Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc opens a workshop in Hanoi on November 16 to mark the 20th anniversary of the seventh Francophone Summit hosted by Vietnam in 1997. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – A workshop took place in Hanoi on November 16 to mark the20th anniversary of the seventh Francophone Summit hosted by Vietnam in 1997.
Theevent was jointly organised by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, theDepartment of International Organisations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairsand the International Organisation of Francophonie (OIF) to talk about theevent in memories and prospects.
Inhis opening remarks, Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc said the OIF hasbrought together 84 member states and governments over the past two decades,accounting for 20 percent of the global trade and 13 percent of the world’ GDP.It has made significant contribution to the fulfillment of the UN MillenniumDevelopment Goals (MDGs) and to addressing global and regional issues, such aspoverty, education and healthcare, people’s standard of living, environmentprotection, gender equality and childcare, Ngoc noted.
Theorganisation has also proved its vital role in preventing and settlingconflicts and political crises as well as encountering terrorism in the memberstates, helping maintain peace and stability in the world, he added.
Thedeputy minister moved on to say that cooperation within the Francophonecommunity has given Vietnam opportunities to strengthen relations with othermember states like France, Canada, Belgium and more in Africa and Asia-Pacific.
Eric-NormandThibeault, OIF Director for Asia-Pacific, said the 1997 Francophone Summittaking place in Hanoi, Vietnam, marked an important milestone in thecommunity’s development with the adoption of the Charter of La Francophonie andthe election of the first OIF Secretary General.
Hehighly appreciated Vietnam’s effort to promote the Francophone activities overthe past years, suggesting the country should further enhance the education ofFrench language at universities and make policies to encourage people to useforeign languages, including French. He affirmed that the OIF will continue toaccompany Vietnam in fostering language and cultural diversity and deepeningeconomic cooperation.
Attendeesdiscussed the growth of Francophone in Asia-Pacific after the summit in Hanoiin 1997 and its challenges in the future; Francophone and future ofmultilateral diplomacy; and studies of French language education and teachingin French in Asia.-VNA
HCM City hopes to receive overseas support, including French-speaking countries and their localities, to address challenges such as urban traffic, environmental pollution and climate change.
Scholars and experts on French language and culture have affirmed Vietnam’s increasingly important role in the French-speaking community and the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).
Representatives from 52 French-teaching universities in Vietnam attended the Regional Conference of Rectors of the Francophone University Agency in the Asia-Pacific region (AUF) (CONFRASIE) in Bangkok
Tran Minh Quang from northern mountainous Dien Bien province has won first prize in the journalism writing contest Young Francophones Reporters –Vietnam 2017, which was held for the second time by Le Courrier du Vietnam (CVN), a weekly French language newspaper under the Vietnam News Agency.
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.
Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc opens a workshop in Hanoi on November 16 to mark the 20th anniversary of the seventh Francophone Summit hosted by Vietnam in 1997. (Photo: VNA) 
