Vietnam, Vatican agree to continue high-level exchanges
Relations between Vietnam and the Vatican have seen many positive developments, thanks to high-level visits and interactions between their leaders, negotiations of the Vietnam-Vatican Joint Working Group, and particularly the elevation of their relationship to the level of Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam since July 2023, according to Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Doan Khac Viet.
A girl presents flowers to Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, at a ceremony held at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hanoi on April 10. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Relationsbetween Vietnam and the Vatican have seen many positive developments,thanks to high-level visits and interactions between their leaders, negotiations of the Vietnam-Vatican Joint Working Group, and particularly the elevation of theirrelationship to the level of Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam sinceJuly 2023, according to Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Doan KhacViet.
At the ministry’s regular press briefing in Hanoi on April 11, Viet noted that ArchbishopPaul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States andInternational Organisations, visited Vietnam from April 9 to 11.
He went on to say that athis meetings with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Foreign Minister Bui ThanhSon, Gallagher praised Vietnam’s development achievements in all fields and the Vietnam Catholic Church’s growth and positivecontributions to national construction and development.
The deputy spokesperson said the two sides have agreed to maintaineffective high-level exchange activities and leverage the role of the Vatican'sResident Papal Representative in Vietnam to bring the bilateral relations forward./.
On the occasion of the visit by the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, H.E. Vo Van Thuong, to the Vatican on July 27, 2023, on the basis of the 10th Session of the Joint Working Group between Vietnam and the Holy See on March 31, 2023 in the Vatican, and with the desire to continue advancing bilateral relations, the two sides officially announce that the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Holy See concluded the “Agreement on the Status of the Resident Papal Representative and the Office of the Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam”.
President Vo Van Thuong, his spouse and entourage met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Vatican, in the Vatican on July 27 afternoon (local time) to discuss Vietnam-Vatican ties and the Catholic situation in Vietnam.
Pope Francis’s appointment of Archbishop Marek Zalewski as the first Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam marks a historic moment in the diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Vatican, said Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son hosted a reception on April 9 for Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations who is on a visit to the country.
Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra received visiting Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, in Hanoi on April 10.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s working trip conveyed an important message that aligns with the event's theme -the spirit of entrepreneurship for a new era- aiming to maximise international resources in service of national development.
The attendance of the Vietnamese delegation headed by PM Pham Minh Chinh at the 16th Annual Meeting of the New Champions of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Tianjin carries importance significance, said a researcher on Vietnam.
Party General Secretary To Lam expressed his belief that Australian Ambassador Gillian Bird, with her extensive experience and deep understanding of the region, would make significant contributions to advancing the Vietnam–Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership while receiving the newly appointed diplomat in Hanoi on June 26.
Speaking to reporters on June 26, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Pham Thu Hang stated that Vietnam calls all parties involved to seriously comply with the agreement, creating conditions for peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.
The President also identified certain limitations in advisory work that require continued innovation and quality improvement to meet state leadership requirements.
The Law on Participation in United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping Operations establishes the fundamental principles, roles, functions, and operational framework for Vietnam’s engagement in the UN peacekeeping missions.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on June 26 visited the Memorial Hall of the first National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Pudong district, a development model in the new era of Shanghai as well as China.
The resolution on tuition exemption and support in the national education system was approved with 440 out of 441 deputies present voting in favour. It takes effect from the date of its adoption and will be applied starting from the 2025–2026 academic year.
An official of HCM City attributed achievements of the two countries' relations to not only efforts by both countries' governments but also perservering support from people's organisations, businesses, and dedicated individuals.
The two sides committed to adopting breakthrough measures to broaden the scope of cooperation and further boost trade turnover in a more balanced and mutually beneficial manner, towards better responding to fluctuations in global trade and contributing to ensuring a stable and sustainable supply chain.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed the city enhance exchanges with Vietnamese localities, particularly Ho Chi Minh City. He called for deeper, result-oriented cooperation in trade, investment, and strategic development — especially in sectors where Shanghai has strengths and Vietnam has demand, such as transport infrastructure, smart and green cities, and innovation.
President Luong Cuong appreciated the ambassadors' contributions to Vietnam's relations with their countries and called for continued efforts to help advance those ties.
PM Pham Minh Chinh called on the SSE and the Shanghai IFC to share their expertise with and provide technical support for relevant Vietnamese ministries and agencies during the process of building Vietnam’s own international financial centre.
According to the resolution, Nguyen Thi Thanh, a member of the Party Central Committee and Vice Chairwoman of the NA, was appointed Standing Vice President of the council and head of its personnel sub-committee.
PM Pham Minh Chinh has expressed his confidence that Asia has all the necessary foundations to continue rising, asserting its role as a pillar and driving force of the global economy.
In his closing speech at the 10th plenum of the Party Central Committee in September 2024, Party General Secretary Lam declared: “With the position and strength accumulated over 40 years of renewal, and with the unity of the entire Party, people, and army, alongside new opportunities under the sound Party leadership, we now possess the essential conditions to enter a new era."
A girl presents flowers to Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, at a ceremony held at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hanoi on April 10. (Photo: VNA) 
