Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, who is also Chairman of the Central Emulation and Commendation Council, chaired its 10th meeting Hanoi on December 9.

The session aimed to review the council’s performance in 2024, set out directions and tasks in 2025, and consider awarding the titles of "Hero of the People's Armed Forces" and "Hero of Labour" to collectives and individuals with particularly outstanding contributions to national construction and defence.

According to the council, Vietnam has faced many difficulties and challenges this year while the global situation has witnessed complicated and unpredictable developments.

Implementing the resolutions and conclusions of the Party Central Committee, its Politburo and Secretariat, the National Assembly, the Government, PM Chinh has closely monitored the practical situation and focused on directing tasks and solutions decisively, flexibly, and effectively.

As a result, Vietnam's socio-economic development has achieved many important outcomes, with all 15 targets expected to be met or exceeded. Patriotic emulation movements are said to make positive contribution to the results.

In 2024, the council actively developed the project on summarising the implementation of Directive No. 34-CT/TW, dated April 7, 2014, of the Politburo on continuing to innovate emulation and commendation work and issuing a directive on emulation and commendation in the new situation. It also worked on building and perfecting laws regarding emulation and commendation, and directed the organisation of emulation congresses at all levels and sectors, leading up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress.

In particular, the council directed and organised many effective emulation movements, including those relating to the elimination of temporary and dilapidated houses by 2025, the movement on accelerating the development of synchronous and modern infrastructure; practicing thrift and combating wastefulness, and the movement on overcoming the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi.

Speaking at the session, PM Chinh said that when it comes to emulation and commendation, it is necessary to closely follow the guidelines and policies of the Party and the State, the directions of the Politburo, the Secretariat, the Party General Secretary and legal documents, to launch substantive and effective emulation movements.

Emulation movements must be in line with the interests of the country, and the people, associated with the political tasks of each agency and unit and the responsibilities of their heads, he said.

It is necessary to regularly inspect, urge, evaluate and definitively solve problems. Outstanding individuals and collectives in emulation movements must be properly honoured and their successful models should be multiplied and inspire the whole society in building and defending the Fatherland, PM Chinh noted.

The PM emphasised that the year 2025 is of special importance as it will mark the 95th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam; 50 years since the liberation of the South and reunification of the country; the 135th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh; the 80th founding anniversary of the country; and Party congresses at all levels towards the 14th National Party Congress, and the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress.

Especially, the whole political system is determined to effectively implement and exceed the socio-economic goals in 2025 and the whole term of the 13th National Party Congress, he said, adding that therefore, the work of emulation and commendation needs to be carried out better to generate practical effective results.

He called on the whole country to engage in innovation and digital transformation, thus contributing to the rise of the country in a new era of development./.

2024 Vietnam Labour Day in Japan held

The Vietnamese Embassy in Japan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs (MoLISA), on December 8 organised the 2024 Vietnam Labour Day in Japan.

This marked the first major event for Vietnamese labourers in Japan, attracting approximately 500 participants, including outstanding Vietnamese workers, representatives from unions, and Japanese businesses employing Vietnamese labourers.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu emphasised that the event reflects the attention of the MoLISA and the embassy to Vietnamese residing and working in Japan, as well as to the work of bringing Vietnamese labourers to the Northeast Asian country.

Japan is home to over 430,000 Vietnamese guest workers employed under various residency statuses, including interns, specified skilled workers, engineers, technicians, and interpreters.

The diplomat expressed confidence that, alongside the growing cooperation in human resources between the two countries, the Vietnamese labour community in Japan will continue to develop, and support and care for one another.

Referring to recent changes in Japan's policies on foreign labour intake, Hieu acknowledged these developments as favourable for foreign workers, including those of Vietnam, as such changes would help better ensure their legitimate rights and interests while providing greater opportunities for their personal and professional growth in Japan.

As Vietnam is on the threshold of a new phase of development, presenting numerous opportunities for socio-economic and human advancement, it will require a skilled, disciplined workforce trained and matured in developed nations like Japan.

Therefore, workers who have undergone training and experiences in Japan will become valuable human resources for Vietnam in this new development phase; and also serve as key contributors to fostering the sustainable growth of the friendship and cooperation between the two countries, added Hieu.

MoLISA Deputy Minister Nguyen Ba Hoan stated that in recent years, Vietnamese trainees and workers in Japan have accounted for more than half of the total number of Vietnamese workers abroad.

Hoan emphasised that ensuring and enhancing the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese interns and workers in Japan facilitates the development of a symbiotic society there. This also contributes to providing quality human resources for receiving businesses and Japan as a whole.

In this spirit, he called for improvements in the benefits and welfare systems for the group, particularly during the current challenging period marked by a weakened yen and rising living costs in Japan.

Japanese State Minister of Justice Komura Masahiro said that under the framework of the new Training and Employment System, Japan will strive to address existing issues in the Technical Intern Training Programme, such as high brokerage fees and the involvement of illegal brokers. Japan will collaborate with sending countries, including Vietnam, to ensure a healthy working environment and promote the development of foreign human resources.

He expressed his hope that the two countries will continue to work closely to solve remaining challenges to ensure that Japan remains an attractive destination for Vietnamese workers./.

Vietnam remains among countries with highest smoking rates

After more than 12 years of implementing tobacco control measures, the rate of active smoking among adults in Vietnam has decreased, but ultimately, it is still high when compared globally.

The overall smoking rate for both genders is 20.8%, with the prevalence among adult men at 41.1% in 2021, placing Vietnam among the countries with the highest smoking rates globally.

The information was shared by Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan at a recent conference reviewing the results of tobacco harm prevention activities in 2024, and putting forward orientations for 2025, organised by the Vietnam Tobacco Control Fund.

According to Thuan, active and passive smoking is the second-leading risk factor for death and diseases. In 2022, the estimated economic losses due to active and passive smoking - including healthcare costs and productivity losses from illness and premature deaths caused by smoking - amounted to 1.14% of GDP, equivalent to 108.7 trillion VND (4.28 billion USD).

These costs are five times higher than the revenue generated from tobacco taxes, he noted.

The deputy minister also shared that during the 8th session of the 15th National Assembly, a resolution was passed to ban the production, trade, import, transportation, and use of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and other substances and gases harmful to human health. This regulation will take effect in 2025.

This decision aims not only to safeguard public health but also to contribute to maintaining social order and safety, he said.

In 2025, the Vietnam Tobacco Control Fund aims to continue raising public awareness of the dangers of using tobacco, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and other new products, and the legal regulations on tobacco harm prevention.

Specifically, the fund aims to achieve the following targets in 2025: 100% of leaders from ministries, sectors, and localities are well-informed about the provisions of the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Harms; 98% of the public understand the harmful effects of tobacco use, particularly its contribution to non-communicable diseases; 95% understand the diseases caused by smoking; and 75% are aware of the regulations in the above-mentioned law./.

Vietnamese, American pianists shine in Chopin concert

Renowned pianists Nguyen Viet Trung of Vietnam and Eric Lu of the US performed together for the first time in a Chopin-themed symphony concert titled “Chopin: Magical Piano” in Hanoi on December 8.

Accompanied by the Sun Symphony Orchestra under conductor Olivier Ochanine, Trung played Chopin’s Concerto No. 1, a youthful masterpiece written when the composer was only 20, while Eric Lu delivered an emotive performance of Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21.

Trung, who grew up in Poland, described the performance as a heartfelt return to his homeland. His mastery of Chopin’s lyrical and improvisational style captivated the audience with emotional depth and technical finesse.

Eric Lu, a celebrated international pianist, expressed his excitement about performing in Hanoi alongside his close friend.

The concert also set the stage for their second performance on December 9, “Echoes of Genius”, featuring works by Beethoven, Mozart, and Brahms. The highlight will be a dual piano performance of Mozart’s Concerto No. 10, K365.

Both concerts celebrate classical music's timeless value while fostering cultural exchange and honoring artists from Vietnam and abroad.

These events, organised by the Vietnam Classical Music Association, continue efforts to promote classical music and strengthen international cultural ties./.

Vietnam fights to top spot at Vietnam 2024 Asian Open Police Taekwondo Championships

The Vietnam Public Security Sports Association won the top position at the Vietnam 2024 Asian Open Police Taekwondo Championships with 37 gold, 36 silver, and 33 bronze medals.

