Oxfam, foreign embassies support pandemic-hit migrant workers in HCM City
Oxfam in Vietnam, a non-governmental organisation, together with the Embassies of New Zealand and Switzerland in Vietnam, on October 5 announced a humanitarian aid of nearly 1.3 billion VND (57,000 USD) to help migrant workers in Ho Chi Minh City surmount difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Workers at a garment factory in Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – ꦉOxfam in Vietnam, a non-governmental organisation,together with the Embassies of New Zealand and Switzerland in Vietnam, onOctober 5 announced a humanitarian aid of nearly 1.3 billion VND (57,000 USD)to help migrant workers in Ho Chi Minh City surmount difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the next three months, over 700 disadvantaged andvulnerable workers, especially women in worst-hit districts of the southernhub, will receive 1.5 million VND in cash each to help them buy necessities likefood and medicine. Oxfam’s partners, namely the Disability Research and Capacity Development (DRD) and the Centre for Social Work – Community Development Research andConsultancy (SDRC) will closely join hands with organisationsand local authorities to hand over the aid to the beneficiaries. The aid package was built based on an evaluation of COVID-19impacts on migrant workers in HCM City compiled by Oxfam and its two partners in August. Chargé d'Affaires of the New Zealand Embassy Joseph Mayhew affirmed that the aid package serves as proof of a close-knit partnership between New Zealand and Vietnam.
The delegates at the virtual launch ceremony. (Photo: vietbao.vn)
More than 3,000 women across Vietnam affected by COVID-19received support via the New Zealand Head of Mission Fund over the past year, he added. Vanessa Di Giorgi from the Swiss Embassy said Switzerland always stands side by side with Vietnam to overcome the pandemic. Switzerland had previously presented medical supplies worth 5.5million USD to support Vietnam's fight against COVID-19./.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is extremely proud to have been associated with Vietnam’s spectacular achievements in sexual and reproductive health, said Naomi Kitahara, UNFPA Representative in Vietnam.
As many as 480 female migrant workers living in difficult circumstances received gifts worth 500,000 VND each during a programme held in Hanoi on September 18.
A cash assistance programme and faster provision of relief for people with disadvantages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are among the proposals submitted by experts at a consultation held in Hanoi on September 27.
Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City along with organisations and individuals have joined hands in caring for children, the most vulnerable group amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The contest "Cyber S – Generation S: Safety and equality in cyberspace" opened on October 4 to raise public awareness, especially among young people and content creators on social media, about safety and gender equality in cyberspace amid COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
Workers at a garment factory in Vietnam. (Photo: VNA) 
The delegates at the virtual launch ceremony. (Photo: vietbao.vn) 
