The People’s Council of Ho Chi Minh City has approved the largest-ever relief package worth over 7.3 trillion VND (321.3 million USD) to support people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Around 2 million households with more than 6 million people in HCM City need assistance. (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – The People’s Councilof Ho Chi Minh City has approved the largest-ever relief package worth over 7.3trillion VND (321.3 million USD) to support people affected by the COVID-19pandemic.
Nguyen Thi Le, Chairwoman of the municipal People’sCouncil, said on September 23 that the package targets more than 7.3 millionpeople of the five groups, regardless of their permanent or temporary residencein the city.
People eligible for the support are members of poor and near-poor householdsand social policy beneficiaries who are in difficult circumstances; thoserendered jobless by the pandemic and their dependents; parents, spouses andchildren of pensioners, people receiving social allowances due to work capacityloss and social insurance participants who were paid by businesses in Augustbut need financial assistance; and needy migrant workers living in the city. Each of them willreceive 1 million VND.
Le affirmed that the package will be rolled outpublicly and transparently, with simple procedures.
According to the municipal People’s Committee,around 2 million households with more than 6 million people in the country’s biggest economic centre needassistance, of whom nearly 1 million have losttheir jobs.
To ensure equality in the work, residential areaswill set up working groups to review the list of beneficiaries./.
The Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City on September 22 received medical supplies worth 373 billion VND (16.38 million USD) from businesses in support of the city's fight against COVID-19.
Ho Chi Minh City has received 1 million rapid test kits worth more than 200 billion VND (8.8 million USD) donated by a number of businesses to help the city in COVID-19 control.
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.
The team’s haul, including one Champion title, 10 golds, seven silvers, and four bronzes, surpassed expectations. Vietnam, competing since 2019, has secured over 200 AIMO medals, cementing its regional standing.
The guiding principle for revising the national energy master plan is that energy development must align with the country’s socio-economic development strategy. The energy system should be optimised as a whole, targeting sustainable and diverse development to ensure stable and adequate energy supply to meet national goals.
The Vietnam Disability Fashion Show 2025 aimed to honour the diverse beauty of individuals, promote humanistic values, and foster equality and social inclusion.
Around 2 million households with more than 6 million people in HCM City need assistance. (Photo: VNA) 
