Overseas Vietnamese celebrate traditional New Year
Vietnamese people in Belgium, South Africa and Japan welcomed the Lunar New Year (Tet) with ceremonies on February 11, with Vietnam’s biggest traditional festival approaching.
Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa Vu Van Dung speaks at the Tet celebration in Pretoria on February 11 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese peoplein Belgium, South Africa and Japan welcomed the Lunar New Year (Tet) withceremonies on February 11, with Vietnam’s biggest traditional festival approaching.
At a ceremony in Brussels, Vietnamese Ambassadorto Belgium and head of the Vietnamese Permanent Mission to the EU Vuong ThuaPhong highlighted the development in Vietnam’s relations with Belgium and theEU. Although the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement has yet to make progress asexpected, he expressed his belief it will be ratified in 2018, when Vietnam andBelgium will mark 45 years of diplomatic ties.
He wished Vietnamese people in Belgium health,prosperity and more contributions to the homeland and the two countries’ ties.
Chairman of the Vietnamese People Association inBelgium Huynh Cong My briefed about the organisation’s outstanding activitieslast year. Meanwhile, President of the Belgium – Vietnam Alliance GryffroyAndries said the alliance will work harder to help develop the Vietnamesecommunity in the European nation.
At a celebration in Pretoria, VietnameseAmbassador to South Africa Vu Van Dung informed participants about Vietnam’sachievements in 2017.
He noted the two countries have made strides invarious fields last year, from economy, politics to culture and tourism, addingthat they will mark the 25th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2018.
He also asked Vietnamese people in South Africato continue serving as a bridge to promote people-to-people exchange,friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Vietnamese people in Tsukuba city, Japan, make "chung" cakes - a traditional dish for Tet (Photo: VNA)
In the Japanese prefecture of Ibaraki,Vietnamese people in Tsukuba city held on February 11 a Tet celebration where aliaison board also debuted. Representatives of the Vietnamese Embassy in Japanand more than 200 Vietnamese and foreign friends attended the event.
Head of the liaison board Cao Sy Luan said theboard will help promote the image of Vietnamese people among Japanese,contributing to the two countries’ friendship.-VNA
Vietnamese expatriates in Singapore celebrated the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival at a get-together recently held by the Vietnamese Embassy in the host country and the Liaison Committee of the Vietnamese Community in Singapore.
Vietnamese people in Cambodia and the UK have held Lunar New Year (Tet) celebrations, with Vietnam’s biggest traditional festival only about a week away.
More than 500 Vietnamese expatriates in Myanmar have joined in a celebration for Tet (Lunar New Year) festival recently held by the Vietnamese Embassy, enterprises and Vietnamese people community.
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 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.
Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa Vu Van Dung speaks at the Tet celebration in Pretoria on February 11 (Photo: VNA) 
Vietnamese people in Tsukuba city, Japan, make "chung" cakes - a traditional dish for Tet (Photo: VNA) 
