Customs authorities seized more than 3 tonnes of drugs of all kinds, with 365 suspects involved, from December 16, 2022 to February 15, 2024, according to a report by the Ministry of Finance to National Assembly deputies.
Hanoi (VNA) – Customs authorities seized more than 3 tonnes of drugsof all kinds, with 365 suspects involved, from December 16, 2022 to February15, 2024, according to a report by the Ministry of Finance to NationalAssembly deputies.
In the period, they detected,arrested and handled 18,468 cases of customs law violations, with contrabands valuingat an estimation of 15.7 trillion VND (635.5 million USD). The GeneralDepartment of Vietnam Customs launched legal proceedings against 43 cases, andhanded over to other agencies 204 cases. The amount of money collected was 588 billion VND.
Notably, from December 16, 2023 to February15, 2024, 2,475 violation cases with contrabands worth 3.29 trillion VND weredetected.
Customs officials also seized 11.35 kg ofmarijuana, 17.8 kg of heroin, 43 kg of ketamine, 900 ketamine tablets, and145.89 kg of synthetic drugs and many other drugs.
According to the Ministry of Finance,recently, on the Vietnam - China border, smuggling activities and illegaltransportation of goods have decreased significantly, with no new hot spots uncovered.On the contrary, on the Vietnam – Laos, and Vietnam - Cambodia borders, those activities involving firecrackers, wild animalsand plants, cigarettes and sugar still develop complicatedly, mainly in NgheAn, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, LongAn, Dong Thap, An Giang, and Kien Giang provinces./.
The People’s Court of the northwestern province of Son La handed out 10 death penalties and one life sentence to members of a drug trafficking ring during trials from June 1-5.
Operation Mekong Dragon V (OMD V), a programme cracking down on drugs and wildlife trafficking in the Asia-Pacific region, was deployed from April 15 to November 16, 2023. Some 25 customs and law enforcement agencies and international organisations participated in the scheme, resulting in the seizure of 1,715 drugs and wildlife trafficking cases.
The embassy advises Vietnamese citizens travelling in Greece that they should avoid standing close to cliff edges, boat sides, and refrain from going out to sea during storms to prevent unfortunate incidents.
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.
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) 