The Indonesian delegation secured the second place with seven gold, six silver, and four bronze medals while Cambodia was placed third with four gold, two silver, and one bronze medals.

In addition, three delegations - JeongJeom University, Shinhan University, and Daekyung University, all from the Republic of Korea – won top places in civil events.

The tournament took place in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh from December 6-9 with the participation of over 2,500 individuals, including officials, coaches, and athletes, from 29 countries and territories.

Seventy athletes of the Vietnamese public security delegation joined this tournament.

The tournament is a continental sporting event that the Ministry of Public Security hosted for the first time together with the cooperation of the World Police Taekwondo Federation.

The event celebrates the 80th anniversary of the traditional day of the Vietnam People's Public Security force (August 19, 1945 - 2025) and the 20th anniversary of All-People National Security Safeguarding Day./.

Deal with Nvidia helps realise Vietnam's plan to become regional tech hub: Journal

A recent agreement reached between Vietnam and the US chipmaker Nvidia to establish an artificial intelligence (AI) research and development center in the country marks a significant step forward in Vietnam’s plans to turn itself into a regional tech hub, commented the current-affairs magazine The Diplomat in a recent article.

According to the article, the agreement will involve the expansion of an AI data centre owned by the Vietnamese military-owned Viettel Group, which already uses Nvidia technology. Nvidia also said it has acquired healthcare startup VinBrain, a unit of the prominent Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup.

In a statement released after the signing of the deal, Nvidia expressed “confidence in the country’s bright artificial intelligence future.” Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang was quoted in the statement as praising Vietnam’s “vibrant ecosystem of researchers, startups, and enterprise organisations.”

The article recalled that visiting Hanoi late last year, Huang said that his firm was committed to investing in Vietnam and making the country its “second home.” In particular, it said it planned to expand its partnerships with Vietnam’s top tech firms and support the country in training talent for developing AI and digital infrastructure.

Last year, Nvidia began collaborating with FPT Smart Cloud – its first Vietnamese cloud partner. In April, FPT announced that it and Nvidia would build a 200 million USD AI “factory” using Nvidia’s graphic chip and software.

All of these activities are part of Nvidia’s broader push into Southeast Asia, where demand for data services has surged on the back of its exploding digital economy. According to a recent report, this was worth 263 billion USD in 2023, up from just 31 billion USD in 2015, it noted.

This focus reflects the growing importance to foreign tech firms of Southeast Asia, a region with a young, upwardly-mobile, and tech-savvy population, as both a manufacturing hub and a market for tech products.

This year, the CEOs of the US tech giants Apple and Microsoft also made tours of Southeast Asia, announcing billions of US dollars in investments, particularly in data centres designed to support the expansion of AI services, the article notes./.

Vietnam leaves impression at 2024 Cultural Festival in Sri Lanka

Vietnam made a striking impression at the 2024 Cultural Festival in Colombo on December 7, wowing both locals and foreign visitors with a vibrant display of Vietnamese handicrafts and the globally beloved Pho.

The event was hosted by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.

A delegation from the Vietnamese Embassy joined a parade alongside other countries, donning traditional costumes and performing distinctive dances with conical hats and bamboo poles. They also graced a fashion show featuring Sri Lanka’s exquisite silk products.

Vietnamese products, particularly the aromatic Pho, drew crowds of eager Sri Lankans and international friends, creating a bustling and lively atmosphere. One of the standout moments was the performances by Sri Lankan children who surprised and delighted the audience with their love for Vietnamese culture and dances.

Vietnamese Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam affirmed that Vietnam is a close and traditional friend of Sri Lanka. Through engaging activities, Vietnam aims to join the international community in conveying a strong message about a peaceful and stable Sri Lanka, with friendly and hospitable people. This, in turn, will help Sri Lanka boost international tourism and foreign investments – key priorities of the Sri Lankan Government./.

US servicemen’s remains repatriated

A ceremony was held in the central city of Da Nang on December 5 to hand over to the US side remains believed to be of US servicemen missing in action (MIAs) during the war in Vietnam.

The event, the 168th of its kind, was attended by leaders of the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP) and representatives from the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Public Security.

From the US side, Deputy Ambassador to Vietnam Courtney Beale, leaders of the US MIA Office, and MIA specialists who participated in the 157th joint search mission from October - December 2024, were also present.

At the ceremony, the VNOSMP handed over a casket containing the remains, found as the result of a unilateral excavation operation carried out by Vietnam in Quang Ninh and Yen Bai provinces during the mission.

On December 3, the remains were examined by forensic experts from both Vietnam and the US, who concluded that they might be related to US soldiers missing in action during the war in Vietnam. They will be sent to Hawaii for further forensic examination and identification.

Humanitarian cooperation between the two countries in the search and recovery of US soldiers missing in action in Vietnam began after the signing of the Paris Agreement in 1973. Since then, it has achieved positive results, including the identification and return of more than 730 US soldiers’ remains.

As the two countries established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in September 2023, this activity has gained increased attention and is being further promoted as an important pillar of cooperation. It not only reflects the humanitarian spirit of the Vietnamese people but also helps heal the wounds of war, reinforce trust and goodwill, and facilitate deeper Vietnam-US cooperation in many areas./.

Standing Deputy PM attends opening of 2024 Da Lat Flower Festival

Politburo member, Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh attended the opening ceremony of the 2024 Da Lat Flower Festival in Da Lat city, the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong on December 5 evening.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Tran Hong Thai, who is also head of the steering committee for the 10th festival, said that unlike previous editions, this year’s event is being held across the province until the end of December 31, with a wide range of cultural and artistic activities.

Binh said that this biennial festival continues to affirm that Da Lat is Vietnam's city of flower festivals, a UNESCO Creative City in music, and one of top five most impressive festival city in Asia.

It is not only a celebration for the people of Lam Dong province but also an opportunity for domestic and international visitors to experience the unique cultural and tourism values of Da Lat. It will contribute to achieving the province's goal of welcoming its 10 millionth visitor by the end of the year, and promoting the distinctive agricultural economy linked to heritage conservation and cultural and natural preservation in Lam Dong.

He expressed his hope that the Lam Dong Party Committee, authorities, and people continue to unite, overcome all challenges, and contribute to bringing Vietnam into a new era of the nation’s rise; and the province will serve as an exemplary model of green growth and sustainable development by harmoniously integrating tourism and services with the preservation of national cultural identity.

The festival includes 10 main events such as a New Year’s music show, an international seminar on green tourism and cultural industries, a “wine - tea - coffee street,” and a flower parade with floats and fashion./.

Seventh Wallonie-Bruxelles Film Festival opens in Vietnam

The seventh Wallonie-Bruxelles Film Festival is underway in Hanoi, showcasing five romantic films with unique and diverse cultural features from Europe.

The annual function, organised by the Wallonie–Bruxelles delegation, to Vietnam, aims to introduce the local audience to the culture, society, land, and people of Belgium in general and the Wallonie–Bruxelles region in particular.

The films boast rich and diverse themes revolving around love, namely “Retro Therapie”, “Un Silence”, “Titina”, “Quitter La Nuit”, and “L’Etoile Filante”.

They will be screened with both Vietnamese and English subtitles at the Central Documentary and Scientific Film Studio in Hanoi from December 5-9. All screenings start at 7:30 pm each day with free admission./.

Efforts made to complete EC’s recommendations on IUU combat

Authorities in the central province of Quang Ngai has increase inspections and control over the operation of all fishing vessels, ensure that they comply with regulations.

The move is part of the locality’s efforts to fight illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing following the European Commission (EC) recommendations, aiming to lift the “yellow card” warning against Vietnam’s seafood exports and ensure the sustainable development of the fisheries sector.

As scheduled, the EC will conduct its fifth IUU fishing inspection in December. This inspection will focus on five key areas of legal mechanisms, vessel management, monitoring of fishing activities, seafood traceability, and law enforcement.

At local fishing ports, authorities have checked on fishing permits, the safety equipment on vessels, and the operational status of Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), which are crucial in tracking fishing activity.

