Vietnam-France forum on smart, sustainable urban areas
Business France and the French Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City organised the Vietnam-France forum on smart and sustainable urban areas on July 4.
The HCM City People’s Committee and the French General Consulate in the city sign an MoU on cooperation in air quality control on July 4 (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – Business France and the FrenchConsulate General in Ho Chi Minh City organised the Vietnam-France forum onsmart and sustainable urban areas on July 4.
Representatives from the municipal People’s Committeeand French General Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City signed a memorandum of understanding(MoU) on cooperation in air quality control to cope with the environmentalchallenges of sustainable development in the city.
Accordingly, both sides will share their knowledge andtechnical expertise to launch an air quality control programme in the city,establish an air quality monitor system, and devise measures to prevent andmitigate air pollution – altogether contributing to environmental protectionand climate change response.
The city and the French Consulate General willcooperate in workforce training for air quality management, as well as launchingspecific projects within the MoU framework, including mobilising and allocatingFrance’s financial aid to promote progress in environmental protection and climatechange response.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee TranVinh Tuyen said the forum affords domestic and foreign firms a chance to seek partners,expand markets, and attract investment, adding that the MoU will help the citycontrol and mitigate air pollution, contributing to building Ho Chi Minh Cityinto a green, modern, and sustainable urban area.
French Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City VincentFloreani said French companies with successful projects are ready to partnerwith the city in this field.
The event attracted experts, senior executives, andleading firms in architecture, urban transportation, energy, waste management,and water treatment.
Participants discussed air quality management, greenprojects, and smart construction technology.
Several French firms met bilaterally with VietnameseState agencies and private partners to seek opportunities in promising fields. -VNA
Vietnam and France signed many cooperation agreements in health during a working visit to France by Vietnamese Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien from June 13-17 at the invitation of French Minister of Solidarities and Health Agnès Buzyn.
Vietnam and France have agreed to further expand cultural cooperation in all aspects, including new forms, to encourage more and more Vietnamese youths to study French culture and language.
France is exchanging professional knowledge and experience in military engineering with Vietnam in the United Nations peacekeeping operations during a two-week programme, which commenced in Hanoi on June 25.
Cooperation between Vietnamese and French localities is one of the pillars to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries, heard a seminar in Paris on June25.
The Vietnam Provincial Roadshow in France took place in Paris from June 25-27, as part of activities to mark the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and five years of the Vietnam-France strategic partnership.
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.
The HCM City People’s Committee and the French General Consulate in the city sign an MoU on cooperation in air quality control on July 4 (Photo: VNA) 
