State leader receives outgoing Bruneian ambassador
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc received outgoing Bruneian Ambassador Pengiran Haji Sahari bin Pengiran Haji Salleh in Hanoi on May 17, congratulating the diplomat on fulfilling his duties during eight years in Vietnam.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) presents a souvenir to Bruneian Ambassador Pengiran Haji Sahari bin Pengiran Haji Salleh at their meeting in Hanoi on May 17. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – PresidentNguyen Xuan Phuc received outgoing Bruneian Ambassador Pengiran Haji Sahari bin Pengiran Haji Salleh in Hanoi on May 17,congratulating the diplomat on fulfilling his duties during eight years inVietnam.
The Vietnameseleader appreciated the diplomat’s considerable contributions to the twocountries’ ties, which were lifted to a comprehensive partnership in 2019.
Thanking the Vietnamese Governmentand people for helping him fulfill his duties, the ambassador appreciatedVietnam’s efforts to help organise activities of the ASEAN Year when Bruneiacted as Chair of the bloc in 2021.
The elevation of bilateral ties to acomprehensive partnership in 2019 and the 30th anniversary ofdiplomatic relations this year have further proved their increasinglysubstantive cooperation, he noted.
He also congratulated Vietnam onsuccessfully holding the SEA Games 31 opening ceremony and receiving sportsdelegations, including the Bruneian team, showing Vietnam as a thoughtful andtrustworthy host.
The State leader of Vietnam noteddespite COVID-19, bilateral connections have still been strengthened, withtrade reaching 310 million USD in 2021 and 328 million USD in the first fourmonths of 2022, surging 3.5 times year-on-year.
He asked both sides to strive for 500million USD in bilateral trade by 2025, create more favourable conditions forVietnamese firms’ operations in Brunei, and increase the Bruneian Government’scholarships for Vietnamese students.
President Phuc called on the twocountries to keep close cooperation in ASEAN, the United Nations, and theAsia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
He also applauded the outcomes of therecent ASEAN - US Special Summit, where countries supported the establishmentof a comprehensive strategic partnership and the bloc’s balanced relations withsuperpowers.
Regarding the East Sea issue, thehost recommended Vietnam and Brunei work closely together to join ASEAN inmaintaining solidarity and a common voice, ensuring peace, security andstability in the waters, while promoting the implementation of the Declarationon the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and finalising an effective andsubstantive code of conduct (COC) in line with international law and the 1982UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The President expressed his hope thatin any position Pengiran Haji Sahari binPengiran Haji Salleh will hold, he will continue helping to advance Vietnam- Brunei relations./.
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son held a phone talk with Brunei Second Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof on April 13, during which both agreed to regularly and effectively maintain the nations’ mechanism of joint committee on bilateral cooperation.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Haji Hassanal Bolkiah on April 24 morning as part of his participation in the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting.
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue held online talks with Speaker of the Legislative Council of Brunei Abdul Rahman Taib on June 9, during which they noted with pleasure that bilateral ties are growing fruitfully.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2021, on October 26 welcomed the bloc's progress in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh have extended their greetings to Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah on the 38th anniversary of National Day of Brunei Darussalam (February 23) and 30th anniversary of Vietnam-Brunei diplomatic ties (February 29, 1992 – February 28, 2022).
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) presents a souvenir to Bruneian Ambassador Pengiran Haji Sahari bin Pengiran Haji Salleh at their meeting in Hanoi on May 17. (Photo: VNA) 