Lieutenant Colonel Lam Van Vien, head of the Sa Ky Border Post in Binh Son district, emphasised that the authorities are closely monitoring high-risk vessels for IUU violations, and apply strict punishments on boats committing violations.

Border guards have been refusing to allow boats to depart unless they meet the required paperwork and equipment standards.

In addition to enforcing legal measures, local authorities have launched educational campaigns, urging fishermen to comply with IUU regulations and sign commitments to follow the rules, said Vien.

Lieutenant Colonel Phan Xuan Hue, deputy head of the Binh Thanh border guard station in Binh Son district, noted that awareness raising activities had been successful, with fishermen showing greater responsibility in following the fishing regulations.

The authorities are also working to register all boats in Quang Ngai province that are not yet in compliance with the regulations.

Pham Thi Huong, Chairwoman of the Ly Son district People’s Committee, said there are over 200 boats in the district that must be registered. Local authorities have made efforts to ensure full compliance. By the end of 2024, the province aims to have all boats registered.

According to Director of Quang Ngai's Fisheries Sub-Department Nguyen Van Muoi, by the end of November, the department has issued new permits to 3,511 fishing boats, accounting for 74.4% of the local fleet. Furthermore, 98.8% of boats measuring 15 metres or more have been equipped with vessel mornitoring system (VMS). The province has handled 650 cases of boats losing their VMS connection for over 10 days, imposing fines of 225 million VND (8,867 USD) on nine vessels. Additionally, 47 cases of boats fishing in prohibited areas have been penalised.

The EC inspection team will focus on these enforcement actions, especially in cases of lost VMS connections, therefore, the locality will roll out all measures to ensure all vessels are supervised, said Muoi.

Meanwhile, the Border Guard Command of the southern province of Soc Trang launched a year-long campaign on December 5 to tackle IUU fishing. This campaign aims to run from December 2024 to December 2025, with a focus on the rigorous enforcement of IUU regulations. The Border Guard, working alongside local authorities, will monitor all vessels departing and arriving at ports, ensuring that they meet registration and VMS requirements.

Colonel Nguyen Triu Men, Political Commissar of the Soc Trang Border Guard, highlighted the importance of these measures in eliminating IUU fishing and addressing the EC's “yellow card” warning. The authorities are committed to preventing local vessels from engaging in illegal fishing activities in foreign waters.

The Soc Trang Border Guard also plans to promote the use of local safety committees and improve collaboration with fisheries agencies to ensure comprehensive monitoring of seafood traceability and compliance with IUU regulations. As part of its efforts to strengthen its operations, the Border Guard will continue to focus on effective patrols, detection, and the prosecution of offenders.

In 2024, the Soc Trang Border Guard successfully tackled numerous issues in managing the region’s coastline, safeguarding its maritime sovereignty, and improving border security. Moving into 2025, the force will continue to combat IUU fishing and take additional measures to ensure the security and sustainability of local fisheries./.

Embassy holds meeting with labour consultants, Vietnamese community’s representatives in RoK

The Vietnamese Embassy in the Republic of Korea, in collaboration with the Employment Permit System (EPS) Labour Management Office and the Management Office of Vietnamese Labourers in the RoK, on December 5 organised a meeting with Vietnamese consultants at support centres for foreign workers, as well as representatives of Vietnamese community groups in the East Asian country.

The event aimed to update policies and laws of both the Rok and Vietnam related to the EPS programme.

Vietnamese Ambassador Vu Ho emphasised the significance of labour export in creating jobs and contributing to the nation's economic development.

He stressed that the interests of workers must be prioritised to ensure that the efforts of the embassy, labour management agencies, consultants, and representatives of community groups are meaningful, effective, and successful.

Nguyen Dinh Dung, Counsellor in charge of community affairs at the embassy, provided essential guidance on collaboration between consultants, representatives of Vietnamese community groups, and the community affairs board of the embassy./.

Experts share innovations in treating cardiovascular disease, stroke

Domestic and international scientists and medical experts discussed new solutions in treating cardiovascular disease and stroke - the two leading causes of death in the world - at a symposium on December 5.

The forum, entitled 'Innovations in Transforming Cardiovascular Health and Stroke Outcomes', is the last event of the series of Science for Life symposia within the framework of the 2024 VinFuture Sci-Tech Week in Hanoi.

Experts said that cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally. In 2021, cardiovascular diseases claimed 20.5 million lives, accounting for nearly one-third of all deaths. Of these, 85% were due to heart attacks and strokes, while more than 80% of deaths from cardiovascular diseases occur in low and middle-income countries.

Professor Valery Feigin, from the Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand, said that more than 70% of strokes are related to blood pressure. In the last 10 years, the incidence and prevalence of stroke have increased again while expensive treatment costs create an economic burden, especially in lower-income countries.

“Vietnam is the country with the highest stroke rate globally, which is four times higher than New Zealand. On average globally, one in four people has a stroke. This ratio in Vietnam is three-one. Of which 53% of people with stroke are under the age of 70.”

Associate Prof. Mai Duy Ton, Director of the Stroke Centre at Bach Mai General Hospital in Hanoi, said that Vietnam reports more than 2,000 new stroke cases each year, while the number of deaths within 90 days is about 10%.

“Strokes in Vietnam not only tend to increase the mortality rate but are increasingly occurring in younger people,” stressed the professor.

Prof. Alta Schutte, of the University of New South Wales, Australia and a member of the VinFuture Preliminary Council, said that controlling blood pressure is the root factor in preventing stroke. Statistics show that more than 70% of strokes are related to high blood pressure.

However, Schutte said: " Only about 23% of women and 18% of men in the world have their blood pressure effectively controlled. Among them, low- and middle-income countries, including Vietnam, face this alarming rate.”

She also said that delays in treatment or non-compliance with treatment regimens are major challenges. The main causes are a lack of patient awareness, inaccurate blood pressure measurement procedures and the implementation of complex treatment regimens. These challenges require innovative solutions, from improving blood pressure measuring equipment to developing more convenient treatments.

Prof. Schutte said that prevention of cardiovascular disease depends on controlling key risk factors, including smoking, an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, alcohol abuse and air pollution. It is important to detect cardiovascular disease as early as possible so that treatment can begin with counselling and medication.

Progressive intervention solutions such as using combination pills, medical care, using potassium-rich salt are creating positive changes in cardiovascular health care and stroke treatment. Digital transformation in the health sector also helps expand the capacity for care, prevention and early diagnosis, especially in areas with limited resources, she said.

Professor Schutte also added that advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence are and will play an important role in stroke prevention and treatment solutions. This can also become a solution for everyone, including people with low and medium incomes, to access information, raise awareness and receive comprehensive health care.

Associate Prof. Nguyen Ngoc Quang, Deputy Director of the National Heart Institute, Bạch Mai Hospital, said that factors such as air pollution, high smoking rates and unhealthy diet are the main causes of the high stroke rates in Vietnam.

Quang said that the burden of cardiovascular disease is a global problem and needs to be addressed comprehensively. He also proposed a comprehensive treatment model that combines many specialities, from medical care at the hospital to psychological support and rehabilitation at home.

“Artificial intelligence (AI) application solutions in diagnosis and treatment are opening up many new opportunities to improve treatment quality in Vietnam. Many new treatment methods, applying new technology as well as new drugs for blood pressure, have helped increase patient life expectancy by at least six years,” said Prof. Quang.

Prof. Ton also shared plans to reduce stroke rates in Vietnam in the next five years, including raising public awareness, improving treatment regimens and enhancing coordination between medical specialisms./.

Viet Duc Friendship Hospital ranks top in Vietnam for organ transplants

Health experts reviewed the results of Viet Duc Friendship Hospital’s organ and tissue transplantation activities at a workshop on Friday in Hanoi.

The event, titled 'Organ-Tissue Transplantation: Prospects and Challenges', held by the Hanoi-based hospital, brought together leading experts and doctors in the field of organ transplantation to review achievements and challenges, share valuable experiences and guide future development.

Participants heard that Viet Duc Friendship Hospital performed some of the first organ transplants in Vietnam and is currently leading the country in kidney, heart, lung and liver transplants from brain-dead donors.

