International Friendship Exchange – Spring 2023 held in Lao Cai
The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), in collaboration with Lao Cai province, held the International Friendship Exchange – Spring 2023 in the northern mountainous province on March 26-27.
The International Friendship Exchange – Spring 2023 held in Lao Cai. (Photo: VNA)
Lao Cai (VNA) – The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO),in collaboration with Lao Cai province, held the International FriendshipExchange – Spring 2023 in the northern mountainous province on March 26-27.
The event attracted the participation of 150 delegates from foreignembassies, and international organisations, and foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Vietnam.
This is an annual activity held by VUFO to create achance for international friends to visit historical and cultural relic sites andlandscapes, and exchange with local authorities and people to learn more aboutthe land, people and culture of Vietnam as well as cooperation opportunitieswith its localities.
Within the framework of this year’s event, delegates climbedup to the top of Mount Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina.
VUFO President Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, said that theunion has been providing support for around 400 foreign NGOs which are operating inVietnam to carry out programmes and projects for humanitarian and developmentpurposes, with the aid budget disbursed in recent years reaching 220-280million USD per year.
In Lao Cai, there are currently 34 organisations which are supportinglocal partners to implement programmes and projects in health, education, improvinglocals’ livelihoods, and addressing social problems, added Nga.
On this occasion, some foreign NGOs pledged to expand, extend and fund new projects in Lao Cai, with total capital of over 2 million USD.
France’s Enfance Partienariat Viet Nam và Espoir Pour unEnfant presented scholarships totaling more than 3,000 USD to poor students inthe locality./.
The Committee for Foreign Non-Governmental Organisation Affairs (COMINGO) and Vietnamese agencies will continue partnering with and offer effective support to foreign NGOs in Vietnam, thus ensuring their legitimate rights and interests.
Seven foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on December 22 were granted the Vietnamese Prime Minister’s certificates of merit for their contributions to the country’s socio-economic development as well as its COVID-19 prevention and control in the 2020-2022 period.
People-to-people diplomacy has contributed to creating a favourable international environment for national development, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan said on January 10.
The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) on February 24 held an annual meeting with foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the city.
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.
The International Friendship Exchange – Spring 2023 held in Lao Cai. (Photo: VNA) 
