Golf tournament held in Belgium to raise funds for Vietnamese dioxin victims
A friendly golf tournament named “Vietnam Ambassador’s Cup 2021” was held at the Hulencourt golf course in Belgium on September 27 to raise funds for Agent Orange/dioxin victims in Vietnam.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg Nguyen Van Thao presents cup to winning golfer (Photo: VNA)
Brussels (VNA) - A friendly golf tournament named “Vietnam Ambassador’s Cup 2021” was held at the Hulencourt golf course in Belgium on September 27 to raise funds for Agent Orange/dioxin victims in Vietnam.
The event was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Belgium and Luxembourg, the Delegation of Vietnam to the EU, and entrepreneur Chris Geyskens – Chairwoman of the Belgium chapter of the Hoi An – Vietnam Association of AO/Dioxin Victims.
It attracted the participation of nearly 50 golfers, including Vietnamese people, and local officials, diplomats and entrepreneurs of Belgium and several surrounding countries.
This year’s tournament raised a total of over 7,000 EUR (8,170 USD). Held annually since 2015, the tournament has to date collected more than 30,700 EUR, which was used to build 13 houses, provide financial support for 16 households, and present scholarships and gifts to children who are dioxin victims.
Along with raising funds for dioxin victims, this year’s tournament also aimed at promoting the image of Vietnamese land and people as well as intensifying trade exchange and investment promotion of Belgium and European enterprises in Vietnam./.
Ten pieces of infographics drawn by Vietnamese French painter Vo Tram Anh have been displayed in Paris for the first time, giving visitors a panorama of issues related to Agent Orange/dioxin disaster in Vietnam.
Great efforts have been made by the Vietnamese Government as well as organisations and individuals at home and abroad to support victims of Agent Orange/dioxin (AO) with a hope to ease the incomparable pain that they are suffering.
UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam Caitlin Wiesen has written an article on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Vietnam AO/Dioxin disaster day (August 10). The following is the full text of the article.
The Le Monde newspaper of France has recently posted an article of the Collectif Vietnam-Dioxine association, calling on French politicians and the international community to support victims of Agent Orange (AO) in Vietnam and designate a day in commemoration of the victims.
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.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg Nguyen Van Thao presents cup to winning golfer (Photo: VNA) 