As of May 2024, the hospital had successfully performed 63 heart transplants, six lung transplants, 120 liver transplants (102 from brain-dead donors) and 2,000 kidney transplants (185 from brain-dead donors). The hospital also performed surgery to remove multiple organs from 121 brain-dead organ donors.

At the workshop, Dr Duong Duc Hung, Director of Viet Duc Friendship Hospital, said: "For more than 20 years, Viet Duc Friendship Hospital has developed and upheld its pioneering role in the field of organ and tissue transplantation in Vietnam."

“Complicated transplant techniques, such as heart, liver, lung and kidney transplants, simultaneous multi-organ transplants and preserved tissue transplants, have been mastered by the medical team at the hospital, especially the complex techniques that require high precision and inter-speciality coordination,” he added.

At the conference, the Vietnam Organ Transplant Association appointed Dr Hung as vice president of the association.

“This is not only a personal honour, but also a great responsibility. My colleagues and I pledge to continue to devote ourselves to bringing hope and better life opportunities to patients. We will focus on developing sustainable organ transplant programmes while encouraging the community to participate in this meaningful action,” said Dr Hung.

At the event, speakers presented in-depth scientific reports on kidney, liver, lung and heart transplants as well as multi-organ transplants and transplant-related anesthesia and resuscitation.

More than 40 scientific reports in the field of transplantation provided an overview of issues and potential solutions in the tissue-organ transplantation field.

Delegates also discussed various topics, including organ tissue transplantation challenges, achievements in tissue-organ transplantation and mobilising organ and tissue donation.

Starting in 2005, the hospital's organ transplant programme has earned many achievements and performed a wide variety of successful organ and multi-organ transplants.

By October 2024, Viet Duc Friendship Hospital had become the country's leading organ transplant centre in terms of the number of organ transplants performed, particularly the number of cases of multiple organ transplants from brain-dead donors. It has taught organ transplant techniques to over 10 hospitals nationwide./.

Roundtable seeks ways to prevent violence against women, children in Vietnam

Experts gathered at a roundtable in Hanoi on December 6 to discuss violence against women and children in Vietnam and seek ways to create a safer environment for this vulnerable group.

The event was held by UN agencies with support from the Vietnamese and Australian Governments, aligning with the National Month on Gender Equality and Gender-based Violence Prevention and Response and 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence.

Participants highlighted Vietnam’s multi-sectoral approach to tackling violence, laying stress on evidence-based policies and survivor-centered services. The discussions also underscored the critical role of dismantling harmful social norms, improving data systems for transformative change, and reaffirming Australia and the UN agencies’ commitments to supporting Vietnam’s efforts.

Highlighting the critical nature of addressing violence as both global and national emergency, UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pauline Tamesis said that approximately 650 million women and girls and 530 million men and boys across the globe have experienced childhood violence, with two out of three children facing violent discipline at home. In Vietnam, over 90% of violence victims never speak out.

She suggested key action areas to settle the issue, including integrating services across multiple sectors, building community confidence, strengthening data systems, supporting the youth’s needs, engaging men and boys in changing harmful social norms, and improving labour force capacity.

Sharing Australia’s experience in gender-based violence prevention, Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin held that collaboration between policymakers, experts, and international partners is significant to eliminate violence. She stated that that survivor-centered and coordinated services are key to making substantial changes.

International organisations like the UN Population Fund, UN Women, and UNICEF spotlighted their priorities and progress in ending violence against women and children.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese government representatives reaffirmed their commitments to strategies for building multi-sectoral and integrated activities to manage and prevent violence against the vulnerable group./.

4th ASEAN Graphic Art Competition and Exhibition kicks off

The 4th ASEAN Graphic Art Competition and Exhibition - Vietnam 2024 opened in the northern city of Hai Phong on December 6.

The event was co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the municipal People's Committee.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong said the event, held every four years following its success since 2012, not only raises ASEAN understanding and solidarity but also provides a platform for artists to connect and showcase their latest graphic art achievements.

It serves as a vibrant introduction to the ASEAN Community, highlighting their diverse cultures and people through contemporary graphic works, he said.

A distinguished art council, comprising graphic art experts from Vietnam, Thailand and Japan, meticulously selected 151 works from 131 artists for display, among 530 entries submitted by 283 artists from all 10 ASEAN member countries.

Among them, 16 exceptional pieces were awarded prizes, including a coveted first prize awarded to a talented Filipino artist, alongside three second prizes shared by Thai and Vietnamese artists, five third prizes conferred to Thai artists, and seven consolation prizes.

The selected pieces, created between 2020 and the present, explore themes of life, nature, peace, solidarity, cooperation, friendship, and contemporary issues relevant to the ASEAN region. They showcase a rich tapestry of content and form, featuring a variety of printmaking techniques, including metal engraving, woodcutting, monotype printing, and screen printing, often combined with other techniques and materials./.

Sci-tech, innovation – top priority in era of Vietnam’s rise: PM

The Vietnamese Party and State always attach importance to science-technology and innovation, considering them an objective requirement, a strategic choice, a national policy and a top priority which will drive rapid and sustainable development in the new era - the era of Vietnam’s rise, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has said.

Addressing the 4th VinFuture Prize awarding ceremony in Hanoi on December 6, PM Chinh highlighted Vietnam’s priority to fine-tuning institutions, mechanisms and policies for science-technology and innovation, especially in emerging and critical areas such as digital transformation, green transition, creative economy, semiconductor, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and the Internet of Things.

Congratulating the winners of the VinFuture Prize 2024, he reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to create all possible support for science-technology and innovation to further shine and develop.

With the spirit of "harmonising benefits and sharing risks", Vietnam always welcomes and encourages experts, scientists, businesses and investors to bring their ideas, opportunities and investment projects into fruition, he said.

Vietnam will keep improving its science-technology and innovation environment, remaining a reliable partner and a loyal companion, PM Chinh said, adding that the country is committed to playing an active role as one of the "torchbearers" in the development of global science-technology, startup and innovation ecosystems.

At the event, Professor Richard Friend announced that the VinFuture awarding ceremony will be organised on the first Friday of December every year.

He said the 2024 edition marked a milestone, attracting nearly 1,500 research projects nominated by over 9,000 partners from more than 80 countries and territories worldwide. In the meantime, the number of international scientific partners increase eightfold and nominations rose 2.5 times as compared to the first edition.

The prize’s growing prestige and impact have been demonstrated through its track of record of honouring scientists some of whom subsequently received Nobel recognition, he said, adding the 2021 VinFuture Grand Prize winners, Dr. Katalin Karikó and Professor Drew Weissman, were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2023 for their mRNA research that enabled COVID-19 vaccine development.

Similarly, Dr. John Jumper and Dr. Demis Hassabis from Google DeepMind, who won the VinFuture Special Prize for Innovators with Outstanding Achievements in Emerging Fields in 2022, were subsequently awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their breakthrough AI-driven protein structure prediction model, he added.

The 2024 VinFuture Sci-Tech Week features discussions on diverse technological solutions, including advances in green energy, solar technology, affordable energy storage, practical AI applications, and medical innovations, which, Richard Friend said, will address sustainable resource utilisation challenges, extending beyond immediate the net-zero emission target to broader environmental concerns such as urban air quality and pollution.

Themed “Resilient Rebound”, this year's prize offers total awards valued at 4.5 million USD, including a main prize of 3 million USD and three special of 500,000 USD each, targeting female scientists and researchers from developing contries and those exploring emerging fields./.

Trap shooters bring home gold from SEASA Shooting Championship

Vietnam earned a gold medal from the 46th Southeast Asian Shooting Association (SEASA) Shooting Championship on December 6 in Muntinlupa city, the Philippines.

Le Nghia and Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai topped the podium of the mixed doubles event in trap shooting with 131 points.

The host shooters came second, followed by team of Indonesia. Vietnam 2 duo of Nguyen Hoang Diep and Hoang Thi Tuat placed fourth.

Competitions will be organised until December 8.

The tournament draws around 150 shooters from countries like Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and the host nation, and representatives from Australia and the US.

Vietnam just compete in the trap and skeet shooting events./.

Bac Giang preserves Then heritage

Bac Giang - one of the 11 localities in Vietnam housing the practice of Then singing, a traditional folk art form and spiritual ritual practiced by the Tay, Nung, and Thai ethnic groups in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam.

