Vietnam hopes the Australian House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Anna Burke will pave the way for Australian businesses to pour investment into Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh city in particular.

State President Truong Tan Sang spoke highly of the role of JICA Chief Representative Tsumo Motonori during his 2008-2013 working term in Vietnam.

The National Assembly on May 23 approved the Prime Minister’s proposal to allow Vuong Dinh Hue to leave his post as Finance Minister for another task.

President Truong Tan Sang on May 23 met visiting Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives Anna Burke in Hanoi, affirming that the Vietnamese Government will do its utmost to back the two legislative bodies to further their cooperation.

National Assembly deputies reviewed the country's socio-economic development plans and the 2012 State budget while also reviewing socio-economic development during the first months of 2013.

Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Lam on May 21 visited and extended his greetings to Most Venerable Thich Pho Tue, Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s Patronage Council, at Vien Minh pagoda in Phu Xuyen district, Hanoi on the occasion of Lord Buddha’s 2,557th birthday.

Vietnam treasures its ties with France, an important partner in Europe and the world, especially in 2013 when the two countries are looking to lift bilateral relations to a strategic partnership level, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said on May 21.

National Assembly deputies debated the draft Anti-Terrorism Law at their fifth session in Hanoi on May 21.

The National Assembly (NA) term XIII opened its one month long fifth session on May 20, to address a series of important issues, including the revision of the constitution, dealing with personnel work and seeking solutions to the difficult situation of the economy.

A delegation of leaders of the Party, State, Government, National Assembly and Vietnam Fatherland Front on May 18 laid a wreath in tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum on the occasion of his 123 rd birthday.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on May 18 arrived in Hanoi, successfully completing his official visits to Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus from May 12-17.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on May 17 met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who affirmed that Vietnam is a strategic partner of his country in Southeast Asia.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has proposed the Belarus’ National Assembly increase its legal supports to rapidly implement reached cooperation agreements, supervise the implementation of signed agreements and step up cooperation between the two countries’ localities.

The Border Guard Academy under the Border Guard High Command has been conferred with the Military Exploit Order, First Class for its great contributions to the country’s revolutionary cause.

The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee convened its 18 th session on May 14 in Hanoi under the chair of NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on May 13 met with voters from Hanoi’s district of Ba Dinh to inform them of the 5th session of the 13th National Assembly and hear their aspirations.