Visit of the Economic Committee of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic

A delegation of the Economic Committee of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, lead by the Vice-chairman of the Chamber of Deputies Vojtěch Filip, visited the Socialist Republic of Vietnam from November 13 till November 21, 2004. The parliamentary delegation paid visit to the Chairman and the Vice-chairman of the National Assembly, to Vice-prime minister and the Chairman of Economic and Budgetary Committee of the National Assembly. In Ho Chi Mihn City the delegation met with leaders of the People's Committee and the People's Council. The delegation also visited industrial sites, met with the members of People's Committees and businessmen in provinces of Da Nang, Hue, An Giang a Ben Tre.

The delegation arrived to Vietnam to intensify the economic relations between the two countries and to strengthen economic, cultural and educational cooperation I the regions. The Czech delegation focused on projects in the area of energy, environment and food processing industries. Vietnamese officials thanked to the Czech Republic for the development assistance it has been providing and welcomed the offered cooperation in the above-mentioned fields.

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The Czech Ambassador met with the Rector of the Hanoi University of Foreign Studies

On November 30, 2004, Ambassador I. Ždárek met with the Rector of the Hanoi University of Foreign Studies Nguyen Xuan Vang, the Director of International Relations Department, teachers of the Czech language and bohemicists.

The Hanoi University of Foreign Studies prepares its students for their future jobs abroad and as teachers of foreign languages in Vietnam. The main West European and Asian languages can be studied there on regular basis. Newly, in the East European Section, Rumanian and Hungarian are being taught. The Bachelor's undergraduate study takes place in combination form of 2 years of study at Hanoi University followed by 2 years of study abroad and obtaining the Bachelor's degree there.

Neither Czech language nor Czech studies are available to students of the Hanoi University at present, although Vietnamese students show interest to study Czech language in the Czech Republic. The Czech Embassy in Hanoi supports the idea of reopening Czech language courses and a Czech studies programme at the Hanoi University.

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The visit to Hai Phong city
The Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Vietnam I. Žďárek paid a visit to the harbour city of Hai Phong on November 9, 2004. The Ambassador met with the chairman of Peoples Committee in Hai Phong, with the acting director of the Hospital of Vietnamese-Czechoslovak Friendship, the Director of shoemaking training centre Sholega and the Director of Cultural centre of Vietnamese - Czechoslovak Friendship. The Hospital, shoemaking training centre and the Cultural centre were part of the Czech (or former Czechoslovak) development aid to Vietnam. Vietnamese partners appreciated the development assistance provided by the Czech Republic and would welcome continuation of cooperation.

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A reception on the occasion of the National Day of the Czech Republic took place on October 28, 2004
Honourable guests the vice-chairman of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Mr. Nguyen Van Yeu and the minister of labour, war invalids and social affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Mrs. Ngueyn Thi Hang took part in the reception. The Vice -chairman of the Senate of the Czech Republic Mr. Ladislav Svoboda also participated in the event. In total, 350 guests celebrated the National Day of the Czech Republic. In particular, many Vietnamese who studied in the Czech Republic and still speak the Czech language joined the celebration.

On the occasion of the National Day of the Czech Republic H.E. Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Vietnam gave an interview to an English writing newspaper Viet Nam News and held his speech on the Vietnamese TV.