Vientiane - Vietnam and Laos agreed to propose their governments allow the resumption of the clearance of goods at main and secondary border gates during the 30th annual border meeting in Vientiane on November 30.

Vietnam posted a trade surplus of USD 20.1 billion in the first 11 months of this year, the highest on record, despite the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a meeting in Hanoi on November 26 to seek overseas Vietnamese (OV)'s opinions about the results of the five-year implementation of the Politburo’s Directive No. 45/CT-TW and how to develop the country in the new context.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc is to deliver a welcome speech in the form of pre-recorded video at the online opening of the 17th China – ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) on November 27, at the invitation of the Chinese Government.

The 2020 Vietnam-US defense policy dialogue was held online on November 24, under the chair of Deputy Minister of Defense Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien and US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs (IPSA) David F. Helvey.

The US attaches importance to, and wants to promote the comprehensive partnership with Vietnam in a stable and sustainable manner, based on mutual respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity and political institutions, said US National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien.

To overcome current challenges, countries need to stay united, build trust, intensify cooperation and share joint responsibility towards sustainable, inclusive development in which no state or body is left behind, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said.

Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong said the engagement of the whole community including doctors, nurses, armed forces and ordinary people in the fight against COVID-19 was an outstanding example of national solidarity in which the Vietnam Fatherland Front plays a core role.

Boosting support for Vietnamese enterprises to capitalize on free trade agreements and engage more deeply in global supply chains is an important solution to fuel post-pandemic exports and economic recovery, the Export Forum 2020 held in Ho Chi Minh City on November 18 heard.

The 12th South China Sea International Conference, with the theme “Maintaining Peace and Cooperation through a Time of Turbulence”, kicked off on November 16 in both the in-person and online formats.