The practice is a UNESCO-recognised intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Then is an essential practice in the spiritual life of the Tay, Nung and Thai ethnic groups, primarily residing in districts such as Luc Ngan, Son Dong, Luc Nam, Yen The, and Lang Giang.

The provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism reported the art form is categorised into two types – ritualistic Then, which preserves the traditional spiritual elements, and recreational Then, adapted for cultural and artistic purposes.

According to Nguyen Si Cam, Deputy Director of the department, in 2021, the provincial People’s Committee approved a plan for preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of local ethnic groups for 2021-2030. This plan prioritises the preservation of UNESCO-recognised heritages, including the specific task of safeguarding Then through phased strategies. In 2022, Bac Giang launched a document on its implementation of a national action programme to protect and enhance the value of the practice.

Since 2019, the Bac Giang cultural and cinema centre has run classes on Then singing and “dan tinh” (a traditional stringed instrument), attracting nearly 200 participants. Districts like Son Dong, Luc Ngan, Luc Nam, and Lang Giang have hosted similar classes for local clubs, and schools have integrated the singing into their curricula.

The province has actively supported the establishment of Then singing and “dan tinh” clubs in areas with large Tay and Nung populations. To date, 20 clubs have been formed, some receiving funding from the authorities for instruments, costumes, and equipment to sustain their activities. In community-based tourism sites in Son Dong and Yen The, recreational Then performances have been incorporated into tourism programmes, yielding notable success.

In November 2023, Bac Giang hosted the first provincial Then Singing and Dan Tinh Festival, featuring diverse cultural and art activities.

Bac Giang city has supported people’s artists and meritorious artists involving this field. From 2024, they will receive monthly allowances and funeral expense support. Currently, 43 artists in Bac Giang have been honoured with these titles, including two recognised for their work in Then practice.

Looking ahead, Bac Giang aims to integrate Then heritage into its community-based tourism products while honouring individuals and communities contributing to its preservation and promotion./.

Cao Bang promotes UNESCO-recognised global geopark

The northern mountainous province of Cao Bang has made significant efforts to preserve the heritage values of its Non nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark, aiming to foster sustainable tourism development.

With the park offering 130 unique heritage sites reflecting over 500 million years of the Earth’s history, the province has developed four geological tourism routes.

Capitalizing on its global recognition, the park has witnessed remarkable growth. Between 2020 and August 2024, Cao Bang hosted over 5.4 million tourists, surpassing its target by 8%. Key tourism indicators for the 2020–2025 period have already been met or surpassed.

Over the past six years, the managing board of the geopark has prioritised heritage preservation, creating distinctive tourism products and generating sustainable livelihoods for ethnic minorities in the region.

According to Luong Van Huan, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Phuc Sen commune, having partnered with the geopark, local Nung An ethnic villagers engaged in traditional blacksmithing, incense making, and “do” paper production. This collaboration has offered them training opportunities to enhance product quality and introduce their crafts to Vietnamese and international visitors. It has also fostered greater local awareness of heritage preservation and ecological protection.

Chu Thi Vinh, Vice Chairwoman of the People’s Committee of Trung Khanh district, said the district houses over 20 heritage sites within the geopark, including the iconic Ban Gioc waterfall. To attract tourists, it has organised the annual Ban Gioc waterfall festival and culinary contests, and encouraged investment in tourism services. Trung Khanh now boasts the Khuoi Ky stone village community-based tourism site, 22 homestays, 22 standard hotels and guesthouses, and 67 folk singing clubs.

Vi Tran Thuy, Director of the Non Nuoc Cao Bang management board, said the unit will advise provincial authorities regarding infrastructure investments in the four geopark tourism routes in the time to come. Future plans also include training local residents in heritage-based community tourism, and integrating traditional crafts and One Commune One Product (OCOP) items./.

Seven prosecuted in deadly apartment fire in Hanoi

The Hanoi People's Procuracy has completed indictment to prosecute seven defendants in a mini apartment fire that killed 56 people in Thanh Xuan district, Hanoi on September 12 last year.

That indictment names Nghiem Quang Minh, 45, who lives in Yen Hoa ward, Cau Giay district, Hanoi and owns the nine-storey mini apartment building on Khuong Ha street, Khuong Dinh ward.

Minh was prosecuted for "violating regulations on fire prevention and fighting", according to points a and c, Clause 3, Article 313 of the Penal Code.

Five former officials of Khuong Dinh ward and former head of the Thanh Xuan District Construction Inspection Team were prosecuted for "lack of responsibility causing serious consequences", according to points a and c, Clause 3, Article 360 of the Penal Code.

They are Pham Tan Anh, former deputy chairman of the ward People's Committee (2018 to the time of prosecution); Chu Xuan Son, former deputy chairman of the ward People's Committee (from 2015 to 2020); Nguyen Thi Kim Trang, former cadastral and construction officer of the ward (from 2010 to 2018); Nguyen Tuan Anh, former deputy head of the Khuong Dinh ward Police; Nguyen Dinh Quan, former head of the ward Construction Inspection Team (2014 to 2016); and Tran Trong Khang, former head of the Thanh Xuan district Construction Inspection Team (from 2013 to 2016).

On March 11, 2015, Minh was granted a construction permit for a family house on the land by the Thanh Xuan district People's Committee, with a total construction area of 1,165.9sq.m.

Under the construction permit, the total height of the building was set at 20.2m, including six floors with a total of 33 rooms.

From May 14, 2015 to the end of December 2015, Minh constructed and arbitrarily changed the house’s design. He built an additional three floors bringing the total number of floors to nine.

The house had 45 rooms, 12 over those in the permit, and he did not prepare design documents, review and manage fire prevention and fighting according to regulations.

The indictment stated that from October 2015 to April 2016, Minh sold 45 apartments and by the end of 2016, all of them were occupied.

Before the fire, 147 residents lived in the 45 apartments.

After selling all of the apartments, Minh did not reside in the building and determined that the management and usage rights belonged to the residents.

Minh is not responsible for the residents' living and operation of the building. All motorbikes, electric motorbikes and electric bicycles of the residents were parked on the first floor of the building, with an average of 70-80 motorbikes and electric bicycles of different kinds.

From August 31, 2018 to June 12, 2020, the Thanh Xuan district Police discovered many violations related fire prevention and fighting at the house.

They determined that those violations if not dealt with could lead to fire and explosions, causing particularly serious consequences.

The fire broke out at around 11.20pm on September 12, due to a short circuit in the electrical wiring in the battery area located next to the south wall of the first floor of the building.

The fire then spread to the electric cables, the electric boxes mounted on the south wall of the first floor and to the general area. Although the blaze was discovered, the fire extinguisher on the first floor could not put out the fire, leading a larger fire taking hold.

The Hanoi Police Command assigned firefighting forces to extinguish the fire and provide rescue services and by around 0.15am on September 13, the fire was essentially extinguished. The fire killed 56 people, injured 44 others and caused property damage of more than 3.2 billion VND (126,000 USD).

Minh was detained by the investigation agency that same day./.

NA delegation explores Canada’s policies for ethnic minorities

A delegation from the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA)’s Council for Ethnic Affairs is on a working trip to Canada from December 3-13 to learn about its policies related to land and forest allocation, management and livelihood development for ethnic minority groups.

The trip is part of a broader cooperation programme between the Vietnamese NA and the Government of Canada, facilitated by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Canada’s Technical Assistance Partnership - Expert Deployment Mechanism (TAP-EDM) project.

TAP-EDM is a global initiative focused on ethnic minorities and forestry policies. It is Canada’s second project dedicated to Vietnam, aiming to enhance the capacity of Vietnamese agencies, specifically the Council of Ethnic Affairs. Its goal is to develop policies that ensure the livelihoods of ethnic communities living in and relying on forests, while simultaneously protecting and sustainably developing forest resources and land.

During the first week, the delegation held productive meetings at Alinea, which manages the project, as well as several Canadian ministries and agencies involved in indigenous relations and natural resources management.

Both sides acknowledged that while the histories and development processes of Vietnamese ethnic minorities and Canadian indigenous people differ, their policy and law-making efforts share a common goal: ensuring the livelihoods of these communities and enforcing laws that support them.

