Vietnam on December 16 denounced the United States’ inclusion of the country in its special watch list for alleged engagement in and tolerance of religious freedom violations as a decision that is based on an “unobjective assessment” and incorrect information.

Vietnam closely follows the developments surrounding the Ukraine-Russia conflict, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said during a regular press briefing in Hanoi on October 6.

Vietnam is ready to work with countries in the region and the international community to strengthen cooperation and share experiences in combating illegal fishing, stated Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang.

China needs to end its militarization in the South China Sea in violation of Vietnam’s territories and to refrain from escalating tensions.

Vaccine passports from 72 countries have been accepted by Vietnamese authorities to allow people to enter from abroad, and Vietnam is currently in discussions with 80 countries and territories for mutual recognition for each other's COVID-19 vaccine certification.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 7 gave updates on the progress of vaccine passports, especially the vaccines that Vietnam would recognize in this scheme as part of the reopening plan.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 19 clarified Vietnam’s policies on entry for fully vaccinated arrivals and ensuring equal access to COVID-19 vaccines for foreigners in the country.

China’s circulation of a number of diplomatic notes at the United Nations that raise unreasonable sovereignty claims over Vietnam’s Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos as well as maritime claims in the East Sea runs counter to the provisions of the 1982 UNCLOS, an official said on April 23.

Vietnam foreign affairs spokeswoman on December 5 reaffirmed the country’s sovereignty over the Spratly Islands after images showing an airship deployed above the China-occupied Mischief Reef.

Vietnam rejects all contents of the statement made by the Chinese spokesperson on sovereignty over Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago on November 8.