Social Policy Bank helps build over 8.7 million sanitation facilities
The Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) has helped build more than 8.7 million clean water and sanitation facilities for family use in the past 12 years under its credit programme.
Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) has helped build more than 8.7 million clean water and sanitation facilities for family use in the past 12 years under its credit programme designed for the purpose.
The bank said as of the end of October this year, total loans under the programme came to 40.5 trillion VND (1.8 billion USD) with more than five million customers.
The bank has collected 16.9 trillion VND (760 million USD) in debt payment, while overdue debts stood at 37 billion VND, or 0.16 percent.
The credit programme was first piloted in 10 provinces – Son La, Hai Duong, Nam Dinh, Ninh Binh, Nghe An, Khanh Hoa, Binh Thuan, Dak Lak, Tien Giang, Kien Giang from 2004 to 2005.
It was then expanded to all provinces and cities.
Under the programme, rural households can borrow a maximum six million VND (270 USD) to upgrade or build clean water and sanitation facilities. The current interest rate for such loans is 0.75 percent per month.
෴ The national strategy on clean water and environmental sanitation in rural areas approved on August 25, 2000 set the target that all rural residents will have at least 60 litres of clean water meeting national standards per day and access to sanitary toilets by 2020.-VNA
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Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has approved policies to support development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas in 2017-2020, which aim to reduce the poverty ratio in the areas by 3-4 percent.
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Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has approved water supply planning for the Mekong Delta region to 2030 with a vision to 2050, aiming to reduce average clean water loss to 18 percent in 2020.
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.
Illustrative image. (Source: VNA)
