Vietnam, Laos share experience in religious affairs
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang held talks with visiting Vice President of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC)’s Central Committee Chanpheng Sutthivong in Hanoi on June 6, focusing on exchanging experience in State management over religious affairs.
Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang held talks with visiting Vice President of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC)’s Central Committee Chanpheng Sutthivong in Hanoi on June 6, focusing on exchanging experience in State management over religious affairs.
The two sides highlighted outcomes of the bilateral agreement on cooperation in religious affairs and sketched out collaboration orientations in the coming time.
They noted that the agreement has yielded certain results with various delegation exchanges, joint personnel training activities, as well as the sharing of experience in religious affairs among localities along the Vietnam-Laos border and the creation of favourable conditions for Buddhists in the two countries to strengthen connectivity.
The outcomes of cooperation activities between the Government Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs and the LFNC’s Central Committee have contributed to promoting the religious work in each country and further strengthen the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries as well as the close ties among Buddhists of the two countries.
They also discussed the completion of legal policies regarding beliefs and religions, and experience in coping with new religious issues.
According to Thang, amid the difficulties in the domestic and international situation, the Party and State of Vietnam have directed drastic measures to settle obstacles to promote economic growth, thus ensuring social welfare, defence and security.
Chanpheng Sutthivong said that basically, religious organisations and followers have implemented legal regulations without any religious divisions. All religions in Laos have joined social activities and preserved the cultural values of the country, she said.
The two sides agreed that in the coming time, they will increase the exchange of delegations and cooperation in training of officials engaging in religious affairs, while supporting Buddhist organisations of the two sides in conducting their religious practices./.
Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra held a working session in Hanoi on May 23 with her Lao counterpart Thongchanh Manixay, during which both sides expressed delight at the close cooperation between the two ministries and the fruitful outcomes of joint activities.
Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Vu Hai San hosted a visiting delegation from the Lao People’s Army’s general department of logistics in Hanoi on May 30.
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.
An overview of the meeting (Photo: VNA) 
