Vietnam reasserts to realise int’l commitments on labour
Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung paid a working visit to the European Union and Belgium on June 20-21 to speed up the signing of the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement (EVFTA) and reaffirm Vietnam’s efforts to realise international commitments on labour.
Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung (L) and European Commission Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness Jyrki Katainen (Source: VNA)
Brussels (VNA) - Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs DaoNgoc Dung paid a working visit to the European Union and Belgium on June 20-21to speed up the signing of the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement (EVFTA) andreaffirm Vietnam’s efforts to realise international commitments on labour.
Whilein Brussels, Dung had meetings with European Commission Vice-President forJobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness Jyrki Katainen, EuropeanCommissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström, Chairman of the European Parliament’sCommittee on International Trade Bernd Lange, head of the Directorate-Generalfor Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Joost Korte, and Belgian Deputy PrimeMinister and Minister of Economy and Employment Kris Peeters.
Discussionsat the working sessions focused on issues related to labour commitments in thechapter on trade and sustainable development of the EVFTA – which has drawnattention of the EU during the preparation process for the signing andratification of the agreement.
MinisterDung informed EU and Belgian leaders of the Vietnamese National Assembly’sapproval of a resolution on Vietnam’s accession to the ILO’s Convention 98 onthe Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining on June 14.
Hestressed that together with trade and investment cooperation, Vietnam has paidspecial attention to inclusive and sustainable development, with the people putat the centre.
Theofficial showed his hope that the EU and Vietnam will maintain closecooperation to speed up the signing of the EVFTA and the EU-Vietnam InvestmentPromotion Agreement (EVIPA) in the coming time and ratify them within thisyear.
TheEU and Belgian sides spoke highly of Vietnam’s efforts, especially in ratifyingthe Convention 98 and in revising and supplementing its Labour Code, which areconsidered one of the decisive conditions for the European Council’sconsideration of allowing the European Commission to sign the EVFTA at thesoonest time.-VNA
Most opinions at the debate at the National Assembly on June 7 morning supported Vietnam’s joining Convention 98 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on the application of principles of the right to organise and bargain collectively.
Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh on June 18 met with representatives from several European business associations to discuss measures to speed up the signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Promotion Agreement (EVIPA) as part of his working visit to the EU and Belgium.
Vietnam will make all-out efforts to fulfill its obligations as a member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and further promote cooperation between the organisation and tripartite actors – the Government, employers, and employees in the country.
Members of the European Union (EU) have expressed their wish to promote cooperation with Vietnam, including the earliest possible signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Promotion Agreement (EVIPA), EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström has said.
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.
Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung (L) and European Commission Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness Jyrki Katainen (Source: VNA) 
