The US State Department’s presentation of 2012 International Women of Courage Award to a violator of Vietnamese law is erroneous, spokesman for the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Luong Thanh Nghi has stated.

In replying to a reporter’s question asking for Vietnam ’s comments on the US State Department giving 2012 International Women of Courage Award to Ta Phong Tan, spokesman Nghi said “ Vietnam protests the decision to present the award to an individual who has breached Vietnamese law.”

This action is an intervention into Vietnam ’s internal affairs, which is detrimental to the development of two countries’ relationship, Nghi said.-VNA