Conscripted Vietnamese workers honoured with ceremony in France
A solemn ceremony was held on October 20 in the southern city of Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône prefecture of France, to mark the 10th anniversary of the memorial dedicated to Indochinese workers who came to work in the Camargue region during World War II.
Conscripted Vietnamese workers honoured with ceremony in France (Photo: VNA)
Paris (VNA) – A solemn ceremony was held on October 20 in the southern city of Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône prefecture of France, to mark the 10th anniversary of the memorial dedicated to Indochinese workers who came to work in the Camargue region during World War II.
The memorial was built in 2014 in Arles’ Salin-de-Giraud area, with its words written in both French and Vietnamese expressing gratitude to the Vietnamese workers who were conscripted in France between 1939 and 1952.
In her speech at the ceremony, Myriam Le Huu, President of MOI (Mémorial pour les Ouvriers Indochinois), the association for the remembrance of the Indochinese workers and their descendants, highlighted the contributions of Vietnamese workers to the development of rice cultivation in Camargue, which helped make the region's rice a national specialty.
Cécile Lenglet, Sub-prefect of Arles, affirmed that cooperation between France and Vietnam has become more dynamic in several fields, partly thanks to the workers who brought their “rice civilisation” to Camargue.
According to Mayor of Arles Patrick de Carolis, the event provided the local government an opportunity to express gratitude to the Indochinese workers, not only from Vietnam but also from Laos and Cambodia, It also remembered the suffering they endured and their contributions to France's development during that time. He also thanked the descendants of these workers who have settled in France for their contributions to the provincial economy and cultural vibrancy.
For his part, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang appreciated the attention that local authorities have given to the Vietnamese community in recent times. He emphasised that the relations between Vietnam and France have experienced its ups and downs, but sharing memories is important to continue building new chapters in cooperation and strengthening the friendship between the people of both nations.
♑ During his working visit to the Camargue region on October 19-20, the ambassador met with local government officials and the Vietnamese community in the area. On this occasion, an exhibition showcasing the journey to France and the contributions of the Vietnamese workers to the development of rice cultivation in Camargue was held at the town hall in Salin-de-Giraud./.
A documentary film on Vietnamese workers conscripted to work in war-torn France, directed by Yse Tran, was screened at the French Parliament in Paris recently.
Vietnam has over 4.8 million people exposed to AO/dioxin, including hundreds of thousands in the second, third, and even fourth generations. Many live with severe disabilities, facing high medical costs and loss of earning capacity.
Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang reaffirmed that amnesty is a humanitarian policy of the Party and State, reflecting the Vietnamese tradition of compassion and winning attention and high praise both domestically and internationally.
Vietnam officially grants limited-term visa-free entry to high-profile foreigners whose presence is deemed beneficial to the country’s socio-economic development.
With support from the Vietnamese Association in Ufa, Vietnamese language classes for children have been offered for many years. Currently, 60 children of various ages are attending two classes taught by Duc Anh, free of charge.
Vietnam ranked among the top four countries and territories at the 2025 International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), reaffirming its strong position in international academic competitions.
All 20 crew members aboard the Vietnamese oil tanker GT Unity were successfully rescued from a fire in the vessel’s engine room, thanks to the swift response of the Liberian-flagged ship Androusa and Vietnamese maritime rescue teams.
Describing Agent Orange as one of the most severe and enduring legacies of the war in Vietnam, Vietnam's former Honorary Consul to Belgium Joseph-Michel de Grand Ry warned that its impact – still affecting generations more than five decades later – could last another two to three decades.
Running from August 4 to September 2, under the hashtag #TuHaoVietNam, the campaign invites participants in two categories: “I Love My Country” video clips and “I Love My Country” check-in photos.
Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on the issuance date, introduces amendments that integrate the procedure for reporting and explaining the demand for foreign workers into the process of submitting applications for work permits.
With a tight 13-month deadline, the move is under a strategic and urgent policy to bridge educational gaps, train the local workforce, and shore up territorial sovereignty in some of the country’s most remote areas.
The parade and personnel send-off ceremony will officially take place on August 10 at the area surrounding the Statue of King Ly Thai To and Dinh Tien Hoang street of Hoan Kiem ward, with the participation of nearly 3,000 officers, soldiers, and local residents.
According to national technical regulations, AIS installation is mandatory for boats carrying more than 50 passengers. However, operators of smaller vessels (under 50 seats) in Ha Long Bay have voluntarily committed to completing installation by the deadline to enhance operational safety.
The activities include a Vietnamese language teaching training course for overseas Vietnamese teachers from August 13 to 28 in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Thai Nguyen.
Specifically, the ships will carry out patrols from 7am to 6pm daily along the main tourist routes in Ha Long Bay, with one ship permanently stationed at Ti Top island. From 6pm to 7am the following day, the mobile vessels return to Tuan Chau island to maintain a 24/7 on-call duty shift, ensuring constant readiness.
The Ministry of Construction (MoC) plans to open to traffic 208km of expressways of six key projects by August 19, bringing the country’s total expressway network to 2,476km.
As of July 1, a two-tier local government model started in 34 provinces and cities, streamlining administration but creating a surplus of public properties. If not promptly addressed, these assets could become a financial burden.
Whether they grow up to become journalists, diplomats, or professionals in other fields, these children can one day become bridges of friendship and cooperation, telling new and inspiring stories of Vietnam – China relations, said Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh.
A 21-year-old Indian tourist was successfully resuscitated and treated by doctors at Hoan My Da Nang Hospital after a near-drowning incident left him in critical condition. After three days of intensive care, the man was discharged from the hospital and has since returned to India.
In an document issued on August 5, the PM emphasised the need to stablise living conditions for people hit by floods, landslides, and flash floods in late July and early August in northern and north-central provinces, especially Dien Bien, Son La, and Nghe An which suffered some of the worst damage.
Although millions of Vietnamese were affected by AO, only over 626,000 individuals, including war veterans and their children suffering from dioxin-related conditions, are currently receiving state benefits.
