Vietnam and China discussed measures to promote cooperation at the third session of their steering committee for bilateral cooperation in Hanoi on March 19.

The southern province of Dong Thap should make the best of its potential available to develop the processing and high-tech industries to raise the quality of farm products, especially rice and Tra catfish, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

Vietnam will try its best to strengthen the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership as agreed upon by senior leaders of the two countries, said a Vietnamese official.

The Prime Minister has approved a plan to implement the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR 79), fulfilling the country’s obligations as a Convention member.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on November 26 launched a campaign to double-check four goods categories namely, pesticides, animal drugs, fertilizer and animal feeds.

Chairman of the Lao National Assembly Thongsing Thammavong has stated that Vietnam’s cooperation, assistance and experiences are always necessary and important to the Lao National Assembly.

President of India Pratibha Devisigh Patil and her husband will pay a State visit to Vietnam from November 24-28.

High tidal surges, plus the discharge of water from the Dau Tieng Reservoir, on November 13 breached several sections of the Saigon River dyke system and flooded many parts of Ho Chi Minh City.

Lawmakers passed five bills on nationality, civil servants, road traffic (revised), bio-diversity and high technology at the current National Assembly session in Hanoi on November 13.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed their delight at the new steps of development in the two countries’ relations on the sidelines of the 19th APEC Ministerial Meeting in Sydney, Australia, on September 6.