The fourth plenary session of the 14th National Assembly (NA) began in Hanoi on the morning of October 23 with the opening ceremony broadcast live on national television and radio channels. 

 Defence Minister General Ngo Xuan Lich and a Vietnamese delegation attended the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) that opened in Manila, the capital of Philippines on October 23.

 The Prime Minister has asked the Minister of Home Affairs to prepare documents for appointments of two new members in the Cabinet, namely the Minister of Transport and the Government chief inspector.

 Finance ministers of 21 APEC member economies visited the ancient city of Hoi An on the afternoon of October 20 and enjoyed fascinating cultural activities there.

 National Assembly Secretary General Nguyen Hanh Phuc chaired a press conference in Hanoi on October 20 to announce planned agenda for the fourth session of the 14th legislature slated for October 23. 

 Latvia wants to strengthen multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam, particularly between the two legislatures, Speaker of the Latvian Parliamentary Assembly of Inara Munierce has said. 

A high-ranking military delegation of Vietnam led by Minister of National Defence General Ngo Xuan Lich will attend the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM), the 4th ADMM-Plus (ADMM+).

The recent Vietnam-US defence policy dialogue concretised the contents reached by the two countries’ defence ministers.

 The 24th APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting closed in Hoi An ancient city in the central province of Quang Nam on October 21 after issuing a joint ministerial statement.

 VietNamNet Bridge - The formation of RTAs/FTAs is very significant for APEC member economies, including Vietnam.

 Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army Nguyen Phuong Nam hosted a reception in Hanoi on October 19 for Colonel Weddy Widya, Deputy Director of the Strategic Study Centre of the Indonesian National Armed Forces.

Australian President of the Senate Stephen Parry has expressed his delight at the strong development in the Vietnam-Australia relations in recent years, laying a solid ground for the two sides to upgrade their ties in the future. 

 Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh applauded recent strides in the Vietnam – Latvia traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation, especially in economy-trade, while meeting with Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis in Riga on October 20.

Vice Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dao Duc Toan on October 19 hosted a reception for Argentine Ambassador to Vietnam Juan Carlos Valle Raleigh ahead of his upcoming visit to several Latin American countries. 

 Finance officials from 21 APEC member economies gathered in the central province of Quang Nam’s Hoi An ancient city on October 19 to draft the Joint Ministerial Statement.

 Ho Chi Minh City hopes for assistance from the US Government and businesses to local startup and innovation activities as well as smart city building, said Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan.

 Vietnam is seen as an active and responsible member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) with substantive contributions to the IPU Assembly, said Chairman of the National Assembly (NA)’s Committee for External Relations Nguyen Van Giau.

 Foreign bands in recent years have stepped up their efforts to “stay in the game” as Vietnamese bands appear to be regaining popularity in the local music scene.

Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh has expressed her hope for stronger cooperation in all spheres with Finland while meeting Finnish officials and entrepreneurs during her official visit to this European country from October 16-19.

 The central city of Da Nang is redoubling efforts to complete preparations for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, slated for early November.