Vietnam-India friendship festival kicks off in Ninh Binh
The 10th Vietnam – India People’s Friendship Festival opened in the northern province of Ninh Binh on August 13, attracting the attention of over 30 delegates from India.
Nguyen Thi Thanh, Secretary of the Ninh Binh Party Committee, hands over a gift to Pallab Sengupta, Politburo member of the Communist Party of India and General Secretary of the All India Peace and Solidarity Organisation, at the event (Photo: VNA)
Ninh Binh (VNA) – The 10th Vietnam – India People’sFriendship Festival opened in the northern province of Ninh Binh on August 13,attracting the attention of over 30 delegates from India.
The event, themed ‘solidarity – friendship – development’,aims at reviewing past cooperation; promoting the countries’ people, land, andculture; and boosting mutual understanding.
At the opening ceremony, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Union ofFriendship Organisations Nguyen Phuong Nga said the past editions of thefestival held in different localities of both Vietnam and India havecontributed to cementing the two peoples.
Cultural and people-to-people exchanges hold a significantmeaning to reinforcing Vietnam – India collaboration toward effectiveness amidglobal complexities, she added.
Nga stressed the bilateral traditional friendship of mutualtrust and sharing will thrive, benefiting their peoples as well as contributingto peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region and in theworld.
Pallab Sengupta, Politburo member of the Communist Party ofIndia and General Secretary of the All India Peace and Solidarity Organisation(AIPSO), recalled that the two countries elevated their relations tocomprehensive strategic partnership in 2016, considering it an importantmilestone in the relations.
He said the ties need to be improved further at bilateraland multilateral forums, particularly regarding people-to-people diplomacy.
Sengupta noted it is time to discuss new activities,including those targeting young people, apart from organising such festival.
He affirmed the solidarity with millions of AgentOrange/dioxin victims in Vietnam and his support for a request of compensationfor their families.
The festival lasts until August 18 across different venues,including Hanoi, Khanh Hoa, and Ho Chi Minh City.-VNA
The sixth Vietnam – India people’s friendship festival kicked off in Hanoi on October 21, targeting to make Vietnamese and Indian people become closer via a series of cultural and tour events in the city as well as central Da Nang city and Ho Chi Minh City until October 26.
Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh on August 12 hosted a reception for an Indian delegation led by Pallab Sengupta, Politburo member of the Communist Party of India and General Secretary of the All India Peace and Solidarity Organisation (AIPSO).
During their stay in Vietnam to attend the 10th Vietnam-India People’s Friendship Festival, Indian delegation called at Trang An landscape complex in the northern province of Ninh Binh on August 13.
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.
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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.
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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.
Nguyen Thi Thanh, Secretary of the Ninh Binh Party Committee, hands over a gift to Pallab Sengupta, Politburo member of the Communist Party of India and General Secretary of the All India Peace and Solidarity Organisation, at the event (Photo: VNA) 
