Vietnam, Australia enhance cooperation in drug combat
The first Vietnam - Australia conference on cooperation in drug prevention and control took place in Nha Trang city, the central province of Khanh Hoa, on September 26.
Lt. Gen. Nguyen Van Vien, Director of the Police Department for Drug Related Crime Investigation, speaks at the conference on September 26. (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)
Khanh Hoa (VNA) – The first Vietnam - Australiaconference on cooperation in drug prevention and control took place in NhaTrang city, the central province of Khanh Hoa, on September 26.
Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Vien, Director of the PoliceDepartment for Drug Related Crime Investigation (C04) under the VietnameseMinistry of Public Security, and Deputy Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police(AFP) Lesa Gale co-chaired the event.
Viensaid Vietnam is facing great pressure from the trafficking of drugs from theGolden Triangle. Besides, amid international integration and globalisation,drug related crimes in other regions in the world have also had certain impactson Vietnam, making the drug crime situation more complicated.
This factrequires closer and more effective coordination among law enforcement forces ofcountries, he went on.
With their geographical locations favourable forsea and air transport, Vietnam and Australia encounter a common threat that thesemeans of transport are used to traffic large volumes of drugs. Synthetic drugs broughtfrom the Golden Triangle to Vietnam may continue to be shipped to Australia,the official pointed out.
He expressed his belief that Australia sharesVietnam’s viewpoint of preventing drugs early and from a far. Given this, it isnecessary to maintain cooperation and share a higher sense of responsibility tocrack down on drug related crimes and minimise the consequences left by the crimesfor society.
Vietnamese and Australian officials at the conference (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)
For her part, Deputy Commissioner Gale emphasised that theAFP considered drug prevention and control as a common priority as drug relatedcrimes have continued causing threats to both countries.
The AFP wishes to work with the Vietnamese police for drugrelated crime investigation to fight against these threats, she said, notingthat the conference marks the AFP’s commitment to continue assisting theVietnamese Ministry of Public Security by building capacity, sharinginformation, and seeking opportunities for joint investigations.
The Australian side hopes to see more successes following theresults gained so far from the combat against trans-national drug crimes and moneylaundering, she added.
At the meeting, the C04 and AFP exchangedinformation about the drug crime situation in each country and sharedexperience to improve the effectiveness of the trans-national drug crime combat.
They also signed a letter of agreement under whichthe two sides will share information and experience, support the verificationof drug crime information, carry out joint investigation measures fortrans-national drug cases involving the two countries, provide training in drugcrime investigation, and supply equipment helping with investigation./.
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son joined representatives of 70 countries and relevant international organisations at the Virtual Ministerial Meeting to Launch the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug on July 7 under an initiative of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Public Security Lieut. Gen Nguyen Duy Ngoc on August 11 suggested major solutions for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to raise the efficiency of anti-drug cooperation.
The Vietnam Coast Guard High Command has been honoured with a second-class Feat of Arms Order for its outstanding performance in the fight against drug crimes.
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang met with Chinese Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong in Beijing on September 5 on the occasion of their attendance at the fourth meeting of national committee chairpersons within the framework of the 1993 Mekong Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Drug Control.
Vietnam is determined and committed to enhancing cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Mekong sub-region countries, and the international community in drug prevention and control efforts, striving towards the common goals of peace, stability, prosperity, and the building of a drug-free region, a senior official has said.
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.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
Over the past five decades, the Vietnam - Angola relationship has grown steadily, marked by political trust and close bonds between their Parties, States, Governments, and peoples, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
President Luong Cuong called on the two countries to join hands to promote South – South cooperation, contribute to building a fair and equal global political and economic order, safeguard independence and sovereignty, and promote extensive and substantive international solidarity and cooperation.
President Luong Cuong called on the community to remain united, integrate well into local society, adhere to local laws, and continue contributing to both Angola’s development and Vietnam – Angola relations.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Angola Carolina Cerqueira agreed to continue strengthening political trust, boost high-level delegation exchanges via all channels, including the parliamentary one, and create favourable legal conditions for bilateral cooperation.
Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong and Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço met with the press right after concluding their talks and witnessing the signing of seven cooperation agreements between the two countries in Luanda on August 7.
State President Luong Cuong stressed the fraternal ties between Vietnam and Angola as a shared invaluable asset. It serves as a solid foundation for both countries to enter a new phase of development, further foster political trust and mutual support between the two Parties and States, and deepen the solidarity and mutual understanding between their people.
At the dialogue, both sides expressed satisfaction with the intensive and extensive development of bilateral relationship since it was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year.
The robust collaboration between the Vietnamese National Assembly and Japan’s National Diet, particularly between the two nations’ parliamentary friendship groups, is a hallmark of bilateral relations, contributing to deepening the Vietnam-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership, said NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man.
Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long received British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew in Hanoi on August 7, affirming education as a standout pillar in the Vietnam - UK Strategic Partnership.
Lt. Gen. Nguyen Van Vien, Director of the Police Department for Drug Related Crime Investigation, speaks at the conference on September 26. (Photo: baochinhphu.vn) 
Vietnamese and Australian officials at the conference (Photo: baochinhphu.vn) 
