PM pays tribute to late Party, gov’t leaders   Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc offers incense to commemorate late General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh.  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh offered incense to commemorate late leaders of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the government on February 12 on the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet). The PM paid tribute to late Party General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh, who was the first general secretary in the doi moi (renewal) process, 1986-1991. PM Phuc presented Tet gifts to Ngo Thi Hue, wife of late General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh. On this occasion, PM Phuc offered incense in tribute to late Prime Minister Pham Van Dong, who was a Politburo member in 35 years and served as Prime Minister in 32 years from 1955 to 1987. President pays Tet visits to outstanding intellectuals in Hanoi   President Tran Dai Quang visits and extends Tet greetings to Prof. Dr. Nguyen Khoa Son. President Tran Dai Quang visited and extended Tet greetings to several senior intellectuals at their residence in Hanoi on February 12, or the 27th day of the last lunar month, wishing them a happy new year and good health. President Quang highly valued contributions of intellectuals and scientists to the nation’s development, while stressing the Party and State’s attention to scientific research and application. He briefed the intellectuals on achievements the entire Party, people and army have obtained in all fields, especially in external affairs, Party building, defence-security, and social and economic areas. He said the outcomes have contributed to asserting Vietnam’s position in international arena. Prof. Dr Nguyen Khoa Son affirmed the Party and State’s attention is an encouragement for intellectuals to continue making contributions to the country. He expressed his believe that Vietnam’s science-technology will reap more successes in the new year. Prof. People’s Teacher Phan Huy Le presented the President Quang a collection of books on history of Nam bo (the South) compiled by the professor and 12 other scientists. Architect Nguyen Truc Luyen expressed his thanks for the Party and State’s attention to intellectuals and scientists in architecture, stressing Vietnam’s architects wish to make contributions to national construction and safeguard. Prof. Labour Hero Vu Khieu, 102, was moved with the affection of Party and State leaders to intellectuals and scientists. NA leader offers incense to President Ho Chi Minh   National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (in green) and other NA officials offer incense to President Ho Chi Minh  National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan on February 12 offered incense in commemoration of President Ho Chi Minh at House No. 67, the Ho Chi Minh Relic Site in the Presidential Palace in Hanoi. The ceremony was also attended by Vice Chairman Do Ba Ty and other NA officials. House No. 67 was numbered after the year of its construction in 1967. It was built under a direction of the Politburo and served as the accommodation and working place of President Ho Chi Minh during the war against the US. In the house, the late leader hosted Politburo members from the central and southern regions. The house was also where President Ho Chi Minh passed away. NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan recognised and lauded efforts of officials and staff of the Ho Chi Minh Relic Site in preserving the items and documents related to the President. She asked them to continue the work, thus giving chances for younger generations as well as visitors in and outside the country to explore the life and career of the late leader. VNN