Vietnamese servicemen set off for rescue operations in Turkey
Seventy six military personnel of Vietnam departed for Turkey on February 12 night to assist the country in recovery efforts following a devastating earthquake.
Hanoi (VNA) – Seventy six militarypersonnel of Vietnam departed for Turkey on February 12 night to assist thecountry in recovery efforts following a devastating earthquake.
Present at the send-off ceremony, Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People'sArmy (VPA) and Deputy Minister of National Defence, lauded the spirit anddetermination of the officers and soldiers, saying the Central MilitaryCommission and the Ministry of National Defence hoped that they will outstandingly fulfill thetasks.
The servicemen will study the scene and outline arescue plan right after they reach there, scheduled for February 13 night, saidMaj. Gen. Pham Van Ty, Deputy Director of the Department of Search and Rescue and Deputy Chief of the Office of the National Committee for Incident and Disaster Response, Search and Rescue, who was assigned as commander-in-chief of the VPA forces inhumanitarian and relief operations inTurkey.
The same day, 35 tonnes of cargo were also transported to Noi Bai International Airport and then to Turkey to serve the rescue work.
The 35 tonnes of cargo to serve the rescue work (Photo: VNA)
Earlier, a 24-member team of the Vietnamese Ministryof Public Security engaged in search and rescue efforts in the Turkishsoutheastern city of Adiyaman, which is among the localities bearing the bruntof the earthquake, after they arrived in Istanbul International Airport onFebruary 10.
According to the ministry’s police department offire prevention, fighting and rescue, due to difficulties in traveling and transporting15 tonnes of equipment for the rescue work, they were divided into two groupsto reach the site.
On February11, they began working at the rubble of a building in Adiyaman where the local authoritiessaid 15 people are trapped.
The disaster has left approximately 6,500 buildings collapsed, at least over 21,000 people dead, and hundreds of thousands others homeless. (Photo: VNA)
The enthusiasm and professionalism of the Vietnameserecue forces in Turkey have been highly valued by Turkey as well as otherinternational rescue teams, said Colonel Nguyen Minh Khuong, head of themission, adding that the team is using specialised equipment from Vietnam andothers available in the host locality.
According to the officer, the forces have receivedthe support from the Vietnamese Embassy in Turkey and volunteers in thecountry. However, they still have faced difficulties regarding the severe weatherand language barrier.
This is the first time Vietnam has deployed searchand rescue forces in coordination with other countries following a naturaldisaster./.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Turkey has sent a working delegation to southeastern provinces joining search and rescue activities for victims of an earthquake that devastated this part the country on February 6. So far, there was no information on Vietnamese citizens dead or injured in the disaster.
A 24-member team deployed by the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security has begun engaging in search and rescue efforts in the Turkish southeastern city of Adiyaman, which is among localities bearing the brunt of the devastating February 6 earthquake.
The rescue mission of the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security discovered and coordinated with international forces to rescue a victim trapped in the rubble caused by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey on February 11, the first day of their rescue operation in Adiyaman city.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
At the send-off ceremony (Photo: qpvn.vn) 
The 35 tonnes of cargo to serve the rescue work (Photo: VNA) 
The disaster has left approximately 6,500 buildings collapsed, at least over 21,000 people dead, and hundreds of thousands others homeless. (Photo: VNA) 
