Dak Nong (VNA) – The Vietnam Mekong RiverCommission (VMRC) held its second plenary meeting in 2019 in the CentralHighlands province of Dak Nong on December 3.
The meeting heard experts’ reports on water use strategies of Thailand andother regional countries, and the consultation processfor the Luang Prabang hydropower project of Laos, and development of hydropower plants in theMekong River’s mainstream.
Participants underlined the role of VMRC, especially in setting directions for addressing MekongRiver-related issues. They pointed out negative impacts on socio-economicdevelopment in the Mekong River’s mainstream.
Addressing the event, Deputy Ministerof Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh affirmed that the VMRC willpromptly provide warnings about trends, climate and weather conditionsaffecting the Mekong River system, to relevant provinces and cities. Thecommission will also expand external relations and consultations with other countriesto minimize impacts on the Mekong River.
Thanh said Vietnamese localities in the Mekong River area should focuson sustainable development and switch to renewable energy. He called forbuilding a master plan on erosion to roll out more effective solutions for theproblem.
In 2019, the VMRC participated in theconsultation process on a master plan for economic development of the MekongDelta region, and contributed opinions to water resources plans and relevant investmentprojects.
It also completed the negotiation to build an agreement on regulations on waterusage along the Vietnam - Cambodia border in accordance with the Minutes of theVietnam - Cambodia Joint Committee Meeting.
In addition, the commission established a number of expert groups, mobilizingthe extensive participation of all stakeholders in domestic and internationalactivities.
In 2020, the commission will continue to monitor the exploitation anduse of water resources and other natural resources in the Mekong basin.
It will closely coordinate with relevant agencies in proposing mechanisms to strengthencooperation with member countries of the Mekong River Commission (MRC), and mechanisms of sharing cross-border water resources toensure water security in the Mekong River basin and the Mekong Delta./.
Vietnam held its first national preliminary consultation seminar in Can Tho on September 25 to assess the impact of the construction of the Don Sahong hydropower plant on the Mekong River in Laos.
A national consultation meeting was held in Hanoi on December 22 to examine the possible impacts of the 260-megawatt Don Sahong hydropower plant on the Mekong River.
As many as 18 million residents in the Mekong Delta are suffering serious consequences as the Mekong River is drying up due to over exploitation of hydropower plants in upstream countries.
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 plenary meeting (Source: VNA) 
