Authorities have begun investigation to determine whether criminal offences were committed in the Đồng Tâm incident where several civil servants and police personnel were held hostage by commune residents last April.

A revitalised Government is necessary but not enough to achieve targeted economic breakthroughs. Only a thorough reform of the whole political system can do it, experts said at a conference yesterday.

Deputy prime ministers and ministers were answering questions put to them yesterday by the country’s lawmakers on issues including agricultural restructuring, cultural activity management and tourism quality enhancement.

A Việt Nam – Cuba friendship meeting was held in the capital city of Hà Nội yesterday as part of the ongoing eight-day visit of a high-ranking delegation from the Cuban National Assembly led by Chairman Esteban Lazo Hernandez.

Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng yesterday said the Communist Parties of Việt Nam and Cuba should spare no effort in strengthening and fostering the long-standing, model fraternity between the two countries.

Việt Nam has requested the Government of the Republic of Korea (RoK) not to take any action and make any statement hurting the Vietnamese people’s  sentiment and undermining friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân and her Cuban counterpart Esteban Lazo Hernandez agreed to enhance legislative ties between Việt Nam and Cuba through the exchange of all-level delegations and experience sharing.

With 83.5 per cent of approval votes, the National Assembly on Monday passed the Law on Support for Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).

The Chairman of the Cuban National Assembly, Esteban Lazo Hernandez, on Sunday began an eight-day visit to Việt Nam at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart, Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân.