Deputy PM Truong Hoa Binh meets Vatican leaders

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh on October 20 had meetings with Pope Francis and Secretary of State of the Vatican City Cardinal Pietro Parolin on October 20 during his working trip to the city state.
Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh and Pope Francis (Photo: VNA)

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh and Pope Francis (Photo: VNA)

The Deputy PM conveyed thanks from Acting President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh and the family of late President Tran Dai Quang to the Pope for extending condolences over the death of the President and sending a representative to Vietnam to pay last respects to the deceased.

He informed the Pope on Vietnam’s outstanding achievements in socio-economic development and international integration, emphasizing that they are the results of the joint efforts of all Vietnamese, including the religious community.
 
Deputy PM Binh affirmed that Vietnam constantly works to perfect its policy on respecting and ensuring the freedom of religion and belief for all Vietnamese, and offering favourable conditions for religions to operate in line with their charters and statutes and in accordance with the law. This can be clearly seen in the all-round development and diverse activities of religions in Vietnam, including the Vietnam Catholic Church. 

Pope Francis welcomed the visit by Deputy PM Binh, describing it as an important new step of development helping enhance mutual understanding and thus further promoting the ties between Vietnam and the Vatican in the time ahead. 
 
He recalled the good memory about his meetings with Vietnam’s leaders in the past years and expressed joy at the positive developments in Vatican-Vietnam ties. 
 
The Pope thanked the Government and authorities at all levels of Vietnam for facilitating activities of the Vietnam Catholic Church and the Vatican’s non-resident envoy to Vietnam.  

He stressed that the Vietnam Catholic Church should better implement the motto of “Living the Gospel amid the nation” set by the Vietnam Episcopal Council and the Pope’s teaching that “a good Catholic is a good citizen.”

The Pope encouraged Vietnamese Catholic followers and dignitaries to participate in common activities and make active contributions to the development of the nation and the church. 

The Vietnamese Deputy PM affirmed that Vietnam appreciates and respects the instructions and teachings of the Pope and the Holy See towards the Vietnamese Catholic community. He expressed the hope that the Holy See will guide the Vietnam Catholic Church and Vietnamese Catholic community in following the Pope’s teachings, adding that Vietnam stands ready to work with the Vatican to enhance bilateral ties. 

During his meeting with the Vatican Secretary of State, Deputy PM Binh stressed that Vietnam always creates the best conditions for religions, including Catholic, to operate on an equal basis and in accordance with the law.

Vietnam attaches importance to and wants to promote ties with the Vatican on the basis of respect for principles on relations among nations, meeting the aspirations and interests of both sides, Binh said.  

Pietro Parolin said the Vatican always encourages the Vietnam Catholic Church to contribute actively to national construction and defence.  
 
The two sides exchanged views on important issues in bilateral ties and affirmed the need to maintain high-level meetings and regular dialogues at all levels. 
 
They discussed and reached agreement on the directions for strengthening Vietnam-Vatican ties towards elevating the relationship from the level of non-resident envoy to resident envoy in the time ahead. They assigned the joint working group to make preparations for the 7th meeting to discuss the issue in details. 

Deputy PM Binh conveyed an invitation from Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to Secretary of State Parolin to visit Vietnam, which the latter accepted with pleasure.

VNA

Other News

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

The NA's Committee for Cultural and Social Affairs has moved fast to reshuffle its organisation after the 14th National Party Congress and the election of deputies to the 16th NA, updating its work agenda to match new directives set out in the resolutions of the 14th National Party Congress and the first Congress of the NA Party Organisation for the 2025–2030 term.

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam and Croatia should strive to double bilateral trade turnover from the current level of 161 million USD; study the establishment of a Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation to create a long-term, stable, and effective framework for collaboration, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Jesús Faria expressed deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s indomitable struggle for national independence. He described President Ho Chi Minh as an immortal symbol of 20th-century national liberation movements, whose legacy continues to inspire leftist parties, progressive movements, and peoples across Latin America, including Venezuela.

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang shared Vietnam’s approach to building an independent and self-reliant economy linked to deep international integration, while proposing several key areas for enhanced cooperation between BRICS and partner countries at the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting that opened on May 14 in India.

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

PSNews - The spokesperson stated that the dispatch of personnel by relevant parties to features belonging to Truong Sa without Vietnam’s permission constitutes a violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty under international law. She stressed that such actions run counter to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as ongoing efforts by countries to negotiate a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

PSNews - Vietnam’s proposals placed the highest priority on ensuring a peaceful and stable environment conducive for continued sustainable development and improving the well-being and happiness of the ASEAN people. They were praised by member states and incorporated into the core contents of the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the response to the Middle East crisis.

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam highly values the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in strengthening national capacity in crime prevention and criminal justice, drug control, and addressing emerging challenges, particularly cybercrime, said Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang.

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Consolidating the central steering committees for institutional and legal reform and for judicial reform is necessary in order to streamline organisational structures without reducing responsibilities, while ensuring clear accountability, measurable outputs and concrete results. Following the restructuring, the body will be renamed the central steering committee for institutional improvement and law enforcement, with the Party General Secretary and State President serving as its head.

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

At the meeting this week, Ambassador Viet briefed the UNGA President on developments during the first two weeks of the conference. He stressed that the current international geopolitical landscape poses numerous complex challenges, while reaffirming Vietnam’s determination, together with other member states, to promote substantive and balanced outcomes at the conference.

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

The host leader stressed that cooperation between localities, particularly between the capitals of Hanoi and Vientiane, plays an especially important role as a pioneering force in effectively implementing the foreign polices of the two Parties and States, while also serving as a bridge between politics and development, as well as between strategy and concrete action.