Vietnamese, Lao localities talk COVID-19 fight, economic development
A high-level conference between the central border province of Ha Tinh and the Lao provinces of Bolikhamsay and Khammoune took place at Cao Treo international border gate on December 18 to discuss the fight against COVID-19 and economic development.
Ha Tinh (VNA) – A high-level conference between the central borderprovince of Ha Tinh and the Lao provinces of Bolikhamsay and Khammoune tookplace at Cao Treo international border gate on December 18 to discuss the fightagainst COVID-19 and economic development.
In ten months of thisyear, Ha Tinh earned 103.92 million USD from exports to Laos, mostly iron,steel, cement, construction materials, farm produce, motorbike spare parts andhousehold appliances; and spent 167.88 million USD on imports, includingconfectionery, beverages, electronics, iron and copper ores.
Speaking at the event,Secretary of the Ha Tinh provincial Party Committee Hoang Trung Dung said the localborder guards offered free health check-ups and medicines to Laos. Over 1,058Lao people, mostly students from Bolikhamsay and Khammuone, are studying in theprovince. During 2021-2022 academic year, Ha Tinh provided 117 scholarships forthe two provinces. Positive results have been recorded in bilateral cooperationin culture, tourism, health care and transportation
Secretary of theBolikhamsay provincial Party Committee and Governor Kongkeo Xaysongkham wished that HaTinh would continue assisting Bolikhamsay in personnel training, as well asjointly hold celebrations for the 60th anniversary of bilateraldiplomatic ties and the 45th anniversary of the signing of Vietnam –Laos Treaty on Amity and Cooperation.
On the occasion, bothsides signed a cooperation agreement on COVID-19 prevention and control invarious areas.
ꩲ Ha Tinh presented 8.2billion VND (356,000 USD) to build a medical station for Bolikhamsay and 500million VND to Khammuone./.
The central province of Quang Tri and two bordering Lao provinces - Savanakhet and Salavan - have signed an agreement on cooperation in border affairs and border marker planting for 2017-2018.
A conference took place in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue on July 24 to review its cooperation programme with Laos’ Salavan province in building a borderline of peace and friendship during the 2012-2018 period.
An official of the Lao province of Oudomxay on May 21 expressed his wish to further exchanges and cooperation between the locality and Vietnam’s northern province of Ha Nam.
The Border Guard in the central province of Quang Tri worked with security forces in Laos’ Savannakhet province to arrest five Lao suspects as a result of an expanded investigation into a ring trafficking drugs from Laos to Vietnam.
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 conference (Photo: VNA) 