Prof. Jon Unruh from McGill University, advisor for the project, highlighted Canada’s exemplary case studies which provide the Vietnamese delegation with technical insights that could be applied in Vietnam. He also informed that an upcoming seminar is scheduled for January 2025 in Hanoi where the project’s progress will be reviewed and future steps outlined.

Vice Chairman of the council Quang Van Huong also revealed a plan to hold a briefing session with relevant ministries upon their return. This session will address challenges in policy enforcement and propose necessary adjustments to ensure that the Party's policies reach ethnic communities more quickly.

Next week, the delegation will continue their working trip to Vancouver where effective policies for indigenous communities are underway./.

Vietnamese experts hailed for great contributions to Cambodia’s recovery

A ceremony marking the 45th founding anniversary of the economic-cultural experts group that played an important role in supporting Cambodia’s revolutionary efforts was held in Hanoi on December 7.

At the celebration, Dao Ngoc Hung, head of the liaison board of the group, spotlighted the experts’ significant contributions to the revival of Cambodia following the fall of the brutal Pol Pot genocidal regime as well as the country’s socio-economic development.

With timely and effective support of the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers, Cambodia’s revolutionary force and people successfully overthrew the Pol Pot regime, culminating in the country’s liberation on January 7, 1979 - a historical milestone that marked a new era of independence, freedom and development for Cambodia.

He said the experts also helped Cambodia craft policies and plans to restore and develop its economy, culture and society after liberation as the country faced daunting tasks of rebuilding from the devastation left by the Pol Pot regime, adding despite immense difficulties, they approached their mission with remarkable dedication, sharing hardships with Cambodian friends and working tirelessly despite a sea of challenges.

The experts’ pure assistance demonstrated revolutionary heroism while contributing to Cambodia’s recovery in the 20th century, he stressed.

Other participants reflected on their shared journey that shape up the miracle revival and robust development of Cambodia, expressing their confidence that the contributions made by the Vietnamese volunteer experts and soldiers will be a legacy for younger generations of both nations./.

Dong Hanh Singapore Concert 2024 supports Vietnamese students in need

The Dong Hanh Singapore scholarship fund, in collaboration with the Vietnamese community in Singapore, held the Dong Hanh Singapore Concert 2024 in support of disadvantaged and excellent students from Vietnamese universities.

In his speech, Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Mai Phuoc Dung congratulated the Dong Hanh Singapore Fund on its successful 10-year journey, adding that the fundraising concert not only creates a platform to strengthen community bonds but also contributes to supporting students facing financial hardships in Vietnam.

The concert featured a diverse lineup of performances, including solo and ensemble pieces by both amateur and professional singers and musicians from Vietnam and Singapore, creating uplifting moments for the nearly 100 attendees.

On the occasion, several art pieces were also put on auction to raise funds.

A non-profit scholarship fund originating from the Dong Hanh Association in France, the Dong Hanh Singapore was founded in 2014 by Vietnamese students in Singapore. Over the past decade, the fund has earned the trust of donors and students within the Vietnamese community in both Singapore and Vietnam.

As of November 2024, the fund had awarded 348 scholarships, each worth 10 million VND (400 USD), to students enrolled at the University of Languages and International Studies under the Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU-Hanoi), the University of Engineering and Technology under the VNU-Hanoi and the University of Economics and Law under the VNU-Ho Chi Minh City./.

Hanoi welcomes 2024 International Food Festival - a celebration of culinary unity

The 2024 International Food Festival, themed "Gastronomy of Unity," opened its doors in Hanoi on December 8.

The event saw the presence of Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of Party General Secretary To Lam; Vu Thi Bich Ngoc, spouse of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Honorary President of the ASEAN Women's Circle in Hanoi (AWCH); Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang; and Pauline Tamesis, UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam.

In her opening speech, Ngoc said since 2014, the event has established itself as a meaningful brand, becoming a hallmark of cultural, culinary and diplomatic exchange with the participation of many embassies, foreign cultural centres, localities' departments of foreign affairs, businesses, sponsors and agencies from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The event not only showcases Vietnam's rich culture and people to international friends but also serves as a platform for domestic businesses to introduce their brands, products and services, she said.

According to her, this year's festival, the 11th event of its kind, features an impressive lineup of 40 embassies, international organisations, foreign affairs departments, and domestic businesses, with over 130 booths. Each dish and music performance offers a glimpse into the culinary essence and rich traditional values of nations worldwide.

Proceeds from the previous editions have been used to support orphaned children, the disabled, poor women, and those facing difficult circumstances across the country, she said.

Pauline Tamesis said beyond its culinary significance, this event is an opportunity to strengthen international cooperation and share thoughts on growing global challenges, such as the transformation of agricultural and food systems and future food security.

The UN in Vietnam will continue accompanying the Vietnamese Government and relevant stakeholders to tackle these issues, she said.

At the opening ceremony, the delegates presented insignias and letters of thanks to representatives of the sponsors and booths./.

Vietnamese Pho takes centre stage at South Africa’s culinary event

The Hazel Food Market in Pretoria, South Africa went vibrant with the celebration of the second Vietnamese Pho Day on December 7, drawing enthusiastic crowds.

Organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in the African country in collaboration with Vietnamese representative offices in the nation, the event aimed at introducing the quintessence of the Vietnamese cuisine to international communities.

The staff of the embassy and representative offices, dressed in the attire that featured the national flag and colourful conical leaf hats, served nearly 400 portions of beef and chicken noodle soup, together with 1,000 spring rolls and Vietnamese coffee. All of the offerings were free of charge.

An array of Vietnamese products were also on display at the event, including rice, confectionery, and instant noodles.

Coming to the celebration, local people were not only treated to a feast of Vietnamese cuisine but also cultural experience. Keith Dali said this was the first time he tried Vietnamese food and it truly made him want to visit Vietnam. Meanwhile, Zuné Naudé saw the event as a chance to experience different cultures and meet such warm and welcoming Vietnamese people.

Venezuelan Ambassador Carlos Feo Acevedo said transcending mere food tasting, the event promoted friendship as everyone shared the joyful spirit of the Vietnamese people./.

Solemn funeral held for 12 martyrs in military drill incident

A memorial service was held on December 8 in Ho Chi Minh City for 12 soldiers who lost their lives during a military exercise in the southern province of Dong Nai five days ago.

The event, held at the southern funeral house, was attended by former State Presidents Nguyen Minh Triet and Truong Tan Sang, former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen, and Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Vo Minh Luong.

Veterans and local people also gathered to pay their last respects to the fallen soldiers.

At the event, the organising board posthumously awarded the martyrs with the State President’s third-class National Defence Order, the Prime Minister’s certificate of national merit, and the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee’s brave youth badge.

Following the memorial service, they were laid to rest in military cemeteries in Binh Duong, Dong Nai and Binh Thuan provinces as well as other localities.

According to the Ministry of National Defence, the Military Region 7 organised a defence exercise under harsh weather conditions and in complex terrain from December 1-4.

At 20:27 on December 2, at the National Shooting Range in Zone 3, while transporting explosives to a designated location amidst heavy rain and thunderstorms, a team of soldiers from Battalion 17, Division 5, the Military Region 7, stopped for a break. Suddenly, an explosion occurred, resulting in many casualties. Initial findings revealed that lightning struck an electric detonator, causing it to trigger and detonate the explosives./.

Vietnam expected to create hi-tech breakthroughs following partnership with NVIDIA

Two cutting-edge AI research centres, namely Vietnam Research and Development Centre and AI Data Centre, will be established under the partnership between Vietnam and US tech giant NVIDIA, making a significant milestone in the country’s technological transformation.

The partnership was formalised during the second visit to Vietnam by NVIDIA President and CEO Jensen Huang, with a groundbreaking agreement signed between Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung and Executive Vice President of Worldwide Field Operations Jay Puri.

Dung laid stress on the significance of the cooperation, saying it affirms Vietnam’s potential and position in studying and developing state-of-the-art industries, particularly AI, while demonstrating the Vietnamese Government’s determination to catch up with, move forward together, and then leap ahead regional peers in the evolving AI landscape.

