Mang ethnic minority people, in the northern mountainous province of Son La, live in simple, makeshift tent-like structures made primarily from bamboo. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNS/VNA) -🌠 People living in ethnic and mountainousareas have received a boost to improve their living conditions andinfrastructure in their communities.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang has approved a decision toassist residents to reclaim land, improve their houses and build new homes. It means funds from the state budget will be available to improveliving conditions, pave roads, build markets, and install water supplyfacilities. The assistance is meant to help with the implementation of thenational target programme on socio-economic development in ethnic minority andmountainous areas for the 2021-30 period, in the first phase from 2021 to 2025. A maximum of 40 million VND (nearly 1,700 USD) from the centralbudget will be provided for each household to carry out site clearance, preparehousing and land infrastructure, or settlement. A maximum of 40 million VND foreach household will be provided to build a “three-solid” house (solid ground,solid frame/wall, and solid roofs) in line with local customs, and up to 22.5million VND for each to conduct land reclamation for farming. The decision also regulates that an average of 3 billion VND fromthe central budget will be given to help build concentrated water supplyfacilities. The paving of roads towards communes' centre can receive support ofabout 1.6 billion VND for each kilometre, and the construction of a new marketcan receive financial aid of 4.4 billion VND, while the upgrading of an existingmarket will be given some 800 million VND.
Meanwhile, local budgets will supply a minimum of 4 million VNDfor each household to carry out site clearance, prepare housing landinfrastructure, or settlement. A minimum of 4 million VND will be dedicated tobuilding a solid house in line with local customs.
🐓 In addition to the aid from the central and local budgets,localities were also requested to mobilise capital from other legal sources forfunding the works under the national target programme, according to thedecision./.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on April 19 received a delegation of 92 outstanding patriarchs and heads of villages and artisans of ethnic minority groups, who have made great contributions to the preservation and promotion of the groups’ cultural traditions.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recently issued a plan to hold seven programmes this year in the provinces of Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Dien Bien and Nghe An to support the preservation of ethnic minorities’ intangible cultures at risk of oblivion in tandem with local tourism development.
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue has stressed the need to mobilise resources from society for the implementation of the national target programme on socio-economic development in ethnic minorities and mountainous regions in 2021-2030, given the limited State budget.
The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) on December 26 held a training conference on disseminating information on the national target programme on socio-economic development in mountainous and ethnic-inhabited areas in the 2021-2025 period.
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.
Mang ethnic minority people, in the northern mountainous province of Son La, live in simple, makeshift tent-like structures made primarily from bamboo. (Photo: VNA) 
