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 will keep a close watch on the process of the East Sea-related case filed by the Philippines and reserves the right to use all proper and necessary peaceful measures to protect its rights and legal interests in the East Sea, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Hai Binh on October 31.

The replenishment ship HMAS Sirius of the Royal Australian Navy on October 30 anchored at Tien Sa Port in the central city of Da Nang, beginning its five-day visit to the locality.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Hai Binh made the remarks on October 29 in reply to a reporter’s question about Vietnam’s reaction to a US warship sailing through some geographic structure areas of the Spratly islands of Vietnam.

Vietnam once again requests China to respect its sovereignty and international law, abide by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and immediately stop wrongful actions".

International experts said that China’s illegal construction of two lighthouses in Vietnam’s Truong Sa Archipelago (Spratly Islands) is a dangerous move to promote the preposterous claims of Beijing in the East Sea (South China Sea).

Experts at a discussion in the US’s Washington DC examined recent security developments in the East Sea, underlining the serious impacts of activities that change the status quo.

On October 13, the Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh has replied to reporters’ questions about China’s construction of two lighthouses in the Chau Vien (Cuarteron) and Gac Ma (Johnson) reefs in Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago.

Vietnam demands Thailand promptly investigate and strictly punish individuals involved in Thai marine police’s recent fatal shooting against Vietnamese fishing boats, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh said.

An exhibition showcasing photos and documents on Hoang Sa (the Paracel) and Truong Sa (the Spratly) archipelagos in the East Sea was held at the Cultural Center of Jahrhunderthalle Bochum in Germany recently.

The Indian Navy Ship INS Sahyadri, carrying 300 officers and crew members on board, arrived at the Tien Sa port in Da Nang city on October 2, beginning its five-day visit to the central city.

Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, Head of the Vietnam Mission to the UN underlined the need to ensure security in the East Sea as a prerequisite for development at the General Debate of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 70) on a roadmap for peace, security and respect for human rights.

Vietnam resolutely opposes China for zoning plan with both the Spratlys and Paracels, and requested China to cancel this action.

On September 21, Minister Counsellor Pham Thanh Nam at the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand met Thai police’s Public Affairs Division director Major-General Apichart Suribunya in Bangkok to discuss the recent fatal shooting of Vietnamese fishermen at sea.

Vietnam requested Thailand to promptly investigate and handle individuals, make fair compensation for the losses of Vietnamese fishermen.

A woman whose ancestor patrolled the Hoang Sa (Paracels) Islands hundreds of years ago tells foreign and local museum visitors historical tales about the area. Nam Cuong and Trung Hieu report.

Vietnam has indisputable sovereignty over Truong Sa (Spartly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelagoes and any activities conducted in the area by other countries without permission and agreement from Vietnam are wrong and void.

The International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) organised a ceremony to raise Vietnam’s flag in Monaco on September 2, which coincided with Vietnam’s 70th National Day, marking the country’s official admission to the IHO as the 84th member.

An exhibition featuring legal and historical evidence affirming Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos opened in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang on September 1.

The organising board for the East Asian Seas Congress 2015 slated for November 17-21 in the central city of Da Nang will be led by Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Ngoc Tuan.

The construction of Hoang Sa memorial site aims to remember the soldiers, who sacrificed their lives in the archipelago for the national independence and freedom.