He said the building of global-standard AI centres will create a premise for the country to develop an AI ecosystem, thus promoting R&D activities and carrying out the application of advanced AI technologies, adding NVIDIA plans to invest in internship programmes and scholarships to cultivate new talents in the domain and other high-technology ones.

According to the minister, this will be a crucial boost that will propel Vietnam’s technological capabilities and attract other high-tech investors in the coming time. The two sides will make efforts to bring into full play the commitments under the agreement.

Meanwhile, economic expert Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thuong Lang spoke highly of the collaboration between Vietnam and the US tech giant, saying it is important to the nation’s economic restructuring towards developing advanced technologies and sharpening its competitive edge.

The partnership is a vivid demonstration for Vietnam’s commitment to develop high and spearhead technologies, aligning with the country’s technology industry development strategy, he stated, holding that it also affirms Vietnam as a trustworthy destination for foreign investors as well as its resolve to renew the economic structure and build high-quality human resources.

Studying the management model from the world’s leading corporation will help Vietnam shorten the time to develop its industrial base in a modern way, he stressed./.

Cultural hub for Vietnamese youth opens in Russia

A youth library was inaugurated at the headquarters of Vietnam’s Trade Office in Russia on December 8, expected to serve as a cultural and spiritual hub for Vietnamese students in the host country.

The event was part of activities marking major milestones of the Vietnamese community in Russia and the relations between the two countries, including the fourth Congress of the Vietnamese Association in Russia and the 75th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties.

The library houses around 1,200 book titles across various fields such as history, politics, economics, and culture, in both Vietnamese and foreign languages. A digital catalog on the association's website helps students explore the collection remotely.

Besides serving as a rendezvous for book lovers, the library also showcases memorabilia and awards highlighting the achievements of Vietnamese students in Russia.

The library plans to host activities like book discussions, reading days, and storytelling competitions to promote the reading culture.

Le Huynh Duc, President of the Vietnamese Student Association in Russia, said the library is the result of two years of effort inspired by Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi’s vision of a cultural space for students in Moscow. Support from organisations like the “Tradition and Friendship” Fund and the Vietnamese community in Russia made the initiative possible, with contributions from young volunteers who donated books and established operational procedures./.

3.8 magnitude earthquake strikes Kon Tum

A 3.8-magnitude earthquake struck Kon Plong district in Central Highlands province of Kon Tum on December 8, causing no damage or casualties, according to the Earthquake Information and Tsunami Warning Centre at the Institute of Geophysics (IGP).

The earthquake occurred at 5:19 pm with its epicentre located at 14.766 degrees North , 108.304 degrees East, and a focal depth of 8.1 km. The disaster risk level was rated at zero.

Experts from the IGP identified the quake as an induced earthquake, triggered by water accumulation in hydropower reservoirs affecting underlying fault lines. Such seismic activity has been observed in the area since 2021, often linked to reservoir operations.

Institute Director Dr. Nguyen Xuan Anh said the earthquakes in the area typically register below 5.0 in magnitude and pose minimal risk. He added that regular updates are provided to local authorities and residents to ensure preparedness.

The institute maintains a robust national geophysical monitoring network, comprising 40 seismic stations, among other advanced facilities, enabling near-instantaneous earthquake detection within 3–5 minutes of occurrence./.

Chinese firms praised for intensifying cooperation and investment in Vietnam

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 9 received a delegation of leaders from 18 major Chinese enterprises of the Zhang and Yan clans led by Yan Jiehe, founder and Chairman of the China Pacific Construction Group and Susun Construction Group - both among the world’s top 500 companies, who are visiting Vietnam to seek cooperation and investment opportunities.

In his speech, the Vietnamese cabinet leader hailed Chinese firms’ activities to promote cooperation and investment in Vietnam, which help to deepen the Vietnam - China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and contribute to building the Vietnam - China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, as well as both nations’ growth.

PM Chinh was appreciative of the significant progress in bilateral ties, while acknowledging the contributions by the Chinese business community to this result.

Trade between the two countries has quadrupled over the past decade, making China the largest import market of Vietnam and Vietnam the largest ASEAN trading partner of China.

Chinese investment in Vietnam has also increased sevenfold, with China now ranking sixth among 146 investment partners in the Southeast Asian nation. In 2023 and the past 11 months of 2024, it became the leading source of new investment projects in Vietnam,  the Vietnamese  Government chief said.

He emphasized that as a transitional economy, Vietnam is focusing on three strategic breakthroughs in infrastructure development, particularly transport infrastructure.

He invited the China Pacific Construction Group to explore involvement chances in key projects, including the Tu Lien Bridge, the Hanoi metro line of Van Cao - Ngoc Khanh - Lang - Hoa Lac, a metro line connecting Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh international airports, and cross-border rail and road projects such as Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong and Lang Son - Hanoi with suitable forms and methods.

At the meeting, Chinese business leaders showed their elation at Vietnam's potential for collaboration, citing its strategic location, growing economy, favourable investment climate, and increasingly modernised infrastructure. They showed their interests in sectors such as construction, energy, trade, real estate, electrical equipment, electronics, environment, health, biology, chemical, new materials, and farm produce.

Yan said the Pacific Construction Group and other Chinese firms, with their capacity and experience, aspire to engaging in infrastructure development projects in Vietnam. He underscored their commitment to carry out best-quality projects in Vietnam, highlighting the country as a "second home" for the enterprises.

Recognising Yan and Chinese business leaders’ proposals, Chinh said that he will direct relevant ministries and localities to support them in dealing with their issues.

Vietnam pays attention to exploiting and developing the outer, sea, and underground spaces, PM Chinh said, while asking Chinese firms to expand their cooperation to the areas of their strength and Vietnam's demand such as innovation, green development, renewable energy, smart city building, manufacturing industry, and digital transformation, especially emerging industries such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, cloud computing, and internet of things.

He also expected that Chinese firms would participate in building cross-border cooperation zones, upgrading international border gates, and piloting smart border gates.

Underling the motto of understanding, vision and action sharing, working and winning together, and benefiting together for common development, Chinh expressed confidence that the Chinese firms will reap more successes in Vietnam and grow further in the time to come.

80th anniversary of Vietnam People’s Army marked in Australia

The 80th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) (December 22, 1944 - 2024) and the 35th anniversary of the All People’s Defence Festival (December 22, 1989 - 2024) were celebrated in Canberra on December 9 by the Embassy and Defence Attaché Office of Vietnam in Australia.

The event was attended by representatives of the Australian Department of Defence, the Royal Australian Air Force, the Australian Navy, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade along with many diplomatic delegations, international friends and Vietnamese expatriates in Australia.

Upon addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Pham Hung Tam affirmed the role of the Vietnam People’s Army in the country’s history as a contribution to protecting the homeland and promoting peace and stability in both the region and around the world. The dedication of the Vietnam People’s Army in peacekeeping operations, disaster relief and international cooperation demonstrates the great aspiration of the Vietnamese people for a peaceful world, he stressed.

Vietnamese Defence Attaché Col. Nguyen Ngoc Huy reviewed the important achievements of the VPA in the cause of national liberation, national construction and defence, and national reunification.

The efforts included firmly protecting the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Vietnam. In the new period, the VPA continues to promote its heroic tradition, constantly improve its level and combat readiness, and perform well their functions, Huy went on to say.

He underlined the characteristics of Vietnam’s national defence, which is based on all people, peaceful, and self-defensive and to actively, proactively, resolutely and perseveringly prevent risks of war.

Consistently implementing the Vietnamese Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, and proactive, active and comprehensive integration into the world, the VPA over the past years have stepped up defence diplomacy in both bilateral and multilateral aspects, reaping pragmatic results. It has actively become involved in UN peacekeeping operations as well as international cooperation in non-traditional security areas, humanitarian assistance, search and rescue, along with war aftermath settlement, thereby contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world, he said.

Defence diplomacy has become a pillar of the Party and State’s diplomacy and also a critical channel for building and strengthening the strategic trust, and developing Vietnam’s friendship with other countries and international organisations, helping promote the stature and prestige of Vietnam and the VPA, he added.

Vietnam has so far engaged in many regional and international multilateral defence and military mechanisms and forums. It has enjoyed defence cooperation relations with more than 100 countries, of which, it has established Defense Attaché/Military Attaché Offices across 35 countries and at the United Nations.

