Vietnam Ministry proposes sixfold increase in fines for running red lights

Motorbike riders who run red lights could face fines of up to VND6 million ($236) under new draft decree by the Ministry of Public Security, marking a sixfold increase from the current maximum fine.

The draft proposes penalties ranging from VND4-6 million for motorbike riders who fail to comply with traffic lights. Currently, the fine for such violations stands between VND800,000 and VND1 million.

Car drivers who run past traffic lights may also be fined between VND9-11 million, an increase from VND4-6 million, the ministry proposed.

According to the ministry's traffic police department, running red lights is a frequent offense, particularly in Hanoi and other localities.

The department noted that this behavior is most common during early mornings and late nights, on street with no traffic police presence.

The draft decree also aimed to impose heavier fines on individuals who allow unqualified drivers to operate their vehicles, raising penalties from the current range of VND600.000-800.000 to VND8-10 million.

In addition, the ministry proposes seizing motorbikes from riders performing hazardous stunts, such as riding without hands or using their legs to steer.

Motorbikes found to be improperly modified or lacking registration documents will also be subject to seizure, as will those using counterfeit certificates.

MPS seeks to promote cooperation with UK Home office

Minister of Public Security Senior Lieutanant General Luong Tam Quang made a phone call to the United Kingdom (UK) Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to discuss orientations for bilateral cooperation between the Minister of Public Security of Vietnam and the UK Home Office, on the afternoon of October 10th, in Hanoi.

During the call, Minister Luong Tam Quang underlined that Vietnam Government always attaches great important to promoting realations between the two countries through both bilateral and multilateral channels has witnessed many positive development since two sides established a strategic partnership in 2010.

The Vietnamese official stated that, over the past time, the two sides regularly maintained delegation exchange as well as expanded exchanges between local authorities and people of two countries, contributing to enhancing mutual understanding between two sides and boosting bilaterial cooperation in a practical and effective manner.

The Vietnamese Minister revealed that the UK is the third largest trading partner in Europe and the nineth largest export market in the world of Vietnam, as well as an important European investor in Vietnam with over 500 ongoing projects.

Regarding the field of law enforcement, Minister Luong Tam Quang underscored that the Minister of Public Security of Vietnam and the UK Home Office have closely cooperation in crime prevention and control, especially in migration, exit-and-entry management as well as in preventing and combating human trafficking and illegal migration.

In addition, the two sides also regularly exchanged information as well as effectively implemented cooperation documents signed by the two countries, such as the Memorandum of Understanding  (MoU) on migration issues and the MoU on cooperation in preveting and combating trafficking in persons.  

The two Minister also agreed to organize training and capacity-building courses for law enforcement forces on technology and foreign language in support of exit-and-entry management work, while closely cooperated in preventing and combating high-tech crimes, frauds, financial and banking crimes as well as money laundering.

Vietnam's new president recalls humble military start, says he never dreamed of power

Newly-elected President Luong Cuong stated he never aspired for power, focusing instead on his early military service aimed at liberating and unifying the country during a challenging period.

President Luong Cuong took the oath of office in Hanoi on Monday, pledging absolute loyalty to the Fatherland, the people and the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and all-out efforts to fullfill tasks assigned by the Party, State and People.  

He said that in February 1975, during the Vietnam War, when he volunteered for the army at 18, he simply hoped to return alive after victory, without ever dreaming of reaching any particular high-ranking position.

President Cuong, 67, shared that in the heroic atmosphere of Feruary 1975, as the entire country focused on the southern region, he joined the army "with the consciousness and conviction to fight for the liberation of the South, the unification of the country, and merely hoped to return alive on the day of victory, which would be a joy and happiness, without any thought or dream of achieving any specific rank or position."

Having served nearly 50 years in the revolution, undergoing training and facing challenges in battles to protect the homeland, and rising from a soldier to high-raking Party leader, he said he has "always been firm and stable politically, utterly loyal to the Party, the homland, and the people, overcoming difficulties, enhancing work capacity, and fulfilling all duties."

On the occasion, he expressed his profound gratitude to the Party, State, Army, Party committees and authorities at all levels, incumbent and former leaders, comrades and people for their guidance, support, care and encouragement, which have enabled him to fulfill his duties and grow into the leader as he is today.

Facing the evolving demands of national building and safeguarding, Cuong affirmed his commitment to striving with all his might to fulfill the duties of the president in accordance with the Constitution and tasks entrusted by the Party, State and people.

He highlighted his dedication to maintaining and strengthening the solidarity and unity in the Party and, alongside the entire Party, people and army, to continue fostering the strength of great national unity; building a strong, clean socialist rule-of-law state that is truly of the people, by the people, and for the people; consolidating national defense-security, building a revolutionary, regular, eltite and modern armed force that remains aloyal and reliable political and combat force of the Party, State and people.

He called for the collective strength and support of the Party Central Commitee, the Polituro, the Secretariat, the Party General Secretary, incumbent and former leaders of the Party and State, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, sectors, localities and all citizens, both at home and abroad, to help him fulfill the assigned tasks.  

First Viet Nam-Australia Ministerial Security Dialogue take place in Australia

The first Vietnam-Australia Ministerial Security Dialogue took place on the morning of October 1st, in Canberra, Australia.

Australian Leader of the House, Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs-cum-Minister for Cyber Security and Minister for the Arts Tony Burke, Australian Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus and Vietnamese Minister of Public Security Senior Lieutenant General Luong Tam Quang co-chaired the dialogue.

Welcoming Minister Luong Tam Quang and the delegation of Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam to the first Vietnam-Australian Ministerial Dialogue, Mr.Tony Burke underlined that the upgrading of the Vietnam-Australia diplomatic relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership demonstrated the depth of strategic trust and high expectations for the bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Australian head delegate highly appreciated the continuos contributions of Minister Luong Tam Quang to the deputy-ministerial security dialogues in the previous years as well as to the upgrading of the dialogue to the ministerial level, affirming that the first Vietnam-Australian Ministerial Security Dialogue taking place after the upgrading of bilateral diplomatic relations demonstrates the two sides'strong commitments to realizing the content of Vietnam-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership.

Expressing his delight at attending the first Vietnam-Australia Ministerial Security Dialogue, Minister Luong Tam Quang thanked for Mr. Tony Burke and the Australian side for warmly welcoming the Vietnamese delegation, and appreciated the Australian Government's aid project to support Vietnam in relieving the consequences of the recent Super Typhoon Yagi.

Minister Luong Tam Quang said that the dialogue took place in the context when the Vietnam - Australia bilateral realtions are developing well in various fields, and that the recent upgrading of Vietnam - Australia diplomatic relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership has opened a new promising period in the relationship between two countries, contributing to expanding bilateral cooperation in all fields, including security and law enforcement.

The Vietnamese Minister believed that the first Vietnam - Australia Ministerial Security Dialogue would be a significant milestone, from which the two countries will futher promote cooperation in security and law enforcement, contributing to protecting legitimate interests of each country in the increasingly complicated regional and global situation.

At the dialogue, the two sides openly and frankly discussed specific topics, such as national security evaluation, cybersecurity and key technologies, migration and border protection, national emergency management, and serious transnational organized crime, contributing to strengthening security cooperation between the two countries in a practical and effective manner.

The two sides also agreed to share with each other their country's policies in cybersecurity, cyberspace safety, key technologies, jointly investigate and address cyber security threats as well as train and build capacity of officers in charge of preveting and combating cybercrime.