The traditional carp release ceremony, a ritual marking the transition from the old year to the new, is an important part of the Lunar New Year celebrations in Vietnam.

Vietnam continues to demonstrate its active participation in the pursuit of world peace by sending eight officers to peacekeeping missions in the Central African Republic and South Sudan.

The musical shows the moving picture of the marines, who always hold their rifles firmly, ready to fulfill the mission of protecting the sacred sea and the islands of the Motherland.

Vietnam demands China end its wrongful activities on Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago, said Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Le Hai Binh on February 19.

On February 16, on the sidelines of the US - ASEAN Summit at Sunnylands, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung had a meeting lasting 40 minutes with US President Barack Obama to discuss major cooperative areas between the two countries as well as international and regional issues of mutual concern.

Spring has come to every corner in Vietnam. Tet atmosphere has covered all the islands on Truong Sa archipelago.

On January 31, Foreign Ministry`s Spokesman Le Hai Binh spoke about the US’s conduct of a freedom of navigation operation within 12 nautical miles of Tri Ton Island in Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel).

Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh made the statement in Hanoi on January 28 in reply to reporters’ questions on Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou`s visit to Ba Binh island which belongs to the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Hoang Anh Tuan penned an article recently published in the Jakarta Post that refutes the unconvincing arguments made by Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Xu Bu claiming China’s sovereignty over the East Sea.

An exhibition displaying documents, objects and maps on Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes is underway in the southern coastal province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

On January 19, Foreign Ministry`s Spokesman Le Hai Binh stated that Vietnam is concerned and asks China to withdraw oil rig Hai Duong 981 from the mouth of Gulf of Tonkin.

The international public has expressed their concern about China’s pilot flight to the airport that it illegally built on the Fiery Cross Reef, part of Vietnam’s Truong Sa archipelago.

Vietnam has requested the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) correct the Sanya flight information region (FIR) map – which includes Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago.

The Prime Minister recently approved adjustments to a master plan on the preservation and restoration of the Con Dao special national relic in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

The Vietnam Fisheries Trade Union (VFTU) has vehemently opposed Chinese fishing boats attacking and pillaging Vietnamese fishing boats in Vietnam’s waters.

"Once again, Vietnam demands China to stop flights to Fiery Cross Reef, not conduct further actions that violate Vietnam’s sovereignty, and practically contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the region as well as security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea"

An exhibition opened in Ho Chi Minh City on January 7 displaying maps and other documents evidencing Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes.

On January 7, Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Le Hai Binh has once again expressed Vietnam’s strong protest against a pair of Chinese civilian jet airliners that landed at an illegally-built airport on Chu Thap (Fiery Cross) island in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago.

The Vietnam Fisheries Association has sent dispatches to the Government Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, External Relations Central Committee about protesting China’s ramming local fishing boat to Quang Ngai fishermen.

The Prime Minister has recently signed the decision to recognise Co To island district in northern Quang Ninh province as a new-style rural area.

On January 2, Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Le Hai Binh has expressed Vietnam’s resolute protest against China’s pilot flight to an illegally-built airport on Fiery Cross reef in Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, who is also the Secretary of the Central Military Commission ,visited the High Command of the Hanoi capital city on January 1.

During their rule in Dang Trong (the South of Vietnam), the Nguyen Lords[1] made great contributions to the nation’s historical development[2].