Hanoi (VNA) - The Hanoi Women for Peace and Development Festival 2024 opened in Hanoi on March 2.
Hanoi was recognised by the UNESCO as a City for Peace in 1999, becoming the only city in Asia-Pacific to earn the title. In 2019, the city joined the UNESCO Creative City Network (UCCN).
Over the years, the administration and people of Hanoi, including women, have worked hard to build and develop the city, making it more prosperous, civilised, and modern, deserving the position of the heart of the nation and a city of peace and creativity.
The festival aims to inspire the pride of women in the capital city on the glorious tradition of the international women's movement and Vietnamese women as well as the tradition of the heroic Hanoi with time-honoured culture, a city of peace, Vice President of the Vietnam Women's Association (VWA) Le Kim Anh said.
At the same time, the event is expected to spread the spirit of solidarity, connectivity, integration and development of women of Hanoi and the world for gender equality and women's progress, the official stated.
The festival featured various activities, including the introduction of culture, typical products, and food of Hanoi and other countries with 30 booths, as well as a walking tournament and a special art programme.
Earlier the same day, the first walking tournament themed “healthy and beautiful capital city's women” kicked off, drawing more than 300 athletes.
The organising board of the tournament called for donations to support needy women and children in the city, ensuring that no woman or child is left behind./.
The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on January 23 launched the first-ever study on women-owned small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang has signed a decision approving a national action programme on women, peace and security for 2024-2030, a move to step up gender equality and women's role in ensuring peace, stability and sustainable development nationally and globally.
During the 2012-2022, the number of women-owned SMEs grew at an average rate of 2% annually, higher than the average growth rate of the business sector.
The art of traditional costume weaving has been gradually fading away in numerous localities, especially in ethnic minority areas. Given this, Mong ethnic women in the northern mountainous province of Đien Bien are doing their best to preserve and develop the age-old profession.
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.
An art performance at the festival (Photo: VNA) 
