Symposium looks at northern border defence war, defence experience
The northern border defence war in 1979 and Vietnam’s defence experience were the main themes of a scientific symposium held in Ho Chi Minh City on April 4.
At the scientific symposium held in HCM City on April 4 (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – The northern border defence war in 1979 and Vietnam’sdefence experience were the main themes of a scientific symposium held in HoChi Minh City on April 4.
On February 17, 1979,China launched a large-scale attack on Vietnam’s territory along all thenorthern border line shared by the two countries from Phong Tho (Lai Chauprovince) to Mong Cai (Quang Ninh province).
Exercising theirlegitimate right to defence, Vietnam’s army and people fought back with greatfortitude.
Suffering heavy losseswithout achieving the attack’s initial aim, and being condemned byinternational opinions, China withdrew all its military forces from Vietnam onMarch 18 that year.
Former Director of theVietnam Military History Institute Vu Quang Dao said that various lessons canbe drawn out from the northern border defence war, including the importance ofupholding national independence and remembering President Ho Chi Minh’steaching, that “nothing is more precious than independence and freedom”.
The war also taughtVietnam to keep vigilant, building strong defence regions and combiningtraditional military techniques with modern warfare, he added. –VNA
Lieut. Gen Porfiry Ivashko, one of the first experts and advisors of the former Soviet Union (now Russia) sent to Vietnam right after the northern border defence war began in the country 40 years ago (February 17, 1979), has asserted the just struggle of Vietnamese people.
It is the courage and resolve of soldiers of the Vietnam People’s Army that contributed to the victory of the northern border defence war in Vietnam 40 years ago (February 17), said Russian Major General Viktor Demyanenko.
The war to defend the northern border of Vietnamese people 40 years ago (February 17, 1949) was spotlighted in a recent seminar held at the Ho Chi Minh Institute under Saint Petersburg State University of Russia.
The art of command during the northern border defence war in 1979 is analysed in an article by Associate Professor and Doctor Ho Khang, former deputy director of the Vietnam Military History Institute.
Many activities have been held in the northernmost province of Ha Giang on February 17 and 18 to pay tribute to martyrs and veterans who joined the war defending the northern border four decades ago.
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 scientific symposium held in HCM City on April 4 (Photo: VNA) 