As many as 42 countries have established Defense Attaché/Military Attaché Offices in Vietnam.

Ambassador Pham Hung Tam hailed the diverse defence cooperation activities between Vietnam and Australia, from training, visits of naval ships to the implementation of UN peacekeeping missions. Notably, in August 2024, a Vietnamese naval ship participated for the first time in the Kakadu exercise in Darwin, Northern Australia.

Tam affirmed that these activities reflect the spirit of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and voiced his wish for expanded defence links between the two countries.

NA Standing Committee’s 40th session to open on December 10

The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee will convene its 40th session in Hanoi on December 10 - 11, the NA Office reported.

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man will inaugurate the session with an opening address, sharing the helm with NA vice chairpersons to steer the agenda.

High on the agenda will be the reorganisation and establishment of district and commune-level administrative units in Ninh Binh province for the 2023 - 2025 period. The committee will also enrich the 2025 law and ordinance programme with new bills and resolutions, adopt the committee’s 2025 working agenda, and scrutinise the ordinance on litigation costs.

A crucial review of certain positions' authority to impose administrative penalties and a draft decree on establishing, managing and using the investment support fund is also on the table.

The NA’s ombudsman work for November will also be mulled over.

Lawmakers will deliberate and decide on several financial and budgetary issues, including supplementing the 2024 regular expenditure estimates for the Vietnam Mekong River Commission, adding the 2024 state budget estimate for the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, and allocating additional recurrent expenditure estimates for ministries, centrally-run agencies, and central budgets for national target programmes for 2024, among others.

They will also evaluate the outcomes of the committee's diplomatic and international cooperation programme for 2024, approve the diplomatic agenda for 2025, and direct similar agenda of the NA Ethnic Council, NA committees, NA General Secretary, parliamentary friendship groups, along with agencies under the NA Standing Committee, the State Audit Office and the NA Office.

The committee will decide on the allocation and adjustment of the 2021 - 2025 medium-term public investment plan funded by the central budget for ministries, centrally-run agencies and localities; as well as budget for social insurance and unemployment insurance management for the 2025 - 2027 period.

The session will culminate in a comprehensive summary of the 15th NA’s 8th session and provide initial feedback on preparations for the forthcoming 9th session.

Vietnam honours Chinese war veterans, experts in Beijing gathering

The Central Military Commission, Ministry of National Defence of Vietnam held a gathering in Beijing on December 9 with over 30 Chinese war veterans and experts who supported Vietnam’s fight for national independence.

Chairing the event, permanent member of the Central Military Commission and Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien recalled the role China played during Vietnam's struggles for national independence and reunification, with essential contributions of weapons, equipment, logistical aid, technical expertise and training that were instrumental in securing Vietnam’s victories during its resistance wars.

Vietnam always treasures, remembers and is deeply grateful for the timely and heartfelt provided by the Chinese Party, Government, people and army, he said.

Chien said that the commission and ministry are undertaking a review to preserve the cemeteries of fallen soldiers and the graves of Chinese experts who supported Vietnam's revolution.

He took this occasion to invite Chinese veterans to visit Vietnam for the 80th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People's Army and the 35th anniversary of the All-People's Defence Day later this year.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son echoed this sentiment, reiterating the profound gratitude of the Vietnamese Party, Government, army and people for the sincere and effective assistance provided by their Chinese counterparts, not only during the past struggles for national independence but also in the ongoing process of socialism building and national development.

On the occasion, Son and Chien presented gifts to Chinese war veterans and their relatives.

NA Chairman tells capital to issue mechanisms for breakthroughs

Hà Nội was told to proactively issue mechanisms and policies to implement the Law on the Capital, with specific mechanisms and policies for the capital to lead the way in breakthroughs across the nation.

“It should aim to create a driving force to lead the whole region and the whole country, including strong decentralisation to the city administration,” National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn said at the opening session of the 20th meeting of the People's Council of Hà Nội on Monday morning.

Mẫn also urged Hà Nội to prioritise resources to further accelerate the development of a comprehensive, intelligent and modern infrastructure system, along with high connectivity.

He emphasised the need to focus on urban planning aligned with implementation plans in the fields of economy, culture and society.

The city should take decisive action, applying comprehensive and practical measures to address environmental pollution, waste management and water treatment, air pollution and flooding.

At the same time, the city must intensify efforts to fight corruption, wastefulness and negative practices.

It should also work towards resolving slow-moving projects, maximising the potential of land resources and transforming the city's natural resources into key drivers for development, ultimately benefitting society.

He said that the People's Council of the city should continue to promote innovation in its operations, aiming to be a model for all People's Councils nationwide.

It was told to focus on reforming legal thinking, enhancing the quality and effectiveness of decision-making on key matters within its jurisdiction and monitoring compliance with the law by State management bodies and judicial agencies.

That would ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the city's administration.

Furthermore, the council should proactively work with the Việt Nam Fatherland Front and other political and social organisations to grasp the people's concerns and expedite the resolution of voter petitions and post-monitoring conclusions.

Emphasising the city’s role in the country's socio-economic development, he said he believed that the Party Committee of the city, the city's administration, the Fatherland Front and the people would continue to unite and work hard to overcome challenges.

“Hà Nội will become increasingly cultured, civilised and modern, contributing significantly to the nation's renewal and growth,” he said.

Also at the meeting, Mẫn also added that: “The immediate priority is to decisively complete the review of Resolution 18 NQ/TW and restructure and streamline the political system's organisational apparatus.”

That was a significant policy of the Party, marking a revolution in simplifying the political system.

It was crucial to achieve high consensus on both understanding and action within the political system.

“I hope that Hà Nội will lead the country in implementing the policy," he said.

In her address at the meeting, the city’s Party Secretary Bùi Thị Minh Hoài also called on the council to focus on the Party's policies, as outlined in speeches and directives by Party General Secretary Tô Lâm about the 'New era - the era of Việt Nam’s Rise', the need to build a political system that is 'Lean, strong, effective and efficient', alongside digital transformation and anti-wastefulness policies.

Hoài also called for further innovation from the council, urging them to actively engage, taking on greater responsibilities and focusing on issues that had been prioritised by the city's Party Committee.

The issues included pressing matters such as wastefulness management, environmental pollution, air quality, traffic congestion, flooding, the progress of construction projects and addressing voters' concerns to improve the quality of life for local citizens.

Chairman of the People's Council, Nguyễn Ngọc Tuấn, said that the session was being held at a crucial time, with both Hà Nội and the nation entering a new stage of development with numerous important tasks ahead.

According to Tuấn, the ongoing supervision of the council, feedback from voters and important directives from Party General Secretary Tô Lâm, delivered at a meeting with the city’s Party Committee on November 27, highlighted several challenges and shortcomings that need to be addressed.

As such, Tuấn urged representatives to thoroughly review reports and documents, providing a comprehensive analysis of achievements, identifying weaknesses and proposing practical, coordinated solutions to overcome obstacles and foster breakthroughs in the socio-economic development of next year and beyond.

That would help ensure Hà Nội’s rapid, sustainable development, in line with the nation's progress into a new era, he said.

Tuấn said 2024 was expected to be a year of acceleration and breakthrough, crucial for achieving the goals of the 17th city’s Party Congress and the city People's Council's socio-economic development plan for 2021-25.

It was also the third year of implementing Resolution No 15 of the Politburo on the development of Hà Nội until 2030, with a vision for 2045.

The city was expected to achieve 23 out of 24 socio-economic targets in 2024, with a forecast GRDP growth of 6.52 per cent.

Budget revenues were projected to reach VNĐ492.3 trillion (US$19.4 billion), surpassing 120.5 per cent of the forecast, a 19.6 per cent increase from the previous year.

Tourism and the number of international visitors grew strongly while Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) reached about $2 billion.

Social policies had been effectively implemented, marking significant events such as the 70th anniversary of Hà Nội’s Liberation.

National security, political stability and social order had been ensured, while international diplomacy and integration had been strengthened.

The 20th session of the People's Council for the 16th term (2021-26) runs from Monday to Thursday at the council’s headquarters.

The council is set to review and approve 55 items, including 25 reports and 30 resolutions.

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