Hanoi (VNA) – Thestrengthening of soft power through modern communication platforms was thefocus of an international workshop held in Hanoi on December 11.
The event, organised by the PartyCentral Committee’s Commission for Information and Education, the DiplomaticAcademy of Vietnam and the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, was among activitiescelebrating the 50th founding anniversary of Vietnam - Australia diplomaticrelations this year.
Standing Vice Chairman of the Steering Committee for External Information Service Le Hai Binh speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)
Opening the workshop, Le Hai Binh,Standing Vice Chairman of the Steering Committee for External Information Service, said that, to guarantee nationalinterests and promote their influence, stature, and prestige in the internationalarena, many countries are working to enhance their influence via cultural,political, social values and foreign policies.
Amid the fourth Industrial Revolution with the appearance of new communication methods like the internet and social media, international influence has even more space, environment, and instruments to grow and spread.
In that trend, the governments of many countries are stepping up theapplication of information technology, digital technology, and new means ofmedia, especially social networks, to national and global governance.
Binh noted that aside from a judiciousand appropriate foreign policy, Australia’s influence derives from a cultural uniqueness, developed economywith high competitiveness, and advanced education. Facing the boom of modernmedia means, the Australian Government has grasped the new situation and issuedsuitable policies, he added.
At the workshop, participants listenedto speeches about Vietnam and Australia’s policies on strengthening its international influenceand building national brands amid the surge of new media means, the initiativeto build a database system for popularising Vietnam’s images in cyberspace, andAustralia’s initiative to carry out the public diplomacy strategy.
Theyalso discussed the role of international media in promoting national influence, digital diplomacy towards the building of a sustainable world, theeffectiveness and reform of the implementation of the public diplomacystrategy, strong and weak points of modern media means, the effectiveness andimpacts of digital diplomacy, and the issue of ethics in the era of digitaldiplomacy./.
Amid the current integration and cultural confluence context, it is an urgent need to build detailed standards for the values of the Vietnamese people so as to activate the “soft power” of the nation.
Digital transformation, an obvious trend for all sectors, has become a tool for the cultural sector of Vietnam to make breakthroughs in turning into a source of soft power serving the country’s sustainable development.
As the Vice President representing the Asia-Pacific of the 42nd session of the UNESCO General Conference, Vietnam will help build consensus and seek appropriate solutions to urgent issues of the Asia-Pacific and UNESCO, said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc.
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.
The team’s haul, including one Champion title, 10 golds, seven silvers, and four bronzes, surpassed expectations. Vietnam, competing since 2019, has secured over 200 AIMO medals, cementing its regional standing.
At the event (Photo: VNA) 
Standing Vice Chairman of the Steering Committee for External Information Service Le Hai Binh speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA) 
