With deep sadness for the friend’s death VILMA ESPIN, the WIDF – Women International Democratic Federation offers its homage to this great heroine of the Cuban revolution and the women's worldwide struggle.

In the early morning of 19 June 2007 (Vietnam time), Mrs. Vilma Espin, former member of the Cuban Communist Party’s Politburo, former member of Cuba’s Council of State, President of Cuba’s Council of State, President of the Cuban Women’s Federation, spouse of Vice President Raul Castro, passed away at the age of 77.

At the invitation of the Korean Ministry of Trade and Foreign Affairs, the VWU delegation led by Madam Ha Thi Khiet, Member of the Central Party Committee, President of VWU visited Korea from 23 -26 May 2007

At the invitation of the President of Vietnam Nguyen Minh Triet, the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Hoost Kohler and his spouse Eva Luise Kohler paid an official visit to Vietnam from 21 – 23 May, 2007. On this occasion, Mme. Eva Kohler visited the Central Vietnam Women’s Union with the warm welcome from Mme. Ha Thi Khiet, Member of the Vietnam Central Committee of the Party (CCP), President of VWU, Chairperson of the National Committee for the Advancement of Women in Vietnam and Mme. Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa, Member of the CCP , First Vice President of VWU.

The wife of the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Lesley Stuttard, visited a school for children with disabilities in Hanoi on May 3 as part of a charity drive.

In the morning of 8th March 2007, Mr. John Hendra, UN Resident Coordinator visited and gave complement to VWU’s carders and members on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

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Spain’s Secretary of State for International Cooperation, Leire Pajin Iraola, arrived in Hanoi on January 17 to begin a four-day official visit to the country and is scheduled to meet with Vietnamese authorities, counterparts and partners of Spanish Official Development Assistance projects.

The first-ever Korean Cultural Center in Southeast Asia was opened Saturday in Hanoi in the presence of the Republic of Korea’s First Lady Kown Yang-suk.

The Canadian Prime Minister’s wife bought five silk scarves at the Ha Dong Silk Shop on Hang Gai Street. The Australian Prime Minister’s wife ordered five silk dresses. The Indonesian President’s wife bought embroidered paintings at the XQ Shop as souvenirs.

Vice President Truong My Hoa urged local businesswomen to actively take the advantage of the country's WTO accession and engage in the economic integration process.

The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Hoan Kiem District in Ha Noi has just launched the Ao dai (Vietnamese traditional costume) week to welcome the APEC 2006 from November 11 to 19, aiming to introduce the elegant beauty of Ha Noi’s young women and the city itself to the international visitors.

Issued by the 11th APEC Women Leaders' Network Meeting
WLN Meeting Concludes with Joint Statement
Ha Noi, Viet Nam, September 21, 2006

The 11th APEC Women Leaders Network (WLN) Meeting offers Vietnamese women, especially businesswomen, an opportunity to share and learn from experiences of their partners in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

On Sept 21, the 11th Women’s Leaders’ Network (WLN) three-day meeting concluded in Hanoi. Female delegates released a statement and recommendations with 11 points. The recommendations will be presented to the APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministers meeting held in Hanoi on September 28-29.

The second day of the 11th APEC Women Leader's Network (WLN) meeting continued in Ha Noi with two plenary sessions focusing on the future direction of the WLN and on enhancing the competitiveness of businesses operated by women.

Since joining the APEC Women Leaders Network (WLN) in 1998, Vietnam has actively participated in the network's activities, sharing its experiences in raising the role of mass organistation in helping women escape from poverty and build small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Women Leaders' Meeting Opened by Viet Nam's Prime Minister
Ha Noi, Viet Nam, September 19, 2006

A series of important events for the APEC Year Vietnam 2006 will take place in September, especially the 13th APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting (FMM-13) and the third Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM III).

A training of volunteers working for the APEC Women Leaders’ Network Meeting (WLN) was just held by the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) on Aug. 25, 2006