Deputy PM appreciates press agencies’ contributions to external work
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh had a meeting with press agencies of Vietnam in Hanoi on January 15, expressing appreciation for their contributions to the success of the external work last year.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh at the meeting with press agencies on January 15. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Ministerand Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh had a meeting with press agencies ofVietnam in Hanoi on January 15, expressing appreciation for their contributionsto the success of the external work last year.
He thanked press agencies and reporters foracting as companions to the Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs bycovering all diplomatic activities of the country in 2018.
Minh spoke highly of their enthusiasm and senseof responsibility, noting that they have reported on external activities of theParty and State in an accurate and timely manner, thus greatly helping with theexternal work.
He called on press agencies, reporters, andcommunications units to continue standing side by side with the ForeignMinistry in the external information service so as to help realise the Partyand State’s foreign policy.
On behalf of press outlets, Editor-in-Chief ofthe Nhan dan (People’s) newspaper Thuan Huu, who is also Chairman of theVietnam Journalists Association, congratulated the Foreign Ministry on itsachievements in 2018.
He underlined that media agencies and thediplomatic sector have a special cohesion, adding that the press has helpedaffirm diplomatic attainments, raise Vietnam’s stature in the international arena,and maintain a peaceful environment for national development.
He also asked the ministry to keep coordinatingwith the media in communications work so as to jointly contribute to thenation.
On this occasion, Deputy PM and Foreign MinisterMinh presented insignias and merit certificates to several agencies andindividuals in recognition of their contributions to Vietnam’s diplomaticsector and the external information service.–VNA
External affairs have played an important role in socio-economic development, investment attraction and international integration of localities, agreed participants at the 19th National Conference on External Affairs that took place in Hanoi on August 12.
The Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education, the Steering Committee on External Information Work and the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) held a press conference on November 22 to announce the fifth edition of the National External Information Service Awards 2018 at the VNA headquarters.
Vietnam closes the year 2018 with many political, diplomatic and socio-economic events and hallmarks which have drawn special international attention. The following are 10 prominent external relations events selected by the Vietnam News Agency.
Hanoi is advancing green transportation as part of its sustainability goals but faces challenges like limited charging infrastructure, inconsistent regulations, and high electric vehicle costs.
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.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh at the meeting with press agencies on January 15. (Photo: VNA) 
