1. Question: Please comment on Amnesty International’s recent report on the situation at detention camps in Viet Nam?
Answer:
Amnesty International produces a report of completely wrongful information.
Let me emphasize that Viet Nam’s consistent policy is to ensure and promote human rights in conformity with our Constitution and international standards. Viet Nam is a member of the seven core international human rights treaties, including the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and we have always fulfilled our commitments and obligations of a member state. Our efforts and achievements in human rights protection and promotion have been widely recognized by the international community.
2. Question: Could you please provide main points  of the statement made by Vietnamese MOFA’s on 5 December 2014  transmitted to the Tribunal constituted under Annex VII to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (referred to hereinafter as the Tribunal)?
Answer:
On 5 December 2014, Viet Nam sent the Tribunal  a statement which provides the following main points:
Viet Nam advocates full observance and implementation of all rules and procedures of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), including the settlement of disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention by peaceful means.
Viet Nam preserves its rights and interests of a legal nature in the East Sea, including its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelagos as well as its rights and interests in the maritime zones established in accordance with the Convention.
Viet Nam expects the Tribunal to interpret and apply relevant provisions of the Convention in this case for an impartial and objective Award.
Viet Nam requests the Tribunal to pay due regard to Viet Nam’s rights and interests of a legal nature in the East Sea. Viet Nam will consider other steps to protect its national rights and interests.
3. Question: Please provide Viet Nam’s official position on the Tribunal’s Award.
Answer:
On 12 July 2016, I made a remark reflecting Viet Nam’s position on the fact that the Tribunal issued its Award in the arbitration between the Philippines and China. I also mentioned in my remark that Viet Nam will make a statement on the content of the Award.
4. Question: China has recently conducted test flights with civilian aircrafts and put into operation several lighthouses on different features in the Truong Sa Archipelago. What is Viet Nam’s reaction to that?
Answer:
Viet Nam, once again, reiterates its sufficient legal and historical grounds to prove its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelagos.  Disregarding Viet Nam’s opposition and the international community’s concerns, China has continued its actions that severely violate Viet Nam’s sovereignty. These actions are illegal and do not alter the fact that Viet Nam has sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa Archipelagos.
We requests China to immediately stop violating Viet Nam’s sovereignty,  strictly  abide by international law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS and the Declaration on Conducts of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and refrain from actions that further complicate the situation.
5. Question: Kyodo News on July 14th 2016 reported that the ASEAN had decided not to issue any joint statement on the Tribunal’s Award. What is your comment?
Answer:
Countries inside and outside the region share common interests and responsibilities to maintain peace, stability, security, and safety of navigation and aviation in the East Sea.
As we all know, it is ASEAN's consistent stance that disputes are to be settled by peaceful means, including diplomatic and legal processes, in line with the UN Charter and international law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS, upholding its unity and centrality, in order to maintain the regional peace and stability as well as to promote the ASEAN’s cooperation with its partners.
6. Question:  On the incident of Thai naval ship firing on a Ben Tre province boat, injuring 2 Vietnamese fishermen, MOFA has voiced protest and requested Thailand to launch an investigation on the incident. However, it is reported that Thai Prime Minister has denied the incident. What is MOFA’s response?
Answer:
On this incident, we have provided some information to the media on 11 July 2016. According to relevant Vietnamese authorities, Mr. To Hong Ngoc, the fisherman who had been reported missing was found to arrive home safely. Earlier on, at our request, the Thai authorities were very active to conduct the search for this fisherman. On 13 July afternoon, our Consular Affairs Department asked the Viet Nam’s Embassy in Thailand to inform the Thai side to cease the search.
Viet Nam’s Embassy in Thailand currently continues to work closely with the Thai authorities to clarify related information. At the same time, our embassy is taking measures to provide help and protection for the Vietnamese citizens concerned.
7. Question: After the Tribunal’s Award, there is a concern that China could step up tensions in the East Sea. What has Viet Nam done to prepare for this situation?
Answer:
We call on all related sides to exercise restraints, respect international law and the Declaration on Conducts of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), refrain from actions that could complicate the situation, and contribute to the maintenance of peace, stability and security in the East Sea as well as in the region.
The Party, State, Government and people of Viet Nam are always prepared for every necessary measure to maintain the peace, stability and security of the region.
8. Question: Viet Nam has repeatedly said its consistent policy is to settle disputes by peaceful means, including legal measures. After the Tribunal’s ruling, has Viet Nam considered filing a case against China? If so, in the wake of the recent Tribunal’s Award, will Viet Nam accelerate proceding its case?
Answer:
Viet Nam advocates settlement of disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means, on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.
9. Question: Following the Tribunal’s Award, there is a concern of increased risk of fishing boats’ clashes in the East Sea. Has Viet Nam prepared to strengthen measures to protect its fishermen?
Answer:
As I have said earlier, we call on all related sides to exercise restraints, to respect international law and the Declaration on Conducts of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), refrain from action that could further complicate the situation, and contribute to the maintenance of peace, stability and security in the East Sea as well as in the region.
In the recent years, the Party, State and Government of Viet Nam have always supported and assisted our fishermen to continue to sail our sea and fish our traditional fishing grounds.