Vietnamese businesses help stabilise lives of Lao ethnic people
A resettlement area for the Sekaman 1 hydropower project within an energy agreement between the Governments of Vietnam and Laos was inaugurated in Attapue, southern Laos on December 16.
Vientiane (VNA)♛ – A resettlement area for the Sekaman 1 hydropower project within the Energy Cooperation Agreement between the Governments of Vietnam and Laos was inaugurated in Laos’ southern province of Attapue on December 16.
Situated near the Sekaman 1 hydropower project reservoir in Sansay district, the Souksavang-Dakbou resettlement area has 59 houses for more than 400 people.
Apart from access to electricity, schooling and health care, the displaced will receive farm land, fertiliser, pesticides, plants and animals, along with vocational training.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, General Director of Song Da Corporation Duong Khanh Toan - the investor of the project- said the resettlement area is a significant part of the project’s environmental protection and social affairs efforts.
It is expected to help improve the living standards of Lao ethnic people, thus contributing to the two nations’ special relationship, he said.
Governor of Attapue province Nam Viyaket praised Sekaman 1 Electricity Co. Ltd for the resettlement work, environmental protection and stabilising the lives of those living in the area designated for the project.
The company is also building another resettlement area for the project.
Located about 80km from the Vietnam-Laos border on the Sekaman River, the Xekaman 1 hydropower project has an investment of nearly 541 million USD, including 53.72 million USD spent on 230 kilovolt power transmission lines.
The build-operate-transfer project is designed to have a combined output of 1.21 billion KWh per year, about 80 percent of which will be exported to Vietnam.-VNA
The Xekaman 1 hydropower project reservoir in the Lao province of Attapeu, part of electricity cooperation between the Vietnamese and Lao Governments, officially began storing water on May 9.
The embassy advises Vietnamese citizens travelling in Greece that they should avoid standing close to cliff edges, boat sides, and refrain from going out to sea during storms to prevent unfortunate incidents.
Hanoi is advancing green transportation as part of its sustainability goals but faces challenges like limited charging infrastructure, inconsistent regulations, and high electric vehicle costs.
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.
Souksavang-Dakbou resettlement area (Source: VNA)
