Sweden helps HCM City build smart transportation network
Information and technology should be applied into the operation and management of public transportation to improve transport network in HCM City, Swedish companies recommended at a discussion on May 8.
At the roundtable discusion in HCM City (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – Information and technology should be applied into theoperation and management of public transportation to improve transport networkin Ho Chi Minh City, Swedish companies recommended at a roundtable discussionheld in southern hub on May 8.
At the event, which was held by the Swedish Embassy in Vietnam in collaborationwith the Swedish Commercial and Investment Office, Swedish Ambassador toVietnam Pereric Hogberg said that with considerable experience in urbanplanning solutions, Swedish experts and companies will help Vietnam set up planto build sustainable urban areas with smart transportation network.
He noted that emission amount has dropped 9 percent since 1990, and gasolinedependence has tapered off 90 percent since 1970 while Sweden is among thenations that have the lowest rate of traffic accidents.
About challenges that large urban centres are encountering and HCM City’ssolutions, Vice Director of the municipal Department of Transport Tran QuangLam highlighted that the city has set up planning for eight Mass RapidTransport (MRT) systems, three tramrails or monorails and six Bus Rapid Transit(BRT) systems.
Like many Asian countries, Vietnam is experiencing rapid urbanisation. As of2014, some 33 percent of the country’s 90-million population lived in urbanareas and the figure is said to increase to 50 percent by 2025.
In its strategy to develop public transport until 2020 within a vision to 2030,Vietnam sets a target of turning public transport into the top choice of peoplewhile controlling the growth of individual vehicles and improving urbantransport quality.
It also strives to have 20 percent of buses and taxis using liquefied petroleumgas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG) or solar energy by 2020.
Cooperation potential in transportation between the two countries were on thetable at the discussion.
In addition, relevant parties met to discuss Sweden’s support for Vietnam topromote sustainable traffic development in urban areas, aiming to turn publictransportation into a friendly and popular means of transport among thecitizens.-VNA
Hanoi plans to construct a super satellite city by 2030, with a total area of over 17,270ha located in two districts of Thach That and Quoc Oai and Son Tay town.
An international workshop was held in Ho Chi Minh City on April 12 to discuss the development of an “innovation urban area” in the southern metropolis.
Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Ngo Van Quy received a visiting Swedish business delegation on April 23 to discuss cooperation potential across fields.
A delegation of leading Swedish firms in mining, finance-banking, hi-tech, construction, transport and logistics is on a visit to Ho Chi Minh City to seek investment opportunities in the southern economic hub.
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.
At the roundtable discusion in HCM City (Photo: VNA) 
